bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DA COLETA SELETIVA À RECICLAGEM - O USO DA COMUNICAÇÃO INTERNA PARA A IMPLANTAÇÃO DE UM PROGRAMA DE GESTÃO AMBIENTAL EMPRESARIAL: UM ESTUDO DE CASO
Authors: Paula Silvio Luiz de , Oliveira Andrezza Marianna Pinto de , Oliveira Marcella Arianna Pinto de
Published: April 2017

Nos grandes centros urbanos, percebe-se como latente o problema de destinação e tratamento do lixo de maneira eficiente. Dentre as inúmeras alternativas adotadas de resolução destes problemas, destacam-se as parcerias com o empresariado local para a adoção de processos de coleta seletiva e as parcerias com cooperativas de reciclagem, no intuito de promover a destinação e o reaproveitamento de parte deste lixo, ou seja, do material que antes iria para descarte nos aterros e lixões. Este estudo de caso apresenta a experiência de implantação de um programa de gestão de resíduos, especificamente, de um programa coleta seletiva, dando maior ênfase às etapas de uso da comunicação corporativa para a sensibilização e conscientização do público interno. O tipo de pesquisa utilizado foi a qualitativa, tanto para a coleta quanto para a análise dos dados. Dentre os aspectos observados, ressaltou-se a predominância do uso de textos (e-mail/intranet) e imagens (fotografias e cartazes) durante o processo de sensibilização/conscientização. O estudo permitiu um melhor entendimento da forma como uma organização pode implantar um programa de coleta seletiva, bem como utilizar a comunicação corporativa para difundir, junto ao público interno, os objetivos de um programa.Palavras-chave: Responsabilidade social, gestão ambiental, comunicação empresarial.AbstractIn large urban centers, the problem of efficient disposal and treatment of waste is perceived as latent. Among the many alternatives adopted to address those problems, there are partnerships with local businesses to adopt procedures for waste collection and partnerships with recycling cooperatives, in order to promote the disposal and reuse of this waste, i.e. of the material that would prior go disposal in landfills and dumps. This case study presents the experience of introducing a program for waste management, specifically a selective collection program, placing greater emphasis on the steps to use corporate communication to raise the internal public awareness and sensitization. The type of research design was qualitative, for both data collection and analysis. Among the aspects observed, it was emphasized the predominance of the use of texts (e-mail/intranet) and images (photographs and posters) during the process of sensitization/awareness. The study led to a better understanding of how an organization can implement a program of selective collection and use corporate communication to spread among the internal public the objectives of the program.Keywords: Social responsability, environmental management, organizational communication.
COMPORTAMENTO ECOLOGICAMENTE CONSCIENTE DO CONSUMIDOR: ADAPTAÇÃO DA ESCALA ECCB PARA O CONTEXTO BRASILEIRO
Authors: Grohmann Márcia Zampieri , Battistella Luciana Flores , Velter Aline Nadalin , Casasola Fernanda
Published: April 2017

O propósito deste estudo foi o de atestar a aplicabilidade da Escala de Comportamento Ecologicamente Consciente do Consumidor (ECCB), desenvolvida por Roberts (1996), na realidade local. Para tanto, o objetivo principal do artigo foi o de validar a escala ECCB para o contexto nacional e propor os ajustes necessários. O estudo foi realizado com 176 alunos do curso de graduação em Administração de uma universidade do RS, caracterizando-se como uma pesquisa descritiva e quantitativa do tipo survey. A adequação da Análise Fatorial Exploratória foi comprovada com o valor do KMO 0,915 e Barlett significativo e seu resultado, após a exclusão de três variáveis com comunalidades inferiores a 0,50, gerou uma estrutura de três fatores (reciclagem, mudança de comportamento e saúde) que explicam 56,9% da variância total. Através da Análise Fatorial Confirmatória, identificou-se a necessidade de dois procedimentos de melhoria do modelo: a inclusão de uma correlação entre os itens r3 (produtos que possuem grande quantidade de embalagens) e p5 (produtos feitos de recursos naturais escassos); e exclusão do item s3 (pagar mais por produtos sem elementos químicos). Com estas alterações, obteve-se um modelo com índices que comprovam um bom ajuste (χ² = 192,610; χ²/gl = 1,65; RMR = 0,082; CFI = 0,933; NFI = 0,873; NNFI = 0,922; RMSEA = 0,064) e, desta forma, o estudo comprova que após algumas adaptações, a escala apresenta consistência para ser aplicada no contexto nacional.
NOVAS FRONTEIRAS TEÓRICAS PARA A RESPONSABILIDADE SOCIAL EMPRESARIAL: O PAPEL DAS EMPRESAS NO DESENVOLVIMENTO SUSTENTÁVEL DOS TERRITÓRIOS
Authors: Wildhagen Raquel Oliveira , Teodósio Armindo dos S. de S. , Mansur Yasmine Santos , Polanco Jorge Andrés
Published: April 2017

