bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lessons From the Other Side of the Computer
Authors: Ceglie Robert John , Black Ginger C.
Published: January 2020

Online teaching and learning have quickly become the next hot trend in education, as colleges and universities look to utilize the convenience and applicability of utilizing online platforms as a complement and supplement to traditional face-to-face instruction. Research is beginning to examine the effectiveness of online delivery, both from pedagogical and assessment perspectives. Work has supported some of the best practices which serve as a critical guide to those designing and teaching online or hybrid classes. What has been under-researched is the user side: primarily the student perceptions of what makes online instruction effective for their own learning. This chapter explores the current research and combines student vignettes to explore the learner perceptions of the qualities and effectiveness of online instruction.
Creative Approaches to Teaching Life Writing Online
Authors: Gray-Rosendale Laura Anne
Published: January 2020

In this chapter, the author examines various ways in which discussions, creative blog posts, final course projects, and the real-time video tool BB Learn Collaborate can be best used to engage online students in a graduate course in “The History of Life Writing.” Moving between detailed research about technology, collaboration, and autobiography as well as her own personal reflections about her experiences teaching the course, this chapter provides some useful suggestions about how to best engage online graduate students in the subject of life writing. Finally, drawing from students' own feedback, the chapter reveals the powerful effects that real-time video conferencing can have for creating an engaging online presence for teachers and students alike.
Developing Asynchronous Online Discussion Boards to Increase Student Engagement and Learning
Authors: Lohmann Marla J. , Boothe Kathleen A.
Published: January 2020

The asynchronous online discussion board is a vital means of engaging learners and providing high quality instruction for students. In the past, these discussion boards have been primarily text-based, but online faculty are increasingly implementing discussion formats to increase student engagement and learning. Evidence-based online discussions include (1) both whole-class and small group discussions, (2) debates, (3) sharing products, (4) video-based discussions, (5) word cloud-based discussions, (6) jigsaw discussions, and (7) student choice in response format. In this chapter, the authors provide an overview of the literature regarding asynchronous discussions, as well as personal experience and recommendations based on their combined eight years of online instruction.
SoTL as a Professional Development Tool for Non-Standard Faculty
Authors: Hays Lauren , McNiff Lindsay
Published: January 2020

Non-standard faculty are individuals with faculty appointments, but whose responsibilities fall outside the traditional faculty role. Non-standard faculty are often overlooked in conversations about SoTL, but they play an integral part in the teaching and learning that occurs on post-secondary campuses. Due to the focus on local context within SoTL, non-standard faculty greatly benefit from this type of professional development. Using the micro, meso, macro, and mega framework, the authors of this chapter describe how educational developers can support non-standard faculty in using SoTL for professional development. This common SoTL framework helps educational developers bring non-standard faculty into SoTL conversations while also recognizing the unique teaching environments in which they work.
Using SoTL to Foster a Research Approach to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Brogt Erik , Shephard Kerry , Knewstubb Bernadette , Rogers Tracy Leigh
Published: January 2020

This chapter discusses how Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) can be used to foster a research approach to teaching and learning and how faculty development that supports colleagues to engage in SoTL can support the development of scholarly faculty. Both the process and the product of SoTL are discussed, conceptualised as different levels of SoTL engagement. The role of the faculty developer in such scholarship is discussed, drawing on Pedagogical Content Knowledge as a framework for engagement in SoTL projects. Last, implications for the work of a faculty developer are drawn and future avenues of research in faculty development proposed.
Using Mid-Semester Assessment Programs (MAPs) as a Catalyst for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL)
Authors: Hutchinson Alisa , Stoeckle Anabel
Published: January 2020

Mid-Semester Assessment Programs (MAPs) have been successfully utilized as a professional development tool for faculty interested in improving their teaching in the context of higher education by assessing voluntary formative student feedback that guides changes instructors make in the classroom. Faculty centers and educational developers have the unique opportunity to recruit instructors via MAPs who have participated in these programs to promote and support the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) among faculty who already display an innate interest in best teaching practices and are open to advancing their own teaching in order to improve student learning and to propel student success. This chapter provides a guide for educational developers who seek to become active partners for faculty to become interested and engaged in the scholarship of teaching and learning through a unique recruitment mechanism that serves as a natural steppingstone for faculty not having engaged with SoTL yet.
The Role of Educational Developer in Supporting Research Ethics in SoTL
Authors: Fedoruk Lisa Margaret , Mikita Kiara
Published: January 2020

