bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Explaining the Shadow Economy in Europe
Authors: Kelmanson Ben , Kirabaeva Koralai , Medina Leandro , Mircheva Borislava , Weiss Jason
Published: January 2020

This paper examines the drivers, and reestimates the size of shadow economies in Europe, with a focus on the emerging economies, and recommends policies to increase formality. The size of shadow economies declined across Europe in recent years but remains significant, especially in Eastern Europe. In the emerging European economies, the key determinants of shadow economy size are regulatory quality, government effectiveness, and human capital. The paper argues that a comprehensive package of reforms, focused on country-specific drivers, is needed to successfully combat the shadow economy. The menu of policies most relevant for Europe’s emerging economies include: reducing regulatory and administrative burdens, promoting transparency and improving government effectiveness, as well as improving tax compliance, automating procedures, and promoting electronic payments.
Tourism In Belize
Authors: Chow Julian
Published: January 2020

Belize’s tourism sector has witnessed impressive growth in recent years with overnight tourist arrivals registering double digit annual growth rates since 2016. To guide the development of the tourism sector from 2012 to 2030, the government endorsed a National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan in 2011, setting various initiatives and targets for the immediate and medium terms. Using a panel regression analysis on twelve Caribbean countries, this paper finds that accelerating structural reforms, fortifying governance frameworks, reducing crime, and mitigating the impact of natural disasters will help sustain tourism growth in Belize and contribute to economic well-being. This is in addition to tackling infrastructure bottlenecks and mitigating concerns relating to the “shared economy”.
Macroeconomic Developments and Prospects in Low-Income Developing Countries—2019
Authors:   International Monetary Fund
Published: January 2020

This paper is the fifth in a series that examines macroeconomic developments and prospects in low-income developing countries (LIDCs). LIDCs are a group of 59 IMF member countries primarily defined by income per capita below a threshold level. LIDCs contain one fifth of the world’s population—1.5 billion people—but account for only 4 percent of global output.
The first chapter of the paper discusses recent macroeconomic developments and trends across LIDCs and, using growth decompositions, explores the key drivers of growth performance in LIDCs. A second chapter examines the challenges faced by LIDCs in implementing a value-added tax system, generally seen as a key component of a strong national tax system. The third chapter discusses how financial safety nets can be appropriately tailored to the specific needs of LIDCs, recognizing that an effective safety net is important for ensuring financial stability and underpinning public confidence in the financial system, thereby promoting financial intermediation.
Republic of Serbia
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. European Dept.
Published: January 2020

The program is on track and economic performance remains robust, with unemployment falling to record-low levels. Strong fiscal performance continued in the first three quarters of 2019, and the fiscal deficit is expected to be limited to 0.5 percent of GDP this year and next, in line with the program. But the public sector wage increases adopted with the 2019 supplementary budget exceed staff advice. Inflation has remained low, consistent with the program and the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) has appropriately implemented three rate cuts since July. The financial sector remains stable.
Barbados
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Western Hemisphere Dept.
Published: January 2020

The Barbadian authorities continue to make good
progress in implementing the comprehensive Economic Recovery and Transformation
(BERT) plan aimed at restoring fiscal and debt sustainability, rebuilding reserves, and
increasing growth. Since May 2018, international reserves have increased from a low of
US$220 million (or 5-6 weeks of import coverage) to more than US$600 million at end-
October 2019. The completion of a domestic debt restructuring in November 2018 has
been very helpful in reducing economic uncertainty, and the terms agreed with
domestic creditors have helped to put debt on a clear downward trajectory. Risks to the
outlook are elevated but growth could surprise on the upside, with private sector
confidence now increasing.
Republic of Georgia
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept.
Published: January 2020

GDP growth remains on track to reach 4.6 percent despite the ban on direct flights from Russia. The current account deficit reached a historic low. Inflation accelerated to 6.9 percent in October reflecting higher food prices and nominal depreciation. The National Bank of Georgia used FX sales and higher policy rates to address rising inflationary pressures. Strong revenue growth has more than offset higher-than-envisaged capital spending, and the 2019 fiscal deficit is likely to be lower than projected at the Fourth Review.
Liberia
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Published: January 2020

Resource constraints, macroeconomic imbalances, and longstanding fragility
continue to challenge the authorities’ efforts to improve living standards. An initial rush to
deliver election promises has, at times, led to shortcomings in their execution. After
grappling with these challenges for over a year, a consensus on the need for broad-based
reform has emerged, leading to a request for a Fund-supported program. The authorities are requesting Fund support in the form of a four-year
arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility of SDR155 million (60 percent of quota) to
guide policies and reforms aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability, providing a
foundation for sustainable growth, and addressing weaknesses in governance.
IMF Research Bulletin, Fall-Winter 2019
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Research Dept.
Published: January 2020

It has been two years since the trade tensions erupted and not only captured policymakers’ but also the research community’s attention. Research has quickly zoomed in on understanding trade war rhetoric, tariff implementation, and economic impacts. The first article in the December 2019 issue sheds light on the consequences of the recent trade barriers.
Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC)
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Published: January 2020

