bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Exchange-Traded Fund Index Inclusion on Stock Prices
Authors: Duffy John , Friedman Daniel , Rabanal Jean Paul , Rud Olga A.
Published: March 2024

We report a laboratory experiment examining how demand for exchange-traded fund (ETF) index products affects the prices and trading volume of assets. We compare an environment where the ETF index includes all assets against an environment where a redundant asset is excluded from the index. We find that (i) subjects place significant value on the ETF index asset beyond the value of its constituent assets; (ii) there is a substantial index premium for included assets; and (iii) the index premium persists even when short selling is permitted. The price increases of the constituent assets and of the ETF itself suggest that ETF products can distort markets to some degree.

This paper was accepted by David Sraer, finance.

Funding: This work was supported the by International Foundation for Research in Experimental Economics Small Grants Program.

Supplemental Material: Data and the online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.02125 .
Toward Advancing Women’s Health in Least Developed Countries: Evaluating Contraceptive Distribution Models in Senegal
Authors: Karimi Amir , Mishra Anant , Natarajan Karthik V. , Sinha Kingshuk K.
Published: March 2024

Problem definition: Improving access to contraceptives is one of the most effective interventions to prevent unintended pregnancies and save the lives of women in least developed countries (LDCs), where the overwhelming majority of maternal deaths occur. However, access to reproductive health commodities is often limited in LDCs because of frequent stock-outs at last-mile health facilities. In this study, we evaluate and compare the effect of two distribution models on last-mile contraceptive availability and key public health outcomes (e.g., unintended pregnancies, maternal and newborn deaths). These distribution models are (i) the commonly used pull distribution model, in which health facilities are fully responsible for managing inventory, and (ii) an alternative model known as the informed push distribution model, which delegates inventory management tasks to external logistics providers. Methodology/results: We leverage the staggered transition from pull distribution to informed push distribution in Senegal, a country that redesigned its contraceptive distribution system. We conduct empirical analyses, including a triple differences estimation, on novel field data compiled from multiple sources to evaluate the effect of the transition. We find that the transition significantly reduces contraceptive stock-outs, frontline health worker workload, unintended pregnancies, and maternal and newborn mortalities and also improves client satisfaction, especially in health facilities with less mature inventory management practices and less developed road infrastructure. A comprehensive cost–benefit analysis shows that the aforementioned benefits are achieved in a cost-efficient manner at these facilities, making them prime candidates for the transition. However, for facilities with less mature inventory management practices but more developed road infrastructure, upgrading the inventory management system is a substantially more cost-efficient alternative than transitioning to a new distribution model without compromising the benefits. Managerial implications: Given the resource constraints faced by the public health sector in LDCs, it is imperative to understand how the operational and public health benefits of the transition to the informed push model vary based on facility characteristics. Our findings offer actionable insights for resource allocation by identifying health facilities that benefit the most from the transition.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2021.0488 .
Frontiers in Operations: News Event-Driven Forecasting of Commodity Prices
Authors: Chakraborty Sunandan , Jagabathula Srikanth , Subramanian Lakshminarayanan , Venkataraman Ashwin
Published: March 2024

Problem definition: Commodity prices have exhibited significant volatility in recent times, which poses an exogenous risk factor for commodity-processing and commodity-trading firms. Accurate commodity price forecasts can help firms leverage data-driven procurement policies that incorporate the underlying price volatility for financial and operational hedging decisions. However, historical prices alone are insufficient to obtain reasonable forecasts because of the extreme volatility. Methodology/results: Building on the hypothesis that commodity prices are driven by real-world events, we propose a method that automatically extracts events from news articles and combines them with price data using a neural network-based predictive model to forecast prices. In addition to achieving a high prediction accuracy that outperforms several benchmarks (by up to 13%), our proposed model is also interpretable, which allows us to identify meaningful events driving the price fluctuations. We found that the events frequently associated with major fluctuations in the price include “natural,” “hike,” “policy,” and “elections,” all of which are known drivers of price change. We used a corpus containing about 1.6 million news articles of a major Indian newspaper spanning 15 years and daily prices of four crops (onion, potato, rice, and wheat) in India to perform this study. Our proposed approach is flexible and can be used to predict other time series data, such as disease incidence levels or macroeconomic indicators, that are also influenced by real-world events. Managerial implications: Firms can leverage price forecasts from our system to design inventory and procurement policies in the face of uncertain commodity prices. Commodity merchants can also use the forecasts to design optimal storage policies for physical trading of commodities when prices are volatile. Our findings can also significantly impact policymakers, who can leverage the information of impending price changes and associated events to mitigate the negative effects of price shocks.

