bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roughness of the nuclear reactor pipe inner surface depending on the reactor operating time
Authors: Trofimov Maksim A. , Globa Ruslan A.
Published: December 2019

During operation of nuclear reactors, there are various factors that affect the nuclear plant piping leading to erosion of the pipe inner surface and an increase of its micro-relief (roughness). Metal corrosion occurs and spreads faster on a surface having a higher value of the roughness parameter. Failure through erosive wear of the parent metal takes place predominantly in the pipe bend area. The roughness of the pipe inner surface has a sizeable effect on the signal attenuation in the process of the pipe wall ultrasonic testing. Defective main pipeline segments were cut out during preventive repairs from which samples with different operating times were taken. Five defective pipe segments of the austenitic 12Kh18N10T grade steel cut out of a high-pressure reheater’s piping and five defective pipe segments of the perlite-class steel of grade 20, after different operating times, were used to determine experimentally the actual value of the pipe inner surface roughness. Besides, a piece of a new Ø273 × 12 pipe of the 12Kh18N10T steel and a piece of a Ø159 × 6 pipe of grade 20 steel were cut out. The inner surface roughness was measured for different segments. Dependences of the roughness value on the operating time and the pipe segment type have been obtained. Company specimens were fabricated with the inner surfaces having the roughness corresponding to various pipe operating times. This made it possible to take into account the influence of the inner surface roughness on the signal attenuation in the process of the weld integrity ultrasonic testing and during ultrasonic measurements of the weld adjacent zone grain size value following the weld repair.
A study on the kinetics of bismuth oxide reduction by hydrogen as applied to the technology of removing hydrogen from circulation circuits with heavy liquid metal coolants
Authors: Ivanov Igor I. , Shelemetyev Vasily M. , Askhadullin Radomir Sh.
Published: December 2019

As part of the project on developing methods for removing hydrogen and tritium from the circulation circuits of reactor plants with heavy liquid metal coolants, the authors studied the kinetics of bismuth oxide reduction by hydrogen in the temperature range of 425–500 °C and hydrogen concentrations of 25–100 vol.%. The kinetic characteristics of the test reaction were determined by continuous measurements of the water steam (reaction product) concentration in mixtures of hydrogen with helium that passed through a heated reaction vessel with a sample of bismuth oxide. The water steam concentration was measured by a thermal-conductivity detector. The obtained time dependences of the bismuth oxide reduction degree (with varying reaction conditions) were processed by the affine time transformation method. It was also found that the reduction process ran in kinetic mode. The reduction mechanism is the same in the entire temperature range. The limiting reaction stage is the adsorption of hydrogen on the surface of the bismuth oxide sample. The time dependence of the reduction degree is in good agreement with Avrami-Erofeev equation with n = 1. The reaction activation energy is 92.8 ± 1.9 kJ/mol. The reduction reaction rate is directly proportional to the concentration of hydrogen in its mixture with an inert gas.
Le tempérament de l’enfant d’âge scolaire : validation d’une version française du questionnaire de Rothart ( Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire )
Authors: Loquette Sabrina , Brun Philippe , Rovira Katia
Published: December 2019

L’intérêt des chercheurs et cliniciens se porte depuis de nombreuses années sur l’examen du tempérament chez l’enfant typique ou porteur de troubles émotionnels et/ou comportementaux. Or, les outils francophones permettant l’évaluation du tempérament chez l’enfant sont encore peu nombreux. Pour répondre à ce manque, nous présentant la validation d’une version française du Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire (TMCQ) de Rothbart. Ainsi, 391 parents d’enfants tout-venant âgés de six à dix ans ont été invités à caractériser le tempérament de leur enfant au moyen d’une version française du questionnaire (TMCQ VF ). Les résultats indiquent que les échelles du questionnaire ont une cohérence interne acceptable et qu’elles entretiennent toutes un lien significatif avec le score total. Les résultats de l’analyse factorielle exploratoire mettent en évidence une structure factorielle à 4 facteurs nommés Autorégulation, Ouverture/Engagement cognitif, Ouverture/Engagement corporel et socio-émotionnel, et Affectivité négative. Cette structure, jugée acceptable par une analyse factorielle confirmatoire, est proche de la structure originelle définie par Rothbart. Enfin, l’étude des différences tempéramentales en fonction du genre fait apparaître des résultats cohérents avec la littérature. En somme, les propriétés psychométriques du Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire version française, la richesse des situations quotidiennes décrites, sa facilité de complètement par le parent ainsi que sa capacité à décrire finement le tempérament de l’enfant d’âge scolaire font de ce questionnaire un outil très intéressant à utiliser dans les recherches sur le développement des enfants.
L’attachement aux parents et aux pairs chez les adolescents et adolescentes avec ou sans trouble du comportement
Authors: Therriault Danyka , Lemelin Jean-Pascal , Toupin Jean , Dery Michèle , Paquette Danielle
Published: December 2019

