bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Physicochemical and Microbiological Quality of Public Swimming Pools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Yedeme Kokebe , Legese Melese Hailu , Gonfa Almaz , Girma Somson
Published: June 2017

Background:

From swimming pools, bathers may acquire many potential pathogens or may be affected by the physicochemical characteristics of water used during bathing. Hence, this study aimed at assessing the physicochemical and microbiological quality of public swimming pools located at different hotels and recreation center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Method:

A cross sectional study was carried out from February to May, 2016. Nine hotels and one recreation center which recognized to have public swimming services were included. A total of 60 swimming pool water samples from 10 swimming pools were collected at deeper, shallow and intake point twice on a weekly basis using a 250 ml sterile bottle containing sodium thiosulphate. PH, residual chlorine and temperature of samples were recorded at the time of collection. Sample containing bottles were transported in ice box to microbiological laboratory and analyzed on the same day. Standard cultural and biochemical methods were used for isolation and characterization of the main microbial groups. Total viable count, total coliform count, fecal coliform count and E. coli were determined. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 20.

Results:

Average PH and temperature of swimming pool water samples were 7.1 and 29oC respectively. Of all analyzed water samples, 58.4% (n=35/60) of them had PH range of 7.2-7.8, 58.3% (n=35/60) of samples had temperature in the range of 21oC-32oC and 25% (n=15/60) of water samples had residual chlorine in the range of 2-3mg/l. 73.3% (n=44/60) of the samples had a total viable count below 200 MPN/ml and 70% (n-42/60) of the samples had Total Coliform Count values less than 2 MPN/100 ml. Moreover, 66.7% (n=40/60) of the samples had fecal coliform counts falling below 1 MPN /100 ml. E. coli was absent in 70% (n=42/60) of the samples while it was present in 30% (n=18/60) of the samples.

Conclusion:

PH, residual chlorine and temperature value of majority of the swimming pools’ water samples were within the acceptable limit. Regarding microbial quality, most swimming pools’ water samples complied to the WHO standard. Swimming pools that did not comply to the standard both in physicochemical levels and microbial quality need improvement due to their significant health implication.
A Crossing-Line Between Transportation Evaluation and Natural Capital Assessment: Perspectives on Ecological Economics and Project Evaluation
Authors: Lee Hye Kyung , Kim Hwan Yong
Published: June 2017

Introduction:

Ranging from everyday choices to political arrangements, making the most efficient and effective outcome of the given circumstances is a critical part of decision-making process. Accordingly, achieving a balanced and sophisticated perspective in decision-making process is a hard task. However, there are possible ways to direct this issue, at least to some conceptual extent, and this article identifies possible considerations for more sustainable infrastructure planning decisions.

Methods:

This study presents a thorough review on project evaluation and transport externalities, especially in terms of ecological valuations. After that, a case study on a high-speed rail in the state of Texas, USA is examined to elaborate suggested solutions in sustainable transportation decision-making.

Results:

To appropriately reflect the changes in ecological features induced by a transportation project, location specific or project-based measurements are critical parts. There are certain ways to capture the monetary values of ecological features. Using the suggested methods, two high-speed rail alternatives are compared, and the one with more ecological preservation is considered could save the difference identified in construction in less than 15 years with the savings in monetary values of ecological features.

Conclusion:

Because environmental impact is often regarded in a separate study measuring the degree, not the economic values associated with it, precise meaning of ecological externalities is hard to understand. However, many scholars in both transportation and ecology disciplines emphasize the need for more inclusive considerations on opportunity costs of natural environments, and recently technological advances made this issue become more plausible. Based on Texas case, calculating monetary values of ecology could provide a different future about transportation investments, and for that reason, we should think more thoroughly on externalities.
Implementing Competency-Based Education
Authors: Curry Lynn , Docherty Marcia
Published: June 2017

The rapid and widespread adoption of competency-based education (CBE) has brought into sharp focus long-standing tensions built into education systems, particularly for graduate and professional schools. We all share the desire to produce graduates equipped to respond capably in a rapidly changing world. However, many of us struggle with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to identify, articulate, deliver, document, assess, assure, and adjust those necessary competencies across learning engagements, work-study experiences, and into work careers. CBE forces us to alter familiar pedagogical beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours. The purpose of this essay is to assist faculty, students, administrators, regulators, and employers in considering the strengths and limitations of competence-based education (CBE). We also introduce a range of mitigating strategies to address CBE shortcomings.
Learning Skills Workshops Supporting First-Year Courses
Authors: Grills Sheilagh
Published: June 2017

Student Services support, including learning skills assistance, can be integral in empowering learners.  First-year students are expected to be self-directed in their learning, yet may have neither been challenged nor experienced negative consequences for a lack of perseverance. Academic skills professionals can be partners with teaching faculty in student success by helping to build transferable learning skills, especially for high-fail introductory courses. In this paper, I report on supplementary workshops developed to target fundamental skills with course-specific examples.  This partnership included incentivizing academic support with both carrots and sticks; instructors in introductory biology strongly urged students receiving D grades or below on the first test to approach Student Services for support, while sociology faculty incorporated workshop attendance into the introductory course with participation grades. Following such incentivizing of learning skills, workshop attendance increased by 45%. In both courses, first test scores and high school averages for students attending workshops did not differ from students not attending workshops. However, students who attended learning skills workshops had significantly higher course grades, persistence, sessional grade point averages (GPAs), and cumulative GPAs than students not attending workshops. Controlling for high school average, each learning skills workshop attended was associated with a 0.11 to 0.27 increase in sessional GPA on a 4.3 point scale.
Practical Argumentation as Reasoned Advocacy
Authors: Lewiński Marcin
Published: June 2017