History: This paper has been accepted in the Manufacturing & Service Operations Management Frontiers in Operations Initiative.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0641 .
Surrogacy in the UK
Authors: Noakes Amy
Published: March 2024

Amy Noakes looks at the surrogacy process in the UK and the legal rights of parents and surrogates
Anaesthesia in exotics part 1: small mammals
Authors: Ayers Hayley
Published: March 2024

Anaesthesia in exotic species is often viewed as high risk and many nurses may be apprehensive to perform it. However, with careful preparation and monitoring techniques, safe anaesthesia of exotics is possible. This article looks at the principles of anaesthesia in small mammal exotics, and aims to instil confidence in the veterinary nurse to be an advocate for their exotic animal patients.
"Now I Die Eternally": Doctor Faustus and the Problem of Scale
Authors: Sarkar Debapriya
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This article turns to Christopher Marlowe's Doctor Faustus to examine how early modern theatricality is constituted by the negotiation of incommensurate scales of being and knowing. Faustus rescales eternal time and cosmic space within the affordances and constraints of theatrical practice. By attending to shifts of scale—between now and eternity, local and universal knowledge, here and elsewhere, microcosm and macrocosm—that serve as engines of Faustus 's formal innovations, this article shows why Elizabethan drama is a vital archive of macrocosmic thinking. Ultimately, this article proposes that scale-attentive scholarship focused on the peculiarities of early modern literature can transform our understanding of relations between literary objects and methods.
Wide-range pH sensor based on a cascaded MZI up-down tapered hetero-core structure
Authors: Hussein Mahmood Sura , Kadhim Al-Hayali Sarah , Al-Janabi Abdulhadi
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we describe the first demonstration of an optical fiber sensor based on two cascaded architectures of the Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) with an up-down-tapered (UDT) hetero-core fiber structure for simultaneous pH measurement at two different spatial locations. The two fiber structures, namely structures I and II, were fabricated by sandwiching a 45 mm and 60 mm long piece of no-core fiber (NCF) between two single-mode fibers (SMFs), respectively. By inserting a down-taper between two adjacent up-tapers in the NCF section using the over-fusion splicing technique, the UDT hetero-core fiber structure was achieved. The down-taper works as an optical attenuator, while the two up-tapers each function as a fiber splitter/combiner. By cascading the two sensor structures I and II, two distinct interference dips were obtained, resulting in dual sensing points (so-called sensing points I and II). According to experimental results, it was shown that the proposed sensing points I and II are pH-sensitive, and exhibit sensitivities of 1.0428 nm/pH and −1.7857nm/pH for simultaneous measurement for each point as the pH ranged from 8 to 14 and from 1 to 7 pH, respectively. The obtained results show that the proposed dual point pH sensor has the potential to be used for the simultaneous detection of pH parameters in any environment and at various places.
Asymmetric frequency multiplexing topological devices based on a floating edge band
Authors: Ma Jiajun , Ouyang Chunmei , Yang Yuting , Wang Dongyang , Li Hongyi , Niu Li , Liu Yi , Xu Quan , Li Yanfeng , Tian Zhen , Han Jiaguang , Zhang Weili
Published: March 2024

Topological photonics provides a platform for robust energy transport regardless of sharp corners and defects. Recently, the frequency multiplexing topological devices have attracted much attention due to the ability to separate optical signals by wavelength and hence the potential application in optical communication systems. Existing frequency multiplexing topological devices are generally based on the slow light effect. However, the resulting static local spatial mode or finely tuned flat band has zero-group velocity, making it difficult for both experimental excitation and channel out-coupling. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an alternative prototype of asymmetric frequency multiplexing devices including a topological rainbow and frequency router based on floating topological edge mode (instead of localized ones); hence the multiple wavelength channels can be collectively excited with a point source and efficiently routed to separate output ports. The channel separation in our design is achieved by gradually tuning the band gap truncation on a topological edge band over a wide range of frequencies. A crucial feature lies in that the topological edge band is detached from bulk states and floating within the upper and lower photonic band gaps. More interestingly, due to the sandwiched morphology of the edge band, the top and bottom band gaps will each truncate into transport channels that support topological propagation towards opposite directions, and the asymmetrical transportation is realized for the frequency multiplexing topological devices.
Climate change belief systems across political groups in the United States
Authors: Lee Sanguk , Goldberg Matthew H. , Rosenthal Seth A. , Maibach Edward W. , Kotcher John E. , Leiserowitz Anthony
Published: March 2024

