bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A ATUAÇÃO NO MERCADO EXTERNO INFLUENCIA A ESTRATÉGIA DE GESTÃO AMBIENTAL DAS EMPRESAS BRASILEIRAS? UM ESTUDO MULTICASO NA INDÚSTRIA CERÂMICA DE SANTA CATARINA  DOI: 10.5773/rgsa.v7i2.726
Authors: Alperstedt Graziela Dias , Quintella Rogério Hermida , Martignago Graciella , Bulgacov Sérgio
Published: April 2017

O objetivo geral deste trabalho é analisar a influência da atuação no mercado externo nas estratégias de gestão ambiental das maiores empresas cerâmicas brasileiras. Os fundamentos teóricos discutem a gestão ambiental e seus aspectos determinantes, com ênfase nos requisitos e padrões do mercado externo os quais exigem da empresa nacional seu enquadramento aos ditames de qualidade definidos no país de destino de seus produtos, assim como regulamentações referentes às questões ambientais e atitudes empresariais. A pesquisa foi conduzida por meio de um estudo multi caso, de natureza qualitativa com a utilização de entrevistas semiestruturadas e análise interpretativa. Os dados foram organizados seguindo a ordem cronológica tanto da atuação no mercado externo quanto das práticas ambientais das empresas, com destaque para a visão estratégica da política ambiental das organizações. Apesar da coincidência em termos de evolução das categorias estudadas (gestão ambiental e atuação no mercado externo), os resultados da pesquisa não permitem afirmar que as estratégias ambientais das empresas tenham sido afetadas por sua atuação no mercado externo. Outros fatores, porém, emergiram como explicações para a estratégia ambiental das empresas, tais como a legislação brasileira e o próprio processo de globalização, levando-as a adotarem melhores práticas, contribuindo para manter sua competitividade.
DO MANAGERS BELIEVE IN THE CORPORATE SOCIAL-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE LINK?
Authors: Santos Juliana Bonomi , De Campos Ivan Carlo Stocco
Published: April 2017

The relationship between the corporate social and financial performance has already been explored in many empirical studies. Meta-analyses based on these studies confirm that positive financial outcomes result from firms´ social strategies. This confirmation should stimulate investments in social actions, practices and processes. However, as managers´ beliefs and interests drive their investment decisions, high-level executives may limit firms´ investments in social strategies if they are unaware or do not believe in a positive corporate social-financial performance link. This research therefore set out to investigate if managers do believe that social actions, practices and processes lead to superior financial performance. Data on the perception of 112 top-managers of Brazilian companies collected through a survey showed that, according to high-level executives, socially-responsible actions have a positive indirect effect on firms´ profitability, due to the increase they cause on stakeholders’ satisfaction. Managers´ decisions to invest in socially responsible strategies are not entirely based on financial returns and, thus, proving the CSP-financial performance link should not be the main focus. Researcher should now concentrate on the social strategies-stakeholder satisfaction-financial performance link. Top-management beliefs and decision-making processes have to be considered in future studies on the subject. Furthermore, there is the need to consider how much top managers and stakeholders actually know of firms´ social strategies and how long does it takes for them to become aware of it. Given these research outcomes, departments responsible for social strategies need to market heavily the positive outcomes of their efforts to assure future investments.
COMPORTAMENTO, CRENÇAS E VALORES AMBIENTAIS: UMA ANÁLISE DOS FATORES QUE PODEM INFLUENCIAR ATITUDES PRÓ-AMBIENTAIS DE FUTUROS ADMINISTRADORES
Authors: Pinheiro Leonardo Victor de Sá , Peñaloza Verónica , Monteiro Danielli Leite Campos , Bernardes do Nascimento João Carlos Hipólito
Published: April 2017

A educação ambiental, no âmbito dos cursos de administração, ainda se encontra em fase de maturação, ganhando cada vez mais ênfase nas discussões acadêmicas e corporativas. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar como os comportamentos ecológicos, as crenças e os valores ambientais se relacionam diante da perspectiva de ação dos estudantes do curso de administração frente às práticas de conservação do meio ambiente. O conhecimento do comportamento ecológico, das crenças e dos valores ambientais que melhor indicam indivíduos predispostos a transformar o discurso em prática, faz-se importante pelo potencial de contribuir para um melhor direcionamento de quais fatores podem influenciar a prática pró-ambiental desses estudantes. Os dados da pesquisa foram analisados com o auxílio do software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 18.0, módulos de estatística descritiva, análise fatorial e regressão binária logística. Os conhecimentos apresentados na presente pesquisa podem proporcionar um direcionamento aos educadores das Escolas de Administração de que o comportamento de ativismo-consumo, a crença antropocêntrica e os valores ecoaltruístas precisam ser incentivados, visando estimular práticas a favor do meio ambiente. As relações encontradas também podem servir como importante ferramenta para a compreensão do comportamento humano diante da temática ambiental.
ANÁLISE DO PROGRAMA HABITACIONAL MINHA CASA, MINHA VIDA NAS PERSPECTIVAS DA INOVAÇÃO SOCIAL E NEGÓCIOS SOCIAIS
Authors: Quirino Bruno Silva , Alvarenga Neto Rivadávia C. D. , Carvalho Rodrigo Baroni , Goulart Iris Barbosa
Published: April 2017

