bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Macroscopic Assessment of Total Mesorectal Excision Quality after Robotic Assisted Rectal Resection for Rectal Cancer in Bulgaria: A Prospective Trial
Authors: Dimitrov Dobromir D. , Ivanov Tsvetomir M. , Deliyski Tashko S. , Iliev Sergey D. , Filipov Emil T. , Karamanliev Martin P. , Betova Tatqna M. , Popovska Savelina L. , Chilingirova Nataliya P. , Georgieva Izabela P. , Tomov Slavcho T. , Gortchev Grigor A.
Published: July 2018

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is a standard surgical procedure for rectal cancer. Robotic surgery has the potential to minimize the disadvantages of laparoscopic rectal resection. Circumferential margin and macroscopic quality assessment of the resected specimen are the major prognostic factors for local recurrence of the disease. The aim of this study was to research the macroscopic assessment of the quality of TME after robotic-assisted rectal resections for rectal cancer performed in a single center. Data was prospectively collected about macroscopic assessment of the quality of TME in thirteen patients after robotic-assisted rectal resections for rectal cancer between 09.04.2014 and 31.12.2016. After all robotic TMEs, a pathologist made macroscopic assessment of the completeness of the mesorectal excision. The quality of TME was complete in 12 cases and nearly complete in one case. The circumferential and distal resection margins were negative in all cases. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was nine. This study indicated that using robotic surgery for rectal cancer does not lead to worsening the quality of TME. Further studies in this field are necessary.
Correlation between Depression and Anxiety and the Level of Vitamin B12 in Patients with Depression and Anxiety and Healthy Controls
Authors: Todorov Aleksandar A. , Chumpalova-Tumbeva Petranka G. , Stoimenova-Popova Maya Y. , Popova Vanya S. , Todorieva-Todorova Doroteya K. , Tzvetkov Nikolai T. , Hristov Ivailo G. , Georgiev Georgi K. , Valtchev Valentin I. , Krasteva Niya A. , Ilieva Ralitza G. , Dimitrova Emiliya M. , Tumbev Ljudmil Z. , Ruseva Adelaida L.
Published: July 2018

Affective disorders, including depression, are of great social importance and lead to serious everyday life infringement and disability. Affective disorders are one of the main causes of suicide causes. Anxiety disorders represent a variety of psychic disorders that often lead to disability. Anxiety and depression syndromes together are often seen in patients. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is the only vitamin containing cobalt. Our aim was to investigate, evaluate and compare depression and increased anxiety and serum Vitamin B12 level in patients with depression, in patients with Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia and healthy controls. We investigated 74 subjects – 38 patients and 36 healthy controls. Serum Vitamin B12 level was measured in all participants. It is assumed that normal ranges of Vitamin B12 level vary. The most recently accepted ones are 200 to 900 pg/ml. In cases of levels below 200 pg/ml, a therapy with vitamin B12 should be applied. On the other hand, the level necessary for normal biochemical processes is higher – 250 pg/ml. In our study, serum Vitamin B12 level in more than 50% of patients with depression/anxiety was below 200 pg/ml, and in more than 60% of these patients it was below 250 pg/ml.
Intrafetal Laser Coagulation for Trap Sequence in a Complicated Dichorionic Triamniotic Triplet Pregnancy Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Chaveeva Petya P. , Tomov Slavcho T. , Shterev Atanas D.
Published: July 2018

A rare case is reported of twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence in a triplet pregnancy, fetal intervention in the first trimester and pregnancy outcome. We report a case of TRAP sequence complication in dichorionic triamniotic triplet pregnancy, with a normally developing fetus and an acardiac fetus connected via arterio-arterial anastomoses in a monochorionic diamniotic twin pair and a separate fetus. TRAP sequence was diagnosed at 13 weeks in triplet pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer of two blastocysts. Color Doppler assessment showed persistent arterial flow in the acardiac twin. Intrafetal laser coagulation was carried out at the time of the diagnosis, and the pregnancy outcome was two survivals at 36.4 weeks of gestation.
Recirculating Buffer and Arrayed Waveguide Grating-Based Switch for Optical Data Centers
Authors: Nigam Anjaney , Mishra Bharat , Patel Prabhat
Published: July 2018

Recently, an explosive growth has been observed in data traffic, which restricts the speed of exiting data communication network. To solve such problem, fiber optical-based optical communication is preferred choice. In this paper, a switch design is proposed to tackle contention problem in Optical Packet Switching (OPS) and data center networks. The proposed switch is compared with recently proposed switch design and advantages of proposed design are presented. To show superiority of the proposed design over earlier one, mathematical modeling is presented and expressions for noise figures and Bit Error Rate (BER) are derived. Using the mathematical framework, switch analysis is done in terms of BER and packet loss probability, and it has been found that power required for correct operation of the switch is lesser in comparison to earlier one. The effect of recirculation count on packet loss probability is detailed. The network layer analysis in terms of packet loss probability is also done using Monte Carlo simulation, and relation between physical and network layer parameters is also discussed.
Minimal genetic divergence among South American samples of the water opossumChironectes minimus: evidence for transcontinental gene flow?
Authors: Voss Robert S. , Jansa Sharon A.
Published: July 2018

