bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EFFECT OF ICT DEPLOYMENT ON THE OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF KENYA REVENUE AUTHORITY
Authors: Kairu Martin M. , Rugami Mr. Maina
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of ICT deployment on the operational performance of Kenya Revenue AuthorityMethodology: The research design used for this study was descriptive survey design. The population of this study was top management, middle management and supervisory employees of Kenya Revenue Authority and who have been with the institution for a minimum period of one year. Data was collected by use questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of structured closed ended statements. Data was analyzed mainly by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included mode, mean, median, standard deviation. Inferential statistical techniques like correlation coefficients were used to draw a causal relationship between the strategic response and performance. Data was presented by use of graphs, pie charts and tables.Results: Based on the findings, the study concluded that ICT development in KRA management information system is compatible with other systems and flexible enough to support the growth of the firm crucial in assisting employees to enhance their performance. However it is not a significant factor in determining performance of KRA. Adoption of ICT development practices by KRA has increased the access to useful information about best practices of operation. ICT development is important as it enables time saving of operations and increase public access of information. Through ICT KRA has been able to increase their level of transparency.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Based on the findings, the study recommends that KRA and other public institution have to emphasize on the need to develop their technology and customer relationship management. ICT development is of core importance to many organizations in need of growing successfully and improves efficiency in operations and in serving clients.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION IN COMMERCIAL BANKS IN KENYA
Authors: Olaka Mr. Habil , Lewa Prof. Peter , Kiriri Dr. Peter
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to investigate the influence of strategic leadership on the implementation of strategy in the commercial banks in Kenya. The seven critical components of strategic leadership studied were strategic direction, core competencies, human capital,  social capital, corporate culture, ethical practices and strategic controls. More specifically, the study investigated the influence of these components on the implementation of strategy in the commercial banks in Kenya.Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative research design whose target population was the top management team in the commercial banks in Kenya. The instrument of data collection was tested for reliability using the Cronbach alpha test and for validity using the KMO and Bartlett’s test. Statistical analysis was then carried out on the data collected.Findings: The study finds that there is a positive statistically significant relationship between effective implementation of strategy with only two of the strategic leadership actions which are ‘determining strategic direction’ and ‘establishing balanced organization controls’. The study recommends that the leadership and in particular the CEO to focus his energies on providing the strategic direction of the organization if it is to achieve its strategic objectives of remaining competitive in the market. Similarly establishing a balance between strategic and financial controls has a direct influence on the implementation of strategy. A strategic leader creates wealth by striking a balance between the constraining influence of financial controls and the long term focus of the strategic controls.
INFLUENCE OF STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP PRACTICES ON SERVICE DELIVERY WITHIN COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN KENYA: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Shimengah Moses Mulama
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The research paper sought to examine the influence of strategic leadership practices on service delivery within county governments in Kenya: a literature reviewMethodology: Based on previous research work the study specifically explored how core competencies and ethical practices can enhance service deliveryResults: The study found that strategic leadership practices can enhance service delivery. Electing and appointing county leaders who are professionally qualified and have essential leadership traits can fasten the attainment of devolution goals through better management of resources, involvement of the citizenry and reduction of bureaucracyUnique contribution to theory, practice and policy: It is important that counties must invest in efficient communication systems so that staff are abreast with the dynamism that devolution presents. With so many impeding changes in the county environment, County leaders should be keen on ensuring that staff are involved in the planning and implementation stages. They should also increase their personal competencies to understand the organizational environment.
FACTORS INFLUENCING STRATEGIC RESPONSES TO EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT BY DEPOSIT TAKING SACCOS IN NAIROBI COUNTY: A STUDY OF UNAITAS SACCO
Authors: Abdow Salat Khalif , Ogollah Dr. Kennedy
Published: September 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors influencing strategic responses to external environment by deposit taking SACCOS in Nairobi County: a study of Unaitas Sacco.Methodology: The research adopted case study research design. The target population of the study was 11 directors and 600 employees of Unaitas Sacco. The sample size consisted of 61 (10% of the target population) directors and employees of Unaitas Sacco. Stratified random sampling was used in the study to select the one director and the 60 employees of Unaitas Sacco. The study used primary data. The data collection instruments that were used in this study were the interview guide and questionnaire. The qualitative analysis was done using content analysis. Quantitative data analysis employed descriptive statistics and factor analysis.  Descriptive statistics included frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Results were presented in form of tables and charts. Particular statistics in factor analysis was scale plot and commonalities.Results: The study found that reference to past strategy organization external dependence, consideration of level of risk and Organizational Culture greatly influences the choice of strategic response. In addition managerial competence, organizational structure and control processes, time available and availability of resources also greatly influence the choice of strategic responseUnique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that Unaitas to invest more in the latest technology and start agency banking as a strategy of expanding its market share and product differentiation.
Informação, ciência e tecnologia na Sociedade da Informação no contexto da Web 3.0: uma análise a partir de três questões
Authors: Paletta Francisco Carlos , Pelissaro Bárbara
Published: September 2020

