bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Öğrenci Gözünden: Sosyal Bilgiler Dersini Ben Anlatsaydım
Authors: YAZICIOĞLU Aylin , ALKAN Vesile
Published: June 2021

Öğrencilerin etkili, duyarlı ve bilinçli bir vatandaş olarak yetişmesinde sosyal bilgiler dersi önemli bir role sahiptir. Toplumsallaşma sürecine katılım, değerlerin ve becerilerin aktarılması bu dersin nasıl işlenmesi gerektiğini de ortaya koymaktadır. Bu bağlamda çalışma ilkokul öğrencilerinin sosyal bilgiler dersini yürüten öğretmen olarak dersi nasıl anlatmak istediklerini ortaya koymayı amaçlamıştır. Araştırma nitel yöntemde tasarlanmıştır. Üç farklı ilkokuldan seçilen öğrenciler, çalışma grubunu oluşturmuştur. Veri toplama aracı olarak yarı-yapılandırılmış form kullanılmıştır. Veriler 2015- 2016 eğitim-öğretim yılı bahar döneminde toplanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler, içerik analiz tekniğine uygun olarak analiz edilmiştir. Sosyal bilgiler dersinin anlatımıyla ilgili dokuz tema (eğlence, tartışma, hayal,…) ortaya çıkmıştır. Sosyal bilgiler dersinin anlatım yolunun gerekçesi ise altı temada (kalıcı, eğlence, katılım, ...) toplanmıştır. Diğer çalışmalarda sosyo-ekonomik düzey, öğretmen görüşü de dikkate alınarak daha detaylı bilgiler elde edilebilir.
Benchmarking of modernization of the economy of the world: experience for Ukraine
Authors: Borodina Oksana
Published: June 2021

The article contains significant analytical information regarding the study of the experience of economic modernization reforms in the countries of the world and the possibility of applying this experience in Ukraine. A characteristic is given to the technological structures of the world economy and the actual change of structures, the distinctive features of such a change are given on the example of energy prices. The research of the types of modernization - pioneer and catching-up is given, the interdependence between the economic and social cycles of the modernization of society is stated. The examples of modernization both in highly developed economic states (USA, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden) and in the countries of the former socialist camp (Slovakia, Poland, Bulgaria) are given. It is stated that the modern conditions of globalization and the expansion of market relations create special precedents in which a conflict of interests is potentially possible - between objective and subjective factors, namely: the corporate nature of the functional representation system and the individual nature of decision-making. It is emphasized that the modernization of the economy, even if at the initial stage is aimed at satisfying the interests of individual institutional groups, in the course of the implementation of the modernization measures will be reoriented to the corporate interest groups built into the system. Provides effective recommendations for Ukraine in terms of entrepreneurial opening, increasing industrial production in the volume of GDP, completing the decentralization reform.
Infrastructure development potential financial market of Ukraine
Authors: Trusova Natalia , Chkan Iryna , Yakusheva Inna
Published: June 2021

The research of infrastructural potential of development of the financial market of Ukraine in globalization conditions is research. The importance of forming a rational infrastructure of the financial market and finding sources to increase its potential is substantiated. The conceptual basis for ensuring the realization of the infrastructural potential of the financial market is presented, which is based on defining the basic preconditions, principles and tasks of the conceptual basis and developing methodological approaches to assessing the quality of the conceptual basis for building and realizing the infrastructural potential of the financial market. It is proved that the number and structure of financial intermediaries is one of the key characteristics of the development of the financial market and its infrastructure, as well as its response to global challenges. The dynamics of the penetration of insurance and lending by banks to the real sector of the economy tends to decrease, which indicates their negative impact on the security of the financial market as a whole. The dollarization index is twice the critical value, which also has a negative impact on the level of financial market security. In the context of ensuring the security of the technological component of the infrastructure potential of the financial market in Ukraine and its ability to withstand external threats, the authors propose to define the indicator of financial market flexibility as the ratio of foreign currency deposits to total deposits (dollarization). The lower this figure, the higher the level of financial market security.
The Global Magneto-ionic Medium Survey: A Faraday Depth Survey of the Northern Sky Covering 1280–1750 MHz
Authors: Wolleben M. , Landecker T. L. , Douglas K. A. , Gray A. D. , Ordog A. , Dickey J. M. , Hill A. S. , Carretti E. , Brown J. C. , Gaensler B. M. , Han J. L. , Haverkorn M. , Kothes R. , Leahy J. P. , McClure-Griffiths N. , McConnell D. , Reich W. , Taylor A. R. , Thomson A. J. M. , West J. L.
Published: June 2021

