bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of MEMS Directional Acoustic Sensors for Underwater Operation
Authors: Espinoza Alberto , Alves Fabio , Rabelo Renato , Da Re German , Karunasiri Gamani
Published: February 2020

In this work, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based directional acoustic sensors operating in an underwater environment are explored. The studied sensors consist of a free-standing single wing or two wings pivoted to a substrate. The sensors operate in a narrow frequency band determined by the resonant frequency of the mechanical structure. The electronic readout of the mechanical response is obtained using interdigitated comb finger capacitors attached to the wings. The characteristics of MEMS sensors immersed in silicone oil are simulated using finite element modeling. The performance of the sensors is evaluated both in air and underwater. For underwater testing and operation, the sensors are packaged in a housing containing silicone oil, which was specially developed to present near unity acoustic transmission. The measurements show that the resonant frequency of the sensors obtained in air shifts to a lower frequency when immersed in silicone oil, which is primarily due to the mass loading of the liquid. The peak sensitivity of the MEMS sensors is approximately 6 mV/Pa or −165 dB re 1 V/μPa, and the directional response shows a dipole pattern. The signal-to-noise ratio was found to be about 200 or 23 dB at 1 Pa incident sound pressure. The results show the potential of MEMS sensors to be used in underwater applications for sound source localization.
Ultrastable Offset-Locking Continuous Wave Laser to a Frequency Comb with a Compound Control Method for Precision Interferometry
Authors: Yang Ruitao , Lv Haisu , Luo Jing , Hu Pengcheng , Yang Hongxing , Fu Haijin , Tan Jiubin
Published: February 2020

A simple and robust analog feedforward and digital feedback compound control system is presented to lock the frequency of a slave continuous wave (CW) laser to an optical frequency comb. The beat frequency between CW laser and the adjacent comb mode was fed to an acousto-optical frequency shifter (AOFS) to compensate the frequency dithering of the CW laser. A digital feedback loop was achieved to expand the operation bandwidth limitation of the AOFS by over an order of magnitude. The signal-to-noise ratio of the interference signal was optimized using a grating-based spectral filtering detection unit. The complete system achieved an ultrastable offset-locking of the slave CW laser to the frequency comb with a relative stability of ±3.62 × 10−14. The Allan deviations of the beat frequency were 8.01 × 10−16 and 2.19 × 10−16 for a gate time of 10 s and 1000 s, respectively. The findings of this study may further improve laser interferometry by providing a simple and robust method for ultrastable frequency control.
Proverbs and Patriarchy: Analysis of Linguistic Prejudice and Representation of Women in Traditional Akan Communities of Ghana
Authors: Gyan Charles , Abbey Eunice , Baffoe Michael
Published: February 2020

Discourses govern the phenomenological interpretation of our everyday existence and influence both our way of thinking and our relationship with one another in the world. Undoubtedly, popular sayings and proverbs mediate the way of being in African context. This paper examines the role of proverbs and wise sayings in the African culture. This paper attempts to analyze the representation of women in sampled Akan proverbs and the ways in which these proverbs institutionalize the position, identity, and roles of women in traditional Akan communities of Ghana. This paper suggests that oral traditions are used in the systematic perpetuation of patriarchal culture, gender inequities, and inequality. Therefore, it recommends the revolutionalization of oral traditions to assist in the deinstitutionalization of the prevailing patriarchal discourses and culture in traditional Akan communities of Ghana.
An Analysis of the Factors on the Problem-Solving Competencies of Engineering Employees in Korea
Authors: Yoon Jiyoung , Hur Eun Jung , Kim Minsun
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the factors on the problem-solving competency of engineering graduates. To this end, we use the 2016 Korean survey data among the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) survey data conducted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In summary of the study’s major results, older people and females have lower problem-solving competencies (Model 1); higher literacy and numeracy competencies lead to higher problem-solving competencies (Model 2); and those with more experiences of sharing work-related information have higher problem-solving competencies. However, those who give more presentations have lower problem-solving competencies (Model 3), and those who make frequent use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to send or receive e-mails or conduct real-time discussions have higher problem-solving competencies (Model 4). These results present implications from the two perspectives of “sustainability” and “integration.” Sustainability is further classified into the following two perspectives: (1) sustainability from the longitudinal viewpoint of middle school, high school, and then job education, and (2) sustainability from the cross-sectional perspective of sustainable organization cultures. In addition, the implications of integration are based on common growth with other related core competencies besides problem-solving competencies.
Mapping the Link between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Resource Management (HRM): How Is This Relationship Measured?
Authors: Santana Mónica , Morales-Sánchez Rafael , Pasamar Susana
Published: February 2020

