bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Que veut dire fiction sous l’Ancien Régime ?
Authors: Duval Suzanne , Petit Adrienne
Published: March 2019

Aux XVI e et XVII e  siècles, le terme de fiction convoque une culture littéraire différente de la nôtre. Les occurrences de ce terme dans les textes de l’Ancien Régime peuvent produire un effet d’étrangeté : aisément interprétables à première vue, elles apparaissent dans des contextes qui peuvent sembler décalés ou restrictifs par rapport à cette définition intuitive. On peut donc se demander dans quelle mesure la catégorie métapoétique de la fiction, structurante dans notre approche actuelle des textes littéraires, existe à l’époque de l’Ancien Régime, à la fois comme chose et comme mot. Afin d’évaluer ce qui sépare ou rapproche ce terme faussement familier des usages que nous en avons aujourd’hui, nous étudions dans un premier temps le lien étroit qu’il entretient avec celui de poësie à l’époque de l’Ancien Régime puis avec ceux de figure et de feinte . Enfin, nous analysons l’émergence, au XVII e  siècle, d’un statut proprement esthétique et générique du mot fiction .
L’autre du prophétisme congolais
Authors: Yengo Patrice
Published: March 2019

« Pour moi, on n’est écrivain qu’à condition d’être poète », assurait Sony Labou Tansi, mais peut-on sérieusement être poète au Congo sans être prophète ? Telle est l’interrogation à laquelle ce papier tente de répondre. Poète et prophète ; ces deux propositions rattachent Sony, non pas au prophétisme scripturaire décrit par Jean-Loup Amselle dans Branchements, mais à une histoire du prophétisme congolais relevant du Ventre (moyo) et de sa déconvenue à la suite de l’échec de la rencontre entre le royaume du Kongo, le Portugal et le christianisme au xvie siècle. Le verbe dans la poésie de Sony est un discours d’effluves et de visions qui cherche à maintenir vivant et dynamique le rapport au Kongo. Dès le début de son écriture, avec Vers au vinaigre, ses poèmes de jeunesse, il est pris par cet appel et enserré dans le corset du prophète dont il cherche à se débarrasser. On l’entend presque dire ces mots de l’Évangile : « Non je ne suis pas digne mais dites seulement une parole et mon âme sera guérie ». Sauf que la parole, c’est à lui de la porter. C’est cette mission contre laquelle il se débat que j’essaie de restituer dans ce texte avant de lui trouver la place qui lui revient dans la ﬁliation prophétique kongo.
An Ontology based Framework for E-Government Regulatory Requirements Compliance
Authors: Hasan M. Mahmudul , Anagnostopoulos Dimosthenis , Kousiouris George , Stamati Teta , Loucopoulos Peri , Nikolaidou Mara
Published: March 2019

E-Government has gained an enormous amount of attention by researchers and practitioners interested in digitizing the public sector through enacting policies and regulations. Compliance of regulatory requirements from these policies and regulations is an important requirement in e-Government service development projects. However, the concepts of regulatory requirements compliance are still scattered around in developing e-Government services. This article presents an e-Government regulatory requirement compliance (eGRRC) ontology framework that describes the interrelated concepts of regulatory requirements compliance in e-Government service development. The proposed eGRRC ontology is then applied on the recently introduced general data protection regulation (GDPR) for personal data processing across European Union (EU) countries, in order to indicate how the concepts can be mapped to the defined entities. The contribution of this article is on introducing a framework for researchers and practitioners to explore regulatory requirements compliance and their interrelationships in e-Government service development. Furthermore, e-Government legislation can accordingly be modeled using on the eGRRC ontology, that serves as basis for queries to infer knowledge about the source of regulatory requirements, objectives of the regulation, various types of requirements, the services affected, orientation of regulatory rules in requirements, priorities, and amendments of regulations in e-Government service development.
Performance of Buildings Using Site Specific Ground Motion of Kolkata, India
Authors: Shiuly Amit
Published: March 2019

Kolkata, capital of West Bengal, India, is presently congested with moderate to high rise buildings, and may undergo damage during future earthquakes due to the amplification of seismic waves by the soft alluvial soil. Further, most of the buildings are open ground storey (OGS), which is very vulnerable to earthquakes. Therefore, in the present study, the performance of some typical G+1, G+4 and G+9 storied buildings are analyzed using the available site-specific time history of the city by non-linear time history analysis (NLTHA). The analysis has been carried out for maximum considerable earthquake (MCE) and design basis earthquake (DBE) by both considering the stiffness of the infill wall (WI) and without considering stiffness of infill wall (WOI). The result signifies that, in almost all locations, the percentage of roof displacements obtained by site specific time history are more than the Indian codal compatible time history for both WI and WOI. Thus, performance will not be satisfactory for the buildings which are designed according to the Indian seismic code. The present study also corroborates that for almost all the buildings, the ground storey drift remains below immediate occupancy (IO) level during DBE and it varies IO to life safety (LS) level during MCE. However, all the storey drift are below Collapse Prevention (CP) limit. It is to be mentioned that for all the buildings the inter storey drift is higher than the Indian codal (IS-1893 (Part 1):2016) permissible limit (0.4%) during both DBE and MCE. However, the storey drifts result for WI buildings are comparatively lower than WOI buildings which are due to addition of stiffness of infill in each floor and fundamental modal spectral acceleration is lower.
Modeling of Agent-Based Complex Network to Detect the Trust of Investors in P2P Platform
Authors: Yan Yuwei , Zhang Jian , Ma Xiaomeng
Published: March 2019

