Relative Asymmetry Research Articles

Anti-crisis management measures to minimize the destabilizing import effect on the economic activity of Ukrainian agrarian units

Import agrarian products is a prerequisite for meeting the demand of national consumers, especially taking into account various tastes and significant comparative advantages in the production of goods at the domestic and foreign markets. Although historical and modern scientific and practical approaches to the importance of import supplies for certain countries and industries vary both negatively and positively. The purpose of the research. The main purpose of the study is to systematize import threats, to coordinate the anti-crisis measures and to form the strategic approaches, which minimize the negative impact of import on the national agrarian business. Methodology. In the scientific research methods of comparison, synthesis and synthesis were used, as well as historical and axiomatic methods. Results. In the paper were analyzed the current trends of purchasing the foreign agrarian products and the functioning of domestic agricultural formations on the basis of using the imported goods. It was determined that the key problems of the modern economy were high level of energy intensity of national production, low quality and technological characteristics of finished products, asymmetry of foreign economic relations, low level of competitiveness of many national nomenclature positions in the agrarian sector. Practical meaning. According to international experience it was founded that in Latin America import was oriented to the domestic market and in Asia – to the foreign market. Also it was recognized that Ukraine’s trading partners were more interested in exporting raw materials or products with high added value. Prospects for further research. According to the results of the conducted studies, determinants of the regulatory system of Ukraine in countering global imbalances were identified. A strategy for minimizing the impact of import threats on the activities of domestic agrarian units has been developed. It has suggested the regulation of the import substitution policy in the conditions of openness of the national economy and the liberalization of foreign trade relations; the market saturation with domestic and foreign food products with high quality, a wider range and an affordable price range in accordance with the requirements of the international economic environment.

Breaking down boundaries? Exploring mutuality through art-making in an open studio mental health setting

Community-based participatory arts projects have been shown to promote wellbeing and mental health recovery. One reason for this is because they provide opportunities for mutuality – connectedness to others and different kinds of sharing and reciprocity. Yet research into mental health arts projects has not focused on shared creative practice between participants/members and practitioners. This article reports on qualitative research in an arts and mental health organization employing an open studio approach in which art therapists made art alongside members. It explores the possibilities for, and tensions associated with, generating mutuality between studio managers and members through this approach. Conducted from a critically engaged, feminist sociological perspective, the study encompassed an analytical focus on power, especially gender relations. Findings are presented along three themes: (de)constructing and obscuring relational asymmetries; mutual acceptance and its limits; and maintaining, working with and challenging ‘boundaries’. Implications for applied arts and mental health practice are highlighted.

Small States in Great Power Politics: Understanding the “Buffer Effect”

This paper deals with the concept of “small states” as opposed to “great powers”. Both concepts are considered to be ideal types with peculiar behaviour characteristics. It is argued that in certain circumstances (i.e. within a “buffer system”) small states may affect the behaviour of great powers in a way that mitigates the latter's rivalry. It appears that a buffer state jammed between two rivals is not a pawn but a pivot in great power games, which may choose from a range of strategies (balancing, bandwagoning, leaning to a third power, staying neutral, or hedging risks) to sustain its survival as an independent unit. By applying the game theory approach to analyse great power relationships, the paper demonstrates how a “win-lose” game transforms into a “win-win” game, and what is the role of small buffer states in this transformation. Touching upon the problem of unequal powers’ interactions, this piece of research contributes to the extant literature on asymmetry in international relations mainly in a theoretical way, drawing attention to a virtually forgotten sphere of international relations — buffer systems — mostly overlooked by the current IR discourse.