Despite the relevance of human resources in the management of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), confusion and theoretical chaos are still evident in the area. This manuscript provides a systematic review of the link between CSR and Human Resource Management (HRM), stressing the main topics along with the evolution and tendencies founded in this field. SciMAT was used to conduct a conceptual science mapping analysis based on co-word bibliographic networks. From 2006 to 2019, 194 documents were retrieved from the Web of Science. Considering the last period (2017–2019), the motor themes (those which are well-developed and relevant for the structure of the research field) were environmental management (including green HRM), sustainable HRM and pro-environmental behaviour. Socially responsible HRM (SR-HRM) was a basic theme (important, although not developed). Perceived organisational support was a specialised theme (well-developed, although less important), and employee commitment was an emerging theme (both weakly developed and marginal). In addition, a review of the measurement tools used in the main topics extracted from the previous analysis was carried out. Our analysis will help inform researchers and practitioners on the future of CSR and HRM and the previous efforts in the creation of measurement instruments.
Investigation into the Effects of Straw Retention and Nitrogen Reduction on CH4 and N2O Emissions from Paddy Fields in the Lower Yangtze River Region, China
Authors: Zhang Gang , Wang Dejian , Yu Yuanchun
Published: February 2020

Straw retention is a widely used method in rice planting areas throughout China. However, the combined influences of straw retention and nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes from paddy fields merits significant attention. In this work, we conducted a field experiment in the lower Yangtze River region of China to study the effects of straw retention modes and N fertilizer rates on rice yield, methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission fluxes, global warming potential (GWP), and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) during the rice season. The experiments included six treatments: the recommended N fertilizer—240 kg N·ha−1 with (1) no straw, (2) wheat straw, (3) rice straw, and (4) both wheat and rice straw retentions; in a yearly rice–wheat cropping system (N1, WN1, RN1, and WRN1, respectively); as well as both wheat and rice straw retentions with (5) no N fertilizer and (6) 300 kg N·ha−1 conventional N fertilizer (WRN0, WRN2). The results showed that CH4 emissions were mainly concentrated in the tillering fertilizer stage and accounted for 54.2%–87.5% of the total emissions during the rice season, and N2O emissions were primarily concentrated in the panicle fertilizer stage and accounted for 46.7%–51.4% total emissions. CH4 was responsible for 87.5%–98.5% of the total CH4 and N2O GWP during the rice season, and was the main GHG contributor in the paddy field. Although straw retention reduced N2O emissions from paddy field, it significantly increased CH4 emissions, which resulted in a significant net increase in the total GWP. Compared with the N1 treatment, the total GWP of WN1, WRN1, and RN1 increased by 3.45, 3.73, and 1.62 times, respectively; and the GHGI increased by 3.00, 2.96, and 1.52 times, respectively, so the rice straw retention mode had the smallest GWP and GHGI. Under double-season’s straw retentions, N fertilizer application increased both CH4 and N2O emissions, and the WRN1 treatment not only maintained high rice yield but also significantly reduced the GWP and GHGI by 16.5% and 30.1% (p < 0.05), respectively, relative to the WRN2 treatment. Results from this study suggest that adopting the “rice straw retention + recommended N fertilizer” mode (RN1) in the rice–wheat rotation system prevalent in the lower Yangtze River region will aid in mitigating the contribution of straw retention to the greenhouse effect.
The Impact of Bank Deregulations on Farm Financial Stress and Stability
Authors: Davis Eric C. , Katchova Ani L.
Published: February 2020

Previous research on bank deregulation has supported the idea that interstate banking deregulation lowered the cost of credit and increased the net farm income. This analysis builds on that base by investigating whether the agricultural loan delinquency volume was also affected. Using a panel data fixed effects approach, deregulation was found to be associated with changes in the volume of delinquencies: interstate banking deregulation reduced the volume of production loan delinquencies, and de novo branching deregulation increased both production and real-estate loan delinquencies. Thus, deregulation’s outcome is not clear cut: interstate banking reduced farm financial stress but de novo deregulation increased it.
Exploring the Complexity of Location Choices of the Creative Class in Europe: Evidence from the EU Labor Force Survey 1995–2010
Authors: Zhao Kai , Zhang Yuesheng , Zhao Jinkai
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes a new idea for the current argument over Florida’s cultural policies, as location choices of the creative class is a complex process involving some basic aspects of socio-economic progress. Based on the European Labor Force Survey (EU LFE) dataset, tolerance and openness indicators which represent the quality of a “people climate” are found to be positively correlated with the creative class’s location in large regions and less so in smaller ones, where business climate-related parameters, i.e., the quality of local governments and the location of universities, have stronger positive effects on locational choices of the creative class. Moreover, graduates with non-creative jobs and creative professionals (i.e., workers who provide creative solutions during the work process such as high-tech technicians or legal and healthcare workers) are concerned more about the people climate, while creative workers with a degree and a creative core (e.g., workers who provide original ideas such as scientists, engineers and artists) are more likely to prioritize a business climate. Therefore, we argue that the promotion of a “tolerant” climate, as Florida advocates, is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, policy makers should appropriately relate different preferences of creative workers to their unique strengths. This provides more insights into defining the concept of creativity beyond prioritized individual success, as well as understanding the preferences and actual needs of highly skilled workers in Europe.
The Role of Seaports in Green Supply Chain Management: Initiatives, Attitudes, and Perspectives in Rotterdam, Antwerp, North Sea Port, and Zeebrugge
Authors: Notteboom Theo , van der Lugt Larissa , van Saase Niels , Sel Steve , Neyens Kris
Published: February 2020

