bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aperçu - Les effets des changements climatiques sur la santé et le bien-être dans les régions rurales et éloignées au Canada : synthèse documentaire
Authors: Kipp Amy , Cunsolo Ashlee , Vodden Kelly , King Nia , Manners Sean , Harper Sherilee L.
Published: April 2019

Cet article présente une synthèse de la version préliminaire du chapitre à venir « Collectivités rurales et éloignées » de l’Évaluation nationale des changements climatiques du gouvernement du Canada, et il répertorie les principales préoccupations en matière de santé exposées dans la littérature sur les changements climatiques à propos des régions rurales et éloignées, ainsi que les stratégies d’adaptation actuelles et celles à mettre en place. Cet aperçu, fondé sur un processus de recherche systématique, souligne l’importance de tenir compte des composantes socioculturelles, économiques et géographiques spécifiques de ces régions ainsi que de l’expertise dont disposent déjà leurs habitants et leurs collectivités si l’on veut contribuer à la santé et au bien-être des populations qui subissent les effets nocifs des changements climatiques.
Commentaire - Changements climatiques, santé et avantages connexes des espaces verts
Authors: Kingsley Marianne ,   EcoHealth Ontario
Published: April 2019

Nous avons examiné deux des défis actuels de l’humanité, soit les changements climatiques et les maladies chroniques, en fonction des avantages connexes que les espaces verts procurent à la santé humaine et à l’environnement. La réduction de plusieurs maladies chroniques et des symptômes qui les accompagnent, dont l’anxiété, l’obésité et les maladies cardiovasculaires, a été associée à la présence d’espaces verts et à l’accès à ceux-ci. Les espaces verts offrent également à un certain nombre d’avantages pour la santé environnementale : ils réduisent le risque d’inondation, améliorent la qualité de l’air, rafraîchissent la température et créent de l’ombre. Ces avantages touchent à la fois les symptômes de plusieurs maladies chroniques ainsi que les facteurs de risque associés et les effets des changements climatiques sur l’environnement et la santé. Notre article porte sur les façons d’optimiser les avantages connexes des espaces verts, au moyen de deux exemples de collaborations multisectorielles. À l’aide de ces deux exemples, nous avons conçu un modèle de collaboration collective visant à régler simultanément des problèmes complexes, comme les changements climatiques et les maladies chroniques, grâce à l’intervention sur les espaces verts.
Mitigating Vulnerability of Adolescent Girls via Innovative Usage of Digital Technologies: Insights from a Field Trial
Authors: Ghosh Chiranjeeb , Paul Sanjoy , Kuntagod Nataraj S , Maitra Anutosh , Bhattacharya Indrani
Published: April 2019

Adolescents and young adults, between the ages of 10 to 24, comprise approximately 30 percent of India’s population. These youths, 365 million strong, will shape the future of the nation. Although the Government of India has been spending enormous amount of money in a relentless manner over decades and the current cohorts of youth are healthier and better educated than ever before, the fact of the matter is, vulnerabilities still persist for adolescent girls (World Bank, 2014). We argue in this paper that vulnerability of adolescent girls cannot be dealt with by executing verticals programmes in Education, Health, Nutrition and Protection in isolation rather it needs to be handled by running these programmes in a converged manner. The comprehensive reports and analysis of data across these domains would provide a 360-degree view of individual girls, predicting their potential vulnerability well ahead of time, thereby enabling the stakeholders to intervene and prevent untoward incidents like child marriage, child labour, child pregnancy, and trafficking among others. Furthermore, insights generated from analysing the data from the field can be used to identify the areas of improvement for the programme as applicable to decision makers at different levels of societal structure starting with villages to blocks to districts. This paper describes a digital solution called G-Power that comprehensively addresses the above challenges, and shares insights from a field trial carried out in two districts of West Bengal in India.

Keywords:  mobility, social welfare, vulnerability assessment
Determinant Factors of Brand Loyalty in Malaysian Automotive Industry
Authors: Alqasa Khaled , Ho Tuck Sum , Md Isa Filzah
Published: April 2019

With the rapid growth in the Malaysian automotive industry, brand loyalty has become a major issue for a majority of the automobile brands. Market shares for national brand automobiles had been on the declining stage since 2011, from 56.4 per cent to 46.8 per cent in 2014. The objectives of this study are to verify the factors that affect consumers’ perception towards brand loyalty by studying the relationships between three important factors: which are service quality, marketing-mix strategy, and country-of-origin, on brand loyalty. A postal mail survey using judgmental, cluster and simple random sampling of Malaysian consumers in the Klang Valley yielded 413 respondents of which 381 samples are usable. Regression was used to analyse the relationships between the variables. Results showed that marketing-mix strategy and country-of-origin have significant relationships with brand loyalty. However, service quality does not have any significant relationship with brand loyalty. The findings of this study, while contributing to the body of knowledge may also assist policy makers and marketers in their sustainability efforts.