A pesquisa qualitativa, com finalidade descritiva, foi executada por meio de um estudo de caso cujo objeto é o “Programa Minha Casa, Minha Vida”. O objetivo principal é investigar o modelo de negócios do Programa sob a ótica dos conceitos de inovação social e negócios sociais. Definiu-se a proposição teórica de modelo de negócios conceituada por Yunus et al. (2010) para a técnica de comparação de padrões. A coleta de dados se deu por meio de entrevistas semi estruturadas, pesquisa documental e observação direta na constelação de valor do Programa executado por uma instituição financeira federal. Três categorias de análise foram definidas: i) conceitos, legislação, métricas e resultados do Programa; ii) modelo de negócios do Programa; iii) equação de lucro financeiro e equação de lucro social. Os dados coletados foram submetidos a processos de redução, exibição em displays e verificação. A principal conclusão foi que o Programa Minha Casa Minha Vida, embora ofereça diversos e significativos resultados financeiros e sociais, não pode ser caracterizado como um modelo de negócios social por não atender à equação de lucro financeiro, que é uma condição essencial para a auto-sustentabilidade e por seu público-alvo ser considerado beneficiário de um programa e não cliente de um produto.
El impacto de la crisis en el empleo público local: el caso del área metropolitana de Valencia
Authors: Cuenca Cervera José Javier , Martín Cubas Joaquín , Montiel Márquez Antonio , Jiménez Tomás Cristina , Alonso Orsini María José
Published: April 2017

Los ajustes derivados de actual proceso de consolidación fiscal en que se hallan las Administraciones Públicas españolas han golpeado con fuerza a un entramado institucional débil: el empleo público de los gobiernos locales de nuestro país, explicable tanto por la fragilidad sobre el terreno del sistema de mérito, como por la falta de aplicación efectiva de mecanismos de gestión. En este contexto y transcurridos ya cinco años de crisis económica se trata de dar cuenta, mediante datos agregados y de un estudio realizado en el marco del proyecto SAIS-AMV (“sostenibilidad social y ambiental en espacios metropolitanos: el caso del área metropolitana de Valencia”), de qué modo, mediante qué estrategias y sobre qué políticas públicas se han producido los ajustes en el ámbito de los recursos humanos, al mismo tiempo que se ensaya una explicación sobre la senda de ajuste seguida.
Una aproximación a la eficiencia técnica de las empresas de transporte urbano colectivo en España
Authors: Balboa La Chica Pedro Manuel , Mesa Mendoza Margarita , Suárez Falcón Heriberto
Published: April 2017

En el presente trabajo se analiza la eficiencia técnica de las empresas de transporte urbano colectivo en España durante el período 2008-2011. El estudio se realiza tanto a nivel global como segmentado según el tamaño de las empresas, utilizando una metodología no paramétrica (DEA). A tal fin, partiendo de la información económico-financiera de estas empresas, se seleccionan los inputs y outputs para aplicar un modelo orientado a inputs con rendimientos variables a escala. Los resultados evidencian que pocas empresas se sitúan en la frontera de eficiencia, y que las más eficientes no son sólo las empresas de mayor tamaño.
Factores de éxito en la implementación de la E-administración en la educación: el caso de los portales del empleado
Authors: Pérez Feijoo Héctor Marcos , García Ordaz Mercedes , Martínez López Francisco José
Published: April 2017

La implantación de un portal del empleado en la Administración Pública es un proceso cuyo éxito depende de un conjunto de factores clasificados en cinco áreas críticas: información y datos, tecnología, elementos de la organización, elementos institucionales y, por último, contexto. El presente artículo identifica factores clave en cada categoría para el caso de la implementación de un portal del empleado público educativo. Adicionalmente se establece un orden de prioridades, distinguiendo aquellos factores clave desde el inicio de aquellos a desarrollar en fases posteriores.
Criterios para la presentación y publicación de originales
Authors: GAPP Revista
Published: April 2017

Criterios para presentar artículos para la revista
Reconceptualising Settler-Colonialism and Genocide with Special Reference to Palestine, Sri Lanka and Australia: Reflections on Damien Short's Redefining Genocide: Settler Colonialism, Social Death and Ecocide
Authors: Docker John
Published: April 2017

Genocide studies are at a cross-road. In June 2016, the International Network of Genocide Scholars, sponsor of the Journal of Genocide Research, imperilled the future of genocide studies by aligning itself with Zionist Israel, which many scholars consider to be a genocidal settler-colonial perpetrator state. Almost at the same time, Damien Short's important intervention Redefining Genocide was published, suggesting new directions for genocide studies in the Anthropocene and featuring Palestine as one of its case studies. In considering historical and ongoing genocides in Palestine, Sri Lanka, and Australia, Redefining Genocide inspires a rethinking of the relationship between genocide, settler-colonialism, and the state.
New Mass Communication Media and the Identity of Negev Bedouin Arab Youth in Israel: In Conversation with Edward Said
Authors: Gribiea Adnan , Kabha Mustafa , Abu-Saad Ismael
Published: April 2017

Mass communication media technologies influence the structuring of reality, consolidation of value systems, and construction of common social denominators, and thus contribute to the formation of personal and national identities. While, as Edward Said has shown, mainstream Western (including Israeli) media have been dominated by Orientalist, anti-Arab/anti-Islamic perspectives, new media technologies have opened up a broad range of media options lying beyond the reach of Western media's hegemonic presentations. This article explores the use of new mass communication media technologies and their association with identity formation in connection with Bedouin Arab high schools in the Negev, Israel. The findings of this research indicate that Negev Bedouin Arab youth developed diversified patterns of mass media consumption. They also show a preference for Arab media sources. Media consumption patterns are related to their national and civic identities. The findings also indicate that Bedouin Arab youth have a stronger Palestinian national identity than Israeli civic identity.
Late-time Cooling of Neutron Star Transients and the Physics of the Inner Crust
Authors: Deibel Alex , Cumming Andrew , Brown Edward F. , Reddy Sanjay
Published: April 2017

