bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IDENTIFICATION OF CURVATURE RADIUS FOR CURVED SECTIONS ON FOREST ROADS IN THE PROCESS OF UTILISATION
Authors: RUDKO Ihor , BAKAY Borys , AKAY Abdullah , BARYLIAK Vasyl , HORZOV Stanislav
Published: June 2021

This article reviews the problem of measuring the actual radius of curvature for curved sections of existing forest roads, as forestry enterprises require reliable technical information about the current conditions of operated transport networks. It was identified that at this moment, a selection of methods are used for measuring the radii of horizontal curved sections of roads, which have certain advantages and disadvantages in specific natural production conditions. For calculating the radius of curvature for auto forest road projects it is recommended to apply the method of measured angles by chord angle deviation, which is sufficiently accurate for engineering purposes and does not require usage of special high-precision equipment and tools.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE NUMBER AND POSITION OF DOWELS ON THE BENDING MOMENT CAPACITY OF HEAT-TREATED WOOD DOWEL JOINTS
Authors: BEDELEAN Bogdan I. , NECULĂEȘ Iosif , SPÎRCHEZ Cosmin G. , RĂCĂȘAN Sergiu
Published: June 2021

In this work, the influence of the number of dowels and the option to place the dowels in the cross section of part on the bending moment capacity of heat-treated wood dowel joints was analysed. The joints, which were made of heat-treated ash, were tested by means of a universal testing machine.The ultimate failure load and the moment arms were used to figure out the bending moment capacity of the joints loaded in compression or in tension. The number of dowels affected the tensile strength of the L-shaped heat-treated wood joints. The modality to place the dowels in the cross section of rail, namely, in collinearity or in a triangular shape, did not significantly affect the strength of the heat-treated wood dowel joints.
Policy reform instead of policy transformation? Experiences of participatory action research (PAR) on desegregation policy in Szeged, Hungary
Authors: Málovics György , Berki Boglárka Méreiné , Mihály Melinda
Published: June 2021

To move towards more just and ecologically sustainable societies, we must structurally transform our current socio-economic system at a deep level. Participatory Action Research makes much of this term ‘transformation’, yet on closer examination, the concept is not only conceptually but also practically vague. What exactly is required for socio-environmental spatial policies to be ‘transformational’? Our aims in this paper are twofold. First, we want to suggest that there are different definitions of ‘transformation’. We work through three sets of concepts: autonomy, empowerment, and solidarity, showing that there are hegemonic and counterhegemonic versions of each. Secondly, we use these different framings to reflect on a case study exploring the desegregation of a Roma community in Szeged, Hungary. We explore the ways in which the empowerment of Roma community leaders within a PAR project worked both to challenge and to reinforce existing power asymmetries: while Roma representatives were increasingly accepted and influential, they were unable to shift the powerful city council away from an underlying commitment both to desegregation, and to a logic of “deserving” and “undeserving” poor. Ultimately, this led to a situation where the neoliberal hegemonic logic of the policy went unchallenged, with the practical consequence that, while some community members benefitted from desegregation, the poorest were rendered more precarious and vulnerable. This points to a need for further reflection on the intractability of oppressive structures, and honesty about the potential limitations in achieving short-term structural transformation using PAR.
An action researcher in an advisor’s hat: A short reflection on lessons the OECD has learned from undertaking action research in the realm of policy and politics
Authors: Santos Rebecca
Published: June 2021

Action research has enormous potential for policymakers, and those who advise them, to work in more iterative, reflective, and collaborative ways. For complex systems facing wicked problems, any approach that gets it closer to framing a problem well and drawing upon diverse forms of knowledge to bring about change, is good. Advisors who do action research in policymaking or political settings should be sensitive to the fact that this methodology may confound expectations regarding the ‘traditional’ advisor role. As such, some careful navigation of this approach (and what it means for the relationship and perception policymakers may have with those they engage to advise them) is required. This opinion piece shares lessons from an advisor working in the OECD’s innovation team, which embraced the action research methodology to reflect on and design innovative policy interventions with public sector policymakers. Action researchers who are using this methodology to produce policy advice may be more successful in auguring, and better navigating, new kinds of relationships with government if they heed the following lessons: frame the value of action research with decision makers, diversify your data and follow the story, and prime practitioners to participate.
Semiotic Analysis of the Objectification of Women in Selected Pakistani Advertisements
Authors: Ahmed Khalid , Tariq Anila , Akram Arfan
Published: June 2021

This study explored the objectification of women in Pakistani advertisements of print and electronic media. The objectification and presentation of women in the advertisements of the western world has been extensively studied but this area lacks research in Pakistan. Semiotic analysis was used as the research tool in order to explore how multiple meanings and beliefs are built in a society by advertising sex. In this research, five advertisements from different Pakistani TV channels and newspapers were selected as sample. These commercials were selected because they presented women in a specific way. For analysis, Barthian semiotic analysis on two levels of significance, that is, the denotative and connotative levels, was employed. The findings of this paper revealed that advertisements in Pakistan focus on the physical appearance and depiction of women body.
Muscle: 50+ Years of Electron Microscopy
Authors: Franzini-Armstrong Clara
Published: June 2021

