bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Level of Psychological Hardiness Among Volleyball and Swimming Players in Jordan: A Comparative Study
Authors: Hatamleh Mahmoud Aied , Eid Faleh Sultan Abu , Abutabanjeh Abdulmunem , Akour Ahmad Abed Alwahab , Alqatami Haya Mohamad
Published: February 2024

This study aimed at identifying the level of the psychological hardiness among the volleyball and swimming players in Jordan. It also aimed at identifying the effect of the (type of game) variable on the psychological hardiness among the players. The researchers applied the descriptive method in its survey form, as the sample consisted of all the male and female players of the first division volleyball clubs (n=126), and male and female swimming players (n=18) who are enrolled in the 2022/2023 sports season. The researchers constructed a questionnaire to measure psychological hardiness, which consisted of three domains (Challenge, commitment, and control), and was distributed over 15 items. The data processing was carried out using the means, standard deviations, analysis of variance and Cronbach Alfa.

The results showed that the psychological hardiness level among the volleyball and swimming players was high, and that there were no statistically significant differences of the hardiness level among the volleyball and swimming players ascribed to the (type of game) variable.

In the light of the results, the researchers recommended to affirm the significance of the psychological hardiness among the volleyball and swimming players, and to hold courses and workshops to introduce the significance of the psychological hardiness among the players.
Analysis of The Influence of Digital Payment Process, Quality of Application, and Online Service on Repurchase Intention of Online Shopping Platform Customers
Authors: Maksimilianus Gai Ardiyanto , Zakaria Muhammad , Harsono Iwan , Widia Nurdiani Tanti , Razak Munir Abdul
Published: February 2024

In order to understand how customer satisfaction is affected by convenience, transaction process, system quality, content reliability, and customer service, as well as how this affects customer complaints and repurchase intentions, these factors will be examined in this study. We employed the descriptive research method in conjunction with conclusive research in this study. For this study, a cross-sectional design was employed. A questionnaire was used in this study's data collection process. Those who have utilized the mobile application and filed complaints with customer support make up the demographic under investigation. With a sample size of 100 participants, judgmental sampling was used in this study. The structural equation model method will be used to examine the data in this study. The data analysis's findings highlight a number of significant conclusions. Firstly, there is no evidence that convenience significantly affects customer happiness. Second, client happiness is greatly enhanced by the transaction procedure. Third, customer satisfaction is positively impacted by system quality as well. Fourth, customer happiness is positively impacted by content reliability as well. Fifth, customer satisfaction is positively impacted by customer service. Sixth, complaints from customers are negatively impacted by consumer satisfaction. Seventh, the propensity to repurchase is positively impacted by customer satisfaction. Eighthly, however, there is a negative correlation between consumer satisfaction and propensity to repurchase. These results, notwithstanding certain discrepancies, imply that factors other than customers' degree of satisfaction might also affect their intention to make another purchase.
DEVELOPMENT OF METHODS BASED ON NEURAL NETWORKS IN THE ESTIMATION OF MINERAL RESOURCES
Authors: GOTI ELORDI AITOR , ALBERDI CELAYA ELISABETE , Hernández Guerra Heber
Published: February 2024

Due to economic and physical limitations, our understanding of mineral resources in a specific area of interest is limited and fragmented. Traditionally, this problem has been solved using the Kriging geostatistical method, where the ore grade is estimated at unmeasured locations using known values of the grade at surrounding points. The advantage of this method lies in the calculation of weights through a spatial variability model known as a variogram. However, the method is imperfect, as it is based on the assumption of stationarity, aditivity, linearity and potential subjectivity in variographic modelling. This study proposes to approach the mineral resource estimation problem as a regression problem using neural networks, which are not subject to the restrictions of stationarity, aditivity, linearity and spatial modelling of geostatistics methods. Kriging and a radial basis function neural network and a multilayer perceptron have been compared using different validation metrics. The results show that a properly trained neural network model, with appropriate labelling of the mineral grade and its input characteristics, achieves similar results to the geostatistical approach, with a significant reduction in time, while avoiding all the aforementioned assumptions. However, neural networks do not consider the spatial correlation of ore grade or reproduce it at the locations where it was measured, characteristics that have marked distrust in its industrial implementation and that are discussed in this article, finally proposing an adjustment between both approaches at a minimum sacrifice of time and labor costs.

Keywords Neural networks; machine learning; geostatistics.
Oversharenting e os limites ao poder familiar
Authors: Silva Bonardi Bianca , Alves Moraes Daniele
Published: February 2024

