bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The problems of livestock theft in Tuva: History and modernity (ethnic and legal aspects)
Authors: Aiyzhy Elena , Mongush Artysh , Mongush Aziana , Ondar Aldyn-Kherel , Seden-Khuurak Shoraana , Bildinmaa Ayana
Published: December 2021

One of the most important achievements of the Tuvans in the process of adaptation to the nomadic culture and to the extreme continental climate of Central Asia was the breeding of various domestic animals adapted to different ecological conditions of the region. The main wealth of a nomad is livestock: horses, camels, cattle, sheep and goats, yaks, and reindeer. The article analyses the problems of livestock theft in Tuva from the mid-nineteenth century to the current state, as well as structure and dynamics of livestock theft. The main reasons for livestock theft and its reduced detection are analysed. On the basis of the conducted research, the authors have revealed a subjective portrait of a Tuvan livestock thief. Grazing as one of the factors of stock theft was studied. Suggestions on preventing livestock theft and recommendations on counteracting this crime are made.
Prospective international validation of the predisposition, infection, response and organ dysfunction (PIRO) clinical staging system among intensive care and general ward patients
Authors: Cardoso T. , Rodrigues P. P. , Nunes C. , Almeida M. , Cancela J. , Rosa F. , Rocha-Pereira N. , Ferreira I. , Seabra-Pereira F. , Vaz P. , Carneiro L. , Andrade C. , Davis J. , Marçal A. , Friedman N. D.
Published: December 2021

Background

Stratifying patients with sepsis was the basis of the predisposition, infection, response and organ dysfunction (PIRO) concept, an attempt to resolve the heterogeneity in treatment response. The purpose of this study is to perform an independent validation of the PIRO staging system in an international cohort and explore its utility in the identification of patients in whom time to antibiotic treatment is particularly important.

Methods

Prospective international cohort study, conducted over a 6-month period in five Portuguese hospitals and one Australian institution. All consecutive adult patients admitted to selected wards or the intensive care, with infections that met the CDC criteria for lower respiratory tract, urinary, intra-abdominal and bloodstream infections were included.

Results

There were 1638 patients included in the study. Patients who died in hospital presented with a higher PIRO score (10 ± 3 vs 8 ± 4, p < 0.001). The observed mortality was 3%, 15%, 24% and 34% in stage I, II, III and IV, respectively, which was within the predicted intervals of the original model, except for stage IV patients that presented a lower mortality. The hospital survival rate was 84%. The application of the PIRO staging system to the validation cohort resulted in a positive predictive value of 97% for stage I, 91% for stage II, 85% for stage III and 66% for stage IV. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) was 0.75 for the all cohort and 0.70 if only patients with bacteremia were considered. Patients in stage III and IV who did not have antibiotic therapy administered within the desired time frame had higher mortality rate than those who have timely administration of antibiotic.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first external validation of this PIRO staging system and it performed well on different patient wards within the hospital and in different types of hospitals. Future studies could apply the PIRO system to decision-making about specific therapeutic interventions and enrollment in clinical trials based on disease stage.
Effects of biochar and barley straw application on the rice productivity and greenhouse gas emissions of paddy field
Authors: Kang Se-Won , Yun Jin-Ju , Park Jae-Hyuk , Cheong Yong Hwa , Park Jong-Hwan , Seo Dong-Cheol , Cho Ju-Sik
Published: December 2021

To improve the agricultural environment, utilization of biochar and organic materials from paddy fields gaining importance. This is because the long-term use of inorganic fertilizers aggravates the soil environment, and also because rice paddy is a major source of CH4 and N2O emissions during rice cultivation which involves continuous flooding. Recently, the application of organic materials and biochar to the soil has received increasing attention due to their potential benefits related to soil quality, crop growth, and greenhouse gas emission. This study examines the influence of biochar and straw treatments on rice growth, soil physicochemical properties, and global warming potential in the paddy field. Five treatments were applied for the study: control (Cn), inorganic fertilizer (IF), barley straw biochar (BC), barley straw (BS), and BC + BS. Soil quality after rice harvesting improved in the BC treated group. The yield components of rice were also improved in the BC + BS, compared to other treatments. These effects resulted in increased rice yield and uptake of nutrient contents in the BC + BS treatment. Total fluxes of CH4 and N2O relative to global warming significantly decreased by 37.3% and 65.2% in the BC + BS group than in the IF treatment, respectively. Consequentially, a cropping system with BC and BS is an effective strategy to improve rice productivity and soil quality and also reduce GHG emissions from paddy fields, thereby alleviating global warming.
Investigation of Bursting Stress and Spalling Stress in Post-tensioned Anchorage Zones
Authors: Zhou Linyun
Published: December 2021