The paper offers a theoretical investigation into the sources of normativity in practical argumentation. The chief question is: Do we need objectively-minded, unbiased arguers or can we count on “good” argumentative processes in which individual biases cancel each other out? I address this question by analysing a detailed structure of practical argument and its varieties, and by discussing the tenets of a comparative approach to practical reason. I argue that given the comparative structure proposed, reasoned advocacy in argumentative activity upholds reasonableness whenever that activity is adequately designed. I propose some basic rules for such a design of practical argumentation.
CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES OF THE SOUTH: INDIGENOUS WATER RIGHTS IN CHILE - ANOTHER STEP IN THE “CIVILIZING MISSION?
Authors: Marín Amaya Álvez
Published: June 2017

This article explores the struggles of indigenous rights based on the adoption of the 1980 Chilean Constitution, under an authoritarian frame, that resulted in water being considered as a commodity and, therefore, subject to radical market rules that serves as a relevant local example in conflict with ratified international treaties. The argument proposes a critical approach to establish a continuum of the recurring rejection of the ancestral beliefs of Indigenous People since colonial times. In light of the actual constituent process for drafting a new constitution in Chile (2015), the article evaluates the emancipatory potential of Chile’s early sovereignty proposal on natural resources and later articulations of water as a human right. The argument assesses the possibility of including alternative views in the constituent debate over water, under the light of Third World Approaches to International Law [TWAIL] and Latin American International Law [LAIL] legal scholarship, aiming to find space in the Chilean constitutional realm for non-extractive perspectives.
Essential Palatal Myoclonus
Authors: Pandey Bhuwan Raj , Acharya Anup , Singh Madan Mohan
Published: June 2017

Introduction: Palatal myoclonus is a rare condition presenting with clicking sound in ear or muscle tremor in pharynx. There are two varieties: essential and symptomatic. Various treatment options exists ranging from watchful observation to botulinum toxin injection. We have not found any reported case of palatal myoclonus from our country. Here we present a case of essential palatal myoclonus managed with clonazepam.

Case report: A young female presented in Ear Nose and Throat clinic with complain of auditory click and spontaneous rhythmic movement of throat muscles for eight months. On examination, there was involuntary, rhythmic contraction of bilateral soft-palate, uvula, and base of tongue. Neurological, eye, and peripheral examination were normal. A diagnosis of essential palatal myoclonus was made. It was managed successfully with clonazepam; patient was still on low dose clonazepam at the time of making this report.

Conclusion: Essential palatal myoclonus can be clinically diagnosed and managed even in settings where MRI is not available or affordable.
Hardware para interfaz cerebro computador
Authors: Vélez Paulo Andrés , Gomez Valencia Juan Diego , Garcia Arana Hector
Published: June 2017

Las interfaces cerebro computador, han empezado a verse en múltiples aplicaciones. Existen dispositivos comerciales para ser utilizados como sistemas de captura para esta tecnología, el problema radica en los costos de los mismos. En este artículo, se presenta la construcción de un equipo de captura de electroencefalografía de bajo costo que se conecta al computador para poder ser utilizado con este fin.
Utilización analítica del Contorno de bloqueo restringido por las tolerancias en engranajes cilíndricos exteriores
Authors: Hernández Ortega Robert , Fernández Castañeda Feliberto
Published: June 2017

Los Contornos de Bloqueo muestran al diseñador de engranajes el conjunto de valores de los coeficientes de corrección, que cumple con las limitaciones geométricas de socavado, factor de recubrimiento, interferencia y espesor del diente en el diámetro exterior. En este trabajo se perfecciona este método, considerando para su construcción las tolerancias de la distancia entre centros, el diámetro exterior y la holgura lateral entre los perfiles de los dientes. De esta manera se garantiza el cumplimiento de las restricciones mencionadas, aun con las combinaciones más desfavorables de las tolerancias, lo que mejora la calidad del diseño de estas transmisiones.
Evaluación de la dureza y microestructura del acero 1045 templado en sustancias refrigerantes no tradicionales
Authors: Pérez Ruiz Eduardo Alberto , Galeano Perilla Angy C. , Negrín Hernández Luis I.
Published: June 2017

