bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National Culture for a Participatory Time-driven Activity Based Costing: A Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda
Authors: Mucelli Attilio , Spigarelli Francesca , Lepore Dominique
Published: February 2018

National culture has a well-recognized role in management practices especially in shaping participatory decision-making processes (PDM). The article aims to provide a conceptual framework where national culture is considered as a potential moderator in a PDM when designing a Time-Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC). The purpose is to identify a set of dimensions when designing time equations, on which the costing system is based on, to be then linked to national culture. Moreover, a research agenda is also presented in order to validate the proposed framework, outlining directions for futures research as well as managerial implications.
A Comparative Study of Language Attitudes in Hong Kong: Towards English, Cantonese and Putonghua
Authors: Liu Xiaokai
Published: February 2018

20 years have elapsed since Hong Kong has returned to China and the connections with Mainland China are growing in different domains. Especially, the universities in Hong Kong attracted a large number of Mainland students and the number is increasing. Therefore, it is interesting to examine the language attitudes towards English (the former British colonial language), Cantonese (the local dialect) and Putonghua (the third official language) from the perspective of local students and Mainland students. The study reported in this thesis is a quantitative investigation of 30 local students and 30 Mainland students from different disciplines at City University of Hong Kong. Their attitudes towards three languages were compared in terms of integrative orientation and instrumental orientation. The results revealed the local students hold a more integrative attitude and showed their strong loyalty to Cantonese while Mainland students showed integrative attitude and favored the use of more Putonghua in different language contexts. English was still regarded as a prestigious language from both the integrative and instrumental perspective by the local students and the Mainland students. Besides, interactional language preference between the Mainland students and the Local students was also investigated and the result showed English was the most preferable language. The findings of this study suggest Cantonese remains as a strong dialect; English still will be the linguistic capital and the pragmatic function Putonghua is developing well in Hong Kong. Results also indicate subtle transition towards Trilingualism among the university students in Hong Kong.
Impact of ESL Learners’ Self-Esteem on Their Oral Proficiency
Authors: Mandokhail Shugla , Khan Fouzia Rehman , Malghani Mehwish
Published: February 2018

This study attempted to investigate the relationship between ESL learners’ Oral proficiency and their level of Self-esteem. The sample consisted of 30 students of Master studying English language at SBK Women’s University Quetta Baluchistan. The data were gathered through two instruments: Rubric for ESL Oral Proficiency along with voice recording and the Rosenberg (1965) Self-esteem Scale. The technique applied was non participant controlled observation. To determine the relationship between ESL learners’ Oral proficiency and their level of Self-esteem, correlational analysis was employed quantitatively. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between the two variables and asserted Krashen’s Affective Filter Hypothesis that an imaginary barrier of affective factors in learner prevents the learner from acquiring the target language.
Biblical Evaluative Discourse of Speech and Thought Presentation
Authors: Al-Ameedi Riyadh T. K. , Al Shamiri Sadiq M. K.
Published: February 2018

The study aims to highlight the evaluative strategies associated with the Biblical modes of speech and thought presentation. An eclectic pragma-stylistic model of analysis is developed to test the validity of the hypotheses that the targeted modes of discourse are almost always internally and/or externally evaluated by the narrator, and that the reportive modes of speech and thought are evaluative in respect to the quotative modes. The study arrived to the conclusion that different modes of speech and thought are exploited in building narrative genres. These modes form two interrelated types of discourse: quotative and reportive. Four modes contribute to the occurrence of the quotative discourse which are direct speech, free direct speech, direct thought, and free direct thought. The reportive discourse occurs when using one of the reportive modes which include indirect speech, free indirect speech, narrative report of speech act, narrator’s representation of voice, indirect thought, free indirect thought, narrative report of thought act, and internal narration. When employed in the targeted Biblical discourse, the quotative and reportive modes are often evaluated by the Biblical narrator. Evaluations of this kind implicate additional meanings and affect reader’s interpretation of the represented speeches or thoughts. The Biblical reportive modes are often evaluative in respect to the quotative ones. The Biblical narrator’s internal, external, and interactional evaluative strategies contribute to the occurrence of the Biblical evaluative discourse of speech and thought presentation.
Intertextual Dialogue in the British Postmodern Novels: On the basis of Peter Ackroyd’s Novels
Authors: Abdullayeva Yegane
Published: February 2018

