bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biodiversité et biomasse pyrophyte au Togo
Authors: Atakpama Wouyo , Amegnaglo Kossi Béssan , Afelu Bareremna , Folega Fousséni , Batawila Komlan , Akpagana Koffi
Published: February 2020

Les feux de végétation restent un facteur écologique important pour la gestion durable des écosystèmes. Cependant, la défaillance dans la gestion efficiente de ce dernier demeure une contrainte majeure pour la conservation de la biodiversité et l’équilibre écologique des écosystèmes tropicaux. En vue de donner des pistes pour une gestion efficiente des feux de végétation au Togo, une étude phytosociologique et une évaluation de la biomasse combustible ont été réalisées. Les inventaires phytosociologiques au sein de 354 placettes de 10 m x 10 m ont permis d’évaluer la flore pyrophyte. Les biomasses combustibles humide et sèche ont été quantifiées sur la base 1062 échantillons coupés à intérieur des quadras de 1 m x 1 m. La florule pyrophyte identifiée est de 466 espèces à dominance des Poaceae (40,48 %) dont la proportion est variable en fonction des conditions écologiques. À l’exception de la zone forestière (Zone IV, 16,64 %), on note une nette dominance des Paoceae dans les autres zones avec une proportion de plus de 40 %. Les espèces dominantes sont : Chromolaena odorata, Sporobolus pyramidalis, Hyparrhenia rufa, Panicum maximum, Andropogon gayanus et Imperata cylindrica. La similarité est plus élevée entre les zones I et II et entre les zones III et V. La biomasse des zones brûlées est estimée à 5,42 t MS/ha en moyenne. Les biomasses les plus élevées sont obtenues dans les zones écologiques V et III (7,30 t MS/ha et 6,15 t MS/ha), tandis que la plus faible correspond à la zone IV (3,65 t MS/ha). Des études à l’échelle régionale, préfectorale et locale seraient plus conseillées en vue de prendre en compte les réalités microclimatiques, de déterminer les vulnérabilités et d’en déduire des mesures spécifiques de gestion.
Spatialisation du risque lié aux tiques et prévention. Étude systémique d’une représentation sociale
Authors: Dernat Sylvain , Johany François
Published: February 2020

Le risque sanitaire lié aux morsures de tiques est prégnant dans tous les pays, et la France est largement concernée par celui-ci, notamment face à la borréliose de Lyme. Toutefois, peu d’études scientifiques s’intéressent aux représentations que la population a de ce risque et notamment la manière qu’elle a de le spatialiser. C’est pour cela que cette étude s’appuie sur une lecture systémique de la théorie des représentations sociales et plus particulièrement des représentations socio-spatiales en lien avec la notion de risque. De courts entretiens semi-directifs utilisant l’association libre ont été mobilisés en France sur les zones de Clermont-Ferrand et des Combrailles (n =143). Les résultats obtenus mettent en évidence un système articulant plusieurs objets de représentation avec une prédominance des éléments de santé dans la représentation du risque tiques autour de la maladie de Lyme. Toutefois, deux autres univers de référence font sens dans la représentation : les animaux et la nature. Il y a ainsi bien une articulation socio-spatiale du risque tique, mais qui tend à influencer négativement la représentation de la nature et plus spécifiquement de la forêt. Les stratégies de prévention doivent donc plus s’intéresser à cette dimension spatialisée de la représentation en améliorant une connaissance locale du risque et en prenant en compte son évolution liée au changement climatique.
La sensorialité olfactive du paysage, médiatrice d’une reliance sensible
Authors: Fraigneau Victor
Published: February 2020

L’expérience d’un espace ou d’un lieu nous affecte bien plus qu’à travers nos seuls sens auditifs et visuels : l’olfaction nous fait également sentir le rythme des paysages et des milieux que nous habitons. Nous rappelons dans cet article les caractères d’une définition des paysages olfactifs. Dans les méthodologies d’appréhension du paysage sensible, des pistes émergent sur l’étude de la dimension olfactive du paysage, elles explorent la réception et l’expression de ce paysage invisible. Les odeurs expriment des valeurs culturelles, historiques, géographiques, elles s’inscrivent pleinement dans l’expérience d’un lieu, d’une ville, d’un territoire. L’odorat, sens personnel et subjectif, est vecteur d’un attachement au paysage. L’étude de ses modalités de réception nous indique qu’il est un sens à la fois intime et partagé. Il peut être apprécié comme un exemple d’une certaine reliance en cela qu’il nous attache activement au monde. Cet article présente ainsi la notion de reliance comme comprenant les relations activantes d’attachement et de partage, illustrant une compréhension sensible du paysage. Cette relation qui nous unit au paysage peut se définir comme complexe, elle ouvre la réflexion à des dialogiques diverses qui contribuent aux débats contemporains. Une telle approche conduit à se demander en quoi la prise en compte des caractères olfactifs de nos environnements et de leurs sources nous avertit de leur importance écologique et influence notre perception d’une manière véritablement sensible.
Politiques environnementales et changements techniques: éléments de réflexions pour une mise en œuvre effective
Authors: Toussaint Jean-Yves , Vareilles Sophie
Published: February 2020

