bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social and political aspects of education reforms in Hungary
Authors: Marusynets Marianna , Király Ágnes
Published: February 2021

The article concentrates on the issue of Hungarian education reforms brought about by radical political changes, in particular, the country’s admittance to the European Union. The paper outlines priorities in educational process transformation, as well as risks emerging in the system of teacher education and lifelong learning. The challenges associated with our times transform the teacher’s consciousness, shiftingfocus to the mandatory use of information technology, the activation of students’ information mobility, and the detailed analysis of employers’ requirements. The study reveals the Hungarian government’s key activities in relation to the socialization of the Roma minority and other national minorities compactly residing in Ukraine. The research illustrated educational resources used to train teachers at educational institutions to instill tolerance and mutual respect. The 2020s’ are marked by powerful globalization and political factors penetrating all spheres of social life. The dynamic formation of the civilized information society is accompanied by a number of contradictions and conflicts, the strengthening of social ties, and changing living conditions (R.ti, 2009), (V.g. and Vass 2006). Despite numerous methodological and conceptual studies, the issues of updating the modern teacher’s training to enableteachers to train and educate students and adequately react to challenges imposed by digitalization remain open. In this respect, the experience of European states that successfully carried out a number of educational reforms is of great scientific interest and deserves to be systematically studied, popularized and introduced into the domestic educational system. One of such countries is Hungary, which borders on Ukraine both territorially and functionally (Transcarpathia is compactly inhabited by Hungarian national minorities). The aim of the article is to substantiate the essence of the key educational reforms in Hungary and to identify the risks and priorities brought about by transformational changes in the country.
Risk of Investment in Human Capital and Skills Mismatch
Authors: Shelest-Szumilas Olena
Published: February 2021

This paper uses data from the fifth edition of the European Working Conditions Survey to examine the relationship between workers’ skills mismatch and risk of investment in work-related training. Apart from financial (earnings) worker’s risk, the study addresses also some non-financial facets of the investment risk. The results indicate that while mismatched workers have higher earnings risk than wellmatched ones, they also perceive their jobs as more insecure. Surprisingly, mismatched workers are also relatively more optimistic of having good career prospects and finding similarly paid employment. These findings did not allow a conclusion about the difference in non-financial risk between mismatched and well-matched workers.
Pedagogika dyskursywna w społeczeństwie pedagogii
Authors: Ostrowicka Helena
Published: February 2021

In the article, using general theses based on specific empirical research, I present the multifaceted phenomenon of the pedagogization of life and social problems. I deal with the questions posed by discursive educational studies and, looking from its perspective, I describe selected discursive mechanisms of society, which I refer to as the society of pedagogy.
Inny i inność a obszar „nowej etyki”. Refleksje na pograniczu filozofii i edukacji międzykulturowe
Authors: Smoter Katarzyna
Published: February 2021

The aim of the article is to show the possibilities of using the philosophical thought of P. Ricoeur, J. Tischner and E. Levinas in the theory and practice of intercultural education. The approaches existing on the basis of philosophy can be useful to show the issues significant in pedagogical work in a culturally diverse environment. This has implications for the area of ethics. It becomes important here, among others capturing a human being in a dialogical space with the Other, which creates constitutive meanings for the development of the identity of the “Me” and the Other and gives a chance to return to a deeply humanistic understanding of interpersonal relations. It requires an attempt to come closer and an authentic encounter that gives the opportunity to grasp the Other’s personal pain, his “inner twist”. These issues are manifested in the work of teachers who strengthen the sensitivity to differences between pupils, overcoming mutual negative attitudes that make it possible to discover otherness, counteract enslavement, which in turn allows for the implementation of common goals.
Survey Versus Interviews: Comparing Data Collection Tools for Exploratory Research
Authors: Jain Neha
Published: February 2021

The purpose of the paper is to offer a comparison between survey and face to face interviews as tools for data collection in qualitative exploratory research. This study aims at encouraging new researchers to experiment with different data collection tools and then select the one that fits best to the research. Memos documented during data collection served as the basis for analysis. The memos were analyzed using a systematic three-step coding process to identify the challenges and benefits of using each of the two data collection tools. Using content analysis of the memos and field notes that were documented during the research, the author compares the challenges and benefits of each methodology for the selected case study. Interviews, when followed systematically, offer a useful alternative to surveys for exploratory research. This study can be extended to compare other research methodologies as well as further data collection tools.
Guidelines for Palliative Treatment of Spinal Metastases: Choosing Between Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and Conventional Fractionation
Authors: Eckstein Jacob , Koffler Daniel , Parashar Bhupesh , Potters Louis , Narayana Ashwatha
Published: February 2021

