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Long-acting injectable PrEP, particularly cabotegravir (CAB-LA), has the potential to enhance HIV prevention in Asia, and was the topic of a roundtable held in Singapore in June 2023. Despite proven efficacy, CAB-LA's impact in Asia is hindered by regulatory, manufacturing, and cost barriers. There is an urgent need to address these challenges to expedite CAB-LA's introduction and scale-up, including collaborative research, streamlined regulatory processes, and increased manufacturing capacity. We call for better preparedness in long-acting PrEP in research and implementation science, product licensing and accessibility, and capacity readiness for scale-up, to meet the significant demand among key populations in Asia. In June 2023, a roundtable of experts and stakeholders was held in Singapore focusing on the introduction of long-acting formulations of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Asia, particularly long-acting injectable cabotegravir. This paper describes issues discussed at the roundtable related to preparedness in research and implementation science, product licensing and accessibility, and capacity readiness for scale-up of long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis and future pre-exposure prophylaxis products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article encourages participation in research by highlighting the first step of beginning a research project which is choosing and refining a suitable research topic. Topics discussed include definition of research, importance of determining the purpose of research, and the three-perspective method of writing and analysis.

This Article is the first to empirically examine whether firms draft well-organized online contracts that consumers can easily read, navigate, and analyze. "Messy Contracts," as this Article dubs them, are contracts that lack organizational signals in the form of a table of contents and informative headings. Analyzing the sign-in-wrap agreements employed by the most popular 100 websites--such as Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tik-Tok, Walmart, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Amazon--this Article finds that businesses routinely draft messy contracts. The importance of this finding goes beyond what initially meets the eye. Messy contracts (1) reduce consumers' comprehension; (2) impose excessive cognitive costs on consumers, consumer advocates, watchdog organizations, and adjudicators who wish to read or navigate the contract or part of it; (3) undermine consumers' ability to remember the contracts' content, and (4) deter consumers from reading contracts. Furthermore, messy contracts indicate that competition over contract terms is lacking and that firms can utilize the features of the online environment to draft consumer contracts without accounting for consumers' needs more generally. Alarmingly, messy contracts may also denote that term ignorance may drive consumers' assent. In all, messy contracts facilitate exploitation, often harming the most vulnerable consumers. Part II of this Article provides the theoretical background to messy contracts. It contextualizes the problem of messy contracts, linking them to the 'no-reading' problem and delineating their social costs. Part III contains the empirical test of this Article. It discusses the sample contracts, the empirical methodology, and our results. Against this background, Part IV considers the normative implications of messy contracts, suggesting ex ante regulatory measures and ex post judicial scrutiny. It also acknowledges the limitations of our proposals and replies to key critiques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the heart of the debate about generative or autonomous AI is the concern that it could take action away from humans. Hannah Arendt, who gave the concept of action a political profile and opposed the automation tendencies of modernity, provides a basis for assessing fears that humans will cede their political action to AI. After an introduction to Arendt's political theory of action, the paper examines whether AI can and should act. The focus is on linguistic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With more than 30 available stimulant medications, choosing among therapeutic options for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become increasingly complex and patient specific. All ADHD stimulants owe their action to variants of either amphetamine or methylphenidate, yet formulation and delivery system differences create unique pharmacokinetic and clinical profiles for each medication. A benefit of the diversity within ADHD pharmacotherapy is that it facilitates tailoring treatment to meet patient needs. Historically, there has been a constant among long-acting stimulant options, regardless of formulation, which was morning dosing. The introduction of delayed-release and extended-release methylphenidate (DR/ER-MPH) is the first long-acting stimulant that patients take in the evening, with the clinical effect delayed until awakening in the morning. This paradigm shift has generated questions among clinicians and continued interest in real-world experience and data. This review used available clinical data, real-world evidence, emerging analyses, and clinical experience to evaluate the characteristics of DR/ER-MPH and its clinical utility within the greater context of ADHD medications and to provide clinicians with practical guidance on the use of DR/ER-MPH in children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vocabulary knowledge plays an important role in writing. Previous research has examined the relationship between various aspects of vocabulary knowledge and independent writing performance and limited attention has been given to integrated writing such as summary writing. Our study investigated the contribution of two aspects of vocabulary knowledge (vocabulary size and lexical richness) to summary writing quality. In addition, we examined the extent to which lexical richness measures relate to summary writing quality among students who have smaller vocabulary sizes and students who have larger vocabulary sizes. We addressed these questions by administering a lexical decision test called the LexTALE and analyzing lexical richness and writing quality in the summary writing of 73 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners of English. The results revealed a strong positive correlation between