bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitating Knowledge Sharing on Social Media for Students of International Relations and Conflict Studies in Nigeria
Authors: Okolie-Osemene James
Published: November 2019

This chapter has examined ways of facilitating knowledge sharing for the benefit of students of international relations and conflict studies in Nigerian universities. It is evident that tertiary institutions' students of the 21st Century cannot study now without the use of social media which serves as a platform for information sharing and knowledge production. It is a medium through which knowledge is transferred to users by think tanks and organisations across the world. Given that not only students benefit, people from all walks of life are not also left out as social networks record large number of users daily. This explains how social media serves as data bank for scholars and why students now need to continuously search to find related materials on social media. Using qualitative data the author used observation method in the classroom setting in the University of Ibadan and Wellspring University, Benin City, Nigeria. It should be stated that the type of digital device used by students can as well determine their level of access to the social media in Nigeria. Observations show that social media is very relevant for students especially in the study and teaching of international relations and conflict studies given the number of global courses like new states in world politics, democracy and human rights, post-cold war politics, global refugee regimes, international law problems of peacemaking and peacekeeping, among others which all generate issues on daily basis that need to be shared as relevant academic materials for among students.
Immigrant and Refugee Children in the United States
Authors: Lemoine Pamela , Richardson Michael D.
Published: November 2019

Since 2014 America has seen increasingly large numbers of poor, immigrant refugee children, often unaccompanied, arrive in the United States. By 2016, 26% of the 70 million children in the U.S. under 18 were immigrant children. States with high numbers of immigrants with children, many illegal and undocumented and often living in the care of non-family members, attend schools in the United States. In 1982, the Supreme Court in Plyler v. Doe recognized the right of all students, regardless of immigration status, to have a free public education affirming a state may not deny access to a basic public education to any child residing in the state whether present in the United States legally or otherwise. Educators face issues with under-resourced schools gaining increasing numbers of immigrant children of undocumented immigrants while there is a need to enhance opportunities for all students to learn.
The Effect of Public Service Motivation at Individual, Group, and Organisational Levels of Citizenship Behaviour
Authors: Cheng Kuo-Tai , Chang Yuan-Chieh , Lee Changyen
Published: November 2019

This study conceptualizes and empirically investigates how dimensions of public service motivation affect perceived citizenship behaviour in the context of government-owned utilities. This study used a large-scale questionnaire survey from four utility sectors in Taiwan (N = 1,087). The emergent model suggests that compassion (COM) and self-sacrifice (SS) affect the perceived effectiveness of individual-level Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB). Commitment to the Public Interest (CPI) and Attraction to Public Policy making (APP) affect perceived effectiveness of OCB at the group and organisational levels, respectively. The results support the expected contribution of OCB, from the individual to the group levels, and from the group level to the organisational level. Public utility managers should strive to improve employee attitudes and motivation towards greater levels of OCB.
Acknowledgement to reviewers
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: November 2019

No abstract available.
Instagram como red de promoción e hipermediación del turismo rural: el caso de Aldeias Históricas
Authors: Martínez-Rolán Xabier , Tymoshchuk Oksana , Piñero-Otero Teresa , Renó Denis
Published: November 2019

Los cambios en el ecosistema mediático han provocado transformaciones en los lenguajescomunicacionales, ahora en espacios imagéticos como el Instagram, incluso fortaleciendo lahipermediación proporcionada por las redes sociales. El artículo presenta una investigación métricasobre la utilización del Instragram por la iniciativa portuguesa Aldeias Históricas en búsqueda depromoción turística de la región. Para la investigación, se ha adoptada la herramienta InstaBro, queofreció informaciones para un análisis de carácter cuantitativo, pero también una interpretacióncualitativa. Los resultados ofrecen informaciones hacia la importancia de la hipermediación enprocesos de promoción del turismo rural a través de la comunicación digital
El Hotel Atracttion de New York un proyecto inventado y atribuido a Gaudí
Authors: Gueilburt Luis
Published: November 2019

El mito de Gaudí necesita del fuego que alimente las insaciables carencias de los que buscan demostrar su “genialidad” a costa de cualquier cosa.
La arquitectura efímera de los kioscos para la música: memoria histórico-gráfica del templete de la plaza “Carlos Navarro Rodrigo” de Alicante
Authors: Pérez del Hoyo Raquel , Ferreiro Prieto Juan Ignacio
Published: November 2019

