bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Disaster Risk, Global Change, and Sustainability Nexus
Authors: Peduzzi Pascal
Published: February 2019

Until the 1970s, disaster risk was perceived as a direct consequence of natural hazards. Gradually, disaster risk has come to be understood as a compound event, which lies at the intersection of hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of the exposed elements. After decades of research and lessons learned from mega-disasters, social scientists have introduced the social dimension of disaster risk, and the prevailing understanding is that disasters are also a human construct. Now, due to climate and global environmental changes, even the natural component of hazards is being altered by anthropogenic activities, changing hazard susceptibility, coverage, frequency, and severity. This review retraces the brief history and evolution of the global understanding of disaster risk as a compound event, in parallel with research on global environmental change. It highlights the main milestones in this area, and shows that there are tight connections between trends of disaster risk and global change. This paper aims to demonstrate the need to better consider the role of global environmental change in disaster risk assessment. In 2015, three major new agreements were reached to improve global environmental governance: the new Sendai Framework (2015–2030), the post-2015 development agenda with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Climate COP21 in Paris. These all include a clear focus on disaster risk reduction; however, several aspects of disaster risk linked with global environmental changes are still not clearly addressed by the main stakeholders (governments, insurers, or agencies). As the complexity of risk unfolds, more actors are getting together; the need for a holistic approach for disaster risk reduction has become clear, and is closely connected with achieving sustainable development.
A Smart, Caring, Interactive Chair Designed for Improving Emotional Support and Parent-Child Interactions to Promote Sustainable Relationships Between Elderly and Other Family Members
Authors: Tseng Winger Sei-Wo , Hsu Chih-Wei
Published: February 2019

In this study, we implemented a four-stage service design process to analyze the home-based interaction behavior between elderly and other family members to identify hidden needs for strengthening inter-generational relationships and creating harmony as a turning point for new product innovations in home-based interactive devices. In the demand exploration stage and demand definition stage, context inquiry and service modeling were applied to understand the intergenerational relationship between the elderly and other family members and the potential needs and expectations of family interactions. The overall demand mainly includes four points: (1) the improvement in inter-generational relationships requires the active care of family members, (2) the improvement in inter-generational emotional interactions requires accurate mastery of parental responsibilities, (3) the chairing design of the living room can be used to understand and document parental life practice, and (4) big data parental lifestyle records can be analyzed. Based on hidden demands, a smart care interactive system (SCIS) with a chair was designed for improving emotional interactions and parent-child interaction between the elderly and other family members. The results of the verification experiment show that the smart care interactive chair (SCIC) can significantly help the elderly with intergenerational relationships in terms of emotional support and parent-child interactions. The family emotional support and parent-child interactions are the foundation of the sustainability of family relationships and the cornerstone of social stability.
Consequences of Cultural Leadership Styles for Social Entrepreneurship: A Theoretical Framework
Authors: Muralidharan Etayankara , Pathak Saurav
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this conceptual article is to understand how the interplay of national-level institutions of culturally endorsed leadership styles, government effectiveness, and societal trust affects individual likelihood to become social entrepreneurs. We present an institutional framework comprising cultural leadership styles (normative institutions), government effectiveness (regulatory institutions), and societal trust (cognitive institutions) to predict individual likelihood of social entrepreneurship. Using the insight of culture–entrepreneurship fit and drawing on institutional configuration perspective we posit that culturally endorsed implicit leadership theories (CLTs) of charismatic and participatory leadership positively impact the likelihood of individuals becoming social entrepreneurs. Further, we posit that this impact is particularly pronounced when a country’s regulatory quality manifested by government effectiveness is supportive of social entrepreneurship and when there exist high levels of societal trust. Research on CLTs and their impact on entrepreneurial behavior is limited. We contribute to comparative entrepreneurship research by introducing a cultural antecedent of social entrepreneurship in CLTs and through a deeper understanding of their interplay with national-level institutions to draw the boundary conditions of our framework.
Forecasting PM10 in the Bay of Algeciras Based on Regression Models
Authors: Palomares-Salas José Carlos , González-de-la-Rosa Juan José , Agüera-Pérez Agustín , Sierra-Fernández José María , Florencias-Oliveros Olivia
Published: February 2019

Different forecasting methodologies, classified into parametric and nonparametric, were studied in order to predict the average concentration of P M 10 over the course of 24 h. The comparison of the forecasting models was based on four quality indexes (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the index of agreement, the mean absolute error, and the root mean squared error). The proposed experimental procedure was put into practice in three urban centers belonging to the Bay of Algeciras (Andalusia, Spain). The prediction results obtained with the proposed models exceed those obtained with the reference models through the introduction of low-quality measurements as exogenous information. This proves that it is possible to improve performance by using additional information from the existing nonlinear relationships between the concentration of the pollutants and the meteorological variables.
Achieving Cultural Sustainability in Museums: A Step Toward Sustainable Development
Authors: Pop Izabela Luiza , Borza Anca , Buiga Anuța , Ighian Diana , Toader Rita
Published: February 2019

