bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Codes Don't Measure Up
Authors: Ripple Jeana
Published: March 2020

It is only in the case of fire that materials are considered by the American International Building Codes across an aggregation of scales (i.e., a building, a block, a district) leaving many other essential factors of material performance neglected. Mostly ignored are environmental and social parameters that also present forms of risk. This chapter uses the cities of New York and Chicago and three performance characteristics as case studies to examine additional material impacts at the city-scale. Case studies analyze material maintenance requirements against urban disinvestment, moisture absorption capacity against mold rates within flood-prone communities, and embodied carbon against material lifespan averages across cities. Findings reveal connections between material performance and economic, health, and energy implications across the city, suggesting the need for more broadly defined urban material performance standards.
Toxicity in Architectural Plastics
Authors: Trubiano Franca
Published: March 2020

The building industry lacks a holistic and integrated method for assessing the possible human health risks attendant to using materials that have been verified as toxic. In particular, it lacks an open-source, interactive interface for measuring the health risks associated with sourcing, manufacturing, selecting, installing, using, maintaining, and disposing of building-based polymers. Because of their high degree of chemical synthesis, polymers are typically more toxic than wood, glass, or concrete; yet architects, engineers, builders, clients, and the general public remain poorly informed about the deadly accumulation of synthetic polymers that originate in the building industry and that pervade our air, water, and bodies. This question should be central to the very definition and practice of life-cycle assessment, and this chapter outlines a process for developing an industry-based life-cycle index of human health in building (LCI-HHB). After all, traditional LCAs are of little help to anyone not healthy enough to enjoy them.
Post-Normal Material Practice
Authors: Mans Jacob Wayne
Published: March 2020

This chapter explores building as a form of material inquiry. The process of building generates new ideas and questions that remain latent in unbuilt designs. These ideas and questions are uniquely trans-scalar and boundary spanning as compared to material inquiries that focus on isolated material attributes. Building projects embed material inquiries within the open systems that make up our environment. Thinking about material performance in this way can co-produce political, social, economic, and ecologic relationships that extend design agency beyond the artifact.
The Return Performance of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Portfolio Diversification Benefits
Authors: Petris Panagiotis , Alexakis Panayotis
Published: March 2020

This study describes the emergence and the structure of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and investigates whether European REITs provide higher risk-adjusted returns and portfolio diversification benefits relative to the market portfolio. The top public listed companies of five (5) established (Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, UK), three (3) emerging (Italy, Spain, Ireland) and one (1) nascent (Greece) European REIT markets, are considered over period 2007 – 2018. The empirical findings denote poor performance of most European REITS over the Global Financial Crisis period but strong risk adjusted returns, overall, outperforming the equivalent European stock market indices and bonds over the first years of post - GFC period. In the recent period (2015 – 2018), most European REITs continued to deliver positive but modest risk adjusted returns relative to the previous period. The analysis provides evidence of poor portfolio diversification benefits and weak cross country diversification benefits among the European REITs.
Innovation Finance Beyond Bitcoin
Authors: Koutsoupakis Dimitrios
Published: March 2020

Over the past two decades, the diffusion of technological innovations introduced to the finance industry has been inconceivable. Internet, at the end of the 20th century, brought e-commerce, later e-payments, and more recently, e-money. Such innovations in digital world increase the impact on the business world, and so might do cryptocurrencies, currently spreading out across the globe. To this end, this chapter builds up an across-the-board synthesis of current investment trends and analysis, aiming to lead a way forward for research on this uncharted breed of alternative finance assets looming anew.
Demographics, Socio-Economic and Cognitive Skills as Barriers to Information Seeking in a Digital Library Environment
Authors: Yusuf Felicia , Owolabi Sola , Aregbesola Ayooluwa , Oguntayo Sunday , Okocha Foluke , Eyiolorunse Toluwani
Published: March 2020

The chapter considers the importance of demographic and socio-economic factors as well as cognitive skills to information seeking in a digital library environment. Demographic factors such as age and gender were considered. Younger adults were found to respond positively to the demands of information seeking in the digital environment while their older counterparts are still struggling to come to terms with the changes. In the same vein, studies have revealed that the value placed on technology by men and women varies. While men express high level of confidence in navigating the digital environment, women still suffer low self-confidence in doing same. Identified socio-economic factors that also constitute a barrier to information seeking in a digital environment include income level, level of education, non-availability of ICT infrastructures and epileptic power supply especially in Africa among others. Unwillingness to see one's needs as information needs, inability to articulate one's information needs, unawareness of information sources, low self-efficacy, poor search skills among others were identified as cognitive barriers to information seeking in the digital environment. Based on the findings of this chapter, the study recommends that for persons who are adjudged to be the older generation, it is imperative for them to acquire requisite ICT skills that will make it easier for them to navigate the digital environment. There is also a clarion call on African leaders to provide infrastructures that will enable ICT to thrive as the digital environment is fast replacing the hitherto traditional one.
Users' Acceptance of Online Literature Databases in a Thai University
Authors: Chaiyasoonthorn Wornchanok , Suksa-ngiam Watanyoo
Published: March 2020