Keywords: brand loyalty, service quality, marketing-mix strategy, countryof-origin, Malaysia
Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) : An Empirical Analysis of the Value and Expectancy Theory
Authors: Wee Shu Hui , Abdul Azis Maz Ainy , Abdul Rasit Zarinah
Published: April 2019

One of the purposes of this study is to find the motivated behaviour of Accounting students towards their studies. This study was conducted on UiTM students studying accounting either as a course or as part of another course in Shah Alam. Self-efficacy, the expectancy component of motivation, refers to the confidence of the students 'own capabilities in performing a task. In contrast, the value component, task value relates to the reasons for doing the task. The results indicate that self- regulated learning is inspired by selfefficacy and task value. Students need the skill and knowledge and the will to use them to become self-regulated learners.
Inter-relationship between performance of Bursa Malaysia and foreign stock markets
Authors: P. Thuraisingam T. Chantrathevi , Tew You Hoo , Daud Dalila
Published: April 2019

This paper explores the general perception that the Malaysian stock market is influenced by leading overseas stock markets. Employing correlation analysis comparison was made between the performance ofBiirsa Malaysia's Composite Index and six stock market indices namely Straits Times Index, Hang Seng Index, Nikkei 225 Stock Average, Australia All Ordinaries Index, Dow Jones Industrial Average Index and Financial Times 100 Index. This study also seeks to determine ifthere is any significant stability ofcorrelations over time. These indices were studied over a period offifteen years from I January 1990 to 31 December 2004, beginning with the cessation oftrading ofMalaysian shares on the Singapore stock exchange, which is synonymous with the pre-Asian financial crisis period, the crisis period and a post crisis period of almost five years. The study found that the, daily returns of the Composite Index over the period is positively co-related with the foreign indices indicating that the markets were moving in the same direction, in other words there is interdependency between the stock markets. However, the low to moderate correlation refutes the belief that the Malaysian stock market is influenced by the performance ofthe major stock markets. The study also found that generally the correlations are unstable over lime.
Impediments to women accountants' career progression in Malaysia
Authors: Zainal Abidin Zubaidah , Penafort Ponnu Frances , Marzuki Marzlin
Published: April 2019

This study examines women in the accounting profession, their perceptions of their own career barriers in their organization, and identifies possible reasons why they leave their organizations and ways to retain them. Seven measurable constructs were established: exclusionary environment;family responsibility; workplace benefit; job jlexibility; corporate policies; job stress; and job demand. A multiple regression analysis is used to explain the effects ofwomen accountant s perception of impediments on career progression. Except for elements ofjob stress, where they appear significant in isolation with career progression, most of the findings disclosed no correlations with career advancement ofwomen accountant. Incidentally, marital status is significantly positively related to career progression. The reasons for leaving the organization indicated by the women accountants' are job demand, work family policy, gender discrimination and etc. Work-family policies such as child care and flexi-time are the most consistent benefits quotedby respondents that will enhance retention of employees.
Perceived usefulness of Management Accounting system, budget participation, individual accountability and managerial performance : a study on Malaysian local authority
Authors: Syed Abd Hamid Sharifah Fadzlon
Published: April 2019

This paper examined the combined effect of perceived usefulness of Management Accounting System (MAS), budgetary participation and individual accountability on managerial performance. The data was collected using questionnaires addressed to 78 officers from five local authorities. The findings did not support the direct, effect of perceived usefulness of MAS on managerial performance. However, 'the findings revealed that high level of budgetary participation significantly influenced high level managerial performance. Similarly, the results also showed that high perceived level of individual accountability significantly influenced managerial performance.
A study on the perception, usage rate and satisfaction of herbal products among customers in the Northern Region
Authors: Mohd Saman Fatimah , Mohammad Zaki Ayob
Published: April 2019

The use of herbs and herbal products has become widely accepted in most cultures. This trend benefits not only manufacturers and retailers, but the consumers as well in terms of having varied choices. Although herbal product sales have seen strong, growth, the local content for these products is only about ten percent. Herbs such as tongkat ali (eurycoma longifolia), kacip fatimah (Iabisia pumila), pegaga (centella asiatica), serai wangi (cynbotogon nardus), and sena makki (cassia angustifolia) are well known and very much required in the production of herbal products. This research attempts to understand herbal utilization trends in Kedah, Penang, and Perlis.
Conceptions of functions among first degree and diploma students
Authors: Sheikh Abdullah Siti Aishah
Published: April 2019

The concept of functions is one of the most important topics in mathematics learning. However many studies have indicated various difficulties students exhibited in learning the concept of functions. Tall & Vinner used the term concept images to describe how students think about concepts. A person S concept image can differ greatly from the formal mathematical definitions of the concept. This study explores an aspect of understanding the concept of functions related to this theme. One hundred and ninety university students from two different universities and with a different academic background participated in the study. The first group of students were diploma students in their second semester of engineering programme. The second group were first year students enroll in science based degree in another higher institutions. Data were gathered from questionnaires which asked students to identify functions in graphic and algebraic forms. They were also requested to give reasons for their choices. A large number of students indicated a strong tendency to observe function only as a formula between x and y. Their justification for rejecting or accepting representations of functions showed a rather rigid and limited understanding of the concept. Many were unable to give clear reasoning explaining their choices according to the formal definition from their previous learning.
Does operating performance really improve following financial institutions merger : a case of Malaysian banks
Authors: Wan Mahmood Wan Mansor , Mohamad Rashidah
Published: April 2019