This chapter stems from popular misconceptions demonstrated by educators who lack familiarity with the significance and necessity of honoring ethical guidelines and practices when conducting SoTL research. The authors articulate the value of incorporating ethical principles and practices in research design and provide educational developers with much needed critical information about ethical considerations when conducting SoTL research. An overview of the purpose and functions of review ethics boards is included, along with common scenarios involving ethical dilemmas educators may encounter when embarking on a SoTL research study. Reflective questions to contemplate and strategies about how ethical practices can and should be embedded into SoTL research planning and design are explained. A framework and applicable resource are provided so that educational developers may guide and support instructor/researchers through safe and ethical SoTL inquires.
A Case Study in the Application of Transformative Learning Theory
Authors: Kammer Jenna
Published: January 2020

Transformative learning can be used as a strategy for measuring teacher effectiveness in online courses. By measuring the transformations that occur within their courses, instructors can understand more about the activities and experiences that are the most impactful for students. In addition, instructors can create opportunities for transformation by designing learning experiences that encourage students to critically self-reflect. This chapter presents an exploratory study that examined instructor and student perceptions of transformation in an online school library graduate program. The data was used to redesign one unit in a course on reference and information services to create opportunities for students to experience transformation with the content.
Overcoming Challenges to Impactful SoTL
Authors: Fukuzawa Sherry , Ashbourne Dianne , Rawle Fiona
Published: January 2020

In order for teaching and learning to improve throughout an institution, the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) must be valued within institutional culture and contribute to the scholarly identity of researchers. This chapter emphasizes some of the challenges for SoTL researchers, whether educational developers or faculty members, to consider as they begin their foray into educational research. SoTL challenges are divided into four inter-related themes: (1) scholarly identity, (2) institutional challenges, (3) accessing and searching the SoTL literature, and (4) conducting SoTL research (SoTL research design, methodology, funding and time commitments, and ethical considerations). The chapter includes a series of opportunities and resources to help SoTL researchers reframe these challenges into opportunities for their institutions.
Redesigning the User Interface of a Learning Platform for Social Engineering Integrating Web Accessibility Basics
Authors: Arceo-Olague José Guadalupe , Ortiz-Reyes Jorge , Solís-Robles Roberto , Luna-García Huizilopoztli , Ordaz-García Oscar Osvaldo , Gamboa-Rosales Hamurabi , Galván-Tejada Carlos Eric , Galván-Tejada Jorge Issac , Celaya-Padilla José María , Ortiz-López Manuel Agustín
Published: January 2020

The objective of this chapter is to identify web accessibility problems in order to fulfill the design guidelines. According to the proposal, accessibility is assessed through easy checks of the implementation of the social engineering educational platform. As a first phase, the developer carries out this evaluation and his results are analyzed. The second phase solves the identified problems or at least tries to give them a solution implementing a redesign on the platform; in the same way, the results are analyzed. In the third phase, a proposal is made of the improvements that can be introduced in the redesign of the user interface in a way that best complies with the web accessibility. The problem identified shows the difficulty of implementing the accessibility guides and the need to propose accessibility implementation guidelines that guarantee their compliance.
Modulation Scheme for Biasing the Emotional Process of Autonomous Agents
Authors: Castellanos Sergio , Rodríguez Luis-Felipe , Gutierrez-Garcia J. Octavio
Published: January 2020

Autonomous agents (AAs) are capable of evaluating their environment from an emotional perspective by implementing computational models of emotions (CMEs) in their architecture. A major challenge for CMEs is to integrate the cognitive information projected from the components included in the AA's architecture. In this chapter, a scheme for modulating emotional stimuli using appraisal dimensions is proposed. In particular, the proposed scheme models the influence of cognition on appraisal dimensions by modifying the limits of fuzzy membership functions associated with each dimension. The computational scheme is designed to facilitate, through input and output interfaces, the development of CMEs capable of interacting with cognitive components implemented in a given cognitive architecture of AAs. A proof of concept based on real-world data to provide empirical evidence that indicates that the proposed mechanism can properly modulate the emotional process is carried out.
A Self-Adjusting Approach for Temporal Dropout Prediction of E-Learning Students
Authors: Siebra Clauirton Albuquerque , Santos Ramon N. , Lino Natasha C.Q.
Published: January 2020

This work proposes a dropout prediction approach that is able to self-adjust their outcomes at any moment of a degree program timeline. To that end, a rule-based classification technique was used to identify courses, grade thresholds and other attributes that have a high influence on the dropout behavior. This approach, which is generic so that it can be applied to any distance learning degree program, returns different rules that indicate how the predictions are adjusted along with academic terms. Experiments were carried out using four rule-based classification algorithms: JRip, OneR, PART and Ridor. The outcomes show that this approach presents better accuracy according to the progress of students, mainly when the JRip and PART algorithms are used. Furthermore, the use of this method enabled the generation of rules that stress the factors that mainly affect the dropout phenomenon at different degree moments.
Study of Attitude of B-School Faculty for Learning Management System Implementation an Indian Case Study
Authors: Kushwaha Pooja Singh , Mahajan Renuka , Attri Rekha , Misra Richa
Published: January 2020