Symptomatic spinal metastasis is a frequent complication of cancer that had been treated, until relatively recently, with primitive techniques to modest radiation dose levels, with a baseline assumption of limited survival and poor patient performance in that setting. In the era of targeted and personalized therapies, many patients are living longer and more functionally and are able to manage their disease on the model of chronic illness. Given these developments, an attractive option is the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to deliver high biologically effective doses of radiation conformally to maximize the palliative gains of treatment. However, randomized data to guide practice are scarce. We review the extant literature and present an algorithmic approach to selecting patients with metastatic disease for palliative spinal SBRT favoring the results of available randomized studies and remaining within the safety constraints supported by evidence from randomized trials.
THE EFFECT OF COMMERCIAL ORGANIC AND INORGANIC FERTILIZERS AND RHIZOBIUM
INOCULATION ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF FABA BEAN (VICIA FABA L.) AND PEA (PISUM SATIVUM L.)
Authors: BASDEMIR Fatma , Ipekesen Sibel , TUNÇ Murat , BIÇER BEHIYE TUBA
Published: February 2021

This research was conducted to determine the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers and bacteria inoculation on yield and its components on pea and faba bean in Dicle University Agricultural Faculty, Diyarbakir, Turkey, during 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. The experiment was laid out following a split-plot in completely randomized block design, with three replications. Fertilization treatments and cultivars were designed as main and sub factors, respectively. Data on plant height, plant biomass, pod weight, seed yield per plant, number of pods and number of seeds per plant, biological yield, seed yield and 100-seed weight were recorded at harvest. Number of nodules and nodule dry weight were record in flowering time. The effect of inorganic nitrogen, organic fertilizers and bacteria inoculation on grain yield, seed yield per plant, biological yield was significant at both pea and faba bean. Inorganic fertilizer (urea) was increased the grain yield (2147 kg/ha) and biological yield (4956 kg/ha) in faba bean, but close to control (2080 kg/ha and 4690 kg/ha). Organic-1, Organic-2 and bacteria treatments were decrease the grain yield and biological yield on pea and faba bean, and this decrease on pea was almost half over control. The effect of treatments on number of nodules per plant on pea and faba bean was significant. The highest number of nodules per plant on pea was in bacteria inoculation (125.9) and control (121.5), and differences among nitrogen (109.1), Organic-1 (97.3) and Organic-2 (109.3) treatments was no significant.
The Effect of Priming on Germination Characteristics of Barley Seeds under Drought Stress Conditions
Authors: TABATABAEI S A , ANSARI O
Published: February 2021

Seed priming methods have been used to increase germination and seedling establishment under different abiotic stress conditions. Seed priming was used in barley to increase seed germination and tolerance on stress exposure. Barley seeds were treated with various priming agents for different time and temperatures. The effect of priming was assessed on germination characteristics on subsequent exposure to drought (PEG-12 bar) stress for 7 days. Seed priming treatments significantly (p≤ 0.01) affected germination percentage (GP), normality seedling percentage (NSP), germination Index (GI), germination uniformity (GU), means time to germination (MTG), coefficient of velocity of germination (CVG), seedling vigor index (SVI) and coefficient of allometry (AC). Seed priming with gibberelic acid (GA), salicylic acid (SA), ascorbic acid (ASc), hydropriming (HP), osmopriming (OP) and combined treatments (CT) significantly (p≤ 0.01) increased germination characteristics, compared to the unprimed. Seed priming with concentrations 25, 50 ppm of GA for 15 h at 10°C, 25 ppm of SA for 12 h at 10°C, 50 ppm of ASc for 12 h at 15°C, treatment 16 h hydropriming at 10°C and -15 bar PEG for 24 h for osmopriming may be considered as optimal treatment for priming of barley seeds in drought stress conditions. In some cases, combined treatments are better than the separate treatments. Seed priming with PEG (potential -l5 bar PEG for 24 h at 10°C) was more effective in drought stress than the other treatments.
ASSESSMENT OF CASSAVA PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES USAGE AMONG RURAL WOMEN IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: AWOYEMI A. O. , ADESOKAN O. J. , KAYODE A. O. , OMOTESHO K. F. , OSASONA K. K.
Published: February 2021

Technology usage has been identified as a major driver of increased productivity, waste management and economic efficiency. However, there seems to be some barriers to technology usage among rural women cassava processors Nigeria. This study therefore analyzed the characteristics and constraints to technology usage among rural women processors in Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria. A two-stage sampling technique was used to randomly select 120 respondents from six districts, namely Igbaja, Idofin, OkeOde, Omupo, Ora and Share. Primary data were used for the study and the data were collected by means of an interview schedule. Descriptive statistical tools, such as precision counts, frequencies and percentages, were used in analyzing the data, while Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analysis was used to test the hypothesis. The findings revealed the level of usage of cassava processing among rural women in the study area is moderately high. Major constraints to the adoption of cassava processing technologies includes: high cost of machines and maintenance, low level awareness and training, as well as inadequate finance. PPMC analysis showed that educational level and cassava processing experience was significantly related to the usage of improved cassava processing technologies in the study area with p≤ 0.05. Based on findings, training and effective monitoring by relevant stakeholders, adequate financing, sensitization and enlightenment campaigns will further boost cassava processors knowledge and attitude towards cassava processing technologies and automatically increase usage by the respondents.
THE IMPORTANCE OF QUINOA (QUINOA CHENOPODIUM WILLD.) CULTIVATION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A REVIEW
Authors: FATHI A. , KARDONI F.
Published: February 2021