This study examines whether the recent bank mergers exercise in Malaysia create synergies reflected in corporate operating performance measures. Four accrual operatingperformance measures are used, i.e. Return on Asset (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE), Profit Margin (PM), and Earning Per Share (EPS). Using a sample of eight anchor banks for a sample period beginning 1997 through 2002, the results show that bank mergers lead to significant post merger improvements, which is consistent with the findings of Neely and Rochester (1987) who also employ accrual performance measures in their study on savings and loan institutions in the us. The findings suggest that even though the mergers are 'forced' in nature, it is able to contribute to the synergistic benefits. The gain in the post-merger operating performance is likely to be due to the provisions for loan loss, which on average is much lower during the post-merger period compared to the pre-merger period. The study also finds that there is an insignificant continuance of pre-merger performance into the post-merger period.
Strategy and structure of the hotel industry in Malaysia
Authors: Mohd Radzi Salleh , Amran Mohamed , Aziz Abdul Razak , Supardi Azlan
Published: April 2019

The major purpose ofthis study was to examine the relationship of strategy and structure. Porter s(/980) strategic typology was utilized to classify hotel firms by strategic orientation; and, an analysis of variance was performed to determine the differences in their performance. Structural Equation Modeling was used to confirm the factors underlying the strategy and structure constructs.
Predicting students' performance through techniques in study skills : a multivariate discriminant analysis approach
Authors: Shamsuddin Shukri , Ismail Noor Izah , Wan Hussin Wan Haslina
Published: April 2019

This paper investigates some of the study skills techniques practised by students in UiTM Johor campus. The multivariate discriminant analysis approach was used to analyse the data. The discussion focuses on to what extent these study skills techniques could be used to predict the academic performance ofstudents. This paper also examines whether there is a significant difference in study skills techniques practised by male and female students, by students of different secondary school backgrounds, and by students of different academic performances. It is hoped that this paper would shed some light on the effectiveness of the study skills program introduced to part one students upon entry into UiTM Johor.
A survey of life-long reading habits among UiTM undergraduates
Authors: Soo Kum Yoke , Sharmannie Evelyn , Azman Ahmad
Published: April 2019

This study intents to look at the English Language reading habits of Universiti Technologi MARA Johor undergraduates for the purpose of finding out the reading culture among the undergraduates and the strategies to enhance life-long reading habits. It will thus look at the internal and external factors such as self-motivation, availability of reading materials, role of peers, role of motivators (i.e. family, teachers, government, media) and competition from modern devices (i.e. computer, video games, television etc) that challenges the acquisition of life-long reading habits.
The paradigm nature of today's office : approaches for achieving quality outcomes in AOM
Authors: Ghazali Kadulliah , Yunus Noorlaila , Kassim Erne Suzila
Published: April 2019

In recent years, there has been an increased respect and responsibility given to Administrative Office Managers. In this paper, we seek to explore the most challenging factors encountered by them. strategies pra cticed to minimize the challenges, and the benefits gained. With the globalization, human utilization and information technology advances issues, and the need for the organizations to sustain the growth, the role of Administrative Office Managers becomes even more challenging because of the need to help employees overcome resistance to the new system. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was then conducted at hospitality organizations in West Malaysia. The findings suggest that regardless ofhotel ranking and the origin of the organization, administrative office managersf ace and adapt similarf actors. There is also a significant relationship between challenges and strategi es, and the ICT investment and deploym ent provide a substantial role in nurturing employees in the organizations. The study is imperative to intensify and enrich the current administrative management and hospital ity management research.
The challenges of global competition : Malaysian SMEs and AFTA
Authors: Mohamad Saadiah , Mohd Rohani , Muda Mazzini
Published: April 2019

ASEAN Free Trade Area or AFTA manifests market liberalization; it may present significant opportunities or may pose significant threats to SMEs in Malaysia. The main purp ose of this study is to identify the challenges and impact of AFTA on SMEs :~ business operations. Specifically, the aim is to assess the level ofawareness of AFTA among SMEs in Malaysia and to explore the relationship between managers' perceptions of AFTA and the strategies employed as well as their intending business operational changes. Data from 273 firms were used based on questionnaires distributed to SMEs of various sectors in the four regions in West Malaysia: Northern (Kedah, Penang and Perak ), Western (Klang Valley) , Eastern (Terengganu) and Southern (Johor). The findings indicate that only slightly more than half of the managers surveyed were aware of AFTA and its implications. The findings also exhibit that managers' perceptions of AFTA are related positively to differentiation and cost leadership strategy and besides employing the relevant strategy, those who have more favorable perceptions of AFTA are more likely to carry out changes in business operations that will enhance their export activities to ASEAN countries.
Impact of merger on efficiency and productivity : a case study of commercial banks in Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Mahadzir , Sulaiman Saliza , Abdul Rahim Hasni , Nordin Nordiana
Published: April 2019