Learning management systems have transformed the information delivery mechanism. The present study derives dimensions from technology acceptance model and assesses the association between the faculty's satisfaction, perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) in a Moodle-based learning management system. The data collection was done using a questionnaire from one hundred and ninety-nine faculty of B-Schools, using Moodle as the LMS. The findings indicate that both ease of use and perceived usefulness are significant predictors of faculty satisfaction from MOODLE LMS. In addition to the aforementioned TAM constructs, the study has measured moderating impact of demographic variables like city, gender and age. These variables are important differentiators in the Indian context, as LMS is a relatively new adoption in Indian education industry. The study reports that although age is a differentiator between two defined groups, it is however not significantly moderating the relationship between PEOU and satisfaction with Moodle. Gender and type of city (metro versus non-metro cities) have significantly moderated the relationship between PEOU and the satisfaction with Moodle. The study also labels constraints in terms of LMS usage and give suggestions towards its effective use. Henceforth, any similar system must incorporate these constructs to improve the satisfaction and adoption of the LMS by instructors.
Discovering Learners Behaviour Patterns From Log Files Using LSA
Authors: Milat Iness Nedji , Seridi Hassina , Moudjari Abdelkader
Published: January 2020

Recently, discovering learner behaviour has taken more attention in the field of e-learning. It aims to gain useful insights into the learning process of students despite the absence of direct interaction with teachers. In fact, the only available source of information in such environments is the log file that represents all possible interactions of learners with the e-learning system. This log file is characterised by the presence of noise, incomplete information, and a huge amount of data. In this article, a new approach based on learner trails analysis from the log file is proposed. It aims to discover the patterns of the real behaviour of learners and to determine their pedagogic orientations. The latent semantic analysis (LSA) method is used to extract the relationship between learners who have the same behaviour and to overcome the noise problem. The proposed approach has been validated using synthetic and genuine log files. The obtained results show the efficiency of the proposed method of discovering the behaviours of learners.
Collective Entity Disambiguation Based on Hierarchical Semantic Similarity
Authors: Jia Bingjing , Yang Hu , Wu Bin , Xing Ying
Published: January 2020

Entity disambiguation involves mapping mentions in texts to the corresponding entities in a given knowledge base. Most previous approaches were based on handcrafted features and failed to capture semantic information over multiple granularities. For accurately disambiguating entities, various information aspects of mentions and entities should be used in. This article proposes a hierarchical semantic similarity model to find important clues related to mentions and entities based on multiple sources of information, such as contexts of the mentions, entity descriptions and categories. This model can effectively measure the semantic matching between mentions and target entities. Global features are also added, including prior popularity and global coherence, to improve the performance. In order to verify the effect of hierarchical semantic similarity model combined with global features, named HSSMGF, experiments were carried out on five publicly available benchmark datasets. Results demonstrate the proposed method is very effective in the case that documents have more mentions.
Accessibility Compliance for E-Government Websites
Authors: Moreno Lourdes , Martínez Paloma
Published: January 2020

Barriers to web accessibility exist that deny the rights of people with disabilities to access content on public sector websites even though equal access is mandatory on e-government websites in most countries. In order to achieve web accessibility, specific standards and technology are essential for ensuring compliance with accessibility laws. In order to support the implementation of accessibility standards facilitating compliance with laws and methodological approaches exist which can play an important role in making e-government websites more accessible. The purpose of this article is to present the regulatory framework regarding accessibility, a survey of the technology and a proposal of good practices concerning technology which evaluates accessibility as a support resource. Recently, standards have been updated which make compliance with accessibility standards mandatory in the upcoming years. Faced with this situation, this work provides support resources to this new regulatory framework such as approaches to accessibility monitoring and evaluation technology.
Influence of IoT Policy on Quality of Life
Authors: Chatterjee Sheshadri
Published: January 2020

In this study, an attempt was taken to identify the issues concerning to regulations and governance which could substantially influence the citizens of India relating to adoption of the Internet of Things. The objective of this study is to highlight the importance of Internet of Things policymaking by the Government of India prescribing proper regulatory frameworks and good governance for effective and successful adoption of the Internet of Things by the citizens of India. An empirical approach has been taken for understanding the impact of IoT policy towards adoption of IoT enabled devices by the citizens of India. Structural equation modeling (SEM) has been used towards analysis of the data collected from three metro cities in India. The study finds out the impact of IoT policy towards adoption of the Internet of Things by the citizens in India and its importance towards improving the quality of life of the citizens of India.
EMPATIA
Authors: Sousa Bruno , Fonseca Vitor , Cordeiro Luis , Flamigni Bianca , Foschini Luca , Simoes Paulo , Sivarajah Uthayasankar , Weerakkody Vishanth
Published: January 2020

