bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kirkegaardia Blake, 2016 (Annelida: Cirratulidae) from Southeastern Brazil with description of nine new species
Authors: Freitas Roberta , Ribeiro Rannyele Passos , Ruta Christine
Published: May 2022

This is the first taxonomic study of cirratulid polychaetes of the genus Kirkegaardia Blake, 2016 from Brazil. Nine new species of the genus are described from the Southern Brazilian coast (50–3000 m deep). The genus Kirkegaardia is generally subdivided into three distinct groups of species (Kirkegaardia dorsobranchialis-heterochaeta, Kirkegaardia baptisteae-tesselata and Kirkegaardia luticastella) and several out-group species for which relationships remains to be defined. In this study, new species were included in the Kirkegaardia dorsobranchialis-heterochaeta and Kirkegaardia baptisteae-tesselata groups. Kirkegaardia dorsobranchialis-heterochaeta is characterized by thoracic parapodia elevated producing a channel between the notopodia, elongate pre-setigerous region that is either entirely smooth or modified with a dorsal ridge and/or rings, and noto- and neurosetae capillaries denticulated. As belonging to this group, K. blakei sp. nov., K. brisae sp. nov., K. goytaca sp. nov., K. jongo sp. nov. and K. papaveroi sp. nov. are described here. Kirkegaardia baptisteae-tesselata includes species that lack thoracic parapodia elevated and mid-dorsal thoracic groove, although a dorsal ridge is sometimes developed. In the pre-setigerous region dorsal ridges and rings are present or absent. Most species in this group have neurosetae denticulated, and notosetae capillaries of other types. This study adds K. helenae sp. nov., K. medusa sp. nov., K. nupem sp. nov. and K. zafirae sp. nov. to the latter species group. In addition, two new records are provided for K. hampsoni. A key to cirratulid polychaete species reported from Brazilian waters is provided.
Health system use among patients with mental health conditions in a community based sample in Toronto, Canada: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lazare Kimberly , Kalia Sumeet , Aliarzadeh Babak , Bernard Steven , Moineddin Rahim , Eisen David , Greiver Michelle , Kaplan David , Koczerginski David , Muraca Maria , Fung Wai Lun Alan , O’Neill Braden
Published: May 2022

Objective

To identify hospital and primary care health service use among people with mental health conditions or addictions in an integrated primary-secondary care database in Toronto, Ontario.

Method

This was a retrospective cohort study of adults with mental health diagnoses using data from the Health Databank Collaborative (HDC), a primary care-hospital linked database in Toronto. Data were included up to March 31st 2019. Negative binomial and logistic regression were used to evaluate associations between health care utilization and various patient characteristics and mental health diagnoses.

Results

28,482 patients age 18 or older were included. The adjusted odds of at least one mental health diagnosis were higher among younger patients (18–30 years vs. 81+years aOR = 1.87; 95% CI:1.68–2.08) and among female patients (aOR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.27–1.42). Patients with one or more mental health diagnoses had higher adjusted rates of hospital visits compared to those without any mental health diagnosis including addiction (aRR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.58–1.91) and anxiety (aRR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.23–1.32). 14.5% of patients with a psychiatric diagnosis were referred to the hospital for specialized psychiatric services, and 38% of patients referred were eventually seen in consultation. The median wait time from the date of referral to the date of consultation was 133 days.

Conclusions

In this community, individuals with mental health diagnoses accessed primary and hospital-based health care at greater rates than those without mental health diagnoses. Wait times for specialized psychiatric care were long and most patients who were referred did not have a consultation. Information about services for patients with mental health conditions can be used to plan and monitor more integrated care across sectors, and ultimately improve outcomes.
Wealth, health, and beyond: Is COVID-19 less likely to spread in rich neighborhoods?
Authors: Gong Yue , Zhao Guochang
Published: May 2022

Since December 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has quickly spread across the world. The traditional understanding of the relationship between wealth and the spread of contagious diseases is that similar to many precedent epidemics, the pandemic spread easily in poor neighborhoods in many countries. The environmental and socioeconomic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic are still poorly understood, thus this paper examines the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and the spread of the pandemic through a case study of Shenzhen, a Chinese megacity with many low-income rural migrants. The major finding is that wealthier and larger neighborhoods in Shenzhen were more likely to be infected in the first wave of the pandemic in 2020. This spread pattern is likely to result from China’s strict control to prevent the pandemic, human mobility, and demographic characteristics such as income. This finding reveals a new phenomenon that contrasts with the traditional understanding of the influence of wealth on the spread of epidemics. This paper enriches the understanding of the role of neighborhoods in the spread of the pandemic, and it has important public policy implications.
Outbound medical tourists: The interplay of perceived quality, length of stay, group-size, post-visit destination image and revisit intention
Authors: Rahman Imran , Martin David S. , Liu Sijun
Published: May 2022