Les politiques mises en œuvre pour favoriser des pratiques plus vertueuses sur le plan environnemental peinent à se concrétiser. D’après nos analyses, ces difficultés tiennent à une focalisation sur les objets. Afin de rendre effectifs les changements promus, l’approche doit s’élargir et considérer les objets dans leurs rapports aux organisations sociales, politiques, économiques, techniques et spatiales en vigueur, c’est-à-dire ne pas séparer les objets de la morphologie sociale (Mauss, 2001). Selon la thèse défendue dans l’article, l’insertion des objets dans la morphologie sociale existante serait le problème de la mise en œuvre des politiques environnementales actuelles, elle pourrait aussi en constituer la solution. Pour cela, l’article s’appuie sur un cadre d’analyse envisageant les objets comme des instruments dans les activités sociales et propose une meilleure considération des conditions et des moyens de l’action dans l’élaboration des politiques environnementales.
Modèle de critères prenant en compte la biodiversité halieutique en planification stratégique portuaire en Guinée
Authors: Diallo Mariama , Doumbouya Alkhaly , Kourouma Dan Lansana , Samoura Karim , Waaub Jean-Philippe
Published: February 2020

Le littoral guinéen est caractérisé par la présence de 300 km de côte, de mangroves, d’aires marines protégées et d’une importante biodiversité halieutique. C’est le lieu de diverses activités socioéconomiques, dont l’exploitation des ressources halieutiques. Cependant, ces ressources sont menacées par la réalisation de nombreux ports minéraliers. Cette situation risque de porter de graves atteintes à la biodiversité halieutique en l’absence de modèle adéquat d’évaluation des effets pour effectuer un choix éclairé de scénario d’aménagement respectueux de l’environnement. Pour contribuer au processus décisionnel, cet article propose un modèle de critères prenant en compte la biodiversité halieutique dans la planification des ports en Guinée. La revue de littérature, les enquêtes et les observations de terrain, ainsi que l’organisation d’une table de concertation des acteurs concernés ont permis d’identifier les principaux enjeux et de construire les critères et indicateurs. Soixante-six entretiens ont été réalisés dans les sites concernés, dont 21 focus groups et 45 entretiens individuels. Les résultats obtenus ont été analysés, synthétisés et soumis à une table de concertation regroupant 25 participants. Les échanges ont permis de préciser et de consolider les enjeux structurés en critères et indicateurs sous l’angle des dimensions du développement durable. Quatorze (14) critères et indicateurs d’effets de niveau stratégique ont été retenus. Ces critères constituent un modèle qui peut être utilisé dans un processus de planification portuaire pour permettre aux acteurs d’avoir une vision globale des effets des aménagements projetés et pour prendre des décisions éclairées.
Blockchain Technology as a Bridging Infrastructure Among Formal, Non-Formal, and Informal Learning Processes
Authors: Bozkurt Aras , Ucar Hasan
Published: February 2020

Blockchain is an online decentralized and distributed ledger technology that has the ability to keep and track records in a safe, verifiable, and transparent manner. More significantly, it has an infrastructure that is compatible with Web 3.0, which offers great potential for lifelong learning. This chapter explains the different modalities of learning (formal, non-formal, informal), blockchain technology, and its current use in educational processes. Based on the findings, the authors suggest that blockchain technology can be used to connect and interlink different educational experiences that occur in different educational modalities, enabling us to evaluate educational processes holistically and thus promote lifelong learning through the use of cutting-edge technologies.
Blockchain Applications in Lifelong Learning and the Role of the Semantic Blockchain
Authors: Mikroyannidis Alexander , Third Allan , Domingue John , Bachler Michelle , Quick Kevin A.
Published: February 2020

The emergence of the blockchain promises to revolutionise not only the financial world but also lifelong learning in various ways. Blockchain technology offers opportunities to thoroughly rethink how we find educational content and tutoring services online, how we register and pay for them, as well as how we get accredited for what we have learned and how this accreditation affects our career trajectory. This chapter explores the different aspects of lifelong learning that are affected by this new paradigm and describes an ecosystem that places the learner at the centre of the learning process and its associated data. This chapter also discusses the possibilities that will be afforded by the combination of trustworthy educational data enhanced with meaningful web-accessible linked data, and what these developments will mean for learners, educators, and the employment market.
Framework Blockchain Education
Authors: Falcão de Bittencourt Dênia , Goedert Adriano Rogério , Sharma Ramesh C. , Bortolozzi Flávio
Published: February 2020