The peculiarities of intertextual dialogue in the postmodernist novel in Britain are investigated in the article. Literary-theoretical matters of intertextuality were clarified and commented on its reflection as a form of dialogue in literature. The intertextual dialogue’s functions were analyzed on the postmodernist novel as “The house of Doctor Dee”, “The Lambs of London”, “The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein” by Peter Ackroyd, the British writer. The reminiscences, allusions, quotations, and aphorisms used in the novels in a fact form the skeleton of the works and is the means to show heroes’ characteristic features. P. Ackroyd presenting intertextual dialogue with the parallel commentary in the development of events “settles” them in certain cultural paradigms. So the writer makes open the structure of the postmodernist novel and opens the way for many interpretations.
Pedagogy of English Idioms: An Etymological Perspective
Authors: Qureshi Abrar Hussain , Anwar Behzad , Tahir Adnan
Published: February 2018

In EFL context, there is a considerable shift from single word lexical items to phraseology. Idioms constitute a core part in the phraseology block of the language. Idioms, in spite of their variety and cultural roots, are one of the most neglected areas in EFL perspective. Non-native learners of English as a foreign language do not feel motivated to use idiomatic resources of the language creatively. It is also a fact that pedagogy of idioms to EFL learners has been a challenging task for non-native teachers of the English language. The undertaken research is an effort to establish the utility of the entomological background of idioms in EFL class.
Abolishing the Doctrine of Consideration - The Story of the Arra- Part 1
Authors: McBain Graham
Published: February 2018

Abolishing the Doctrine of Consideration - The Story of the Arra- Part 1
The Effect of Different Substrates on the Growth of Enterolobium contortisiliquum
Authors: Batista A. Q. , Coelho Carla Figueiredo , Miranda Ires Paula de Andrade , Barbosa Edelcilio Marques , Miranda Thiago De Paula de Andrade
Published: February 2018

Brazilian origin species Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong (Fabaceae) is distributed from north to south of the country. The species is a pioneer and important in the manufacture of furniture, boats and canoes, and presents easy handling also being significant for degraded areas recovery programs. As a result, management plans are necessary for the survival of this species. In the context of reforestation and recovery of degraded areas, the production of seedlings of native forest species occurs in nurseries and the quality of these plants depends on several factors, among which, the composition of the substrates is a factor of great importance for having its physical, chemical and biological characteristics directly linked to the growth of the seedlings. The study was based on obtaining knowledge and potential applicability in seedling production, subjecting it to different substrates, in order to evaluate their growth in height, diameter, number of leaves and biomass. The behavior presented by the species suggests its potential for reforestation turned to production and conservationism, since it revealed tolerance to the various types of substrates and better results with the use of organic matter added to the substrate.
Nutritional Analysis of BRS Topázio Cotton Plants with Omission of Macronutrients
Authors: Souza Felipe Guedes de , Garófalo Chaves Lucia Heelena , Alves Allan Nunes , Souza Jorge Alves de , Vasconcelos Ana Carolina Feitosa de
Published: February 2018

In order to verify the nutritional disorders caused by the lack of macronutrients in the BRS Topázio cotton plants, an experiment was carried out in a greenhouse of diagnosis by subtraction, in which the following nutrients were omitted: N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S, with three replications totaling 21 experimental units. The omission of nutrients affected the production of phytomass in all treatments. The N content in cotton plants increased and decreased in the absence of K and Ca, respectively. The content of P increased with the omission of N, K, Mg, and decreased with omission of S. Regarding the content of K, it increased in the absence of S and decreased in the absence of N, P, K and Ca. The higher levels of Ca, Mg and S in cotton plants were observed with the absence of K.
The Economics of Plant Production of Household Garden
Authors: Al-Dala'een Jawad Atef
Published: February 2018

