bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of a Digital Health Application for Influenza Surveillance in China
Authors: Hswen Yulin , Brownstein John S. , Liu Jeremiah , Hawkins Jared B.
Published: May 2017

Objectives. To examine whether a commercial digital health application could support influenza surveillance in China.

Methods. We retrieved data from the Thermia online and mobile educational tool, which allows parents to monitor their children’s fever and infectious febrile illnesses including influenza. We modeled monthly aggregated influenza-like illness case counts from Thermia users over time and compared them against influenza monthly case counts obtained from the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China by using time series regression analysis. We retrieved 44 999 observations from January 2014 through July 2016 from Thermia China.

Results. Thermia appeared to predict influenza outbreaks 1 month earlier than the National Health and Family Planning Commission influenza surveillance system (P = .046). Being younger, not having up-to-date immunizations, and having an underlying health condition were associated with participant-reported influenza-like illness.

Conclusions. Digital health applications could supplement traditional influenza surveillance systems in China by providing access to consumers’ symptom reporting. Growing popularity and use of commercial digital health applications in China potentially affords opportunities to support disease detection and monitoring and rapid treatment mobilization.
An Analysis of The Feminist Characters in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
Authors: Nur Dedi Rahman
Published: May 2017

This research concerns with the analysis of feminist characters in Kate Chopin’s work. The purpose of the research is to describe the feminist characters of Kate Chopin’s The Awakening short stories by analyzing the main female characters as feminist characters and the contribution of the feminist characters to the development of the plot. The research question of this research are: how is the feminist character reflected on Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, and how do the feminist characters affect the development of the plot in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening short stories. The design of the research is a descriptive design. The finding of this research showed that from the characters existed in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, feminist characters is Edna Pontellier. She was considered feminist from her conversation, actions of disregarding patriarchy and social boundaries toward women, an effort to complete self-rights, self-needs, and her inner thought about freedom and self-autonomy. Also, this research showed that Edna Pontellier feminist characters have a contribution to the development of the plot of the stories. Her feminist characteristics and behavior affect to the plot. The feminist characters’ thought and attitude play important in changing the mood of the characters’ action so that making the plot developed
Kinesthetic Learning Style Preferences: A Survey of Indonesian EFL Learners by Gender
Authors: Tyas Peptia Asrining , Safitri Mega
Published: May 2017

This study investigated predominant learning style of 3rd semester students of English Language Education Program in Faculty of Cultural Studies at Universitas Brawijaya according to gender. Purposive sampling was used for this research and the sampling in this research was 100 students consist of 34 male students and 66 female students taken from 3rd semester English Department students of Faculty of Cultural Studies at Universitas Brawijaya. All participants were administered an Indonesian translated version of Reid’s (1984) Perceptual Learning Style Preference Questionnaire consisting of Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Tactile, Group, and Individual, included 30 items. This study used quantitative survey design and Microsoft Excel 2007 as the analysis software. The validity and the reliability of this research were calculated by SPSS v.21. The result indicated that predominant male’s learning style was Kinesthetic and estimated by 14 male students (41%) while female students become Kinesthetic and Group and estimated the same percentage, 21 students (332%) for Kinesthetic and 21 (32%) students for Group. The result of the study also shows that both male and female tend to be Kinesthetic. It is suggested that to the English department to adjust the academic activities with the learning styles to enhance educational achievement and encouraging students take responsibility in their whole learning.
Morphological Variation of Maize Cultivars in Response to Elevated Plant Densities
Authors: Gou Ling , Xue Jun , Qi Bingqin , Ma Buyi , Zhang Wangfeng
Published: May 2017

Core Ideas

Maize can adjust its morphology to adapt to the low light environment in close planted stands.

Maize adapts to close planting by increasing leaf spacing below the ear and leaf orientation value above the ear, and by reducing leaf width and leaf angle.

Morphological changes allow more light transmission into the mid‐ and lower canopy under high plant density.

Increasing plant density is a common method for increasing maize (Zea mays L.) yield. However, the yield increases are limited by light competition and mutual shading that occur within close canopies. The objectives of this 2‐yr field experiments were to determine the effect of plant density on maize plant morphology, canopy structure, and canopy light distribution. The leaf length, leaf width, leaf area and leaf area index (LAI) increased from both the top and the bottom of the canopy. The leaf angle generally decreased from the bottom to top of the canopy; however, the leaf orientation value (LOV) displayed the opposite trend. The leaf length and width decreased as plant density increased. The decrease in width was greater than in length. Changes in leaf dimensions caused leaf area to decline. Increasing plant density resulted in a decrease in leaf angle; however, an increase in LOV. Changes in the leaf canopy were more affected above the ear compared to below the ear as plant density increased. This made the leaves above the ear more upright as plant density increased. The leaf spacing below the ear increased as the plant increased, causing the ear height, plant height coefficient to increase. Light intensity within maize canopy decreased with increasing density. The results indicate that maize adapts to increasing density by (i) increasing leaf spacing below the ear and LOV above the ear and by (ii) reducing leaf width and leaf angle. These changes allow more light transmission into the mid‐ and lower canopy.
Nematode Community Response to Green Infrastructure Design in a Semiarid City
Authors: Pavao‐Zuckerman Mitchell A. , Sookhdeo Christine
Published: May 2017

