bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building transformative capability through civil service reform
Authors: Thomas Peter
Published: January 2021

This article explores the importance of capability building to the success of public service reforms. It draws on the neglected literature on capability to explore how capability is a product (or not) of the interaction between the skills, experience and methods of an individual – and the culture, structures, processes of the organisation they work in. The analysis identifies four key features of successful capability-building reforms in the UK, which are also found in the early successes of the Goal Programme for Public Service Reform and Innovation: an iterative and permissive approach to project identification and scoping; projects on high-priority, cross-cutting outcomes that demand new ways of working; projects that are connected with conducive elements of the organisational and leadership context; projects that are designed to create or adapt ‘enabling routines’ which civil servants ‘learn by doing’. Such reforms have acted as capability factories. And as the early adopters of new routines rise through the organisation and take on new roles, they become advocates and teachers of the routines and practice they have acquired. This is how organisations learn and build the capability they need to succeed.
The reform of human resource management in the Irish public service
Authors: Roche William K. , O’Riordan Joanna
Published: January 2021

This paper reviews human resource management (HRM) reforms in the Irish public service over the past twenty-five years. The narrative is based around five HRM themes which have been the main focus of public service reform efforts: performance management, public service careers, leadership, strategic HRM and employment relations. The paper examines all available independent empirical research as well as internal and external reviews commissioned by the public service. The paper contributes to the empirical literature on HRM in the public service and in Ireland, and locates the pattern of HRM reform in the public service in Ireland in comparative context. The paper concludes by noting that while progress has been made, further energy is required in respect of HRM reform.
The replication method to analyze roughness of shaft, tool, and grinding wheel microgeometry
Authors: Szawara Paulina , Ostrowski Robert
Published: January 2021

This article presents the possibility of using the replication method to measure selected parameters of the surface geometry. The results of the tests obtained while measuring the replica and surface of the tested object are presented. The obtained results indicate the suitability of using RepliSet F5 to measure the roughness parameters (Ra and Rz), microgeometry tool, and grinding wheel. It has been proven that the replication method using the RepliSet F5 is suitable for chosen parameters of roughness and tool microgeometry measurements. However, it is not suitable for measuring the porosity of a grinding wheel.
Effect of grain size on the physicomechanical properties
Authors: Ossia C. V. , Big-Alabo A. , Ekpruke E. O.
Published: January 2021

In this study, locally available waste coconut (Cocos nucifera) shells (CSs) were investigated as possible replacement for asbestos-based brake pads. The CS-based brake pad was tested for its physicomechanical properties and compared with a commercial brake pad used as control sample. The results showed that (a) an improved interfacial bonding between the CS particles and the binder as the grain size decreases; (b) the 90 μm grain size sample had better physicomechanical properties than the control sample in all tests except the thermal conductivity and stability tests; and (c) the hardness, compressive strength, and density of the CS-based brake pad decreased with increasing grain size, whereas the absorption properties increased with increasing grain size. The study showed that further reduction of the grain size below 90 μm and matrix impregnation with metals of good thermal conductivity could provide significant improvements to properties of the CS-based brake pad.
Determination of contact pattern for double enveloping worm gear
Authors: Polowniak Piotr , Sobolak Mariusz , Marciniec Adam
Published: January 2021

The paper presents the method of determining geometric contact pattern by using the direct computer-aided design (CAD) method for ideal globoid worm gear in which mounting deviations are considered. The tooth contact analysis was performed for all cycle of worm rotation. Based on the results of temporary contact pattern, graphical characteristics of the contact area size depending on worm position were made. A complete analysis of the correctness of gear meshing can be obtained based on presented method. If the worm or worm wheel is incorrectly designed in terms of the geometry, the meshing simulation of CAD models can indicate the collision. Geometric contact pattern analyses were made at two pressure angles of ideal gear. The analysis of the influence of mounting deviations was done against one selected pressure angle and one gear position.
Perspectives of National Coordinators for Animal Genetic Resources on the European Regional Focal Point: Survey Results
Authors: Martyniuk Elzbieta , Matlova Vera , Sæther Nina , Bojkovski Danijela , Puzin Lorraine , Polak Grazyna , Hiemstra Sipke Joost , Berger Beate , Bormann Jeanne , Stålhammar Eva-Marie , Stojanović Srdjan , Tomka Jan
Published: January 2021