Cytochromebsequences from South American specimens of the water opossumChironectes minimusexhibit uncorrected pairwise differences of 0.6% or less among samples collected thousands of kilometers apart (in Guyana, Bolivia and southeastern Brazil). Despite published evidence of population divergence from recent analyses of craniodental morphology, our results suggest extensive gene flow or recent range expansion across the South American landscapes currently occupied by this seldom-collected species.
Negative Brand Names
Authors: Manolică Adriana , Mititiuc Corina-Elena , Roman Teodora
Published: July 2018

We hear more and more often that positive things make our life more beautiful and make us more optimistic. But is it really true? If until a few years ago, the products had usual names, now it is desired for them to have a catchy name that would remain in the memory of the target audience. In this research I have analysed the attitude that young people have towards energy drinks with negative brand names, the impact of these energy drinks on them and also the influence they have on the decisional act of purchase. Among secondary objectives was the establishment of the notoriety of energy drinks that have negative names in the case of young people. Another secondary objective consisted in the comparative analysis of the impact that energy drinks with negative names have on men and women. Also, for the determination of the attitude that young people have towards energy drinks with negative names, it was necessary to get one at the time the feelings, the conviction offered by these energizers and also the intent of buying them among young people.
Big Data Proprietary Platforms. The Case of Oracle Exadata
Authors: Fotache Marin , Tică Alexandru , Hrubaru Ionuț , Spînu Teodor Marius
Published: July 2018

The most prominent Big Data solutions – such as NoSQL systems, Hadoop Frameworks, Spark, etc. – have been open-sourced. Nevertheless, commercial providers have targeted niches of this huge market with products more or less viable and affordable. This paper addresses the problem of benchmarking Big Data platforms with a focus on Oracle Exadata solution provided by one the most important data technologies vendor. Many classical benchmark approaches, such as TPC-H, are based on a predefined set of queries, and consequently they are not prone to predictive modeling. By contrast, for the TPC-H benchmark schema, we generate a set of 500 random queries containing not only tuple filters (WHERE), but also tuple grouping (GROUP BY) and group filters (HAVING), we collected results of the queries execution on four Oracle Exadata settings. Query duration was the outcome variable. Various query parameters, such as the number of joins, the number of attributes of different types within SELECT and WHERE clauses, and also some environment metrics served as predictors. Results were interpreted using exploratory data analysis and also Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) for both predicting the performance and explaining the main drivers of the system performance.
Offset analgesia is not affected by cold pressor induced analgesia
Authors: Nissen Thomas Dahl , Mørch Carsten Dahl , Arendt-Nielsen Lars , Drewes Asbjørn Mohr , Olesen Anne Estrup
Published: July 2018

Background and aims

Offset analgesia (OA) is a pain modulating mechanism described as a disproportionately large decrease in pain intensity evoked by a minor decrease in stimulus intensity. Precise mechanisms of OA are still not elucidated and studies are needed to evaluate factors modulating OA. The aim of this study was to investigate OA before and during tonic cold pain (thought to induce descending inhibition), in a group of healthy volunteers.

Methods

A randomized, crossover study was performed in 17 healthy participants (8 males and 9 females). The OA paradigm lasted 35 s and was induced by the traditional method using thermal stimulation applied to the forearm. A constant control heat stimulus (CTL) paradigm was used as control to assess adaptation. Pain intensity was assessed continuously. For induction of tonic cold pain, the participants immersed their hand into 2°C water for 2 min. After 1 min and 25 s, the heat stimulation (OA or CTL paradigm) was repeated to assess the modulatory effect of the cold pressor test.

Results

It was possible to induce OA both before and during the cold pressor test. Tonic cold pain modulated the peak pain reported during both the OA (p=0.015) and CTL paradigms (p=0.001) reflecting endogenous pain modulation. However, the magnitude of OA was not modulated by tonic cold pain (p>0.05).

Conclusions

The offset analgesia magnitude was not modulated by simultaneously tonic cold pain, thought to reflect another endogenous pain modulation mechanism.

Implications

Neither offset analgesia magnitude nor adaptation were modulated by cold pressor induced endogenous analgesia. This could be explained by the fact, that offset analgesia was already at maximum in healthy participants. Hence, offset analgesia may not be a suitable assessment tool to investigate modulation induced by experimental methods or pharmacology in healthy participants.
HIV Education: Reflections on the Past, Priorities for the Future
Authors: Aggleton Peter , Bhana Deevia , Clarke David J. , Crewe Mary , Race Kane , Yankah Ekua
Published: July 2018

From early in the epidemic, education has been central to HIV prevention, treatment, and care. This paper reflects on lessons learned over the last 30 years. It signals the limits of high level international commitments to education and HIV and the strategies of information-giving and life skills development adopted in their wake. It argues for the adoption of a more genuinely educational approach to HIV, sex, and sexuality education in which difficult questions are raised, diversity is recognized, and options are provided for a differentiated yet effective response. The lead currently offered by community organizations and the social media should be built upon in developing forms of HIV education that are more honest and contextually relevant than previously.
Global Citizen, Immigrant, Survivor, Activist, Gayby Boomer, Academic, and Editor: Dr. Sy and the History of AIDS Education and Prevention
Authors: Ramirez-Valles Jesus
Published: July 2018