Participatory budgeting (PB) is currently one of the most widely adopted democratic innovations. ICT platforms are key enablers of PB processes, by supporting citizen engagement. They support the establishment of diverse participation channels to build candidate proposals, for the voting process, and for monitoring proposals' implementation. PB platforms differ from electronic voting systems, reflecting the intrinsic nature of PB processes. While vote secrecy and trustworthiness of voting results is still a major requirement, other factors weight in, such as the focus on the whole process and the need for engaging several citizens by providing multiple participation channels. PB processes take place at multiple scales (municipal, national) requiring flexible deployment and dimensioning approaches. EMPATIA is an ICT platform for PB, based on multiple dimensioning and deployment options that reflect the scenarios where PB tools are expected to operate. The evaluation results provide relevant inputs to the design and implementation of similar participatory and/or voting platforms.
Process Transformations in E-Governance
Authors: Hooda Apeksha , Singla M.L.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of the present study is to assess the maturity level of government process reengineering and investigate the reasons for not achieving much anticipated benefits of E-Governance implementation across developing countries. The present study qualitatively analyzes the reengineering status of government processes in the current E-Governance implementation practices across India using the Process and Enterprise Maturity Model (PEMM). The structured interview was conducted with key people involved in the E-Governance implementation across India. The findings of study indicated that the E-Governance implementation in India is presently missing on the reengineering of government processes, owing to which these processes are not mature enough to deliver the higher performance post E-Governance implementation. The findings of the study suggested that to ensure the performance of government processes, the need is to focus upon the process enablers and enterprise capabilities.
User-Centered Gamification
Authors: Kotsopoulos Dimosthenis , Bardaki Cleopatra , Papaioannou Thanasis G. , Pramatari Katerina , Stamoulis George D.
Published: January 2020

Gamification is a contemporary powerful means of affecting human behavior. However, its effectiveness relies on both the users' profiles and non-game context characteristics. This article focused on designing gamified interventions guided by the users' profiles and the application context, towards increasing the potential for user engagement and behavior change. The authors apply a structured process while designing a serious game for energy conservation in three workplaces. First employee needs for self-actualisation, self-regulation, rewards and recognition, and affiliation are identified as the most prominent motivations to participate in gamification at work. Then their relationships with employee game element preferences and energy-saving behaviors are explored. Additionally, a mechanism producing personalized messages, which can be integrated with the gamified intervention, is proposed. Overall, this research can be useful to future researchers and practitioners that aspire to design successful user-oriented gamified interventions at work as well as different non-game contexts.
From Fan-Centric Handset Manufacturing to Intense Product Diversification
Authors: Zhang Min , Passerini Katia
Published: January 2020

Xiaomi Corporation is a very successful company in the wireless telecommunications industry in China. The company has been able to adopt a “fan-centric” business model that includes extensive input from their customer base on handset design, user interface design, and features for other products/services offered by the company. The “innovation ecosystem” the company created has allowed a recent surge in sales and popularity that provides a model for other wireless telecommunications companies ranging from network service providers to application developers to follow.
An Analysis of the Performance of Synchronous Online English Tutoring
Authors: Huang Chiung Wei , Liao Jay Yu , Wang Chia Sui , Su Zhi Yuan
Published: January 2020

One-on-one online tutoring offers equal chances, provides learning resources, and enhances learning performances for students in remote areas. This study examined the effects of learning and teaching during online English tutoring. A total of ten online tutees, ten online tutors and on-site supervisors participated in the study. Research data included video recordings of the teaching, the online tutors' tutoring journals, the supervisors' journals, and the logs of online English tutoring. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were both used to analyze the data. The study found that online tutees were usually in good moods; they were highly focused, and their learning effects were excellent. Online tutors were always fully prepared with their English teaching materials and they interacted well with online tutees. Online tutors and online tutees both went online on schedule. Overall, the effects of learning and teaching during online English tutoring were effective and helpful.
Business Intelligence Readiness Assessment for a Shopping Mall
Authors: Ramirez-Angulo Pedro Julian , Guevara Rosa Alexandra Chaparro
Published: January 2020

This case takes place at SCC, a recognized shopping mall located in Cali, Colombia. In March 2018, Javier Ortiz, CEO of SCC, contacted a group of researchers to identify the key success factors before the implementation of business intelligence practices. For this, the researcher's group conducted a set of deep semi-structured interviews to establish the current state of processes, people and technologies around business information. With this information, a business intelligence maturity stage model is presented to identify a low level of business intelligence practices, that represents a long list of challenges to be faced by the SCC with a limited budget. This case focuses on how to analyze the business intelligence readiness assessment using exploratory analysis, and seeks to promote the skills and competencies oriented to prioritize actions based on research to improve decision making before a business intelligence implementation project.
Application of Quality in Use Model to Evaluate the User Experience of Online Banking Software
Authors: Abu Talib Manar , Alsaafin Areej , Medjden Selma Manel
Published: January 2020