Gran número de construcciones temporales del pasado se han mantenido hasta nuestros tiempos, evolucionando desde la motivación religioso-festiva o político-representativa hacia la función simbólica o referencial. Otras, sin embargo, han llegado a desaparecer tras décadas de abandono, como es el caso del Templete de Benalúa que documenta este artículo, fruto de las investigaciones realizadas principalmente en el Archivo Histórico Municipal de Alicante, con el fin de contribuir a subsanar, de forma científica y crítica, el vacío documental que antecedió la demolición de esta importante construcción. La investigación que se presenta muestra la siguiente información recopilada durante la realización del estudio: estado actual de los estudios tipológicos de los kioscos para la música; descripción del contexto socio-cultural y urbano alicantino de la época; memoria histórico-gráfica del Templete de Benalúa; construcción (1911) y reparación (1926); funciones, actividades y usos desarrollados en el mismo en las décadas previas a su demolición (1965).
Jazz zingen, hoe doe je dat? Stijl, klank en stemgebruik in Vocal Jazz / Singing jazz: how do you go about that? Style, sound and the use of voice in Vocal Jazz
Authors: Van Opstal Katrien
Published: November 2019

Jazz zingen, hoe doe je dat? Letterlijk. Tot enkele jaren terug was het vormen en kiezen van mijn klank gebaseerd op luisteren, imitatie en intuïtie. Vaak had ik het gevoel dat mijn klank voor een groot stuk afhing van toeval. Maar toen leerde ik mijn stem begrijpen, voelen en kennen. Vele jazzvocalisten zijn gretig op zoek naar antwoorden rond stemgebruik binnen jazz. Het combineren van spectrografie en anatomie verschaft helderheid.
Evolution of Behavior, Uncertainty, and the Difficulty of Predicting Labor Force Participation
Authors: Higgins Patrick , Hotchkiss Julie L , Terry Ellyn
Published: November 2019

This paper demonstrates the difficulty of forecasting labor force participation (LFP) rates by showing that a random walk does just as well as select sophisticated econometric models in predicting short-term aggregate LFP. Most efforts to improve forecasts of LFP focus on fine-tuning predictions of determinants (i.e., demographics and labor market conditions). However, we show that even perfect knowledge of future demographic trends and labor market conditions is not enough to overcome the additional difficulty posed by changes in behavior over time. Behavior in this paper refers to the way in which demographics and labor market conditions impact labor supply decisions (i.e., parameter coefficients).
Modeling the life cycle of echinoderm larvae clones
Authors: Ebert Thomas A , Janies Daniel A
Published: November 2019

Larval cloning occurs in echinoderm species and has been viewed as possibly adaptive. A species of Oreaster currently being described has linked a rare benthic stage with common planktonic larvae that clone, and this calls attention to questions in life stage linkages. Life cycle
analysis shows that there are unresolved problems in our understanding of the dynamics of species with cloning larvae, in particular their survival and duration in the plankton. Possible solutions are (1) benthic adults that are rare are also very long-lived or (2) survival in the plankton
is much higher than has been reported.
In Addition to Death: Maria and Monongah’s Aftermath
Authors: Tropea Joseph L.
Published: November 2019

This article identifies the social and cognitive norms that degraded the value of a largely descriptive mining literature by examining the aftermath of the 1907 Monongah explosions and the experiences of a transnational migrant, Maria. The literature treated death as only a physical reality, not a social construction, and recovery as procedural, not causal, and emotions relegated to death, not shaped by other ordeals, while neglecting women’s experiences in exploring aftermath organization and its consequences. This work uses primary sources and substantiated memories to illustrate how covert recovery of dead miners made horrors beyond death, rational administration of relief made distributions seem arbitrary, and how tortured memories helped corroborate the recovery’s covert operations. Findings show not only relations between aftermath organization and intimate sorrows of a widow but also how biography expands the frames of time, action, and consequence. Maria’s life also demonstrates the importance of language, culture, and character in exploring disasters. Though an ordinary and imperfect woman, Maria affirms the importance of gender in exploring the intricacies of social organization and social history. This work also—and unexpectedly—confirms the importance of time, particularly when a disaster-related and fatal consequence occurred almost two decades after the explosions.
Uma análise da política de educação ambiental da Bahia
Authors: Nascimento Regina Cláudia , Nogueira Eliane Maria de Souza , Ramos Paulo Roberto
Published: November 2019

O direito à Educação Ambiental (EA) está consagrado na Constituição Federal de 1988 e em leis infraconstitucionais, a exemplo da Lei 9795/99 que instituiu a Política Nacional de Educação Ambiental-PNAE, a qual serviu de referência para a criação da Lei 12.056/20011, responsável pela implementação da Política Estadual de Educação Ambiental da Bahia - PEEA/BA. O presente artigo visa fazer uma análise da PEEA/BA e de  seu  recente Decreto Regulamentar(DR) nº 19.083 de 07 de junho de 2019,  demonstrando as suas especificidades, com enfoque na Educação Ambiental Formal(EAF) e tecendo comentários à luz dos documentos oficiais  e da literatura da educação ambiental existente. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa documental e bibliográfica, abordando Leis, Programas Governamentais e Institucionais sobre a EA em nível mundial, nacional e estadual, com ênfase na PEEA/BA, livros e artigos científicos nas bases de dados Scielo, Google Acadêmico e Science Direct. Através desta pesquisa, percebeu-se a relevância e necessidade de se conhecer e fazer reflexões críticas sobre a Legislação que trata da Educação Ambiental da Bahia como um dos requisitos para que as suas  diretrizes e  metas  legalmente estabelecidas possam ser concretizadas.
Diagnóstico ambiental da bacia hidrográfica contribuinte do reservatório tanque grande, Guarulhos (SP), com base em macroinvertebrados bentônicos
Authors: Moraes Carolina Leite de , Saad Antônio Roberto , Azevedo Fernanda Dall'Ara , Rosini Edna Ferreira
Published: November 2019

