bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internalizacja wartości
Authors: Gołaszewska Maria
Published: June 2020

It is presumed that there is an opposition between the spontaneous, discovered, personal and natural on the one hand, and the taught, imitated, adopted, and artificial, on the other. The opposition is manifested in different kinds of human activity and its products. It can be evaluated and provides a framework for several theories. It is accepted, for instance that, on the one hand, the most valuable are expressive experiences which harmonize with dispositions and sensitivity of man, and on the other, those which are yielded by obtaining knowledge and expanding one’s culture (e.g. by contacts with art). In artistic creativity inspiration, creativity, originality, and individual expression are the most respected factors but the meaning of a work and the use made of the available stock of creative means are also evaluated. Considering conception of man, the development of the pertinent dispositions which determine particular uniqueness of human individual, is highly estimated but the meaning of the consequences of socialization and education is as well stressed. If man confined himself to expressive acts only, the development of his personality would manifest just what he is. However, an adoption of the generally accepted external values implies a danger of the unauthentic and imitative life. The adoption of values of culture has to undergo in a specific process called internalization of values. But knowledge of values is not all that matters. They must be experienced and included into individual world, they must be accepted and adjusted to the personal traits of the individual. By internalization of values, what is alien to and inherited by man is transformed into a personal and essential element of his life, enriching him by new possibilities of unfolding dispositions of his nature. We apprehend man as ens per se: he becomes himself, due to his own activity, but essential substance of his personality is mode of objectively existing values. The article stresses the importance of activity and contact of man with reality, which constantly bring to light new possibilities of experiencing and acting. In the contact with the world man comes across the phenomena which are contrary to his natural inclinations: by adopting a conscious attitude to them and including them (by different means) into accepted system of beliefs, he becomes enriched with new values. These oppositions (e.g. freedom vs. necessity, rationality vs. irrationality, reality vs. imagination etc.) provide a background to the construction of system of values in the world of man.
O pomocy w potrzebie
Authors: Hołówka Jacek
Published: June 2020

The article tries to find an answer to the question: When should we help, and how much sacrifice should we make while helping? Some opinion of Seneca, Bacon, Hume, Kant, Sidgwick and Mill are quoted – either pertaining directly to that question or touching upon subjects closely related to it. These opinions, together with an analysis of some examples, help to formulate eleven principles which may come in handy whenever we wonder how much help can be expected of us in particular situations. These eleven principles are not enough to find answers to all questions that might arise in such situations. Neither are they sufficient to find a solution to the query, how much we should do in common to bring help to those who need it. It seems therefore that the range of help in need should be determined by the individual and subjective considerations, such as benevolence, spontaneous sympathy, love or goodness, and not by unbiased, ethical arguments. But if this solution is right the problem of help in need is largely removed from the sphere of ethical considerations.
Interesy obiektywne
Authors: Goldstick Daniel
Published: June 2020

One of the standard objections against Marxism-Leninism is that by speaking as they do of individuals’ and classes’ objective interests, Leninists are claiming undemocratically to know what is good for people better than those people sometimes do themselves. But all of us have at some time decided that we have been mistaken in desiring something or not desiring something; and so all of us thus recognize in principle the distinction between what we desire and what is objectively in our interests. A definition of people’s “objective interests” is developed in terms of what they would desire if sufficiently informed. A democratic-minded voter unwilling to distinguish between people’s objective interests and their desires could never vote for something as being in the interests of the majority without first ascertaining the votes of the others, with the result that no voting could ever take place if all were so minded. Even “paternalism” is not unconditionally to be avoided.
Teorie naukowe a systemy wartości
Authors: Jedynak Anna
Published: June 2020

The starting point of the investigations undertaken in the article is the thesis of empirical indeterminacy of scientific theories. According to this thesis the same set of empirical data can be differently explained by different theories, none of which will be found compelling. The reason for that is that no specific theory is a logical consequence of observational statements. This thesis can be so generalized as to include systems of value as well. Theoretical statements serve as justification of observational statements, although the former are not entailed by the latter. Similarly with judgements of value: they justify moral norms but are not entailed by them. Consequently the same obligations can be justified on the grounds of different systems of value. Systems of value are not therefore determined by moral obligations and have the same function in ethics as theory does in science. Systems of value remain, however, radically different from scientific theories because the relations that bind observational statements with scientific observations are quite different from those that bind moral norms with human behaviour in ethics.
Ahimsa i asabijja
Authors: Hołówka Jacek
Published: June 2020