Discute os desafios de ordem informacional presentes na Sociedade da Informação no contexto da Web 3.0. Caracteriza tal sociedade e conceitua a Web 3.0, de modo a permitir uma abordagem das principais dificuldades e dos principais problemas enfrentados neste quadro com foco em três pilares: a tecnologia, o Estado e o poder. Objetiva refletir sobre o papel crucial da informação na Sociedade do Conhecimento e sua transformação no contexto da Web 3.0, baseando-se na revisão bibliográfica de artigos científicos e acadêmicos que auxiliam na compreensão desse advento e no processo de entendimento do papel do sujeito frente à tecnologia e às mudanças econômicas e sociais no cenário contemporâneo. Verifica-se que as tecnologias da informação, em especial a internet, vêm promovendo mudanças significativas na sociedade, alterando seu comportamento, demandas e necessidades, tendo sido incorporada de maneira natural pelos usuários, com atores e linguagens específicas para compor sua estruturação, porém, problemas de ordem social não garantem a inclusão total dos cidadãos, criando um abismo de oportunidades, com ocorrência desleal em um jogo de poder
Produção de informação tecnológica: o caso do Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia e do Centro de Tecnologia da Informação Renato Archer.
Authors: Salcedo Diego Andres , Pires Igor , Vidal Mizia
Published: September 2020

Aborda a questão da inovação tecnológica em empresas focando a realidade brasileira contemporânea e sua situação na denominada Sociedade do Conhecimento. A partir de revisão bibliográfica debate algumas características marcantes da intitulada Revolução Informacional até o contexto atual. Explica o que é inovação tecnológica e a sua importância econômica. Considera sobre os incentivos, por parte do Estado, para desenvolver esse setor e, no caso do Brasil, explora os esforços realizados pelo Ministério de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação por meio das ações estratégicas expostas nas páginas eletrônicas de dois Institutos de Pesquisa, a ele vinculados: o Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia e o Centro de Tecnologia da Informação Renato Archer. Busca, por fim, a partir do que foi explorado e do contexto apresentado, analisar a relação entre as ações do Ministério e de seus Institutos e a conjuntura voltada ao setor de inovação tecnológica em empresas.
A virada sociomaterialista e agência dos não-humanos
Authors: Silva Patrícia Maria
Published: September 2020

Proponho no artigo de revisão, um fazer científico centrado na sociomaterialidade, que entende e descentraliza a noção de práticas sociais de suas amarrações apenas nos humanos, considero que a produção de conhecimentos também se dá por associações, por estágios, por transformações, dando visibilidade, do mesmo modo, aos objetos/coisas, aos não-humanos. A intenção de pesquisa é estimular uma reflexão a respeito da importância dos atores não-humanos na produção de conhecimento individual e coletivo, a partir da agência. Ao aceitar a agência dos objetos/coisas, esses deixam de ser entendidos em temos de seu uso pelos humanos e, serem vistos como partícipes nas interações cotidianas. Desfazer a categoria privilegiada do humano coloca em dúvida muito do Iluminismo que sustentou a genealogia do homem. Pensar a sociomaterialidade, pluraliza as práticas educativas, de modo a levar em conta os corpos, objetos/coisas, espaços e materialidades ao lado e com o humano. Esta é uma tarefa urgente em qualquer área do conhecimento, visto que, cada vez mais o que, e como aprendemos acontece em nossa dependência de artefatos virtuais, físicos e materiais. A maior inquietação desse artigo é que a pesquisa não se debruce apenas sobre os humanos, mas igualmente na agência dos elementos materiais, pois essas agências abrangem um espaço abundante de possibilidades que favorecem a produção e a circulação de conhecimento.
Evaluación de colecciones en una biblioteca académica: estudio de caso
Authors: Restrepo-Arango Cristina
Published: September 2020

Se evalúa la colección de libros impresos del área de psicología en una biblioteca académica. Como unidades de análisis se utilizaron 3.463 volúmenes que representan 2.559 títulos únicos impresos sobre psicología volúmenes obtenidos por el sistema de gestión bibliotecaria. Se analizó la forma de adquisición, las temáticas, el nivel de circulación, la antigüedad y el crecimiento de la colección. Se encontró que los libros fueron publicados entre 1903 a 2017, lo que significa que la edad de esta literatura varía entre 0 y 114 años. La mayoría de los títulos fueron adquiridos por compra (65.89%) y donación (16.45. Predominan los idiomas español e inglés en esta colección con 98%. En relación con la circulación se encontró que esta colección ha tenido una baja circulación, sobre todo en el último quinquenio de 2013 a 2017, además predomina el préstamo entre uno a diez veces con 31%. Esta baja circulación en los últimos cinco años puede obedecer a que 75% de la colección tiene hasta 40 años de edad y 25% de la colección restante tiene más de 40 años de edad. 50% de los libros están concentrados solamente en dos áreas (Psicología general y Procesos mentales conscientes). La colección de psicología de libros impresos crece a una tasa de 4% al año y se duplicada cada 17 años.
A informação como agente de mudanças nas organizações
Authors: Paletta Francisco Carlos , Ueki Greicyene Hamaguchi
Published: September 2020