vocabulary size and summary writing quality indicating that a larger vocabulary size is associated with higher-quality summaries. However, most measures of lexical richness did not show a significant correlation with summary writing quality. Interestingly, the relationship between lexical richness measures and summary writing quality varied when learners were put in two groups with different vocabulary sizes. Implications of the findings of the study for language teaching pedagogy and for research on the complex relationship between vocabulary knowledge and summary writing are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-learning has become a popular approach today. However, in drama/theater classes where exercises, rehearsals, and 'productions' are done on stage, such an approach was considered impossible, until Covid-19 pandemic strike occurred. The purpose of this paper is to reveal how acting classes dealt with the disruption, the process of selecting and implementing online meeting platforms, the new 'lesson plan' to finish the classes, the challenges due to the changes, and evaluation for future practices. The nature of the study is both explanatory and evaluative by action research. Primary data were collected using personal observations and questionnaires. Secondary data were taken from library research pertaining drama/theater, e-learning, online teaching, action research, thematic analysis, etc. By flipping from offline to online learning, acting classes turned out to be manageable. Radical and innovative adaptations should be made to make classes work online, including flipping offline to online meetings, implementing screen/camera knowledge, and using online platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, WA, and LINE. Moreover, despite the fact that initially online meeting was threatening to the students and the teacher alike, using online meeting platforms for acting classes as blended learning was a good challenge, given appropriate situations and purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: There are 3 pillars upon which the foundation of a teaching program in health care is founded: research, education, and clinical care. However, in a busy academic trauma practice, the unfortunate reality is that research is often a low priority in the frenzy of mandates for clinical productivity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to advise hospitals on how to create a modest trauma research program that supports research interests without significantly impacting the overall clinical productivity of the department. METHODS: Relevant literature related to the development of an academic trauma research department was reviewed. Relevant articles were then compared to this manuscript to assess the novelty of the topic. RESULTS: There are 4 essential components of a trauma research program: (1) a zealot, (2) institutional commitment and support, (3) a statistician, and (4) registry data access. CONCLUSION: The creation of a trauma research program may seem like a herculean effort, but this work is necessary for institutions hoping to achieve status as a Level I/II trauma center. Following the steps outlined in this report, trauma providers can create a robust research program at their institution without sacrificing clinical productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, injectable cabotegravir/rilpivirine (ICAB/RPV) became available for HIV treatment. However, there are no real-life data on the impact of switching to ICAB/RPV on sleep disturbances (SD). Therefore, we aimed at assessing and investigating this aspect in our cohort. Methods: A SD multidimensional assessment (Epworth Sleepiness scale, Insomnia severity Index, Berlin Questionnaire, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, PSQI) was performed to all people who consented before starting ICAB/RPV and 12 wk after the switch. Demographics, life-style habits, laboratory, and clinical data were collected from medical health records. Results: To June 2023, 46 people were included, 76.1% males, with a median age of 48.5 (IQR: 41-57), 50% had multimorbidity, 13% was on polypharmacy. Median age with HIV and CD4 + T cell count nadir were 10 (5-19.5) years and 360 (205-500) cell/mm³, respectively. The reason to start a long-acting strategy was person's choice in all cases. Baseline antiretroviral regimens were mostly: tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine/rilpivirine (39.1%) and dolutegravir/lamivudine (32.6%). No significant changes were observed in any of the scores for each questionnaire, but for a worsening PSQI. 37% people reported a subjectively improved sleep quality, even if statistically significant changes were not observed in almost all the sleep parameters. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study exploring impact of switching to ICAB/RPV on SD. Despite integrase inhibitor have been associated with SD, we did not observed a negative impact on sleep quality after the switch to ICAB/RPV. More studies and with larger number of people are necessary to confirm our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research is often presented at scientific conferences in abstract form. Unfortunately, a large percentage of abstracts are never published as a full manuscript, but having a strong department process for research can increase the number of abstracts published as manuscripts. Publishing as a full manuscript is critical to the advancement of science due to the rigor of the peer review process. This manuscript covers common reasons abstracts are not published as manuscripts, tips to overcome mistakes, how to respond to reviewer comments, and specific tips to avoid flaws in each manuscript section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) has gained prominence in recent decades due to its inherent qualities, particularly its ability to compact autonomously. SCC proves invaluable in scenarios where traditional compaction is challenging due to placement conditions or the presence of close space reinforcement. This study focuses on evaluating the structural performance of lightweight self-compacting concrete (LWSCC) columns confined with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) and steel tube (ST) subjected to cyclic loading. The LWSCC columns, denoted as LWSTC, are designed with inner steel tubes and outer GFRP tubes, imparting corrosion resistance and reduced weight alongside enhanced ductility. Through quasi-static loading, five fabricated LWSTC