El tratamiento térmico de temple en los aceros al carbono, es una alternativa tecnológica que favorece el incremento de las propiedades mecánicas como consecuencia de la transformación micro estructural del material.Actualmente no existe una sustancia ideal, para la realización del enfriamiento durante el temple de aceros al Carbono, por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio se centra en verificar el comportamiento de la dureza y la microestructura que se obtienen durante el temple de un acero AISI 1045 utilizando como medios de enfriamiento agua, refrigerante de radiador y refrigerante para mecanizado industrial.Los resultados indican que el uso de refrigerante de radiador favorece la obtención de alta dureza en la región superficial (60HRC), así como la obtención de estructura martensítica. El uso de refrigerante para mecanizado favorece la obtención de durezas inferiores (52HRC), pero con la presencia de bainita en una matriz martensítica lo que favorece la tenacidad.
Percepción del servicio de agua de los acueductos comunitarios de la comuna 13 de Ibagué
Authors: Gallego Cossio Laura Constanza , Pinilla Carvajal Alexander , Ramirez Arcila Hildebrando
Published: June 2017

Los acueductos comunitarios se han encargado de gestionar el uso del recurso hídrico con fines de consumo humano y doméstico. Estas organizaciones, alcanzan a suplir esta necesidad básica aproximadamente en un 20% de la población nacional. Esta gran responsabilidad que no puede estar por fuera del control gubernamental, tiene implicaciones sustanciales en la salud pública y en el ambiente que las hacen motivo de preocupación por parte de los investigadores. La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar las percepciones que tienen los habitantes de la comuna 13 de la ciudad de Ibagué sobre el servicio de agua potable que prestan los acueductos comunitarios que los abastecen. Este estudio descriptivo se realizó mediante el método de estudio de caso y pudo establecer que los usuarios de este servicio son conscientes de las deficiencias que presenta y de las posibles implicaciones negativas que puede tener para la salud de las personas.
Predicción de la estructura secundaria y terciaria de GNL3L mediante herramientas computaciones
Authors: Cardona Arango Juan Felipe , Rothlisberger Sarah
Published: June 2017

GNL3L es una proteína poco caracterizada perteneciente al grupo de las Nucleostaminas. Sus funciones han sido asociadas principalmente a la génesis de los ribosomas, aunque recientes investigaciones la han asociado con la regulación del ADN telomerico, actuando como proteína accesoria facilitando la formación del complejo shelterina que protege el telomero. Actualmente no existen estudios experimentales que hayan definido la estructura cristalina de GNL3L, lo cual es importante para entender cómo actúa en el proceso de regulación de la longitud de los telómeros. En este trabajo, mediante herramientas computacionales (GOR, SOPMA, PSIPRED) se predice que GNL3L está compuesta en promedio de 52% de hélices alfa y 10% extended strands, lo cual permite inferir que la proteína es principalmente helicoidal. Se obtuvieron 5 modelos de estructura terciaria usando el programa MODELLER, de los cuales se optimizó el mejor con 3Drefine, se validó y graficó con ProSA-web.
Diseño de cadena de abastecimiento bajo el concepto de logística inversa para el sector manufacturero de papel en la zona centro del Valle del Cauca.
Authors: Peña Orozco Diego Leon , Bolaños Carranza Diana Fernanda , Salcedo Peláez Paola Fernanda
Published: June 2017

Hoy en día la utilización de Productos Fuera de Uso (PFU) en la industria manufacturera de papel, ha tomado un mayor interés tanto en el ámbito de los negocios como en la investigación. Este fenómeno se ha dado gracias a la conciencia ambiental que se está estructurando en estas empresas, y también gracias al avance en la gestión de la cadena de suministro.Para la correcta recolección de los PFU, se debe diseñar una cadena de abastecimiento inversa que sea capaz de administrar o gestionar adecuadamente la recolección de estos productos, a un costo logístico menor. Dentro del diseño de la cadena de abastecimiento se tendrán en cuenta todos los componentes  necesarios para la recolección del papel, tales como la localización del centro de recuperación para lo cual es necesario contar con la información de tres plantas manufactureras de papel y de centros de reciclajes ubicados en la zona centro del Valle del Cauca.
Evaluación de herramientas tecnológicas de uso libre, aplicadas a procesos de auditoria
Authors: Gallego Cossio Laura Constanza , Hernandez Aros Ludivia , Clavijo Bustos Nelly
Published: June 2017

Este artículo sistematiza los resultados de la investigación titulada “Impacto de procesos de auditoria en la fase de planeación bajo conceptos de técnicas especializadas de análisis de datos en las empresas de la ciudad de Ibagué” cuya pretensión es establecer comparaciones que permitan formar juicios sobre la utilización de software libre para una aplicación específica, lo que mitológicamente se desarrolla mediante un análisis comparativo, entre las herramientas o software con licencia pública más utilizadas para el desarrollo de una auditoría financiera.Estructuralmente consta de tres apartados, el primero de ellos sistematiza la literatura de las técnicas y herramientas especializadas de uso público para una auditoria, estableciendo las etapas de una auditoria y sus aspectos más significantes, el segundo realiza el análisis comparado para inferir la finalidad de los principales software con licencia pública general (GPL) utilizados en la auditoria, en la tercera sección determina el objeto de estudio, como algunos de los principales software GPL utilizados en auditoria, estos se analizan mediante una matriz de comparación, conforme a las principales características establecidas en un software de auditoria funcional. Del análisis de la información se concluye sobre la versatilidad de los software revisados y se establecen conclusiones de su aplicabilidad.
Implementación de un modelo para la representación vectorial de la actividad eléctrica del corazón en un espacio tridimensional
Authors: NIÑO NIÑO CARLOS ANDRES , Barrero Perez Jaime Guillermo , Peña Quimbayo Mauricio Javier , Infante Vivas Julián Darío
Published: June 2017