Este estudo teve por objetivo analisar a qualidade da água do Reservatório Tanque Grande-Montante e sub-bacias de contribuição, por meio, da estrutura da comunidade de macroinvertebrados bentônicos. Foram obtidas amostras de água e amostras de macroinvertebrados em seis pontos de coleta distribuídos na bacia em dois períodos, sendo um seco (agosto/2017) e outro chuvoso (dezembro/2017). Para a água foram determinadas temperatura, pH, oxigênio dissolvido, turbidez, condutividade elétrica, fósforo total, nitrogênio total e E.coli. Foram coletados 1.516 organismos, sendo Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) os mais abundantes na maioria dos pontos amostrados. Os resultados indicam processo de degradação ambiental oriundo de atividades de piscicultura e agropecuárias, conforme corroborado pelas altas concentrações de DBO e E.coli na maioria dos pontos analisados. Apesar do ambiente estudado estar localizado na “Área de Proteção Ambiental Cabuçu Tanque Grande”, apresenta processos de degradação, indicando a necessidade de uma fiscalização mais rigorosa que evite a evolução das atividades antrópicas que contribuem para a degradação do ambiente.
Construyendo la resistencia profesional en un espacio educativo neoliberalizado
Authors: Luengo Navas Julián , Molina-Pérez Javier
Published: November 2019

El profesionalismo docente está reestructurándose como consecuencia de los procesos de neoliberalización. Este artículo estudia la recontextualización de las prácticas neoliberales en el sistema educativo andaluz y su influencia en elejercicio de la práctica docente. Es un estudio cualitativo que utiliza la entrevista semiestructurada en profundidad como técnica susceptible de análisis mediante la Teoría Fundamentada. Se han realizado diez entrevistas en cinco colegios públicos: un/a docente de sexto de primaria y el/la director/a en cada uno de los centros. Para el tratamiento y categorización de la información se ha utilizado el software cualitativo QSR NVivo 11. Los resultados evidencian la consolidación de prácticas de la Nueva Gestión Pública y la emergencia de acciones de resistencia a éstas. Destacan las políticas de gerencialismo, la competencia entre centros, la estandarización educativa y los principios de la cultura performativa como principales cambios que están modificando el profesionalismo docente. Estos cambios políticos están desprofesionalizando la docencia bajo directrices de instrumentalidad técnica y despolitización. Sin embargo, las actitudes de rechazo a esta desprofesionalización docente están generando nuevos espacios de resistencia mediante prácticas de reflexividad, la deconstrucción de discursos hegemónicos y el desarrollo de tareas orientadas a lograr mayor igualdad, equidad y justicia social.

Teacher professionalism is getting restructured as a consequence of the different neoliberalisation processes. This article focuses on the recontextualisation of neoliberal practices in the Andalusian educational system and its influence on teaching practices. It is a qualitative study that draws on Grounded Theory and obtains the data through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Ten interviews were conducted in five public schools with a Primary Year-Six teacher and the headmaster of each of the educational centres. For the treatment and categorisation of the information, the QSR NVivo 11 qualitative software was used. The results reveal the consolidation of New Public Management practices andthe emergence of resistance actions against these practices. Managerial policies, inter-school competitions, educational standardisation and the principles of performative culture are the main changes affecting teacher professionalism. These political changes are de-professionalizing teaching practices according to guidelines  of technical instrumentality and depoliticisation. However, rejection attitudes against this de-skilling of teachers are generating new spaces of resistance through reflective practices, the deconstruction of hegemonic discourses and the development of tasks aimed at achieving greater equality, equity and social justice.
Evaluation of patients treated for diabetic retinopathy: an analysis of the administrative databases of the Lazio Region
Authors: Mennini Francesco , Lombardozzi Lorella , Mecozzi Alessandra , Sciattella Paolo
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND: In Italy there are an estimated 4 million patients suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM). The most important ocular complication of DM is diabetic retinopathy (DR), which affects about one third of diabetic patients.AIMS: To identify, within the Lazio Region, the cohort of patients starting treatment for DME in the years 2010-2016 and calculating the annual cost of therapy; and to assess the appropriateness of the drugs prescribed.METHODS: From the Health Information System of the Lazio Region were identified all subjects who, in the 2010-2016 period, had received at least one prescription for dexamethasone intravitreal implant (i.i.) or intravitreal triamcinolone or ranibizumab or aflibercept or bevacizumab. For the cohort of users selected, the appropriateness of the treatment were evaluated calculating the number of administrations performed in the first four months of the index prescription and the number of administrations performed during the 12 months of treatment.RESULTS: In 2016, 7,265 patients in the Lazio Region received at least one prescription of ranibizumab (43.0%), aflibercept (37.5%) and dexamethasone i.i. (19.5%). Among the 3,416 patients naïve at 6 months, who started treatment in the 2013-2015 period and who did not switch to different drugs, 78.7% started treatment with ranibizumab, 16.0% with dexamethasone i.i. and 5.3% with aflibercept. The mean annual cost for the treatment of a patient with DME and naïve at 6 months was equal to € 2,388; a total cost for only the naïve patients selected in the 2013-2015 period is therefore estimated at approximately € 8.2 million. The average annual cost of dexamethasone i.i. treatment was € 1,497, lower than that of ranibizumab (€ 2,562) and aflibercept (€ 2,485). The expenditure for patients receiving less than 3 administrations of ranibizumab or aflibercept in the first 10 months of treatment was estimate equal to € 1.3 million.CONCLUSIONS: The administrations of dexamethasone i.i. are in line with what is indicated in the prescribing information, while for ranibizumab and aflibercept a potential under-use has been identified. A greater appropriateness of the drugs prescribed, accompanied by an optimal adherence to therapy, would strongly reduce the current waste of resources.
Basic Principles of the System of Social Services and Assistance
Authors: Peto Zhaklina , Bungo Tafa Genta , Xhoxhaj Altina
Published: November 2019