Due to the lopsided nature of investor investment-related model research under the traditional P2P environment, and in order to improve the research effect, this study proposes an agent-based complex network testing investor trust model. This model is based on interest trust, and combines with the Bayesian method to effectively evaluate the model trust, and builds a multi-steady-state agent system based on this. At the same time, it effectively analyzes the evolutionary mechanism of the system, and validates the model's application in combination with comparative experiments. The research shows that the model can effectively improve the success rate of executing tasks and shorten the distance between cooperative agents, thus ensuring the reliability of the selection of cooperative objects and providing theoretical reference for subsequent related research.
Reasoning Temporally Attributed Spatial Entity Knowledge Towards Qualitative Inference of Geographic Process
Authors: Ganapathy Jayanthi , V. Uma
Published: March 2019

Knowledge discovery with geo-spatial information processing is of prime importance in geomorphology. The temporal characteristics of evolving geographic features result in geo-spatial events that occur at a specific geographic location. Those events when consecutively occur result in a geo-spatial process that causes a phenomenal change over the period of time. Event and process are essential constituents in geo-spatial dynamism. The geo-spatial data acquired by remote sensing technology is the source of input for knowledge discovery of geographic features. This article performs qualitative inference of geographic process by identifying events causing geo-spatial deformation over time. The evolving geographic features and their types have association with spatial and temporal factors. Event calculus-based spatial knowledge formalism allows reasoning over intervals of time. Hence, representation of Event Attributed Spatial Entity (EASE) Knowledge is proposed. Logical event-based queries are evaluated on the formal representation of EASE Knowledge Base. Event-based queries are executed on the proposed knowledge base and when experimented on, real data sets yielded comprehensive results. Further, the significance of EASE-based spatio-temporal reasoning is proved by evaluating with respect to query processing time and accuracy. The enhancement of EASE with a direction for further development to explore its significance towards prediction is discussed towards the end.
Structuring China Business Credit Management System and Relevant Characteristic Variables Based on the Tree Model
Authors: Xu Deshun , Ma Junhai , Xu Junjing
Published: March 2019

Nowadays, many credit deficiencies are in the Chinese business field, so it is urgent to accelerate the business credit system construction. In China, structuring the credit system is more appropriate than the integrity system particularly in business. Although business credit system is complex, the tree model could clearly analyse its structure and content. Based on the Chinese central government's file, “Social Credit System Construction Planning Outline (2014-2020),” the tree model is utilized and the authors suggest major objectives, key tasks and ten major relationships to the credit system construction in Chinese business fields. Also, several credit characteristic variables are put forward as scientific evaluation in order to enhance the objective management for the business credit system. The real case, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in 2015 is verified in the evaluation model.
Research on Optimization of Project Time-Cost-Quality Based on Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Song Yanqing , Hou Genran
Published: March 2019

In order to make proper time-cost-quality decisions for projects, an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm is applied. First, the optimal model of project time-cost-quality is constructed considering all factors. Second, the basic theory of particle swarm algorithms is summarized, and the improved particle swarm algorithm is put forward based on vector principle, and then the rotational base technology is introduced into the improved particle swarm algorithm to construct a multiple objective optimization algorithm. Finally, the simulation analysis is carried out using a project as example, and the optimal parameters are obtained.
The Islamic Studies Teachers' Perception of Integrating ICT Into the Teaching and Learning in the UAE Public Schools
Authors: Al-Gumaei Gubran Saif , Alzouebi Khadeegha , Abdelaziz Hamdy Ahmed
Published: March 2019

This article investigates Islamic Studies teachers' perceptions in integrating ICT, and the anticipated challenges faced when using ICT. Data was collected through a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. A total of 62 teachers participated in an online questionnaire consisted of 48 questions. In addition, eight teachers participated in the interviews. The findings of this study revealed positive perceptions of both male and female teachers in the integration of technology in their classrooms. The results showed that there were no significant differences between male and female teachers in all parts of the questionnaire. It also indicated that there was a number of challenges hindered the teachers' use of technology in teaching. Based on the research findings, it was recommended that stakeholders and decision makers in the MOE implement relevant training programs for Islamic studies teachers, to upgrade integrating ICT in classrooms. In addition, this article gives insights into future research studies on the effective use of ICT by Islamic studies teachers.
The alpine flora on inselberg summits in the Maloti–Drakensberg Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: Brand Robert F. , Scott-Shaw Charles R. , O’Connor Timothy G.
Published: March 2019