Profesor Ija Lazari‑Pawłowska wysoko ceniła filozofię Gandhiego, poświęciła mu interesującą książkę i zalecała, by metody powstrzymania się od przemocy stosować w rozmaitych kulturach i we wszystkich konfliktach politycznych i społecznych. Jej podejście do filozofii Gandhiego i własnych rekomendacji etycznych cechowała wieloaspektowość lub ujęcie „pakietowe”. Uznawała za wiarygodne tylko takie propozycje, w których znajdowała realistyczne uznanie dla rozpowszechnionych społecznie postaw, jakąś koncepcję porządku prawnego oraz pewną filozofię moralną. To podejście łączyło w sobie praktycyzm moralny i absolutyzm etyczny. Autora interesuje, czy to „pakietowe” podejście daje się pogodzić z uznawanym przez prof. Lazari‑Pawłowską absolutyzmem moralnym. By to ustalić, porównuje ahimsę z asabijją – czyli hinduskie odrzucenie przemocy z arabską koncepcją wsparcia wspólnotowego. Jego zdaniem bezstronne porównanie tych dwóch propozycji normatywnych jest możliwe i da się wykonać bez popełnienie błędnego koła, czyli bez milczącego założenia wyższości jednej z nich. Autor argumentuje, że do tego celu Lazari‑Pawłowska stosowała kryterium, które można scharakteryzować jako „maksimum uprawnień i minimum przemocy”.
Etyka troski jako filozofia polityki
Authors: Sepczyńska Dorota
Published: June 2020

Artykuł stanowi próbę syntetycznego spojrzenia na polityczną teorię troski. Porządkując sposoby rozumienia i opisywania tego nurtu filozofii polityki, autorka skupia się na prezentacji proponowanych w jego ramach definicji troski, uzasadnień jej moralnego obowiązku i wizji integracji troski ze sferą publiczną. Omawia także historyczny rozwój etyki troski oraz jej rolę w polityce.
Habermas o religii w polityce
Authors: Sepczyńska Dorota
Published: June 2020

Artykuł skupia się na prezentacji i krytyce najnowszej koncepcji relacji religii i polityki Jürgena Habermasa. Stawia przed sobą następujące cele: rekonstrukcję poglądów Habermasa na publiczną rolę religii oraz próbę odpowiedzi na następujące pytania: czy wnoszą one coś nowego do liberalnego ujęcia relacji religia – polityka? Czy rozwiązują dylemat religii w polityce? Czy jest to propozycja realistyczna? Czy jest sprawiedliwa, tzn. symetrycznie traktuje wierzących i niewierzących?
O pojęciu sprawiedliwości w pismach Emmanuela Levinasa
Authors: Migasiński Jacek
Published: June 2020

Celem poniższych analiz jest eksplikacja, ujednoznacznienie i przystępne wyłożenie znaczenia pojęcia sprawiedliwość, występującego w pismach Emmanuela Levinasa. Cel to o tyle ważny, że pojęcie to – jak mam nadzieję wykazać – jest jednym z kluczowych pojęć spajających konstrukcję myślową filozofii Levinasa, a sam Levinas – jak z przekonaniem sądzę – jest jednym z ważniejszych myślicieli XX stulecia; nie wspominając już o wadze teoretycznej i politycznej samego tego pojęcia w perspektywie uniwersalnej.
The Empirical Study of Folk Metaethics
Authors: Beebe James
Published: June 2020

In this paper, I review recent attempts by experimental philosophers and psychologists to study folk metaethics empirically and discuss some of the difficulties that researchers face when trying to construct the right kind of research materials and interpreting the results that they obtain. At first glance, the findings obtained so far do not look good for the thesis that people are everywhere moral realists about every moral issue. However, because of difficulties in interpreting these results, I argue that better research is needed to move the debate forward.
Attending to the ‘Eye of Experience’: The Epistemic Demands of Identifying Good Actions in Aristotle.
Authors: Hämäläinen Hasse
Published: June 2020

W niniejszym artykule analizuję koncepcję Arystotelesa dotyczącą wymagań epistemicznych koniecznych do identyfikacji czynów moralnie dobrych. W Etyce Nikomachejskiej, Arystoteles zdaje się twierdzić, że jesteśmy w stanie rozpoznawać takie czyny, nie mając wiedzy o tym, dlaczego są one dobre. Inne twierdzenia zawarte w tych dziele, nie pozwalają jednak na bezkrytyczne przyjęcie tej tezy. Zdaniem Johna McDowella, Arystoteles uważał, iż dobro etyczne czynu jest zależne od kontekstu. Gdyby tak było, by rozpoznać dany czyn jako dobry, musielibyśmy wiedzieć jakie cechy danej sytuacji czynią go dobrym. Bronię tezy, że nawet jeśli dobro czynu byłoby zależne od kontekstu, Arystoteles nie uważałby znajomości tego kontekstu za jedyny sposób rozpoznania czynu jako dobry. By tego dowieść, sięgam do dorobku współczesnej filozofii. Realizm wewnętrzny Hilarego Putnama pozwala wyjaśnić w jaki sposób podmiot rozpoznaje egzemplarze należące do danego rodzaju naturalnego, bez znajomości definicji tego rodzaju naturalnego. David Charles pokazuje, że Arystoteles podziela podobny pogląd, choć nie uważa, że podmiot musi zakładać, iż istnieje definicja danego rodzaju. Twierdzę, że ten aspekt teorii Arystotelesa może być zastosowany także do identyfikacji czynów moralnie dobrych. Jednostka może rozpoznawać dobre czyny jako czyny konieczne do prowadzenia cnotliwego życia. Nie musi wiedzieć dlaczego określone czyny są dobre. Wystarczy, że ma wizję dobrego życia, którą – jak twierdzi Arystoteles – może rozwinąć poprzez naśladowanie tych, którzy mają „oko doświadczenia”.
Naprawdę jaki jest Bernard Williams… Uwagi do tekstu Tomasza Żuradzkiego Internalizm racji do działania a granice relatywizmu
Authors: Kasprzyk Zuzanna
Published: June 2020