Over the past decades, considerable efforts have been made to quantify the bursting forces in the post-tensioned anchorage zones based on the simplified model or fitting formulas, however reproducing the transverse stress distribution is still a challenging topic, which is also important to detail the reinforcing details in the anchorage zones, especially for cracking control. To address this issue, this paper is devoted to seeking an elasticity solution for transverse stresses in the anchorage zones, and providing a more rational equation for transverse distribution in anchorage zones. The sum function of normal stresses is employed to solve the stresses filed in the anchorage zones with concentric load and two eccentric loads. The bursting stresses in the concentric anchorage zones and spalling stresses in the eccentric anchorage zones are verified by the photoelastic tests. The transverse stresses along the symmetry axis of the eccentric anchorage zones can be handled as a concentric single anchorage zone with equivalent bearing plate width. Moreover, according to the concept of force stream tube, the profiles of isostatic line of compression (ILCs) are determined and validated, which confirms the existence of ILCs.
Interactions between reproductive biology and microbiomes in wild animal species
Authors: Comizzoli Pierre , Power Michael L. , Bornbusch Sally L. , Muletz-Wolz Carly R.
Published: December 2021

Many parts of the animal body harbor microbial communities, known as animal-associated microbiomes, that affect the regulation of physiological functions. Studies in human and animal models have demonstrated that the reproductive biology and such microbiomes also interact. However, this concept is poorly studied in wild animal species and little is known about the implications to fertility, parental/offspring health, and survival in natural habitats. The objective of this review is to (1) specify the interactions between animals’ reproductive biology, including reproductive signaling, pregnancy, and offspring development, and their microbiomes, with an emphasis on wild species and (2) identify important research gaps as well as areas for further studies. While microbiomes present in the reproductive tract play the most direct role, other bodily microbiomes may also contribute to facilitating reproduction. In fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, endogenous processes related to the host physiology and behavior (visual and olfactory reproductive signals, copulation) can both influence and be influenced by the structure and function of microbial communities. In addition, exposures to maternal microbiomes in mammals (through vagina, skin, and milk) shape the offspring microbiomes, which, in turn, affects health later in life. Importantly, for all wild animal species, host-associated microbiomes are also influenced by environmental variations. There is still limited literature on wild animals compared to the large body of research on model species and humans. However, the few studies in wild species clearly highlight the necessity of increased research in rare and endangered animals to optimize conservation efforts in situ and ex situ. Thus, the link between microbiomes and reproduction is an emerging and critical component in wild animal conservation.
Evaluating the performance of machine learning models for automatic diagnosis of patients with schizophrenia based on a single site dataset of 440 participants
Authors: Lee Lung-Hao , Chen Chang-Hao , Chang Wan-Chen , Lee Po-Lei , Shyu Kuo-Kai , Chen Mu-Hong , Hsu Ju-Wei , Bai Ya-Mei , Su Tung-Ping , Tu Pei-Chi
Published: December 2021

Background

Support vector machines (SVMs) based on brain-wise functional connectivity (FC) have been widely adopted for single-subject prediction of patients with schizophrenia, but most of them had small sample size. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of SVMs based on a large single-site dataset and investigate the effects of demographic homogeneity and training sample size on classification accuracy.

Methods

The resting functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) dataset comprised 220 patients with schizophrenia and 220 healthy controls. Brain-wise FCs was calculated for each participant and linear SVMs were developed for automatic classification of patients and controls. First, we evaluated the SVMs based on all participants and homogeneous subsamples of men, women, younger (18–30 years), and older (31–50 years) participants by 10-fold nested cross-validation. Then, we hold out a fixed test set of 40 participants (20 patients and 20 controls) and evaluated the SVMs based on incremental training sample sizes (N = 40, 80, …, 400).

Results

We found that the SVMs based on all participants had accuracy of 85.05%. The SVMs based on male, female, young, and older participants yielded accuracy of 84.66, 81.56, 80.50, and 86.13%, respectively. Although the SVMs based on older subsamples had better performance than those based on all participants, they generalized poorly to younger participants (77.24%). For incremental training sizes, the classification accuracy increased stepwise from 72.6 to 83.3%, with >80% accuracy achieved with sample size >240.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that SVMs based on a large dataset yield high classification accuracy and establish models using a large sample size with heterogeneous properties are recommended for single subject prediction of schizophrenia.
Newcastle disease vaccine virus I-2 fails to acquire virulence during repeated passage in vivo
Authors: Bisschop Shahn P.R. , Peters Andrew , Domingue Gil , Pearce Michael C. , Verwey Jeanette , Poolman Petrus
Published: December 2021

Background This study determined whether the naturally attenuated, thermotolerant Newcastle disease vaccine virus I-2 could acquire virulence after five in vivo passages through SPF chickens.

Methods Study design was to international requirements including European Pharmacopoeia, Ph. Eur., v9.0 04/2013:0450, 2013. I-2 Working Seed (WS) was compared with five-times-passaged I-2 WS (5XP WS) in intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI), Fo cleavage site sequencing and Safety tests.

Results The first passage series used a 50% brain: 50% tracheal tissue challenge homogenate and was unsuccessful as I-2 was not detected after the fourth passage. A second passage series used 10% brain: 90% tracheal tissue homogenates. I-2 was isolated from tracheal tissue in each passage. However harvested titres were below the minimum challenge level (107 EID50) specified for the ICPI and Safety tests, possibly reflecting I-2’s inherently low pathogenicity (interestingly caecal tonsils yielded significant titres). Given this the WS and 5XP WS comparisons proceeded. ICPI values were 0.104 and 0.073 for the WS group and the 5XP WS group respectively confirming that I-2, whether passaged or not, expressed low pathogenicity. F0 amino-acid sequences for both WS and 5XP WS were identified as 112R-K-Q-G-R-↓-L-I-G119 and so compatible with those of avirulent ND viruses. In safety, no abnormal clinical signs were observed in both groups except for two chicks in the 5XP WS group, where one bird was withdrawn due to a vent prolapse, and another bird died with inconclusive necropsy results.