The Galactic interstellar medium hosts a significant magnetic field, which can be probed through the synchrotron emission produced from its interaction with relativistic electrons. Linearly polarized synchrotron emission is generated throughout the Galaxy and, at longer wavelengths, modified along nearly every path by Faraday rotation in the intervening magneto-ionic medium. Full characterization of the polarized emission requires wideband observations with many frequency channels. We have surveyed polarized radio emission from the Northern sky over the range 1280–1750 MHz, with channel width 236.8 kHz, using the John A. Galt Telescope (diameter 25.6 m) at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory, as part of the Global Magneto-Ionic Medium Survey. The survey covered 72% of the sky, decl. −30° to +87° at all R.A. The intensity scale was absolutely calibrated, based on the flux density and spectral index of Cygnus A. Polarization angle was calibrated using the extended polarized emission of the Fan Region. Data are presented as brightness temperatures with angular resolution 40′. Sensitivity in Stokes Q and U is 45 mK rms in a 1.18 MHz band. We have applied rotation measure synthesis to the data to obtain a Faraday depth cube of resolution 150 rad m−2 and sensitivity 3 mK rms of polarized intensity. Features in Faraday depth up to a width of 110 rad m−2 are represented. The maximum detectable Faraday depth is ±2 × 104 rad m−2. The survey data are available at the Canadian Astronomy Data Centre.
Database of summer fish fauna sampled in river estuaries in the southern part of the Boso Peninsula, Japan
Authors: Itsukushima Rei , Kano Yuichi
Published: June 2021

River estuaries provide various ecosystem services, such as nutrient circulation, climate change mitigation, habitats and coastal defence. Information on the various taxonomic groups is collected from large-scale estuaries; however, few studies have focused on river estuaries of small and medium-sized rivers. In particular, information on river estuaries in peninsulas and islands with complex marine environments is lacking.

This paper provides basic information on summer fish fauna in the southern part of the Boso Peninsula, Japan. The Boso Peninsula is located at the northernmost point of where the warm current (Kuroshio) reaches and is considered to have highly endemic fish fauna. In total, 28 families, 51 species and 2,908 individuals were collected from the 27 river estuaries. The data are all accessible from the document “database_fish_estuary_boso (http://ipt.pensoft.net/manage/resource.do?r=database_fish_estuary_boso)”. Further, Sicyopterus japonicus and Microphis brachyurus, which appear in estuaries that are influenced by the Kuroshio, were confirmed. However, these species were confirmed in few of the rivers studied, highlighting the importance of habitat conservation.
On the systematics and the phylogenetic position of the poorly known, montane dragon-lizard species Pseudocalotes austeniana (Annandale, 1908) (Squamata, Agamidae, Draconinae)
Authors: Gowande Gaurang G. , Bhosale Harshal S. , Phansalkar Pushkar U. , Sawant Mandar , Mirza Zeeshan A.
Published: June 2021

The montane agamid speciesPseudocalotes austenianahas had a complicated taxonomic history, as the species was initially described as a member of the genusSaleaGray, 1845. Later, the species was placed in a monotypic genusMictopholisSmith, 1935, which was erected only to include this species; however, the species was later on transferred to the genusPseudocalotesFitzinger, 1843, owing to the morphological similarities, and lack of strong characters to diagnose the genusMictopholis. Nonetheless, its precise phylogenetic and systematic position has remained unresolved due to the lack of molecular sequence data. During a herpetological expedition to Arunachal Pradesh, specimens ofP. austenianawere collected from the hills near the type locality. The mitochondrial 16S rRNA, ND2 and ND4, and the nuclear RAG1 regions were subjected to molecular phylogenetics. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference gene trees revealed thatP. austenianais a member of the subfamily Draconinae. The analyses showed that the genusPseudocalotesis polyphyletic, andP. austenianawas embedded within the genusJapaluraGray, 1853 sensu stricto. We here, thus, propose to transfer the speciesP. austenianato the genusJaplaura, asJapalura austenianacomb. nov.Biogeographic and evolutionary significance of the findings are discussed.
Contemporary Bulgarian migration to the countries of the Visegrad Group (V4)
Authors: Koroutchev Rossen , Novotný Ladislav
Published: June 2021

The paper studies the contemporary migration of Bulgarians to countries of the Visegrad Group (V4) – the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland. After making a short historical overview of this phenomenon since the 19th century and the contemporary migration of Bulgarians in the years following 1989, the paper analyses the evolution of Bulgarian migration to the V4 countries in the recent years. The authors conclude that there are important migration flows of Bulgarian citizens towards these countries, due to job perspectives, similar social economic systems and the Bulgarian diaspora already living there.
Proteins of allogeneic hepatocytes and pharmacological preparations for the correction of immunometabolic disorders in experimental liver pathology
Authors: Litvinova Ekaterina S. , Konoplya Nikolay N. , Shulginova Anastasiya A. , Kharchenko Anastasiya V.
Published: June 2021

Introduction: The relationship of numerous metabolic shifts, disorders of hepatocytes functional activity resulting from hypoxia and toxic liver damage with the function of the immune system has not been sufficiently studied so far, nor have the most effective methods of pharmacological correction been established.