A partir de análise qualitativa de levantamento bibliográfico o estudo propõe uma discussão sobre o uso da informação nos processos de mudanças nas organizações. A análise busca avaliar o uso de informação como fonte de mediação bem como o uso da informação como agente de mudança para produção de transformações produtivas na era digital.
Development of aerosol activation in the double-moment Unified Model and evaluation with CLARIFY measurements
Authors: Gordon Hamish , Field Paul R. , Abel Steven J. , Barrett Paul , Bower Keith , Crawford Ian , Cui Zhiqiang , Grosvenor Daniel P. , Hill Adrian A. , Taylor Jonathan , Wilkinson Jonathan , Wu Huihui , Carslaw Ken S.
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Representing the number and mass of cloud and aerosol particles independently in a climate, weather prediction or air quality model is important in order to simulate aerosol direct and indirect effects on radiation balance. Here we introduce the first configuration of the UK Met Office Unified Model in which both cloud and aerosol particles have “double-moment” representations with prognostic number and mass. The GLObal Model of Aerosol Processes (GLOMAP) aerosol microphysics scheme, already used in the Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model version 3 (HadGEM3) climate configuration, is coupled to the Cloud AeroSol Interacting Microphysics (CASIM) cloud microphysics scheme. We demonstrate the performance of the new configuration in high-resolution simulations of a case study defined from the CLARIFY aircraft campaign in 2017 near Ascension Island in the tropical southern Atlantic. We improve the physical basis of the activation scheme by representing the effect of
existing cloud droplets on the activation of new aerosol, and we also discuss the effect of unresolved vertical velocities. We show that neglect of these two competing effects in previous studies led to compensating errors but realistic droplet concentrations. While these changes lead only to a modest improvement in model performance, they reinforce our confidence in the ability of the model microphysics code to simulate the aerosol–cloud microphysical interactions it was designed to represent. Capturing these interactions accurately is critical to simulating aerosol effects on climate.
The GHGSat-D imaging spectrometer
Authors: Jervis Dylan , McKeever Jason , Durak Berke O. A. , Sloan James J. , Gains David , Varon Daniel J. , Ramier Antoine , Strupler Mathias , Tarrant Ewan
Published: September 2020

Abstract. The demonstration satellite GHGSat-D or “Claire”, launched on June 21, 2016, is the first in a planned constellation of small satellites designed and operated by GHGSat, Inc. to measure greenhouse gas emissions at the facility scale from space. Its instrument measures methane concentrations by collecting and spectrally decomposing solar backscattered radiation in the shortwave infrared using a compact fixed-cavity Fabry-Perot imaging spectrometer. The effective spatial resolution of 50 × 50 m2 over targeted 12 × 12 km2 scenes is unprecedented for a space-based gas sensing spectrometer. Here we report on the instrument design, forward model and retrieval procedure, and present several examples of retrieved methane emissions observed over industrial facilities. We discuss the sources of error limiting the performance of GHGSat-D and identify improvements for our follow-on satellites. Claire's mission has proven that small satellites can be used to identify and quantify methane emissions from industrial facilities, enabling operators to take prompt corrective action.
Extended enthalpy formulations in the Ice-sheet and Sea-level System Model (ISSM) version 4.17: discontinuous conductivity and anisotropic streamline upwind Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) method
Authors: Rückamp Martin , Humbert Angelika , Kleiner Thomas , Morlighem Mathieu , Seroussi Helene
Published: September 2020