The objective of this research is to investigate the economics of household plant gardening activities. The questionnaire used as a tool for data collection. The questionnaire included different parts concerning the inputs of household gardening, the processing activities and the outputs of these activities. The household population of the study was divided into different stratum according to household income and the location of households in urban and sub-urban areas. The results showed that the garden inputs are reliable on garden size. The extent of external labor use was dependent on the household income and the size of garden. The returns of household gardens were higher for trees then for vegetables.
Determination of Iron in Vegetable Oil by Fourier Transform Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Panero Pedro S. , Panero Francisco S. , Oliveira Jose C. S. , Panero João S. , Ramos Anderson L. , Faria Fernando S. E. D. V. , Rodriguez Anselmo F. R.
Published: February 2018

The potential of Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) for the quantification of iron (Fe) in vegetable oil extracted from the fruit of the moriche palm (buriti) [Mauritia flexuosa] was evaluated. This green method enables direct measurements without previous sample handling. Twenty-five buriti samples were collected in Roraima (Brazil). The statistical models were developed using the technique of partial least squares (PLS) analysis and the data set was divided into two parts: one used for calibration (n = 20) and one used for testing (n = 5). First, the model was calibrated and cross-validated with the calibration data set so that the model was validated with the test data set to verify its prediction ability. To obtain reference data, the samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). The coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.9965 and the mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) obtained for iron (Fe) was 0.8067 (in ppm). The results showed that the prediction ability can be considered good for large quantification of iron intervals in vegetable oil, and the mean relative errors were less than ±7%. This indicated that the green method for the determination of iron (Fe) in vegetable oil by Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection can be used as an alternative method to the classic methods of analysis, because it does not use reagents harmful to the environment or operator, does not generate harmful waste, uses a fast technique, and there is minimal manipulation of the sample.
Noise modeling and depth calibration for Time-Of-Flight cameras
Authors: Belhedi Amira
Published: February 2018

thesis extended abstract
Optical Flow in Driver Assistance Systems
Authors: Onkarappa Naveen
Published: February 2018

It is an extended abstract of the PhD thesis titled "Optical Flow in Driver Assistance Systems".
Detecting and indexing moving objects for Behavior Analysis by Video and Audio Interpretation
Authors: Saggese Alessia , Brun Luc , Vento Mario
Published: February 2018

In this thesis a system for analyzing moving objects behavior for surveillance applications is proposed: videos are processed in order to extract and analyze moving objects trajectories for identifying abnormal trajectories, associated to abnormal behaviors. Whereas the information extracted from the videos are not sufficient or not sufficiently reliable, the proposed system is enriched by a module in charge of recognizing audio events of interest such as shoots, screams or broken glasses. Finally, all the extracted information are suitably stored in order to allow an efficient retrieval from the human operator. Five different standard datasets have been used for testing the different modules proposed in this thesis; the obtained results, both in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency, confirm the effectiveness and the real applicability of the proposed approach.
Adaptive Texture Description and Estimation of the Class Prior Probabilities for Seminal Quality Control
Authors: González-Castro Víctor
Published: February 2018

Motivation of the Thesis Semen quality assessment is a crucial task in artificial insemination (AI) processes, both human and animal. Animal AI allows farmers to save time and money (e.g. working with a limited number of animals). They purchase semen samples to companies, which have to carry out strict quality controls to guarantee that they are optimal for fertilization. A sample with a high proportion of (i) dead spermatozoa, or (ii) sperm heads with damaged acrosomes (the acrosome is a membrane that covers the anterior part of the sperm head and makes possible the penetration into the ovum) will have low fertilization potential. Therefore, sperm vitality and acrosome integrity are two of the parameters assessed by veterinaries in semen quality control processes. Both are assessed by means of a visual process which entails expensive equipments (stains and fluorescence microscopes) and may be a source of errors, as any manual process is. The contributions in the field of Image Processing and Machine Learning made on this PhD. Thesis [2] may be used to develop an automatic process to assess the proportions of damaged acrosomes or dead spermatozoa using just a phase contrast microscope (which almost any lab has) and a digital camera. Concretely, several texture description approaches have been evaluated. In addition, a new intelligent segmentation process, an adaptive texture description method, and two robust approaches for estimating class proportions of unlabelled datasets have been proposed. All these methods are applied to automatic boar semen quality estimation.
The model of controlling exploitation process of complex technical object
Authors: Paś Jacek
Published: February 2018