We live in a dynamic and evolutionary world. Concepts such as internet of things, blockchain, convergence, transformations, disruptions, robotics, artificial intelligence, and learning analytics are increasingly becoming part of our lives. In the present chapter, the authors call attention to the higher education sector, which needs to go beyond the pedagogical and material limits in order to give to the student the protagonism of his/her life story. Rupture means to abstract the methods and models for living together in an environment of strong interactions and relationships, whose transactional cost becomes evident. Thus, this chapter presents a framework, which the authors titled framework blockchain education, in an ecosystem of changes, feeds, analyses, diagnostics, and intelligence, which contributes to the formation of the student according to his/her expectations, that is, to contribute in an effective manner in his/her achievement, while offering a sustainable education.
Blockchain Technology in Higher Education
Authors: Hussain Irshad , Cakir Ozlem
Published: February 2020

Blockchain, which is also called a distributed ledger technology (DLT), is an emerging and ever advancing technology having flourishing potential for nourishing and revolutionizing higher education. It stems in decentralization and distributed learning with characteristics of permanence of records, pursuit and transfer of knowledge, authority of institutions, and reliability of teaching and learning. These characteristics of blockchain attract educational institutions particularly the higher education institutions to adopt it. However, in spite of all potential and benefits of blockchain technology, the higher education stakeholders currently seem to be less aware of the social benefits and educational/instructional potential of blockchain technology. It can be addressed through proper advocacy and campaign. The complete chapter will demonstrate possibilities of blockchain technologies in higher education along with its issues and challenges.
Virtual Identity in Blockchain
Authors: Tuğtekin Esra Barut , Dursun Özcan Özgür , Uğur Serap Şişman
Published: February 2020

Blockchain is a technology that helps produce virtual identities in the digital environment using the real identity and allows using these identities both in digital environment and in real environment. In a way, this has brought about a different dimension for the virtual identity concept and content produced in social network environments. Today, a blockchain-based virtual identity is no longer a really different identity; instead, it now has a form that allows individuals to produce and manage their virtual identities and facilitates their lives. In addition, its usage potential has led to the use of blockchain for institutional purposes. It is now possible for institutions to interact with their stakeholders via their institutional virtual identities. Virtual identities play an important facilitator role in communication to be established by educational institutions with their students especially at higher education level. The facilitator effects of technology in individuals' real lives will make important contributions to the usage potential of the blockchain technology.
Blockchain in Education
Authors: Mahankali Srinivas , Chaudhary Sudhir
Published: February 2020

Every individual undergoes a series of educational programs and acquires skills and pedagogical certifications throughout his/her life from various educational and skill development organisations across the world, including the companies they work for. It is imperative that there is a comprehensive record of these certifications that can be authentically verified by those wanting to employ the individual for these respective skills accredited through certifications. In this chapter, the authors explore the utility of blockchain technology-led digitization, automation of trust, and disintermediation in education sector. They examine some of the prominent use cases and challenges faced by blockchain technology. They also look at the current state of blockchain technology-enabled applications in related domains and its implications for the education sector in India along with a real-life illustration with implementation using AuxCert on Auxledger, a permissioned blockchain platform from Auxesis group.
Entrepreneurship in Border Territories
Authors: Fernandes Gonçalo Poeta , Natário Maria Manuela Santos
Published: February 2020

The territory of Beira Interior Norte in Portugal with the province of Salamanca in Spain have low demographic densities and populations in deep regression and aging as a result of migration movements, economic disarticulation, and specific context costs, given the different administrative framework and public policies. Promoting entrepreneurship in peripheral border regions is a key strategy for their sustainability, as part of the Europe 2020 goals for smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth. The chapter aims to provide guidelines for greater interaction between the results from the statistical analysis and its interpretation by local actors. In addition, indicate vectors that will help to design and develop the natural entrepreneurship dynamics for the Portugal/Spain border region, reinforce cooperation in the articulation of strategies, and the development of collaborative networks between entrepreneurs, training entities, business associations, and administrative entities have been explored.
Perspectives on Female Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas
Authors: Tavares Ofélia , Breda Zélia , Costa Rui , Dinis Gorete
Published: February 2020

Women are increasingly taking part in the business market, especially in the case of tourism. However, studies reveal that entrepreneurial women, besides the business, have other tasks, such as domestic and family obligations, being the majority responsible for the family management. The main purpose of this chapter is to investigate the contribution of entrepreneurial women in tourism companies in rural areas. A survey was applied, through a semi-structured interview, to a total of 13 tourism companies located in the municipality of Sever do Vouga (Portugal). The results indicate that although women are fewer and working together with their husbands, they are already retired, which facilitates dedication and commitment to the business on a full-time basis. Younger women with children may encounter barriers that make it harder for them to dedicate themselves to the enterprise. This research contributes to a better definition of the profile and behaviour of entrepreneurial women in rural areas, as well as identifying the motivations and barriers to invest in rural tourism.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Gallardo Vazquez Dolores , Juárez Luis Enrique Valdez , Domínguez Juan de la Cruz Sánchez
Published: February 2020