W artykule polemizuję z tekstem Tomasza Żuradzkiego Internalizm racji działania a granice rela‑ tywizmu. Odtwarzam argumentację Żuradzkiego i kwestionuję ją w czterech punktach: w zakresie właściwego odczytania tezy internalizmu Williamsa; trafności oceny, że internalizm Williamsa implikuje relatywizm; materialnej i formalnej poprawności głównego argumentu; oraz trafności tezy, że racje działania nie są zrelatywizowane względem wiedzy podmiotu. Ponadto przedstawiam alternatywną interpretację poglądów Bernarda Williamsa, w świetle której internalizm racji ma charakter obiektywistyczny i implikuje umiarkowany sceptycyzm.
Złe geny, „złe życie” i koncepcja krzywdy progowej
Authors: Różyńska Joanna
Published: June 2020

Według standardowej koncepcji krzywdy, inkorporującej test kontrfaktyczny, osoba B została skrzywdzona, jeśli na skutek działania x osoby A znalazła się w gorszej sytuacji niż ta, w której znajdowałaby się, gdyby osoba A nie zrealizowała tego działania. Zastosowanie tej koncepcji do wyborów prokreacyjnych napotyka jednak dwa poważne problemy teoretyczne: tzw. problem nie-istnienia, będący także istotą spraw sądowych z tytułu „wrongful life”, oraz problem nie-tożsamości, opisany przez Derka Parfita. Problemy te ujawniają, że standardowa koncepcja krzywdy prowadzi do wniosków, które są całkowicie sprzeczne z powszechnie podzielanymi intuicjami dotyczącymi obowiązków moralnych rodziców wobec przyszłych dzieci. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest analiza alternatywnej koncepcji krzywdy – tzw. krzywdy progowej. Wykazane zostanie, że koncepcja ta jest oporna na problem nie-istnienie, ale nie jest w stanie w sposób satysfakcjonujący rozwiązać problemu nie-tożsamości.
Kręgi ludzkiej wspólnoty
Authors: Lazari-Pawłowska Ija
Published: June 2020

The widely acclaimed components of the humanistic ethical program are to be found at present in personalism, universalism, and humanitarianism. The author unreservedly subscribes to this program and postulates that the value of every human individual be recognized irrespective of his individual characteristics, that all actions which affect any human being be performed only with due respect to the autonomous good of the human being, and that no man be ever treated only as an instrument in his existence. Trying to supply a justification for these postulates most authors point out that human dignity is presumably founded on such merits as reason and conscience. The author resolved to expose the weakness of this line of argument. A recourse to empirical features that allegedly distinguish human species from the others may not serve as a good reason in defense of those particular human individuals who clearly lack them. The author endavours to show that universalism which gives ~very man a minimum rights may justly be treated as unacceptable particularism, as typically ‚human speciesism’, indeed. It excludes from the regions of moral concern all animals, which like humans, are capable of suffering. Many authors take the sentience to be the single most important feature shared by animals and humans, which imposes on us the obligation to take care of animals as well as humans. The author contents that the delineation of the range of creatures with respect to whom we have moral obligation is one of the axioms which cannot be argued for or against. There are no logical reasons for drawing the boundaries here or there. We must rely on our ultimate moral convictions that we perceive as our feeling of being morally right. The delineation of the range of the creatures whose autonomous good we will take into account in our activity is a question of an axiomatic decision. We will not find any empirical features either in men or animals, which could impose a logical necessity for counting certain specimens in or others out. We must rely on the most elementary sense of solidarity which makes another creature our fellow-creature. The numerous controversies between different degrees and different kinds of particularism, or between particularism and universalism with respect to humans, or between universalism encompassing only humans and universalism extended to the whole reach of creatures capable of suffering has its source not so much in the differences in knowledge of facts but as in different emotional evaluative attitudes towards them.
Ethos profesjonalny uczonych
Authors: Goćkowski Janusz , Hołowiecka Lucyna
Published: June 2020

The article is concerned with the peculiarities of the ethos characteristic for the scholars, conceived as an identifiable professional category. Scholars form groups and circles consolidated by their efforts to create and establish scientific knowledge.
How Che Guevara Taught Cuba to Confront COVID-19
Authors: Fitz Don
Published: June 2020

Overcoming the HIV/AIDS and Special Period crises prepared Cuba for COVID-19. Aware of the intensity of the pandemic, Cuba knew that it had two inseparable responsibilities: to take care of its own with a comprehensive program and to share its capabilities internationally.
Second Language Acquisition of the Professional Japanese Tour Guides as the Core of Japanese Teaching Development for Tourism Students
Authors: Yogyanti Devita Widyaningtyas , Pertama Sari Angela Bayu , Iswahyuni Dwi
Published: June 2020