The exploitation of complex technical object includes two processes: handling as an activity preparing the technical object to be set up and using as an activity consisting in using it for its intended purpose. Analysis of the exploitation process of the heater (heating boiler), is the search for answers to two questions — how to use a device to achieve the best effect and what using procedures should be used to restore the required exploitation potential. Keywords: exploitation, complex technical object, handling
Chemical Weapon Training Center
Authors: Harmata Władysław , Szcześniak Zbigniew , Sobiech Marian
Published: February 2018

The paper presents the problems related to exercises that allow to prepare people, military equipment, and other rescue groups to prevent and minimize the number of victims in the case of the use of modern means of poisonous or radioactive ones. Such exercises can be carried out in the facility that is hermetically separated from the external environment, and a functional system of chambers allows to exercise and carry out activities that may occur in the real world after the use of toxic or radioactive warfare agents. These agents could cause disease in humans and degradation of natural environment. The tunnel enables to hold adequate exercises that familiarize practitioners with the correct principles to identify the toxic substance, and then to follow safe handling of their disposal with uniforms, weapons, and equipment. Certain chambers do protection of the skin and the respiratory tract against a particular toxin through a secure procedure for removing protective clothing and bath under the shower disinfectant and hygiene, to finally wear clean clothing or uniforms.
Keywords: construction, chemical toxics, protection of exercising personnel and natural environment
Determination of the thermal time constant of the reinforced concrete building component
Authors: Owczarek Stefan , Owczarek Mariusz
Published: February 2018

As a result of changes in the boundary conditions, a heat exchange in the building envelope is not always in a steady state. Heat fluxes penetrating through the wall may be several times greater than the steady state. Thus, the building can have a much higher demand for energy and requires the use of more powerful heater than it results from the standard calculation. This article dealt with estimating the length of the transient state after changing the boundary conditions. The protective celling plate of dimensions 35 m × 1 m and a thickness of 0.5 m has been analysed. The plate, on the one hand, is cooled in air at a temperature of 8.6°C, on the other hand is inside the shelter at 20°C. A period of cooling, based on the theoretical and numerical calculations, was obtained, then the differences were discussed and the conclusions drawn.
Keywords: building, building physics, heat flows in building envelopes
GOALS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE INDIRECT STRATEGY OF TERRORISM
Authors: STELMACH Jarosław
Published: February 2018

The aim of the publication is diagnosing the nature and multidimensional character of the goals of terrorist attacks from the perspective of the indirect strategy of terrorism. The structure of this article is based on the identification of the essence of a terrorist attack and the analysis of the nature of the goals of terrorist activity. The underlying assumption made by the author was the claim that the goals of terrorist attacks can be divided into instrumental and main goals. This division emphasises the multidimensional character of the phenomenon of terrorism and justifies the validity of using the notion of indirect strategy when referring to the activity of contemporary terrorists. The knowledge of mutual relations between the stages of terrorist activity in the framework of the assumed terrorist strategy can increase the efficiency of antiterrorist actions, which means that the investigated issue acquires particular significance.
KIEV-MOSCOW CRIMEA CONFLICT
Authors: SZYMANKIEWICZ Radosław
Published: February 2018