Plusieurs études montrent une relation entre l’insécurité d’attachement et les comportements extériorisés dee enfants et adolescents (Fearon, Bakermans-Kranenburg, van IJzendoorn, Lapsley & Roisman, 2010 ; Madigan, Brumariu, Villani, Atkinson & Lyons-Ruth, 2016). Cependant, moins d’études ont porté, au cours des dernières années, sur la relation entre la qualité de l’attachement et les problèmes de comportement qui atteignent le seuil clinique, soit les troubles du comportement (TC) (DeKlyen & Speltz, 2001 ; Theule, Germain, Cheung, Hurl & Markel, 2016). Par ailleurs, peu d’études ont considéré le fait que cette relation pourrait varier en fonction du sexe de l’enfant (Constantino et al., 2006) et de la relation d’attachement étudiée, plus précisément du fait que l’on s’intéresse à l’attachement aux parents ou à l’attachement aux pairs. L’objectif de l’étude est d’examiner si la présence d’un trouble du comportement cliniquement significatif durant l’enfance est associée à la qualité des relations d’attachement aux parents et aux pairs à l’adolescence en fonction du sexe de l’adolescent. Afin d’atteindre l’objectif, quatre groupes d’adolescents sont comparés sur la base de leurs scores moyens d’attachement aux parents et aux pairs (garçons et filles avec et sans TC à l’entrée dans l’étude). Cinq cents jeunes adolescents (238 filles) ont été recrutés dans les écoles, incluant des élèves réguliers et des élèves qui reçoivent des services pour TC. L’attachement (score global, confiance, communication, aliénation) a été mesuré par l’Inventaire d’attachement aux parents et aux pairs (IPPA ; Armsden & Greenberg, 1987). La présence d’un TC à l’entrée dans l’étude a été établie à partir du seuil clinique aux échelles inspirées des critères du DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) pour le problème des conduites et le problème d’opposition avec provocation (ASEBA, Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001) complétées par le parent, généralement la mère, et l’enseignant. Les résultats montrent que les filles avec TC obtiennent des scores d’attachement aux parents significativement inférieurs par rapport aux trois autres groupes alors que les garçons avec TC rapportent des relations d’attachement plus difficiles avec leurs pairs, toujours en comparaison avec les trois autres groupes. Les résultats supportent l’hypothèse d’une relation significative entre la qualité des relations d’attachement et l’historique de TC, variant selon le sexe de l’adolescent et de la relation d’attachement examinée (parents vs pairs).
Les déçus du califat
Authors: Benraad Myriam
Published: December 2019

Par quels moyens un militant djihadiste en vient donc à renoncer à l’idéologie et à la violence ? Les personnes concernées témoignent du rôle des affects de déception, de honte, de culpabilité et de dégoût.
Robotics in Autism Intervention
Authors: Ntaountaki Polyxeni , Lorentzou Georgia , Lykothanasi Andriana , Anagnostopoulou Panagiota , Alexandropoulou Vasiliki , Drigas Athanasios
Published: December 2019

Autism Spectrum Disorders is a group of lifelong disabilities that affect people's communication and underlying social messages. The state of the art is an indication of how technology, and in particular robotics, can offer promising tools to enhance research and treatment in ASD. This review represents an attempt to investigate how robot-assistive therapy strategies help children with autism increase social interaction and to imitate, recognize and express feelings. One of the major questions of this paper was if the robots appear to be effective means in assistive therapies. The research team of this paper concluded that robots are discovered to be a predictable and secure environment for ASD children and to be quite efficient in the intervention process. In addition to the above-mentioned, this project also broaches ethical issues that should be taken into consideration by the researchers and therapists during human-robot interplay.
Application of Classification Algorithm C 4.5 for Predicting Asset Maintenance
Authors: Rizki Muhammad , Mahdiana Deni
Published: December 2019

In asset management, determining maintenance actions is one of the problems faced by the company. The importance of maintenance to accelerate the production or performance of a company is now a necessity that must be run. The problem faced by Astra Daihatsu Motor is the difficulty in determining the maintenance action that must be chosen because of information delays when there are assets that are damaged, failed or failure. With the proposal using a decision tree with C4.5 algorithm can predict failures and damage that occur so that it can determine more accurate maintenance actions. Decision tree is a prediction model using tree structure or hierarchical structure. The concept of a decision tree is to transform data into decision trees and decision rules. The main benefit of using a decision tree is its ability to break down complex decision-making processes to be simpler so that decision makers will better interpret the solution of the problem. Using the decision tree method with the C4.5 algorithm can help the problems faced by Astra Daihatsu Motor in determining maintenance. This is shown from the test results of 98.20%. And it can be concluded that the application of C4.5 algorithm is able to produce asset maintenance patterns with better accuracy.
Patient Portal Acceptance by the Elderly
Authors: Bozan Karoly , Parker Kevin R. , Davey Bill
Published: December 2019