This project was initiated with the aim of preserving for the future  a portion of the extensive muscle ultrastructural  image archive  accumulated over a 50 year period by the author and her laboratory.   Between the late 1950s and current times electron microscopy (EM) evolved. The early  EM revealed the ultrastructural identification and definition of cell organelles and  laid the foundation for cell biology.  This continues with he discovery of new structural organizations and organelles.   Currently EM images provide the  essential basis for identification of structural changes  associated with mutational experiments and newly discovered pathology. The most recent development of techniques allowing near atomic level of resolution brings microscopy to modern times. This evolution has been greatly enriched by the rebirth of light microscopy, fueled by  dynamic views of events based on video techniques, by the availability of specific targeting of cell components and by confocal microscopy that allows 3-D structural reconstructs. Correlation between light and electron microscopy, when appropriately done, is highly revealing.

The  images in this publication present descriptive and structure-function correlations covering the whole animal kingdom with some areas more extensively illustrated than others.  The first part classifies the  images based in their site of origin, the second part identifies functional correlations, the third part introduces results of mutational experiments, the fourth part covers aging and pathology examples, the fifth part is a guide to the techniques. The images are presented with a numerical identification correlated with a very succinct description. References are limited to the directly relevant published material from the author’s laboratory that are helpful in extending the limited legends and in assigning contributions.  With very few exceptions, references to the literature are not given.  The author asks for the forgiveness of the many friends, trainees, collaborators and competitors whose contributions and priorities are not recognized.  

The work has been stimulated by interactions with teachers and advisors.  Keith R. Porter, father of the endoplasmic reticulum and sarcoplasmic reticulum instilled admiration for Nature’s work and was  always been a guiding light in the author’s work.   Richard J. Podolsky and Andrew F. Huxley taught the importance of structural correlations. Past and present trainees and collaborators, whose names appear in the reference list, have added depth of understanding.

In the case of skeletal muscle much necessary information is gained by using the muscle bible: “Myology”, A.G. Engel and C. Franzini-Armstrong, Eds. 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill, N.Y. 2004.
SCHOOL COURSE OF INFORMATICS IN THE ERA OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATIONS: THE PRIORITY DIRECTION IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL LITERACY
Authors: Boronenko Т. A. , Fedotova V. S.
Published: June 2021