Beliefs and attitudes form the core of public opinion about climate change. Network analysis can reveal the structural configuration of these beliefs and attitudes. In this research, we utilize a belief system framework to identify key psychological elements, track change in the density of these belief systems over time and across political groups, and analyze the structural heterogeneity of belief systems within and between political groups in the United States. Drawing on fifteen waves of nationally representative survey data from 2010 to 2021 (N = 16,742), our findings indicate that worry about climate change is the most central psychological element. Interestingly, we find that among politically unaffiliated individuals, the connections between psychological elements have strengthened over time, implying an increase in the consistency of belief systems within this group. Despite the political polarization in beliefs about climate change between Republicans and Democrats, our findings reveal that the ways these two groups organize and structure climate change beliefs systems are not markedly different compared to those of other groups. These findings provide theoretical and practical insights for climate change experts and communicators.
The Speech Genre of Commentary as a Way to Realize the Social Needs of Internet Communication Participants (Based the Survey Results).
Authors: Deberdieva Irina
Published: March 2024

The Speech Genre of Commentary as a Way to Realize the Social Needs of Internet Communication Participants (Based the Survey Results). The article studies commenting as a speech activity for creating and reading comments and an effective way to realize the social needs of representatives of a digital society. It reveals the features of comments as a primary network genre existing in the context of network discourse. During the research, a survey of Russian-speaking Internet users was conducted. The following conclusions are made: network users create a digital discourse designed to meet their needs for social interaction on a new emotional and cognitive level, as well as the need for self-expression in the outer world. The specific speech norms of commenting are: sincerity, focus on personal experience; constructiveness; positivity; benevolence; usefulness, relevance; "the right of the speaker". The results of the work can be used as a basis for further research of network discourse, communication on the Internet, in the process of codification of communicative and ethical norms of network communication, as well as in sociological researches of digital society.
VITAMIN B OF FRUIT PULP OF DIFFERENT SEABUCKTHORN (HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES L.) ECOTYPES IN FOREST-STEPPE CONDITIONS OF ALTAI TERRITORY
Authors: Zemtsova Anna Yakovlevna , Zubarev Yuri Anatolyevich , Gunin Alexey Vasilievich
Published: March 2024

Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) berries are extremely valuable raw materials for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The popularity of the crop is mainly determined by significant amount of biologically active components in the fruit pulp, and by presence of unique lipid fraction in particular, that combines complex of essential fatty acids, carotenoids and tocopherols. At the same time important functional role in the fruits of seabuckthorn belongs to water-soluble vitamins, list of which is represented by a wide range of compounds, including B vitamins. The aim of the current research was to investigate the content of vitamins B in the fruits of various ecotypes of seabuckthorn, growing in the collection of the Lisavenko Research Institute of Horticulture for Siberia, in conditions of forest-steppe area of Altai Territory. Determination of these vitamins was carried out by HPLC.

As a result the content of thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), nicotinic acid (B3) and folic acid (B9) was determined. It was shown that the content of investigated components of seabuckthorn fruit pulp changes during fruit ripening. However, direct dynamics has not been established: both increase and decrease of the content were observed, and in some cases fluctuations during ripening were noted. No significant differences within ecotypes were found.
Use of the Guardian Connect glycemic monitoring system in patients after total duodenopancreatectomy in the early postoperative period on intravenous insulin therapy
Authors: Farmanov A. G. , Bublik E. V. , Vinogradskaya O. I. , Udovichenko O. V. , Zilov A. V. , Deunezheva S. M. , Ryzhkova E. G. , Egorov V. I. , Fadeev V. V. , Zhivov A. V. , Tobianskaya I. E.
Published: March 2024

BACKGROUND: Among different subtypes of pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus the biggest difficulties of glycemic control arise in patients after total duodenopancreatectomy (TDPE), first of all due to the presence of absolute insulin insufficiency.

AIM: Estimating safety and cost-effectiveness Guardian Connect CGM system in early postoperative period in hospitalized patients after TDPE on continuous intravenous insulin therapy (CIVIT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glucose measurement results of 26 patients in early postoperative period after TDPE were analyzed. In 12 of them, we used Guardian Connect CGM system. In this group 43 cycles (1 cycle — 6 days, 258 days total) of CGM and 971 glucometer measurements used for CGM calibration were analyzed; in other 14 patients in whom only glucometer was used we analyzed 2496 glycemic values.

Cost-effectiveness was calculated over 6 days for CGM and only glucometer use (including cost of CGM, glucometers, disposable materials, clinic wage-costs to medical staff for time required for glucose control).

RESULTS: Glucose levels of group #1 were in the target range 5.6 to 10.0 mmol/L (66.7 vs 61.2%, p=0.003) and the range 4.3–11.6 mmol/L (85.2% vs 82.2%, p=0.038) more than in comparison with group #2.

The frequency of hypoglycemic episodes (<3.9 mmol/L) was statistically significantly lower in the CGM group (6 vs 54, p<0.001, RO 8.463 [3.579; 20.015], RR 1.746 [1.551; 1.966]).

