bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple Bacteria Identification in the Point-of-Care: an Old Method Serving a New Approach
Authors: Viveiros Sara , Rodrigues Mónica , Albuquerque Débora , Martins Sofia A. M. , Cardoso Susana , Martins Verónica C.
Published: June 2020

The accurate diagnosis of bacterial infections is of critical importance for effective treatment decisions. Due to the multietiologic nature of most infectious diseases, multiplex assays are essential for diagnostics. However, multiplexability in nucleic acid amplification-based methods commonly resorts to multiple primers and/or multiple reaction chambers, which increases analysis cost and complexity. Herein, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offer method based on a universal pair of primers and an array of specific oligonucleotide probes was developed through the analysis of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The detection system consisted of DNA hybridization over an array of magnetoresistive sensors in a microfabricated biochip coupled to an electronic reader. Immobilized probes interrogated single-stranded biotinylated amplicons and were obtained using asymmetric PCR. Moreover, they were magnetically labelled with streptavidin-coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The benchmarking of the system was demonstrated to detect five major bovine mastitis-causing pathogens: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus uberis, and Streptococcus agalactiae. All selected probes proved to specifically detect their respective amplicon without significant cross reactivity. A calibration curve was performed for S. agalactiae, which demonstrates demonstrating a limit of detection below 30 fg/µL. Thus, a sensitive and specific multiplex detection assay was established, demonstrating its potential as a bioanalytical device for point-of-care applications.
Optical Methods Based on Ultraviolet, Visible, and Near-Infrared Spectra to Estimate Fat and Protein in Raw Milk: A Review
Authors: Gastélum-Barrios Abraham , Soto-Zarazúa Genaro M. , Escamilla-García Axel , Toledano-Ayala Manuel , Macías-Bobadilla Gonzalo , Jauregui-Vazquez Daniel
Published: June 2020

The present manuscript focuses on reviewing the optical techniques proposed to monitor milk quality in dairy farms to increase productivity and reduce costs. As is well known, the quality is linked to the fat and protein concentration; in addition, this issue is crucial to maintaining a healthy herd and preventing illnesses such as mastitis and ketosis. Usually, the quality of the milk is carried out with invasive methods employing chemical reagents that increase the time analysis. As a solution, several spectroscopy optical methods have been proposed, here, the benefits such as non-invasive measurement, online implementation, rapid estimation, and cost-effective execution. The most attractive optical methods to estimate fat and protein in cow’s milk are compared and discussed considering their performance. The analysis is divided considering the wavelength operation (ultraviolet, visible, and infrared). Moreover, the weaknesses and strengths of the methods are fully analyzed. Finally, we provide the trends and a recent technique based on spectroscopy in the visible wavelength.
Measurements of Aerodynamic Interference of a Hybrid Aircraft with Multirotor Propulsion
Authors: Czyż Zbigniew , Wendeker Mirosław
Published: June 2020

This article deals with the phenomenon of aerodynamic interference occurring in the innovative hybrid system of multirotor aircraft propulsion. The approach to aerodynamics requires a determination of the impact of active sources of lift and thrust upon the aircraft aerodynamic characteristics. The hybrid propulsion unit, composed of a conventional multirotor source of thrust as well as lift in the form of the main rotor and a pusher, was equipped with an additional propeller drive unit. The tests were conducted in a continuous-flow low speed wind tunnel with an open measuring space, 1.5 m in diameter and 2.0 m long. Force testing made it possible to develop aerodynamic characteristics as well as defining aerodynamic characteristics and defining the field of speed for the considered design configurations. Our investigations enabled us to analyze the results in terms of a mutual impact of particular components of the research object and the area of impact of active elements present in a common flow.
Development of Neutral pH-Responsive Microgels by Tuning Cross-Linking Conditions
Authors: Okada Satoshi , Takayasu Satoko , Tomita Shunsuke , Suzuki Yoshio , Yamamoto Shinya
Published: June 2020

Polymer microgels that respond in a range of neutral pH can be useful for the development of molecular imaging tools and drug-delivery carriers. Here, we describe a simple approach in developing microgels that undergo volume phase transitions and substantial nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometric changes within a narrow pH range of 6.4 to 7.4. The pH-responsive microgels were synthesized using methacrylic acid and a series of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate cross-linkers with repeating units of ethylene glycol that range from one to four. NMR relaxometry demonstrated that the transverse relaxation time (T2) of a suspension containing microgels that were cross-linked with diethylene glycol dimethacrylate sharply decreases at the pH where volume phase transition occurs. The polymer microgels cross-linked with 40 and 45 mol% of diethylene glycol dimethacrylate caused about 50% T2 reduction with decreasing pH from 6.8 to 6.4. These results demonstrated that responses of microgels to a range of neutral pH can be easily tuned by using appropriate cross-linkers with certain cross-linking degree. This approach can be useful in developing highly sensitive molecular sensors for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tissue pH values.
ARCS: Active Radar Cross Section for Multi-Radiator Problems in Complex EM Environments
Authors: Niu Liqiang , Xie Yongjun , Wu Peiyu , Zhang Chungang
Published: June 2020