An accretion outburst onto a neutron star transient heats the neutron star’s crust out of thermal equilibrium with the core. After the outburst, the crust thermally relaxes toward equilibrium with the neutron star core, and the surface thermal emission powers the quiescent X-ray light curve. Crust cooling models predict that thermal equilibrium of the crust will be established

into quiescence. Recent observations of the cooling neutron star transient MXB 1659-29, however, suggest that the crust did not reach thermal equilibrium with the core on the predicted timescale and continued to cool after

into quiescence. Because the quiescent light curve reveals successively deeper layers of the crust, the observed late-time cooling of MXB 1659-29 depends on the thermal transport in the inner crust. In particular, the observed late-time cooling is consistent with a low thermal conductivity layer near the depth predicted for nuclear pasta that maintains a temperature gradient between the neutron star’s inner crust and core for thousands of days into quiescence. As a result, the temperature near the crust–core boundary remains above the critical temperature for neutron superfluidity, and a layer of normal neutrons forms in the inner crust. We find that the late-time cooling of MXB 1659-29 is consistent with heat release from a normal neutron layer near the crust–core boundary with a long thermal time. We also investigate the effect of inner crust physics on the predicted cooling curves of the accreting transient KS 1731-260 and the magnetar SGR 1627-41.
Mots de gorge
Authors: Menini Romain
Published: April 2017

L’article propose une relecture du fameux chapitre xxxii du Pantagruel de Rabelais, intitulé « Comment Pantagruel de sa langue couvrit toute une armée, et de ce que l’auteur veit dedans sa bouche ». L’intertextualité néo-latine ou vernaculaire fournit de nouvelles pistes herméneutiques, qui sont autant de regards portés comme à la dérobée. À la lumière de l’expérience rabelaisienne de la philologie médicale, ainsi que des débats spécialisés de son temps, le détour par les villes de « Laryngues et Pharingues » fait notamment l’objet d’un commentaire anatomique. Le texte de Rabelais s’adresse à un « diligent lecteur », capable de savoir voir ce que l’épisode ne révèle qu’à mots couverts.
Revenge Porn Against Women and the Applicability of Therapeutic Jurisprudence
Authors: Halder Debarati
Published: April 2017

It must be noted that the modern legal history of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh may show that all these three countries have framed their penal laws from colonial British Penal laws which was the governing law of the Indian peninsula in pre-independence era (prior to 1947). As such, the present criminal laws of these countries including those dealing with violence against women (including physical and online) may have similar features. This chapter argues that South Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan do not have focused laws on dealing with the issue of revenge porn targeting women. Further, the socio-economic conditions of these countries being quite the similar, it may be noted that women victims of revenge porn may neither prefer to seek police help due to fear of reputation damage. This chapter therefore aims to research as whether the application of Therapeutic Jurisprudence in such cases may benefit the victims.
A Study on Small Punch Test to Characterize Mechanical Property of Aged High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
Authors: Zhao Bo , Guo Jing , Yu Yu Xin , Zhang Xue Tao , Xu Tong , Shou Bin An
Published: April 2017

In this work, accelerated ultraviolet (UV) aging of high density polyethylene (HDPE) was prepared, and tensile tests, Shore D hardness test and small punch test (SPT) were carried out. The macroscopical morphology of tensile fracture and microscopical morphology of SPT have been observed successively. The result showed that HDPE aging significantly increased with the UV irradiation time, because of amount of microfiber dropping, the entanglement of molecular segments on the non-crystalline decreasing, and the difficulty degree of craze microfiber fracture reducing.After aging for over 504 hours, aged layer can be observed on specimens’ surface, meanwhile, polymer brittleness increased, tensile strength had no significant change, elongation at break declined 29.53%, and Shore hardness value increased 6.9%. SPT performed more susceptibly on aged HDPE, and the maximum load dropped more than 39%. This illustrated that SPT is more suitable for the assessment to aged HDPE, which could more focus on aged layer.
The Application of the Small Punch Tensile Test to Evaluate the Ductile to Brittle Transition of a Thermally Sprayed CoNiCrAlY Coating
Authors: Jackson G.A. , Sun Wei , McCartney D. Graham
Published: April 2017

Thermally sprayed MCrAlY bond coats are important elements of thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems which are applied to the surface of gas turbine components to protect them in high temperature environments. Knowledge of their mechanical properties is essential in preventing TBC failure which can have catastrophic consequences. However, limited data on modulus, strength and ductility are available for such coatings. In this work, the ductile to brittle transition behaviour of a CoNiCrAlY coating has been investigated via the small punch tensile test (SPTT). Displacement controlled tests were carried out on free standing coatings at room temperature (RT) and between 400-750 °C at a rate of 1 μms-1. At low temperatures there was evidence of elastic-brittle behaviour and at high temperatures there was clear evidence of yielding and plastic deformation. The ductile to brittle transition temperature was found to be between 500-750 °C. The yield stress ranged from 1000-1500 MPa below 600 °C to less than 500 MPa above 650 °C. The elastic modulus was found to be approximately 200-230 GPa at 500 °C and 55 GPa above 700 °C. At room temperature the fracture surface showed flat, smooth features indicating brittle failure whereas at 700 °C there was evidence of ductile tearing.
Reducing Error in Anticoagulant Dosing via Multidisciplinary Team Rounding at Point of Care
Authors: Sharma Munish , Krishnamurthy Mahesh , Snyder Richard , Mauro James
Published: April 2017