Cost analysis of glucose control using Guardian Connect CGM system for one cycle (6 days) and cost of glucose control using glucose meter for the same period showed that using Guardian Connect CGM system in patients after TDPE on intravenous insulin therapy reduced clinic costs by 21.7% in ICU and by 25.7% in the hospital department.

CONCLUSION: Guardian Connect CGM have demonstrated its safety and cost-effectiveness during glucose control in patients in early postoperative period after TDPE on CIVIT.
Grenzüberschreitende Zentrale Orte im bayerisch-tschechischen Grenzgebiet – ein Lückenschluss für die Daseinsvorsorge?
Authors: Bloßfeldt Stefan
Published: March 2024

Creating equal living conditions in rural border regions poses a particular challenge for policy-makers and planners. In addition to demographic factors, national borders negatively affect the sustainability of services of general interest. However, overcoming border-related barriers also holds potential to compensate for gaps in service provision. It is therefore noteworthy that Bavarian federal state planning has designated so-called cross-border central places (GRZO) since 1994. Since the instrument is not legally binding abroad, its effectiveness appears to be limited. Moreover, it is unclear to what extent cross-border public services on the basis of cross-border central places are perceived as a potential by the population concerned. In order to discuss this, guided interviews were conducted with citizens in affected Bavarian municipalities on the Czech border and complemented by expert interviews. On the one hand, the results indicate a limited perception of cross-border public services as a relevant potential. On the other hand, they point to some concrete expectations of the cross-border central places designation that have not yet been fulfilled and at times reinforce a latent feeling of being left behind.
How to understand the principle of non-splitting of shares in Polish and German company law - a tale of historical equivalence and comparative importance
Authors: Szczepańska Katarzyna
Published: March 2024

The article examines the understanding of the principle of non-split-ting, showcasing the historical and comparative equivalence of the German and Polish legal systems. It concerns the non-splitting of shares in Polish and German law, as applied to the limited liability company and the non-public joint-stock company. It is aimed at conceptualizing in a comparative manner the theoretical model of non-splitting, and encompasses discussions about its nature, content, and normative bases for its binding force. Under Polish law two different understandings of the principle of non-splitting of shares are distinguished: the principle of non-splitting in the strict sense, and the principle of non-splitting in the broad sense. It is argued that German law uses the concept of prohibition of splitting, while in the Polish legal system this concept has been further developed and is to be perceived as a principle of non-splitting of shares that is to be classified as general principle of company law.
Notes on the inherent powers of international organizations
Authors: Gadkowski Andrzej
Published: March 2024

The aim of this article is to present the main aspects of the concept of the inherent powers of international organizations. This is a topic of importance, yet it is often overlooked in the existing literature, which predominantly delves into attributed powers and implied powers of international organizations. The author discusses the essence of Finn Seyersted’s concept of inherent powers and the doctrinal assessment of this concept. The author also presents the assessment of the concept of inherent powers made by legal scholars – their nuanced interpretations and acceptance – shedding light on the varying viewpoints on this concept.
Modulation of potassium channels by transmembrane auxiliary subunits via voltage‐sensing domains
Authors: Nakajo Koichi , Kasuya Go
Published: March 2024

Voltage‐gated K+ (KV) and Ca2+‐activated K+ (KCa) channels are essential proteins for membrane repolarization in excitable cells. They also play important physiological roles in non‐excitable cells. Their diverse physiological functions are in part the result of their auxiliary subunits. Auxiliary subunits can alter the expression level, voltage dependence, activation/deactivation kinetics, and inactivation properties of the bound channel. KV and KCa channels are activated by membrane depolarization through the voltage‐sensing domain (VSD), so modulation of KV and KCa channels through the VSD is reasonable. Recent cryo‐EM structures of the KV or KCa channel complex with auxiliary subunits are shedding light on how these subunits bind to and modulate the VSD. In this review, we will discuss four examples of auxiliary subunits that bind directly to the VSD of KV or KCa channels: KCNQ1–KCNE3, Kv4‐DPP6, Slo1‐β4, and Slo1‐γ1. Interestingly, their binding sites are all different. We also present some examples of how functionally critical binding sites can be determined by introducing mutations. These structure‐guided approaches would be effective in understanding how VSD‐bound auxiliary subunits modulate ion channels.
Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of a pH-responsive molecular imprinted polymer for Matrine as an intelligent drug delivery system
Authors: Ge Yanhui , Ding Liuyang , Liu Yubo , Li Xiong
Published: March 2024

