bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creatine for Exercise and Sports Performance, with Recovery Considerations for Healthy Populations
Authors: Wax Benjamin , Kerksick Chad M. , Jagim Andrew R. , Mayo Jerry J. , Lyons Brian C. , Kreider Richard B.
Published: June 2021

Creatine is one of the most studied and popular ergogenic aids for athletes and recreational weightlifters seeking to improve sport and exercise performance, augment exercise training adaptations, and mitigate recovery time. Studies consistently reveal that creatine supplementation exerts positive ergogenic effects on single and multiple bouts of short-duration, high-intensity exercise activities, in addition to potentiating exercise training adaptations. In this respect, supplementation consistently demonstrates the ability to enlarge the pool of intracellular creatine, leading to an amplification of the cell’s ability to resynthesize adenosine triphosphate. This intracellular expansion is associated with several performance outcomes, including increases in maximal strength (low-speed strength), maximal work output, power production (high-speed strength), sprint performance, and fat-free mass. Additionally, creatine supplementation may speed up recovery time between bouts of intense exercise by mitigating muscle damage and promoting the faster recovery of lost force-production potential. Conversely, contradictory findings exist in the literature regarding the potential ergogenic benefits of creatine during intermittent and continuous endurance-type exercise, as well as in those athletic tasks where an increase in body mass may hinder enhanced performance. The purpose of this review was to summarize the existing literature surrounding the efficacy of creatine supplementation on exercise and sports performance, along with recovery factors in healthy populations.
The Speed of Ingestion of a Sugary Beverage Has an Effect on the Acute Metabolic Response to Fructose
Authors: Kanbay Mehmet , Guler Begum , Ertuglu Lale A. , Dagel Tuncay , Afsar Baris , Incir Said , Baygul Arzu , Covic Adrian , Andres-Hernando Ana , Sánchez-Lozada Laura Gabriela , Lanaspa Miguel A. , Johnson Richard J.
Published: June 2021

Background: The consumption of sweetened beverages is associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Objective: We hypothesized that the metabolic effects of fructose in sugary beverages might be modulated by the speed of ingestion in addition to the overall amount. Design: Thirty healthy subjects free of any disease and medication were recruited into two groups. After overnight fasting, subjects in group 1 drank 500 mL of apple juice over an hour by drinking 125 mL every 15 min, while subjects in group 2 drank 500 mL of apple juice over 5 min. Blood samples were collected at time zero and 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after ingestion to be analyzed for serum glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) score, fibroblast growth factor 21, copeptin, osmolarity, sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate, uric acid, and phosphate levels. Results: Serum glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, fibroblast growth factor 21, copeptin, osmolarity, sodium, BUN, and lactate levels increased following apple juice ingestion. The increases were greater in the fast-drinking group, which were more significant after 15 min and 30 min compared to baseline. The changes in uric acid were not statistically different between the groups. Phosphate levels significantly increased only in the fast-drinking group. Conclusion: Fast ingestion of 100% apple juice causes a significantly greater metabolic response, which may be associated with negative long-term outcomes. Our findings suggest that the rate of ingestion must be considered when evaluating the metabolic impacts of sweetened beverage consumption.
Design and Implementation of an Energy-Efficient Weather Station for Wind Data Collection
Authors: Leelavinodhan Padma Balaji , Vecchio Massimo , Antonelli Fabio , Maestrini Andrea , Brunelli Davide
Published: June 2021

Agriculture faces critical challenges caused by changing climatic factors and weather patterns with random distribution. This has increased the need for accurate local weather predictions and weather data collection to support precision agriculture. The demand for uninterrupted weather stations is overwhelming, and the Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to address this demand. One major challenge of energy constraint in remotely deployed IoT devices can be resolved using weather stations that are energy neutral. This paper focuses on optimizing the energy consumption of a weather station by optimizing the data collected and sent from the sensor deployed in remote locations. An asynchronous optimization algorithm for wind data collection has been successfully developed, using the development lifecyle specifically designed for weather stations and focused on achieving energy neutrality. The developed IoT weather station was deployed in the field, and it has the potential to reduce the power consumption of the weather station by more than 60%.
Development of 6 DOF Displacement Sensor Using RUS Parallel Mechanism
Authors: Kim Donghyun , Choi Sunghyun , Yun Dongwon
Published: June 2021

