bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POR QUE COMPRAMOS TANTO? REVISÃO NARRATIVA SOBRE O COMPORTAMENTO CONSUMISTA CONTEMPORÂNEO
Authors: Lima Fernanda Imada de , Gonçalves Juliano Costa
Published: June 2021

A industrialização vinculou a ideia de prosperidade ao incremento contínuo de desejos materiais, sendo o crescimento econômico constante o meio de realizá-la. Contudo, esse ideal de desenvolvimento conduziu o mundo a um impasse designado dilema do crescimento. Qualquer declínio do crescimento tem consequências desastrosas e imediatas para a economia global. Por outro lado, a manutenção do atual paradigma degrada o meio ambiente e, provavelmente, provocará crises e rupturas. Diante deste contexto, este estudo pretendeu compreender as raízes históricas do consumismo por meio de uma revisão bibliográfica narrativa. Como aspectos positivos do modelo econômico capitalista destaca-se a oferta do mesmo poder de escolha e oportunidades de prosperar a todos os indivíduos, ao menos na teoria, e a capacidade de produzir riquezas suficientes para promover o progresso tecnológico. Porém, o estímulo ao crescimento econômico e consumo constantes inerente a esse sistema, produz efeitos bastantes negativos como a superexploração dos recursos ambientais, poluição, exclusão e desigualdade social e perda da qualidade de vida devido às longas jornadas de trabalho. A extração de matérias- -primas necessárias para alimentar a cadeia produtiva é mais rápida do que a capacidade de recuperação do meio ambiente. Nesse ritmo, a sobrevivência da humanidade e o equilíbrio dos ecossistemas correm sérios riscos. Por isso, é importante discutir com seriedade sobre os caminhos para libertar a sociedade deste dilema. Um consumo menos guiado pela busca por felicidade, bem-estar e prestígio social pode contribuir bastante para a conservação dos recursos naturais e a construção de uma sociedade mais igualitária.
ASPECTOS AMBIENTAIS, SOCIAIS E TECNOLÓGICOS EM CARVOARIA TÍPICA DO ESTADO DO PIAUÍ
Authors: Araújo Fernanda Benício Coelho de , Moura Márcio Cleto Soares de , Sousa Joselia Paes Ribeiro de , Santos Glaucia Viana dos , Rocha Israel Lobato , Souza Cleide Dias de , Magalhães Leonarda Bezerra
Published: June 2021

Este trabalho visa avaliar o funcionamento de empresa produtora de carvão vegetal, nos aspectos ambientais, sociais e tecnológicos. O estudo é realizado em uma carvoaria no município de Rio Grande, no estado do Piauí. É constatado que a empresa se encontra legalizada nos padrões ambientais, apresentando o sistema de manejo florestal e uma equipe de funcionários assalariados perante o ministério público. Entre os pontos negativos está a grande exposição dos trabalhadores aos fornos, oferecendo assim riscos a saúde dos carvoeiros. Pelo presente trabalho são propostas melhorias no sistema de produção e no uso de tecnologia mais moderna para amenizar a problemática dos trabalhadores. A realização deste trabalho possibilitou uma reflexão sobre a problemática envolvendo as carvoarias existentes no Brasil, especificamente no estado do Piauí.
DESENVOLVIMENTO SUSTENTÁVEL MUNICIPAL E FINANCIAMENTO BANCÁRIO: ANÁLISE DO PROGRAMA MUNICÍPIOS VERDES PARAENSES
Authors: Vale Vanessa Paiva Costa , Vinagre Marco Valério de Albuquerque , Lobo Marco Aurélio Arbage , Bello Leonardo Augusto Lobato , Lima Alberto Carlos de Melo
Published: June 2021

A preocupação com o desenvolvimento sustentável no mundo e no Brasil possibilitou a criação do Programa Municípios Verdes no Pará que combate o desmatamento no Estado e fomenta a gestão ambiental. Este trabalho objetiva analisar a relação do nível de sustentabilidade dos municípios verdes paraenses com os financiamentos bancários para a promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável. A pesquisa foi realizada através da correlação de Pearson, a partir da criação dos Índices de Desenvolvimento Sustentável de 13 municípios com os financiamentos bancários liberados em 2010. Os resultados obtidos apresentaram índices entre 0,3773, considerado como nível de Alerta e 0,5310 como nível Aceitável, o que evidencia a fraca relação de maior nível de sustentabilidade municipal com a obtenção de financiamentos bancários direcionados a esse fim. O estudo aponta a necessidade dos bancos reverem suas linhas de financiamentos para o desenvolvimento sustentável municipal para a promoção do desenvolvimento econômico, social, cultural e ambiental.
Pelatihan Bahasa Inggris Bagi Anak Usia Dini di Daerah Terpencil Kecamatan Pademawu Pamekasan
Authors: Amiruddin Muhammad , Jannah Ukhti Raudhatul
Published: June 2021

Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pelatihan bahasa Inggris bagi anak usia dini di daerah terpencil Kecamatan Pademawu Pamekasan. Tahapan-tahapan dalam kegiatan ini adalah (1) pemberian materi bahasa Inggris yang dilakukan dengan mengenalkan objek yang dapat dilihat, diraba, dan dirasa oleh anak usia dini di daerah terpencil Kec. Pademawu Pamekasan, (2) pendampingan bahasa Inggris dengan memanipulasi aktivitas untuk menguatkan input bahasa Inggris, (3) Evaluasi kegiatan yang dilakukan dengan meminta respon respon dan saran terhadap kebermanfaan dan keberlanjutan kegiatan PKM. Kegiatan ini dilakukan untuk membantu dan mengenalkan bahasa Inggris bagi anak usia dini di daerah terpencil Kec. Pademawu Pamekasan sehingga mereka memiliki ketertarikan terhadap bahasa Inggris dan merubah presepsi negatif terhadapa bahasa Inggris dan meningkatkan identitas social masyarakat di daerah terpencil Kec. Pademawu Pamekasan.Luaran yang akan dihasilkan dalam pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini adalah mampu mengujarkan ujaran bahasa Inggris secara lisan.
Pemanfaatan Teknologi Melalui Pelatihan Penggunaan Aplikasi Google Site bagi Guru MGMP Matematika SMP Kabupaten Cirebon
Authors: Aminah Neneng , Amami Surya , Wahyuni Ika , Rosita Cita Dwi
Published: June 2021

Komputer sebagai media pembelajaran memiliki keunggulan-keunggulan dalam presentasi grafik dengan tampilan yang menarik, yang dapat dimanipulasi secara leluasa dalam bentuk representasi visual model matematika. Salah satu jenis media yang tepat dalam proses pembelajaran yaitu Aplikasi Google Site. Perangkat lunak dinamis merupakan media yang dapat memberikan kesempatan pada guru untuk meningkatkan kemampuan dalam mengajar matematika. Tujuan kegiatan PKM ini adalah memberikan pelatihan penggunaan pemanfaatan google site untuk pengajaran maupun administrasi para guru di sekolah, Metode pendekatan yang digunakan untuk mengatasi permasalahan yang dihadapi mitra adalah dengan cara mengadakan pelatihan, dan pendampingan, terkait mendesain bahan ajar berbasis literasi matematis. Target khusus dari kegiatan PKM ini adalah bertambahnya pengetahuan guru matematika SMP Kabupaten Cirebon dalam pemanfaatan google site yang selama ini dirasakan jarang ada yang menggunakan karena ketidaktahuan fungsinya. Hasil kegiatan yang telah dilaksanakan  semua guru mampu mengoperasikan dan memanfaatkan google site, kegiatan menghasilkan pengetahuan bagi guru.
The Models of the Corporation and the Development of Corporate Governance
Authors: Clarke Andrew D
Published: June 2021

[Extract] The 20th century corporation was ‘foreshadowed when the first promoters conceived the plan of distributing stock in an enterprise to be run by a board of managers - a device practiced in England at least as early as the sixteenth century.’ But the leap made by the corporation in the 20th century has been a quantum one, for ‘only in the twentieth century has the process been conducted to an extent which revolutionizes national life.’ Therefore the 20th century can be quarantined as the modern era of the corporation.
Company Managers: Unexpected risks of liability when performing top level management functions
Authors: Markovic Martin
Published: June 2021

This article briefly reviews a number of duties which are imposed upon management and highlights how management were expressly removed from the significant statutory duty to prevent insolvent trading. This article explores circumstances whereby management may still be at risk of being subject to the duty to prevent insolvent trading.
Independent Directors: Magic Bullet or Band-Aid?
Authors: Ritchie Thomas
Published: June 2021

This article examines directors’ independence reforms in Australia, the US and Europe. It examines and contrasts how this end is achieved in the three jurisdictions. It then critically examines the assumption that independent directors necessarily improve corporate governance standards or a company’s performance. The fluid nature of Australian corporate governance standards make this inquiry relevant. It concludes that Australia should pause – and look very hard – before it leaps into adopting rules similar to those in the US or Europe.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Impact of globalisation and international business
Authors: Kercher Kim
Published: June 2021

[Extract] Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is associated with the conduct of corporations and in particular whether corporations owe a duty to stakeholders other than shareholders. Whilst the phrase ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ may be gaining momentum, the concept itself is not new. The question as to whether corporations owe duties to broader stakeholders has been debated at various times throughout the twentieth century.
New Capitalism
Authors: Clarke Andrew D
Published: June 2021

The shareholder focused, profit maximisation rationale of the modern firm, which is based overwhelmingly on US values, now faces social, resource based and environmental limits. Responsibility and risk awareness are challenging profit and growth as corporate values
Occupational Health and Safety Issues and the Boardroom: Criminal Penalties for Directors for Company’s Lack of Safety
Authors: Harpur Paul
Published: June 2021

Extract: The board of directors provides overall strategic direction for the company. Generally directors are not required to become involved in the day-to-day management of corporations. With the recent amendments to occupational health and safety (“OHS”) laws, directors’ duties have been expanded. Directors now have statutory duties to ensure their companies do not breach OHS standards. If their companies fail to discharge their OHS duties, then directors can face fines. If a person is killed because of their company’s safety breach, then directors can face jail sentences up to 20 years. The imposition of these substantial penalties upon directors is aimed at increasing corporate compliance with OHS standards. This article outlines the extent of directors’ liabilities. Whether the policy of holding directors liable for OHS duties results in safer workplaces remains to be seen.
Corporate Social Responsibility – A Well-Meaning But Unworkable Concept
Authors: Welling Bruce
Published: June 2021