Conclusions: These data, the issue of low passage titres with little or no virus isolation from brain tissues and the genomic copy approach suggest a need to amend Ph. Eur. v9.0 04/2013:0450, 2013 for naturally attenuated, low pathogenicity vaccine viruses such as I-2. From an international regulatory perspective, the study provides further definitive data demonstrating that Newcastle disease vaccine virus I-2 is safe for use.
COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND DIRECTION OF PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF THYME HERB EXTRACT (THYME CREEPING) (THYHMUS SERPYL-LUM L., FAMILY OF CLEAR-FLOWERED - LAMIACEAC) (MESSAGES IV)
Authors: Platonov V. , Valentinov B. , Suhih G. , Volchaeva M. , Dunaev V. , Datieva Fatima
Published: December 2021

The purpose of the study is to show the expediency of sequentially extracting herbal medicinal raw mate-rials with solvents in order of increasing their polarity, to reveal the nature of the distribution of both different groups of compounds and individual ones in the organic matter of thyme (thyme creeping). Re-sults and their discussion. The results of comparative characterization of the chemical composition and direction of pharmacological action of n-hexane, choroform and ethanol extracts of sequential exhaustive extraction of thyme herb (creeping thyme) obtained using chromatography-mass spectrometry, mass spectra and structural formulas of individual compounds, which were identified in 162 (n-hexane), 101 (chloroform) and 150 (ethanol) extracts. The influence of the nature of the solvent on both the yield of extracts and the structural and group composition of the latter, the features of the structural organization of the extracted compounds have been established, the specificity of the direction of the pharmacologi-cal action of each of the extracts, which made it possible to justify the expediency of successive exhaustive extraction of the initial medicinal raw materials with solvents in ascending order of their polarity.
Sense of coherence, general self-efficacy and health
behaviors in women after mastectomy
Authors: Michałowska Sylwia , Bogucka Magdalena
Published: December 2021

Aim of the study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the sense of coherence, general self-efficacy and health behaviors in women after mastectomy.

Subject or material and methods

62 post-mastectomy female members of the “Amazonka” association in Szczecin and Piła completed The Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29), The General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES), The Health Behavior Inventory (IZZ), the Personal Values List (LWO) and a self-designed questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics package.

Results

Statistically significant, positive correlations were observed between sense of coherence and health behaviors, and sense of coherence and positive mental attitude. Perceived support from family/friends was linked to health behaviors. There were significant positive correlations between general self-efficacy, health behaviors and positive mental attitude. No links were found between the value attributed to health and manifested health behaviors in women after mastectomy.

Discussion

Our research suggests that stronger sense of coherence correlates with higher scores in terms of health behaviors and positive mental attitude. To a certain extent, this remains in line with Antonovsky's assumption that the sense of coherence affects the ways individuals use their resources, motivates to take action and helps maintain a positive attitude.

Conclusions

The sense of coherence and general self-efficacy were significantly related to health behaviors in women after mastectomy.
Postnatal depression – the role of attachment and mentalization
Authors: Świtalska Julita
Published: December 2021

Aim of the study

The aim of this paper was to find differences in the quality of relationships with a partner, mother's attachment to the child, mentalization and the style of the mother's attachment between groups of women with and without postnatal depression (also referred to as postpartum depression) as measured by the EPDS questionnaire.

Subject or material and methods

The research group comprised 68 women in total. They were divided into two groups. Thirty-three women who scored more than or equal to 12 points in the EPDS questionnaire were included in the group with postnatal depression. The control group consisted of 35 women who scored below 12 points on the same scale.
The following tools were used in the study: Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR), Mental Scale Task (MST), Quality of Relationships Inventory (QRI), and Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ).

Results

The results obtained point out to specific differences between the two groups. The women whose EPDS score indicates postnatal depression are characterized by a weaker bond with their child, weakened mentalization capacity, their attachment patterns are more often insecure and relationship-related problems tend to occur.

Discussion

-

Conclusions

The conducted research shows a relationship between mentalization, attachment style and postpartum depression. Reflectiveness, a secure attachment style and a good relationship with partner can prevent postnatal depression.
Castello dei Tre Cantoni in Scicli in the light of new excavations. First observations
Authors: Moździoch Sławomir , Moździoch Ewa , Sammito Annamaria , Militello Pietro
Published: December 2021