In this 30th anniversary of AIDS Education and Prevention, we turn our attention to its founder and editor, Dr. Francisco Sy. I trace Dr. Sy's trajectory, from growing up in a Filipino-Chinese family in Manila to Harvard, Johns Hopkins, South Carolina, and then to the journal. The loss of friends and colleagues to the AIDS epidemic stands out as Sy's driving force behind the journal. AIDS Education and Prevention was also created to fill a tremendous gap in the field: a scientific platform to circulate and discuss research on HIV and AIDS prevention. Over its life course, the content of the journal has mirrored the life of epidemic. Initially, the articles focused on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, mostly in the United States. Now, the articles deal with health interventions and pre-exposure prophylaxis, with authors coming from all over the globe. In Sy's opinion, HIV will become endemic, as other infectious diseases have over our history of epidemics, so the role of journals such as AIDS Education and Prevention will remain vital.
Gastro-Intestinal Tract Complications During Antithrombotic Therapy
Authors: Moroz E. V. , Artemkin E. N. , Kryukov E. V. , Chernetsov V. A.
Published: July 2018

Use of antithrombotic aids (ATA)  significantly  impact  the prevention of life-threatening cardiovascular complications. ATA applications, however, are associated with a wide range of adverse digestive system responses. Due to, continuously growing clinical use of ATA this problem has become a current challenge of contemporary medicine.

Purpose of the study was to evaluate the patterns of digestive system damage in patients receiving ATA.

Materials and Methods. 672 patients were examined, 91.0% males, 46.7±17.4 years of age, who had digestive system changes that  occurred  due to ATA intake. 71 patients were admitted for treatment after gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding; other  patients were hospitalized  because of disorders  of the digestive  system or erosive and ulcerous changes of the digestive  system detected by endoscopy.  The following parameters were  evaluated:  GI bleeding sources, character of complaints,  the endoscopic patterns due to intake of different ATAs (low doses of aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel,  dabigatran, rivaroxaban, low-molecular  heparin,  combined  therapy), and of risk factors for GI complications.

Results. The sources of GI bleeding (n=71) included  gastric ulcers and/or erosions (39.4%), duodenum ulcers and/or erosions (21.1%), colon ulcers and/or erosions (28.2%), unknown  (11.3%). The majority of 672 patients noticed  various  complaints:  sensation  of heaviness  in epigastrium (62.8%),  gastralgia  (46.7%),  burning  sensation (34.3%). Endoscopy found erosive esophagitis (13.2%), ulcers in stomach and/or duodenum (11.6%), multiple (  10) erosions of stomach or duodenum (17.1%), sporadic erosions of stomach or duodenum (24.4%). In 32.3% cases no erosive or ulcerous alterations were found. H. pylori was identified in 57.9% of patients. There was no significant difference in character of alterations in the upper digestive system between patients who received different ATA treatment, except of frequent erosive esophagitis in those patients who received dabigatran (16.8%). The elderly age (  65 years), ulcer history, concomitant intake of NSAIDS, H. pylori presence, and smoking habit were associated with a higher occurrence of pathological alterations of digestive system. Presence  of gastralgia  did not correlate with the development of erosive and ulcerous alterations.

Conclusion. In majority of patients who received ATA, the commonly observed erosive and ulcerous alterations in the digestive system might become a source of bleeding.
Evaluation of Quality of Medical Care to Patients with the Risk of Developing Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Dats A. V. , Dats L. S.
Published: July 2018

The purposeof the research: to analyze the quality of medical care of patients who are at risk of developing acute kidney injury.

Materials and methods. The work is based on a retrospective analysis of medical records of 140 patients with an acute kidney injury developed during their stay the intensive care units, surgical and medical units of district hospitals the Irkutsk Oblast over the period from 2012 to 2017.

Results. Inadequate assessment of the risk of an acute kidney injury was identified in 61% of patients. The most common inadequately assessed damaging factors were critical conditions (in 36% (50/140), sepsis (27% (38/140), and nephrotoxic drugs (19% (26/140). Among inadequately evaluated predisposing factors that could be managed, the following ones were most common: chronic heart disease (in 42% (59/140), dehydration/hypovolaemia (34% (47/140), chronic kidney disease (29% (41/140), and anemia (25% (35/140). In patients at risk of an acute kidney injury, an inadequate examination and inadequate maintenance therapy were found in 66% and 56% cases, respectively. Analysis of implementation of supporting therapy in patients at risk of an acute kidney injury the following misconducting events were revealed: (i) no optimal volumic and perfusion support (59% (82/140) and (ii) no cancellation of nephrotoxic and improperly prescribed drugs (31% (44/140).