I’ve been told that the Corporate Social Responsibility movement began some 25 years ago. It appears to be based on some assumptions. First, it asserts that shareholders are ‘corporate owners’. Second, it describes the traditional view of a corporation as a ‘shareholder focused entity’. Having made those assumptions, CSR proponents then urge a change to a ‘stakeholder’ model.
Directors’ Duties Of Care, Skill and Diligence In Vietnam
Authors: Pearce Jeremy
Published: June 2021

The director’s duty of care in Vietnam is in its infancy. Many of the existing provisions are borrowed from other jurisdictions and require implementation and evolution to make them uniquely Vietnamese. As part of the existing duties, Vietnam currently stipulates a duty to the ‘State’ and this could form a cornerstone for their own model of corporate social responsibility.
Corporate governance - A survey of Australian and South East Asian systems
Authors: Lim Lenice
Published: June 2021

Legislators and civil society have an interest in ensuring that Australia’s corporate governance framework is as effective as possible. There is a potential benefit to reviewing foreign corporate governance frameworks, because they may point the way to a more effective Australian framework. This paper is a survey of corporate governance frameworks in six South East Asian jurisdictions.
The Business Judgment Rule: ASIC v Rich and the reasonable-rational divide
Authors: Hooper Matthew
Published: June 2021

In recognition of the risky nature of most business, courts are reluctant to intrude into the boardroom and second-guess directors’ decisions. Providing the directors have performed their duties without personal interests being served, have informed themselves, and have acted in what they believe are the company’s best interests, the courts will not interfere, unless the decisions are really very foolish. Only then will honest directors have to face actions for negligence. Certainly, they can make bad decisions and not be pursued. This notion or principle, which shields directors from all but the most egregious carelessness, is called the business judgment principle. In some jurisdictions, as in Australia, the principle has been set out in the statute as the business judgment rule. It blunts the blade of the director’s duty of care and diligence.
Corporate Social Responsibility in China
Authors: Fang Jessica Jue
Published: June 2021

This article, published in Mandarin and English, defines corporate social responsibility in China. It further examines some existing problems and CSR incidents in China, and analyses the relevant legal regulations. Finally, the article provides suggestions for changes to Chinese substantive and procedural law.
Educational institutions, corporate governance and not-for-profits
Authors: Lessing John , Morrison David , Nicolae Maria
Published: June 2021

Schools are a big part of the not-for-profit (‘NFP’) sector in Australia. This article considers the choice as operating structure of NFPs and recommends a uniform operating structure that might be used for all. The company limited by guarantee is a useful structure since the provisions of the Corporations Act2001 (Cth) (‘Corporations Act’) offer day-to-day operating rules and law. This article suggests that a new chapter be inserted into the Corporations Act specifically to account for NFP activities. The recommendations draw upon the recent English inquiry and legislative amendments. We also refer to the January 2011 Australian Government consultation paper, Scoping Study for a National Not-for-Profit Regulator, that considers the feasibility of a nation-wide regulator.
Executive remuneration under scrutiny: The cutting edge of the ‘shareholder spring’
Authors: Corkery Jim , Medarevic Sabina
Published: June 2021

As profits and share prices in large corporations fell in recent years, the venerable argument that high pay levels must exist to attract the best people lost credibility. Disgruntled shareholders focussed on excessive levels of executive remuneration. They began to act in concert to discourage excessive remuneration. They voiced other concerns, too. The ‘shareholder spring’ had arrived.
The European obession with food indications
Authors: Polčák Radim
Published: June 2021

Besides trademarks, there are a number of different legal instruments protecting food indications in Europe. By their very nature, these food indications act like intellectual property, while their primary purpose, it is claimed, is to protect consumers. The paper focuses on the theoretical teleology of food indication law and compares it to the actual local, European and international legal, economic and technical effects. It analyses these types of indications that are specifically implemented in European law, i.e. Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) and Traditional Specialties Guaranteed (TSG).
Quality local food products – some aspects of trademarks law and GIs
Authors: Van Caenegem William
Published: June 2021

There is little doubt that consumers today are more interested in the geographical origins of their food, and how and by whom it was produced. Marketers capitalise on this interest through ‘provenance branding’. Provenance branding is a form of ‘credence marketing’ which suggests certain qualities to consumers that are not really testable in an objective or empirical fashion. Provenance branding suggests that the product concerned has certain qualities that result from its particular geographical origin. Closely connected is the concept encapsulated in the French term ‘terroir’; unique geographical conditions that determine the particular taste and other characteristics of locally produced food or beverages. We are very familiar with talk of terroir in the wine industry, but it is an emerging concept in relation to other foodstuffs.
The existing division of corporate decision - making power in the UK, USA and Europe: A comparative perspective
Authors: Galletti Shida
Published: June 2021