Materials and Methods: The studies were carried out on 603 mature male Wistar rats and 45 mice. Acute toxic liver damage (ATLD) was modeled by intramuscular introduction of carbon tetrachloride; acute liver ischemia (ALI) was caused by clamping the hepatoduodenal ligament for 20 minutes; chronic alcohol intoxication (CAI) was modeled by forced intragastric administration of 20% ethanol solution for 60 days. Isolation of xenogeneic (murine) and allogeneic (rat) hepatocytes from newborn mice and rats was carried out according to the method of Berry and Friend (1969); culture fluid of hepatocytes and its protein fractions were prepared according to our developed techniques. The obtained biological material was intraperitoneally introduced into the rats with ATLD, ALI, and CAI.

Results and Discussion: In all the models of the liver damage, there developed morphological and biochemical signs of the liver damage, impaired congenital and adaptive immunity, oxidative stress, increased lipid peroxidation processes.

Conclusion: The introduction of allogeneic hepatocytes, culture fluid obtained on their basis,and proteins isolated from it with MW less than 130 kDa to the recipients with toxic and ischemic liver damage more effectively corrects the pathologic changes in the liver in comparison with xenogeneic hepatocytes, their culture fluid and pharmacological preparations (combinations of Essentiale N and Hypoxenum or Heptral and Mexicor).
Trends in Endophthalmitis Associated With Intravitreal Injection of Anti-VEGF Agentsat a Tertiary Referral Center
Authors: Reyes-Capo Daniela P. , Yannuzzi Nicolas A. , Smiddy William E. , Flynn Harry W. ,   the Endophthalmitis/Anti-VEGF Study Group
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To report the incidence and clinical features of infectious endophthalmitis after intravitreal (IV) injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (VEGF) between 2018 and 2020 and to compare to prior rates.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Retrospective analysis of patients with endophthalmitis after anti-VEGF IV injections treated at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020.

RESULTS:

Between 2018 and 2020, the rate of clinically diagnosed endophthalmitis was 0.014% (10/71,858) and of culture-positive was 0.008% (6/71,858). Clinically diagnosed endophthalmitis rates per injection were: aflibercept (0.022%); ranibizumab (0.019%); bevacizumab (0%); and brolucizumab (0%). Clinically diagnosed endophthalmitis rates were similar in the present study compared to those from 2005 to 2017 (
P
= .84). Fifteen eyes were diagnosed with endophthalmitis (10 in-house, five external referrals). Of culture-positive eyes, the organisms were coagulase-negative
Staphylococcus
(8/11),
Streptococcus
species (2/11), and
Abiotrophia defectiva
(1/11). A universal face-masking policy in 2020 did not lower infection rates (
P
= .73).

CONCLUSION:

Endophthalmitis rates after IV anti-VEGF remain low and are similar to prior reports.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2021;52:319–326.]
Widefield SS-OCTA for Localization of Retinal Nematode in Diffuse Unilateral Subacute Neuroretinitis
Authors: Russell Jonathan F. , Falcone Michelle M. , Rosenfeld Philip J. , Davis Janet L.
Published: June 2021

Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN) is a rare form of chorioretinitis caused by retinal infestation by nematode larvae. Definitive diagnosis requires visualization of a motile nematode, but this can be challenging because the nematode is small, translucent, and usually motionless with overlying media opacity from cellular inflammation. The authors describe a case of DUSN in which widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography was used to localize a midperipheral intraretinal nematode facilitating subsequent clinical observation of movement. Inflammation resolved after focal laser photocoagulation of the nematode with recovery of visual acuity to 20/20.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2021;52:345–349.]
Unusual Presentation of Presumed Arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy in Waxy Pale Disc of Retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: DeWeerd Alexander J. , Samy Hazem M. , Kay Christine N.
Published: June 2021

This case report describes an unusual presentation of arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AAION) in a 68-year-old patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) secondary to Usher syndrome. The authors report a patient with RP who presented with rapid unilateral vision loss. A diagnosis of AAION was made by fluorescein angiography and temporal artery biopsy despite the lack of typical optic nerve features of anterior ischemic neuropathy, which were likely masked due to the waxy pale disc associated with RP.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2021;52:350–352.]
Concentric Macular Rings Without Ocular Pathology
Authors: Li Katie X. , Young Benjamin K. , Miller Jason M. L. , Besirli Cagri G.
Published: June 2021

Concentric macular rings (CMRs) of Henle's fiber layer (HFL) are an uncommon imaging phenomenon previously associated with foveal hypoplasia and epiretinal membrane. Here, we present a case of a 15-year-old boy with bilateral CMRs, normal visual function, and no ocular pathology. These bilateral findings in the absence of vitreomacular traction, foveal hypoplasia, or any other ocular abnormality suggest that macular rings may occur as a normal but rare variant of HFL architecture.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2021;52:353–355.]
Dual representation of expectile-based expected shortfall and its properties
Authors: Tadese Mekonnen , Drapeau Samuel
Published: June 2021