In connection with a research programme concerning the role of the Normans in the formation of the cultural face of medieval Europe, the Research Centre for Late Antique and Early Medieval Studies of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnology Polish Academy of Sciences in Wrocław began excavations in Scicli based on a scientific cooperation agreement with Soprintendenza per i Beni Culturali ed Ambientali di Ragusa with the support of local volunteers. The project concerned the castle, known as Castello dei Tre Cantoni (also Castelluccio), occupying the top of the hill of S. Matteo above the town of Scicli (Fig. 1). The time of construction of both castles and their functioning period remains a subject of inquiry for archaeologists, historians, and architectural historians. The research carried out in 2018 produced the first information, documented by systematic  excavations, on the chronology of the fortification on the hill of San Matteo. Thanks to them, it was possible to discover a building workshop dating from the second half of the 14th to the first half of the 15th century and confirm the castle wall’s construction (reconstruction?) at the same time. Both the stratigraphy and the 14C dates were obtained to confirm the castle’s functioning from the 2nd half of the 14th century.
Spuścizna Władysława Łozińskiego (1843–1913) w Centralnym Państwowym Historycznym Archiwum Ukrainy we Lwowie
Authors: Gałuszka Justyna Barbara
Published: December 2021

Artykuł omawia spuściznę Władysława Łozińskiego przechowywaną w Centralnym Państwowym Historycznym Archiwum Ukrainy we Lwowie. Jego integralną część stanowi aneks, w którym przedstawiono wykaz jednostek wchodzących w skład zespołu 135 ze wspomnianego archiwum (tłumaczenie własne z języka ukraińskiego). Lwowska spuścizna Łozińskiego zasługuje na szersze omówienie, dotychczas żaden z badaczy jego życia i twórczości nie skorzystał z tego cennego zespołu. Różnorodność materiałów doskonale odzwierciedla różnorodne zainteresowania Łozińskiego, jego zaangażowanie w życie społeczne i kulturalne nie tylko Lwowa, ale całej Galicji.
Hic liber in archivio conventus asservandus czyli o archiwum klasztoru św. Marcina karmelitanek bosych w Krakowie (1612-1655)
Authors: Dudała Halina Joanna
Published: December 2021

Nowożytne archiwa polskich klasztorów żeńskich nie stały się dotychczas przedmiotem pogłębionych studiów, choć dziejom samych wspólnot zakonnych poświęcono już wiele publikacji. Uwagę badaczy przykuwała jednak przede wszystkim historia zakonów i zgromadzeń zakonnych żeńskich, twórczość literacka zakonnic, ich epistolografia, funkcjonowanie książki w środowisku monastycznym czy teatr zakonny.  Archiwum pojawiało się we wszystkich tych pracach wyłącznie jako repozytorium dokumentów historycznych, stanowiących źródłową bazę dla podjętych badań, nigdy natomiast jako wyodrębniony obszar działalności nowożytnych żeńskich klasztorów. Artykuł omawia funkcjonowanie w latach 1612–1655 archiwum najstarszego w Polsce klasztoru karmelitanek bosych w Krakowie, założonego przez mniszki przybyłe z Louvain, Mons i Antwerpii. Za pomocą analizy zachowanych archiwaliów wykazano, iż badane archiwum stanowiło obszar twórczej aktywności karmelitańskich mniszek, wyrażającej się m.in. w podejmowaniu decyzji o zachowaniu wybranych  materiałów archiwalnych dla kolejnych generacji. Niderlandzkie fundatorki, przenosząc na grunt polski znaną im z autopsji praktykę tworzenia i przechowywania klasztornej dokumentacji, kładły zarazem fundament pod rozwój rodzimej kultury dokumentu, a zarazem też kultury pamięci.
La educación de la competencia emprendedora como iniciativa y autonomía personal.
Authors: Bernal-Guerrero Antonio , Cárdenas-Gutiérrez Antonio Ramón
Published: December 2021

Siguiendo las directrices de la Unión Europea la educación emprendedora se ha incorporado a todas las etapas educativas, mediante una variedad de programas formativos basados en la creación de mini - empresas y en la incorporación de asignaturas específicas en la ESO, FP y Bachillerato. Las críticas sobre la incorporación al sistema educativo del emprendimiento con un marcado carácter economicista no se han hecho esperar. En nuestro caso, desde una perspectiva teórica, describiremos ciertas premisas que orienten una educación emprendedora más centrada en la persona y con menos reminiscencias económicas. Desde una visión más holística e integradora, entendemos la competencia emprendedora como iniciativa y autonomía personal. La construcción del ámbito emprendedor de la identidad personal se realiza mediante la narración de los recuerdos y razonamientos autobiográficos relacionados con experiencias emprendedoras. Por ello, sería conveniente que los educandos tuvieran experiencias educativas relacionadas con el emprendimiento desde edades tempranas. La reflexión sobre la educación emprendedora entendida como iniciativa y autonomía personal nos orienta hacia una mayor complejidad de sus elementos configuradores. La educación emprendedora no se ceñiría exclusivamente a la creación empresarial, sino a la ideación, creación y gestión de proyectos de vida. A este respecto, proyectos personales, perspectiva temporal y possible selves se configurarían como constructos básicos sobre los que sustentar las acciones educativas encaminadas al desarrollo de la educación emprendedora.
La resiliencia emprendedora como factor clave para iniciar proyectos de vida.
Authors: Montoro-Fernández Elisabet , Escolar-Llamazares M. Camino
Published: December 2021