Nowadays, many types of manipulators have been developed and used in lots of production processes. Force-based control methods or additional mechanical devices called Remote Center Compliance (RCC) have increased the system’s compliance and accuracy. However, the force-based control method’s operating speed is low, and the RCC cannot measure deflection. Thus it cannot calculate the position of the end-effector accurately. For accurate force and position control, it is necessary to measure the deflection of the RCC and to perform this, a different type of device than the existing RCC is required. This paper presents the necessity and possibility of developing an RCC capable of measuring the displacement of the end-effector and showing the displacement sensor’s feasibility using a 6 DOF parallel mechanism. In particular, we suggest that it is possible to make devices cheaper and more compact by using angular displacement sensors. Finally, we show the possibility of use in actual industrial sites through peg-in-hole simulation using the device.
On the Uncertainty Identification for Linear Dynamic Systems Using Stochastic Embedding Approach with Gaussian Mixture Models
Authors: Orellana Rafael , Carvajal Rodrigo , Escárate Pedro , Agüero Juan C.
Published: June 2021

In control and monitoring of manufacturing processes, it is key to understand model uncertainty in order to achieve the required levels of consistency, quality, and economy, among others. In aerospace applications, models need to be very precise and able to describe the entire dynamics of an aircraft. In addition, the complexity of modern real systems has turned deterministic models impractical, since they cannot adequately represent the behavior of disturbances in sensors and actuators, and tool and machine wear, to name a few. Thus, it is necessary to deal with model uncertainties in the dynamics of the plant by incorporating a stochastic behavior. These uncertainties could also affect the effectiveness of fault diagnosis methodologies used to increment the safety and reliability in real-world systems. Determining suitable dynamic system models of real processes is essential to obtain effective process control strategies and accurate fault detection and diagnosis methodologies that deliver good performance. In this paper, a maximum likelihood estimation algorithm for the uncertainty modeling in linear dynamic systems is developed utilizing a stochastic embedding approach. In this approach, system uncertainties are accounted for as a stochastic error term in a transfer function. In this paper, we model the error-model probability density function as a finite Gaussian mixture model. For the estimation of the nominal model and the probability density function of the parameters of the error-model, we develop an iterative algorithm based on the Expectation-Maximization algorithm using the data from independent experiments. The benefits of our proposal are illustrated via numerical simulations.
SPADs and SiPMs Arrays for Long-Range High-Speed Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
Authors: Villa Federica , Severini Fabio , Madonini Francesca , Zappa Franco
Published: June 2021

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a 3D imaging technique, widely used in many applications such as augmented reality, automotive, machine vision, spacecraft navigation and landing. Achieving long-ranges and high-speed, most of all in outdoor applications with strong solar background illumination, are challenging requirements. In the introduction we review different 3D-ranging techniques (stereo-vision, projection with structured light, pulsed-LiDAR, amplitude-modulated continuous-wave LiDAR, frequency-modulated continuous-wave interferometry), illumination schemes (single point and blade scanning, flash-LiDAR) and time-resolved detectors for LiDAR (EM-CCD, I-CCD, APD, SPAD, SiPM). Then, we provide an extensive review of silicon- single photon avalanche diode (SPAD)-based LiDAR detectors (both commercial products and research prototypes) analyzing how each architecture faces the main challenges of LiDAR (i.e., long ranges, centimeter resolution, large field-of-view and high angular resolution, high operation speed, background immunity, eye-safety and multi-camera operation). Recent progresses in 3D stacking technologies provided an important step forward in SPAD array development, allowing to reach smaller pitch, higher pixel count and more complex processing electronics. In the conclusions, we provide some guidelines for the design of next generation SPAD-LiDAR detectors.
Exploring the Role of the Workplace in Experiences of Commuter Stress: A Mixed-Method Study from Sofia, Bulgaria
Authors: Plyushteva Anna
Published: June 2021

Several studies have argued that the effects of commuter stress spill into other domains of everyday life, including the workplace. However, the entanglements between commuter stress and the workplace are complex and multidirectional. Commuter stresses both shapes and is shaped by managerial policies, workplace social relations, and the negotiations of working schedules. The present paper explores these interconnections. Drawing on a survey of 281 office-based employees in 27 companies in Sofia, Bulgaria, the paper demonstrates how the characteristics of individuals and individual journeys are important in shaping commuter stress but not exclusively so. In examining the significance of the workplace in relation to commuter stress, the paper differentiates between the geographical location of the workplace and the employing organisation, thus offering a granular understanding of spatial (e.g., the quality of the public spaces surrounding the office) and organisational (e.g., managerial decisions regarding parking) factors. The paper highlights the social and spatial constraints within which commutes are carried out, thus emphasising the role of employers and local government in what is often understood in terms of individual travel choices.
Manganese Oxide Carbon-Based Nanocomposite in Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Wayu Mulugeta
Published: June 2021

