Suchergebnisse

Elder abuse has continued to be a serious concern to many stakeholders in the world and Nigeria as reported by researchers, as well as various media platforms. It is from this fact that this present study examined the role of social support and socio demographic factors on elder abuse in Ile-Ife Osun state, Nigeria. Theory of social exchange provided the theoretical framework while a descriptive survey was adopted. Three hundred and ninety-two (392) respondents (Males = 192, Females = 200, M = 70.77, S.D. = 6.33) were selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising demographics variables, elder abuse scale (α = .65), and social support scale (α = .94). Data were analysed using T-test for independence measure and analysis of variance (ANOVA). T-test for independent statistics revealed that social support differentiated the experienced elder abuse t(390) = -3.33; p < .001). There were some gender differences in elder abuse (t(390) = 2.20; p = .028). There was no significant relationship between socioeconomic status and elder abuse (F(3, 389) = 1.46; p = .225). The study concluded that social support and gender played a vital role with elder abuse in Osun state. The study, therefore, recommended that government should provide appropriate social support such as prompt payment of pension and gratuity, provision of feeding, good, as well as living arrangements with special attention on elderly men

1. Conflicts over the management of wildlife species that impact human livelihoods are increasingly frequent. In Spanish farmland areas, the European rabbit, one of the most important game species, can cause considerable crop damage. Tensions typically emerge between farmers who advocate rabbit reduction and hunters who are responsible for controlling populations when crop damage occurs but wish for healthy rabbit populations for shooting. 2. In this study, we used in-depth interviews and small group discussions with farmers, hunters and representatives of the governmental environmental and agricultural agencies to assess their positions in this conflict. 3. Our results showed tensions between and within groups, and that the conflict is influenced by leadership, distrust and past decision-making issues, and by differences in beliefs among groups. Positions of farmers and hunters are also relatively rigid, which may make difficult their engagement in collaborative processes. To be effective, such processes would demand that local leaders were empowered and likely also that external neutral mediators were involved. 4. Our study highlights the complexity and dynamic nature of the conflicts associated with wildlife species causing damage to human livelihoods and provides new insights that may be useful to facilitate dialogue and negotiation between stakeholders and to aid management and governance. ; This study was funded by projects CGL2013‐43197‐R (Ministerio de Economía y Competetividad) and PII‐201810I026 (CSIC) and contributes to the project RTI2018‐096348‐R‐C21/C22 (MCI/AEI/FEDER, UE).

© 2020 by the authors. ; Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ) treatment monitoring is a matter of debate since CoQ distribution from plasma to blood cells and tissues is not fully understood. We aimed to analyze the CoQ levels in a wide set of human biological samples (plasma, blood mononuclear cells (BMCs), platelets, urinary cells, and skeletal muscle) from a group of 11 healthy male runners before and after CoQ supplementation. The CoQ content in the different samples was analyzed by HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection. No significant differences were observed in the CoQ levels measured in the BMCs, platelets, and urine after the one-month treatment period. Plasma CoQ (expressed in absolute values and values relative to total cholesterol) significantly increased after CoQ supplementation (p = 0.003 in both cases), and the increase in CoQ in muscle approached significance (p = 0.074). CoQ levels were increased in the plasma of all supplemented subjects, and muscle CoQ levels were increased in 8 out of 10 supplemented subjects. In conclusion, the analysis of CoQ in plasma samples seems to be the best surrogate biomarker for CoQ treatment monitoring. Moreover, oral CoQ administration was effective for increasing muscle CoQ concentrations in most subjects. ; This research was supported by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII-FIS PI17/00109 and PI17/01286), the FEDER Funding Program from the European Union and CIBERER-ISCIII. A.J.P.-F. holds a grant from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FI18/00253).

Detecting signs of potential extant/extinct life on Mars is challenging because the presence of organics on that planet is expected to be very low and most likely linked to radiation-protected refugia and/or preservative strategies (e.g., organo-mineral complexes). With scarcity of organics, accounting for biomineralization and potential relationships between biomarkers, mineralogy, and geochemistry is key in the search for extraterrestrial life. Here we explored microbial fingerprints and their associated mineralogy in Icelandic hydrothermal systems analog to Mars (i.e., high sulfur content, or amorphous silica), to identify potentially habitable locations on that planet. The mineralogical assemblage of four hydrothermal substrates (hot springs biofilms, mud pots, and steaming and inactive fumaroles) was analyzed concerning the distribution of biomarkers. Molecular and isotopic composition of lipids revealed quantitative and compositional differences apparently impacted by surface geothermal alteration and environmental factors. pH and water showed an influence (i.e., greatest biomass in circumneutral settings with highest supply and turnover of water), whereas temperature conditioned the mineralogy that supported specific microbial metabolisms related with sulfur. Raman spectra suggested the possible coexistence of abiotic and biomediated sources of minerals (i.e., sulfur or hematite). These findings may help to interpret future Raman or GC–MS signals in forthcoming Martian missions. ; With funding from the Spanish government through the "María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence" accreditation (MDM-2017-0737)