O presente artigo de natureza teórica tem como principal objetivo contribuir para a construção de novos marcos teóricos, em bases críticas, sobre a responsabilidade das empresas no desenvolvimento sustentável dos territórios. Para isso, apresenta-se em um primeiro momento as abordagens da Nova Sociologia Econômica como uma via para se pensar o desenvolvimento para além da perspectiva econômica somente. Em um segundo momento, discutir-se as contradições dos conceitos de desenvolvimento sustentável e as implicações de sua institucionalização. Em seguida, são problematizadas algumas abordagens da Responsabilidade Social Empresarial com foco em uma discussão crítica sobre a Teoria dos Stakeholders, muito presente nos estudos tradicionais sobre o papel das empresas no desenvolvimento sustentável de territórios.
Recensiones
Authors: Valmorisco Pizarro Segundo , Losada Olmos Irma
Published: April 2017

Ferri Durá, Jaime (Dir.) Política y Gobierno en el Estado Autonómico. Valencia: Tirant Lo Blanch-INAP, 2013, 463 pp (Segundo Valmorisco Pizarro).La diplomacia pública de China en América Latina. Lecciones para Chile, Isabel Rodríguez Aranda y Yang Shouguo (comp.), Santiago de Chile, RIL, 2013, 331 pp (Irma Losada Olmos).
El acceso a la información pública y su impacto en la corrupción. El caso de México
Authors: Vera Martínez Martín Cutberto
Published: April 2017

El presente artículo tiene como fin presentar un análisis, sobre la base de un estudio de caso que permita corroborar aspectos ya expuestos por otros autores respecto de la relación entre transparencia y corrupción. A tal fin se analizará el caso mexicano y se sostendrá que los cambios normativos que facilitan el acceso a la información no son suficientes para influenciar positivamente en la relación entre transparencia y corrupción que, debido a su complejidad, debe contemplar otras variables para contribuir efectivamente en el contexto señalado.
El Índice de Cobertura de Servicios (ICS). Un instrumento para la evaluación de los Servicios Públicos
Authors: Lagares Diez Nieves , Pereira López María , Jaráiz Gulías Erika
Published: April 2017

El amplio crecimiento experimentado por los servicios públicos en España en los últimos treinta y ocho años, paralelo a la estructuración de las administraciones públicas, al proceso de descentralización de competencias y al desarrollo del Estado del Bienestar; ha puesto de manifiesto la importancia que su cobertura tiene no sólo para las administraciones públicas, como gestoras de los mismos, sino para los ciudadanos, como copropietarios últimos de dichos servicios. Bajo el soporte teórico que proporcionan los presupuestos del paradigma del Nuevo Servicio Público, se pone en valor la noción de ciudadanía, así como los derechos inherentes a la misma, colocando al ciudadano en el centro del debate público. Para conseguir estos objetivos, las administraciones deben poner en marcha mecanismos que les permitan conocer las expectativas y el grado de satisfacción de los ciudadanos con los servicios que prestan. Para ello y teniendo en cuenta el bagaje teórico-empírico en este terreno, se ha diseñado una propuesta teórica, el Índice de Cobertura de Servicios (ICS), que permite analizar de forma comparativa, a través del establecimiento de umbrales de cobertura, el nivel de prestación de los servicios públicos en el ámbito municipal.
La participación ciudadana como criterio de valor en evaluaciones de carácter integral. Una aproximación desde la experiencia de AEVAL
Authors: Ruiz Martínez Ana María
Published: April 2017

Desde hace años la cuestión de la participación ciudadana ha suscitado un notable interés. Tanto en el ámbito académico como desde organismos internacionales se han generado numerosos trabajos en relación con modelos y procesos de participación, evaluaciones de políticas públicas con enfoque participativo o considerando la participación como una variable explicativa de su éxito o fracaso. Sin embargo es dificultoso encontrar evaluaciones de políticas públicas que contemplen entre otros criterios de valor, el de participación. El problema que se pretende abordar en este artículo es cómo evaluar la participación ciudadana en procesos de evaluación de carácter integral y que por lo tanto abordan todo el ciclo de la política utilizando para ello múltiples criterios de valor.
Maruja Mallo
Authors: Mayayo Patricia
Published: April 2017

Aunque no poseemos ninguna fotografía firmada por Maruja Mallo, este artículo sostiene que la artista española utilizó de forma muy consciente el retrato fotográfico como parte de un trabajo performativo de invención de sí. La fotografía le sirvió como vehículo de autoafirmación, pero también como una herramienta para construir una imagen del Yo que escapara a los roles femeninos establecidos. Además, el retrato fotográfico le brindará a Mallo la oportunidad de “encarnar” sus obras, de representarlas de forma viva, creando así una simbiosis entre creación y creadora y llevando al límite el ideal vanguardista de fusión entre el arte y la vida.
Judging Jonson: Ben Jonson's Satirical Self-Defense in Poetaster
Authors: Vivier Eric D.
Published: April 2017

This essay argues that Ben Jonson's antagonism with his audience in the comical satires was at least in part related to his translation of the satirist to the theater. Whereas printed satires anticipated and even encouraged the displeasure of their readers, Jonson's comical satires attempt to forestall the potential displeasure of the audience by replacing their judgment of his plays with his own judgment of his plays. When he was accused of arrogance by his fellow playwright John Marston, Jonson put Marston's judgment of Jonson's judgment on trial. This is the central “arraignment” of Poetaster, a play that repudiates Marston's accusation and upholds Jonson's confident self-assessment by demonstrating Jonson's merit. Jonson's satirical self-defense, finally, has implications for our broader theoretical understanding of Early Modern satire. The self-defensiveness of Jonson's satire may be unusually explicit, but it may well be an intrinsic feature of Early Modern satire; so too is the personal nature of Jonson's attack upon Marston much more representative of Early Modern satire than most critics have realized.
Relationships between the timing of budburst, plant traits, and distribution of 24 coexisting woody species in a warm‐temperate forest in Japan
Authors: Osada Noriyuki
Published: April 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Timing of budburst (DBB) may be related to the functional traits and distributions of woody species in temperate regions. Although many previous studies have investigated DBB in a number of temperate species, it has seldom been linked to multiple plant trait relationships.