An expectile can be considered a generalization of a quantile. While expected shortfall is a quantile-based risk measure, we study its counterpart—the expectile-based expected shortfall—where expectile takes the place of a quantile. We provide its dual representation in terms of a Bochner integral. Among other properties, we show that it is bounded from below in terms of the convex combination of expected shortfalls, and also from above by the smallest law invariant, coherent, and comonotonic risk measures, for which we give the explicit formulation of the corresponding distortion function. As a benchmark to the industry standard expected shortfall, we further provide its comparative asymptotic behavior in terms of extreme value distributions. Based on these results, we finally explicitly compute the expectile-based expected shortfall for selected classes of distributions.
Las estructuras portuarias del Patio de Banderas del Alcázar de Sevilla y el emporium de Hispalis
Authors: Tabales Rodríguez Miguel Ángel , García Vargas Enrique
Published: June 2021

Se describen en este trabajo las estructuras portuarias de época romana excavadas entre 2009 y 2014 en el llamado Patio de Banderas del Alcázar de Sevilla (la antigua colonia Romula Hispalis). Dentro de la compleja estratigrafía del solar, el artículo se centra en las fases constructivas datadas entre finales del siglo II a. C. y el primer tercio del siglo III d. C. Tras una ocupación republicana inicial (fase republicana I) consistente en un edificio productivo, probablemente una almazara, se construye un complejo de almacenes portuarios (fase republicana II) cuya fecha fundacional está dentro del tercer cuarto del siglo I a. C. y cuya destrucción súbita tiene lugar en los primeros decenios del siglo III (fase Imperial II). Tras un recorrido sin apenas modificaciones (fase Imperial I), hacia el último tercio del siglo I d. C. (fase Imperial II) se documenta una importante reforma interior de las estructuras para adecuarlas en su parte septentrional a una función artesanal relacionada con el uso abundante del agua. La destrucción del conjunto se relaciona con un evento energético que, no obstante, parece repercutir sobre un sector de la ciudad ya en decadencia desde finales del siglo II d. C. Finalmente, el trabajo trata de contextualizar las estructuras excavadas en el Patio de Banderas dentro del contexto portuario de la ciudad y en relación a almacenes y conjuntos edilicios similares del resto del Imperio.
Developing Technical Expertise to Support Synchronous Online Classes: The Columbia University School of Social Work Institute on Technical Skills for Online Event Production
Authors: Folk Krystal , Marquart Mattha , Backus Florio Megan , Garay Kristin
Published: June 2021

Skilled technical support is essential to enable webinars, synchronous online classes, and other live online events to run smoothly.  Having a tech support professional dedicated to preventing and troubleshooting technology issues allows presenters to focus on the substance of online events. This article shares an example of an interactive online training program that develops the technical skills and expertise needed to support live online events hosted on web conferencing platforms.  The program, called the Institute on Technical Skills for Online Event Production, blends asynchronous homework and synchronous classes in an intensive, hands-on format.  Run by Columbia University School of Social Work’s Online Campus, this Institute trains social workers to become technical support specialists for online courses and events, and the approach is replicable across academic disciplines and for workplaces.
The Role of Working Memory and Attention in Older Workers’ Learning
Authors: Angelopoulou Effrosyni , Karabatzaki Zoi , Drigas Athanasios
Published: June 2021

Nowadays, the aging workforce constitutes a worldwide reality in developed countries due to the population aging phenomenon. Consequently, it becomes urgent for the older workers’ learning to be enhanced for their personal development first, and then for the general progress of the organization. Working memory and attention play a crucial supporting role in older workers’ learning and contribute significantly to their active work life. This article presents the concepts of working memory and attention and their intertwined relationship highlighting their important role in the aging workforce learning. Alongside, the presented theoretical aspects may give the trigger for the greater interest for further research and study of key factors in working environments, which may affect the working memory and attention functioning in older workers, so that to be integrated into the future planning of corporate learning programs.  
An Embedded Approach to Equipping Pre-Service Teachers to Leverage Technology in Practice
Authors: Burris Jade , Ryan Michael G. , Van Schooneveld Jacqueline G.
Published: June 2021

Technology holds an important role in the development and preparation of teachers, and this role has become ever more critical with the recent move to virtual and hybrid learning across the world. Teachers must be prepared to adopt and purposefully use technology, often with little training or instruction in the field. This chapter describes the integration and use of technology as an embedded tool to leverage in the preparation of pre-service teachers using three distinct strategies within a program in the northeastern United States. The authors will share their experiences in the execution of these strategies that target the development of flexible, intentional, and reflective teachers who can enter the workforce ready to use technology both for their own professional development and as a tool for student learning.
Design Methods of Strategic Decision Support Solutions for B2C Business Managers
Authors: Khatun Madhury , Miah Shah J.
Published: June 2021

This chapter reviews methods to develop a decision support system (DSS) for small business managers. The primary objective is to support managers, making strategic decisions for achieving competitive advantages in the business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce environment. Many researchers in the DSS domain utilized various methods to design information systems (IS) solution, mostly intended for large businesses. None of the researchers have considered the business environment as a knowledge source for DSS development of small business strategic decision support needs. User-centered design (UCD) and design science research (DSR) method were adopted for DSS development. DSR was appropriate because it addresses the real-world application environment where research problem or opportunity are defined. Multiple case studies and web content analysis were carried out for understanding business problems, needs, and system requirements. This study used the qualitative and descriptive data analysis methods. The findings suggested developing a DSS solution to meet the small business strategic needs.
A Hybrid Predictive Model Integrating C4.5 and Decision Table Classifiers for Medical Data Sets
Authors: Kumar Amit , Sarkar Bikash Kanti
Published: June 2021