The Financial Master Plan (2001- 2010) aims to enhance the capacity of banking industry so that higher effic iency and productivity can be reaped in the future. This study seeks to determine the impact of merger on the efficiency and productivity ofcommercial banks in Malaysia for the period 1995 until 2005. The study uses a non-parametric approach, nam ely DEA (data envelopment analysis?) to estimate the efficiency scores and to construct the Malmquist productivity index. To enable this estimation, three bank inputs and outputs are used. Amongst the findings are those banks exhibit higher efficiency score after the merger and thefo reign banks are more efficient than the local banks. Productivity of the banks is calculated in both periods, before and after the merger: The results show that, it is the local banks that have improved the most after the merger. The main source of productivity is technical change or innovation. The findings support the existing policy of having larger domestic banks in term of size.
Systems-thinking skills exhibited by UiTM Sarawak Diploma students in solving non-routine problems
Authors: Liew Chin-Ying , Foo Kien-Kheng , Lee Elinda Ai-Lim , Goh Kelvin Tee-Hiong
Published: April 2019

It is hypothesized that systems thinking can play a leading role in facilitating the attainment of important problem-solving skills especially in the context of solving ill-defined problems involving uncertainties and dynamic complexities. As part of an initial effort to determine if there is any basis for saying so, this exploratory study seeks to investigate the systems-thinking skills that are exhibited by two hundred thirty-three UiTM Sarawak Diploma students in solving non-routine problems. Moreover, it also aims to investigate the influence of three demographic factors, that is, gender, Gugusan and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) on systems-thinking skills. A framework for categorizing systems-thinking skills was developed to measure these aforementioned skills as the respondents solved four non-routine problems. This study used the survey research design to gather data through apaper-and-pencil test and questionnaire. Four performance tasks were used to measure these skills. Following that, the performance of each respondent was calculated based on an analytical scoring rubric for the identified systems thinking skills. Both descriptive and inferential data analysis were carried out. Findings indicated that the respondents score poorly in systems-thinking performance. The mean score for systems thinking was found to be only 11.76 out of a possible 50. With regard to the three preselected demographic factors, it was found that systems-thinking skills show no dependency with respect to gender (t = .202, P > .05) but was found to be dependent upon Gugusan (F = 4.500, P<.05) andCGPA (F = 5.554, P < .05). The limitations of this study were also discussed. The findings have implications of great importance in the teaching of systems thinking to students. The study ended with some suggestions for future research.
The role of demographic variables as the moderator between organizational variables and job stress among teachers in Sabah
Authors: Marmaya Najihah Hanisah , Wafa Syed Azizi
Published: April 2019

A nationwide investigation into stress among teachers in the United Kingdom, found teachers to be reporting stress-related problems which were far higher than those of the population norms and other comparable occupational groups. Job stress can be influenced by personal factors (Matteson & Ivancevich, 1999). The present study examined the role of demographic variables as the moderator between organizational variables and job stress. A sample size of 177 teachers participated in this study revealed that teachers in Tawau and Lahad Datu experienced low stress levels. This study found that demographic variables do not serve as the moderator between organizational variables and job stress.
Use of interactive accounting game to enhance students' test scores : evidence from Universiti Teknologi MARA Sarawak
Authors: Narawi Susana , Mohamad Shafi , Jonathan Lulu
Published: April 2019

A strong foundation in the basic principles of accounting is important for accounting students as they move on to further studies in financial accounting of higher levels. The aim ofthis research was to investigate whether there were any significant differences in accounting students' performance after being exposed to the Accounting Balancing Game at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak. This study found that 76% of the accounting students who were exposed to the Accounting Balancing Game improved their performance. The results showed that there was a significant improvement between pre and post-test scores by the experimental group. However there was no significant improvement between pre and post-test scores by the control group. Hence the results of this study offer useful insights in enhancing the teaching and learning of financial accounting for future accounting students in local universities.
Parodia, intertextualidad y subversión de estereotipos de género en la ciencia ficción de Angélica Gorodischer
Authors: Hernán Carolina Suárez
Published: April 2019

Una parte importante de la extensa narrativa de Angélica Gorodischer se inserta en los parámetros de lo fantástico y de la ciencia ficción. Así, por ejemplo, Opus Dos (1967), Bajo las jubeas en flor (1973), Trafalgar (1979) y Kalpa Imperial (1983/84) contribuyen al importante desarrollo de la ciencia ficción en Argentina a partir de los años sesenta. La ciencia ficción de Gorodischer es poco tradicional, siempre híbrida, y linda con la narrativa fantástica y la ficción especulativa. La reflexión sobre América Latina y Argentina desde distintos ángulos y a través de tópicos de la ciencia ficción es el núcleo principal. Las críticas hacia el imperialismo, el etnocentrismo y el androcentrismo permean todas las obras de la autora. Este trabajo pretende establecer las líneas maestras de la ciencia ficción de Gorodischer que suponen la posmodernización del género en Hispanoamérica, así como revisar la subversión llevada a cabo por la autora de los estereotipos de género en la ciencia ficción canónica.
“Persona yámbica” en Hiponacte: el caso de la máscara de suplicante
Authors: Carrizo Sebastián Eduardo
Published: April 2019

El objetivo del presente trabajo es examinar los modos en que el ‘yo’ se manifiesta en la poesía yámbica de Hiponacte de Éfeso (s. VI a. C.) y sus posibles funciones dentro de la performance poética. En particular, desde un análisis discursivo, se analizan las formas en que la primera y la segunda personas se inscriben deícticamente en los ff. 2, 42, 43, 47, 49 y 208Dg, y las relaciones de identidad que se entablan entre los distintos actantes de los niveles enuncivo y enunciativo. En definitiva, se concluye que es posible observar un proceso de enmascaramiento, en el cual el ‘yo’ asume el rol de un suplicante en una parodia de la plegaria.
O enfoque do empreendedorismo nos cursos de administração do estado de Santa Catarina
Authors: Mazon Fernando Sergio , Seibel Jardel Affonso , Pagliari Luana , Bordin Maiara
Published: April 2019