columns were subjected to assess their structural response under dynamic effects. The investigation delves into three key variables: axial load ratio, reinforcement ratio, and the replacement ratio of coarse lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) in the fabricated LWSTC columns. A comprehensive analysis of various parameters, including skeleton curves, ductility, hysteretic cycles, damage modes, dissipation of energy capacity, stiffness behavior, strain spreading, and strength reduction, was conducted on the LWSTC columns. The findings reveal that the replacement of LECA with natural aggregates has an insignificant impact, whereas varying the axial load ratio significantly influences the structural behavior of LWSTC. Notably, LWSTC exhibits a remarkable 121% higher horizontal load capacity compared to counterparts using natural aggregate. Furthermore, LWSTC demonstrates superior axial strength and enhanced capability for energy dissipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work as calling research has clearly established the benefits of having a calling, such as, work meaningfulness and job satisfaction, and is less forthcoming in identifying the affective linkages between calling and its outcomes. We propose that because individuals with high calling find their work purposeful and significant, they are more likely to actively shape their emotions and engage in emotional regulation. This study examines the role of emotional labor in mediating the relationship between calling and its two outcomes -- emotional exhaustion and job performance. The data for the study included a sample of 195 teachers from 42 daycare centers. Findings suggest that having a high calling is associated with lower emotional exhaustion and is associated with higher job performance. Also, calling is significantly associated with emotional labor, and in particular, is positively related to deep acting and negatively related to surface acting. Further, results show that both surface acting and deep acting mediate the relationship between calling and its outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presenting research at scientific meetings is an important part of the dissemination of research findings. Abstracts are an abbreviated form of a research study presented at a meeting of a professional society. Common elements include background, methods, results, and conclusions. Each section should be carefully written to maximize the chances of acceptance. This paper will cover how to write an abstract for a presentation at a scientific meeting and common mistakes that authors make when writing abstracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key parameter for the success of most cellular implants is the formation of a complete and comprehensive intra-implant vessel network. Pre-vascularization, the generation of vessel structures in vitro prior to transplantation, provides accelerated implant perfusion via anastomosis, but scalability and ease of integration hinder clinical translation. For fibrin-based vasculogenesis approaches, the remodeling and degradation of the fragile, hydrogel matrix during the formation of vessel-like structures results in rapid, cell-mediated construct compaction leading to dense, capillary-like structures with ineffective network coverage. To resolve these challenges, vasculogenic hydrogels were embedded within a highly porous, biostable three-dimensional (3D) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) scaffold. Using reverse-casting of 3D-printed molds, scaffolds exhibited highly interconnected and reproducible pore structures. Pore size was optimized via in vivo screening of intra-device angiogenesis. The inclusion of the PDMS frame with vasculogenic hydrogels significantly reduced fibrin compaction in vitro , resulting in easily manipulated constructs with predictable dimensionality and increased surface area compared to fibrin hydrogel alone. Globally, vascular morphogenesis was altered by the PDMS frame, with significantly larger and less dense network structures. Vasculogenic proteomic evaluation showed a temporal impact of the addition of the PDMS frame, indicating altered cellular proliferation and migration signaling. This work establishes a platform for improving the generation of translational pre-vascularized networks for greater flexibility to meet the needs of clinically scaled, engineered tissues. Competent intra-implant vascularization is a significant issue hindering the success of engineered tissues. Pre-vascularization approaches, whereby a vascular network is formed in vitro and subsequently implanted into the host to anastomose, is a promising approach but it is limited by the compacted, dense, and poorly functional microcapillary structures typically formed using soft hydrogels. Herein, we have uniquely addressed this challenge by adding a 3D printed PDMS-based open framework structure that serves to prevent hydrogel compaction. Globally, we observed distinct differences in overall construct geometry, vascular network density, compaction, and morphogenesis, indicating that this PDMS framework lead to elevated maturity of this in vitro network while retaining its global dimensions. Overall, this novel approach elevates the translational potential of pre-vascularized constructs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• EVS outsourcing should ensure financial gain without compromising quality or regulations. • Couple EVS with standardized procedures, risk assessment, and effective monitoring. • Uphold health care hygiene in cleaning service outsourcing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Dalian University of Technology / Dalian Ligong Daxue Xuebao is the property of Journal of Dalian University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Harbin Institute of Technology. Social Sciences Edition / Haerbin Gongye Daxue Xuebao. Shehui Kexue Ban is the property of Harbin Institute of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article focuses on Shakespedia, a digital resource by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, offering a comprehensive exploration of William Shakespeare's life, works, and cultural impact. Topics covered include Shakespeare's biography, family homes, works, Globe Theatre, social circle, music, acting, and the historical significance of David Garrick's Shakespeare Jubilee of 1769, providing a user-friendly and engaging platform for audiences of various interests and digital backgrounds.