Urbanization affects ecosystem function and environmental quality through shifts in ecosystem fluxes that are brought on by features of the built environment. Green infrastructure (GI) has been suggested as a best management practice (BMP) to address urban hydrologic and ecological impacts of the built environment, but GI practice has only been studied from a limited set of climatic conditions and disciplinary approaches. Here, we evaluate GI features in a semiarid city from the perspective of soil ecology through the application of soil nematode community analysis. This study was conducted to investigate soil ecological interactions in small‐scale GI as a means of assessing curb‐cut rain garden basin design in a semiarid city. We looked at the choice of mulching approaches (organic vs. rock) and how this design choice affects the soil ecology of rain basins in Tucson, AZ. We sampled soils during the monsoon rain season and assessed the soil nematode community as a bioindicator of soil quality and biogeochemical processes. We found that the use of organic mulch in GI basins promotes enhanced soil organic matter contents and larger nematode populations. Nematode community indices point to enhanced food web structure in streetscape rain garden basins that are mulched with organic material. Results from this study suggest that soil management practices for GI can help promote ecological interactions and ecosystem services in urban ecosystems.

Core Ideas

Ecological interactions are important for green infrastructure function.

Green infrastructure soil management affected soil properties linked to function.

Food web structure was more complex with soil management.

Design and soil management enhanced ecosystem services of arid green infrastructure.
Halogenated 17β‐Estradiol Surrogates: Synthesis, Estrogenic Activity, and Initial Investigations of Fate in Soil/Water Systems
Authors: Casey Francis X. M. , Shappell Nancy W. , Hakk Heldur
Published: May 2017

17β‐Estradiol (E2), a natural, endocrine‐disrupting, steroid hormone, is excreted by all vertebrates and can enter the environment from domestic animal and wildlife wastes. Multiple field studies using livestock manures as E2 sources suggest significant background concentrations of E2 (e.g., wildlife sources, hydrolysis of E2 conjugates, previous inputs). To accurately understand field fate and transport processes of E2, it is necessary to address the issue of background detections. In this study, two fluorinated and three brominated surrogate compounds of E2 were synthesized and compared to native E2 using soil/water batch experiments and for estrogenic activity. Analytical difficulties presented by the two fluorinated congeners deemed these compounds to be unsuitable surrogates of E2, and further assessment was abandoned. However, the brominated congeners proved promising, with log(Koc) values that fell within the range previously reported for E2. Batch studies yielded similar relative aqueous concentrations and linear sorption isotherms across time for E2 and 2‐bromo‐17β‐estradiol; however, the relative aqueous concentrations and linear sorption isotherms of 4‐bromo‐17β‐estradiol and 2,4‐dibromo‐17β‐estradiol were different from E2 but similar to one another. All three brominated congeners possessed estrogenic activity by E‐Screen assay, albeit three orders of magnitude less than native E2, putatively due to steric interference introduced by the large bromine atom on the phenolic ring, the group that mediates interaction with the estrogen receptor. The data suggest that 2‐bromo‐17β‐estradiol may serve as a suitable surrogate for E2 in planned field scale tracer studies designed to distinguish between antecedent and de novo inputs.

Core Ideas

• 17β‐Estradiol (E2) is naturally present in the environment.

• There are no methods to distinguish de novo inputs of E2 from background levels.

• Brominated congener of E2 were synthesized and tested as surrogates of E2.
Engineered Versions of the Wheat Lr62 Translocation
Authors: Somo Mohamed , Pirseyedi Seyed Mostafa , Cai Xiwen , Marais Francois
Published: May 2017

Leaf rust resistance gene Lr62 was transferred from Aegilops neglecta Req. ex Bertol. to chromosome 6A of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in 2008. After homoeologous chromosome pairing induction, smaller translocations that retained Lr62 were derived from it. This study compared the original translocation and the four apparently shortest recombinants to determine which would be the best suited for breeding. The translocations were analyzed using chromosome 6A and 6B simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and genomic in situ hybridization. Recombined translocations 133, 135, and 136 were found to occur at the 6AS telomere. In addition to the wheat Xdupw217aest SSR locus on chromosome arm 6BS, the three recombinants also expressed an Ae. neglecta–derived homoeo‐locus (Xdupw217negl) that could be used to detect the presence of the Ae. neglecta chromosomal segment. The Lr62‐129 translocation was relocated to 6BS in an allosyndetic recombination event that replaced the Xdupw217aest locus with Xdupw217negl. Lr62‐129 retained the least Ae. neglecta chromatin and is therefore recommended for use in wheat breeding.
Getting a foot on the sanitation ladder: user satisfaction and willingness to pay for improved public toilets in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Mariwah Simon , Hampshire Kate , Owusu-Antwi Constance
Published: May 2017

Rapid urban growth in developing countries has led to an increase in unplanned, high-density settlements dependent on public toilets for sanitation, yet we know relatively little about users' perceptions and concerns about such facilities. This paper seeks to explore user satisfaction and willingness to pay for improved sanitation services in Accra. Utilising a questionnaire, data were gathered from 245 users of public toilets in two low-income communities of Accra. 80.8% of users expressed overall dissatisfaction with the public toilets, the main areas of concern being: long queues and waiting times, unpleasant smells, dirtiness, concerns about security and lack of running water and soap. The majority of the respondents said that they would be willing to pay higher fees for improved services. Operators should take note of this and explore the potential market for building and maintaining high-quality public toilet facilities as a means to ending open defecation and getting on the first step on the sanitation ladder.
Sorption equilibrium, thermodynamics and pH-indicator properties of cresyl violet dye/bentonite composite system
Authors: Georgieva Nedyalka , Yaneva Zvezdelina , Dermendzhieva Diyana
Published: May 2017