The motivating factors that influence patient portal acceptance among the elderly are not well understood. Using the social heuristic theory, the elaboration likelihood model, and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, this study proposes a model that examines the persuasive mechanisms for the elderly to use patient portals. An empirical study involving 117 subjects in the United States was used to test the proposed model. Using the partial least squares method, social power, and imitate-the-successful social heuristics were found to significantly influence patient portal acceptance among the elderly. These findings indicate that older people invest less effort cognitively elaborating when presented with technology acceptance decisions and accept influence from their higher status peers from their network. Imitate-the-majority heuristics and central route processing were not found to be significant, implying that older people are more inclined to take advice from sources, which they find credible and invest less cognitive effort in evaluating the complex phenomena.
Understanding the Influence of Diabetes Management Practices on Co-Morbidity Development
Authors: Ossai Chinedu I. , Goldberg Steven L. , Wickramasinghe Nilmini
Published: December 2019

Diabetes type 2 is a chronic condition that currently has no cure. Hence, proper management is key as the best approach to ensure the wellness of sufferers. To establish the attitudes of self-care patients towards the management of this ailment, the authors designed a study that targeted 100 Australian residents in the first phase. These participants provided quantitative and qualitative information about various diabetes type 2 management practices that include exercising and diet management and the co-morbidities they currently suffer.
Microbial Aspect of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated From Camel Milk
Authors: Kaindi Dasel Wambua Mulwa , Njage Patrick Murigu Kamau
Published: December 2019

Camel milk provides a common source of nutrition but also a potential rich source of beneficial, pathogenic, and potentially pathogenic microorganisms. This chapter reviews lactic acid and probiotic bacteria from camel milk, product innovation using such bacteria, and potential areas of improvement in technical as well as practical aspects of fermentation technologies. Lactic acid bacteria fermentation helps mitigate the impact of poor handling and storage conditions by enhancing shelf life and food safety. Traditionally-fermented sour milk products are culturally accepted and widely distributed worldwide with product-specific microbiota responsible for aroma, flavor, and texture. Knowledge of microbiota and predominant, technologically important microorganisms associated with camel milk is critical in developing products with enhanced quality and safety, as well as sustainable interventions for these products, including camel milk specific starter culture development. This chapter presents occurrence of LAB and probiotic bacteria in camel milk and technological aspects of camel dairy.
Interaction Between Camel Farming and Environment
Authors: Faye Bernard
Published: December 2019

The close adaptation of camel to its desert environment could explain its weak expansion out of the arid lands of the world. This adaptation can contribute to the desertification combat, attesting to its small ecological footprint with traditional extensive farming. The camel population in the world, despite its active growth, remains marginal, and its contribution to the greenhouse gas emission is negligible. However, the current trends to the intensification of camel productions could change the impact of the species on the environment and on animal metabolism. The necessity to expect a better productivity face to the growing demand could lead to a “specialization” of the camel farms and a specific selection of the camel. Such trends require care with a possible erosion of the camel biodiversity and the consequences on the interactions between the emerging camel production system and the environment.
A EXPERIÊNCIA DA MATERNIDADE DIANTE DA INTERNAÇÃO DO BEBÊ EM UTI: UMA MONTANHA RUSSA DE SENTIMENTOS
Authors: Smeha Luciane Najar , Lima Larissa Gress
Published: December 2019

Nesta pesquisa buscou-se conhecer a experiência de mães que tiveram seus bebês hospitalizados em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal ou Pediátrica. O estudo se caracterizou como qualitativo, de caráter exploratório-descritivo. Participaram nove mães de bebês internados em seis diferentes Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal ou Pediátrica, localizadas em cinco cidades do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Para a apreensão do material empírico foi utilizado um questionário sociodemográfico e uma entrevista semiestruturada. As entrevistas foram transcritas e submetidas à análise de conteúdo. Desta análise emergiram três categorias. Os resultados revelam que é difícil para as mães não poder levar seus bebês para casa após o nascimento. Elas revelaram sentimentos como medo, insegurança, temor da morte do bebê, impotência e culpa. As mães vivenciaram a sensação de perda de controle da situação, preocupação com os outros filhos e a necessidade de apoio da mãe e do marido. Foi possível elucidar que a equipe de saúde pode minimizar o sofrimento das mães por meio de iniciativas simples com vistas a um maior acolhimento às mães e aos familiares.
The Book of Jeremiah: Realisation of threats of the Torah – and also of promises?
Authors: Fischer SJ Georg
Published: December 2019

The relationship between the Torah and the Prophets has been a matter of dispute. This article discusses the links of the Book of Jeremiah especially with the warnings in Leviticus 26 and the curses in Deuteronomy 28, but then goes on to show that it also picks up promises from the Torah and thus indicates a way to salvation. In doing so, it comes close to the Book of Isaiah. The intertextual comparison between these two prophetic books reveals that the entire Book of Isaiah may be the source for similar announcements in the Book of Jeremiah, yet also for taking a more nuanced stance.Intra-disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The literary relationship between the Torah and Prophets as well as between the Books of Isaiah and Jeremiah is seen anew from an Old Testament perspective with its dogmatic implication for a portrayal of God.
Rhinorrhea as a Result of Alzheimer's Disease Treatment: A Case Report
Authors: Bartlett Donna , Bear Michael
Published: December 2019