Global increasing demand in the need of energy leads to the development of non-conventional, high power energy sources. Supercapacitors (SCs) are one of the typical non-conventional energy storage devices which are based on the principle of electrochemical energy conversion. SCs are promising energy storage devices for better future energy technology. Increasing progress has been made in the development of applied and fundamental aspects of SCs. Manganese oxide electrode materials have been well studied; however, their capacitive performance is still inadequate for practical applications. Recent research is mainly focused on enhancing manganese oxide capacitive performance through the incorporation of electrically conductive materials and by controlling its morphology to reveal a more active surface area for redox reactions. In this review, progress in the applications of manganese oxide carbon-based materials towards the development of highly effective SCs is briefly discussed. In this regard, manganese oxide carbon-based nanocomposites synthesis methods and techniques used to approximate the capacitance of electrode materials are discussed.
Do Socioeconomic Factors Influence Who Is Most Likely to Relocate after Environmental Disasters? A Case Study in Indonesia
Authors: Burrows Kate , Son Ji-Young , Bell Michelle L.
Published: June 2021

Environmental mobility (residential moves influenced by environmental factors) is increasingly recognized as an important issue, both today and under future conditions of climate change. Those who experience climate- and weather-related disasters rarely respond as a homogenous group of migrants, yet relatively limited studies have specifically examined individual-level heterogeneities across those exposed. In this paper, we used self-reported data to investigate differences in sociodemographics (age, marital status, sex, and education) between those who relocated after environmental disruptions in Indonesia and those who did not relocate. Individuals with 12 years of education at the time of an environmental exposure were 3.93 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38, 11.20) times more likely to move for environmental reasons than those with <12 years of education. Assuming education as a proxy for socioeconomic status, these findings suggest that those in the mid-range socioeconomic brackets may be most likely to migrate after environmental disruptions, while the poorest are less likely to move. This may reflect that the costs of relocation are prohibitively high for those with lower socioeconomic status. Collectively, these results add to an inconsistent body of literature on environmental mobility and indicate that further site- and context-specific research on climate- and weather-related relocation is needed.
Frequent Discounts and Loss of VAT for the State Budget of the Czech Republic: Scenario Estimations for Milk
Authors: Krivko Mikhail , Moravec Lukáš , Kukalová Gabriela , Smutka Luboš , Šálková Daniela
Published: June 2021

Frequent price discounts have become one of the features of retail chains in the Czech Republic. Discounts are most often provided for products popular with customers. One of the products that is subject to frequent discounts is milk. Several expert opinions estimate that up to 50% of milk is sold with frequent price discounts. Price pressure on farmers and food producers owing to frequent price promotions is supported by the purchasing power of retailers and, in extreme cases, leads to sub-cost purchasing prices. These facts set up the framework to assess the impact of frequent price discounts on policymaking, including tax administration. One of the effects of selling goods at discounts is lower VAT collection from shops, and thus lower revenue to the state budget. This paper attempts to estimate one of the potential impacts of frequent price discounts, namely the loss of VAT for the state budget due to low retail prices of milk. Theoretical estimation of the effect of frequent price discounts on VAT can help to assess policy that touches on mark-ups in specific markets, such as food. The estimation is based on data obtained from Czech Statistical Office, FADN, and Orbis databases and employs Monte Carlo simulation to capture the stochastic element of retail markups. Sub-cost prices of producers of milk have a more significant negative effect on VAT revenue than prices of other supply chain participants. The theoretical effect on VAT revenue is estimated to be in the range from a negative effect of 14.9 billion CZK to a positive effect of 7.4 billion CZK. Values of zero VAT effect points (mark-ups of producers, dairies, and retailers) are shown, as well as the critical value of price elasticity of demand (−0.1715), at which the effect of frequent price discounts on VAT revenue is zero.
Transitional Morphologies and Urban Forms: Generation and Regeneration Processes—An Agenda
Authors: Trisciuoglio Marco , Barosio Michela , Ricchiardi Ana , Tulumen Zeynep , Crapolicchio Martina , Gugliotta Rossella
Published: June 2021

Grounded in the study of urban morphology, this position paper seeks to overcome the analysis of the permanent elements of a city in the search for a transitional paradigm in urban morphology, with the aim of grasping the dynamics of urban evolution and providing operative tools for the design of urban regeneration through an adaptive approach. Four actions for urban analysis are suggested here to highlight urban dynamics through the use of different tools: (a) sorting the transitional steps of urban morphologies (within rapid market processes), (b) underlining rules and processes that characterize urban coding in transitions, (c) mapping urban assemblages in an adaptive city, and (d) reading and representing the phenomenon of urban permutation. The results of this multifaceted and multidimensional set of analytical tools make it possible to outline a new paradigm for design thinking that moves towards a parametric approach to the urban design of cities in transition by broadening the extent of the urban regeneration process and supporting urban policies in the framework of a community-based approach.
A Bibliometric Analysis of Product-Service Systems’ Design Methodologies: Potential Root-Cause Identification of PSS’ Failures
Authors: Agher Jean-Robert , Dubois Patrice , Aoussat Améziane
Published: June 2021