Tighter macroeconomic and financial policies helped to avert a deeper
crisis, and gross external reserves increased more rapidly in recent months, largely exceeding
the mid-2019 target. However, reserves are still below the level appropriate for commodityexporting
economies (5 months of imports) to absorb terms of trade shocks. Fiscal
consolidation has been tilted towards cuts in public investment. This, together with a lack of
significant progress in structural reforms, has weighed on growth which remains too low.
The outlook for 2019 and beyond foresees further improvement in regional reserves assuming
CEMAC countries remain committed to their program objectives and new programs with CAR
and Equatorial Guinea could start around end-2019. This outlook is subject to potentially
significant risks, including: a significant slowdown in global growth and associated decline in oil
prices; a deterioration in the security situation in some countries; and weaker implementation of
IMF-supported programs.
List of IMF Member Countries with Delays in Completion of Article IV Consultations or Mandatory Financial Stability Assessments over 18 Months
Authors:   International Monetary Fund. Strategy, Policy, &,   Review Department
Published: January 2020

In accordance with Executive Board Decision No. 15106-(12/21), the Fund will publish on
its external website a list of member countries whose Article IV consultations or
mandatory financial stability assessments have been delayed by more than 18 months, as
of December 15, 2019, since the expected deadline for conclusion.
The European Radiological Data Exchange Platform (EURDEP): 25 years of monitoring data exchange
Authors: Sangiorgi Marco , Hernández-Ceballos Miguel Angel , Jackson Kevin , Cinelli Giorgia , Bogucarskis Konstantins , De Felice Luca , Patrascu Andrei , De Cort Marc
Published: January 2020

Abstract. During the early phase of an accident with the release of
radioactive material to the environment at the local or transboundary scale, a
rapid and continuous system of information exchange, including real-time
monitoring data to competent authorities and the public, is critical for setting
up countermeasures. This information and data exchange must be carried out
in a harmonized and consistent manner to facilitate its interpretation and
analysis. After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, and in order to avoid
the competent authorities being unprepared again for a similar event, the European
Commission (EC) defined and put in place a directive (Council Decision
87/600/EURATOM, 1987) which essentially obliges a member state that decides to
implement widespread countermeasures to protect its population to notify the
European Commission without delay. The same Council Decision also specifies
that the results of radiological monitoring must be made available to the
European Commission and all potentially affected member states. Over the past 30
years, the European Commission has invested resources in developing and
improving a complete system to carry out this delicate task, currently
composed of two platforms: the European Community Urgent Radiological
Information Exchange (ECURIE) and the European Radiological Data Exchange Platform (EURDEP). This paper aims to increase knowledge of the latter
system as a valuable tool for understanding and analysing the radioactivity levels
in Europe. Commencing with background information, in this paper, we will
describe the EURDEP system in detail, with an emphasis on its status, data
availability, and how these data are diffused depending on the audience.
Within the scope of this publication, we describe an example of measurements
available in the EURDEP system, which to be used for scientific purposes. We
provide two complete datasets (air-concentration samples –
https://doi.org/10.2905/23CBC7C4-4FCC-47D5-A286-F8A4EDC8215F; De Cort et al.,
2019a; and gamma dose rates –
https://doi.org/10.2905/0F9F3E2D-C8D7-4F46-BBE7-EACF3EED1560; De Cort et al.,
2019b) for the recent radiological release of 106Ru in Europe, which
occurred between the end of September and early October 2017. Records stored
are publicly accessible through an unrestricted repository called
COLLECTION belonging to the JRC Data Public Catalogue (https://data.jrc.ec.europa.eu, last access: 1 July 2019).
Geo-climatic hazards in the eastern subtropical Andes: Distribution, Climate Drivers and Trends
Authors: Vergara Iván , Moreiras Stella M. , Araneo Diego , Garreaud René
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Detection and understanding of historical changes in the frequency of geo-climatic hazards (G-CHs) is crucial for the quantification of current hazard and their future projection. Here we focus in the eastern subtropical Andes (32–33° S), using meteorological data and a century-long inventory on 553 G-CHs triggered by rainfall or snowfall. First we analysed their spatio-temporal distributions and the role of climate variability on the year-to-year changes in the number of days with G-CHs. Precipitation is positively correlated with the number of G-CHs across the region and year-round; mean temperature is negatively correlated with snowfall-driven hazards in the western (higher) half of the study region during winter, and with rainfall-driven hazards in the eastern zone during summer. The trends of the G-CHs frequency since the mid-20th century were calculated taking cautions for their non-systematic monitoring. The G-CHs series for the different triggers, zones and seasons were generally stationary. Nonetheless, there is a small positive trend in rainfall-driven G-CHs in the eastern zone during summer congruent with a rainfall increase there. We also found a decrease in snowfall-driven G-CHs in the western zone since the late 1990's onwards, most likely due to a reduction in winter precipitation rather than an increase in temperature.
Soil fertility along toposequences of the East India Plateau and implications for productivity and sustainability
Authors: Cornish Peter S. , Kumar Ashok , Das Sudipta
Published: January 2020