The Soviet Union (USSR) came into power in the late 1910s tearing down the tsar regime in Eastern Europe. Known for its massive propaganda scheme and anti-United States (US) rhetoric, Soviet propaganda was engrained in history books throughout the western world. The United States continually denounced the massive use of propaganda in the Soviet Union through the regimes lifespan, from it's beginning to its collapse. Unknown to the public of this era is that the United States contributed in similar practices of states sponsor artwork, photographs, music, and publications rebranded as promotional work instead of propaganda. For example, when building the Grand Coulee Dam in the state of Washington the US produced music and commissioned photographers in order to inspire hope during the great depression. Similarly, the USSR had a state sponsored magazine The USSR in Construction to document and show the public, and foreign nations, the monumental works the government was building in order to modernize the state. This project focuses on 4 separate case studies of public work projects from both states and the propaganda affiliated with each work. With a goal of identifying similarities and differences in each actors use of propaganda during the interwar period. Furthermore, this project will bring awareness to American audiences about its influences and use of propaganda on its public during the interwar period which duplicate USSR strategies and may be seen today.

Introduction:This study aimed to determine the level of motivation, psychosocial work environment support, and job performance. Further, it aimed to determine the relationship of motivation, psychosocial work environment, and job performance, and the mediating effect of motivation to psychosocial work environment, and job performance. Methods: The researchers employed a quantitative-cross sectional approach involving the 245 nurses working at the government hospitals of Hail city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The 245 participantswere generated through snowball sampling. Descriptive statistics were used for the demographic profile. The path analysis using analysis of moment structures was utilized to determine the significance between psychosocial work environment, motivation, and job performance, and the mediating effect of work motivation on the psychosocial environment and job performance. Results:There is a high psychosocial work environment support level (x=4.70±1.050), moderate work motivation (x=3.87± 0.859) and good (33.5%) to excellent (33.5%) work performance of nurses. The psychosocial work environment support found no significant difference to motivation (p>0.029) but significant to job performance (p0.342). There is no mediating effect of motivation to psychosocial work environment support and job performance. Conclusion:The psychosocial work environment significantly relates to job performance, however, the psychosocial environment on motivation and job performance were found not significant. Conversely, there was no mediating effect of motivation on psychosocial work environment and job performance.

The modern views of the essence and content of logistics support for the preparedness for military operations for military logisticians and academic experts differ in some way. The main differences in the views of the authors are based on defining the boundaries of the logistics system. In particular, military traditions significantly narrow the field of logistics management of the processes of providing structural units under certain conditions. At the same time, approaches to the organization of logistical support of rear structures and units that perform military operations are different algorithms. On the contrary, according to the academic vision, the logistics of military units is only part of the macro-logistics system. That is why the purpose of this study is to search a science-based system of supporting of all participants in the logistics chain for the preparedness for military operations. The implementation project of key elements of the logistical support system of readiness of the armed forces units for military operations is offered. The implementation of these proposals is expected to achieve a synergistic effect, namely: a powerful reduction in time, which is very critical in terms of active military operations; achieving high quality of logistic support operations; reducing the prime cost of operations, especially one-time or functionally unacceptable for military units; quick reaction to change of conditions, etc. Such results can accelerate the practical implementation of NATO standards in the armed forces.

This is a study of the current legal framework of international taxation of income between Russia and the Balkan states – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia. The author analyses existing tax treaty provisions, both bilateral and multilateral, with focus on three main issues – elimination of international juridical double taxation, international administrative cooperation in tax matters and counteraction to tax avoidance and evasion. For the elimination of international juridical double taxation, the comparative research covers tie-breaker rules, distribute rules and methods for the elimination of double taxation as set in the related double tax treaties. The author identifies similarities and differences in the mechanisms used in relations between Russia and the Balkan states. The analysis of the bilateral and multilateral framework for administrative cooperation in tax matters leads to the conclusion that the exchange of information remains the main form of administrative assistance, with application of other forms being limited due to numerous reservations of the states. The exiting regulation of the counteraction to tax avoidance and evasion does not meet the modern standards and provides for a limited scope of special anti-avoidance rules. Six agreements between Russia and the Balkan states are covered by the OECD Multilateral Instrument and the update of the regulation on counteraction to tax avoidance and evasion is foreseeable.