To address the undesirable reactions associated with matrine (MAT) injection in clinical settings, a high-loading drug delivery system (DDS) based on pH-sensitive molecularly imprinted polymer (MAT@MIPs) was prepared for the first time. The imprinted materials containing recognition sites for the matrine were formed by using carboxyl-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as a supportive matrix and dopamine as a cross-linker due to its exceptional biocompatibility. Subsequently, the optimal reaction conditions and adsorption performance of MAT@MIPs were systematically investigated. The obtained polymers were characterized and evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis. Results indicated that the MIPs demonstrated a favorable imprinting factor (2.36) and a high binding capacity (21.48 mg·g−1) for matrine. In vitro studies, we performed cell counting kit-8 assays in HepG2 cells, then the drug delivery capabilities of MAT-loaded MIPs were validated through light microscopy analyses, and the matrine content in culture medium was quantified using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrum synchronously. The facile fabrication of MAT@MIPs presents a viable solution for designing high-loading and pH-responsive DDS, which can offer a novel administration approach for drugs requiring injection in clinical applications.
Learning academic vocabulary through reading online news
Authors: Dang Thi Ngoc Yen , Lu Cailing
Published: March 2024

Although corpus-driven studies have suggested that non-academic texts such as online news can be a potential resource for learning specialized words and multiword sequences, no intervention studies have been conducted to examine whether learning actually happens from exposure to these texts. Adopting a quasi-experimental design, the present research investigated the potential of online news for incidentally learning academic words and multiword sequences. Fifty-three university students in China were divided into an experimental group (n = 28) or a control group (n = 25). Students in the experimental group read six pieces of online news containing 16 academic words and 26 academic multiword sequences. Students in the control group were not exposed to such online news. This study showed that reading online news resulted in learning gains of both academic single words and multiword sequences. Frequency of occurrence significantly contributed to the learning outcomes of academic words, but not multiword sequences. Learners’ previous vocabulary knowledge did not play a significant role in explaining the learning gains of academic single words nor multiword sequences.
A Q methodological study into pre-service Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) teachers’ mindsets about teaching competencies
Authors: Yuan Chengwen , Zhu Yong , Slaughter Yvette
Published: March 2024

A teacher’s mindset significantly affects their engagement, development, teaching quality, and well-being. This is crucial for pre-service teachers acquiring competencies for effective teaching. While research often focuses on English language teaching in Western contexts, little explores non-Western language teaching mindsets. Given the intersections of associated social, cultural, and linguistic variables with mindset, this study investigates Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) pre-service teachers’ mindsets on teaching competencies. The study utilized Q methodology, which is a philosophical and conceptual framework for examining subjectivity, and post-sort questionnaires with 39 pre-service teachers in China. The research findings provide important insights into the diverse and contradictory mindsets of pre-service CFL teachers, and the ideologies influencing beliefs as to what constitutes effective language teaching in the Chinese socio-cultural and socio-political context, providing insights into how teacher training programs need to be tailored to challenge and extend the complex mindsets held by pre-service language teachers.
Hybrid effect on tensile, flexural, and quasi-static punch shear behavior of jute/ramie and jute/flax reinforced hybrid composites
Authors: Keleş Özlem , Bati Serkan , Çelik Yahya Hışman
Published: March 2024

The high specific properties and environmental durability of synthetic fibers make them a popular choice for reinforcing lightweight composites. Unfortunately, they are often limited by their poor biodegradability and high cost. Nevertheless, natural fibers are critical in industrial applications due to their environmental and economic benefits. This study investigated the tensile and flexural behavior of natural hybrid jute/ramie and jute/flax composites with different stacking sequences. A quasi-static punch shear test was also performed to understand their deformation behavior. Jute, ramie, and flax composites have also been fabricated for comparison. Tensile and flexural tests showed a positive hybrid effect in some samples, whereas flax–jute hybrid composites in two different stacking sequences exhibited a synergistic effect. While a maximum improvement of 37.99 % was achieved in the tensile test, this rate was 64.81 % in the flexural test with these hybrid composites. According to punch shear experiments, punch geometry and stacking sequence considerably impact punch shear strength, energy absorption capacity, and deformation.
Effect of the heat treatment on the microstructure of carbide tool electrodes for electrical discharge drilling
Authors: Camin B. , Dinh C. , Streckenbach J. , Gille M. , Uhlmann E.
Published: March 2024