Abstract. In common with other undulating landscapes in Asia, rice (Oryza sativa) on the East India Plateau (EIP) was once confined to hydrologic discharge areas or lowlands, but progressive terracing has now allowed rainfed transplanted rice to encroach upon upland recharge areas, with potential effects on both hydrology and soil fertility. Hydrologic variation down the toposequence and its implications for rice production have been well documented, but not the variation in soil fertility. Measurements of surface-soil fertility in seven of 24 EIP Districts were used to evaluate variation between and within small watersheds stratified down the toposequence into six land classes that reflect hydrology and land use (three with rice and three without, 36 fields/watershed). We aimed to provide a basis for future research to improve soil fertility management. Soils overall were acid, with 14 % of fields requiring liming (pH
The role of history and strength of the oceanic forcing in sea-level projections from Antarctica with the Parallel Ice Sheet Model
Authors: Reese Ronja , Levermann Anders , Albrecht Torsten , Seroussi Hélène , Winkelmann Ricarda
Published: January 2020

Abstract. Mass loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet constitutes the largest uncertainty in projections of future sea-level rise. Ocean-driven melting underneath the floating ice shelves and subsequent acceleration of the inland ice streams is the major reason for currently observed mass loss from Antarctica and is expected to become more important in the future. Here we show that for projections of future mass loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet, it is essential (1) to better constrain the sensitivity of sub-shelf melt rates to ocean warming, and (2) to include the historic trajectory of the ice sheet. In particular, we find that while the ice-sheet response in simulations using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model is comparable to the median response of models in three Antarctic Ice Sheet Intercomparison projects – initMIP, LARMIP-2 and ISMIP6 – conducted with a range of ice-sheet models, the projected 21st century sea-level contribution differs significantly depending on these two factors. For the highest emission scenario RCP8.5, this leads to projected ice loss ranging from 1.4 to 4.0 cm of sea-level equivalent in the ISMIP6 simulations where the sub-shelf melt sensitivity is comparably low, opposed to a likely range of 9.2 to 35.9 cm using the exact same initial setup, but emulated from the LARMIP-2 experiments with a higher melt sensitivity based on oceanographic studies. Furthermore, using two initial states, one with and one without a previous historic simulation from 1850 to 2014, we show that while differences between the ice-sheet configurations in 2015 are marginal, the historic simulation increases the susceptibility of the ice sheet to ocean warming, thereby increasing mass loss from 2015 to 2100 by about 50 %. Our results emphasize that the uncertainty that arises from the forcing is of the same order of magnitude as the ice-dynamic response for future sea-level projections.
Dwindling Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Enugu State Nigeria: Diagnosing Teacher-Student Relationship for Therapy
Authors: Chukwuemeka Emma E. O. , Ananti Mathias , Onyekwelu Rose
Published: January 2020

One of the purest, deeply and inspirational relationships is that of a devoted teacher and willing students. Almost everyone has a favorite and those we liked less, it totally depends on how the student-teacher relationship were developed, nurtured and given space to evolve. Currently the academic performance of students in secondary schools has dropped inexorably across the Country. Enugu State not excluded. The study therefore examined the effect of teacher-students relationship on the academic performance of senior secondary school students in selected secondary schools of Enugu State. It is a descriptive study. Four research questions were raised to guide the study. The tools used to elicit data from respondents were questionnaire, face to face interview, observation and focus group discussion guide. The data collected were analyzed using mean. The population of the study is 1520 comprising teachers, principals and students in the three selected secondary schools in Aninri Local Government Area. Taro Yamani sample selection formula was used to select a sample size of seven hundred and sixty respondents. The findings revealed that teacher-student relation affects positively or adversely academic performance of students, teacher-student relation is bedeviled by challenges and there are strategies which should be adopted to strengthen teacher-student relation. Based on these findings, appropriate recommendations such as supervision of instruction, workshop and advocacy were among the measures proffered.
Effect of different parameters of heterogeneous dams on safety factor using the neural network. Case study: Marvan dam
Authors: Beiranvand B. , Mohammadzade A. , Komasi M.
Published: January 2020

The drainage system is used to guide the flow of water in the earth dams. Construction of drainage in the dam body to collect and direct the drainage formed in the dam body to keep the slope dry and prevent the increase of pore water pressure in the body. One of the main goals of the designers is to find the minimum factor of safety and, consequently, reduce the cost of construction. In this study, the Marvak dam is modeled with the actual characteristics of the materials in the Geostudio software, and with the change in the dimensions of the drain, the material and the slope of the dam body, the minimum Factor of safety of the dam is obtained. In order to predict the minimum Factor of safety, a two-layer neural network has been used. With the training of the neural network based on the data obtained from heterogeneous dams, a minimum Factor of safety has been extracted for optimization of drainage. Finally, it was determined that the internal friction angle of the body material and the slope of the dam have the greatest effect on the dam factor of safety.
National discrepancies in residency training of open simple prostatectomy for benign prostatic enlargement: Redefining our gold standard
Authors: Levasseur-Fortin Patrice , Law Kyle , Nguyen David-Dan , Zakaria Ahmed , Misrai Vincent , Elterman Dean , Bhojani Naeem , Rijo Enrique , Zorn Kevin C.
Published: January 2020