Conclusions. A good quality medical care restricted only by 24% of patients at risk of an acute kidney injury developed in the ICU, surgical and medical departments of district hospitals of the Irkutsk Oblast. The development of an acute kidney injury when exposed to nephrotoxic drugs and dehydration/ hypovolemia in 14% of cases was predictable and preventable.
Ceramic Water Filters as a Response Technology to Geo-Hazards
Authors: E. McBean  , G. Huang  , Yongping Li  , Yanfeng Li  , Aili Yang  , Haiyan Fu
Published: July 2018

Geo-hazards, a collective term for earthquakes, floods, windstorms, famine and drought, are intensifying with time and are obstacles to attainment of sustainable development. In particular, issues of availability of safe water are major disruptive elements causing the spread of diarrheal diseases during, and post, these geo-hazard events. Given that ceramic water filters (CWFs) have been shown to effectively remove E.-coli (and, by similar attributes, is effective in the removal of cholera), CWFs as a Point-of-Use (POU) technology are described as an effective option for the post-disaster phase of geo-hazards. As described herein, important dimensions of CWFs are provided, showing they can be stored effectively without suffering deterioration, are inexpensive, and are an easy technology to explain to users. Pertinent rationale for serious consideration of CWFs as a post-disaster POU is provided.
Study on the Water-Saving Irrigation Technology in the Slope Vegetation Restoration of the Mining Area Dump
Authors: Yanping Liu  , Jingli He  , Zhanqi Liang
Published: July 2018

With the development and utilization of coal resources, the surface vegetation is destroyed and soil erosion is more and more serious. Open-pit coal mine on typical steppe causes very strong artificial erosion landform remodeling, especially mining dump slope, needing to take reasonable measures for its vegetation restoration. Irrigation is one of main means to ensure the vegetation growth on anthropogenic landforms, which can make up for a lack of atmospheric precipitation and coordinated uneven distribution of water space and enhance its competitiveness. The research focuses on different irrigation methods in the vegetation restoration of coal mine dump slope, which is slight spraying, drip irrigation and micro irrigation, where water shortages, lack of regular power and slope topography. Suitable irrigation methods are determined better to vegetation restoration and reconstruction through studying the characteristics of three irrigation methods, soil moisture content, vegetation coverage and biomass on the ground. Appropriate way of irrigation not only make more rational use of limited water resources, but also promote plant growth and protect coal mine slope, effectively reduce soil erosion.
Los textiles indígenas en la época colonial. Tributo, comercio e intercambio de mantas de algodón en los Andes centrales neogranadinos, siglos XVI y XVII
Authors: Vanegas Durán Claudia Marcela
Published: July 2018

Este artículo analiza la continuidad e importancia de los textiles de origen prehispánico en el orden económico colonial de los Andes centrales neogranadinos durante los siglos XVI y XVII. A través del estudio de la documentación oficial que da cuenta de su vinculación al sistema tributario colonial, el comercio y sus valores de intercambio se examinan, primero, indicios sobre el volumen de mantas entregadas por los grupos indígenas como tributo en especie lo que permite observar la flexibilidad del sistema fiscal caracterizado por la negociación, el incumplimiento de las tasas oficiales y la protección de los intereses de los distintos actores involucrados. En segundo lugar, se establece quienes eran algunos de los consumidores finales del producto y las condiciones alrededor del comercio y transporte de los textiles. Finalmente, se exponen los tipos de intercambios que involucraron a las mantas de algodón y los valores que estas adquirieron en los mercados locales y regionales. A partir de estos tres ejes temáticos se muestra la activa y relevante presencia de la manufactura textil indígena en el contexto local, provincial e interprovincial, así como el entramado de relaciones políticas, económicas y comerciales que dinamizaron esta actividad productiva durante el periodo abordado.
La Virgen de Chiquinquirá y la religión muisca
Authors: Frassani Alessia
Published: July 2018

El artículo propone un nuevo acercamiento y análisis de la imagen devocional más famosa de Colombia, la Virgen de Chiquinquirá. Se analizan de manera específi ca algunos elementos de la producción material, formal y estilística de la imagen en comparación con fuentes primarias de la época colonial para resaltar la importancia del aporte propiamente muisca a la manufactura de la imagen y su subsecuente prodigio y devoción. Con base en las teorías del perspectivismo se quiere resaltar la agencia de los objetos en la creación decreencias. Se traen a colación elementos propios de la cultura material y religión muiscas —mantas, tunjos y múcuras— para demostrar que desde su creación la imagen de la Virgen deChiquinquirá fue un objeto de devoción muisca.
De niño expósito a pintor de Quito y Popayán
Authors: Jiménez Meneses Orián , Vásquez Pino Daniela
Published: July 2018

Los testamentos y codicilo transcritos y analizados en esta sección pertenecen al pintor Pedro Tello, natural de Quito y vecino de Popayán. Estos documentos fueron escritos a mediados del siglo XVIII y principios del siglo XIX. La particular vida de Pedro Tello permitió rastrearlo entre estas dos ciudades y confirmar que ha sido uno de los tantos artistas de la época colonial que han permanecido en el olvido, tanto de la historiografía ecuatoriana como de la colombiana. A pesar de haber sido “expuesto [abandonado] a las puertas” de Juan Antonio Tello, Pedro tuvo una buena vida gracias a su oficio como pintor, contando con talleres y aprendices en ambas localidades. De esta forma, el artífice adquirió bienes para mantenerse con su esposa María Ventura de los Cobos, comprar una casa en Popayán y dejar legado a su madre Tomasa Rosales. Así, nuestro interés es mostrar la variedad de datos que se consigue al cruzar la información de estos testamentos payaneses con los expediente quiteños. La vida del artista ya no está dividida por los límites nacionales actuales; su trayectoria se va completando a medida que encontramos más documentos que afianzan nuestro conocimiento sobre su itinerario, sus negocios, su caridad y sus conocimientos. Esta información hace parte del rastreo documental realizado por nosotros sobre artistas y artesanos durante los siglos XVII y XVIII en el suroccidente del Nuevo Reino de Granada y la Real Audiencia de Quito.
Abundance and composition of the medium to large-sized mammals in a private area of a REDD+ project in Acre, Brazil
Authors: Botelho André Luis Moura , Borges Luiz Henrique Medeiros , McFarland Brian
Published: July 2018