The incorporation of a clinical pharmacist in daily rounding can help identify and correct errors related to anticoagulation dosing. Inappropriate anticoagulant dosing increases the risk of developing significant bleeding diathesis. Conversely, inappropriate dosing may also fail to produce a therapeutic response. We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of 41 patients to confirm and analyze the errors related to various anticoagulants. A clinical pharmacist in an integrated rounding between the period of February 2016 and April 2016 collected this data. We concluded that integrated rounding improves patient safety by recognizing anticoagulant dosage error used for the purpose of prophylaxis or treatment. It also allows us to make dose adjustments based on renal function of the patient. We think that it is prudent for physicians to pay particular attention to creatinine clearance when dosing anticoagulants in order to achieve the intended dosing effect and reduce the risk of adverse drug events.
The Pentecostal Movement’s view of the continuity of tongues in Acts and 1 Corinthians
Authors: Nel Marius
Published: April 2017

Pentecostals see a continuity between the speaking in languages as a part of the filling or baptism with the Spirit in Acts 2 and the other four incidents in Acts (8, 9, 10, 19). This is also the case of the phenomenon described in 1 Corinthians 12–14, and their own experience, in contradistinction to most Protestants who regard the gift of tongues in terms of Acts 2’s description. It is described as the miraculous ability to speak in real foreign languages with the purpose to reach people from different nationalities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this article the pentecostal claim of continuity between the speaking in languages in Acts and Corinthians and our own day is being analysed and criticised. The position poses several questions that need to be addressed, like the seeming and presumed discontinuity between languages in Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians, with the modern pentecostal phenomenon of speaking in languages related to what happened in 1 Corinthians and not in Acts. The implication is that a difference exists between the languages used by the Galileans on the Day of Pentecost and the phenomenon of languages occurring in the Corinthian assembly – with the Corinthian assembly associated with the modern charismatic movement. This poses the question whether a differentiation between speaking in languages in Acts and the phenomenon designated with the same term in 1 Corinthians is sustainable; also whether the identification of modern Pentecostals with the Corinthian phenomenon is allowed.
Finitely presented groups and the Whitehead nightmare
Authors: Otera Daniele Ettore , Poénaru Valentin
Published: April 2017

We define a "nice representation" of a finitely presented group

\Gamma

as being a non-degenerate essentially surjective simplicial map

f

from a „nice" space

X

into a 3-complex associated to a presentation of

\Gamma

, with a strong control over the singularities of

f

, and such that

X

is WGSC (
weakly geometrically simply connected
), meaning that it admits a filtration by simply connected and compact subcomplexes. In this paper we study such representations for a very large class of groups, namely QSF (
quasi-simply filtered
) groups, where QSF is a topological tameness condition of groups that is similar to, but weaker than, WGSC. In particular, we prove that any QSF group admits a WGSC representation which is locally finite, equivariant and whose double point set is closed.
Infinite unicorn paths and Gromov boundaries
Authors: Pho-On Witsarut
Published: April 2017

We extend the notion of unicorn paths between two arcs introduced by Hensel, Przytycki and Webb to the case where we replace one arc with a geodesic asymptotic to a lamination. Using these paths, we give new proofs of the results of Klarreich and Schleimer identifying the Gromov boundaries of the curve graph and the arc graph, respectively, as spaces of laminations.
El texto no se discute, se interpreta”. Hermenéutica en Platón y Filón de Alejandría
Authors: Delgado Carolina
Published: April 2017

En este artículo se examinan los móviles teóricos por los que Filón de Alejandría ha tomado en préstamo uno de los famosos tópicos empleados por Platón, a saber, el motivo de la ‘inspiración divina’. Para explorar este motivo, un lugar clave en el corpus platónico es el diálogo temprano Ión. Allí la inspiración divina es origen de cierta modalidad específica de interpretación. Un estudio inter-textual previo detecta que Filón ha hecho un uso considerable de ese diálogo, asumiendo de él específicamente el motivo de la inspiración. Al atender a tales textos se descubre, además, que ese tópico ha sido introducido tanto por Filón como por Platón en el marco de sus respectivas reflexiones hermenéuticas. La atención al tópico de la inspiración divina desemboca, pues, en el análisis de las continuidades y disrupciones que presentan esos dos modelos hermenéuticos. En la reflexión filoniana la dignidad del libro inspirado lleva a priorizar ‘lo que el texto dice’, de manera que ‘el texto no se discute, se interpreta’. Platón, por su parte, considera que la hermenéutica no puede detenerse ante la canonización de un libro, sino que ha de incorporar previamente el conocimiento y discusión del correlato externo al que un texto se refiere. En este trabajo se defiende que, contra lo que inicialmente podría parecer, ambos modelos no presentan, sin embargo, una disrupción sustancial.
La refutación cartesiana del escéptico y del ateo. Tres hitos de su significado y alcance
Authors: González Rodrigo
Published: April 2017

en este artículo argumento que, pese al llamado “escepticismo cartesiano”, el significado y alcance de la refutación cartesiana del escéptico y del ateo pueden comprenderse a la luz de tres hitos metafísicos. En la primera sección examino de qué forma este filósofo emplea argumentos escépticos como método, no como fin. Tal como enfatizo, el cogito es el punto en que la duda hiperbólica debe detenerse. Luego, en la segunda sección, discuto por qué Descartes es contrario al fideísmo. Debido a que este se relaciona con el escepticismo, y con la imposibilidad de probar la existencia de Dios, Descartes prueba que Él existe. Sostengo, en la sección final, que Dios es garante de la certeza epistemológica, incluso en el caso de las ideas claras y distintas, cuya confiabilidad pareciera en peligro debido a la hipótesis escéptica del genio maligno. Según el francés, entonces, probar que Dios existe es necesario para garantizar el conocimiento cierto, y es base para inferir la existencia del mundo externo. Los tres hitos, entonces, parecen suficientes para delimitar el sentido y alcance del llamado escepticismo cartesiano.
El Nacionalsocialismo de Heidegger o el abandono de las cosas mismas
Authors: Johnson Felipe
Published: April 2017