Introduction: In light of the recent Canadian Urological Association (CUA) and other urological association (America Urological Association, European Association of Urology) recommendations for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), open simple prostatectomy (OSP) remains the recommended approach for large prostates with measured volumes over 80 cc.1 We sought to assess the current state of OSP and other BPH surgical training across Canadian urology residency programs and the use of guideline-recommended imagery prior to BPH surgery.

Methods: A survey was distributed among Canadian urology program directors in June 2019. We identified the various surgical modalities available for the treatment of BPH offered by each program and obtained the annual number of OSP performed at each academic residency program. Additionally, we evaluated if preoperative transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) of the prostate was routinely performed to obtain the prostate volume during patient counselling as recommended by 2018 CUA guidelines.

Results: All 13 program directors from the Canadian urology programs responded to our survey. OSP and monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) remain the most common across programs and are practiced in all centers. Greenlight photo-vaporization, bipolar TURP, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and robot-assisted simple prostatectomy were practiced in 76.8%, 69.2%, 23.1%, and 23.1% of centers, respectively. The mean number of OSP per academic training program was 4.7 cases annually. Moreover, only five (38%) academic centers routinely performed a preoperative TRUS to evaluate prostate volume for BPH counselling.

Conclusions: Although recognized and referenced as the BPH gold standard for the treatment of prostates over 80 cc, Canadian urology trainees’ annual OSP exposure remains extremely limited. Considering the degree of importance given (category A) to the direct observation (of a minimum of five) of this intervention during residency training in the new Royal College's practice guidelines, it may be unrealistic to reach these national standards considering the annual case OSP volumes in Canadian academic urology faculties.
Interferência do alumínio no crescimento radicular, absorção e acúmulo de fósforo em plantas de paricá
Authors: Peleja Vanessa Leao , Souza Fernanda llkiu Borges de , Rego Anna Karyne Costa , Silva Júnior Mario Lopes da , Furtado Ana Catarina Siqueira , Felsemburgh Cristina Aledi , Tribuzy Edgard Siza
Published: January 2020

A espécie Schizolobium amazonicum Huber ex. Ducke (paricá), é uma espécie nativa plantada para a produção de madeira em larga escala. O bom desenvolvimento da espécie depende de fatores como a tolerância a níveis de alguns elementos tóxicos para as plantas, como o alumínio (Al3+), e de nutriente em concentrações adequadas, como o fósforo (P). Desta forma, o objetivo do estudo foi analisar o efeito do alumínio na absorção e translocação de fósforo e a presença desses elementos nas raízes de mudas de Schizolobium amazonicum Huber ex. Ducke cultivadas em solução nutritiva. O estudo foi realizado em casa de vegetação do Instituto de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (Belém/PA). Os tratamentos consistiram em duas concentrações de alumínio: 0 e 20 mg L-1, aplicados na solução nutritiva, composta por: 97 mgL-1 H2PO-4. Foi determinado o acúmulo de fósforo (P) e alumínio (Al) nas raízes e na parte aérea das plantas para se avaliar a influência da fitotoxidez nas plantas. Além disso, foram realizadas análises quali-quantitativas dos dois elementos nos tecidos radiculares, onde foi observada a presença e a porcentagem dos elementos na epiderme, no córtex e no cilindro central, através de análises de espectrometria de energia dispersiva (EDS).  Os dados de matéria seca, acúmulo de fósforo e alumínio foram submetidos ao teste de T a 1% de probabilidade no programa Bioestat 5.0. Também foram calculadas estatísticas descritivas (médias e porcentagens) para as variáveis da análise de espectrometria. As plantas tratadas com Al apresentaram baixa produção de matéria seca na parte aérea, enquanto na raiz observou-se grandes ganhos de matéria. O P e o Al tenderam a se acumular nas raízes, sendo pouco translocados para a parte aérea. O alumínio prejudicou a translocação de fósforo para a parte aérea das plantas de paricá. O P estava em maior quantidade no córtex e o alumínio na epiderme das raízes.
Determinantes psicossociais do comportamento sedentário dos idosos: estudo qualitativo
Authors: Ramalho André , Petrica João , Rosado António
Published: January 2020