The European Regional Focal Point for Animal Genetic Resources (ERFP), is the European regional platform of National Coordinators (NCs) supporting management of animal genetic resources (AnGR). To assess the performance of the ERFP platform/network and consider options for its further development, a survey was performed among NCs. Twenty-five NCs responded to the survey on the roles, values and future of the platform. The paper provides an analysis of the results of the survey, including a ERFP SWOT analysis. NCs indicated high value of the support of the ERFP in fulfilling their functions at the national level. They highlighted the well-established network and facilitated communication and collaboration among NCs and other AnGR experts in Europe. The NCs appreciated the efficient organizational structure of the ERFP (Working Groups, Task Forces, Ad hoc Actions), and the well-functioning Secretariat. Indicated weak points included discontinuity of NC positions in some countries, and low levels of activities in some countries. NCs saw new opportunities for ERFP development in the context of the EU policy and regulatory framework related to AnGR management, and in strengthening the role of the Secretariat. No immediate threats were identified, however potential future threats included insufficient financing and lack of continuity. The NCs highly appreciated the substantial progress achieved by the ERFP over the last 20 years.
On the metric dimension of a total graph of non-zero annihilating ideals
Authors: Abachi Nazi , Sahebi Shervin
Published: January 2021

Let R be a commutative ring with identity which is not an integral domain. An ideal I of a ring R is called an annihilating ideal if there exists r ∈ R − {0} such that Ir = (0). Visweswaran and H. D. Patel associated a graph with the set of all non-zero annihilating ideals of R, denoted by Ω(R) as the graph with the vertex-set A(R)*, the set of all non-zero annihilating ideals of R and two distinct vertices I, J are joined if and only if I +J is also an annihilating ideal of R. In this paper, we study the metric dimension of Ω(R) and provide metric dimension formulas for Ω(R).
Edge metric dimension of some classes of circulant graphs
Authors: Ahsan Muhammad , Zahid Zohaib , Zafar Sohail
Published: January 2021

Let G = (V (G), E(G)) be a connected graph and x, y ∈ V (G), d(x, y) = min{ length of x − y path } and for e ∈ E(G), d(x, e) = min{d(x, a), d(x, b)}, where e = ab. A vertex x distinguishes two edges e
1 and e
2, if d(e
1, x) ≠ d(e
2, x). Let WE
= {w
1, w
2, . . ., wk
} be an ordered set in V (G) and let e ∈ E(G). The representation r(e | WE
) of e with respect to WE
is the k-tuple (d(e, w
1), d(e, w
2), . . ., d(e, wk
)). If distinct edges of G have distinct representation with respect to WE
, then WE
is called an edge metric generator for G. An edge metric generator of minimum cardinality is an edge metric basis for G, and its cardinality is called edge metric dimension of G, denoted by edim(G). The circulant graph Cn
(1, m) has vertex set {v
1, v
2, . . ., vn
} and edge set {vivi

+1 : 1 ≤ i ≤ n−1}∪{vnv
1}∪{vivi+m
: 1 ≤ i ≤ n−m}∪{vn−m+ivi
: 1 ≤ i ≤ m}. In this paper, it is shown that the edge metric dimension of circulant graphs Cn
(1, 2) and Cn
(1, 3) is constant.
Matrix Manipulations for Properties of Pell p-Numbers and their Generalizations
Authors: Erdağ Özgür , Deveci Ömür , Shannon Anthony G.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we define the Pell-Pell p-sequence and then we discuss the connection of the Pell-Pell p-sequence with Pell and Pell p-sequences. Also, we provide a new Binet formula and a new combinatorial representation of the Pell-Pell p-numbers by the aid of the nth power of the generating matrix the Pell-Pell p-sequence. Furthermore, we obtain an exponential representation of the Pell-Pell p-numbers and we develop relationships between the Pell-Pell p-numbers and their permanent, determinant and sums of certain matrices.
δss
-supplemented modules and rings
Authors: Türkmen Burcu Nişancı , Türkmen Ergül
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we introduce the concept of δss
-supplemented modules and provide the various properties of these modules. In particular, we prove that a ring R is δss
-supplemented as a left module if and only if

R

S
o
c

(

R

R

)

{R \over {Soc\left( {_RR} \right)}}

is semisimple and idempotents lift to Soc(
RR) if and only if every left R-module is δss
-supplemented. We define projective δss
-covers and prove the rings with the property that every (simple) module has a projective δss
-cover are δss
-supplemented. We also study on δss
-supplement submodules.
Fabrication and Characterization of Fibrous Polycaprolactone Blended with Natural Green Tea Extracts Using Dual Solvent Systems
Authors: Mohd Rashid Ainatul Aqilah Binti , Jaganathan Saravana Kumar , Mohd Khudzari Ahmad Zahran , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi
Published: January 2021

Nanofibrous dressings serve as an impeccable candidate in the management of wounds. Nanofibrous composites composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and green tea using dual solvent systems at different ratios were fabricated through electrospinning. Pure PCL electrospun fibers along with composites were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wettability, water uptake analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM indicated that fibrous morphology and the diameter of PCL/green tea were smaller for chloroform/dimethylformamide (DMF) (601 nm) and acetone/DMF (896 nm) than the pure PCL (673 nm and 1,104 nm for chloroform/DMF and acetone/DMF, respectively). Wettability of the fabricated composites was increased, and pure PCL fibers were slightly more hydrophobic (100°) than PCL/green tea (94°). Water uptake of the composites was enhanced compared with PCL significantly in acetone/DMF. The PCL/green tea nanofibrous wound dressing with enhanced physicochemical properties serves as an indispensable candidate for wound healing applications.
Defining the effective deformation of the vertebral column
Authors: Daghighi Abtin , Tropp Hans
Published: January 2021

