bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Life satisfaction and happiness in patients shielding from the COVID-19 global pandemic: A randomised controlled study of the ‘mood as information’ theory
Authors: O’Donnell Alice , Wilson Lydia , Bosch Jos A. , Borrows Richard
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To extrapolate the ‘mood as information’ theory to the unique and ecologically relevant setting of the COVID-19 pandemic; the specific aim was to inform health care providers of the impact of bringing the pandemic to salience during life satisfaction evaluations, assessing whether this ‘prime’ results in increased or decreased reports of satisfaction which are derived unconsciously.

Design

Prospective Randomised Interventional Study.

Setting

Renal Transplant Department in a tertiary centre in the United Kingdom.

Participants

200 Renal transplant patients aged between 20 and 88 years. Telephone interviews were undertaken between 1st May, 2020 and 29th May, 2020, at the height of ‘shielding’ from COVID-19.

Interventions

Participants were randomised into 2 groups, with 1 group receiving a simple ‘priming question’ regarding the COVID pandemic and the other group having no prior contact.

Main outcome measurements

Individuals were then asked to rate their own overall lifetime happiness; desire to change; overall life satisfaction and momentary happiness on a scale of 1 to 10 for each measure. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare results between the two groups, with a type 1 error rate below 5% considered statistically significant.

Results

Participants’ overall happiness with their life as a whole revealed that individuals who were primed with a question about COVID-19 reported increased overall happiness with their life compared to individuals who had not been primed (+0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.42 to 1.35, p = 0.0002). In addition, participants in the primed group reported less desire to change their life when compared to the non-primed group (-1.35, 95% confidence interval -2.06 to -0.65, p = 0.0002). Participants who were primed with the COVID-19 question also reported a higher overall satisfaction with their life than individuals who had not been primed (+1.01, 95% confidence interval 0.50 to 1.52, p = 0.0001). Finally, the participants who received the priming question demonstrated increased reported momentary happiness (+0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.03 to 1.24, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that bringing salience to the COVID-19 pandemic with a simple question leads to positive changes in both momentary happiness and other components of global life satisfaction, thereby extrapolating evidence for the application of the mood-as-information theory to more extreme life circumstances. Given the importance of patient-reported evaluations, these findings have implications for how, when and where accurate and reproducible measurements of life satisfaction should be obtained.
The rising complexity and burden of multimorbidity in a middle-income country
Authors: Prathapan Shamini , Fernando Gunasekara Vidana Mestrige Chamath , Matthias Anne Thushara , Bentota Mallawa Arachchige Charuni Yashodara , Abeygunawardhana Herath Mudiyanselage Gayan , Somathilake Batheegama Gamarachchige Gayasha Kavindi
Published: December 2020

Background

The limited knowledge on aetiology, epidemiology and risk factors for multimorbidity especially evident from low and middle-income countries curtail the development and implementation of sustainable healthcare models. Sri Lanka, boasting for one of South Asia’s most efficient public health systems that is accessible free-of-charge by the citizens is presently transitioning from lower-middle to upper-middle-income tier. Faced with the triple burden of disease, it is imperative for Sri Lanka to incorporate an integrated model to manage multimorbidity.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in medical clinics of a tertiary care hospital and a University primary care department. Data were extracted on to a form from the clinical records of patients over the age of 20 years with at least one non-communicable disease (NCD) and analysed.

Results

Multimorbidity was present among 64.1% of patients (n = 1600). Nearly 44.44% of the patients aged 20–35 years have a minimum of two disorders, and by the time they reach 50 years, nearly 64% of the patients have two or more non-communicable diseases. Nearly 7% of those aged over 65 years were diagnosed with four or more disorders. A fourth of the sample was affected by co-morbid diabetes mellitus and hypertension, whereas the combinations of coronary heart disease with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were also found to be significantly prevalent. A salient revelation of the binomial logistic regression analysis was that the number of disorders was positively correlated to the presence of mental disorders 7.25 (95% CI = 5.82–8.68).

Conclusion

Multimorbidity is highly prevalent among this population and seemingly has a detrimental effect on the psychological wellbeing of those affected. Therefore, the need for horizontal integration of all primary to tertiary care disciplines, including mental health, to manage multimorbidity by policymakers is emphasized as a priority task.
Knowledge and practice of personal protective measures during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bazaid Abdulrahman S. , Aldarhami Abdu , Binsaleh Naif K. , Sherwani Subuhi , Althomali Omar W.
Published: December 2020