Copyright of Tourism & Management Studies is the property of Escola Superior de Gestao, Hotelaria e Turismo, Universidade do Algarve and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Faculty of Letters / Edebiyat Fakultesi Dergisi is the property of Hacettepe University Faculty of Letters and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, it was aimed to examine the effect of nurses' emotional labor levels on their intention to leave and to determine whether employee performance plays a mediating role in this relationship. The study is of descriptive cross-sectional type, which was conducted through a questionnaire on nurses. The surface acting has positive effect on the intent to leave among nurses, whereas deep acting has negative effect; employee performance has partial mediating role on the relationship between the surface acting and intent to leave, and the relationship between deep acting and intent to leave. The study is considered to provide significant tips in the identification of nurses with higher risk to leave the work, and in deciding managerial interventions that would be realised against such circumstances. It is suggested that it may be beneficial for nurse managers to organise training in their units, to evaluate the performance of nurses at regular intervals and thus to determine the reason for the increase and decrease, to plan activities that will reduce emotional burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a continuation of research results on numerical modelling of displacement pile prototype ground (sand) resistance. Numerical modelling of ground resistance consists of three stages: restitution of initial soil stress state, the restoration of stress state developed during pile installation and the modelling of pile resistance against applied load (pile load test). Restitution of initial ground state induced in artificially created sand deposit after compaction procedures was realized by creating stress history and defining experimentally determined over consolidation stresses. Installation effects were restored using a well-known empirical approach based on relation between CPT test data and radial stress increase. Hardening soil model and its parameters were employed for modelling pile test substantiated in the first paper (Part 1) of the research. The discrete model of pile, soil layers, and pilesoil contact was created. Modelling of pile loading-unloading resistance was applied using an incremental loading procedure. Numerical analysis results validated with displacement pile prototype testing results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The creep behavior of untreated and deproteinized dental enamel in dry and wet state was analyzed by nanoindentation with a spherical tip. Additionally, the influence of the loading rate was investigated. Dry untreated and deproteinized dental enamel only showed minor creep over 100 s and deproteinization did not affect the dry enamel's behavior significantly. With slower loading rates some creep already occurs during the loading period, such that the creep displacement during load hold is less than with faster loading rates. Wet untreated and deproteinized enamel showed significantly more creep compared to the dry samples. The differences between the untreated and deproteinized enamel were only minor but significant, revealing that water affects the creep behavior of biological materials such as enamel significantly. The proposed deformation mechanism of naturally porous enamel under compression is compaction of the HAP crystallites and fluid displacement within material underneath the indented area. This study investigates the creep behavior of untreated and deproteinized dental enamel in dry and wet conditions. It is shown that while the protein content does not affect enamel's behavior significantly, the wet conditions lead to an increased creep in enamel. The proposed deformation mechanism of naturally porous enamel under compression is compaction of the HAP crystallites and fluid displacement within material underneath the indented area. Based on this observation a simple analytical model has been developed, aiming to deepen our understanding of the deformation behavior of biological materials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contracting is an integral part of project management. The contract stipulates the legal and commercial relationship between the two engaging parties. The dynamics of this mutual, contractual agreement is contextualized in the principle-agent theory. In practice, the effectiveness of executing the contractual agreement is dependent on relationship management between the principal and agent, which does not necessarily form part of the formal agreement. This paper aims to identify variables that define the principle-agent relationship and formulization of that in a relational charter. A conceptual model is developed to assess the validity of the agency and relational variables and their interrelationship towards the formation of a relational charter. This paper provides insight into the literature review and conceptual model to be used in field research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradable magnesium (Mg) and its alloy show huge potential as temporary bone substitute due to the favorable biocompatibility and mechanical compatibility. However, one issue deserves attention is the too fast degradation. In this work, mesoporous bioglass (MBG) with high pore volume (0.59 cc/g) and huge specific surface area (110.78 m2/g) was synthesized using improved