In order to analyze the scattering properties in multi-radiator problems, the active radar cross section (ARCS) concept is proposed under complex electromagnetic (EM) environments. The corresponding calculation methods and formulation are proposed by incorporating the monostatic radar cross section (RCS) concept with external disturbances. By introducing the phase characteristics into the ARCS concept, the coherent problems can be accurately solved. Through analyzing the external disturbance and the radar waves by employing the finite element method, the coherent and the incoherent characteristics of the external disturbance can be simulated in complex structures. Numerical examples and an experiment are carried out to further demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed ARCS concept. The results demonstrate that the proposed ARCS concept obtains better universality compared with the existing incoherent multi-radiator formulation. Meanwhile, the ARCS can be identical with the solution which is obtained by the single radar wave. Compared with the existing incoherent methods for external disturbances calculations, the proposed ARCS concept is more rational. Through the experiment, the effectiveness of the calculation method and formulation is further demonstrated and validated.
LDPC-Coded CAP with Spatial Diversity for UVLC Systems over Generalized-Gamma Fading Channel
Authors: Jiang Hongyan , Qiu Hongbing , He Ning , Zhao Zhonghua , Popoola Wasiu , Ahmad Zahir , Rajbhandari Sujan
Published: June 2020

In this paper, low-density parity-check (LDPC)-coded carrierless amplitude and phase (CAP) modulation with spatial diversity is proposed to mitigate turbulence-induced fading in an underwater visible-light communication (UVLC) channel. Generalized-gamma (GG) distribution was used to model the fading, as this model is valid for weak- and strong-turbulence regimes. On the basis of the characteristic function (CHF) of GG random variables, we derived an approximated bit-error rate (BER) for the CAP modulation scheme with spatial diversity and equal-gain combining (EGC). Furthermore, we simulated the performance of the CAP system with diversity and LDPC for various turbulence conditions and validated the analysis. Obtained results showed that the combination of LDPC and spatial diversity is effective in mitigating turbulence-induced fading, especially when turbulence strength is strong.
Comparison of Cooled and Uncooled IR Sensors by Means of Signal-to-Noise Ratio for NDT Diagnostics of Aerospace Grade Composites
Authors: Deane Shakeb , Avdelidis Nicolas P. , Ibarra-Castanedo Clemente , Zhang Hai , Nezhad Hamed Yazdani , Williamson Alex A. , Mackley Tim , Maldague Xavier , Tsourdos Antonios , Nooralishahi Parham
Published: June 2020

This work aims to address the effectiveness and challenges of non-destructive testing (NDT) by active infrared thermography (IRT) for the inspection of aerospace-grade composite samples and seeks to compare uncooled and cooled thermal cameras using the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as a performance parameter. It focuses on locating impact damages and optimising the results using several signal processing techniques. The work successfully compares both types of cameras using seven different SNR definitions, to understand if a lower-resolution uncooled IR camera can achieve an acceptable NDT standard. Due to most uncooled cameras being small, lightweight, and cheap, they are more accessible to use on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The concept of using a UAV for NDT on a composite wing is explored, and the UAV is also tracked using a localisation system to observe the exact movement in millimetres and how it affects the thermal data. It was observed that an NDT UAV can access difficult areas and, therefore, can be suggested for significant reduction of time and cost.
Remdesivir—Bringing Hope for COVID-19 Treatment
Authors: Al-Tannak Naser F. , Novotny Ladislav , Alhunayan Adel
Published: June 2020

At the beginning of 2020, the world was swept with a wave of a new coronavirus disease, named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization (WHO 2). The causative agent of this infection is the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The data available on one of the promising therapeutic agents—nucleotide analog remdesivir (Gilead Sciences number GS-5734)—were evaluated. These data were concerned with remdesivir activation from the prodrug to the active molecule—triphosphate containing 1′-cyano group and modified nucleobase. This triphosphate competes with the natural substrate adenosine triphosphate. Additionally, its mechanisms of action based on RNA and proofreading exonuclease inhibition, leading to the delayed RNA chain termination of infected cells, and basic pharmacological data were assessed. Additionally, the analytical determination of remdesivir and its metabolites in cells and body liquids and also some data from remdesivir use in other RNA infections—such as Ebola, Nipah virus infection, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)—were summarized. More recent and more detailed data on the clinical use of remdesivir in COVID-19 were reported, showing the intensive efforts of clinicians and scientists to develop a cure for this new disease. Remdesivir as such represents one of the more promising alternatives for COVID-19 therapy, however the current understanding of this disease and the possible ways of dealing with it requires further investigation.
Advances in Solid-Phase Microextraction
Authors: Naccarato Attilio , Tagarelli Antonio
Published: June 2020