O presente trabalho enfrenta a evolução da sociedade impulsionada pela tecnologia, onde observa-se que muitos pais expoem dados pessoais de seus filhos, desde antes do nascimento, em redes sociais, a partir disso, destacando questões sobre conflitos de direitos fundamentais, levando a refletir sobre os limites do poder familiar e a necessidade de resguardo à individualidade e privacidade dos filhos diante do oversharenting. A pesquisa tem como objetivo discutir os limites do poder familiar em relação ao compartilhamento de informações sobre as crianças nas redes sociais e os direitos das crianças em relação à proteção de suas informações pessoais na internet, para a partir disso, questionar se há ou não violação aos direitos da personalidade das crianças com a prática do oversharenting, bem como, refletir se limitar a prática, seria ou não uma violação dos direitos personalíssimos desses pais. Busca-se inicialmente, através do método exploratório, realizar pesquisas bibliográficas nas áreas do Direito, visando ainda o levantamento de material legislativo e jurisprudêncial brasileiro para posteriormente compará-lo ao francês. A pesquisa utilizou como material as legislações pertinentes, bem como jurisprudência relevante, além do estudo de casos reais em que ocorre oversharenting, o fenômeno a ser analisado. Com isso, foi possível concluir que a ausência de legislação específica sobre o assunto, cria uma lacuna capaz de deixar desprotegidas crianças e adolescentes expostos nas redes sociais, acarretando diversas consequências. Por conseguinte, uma solução pertinente para os conflitos que envolvem o oversharenting, é a criação de legislação regulamentando a prática deste fenômeno.
ADVANCING IN GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS: MINING PROSPECTS IN ARMENIA
Authors: Hakobyan Yevgenya , Petrosyan David
Published: February 2024

Global value chains have emerged as a critical prism for understanding the dynamics of global production and trade. The purpose of this article is to assess the stability and integration of the RA mining industry into global value chains. To achieve this goal, the article sets and solves problems, the main ones of which are the following: analyze the current state of the mining industry in Armenia, study the main indicators characterizing the sphere, as well as the structure of exports of mining products, analyze and evaluate the activities and impact of leading mining organizations on the integration of global value chains.
A case of polymelia in the Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Authors: Tomàs Gimeno X.
Published: February 2024

Polymelia is a malformation consisting of the presence of supernumerary limbs. Although relatively common in farm animals and anurans, it is quite rare in wild vertebrates and, especially, birds. I describe here the case of a Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus seen in Barcelona (Catalonia, NE Spain) in January and February 2023 that had an atrophic leg originating from the distal posteromedial part of its right tibiotarsus. It was a healthy-looking bird, apparently in its second winter, and showed normal behaviour with no visible signs of any other pathology or malfunction. We are only aware of one previous case of polymelia in gulls and this is the first time it has been reported in a Black-headed Gull. It is also good example of survival in a bird affected by polymelia.
Sound amplitude (dB) of male Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus
Authors: Jordi O. , Farina A. , Mañosa S.
Published: February 2024

Knowledge of the true amplitude (dB) of sound signals is necessary for calculating how far they can travel and the distance at which they can be detected, two crucial aspects for planning bio-acoustic sampling protocols, particularly if endangered species such as the Western Capercaillie are involved. In order to be able to measure the true emission amplitude of male Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus calls, we recorded 90 repetitions of the call of a single male using a calibrated microphone located 1 m away from the bird. In this way, we were able to determine for the first time the true amplitude of a calling male Western Capercaillie in the Alt Pyrenees Natural Park, which turned out to be 67.68 ± 0.83 dB. Considering the characteristics of our microphone, this gives an average maximum detection distance of 174.8 m, important information for optimising future bio-acoustic detection and monitoring studies.
PERANCANGAN SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING UMKM SILAQ DA-LAM MEMBENTUK BRAND IDENTITY
Authors: Prasetyo Adi Nur
Published: February 2024

Pemasaran dengan memanfaatkan media internet atau electorinc marketing(e-marketing) mengalami peningkatan yang signifikan. Hal ini didukung oleh perkembangan teknologi yang semakin berkembang dengan pesat karena adanya internet yang membantu mempermudah mencari informasi, berkomunikasi tanpa batas, dan jarak. SILAQ adalah UMKM yang bergerak di bidang sabun organik dengan mengusung sistem eco friendly. Dengan sistem yang di bawa mereka seperti eco friendly, woman empowerement dan sustainable life dapat menjadi tonggak awal kepada masyarakat akan pentingnya menjaga gaya hidup yang ramah lingkungan dan berkelanjutan. SILAQ menggunakn media Instagram sebagai alat untuk promosi sekaligus kampanye akan sistem yang mereka gaungkan. Social Media Marketing dipilih sebagai salah satu pendekatan dan variabel pemasaran online dari SILAQ melalui media sosial Instagram dengan memperhatikan empat elemen variabel kesuksesan yaitu Content Creation, Content Sharing, Connecting dan Community Building.
Multiple Discourse on Monozukuri as a Keyhole to View Modern Japan
Authors: Sumihara Noriya
Published: February 2024

Monozukuri is an all-inclusive term that can refer to a range of concepts, from children’s toy-making to traditional crafts to the creation of advanced machinery. It can be used to describe the act of creation by any Japanese, regardless of generation or era of Japanese history. The emerging use of the term indicates a trend toward “nationalism” in Japanese culture as well as industry. One way to explain the sudden emergence and use of this term is to study the “lost” two decades after the early 1990s, in which very little economic growth was recorded, large companies collapsed, the unemployment rate soared, and the gap between the newly rich and the poor widened. As a result, many Japanese lost confidence in their country, in which a conventional style of work could no longer sustain its citizens. The term “monozukuri” emerged to counter an image of Japan in decline. This nationalistic campaign probably started with the government, and subsequently spread to mass media and industry. Monozukuri proved to be a powerful and symbolic term appealing to all generations of Japanese people.
Mnemonic Monsters Redux : Traumatic Signatures and the Afterlife of Image-Objects in Japanese Popular Culture
Authors: Gygi Fabio R.
Published: February 2024