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a current important strategy in organizations today. Numerous factors that affect the global functioning of organizations have determined the need to incorporate a look towards sustainable development. This implies considering the integration of not only economic, but also social and environmental concerns in the day-to-day of the companies. We move, therefore, under the perspective of the Triple Bottom Line. In addition, the exercise of CSR will motivate the achievement of competitive advantages for organizations. Given this, this article seeks to analyze the numerous benefits derived from the implementation of socially responsible actions in companies. These are structured from different organizational approaches: personal sphere, organizational field, personal and organizational fields and financial area. Together with them, the implementation of the CSR may entail the need to incur certain costs, which are also referred to in the study. Finally, we propose some future lines of research
Social Responsibility Reporting in Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Vale José , Bertuzi Rui , Monteiro Albertina Paula
Published: February 2020

This chapter analyzes research in social responsibility (SR) reporting in higher education institutions (HEI), addressing different aspects: a longitudinal assessment, the theoretical approaches, the adopted methodologies, and its main results. A systematic literature review is undertaken. To do so, the ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus databases were used to retrieve the articles for analysis. The articles were limited to business and management research area. Findings show that literature on SR reporting in HEIs is still in its infancy and it is very heterogeneous, with only 24 articles addressing this theme. Most articles resorted to qualitative methodologies, emphasizing the case study. Findings also show a lack of normalization regarding reporting. Stakeholders' theory and the seek for legitimacy are crucial in SR disclosing in HEIs. Several contributions emerge, namely the provision of a comprehensive review of the current state of research on SR reporting in HEIs and, consequently, a call for increasing the awareness of such organizations towards the importance of this theme.
CEO Duality and Firm Performance
Authors: Alves Sandra
Published: February 2020

Two divergent theories emerge from the literature on CEO duality. The agency theory advocates that a dual CEO negatively affects corporate performance, because it compromises the monitoring and control of the CEO, whilst the stewardship theory suggests the contrary effect due to the unity of command it presents. For a sample of 26 non-financial listed Portuguese firms from 2002 to 2016, this study draws on agency and stewardship theories to evaluate the relationship between CEO duality and firm performance, proxied by Tobin's Q. Using ordinary least square (OLS) and two stage least squares (2SLS) techniques to control potential problems simultaneity between CEO duality and firm performance, the author finds a negative relationship between CEO duality and Tobin's Q. This suggests that investors perceive no value in having a concentration of power with a dual leadership structure. Therefore, this study recommends that the positions of chairman and CEO should be separated for listed Portuguese firms.
Best Practices to Become a Sustainable Smart City
Authors: Elm Jannis , Carvalho Luísa Cagica
Published: February 2020

The world´s population is growing, day by day, and the latest trends in pertinent magazines show people preferring cities more and more than the countryside. This brings us to take a closer look on the effects brought with this urban sprawl. Cities grow in a dimension; city planners have to excogitate more and more innovative city concepts and solutions in order to cope with this increase of population and with maintain the cities infrastructure and systems. This has led to the term, Smart City, which was coined to reflect or at least promote innovative and smart solutions not only for today but for coming generations. This chapter reflects on a case study of an Asian city that developed a plan to become a smart city. This research focused essentially on the sustainable perspective of a smart city and present some results and best practices that could be implemented by other cities that aim to become smart.
The Dimensions of EMI in the International Classroom
Authors: Fortanet-Gómez Inmaculada
Published: February 2020

Teaching in a foreign language has expanded all over the world, mainly with the objective of internationalization. This expansion is especially evident in Europe, and in almost all institutions the language selected for this new trend has been English. New initiatives, such as ICLHE or EMI, require the preparation and training of teachers in order to guarantee success. Training to teach at the university has been a tradition in some countries and institutions. However, this practice was not generalized until the last decades. After a thoroughly recent literature review and a contextual analysis, and based on the experience in pre-service and in-service teacher training for EMI at Universitat Jaume I, the aim of this chapter is to make a proposal for a research-informed teacher training programme that can be effective not only for today's EMI developments, but also for the scenarios university lecturers will encounter in the near future.
Teacher Training Competences and Subsequent Training Design for Higher Education Plurilingual Programs
Authors: Rubio-Alcalá Fernando D. , Mallorquín Saray
Published: February 2020