This paper deals with some basic principles as the key components for the establishment and functioning of the system of social protection and assistance. The paper analyzes the principles of universality, equality of possibilities, the right to benefit, partnership, transparency and impartiality, decentralization, independence, social integration and participation in the community life, non-discriminating and subventioning character of this system. Furthermore, the paper is based on a detailed analysis of the aforementioned principles, tending to point out the impact of each of them on this system, with reference to the supervision of distribution of the minimal assistance in favor of the benefiting subjects. Organization, functioning, administration and control over the social services and public assistance have been based on some crucial principles established by law.
Europe and the integration process
Authors: Shehu Arben
Published: November 2019

People in different country, may find that globalization and transnationalization of the nation also offer opportunities. Globalization in its literal sense is the process of transformation of local or regional phenomen into global ones. It can be described as a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society and function together. Supporters of free trade claim that it increases economic prosperity as well as opportunity, especially among developing nations. It also enhances civil liberties and leads to a more efficient allocation of resources. Economic theories of comparative advantage suggest that free trade leads to a more efficient allocation of resources, with all countries involved in the trade benefiting. In general, this leads to lower prices, more employment, higher output and a higher standard of living for those in developing countries. The EU represents one of the greatest experiments in political and economic history. For the first time nations have chosen to surrender aspects of their national sovereignty to a central body that has a responsibility to ensure that they act for the good not only of themselves but of other nations as well. All of us can be part of EU in every single moment by travelling without visas, using euro, making business or applying european law. The EU provides the first example of a truly supranational body where the ambitions of nations curbed by a need to co-operate in order to succeed. This body helped bringing incredible political and economic stability to Europe. I would like to underline the force of globalization movement and the Euro impact, which is now a fact against all arguments.
The Evolution of the Constitutional System in Albania
Authors: Alimehmeti Evis
Published: November 2019

This paper aims to introduce the readers with the standards of the Albanian constitutional provisions, as the keystone of the whole legal system of the country. As the basic document of the functioning of the state, the constitution is a reflection of the national aspirations of the respective society as expressed in the political, social and the legal system. This is especially true for the system of protection of human rights, since the guarantees against the violation of the basic rights of the individuals are usually an integral part of the constitution of a country. Upon the establishment of the new democratic regime in 1991, the entire Albanian legal system underwent substantial changes, which were the sine qua non of the reconstruction of the new social and political order. The constitutional provisions, as the supreme laws of the country and the basis of the political, legal and social structure, were the firsts to go through the process of reformation. In 1991 Albania adopted a constitutional regulation that was different to the previous one. This constitutional regulation, although not sufficient and adequate, guided the country for several years until the adoption of a proper Constitution in 1998. The paper focuses on the characteristics of the constitutional regulation in terms of human rights guarantees, status given to the international law in the domestic level, and particularly the range of local recourses available to the individuals in cases of violations of their rights. It also describes the main features of the judicial and executive system, as the principal authorities whose activity is directly related to the enforcement of the rights of individuals.
The status of the Civil Servant and Rules of Ethics in Public Administration efficacy in preserving the integrity of civil servants and preventing corruption: the case of Albania
Authors: Çani Met'hasani Eralda
Published: November 2019