Cultural sustainability is increasingly being perceived as a fourth dimension of sustainable development. So far, some studies have debated the way in which cultural sustainability can lead to economic, social, and environmental benefits, while others have highlighted how the classic pillars of sustainability can help museums to achieve their core cultural mission. However, empirical studies regarding cultural sustainability in museums are scarce. Thus, one of the aims of our research was to fill this gap by developing several econometric models that explain the influence of heritage exposure; environmental behavior; openness to the public; and effectiveness and performance in collecting, preserving, and researching the cultural heritage. A second aim was to advance the current knowledge in this field by creating an integrated frame that explains the interconnections between different variables that help museums become sustainable, as well as the place and role of cultural sustainability within the overall framework of sustainable development. To achieve these goals, an in-depth analysis of the literature was followed by a survey of 86 Romanian museums. The results show that the ability of museums to reach cultural sustainability is influenced by components of their social and economic performance, while environmental behavior proved to be insignificant.
Comparative Analysis of Factors for Supplier Selection and Monitoring: The Case of the Automotive Industry in Thailand
Authors: Suraraksa Juthathip , Shin Kwang Sup
Published: February 2019

The integration of the global market makes the supply chain more complex and has great impacts on efficient supplier management strategies. The aim of this study is to present a systematic supplier management framework to integrate supplier selection and monitoring phases, which are not independent of each other. However, only a few previous studies have pointed out the differences between the two phases. The proposed methodology integrates a quantitative and qualitative approach, formulating multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate the priorities of these criteria. This research explores the difference in the set of criteria for supplier selection and supplier monitoring. The results provide comprehensive insights into the criteria to help decision-makers, managers, and practitioners select appropriate suppliers and monitor suppliers’ performances in the automotive industry. Based on the result, it can be said that a company should integrate the supplier selection and monitoring process. Furthermore, the purchasing and manufacturing manager should continuously collaborate and synchronize the relative weights for the critical factors.
Environmental Impacts of Energy Saving Actions in an Academic Building
Authors: Hoyo-Montaño José Antonio , Valencia-Palomo Guillermo , Galaz-Bustamante Rafael Armando , García-Barrientos Abel , Espejel-Blanco Daniel Fernando
Published: February 2019

Global warming and climate change effects have been of such impact that several countries around the world are enforcing public policies to mitigate them. Mexico has shown a strong commitment to the environment and rational use of energy, as signed on the General Law for Climate Change (GLCC) and stating, in its second article, the goal of a 30% reduction of greenhouse gases by 2020. To add to this goal, the Hermosillo Institute of Technology is implementing a pilot energy saving program that mixes retrofitting of academic buildings and the implementation of automatic controls for lighting and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC). The retrofitting is performed by replacing fluorescent T8 tubes with high efficiency LED T8 tubes in a new arrangement. To increase the energy saving obtained by the retrofitting, a building automation and control system (BACS) has been developed and installed. The BACS is implemented using two different networks, the first one communicates a central control unit with the building control node using a private Ethernet network. Inside the building, the control actions are transmitted using a ZigBee network. The energy savings have been estimated as 4864 kWh/year, representing a 36.42% saving, the environmental and health effects are calculated using emission parameters of the nearest power plant to our site, and the procedure presented in Harvard’s Six Cities Study by Dockery. Results show a total CO2eq equivalent to 0.000409% of the national goal. The economic impacts of the carbon social cost and health benefits are $745.26 USD/year and $4017.71 USD/year while the direct billing savings are $3700.56 USD/year, and these results are based on only one building of the campus.
A Description of Three-Dimensional Shape of the Posterior Torso Comparing Those with and without Scoliosis
Authors: Gardner Adrian , Berryman Fiona , Pynsent Paul
Published: February 2019

Scoliosis results in a 3D asymmetry of the spine and torso. It is not clear what the variability in 3D shape is in a non-scoliotic population, how much that is altered by scoliosis and what surgery does to that. This study is a 3D analysis of the shape of the torso in a cohort of non-scoliotic children that is then compared with a cohort of those with scoliosis both pre- and post-operatively. Procrustes analysis is used to examine the mean 3D shape. There is variability in shape in the non-scoliotic cohort. Scoliosis increases this asymmetry, particularly around the most prominent areas of the torso. Surgery alters the torso asymmetry but increases the difference in height between the right and the left with regard to the most prominent points on the torso. There is a degree of asymmetry seen in a non-scoliotic cohort of children. Scoliosis increases that asymmetry. Surgery alters the asymmetry but causes an increase in some of the 3D elements of the most prominent areas of the torso.
Brain Asymmetry of Structure and/or Function
Authors: Rogers Lesley J.
Published: February 2019

This book contains submissions to a Special Issue of Symmetry on the topic of brain asymmetry in humans (4 papers) and non-humans (7 papers) [...]
Framework for a Symmetric Integration Approach
Authors: Muntean Mihaela , Brândaş Claudiu , Cîrstea Tanita
Published: February 2019