Green supply chain management (GSCM) can be defined as the integration of environmental concerns into the inter-organizational practices of supply chain management (SCM). This paper analyzes the role of seaports in the greening of supply chains in two ways. First, the fields of action to pursue GSCM objectives in ports are identified and grouped. The proposed typology includes five groups of actions, i.e., green shipping; green port development and operations; green inland logistics; seaports and the circular economy; and, actions in the field of knowledge development and information sharing. In the empirical part of the paper, this typology is used to analyze green actions and initiatives developed by market players and port authorities in the Rhine–Scheldt Delta, the leading European port region in cargo throughput terms. This structured overview of green actions and initiatives shows that these ports are hotbeds for GSCM initiatives, but progress in some areas remains slows. The second part of the analysis focuses on the attitudes and perceptions of port-related actors towards the greening of port-related supply chains. A large-scale survey conducted in the Belgian and Dutch logistics and port industry reveals that greening has been put massively on the agenda by the firms between 2010 and now. The results give a clear view on the diverse drivers and impediments towards the greening of supply chains. In addition, one can still see a gap between words and actions. The survey further points to the role of governments as catalysts or soft enforcers for change, and calls for continuity and coherence in government policy. This paper is the first study providing a comprehensive analysis on initiatives, approaches, and perspectives of port-related actors in a specific multi-port region.
The Effect of Social Media Usage Characteristics on e-WOM, Trust, and Brand Equity: Focusing on Users of Airline Social Media
Authors: Seo Eun Ju , Park Jin-Woo , Choi Yu Jin
Published: February 2020

Brand equity is a valuable intangible asset for companies, yet is increasingly difficult in managing in an era with hard to control social media. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of social media usage characteristics on electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM), trust, and brand equity by dividing the characteristics to personality, social, and information. A survey was administered to 430 respondents who had experience of using airline social media and the collected data was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results showed that the personality and informational characteristics from social media usage had statistically significant effects on e-WOM. It was found that the e-WOM had significant effects on trust and also on brand awareness. The trust was shown to have a statistically significant effect on brand awareness and brand image. Therefore, this study categorizes social media usage characteristics into three characteristics: personality characteristics, social characteristics, and information characteristics, and each of these usage characteristics present a strategy to improve actual brand equity of airline through e-WOM and trust in empirical methods. The findings of this study are expected to provide fundamental data for the development of strategies related to airline social media. In addition, this study has implications for suggesting to improve brand equity through e-WOM and trust.
Associations of Spatial Aggregation between Neighborhood Facilities and the Population of Age Groups Based on Points-of-Interest Data
Authors: Jia Yuqiu , Zheng Zhenhua , Zhang Qi , Li Min , Liu Xiaofang
Published: February 2020

By actively adapting urban planning to identified social needs, residential areas tend to be more people-oriented, fairer, resource-saving, and sustainable. The emergence of big data has provided new opportunities for the planning of residential urban areas. Since the quantity and age-appropriateness of neighborhood facilities are important criteria when developing the ideal neighborhood, this study investigated the associations of the number of neighborhood facilities and the age groups within those neighborhoods by using the Wuhan metropolitan area in China as a case study and by applying a Geodetector and regression analysis to points-of-interest data. In terms of age groups, the neighborhood facilities of kindergartens, pharmacies, and bus stations were found to be highly associated with population size, regardless of the age difference. It was also found that convenience stores were closely related to the adult population, and that convenience stores, community hospitals or clinics, and vegetable markets or fresh supermarkets were associated with the elderly population. Facilities without significant correlations were equally important, but it was found that there was no statistical correlation between the number of facilities and the distribution of the population. The weak association of key educational resources and medical resources with the population indicates a concentrated distribution of educational resources and medical resources, and the latent insufficiency of schools, community hospitals, or clinics at some neighborhoods. It concludes that planning of neighborhood facilities for residential areas in Wuhan requires optimization in terms of matching the provision of facilities with population size and social structure. Furthermore, more efforts should be put into supplementing important facilities and building differentiated residential area programs based on age structure.
Deconstructing the Overtourism-Related Social Conflicts
Authors: Zmyślony Piotr , Kowalczyk-Anioł Joanna , Dembińska Monika
Published: February 2020