This article describes how, recently, data mining has been in great use for extracting meaningful patterns from medical domain data sets, and these patterns are then applied for clinical diagnosis. Truly, any accurate, precise and reliable classification models significantly assist the medical practitioners to improve diagnosis, prognosis and treatment processes of individual diseases. However, numerous intelligent models have been proposed in this respect but still they have several drawbacks like, disease specificity, class imbalance, conflicting and lack adequacy for dimensionality of patient's data. The present study has attempted to design a hybrid prediction model for medical domain data sets by combining the decision tree based classifier (mainly C4.5) and the decision table based classifier (DT). The experimental results validate in favour of the claims.
The Design of a Cloud-based Clinical Decision Support System Prototype
Authors: Barigou Baya Naouel , Barigou Fatiha , Benchehida Chawki , Atmani Baghdad , Belalem Ghalem
Published: June 2021

The authors developed a mobile cloud-based clinical decision support system for drug poisoning in children. The system has a Client/Server architecture and provides a mobile application and a web service to be deployed on the Amazon Cloud infrastructure. Physicians benefit from a user interface to input patient data and to receive diagnosis and treatment protocol. The objective of this article is to help doctors, and particularly the beginners to manage and to treat children suffering from drug poisoning when toxicity is known or unknown. To do this, an intelligent system is developed. It is composed of an expert system, used when the toxic drug is known, and a case-based reasoning system applied when the toxic being ingested is unknown
Decision Making as a Socio-Cognitive Process
Authors: Borges Monique , Marques João Lourenço , Castro Eduardo Anselmo
Published: June 2021

Researchers from multidisciplinary scientific fields have been puzzled by human behaviour in dynamic and complex decision-making contexts. Since the seventeenth century, several theoretical, conceptual, and empirical contributions have emerged. These contributions evidence the need to critically assess the rational foundations of decision theories, stemming from the cognitive basis for human heuristics and bias. This chapter focuses on how socio-cognitive theories have been introduced as analytic tools to explain individual and collective behaviours, decision rules, and cognitive mechanisms. In particular, the authors advance some arguments explaining its importance and the underlying challenges of social representations as part of the decision-making process. They propose a methodological script that stresses the social representations approach and encounters more functional and operational settings.
Clinical Decision Support Systems Question and Answering
Authors: Mendes David José Murteira , Rodrigues Irene Pimenta , Fonseca César
Published: June 2021

A question answering system to help clinical practitioners in a cardiovascular healthcare environment to interface clinical decision support systems can be built by using an extended discourse representation structure, CIDERS, and an ontology framework, Ontology for General Clinical Practice. CIDERS is an extension of the well-known DRT (discourse representation theory) structures, intending to go beyond single text representation to embrace the general clinical history of a given patient represented in an ontology. The Ontology for General Clinical Practice improves the currently available state-of-the-art ontologies for medical science and for the cardiovascular specialty. The chapter shows the scientific and philosophical reasons of its present dual structure with a deeply expressive (SHOIN) terminological base (TBox) and a highly computable (EL++) assertions knowledge base (ABox). To be able to use the current reasoning techniques and methodologies, the authors made a thorough inventory of biomedical ontologies currently available in OWL2 format.
Tailorable Technologies for Improving Business Intelligence Systems
Authors: Miah Shah J.
Published: June 2021

The Australian farm-based businesses can be benefited from specially designed applications for cost-effective operation while maximizing profits to survive in economic and environmental crises. For decision support, existing business intelligence systems (BIS) approaches scarcely deal with specific user's provisions to adjust changing situations in decision making, without extra technical exertions. In this chapter, the authors describe a conceptual framework of tailorable BIS solution that is based on case study findings in that the highlighted requirements are relevant to address changing situations through enhancing end user's engagement. The activities of end user's engagement supported through the use of tailorable features that reinforce a shift from the traditional BIS process to a new provision where business owners can actively involve in adjusting their features to their decision support.
Managerial Decision-Making Process in the Modern Business Conditions in the EU
Authors: Melovic Boban , Veljkovic Slavica Mitrovic , Cirovic Dragana , Radojicic Ivana Djakovic
Published: June 2021

This chapter analyzes the differences of decision-making process in the EU member countries, caused by differences in main dimensions of national culture of each of them. The influence of different cultural dimensions on decision-making process is explained. Thanks to the application of qualitative research method and deductive approach, there are conclusions about specificities of decision-making process, in particular EU countries. Using the inductive approach, content analysis method and method of synthesis, the EU countries were grouped regarding to the decision-making styles that are the most appropriate in each of them, based on the characteristics of the cultural framework that exist within them. Obtained results may help managers to better understand their decision-maker role in different cultural environment and it would enable them to apply the appropriate decision-making style, which would increase the quality of business decisions that are being made.
Beyond RoboDebt
Authors: D'Rosario Michael , D'Rosario Carlene
Published: June 2021