An Application-to-Application integration framework in the cloud environment is proposed. The methodological demarche is developed using a data symmetry approach. Implementation aspects of integration considered the Open Data Protocol (OData) service as an integrator. An important issue in the cloud environment is to integrate and ensure the quality of transferred and processed data. An efficient way of ensuring the completeness and integrity of data transferred between different applications and systems is the symmetry of data integration. With these considerations, the integration of SAP Hybris Cloud for Customer with S/4 HANA Cloud was implemented.
Estimating Efforts and Success of Symmetry-Seeing Machines by Use of Synthetic Data
Authors: Michaelsen Eckart , Vujasinovic Stéphane
Published: February 2019

Representative input data are a necessary requirement for the assessment of machine-vision systems. For symmetry-seeing machines in particular, such imagery should provide symmetries as well as asymmetric clutter. Moreover, there must be reliable ground truth with the data. It should be possible to estimate the recognition performance and the computational efforts by providing different grades of difficulty and complexity. Recent competitions used real imagery labeled by human subjects with appropriate ground truth. The paper at hand proposes to use synthetic data instead. Such data contain symmetry, clutter, and nothing else. This is preferable because interference with other perceptive capabilities, such as object recognition, or prior knowledge, can be avoided. The data are given sparsely, i.e., as sets of primitive objects. However, images can be generated from them, so that the same data can also be fed into machines requiring dense input, such as multilayered perceptrons. Sparse representations are preferred, because the author’s own system requires such data, and in this way, any influence of the primitive extraction method is excluded. The presented format allows hierarchies of symmetries. This is important because hierarchy constitutes a natural and dominant part in symmetry-seeing. The paper reports some experiments using the author’s Gestalt algebra system as symmetry-seeing machine. Additionally included is a comparative test run with the state-of-the-art symmetry-seeing deep learning convolutional perceptron of the PSU. The computational efforts and recognition performance are assessed.
Stability and Delay of NDMA-MPR Protocol in Rice-Correlated Channels with Co-Channel Interference
Authors: Sámano-Robles Ramiro
Published: February 2019

This paper investigates backlog retransmission strategies for a class of random access protocols with retransmission diversity (i.e., network diversity multiple access or NDMA) combined with multiple-antenna-based multi-packet reception (MPR). This paper proposes NDMA-MPR as a candidate for 5G contention-based and ultra-low latency multiple access. This proposal is based on the following known features of NDMA-MPR: (1) near collision-free performance, (2) very low latency values, and (3) reduced feedback complexity (binary feedback). These features match the machine-type traffic, real-time, and dense object connectivity requirements in 5G. This work is an extension of previous works using a multiple antenna receiver with correlated Rice channels and co-channel interference modelled as a Rayleigh fading variable. Two backlog retransmission strategies are implemented: persistent and randomized. Boundaries and extended analysis of the system are here obtained for different network and channel conditions. Average delay is evaluated using the M/G/1 queue model with statistically independent vacations. The results suggest that NDMA-MPR can achieve very low values of latency that can guarantee real- or near-real-time performance for multiple access in 5G, even in scenarios with high correlation and moderate co-channel interference.
Biocontrol of Aspergillus and Fusarium Mycotoxins in Africa: Benefits and Limitations
Authors: Kagot Victor , Okoth Sheila , De Boevre Marthe , De Saeger Sarah
Published: February 2019

Fungal contamination and the consequent mycotoxin production is a hindrance to food and feed safety, international trade and human and animal health. In Africa, fungal contamination by Fusarium and Aspergillus is heightened by tropical climatic conditions that create a suitable environment for pre- and postharvest mycotoxin production. The biocontrol of Fusarium and its associated fusariotoxins has stagnated at laboratory and experimental levels with species of Trichoderma, Bacillus and atoxigenic Fusarium being tested as the most promising candidates. Hitherto, there is no impetus to upscale for field use owing to the inconsistent results of these agents. Non-aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus have been developed to create biocontrol formulations by outcompeting the aflatoxigenic strains, thus thwarting aflatoxins on the target produce by 70% to 90%. Questions have been raised on their ability to produce other mycotoxins like cyclopiazonic acid, to potentially exchange genetic material and to become aflatoxigenic with consequent deleterious effects on other organisms and environments. Other biocontrol approaches to mitigate aflatoxins include the use of lactic acid bacteria and yeast species which have demonstrated the ability to prevent the growth of Aspergillus flavus and consequent toxin production under laboratory conditions. Nevertheless, these strategies seem to be ineffective under field conditions. The efficacy of biological agents is normally dependent on environmental factors, formulations’ safety to non-target hosts and the ecological impact. Biocontrol agents can only be effectively evaluated after long-term use, causing a never-ending debate on the use of live organisms as a remedy to pests and diseases over the use of chemicals. Biocontrol should be used in conjunction with good agricultural practices coupled with good postharvest management to significantly reduce mycotoxins in the African continent.
Topological Entanglement and Knots
Authors: Mironov Sergey
Published: February 2019