The Cobb angle is calculated in the coronal plane, irrespective of vertebral rotation, lordokyphosis and local wedge properties of individual verte-brae other than the end plates used for the measurement. Rigorous three-dimensional generalizations of the Cobb angle are complicated for at least two reasons. Firstly, the vertebral column is segmented, not continuous, making the choice of rigorous model ambiguous. Secondly, there exists an inherent curvature (in terms of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis) that may be considered physiologically healthy or ’normal’. When attempting to find a three-dimensional deviation measure, such normal sagittal curvature must be compensated for.

In this paper we introduce a three-dimensional local deformation parameter (which we call the local effective deformation) motivated by both biomechanics and the basic theory of spatial curves, and simultaneously introduce a technical procedure to estimate the parameter from CT scans using MPR (multi-phase reconstruction) in PACS (IDS-7). A detailed description of the proposed modelling of vertebral column deformation is given, together with a stepwise procedure to estimate the three-dimensional deformation (in terms of local effective deformation). As a deformation measure it requires knowledge about the natural healthy kypholordosis. A method is described by which such knowledge may be incorporated in future work.
Variation in Growth Response of Coastal Dune-Building Grass Species Ammophila Arenaria and Leymus Arenarius to Sand Burial
Authors: Ievinsh Gederts , Andersone-Ozola Una
Published: January 2021

Ammophila arenaria and Leymus arenarius are dune-building grass species native to European seacoasts. The present study aimed to compare growth responses to the sand burial of A. arenaria and L. arenarius from coastal habitats of the Baltic Sea, when the intensity of sand accretion was relatively low under controlled conditions. Plants were grown from seeds collected from natural coastal habitats, transplanted into individual containers, buried in the sand at different depths in the rapid shoot elongation stage, and further cultivated (11 or 9 weeks) in an automated greenhouse. Burial in sand significantly stimulated the growth of shoots of A. arenaria, the effect was earlier at high burial intensities (46 and 60%) and was evident ten days after the start of treatment. Both shoot and root dry mass increased for plants buried at 13%; however, increased burial depth (37, 46 and 60%) resulted in a significant increase in root biomass. In comparison, shoot biomass decreased significantly at the highest burial intensity (60%). For L. arenarius, there was no direct dependence of shoot elongation rate on burial depth. There was a tendency for increased elongation growth and biomass allocation to leaf sheaths despite a decrease in total shoot mass. Most strikingly, root biomass decreased with sand burial in parallel with increased burial depth up to 21% intensity. In conclusion, although both grass species showed a positive shoot growth response to moderate sand burial intensity, differences in individual responses at the morphological and physiological level indicate the existence of different genetically based adaptation strategies.
A Checklist of Latvian Myxomycetes
Authors: Adamonytė Gražina
Published: January 2021

The paper presents a list of myxomycete species recorded so far in Latvia. The list is based on literature records and includes 108 species.
Pandemic and Public Service Media: Lessons from Finland
Authors: Horowitz Minna Aslama , Leino Ritva
Published: January 2021

This essay discusses the global context of public communication during COVID-19, as well as some specific lessons learned from public service media (PSM), specifically from the Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yleisradio, Yle). We address the role of PSM as a national information channel during crises and as a sustainable element in the media system, points to the need to understand its role beyond news and to develop new interactive alternatives to global platforms, and calls for PSM organisations to address its audience – not as consumers – but as people with needs for information, entertainment, learning and meaningful interactions.
Distributor Strategies in the Face of Closed Cinemas: Norwegian Responses to Covid-19
Authors: Øfsti Marius
Published: January 2021

This article examines the choices made by Norwegian distribution companies during three key phases of cinema lockdown and reopening in 2020. Though the article mainly aims to chronicle this particular moment in time I find that Norwegian and Scandinavian VOD-services acted differently than international services and that, while distributor companies used several different strategies in the face of sudden change, no one was close to recouping the losses from the lack of ordinary cinematic exhibition.
A simple construction of basic polynomials invariant under the Weyl group of the simple finite-dimensional complex Lie algebra
Authors: Perelomov Askold M.
Published: January 2021

For every simple finite-dimensional complex Lie algebra, I give a simple construction of all (except for the Pfaffian) basic polynomials invariant under the Weyl group. The answer is given in terms of the two basic polynomials of smallest degree.
The World in Children’s Minds – or Sustainable Entrepreneurship Education as Empowerment to Shape a Desirable Future
Authors: Schmidt-Hönig Kerstin , Pröbstl Gerlinde
Published: January 2021