METHODS:

DBB and plant traits were investigated for 24 woody species for 2 years in a warm‐temperate secondary forest in Japan. Particular attention was paid to differences in trait relationships between coexisting deciduous and evergreen broad‐leaved species.

KEY RESULTS:

DBB was correlated with plant traits in deciduous but not evergreen broad‐leaved species; DBB was later for deciduous species with greater leaf mass, leaf area, vessel diameter, and leaf nitrogen content per unit mass. In addition, DBB was later for species with more northern distributions in deciduous and evergreen species.

CONCLUSIONS:

Clear differences in the trait relationships between deciduous and evergreen broad‐leaved species might be caused by different selection pressures on DBB; selection is expected to be more severe in deciduous species. Overall, the continuous variable of vessel diameter might be used as a simple and effective trait to predict DBB of deciduous species regardless of wood anatomy; however, no such traits were detected as effective predictors of DBB in evergreen species at this study site. In addition, DBB was earlier for the species of more southern distributions, suggesting that such species benefit more from warming.
Triptycene-terminated thiolate and selenolate monolayers on Au(111)
Authors: Liu Jinxuan , Kind Martin , Schüpbach Björn , Käfer Daniel , Winkler Stefanie , Zhang Wenhua , Terfort Andreas , Wöll Christof
Published: April 2017

To study the implications of highly space-demanding organic moieties on the properties of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), triptycyl thiolates and selenolates with and without methylene spacers on Au(111) surfaces were comprehensively studied using ultra-high vacuum infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and thermal desorption spectroscopy. Due to packing effects, the molecules in all monolayers are substantially tilted. In the presence of a methylene spacer the tilt is slightly less pronounced. The selenolate monolayers exhibit smaller defect densities and therefore are more densely packed than their thiolate analogues. The Se–Au binding energy in the investigated SAMs was found to be higher than the S–Au binding energy.
Personal Interaction Drives Innovation
Authors: Bari Muhammad Waseem , Fanchen Meng
Published: April 2017

Based on knowledge sharing, transaction cost, and networking theories, the present study investigates the effects of instrumental guanxi-based physical knowledge café (IGPKC) and instrumental guanxi-based virtual knowledge café (IGVKC) on innovation capabilities. Relational psychological contract (RPC) acts as a mediator between IGPKC & IGVKC and innovation capabilities. Present study surveys 210 employees of software development Chinese firms and analyzes results through PLS-SEM. This study finds IGPKC and IGVKC have a significant effect on innovation capabilities and RPC partially mediates this effect. Through importance-performance matrix analysis (IPMA), it establishes that IGVKC has high importance but less performance than IGPKC and RPC for innovation capabilities. Thus, management needs to enhance the performance of IGVKC by following the trust commitment theory. The present study has implications for Chinese organizations to enhance their innovation capabilities and for the Chinese government to promote knowledge base economy with low transaction cost.
Sharing Managerial Tacit Knowledge
Authors: Manaf Halimah Abdul , Harvey William S.
Published: April 2017

This chapter analyses the practices of sharing managerial tacit knowledge, which has been the preferred approach by local government managers in Malaysia. The data is based on the findings of questionnaires distributed among 308 middle managers. The chapter focuses on the government's concern around knowledge and the importance of sharing tacit knowledge in order to reduce knowledge loss. The insights of this chapter have important implications for national and local governments in other empirical contexts. In particular, knowledge sharing practices can help management to share managerial tacit knowledge before staff retire or move to other departments and organisations. This is vitally important because if organisations are committed to investing in their human capital through attraction, retention and development initiatives then it is equally important that they are committed to strategies to capture knowledge.
Relationship Between the Motivational Language of School Administrators and Tacit Knowledge Sharing of Teachers
Authors: Yener Serdar , Arslan Aykut
Published: April 2017

This chapter investigates motivational language of school administrators and its effect on tacit knowledge sharing - which may hold vital and critical importance – by teachers at schools. While doing this, the contextual factors regarding organisational culture, such as the employee voice and perceived psychological safety are also taken into consideration. It is expected that the use of a motivational language by administrators that reduces uncertainty and helps create understanding and empathy, and which thus forms a positive environment that increase employee voice, will also have an effect on tacit knowledge sharing. Additionally, the effect of motivational language can be enhanced through psychological safety perceived by the employees, which in turn is dependent on the work environment. As such, a higher perception of psychological safety will tend to increase employee voice and the level tacit knowledge sharing. Finally, implications for knowledge literature and suggestions for future studies are also discussed.
Low Cycle Fatigue Test of Lead Free Solders Using Small Sized Specimen
Authors: Konishi Yutaka , Itoh Takamoto , Sakane Masao , Ogawa Fumio , Kanayama Hideyuki
Published: April 2017