Online literature databases are important for higher education and research organizations since they represent a vast collection of academic literature that researchers can utilize and review previous research conducted so far. The study aims to test a theory explaining what drive research students adopt online academic literature databases. Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (Venkatesh, Thong, & Xu, 2012) is a new theory in Information Systems that should be tested in a different circumstance. The study surveyed 614 respondents in a Thai university. The data are analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The results show that behavioral intention and facilitating conditions did not influence use behavior where as other paths suggested by UTAUT2 are still significant. However, only gender moderates the path from facilitating conditions to behavioral intention. The order moderators did not moderate the path suggested by the theory.
Copyright Issues in the Context of the Digital Library
Authors: Pina Pedro
Published: March 2020

Libraries have a strong role on promoting culture and knowledge as intermediaries between creators and readers. In the analogical world, such usages didn't have relevant effects on the normal exploitation of copyrighted works. However, digitisation had a strong effect on rightholders' interests by facilitating and democratizing access to works, considering that libraries may reproduce them and promote their online accessibility. Litigation regarding the referred actions has dramatically increased in the last years as they may stress the normal exploitation of copyrighted works and the exclusive rights of reproduction and of distributing. Based on the European Union's legislation and jurisprudence, the present chapter analyses the lawfulness of public libraries digitisation of books from their collection in order to make them available to users without the right holder's consent, confronting them with the exclusive right of reproduction and the making available right.
Value Co-Creation in Archival Resources
Authors: Rahman Md. Mukhlesur , Ahmed Toufiq , Shirahada Kunio
Published: March 2020

The National Archives of Bangladesh (NAB) evolved to ensure official custody and physical safety to the archives of Bangladesh. NAB initiated a digitization programme to provide open access to archives. The study focused on different aspects of NAB's open access project in the light of value co-creation perspective. The study is based on review of literature, computation of secondary information and treatment of primary data collected through semi-structured interview. The study identified that all the value co-creation components are available in NAB's open access project but working framework is invisible. Hence, the study proposed a model for value co-creation through balancing resource security and user demand. Hence, the study may help software developers and other archival institutions in designing and implementing open access to their respective organizations' resources. This paper serves as an example to archival institutions that are in the beginning phases of open access research and development.
Structural Data Binding for Agile Changeability in Distributed Application Integration
Authors: Delgado José Carlos Martins
Published: March 2020

The interaction of distributed applications raises an integration problem that consists in how to satisfy the minimum interoperability requirements while reducing coupling as much as possible. Current integration technologies, such as Web Services and RESTful APIs, solve the interoperability problem but usually entail more coupling than required by the interacting applications. This is caused by sharing data schemas between applications, even if not all features of those schemas are actually exercised. This has its toll in application development agility. This chapter proposes compliance and conformance as the concepts to minimize coupling without impairing interoperability by sharing only the subset of the features of the data schema that are actually used. In addition, data binding between messages and the receiver's schema is done structurally in a universal and application-independent way. This eliminates the need for application-specific stubs and allows clients to use any server with which they comply and servers to replace any server to which they conform.
Reuse in Agile Development Process
Authors: Pang Chung-Yeung
Published: March 2020

Reusability is a clear principle in software development. However, systematic reuse of software elements is not common in most organizations. Application programmers rarely design and create software elements for possible future reuse. In many agile software development processes, the project teams believe that the development of reusable software elements can slow down the project. This can be a misconception. This chapter examines various ways to reuse software. Three approaches to developing reusable software artifacts from 15 years of experience in the agile development process are presented. The first approach is to create generic programs or configurable frameworks that support similar solutions for a variety of use cases and environments. The reuse of patterns is the second approach presented. Another effective way is to use a model-driven approach with model patterns. These approaches help to speed deployment software. The final product is flexible and can easily be adapted to changes. This is one of the main goals of an agile approach.
Teaching Property-Based Testing
Authors: Azevedo Isabel , Malheiro Nuno
Published: March 2020

Given the large dimensions of software algorithms, the creation of unit test sets is both very difficult to use as an assurance of software quality and also very resource consuming. Some of the industry has already focused on this issue, and several methods are being used to cope with traditional testing shortcomings. Property-based testing has been one of these techniques and has been gaining traction, mainly due to the shift to functional programming techniques which can be seen in most of the popular languages and platforms. To give students tools that can increase the quality of their production as software developers, property-based testing has been taught in the Advanced Programming Techniques course of the master's program in Informatics Engineering of the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto.
Knowledge Transfer Between Senior and Novice Software Testers
Authors: Vasanthapriyan Shanmuganathan , Banujan Kuhaneswaran
Published: March 2020