The purpose of the article is to identify possible directions for the development of the content of the school informatics course in the era of digital transformations for the formation of digital literacy of students. The study is based on the results of the analysis of approximate basic educational programs of secondary general education in the aspect of the planned personal, metasubject and subject learning outcomes, including in the study of informatics, a review of the content of school textbooks on informatics, scientific developments in the field of teaching informatics by domestic and foreign authors, generalization existing pedagogical experience in teaching informatics in different countries. The authors define digital literacy as an interdisciplinary educational result and substantiate the leading role of informatics in its development. The authors indicate the directions for the development of informatics in schools in various areas of digital literacy (hardware and software fundamentals, information literacy, digital content creation, security, problem solving, career competencies). The authors talk about a new section of school informatics, "Fundamentals of digital literacy and cybersecurity". which consistently and systematically demonstrates to students the changes caused by digital innovation. The authors indicate the possible content of this section. This is a new, valuable and practically significant material for domestic and foreign school education. A detailed description of digital reality in a school informatics course allows us to model the development of students' digital literacy and establish criteria and indicators for its assessment in various situations: from motivation to mastering digital literacy, acquiring digital skills with a general way of performing educational actions and on the subject content of a school informatics course to meaningful and the systematic practical use of digital skills.
Attenuating NF-κB/VCAM-1 Expression in the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model by Viola Odorata: Protection Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Authors:   Department of Physiology, Faculty of life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran., Karimifar Kiana , Alipanah Hiva ,   Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran., Solatani Hekmat Ava ,   Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran., Bigdeli Mohammad Reza ,   Department of Physiology, Faculty of life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: The death of neurons and cerebral edema are the main consequences of stroke. However, inflammatory processes play key roles in aggravating cerebral damage following a stroke. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Viola odorata extract (VOE) on the infarct volume (IV), neurologic deficits (ND), and the expression of NF-κB and VCAM-1 in the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) model. Methods: The animals were randomly separated into 6 groups: (1) control group, (2) vehicle-treated group, (3) MCAO group, (4) VOE25 group, (5) VOE50 group, and (6) VOE75 group (n= 12). VOE (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg) and distilled water were administered daily for 30 days. Two hours after the last gavage, the rats were exposed to MCAO for 60 minutes. Twenty-four hours later, IV, ND, and NF-κB/VCAM-1 expressions were evaluated. Results: Viola odorata extract exhibited excellent neuroprotective effects by reducing IV (mainly in the core and subcortex areas), and induced downregulation of NF-κB and VCAM-1 expression. Conclusion: Viola odorata could also activate intracellular pathways, reducing the expression of NF-κB and VCAM-1. It is useful for developing a novel medical herb for treating cerebral ischemia.
Evaluation of the GABAA Receptor Expression and the Effects of Muscimol on the Activity of Wide Dynamic Range Neurons Following Chronic Constriction Injury of Sciatic Nerve in Rats
Authors:   Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran., Sadeghi Mehdi , Manaheji Homa ,   Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Zaringhalam Jalal ,   Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Haghparast Abbas ,   Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Nazemi Samad ,   Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran., Bahari Zahra ,   Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Noorbakhsh Seyed Mohammad ,   Science Beam Institute, Tehran, Iran.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: The modality of γ-aminobutyric acid type a receptors (GABAA) controls dorsal horn neuronal excitability and inhibits sensory information. This study aimed to investigate the expression of the GABAA receptor and the effects of its agonist muscimol on Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) neuronal activity in the Chronic Constriction Injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats weighing 200 to 250 g were used to induce CCI neuropathy. Fourteen days after surgery, muscimol (0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg IP) was injected. Then, the behavioral tests were performed. After that, the animals were killed, and the lumbar segments of the spinal cords were collected for Western blot analysis of the GABAA receptor α1 subunit expression. The electrophysiological properties of WDR neurons were studied by single-unit recordings in separate groups 14 days after CCI. Results: The outcomes indicated the development of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia after neuropathy; nonetheless, the expression of the GABAA receptor α1 subunit did not change significantly. Moreover, the evoked responses of the WDR neurons to electrical, mechanical, and thermal stimuli increased considerably. Fourteen days after CCI, muscimol administration decreased thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, and hyper-responsiveness of the WDR neurons in CCI rats. Conclusion: The modulation of the spinal GABAA receptors after nerve injury can offer further insights to design new therapeutic agents to reduce neuropathic pain symptoms.
Effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex to Reduce the Symptoms of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors:   Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran., Shafiezadeh Sina , Eshghi Mansoureh ,   Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran., Dokhaei Zahra ,   Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran., Mohajeri Hossein ,   Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran., MohammadShirazi Atiyeh ,   Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran, Mirsadeghi Sara ,   Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran., Hasani Abharian Peyman ,   Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the most common debilitating mental disorders with a prevalence rate of 2% to 3% in the general population. Previous studies have indicated abnormalities in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of OCD patients; thus, we decided to use transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) to decline these patients’ symptoms. Methods: A total of 24 patients with OCD participated in this study with the hope of improvement after the application of tDCS. The subjects were randomly assigned to three groups of Sham, Right DLPFC, and Left DLPFC. tDCS was applied for five consecutive days and in each session, patients were subjected to 2 mA current flow for two 15 minutes followed by a 10-minute rest in between (every session lasted for 40 minutes). Results: Subsequently, the changes in obsessive-compulsive level and cognitive functions were evaluated via Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) by comparing the results before (pre-test) and after (post-test) tDCS treatment. Conclusion: Ultimately, the scores of the Yale-Brown scale in the Left DLPFC group showed significant changes after treatment with tDCS (mean difference compared to the sham group: -6.18 and P≤0.05). Hereupon, this study demonstrated that transcranial direct current stimulation may cause improvements in symptoms of OCD.
Effects of Celecoxib Adjunct to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Authors:   Golestan Resaerch Center of Psychiatry, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran., Shahini Najmeh , Talaei Ali ,   Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Shalbafan Mohammadreza ,   Department of Psychiatry, Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Faridhosseini Farhad ,   Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Ibn-e-Sina Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran., Ziaee Malihe ,   Department of Community Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Inflammatory processes in the brain play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Cyclooxygenase inhibitors, such as celecoxib reduce the production of proinflammatory cytokines. This double-blind study aimed to investigate the effects of adding celecoxib to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)on treating OCD. Methods: Sixty patients who met the diagnosis criteria for OCD based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders -Fourth Edition- Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) were recruited in the present study. Two psychiatrists independently confirmed the diagnosis by performing structured interviews. The study participants included 23 patients who received SSRIs and celecoxib (400 mg twice daily) and 22 patients in the control group that received SSRIs and placebo. Moreover, at baseline, in weeks 4, 8, and 12, the explored patients were assessed by a psychiatrist using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BCOS). Results: A significant difference was observed in the change of scores on the Y-BOCS in week 12, compared with the onset of the study between the study groups (t= -8.976, df=38, P=0.001). There was a significant difference between the study groups in obsession (F= 49.19, df= 1, P≤0.001), compulsion (F= 13.78, df= 1, P= 0.001), and OCD (F= 57.25, df= 1, P≤0.001), i.e., higher in the celecoxib group. Conclusion: This study showed that adjuvant treatment with celecoxib can further improve the symptoms of OCD in individuals receiving SSRIs.
Non-invasive Brain Stimulation and Prism Adaptation in Art Constructive Errors in Painting
Authors:   Department of Rehabilitation, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies, Tehran, Iran., Vatanparasti Shole , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan ,   Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran., Oveisgharan Shahram ,   Department of Neurology, Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, United States.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the influence of neglect and the effect of prism adaptation (PA) combined with continuous Theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTBS) on the art constructive errors in painting rehabilitation of stroke patients with neglect. Methods: Fourteen patients with neglect and art constructive errors in painting secondary to stroke were randomly assigned to the rehabilitation group and received PA combined with the inhibitory protocol of cTBS over the intact parietal cortex; the control group received PA combined with sham cTBS for two weeks in ten daily sessions. Patients were assessed for art constructive errors in painting in figure copying test (FCT), and coloring test (CT) before and after the intervention. Art constructive errors in painting were classified into omission, deformation, size, neglect of warm colors, and perseveration of errors. Neglect was evaluated using the line bisection task (LBT), figure copying test (FCT), and coloring test (CT). Results: All patients showed a significant improvement in art constructive errors in painting (measured using the pattern of painting’ errors in FCT and CT), and neglect (measured using LBT, FCT, and CT) (p<0.05). Omission, neglect of warm colors, and deformation were the most frequent errors. Conclusion: Neglect and rehabilitation influence the painting system in stroke patients. Both approaches improved art constructive errors in painting and neglect symptoms.
Augmenting Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Using Hair Follicle Stem Cells in Rats
Authors:   Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran., Beigom Hejazian Leila , Akbarnejad Zeinab ,   ENT and Head & Neck Research Center, The five Senses Health Institute, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Moghani Ghoroghi Fatemeh ,   Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran., Esmaeilzade Banafshe ,   Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran., Chaibakhsh Samira ,   Eye Research Center, the Five Senses Institute, Rasoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Cell therapy is the most advanced treatment of peripheral nerve injury. This study aimed to determine the effects of transplantation of hair follicle stem cells on the regeneration of the sciatic nerve injury in rats. Methods: The bulge region of the rat whisker were isolated and cultured. Morphological and biological features of the cultured bulge cells were observed by light microscopy and immunocytochemistry methods. Percentages of CD34, K15, and nestin cell markers expression were demonstrated by flow cytometry. Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of injury, epineurium, and epineurium with cells in which rat Hair Follicular Stem Cells (rHFSCs) were injected into the site of the nerve cut. HFSCs were labeled with Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), and double-labeling immunofluorescence was performed to study the survival and differentiation of the grafted cells. After 8 weeks, electrophysiological, histological, and immunocytochemical analysis assessments were performed. Results: Rat hair follicle stem cells are suitable for cell culture, proliferation, and differentiation. The results suggest that transplantation of rat hair follicle stem cells can regenerate sciatic nerve injury; moreover, electrophysiology and histology examinations show that sciatic nerve repair was more effective in the epineurium with cell group than in the other experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The achieved results propose that hair follicle stem cells improve axonal growth and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury.
Lateral Hypothalamus Corticotropin-releasing Hormone Receptor-1 Inhibition and Modulating Stress-induced Anxiety Behavior
Authors:   Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran., Eghtesad Masoumeh , Elahdadi Salmani Mahmoud ,   Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran., Lashkarbolouki Taghi ,   Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran., Goudarzi Iran ,   Department of Animal Biology, School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Stress is a reaction to unwanted events disturbing body homeostasis and its pathways and target areas. Stress affects the brain through the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), the orexinergic system that mediates the effect of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) through CRH Receptor Type 1 (CRHr1). Therefore, this study explores the outcome of stress exposure on anxiety development and the involvement of the LHA through LHA-CRHr1. Methods: Male Wistar rats (220-250 g) implanted with a cannula on either side of the LHA received acute or chronic stress. Subsequently, exploratory behavior was examined using the Open Field (OF), and anxiety was tested by Elevated Plus Maze (EPM). Before sacrifice, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the blood were sampled. Nissl stain was performed on fixed brain tissues. Results: Acute stress reduced exploration in of and increased anxiety in EPM. LHA-CRHr1 inhibition reversed the variables to increase the exploration and decrease anxiety. In contrast, chronic stress did not show any effect on anxiety-related behaviors. Chronic stress decreased the cell population in the LHA, which was prevented by the CRHr1 inhibition. However, the CRHr1 inhibition could not reverse the chronic stress-induced increase in the CSF orexin level. Furthermore, plasma corticosterone levels increased through acute or chronic stress, impeded by the inhibition of CRHr1. Conclusion: Our results recognize LHA-CRHr1 as a capable candidate that modulates acute stress-induced anxiety development and chronic stress-induced changes in the cellular population of the region.
The Relationship Between Spiritual Health and Successful Aging
Authors:   Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran., Yousefi Fatemeh , Mohammadi Fatemeh ,   Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran., Motalebi Seyedeh Ameneh ,   School of Taylor's Business, Taylor's University, Selangor, Malaysia., Pahlevan Sharif Saeed ,   Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
Published: June 2021