Background: Inselberg summits adjacent to the Maloti–Drakensberg escarpment occupy an alpine zone within the Drakensberg Alpine Centre (DAC). Inselbergs, the escarpment and surrounding mountains such as Platberg experience a severe climate; inselberg summits are distinct by being protected from human disturbance.Objectives: The aim of this article was to describe for the first time the flora of inselberg summits and to assess their potential contribution to conservation of DAC plant diversity.Method: We investigated whether the flora of inselberg summits formed a representative subset of the DAC flora in terms of shared, especially endemic or near endemic, species and representation of families. All species were listed for six inselbergs between Giant’s Castle and Sentinel, located in the Royal Natal National Park (RNNP) during November 2005. Comparisons, using literature, were made with floras of the DAC, as well as Platberg, an inselberg approximately 60 km north from Sentinel in the RNNP.Results: We recorded 200 species of pteridophytes and angiosperms on inselbergs, 114 DAC endemics or near endemics, one possible new species, and several range and altitudinal extensions. Asteraceae, Poaceae and Ericaceae comprised 42.1% of endemic and near endemic species, with Scrophulariaceae and Hyacinthaceae contributing 8.8%. Inselberg and DAC floras differed in respective rankings of Crassulaceae (8th vs. 15th), Polygalaceae, Apiaceae and Rosaceae (10th, 11th, 12th vs. 15th), Poaceae (2nd vs. 5th), Cyperaceae (3rd vs. 4th) and Scrophulariaceae (6th vs. 2nd). Growth forms on inselbergs were consistent with DAC flora. Inselbergs shared 40% of species with Platberg.Conclusion: Inselbergs, which supported 7.9% of species occurring in the DAC flora, are well protected from human impact, lack alien plants, but, despite this, are highly vulnerable to climate change. Conservation importance of inselbergs will increase as escarpment vegetation becomes increasingly degraded as a consequence of intensifying land use.
Simultaneous removal of nitrogen and organic carbon from swine wastewater using the pre-denitrification/nitrification process
Authors: Bortoli Marcelo , Kunz Airton , Prá Marina Celant De , Silva Marcio Luis Busi Da , Cé Ana , Soares Hugo Moreira
Published: March 2019

Wastewater from confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) can interfere significantly with the natural nitrogen and phosphorus balance in the environment if not treated adequately prior to disposal. In this work, a modified Lutzak-Ettinger (MLE) consisting of sequential pre-denitrification/ nitrification was used to determine the effects of nutrient loading rates and hydraulic retention times (HRT) on total nitrogen (TN) and organic carbon (TOC) removal from swine wastewater. MLE reactor was continuously fed swine wastewater for over 205 days using different recycle ratios (Rr) and HRT. Higher TN and TOC removal efficiencies (90.7% and 96.1%, respectively) were obtained when recycling effluent from the nitrification tank (4.5:1) combined with effluent from the final clarifier (1:1). Removal efficiencies of 96% for TOC and 90% for TN were obtained for the maximum loading rates of 0.56 gTN L-1 d-1 and 2.15 g TOC L-1 d-1, respectively.  TN and TOC removal rates were achieved with HRT in as little as 3.5 days. Overall, MLE was a robust bioprocess withstanding variations in wastewater physical-chemical composition and/or changes in operational conditions without significant impairment of N and TOC removal efficiencies.
Potential for biogas generation from sweet potato genotypes
Authors: Batista Samantha De Paula , Guerra Edson Perez , Resende Juliano Tadeu Vilela de , Gueri Matheus Vitor Diniz , Carvalho Guilherme Campos , Crestani Jessica Naiara dos Santos , Silva Israel Felipe Lustosa da
Published: March 2019

Biogas is a technology that enables the generation of energy through the process of anaerobic biodigestion, and sweet potato is an option as an energy production source. This research evaluated biogas production in anaerobic biodigesters and characterized the physico-chemical composition of two commercial sweet potato cultivars, BRS Cuia and BRS Rubissol, and two genotypes, Bela Vista and Laranjeiras. Variance analysis, the Tukey test and the physical-chemical characterization were completed, and the results were correlated using principal component analysis (PCA). In the analyses of tuberous root composition, significant differences between the genotypes were observed because of the influence of the absorption of moisture, decomposition, and variations in the yield and quality of roots. For the biochemical methane potential (BMP) test, the estimate of biogas production was 2,906.5 liters ha-1 for the cultivar BRS Cuia, 2,712.4 liters ha-1 for Laranjeiras, 2,906.5 liters ha-1 for BRS Rubissol, and 398,2 liters ha-1 for Bela Vista. The PCA analysis of sweet potato genotypes, physical-chemical and agronomic parameters showed all genotypes have a direct correlation with the amount of reducing sugars and humidity, with 97.77% of the data variability explained. The Laranjeiras genotype has the most significant potential to produce biogas, followed by the BRS Cuia cultivar. The results emphasize that the sweet potato crop is a good source of biomass for energy generation.
Effect of Environmental Factors on the Abundance of Culturable Nitrate Reducing/Denitrifying Bacteria from Contaminated and Uncontaminated Tallgrass Prairie Soil
Authors: AbuBakr Samer , Duncan Kathleen , Thoma Greg , Sublette Kerry
Published: March 2019