Die vorliegende Arbeit vergleicht Diskriminierungserlebnisse der Überlebenden der Atombombenabwürfe auf Hiroshima und Nagasaki (1945) sowie der Betroffenen des Nuklearunglücks von Fukushima (2011) und geht dabei der Frage nach, ob deren subjektiv erlebte Ungleichbehandlung Parallelen zwischen den nuklearen Opfergruppen erkennen lässt. Die Durchführung narrativer Interviews als Erhebungsmethode in Kombination mit der Grounded-Theory-Methodologie als Auswertungsmethode ermöglicht die Herausarbeitung von vier Schlüsselkategorien der Diskriminierung, die Übereinstimmungen und Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Opfergruppen erkennen lassen. Politische Konstellationen, zentrale Akteure sowie öffentliche Debatten zum Thema der Atomkraft bilden den Rahmen der Arbeit, um auch Gründe und Folgen der andauernden Diskriminierung herauszuarbeiten. Anhand zehn Interviewaussagen werden Beispiele für subjektiv erlebte Diskriminierung exemplarisch vorgestellt, miteinander verglichen und diskutiert. Im Anhang der Arbeit befinden sich alle Interviews in voller Länge ins Deutsche übersetzt. ; The present work compares the experienced discrimination of the survivors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (1945) as well as of those affected by the Fukushima nuclear accident (2011) and examines whether this subjectively experienced unequal treatment reveals parallels between the nuclear victim groups. By conducting narrative interviews as a survey method in combination with the grounded theory methodology as an evaluation method, it is possible to identify four key categories of discrimination that reveal similarities and differences between the two victim groups. Political constellations, key players and public debates on the topic of nuclear power provide the framework for the research to also identify the causes and consequences of the ongoing discrimination. Using ten interviews, examples of subjectively experienced discrimination are presented, compared and discussed. All interviews can be found, fully translated into ...

Turkey-NATO relations are still sufficiently strong to keep the relationship from the brink, a new DIIS-report finds. But more dynamics are also gaining strength to render further troubles increasingly likely. The future of Turkey's NATO membership has been the subject of heated debate of late, from both outside and within Turkey. What ramifications will Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 surface-to-air anti-missile system have for Turkey's NATO future? Has the Syrian conflict exposed deep strategic differences between Turkey and other key NATO members? In response to such questions, a number of foreign policy practitioners as well as researchers and long-standing Turkey watchers have cautioned that a number of centripetal forces − dynamics that keep member states together - remain sufficiently strong at a structural level to keep Turkey-NATO relations on track. There seems to be widespread agreement on both sides that the alternative is simply worse. At the same time, the report also argues that these centripetal forces are losing their strength, and that centrifugal forces pulling the alliance apart are gaining strength and salience. Barring wild card developments, the net result is that this will increase the likelihood of further troubles ahead for Turkey-NATO relations The report is based on an analysis of the published policy commentary, scholarly literature, as well as a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with practitioners and academic experts during the course of 2019.

Purpose: This paper uses the event study methodology to analyze the impact of unexpected political event on stocks abnormal returns. The objective is twofold. The first is to reach robust estimates of stocks abnormal returns. The second is to reach robust estimates of the effects of unexpected political events on stocks abnormal returns. Design/methodology/approach: This paper experiments with three different methods to estimate stocks abnormal returns, namely: market model, mean-adjusted model and market-adjusted model. The sample includes the firms listed in the leading index in Egypt stock exchange (EGX30). The statistical tests, Anderson-Darling test for normality, Wilcoxon rank-sum test for comparing the significance of the estimates, and Breusch-Pagan, Cook-Weisberg test for heterogeneity of abnormal returns. Findings: The results indicate that (a) statistical differences between the three estimates exist, which indicates that the three methods of abnormal return estimation are not substitutes, or alternatives, to each other, (b) that is, the political event is considered an anomaly which has idiosyncratic effects. This is contrary to the common belief that political events have systematic effects. Originality/value: The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, the estimation of abnormal returns must be examined for robustness in order to ensure reliability. Second, the results offer robust evidence that political risk premium is an anomaly, which is a call for stock market participants not to panic. Eventually, it saves investors' wealth.