Quinoa is a dicotyledonous species for seeds and, therefore, is not known as a cereal grain and is a pseudograin, which is introduced nowadays as a new crop in the world. Population growth and the need for more food put additional pressure on the environment, especially on water resources and agronomic ecosystems. This has led to more attention to plants that grow at different latitudes and altitudes. Climatic and environmental changes affect agricultural inputs, especially water resources. So, the best way of adapting to the current situation is the introduction of low-water, salt resistant, and drought-tolerant plants to the recent climatic changes. Water scarcity has become a serious problem in many countries. This restriction has had a significant impact on the development of countries. The plants which grow in arid and semi-arid regions are often exposed to adverse environmental factors, such as drought or salinity. Salinity and drought stress, more than any other factor, decrease crop yields around the world. These two abiotic stresses are the main limiting factors for crop production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Quinoa is an exceptional plant that can adapt to adverse conditions and can serve as a solution to the challenge of global food security. Recent droughts that occurred in the world have prompted governments to include plants in their development plans, which are adapted to the country's existing water and soil conditions and have high nutritional value. This way, quinoa cultivation can ensure their food security in the coming years.
Gestão Escolar da teoria à prática
Authors: Fernandes Francisca Risolene , Sousa Francisca Genifer Andrade de
Published: February 2021

Objetiva-se discutir sobre a prática da gestão escolar nos tempos atuais, sob a perspectiva de uma profissional que atua nesse campo profissional. A fundamentação teórica da pesquisa respalda-se em Krawczyk (1999), Warde (1992), Freire (1987), Bravo (2014) e dentre outros. O caminho metodológico procedeu mediante entrevista realizada com a coordenadora de uma instituição pública de Ensino Fundamental localizada no Centro da cidade de Horizonte-CE, região metropolitana de Fortaleza-CE; e as narrativas coletadas foram submetidas à análise de conteúdo de Bardin (2006). Os resultados apresentaram que os ambientes de educação formal são locais que favorecem a perpetuação do sistema capitalista, visto que nas escolas há predominância da hierarquia (diretor-coordenador-professor-aluno) e todas as ações são regidas a partir de horários e tempos já determinados.
Forecasting the impacts of severe weather
Authors: Schroeter Serena , Richter Harald , Arthur Craig , Wilke David , Dunford Mark , Wehner Martin , Ebert Elizabeth
Published: February 2021

National meteorological and hydrological services provide severe weather warning information to inform decision-making by emergency management organisations. Such information also helps communities to take defensive and mitigating actions prior to and during severe weather events. Globally, warning information issued by meteorological and hydrological services varies widely. This can range from solely hazard-based to impact-based forecasting encompassing the exposure and vulnerability of communities to severe weather. The most advanced of these systems explicitly and quantitatively model the impacts of hazards on affected assets or infrastructure such as vehicle traffic or housing. Incorporating impact information into severe weather warnings contextualises and personalises the warning information, increasing the likelihood that individuals and communities will take preparatory action. However, providing useful and detailed impact information remains a challenge. This paper reviews a selection of current severe weather warnings and impact forecasting capabilities globally and highlights uncertainties that limit the forecasting and modelling of multi-hazard events.
Presencia de Staphylococcus aureus en quesos comercializados en la Ciudad de Milagro, Octubre –Noviembre 2013
Authors: Pazmiño Gómez Betty Judith
Published: February 2021

Los Staphylococcus aureus son cocos Gram positivos, presentes en el ambiente, agua, aire y alimentos; se presentan con frecuencia en derivados lácteos y alimentos con alto contenido de sal como los embutidos. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la presencia de Staphylococcus aureus en quesos comercializados en la ciudad de Milagro. Mediante un estudio de tipo descriptivo, prospectivo y transversal, realizado en los meses de octubre y noviembre del 2013; un total de 54 (100%) quesos con tres tipos de procesos: fresco, pasteurizado y mozzarella, fueron analizados por aislamiento en medio de cultivo selectivo (Agar Baird Parker), tinción de Gram y por los métodos de diagnóstico bacteriológicos: catalasa, coagulasa y manitol salado. Las muestras fueron tomadas de 3 mercados de la ciudad de Milagro, resultando una incidencia de S. aureus, en 30 quesos estudiados (55%), se presentó la bacteria en los diferentes tipos de queso de la siguiente manera: 18 quesos artesanales (100%); 11 quesos pasteurizados (61%) y 1 queso mozzarella (5%). Estos resultados constituyen un peligro inminente para los consumidores, por tener enterotoxinas, que pueden conllevar a la muerte por intoxicaciones, además, esta investigación cumplió con las normas Ecuatorianas NTE INEN 1529-2, NTE INEN 1529-14:98, NTE INEN 2584: 2013 y CLSI (Instituto de Estandarización de Laboratorio)
Anxieties, concerns and facts about meat consumption and health: A Short Review
Authors: Abraham John , A. Irshad
Published: February 2021