Nos últimos anos verificou-se um aumento progressivo acerca da investigação sobre o comportamento sedentário. No entanto, as evidências ainda são escassas relativamente aos determinantes psicossociais do tempo sentado dos idosos. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi identificar os fatores psicossociais que determinavam os diferentes comportamentos sedentários dos idosos, realizados em diferentes contextos. Participaram no estudo 20 idosos (M = 68 anos; DP = 1.6 anos) selecionados intencionalmente. Os dados foram recolhidos através de um guião de entrevista semiestruturada constituído por um conjunto evolutivo de questões e a análise dos dados seguiu um processo indutivo. Os resultados indicaram os seguintes determinantes psicossociais do comportamento sedentário dos idosos: força do hábito, comportamentos compensatórios, representação positiva dos comportamentos sedentários e o suporte social. Parece que os comportamentos sedentários dos idosos podem ser determinados por processos automáticos e intencionais. Os idosos também podem utilizar estratégias cognitivas com a intenção de compensar o tempo sentado através de comportamentos ativos. O suporte social dos idosos pode contribuir para a promoção do tempo sedentário e para a interrupção do mesmo. O entendimento dos fatores psicossociais constitui-se numa importante contribuição para a explicação do tempo sedentário dos idosos.
Imagen Corporal y Obesidad mediante las Siluetas de Stunkard en Niños y Adolescentes Indios de 8 a 15 Años
Authors: Sánchez Castillo Sheila , López Sánchez Guillermo Felipe , Ahmed MD Dilsad , Díaz Suárez Arturo
Published: January 2020

Este artículo se centra en estudiar la imagen corporal y la sobrecarga ponderal (sobrepeso y obesidad) en niños y adolescente de India. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 395 participantes de 8-15 años de Karbi Anglong, Assam (212 de sexo masculino y 183 de sexo femenino). El instrumento utilizado fue el de las siluetas de Stunkard. El 37.3% de hombres y el 22,4% de mujeres fueron clasificados en la categoría de sobrepeso/obesidad (  =13,033; p=,001; d=0,63). Respecto a la imagen corporal, el 82,3% presentó insatisfacción con su cuerpo, destacando aquellos a los que les gustaría ser más grandes (hombres 62,7% y mujeres 49,7%). Por tanto, el problema psicológico de la insatisfacción corporal tuvo una mayor prevalencia que el problema fisiológico de la obesidad. Se recomienda implementar programas de actividad física para mejorar la imagen corporal y la composición corporal de los niños y adolescentes de Assam.

The present study focused on the study of body image and overweightand obesityin Indian children and adolescents. This investigation involved 395 participants (212 males and 183 females) from Karbi Anglong, Assam,aged between 8 and 15 years (12.16 ± 2.01). The instrument used was Stunkard’s et al. silhouettes. 37.3% men and 22.4% women were classified as overweight/obese (!"#=13.033; p=.001; d=0.63). Regarding body image, 82.3% were dissatisfied with their body, highlighting those who would like to be larger (men 62.7% and women 49.7%). Therefore, the problem of body dissatisfaction had a higher prevalence than the physiological problem of obesity. It is recommended to implement physical activity programs to improve body image and body composition of children and adolescents in Assam.
Efeitos psicossociais do Yoga: ouvir as vozes de professores de Yoga portugueses experientes.
Authors: Silva Catarina Pissarra , Boleto Rosado António Fernando
Published: January 2020

Resumo. A maioria da investigação sobre os efeitos da prática do Yoga centra-se em estudos empíricos da área médica sendo escassos os estudos centrados nos seus efeitos psicossociais. Este estudo pretende conhecer as opiniões de professores experientes de yoga, portugueses, com muita experiência de prática e leccionação de Yoga, sobre os efeitos psicossociais da prática do yoga. Pretende-se conhecer em que medida o Yoga influenciou as suas vidas e relatar testemunhos que evidenciem a sua perceção.
Utilizou-se uma metodologia qualitativa, com entrevistas semiestruturadas a dez professores, cinco de cada sexo, com idades entre os 40 e os 95 anos, dois com mais de 90 anos, todos com muita experiência prática (Manos= 45,8  e SD=16,47)  e de lecionação (Manos =34,2  e SD=13,48).  As entrevistas, individuais, foram gravadas e transcritas integralmente. O conteúdo dos dados foi analisado com o programa AtlasTi7 e  realizou-se uma Análise Temática, com a divisão dos conteúdos em temas e categorias emergentes.
Os resultados indicam que todos os professores consideram que a prática de Yoga tem efeitos psicossociais positivos, nomeadamente, a nível da melhoria do bem-estar físico e social, do bem-estar espiritual, do optimismo, da satisfação com a vida, da felicidade, da resiliência, da atenção plena e das auto-avaliações nucleares.
Predictive variables of emotional intensity and motivational orientation in the sports initiation of basketball
Authors: Pic Miguel , Lavega-Burgués Pere , Muñoz-Arroyave Verónica , March-Llanes Jaume , Echeverri-Ramos José Albeiro
Published: January 2020

The sports initiation of basketball has used exercises and games to improve motor performance, forgetting aspects of maximum importance such as the emotional experience and motivational orientation of players. There were 183 students from public secondary and post-compulsory schools, 103 girls (56.2%) and 80 boys (43.7%). The validated Games and Emotions Scale questionnaire: GES-II was applied, together with the motivation questionnaire that the students completed after finishing the game situations. Two sessions were held: a) races bouncing a basketball and, b) by teams, passing between teammates a ball that had to be launched on the rival team. Multivariate analyzes were applied, classification trees, specifically the CHAID growth method (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detector, in SPSS v.24). The analysis of the predictive variables of emotional intensity indicated that the first explanatory variable was the emotion type (p <.001; F = 1178.369; df1, df2 = 1833). The positive emotions (e +) (n = 367, M = 4.0) were more intense (p <.001) than the negative ones (e-) (n = 1468, mean 1.4). The second predictive variable for both types of emotions was the result. The predictive maps of emotional and motivational experience confirm that the characteristics of the tasks and of the players are two intertwined realities to take into account in integral basketball training.