Al implementarse  una tarjeta electrónica con la cual se adquiere la información proveniente de  tres canales electrocardiográficos cuasi-ortogonales entre sí, V2, aVF, D1 se obtienen  los datos necesarios para representar mediante ellos la actividad eléctrica del corazón en un espacio tridimensional.  El vectocardiograma  representa la actividad eléctrica del corazón en forma vectorial, esta representación necesita definir el origen de coordenadas y el  plano principal  de proyección de las fuerzas eléctricas del corazón. Este estudio utiliza  un método basado en el cálculo de  momentos de inercia mecánicos para determinar la dirección correcta del vectocardiograma.
Procedimentos cirúrgicos e idosos longevos: Revisão da literatura
Authors: Mota Jaqueline Pereira , Menezes Ruth Losada , Vilaça Karla Helena Coelho
Published: June 2017

A pesquisa visa a conhecer a produção científica sobre procedimentos cirúrgicos em idosos longevos octogenários e analisar suas características gerais. Trata-se de pesquisa de revisão integrativa em banco de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde LILACS, Pubmed e SciELO, analisando-se 15 artigos publicados em português. O tratamento cirúrgico em octogenários tem-se mostrado viável. É necessária avaliação individualizada, não existindo critério universal para seleção ou rejeição de pacientes idosos, levando-se em conta as doenças pré-existentes.Palavras-chave: Idosos de 80 anos ou mais; Intervenção Cirúrgica; Gerontologia.
THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF BUSINESS PROCESS EFFICIENCY
Authors: Lykova Alina Igorevna
Published: June 2017

Business process management and performance management merge with each other as business process management evolves. Efficiency is a characteristic of the system in terms of the ratio of costs and results of its functioning, ability to lead to given results. Efficiency in the concept of process management is the measurement of predefined operational characteristics of the process: qualitative and / or quantitative indicators that characterize the process. The main indicators of process efficiency are the process efficiency indices. In addition, in the theory of performance management key performance indicators are emitted. Although they have much in common (relatively constant, measurable, assess progress, etc.), the main difference between these indicators is that process performance indicators measure operational efficiency, while key performance indicators represent the business objectives that the company wants to achieve at a strategic level. There are different types of the process performance indicators: productivity and effectiveness, temporary, costly, high-quality; early and late. Process performance indicators are assigned to each process to monitor its effectiveness and to correlate the achievement of the process goal and the costs to achieve this goal. The establishment of key performance indicators depends on the organization's strategy and is implemented using methodologies developed and tested in practice, the most popular of which is the Balanced Scorecard. With the purpose of forming a control loop for the efficiency of business processes, the principles of managing the efficiency of processes are singled out: the level of development of performance management directly depends on the level of process maturity of the organization; when analyzing the process, performance indicators are primary, and then productivity; understanding customer motivation when evaluating the process; evolutionary measurement of effectiveness. The performance management framework of business processes consists of planning, execution (which also consists of performance monitoring processes for each selected process), verification and updating.
El cortometraje como herramienta innovadora para el alumnado con Altas Capacidades en Educación Primaria
Authors: Fernández del Río Ana Belén , Barreira Arias Alberto José
Published: June 2017

El presente estudio muestra los resultados de una experiencia implementada con alumnado de Altas Capacidades de Educación Primaria utilizando el cortometraje como estrategia innovadora basada en la animación y creación audiovisual, para la mejora de sus potencialidades. Se pretende, por un lado, analizar la progresión de dichos estudiantes y, por otro, ejemplificar dicho análisis utilizando la técnica short-films, dando a conocer sus posibilidades como herramienta didáctico-pedagógica que promueva la mejora de su potencial creativo. De forma específica, se procura crear, manipular y combinar textos e imágenes de forma creativa, favorecer la adquisición de habilidades sociales, utilizar eficazmente procedimientos de búsqueda, recogida y procesamiento de la información, así como valorar los medios de comunicación social como instrumento para aprender a acceder a informaciones y experiencias. Como método de investigación se utiliza el estudio de casos y también la investigación-acción. La muestra seleccionada de carácter intencional está constituida por 12 estudiantes de Altas Capacidades de Educación Primaria. En el análisis cualitativo de los datos se utilizó el software ATLAS.ti. Tras la intervención se constata una mejora relevante en la creatividad del alumnado; así como un incremento en su motivación,  destacando  la adquisición y desarrollo de habilidades como el trabajo colaborativo en donde se aprenden estrategias para resolver problemas. Asimismo, habilidades interpersonales como la comunicación, el liderazgo y la capacidad de decisión.
Analyzing and Improving the Performance of Dynamic Message Sign Reporting Work Zone–Related Congestion
Authors: Wang Shefang , Sharma Anuj , Knickerbocker Skylar
Published: June 2017

