bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between Cigarette Smoking and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Updated Multivariate Bayesian Metaanalysis
Authors: Chua Monica Hui Yan , Ng Irene Ai Ting , W.L.-Cheung Mike , Mak Anselm
Published: December 2019

Objective

The association between cigarette smoking and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains a matter for debate. Additionally, the effect of the change of smokers’ demographics on the risk of development of SLE over time has not been formally addressed. We aimed to examine the association between cigarette smoking and the risk of SLE by performing an updated metaanalysis.

Methods

A literature search using keywords including “lupus,” “smoking,” “cigarette,” “environmental,” “autoimmune,” and “connective tissue disease” was performed in computerized databases to identify studies addressing the relationship between cigarette smoking and SLE occurrence. A Bayesian metaanalysis was conducted by computing the log-OR between current and never smokers, and between former and never smokers. The average log-OR (subsequently converted to OR) and their corresponding 95% credible intervals (CrI) were calculated. The effect of publication time, sex, and age of patients with SLE on the effect sizes was examined by multivariate metaregression.

Results

Data aggregation of 12 eligible studies comprising 3234 individuals who developed SLE and 288,336 control subjects revealed a significant association between SLE occurrence and current smoking status (OR 1.54, 95% CrI 1.06–2.25), while only a non-significant trend was demonstrated between SLE occurrence and former smoking status (OR 1.39, 95% CrI 0.95–2.08). Publication time, sex, and the mean age of patients with SLE did not explain the heterogeneity of the effect sizes.

Conclusion

Current smoking status is associated with risk of SLE. Sex and age of patients with SLE had no significant effect on the risk of SLE over time.
The Neuropathic Pain Features in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Cross-sectional Evaluation of Prevalence and Associated Factors
Authors: Di Carlo Marco , Muto Pietro , Benfaremo Devis , Luchetti Michele Maria , Atzeni Fabiola , Salaffi Fausto
Published: December 2019

Objective.

To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with the neuropathic pain features in a cohort of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods.

A cross-sectional evaluation was conducted in consecutive patients having PsA with prevalent peripheral joint involvement, referred to 3 rheumatological centers. For each patient, a comprehensive assessment of disease activity, physical function, and disease effect was carried out. The presence of comorbid fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) was evaluated. Acute-phase reactants were also recorded. The neuropathic pain features were investigated through the PainDETECT Questionnaire (PDQ). A logistic regression analysis was therefore conducted using the PDQ as the dependent variable.

Results.

The final evaluation included 118 patients. A comorbid FMS was detectable in 30 of the 118 patients with PsA (25.4%). Probable characteristics of neuropathic pain (PDQ ≥ 19) were found in 30 (25.4%) patients overall, ambiguous (PDQ > 12 and < 19) in 21 (17.8%) patients, and unlikely (PDQ ≤ 12) in 67 (56.8%) patients. Using logistic regression analysis, the only independent variable among those investigated that could explain the neuropathic pain features was the presence of a comorbid FMS (p = 0.0127). Excluding patients with comorbid FMS, an association with disability (measured by Health Assessment Questionnaire–Disability Index) emerges (p = 0.0489). In patients with PsA and comorbid FMS, PDQ scores were significantly higher than in patients without comorbid FMS.

Conclusion.

Neuropathic pain features are common in patients with PsA, and the presence of pain sensitization (comorbid FMS) seems to be its main predictor.
Perspective Transformation: Enhancing the Development of Professionalism in RN-to-BSN Students
Authors: Morris Arlene H. , Faulk Debbie
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this research was to examine whether there are resultant behavioral changes in professionalism for returning adult RN–to–BSN students and to identify teaching-learning activities that stimulate transformative learning. Mezirow’s adult learning theory served as a theoretical guide for the study. A convenience sample of students enrolled in a RN-to-BSN completion program during 2 academic years was surveyed using the core standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s essentials of baccalaureate nursing education. A total of 26 learning activities were identified as creating cognitive dissonance (conflict of values). Changes in professional behavior 3 months postgraduation included increased collaboration with the health care team, increased patient advocacy, and increased confidence in the role as a teacher of patients and families. The findings indicate that planning learning activities in nursing curricula can foster perspective transformation in professionalism.
Multimodal Imaging of Exudative Maculopathy Associated With Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease
Authors: Vaz-Pereira Sara , Macedo Mafalda , De Salvo Gabriella , Pal Bishwanath
Published: December 2019

A 31-year-old man presented with acute unilateral visual loss secondary to hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD). Ophthalmic examination demonstrated best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 6/24 and a macular neurosensory detachment. He was diagnosed with unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy (UAIM), and multimodality imaging was performed. No treatment was warranted. At 3 months, BCVA was 6/5 and funduscopy revealed a juxtafoveal scar. Based on the evidence of the association between HFMD and UAIM, the authors refer to this condition as exudative maculopathy associated with HFMD. Multimodality imaging during acute and convalescent phases is useful to study this disorder and raises questions about choroidal and bilateral involvement. Ophthalmologists should be aware of this and query about systemic signs and symptoms.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2014;45:e14–e17.]
Calibrando la transición ediacárico-cámbrica en Gondwana suddoccidental
Authors: Warren L. V. , Tohver E. , Inglez L. , Okubo J. , Riccomini C. , Xiao S.
Published: December 2019