Various environmental factors have been proposed, such as soil moisture levels, carbon, and nitrate sources to affect the abundance of nitrate reducing (NR) and denitrifying (DN) bacteria. In this study, the strength of the association of the abundance of NR and DN bacteria with various environmental factors is estimated using multivariate statistics. Soil samples were collected from tallgrass prairie soils that had been contaminated with crude oil or brine (e.g. salt water) up to 10 years previously and from parallel uncontaminated sites. The abundance of culturable NR and DN bacteria in the soil samples was estimated by 5-tube MPN method using nitrate broth, while total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), sodium chloride, nitrate, and moisture were measured in the contaminated and the parallel uncontaminated sites. Viable heterotrophic bacteria and NR and DN bacteria from all sites were obtained from samples with a broad range of soil moisture (around 10-30% water/g soil) regardless of the source (e.g. site) of the isolates. Our results showed that the abundance of NR and DN bacteria from the contaminated sites was not less than that from the uncontaminated sites and reflected soil moisture, with greater bacterial numbers from wetter soils. Also, current remediation treatments (e.g. nitrate, hay, watering) of contaminated sites sometimes, but not consistently, were associated with greater abundance of NR and DN bacteria.  Therefore, no long-term effect of contamination on the abundance of NR and DN bacteria was shown.
Highly dense CeO2 nanofibers and MnO2 nanoflowers composite electrode for energy storage application
Authors: Niyogushima Julien Cizanya , Sangram Pradhan K , Makhes Behera K
Published: March 2019

A high demand of energy storage devices has boosted researchers for fabricating ultra-efficient supercapacitors with better energy density and cycling stability.  CeO2 nanofibers are one of the most promising materials due their superior oxidation performance as well as a larger specific capacitance that enables them to hold more charge. However, metal oxides being poor electrical conductors hinder the performance of the device. In this present work, we adopted a novel approach to improve the conductivity of the electrodes and charge storing capability of the device by making a hybrid composite structure with conducting porous carbon and long chain polymers through a simple, efficient and low temperature based hydrothermal synthesis route. This approach boosts the charge storage capability of the electrode electrochemically as well as by the pseudo-capacitive effect from CeO2 nanofibers. The structure and morphology of CeO2 nanofibers were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). FESEM confirmed highly dense CeO2 nanofibers that were less than 30 nm in diameter. Electrochemical measurement of CeO2 nanofibers hybrid composite shows improved specific capacitance value with very large cycling stability.
Impact of synthetic spaceborne NO2 observations from the Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5p platforms on tropospheric NO2 analyses
Authors: Timmermans Renske , Segers Arjo , Curier Lyana , Abida Rachid , Attié Jean-Luc , El Amraoui Laaziz , Eskes Henk , de Haan Johan , Kujanpää Jukka , Lahoz William , Oude Nijhuis Albert , Quesada Samuel , Ricaud Philippe , Veefkind Pepijn , Schaap Martijn
Published: March 2019

Abstract. We present an Observing System Simulation Experiment (OSSE) dedicated to the evaluation of the added value of the Sentinel 4 and Sentinel 5P missions for tropospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Sentinel 4 is a geostationary (GEO) mission covering the European continent, providing observations with high temporal resolution (hourly). Sentinel 5P is a low-Earth Orbiting (LEO) mission providing daily observations but with a global coverage. The OSSE experiment has been carefully designed, with separate models for the simulation of observations and for the assimilation experiments, and with conservative estimates of the total observation uncertainties. In the experiment we simulate Sentinel 4 and Sentinel 5P tropospheric NO2 columns and surface ozone concentrations at 7 by 7 km resolution over Europe for two three-month summer and winter periods. The synthetic observations are based on a nature run (NR) from a chemistry transport model (MOCAGE) and error estimates using instrument characteristics. We assimilate the simulated observations into a chemistry transport model (LOTOS-EUROS) independent from the NR to evaluate their impact on modelled NO2 tropospheric columns and surface concentrations. The results are compared to an operational system where only ground-based ozone observations are ingested. Both instruments have an added value on analysed NO2 columns and surface values, reflected in decreased biases, and improved correlations. The Sentinel 4 NO2 observations with hourly temporal resolution benefit modelled NO2 analyses throughout the entire day where the daily Sentinel 5P NO2 observations have a slightly lower impact that lasts up to 3–6 hours after overpass. The evaluated benefits may be even higher in reality as the applied error estimates were shown to be higher than actual errors in the now operational Sentinel 5P NO2 products. We show that an accurate representation of the NO2 profile is crucial for the benefit of the column observations on surface values. The results support the need for having a combination of GEO and LEO missions for NO2 analyses in view of the complementary benefits of hourly temporal resolution (GEO, Sentinel 4) and global coverage (LEO, Sentinel 5P).
The use of GNSS zenith total delays in operational AROME/Hungary 3D-Var over a central European domain
Authors: Mile Máté , Benáček Patrik , Rózsa Szabolcs
Published: March 2019