This paper explores the ways in which traumatic memories are shaped and transmitted by looking at two popular Japanese post-war media phenomena, Godzilla and Space Battleship Yamato. In opposition to the definition of trauma as that which escapes representation, I will argue with reference to the work of Aby Warburg that traces of trauma can energize certain forms of representation and provide them with a sometimes uncanny afterlife. Central to Warburg’s conception of the afterlife of images is the notion of the ‘pathos formula’, a dynamic conception of the symbol as that which renders strong transient effects (fear, horror, revulsion) enduring and stable. Both Godzilla and Space Battleship Yamato feature motifs of the return of the repressed and are structured around repetitive climactic scenes: the attack of the monster(s) and the sinking of the battleship. By reading these monstrous appearances as traumatic signatures and slips in time, my aim is to 1) develop an understanding of the agency of the past and its relationship to linear time as presented in the Japanese post-war popular culture staple of cycles of destruction and rebirth; and 2) to follow a particular theoretical trail of memory that has been more or less silenced by functionalist and structuralist anthropology. I shall also argue that it is this energetic charge that allows certain image-objects to cross boundaries between different genres (anime, manga, and life-action), between high and low, and between the serious and the entertaining.
Without a car and overnight stay, can a visit to a regional centre be an unattainable goal in Slovakia?
Authors: Székely Vladimír , Novotný Ján , Michniak Daniel
Published: February 2024

People need to travel for work, education, shopping, recreation, healthcare and other services. Because not everyone owns or uses a personal vehicle for various reasons, pressure is created to organise public transport as a service of the public interest, which is supposed to eliminate the potential transport-related social exclusion of inhabitants from territories with poor transport accessibility. The subject of the study is an analysis of the daily accessibility by public transport of 8 regional (administrative) centres in Slovakia (Bratislava, Trnava, Trenčín, Nitra, Banská Bystrica, Žilina, Košice, Prešov) from all municipalities of their self-governing regions (during working days and Sundays). We pay attention to regional comparisons of the identified spatial extent of disadvantaged areas by public transport and the quantity of the affected population with the potential risk of their social exclusion also due to the existing state of public transport organisation in individual regions.
LA SAISINE INDIVIDUELLE DU TRIBUNAL DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE : UN RECOURS UTILE ET EFFECTIF
Authors: Gagnon Sylvie
Published: February 2024

Le Tribunal des droits de la personne du Québec est un tribunal spécialisé créé à la suite d’amendements majeurs apportés, en 1989, à la Charte des droits et libertés de la personne du Québec. À la suite de certains arrêts de la Cour d’appel du Québec, le Tribunal se trouve dans l’impossibilité d’exercer sa compétence pour entendre des recours intentés par des individus ayant préalablement déposé une plainte à la Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse parce qu’ils croient être victimes en vertu de la Charte. La parenté étroite qui lie la Charte du Québec à différents instruments internationaux en matière de droits de la personne conduit d’abord l’auteure à examiner la portée du recours individuel, prévu à la Charte, à la lumière du droit à un recours utile et effectif inscrit dans différents traités ratifiés par le Canada et auxquels le Québec a donné son adhésion. L’auteure conclut d’abord que le recours à un tribunal spécialisé en matière de droits de la personne s’inscrit en parfaite conformité avec nos obligations internationales. L’auteure analyse ensuite l’importance des recours individuels auprès de ce tribunal spécialisé à la lumière, d’une part, du droit à une réparation et, d’autre part, des missions et des fonctions respectives des commissions et des tribunaux des droits de la personne au Canada. Elle en conclut que la discrétion que la Charte octroie à la Commission de manière à lui permettre de décider d’intenter ou non un recours, au bénéfice d’un plaignant, devant un tribunal est tout fait compatible avec sa mission première, qui peut l’amener à privilégier d’autres fonctions en vue d’assurer le respect des droits garantis par la Charte. Dans ce contexte, l’auteure estime essentiel qu’un individu puisse obtenir une réparation utile et complète en ayant accès à une instance spécialisée dont le rôle est de statuer sur des questions de droit.
LE DROIT À LA SÉCURITÉ SOCIALE : PRINCIPES INTERNATIONAUX ET BESOINS SOCIAUX EN AFRIQUE SUBSAHARIENNE
Authors: Têtêvi Agbodjan Didier
Published: February 2024

C’est une étude en deux temps des régimes de sécurité sociale en Afrique subsaharienne que nous propose ici l’auteur. Dans un premier temps, celui-ci examine le régime actuel en mettant l’emphase sur les exclusions consacrées que l’on y retrouve. De manière successive, il aborde la protection de la famille et de la maternité, les prestations de maladie et les soins de santé, la protection des risques professionnels et enfin, la protection de la vieillesse, de l’invalidité et des survivants. Dans un second temps, il se penche sur les impasses sociales auxquelles est confrontée la majorité exclue par le système formel de sécurité sociale. À cet égard, il décrit premièrement les mesures limitées déjà mises en place à titre d’assistance publique en matière de santé publique et d’assistance sociale, pour ensuite se pencher sur les alternatives possibles. Sur ce dernier point, l’auteur met surtout l’accent sur les solidarités domestiques et la protection sociale traditionnelle ou coutumière. Pour lui, le système domestique de protection porte l’îlot de prestations offert aux privilégiés et se présente comme un « supplément pragmatique » à la manne disponible pour soutenir les échanges ou partages solidaires. Le sens solidaire n’est pas à l’abri de la corruption qui, de plus en plus, dans le contexte moderne d’exclusion, de déstructuration familiale et de pression capitaliste, érode en ses fondements l’institution traditionnelle de partage. Enfin, il conclu en notant que dans l’espace critique des sociétés urbaines et rurales, les solidarités constituent pour les individus, non seulement, l’expression d’éléments stratégiques de survie mais tout autant le moyen de reproduction du lien social.
L’ARRET CIVET OU VARIATIONS SUR LE THEME DE L’EPUISEMENT DES VOIES DE RECOURS INTERNES
Authors: Titiun Patrick
Published: February 2024