This chapter aims to elucidate needs and competences of content teachers participating in higher education multilingual programs in order to devise a tailored training program for those contexts in which the language is not used naturally, and in which the teachers usually present some language difficulties to deliver, and students to comprehend, the lessons. The chapter starts with a discussion of the teachers' needs and follows with an analysis of the competences for CLIL teaching, offering a list of indicators which are embraced in three main dimensions: language, methodology, and emotion. These indicators provide the framework for teacher trainers and other stakeholders to design training courses. The methodology of the training has also been discussed and advised, taking the form of workshops, team teaching, reflective teaching, and other options, in both short-term and long-term bases.
Enhancing Interactional Competence in EMI
Authors: Llinares Ana , Mendikoetxea Amaya
Published: February 2020

This chapter shows the role of in-service EMI teacher reflective practices by showcasing the use of self- and peer-reflection on classroom interaction by two EMI lecturers at UAM. Based on previous models for the analysis of classroom interactional competence at tertiary level and in CLIL contexts, the authors apply the video technology of VEO, which helps teachers to gather and interpret their own teaching evidence and that of others. This interpretation is based on a tagging system that allows EMI teachers to identify types of interactional patterns, their frequency, and their effect in their observation of their own video-recorded lessons. These reflections are then followed by their trainers' own reflections on these practices, which can be added as comments in the VEO tool. In addition, students' perceptions on these practices are analysed through their answers to a questionnaire administered right after each lesson.
“He's a Good Lecturer in Any Language”
Authors: Aguilar-Pérez Marta , Arnó-Macià Elisabet
Published: February 2020

With English-medium instruction (EMI) as a growing trend worldwide, a major concern is whether teaching quality is affected in the shift from L1 to English. Taking a broad view of effective EMI teaching, which goes beyond language proficiency, this chapter analyzes two parallel lectures delivered in the L1 and in English by the same lecturer, exemplary of good teaching. Combining qualitative and quantitative methods, this study explores what makes effective EMI teaching according to stakeholders' perspectives and whether it changes from L1 to EMI. By comparing lecturer's discourse and lecturing style (personal/impersonal, interactive/monologic, formal/informal), students' satisfaction, accounts of classroom practices, and participants' views of what makes effective lecturing, this study provides a detailed view of the elements that make up effective EMI lecturing in order to derive implications for EMI training.
Researching English as a Medium of Instruction in University Lecturers' Teaching Methodology
Authors: Méndez-García María del Carmen , Agulló Gloria Luque
Published: February 2020

There has recently been an increase in English as a medium of instruction (EMI) in higher education (HE). The growth of EMI has led to a proliferation of descriptive research on teachers' linguistic competence, learners' and teachers' perceptions of and attitudes toward EMI, the methodology implemented in English as a medium of instruction, and the support and training provided to EMI teaching staff. However, to date, this rise in EMI has not been accompanied by a plethora of research on pedagogical and linguistic considerations. This chapter sheds light on some of these factors, with a focus on lecturers' teaching methodology. Focus group interviews and case study analyses were conducted involving EMI lecturers from a university in southern Spain. The data obtained in this study have been used to establish a pedagogical proposal for in-service EMI teacher training.
Virtual Reality in Medical Education
Authors: Ustun Ahmet B. , Yilmaz Ramazan , Karaoglan Yilmaz Fatma Gizem
Published: February 2020

The aim of this research is to examine student acceptance and use of virtual reality technologies in medical education. Within the scope of the research, a questionnaire consisting of 4 sub-dimensions and 21 items was developed by the researchers. This questionnaire consists of sub-dimensions of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, and social influence. The study was conducted on 421 university students who participated in courses and activities related to the use of virtual reality applications in medical education. The findings of the research demonstrated that the students' acceptance and use of virtual reality applications were high in medical education. Various suggestions were made for researchers and educators in accordance with the findings.
Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation of Mobile Phones on the Human Brain
Authors: Malik Junaid Ahmad
Published: February 2020

With the expanding use of wireless cellular networks, concerns have been communicated about the possible interaction of electromagnetic radiation with the human life, explicitly, the mind and brain. Mobile phones emanate radio frequency waves, a type of non-ionizing radiation, which can be absorbed by tissues nearest to where the telephone is kept. The effects on neuronal electrical activity, energy metabolism, genomic responses, neurotransmitter balance, blood–brain barrier permeability, mental psychological aptitude, sleep, and diverse cerebrum conditions including brain tumors are assessed. Health dangers may likewise develop from use of cellular communication, for instance, car accidents while utilizing the device while driving. These indirect well-being impacts surpass the immediate common troubles and should be looked into in more detail later on. In this chapter, we outline the possible biological impacts of EMF introduction on human brain.
Psychology With Mahnoor App
Authors: Baker Abu , Iqbal Furqan , Laila Mahnoor , Waheed Annas
Published: February 2020