This article considers the functions of the shareholders, particularly institutional investors, in corporate governance. Part 1 examines the current division of decision-making powers in the Anglo-American legal systems and its consequences; Part 2 discusses whether shifting power towards shareholders would really constitute an advantage for the firm as a whole; Part 3 looks more specifically at institutional investors, their capacity to take a leading role in running the company and the reasons for their apathy; and Part 4 seeks to address some of the regulatory reforms that should be considered in the UK and the United States of America, although it is argued that regulation is often prompted by the urge to respond to a crisis rather than by the actual need to re-think entirely the present allocation of powers.
Understanding Sustainable Practices within Global Compact and CSR Policy Framework: Through the Lens of Indian Corporations
Authors: Gupta Surabhi
Published: June 2021

United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is one of the initiatives by the United Nations for developing and communicating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). However, until now very few studies have been conducted evaluating the Global Compact (GC) perception of companies and their CSR strategies. This article, by case study method using three fortune 500 Indian companies, aims to understand how UNGC is used by Indian companies in practice and the role GC has played in influencing their CSR strategies. This article also recommends that the companies’ CSR policies require a multi-dimensional strategy while operating within the paradigm of the UNGC. The major reflection from the study is that the GC principles are seen only as the compliance norms and do not provide enough momentum for the companies to perform better in the enlisted areas of practice.
The development of Iqra' Lampung script teaching materials for primary school levels in Bandar Lampung city
Authors: Imron Ali
Published: June 2021

The Lampung Provincial Government requires all primary and secondary schools to provide Lampung language lessons and introduction to Lampung script. Some students only recognize the Lampung Khaganga script, which amounts to 20 characters, while the combination of the main character and 12 characters that produces 560 syllables of the Lampung script is not yet fully understood. In fact, knowledge of Lampung script is still lacking, even some students do not understand Lampung script, it can be said that learning Lampung script at elementary school level has not been successful. This could be due to a lack of modules (teaching materials) that support learning. The research aims to develop Lampung language teaching materials in Lampung script material in the form of Iqra' Lampung script as teaching material for elementary school level. This study adopted a research and development (R&D) method proposed by Gall, Borg & Gall (2007). The work step procedure includes: 1) preliminary study, 2) product development, 3) product validation test and revision. Based on the research that has been done, it can be concluded that the teaching material (module) is feasible because the average value is 4.588 from the teacher validator and 4.446 from the lecturer validator. If it is based on a scale of 5 it can be concluded that the Iqra' Lampung script teaching material has a very good value of teachers and good grades from expert lecturers in terms of material aspects, language, presentation, the effect of teaching materials on learning strategies, and overall appearance feasibility. Modules are basically teaching materials that are systematically using language that is easily understood by students according to their level of knowledge and age so that they can learn independently or without minimal guidance from teachers.
Classification of Lung Nodules using Improved Residual Convolutional Neural Network
Authors:   Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, University of Khartoum, Sudan, Eldeen Babiker Salah
Published: June 2021

The most common cancer of the lung cannot be ignored and can cause late-health death. Now CT can be used to help clinicians diagnose early-stage lung cancer. In certain cases the diagnosis of lung cancer detection is based on doctors' intuition, which can neglect other patients and cause complications. Deep learning in most other areas of medical diagnosis has proven to be a common and powerful tool. This research is planned for improving the residual evolutionary neural network (IRCNN). These networks apply with some changes to the benign and malignant lung nodule to the CT image classification task. The segmenting of the nodule is performed here by clustering k-means. The LIDC-IDRI database analysed those networks. Experimental findings show that the IRCNN network archived the best performance of lung nodule classification, which findings best among established methods.
Hybrid Convolutional Neural Network with PSO Based Severe Dengue Prognosis Method in Human Genome Data
Authors:   Department of Computer Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia, Mustafa Mohammed , Eltayeb Ahmed Rihab , Mustafa Eljack Sarah ,   Faculty of Computers and information Technology, University of Tabuk, Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia.,   Majmaah University, Department of Computer Science and Information College of Science Al Zulfi, Saudi Arabia
Published: June 2021

Dengue is one of the most significant diseases transmitted by arthropods in the world. Dengue phenotypes are focused on documented inaccuracies in the laboratory and clinical studies. In countries with a high incidence of this disease, early diagnosis of dengue is still a concern for public health. Deep learning has been developed as a highly versatile and accurate methodology for classification and regression, which requires small adjustment, interpretable results, and the prediction of risk for complex diseases. This work is motivated by the inclusion of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm for the fine-tuning of the model's parameters in the convolutional neural network (CNN). The use of this PSO was used to forecast patients with extreme dengue, and to refine the input weight vector and CNN parameters to achieve anticipated precision, and to prevent premature convergence towards local optimum conditions.
Classification of Alzheimer's disease from MRI Images using CNN based Pre-trained VGG-19 Model
Authors:   Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Computers and Information Technology, University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia., S Manimurugan
Published: June 2021

Determining the size of the tumor is a significant obstacle in brain tumour preparation and objective assessment. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the non-invasive methods that has emanated without ionizing radiation as a front-line diagnostic method for brain tumour. Several approaches have been applied in modern years to segment MRI brain tumours automatically. These methods can be divided into two groups based on conventional learning, such as support vectormachine (SVM) and random forest, respectively hand-crafted features and classifier method. However, after deciding hand-crafted features, it uses manually separated features and is given to classifiers as input. These are the time consuming activity, and their output is heavily dependent upon the experience of the operator. This research proposes fully automated detection of brain tumor using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to avoid this problem. It also uses brain image of high grade gilomas from the BRATS 2015 database. The suggested research performs brain tumor segmentation using clustering of k-means and patient survival rates are increased with this proposed early diagnosis of brain tumour using CNN.
Performance Analysis of Deep Belief Neural Network for Brain Tumor Classification
Authors:   Harman Connected Services, Novi, Michigan, USA, Eeshwaroju Sreenivas , Jakula Praveena ,   Intel Corporation, USA.
Published: June 2021