O empreendedorismo é defendido como uma possível solução para os problemas sociais e, segundo diversos autores, pode ser ensinado em escolas e universidades. Por isso, este artigo tem o objetivo de investigar a abordagem do empreendedorismo nos cursos de graduação em Administração das universidades do estado de Santa Catarina. O referencial teórico apresenta alguns conceitos básicos acerca do empreendedorismo. O estudo se constitui de uma pesquisa descritiva, com a utilização de dados secundários coletados nas páginas das universidades na internet. Foram pesquisados ao todo 116 cursos de Administração e constatou-se que mais de uma centena dos cursos é ofertado por instituições privadas. Há o predomínio da graduação com quatro anos de duração e com apenas uma disciplina de empreendedorismo sendo ministrada ao longo do curso.

Palavras-chave: Empreendedorismo. Empreendedor. Cursos de Administração.
Vigilância ambiental do vírus da hepatite na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Prado Tatiana , Barbosa Mikaela Renata Funada , Garcia Suzi Cristina , Sato Maria Inês Zanoli
Published: April 2019

O vírus da hepatite E (HEV) é um agente emergente causador de hepatite entérica aguda em diversas regiões do mundo. No Brasil, taxas de soro-prevalência têm sido determinadas em 6% na população adulta e em 3% na população geral, evidenciando que a hepatite E no Brasil não é rara. Entretanto, a epidemiologia geral do vírus ainda é pouco estudada no país e não temos dados abrangentes de monitoramento ambiental. O objetivo desse estudo foi monitorar o HEV em amostras de esgoto bruto, efluentes secundários e água de reúso na região metropolitana da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil, durante o período de um ano (abril de 2015 a março de 2016). Amostras foram coletadas mensalmente em 4 grandes Estações de Tratamento de Esgotos (ETEs), responsáveis pelo tratamento de esgotos de uma população equivalente a 8 milhões de pessoas residentes na cidade. Genomas virais foram investigados através de reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativa (qPCR). Genomas de HEV não foram detectados durante todo o programa de monitoramento. Embora os resultados sugerem que a taxa relativa de circulação do vírus no ambiente pesquisado é baixa, os desafios analíticos relacionados aos limites dos métodos moleculares utilizados para detectar genomas virais em amostras ambientais são discutidos. Essa foi a primeira iniciativa para obter dados de HEV circulantes em matrizes ambientais na cidade de São Paulo e espera-se que futuros estudos de vigilância ambiental sejam conduzidos, apoiando políticas públicas mais efetivas de controle ambiental e prevenção da saúde com relação às doenças virais de veiculação hídrica.

Palavras-chave: Doenças de veiculação hídrica. Saneamento. Saúde pública. Vigilância ambiental.
Naturalismo y teísmo. Encuentro en la frontera entre explicación y justificación
Authors: Vilaplana Guerrero José Domingo
Published: April 2019

Naturalismo y teísmo no son necesariamente formulaciones filosóficas excluyentes, a pesar de la controversia que históricamente las distingue. En este trabajo intento ofrecer una posibilidad de superación de esa oposición tratando de delimitar los ámbitos que a cada uno le son propios, a saber: el ámbito de la “explicación” para el naturalismo, y el ámbito de la “justificación” para el teísmo. La “justificación” es subjetiva e intencional, y requiere de una instancia “externa”; la “explicación” es objetiva y teleológica, y requiere de una instancia “interna”. Entre las perspectivas que abre esta distinción destaca la posibilidad teórica de existencia de un canal de comunicación entre el ser humano a través de su conciencia y el principio justificador.
Conciencia en e-prime. La (di)solución del problema mente-cerebro
Authors: Luna Alcoba Manuel
Published: April 2019

Este escrito, el primero en E-prime de la historia de la filosofía española, repasa las recientes aportaciones de la neuroinmunología al problema mente/cerebro, llegando a la conclusión de que los presupuestos bajo los cuales se ha realizado la discusión de tal problema ya no pueden seguir manteniéndose. Como consecuencia, se sugiere la necesidad de partir de una nueva conceptualización de en qué pueda consistir la conciencia y los fenómenos mentales, centrada en los rasgos topológicos del sistema neuroendocrinoinmunológico y no en la materialidad de ciertas redes cerebrales.
Una explicación de la conciencia inexplicada
Authors: Polaino Lorente Aquilino
Published: April 2019

En esta breve nota el autor apela a la experiencia humana, desde la perspectiva de la fenomenología de la conciencia. Un punto necesario, en su opinión, contra el reduccionismo materialista y cientificista. Se discuten también otras consideraciones, en el ámbito de la investigación científica, en lo relativo al conocido experimento de Libet, que amplían el cuestionamiento de sus resultados y, sobre todo, de algunas de sus interpretaciones más radicales.
La conciencia inexplicada. Opiniones de un profano. Y una aportación a la conciencia explicable
Authors: Corral Lope José
Published: April 2019