Security is understood as a certain state of confidence, the lack of threat and the awareness that the fundamental values of the state, including, among others, existence, survival and development, are preserved and represent the objective of the security policy of each government and state . The lack of these values may exert an adverse impact on its development. The activities of the competent organs of the state, creating such policy, should be purposeful and aimed at its implementation and they should also contribute to its formulation on the international arena . The security of Ukraine, as a result of actions taken by the separatist forces, was put to a great test and the annexation of Crimea slightly redefined the European security environment and resulted only in the imposition of sanctions and diplomatic pressure on Russia. Today, it is difficult to predict the scenario for future developments in Ukraine. It would seem that the chances are 50/50 that the conflict will be resolved. So, the question remains, what will Vladimir V. Putin, President of the Russian Federation, do? Will the pressure exerted by almost the entire world lead to the stabilisation of the situation in Donbass or will it result in the escalation of the conflict and the seizure of further areas, with, perhaps, Kiev included? However, the escalation of the conflict seems to be very unlikely, although it certainly would arouse nationalistic euphoria in the Russian society, as the imposed sanctions, the economic situation and losses that would be suffered by the Russians will prevent such escalation. If Putin decided to go war with Ukraine, he would have to take account of the determined opposition of the world superpowers and even greater sanctions, which the Russian economy might not be able to cope with. The paper contains the information about the genesis of the conflict in Ukraine and attempts to present the objectives of operations in the Kiev-Moscow conflict.
Natural convection in a model chamber with the Boussinesq approximation utilization
Authors: Radzikowska-Juś Weronika , Owczarek Stefan
Published: February 2018

The paper presents numerical analysis of heat transfer inside a model chamber in time after entering an object of elevated temperature therein. As a result of the temperature difference between the object and the environment in the room, natural convection has occurred. Numerical simulations were performed using ELMER software based on the Finite Element Method. In order to reduce the complexity of the simulation, the Bussinesq approximation was used. The relevant case is similar to Rayleigh-Benard convection, which was starting point to the conducted analysis. Keywords: temperature distribution in the model room, Rayleigh-Benard convection, Bussinesq approximation
Analysis of the BP-150M barrier carrying capacity according to MLC standards
Authors: Marszałek Jan , Piechota Mieczysław , Wójtowicz Bartłomiej
Published: February 2018

The article includes an analysis of the possibility of a temporary combined crossing using the DMS-65 bridge construction and the BP-150M floating barge support. In order to shorten the construction time of the crossing, traditional floating supports are replaced. Examples of nomograms were developed, using the method of a compensation function of moments at supports. Load analysis according to MLC standards has made it possible to determine the parameters of crossing over the Abrams M1A2 tank bridge.
Keywords: building engineering, folding bridges, floating supports
THE PROCESS OF PLANNING THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES FOR OFFICERS TO THE MILITARY HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS WITH THE CONSIDERATION OF THE NEEDS OF THE POLISH ARMED FORCES
Authors: LIBERACKI Marcin
Published: February 2018

One of the activities of the Ministry of National Defense is concern for the quality of education and the number of officers who annually enters the service in military units. These actions are now of greater importance, since the Ministry of National Defense clearly increases the number of Polish soldiers. This is mainly due to the formation of the Territorial Defense Forces and the urgent need to supplement the personnel status in operational units envisaged for cooperation under the so-called reinforcement of the eastern flank. In view of this, the Ministry of National Defense conducts annual work to determine the number of candidates for professional soldiers who, in the future, after fulfilling many formal and substantive requirements, will swell the ranks of the officer cadre. In this publication, the author discusses the procedures involved in drafting legislation regulating the limits of admission of candidates for professional soldiers to military higher education institutions that educate future second lieutenants to serve in the Armed Forces.
PERSONAL RESOURCES IN COPING WITH STRESS AMONG PARAMEDICS PART 1
Authors: NETCZUK-GWOŹDZIEWICZ Marzena
Published: February 2018

The concept of personal resources is used in health psychology in reference to all the factors that help in coping with stress. Moos and Schafer define personal resource as: ‘relatively stable personal and social factors, which influence the way the individual tries to tackle life crises and stress transactions’. Many researchers count the following as important personal resources: social support, ways of coping with stress, self-esteem and self-efficacy, sense of coherence, level of optimism, ability to act assertively, locus of control. Paramedics can be associated with jobs requiring above-average level of both health and psychological costs. Thus, determination of the relation between the sense of coherence and ways of coping with stress will be the subject of this project.
Analiza filmu jako edukacja spojrzenia. Edukacja i wychowanie „dla filmu”
Authors: Parol Joanna
Published: February 2018

