bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbiological and Susceptibility Profile of Clinical Gram Positive Isolates at a Tertiary Pediatric and Maternity Hospital in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Authors: Felsenstein Susanna , Bira Sarantsetseg , Altanmircheg Narangerel , Shonkhuuz Enkhtur , Ochirpurev Ariuntuya , Warburton David
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Information on microbiological and susceptibility profiles of Monoglian bacterial isolates is scarce. Resistance profiles, patient demographics and microbiological work-up of gram positive isolates were analyzed in order to develop infection control activities and policies at the National Center for Maternity and Children’s Health (NCMCH) in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia.Methods: All gram positive isolates of specimens submitted to the microbiology laboratory at NCMCH between January 2014 and August 2017 were included. Data collected included demographic data, specimen type, in-/outpatient status, hospital ward of sample origin, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing profile. Susceptibility testing was performed by trained microbiologists at the NCMCH microbiology laboratory. T-test, Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used as appropriate.Results: Of 11,889 isolates, 4012 (33.7%) were gram positive, with most identified as S. aureus (62.6%, n=2512). Rates of methicillin resistance (MRSA) remained stable at a quarter, but was significantly higher among inpatients (inpatients: 630/2002, 31.5%; outpatients 67/290, 23.1%; p≤0.05) and sterile site isolates (sterile: 83/171, 48.5%; non-sterile: 416/1678, 24.8%; p≤0.01). The vast majority of S. pneumoniae isolates (12/14; 85%) was found to be penicillin resistant by oxacillin disk diffusion. While identification of Group B streptococci was rare (n=137) due to of lack of diagnostic measures available, the number of enterococcal isolates identified increased signifi-cantly due to implementation of improved microbiological work-up (2015: n=7; 2016: n=26; 2017: n=83).Conclusion: Compared with published studies from neighboring nations, the rates of antimicrobial resistance among gram positive isolates at NCMCH, particularly with respect to S. aureus and S. pneumoniae, were much higher. Further improvement of microbiological diagnostics and collabo-ration of stakeholders is required to address the pressing infection control and stewardship issues and to ensure reliable identification of relevant pathogens in Mongolia.
A Critical Review of China’s Foreign Language Program Development: The Perspective of Language Needs
Authors: Tongxi Gong , Yi Guo
Published: September 2019

Recent years (2014–2017) have seen an explosive growth in foreign language undergraduate programs in Chinese universities, apparently in response to China’s development needs. However, without a precise analysis of China’s foreign language needs, it is impossible to evaluate whether the recent developments in foreign language education will be able to meet the nation’s development needs. This article addresses this issue by calculating China’s foreign language needs through a holistic assessment with 14 indicators. The calculation, mainly based on the practical use of foreign languages and China’s international exchange requirements, identifies the top 10 foreign languages urgently needed by the country and demonstrates the different functions of these foreign languages. In light of China’s national foreign language needs, this article ends with a critical review of foreign language program development in recent years.
Language choice at a Chinese subsidiary of a Spanish bank
Authors: Qian Cheng , Ke Zhao
Published: September 2019

This study explored language management in Banco Santander in China, a multilingual workplace where two major languages, Spanish and Chinese, are used along with English as a lingua franca. We collected data through conducting interviews with four senior managers in charge of human resources, strategic development, retailing and commercial banks to understand how languages are used and managed in this Spanish bank. Analyses of data revealed consistencies and inconsistencies between employees’ choices of language and beliefs as mediated by relevant social cultural, corporate and linguistic factors. The findings shed light on the complexity of language management at a Spanish bank in China against the backdrop of the changing scenario of foreign direct investment. They highlight the importance for multinational corporations to manage languages in response to multilingual challenges at workplaces in China.
Challenges in multi-language pronunciation teaching: A cross-linguistic study of Chinese students’ perception of voiced and voiceless stops
Authors: Jiaqi Liu , Ting Zeng , Xiuchuan Lu
Published: September 2019

This article reports on a cross-linguistic study of 58 Chinese students’ perception of voiced and voiceless stops in their third language (L3). The participants were Japanese, Russian, or Spanish major students in a Chinese university, who were beginner learners of these languages but who had all learned English as their second language (L2) for over 10 years. The purpose of this study was to investigate the L3 learners’ perceptual differences in the stop categories, and analyze the effects of the learners’ multi-language background on their perception of L3 stops. Results from the perception experiment showed that: 1) the value and range of voice onset time (VOT) play an essential role in Chinese students’ perception of voiceless stops; and 2) the pre-voicing during closure is the key to Chinese students’ perception of voiced stops. We attribute their difficulty in perceiving L3 voiceless stops to the similarity in the phonemic range of voiceless stops between the learners’ L3 and their L1 and L2, as this leads to confusion in perception. On the other hand, the dissimilarity between L3 voiced stops and those of L1 and L2 is conducive to the students’ perception of L3 voiced stops. Findings from this study provide empirical evidence for the effect of similarity and dissimilarity in speech sounds as proposed in earlier phonology acquisition theories, and they can also inform the pedagogy of multi-language education.
Raffinierte Spracharabesken und rhythmische Wortkaskaden: zu Reto Hännys Prosawerken vor dem Hintergrund sprachästhetischer Tendenzen in der Deutschschweizer Literatur
Authors: Sośnicka Dorota
Published: September 2019