Dynamic message sign (DMS) systems aim to provide realistic, reliable, and real-time traffic information to roadway users. This study investigated the performance of a DMS present at a work zone that warns drivers of any imminent congestion. A work zone in Davenport, Iowa, was used as the test site to evaluate the performance and the proposed algorithm improvements. A typical automated DMS uses a dedicated sensor measuring speed or occupancy and simple thresholds to post messages warning drivers of the congestion by using a set of predefined messages such as “Traffic Delays Possible,” “Slow Traffic Ahead,” and “Stopped Traffic Ahead.” On the basis of field observation, it was found that these simplistic algorithms lead to a significant number of very short messages, erroneous messages during nighttime, and groups of messages that continuously alternate between different displays. This study first developed performance metrics to report the issues with the existing DMS automated programming logic and then proposed a machine learning–based real-time algorithm for improved operations.
Validity of CAVI measurements for diagnosing hypertension in middle-aged and elderly patients and correlations of these measurements with relevant factors
Authors: Qiao Aike , Song Xiaorui , Peng Kun , Du Guowei , Li Gaoyang , Chen Zhihui
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND:

The high risk of hypertension in middle-aged and elderly people has led to the development of the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), a novel predictor of cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVE:

This paper aimed to determine how reliably hypertension can be diagnosed in middle-aged and elderly people by measuring CAVI.

METHODS:

One hundred and ninety-five subjects (69 males/126 females; mean age of 56.06 [Formula: see text] 2.08 years) were enrolled. CAVI were measured using a blood pressure and pulse monitor device.

RESULTS:

The CAVI was positively correlated with age, SBP, PP and PPI in the hypertension group ([Formula: see text] 0.656, 0.388, 0.445, 0.376; all [Formula: see text] 0.05). The mean CAVI was the significant difference between each age group. The ROC results showed that the best diagnostic point was 8.350, where the sensitivity was 72.2% and the specificity was 72.3%. The positive rate of the CAVI was higher than normal blood pressure for those over 60 years of age.

CONCLUSION:

Compared with normal blood pressure measurements, CAVI measurements are relatively reliable for predicting hypertension in those over the age of 60. More attention should be paid to the CAVI [Formula: see text] 8.350, which may be regarded as a simple and noninvasive reference index of hypertension diagnosis for middle-aged and elderly.
ChainMail based neural dynamics modeling of soft tissue deformation for surgical simulation
Authors: Zhang Jinao , Zhong Yongmin , Smith Julian , Gu Chengfan
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND:

Realistic and real-time modeling and simulation of soft tissue deformation is a fundamental research issue in the field of surgical simulation.

OBJECTIVE:

In this paper, a novel cellular neural network approach is presented for modeling and simulation of soft tissue deformation by combining neural dynamics of cellular neural network with ChainMail mechanism.

METHOD:

The proposed method formulates the problem of elastic deformation into cellular neural network activities to avoid the complex computation of elasticity. The local position adjustments of ChainMail are incorporated into the cellular neural network as the local connectivity of cells, through which the dynamic behaviors of soft tissue deformation are transformed into the neural dynamics of cellular neural network.

RESULTS:

Experiments demonstrate that the proposed neural network approach is capable of modeling the soft tissues’ nonlinear deformation and typical mechanical behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS:

The proposed method not only improves ChainMail’s linear deformation with the nonlinear characteristics of neural dynamics but also enables the cellular neural network to follow the principle of continuum mechanics to simulate soft tissue deformation.
Argumentação em preâmbulos constitucionais: interfaces em contextos lusófonos
Authors: Pinto Rosalice , Teixeira Carla
Published: June 2017

Este artigo objetiva realizar um estudo contrastivo entre as estratégias argumentativas utilizadas nos preâmbulos constitucionais português e brasileiro, de 1976 e 1988, respectivamente, de forma a verificar o ethos constitucional construído. Considerando o preâmbulo constitucional como um gênero textual incluído (Rastier, 1989), a análise das componentes temática e discursiva (Bronckart, 1999) fornece subsídios para estabelecer, a partir de índices linguísticos, uma análise comparativa dos textos. Os resultados obtidos mostram que, face a contextos históricos diferenciados de produção, o ethos constitucional do preâmbulo português mostra-se pedagógico, ao contrário do brasileiro que é mais protetor, e com uma tonalidade mais assimétrica.
A Competency Knowledge-Base for BIM Learning
Authors: Succar Bilal , Sher Willy
Published: June 2017

Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools and workflows continue to proliferate within the Design, Construction and Operation (DCO) industry. To equip current and future industry professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage in collaborative workflows and integrated project deliverables, it is important to identify the competencies that need to be taught at educational institutions or trained on the job. Expanding upon a collaborative BIM education framework pertaining to a national BIM initiative in Australia, this paper introduces a conceptual workflow to identify, classify, and aggregate BIM competency items. Acting as a knowledge-base for BIM learners and learning providers, the aggregated competency items can be used to develop BIM learning modules to satisfy the learning requirements of varied audiences - be they students, practitioners, tradespeople or managers. This competency knowledge-base will facilitate a common understanding of BIM deliverables and their requirements, and support the national efforts to promote BIM learning.Keywords:BIM competency, BIM education, BIM learning modules, competency knowledge-base, learning triangle.
Procurement Selection Model: Development of a Conceptual Model Based on Transaction Costs
Authors: Rajeh Mohammed A , Tookey John , Rotimi James
Published: June 2017