Carbide tool electrodes for electrical discharge drilling were subjected to heat treatment at various temperatures and in different atmospheres for the same duration, respectively, in order to reduce the electrical conductivity of the lateral surface. Hardness tests show that the heat treatment does not induce a loss of strength in the electrode body. Microscopic analyses revealed that the lateral surface, characterized by a two-layer structure comprising a surface and a diffusion layer of varying characteristics and morphology, such as surface roughness, degree of coverage, delaminations, or a columnar microstructure, changes. It is revealed that the electrical conductivity is a function of the total layer thickness made up of the thickness of the surface layer and a diffusion layer. The electrical conductivity drops with increasing total layer thickness. In the context of electric discharge drilling tests, it was found that the reduced electrical conductivity leads to a decreased material removal rate and a simultaneously reduced linear electrode wear. Heat treatments ensuring consistent erosion times resulted in a wear rate reduction of the tool electrodes of up to 10 %.
Integrating land and food policy to transform territorial food systems in the context of coexisting agri-food models: Case studies in France
Authors: Liu Tianzhu , Melot Romain , Wallet Frédéric
Published: March 2024

Making the shift from global to territorial food systems is critical for sustainability and demands transformative, coherent, and integrated land and food policies. However, how policy integration may be achieved or hindered remains unclear, particularly in the case of coexisting agri-food models. The coexistence of conflicting models, such as specialization versus diversification and agro-industrial versus ecological practices, entails power relations that significantly influence the political agenda. Drawing on semi-structured interviews and document analysis, we focus on land-use planning and local food policies to examine how policy integration is shaped by, and reshapes, power relations in the context of coexisting agri-food models in a sample of case studies in France. Our findings show that policy integration occurs with innovative initiatives at the stage where territorial agriculture is assessed, strategies are determined, and policy instruments designed. Integration is, however, constrained by unbalanced power relations, which restrict land-based policy interventions that seek to transform food systems. Local authorities exercise caution when applying these interventions, seeking to involve major farmers’ organizations while mitigating contentions. The policy integration process reshapes power relations, empowering alternative minority agri-food professionals through greater influence in the political arena. This process also helps local authorities to acquire legitimacy in agri-food matters. As one of the first studies to offer empirical evidence about land and food policy integration, this article provides insights for policymaking in terms of the crafting of enabling institutional contexts for the transformation of territorial food systems. Future research is suggested to explore contextual influences and power dynamics in policy implementation.
The evolution of agroecology in Mexico, 1920–2023
Authors: Toledo Víctor M. , Argueta Quetzal
Published: March 2024

During the last 2 decades, several studies have analyzed the theoretical and practical development of agroecology in different countries. In each country, the transition has followed different paths and paces. Using a detailed review of myriad sources, this article describes the evolution of agroecology in Mexico from 1920 to date. Our analysis was based on a set of indicators such as research teams, courses and degrees, publications, conferences, professional associations and unions, policies and laws, agricultural production, as well as social movements and resistances. We identified 5 main stages: a precursor stage (1920–1960), a foundational stage (1960–1980), an institutionalization stage (1980–2000), a deployment stage (2000–2018), and a scaling-up stage (2018–to date). The article discusses the importance of the role played by the current government in deploying and multiplying agroecological practices throughout the country. Given a history of over 7,000 years of agricultural practices, and a persistent tradition of small-scale farmer resistance movements that reached a peak during the agrarian revolution (1910–1917), in addition to the participation of small-scale producers in agroecologically oriented programs promoted by the current administration, the search for sustainable food systems in Mexico seems promising.
Alianzas para el Aprendizaje: una metodología para el desarrollo de proyectos
Authors: Corrales Marín Silvia Milena , Bolaños Portilla Isabel Cristina , Restrepo Tarquino Inés
Published: March 2024

Learning Alliances (AA) have been defined as a group of people who share a problem and their desire to solve it causes common objectives and spaces for exchange between actors to be formed. Within the framework of the projects “Strategies for the recovery and integrated management of water resources in the Cauca and Dagua watershed in the Valle del Cauca” (2016 and 2018) and the project “Implementation of strategies for the recovery and integrated management of the resource water in watershed of the Valle del Cauca” (2022 and 2023), both developed by the Universidad del Valle as the main executor and financed by the- Sistema General de Regalías-, the Learning Alliances were formed with institutions and communities in the region, which had the objective discuss a variety of topics of interest around integrated water management, with a focus on pollution control. To achieve this, periodic meetings and field visits were carried out in which the members of the AA participated. Among the main results was a massive interest of the participants in the topic of the call, an active participation of all members, the need to have an articulating actor for these spaces, the collaboration networks formed, and the exchange of knowledge between participants in order to share experiences and knowledge to generate common goals and objectives for the purposes of restoration and decontamination of water resources.
Estrategias metodológicas impactando el desarrollo de la lectoescritura en estudiantes del grado primero
Authors: Jaramillo Valencia Bairon , Calle López Astrid Elena , Palacio Agudelo Diana Luz , Durango Cardona Leidy Yuliana , Rodríguez Henao Emilsen Lorena
Published: March 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze, identify and describe the methodological strategies implemented in the classroom to improve the learning processes of literacy in first grade students from the Educational Institution Mano Amiga - Bello. Methods: The methodology used is based on a qualitative paradigm through a hermeneutical approach, and the data collection techniques implemented were: a test, a non-participant observation and a participant observation. Results: It was possible to analyze that all different methodological strategies show different phases in which the students find themselves how their development is, what skills and previous knowledge they have and the ways in which they have been able to appropriate this knowledge through strategies and teaching experiences. Conclusions: This process allows to confirm that these strategies have a significant effect to promote learning time to the rhythms and needs of schoolchildren.
Construcción de redes temáticas de los estándares de excelencia para la acreditación de la educación en México
Authors: García-Rillo Arturo
Published: March 2024