Open source software (OSS) has recently become very important due to the rapid expansion of the software industry. In order to determine whether the quality of the software can achieve the intended purposes, the components of OSS need to be assessed as they are in closed source (conventional) software. Several quality in-use models have been introduced to evaluate software quality in various fields. The banking sector is one of the most critical sectors, as it deals with highly sensitive data; it therefore requires an accurate and effective assessment of software quality. In this article, two pieces of banking software are compared: one open source and one closed source. A new quality in use model, inspired by ISO/IEC 25010, is used to ensure concise results in the comparison. The results obtained show the great potential of OSS, especially in the banking field.
ESCLEROMETRIA E VELOCIDADE DE PROPAGAÇÃO DO PULSO ULTRASSÔNICO PARA ESTIMATIVA DA RESISTÊNCIA À COMPRESSÃO DO CONCRETO POR MEIO DE CURVAS DE CORRELAÇÃO
Authors: Ferrari Vladimir José , Jaqueline Vicentini Mantovani
Published: January 2020

Para a estimativa da resistência do concreto de estruturas de edificações em utilização, o método de maior confiabilidade é a extração e a ruptura de testemunhos de concreto, pois é parte da estrutura, e obedece às condições de umidade, adensamento e cura da estrutura em análise. No entanto, esse método exige a tarefa de recomposição adequada de todos os locais onde foram efetuadas a extração do concreto por meio da recuperação da área afetada pelo furo. Por outro lado, métodos de ensaios não destrutivos (END), podem ser utilizados para obter informações sobre as propriedades do concreto e avaliar suas condições. Nesse trabalho são abordados dois métodos de END, esclerometria e velocidade de propagação do pulso ultrassônico (VPU), com o intuito da obtenção, para os concretos aqui analisados, de curvas de correlação simples e múltiplas entre a resistência do concreto (fc) e as grandezas medidas através dos referidos ensaios, índice esclerométrico (IE) e a VPU, respectivamente. Para tanto, foram moldados corpos de prova cilíndricos (150 x 300 mm) e blocos (300 x 400 x 600 mm) utilizando-se quatro tipos distintos de concretos coletados em diferentes obras da cidade de Maringá durante a fase de concretagem da estrutura. Os corpos de prova foram submetidos aos ensaios nas idades de 7, 14, 28, 56 e 91 dias e, nos blocos foram realizadas as extrações de testemunhos de concreto nas idades de 7, 28 e 91 dias. Os resultados obtidos a partir dos ensaios (esclerometria, VPU e compressão axial) realizados nos corpos de prova cilíndricos (CPs) e nos testemunhos de concreto (TCs) foram correlacionados com vistas à obtenção de um modelo matemático para estimar a resistência dos concretos aqui estudados. Foram estabelecidas correlações simples, obtidas a partir de resultados de um único END, bem como correlações múltiplas combinando-se os resultados obtidos com os dois ENDs. Os modelos matemáticos obtidos por meio do estudo aqui desenvolvido, principalmente aqueles provenientes dos ensaios realizados nos TCs, podem ser aplicados para a estimativa da resistência dos concretos analisados, pois apresentam forte correlação e erros que se limitam na faixa de 10%.
INFLUÊNCIA DAS FIBRAS DE AÇO NA ADERÊNCIA DE BARRAS DE AÇO RETILÍNEAS E CONCRETO AUTOADENSÁVEL
Authors: Silva Leane Faria , Campos Junior Carlos Umberto Alves , Sartorti Artur Lenz , Da Silva Barboza Lucas
Published: January 2020

A aderência é uma característica fundamental das estruturas de concreto armado, pois permite a compatibilização entre barras de aço e concreto. Quanto melhor a aderência entre esses materiais, menores serão as aberturas das fissuras e mais protegida estará a armadura. Assim, esta pesquisa busca avaliar a influência das fibras de aço na aderência entre aço-concreto por meio do ensaio de arrancamento. Foram ensaiados 57 corpos de prova, sendo 15 para compressão axial, 15 para módulo de elasticidade dinâmico e tração por compressão diametral e 27 para arrancamento de barras (Pull out Test). As variáveis analisadas foram o diâmetro da barra (10 mm, 12,5 mm e 16 mm) e o volume de fibras incorporado ao concreto (0,5% e 1%). No que diz respeito a mudança dos diâmetros das barras, verificou-se pouca influência no aumento da aderência, sendo que as barras com menor diâmetro apresentaram maiores tensões de aderência, devido a maior densidade das nervuras por comprimento linear. Quanto ao volume de fibras de aço, verificou-se que as fibras exercem pequena influência na tensão de aderência, sendo que para adição de 0,5% houve um pequeno aumento e para 1% houve redução na tensão de aderência entre a barra e o concreto. Todavia, quando a ruptura da aderência acontece pelo fendilhamento, a influência das fibras tem maior significância no aumento da tensão de aderência.
Thirty years of translational research in Mobility Medicine: Collection of abstracts of the 2020 Padua Muscle Days
Authors: Carraro Ugo
Published: January 2020