Los datos paleontológicos, isotópicos y geocronológicos que se resumen a continuación apoyan la correlación paleogeográfica y cronológica entre los Grupos de Itapucumi (Paraguay) y Corumbá (Brasil), sugiriendo una evolución sedimentaria contemporánea entre estas unidades en los márgenes del Cratón Amazónico y del Bloque del Río Apa.
Analysis of MHC Class I Processing Pathways That Generate a Response to Vaccinia Virus Late Proteins
Authors: Niu Ting Kuang , Princiotta Michael F , Sei Janet J , Norbury Christopher C
Published: December 2019

Use of recombinant viral vectors encoding nonnative Ags is an attractive mechanism for the generation of protective Ab, CD4+ T cell (TCD4+), and CD8+ T cell (TCD8+) responses in vivo following immunization. However, the life cycle and tropism of the viral vector, and its interactions with various components of the immune system, must be fully understood to maximize the efficacy of any vaccination strategies. Ab and TCD4+ responses typically target native Ags driven by late promoters in vaccinia virus (VACV)–based vectors. However, it has been demonstrated that model Ags driven by late promoters in recombinant VACV vectors do not stimulate TCD8+ responses, whereas identical Ags driven by early promoters stimulate strong responses. Conversely, TCD8+ can be generated against some natural late VACV Ags. We explored this dichotomy by investigating the Ag presentation pathways responsible for presentation of natural late VACV Ags in mice. We found that all of the late VACV Ags we examined could be cross-primed (i.e., presented by uninfected professional APC), as well as directly presented by infected dendritic cell populations. However, one Ag was only presented by professional APC populations and was not the target of a protective TCD8+ response. Therefore, there is no generalized blockade in Ag presentation of late VACV Ags, and expression of nonnative Ags driven by a late promoter allows production of large quantities of Ag that may allow simultaneous targeting of both TCD4+ and Ab responses, as well as TCD8+ responses, in the future.
Dynamics of inflammatory factors expression in ischemic brain tissue injury
Authors: Marinović Tonko , Bašić Silvio , Romić Dominik , Nevajda Branimir , Đerek Lovorka , Maraković Jurica , Raguž Marina
Published: December 2019

Ischemic stroke is one of the most common cause of mortality and disability in the modern world. Still, therapeutic options remains modest. Aim of the study was to present dynamics of inflammatory factors expression (C reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukin 10) in patients after ischemic stroke. Our study included 101 patients divided in thrombolised and non-thrombolised groups. Inflammatory factors concentration in serum was determinate at admission, 24, 48 hours and seven days after the initial onset, while neurological assessment was measured at the admission, 24 hours, seven days and three months after the initial onset using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale and Rankin Scale. Certain pattern was observed in dynamics of inflammatory factors: intensive increase in first and second day after the stroke, followed by decrease till day seven in both groups. Additionally, thrombolised group showed significant neurological improvement. Although well investigated, the role of inflammatory factors in the ischemic stroke still stays controversial. High association of C reactive protein and interleukin 10 values suggest potential prognostic role in patients follow-up, while the role of procalcitonin values still remains unclear.
The influence of ABO blood group on mortality in major trauma
Authors: Hamsen Uwe , Nohl André , Baumann Andreas , Lefering Rolf , Boutakmant Laila , Waydhas Christian , Dudda Marcel , Schildhauer Thomas Armin , Jäger Marcus , Wegner Alexander
Published: December 2019

ABO blood group has a profound influence on hemostasis as it is a major determinant of plasma levels of von Willebrand Factor. In vitro studies suggest that blood group O is a risk factor for increased severe bleeding while blood group non-O is a risk factor for thromboembolic events. Yet, the impact of ABO blood group outcome after multiple trauma is unknown. Retrospective multicenter case-control study from three level-1 trauma centers in Germany from 2012-2015. Inclusion criteria were severe trauma with an Injury severity score ≥9 and admission to an intensive care unit. 1281 patients (69.5% male) were included. Mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 21.1±12.4; mean age was 50.2±22.4 years. Distribution of blood groups was: O: 37.4%; A: 44%, B: 12.7 and AB: 5.8%. Hospital mortality depending on blood group was 9.7 (A), 10.4 (B), 6.8 (AB) and 12.7 (O) %. Multivariant logistic regression for mortality revealed an Odds ratio of 0.79 (A), 0.60 (B) and 0.54 (AB) without statistical significance (P=0.35 (A), 0.17 (B), 0.33 (AB)). Thromboembolic events (blood group O vs. others) occurred in 2.8 (O) vs. 3.3 (others) %, P=0.619. In this retrospective study on 1281 multiple injured patients, no relevant influence of ABO blood group on hemorrhage, thromboembolic events and mortality could be found.
Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Banana and Glass-Epoxy Hybrid Composites with Addition of Copper Powder
Authors: Parameswaran P. , Vijayan V. , Radhakrishnan K. , Antony A.Godwin
Published: December 2019