The article explores the issue of education “for film”, which can be understood not as
a preparation for its reception or as the value of the learning after seeing the film, but as the
impact of both the mutual film – viewer and viewer – film interaction and the benefits that
take place while watching, together with their subsequent consequences. Education “for film”
changes the approach to cinematography and analysis. Education of the look is an important
element of education “for film”. The author discusses the changes in the perception of film,
anthropological–morphological analysis, neoformalism and the issue of education “for film”
and draws attention to the important role of “education of the look”. Education “for film” will
make people appreciate the works of the film art, in which the audience will find knowledge,
life inspiration and creative joy. Filmmakers are brave, ambitious, ingenious and creative
mavericks, and they still have so much to “say” and to “show”, while viewers have a lot to read,
to interpret and to understand.
Nauczyciel przedmiotów artystycznych w szkolnictwie zawodowym w świetle aktów prawnych
Authors: Rutkowska-Sagata Agnieszka Dominika
Published: February 2018

The paper analyses legislation concerning art education teachers in public vocational schools
and focuses on the regulations on the required educational qualifications of the teaching staff
members and currently available evaluation tools. Inaccuracies and lack of transparency are
put into the limelight.
Educación política y política educativa en las cartas de Juan Luis Vives a los príncipes.
Authors: Martinez Elena Urbano Antonio
Published: February 2018

Durante el Renacimiento de los siglos XV y XVI la preocupación por los problemas políticos y sociales fue una constante en muchos humanistas que vieron en la educación de los gobernantes el mejor camino para poner remedio a los mismos. Vives es uno de los intelectuales más inquietos ante la realidad de la Europa de su tiempo y un hombre comprometido con la mejora de la sociedad a través del perfeccionamiento de los políticos y de la extensión de la educación a todos los individuos. En este artículo se analizan las enseñanzas transmitidas por el humanista valenciano en las cartas que dirigió a los personajes más poderosos e influyentes de la Europa de su tiempo.
La aportación de Juan Luis Vives al estudio de la pobreza. Del socorro de los pobres a la aporofobia
Authors: Sebastián Solanes Raúl Francisco
Published: February 2018

La pobreza es una de las principales lacras de nuestras sociedades y desafortunadamente no es reciente. En el presente artículo me propongo acercarme de la mano del filósofo y humanista valenciano Juan Luis Vives al problema de la pobreza. Vives fue el primer pensador europeo en escribir un tratado De subventione pauperum proponiendo soluciones al problema de la pobreza. Recientemente la también filósofa valenciana Adela Cortina ha publicado un nuevo libro donde, siguiendo la aportación de Vives, propone enfrentarse al problema de la pobreza o “aporofobia” desde una perspectiva ética y de justicia.

Poverty is one of the main scourges of our societies and unfortunately it is not recent. In this article propose to approach the hand of the philosopher and valencian humanist Juan Luis Vives to the problem of poverty. Vives was the first European thinker to write a treatise De subventione pauperum proposing solutions to the problem of poverty. Recently the valencian philosopher Adela Cortina has published a new book where, following the contribution of Vives, proposes to face the problem of poverty or “aporophobia” from an ethical and justice perspective.
La Edad de Oro en el Quijote y en Vives
Authors: Calero Calero Francisco
Published: February 2018

La Edad de Oro en el Quijote y en Vives
Comparison of complex networks and tree-based methods of phylogenetic analysis and proposal of a bootstrap method
Authors: Góes-Neto Aristóteles , Diniz Marcelo V.C. , Carvalho Daniel S. , Bomfim Gilberto C. , Duarte Angelo A. , Brzozowski Jerzy A. , Petit Lobão Thierry C. , Pinho Suani T.R. , El-Hani Charbel N. , Andrade Roberto F.S.
Published: February 2018