Une affaire qui touche essentiellement à l’application de la règle dite de l’épuisement des voies de recours internes et à la procédure devant la Cour de Cassation française, mais apporte surtout un éclairage sur le rôle que la Cour européenne des droits de l’Homme entend jouer par rapport aux juridictions nationales et, en particulier, aux juridictions suprêmes. C’est là un des principaux apports de cette décision.

Tout d’abord, elle ne veut en aucun cas constituer un quatrième degré de juridiction et se substituer aux cours suprêmes. Ensuite, elle indique ce qu’elle estime devoir être le rôle de ces juridictions. Elle adresse donc, en quelque sorte, un message aux juridictions suprêmes leur confirmant qu’elle n’entend pas se substituer à elles dans le cadre de la mission qu’elles remplissent au plan interne, à condition qu’elles l’exercent effectivement et dans le respect de la Convention européenne des droits de l’Homme.
LA NOUVELLE COUR EUROPÉENNE DES DROITS DE L’HOMME – ATTENTES, RÉALITÉS ET PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Tulkens Françoise
Published: February 2024

Au départ d’une expérience de deux années comme juge à la nouvelle Cour européenne des droits de l’Homme, l’auteur aborde successivement quatre questions. Tout d’abord, les raisons de la restructuration du mécanisme de contrôle de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme entré en vigueur le 1er novembre 1998 et qui constituent autant d’attentes par rapport à la nouvelle Cour. Ensuite, la physionomie de la nouvelle Cour laquelle, composée de quarante et un juges, est la plus grande juridiction internationale qui existe actuellement, ce qui est une invitation à de plus amples analyses en termes de sociologie juridique. Par ailleurs, les étapes essentielles de la procédure qui permet, devant la Cour, l’exercice du droit de recours individuel qui est au coeur du système de la Convention et qui lui confère son caractère original et unique dans l’ensemble des textes internationaux et régionaux de protection des droits de l’homme. Enfin, les défis majeurs auxquels la nouvelle Cour est confrontée et qui doivent être lus à la lumière de l’exigence de l’effectivité des droits fondamentaux.
LA PERTINENCE DE LA PROTECTION DES RÉFUGIÉS AU XXIe SIÈCLE
Authors: Jaeger Gilbert
Published: February 2024

À l’aube du nouveau millénaire, nous sommes en mesure de nous interroger sur la protection des réfugiés et les formes qu’elle revêtira dans l’avenir. Rien ne permet de croire que la tension entre races, entre nationalités, entre groupes ethno-religieux qui est à l’origine de beaucoup de situations de réfugiés actuelles, ainsi que, le surpeuplement et sous-développement disparaîtront prochainement. La présence de réfugiés sur le territoire d’un État entraîne la nécessité de leur protection à la fois nationale et internationale. La protection internationale est assurée par le Haut Commissariat des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés, et, entre autres, la Cour européenne des Droits de l’Homme, la Cour interaméricaine des Droits de l’Homme et la Convention américaine relative aux Droits de l’Homme « Pacte de San José de Costa Rica » ainsi que les services responsables au sein de l’Organisation de l’Unité Africaine. Quant aux formes de protection, la crise de l’institution d’asile et la protection temporaire sont à nouveau un sujet d’actualité.
THE NIGHTMARE OF LITIGATING IN MULTIPLE FORA
Authors: Richter Christopher
Published: February 2024

In his text Christopher Richter describes how Quebec courts determine their
jurisdiction over commercial disputes. The author notes that while the rules and
concepts found in the Civil Code of Quebec, the Code of Civil
Procedure, international agreements, and Quebec jurisprudence appear at
first glance to be straightforward, their application in combination often creates
uncertainty.

He explores concepts affecting jurisdiction, like connexity or domicile, and
how the practical application of these concepts becomes difficult when the
conflicting and evolving jurisprudence and legislation are considered. The author
provides, however, more than a basic definitional analysis of the aspects
influencing jurisdiction; he creatively posits how the conflicting rules, if
manipulated carefully, can work flexibly to achieve a desired jurisdiction. To this
end Christopher Richter considers several Quebec cases where the courts reached
varying conclusions on the appropriateness of their jurisdiction based upon analyses
of the alternating narrow and broad legislative rules (for example as between real
and personal actions).
THE NEW CHOICE OF LAW RULES IN TORTS: THE AFTERMATH OF TOLOFSON V. JENSEN; LUCAS V. GAGNON
Authors: Swan John
Published: February 2024