The aim of the present study was to develop cresyl violet (CV)/bentonite composite system, to investigate the equilibrium sorption of the fluorescent dye on bentonite, to determine the characteristic equilibrium and thermodynamic parameters of the system by appropriate empirical isotherm models and to assess its pH-indicator properties. The absorption characteristics of CV solutions were investigated by UV/VIS spectrophotometer. Equilibrium experiments were conducted and the experimental data were modelled by six mathematical isotherm models. The analyses of the experimental data showed that bentonite exhibited significantly high capacity – 169.92 mg/g, towards CV. The encapsulation efficiency was 85%. The Langmuir, Flory-Huggins and El-Awady models best represented the experimental results. The free Gibbs energy of adsorption (ΔGo) was calculated on the basis of the values of the equilibrium coefficients determined by the proposed models. The values of ΔG determined by the Langmuir, Temkin and Flory-Huggins models are within the range −20 to −40 kJ/mol, which indicates that the adsorption process is spontaneous and chemisorption takes place due to charge sharing or transfer from the dye molecules to the sorbent surface as a coordinate type of bond. The investigations of the obtained CV/bentonite hybrid systems for application as pH-markers showed satisfactory results.
Functional Dimensions at 'Kuala Lumpur Waterfront'
Authors: Abdul Latip Nurul Syala , Shamsudin Shuhana , Liew Mohd Shahir
Published: May 2017

The 'Kuala Lumpur Waterfront' may be unfamiliar to many. Kuala Lumpur is a city that originates at the confluence of two rivers, the Klang and Gombak Rivers. The waterfront used to be very busy with activities when it was once a trading post for the export of tin. This was once the lifeline of the city - its main mode of transportation. The activity at the waterfront has changed over the years along with the social, economic and physical development of the city. Many waterfront cities throughout the world have gone through similar changes when the mode of transportation changed from water to the motor system. A number of cities have made efforts to integrate the cities' activities with their water body. This research attempts to investigate the functional aspects of the Kuala Lumpur waterfront within the city centre in terms of its level of contextual integration with the urban rivers in the current context. The technique adopted for this research is field observations which include a building use survey and time interval observation to investigate the Junctional aspects in ten demarcated zones along the Kuala Lumpur waterfront within the city centre. The research concluded with the finding that all the zones have a medium level of contextual integration between the waterfront and the urban river in terms of its building use, which depends much on the continuity of activities, their positioning location, accessibility and the provision of space and facilities.
Push and Pull Factor: Determining the visitors' satisfactions at urban recreational area
Authors: Mohamed Noralizawati , Othman Noriah
Published: May 2017

This study investigates the visitors' satisfaction at the most popular urban recreational area, Kepong Metropolitan Park, Selangor. It presents the analysis and synthesis of information collected from an open-ended survey. Selected visitors were asked to state their opinions regarding the overall scene and the answers were summarized and categorized in terms of several dimensions. As a result, the researcher found that the visitors expressed several comments and suggestions that could be used as push and pull factors in determining their satisfaction with the recreational area. These two-dimensional phenomenons are very useful as references to researchers or designers to identify and fulfil the visitors' satisfaction for future preparation of recreational areas.
Bridging the Gap between Planning and Environmental Psychology: An application of sense of place for visioning of public policy
Authors: Shirotsuki Masahiro , Otsuki Satoshi , Sonoda Miho
Published: May 2017

This paper aimed to explore a new methodology for vision-making and sharing in a local municipality. The study explored using the residents' sense of place as a key element of the vision for the local town in order to ease the conflict or discomfort that can arise among diverse populations of merged municipalities. A method named Visioning with Sense of Place was developed for this study. Analyses identified that the visioning process stimulated the participants to develop a broader sense of place in the new town.
Malay Landscape: Typical design for contemporary house at Desa Wawasan
Authors: Mohd Hussain Nur Huzeima , Ahmad Suriati
Published: May 2017

The landscape agenda as looking at the global contact nowadays is gaining its popularity and dominates the need and importance of a good surroundings. In peeling the dilemma of the Malay contemporary community, a study has been conducted in conjunction with identifying the needs and their favouritism in accordance with the need and current lifestyle. Desa Wawasan reflects villages that adapt Gerakan Daya Wawasan (GDW) has been chosen specifically in order to see the efficiency and effectiveness of systematic planning and maintenance held by its society in regard to their surrounding. This research imposes a qualitative approach. The collected information is based on secondary data, field studies such as on-site observation, interviews, and questionnaires to the selected respondent based on the study sample. Based on the research conducted, the study has discovered the design characteristics with the usage of a typical element at Desa Wawasan residential which have been identically more systematic and comprehensive. Hence, the effectiveness of GDW concept can be considered as a module as it can be highlighted as one of the sentiments that contributes in creating the image and identity of the Malay contemporary landscape.
Effects of Nearby Nature on Urban Children's Stress
Authors: Corraliza José A. , Collado Silvia , Bethelmy Lisbeth
Published: May 2017