3463 Frontal Alpha Asymmetry in Alcohol-Related Intimate Partner Violence

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The current study is the first investigation of frontal alpha asymmetry in distressed violent (DV) and distressed nonviolent (DNV) partners during a placebo-controlled alcohol administration and emotion-regulation study. Because this is the first study of the pharmacological effects of alcohol on FAA, the first portion of the study was conducted to characterize alcohol effects in DV and DNV partners during the baseline condition. The subsequent portions of the study were conducted to characterize the effects of alcohol and evocative stimuli on FAA in DV and DNV partners. We hypothesized that DV partners would demonstrated greater left frontal alpha asymmetry when intoxicated and viewing evocative partner stimuli than DNV partners. Lastly, we attempted to replicate previous research that has found associations between baseline measures of FAA and the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory – 2 (Spielberger, 1999) subscales of Trait Anger, Anger Expression-Out, Anger Expression-In, Anger Control-Out, Anger Control-In (Hewig, Hagemann, Seifert, Naumann, & Bartussek, 2004). METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Partners in the present study were drawn from a larger study investigating over-arousal as a mechanism between alcohol use and intimate partner violence (AA022367). Couples were recruited from the community via radio, television and newspaper advertisements, and eligibility screening occurred at the couple level. Participants included in the present analysis were 23 DV partners (12 female, 11 male), and 15 DNV partners (7 female, 9 male). The mean age of the sample was 32 (SD 4.8 years, range 23-40 years). Data from two DV partners were not included in the analyses of the FAA in the emotion-regulation tasks due to movement artifacts during the alcohol condition leaving too little data for analysis. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The expected beverage by couple type interaction did not reach significance [F (1, 36) = 3.93, p = .055], but the between-subjects effects of couple type revealed a significant difference [F (1, 36) = 4.425, p = .042]. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, these results suggest that under conditions of alcohol, DV partners evidenced significantly greater relative right frontal alpha power asymmetry whereas DNV partners evidenced greater relative left frontal alpha power asymmetry. Although there was no significant between-subjects effect, there was a nearly significant interaction between beverage type and emotion regulation condition [F = (1, 36) = 4.032, p = .052] and a significant main effect of emotion regulation condition [F (1, 36) = 7.579, p = .009]. It appears that asking the participants to “not react” to their partners’ evocative stimuli caused significantly greater right frontal alpha asymmetry. Because intimate partner violence is best understood in the context of conflict between two partners, we also examined partner-reported experiences of anger as predictors of DV participant’s FAA. The model as a whole predicted 67.4% of the variance in DV partner FAA, R squared change =.674, F Change (5, 15) = 6.21, p = .003. Three anger experience scales were statistically significant. The partner Anger Control-Out (B = -1.23, p =.001) scale recorded a higher standardized beta value and accounted for 40% of the variance in this model. Anger Control-In (B = .63, p = .022) accounted for 14% of the variance in the model, and Anger Expression-Out scale (B = .57, p = .024) accounted for 13.7% of the variance in the model. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The current study is the first pharmacological study of the effects of alcohol on frontal alpha asymmetry in distressed violent and distressed nonviolent partners. Contrary to our hypothesis, under acute alcohol intoxication during the baseline condition, DV partners exhibited significantly greater relative right FAA compared to DNV partners who exhibited significantly greater relative left FAA. Because intimate partner violence is best understood in the context of couple conflict, we examined the ability of partners’ anger experiences to predict DV and DNV partners’ FAA, and a very interesting pattern emerged among our DV participants and their partners. The anger experiences of our DV participants’ partners accounted for 67% of the variance in the FAA of our DV participants when they were intoxicated and viewing evocative stimuli.

Automatic analysis of cross-sectional cerebral asymmetry on 3D in vivo MRI scans of human and chimpanzee.

One prominent feature of human brain asymmetry is the cerebral torque. To investigate whether this characteristic is shared with chimpanzees who are our closest extant relative, we developed an automatic method to compute cerebral hemisphere width and perimeter length on consecutive 2D sections through 3D MR images obtained in vivo for 91 human and 78 chimpanzee brains. In brief, contiguous inter-hemispheric width and perimeter asymmetries were calculated on coronal sections, which in profile allow us to examine asymmetry in relation to speciation. The right frontal and left occipital asymmetry (greater posteriorly in females) distinguishes humans from chimpanzees. This result is consistent with a major saltational (discontinuity) event occurring at some point after the separation of humanity and the great apes in the last 6 million years.