The recent cases of Tolofson v. Jensen and Lucas v. Gagnon have again brought the problem of the Conflict of Laws to the forefront of Canadian law. The structure of Canadian conflict of laws analysis dictates that when there is an issue of foreign law, it must be characterized as either a substantive or procedural question. In the former case, further characterization into category of law is required, e.g. whether it is a contracts or a torts question. In the latter case, the lex fori, or the law of the forum applies. In Tolofson/Gagnon, the Supreme Court decided not only that questions of limitation period are questions of substance rather than procedure, but also that the choice of law rule in torts is that of lex loci delicti, i.e., the law of the place of the wrong determines the rights and obligations of the parties. The article addresses the choice of law aspects of the Tolofson/Gagnon decision and the form of the rule, the ability to justify its application and the general structure of conflict analysis. The court's reasons for the choice of law rule were simplicity and certainty, and respecting the limits on provincial powers. It is argued that the adoption of the rule was unexpected, and it was followed neither in Canada, nor in the U. S.. The Ontario case of Hanlan v. Sernesky demonstrates that the lex loci delecti rule will not provide certainty because in cases where lex loci leads to injustice, the judge has discretion to apply the lex fori. The author maintains that while the facts and reasons of Hanlan cannot be distinguished from Tolosfon/Gagnon, the two cases came to opposite results.

Given the uncertainty created by the structure of conflict analysis, "escape devices" have been adopted by English, French, Canadian and American courts to avoid the application of the law "selected" by the choice of law rule. The first device discussed was to adjust the characterization of the question, so that for example, it would be examined as a contracts or family law question rather than a torts one. The characterization of the question is particularly important because every question must be answered by the same choice. Another device is the use of the doctrine of renvoi which includes in the conflict analysis, the choice of law rule of the foreign law. Tolofson/Gagnon is hard to reconcile with other SCC cases such as Morguard, Moran and Amchem, as the former denies the development that the SCC can oversee litigation with a foreign element and ensure that Canadian values are represented. The author clearly indicates that he is unhappy with this situation and that he hopes for a quick change in the Canadian case law.
THE PROPOSED HAGUE CONVENTION ON JURISDICTION, RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS
Authors: Smith Bradbrooke
Published: February 2024

A new international agreement on juridiction and foreign judgments in civil and commercial matters is needed because the Hague Convention of 1971 has proven unworkable. The Brussels Convention of 1968 and the Lugano Convention of 1988 were helpful in resolving jurisdictional issues in the European context, but because of the lack of reciprocity in the european approach, even though North American courts have a liberal approach towards the recognition of foreign judgements, North American judgements are at a disadvantage before European courts. The United States’ initiative in promoting a consistent international approach to the enforcement of foreign judgments may lead to a new Hague Convention.

The author discusses procedures of the Hague Conference on Private International Law and the work of the Special Commission, which is charged with the task of working up a draft text for a new judgments convention. The author’s view is that decisions made at the Hague Conference will have real impacts on the practice of international lawyers and their clients. He identifies key members of the Canadian delegation to the Special Commission and encourages practitioners to contact the members so their concerns and ideas will be considered during the drafting process of the convention.
LA CIDH Y LA PROMOCIÓN DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS
Authors: Taiana Jorge E.
Published: February 2024

Desde su creación la Comisión lnteramericana de Derechos Humanos, CIDH, ha desarrollado numerosas y diversas actividades para cumplir con su mandato. La prioridad en las actividades de la Comisión ha estado siempre vinculada a su propio desarrollo y, en particular, a la situación por la que ha atravesado el hemisferio. Frente a una América Latina sumergida en regímenes militares y sometida a violaciones masivas de los derechos fundamentales, las visitas «in loco» y los informes sobre situaciones fueron la forma más adecuada de responder, en ese contexto. La ola democratizadora que se inició en los ochenta y que permitió el establecimiento de gobiernos electos popularmente en casi todos los Estados del hemisferio, cambió radicalmente la situación de los derechos humanos en la región. Para el autor, no hay duda que la CIDH ha sabido enfrentar cambiantes realidades y que ha establecido una variada gama de herramientas para el mejor logro de sus funciones.

Sin embargo la CIDH fue immersa en un agudo debate sobre el papel que la promoción de los derechos humanos deberla jugar en el sistema interamericano y, en particular, en sus actividades. Este debate pone en particular relieve la cuestión de las prioridades de la CIDH en su trabajo y en la asignación de sus recursos. A solicitud de la Asamblea General de la OEA, la CIDH preparó un proyecto de Programa interamericano de promoción de los derechos humanos. En éste, la Comisión, y ahora el Dr. Taiana en su articulo como actor de primer plano en este debate, reafirman que la protección debe ser la función principal de la CIDH y que las formas de promoción divulgadora y educativa deben ser encaradas por ésta sin distraer recursos ni importancia a sus actividades de protección, a pesar del creciente interés por la «promoción». El autor reitera también, como la CIDH en el Programa, que las posibilidades de realización del mismo descansan en la actividad que ya realiza el Instituto Interamericano de Derechos Humanos, IIDH, asl como en la acción de numerosos actores al nivel nacional de cada estado. Por último, éste describe les características del Programa, sus objetivos, áreas y actividades programáticas y a titulo indicativo enumera los distintos proyectos, incluyendo el órgano ejecutor de cada uno y señalando si se encuentran en ejecución o si se trata de nuevas propuestas.
DEMOCRACY IN OUR HEMISPHERE AND THE ROLE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
Authors: Spehar Elizabeth
Published: February 2024