This report describes a case of persistent rhinorrhea caused by donepezil and successfully treated with azelastine in an 84-year-old male treated with donepezil for Alzheimer's disease (AD) who experienced excessive rhinorrhea. After initiation of donepezil for AD the patient showed
increased discomfort with rhinorrhea. A trial with an oral second-generation antihistamine provided no benefit. Azelastine 0.1% nasal spray was initiated and successfully reduced the rhinorrhea. A less-oftenreported side effect of donepezil that may impact patients is rhinorrhea, also described
as rhinitis or nasopharyngitis.
 Cholinergic mechanisms of rhinorrhea have been previously described in the condition of vasomotor rhinitis and are not allergy-mediated though symptomatology overlaps. Azelastine is a histamine H1 antagonist indicated for vasomotor rhinitis. To our
knowledge there are no previous descriptions in the literature that recommend azelastine to manage symptoms of rhinorrhea caused by treatments for AD. The adverse side effect of rhinorrhea, resulting from treatment with donepezil, can be disregarded as allergy symptoms. Instead, a trial of
azelastine 0.1% nasal spray, one spray each nostril daily then titrated up to two sprays in each nostril twice daily as tolerated, may be warranted. Patients and caregivers should be aware of epistaxis as a potential side effect of azelastine, especially for patients on antithrombotic therapy.
Combination of VLBI Intensive Sessions with GNSS for generating Low latency Earth Rotation Parameters
Authors: Hellmers Hendrik , Thaller Daniela , Bloßfeld Mathis , Kehm Alexander , Girdiuk Anastasiia
Published: December 2019

Abstract. The Earth Orientation Parameters (EOPs) are published by the Earth Orientation Centre of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERS). They are provided as the low-latency Bulletin A and the 30 d latency long-term EOP time series IERS 14 C04. The EOPs are a combined product derived from different geodetic space techniques, namely Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR), Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Integrated by Satellite (DORIS) and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI). Since not all techniques are equally sensitive to every EOP, several parameters rely on specific observation techniques. As an example, dUT1 can only be estimated from VLBI observations. This means VLBI is an essential part of the estimation procedure for consistent EOPs. Within this paper, we are performing a combination of two low-latency space geodetic techniques as they enable the estimation of the full set of Earth Rotation Parameters (ERPs; polar motion, dUT1 and the corresponding rates). In particular, we focus on the development of a robust combination scheme of 1 h VLBI Intensive sessions with so-called GNSS Rapid solutions on the normal equation level of the Gauß-Markov model. The aim of the study is to provide highly accurate low-latency ERPs. So far, a latency of approximately only 1–3 d cold be reached since the main limiting factor is still the latency of the input data. The mathematical background of the applied algorithm is discussed in detail and evaluated by numerical results of empirical investigations. The combination yields a numerical stabilization of the equation system as well as an improvement (reduction) of the corresponding root mean square deviation of the epoch-wise estimated parameters w.r.t. the IERS 14 C04 reference time series.
Post-event field survey of 28 September 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami
Authors: Widiyanto Wahyu , Santoso Purwanto B. , Hsiao Shih-Chun , Imananta Rudy T.
Published: December 2019

Abstract. An earthquake with a magnitude of Mw=7.5 that occurred in Sulawesi, Indonesia, on 28 September 2018 triggered
liquefaction and tsunamis that caused severe damage and many casualties.
This paper reports the results of a post-tsunami field survey conducted by a
team with members from Indonesia and Taiwan that began 13 d after the
earthquake. The main purpose of this survey was to measure the run-up of
tsunami waves and inundation and observe the damage caused by the tsunami.
Measurements were made in 18 selected sites, most in Palu Bay. The survey
results show that the run-up height and inundation distance reached 10.7 m in
Tondo and 488 m in Layana. Inundation depths of 2 to 4 m were
common at most sites and the highest was 8.4 m in Taipa. The arrival times of
the tsunami waves were quite short and different for each site, typically
about 3–8 min from the time of the main earthquake event. This study
also describes the damage to buildings and infrastructure and coastal
landslides.
El mapa de la transición energética argentina
Authors: Clementi Luciana , Ise Alejandra , Berdolini José Luis , Yuln Melina , Villalba Sofía , Carrizo Silvina
Published: December 2019

La matriz energética argentina refleja un modelo dominado por las energías fósiles. El interés por un suministro energético más diversificado y sostenible viene impulsando, en las últimas 3 décadas, diversas medidas estatales que buscan el despegue de fuentes renovables. El trabajo presenta avances de investigación sobre la transición energética en Argentina, realizados por un equipo interdisciplinar. El objetivo consiste en comprender cómo comienza a configurarse un nuevo mapa energético, que da cuenta de las posibilidades existentes y los desafíos pendientes. Para ello, se exploran los proyectos de generación de energías renovables, empleando una metodología mixta, con un diseño de carácter cuanticualitativo, a través de análisis documental y estadístico. En el país, los distintos tipos de energías renovables se expanden a diferentes velocidades, marcando protagonismos y ausencias. Este proceso se configura una especialización energética regional.
El plano catastral de Carlos Colubi: propuesta metodológica para la reconstitución gráfica del terrazgo madrileño en el siglo XIX
Authors: De Sobrón Martínez Luis
Published: December 2019

