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This introductory essay consists of two parts. The fi rst is a contextualisation of the overall purpose of the monographic section, as well as a general summary of the questions, issues and themes which we were proposing to debate. The second part is an Appendix, which sets out the guidelines of the database MedItaNunC, which supported some of the research, and now provides not only a large percentage of the source material, but also a methodology about the connections which can be made through the information brought together. The essay looks at the historiography of the subject, including the recent wealth of research published from the perspective of gender studies in this area, and the way in which the Italian material fi ts into it. It also explains the chosen chronology, and the geographical spread used in the volume, and the important input of archaeology, which has helped propose new questions. Lastly, it sets out the three core themes which run through the other papers in the volume: the links between female monasteries and the city elites, the history of the monasteries concerned in the light of both their foundation and hagiographical myths, their material culture, and their ideological place in the cityscape, and fi nally, the attempt to identify the diff erence, if any, between female and male monastic houses. It is hoped that the collection will provide a fi rst panorama of female monasticism across the multiplicity of Italian political and cultural landscape.

The article makes an attempt to examine the peculiarities of social-psychological crises in the view of the assistance provided by social centres. The classical principles and modern analytical interpretations of the theory and methodology of an individual's crisis states are outlined.The problem of an individual's crisis states, their features, causes and consequences is discussed. The article shows that the source of personal deformations and cognitive dissonances of participants in military operations is: professional work fulfilled in extreme conditions going far beyond an ordinary experience and understood by the participants within the framework of the "life – death" paradigm. ; В статье сделана попытка рассмотреть особенности социально-психологических кризисов личности при учёте работы центров социальных служб. Определены классические основы и современные интерпретации теоретико-методологического анализа кризисных состояний личности.Рассмотрена проблема кризисных состояний личности, их особенности, причины и последствия. Показано, что источником возникновения личностных деформаций и состояния когнитивного диссонанса у участников боевых действий являются: профессиональная деятельность, осуществляемая в экстремальных условиях, которые выходят за рамки обыденного опыта и рассматриваются в пределах парадигмы «жизнь - смерть». ; У статті зроблено спробу розглянути особливості соціально-психологічних криз особистості з огляду на роботу центрів соціальних служб. Окреслено класичні засади та сучасні інтерпретації теоретико-методологічного аналізу кризових станів особистості.Розглянуто проблему кризових станів особистості, їх особливості, причини та наслідки. Показано, що джерелом виникнення особистісних деформацій і стану когнітивного дисонансу в учасників бойових дій є: професійна діяльність, що здійснюється в екстремальних умовах, які виходять за рамки буденного досвіду й розглядаються в межах парадигми «життя – смерть».

In this paper, we present a comparison between the cocalero movement in the nineties and the social mobilization related with the illicit crops in the second presidential period of Juan Manuel Santos. We show the ruptures and continuities that we observe in the peasant identities in the two moments, based on the demands and identity vindications. The article is divided in four parts. In the first, we explain the methodology, in the second; we compare the two-cocalero movement from their repertoires, demands and adversaries. In the third part, we center our analysis in the social organizations that back up the social mobilization in the two periods. Finally, we present our conclusion. ; En este artículo se presenta una comparación entre el movimiento cocalero de los años noventa y las movilizaciones sociales relacionadas con los cultivos de uso ilícito en el segundo periodo presidencial de Juan Manuel Santos. Tratando de mostrar aquellas continuidades y rupturas que se presentaron alrededor de los repertorios de acción, las organizaciones sociales que participaron en ellos y las luchas identitarias que se dieron en torno al campesinado, con base en sus demandas y reivindicaciones.El artículo se divide en cuatro apartados, el primero explica la metodología utilizada, en el segundo se comparan los movimientos cocaleros de los años noventa y los del segundo periodo de Santos a partir de los repertorios de acción, demandas y adversarios. El tercer apartado se centra en las organizaciones que están detrás de esta movilización en ambos periodos y en el último se plantean las conclusiones.

This paper presents an alternative calculation procedure to calculate the mortality rate, exploiting the data available in the Eurostat demography database for Spain. This methodology has been devised based on two of the most widely known and widespread models to establish the mortality rate: The Gompertz-Makeham (GM) and Lee-Carter (LC) models. Our main goal is to obtain a model yielding a similar accuracy than LC or GM, but able to capture the variation of their parameters over time and ages. The method proposed herewith works by applying simple or double fitting, with non-linear functions, to the values of the parameters considered by each one of such models. One of the main advantages of our approach is that we considerably reduce the amount of data that is required to establish the mortality rate, with respect to what would be needed if the traditional models were used. On the other hand, it also allows analyzing the evolution of the mortality rate, even if no real data was available for a particular year. The results evince that, besides fulfilling the two aforementioned goals, the proposed scheme yields an estimation error that is comparable with that offered by the traditional approach. ; This work has been supported in part by the Spanish Government (MINECO) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) by means of the ADVICE (TEC2015-71329) project. Ramon Aguero was also partially supported by the Future Internet Enabled Resilient Cities (FIERCE) project, RTI2018-093475-A-100 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER/UE).