Complex networks have been successfully applied to the characterization and modeling of complex systems in several distinct areas of Biological Sciences. Nevertheless, their utilization in phylogenetic analysis still needs to be widely tested, using different molecular data sets and taxonomic groups, and, also, by comparing complex networks approach to current methods in phylogenetic analysis. In this work, we compare all the four main methods of phylogenetic analysis (distance, maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian) with a complex networks method that has been used to provide a phylogenetic classification based on a large number of protein sequences as those related to the chitin metabolic pathway and ATP-synthase subunits. In order to perform a close comparison to these methods, we selected Basidiomycota fungi as the taxonomic group and used a high-quality, manually curated and characterized database of chitin synthase sequences. This enzymatic protein plays a key role in the synthesis of one of the exclusive features of the fungal cell wall: the presence of chitin. The communities (modules) detected by the complex network method corresponded exactly to the groups retrieved by the phylogenetic inference methods. Additionally, we propose a bootstrap method for the complex network approach. The statistical results we have obtained with this method were also close to those obtained using traditional bootstrap methods.
Smartphone-based reminder system to promote pelvic floor muscle training for the management of postnatal urinary incontinence: historical control study with propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Kinouchi Kaori , Ohashi Kazutomo
Published: February 2018

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a smartphone-based reminder system in promoting pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) to help postpartum women manage urinary incontinence (UI).

Methods

Forty-nine and 212 postpartum women in the intervention and control groups, respectively, received PFMT guidance using a leaflet and verbal instruction as the standard care at an obstetrics clinic in Japan. Women in the intervention group also received PFMT support using the smartphone-based reminder system between January and August 2014. For analysis, they were compared with historical controls between February 2011 and January 2012, who did not receive such support and were chosen by propensity score matching. The outcomes examined were PFMT adherence and UI prevalence. The former consisted of implementation rate (i.e., the percentage of women who reported performing PFMT during the intervention period), training intensity (i.e., the number of pelvic floor muscle contractions (PFMCs) per day), and training frequency (i.e., the number of days PFMT was performed per week); the latter consisted of self-reported UI prevalence at baseline and at the end of the eight-week intervention period.

Result

Propensity score matching resulted in 58 postpartum women (n = 29 per group). The intervention group exhibited better PFMT adherence than the control group, in terms of PFMT implementation rate (69 vs. 31%, p = 0.008), median training intensity (15 vs. 1 PFMC reps/day, p = 0.006), and training frequency (7 vs. 3 days/week, p < 0.001). UI prevalence was not different between the groups at baseline, but was significantly reduced in the intervention group at eight weeks (0 vs. 24%, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Our smartphone-based reminder system appears promising in enhancing PFMT adherence and managing postpartum UI in postpartum women. By enhancing PFMT adherence and improving women’s ability to manage the condition, the reminder system could improve the health-related quality of life of postpartum women with UI.
A ciência e a tecnologia na visão de Milton Santos
Authors: Cerqueira-Neto Sebastião , Santos Camilla Jardim Peixoto
Published: February 2018

Num mundo onde a ciência e a tecnologia são partes integrantes do desenvolvimento de um país, torna-se fundamental compreender quais são os seus fins. Não é fácil produzir críticas sobre um tema que parece ser incontestável para grande parte da sociedade mundial quanto aos seus benefícios. Certamente que a evolução da ciência e da tecnologia não é acessível a todos os povos do planeta. Milton Santos foi um dos maiores críticos do desenvolvimento da tecnologia e da ciência separados da sociedade, sobretudo, no Terceiro Mundo e, particularmente, no Brasil. Este texto selecionou parte do pensamento de Milton Santos sobre essa questão com o objetivo de reforçar a necessidade de repensar os caminhos da ciência brasileira.

Abstract

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN THE VISION OF MILTON SANTOS

In a world where science and technology are integral parts of development of a country, it is important to understand what are their purposes. It’s not easy to produce criticism on a topic that seems to be incontrovertible to much of the world´s society as to their benefits. Certainly the evolution of science and technology is not accessible to all peoples of the planet. Milton Santos was one of the biggest critics of the development of technology and science separate from society, especially in the third world and particularly in Brazil. This text have chosen part of the thoughts of Milton Santos on this issue with the aim to reinforce the need to rethink the ways of brazilian science.
Práticas formativas e diferentes estratégias para o ensino de Geografia nos anos iniciais
Authors: Maia Diego Corrêa , Nogueira Maia Ana Claudia
Published: February 2018