sol-gel method, and introduced into Mg-based composite via laser additive manufacturing. Immersion tests showed that the incorporated MBG served as powerful adsorption sites, which promoted the in-situ deposition of apatite by successively adsorbing Ca2+ and HPO 4 2−. Such dense apatite film acted as an efficient protection layer and enhanced the corrosion resistance of Mg matrix, which was proved by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. Thereby, Mg based composite showed a significantly decreased degradation rate of 0.31 mm/year. Furthermore, MBG also improved the mechanical properties as well as cell behavior. This work highlighted the advantages of MBG in the fabrication of Mg-based implant with enhanced overall performance for orthopedic application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dalbavancin is a novel long-acting semi-synthetic lipoglycopeptide. It is licensed for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) caused by susceptible Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Many studies on dalbavancin alternative use in clinical practice have been published recently, including osteomyelitis, prosthetic joint infections (PJIs), and infective endocarditis (IE). Thus, we conducted a narrative review on dalbavancin efficacy in difficult-to-treat infections, such as osteomyelitis, PJIs, and IE. We performed a comprehensive literature search through electronic databases (PubMed-MEDLINE) and search engines (Google Scholar). We included peer-reviewed publications (articles and reviews), and grey literature on dalbavancin use in osteomyelitis, PJIs, and IE. No time or language restrictions have been established. Despite the great interest in clinical practice, only observational studies and case series on the use of dalbavancin in infections other than ABSSSI are available. The reported success rate was extremely variable between studies, ranging from 44% to 100%. A low success rate has been reported for osteomyelitis and joint infections, while in endocarditis, the success rate was higher than 70% in all studies. However, there is no literature agreement about the correct regimen of dalbavancin for this type of infection heretofore. Dalbavancin showed great efficacy and a good safety profile, not only in patients with ABSSSI but also in those with osteomyelitis, PJIs, and endocarditis. Further randomized clinical trials are needed to assess the optimal dosing schedule depending on the site of infection. Implementing therapeutic drug monitoring for dalbavancin may represent the future step to achieving optimal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic target attainment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

K.S. Stanislavsky's System remains the basis for actor training in conservatoires in the UK and more widely and Vs. E. Meyerhold's Biomechanics is increasing in popularity as a training method in the twenty-first century. Both methods were rooted in scientific understandings from the modern epoch to the avant-garde, so it is important to question how this remains relevant to today's practice. This essay explores responses to Diderot's Le paradoxe sur le comédien (The Paradox of the Actor) in Russia from the nineteenth century to the 1930s, which, essentially, questioned whether "head" or "heart" should be primary in acting. A.N. Ostrovskii and P.D. Boborykin discussed this question from the 1860s in relation to the new science of I.M. Sechenov, which theorised generating emotion by reflex. Reflex theory impacted the debate between "experiencing" and "representation" in acting. The development of I.P. Pavlov's reflex conditioning had further implications for "heart" or "head" and "experiencing" or "representation" debates for Stanislavsky and Meyerhold. In the 1930s, L. S. Vygotsky proposed a new response to Diderot's Paradox and N.A. Bernstein's neurophysiology pushed against the Soviet Pavlovian paradigm – a new context for reassessment of the great directors' work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pregled is the property of University of Sarajevo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article discusses two art exhibitions: "Ulysses Jenkins: Without Your Interpretation" and "Soul Colors by Michael Chinyamurindi." The first exhibition showcases the work of Ulysses Jenkins, a performance and conceptual artist, and provides valuable information for future scholars interested in his contributions to the art world. The second exhibition features the artwork of Michael Chinyamurindi, who explores the relationship between inner selves and outer realities through ink drawing and mixed media collage. Chinyamurindi's work reflects his experiences growing up in Zimbabwe and living in Topanga, California, and incorporates elements of social and cultural movements. The exhibitions offer viewers a chance to engage with the artists' unique perspectives and creative expressions. [Extracted from the article]