In line with the significance of appropriate Japanese learning methods and materials for tourism students, this study investigates how Japanese tour guides in Indonesia learn Japanese. This study aimed to find out some factors which influenced the process of Japanese tour guides’ second language acquisition and the integration of those factors into Japanese teaching.  This study was a qualitative study with ethnography method approach. Interviews and observation were employed in this study as the research instruments in which 12 Japanese tour guides became the research objects. The findings showed that two main factors influenced the process of Japanese tour guides’ second language acquisition, namely intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors were the factors which emerged within the tour guides themselves that affected the success of the language acquisition such as age, motivations, personality, aptitudes and the attitudes towards the Japanese language. Meanwhile, the extrinsic factors encompassed learning styles and teaching method that determined the success of language acquisition. Furthermore, the integration of those factors into the Japanese teaching generated some focuses on the teaching process, which were speaking fluently and interacting easily. Speaking fluently put more emphasis on the fluency rather than grammar mastery, while interacting easily was related to the implementation of intercultural language teaching.
Koordinasi Publik untuk Pengurangan Risiko Bencana (PRB) Banjir pada Pelaksanaan Pembangunan Berkelanjutan Gorontalo
Authors: Taslim Ivan , Akbar Muh. Firyal
Published: June 2020

In flood-prone areas, coordination between parties in disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities is very important. This is because the consequences of disasters will directly affect the disruption of people's lives and livelihoods, and also hinder the process of sustainable development. The study aims to develop a public coordinating scheme for disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities based on public resources in Gorontalo Regency. Public resources from government agencies and society are available in Gorontalo Regency with their respective tasks at the stages before, during and after the disaster. Public coordination is expected to support the implementation of DRR-based sustainable development in Gorontalo Regency. The preparation of public coordination scheme begins with geospatial flood hazard assessment based on the characteristics of the Limboto Watershed using a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool. The result provides a basis for the implementation of public coordination arrangements for DRR. Gorontalo Regency is dominated by a coastal land parcel adjacent to Tomini Bay, stretching from lowland plains to hilly mountains. High rainfall, critical land use and settlements in the lowlands have caused the study area categorized into high- to very high-risk zones of flooding. To ensure sustainable development runs effectively, its implementation must be based on DRR policy with public coordination. Public coordination is carried out between government agencies and society, who cooperate in compliance with their respective roles and tasks at the stage before, during and after the disaster. The results show that the involvement of more sectoral parties is needed at the stage before and during the disaster. This indicates that public coordination before the disaster performs risk prevention and reduction activity that should be prioritized in the implementation of development before inhibiting its sustainability.
Tipe Urban Sprawl dan Eksistensi Pertanian di Wilayah Pinggiran Kota Denpasar
Authors: Christiawan Putu Indra
Published: June 2020

Denpasar City as the capital of Bali Province is attractive to regional development. The limited space of Denpasar City directs the development towards the periphery. The extension of physical urban form will be a significant factor of suburban developments. The study aims to examine the type of urban sprawl development in the Denpasar suburbs, and their relation to the existence of agriculture. The qualitative research method is used to analyze the type of urban sprawl with the following indicators of typical land uses covering rice fields, forest park, open land, and settlements. Remote sensing analysis of these four indicators applies GIS model drawn from three time-series data of 2005, 2010 and 2015. Spatial approaches are applied to examine the patterns and structures of urban sprawl types. The results find two main types of urban sprawl development in the city suburbs, that is, leapfrog type which is mostly scattered in the north, and the ribbon type mainly centered in the eastern part of Denpasar City. Both types of urban sprawl play a crucial role in decreasing the amount of agricultural land, especially rice fields, in the suburbs of Denpasar.
Urban Area Entities in Affecting Regional Development: A Case Study for Mebidangro
Authors: Taufiq Muhammad , Kombaitan Benedictus
Published: June 2020

How is an urban area influencing regional development? Urban area development policy with the primary purpose of driving its surrounding area development found a shift in meaning under the latest development. It initiates a complex relation between cities as network dots, which is not globally separable. This study aims to provide a theoretical analysis regarding its considerations and implications in practice through a study case of the Mebidangro urban area (Medan City-Binjai City-Deli Serdang District-Karo District) in North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. By using a content analysis method, the study evaluates the regional development policy. The result shows that Mebidangro urban area plays a role in influencing regional development through four entities: i.e., reducing income disparity, the centrality of productions and services, urbanization under the mobility context of labor and knowledge, and regional and international cooperation. The study also found that there is a tendency in which nowadays cities are not seen as a hierarchy. However, cooperation functions and its limits are global (world cities networks), not administrative or region. The fact supports an argument that the current area planning context is not only creating its surrounding area development but also as a part of the global city network. Mebidangro is one of the cases that illustrated this concept of operationalization practice. Through existing policy, this urban area was in such a way created to be able to become global city networks as a shifting of regional development planning paradigm from increasing surrounding area development to a region globally compete.
Developing an innovative culture in Argentinean SME
Authors: Viltard Leandro Adolfo , Acebo Mario Nicolás
Published: June 2020