More studies have been made in recent years on the fibre reinforced polymer. Natural fibres play an important role in modern FRPs. To obtain higher mechanical properties, glass fibres are incorporated to prepare hybrid FRP composites. Present study, focuses the effect of adding the copper metal powder in polymer matrix i.e. the metal powder is mixed in the resin with varying proportions along with the banana and glass fibres. Five laminates were fabricated by varying the copper content from 1% to 5% and keeping the banana and glass fibres weight as common. The study concentrates on mechanical properties of the obtained hybrid composites. Good flexural and ultimate tensile strengths were obtained. The flame deflection test shows the hybrid composite is not suitable for high temperature application as it breaks the bond between the resin and the reinforcements due to thermal conductivity of copper.
Achieving the Bank of Japan’s Inflation Target
Authors: Hong Gee Hee , Anand Rahul , Hul Yaroslav
Published: December 2019

The Bank of Japan has introduced various unconventional monetary policy tools since the launch of Abenomics in 2013, to achieve the price stability target of 2 percent inflation. In this paper, a forward-looking open-economy general equilibrium model with endogenously determined policy credibility and an effective lower bound is developed for forecasting and policy analysis (FPAS) for Japan. In the model’s baseline scenario, the likelihood of the Bank of Japan reaching its 2 percent inflation target over the medium term is below 40 percent, assuming the absence of other policy reactions aside from monetary policy. The likelihood of achieving the inflation target is even lower under alternative risk scenarios. A positive shock to central bank credibility increases this likelihood, and would require less accommodative macroeconomic policies.
Macrofinancial Linkages and Growth at Risk in the Dominican Republic
Authors: Bespalova Olga , Rousset Marina
Published: December 2019

This paper uses the Growth-at-Risk (GaR) methodology to examine how macrofinancial conditions affect the growth outlook and its probability distribution. Using this approach, we evaluate risks to GDP growth in the Dominican Republic using quarterly data for 1996-2018. We group macrofinancial conditions in five principal determinants, based on 32 indicators. The Dominican Republic’s growth distribution appears most vulnerable to negative shocks to domestic financial conditions, domestic leverage, domestic demand, and external demand, with additional repercussions from the external cost of borrowing in the longer run. Our findings show that domestic monetary policy plays a particularly important role in reducing growth vulnerabilities when the economy is weak.
Integrated impacts of synoptic forcing and aerosol radiative effect on boundary layer and pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China
Authors: Miao Yucong , Che Huizheng , Zhang Xiaoye , Liu Shuhua
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have led to deterioration of air quality in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region with high loadings of PM2.5. The heavy aerosol pollutions frequently occur in winter, closely in relation to the meteorological conditions. To unravel the complicated impacts of large-scale atmospheric forcing and the local-scale planetary boundary layer (PBL) characteristics on the pollution there, this study combined long-term observational data analyses, synoptic pattern classification, and meteorology-chemistry coupled simulations. During the winter of 2017 and 2018, Beijing, Langfang, Tianjin, and Tangshan often simultaneously experienced heavy PM2.5 pollution, accompanying with strong thermal inversion aloft. These concurrences of pollution in different cities were primarily regulated by the large-scale atmospheric processes. Using the principal component analysis with the geopotential height fields at the 850-hPa level during winter, the typical polluted synoptic pattern in BTH was identified. The pattern was featured by westerly winds from upstream mountainous regions. By inducing warm advections from the west, the thermal inversion aloft in the BTH could be enhanced, leading to shallow daytime PBLs and high near-surface PM2.5 concentrations. In addition, the aerosol may also modulate the PBL structure through its radiative effect, which was examined using numerical simulations. The aerosol radiative effect can significantly lower the boundary layer height in the afternoon through cooling the surface layer and heating the upper part of PBL. Thus, more aerosols could be accumulated in the lower portion of PBL, bringing about heavy pollution in the BTH. This study has revealed the important roles played by the meteorology-aerosol interaction on the air quality.
Shipborne observations reveal contrasting Arctic marine, Arctic terrestrial and Pacific marine aerosol properties
Authors: Park Jiyeon , Dall’Osto Manuel , Park Kihong , Gim Yeontae , Kang Hyo Jin , Jang Eunho , Park Ki-Tae , Park Minsu , Yum Seong Soo , Jung Jinyoung , Lee Bang Yong , Yoon Young Jun
Published: December 2019