How can we succeed in meeting the challenges of the future world in the best possible way? In order to support children in their development into optimistic, self-effective adults, it is necessary to find out how children perceive their world and how they combine these perceptions with their cognitive knowledge. This article examines the question of what children’s ideas about the world look like in children at the end of primary school, or what information is included in them. In a pilot study, mental maps were used to visualize the child’s world view. Accompanying questions were used to ascertain the children’s knowledge of current global problems. The focus was on the students’ thematic interests, which accompanied the discussions with the pupils. Already the first evaluations of the Mental Maps, which were made by the students, allow conclusions to be drawn. There is no uniform level in the children’s cognitive maps with regards to the concrete positional relationship of spatial units, e.g. continents and oceans. The statements about the content details of these maps are shaped by the children’s perception. The Mental Maps show a combination of indirect, direct and emotional spatial perception. The awareness of the pupils regarding global challenges, oriented towards the Sustainable Development Goals, proves to be clearly pronounced in the impulse-based interviews in the 4th grade. Thus, the pilot study allows the conclusion that already at the end of primary school pupils develop an awareness of global challenges and the ability to act. The SDGs of the UN Agenda 2030 offer a suitable basis for this. In addition to the development of a worldwide rough topographical orientation grid, the aim is to give children an understanding of global connections and to educate them to become global citizens of the future world.
Critical Entrepreneurship Education in General Education and TVET: Two Concepts of Practice in a South African Township
Authors: Forcher-Mayr Matthias , Mahlknecht Sabine
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the dominant approach to entrepreneurship education in the South African education system regarding the crisis of youth unemployment. It draws on the case of the public-school sector, in conjunction with the technical vocational education and training (TVET) subsector of the post-school education sector. The comparison of the entrepreneurship education sector plan for public schools with the discourse on TVET reform shows that entrepreneurship education similarly follows the čskills perspective’ with a dominant focus on the formal economy, which is informed by a human-capital based and productivist approach to education. The authors argue that this understanding of entrepreneurship education employs a too narrow perspective on youth unemployment as it overlooks individual capabilities and agency and can contribute to an experience of youth unemployment as individual failure. The authors expand this argument by suggesting a critical entrepreneurship education approach, which is outlined based on two programmes at primary-school and post-school education (TVET) level in a poor urban area. The authors argue that a critical entrepreneurship education approach contributes to learning for capabilities, social justice and democratic citizenship.
Discrete Wavelet Transformation Approach for Surface Defects Detection in Friction Stir Welded Joints
Authors: Mishra Akshansh
Published: January 2021

Friction Stir Welding joint quality depends on input parameters such as tool rotational speed, tool traverse speed, tool tilt angle and an axial force. Surface defects formation occurs when these input parameters are not selected properly. The main objective of the recent paper is to develop Discrete Wavelet Transform algorithm by using Python programming and further subject it to the Friction Stir Welded samples for the identification of various external surface defects present.
Fusing Multi-Attribute Decision Models for Decision Making to Achieve Optimal Product Design
Authors: Olabanji Olayinka Mohammed , Mpofu Khumbulani
Published: January 2021

Manufacturers need to select the best design from alternative design concepts in order to meet up with the demand of customers and have a larger share of the competitive market that is flooded with multifarious designs. Evaluation of conceptual design alternatives can be modelled as a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) process because it includes conflicting design features with different sub features. Hybridization of Multi Attribute Decision Making (MADM) models has been applied in various field of management, science and engineering in order to have a robust decision-making process but the extension of these hybridized MADM models to decision making in engineering design still requires attention. In this article, an integrated MADM model comprising of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), Fuzzy Pugh Matrix and Fuzzy VIKOR was developed and applied to evaluate conceptual designs of liquid spraying machine. The fuzzy AHP was used to determine weights of the design features and sub features by virtue of its fuzzified comparison matrix and synthetic extent evaluation. The fuzzy Pugh matrix provides a methodical structure for determining performance using all the design alternatives as basis and obtaining aggregates for the designs using the weights of the sub features. The fuzzy VIKOR generates the decision matrix from the aggregates of the fuzzified Pugh matrices and determine the best design concept from the defuzzified performance index. At the end, the optimal design concept is determined for the liquid spraying machine.
Anxiety and depression symptoms among ovarian cancer patients in China: a cross-sectional study†
Authors: Chen Jing , Long De-Rong , Guo Xiu-Jing , Liu Yi , You Hua-Xuan
Published: January 2021

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of cancer-related depression and anxiety in western China among patients with ovarian cancer and analyze their influencing factors.

Methods

In this prospective cross-sectional study, qualified patients were asked to fill in questionnaires. Multivariate analysis and binary logistic regression analysis were used to test the associations among symptoms of depression and anxiety, coping styles, and influencing factors.

Results

A total of 270 ovarian cancer inpatients who met the criteria for participation in the study completed the questionnaires. The levels of depression and anxiety that prevailed in ovarian cancer patients were 47.03% and 57.77%, respectively. Among them, 90.38% of cancer-related anxiety patients and 91.33% of cancer-related depression patients showed mild symptoms. The chi-square test showed that there were statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in the fields of education level and income. T-test showed that cancer-related depression and anxiety were associated with coping style, and the difference had statistical significance (P < 0.05). Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that the education level and coping style were the independent influencing factors of depression and anxiety.