This paper investigates the incidence and determinants of subcontracting (SC) in unincorporated non-agricultural enterprises, the nature of the relationship and the net accumulation fund of firms undergoing subcontract. The incidences of subcontracting in India among small manufacturing firms have remained stagnant over time. However, there have been some changes within the categories. States with relatively poor infrastructure and industries that involve relatively low skill and technology have higher incidences of subcontracting. The profit share of SC firms is higher than those who do not subcontract, owing to low assets, location and ownership of firms. The higher profit share of the SC firms is because it consists of more OAEs. A considerable portion of the profit of OAEs comprises the wage of working proprietors and unpaid family workers. The net accumulation fund (NAF) of these firms is very low. Low NAF of SC firms is a major obstacle to firm size and output growth and is an important cause behind stagnant and contracting firms' decisions to subcontract. The study also finds that the subcontracting relationship and aftermath of own account firms (without hired workers) and establishments (with at least one hired worker) are different. The institutional intervention in terms of credit and provisions of subcontracting exchanges may lead the unorganized firms to grow and develop stable contracts for the benefit of firms and the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subcontracting with its employment-generating and capital-saving characteristics has the potential to play a very important role in the Indian economy by forging a mutually beneficial linkage between the organised and unorganised manufacturing sectors. Rising competition in the face of opening up of the economy has made subcontracting even more relevant in recent periods. This paper attempts to explore different aspects of subcontracting within unincorporated manufacturing enterprises in the unorganised sector using recent NSSO data. Incidence and pattern of subcontracting across regional, locational, industry groups and enterprise types have been examined. Determinants of subcontracting and its impact on the performance of the units have been explored using econometric exercises. The results indicate that the probability of subcontracting is significantly higher for larger units, in urban areas, in intermediate goods, and for units with a higher proportion of skilled workers. However, subcontracted firms are more likely to contract in size over a 3-year period compared to non-subcontracted firms. This indicates that modern aspects in terms of a larger scale of operation, better accessibility, connectivity, infrastructure, and higher skill intensity are preconditions for subcontracting but unfortunately this tied mode of production has failed to play its expected role. Though they are stepping stones to the modernisation process, they have remained as survival strategies for a large mass of unregistered units. A well-designed policy targeted to promote formal–informal linkage and change of outlook towards the phenomenon of subcontracting may go a long way in exploiting the full potential of subcontracting in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The economy of a country is mainly influenced by the roads and railways that connect the different regions that make up its territory, and these, in turn, are affected at the engineering design and construction level by the physical and mechanical properties, the soil on which they rest and the granular materials used. Under this circumstance, it is important to carry out studies that allow us to better identify the physical and mechanical properties of the soils under study. One of these is the CBR test, which allows obtaining the shear strength values of the soils, thus being able to find the most appropriate use of materials in road construction, with complete information (complementary tests): as an Embankment Fill Material, Subgrade Improvement Material, Granular Subbase, or Granular Base. From this, this article shows the results of CBR values for a sample obtained from the Warsaw quarry, which is used as embankment fill material, or for the improvement of the subgrade, thus allowing obtaining a sensitivity analysis of these. CBR results under the variation of the compaction energy and the immersion curing time in the tests, thus being able to know the behavior of this material under the worst possible conditions during its useful life (Immersion). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term performance of an engineering work depends on the quality and treatment of the underlying soils, which support the structure and, in the case of pavements, depends In addition, the characteristics of the other intermediate granular layers that are part of the structure, since an unstable soil can cause problems in the performance and stability of the works, so their improvement, through an adequate study and management of the situation, is usually the most expeditious way to obtain a structure that is capable of providing satisfactory support to the loads and the effect of some climatic factors to which it will be subjected during its service life. Through this study, which consisted in the characterization of a material for Granular Subbase from the Aggregates de Sucre Quarry, located in the municipality of Tolú Viejo (Department of Sucre), in northern Colombia, it was possible to obtain the curves of compaction, based on the moisture vs. dry density ratio, for various compaction energies. According to the results obtained, it was possible to establish that the maximum dry density increased as the compaction energy increased. Meanwhile, in the case of optimal compaction humidity, although it did not have such a marked behavior, a tendency to decrease was noted as the compaction energy increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technique of information hiding is very important in achieving security of important and sensitive data, especially those that are transmitted through various digital communication channels because it has robust characteristics that