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emergent infectious pathogen causing an acute respiratory disease called corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Virus transmission may occur by contact, droplet, airborne or via contaminated surfaces. In efforts to effectively control the COVID-19 outbreak, the world health organization (WHO) and the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) have advised the public to practice protective measures to reduce transmission of the virus and reduce incidence of infection. These measures include hand washing, wearing masks and gloves and avoidance of touching the face with unwashed hands. The current study aimed to investigate knowledge and adherence of the Saudi population to these protective actions during the pandemic. After determining the required sample size using power analysis, a cross-sectional online self-reported survey of 5105 Saudi residents was conducted between 25th March to 17th April 2020 to evaluate public knowledge of COVID-19. Participants were all aged 18 years or above, Arabic speakers and residents of Saudi Arabia. Scores were calculated based on knowledge and adherence of the individuals to protective measures. About 90% of participants exhibited a high level of knowledge (scored 2/2) and practice (scored > 3/6) in relation to hand hygiene and wearing gloves and masks. Practice scores were positively associated with females and individuals with high income. Lower practice scores were linked to youth and residents of the northern and western regions of the Kingdom. Over two thirds of participants preferred hand washing to alcohol disinfection, and the frequency and performance of hand washing improved during the pandemic for more than half of respondents. Overall, the findings reflected high public knowledge of SARS-CoV2 transmission routes and adherence to personal protective measures. However, public awareness campaigns with an emphasis on the youth and individuals with low education and income are required to improve overall practice.
COVID-19 and human-nature relationships: Vermonters’ activities in nature and associated nonmaterial values during the pandemic
Authors: Morse Joshua W. , Gladkikh Tatiana M. , Hackenburg Diana M. , Gould Rachelle K.
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly modified Earth’s social-ecological systems in many ways; here we study its impacts on human-nature interactions. We conducted an online survey focused on peoples’ relationships with the non-human world during the pandemic and received valid responses from 3,204 adult residents of the state of Vermont (U.S.A.). We analyzed reported changes in outdoor activities and the values associated with human-nature relationships across geographic areas and demographic characteristics. We find that participation increased on average for some activities (foraging, gardening, hiking, jogging, photography and other art, relaxing alone, walking, and watching wildlife), and decreased for others (camping, relaxing with others). The values respondents ranked as more important during the pandemic factored into two groups, which we label as “Nurture and Recreation values” and “Inspiration and Nourishment values.” Using multinomial logistic regression, we found that respondents’ preferences for changes in activity engagement and value factors are statistically associated with some demographic characteristics, including geography, gender, income, and employment status during the pandemic. Our results suggest that nature may play an important role in coping during times of crisis, but that the specific interactions and associated values that people perceive as most important may vary between populations. Our findings emphasize for both emergency and natural resources planning the importance of understanding variation in how and why people interact with and benefit from nature during crises.
Quick and efficient approach to develop genomic resources in orphan species: Application in Lavandula angustifolia
Authors: Fopa Fomeju Berline , Brunel Dominique , Bérard Aurélie , Rivoal Jean-Baptiste , Gallois Philippe , Le Paslier Marie-Christine , Bouverat-Bernier Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2020

Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies, by reducing the cost and increasing the throughput of sequencing, have opened doors to generate genomic data in a range of previously poorly studied species. In this study, we propose a method for the rapid development of a large-scale molecular resources for orphan species. We studied as an example the true lavender (Lavandula angustifoliaMill.), a perennial sub-shrub plant native from the Mediterranean region and whose essential oil have numerous applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and alternative medicines. The heterozygous clone “Maillette” was used as a reference for DNA and RNA sequencing. We first built a reference Unigene, compound of coding sequences, thanks tode novoRNA-seq assembly. Then, we reconstructed the complete genes sequences (with introns and exons) using an Unigene-guided DNA-seq assembly approach. This aimed to maximize the possibilities of finding polymorphism between genetically close individuals despite the lack of a reference genome. Finally, we used these resources for SNP mining within a collection of 16 commercial lavender clones and tested the SNP within the scope of a genetic distance analysis. We obtained a cleaned reference of 8, 030 functionallyin silicoannotated genes. We found 359K polymorphic sites and observed a high SNP frequency (mean of 1 SNP per 90 bp) and a high level of heterozygosity (more than 60% of heterozygous SNP per genotype). On overall, we found similar genetic distances between pairs of clones, which is probably related to the out-crossing nature of the species and the restricted area of cultivation. The proposed method is transferable to other orphan species, requires little bioinformatics resources and can be realized within a year. This is also the first reported large-scale SNP development onLavandula angustifolia. All the genomics resources developed herein are publicly available and provide a rich pool of molecular resources to explore and exploit lavender genetic diversity in breeding programs.
Excesso de peso ou obesidade e fatores do estilo de vida em idosos do concelho de Lisboa
Authors: Gama Augusta , Marques Patrícia , Madeira Tiago , Rosado-Marques Vítor
Published: December 2020