Analysis imposes substantial challenges, especially when dealing with analytes present at trace levels in complex matrices [...]
Transversus Abdominis Thickness at Rest and Exercise in Individuals with Poststroke Hemiparesis
Authors: Kelli Anna , Kellis Eleftherios , Galanis Nikiforos , Dafkou Konstantinos , Sahinis Chrysostomos , Ellinoudis Athanasios
Published: June 2020

The activity of the transverse abdominal (TrA) muscle affects the stabilization of the trunk. It is known that after a stroke, people experience problems in performing daily activities. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are differences in the transversus abdominal thickness between the two sides of the body in individuals with hemiparesis and controls. Eight patients with hemiparesis and nine controls matched for age and body mass index were examined by musculoskeletal ultrasound in four conditions: a) At rest, b) abdominal hollowing maneuver from the supine position, c) bridge, and d) abdominal hollowing maneuver from the bridge position. In each of the above conditions, the symmetry index was calculated as the absolute value of the difference in thickness between the two sides. Analysis of variance showed a lower TrA thickness at rest and exercise in patients compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Further, patients showed a lower contraction thickness ratio during exercise compared to controls (p < 0.05). The absolute symmetry of the TrA thickness was 12.59 ± 6.43% to 19.31 ± 10.43% in patients and it was significantly greater than the control group (3.01 ± 2.47% to 4.47 ± 2.87%). According to the above results, it seems that transverse abdominal activation exercises are particularly useful for improving the stability of patients with hemiparesis, as long as they are located and adapted to the deficit of each patient.
Thermodynamic Performance and Water Consumption of Hybrid Cooling System Configurations for Concentrated Solar Power Plants
Authors: Asfand Faisal , Palenzuela Patricia , Roca Lidia , Caron Adèle , Lemarié Charles-André , Gillard Jon , Turner Peter , Patchigolla Kumar
Published: June 2020

The use of wet cooling in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants tends to be an unfavourable option in regions where water is scarce due to the high water requirements of the method. Dry-cooling systems allow a water consumption reduction of up to 80% but at the expense of lower electricity production. A hybrid cooling system (the combination of dry and wet cooling) offers the advantages of each process in terms of lower water consumption and higher electricity production. A model of a CSP plant which integrates a hybrid cooling system has been implemented in Thermoflex software. The water consumption and the net power generation have been evaluated for different configurations of the hybrid cooling system: series, parallel, series-parallel and parallel-series. It was found that the most favourable configuration in terms of water saving was series-parallel, in which a water reduction of up to 50% is possible compared to the only-wet cooling option, whereas an increase of 2.5% in the power generation is possible compared to the only-dry cooling option. The parallel configuration was the best in terms of power generation with an increase of 3.2% when compared with the only-dry cooling option, and a reduction of 30% water consumption compared to the only-wet cooling option.
Sun, Sand, and… Sustainability in Developing Countries from a Tourists’ Perspective. The Case of Punta Cana
Authors: Goffi Gianluca , Cladera Magdalena , Osti Linda
Published: June 2020

Large-scale tourism represents one of the main causes of environmental problems faced by many seaside destinations in developing countries. A survey was carried out among tourists in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic, one of the most visited coastal destinations worldwide. This study explores whether the destination is meeting tourists’ demand for sustainable practices and whether the sustainable initiatives implemented, as perceived by tourists, have a role in explaining tourists’ satisfaction. An importance-performance analysis and a principal component analysis, followed by an ordered logit model, were performed. Findings show that tourists’ expectations in terms of sustainability are not adequately met and that environmental and socioeconomic sustainability are positively associated with tourists’ satisfaction.
A Hybrid Multi-Criteria Approach for Evaluation and Selection of Sustainable Suppliers in the Avionics Industry of Pakistan
Authors: Muhammad Noor , Fang Zhigeng , Shah Syed Ahsan Ali , Akbar Muhammad Azeem , Alsanad Ahmed , Gumaei Abdu , Solangi Yasir Ahmed
Published: June 2020