Innovation has become a game changer in the competitive and social arenas, capable of boosting and maintaining the highest competitive levels. In this sense, the innovative business culture -a particular intangible asset- is shown as a sufficient condition to develop difficult-to-imitate and sustainable competitive advantages, and a key challenge that companies’ executives have today. In addition, SME are scattered all over the planet and represent a fundamental driver for economic growth and social development, especially in Argentina. The hypothesis of this work –which was corroborated- is that if an adequate innovative business culture is developed, it is feasible to promote an innovative performance improvement. As a result, one of the main findings of this study –a follow on of some previous ones- is that an innovative culture provides identity, generates commitment and facilitates control, stimulating innovative performance and proposing competitive advantages. Specifically, the studied Argentinean SME environment has shown some difficulty in order to exploit novel ideas and promote this kind of culture. It has been verified that the managerial role could be improved as it was limited due to different inhibitors that are pointed out in this work, and that novel avenues should be found to benefit more people of our society. The study is exploratory-descriptive, with a qualitative methodology. It is supported with a bibliographical and an empirical analysis.
Factors determining the marketing strategies of construction firms: construction professionals' perspective
Authors: Awodele Imoleayo Abraham , Adegboyega Adesoji Anthony , Sofolahan Onyinye , Adamu Abdullahi , Saidu Kenneth John
Published: June 2020

Construction firms are not dedicated to the comprehensive adoption of marketing concepts and strategy, and thus do not enjoy the benefits of profit maximization, client satisfaction and loyalty and improved overall organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is, to assess the perception of construction professionals regarding the factors influencing the choice of marketing strategies adopted by their construction firms. A questionnaire survey approach was used in the study. The questionnaires were administered to construction professionals within the study area, Frequency, Percentile, Mean item score and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyses the data collected. The study found that employees' competence, technical knowledge of the firm, macroeconomic environment, and innovation are the major factors that influence the choice of marketing strategy. It was concluded that a firm's employee's knowledge and competencies and technological innovation plays a critical role in the adoption of suitable marketing strategies in the construction industry. In addition, there is agreement among construction professionals regarding the factors influencing the choice of marketing strategies adopted by their firms. This study adds to the body of knowledge existing on marketing and marketing strategies in construction organizations in Nigeria.
The relationship between aesthetics, perceived value and buying intention: a literature review and conceptual framework
Authors: Le-Hoang Phuong Viet
Published: June 2020

This research aims to synthesize the scales of aesthetics, the perceived value of the consumers for the intention to buy smartphones. At the same time, this analyzes the relationship between aesthetics, perceived value and intention to purchase, thereby the study suggests the research model which can be applied in other places, other contexts, and related fields. The method in this study is to summarize the systematics theories and compare the relevant studies. As a result, this research can develop research hypotheses. The main results of the proposed model are to explore the scales and find out the relationship between aesthetics, perceived value and intention to buy smartphones directly and indirectly. Moreover, empirical research can, based on the proposed conceptual framework, be studied for different countries or technology-related products such as computers, tablets, and other smart devices.
Application of matrix importance-performance in the maintenance sector of an higher education institution
Authors: Oliveira Lenize Danette de , Haubert Jéssica da Silva , Sakis Alexandre , Machado Cleimar da Silva , Dos Santos Bruno Miranda
Published: June 2020

The sector service is what has the highest employability index in the country and is even the one with the largest participation in the world economy. In this sense, there is evidence of increased awareness of organizations that improvement has to come from the inside out. Thus, this research aims to demonstrate the competitive importance of the maintenance sector of a Higher Education Institution (HEI) through the application of the importance-performance matrix. As for the methodological procedures, this study is characterized by exploratory and quantitative research. A set of criteria to be evaluated within the organizational performance objectives was created in conjunction with maintenance staff and an IES strategic sector manager. As a result, an HEI demonstrated good performance in most of the criteria, generated an exception of one of the criteria that was out in the areas that need improvement actions, the accomplishment of the results by the matrix is important.
Short-chain fatty acids as novel therapeutics for gestational diabetes
Authors: Roy Rebecca , Nguyen-Ngo Caitlyn , Lappas Martha
Published: June 2020

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects up to 16% of pregnant women and is associated with significant long-term health detriments for the mother and her offspring. Two central features of GDM are low-grade inflammation and maternal peripheral insulin resistance, therefore therapeutics which target these may be most effective at preventing the development of GDM. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate and propionate, are metabolites produced from the fermentation of dietary fibre by intestinal microbiota. SCFAs possess anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of SCFAs on inflammation and insulin signalling defects in an in vitro model of GDM. Human placenta, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and s.c. adipose tissue (SAT) were stimulated with either the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF or bacterial product lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The SCFAs butyrate and propionate blocked TNF- and LPS-induced mRNA expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in placenta, VAT and SAT. Primary human cells isolated from skeletal muscle were stimulated with TNF to assess the effect of SCFAs on inflammation-induced defects in the insulin signalling pathway. Butyrate and propionate were found to reverse TNF-induced increases in IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and decreases in glucose uptake. Butyrate and propionate exerted these effects by preventing ERK activation. Taken together, these results suggest that the SCFAs may be able to improve insulin sensitivity and prevent inflammation induced by sterile or bacterial inflammation. Future in vivo studies are warranted to investigate the efficacy and safety of SCFAs in preventing insulin resistance and inflammation associated with GDM.
YAP and TAZ are required for the postnatal development and the maintenance of the structural integrity of the oviduct
Authors: Godin Philippe , Tsoi Mayra , Paquet Marilène , Boerboom Derek
Published: June 2020