Pretendeu caracterizar-se o estado nutricional de idosos por avaliação de indicadores antropométricos e conhecer o papel de fatores socioeconómicos e de estilos de vida no excesso de peso, incluindo obesidade (ExP+Ob), e obesidade abdominal. Desenvolveu- se um estudo transversal em instituições de Lisboa (Portugal) e a amostra estudada foi de 434 pessoas com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos. A maioria dos participantes foram mulheres (77,9%) e a média de idades foi de 79,91±7,61 anos. A prevalência de ExP+Ob foi de 81,9% no critério da OMS e 69,5% segundo Lipschitz, e maior nas mulheres (OMS: 85,0% vs. Lipschitz: 73,7%, p=0,01) do que nos homens (OMS: 70,8% vs. Lipschitz: 55,2%, p=0,00). A prevalência de ExP+Ob/OMS foi maior nas mulheres que passavam mais de 2h/dia a ver televisão, mais tempo sentadas e que tomavam mais de três medicamentos. A prevalência de risco substancialmente aumentado para perímetro abdominal (OMS) ou razão perímetro abdominal/estatura foi maior nas mulheres do que nos homens (p<0,05). Maiores prevalências de Exp+Ob ou risco substancialmente aumentado de obesidade abdominal ocorreram quando foi reportada hipertensão arterial, diabetes ou hipercolesterolemia. Nos idosos estudados, ocorreu elevada prevalência de ExP+Ob total e risco aumentado de obesidade abdominal, o que poderá revelar estado nutricional preocupante a influência do sedentarismo/inatividade ou causa/consequência de doença metabólica.
Relationships among genomic ancestry, clinical manifestations, socioeconomic status, and skin color of people with sickle cell disease in the State of Pará, Amazonia, Brazil
Authors: Da Silva Ariana Kelly Leandra Silva , Madrigal Lorena , Da Silva Hilton Pereira
Published: December 2020

In Brazil about 3500 children are born annually with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). In the State of Pará, Amazonia, the prevalence is 1%. This article analyzes the Genomic Ancestry (GA) of patients attending the Regional Blood Center in the capital, Belém, in relation to sex, age, clinical manifestations, income, racism, and skin color. Samples were collected from 60 patients (11− 46 years, 34 of them female), and each individual was analyzed for 61 Ancestry Informative Markers (AIM). Semi-structured interviews were conducted to assess socioeconomic status (SES), self-declared color, perception of racism, and symptoms of SCD. From the 55 participants with conclusive DNA samples, 58.2% presented European, 21.8% Amerindian and 20% African DNA. From all the 60 participants, 86.6% self-classified as black or brown, 61.92% were living in poverty and 72% suffered some form of racism due to SCD and/or their skin color. There was an inverse correlation between wage and number of symptoms in all groups. European ancestry and being female was correlated with a greater number of symptoms. In Pará, SCD involves vulnerabilities such as poverty, severe clinical manifestations without treatment, and effects of racism. These results can be useful to develop public policies and to improve quality of life of people with SCD in Brazil and in other countries with heterogeneous populations.
Asset Liquidity and Fiscal Consolidation Programs
Authors: Bernardino Tiago
Published: December 2020

We argue that the relationship between wealth inequality and fiscal multipliers depends crucially on the type of fiscal experiment used, and on the measure of wealth distribution. We calibrate an overlapping generations model with incomplete markets for different European economies and use Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) data to compare fiscal multipliers when models are calibrated to match the distribution of gross vs. net wealth. We find a negative relationship between fiscal multipliers and wealth inequality when considering fiscal consolidation programs, in contrast to fiscal expansion experiments which are standard in the literature. The underlying mechanism relies on the relationship between the distribution of wealth and the share of credit‑ constrained agents. We examine the role of household balance sheet compositions regarding asset liquidity and find that when calibrating the model to match liquid wealth, the relationship between wealth inequality and fiscal multipliers is much stronger.
Skill-Biased Technological Change and Inequality in the U.S.
Authors: Ferreira Ana
Published: December 2020

Since the 1980s, income inequality has increased markedly and has reached the highest level ever since it started being recorded in the U.S. This paper uses an overlapping generations model with incomplete markets that allows for household heterogeneity that is calibrated to match the U.S. economy with the purpose to study how skill-biased technological change (SBTC) and changes in taxation quantitatively account for the increase in inequality from 1980 to 2010. We find that SBTC and taxation decrease account for 48% of the total increase in the income Gini coefficient. In particular, we conclude that SBTC alone accounted for 42% of the overall increase in income inequality, while changes in the progressivity of the income tax schedule alone accounted for 5.7%.
A tervgazdaságtól a digitális transzformációig
Authors: Koltai Tamás , Nemeslaki András
Published: December 2020

A Vezetéstudomány e tematikus száma a Budapesti Műszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetemen működő Menedzsment és Vállalkozásgazdaságtan Tanszék alapításának 70. évfordulója alkalmából a tanszék munkatársainak jelentősebb szakmai eredményeit mutatja be. E munkák jól tükrözik az intézmény szakmai múltját, különleges jelenlegi helyzetét és jövőbeli perspektíváit.
A turizmus jelene és várható változása a mesterséges intelligencia integrálásával, különösen a Z-generáció igényeire fókuszálva
Authors: Danyi Pál , Iványi Tamás
Published: December 2020