This paper investigates the fatigue results in low cycle fatigue region obtained from a miniaturized specimen having a 6mm gage length, 3mm diameter and 55mm total length. Fatigue tests were performed for two type lead-free solders using horizontal-type electrical servo hydraulic push-pull fatigue testing machine. Materials employed were Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu and Sn-5Sb. The results from Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu were compared with those obtained using a bulk specimen in a previous study. Relationship between strain range and number of cycles to failure of the small-sized specimen agreed with those of the bulk specimens. The testing techniques are applicable to Sn-5Sb following the Manson-Coffin law. These results confirm that the testing technique proposed here, using small-sized specimen, is suitable to get fruitful fatigue data for lead-free solder compounds.
The Histone Acetyltransferase Gcn5 Positively Regulates T Cell Activation
Authors: Gao Beixue , Kong Qingfei , Zhang Yana , Yun Chawon , Dent Sharon Y. R. , Song Jianxun , Zhang Donna D. , Wang Yiming , Li Xuemei , Fang Deyu
Published: April 2017

Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) regulate inducible transcription in multiple cellular processes and during inflammatory and immune response. However, the functions of general control nonrepressed–protein 5 (Gcn5), an evolutionarily conserved HAT from yeast to human, in immune regulation remain unappreciated. In this study, we conditionally deleted Gcn5 (encoded by the Kat2a gene) specifically in T lymphocytes by crossing floxed Gcn5 and Lck-Cre mice, and demonstrated that Gcn5 plays important roles in multiple stages of T cell functions including development, clonal expansion, and differentiation. Loss of Gcn5 functions impaired T cell proliferation, IL-2 production, and Th1/Th17, but not Th2 and regulatory T cell differentiation. Gcn5 is recruited onto the il-2 promoter by interacting with the NFAT in T cells upon TCR stimulation. Interestingly, instead of directly acetylating NFAT, Gcn5 catalyzes histone H3 lysine H9 acetylation to promote IL-2 production. T cell–specific suppression of Gcn5 partially protected mice from myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein–induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an experimental model for human multiple sclerosis. Our study reveals previously unknown physiological functions for Gcn5 and a molecular mechanism underlying these functions in regulating T cell immunity. Hence Gcn5 may be an important new target for autoimmune disease therapy.
Microbiota-Induced Antibodies Are Essential for Host Inflammatory Responsiveness to Sterile and Infectious Stimuli
Authors: Cisalpino Daniel , Fagundes Caio T. , Brito Camila B. , Ascenção Fernando R. , Queiroz-Junior Celso M. , Vieira Angélica T. , Sousa Lirlândia P. , Amaral Flávio A. , Vieira Leda Q. , Nicoli Jacques R. , Teixeira Mauro M. , Souza Danielle G.
Published: April 2017

The indigenous intestinal microbiota is frequently considered an additional major organ of the human body and exerts profound immunomodulating activities. Germ-free (GF) mice display a significantly different inflammatory responsiveness pattern compared with conventional (CV) mice, and this was dubbed a “hyporesponsive phenotype.” Taking into account that the deposition of immune complexes is a major event in acute inflammation and that GF mice have a distinct Ig repertoire and B cell activity, we aimed to evaluate whether this altered Ig repertoire interferes with the inflammatory responsiveness of GF mice. We found that serum transfer from CV naive mice was capable of reversing the inflammatory hyporesponsiveness of GF mice in sterile inflammatory injury induced by intestinal ischemia and reperfusion, as well as in a model of lung infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Transferring serum from Ig-deficient mice to GF animals did not alter their response to inflammatory insult; however, injecting purified Abs from CV animals restored inflammatory responsiveness in GF mice, suggesting that natural Abs present in serum were responsible for altering GF responsiveness. Mechanistically, injection of serum and Ig from CV mice into GF animals restored IgG deposition, leukocyte influx, NF-κB activation, and proinflammatory gene expression in inflamed tissues and concomitantly downregulated annexin-1 and IL-10 production. Thus, our data show that microbiota-induced natural Abs are pivotal for host inflammatory responsiveness to sterile and infectious insults.
INCREASED VASOOCCLUSIVE CRISIS IN “O” BLOOD GROUP SICKLE CELL DISEASE PATIENTS: ASSOCIATION WITH UNDERLYING THROMBOSPONDIN LEVELS.
Authors: Al Huneini M. , Pathare Anil
Published: April 2017