Meat from food animals is an important and long established dietary source of protein and essential nutrients. Many studies consistently reported that red and white meat can act as an important source of nutrients like iron, zinc, selenium and vitamin B12. However, various reports have also confirmed a positive correlation between meat consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease and colon cancer, which led to a negative perception of the role of animal protein source in health. The aim of this review is to highlight on existing literature on risks and benefits of meat consumption, focusing on anxieties, myths, concerns and accurate facts. While we investigate many such reports about the correlation between meat consumption and the risk of such diseses, we could identify several methodological limitations and inconsistencies, which may affect the validity of their research findings. There is no well-built report or study to support the recent conclusion from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) about red meat and its suspected role in colon cancer. Several cohort studies indicated the role of lean meat as positive moderator of lipid profiles as well as dietary source of anti-inflammatory long chain (LC) ω3 PUFAs and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). In conclusion, moderate level of meat consumption as part of a balanced diet is unlikely to increase risk for cardiovascular disease or colorectal cancer, but may unquestionably influence nutrient bioavailability and fatty acid profiles, thereby positively lead to better health benefits. Keywords: Meat consumption, red meat, conjugated linoleic acid, meat nutrients
Egg yolk antibodies (IgY) and its relevance in animal and human health-An updated review
Authors: Sivaprasad M.S. , Vinod V.K. , Jisna K.S. , Nair Prasanth M. , Parmar Neha
Published: February 2021

Abstract:
Egg yolk represents an alternate source of antibody and provides some advantages over mammalian serum immunoglobulins. The principal immunoglobulin in avian blood is Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) and is transferred to egg yolk and then to their offspring and thus makes it possible for the non-invasive harvesting of antibodies in higher amount from eggs. Moreover, due to the structural differences and phylogenetic variations, IgY is more acceptable than mammalian antibodies for diagnostic purposes, as it does not interfere with mammalian antibodies and shows greater avidity for proteins retained in mammals. As a therapeutic and diagnostic tool, IgY has wide application in animal and human health. The emergence of drug resistance organisms causing respiratory tract infections is a critical problem for the health care system worldwide. Passive immunization is a potential alternative for this. Recent studies on the diagnosis and therapeutic effects of IgY against SARS-CoV-2 indicates the importance of this technique in the present context. This review refers to the use of IgY antibodies from chicken egg yolks against the infection caused by bacteria, viruses (including SARS-CoV-2) and parasites in human beings and in animals in addition to its use in food preservation, anti tumour and anti allergic activities.

Keywords: Egg yolk antibodies (IgY); human health; SARS-CoV-2; Egg yolk
Structural and functional profile of livestock markets in India
Authors: R. S. Vishnu Dev , Harikumar S.
Published: February 2021

Abstract:
Livestock markets perform major exchange function of animals in India. These markets play a considerable share in the economic gain of farmers and act as a social and cultural migration hub for the domestic and foreign tourists also. But they are largely unorganized and dominated by informal traders. The structural base of livestock markets determines the sales pattern and the major price value of animals is bagged by middlemen. These markets are functioning under the jurisdiction of the state governments and supervision is under the control of the local bodies. The different marketing strategies in the markets and pricing are affected by qualitative and quantitative factors of animals. The major constraints regarding the livestock markets are the lack of facilities and unawareness of knowledge among the sellers and buyers. The role of livestock markets in disease transmission is also a matter of concern. Details regarding animal movement will facilitate epidemiological studies to prevent contagious diseases from outside the country. In the present COVID-19 pandemic, conventional livestock markets are closed and virtual markets based on online platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and E-commerce sites are coming up and these transformations are absolutely inevitable.

Keywords: Livestock markets, Marketing strategies, India
Analisis Rasio Risk Based Capital, Rasio Likuiditas, Rasio Solvabilitas, Underwriting Ratio Pada Pt Asuransi Bintang, Tbk Pasca Ojk (Otoritas Jasa Keuangan)
Authors: Ika Handayani Ch.Dini
Published: February 2021

The financial report is one of the tools that can be used to know the financial condition of the company. Financial statements present the financial position and the overview of the company’s performance in generating profits. To find out the company’s health condition can be seen from the ratio-financial ratio. On the insurance company, financial ratios that are used to assess the financial performance is the ratio of risk based capital ratios, liquidity, solvency ratio and underwriting ratio. Risk Based Capital Ratio of PT Asuransi Bintang, Tbk from year 2011 up to 2016 is always above 120 percent. This means that the financial good health condition. Ratio liquidity is at a range of 850.56% up to 1762.69%. This reflects the liquidity of the company is very good. The value of the Debt Ratio in table 3 each year are at numbers 67%. This means that 67% of total assets financed with debt. Beginnning in 2012, the value of the ratio of underwriting is always above 50%. This means that premium income obtained two times greater than the burden of underwriting .
Ignacio Ellacuría y la necesidad de autorreflexión de la teoría crítica
Authors: Romero Cuevas José Manuel
Published: February 2021

No abstract available.

