bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The clinical feasibility and effect of online ExacTrac 6 degree-of-freedom system for head-and-neck cancer
Authors: Zhao Li-Rong , Qian Jin-Dong , Duan Xiao-Juan , Yang Ding-Qiang , Zhou Yi-Bing , Li Guang-Hui , Sun Jian-Guo
Published: December 2019

Purpose:

Online adaptive correction in image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy appears to be a promising approach for precision radiation treatment in head-and-neck tumors. This research is designed to evaluate the setup uncertainties in the left-right (L-R), superior-inferior (S-I), and anterior-posterior (A-P) directions and rotational variations: pitch, roll, and yaw for head-and-neck cancer (HNC) patients with the ExacTrac 6 degree-of-freedom (6D) image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) system.

Materials and Methods:

The setup errors measured by ExacTrac 6D IGRT system at the treatment unit with respect to the planning computed tomography were recorded for 40 patients with head-and-neck tumors. The residual setup errors were computed and quantitatively analyzed.

Results:

The results indicated that the setup errors measured in the S-I direction were larger than the other two directions. For the three rotational angles, the results were very close. The verifications showed that after the first correction, the overall setup errors were generally <0.32 mm in the L-R, S-I, and A-P directions and <0.2° in the three rotational variations: pitch, roll, and yaw. According to the results of verifications, we know that ExacTrac 6D IGRT system was accurate and clinical feasibility.

Conclusion:

The results of our study have shown that daily image guidance with ExacTrac 6D image-guided system for HNC patients is effective. These data suggest it allows a high accurate of setup errors.
Асимптотические свойства числа инверсий в раскрашенных деревьях
Authors: Vatutin Vladimir Alekseevich
Published: December 2019

Рассматривается $b$-арное плоское корневое дерево $T,$ вершинам
которого независимо и равновероятно присвоены цвета, обозначаемые
буквами алфавита $\mathcal{A}=\{ A_{1}<A_{2}<...<A_{m}\} .$
Вершина $u\in T$ является предком вершины $v\in T$ ($u\prec
v)$, если путь, ведущий по ребрам от корня дерева к вершине $v,$
проходит через вершину $u$. Обозначим $col(u)$ цвет вершины $u.$
Раскраска пары $u\prec v$ образует инверсию,
если $col(u)>col(v).$ Исследуются вероятностные
характеристики общего числа инверсий в раскрашенном $b$-арном плоском
корневом дереве фиксированной высоты и распределения случайных величин,
являющихся функционалами от числа инверсий в поддеревьях такого дерева.
First record of Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood, 1912) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in Apuleia leiocarpa (Fabaceae) seedlings in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Boscardin Jardel , Gomez de Oliveira Gisele , Corrêa Costa Ervandil , Carpenedo Aimi Suelen , Fleck Marciane Danniela , Machado Araujo Maristela
Published: December 2019

O objetivo desse trabalho foi registrar a ocorrência de um inseto filófago atacando mudas de Apuleia leiocarpa (Vogel) J. F. Macbr. (grápia), espécie nativa do Brasil, que se encontra na lista vermelha de espécies da flora nativa ameaçadas de extinção no Rio Grande do Sul. Em fevereiro de 2012, foram identificados os adultos do inseto-praga, Caliothrips phaseoli, causando injúrias em folhas de 168 mudas de grápia, com dois anos de idade (diâmetro médio do coleto = 2,3 cm e altura média = 22,5 cm) em Santa Maria, RS. Este é o primeiro registro da ocorrência de Caliothrips phaseoli em mudas de Apuleia leiocarpa no Brasil.
La formación universitaria en comunicación de la RSC: Análisis de las titulaciones especializadas en RSC en España (2017-18)
Authors: Compte-Pujol M. , Matilla K. , Marca-Francès G.
Published: December 2019

Existe unanimidad en la literatura consultada en cuanto al papel determinante que juegan las relaciones públicas y la comunicación en la difusión de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC). Partiendo de esta base, nuestra investigación identifica y analiza los planes  de estudio de la formación superior de grado y de master especializada en RSC en España, en el curso 2017-2018, con la finalidad de comprobar si aparecen en ellos  contenidos específicos sobre relaciones públicas y comunicación. En total, hemos identificado cuatro asignaturas de master vinculadas directa o tangencialmente con las relaciones públicas y la comunicación,  por lo que ambos conceptos presentan una presencia muy fragmentada y prácticamente residual en los planes de estudio analizados. Una realidad contraria a los principios propugnados por los académicos y a las necesidades crecientes del sector profesional de la comunicación.
Articulación curricular con líneas de investigación operativas en Posgrado Universitario de Argentina
Authors: De Angelis P. G.
Published: December 2019

