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The purpose of this study is to propose an approach to avoid having to trust a single entity in cloud-based applications. In cloud computing, data processing is delegated to a remote party for efficiency and flexibility reasons. A practical user requirement usually is data privacy; hence, the confidentiality and integrity of data processing needs to be protected. In the common scenarios of cloud computing today, this can only be achieved by assuming that the remote party does not in any form act maliciously.

An approach that avoids having to trust a single entity is proposed. This approach is based on two concepts: the technical abstraction of sealed computation, i.e. a technical mechanism to confine a privacy-aware processing of data within a tamper-proof hardware container, and the role of an auditing party that itself cannot add functionality to the system but is able to check whether the system (including the mechanism for sealed computation) works as expected.

Discussion and analysis of the abstract, technical and procedural requirements of these concepts and how they can be applied in practice are explained.

A preliminary version of this paper was published in the proceedings of the second International Workshop on SECurity and Privacy Requirements Engineering (SECPRE, 2018).

Purpose: The first objective is to explore how narcotelenovelas and news can be compared in their representation of drug violence and figures. The second is to explore a method which identifies intertextual references in fiction by contrasting them with journalistic reports. Methodology/approach: Qualitative content analysis is of three narcotelenovelas: El Señor de los Cielos, El Chapo, and Narcos: México. After documenting clear historical references and figures, a search was made through news engines and portals to make a comparison of the fictional versus journalistic representation of such references. Findings: Many elements of narcotelenovelas such as events and public figures are highly comparable to those described in news. While producers openly warn that they changed facts for dramatic purposes, it’s possible to propose hypotheses in which audiences construct their historical memories based on fictional narratives. Research limitations: This chapter does not offer an exhaustive list of intertextual references from all three narcotelenovelas. Originality/value: This type of comparative analysis between fiction and journalism hasn’t been explored for the study of narcoculture media products. The author poses a hypothesis, in which fiction contributes significantly to collective memories and imaginaries, especially when it appeals to historical references audiences might identify.

This paper aims to study the establishment of cooperative supply game model considering transportation hub location, and design the profit allocation rule of the cooperative supply coalition.

Based on the economic lost-sizing (ELS) game model and considering the location of transportation hub and the topology design of basic traffic network, we build a supply game model to maximize the profit of cooperative supply coalition. Based on the principle of proportion and the method of process allocation, we suppose the procedural proportional solution of the supplier cooperative supply game.

Through numerical examples, the validity and applicability of the proposed model and the procedural proportional solution were verified by comparing the procedural proportional solution with the weighted Shapley value, the equal division solution and the proportional rule.

This paper constructs a feasible mixed integer programming model for cooperative supply game. We also provide the algorithm of the allocation rule of cooperative supply game and the property analysis of the allocation rule.

The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe the pervasiveness and importance of various types of institutional and organizational interactions across multiple levels for the management of a community forest enterprise.

The paper analyzes a long‐standing case in Michoacán, Mexico, the San Juan Nuevo (SJN) enterprise, a community‐based system with a multiplicity of actors, objectives, and partners. Information was collected through 100 semi‐structured interviews. By presenting and discussing the main community‐based development strategy within the overall socio‐political context and achievements of the case, the authors attempt to understand the complexity of cross‐scale institutional and organizational linkages and their role in sustainable resource management.

SJN enterprise had linkages with some 22 major partners over the years across four levels of organization: local, state, federal, and international. Cross‐scale partnerships were not merely important, but essential for the overall success of the enterprise in the face of uncertainty over resource ownership and lack of legal jurisdiction. These diverse partnerships and interactions enabled robust institutional structures, making possible the development of linkages to help conserve the resource base and create grassroots socio‐economic development for the comuneros.

Further understanding of the importance of partnerships and linkages for the development and maintenance of community‐based initiatives will require the analysis of, and comparison between, several long‐standing case studies.

There is the need to recognize the multiple roles of partnerships, from business networking to research and training, thus unpacking different kinds of capacity building. Actors at various levels can influence management practices in diverse ways, helping to find a balance between local livelihoods and larger conservation needs.

The paper brings a new approach to analyze how indigenous and other rural communities are “opting‐in” to the global economy, through a diversity of partnerships and a complexity of interactions across organizational levels.

Sedentary living and respiratory/cardiovascular diseases affect respiratory and peripheral muscles. Muscle training can prevent, improve and reverse these changes. Their research question suggests that precise nutraceutical administration can enhance antioxidant capacity and muscle function. This sudy aims to evaluate the impacto of an innovative nutraceutical on blood biomarkers such as essential aminoacids, antioxidants, lipid profile, and REDOX status in healthy individuals, stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients, and mechanically ventilated patients.

The authors designed a nutraceutical to assess its effects on serum amino acids, lipid profile, vitamins, minerals and reduction-oxidation function. Conducted at a high-complexity care hospital, a study with a non-equivalent group design compared pre- and post-treatment administration.

The 29 participants were categorized into healthy individuals (n = 10), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (n = 10) and COPD patients receiving mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit (ICU, n = 9) due to exacerbation. Analyzing serum values of selected markers and components before and after nutraceutical intake revealed significant differences. Oxygen radical absorption capacity units significantly increased (p = 0.0051) in healthy individuals. Isoleucine, valine, phosphorus, magnesium and calcium levels significantly increased in the healthy group.

The small sample size and short duration limit the generalizability of results. The non-equivalent group design and lack of randomization may introduce bias, affecting reliability. Future research should involve larger, randomized controlled trials to confirm HIC1® benefits. Additionally, exploring long-term effects and optimal dosing in various populations, including different COPD stages and other chronic conditions, will provide more comprehensive insights. Despite these limitations, the study suggests promising implications for enhancing muscle function and antioxidant capacity through precise nutraceutical administration.