ECA Estudios Centroamericanos, Vol. 68, No. 732, 2013: 61-74.
O ENGENHEIRO DE SEGURANÇA DO TRABALHO COMO GARANTIDOR DE CONDIÇÕES LABORAIS SALUBRES PARA O PEQUENO PRODUTOR RURAL IRRIGANTE
Authors: Lima Sampaio Alexsandro , Nunes Marques Camila , Moreira de Melo Filho Orlando , Carlos Xeres Francisco
Published: February 2021

Brazil has had an accelerated growth in agriculture in the last decade and, as a result, there has been the production and use of a large number of new pesticides, making Brazil one of the largest consumers of this input in the world. The objective of this work was, in general, to contextualize the discussion about the development of agriculture in Brazil and in the World and the consequent increase in the use of the so-called pesticides. As a specific objective, the characterization of the small irrigating producer of a public irrigation project was carried out according to the new Irrigation Law, and lastly, the duties of the Work Safety Engineers were listed in their work related to care in the workplace. handling and application of pesticides in the defense and guarantee of labor integrity of rural workers. In order to carry out the present work, the methodological procedure of investigative research was adopted through a careful bibliographic survey on the subject addressed in books, official legislation, scientific publications, rules and resolutions, among others; as a way to guarantee technical and scientific support for this article. Final considerations highlight that it is the duty of the Occupational Safety Engineer to focus, primarily, on the protection of rural workers in all work units with regard to occupational safety issues. In this professional, one sees an effective guarantor of job security for the small irrigating rural producer of Public Irrigation Projects-PPIs.
Retracing Hypoxia in Eckernförde Bight (Baltic Sea)
Authors: Dietze Heiner , Löptien Ulrike
Published: February 2021

Abstract. In recent years, upwelling events of low-oxygenated deep water have been repeatedly observed in Eckernförde Bight (EB) situated in the Baltic Sea, Germany. Many of these events were related to massive fish-kill incidents – with negative consequences for commercial fisheries and tourism. The aim of this study is to dissect underlying mechanisms and to explore the potential of existing monitoring programs to predict these events. Our main tool is an ultra-high spatially resolved general ocean circulation model which drives an elementary representation of the biogeochemical dynamics of dissolved oxygen (dubbed MOMBE and EckO2, respectively). In addition, we integrate artificial clocks that measure the residence time of the water in EB along with timescales of (surface) ventilation. We present an ensemble of hind cast model simulations, covering the period from 2000 up to 2018, designed to cover a range of poorly known model parameters for vertical background mixing (diffusivity) and local oxygen consumption within EB. Our results indicate that the dynamics of low (hypoxic) oxygen concentrations in bottom waters deep inside EB is, to first order, determined by the following antagonistic processes: (1) the inflow of low-oxygenated water from the Kiel Bight (KB) – especially from July to October and (2) the local ventilation of bottom waters by local (within EB) subduction and vertical mixing. Biogeochemical processes that consume oxygen locally, are apparently of minor importance for the development of hypoxic events. Reverse reasoning suggests that subduction and mixing processes in EB contribute, under certain environmental conditions, to the ventilation of the KB by exporting recently-ventilated waters enriched in oxygen. A detailed analysis of the 2017 fish-kill incident highlights the interplay between westerly winds importing hypoxia from KB and ventilating easterly winds which subduct oxygenated water. Finally, we explore the capabilities of – comparably computationally cheap – feed-forward artificial neuronal networks to forecast hypoxia deep in EB based on data at a monitoring site at the entrance of EB.
Incorporating the stable carbon isotope 13C in the ocean biogeochemical component of the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model
Authors: Liu Bo , Six Katharina D. , Ilyina Tatiana
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Direct comparison between paleo oceanic δ13C records and model results facilitates assessing simulated distributions and properties of water masses in the past. To accomplish this, we include a new representation of the stable carbon isotope 13C into the HAMburg Ocean Carbon Cycle model (HAMOCC), the ocean biogeochemical component of the Max Planck Institute Earth System Model (MPI-ESM). 13C is explicitly resolved for all existing oceanic carbon pools. We account for fractionation during air-sea gas exchange and for biological fractionation εp associated with photosynthetic carbon fixation during phytoplankton growth. We examine two εp parameterisations of different complexity: εpPopp varies with surface dissolved CO2 concentration (Popp et al., 1989), while εpLaws additionally depends on local phytoplankton growth rates (Laws et al., 1995). When compared to observations of δ13C in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), both parameterisations yield similar performance. However, with regard to δ13C in particulate organic carbon εpPopp shows a considerably improved performance than εpLaws, because the latter results in a too strong preference for 12C. The model also well reproduces the oceanic 13C Suess effect, i.e. the intrusion of the isotopically light anthropogenic CO2 into the ocean, based on comparison to other existing 13C models and to observation-based oceanic carbon uptake estimates over the industrial period. We further apply the approach of Eide et al. (2017a), who derived the first global oceanic 13C Suess effect estimate based on observations, to our model data that has ample spatial and temporal coverage. With this we are able to analyse in detail the underestimation of 13C Suess effect by this approach as it has been noted by Eide et al. (2017a). Based on our model we find underestimations of 13C Suess effect at 200 m by 0.24 ‰ in the Indian Ocean, 0.21 ‰ in the North Pacific, 0.26 ‰ in the South Pacific, 0.1 ‰ in the North Atlantic and 0.14 ‰ in the South Atlantic. We attribute the major sources of the underestimation to two assumptions in Eide et al. (2017a)'s approach: a spatially-constant preformed component of δ13CDIC in year 1940 and neglecting 13C Suess effect in CFC-12 free water.
Deep learning for the estimation of water-levels using river cameras
Authors: Vandaele Remy , Dance Sarah L. , Ojha Varun
Published: February 2021