Se propone un método de reconstitución, sobre una base cartográfica actual, del Plano catastral del término de Madrid trazado por Carlos Colubi, considerándolo como imagen del territorio madrileño en el momento clave previo al proceso proyectual del ensanche de la ciudad. Se plantean cuatro fases de trabajo, adaptando algunos planteamientos ya ensayados en otras investigaciones y proponiendo otros nuevos a partir de las fuentes documentales específicas del territorio y el momento histórico estudiado, fundamentalmente los planos de replanteo y alineaciones de los expedientes de construcción del Archivo de Villa. El método intenta ser un instrumento gráfico de análisis que permita profundizar en el conocimiento de la transición de la estructura parcelaria y viaria rural a la forma urbana actual del ensanche decimonónico. Además, las averiguaciones realizadas han arrojado nuevos datos sobre el origen y datación del plano de Colubi, documento cartográfico de primer orden en la historia del urbanismo madrileño.
Urbanismo Subterráneo. Análisis comparativo de las propuestas de Leonardo Da Vinci y Eugène Henard
Authors: Hidalgo García David , Arco Díaz Julián , Cruz Valdivieso Ana M. , Santiago Zaragoza Juan M.
Published: December 2019

Eugène Henard publicó sus Études entre 1902 y 1909. En ellos exponía los problemas urbanos que se estaban desarrollando en la ciudad de París a la vez que ofrecía soluciones de aspecto futurista. Es su propuesta titulada calle subterránea, incluida en la conferencia las ciudades del porvenir, la que hizo que la urbanista Choay lo calificara como “teórico del urbanismo subterráneo”. Una propuesta innovadora y única que, sin embargo, presenta múltiples similitudes con la città ideale realizada por el genio del Renacimiento, Leonardo da Vinci cuando se encontraba en Milán entre 1487- 1489. Esta propuesta se encuentra calificada como “un manual para el arquitecto” por los excelentes estudios para la organización de una ciudad de nueva creación que rompía con los sistemas urbanos tradicionales. El artículo realiza una reflexión teórica mediante la comparación entre ambas propuestas que fueron publicadas en distintos ámbitos geográficos y con una diferencia de 422 años. Los resultados arrojan grandes semejanzas y un nexo de unión, la ciudad de París
La trama del lugar en los Erasmus: intersecciones geográficas a partir del caso de estudiantes latinoamericanos
Authors: Larreche José Ignacio , Nieto María Belén
Published: December 2019

El presente trabajo analiza las motivaciones, vivencias y percepciones de un grupo de estudiantes latinoamericanos en la ciudad de Lodz (Polonia) en el marco del programa Erasmus. A partir de una metodología cualitativa, y en base a entrevistas de carácter no directivo y la observación participante se indaga en las particularidades que supone ser un extranjero en la Europa de hoy y cómo la cuestión cultural imprime un juego dicotómico entre un nosotros y un ellos que se refleja en las trayectorias diarias de los latinos, desde la perspectiva geográfica de lugar. A lo largo de la investigación se repiensa el concepto de lugar y se logra concluir que la globalización educativa como fenómeno propio de la coyuntura actual conduce a plantear interesantes análisis del lugar partiendo de los estudiantes.
La construcción de la ciudad burguesa en las villas asturianas. Los casos de Llanes y Ribadesella
Authors: Rato Martín Héctor , Fernández Cuesta Gaspar
Published: December 2019

La Desde mediados del siglo XIX las ciudades españolas comenzaron a experimentar cambios importantes impulsados por la industrialización y la construcción del estado liberal. Cambios que buscaban la adaptación de las tramas heredadas a los gustos y necesidades de la nueva sociedad que se estaba gestando, para la cual se llevaron a cabo obras de reforma interior, pero también la expansión de los planos. En Asturias, el proceso no fue exclusivo de las grandes ciudades; otras menores también participaron de esta renovación, como las antiguas pueblas litorales de origen medieval. Entre estas últimas estaban Llanes y Ribadesella, donde los emigrantes retornados de América promovieron la modernización de la estructura urbana de acuerdo con los principios del urbanismo burgués. A partir de diversas fuentes y de la elaboración de planos, se exponen los casos de estas dos villas, que si bien han seguido a grandes rasgos las pautas generales, presentan ciertas particularidades, tanto compartidas como individuales.
Developing a Virtual Lab to Teach Essential Biology Laboratory Techniques
Authors: Miyamoto Mao , Milkowski Deborah M. , Young Christine D. , Lebowicz Leah A.
Published: December 2019

Laboratory classes have consistently played a crucial role in science education for many years. Common to all labs is the need to understand essential lab techniques. Students often lack this foundational understanding, and this can lead to poor performance or confidence (Gallagher et al. 2008).Virtual labs have been found to be effective in promoting active learning and increasing performance (Lewis 2014). In this project, a virtual lab for preparing a phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) was created to educate undergraduate biology students on essential laboratory techniques. The virtual lab included animations and interactive elements to visually communicate each step.Content experts provided input on the accuracy of the scientific content throughout development. Focus group testing with biology teaching assistants (TAs) at the University of Illinois at Chicago was conducted to assess the potential effectiveness of the virtual lab.
The Benefits and Challenges of IFRS Adoption in India: The Dawn of a New Era
Authors: Srivastava Anubha , Kulshrestha Preeti
Published: December 2019