Software testing is a sub-activity of software engineering, and it is also a knowledge-intensive activity. Software testing experts need to gather domain knowledge to be able to successfully test and deliver a software system. In particular, novice software testers, who have joined the company, need to acquire enough knowledge to perform their tasks. Since software development is an error-prone task, in order to achieve quality software products, validation and verification should be carried throughout the development. This means that knowledge transfer to novice software testers must be quickly and effectively performed to facilitate the onboarding process. One way to understand the knowledge transfer process is by analyzing the software development context and the involved team members. This study, using qualitative methods, investigates the current practice of knowledge transfer in software testing practices in one software company.
Creativity and Digital Games
Authors: Walder Marin Werner , Notargiacomo Pollyana
Published: March 2020

In the last decades the interest in creativity has grown. One of the questions that has risen from this interest is whether it is possible to aid the development of creativity. This chapter reviews a study on the possibility of developing a digital game with this. The game Luovus was created, utilizing previous research on the subject of creativity and digital games as learning aids. The game has been tested with a group of users and seems to be an effect on the player's self-perceived creative capabilities and society's impact on their creativity. This chapter will also cover studies and past experiments on the subject and how they can be of interest to future experiments.
Model-Based Interview Method Selection Approach in Participatory Design
Authors: Boodaghian Asl Arsineh , Gokan Khan Michel
Published: March 2020

Participatory design is a technique which is being used by system designers to involve the end users and product owners throughout the design process. Even though utilizing this approach brings customers to the design process, implementing it requires a budget, a place, time, and other resources. This chapter demonstrates a model-based approach to facilitate the selection of interviews for each design phase such as listing elements for the interface, choosing location for components, making decision for the general look of the component, finally making the component interactable. Interface designers can use the model to choose different type of interview method for different design phases such as interface components, sketching, lo-fi prototyping and hi-fi prototyping, according to their resources. The research focus is on four different participatory design interview method, which are GUI-ii face-to-face, GUI-ii screen-sharing, GUI-ii Ozlab, and traditional face-to-face interview.
A Study of Using VR Game in Teaching Tajweed for Teenagers
Authors: AlKhatib Haya Hasan , Mansor Evi Indriasari , Alsamel Zainab , AlBarazi Joud Allam
Published: March 2020

This research aims to study the use of VR games to entertain players while teaching and improving the knowledge of Quran Tajweed for teenagers. Tajweed is an Islamic science that studies the correct recitation of the letters and words in the Qur'an. Teenagers between the ages of thirteen to eighteen were chosen for this research because it has been proven that learning at an early age ensures long-lasting knowledge, and in addition, teenagers are more capable of controlling and modifying their pronunciation. As teenagers nowadays are exposed to a variety of game technologies and their expectations and satisfaction levels are particularly high, a 3D VR game was introduced as an attractive modern solution. Viewed on HTC Vive, a 3D VR game prototype consisting of two levels was developed and evaluated by 20 teenage participants. The evaluation session resulted in a positive outcome with a few suggestions for future modifications.
Technology Project Portfolio Selection in Industry 4.0
Authors: Budak Aysenur , Ustundag Alp
Published: March 2020

Industry 4.0 transformation is creating changing dynamics in business and becoming a highly important concept that requires the support of top management for projects and investment. As a result of transformation processes, Industry 4.0 develops more productive and continuous systems, and companies have been searching for the right adaptation of this transformation. In order to succeed in this Industry 4.0 transition, decision-making regarding the selection of profitable technology projects is a key point for companies. The proposed model incorporates two important goals: profit maximization by selecting technology projects and the development of simulation-based optimization with a three-step stage-gate model for technology project portfolio management under conditions such as resources, costs, and the probabilities of completion of stages and success. The stage-gate system contributes to the model development through the various steps from idea to launch and helps manage the Industry 4.0 transition process to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
An Architectural Layer Classification of Energy Conservation Techniques in Internet of Things
Authors: Majumder Abhishek , Roy Sarkar Medha , Lal Sarakar Joy
Published: March 2020

Using three-layered architecture IoT can be methodically understood. These layers are sensing and data collection layer, data processing and network layer, and application layer. In sensing and data collection layer, sensors are used to sense its surrounding environment. The processing layer is moreover like a middleware layer. The application layer is liable for conveying a particular facility to the client. All of these layers are energy constrained. Hence, it is a sensitive issue to efficiently reduce the energy consumption in IoT. To increase energy efficiency in IoT networks, a large number of techniques have been developed by different researchers. The chapter introduces a classification of energy conservation techniques based on the IoT architecture layer in which they work. The energy-efficiency techniques are also discussed in brief. The chapter also analyses the techniques with respect to their advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, future directions have also been presented in brief.
Structural and Photocatalytic Property of CaTiO3 Nanosphere
Authors: Karthikeyan C. , Thamima M. , Karuppuchamy S.
Published: March 2020