Abstract. There are few shipborne observations addressing the factors influencing the relationships of the formation and growth of aerosol particles with cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) in remote marine environments. In this study, the physical properties of aerosol particles throughout the Arctic Ocean and Pacific Ocean were measured aboard the Korean ice breaker R/V Araon during the summer of 2017 for 25 days. A number of New Particle Formation (NPF) events and growth were frequently observed in both Arctic terrestrial and Arctic marine air masses. By striking contrast, NPF events were not detected in Pacific marine air masses. Three major aerosol categories are therefore discussed: (1) Arctic marine (aerosol number concentration CN2.5: 413 ± 442 cm−3), (2) Arctic terrestrial (CN2.5: 1622 ± 1450 cm−3) and (3) Pacific marine (CN2.5: 397 ± 185 cm−3), following air mass back trajectory analysis. A major conclusion of this study is that not only that the Arctic Ocean is a major source of secondary aerosol formation relative to the Pacific Ocean; but also that open ocean sympagic and terrestrial influenced coastal ecosystems both contribute to shape aerosol size distributions. We suggest that terrestrial ecosystems - including river outflows and tundra - strongly affects aerosol emissions in the Arctic coastal areas, possibly more than anthropogenic Arctic emissions. The increased river discharge, tundra emissions and melting sea ice should be considered in future Arctic atmospheric composition and climate simulations. The average CCN concentrations at a supersaturation ratios of 0.4 % were 35 ± 40 cm−3, 71 ± 47 cm−3, and 204 ± 87 cm−3 for Arctic marine, Arctic terrestrial, and Pacific marine aerosol categories, respectively. Our results aim to help to evaluate how anthropogenic and natural atmospheric sources and processes affect the aerosol composition and cloud properties.
Control of 3D tectonic inheritance on fold-and-thrust belts: insights from 3D numerical models and application to the Helvetic nappe system
Authors: Spitz Richard , Bauville Arthur , Epard Jean-Luc , Kaus Boris J. P. , Popov Anton A. , Schmalholz Stefan M.
Published: December 2019

Abstract. Fold-and-thrust belts and associated tectonic nappes are common in orogenic regions. They exhibit a wide variety of geometries and often a considerable along-strike variation. However, the mechanics of fold-and-thrust belt formation and the control of the initial geological configuration on this formation are still incompletely understood. Here, we apply three-dimensional (3D) thermo-mechanical numerical simulations of the shortening of the upper crustal region of a passive margin to investigate the control of 3D laterally variable inherited structures on the fold-and-thrust belt evolution and associated nappe formation. We consider tectonic inheritance by applying an initial model configuration with horst and graben structures having laterally variable geometry and with sedimentary layers having different mechanical strength. We use a visco-plastic rheology with temperature dependent flow laws and a Drucker-Prager yield criterion. The models show the folding, detachment and horizontal displacement of sedimentary units, which resemble structures of fold and thrust nappes. The models further show the stacking of nappes. The detachment of nappe-like structures is controlled by the initial basement and sedimentary layer geometry. Significant horizontal transport is facilitated by weak sedimentary units below these nappes. The initial half-graben geometry has a strong impact on the basement and sediment deformation. Generally, deeper half-grabens generate thicker nappes and stronger deformation of the neighboring horst while shallower half-grabens generate thinner nappes and less deformation in the horst. Horizontally continuous strong sediment layers, which are not restricted to inital graben structures, cause detachment folding and not overthrusting. The amplitude of the detachment folds is controlled by the underlying graben geometry. A mechanically weaker basement favors the formation of fold nappes while stronger basement favors thrust sheets. The applied model configuration is motivated by the application of the 3D model to the Helvetic nappe system of the French-Swiss Alps. Our model is able to reproduce several first-order structural features of this nappe system, namely (i) closure of a half-graben and associated formation of the Morcles and Doldenhorn nappes, (ii) the overthrusting of a nappe resembling the Wildhorn and Glarus nappes and (iii) the formation of a nappe pile resembling the Helvetic nappes resting above the Infrahelvetic complex. Furthermore, the finite strain pattern, temperature distribution and timing of the 3D model is in broad agreement with data from the Helvetic nappe system. Our model, hence, provides a first-order 3D reconstruction of the tectonic evolution of the Helvetic nappe system based on thermo-mechanical deformation processes.
Improving wind farm flow models by learning from operational data
Authors: Schreiber Johannes , Bottasso Carlo L. , Salbert Bastian , Campagnolo Filippo
Published: December 2019

Abstract. This paper describes a method to improve and correct an engineering wind farm flow model by using operational data. Wind farm models represent an approximation of reality and therefore often lack accuracy and suffer from unmodeled physical effects. It is shown here that, by surgically inserting error terms in the model equations and learning the associated parameters from operational data, the performance of a baseline model can be improved significantly. Compared to a purely data-driven approach, the resulting model encapsulates prior knowledge beyond the one contained in the training data set, which has a number of advantages. To assure a wide applicability of the method – including also to existing assets – learning is here purely driven by standard operational (SCADA) data. The proposed method is demonstrated first using a cluster of three scaled wind turbines operated in a boundary layer wind tunnel. Given that inflow, wakes and operational conditions can be precisely measured in the repeatable and controllable environment of the wind tunnel, this first application serves the purpose of showing that the correct error terms can indeed be identified. Next, the method is applied to a real wind farm situated in a complex terrain environment. Here again learning from operational data is shown to improve the prediction capabilities of the baseline model.
Accessible Table of Contents
Authors: Cohn Ellen R.
Published: December 2019

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Women Prisons in North-Eastern Thailand: How Well Do They Meet International Human Rights Standards?
Authors: Chokprajakchat Srisombat , Techagaisiyavanit Wanaporn
Published: December 2019