distinguish it from encryption techniques, the most important of which is that it is not perceived by protrusive and hackers, as it is based on the principle of hiding those data inside other digital media as a carrier cover. On the other hand, with the development of hiding techniques, techniques developed to try extracting its hiding to hacking its contents, for this reason and to increase the efficiency of these methods, the encryption and hiding techniques was combined together. The proposed method depends on distributing secret data on several digital audio files of type WAV in random way depends on circular secret key values that is generated in random order that be agreed upon between the sender and the receiver. This technique has achieved high durability, and in the event of suspicion of the existence of secret content within any WAV file, the multiplicity of carrier files and their different length, as well as random distribution of data in them, all these characteristic eliminates the suspicion of any confidential content, as well as complicates the file retrieved process if the suspicion be occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais is the property of Centro de Estudos Sociais and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: To describe and evaluate a pilot project to provide reviewer comments to authors who submitted abstracts to the Hospital-based medicine topic area for the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2021 annual meeting Methods: Abstract reviewers were encouraged via email to include reviewer comments for authors in their abstract reviews. Unedited comments were emailed to authors shortly after the abstract decision notifications were sent. We quantified the number of reviewers who commented per abstract. Additionally, we surveyed authors and reviewers to evaluate the perceived impact of the pilot project. Results: For 123 abstracts submitted to the Hospital-based medicine topic area, every abstract received comments from at least one reviewer, and a median (IQR) of 4 (3-5) reviewers commented per abstract. The response rates for the author and reviewer surveys were 61/114 (54%) and 54/84 (64%), respectively, and both groups of respondents generally favored the pilot program. The majority of authors (59%) made changes to their project based on the feedback provided and 96% reported that they would like to continue to receive reviewer feedback for future PAS abstract submissions. Reviewers reported spending a mean of 11 minutes reviewing each abstract. Most (85%) felt that they spent the same or slightly more (1%-25%) time reviewing than in prior years. Multiple open-ended comments were provided, largely positive. CONCLUSION: A pilot program to incorporate reviewer feedback into abstract decision notification for a large national research meeting was successful. This approach should be considered for future meetings to enhance this integral component of academic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of conducting search and collecting information about the IT infrastructure of any organization and its information systems in open sources (Open Source INTelligence, OSINT) is shown. The OSINT tools for its implementation are analyzed. Using the experience of their practical application, an approach has been developed to conducting OSINT while integrating various tools. Based on the OSINT results for a particular organization, recommendations were formulated to counter the leakage of information about its IT infrastructure and information systems to open sources, as well as the early detection of such facts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using World Bank survey data, we document that banks extend more favorable loan terms to borrowers in countries with more lending corruption. This relation is stronger when borrowers have financing constraints but weaker in countries with stronger monitoring of foreign bank ownership or with stronger religiosity. We also find that banks in countries with high lending corruption have poor loan quality and earnings performance and are more susceptible to trouble during a financial crisis. Overall, our findings suggest that corruption "greases the wheels" for borrowers but is detrimental to bank shareholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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East Asian urbanization is characterized by complex processes of extensive densification. Fuelled by rapid economic growth, Asian cities’ size, scale, and physical dimensions remain incomparable to any Western setting. During the past thirty years alone, various concepts have attempted to define hyperdensity, layering, and intensity as core principles of Asian urban development. Although these concepts explore the physical properties of development, few examples provide insights into the behavioural and social dimensions of such complex morphological settings. This paper examines the effects of urban compaction and volumetric urbanism on liveability in East Asian cities. Hong Kong exemplifies an extreme scale and rate of densification. Podium developments – commercial plinths elevated above street level that connect large residential towers to commercial complexes – are one of the city’s most common development types. The hypothesis is that the combination of different types of podium development results in the interiorization of the urban realm, which compresses public services, social engagements, and behavioural conditions into diverse privatized and fragmented ‘public interiors’. To