Deposition and Stripping Behavior of Lithium Metal in Electrochemical System: Continuum Mechanics Study

Metallic lithium (Li) is a promising anode candidate for high-energy-density rechargeable batteries because of its low redox potential and high theoretical capacity. However, its practical application is not imminent because of issues related to the dendritic growth of Li metal with repeated battery operation, which presents a serious safety concern. Herein, various aspects of the electrochemical deposition and stripping of Li metal are investigated with consideration of the reaction rate/current density, electrode morphology, and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer properties to understand the conditions inducing abnormal Li growth. It is demonstrated that the irregular (i.e., filamentary or dendritic) growth of Li metal mostly originates from local perturbation of the surface current density, which stems from surface irregularities arising from the morphology, defective nature of the SEI, and relative asymmetry in the deposition/stripping rates. Importantly, we find that the use of a stripping rate of Li metal that is slower than the deposition rate seriously aggravates the formation of disconnected Li debris from the irregularly grown Li metal. This finding challenges the conventional belief that high-rate stripping/plating of Li in an electrochemical cell generally results in more rapid cell failure because of the faster growth of Li metal dendrites. Figure 1

International Marketing Strategy in Emerging-Market Exporting Firms

Unlike their counterparts in developed markets, emerging-market firms are characterized by limited resources, including international experience and access to relevant information, which are essential for developing suitable international marketing strategy (IMS). Under such circumstances, strategies are expected to produce suboptimal results, especially when targeting competitive markets in advanced economies. Prior IMS research has largely focused on developed markets. In contrast, the authors examine IMS of exporters in Thailand, an emerging market. Despite major differences in environments and processes in emerging markets, they establish that Thai exporters that match their IMS to local market conditions realize superior performance, as predicated by strategy coalignment. The authors validate these results and discuss emerging-market firms’ capacity to adapt their strategies and succeed in highly competitive advanced economies, despite relative inexperience, volatility, and information asymmetry at home. Exporting remains of critical importance to the economies of emerging markets, and the findings provide greater optimism for their firms’ ability to address host-market conditions in their marketing strategies, as well as pointing to the competitive threat posed by these emerging-market neophytes.

Facial asymmetry in slavic populations: Sex dimorphism in healthy young ukrainians

Introduction: Facial and body asymmetry to some extent is present in all individuals. Because fluctuating asymmetry is of a stochastic nature, it cannot be studied at the level of individuals, but only its groups can be considering during studying the populations. Material and Methods: We conducted a survey of 200 students of 8–11 grades, from 13 to 17 years old, residents of Ukraine. Asymmetry measurements were made in the program GIMP-2.8. Results: Population distribution of eight points of the face asymmetry among the population of Ukraine was studied. Sex dimorphism was found under all average indicators of absolute and relative asymmetry. Higher indicators of asymmetry were common to males and also typical for the lower part of the face. Discussion and Conclusion: Obtained data complement the existing study on facial asymmetry in human. Some of our results are consistent with the existing data from previous studies of the world population, while others point to the differences of Slavic population in a number of features related to the facial asymmetry.

Региональная пространственная асимметрия отношений бюджетного федерализма

Региональная пространственная асимметрия отношений бюджетного федерализма

The power market and the energy market

In Poland, an attempt was made to implement a dual-energy market, consisting of the electricity and power market, with the consent of the European Commission. Introduction such a dual-energy market brings potential benefits to economic growth. However, it can cause asymmetries in relations with foreign countries, especially in a situation where neighboring countries do not introduce such a market. The inspiration for the discussion on this subject is the book by Dorota Niedziółka, The functioning of the Polish energy market, Difin, Warsaw 2018. According to the author of the article, this book provides a lot of very valuable information about the energy market in Poland, with the chapter devoted to the electricity market standing out particularly positively compared to other chapters.