En este artículo mostramos la transferibilidad a otras disciplinas, técnicas y metodologías de los resultados de las investigaciones realizadas sobre un corpus de nuevas unidades léxicas no codificadas lexicográficamente –neologismos-. En concreto, describimos las aplicabilidades del estudio de los neologismos detectadas por nuestra parte en los ámbitos de la lexicografía, la política y planificación lingüísticas, la gramática, la terminología, la traductología, la comunicación y asesora-miento lingüísticos, la psicolingüística, la teoría y metodología de la enseñanza de lenguas, y la lingüística clínica ; In this article we will demonstrate the transferability to other disciplines, techniques and methodologies of the results of research carried out on a corpus of lexicographically uncodified lexical units -neologisms-. more specifically, we will describe the applicability of the study of neologisms that we have detected in the fields of lexicography, linguistic policy and planning, grammar, terminology, traductology, linguistic communication and assessment, psycholinguistics, lan-guage teaching theory and methodology and clinical lin-guistics. ; Dans cet article, nous montrons la transférabilité vers d'autres disciplines, techniques et méthodologies des résultats des recherches effectuées sur un corpus de nouvelles unités lexicales non codées lexicographiquement - les néologismes-. Plus précisément, nous décrivons l'applicabilité de l'étude des néologismes que nous avons détectés dans les domaines de la lexicographie, de la politique et de la planification linguistiques, de la grammaire, de la terminologie, de la translatologie, de la communication linguistique et conseils linguistiques, de la psycholinguistique, de la théorie et de la méthodologie de l'enseignement des langues, et de la linguistique clinique.

La presente investigación aborda la problemática ambiental desde la acción comunicativa del Ministerio de Exteriores y Movilidad Humana del Ecuador en el primer semestre del año 2017. A través de la construcción de un marco teórico en el cual se integra el binomio institución-movimientos sociales, se asume la dimensión planetaria de los temas referentes al medio ambiente, analizando la información emitida en la página web de la cancillería, además de su diseño y arquitectura de la información. Para ello, y utilizando la teoría de la agendasetting, se ha extraído la agenda temática a través de una ficha de análisis desarrollada ad hoc para el presente trabajo, con una metodología mixta y método analítico. Como conclusión, los temas ambientales asumen una posición secundaria en la comunicación del gobierno. ; This research addresses the environmental problems from the communicative action of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador in the first semester of the year 2017. Through the construction of a theoretical framework in which the institution-social movement binomial is integrated, the planetary dimension of environmental issues is assumed analyzing the information published in the website of the Chancellor's Office, in addition to its design and architecture of the information. For this purpose, and using the agendasetting theory, the thematic agenda has been extracted through an analysis sheet developed ad hoc for this work, with a mixed methodology and analytical method. In conclusion, environmental issues assume a secondary position in government communication.

This study explores the effect of slum rehabilitation on appliance ownership and its implications on residential electricity demand. The low-income scenario makes it unique because the entire proposition is based on the importance of non-income drivers of appliance ownership that includes effects of changing the built environment (BE), household practices (HP) and appliances characteristics (AC). This study demonstrates quantitatively that non-income factors around energy practices influence appliance ownership, and therefore electricity consumption. The methodology consists of questionnaire design across the dimension of BE, HP and AC based on social practice theory, surveying of 1224 households and empirical analysis using covariance-based structural equation modelling. Results show that higher appliance ownership in the slum rehabilitation housing is due to change in household practice, built environment and affordability criteria of the appliances. Change in HP shifts necessary activities like cooking, washing and cleaning from outdoor to indoor spaces that positively and significantly influences higher appliance ownership. Poor BE conditions about indoor air quality, thermal comfort and hygiene; and product cost, discounts and ease of use of the appliances also triggers higher appliance ownership. The findings of this study can aid in designing better regulatory and energy efficiency policies for low-income settlements. ; RD is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Grant no. OPP1144) through the Gates-Cambridge Scholarship. This study is in parts funded by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India (Grant no. 14MHRD005) under the Frontier Areas in Science and Technology grant awarded to RB.