Objectives: Successful aging is a positive inner feeling and satisfaction with the past and present life experiences. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the predicting factors of successful aging in a sample of Iranian elderly. Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 291 elderly in Qazvin City, Iran, in 2018. The study participants were selected using the two-stage cluster sampling method. Data collection was performed using the demographic characteristics checklist, the Successful Aging Scale, and Paloutzian and Ellison Spiritual Wellbeing Scale. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive tests (frequency, percentage, central & dispersion indices) and a hierarchical linear regression model. Results: The study sample was 291 elderly with a Mean±SD age of 68.3±6.7 years. The obtained results indicated that the spiritual health of 81.1% of the explored elderly was strong; most of the examined elderly presented a good level of successful aging. Besides, spiritual health was a predictor of successful aging in the study participants. Regarding the aspects of spiritual health, existential health positively and significantly impacted successful aging (B=0.65, P<0.001). Furthermore, the obtained data revealed that the employed elderly (B:4.29), compared to housewives (B:-4.25), those with high economic status, compared to those with a moderate (B:-3.44) and low (B:-7.332) economic level, and the elderly without a history of physical (B:-4.55) and mental (B:-2.54) conditions obtained significantly higher scores in successful aging. Conclusion: The existential aspect of spiritual health is among the predictors of successful aging. Given the importance and sensitivity of the issues related to the elderly, by interventions focused on spiritual education, one can increase the quality of this period and enrich it.
Características del derecho a un ambiente sano en la Constitución Ecuatoriana
Authors: S Mejías Carlix de Jesús , Gil Osuna Bartolomé
Published: June 2021