A szerzők kutatásának célja a mesterséges intelligencia (MI) technológiák turisztikai célú felhasználhatóságának vizsgálata volt. Hipotézisük szerint, ha a jövőbe tekintünk, akkor a Z generáció igényei lesznek a legfontosabbak, amelyekre az MI fog nagyrészt megoldást adni. A turizmus minden paraméterében töretlenül növekszik 2013 óta, miközben egyre szorosabban összefonódik az infokommunikációs technológiákkal. A trendek fenntartásához nagyon fontos a turizmusmarketing és a marketingkommunikáció, hogy megalapozott desztinációs és szolgáltatói döntésekkel lehessen az utazók számát és elégedettségüket növelni. A közeljövő egyik legfontosabb eszköze mindezekben a mesterséges intelligencia (MI) lesz. A tanulmányban részletes szekunder kutatást végeztek a szerzők annak bemutatására, hogy a nemzetközi kutatások és fejlesztések egyre jobban fókuszálnak az MI-re. Ötven releváns cikk elemzésével egy ún. hype-térképet rajzoltak fel, négy főkategóriába sorolva az MI turisztikai megoldásait, egyrészt a problématulajdonosok funkcionális megközelítése, másrészt a technológiák csoportosítása alapján.
Pode uma arqueologia das mulheres?
Authors: Costa Eliane Miranda
Published: December 2020

O artigo resulta da pesquisa de doutorado realizada na região da Amazônia marajoara de 2014 a 2018, e tem como finalidade evidenciar e interpretar os discursos e identidade da mulher-intelectual e produtora de conhecimento no âmbito da Arqueologia no Marajó, Estado do Pará. Caracteriza-se como um estudo de caráter bibliográfico de abordagem qualitativa. Tem como referência a produção de Betty Meggers, Ana Roosevelt e Denise Schaan, mulheres que se tornaram as principais intelectuais da arqueologia Amazônida. Em diálogo com teorias feministas podemos dizer que essas arqueólogas se forjaram intelectuais na ousadia, e, embora, desenvolvam um discurso tutelado pela ciência masculinizada, contribuem para questionar o discurso androcêntrico historicamente construído como científico e universal, possibilitando assim outras formas de interpretar a história e produzir discursos e saberes científicos.
O contexto da educação escolar indígena brasileira
Authors: Ribeiro Meireles Jose Manuel
Published: December 2020

Resumo:O presente artigo apresenta o resultado de pesquisa a respeito de escolas indígenas em diferentes regiões brasileiras. Estas escolas foram denominadas referenciais, pois podem servir como modelo para outras instituições indígena de ensino. Dada a presença de escolas na maior parte dos territórios indígenas brasileiros, não se pode desconsiderar tal realidade, daí a importância dos estudos a respeito destas instituições e mais concretamente a finalidade e os resultados desta iniciativa. Analisa o contexto histórico da colonização, enfocando principalmente as primeiras visões sobre o indígena brasileiro e mostra como a educação para povos autóctones se estruturou baseando-se em pontos de vista superficiais. Durante todo período colonial a educação para indígenas esteve vinculada à catequese e sob a direção dos padres jesuítas, ficando ao encargo deles a conversação dos nativos ao catolicismo e preparação dos índios para servirem como mão de obra. Assim como a escolarização, a legislação e as políticas públicas do período colonial também se embasaram em visões pouco elaboradas. A escola para povos indígenas é considerada atualmente um instrumento fundamental na formação e jovens com capacidade de melhorar as relações interétnicas, trazer os conhecimentos ocidentais e a tão almejada tecnologia. A escolarização que quase cinco séculos cumpria o propósito de integração dos índios à nação, graças aos movimentos indígena e indigenista rompe com este modelo a partir da elaboração da Constituição Federal de 1988.
Tijolo por tijolo num desenho lógico:
Authors: Machieski Elisangela da Silva
Published: December 2020

Focado no processo de construção e aprovação da legislação destinada ao público infantojuvenil – tanto em contexto internacional, como no cenário nacional brasileiro – este artigo busca abarcar a dinâmica histórica pautada no contexto da década de 1980 e nos anos iniciais da década seguinte. Busco facilitar a compreensão da envergadura e do significado que o trajeto legislativo brasileiro conferiu ao novo paradigma de crianças e adolescentes como sujeitos de direitos. A narrativa foi dividida em duas partes.  O contexto internacional, mais precisamente referente à Convenção sobre os Direitos da Criança, foi abordado na primeira parte. Logo, adentro terras brasileiras, para apresentar a construção da Constituição Federal de 1988 e do Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente em 1990. Ambas as partes, fundamentadas na legislação e na compreensão do seu contexto, convergem para uma mesmo local, o tempo-espaço que as crianças e adolescentes tornam-se legalmente sujeitos de direitos.
Memory and identity of experiences at the movie theater:
Authors: Machado Jr. Cláudio de Sá
Published: December 2020

Registered as historic site, the Cine Theatro Capitólio was founded in 1928, in Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil. Until 1994 the building was a place where people of different ages and backgrounds used to meet to enjoy a good movie or just have a good time together. After some political measures affecting the patrimony area the community decided to organize a Cinema Friends Association that called for a research work on the oral traditions and experiences in that place, in order to safeguard the social narratives that they represented. Data collection and interview recordings took place between 2006 and 2007. People spoke of their memories at the Capitólio, creating an important register of a social identity which apparently was not related to films but was rather linked with social contacts. This paper, using theoretical and cultural studies, proposes a reflection about the social memory which mixes itself with the historic site memory. Narratives are about people and a specific building in a community, but the results delineate a research work about the identity of a modern way of socializing which is in a large sense epistemological.
Movimento Nacional de Meninos e Meninas de Rua:
Authors: Nicodemos Alessandra
Published: December 2020