The debate on overtourism still lacks conceptual precision in its delineation of the constituent elements and processes. In particular, conflict theory is rarely adopted, even though the social conflict is inscribed into the nature of this phenomenon. This article aims to frame the discussion about (over)tourism within the perspective of social conflict theory by adopting the conflict deconstructing methods in order to diagnose the constructs and intensity of disputes associated with overtourism. In pursuit of this aim, the study addresses the following two research questions: (1) To what extent has the heuristic power of the conflict theory been used in overtourism discourse? and (2) How can overtourism be measured by the nature of the social conflicts referring to urban tourism development? The systematic literature review was conducted to analyze research developments on social conflicts within the overtourism discourse. In the empirical section (the case studies of the Polish cities, Krakow and Poznan), we deconstruct the social conflicts into five functional causes (i.e., values, relationship, data, structural, and interests) to diagnose the nature of the conflicts with respect to urban tourism development. This study shows that value conflicts impact most intensively on the nature and dynamics of the conflicts related to overtourism.
A Structural Equation Model of Success in Drinking Water Source Protection Programs
Authors: Merrett Hew Cameron , Chen Wei Tong , Horng Jao Jia
Published: February 2020

The management structures put in place for the protection of drinking water sources are multifaceted and include a range of government agencies, landholders and regulatory agencies. While source protection is widely practiced in the water industry, there is limited research on underlying constructs that support successful outcomes in drinking water source protection (DWSP) programs. This study builds on current research by further investigating the following proposed critical success factors (CSFs) for source protection: CSF1: policy and government agency support of source protection; CSF2: catchment condition information and risk monitoring; CSF3: support of operational field activities; and CSF4: response to water quality threats. This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to confirm the associations amongst the four CSFs. The results show that policy and government agency support for DWSP has a significant influence over how water service providers (WSPs) plan operational activities for risk management. This emphasizes the importance of the role policy and government agencies have in supporting DWSP. The relationships between the CSFs, which typically fall under the responsibility of WSPs, show that information on catchment condition influences operational activities for risk management, and these mediate the influence over response to water quality threats. The response to threats also showed a strong relationship with the function of monitoring catchment risk. The resulting SEM framework provides new insights into the underlying structures that influence outcomes in catchment management and source protection.
Address Authentication Method for Sustainable Social Qualification
Authors: Park Hosung , Nam Seungsoo , Choi Daeseon
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes an address authentication method based on a user’s location history. Address authentication refers to actual residence verification, which can be used in various fields such as personnel qualification, online identification, and public inquiry. In other words, accurate address authentication methods can reduce social cost for actual residence verification. For address authentication, existing studies discover the user’s regular locations, called location of interest (LOI), from the location history by using clustering algorithms. They authenticate an address if the address is contained in one of the LOIs. However, unnecessary LOIs, which are unrelated to the address may lead to false authentications of illegitimate addresses, that is, other users’ addresses or feigned addresses. The proposed method tries to reduce the authentication error rate by eliminating unnecessary LOIs with the distinguishing properties of the addresses. In other words, only few LOIs that satisfy the properties (long duration, high density, and consistency) are kept and utilized for address authentication. Experimental results show that the proposed method decreases the authentication error rate compared with previous approaches using time-based clustering and density-based clustering.
Mixed-Method Research to Foster Energy Efficiency Investments by Small Private Landlords in Germany
Authors: März Steven , Bierwirth Anja , Schüle Ralf
Published: February 2020

The decarbonisation of the building stock is an important element for the success of the German Energiewende (energy transition). Despite some progress having been made, the rate of energy renovation falls below the level required to meet political commitments. This gives rise to the question: what deters property owners from making energy efficiency investments and how can the policy framework foster such investments? To answer this question, the paper focuses on a widely neglected property owner group: small private landlords (SPL). Although they manage 37% of all residential rental properties in Germany, very little is known about their decision-making processes for energy efficiency investments. We applied a mixed-method design to identify factors that hindered and supported their investments. In an explorative study, we initially conducted 18 problem-centred interviews. Subsequently, we carried out a postal survey and analysed the questionnaires using a hierarchical linear regression model. The results show that energy renovation is a multi-dimensional decision-making process, which can only be adequately addressed by a comprehensive policy package. To develop such a package, the author recommends that the specific investment behaviour of SPL must be better targeted, their knowledge about energy efficiency investments must be improved through exchange and networking, a sense of responsibility for the neighbourhood must be fostered, and greater focus must be placed on improving local framework conditions.
Thoroughbred Racehorse Welfare through the Lens of ‘Social License to Operate—With an Emphasis on a U.S. Perspective
Authors: Heleski Camie , Stowe C. Jill , Fiedler Julie , Peterson Michael L. , Brady Colleen , Wickens Carissa , MacLeod James N.
Published: February 2020