explore these conditions, this paper first outlines the conceptual premise of reading urban sett ings through the lens of volumetric urban compaction. This framework combines urban compaction and volumetric urbanism. Second, the paper discusses theories that deal with the links between spatial settings and behavioural traits. Privatization is of particular interest here, including those processes in which the private and the public become interchangeable conditions or where the temporary occupation of functions occurs. The different concepts – volumetric urban compaction and interiority – are studied within Olympian City, a podium development in Kowloon (Hong Kong). Through fieldwork, the case is investigated in terms of the elements that make up Olympian City’s spatial configuration and how different groups use space at different times of the day and week. The case study shows that Hong Kong’s development follows an economically driven model of volumetric urban compaction; it supports a larger privatization strategy that depends on the interiorization of the city to the extent that makes the overall structure highly exclusive, static, and controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a methodology to measure impact force is proposed. It includes conceptual description of the sequence of the steps, tools needed to carry out the measurement, validation and the post processing of the collected data and automated data acquisition during end-of-line testing. The proposed concept is also putting requirements to the needed equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Value-based contracts that tie payments for pharmaceuticals to predefined outcomes aim to promote value through shared risk and aligned incentives between manufacturers and payers.Methods: We conducted a Delphi study among diverse stakeholders (patients, providers, payers, pharmacy benefits managers, pharmaceutical company representatives) to identify top meaningful outcomes for inclusion in value-based contracts for atrial fibrillation medications. The final panel (n = 55) rated the importance of each outcome on a 5-point Likert scale and selected their top 3 most meaningful outcomes. Non-patient participants rated the feasibility of collecting each outcome on a 5-point Likert scale. Consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement (Likert scores ≥4/5 or selection of an outcome as most meaningful). Differences between stakeholder groups were examined using Fisher's Exact Test.Results: Consensus was achieved for importance of 10 outcomes (Likert scale), where "preventing stroke or mini-stroke" reached 100% agreement (55/55). Eighty-one percent (44/54) of participants selected "preventing stroke or mini-stroke" as the most meaningful outcome (rank order question). The measures rated as most feasibly collected were "reducing hospitalizations" (97%, 36/37) followed by "preventing stroke or mini-stroke" and "reducing emergency department visits" (both 92%, 34/37). There were statistically significant differences between patients and non-patients [0% (0/17) vs 22% (8/37), P = 0.047] and patients and providers [0% (0/17) vs 39% (7/18), P = 0.008] in selection of "improving health-related quality of life" as a most meaningful outcome.Conclusions: These findings will inform the design of atrial fibrillation value-based pharmaceutical contracts and provide additional insight into preferences for outcomes which could be used to improve the quality of atrial fibrillation care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay presents a framework for teaching the art of acting in service of the urgent, moral need to ensure acting classrooms are inclusive. Inspired by a study of the Enneagram as a tool for spiritual formation, the essay reorganizes acting pedagogy into the "Three Intelligences," or the engagement of the heart, the body, and the mind. The author presents how the art of acting can be taught in a way that charts growth through a student's integration of these intelligences through a variety of training methods rather than privileging mastery of a particular acting technique. This methodology also makes space for new and more diverse approaches to the art of acting, broadening the American pedagogical heritage of acting techniques belonging to primarily white, Western teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes physical and mechanical properties of porous asphalt mixtures with various RAP amount (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) containing one WMA additive (organic wax). The samples were prepared using the Marshall compactor at two different temperatures (125 °C, 145 °C) by fabricating six series of porous mixtures. Air void content, particle loss, stiffness modulus, indirect tensile strength, and indirect tensile strength ratio were measured and the effects of RAP, wax, and compaction temperatures were evaluated, considering the results of statistical analyses. Based on the performed tests, it has been concluded that high RAP contents (30%) in WMA-RAP PAs result in decreased porosity, permeability, and moisture resistance, and in increased cohesiveness, stiffness, and indirect tensile strength compared to the reference PAs. On the other hand, for low RAP contents (10%), WMA-RAP PAs show lower cohesiveness and indirect tensile strength, at the same time demonstrating an increase in porosity, permeability, moisture resistance, and stiffness. Reduced compaction temperatures (125 °C) particularly affect the cracking resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]