Der Aufsatz charakterisiert die wichtigsten Merkmale und Voraussetzungen der sprachästhetischen Tendenzen, wie sie sich seit Mitte der 1970er Jahre in der Deutschschweizer Gegenwartsliteratur bemerkbar machten, und überblickt das Schaffen einiger ‚Sprachartisten‘, die einerseits in Reaktion auf die Undurchschaubarkeit der Realität, andererseits als Ausdruck der zunehmenden Sprachreflexion und Sprachskepsis ihre hochartifiziellen Werke vorgelegt haben. Vor diesem Hintergrund konzentriert sich der Beitrag auf das Schaffen Reto Hännys als eines der radikalsten Sprachexperimentatoren, dessen von Intertextualität geprägte, bildstarke und rhythmisierte Texte im Hinblick auf ihre Problematik und Komposition besprochen werden.
Context in Distinguishing between Overt and Actual Functions of Polite Speech Acts
Authors: Yaqubi Mojde , Rose Eliza Abdul Rahman Wan , Hadavandkhani Asieh
Published: September 2019

Previous mono-cultural and interlanguage pragmatic studies in Persian mainly focused on the ‘strategy types’ used in the structures of speech acts. However, the functions of these elements were discussed by few of them. Polite speech acts have been reported to be used with both genuine and ostensible meanings. Nevertheless, few sporadic studies were conducted to help distinguishing these two series of speech acts in Persian. In this study, attempt is made to highlight the importance of context in distinguishing between overt (direct) and actual (indirect) functions of four speech acts namely offer, invitation, apology and refusal collected from the soundtracks of Iranian films. In this study we propose that while the overt and actual functions of the genuine speech acts are the same, there is discrepancy in the case of ostensible speech acts. The results of this study highlight the importance of context in working out the meaning of Persian speech acts.
Job Dissatisfaction and Turnover Crises in Tunisia
Authors: Khanchel Hanen , Ben Kahla Karim
Published: September 2019

The purpose of this paper is to develop a scale to measure employee satisfaction and test the nature of the relationship between job dissatisfaction and turnover; and to test if some sociodemographic variables can moderate this relation same as above. Data was collected from Tunisian Information and Communications Technology Sector (ICT). As quantitative methodology employs numerical data to quantify the social phenomenon, choosing the right techniques enable social scientists to analyse the findings of the study accurately using both structural equation analysis and hierarchical regression. The results indicated that the level of employee dissatisfaction influences their turnover intention. The results confirm that job dissatisfaction has an even greater impact on departure intentions as the level of satisfaction is low. A Likert scale is developped in this study, often found on survey forms, that measures how people feel about Quality of Working life.
Cem anos: livro escolar de História do Brasil (1808-1908)
Authors: Stamatto Maria Inês Sucupira
Published: September 2019

Neste artigo entende-se livro escolar no sentido do livro que aporta conhecimento, no caso, de natureza histórica, destinado ao público infanto-juvenil e utilizado em situação de ensino. Buscou-se identificar as transformações deste material entre 1808 e 1908, assinalando concepções históricas, pedagógicas e gráficas do período em questão. Na pesquisa, como fontes históricas, foram analisados livros publicados na época, que continham a História do Brasil para as creanças e a mocidade vislumbrando-se o que alunos e professores dispunham para ensinar e aprender o Brasil. Perceberam-se modificações lentas ao longo desses anos, mas que já demonstravam a introdução de novas formas de pensar a educação.
Por que e para quê ensinar História?
Authors: Galuch Maria Terezinha Bellanda , Silva Cleonice Aparecida Raphael da
Published: September 2019

Subsiste na sociedade atual a ideia de que o ensino de história deve oportunizar a formação para a cidadania, tendo em vista a preservação da ordem democrática. Com base na Teoria Crítica da Sociedade, sobretudo em trabalhos de Adorno e Horkheimer, que destacam conceitos como esclarecimento, educação para a emancipação, experiência formativa e pseudoformação, neste artigo apresenta-se uma reflexão sobre por que e para quê ensinar história, num contexto cujo fascínio e relevância são para o presente. Destaca-se a necessidade de se elaborar o passado para que as condições que possibilitaram a barbárie possam ser compreendidas e, quiçá, superadas. Para além de apontar a relevância do ensino de história para a autorreflexão crítica, sinalizam-se possibilidades de esse ensino estimular a reflexão e a relação entre presente e passado de modo a contribuir para a compreensão do movimento da história em seus avanços e retrocessos e, portanto, para a experiência formativa.
A Universidade, o Museu e a Escola: o ensino de História e o viés extensionista
Authors: Amorim Érika Oliveira , Narciso Luciana Do Carmo , Paula Thaise Oliveira
Published: September 2019