Se ha realizado un análisis crítico del curriculum de la carrera de posgrado universitario de Especialización en Derecho Aeronáutico, Espacial y Aeroportuario de Argentina. La pregunta central es: ¿cómo promover la articulación entre el recorrido de los cursos destinados a la investigación y la elaboración del trabajo final de la carrera? Se logra plasmar una  experiencia de innovación educativa con dimensión institucional, resultante de un proceso de investigación acción práctica, en equipo docente. Se busca explorar conceptos claves desde la posición de docentes investigadores que se involucran en la participación de todas las fases. Como resultado, se pone al curriculum en acción al diseñar y materializar un plan organizado con un modelo de integración curricular, basado en líneas de investigación operativa formativa. Emerge el planteo de que los límites difusos entre las asignaturas necesitan de la vigilancia epistemológica como actitud permanente  de los docentes investigadores. La reunión de los profesores como pareja pedagógica también colabora con el control del saber evitando los desvíos. Esta propuesta concreta está en curso de  estudio y aplicación reciente desde hace dos años académicos -2017/ 2019-. Se espera que esta propuesta de enseñanza enriquezca el aprendizaje investigativo de los estudiantes y la producción de textos académicos, resultados que podrán comenzar a validarse con la aplicación en una cohorte completa.
Perceived important managerial competencies for healthcare managers at a tertiary healthcare institution in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
Authors: Okonkwo Uchenna , Ekpeyoung Bernadine , Ndep Antor
Published: December 2019

Background: Management in healthcare industry has evolved over the years. There is increasing need for healthcare managers to acquire new skill sets particularly those related to strategic planning and business management.Aims: We sought to determine managerial competencies perceived as importsnt for healthcare managers in a tertiary healthcare institution in Calabar, Nigeria.Methods: A structured questionnaire (modeled after the Health Leadership Alliance competency questionnaire) was self-administered to 266 randomly selected managers comprising 5 strategic managers, 53 middle managers and 208 operational managers. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results: A total of 266 managers were included in this study with a M: F ratio of 1.3: 1. The findings of this study showed that operational, middle and strategic managers rated 27, 37 and 46 of the competencies as contributing significantly with a mean rating of ≥ 4. Important/essential competencies differed between the three tiers of management. Competencies related to financial/business management were not considered very important. The result from qualitative arm synchronized with the quantitative arm to some extent, and provided insight to the managers’ perspective.Conclusions: The findings of this study highlights the incongrous paradigm between managerial level and perceived important management competencies and supports the belief that there is inadequate managerial capacity especially those related to financial/business management.
Influencing Factors of Organizational Performance in Nepal Airlines Corporation
Authors: Gyanwali Shrijan , Walsh John C.
Published: December 2019

The objective of the study is to evaluate performance influencing factors in Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) through mixed research method, qualitative and quantitative analysis. The primary data were obtained from in-depth interview with fifteen government and NAC executives. Secondary data were collected from Nepal Government, NAC publications and International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Revenue generation and passenger movement rate is found with average performance. Motivated employee, entrepreneurial marketing, collective leadership, ownership feeling of government and environmental support were explored as key performance factors. Sophisticated technology, airworthiness, and international standard and recommended practice were found as unique features. Lack of aircraft, unfair political influence and alienation of staffs in unionism were identified the reasons of lacking the business growth.

A performance framework is proposed which comprises entrepreneurial marketing (proactiveness, risk taking, innovativeness, opportunity focused, resource leveraging, customer intensity and value creation), collective leadership, sophisticated technology and sufficient number of modern aircrafts, service reliability and safety, and government support. The study recommends Nepal government to take ownership of NAC, and adopt fair and professional management practice rather than political quota distribution in its governing body, board of directors.
Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Business Research, Vol. 13, No. 1
Authors: Duran Kevin
Published: December 2019

Reviewer Acknowledgements for International Business Research, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2020
The Relationship of Academic Self-Regulation with Self-Esteem and Goal Orientations Among University Students in Jordan
Authors: Sawalhah Abdalmuhdi M. , Al Zoubi Asaad
Published: December 2019

This study aimed at identifying the level of each of the academic self-regulation and self-esteem, and goal orientations; and identifying the gender differences in each variable, as well as identifying the relationship between academic self-regulation and self-esteem, and goal orientations. The sample of the study consisted of 463 students from Irbid National University. The results of the study revealed that the sample of the study showed a medium level in each of the academic self-regulation and self-esteem, and goal orientations as a whole and of each of its dimensions, and the existence of gender differences in the two scales of academic self-regulation and self-esteem in the favor of females, while in the goal orientations the gender differences were in the two dimensions: mastery-approach, performance-avoidant in the favor of females, and performance-approach domain in the favor of males. The results also indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between academic self-regulation and of each of the self-esteem, and goal orientations.
Learning for Earning: Student Expectations and Perceptions of University
Authors: Gorgodze Sophia , Macharashvili Lasha , Kamladze Anna
Published: December 2019