This review addresses the question of whether Thoroughbred horse racing is sustainable in the context of current social values. A recently acknowledged framework, known as ‘Social License to Operate’ (SLO), provides us with a lens through which to view and assess racehorse welfare. In multiple surveys of the general public, the horse owning public, and university students, the primary topics of concern regarding Thoroughbred racing show considerable concordance: concern about catastrophic injuries—particularly as related to track surfaces, concern over the racing of two-year-olds, whip use by jockeys, drug/medication policies, and aftercare opportunities for retired Thoroughbred racehorses. Legitimacy of an industry, consent from industry stakeholders, and trust between the community players, are all essential to have and maintain SLO. In the current era of 24/7 global media access, and the proliferation of social media providing an interactive platform for all interested parties, a dramatic change has occurred in commentary related to racehorse welfare concerns. The situation at Santa Anita (California, USA) from late December 2018 through mid-November 2019 demonstrated just how tenuous the SLO for horse racing is. This article will provide a brief review of what ‘Social License to Operate’ is, along with a brief literature review of five of the areas of primary concern voiced by stakeholders.
Consumers’ Purchase Intention of New Energy Vehicles: Do Product-Life-Cycle Policy Portfolios Matter?
Authors: Li Jizi , Zhou Yuping , Yu Dengke , Liu Chunling
Published: February 2020

New energy vehicles have been recognized as a sustainable alternative to lower gasoline consumption and emissions in the transportation sector. To alleviate environmental pressure, a spectrum of government policies has been introduced to inspire the production and penetration of new energy vehicles (NEVs). Meanwhile, some of the incentive policies are facing renewals and modifications to meet consumers’ demand of purchase and the present growth of the NEV industry. This means that the understanding of what the current and upcoming policies are, how to formulate policy portfolios, and consumers’ purchasing NEV behavior in a response to these policies and its adjustment are of practical and academic importance for the NEV sector. Different from prior research which analyzed the role of government policy as a whole, we here separately examined the impact of policy portfolios (i.e., production policy, purchase/usage policy and recycle policy) on NEV adoption from the product life cycle perspective. The hypotheses were empirically tested by analyzing data collected from 299 respondents in China. The results showed that production policy has a significantly positive impact on financial benefits, esteem needs and infrastructure, whereas it insignificantly influences NEV performance; similarly, purchase/usage policy positively affects esteem needs and infrastructure, yet its effect on financial benefits is found to be insignificant; meanwhile, recycle policy has a significantly positive effect on financial benefits, and esteem needs as well as NEV performance. Furthermore, financial benefits, esteem needs, NEV performance and infrastructure are found to significantly and positively impact on consumers’ purchase intention. Parallel to this, we observed perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use play partially mediating relations between policy portfolios and consumers’ adoption intent. Hints for decision-makers and avenues for future study are discussed in this research.
Neighborhood Sustainability Measure for Preschool Children Based on Proximity to Major Service Amenities
Authors: Yoo Da-Un , Lee Sunjae
Published: February 2020

Although many previous studies have identified inequalities among children based on various neighborhood characteristics, it is still difficult to determine what is most needed for individual neighborhoods to support child development at an early age, and for providing public interventions and appropriate resources to meet the diverse and urgent needs of young children. This study proposes a tool to measure the proximity to basic service amenities for preschool children of their distance from home in order to enhance overall neighborhoods’ economic and social sustainability for young children. The proposed three-zone Neighborhood Units for Preschool Children (NUPCs) conceptualize the general area that constitutes a preschool child’s environment, and proximity to service amenities in four major categories was analyzed: (1) childcare and educational services, (2) outdoor play spaces, (3) healthcare services, and (4) cultural and welfare services. The Neighborhood Deprivation Index for Preschool Children (NDIPC) was analyzed for 36 sample administrative districts (ADs) in Seoul, South Korea, to determine the geographic demand for major service amenities for each NUPC within the ADs. This neighborhood sustainability measure based on the NUPC and NDIPC has revealed that the distribution of service amenities for preschool children is unequal and insufficient in many ADs and in varied categories. Neighborhoods with relatively high NDIPC scores will require further investigation, and public intervention will be needed to provide major service amenities based on urgent need.
Investigating the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Urban Vitality Using Bicycle-Sharing Data
Authors: Zeng Peng , Wei Ming , Liu Xiaoyang
Published: February 2020

In recent decades, the availability of diverse location-based service (LBS) data has largely stimulated the research in individual human mobility. However, less attention has been paid on the intra-city movement of cyclists coupled with their spatiotemporal dynamics. To fill the knowledge gap, drawing on bicycle-sharing data over one week in Shanghai, China, this study investigates the dynamics of bicycle-sharing users at two spatial scales (i.e., city level and subdistrict level) and explores the intra-city spatial interactions by those cyclists. At the city level, by applying the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, this study examines the temporal variation of cyclists across a seven-day period. At the subdistrict level, we develop a new index to capture the urban vitality using bicycle-sharing data with the consideration of trip flow allied with spatial weights. In terms of the computed urban vitality over the course of a day, 98 subdistricts are partitioned into 7 groups by using K-means clustering. In addition, spatial autocorrelation and hot spot analysis are also applied to examine the spatial features of urban vitality at different periods. Our results reveal that urban vitality has an obvious character of the spatial cluster and this cluster feature varies markedly over the course of a day. By shedding new lights on intra-city movement, we argue our results are important in informing urban planners on how to better allocate public facilities and increase bicycle usage as a way to progress towards more sustainable urban areas.
A Dynamic Credit Index System for TSMEs in China Using the Delphi and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Methods
Authors: Yu Ao , Jia Zhuoqiang , Zhang Weike , Deng Ke , Herrera Francisco
Published: February 2020