Product-service system (PSS) innovation is acknowledged as a promising way to achieve sustainability through better exploitation of given resources. Nevertheless, PSS implementation is also described as increasing failure risk for companies. Despite that authors have identified paradoxical situations as a source of failure while implementing PSS, few researches have focused on understanding the origin of these paradoxes. In this review, we aim at understanding how methodologies cope with the challenges of designing PSS throughout the complete company perimeter as well as how to manage interactions within this perimeter to avoid potential paradoxes and thus failure. To do so, we will rely on the business model innovation literature and, more specifically, the business model canvas to define and discretize the company perimeter. As for the interactions and their imbrication regarding paradoxes appearance, we will refer to Putnam et al. theory to gain deeper understanding of paradoxes-appearance mechanism. Our bibliometric strategy brought us to analyze 14 international articles via our graph, enabling us to highlight that some poles’ interactions during design are partly unaddressed, resulting potentially in the creation of tension sources and therefore potential paradoxes and ultimately implementation failure. Considering this, future research works could focus on defining all significant interactions to consider while designing a PSS as well as the typology of answers to engage while facing tensions. In that respect, these works could provide actionable solutions to lower PSS implementation-failure risk, thus benefiting those who wish to achieve better sustainability through PSS.
Implicating Human Values for designing a Digital Government Collaborative Platform for Environmental Issues: A Value Sensitive Design Approach
Authors: Sapraz Mohamed , Han Shengnan
Published: June 2021

Digital technology is instrumental in designing e-government services to achieve environmental sustainability. This study aims to implicate essential human values for designing a Digital Government Collaborative Platform (DGCP), which seeks to enhance the collaboration between citizens and government officers to address environmental issues in Sri Lanka. The study adopts a value sensitive design (VSD) approach to identify human values to conceptualize the design. The results reveal 15 human values shared by citizens and officers of environmental authorities: transparency, safety, universal usability, feedback, authenticity, fairness, representativeness, accountability, legitimacy, informed consent, autonomy, awareness, human welfare, attitude, and trust. In addition to the identified human values, four system feature categories have been proposed from interviews. Thus, the study advances knowledge in designing an e-government system for collaboration between citizens and government officers, especially in tackling environmental problems in developing countries. Further, the study contributes knowledge to VSD for digital collaboration for improving environmental sustainability.
Socioeconomic Effects of Ambitious Climate Mitigation Policies in Germany
Authors: Lutz Christian , Becker Lisa , Kemmler Andreas
Published: June 2021

The EU Commission has introduced the instrument of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) to better achieve energy and climate policy targets. In Germany, a comprehensive study was commissioned for this purpose. Its methods and main results are presented here. It starts with a set of energy system models that maps the necessary changes in the energy system, together with corresponding measures bottom-up. The results then enter the PANTA RHEI macroeconometric top-down model as scenario inputs to determine the socioeconomic effects. According to the bottom-up models, achieving the target of 55% GHG reduction by 2030 will not be easy. The macroeconomic effects are mostly positive. Driven by additional investment, GDP and the number of jobs will be higher than in the baseline. The construction and service sectors can benefit from energy and climate policy measures. The share of final consumer expenditures on energy in GDP declines by 2030 compared to today. However, the direction and magnitude of the effects are not undisputed in the literature. The results show that ambitious climate policies are possible in Germany, which can also improve the achievement of economic and social goals.
Environmental Courts, Environment and Employment: Evidence from China
Authors: He Ling-Yun , Qi Xiao-Feng
Published: June 2021

Whether environmental governance will cause unemployment has always been an aspect that the government needs to pay attention to in the process of making environmental policies, and is also a concern of residents. This paper analyzes the policy effect of environmental courts, which is a very important policy tool for the legalization of China’s environmental governance. While investigating whether environmental courts can effectively improve environmental quality, we also analyze its possible impact on employment and the specific mechanisms. The results show that: (1) After the establishment of environmental courts, the PM2.5 concentration has been significantly reduced. (2) While improving the environmental quality, environmental courts will produce a weak employment promotion effect. (3) Environmental courts affect the amount of employment through cost effect, factor substitution effect and innovation effect. This study provides empirical evidence for China and other developing countries to promote the legalization of environmental governance.
Barriers to Career Progression in the Higher Education Sector: Perceptions of Australian Academics
Authors: Khan Tehmina , Siriwardhane Pavithra
Published: June 2021