In the context of increasing numbers of students enrolling in higher education in the last decade, understanding student expectations of their universities becomes more important. Universities need to know what students expect if they want to keep them satisfied and continue attracting them. On the other hand, it is also important to know whether student expectations are in line with the purpose of the universities and the causes they serve. This research explores students’ expectations and perceptions of the university in post-Soviet Georgia, as well as whether these expectations are in line with the perspectives of university administrators. For the purposes of this research, over 800 bachelor level students of different academic programs were surveyed at five big public universities across Georgia. Additionally, 10 in-depth interviews were conducted with university administrators to learn about the purpose that public universities try to serve and to understand their perspectives on what should be expected of university. After the analysis of the results, two focus groups were conducted with the students in Western and Eastern Georgia to make sense of the findings obtained through the student survey. Finally, 4 in-depth interviews were conducted with experts to understand their perspectives on the actual findings of this research. The results suggest that employment is the main expectation from a university education. Moreover, there is a mismatch between what students identify as their primary expectation and what administrators believe students should expect. Significance and implications of these results for universities are discussed.
The Propose of an Instructional Model Based on STEM Education Approach for Enhancing the Information and Communication Technology Skills for Elementary Students in Thailand
Authors: Changpetch Sukruetai , Seechaliao Thapanee
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this research is to propose an instructional model based on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education approach for enhancing the information and communication technology skills for elementary students in Thailand. The study was conducted by research and development design and divided into two phases: Phase I is to create a tentative model that was synthesized using the relevant documents and researches concerning the elements and steps of the model. The data was collected through interviewing eight teachers who are experts in STEM education and twenty-four students who were instructed by STEM approach. Phase II consists of proposing a tentative model to eleven experts, evaluating the model, and acquiring an approval of the model by five professionals. The findings of the research are as follows: 1) This model consists of five main elements—principles, purpose, content, teaching and learning process and measurement and evaluation of ICT skills. There are six steps from the engineering design process consisting of problem identification, related information search, solution design, planning and development, testing evaluation, and design improvement and presentation. 2) The eleven experts evaluated the tentative model as appropriate at a high level. The five professionals approved this model as appropriate at a high level.
Policy Framework for Education Development in Nepal
Authors: Neupane Pramila
Published: December 2019

This exploration of challenges and barriers to inclusion in Nepal elaborates a conceptual framework for education development in a diverse society. As Nepal is a highly diverse, caste-based, multi-ethnic, and multi-linguistic society with very low development indicators, the article focuses on barriers to education and related issues across different socioeconomic groups. A systematic review of the relevant literature forms the basis for the design of a practical approach to education development for this diverse society in light of education policy trends in Nepal since 1950. The five proposed steps for education policy formulation and implementation include an in-depth analysis of the existing situation and outcome assessments. The proposed approach will enable local governance institutions to design and implement pragmatic provisions for education development at local level in the context of a new constitution that mandates local government management of school education.
Social Support of Colleagues, Employee Loyalty, and Organizational Commitment in Microfinance Institutions: The Case of MFIS of the West Region of Cameroon
Authors: Jean Douanla , Kenne Jean Mathurin Nohotio
Published: December 2019

This study assesses the effects of the different dimensions of the social support of colleagues on the loyalty and commitment of micro finance personnel in the west region of Cameroon. We also examine the two-way relationship between organizational loyalty and commitment of the employees. To attain these objectives, we apply structural equations modeling to analyses data on 200 microfinance employees. The results obtained show that the loyalty of personnel to the organization is determined by the social emotional and professional support of colleagues. However, these variables do not explain the organizational commitment of these employees. We also find that in spite of the positive effect of loyalty on commitment, there is a negative effect on personnel loyalty in microfinance establishments. The latter finding is unexpected but can be explained by the particularities of the context or population of this study. We thus recommend that companies who wish to increase the level of commitment of their personnel to the organization to promote gregarious work.
Meat defects and emergent muscle myopathies in broiler
chickens: implications for the modern poultry industry
Authors: Maiorano Giuseppe
Published: December 2019

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Due to intensive selection, broiler chickens have become the most efficient meat producing animals,
attaining exceptionally rapid growth. However, several studies indicate that fast-growing varieties
exhibit various muscle tissue defects – myopathies – which adversely affect the poultry meat industry.
In particular, recent decades have seen an increase in the incidence of breast muscle abnormalities such
as myopathy of the minor (deep) pectoral muscles and pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat, and more
recently white fibres called ‘white striping’, hardening of the breast muscle known as ‘wooden breast’,
and intramuscular connective tissue defects (‘spaghetti meat’). These abnormalities increase the
occurrence of lower quality fresh meat for the retail market and to some extent reduce the nutritional,
sensory and technological properties of raw meat used for further processing. The prevalence of
these conditions indicates that further improvements in the efficiency of the meat industry and meat
production may be constrained by the physiological capabilities of broilers, as their internal organs,
vascular system and skeleton appear to be close to their functional limit. Hence, a problematic question
is whether it is better to continue to set new performance goals for animals or to consider a step back in
the selection process and attempt to reduce the extent of these emergent quality issues.
The effect of adding herbs to the summer diet on the fatty acid profile of the lipid fraction of sheep milk
Authors: Jarzynowska Anna , Peter Ewa
Published: December 2019