The study shows empirical evidence of the moderator effect that school and nearby nature at home have on children. A total of 172 children were interviewed and data about their stress level, the amount of nature they perceived around them and frequency of exposure to adversity, was collected. The nearby nature at home and in the school for each of the children was measured using a designed scale. The results suggest that nature bolsters children's resilience so that those children who have more contact with nature cope better with adversity than those who do not have daily access to nature.
A Special Introduction
Authors: Uzzell David L.
Published: May 2017

A special introduction by Professor David L. Uzzell, Past-President of the  International Association for People-Environment Studies (IAPS).
Measuring Waste in Malaysia: A neglected approach
Authors: Lim Mei
Published: May 2017

The aim of this paper is to explore why Full Cost Accounting (FCA) has not been adopted by solid waste management (SWM) in Malaysia. A case study methodology is used for the exploratory research undertaken in this study. Thematic analysis is used and it reveals that lack of regulation is a central barrier to the adoption of FCA. FCA emerges as a supported but little understood concept among participants who are environmentally sensitive. The findings are theorised against Roger’s (1995) innovation-adoption model and revealed that two types of innovations relations to adoption of FCA in SWM in Malaysia. One was the behavioural change aimed at better SWM. The other was the awareness of the need for FCA.
Young Children Selections of the Physical Elements in the Preschool Environment
Authors: Sahimi Nurul Nadiah , Said Ismail
Published: May 2017

The camera is a tool which can give young children an opportunity to express their thoughts and provide adults with a tangible evidence of their preferences. This study is to explore young children thoughts and preferences of their preschool environment through words and photographs. Eighteen young children of age four and five was given a camera to take pictures of their preschool in pairs. Children were interviewed on their photographs selection and their conversation was recorded. Results show there are differences and similarities on the children preferences on the physical elements in the preschool environment.
How Do 13-Year-Olds in Malaysia Compare Proper Fractions?
Authors: Abdol Razak Fadzilah , Noordin Noraini , Dollah Rohana , Alias Rohana
Published: May 2017

In an effort to understand the problems and difficulties students faced in learning fractions, a study was carried out on Form 1 students from four different types of secondary schools in Perlis, Malaysia. Five different questions on proper fractions were constructed involving two fractions with equal and different denominators, and more than two fractions with different denominators. A Rasch analysis was done on the responses to help assess their level of conceptual understanding.The whole number concept was very dominant as some of the students treated the numerators and denominators separately, showing their confusion and unstable thinking in fractions learning.
People’s Crime Perception, and Attitude toward Community Crime Prevention Activities in Japan
Authors: Shibata Seiji , Hanyu Kazunori , Asakawa Tatsuto , Shimada Takahito
Published: May 2017

We distributed questionnaire booklets to households in Tsukuba City, Japan. The questionnaire assessed attitudes toward local crime prevention activities, perceptions about public safety and crime-related anxiety, and sociodemographic variables. Elderly people had more positive attitudes toward community crime prevention compared to younger people. In addition, people who had a greater sense of crisis about their communities tended to view community crime prevention as a personal responsibility, whereas people who reported a less consistent fear of crime tended to have a more aloof attitude toward community crime prevention activities
On Representation Studies of Islam and the Muslims in West Media and Factors behind Misrepresentation
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Li Ke
Published: May 2017

The subject of Islam and the Muslim is an important agenda under the volatile international situation, which drawing increasing attention worldwide with the impact of media report. Moreover, in-depth studies of Islam and the Muslim are blossoming to critically unravel the way Islam and the Muslim is represented in western discourse. This article presents a literature review of those studies of Islam and the Muslim, aiming to conclude respectively previous studies of representations of Islam and the Muslims and then to clarify the factors behind the misrepresentation, including historical factors, cultural factors, political factors and religious factors.
Formulation Development and Optimization of Oral Thin Films of Zolpidem Tartarate
Authors: Rani T. Neelima
Published: May 2017

The aim of the present study was to formulate and evaluate oral thin films of zolpidem tartarate. Zolpidem tartarateis used to treat insomnia. It affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause sleep problems (insomnia). Zolpidem tartarate oral thin films were prepared by using solvent casting method. In this method, water soluble polymer is completely dissolved in to form uniform clear viscous solution other ingredients including API are dissolved in a small portion of aqueous solvent by using a high shear processor. This viscous solution is degassed under the vacuum to remove the air bubbles. This bubble free solution is poured into a glass mold and kept in oven at 40 º-50ºC. Oral disintegrating films are prepared using three grades of polymers HPMC E5, GUAR GUM and SODIUM ALGINATE Compatibility of Zolpidem tartarate with polymers was confirmed by FT-IR studies. All the formulations were evaluated for their physical appearance, average weight and thickness, folding endurance, disintegration time, tensile strength, percentage elongation, drug content, content uniformity and in vitro drug dissolution studies. From the result, it was concluded that the fast dissolving films of Zolpidem tartarate can be made by solvent casting technique with enhanced dissolution rate and taste masking by using suitable combination of sweeteners, flavors and citric acid. The final composition optimized was drug to Guar Gum ratio of 1:1, plasticizer concentration of 15% w/w of polymer. The film had acceptable physical properties, assay and uniformity values and in vitro dissolution within 2 minutes.
Impacts of Using Paralanguage on Teaching and Learning English Language to Convey Effective Meaning
Authors: Khalifa Elsadig Mohamed , Faddal Habib
Published: May 2017