Conclusions

The present study suggested that about half of the ovarian cancer patients had with depression and anxiety symptoms. The majority of the cancer-related depression and symptoms were mild. Educational level and coping style should be considered during the interventions of cancer-related depression and anxiety.
Ludwik Fleck, Alfred Schutz, and Trust in Science: The Public Responsibility of Science Education in Challenging Times
Authors: Olesko Kathryn M.
Published: January 2021

Ludwik Fleck and Alfred Schutz each wrote groundbreaking treatises in the 1930s that laid the foundation for their views on the role of science education in establishing trust in science. This essay examines how science education was for Fleck explicitly and for Schutz implicitly a crucial site for understanding the social dimensions of knowledge, for understanding how layers of knowledge are socially distributed among groups, and for conceptualizing how different cognitive groups, from experts to laypersons—communicate with one another in a democratic exchange of information. Their vision of the role of science education in establishing trust is particularly appropriate for addressing contemporary challenges to science and its results.
Similarities, Differences, and Missed Connections between Thomas S. Kuhn, Gaston Bachelard and the Continental Historiography of Science
Authors: Fragio Alberto
Published: January 2021

According to the American philosopher, Michael Friedman, while triggering the so-called “historical turn,” Kuhn reinstated the history of science as perhaps the most important object for the philosophy of science. In this paper, I show that this reinstatement is rather a rehabilitation of the philosophical and epistemological uses of the history of science, something already present in the continental historiography of science in the first half of the twentieth century, and especially in Gaston Bachelard’s work. In this sense, I undertake a review of the European history and philosophy of science during that period, paying special attention to Gaston Bachelard as one of the leading representatives of the French historical epistemology of the 1930s. I conclude with the late and quite problematic reception of Bachelard’s thought in the early work of Thomas S. Kuhn. My thesis is this strand may help to outline what is continental history and philosophy of science.
Imperialist competitive algorithm for determining the parameters of a Sugeno fuzzy controller
Authors: Ciurea Stelian
Published: January 2021

We used an imperialist competitive algorithm to determine the parameters of a fuzzy controller of type Sugeno that would ensure a good unit step response of a second-order single-input and single-output automatic system.
A new generalization of Aradhana distribution: Properties and applications
Authors: Hassan A. , Dar S. A. , Ahmad P. B. , Para B. A.
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we introduce a new generalization of Aradhana distribution called as Weighted Aradhana Distribution (WID). The statistical properties of this distribution are derived and the model parameters are estimated by maximum likelihood estimation. Simulation study of ML estimates of the parameters is carried out in R software. Finally, an application to real data set is presented to examine the significance of newly introduced model.
Sentential operators – their interaction (with vectors of time, causality and epistemic relevance) and their constructions
Authors: Gahér František
Published: January 2021

The paper starts by briefly describing the so‐called truth‐functional approach to sentential operators, typical to logic, as opposed to the more multi‐faceted approach of linguistics. The latter reflects the more complex, substantial relations between the contents of utterances, emphasizing the logico‐semantical relations and functions of sentential operators. However, as an alternative to the pragmatically inclined critique of the truth‐functional approach, the paper proposes two possible directions of explaining the specific content of sentential operators by virtue of which they transcend the role of mere truth functions. Firstly, the paper summarizes our previous investigations into the interactions between sentential operators and (1) the vector of the course of events described by a compound sentence, and (2) the direction of grammatical time captured by a compound sentence. The paper focuses on how this interaction is coordinated with the particular epistemic goal (prediction, explanation etc.) pursued when using the meaning of a complex sentence. Using the concepts of necessary and sufficient conditions, and by characterizing the vectors of condition (the if‐vector), time and relevance (dominance or the epistemic vector), the paper demarcates the rules of correspondence for conditional operators as cases of combinatorics, as described by some linguists. Secondly, based on a distinction between different constructions the same operators as truth‐functions, the paper provides a logico‐semantical explanation of the specific meaning of the else, unless and although connectives, traditionally discussed by linguists. We believe that the extensions proposed here move the camp defending a logico‐semantic approach to sentential operators at least somewhat closer to the camp of linguistic investigation.
Design and miniaturization of dual-band Wilkinson power dividers
Authors: Barzdenas Vaidotas , Vasjanov Aleksandr , Grazulevicius Gediminas , Borel Andzej
Published: January 2021

In this paper, four differently shaped Wilkinson power dividers are presented by selecting the same physical length of two-section transmission lines, dual arbitrary frequency band Wilkinson power dividers can be achieved. The 2.4 GHz (WLAN) and 5.9 GHz (DSRC IEEE 802.11p) frequency bands are selected to complement the future development of multi-band, multi-standard transceivers. To improve physical separation and electrical isolation between the two output ports a parallel RLC circuit is employed. For verification, the simulated and measured performance results of dual-band Wilkinson power dividers implemented on the Rogers 4003C laminate are presented. The measurement results for the fabricated Wilkinson power dividers were in good agreement with theoretical simulation results and show dual-band characteristics.
Cause-Related Marketing: Do Managers Understand and Use This Tool?
Authors: Miranda Mafalda M. , Silva Susana Costa e , Duarte Paulo , Glaser-Segura Daniel
Published: January 2021