Using halo effect as the underlying theory, we examined how perceived quality of medical care influenced components of post-visit destination image (infrastructure, attraction, value for money, and enjoyment) and how each component influenced Bangladeshi outbound medical tourists’ revisit intentions. Additionally, we examined how these relationships varied based on their length of stay (LOS) and travel-group size (TGS). Results showed a significant positive effect of the perceived quality of medical care on all four components of the post-visit destination image. Except for enjoyment, all three components had a significant positive influence on revisit intentions. All the proposed relationships were supported for medical tourists with higher LOS and TGS. However, for medical tourists with low LOS, the perceived quality of medical care did not influence value for money. Furthermore, value for money and enjoyment did not significantly influence revisit intentions for medical tourists with low LOS and TGS.
Clinical experience with hepatorenal tyrosinemia from a single Egyptian center
Authors: El-Karaksy Hanaa , Abdullatif Hala Mohsen , Ghobrial Carolyne Morcos , Mogahed Engy Adel , Yasin Noha Adel , Talal Noha , Rashed Mohamed
Published: May 2022

Although very recently, in Egypt, sick newborn screening has included screening for hepatorenal tyrosinemia, yet, it is not yet included in nationwide neonatal screening and hence diagnosis may be delayed. The aim of this study was to analyze data of all cases presenting with hepatorenal tyrosinemia to the Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Cairo University, Egypt from 2006 to 2019. Data were retrieved from patients’ files including age of onset of symptoms, clinical signs, blood counts, liver functions, serum phosphorous, alpha-fetoprotein, succinylacetone and abdominal ultrasound. During this period, 76 patients were diagnosed with hepatorenal tyrosinemia if succinylacetone in dry blood spot was elevated above 1 μmol/L. These 76 cases came from 70 families; consanguinity was reported in 61 families. In our cohort we reported 30 affected siblings with a similar clinical presentation, who died undiagnosed. Presentation was acute in 26%, subacute in 30% and chronic in 43%. Abdominal distention was the commonest presenting symptom (52.6%). Coagulopathy was the commonest derangement in liver functions; hyperbilirubinemia and raised transaminases were less common. Ultrasound findings included hepatic focal lesions in 47% and enlarged echogenic kidneys in 39% and 45.3% respectively. Only 20 children were treated with Nitisinone because of unavailability and high costs; seven out of them underwent liver transplantation. In conclusion, although hepatorenal tyrosinemia is a rare inborn error of metabolism, in a large population country with high rate of consanguinity; this disease is not uncommonly diagnosed. The current treatment is not readily available because of the costs in a resource-limited country. Neonatal screening and subsidization of the costly medication need to be considered.
Characteristics of antimicrobial stewardship programmes in hospitals of Uganda
Authors: Kimbowa Isaac Magulu , Ocan Moses , Eriksen Jaran , Nakafeero Mary , Obua Celestino , Stålsby Lundborg Cecilia , Kalyango Joan
Published: May 2022

While interest in antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) is growing in most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is a paucity of information on their adoption or implementation in Africa, particularly Uganda. The study assessed the presence and characteristics of ASPs, implemented antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategies and the challenges to their implementation in hospitals in Uganda. We conducted a cross-sectional study among heads of infection prevention committees (IPCs) in regional referral hospitals, general hospitals, and private-not-for-profit (PNFP) hospitals from November 2019 to February 2020. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. We analysed data using descriptive statistics. A total of 32 heads of IPCs were enrolled in the study. Of these, eight were from regional referral hospitals, 21 were from general hospitals, and three were from PNFPs. Most heads of IPC were pharmacists (17/32, 53.1%) with a mean age and standard deviation (sd) of 36.1 (±1.1) years. A formal ASP was adopted or implemented in 14 out of the 32 (44%, 95% CI 26–62) studied hospitals. Thirty out of 32 hospitals implemented at least one type of AMS strategy. Sixty-eight percent (22/32) of the hospitals implemented pre-authorisation and approval as their primary AMS core strategy to optimise antibacterial use. The most commonly reported challenges to the implementation of ASP across all 32 hospitals (with or without ASP) were lack of time for the ASP team (29/32, 90.6%) and lack of allocated funding for antimicrobial stewardship team (29/32, 90.6%). In this study, most hospitals in Uganda implemented at least one AMS strategy despite the low implementation of ASPs in hospitals. The ministry of health needs to sensitise and support the establishment of ASP in hospitals across the country.
Prosthetic forefoot and heel stiffness across consecutive foot stiffness categories and sizes
Authors: Turner Anne T. , Halsne Elizabeth G. , Caputo Joshua M. , Curran Carl S. , Hansen Andrew H. , Hafner Brian J. , Morgenroth David C.
Published: May 2022