We study the connection between quantum and topological entanglement. We present several of the simplest examples of topological systems that can simulate quantum entanglement. We also propose to use toric cobordisms as a code space for a quantum computer.
Preexisting Virus-Specific T Lymphocytes-Mediated Enhancement of Adenovirus Infections to Human Blood CD14+ Cells
Authors: Feng Fengling , Zhao Jin , Li Pingchao , Li Ruiting , Chen Ling , Sun Caijun
Published: February 2019

Antigen-specific T lymphocytes play a critical role in controlling viral infections. However, we report here that preexisting virus-specific T cell responses also contribute to promoting adenovirus (Ad) infection. Previously, we found that CD14+ monocytes from Ad-seropositive individuals exhibited an increased susceptibility to Ad infection, when compared with that of Ad-seronegative individuals. But the underlying mechanisms for this enhancement of viral infection are not completely clarified. In this study, we found that the efficacy of Ad infection into CD14+ monocytes was significantly decreased after CD3+ T lymphocytes depletion from PBMC samples of Ad-seropositive individuals. In contrast, adding virus-specific CD3+ T lymphocytes into PBMC samples of Ad-seronegative individuals resulted in a significant increase of infection efficacy. CD3+ T lymphocytes in PBMC samples from Ad-seropositive individuals were more sensitive to be activated by adenovirus stimulus, characterized by upregulation of multiple cytokines and activation markers and also enhancement of cell proliferation. Further studies demonstrated that GM-CSF and IL-4 can promote Ad infection by up-regulating the expression of scavenger receptor 1 (SR-A) and integrins αVβ5 receptor of CD14+ cells. And taken together, these results suggest a novel role of virus-specific T cells in mediating enhancement of viral infection, and provide insights to understand the pathogenesis and complicated interactions between viruses and host immune cells.
Long-Term Infiltration Performance Evaluation of Dutch Permeable Pavements Using the Full-Scale Infiltration Method
Authors: Boogaard Floris , Lucke Terry
Published: February 2019

This research used a newly developed, full-scale infiltration testing (FSIT) procedure to determine the saturated surface infiltration rate of 16 existing permeable pavement installations in the Netherlands that have been in service for a number of years. Newly installed permeable pavements in the Netherlands must demonstrate a minimum infiltration capacity of 194 mm/h (540 L/s/ha). Only four of the 16 pavements tested in this study had an infiltration capacity higher than 194 mm/h. Most previous research has focused on unsaturated infiltration rates. However, the results of this study show that the difference in infiltration capacity between saturated and unsaturated can differ by up to 300%. If the unsaturated infiltration capacity is used as design input for computer models, the infiltration capacity may be significantly overestimated. The study demonstrated that the FSIT method is a reliable and accurate way to measure surface infiltration rates of permeable pavements. However, it is recommended that a minimum of three different FSIT tests should be undertaken at the same pavement location, and that the results should be averaged, to ensure appropriate infiltration rates are observed, recorded, and used in design. The results of this study should help stormwater managers with the planning, testing, and scheduling of maintenance requirements for permeable pavements with more confidence so that they will continue to perform satisfactorily over their intended design life.
Temporal Small RNA Expression Profiling under Drought Reveals a Potential Regulatory Role of Small Nucleolar RNAs in the Drought Responses of Maize
Authors: Zheng Jun , Zeng Erliang , Du Yicong , He Cheng , Hu Ying , Jiao Zhenzhen , Wang Kai , Li Wenxue , Ludens Maria , Fu Junjie , Wang Haiyan , White Frank F. , Wang Guoying , Liu Sanzhen
Published: February 2019

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that play roles in many biological processes, including drought responses in plants. However, how the expression of sRNAs dynamically changes with the gradual imposition of drought stress in plants is largely unknown. We generated time‐series sRNA sequence data from maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings under drought stress (DS) and under well‐watered (WW) conditions at the same time points. Analyses of length, functional annotation, and abundance of 736,372 nonredundant sRNAs from both DS and WW data, as well as genome copy numbers at the corresponding genomic regions, revealed distinct patterns of abundance and genome organization for different sRNA classes. The analysis identified 6646 sRNAs whose regulation was altered in response to drought stress. Among drought‐responsive sRNAs, 1325 showed transient downregulation by the seventh day, coinciding with visible symptoms of drought stress. The profiles revealed drought‐responsive microRNAs, as well as other sRNAs that originated from ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), splicing small nuclear RNAs, and small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNA). Expression profiles of their sRNA derivers indicated that snoRNAs might play a regulatory role through regulating the stability of rRNAs and splicing small nuclear RNAs under drought condition.
THE INVERSE SIMULATION STUDY OF AIRCRAFT FLIGHT PATH RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: Blajer Wojciech , Goszczyński Jacek A. , Krawczyk Mariusz
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a uniform approach to the modelling and simulation of aircraft prescribed trajectory flight. The aircraft motion is specified by a trajectory in space, a condition on airframe attitude with respect to the trajectory, and a desired flight velocity variation. For an aircraft controlled by aileron, elevator and rudder deflections and thrust changes a tangent realization of trajectory constraints arises which yields two additional constraints on the airframe attitude with respect to the trajectory. Combining the program constraint conditions and aircraft dynamic equations the governing equations of programmed motion are developed in the form of differential-algebraic equations. A method for solving the equations is proposed. The solution consists of time variations of the aircraft state variables and the demanded control that ensures the programmed motion realization.
ANIMALOPTERS-TOWARDS A NEW DIMENSION OF FLIGHT MECHANICS
Authors: Goszczyński Jacek A. , Lasek Maciej , Pietrucha Józef , Sibilski Krzysztof
Published: February 2019