We endeavor to examine the benefits and the key challenges associated to International financial reporting standards enforcement in India in the current paper. The research is founded on structured questionnaire survey of 150 accounting professionals and applied purposive sampling technique to assemble the data from target respondents from various business sectors of India. The data from secondary sources,conducted through personalized interview, has been examined qualitatively with respect to IFRS convergence.The research outcome contributes to the existing literature stating that the respondents are optimistic about the benefits related to IFRS adoption but the challenges are too a major roadblock. Since the enforcement of IFRS has already initiated in India thus it is imperative to comprehend the benefits and cost associated with IFRS in Indian context. This study results recognizes that though convergence process with IFRS will pose few key challenges but the overall benefit will overweigh the challenges. This study recommends that IFRS training seminars and workshops at massive scale should be embarked upon by regulatory bodies, professional organizations like ICAI, KPMGs and other training institutions to provide for a smooth transition from local standards to IFRS.
Diagnóstico del nivel de sostenibilidad de las empresas del sector gastronómico del municipio de Olocuilta
Authors: Aguirre Ileana , Castaneda Nathaly , Cornejo José , González José , Orellana Laura
Published: December 2019

Una empresa sostenible es aquella que busca crear valor medioambiental, social y económico a corto, mediano y largo plazo, buscando así un impacto positivo al bienestar y al progreso de las presentes y futuras generaciones. El diagnóstico del nivel de sostenibilidad en las empresas del sector gastronómico del municipio de Olocuilta, pertenecientes específicamente al pupusódromo “El Manguito”, tiene como objetivo evaluar las micro y pequeñas empresas, con base en indicadores generalizados orientados a medir el nivel de sostenibilidad actual de las mismas. Se realizó una investigación de carácter exploratorio, en la cual se emplearon encuestas y se realizaron entrevistas, se recopiló información referente a los tres factores que integran el marco de la sostenibilidad. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que existe una gran fortaleza a nivel económico y oportunidades de mejora social y medioambiental.

Realidad Empresarial No. 8, 2019: 12-19
Lifestyle as a Variable Differentiating Managerial Decisions
Authors: Cewińska Joanna , Striker Małgorzata
Published: December 2019

Making decisions is the essence of managerial work. Representatives of management sciences have been persuading for years that it is a complex and demanding process of high competence. Managers take into account various criteria, including lifestyle of subordinates. The article attempts to answer the questions whether and if so which aspects of a worker’s lifestyle are a determinant of making personal decisions and what are the opinions of managers and employees about taking lifestyle into account when making these decisions? The article is a research report. The first part explains what a lifestyle is like as a criterion for making managerial decisions. The next one presents the research method and the results. The study involved 1.002 managers and 1.000 employees from Polish organizations. The electronic questionnaire (CAWI) was used to collect the opinions.
SEASONALITY ELEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION AND USE OF LIQUID BIOFUELS IN POLAND AND GERMANY
Authors: Borychowski Michał
Published: December 2019

The aim of the paper is to identify elements of seasonality in supply and demand in the liquid biofuels sector in Poland and Germany. An additional purpose is to present forecasts for selected aggregates until 2020. Two research questions have been formulated for their implementation: (1) is biofuel production in Poland higher in spring or summer (due to the seasonality of agricultural raw material production) than e.g. in winter?; (2) Is the consumption of biofuels seasonal in both countries? The research applies quarterly data for the following aggregates from the biofuels sector: for Poland – production and sale of biofuels in the quarters of 2006-2018, for Germany – biofuel consumption in the quarters of 2007-2017, import and export of bioethanol in the quarters of 2007-2015, import and export of esters in the quarters of 2007-2017. The work focuses on identifying seasonal fluctuations in order to identify purified seasonality indicators, so that it is possible to present forecasts for the biofuels sector. The research conducted in the article leads to the conclusions that, in the liquid biofuels sector, in Poland and Germany, there are elements of seasonality, especially in the field of sales / consumption of biofuels, which in turn is the effect of the changing demand for traditional fuels in which liquid biocomponents are admixed or (less often) used separately as fuel. Differences in the values of variables in Poland and Germany in quarters, in the analysed periods, can be significant – they usually reach several dozen (up to even over 100%), although in nominal terms these differences are usually several or several percentage points. The consumption of biofuels in both countries was higher in the second and third quarters, i.e. in the spring-summer period than others.
FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC SECURITY OF AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES IN THE UKRAINE
Authors: Davydenko Nadiia , Wasilewska Natalia , Wasilewski Mirosław , Titenko Zoya
Published: December 2019