One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Keeping in mind the above facts, Self Assessment Psychology Dictionary and Notes app has been designed and developed to educate psychology students and psychological patients. With the help of this application the user can do different physiological tests like Hads Mood, Internet Addiction Test, The Robertson Emotional Distress Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale. The application has a smart algorithm that calculates the result on the basis of the user inputs. The application also generates the certificate for the user to share and use it for further treatment. The application provides detail information about psychology and psychologist. Apart from that, the application has a psychology dictionary of psychology-related topics.
Neurotransmitter and Behaviour
Authors: Bajaj Manoj Kumar
Published: February 2020

Neurotransmitters play a major role in everyday life and functioning. Everything known about human behaviour suggests it is regulated entirely by the human brain. Brain cells (neurons) communicate with one another (synaptic transmission) and with other cells in the body through small molecules called neurotransmitters (NT). NT are released by neurons and picked up by targeted cells through NT receptors (NTR). Increase or decrease in the production of any of these molecules due to any reason can produce profound effects on behaviour. Knowledge of the pathways involved in NT function has allowed development of drugs that modulate these pathways up or down. Scientists do not yet know exactly how many neurotransmitters exist, but more than 200 chemical messengers have been identified.
The Caucasus Geopolitical Dilemma
Authors: Maisaia Vakhtang
Published: February 2020

The chapter reviews the fierce geopolitical competition between global powers over the hegemony positions in the Caucasus region. The geopolitical security when global powers flex their muscle and are on the way to achieve their missions and goals with assistance of new ideological threshold—Eurasia vs. Neo-Atlantism—induces the emergence of confrontation modality for the regional security perceptions not promoting peace and stability. The new security dilemma for the region is really identified as follows: Russia/China vs. USA/EU. It is an interesting point to consider how the competition affects formulating various foreign policy implications of the regional actors and in what capacity it strains geopolitical configuration in the area.
Danish Foreign and Security Policy (1990-2019)
Authors: Christensen Carsten Sander
Published: February 2020

In this chapter, the Danish foreign and security policy in the framework of the international security policy and its changes vis-à-vis the former Eastern bloc in the period following the Cold War will be analysed in the light of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The analysis will concentrate on three tense areas that form the European core of Danish security policy. Firstly, an analysis of the purpose of the Danish commitment to the EU-enlargement, in the years 1990-2007, and how it anticipates the events of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is done. Secondly, an analysis of the Danish foreign and security policy in the frame of the international policy in the Baltic Sea Region is done, and thirdly, an analysis of the Danish foreign and security policy in the frame of the international policy in the Arctic area in the light of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is done.
Cooperation Between Ukraine and the EU Towards Innovation-Driven Economic Development
Authors: Artemenko Lyubov
Published: February 2020

Innovation underpins productivity and lies at the heart of economic growth. Ukraine is far from the technological frontier. Its economy depends on energy-intensive industries, producing low value-added products, and using a relatively cheap labour force. As international cooperation is an important proxy of country's technological catch-up, this chapter aims to study ways of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU towards innovation-driven economic development. The chapter provides analysis of Ukraine's participation in EU 7th Framework programme and HORIZON2020. Special emphasis is assigned to the ability of Ukrainian participants to acquire, assimilate, transform, and exploit gained knowledge.
Evolving the Security Paradigm for Industrial IoT Environments
Authors: Rosa Luis , Freitas Miguel Borges de , Henriques João , Quitério Pedro , Caldeira Filipe , Cruz Tiago , Simões Paulo
Published: February 2020

In recent years, IACS (Industrial Automation and Control Systems) have become more complex, due to the increasing number of interconnected devices. This IoT (internet of things)-centric IACS paradigm, which is at the core of the Industry 4.0 concept, expands the infrastructure boundaries beyond the aggregated-plant, mono-operator vision, being dispersed over a large geographic area. From a cybersecurity-centric perspective, the distributed nature of modern IACS makes it difficult not only to understand the nature of incidents but also to assess their progression and threat profile. Defending against those threats is becoming increasingly difficult, requiring orchestrated and collaborative distributed detection, evaluation, and reaction capabilities beyond the scope of a single entity. This chapter presents the Intrusion and Anomaly Detection System platform architecture that was designed and developed within the scope of the ATENA H2020 project, to address the specific needs of distributed IACS while providing (near) real-time cybersecurity awareness.
Exploring Innovative, Alternative Healthcare Models in the US
Authors: Selladurai Raj , Selladurai Roshini Isabell , VandeWerken George
Published: February 2020