A high-quality credit index system is essential for technological small and medium-sized enterprises (TSMEs) to obtain financing from various institutions, such as banks, venture capital. Some attempts have made to construct the credit index system for TSMEs. However, the current credit index systems for TSMEs have placed too much emphasis on their financial ability with few prominent technological and talent indicators. Therefore, this study has proposed a dynamic credit index system for TSMEs in China using the Delphi and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods. This credit index system covers a wide range of indicators to measure the enterprises’ controller ability, operation and management ability, financial ability, and innovation capacity. This study made some contributions in the following aspects: (1) This study proposed a credit index system for TSMEs that highlights the main characteristics of technological innovation and talents of enterprises in China. (2) The credit index system is also highly adaptable as it can dynamically adjust the index weight according to the life cycles of TSMEs. (3) A case study of evaluating the credit of three TSMEs in China was selected to verify the feasibility and the effectiveness of this system. The results show that the credit index system constructed in this study provides a comprehensive and systematic model for evaluating the credit of TSMEs in China.
Exploring Social Sustainability and Economic Practices: Multi-Journal Compendium
Authors: Cirella Giuseppe T. , Goncharuk Anatoliy G. , lo Storto Corrado , Russo Alessio
Published: February 2020

In consideration of the three pillars of sustainability, alongside the environment, social and economic dimensions interplay valuable insight into how society is molded and what key components should be considered. In terms of social sustainability, there are processes and framework objectives that promote wellbeing integral to the balance of people, planet, and profit. Economic practices consider the system of production, resource allocation, and distribution of goods and services with respect to demand and supply between economic agents. As a result, an economic system is a variant of the social system in which it exists. At present, the forefront of social sustainability research partially encompasses the impact economic practices have on people and society—with notable emphasis centered on the urban environment. Specific interdisciplinary analyses within the scope of sustainability, social development, competitiveness, and motivational management as well as decision making within the urban landscape are considered. This book contains nine thoroughly refereed contributions that interconnect detailed research into the two pillars reviewed.
Rivers’ Temporal Sustainability through the Evaluation of Predictive Runoff Methods
Authors: Molina José-Luis , Zazo Santiago , Martín-Casado Ana-María , Patino-Alonso María-Carmen
Published: February 2020

The concept of sustainability is assumed for this research from a temporal perspective. Rivers represent natural systems with an inherent internal memory on their runoff and, by extension, to their hydrological behavior, that should be identified, characterized and quantified. This memory is formally called temporal dependence and allows quantifying it for each river system. The ability to capture that temporal signature has been analyzed through different methods and techniques. However, there is a high heterogeneity on those methods’ analytical capacities. It is found in this research that the most advanced ones are those whose output provides a dynamic and quantitative assessment of the temporal dependence for each river system runoff. Since the runoff can be split into temporal conditioned runoff fractions, advanced methods provide an important improvement over classic or alternative ones. Being able to characterize the basin by calculating those fractions is a very important progress for water managers that need predictive tools for orienting their water policies to a certain manner. For instance, rivers with large temporal dependence will need to be controlled and gauged by larger hydraulic infrastructures. The application of this approach may produce huge investment savings on hydraulic infrastructures and an environmental impact minimization due to the achieved optimization of the binomial cost-benefit.
Climate Change Adaptation Measures for Buildings—A Scoping Review
Authors: Stagrum Anna Eknes , Andenæs Erlend , Kvande Tore , Lohne Jardar
Published: February 2020

As the climate changes globally and locally, the built environment will be subject to different climatic exposure than in the past. Adaptation measures are required to ensure the long-term integrity and successful operation of the built environment. This study examines literature on climate adaptation measures for buildings through a scoping literature review. It is centered around the main journals in the field of climate adaptation of the built environment, then expanded to map the extent of scientific publications about climate adaptation in general. Studies that regard future climate scenarios have been of particular interest. The majority of the identified literature concerns climate change impacts on buildings in warm climates, with overheating being seen as the greatest challenge. Additionally, few empirical studies are found; most identified research is based on computer simulations or literature reviews. The volume of research on the consequences of climate change on buildings in cold regions is surprisingly small, considering the pecuniary stakes involved. The predictions of climate scenarios suggest regulatory/policy measures on climate adaptation should be taken as quickly as possible to avoid greater costs in the future. However, further research into future scenarios is also essential.
Causality Assessment Guidelines for Adverse Events Following Immunization with a Focus on Guillain–Barré Syndrome
Authors: Lee Hankil , Kang Hye-Young , Cho Sunghwa , Park Seonyoung , Kim Ah-Young , Jung Sun-Young , Seong Baik Lin , Lee Young-Mock
Published: February 2020