Abstract:Objectives: To explore the incidence of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in Blood Group “O” sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, and correlate it with the blood group and thrombospondin (TSP) levels.Methods: In 89 consecutive SCD patients, blood samples were obtained for vWF antigen, collagen binding activity, blood group typing, C-reactive protein, variant hemoglobin analysis (HPLC), Serum TSP 1 and TSP 2 levels, complete blood counts, liver function tests, LDH and renal function tests during VOC episodes and in steady state conditions.Results: In the steady state SCD patients (n=72), “O” blood group patients (n=37) showed significantly higher median serum TSP 1 and TSP 2 levels than the non “O” blood group patients [n=35] [p <0.05, Mann-Whitney test], with an inverse relation between VWF:Ag, Factor VIII:C and TSP levels. Furthermore, the serum TSP 1 and TSP 2 levels were significantly higher in patients presenting with acute VOC [n=17], and in those with repeated VOC’s (group 1, n=16) especially amongst those patients with blood group “O” [p, <0.05, Mann-Whitney test].Conclusions: The study shows that there was an inverse relation between TSP and vWF levels, in blood group “O” SCD patients with an upregulation of the TSP levels. Expectedly, during active VOC crisis, the TSP 1 and TSP 2 levels were significantly elevated.  Key Words: VOC; SCD; TSP; vWD; Blood groups
Traversing the spaces of higher education through writing
Authors: Drennan Laura M.
Published: April 2017

Writing functions as an important tool that spans various spaces in higher education. Moving away from a ‘skills approach’ to writing, this article argues that the writing centre serves as an intermediary between students and academic lecturers. The article discusses how the current practices at the writing centre promotes the development of writing as a key construct that spans a number of spaces in higher education. The article draws on the collaborative initiatives with two different disciplines. The data collection on stakeholders’ responses indicates that a more structured, purposeful writing-intensive approach needs to be undertaken within the disciplines in order to address institutional objectives of access and success in higher education.
Person-environment fit, flourishing and intention to leave in universities of technology in South Africa
Authors: Janse van Rensburg Christine , Rothmann Sebastiaan I. , Diedericks Elsabe
Published: April 2017

Orientation: Retaining staff is vital to ensure that universities accomplish their missions. To optimise the potential of staff members and retain staff, it is necessary to study their flourishing and fit in their jobs and organisations.Research purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between person-environment fit, flourishing at work and intention to leave.Motivation for the study: Research is needed to validate a measure of flourishing at work. Outcome variables such as intention to leave have not been studied in relation to flourishing at work. Moreover, it is necessary to study antecedents of flourishing at work, such as person-environment fit.Research approach, design and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used with a convenience sample of 339 academic employees from three universities of technology in South Africa. Three perceived fit scales, the Flourishing-at-Work Scale (FAWS) and the Turnover Intention Scale were administered.Main findings: Findings supported a three-factor model of flourishing at work, consisting of emotional, psychological and social well-being. The highest mean frequencies on flourishing dimensions were obtained for competence and emotional engagement. The lowest mean frequencies were obtained for relatedness and social well-being. Person-environment fit predicted intention to leave, both directly and indirectly, via flourishing. The findings support the internal consistency and validity of the FAWS.Practical/managerial implications: Managers and human resource practitioners should consider the use of a multidimensional measure to assess flourishing at work. Considering certain dimensions of well-being at work (e.g. work engagement and competence of employees) without considering other dimensions (e.g. job satisfaction, affect balance and meaning at work) will not be sufficient to assess and promote the subjective well-being of employees.Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to knowledge regarding the reliability and validity of a measure of flourishing at work. It confirms that person-environment fit has a strong positive effect on flourishing of employees and a strong negative effect on their intentions to leave.
Números y significaciones. La idealidad en la fenomenología incipiente de Husserl
Authors: Chillón José Manuel
Published: April 2017

La reflexión sobre los números y las significaciones es una buena muestra de cómo la fenomenología incipiente se sitúa en el terreno de la lógica pura. El artículo plantea que, para trazar una reflexión que no rasgue la personalidad filosófica de Husserl, lo ideal debe entenderse desde la perspectiva de trabajos posteriores. El artículo intenta ofrecer, tras los análisis iniciales de los números y de las significaciones (recogidos respectivamente tanto en sus obras primeras sobre matemática como en la I Investigación Lógica) las tesis sobre la idealidad en Husserl que, en nuestra opinión, detectan los aspectos fundamentales de la fenomenología a pesar del abandono posterior del realismo eidético.
Digital Resources and Services: An Investigation of GCC Academic Libraries
Authors: Kaba Abdoulaye , Ramaiah Chennupati K.
Published: April 2017

This paper seeks to examine and describe the provision of digital resources and services by
academic libraries in the GCC countries. It specifically targets the top three or 18 academic
institutions of six GCC countries as reported by the Ranking Web. The study uses digital access
tools, digital resources, digital services, digital forms, digital communication tools, and social
networks as criteria to determine the provision of digital resources and services. Data were
collected using web-based survey questionnaire, structured interview, and content analysis.
The study finds that the surveyed libraries have a set of strengths and weaknesses for digital
resources and services. Results of the study revealed that all or majority of the surveyed libraries
provide and use core elements of digital resources and services. However, more than 61% of them
do not have mobile applications, and at least 77.8% of them do not use online membership, online
document reservation, and online complains and comment forms. Similarly the study found that
most of the surveyed libraries do not use instant messages, SMS, and online video conferencing
to communicate with the users. Likewise findings showed that at least 50% of the surveyed
libraries do not have an account for Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn. There is a need for
these libraries to place more emphases on digital forms, digital communication tools, and social
networks.
Developing realistic sustainable strategies for automated construction
Authors: Humphrey Steven , Reid Andrew
Published: April 2017