Paralanguage is considered as an influential factor in foreign language teaching and learning that plays an essential role in language teaching and enhancing language learners’ performance. The paper states to explore the effect of using paralanguage on teaching and learning English language to EFL learners. It is going to investigate the relationship between learners’ awareness of learning concept and teachers’ paralanguage; the standardized testing relational aspect between students’ learning and teachers’ paralanguage; and the learners’ credible teaching perceptions depend on the teachers’ paralanguage. The participants in this research are teachers and students of English language in the College of Science and Arts, Almandaq Branch in Albaha University. The study has concluded that paralanguage strategies assist in communicating effective meanings. It is recommended that EFL teachers and learners should use paralanguage strategies in their teaching and learning processes to convey meaning effectively.
Análise de rentabilidade de irrigação na cana-de-açúcar: estudo de caso de uma usina de Goiás
Authors: Campos Flávio Henrique , Bigaton Aline , Torres da Silva Haroldo José , Marques Pedro Valentim , Coelho Rubens Duarte
Published: May 2017

Esta publicação apresenta uma análise financeira do sistema de irrigação por sistema linear móvel praticado por uma usina localizada no estado de Goiás, com o intuito de fornecer dados para alimentar um modelo que poderá ser utilizado posteriormente como uma ferramenta de análise econômica e de rentabilidade da irrigação na cana-de-açúcar. Foram avaliados os custos fixos e variáveis anuais e os benefícios diretos e indiretos da irrigação. O benefício direto advém do aumento da receita pelo aumento de produtividade da área irrigada e aumento da longevidade do canavial; e os benefícios indiretos são provenientes da redução de custos decorrentes da redução da área de produção e dos custos de colheita e transporte. Como resultado, a irrigação apresentou custos totais anuais de aproximadamente R$ 72,00 por tonelada. A relação benefício/custo da irrigação foi de 1,066, considerando somente o benefício direto de produtividade (Etapa 1) e de 1,313 ao considerar o benefício direto do aumento da longevidade e da produtividade (Etapa 2). Portanto, a irrigação apresenta uma boa rentabilidade financeira nesse caso estudado.
Relação entre preço da carne bovina e do animal comercializado em Cuiabá, MT
Authors: Beloni Tatiane , Alonso Marcell Patachi
Published: May 2017

Os ciclos de produção da cadeia da carne bovina são influenciados por vários fatores que afetam os preços pagos pelo frigorífico ao produtor e os preços da carne no varejo. O intuito deste estudo foi verificar o comportamento e determinar a relação entre o preço por kg dos principais cortes da carne bovina e a arroba comercializada na região de Cuiabá, no Estado de Mato Grosso. As variáveis estudadas foram o preço da arroba do boi gordo e da vaca gorda na região de Cuiabá, e dos cortes: Contrafilé, Picanha, Coxão Mole, Acém, Músculo e Cupim, no Estado de Mato Grosso. Realizou-se uma análise descritiva determinando-se os coeficientes de correlação e análise de regressão, por meio de dados disponibilizados em boletins semanais do Instituto Mato-Grossense de Economia Agropecuária, de novembro de 2013 a outubro de 2016. Foram obtidos altos coeficientes de correlação significativos entre os preços dos cortes com o preço da arroba do boi e da vaca. As equações de regressão geradas apresentaram altos coeficientes de determinação. O comportamento dos preços dos cortes apresenta-se variável ao longo do tempo, pois os preços são afetados pelo preço da arroba do boi gordo e da vaca gorda. Estes por sua vez, tem seus preços influenciados principalmente pela oferta de matrizes para o abate, pelo clima e por fatores econômicos. Os preços dos cortes da carne bovina estudados estão, forte e positivamente, relacionados aos preços da arroba do boi gordo e da vaca gorda, permitindo sua estimativa a partir de modelos empíricos.
Viabilidade econômica do cultivo de videira Niágara Rosada
Authors: Camargo Meyriele Pires de , Costa Caroline Rabelo
Published: May 2017

O estado de São Paulo é o terceiro maior produtor de uvas do Brasil e o maior produtor nacional de uvas de mesa, sendo a variedade Niágara Rosada (Vitis labrusca) a mais plantada no estado. O objetivo do trabalho foi verificar a viabilidade econômica do cultivo de Niágara Rosada. O projeto foi dimensionado para uma área de 3 hectares implantada no município de Piracicaba, SP.  As plantas foram conduzidas no sistema em espaldeira em uma densidade de 5000 plantas ha-1. O fluxo de caixa foi dimensionado para um período de 13 anos. Estimaram-se os custos para implantação e manutenção do vinhedo, financiamento bancário, pagamento do Fundo de Apoio ao Trabalhador Rural [Funrural] e o custo de oportunidade da terra. A taxa mínima de atratividade [TMA] foi fixada em 11,45% e os indicadores econômicos calculados foram Valor Presente Líquido [VPL], Taxa Interna de Retorno [TIR], payback simples, payback descontado e relação benefício-custo. Obtiveram-se valores positivos de VPL (R$ 398.951,36) e relação custo-benefício (1,81). A TIR foi estimada em 27,34%, superior à TMA. Os valores de payback simples e descontado foram de 5 anos e de 6 anos, respectivamente, indicando que o tempo de retorno do capital inicial investido foi inferior ao período do projeto. Os indicadores econômicos estimados constataram a viabilidade financeira do empreendimento em análise.
Acordos no processo penal alemão: descrição do avanço da barganha da informalidade à regulamentação normativa
Authors: Gomes de Vasconcellos Vinicius , Moeller Uriel
Published: May 2017