South Korea operates a National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) for people who experience adverse events following immunization (AEFI). To run this program rationally, it is a prerequisite to confirm whether adverse events were caused by immunization. Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), a severe neurological disease with limb pain and muscle weakness as cardinal symptoms, is attracting attention as an AEFI. However, algorithm or guidelines for assessing the causality between vaccination and the incidence of GBS are lacking. We aimed to develop guidelines for causality assessment of GBS as an AEFI and suggest using these guidelines in alignment with the VICP. We systematically searched for other previously published algorithms or guidelines and found a WHO-AEFI guideline used worldwide; however, it only provides general instructions and is not tailored to specific adverse events. We translated and locally adapted the structure of this guideline and then added contents related to GBS. The GBS-specific guideline consists of four steps: case ascertainment of GBS, checklist (including (1) order of incidence, (2) temporal proximity, (3) evidence for other causes and (4) published evidence), an algorithm, and final classification. We listed key information on confirming GBS and whether any other causes of GBS were present. For real world application of the guideline along with the VICP, we collaborated with a panel of neurologists, epidemiologic investigators, and committee members from the VICP. To ensure transparency and a scientific approach, regular updates and collaboration with neurologists are essential. We expect that this guideline will contribute to logical causality assessment and compensation decisions for GBS and will provide the basic structure for causality assessment of other AEFIs.
CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND RESULTS OF CATARACT SURGERY IN THE SMALL PUPIL EYE BY PHACOEMUSIFICATION
Authors: Pham Van Minh , Phan Van Nam , Nguyen Thi Thu
Published: February 2020

Objectives: To investigate the clinical characteristics of cataract patients with small pupils and to evaluate the result of cataract surgery on the eye have small pupils by phacotechnique.
Subjects and methods: Descriptive study, prospective, uncontrolled interventions. Sample selection. The sample size of 70 patients with 70 eyes of cataracts with small pupils was treated by phaco technique and intraocular lens implant within posterior chamber. Follow up to 3 months.
Results: 70 eyes, the percentage of men and women was not different from 54.2% (38 male) compared to 45.8% (32 female). The mean age was 80 ± 8.74, from 58 to 99 years. The disease was mainly found in the age group over 70 years old with over 80% (51.5%). Visual acuity before surgery was very poor under 3m CF (count finger) for 68.6% (48/70). Visual acuity over 1/10 was only a small amount with 2.8% (2 eyes). Pseudoexfoliation was the most common reason complications of mydriasis with 32/70 eyes (45.7%) and 22/70 eyes (31.4%) for age. The preoperative pupilarysizewas mostly small with 63/70 eyes (90.0%), non-dilated pupils (7/70 eyes) (10.0%). Average pupil size was 3.34 mm (2 - 4mm). Iris condition: iris atrophy 20/10 eyes (28.6%), iris synechiae 11/10 (15.7%), irregular iris muscle with 51, 4% and good iris muscle accounted for 48.6%. Grade of cataract: Grade III: 31/70 eyes (44.3%), Grade IV: 32/70 eyes (45.7%), Grade II: 5/70 eyes (7.1%) and V:2/70 eyes (2.9%). Pupil expander technique: OVD injection with 42/70 eyes (60%), using iris hook with 23/70 eyes (32.9%). Pupillary size before and after intervention has changed from 3.7mm to 4.48mm.
Conclusions: Iris expander techniques have been shown to have good dilated pupils: 60.0% OVD injection, iris hook was 32.9%, other methods 7.1% One-week visibility of good visual acuity was higher than that of postoperative one day (12.2%) and increased at 1 month and 3 months (20.0%). Very good visual acuity was not available and low vision group was 1.4% after 3 months.

Key words: cataract surgery; phacoemusification, small pupil
RESULTS OF LOWER GENITAL TRACT INFECTION INTERVENTION AMONG KHMER WOMEN OF CHILDBEARING AGE IN CAN THO IN 2016
Authors: Phan Trung Thuan , Tran Dinh Binh , Dinh Thanh Hue , Dinh Phong Son , Truong Kieu Oanh , Truong Hoai Phong
Published: February 2020

Objectives: To find a model that is effective intervention to reduce the incidence of lower genital tract infections in Khmer women.
Subjects and Methods: The intervention study is carried which compared the test group with the control group of 400 Khmer women, aged 15 to 49 in Can Tho city.
Results: The common knowledge of the prevention of lower genital tract infections in the intervention group increased from 30.9% in the control group to 54.5% in the intervention group. The general attitude toward the use of lower genital tract infections increased from 22.3% in the control group to 78.0% in the intervention group. This is a very significant improvement. The prevalence of subclinical infection of the intervention group (26.0%) was significantly lower than that of the control group (39.3%), the difference was statistically significant.
Conclusion: Intervention effectiveness is good in both knowledge, attitudes and practices, especially the effectiveness of interventions in practice in Khmer women.