O presente texto aborda as especificidades de um projeto de extensão universitária que envolveu estudantes de graduação dos cursos de História e Turismo da Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (UEMG), unidade Carangola, e que foi desenvolvido em dois momentos distintos. No primeiro momento realizou-se uma oficina sobre Memória, História e Patrimônio Histórico com alunos do 9º ano da E. E. João Belo de Oliveira. No segundo momento os alunos visitaram o Museu de Carangola, assessorados pelas acadêmicas, com o intuito de problematizar a noção de memória e patrimônio histórico. A observação simples foi a ferramenta utilizada durante as ações do projeto e os registros se concretizaram por meio de fotografias, filmagens e cadernos de campo. Observou-se que ao pensar o ensino de história a partir das relações que os indivíduos têm com a história materializada no acervo do museu abre-se um campo de possibilidades sobre o sentido de estudar História.
História e ensino durante a Ditadura Militar no Brasil: Uma reflexão a partir das memórias de um professor adventista (1954-1982)
Authors: Xavier Janaina Silva , Ávila Jonathan Contrera , Silva Pâmela Silveira da , Santos Jr. Willian Batista dos
Published: September 2019

Este texto expõe os resultados de uma pesquisa desenvolvida no curso de Licenciatura em História, do Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo, campus Engenheiro Coelho, que teve como objeto de discussão as memórias dos anos de docência de um professor de História, Adventista do Sétimo Dia, durante o período da Ditadura Militar no Brasil (1964-1985). O objetivo do estudo foi contribuir com novas perspectivas a respeito do ensino de História no período ditatorial brasileiro e analisar os discursos envolvidos nas narrativas dos velhos sobre seu passado, explorando a história oral como metodologia de construção histórica. O professor entrevistado Luíz Contrera, de 91 anos, descreveu seu processo formativo e seus anos de docência em diferentes escolas no estado de São Paulo e na capital. Como fundamentação teórica foram escolhidos autores dos campos da memória e da historiografia, a fim de problematizar as narrativas do depoente. O estudo concluiu que os relatos do professor Luíz foram em grande parte condizentes com a história do período, mas revelaram importantes aspectos da realidade docente que servem para reflexão sobre as diversas camadas envolvidas na questão.
O ensino de História Antiga em debate: educação com pluralidade ou tradicionalismo acadêmico?
Authors: Souza Matheus Vargas de
Published: September 2019

Este trabalho tem por objetivo problematizar o debate acerca do ensino de História Antiga na Educação Básica, seja nas tentativas de reduzi-lo, seja em sua defesa, na medida em que se faz necessária uma busca por um denominador comum entre a democratização do conhecimento e a dimensão ideológica que um conteúdo contém. O objetivo central é o de permitir ao aluno uma melhor compreensão do mundo a partir de uma educação com pluralidade de conhecimentos, mas evitando a noção de conteúdos “universalmente indispensáveis” em detrimento de uma análise verdadeiramente profunda sobre os usos feitos do passado, e no caso do ensino de História, os usos feitos do passado no próprio passado.
Livro didático do PNLD campo: considerações sobre ensino de História em escolas localizadas no campo
Authors: Gonçalves Rita De Cássia , Germinari Geyso Dongley
Published: September 2019

O presente artigo propõe debater acerca do ensino de História partindo de discussões propostas a partir de pesquisa desenvolvida com professores de um município da região metropolitana de Curitiba, que utilizaram a coleção de História dos Anos Iniciais, do PNLD Campo, de 2016. Neste sentido, apresenta um breve panorama relacionado ao livro didático de história, contextualizando o desenvolvimento das pesquisas no Brasil, nas últimas décadas, retoma as discussões acerca do PNLD e as questões a respeito do ensino de história presentes na coleção utilizada nas escolas localizadas no campo neste município e por fim, tece considerações sobre o ensino de História e o livro de história trazido por este programa para as escolas e as implicações nos processos de ensino e aprendizagem de história. Fundamenta teoricamente suas análises em estudos de pesquisadores da Educação Histórica, como Jörn Rüsen (2001, 2007a, 2007b, 2010, 2012) e Peter Lee (2006); em investigações sobre o livro didático de Kazumi Munakata (1997, 2010, 2012) e Circe M. Bittencourt (1993, 1997, 2003, 2011); e também em pesquisas da Educação do Campo de Antonio Munarim (2010).
Relaxed Hip Precautions Do Not Increase Early Dislocation Rate Following Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Brown Matthew L. , Ezzet Kace A.
Published: September 2019

Introduction:

Historically, hip precautions have been prescribed after total hip arthroplasty (THA) to limit certain motions felt to place the arthroplasty construct in a position at increased risk for dislocation. This study aimed to determine whether relaxed hip precautions after primary THA done via a posterolateral approach resulted in a higher early dislocation rate compared with standard hip precautions.

Methods:

The hip precaution protocol was changed from standard to relaxed at our institution for all patients with THA in December 2016. One cohort had THA in the 18 months before the protocol change and had standard hip precautions, and the second cohort had THA in the 18 months after the protocol change and had relaxed precautions. We determined the early dislocation rate (within 3 months postoperatively) for both cohorts and controlled for selected demographic and surgical details.