Design - We relied on data obtained from in-depth interviews with managers. Data categorization allowed the application of the main constructs of the UTAUT model and the unveiling of the level of acceptance of Cause-Related Marketing (CrM) campaigns by managers and its use as a marketing strategy. Purpose – Most of the research on CrM emphasizes the benefits of these campaigns for charities and donors. The purpose of this study is to decode what managers think about CrM campaigns and try to discern and understand the principal motivations, benefits, and inherent risks to implement these campaigns. Findings - Managers recognize CrM benefits mainly relating them with an increase in reputation and image of the company, making it possible to differentiate and increase its notoriety. However, the social nature of this tool is what weights in the most on the decision of managers, since they recognize that being socially responsible is a competitive factor. The greatest constraints identified have to do with the effort on the implementation of the campaign and with the consumer’s scepticism, especially in transactional campaigns. Originality - With this research we were able to realize that there is a misunderstanding between the CrM concept and purely philanthropic marketing, which can somehow inhibit managers from recognizing the potential of this tool. Regarding CrM use, the position of managers shows a clear concern about the importance of harmonizing values between the company and the cause, betting on long-term campaigns with transparent communication and investing in the process of planning, implementing, and monitoring campaigns to improve their performance. This needs to be taken into account in future assessments of CrM campaigns.
Determinants of Non-Performing Loans for the EEC Region. A Financial Stability Perspective
Authors: Tatarici Luminita Roxana , Kubinschi Matei Nicolae , Barnea Dinu
Published: January 2021

This article investigates the determinants of non-performing loans for a panel of EEC countries and the implications for the real economy, covering the period 2005-2017. Among the determinants, the paper proposes macroeconomic factors, banking sector variables, and cost and governance indicators. Additionally, the paper explores the extensive use of macroprudential measures in these countries. Using a panel with fixed effects and a dynamic GMM estimator, the results support the existing findings that adverse macroeconomic developments are generally associated with higher non-performing loans, while increases in NPLs have a rather transitory effect on the real economy and credit. NPL ratios increase if macroeconomic conditions deteriorate, while an improvement in the government effectiveness reduces them. A more profitable and better capitalized banking sector generally leads to lower NPLs. Moreover, countries with higher past credit growth rates witnessed higher NPLs in the periods that followed. These results support the use of macroprudential measures for increasing the resilience of borrowers, such as limits on the indebtedness level (such as debt service-to-income, DSTI or loan-to-value, LTV caps), as tools to temper the credit cycle.
Analysis of the effect of external heating in the human tissue: A finite element approach
Authors: Sannyal Mridul , Mukaddes Abul Mukid Mohammad , Rahman Md. Matiar , Mithu M. A. H.
Published: January 2021

Thermal therapy which involves either raising or lowering tissue temperature to treat malignant cells needs precise acknowledgment of thermal history inside the biological system to ensure effective treatment. For this purpose, this study presents a two-dimensional unsteady finite element model (FEM) of the bioheat transfer problem based on Pennes bio-heat equation to analyze the thermal response of tissue subject to external heating. Crank-Nikolson scheme was used for the unsteady solution. A finite element code was developed using C language to calculate results. The obtained numerical result was compared with the analytical and other numerical results available in the literature. A good agreement was found from the comparison. Temperature distribution inside the human body due to constant and sinusoidal spatial and surface heating were analyzed. Response to point heating was also investigated. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to know the effect of various parameters, i.e. blood temperature, thermal conductivity, and blood perfusion rate on tissue temperature. The outcome of this study will be helpful for the researchers and physicians involved in the thermal treatment of human tissue.
Experimental Research on Insufficient Water Lubrication of Marine Stern Tube Journal Bearing with Elastic Polymer Bush
Authors: Barszczewska Agnieszka
Published: January 2021

Water-lubricated bearings with polymer bushes are steadily gaining popularity due to their advantages, including environmental friendliness, relatively simple construction and long-term operation. Nevertheless, in practice instances of damage to such bearings occur due to insufficient or absent flow of the lubricating agent. In this study, experimental tests established that elastic polymer bush bearing is capable of operating without excessive wear for a period of at least 60 minutes under conditions of marginal water flow and typical loads for stern tube journal bearings of small ships.
Adapting Open Dialogue for Early-Onset Psychosis in Latvia: Barriers and Facilitators
Authors: Taube Māris , Ziedonis Douglas , Ozerska Dina
Published: January 2021