The paper aims to assess the factors affecting the financial security of agrarian enterprises to create the proper conditions for the stable functioning of agricultural enterprises. The research period covers the years 2013-2016. Agrarian business management is currently affected by times of instability and uncertainty leading to an increase in economic and financial risks. The situation in agriculture requires addressing – forming a mechanism for the financial security of agricultural enterprises and developing a methodology for its evaluation. In the study, essence and structure of organizational support of financial security management as a critical component of economic security of agrarian enterprises was revealed. The main preconditions for providing financial security of agricultural enterprises through a prism of their financial status based on the achieved results of recent years are considered. The analysis of the leading indicators of financial security of agricultural development is carried out. Threats of an enterprise’s financial security are identified. Identifying financial security threats contribute to the timely application of adequate tools to minimize the effects of risks or maximize the factors that positively impact the financial performance of agrarian enterprises.
Job Crafting among Younger and Older Academic Teachers
Authors: Bartkowiak Grażyna , Krugiełka Agnieszka
Published: December 2019

The subject of the study is job crafting, currently (from the point of view of empirical
research) very evolving in the subject literature, but relatively rarely undertaken in Polish
conditions. The study is composed of two parts: theoretical one, which discusses the
concept of job crafting and cited research results on the phenomenon and factors
co-occurring with job crafting, as well as empirical one, including the presentation of
mixed-qualitative research results carried out in the group of academic teachers. The
research was conducted in a group of 64 and then a group of 36 teachers selected from
them, of public and non-public academic teachers in Poland. As a result, it turned out that
there is statistically significant differentiation among younger and older representatives
of academic teachers, both in terms of frequency and content of behavior job crafting.
Older academic teachers more often modify their way of perceiving their work and reflect
on their previous professional activity (modification is made at the cognitive level), i.e.
they boil down to critical reevaluation of their own assessments and most often positive
reflections over their own professional achievements; younger teaching staff more often
introduce structural changes related to work with students.
THE ROLE OF LOCAL ACTION GROUPS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN POLAND BASED ON A SELECTED EXAMPLE
Authors: Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska Agnieszka
Published: December 2019

The study shows the importance of projects implemented in the 2007-2013(5) perspective under the existence of a local action group for rural development on the example of the Płock Region Development Association. Based on the analysis of projects implemented by all beneficiaries in 6 communes of the Płock district, the size and directions of funds allocation by the commune were determined. Inhabitant opinions on the effects of the implemented projects were presented. In total, PLN 8,840 thousand was spent on implementing 91 projects. Most funds were spent in the Bielsk commune (PLN 197.18 per capita), and least funds in the Stara Biała commune (PLN 110.91 per capita). Completed projects constituted significant support for rural development and improved the quality of life of residents. The subjects of the projects were very diverse. The largest share in expenditure was spent on the development of a social infrastructure and the organization of local events in line with the objectives of the local development strategy. Directions for spending funds differed between communes; rural community centers were built and modernized in all communes. The importance of projects involving the creation and development of micro enterprises and the diversification of the local economy was insignificant. Residents have noticed the effects of the implemented projects and take advantage of them, but do not associate them with the functioning of the local action group.
DETERMINANTS OF THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF FARMS IN EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES GROUPED BY ECONOMIC SIZE
Authors: Średzińska Joanna
Published: December 2019

The main purpose of this paper was to identify the determinants of the financial situation of farms of different economic size in CEE and EU-15 countries. The FADN database served as the basic source of data. The study covered farms located in FADN regions in the period 2014–2016. The analyses focused on the determinants of the farms’ financial situation measured with a synthetic indicator. The first step of the research procedure was the construction of the synthetic indicator of the financial condition of farms. Following this, the calculated values of the synthetic characteristic were used as explained variables in multiple regression models. The study suggests that the production potential and operating subsidies have a key impact on the financial standing of EU farms. As regards the production potential of CEE farms, it would be beneficial for their financial position to reduce their labor input. In turn, a reduction in the assets-to-land ratio would have a favorable impact on the financial situation of operators based in the EU-15. This could be indicative of overinvestment in these farms. Differences were observed in ratios of productive input and in production intensity between economic size classes; this suggests that it would be reasonable for farms of different classes to implement different farming strategies. The models developed in this study revealed that the use efficiency of productive input (measured with income performance) proved to be of relatively minor importance.
ACTION UNDERTAKEN BY PUBLIC FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY
Authors: Sobolewska Agnieszka
Published: December 2019

The goal of this paper is to indicate the role of public institutions in the field of financing investment tasks within the area of air quality preservation on the example of the Provincial Environmental Protection and Water Management Fund in Szczecin. The analytical-description method based on available secondary data was used. Both from a national and regional perspective, problems with air quality, connected with exceeding pollutant emissions levels, are observed. In the study, only emissions of SO2, NOx and ash, in the years 2015-2018, were addressed. The importance of surface and linear emissions in generating excess was indicated. Spending statutory assets of the Provincial Environmental Protection and Water Management Fund in Szczecin on air protection in the studied area was analyzed. The need to carry out intense action aimed at fulfilling significant environmental goals and the proper use of public funds was indicated. The significance of carrying out joint support programmes aimed mainly at individual benefactors of Provincial Funds together with the National Fund, in order to achieve cohesion of action, efficiency and accumulation of public funds, was emphasized.
EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORT FOR AFFORESTATION IN POLAND – PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS
Authors: Daniłowska Alina
Published: December 2019