Results:

The standard precaution group included 597 primary THAs and the relaxed precaution group included 692 hips. No notable differences were found between the groups in terms of age at surgery, body mass index, sex, laterality, or diagnosis. Early dislocation occurred in seven hips (1.2%) in the standard precaution cohort and in nine hips (1.4%) in the relaxed precaution cohort. This difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.77).

Discussion:

The results of our study suggest that well-trained, high-volume surgeons may potentially relax hip precautions prescribed to the patients after primary THA done via a posterolateral approach without subjecting patients to a markedly higher incidence of dislocation. However, unlike previous studies, this study controlled for femoral head size, which is a well-known confounder for dislocation risk.
Direct Displacement-Based Design of a RC wall-steel EBF dual system with added dampers
Authors: Sullivan Timothy J.
Published: September 2019

An innovative application of Direct Displacement-Based Design (DBD) is presented for a modern 8-storey dual system structure consisting of interior concrete walls in parallel to a number of large steel eccentrically braced frames, fitted with visco-elastic dampers at link positions. The innovative DBD methodology lets the designer directly control the forces in the structure by choosing strength proportions at the start of the design procedure. The strength proportions are used to establish the displaced shape at peak response and thereby establish the equivalent single-degree-of-freedom system design displacement, mass and effective height. A new simplified formulation for the equivalent viscous damping of systems possessing viscous dampers is proposed which also utilises the strength proportions chosen by the designer at the start of the process. The DBD approach developed is relatively quick to use, enabling the seismic design of the 8-storey case study structure to be undertaken without the development of a computer model. To verify the ability of the design method, non-linear time-history analyses are undertaken using a suite of spectrum-compatible accelerograms. These analyses demonstrate that the design solution successfully achieves the design objectives to limit building deformations, and therefore damage.
Determination of structural irregularity limits
Authors: Sadashiva Vinod K. , MacRae Gregory A. , Deam Bruce L.
Published: September 2019

Structures may be irregular due to non-uniform distributions of mass, stiffness, strength or due to their structural form. For regular structures, simple analysis techniques such as the Equivalent Static Method, have been calibrated against advanced analysis methods, such as the Inelastic Dynamic Time-History Analysis. Most worldwide codes allow simple analysis techniques to be used only for structures which satisfy regularity limits. Currently, such limits are based on engineering judgement and lack proper calibration. This paper describes a simple and efficient method for quantifying irregularity limits. The method is illustrated on 3, 5, 9 and 15 storey models of shear-type structures, assumed to be located in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. They were designed in accordance with the Equivalent Static Method of NZS 1170.5. Regular structures were defined to have constant mass at every floor level and were either designed to produce constant interstorey drift ratio at all the floors simultaneously or to have a uniform stiffness distribution over their height. Design structural ductility factors of 1, 2, 4 and 6, and target (design) interstorey drift ratios ranging between 0.5% and 3% were used in this study. Inelastic dynamic time-history analysis was carried out by subjecting these structures to a suite of code design level earthquake records. Irregular structures were created with floor masses of magnitude 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 5 times the regular floor mass. These increased masses were considered separately at the first floor level, mid-height and at the roof. The irregular structures were designed for the same drifts as the regular structures.

The effect of increased mass at the top or bottom of the structure tended to increase the median peak drift demands compared to regular structures for the record suite considered. When the increased mass was present at the mid-height, the structures generally tended to produce lesser drift demands than the corresponding regular structures. A simple equation was developed to estimate the increase in interstorey drift due to mass irregularity. This can be used to set irregularity limits.
A distributed-source approach to modelling the spatial distribution of MM intensities resulting from large crustal New Zealand earthquakes
Authors: Dowrick D. J. , Rhoades D. A.
Published: September 2019

This paper presents a new approach to modelling the spatial distribution of intensities in crustal earthquakes, using a distributed source. The source is represented by one or two rectangular fault rupture planes of chosen dip, discretised into small rectangles each with its own share of the total seismic moment, and modelling chosen distributions of asperities. The Modified Mercalli (MM) intensity of shaking is represented by isoseismals. Comparisons are made with the actual isoseismals (particularly of intensities MM9 and MM10) of selected large historical crustal New Zealand earthquakes and those predicted by the simpler models of Dowrick & Rhoades (2005). Important differences and insights are found regarding near-source spatial distributions of ground shaking of shallow earthquakes with rupture length greater than about 28 km (Mw > 6.8) with any dip, and for Mw > c. 5.5 with dip < 60º. The influence of asperities relative to that of non-asperities is seen as modest near-fault increases in intensity. The new model can be applied to planar or biplanar fault ruptures of any length, width and dip. In the absence of isoseismal data on large earthquakes with normal focal mechanisms the current model is only verified for use on strike-slip and reverse events. A new concept, seismic-source intensity, is introduced and utilized.