The study examines the nexus of unemployment and violent crimes using political violence as a point of reference in Southern Ijaw Local Government, specifically the objective was to identify the factors responsible for unemployment, factors responsible for political violence, and the cause of youth involvement in political violence and the effects in Southern Ijaw Local Government area of Bayelsa State. Theoretically the study adopted the Conflict theory of crime as its major thrust of the study. A descriptive research design was used in the study. The methodology includes selection and analysis of 220 administered questionnaires to selected study samples. Interview was held with 10 politicians (party leaders and public office holders). Findings from the study reveal (amongst others) that unemployment level is very high in Southern Ijaw Local Government, Furthermore the study identified wide spread violence, increase in social vices, increase in number of dependents, increase in poverty amongst others as the major effects of unemployment. Further to these findings, this study concludes that there is a link between unemployment and political violence in Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa State. It however recommends (among others) that government at all levels should put in place and sustain programmes and policies geared towards reduction of poverty and unemployment level via massive youth employment and women empowerment agendas such that both problems can be reduced if not completely removed from our society. ; This Article Published at : International Journal of Academic Research in Business, Arts and Science, (IJARBAS.COM), N, 200- 231. Issue: 2, Vol.: 1, Article: 11, Month: August, Year: 2019.

La ricerca recente sul tema della coesione territoriale e delle politiche territoriali ha visto un'attenzione crescente sul ruolo di territori "marginali" o "interni", spesso in relazione alle aree urbane "centrali". Tra le tipologie urbana e marginale o interna è emersa la necessità di definire una varietà di territori intermedi, spesso interessati da significative trasformazioni socio-economiche, effetto sia di scelte politiche a livelli di governo superiore, sia dell'impatto di condizioni economiche generali. Si fa riferimento a questi territori con il termine di "inner peripheries". Il contributo, dopo avere richiamato la letteratura scientifica e i documenti sulle inner peripheries, presenta e commenta una metodologia di individuazione di questa tipologia territoriale, ponendo particolare attenzione alle unità territoriali scelte per i dati e le elaborazioni. ; Recent research on the topic of territorial cohesion and on territorial policies has been devoting a growing attention to territories considered as "marginal" or "internal", frequently in opposition to areas that could be considered "central". In between the urban and the marginal or typologies emerged a variety of intermediate territories, frequently characterized by ongoing socio-economic transformations, as an effect of policy choices made by governments and of the macroeconomic context. These territories are being referred to as "inner peripheries". The paper, after summarizing the scientific literature and the research documents on the inner peripheries, illustrates and discusses a methodology of delineation and individuation of this territorial typology. Specific attention will be payed to the territorial units used for the organization of data and for the elaboration of indicators.

Purpose - Actions of incumbent politicians and firms' managers during election years have been cited as sources of many problems that afflict economies and business entities. Given the controversies surrounding the impact of elections on firms' soundness, this paper poses a question of whether banks should be averse to elections. Specifically, this study aims to investigate the impact of elections on the profitability and efficiency of banks. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the authors' knowledge, this is maiden analysis in this context for Ghana where relatively advanced appropriate GMMtechnique has been used on annual data from 2012 to 2016. Findings - This study reveals that banks make higher returns in election years. Additionally, the authors report that government's economic policies in election years are detrimental to management efficiency, though insignificant. Practical implications - From an emerging economy perspective, this study would guide policymakers in designing policies that respond to, or minimize, the impact of elections on bank performance. The result of this analysis would also substantiate the market reaction to the changes in the economic, political and financial conditions. Originality/value - This analysis suggests that firms' performances in an election year depend on policies and political institutions in place. The authors argue that Ghana, with its exemplary democratic credentials and strong institutions, living alongside a high perception of corruption, is different. The contribution to literature is, first, by limiting this work to the banking sector of Ghana and, second, by incorporating the behaviors of incumbent governments and individuals in the regression specification model.

Purpose - Actions of incumbent politicians and firms' managers during election years have been cited as sources of many problems that afflict economies and business entities. Given the controversies surrounding the impact of elections on firms' soundness, this paper poses a question of whether banks should be averse to elections. Specifically, this study aims to investigate the impact of elections on the profitability and efficiency of banks. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the authors' knowledge, this is maiden analysis in this context for Ghana where relatively advanced appropriate GMMtechnique has been used on annual data from 2012 to 2016. Findings - This study reveals that banks make higher returns in election years. Additionally, the authors report that government's economic policies in election years are detrimental to management efficiency, though insignificant. Practical implications - From an emerging economy perspective, this study would guide policymakers in designing policies that respond to, or minimize, the impact of elections on bank performance. The result of this analysis would also substantiate the market reaction to the changes in the economic, political and financial conditions. Originality/value - This analysis suggests that firms' performances in an election year depend on policies and political institutions in place. The authors argue that Ghana, with its exemplary democratic credentials and strong institutions, living alongside a high perception of corruption, is different. The contribution to literature is, first, by limiting this work to the banking sector of Ghana and, second, by incorporating the behaviors of incumbent governments and individuals in the regression specification model.