Abstract. The thermal state of an ice sheet is an important control on its past and future evolution. Some parts of the ice sheet may be polythermal, leading to discontinuous properties at the cold–temperate transition surface (CTS). These discontinuities require a careful treatment in ice sheet models (ISMs). Additionally, the highly anisotropic geometry of the 3D elements in ice sheet modelling poses a problem for stabilization approaches in advection-dominated problems. Here, we present extended enthalpy formulations within the finite-element Ice-Sheet and Sea-Level System model (ISSM) that show a better performance than earlier implementations. In a first polythermal-slab experiment, we found that the treatment of the discontinuous conductivities at the CTS with a geometric mean produces more accurate results compared to the arithmetic or harmonic mean. This improvement is particularly efficient when applied to coarse vertical resolutions. In a second ice dome experiment, we find that the numerical solution is sensitive to the choice of stabilization parameters in the well-established streamline upwind Petrov–Galerkin (SUPG) method. As standard literature values for the SUPG stabilization parameter do not account for the highly anisotropic geometry of the 3D elements in ice sheet modelling, we propose a novel anisotropic SUPG (ASUPG) formulation. This formulation circumvents the problem of high aspect ratio by treating the horizontal and vertical directions separately in the stabilization coefficients. The ASUPG method provides accurate results for the thermodynamic equation on geometries with very small aspect ratios like ice sheets.
Global component analysis of errors in five satellite-only global precipitation estimates
Authors: Chen Hanqing , Yong Bin , Wang Leyang , Ren Liliang , Hong Yang
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Revealing the error components for satellite-only precipitation products (SPPs) can help algorithm developers and end-users substantially understand their error features and meanwhile is fundamental to customize retrieval algorithms and error adjustment models. Two error decomposition schemes were employed to explore the error components for five SPPs (i.e., MERG-Late, IMERG-Early, GSMaP-MVK, GSMaP-NRT, and PERSIANN-CCS) over different seasons, rainfall intensities, and topography classes. Firstly, this study depicted global maps of the total bias (total mean squared error) and its three (two) independent components for these five SPPs over four seasons for the first time. We found that the evaluation results between similar regions could not be extended to one another. Hit and/or false biases are major components of the total bias in most regions of the global land areas. In addition, the proportions of the systematic error are less than 20 % of total errors in most areas. One should note that each SPP has larger systematic errors in several regions (i.e., Russia, China, and Conterminous United States) for all four seasons, these larger systematic errors from retrieval algorithms are primarily due to the missed precipitation. Furthermore, IMERG suite and GSMaP-NRT display less systematic error in the rain rates with intensity less than 40 mm/day, while the systematic errors of GSMaP-MVK and PERSIANN-CCS increase with increasing rainfall intensity. Given that mean elevation cannot reflect the complex degree of terrain, we introduced the standard deviation of elevation (SDE) to replace mean elevation to better describe topographic complexity. Compared with other SPPs, GSMaP suite shows a stronger topographic dependency in the four bias scores. A novel metric namely normalized error component (NEC) was proposed to fairly evaluate the impact of the solely topographic factor on systematic (random) error. It is found that these products show different topographic dependency patterns in systematic (random) error. Meanwhile, the pattern of the impact of the solely topographic factor on systematic (random) error is similar to the relationship between systematic (random) error and topography because the average precipitations of all topography categories are very close. Finally, the potential directions of the improvement in satellite precipitation retrieval algorithms and error adjustment models were identified in this study.
Estimating the Probability of Compound Floods in Estuarine Regions
Authors: Wu Wenyan , Westra Seth , Leonard Michael
Published: September 2020

Abstract. The quantification of flood risk in estuarine regions relies on accurate estimation of flood probability, which is often challenging due to the rareness of flood events and their multi-causal (or compound) nature. Failure to consider the compounding nature of estuarine floods can lead to significant underestimation of flood risk in these regions. This study provides a comparative review of alternative approaches for estuarine flood estimation; namely, traditional univariate flood frequency analysis applied to both observed historical data and simulated data, and multivariate frequency analysis applied to flood events. Three specific implementations of the above approaches are evaluated on a case study – the estuarine portion of Swan River in Western Australia, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. The theoretical understanding of the three approaches, combined with findings from the case study, enable generation of guidance on method selection for estuarine flood probability estimation, recognising issues such as data availability, complexity of the application/analysis process, location of interest within the estuarine region, computational demands and whether or not future conditions need to be assessed.
Estimation of subsurface soil moisture from surface soil moisture in cold mountainous areas
Authors: Tian Jie , Han Zhibo , Bogena Heye Reemt , Huisman Johan Alexander , Montzka Carsten , Zhang Baoqing , He Chansheng
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Profile soil moisture (SM) in mountainous areas is important for water resource management and ecohydrological studies of downstream arid watersheds. Satellite products are useful for providing
spatially distributed SM information but only have limited penetration depth (e.g., top 5 cm). In contrast, in situ observations can provide measurements at several depths, but only with limited spatial coverage.
Spatially continuous estimates of subsurface SM can be obtained from surface
observations using multiple methods. This study evaluates methods to
calculate subsurface SM from surface SM and its application to satellite SM products, based on a SM observation network in the Qilian Mountains (China)
that has operated since 2013. Three different methods were tested to
estimate subsurface SM at 10 to 20, 20 to 30, 30 to 50, and 50 to 70 cm, and, in a profile of 0 to 70 cm, from in situ surface SM (0 to 10 cm): the exponential filter (ExpF), the artificial neural network (ANN), and the
cumulative distribution function (CDF) matching methods. The ANN method had
the lowest estimation errors (RSR), while the ExpF method best captured the temporal variation of subsurface soil moisture; the CDF method is not recommended for the estimation. Meanwhile the ExpF method was able to
provide accurate estimates of subsurface soil moisture at 10 to 20 cm and
for the profile of 0 to 70 cm using surface (0 to 10 cm) soil moisture only.
Furthermore, it was shown that the estimation of profile SM was not
significantly worse when an area-generalized optimum characteristic time
(Topt) was used instead of station-specific Topt for the Qilian
Mountains. The ExpF method was applied to obtain profile SM from the
SMAP_L3 surface soil moisture product, and the resulting
profile SM was compared with in situ observations. The ExpF method was able to estimate profile SM from SMAP_L3 surface data with
reasonable accuracy (median R of 0.65). Also, the combination of the ExpF
method and SMAP_L3 surface product can significantly improve
the estimation of profile SM in mountainous areas compared to the
SMAP_L4 root zone product. The ExpF method is useful and has
potential for estimating profile SM from SMAP surface products in the Qilian
Mountains.
Meteotsunami occurrence in the Gulf of Finland over the past century
Authors: Pellikka Havu , Laurila Terhi K. , Boman Hanna , Karjalainen Anu , Björkqvist Jan-Victor , Kahma Kimmo K.
Published: September 2020