The new model can also be applied to earthquakes in other regions of the world with adjustments for local attenuation rates as necessary.
Prevalence of New Zealand’s unreinforced masonry buildings
Authors: Russell Alistair P. , Ingham Jason M.
Published: September 2019

Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings remain New Zealand's most earthquake prone class of building. New Zealand URM buildings are classified into typologies, based on their general structural configuration. Seven typologies are presented, and their relative prevalence, age and locations are identified. There are estimated to be 3,750 URM buildings in existence in New Zealand, with 1,300 (35%) being estimated to be potentially earthquake prone and 2010 (52%) to be potentially earthquake risk, using the NZSEE Initial Evaluation Procedure. Trends in the age of these buildings show that construction activity increased from the early days of European settlement and reached a peak at about 1930, before subsequently declining sharply. The preponderance of the existing URM building stock was constructed prior to 1940, and as such, almost all URM buildings in New Zealand are between 80 and 130 years old (in 2010). Overall the URM building stock has a 2010 market value of approximately $NZ1.5 billion, and constitutes approximately 8% of the total building stock in terms of floor area. Details are also provided regarding the development of New Zealand building codes and the associated provisions for assessing existing earthquake risk buildings, and provides some background to the history of the URM building stock in New Zealand.
Preliminary observations of the 2010 Darfield (Canterbury) earthquakes
Authors: Wood Peter , Robins Philip , Hare John
Published: September 2019

This Bulletin of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE) is a collaboration with the New Zealand Geotechnical Society (NZGS) and the Structural Engineering Society New Zealand (SESOC), with papers on the preliminary observations of the 2010 September 4, 04:35 (NZST; September 3, 16:35 UTC) Darfield (Canterbury) earthquakes.

This Introductory paper summarises preliminary observations of the earthquakes and the performance of ground, structures, non-structural elements, and lifelines; the assessments of usability; and the communication of information amongst the science and engineering communities.
English Teachers’ Effectiveness and Students’ English Proficiency at Selected Colleges in Dili, East Timor: Input for Enhancement Programs
Authors: Lumbanraja Bogor , Reynoso Lino C.
Published: September 2019

This research is designed to determine the relationship between English teachers’ effectiveness and students’ English proficiency at Selected Colleges in Dili, East Timor, as input for enhancement programs. The English teachers’ effectiveness consist of three aspects namely (1) English Proficiency, (2) Pedagogical Knowledge, and (3) Socio-Affective Skills. Meanwhile, the students’ English proficiency was measured in terms of the following aspects: (1) Listening, (2) Writing, (3) Reading, and (4) Speaking. The collected data is analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences whereby charts, figures and tables were used to present the findings.

The overall mean for English Teachers’ Effectiveness is 3.64, interpreted as effective. This implies that English Teachers at Selected Colleges demonstrate the effectiveness required of them, but it is in Socio-Affective Skills that they are performing best.

The overall mean for Student Respondents’ Level of English Proficiency is 3.85, interpreted as good. Observing closely, the mean score of speaking which is 3.51 is close to “Average” (down) because in the Range of Mean Values of 2.51 - 3.50 is Average.

The results of the Pearson Correlation showed that all independent variables on English teachers’ effectiveness are correlated with the dependent variable on students’ English proficiency. The correlation coefficient values are between of ± 0.50 to ± 0.74, which means “High or Strong Relationship”.

Based on a reasonable output of this study, the researcher proposed training programs to enhance the English teachers’ effectiveness and students’ English proficiency in Selected Colleges in Dili, East Timor.
Effectiveness of Raw versus Activated Coconut Shells for Removing Arsenic and Mercury from Water
Authors: Emahi Ismaila , Sakyi Patrick O. , Bruce-Vanderpuije Pennante , Issifu Abdul Rasheed
Published: September 2019

Relatively inexpensive biosorbents, made from coconut shell, were explored as alternatives to high-quality activated carbon for use in small-scale, wastewater treatment in developing economies. Simple charring and activation procedures were followed to produce CaCl2-activated coconut shell charcoal and its effectiveness was compared with raw coconut shell powder for removal of mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As) from contaminated water. From atomic absorption spectroscopy analyses, the removal efficiency of As and Hg with the use of activated charcoal were 67% (vs 65% for the raw form), and 53% (vs 49% for the raw form), respectively, from their corresponding “artificially”-contaminated wastewater. These results suggest that despite the slightly improved removal efficiencies recorded for activated coconut shells, the raw version could equally be used in treating wastewater towards the removal of the toxic metals- As and Hg. In order to understand the chemistry of the adsorption processes, FT-IR spectroscopy was employed to study similarities and differences in chemical compositions of the raw versus activated coconut shells before and after the biofiltration processes. To further investigate the effect of this biofiltration process on the overall quality of water, the physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity, colour, turbidity, TDS and TSS) were measured on river water samples, pre-treated with the biosorbents. For both the raw and activated coconut shell, there was general improvement, although the conductivity of the water treated with the activated version was slightly elevated, was likely due to leaching of CaCl2 that was used for activation.
Comparison of Flora of Small-Scale Mined and Unmined-Sites in Dunkwa-East Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Essandoh Paul K. , Ampofo Edward A. , Okae-Anti Daniel , Bryant Isaac M.
Published: September 2019