Prosthetic foot stiffness plays a key role in the functional mobility of lower limb prosthesis users. However, limited objective data exists to guide selection of the optimal prosthetic foot stiffness category for a given individual. Clinicians often must rely solely on manufacturer recommendations, which are typically based on the intended user’s weight and general activity level. Availability of comparable forefoot and heel stiffness data would allow for a better understanding of differences between different commercial prosthetic feet, and also between feet of different stiffness categories and foot sizes. Therefore, this study compared forefoot and heel linear stiffness properties across manufacturer-designated stiffness categories and foot sizes. Mechanical testing was completed for five types of commercial prosthetic feet across a range of stiffness categories and three foot-sizes. Data were collected for 56 prosthetic feet, in total. Testing at two discrete angles was conducted to isolate loading of the heel and forefoot components, respectively. Each prosthetic foot was loaded for six cycles while force and displacement data were collected. Forefoot and heel measured stiffness were both significantly associated with stiffness category (p = .001). There was no evidence that the relationships between stiffness category and measured stiffness differed by foot size (stiffness category by size interaction p = .80). However, there were inconsistencies between the expected and measured stiffness changes across stiffness categories (i.e., magnitude of stiffness changes varied substantially between consecutive stiffness categories of the same feet). While statistical results support that, on average, measured stiffness is positively correlated with stiffness category, force-displacement data suggest substantial variation in measured stiffness across consecutive categories. Published objective mechanical property data for commercial prosthetic feet would likely therefore be helpful to clinicians during prescription.
Assessment of potential factors associated with the sensitivity and specificity of Sofia Influenza A+B Fluorescent Immunoassay in an ambulatory care setting
Authors: Bell Cristalyne , Goss Maureen , Birstler Jennifer , Temte Emily , Chen Guanhua , Shult Peter , Reisdorf Erik , Haupt Thomas , Barlow Shari , Temte Jonathan
Published: May 2022

Background

Seasonal influenza leads to an increase in outpatient clinic visits. Timely, accurate, and affordable testing could facilitate improved treatment outcomes. Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) provide results in as little as 15 minutes and are relatively inexpensive, but have reduced sensitivity when compared to RT-PCR. The contributions of multiple factors related to test performance are not well defined for ambulatory care settings. We assessed clinical and laboratory factors that may affect the sensitivity and specificity of Sofia Influenza A+B Fluorescence Immunoassay.

Study design

We performed a post-hoc assessment of surveillance data amassed over seven years from five primary care clinics. We analyzed 4,475 paired RIDT and RT-PCR results from specimens collected from patients presenting with respiratory symptoms and examined eleven potential factors with additional sub-categories that could affect RIDT sensitivity.

Results

In an unadjusted analysis, greater sensitivity was associated with the presence of an influenza-like illness (ILI), no other virus detected, no seasonal influenza vaccination, younger age, lower cycle threshold value, fewer days since illness onset, nasal discharge, stuffy nose, and fever. After adjustment, presence of an ILI, younger age, fewer days from onset, no co-detection, and presence of a nasal discharge maintained significance.

Conclusion

Clinical and laboratory factors may affect RIDT sensitivity. Identifying potential factors during point-of-care testing could aid clinicians in appropriately interpreting negative influenza RIDT results.
Metabolic and transcriptome analysis of dark red taproot in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)
Authors: Heng Shuangping , Gao Changbin , Cui Mengdi , Fu Jing , Ren Sujing , Xin Kaiyun , He Congan , Wang Aihua , Song Liping , Tang Liguang , Wang Bincai , Zhang Xueli
Published: May 2022

The red color in radish taproots is an important quality index and is mainly affected by anthocyanins. However, the metabolite components and gene expression underlying dark red taproot color formation in radish remain elusive. In this study, the metabolites and gene expression patterns affecting anthocyanin biosynthesis were monitored in the dark red taproots. Comparative analysis of anthocyanin metabolites between dark red taproots and white taproots indicated that pelargonin and pelargonidin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside were the most promising dark red pigments responsible for the coloration of the taproots. Transcriptomic analysis of gene expression between dark red taproots and white taproots revealed that most of genes involved in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway were up-regulated in dark red taproots. In particular, RsCHS and RsDFR were the two most up-regulated genes in the dark red taproots. Moreover, the higher coexpression of two R2R3-Myb transcription factors, RsMYB1 and RsMYB2, may contribute to dark red color formation. Our work documents metabolomic and transcriptomic changes related to the dark red color formation in taproots radish and provides valuable data for anthocyanin-rich radish breeding.
The screen kiss in 1937: Re-reading Street Angel and Crossroads
Authors: Chan Jessica Ka Yee
Published: May 2022

This article traces the evolution of the screen kiss and the discourse surrounding it in Republican Shanghai leftwing cinema in the 1930s. The period from the 1910s to the 1930s in semi-colonial Shanghai witnessed an influx of Hollywood motion pictures that featured the screen kiss. By the 1930s, the circulation of images of Hollywood screen kiss in semi-colonial Shanghai triggered erotic imagination, comparison with Hollywood norms and most importantly the desire to appropriate, if not to reproduce, Hollywood screen kisses despite censorship. Two Shanghai leftist films, Street Angel (Malu tianshi, ) and Crossroads (Shizi jietou, ), released shortly before the second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, appropriated and subverted Hollywood representational conventions of the screen kiss, fulfilling both the entertainment and pedagogical functions of cinema by constructing a sexually desiring and potentially class-conscious subject with aspirations for free love and social betterment at a critical moment of national crisis.
The not-so-great rapprochement: Taming and consuming Chiang Kai-shek in the era of cross-strait rapprochement tourism
Authors: Zhang J. J. , Ohlendorf Hardina
Published: May 2022