Recently, it has been recognised that flapping wing propulsion can be more efficient than conventional propellers if applied to very small-scale vehicles, so-called MAVs (micro air vehicles). Extraordinary possibilities of such objects, particularly in the context of special missions, are discussed. Flapping flight is more complicated than flight with fixed or rotating wings. Therefore, there is a need to understand the mechanisms of force generation by flapping wings in a more comprehensive way. The paper describes the current work on flapping wing conducted by the Flying amp;Swimming Puzzle Group. The key to understand the mechanisms of flapping flight is the adequate physical and mathematical modelling; modelling problems of flow and motion are emphasised. Sample calculations illustrating current capabilities of the method have been performed. The effect of feathering amplitude, flapping amplitude, and phase shifting on the MAV&s control effectiveness has been examined. It has been discovered that the parameters mentioned above can be considered as control parameters of “flapping wing” MAVs, especially in lateral direction. Research programmes for the construction of MAYs concentrate on understanding the mechanisms of animal flight and on creating smart structures which would enable flight in micro-scale.
REVIEW OF THE MONOGRAPH “TRANSPORT TERMINALS”
Authors: Žiliukas Antanas
Published: February 2019

The monograph is intended to deal with the topical issues of transport terminal technological processes and their management. The authors present their systemised theoretical solutions and indicate the spheres of their application.
Background Infrared Sources for Studying the Galactic Center’s Interstellar Gas
Authors: Geballe T. R. , Lambrides E. , Schlegelmilch B. , Yeh S. C. C. , Goto M. , Westrick Calvin , Oka T. , Najarro F.
Published: February 2019

We briefly describe the results of a K-band spectroscopic survey of over 500 highly reddened point-like objects on sightlines toward the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) of the Galaxy. The goal was to find stars with featureless or nearly featureless spectra suitable for near- and mid-infrared absorption spectroscopy of the Galactic center’s interstellar gas on sightlines spread across the CMZ. Until recently only a few such stars have been known outside of very localized sightlines in the vicinity of the Quintuplet and Central clusters. We have used Spitzer Space Telescope Galactic Legacy Infrared Midplane Survey Extraordinaire and Two-Micron All-Sky Survey photometry to select promising candidates, and over the last 10 years have been acquiring low-resolution K-band spectra of them. As expected, the vast majority are cool and/or highly reddened red giants with complex photospheric spectra unsuitable for measuring faint interstellar lines. Approximately 10% of them, whose observations are reported here, have featureless or nearly featureless spectra. Although not evenly distributed in Galactic longitude, these stars are scattered across the CMZ. Many of them are luminous stars that are deeply embedded in warm dust cocoons, and have K-band continua rising steeply to longer wavelengths. A significant fraction of them are hot stars of a variety of spectral types, including at least five newly discovered Wolf–Rayet stars. All of them should be suitable for spectroscopy of interstellar absorption lines at infrared wavelengths greater than 3 μm and many are also suitable at shorter wavelengths.
The Effect of Photoionization on the Loss of Water of the Planet
Authors: Guo J. H.
Published: February 2019

Hydrogen and oxygen can rapidly escape from the atmosphere of planets as a result of the photolysis of water by strong X-ray and ultraviolet (XUV) radiation of a star, which are fundamental to the origin of life and habitability. We developed an ion–atom mixed model to describe the escape of water from planets with water-dominated atmosphere. We showed that the oxygen ions easily escape from the atmosphere with the hydrogen owing to the strong interactions between oxygen ions and hydrogen. The atomic oxygen can escape from the atmosphere with hydrogen in the environment of high XUV irradiation. However, they decouple from hydrogen and oxygen ions with the decrease of XUV flux. We found that the critical XUV level is about 12–16 times or 30–40 times the present value for planets with the mass and separation of Venus and Earth, respectively. Below the critical XUV values, the oxygen can deposit in the atmosphere. Our results show that ions effectively transfer momentum between interacting species. The neglect of ions in the hydrodynamic model results in lower momentum exchanges between hydrogen and oxygen so that the critical XUV values increase by a factor of 2. Finally, our model predicted that the planets with a mass and separation of Venus (Earth) can lose the hydrogen of 21.5 (9.1) Earth oceans and oxygen of 2.6 (0.6) Earth oceans. Thus, the hydrodynamic escape could have dried up the water of their atmosphere in the period of early evolution.
A review of Southern African Choerades Walker, 1851 with the description of a new species (Diptera, Asilidae, Laphriinae)
Authors: Londt Jason G. H. , Dikow Torsten
Published: February 2019