The sports initiation of basketball has used exercises and games to improve motor performance, forgetting aspects of maximum importance such as the emotional experience and motivational orientation of players. There were 183 students from public secondary and post-compulsory schools, 103 girls (56.2%) and 80 boys (43.7%). The validated Games and Emotions Scale questionnaire: GES-II was applied, together with the motivation questionnaire that the students completed after finishing the game situations. Two sessions were held: a) races bouncing a basketball and, b) by teams, passing between teammates a ball that had to be launched on the rival team. Multivariate analyzes were applied, classification trees, specifically the CHAID growth method (Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detector, in SPSS v.24). The analysis of the predictive variables of emotional intensity indicated that the first explanatory variable was the emotion type (p <.001; F = 1178.369; df1, df2 = 1833). The positive emotions (e +) (n = 367, M = 4.0) were more intense (p <.001) than the negative ones (e-) (n = 1468, mean 1.4). The second predictive variable for both types of emotions was the result. The predictive maps of emotional and motivational experience confirm that the characteristics of the tasks and of the players are two intertwined realities to take into account in integral basketball training.
Experiences of gender-based violence in women asylum seekers from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala
Authors: Baranowski Kim A. , Wang Eileen , D'Andrea Megan R. , Singer Elizabeth K.
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Every year, thousands of women flee gender-based violence in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala (sometimes collectively referred to as the Northern Triangle) in an attempt to seek asylum in the United States. Once in the United States, their legal teams may refer them for a psychological evaluation as part of their application for asylum. Licensed clinicians conduct in-depth interviews in order to document the psychological impact of the reported human rights violations. Method: Using archival de-identified data from a human rights program, this study gathered the experiences of gender-based violence reported by 70 asylum-seeking women from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala who participated in pro bono psychological evaluation. Descriptive data were analyzed using a modified consensual qualitative research (CQR-M) method.Results: These asylum seekers reported exposure to systemic violence, including severe intimate partner violence, as well as physical and sexual assaults, and threats of death by organized criminal groups in their communities. Additionally, over a third of women reported experiences of violence during their migration. The majority of asylum seekers endorsed symptoms associated with anxiety (80%) and depression (91%), as well as trauma-and stressor-related symptoms (80%). Discussion: The results of this study elucidate the manyforms of gender-based violence experienced by women in this region, the physical and psychological sequelae of this persecution, and the systemic forces that prevent them from remaining in their countries of origin. The research results also highlight the potential impact of trauma on the women’s ability to testify effectively during asylum legal hearings, elucidate factors that may contribute to their resilience in light of the human rights violations they survived, and suggest implications for clinical practice.
Introduction to Volume 29, Issue 3
Authors: Pérez-Sales Pau , Dominey Chris
Published: January 2020

We close Volume 29 with an issue of Torture Journal focused on measuring processes and results, a subject that has always been considered a priority for the sector. There is a dearth of studies on long-term follow-up to assess rehabilitation success. The paper by Martin Hill and Mary Lynn Everson, “Indicators likely to contribute to clinical and functional improvement among survivors of politically-sanctioned torture” is unique in the length of post-treatment follow-up, and provides an innovative approach in the measurement of rehabilitation outcomes through a structured measure of functional aspects with an instrument designed at the Kovler Center in Chicago. In addition, in the framework of the interminable debate over whether clinical categories of psychiatric classifications respond effectively to the experience of torture victims, Marie Louison Vang and colleagues present in their paper “Testing the validity of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD among refugees in treatment using latent class analysis,” a validation study through multivariate models to distinguish between the classic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) diagnosis and the new Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in refugee and torture survivor populations. The results show that this new diagnosis not only complements the previous one but both approaches represent an improved nosological classification and definition of the experiences of torture survivors. Kim Baranowski and collaborators, in their paper, “Experiences of gender-violence in women asylum seekers from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala” propose, supported by the evidence gathered, that types of violence experienced by these women are multi-intersectional, and that restricted categorisation of the concept of torture can ignore the experiences of asylum-seeking women, whose lives, both in their countries of origin, in transit and in the host country, are persistently affected by structural, psychological and physical violence perpetrated by state and nonstate actors alike. Finally, Kristi Rendahland Pamela Kriege Santoso offer in their contribution “Organizational development with torture rehabilitation programs: An applied perspective,” a personal, non-data-driven text representing their experience in supporting the creation of torture victim centres in different countries within the framework of the CVT’s Partners in Trauma Healing (PATH) Project.In this last issue of the journal we would like to thank all the authors that have chosen Torture Journal as the platform to share their research. In particular, we extend our thanks to those anonymous reviewers who have devoted hours and effort to the indispensable task of giving us their critical and constructive view of the journal’s articles. Without them the publication would not be possible.We believe that this issue of the Torture Journal will undoubtedly provide many elements of reflection for our readers. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed preparing it.Torture Journal Editorial Team
Receptor-based mechanism of relative sensing and cell memory in mammalian signaling networks
Authors: Lyashenko Eugenia , Niepel Mario , Dixit Purushottam D , Lim Sang Kyun , Sorger Peter K , Vitkup Dennis
Published: January 2020