The rationale of the method of reductional mastopexia for prevention of the postpaparative volume asymmetry of breast

The aim — to define mechanisms of formation of secondary relative volumetric breast asymmetry after reductional mammoplasty and to develop a method of its prevention.Materials and methods. In a prospective study, 118 women aged 24 years to 57 years (on average 37.5 ± 0.7 years) were treated by WISE method in the period from 2012 to 2017 in LLC Clinic of Plastic Cosmetic Surgery in Poltava. The comparison group (group C) consisted of the patient, who performed reductional mastopexy (RMP) with the same volume of tissue reduction in both breasts; the main group (group M) — with different volume of tissue reduction in both breasts, which was calculated depending on the base‑line absolute volumetric breast asymmetry (AVBA). The volume of breast in pre‑and postoperative periods was determined by the author’s method. AOAMZ and VOAMZ were evaluated. The analysis of the data obtained was performed using discrete statistics, the comparison of mean values of variables using the Man‑Whitney U‑criterion and the comparison of the particle variables using the Pearson Hi‑squared. The calculations were made using the IBM SPSS Statistics 22 software.Results and discussion. In the patients of group P after RMP, the average value of AVBA remained stable, while an increasement in the value of relative volumetric breast asymmetry (RVBA) was noted in average values from 14.9 ± 0.8 % to 17.5 ± 1.1 %, and in the group of patients with RVBA indicators, which exceed the norm: 21.8 % vs. 5.5 %, p = 0.012. The increasement in the value of RVBA was associated with a decreasement in the volume of breast. Removal of bigger portion of larger breast in comparison with smaller breast, based on preoperative AVBA in patients in group M allowed to reduce the RVBA index from 13.6 ± 0.7 % to 2.9 ± 0.3 % (from 0 % to 8, 3 %).Conclusions. After RMP with the removal of equal volumes of tissue in both breasts, the AVBA remains constant, and RVBA increases and in 21.8 % of patients exceeds the population norm. Removal of larger portion of breast in comparison with smaller breast, based on preoperative RVBA, allows to reduce the pre‑surgery RVBA and to avoid its values higher than the popular norm.

Relational asymmetry, trust, and innovation in supply chain management: a non-linear approach

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the non-linear aspects of the asymmetry-performance relationship under varying conditions of trust and innovation. Its novel approach is useful for addressing the strategic elements of supply chain management (SCM) relationships based on trust and innovation decisions.Design/methodology/approachResults are based on a study of 90 managers from small- and medium-sized firms in Spain. Instead of a classical linear relationship analysis, the authors performed a non-linear analysis, using polynomial modeling and Warp 3 partial least squares method, which provides a more nuanced view of the data and constitutes an original approach to empirical research in SCM.FindingsThis study adds a new viewpoint on SC relationships by suggesting that not all trust and innovation development leads directly to performance improvement. The principal finding is, in varying trust and innovation contexts, that the influences of asymmetry on performance have uneven characteristics and follow non-linear paths.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on only one particular institutional environment in one country. The data are also cross-sectional, which makes it difficult to empirically test causality.Practical implicationsThe findings provide rational insights to managers on when it is appropriate to reduce (or not) asymmetric relationships with partners.Originality/valueTrust and innovation are important and ones of the key requirements of supply chain relationships in any environment, this study argues that the interactions of key SCM elements that drive members to better performance are more complex and non-linear.

Outer retinal layer thickness in patients with glaucoma with horizontal hemifield visual field defects

Background/AimsTo determine the effect of glaucoma on outer retinal layer thickness in eyes with horizontal hemifield visual field (VF) defects.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in glaucomatous eyes with repeatable (in...

Asymmetry of Economic Development of Cross-Border Areas in the Context of Perception of Near-Border Location

The objective of the study is the investigation of the dependency between the asymmetry of economic development of cross-border regions in the European Union and the perception of near-border location as an “opportunity” or “obstacle.” For this purpose, an index of relative asymmetry of economic development was developed (DI) based on the GDP per capita in Purchasing Power Standards (PPS). The variability in the scope of perception of cross-border location as an “opportunity” or “obstacle” by the population of near-border areas was determined based on results of the Flash Eurobarometer 422. The basic statistical method applied in the study was the Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The obtained results provide a basis to state that the level of disproportions in the economic development of near-border regions (asymmetry of economic development) is linked to the perception of near-border location.