Open Dialogue (OD) is the Finnish crisis intervention approach based on an open dialogue involving various professionals and a trusted person of the patient. This publication has demonstrated both clinical and economic benefits from the implementation of the principles of OD. The implementation of this approach was started in Latvia in cooperation with Dr. D. Ziedonis from the Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School (today working at University of California San Diego), by translating into Latvian “The Key Elements of Dialogic Practice in Open Dialogue” and carrying out expert consensus panel discussions on the barriers and facilitators of the approach. The obstacles are linked with the lack of education in family therapy, lack of resources, possible problems of cooperation among professionals, and the existing standard practice where there are no active home visits in crisis situations. At the same time, positive elements that are close to Latvian psychiatry can be observed in the OD approach, for instance, the importance of a clinical conversation and listening to the points of views of family members encourage psychiatrists in Latvia to use this approach. The setting of OD could be community-based mental health centres as well as inpatient psychiatric departments dealing with acutely psychotic patients. OD can be a valuable addition and alternative in the case of new psychotic patients when treatment with medications is not efficient, and the patient is not favourably disposed to the use of medications, but nevertheless is seeking help.
Monitoring and forecasting spatio-temporal LULC for Akure rainforest habitat in Nigeria
Authors: Aliyu Yahaya A. , Youngu Terwase T. , Abubakar Aliyu Z. , Bala Adamu , Jesulowo Christianah I.
Published: January 2021

For several decades, Nigerian cities have been experiencing a decline in their biodiversity resulting from rapid land use land cover (LULC) changes. Anticipating short/long-term consequences, this study hypothesised the effects of LULC variables in Akure, a developing tropical rainforest city in south-west Nigeria. A differentiated trend of urban LULC was determined over a period covering 1999–2019. The study showed the net change for bare land, built-up area, cultivated land, forest cover and grassland over the two decades to be −292.68 km2, +325.79 km2, +88.65 km2, +8.62 km2 and −131.38 km2, respectively. With a projected population increase of about 46.85%, the study identified that the built-up land cover increased from 1.98% to 48.61%. The change detection analysis revealed an upsurge in built area class. The expansion indicated a significant inverse correlation with the bare land class (50.97% to 8.66%) and grassland class (36.33% to 17.94%) over the study period. The study observed that the land consumption rate (in hectares) steadily increased by 0.00505, 0.00362 and 0.0687, in the year 1999, 2009 and 2019, respectively. This rate of increase is higher than studies conducted in more populated cities. The Cellular Automata (CA) Markovian analysis predicted a 37.92% growth of the study area will be the built-up area in the next two decades (2039). The 20-year prediction for Akure built-up area is within range when compared to CA Markov prediction for other cities across the globe. The findings of this study will guide future planning for rational LULC evaluation.
Helicobacter Pylori: a comprehensive review for primary care providers
Authors: Nelson Alfred , Bi Yan , Harris Dana
Published: January 2021

Helicobacter pylori is the most prevalent bacteria infecting humans resulting in a variety of gastrointestinal and extra gastrointestinal complications. Although most of the infected adults are asymptomatic, the prevalence varies in different parts of the world it is higher in Eastern and Southern Europe. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori is necessary to prevent precancerous conditions like gastric atrophy, gastric intestinal metaplasia and gastric dysplasia. This comprehensive review addresses briefly on: whom and how to test and treat including recommended first line therapies, salvage therapies, testing for eradication and strategy to be used in primary care clinics.
Changes in eating habits in breast cancer patients
Authors: Lunar Karmen Grašič , Kozjek Nada Rotovnik , Kovač Milena Blaž
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is an important moment in anyone’s life. Consequently, many patients are prepared to change their everyday habits and begin to look for advice from a wide range of sources. Women with breast cancer are particularly motivated and committed to making changes to their lifestyle and diet. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the changes in nutritional and other lifestyle habits following breast cancer diagnosis in Slovenia. A further goal was to estimate the proportion of breast cancer patients using dietary supplements and alternative diets or ascertain their desire to attend a consultation with a dietician.

Methods

A link to an online questionnaire was sent to the email addresses of members of Europa Donna and posted on their website (www.europadonna-zdruzenje.si) and Facebook page.

Results

A total of 102 patients were included in the study. We found that a majority of breast cancer patients changed their eating habits (68.6%) and/or physical activity level (53.9%) following diagnosis. On average, they increased their fruit and vegetable intake and reduced their intake of sugar, red meat and fat. Alternative diets were used by 29.4% of patients, with a high proportion of patients (75.5%) consuming dietary supplements. More than a half of the patients (69.6%) expressed a desire for a consultation with a dietician.