O presente artigo procurou explicitar, através do estudo de caso de uma ONG de defesa dos Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente, as mudanças objetivas na relação entre Estado e Sociedade Civil nas décadas de 1980 e 1990 no Brasil. O Movimento Nacional de Meninos e Meninas de Rua (MNMMR) constitui-se como ator fundamental no processo de mudanças da política governamental e não governamental relativa à criança e ao adolescente em nosso país nos anos de 1980 e, na década seguinte, experimentou um esvaziamento de seu potencial reivindicatório, impactado pelas mudanças objetivas da relação entre Estado e Sociedade Civil no Brasil. A pesquisa procurou os determinantes dessa dinâmica e a análise dos diferentes níveis de autonomia e dependência que foi se estruturando entre esse setor da sociedade civil organizada e a aparelhagem estatal nos períodos históricos indicados, mobilizando análise bibliográfica da temática, em seus aspectos estruturais e específicos e, ainda, fontes documentais da entidade.
Sobre a oitiva de crianças e adolescentes na justiça:
Authors: Arend Silvia Maria Favero , Lohn Reinaldo Lindolfo
Published: December 2020

O presente artigo visa a analisar a introdução da oitiva no sistema de Justiça tendo em vista o preconizado na legislação nacional e na internacional. O artigo se divide em duas partes articuladas. Na primeira, buscamos descrever o cenário que deu origem ao artigo 12 da Convenção sobre os Direitos da Criança, que tem como temática o direito de crianças e adolescentes manifestarem sua opinião sobre temas que lhes digam respeito. A outra parte do artigo tem como foco o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente, que postula a oitiva nos temas relativos à convivência familiar e nos casos de crianças e adolescentes vítimas de violências.
Calibration of Frequency Shift System of Wind Imaging Interferometer
Authors: Sun Yongqiang , Zhang Chunmin , Zhang Pengju , Mu Tingkui , Yan Tingyu , Wang Yangqiang
Published: December 2020

In this paper, the frequency shift system calibration of the wind imaging interferometer is analyzed. By establishing the frequency shift system vibration and reflectivity models, the single factor and comprehensive factors models are used to invert the wind speed and temperature, respectively.
The parameters of the frequency shift system that meet the design accuracy requirement of the instrument are determined. The conclusion of this paper provides theoretical instructions for the calibration process of wind imaging interferometer.
INSTITUTIONALIZING VIRTUAL REALITY BASED CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Authors: Wong Peter S.P. , Hoffman Abram , Cheung Sherman C.P. , Wakefield Ron
Published: December 2020

Applying Virtual Reality (VR) in construction professional training has been advocated as an effective method to improve learner’s cognition. However, there has been a lack of a systematic approach in VR-based training in the construction context. This study aims to develop a framework to institutionalize VR-based construction professional training design. Virtual Generation and Experience Road Map (VGERM) was adopted in the development of the mobile VR app for use in teaching substructure in an undergraduate construction technology course. A mobile VR app was developed by using a Unity-based platform, namely EduVenture. Procedures of the VR app development were articulated with an aim to demonstrate how the proposed framework can be utilized in fostering knowledge and skills transfer. Feedback of the users was collected through the Course Experience Survey. Findings of this study help gain a better understanding of the key areas to foster the benefits of VR for efficient use within professional construction training.
QUALIFICATION-BASED SELECTION OF CONSULTANTS AND CONTRACTORS: BREAKING THE LOWEST TENDER PRICE CULTURE
Authors: Gransberg Douglas D. , Touran Ali , Scheepbouwer Eric
Published: December 2020

Qualification-Based Selection (QBS) is designed to focus on the abilities of consultants and contractors that will undertake an infrastructure project and, more importantly, on their past performance working with and for the client on previous projects. This paper presents a review of QBS procurement in the US and in New Zealand and details the advantages and disadvantages from the client’s perspective on major public infrastructure projects. The study involved a survey of 26 public agencies, seven case studies, and a content analysis of 81 QBS project procurement documents. The study then triangulated the three independent sources of information to draw conclusions. The paper finds that QBS awards have been used successfully in a variety of procurement methods, and clients expect to increase the likelihood of project success by decreasing the chance that a marginally qualified contractor would win a major project. Additionally, respondents received tangible benefits associated with selecting contractors that were well-qualified and had a record of satisfactory performance. The paper’s primary contribution is to demonstrate the value for money to the client when changing focus from lowest tendering cost to contractor qualifications and past performance.
A SLOT-CUTTING TECHNIQUE FOR REPAIR AND REHABILIATION OF CONCRETE DAMS AFFECTED BY ALKALI-SILICA REACTION
Authors: Pourbehi Mohammad S. , Strasheim Breda
Published: December 2020