The development of the Müllerian ducts into the female reproductive tract requires the coordination of multiple signaling pathways that regulate proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. The Hippo pathway has been reported to interact with several pathways with established roles in Müllerian duct development; yet, its potential roles in reproductive tract development and function remain mostly uncharacterized. The objective of this study was therefore to characterize the roles of the Hippo transcriptional coactivators YAP and TAZ in the female reproductive tract using transgenic mouse models. This report shows that the concomitant conditional inactivation of Yap and Taz in the mouse Müllerian duct mesenchyme results in postnatal developmental defects of the oviduct. Most notably, discontinuities in the myosalpinx layer lead to the progressive formation of cystic dilations of the isthmus. These defects prevented embryo transport and subsequent implantation in older animals, causing infertility. The loss of YAP/TAZ did not appear to affect other biological processes known to be required for the maintenance of oviductal wall integrity, such as TGF-β/SMAD and Notch signaling and the biogenesis of miRNA, suggesting that the Hippo pathway acts independently of these processes to direct oviduct development. Taken together, these results suggest redundant and essential roles for YAP and TAZ in the postnatal development of the oviduct and the maintenance of its structural integrity.
Mitral Valve Replacement Using Subvalvular Apparatus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hsieh Wan Chin , Aboud Anas , Henry Brandon Michael , Kan Chung Dann , Omara Mohamed , Lindner Jaroslav
Published: June 2020

Background: To assess clinical outcomes among participants undergoing mitral valve replacement with preservation of subvalvular apparatus.
Methods: Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, World of Science, Scopus, Biosis, SciElo and Cochrane library, were probed using an extensive search strategy. Studies that reported at least one clinical outcome, such as morbidity, mortality, early 30-day mortality, myocardial failure, survival, late cerebrovascular events, length of stay, or major operative complications (stroke, prolonged ventilation, and reoperation for bleeding, renal failure, and sternal infection) were considered for inclusion. Data was extracted and pooled into a meta-analysis in RevMan (version 5.3) using a random-effects model.
Results: A total of 21 studies with 5,106 participants (age range: 27.3-69.2 years) were included in this meta-analysis. Preservation of the subvalvular apparatus during MVR significantly reduces the risk of long-term mortality (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.33-0.64), but not early mortality (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.12-4.93). No significant difference ejection fraction was observed (SMD: 0.10; 95% CI: -0.44-0.64). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the risk of stroke, renal failure, and pneumonia between C-MVR and in the control group.
Conclusion: MVR with the preservation of subvalvular apparatus improves clinical outcomes, such as long-term mortality, hospital length of stay, pneumonia, and bleeding. There is no significant difference in the risk of stroke, renal failure, or ICU length of stay. However, there is very limited data available with respect to bleeding, sepsis, and nosocomial infections.
Modified L-functions
Authors: Stankus Eugenijus
Published: June 2020

The sequence of generalized prime numbers q0 = 1, qn = pkn+1 -1, n ∈ N, and the corresponding zeta-function Zk(s) = \prodp>2( 1 - (pk - 1)-s)-1 , s = σ + it, are analyzed. The analyticity of Zk(s) in the domain σ > 0, except for a simple pole s = 1/k , is proved.
Information measures for the stochastic Gompertz growth model
Authors: Rupšys Petras
Published: June 2020

In this paper we investigate the Shannon’s, Fisher’s and Tsallis’ information measures for the Gompertz type stochastic process. We study the information measures of the stationary and non-stationary Gompertz type densities associated to the three parameters: intrinsic growth rate, saturation measure and noise amplitude. Finally we simulate the confidence interval for the value of all information measures. The results are implemented in the symbolic algebra language MAPLE.
On the generalized eigenfunctions system of the Sturm–Liouville problem
Authors: Pečiulytė Sigita , Štikonas Artūras
Published: June 2020

In this paperwe investigate eigenfunctions and generalized eigenfunctions system of the Sturm–Liouville problem with classical boundary condition on the left boundary and nonlocal boundary conditionsof four types on the right boundary.
Cut-elimination for knowledge logics with interaction
Authors: Andrikonis Julius
Published: June 2020

In the article, multimodal logics K4n and S4n with the central agent axiom are analysed. The Hilbert type calculi are presented, then the Gentzen type calculi with cut are derived, and the proofs of thecut-eliminationtheorems are outlined. The work shows that it is possible to construct an analytical Gentzen type calculi for these logics.
About the some conditions of the replaceability of the double induction
Authors: Maliaukienė Livija
Published: June 2020

The provability of the axiom of double induction (ADI) with the open induction formula in the additive arithmetic is investigated. The system of additional axioms and theirs provability by ADI is presented.
Problem of Kolmogorov for Markovian chains
Authors: Mikalauskas Marijus Jūris
Published: June 2020