Thailand has one of the highest incarceration rates of women in the world. With an increasing prison population overall as well as an increasing proportion of female inmates, the country faces one of its most challenging tasks in penitentiary administration: reforms to its legal landscape and its correctional practices in line with international standards. A response to such a crisis is to undertake a prison evaluation project to ensure proper implementation of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (also known as the ‘Bangkok Rules’). The primary objective of this research article is to assess and identify a prison model that can inspire the development of other prison facilities, while supporting a firm commitment to maintain and improve the status of current model facilities.
Police Officers’ Fear of Crime: An Analysis of Interviews with Officers in Trinidad & Tobago
Authors: Johnson Lee Michael , Watson Danielle , Pino Nathan W
Published: December 2019

Research on fear of crime usually examines perceptions of civilians. Little has been said about police officers’ fear of crime, particularly in developing countries of the Global South, despite their occupational high risk of victimisation. The current study is an analysis of qualitative interview data collected from 12 male senior police officers in Trinidad and Tobago, with a focus on how they are affected by crime and navigate their roles as officers. The goal here is to contribute to Southern criminological dialogue about subjective appraisals of, and reactions to, crime by emphasising the experiences of civil servants mandated to address crime in the context of a postcolonial developing country. Analyses found that officers perceived that they and their family members were at high risk of criminal victimisation, were significantly worried or fearful about themselves or family members becoming victimised and often engaged in avoidance behavioural strategies to reduce risk of victimisation.
As beautiful inside, as it is outside: On the connection between beauty and morality in the Old English corpus
Authors: Minaya Gómez Francisco Javier
Published: December 2019

This paper aims to look into the link between the experience of beauty at a sensory level and its connection with more cognitive considerations in Anglo-Saxon England. To do so, I have carried out a complete analysis of the usage of the Old English adjective fæger, one of the main descriptors of beauty in the linguistic variety. Using the Dictionary of Old English Corpus, I have created a concordance and a database containing all its attested forms, which I have analysed following diverse sociolinguistic criteria. This analysis has proven that the evaluation of beauty as rendered by Old English fæger had a strong cognitive component, mainly related to the moral and spiritual virtues of the aesthetic object and often visually represented by an abundance of light. According to this analysis, the experience of beauty in Anglo-Saxon England constitutes a rare experience that in most cases, goes beyond the sensory and the purely physical.   El propósito de este artículo es investigar la conexión entre la experiencia de la belleza a un nivel sensorial y su conexión con aspectos más cognitivos en la Inglaterra anglosajona. Para ello, he llevado a cabo un análisis completo del uso del adjetivo fægerperteneciente al inglés antiguo, uno de los principales descriptores de belleza en la variedad lingüística. Usando el Dictionary of Old English Corpus, he creado una concordancia y una base de datos con sus distintas atestaciones, las cuales he analizado siguiendo diversos criterios sociolingüísticos. Este análisis ha demostrado que la evaluación de la belleza tal y como es descrita por fæger tenía un fuerte componente cognitivo, principalmente relacionado con las virtudes morales y espirituales del objeto que a menudo son representadas visualmente con una abundancia de luz. De acuerdo con este análisis, la experiencia de la belleza en la Inglaterra anglosajona constituía una experiencia poco frecuente que en la mayoría de casos traspasaba las barreras de lo sensorial y lo puramente físico.
Estudio de los neologismos terminológicos difundidos en el diario 'El País' y su inclusión en el diccionario
Authors: Cañete González Paola , Fernández-Silva Sabela , Villena Araya Belén
Published: December 2019

Los avances tecnológicos y las transformaciones sociales provocan la aparición de nuevas unidades léxicas tanto especializadas como de lengua general, las que se difunden principalmente a través de la prensa. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en investigar cómo las áreas de especialidad contribuyen a enriquecer el léxico en español. Para ello, se analizaron neologismos de tres secciones del diario El País detectados entre 2003 y 2013, se identificaron neologismos terminológicos y no terminológicos, se determinaron las áreas temáticas representadas, se compararon los procesos de formación de estas unidades neológicas y se analizaron su inclusión en el DLE. Los resultados mostraron una difusión moderada de la terminología a través de la prensa, y diferencias entre ambos tipos de neologismos en cuanto a los procesos de formación y su función en el discurso. También se constató una contribución importante de neologismos terminológicos al diccionario, lo que confirma el papel de la prensa en la desterminologización y difusión de estas unidades.
El discurso político de Podemos: la construcción de una identidad
Authors: Casado-Velarde Manuel
Published: December 2019

El presente artículo aborda el estudio acerca de cómo construye discursivamente su identidad el partido político español Podemos, e intenta responder a la pregunta acerca de si se le puede calificar de populista en sentido estricto. El corpus en que se basa la investigación está constituido por el “Documento político” de Podemos, disponible en la web del partido. Tras una descripción de los rasgos lingüísticos de ese texto, con particular hincapié en los de carácter léxicosemántico (con algunos datos cuantitativos y estadísticos relevantes), se ponen de relieve los recursos discursivos empleados para construir la identidad del partido. Se pasa a continuación a comparar los rasgos caracterizadores del discurso de Podemos con los aportados por otros estudios recientes sobre partidos populistas, para concluir que Podemos representa un partido político de perfil nítidamente populista.
La trayectoria de los materiales inicialmente destinados al Glosario de 'Orígenes del español'
Authors: Echenique Elizondo María Teresa , Ribes Lorenzo Juan Manuel
Published: December 2019