Southern AfricanChoeradesWalker, 1851 are reviewed. Six species are recognised (C.analogossp. n.described from South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal,C.bella(Loew, 1858),C.flavipes(Wiedemann, 1821),C.multipunctata(Oldroyd, 1974),C.nigrapex(Bigot, 1878),C.nigrescens(Ricardo, 1925)) and a key for their separation is provided. Distributional information demonstrates that species are found primarily in moderate to higher rainfall regions. The little that is known of their biology is discussed. Species are usually associated with indigenous forest habitats where larval development takes place in decomposing wood.
Cirsium tatakaense (Compositae), a new species from Taiwan
Authors: Chang Chih-Yi , Tzeng Hsy-Yu , Tseng Yen-Hsueh
Published: February 2019

A new species of Cirsium, Cirsiumtatakaense Y.H.Tseng & C.Y.Chang, from central-southern Taiwan is described and illustrated. This species is similar to C.kawakamii Hayata in leaf shape, achene and chromosome number (2n = 64), but can be readily distinguished from C.kawakamii by the narrower leaf lobes, usually higher number of florets and phyllaries, the purplish-red corolla (vs. white) and larger pollen grains. A key to the species of Cirsium in Taiwan is also presented.
Revision of Polygonatum (Asparagaceae, Nolinoideae, Polygonateae) of Taiwan
Authors: Chien-Ti Chao , Yen-Hsueh Tseng
Published: February 2019

Polygonatum is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, especially in eastern Asia. There has been no comprehensive taxonomic study of Taiwanese taxa for some time, and researchers could not agree on a consistent treatment of the genus. Therefore, we revised the genus by literature review and type specimen examination along with comparison of morphology, karyotype and pollen characteristics. Only one species P.arisanense Hayata was recognized in this study. P.chingshuishanianum Ying and P.formosanum (Hayata) Masamune & Simada are regarded as varieties of P.arisanense and are here presented as two new combinations, P.arisanensevar.chingshuishanianum and P.arisanensevar.formosanum.
Two new enchytraeid species from Jeju Island, Korea (Annelida, Clitellata)
Authors: Dózsa-Farkas Klára , Felföldi Tamás , Nagy Hajnalka , Hong Yong
Published: February 2019

The enchytraeid fauna of three areas in Jeju Island (Korea) was studied, and comparative morphological and molecular taxonomic examinations (based on CO1, ITS and H3 sequences) were performed on nine samples collected in 2016. Twenty-two enchytraeid species were recorded and identified. The descriptions of two new species (Achaetamultisacculatasp. n.andFridericiafloriformissp. n.) are presented in this paper. The main diagnostic features ofA.multisacculatasp. n.are: three pairs of pyriform glands per segment, clitellum with two “baguette-like” packages of glands, dorsal blood vessel from VII, secondary pharyngeal glands absent, oesophageal appendages well developed, two pairs of preclitellar nephridia, the reproductive organs (except the spermathecae in V) shifted one segment forward. The main features ofF.floriformissp. n.are that they are large worms, have up to 2–4 chaetae in bundles, strong body wall, thick cuticle, five pairs of preclitellar nephridia, c-type coelomo-mucocytes sometimes with some refractile vesicles, chylus cells in XII–XV, sperm funnels approximately twice as long than wide, spermathecae with long ectal duct without glands, ampullae surrounded distally by about 9–12 sessile diverticula of varying size. Molecular phylogenetic analyses supported the morphological results and confirmed the status of the two new species.
Les enjeux du référendum d’autodétermination en Nouvelle-Calédonie
Authors: Lasmothey Kossi Biova Placide
Published: February 2019