El autor opina que el libro es riguroso, erudito y ameno. Y que la conciencia no será explicada porque lo espiritual no es explicable. Materialistas y espiritualistas hablan de diferentes conciencias. Su idea básica: nuestra especie, como el resto de las especies de seres vivos, tiene el imperativo vital de supervivir. La otra idea es que el altruismo amplio ha sido, y es, el elemento más eficaz y eficiente para intentar cumplir este objetivo. Tanto el imperativo vital como el altruismo/amor amplio están implícitos en todas las conciencias. Y han sido el fundamento de las normas éticas desarrolladas por nuestra especie. Es importante y urgente explicitarlos, asumirlos y difundirlos.
The Unicorn exists! A remarkable new genus and species of Perilissini (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from South East Asia
Authors: Reshchikov Alexey , Van achterberg Cornelis
Published: April 2019

Gilen gen. nov. (type species G. orientalis sp. nov.) from South East Asia is described and illustrated. The new taxon has a produced mid-longitudinal facial projection, which differentiates it from all other known genera of Ichneumonidae. It belongs to the tribe Perilissini in the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) and is recorded from Laos, Northern Thailand and Vietnam.
Static Electromechanical Characteristics of Piezoelectric Converters with various Thickness and Length of Piezoelectric Layers
Authors: Mieczkowski Grzegorz
Published: April 2019

The paper presents the analysis of electromechanical characteristics of piezoelectric converters subjected to an electric field and mechanical load. The analyses were performed based on a method consisting implementation of special segments responsible for electrical boundary conditions to a homogeneous beam. Constitutive equations were developed, allowing one to obtain static electromechanical characteristics for piezoelectric actuators with freely defined boundary conditions and geometry. Moreover, based on constitutive equations obtained, a particular solution for cantilever transducer subjected to concentrated force has been developed. The resulting analytical solution was compared with the data available in the literature, and the developed FEM solution. Furthermore, the influence of factors such as relative length, thickness and location of particular piezoelectric layers on electromechanical characteristics of the transducer was defined.
European Funds for Rural Areas and Regional Convergence of Agriculture in Poland
Authors: Adamowicz Mieczysław
Published: April 2019

Subject and purpose of work: The aim of the article is to assess the phenomena of sigma convergence of labour productivity in agriculture and other sectors of rural economy in Polish regions during 2003 – 2014 in the context of the amount of European funds designated for agriculture and rural areas. European supprt was compared to the Gross Added Value of agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishery.

Materials and methods: The subject literature and statistical data received from the Agricultural Modernization Agency and the Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office were used. The empirical data regarding the level of agriculture in regions as well as the data on the resources utilised from the European Union were examined in order to assess the correlation between them and the phenomenon of regional sigma-convergence.

Results: The study confirms the sigma convergence of the Gross Value Added per units of funding obtained from the European Union Budget and different level of sigma convergence of GVA / PE in regions.

Conclusions: Sigma convergence assessment of the Gross Value Added per person employed in regions shows that in the analyzed period three phases could be distinguished: convergence (2003 – 2008), divergence (2008 – 2010) and stagnation (2010 – 2014).
Detection of a new bacterium of the family Holosporaceae (Alphaproteobacteria: Holosporales) associated with the oribatid mite Achipteria coleoptrata
Authors: Konecka Edyta , Olszanowski Ziemowit
Published: April 2019

We detected an unknown bacterium in Achipteria coleoptrata (Acari: Oribatida). Its 16S rDNA gene sequence showed 89% identity to the endosymbiont “Candidatus Nucleicultrix amoebiphila” from amoebae and “Candidatus Gortzia sp.” from ciliates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the microorganism is a member of the family Holosporaceae, order Holosporales of Alphaproteobacteria. Its occurrence in Oribatida is enigmatic. It cannot be excluded that it is a symbiont of Oribatida as well as it is an endosymbiont of a smaller, even unicellular, organisms living inside the mite. The issue of the occurrence of this microorganism is interesting and further research is needed to gain the knowledge of its role and the nature of bacterium-host interaction.
Genetic resources of relict populations of Pinus sylvestris (L.) in Western Carpathians assessed by chloroplast microsatellites
Authors: Urbaniak Lech , Wojnicka-Półtorak Aleksandra , Celiński Konrad , Lesiczka Paulina , Pawlaczyk Ewa , Aučina Algis
Published: April 2019

The relict character of the Scots pine populations from the Tatra Mts. (Western Carpathians) was formed on scarcely accessible, ecologically extreme habitats, in areas which were not under human activity. An exhaustive genetic analysis of the Scots pine populations from the refugial locations in the Tatra Mts. (Poland) had not yet been. In this study, we characterize the genetic variation and differentiation of the relict Scots pine populations from the Tatra Mts., to provide information on their genetic resources and the conservation implications. Eight paternally inherited chloroplast microsatellite loci were used to investigate the genetic structure of 4 relict populations, which were compared with the natural populations from the Baltic region (5 populations from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) and to a northern range from Russia (5 populations from the Kola Peninsula and Arkhangelsk Oblast). The four relict pine populations were characterized by a lower level of genetic variation when compared to the Baltic and northern populations, which was expressed in lower values of particular genetic parameters: numbers of alleles and haplotypes, haplotype genetic diversity, haplotype differentiation, and mean genetic distance between individuals in the population. Our results revealed a very high and significant genetic differentiation between all the analyzed populations, as well as between the three analyzed regions (PhiPT = 8%). Furthermore, the relict populations within a close geographic location showed higher differentiation (PhiPT = 5%) compared to the northern Russian and Baltic populations that were separated by tens and hundreds of kilometers. The relict populations of P. sylvestris from the Tatra Mts. deserve conservation efforts due to the fact that they are an important component if the species-poor Tatra forests.
Corporate Governance, Capital Expenditure Dan Cash Holdings
Authors: Henny Wirianata, Viriany Yanti, Liana Susanto,
Published: April 2019