Procurement is a major improvement area and a crucial element contributing to project success, and the selection of an optimal procurement system is an important and difficult step in project execution. The criteria for choosing suitable procurement methods are based on client’s objectives and priorities, and influenced by project constraints. The procurement path determination chart has largely dominated research in procurement selection process in construction. Eight factors need to be considered by the client when developing procurement selection criteria. At the procurement strategy the focus should be on factors such as cost, quality, and time, while at the procurement route the consideration should focus on complexity, certainty, risk, responsibility, and degree of control by the client. However, including certain criteria and ignoring the magnitude of transaction costs (TCs) associated with uncertainties in the transaction environment simplifies this process. This study addresses this shortcoming by combining evaluation criteria with TCs incurred because of external and internal environmental uncertainties in a theoretical model on procurement selection. This is achieved by developing a conceptual framework model based on TCs. Uncertainties in the transaction environment have a positive or negative impact on the magnitude of TCs such as information, procurement, administration, and enforcement. The model represents an analytical form of a suitable combination of factors influencing procurement systems, which guide procurement decisions. The model will increase understanding of how efficient procurement selection of construction projects can be achieved through appropriate procurement procedures, which could positively impact project performance.Keywords: Construction, Procurement systems, Transaction costs
Validation of gas phase chemistry in the WRF-Chem model over Europe
Authors: Karlický Jan , Huszár Peter , Halenka Tomáš
Published: June 2017

Abstract. This work presents the evaluation of the WRF-Chem model applied for a European domain over the year 2008 and employing two different chemical modules. Airbase European station data and E-OBS database are used for validation of the simulated meteorological conditions as well as concentrations of NO2, SO2 and ozone. In both experiments, underestimation of the amplitude of temperature daily cycle (by about 1 °C) and precipitation overestimation (by about 25 %) were found, with possible impact on chemistry processes due to increased removal via wet deposition. The modelled ozone concentrations match the observations quite well, while the simulated concentrations of other gases show highly negative bias.
Sistema de manufactura reconfigurable y competitividad industrial
Authors: Ortega Jiménez César H. , Eguía Salinas Ignacio
Published: June 2017

Este artículo ha decidido usar un modelo dinámico de competitividad de la Producción de Alto Rendimiento (High Performance Manufacturing, HPM), que presentelas condiciones actuales en el escenario industrial a nivel mundial,para la futura implementación de Sistemas de Manufactura Reconfigurable (Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems, RMSs). Así pues, aunque los RMSs  pueden ser esenciales para la mejora continua, la globalización ha hecho difícil ganar ventaja (o aún paridad) competitiva a largo plazo con sólo implementar tales sistemas innovadores. Ello se debe en parte a la incesante e impredecible (y a veces predecible) evolución de las estructuras de mercado, de las demandas y de la tecnología de productos y de procesos. Por tanto, puede ser arriesgado el hacer predicciones de posibles rendimientos del impacto de futuros RMSs, desde mucha de la literatura teórica y empírica relacionada con el tema. Además, la evidencia de estudios empíricos en HPM muestra que la piedra angular de la competitividad industrial no es crear una nueva tendencia, sino más bien mejorar continuamente al seleccionar y adaptar, según sea necesario, sólo las practicas avanzadas de producción (PAPs) que se ajusten al contexto especifico de la fábrica, estableciendo vínculos entre las PAPs existentes y las nuevas por instalar. Así pues, tomando el contexto del HPM, se establecen las condiciones actuales para la implementación del RMS. Finalmente, este artículo hace sugerencias en relación alRMSe identifica posibles direcciones para futura investigación.
The Impact of Poverty in the Young Ecuadorian Citizens Aged 5-14: A Data Analysis
Authors: Avilés Fernando Pesántez , Bykbaev Vladimir Robles , Stefos Efstathios
Published: June 2017

The objective of the study is to examine the educational and social profile of young people aged 5-14 of Ecuador by means of a statistical analysis of this sector of the Ecuadorian population, based on data from the National Survey of Employment, Unemployment and Underemployment from 2015. The statistical analysis shows the frequency and percentages of the variables used in the investigation. We use contingency tables in order to explore the relationship between the variables under investigation and the poverty in this age group.
Growth of Magnesium Oxide Thin Films Using Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: S. Rizwan Ali  , S. Qaseem  , S. Imran Ali  , M. Naeem
Published: June 2017

Ultra thin MgO films (1-2 nm) are grown on Si/SiO2 substrates using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Different growth conditions such as substrate temperatures, annealing conditions and growth rates are tested in order to achieve optimum parameters for the smooth and uniform growth. The films were characterized ex-situ using atomic force microscopy and x ray diffractio. Our results demonstrate MBE growth of MgO films with an rms roughness better than 0.5 nm on Si/SiO2 substrates. These results are important for the applications of MgO films as tunnel barriers in spintronic devices.
LE PROFIL COGNITIF AU SERVICE DES APPRENTISSAGES : OPTIMISER LE POTENTIEL DES ENFANTS SUR LE SPECTRE DE L’AUTISME
Authors: Courchesne Valérie , Nader Anne-Marie , Girard Dominique , Bouchard Valérie , Danis Éliane , Soulières Isabelle
Published: June 2017