The fiftieth anniversary of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man provides an appropriate opportunity to survey the state of democracy in our hemisphere and the role of the Organization of American States. Beginning in the mid 1980’s important progress in the establishment or restoration of democracy was made in a number of the Member States of the OAS, and the region today exhibits the majority of countries having completed the “transition” to democracy. At the same time many countries are still faced today with the challenge of the “consolidation” of democracy. The OAS has responded to this formidable challenge by adopting a collective and collaborative approach. Important amendments were made to the OAS Charter in order to implement the organization’s consensus regarding its obligation to preserve and uphold democracy in the region. Likewise, and as complements to the amendments, the OAS has also developed new mechanisms, such as the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy, policies such as the Inter-American Program to Combat Poverty and instruments like the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption, in order to contribute to the longer-term support of the consolidation of democracy. The continued viability of the Organization will depend on its ability to assimilate the changes occurring in the hemisphere as it evolves and to adapt its role to the emerging needs of the Member States, all while playing to its comparative advantage as the regional political forum of the Americas.
Lettres sur la danse et sur les ballets de Jean-Georges Noverre : un plaidoyer pour la « recherche-création » au XVIIIe siècle ?
Authors: Lapeyre Chantal
Published: February 2024

In Les Lettres sur la danse, first published in 1760, then in 1803–1804, and again in 1807, Jean-Georges Noverre developed four complementary aspects that could be said to inscribe this choreographer's approach within the dynamics of research-creation as they are known and debated today. First, Noverre undertakes a reflexive return to his long practice as a dancer, choreographer, and pedagogue. Redefining dance, Noverre then asserts its place among the other arts (which it struggles to impress) and thereby develops an original argument. Les Lettres subsequently deliver reflections on the act of creation itself, in which Noverre asserts the preeminent place of knowledge. Finally, Les Lettres attest to the desire for sharing and reciprocity that underscore the epistolary format itself.
The cation channel mechanisms of subthreshold inward depolarizing currents in the VTA dopaminergic neurons and their roles in the chronic-stress-induced depression-like behavior
Authors: Wang Jing , Su Min , Zhang Dongmei , Zhang Ludi , Niu Chenxu , Li Chaoyi , You Shuangzhu , Sang Yuqi , Zhang Yongxue , Du Xiaona , Zhang Hailin
Published: February 2024

The slow-intrinsic-pacemaker dopaminergic (DA) neurons originating in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) is implicated in various mood-and emotion-related disorders, such as anxiety, fear, stress and depression. Abnormal activity of projection-specific VTA DA neurons is the key factor in the development of these disorders. Here, we describe the crucial role for the NALCN and TRPC6, non-selective cation channels in mediating the subthreshold inward depolarizing current and driving the firing of action potentials of VTA DA neurons in physiological condition. Furthermore, we demonstrate that down-regulation of TRPC6 protein expression in the VTA DA neurons likely contributes to the reduced activity of projection-specific VTA DA neuron in chronic mild unpredictable stress (CMUS) depressive mice. In consistent with this, selective knockdown of TRPC6 channels in the VTA DA neurons conferred mice with depression-like behavior. This current study suggests down-regulation of TRPC6 expression/function is involved in reduced VTA DA neuron firing and chronic stress-induced depression-like behavior in the mouse models of chronic stress-induced depression.
Antigenic drift and subtype interference shape A(H3N2) epidemic dynamics in the United States
Authors: Perofsky Amanda C , Huddleston John , Hansen Chelsea L , Barnes John R , Rowe Thomas , Xu Xiyan , Kondor Rebecca , Wentworth David E , Lewis Nicola , Whittaker Lynne , Ermetal Burcu , Harvey Ruth , Galiano Monica , Daniels Rodney Stuart , McCauley John W , Fujisaki Seiichiro , Nakamura Kazuya , Kishida Noriko , Watanabe Shinji , Hasegawa Hideki , Sullivan Sheena G , Barr Ian G , Subbarao Kanta , Krammer Florian , Bedford Trevor , Viboud Cécile
Published: February 2024

Influenza viruses continually evolve new antigenic variants, through mutations in epitopes of their major surface proteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Antigenic drift potentiates the reinfection of previously infected individuals, but the contribution of this process to variability in annual epidemics is not well understood. Here, we link influenza A(H3N2) virus evolution to regional epidemic dynamics in the United States during 1997—2019. We integrate phenotypic measures of HA antigenic drift and sequence-based measures of HA and NA fitness to infer antigenic and genetic distances between viruses circulating in successive seasons. We estimate the magnitude, severity, timing, transmission rate, age-specific patterns, and subtype dominance of each regional outbreak and find that genetic distance based on broad sets of epitope sites is the strongest evolutionary predictor of A(H3N2) virus epidemiology. Increased HA and NA epitope distance between seasons correlates with larger, more intense epidemics, higher transmission, greater A(H3N2) subtype dominance, and a greater proportion of cases in adults relative to children, consistent with increased population susceptibility. Based on random forest models, A(H1N1) incidence impacts A(H3N2) epidemics to a greater extent than viral evolution, suggesting that subtype interference is a major driver of influenza A virus infection ynamics, presumably via heterosubtypic cross-immunity.
Cell-autonomous timing drives the vertebrate segmentation clock’s wave pattern
Authors: Rohde Laurel A , Bercowsky-Rama Arianne , Valentin Guillaume , Naganathan Sundar Ram , Desai Ravi A , Strnad Petr , Soroldoni Daniele , Oates Andrew C
Published: February 2024