Abstract. We analyse changes in meteotsunami occurrence over the past century
(1922–2014) in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea. A major challenge for
studying these short-lived and local events is the limited temporal
and spatial resolution of digital sea level and meteorological
data. To overcome this challenge, we examine archived paper recordings
from two tide gauges, Hanko for 1922–1989 and Hamina for 1928–1989,
from the summer months of May–October. We visually inspect the
recordings to detect rapid sea level variations, which are then
digitised and compared to air pressure observations from nearby
stations. The data set is complemented with events detected from
digital sea level data 1990–2014 by an automated algorithm. In total,
we identify 121 potential meteotsunami events. Over 70 % of
the events could be confirmed to have a rapid change in air pressure
occurring shortly before or simultaneously with the sea level
oscillations. The occurrence of meteotsunamis is strongly connected
with lightning over the region: the number of cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes
over the Gulf of Finland were on average over 10 times higher during
the days when a meteotsunami was recorded compared to days with no
meteotsunamis in May–October. On a monthly level, statistically
significant differences between meteotsunami months and other months
were found in the number of CG flashes, convective available potential
energy (CAPE), and temperature. Meteotsunami occurrence over the past
century shows a statistically significant increasing trend in Hamina,
but not in Hanko.
Evaluating Seismic Beamforming Capabilities of Distributed
Acoustic Sensing Arrays
Authors: van den Ende Martijn P. A. , Ampuero Jean-Paul
Published: September 2020

Abstract. The versatility and cost-efficiency of fibre-optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technologies facilitate geophysical monitoring in environments that were previously inaccessible for instrumentation. Moreover, the spatio-temporal data density permitted by DAS naturally appeals to seismic array processing techniques, such as beamforming for source location. However, the measurement principle of DAS is inherently different from that of conventional seismometers, providing measurements of ground strain rather than ground motion, and so the suitability of traditional seismological methods requires in-depth evaluation. In this study, we evaluate the performance of a DAS array in the task of seismic beamforming, in comparison with a co-located nodal seismometer array. We find that, even though the nodal array achieves excellent performance in localising a regional ML 4.3 earthquake, the DAS array exhibits poor waveform coherence and consequently produces inadequate beamforming results that are dominated by the signatures of shallow scattered waves. We demonstrate that this behaviour is likely inherent to the DAS measurement principle, and so new strategies need to be adopted to tailor array processing techniques to this emerging measurement technology.
Thermal legacy of a large paleolake in Taylor Valley, East Antarctica
as evidenced by an airborne electromagnetic survey
Authors: Myers Krista F. , Doran Peter T. , Tulaczyk Slawek M. , Foley Neil T. , Bording Thue S. , Auken Esben , Dugan Hilary A. , Mikucki Jill A. , Foged Nikolaj , Grombacher Denys , Virginia Ross A.
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Previous studies of the lakes of the McMurdo Dry Valleys have attempted to constrain lake level history, and results suggest the lakes have undergone hundreds of meters of lake level change within the last 20,000 years. Past studies have utilized the interpretation of geologic deposits, lake chemistry, and ice sheet history to deduce lake level history, however a substantial amount of disagreement remains between the findings, indicating a need for further investigation using new techniques. This study utilizes a regional airborne resistivity survey to provide novel insight into the paleohydrology of the region. Mean resistivity maps revealed an extensive brine beneath the Lake Fryxell basin which is interpreted as a legacy groundwater signal from higher lake levels in the past. Resistivity data suggests that active permafrost formation has been ongoing since the onset of lake drainage, and that as recently as 1,000–1,500 yr BP, lake levels were over 60 m higher than present. This coincides with a warmer than modern paleoclimate throughout the Holocene inferred by the nearby Taylor Dome ice core record. Our results indicate mid to late Holocene lake level high stands which runs counter to previous research finding a colder and drier era with little hydrologic activity throughout the last 5,000 years.
Increasing Diversity of Japanese Language Teachers: Approaches to Teaching-Related Professional Development for College Students in North America
Authors: Ohta Amy Snyder
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this article is to share approaches to raise undergraduate student awareness and understanding of Japanese foreign language (JFL) teaching careers, which might increase the number and diversity of our students who become teachers. These strategies, presented with examples from the Japanese program at , are presented in order of ease of implementation, including  1) advisement to provide a space to consider JFL teaching as a possible career and to share share accurate information about JFL teaching opportunities and qualifications 2) guest lectures by local JFL teachers, 3) instructional units related to Japanese teaching and learning, 4) a new Japanese teaching-related internship program where students can get experience helping in a JFL classroom, and 5) courses on Japanese applied linguistics, including a newly-developed course on foreign language teaching methods featuring JFL in North American and EFL in Japan.
Embodied and Embedded: Negotiating Public and Private Discourses of Violence in Japanese Texts
Authors: Holloway David
Published: September 2020