Este artigo pretende realizar descrição do cenário alemão atual referente aos acordos entre acusação e defesa para imposição antecipada de uma sanção penal. Trata-se de pertinente análise em razão da proeminência do ordenamento germânico como influência mundial e do curioso transcorrer do desenvolvimento da barganha em um campo jurídico-penal fundamentalmente pautado pelo respeito à legalidade. Nesse sentido, expor-se-á o avanço da justiça negocial, inicialmente realizada a partir da atuação prática dos atores da persecução penal (ou seja, sem qualquer autorização legal), até sua recente regulamentação e declaração de constitucionalidade. Assim, pretende-se desvelar que esse instituto se expande a partir do poder dos atores do campo jurídico-penal (julgadores e acusadores), cujos interesses são integralmente favorecidos pelo encerramento antecipado do processo em razão da renúncia à defesa pelo réu.
Exhorto fronterizo. Algunas experiencias en la zona fronteriza Ciudad Juárez-El Paso
Authors: Silva Silva Jorge Alberto
Published: May 2017

El autor examina el artículo 7o. de la Convención Interamericana sobre Exhortos o Cartas Rogatorias en lo relacionado con la cooperación judicial entre tribunales de Ciudad Juárez-El Paso, Texas. Asimismo, dicho autor analiza los significados de zona fronteriza, la aceptación de asuntos de familia, los medios directos de comunicación entre tribunales, la legalización, así como una reserva interpuesta por Estados Unidos a los medios de cooperación.
Análisis comparativo de la regulación en nanotecnología en Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea
Authors: Vidal Correa Laura Elena
Published: May 2017

Este trabajo tiene el objetivo de explorar el marco normativo de las nanotecnologías (NTs) y la nanomedicina, y elaborar un análisis comparativo entre dos regímenes normativos: los Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea. En el artículo se identifican y clasifican las posturas que permiten el diseño de un marco regulatorio de las NTs. Además, se comparan dos regímenes normativos: 1) sustancias químicas, y 2) medicamentos y productos sanitarios. El objetivo principal es reconocer si la regulación actual es eficiente, suficiente y apropiada para las NTs. En el primero se contrastan tres marcos jurídicos: los Estados Unidos, la Unión Europea y la Organización Internacional de Normalización. En el segundo régimen se compara la Agencia Europea de Medicinas de la Unión Europea y la Administración de Medicamentos y Alimentos de los Estados Unidos. Se concluye que la regulación actual en materia de sustancias químicas es todavía limitada para el caso de las NTs, debido a que hay procesos que no se abordan o supuestos que no aplican para las NTs. Igualmente, para las NTs, la regulación en sustancias químicas/medicamentos y productos sanitarios puede magnificar los vacíos legales existentes. Asimismo, para el caso de la nanomedicina y las NTs, la categorización en medicamentos y aparatos médicos resulta inapropiada, ya que existen productos de combinación que pueden estar en ambas categorías.
Acción 2 del Plan BEPS: recomendaciones en legislación doméstica con especial referencia a España
Authors: Hermosín Álvarez Montserrat
Published: May 2017

Los mecanismos híbridos persiguen aprovechar el tratamiento tributario de una misma entidad o instrumento en diferentes jurisdicciones, con el fin de someter una operación a una menor carga impositiva o no tributación. El presente trabajo tiene por objeto el análisis de las diferentes iniciativas emprendidas desde la OECD y la Unión Europea para neutralizar los efectos de los mecanismos híbridos. En primer lugar, se identifican y analizan los principales supuestos que generan asimetrías híbridas. En segundo término, se estudian cuáles son las propuestas que realiza la OECD para neutralizar los efectos de los instrumentos híbridos por parte de las legislaciones domésticas. Para evitar superposición, la neutralización de estos mecanismos se encomienda a una jurisdicción determinada bajo los principios generales del derecho tributario internacional. Por ello, también es objeto de análisis el método de funcionamiento de estas normas para neutralizar los mecanismos híbridos que se han diseñado a través de reglas vinculadas. Al hilo de cada supuesto se examinan las diferentes medidas que ha adoptado España en el impuesto sobre sociedades respecto a estas recomendaciones y la jurisprudencia más relevante.
LA INFLUENCIA DE LAS EMOCIONES SOBRE EL RENDIMIENTO ACADÉMICO
Authors: Pulido Acosta Federico , Herrera Clavero Francisco
Published: May 2017

Se pretende conocer los tipos, niveles y relaciones del Miedo, la Inteligencia Emocional (IE) y el Rendimiento Académico (RA) del alumnado de la ciudad de Ceuta. Se contó con 1186 participantes (57.8% mujeres y 42.2% varones, 58.9% musulmanes y 41.1% cristianos). Como instrumentos se emplearon la adaptación de Ascensio, Vila, Robles-García, Páez, Fresán& Vázquez (2012) del FSSC-II y la de Matesanz (2006) del FSS, una adaptación MSCEIT (Mayer, Salovey&Caruso, 2009) y las calificaciones de los alumnos. Se recogen niveles medios de Miedo y RA y medio-altos en IE. Influyen las variables edad, género, cultura/religión y estatus socioeconómico-cultural. Existe una relación visible entre IE y RA, aumentado las puntuaciones en esta última variable a medida que ascienden las puntuaciones en IE. También se encontraron relaciones entre Miedo y RA y Miedo e IE siendo estas inversamente proporcionales.
LA CONSTRUCCIÓN DE HECHOS NUMÉRICOS BÁSICOS: INCIDENCIA DEL SEXO, CURSO Y NIVEL SOCIOECONÓMICO DEL ALUMNO
Authors: Von Hagen Alexa , Cuadro Ariel , Giloca Valeria
Published: May 2017