Rhythmic and sequential segmentation of the growing vertebrate body relies on the segmentation clock, a multi-cellular oscillating genetic network. The clock is visible as tissue-level kinematic waves of gene expression that travel through the presomitic mesoderm (PSM) and arrest at the position of each forming segment. Here, we test how this hallmark wave pattern is driven by culturing single maturing PSM cells. We compare their cell-autonomous oscillatory and arrest dynamics to those we observe in the embryo at cellular resolution, finding similarity in the relative slowing of oscillations and arrest in concert with differentiation. This shows that cell-extrinsic signals are not required by the cells to instruct the developmental program underlying the wave pattern. We show that a cell-autonomous timing activity initiates during cell exit from the tailbud, then runs down in the anterior-ward cell flow in the PSM, thereby using elapsed time to provide positional information to the clock. Exogenous FGF lengthens the duration of the cell-intrinsic timer, indicating extrinsic factors in the embryo may regulate the segmentation clock via the timer. In sum, our work suggests that a noisy cell-autonomous, intrinsic timer drives the slowing and arrest of oscillations underlying the wave pattern, while extrinsic factors in the embryo tune this timer’s duration and precision. This is a new insight into the balance of cell-intrinsic and -extrinsic mechanisms driving tissue patterning in development.
Metabolite profiling of human renal cell carcinoma reveals tissue-origin dominance in nutrient availability
Authors: Abbott Keene L , Ali Ahmed , Reinfeld Bradley I , Deik Amy , Subudhi Sonu , Landis Madelyn D , Hongo Rachel A , Young Kirsten L , Kunchok Tenzin , Nabel Christopher S , Crowder Kayla D , Kent Johnathan R , Madariaga Maria Lucia L , Jain Rakesh K , Beckermann Kathryn E , Lewis Caroline A , Clish Clary B , Muir Alexander , Rathmell W Kimryn , Rathmell Jeffrey , Vander Heiden Matthew G
Published: February 2024

The tumor microenvironment is a determinant of cancer progression and therapeutic efficacy, with nutrient availability playing an important role. Although it is established that the local abundance of specific nutrients defines the metabolic parameters for tumor growth, the factors guiding nutrient availability in tumor compared to normal tissue and blood remain poorly understood. To define these factors in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we performed quantitative metabolomic and comprehensive lipidomic analyses of tumor interstitial fluid (TIF), adjacent normal kidney interstitial fluid (KIF), and plasma samples collected from patients. TIF nutrient composition closely resembles KIF, suggesting that tissue-specific factors unrelated to the presence of cancer exert a stronger influence on nutrient levels than tumor-driven alterations. Notably, select metabolite changes consistent with known features of RCC metabolism are found in RCC TIF, while glucose levels in TIF are not depleted to levels that are lower than those found in KIF. These findings inform tissue nutrient dynamics in RCC, highlighting a dominant role of non-cancer-driven tissue factors in shaping nutrient availability in these tumors.
Unveiling the Seed Storage Behavior for Conservation of Indian Olibanum: Boswellia serrata Roxb. Ex Coleb.
Authors: Sharma Lokinder , Thapliyal Manisha , Thiyaharajan Muthuprasad , Rawat Shweta
Published: February 2024

The study attempted to understand the storage behavior of Boswellia serrata Roxb. seeds; for which seeds were collected from three locations in the Shivalik region of the Himalayas during June 2021. Across the locations, the freshly collected seeds had an average moisture content (MC) of 10.06% and exhibited an average germination of 73%. When the seeds were further desiccated to MC 7%; the average germination was reduced to 51.33%. After this, desiccated seeds were stored hermetically at +5oC temperature for a period of 24 months, and periodic germination trials were conducted at an interval of 4 months. The average germination percentage was reduced from 73% to 13.67% during the storage period; the seed deterioration process and low temperature-induced chilling injury could be attributed to the reduced germination rate. Our results also revealed that the Pinjore seed source outperforms the other two sources in germination rate with an adjusted margin mean of 38.13. The insights derived from the study can aid in designing appropriate protocols for the conservation of the studied species.
Improvement in Vase Life of Gladiolus Cut Flowers Using Different Holding Solutions of Sodium Nitroprusside and of Salicylic Acid
Authors: Sharma Ankit Kumar , Yadav Manoj Kumar , Kumar Mukesh , Vaishali  , Sengar Rakesh Singh , Gangwar Lokesh Kumar , Kumar Ravi
Published: February 2024