Since several years already, a public law has been adopted in the Republic of Albania on the civil servants as well as their ethics in workplace. Integrity of civil servants and prevention of corruption are two key elements needed highly required from the latter aiming at serving the public interest at best. The legislation is a key measure to reach such a goal. This papers aims at assessing the efficacy of the two main laws, the status of civil service and rules of ethics for such a pursue and their consistency with best international practices of provisions of civil service legislation related to recruitment, promotion, job security, the independence and capacity of the body/bodies responsible for oversight, including OECD/SIGMA and Council of Europe recommendations. The paper presents several suggestions, according to which either the integrity of civil service recruitment should be better monitored or several legislation amendments are needed.
The Greek crisis effects on the Albanian economy
Authors: Durmishi Veronika , Gjini Valbona
Published: November 2019

The study of the effects of the crisis of Greece has a special significance for two reasons: The first the large number of Albanian immigrants in Greece, and second is the fact that Greek investments are in sectors of economy. The first part of the analysis has to do with the effects of immigrants on the Greek crisis, collapse of economic growth in Greece, increased unemployment and poverty, which affects the emigrants. The second part of the analysis is the impact of the crisis in the Greek banking system, which is analyzed in several aspects: the safety of deposits, the credit of the Albanian economy and the investment banking sector. The third part of the analysis concerns the reduction of foreign direct investment. Reduction of Greek investments in the banking and telecommunications will grow negative effects.
The Local Resources in Albania as Instruments to Increase the Autonomy of the Local Institutions
Authors: Mucollari Oriona
Published: November 2019

The current Albanian Constitution (1998) defines communes and municipalities (local governments) as the basic units of local governments. Local governments are legal entities and perform all the duties of self-government, with the exception of those that the law gives to other units. There are a total of 373 local governments units, consisting of 65 municipalities and 308 communes. While municipalities govern urban areas and the communes rural areas, there is no substantive legal distinction between them. The fiscal decentralization reform in Albania has addressed the issue of adequate local recourses proportional to the competences. The decentralization of functions were supported with an increase of financing opportunities either through the increase of transfers from the state budget or by adopting the new system of local taxes and fees, the latter one by providing total discretion to the local government in setting local tariff policies to cover the cost of their services. Unfunded mandates can represent a risk if not addressed in an appropriate manner. In this article we are going to discuss about the local resources as instruments to increase the autonomy of the local governments versus the resources from the central government. The balance between the resources from the central government and the local own revenue should be, as much as possible equal.
Respect for privacy from the Strasbourg perspective
Authors: Danaj Lorenc , Prifti Aleks
Published: November 2019

Following a general overview of the EHCR case of law and some of its distinctive features, this article focuses on explaining the meaning of ‘privacy’, and guaranteed as a fundamental right in light of Article 8 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, using as illustrations the verdicts of some cases judged by the institutions of Strasbourg. Certain paragraphs of the article address a series of issues, which according to the Court-referring to the images created by the Convention-cover a range , within which any individual may freely follow the development of their personality. The article also raises some questions, which the ECHR has often fully answered,or at least, indirectly implied. The author elaborates also on limits of privacy as foreseen by paragraph 2 of Article8, as well as on some obligations that the Convention assigns to its contracting State-Parties.
Changes while Implementing Law-reforms and Albania as a new EU candidate country
Authors: Danaj Lorenc
Published: November 2019

Obviously the study of this paper consists on identifying and why not in addressing the important factors underlying the bailiff office in Albania and changes in the form of organization, under the administrative and implementing reforms in law. The paper also introduces some changes in national law, private or state organizational form. The Bailiff Section in Albania serves two key roles as part of the Judiciary. Both roles help to ensure that justice is fairly administered and carry to its proper conclusion. The Bailiffs and their assistants serve summonses and other important legal documents on parties as required by a Court or Tribunal, or as requested by a person who is a party to litigation, as an instance, a court or tribunal sentence which parties are required to attend. Surely it cannot proceed unless there is proof that the parties concerned have had the summonses attending properly served on them in a specified way by law. The judicial power is one of the most important issues on the legal state. As stated in the Albanian constitution, one basic principle is: equality and control between governments. Our paper research will analyze the justice reforms in Albania; will analyze bailiff organizational management (private or state form).
Natur og bæredygtighed i daginstitutionen – pædagogik for bæredygtighed i praksis
Authors: Husted Mia , Frøkjær Thorleif
Published: November 2019

Artiklen præsenterer et længerevarende aktionsforskningsstudie med deltagelse af pædagogisk personale og børn i fem danske daginstitutioner, som udviklede nye bud på pædagogik for bæredygtighed. Dette implicerede åbne eksperimenter med at udvikle eksisterende naturaktiviteter til at møde den regulerede natur og åbne nye døre til verden uden for daginstitutionen. Studiet viser, at den mest dominerende form for pædagogik for bæredygtighed tog form af øko-venlige aktiviteter, som det pædagogiske personale relativt ubesværet arbejdede ind i deres praksis. Studiet indeholder endnu et bud på pædagogik for bæredygtighed, som tog form af øko-kritik. Denne form viste sig at indebære langt mere krævende, vanskelige og konfliktfyldte udfordringer, som angår spørgsmål til, hvordan pædagogisk praksis både kan åbne større og mere komplekse verdener med barnet og samtidig passe på barnets sind.Nøkkelord: aktionsforskning, bæredygtighed, natur, samfund
Technical Efficiency of Red Pepper Production: The Case of Dalocha, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Lagiso Degineh , Geta Endrias
Published: November 2019