This chapter explores, discusses, analyzes, and presents some recommendations for new, innovative alternative healthcare models to the traditional insurance and healthcare models that currently exist. These include a revised and enhanced hybrid model of healthcare; healthcare cost-sharing faith-based model; healthcare cost-reduction corporate partnership model (for example, Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase partnership); direct primary care model; and wellness program model including subscription type payment services, concierge medicine services, networks of primary care physicians providing patient retention, personalized medicine, and preventive care (MD VIP for example). Significant outcomes such as lowering healthcare costs, enhancing the quality and delivery of healthcare services, improving patient satisfaction, and promoting overall sustainability are addressed, including their implications for various stakeholders.
Effective Teamwork and Healthcare Delivery Outcomes
Authors: Greer Adam , Selladurai Roshini Isabell , Pfeifle Andrea L. , Selladurai Raj , Hobson Charles J.
Published: February 2020

The chapter focuses on high-performing people and effective teamwork in healthcare at accountable care organizations (ACOs). Studies have found that patients are more satisfied when they engage with providers who understand and express their 'soft-skill' competencies. The model presented will illustrate how teamwork training and innovative care, Leader-less Group Discussions, interprofessional education and communication, and leadership/top management support have been found to positively impact effective teamwork, which in turn would synergistically impact the quadruple aim of patient experience, quality of patient care, lower cost, and provider satisfaction. Patient satisfaction is closely linked to provider related outcomes such as employee performance, job satisfaction, and reducing costs.
The Effect of the Variation of Input Parameters on the Onset of Corrosion of the Bridge Deck Exposed to Chlorides Considering Selected Reinforcement Protection
Authors: Konečný Petr , Lehner Petr
Published: February 2020

The contribution focuses on the effect of selected input parameters on probabilistic estimation of chloride induced reinforced concrete bridge deck corrosion initiation. The reinforced concrete bridge deck with steel protected by epoxy-coating is considered. A finite element diffusion model in conjunction with a probabilistic method using Monte Carlo technique is used to address the inherited randomness of input variables. Presented parametric study shows the sensitivity of estimation of the corrosion initiation likelihood on variation of input parameters.
Numerical Modelling and Laboratory Testing of Selected Bolt Connections of Steel Structures
Authors: Jurčíková Anežka , Rosmanit Miroslav
Published: February 2020

Subject of this paper is numerical modelling of steel assembling bolt connections of CHS (circular hollow sections) or L-profiles respectively in the FEM software ANSYS 12.0 and their subsequent comparison with performed laboratory experiments. Non-linear calculations with both plastic behavior of materials and influence of large deformations were taken into account. Comparison of results, in the form of load-deformation curves, showed that numerical models describe the basic behavior of those joints. The direct numerical model outputs were modified. This modification was made with respect to real laboratory conditions taking into account the effect of the trial press machine slip stiffness and the initial slip.
Experimental Measurement, Modeling and Calculation of Volume Changes of Cement Concrete
Authors: Kropáček Michal , Čajka Radim
Published: February 2020

The paper describes experimental measurement of volume changes of cement concrete. Volume changes include swelling and shrinkage of cement concrete specimens measured by string strain gauges both internal and external. Parallel to this measurement, the volume changes will be measured by means of shrinkage drains. The measurement of volume changes by the shrinkage drains is allowing continuous volume changes to be measured from the beginning of the setting of the concrete. It is possible to capture the entire process of hydration of concrete. The specimens are in the laboratory and in the outdoor environment, so it’s possible to compare values from different environments. The measured results are compared with the calculation models of shrinkage (Model B4 from Bažant [4]; Model Code 2010 [16] and ČSN EN 1992-1-1 [9]).
Numerical Solution of Prestressed Foundation - Subsoil Interaction Using FEM
Authors: Čajka Radim , Navrátil Jaroslav
Published: February 2020

This paper deals with prestressed foundation - soil interaction. For interaction task is used FEM model of thick slab with shear influence which is supported by structural strength modified elastic half-space. The calculation of deformations, internal forces and contact stresses in subsoil is performed iteratively by means of isoparametric element and numerical integration. The results of settlement and stress of non-prestressed/prestressed slab - subsoil interaction are compared on example.
Language for a specific purpose: Business Russian
Authors: Czeczulin Annalisa , Greydak Caroline
Published: February 2020

This essay examines methods for integrating Business Russian into the classroom for the specific purpose of real-world research application. Included are both the Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) methodology used within the classroom (Crouse, 2013) to engage in this type of research in Russian, as well as the results of student-centered inquiry (McCarthy, 2015). The practical results of the research are then presented in a brief history of why five select companies came to conduct business in Russia and the results of inquiries to these companies as a specific study with repercussions for the pedagogy. A list of best practices for conducting business in Russia, gained from the branches of the US companies that continue to successfully operate in Russia despite sanctions, expulsions, and diplomatic difficulties follows. The conclusions drawn from the teaching of language for a specific purpose and its practical results demonstrate the need for such high-impact (community-based learning, oral history interviews, and integrated study abroad) practices in education today.
Designing an intermediate-level introductory legal Spanish course
Authors: Huempfner Lisa
Published: February 2020