There are multiple factors that can potentially impact the career progression of academics to professoriate level (referred to as levels D and E in Australia). This research provides a detailed understanding of critical factors (by gender) that negatively influence career progressions. Perceptions of factors that influence career progressions have been found to be more pronounced amongst female academics in STEMM and business disciplines. The conventional view of family commitments as being a hindrance to career progression has not been supported in our data. On the contrary, it is the organizational factors that would appear to be prevalent at an institutional level that seems to be significant barriers to the career progression. Particularly for female academics’ progression to levels D and E. The most prominent factors identified through confirmatory factor analysis conducted in the study are workloads and a lack of resources to undertake research and to generate research performance, which is a critical impacting factor for career progression to professoriate levels. These factors have been exacerbated by COVID-19.
Eroding Land and Erasing Place: A Qualitative Study of Place Attachment, Risk Perception, and Coastal Land Loss in Southern Louisiana
Authors: Lambert Catherine E. , Holley Jason R. , McComas Katherine A. , Snider Natalie P. , Tucker Grace K.
Published: June 2021

Southern Louisiana and its coastal bayous are sites of both frequent flooding and rapid coastal land loss, exacerbated by the increasing effects of climate change. Though much work has examined flood risk perceptions in coastal areas, few studies have considered the qualitative and contextual dimensions of perceptions of coastal land loss and its associated impacts, and how these perceptions relate to local culture, place, and intentions to mitigate personal exposure to risk. We conducted six focus groups in areas with distinct exposure to coastal land loss. Participants expressed strong attachment to community, culture, and place. Personal ties to land loss through family or social connections, experiences with fishing and water-based activities, and indirect impacts on Louisiana’s seafood industry and cuisine provided a lens for understanding the immediate impacts of coastal land loss. Participants felt that exposure to the risks of land loss was inevitable and that mitigation was beyond individual efforts, a feeling that manifested both as pessimism and as a resilient focus on collective action. Considering state history with political corruption, participants generally distrusted state-level mitigation initiatives. These findings shed light on the qualitative dimensions of coastal land loss perceptions in southern Louisiana and their relation to place attachment, mitigation intentions, and sources of risk information. While participants with personal ties to risk report feelings of exposure and inevitability, they are also embedded in communities with strong ties to place. This nuance only complicates the meanings that individuals associate with land loss and the actions that they are motivated to take; impacts of coastal land loss on the landscape and distinct place characteristics of southern Louisiana may lead to significant disruption to identity and well-being, but also provide a pathway for risk awareness and potential motivation of collective mitigation actions.
Effect of Preexisting Immunity to Tetanus Toxoid on the Efficacy of Tetanus Toxoid-Conjugated Heroin Vaccine in Mice
Authors: Komla Essie , Torres Oscar B. , Jalah Rashmi , Sulima Agnieszka , Beck Zoltan , Alving Carl R. , Jacobson Arthur E. , Rice Kenner C. , Matyas Gary R.
Published: June 2021

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a serious health problem that has dramatically increased over the last decade. Although current therapies for the management of OUD can be effective, they have limitations. The complementary strategy to combat the opioid crisis is the development of a conjugate vaccine to generate high affinity antibodies in order to neutralize opioids in circulation before reaching the brain. The components of an opioid vaccine include an opioid hapten (6-AmHap) that is conjugated to a carrier protein (tetanus toxoid) with the addition of adjuvants (Army Liposome Formulation adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide-ALFA). There is no consensus in the literature as to whether preexisting immunity to the carrier protein may impact the immunogenicity of the conjugate vaccine by inducing an enhanced or suppressed immune response to the hapten. Here, we investigated whether pre-exposure to tetanus toxoid would affect the immunogenicity and efficacy of the heroin vaccine, TT-6-AmHap. Mice were primed with diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine at weeks -4 and -2, then immunized with TT-6-AmHap vaccine at weeks 0, 3, and 6. Using ELISA and behavioral assays, we found that preexisting immunity to tetanus toxoid had no influence on the immunogenicity and efficacy of the TT-6-AmHap vaccine.
The Beauty of Simplicity: Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity Reaction to Measure Cellular Immune Responses in RNA-SARS-Cov-2 Vaccinated Individuals
Authors: Barrios Yvelise , Franco Andres , Sánchez-Machín Inmaculada , Poza-Guedes Paloma , González-Pérez Ruperto , Matheu Victor
Published: June 2021

Background: Monitoring cellular immune responses elicited in vaccinated individuals is highly complicated. Methods: 28 individuals participated during the vaccination process with 12 BNT162b2 mRNA (Pfizer) vaccine. Specific anti-RBD IgG using a classic ELISA was performed in days 10 and 20 (after one dose of the vaccine) and on day 35 (after two vaccine doses) in serum samples of all participants. In parallel, DTH (delayed-type hypersensitivity) Skin Test using S protein was performed before (11/28) and after two doses (28/28) of the vaccine. Results: 6/28 individuals were considered positive for the specific anti-RBD IgG positive at day 10, whereas all 28 individuals were positive at day 20. Moreover, 28/28 individuals increased the OD ratios at day 36 (2 doses). DTH cutaneous test was performed on 11/28 participants at day 20 (1 dose) showing 8/11 a positive reaction at 12 h. DTH of all participants was performed on day 36 (2 doses), showing 28/28 positive reactions at 12 h. Conclusion: This report describes the first publication of the results obtained using an in vivo method, the classical DTH response to the Spike protein to assess T-cell immune responses in vaccinated individuals. This affordable and simple test would help to answer basic immunogenicity questions on large-scale population vaccine studies.
What Prompts Doctors to Recommend COVID-19 Vaccines: Is It a Question of Positive Emotion?
Authors: Rapisarda Venerando , Vella Francesca , Ledda Caterina , Barattucci Massimiliano , Ramaci Tiziana
Published: June 2021

Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools and have greatly contributed to eliminating or controlling several serious vaccine-treatable diseases over the past century. To curb the spread of COVID-19, efficacious vaccination is emerging as essential in mitigating the disease and preventing deaths. Health care workers (HCW) are one of the first groups to receive vaccinations, so it is important to consider their attitudes to COVID-19 vaccination to better address barriers to widespread vaccination acceptance. This study aimed to evaluate variables that are linked with the recommendation of vaccines and intention to take-up vaccination against COVID-19 among the HCWs, in the context of the current pandemic. The study was conducted during the first week of the vaccination campaign dedicated to Italian HCWs, beginning in December 2020, and it involved all doctors in a public hospital in Sicily. The following questionnaires were administered: (1) The perceived vaccine trust questionnaire, measuring the degree of trust in vaccines by healthcare professionals both in general and for the protection of healthcare professionals themselves and patients; (2) the positive and negative affect scale-state (PANAS), for assessing positive and negative emotions in relation to their work as “frontline care providers”; (3) The locus of control of behaviour (LCB) to measure the extent to which subjects perceive responsibility for their personal behaviour (internal vs. external); (4) recommendation vaccines item, referring to the intention to recommend vaccination. The findings suggest that socio-demographic control variables (age, gender, and seniority) showed little or no predictive power in vaccine recommendation, while vaccine confidence, positive emotions, and internal locus of control were excellent predictors of vaccine recommendations by doctors. Younger doctors, both in age and experience, are more confident in vaccines and recommend them more frequently. It is essential to improve institutional communication addressed to doctors to enhance their role as vaccination facilitators.
Impact of Introducing Hepatitis B Birth Dose Vaccines into the Infant Immunization Program in Burkina Faso: Study Protocol for a Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial (NéoVac Study)
Authors: Tall Haoua , Adam Pierrick , Tiendrebeogo Abdoul Salam Eric , Vincent Jeanne Perpétue , Schaeffer Laura , von Platen Cassandre , Fernandes-Pellerin Sandrine , Sawadogo François , Bokoum Alkadri , Bouda Ghislain , Ouattara Seydou , Ouédraogo Issa , Herrant Magali , Boucheron Pauline , Sawadogo Appolinaire , Betsem Edouard , Essoh Alima , Kabore Lassané , Ouattara Amariane , Méda Nicolas , Hien Hervé , Gosset Andréa , Giles-Vernick Tamara , Boyer Sylvie , Kania Dramane , Vray Muriel , Shimakawa Yusuke
Published: June 2021

To achieve global hepatitis elimination by 2030, it is critical to prevent the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Since 2009, the WHO has recommended administering hepatitis B vaccine to all neonates within 24 h of birth to prevent MTCT. However, many countries in sub-Saharan Africa only provide hepatitis B immunization at the age of 6, 10, and 14 weeks or 8, 12, and 16 weeks using a combined vaccine. To accelerate the introduction of the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine (HepB-BD) into sub-Saharan Africa, it is critical to establish to what extent the addition of HepB-BD can further reduce HBV transmission in areas where three-dose infant vaccination has been implemented. We therefore designed a study to evaluate the impact, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of incorporating the HepB-BD into the routine immunization program in a real-life field condition in Burkina Faso, where the hepatitis B vaccination is currently scheduled at 8-12-16 weeks. Through a multidisciplinary approach combining epidemiology, anthropology, and health economics, the Neonatal Vaccination against Hepatitis B in Africa (NéoVac) study conducts a pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial in rural areas of the Hauts-Bassins Region. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04029454). A health center is designated as a cluster, and the introduction of HepB-BD will be rolled out sequentially in 24 centers. Following an initial period in which no health center administers HepB-BD, one center will be randomly allocated to incorporate HepB-BD. Then, at a regular interval, another center will be randomized to cross from the control to the intervention period, until all 24 centers integrate HepB-BD. Pregnant women attending antenatal care will be systematically invited to participate. Infants born during the control period will follow the conventional immunization schedule (8-12-16 weeks), while those born in the interventional period will receive HepB-BD in addition to the routine vaccines (0-8-12-16 weeks). The primary outcome, the proportion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity in infants aged at 9 months, will be compared between children born before and after HepB-BD introduction. The study will generate data that may assist governments and stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africa to make evidence-based decisions about whether to add HepB-BD into the national immunization programs.
A Hauntological Reading of Daphne du Maurier’s "Rebecca"
Authors: Korkut-Nayki Nil
Published: June 2021