Existe amplia evidencia a nivel internacional para confirmar una desventaja académica en el rendimiento matemático de alumnos provenientes de niveles socioeconómicos (NSE) bajos. Con el fin de intervenir en esta problemática, resulta necesario detallar las características de este déficit por curso escolar, sexo y subhabilidad matemática. Hasta el momento, escasos estudios han abordado la interacción de estos factores en una misma muestra de participantes. De esta forma, nos propusimos analizar la construcción de hechos numéricos básicos (HNB) de suma, resta y multiplicación en una muestra de 619 escolares de 2º a 6º grado escolar a la luz de las variables NSE y sexo. Más allá de confirmar la desventaja socioeconómica en todos los cursos escolares y en ambos sexos, nuestros resultados reflejan, un rendimiento superior de hombres sobre mujeres solamente en el NSE medio-alto y en HNB de multiplicación. Futuras investigaciones son necesarias para indagar en este resultado inesperado.
EXPECTATIVAS ACADÉMICAS Y HABILIDADES SOCIALES EN LA ADAPTACIÓN A LA UNIVERSIDAD
Authors: Benevides Soares Adriana , De Almeida Santos Zeimara , De Andrade Ageu Cleon , Siqueira de Souza Marisangela
Published: May 2017

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo relacionar las habilidades sociales (HS), expectativas académicas y la adaptación a la Universidad, para verificar el impacto de las variables HS y expectativas académicas en la adaptación a la Universidad. Los participantes fueron 177 estudiantes de instituciones públicas y privadas de varios cursos y períodos, edades que van de 17 a 44 años y 71.2% eran mujeres. Se utilizaron como instrumentos, el Inventario de Habilidades Sociales (IHS), el Cuestionario de Participación Académica (CPA), y el Cuestionario de Vivencias Académicas (CVA-r). Hubo una correlación positiva entre la puntuación total del CPA y CVA-r, pero no hubo correlación entre la puntuación total del IHS con las puntuaciones totales de lo CPA y lo CVA-r. Los resultados demostraron una relación predictiva entre las puntuaciones totales de las habilidades sociales y expectativas académicas que explican en conjunto 4.8% de la Adaptación académica.
Comparison between Removing Noise Algorithms Method and Algorithms Bank Method in Measuring Liver Volume using CT Modality
Authors: Elamir Amir Mohamed , Sulaiman Riza , Ali Khalda F.
Published: May 2017

Measurement of the liver requires optimal cute, accurate and speedy. The scaling non-geometric soft organs in the human body using algorithms bank method to achieve the measuring liver volume with high efficiency, reducing the error rate. In the realization of the paper aspirations, the developing a platform, designing and developing the algorithms to calculate the organ. The analysis approach divided into image origin from CT, software application and development, prototype implementation and measurement, and associate the liver mass amount with Gold standard reading. The framework represents in three layers, technique, image, and application layer. The research focusing on the application layer. To make sure the fading of error and access to the value is equal to zero, use Artificial Neural Network.
The Potentials and Challenges of Developing Smart Cities in Africa
Authors: Woherem Evans E. , Odedra-Straub Mayuri
Published: May 2017

The rapid urbanization of African cities is one amongst other composite challenges hindering Africa’s objective to provide stable socio-economic development and delivery of quality livelihood for its citizens and visitors at large. The establishment of Smart City initiatives in African cities is meant to improve the quality of lives of the residents of those cities. Information and communications technologies (ICT) are key enabling factors for this transformation and must be integrated into several functional domains of society, such as health, education, transportation, energy, etc., so as to engender efficient and ubiquitous public services, as well as higher socio-economic standards of living for the citizens. This paper highlights the potential benefits, as well as challenges, African cities embarking on Smart City initiatives face. To further grasp the motivations and challenges of implementing Smart City initiatives in Africa, we take a look at a new Smart City initiative (The SmartCity Innovation Hub, by Smart City Resort plc.) that is underway in the city of Lagos, Nigeria. We questioned the developers on their motivations for undertaking such a Smart City initiative in Africa, the potential economic, technological and environmental benefits of the project, and the challenges of embarking on such a project.
Information Technology in an Audit Context: Have the Big 4 Lost Their Advantage?
Authors: Lowe D. Jordan , Bierstaker James L. , Janvrin Diane J. , Jenkins J. Gregory
Published: May 2017

Audit firms use information technology (IT) to improve audit quality, effectiveness, and efficiency. While audit IT has evolved over the past decade, limited guidance is available to assist practitioners in determining how IT can be used. Our research objectives are fourfold. First, we examine to what extent auditors use and assess the perceived importance of IT in their audits. Second, we look at different-sized firms to determine whether IT adoption and implementation decisions differ by firm size. Third, we investigate changes in auditors' use and perceived importance of IT over the past decade. Fourth, we examine whether IT has impacted the communication modes used by auditors when reviewing workpapers and fraud brainstorming. Overall, Big 4 auditors were not significantly more likely to use IT than non-Big 4 auditors, suggesting that the dominance of the Big 4 firms' use of IT has lessened. In fact, there are a few applications where non-Big 4 auditors appear to have taken the lead. In addition, our findings indicate that auditors have increased the use of all the IT applications we examined ten years ago. However, we find evidence that auditors may prefer to use even more IT in their audits than they are currently using.