Detecting relative rather than absolute changes in extracellular signals enables cells to make decisions in constantly fluctuating environments. It is currently not well understood how mammalian signaling networks store the memories of past stimuli and subsequently use them to compute relative signals, that is perform fold change detection. Using the growth factor-activated PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, we develop here computational and analytical models, and experimentally validate a novel non-transcriptional mechanism of relative sensing in mammalian cells. This mechanism relies on a new form of cellular memory, where cells effectively encode past stimulation levels in the abundance of cognate receptors on the cell surface. The surface receptor abundance is regulated by background signal-dependent receptor endocytosis and down-regulation. We show the robustness and specificity of relative sensing for two physiologically important ligands, epidermal growth factor (EGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and across wide ranges of background stimuli. Our results suggest that similar mechanisms of cell memory and fold change detection may be important in diverse signaling cascades and multiple biological contexts.
Tgfβ signaling is critical for maintenance of the tendon cell fate
Authors: Tan Guak-Kim , Pryce Brian A , Stabio Anna , Brigande John V , Wang ChaoJie , Xia Zheng , Tufa Sara F , Keene Douglas R , Schweitzer Ronen
Published: January 2020

Studies of cell fate focus on specification, but little is known about maintenance of the differentiated state. In this study, we find that the mouse tendon cell fate requires continuous maintenance in vivo and identify an essential role for TGFβ signaling in maintenance of the tendon cell fate. To examine the role of TGFβ signaling in tenocyte function the TGFβ type II receptor (Tgfbr2) was targeted in the Scleraxis-expressing cell lineage using the ScxCre deletor. Tendon development was not disrupted in mutant embryos, but shortly after birth tenocytes lost differentiation markers and reverted to a more stem/progenitor state. Viral reintroduction of Tgfbr2 to mutants prevented and even rescued tenocyte dedifferentiation suggesting a continuous and cell autonomous role for TGFβ signaling in cell fate maintenance. These results uncover the critical importance of molecular pathways that maintain the differentiated cell fate and a key role for TGFβ signaling in these processes.
Exploring the Link between Small Scale Fish Trade and Local Livelihoods in Developing Country Near Shore Marine Fishery
Authors: Wamukota Andrew
Published: January 2020

The paper reviews critical findings regarding the influence of fish marketing on local livelihoods and resources in a near shore African marine fishery. Literature search was conducted using search engines google scholar, scopus, and web of science using the key words: Fish, fish trade, global market, livelihood, marine/coastal, with the objectives of exploring the relationship between fish markets, livelihoods (at the household level) as well as the resource itself. In addition, country reports from research organizations (both published and unpublished) as well as FAO reports were consulted. The search was undertaken in November 2019. Results from literature search were analyzed thematically based on livelihood indicators including fish marketing channels, determinants of income, occupations and fish price transmission. Linkages vary with respect to fish type, species and usage type, highlighting the need for disaggregated analyses to respond to specific objectives and market factors. The review points out that not all fish types are exported/linked to the tourism industry and that even for those linked to the global market, the benefits do not trick down. A strong interaction between fish and local staple is evident, an indication that small scale fisheries are likely to have local benefits than benefits attributed to global market linkages.
Evaluation of Phytochemical Constituents and Antibacterial Activity of Chromolaena Odorata L. Leaf Extract against Selected Multidrug Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Wounds
Authors: Adewumi Alabi Mercy , Olusola-Makinde Olubukola , Kolawole Oladunmoye Muftau
Published: January 2020

Aim: To study the antibacterial effect of Chromolaena odorata extracts on multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae from wounds.

Place of Study: University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, between January and June 2019.

Methodology: A total of 87 wound swabs were collected from patients of University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure. Air-dried and powdered C. odorata leaves were extracted using hot water, ethanol and methanol as extraction solvents and concentrated using a rotary evaporator. The concentrated C. odorata extracts were purified using chromatographic techniques. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of C. odorata extracts were done by standard methods. Antibiotics susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates to a panel of ten (10) conventional antibiotics was determined by disc diffusion method.