This essay focuses on the way the main characters in Daphne du Maurier’s novel Rebecca (1938) cope with the haunting influence of the past and attempts to read their struggle through the theoretical approach developed by Jacques Derrida in his Specters of Marx (1993). This approach, termed “hauntology” by Derrida himself, revolves around the notion of the “specter” haunting the present and emphasizes the need to find new ways of responding to it, especially because of the existing ontological failure to do so. The essay complements this reading with the earlier comparable theory of the “phantom” and “transgenerational haunting” developed by psychoanalysts Nicolas Abraham and Maria Torok. A “hauntological” reading of Rebecca through these tools yields results that are significantly different from traditional approaches. Suggesting that the main characters in Rebecca are complete failures in dealing with the specter in a Derridean sense, the essay argues that the novel expects from the discerning reader a more insightful approach and a better potential to understand the specter. It is suggested further that a proper acknowledgement of the specter in Rebecca reaches beyond this particular novel, having subtle but significant implications concerning not only literary analysis but also social and cultural prejudices.
Análisis del discurso en la era digital. Una recopilación de casos de estudio – Book Review
Authors: Demetriou Eroulla
Published: June 2021

Book details
Title: Análisis del discurso en la era digital. Una recopilación de casos de estudio
Editors: Belda-Medina, José and Casañ-Pitarch, Ricardo
Publisher: Comares S.L.,
152 pages
Year of publication: 2020
ISBN: 978-84-9045-999-76
Digital economic development strategy of Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea
Authors: Kim Yujeong
Published: June 2021

The article is devoted to the adopted strategies of digital economic development of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea. The main attention is focused on the fact that the world economy is currently undergoing transformation and the digital economy is developing rapidly in many countries around the world. Russia and the Republic of Korea are developing and implementing strategies for digital economic development in their countries. In order to ensure a competitive position in the global market, the Russian government adopted the program "Digital economy" in 2017, and the Republic of Korea, with the arrival of the new government in 2017, developed and implements the strategy "I-Korea 4.0". The article analyzes the strategy of development of the digital economy of Russia and the Republic of Korea, highlights the main basic directions, goals, digital technologies in innovation policy, and considers the prospects for digital economic cooperation. The study examined various aspects of regulatory policy related to the future development of the digital economy in both countries and a comparative analysis of the adopted economic development strategies of Russia and the Republic of Korea is carried out. The analysis revealed common features and distinctive features of the implementation of strategies that ensure the accelerated development of the digital economy of the two countries. Both countries are currently focused on developing digital infrastructure. Since Russia has a need for technological renewal and use of innovative technologies, it has plans to implement large-scale projects, and the Republic of Korea has a global advantage in the fi eld of ICT, it is expected that both countries will be able to implement promising areas of mutually benefi cial cooperation in various areas of the economy.
Genesis of treatment in Russia and China
Authors:   The College of Foreign Languages of Shanxi Datong University, Yurui Wei
Published: June 2021

Appeals refer to nouns that are equivalent to nouns during verbal communication.The object of research in this article is the appeals in the Chinese and Russian languages.We comprehensively investigate the change and development of conversions in two languages and compare the accompanying social meanings of interpersonal relationships and status.
The image of pregnant women as scientific and cognitive information in computer games
Authors:   Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, SEMENOVA ALENA , MERZLYAKOVA YULIA IGOREVNA , FEDOTOVSKAYA ELENA VLADIMIROVNA ,   Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
Published: June 2021

This articleis devotedto identifying and studying theimageofpregnant girls in games about «Pregnancy». An analysis of 100 popular games was conducted and the features found in most games of this genre were established. The games were divided into 2 categories: scientific-cognitive and entertaining. There is a wide variety of games about pregnancy with different characters and peculiarities of pregnancy,duetothemit is possibleto considertheprocessofchildbirthon different levels, and some of them allow to immerse also in his upbringing.
MATERIALS OF SOUND AND VIDEO RECORDING AS TYPE OF SOURCE OF EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Authors: Kutskir H.
Published: June 2021