Conclusions

Nutritional support during cancer treatment is part of medical treatment and has an important role to play in secondary and tertiary cancer prevention activities. More dieticians should therefore be incorporated into the health system.
A curiosity About (−1)[

e

] +(−1)[2

e

] + ··· +(−1)[

Ne

]
Authors: Amoroso Francesco , Omarjee Moubinool
Published: January 2021

Let α be an irrational real number; the behaviour of the sum SN
(α):= (−1)[

α

] +(−1)[2

α

] + ··· +(−1)[

Nα

] depends on the continued fraction expansion of α/2. Since the continued fraction expansion of

2

/
2

\sqrt 2 /2

has bounded partial quotients,

S

N

(

2

)

=
O

(

log

(
N
)

)

{S_N}\left( {\sqrt 2 } \right) = O\left( {\log \left( N \right)} \right)

and this bound is best possible. The partial quotients of the continued fraction expansion of e grow slowly and thus

S

N

(

2
e

)

=
O

(

log

(
N
)

2

log
 
log

(
N
)

2

)

{S_N}\left( {2e} \right) = O\left( {{{\log {{\left( N \right)}^2}} \over {\log \,\log {{\left( N \right)}^2}}}} \right)

, again best possible. The partial quotients of the continued fraction expansion of e/2 behave similarly as those of e. Surprisingly enough

S

N

(
e
)

=
O

(

log

(
N
)

log
 
log

(
N
)

)

1188

.
ANALISIS GAYA INTERFACE TANAH - GEOTEKSTILE (STUDI TANAH LEMPUNG BERPASIR BANJARMASIN)
Authors: Fitriansyah Muhammad , Setiawan Ichwan
Published: January 2021

Banyak masalah yang ditimbulkan dalam pembangunan proyek bangunan sipil pada tanah lempung. Berbagai jenis tanah lempung banyak ditemukan di daerah Kota Banjarmasin dan dibeberapa daerah di Kalimantan Selatan maupun disekitarnya salah satunya yaitu tanah lempung berpasir terutama pada tanah lempung berpasir untuk menambahkan daya dukung dari tanah tersebut. Interaksi tanah dengan geotekstil bisa saja berbeda tergantung jenis tanahnya. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu mengetahui nilai kohesi, sudut gesek, dan rasio gesek (d/f) antar muka tanah lempung berpasir-geotekstil dalam kondisi tidak terendam air dan kondisi terendam air. Berdasarkan penelitian sebelumnya Kekuatan Geser Antarmuka Laterit Palangkaraya Dan Geotekstil Berdasarkan Uji Geser Langsung diketahui rasio δ/f tanah laterit Palangkaraya dengan geotekstil secara umum adalah woven HRX 250 (halus) sebesar 0,81 hingga 0,90, woven HRX 300 (agak kasar) sebesar 0,75 hingga 0,77.Metode yang digunakan adalah metode eksperimen skala laboratorium dengan kondisi benda uji tidak terendam dan terendam air. Geotekstil yang digunakan yaitu woven (HRX250) dan non woven (TS600). Hasil pengujian diketahui tanah lempung berpasir memiliki kohesi (c) 0,0033 dan sudut gesek 20,50 untuk kondisi tidak terendam air, sedangkan kondisi terendam air memiliki kohesi (c) 0,0027 dan sudut gesek 17,70. Gesek antar muka tanah lempung berpasir - geotekstil woven (HRX250) kondisi tidak terendam air 21,70 dengan rasio (d/f) 1,06 dan kondisi terendam air 18,10 dengan rasio (d/f) 1,02. Gesek antar muka tanah lempung berpasir - geotekstil non woven (TS600) kondisi tidak terendam air 20,90 dengan rasio (d/f) 1,01 dan kondisi terendam air 18,40 dengan rasio (d/f) 1,04.
The Effect of Olive Oil (Extra Virgine Olive Oil) and Moderate-Intensity Exercise On The Level of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in Male Wistar Strain Rat (Rattus novergicus L) Which Was Given High Fatty Diet
Authors: Anwari Ikhsan Syakban , Sutysna Hendra
Published: January 2021

Background: Dyslipidemia is a condition where there is an abnormal lipid profile in the blood. Modern patterns and lifestyles such as consuming fast food cause excessive fat consumption which can increase the possibility of contracting blood vessel and heart disease. High levels of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol can protect the body against heart disease and stroke, but not many drugs can increase HDL cholesterol levels. Olive oil is an oil that contains 77% Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acid (MUFA) which can reduce LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol. Objective: To determine the effect of olive oil (Extra Virgine Olive Oil-EVOO) and moderate intensity exercise on high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in male Wistar strain (Rattus novergicus L) rats fed a high-fat diet. Method: a true experimental research design with a pretest and posttest design with a control group (Pretest and Posttest with Control Group) with simple randomization. Results: There was an increase in HDL levels in the control group (42.50 to 44.50 mg / dl), the olive oil treatment group was (50.83 to 53.33) mg / dL, the moderate intensity exercise treatment group (46.67 to 52 , 00 mg / dl), and the moderate-intensity exercise and olive oil treatment groups (47.50 to 58.67 mg / dl). Conclusion: Extra Virgine Olive Oil, moderate intensity exercise, and Extra Virgine Olive Oil with moderate intensity exercise influence the increase of HDL levels in the blood of male Wistar strain rats fed a high-fatty diet.