Actualmente, existe una gran preocupación por difundir una cultura emprendedora en todos los países de la Unión Europea. Esta inquietud por contribuir al desarrollo económico ha llevado a apostar por la educación emprendedora, incorporándola en todos los niveles del sistema educativo. El emprendimiento se ha convertido, así pues, en un fenómeno completamente afianzado en España, donde se ha puesto especial interés en promover su desarrollo. Esto ha llevado a abordar el concepto del emprendimiento desde diferentes ámbitos en los últimos años, pudiéndolo diferenciar desde distintas perspectivas. En nuestro caso, relacionamos el emprendimiento con la iniciativa personal, de modo que la persona pone en marcha voluntariamente cualquier tipo de acción. No obstante, para que la acción de emprender verdaderamente funcione, el individuo necesita establecer proyectos de vida que tengan significado y sentido para él, favoreciendo, así, su bienestar y desarrollo personal. Del mismo modo, necesita desarrollar la capacidad de resiliencia, es decir, la capacidad de resistir, ya que, durante el transcurso de la persecución de objetivos vitales, puede encontrarse con numerosos obstáculos de diversa índole, pudiendo dificultar o impedir el cumplimiento de estos. En este sentido, resulta fundamental que la persona desarrolle la capacidad de resiliencia emprendedora, entendida como la capacidad para afrontar adecuadamente cualquier adversidad y, al mismo tiempo, generar de nuevo proyectos más acordes a sus circunstancias personales
Factores determinantes del emprendimiento femenino en España: Identificación y análisis de una realidad.
Authors: Martín-Gutiérrez Ángela , Fernández-Salinero Miguel Carolina , De La Riva-Picatoste Beatriz
Published: December 2021

El emprendimiento es uno de los motores de la economía a nivel internacional. Su visibilidad desde la perspectiva de género, sin embargo, no se produce hasta los años noventa del siglo pasado, siendo a partir de esa década cuando aparecen trabajos que analizan el emprendimiento femenino. Este artículo es heredero de ese interés y, desde la teoría fundamentada como metodología cualitativa de trabajo, se plantea identificar los factores determinantes del emprendimiento femenino y visibilizar la influencia de estos factores en España (con apoyo en los Informes GEM). Los resultados muestran tres bloques de factores determinantes del emprendimiento femenino: estructurales y sociales; cognitivos y emocionales; e impulsores/ bloqueadores. Con relación al primero, se descubre mayor presencia de empresas femeninas iniciadas en los sectores de servicios al consumidor y empresa, que requieren una inversión menor, favoreciendo su consolidación. En el segundo bloque, la “creación de riqueza” es la primera motivación de las empresas jóvenes que emprenden más por oportunidad, y “ganarse la vida debido a la escasez del trabajo” es la aspiración principal de las maduras que emprende más por necesidad. En el último bloque, se evidencia que el marco institucional (financiación e internacionalización), social (redes), empresarial (tipo de empresa, innovación, uso y novedad tecnológica) y familiar (tradición y apoyo) son factores impulsores/bloqueadores del emprendimiento femenino. Se realiza finalmente una breve prospectiva de futuro del emprendimiento femenino.
Globalización y aculturación: la influencia de los medios de comunicación en la Educación Intercultural de Ecuador.
Authors: Bermeo-Mejía Lisbeth Paola , Collado Javier
Published: December 2021

El objetivo principal del artículo es analizar críticamente el impacto de la globalización en los procesos de construcción de la identidad ecuatoriana. La metodología utilizada es exploratoria, descriptiva, aplicada y comparativa, con el fin de identificar la influencia propagandística e ideológica que ejercen los medios de comunicación globalizados en la aculturación de los adolescentes ecuatorianos. En este sentido, se toma una muestra de dos escuelas del milenio, dos públicas y dos privadas de la ciudad de Cuenca. Las técnicas e instrumentos utilizados son la encuesta exploratoria y la tabulación de resultados por medio del programa estadístico SPSS, y están fundamentadas en las cinco ecologías de saberes, temporalidades, reconocimientos, transescalas y productividades propuestas por Santos para resistir a la influencia mediática en los contextos escolares interculturales. Como resultado, se discuten e interpretan los datos recopilados en las encuestas mediante el enfoque de competencias, habilidades y destrezas que establece el Currículo Nacional de Bachillerato General Unificado (BGU) para promover una educación intercultural crítica e inclusiva en Ecuador. Para concluir, se reflexiona críticamente desde una visión intercultural emancipadora que concibe la identidad como un fenómeno socio-espacialcomunicacional, permitiendo la deconstrucción de conceptos y significados construidos por la globalización.
Percepciones lingüísticas de los jóvenes universitarios mallorquines hacia el andaluz.
Authors: Méndez Guerrero Beatriz
Published: December 2021