Automated decision support systems with high stake decision processes are frequently controversial. The Online Compliance Intervention (herewith “OCI” or “RoboDebt”) is a system of compliance implemented with the intention to facilitate automatic issuance of statutory debt notices to individuals, taking a receipt of welfare payments and exceeding their entitlement. The system appears to employ rudimentary data scraping and expert systems to determine whether notices should be validly issued. However, many individuals that take receipt of debt notices assert that they were issued in error. The commentary on the system has resulted in a lot of conflation of the system with other system types and caused many to question the role of decision of support systems in public administration given the potentially deleterious impacts of such systems for the most vulnerable. The authors employ a taxonomy of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) issues, to review the OCI and RPA more generally. This paper identifies potential problems of bias, inconsistency, procedural fairness, and overall systematic error. This research also considers a series of RoboDebt specific issues regarding contractor arrangements and the potential impact of the system for Australia's Indigenous population. The authors offer a set of recommendations based on the observed challenges, emphasizing the importance of moderation, independent algorithmic audits, and ongoing reviews. Most notably, this paper emphasizes the need for greater transparency and a broadening of criteria to determine vulnerability that encompasses, temporal, geographic, and technological considerations.
A Framework for Large-Scale Automatic Fluency Assessment
Authors: Silva Warley Almeida , Carchedi Luiz Carlos , Junior Jorão Gomes , Victor de Souza João , Barrere Eduardo , Francisco de Souza Jairo
Published: June 2021

Learning assessments are important to monitor the progress of students throughout the teaching process. In the digital era, many local and large-scale learning assessments are conducted through technological tools. In this view, a large-scale learning assessment can be designed to tackle one or multiple parts of the teaching process. Oral reading fluency assessments evaluate the ability to read reference texts. However, even though the use of applications to collect the reading of the students avoids logistics costs and speeds up the process, the evaluation of recordings has become a challenging task. Therefore, this work presents a computational solution for large-scale precision-critical fluency assessment. The goal is to build an approach based on automatic speech recognition (ASR) for the automatic evaluation of the oral reading fluency of children and reduce hiring costs as much as possible.
EEG-Based Demarcation of Yogic and Non-Yogic Sleep Patterns Using Power Spectral Analysis
Authors: Hiremath Basavaraj , Sriraam Natarajan , Purnima B. R. , Nithin N. S.  , Venkatasamy Suresh Babu , Narayanan Megha
Published: June 2021

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals resulting from recordings of polysomnography play a significant role in determining the changes in physiology and behavior during sleep. This study aims at demarcating the sleep patterns of yogic and non-yogic subjects. Frequency domain features based on power spectral density methods were explored in this study. The EEG recordings were segmented into 1s and 0.5s. EEG patterns with four windowing scheme overlaps (0%, 50%, 60% and 75%) to ensure stationarity of the signal in order to investigate the effect of the pre-processing stage. In order to recognize the yoga and non-yoga group through N3 sleep stage, non-linear KNN classifier was introduced and performance was evaluated in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The experimental results show that modified covariance PSD estimate is the best method in classifying the sleep stage N3 of yogic and non-yogic subjects with 95% confidence interval, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 97.3%, 98% and 97%, respectively.
Empirical Comparative Study of Wearable Service Trust Based on User Clustering
Authors: Gu Zhongwei , Xiong Hongjun , Hu Wei
Published: June 2021

Users of wearable services are different in age, occupation, income, education, personality, values and lifestyle, which also determine their different consumption patterns. Therefore, for the trust of wearable services, the influencing factors or strength may not be the same for different users. This article starts with the resource and motivation dimensions of VALSTM model, and the clustering model and questionnaire scale for consumers of wearable services were constructed. And then the users and potential users of wearable service are clustered by an improved clustering algorithm based on adaptive chaotic particle swarm optimization. Through clustering analysis of 535 valid questionnaires, users are grouped into three types of consumers with different lifestyles, respectively named: trend-following users, fashion-leading users and economic-rational users. Finally, this paper analyzes and compares the trust subgroup models of three clusters, and draws some conclusions.
Digital Image Correlation Analysis of Corrosion Crack Behavior in a Reinforced Concrete Member
Authors: Kato Sho , Fujimura Sunao , Okazaki Shinichiro , Kurumatani Mao , Matsushima Manabu
Published: June 2021

The corrosion of the internal steel bars of reinforced concrete structures is still a maintenance problem. This study aims to detect corrosion cracks in covered concrete by DIC. We proposed a new test specimen and method of electrolytic corrosion testing suitable for tracking corrosion cracks by DIC (Digital Image Correlation Analysis), and succeeded in understanding the crack initiation behavior of single and double bar specimens.
Corrosion Studies of Sintered Cobalt-Based Alloys in Sodium Chloride
Authors: Adams Feyisayo Victoria , Moloto Reneilwe Agrieneth , Akinwamide Samuel Olukayode , Olubambi Peter Apata
Published: June 2021