Abstract. River level estimation is a critical task required for the understanding of flood events, and is often complicated by the scarcity of available data. Recent studies have proposed to take advantage of large networks of river camera images to estimate the river levels, but currently, the utility of this approach remains limited as it requires a large amount of manual intervention (ground topographic surveys and water image annotation). We develop an approach using an automated water semantic segmentation method to ease the process of river level estimation from river camera images. Our method is based on the application of a transfer learning methodology to deep semantic neural networks designed for water segmentation. Using datasets of image series extracted from four river cameras and manually annotated for the observation of a flood event on the Severn and Avon rivers, UK (21 November–5 December 2012), we show that our algorithm is able to automate the annotation process with an accuracy greater than 91 %. Then, we apply our approach to year-long image series from the same cameras observing the Severn and Avon (from 1 June 2019 to 31 May 2020) and compare our results with nearby river-gauge measurements. Given the high correlation (Pearson's Correlation Coefficient > 0.94) between our results and the river-gauge measurements, it is clear that our approach to automation of the water segmentation on river camera images could allow for straightforward, inexpensive observation of flood events, especially at ungauged locations.
Impact of large wildfires on PM10 levels and human mortality in
Portugal
Authors: Tarín-Carrasco Patricia , Augusto Sofia , Palacios-Peña Laura , Ratola Nuno , Jiménez-Guerrero Pedro
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Uncontrolled wildfires have a substantial impact on the environment, the economy and local populations. According to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), between the years 2000 and 2013 wildfires burnt about 170,000–740,000 ha of land annually on the south of Europe (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece and France). Although most southern European countries have been impacted by wildfires in the last decades, Portugal was the most affected, having the highest percentage of burned area comparing to its whole territory. For this reason, it deserves a closer attention. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the impacts of the wildfire-related pollutants on the mortality of the population. All wildfires occurring during the fire seasons (June-July-August-September) from 2001 and 2016 were identified and those with a burned area above 1000 ha were considered for the study. To assess the spatial impact of the wildfires, these were correlated with PM10 concentrations measured at nearby background air quality monitoring stations, provided by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). Associations between PM10 and all-cause (excluding injuries, poisoning and external causes) and cause-specific mortality (circulatory and respiratory), provided by Statistics Portugal, were studied for the affected populations, using Poisson regression models. During the studied period (2001–2016), more than 2 million ha of forest were burned in mainland Portugal and the 48 % of wildfires occurred were large fires. A significant correlation between burned area and PM10 have been found in some NUTS III (regions) on Portugal, as well as a significant correlation between burned area and mortality. North, centre and inland of Portugal are the most affected areas. The high temperatures and long episodes of drought expected on the future will increase the probabilities of extreme events and therefore, the occurrence of wildfires.
Surface atmospheric forcing as the driver of long-term pathways and timescales of ocean ventilation
Authors: Marzocchi Alice , Nurser A. J. George , Clément Louis , McDonagh Elaine L.
Published: February 2021