The study was carried out on bulk milk samples collected at two-week intervals during the summer (June-August) and individually from ewes at the end of the experiment. The milk was obtained from ewes of the Koluda prolific dairy breed, housed indoors and fed green alfalfa forage and hay with a mixture of concentrate feeds. Three diet groups were established: group I – control (without the addition of herbs to the concentrate feed) and groups II and III, in which an herbal mixture was added to the concentrate feed in the amount of 10 and 20 g/sheep/day, respectively. The effect of the herb supplement in the sheep diet on the fatty acid profile of the milk fat was analysed. The results showed that the fat composition changed in all groups during the three-month milking period. In the first two months, an improvement was noted in the health-promoting properties of the milk fat (a decrease in SFA and an increase in MUFA and PUFA), but in the final period of the experiment they deteriorated. The unfavourable changes were smaller where the proportion of herbs in the diet was higher. As a consequence, in the final stage of research, lower SFA content was noted in the fat of the group III sheep than in the control group and II, by 6.0% (P≤0.01) and 4.1% (P≤0.05), respectively, lower content of OFA by 9.1% (P≤0.01) and 5.6% (P≤0.05), and higher content of UFA by 17.7% (P≤0.01) and 11.8%. (P≤0.05), including MUFA by 20.1% (P≤0.01) and 11.3% and PUFA by 11.7% (NS) and 15.0% (P≤0.05), as well as CLA, by 26.0% (P≤0.01) and 17.9% (ns) and DFA by 23.8% (P≤0.01) and 13.0% (P≤0.05). This also meant favourable changes in the UFA/SFA, PUFA/SFA and DFA/OFA ratios. The milk fat of group III also had higher content of n-3 PUFA (by 25.3%) than in group II, and thus a lower n-6/n-3 ratio.
Assessment of housing conditions in selected horse stables
Authors: Topczewska Jadwiga , Rogowska Anna
Published: December 2019

The objective of the study was to assess housing conditions for horses. Both new and adapted
stables were selected for the study. Measurements of the buildings were made, the area of the boxes
was calculated, and the equipment was evaluated. The microclimate of the stables was evaluated by
means of direct measurements in the boxes and in the corridors in six replications, at 7 am, 2 pm and
7 pm, taking into account the season of the year. The temperature, relative humidity and air speed
were measured with a Kastrel 3000 anemometer, and light intensity with a TES-1335 light meter. The
concentration of gaseous impurities (CO2, H2S and NH3) was measured with a GAS-HUNTER meter.
The results obtained were statistically analysed using STATISTICA 10.0. Several of the boxes in the
adapted sheep building did not have the recommended minimum area of 9 m2, and also had smallest
the cubic area per head. The air temperature was within the recommended range, but in one of the
stables a temperature of 4°C was recorded in winter. The air movement in the passageways exceeded
the recommended levels due to aeration through open doors. The skylights in the stable located next to
the riding halls improved the natural lighting. In contrast, the stable adapted from a sheep building, with
its low ceiling and small windows, was dimly lit and required artificial lighting. Despite the significant
differences in the construction of the buildings, when they were erected, and the size of the stud, the
microclimatic conditions were not found to differ significantly from the recommended standards.
Meat quality characteristics of chickens raised organically and intensively
Authors: Gornowicz Ewa , Pietrzak Marian , Stanisławski Daniel , Steppa Ryszard , Lewko Lidia , Kryza Artur
Published: December 2019

The aim of the study was to evaluate selected physical and chemical characteristics of the breast
muscles of organically and intensively raised chickens. The parameters determined are important
to consumers in assessing meat quality. The experimental material consisted of crossbred chickens
obtained from crossing a white broiler cock from Ross 308 parent stock with a brown dual-purpose
Rhode Island Red R-66 hen (group E) and Ross 308 commercial crossbred broiler hens (group K).
Chickens from group E were reared over 84 days in accordance with the requirements of organic
farming, while the group K chickens were reared conventionally over 42 days. The results indicate
differences in post mortem changes in the breast muscles of the organically and intensively raised
chickens. The muscles of broiler chickens from organic farming were characterized by good nutritional
value (1.73 pp more protein and 0.46 pp less fat) and a darker colour (L* 49.65), which may be a desirable
feature for many consumers. However, the high pH24 level of the breast muscles of organic chickens
indicates that the meat may be susceptible to microbiological contamination and can only be stored for
a short period. Furthermore, it requires a greater shear force (54.12 N raw and 46.66 N cooked), which
may indicate that the meat needs to be cooked longer.
The essence of cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency pricing model.
Authors: Binda Jacek
Published: December 2019