Abstract. The delay of satellite signals broadcasted by Global Navigation Satellite
System (GNSS) provides unique atmospheric observations which endorse
numerical weather prediction from global to limited-area models. Due to the
possibility of its frequent and near-real-time estimation, the zenith total
delays (ZTDs) are valuable information for any state-of-the-art data
assimilation system. This article introduces the data assimilation of ZTDs in
a Hungarian numerical weather prediction system, which was carried out by taking
into account observations from central European GNSS analysis and processing
centres. The importance of ZTD observations is described and shown by a
diagnostic tool in the 3-hourly updated 3D-Var assimilation
scheme. Furthermore, observing system experiments are done to evaluate the
impact of GNSS ZTDs on mesoscale limited-area forecasts. The results of the
use of GNSS ZTDs showed a clear added value to improve screen-level
temperature and humidity forecasts when the bias is accurately estimated and
corrected in the data assimilation scheme. The importance of variational, i.e.
adaptive bias correction, is highlighted by verification scores compared to
static bias correction. Moreover, this paper reviews the quality control of
GNSS ground-based stations inside the central European domain, the
calculation of optimal thinning distance and the preparation of the two
above-mentioned bias correction methods. Finally, conclusions are drawn on
different settings of the forecast and analysis experiments with a brief
future outlook.
Geology datasets in North America, Greenland and surrounding areas for use with ice sheet models
Authors: Gowan Evan J. , Niu Lu , Knorr Gregor , Lohmann Gerrit
Published: March 2019

Abstract. The ice–substrate interface is an important boundary condition for ice sheet
modelling. The substrate affects the ice sheet by allowing sliding through
sediment deformation and accommodating the storage and drainage of subglacial
water. We present three datasets on a 1 : 5 000 000 scale with different
geological parameters for the region that was covered by the ice sheets in
North America, including Greenland and Iceland. The first dataset includes
the distribution of surficial sediments, which is separated into continuous,
discontinuous and predominantly rock categories. The second dataset includes
sediment grain size properties, which is divided into three classes: clay,
silt and sand, based on the dominant grain size of the fine fraction of the
glacial sediments. The third dataset is the generalized bedrock geology. We
demonstrate the utility of these datasets for governing ice sheet dynamics by
using an ice sheet model with a simulation that extends through the last
glacial cycle. In order to demonstrate the importance of the basal boundary
conditions for ice sheet modelling, we changed the shear friction angle to
account for a weaker substrate and found changes up to 40 % in ice
thickness compared to a reference run. Although incorporation of the ice–bed
boundary remains model dependent, our dataset provides an observational
baseline for improving a critical weakness in current ice sheet modelling
(https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.895889, Gowan et al., 2018b).
Uncovering the shortcomings of a weather typing based statistical downscaling method
Authors: Van Uytven Els , De Niel Jan , Willems Patrick
Published: March 2019

Abstract. In recent years many methods for statistical downscaling of the climate model outputs have been developed. Each statistical downscaling method (SDM) has strengths and limitations, but those are rarely evaluated. This paper proposes an approach to evaluate the skill of SDMs for the specific purpose of impact analysis in hydrology. The skill is evaluated by the verification of the general statistical downscaling assumptions, and by the perfect predictor experiment that includes hydrological impact analysis. The approach has been tested for an advanced weather typing based SDM and for impact analysis on river peak flows in a Belgian river catchment. Significant shortcomings of the selected SDM were uncovered such as biases in the frequency of weather types and non-stationarities in the extreme precipitation distribution per weather type. Such evaluation of SDMs becomes of use for future tailoring of SDM ensembles to end user needs.
The effects on student retention by implementing contextualised, program-specific learning modules in an online student success course
Authors: McLeod Jaime J
Published: March 2019

This practice report examines the results of inserting program-specific, contextualised modules and instructors into an online student success course in a two-year college environment.  The results of multiple semesters of pre-contextualised instruction (Northern Hemisphere Spring and Fall 2015) and post-contextualisation instruction (Northern Hemisphere Fall 2016 and Spring 2017), showed an increase in next semester retention.  Additionally, ten student success course instructors were interviewed to determine critical elements of the course.  Instructors revealed that time management, stress management, and program-specific assignments were the most beneficial components of the course.
Evaluating nursing students' engagement in an online course using flipped virtual classrooms
Authors: Phillips Craig , O'Flaherty Jacqueline
Published: March 2019

Flipped classroom models allocate more time for active learning approaches compared with more traditional pedagogies, however what is less clear with the utilisation of flipped learning is evidence to support whether students in flipped classes are given more opportunities to develop higher order thinking skills (HOTs) to effect deep learning compared with the traditional ways of teaching. Focussing on this gap, this study compares on campus and off campus student engagement in two courses using different deliveries: online face-to-face (f2f) mixed mode (on campus students attend traditional f2f on campus classes and off campus students study exclusively online) versus fully online mode, utilising flipped classes (all student study off campus engaging in flipped virtual classes). Final course grades were similar for both deliveries; however, the study suggests flipped classes offered students more opportunities to develop HOTs and engage more deeply in the learning process. Students’ evaluations of the online flipped delivery were mixed, with those students previously enrolled exclusively as on campus, particularly dissatisfied with fully online delivery and virtual class tutor experience. Recommendations are made concerning both the timing of the introduction of fully online delivery in a program and the need for continual up-skilling of staff who teach in online environments.
The impact of several demographic factors on chemistry laboratory anxiety and self-efficacy in students’ first year of university
Authors: Rummey Cara , Clemons Tristan D , Spagnoli Dino
Published: March 2019