-
Milton and the Search for Meaning
Authors: Danielson Dennis
Published: September 2020

Many who face death and loss struggle to make sense of God, of issues of fairness and justice, and of the world. For Milton, too, questions of theodicy, right and wrong, and cosmology are integral with a search for meaning. His epic project of asserting and observing Providence—by engaging readers dramatically and poetically as well as philosophically—still encourages us, allowing for distance of time and sensibility, to pursue our individual and collective quests for meaning: perhaps even to discern and articulate a more coherent, if not yet polished, “cosmic syntax.”
Neuromuscular Disorders in the Middle East: A -20 year Personal Journey
Authors: Andoni Urtizberea J.
Published: September 2020

In the early 90s, in the wake of the discovery of the dystrophin gene, many international research
groups embarked on a lengthy and tedious gene hunt for many remaining neuromuscular diseases. The
Middle East and the MENA region as a whole soon appeared as goldmines in that respect. The high
degree of consanguinity and the presence of multiplex families with rare disorders were ideal conditions
to elucidate hereditary diseases at the molecular level, especially the recessive ones (limb girdle
muscular dystrophies, congenital muscular dystrophies, congenital myopathies and congenital
myasthenic syndromes). Genethon and the Institut de Myologie, two French institutions funded by the
French Muscular Dystrophy Association (AFM-Telethon) played at the time a pivotal role in establishing
strong partnerships with local partners (in Morocco, Turkey, Lebanon, Iran, Kuwait and Oman; notably).
These collaborations took several forms: on-site visits with clinics and bedside teaching, joint research
projects and attendance to the Summer School of Myology in Paris. The harvest and the return on
investment turned out to be quite impressive shedding more light on this part of the world where
awareness and knowledge about neuromuscular disorders had been scarce and limited for quite some
time. Over the years, our objectives slowly switched from molecular diagnosis to daily management of
patients and nowadays to innovative therapies. What is currently happening in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy are perfect examples of this change in paradigm.
Translation and cultural adaptation of the Nurse Professional Competence Scale: The NPC Scale – German AUT language version
Authors: Kellerer Jan Daniel , Rohringer Matthias , Raab Isabella Theresia , Müller Gerhard , Deufert Daniela
Published: September 2020

Assessing nursing-related competences becomes increasingly relevant. Therefore, psychometrically tested and contentual appropriate instruments are needed. The Nurse Professional Competence (NPC) Scale seems convenient to assess nurses' competences in German-speaking countries. This article describes the translation and cultural adaption of the NPC Scale English-language version for the German-speaking linguistic area of Austria (AUT), following the respective principles defined by the International Society for Pharmaoeconomics and Outcome Research (ISPOR). The aim was to provide a German-language version of the NPC Scale usable for the Austrian specific linguistic and cultural area. Due to polydimensionality of the scale and the extensive number of items being stepwise revised by researchers, several innovative methodological approaches were required to ensure transparent and comprehensible decision-making, data-revision and consensus-gainig throughout the overall process. Useful methods are presented to cope with challenges accompanying the coverage of decentralized data-revision and consensus-finding within the translation and cultural adaption of a polydimensional scale with a high number of items. The Nurse Professional Competence Scale, 88 items – German Austrian language version is conceptually, semantically and idiomatically equivalent compared to the NPC Scale original version and is recommendable for the usage in the target country's nursing context from a linguistic point of view.
Investigation of Motivations of Teachers for Participation in Physical Activities
Authors: ÇELİK Nuri Muhammet
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the motivations of high school teachers for participation in physical activities in terms of some variables. The general survey model was employed in the study and 266 teachers from the city center of Batman province of Turkey participated in the study. Personal information form and “the Motivation Scale for Participation in Physical Activity (MSPPA),” which was developed by Tekkurşun and Cicioğlu (2018), were used in the study. The statistical analysis of the data obtained in the study was performed through SPSS 23.00 software and Mann Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests, which are two of the non-parametric tests, were applied, as the data did not have a normal distribution. The findings showed that there was no statistically significant difference in terms of the gender variable. However, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of the age variable. This difference was found to be in the environmental factors sub-dimension. At the motivation level, the motivations of the participants for participating in physical activities were found to be high. In conclusion, it can be suggested that the motivations of the participants for participating in physical activities were high and affected by the environmental causes.
Afscheidsinterview met mr. W.A.M. van Schendel, oud-voorzitter van de strafkamer van de Hoge Raad
Authors: Herbrink D.J. (Douwe)
Published: September 2020

Afscheidsinterview met mr. W.A.M. van Schendel, voormalig vicepresident in de Hoge Raad