Abstract: The implementation of private areas focused on conservation of species and habitats, combined with REDD+ policies, has become an important ally for biodiversity conservation, expanding the conservation areas of the most varied habitats, covering key groups such as large mammals, which are extremely important for the maintenance of ecosystem services. In the upper region of the Purus River in Acre, Brazil, an inventory was carried out using camera-traps, of medium and large mammals community in a private REDD+ area, known as the Purus Project. A total of 19 species of mammals were recorded with an effort of 1859 trap-nigths, including rare, endangered and key species. It is estimated that the richness for the area is of 22 species. Endangered and rare species such as the tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis) presented high rates of relative abundance compared to other Conservation Units (UCs). The richness of medium to large-sized mammals recorded in the Purus Project underscores the importance of REDD+ in private areas for the conservation of this group, given the challenges for inclusion and creation of new protected areas. REDD+ projects in privates' areas become an important component for conservation of species and the connection between public conservation units favoring the spread of species and populations between areas, and consequently the gene flow.
A eletrodinâmica quântica de Feynman – tradução de sua palestra Nobel
Authors: Novaes Marcel
Published: July 2018

Resumo Apresentamos uma tradução para o português da palestra ministrada por Richard P. Feynman por ocasião do recebimento do prêmio Nobel de 1965.
Feynman, dissipação e computação quântica
Authors: Caldeira Amir
Published: July 2018

Resumo Neste artigo vamos procurar abordar a influência, direta ou indireta, que R. P. Feynman teve em duas áreas extremamente importantes para o desenvolvimento da física em nossos dias; a dissipação e a computação quântica. Em particular, vamos ainda descrever como estas duas linhas de pesquisa se conectam e nos ensinam como lidar com as limitações de um dos grandes desafios tecnológicos do momento; a construção de um computador quântico universal. Mais uma vez, Feynman aparece como figura central na origem da formulação de métodos e ideias que norteiam inúmeros pesquisadores que atuam nestas áreas do conhecimento.
Feynman e os pólarons
Authors: Studart Nelson
Published: July 2018

Resumo O estudo de quase-partículas formadas pela interação elétron-fônon em cristais iônicos (os pólarons) despertou o interesse de Feynman pela possibilidade de encontrar alguma conexão com a supercondutividade e por proporcionar uma aplicação direta do seu formalismo da eletrodinâmica quântica. Para calcular a energia do estado fundamental do pólarons, Feynman desenvolveu um método variacional que pode ser aplicado em cálculos de integrais de caminho e que o deixou satisfeito. Nesse trabalho, o artigo original de 1955 de Feynman é analisado com inserções de caráter histórico que contribuem para compreender a sua abordagem na solução de problemas.
A invenção dos pártons
Authors: Escobar Carlos Ourivio
Published: July 2018

Resumo A invenção do modelo a pártons foi uma das maiores contribuições de Richard Feynman à moderna física de partículas. O modelo a pártons surge num momento crítico que é caracterizado pela polarização da física de partículas em duas escolas de pensamento, por um lado a assim chamada democracia nuclear que postulava serem todos hádrons igualmente fundamentais e por outro lado a que começava a formar-se ao redor dos recém propostos quarks e sua utilização, num primeiro momento não como constituintes fundamentais dos hádrons mas sim como entidades matemáticas expressando simetrias de uma teoria quântica de campos (TQC) subjacente, embora ainda desconhecida para as interações fortes. O modelo a pártons transforma-se em pouco tempo numa ferramenta fundamental para a construção desta TQC, chamada Cromodinâmica Quântica, ajudando a promover os quarks de entidades matemáticas a constituintes fundamentais dos hádrons.
Cartographies of action research: searching for displacements of the epistemology of the South
Authors: Sousa Lumárya Souza de , Oliveira Thaiane
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this paper is to discuss action research as one of the possibilities for the development of an epistemology of the South, in which scientific knowledge and other ecologies of knowledge can be linked. In this work, we propose a mapping of what has been developed on action research in Brazil, seeking to discuss this dimension of knowledge production from perspectives which seek to break the gap between colonizing and invisibilized science in the geopolitics of scientific knowledge. Thus, our proposal seeks to answer what has been produced on action research in Brazil, who are the actors that are developing this type of research and how it can be understood as belonging to an epistemology of the South.
1989, o ano que não terminou: epistemologia e metodologia da pesquisa em Comunicação e Política no Brasil
Authors: Marques Francisco Paulo Jamil , Miola Edna
Published: July 2018