The nanostructured photocatalysts are the most promising materials for the degradation of toxic dyes. Particularly, CaTiO3 has been used in several applications including catalytic, optical, biological and electronic. In this present study, perovskite structured CaTiO3 nanomaterials have been synthesized by microwave irradiation method. The physico-chemical properties of the prepared CaTiO3 nanomaterials were studied by various advanced characterization techniques. The XRD patterns confirm the presence of perovskite structure of the prepared nanomaterials. FT-IR analysis confirms the presence of Ca-Ti-O vibrational bonds. Micro Raman study display the existence of O-Ca-Ti-O with B1g mode of vibrations. Morphological studies revealed the presence of truncated nanospheres. The dye degradation property of prepared CaTiO3 was investigated by Malachite green (MG) by UV-light.
A critical Appraisal of consumer health literature in Tamil print news media in Sri Lanka
Authors: Sri Ranganathan S. , Balasubramaniam R. , Thayakaran M. , Thiruvarangan S. , Vahine N.
Published: March 2020

Objective: This study was designed to critically appraise the consumer health literature (CHL) appearing in Tamil print news media (lay press or newspapers) in Sri Lanka Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study critically appraised the CHL appeared in National and regional Tamil newspapers published in Sri Lanka during a period of three months. We conducted a pilot study for a period of one week to identify all the Tamil newspapers published in Sri Lanka and also to determine the variables that can be used to appraise the CHL. CHL was defined as materials giving information on health related matters. Health advertisements and information on cosmetics were excluded. Two investigators independently went through all the target newspapers to identify and separate the CHL. Subsequently, using a pre-tested checklist, two investigators independently appraised the CHL. In case of major disagreement between the two investigators, decision was made by consensus. Results: There were 633 CHL in 600 newspapers: Common topics included non-communicable diseases (25%), reproductive health (13%) and food habits (12. 6%). Topics related to National public health campaigns, official health promotion messages, communicable diseases, medicines, vaccines, tobacco and alcohol were very minimal. Names and designation of the author/source was available only in 37.6%: Specialists, doctors, medical academics and medical students have authored the majority (79%). 591 CHL had some form of pictures, but in 70%, the pictures were assessed to be irrelevant to the subject matter. Two-thirds were on very socially valuable topics whereas content was appraised to be of poor scientific merit and unreliable in 54%. Conclusions: Tamil newspapers are underutilized in disseminating important health messages to public and there is an urgent need to nurture medical journalism in Sri Lanka.
Anatomical variations of femoral vessels
Authors: Niranjan Romini , Udhayakumar Sivananthini
Published: March 2020

Femoral triangle is an important site for various clinical procedures. Knowledge about anatomical variations of femoral vessels is important to prevent inadvertent damage during surgical procedures and for successful arterial and venous cannulation. It is an incidental finding in which profunda femoris artery originated just 1cm below inguinal ligament from lateral aspect of femoral artery (FA) in left femoral region of a middle aged Sri Lankan man which was observed during routine dissection. It was observed that FA crossed superficially over femoral vein (FV) in upper part of femoral triangle and FV was lying deep to FA in most part of femoral triangle. FV catheterization is necessary when there is no visible peripheral vein for cannulation or when rapid access to a large vein is needed. Complications may arise from accidental puncture of neighbouring structures. Ultrasonography should be used particularly for more difficult femoral vascular access. Even though variations are mostly incidental findings and being of general anatomical interest, knowledge of these variations appears to be mandatory for planning surgery and vascular interventions.
Severe hypertriglyceridemia secondary to uncontrolled diabetes mellitus successfully managed with insulin
Authors: Nisahan Balasingam , Htet Nay Lwin , Pratheepan Joseph
Published: March 2020

Hypertriglyceridemia is one of the common lipid abnormalities in patients with type2 diabetes mellitus. It is extremely rare to develop severe hypertriglyceridemia in patients with diabetes mellitus on fibrates without any other risk factors for hypertriglyceridemia. Acute pancreatitis is the main consequence of severe hypertriglyceridemia. We report a case of severe hypertriglyceridemia in a patient with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, on fibrate and was successfully treated with intravenous insulin infusion.
LA MAGISTRATURA: LA “RADICALE SVOLTA” DELLA METÀ DEGLI ANNI SESSANTA DEL NOVECENTO
Authors: Bruti Liberati Edmondo
Published: March 2020