Cobalt-based alloys have recently gained so much attention in the medical field due to their improved mechanical properties such as wear resistance and high thermal stability. However, limitations in the area of corrosion has posed a great challenge, leading to further studies being carried out on the corrosion resistance of these alloys. In this study, an investigation on the corrosion resistance of Co-Cr-Mo based alloys in 0.9 % NaCl solution was carried at 37 oC and pH of 7.4 using potentiodynamic polarization and chronopotentiometry electrochemical techniques. The surface analysis of the alloys before and after corrosion test was done using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results obtained from the electrochemical tests showed sample without titanium (Ti) addition to be more resistance to corrosion in the salt solution compared to those containing Ti. It was observed that a decrease in Cr content in the alloys resulted in an increase in corrosion rate from 0.7868 to 1.3805 mpy. The SEM images confirmed the presence of Cr, Co and Mo in the alloys.
Design and Implementation of mHealth App Using Zoho Creator
Authors: Nachandiya Nathan , Ajibesin Adeyemi Abel , Longe Olumide Babatope , Dama Benisemeni Francis
Published: June 2021

Mobile Health (mHealth) refers to any medical and public health practice aided by smart phones, tablets, or any mobile device. These devices are able to move about which allows communication anytime, anywhere. M-health is considered as the next step beyond the E-health systems. In recent times, M-health has become a new normal that has come to stay, despite the gradual reduction in COVID 19 cases worldwide that was believed to prompts most organization to go online. Software Developers have been on their toes trying to develop applications that can run effectively and remotely to deliver all healthcare services via mobile devices. This paper intends to develop a robust Mobile App using Zoho Creator that can effectively be bundled on any platform (Android, IOS etc) to meet the needs of patients anytime, everywhere. The application is rich with embedded platform and privileges for Doctors, Pharmacist, Lab scientist, Nurses, Medical record officers and patients. The interfaces are developed in a way that is attractive, easy to use, and optimized to meet the user’s needs. The app also takes care of selfservice facilities like Blood Pressure( BP) test, temperature test, heartbeat and some basic first aid and public health information tips for daily use.
Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar e-Cooking Systems for Rural Communities in Nigeria
Authors: Diemuodeke Ogheneruona E. , Orji Michael , Ikechukwu Clinton , Mulugetta Yacob , Sokona Youba , Njoku Ifeanyi Henry
Published: June 2021

This paper presents solar PV electric cooking systems to fill the gap of clean energy stove demand in Africa and in particular in rural communities. The design analyses of four different solar PV electric cooking configurations, based on resistive burner and induction burner, are presented. The levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of the solar PV induction e-cooking, with battery storage, is 0.39 $/kWh. Sensitivity analysis was done to ascertain the affordability range of solar PV e-cooking. It was shown that the combination of the reduced cost of investment and good sunshine would most likely make the solar PV induction e-cooking competitive. However, the acceptability of the solar PV induction cooking will require addressing some important technical, economic, policy and socio-cultural related barriers.
Modified Clay Filters for Purification of Petroleum Products Contaminated Water
Authors: Mofokeng Kebone Revival , Yahaya Muhammad Falalu , Madu Joshua Osuigwe , Chukwudi Florence Nkiruka , Ojo Samuel , Adams Feyisayo Victoria
Published: June 2021

Some organic pollutants change the color, smell, and other characteristics of water leaving it undesirable for use. However, other organic pollutants do not change the physical properties of the water, yet, they make the water non-useful. This study was carried out to determine the characteristics of petroleum contaminated water and how it can be purified using economical filters for possible reuse in rural areas of the Niger Delta, of Nigeria. The filters were made from rice husk ash, and white clay, as main materials, while calcium carbonate and poly (propylene carbonate) were used as binders and pore former. The water samples were tested for conductivity, turbidity, pH, heavy metals, and total hydrocarbon contents. The results showed a significant decrease in the amount of petroleum/organic pollutants present in the water sample before purification. The filter candle made using poly (propylene carbonate) as a binder was found to be the most efficient in removing organic pollutants, but it was not very effective in the removal of heavy metals and also, the pH of the filtrate became more acidic. Filtrates from other filters, however, had pH in an acceptable range. Dodecanoic acid and hexadecanoic acid were found to be removed from the polluted water using the filters.
Study on the Effect of Reduction Temperature on the Catalytic Activity of Fe-Mo/Al2O3 Catalyst and the Microstructure of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Tan Ting Qun , Geng Lei , Yao Chun Li , Lin Yan , He Yan
Published: June 2021