The impacts of small-scale mining on the vegetal cover as well the livelihoods of communities in mined areas in developing countries such as Ghana are far-reaching. This study assessed the impacts of small-scale mining on flora of conservation and economic significance through quantification of species richness, and species diversity. Mined and unmined sites were chosen in the Dunkwa East Municipality of Ghana. Five belt transects each (200m × 200m) were constructed in both sites. Each belt transect was divided into 100 quadrats (20m × 20m) and plant species in each of the quadrat were identified in the field and or the herbarium of the School of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Coast. One hundred and fifty seven species distributed in 140 genera and 54 families were identified in the mined area whilst the 209 species identified in the unmined area were in 185 genera and 73 families. Plant families Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae and Asteraceae were more diverse whilst Asteraceae, Poaceae and Euphorbiaceae were dominant in the unmined area. In the mined area, however, Poaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Asteraceae were more diverse. Pteridium aquilinum, Tridax procumbens and Waltheria indica in the unmined area and Chromolaena odorata, Sporobolus pyramidalis and Euphorbia hirta in the mined area were the dominant species. Small-scale miming activities have caused reduction in species diversity, richness and economic and commercial values in the area. Higher disturbance of the flora has resulted in more secondary species in the mined area. Restoration is required in the study area.
Mapping Evidence of Experiential learning for Primary Health Care Workers in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review
Authors: Chamane Nkosinothando , Kuupiel Desmond , Mashamba-Thompson Tivani Phosa
Published: September 2019

Background: Improving equity of healthcare is one of the main global health priorities, particularly in low and medium-income-countries (LMICs). However, most LMICs still struggle to achieve equity in healthcare provision. One of the major contributing factors to achieving health equity in these settings include low levels of healthcare competency among primary healthcare workers. Experiential learning has been shown to contribute effectively to healthcare curriculum delivery. The purpose of this study was to systematically map evidence of experiential learning training programs for PHC workers with a focus on quality improvement in LMICs.

Findings: Of the 240 022 articles retrieved from database search, 129 studies were found to be eligible for inclusion in abstract screening following title screening. Subsequent to abstract screening, 29 articles were eligible for inclusion in full article screening. Full article screening resulted in four articles found eligible for inclusion for data extraction and quality appraisal. Included studies were conducted in the following Countries: South Africa, China and Brazil. The following themes emerged: The utility, efficiency and acceptability of experiential learning approaches to PHC workers and Reflection. Experiential learning through various approaches was shown to have the potential to provide an important practical aspect on curriculum delivery not easily taught in lecture-based learning. Skills developed by PHC students in LMICs included communication, empathy, creativity and critical-reflexive skills. The reflection step of experiential learning was shown to be a useful tool to identify root causes of health systems inefficiencies and to inform policy making. The quality of included studies was found to range from above average to high quality.

Conclusion: Limited research on the utility, efficiency and acceptability of experiential learning approaches to PHC-based professionals as well as on the impact of these approaches to the provision of quality services was found. Research focused on the development and piloting of experiential learning approaches to determine feasibility and to ensure effectiveness of interventions towards continuous professional development and life-long learning of PHC nurses in rural clinics is recommended.
Capital Structure and Speed of Adjustment in U.S. Firms. Α Comparative Study in Microeconomic and Macroeconomic Conditions-A Quantile Regression Approach
Authors: Kaloudis Andreas , Tsolis Dimitrios
Published: September 2019

The major perspective of this paper is to provide more evidence regarding how “quickly”, in different macroeconomic states, firms adjust their capital structure to their leverage targets. This study extends the empirical research on the topic of capital structure by focusing on a quantile regression model to investigate the behavior of firm-specific and macroeconomic factors across all quantiles of distribution of leverage (book leverage and market leverage). Therefore, depending on a partial adjustment model, we find that the adjustment speed fluctuated in different stages of book versus market leverage. Furthermore, while macroeconomic states change, we detect clear differentiations of the contribution and the effects of the firm-specific and the macroeconomic variables between market leverage and book leverage debt ratios. Consequently, we deduce that across different macroeconomic states the nature and maturity of borrowing influence the persistence and endurance of the relation between determinants and borrowing. 
Moderating Effect of Planning on the Relationship between Administration of Devolved Water Services and Water Provision in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya
Authors: Mohamed Gedi Mohamud , Ngala Michael , Wambua Leonard
Published: September 2019