More that half-century of skeletal muscle research is continuing at the Padua University (Italy) under the auspices of the Interdepartmental Research Centre of Myology (CIR-Myo), the European Journal of Translational Myology (EJTM) and recently also with the support of the AandC M-C Foundation for Translational Myology, Padova, Italy. The Volume 30 (1), 2020 of EJTM opens with the collection of abstracts of the conference “2020 Padua Muscle Days: Mobility Medicine 30 years of Translational Research”, an International Conference, that will be held March 18-21, 2020 in Euganei Hills and Padova (Italy). These abstracts are excellent examples of translational research and of the multidimensional approaches that are needed to classify and manage in both the acute and chronic phases Mobility Medicine diseases that span from neurologic, metabolic, traumatic syndromes to the biological process of aging. Their excellent contents grant the high scientific profiles of researchers and clinicians who are eager to present their results at the PaduaMuscleDays. A series of EJTM Communications will add to this preliminary evidence.

 

Here you can find the Announcement details.
UNA PERDUTA ISCRIZIONE A PAOLO PARUTA SULLE LAPIDI DEL CORTILE DEL BROLETTO DI BRESCIA
Authors: Giani Marco
Published: January 2020

Thanks to a passage of Coryatâ€™s Crudities (1611), where the English traveller describes his visit to Brescia (August 1608), now is possible to reconstruct a lost commemorative plaque, once placed upon the internal wall of the local Broletto (City Hall). The inscription upon that marble plaque, dated 1591, was erased almost one hundred years later (1692) by the authorities of Venetian Republic, worried for the growing selfglorification of patrician magistrates. Luckily Coryat transcribed the inscription, dedicated to Paolo Paruta (1540-1598), statesman and historiographer of the Venetian Republic, capitano of Brescia from 1590 to 1592, when he was appointed as Ambassador to Rome. Starting from the discovery of this lost inscription, this essay tries to investigate how Paolo Paruta, a refined political writer but also an able statesman, took his 2 year office in Brescia, at that time the second city of Venetian Terraferma.
Prioritising career guidance and development services in post-apartheid South Africa
Authors: Pillay Anthony L.
Published: January 2020

Career guidance and development services must be viewed as a priority, especially given Africa’s history of colonisation and deprivation where people of colour were viewed essentially as manual labour. With decolonisation efforts and improved opportunities, the impact of poorly informed career decisions is a concern. This can be quite serious both individually and nationally, and attempts must be made to address this problem. Young people and their families affected by ill-conceived or absent career planning suffer economically and psychologically. Considering the global and local economic trends, job markets and youth unemployment, career guidance services must take cognisance of the transformed workspace to include the informal employment sector. Most importantly, career guidance services must be made available to all, and not just a select few.
Metastatic hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in CDK 4/6 era
Authors: Lakkavalli Rajeev Krishnappa , Pehalajani Jitendra Kumar , Tirumala Venkatesh , Babu Govind K. , Loknatha Dassappa , Jacob Linu Abraham , Babu Suresh M. C. , Rudresha A. H. , Kadabur Lokesh Nagendrappa , Saldanha Smitha C. , Giri G. V.
Published: January 2020

Background:

The treatment landscape of metastatic hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer has been changed in recent years. Availability of CDK 4/6 inhibitor and other hormone therapy has changed the treatment algorithm for these patient, we retrospectively analyzed our metastatic HR positive breast cancer patients.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the case records of hr positive metastatic breast cancer patient treated at department of medical oncology from October 2016 to September 2018. Demographical characteristics, site of metastasis, objective response and clinical benefit response and toxicity profile were analyzed.

Results:

We treated a total of 178 patients of MBC with HT at our center during the study period. One hundred fifty-two patients received HT alone (control group) and 26 patients received HT and CDK 4/6 inhibitor (study group). The median age of patients was 56 and 58 years in the control group and study group. The ORR was 41.7 versus 57.9 (95% CI [1.01–2.56]), and the CBR was 66.1% versus 78.9%; (CI [1.18–3.56]) (P < 0.05) of the patients in control and study groups, respectively.