As part of a plan to create a minor in Professional Spanish, an introductory Legal Spanish course was launched at a large Midwestern university. The course, it was thought, would complement three other LSP courses being offered in the program and could be useful for a number of service careers, such as law enforcement, social work, public safety, public administration, foreign service and officers of the courts. In 2016, after two years of offering the course, students were surveyed to ascertain their perceptions of the various components, as well as their overall assessment of the course and how it could be improved. The results indicate that students generally considered the course to be useful for their future career and community roles and that they most valued the hands-on and practical experiences of the course. These and other insights are taken into consideration in discussing the design of an intermediate-level introductory course in Legal Spanish as well as proposing directions for further development.
Dimensions of Canadian regionalism
Authors: Ray D M
Published: February 2020

Three phenomena of pervasive concern to Canadians - economic disparities, foreign ownership and cultural differences - are explored by quantitative and cartographic examination of city and census county data for 1961 and broad policy implications are noted. Each
of Canada's major regions: the Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies and British Columbia have distinctive cultural identity. Cultural diversity in Canada reflects the concentrations of minority ethnic groups in regions that are predominantly English as well as the cultural contrasts between
English and French.
Economic development and regional disparities have independent regional patterns that cut across the cultural dimensions. Regional disparities reflect heartland-hinterland and urban-rural differences, and, to a lesser extent the regional impact of foreign ownership. Canada's heartland may be defined
by the manufacturing belt which stretches from Windsor to Quebec City. Sheer distance from the heartland is a potent factor in regional development and should be taken into account in development programs. Urban growth has tended to be slower in the periphery than in the heartland, but it has been
particularly slow in the Atlantic periphery. Metropolitan centres have a prominent role in the nation's economy, but no urban centre in the Atlantic Provinces ranks high in metropolitan status. Foreign ownership has increased regional disparities by the concentration of American subsidiaries in
those parts of the Canadian heartland contiguous with the American manufacturing belt; but foreign ownership, economic development and cultural differences are independent dimensions of Canadian regionalism.
The ups and downs of the Canadian Shield: 3 - additional apatite fission-track analyses from the Musselwhite, Roberto, Meadowbank and Raglan mines, Ontario, Quebec, and Nunavut
Authors: Pinet N , McDannell K
Published: February 2020

The low-temperature (ca 120-60°C) thermal history of nine samples from four mines was investigated using the apatite fission-track (AFT) method. Analyses correspond to four samples from the Musselwhite mine over a 275 m vertical interval, three from the
Roberto mine over a 382 m vertical interval and one sample from both the Meadowbank and Raglan mines. AFT inverse modelling using both HeFTy and QTQt softwares yield concordant results and indicate that a Phanerozoic heating episode was minor (< 20°C) or non-existent over the
Musselwhite mine. This contrasts with previous AFT studies that document significant heating (> 20°C) due to sedimentary burial and indicates that the Canadian Shield did not react as a single entity during the last billion years. The thermal history of samples from the Roberto and
Meadowbank mines are less constrained due to the lack of 'high' (> 120°C) temperature constraints. The sample from the Raglan mine yields the youngest central age among the samples reported in this study.
Table of Contents Vol 3, No 1 (2019)
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: February 2020

No abstract available.
ATRT of lateral ventricle in a child: A rare tumor at a very rare location
Authors: Lakhdar Fayçal , Benzagmout Mohammed , Arkha Yasser , Chakour Khalid , Chaoui Mohammed
Published: February 2020

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) of infancy are highly malignant central nervous system neoplasms that are most commonly seen during the first 2 years of life with limited therapeutic options. To date, only two cases have been described in the lateral ventricle. A 4-year-old boy presented with a 4-month history of increased intracranial pressure. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a huge intraventricular tumor, occupying the entire temporal horn and the body of the left lateral ventricle. The boy was operated through a left temporal transventricular approach with gross total removal of the lesion. The histopathological diagnosis was an AT/RT. The infant underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The 1-year MRI of control showed a local recurrence of the tumor. Then after, Gamma Knife radiosurgery was performed because of the small volume and the deep location of the lesion. At the 3-month follow-up, the MRI showed a significant growth of the tumor volume, and the child was given additional adjuvant chemotherapy. Unfortunately, he died 9 months later. AT/RT of the lateral ventricle is a very rare tumor in children, associated with a poor prognosis in spite of multimodal treatment. Gamma knife surgery (GKS) was rarely reported as a treatment modality of AT/RT. The aim of this work is to discuss about the rarity of this tumor and the best treatment strategy to improve prognosis.