Na bijna twintig jaar raadsheer in de Hoge Raad te zijn geweest is Van Schendel per 1 september 2020 met pensioen gegaan. Zijn afscheid wil NTS niet onopgemerkt voorbij laten gaan. In dit interview passeren achtereenvolgens de volgende onderwerpen de revue: civiel recht in het strafrecht, de vordering benadeelde partij, rechtsbescherming, de geen belang redenering, ambtshalve cassatie, de ‘billijke rechter’, de zichtbaarheid van de Hoge Raad in de trias politica en de levenslange gevangenisstraf.
O O negro, o índio, a cidade e o esquecimento: a cartografia dos vencidos como uma possibilidade de leitura do território
Authors: Viegas Maria Ester Ferreira da Silva
Published: September 2020

Um dos aspectos importantes da crítica da cartografia geo-histórica é que ela seguiu um curso de limpeza étnica. A cartografia é um “discurso de poder”, cujo silêncio em relação às populações minoritárias ou dominadas são recorrentes. Os mapas utilizados nas escolas, principalmente nas áreas rurais, não retratam os povos tradicionais: indígenas, ribeirinhos, caiçaras, quilombolas, pescadores, pequenos agricultores rurais etc. Uma abordagem menos eurocêntrica da cartografia histórica é discutida pós-1945, mas não consegue chegar até às populações locais. Os povos se deslocam, erguem cidades, mas não são visibilizados cartograficamente nelas. É oportuno apontar estas invisibilidades dos povos tradicionais, a exemplo dos quilombolas da Tabacaria e dos índios Xucurus-Kariris, ambos localizados na cidade de Palmeira dos Índios-Alagoas. A negação da cartografia dos povos indígenas e quilombolas nas cidades onde coexistem é a negação da própria história da cidade. Urge que se produza e divulgue uma cartografia social dos conflitos pela terra, das territorialidades indígenas e quilombolas que emergem cotidianamente, das lutas dos diferentes povos em todo território alagoano. Compreende-se que, para retirar os povos tradicionais dessa invisibilidade jurídica, cartográfica e política, é necessário que os pesquisadores estejam atentos, apostem numa outra cartografia: a cartografia social, onde as populações locais sejam visibilizadas, localizadas e discutidas dentro do planejamento da cidade, nos conteúdos curriculares, na vida da cidade, construindo uma geografia que os tire da condição de “esquecimento” no qual foram encarcerados pelos geo-historiadores da escrita estamental
Environmental Impact Assessment of Thai Minced Fish Paste (Surimi) Using Life Cycle Assessment Methodology
Authors: Phungrassami Harnpon , Usubharatana Phairat
Published: September 2020

Environmental impacts of fishery production have resulted in increased concern and awareness. Thailand, as one of the largest global fish exporters, faces challenges related to environmental problems caused by fishery processes. Here, the environmental impact of Thai surimi production was estimated based on life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, focusing specifically on two Thai surimi products made from goatfish and ponyfish caught within the southern region of Thailand. Three impact categories where explored: global warming, acidification and eutrophication. Life cycle impacts were calculated for one kg of product using both mass and economic allocations. Results of this study indicated that goatfish has lower impacts than ponyfish for all the impact categories. Fuel consumption during the fishery phase and electricity consumption during processing were the main parameters leading to most of the considered environmental impacts. The value of Global Warming  Potential(GWP) ranged within 1.3‒3.0 kg CO2eq for goatfish and 2.2‒7.1 kg CO2eq ponyfish depending on the allocation method. The acidification impact of goatfish and ponyfish were revealed at 3.2‒7.3 gSO2eq and 12.7‒39.7 gSO2eq, respectively. The eutrophication of goatfish and ponyfish were 0.7‒1.6 gPO4eq and 2.5‒8.1 gPO4eq, respectively. Sensitivity analysis of fuel consumption, electricity consumption, product yield and allocation method were evaluated.
Sustainable Food Packaging: Materials and Waste Management Solutions
Authors: Varžinskas Visvaldas , Markevičiūtė Zita
Published: September 2020

The current food packaging model in most cases is a linear material flow model and is far from the sustainable alternative – circular economy – approach where materials are recycled and recovered at the end of each service life. High concern is rising on packaging waste and especially plastic packaging and negative environmental impact. A number of factors, including policy and legislative changes, rising concerns on food and packaging waste, environmental contamination, and world demand for food and energy resources, undoubtedly make an impact on development of biodegradable and compostable packaging made from renewable environment friendly resources and a sustainable waste management opportunity at the end of product life. Food packaging industry already has options of compostable packaging that meets biodegradation and composting standards and does not impact environmental contamination, but a variety of existing bio-labels such as biobased, biodegradable, and compostable appear misleading for consumers, and terms biodegradable and compostable are often used as synonyms, although they are not the same.
A New Approach for Assessing Credit Risks under Uncertainty
Authors: Tsabadze Teimuraz
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce a new approach for an assessment of the credit risks. The initial part of the chapter is to briefly discuss the existing models of assessment of the credit risks and justify the need for a new approach. Since a new approach is created for conditions of uncertainty, we cannot do without fuzzy mathematics. The proposed approach is based on group decision-making, where experts’ opinions are expressed by trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. The theoretical basis of the offered approach is laid out in the metric space of trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. The new approach is introduced and discussed, and two realization algorithms are given. The toy example of application of the introduced approach is offered as well.
The Importance of Tea in the Correlation between Caffeine and Health
Authors: Başaran Burhan
Published: September 2020