Las actitudes lingüísticas de los distintos grupos de hablantes explican muchas de sus actuaciones comunicativas y de sus ideales lingüísticos. Esta investigación, enmarcada en el proyecto PRECAVES XXI1 , se ha centrado en determinar a través de un cuestionario las actitudes hacia el andaluz de un grupo de jóvenes mallorquines estudiantes de filología con la intención de conocer las principales actitudes de los futuros profesionales de la lengua. Los resultados generales sugieren que los informantes identifican la variedad andaluza, pero tienden a jerarquizar la lengua y a relacionar su propia variedad con el modelo idiomático (más prestigioso). Este hecho no impide, sin embargo, que se observe una valoración positiva del andaluz, principalmente en la valoración directa de la variedad. Por último, no se ha obtenido un grado muy alto de proximidad, en opinión de los informantes, entre el andaluz y la variedad castellana hablada en Mallorca.
Extrapolating Long-Maturity Bond Yields for Financial Risk Measurement
Authors: Christensen Jens H. E. , Lopez Jose A. , Mussche Paul L.
Published: December 2021

Insurance companies and pension funds have liabilities far into the future and typically well beyond the longest maturity bonds trading in fixed-income markets. Such long-lived liabilities still need to be discounted, and yield curve extrapolations based on the information in observed yields can be used. We use dynamic Nelson-Siegel (DNS) yield curve models to extrapolate risk-free yield curves for Switzerland and several countries. We find slight biases in extrapolated long bond yields of just a few basis points. In addition, the DNS model allows the generation of useful financial risk metrics, such as ranges of possible yield outcomes over projection horizons commonly used for stress-testing purposes. Therefore, we recommend using DNS models as a simple tool for generating extrapolated yields for long-term interest rate risk management.

This paper was accepted by Kay Giesecke, finance.

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.4215 .
Accelerated Stochastic Algorithms for Convex-Concave Saddle-Point Problems
Authors: Zhao Renbo
Published: December 2021

We develop stochastic first-order primal-dual algorithms to solve a class of convex-concave saddle-point problems. When the saddle function is strongly convex in the primal variable, we develop the first stochastic restart scheme for this problem. When the gradient noises obey sub-Gaussian distributions, the oracle complexity of our restart scheme is strictly better than any of the existing methods, even in the deterministic case. Furthermore, for each problem parameter of interest, whenever the lower bound exists, the oracle complexity of our restart scheme is either optimal or nearly optimal (up to a log factor). The subroutine used in this scheme is itself a new stochastic algorithm developed for the problem where the saddle function is nonstrongly convex in the primal variable. This new algorithm, which is based on the primal-dual hybrid gradient framework, achieves the state-of-the-art oracle complexity and may be of independent interest.
Menu Costs and the Bullwhip Effect: Supply Chain Implications of Dynamic Pricing
Authors: Bray Robert L. , Stamatopoulos Ioannis
Published: December 2021

Suppose that technology reduces price-adjustment costs (e.g., the costs of printing and changing price tags), and as a result prices at grocery stores change more dynamically. Will this change mean less stability or more stability for grocery supply chains? In other words, will more dynamic pricing downstream mean more last-minute purchases, more overtime work, and more empty space in trucks and warehouses? Or will it mean more regular and more standardized orders, smoother schedules, and less waste? To answer this question, we fit a pricing and ordering model to data from a large Chinese supermarket chain (daily prices, sales, inventories, and shipments from products from seven categories at 78 stores for 3.5 years) and then simulate a counterfactual grocery chain in which the estimated price-adjustment costs are set to zero. We find that the removal of price-adjustment costs stabilizes the supply chain, reducing both its shipment volatility, its sales volatility, and its bullwhip (the difference between the shipment and sales volatility).
An Evaluation of the Relationship Between Human Resource Practices and Service Quality: An Empirical Investigation in the Canadian Hotel Industry
Authors: Khassawneh Dr. Osama , Mohammad Dr. Tamara
Published: December 2021

Human resource (HR) practices have been recognised as a key function in enhancing organisational productivity and competitive advantage. It has been noted that most studies that are based on the relationship between HR practices and performance indicators (e.g., service quality) in hotels hide an important element that tells hoteliers which factors to concentrate on in cases of poor performance. Our study aimed to examine the influence of HR practices on service quality in the Canadian hotel industry. This study seeks to investigate how HR practices (recruitment and selection, training, rewards and incentives, and internal career opportunities) help to improve the service quality. We used a qualitative method by establishing three sets of semi-structured interviews to obtain data from the top to the bottom of the hierarchy within hotels. We found that HR practices help in delivering high service quality. A key contribution of this study that it offers a workable definition of service quality and then a robust model for the relationship between HR practices and service quality that contributes to enhance knowledge of the causal relationship between them. In addition, our study contributes by identifying which HR practices a hotel could adopt to gain a service quality advantage in the marketplace. The data gathered for the proposed study may limit the findings' applicability to independent hotels that are not affiliated with international hotel chains. However, because of the low number of empirical research and the need to get a deeper knowledge of the link between HR practices and service quality, generalisation of the findings from the current descriptive-qualitative study is not a concern. Further research may include some control and context variables (e.g., hotel ownership type, position level, gender) that we did not include in this investigation. In addition, in the future, we recommend using mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) in order to come up with more generalisable results.
Involuntary Psychiatric Commitment in the Era of COVID-19: Systemic Social Oppression and Discourses of Risk in Public Health and Bioethics
Authors: Bergstresser Sara M.
Published: December 2021