Este trabalho examina o perfil de parte relevante da produção científica da área de Comunicação e Política no Brasil a fim de elaborar um balanço acerca dos avanços e dos entraves epistemológicos e metodológicos comuns às abordagens investigativas mais recorrentes no país. O argumento está dividido em quatro partes. Na primeira delas, discutem-se problemas de fundo teórico, apontando-se desde a imprecisão na definição dos objetos até certa desatualização conceitual. Em seguida, a proposta se debruça sobre as falhas que caracterizam algumas das opções metodológicas mais empregadas em pesquisas da área. A terceira seção avalia as consequências dos estorvos anteriormente verificados, mencionando-se, por exemplo, a tendência a elaborar generalizações equivocadas sobre os efeitos políticos da mídia. O texto é encerrado com um tópico disposto a endereçar sugestões que podem colaborar na resolução de parte dos problemas aqui tratados.
Epistemology and methodology of urban cultural tourism: the case of the artistic sociology of mobile cultures and tourism communication in urban social networks
Authors: Andrade Pedro de
Published: July 2018

The epistemological, theoretical and methodological debates that aim at scientific credibility, cannot ignore the corresponding application to the social fabric. Conversely, action should always inform reflection. This article rationally demonstrates and sensorialy exhibits the following: one of the sociological genres, Artistic Sociology, transports sociology and its scientific language, from the academia to creative extension activities such as the exhibition of sociological knowledge within urban public space, for example in the case of the art gallery. In the same way, artistic knowledge and language should contaminate sociological discussion through an innovative sensibility. This is possible through the insertion, within a sociological text, not only of images from an art exhibition, presented as ‘Figures’ (1,2 ... n). In addition, the art exhibition itself can be understood as a social and sociological configuration that is an organic part of the very body of the traditional sociological text. Thus, a profound hybridization of knowledge is sought, which can enrich, but also subvert, both sociological debates and art exhibitions. This purpose is accomplished here by several interconnected means: an epistemological approach between Artistic Sociology and Hybridogy; the theoretical problematization of mobile cultures; the empirical field work in the context of urban communication at City 3.0 and tourism communication in the context of Tourism 3.0; and the exhibition ‘New Art Fest’17, as the field for the application of innovative sociological and artistic methodological approaches. A first step was Sociological Exibition on Tourism 3.0 / Cidade 3.0, that demonstrated and showed the urban and travel knowledge, within the space of the art gallery. In a second phase, this knowledge tested through the exhibition audience, is reintroduced in a scientific journal article. Such a double research movement hybridizes and confronts, in both originary and original forms, scientific and artistic knowledge and practice.
Methodological changes and challenges in the measurement of freedom of information. An analysis of the Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House indexes
Authors: Frutos Ruth de , Giannone Diego
Published: July 2018

The article analyses the main methodological challenges of the two most important indicators in measuring freedom of the press around the world. Freedom House (FH) and Reporters Without Borders (RWB) have become references for studies that go beyond freedom of the press and their importance forces us to analyze what the methodological aspects are that determined these methodologies and which are omitted. The results of this study make it possible to determine that the indicators of Reporters Without Borders and Freedom House present serious methodological deficiencies that, although they have tried to correct, continue to be the source of numerous controversies, such as the absence of mechanisms to protect journalists in their measurement instruments.
Da sala à praça: motivação, mediação e Vigotsky para entender o comportamento
Authors: Magalhães Cláudio Márcio
Published: July 2018

A motivação é tema chave para a disciplina de Comportamento do Consumidor nos cursos de Publicidade e Propaganda. Mas sua conceituação é abordada por diversas teorias, por vezes contraditórias. Soma-se a aversão do alunato quanto ao estudo teórico. Esse trabalho propõe uma abordagem que o leve a construir seu próprio entendimento, sem menosprezar os diferentes do seu. Desenvolveu-se uma série de atividades, entre tradicionais e inovadoras, através uma metodologia ativa, que considere o aluno o centro de sua formação. Como referência, o psicólogo e educador Lev Vigotsky. Espera-se que sirva de incentivo para metodologias semelhantes, que unam o ambiente escolar com o espaço público, o interior da sala com o interior do sujeito.
Eiroa, M. & Barranquero, A. (2017) Métodos de investigación en la comunicación y sus medios. Madrid: Editorial Síntesis.
Authors: Gómez Eduardo Francisco Rodríguez
Published: July 2018

A necessidade de analisar o panorama da Comunicação nas sociedades em que estamos imersos resultou na legitimação de um campo interdisciplinar, cada vez mais atraente para muitos profissionais e académicos...
'She has to be Prepared to Improve Herself': Shaping Femininities in Transnational Marriage Agencies in Russia
Authors: Heyse Petra
Published: July 2018

Petra Heyse – Departement Taalkunde (IPrA Research Center), Universiteit Antwerpen, Belgium. Email: petra.heyse@gmail.com