Purpose: Realizing value from information and communication technology (ICT) in procurement in developing countries is complex due to diverse stakeholders and intertwined procurement processes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the experience of the Government of Jamaica in leveraging ICTs as an intervention to transform its procurement operations and combat corruption. Design/methodology/approach: The study examines conversations with employees in the Government of Jamaica to understand key milestones in its procurement history. Based on the view that the intervention context is an ecosystem where multiple and inconsistent views of the e-procurement system evolve over time, the study analyzes milestones to reveal key actions that contributed either to the initial success of or introduced challenges to the e-procurement system. Findings: The findings suggest that inducing positive sentiments about the intervention through transparency will overcome a long history of negative sentiments about the initiatives of government bodies in general. Furthermore, positive sentiments may not be directly related to the e-procurement system. Research limitations/implications: The study offers important insights that government bodies in similar contexts can apply to guide initiatives for transforming procurement operations. For instance, training should emphasize not only the technical aspects of the system from the perspective of different stakeholders but also their job descriptions. Future research may examine other initiatives in developing countries to compare the role of sentiments over time. Originality/value: The study adopts a unique approach to understand the experience of a developing country in harnessing ICTs to transform procurement operations. ; Accepted version

Purpose – This study aims to analyze the influence of taxes and corporate governance on the dividend policy of Brazilian companies. Design/methodology/approach – The authors identify the changes of the tax legislation in Brazil in the period 1986-2011 and check their effect on corporate dividend policies for preferred and common shares. The authors use panel data Probit and Tobit estimation to verify the probability of companies to pay dividends under different tax regimes. The final sample comprises 672 companies, 1,159 traded stocks and 30,134 observations Findings – The authors' results suggest that changes in the tax legislation have a significant influence on dividend payments. Also, firms do not follow target payout ratios, but dividends are moderately dependent on past payments. Dividend payouts are affected by stock voting rights, privatization and dividend deductibility. Changes in regulation that reduce the agency problems among shareholders affect positively payout ratios. Practical implications – For managers, maximizing shareholders' value requires taking into account the consequences of the taxation when designing financial policies for the firm. For investors, stock portfolio selection should take into account payout behavior and how changes in dividend taxation affect stocks' value. For policymakers, the effects of changes in the tax code on corporate behavior are of utmost importance to stimulate private investment and economic growth. Originality/value – There are several tax law changes in Brazil within the period analyzed, creating a good opportunity to study the effect of taxation on dividend policy and its dynamics over time.

Purpose – Understanding the reasons that lead civil servants to abandon their offices is an important step towards qualifying personnel management in the Federal Administration. The purpose of this study is to present an initial approach to the subject and to investigate variables that favor or reduce the turnover intention among civil servants in the Federal Executive Branch. Design/methodology/approach – To fulfill the objective stated, the study resorted to variables of values, expectations and affective commitment to the organization. Variables were tested in a model of structural equations capable of verifying if these are antecedent or not of the turnover intention levels in a sample comprising 228 civil servants. Findings – The validation of a model of structural equations unveiled a statistically relevant relation of dependence among values, expectations and the affective commitment to the organization. Moreover, engagement proved to be a mediator of the relation between the other variables and the turnover intention. Originality/value – The work contributed to literature by presenting evidence that low expectations among civil servants bring low affective commitment which, in turn, leads to higher willingness to quit organizations. On the other hand, the same model showed that self-transcendent values, typical to the public career (serve the public), prevail among civil servants and positively impact commitment. This scenario shows that in people management all these elements of values and expectations must be worked on to reduce the number of civil servants that quit the government every year, as well as the high costs associated with quitting.

A successful integrated ocean acidification (OA) observing network must include (1) scientists and technicians from a range of disciplines from physics to chemistry to biology to technology development; (2) government, private, and intergovernmental support; (3) regional cohorts working together on regionally specific issues; (4) publicly accessible data from the open ocean to coastal to estuarine systems; (5) close integration with other networks focusing on related measurements or issues including the social and economic consequences of OA; and (6) observation-based informational products useful for decision making such as management of fisheries and aquaculture. The Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON), a key player in this vision, seeks to expand and enhance geographic extent and availability of coastal and open ocean observing data to ultimately inform adaptive measures and policy action, especially in support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. GOA-ON works to empower and support regional collaborative networks such as the Latin American Ocean Acidification Network, supports new scientists entering the field with training, mentorship, and equipment, refines approaches for tracking biological impacts, and stimulates development of lower-cost methodology and technologies allowing for wider participation of scientists. GOA-ON seeks to collaborate with and complement work done by other observing networks such as those focused on carbon flux into the ocean, tracking of carbon and oxygen in the ocean, observing biological diversity, and determining short- and long-term variability in these and other ocean parameters through space and time.