The construction industry is increasingly experimenting with new automated construction techniques covering every aspect of the delivery process, from design through to operations. Technology is evolving fast, but understanding of the true benefits, sustainable implications, and practical implementation strategies remains limited. Despite numerous demonstration projects, which claim significant advancements and successes, industry-wide adoption has been lacking. However, many of the claims made by manufacturers, implementers, and sponsors are selective in the reporting of the project outcome, meaning that trust is reduced and wider adoption is constrained. This study explains the current functional limitations and misconceptions across a range of automated construction technologies, including 3D printing, robotic construction, pre-fabrication, and system control. It also examines the sustainability implications of the different strategies across all three core sustainable components to ask whether these methods really make a positive difference. The objective of the study is to provide a complete practical guide for the global construction aiming at how automated strategies can be adopted and why they should be adopted, along with guidelines for their use. Coupled with these strategies are a series of proposals for the manufacturing sector to consider, in order to develop equipment and systems that can be of greater functional benefit for the construction sector. Where genuine benefits are identified, these are examined to see how they could potentially be expanded to produce even greater sustainable rewards.
Towards stupid cities revisiting the authenticity of smart cities conceptual premises
Authors: Alraouf Ali A.
Published: April 2017

Observing the status of a good number of cities around the world would reveal a new kind of urban competition labeled “smart cities”. The concept of smart city emerged more than a decade ago. It first appeared in the literature of architecture and planning around 1999–2000. The concept has emerged due to the collective efforts of digital designers, economists, and planners, for the purpose of obtaining physical changes based on new technologies used in cities. The most accepted definition of smart city states that it is the ability to exploit digital, information, and communication technologies to improve the quality and performance of the physical urban services, to reduce costs and resource consumption, to be more effective, and to engage with its citizens. The smart city in its current vision makes communication and human interaction inessential or even trivial. This is a real crisis, as some analysts, writers, and specialists have pointed out, that has narrowed the concept of smart cities to the use of information technology, smart phones or smart cards, or smart homes, or anything labeled as smart. Obviously, there is no discussion on how using all these smart devices can contribute to the improvement of urban life and the sustainable future of cities. Therefore, the following questions arise: is the hypothesis that information technology can improve the performance of cities legitimate? Can these technologies actually make the city smarter, and do they make human life better? More importantly, we need a thorough examination of the concept of smart cities to assess their actual impact on quality of life, especially human social divide. Contemporary Middle Eastern and Gulf cities aspire for the new identity of smart cities without substantial assessment that would explore not only their technological dimension but also their impact on the holistic aspects of life. The paper argues for a different perception of the concept of smart city. It might therefore be wrong to describe the city as smart while it is creating a situation of separation, fragmentation, and individualism among communities. Alternatively, we might be more proud of a less smart city that allows its community to interact and integrate. The paper conducts a number of comparative analyses and provides cases from the regional and international context to argue for a more holistic understanding of the swiftly emerging concept of “smart city”.
An Islamic view towards sustainability: The theory and practice of GCC countries
Authors: ElGindi Tamer
Published: April 2017

Despite the fact that many public policy issues related to sustainability are usually framed in the form of government initiatives and programs, probably an equally, if not more, important topic, is how to change people's behavior and attitudes. Given the ample challenges that all GCC countries face in terms of water scarcity and finiteness of fossil fuels in the decades (or years) to come, it might be wise that these countries embark on serious efforts in order to ensure changes in people's behavior. Despite the region achieving some of the highest GDP per capita globally, it also ranks the highest in terms of water consumption, electrical consumption, and CO2 emissions per person. In this regard, this research aims at taking a fresh look at how these countries can aim to alter people's behavior through invoking Islamic values and traditions in their pursuit of achieving sustainable development. By doing so, the research hopes to highlight the stark contrast between Islamic values usually put forth by leaders in these countries, while at the same time showing great discrepancies in terms of actual consumption of various resources as reflected in official figures and statistics.
Preliminary results on carbon and nutrients fluxes at the sediment-water interface in natural and planted mangroves, central Arabian Gulf
Authors: Soliman Yousra , Al-Khayat Jassim
Published: April 2017

Despite the many ecological services and benefits provided by the mangrove ecosystem, deforestation of mangrove ecosystem for industrial and other development has caused irreversible damage in coastal regions throughout the world and in the Arabian Gulf. In 1980s, transplantation of mangrove in Qatar's coastal areas was approached as an effort to restore some of the lost mangrove. However the growth of the transplanted mangrove over three decades seems constrained where the plants are shorter (about 2–3 m less than natural mangroves) and less dense. Despite the fact that sources of inorganic nutrients (N, P) in Qatari coastal water are minimal, natural mangroves seem to grow efficiently in this arid environment. However, the growth of transplanted mangrove over three decades was not fully efficient. Factors limiting the growth of the transplanted mangrove, are not evaluated. The current study was funded by Qatar University (2015–2017) and it aims to quantify and compare sediment metabolism in natural and planted mangrove and to compare the function “role” of the benthic community (autotrophs and heterotrophs) using in situ measurements of fluxes of nutrients and carbon. Sediment-water exchange of dissolved oxygen and inorganic nutrients were measured in situ in natural and planted mangrove during the extreme summer (2015) and winter of 2016 in the central Arabian Gulf. Paired benthic chamber was used in sediments incubations for up to three hours in each location.