This article seeks to examine the interplay of material culture and identity politics during what we call the Great Rapprochement Era between China and Taiwan. It focuses on how the government and non-state actors dealt with sensitive histories and difficult heritages as manifested in their taming of Chiang Kai-shek for cross-strait tourists’ consumption. The article argues that as much as both governments strove to put ‘economics before politics’, there was evidently a great deal of political work that went into making an ‘inconvenient’ past more ‘palatable’. Discussion shows that despite the depoliticization of difficult heritages, and the domestication, commercialization and cartoonization of sensitive historical figures as manifested in tourism products, these practices were inherently political.
Before the Light: A discussion with Ian Rowen on the making of Transitions in Taiwan and translating narratives of the White Terror Period
Authors: Jortay Coraline
Published: May 2022

How can literature shed light onto the violence of the past? More specifically, how does Taiwanese literature in translation participate in shaping narratives of recollection of the White Terror Period in light of Taiwan’s contemporary commitment to transitional justice and global positioning as a defender of human rights? In this interview, Coraline Jortay discusses these questions with Ian Rowen, the editor of Transitions in Taiwan: Stories of the White Terror. This anthology of short stories was published in the spring of 2021 as part of the Cambria Literature in Taiwan Series, in collaboration with the National Museum of Taiwan Literature, the National Human Rights Museum and National Taiwan Normal University. The conversation touches upon the making of Transitions in Taiwan in the context of contemporary narratives of the White Terror Period and transitional justice initiatives and broader issues of positionality in translation and geopolitics.
Sustainability in fashion and textiles
Authors: Moorhouse Debbie
Published: May 2022

This first issue of the International Journal of Sustainable Fashion & Textiles (SFT) presents a collection of five research articles, an industry interview and a book review, dedicated to the field of sustainable fashion and textiles, ethically made, retail and consumption and education. Positioning itself from both an academic research and industry practitioners’ perspective, the journal aims to provide a platform to raise awareness of issues within the fashion industry and the need for innovation. Articles for this first issue from international academics and industry professionals cover pertinent topics such as textile waste reduction, concepts to change attitudes towards more sustainable clothing consumption and well-being as a catalyst for change.
Poderes Regionales, Clientelismo y Estado. Etnografías del poder y la política en Córdoba (Colombia)
Authors: Elías Caro Jorge Enrique
Published: May 2022

El libro que reseño en este espacio que me brinda la revista Memorias de la universidad del Norte: Poderes Regionales, Clientelismo y Estado. Etnografías del poder y la política en Córdoba (Colombia), editorialmente hace parte del Observatorio para el desarrollo, la convivencia y el fortalecimiento institucional (ODECOFI), como resultado de un proyecto de investigación del “Programa para la Paz” del CINEP, la cual contó con financiación de COLCIENCIAS. Su edición aparece en el mes de mayo de 2014 y, como tal, consta de una introducción y dos partes. Tanto, la primera como la segunda parte, están compuestas por tres capítulos, para un total de seis, unas conclusiones y un epílogo; ideas que en su totalidad se desarrollan en 369 páginas.
La conformación histórica de la Región Atlántico/Caribe costarricense: (Re) Interpretación sobre su trayectoria entre el siglo XVI y el siglo XXI
Authors: López García Jessille Julieth
Published: May 2022

«Una región es una construcción social e histórica ubicada en un espacio… La región es una realidad cambiante y, además, producto de la dinámica socioeconómica y a la vez integra espacios sociales y lugares vividos con una especificidad que le otorga una estructura propia, cuya construcción culmina con las representaciones que se construyen a partir de imágenes regionales, por parte de los y las habitantes así como de los “extranjeros”» (p. 295). Esta es una tesis expresada por el historiador Viales Hurtado, fundamento de la hipótesis general que se probó en esta interesante y pertinente obra sobre Historia Regional que tiene como escenario la región Caribe, una costa centroamericana de 112 km que en esta obra nos cuenta una historia diferente del resto de Costa Rica.
China en Barranquilla
Authors: López García Jessille Julieth
Published: May 2022

Con el interés de ampliar la mirada a las colonias que arribaron a la ciudad de Barranquilla, hoy el turno es el Lejano Oriente, China. La base documental de las siguientes líneas me las permitió en principio, una extensa entrevista al nonagenario Jorge Tanjo Yin y la amable colaboración de su hijo Roberto Yin quien me permitió recabar en archivos familiares.
La Suiza centroamericana (re)construida: nuevas aproximaciones a la historia contemporánea a la historia de Costa Rica
Authors: Viales Hurtado Ronny
Published: May 2022

La historiografía costarricense inició un proceso de renovación desde la década de 1970. A partir de ese momento, un rasgo fun- damental de las nuevas historiografías costarricenses ha sido su carácter de frontera: por una parte, la investigación histórica ha seguido de cerca los principales debates y giros historiográficos de carácter global, que han afectado las temáticas y problemáticas de investigación. La “tropicalización” de estos enfoques teóricos ha entrado en diálogo con el clima intelectual y con las agendas de investigación regionales-centroamericanas, lo cual ha permitido que se construya un estilo de investigación histórica, que todavía continúa su proceso evolutivo.
Equidade e desempenho no Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio: Um estudo sobre sexo e raça nos municípios brasileiros
Authors: Moraes Caroline Ponce de , Peres Rodrigo Tosta , Barbosa Maria Tereza Serrano , Pedreira Carlos Eduardo
Published: May 2022