Orígenes del español incluía en el plan inicial de Ramón Menéndez Pidal un Glosario del español primitivo, encargado al entonces joven licenciado Rafael Lapesa, pero los materiales de la obra sufrieron avatares diversos antes y después de la contienda civil. Tras la muerte de Lapesa, Manuel Seco asumió y llevó a cabo la preparación para la imprenta de los materiales que Rafael Lapesa había depositado en su día en la RAE con el fin de que se utilizaran en las tareas del Diccionario histórico; así salió el libro Léxico hispánico primitivo. En el presente trabajo se analizan y contrastan las diferentes etapas de elaboración de una obra que, de haber sido concebida inicialmente como un glosario del español castellano, pasó a convertirse en un Glosario iberorrománico de amplitud plenamente hispánica, inédito aún en gran parte.
Towards retrieving social events from spatio-temporal photo annotation
Authors: De Andrade Davi Oliveira Serrano , Firmino Anderson Almeida , Baptista Cláudio de Souza , De Figueirêdo Hugo Feitosa
Published: December 2019

An event can be defined as a happening that gathers people with some common goal over a period of time and in a certain place. This paper presents a new method to retrieve social events through annotations in spatio-temporal photo collections, known as STEve-PR (Spatio-Temporal EVEnt Photo Retrieval). The proposed technique uses a clustering algorithm to gather similar photos by considering the location, date and time of the photos. The STEve-PR clustering approach clusters photos belonging to the same event. STEve-PR uses spatial clusters created to propagate event annotation between photos in the same cluster and employs TF-IDF similarity between tags to find the spatial cluster with the highest similarity for photos without a geographical location. We evaluated our approach on a public database.
Using Sustained Assessment Practices for Improving Student Learning Outcomes At Course and Program Levels
Authors: Mahalingam Madhu , Blumberg Phyllis
Published: December 2019

Assessments that are conducted to primarily satisfy external requirements may overlook essential steps that ensure improvement in outcomes. The most vital steps for improvement are identifying strengths and weaknesses of the course or program, followed by an action plan to remedy the weaknesses. This article showcases two examples of sustained assessments with a focus on improvement that resulted in gains in student learning outcomes at course and program levels. As a result of this approach, the D, F, or Withdraw rate decreased by almost 20% in an introductory gateway course, and at the program level students’ national percentile scores on an end-of-program assessment, the major field test, improved.
Social Versus Financial Performance of Microfinance: Bangladesh Perspective
Authors: Aslam Mohammad , Kumar Senthil , Sorooshian Shahryar
Published: December 2019

Microfinance is a tool designed for poverty alleviation by providing financial services more specifically small credit to the poor household for income generating activities. One of the better ways to help poor people for poverty alleviation is through giving them financial services that cannot be done in traditional banking system. However, there is a big question whether it is possible to provide those services for a financial institution without being sustainable financially. How far it can go with free lunch that is depending on donors’ fund. These two patterns place microfinance at the intersection. One may wonder whether the microfinance compromises a trade-off between serving the poor as social objective and attaining financial sustainability as financial objective. If microfinance institute wishes to get financial sustainability through profit maximization rather ignoring intended social objective of alleviating poverty, than it loses its momentum and becomes like other traditional financial institute. Fulfilling social objective with financial sustainability will be the optimum outcome of microfinance. Microfinance has been pioneered primarily in Bangladesh and later replicated in rest of the world. By this time, over 33 million of clients are being served with various financial and non-financial services by over 700 registered microfinance institute in Bangladesh. This study intent to measure the social outreach versus financial sustainability of microfinance institute in Bangladesh through panel data analysis. To do this, we have analyzed the relationship between financial performance and depth of outreach of top 20 microfinance institutes of Bangladesh from 2015 to 2017. Our results show that the relationship is positive or neutral in some cases. Therefore, microfinance in Bangladesh has been attaining both social and financial objectives and there appears no mission drift.
Dynamic Equilibria in Statistical and Nonlinear Physics of Uniform Stress Rotating Space Elevators (USRSE)
Authors: Golubovic Leonardo , Knudsen Steven
Published: December 2019

The discovery of ultra-strong materials such as carbon nanotubes and diamond nano-thread structures has recently motivated an enhanced interest for the physics of Space Elevators connecting the Earth with outer space. A new concept has recently emerged in space elevator physics: Rotating Space Elevators (RSE) [Golubović, L. & Knudsen, S. (2009). Classical and statistical mechanics of celestial scale spinning strings: Rotating space elevators. Europhysics Letters 86(3), 34001.]. Objects sliding along rotating RSE string (sliding climbers) do not require internal engines or propulsion to be transported from the Earth's surface into outer space. Here we address the physics of a special RSE family, Uniform Stress Rotating Space Elevators (USRSE), characterized by constant tensile stress along the string. From the point of view of materials science, this condition provides the best control of string’s global integrity. We introduce an advanced analytic approach to obtain the dynamic equilibrium configurations of USRSE strings. We use our results to discuss the applications of USRSE for spacecraft launching.
Effects of Privatization on Price and Labor Efficiency: The Swedish Electricity Distribution Sector
Authors: Lundin Erik
Published: December 2019