The Government of Kenya introduced Sessional Paper no 10 in 1965 that stated that for the economy to grow as a whole and as fast as possible, development money should be invested where it will yield the largest increase in net output. It further stated that this approach favored development of areas with abundant natural resources, good land and rainfall, transport and power facilities and people receptive to and active in development. For many years, this statement guided direction of government resources hence neglecting ASAL areas. Even though, and with promulgation of Constitution (2010), Kenya as a water scarce country did devolve water provision to counties, the question of whether administration of devolved water services has assisted in solving challenges related to water provision as desired and anticipated by target six (6) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as Kenya’s Vision 2030 still remain unresolved. The purpose of this study was therefore to establish the moderating effect of planning on the relationship between administration of devolved water services and water provision in ASAL in Kenya. The study used positivism research orientation.Cross- sectional survey research design was adopted. The target population entailed the 113 sub-counties in ASAL where a sample of 89 sub-counties was targeted. Questionnaire helped in collecting primary data. Secondary data collection was done via desk study. planning has a significant moderating effect on the relationship between administration of devolved water services and health-care service delivery in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya given that ΔR2 = 0.003, ΔF(1, 70) = 25.1907, b = 0.763, t(72) = 5.824, p-Value=0.000 < 0.05. Findings of this study would contribute useful information that would help in the formulation of an action plan for sustainable water management and conservation in the devolved systems in ASAL in Kenya and the entire country in general. From the findings, the study recommended the need to improve water conservation, protection of catchments and water sources. It should be ensured that there is effective, efficient and sustainable management of both urban and rural water services.
Silva, Joseli M.; Ornat, Márcio José y Chimin, Alides, B. Jr. (eds.) (2017). Diálogos ibero-latino-americanos sobre geografias feministas e das sexualidades
Authors: Estévez Brais
Published: September 2019

Silva, Joseli M.; Ornat, Márcio José y Chimin, Alides, B. Jr. (eds.) (2017)Diálogos ibero-latino-americanos sobre geografias feministas e das sexualidadesPonta Grossa: Todapalavra, 275 p.ISBN 978-85-62450-48-8
Presentació. Geografies de les sexualitats
Authors: Rodó-Zarate Maria , Baylina Mireia
Published: September 2019

Presentació del volum 65/3: Geografies de les sexualitats.
Albet, Abel (ed.); Monk, Janice; Prats Ferret, Maria y Veleda da Silva, Susana M. (2019). Maria Dolors Garcia Ramon: Geografía y género, disidencia e innovación
Authors: Baylina Mireia
Published: September 2019

Albet, Abel (ed.); Monk, Janice; Prats Ferret, Maria y Veleda da Silva, Susana M. (2019)Maria Dolors Garcia Ramon: Geografía y género, disidencia e innovaciónBarcelona: Icària, 286 p. Espacios Críticos, 13ISBN 978-84-9888-836-2
Avaliação Empírica da VMTools-RA: uma Arquitetura de Referência para Ferramentas de Variabilidade de Software
Authors: Flores da Silva Leandro , OliveiraJr Edson
Published: September 2019

Arquitetura de Referência (AR) é um conceito que tem como objetivo concentrar as funcionalidades de um domínio de aplicação específico, fornecendo uma estrutura arquitetural genérica para o desenvolvimento de novos sistemas ou a evolução de sistemas existentes. Atualmente, diversas ARs vêm sendo propostas para diferentes contextos. Neste sentido, foi projetada a VMTools-RA, uma AR para ferramentas de variabilidade de software. A VMTools-RA é composta de seis visões incluindo quatro pontos de vista arquiteturais. Tal AR foi avaliada de forma qualitativa e por meio de um experimento controlado. Este trabalho tem o objetivo de apresentar uma proposta de avaliação empírica da VMTools-RA, com base no projeto e desenvolvimento de um ambiente (SMartyModeling) de gerenciamento de variabilidades para Linha de Produto de Software (LPS) modelados em UML, operados pela abordagem SMarty. Uma Revisão Sistemática da Literatura (RSL) vem sendo conduzida para compreender o estado da arte em relação à avaliações de AR. O SMartyModeling é composto de duas versões. A versão inicial foi desenvolvida e avaliada qualitativamente em 2017 e quantitativamente em 2018, sendo possível identificar algumas limitações. A segunda versão do SMartyModeling vem sendo desenvolvida, também construída a partir da instanciação da VMTools-RA. Portanto, este trabalho apresenta uma proposta para a avaliação da VMTools-RA sobre a perspectiva de uma arquitetura instanciada e implementada a partir dela. Neste sentido, a RSL é fundamental para compreender, analisar e projetar as avaliações, que serão realizadas sobre uma arquitetura instanciada a partir da VMTools-RA: a segunda versão do SMartyModeling.
Repensando Papeis em Equipes Ágeis: Um Estudo de Caso no Uso de uma Abordagem Combinada de Desenvolvimento Ágil, User-Centered Design e Lean Startup
Authors: Salerno Larissa , Signoretti Ingrid , Marczak Sabrina , Bastos Ricardo
Published: September 2019

Uma abordagem combinada de User-Centered Design, Lean Startup e Ágil promete garantir que o desenvolvimento do produto seja focado nas necessidades do usuário. A partir de um estudo de caso na indústria, este artigo apresenta como a introdução dessa abordagem implicou na discussão dos papéis que devem compor a equipe de desenvolvimento de software que passa a usar a referida abordagem. Compara-se estes papéis com àqueles das metologias ágeis tradicionais e discute-se o impacto da inserção do papel de Product Designer, contribuindo para o entendimento do assunto na prática.
Modified Phillipsite as a Novel Ion-Exchanger for Potassium Extraction from Seawater
Authors: MENG Chunxia , HOU Jin
Published: September 2019