Increasing the productivity of red pepper is important to meet the need of ever increasing population. However, farmers faced the problem of productivity due to the lack of knowledge on how to maximize level of output at a given level of inputs. The objective of this study was to assess the technical efficiency of red pepper production in Dalocha district of southern Ethiopia. Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier model was used to estimate the technical efficiency and its determinants in red pepper production. Maximum likelihood estimation results showed that increasing input variables (oxen power, seed, labor and fertilizer) would increase yield of red pepper. The discrepancy ratio,γ, which measures the relative deviation of output from the frontier level due to inefficiency was about 85 percent indicating that about 85% of variation in red pepper yield among the farmers was attributed to technical inefficiency effects. The mean technical efficiency of farmers was about 80%. The implication is that, there is an opportunity to improve technical efficiency among farmers on average by 20% through efficient use of inputs. Thus, it is possible to improve technical efficiency through utilizing available inputs wisely.
Antibacterial Activity of Floral Petals of Some Angiosperms
Authors: Rajanna L. , Kumar N. Santhosh , Suresha N. S. , Lavanya S.
Published: November 2019

The in vitro antibacterial assay was carried out against both Gram positive (B. cerus and S. aureus) and Gram negative (E. coli and K. pneumoniae) bacteria. Floral petals of 20 different species of plants were collected and tested for antibacterial activity. The result showed that the petals were active against both Gram positive and Gram negative. Out of 20 floral petals tested, 19 floral petals exhibited antibacterial activity against selected bacterial strains. The minimal inhibitory zone of floral petal discs against human pathogenic bacteria varies from 2 – 6 mm. Rosa carolina and Ruellia tuberosa showed significance inhibition zone for all the bacterial strains while Lantana camara does not show inhibition zone for any of these pathogenic bacteria.
Impact of Educational Weaning Knowledge and Practices of Parents and Guardians of Children under Two Years Old at the David Rose Health Centre
Authors: Bissessar Padmini , Adams Kenesha , Chin Gina , Chin Sheena , Garraway Paul , Alladin Bibi
Published: November 2019

Objectives: To assess the knowledge of weaning, of parents and guardians, of children under two-years-old, attending David Rose Health Centre.

To assess whether there is an association between selected demographic variables, and the weaning knowledge.

To educate the parents and guardians on the World Health Organisation recommended weaning practices.

To assess the change in knowledge of weaning after the delivery of an educational intervention.

Design and Methods: A prospective longitudinal study with repeated measures design obtained 120 participants using a convenient, non-probability sampling method. Data was collected using a pre-intervention and post-intervention questionnaire. The data was processed using the SPSS Version 24 Software Program and analysed with a scoring system developed by the researchers using the PAHO/WHO “Guiding Principles for Complementary Feeding of the Breastfed Child”.

Results: Both educational interventions increased the participants knowledge from good to almost 100%.

Conclusions: Most parents and guardians had good baseline knowledge. However, there were certain aspects where they lacked or had inaccurate knowledge. Overall, their knowledge improved regardless of the type of educational intervention they were exposed to.

Recommendations: Future studies should be held in classroom settings, with more time allowed to assess change of knowledge.
Mortality in Paediatric Medical Services over a Two-Year Period at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
Authors: Sanichar Rashma , Alladin Bibi
Published: November 2019

Objectives: To identify common causes and patterns of mortality and associated modifiable factors in Paediatric medical services, GPHC for 2016 and 2017.

Design and Methods: Descriptive, Cross-sectional retrospective study of all Paediatrics deaths for 2016 and 2017 from the Paediatrics Medical Ward and ICU at GPHC. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 23 for descriptive statistics.

Results: The Paediatrics Medical Ward saw 2419 admissions in 2016 and 2168 in 2017. There were 86 deaths recorded in the death registry during the two years, of which 57 deceased patient charts were reviewed, 29 charts (33.7%) were missing.

Of the 57 charts reviewed, 42.1% were males and 57.9% were females. The most common final diagnosis was bronchopneumonia/pneumonia (n=1 (22.8%), followed by sepsis (n= 12 (21.0%). This pattern was seen in both the general sample population and the patients ≤ 5 years. Some of the modifiable factors which showed clinical significance when compared with length of hospitalization were; lack of routine reviews on the ward (p value 0.016), poor documentation of consultation information on referral notes (p value 0.032) and poor or no pre-hospital treatment before transfer (p value 0.017).

Conclusions: Factors associated with mortality are mainly hospital-related and should, therefore, be given urgent attention for resolution which may reduce childhood mortality. In addition, the common causes of death are preventable and treatable respiratory and infectious diseases.