This paper, using the operational method of content analysis, gives an overview of the programmatic attitudes of the parties in Serbia about the province of Kosovo and Metohija. We have used internet presentations of the parties in our case, but in some cases this meant that these were outdated programs from the period of diametrically opposed political circumstances in the country and the world, or general presentations without stating when and where the program was adopted. In any case, the Kosovo and Metohija issue is recognized by most parties, especially those with the most numerous membership and a long tradition, as an issue of first-class state importance. The parties are almost unanimous when it comes to protecting the rights of Serbs, their cultural heritage, and the economic interests of Serbia in the province. However, the positioning of the parties with regard to the final status of the province has brought major differences. Some parties stand firmly on the position of Resolution 1244 and the 2006 Constitution of the Republic of Serbia in relation to this matter, while on the opposite side are those political factors advocating for a permanent solution based on compromise. The statements of contemporary political actors in Serbia about the province of Kosovo and Metohija are not the subject of this paper, but we are exclusively focused on programs as a permanent testimony to the attitude of political circles in Serbia towards the aforementioned issue to this day.

The discussion of the Fatimid Dynasty was an interesting discussion, because the controversy caused by the dynasty was enough to stir the Islamic world. Some author said this kingdom has a great contribution to introduce Muslims to science, because they build the University of al-Azhar. On the other hand, this kingdom is said to be an intolerant extremist kingdom, suppressing Sunni Muslims or Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah. The history of the kingdom filled with oppression, deceit, and deviation from the teachings of Islam is also another side that needs to be raised and discussed. Before discussing the political power of the Fatimid dynasty, we first discuss the ideology of this kingdom, because this is the underlying political movement. Fatimid dynasty was a Shiite-ideological kingdom, more precisely the Ismailis. Isma'ili Shi'ah is a Shi'ite sect who believes that Ismail bin Ja'far is the seventh priest, as for the majority of Shia (Shi'a Itsna Asyriyah) believes that Musah bin Ja'fa was the seventh imam after Ja'far ash-Sadiq. The differences in this subject matter then evolved into other doctrinal principles that increasingly distinguished Ismaili Shiite teachings from mainstream Shiite, Shiite Asna Asyriyah, so this teaching became a separate sect. Ismailis have beliefs that deviate far from the teachings and creeds of Islam. Like other Shiite sects, Isma'ilis Shiites also believe that priests are awake from sinful deeds, they are perfect figures, and there is no gap at all

INTRODUCTION: Low energy availability (EA) may impede adaptation to exercise, suppressing reproductive function and bone turnover. Exercise energy expenditure (EEE) measurements lack definition and consistency. This study aimed to compare EA measured from moderate and vigorous physical activity from accelerometry (EEEmpva) with EA from total physical activity (EEEtpa) from doubly-labelled water in women. The secondary aim was to determine the relationship of EA with physical fitness, body composition by DXA, heartrate variability (HRV) and eating behavior (brief eating disorder in athletes-questionnaire, BEDA-Q). METHODS: Prospective, repeated measures study, assessing EA measures and training adaptation during 11-month basic military training. 47 women (23.9 ±2.6 years) completed 3 consecutive 10-d assessments of EEEmvpa, EEEtpa and energy intake (EI). EA measures were compared using linear regression and Bland-Altman analyses; relationships of EA with fat mass, heartrate variability, 1.5-mile run times and BEDA-Q were evaluated using partial correlations. RESULTS: EA from EEEmvpa demonstrated strong agreement with EA from EEEtpa across the measurement range (R=0.76, r=0.87, p0.10). CONCLUSION: Accelerometry-based EEE demonstrated validity against DLW during multi-stressor training, the difference representing 10 kcal/kg FFM/d EEE from non-exercise activity. Beneficial physical but not autonomic adaptations were associated with higher EA. EAmvpa and BEDA-Q warrant consideration for low EA assessment and screening.

Abstract. The study seeks to evaluate the impact of the increase in VAT rate from 14% to 15% on the state revenue as well as on future VAT collections. VAT historical data spanning from April 2009 to March 2018 (108 observations) on a fixed rate of 14% was obtained. Assuming no change on the 14% VAT rate, was fitted to the data to predict the collection of R311.2bn and R326.7bn for 2018/19 and 2019/20 respectively. The difference between prediction (at 14% rate) and actual realisation of R324.8bn and R346.7bn for the same period (at 15%rate) was computed to get the impact. Based on the model fitted values, a percentage increase in VAT rate increased payments by 4.2%in 2018/19 and 5.8%in 2019/20.This results in a slight increase in the total state revenue of 1.1% and 1.5% in 2018/19 and 2019/20 respectively. Furthermore, the model forecast R313.9bn to be collected in 2020/21 at 15% rate, the lower collection is due to the covid-19 impact on revenue collection. The usage of these types of models will assist the South African government in their budgetary plans and future decisions by taking into account more accurate projected VAT collection. However, monitoring of the model is crucial as the prediction power deteriorate in the long run.Keywords. South African Revenue Service (SARS), Value Added tax (VAT) and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Averages (SARIMA).JEL. H24, C15, E37.