The combined impacts of earthquake damage and aging of concrete material on vulnerable aged dam systems have been typical causes of structural failure. The possible malfunction or loss of these vital systems and components can have serious socio-economic consequences and impacts on potable water resource availability, crop irrigation, and electric power generation. Worldwide extensive work has been done to evaluate the structural safety of aged concrete dam system components and to develop suitable remedial action and rehabilitation strategies. This paper reports a Chemo-Thermo-Mechanical Finite Element model developed by the authors which was used to demonstrate the use of the Finite Element Method (FEM) to model the behavior of a synthetic dam if the concrete is affected by Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), applying the slot cutting rehabilitation technique. ASR is a destructive chemical reaction between the cement paste and siliceous aggregate components in concrete materials that causes long-term expansion and degradation of concrete structures, including dams. Slot cutting is recognized as one of the promising techniques suitable to repair concrete dams suffering from ASR. The results show that the FE model could predict the stress and displacement field before and after the sawing of the slot in an assumed dam affected by ASR and demonstrate a promising capability for modeling the repair strategies in real dams suffering from ASR.
SEISMIC DESIGN OF MASONRY-INFILLED FRAMES: A REVIEW OF CODIFIED APPROACHES
Authors: Dorji Sonam , Derakhshan Hossein , Zahra Tatheer , Thambiratnam David P. , Mohyeddin Alireza
Published: December 2020

This paper reviews the approach of eleven national codes on the analysis and design of masonry-infilled frames. It is shown that, in general, codes can be divided into two groups. The first group isolates the masonry and frame members by providing gaps to minimize the interaction between them. This method ensures that the complexities involved in analyzing the structure is avoided. However, the width of the gaps recommended is different for each of the codes. The second group takes advantage of the presence of high stiffness and strength masonry infill. In this technique, an equivalent-strut modeling strategy is mostly recommended. It is shown that the strut model suggested in each of the codes is different. An attempt to obtain a generic model for masonry-infilled frame failed largely due to the existence of many behavior-influencing parameters. Finally, it is suggested to have a paradigm shift in the modeling strategy where the masonry-infilled frames are classified into different categories and a model is suggested for each of them.
Preface – CALL for widening participation
Authors: Frederiksen Karen-Margrete , Larsen Sanne
Published: December 2020

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the EUROCALL society succeeded in holding
the 28th EUROCALL conference, EUROCALL2020, on 20-21 August as an online,
two-day gathering. The transition process required to make this happen was
demanding and insightful for everyone involved, and, in many ways, a logical
consequence of the core content and purpose of EUROCALL. Who would be better
suited to transform an onsite conference into an online event than
EUROCALL?
Constructing an interactive Old Norse text with LARA
Authors: Bédi Branislav , Bernharðsson Haraldur , Chua Cathy , Guðmarsdóttir Birgitta Björg , Habibi Hanieh , Rayner Manny
Published: December 2020

We describe how the open-source Learning and Reading Assistant (LARA)
platform was used to convert a classic Old Norse text, the Völuspá, into an
interactive online form. The LARA version includes high-quality recorded
audio, translations, notes on key words and phrases, an automatically
generated concordance, and links to other online resources. The interactive
text was created in two different editions, one with Modern Icelandic
translations designed to support Icelandic school students who read the poem
as a set text, and one with English translations designed for English
readers with basic Old Norse who wish to able to appreciate the poem in the
original as a piece of literature. Initial feedback from groups has been
positive.
LARA: an extensible open source platform for learning languages by
reading
Authors: Bédi Branislav , Butterweck Matt , Chua Cathy , Gerlach Johanna , Guðmarsdóttir Birgitta Björg , Habibi Hanieh , Jónsson Bjartur Örn , Rayner Manny , Vigfússon Sigurður
Published: December 2020

Learning and Reading Assistant (LARA) is an open source platform that
enables conversion of plain texts into an interactive multimedia form
designed to support second- and foreign-language (L2) learners. In this
workshop, we illustrate the open source aspects using collaborative work
carried out during a six-week summer project at the Árni Magnússon Institute
for Icelandic Studies. Three undergraduate level students extended the
platform in different directions in cooperation with other members of the
international LARA team. The three subprojects were respectively concerned
with adding automatically generated flashcards, adding multimedia versions
of poetic texts in the archaic language Old Norse, and extending LARA to
allow the inclusion of sign language content in Icelandic sign language –
Íslenskt TáknMál (ÍTM). All three reached successful conclusions.
Widening access to language learning in the institutes of technology in
the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Carthy Una
Published: December 2020