Malgré de nombreuses recherches dans le domaine de la cognition en autisme, l'application des résultats de recherche au sein des milieux cliniques demeure ardue. Le présent article vise à diminuer l'écart existant entre les résultats de recherche et la pratique clinique dans ce domaine. Une revue critique de la littérature sur l'intelligence, le raisonnement et l'apprentissage en autisme, mène à des recommandations cliniques pour l'évaluation et l'intervention auprès des enfants sur le spectre de l’autisme.
PRÉSENTATION
Authors: Bouffard Léandre , Lapierre Sylvie
Published: June 2017

Cette introduction a pour objectif de présenter les contributions au présent dossier sur le bonheur. Auparavant, nous abordons quelques points qui nous semblent comporter un intérêt certain : les « bénéfices » du bonheur, sa contagion, la réticence qu’il suscite, les ingrédients du bonheur que constituent le contact avec la nature et les beaux-arts, enfin, la génétique et l’épigénétique du bonheur.
L’EFFICACITÉ DES INTERVENTIONS FAVORISANT LE BONHEUR : UNE SYNTHÈSE
Authors: Cobb Angela M. , Stone Bryant M. , Parks Acacia C. , Julio Laïa
Published: June 2017

L’objectif du présent article est de passer en revue la littérature grandissante portant sur les interventions psychologiques destinées à accroître le bonheur. On discute d’abord de la notion de bonheur et de l’importance de celui-ci pour les individus et les groupes sociaux. Ensuite, on présente une vue d’ensemble des interventions orientées vers le bonheur au moyen d’exercices spécifiques variées en considérant leur efficacité. Une section est consacrée aux implications cliniques des dites interventions pour la santé mentale et physique. Enfin, on fait la promotion de l’usage des technologies sophistiquées pour la diffusion des stratégies favorisant le bonheur.
LA CYBERTHÉRAPIE DANS LE TRAITEMENT DE L’HYPERPHAGIE BOULIMIQUE : RECENSION DE LA LITTÉRATURE
Authors: St-Amour Nathalie , Léveillée Suzanne , Wilkins Jean
Published: June 2017

L’hyperphagie boulimique (HB) représente le trouble alimentaire le plus fréquent avec une prévalence qui est plus élevée que celles combinées de l’anorexie nerveuse et de la boulimie (Hudson et al., 2007). Bien que l’HB a fait officiellement son entrée dans le DSM-5, il demeure de grandes difficultés concernant l’accessibilité et la disponibilité des traitements s’appuyant sur des données probantes. Le but de cet article est de présenter une recension critique de la littérature qui fera ressortir l’utilisation de la cyberthérapie dans le traitement de l’HB ainsi que les implications au niveau de la pratique clinique et de la recherche.
Three dimensional reconstruction of energy stores for jumping in planthoppers and froghoppers from confocal laser scanning microscopy
Authors: Siwanowicz Igor , Burrows Malcolm
Published: June 2017

Jumping in planthopper and froghopper insects is propelled by a catapult-like mechanism requiring mechanical storage of energy and its quick release to accelerate the hind legs rapidly. To understand the functional biomechanics involved in these challenging movements, the internal skeleton, tendons and muscles involved were reconstructed in 3-D from confocal scans in unprecedented detail. Energy to power jumping was generated by slow contractions of hind leg depressor muscles and then stored by bending specialised elements of the thoracic skeleton that are composites of the rubbery protein resilin sandwiched between layers of harder cuticle with air-filled tunnels reducing mass. The images showed that the lever arm of the power-producing muscle changed in magnitude during jumping, but at all joint angles would cause depression, suggesting a mechanism by which the stored energy is released. This methodological approach illuminates how miniaturized components interact and function in complex and rapid movements of small animals.
Using high-throughput sequencing of ITS2 to describe Symbiodinium metacommunities in St. John, US Virgin Islands
Authors: Cunning Ross , Gates Ruth D. , Edmunds Peter J.
Published: June 2017

Symbiotic microalgae (Symbiodinium spp.) strongly influence the performance and stress-tolerance of their coral hosts, making the analysis of Symbiodinium communities in corals (and metacommunities on reefs) advantageous for many aspects of coral reef research. High-throughput sequencing of ITS2 nrDNA offers unprecedented scale in describing these communities, yet high intragenomic variability at this locus complicates the resolution of biologically meaningful diversity. Here, we demonstrate that generating operational taxonomic units by clustering ITS2 sequences at 97% similarity within, but not across, samples collapses sequence diversity that is more likely to be intragenomic, while preserving diversity that is more likely interspecific. We utilize this ‘within-sample clustering’ to analyze Symbiodinium from ten host taxa on shallow reefs on the north and south shores of St. John, US Virgin Islands. While Symbiodinium communities did not differ between shores, metacommunity network analysis of host-symbiont associations revealed Symbiodinium lineages occupying ‘dominant’ and ‘background’ niches, and coral hosts that are more ‘flexible’ or ‘specific’ in their associations with Symbiodinium. These methods shed new light on important questions in coral symbiosis ecology, and demonstrate how application-specific bioinformatic pipelines can improve the analysis of metabarcoding data in microbial metacommunity studies.
Temporal Information Partitioning Networks (TIPNets): A process network approach to infer ecohydrologic shifts
Authors: Goodwell Allison E. , Kumar Praveen
Published: June 2017