Conclusions:

Among patients with HR-positive, advanced breast cancer, hormone therapy is efficacious addition of CDK 4/6 inhibitor improve the efficacy with tolerable side effects.
Desarrollo de un modelo económico para la gestión de contadores de agua instalados en batería en redes de abastecimiento
Authors: Hernández-García A. , Bazán L.A. , Valera-Talavera O. , Arregui-de la Cruz F.
Published: January 2020

Reducir las pérdidas aparentes debidas a las inexactitudes de los contadores de agua, conocer la vida útil de los contadores o mejorar la eficiencia del parque de contadores de agua son algunos de los objetivos de las compañías de abastecimiento de agua. En este artículo se presenta el desarrollo de un modelo económico que le permite a las empresas conocer cuál es el tiempo óptimo de renovación de los contadores de agua instalados en batería y gestionar la sustitución de los mismos, con el objetivo de mejorar la eficiencia del parque de contadores de agua y mejorar el beneficio neto que obtienen las empresas por los volúmenes de agua registrada. El modelo económico estudia el estado de las baterías de contadores, localizando aquellas que se encuentran en peor estado metrológico y que, por lo tanto, deben sustituirse con mayor prioridad, y busca la ruta óptima que deben seguir los operarios para reducir los costes de desplazamiento de las labores de sustitución.
Maniobras de llenado y vaciado en grandes conducciones. Aplicación a una tubería de fundición DN400 en Massamagrell (Valencia, España)
Authors: Romero G. , Coronado-Hernández O.E. , Fuertes-Miquel V.S. , Ponz-Carcelén R.
Published: January 2020

Debido a las bolsas de aire que hay en el interior de las tuberías durante los procesos de llenado y vaciado, se producen depresiones o sobrepresiones en el interior de las mismas, capaces de producir serios daños en las instalaciones. Para analizar todas las variables hidráulicas en las maniobras de llenado y vaciado, se opta por la aplicación de un modelo matemático, el cual es capaz de simular con exactitud el comportamiento de ambos fluidos, tanto la columna de agua como la bolsa de aire. El modelo propuesto por los autores ya ha sido validado en pequeñas instalaciones de laboratorio. En este trabajo, se pretende validar el modelo matemático en una instalación real de grandes dimensiones. Concretamente, se trata de una conducción de diámetro DN400, ubicada en Massamagrell (Valencia), donde se analizan las maniobras de llenado y de vaciado. Finalmente, se comparan los resultados que proporciona el modelo con las mediciones realizadas por la Empresa Mixta Metropolitana S.A. (EMIMET), obteniéndose una similitud muy aceptable.
Empirical study of the business growth strategy related to the added value by intellectual capital
Authors: Alcalde-Delgado R. , Sáiz-Bárcena L. , Olmo R. , Pérez C. Alonso de Armiño
Published: January 2020

Four consecutive years of more than a thousand Spanish companies from different economic sectors are analyzed to determine the influence of intellectual capital on the business growth strategy. One of the purposes of this work is to establish a classification criterion of the strategic behaviour of a company linked to the growth of three factors: the demand of the sector, the sales of the company and the financial sustainability of the company. Another purpose is to develop and validate an appropriate classification of where the value added by human intellectual capital is structurally concentrated and used according to the strategic behaviour, growth and sector of the company. Interesting conclusions are drawn about the strategic behaviour of the company and its intangible capital, as well as a different method for classifying companies according to their growth, which helps predict business profitability.
Development of a biking index for measuring Mediterranean cities mobility
Authors: Ros-McDonnell L. , De-la-Fuente M.V. , Ros-McDonnell D. , Cardós M.
Published: January 2020

The European Union, its member states and local authorities have been working for long time on the design of solutions for future sustainable mobility. The promotion of a sustainable and affordable urban transport contemplates the bicycle as a mean of transport. The reasons for analysing the cycling mobility in urban areas, has its origin in the confrontation with motorized vehicles, as a sustainable response to the environment. In this context of sustainable mobility, the research team has studied the use of bicycles in Mediterranean cities, specifically in coastal tourist areas.  The present work shows the development of a mobility index oriented to the bicycle, transport that competes with the private vehicle. By means of a survey methodology, the research group proceeded to collect field data and the subsequent analysis of them, for the development of a mobility index adapted to bicycle mobility, and with possibilities to adapt to urban environments.
Feasibility Study of a Facility to Produce Injection Molded Parts for Automotive Industry
Authors: Yudianto A. , Tan H. , Qu Z. , Xue Q. , Naveen A.C. , Mushtaq M. , Gopi K.S.
Published: January 2020