The transition from high school to tertiary education can be a daunting prospect for students. The prospect of laboratories, an unfamiliar environment, for students, can increase levels of anxiety. Moreover, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that students’ self-efficacy is inversely correlated with students’ anxiety. We surveyed students at the start and end of a semester to evaluate levels of anxiety and self-efficacy in relation to several aspects of the chemistry laboratory. Time management and answering assessed questions are the aspects that contribute to high levels of anxiety and low levels of self-efficacy at the start of semester. Students generally reported lower anxiety and higher self-efficacy at the end of the semester about every aspect probed. These results are of interest to any discipline that offers an unfamiliar learning environment for students as aspects such as time management and answering assessed questions are not discipline specific. We investigated the different aspects of anxiety and self-efficacy in relation to various demographic factors.
Subjective well-being among first-year university students: A two-wave prospective study in Flanders, Belgium
Authors: De Coninck David , Matthijs Koen , Luyten Patrick
Published: March 2019

In the transition from secondary to tertiary education, first-year students experience stress due to the academic, cultural, and social environment they must adapt to. This may negatively impact their subjective well-being, which in turn may negatively influence academic performance and increase the probability of dropping out. We report findings from a two-wave online study involving first-year students enrolled in a sociology course at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the University of Leuven (Belgium). Students completed self-report questionnaires on sociodemographic background, subjective well-being, parental relationship quality, and personality, at the start (Time 1) and end (Time 2) of the first semester. 194 students (35%) completed measures at both times. Results show that subjective well-being decreased from the beginning to the end of the first semester. Well-being at university was positively, and feelings of depression negatively, related to subjective well-being at Time 1 and Time 2. Female students reported lower well-being than male students at Time 2 but not Time 1. The quality of the mother–child, but not the father–child, relationship was positively related to subjective well-being at Time 1 and Time 2.
Transitions and choices: Graduate student mentoring for psychology honours students
Authors: Khoo Shaun , Zhao Jenna , Walker Adrian , Kirkman Jessica , Spehar Branka
Published: March 2019

Peer mentoring programs are typically designed to support students transitioning into university. However, recent work has highlighted the importance of supporting transitions through and out of university. The Australian psychology honours year is a particularly stressful period that involves transitioning through university into the research environment and is soon followed by transitions into the workforce or postgraduate study. The School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales, Australia (UNSW) recently developed a graduate/honours peer mentoring program. Pairs of PhD students mentor small groups of honours students in monthly meetings, discussing various aspects of honours and career options. Most honours students sign up for mentoring and evaluation results show that mentees find the program helpful, most frequently acknowledging that their mentors helped them with general advice and understanding their career options. Peer mentoring can therefore support psychology student transitions through and out of university.
Are university widening participation activities just-in-time or just-out-of-time? Exploring the (mis)alignment between the timing of widening participation activities and university decision-making among students from low socioeconomic backgrounds
Authors: Raciti Maria M , Dale Joshua
Published: March 2019

When is the best time to engage high school students in widening participation (WP) activities? With qualitative data from 46 university students at six Australian universities who are from low socioeconomic status (LSES) backgrounds, this study explored WP’s timeliness. It was found that a) the timing of the decision to go to university can occur at any point in compulsory schooling; b) LSES students experienced the bulk of WP in senior high school, being the years after they have selected the university stream; c) students in the university stream were exposed to WP activities while those in the non-university stream were excluded; and d) participants recommended that WP should begin earlier and be concentrated in the lead up to the forced streaming decision that occurs in Year 10. Overall, earlier WP exposure that is synchronised with high school streaming processes would optimise WP activities aimed at increasing LSES university participation.
La representación social del sujeto en el diálogo con el artista y el conservador de arte contemporáneo
Authors: De Sousa-Júnior M. Anacleto , Llamas-Pacheco Rosario
Published: March 2019