This article draws on a broader research project that scrutinizes online / offline representational practices on transnational matchmaking websites featuring so-called 'Russian brides'. The central research question is: how are recurrent online representations related to gender (in intersection with other identity categories) co-constructed in the daily interactions between matchmaking staff and female clients on the floor of a marriage agency. To these aims, the researcher conducted participant observation in a transnational marriage agency in a Russian city and used linguistic ethnographic methodologies. The analysis for this article concentrates on the routine argumentative strategies that are used by matchmaking personnel to legitimate their intermediating role to Russian-speaking female clients in the case agency on the basis of in-depth interviews with agency staff and female clients. The analysis of discursive positioning in interviews with translators and female clients sheds light on the social order that is discursively created. This order is functional in defining and reproducing the commercial dependencies between matchmaking staff and female clients in a transnational globalized industry. This study demonstrates the way in which: (a) matchmaking personnel in the case study constructs subject positions in discourse – i. e. of transnational matchmaking experts and of female clients – by drawing on commonsensical public discourses of difference that encompass gender, age and nationality, and (b) matchmaking personnel affiliates with its clients by conceiving the matchmaking approach as an increasingly popular genre of self-improvement for Russian-speaking women.
Intrahousehold Power in Russia and the Maternal Capital Law
Authors: Shelkova Natalya
Published: July 2018

Natalya Y. Shelkova – Ph.D., Associate Professor, Economics Department, Guilford College, Greensboro, USA. Email: shelkovany@guilford.edu

It has been documented that the introduction of market economy institutions in Russia has disadvantaged Russian women, weakening their economic position and their power within the family. This paper investigates whether the introduction of the 2007 the Maternal Capital Law, which aims to promote fertility by granting Russian women a non-cash subsidy for having more than one child, affected the intrahousehold balance of power in Russian families. In order to investigate this hypothesis, the paper looks at changes in the ratio of family expenditure on children to spending on alcohol and tobacco before and after passing of the law. Data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS-HSE), 2002 to 2010, is used. The estimated regression models employ the difference-in-difference methodology and are based on Lundberg, Pollack and Wales, who researched a similar policy shift in the UK in 1970s. The results demonstrate that the year 2008 was a critical turning point: starting with 2008 the ratio of family expenditure on children to spending on alcohol and tobacco increased for families with two or more children (the results are statistically significant). After 2007, on average, expenditure on children increased by fifty-nine roubles per every ruble of alcohol and tobacco expenditures (mesearured in 2002 roubles), nearly doubling. The effect in families with a husband not holding a college degree was shown to be larger and more siginifcant than in families with college-educated husbands. It is concluded that the 2007 Law has had a positive impact on the bargaining power of Russian women.
THE DECRIMINALIZATION OF THE ABORTION OF ANENCEPHALIC FETUSES: RELEVANT DISCUSSIONS
Authors: Glatzl Rafael Da Silva
Published: July 2018

After eight years of endless discussions about the decriminalization of the abortion of anencephalic fetus, on April 24, 2012, the claims contained on the Allegation of Disobedience of Fundamental Precepts n. 54/2004 were finally deemed relevant by the Brazilian Supreme Court, and the long-awaited therapeutic discontinuation of such pregnancies was no longer punished under the Brazilian Penal Code. This decision was upheld as a victory of those who believe that the right to life has no absolute character, nor is etiologically superior to other fundamental rights, like the mother’s freedom to reproductive autonomy, and the legalization of these specific cases of abortion is based on an obedience to the constitutional precept known as the Dignity of the Human Person, ideally achieved by allowing an attenuation to the immeasurable physical, moral and psychological suffering experienced by those pregnant women. The present article will analyze the civil, criminal and constitutional questions relevant to the debate, aiming to promote reflections about the pertinence of the Supreme Court’s decision inside a global context in which the valorization of a subset of human rights, especially those that concern women’s reproductive health, is being vigorously understood as of great importance.
URBAN VIOLENCE, PRISON CONDITIONS AND HUMAN DIGNITY
Authors: Barcellos Ana Paula
Published: July 2018

The paper deals with a situation that perhaps represents one of the most radical and profound challenges to the claim that contemporaneous western societies – and Brazilian society in particular – share the values concerning equality and essential or ontological dignity of mankind. It is an attempt to investigate how Brazilian society, immersed in a context of fear as a result of urban violence, deals with its prison population. This paper is divided into three main parts. Part one deals with a situation of fact: traditional, ongoing, generalized, serious and practically institutionalized violation of the fundamental rights of prison inmates in Brazil. This situation of fact easily leads one to conclude that inmates in Brazil are not treated like human beings (and are probably not even considered as human beings). Part two is an attempt to examine some possible explanations of why this situation exists. In part three, the paper tries to suggest that there is a connection between how prisoners are treated and the current level of urban violence in Brazil as a contributing factor. Considering that neither the principle of human dignity nor the actions of the legal system have been able to change the scenario that has built up in recent decades, perhaps it would be useful to suggest that inhumane treatment of inmates is not just a problem restricted to prisons: society as a whole receives the effects of this policy in the form of more violence.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE IN BRAZIL: A MATTER OF PRINCIPLES
Authors: Guedes Marco Aurelio Peri
Published: July 2018

The current study aims to study the challenges related to Environmental Protection Legal System in Brazil. In fact, although Brazilian legislation concerning environmental protection and reasonable use of natural resources is quite satisfactory in theoretical perspective, the greatest hindrances to nation-wide more efficient environmental protection are the lack of environmental culture and government commitment, which results in insufficient human resources and budgetary provisions to enforce the goals established in legislation. The consequences of such diagnosis is that environmental supervision in the Brazilian Republic occurs mostly at local level and sorely needs of nation-wide enforcement and coordination.
El ESTABLECIMIENTO VIRTUAL Y SU CONDICIÓN DE ESTABLECIMIENTO EMPRESARIAL SECUNDARIO (FILIAL)
Authors: Neves Rubia Carneiro , Guimarães Ana Caroline Faria
Published: July 2018