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Republic of Ireland have
been called to widen participation in language learning by the government’s
Languages Connect Strategy. The challenge is to increase the level of
participation from 4% to 20%. Moreover, a recent nationwide study has
revealed a grassroots demand for language provision that is currently unmet,
and that prevailing perceptions of a lack of curricular space for languages
may be one of the overriding obstacles to change. Mobile Assisted Language
Learning (MALL) provides a possible solution to this dilemma, as it enables
various forms of content located on virtual learning platforms to be
accessed from anywhere. There is certainly a case for widening participation
in language learning by harnessing new technologies. Online platforms create
virtual spaces for language learning that transcend the confines of the
traditional language classroom. MALL provides unlimited access to learning
content and offers the potential for synchronous interaction with native
speakers. Existing market leaders of MALL certainly have a global reach;
however, their underlying pedagogy has been called into question. Further
research and innovation are needed to create pedagogically sound learning
platforms that might motivate language acquisition. Third level language
educators need to create online learning pathways for languages, thereby
overcoming perceived obstacles to change and bringing the second language
acquisition process into the 21st century.
Laying the groundwork for a historical overview of high-impact CALL
papers
Authors: Choubsaz Yazdan , Boulton Alex , Jalilifar Alireza
Published: December 2020

This study traces the evolution of Computer Assisted Language Learning
(CALL) through published Research Articles (RAs) in four major journals:
ReCALL, CALL, Language Learning & Technology (LL&T), and CALICO
Journal. The paper outlines the rationale and the methodology of this, which
begins with downloading all 2,397 full RAs published in English, from the
very first issues up to the end of 2019. This preliminary report already
gives an overview of the history of the field; in particular, the increasing
number of papers attests to the healthy state of research in CALL.
Subsequent analysis focuses on a subcorpus of 426 papers chosen by the
frequency of citation in each year as a gauge of impact within the
community. The final analysis will use computer tools to help identify
methodologies, themes, and theories as they rise and fall over the
years.
Effects and users’ reactions to the use of CAPT and HVPT on Japanese EFL
learners’ segmental perception and production
Authors: Iino Atsushi , Yabuta Yukiko , Wistner Brian
Published: December 2020

High Variability Phonetic Training (HVPT) is a perception-based
pronunciation training which has brought about progress in both perception
and production in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. This could
be due to the increased exposure to second language sound varieties
presented at random, which is unique to HVPT. Progress in production,
however, was usually slower than in perception. One explanation for this is
that, in EFL contexts, the learners have fewer chances to find clues on how
to articulate the target sounds, such as /r/, since HVPT only provides
acoustic images. This study examines the effect of explicit instruction
before and during HVPT training. The participants were shown a video on how
to articulate the target sounds, and were asked to repeat the sounds after
the stimuli during HVPT. The results showed significant increases,
particularly in production. On a follow-up questionnaire, a majority of the
participants expressed that they benefited from the inclusion of explicit
instruction.
Providing quantitative data with AI Mobile COLT to support the reflection
process in language teaching and pre-service teacher training: a
discussion
Authors: Ishizuka Hiroki , Pellerin Martine
Published: December 2020

Mobile COLT is a portable platform for analysis of activities in the
second language classroom, and is based on the well-known Communicative
Orientation of Language Teaching (COLT) scheme (Spada & Fröhlich, 1995).
It has been developed to facilitate real-time class analysis using a Windows
tablet. This paper first describes the COLT analysis scheme, and expounds on
the functions of Mobile COLT, its application in classroom practices, and
the development of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) version (AI Mobile
COLT). It also briefly reports on two studies carried out in Japan to
examine how the use of Mobile COLT can further promote language teaching
development. Then, the paper briefly describes a collaborative project
initiated by the authors to explore how the AI Mobile COLT system can be
combined with an ePortfolio platform in Moodle to provide quantitative data
built on an evidence-based framework.
Individual versus collective digital storytelling in EFL education in
terms of student perceptions
Authors: Kasami Naoko
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of
individual and collective Digital Storytelling (DS). All participants were
non-English major students in Japan. The study goal of the course was to
acquire skills and knowledge to present ideas and messages effectively in
English with the use of information communications and technology. Students
in this study completed a single DS assignment under one of two different
conditions; students adhering to the first condition created a digital story
individually, whereas students who adhered to the second condition created a
digital story collectively, in pairs or groups of three. While the analysis
of the post assignment questionnaire showed that more than 90% of students
under both conditions perceived the assignment positively, there are also
some implications to consider for improving each approach.
Syntactic complexity development in college students’ essay writing based
on AWE
Authors: Li Wenjin , Lu Zhihong , Liu Qianwen
Published: December 2020

Syntactic complexity is considered to be an important device for
assessing the quality of writing in a second language (L2), as it indicates
the diversity and complexity of production units or grammatical structures.
This paper studies the development of Chinese college students’ syntactic
complexity in essay writing by using an Automatic Writing Evaluation (AWE)
tool, the Pigai system (www.pigai.org, which has been most widely used in
China in the last ten years). The data analysis showed that the students’
syntactic competences in their final drafts outperformed that in their first
drafts in three aspects: length of production unit, amount of subordination,
and amount of coordination.
CMC and MALL unite
Authors: Montaner-Villalba Salvador , Lander Bruce , Morgana Valentina , Leier Vera , Selwood Jaime , Einum Even , Redondo Sergio Esteban
Published: December 2020