Recommendations: Develop referral, transfer and management protocols for critical patients. Sensitization of staff on modifiable factors to effect positive behavioural change.
Rates and Indication of Primary Caesarean Section at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
Authors: Rupan Rohini
Published: November 2019

Objective: To determine the rate and indication of primary caesarean deliveries at Georgetown public hospital and ascertaining changing trends after implementation of Obstetrics and gynaecology residency program.

Methods: A four-year retrospective chart review of patients who underwent primary caesarean sections for the years 2014-2017.

Results: A total of 5055 caesarean sections were performed in the years 2014-2017, these include both primary and secondary c-sections. In this total 2298 were primary caesarean sections representing a 45% of total c-sections. For the years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 the individual primary caesarean section rate was 7.06%, 7.42%, 11.23% and 11.53% respectively.

Conclusion: This study suggest that as the years advance the total number of deliveries increase and hence primary caesarean section rates. Also, the major indication for same is non reassuring fetal heart tracing as the years progressed.
The Relationship between Job Satisfaction and Absenteeism at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
Authors: Seepersaud Marisa , Singh Marissa , Rodrigues Chrisanne , Alonzo Keith
Published: November 2019

Objective: Job satisfaction is a major determinant of performance in the workplace. Studies have shown that job dissatisfaction can intensify emotional exhaustion, and this can influence nurses to perceive their work as tiresome and repetitive, leading to frustration and discouragement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between job satisfaction and absenteeism at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and to explore the parameters that may impact on job satisfaction among nurses in 3 different units (Paediatric High Dependency Unit (PHDU), ICU, Paediatric Medicine ward), at GPHC.

Methods: The study was a retrospective audit of the nurses’ timesheets of 3 departments at GPHC to determine the level of absenteeism among the various levels of nursing staff (RNS, NAs). The nurses of each unit were then given an anonymous Lickert job satisfaction survey to complete to ascertain the potential impact of various parameters on their level of satisfaction. The data was analysed to determine if there was any correlation between the level of job satisfaction and the level of absenteeism.

Results: The absent days of the PHDU was 48 (31 official sick leave) for 11 staff members (360 shifts).

The absent days on the ICU was 193 (51 official sick leave) for 27 staff members (540 shifts).

The absent days on the Paediatric Medicine ward was 323 (136) for 22 staff members (540 shifts).

The level of job satisfaction across most parameters related to supervision, support and teamwork was significantly better in the PHDU than the other two units. General parameters related to promotion and administrative support remained low among all 3 units.

Conclusions: The level of absenteeism was markedly lower in the PHDU when compared to the other two units. The majority of respondents were unsatisfied with conditions related to their jobs. The respondents from the PHDU displayed higher satisfaction than their counterparts in the ICU and Paeds med units.
Spectral Response of Eucalyptus saligna under Water Stress in Southern Brazil
Authors: Moura Melo Lorena de , Dos Santos Adriano Castelo , Arteiro da Silva Kardelan , Barbosa Uilian do Nascimento , De Sena Oliveira Géssyca Fernanda , Alba Elisiane , André Bellé Pierre , Monteiro Junior José Jorge , Araújo Silva Emanuel
Published: November 2019

The present work aims to assess the effect of water stress on the reflectance emitted by leaves of Eucalyptus saligna individuals. The design was completely randomized and the study comprised 30 subjects who underwent 5 cycles of drought simulation, 45 days each. Five individuals were submitted to water deficit treatment and five were used as controls, remaining in adequate water conditions. The experiment and data collection were performed in the external facilities of the forest management laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Which it comprised the period from September 2014 to April 2015. Spectral information was collected from 24-month-old tree individuals in adequate water and water stress situations by means of FieldSpec®3 spectroradiometer. Subsequently, the spectral data for the electromagnetic spectrum range from 400 nm to 1700 nm were processed and analyzed. The resulting spectral behavior varied between water stress cycles. In the 450 nm wavelength range, the reflectances ranged from 3.8% to 7.4%, at 550 nm from 7.9% to 14% and at 650 nm from 4.8% to 8.8%. In the near infrared region, in the 900 nm to 1300 nm range, the reflectances ranged from 28% to 62%. The spectral response of E. saligna showed minimal differences when compared to healthy green vegetation, even though it was exposed to water deficit situations. From the information obtained, this research can be used as a parameter for comparative analysis between species belonging to the genus Eucalyptus sp.
Tourists Perception Towards Tourist Satisfaction in Pangandaran Beach, West Java, Indonesia
Authors: Ratnasari Lisa , Hasibuan Bernard , Gusdini Ninin
Published: November 2019

Pangandaran Regency has quite diverse tourist destinations ranging from beach tourism, cave tourism, cultural tourism and others. Pangandaran Beach is one of the tourist destinations in the Regency of Pangandaran, West Java, from sources of the Tourism Office and Pangandaran Culture it can be seen that the level of tourist visits to Pangandaran Beach from 2016 to 2017 has decreased for international tourists while experiencing an increase for domestic tourists. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research aimed to determine the perceptions of tourists to improve the quality of management services in Pangandaran Beach tourist destination.