Este artigo debate equidade e desigualdade de desempenho para alunos de escolas públicas, pertencentes a municípios entre 50 e 500 mil habitantes, que se candidataram ao ENEM 2017. Análises segmentadas por raça, sexo, escolaridade materna e renda familiar indicaram desigualdade de desempenho medido pela nota de Matemática. Por exemplo, tem-se melhor desempenho para os alunos brancos, especialmente do sexo masculino e de alta renda, e forte prejuízo para alunas pretas de baixa renda. Apresentam-se análises intramunicipais com a medida de equidade obtida através de modelos multiníveis (alunos, escolas e municípios) com coeficientes aleatórios. Contribuições prévias como Alves et al. (2016), Travitzki et al. (2016) e Travitzki (2017) embasam a proposta apresentada. Os resultados indicaram que a maioria dos municípios mais equitativos em relação a sexo e raça, obteve um desempenho médio mais baixo. Por outro lado, os municípios com menos equidade estão, em sua maioria, acima da média em Matemática. Os municípios que combinam qualidade e equidade possuem maior renda familiar, alta proporção de alunos brancos e maior nível socioeconômico escolar médio. Políticas públicas devem ser propostas a fim de possibilitar que escolas de municípios com menos equidade compensem as diferenças entre grupos sociais.
Assessment of phthalate esters (PAEs) contamination in Urtica dioica L.
Authors: Rajput Priyanka , Sharma R. A
Published: May 2022

Phthalate esters are a group of chemical compounds of ubiquitous nature which nowadays have become a colossal threat to the environment, human-animal and plant health, because of its higher potential of accumulation in soil and aquatic habitat leading to environmental contamination due to its widespread industrial and agricultural usage. The present research aims to analyze the phthalate esters accumulation in Urtica dioica L. For this study, the Urtica dioica is tested for the presence of phthalates by using Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry. The Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry observations show the presence of 11 phthalate esters, among which diethyl phthalate (DEP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) were found to be in significantly higher amount. The sum concentrations of the phthalate ester in different extracts of plant range from 16.25% to 84.07%. The % composition of diethyl phthalate is found to be comparatively higher than other phthalate esters in methanolic extract of Urtica dioica while diisobutyl phthalate and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate accumulation is found relatively higher in the ethyl acetate and diethyl ether fractions. The observations show the contamination of the Urtica dioica plant with phthalate esters and also indicate the phthalate accumulating potential of the plant.
Evolution of Regional Cooperation Frameworks in Eastern Europe (1990–2021). The Role of Poland as a Regional Actor
Authors: Llanos-Antczak Anna , Śliwa Zdzisław
Published: May 2022

Poland’s power plays an important role in building the image and international position of the country in the region. It is a good starting point to conduct a proactive policy, which gives Poland the opportunity to act on behalf or in defence of smaller regional neighbours. This, of course, can increase Poland’s own significance and potentially opens new political opportunities to contribute to the realization of its own geostrategic interests and goals; in this sense, broadening its influence. It is therefore worth analysing the roles that Poland plays within its region and find the answer to the question of how its position evolves, and to what extent regional roles have an impact on the international position and strength of the state in the European Union. The paper argues that Poland does not effectively exploit cooperation in regional organizations. Thus, its role remains below its own capabilities and it is inferior to the nation’s ambitions. Nevertheless, there is still potential to strengthen the state’s position and its international role in the European Union and beyond.
Political Institution Building in Post-Communist Romania
Authors: Bharti Mukesh Shankar
Published: May 2022

The political development of Romania started after the death of Nicole Ceausescu in 1989. The article describes and analyses institutional and behavioural dynamics of the political processes that have occurred in Romania since 1989. This article focuses on the constitutional framework of governing institutions. This paper tries to explore the understanding of theoretical approaches to political and institutional development in the country. It examines the evolution of legislative, executive, and judiciary bodies. These are the three pillars of democracy. The article discusses how political parties participating in elections, form a government and will look at the stability of the institutions. This article examines institutional foundations of the coalition government in the 1990–2020 post-communist democracy period in Romania. The article starts with the institutional framework premise that electoral systems and constitutional provisions on the division of powers, structure, and the relationship between parliament and the president determines the point at which political power can be dispersed or concentrated in the political system.
Forms of Public Participation in the Polish Local Government
Authors: Rajca Lucyna
Published: May 2022

The aim of the paper is to present forms of involving citizens, their groups, and organisations in the sphere of local administration activity and to answer the question whether a participatory model of public management is present in the Polish local government. The article presents the evolution of relationship between public administration and citizens, and forms of citizen involvement in decision-making, provision of public services, and governance enabling citizens to have a real impact on public affairs. Results of the analysis indicate that Poland has a formal-institutional base for public participation, but the social reality does not support a thesis that a participatory model of local governance is actually used. The article employs an institutional and legal approach and an analysis of the literature.
Reference pricing systems on the pharmaceutical market
Authors: Unsorg Maximiliane
Published: May 2022