Vingt ans après l’Accord de Nouméa, la Nouvelle-Calédonie se retrouve face à son destin. L’archipel décidera le 4 novembre prochain de son sort par rapport à la France et au monde entier. Un électorat, élargi de manière ad hoc pour favoriser la plus large participation, répondra à une question simple formulée en ces termes : « Voulez-vous que la Nouvelle-Calédonie accède à la pleine souveraineté et devienne indépendante ? ». Les néo-calédoniens doivent être conscients qu’en introduisant soit un bulletin « oui », soit un bulletin « non » dans l’urne, c’est tant l’avenir institutionnel que politique et économique du Caillou qui sont en jeu.
Additional Dorsal Fibrocartilage Repair in a Combined Radial Collateral Ligament and Dorsal Fibrocartilage Injury of the Thumb Metacarpophalangeal Joint
Authors: Kim Byung-Sung , Doermann Alex , McGarry Michelle , Akeda Masaki , Ihn Hansel , Lee Thay Q.
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the necessity of an additional dorsal fibrocartilage (DFC) repair in combined radial collateral ligament (RCL) and DFC injuries of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ). Eight cadaveric thumbs were used. Ulnar/radial deviation, prosupination, and volar/dorsal laxity were measured. Serial sectioning was performed of the RCL and the DFC. The RCL followed by the DFC were then reattached sequentially. Measurements were performed for intact, RCL cut, RCL+DFC cut, RCL repair alone, and RCL+DFC repair. The neutral position shifted ulnarly, pronated, and subluxed volarly after RCL+DFC cut. Volar subluxation was reduced with RCL+DFC repair compared with RCL repair alone. With external loading, ulnar deviation, pronation, and volar laxity increased significantly after RCL+DFC cut. Ulnar deviation reduced significantly with RCL+DFC repair (12.4°, 10.8°, and 10.9°) compared with RCL repair alone (14.4°, 14.3°, and 18.9°) at 0°, 30°, and 60°, respectively. Pronation reduced significantly with RCL+DFC repair (7.1° and 9.4°) compared with RCL repair alone (10.2° and 12.6°) at 0° and 30°, respectively. Volar subluxation reduced significantly with RCL+DFC repair (0.9 mm and 1.2 mm) compared with RCL repair alone (2.1 mm and 1.8 mm) at 30°and 60°, respectively. Radial collateral ligament repair alone does not restore anatomic dorsoradial stability of the thumb MPJ in a combined RCL and DFC injury. Combined repair of the RCL and the DFC is recommended to reduce the MPJ to its native position and minimize postoperative laxity. [
Orthopedics.
2019; 42(2):e268–e272.]
An Ethnic and Folk Art Space Course based on TPACK
Authors: Xiao Huifeng
Published: February 2019

In the past, the apprenticeship system was used to inherit folk art. However, the traditional and rigid teaching methods in the classroom led to the poor effect of learning ethnic and folk art and even the loss of many folk arts. Nowadays, related technologies such as the Internet, cloud computing, and big data are constantly being updated. Under this background of rapid technological development, it is of strong practical significance to integrate ethnic and folk art with technical means. Based on the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, the ethnic and folk art space course was constructed in this study by combining the “technology + teaching method + subject knowledge” integration model. Scientific technology was integrated with the education of ethnic and folk art to propose the solution idea and system architecture. Meanwhile, the TPACK-based ethnic and folk art space course was put into practical application to verify its learning effect. The final results show that compared with the traditional teaching, the TPACK-based ethnic and folk art space course can improve the teaching efficiency and promote students’ mastery of various skills of ethnic and folk art.
ARS Interactive Teaching Mode for Financial Accounting Course based on Smart Classroom
Authors: Dai Shenglei
Published: February 2019

Many problems exist in traditional financial accounting course teaching, such as old-fashioned information-based teaching method, singe teaching method, and insufficient student-teacher interaction in the teaching process. These problems influence the effect of course teaching. To enhance student-teacher interaction, improve learning effect, and promote training quality of financial accounting talents, an ARS interactive teaching mode for financial accounting course that integrates Smart Classroom was proposed in this study. Cognitive flexibility theory was used as the theoretical guidance, and Smart Classroom teaching environment was combined to introduce ARS system and multimedia circuit system technology with the PowerPoint (PPT) function of the next page preview. The complete ARS interactive teaching mode based on Smart Classroom was constructed from the following: pre-class, in-class, and after-class integrated teaching; feedback teaching; and Peer Class. Meanwhile, a teaching experiment was conducted in financial accounting course. ARS interactive teaching mode based on Smart Classroom could significantly promote students' autonomous learning, collaborative communication, classroom activity, and innovative thinking. The teaching mode was welcomed and supported by students. The mode plays a great promotion role in driving integration of information technology and education, achieving educational informationization, and improving the teaching effect of a financial accounting major.
Design and Development of a Safety Educational Adventure Game
Authors: Chiang Feng-Kuang , Chang Chun-Hao , Hu Danni , Zhang Geran , Liu Ying
Published: February 2019

The lack of effective safety education training in curriculum design could expose children to serious safety accidents both in schools and at homes in China. To highlight the importance of safety education, this study was intended to design and implement an adventure video game (AVG) on mobile devices, hoping to improve children’s safety knowledge and skills through interactive gameplay. The proposed AVG app situated children in real dangerous circumstances through roleplaying and then engaged them in learning safety re-lated knowledge through case scenarios. To balance the entertainment and edu-tainment of the game, this app integrated theories of game design and child de-velopment to support its design rationale, including interface interaction and game badges. This app was evaluated through interviews and video analysis so that later improvements were made according to feedback from participants, parents and experts.
Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Education. Myth or Reality?
Authors: Elmqaddem Noureddine
Published: February 2019

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are not new technologies. But several constraints prevented their actual adoption. Recent technological progresses added to the proliferation of affordable hardware and software have made AR and VR more viable and desirable in many domains, including educa-tion; they have been relaunched with new promises previously unimaginable. The nature of AR and VR promises new teaching and learning models that better meet the needs of the 21st century learner. We’re now on a path to re-invent education.