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the effects of EU support for afforestation in Poland. The research concerns afforestation measures under three subsequent Rural Development Programmes: 2004-2006, 2007-2013, 2014-2020. The examined period covers the years between 2004 and 2018. The analysis indicated that during the examined years about 80,000 ha of land were afforested. Thanks to the measure, forest area in Poland increased by 0.87%. The highest effect of the measure was achieved under RDP 2004-2006. The share of afforested area under that RDP was estimated to be at nearly 50% of total afforested area and in the case of RDP 2007-2013 at 46.7%. Under the current RDP 2014-2020, the interest of eligible agents in the measure and results are very modest. The afforested area, after five years of the financial perspective, was thirteen times lower than during three years of RDP 2004-2006. Although a rather unambitious target was set under RDP 2014-2020 – support for 82,000 ha of afforested land – small interest in new afforestation under the measure will probably be a barrier for achieving the target. The modest result is caused by a few factors, such as terms of the measure or farmer interest in different forms of support for agricultural activity.
AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES IN LIGHT OF INPUT-OUTPUT TABLES
Authors: Mrówczyńska-Kamińska Aldona
Published: December 2019

Due to the growing importance of sustainable socioeconomic development at a national level, this paper makes an attempt to identify and assess the relationships between agriculture and the environment in European Union countries in light of input–output tables. To meet that objective, data was retrieved from input-output tables and European environmental accounts. The analysis covered material input and output to/from agriculture, pollutant emissions and biomass production and consumption. European Union countries are witnessing a growing share of sphere I agribusiness (mainly including services, the fuel and energy sector and the chemical industry) in material input to agriculture. While this reflects production modernization efforts, it involves a greater environmental burden. EU countries are reporting a decline in direct material input and the domestic consumption of agricultural biomass per euro of GDP. These changes are indicative of less intensive use of environmental resources (dematerialization of the economy), which is consistent with the assumptions of sustainable development. To summarize, it may be concluded that countries at higher levels of agricultural development are meeting the environmental objectives of sustainable development to a greater extent than countries at lower levels of socioeconomic development.
Endovascular treatment of visceral artery aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms - evaluation of efficacy and safety based on long-term results
Authors: Pyra Krzysztof , Szmygin Maciej , Sojka Michał , Drelich-Zbroja Anna , Jargiełło Tomasz
Published: December 2019

Background: With estimated prevalence of 1% of the general population, visceral artery aneurysms are not a frequent pathology, however, their rupture is a life-threatening occurrence with mortality rate ranging from 10% to 25%, up to 75% in case of pregnant women. Therefore, the identification and treatment of visceral artery aneurysms is of great importance in the prevention of early rupture.
Purpose: To assess the effectiveness and safety of treatment of visceral artery aneurysms with various endovascular methods focusing on technical aspects, complications and long-term clinical outcome.

Materials and Methods: 60 patients with visceral artery aneurysms were treated percutaneously. Various techniques were used: coiling (23), covered stents (15), thrombin (7), and other mixed techniques. Aneurysm characteristics, size and localization, procedural data, peri-procedural complications, technical success, 90- and 180-day clinical success and follow-up period (aneurysm exclusion, patency of the artery and complications) were prospectively analyzed.

Results: Te procedure was performed in 57 of 60 patients. In 56 of 57 patients aneurysms ware effectively excluded. Te success rate was 93.3% (56 of 60 enrolled patients). Technical success after the intervention was 82.4%, after second 98.2%. Embolization with covered stents ware characterized by highest efficiency. Serious complications occurred in 1.8% of cases.

Conclusions. The minimally invasive endovascular treatment of visceral artery aneurysms is characterized by high efficacy and safety. Good treatment results depend on proper assessment of the aneurysm’s morphology as well as on selection of the appropriate vascular approach and endovascular technique.
CRUDE OIL EXPORT OF GHANA AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY
Authors: Czech Katarzyna , Imbeah Nicholas
Published: December 2019

The aim of the paper is to illustrate the impact of crude oil commercial production and export launch in Ghana on the country’s economy. The study is conducted based on one factor variance analysis and Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference test. Analysis is related to the Dutch disease paradox. Ghana constitutes an eminent and interesting example of a natural resource-rich country, where oil commercial production started late, in 2011. Monetary policy in Ghana seems to be effective in mitigating the effects of the Dutch disease. Research results imply that the Ghanaian Cedi depreciated rather than appreciated since crude oil export’s launch. Moreover, it is shown that the increase in oil export has not had a significant impact on the export of non-fuel goods. Additionally, the study shows that the launch of oil commercial production was associated with a contraction of agricultural value added. The rise in oil export led to a significant decrease of the rural population share in the total population. The agriculture sector, however, provides the main livelihood for many people in Ghana and the revenue generated in the sector plays an important role in the country’s development. The Ghanaian government should be especially concerned about issues related to agricultural modernisation and education in rural communities.