Constantly rising expenditures for pharmaceuticals require government intervention in firms’ pricing decisions. To this end, reference pricing systems are a frequently employed regulatory mechanism. This paper considers a duopoly market with vertically differentiated firms highlighting the effects of a reference pricing system on prices, consumer and producer surplus, expenditures and welfare. Reference pricing decreases equilibrium prices and induces a more competitive environment. It promotes generic usage leading to increased market coverage. Especially generic consumers benefit from a reference pricing regulation. The losses in producer surplus are mainly born by the brand-name firm. Introducing a reference pricing system unambiguously increases welfare.
Language for work and work for language: linguistic aspirations in the marketing of domestic work
Authors: Rydell Maria , Hanell Linnea
Published: May 2022

Language inevitably plays a key part in the infrastructure of transnational domestic work. Many who work and have worked in the domestic sector in Sweden have Swedish as their second language. The object of this study is to investigate the ways in which this fact is reflected in the marketing of domestic work historically as well as currently. Drawing on two datasets – personal advertisements by job seekers published in a Swedish daily during the twentieth century, and corporate marketing by contemporary cleaning agencies – the study discusses how references not only to language competence, but also to prospective language learning are used in the marketing of domestic work. While the phenomenon of domestic work, especially when performed by migrants, has been a resilient space of upset in the Swedish society for the last hundred years, the article argues that references to language are used to navigate tensions.
Sociolinguistic upsets and people of color in social media performances
Authors: Leppänen Sirpa , Westinen Elina
Published: May 2022

Particularly since the refugee “reception crisis” in 2015, Finland has started transforming into a more diverse and multicultural society. These societal changes have also been accompanied by sociolinguistic change, as well as language ideological debates and tensions, often manifesting in explicitly racist and xenophobic bursts of upset. In this article, our focus is on social media as a space where such societal and sociolinguistic upsets are articulated and re-worked. Drawing on recent sociolinguistic and discourse analytic work on transformative and critical popular cultural practices in social media, and studies on rap and belonging, we discuss how, in a mediatized society such as Finland, social media serve as a forum for antagonism and conflict, but also as a site for ‘talking back’. As our illustrative cases, we investigate two heteroglossic social media performances by entertainers and artists of color. In our analysis, we will show how these performances highlight and contest ideological notions of the way particular language resources are considered a key to Finnishness, as well as their role in the racialization and othering of people of color.
“We just want the language tone”: when requests to use minority languages lead to interactional breakdown in multilingual classrooms
Authors: Lehtonen Heini , Møller Janus Spindler
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we analyze two instances of interactional breakdown in linguistically and culturally diverse classrooms in Copenhagen and Helsinki. Our focus is situations where teachers request the use of minority languages from pupils, and pupils react reluctantly and display embarrassment. These situations represent sociolinguistic spaces of upset understood as disruptions of prevailing language ideologies and sociolinguistic regimes. We argue that pupils’ reluctance to comply with teachers’ attempts to include minority languages exemplifies such a disruption, and meta-communicative exchanges represent a window into the language ideologies influencing such situations. We analyze the interactions sequentially through the theoretical lens of enregisterment, linguistic legitimacy, and raciolinguistic microaggressions. The Helsinki data are drawn from a sociolinguistically informed action research project in an elementary school. The Copenhagen data involve lower-secondary-level pupils and consist of observations and recordings collected as part of a long-term ethnographic study. Despite the differences in projects and field sites, we found a striking similarity both in the language ideologies displayed by teachers and in pupils’ reactional patterns. Consequently, we argue that both examples represent the same type of sociolinguistic space of upset characterized by an intrinsic dilemma in Nordic public schools, which are simultaneously expected to secure the continuation of mainstream culture and embrace linguistic diversity.
Implicit strategies aimed at persuading the audience in public debates
Authors: Lombardi Vallauri Edoardo
Published: May 2022

Starting from the assumption that implicit strategies like presuppositions and implicatures can be used to reduce the tendency to critical reaction by addressees of linguistic utterances, which qualifies such strategies as useful persuasive devices, the paper also recalls that for this reason they are a typical ingredient of advertisement and propaganda (Section 1). Reduced epistemic vigilance effected by implicit linguistic packaging is especially useful to smuggle questionable contents into the target’s minds. Specific implicit strategies can be specialized for specific pragmatic moves, such as conveying opinions, self-praise or the attack of others (Section 2). This includes any questionable selling content and any doubtful argument that, if believed, may give an advantage against a dialectic opponent. In particular, in public debates one does not aim at convincing the opponent, rather at shaping the beliefs of the audience at home. The paper shows (Section 3) how presuppositions and implicatures are used in Italian public (television) debates with exactly this argumentative function. In such contexts the pattern holds even more importantly for face-threatening contents, whose being conveyed explicitly would expose the source to more probable and stronger blame on the part of the public, while implicitness (and more specifically implicatures) can help speakers to convey to the public the opponent-discrediting content of a face-threatening attack, still not counting evidently as offenders.
Synthesis and structural characterization of new ladder-like organostannoxanes derived from carboxylic acid derivatives: [C5H4N(p-CO2)]2[Bu2Sn]4(μ