The brain tumors are by far the most severe and violent disease, contributing to the highest degree of a very low life expectancy. Therefore, recovery preparation is a crucial step in improving patient quality of life. In general , different imaging techniques such as computed tomography ( CT), magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) and ultrasound imaging have been used to examine the tumor in the brain, lung , liver, breast , prostate ... etc. MRI images are especially used in this research to diagnose tumor within the brain with classification results. The massive amount of data produced by the MRI scan, therefore, destroys the manual classification of tumor vs. non-tumor in a given period. However for a limited number of images, it is presented with some constraint that is precise quantitative measurements. Consequently, a trustworthy and automated classification scheme is important for preventing human death rates. The automatic classification of brain tumors is a very challenging task in broad spatial and structural heterogeneity of the surrounding brain tumor area. Automatic brain tumor identification is suggested in this research by the use of the classification with Deep Belief Network (DBN). Experimental results show that the DBN archive rate with low complexity seems to be 97 % accurate compared to all other state of the art methods.
Comparison of Environment Noise Intensity Using Ios and Android Based Sound Measurement Applications and Commercial Sound Measurement Devices and Obtaining the Measurement Uncertainty
Authors: ŞABİKOĞLU İsrafil , AKBABA ŞABİKOĞLU Duygu
Published: June 2021

In this study, sound measurement between ios and android operating system based mobile phones (Soundmeter, Decibel X) and commercial sound measurement devices (Cem dt8852, Svantek sv104) was tested. Sound measurement intensities and energies were determined, measurement uncertainties of ios and android devices according to the application were determined. Measurements were carried out at the same time in the indoor and outdoor environment. Iphone 7+ (Ios operation system) and Samsung note 8 (Andorid operation system) used. Significant sound measurement differences were obtained between the two different mobile phone applications. There was no significant difference between commercial measurement devices. Commercial measuring devices were calibrated and can be used as reference devices. Using these devices, it was observed that ios and android-based applications receive faulty measurements on average between 10-20%. As a result of the measurements taken with the applications, it was determined that the measurement uncertainty is in the range of approximately 4-5dB.
BENLİĞİN TASARIMI OLARAK TOPLUM VE BEDEN (BİNGÖL ÖRNEĞİ)
Authors: ÖNALAN Hakan
Published: June 2021

Bir insanı başka insanlardan ayıran, kendisini başkalarından farkı olarak bilme (özbilinç) ve tanıma anlamında (özvarlık) anlamında kullanılan benliğin oluşumu her toplum ve zamanda ötekinin varlığı ile mümkün oluyorsa da bireysel bir performans olarak -bizatihi şahsın bizatihi kendi tercih ve arzuları doğrultusunda- şekillenmesi zamandan zamana ve toplumdan topluma farklılık gösterebilmektedir. Geleneksel topluma nazaran içinde bulunduğumuz tüketim toplumunda benlik, hiç olmadığı kadar bedenin sembolik görünümüyle iç içe geçmiş durumdadır. Daha açık ve kapsayıcı olarak bir kişinin kendini nasıl görüp algıladığı beden dolayımında daha bir görünür olmaktadır. Bu anlamda Bingöl gibi geleneksel toplumdan geç modern topluma geçişin gerilimli ilişkisini bir arada tecrübe eden bir toplumda fitness salonlarına gidenlerin beden algılarını ve beden inşalarını, yine onların bakış açısı ölçüsünde ve yapısal değişimler bağlamında değerlendirmek önemli görünmektedir.
Incidence and mortality trends of metastatic prostate cancer: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database analysis
Authors: Zhang Aaron C. , Rasul Rehana , Golden Anne , Feuerstein Michael A.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: In the past decade, prostate cancer screening decreased, raising the concern of delays in diagnosis and leading to increase in new cases of metastatic prostate cancer. This study evaluated whether these changes may have impacted trends in metastatic prostate cancer incidence and survival.

Methods: Metastatic prostate cancer diagnoses from 2008–2016 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 registries. Age-adjusted incidence rates per 100 000 were calculated by time periods and demographic variables. Two-year all-cause and prostate cancer-specific mortality were calculated for patients diagnosed from 2008–2014, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the impact of demographic and clinical variables.

Results: Incidence rates of metastatic prostate cancer increased by 18% from 2008–2009 to 2014–2016 (Incidence rate ratio [IRR]=1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14–1.21). This trend was observed across multiple subgroups but was greatest in non-Hispanic Whites and patients living in counties 0–10% below poverty level. There was an overall decreased risk of all-cause and prostate cancer-specific mortality, but unmarried men and men living in counties >20% below poverty level showed statistically significant increased risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality.