This paper considers the continuation of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the United States of America. Situating psychiatric diagnosis and hospitalization within the broader context of decades of social and historical research, as well as emergent fields such as feminist philosophy of disability, critical diversity studies (CDS), and mad studies, I argue that a socially mediated process which is legitimated with appeals to “health” and “safety” should not be maintained during a pandemic of a readily communicable virus that is especially dangerous for individuals clustered in inpatient settings. A CDS approach allows the clear identification of “severe mental illness” as a marked category of social difference which leads to multiple forms of social oppression. In this paper, I show how involuntary psychiatric hospitalization is a social process through which marked individuals are dehumanized and confined. Furthermore, I consider why the maintenance of the status quo, even under pandemic conditions, demonstrates that involuntary treatment is primarily a political, rather than a medical, process. Finally, I outline why the politics of involuntary treatment should concern longstanding disciplines such as public health and bioethics, as well as emergent disciplines like CDS.
Wavefront reconstruction method for aero-optical distortion based on compressed sensing
Authors: Tian Boyu , Qiu Die , He Ting , Zhong Zheqiang , Zhang Bin
Published: December 2021

The wavefront sensor plays an important role in the adaptive optics (AO) system for aero-optical distortion correction. However, the bandwidth of the current data interfaces of wavefront sensors, as one of the key factors, limits applications of the AO system in extremely high-frequency aero-optical distortion correction, leading to unsatisfactory performance. In this paper, a framework for wavefront data compression using compressed sensing is established to improve the correction ability of the AO system, and a disturbed Zernike gradient dictionary (DZGD) learning over the k-singular value decomposition algorithm is proposed for achieving good performance in the compression of aero-optical wavefront data. Based on the proposed DZGD, a method for aero-optical distortion data compression and wavefront reconstruction is developed that can efficiently reduce the amount of data in the information channel without degradation of the correction effect in aero-optical distortion correction. The compressibility of aero-optical distortions over the DZGD is analyzed in detail by numerical simulations. In addition, the selection criteria of the measurement matrix and the anti-noise characteristic of the method are also discussed. Data compression using our method is feasible and highly adaptable in the correction of aero-optical distortions, and exhibits stronger resistance against detector noise compared with using the conventional dictionary.
Giant enhancement of the Faraday effect in a magnetoplasmonic nanocomposite
Authors: Tomilin S. V. , Karavaynikov A. V. , Lyashko S. D. , Milyukova E. T. , Tomilina O. A. , Yanovsky A. S. , Belotelov V. I. , Berzhansky V. N.
Published: December 2021

We demonstrate a giant enhancement of the Faraday effect in a
magnetoplasmonic nanocomposite based on Au nanoparticles and a
bismuth-substituted iron-garnet film. The Faraday effect gets
increased by more than 20 times with respect to the same bare magnetic
film due to the excitation of the single and collective localized
plasmon resonances in the Au nanoparticles. The phenomenon is studied
for different thicknesses of the iron-garnet layer. A decrease of the
iron-garnet layer thickness provides a spectral shift of the plasmonic
resonances and increases the enhancement of the Faraday effect. The
giant enhancement of the Faraday rotation was obtained due to an
optimal ratio of parameters of plasmonic and magnetic subsystems of
the composite.
Numerical simulations of the surface plasmon-assisted photo-magnetic effect in metal-dielectric nanostructures [Invited]
Authors: Kaihara Terunori , Razdolski Ilya , Stupakiewicz Andrzej
Published: December 2021

We study numerically plasmonic localization and enhancement of the photo-magnetic excitation in metal-garnet nanostructures with surface plasmons excited at the opposite interfaces of the metallic layer. Contrary to intuitive expectations, the resonance at the metal/air interface results in the highest photo-magnetic excitation efficiency. Our findings highlight the key role of the phase shift between the electric field components inside the garnet layer. A comprehensive analysis of the optical losses reveals the importance of absorption in the photo-magnetic dielectric. These results provide a fruitful perspective for future experiments on metal-dielectric photo-magnetic systems towards all-optical magnetization switching at the nanoscale.
Formimidoyltransferase cyclodeaminase prevents the starvation-induced liver hepatomegaly and dysfunction through downregulating mTORC1
Authors: Zhang Wenfeng , Wu Chaoying , Ni Rui , Yang Qifen , Luo Lingfei , He Jianbo
Published: December 2021

The liver is a crucial center in the regulation of energy homeostasis under starvation. Although downregulation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) has been reported to play pivotal roles in the starvation responses, the underpinning mechanisms in particular upstream factors that downregulate mTORC1 remain largely unknown. To identify genetic variants that cause liver energy disorders during starvation, we conduct a zebrafish forward genetic screen. We identify aliver hulk (lvh)mutant with normal liver under feeding, but exhibiting liver hypertrophy under fasting. The hepatomegaly inlvhis caused by enlarged hepatocyte size and leads to liver dysfunction as well as limited tolerance to starvation. Positional cloning reveals thatlvhphenotypes are caused by mutation in theftcdgene, which encodes the formimidoyltransferase cyclodeaminase (FTCD). Further studies show that in response to starvation, the phosphorylated ribosomal S6 protein (p-RS6), a downstream effector of mTORC1, becomes downregulated in the wild-type liver, but remains at high level inlvh. Inhibition of mTORC1 by rapamycin rescues the hepatomegaly and liver dysfunction oflvh. Thus, we characterize the roles of FTCD in starvation response, which acts as an important upstream factor to downregulate mTORC1, thus preventing liver hypertrophy and dysfunction.
Examining health sector stakeholder perceptions on the efficiency of county health systems in Kenya
Authors: Nyawira Lizah , Mbau Rahab , Jemutai Julie , Musiega Anita , Hanson Kara , Molyneux Sassy , Normand Charles , Tsofa Benjamin , Maina Isabela , Mulwa Andrew , Barasa Edwine
Published: December 2021