Abstract. The ocean takes up 93 % of the excess heat in the climate system and approximately a quarter of the anthropogenic carbon via air-sea fluxes. Ocean ventilation and subduction are key processes that regulate the transport of water (and associated properties) from the surface mixed layer, which is in contact with the atmosphere, to the ocean's interior which is isolated from the atmosphere for a timescale set by the large-scale circulation. Using numerical simulations with an ocean-sea-ice model using the NEMO framework, we assess where the ocean subducts water and thus takes up properties from the atmosphere and how ocean currents transport and redistribute them over time and how, where and when they are ventilated. Here, the strength and patterns of the net uptake of water and associated properties are analysed by including simulated sea water vintage dyes that are passive tracers released annually into the ocean surface layers between 1958 and 2017. The dyes' distribution is shown to capture years of strong and weak convection at deep and mode water formation sites in both hemispheres, especially when compared to observations in the North Atlantic subpolar gyre. Using this approach, relevant to any passive tracer in the ocean, we can evaluate the regional and depth distribution of the tracers, and determine their variability on interannual to multidecadal timescales. We highlight the key role of variations in subduction rate driven by changes in surface atmospheric forcing in setting the different sizes of the long-term inventory of the dyes released in different years and the evolution of their distribution. This suggests forecasting potential for determining how the distribution of passive tracers will evolve, from having prior knowledge of the surface air-sea fluxes, with implications for the uptake and storage of anthropogenic heat and carbon in the ocean.
Managing the Accessibility on Mass Public Transit: the Case of Hong Kong
Authors: Lo Hong K , Tang Siman , Wang David Z.W.
Published: February 2021

Public transit services (PTS) improve mobility and accessibility, and reduce car dependence. It is ideal if PTS are financially sustainable, with affordable fares and expedient quality. The success of PTS on accessibility improvement can be reflected by their level of patronage: do travelers choose to use them in lieu of their private cars? PTS in Hong Kong are renowned for their quality and profitability, superbly addressing the accessibility need for the city; they carry over 90% of the 11 million daily trips. A comparison of the per capita train-car and bus-vehicle kilometer run of PTS in Hong Kong with those in London and Singapore, however, suggests that it is not purely the supply that affects the use or accessibility of PTS in Hong Kong. By tracing and analyzing the development of PTS in Hong Kong over the past two decades, we found evidence that the high level of accessibility on mass public transit in the territory can be attributed to the land use policy of developing compact, high-density township, accompanying transport policies of granting high priority to the development of mass transit facilities and providing ways to ensure the financial viability of privately operated PTS, especially the innovative approach of integrating the development of public transport facility and property so as to exploit their synergy. In this paper, we study and highlight elements that contribute to the development of high accessibility on mass public transit in Hong Kong.
Implementing accessibility in municipal planning: planners’ view
Authors: Wennberg Hanna , Ståhl Agneta , Hydén Christer
Published: February 2021

Accessibility in public outdoor environments for those with reduced functional capacity has been gaining interest on both the international and national levels. This study investigates how accessibility issues are currently treated in Swedish municipalities in order to examine how older peoples’ accessibility needs are met in daily practice. A postal questionnaire was sent to all municipalities in Sweden (N=290) with questions mainly regarding three categories: (1) existence of policies and planning documents, cooperation with interest organizations, and measures implemented, (2) awareness and use of governmental directives and recommendations relevant for accessibility issues and (3) statements of how accessibility issues are treated among municipal politicians and employees as perceived by the respondent. In the data analysis, a quantitative ranking of each one of the three categories was created using questions from the questionnaire to indicate the level of accessibility implemented in municipal planning. The results show a large variation in the accessibility standard among the municipalities in Sweden. In municipalities that have planning documents, e.g. accessibility plan, accessibility issues are treated more positively among the municipal politicians and employees. This positive relationship with the treatment of accessibility was also found with factors such as municipalities have an accessibility adviser employed, municipalities cooperate with senior organizations, and municipalities use governmental directives and recommendations relevant for accessibility issues. This paper concludes that although there is still much to do to accomplish a society accessible to all citizens, a majority of the Swedish municipalities are nevertheless positive to accessibility issues.
Playing Global Monopoly in Cement: The Globalization of CEMEX
Authors: Cawman Mark William , Fine-Skalnik Patricia
Published: February 2021

This research article is intended for use as a classroom case study with questions for discussion in International Business. This research analyzes CEMEX and their strategy for globalization. CEMEX is a Mexico founded building materials company that operates in more than fifty countries and maintains trade relationships in over one-hundred nations. In addition to CEMEX creating an international business, CEMEX embraces core values including ethics, integrity, and environmental sustainability. The literature review in this study, documents how CEMEX overcame cultural and political implications, and significant risk to become a significant multinational corporation. The topical focus and purpose of this research is to explore CEMEX critically as a specimen company representing cross-cultural and international business growth. The analysis includes the utilization of the Hofstede Cultural Dimensions framework and the PESTLEEG analysis.
A study on the reuse of ash from sugarcane bagasse
Authors: Hobold Monique Carrer , Matos Alex Hahn , Silva Karen Amorin da , Duarte Glaucea Warmeling
Published: February 2021