It is usually necessary to first perform temperature reduction treatment to enable the catalyst to exert its catalytic activity in the subsequent process of preparing carbon nanotubes by chemical vapor deposition. In this experiment, Fe-Mo/Al2O3 catalyst was prepared based on microreactor, and the effect of reduction temperature on the microstructure of the catalyst and the morphology of carbon nanotubes was investigated. The results show that the reduction temperature has a significant effect on the microstructure of the catalyst, which in turn affects its catalytic activity and the yield and quality of carbon nanotubes. Moderately reducing the reduction temperature during the catalyst reduction process is beneficial to increase the catalytic activity of the catalyst. However, although its sintering degree could be weakened when the catalyst was reduced at an excessively low temperature of 350 °C, its catalytic efficiency was greatly reduced and the degree of defects of the catalyzed carbon nanotubes was increased. When the catalysts calcined at 450 °C and reduced at 600 °C, the catalysts show excellent catalytic activity, and catalytic efficiency can reach 74.76%. In addition, the reduction temperature also has a certain effect on carbon nanotubes. As the reduction temperature increases, the span of carbon nanotubes is relatively concentrated, but the specific gravity of the thicker outer diameter gradually increases. As for the defect degree of carbon nanotubes, the carbon nanotubes M600-600 is better and the defects are fewer when the reduction temperature is reduced from 670 °C to 600 °C.
Preparation and Properties of Straw Fiber/Polylactic Acid Composites
Authors: Chen Kang , Li Xian Jun , Wu Yi Qiang , Zuo Ying Feng
Published: June 2021

Straw fiber (SF)/polylactic acid (PLA) composites were prepared from SF and PLA. The effects of the composite SF/PLA mass ratio investigated in terms of mechanical properties, water resistance, crystal structure, and thermal properties were investigated. These composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopic (SEM), X-ray diffractometric (XRD), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). The results showed that, when the SF/PLA mass ratio was 3/7, the mechanical properties and water resistance of these composites were the best. When the mass ratio exceeded 3/7, the interface compatibility in the composites decreased. As the SF/PLA mass ratio increased, the crystallinity and the heat resistance of the composites were decreased.
Adsorption Properties Graphene-Based Composites on Lead(II) Ions
Authors: Sheng Zhi Bo , Wang Chen Kang , Wu Ling Zheng , Jin Wen Liang , Song Jin Shen You
Published: June 2021

The graphene-based composites was prepared by the oxidation of graphene nano-platelets. The characterization results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) indicated that acid treatment can generate abundant functional groups on the surface of graphene. The determined equilibrium adsorption capacity of FGN for lead was 57.765 mg/g, which is higher than that of many currently reports. The adsorption process was completed within 40 min and the adsorption isotherms confirmed to Langmuir classical isotherms models.
Different Chlorides Attack on the Hydration of Calcium Aluminate Cement at 5~40°C
Authors: Wang Zhong Ping , Chen Yu Ting , Peng Xiang , Xu Ling Lin
Published: June 2021

Calcium aluminate cement (CAC) has excellent resistance to seawater erosion, but the mechanism remains to be explored. Effects of NaCl and CaCl2 on the hydration of CAC at 5, 20 and 40°C were investigated in this paper by X-ray diffraction(XRD), thermal analyzer(TG-DSC), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), acoustic and electroacoustic spectrometer. Results show that the varieties of chlorides have great impacts on the chloride binding ability, mechanical properties and microstructure of cement pastes at different temperatures. At 5°C and 20°C, the formation of C2AH8 is suppressed by chloride attack. Though the addition of NaCl promotes the formation of CAH10, CaCl2 leads to a denser microstructure and the improvement in compressive strength. At 40°C, C2AH8 disappears by chloride attack, while C3AH6 and Friedel’s salt increase. Comparing with the attack of CaCl2, NaCl contributes to the formation of C3AH6. Therefore, it results in a the retraction in compressive strength, ascribing to a coarser structure. In addition, although NaCl is superior in chemical binding ability, CaCl2 has better physical adsorption ability which dominants the binding process, and thus leading to greater amount of bonded chloride than that with NaCl. This research provides the oretical basis for the application of CAC in marine environment.
Study on the Mechanical Properties and Heavy Metal Ions Immobilization Capability of Solidified Body for MSWI Fly Ash with Geopolymer
Authors: Wang Qing , Wang Xin Rui , Cao Hai , Ding Zhao Yang , Kong De Yong
Published: June 2021

In this study, municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (hereinafter called MSWI fly ash) was used as a main raw material, and it was prepared into a solidified body for MSWI fly ash with geopolymer by a single-component chemical alkali excitation method. The results were shown that when the content of MSWI fly ash was 50%, SiO2/Al2O3 was between 3.51-4.04, and Na2O/Al2O3 was between 0.24-0.30, with the increasing of SiO2/Al2O3 and Na2O/Al2O3, the 28d compressive strength of the solidified body showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing, the maximum 28d compressive strength was 17.7MPa. When SiO2/Al2O3 was 4.04 and Na2O/Al2O3 was 0.30, the minimum leaching concentrations of Pb2+ and Cd2+ were 0.018mg/L and 0.027 mg/L. When the content of MSWI fly ash was increasing, the 28d compressive strength of the solidified body gradually decreased, and the heavy metal ions leaching concentration gradually increased. The result of XRD and FTIR indicated that the MSWI fly ash was involved in the polymerization reaction, and the heavy metal ions in MSWI fly ash were also chemically solidified into the geopolymer structure.