Two locations were selected to represent the natural and planted mangroves, (Al Dakhira and Al Mafjar). Average salinity was 44 psu. Results showed that the concentrations of Chla and Chlb were significantly variable between mangrove locations (P < 0.01) with highest concentration in the natural mangrove exceeding 2. μg.cm-2 at some locations. On the other hand, there was significant difference in the fluxes of carbon and nutrients between the natural and planted mangrove. Oxygen production in the sediments of the natural mangrove was also significantly higher than those in the planted mangrove (P < 0.01). Percentage of the net O2 production measured at the planted mangroves ranged between 10% − 50% of the net production measured at the natural mangrove. The results indicated that remineralization of organic matter and cycling of carbon and nutrients are significantly more efficient in the natural mangrove which consequently affect the trophic conditions in these ecosystems.
Allelopathic effects of the invasive Prosopis juliflora (sw.) Dc. On seed germination of selected Qatari native plant species
Authors: Bibi Shazia , Abu-Dieyeh Mohammed H.
Published: April 2017

P. juliflora is highly recognized for its invasive character and its detrimental effects on different plant species due to the presence of allelochemicals across the world. The purpose of this study is to assess the allelopathic effects of crude water extracts of P. juliflora on selected Qatari flora. In order to achieve the goals, aqueous extract of P. juliflora was made by immersing 100 g/l of powdered parts of plant in warm distilled water (∼50°C) for 24 hours with regular mixing. Whatman filter paper was used to filter the obtained brownish solution. Dilutions of 2 mgml− 1, 4 mgml− 1, 6 mgml− 1 and 8 mgml− 1 from stock were prepared. The seeds were surface sterilized prior to treatment. The results obtained showed that germination of test species Acacia tortilis, Prosopis cineraria, Sueda aegyptica, Halopeplis perfoliata, and Prosopis juliflora was affected by aqueous extract at different treatment level. About 10% of significant reduction was exerted on seed germination of Prosopis cineraria at higher concentrations of 6 mgml− 1 and 8 mgml− 1 while the seed radical length was significantly reduced starting at lowest concentration (2 mgml− 1) and with greater reduction at higher concentrations. The seed germination and seed radical length of Sueda aegyptica were significantly decreased with increased concentration of crude water extract of P. juliflora. The effect of extract was tested on seedlings collected by treating them with different irrigation regimes for one month. The seedlings were grown in pots. The pots were lined up randomly in greenhouse and were allowed to grow under greenhouse environment. Aeluropus lagopoides, Caroxylon imbricatum and Tetraena qatarensis seedlings growth characters were all affected when subjected to the extract. The seedling growth and dry biomass of Caroxylon imbricatum were significantly declined at higher concentration of 8 mgml− 1. However, the seedling growth and dry biomass of Tetraena qatarensis were significantly reduced at all treatment levels. Autotoxic effects of P. juliflora were also exerted on the germination potential of P. juliflora at higher concentrations of 6 mgml− 1 and 8 mgml− 1. P. juliflora is invasive and has detrimental effects on the Qatari native flora. Based on the research carried out, it is important to protect the Qatari native plants from this invasive species. A use of higher concentrations to test the effects on germination potential of seeds might provide crystal clear knowledge regarding this topic.
Climate change, water cycle and ecosystems
Authors: Shomar Basem
Published: April 2017

Climate change may affect micro and macro-components of ecosystems. The impacts may extend to affect agriculture, water cycles and human stability and health. Costal and arid areas could be under higher risks due to several factors associated with seawater rise, desertification, water and food scarcity, etc. Both marine and terrestrial biodiversity in vulnerable areas to climate change may show imbalance, disappearance, migration and mutation. Qatar –as well as the GCC region- could be affected directly and indirectly by climate change where seawater is the main source of desalination. Oceans acidification and salinization phenomena have been recorded due to inputs of CO2 and brines associated with water losses through evaporation. One of the major features is the sea level rise which is like an invisible tsunami, building force while we do almost nothing. Climate change makes all needs to be less workable. Simply, climate change means changing the hydrological cycle where water is the sum of heating and cooling processes. Climate change means that it is hard to predict water availability. On the other hand, agriculture will be particularly under stress, water is scarce, there will be increase of water demand for other purposes. Moreover, water is the key component of any ecosystem. Ecosystems, like general systems, consist of components between which there are exchanges for processes that exist in a state of dynamic equilibrium if left undisturbed. The state is maintained by negative feedback and altered by positive feedback. Finally, changes in climatic water balance drive shifts in plant and animal species. The talk will cover the following: (1) features of climate change in arid and semi-arid regions; (2) climate change in terms of hydrology; (3) climate change and ecosystems; (4) climate, water and food security.
Phytoremediation of heavy metals using Qatari flora
Authors: Usman Kamal , Al-Ghouti Mohammad A. , Abu-Dieyeh Mohammed
Published: April 2017