This study aims to examine the studies on the correlation between caffeine intake of individuals and health and to emphasize the importance of tea for health. Caffeine is a substance contained in many foods we frequently consume in our daily diets such as tea, coffee, cola, and energy drinks and is generally known for its stimulant nature. That is why consumers take caffeine into their bodies throughout their lives. The European Food Safety Authority states that daily intake of 400 mg (about 5.7 mg/kg bw for 70 kg) caffeine from all sources does not create any concern for adults. There is no complete consensus about whether caffeine consumption causes various ailments in individuals or whether it has a protective effect against contracting various diseases. The literature review has revealed that coffee and tea in adults and tea, soft, and energy drinks in children and adolescents play an important role in caffeine intake. Tea is a plant that is especially rich in phenolic compounds and has many benefits for human health. Therefore, for conscious consumers, tea is different from other drinks due to caffeine and phenolic compounds and is thought to do more good than harm to people.
From the “Terra Preta de Indio” to the “Terra Preta do Gringo”: A History of Knowledge of the Amazonian Dark Earths
Authors: Hilbert Klaus , Soentgen Jens
Published: September 2020

The anthropogenic origin of the Amazonian dark earths (Terra Preta de Índio) was first verified more than 70 year ago. However, the last 30 years have seen a massive wave of scientific investigation, public interest and an ever-expanding intensification of commercial activity toward all things connected to “Terra Preta.” Today, the dominant concept, which drives current research, is that of binding atmospheric carbon with artificially concocted dark earths. The large-scale production of Terra Preta is said to be an effective tool in efforts to mitigate global warming. This text attempts to provide a history of the knowledge on Amazonian dark earths. It not only focuses on scientific aspects but also considers traditional indigenous knowledge. The position is taken that without indigenous knowledge, modern Terra Preta research would not exist; a view, which has profound implications for the ethical evaluation of all further, applied Terra Preta Nova research and commercial endeavors.
Recent Progress in Activity-Based Travel Demand Modeling: Rising Data and Applicability
Authors: Tajaddini Atousa , Rose Geoffrey , M. Kockelman Kara , L. Vu Hai
Published: September 2020

Over 30 years have passed since activity-based travel demand models (ABMs) emerged to overcome the limitations of the preceding models which have dominated the field for over 50 years. Activity-based models are valuable tools for transportation planning and analysis, detailing the tour and mode-restricted nature of the household and individual travel choices. Nevertheless, no single approach has emerged as a dominant method, and research continues to improve ABM features to make them more accurate, robust, and practical. This paper describes the state of art and practice, including the ongoing ABM research covering both demand and supply considerations. Despite the substantial developments, ABM’s abilities in reflecting behavioral realism are still limited. Possible solutions to address this issue include increasing the inaccuracy of the primary data, improved integrity of ABMs across days of the week, and tackling the uncertainty via integrating demand and supply. Opportunities exist to test, the feasibility of spatial transferability of ABMs to new geographical contexts along with expanding the applicability of ABMs in transportation policy-making.
Five new species of Caliscelidae (Insecta, Hemiptera) from Mexico and Panama, with additional redescriptions of little-known species
Authors: De Freitas Abner S. , Dietrich Christopher H. , Takiya Daniela M.
Published: September 2020

Five new species of Peltonotellini (Caliscelinae) are described and illustrated: Bruchomorpha pseudodorsata sp. nov., Fitchiella brachyrhina sp. nov., Protrocha nigrilutea sp. nov. and P. punctatosa sp. nov. from Mexico, and Fitchiella zahniseri sp. nov. from Panama. Additionally, five previously described species are redescribed based on newly collected specimens: Aphelonema brevata Caldwell, 1945 (proposed original combination), Bruchomorpha decorata Metcalf, 1923, Bruchomorpha mormo Kirkaldy, 1907, Nenema virgata (Doering, 1941) and Protrocha nesolitaria (Caldwell, 1945). Bruchomorpha decorata is recorded from Panama for the first time. Redescriptions provide new information on the distribution of sensory pits and the first detailed descriptions of male and female terminalia for these species.
Homenaje a Ken Robinson: creatividad para valorar la diversidad y crecer en resiliencia
Authors: Montaña Blasco Mireia
Published: September 2020

El pasado agosto nos dejó una de las figuras que más ha hecho para integrar la creatividad en todo lo que rodea nuestra vida cotidiana, en especial en aquellos espacios relacionados con el mundo del aprendizaje. Desde estas páginas no podíamos dejar pasar la oportunidad de hacerle un pequeño homenaje. Sir Ken Robinson, autor y gran comunicador inglés establecido en California, ha sido uno de los investigadores más influyentes en la educación de lo que llevamos de siglo XXI.