XXX
Immunization Adherence in Children With Sickle Cell Disease: A Single-Institution Experience
Authors: Infanti Lisa M. , Elder Joshua J. , Franco Kyle , Simms Stephanie , Statler Victoria A. , Raj Ashok
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends additional immunizations for people with asplenia or functional asplenia, such as children with sickle cell disease. Adherence rate to the recommended immunization schedule for functional asplenia remains low for children with sickle cell disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the immunization adherence for this population at a single institution in Kentucky and to evaluate the use of the Kentucky Immunization Registry (KYIR) by providers.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective chart review was conducted for 107 children with sickle cell disease ages 2 through 18 years. Immunization histories were obtained from the hospital EMRs, the sickle cell clinic EMR, the KYIR, and by requesting records from primary care physicians. Each patient was documented as either missing or having complete records in the KYIR.

RESULTS

The complete adherence rate to the ACIP-recommended immunization schedule for children with functional asplenia was 6% (6 of 107). Nearly all children were compliant with the Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccination, whereas the adherence rate for the meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines ranged from 25% to 77%. The lowest immunization rate was observed in children eligible for the meningococcal B vaccine (25%). Only 3 patients had a complete immunization history documented in the KYIR.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to the ACIP-recommended immunization schedule for functionally asplenic patients is poor among children with sickle cell disease included in this study. Quality improvement measures should focus on increasing immunization adherence and improving documentation of immunization records in the KYIR for this patient population.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Posaconazole Delayed Release Tablets and Suspension in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Patients
Authors: Wass Erika N. , Hernandez Elvin A. , Sierra Caroline M.
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

Posaconazole is effective in preventing invasive fungal infections in neutropenic pediatric patients. The oral suspension has challenges in administration and absorption that are theorized to be minimized with delayed release tablets. However, this has not been validated in the pediatric population. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of posaconazole suspension and delayed release tablets in pediatric hematology/oncology patients.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review in pediatric hematology/oncology patients was conducted from February 2013 to February 2017. Data collected include patient demographic data; posaconazole formulation, dose, and serum concentrations; and adverse events.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients with 353 serum posaconazole concentrations were included; 51.6% of concentrations drawn while patients were receiving posaconazole suspension were therapeutic, whereas 62.5% of concentrations drawn while patients were receiving posaconazole delayed release tablets were therapeutic (p = 0.035). Serum concentrations drawn while taking acid suppression (histamine receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors) and posaconazole suspension were less likely to be therapeutic (p < 0.0001) compared with those taken while receiving delayed release tablets. Adverse event profiles were similar between both formulations.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed release tablets proved more effective in achieving therapeutic serum posaconazole concentrations than posaconazole suspension, with minimal difference in adverse events, in pediatric hematology/oncology patients.
Microbial Contamination of Neonatal Injectable Lipid Emulsions at 12 and 24 Hours' Infusion Time With Evaluation of Infection Control Measures
Authors: Omran Eman A. , Eisa Faten F. , Bakr Wafaa M.K.
Published: December 2019

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the microbial contamination rate of injectable lipid emulsion (ILE) repackaged syringes at 12 and 24 hours of their infusion time. Probable risk factors associated with contamination of the ILEs were also assessed. In addition, the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the bacterial isolates was also determined.

METHODS

Samples of ILE were collected from 152 repackaged syringes and their infusion lines after 12 hours and 24 hours of infusion time (73 and 79 samples, respectively). Samples were cultured, the isolates were identified, and the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the bacterial isolates was identified. A checklist was completed throughout the study to observe the compliance to infection control measures by pharmacists (who prepare) and nurses (who administer) the ILE infusions. Results of septic neonatal cultures were taken from records.