Correlation between effective snow grain size and hyper-spectral absorption peak characteristics – A case study over the North West Himalaya

ABSTRACTRadiative transfer theory based retrievals of effective snow grain size (SGS), albedo were widely explored using hyper-spectral sensors. However, investigation of linkage between diagnostic absorption peak characteristics (PCs) and snow surface parameters remained scarce, though these are significant to determine composition and state of material. In present study, field data acquired during three winter seasons was analyzed to study variability of effective SGS with PCs (i.e. relative depth, peak position and asymmetry). Effective SGS was found positively correlated with relative depth, with correlation of 90% and 86% for absorption peaks around 1.24 µm and 1.03 µm respectively. Asymmetry was found in good correlation with SGS (74%) at 1.24 µm than at 1.03 µm (21%). Further, PCs were derived using Hyperion data in ENVI software on pixel basis. Significance of PCs is described and compared with effective SGS, which was retrieved using widely accepted Asymptotic Radiative Transfer model. This work provide an alternate approach to infer state of snow metamorphism using peak characteristics, in scarcity of reference spectral database of snow classes.

An evaluation of the functional performance of research and academic laboratories using the space syntax approach

PurposeUniversity research and academic laboratory facilities are key elements in the support of a successful education and research experience. World-class universities consider the functionality of these facilities as a matter of high priority. The functionality of research and academic laboratory facilities is strongly linked to the productivity of students, teachers and researchers who use these facilities. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to evaluate the functional performance of eight university laboratories using the space syntax approach.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology involved the measurements and drawing of as-built floor plans of selected academic and research laboratories. The main benchmarks involved in measuring the functional efficiency, such as mean depth (MD) of space and real relative asymmetry (RRA), were analyzed using the A-graph software and Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.FindingsThe results show that “Type D” (chemistry teaching laboratory) and “Type C” (concrete teaching/research laboratory) laboratories have the tendency to be more accessible, efficient and flexible compared to the other laboratory layouts with MD and RRA values of 5.947 and 3.472, and 4.287 and 1.674, respectively.Practical implicationsThis study shows that the functional efficiency of academic and research laboratories can be influenced by the spatial configuration of the space, as presented by the space syntax theory. Space syntax benchmark elements, such as MD, RRA, R and H*, can be used to compare various spatial arrangements, and the results can inform decisions on ways to re-arrange the space for optimum efficiency.Originality/valueIt is hoped that the idea of space syntax theory in the evaluation of the functional efficiency of laboratory facilities, illustrated in this research, is of significant contribution to the enhancement of the research and educational experience of concerned stakeholders in teaching and research environments.

Deposition and Stripping Behavior of Lithium Metal in Electrochemical System: Continuum Mechanics Study

Metallic lithium (Li) is a promising anode candidate for high-energy-density rechargeable batteries because of its low redox potential and high theoretical capacity. However, its practical application is not imminent because of issues related to the dendritic growth of Li metal with repeated battery operation, which presents a serious safety concern. Herein, various aspects of the electrochemical deposition and stripping of Li metal are investigated with consideration of the reaction rate/current density, electrode morphology, and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer properties to understand the conditions inducing abnormal Li growth. It is demonstrated that the irregular (i.e., filamentary or dendritic) growth of Li metal mostly originates from local perturbation of the surface current density, which stems from surface irregularities arising from the morphology, defective nature of the SEI, and relative asymmetry in the deposition/stripping rates. Importantly, we find that the use of a stripping rate...

Quantifying Asymmetry of Multimeric Proteins.