El objetivo de este artículo fue analizar el derecho de las personas a un ambiente sano y ecológicamente equilibrado establecido en la Constitución del Ecuador, lo cual permitió conocer su verdadera naturaleza jurídica dentro del derecho nacional y como institución emblemática de las constituciones iberoamericanas. En este sentido, este trabajo documental utilizó un enfoque cualitativo y un nivel de profundidad explicativo, cuya importancia se evidenció en el rango jurídicodel derecho a un ambiente sano dentro del referido ordenamiento jurídico. En todo caso, el derecho a un ambiente sano fue considerado como un derecho humano de disfrute, tanto de manera individual, como de manera colectiva. En consecuencia, a la luz del método normativo y de su cualidad de disfrute, es un derecho subjetivo, cuya característica ha sido reconocida tanto en el derecho nacional, como en el internacional.
Impacto económico, político y social en el subsidio del combustible y gas licuado de petroleo (GLP)
Authors: Beltrán Ruiz José Andrés , Velasteguí Rubio Sharon Luathani
Published: June 2021

Este documento recoge algunos criterios sobre la importancia que tienen los subsidios de los combustible y GLP sobre la economía ecuatoriana; es por ello que se realiza un recuento en el devenir histórico durante los últimos 40 años en que el Ecuador vive en democracia, después de haber pasado por un proceso dictatorial, cuyo producto primario principal en la estructura de su presupuesto general del Estado es el petróleo. Para la elaboración de este trabajo, se emplea el método de revisión bibliográfica, es decir, se sustenta sobre la base de algunas fuentes de investigación, a fin de determinar el impacto económico, político y social que generan el subsidio a los derivados del petróleo, especialmente lo que tiene que ver con los combustibles y el GLP. Los subsidios bien aplicados permiten la redistribución de la riqueza, se convierten en incentivos para las industrias, pero los subsidios a los combustibles y GLP con el tiempo han generado una distorsión en la economía, convirtiendo incluso en un problema económico y político. El debate público es si se deberían mantener o eliminarse por completo, pese a que los subsidios a los combustibles tienen su banda de precios.
Entre abejas, conocimiento y zumbidos de protesta
Authors: Herrera Jiménez Marilyn Gabriela
Published: June 2021

De los sabores naturales más dulces, la miel es un referente importante; el trabajo que se encuentra detrás de bastidores, conlleva un proceso perfectamente coordinado y sincronizado; no es fácil, hay una familia organizada que trabaja arduamente; cada uno de sus miembros con una función específica, digna de aplaudir. Sin embargo, las abejas que son quienes la conforman y cuya presencia ha sido considerada de relevancia por culturas antiguas como la egipcia, griega,romana y otras, están amenazadas por una serie de factores de entre los cuales el ser humano es su protagonista. La relación planta-insecto y polinización es fundamental para la permanencia del ser humano en el planeta; sin estos elementos, no será posible la sostenibilidad de la producción de los alimentos vegetales que, poco a poco, irían declinando su volumen, desaparecerían gran parte de las deliciosas frutas que ahora se consume y con ello se reduciría las posibilidades de supervivencia de la población actual. Por eso, es necesario plantear soluciones que permitan una oportunidad a estos laboriosos insectos, cuya función primordial no es el permitirnos saborear su miel, sino, el de polinizar a las flores de las cuales nacen todos los frutos terrestres. Algunos organismos internacionales, han formulado varias iniciativas; sin embargo, aún falta mucho por hacer, es necesario escuchar los zumbidos de protesta de estas generosas campesinas; aún estamos a tiempo de salvarlas y con ellas a muchas especies, incluyendo al ser humano. La investigación tiene un enfoque cualitativo y resalta la importancia de las abejas para el planeta.
Un omaggio a Sergio Romano? Della differenza che corre tra il mestiere di storico e il mestiere di colui che racconta storie
Authors: Trocini Federico
Published: June 2021