This study aims to obtain empirical evidence about the effect of Corporate Governance and Capital Expenditure on Cash Holding. This study use secondary data from financial statements of manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2014-2016. The structure of Corporate Governance is measured using independent commissioners, board of commissioners, and institutional ownership. The analytical method used in this study is multiple regression analysis which is processed with the E-Views program. The results of this study indicate that independent commissioners, board size, and institutional ownership partially have no significant effect on cash holding. While Capital Expenditure has a significant and negative effect on cash holding.
Persepsi Dosen Tetap Di Wilayah Jakarta Barat Dan Tangerang Terhadap Penggunaan E-Filling
Authors: Sufiyati Sofia Prima Dewi, Merry Susanti,
Published: April 2019

This study was made to obtain empirical evidence on the influence of perceptions of security, perceptions of usefulness, perceptions of confidentiality, and perceptions of convenience on the use of e-filling. The method of data collection is done by distributing questionnaires from February to April 2018 to lecturers in the West Jakarta and Tangerang areas. The sampling technique used is simple random sampling. The results showed that perceptions of convenience and perceptions of usefulness have an influence on the use of e-filling while the perception of confidentiality and perception of security have no influence on the use of e-filling.
Optimización del abastecimiento energético para usuarios no regulados en Colombia
Authors: Manotas-Duque Diego F. , Oliveros David A. , Taborda Héctor F. , Vidal-Holguín Carlos J. , Lozano Carlos A.
Published: April 2019

El presente artículo propone un modelo de optimización del portafolio de abastecimiento de energía eléctrica para consumidores finales no regulados en el mercado de electricidad colombiano. El propósito del modelo es determinar la cantidad óptima de energía que debe ser suministrada por cada una de las tres formas de abastecimiento disponibles para el usuario: compra basada en mercado spot, compra mediante contratos bilaterales y cogeneración, minimizando el costo esperado de abastecimiento de energía y el valor en riesgo asociado. Para este objetivo se usa un modelo de optimización estocástica y el indicador de riesgo empleado es el valor en riesgo condicional ( Conditional Value at Risk-CVaR). Finalmente, se estudian los resultados del modelo a través de escenarios de precios simulados basados en los precios reportados en el sistema de información NEON administrado por XM S.A., operador del mercado de electricidad colombiano y se selecciona el mejor ejemplo de aversión al riesgo.
Obtención de carbones activados a partir de semillas de eucalipto, por activación química con H3PO4. Caracterización y evaluación de la capacidad de absorción de fenol desde solución acuosa.
Authors: Rincón-Silva Nelson G. , Ramirez-Gomez Wandy M. , Mojica-Sánchez Carolina , Blanco-Martínez Diego A. , Giraldo Liliana , Moreno-Piraján Juan C.
Published: April 2019

Se obtuvo carbón activado granular a partir de cáscara de semillas de eucalipto (Eucalyptus globulus Labill), por el método de activación química empleando como agente activante ácido fosfórico, a dos diferentes concentraciones; 30 y 80 % V/V, luego las muestras fueron carbonizadas en atmósfera de nitrógeno a una temperatura de 600 °C por un tiempo de dos horas, posteriormente los carbones fueron lavados con agua destilada y secados a 90 ºC durante 24 horas. Los carbones se caracterizaron mediante fisisorción de N2 a 77 K, se determinó la superficie específica aparente de los dos carbones por el método B.E.T., donde se obtienen valores de 2009 y 1027 m2 g-1, también se emplea la ecuación Dubinin-Radushkevich para obtener el volumen de microporo donde se reportan valores de 0.65 y 0.32 cm3 g-1. Mediante el método Bohem se estableció que las muestras de carbón obtenidas son de carácter ácido ya que el contenido de sitios ácidos es mayor que el contenido de sitios básicos, además los carbones presentan valores para pH en el punto de carga cero (pHPCC) que varían entre 5.66 y 6.10 confirmando su carácter ácido. Se determinan las interacciones energéticas de los sólidos frente a soluciones de HCl y NaOH, mediante calorimetría de inmersión, encontrando gran correlación con el contenido de grupos ácidos y básicos de las muestras. Finalmente se evalúa la capacidad de adsorción de los carbones obtenidos empleando como adsórbato fenol desde solución acuosa, donde se evidencia gran capacidad de adsorción de los dos carbones debido a las amplias áreas superficiales y la química superficial encontradas en las muestras.
Identificación de parámetros dinámicos de la suspensión de un vehículo.
Authors: Mejía Luz A. , Valero Francisco , Mata Vicente
Published: April 2019