Nel 1964 Magistratura Democratica, un nuovo gruppo di giudici e procuratori, sostenne un "cambiamento radicale" all'interno dell'Associazione Nazionale Magistrati volto a far rispettare i nuovi principi della Costituzione democratica del 1948. Il "cambiamento radicale" sostenuto da Magistratura Democratica ebbe una forte influenza sulla dichiarazione finale redatta dal XII Congresso ANM organizzato a Gardone nel 1965. Per la prima volta le donne parteciparono al congresso: fino ad allora le donne erano scandalosamente discriminate nell'accesso alla magistratura. Studenti e movimento operaio (1968) scossero la società italiana e la magistratura non fu protetta. Gli anni tra il 1968 e il 1974, nonostante la "strategia della tensione" e le bombe (Milano Piazza Fontana 1969, Milano Centrale di Polizia 1973, Brescia Piazza della Loggia 1974), sono la stagione delle riforme, che riflettono il profondo cambiamento della società e danno un nuovo ruolo alla magistratura. La magistratura che nella seconda metà degli anni Settanta ha sfidato e combattuto il terrorismo e la mafia è stata la magistratura nata dal "cambiamento radicale" iniziato a metà degli anni Sessanta.
NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF BLOOD DYNAMICS IN ATHEROSCLEROTIC CAROTIDS
Authors: Vergara Christian
Published: March 2020

In this work we present the mathematical and numerical modeling of blood fluid-dynamics in atherosclerotic carotids. We review how to obtain the computational domain, the mathematical formulation of the fluid-structure interaction problem, and a possible strategy for its numerical discretization. We also report some numerical results for a case both before and after the surgical removal of the plaque.
SIMMETRIA PARITÃ€-TEMPO IN OTTICA: VERSO UNA NUOVA INGEGNERIA DELLA LUCE
Authors: Longhi Stefano
Published: March 2020

The introduction of the concept of parity-time symmetry in optics, inspired by recent theoretical developments in quantum mechanics and quantum-field theories, is revolutionizing our ability to design and manufacturing synthetic optical materials and photonic devices for molding the flow of light at the micro- and nano-scale, with novel functionalities impossible with ordinary materials and with important applications in the fields of laser technologies, integrated photonics and sensor technology. In this note I will illustrate the basic theoretical grounds of optical materials with paritytime symmetry and I will present the main recent applications to photonic technologies.
A review of normative data for parameters of functional non-strabismic binocular vision
Authors: Darko-Takyi Charles , Moodley Vanessa R. , Boadi-Kusi Samuel B.
Published: March 2020

Background: There was a need to document population-expected normative data for parameters of non-strabismic binocular vision (NSBV) as the analysis and diagnosis of binocular vision disorders required comparison of patient’s clinical signs with expected data in their specific population.Aim: This article sought to review and map population-expected continental normative data for visual function parameters for evaluating the functional non-strabismic accommodative and vergence system, as these systems are very relevant to evaluate the comfort of visual system.Method: Search engines – namely, Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, Web of Science database and Ovid MEDLINE database – were used to search studies published in English across different continents using keywords such as ‘normative or expected data’ and ‘specific NSBV parameter’. Results were summarised in tables for easy comparison; data were presented based on the geographical location, year of publication, demographics of the population studied and the techniques used for measuring the parameters. A summary of observed challenges with reviewed works and recommendations for the future studies are indicated. The article is delimited to studies published between 1910 and September 2019 only.Results: Most of the studies investigated specific parameters of either accommodation only or vergence only; few recent studies have comprehensively investigated both parameters. Most studies were conducted in North America followed by Asia and Europe, with a few in Africa. No studies were found with Oceania populations. There were discrepancies and differences in methodologies and techniques used by the studies reviewed and normative data varied among different continents and different populations within each continent.Conclusion: As the observed differences in reviewed studies could be attributed to differences in test techniques, the future studies should consider using identical, reliable, repeatable, objective and subjective techniques with good methodological designs to clarify these results. More studies should be conducted in African and Oceania populations.
A short proof of a sharp Weyl law for the special orthogonal group
Authors: Chamizo Fernando , Granados José
Published: March 2020

We give a short proof of a strong form of Weyl’s law for SO(

N

) using well known facts of the theory of modular forms. The exponent of the error term is sharp when the rank is at least 4. We also discuss the cases with smaller rank improving previous results.
The Ego’s Attention and the Therapist’s Attention to Reality in Freud. At the Threshold of Ethics
Authors: Montoya Ana Lucía
Published: March 2020

This article aims to show that the practice of attention can create an openness to the truth, from where ethics arises. It does so by exploring the role attention plays, according to Ricoeur, in Freud’s thought. Ricoeur shows how in the first stage of Freud’s thinking – that of the Project of a Scientific Psychology – attention is one of the instances in which a purely mechanical quantitative explanation can be questioned. Further on, with the introduction of narcissism, Ricœur shows that attention, insofar as it opens a space for the “wounding truth,” opposes narcissism. Finally, the article explains how in the therapeutic setting an attentional epochē allows the therapist to be “the reality principle in flesh and in act,” so that the ego can gain control. According to Ricœur, this non-judgmental gaze opens a space of truthfulness for the patient’s self-knowledge which, although not being the totality of ethics, constitutes its threshold.
Introduction
Authors: Nascimento Fernando
Published: March 2020