This work consists of explaining the reasons behind the new rise of AR and VR and why their actual adoption in education will be a reality in a near fu-ture.
Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions toward Social Media Usage and Academic Performance: A Study from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alamri Mahdi M
Published: February 2019

Social Media applications are recently widespread and popular method of engagement among undergraduate students and instructors in Saudi Arabia. However, the extreme use of these sites has raised concern on their impact on the students’ academic performance and generally learning. This study investigated perceptions of undergraduate students, enrolled in Education College at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia, toward social media usage. In addition, it examined the relationship of students’ usage purpose as well as usage period with their academic performance (cumulative GPA). This study also sought to establish the most popular applications that students preferred. For the purposes of data collection, questionnaires were distributed and 132 undergraduate students (56 Male & 76 female) enrolled in the current study. Data were analyzed and results indicated that there were general positive perceptions toward using social media for academic purposes. Additionally, results showed that there was a statistical significant relationship between the purpose of social media usage and students’ academic performance in favor of personal purposes while there were no relationship found regarding educational and occupational purposes. Findings also revealed that there were no statistically impact of students’ usage period of social media on academic performance. WhatsApp and Twitter were the most preferred social media options used among students whereas Wiki, Facebook and LinkedIn were the lowest options reported. The findings of this study can be used to recommend the effective ways of incorporating social media into learning activities without affecting students’ performance. It can also be used to propose ways of assisting students maintain a balance between social and academic activities. Implications and recommendations for further research are discussed.
De Fin de saison à Notre Ascendance, itinéraire génétique d’un poème du Mauricien René Noyau
Authors: Furlong Robert , Noyau Gérard
Published: February 2019

Bien que l’écrivain mauricien René Noyau (1912-1984) soit méconnu, son œuvre ample et féconde appelle une grande attention. Il était un écrivain engagé et novateur, un pionnier de la liberté personnelle et littéraire, quels que soient l’inconfort et l’éventuel danger d’une telle posture. Ces caractéristiques se retrouvent dans le poème Notre Ascendance, dont la genèse est analysée dans l’étude qui suit.
When is there more employment, with individual or collective wage bargaining?
Authors: García José Ramón , Sorolla Valeri
Published: February 2019

In a standard Diamond-Mortensen-Pissarides labour market with frictions, the authors seek to determine when there is more employment with individual wage bargaining than with collective wage bargaining, using a wage equation generated by the standard total surplus sharing rule. Using a Cobb-Douglas production function, they find that if the bargaining power of the individual is high compared to the bargaining power of the union, there is more unemployment with individual wage setting and vice versa. When the individual worker and the union have the same bargaining power, if the cost of opening a vacancy is sufficiently high, there is more unemployment with individual wage setting. Finally, for a constant marginal product of labour production function AL, when the individual worker and the union have the same bargaining power, individual bargaining produces more unemployment.
O assentimento ao consentimento das crianças para participar em pesquisa clínica: por uma capacidade sanitária juridicamente reconhecida
Authors: Carvalho Gonçalves Eler Kalline , Albuquerque Sant’Anna de Oliveira Aline
Published: February 2019

O presente artigo tem como objetivo problematizar o assentimento e o consentimento das crianças para participar em pesquisa clínica a partir do reconhecimento da sua capacidade sanitária. Trata-se de pesquisa teórica fundamentada no referencial dos Direitos Humanos das crianças e suas interpretações fornecidas pelo Comitê para os Direitos da Criança da Nações Unidas. Conclui-se que no âmbito da pesquisa clínica, a capacidade legal tal como disposta no Código Civil revela-se inadequada, devendo ser substituída pela concepção de capacidade sanitária de modo que o assentimento e o consentimento das crianças se tornem não apenas uma exigência ética, mas uma obrigação jurídica dos pesquisadores.
Decentralization of Mexico’s Agricultural Extension Services and the Ongoing Struggle to Alleviate Rural Poverty
Authors: Uscanga José M. , Edwards M. Craig
Published: February 2019

A tendency to decentralize national agricultural extension systems around the world caught many countries unprepared to respond effectively to the needs of its rural population under privatized approaches to extension delivery, especially in regard to poverty alleviation. Myriad internal and external factors led Mexico to dismantle its national agricultural extension system in the 1990s, and adopt a more privatized or contractor-driven approach. As a result, significant changes occurred in the way extension services were offered to the public after the system’s decentralization by Mexico’s federal government, although some similarities remained. After
almost two decades of decentralization, the effectiveness of the current system has been questioned regarding its provision of services to marginalized groups who represent the most impoverished of Mexico’s citizens. This historical narrative aimed to understand the phenomenon by exploring the causes of decentralization, comparing extension service delivery before and after decentralization, including its outcome, privatization of extension services, and suggest directions for improvement in the future.