I examine the effects of privatization, in the form of acquisitions, in the Swedish electricity distribution sector. As the majority of the distribution networks have remained publicly owned, I use a synthetic control method to identify the effects on price and labor efficiency. In comparison to their synthetic counterparts, I find that the acquired networks increased labor efficiency by 8-18 percent depending on model specification, while no effect is found on price. Thus, the evidence suggests economically meaningful efficiency gains but that these are not fed through to consumer prices. Robustness results using a conventional difference-in-differences estimator largely confirms the results, although the estimated efficiency gains are either comparable to or less pronounced than their synthetic control counterparts.
Inleiding themanummer ‘Lokaal en regionaal bestuur in de digitale samenleving’
Authors: Meijer Albert , Ruijer Erna
Published: December 2019

Introduction to the special issue ‘Local and regional governance in the digital society’

The technological dynamic has a major impact on all kinds of markets, but what does this dynamic mean for local and regional government? This special issue presents five articles about local and regional governance in the information society. The editors of this special issue have chosen to place two articles by practitioners (written by Marcel Thaens and Evert-Jan Mulder) and three articles by scientists, one of which is a co-production of scientists and a practitioner. The editors believe that for a platform such as Bestuurswetenschappen (Administrative Sciences), it is also important to make the different voices heard and thus feed a rich debate about local and regional governance in the digital society.
Principes voor goed lokaal bestuur in de digitale samenleving
Authors: Meijer Albert , Schäfer Mirko Tobias , Branderhorst Martiene
Published: December 2019

Principles for good local governance in the digital society. A step towards a normative framework

This article presents a normative framework for good local governance in the digital society. We build on the five principles of Frank Hendriks (laid down in an article in Urban Affairs Review in 2014): participation, effectiveness, learning ability, procedural justice and accountability. An analysis of these five principles leads to the refinement of these principles for the digital society. The overarching points are that attention is needed for the possibility of human contact, that avoiding discrimination must be central, that higher demands are made with regard to speed of action, that the principles increasingly apply to networks of organizations, and that the principles increasingly apply to the design of systems. This overview thus provides concrete tools for organizations that want to reflect with citizens and stakeholders on the extent to which they are able to achieve good local governance in the digital society.
Open data ecosystemen: een kwalitatief vergelijkend onderzoek naar open data van lokale en regionale overheden
Authors: Wijnhof Rik , van den Berg Jochem , Ruijer Erna
Published: December 2019

Open data ecosystems: a qualitative comparative study of open data from local and regional authorities

More and more government organizations are making data public with the aim of promoting innovation and democratic processes. But open data does not always lead to the desired impact. In this study the authors analyze why some organizations are successful in exploiting the potential of open data and others are not. This research uses an ecosystem approach to investigate similarities and differences between four organizations that use open data. This has revealed three factors that promote the ecosystem, namely the influence of other organizations that are also involved with open data such as the motivation for open data, the important role of innovation champions and the utilization of the user perspective. Three barriers have also emerged: the preparation of a suitable case question for open data, the difficult relationship between obtaining capacity and the expected yields and the difference in scale between issues and profitable data sets.
De ontslagbescherming van zeevarend personeel
Authors: van der Voet Gerdien
Published: December 2019

De ontslagbescherming van zeevarend personeel

Binnen het arbeidsrecht en meer specifiek het ontslagrecht, kent de zeevarende een aparte positie. In dit artikel wordt ingegaan op de verschillende manieren waarop de zee-arbeidsovereenkomst kan eindigen en wordt aandacht besteed aan het recht op repatriëring van de ontslagen zeevarende. Daarbij wordt een vergelijking gemaakt met het reguliere ontslagrecht.
WABlief?
Authors: Beukhof Marit , Marijnissen Joanne , Rietveld Rachel , Scuric Vincent
Published: December 2019

WABlief?

De Web Arbeidsmarkt in Balans wordt op korte termijn doorgevoerd. De algemene wijzigingen zijn al vaker beschreven, maar in dit artikel gaan de auteurs in op mogelijk knelpunten en onduidelijkheden in de wet zoals deze nu voorligt. Aandacht wordt besteed aan het ontslag-/vergoedingenrecht en aan de positie van de werknemer met een tijdelijke en/of oproep- of payrollovereenkomst.
Het in mindering brengen van inzetbaarheidskosten op de transitievergoeding
Authors: Steenis Erik , Hopmans Bart
Published: December 2019