Inroduction à ERRS 2019 10 2 “La sagesse pratique”
Replacing Final Exams with Open-Ended Course Projects in Engineering Education
Authors: Goorts Kevin
Published: March 2020

Over the last twenty years, assessment methods in Engineering education have shifted to focus on evaluating desired learning outcomes. Both Mills and Treagust (2003) and Olds, Moskal, and Miller (2005) credit the paradigm shift to accreditation procedures that report program inputs and document achievement of learning objectives. High-stakes final exams have been, and still are, widely used in Engineering education as the primary means to evaluate student learning (Flores, Veiga Simão, Barros, & Pereira, 2015). Although considered objective and efficient for large class sizes, Knight (2002) points to shortcomings associated with final exams including ineffectiveness at evaluating certain types of outcomes and a distorting effect on the taught curriculum. However, overcoming these shortcomings is possible through project-based learning and open-ended course projects.

Project-based learning is a form of experiential learning that gives students the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts while developing higher-order skills (e.g., critical thinking, synthesis, and evaluation) and soft-skills (e.g., communication, management, and teamwork; Mills & Treagust, 2003). Based on three different experiences with large-scale open-ended projects, Daniels, Faulkner, and Newman (2002) conclude that the use of course projects enhances student learning while better preparing them for their future careers. Flores et al.’s (2015) findings support this notion by demonstrating that students perceive assessment methods that require active involvement as more fair and effective.

This workshop aims to increase awareness around the importance of assessment and highlight that high-stakes final exams, although widely used, have a number of flaws that may bias evaluation and impact student learning. The workshop’s main goal is to introduce project-based learning as an alternative to final exams and develop skills to identify where and how instructors can use open-ended course projects effectively.
Literatura na escola: os contos de fadas
Authors: Brisolla Lívia Santos , Dos Santos Daniela Pereira
Published: March 2020

As discussões acerca da literatura na escola se configuram como um tema clássico, foco de estudiosos em diferentes pesquisas realizadas no contexto educacional. Nesta direção, emergem vários projetos literários que buscam desenvolver o gosto e o prazer pela leitura. Assim, no intuito de refletir sobre as possibilidades de trabalho com os contos de fadas, objetivamos analisar as contribuições do Projeto “Abracadabra...Lá vem a história”, desenvolvido em uma escola classe de Ceilândia, no Distrito Federal. Como referencial teórico utilizamos Abramovich (2004), Bettelheim (1980) e Busatto (2004). Para compreender como ocorre este trabalho, foi realizado um estudo de caso, com entrevista semiestruturada, com professores, coordenadores e o supervisor. A partir da pesquisa, observamos que o projeto contribui, significativamente, no processo de alfabetização das crianças, pois houve relatos sobre os avanços na oralidade, leitura, escrita e compreensão textual.
O Potencial agentivo da leitura de obras literárias de autoria feminina: uma experiência etnográfica no contexto escolar
Authors: Queiroz Atauan Soares de , Dias Juliana de Freitas
Published: March 2020

Neste trabalho, interessa-nos refletir sobre como a escola pode possibilitar agenciamentos dos/as estudantes a partir de práticas discursivo-identitárias em aulas de Língua Portuguesa. Nosso argumento central é que as práticas discursivo-identitárias envolvendo tecnologias de gênero (literatura de autoria feminina) com potencial agentivo, que englobam, interseccionalmente, outros substratos como classe e raça, inseridas no dispositivo de formação Projeto Mulheres Inspiradoras, associam-se a experiências formativas com potencial para promover agenciamentos por parte dos/as estudantes. A análise dos dados empíricos aponta para a emergência e intensificação de três formas de agenciamento no interior da escola: em relação ao eu, ao outro e à realidade social.
Motivação e expectativas de alunos iniciantes de língua francesa
Authors: Fernandes Santos Andrea Emiliana
Published: March 2020

O artigo em questão tem como proposta apresentar a motivação e expectativas dos aprendizes de francês como língua estrangeira. O contexto de tal pesquisa foi uma turma de francês oferecida num centro de idiomas de uma universidade pública mineira. Os participantes foram 20 alunos. Como instrumento para coleta de dados recorremos a um questionário aplicado aos alunos participantes na intenção de elencar sua motivação e suas expectativas no início do curso. Acreditamos que a motivação tem um papel importante no sucesso ou fracasso da aprendizagem. Por isso, identificar o que motiva ou desmotiva os aprendizes e suas expectativas neste processo foram tão relevantes para o professor adequar sua aula ao público.
LIGHTWEIGHT ELASTOMER COMPOUNDS REINFORCED WITH CELLULOSE NANOFIBRILS AND A CARBON BLACK HYBRID FILLER SYSTEM
Authors: Weilert Irina , Giese Ulrich
Published: March 2020