En el presente trabajo se aborda la identificación de parámetros dinámicos en vehículos automóviles. Paso previo al desarrollo del problema de identificación, se desarrolla un modelo dinámico para la suspensión delantera de un vehículo de competición. El modelo dinámico se reduce mediante dos metodologías diferentes. La primera se basa en la Descomposición en Valores Singulares y la segunda por dos pasos consecutivos: eliminación de parámetros dinámicamente poco contributivos y Descomposición en Valores Singulares. Finalmente, ambos modelos son analizados y validados mediante el cruce de datos para otras trayectorias diferentes a las de identificación. El modelo obtenido utilizando la eliminación de parámetros poco contributivos reproduce de muy buena manera el comportamiento dinámico del sistema ante la inclusión de errores, por lo que dicha metodología se presenta como la más viable para la obtención del conjunto de parámetros base.
Una arquitectura de integración semántica de datos e imágenes médicas
Authors: Millán Marta , Trujillo Maria , Valencia Daniel
Published: April 2019

En las organizaciones prestadoras de servicios de salud, existen diferentes fuentes de datos (e.g. historia clínica, datos demográficos, archivos DICOM) de naturaleza distinta, que están dispersas en medios de almacenamiento y que provienen de fuentes heterogéneas. Adicionalmente, el formato DICOM brinda la posibilidad de almacenar información del paciente y de las imágenes médicas. Estos archivos son administrados en PACS, sin embargo los PACs no brinda herramientas de apoyo al diagnóstico. En este artículo se presenta una arquitectura de integración de datos orientada a enriquecer imágenes médicas mediante metadatos extraídos de un vocabulario controlado. La arquitectura fue instanciada en un prototipo que ofrece mecanismos de anotación – manual y automática – de imágenes y estrategias de búsqueda y recuperación de datos e imágenes diferentes a los tradicionales usando palabras claves o descriptores MPEG-7. La anotación se basa en un vocabulario controlado que forma parte de una taxonomía de conceptos y términos médicos.
Desarrollo de un modelo computacional para la evaluación mecánica y funcional de la articulación trapecio metacarpiana
Authors: Ramirez Fernando , Piscal Carlos M. , Guzman Andres F. , Moreno Constanza
Published: April 2019

Se desarrolló un modelo computacional del pulgar con el fin de evaluar los esfuerzos y deformaciones a los que se en¬cuentra sometida la articulación trapecio metacarpiana. Utilizando tomografías axiales computarizadas se rea¬lizó la reconstrucción de la geometría 3D del pulgar, y con base en un análisis anatómico y funcional se generó un modelo computacional para simular el comportamiento de la articulación bajo condiciones normales de servi¬cio. Del análisis del modelo por el método de elementos finitos, se obtuvieron las fuerzas musculares y la distribución de esfuerzos, para condiciones normales de funcionamiento y en posiciones anatómicas específicas de agarre.
Degradación térmica de polimetíl metacrilato en múltiples extrusiones
Authors: Rojas Andrés F. , Aranzazu Laura M. , Gaviria Guillermo H. , Carrero Javier I.
Published: April 2019

Se presentan los resultados del estudio cinético de la degradación térmica del Polimetíl Metacrilato – PMMA, tanto virgen como procesado por extrusión hasta cinco ciclos de reprocesamiento, en una extrusora monohusillo. Después de cada reprocesamiento se tomó una muestra para análisis. A estas muestras se les determinó la temperatura de transición vítrea (por DSC), índice de fluidez y la temperatura máxima de pérdida de peso (por TGA). Los resultados del análisis termogravimétrico se utilizaron para determinar el triplete cinético por medio de métodos isoconversionales, no isoconversionales, y dinámicos. Se encontró que las curvas TG, DTG y de conversión, se desplazan a la derecha al aumentar la velocidad de calentamiento. También se encontró que los métodos no isoconversionales diferenciales presentaron valores de energía de activación mayores a los métodos integrales. La energía de activación aumentó con el reprocesamiento y la probabilidad o fracción de colisión aumenta con la velocidad de calentamiento
Metodología híbrida basada en el regresor knn y el clasificador boosting para localizar fallas en sistemas de distribución
Authors: Zapata-Tapasco Andrés , Mora-Flórez Juan , Pérez-Londoño Sandra
Published: April 2019

En este artículo se presenta una metodología híbrida de localización de fallas en sistemas de distribución, a partir de una técnica de regresión basada en el método de los k vecinos más cercanos y una técnica de clasificación en la cual se utilizan múltiples clasificadores básicos en una estrategia denominada ‘Boosting’. En la metodología propuesta, inicialmente el sistema se divide por zonas para entrenar la máquina de clasificación. Después se parametriza y entrena la máquina de regresión basada en knn y la máquina de clasificación. Finalmente, para un dato nuevo, la técnica de regresión permite estimar la distancia a la cual ocurrió la falla, y el método de clasificación permite ubicar la falla en una de las zonas predefinidas, eliminando el problema de múltiple estimación. El localizador propuesto se prueba en el sistema de distribución IEEE 34 nodos, donde presenta un buen desempeño tanto para clasificación (precisión mínima de 95.7 %), como para regresión (error máximo absoluto de 8.05%). Esta propuesta es de fácil implementación, rápida y de bajo costo computacional.