Este artículo problematiza la relación de Heidegger con el Nacionalsocialismo para discutir cómo es que ella se gesta desde una ceguera en su propio pensar. Atendiendo a sus Cuadernos Negros, en especial al volumen referente a los años 30, se analizará la posición crítica de Heidegger a Ser y Tiempo y las nuevas tendencias en su pensar para entender el horizonte comprensivo en el que éste asume posturas políticas fácticas como rector de la Universidad de Freiburg. Así, se mostrará que tanto su planteamiento filosófico como sus posturas políticas obedecen a un único horizonte de problemáticas: el tiempo y su traducción histórico-política en tanto que destino. Desde esta primacía del tiempo, indagaremos cómo la filosofía heideggeriana es conducida a un descuido de lo inmediato. Así es como esta labilidad será comprendida como el motivo por el cual dicho pensamiento, en los Cuadernos Negros, se anula a sí mismo en cuanto filosofía.
Challenges of access to water and sanitation for sustaining health: A case study from South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India
Authors: Sehgal Meena , Gautam Sumit Kumar , Bajaj Priyanka , Guha Mayukhmala , Pandey Suneel
Published: April 2017

The present study attempts to determine the access to clean water and sanitation essential for sustaining health. It attempts to identify socio-economic factors which influence access to clean water within the community. The absence of water-on- premises in a water abundant area of West Bengal, India showcases some of the challenges in progressing on Sustainable Development Goal-3.Eight villages were included in the study and a total of 597 households were enrolled for the study from 8000 households in the villages. The study includes descriptive analysis of water access and sanitation parameters, and regression analysis of socio-economic determinants of exposure. The results reveal that nearly half of the respondents belonged to Above Poverty Line (APL) while 42.71% were under Below Poverty Line (BPL). Although majority of the household had access to an improved source of water for drinking,  77.89 % of the households were using pond water for bathing, washing clothes, utensils and toilet and nearly 37% of households did not have any toilet facility. Regression analysis of use of pond water indicates that people living in mud huts (kutcha houses) and from religious minority groups were more likely to use ponds for washing utensils, clothes, bathing and defecated in open fields and use unimproved sources for drinking water.  The study asserts the need to develop community level preventive measures such as access to clean water for personal and domestic use and sanitation facilities to protect health.
Indoor environmental quality case study
Authors: Salem Lamya
Published: April 2017

The office environment has a tremendous impact on employees’ health, productivity and well-being. Considering the fact that employees stay in their offices for a prolonged time, which can extend to more than ten hours in many cases, the office indoor environmental quality (IEQ) can either cause serious health issues or restore the employee's health. Similar to green building rating systems, WELL® Standards have been established to focus solely on the indoor environmental quality. A case study was conducted for a selected office space to assess the office IEQ against WELL® Standards and evaluate the office performance under different WELL® Concepts. For this purpose, a survey was first conducted for the employees in the space under study. This was followed by obtaining actual measurements for the current indoor environment, investigating possible improvements and applying the appropriate improvements. After applying those improvements, the space was reassessed against WELL® Concepts and another survey was conducted to finalize a case study for indoor environmental quality.
Qatar's low-density sustainable neighborhoods
Authors: Al-thani Sheikh Soud
Published: April 2017

To date, much research has postulated that a city needs to be “compact” to be sustainable, and the supporting evidence has largely focused on energy efficiency especially obtained from public transportation efficiencies. However, recently, a counter proposal has emerged, stressing the importance of livability and that low density cities may be preferable in this respect. Doha is a low-density city. In this study, we examine how sustainable neighborhoods can create a low-density city by configuring to achieve livable communities that are both desirable and energy efficient. The findings of the literature review are examined with the aim of exploring the possibility of Doha becoming a fully sustainable city, and thus design concepts can be proposed.
A smart city at your finger tips
Authors: Dwyer Elisa
Published: April 2017

The majority of modern urban developments are designed to be sustainable and smart. Lusail City is one of the world's largest urban development projects. Located in the north of Qatar's capital Doha, it will be home to 250,000 people once completed. A project of this size means substantial challenges in planning and coordinating the design, construction and operation to create an environment with enhanced quality of life and sustainable living. Therefore, it is vital to have a structured and consistent knowledge collection and information base. The base of a sustainable and smart city is the utilization of that knowledge and information. 3D asset management enables the utilization of information from all project phases and the management of the entire project life cycle. Mobile viewers are used to facilitate the cooperation, communication and data collection on-site in real time. Equipped with GIS, the mobile viewers deliver any location-enriched data, from any place, at any time. During the presentation, we will aim to cover the following topics: (1) reaching required goals to be a sustainable and smart city; (2) defining data standards; (3) data collection; (4) implementing intelligent software solutions. Towards the end of the presentation, we will showcase the potential outcome by using a clearly structured information base. HOCHTIEF ViCon is the leading service provider and consultant for virtual construction and Building Information Modeling (BIM). According to our principle “build digitally first”, we advise and assist our clients in the use of intelligent 3D computer models in order to minimize risks early on, communicate effectively, and save cost. We have gained experience on more than 450 projects in Europe, MENA, Americas, and Australia.
Evaluation of salt tolerance in selected Qatari halophytes at the two initial growth stages
Authors: Alhaddad Fedae A. , Abu-Dieyeh Mohammed H.
Published: April 2017