3
-O)2(μ

2
-OH)2, [Ph2CHCO2]4[Bu2Sn]4(μ

3
-O)2, and [(p-NH2)-C6H4-CO2]2[Bu2Sn]4(μ

3
-O)2(μ

2
-OH)2
Authors: Diop Tidiane , Diop Mouhamadou Birame , Diop Cheikh Abdoul Khadir , Diasse-Sarr Aminata , Sidibe Mamadou , Dumitru Florina , van der Lee Arie
Published: May 2022

Three types of ladder-like organostannoxanes, [C5H4N(p-CO2)]2[Bu2Sn]4(μ
3-O)2(μ
2-OH)2 (1), [Ph2CHCO2]4[Bu2Sn]4(μ
3-O)2 (2), and [(p-NH2)-C6H4-CO2]2[Bu2Sn]4(μ

3
-O)2(μ

2
-OH)2 (3), have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analyses, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (1H, 13C) experiments, and, for 1 and 2, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. X-Ray diffraction discloses that complexes adopt tetranuclear tin(iv) ladder-like structures containing two (1) or four (2) deprotonated ligands. The essential difference between their molecular structures is that in 2 there are four carboxylate ligands, while in 1 and 3 there are two. The crystal structure of 1 reveals them to be a tetranuclear structure containing a three-rung-staircase Sn4O4 core. The Sn4O4 cluster consists of a ladder of four Sn2O2 units. For 2, the structure is a tetranuclear centrosymmetric dimer of an oxoditin unit having a central four-member ring. In this complex, the central Sn2O2 core is fused with two four-member and two six-member rings. In the structures, there are two types of tin ions arranged in distorted trigonal bipyramid geometry or octahedron geometry. A series of O–H⋯N, C–H⋯O, and C–H⋯π intermolecular hydrogen bonds in these complexes play an important function in the supramolecular, or two-dimensional network structures are formed by these interactions.
A Community Ten Miles Away
Authors: Powell Joseph
Published: May 2022

A connection and a yearning towards a communal and primarily agrarian existence connects the Rastafari the world over. Many Rastafari yearn for a life in direct communication with the earth through agricultural labor in a space created for and by the community, a space “up in the hills” away from the pollutants of a contaminated, corrupting Babylonian society. This was no less the case amongst those in Saint Lucia with whom I conducted recent fieldwork. Different from previous conversations on this topic however, was a new context defined by a global pandemic and a subsequent widely mandated social withdrawal. This engendered a dual response of envisioning rural flight as now more urgent and, in some cases, as a necessary response to COVID-19.
Optimized Genetic Algorithm and Extended Diffie Hellman as an Effectual Approach for DOS-Attack Detection in Cloud
Authors:   Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Madan Mohan Malaviya University Of Technology, Gorakhpur, U.P., India, Chaudhary Himanshi , Chaudhary Himanshu ,   Department of Information Technology, Indian Institute Of Information Technology, Allahabad, U.P., India., Kumar Sharma Awadesh ,   Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Madan Mohan Malaviya University Of Technology, Gorakhpur, U.P., India.
Published: May 2022

Cloud computing is a mode to increase competence and capabilities devoid of investing in any infrastructure. It seems that in cloud computing environment the major problem that ensure the secure communication and protect responsive data in open networks from unauthorised access. These days it seems the headlines are jam-packed with stories about security breaches to these services; that result in the leak of a large amount of private data of the users. As cloud computing can offer new computing benefits, but it faces soaring risks, specifically on the security side where DOS attacks can make cloud services unavailable. This paper aims to turn up an effective method of detecting DOS attacks with an optimized Genetic algorithm and extended version of Diffie-hellman algorithm. To prevent data loss or corruption caused by the insiders in the cloud, Optimized Genetic Algorithm (OGA) is utilized, which effectively recovers the data and retrieve it if the missed data without loss. It is then followed with the decryption process as if requested by the user. An optimized path assortment for information broadcast proves to be an effective method in the cloud computing atmosphere. The proposed framework ensures certification and paves way for secure data access in an unauthorized network, with improved performance. It successfully assure the high level of protection of the transmission and data transmitted. And concurrently reduce the communication complexities. To reduce time complexity and detect the attackers by mutual secret key that is brought on using extended version of Diffie-hellman to endorse available key generation.
Ethno-Religious Conflicts in Nigeria: A Threat to The Quest for National Integration
Authors: Udom Idongesit David , Okolie Ugo Chuks
Published: May 2022