Results: C. odorata methanolic extract had the highest extract yield (26.2%). From the multidrug resistance analysis, 66.7% of bacterial isolates tested had multidrug resistance index (MDRI) of 100%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was susceptible to 100 mg/ml of C. odorata ethanolic extract but resistant (0.00±0.00) to 100 mg/ml of hot aqueous C. odorata extract.

Conclusion: This study reveals the inhibitory activities of C. odorata extracts on multidrug resistant bacteria isolated from wounds and an indication of their potential in the treatment of wound infection.
Comparing the Patient‐Reported Physical Function Outcome Measures in a Real‐Life International Cohort of Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Leung Ying Ying , Orbai Ana‐Maria , de Wit Maarten , Balanescu Andra , Dernis Emmanuelle , Soubrier Martin , Eder Lihi , Smolen Josef S. , Coates Laura C. , Gossec Laure  ,   for the Remission/Flare in PsA Study Group
Published: January 2020

Objective

We evaluated the psychometric properties of 3 patient‐reported outcome measures to assess the physical function in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

Data were available for the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index (HAQ DI), the 12‐item Short Form instrument physical component summary (SF‐12 PCS), and the Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease instrument functional capacity score (PsAID‐FC). Data came from a longitudinal study in 14 countries of consecutive adults with definite PsA with ≥2 years of duration. The score distribution, construct validity, responsiveness, and thresholds of meaning of the patient‐reported outcome measures were evaluated.

Results

At baseline, 414 subjects (52% male) were analyzed. The mean ± SD age was 52.4 ± 12.5 years and duration of illness was 10.9 ± 8.1 years. Ceiling effects were noted in 31% and 21% of patients for HAQ DI and PsAID‐FC, respectively; floor effects were minimal. All 3 patient‐reported outcome measures met a priori hypotheses for construct validity. After a median follow‐up of 4.1 (interquartile range 2.7) months in 350 patients, 27%, 54%, and 18% of patients reported themselves improved, not changed, and worsened, respectively. Change scores were statistically different for groups for worsening versus no‐change for all patient‐reported outcome measures. PsAID‐FC was more sensitive to change than the other 2 patient‐reported outcome measures. Comparing groups with worsening condition to no‐change, the standardized response mean square ratios were HAQ DI 29.9, SF‐12 PCS 16.7, and PsAID‐FC 40.1.

Conclusion

HAQ DI, SF‐12 PCS, and PsAID‐FC are valid measures of physical function for PsA. PsAID‐FC, a single question, performed similarly to the other patient‐reported outcome measures and may be an additional option to measure PsA‐specific physical function.
Dendritic Spacing/Columnar Grain Diameter of Al–2Mg–Zn Alloys Affecting Hardness, Tensile Properties, and Dry Sliding Wear in the As‐Cast/Heat‐Treated Conditions
Authors: Ache Carolina , Lopes Maiquel , Reis Bernardo , Garcia Amauri , Santos Carlos dos
Published: January 2020

Inter‐relations of solidification conditions, as‐cast and heat‐treated structures, and mechanical properties are extremely useful in the design of components, especially Al‐based alloys. Herein, the effects of secondary dendrite arm spacing (λ2) and columnar grain diameter (CGD) on hardness, tensile, and dry sliding wear responses of Al−2Mg‐(5 and 8)Zn (wt%) alloys in the as‐cast and heat‐treated conditions, respectively, are focused upon. The alloys are melted and solidified in an instrumented upward directional solidification apparatus under nonsteady‐state heat transfer conditions. Samples are cut from the solidified ingots and subjected to the T6 heat treatment. Samples are characterized metallographically by optical and scanning electron microscopies and mechanically by Brinell hardness, tensile, and dry sliding wear tests. It is found that higher Zn concentration and solidification cooling rates refine λ2 and the CGD. Hardness and tensile properties are improved with the decrease in λ2 in the as‐cast condition of both alloys. After heat treatment, all these properties increase with the decrease in CGD. Wear parameters show that only the alloy having a higher Zn content is associated with better wear resistance. Correlations between the wear rate as a function of λ2 and CGD are established by experimental equations.
Machine Learning‐Enabled Correlation and Modeling of Multimodal Response of Thin Film to Environment on Macro and Nanoscale Using “Lab‐on‐a‐Crystal”
Authors: Muckley Eric S. , Collins Liam , Srijanto Bernadeta R. , Ivanov Ilia N.
Published: January 2020

To close the feedback loop between artificial intellegence‐controlled materials synthesis and characterization, material functionality must be rapidly tested. A platform for high‐throughput multifunctional materials characterization is developed using a quartz crystal microbalance with auxiliary in‐plane electrodes and a custom gas/vapor flow cell, enabling simultaneous scanning probe microscopy and electrical, optical, gravimetric, and viscoelastic characterization on the same film under controlled environment. The lab‐on‐a‐crystal in situ multifunctional output allows direct correlations between the gravimetric/viscoelastic, electrical, and optical responses of polymer film in response to environment. When multiple film properties are used to augment the training set for machine learning regression, prediction of material response to the environment improves by a factor of 13 when <5% of the total dataset is used for model training.