- Referring to Seneca's well-known satirical text, the article makes fun of the recent congress held in Sergio Romano's honour. Contesting both his supposed moderatism, and his historical journalism, the article wants to show the factiousness of his political orientation and, more importantly, to draw attention to the differences - primarily, methodological - which distinguish the profession of the historian from that of someone who ‘tells stories'.

Key words: Sergio Romano, Historian, Revisionism, Journalist, Moderatism, Berlusconism, Apocolocyntosis.

Parole chiave: Sergio Romano, storico, revisionismo, giornalista, moderatismo, berlusconismo, apocolocintosi.
La "leggenda nera" dello stalinismo. Intorno a un dibattito storiografico ed ad alcune rese dei conti
Authors: Milanesi Franco
Published: June 2021

- In the first part, the article analyzes Domenico Losurdo's book on Stalinism. He characterizes Stalinist repressions as above all a response to internal opposition and attacks from foreign nations. Losurdo points out how, in the 20th century, all kinds of regimes resorted to extreme forms of violence. The author of the present article, even though he recognizes the validity of some of the arguments, criticizes the way Losurdo uses contextualization and comparison as ways of diminishing political and moral responsibilities. In the second part of the article the author analyzes the debate in «Liberazione», the newspaper of the Rifondazione Comunista Party. In reviewing Losurdo's book, the newspaper has stirred up an outcry among some of the editors, generating a debate about some still unresolved crucial questions connected to Stalinism, and above all, questions linked to the cultural and political identity of the party itself.

Key words: Stalinism, Domenico Losurdo, Communism, Rifondazione Comunista, «Liberazione »; historical comparison.

Parole chiave: stalinismo, Domenico Losurdo, comunismo, Partito della Rifondazione Comunista, «Liberazione», comparazione.
"Dietro un muro di ferro". Un reportage dai territori
Authors: Guasco Alberto
Published: June 2021

- This is a reportage of last August's journey into the West Bank. It speaks about the "iron wall" in which, in 1923, Zeev Jabotinsky - father of the right-wing Revisionists-Zionists movement - considered necessary to confine the arabic population. It speaks of the cities and villages: Aboud, Qalqilya, Taybeh, Ramallah, Bir Zeit, Betlemme, At-Tuwani and Hebron. Of meetings with its people: Michel Sabbah, the patriarch of Jerusalem; priests from Aboud, Taybeh and Gaza; doctors at the Palestinian Medical Relief Society in Qalqilya; agronomists at the Palestinian Agricultural Development Association; attorneys-at law at the Mandela Center; embroiderers at the Palestinian Melchite Embrodery Center; violinists at Ramallah's music school Al Kamandjati; theologians at the Al-Liqa Center; nuns at the Bethlehem Charitas Baby Hospital, and ordinary families from Bethlehem and Jerusalem. It pretends only to be a direct encounter with the faces and voices of the Palestinian people.

Key Words: West Bank, wall, check-point, Jerusalem, water, olive trees.

Parole Chiave: West Bank, muro, check point, Gerusalemme, acqua, ulivi.
La responsabilità morale dello storico
Authors: Baczko Bronislaw
Published: June 2021

- Historical knowledge is tied in a thousand ways to the anxieties, conflicts, to antinomies and to the demands of our era. It is in the name of our present that interrogates the past. It possesses a degree of expressive character: voicing the present where one is born and lives. So, therefore the historian is not an impartial and static observer of the past and the ever-dominate present. He must remain in the perspective of the present-day and the historical moment in which he lives. But no «present» is ever really finished. One might think that no moral code is consistent with the principle of relativity of knowledge, that the researcher is inevitably partial and runs the risk of deformation and ideological sublimation. It may also be that history has taken a far too long function of magistra vitae in social awareness. It does not seem to arouse any distrust towards our time. In fact, the disproportion between the anonymous «fate» on one side - the decisions bearing on the existence of humanity and its future destiny - and, on the other hand, the possibility of individual action is today such that history seems pointless for the rationalization of the present. The attitude towards historical knowledge is also influenced by the fact that it is a subject far too easy to exploit and manipulate by power and propaganda, penalizing values often variable and contradictory. The historical-humanist has often been reduced to the role of technical - propagandist. In his research, he cannot make «partial» choices between true and false. The awareness of the relativity of values and of their variability over time, does not change anything in the absolute moral character of historical research. The total moral responsibility of the historian cannot be relieved by anyone. An historian, precisely, must explore the past to get to the truth; he is morally obligated and has no right to falsify.