The sums of random variables from two-state Markovian chain in the schemes of series are investigated. The sums are approximated by parametrical set of measures, which is constituted by all possible limitmeasures of such sums, after making discrete in continuous cases. The problem of Kolmogorov is under solution: the accuracy of approximation by the most relevant measure from parametrical set is evaluated interms of metrics of variation. The common solution scheme of Kolmogorovæs problem is described and the final results for one particular parametrical measure are presented.
Teaching methods of arithmetics basics in different countries
Authors: Žilinskienė Inga , Dagienė Valentina
Published: June 2020

This paper deals with main teaching methods of arithmetics – addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in different countries: USA, Israel, Germany, Austria, Japan, Egypt, and the Netherlands. Methods of teaching arithmetics basics and methodology of its application have been discussed. The paper reports on a survey conducted on methods of teaching arithmetics actions at the introductory level. It presents some examples of learning objects for teaching aritmetics basic.
Application of error correction models for Lithuanian inflation
Authors: Čuvak Ana , Kalinauskas Žilvinas
Published: June 2020

This paper is devoted to the Lithuanian inflation modelling. The main goal of this work is to apply Vector Error Correction Model for Lithaunian inflation. All inflation indicators are integrated of order one, consequently VECM model of Lithuanian inflation processes is investigated and proposed for modelling.
Social Determinants of Health and Emergency and Hospital Use by Children With Chronic Disease
Authors: Foster Carolyn C. , Simon Tamara D. , Qu Pingping , Holmes Paula , Chang Jason K. , Ramos Jessica L. , Koutlas Alexis , Rivara Frederick P. , Melzer Sanford M. , Mangione-Smith Rita
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate the association between caregiver-reported social determinants of health (SDOH) and emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations by children with chronic disease.

METHODS:

This was a nested retrospective cohort study (December 2015 to May 2017) of children (0–18 years) receiving Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid enrolled in a case management program. Caregiver assessments were coded for 4 SDOH: food insecurity, housing insecurity, caregiver health concerns, and safety concerns. Multivariable hurdle Poisson regression was used to assess the association between SDOH with ED and hospital use for 1 year, adjusting for age, sex, and race and ethnicity. ED use was also adjusted for medical complexity.

RESULTS:

A total of 226 children were included. Patients were 9.1 years old (SD: 4.9), 60% male, and 30% Hispanic. At least 1 SDOH was reported by 59% of caregivers, including food insecurity (37%), housing insecurity (23%), caregiver health concerns (18%), and safety concerns (11%). Half of patients had an ED visit (55%) (mean: 1.5 per year [SD: 2.4]), and 20% were hospitalized (mean: 0.4 per year [SD: 1.1]). Previously unaddressed food insecurity was associated with increased ED use in the subsequent year (odds ratio: 3.43 [1.17–10.05]). Among those who had ≥1 ED visit, the annualized ED rate was higher in patients with a previously unaddressed housing insecurity (rate ratio: 1.55 [1.14–2.09]) or a safety concern (rate ratio: 2.04 [1.41–2.96]).

CONCLUSIONS:

Over half of caregivers of children with chronic disease enrolled in a case management program reported an SDOH insecurity or concern. Patients with previously unaddressed food insecurity had higher ED rates but not hospitalization rates.
Challenges Following Hospital Discharge for Children With Medical Complexity
Authors: Musial Abigail , Butts Breann , Loechtenfeldt Allison , Herrmann Lisa E. , Schmidlin Emily , Kelley Jodi , Hail Traci , White Christine M. , Thomson Joanna
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVES:

The transition from hospital to home is a period of risk, particularly for children with medical complexity. Our aim was to identify and address discharge challenges through execution of postdischarge phone calls.

METHODS:

In this prospective study, we designed and executed a postdischarge phone call for patients discharged from an inpatient complex care team between May and November 2018. The call included dichotomous and open-ended questions to identify challenges regarding health status, follow-up appointments, medications, home nursing, medical supplies and/or equipment, and discharge instructions. These were recorded in the electronic health record. Details regarding identified challenges and corrective actions were categorized by 2 reviewers and adjudicated by a third reviewer if disagreement occurred.

RESULTS:

Descriptive statistics were used to summarize these findings. Sixty-seven phone calls were completed within 1 week of discharge. Two-thirds of calls identified at least 1 challenge, and more than one-third of calls identified 2 or more challenges for a total of 90 challenges. The most common challenges involved health status (26.7%), follow-up appointments (21.1%), and medications (20%). The majority of challenges were addressed by either caregivers or the multidisciplinary team, with the exception of home nursing challenges.