Cellulose is found in the walls of plant cells, making it the most common biopolymer in the world. It is mechanically stable, resistant to hydrolysis, and boasts—especially in its nanoscopic state—a large reactive surface area and low density. To realize reinforcement in rubbers, the large and polar cellulose surface must interact with the nonpolar elastomer matrix. The dispersion of hydrophilic fillers is, however, still a major challenge in rubber technology. In this work, commercially available nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) was incorporated into a nonpolar BIIR via latex mixing. Transmission electron microscopy, tensile testing, swelling, and rheometry were used to characterize the compound properties and the reinforcing potential of NFC. The compounds were compared with the established and highly dispersible standard carbon black N550 with a medium specific surface area. In addition, hybrid filler systems with both particle types were prepared. This yielded well-dispersed nanocomposites of a new kind exhibiting high stiffness, good tensile properties, and reduced material weight.
Hacia una teoría crítica de la razón algorítmica
Authors: Fernández Vicente Antonio
Published: March 2020

El artículo parte de la revisión teórica de la literatura sobre los algoritmos para trazar los ejes clave de una teoría crítica. En la dicotomía entre la descripción del mundo, por medio de los macrodatos, y la prescripción de comportamientos preestablecidos una vez analizados los big data, la razón algorítmica puede dar lugar a sistemas cerrados de comunicación que simplifiquen y estandaricen nuestras prácticas. Conforme a una metodología ensayística y filosófica que vincula forma y contenido de la crítica, las dimensiones para una teoría reflexiva sobre los algoritmos se corresponden con tres vertientes fundamentales: a) la abstracción, el cifrado matemático y el cálculo, b) la pasividad inducida ante algoritmos performativos y c) el poder invisible e impersonal. En consecuencia, la principal aportación del artículo radica en la discusión de las constricciones que nacen al abrigo de las tecnologías algorítmicas. El énfasis en una teoría crítica de la tecnología se hace tanto más pertinente a medida que los dispositivos digitales se normalizan como intermediadores en diferentes campos de la actividad humana. Se trata, pues, de problematizar la tecnología como base de comportamientos cotidianos y decisiones, desde una perspectiva teórica. En este sentido, el artículo pretende continuar el enjuiciamiento de la tecnología de autores tales como los pertenecientes a la Escuela de Frankfurt o, en el campo específico de la tecnología, Lewis Mumford y Jacques Ellul, así como críticos actuales del digitalismo, tales como Cathy O’neil, Evgeny Morozov o Nicholas Carr.
Cultura Organizacional, elemento clave para el éxito del desempeño profesional de un estudiante de Administración de Empresas
Authors: Rodríguez Pérez Ángela Patricia
Published: March 2020

El desarrollo de la cultura organizacional en una empresa, permite a los integrantes de las organizaciones ciertas conductas e inhiben otras. Una cultura laboral abierta y humana alienta la participación y conducta de todos los miembros de la organización, sí las personas se comprometen y son responsables, se debe a que la cultura laboral se lo admite. Además, permite que una organización sea diferente a las demás, debido a que todas esas prácticas y tradiciones se mantienen particularmente dentro de esa organización y por esta razón se puede crear un sentido de pertenencia, identificar a los trabajadores y que ellos mismo se sientan únicos entre otros: “Uno de los elementos que caracterizan hoy a las organizaciones es su cultura”.
Uso de multimedia en entornos de plataformas virtuales de aprendizajes
Authors: Rivas Chavarría Manuel
Published: March 2020

El comunicarnos, compartir conocimientos y experiencias es algo inherente en los seres humanos, las maneras de hacerlo han evolucionado al transcurrir el tiempo. Con este escrito mi deseo es cooperar con otras personas a cerca de algunas prácticas y recursos existentes en las plataformas virtuales de aprendizajes, particularmente la inclusión de multimedia que resultan ser un gran apoyo en el rol de facilitador o tutor virtual que es hacia donde se enrumban los nuevos paradigmas de la educación, es un vasto recurso, que se puede definir como un sistema que utiliza más de un medio de comunicación para transmitir o presentar información, combinando texto, imagen, sonido y vídeo. Además, que se puede usar de modo síncrono (comunicación en tiempo real) o bien de manera asíncrona (comunicación no en tiempo real).
Competences of preschool children in the provision of first aid - results of a pilot study
Authors: Jarzynka Sylwia , Błachnio Katarzyna , Piskor Michał , Mikler-Chwastek Anna
Published: March 2020

Teaching basic first aid activities is one of the most important area of children`s health education. The aim of the study was to analyse the educational effects of the pilot implementation of the author's curriculum in the provision of premedical first aid for preschool children. The knowledge and skills of pre-schoolers in the provision of first aid were analysed. The research was carried out in a private kindergarten in Warsaw. As a result, the knowledge and skills of preschool children about the principles of providing first aid was insufficient. After conducting the educational program, the level of knowledge and skills of children in this area increased significantly. Educational programs introduced as early as possible, already at the stage of preschool education, can contribute to greater awareness of health-related attitudes, may affect the skills of recognizing, responding to and providing basic rescue operations, and may influence the attention to the important role of health education.
Self-assessment and sense of security in adolescents form two- and one-parent families
Authors: Kleszczewska-Albińska Angelika , Mandla Aleksandra
Published: March 2020