Key words: present, pass, historical knowledge, "to be a historian", responsibility, relativism, moral code.

Parole chiave: presente, passato, conoscenza storica, "essere uno storico", responsabilità, relativismo, codice morale.
Materiali d'officina. Un progetto archivistico e storiografico su uno sciopero in un Paese dove non si sciopera
Authors: Valsangiacomo Nelly
Published: June 2021

- The ffs Cargo strike in Bellizona lasted thirty-three days between March and April 2008. It was the point of departure for a project focusing on both present time history and on a shared historical event. The work consisted in the creation of a specific archive, in the indexing and analysis of audiovisual documents, and in the gathering of direct testimonies. All this allowed the research team to reflect on the methodological aspects linked to the creation of ‘real-time archives' and the conservation of data from heterogeneous sources (including the web and sms text messages), as well as on the specifics and difficulties inherent to studying the history of the present. Beyond the analysis of the specific local event and, generally speaking, of the new strategies employed during workers' claims and strikes, the project aims at investigating the possibility of keeping a direct contact between protagonists and the building of their ‘history'.

Key words: workers' movements, strike, history of the present time, shared historical event, archives, identity.

Parole chiave: movimento operaio, sciopero, storia del presente, storia partecipata, archivi, identità.
Innovazione e Ricerca e Sviluppo: la questione dell'organizzazione e del lavoro
Authors: Butera Federico
Published: June 2021

Quali caratteristiche hanno le imprese che brevettano? L'articolo affronta questo interrogativo a partire da una ricerca condotta su oltre 400 imprese italiane della meccanica e dell'alta tecnologia che hanno ottenuto brevetti europei nel decennio 1995-2004. Dall'indagine emerge un profilo chiaramente definito: sono imprese solide e innovative, che fronteggiano mercati altamente competitivi ottenendo delle buone performance economiche. Inoltre, le partnership innovative e l'attitudine a mescolare collaborazioni locali ed extralocali rappresentano dei tratti fortemente distintivi di queste aziende. Nel complesso, lo studio conferma la rilevanza del radicamento sociale e territoriale dell'innovazione, ma anche l'importanza delle scelte strategiche e organizzative compiute dalle imprese. Cruciale, per il loro successo, è la capacitŕ di bilanciare

e

provenienti dall'esterno e dall'interno dell'organizzazione. Se da un lato le risorse esterne accrescono la

per l'innovazione, dall'altro quelle interne ne potenziano la

.
Politiche pubbliche e innovazione tecnologica: il caso di Cosenza
Authors: Russo Antonio , Vite Eugenio
Published: June 2021

L'articolo sintetizza i risultati di una ricerca orientata ad analizzare le ricadute sullo sviluppo locale del

, un parco tecnologico sorto in contiguitŕ con l'Universitŕ della Calabria. Le conclusioni evidenziano molteplici criticitŕ che, complessivamente, circoscrivono i benefici potenzialmente connessi a tale struttura.
Brevetti provetti: un'analisi esplorativa dei brevetti "di rottura" italiani del settore farmaceutico
Authors: Biagiotti Andrea , Faraoni Natalia
Published: June 2021

Il saggio presenta i risultati di un'indagine esplorativa su un campione di brevetti farmaceutici dello

. Il brevetto viene analizzato come un processo di costruzione sociale dell'innovazione. Dopo aver classificato il campione in base al giudizio di una giuria di esperti, gli autori prendono in considerazione una serie di variabili che possono influenzare la capacitŕ "di rottura" dei brevetti in termini di una discontinuitŕ scientifico-tecnologica: il profilo formativo e professionale degli inventori; le caratteristiche generali dell'organizzazione in cui il brevetto è maturato; le risorse esterne alle imprese ma interne al territorio su cui l'organizzazione ha fatto affidamento; le dinamiche del gruppo di ricerca autore del brevetto. La comparazione tra i brevetti "di rottura" e quelli di contenuto innovativo più ordinario permette di individuare le dimensioni rilevanti nello spiegare la distribuzione del contenuto innovativo all'interno del campione.
Imprenditori accademici e innovazione nei processi di trasferimento tecnologico
Authors: Tosio Beatrice
Published: June 2021