Conclusions: Non-Hispanic Whites and the wealthiest subgroups had the largest increase in incidence of metastatic prostate cancer since 2008. Despite trends of decreased risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality, we found certain populations experienced increases in mortality risk. Studies exploring the role of socioeconomic factors on screening and access to newer treatments are needed.
The evolving role of germline genetic testing and management in prostate cancer: Report from the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre International Retreat
Authors: Clark Roderick , Kenk Miran , McAlpine Kristen , Thain Emily , Farncombe Kirsten M. , Pritchard Colin C. , Nussbaum Robert , Wyatt Alexander W. , De Bono Johann , Vesprini Danny , Bombard Yvonne , Lorentz Justin , Narod Steven , Kim Raymond , Fleshner Neil
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Prostate cancer is a significant cause of cancer mortality. It has been well-established that certain germline pathogenic variants confer both an increased risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and dying of prostate cancer.1 There are exciting developments in both the availability of genetic testing and opportunities for improved treatment of patients. On August 19, 2020, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Ontario, hosted a virtual retreat, bringing together international experts in urology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, medical genetics, and translational research, as well as a patient representative. We are pleased to provide this manuscript as a review of those proceedings for Canadian clinicians.

Recommendations: We drafted several recommendations for future research and policy action based on this meeting:

1) Need for increased access to funding for germline testing for the common genetic disorders associated with increased risk of prostate cancer.

2) A need for increased research into identifying genetic factors influencing risk stratification, treatment response, and outcomes of prostate cancer within Canadian populations at increased genetic risk for prostate cancer.

3) Need for increased awareness about genetic risk factors among the Canadian public.

4) Need for research on patient perspectives and psychosocial outcomes in individuals identified to be at increased genetic risk of prostate cancer.

5) We support the creation of specialized multidisciplinary clinics that specialize in tailored care for patients at increased genetic risk of prostate cancer.
Preposition Pied Piping and Stranding in Academic and Popular Nigerian English Writing
Authors: Adejare Roseline Abonego
Published: June 2021

This paper examined preposition pied piping and stranding in academic and popular Nigerian English writing with a view to determining their pattern of occurrence. Preposition placement has not been studied in Nigerian English and in specific genres. The 160 246-word relevant component of ICE-Nigeria was the sub-corpus used, and the Systemic Theory guided the study. Analysed using a multi-layered qualitative approach, the data comprised 112 cases of pied piping, 64 of stranding and 4 of doubling. Pied piping was dominant over stranding in Academic Writing (78 percent v 22 percent), and stranding was 1.7 times more frequent in Popular Writing than in Academic Writing. Though evenly distributed in Popular Writing (44 each), pied piping was about twice as frequent as stranding in Popular Natural Sciences while stranding was virtually non-existent in Academic Natural Sciences. Whereas to-infinitive and passive clauses were stranding favourite sites (21 and 15 respectively), only in wh-relative clauses did pied piping operate and in which was the prominent sequence. In Academic Writing prepositions were pied-piped and stranded at an average of 3.83 and 1.82 per form respectively, but the rates were 3.31 and 3.1 in Popular Writing. Whereas in was the most pied-piped preposition and was 5.2 times more likely to be pied-piped than stranded, up was the most stranded form and its stranding relative to pied piping was infinitely more. Subtle differences in the genres’ degree of formality explain the disparities in the distribution of pied piping and stranding in the sub-corpus analysed.
OPIAL TYPE INEQUALITY IN SEVERAL VARIABLES
Authors: PACHPATTE B. G.
Published: June 2021

In the present note we establish a new integral inequality of the Opial type mvolving a function of $n$ variables and its partial derivative. A corresponding result on the discrete analogue of the main result is also given.
A TEST OF INDEPENDENCE BASED ON THE $(r,s)$-DIRECTED DIVERGENCE
Authors: MORALES D. , PARDO L. , SALICRU M. , MENÉNDEZ M. L.
Published: June 2021

$(r,s)$-Directed divergence statistics quantifies the divergence between a joint probability measure and the product of its marginal prob­ abilities on the basis of contingency tables. Asymptotic properties of these statistics are investigated either considering random sampling or stratified random sampling with proportional allocation and indepen­ dence among strata. To finish some tests of hypotheses of independence are presented.
A GENERALIZATION OF INVERSE SCHWARZ'S INEQUALITY
Authors: YANG GOU-SHENG , TENG KAI-YU
Published: June 2021

A GENERALIZATION OF INVERSE SCHWARZ'S INEQUALITY
ON $S$-REDUCIBLE FINSLER SPACES
Authors: VERMA M. , PRASAD B. N. , PANDEY R. K.
Published: June 2021

ON S-REDUCIBLE FINSLER SPACES
ITERATIVE CONSTRUCTION OF FIXED POINTS OF A DISSIPATIVE TYPE OPERATOR
Authors: WENG XINLONG
Published: June 2021

ITERATIVE CONSTRUCTION OF FIXED POINTS OF A DISSIPATIVE TYPE OPERATOR
CERTAIN CLASSES OF MEROMORPHIC MULTIVALENT FUNCTIONS
Authors: URALEGADDI B. A. , SOMANATHA C.
Published: June 2021