Scarcity of water and availability of land for agricultural production are the most environmental issues that facing the (GCC) countries and Qatar one of them. Qatar lies in region which characterized by having high evaporation rate and minimum rate of precipitation, so the salt built on the soil in relatively high concentration. The natural vegetation of Qatar is scarce, scattered and limited to certain areas. Halophytes could play a major role to minimize adverse environmental impacts, such as global warming and the enhancement of primary productivity. The present study is kind of the first in screening for local halophytes to quantify their level of tolerance to saline environment. The outcome of this research is expected to serve future research in investigating halophyte economical values and their utilization of the salt effected lands in coastal and in inland areas of Qatar. Seven treatment levels of different concentrations of NaCl including the control treatment (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mM NaCl) were used to evaluate both seed germination stage and seedling growth of selected Qatari halophytes. Eight halophyte species were selected for the seed germination experiment those are: Salsola setifera, Halopeplis perfoliata, Caroxylon imbricatum, Suaeda aegyptiaca, Acacia tortilis, Limonium axillare, Tetraena qatarensis and Aeluropus lagopoides. In general the seed germination experiments showed a decrease in the rate of germination as the salt concentration increased. Most of the studied species had a degree of germination up to 200 mM NaCl. The recovery of seeds subjected to high salt concentration have shown a rapid high percentage recovery up to 94% after being subjected to 600 mM NaCl for Halopeplis perfoliata. Five halophytes species were selected to be used for the seedling growth experiments. The two measured parameters used to evaluate the effect of salt concentrations on seedling growth are plant height and dry weight (biomass) for both above and belowground parts. The obtained results from all measured parameters showed no significant differences among seedlings of Caroxylon imbricatum, Suaeda aegyptiaca and Tetraena qatarensis. In respect to different salinity concentrations, Our results indicated that future utilizing of these plants for any commercial product will be valuable to secure drinking water and food in Qatar.
Qatar University culture collection: A source of biodiversity and numerous applications
Authors: Al Ghazal Ghamza , Bounnit Touria , Al Muraikhi Mariam , Rasheed Rihab , Dalgamouni Tasneem , Saadaoui Imen , Al Jabri Hareb
Published: April 2017

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that can grow in different environments (sea water, fresh water, waste water soil, rocks….) and under various conditions (Light, pH, temperature, salinity….). During their phases of growth, they produce a variety of metabolites such as lipids, proteins and carbohydrates in large amounts over a short period of time. These metabolites can be processed into both biofuels and other useful bioproducts. Microalgal lipids can be converted to biodiesel via process called transesterification. The use of biodiesel will decrease the emission of harmful gases, which can help in reducing the greenhouse effects and global warming. It is nontoxic, biodegradable and has the potential to replace the conventional diesel fuel. The isolation of autochthonous microalgae, with high lipid-contents and biomass productivities, is a crucial aspect of the development of commercial production of microalgae-based biodiesel as well as food security. This is especially important for deployments in climates such as are found in Qatar, a peninsula in the west Arabian Gulf, which is characterized by an extreme desert climate. 53 autochthonous strains of microalgae were isolated from various freshwater, marine and terrestrial environments in Qatar that led to the establishment of the Qatar University Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae (QUCCCM). Strains were identified via ribotyping and characterized in terms of growth rate and lipid production. The molecular identification of the isolated strains showed a biodiversity and 13 different known genera were identified. Among them, Chlorella is the most abundant freshwater known genus (22.64%), followed by Chlorocystis (13.21%). Growth rate study evidenced a thermo and halotolerant Nannochloris isolate QUCCCM31. The strain is able to tolerate 45°C and wide salinity range 35–100 ppt. Determination of lipid content and lipid profiling indicated the presence of promising strains for biodiesel production such as Nannochloris sp. (strain QUCCCM31) with a promising FAME profile for biodiesel production. This study proved a biodiversity inside the Qatar University Culture collection with strains having different applications such as Biofuel as an environmental friendly alternative to the fossil fuel, and/or source of food and feed.
تأثير المكتبات الجامعية في الإعتماد المؤسسي
Authors: محيي الدين حسانة , عواد محمود
Published: April 2017

إن الجامعات في العالم حالياً في سباق مع الزمن للحصول على الإعتماد المؤسسي والإعتماد الأكاديمي، حيث يعتبر الإعتماد الفيصل في تقرير مستوى الجامعة وطلابها. سوف تتناول هذه الدراسة أهمية الإعتماد بالنسبة للجامعات، مؤسسات الإعتماد الدولية، العناصر والشروط المطلوبة من الجامعات للحصول على الإعتماد المؤسسي والتي تعتبر في هذا الإطار المكتبة الجامعية إحدى أهم الشروط للحصول على الإعتماد.