Template-free preparation of phillipsite as a novel K+ ion-exchanger was studied systematically by hydrothermal synthesis. The alkalinity, dosage of water glass, dosage of H2O, aging time, reaction temperature and time of hydrothermal synthesis were discussed in detail. The optimized material obtained about phillipsite through the synthesis and testing methods was performed. The K+ ion-exchange capacity and selectivity coefficient were tested. The molar composition for preparing high performance phillipsite obtained was 2K2O:18SiO2:Al2O3:510H2O by optimizing synthetic conditions. The K+ ion-exchange capacity of phillipsite was 57.3 mg/g in seawater. The K+ selectivity coefficient was 88.6 in an equimolar K+ and Na+ mixed solution. Phillipsite can selectively capture K+ over other ions, and therefore can be used for potassium extraction selectively from seawater. Phillipsite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The XRD pattern indicated that the synthetic zeolite was phillipsite. The phillipsite particles exhibited cross-like shape and the average particle size was about 2.5 μm. The synthetic phillipsite was mainly consisted of Si, Al, K and O elements.
A Novel Approach for Accelerated Fabrication of Calcium Hydroxyapatite Thin Films
Authors: USINSKAS Pranas , STANKEVIČIŪTĖ Živilė , NIAURA Gediminas , ČEPONKUS Justinas , KAREIVA Aivaras
Published: September 2019

In this study we demonstrate, that sol–gel route is suitable to quicker obtain calcium hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, CHAp) coatings on crystalline Si substrate by modified dip-coating technique. The substrate was dip-coated by precursor and dried for 10 minutes at 200 °C with following cooling using the heating block for 110 min and annealing at 650 °C. Ethylendiamintetraacetic acid and 1,2-ethandiol, and triethanolamine and polyvinyl alcohol were used as complexing agents and as gel network forming agents, respectively. The obtained coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy and contact angle measurements (CAM).
Pflegerecht
Authors: Janda Constanze
Published: September 2019

The textbook is dealing with the fundamental legal aspects of the long-term care insurance and the fields of law related to that. The latest legislative developments and reforms, such as the two “Pflegestärkungsgesetze” are presented, thus the book is higly up-to-date.
After defining and discussing the concept of “need of care”, the authors present the eligibility criteria and benefits in the long-term care insurance from the claimants’ point of view. Additionally, the legal relations between service providers and the cost-bearers as well as matters of quality assurance are reflected. The focus is set on the social care insurance (SGB XI), but benefits of the health care insurance (SGB V) and the social assistance scheme (SGB XII) related to care are dealt with, too.
Schedules, case studies and sample examinations questions make the book a very helpful guide through the law of care for students of law, social work and care. Besides, pracitioners can get a concise overwiev on the recent development in care.
O desenho na formação do profissional professor
Authors:   Unochapecó/Udesc, Moreno Márcia
Published: September 2019

Partindo do pressuposto de que o desenho sempre trouxe apreensões no processo de ensino-aprendizagem, por estar associado à “técnica”, domínio e treino, objetivo, com este artigo, propor, por meio da descrição de um experienciar, uma alternativa criativa quanto ao ensino do desenho, de forma a contribuir na/para formação do professor. Nesse compartilhar de uma realização do curso de formação superior em Artes Visuais-licenciatura, o desenho entra tanto como entremeio de um processo, quanto em paralelo à pesquisa sobre anomalias de nascença ou adquiridas, contrapondo o conceito de belo estético que muitas vezes tem como característica essencial do percurso. Ainda, teço considerações teóricas sobre o espaço escolar, sobre o professor e seu protagonismo nas relações científicas e sociais na formação do sujeito, bem como sobre a contribuição significativa que essa linguagem pode para a percepção, reflexão e criatividade na relação aluno-realidade-arte.
Trabajo y roles de género durante la Prehistoria. Un estudio sobre su percepción en el alumnado de Historia.
Authors: Pastor Quiles María , Mateo Corredor Daniel
Published: September 2019

Desde la arqueología tradicional se ha generado una imagen de la Prehistoria en la que se atribuyen de forma marcada a mujeres u hombres trabajos y roles, frecuentemente in uenciada por concepciones contemporáneas. Con este artículo analizamos la percepción del alumnado del Grado en Historia sobre una serie de a rmaciones, presentadas en un cuestionario con una escala tipo Likert, que relacionan actividades con un sexo u otro en contextos prehistóricos. Esta investigación ha permitido conocer la presencia entre el alumnado de algunas de estas visiones estereotipadas. Se evidencia la necesidad de incorporar la perspectiva feminista a los estudios históricos para tratar de ser conscientes en mayor medida de estos estereotipos que condicionan la imagen que tenemos de la Prehistoria.

From traditional archaeology an image of Prehistory has been transmitted where activities and roles are attributed to women or men, frequently in uenced by contemporary conceptions. In this paper we analyse the perceptions of History students about a series of statements, presented in a questionnaire based on a Likert rating scale. These statements associate activities with one sex or the other in prehistoric contexts. This research has allowed us to acknowledge the presence of some of these stereotyped visions among the students. The need of incorporating the feminist perspective into historical studies is highlighted, in order to be able to identify these stereotypes that constrain the image we have of prehistoric times.