The method used is the servqual method and PGCV (Potential Gain Customer Value). The servqual method aims to see the service quality attributes that need to be improved and the PGCV method aims to complete the analysis results of servqual by determining the priority of improvements that must be done based on the PGCV index.

Based on the results of the analysis, there are 5 service quality attributes that need to be improved, such as attractions displayed, providing updated information about upcoming events, integrated information service center on children and lost items, sound notification of danger in the coastal area and the availability of integrated service posts around the beach.
Decision Support System on the Management of Coastal Ecotourism in Pramuka Island, Seribu Islands
Authors: Sulistyadi Kohar , Sukamdani Nugroho B.
Published: November 2019

Tourism activities are generally sought to increase the country’s foreign exchange, provide business opportunities, create employment opportunities and reduce unemployment. Coastal tourism is a part of the tourism activities related to the beauty of the beach panorama, sports tourism and environmental sustainability. In the industrial era 4.0, there has been a massive changes in science and technology known as the rapid disruptive movement of technology, causing many large companies to state bankruptcy and change the pattern of behavior of the current millennial generation. A lot of sectors, including tourism, which have so far been worked on by human labor, are being replaced by technology, robots or artificial intelligence. The development of tourism areas requires medium and long term of strategic studies and involves some elements including investors, transportation facilities, hotels, communication, etc. Given that the problems faced are so complex, dynamically changing at any time and faced with uncertainty (probabilistic), it needs to review whether the development of Integrated ecotourism management model in the Seribu Islands implements a system approach that is able to provide benefits and satisfaction of coastal tourism stakeholders. This study aimed to focus on developing the development of an integrated coastal tourism management model in the Seribu islands that was intended for ecotourism management consisting of several sub-models, namely: 1). prediction of tourist visits based on Forecasting and 2) Focus Group Discussion of coastal tourism actors based on the MAAMS method. The results of the discussion show that: 1) the tourist visits tend to increase, 2) some actors in the ecotourism are identified and 3) there is a solution for the roots of problem of coastal tourism that brings benefits to all actors.
Adsorbing and Activating N2 on Heterogeneous Au–Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for N2 Fixation
Authors: Zhang Jin , Ji Yujin , Wang Pengtang , Shao Qi , Li Youyong , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: November 2019

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is a promising approach to convert earth‐adundant N2 into highly value‐added NH3. Herein, it is demonstrated that the heterogeneous Au–Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) can be adopted as highly efficient catalysts for NRR. Due to the synergistic effect of the strong N2 fixation ability of Fe3O4 and the charge transfer capability of Au, the Au–Fe3O4 NPs show excellent performance with a high yield (NH3: 21.42 µg mgcat−1 h−1) and a favorable faradaic efficiency (NH3: 10.54%) at −0.2 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode), both of which are much better than those of the Au NPs, Fe3O4 NPs, as well as core@shell Au@Fe3O4 NPs. It also exhibits good stability with largely maintained performance after six cycles. The N2 temperature‐programmed desorption, surface valance band spectra, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy collectively confirm that Au–Fe3O4 NPs have a strong adsorption capacity for the reaction species and suitable surface structure for electronic transfer. The theoretical calculations reveal that Fe provides the active site to fix N2 into *N2H while introducing Au optimizes the adsorption of NRR intermediates, making the NRR pathway on Au–Fe3O4 along an energetic‐favorable process and enhancing the NRR.
Donut‐Shaped Stretchable Kirigami: Enabling Electronics to Integrate with the Deformable Muscle
Authors: Morikawa Yusuke , Yamagiwa Shota , Sawahata Hirohito , Numano Rika , Koida Kowa , Kawano Takeshi
Published: November 2019

Electronic devices used to record biological signals are important in neuroscience, brain–machine interfaces, and medical applications. Placing electronic devices below the skin surface and recording the muscle offers accurate and robust electromyography (EMG) recordings. The device stretchability and flexibility must be similar to the tissues to achieve an intimate integration of the electronic device with the biological tissues. However, conventional elastomer‐based EMG electrodes have a Young's modulus that is ≈20 times higher than that of muscle. In addition, these stretchable devices also have an issue of displacement on the tissue surface, thereby causing some challenges during accurate and robust EMG signal recordings. In general, devices with kirigami design solve the issue of the high Young's modulus of conventional EMG devices. In this study, donut‐shaped kirigami bioprobes are proposed to reduce the device displacement on the muscle surface. The fabricated devices are tested on an expanding balloon and they show no significant device (microelectrode) displacement. As the package, the fabricated device is embedded in a dissolvable material‐based scaffold for easy‐to‐use stretchable kirigami device in an animal experiment. Finally, the EMG signal recording capability and stability using the fabricated kirigami device is confirmed in in vivo experiments without significant device displacements.