The administration of HIC1® demonstrates potential for improving antioxidant capacity and muscle function, particularly in sedentary individuals and those with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. This study’s findings suggest that even short-term use of HIC1® can lead to significant increases in serum amino acids and other vital nutrients. Health practitioners should consider incorporating nutraceuticals like HIC1® into treatment plans for COPD patients and those requiring mechanical ventilation. Future research and clinical practice should explore optimal dosing and long-term benefits, potentially improving patient outcomes in chronic disease management.

The use of nutraceuticals like HIC1® could have a significant impact on public health, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with chronic illnesses. Improving muscle function and antioxidant capacity can reduce dependence on intensive care, decrease the economic burden on healthcare systems and enhance patients’ quality of life. Additionally, access to effective nutraceutical treatments could democratize healthcare, providing an affordable complementary option for preventing and managing muscle and respiratory diseases, promoting healthy and active aging in society.

This study is pioneering in evaluating the effects of a specifically designed nutraceutical, HIC1®, on both healthy individuals and those with chronic respiratory conditions. By focusing on precise nutraceutical administration, it addresses the gap in research on non-pharmaceutical interventions for enhancing muscle function and antioxidant capacity. The findings provide valuable insights into the potential of HIC1® to improve clinical outcomes in COPD patients and those undergoing intensive care, offering a novel, natural and potentially cost-effective approach to complement traditional treatments and support overall health and well-being.

Using a proposed model, the purpose of this paper is to categorize small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) owners/managers’ perceptions of customer service, and of the manifestations and observable behaviors in relation to the most frequent repercussions of domestic violence in the workplace.

A sample of 73 SME owners/managers was selected; a survey with 44 variables was used for data collection; and factorial and canonical analysis techniques were used to analyze the data.

The following were found: among the most frequent manifestations of domestic violence in SME customer services, there are four categories that explain 69.46 percent of the model of variance: threats and continuous absences, frequent mistakes and bad relationships, physical damage/lack of concentration and negative manifestation with low self-esteem; among observable behavior at the workplace, there are four categories that explain 65.35 percent of the model of variance: lack of concentration/tearfulness, fear/insecurity, limited attention to customers and continuous threats; finally there is a 96.70 percent probability of the SMEs’ productivity being affected (loss of customers and low production), through three manifestations of domestic violence detected in the employees: tiredness, sleepiness and tearfulness.

This research is circumscribed to only one geographical zone in Puerto Rico.

Even only three manifestations of domestic violence in workers will significantly decrease productivity. When SME managers detect these, they can take action to mitigate the problem for the benefit of the workers.

This study is a pioneer proposal in its analytical quantitative approach on domestic violence in Puerto Rico and its repercussions on the productivity of the service sector, using canonical analysis.

Este estudio categoriza mediante un modelo propuesto, la percepción que tienen los gerentes/dueños de pequeñas y medianas empresas (pymes) de servicio al cliente, sobre las manifestaciones y los comportamientos observables con respecto a las repercusiones más frecuentes que tiene la violencia doméstica en el lugar de trabajo.

Se seleccionó una muestra de 73 dueños/gerentes de pymes; como herramienta de recolección de datos se utilizó una encuesta con 44 variables y para encontrar los resultados se usaron técnicas de análisis factorial y análisis canónico.

Se encontró lo siguiente: 1) entre las manifestaciones más frecuentes de violencia doméstica en las pymes de servicio al cliente, existen cuatro categorías que explican un 69.46% de varianza del modelo: amenazas y ausencias continuas, errores frecuentes y mala relación, daños físicos/desconcentración y manifestaciones negativas con baja autoestima; 2) entre los comportamientos observables en el lugar de trabajo, existen cuatro categorías que explican el 65.35% de varianza del modelo: falta de concentración/lloroso, temor/inseguridad, poca atención a clientes y amenazas continuas; finalmente 3) las pymes son afectadas en su productividad (pérdida de clientes y baja producción) con una probabilidad del 96.70% cuando se detectan en los trabajadores, tres manifestaciones de violencia domestica: cansado/a, dormido/a y lloroso/a.

Los dueños o gerentes de pymes al detectar en sus trabajadores solo tres manifestaciones de violencia doméstica es probable que tengan un efecto significativo en la disminución de su productividad y ayudará para que los gerentes tomen acciones a fin de mitigar este problema en beneficio de sus trabajadores.

esta investigación está solo circunscrita a una zona geográfica de Puerto Rico.

Propuesta analítica cuantitativa pionera sobre la violencia doméstica en PR y sus repercusiones en la productividad en el sector servicios, usando análisis canónico.

Written communication differences across cultures can set the tone for effective or disastrous business relationships. Although English has been the go-to language in business, managers from different countries can significantly differ in how they convey the firms' information. This study explored these differences by examining the documentation presented by foreign corporations as part of their initial public offering (IPO) in the USA, particularly Chinese firms.

This work examined cultural-related differences in written communications by looking at foreign corporations' descriptions of their strengths, strategies and challenges included in F-1 documents submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the IPO process. The sample consisted of 97 American depositary receipts (ADRs) identified in the Bank of New York Mellon's ADR directory from 2003 to 2015.

This study found that Chinese firms significantly differ from other countries' firms in depicting their strengths, strategies and challenges.

Limitations have to do with the sample size. Future research may address this by considering other depositary markets, not just the USA.

The results will be significant for potential ADRs investors; they must be conscious of these differences in the written documentation submitted by Chinese firms compared to other foreign firms. The market should also be aware of these differences, as the Chinese seem less open to sharing information about the under spinning of their operations and financial prospects.