Nigeria as an independent nation cannot discuss her history without recounting her sad experience of one conflict or the other. Notable among these conflicts are those of communal, political and ethno-religious conflicts which often result in destructive violence. Out of all these, ethno-religious conflicts appear to have more implications to national development, security and integration in Nigeria. This paper is an empirical survey of existing literature through secondary investigations. The paper posits that colonialism and its capitalist ideological underpinnings and the transplanting of the same character traits to Nigeria bourgeoisie elements largely accounts for the ethnic divide pervading the Nigerian system. Over and above this argument is the malicious ethnic structures initially created by colonialism which has brought about continuous and contending ethnic strife in the Nigerian state to date. The position of this paper is also that the new trend of criminality and the gory tradition of terrorism and security lapses ravaging the country in most states of the North during the Jonathan’s administration and most states of the North-Central  during the Buhari’s administration is akin to ethnic and sectional sentiments as well as ethnic bias. In view of this, the paper therefore attempts to draw explanations on why ethno-religious conflicts have become a permanent feature of Nigeria and its implications to national integration. This paper further takes a peep into the effects of ethno-religious conflicts on economic development in Nigeria. The paper sums up with policy recommendations and conclusion for peaceful co-existence in the 21st century.
Protection of Women in Legal Cases: Objectivity of the Case Monitoring Process by Paralegals (Comparative Study of LBH APIK Semarang Indonesia and AWARE Singapore)
Authors: Alif Ahmad , Laura Benjamin
Published: May 2022

The presence of paralegals is like an oasis in the middle of a barren desert. The presence of paralegals especially in Indonesia is a new hope for those who want to obtain structural legal assistance (Bantuan Hukum Struktural, BHS), structural gender legal assistance (Bantuan Hukum Gender Struktural, BHGS) and clinical legal education. This study highlighted that paralegals from their point of view as human beings who have a subjective and objective side, especially in their role as paralegals in the Legal Aid Institute which is more involved with legal issues against women (LBH APIK Semarang). In its mission, LBH APIK Semarang to provide legal assistance and assistance for women who experience injustice, violence, and various forms of discrimination. As comparison, this study also found that, AWARE Singapore recognized as the leading women’s rights and gender equality group in Singapore. AWARE provides a feminist perspective in the national dialogue. It has effectively advocated against laws, public policies and mindsets that discriminate against women. AWARE has contributed towards the strengthening of laws dealing with domestic violence.
Unit Weight of Foam Concrete Containing Blended Cement and Fly Ash
Authors: Sunarno Yohans , Tjaronge M. W. , Irnawaty Rita , Muhiddin Achmad Bakri
Published: May 2022

Abstract. The rapid development of construction and infrastructure results in increasing demands for natural resources continue. One of the many natural elements required for construction and infrastructure activities was cement, which is the basic ingredient in concrete. This study aims to analyze the unit weight of foam concrete containing blended cement and fly ash. The research approach used in this study was a laboratory experiment. Foam concrete was produced using 4 variations of cement (OPC, PCC-T, PCC-B and OPC+FA), fine aggregate, water and foam. The shape of the test object used was cube with a size of 15 cm × 15 cm × 15 cm. Unit weight test was used to evaluate the foam concrete mixture produced at the age of 3, 7, 28 and 730 days. The results showed that the unit weight of foam concrete in all variations of the specimens: OPC, PCC-T, PCC-B and OPC+FA, met the requirements for the unit weight of lightweight structural concrete based on SNI 03-3449-2002 and ACI 213R3 which was between 800 to 1400 kg/m3.
ANALISIS NILAI-NILAI KEARIFAN LOKAL MASYARAKAT KANDRI KECAMATAN GUNUNGPATI SEBAGAI ALTERNATIF SUMBER BELAJAR IPS DI SMP NEGERI 22 SEMARANG
Authors: Alfiyanti Nurul , Lestari Puji
Published: May 2022

The 2013 curriculum is contextual, namely lingking learning with the surrounding environment. Environmental potentials such as local wisdom values can be used as social studies learning resources. Kandri village with people who preserve local wisdom that can be used as a source of social studies learning at SMP Negeri 22 Semarang. The research method used is a qualitative method. The results of the research on the values of local wisdom in the Kandri community include religious values, mutual cooperation values, creativity values, environmental care values, responsibility values, artistic values. Some social studies materials and basic competencies at the Junior High School level are compatible with the local wisdom values of the Kandri community so that they can be alternative sources of social studies learning in the form of information messages at SMP Negeri 22 Semarang.

Kurikulum 2013 bersifat konteksual yaitu mengaitkan pembelajaran dengan lingkungan sekitar. Potensi lingkungan seperti nilai-nilai kearifan lokal dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai sumber belajar IPS. Kelurahan Kandri dengan masyarakat yang melestarikan kearifan lokal yang dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai sumber belajar IPS di SMP Negeri 22 Semarang. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode kualitatif. Hasil penelitian nilai-nilai kearifan lokal pada masyarakat Kandri diantaranya nilai religi, nilai gotongroyong, nilai kreativitas, nilai peduli lingkungan, nilai tanggung jawab, nilai seni. Beberapa materi IPS dan Kompetensi Dasar tingkat SMP memiliki kecocokan dengan nilai-nilai kearifan lokal masyarakat Kandri sehingga dapat menjadi alternatif sumber belajar IPS berupa pesan informasi di SMP Negeri 22 Semarang.