Gladiolus (Gladiolus hybridus Hort.) is one of the most important commercial ornamentals cut flower used in the floriculture industry. Among cut flowers, gladiolus is popular for its glamour, perfection and attractive colorful spikes. The longevity of cut flowers is one of the main challenges of florists to gain consumers attention towards its marketing. In present investigation, we tried two chemicals viz. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a NO donor) and Salicylic Acid (SA, a signaling molecule) in different concentration combinations and observed their effect on gladiolus flowers vase life of two varieties viz. Pusa Shanti and Pusa Chandni. Spikes treated with T7 (SA 150 mg/L), in Pusa Shanti and T2 (SNP 100 mg/L), in Pusa Chandni was observed effective treatments than others and showed better performance of vase life, days after basal florets open, maximum size of florets, solution uptake, florets opening and maximum time taken for the vase deterioration and it helped to improve the postharvest quality of gladiolus spikes by influencing various morphological and physiological attributes of gladiolus vase. Through the present study we are able to know the role of Sodium nitroprusside and Salicylic acid to enhance the vase life of cut flower of Gladiolus.
A candidate to replace PID control: SISO‐constrained LQ control
Authors: Pannocchia Gabriele , Laachi Nabil , Rawlings James B.
Published: March 2005

It is commonly believed that for single‐input/single‐output (SISO) systems, well‐tuned proportional, integral, derivative (PID) controllers work as well as model‐based controllers and that PID controllers are more robust to model errors. In this paper we present a novel offset‐free constrained linear quadratic (LQ) controller for SISO systems, which is implemented in an efficient way so that the total controller execution time is similar to that of a PID. The proposed controller has three modules: a state and disturbance estimator, a target calculation, and a constrained dynamic optimization. It is shown that the proposed controller outperforms PID both in setpoint changes and disturbance rejection, it is robust to model errors, it is insensitive to measurement noise, and it handles constraints better than common anti‐windup PID. Tuning the proposed controller is simple. In principle there are three tuning parameters to choose, but in all examples presented only one was actually varied, obtaining a clear and intuitive effect on the closed‐loop performance. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Process synthesis optimization and flexibility evaluation of air separation cycles
Authors: Sirdeshpande Avinash R. , Ierapetritou Marianthi G. , Andrecovich Mark J. , Naumovitz Joseph P.
Published: March 2005

The solution is discussed of the process synthesis problem for cryogenic air separation using techniques from process synthesis optimization. The mass and energy balances for the process are represented by a simplified algebraic model in which material stream flows and pressures appear as continuous variables and the various equipment choices for components of the air separation cycle are represented by binary variables. The resulting model corresponds to a mixed‐integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) formulation and enables numerical optimization of the cycle. The two problems addressed are the selection of the optimal equipment set for a given product slate and the flexibility determination of the chosen cycle. The flexibility analysis is complemented with unique visual techniques that depict the feasible region and use of the recently proposed convex‐hull approach. The calculations are illustrated for low‐purity (95%) oxygen plants using the Lachmann cycle. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
On the definition of software accuracy in redundant measurement systems
Authors: Bagajewicz Miguel J.
Published: March 2005

Accuracy of measurements is defined as the sum of precision (standard deviation) and bias. Unfortunately, this definition is of little use unless bias is independently assessed. In this article, we extend this classical definition of accuracy of measurements to one of estimators obtained through data reconciliation techniques. Connection to gross error robustness measures, defined earlier by the author, is studied. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Modeling and measurement of shear stress for a slug flow inside a capillary
Authors: Laborie S. , Cabassud C.
Published: March 2005

The aim of the present study is to characterize wall shear stresses generated by a gas–liquid two‐phase flow inside a capillary tube. In this case the flow is a slug flow. Two different approaches were used. The first one constituted a calculation of the shear stresses by a two‐phase model in which some parameters characteristics of the flow were introduced. These parameters had been determined experimentally in a previous study. The second approach constituted a direct and local measurement of wall shear stresses by an electrochemical method. The shear stresses near liquid and gas slugs were obtained for different operating conditions. Moreover, a calculation of the liquid film thickness around the gas slugs demonstrated that this thickness does not depend on gas velocity. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Age at onset variance analysis in spinocerebellar ataxias: A study in a Dutch–French cohort
Authors: van de Warrenburg Bart P. C. , Hendriks Harrie , Dürr Alexandra , van Zuijlen Martin C. A. , Stevanin Giovanni , Camuzat Agnès , Sinke Richard J. , Brice Alexis , Kremer Berry P. H.
Published: March 2005

In dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs), the issue of whether non‐CAG dependent factors contribute to onset age remains unsettled. Data on SCA genotype, onset age, normal/expanded CAG repeat length, sex of the patient and transmitting parent, and family details were available from 802 patients. Based on the model [log10 (age at onset) = k − b CAGexp + ϵ], we examined changes in adjusted R2 and residual standard error following incorporation of the other factors in this model. The expanded repeat explained 44.3 to 74.9% of onset age variance, although this was less than 50% in SCA3 and SCA6, implicating a large effect of non‐CAG factors. The relation between onset age and CAG repeat was similar for SCA1, 3, 6, and 7, but different for SCA2, pointing to different polyglutamine effects in SCA2. For SCA2 and SCA3, 17.1 and 45.5% of onset age variance, respectively, were explained by currently (unidentified) familial factors. We found a significant contribution of the nonexpanded allele in SCA1 and SCA6. Besides polyglutamine motif (determined by the expanded CAG repeat length), we identified the following age at onset modifiers: protein context in SCA2; familial factors in SCA2 and SCA3; and the nonexpanded CAG repeat in SCA1 and SCA6. Ann Neurol 2005