Reliability and quality are the two ultimate objectives in the avionics industry. The risk of counterfeit electronics and the unavailability of screening facilities for 100% components are the most concerning areas in the supply chain of the avionics industry. Unlike most public procurement, the cost is not the only significant criterion. Unbiased decision-making criteria to accommodate all the important factors without compromising on quality, reliability, and maintainability are essential for the evaluation and selection of sustainable suppliers. Therefore, this study proposes an unbiased decision methodology based on the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and the fuzzy technique for order performance by similarity to ideal solution (FTOPSIS). In the first phase, six main and twenty-one sub-criteria are selected from the literature and empirically validated by experts of the avionics industry. FAHP is used to evaluate the weight of the main criteria and sub-criteria. FTOPSIS is used to prioritize eight alternatives (suppliers) concerning their effectiveness and superiority in finding the best alternatives. The results of the FAHP reveal that traceability (T) is the most important criterion, followed by quality (Q), and cost (C), which rank as the second and third most significant criteria. The results of the FTOPSIS rate supplier 8, supplier 2, and supplier 1 as the first, second, and third most effective suppliers, respectively.
Income Differentiation as a Factor of Unsustainability in Forestry
Authors: Maitah Mansoor , Toth Daniel , Smutka Luboš , Maitah Kamil , Jarolínová Veronika
Published: June 2020

Environmental policy is a set of objectives put in place for the protection of natural resources including water, air, soil, food, and other renewable resources. In addition, it has a considerable impact on the labor market and the income of employees in the environmental and forestry sectors. Environmental policy both directly and indirectly creates new jobs, the so-called green jobs. These jobs are designed to be long-term and sustainable, working towards both environmental and socio-economic stability. The aim of the research was to determine if there was a difference in income between the forestry and the environmental policy sectors. The primary objective of this paper was to propose ideas and instruments for strengthening the income of employees in both sectors to the creators of the new State Environmental Policy. This objective was met through appropriate research methods, including the field survey technique. In terms of statistics, we used descriptive characteristics and tested the hypothesis using a T-test. The data from 70 respondents were collected from January 2019 to December 2019. Half of the respondents were from the forestry sector, and the other half worked in environmental protection. Their total income was compared by using two selective T-tests, and the results showed a strong discrepancy. The analysis indicated that the average incomes in forestry are significantly lower than incomes in the environmental protection sector (in the Czech Republic). The statistically higher income of environmental workers reflects that the State Environmental Policy is effective, which improves the position of employees in the labor market. The forestry sector deserves similar concentrated state assistance, and therefore we recommend that the new State Environmental Policy in the Czech Republic also addresses the problem of low income in forestry.
A Comparative Study of Sustainable Transition from Catch-up to Post Catch-up of South Korea and China
Authors: Choi San , Lee Jongtaik , Park Hyun-Woo
Published: June 2020

The essence of the experience of East Asia has been on technological capability building and dynamic industrial transitions from one stage to the next. While many studies for understanding the catch-up process and post catch-up agendas exist, empirical and comparative studies that consider the transition from catch-up to post catch-up are still rare. The significance of this research can be summarized in two ways. First, this study verifies the conformity of existing major catch-up to post catch-up transition studies with quantitative evidence. Second, by comparing commonalities and patterns from South Korea and China, this study examines the generality of the discourses and arguments about the transition from catch-up to post catch-up. The reflexive study of understanding transition from catch-up to post catch-up was conducted with a technology cycle time (TCT), self-citation ratio at a country level, and the basic research expenditure of Korea and China by using the US Patents and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) patent citation (for technology cycle time & self-citation ratio) and OECD’s database (basic research expenditure and gross domestic expenditure on basic research) for time period from 1998 to 2012. Empirical evidence of technology cycle time, self-citation ratio and gross domestic expenditure on basic research matched well with the prior transition arguments. First, Korea’s case shows a post catch-up trend with an increasing technology cycle time while China’s case presents catch-up trend (short-cycle period) and shifts to post catch-up trend (post catch-up trend). Self-citation ratios for both countries show increasing and converging pattern. In terms of basic research activities, both countries show increasing pattern. Korea exceeded the gross domestic expenditure on basic research of Japan and the US. Even though, China’s gross domestic expenditure on basic research has been tripled from 1998 to 2012, China’s gross domestic expenditure on basic research has still a long way to go to close the gap and to show a converging pattern. Many developing countries that once experienced a certain level of successful catch-up did not overcome the middle income trap have fallen behind. Understanding transition process of catch-up to post catch-up discussed in this paper may present a better understanding of long-term sequential development and economic sustainability of developing countries.
Sustainability of Commercial Banks Supported by Business Intelligence System
Authors: Tunowski Remigiusz
Published: June 2020