A large number of proteins assemble as homooligomers. These homooligomers accomplish their function either symmetrically or asymmetrically. If asymmetry is prevalent in a structure ensemble, the asymmetric motion will occur in any of the subunits. Many computational analysis tools implicitly use ensemble averages to determine protein motions, e.g., principle component analysis. Therefore, taken together, this approach results in a loss of the asymmetric signal and a false symmetric output, rendering it impossible to analyze asymmetric motions with available tools. A first step toward understanding asymmetric systems is the quantification of asymmetry. Only a few tools exist to calculate asymmetry quantitatively, such as the continuous symmetry measure (CSM). In this study, we present an extension of CSM delivering additional information about the subunit contributions to the overall asymmetry. Furthermore, we introduce an algorithm termed the functional asymmetry measure (FAME). FAME is based on an algorithm that predicts functionally relevant motions of a protein (PLS-FMA) and thus allows calculating asymmetry in relation to protein function. To validate our developed algorithm, we applied it to two different potassium channels, TREK-2 and KcsA, as well as to the unfolding mechanism of the carrier protein Transthyretin. For both potassium channel systems, an artificial asymmetric motion was introduced to benchmark the algorithm in addition to demonstrate the interpretation potential of the results. Therefore, the degree of overall as well as subunit based asymmetry for KcsA was quantified using CSM as the provided extension requires more than two subunits. The functional modes of asymmetric TREK-2 motions were recovered and their asymmetry was quantified using FAME as a dimeric protein is the simplest application. FAME was further used to study the asymmetry of the unfolding pathway of Transthyretin. We show the ability of both algorithms to correctly predict asymmetry. The tools are available online and can be applied to most homooligomeric systems.

A mathematical model of transition of the material from elastic to elasto-plastic state

The goal of this study is to develop a mathematical model of the transition of the structural material from elastic state to elastoplastic state upon tension. The model is based on a modified three-parameter transition operator from one mathematical function to another. A procedure of the mathematical approximation of the transition and corresponding algorithm, which provides a generalized canonical description of the transition, regardless of the form of the functions that characterize the system behavior before and after the transition are presented. The technique is used to describe the transition of two structural materials from the elastic to elastoplastic state upon tension of the samples. Initial sections of the tension diagram are described using three empirical parameters. The role of each of them — maximum permissible relative deformation, transition rate and asymmetry of the transition — are determined. Statistical interpretation of the elastoplastic transition is developed and substantiated. Mathematical expressions for the integral probability function and probability density functions that provide numerical statistical estimation of the degree of change in the state of the structural elements of the material during loading are derived. Analytical description of the initial part of the tension diagram of the material can be used to rearrange the diagrams when modeling deformation processes in conditions of reversible elastoplastic loading.

Emotional stress regulation: The role of relative frontal alpha asymmetry in shaping the stress response

Frontal EEG asymmetry has been proposed as an index of emotional regulation, reflecting both state and trait components, and there is evidence that these factors influence the cortisol response to stress. Here, we asked whether cold pressor stress modulates frontal asymmetry and whether this is predictive of the neuroendocrine stress response. Twenty-four male participants underwent an automatized bilateral feet cold pressor test (bfCPT) and a warm water control procedure in counterbalanced order on two separate days, one week apart. EEG, heart rate and blood pressure were assessed at baseline as well as during and after the bfCPT. Salivary cortisol and subjective ratings of stress and arousal were assessed before and after the bfCPT. The bfCPT led to a significant increase in cortisol, cardiovascular parameters and in subjective ratings of stress and arousal that was absent in the control condition. Furthermore, analysis of relative frontal alpha-band asymmetry revealed a stronger relative right frontal activation during the bfCPT compared to the control condition at electrode pairs F7/8 but not F3/4. However, frontal asymmetry scores during the bfCPT were not predictive for neither physiological responses nor subjective ratings. Moreover, an association between physiological responses and frontal asymmetry assessed during rest at baseline could be observed at electrode pairs F3/F4, with stronger responses being associated with stronger relative right frontal activation. Our results show that cold pressor stress leads to an alteration of emotional processes as reflected in frontal EEG asymmetry at F7/F8. Moreover, physiological responses to the CPT seem to be differentially moderated by trait and state components present in frontal asymmetry.