Data Availability: Data used in this study are available for download, see Appendix B.
Real-time online monitoring of nanosecond pulsed laser scribing process utilizing spectrometer
Authors: Roozbahani Hamid , Salminen Antti , Manninen Matti
Published: May 2017

This study proposes a novel configuration and algorithm to develop real-time online monitoring of an ultrafast scribing process utilizing a spectrometer. The target process was the ultrafast low energy scribing process performed by using a nanosecond laser. A new configuration in which the spectrometer probe incorporated into the scanner head unit and received the reflection light of microprocessing via a special monitoring adapter has been developed. The scan head adapter enables the scan head-based observation of a galvanometer and polygon scan head's working field. Typical applications include process monitoring or determination of a work piece's orientation during laser processing.
Teknologiset tekijät teräksen väsymisessä
Authors: Makkonen Matti
Published: May 2017

Koneenelimien valmistusprosessi muuttaa aina kyseisen osan väsymisominaisuuksia. Näistä teknologisista tekijöistä käsitellään tässä kirjoituksessa seuraavia: materiaalivirheet, ainespaksuus ja pinnankarheus. Analyysi tuo esille, että väsymismitoituksen perusteena olevat kokeet tulisi aina tehdä koesauvoilla, jotka vastaavat väsymisominaisuuksiltaan mitoituskohdetta. Joitakin suunnitteluohjeita annetaan tapauksille, joissa tämä ei ole mahdollista. Päähuomio kiinnitetään pinnankarheuteen. Artikkelissa osoitetaan, että pinnan karheus on mahdollista ottaa huomioon tarkemmin käyttäen tilastollisia menetelmiä. Kuitenkin ainoa tilastollinen mitoitusmenetelmä, joka tukee tällaista menettelyä, on kirjoittajan kehittämä, ydintyneiden alkusäröjen jakaumaan perustuva menetelmä. Pintanaarmujen syvyys voidaan yhdistää alkuvikoihin tilastollisesti. Saatua kokonaissärösyvyyttä voidaan käyttää väsymislujuuden arviointiin soveltamalla murtumismekaniikkaa.
FAKTOR – FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI WAKTU PELAKSANAAN PROYEK KONSTRUKSI DI DINAS PU. BINA MARGA KABUPATEN SUMENEP
Authors: Deshariyanto Dwi
Published: May 2017

Pembangunan infrastruktur di Kabupaten Sumenep diwujudkan dalam bentuk sebuah proyek konstruksi. Keberhasilan proyek konstruksi dapat diukur melalui dua hal yaitu keuntungan yang didapat serta ketepatan waktu penyelesaian. Pelaksanaan konstruksi sering dan bahkan selalu terjadi perbedaan persepsi antara kontraktor sebagai pelaksana dengan konsultan sebagai pengawas dan perencana,  perbedaan persepsi tersebut akan mengakibatkan  meningkatnya biaya proyek dan penyimpangan waktu pelaksanaan yang telah direncanakan. Dalam kaitan tersebut sangat perlu dilakukannya analisa dan eksplorasi untuk melihat dan mencari faktor apa yang sangat mempengaruhi waktu pelaksanaan proyek konstruksi di Kabupaten Sumenep khususnya proyek konstruksi di Dinas PU. Bina Marga Kabupaten Sumenep.Menurut Andi et al, 2003 dalam penelitian I.A. Rai Widhiawati faktor – faktor yang potensial untuk mempengaruhi waktu pelaksanaan konstruksi, yang terdiri dari tujuh (7) kategori (Andi et al. 2003), adalah tenaga Kerja (labors), bahan (material), peralatan (equipment), karakteristik Tempat (site characteristic), manajerial (managerial), keuangan (financial) dan faktor – faktor lainnya (other factors).Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kuesioner. Data dalam penelitian merupakan data ordinal dengan skala pengukuran variabel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah skala likert. Bentuk pengujian yang digunakan untuk validitas instrumen dilakukan dengan teknik korelasi Product Moment. Reliabilitas instrumen dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode Alpha Cronbach’s. Teknik analisis data dalam penyelesaian penelitian ini menggunakan metode analisis deskriptif dan metode analisis statistik.Terdapat 6 (enam) faktor yang mempengaruhi waktu pelaksanaan proyek konstruksi khususnya proyek konstruksi peningkatan jalan di Dinas PU. Bina Marga. Faktor I mempunyai nilai eigenvalues sebesar 1,717 yang terdiri dari kategori tenaga kerja, manajerial dan keuangan. Faktor II mempunyai nilai eigenvalues sebesar 1,402 yang terdiri dari kategori karakteristik tempat. Faktor III mempunyai nilai eigenvalues sebesar 1,248 yang terdiri dari kategori bahan. Faktor IV, terdiri dari kategori peralatan. Faktor V mempunyai nilai eigenvalues sebesar 1,056 yang terdiri dari kategori manajerial dan keuangan. Faktor VI mempunyai nilai eigenvalues sebesar 1,005 yang terdiri dari kategori karakteristik tempat.Kata kunci       :  faktor, waktu pelaksanaan, proyek konstruksi.