Background: The reference frameworks of the agencies in charge of accrediting medical education have differences in their methodological approaches for their construction; For this reason, the study was carried out with the objective of identifying the latent thematic networks in the standards of excellence of the 2018 self-assessment instrument used by the Mexican Council for the Accreditation of Medical Education in the evaluation process of the educational programs of the medical schools. Methods: A qualitative, interpretive, inductive and documentary study was carried out in four stages. For the analysis of 40 standards, text mining, content analysis and construction of thematic networks were used. Results: 6 categories were identified that concentrate 159 key terms that were represented in 9 thematic networks with the following central key terms: ethical principles, research in medical education, curriculum, learning process, professional examination, feedback, students, ICT, and institutional effectiveness, constituting the drivers of standards of excellence. Conclusions: the agglomeration pattern of the thematic networks structures the standards in a pattern represented by the ethical principles-professional examination bisector.
Flujo digital en ortodoncia, ¿estamos preparados?
Authors: Paredes Ney
Published: March 2024

Recently, intraoral scanners and 3D printers have revolutionized many aspects of general dentistry, including orthodontics. Some examples of this progress have been the possibility of immediate printing of digital intraoral records, the pre-visualization of treatment objectives, the preparation of indirect bonding guides for braces, the development of aligner systems through companies and the possibility of in-office manufacture and, the adaptation and design of orthodontic appliances with resin and metal alloy direct printing. The objective of this scientific note is to describe some advances of the digital flow in orthodontics.
Andamiaje y reflexividad docente para la equidad en matemáticas universitarias de primer año
Authors: Cifuentes María Beatriz
Published: March 2024

Buscando ampliar el abordaje predominante en Chile en estudios sobre equidad universitaria, que ha considerado principalmente el análisis de políticas y las percepciones de los/as estudiantes, este estudio propone una mirada a un dispositivo de nivelación de matemáticas unversitaria de primer año desde la perspectiva de las prácticas docentes en aula, caracterizadas como andamiaje pedagógico y del proceso de reflexividad docente que es su correlato. Estudio de caso de enfoque cualitativo y basado en la codificación de videos de clase y entrevistas a los docentes. La investigación se desarrolla en el marco del acompañamiento de la asesora pedagógica quien es investigadora y autora del estudio. Los resultados muestran que: La práctica docente en aula puede ser caracterizada como andamiaje, observándose 3 tipos de intervención que se distinguen por el nivel de intensidad de la mediación. El proceso de reflexividad docente se traduce en toma de decisiones que ajustan el abordaje didáctico de los contenidos para facilitar el aprendizaje. En suma, asumir la perspectiva equitativa enmarca la práctica y la reflexión de los docentes en torno a ella.
Cognitive Interview Evaluation of Questions on Occupational Safety and Health for the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) NIOSH Youth
Authors: Wilmot Amanda
Published: March 2024

This report summarizes findings from an evaluation of survey questions on occupational safety and health, intended for possible inclusion in the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
Checks and balances w procedurze budżetowej w Polsce
Authors:   Uniwersytet Wrocławski, Pest Przemysław
Published: March 2024

The article presents the checks and balances in the budget procedure in Poland. In the first place, the article explains the term checks and balances. Next the article discusses the constitutional regulation of the budget procedure and the public authorities that participate in this procedure. These considerations allow to distinguish “budget checks and balances” and describe them from the point of view of the relationship between the public authorities participating in the budget procedure. The article also presents the legal nature of the state budget and the legal norms contained therein, the differences between the state budget and the Budget Act and the issue of the draft budget versus the principle of discontinuation of works of the parliament.
System polityki historycznej w Polsce między konstytucyjną powinnością a instrumentalizacją prawa
Authors:   Uniwersytet SWPS, Cyuńczyk Filip , Wawrzyński Patryk ,   Uniwersytet Szczeciński
Published: March 2024