El presente trabajo analizó la posibilidad de admitirse que un sitio electrónico presente la misma naturaleza jurídica de establecimiento empresarial. En el desarrollo del trabajo, se analizó la exigencia de registro en la Junta Comercial o Notaría de Personas Jurídicas, en el Registro Nacional de Personas Juridicas (CNPJ), en la Receta Estadual y en la Receta Municipal, conforme sea el tipo de actividad, como condición para el ejercicio regular de la actividad económica, lo que presupone necesariamente la información de la sede del empresario, de la sociedad empresaria, de la sociedad simple o de la empresa individual de responsabilidad limitada. Y partiendo de esa exigencia, se desarrolló el análisis sobre el sitio electrónico que pueda ser considerado autónomo o tratarse de una mera extensión del establecimiento empresarial. Se realizó un breve abordaje sobre internet, el comercio electrónico y la web, de modo que fue presentada una sintética referencia cuanto a la historia del surgimiento de la internet, a las ventajas y desventajas del comercio electrónico, así como sobre el funcionamiento internet y de los sitios electrónicos. Se discurrió sobre el concepto y la naturaleza jurídica del establecimiento empresarial, presentando una breve exposición sobre los elementos que integran su composición y se analizó acerca de la posibilidad de encuadrar los sitios electrónicos en la concepción de establecimiento empresarial prevista en el art. 1.142, del Código Civil de 2002. El trabajo fue desarrollado utilizándose de la vertiente metodológica jurídico-sociológica, pues, examinó en que medida el cambio de comportamiento ocurrida con la celebración de negocios realizados a través internet viene influenciando en la concepción de establecimiento empresarial. Esa metodología fue escogida, pues se pretendió comprender el fenómeno jurídico de los negocios realizados en el ambiente virtual, admitiendo el Derecho como suscetível de adaptación esos cambios. La dogmática también estuvo presente en el desarrollo del trabajo, pues se analizó y se interpretaron dispositivos legales inherentes a la temática del trabajo. De la misma forma, la vertiente teórico-jurídica fue utilizada en la medida en que el trabajo también se apoyó en la revisión bibliográfica para analizar las teorías que explican la naturaleza jurídica del establecimiento empresarial y del establecimiento virtual.
FORCED TAX COLLECTION PROCEEDINGS IN BRAZIL: AN OVERVIEW OF FEDERAL LAW NO. 6,830
Authors: Dias Bruno Fernandes
Published: July 2018

In Brazil, despite there being specific legislation regulating forced tax collection proceedings, these are still largely influenced by case law of national courts. We are now living in the third decade of Federal Law No. 6,830, promulgated in 1980, which aimed to guarantee greater privileges to the treasury in the course of the debt collection saga. However, the many loopholes and lacunae gaping throughout the text have left all stakeholders – government, taxpayers and judges – somewhat exasperated. Part II of this Paper analyzes the main features of forced tax collection proceedings: registration of the tax liability, presumption of liquidity and certainty; definition of “responsible” persons in terms of the law; collateralization and challenges to the debt; and the tax liability vis-à-vis other debts. A brief look is given to other pieces of procedural legislation related to tax disputes, most importantly the suits for a writ of mandamus; actions for restoration of undue payments, and actions for annulment. Finally, summaries of case law of the Superior Court of Justice are considered. These form an essential part of Brazilian sources of case law, most especially in tax proceedings.
LA LUTTE CONTRE LA CORRUPTION DANS LE SYSTEME INTERAMERICAIN DE PROTECTION DES DROITS DE L’HOMME
Authors: Sarmento George
Published: July 2018

Cet article vise à montrer les stratégies conçues par le Système interaméricain de protection des droits de l´homme en matière de prévention, de détection et des poursuites contre la corruption dans la gestion publique. Pour développer notre réflexion, nous allons présenter les principales approches qu’envisagent expliquer ce phénomène, ainsi que montrer l’articulation entre les principaux organismes supranationaux liées à l’Organisation des Etats Américains pour donner des réponses rationnelles et efficaces à cette forme de criminalité.
EL SISTEMA INTERAMERICANO Y LA PROTEC- CIÓN DE LOS DERECHO HUMANOS DE LAS MUJERES: MONITOREO DE LAS PETICIONES CONTRA BRASIL (2006-15)
Authors: Silva Ianá Priscilla de Oliveira , Marchioni Alessandra
Published: July 2018

Este artículo contextualiza el desarrollo de los derechos humanos de las mujeres en la contemporaneidad, haciendo hincapié del sistema regional de protección y de la Convención Americana de Derechos Humanos/1969. En este contexto, son identificados los derechos específicos relativos a la protección de las mujeres y de los órganos de control administrativo y judicial con competencia para procesar y decidir sobre las demandas propuestas. Este estudio pretende investigar la hipótesis de que el sistema de peticiones individuales o quejas (individual complaints) propuestas junto a la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos es mecanismo de control y mecanismo capaz de reflejar la situación de violación de los derechos contra la mujer en el país y puede funcionar como instrumento alternativo para garantizar los derechos humanos.