CONCLUSIONS:

Discharge challenges were commonly identified by caregivers of children with medical complexity. The majority of postdischarge challenges were addressed, with some addressed by families themselves. These results can inform health care providers about challenges to anticipate and suggest future interventions to mitigate anticipated challenges for a safe discharge and transition of care for these at-risk patients.
Short Bowel Syndrome in an Infant
Authors: Engelstad Holly J. , Danko Melissa E.
Published: June 2020

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a malabsorptive state that may occur either after surgical bowel resection or as the result of congenital bowel anomalies. SBS can incur significant morbidity and mortality including intestinal failure, cholestasis, sepsis, and death. For patients with SBS, management involves a multidisciplinary approach that begins with neonatology, pediatric surgery, nutritionists, pharmacists, and nurses in the NICU and also includes the transition to an intestinal rehabilitation program. The aim of this review is to provide the neonatologist with an overview of the common causes of neonatal SBS, anticipated nutritional deficiencies, complications associated with SBS, and the surgical and medical management of SBS to assist in counseling affected families.
Selection and Insertion of Vascular Access Devices in Pediatrics: A Systematic Review
Authors: Paterson Rebecca S. , Chopra Vineet , Brown Erin , Kleidon Tricia M. , Cooke Marie , Rickard Claire M. , Bernstein Steven J. , Ullman Amanda J.
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVE:

To critically review the evidence for the selection and insertion of pediatric vascular access devices (VADs).

DATA SOURCES:

Data were sourced from the US National Library of Medicine, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, the Cochrane Library databases, Embase, and international clinical trial databases.

STUDY SELECTION:

Clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, cohort designs, randomized control trials (RCTs), quasi RCTs, before-after trials, or case-control studies that reported on complications and/or risk as well as reliability of VADs in patients aged 0 to 18 years were included.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Articles were independently reviewed to extract and summarize details on the number of patients and catheters, population, age of participants, VAD type, study method, indication, comparators, and the frequency of VAD failure or complications.

RESULTS:

VAD selection and insertion decision-making in general hospitalized and some specialized patient populations were well evidenced. The use of single-lumen devices and ultrasound-guided techniques was also broadly supported. There was a lack of RCTs, and for neonates, cardiac patients, patients with difficult venous access, midline catheters, catheter-to-vein ratio, and near-infrared devices, the lack of evidence necessitated broadening the review scope.

LIMITATIONS:

Limitations include the lack of formal assessment of the quality of evidence and the lack of RCTs and systematic reviews. Consequently, clinical decision-making in certain pediatric populations is not guided by strong, evidence-based recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS:

This is the first synthesis of available evidence for the selection and insertion of VADs in pediatric patients and is important for determining the appropriateness of VADs in pediatric patients.
Young Children’s Use of Smartphones and Tablets
Authors: Radesky Jenny S. , Weeks Heidi M. , Ball Rosa , Schaller Alexandria , Yeo Samantha , Durnez Joke , Tamayo-Rios Matthew , Epstein Mollie , Kirkorian Heather , Coyne Sarah , Barr Rachel
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Child mobile device use is increasingly prevalent, but research is limited by parent-report survey methods that may not capture the complex ways devices are used. We aimed to implement mobile device sampling, a set of novel methods for objectively measuring child mobile device use.

METHODS:

We recruited 346 English-speaking parents and guardians of children aged 3 to 5 years to take part in a prospective cohort study of child media use. All interactions with participants were through e-mail, online surveys, and mobile device sampling; we used a passive-sensing application (Chronicle) in Android devices and screenshots of the battery feature in iOS devices. Baseline data were analyzed to describe usage behaviors and compare sampling output with parent-reported duration of use.

RESULTS:

The sample comprised 126 Android users (35 tablets, 91 smartphones) and 220 iOS users (143 tablets, 77 smartphones); 35.0% of children had their own device. The most commonly used applications were YouTube, YouTube Kids, Internet browser, quick search or Siri, and streaming video services. Average daily usage among the 121 children with their own device was 115.3 minutes/day (SD 115.1; range 0.20–632.5) and was similar between Android and iOS devices. Compared with mobile device sampling output, most parents underestimated (35.7%) or overestimated (34.8%) their child’s use.

CONCLUSIONS:

Mobile device sampling is an unobtrusive and accurate method for assessing mobile device use. Parent-reported duration of mobile device use in young children has low accuracy, and use of objective measures is needed in future research.
Urticaria, Angioedema, and Anaphylaxis
Authors: Pier Jennifer , Bingemann Theresa A.
Published: June 2020

Urticaria and, to a lesser extent, angioedema are common occurrences in the pediatric population. There are multiple causes of acute and chronic urticaria and angioedema. Most causes are benign, although they can be worrisome for patients and their parents. An allergist should evaluate acute urticaria and/or angioedema if there are concerns of an external cause, such as foods or medications. Chronic urticaria and angioedema can severely affect quality of life and should be managed aggressively with antihistamines and immunomodulators if poorly controlled. Chronic symptoms are unlikely to be due to an external cause. Anaphylaxis is a more serious allergic condition characterized by a systemic reaction involving at least 2 organ systems. Anaphylaxis should be initially managed with intramuscular epinephrine. Patients who experience anaphylaxis should be evaluated by an allergist for possible causes; if found, avoidance of the inciting antigen is the best management. All patients should also be given an epinephrine autoinjector and an action plan. Foods are a common cause of anaphylaxis in the pediatric population. New evidence suggests that the introduction of highly allergic foods is safe in infancy and should not be delayed. In addition, the early introduction of foods such as peanuts may help prevent the development of food allergies.