RESULTS

Microbial contamination was found in 15.8% of ILE samples. The 2 most common pathogens found among positive samples were Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.2%) and Candida albicans (20.8%). Microbial contamination of repackaged syringes increased from 9.6% at 12 hours to 21.5% at 24 hours. This difference was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.044). A similar trend of predominance of those 2 pathogens, in both ILE and neonatal cultures, was observed. There was a statistically significant better performance of infection control measures of pharmacists rather than nurses. The K pneumoniae isolates (n = 7) showed antibiotic resistance in the following pattern: gentamicin (71.4%), cefazolin (85.7%), and cefoxitin (85.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of ILE contamination was less at 12 hours' than at 24 hours' infusion time. However, contamination rates at 12 hours were unacceptably high. Klebisella pneumoniae and C albicans were the most common pathogens isolated from ILE. Compliance with infection control measures was significantly worse among nurses compared with pharmacists.
Percepção ambiental e arborização urbana na praça do pescador e do parque da cidade, localizadas em Santarém, PA
Authors: Munduruku Dinacildo Kirixi , Mesquita Nayara dos Santos , Guedes Taynara Magno , Munduruku Ivanilda Brito Karu , Maestri Mayra Piloni , Sousa Sara Freitas de
Published: December 2019

A percepção ambiental surge a partir da compreensão das inter-relações entre o meio ambiente e os atores sociais, ou seja, como a sociedade percebe o seu meio circundante, expressando suas opiniões, expectativas e propondo linhas de conduta. Devido à importância de estudos dessa natureza, que priorizam a qualidade de vida dos moradores e da cidade, o estudo objetivou avaliar o grau de conscientização dos frequentadores de duas praças em Santarém/PA, com relação à arborização urbana através do estudo de percepção ambiental. A metodologia para a pesquisa se constituiu na aplicação de questionário, com o intuito de detectar as opiniões dos cidadãos sobre a arborização urbana em algumas praças na cidade de Santarém. Estabeleceu-se a aplicação dos mesmos nas Praças do Pescador e Praça do Parque da Cidade, perfazendo um total de 30 entrevistados. O estudo possibilitou perceber, através das entrevistas, que os frequentadores das praças do Pescador e Parque da Cidade, reconhecem que a arborização, além de suas funções básicas ambientais, funciona no cotidiano da população como elemento de grande importância para o bem estar da população santarena. Os resultados mostraram que os frequentadores das praças possuem conhecimento sobre todos os bene­fícios que a arborização pode trazer para a qualidade de vida no perímetro urbano, considerando em sua maioria fatores relacionados ao microclima ambiental.
Percepção de comerciantes sobre o gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos urbanos em Araçuaí/MG
Authors: Lopes Manamares de Souza Coutinho , Silva Carlos Augusto Pereira da , Santos Eliane Macedo Sobrinho , Santos Júnior Valdevino José dos
Published: December 2019

Questões ambientais, como o gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos, estão cada vez mais presentes no cotidiano da população e no ambiente comercial. Neste contexto, o presente artigo teve como objetivo conhecer a percepção dos comerciantes sobre o gerenciamento de sólidos urbanos no município de Araçuaí, Nordeste de Minas Gerais. Para isto, foi aplicado um questionário com dez questões a 62 indivíduos atuantes no comércio. Os resultados demonstraram que a maioria dos entrevistados são compostos por funcionários (81,94%), seguidos de gerentes (12,50%) e proprietários (5,56%). Segundo a maioria dos comerciantes, a responsabilidade dos resíduos é do município, que é realizado meio do serviço limpeza pública e acredita que o aterro sanitário é melhor destino dos resíduos gerados nos estabelecimentos comerciais. Os comerciantes têm ciência dos termos: coleta seletiva e produtos recicláveis e conferiram-nos muita importância. No entanto, não os aplicam e não têm conhecimento sobre os materiais destinados à logística reversa. Desta forma, conclui-se que a percepção dos comerciantes de Araçuaí/MG sobre o gerenciamento de resíduos sólidos é restrita, sendo refletida nos cuidados deles quanto aos resíduos sólidos produzidos em seus estabelecimentos comerciais. Com isto, propõe-se a adoção de instrumentos previsto na Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos, tais como: programas de educação ambiental voltada à temática, promoção da coleta seletiva, bem como envio de resíduos a associação de catadores local e o estímulo à logística reversa.
A Multi-criteria Assessment Approach for the Evaluation of Railway Transport in the Balkan Region
Authors: Stoilova Svetla Dimitrova
Published: December 2019

The Balkan region has an important geostrategic position in passenger and freight transport between Europe and Asia. This paper studies the development of railway transport on twelve different railway transport markets in the Balkan region. The methodology is based on multi-criteria assessment of the level of railway development. The approach presented in this paper could help railway companies to make decisions about railway transport services. The methodology includes three steps. In the first step, the quantitative and qualitative criteria for the evaluation of the social, economic, infrastructural and technological impact of the level of development of railway transport have been defined. In the second step, the weights of criteria have been determined using both objective and subjective approaches by applying the Shannon Entropy method and the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method. The third step presents the ranking of the countries by applying three multi-criteria methods – VIse Kriterijumska Optimizacija i kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR), Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS) and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE), which are different in their approaches. The results show that the criteria: maximum train technical speed (13%), ERTMS Level (10%), number of train kilometres per year (9%) and Ro-La intermodal service (9%) have a great importance in the ranking. It was found that the most developed railway transports in the Balkan region are Turkey, Croatia, Slovenia, and Romania.
Chinese High-speed Railway: Efficiency Comparison and the Future
Authors: Li Weidong , Hilmola Olli-Pekka , Wu Jianhong
Published: December 2019