وعليه، سوف يتم أيضاً تناول جامعة بيروت العربية كدراسة حالة، حيث أنها حصلت على الإعتماد المؤسسي في العام 2015 من مؤسسة الإعتماد الأكاديمي الدولية الألمانيةFIBAA ، وسوف يتم عرض الخطوات كافة التي سارت بها المكتبة لمساعدة مؤسستها الأم جامعة بيروت العربية للوصول إلى الإعتماد.
معايير ضبط الجودة في المكتبات الأكاديمية بجامعة السلطان قابوس
Authors: بنت سعود البداعية شيماء , بن سيف العوفي علي , بن زهران الحجي خلفان
Published: April 2017

هدفت الدراسة إلى التعرف على مدى تطبيق معايير ضبط الجودة في المكتبات الأكاديمية بجامعة السلطان قابوس وذلك بالاستناد على معايير مكتبات التعليم العالي ومؤشرات دوبي Dube، بالإضافة إلى الكشف عن الصعوبات التي تحد من تطبيق تلك المعايير. اعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج المزجي، واستخدمت الإستبانة كأداة لجمع البيانات الكمية من مجتمع الدراسة البالغ عددهم 109 موظفا، بينما استخدمت المقابلة الشفوية شبه المقيدة كأداة تكميلية للحصول على بيانات مفصلة ومتعمقة في موضوع الدراسة. بلغ عدد الاستبانات الصالحة للتحليل 85 استبانة، في حين استخدم التحليل الموضوعي (Thematic Analysis) لتحليل البيانات النوعية. ومن أهم النتائج التي توصلت إليها الدراسة ما يلي:

١. كشفت الدراسة عن وجود تطبيق عالٍ إلى متوسط لمعايير ضبط الجودة في المكتبات الأكاديمية بالجامعة، إذ حصل معيار الدور التعليمي على أعلى درجة موافقة في تطبيقه وبلغ متوسطه الحسابي 4.10، في حين حصل معيار البنية الأساسية والمرافق على أدنى درجة موافقة في تطبيقه وبلغ متوسطه الحسابي 3.37.

٢. أظهرت النتائج فروقا ذات دلالة إحصائية عند مستوى الدلالة = 0.05 α تبعا لمتغير الخبرة في محور معيار خدمات المعلومات ولصالح ذوي الخبرات التي تفوق 15 سنة.

٣. أفاد 75% من العاملين في المكتبات الأكاديمية بالجامعة إلى وجود صعوبات إدارية، ومالية، وتقنية، ولغوية تحد من تطبيقهم لمعايير ضبط الجودة.

خرجت الدراسة بمجموعة من التوصيات أهمها تأسيس لجنة مختصة بضبط الجودة في المكتبة مهمتها تهيئة المناخ التنظيمي المناسب لتطبيق الجودة، والإشراف على تنفيذ عملياتها، وحل الصعوبات التي تعترض تطبيقها.
تأثير تطبيق معايير الأمن الدولية للمعلومات في الرقمنة على جودة وأمن المعلومات في المكتبات: مركز التميز للخدمات الجامعية حالة دراسية
Authors: الخلايلة مهند , علاونة أفنان
Published: April 2017

فرض التطور الكبير في علم المكتبات وارتباطه بتكنولوجيا المعلومات من دخول بعض المصطلحات إلى المكتبات التقليدية من أجل تحويلها إلى مكتبات إلكترونية و الوصول إلى مكتبات بلا جدران، ومن هذه المصطلحات رقمنة المعلومات والتي تعتبر الآن من أهم التوجهات التي تسير المكتبات من خلالها نحو إيجاد مجتمع معرفي إلكتروني، وإتاحته بين أيدي الباحثين وتسهيل الوصول الى المعلومات. ومن ناحية أخرى فإن نشر المحتوى المعرفي للمكتبات بعد رقمنته، يعد خطوة تواجه العديد من التحديات في مجال جودة وأمن المعلومات من حقوق ملكية، والحفاظ على الناتج الرقمي الخاص بالمكتبات.

يقوم هذا البحث بتسليط الضوء على سياسات الرقمنة في مركز التميز الذي يجمع المكتبات الجامعية العشر للجامعات الحكومية، في قاعدة بيانات واحدة وضمن سياسات موحدة للرقمنة وقواعد البيانات الالكترونية ونظام الفهرسة الموحد. وتبحث الدراسة الى مدى تراعي هذه السياسيات معايير الأمن للمعلومات والى أي حد يؤثر تطبيق هذه المعايير على جودة هذه المعلومات والبيانات وأمنها، خصوصاً أنها تعتبر منصة مشتركة بين الجامعات الحكومية العشر في الأردن. وسيتناول البحث من ناحية أخرى، مدى تأثير تطبيق الحوسبة السحابية كتكنولوجيا مستخدمة حاليا في الرقمنة وتخزين المعلومات على أمنها وجودتها في عينة الدراسة نفسها.

يستخدم البحث أداة الاستبيان لجمع المعلومات وبرنامج التحليل الاحصائي (SPSS)، لتحليل البيانات والوصول الى النتائج.
As diferenças e as semelhanças entre o Fundo Soberano do Brasil e os fundos soberanos internacionalmente consagrados.
Authors: Fialho Jayme Luiz Gomes , Melo Alfredo Alves de Oliveira
Published: April 2017

Em dezembro de 2008, foi criado o Fundo Soberano do Brasil (FSB) com aporte inicial de R$14,2 bilhões. Este artigo analisa as diferenças e as semelhanças entre o FSB e os conceitos internacionalmente consagrados para os Fundos Soberanos. Para tal, são identificadas as principais características dos Fundos Soberanos e, em seguida, do FSB. Num momento posterior, as características identificadas são confrontadas a fim de verificar se o FSB é aderente às boas práticas internacionais.
The significance of the interconnection of second-level cooperatives and their peer-associated cooperatives for productivity growth
Authors: Martínez-Victoria María , Maté-Sánchez-Val MariLuz , Arcas-Lario Narciso
Published: April 2017