There is no doubt that Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) and mobile
mediated communication are linked as technology continues to transform the
way we communicate with each other. Campbell (2019) analyzed how mobile
communication evolved into portable devices to form a complete system of
mobile media, reshaping the fabric of our social lives via ‘sociality’ and
‘spatiality’. In this short paper, we would like to offer a brief overview
of the diverse oral presentations which took place in the joint CMC and MALL
(Mobile Assisted Language Learning) Special Interest Group (SIG) symposium
at the online conference this year. This short paper will introduce various
online apps which are available for free in both computer-based and mobile
versions and can be adapted to foreign language learning in various
ways.
The trouble with telecollaboration in BMELTET
Authors: Orsini-Jones Marina , Cerveró Carrascosa Abraham , Zou Bin
Published: December 2020

This study reports on the 2019-2020 October-February cycle of the
project, Blending Massive Open Online Courses in English Teacher Education
with Telecollaboration (BMELTET). The project blends the MOOC Understanding
Language (Futurelearn) with telecollaboration – or Collaborative Online
International Learning (COIL) or Virtual Exchange (VE). It involves students
enrolled on teacher education courses at both undergraduate level (from
Spain) and postgraduate level (from the UK and China). This work discusses
some of the challenges encountered in this 2019-2020 pre-COVID cycle and
proposes, in line with other previous related studies, that
telecollaboration is troublesome for students as it takes them out of their
comfort zone. It does not align with what they were expecting to study at
university. At the same time, BMELTET illustrates the gains that students
and staff can make when engaging in such a project and its transformational
impact on their beliefs.
Digital learning environments, multimodal and sensory affordances:
reshaping the second language experience for a new era
Authors: Pellerin Martine
Published: December 2020

The paper examines how the game Minecraft can be used as a new digital
learning environment in the context of second language teaching and
learning. It explores how the concepts of digital space and digital place
within the new 3D digital environment can contribute to reshaping the
language learners’ experience and promote greater engagement in the target
language. The study involved one language teacher and his grade 6 (upper
elementary) students in a French immersion program in Canada. Digital
artifacts created by the students in Minecraft were collected and
qualitative analysis was carried out. The findings reveal that the use of a
new digital environment allows for the emergence of a sense of digital place
(emotional connection), greater engagement, and a sense of agency and
control on the part of learners. Higher levels of collaboration, creativity,
and imagination were also observed in the language tasks.
Can web series improve language learning? A preliminary
discussion
Authors: Sbardella Talia , Santucci Valentino , Biscarini Chiara , Nencioni Giacomo
Published: December 2020

The use of innovative language in education is a current and pressing
issue in a digital landscape where knowledge and skills are acquired in much
more complex and fragmented ways than in the past (Di Blas, 2016; Selvaggi,
Sicignano, & Vollono, 2007). We are experiencing a lot of interest in
flipped classrooms, interactive learning environments and serious games,
MOOCs platforms, and e-learning projects, which universities are
increasingly adopting. The web series is a highly effective format,
characterized by short episodes that can also be enjoyed individually, low
budget, and a serialized and therefore potentially engaging narrative
identity, and is particularly suitable for use on digital platforms. The aim
of this paper is to preliminarily present the expected benefits of an
interactive web series made by the University for Foreigners of Perugia for
a B1 online Italian Language course, before deeper investigation of their
suitability for language learning.
The development of an online game-based simulation for the training of
English language teachers in virtual environments
Authors: Vasmatzoglou Areti , Ní Chiaráin Neasa
Published: December 2020

Virtual simulation training has gained in usage in various educational
fields and offers the potential to support and reinforce learning goals when
practical experience is not possible. Teaching practice experience in an
English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom is critical, yet frequently
unobtainable for students in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(TESOL)/English Language Teaching (ELT) Masters programmes. This paper
describes the design, development, and evaluation of a gamified simulation
prototype, Virtual EFL Classroom, that was built to offer teaching practice
opportunities to students in such programmes. Eleven Masters students
enrolled in the ELT programme at Trinity College Dublin took part in this
study. Findings indicate that participants enjoyed active experimentation in
Virtual EFL Classroom and that it has the potential to enhance
student-teachers’ decision-making skills, flexibility, and adaptability in
planning and teaching learner-centred lessons.
Implementing online discussion forums based on principled
approaches
Authors: Woodward Heather , Warrick Andrew
Published: December 2020

For three months, Japanese university learners (N=40) utilized the
YoTeach! application by Pedagogic and Active Learning Mobile Solutions
(PALMS) Project, PolyU as a part of their English discussion class.
Researchers re-purposed the application, which originally was designed to be
an online classroom backchannel, as an asynchronous, pre-task activity so
that learners could exchange ideas about homework topics (e.g. university
life, foreign customs) for their discussion. Researchers chose a backchannel
chat room rather than a discussion forum to accommodate the learners’ spoken
interactions rather than formal discussion. To foster interactions,
researchers implemented the YoTeach! application based on principles in the
field of second language (L2) development and Mobile-Assisted Language
Learning (MALL) from Doughty and Long (2003) and Stockwell and Hubbard
(2013). Using learners’ and researchers’ reflection journals, we consider
ways we can connect and adapt the principles to our teaching
context.