El trabajo realiza una aproximación a la psicología social, y más en concreto, al ámbito de la representación social del sujeto, desde la perspectiva de la conservación y restauración del arte contemporáneo. El uso de las entrevistas semi-dirigidas como método de obtención de información para la interpretación de las obras actuales, y para el entendimiento de la postura del artista frente a la restauración, es algo habitual y necesario como primer paso de las intervenciones a realizar. En este sentido, las percepciones previas que ambos grupos poseen, tanto los artistas como los conservadores-restauradores, pueden influir en las mismas. Las representaciones sociales están presentes en el proceso de obtención de información necesario para el objetivo común de la preservación del bien cultural. Así, algunos de los objetivos de este artículo han consistido en profundizar en el estudio de las relaciones que se establecen antes y durante las entrevistas entre artistas y conservadores, es decir, entre los sujetos involucrados en la producción, divulgación y preservación del arte contemporáneo. Como resultado de la investigación se reflexiona sobre el paso del tiempo y su efecto sobre la materia de las obras de arte, y sobre la aproximación al estado de ruina y muerte, a la vez que se propone una serie de cuestiones que pueden servir de guía durante los encuentros entre los agentes mencionados anteriormente.
Producciones imaginales: lazo social y subjetivación en una sociedad entre imágenes
Authors: Marcos-Dipaola E.
Published: March 2019

El artículo presenta la noción de “producciones imaginales” con el objetivo de comprender modos de articulación de las subjetividades y de las relaciones entre individuos en la vida social contemporánea asumida en su carácter global. A partir de ello, presenta un análisis de transformaciones de la vida social fundamentado en el “paradigma cultural” y que posibilita entender a las imágenes como perspectivas de articulación de vínculos y constitución de lazos de socialidad más frágiles, pero a la vez más dinámicos. Así, el artículo reflexiona sobre las sociedades de consumo y sus procesos de desinstitucionalización y destradicionalización cuya consecuencia es la constitución de una cultura visual en la que las imágenes y las estéticas consignadas en prácticas de consumo, modas y diseños definen una nueva concepción ética y otros modelos de subjetivación y de acción para la vida cotidiana en el tiempo presente.
The Patterns and Reasons of Committing Crimes in The Jordanian Society from The Perspectives of Inmates in Ma'an Reform and Rehabilitation Center
Authors: Al-Darawsheh Abdullah , Al-Sarayreh Wala' , Al-Hilalat Khalil , Al-Jazi Sami
Published: March 2019

This study aimed at identifying the patterns and reasons of committing crimes in the Jordanian society from the perspectives of inmates in Ma’an reform and rehabilitation center. In order to achieve the study objectives, the researchers developed a questionnaire for data collection, and selected a simple random sample to detect the study sample. The study sample consisted of (105) individuals, and concluded the following:The results showed that the most common crime patterns in the Jordanian society from the perspectives of inmates in Ma'an reform and rehabilitation center are the murder crimes which were in the first rank, with a mean of (4.88) and a standard deviation of (0.47), followed by drug trafficking with a mean of (4.75) and a standard deviation of (0.42), robbery crimes with a mean of (4.55) and a standard deviation of (0.52), and finally incest crimes with a mean of (3.01) and a standard deviation of (0.63).The results showed that the most common reasons leading to crimes the Jordanian society from the perspectives of inmates in Ma'an reform and rehabilitation center are the bad partners which were in the first rank, with a mean of (4.81) and a standard deviation of (0.42), followed by family disintegration with a mean of (4.65) and a standard deviation of (0.40), and then poverty with a mean of (4.30) and a standard deviation of (0.51), and finally the feeling of neglect and rejection by others with a mean of (3.99) and a standard deviation of (0.67).The study concluded with a number of recommendations.
Home Disposal of Used Insulin Syringes and Needles by the Patients With Diabetic in Rwanda
Authors: Gishoma Crispin , Murengezi Abnezel , Hobabagabo Arsene , Callender-Carter Sylvia , Ndayisaba Gilles , Niyinsenga Simon Pierre , Gishoma Darius , Rutagarama Florent , Logan Jenae , Wong Rex
Published: March 2019

For many people living with diabetes, using needles to inject insulin and test blood glucose levels is a part of their everyday lives. Improper disposal of these highly contaminating sharp materials can cause injuries to people as well as pollute water sources and agricultural land.Approximately 3.4% of the population in Rwanda lives with diabetes. There is no law specifying how these individuals should dispose of home-used syringes and lancets, and prior to this study, home disposal practices for sharp instruments including needles and lancets used for diabetes self-management were unknown.A cross-sectional study design was used to identify the common methods used by people living with diabetes to dispose of sharps after home use. A total of 201 people living with diabetes participated in the study. Only 107 (53.3%) of them could identify the proper methods of sharp disposal and only 69 (34.3%) reported using these proper disposal methods. The top three challenges to the use of proper disposal practices reported by participants included not being informed of such practices (76, 37.8%), not having appropriate containers (66, 32.8%) and having to travel a long distance to return safety boxes containing sharp materials (47, 23.4%).Future studies should be conducted to understand the financial feasibility of health facility provision of safe disposal boxes for patients. Education focusing on training people living with diabetes to use hard plastic bottles as an acceptable alternative to boxes is also needed. Convenient and effective mechanisms for obtaining and returning used safety boxes should be established. Larger scale studies including more patients could generate more representative data.
Ecological Changes in the Coral Reef Communities of Indonesia's Bali Barat National Park, 2011–2016
Authors: Suparno Nono , Currier Kitty , Milner Carol , Alling Abigail , Dustan Phillip
Published: March 2019