This article was focused on establishing whether Business Intelligence (BI) systems provide sustainability to commercial banks by influencing their financial condition. As part of the search for a solution to the research problem, a hypothesis was formulated which assumes that the use of the Business Intelligence management system improves the financial condition of commercial banks. To assess this impact, a novel comparative method was used, which assumed comparing financial condition indicators in three aspects: before and after the implementation of the Business Intelligence system (comparison over time), with average indicators of a group of banks (comparison to the industry), with reference to changes in the overall economic situation. As a result of the method used, a synthetic indicator of the impact of using Business Intelligence (ABI) was calculated. This study was conducted in relation to six out of the thirteen largest commercial banks listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2020, which have implemented the Business Intelligence system since 2001. The assets of the examined banks cover 60% of the assets of commercial banks in Poland. As a result of the study, a positive impact of using the BI system on selected areas of the financial condition of commercial banks was identified. In particular, this impact relates to areas of productivity, the quality of assets and liabilities, profitability and debt. The generalized results of this study allow for the determination of cause and effect relationships between the use of the BI system in commercial banks and the improvement of the financial condition indicators as well as sustainability banking.
Robust Collective Impact: How Can a Company Make Collective Impact Sustainable in a Long Run?
Authors: Park Jaehong , Lee Jihyeon , Kim Sang-Joon
Published: June 2020

In this study, we delve into a question as to whether and how collective impact can persist. The literature shows that internal conflict is a critical challenge for achieving collective impact. In particular, where a company seeks a collective impact, internal conflict intensifies in backbone organizations. The case of H-OnDream, a company-initiated program intended to nurture and support nascent social ventures in South Korea, which has seen significant social impact over its 10 years of work, shows that companies can take the initiative to develop collective impact by employing the three strategies of gazing, abstracting, and spacing. These findings bear on a significant challenge in collective impact, i.e., how to produce a collective impact and demonstrating the ways collective impact can be achieved over the long run.
Inexpensive Screening Method to Validate the Efficacy of Ethanedinitrile Fumigant on the Forest Invasive Nematode Pest Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Douda Ondřej , Stejskal Václav , Manasova Marie , Zouhar Miloslav , Hnatek Jonáš
Published: June 2020

At a global scale, the sustainability of forests is endangered by multiple invasive species, including the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), a quarantine pest. International laws and standards require that all exported wood coming from countries in which B. xylophilus is present be chemically or physically treated. Since a major fumigant, methyl bromide, was banned, there has been a need to generate data for alternative fumigants, such as ethanedinitrile (EDN), for this purpose. Since the field screening of fumigants (i.e., the application of various doses to and exposure times of naturally infested wood logs) is prohibitively expensive, the aim of this study was to develop a quick and inexpensive laboratory method. Here, we suggest and describe an innovative method based on sawdust cultures for EDN efficacy screening. In the validation part of this study, we demonstrated (i) the high survival of the nematodes in the sawdust and (ii) the high efficacy of EDN against this pest under in vitro conditions; 100% mortality was observed after 6 h of EDN exposure to a dose of 25 g/m3. In particular, our newly developed model system could be used for the initial screening of various doses of and exposure protocols for EDN and similar types of fumigants developed with the intention of regulating B. xylophilus occurrence in exported wood. It is believed that the validated method may help to develop new and effective EDN fumigation procedures and thereby contribute to the long-term protection of forests worldwide.
A Study of Quality Assessment in Higher Education within the Context of Sustainable Development: A Case Study from Czech Republic
Authors: Vykydal David , Folta Martin , Nenadál Jaroslav
Published: June 2020

Quality has become an increasingly important and critical success factor at higher education institutions, particularly universities. Numerous discussions have been held about education quality in the context of sustainable development. However, the quality of that education strongly depends on the overall quality of the management system which operates at schools. The principal aim of this article is to present the approaches to the quality management systems’ development and their assessment at universities, and share some lessons learned from this area of research. Some possibilities of the ISO 9001 standard’s implementation, as well as the application of excellence models as a response to community demands, will be discussed, especially in the context of the recently-introduced Act No. 111/1998 Coll on Higher Education Institutions, which requires quality assurance and quality evaluation. A case study from The VSB-Technical University of Ostrava shows approaches, results and effects of the quality management system implementation.
Push and Pull Travel Motivation: Segmentation of the Greek Market for Social Media Marketing in Tourism
Authors: Katsikari Christina , Hatzithomas Leonidas , Fotiadis Thomas , Folinas Dimitrios
Published: June 2020

The intense competition in the tourism sector increasingly pushes tourism destination marketers to seek more effective promotional practices, so that they remain competitive and attract more visitors. The fast expansion of the Internet and social media provides the opportunity for destination marketers to approach potential tourists in a simple and cost-effective way. While managing the official pages of destinations on social media, the basic question that arises is the configuration of the content, and how attractive this content could be for potential tourists. The purpose of this study is to investigate what elements of a destination, when displayed on social media, could be attractive factors for tourists. Through the analysis of push and pull tourism motivation factors in particular, this study focuses on the segmentation of the Greek market for those traveling abroad and the emergence of the basic elements that could attract each segment through social media. The respondents have been classified into four segments, according to the motives that more greatly influence their desire to travel. This analysis also shows the important relationships between these segments and the pull motivation factors on social media. The study concludes with findings and suggestions that can contribute to the planning of an effective social media marketing plan.
Machine Learning Approach Using MLP and SVM Algorithms for the Fault Prediction of a Centrifugal Pump in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Orrù Pier Francesco , Zoccheddu Andrea , Sassu Lorenzo , Mattia Carmine , Cozza Riccardo , Arena Simone
Published: June 2020