Het in mindering brengen van inzetbaarheidskosten op de transitievergoeding

Dit artikel behandelt de mogelijkheid om inzetbaarheidskosten in mindering te brengen op de transitievergoeding op grond van artikel 7:673 lid 6 sub b BW. Door de auteurs is onderzocht of de regeling in zijn huidige vorm effectief bijdraagt aan het bevorderen van de transitie van werk-naar-werk en het verhogen van de bredere inzetbaarheid van werknemers in Nederland. Dit lijkt niet het geval te zijn. De wijzigingen die zijn voorgesteld met de WAB lijken daar ook geen verandering in te brengen. Het artikel sluit af met een reeks aanbevelingen, waarmee de effectiviteit van de regeling kan worden vergroot.
Opportunities for Education for Sustainability through multidimensional preschool science
Authors: Sundberg Bodil , Areljung Sofie , Ottander Christina
Published: December 2019

In this article, we exemplify and discuss how preschool science education may contribute to Education for Sustainability (EfS). We draw on data from science activities in fourteen Swedish preschools, in which we have previously identified examples of ‘multidimensional science teaching’, hence, teaching that intertwines children’s science learning with multiple dimensions of children’s lives, such as emotions, fantasy, play and aesthetic modes of expressions. By re-analysing these activities through an EfS lense, we show several examples of how multidimensional science teaching provide opportunities for children to develop agency and empowerment as well as connectedness with the environment, and some examples of creative problem solving. Yet, we advocate that teachers’ active participation is crucial for realising multidimensional science teaching in a way that contributes to EfS.
Search for Human-Specific Proteins Based on Availability Scores of Short Constituent Sequences: Identification of a WRWSH Protein in Human Testis
Authors: Endo Shiho , Motomura Kenta , Tsuhako Masakazu , Kakazu Yuki , Nakamura Morikazu , M. Otaki Joji
Published: December 2019

Little is known about protein sequences unique in humans. Here, we performed alignment-free sequence comparisons based on the availability (frequency bias) of short constituent amino acid (aa) sequences (SCSs) in proteins to search for human-specific proteins. Focusing on 5-aa SCSs (pentats), exhaustive comparisons of availability scores among the human proteome and other nine mammalian proteomes in the nonredundant (nr) database identified a candidate protein containing WRWSH, here called FAM75, as human-specific. Examination of various human genome sequences revealed that FAM75 had genomic DNA sequences for either WRWSH or WRWSR due to a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). FAM75 and its related protein FAM205A were found to be produced through alternative splicing. The FAM75 transcript was found only in humans, but the FAM205A transcript was also present in other mammals. In humans, both FAM75 and FAM205A were expressed specifically in testis at the mRNA level, and they were immunohistochemically located in cells in seminiferous ducts and in acrosomes in spermatids at the protein level, suggesting their possible function in sperm development and fertilization. This study highlights a practical application of SCS-based methods for protein searches and suggests possible contributions of SNP variants and alternative splicing of FAM75 to human evolution.
Social Networks' Health Habits Over Life Course and Late-life Health Habits
Authors: Sugisawa Hidehiro , Harada Ken , Sugihara Yoko , Yanagisawa Shizuko , Shimmei Masaya
Published: December 2019

Objectives: In this study, we examined Japanese older adults' health habits (healthy diet, exercise, and nonsmoking) using 4 models: sensitive period, pathway, social mobility, and cumulative effects. Methods: A representative cross-sectional survey of people 65 years
and older, living in Tokyo, produced 739 effective respondents. Health habits in social networks over the life course, at junior high school, age 20, and age 40, were measured through retrospective recall questions. Ordinary regression and logistic regression were used separately to analyze
healthy diet and exercise/nonsmoking. Results: Regarding pathway effects, standardized coefficients of indirect health habits in social networks on late-life health habits were healthy diet = .073 (p < .05) and exercise = .125 (p < .001). Regarding social mobility effects, standardized
coefficients of change to poorer health habits in social networks over the life course on late-life health habits, compared to maintaining healthy habits were healthy diet = -.121 (p < .01) and exercise e= -.235 (p < .05). Regarding cumulative effects, standardized coefficients of no
exposure to better health habits in social networks over the life course were healthy diet = -0.103 (p < .01) and exercise = -.395 (p < .01). Conclusions: Three models – pathway, social mobility, and cumulative effects – may explain how healthy diet and exercise in
social networks over the life course influence these health habits in later life.
Prevalence and Reasons for Use of Flavored Cigars and ENDS among US Youth and Adults: Estimates from Wave 4 of the PATH Study, 2016-2017
Authors: Rostron Brian L. , Cheng Yu-Ching , Gardner Lisa D. , Ambrose Bridget K.
Published: December 2019

Objectives: In this study, we present updated estimates of use prevalence, flavor use, and flavors as a reason for use among US cigar and electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) users. Methods: Data come from Wave 4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health
(PATH) Study and were collected between December 2016 and early January 2018. Results are presented for youth (12-17 years), young adults (18-24 years), and adults (25+ years). Results: Approximately half (50.7%) of young adults reported having ever used an ENDS product with 83.7% reporting
that their first ENDS product was flavored. Flavor use was particularly high among current (past 30-day) ENDS users at 97.0% among youth, 96.8% among young adults, and 81.2% among adults. For cigars, cigarillos were the most commonly used type among youth and young adults. Flavor use was highest
among current cigarillo and filtered cigar users, with close to half of current users reporting flavor use across age groups. Conclusions: Flavored product use is common among ENDS and cigar users.