Efficiency gains is a potential strategy to expand Kenya’s fiscal space for health. We explored health sector stakeholders’ understanding of efficiency and their perceptions of the factors that influence the efficiency of county health systems in Kenya. We conducted a qualitative cross-sectional study and collected data using three focus group discussions during a stakeholder engagement workshop. Workshop participants included health sector stakeholders from the national ministry of health and 10 (out 47) county health departments, and non-state actors in Kenya. A total of 25 health sector stakeholders participated. We analysed data using a thematic approach. Health sector stakeholders indicated the need for the outputs and outcomes of a health system to be aligned to community health needs. They felt that both hardware aspects of the system (such as the financial resources, infrastructure, human resources for health) and software aspects of the system (such as health sector policies, public finance management systems, actor relationships) should be considered as inputs in the analysis of county health system efficiency. They also felt that while traditional indicators of health system performance such as intervention coverage or outcomes for infectious diseases, and reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health are still relevant, emerging epidemiological trends such as an increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases should also be considered. The stakeholders identified public finance management, human resources for health, political interests, corruption, management capacity, and poor coordination as factors that influence the efficiency of county health systems. An in-depth examination of the factors that influence the efficiency of county health systems could illuminate potential policy levers for generating efficiency gains. Mixed methods approaches could facilitate the study of both hardware and software factors that are considered inputs, outputs or factors that influence health system efficiency. County health system efficiency in Kenya could be enhanced by improving the timeliness of financial flows to counties and health facilities, giving health facilities financial autonomy, improving the number, skill mix, and motivation of healthcare staff, managing political interests, enhancing anticorruption strategies, strengthening management capacity and coordination in the health sector.
Chikungunya virus: Molecular epidemiology of nonstructural proteins in Pakistan
Authors: Badar Nazish , Ikram Aamer , Salman Muhammad , Alam Muhammad Masroor , Umair Massab , Arshad Yasir , Mushtaq Nighat , Mirza Hamza Ahmad , Ahad Abdul , Farooq Umer , Yasin Muhammad Talha , Qazi Javaria
Published: December 2021

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is considered a public health problem due to its rapid spread and high morbidity. In 2016–2017 an outbreak of CHIKV was occurred in Pakistan but the data regarding the genomic diversity of CHIKV was not reported. Hence, the current study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of CHIKVs in Pakistan. A cross sectional study was carried out using sera of infected CHIKV patients (n = 1549) during the outbreak in Pakistan (2016–2018). Nucleotide sequencing of non-structural genes of CHIKV from eight isolates were performed followed by phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian method. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the Pakistani CHIKV strains belonged to Indian Ocean Lineage (IOL) of genotype ECSA and C1.3a clade. Furthermore, the Pakistani isolates showed several key mutations (nsP2-H130Y, nsP2-E145D, nsP4-S55N and nsP4- R85G) corresponding to mutations reported in 2016 Indian strains of CHIKV. The molecular analysis revealed high evolutionary potential of CHIKV strains as well as better understanding of enhanced virulence and pathogenesis of this outbreak. The study highlights the need to continue surveillance in order to understand viral diversity over time and to devise preventive measures to limit diseases transmission in the region.
Reasons for loss to follow-up (LTFU) of pulmonary TB (PTB) patients: A qualitative study among Saharia, a particularly vulnerable tribal group of Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Mishra Prashant , Sharma Ravendra K. , Yadav Rajiv , Rao V. G. , Nigam Samridhi , Lingala Mercy Aparna , Bhat Jyothi
Published: December 2021

Background

Loss to follow-up (LTFU) among pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients is a significant challenge for TB control. However, there is a dearth of information about the factors leading to LTFU among marginalized communities. This study highlights the factors associated with LTFU in Saharia, a tribe of Madhya Pradesh having high tuberculosis (TB) prevalence.

Methods

A qualitative study was carried out during January-April 2020 among twenty-two pulmonary TB patients, recorded as LTFU in NIKSHAY, with ten treatment supporters and ten patient’s family members. Semi-structured personal interview tools were used to collect the information on the history of anti-tuberculosis treatment, adverse drug events (ADE), social cognitive, behaviors, myths, and misbeliefs. The interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed to examine underlying themes.

Results

The study explored various social, behavioral factors leading to loss to follow-up among PTB patients. Drug side effects, alcoholism, social stigma, lack of awareness of the seriousness of the diseases and poor counseling are the main barriers to treatment adherence in this community.

Conclusions

The study highlights the need to address the issues related to LTFU during TB treatment. The enhanced efforts of treatment supporters, health staff, and family & community persons must motivate and support the patients.