The demand for cost-effective, reliable and safe machinery operation requires accurate fault detection and classification to achieve an efficient maintenance strategy and increase performance. Furthermore, in strategic sectors such as the oil and gas industry, fault prediction plays a key role to extend component lifetime and reduce unplanned equipment thus preventing costly breakdowns and plant shutdowns. This paper presents the preliminary development of a simple and easy to implement machine learning (ML) model for early fault prediction of a centrifugal pump in the oil and gas industry. The data analysis is based on real-life historical data from process and equipment sensors mounted on the selected machinery. The raw sensor data, mainly from temperature, pressure and vibrations probes, are denoised, pre-processed and successively coded to train the model. To validate the learning capabilities of the ML model, two different algorithms—the Support Vector Machine (SVM) and the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP)—are implemented in KNIME platform. Based on these algorithms, potential faults are successfully recognized and classified ensuring good prediction accuracy. Indeed, results from this preliminary work show that the model allows us to properly detect the trends of system deviations from normal operation behavior and generate fault prediction alerts as a maintenance decision support system for operatives, aiming at avoiding possible incoming failures.
Comparison of the Effects of the Kahoot Tool on Teacher Training and Computer Engineering Students for Sustainable Education
Authors: Pertegal-Felices María Luisa , Jimeno-Morenilla Antonio , Sánchez-Romero José Luis , Mora-Mora Higinio
Published: June 2020

Gamification has proved to be a methodology that increases the likelihood of success and sustainability of educational institutions. This methodology has recently revealed itself as one of the most efficient teaching methodologies in the student body, proving useful at all educational levels. One of the most frequently mentioned properties is its ability to “reset” the student’s attention clock: the key is collective learning, an attractive way of remembering new content. The experience described below has been developed in the context of a generalist university in two very different degrees: Degree in Teacher Training and Degree in Computer Engineering. To develop the theoretical sessions, the master class was combined with the use of the Kahoot tool. The observations made by the teachers in relation to the dynamics of the theoretical classes show that the use of Kahoot at the end of the theoretical sessions increased the students’ attendance at class, in addition to their involvement in the sessions and they kept their attention for longer. This study has also shown that there are significant differences in the level of satisfaction shown by the students of both degrees with these tools.
Regional Development in Poland in Taxonomic Terms
Authors: Klóska Rafał , Ociepa-Kicińska Elżbieta , Czyżycki Rafał , Szklarz Piotr
Published: June 2020

Regional development is a complex economic category and a commonly used term today, yet it is vaguely defined and, therefore, interpreted implicitly and understood intuitively. From a statistical point of view, this concept, on account of its imprecision and ambiguity, is a kind of multidimensional characteristic which may be measured, though not conclusively. Due to the lack of a universal set of diagnostic variables adopted in taxonomic analyses, the quantitative approach to the examined research area, which is in most cases presented descriptively, poses the main problem. The objectives of the article are to rank the provinces of Poland in terms of regional development in the years 2006–2018 and to assess the similarity of results over time. The research study is based on linear ordering methods within the scope of multidimensional statistical analysis. The results of the conducted analyses allowed us to rank the provinces of Poland in terms of regional development in the years 2006–2018 and to assess the similarity of the results over time. The results of the analysis indicate a clear stabilization of high ranked positions during the examined period, last places are generally taken by the same regions. This situation may indicate an increase or at least strengthening of the disproportions between the most and least developed regions in Poland. Theoretical considerations presented in the article as well as the empirical results of our own research may provoke more detailed discussion on the subject.
The Challenge of Initial Training for Early Childhood Teachers. A Cross Sectional Study of Their Digital Competences
Authors: Romero-Tena Rosalía , Barragán-Sánchez Raquel , Llorente-Cejudo Carmen , Palacios-Rodríguez Antonio
Published: June 2020

The scarce presence of technologies at the early childhood education level today is a cause for worry. This study aims to provide information on the training of future early childhood education teachers and their relationship with technologies. The work is based on a pretest–posttest methodology through a cross sectional descriptive study. The sample is made up of 535 4th year students of the Degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Seville. Descriptive and contrast analyses were performed as well as contrast statistics and effect size. The results show that the training received by the students was a key element to improve self-perception of digital competence. There were statistically significant changes between before and after receiving the training. The changes produced always meant an improvement in the students’ self-perception. In the study of their profiles, relevant changes were also identified. Whereas before training subjects were grouped into newcomer and explorer categories, after training they were grouped into the highest profiles: integrator, expert, and pioneer. For this reason, it is necessary to manage training plans to allow future teachers to position themselves at an expert level.
Assessing the Preservation of Parks and Natural Protected Areas: A Review of Contingent Valuation Studies
Authors: Halkos George , Leonti Aikaterini , Sardianou Eleni
Published: June 2020