Let
\[ f(z) =\frac{1}{z^p}+\sum_{n=1}^\infty \frac{a_{n-1}}{z^{p-n}} \]
be regular in the punctured disk $E =\{z: 0<|z|<1\}$ and

\[ D^{n+p-1}f(z)=\frac{1}{z^p(1-z)^{n+p}}*f(z) \]

where $*$ denotes the Hadamard product and $n$ is any integer greater than $- p$. For $- 1 \le B < A \le 1$, let $C_{n,p}(A, B)$ denote the class of functions $f(z)$ satisfying

\[-z^{p+1}(D^{n+p-1}f(z))'<p\frac{1+Az}{1+Bz}\]

This paper establishes the property $C_{n+1,p}(A,B) \subset C_{n,p}(A,B)$. Fur­ ther property preserving integral operators, coefficient inequalities and a closure theorem for these classes are obtained. Our results generalise some of the recent results of Ganigi and Uralegaddi [1].
NEW REPRESENTATION OF A SPECIAL NON-SYMMETRIC HOMOGENEOUS DOMAIN IN $\mathbb{C}^n$ $n\ge 6$
Authors: TSAGAS GR. , DJMOU G.
Published: June 2021

NEW REPRESENTATION OF A SPECIAL NON-SYMMETRIC HOMOGENEOUS DOMAIN IN $\mathbb{C}^n$ $n\ge 6$
REMARKS ON THE CONVERGENCE OF NEWTON'S METHOD UNDER HÖLDER CONTINUITY CONDITIONS
Authors: ARGYROS IOANNIS K.
Published: June 2021

We use a Newton-like iteration to solve the nonlinear op­ erator equation in a Banach space. The basic assumption is that the Fréchet-derivative of the nonlinear operator is Hölder continuous on some open ball centered at the initial guess. Under natural assumptions, we prove linear convergence of the iteration to a locally unique solution of the nonlinear equation.
A NOTE ON TWO SUMMABILITY METHODS
Authors: SULAIMAN W. T.
Published: June 2021

A theorem connecting the two summabilities $|\overline N _{P_n}|_k$ and $|C_{, \alpha}|_k$ is proved. This theorem contains as special cases the result of Mohapatra 1967.
A MANY VARIABLE GENERALIZATION OF HARDY'S INEQUALITY CONCERNING A SERIES OF TERMS
Authors: PACHPATTE B. G.
Published: June 2021

In the present note we establish a multivariate generalization of the well known Hardy's inequality concerning a senes of terms by using a fairly elementary analysis.
The Maintenance of Holiness and the Contours of Leadership: Form and Characterization in the Book of Numbers
Authors:   , Daily Nathan
Published: June 2021

The book of Numbers presents numerous problems for interpreters who attempt to garner a sense of meaning from the disparate texts and genres found interspersed throughout the work. This dissertation is a methodological study that incorporates features of form-critical theory, which developed over the course of the 20th century and continues to evolve in the 21st century, alongside literary approaches to the biblical text, specifically the analysis of characterization, to present a new reading of the book of Numbers. After surveying recent research on the book of Numbers, new developments in form-critical method, and approaches to characterization in biblical studies, the work offers a methodological proposal for reading Numbers along synchronic lines, according to the rubrics of structure, characterization, and literary setting. The approach analyzes the form rather than the formation of the text, and, by highlighting the role of characterization within the form-critical enterprise, provides a reading that considers the structure and flow of the book of Numbers as well as, through intertextual readings, the significance of Numbers in the broader structure of the Torah. The remainder of the work analyzes four texts from the book of Numbers: The Commission of the Levites (3:5-51); The Purification of the Levites (8:5-22); The Three-Day Journey from Sinai (10:33-11:34); and The Complaint of Miriam and Aaron (11:35-12:15). Each text is read in relation to the dominant structural marker of the Torah, the toledoth formula, and, particularly, the final formulaic marker in 3:1. Each of the four texts presents a model of Judean leadership set in a narrative that sequentially builds by using the Levites as characters that are assigned roles and appear as illustrations for additional roles necessary to maintain holiness in the camp. As the Torah is structured as a creation text (Gen 1-2; Exod 40:17), the dissertation finds that material in Numbers, which follows the completion of the creation narrative in Exod 40:17 by resetting the narrative chronologically to the same time (Num 3:1; 7:1; 9:15; cf. 1:1), is designed to illustrate the levitical task to maintain creation through attending to holiness. Now that creation has reached completion with the dangerous presence of the holy deity residing within Israel, proper management under proper leadership will result in blessing, but inattentiveness to holiness by the leadership or others is liable to incite danger. The new reading attends to discussions of structure, plot, and coherence in Numbers as well as theological concerns related to leadership, holiness, and divine violence.
Who Gets the Power, Resources, and Knowledge from California Assembly Bill 705?
Authors:   , Feld Erin
Published: June 2021

California Assembly Bill 705 (AB 705) began full implementation in fall of 2020 for California community college English departments. This Bill requires schools to reconsider developmental education saying that students can no longer be required to take classes below transfer-level in English unless the school can show a student would not be able to succeed in college-level classes without that course. Additionally, there can no longer be sequences of multiple remedial classes as there were in the past, and schools can only offer classes one level below transfer. Students must be also now be recommended into courses using multiple measures and not assessment tests. The intent of the Bill is to prevent students from getting caught in remedial course sequences that frustrate them to the point of dropping out of college altogether. The purpose of this study is to interview English faculty from San Diego County community colleges to see what they are observing in the early implementation of AB 705. The Critical Policy Analysis framework will be used to see what teachers are noticing with their students and what is happening at their institutions in terms of distribution of power, resources, and knowledge, and if inequality and privilege exist because of this Bill. Findings and implications demonstrate that AB 705 appears to be helping students in some ways, but there are still concerns about some aspects of it because some students might still be left behind because of the Bill.
Essays in Behavioral, Health and Financial Economics
Authors:   , Pham Minh
Published: June 2021