This study aims at the preliminary assessment in designing a complete stand-alone industrial facility to produce injection molded parts for the automotive industry. A draft design solution to allow the company to evaluate the capital investment was performed giving an estimated solution in project profitability. Proposed successive design steps were developed. It includes the definition of input data and information, quantity determination, plat layout diagrams, machine selection, selection of material handling equipment, plant layout design including space requirements of production centers, aísles, support functions. Moreover, the outdoor facility masterplan design is also proposed. Finally, investment calculation via cash flow analysis is calculated.
Experiential research for understanding the complexity of teaching and learning English as a foreign language
Authors: Miccoli Laura , Bambirra Raquel , Vianini Carolina
Published: January 2020

Narratives reveal complex nets of experiences, typical of dynamic systems. Disentangling them reveals their nature, broadening and deepening the understanding of complex language teaching and learning processes. In this paper, we present over 20 years of research done in Brazil, focusing on foreign language teaching and learning experiences. Reviewing the motivation that led Author 1 to the emergence of experiential research, we discuss experience as a construct and unit of analysis and its complex nature; share visual representations of the complexity of teaching and learning experiences with illustrative data excerpts; and finally present teachers’ and students’ experiential frames of reference for research. To conclude, we defend experiential research as a successful approach to investigate language teaching and learning, hoping that other researchers may find it useful.
Adopting English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in Brazil and Flanders (Belgium): a comparative study
Authors: Furtado Guimarães Felipe , Kremer Marcelo
Published: January 2020

The objective of this study is to discuss the adoption of English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in the Brazilian and Flemish contexts, considering the influence of globalization and internationalization on the languages in higher education. To reach this goal, a bibliographic research was carried out, in order to analyze documents related to language teaching/learning, including books, journals, government documents, official websites and reports from international organizations. Information collected comprised the data retrieved in Brazil and in Flanders, in order to generate discussions around challenges and opportunities for adopting EMI in these contexts. The study concludes that some actions are necessary for overcoming some challenges identified, such as the creation of local support units (for languages) at universities, for the preparation and implementation of EMI courses.
In vitro and in vivo assessment of biocompatibility of AZ31 alloy as biliary stents: a preclinical approach
Authors: Song Yong , Qin Gaoping , Du Lixue , Hu Haitian , Han Yong
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Biomaterial technology due to its lack of or minimal side effects in tissues has great potential. Traditionally biomaterials used were cobalt-chromium, stainless steel and nitinol alloys. Biomaterials such as magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) have good biocompatibility and consequently can be a potential material for medical implants. To date, the effects of AZ31 alloy stent on cell apoptosis are still unclear. The current investigation was designed to determine the effect of AZ31 alloy stent on necrosis and apoptosis of common bile duct (CBD) epithelial cells.

Material and methods

We experimented with application of different concentrations of AZ31 alloy stent to primary mouse extrahepatic bile epithelial cells (MEBECs) and estimated the effect on apoptosis and necrotic cells. Apoptosis and pro-apoptosis expression were estimated through real-time PCR. For in vivo protocol, we used rabbits, implanted the AZ31 bile stent, and estimated its effect on the CBD. AZ31 (40%) concentration showed an effect on the apoptotic and necrotic cells.

Results

Real-time PCR revealed that AZ31 (40%) concentration increased the apoptotic genes such as NF-κB, caspase-3, Bax and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as compared to the control group. In the in vivo experiment, AZ31 alloy stents were implanted into the CBD and showed an effect on the alteration the hema¬tological, hepatic and non-hepatic parameters.

Conclusions

To conclude, it can be stated that AZ31 induces apoptosis via alteration in genes including nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), caspase-3, Bax and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and improved the hematological, hepatic and non-hepatic parameters.
The enhancement of droplet collision by electric charges and atmospheric electric fields
Authors: Guo Shian , Xue Huiwen
Published: January 2020

Abstract. The effect of electric charges and atmospheric electric fields on droplet spectrum evolution is studied numerically. Collision efficiencies for droplet pair with radii from 2 to 1024 μm and charges from −32 r2 to +32 r2 (in unit of elementary charge, droplet radius r in unit of μm) in different strength of downwards electric fields (0, 200 and 400 V/cm) is computed. It is seen that collision efficiency is increased by electric charges and fields, especially for a pair of small droplets. The evolution of cloud droplet spectrum with different initial sizes is simulated using the stochastic collection equation. Results show that the electric effect is not notable for the cloud with the initial mean droplet radius r = 15 μm or larger. For the cloud with the initial r = 9 μm, the electric charge without field could evidently accelerate large-drop formation compared to the uncharged condition, and the existence of electric fields further accelerates it. For the cloud with the initial r = 6.5 μm, it is difficult for gravitational collision to occur, and the electric field could significantly enhance the collision process. Results of this study indicate that electric charges and fields could accelerate large-drop formation in natural conditions, particularly for clouds with small droplet size.