Il rapido progresso tecnologico e la commistione di scienza e tecnologia nei settori più innovativi hanno ridefinito i contorni del perimetro normativo in cui gli attori accademici commercializzano i risultati della propria ricerca scientifica, qualificandosi come imprenditori accademici. Dopo una breve panoramica di alcune teorie sociologiche sulla produzione di conoscenza in ambito pubblico e privato, l'autore ipotizza che due diversi idealtipi di imprenditore accademico corrispondano a due distinti approcci nei confronti del trasferimento tecnologico. L'autore analizza in ottica comparata otto studi di caso di imprenditori accademici nel settore biomedico in Europa. L'evidenza empirica conferma la tipizzazione elaborata. Dall'analisi dei fattori istituzionali alla base delle differenze riscontrate appare cruciale il coinvolgimento dell'ateneo, che a sua volta dipende dal grado di centralizzazione dell'impianto accademico e dall'innovativitŕ del contesto industriale.
Al "gran ballo" delle Ict in ambito sanitario: la presentazione del sistema Phr
Authors: Zanutto Alberto , Piras Enrico Maria
Published: June 2021

Il paper affronta nello specifico il processo di presentazione di una innovazione Ict, applicata al sistema sanitario, che mette i pazienti al centro di un nuovo dispositivo di archiviazione e gestione dei dati sanitari. Un sistema che in letteratura viene definito Personal Health Record (Phr). La Phr si presenta come una innovazione tecnologica che ridefinisce il ruolo del cittadino nei confronti del sistema sanitario tradizionale. Il cittadino, infatti, non viene più considerato qui come l'oggetto descritto nei documenti scambiati tra medici, quanto piuttosto l'attore maggiormente interessato al fluire delle proprie informazioni sanitarie nella rete dei curanti, al fine di assicurarsi la migliore assistenza possibile. L'attivitŕ di campo, durata circa due anni, ha permesso di ricostruire e analizzare la transizione che ha visto questa tecnologia passare dall'enunciazione iniziale alla concretezza tangibile della sperimentazione. Attraverso la metafora del "presentarsi in societŕ", vicenda tipica dei ricevimenti e dei balli organizzati dai ceti nobili nell'epoca moderna, si cerca di riflettere su come i sistemi Ict di nuova concezione affrontino l'arena eterogenea dei sistemi informativi residenti e si intersechino con altri sistemi preesistenti dotati di specifiche "capacitŕ" politiche.
L'innovazione nelle Politiche socio-assistenziali tra partecipazione ed eterogeneitŕ
Authors: Bruno Antonella
Published: June 2021

Le riflessioni proposte in questo articolo costituiscono parte di un più ampio progetto di ricerca, all'interno del quale s'inserisce uno specifico interesse in merito al tema dell'innovazione. L'autore sottolinea come nell'ambito delle politiche socio- assistenziali il tema dell'innovazione sia stato trattato marginalmente, ricollegando ciň alla natura stessa del concetto e alla sua più stretta connessione ai processi economici e tecnologici. L'articolo si propone come una riflessione su come puň essere declinato il concetto di innovazione nell'ambito delle politiche socioassistenziali, perché l'innovazione è importante, quali forme puň assumere e in che termini una politica o un set di politiche possa considerarsi più o meno innovative riproponendo tali considerazioni attraverso l'analisi di tre progetti realizzati nel territorio campano tra il 2005 e il 2009.
Implementasi Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning dalam Meningkatkan Pemahaman Mata Pelajaran Fiqih Kelas VII
Authors: Anam Saeful , Fahman Ahmad Amiq
Published: June 2021

Penelitian ini  mengkaji Implementasi Model Pembelajaran Problem Based Learning dalam meningkatkan pemahaman mata pelajaran Fiqih Kelas VII di MTs Mambaus Sholihin Gresik. Jenis penelitian ini adalah penelitian lapangan (field Research) yang akan dilaksanakan di MTs Mambaus Sholihin, Sedangkan pendekatan yang digunakan adalah pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode deskriptif kualitatif. Dalam penelitian ini data yang dihasilkan berupa data deskriptif yang diperoleh dari data-data berupa tulisan, kata-kata dan dokumen yang berasal dari sumber atau informan yang diteliti dan dapat dipercaya. Sedangkan teknis analisis data menggunakan analisis deskriptif. Hasli penelitian menyimpulkan bahwa model pembelajaran PBL yang di terapkan di MTs Mambaus Sholihin telah berjalan sesuai teori dan definisi  meski agak sedikit berbeda dalam langkah-langkah. Namun begitu, esensi dari langkah-langkah PBL yang di lakukan para guru Fiqih MTs Mambaus Sholihin tetaplah sama dengan esensi yang di rumuskan para ahli yakni bisa melakukan proses pembelajaran berdasarkan masalah dan menuntut peserta didik lebih aktif dalam berpartisipasi dalam proses pembelajaran. Suatu proses pembelajaran apapun modelnya, para guru di tuntut harus lebih kreatif, inovatif dan sebisa mungkin membuat siswa bahagia dalam mengikuti proses pembelajaran. Begitu juga dalam menerapkan model pembelajaram PBL ini, selain harus kreatif, inovatif dan sabar, guru juga harus menyiapkan materi seringkas mungkin dan menyiapkan masalah-masalah yang dapat merangsamg siswa agar semangat dalam mengikuti proses pembelajaran.