The existence of parks is particularly important and offers many benefits both to the environment and to humans. Parks are recreational spaces, which contribute to the improvement of the microclimate, reduce atmospheric pollution and protect biodiversity. Their importance for the urban environment is even greater because they offer pure oxygen to the city and people feel close to nature in them. The aim of this study is to review studies which took place globally as well as in Greece, relying on the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) for parks. The reason that this method is used is the valuation of non-market goods and services through the development of a hypothetical market. Additionally, a distinction is made among previous empirical studies depending on the nature of the parks and the country where the survey was conducted, while the disadvantages that must be considered from the use of Contingent Valuation Method are mentioned. According to the findings of the literature review, studies using Contingent Valuation in Greece, particularly in the case of urban parks, are limited. As far as we know, the valuation of existing urban parks has not yet been studied, so this could be a field for further research. The economic valuation of parks in a country like Greece, which suffered with the financial crisis, can lead to conclusions about the value that citizens attribute to parks and the identification of possible protest responses.
Walking among Mammoths. Remote Sensing and Virtual Reality Supporting the Study and Dissemination of Pleistocene Archaeological Sites: The Case of Fuente Nueva 3 in Orce, Spain
Authors: Reinoso-Gordo Juan Francisco , Barsky Deborah , Serrano-Ramos Alexia , Solano-García José Antonio , León-Robles Carlos Alberto , Luzón-González Carmen , Titton Stefania , Jiménez-Arenas Juan Manuel
Published: June 2020

Remote sensing is a useful tool for the documentation of archaeological sites. The products derived from a photogrammetric project applied to archaeology such as orthophotos and three-dimensional virtual reconstruction (3DVR), allow for detailed study of the Fuente Nueva 3 site in Orce. In our study of the Fuente Nueva 3 site in Orce, we used 3DVR intensively to map out the morphometric features of mammoth tusks exposed on the surface and a geological fault affecting the site’s deposits. To do so, we used imagery captured since 2017 in order to follow the evolution of ongoing excavations during each subsequent field season. We also integrated the 3DVR model in a videogame environment, to create a virtual reality (VR) that allows a VR navigation experience around the scenario using a head mounted display like Oculus Rift. The main features of this VR experience are: (1) It is ideal for the diffusion of archaeological contents since it permits an attractive presentation mode thanks to stereo visualization and realistic immersion sensations; (2) it provides a high level of detail all along the navigation experience, without incurring any damage to the archaeological remains; (3) it allows users to observe more details than they would in an in situ visit to the site; (4) it makes it possible to convert an archaeological site into portable heritage, opening up the possibility to extend visits to vulnerable groups: specifically those with reduced mobility. Our results show that using VR should permit enhancements to a visitor’s experience and contribute to the socio-economic development of the town of Orce, one of the Spanish municipalities with the lowest income.
The Influence of Income and Social Capital on the Subjective Well-Being of Elderly Chinese People, Based on a Panel Survey
Authors: Zhu Junhong , Liang Changyong , Lucas Jeffery , Cheng Wenjuan , Zhao Zhaoyang
Published: June 2020

China has undergone many economic changes in the past four decades, and has seen an imbalance in economic development between rural and urban regions. Meanwhile, it also has an aging population. Using panel data on 3590 elderly residents aged between 60 and 95 in 28 provinces in China in 2015, this study explored older adults’ subjective well-being in terms of income, relative income, and social capital. The ordinary least square (OLS) regression results showed that the effect of actual income on subjective well-being was weak, and relative income and social capital had a significant effect on the happiness of urban and rural residents; however, there were substantial differences between urban and rural areas associated with economic inequality, social context, social security, and demographic characteristics. Expanding income inequality is contributing to decreased happiness of the rural elderly, while higher social trust and social interaction mitigate this negative influence. This paper also verified that relative income has a mediating or moderating effect on income and the subjective well-being of urban and rural elderly people. The evidence indicates that the Chinese government should pay more attention to reducing the income gap between and within urban and rural groups, and take advantage of social capital to improve the subjective well-being of the elderly population.
Affordability, Accessibility, and Awareness in the Adoption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas: A Case-Control Study in Rural India
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Dover Robert Ethan , Díaz-Valdés Iriarte Antonia , Rao Smitha , Garakani Romina , Hadingham Sophia , Dhand Amar , Tabak Rachel G. , Brownson Ross C. , Yadama Gautam N.
Published: June 2020