The generation of large amounts of ash from sugarcane bagasse by its producing countries is becoming a worldwide-problem. Its irregular application, such as in fertilizers, contaminates soil and water, causing a great environmental problem. Studies show it is possible to apply ash in some specific areas, such as replacement of portland cement, replacement of clay, as an adsorbent, in the treatment and stabilization of soils, in the pavement of road asphalt, among others. The objective of the present article is to evaluate which are the most promising areas for the use of sugarcane bagasse ash. The work was developed with a bibliographic search, using the bibliometrics technique. The results obtained show that it is possible to use ash in several different areas. However, having a detailed study of the characteristics of the ash obtained is important, because they are directly related to the regions and climates where sugarcane is cultivated, besides its granulometry, collection time the ashes in the boilers, pHs, curing time, etc. In conclusion, results can be very different for the same application area, depending on the properties of the ash obtained.
Fine root contribution to the soil carbon stock of an agroforestry system in a Caatinga-Atlantic Forest transition zone
Authors: Monroe Paulo Henrique Marques , Barreto-Garcia Patrícia Anjos Bittencourt , Lima Maida Cynthia Duca , Santos Rayka Kristian Alves , Oliveira Elismar Pereira , Silva Sarah Rabelo , Gama Dráuzio Correa
Published: February 2021

The objective of this work was to evaluate the distribution of fine roots and its influence on the soil organic carbon stock, at a depth of 20 cm, in a Grevillea robusta and Coffea arabica agroforestry system. The study was conducted in an agroforestry system established 15 years ago in a transition area of Caatinga and Atlantic Forest biomes in Brazil. G. robusta trees representing the most frequent diameter class were selected, and three distances of these trees (0, 0.75 and 1.50 m) and two soil collection depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm) were defined. The root samples were scanned and quantified using a software program. There was a general predominance of roots with a diameter of 0.6 mm at the shortest distance from the surface layer, while there was a predominance of roots with a diameter of 0.4 mm in the 10–20 cm layer. The root carbon stock at a distance of 0.75 m was higher at a depth of 0–10 cm (0.60 Mg ha-1). The soil organic carbon stock also showed higher results in the 0–10 cm layer compared to the 10–20 cm layer, although with significant variation only in the distance of 1.5 m. There was a higher concentration of fine roots in the topsoil, probably influenced by a greater availability of water and nutrients from plant residues. The soil carbon stock is not closely related to root density or root carbon stock. The data presented in this study do not provide a definitive conclusion.
Economic evaluation of the impacts of water quality on fishery production in the Estuary Complex of Santos, São Vicente and Bertioga cities, in southeastern coast of Brazil
Authors: Barcellini Victor Carrozza , Paes Ângela Tavares , Miraglia Simone Georges El Khouri
Published: February 2021

The present study proposes a diagnosis of water quality and fishery production in the Estuarine Complex of Santos, São Vicente, and Bertioga Cities as a requirement for economic valuation of water pollution impacts on fishing production. In the study period (2009–2014), three water quality parameters were identified (dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus, and nitrate), which occurred more frequently in non-conformity with Brazilian water standards, according to reports released by the Environmental Company of São Paulo State (Companhia Ambiental do Estado de São Paulo — CETESB). For data collection of fishery production, data from the monitoring of Institute of Fisheries of Santos City (Instituto de Pesca de Santos) were used, and 15 species were identified with higher occurrence in the study area. The relation between water quality parameters and fishery production was analyzed with mixed linear models, in which significant values for dissolved oxygen parameters, total phosphorus (positive relation), and nitrate (negative relation) were found. Environmental valuation considered only the direct use values (DUV) component of the valuation of fishery production variation in relation to water quality variation. For this purpose, the Marginal Productivity Method (MPM) of the dose-response function was used, which resulted in a range of monetary loss between US$ 24,760,550.22 and US$60,635,978.78. The obtained values represent only a portion of the valuation of economic and environmental loss in the fishing activity (part of DUV). Therefore, economic value calculated is conservative, and although it did not reached the total amount corresponding to all the impacts caused by poor water quality, given the limitations of methods and study period, the obtained values represent the minimum environmental monetary loss.
Phylogenetics of the genus Sechium P. Brown: A review
Authors: Barrera-Guzmán Luis A. , Cadena-Iñiguez Jorge , Legaria-Solano Juan P. , Sahagún-Castellanos Jaime
Published: February 2021

The Sechium P. Br. genus composed of 11 species, which originated from the mountainous regions of Mesoamerica, have been domesticated and diversified. These species are clustered in two large groups: the Mexican clade and the Central American clade. Morphological and molecular studies have shown that species of the Mexican clade are formed through interspecific hybridizations and genetic flow, with the exception of S. mexicanum, which is strongly linked to the genus Sicyos. The objective of this review was to analyze the phylogenetics of Sechium based on morphological and molecular studies, which contributed to taxonomic knowledge and utilization, thereby favoring its conservation and improvement. The Central American clade is well supported with molecular data, but not so with morphological data. The species in this clade were geographically isolated and endemic. S. edule and S. tacaco are exploited species in the agricultural and industrial sectors, and both have an extensive genetic and phenotypic diversity that has allowed them to diversify and expand into different ecological niches. Finally, the Central American species of Sechium thrive in adverse environments of temperatures of mesophyll forest and high relative humidity, with characteristics that can give resistance to frosts and phytopathogenic agents, as well as cultivated species of this genus.