Key words: Effective intervention, lower genital tract infections, Khmer women, Can Tho city
THE RELATED FACTORS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS IN MEN
Authors: Cao Thanh Ngoc , Vo Tam , Le Van Chi
Published: February 2020

Objective: To determine the related factors of osteoporosis in men.
Subjects and Methods: Cross sectional study performed on 110 patients with osteoporosis and 104 subjects without osteoporosis, men aged 50 and over in Cho Ray Hospital and University Medical Center from 09/2013 to 03/2017. Diagnosis of osteoporosis by measuring bone mineral density by DXA according to criteria of World Health Organization. Data on anthropometry, history of smoking, fracture, alcoholism, physical activities and levels of β-CTX, osteocalcin, testosterone were collected.
Result: The related factors for decrease in bone mineral density at femoral neck, total hip included dropped total testosterone, elevated β-CTX and reduced BMI. The related factors for decrease in bone mineral density at lumbar spine included dropped total testosterone, elevated β-CTX, reduced BMI and elevated androgen index. The results of analysis logistic regression showed the relationship between osteoporosis and testosterone (OR: 0.98; KTC 95% 0.97 - 0.99), β-CTX (OR: 1.05; KTC 95% 1.03 - 1.07). Logistic regression equation predicted the probability of osteoporosis was log(odds(P)) = -8.79 + 0.05*β-CTX -0.02*Testosterone.
Conclusion: The related factors of osteoporosis in men include decreased total testeosterone, elevated β-CTX.

Key words: osteoporosis, men, bone mineral density, bone tunover marker, β-CTX, osteocalcin
THE CLINICAL, LABORATORY MANIFESTATIONS AND HISTOPATHOLOGY IN NEPHROTIC PATIENTS WITH LUPUS NEPHRITIS
Authors: Nguyen Le Thuan , Hoang Bui Bao
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease involving multiple organ systems. The kidney appears to be the most commonly affected organ, especially nephrotic is a serious kidney injury. The clinical, laboratory manifestations and histopathology are very useful for diagnosis, provide the means of predicting prognosis and guiding therapy in nephrotic patients with lupus nephritis.
Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study of nephrotic patients with lupus treated in the Department of Nephrology Trung Vuong Hospital and Cho Ray Hospital between May/2014 and May/2017. Renal histopathological lesions were classified according to International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society - ISN/RPS ’s 2003. The clinical, laboratory manifestations and histopathological features were described.
Results: Of 32 LN with nephritic range proteinuria cases studied, 93.7% were women. The 3 most common clinical manifestations were edema (93.8%), hypertension (96.8%) and pallor (68.9%), musculoskeletal manifestions (46.9%), malar rash (40.6%). There was significant rise in laboratory and immunological manifestions with hematuria (78.1%), Hb < 12g/dL (93.5%), increased Cholesterol (100%), and Triglycerid (87.5%), Creatinine > 1.4 mg/dL (87.5%), increased BUN 71.9%, ANA (+) 93.8%, Anti Ds DNA(+) 96.9%, low C3: 96.9%, low C4: 84.4%. The most various and severe features were noted in class IV with active tubulointerstitial lesions and high activity index.
Conclusion: Lupus nephritis with nephrotic range proteinuria has the more severity of histopathological feature and the more severity of the more systemic organ involvements and laboratory disorders were noted.

Key words: Systemic lupus, erythematosus (SLE) lupus nepphritis, clinical
Nomenclatural Changes in Western North American Amsinckiinae (Boraginaceae)
Authors: Guilliams C. Matt , Hasenstab-Lehman Kristen E. , Baldwin Bruce G.
Published: February 2020

Three recent phylogenetic studies have used DNA sequence data to examine evolutionary relationships in Amsinckiinae (Boraginaceae). In each of these studies, the genus Plagiobothrys Fisch. & C. A. Mey. has been recovered as non-monophyletic. So that only monophyletic groups are recognized, two new genus names are provided here: Amsinckiopsis (I. M. Johnst.) Guilliams, Hasenstab & B. G. Baldwin and Simpsonanthus Guilliams, Hasenstab & B. G. Baldwin. The new combination P. collinus (Phil.) I. M. Johnst. var. pringlei (Greene) Guilliams & B. G. Baldwin is given for plants from Arizona that were found to be phylogenetically nested within P. collinus. The genus name Sonnea Greene is lectotypified.