The article is devoted to clarifying the concept, place and role materials of sound and video recording as type of source of evidence in criminal proceedings. It is noted that evidence may be only those factual data that are obtained as a result of investigative (search) actions and their variety, such as covert investigative (search) actions, other procedural actions that are provided by the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, and in the order provided by the relevant procedural action.
Attention is drawn to the fact that the system of procedural sources of evidence used to establish factual data is defined in the CPC of Ukraine and consists of testimony, physical evidence, documents and expert opinions. Attention is paid to documents as a source of evidence. It is determined that the legislator refers the materials of audio and video recordings to such a source of evidence as a document. It is emphasized that in this case it is necessary to evaluate the information itself, and not the material object on which they are recorded. The peculiarities of establishing the features and properties of video and sound recording as a separate type of documents and determining their affiliation to physical evidence or documents due to the specific process of their formation are indicated. Given is a detailed description of the procedure for their delimitation.
It is stated that the collection, receipt and request materials of photographs, sound recordings, video recordings and other media belongs to the prosecution, the defense, the victim in order to establish the circumstances relevant to the criminal proceedings. It is emphasized that any collection of evidence is possible only in accordance with the procedure provided for by the CPC of Ukraine, that is, in compliance with the criminal procedural form. The legal consolidation and practical application materials of sound and video recording in criminal proceedings is determined, in particular, that materials of video and sound recording can be obtained as a result of recording the course and content of investigative (search) actions and covert investigative (search) actions, as well as when recording a court session. Video and sound recordings obtained during of procedural actions are attached to the protocols of investigative (search) actions, covert investigative (search) actions and are stored in the materials of criminal proceedings.
STUDY OF HOLOGRAPHIC PROTECTIVE ELEMENTS USED ON DRIVER'S LICENSE AND VEHICLE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES ON PLASTIC BASIS AND AN EXAMPLE OF THEIR FORGERY
Authors: Naumenko S.
Published: June 2021

The article deals with the current situation in the study by forensic experts of holographic protective elements (hereinafter – HPE). Over the past 30 years, HPE have been actively developing and widespread, they are used both as design elements and to protect various types of documents. In its manufacture, application software and equipment are used, which provides high-resolution images and allow encoding large amounts of information. Although there are several scientific works included in the Register of methodologies for conducting forensic examinations of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, but it was written more than 20 years ago. Therefore, to conduct an expert study of HPE, it is necessary to update the methodological base, revise the approaches to its research and issues to be solved.
The article briefly outlines the design features, techniques and methods of protecting HPE that are used by its manufacturers. It is emphasized that latent images are introduced into the structure of holograms to control its authenticity, which are checked by various detectors. There are described examples of latent image decoding. It is also described an example of detecting a fake film with holographic elements that are very similar to the original. At the same time, when examining the fake film, it was found that there are no microtext and the hidden abbreviation “MBС” (in Ukrainian).
As a result of the research carried out, the author proposes to accept the results of verification of the elements of control of the authenticity of the HPE, in order to substantiate the probable conclusion about the conformity or inconsistency of the hologram. In addition, the presence of significant differences in the common features of the studied HPE and the sample, in the author's opinion, is a sufficient basis for the conclusion about the discrepancy between the holographic images and the sample. Therefore, experts of the questioned document examination can carry out such studies, with certain restrictions.
RESEARCH OF SIGNATURE IMAGES APPLIED WITH A FAXIMILE CLICHET
Authors: Pryimak O.
Published: June 2021

In modern expert practice, the so-called signatures made using facsimile clichés are increasingly becoming objects of research. In fact, these are not actually, signatures requiring handwritten execution, but its images, applied using certain clichés (facsimiles).
The determination of a specific method of drawing a graphic object (handwritten or not handwritten, in particular, by means of a facsimile cliché) is within the competence of a specialist in the field of forensic examination of documents. In addition, the establishment of a specific performer of the signature refers to the identification tasks of handwriting research.
The solution of handwriting problems during handwriting signatures’ research that served as originals for making facsimile clichés, the prints of which are provided for research, is in some cases possible. However, when assessing the identified signs of handwriting, the expert should take into account that with this method of drawing a graphic object, these signs are not reproduced in full, because a significant part of the handwriting information is lost.
The facsimile-recreated graphic is not a person identification. Therefore, it is unacceptable to use facsimile clichés to certify documents related to property or legal relations.
ISSUES OF ECONOMIC EXAMINATION IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Authors: Poliennikov M. , Buhaienko O.
Published: June 2021

The authors have convincingly demonstrated that the timeliness of the appointment of a forensic economic examination, the precise formulation of questions and the identification of an exhaustive list of objects submitted to the expert for study are of great importance for the objective and comprehensive investigation of crimes.
The implementation of these proposals will not only optimize the process of appointing and conducting a forensic economic examination, but will contribute significantly to the efficiency of the investigation and judicial review of criminal proceedings. In the authors’ view, improvements in the detection, investigation and prevention of crimes through the lens of scientifically grounded forensic expert activity will contribute to the improvement of the efficiency and quality of the execution of forensic examinations.
Without any doubts, the development of forensic science as an institution of evidence and procedural law cannot take place without scientific discussion, discussion of the results of scientific research, exchange of views and practical experience, which will make it possible to find optimum criteria for solving current problems.