In an ecohydrologic system, components of atmospheric, vegetation, and root‐soil subsystems participate in forcing and feedback interactions at varying time scales and intensities. The structure of this network of complex interactions varies in terms of connectivity, strength, and time scale due to perturbations or changing conditions such as rainfall, drought, or land use. However, characterization of these interactions is difficult due to multivariate and weak dependencies in the presence of noise, nonlinearities, and limited data. We introduce a framework for Temporal Information Partitioning Networks (TIPNets), in which time‐series variables are viewed as nodes, and lagged multivariate mutual information measures are links. These links are partitioned into synergistic, unique, and redundant information components, where synergy is information provided only jointly, unique information is only provided by a single source, and redundancy is overlapping information. We construct TIPNets from 1 min weather station data over several hour time windows. From a comparison of dry, wet, and rainy conditions, we find that information strengths increase when solar radiation and surface moisture are present, and surface moisture and wind variability are redundant and synergistic influences, respectively. Over a growing season, network trends reveal patterns that vary with vegetation and rainfall patterns. The framework presented here enables us to interpret process connectivity in a multivariate context, which can lead to better inference of behavioral shifts due to perturbations in ecohydrologic systems. This work contributes to more holistic characterizations of system behavior, and can benefit a wide variety of studies of complex systems.
Modeling solar energetic particle events using ENLIL heliosphere simulations
Authors: Luhmann J. G. , Mays M. L. , Odstrcil D. , Li Yan , Bain H. , Lee C. O. , Galvin A. B. , Mewaldt R. A. , Cohen C. M. S. , Leske R. A. , Larson D. , Futaana Y.
Published: June 2017

Solar energetic particle (SEP) event modeling has gained renewed attention in part because of the availability of a decade of multipoint measurements from STEREO and L1 spacecraft at 1 AU. These observations are coupled with improving simulations of the geometry and strength of heliospheric shocks obtained by using coronagraph images to send erupted material into realistic solar wind backgrounds. The STEREO and ACE measurements in particular have highlighted the sometimes surprisingly widespread nature of SEP events. It is thus an opportune time for testing SEP models, which typically focus on protons ~1–100 MeV, toward both physical insight to these observations and potentially useful space radiation environment forecasting tools. Some approaches emphasize the concept of particle acceleration and propagation from close to the Sun, while others emphasize the local field line connection to a traveling, evolving shock source. Among the latter is the previously introduced SEPMOD treatment, based on the widely accessible and well‐exercised WSA‐ENLIL‐cone model. SEPMOD produces SEP proton time profiles at any location within the ENLIL domain. Here we demonstrate a SEPMOD version that accommodates multiple, concurrent shock sources occurring over periods of several weeks. The results illustrate the importance of considering longer‐duration time periods and multiple CME contributions in analyzing, modeling, and forecasting SEP events.
Reply to comment by Fred L. Ogden et al. on “Beyond the SCS‐CN method: A theoretical framework for spatially lumped rainfall‐runoff response”
Authors: Bartlett M. S. , Parolari A. J. , McDonnell J. J. , Porporato A.
Published: June 2017

Though Ogden et al. list several shortcomings of the original SCS‐CN method, fit for purpose is a key consideration in hydrological modelling, as shown by the adoption of SCS‐CN method in many design standards. The theoretical framework of Bartlett et al. [2016a] reveals a family of semidistributed models, of which the SCS‐CN method is just one member. Other members include event‐based versions of the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model and TOPMODEL. This general model allows us to move beyond the limitations of the original SCS‐CN method under different rainfall‐runoff mechanisms and distributions for soil and rainfall variability. Future research should link this general model approach to different hydrogeographic settings, in line with the call for action proposed by Ogden et al.
Fault estimation of wind turbines using combined adaptive and parameter estimation schemes
Authors: Witczak Marcin , Rotondo Damiano , Puig Vicenç , Nejjari Fatiha , Pazera Marcin
Published: June 2017

This paper addresses the problem of fault estimation in wind turbines using a joint fault and state estimation scheme. The scheme assumes a set of possible faults affecting the dynamics of the wind turbine. Then, a combined adaptive and parameter estimation scheme is developed taking into consideration that process disturbances and sensor noises are unknown but bounded in an ellipsoid. Two subcases are considered depending on the satisfaction of a certain rank condition. The proposed approach is applied to a wind turbine based on a benchmark system model. The benchmark represents relevant fault scenarios, including sensor, actuator, and process faults. The proposed approach focuses on the last group of faults. Finally, the obtained results show that a satisfactory fault estimation is achieved against a set of predefined fault scenarios.