Phytoremediation is a natural phenomenon utilizing plants species to reduce or remove organic and inorganic pollutants from contaminated soil, water and sediment sources. Several studies were conducted to demonstrate the phytoremediation potentials of plants species, some of which are also found in Qatar as native or invasive plants. This study investigates the phytoremediation potentials of Zygophyllum qataranse and Salsola imbricata irrigated with a synthetic wastewater typical of oil and gas industry in a mixture of regular and peat moss soil at varying concentrations of heavy metals under greenhouse controlled conditions. Young seedlings of approximately similar weight and height were obtained from Qatar University field and used as starting materials. As an initial observation of tolerance to heavy metal stress, growth parameters such as height and number of branches were monitored and recorded throughout the experimental period of 42 days and a comparison was made for treatment and control plants in both species. Results indicated that the two species S. imbricata and Z. qataranse showed different patterns in response to the different heavy metals stress. Overall growth rate was (0.1; n = 4) for S. imbricata and (0.01; n = 4) for Z. qataranse, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed no difference in the effect of the three variable heavy metals concentration used among the two plants, both species also exhibited differences in terms of above the ground biomass, S. imbricata recorded high leaves biomass compared to Z. qataranse, additionally, the leaves of this plant showed no visible signs of stress as opposed to that of Z. qataranse, which appears red after four weeks of irrigation. The root system in S. imbricata, forming typical rhizosphere may have played a key role in the better utilization of the surrounding organic contaminants with the aid of possible activity of associated microbes. Although both thrive in the same habitat naturally, there may actually be differences in their uptake and or tolerance mechanism. Consequently, the analysis and evaluation of measured growth parameters (Height and branches) indicates the potential of both plants as good phytoremediation agents. Further analysis of heavy metal concentration, which is currently ongoing to determine the bio-concentration and translocation factors of the metals between the roots and shoot tissues promise to prove further insight in to this study.
Atmospheric chemistry of E- and Z-CF3CH = CHCF3
Authors: Østerstrøm Freja F. , Andersen Simone Thirstrup , Nielsen Ole John
Published: April 2017

FTIR smog chamber experiments were performed to investigate the atmospheric fate of E- and Z-CF3CH = CHCF3 (1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene). The experiments were performed to study reactions of E-CF3CH = CHCF3 or Z-CF3CH = CHCF3 with Cl atoms, OH radicals, and O3 in 700 Torr of N2/O2 diluents at 296 ± 2 K. The study determined the Cl atom, OH radical, and O3 kinetics and the mechanism of the atmospheric oxidation of E- and Z-CF3CH = CHCF3. The main atmospheric fate for both compounds is reaction with OH radicals. Atmospheric chemistry of the reaction of Z-CF3CH = CHCF3 with OH and OD radicals were investigated by Baasandorj et al. in 2011, no other previous studies are available. The results of the present study are compared to the findings of Baasandorj et al. assessing the atmospheric impact of E- and Z-CF3CH = CHCF3. Infrared spectra were recorded, and the atmospheric lifetimes, the radiative forcings and global warming potentials (GWP) of the two butenes were calculated. This study provides a comprehensive description of the atmospheric fate of E- and Z-CF3CH = CHCF3. We present here the first results on the atmospheric chemistry of E-CF3CH = CHCF3 and of the Cl- and O3-initiated chemistry of Z-CF3CH = CHCF3.
معايير الاعتماد في برامج علوم المكتبات والمعلومات في ضوء المعايير الدولية: دراسة تحليلية
Authors: صلاح علي أسماء
Published: April 2017

تساهم نظم الاعتماد الأكاديمي في تحديد مدي تحقيق المؤسسات التعليمية لأهدافها وتحديد جوانب القوة لتعزيزها وجوانب القصور للعمل علي التغلب عليها, والاعتماد هو نشاط مؤسسي علمي موجه نحو النهوض والارتقاء بمستوى مؤسسات التعليم والبرامج الدراسية وهو أداة فعالة ومؤثرة لضمان جودة العملية التعليمية ومخرجاتها واستمرارية تطويرها, وتهدف هذه الدراسة إلي إلقاء الضوء علي أهمية الاعتماد الأكاديمي لبرامج المكتبات والمعلومات, ودراسة أهم هيئات الاعتماد الدولية والعربية, والتعرف علي أهم المعايير الدولية الخاصة بعلوم المكتبات والمعلومات, وسوف تركز الدراسة علي معايير الاعتماد المستخدمة في أقسام المكتبات والمعلومات في مصر، ودراسة دور الهيئة القومية لضمان جودة التعليم والاعتماد (NAQAAE) في مصر, وفي النهاية سيتم عرض معايير ومراحل اعتماد البرامج من خلال الهيئة, ومن اجل تحقيق أهداف الدراسة سوف تعتمد الدراسة علي المنهج الوصفي التحليلي الذي يهتم بجمع والمعلومات والحقائق وتحليلها وتفسيرها.
Short communication: East-West European farm investment behaviour - The role of financial constraints and public support
Authors: Fertő Imre , Bakucs Zoltán , Bojnec Štefan , Latruffe Laure
Published: April 2017

The article investigated farm investment behaviour among East (Hungarian and Slovenian) and West (French) European Union farms using individual farm accountancy panel data for the 2003-2008 period. Despite differences in farm structures, except for the presence of capital market imperfections evidenced in the East, farms’ investment behaviour was not substantially different. Farm gross investment was positively associated with real sales’ growth. In addition, it was positively associated with public investment subsidies which can mitigate capital market imperfections in the short-term. On the long run, the farm’s ability to successfully compete in the output market by selling produce and securing a sufficient cash flow for investment is crucial.