High-speed railway (HSR) network building was initiated in China in the early 2000s, and full-scale construction began several years later as a larger use phase started in 2008. Thereafter, the expansion speed has been impressive. Network investment could be considered as a success, if evaluating the amount of high-speed railway usage already during the expansion phase. The diffusion models built in this research show that expansion in the network and growth of the passengers will continue at least until the following decade. The performance is evaluated in terms of DEA efficiency model. It is shown that efficiency started from very low levels, but it has been increasing together with the expansion of HSR network. Currently, the efficiency is near the level of the leading European High-speed (HS) countries (Germany and France). However, it is projected with linear model and by Bass diffusion models that the efficiency will reach Japanese and South Korean standards in the next decade. A somewhat larger network length with smaller relative growth of passengers, but with a higher growth of passenger-km seems to be able to reach even the frontier efficiency.
Photochemical Transformations Involving Organoboron
Authors: Mellerup Soren K. , Wang Suning
Published: December 2019

Boron gets its name from the term borax, the mineral from which it was originally isolated, by analogy with carbon due to their chemical similarities. Unlike its neighbor on the periodic table, however, boron only possesses enough valence electrons to form three covalent bonds. This means that organoboron compounds are inherently electron deficient and typically adopt a trigonal‐planar (sp
2
‐hybridized) geometry with the empty p

z

orbital of boron lying orthogonal to the bonding plane. In this form, boron is isoelectronic and isostructural with a positively charged carbocation, which gives rise to many of the applications often associated with trivalent organoboranes (e.g., organic synthons and electron‐transport materials). Coordinatively saturating these systems with anionic or neutral Lewis bases yields tetrahedral, four‐coordinated boron compounds with a formal negative charge. This new bonding arrangement significantly alters the orbital composition of the resulting molecules, imparting new features such as intense charge transfer (CT) luminescence and, in some cases, unique photochemical reactivities such as photochromism or photoelimination. This chapter will document recent progress in photochemical transformation based on organoboron compounds. A brief overview of concepts related to photophysical and photochemical processes will be presented, followed by an introduction to photochromic systems and a comprehensive review of organoboron photochemistry. Several recently discovered classes of photoresponsive organoboron molecules and their potential applications will be presented.
Blended Learning: The Future of
ELT
?
Authors: Tomlinson Brian
Published: December 2019

This entry provides a concise description of blended learning and of the theoretical and pragmatic justifications for its use, both in general and specifically in courses aiming to help learners to develop communicative competence in another language. It surveys the different ways available to teachers, to institutions, and to learners of delivering blended learning language courses, as well as the different devices that can be used to access the online components of a blended learning course. It also considers likely future directions in blended learning and provides a detailed example of blended learning in action on a language learning course.
Standards for the Instruction of Adult English Learners
Authors: Hellman Andrea B.
Published: December 2019

This entry presents a comparative introduction to the most prominent standards documents that guide the instruction and assessment of adult English learners in Canada, the European Union, the United States, and Australia. The international perspective contrasts the expected outcomes, in particular the scope of skills and the communicative contexts of proficiency. This entry suggests that each country's policies and priorities for the education of adult English learners have greater impact on their endorsed standards than actual learner data from second language acquisition research. A discussion follows on the criteria for successful roll‐out of new standards and what standards‐based instruction of adult English learners entails from the teacher's perspective.
Models of Clouds, Precipitation, and Storms
Authors: Flossmann Andrea I. , Wobrock Wolfram
Published: December 2019

Clouds play an important role in life on Earth. Apart from influencing the radiative balance of the atmosphere and the lifetime of atmospheric trace constituents, they are the essential element in the hydrological cycle.

This article provides an introduction to the complex subject of cloud modeling, from their formation up to the production of precipitation, and the development of cloud and storm systems. The elements intervening in cloud modeling are exposed, starting from a description of the physical phenomena. On the basis of the occurring scale problem, a number of approaches for simplification are presented. These simplifications concern the dynamics as well as the microphysics. Bulk and bin modeling approaches as well as cumulus parameterizations are explained. Some numerical problems are discussed. This approach gives an insight into the current state‐of‐the‐art cloud modeling and the necessary balance between the degree of parameterization, the number of physical and chemical processes relevant to a particular problem, and the available computing resources.
Erosion and Sediment Transport by Water on Hillslopes
Authors: Parsons Anthony J.
Published: December 2019