Cooperatives are especially important in current agri-food markets. These companies have responded to the current demand requirements with greater market orientation strategies to attract and satisfy customers. To do so, cooperatives have adopted different collaboration alternatives. In Spain, the most common alliance between cooperatives is materialised in second-level cooperatives, which are cooperatives integrated by at least two first-level cooperatives. The aim of this study was to analyse the interaction effects between first- and second level agri-food cooperatives on their productive growth and its components. To get this purpose, a Cobb-Douglas specification with spatial econometrics techniques was applied to evaluate this relationship. We included a spatial connectivity matrix to establish the interconnection among cooperatives of first- and second-level. Our results show a positive interaction effect highlighting the importance of these alliances on the productivity growth in the agri-food sector. The scarce amount of empirical papers explaining how second-level cooperatives influence the performance of first-level cooperatives shows the relevance of our study.
Alpha-tocopherol improves frozen-thawed sperm quality by reducing hydrogen peroxide during cryopreservation of bull semen
Authors: Motemani Mona , Chamani Mohammad , Sharafi Mohsen , Masoudi Reza
Published: April 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of α-tocopherol in cryopreservation media on the bull sperm quality after thawing. Semen samples were collected from six Holstein bulls using artificial vagina twice a week. Semen samples were pooled to eliminate individual differences and then divided into four equal parts for freezing with extenders containing different concentrations of α-tocopherol according to experimental groups as follows: 0 (control), 1.2 mM (E1), 2.4 mM (E2) and 4.8 mM (E4). Motion characteristics, viability, plasma membrane functionality, lipid peroxidation and H2O2 status were determined after thawing. Results showed that malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly lower in E4 (6.1±0.6 nmol/mL) than E1 and E2 extenders (8.1±0.6 nmol/mL and 8±0.6 nmol/mL, respectively). Also, the lowest significant concentration of H2O2 was observed in E4 (3.2±0.13 nmol/mL) compared to E1 (4 ±0.1 nmol/mL), E2 (5.3± 0.1 nmol/mL) and control (6.7±0.1 nmol/mL). Moreover, E2 and E4 produced the highest significant motility (74.2±1.6%, 75.9±1.6%), viability (78.2±1.8%, 76.1±1.8%) and membrane functionality (73±1.6%, 70.5±1.6%) compared to other groups. It can be concluded that α-tocopherol at the concentration of 4.8 mM can be an efficient antioxidant additive in Bioxcell extender for cryopreservation of bull semen.
A Study of the Correlation of the Improvement of Teaching Evaluation Scores Based on Student Performance Grades
Authors: Chen Chi Yuan , Wang Shu-Yin , Yang Yi-Fang
Published: April 2017

The purpose of the study is to explore the influence of teaching evaluations on teachers in that they might try to please their students by giving higher grades in order to get higher teaching evaluation scores. To achieve this purpose, the study analyzed the correlations between teaching evaluation scores, student’s final grades and course fail rates, and it also examined whether students’ final scores and course fail rates are important predictors of teaching evaluation scores. The study used teaching evaluation scores and students’ final grades of the courses offered in the fall term of academic year 2014 and the spring term of academic year 2015 in one university in Taiwan as research samples. The results showed that both student’s final grades and course fail rates are predictors of teaching evaluation scores. There is a positive correlation between teaching evaluation scores and students’ final grades, and a negative correlation between teaching evaluation scores and course fail rates. Based on the findings, the study inferred that the implementation of teaching evaluations may influence teachers to give better grades and lower course requirements to please their students in order to get higher teaching evaluation scores.
A Longitudinal Examination of Parenting Influences and School Engagement among African American and Latino Male Youth
Authors: Leatherwood Darnell , Voisin Dexter R.
Published: April 2017

Some racial minority males lag behind their White counterparts with regards to school engagement. However, few studies have examined this association longitudinally nor explored whether such a relationship might be mediated by youths’ own educational aspirations. Therefore, both considerations are addressed in this study. Among a sample of 226 African American and Latino male youth and their caregivers, measures were assessed for parenting influences (i.e., monitoring, discipline, educational, economic and life aspirations), youth educational aspirations, and school engagement (i.e., motivation and attainment). Parents’ education and life aspirations for their sons and the youths’ educational attainment were positively and significantly related. Moreover, the relationship between parents’ educational and life aspirations and academic engagement (i.e., school motivation and educational attainment) were mediated by youths’ educational aspirations. Implications for promoting the school  engagement of these youth are discussed based on these findings.
How Big Is the Prize Money Gap? - Analysis of Prize Money in 2016 Grand Slam Tournaments
Authors: Svoboda Martin , Rakovská Zuzana
Published: April 2017

Since 2007 all Grand Slam tournaments have offered equal prize money for male and female tennis players. Although men and women are paid equally in Grand Slams they still play a different number of best-of sets – men play best-of-five set matches while women play best-of-three set matches. Those two competing circumstances created a financial gap in prize money paid to women and men for the unit of effort in a tennis play – for a game. The present paper estimates this financial gap for 2016 Grand Slam tournaments. Moreover, it demonstrates the nominal magnitude of this gap and its effect on year-to-year increasing prize money that are paid to winners. The results showed that women on average obtained 60% more prize money for a game played than men in all four 2016 Grand Slams.
Two new species of Willowsia (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Chai Rui , Ma Yitong
Published: April 2017

We describe two new species of Willowsia: W. baoshanensis sp. nov. and W. zhaotongensis sp. nov. This is the first report of Willowsia from Yunnan Province, China. W. baoshanensis sp. nov. is mainly characterized by its chaetotaxy, W. zhaotongensis sp. nov. by its color pattern and chaetotaxy.