The coral reefs of Bali Barat National Park, one of Indonesia’s oldest marine protected areas, are known for their high biodiversity and excellent sport diving; however, stressors such as destructive fishing practices, elevated water temperatures, damage from anchors and careless visitors have been observed on these reefs for decades. The purpose of this study was to document and quantify changes in the fish and stony coral community structure of reefs within and outside the boundaries of Bali Barat National Park from 2011 to 2016, including its most popular dive site, Menjangan Island. The results provide further knowledge about the reefs of NW Bali and the efficacy of current management practices, and they will inform management decisions for locally managed reef stewardship programs. Between 2011 and 2016 the reefs of NW Bali lost 44.4% of their living coral cover, declining from 36% to 20% overall cover. Mortality was principally attributed to thermal bleaching caused by persistently high sea temperatures, which peaked in January 2016 at 32.2°C, coinciding with the third documented global bleaching event. Approximately one third of all stony corals were found to be bleached or recently dead. Despite the decline in coral cover, stony coral genus richness remained unchanged, with 56 genera recorded in both years, representing a combined total of 59 distinct genera. Mean fish biomass at Menjangan Island increased, with herbivorous fish biomass quadrupling, presumably due to decreased fishing effort at the island. The abundance of fish at all sites—both inside and outside the park—more than doubled, indicating a predominance of small fish at sites where fish biomass did not correspondingly rise. Crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci), not observed on transects in 2011, were found in 2016 in areas of relatively high disturbance from marine recreation and possible eutrophication from shrimp farm effluent and mainland runoff. Patterns of coral cover and damage, fish abundance and biomass, and lost fishing gear suggest that management activities inside and outside the park have reduced ecological damage. Local community conservation groups are practicing one or more of the following at Menjangan Island and in some of the locally managed conservation areas: installing moorings, removing coral predators (crown-of-thorns starfish and Drupella snails), reducing fishing pressure, securing live coral fragments back onto the reef and planting mangroves. These nature groups are raising community awareness about the importance of NW Bali’s marine ecology to their economic and cultural wellbeing.
Diabetes Health Services in Sri Lanka: Development of a Quality Index
Authors: Thenuwara Nethmini VJ , Reid Christopher M , Fonseka Pushpa , Billah Baki , Wickramasinghe Champika , Renzaho Andre MN
Published: March 2019

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health issue in Sri Lanka and across the globe. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) need long term comprehensive care. Quality of care for DM varies in different settings. Service quality assessment leads to identifying service areas that may benefit from appropriate intervention in order to achieve better health outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an instrument to measure the quality of services provided for patients with DM attending medical and diabetic clinics in state hospitals of Sri Lanka.

METHODS: A ‘Care for DM Quality of services’ (CD QS) instrument comprised of 8 subscales: routine services, glycaemic control, Blood Pressure and lipid control, weight control, annual screening, patient empowerment, recording of information and functional aspects was developed and validated. Trained research assistants collected data from 100 volunteer patients attending four diabetic clinics two each at secondary and tertiary level hospitals. Construct validity was established by multi-trait scaling analysis and known group comparisons. Internal consistency was assessed by item-total correlations and Cronbach’s alpha. Cut off levels to classify the hospital clinic as ‘good’, ‘moderate’ or ‘poor’ performance were determined by the average score in each subscale being above mean + SD (good), between mean + SD (moderate), and below the mean –SD (poor) respectively.

RESULTS: Multi-trait scaling analysis of items showed highest correlation with its own subscale compared to the other subscales. Significantly higher mean scores (p<0.05) for all the subscales were observed in tertiary level clinics compared to the secondary level. Internal consistency of ‘CD QS’ was good with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.9. Intra Class Correlation Coefficients were over 0.9 for all subscales with confidence intervals ranging from 0.8 to 2.9 suggestive of good inter-rater reliability.

CONCLUSIONS: ‘CD QS’ is a valid and reliable tool to assess both functional and technical quality of follow up care provided for patients with DM. This facilitates regular quality assessment of DM care thus identifying the gaps and improving the service quality. Further implementation and testing for clinical usefulness and acceptability will determine the tools application in the healthcare setting.
Fiscal Devolution and Human Capital Formation in Nigeria: Emphasis on Independent Generated Funds of the Three Tiers of Government
Authors: Omodero Cordelia Onyinyechi
Published: March 2019

The benefits of human capital in a nation are enormous and all encompassing. This study investigates the impact of independent generated revenue of the three tiers of government in Nigeria on human capital formation from 2003 to 2017. The purpose is to determine the effect of internally generated revenue of each level of government on human beings in the country. Revenue powers of three tiers of government in Nigeria are the product of fiscal decentralization being practiced in the country. Thus, Ordinary Least Square technique has been employed to perform the multi-regression analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The findings indicate that federal and local governments’ independent generated funds do not have significant positive impact on human capital development while the state government independent generated revenue exerts significant positive influence on human development index used as proxy for human capital formation in Nigeria. Therefore, the study recommends among others that the three levels of government in the country should strive harder to boost independent revenues for more adequate investment in human capital of the nation.