This article deals with the erosion and sediment transport on hillslopes as a result of rainfall. Sediment detachment and transport occurs because of transfer of some of the energy of the raindrops to particles on the hillslope surface. Where rainfall is sufficient to cause runoff, that runoff may further transport sediment detached by raindrops as well as detach and transport sediment itself. The study of erosion and sediment transport by water on hillslopes has three aspects: first, attempts to understand the mechanics of detachment and sediment transport; secondly, attempts to measure rates of these processes; and, finally, attempts to model and predict them. Advances in each of these three aspects are uneven, and progress in one area often fails to inform activity in another.
Low Impact Development Technologies for Highway Stormwater Runoff
Authors: Henderson Derek , Hayes Gail , Burgis Charles , Smith James A.
Published: December 2019

The linear nature of highways and other transportation settings makes management of stormwater runoff (SWR) generated by those surfaces a special consideration compared to stormwater management in urban settings. This article summarizes the most significant pollutants found in SWR from highways as well as the best management practices, with an emphasis on low impact development (LID), used to alleviate the impact of these pollutants on the waterways with which they come in contact. LID strategies discussed in terms of construction and pollutant attenuation capabilities include vegetated roadsides, vegetated filter strips, swales, bioretention filters, bioslopes, compost‐amended soils, and pervious pavements.
Electrolytic Release of Metal Cations in Water
Authors: L. Hill Courtney , A. Smith James
Published: December 2019

Electrolytic water disinfection via metallic ions is a promising technology for water and wastewater treatment. This approach has relatively limited detrimental environmental effects and does not change the taste or odor of the treated water. The mechanisms of electrolytic silver and copper release were investigated, including the current efficiency, the relation between ion generation and current in the systems, and previously examined water chemistries. A comparison of pathogen inactivation rates and pathogen reduction for various combinations of free chlorine and electrolytically generated silver and copper ions has been previously reported. Silver and chlorine do not disinfect as well as free chlorine, but it can be used in combination with low levels of free chlorine to produce disinfection rates comparable to higher levels of free chlorine. These results lay a strong foundation to investigate the use of electrolytic systems in a developing‐world context, particularly where water from the municipal tap contains chlorine but is at risk for recontamination during storage. Upon review of the literature, it was found that more research should be conducted to understand how organic loads and water chemistry affect ion generation and disinfection kinetics in these systems.
Water and Global Development Goals: The Role of Engineering and Social Science in Meeting International Policy Outcomes
Authors: Ali Saleem , Grasso Domenico
Published: December 2019

Water remains an essential part of global development projects. The physical needs of human societies for water as well as its embedded significance in delivering agricultural and industrial output is self‐evident. At the same time, mismanagement of water systems can also be a major impediment to development as a results of flooding or impairment of water quality that can lead to loss of infrastructure and prevalence of disease. In this chapter we provide a review of how the international community has approached the relationship between water and development. The launching of the
sustainable development goals
(
SDGS
) by the United Nations and clear target setting for 2030 provides an important anchor for our analysis. We review the latest research on development linkages to water quantity and quality meeting the targets for these goals and the need for international governance mechanisms for water resources in order to most efficiently and effectively deliver development outcomes.
Formation of Ice on Surface Water
Authors: Lind Lovisa
Published: December 2019

Surface water in cold regions is characterized by hydrological processes that control flow regime and water levels. One of the most important processes is the formation, growth, and melting of ice. Surface ice can be formed on sea, lakes, and rivers, and depending on where ice is formed, it will go through a number of different developmental phases. Surface ice serves many different functions such as a habitat, providing shelter from predators, and platforms for seasonal transportation. Understanding and predicting ice formation is important because it can have large impacts and implications on, for example, fish and vegetation communities, hydropower production, and infrastructure. Significant changes in ice conditions could develop with projected changes in climate, which would have important geomorphologic, ecological, and socioeconomic implications. This article examines how ice is formed by summarizing current research and consequences of a changing climate.
Theory and Practice of Slug Tests for Aquifer Characterization
Authors: Malama Bwalya , Montgomery Mikenna , Aurelius Stephanie
Published: December 2019

Slug tests are a widely used method for characterizing aquifers because they can be performed quickly, with minimal equipment and labor, and without the need to dispose of produced water. They involve rapid displacement of the water level in a well, followed by continuous measurement of the water level as it reequilibrates. Several mathematical models available in the hydrogeology literature are summarized here. The tests are classified according to: (i) the type of perturbation (solid versus pneumatic slug); (ii) the type of response (overdamped versus oscillatory); and (iii) the type of aquifer (confined versus unconfined). Examples are included of the graphical approach using slug‐test data to estimate aquifer properties. Computational tools and software available for more complex models are mentioned briefly. Emerging works on slug tests focus on the use of slug tests to characterize heterogeneity through their integration into hydraulic tomography. They are used in multilevel single‐well tests and in cross‐hole tests with packers and with direct‐push technology to generate vertical logs of hydraulic parameters including hydraulic conductivity and storage.