The paper analyzes relations between the law and the system of politics of memory in Poland, integrating legal and political research. The main objective is a discussion of co-dependencies between the law – including the constitutional law – and the government’s involvement in the politics of memory. The paper summarizes the legal status, the remembrance system’s formal framework and political decisions executing the constitutional obligation of commemorating the past. Considering the complexity of the remembrance policy system in Poland, its foundation in the legal system, and the dynamics of policymaking, the Authors present that the seeming servitude of law to politics is an apparent complex interdependence based on the constitutional bases of memory politics.
Negative population trend of the Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus in an important wetland in southeastern Norway
Authors: Sæther Thomas , Starholm Trude , Hobøl Erling
Published: March 2024

Cover photo: Singing Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus at Årnestangen, Nordre Øyeren nature reserve. Photo: Øyvind Hagen.
The Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus is considered the most common of the five species of Emberiza buntings breeding in Norway and is currently listed as a species of Least Concern. However, a complete census of territorial male Reed Buntings conducted in the Nordre Øyeren nature reserve in 2019 showed a decline in the local breeding population of 67% compared to the last counts completed 40 years ago. Censuses were conducted in 1976 and 1981 in the same area and with the same methods. Analyses of citizen science data from the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre also show a similar decreasing trend (-66%) for the Reed Bunting breeding population in Nordre Øyeren from 1976 to 2019. Moreover, image analyses of the census maps show that that the number and density of Reed Bunting territories have decreased locally and probably has done so since early 1980s. Interestingly, a subset of localities within the survey area still have the same territory densities as the 1976 and 1981 censuses. We suggest that changes in habitat, vegetation and farming practice, especially grazing, could be the underlying cause of variation in bird numbers. Our results indicate a negative population trend for the Reed Bunting locally, a tendency that is also observed regionally in the Nordic countries. Taken together, local and regional declines raise concerns about the conservation status of the Reed Bunting in Norway.
Investigation of consciousness levels of Çanakkale farmers on environmental and toxicological risks of pesticides
Authors: Taşkır Umut , Tiryaki Osman
Published: March 2024

Pesticides are increasingly being used against pests in agricultural fields. However, unconscious use of pesticides results in health risks for humans and the environment. Efforts should therefore be spent to reduce the negative impacts of pesticides. The objective of this study was to measure farmers’ awareness of pesticide use in the agricultural fields of Çanakkale. The sample size was calculated using the “Simple Random Sampling Based on Means” method. The present survey was conducted with 270 farmers. Of the farmers who participated, 25.55% had 31-40 years of farming experience, 47.78% were primary school graduates, and 35.56% were 55-65 years old. Farmers’ knowledge of pesticide use was assessed through Likert scale. Chi-Square test was used to investigate the relationship of farmers’ knowledge level with education, age, farming experience, land size and farming type. Only education was significant. As the education level increased, the knowledge level increased. In terms of farmers’ attitudes, 78.89% of the farmers indicated that they changed their clothes after spraying, 46.67% cared about the information on pesticide labels, 45.18% used protective equipment during spraying, 69.63% cared about PHI (pre-harvest intervals), and 15.92% had knowledge about MRL (Maximum Residue Limit). 41.85% disposed of remaining pesticide solutions to the edge of agricultural fields, 40.74% to garbage and 6.3% to environment. It was concluded based on the present findings that farmers need serious training on pesticide use and the potential effects of pesticides on human health and the environment.
Evaluation of propylene oxide fumigation against Ephestia cautella (Walker, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in dried figs and hazelnuts
Authors: Küçüktopcu Yeter , Işıkber Ali Arda
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate the potential use of propylene oxide (PPO) for rapid control of the fig moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker, 1863) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). To this end, the biological efficacy of PPO (10 µl/l) against all biological stages of the fig moth was evaluated for a short exposure period (4 hours) under three different conditions: PPO alone (normal pressure), PPO+vacuum (100 mm Hg low pressure), and PPO+CO2 (92% CO2 concentration) in the absence and presence of dried figs and hazelnuts. In the absence of commodities, the biological tests showed 100% mortality rates in all biological stages of E. cautella, except for the pupa stage, when using the PPO+vacuum treatment. However, the PPO alone and PPO+CO2 treatments did not achieve a 100% mortality rate for the biological stages of E. cautella. Conversely, in the presence of dried figs, the mortality rates for all biological stages of E. cautella ranged from 19.7% to 100% in the PPO+vacuum and PPO+CO2 treatments. As for the shelled hazelnuts, all PPO treatments resulted in low mortality rates ranging from 0.7% to 10.6% with PPO+vacuum and PPO+CO2 treatments. In conclusion, the study suggests that the PPO+vacuum treatment can have a viable potential for rapid insect control, particularly in dried figs, making it suitable for quarantine applications.