The article includes a review of the literature and a description of the empirical study aimed at comparing the average level of sense of security and of self-assessment in groups of adolescents form two- and one-parent (as a result of divorce) families. A group of 120 participants (62 W, 58 M) aged 15-17 (M = 15.87; SD = 0.88) took part in the study. Based on the data obtained in the Sense of Security Questionnaire (SSQ) and the Multidimensional Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) it was proved, that adolescents raised in one-parent families are characterized by a statistically significantly lower level of sense of security and of self-assessment than adolescents raised in two-parent families.
The effects of Commiphora mukul extract on spermatogenesis and testosterone levels in male diabetic rats
Authors: Rezaei Ali Akbar , Salehi Iraj , Karimi Seyed Asaad , Rahnama Mehdi
Published: March 2020

Objective: The strong antioxidant activity of Commiphora mukul prompted us to conduct the present study to explore whether treatment with C. mukul extract (CME) would have any protective influence on sperm parameters, testosterone levels, and plasma glucose levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, control animals treated with CME, diabetic animals, and diabetic animals treated with CME. CME extract (300 mg/kg) was administered for 60 days by daily gavage. Diabetes was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg STZ. The epididymal sperm count, weight, motility, morphology, viability, and serum testosterone and glucose levels were determined.Results: In the diabetic animals, CME decreased blood glucose levels (p<0.05), increased the total sperm count (p<0.05), and decreased the proportion of sperm with abnormal morphology (p<0.05). Diabetes reduced sperm motility (p<0.001), and CME supplementation partially reversed this effect of diabetes (p=0.003). Furthermore, in diabetic animals, CME decreased the proportion of immotile sperm (p<0.001). In rats, diabetes caused a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum testosterone levels (F[3, 28]=3.283, p=0.035), but treatment of diabetic animals with CME increased serum testosterone levels.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that C. mukul possesses proandrogenic activity and exerts a beneficial effect on sperm parameters in diabetic rats.
Die Politik der Bildungsarmut
Authors: Schaller Frank
Published: March 2020

Poor educational performance is caused by a number of factors. In addition to specific student traits and educational inequality caused by students’ background and migration history, educational systems and schools can also be contributing factors. Educational policy plays a central role in this regard. With the help of an interpretive policy analysis, this book shows that society and politics cast the deciding vote on how poor educational performance is defined. Such performance cannot be measured with purely statistical means. Falling rates of poor educational outcomes and rising graduation rates create an impression of a positive development. But this book shows that even as graduation rates rise, students’ knowledge and skills aren’t keeping pace with them. Teachers and policymakers play a major role in this development, not least through education reforms motivated by party politics.
Angemessenheit der Eingruppierung kommunaler Wahlbeamtinnen und Wahlbeamter
Authors: Brüning Christoph
Published: March 2020

Die konkret zu bewältigenden Aufgaben der kommunalen Wahlbeamtinnen und -beamten entwickelten sich im Laufe der letzten Jahre parallel zu den deutlich gestiegenen Aufgabenzuwächsen im kommunalen Bereich. Hingegen sind die Rahmenbedingungen für die Besoldung und die zu gewährenden Aufwandsentschädigungen für die kommunalen Wahlbeamtinnen und Wahlbeamten über die Jahre nahezu konstant geblieben. Anhand einer vergleichenden Analyse der besoldungsrechtlichen Regelungen in den Flächenländern entwickelt das vorliegende Werk eine in sich schlüssige, kohärente Besoldungsordnung für die Gruppe der kommunalen Wahlbeamtinnen und -beamten entlang der verfassungsrechtlichen Vorgaben für eine amtsangemessene Alimentation. Dazu werden originäre, ämterspezifische Parameter für diese besondere Amtsgruppe sowie Vorschläge für Zulagen und Aufwandsentschädigung entwickelt.
Intersex-Operationen
Authors: Schrott Nina
Published: March 2020

The question of whether sex-determining operations on intersex minors should be allowed is of the utmost sociopolitical relevance. At the same time, there is a lack of intensive legal research on this interdisciplinary issue. This publication seeks to remedy this failing and, for the first time, provide the reader with a profound and practicable solution model that takes equal account of subjective weighting powers and objective consider-ation parameters. In addition to addressing the conceptual–structural and medical–biological foundations in this respect, this study comprehensively examines whether intersex minors have the option to consent to such an operation themselves and, in particular, considers the scope and limits of parents’ consent in this regard. Finally, the author submits a legislative proposal which aims to ensure an appropriate balance between the legal positions and interests concerned.