Interventions in the clean cooking sector have focused on improved biomass stoves in a bid to address household air pollution (HAP) in low- and middle-income countries. These initiatives have not delivered adequate health and environmental benefits owing to the less than optimal performance of improved biomass stoves. There is an urgency to transition communities to cleaner cooking systems such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to reduce the prevalence of HAP. Adoption of LPG also has challenges. This case-control cross-sectional study with 510 households examines how affordability, accessibility, and awareness (3As) are associated with LPG adoption in rural poor households of Andhra Pradesh, a state of India. Using binomial logistic regression analyses, the study examines the association of 3As with LPG adoption, adjusting for demographic predictors. Results show disparities in LPG adoption owing to affordability, accessibility, and awareness. Household income is positively associated with LPG adoption. Easy availability of biomass deters households from adopting LPG. Concerns for LPG safety reduces likelihood of LPG adoption. On the other hand, attending awareness campaigns on clean cooking benefits is strongly associated with LPG adoption. Awareness drives, primarily targeted marketing campaigns, could help expand LPG coverage among poorer households. This paper offers insights into the determinants of clean fuel adoption with implications for resource-poor settings across the world to advance energy justice and address energy poverty.
Community Involvement and Compensation Money Utilization in Ethiopia: Case Studies from Bahir Dar and Debre Markos Peri-Urban Areas
Authors: Agegnehu Sayeh Kassaw , Mansberger Reinfried
Published: June 2020

In this study the involvement of the community during expropriation and the utilization of the compensation money of the expropriated farmers are investigated taking Bahir Dar and Debre Markos peri-urban areas as case studies. Survey research methods were applied for data collection. The data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. According to the results, there is high land tenure transformation in both study areas. Even though the majority of the expropriated farmers got compensation payments, most farmers did not use their compensation money to found alternative income generating businesses. Just payment of compensation shall not be an end by itself. Technical and administrative supports for farmers are essential for the proper utilization of the compensation money. Communities affected by expropriation should participate effectively in the processes of expropriation and compensation in order to reduce the externalities of the process. For this to happen, the public authorities should prepare open public consultation meetings prior to expropriation and must exercise smart democracy during the whole period of the process.
Sustainable Technology Integration in Underserved Area Schools: The Impact of Perceived Student Change on Teacher Continuance Intention
Authors: Kim Hye Jeong , Jang Hwan Young
Published: June 2020

This study aims to examine the determining factors of teachers’ continuance intention to integrate technology in a smart classroom of schools in underserved areas. Smart classrooms provide a supportive learning environment for students by equipping them with advanced multi-functional and mobile technologies. A smart classroom can provide opportunities for teaching and learning by facilitating curriculum implementation and encouraging student success. The sustainable integration of technology in a smart classroom depends on the teacher’s ability to effectively utilize digital technology in the classroom. We assessed teachers’ perceptions of their technology integration by building a research model for sustainable technology integration in an underserved area in South Korea. For this, we included four aspects of teachers’ perceptions: the frequency of technology integration, the effort toward instructional practices, student change, and continuance intention. Data were gathered via a self-administered online survey with a sample of teachers who are participating in a smart school program and were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The findings of the study show that teachers in smart classrooms are motivated to continue technology integration when they experience positive changes among students after employing smart classroom technologies. The research findings can contribute to the efforts of educators, scholars, and policy-makers to pursue sustainable development in underserved area schools.
An Approach to Increase the Sustainability of Projects and their Outcomes in Public Sector through Improving Project Definition
Authors: Kuchta Dorota , Mrzygłocka-Chojnacka Jagoda
Published: June 2020

The pressure to incorporate sustainability principles and objectives into policies and activities is growing, particularly in project management. A successful project cannot disregard any of the three triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability pillars (economic, social and environmental). Stakeholders representing each of those pillars have to be satisfied to a certain degree in each successful project, even if the way of balancing the three pillars varies depending on project type. Project definition is of primary importance for the proper addressing of stakeholder expectations during the project, and thus for project success. The problem is that project definitions in practice are not written in a way which would guarantee a sufficient degree of project sustainability. However, the hypothesis can be formulated that a systematic analysis and modification of project definition can increase the degree of project sustainability, and thus the degree of project success. That is why we propose here a method of checking and improving existing project definitions in order to improve the chances of project success through increasing the satisfaction of the stakeholders representing the three TBL pillars. The method is based on a careful identification of missing and ambiguous information in a project definition and on correcting it on the basis of TBL stakeholders’ opinions and preferences. These preferences are modelled, wherever possible, by means of fuzzy sets, in order to provide a systematic, formal measurement of sustainability degree in TBL sustainability pillars, represented by project stakeholders. The method’s use and potential advantages are illustrated by means of two real world projects. The initial verification of the method allows us to formulate the hypothesis that analysing and improving project definition may considerably contribute to increasing the sustainability degree of projects, and thus to their success.