This dissertation is composed of three unrelated chapters, all of which are on different topics. Chapter 1 uses the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data from 2013 to 2018 to investigate diabetes education's effects among diabetes respondents on different health outcomes and risky behaviors. I utilize Propensity Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM) method for diabetes education and find that receiving diabetes education positively affects one's self-reported health outcomes and negatively affects one's propensity to engage in risky behaviors. Specifically, I show evidence that receiving diabetes education reduces the number of days that the survey participants do not feel well, physically. It also reduces respondent's alcohol intake and the probability of respondents being a current smoker. Moreover, I also show that having diabetes education increases the frequency of having an A1C check-up and increases physical activity among respondents. Chapter 2, co-authored with Chandler Clemons, investigates how economic uncertainty, specifically stock market uncertainty, correlates to individuals' life satisfaction. Using expected price volatility (VIX) as our anticipatory indicator and life satisfaction as our measure of utility, our hypothesis is built on the Anticipatory Utility framework, which suggests that people also derive utility from their beliefs. After accounting for associations with the unemployment rate and stock ownership, we find a positive relationship between the VIX and low self-reported life satisfaction. This analysis captures the contemporaneous effects of future beliefs and indicates that the future's economic sentiment plays an important role in individuals' feelings about the present. Chapter 3 is a pilot study that I co-author with my academic advisor Joshua Tasoff, Professor Emiliano Huet-Vaughn from Pomona College, and Professor Eva Vivalt from the University of Toronto. We are motivated by a norm that when faced with the treatment of animals in factory farms, many individuals reconsider the ethics of their omnivorous diet, but people may not want to be confronted with information that implicates their lifestyle as a cause of large-scale suffering. We present a laboratory experiment designed to test for such information avoidance. Using a formal model of cognitive dissonance, we will price people's value for maintaining consonant beliefs. Specifically, we hypothesize that information avoiders are individuals who are, on average, more influenced by ethical messaging. Individuals who have a high cost to hold dissonant beliefs will, upon being informed, either feel guilt eating meat or feel a painful obligation to change their diet. It is why we believe they avoid information in the first place. We will also test whether people conform to a model of deontological moral rules, in which there is a discrete psychic cost to eating meat or whether they more closely behave according to a utilitarian model of morality in which the more meat they eat, the greater the psychic cost.
Nanophytoremediation: An Overview of Novel and Sustainable Biological Advancement
Authors: Sarkar Silpi , Kumar Enamala Manoj , Chavali Murthy , Subbaroy Sarma G.V.S. , Krishna Murthy Mannam , Kadier Abudukeremu , Veeramuthu Ashokkumar , Chandrasekhar K.
Published: June 2021

Increased threat of metals simultaneous to the biota well-being and the environs is continually causing a major apprehension worldwide. The phytoremediation technique is highly advantageous involving the natural processes of plants viz., translocation, evapotranspiration, and bioaccumulation, thus degrading contaminants slowly. In particular, nanophytoremediation is a rapid green alternative as it reduces the ancillary impacts of the environment such as green gas emissions, waste generation, and natural resource consumption to the present scenario as there is a great potential of nanoparticles from plants which can be synthesized. Nanophytoremediation is a current methodology for remediation of pollutants, contaminants by using synthesized nanoparticles from plants. In this, the use of different strategies enhances the selective uptake capabilities of plants. The metal elements in excess are affecting the physiological processes in plants; thus, it is necessary to apply nanophytoremediation technology through transgenic plants. In this review paper, we focused on plant species, which can be used as metal tolerant, hyperaccumulators. Due to the insurmountable pressure of a sustainable cleaner environment, bioremediation can be concurrent with nanoparticles for efficient and effective sustainable measures.
Phytoremediation: A Synergistic Interaction between Plants and Microbes for Removal of Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Authors: Kumar Govind , Bhatt Pankaj , Lal Shatrohan
Published: June 2021

Rapid industrialization leads to the deterioration of quality of life and the environment. Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution is one of the contributing factors to that. Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) are natural products, and under high temperature and pressure, they are produced by the anaerobic conversion of biomass. Excessive use of PHCs leads to pollution in the agriculturally important soils and the ultimate source of potability of water, that is, groundwater which is gaining significant attention throughout the world. The fortuitous release of PHCs such as gasoline, diesel, and heating oil are common sources of groundwater contamination. The PHC concentrations in groundwater are often above drinking water standards and bioremediation actions have to be taken. Due to their organic nature, PHCs are difficult to degrade as unavailable for microbial action. Due to this, PHCs are the most widespread environmental contaminants. Plant-microbe synergistic association for remediation of PHCs is comprehensive and it is an effective tool for reclamation of soil and environment from these kinds of undesirable materials. In addition to providing plant growth promotion, microbes can degrade PHCs effectively.