Este artigo tem como propósito demonstrar a importância das práticas formativas e suas diferentes estratégias de ensino para professores pedagogos que atuam no primeiro segmento do Ensino Fundamental. A formação profissional foi organizada visando a promover os conteúdos ligados ao tempo, ao clima e às estações do ano, baseados na pesquisa ação e na epistemologia da prática. Através do auxílio de dispositivos didáticos, tais como planetário de madeira e de história em quadrinhos, pôde-se vislumbrar o aprimoramento docente, concretizado pela discussão e pela elaboração de estratégias de ensino a serem aplicadas aos alunos do 3°, 4° e 5° anos do Ensino Fundamental I. Após a formação, concluímos que as atividades contribuíram para o fortalecimento do conhecimento geográfico nos anos iniciais, possibilitando a socialização de experiências e saberes necessários para a qualificação do ato educativo.

Abstract

FORMATIVE PRACTICES AND DIFFERENT STRATEGIES FOR THE TEACHING OF GEOGRAPHY IN THE INITIAL YEARS

This article aims to demonstrate the importance of the formative practices and their different teaching strategies for pedagogical teachers who work in the first segment of Elementary School. Professional training was organized to promote content related to weather, climate and seasons, based on action research and the epistemology of practice. Through the aid of didactic devices such as wooden planetarium and comic books, it was possible to notice the improvement in teaching, materialized by the discussion and elaboration of teaching strategies to be applied to the students of the 3rd, 4th and 5th years of Elementary School. After the training, we conclude that the activities contributed to the strengthening of geographic knowledge in the initial years, allowing the socialization of experiences and knowledge necessary for the qualification of the educational act.
A circulação interna de mercadorias no território moçambicano: um país sobre rodas
Authors: Jesus Neto Antonio Gomes de
Published: February 2018

Moçambique é historicamente conhecido por ser um território voltado ao seu exterior, tanto por escoar a produção da hinterland da África Austral (como seus vizinhos África do Sul, Suazilândia, Zimbabwe e Malawi), como pelo antigo direcionamento da economia do país para a exportação da produção interna. Ainda que o atual modelo dos chamados “mega projetos” continue a estimular essa lógica extravertida, desde a independência do país, em 1975, o governo moçambicano vem reunindo esforços na tentativa de integrar seu território e configurar uma economia eminentemente nacional. Tal tarefa cabe, no que tange à circulação de mercadorias, ao modal rodoviário, através de inúmeras rodovias (quase nunca pavimentadas), de instrumentos normativos e instituições regulatórias voltados ao transporte rodoviário de cargas, e de diferentes operadores de transporte (desde empresas até motoristas autônomos e transportadores informais). Assim, com base na proposta de Milton Santos de compreender o espaço geográfico a partir de suas dimensões técnicas e político-normativas, este artigo busca fornecer um quadro atualizado da circulação interna de mercadorias em Moçambique.

Abstract

THE INTERNAL CIRCULATION OF GOODS IN MOZAMBICAN TERRITORY: A COUNTRY ON WHEELS

Mozambique is historically known for being a territory turned to its exterior, both because it drains the Southern African inner production (especially its neighbors South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Malawi) and because its economy has long been directed to the exportation of its domestic production. Even though the current “megaprojects” model stills follows this extraverted logic, since the country’s independence in 1975 the Mozambican government has been making an effort to integrate the territory and set up a national economy. When it comes to the circulation of goods, this task depends on road transport by means of numerous roads (mostly unpaved), normative instruments, regulatory institutions and various transport operators (such as companies, autonomous drivers and informal carriers). Thus, based on Milton Santos’ proposal to understand the geographical space through its technical and political normative dimensions, this article attempts at providing an updated framework for the inner circulation of goods in Mozambique.
A cidade de Salvador-BA no cinema contemporâneo
Authors: Moreira Tiago De Almeida , Reis Junior Dante Flávio Da Costa
Published: February 2018

O artigo trata de representações sobre a cidade de Salvador-BA no cinema brasileiro contemporâneo, com foco no espaço público da cidade, seus aspectos principais bem como suas contradições socioespaciais. O inventário de vinte e cinco filmes apresentado contribui para a linha de pesquisa das Geografias de Cinema, em estruturação no Brasil e no mundo, pois trata de análise sobre espaço público em filmes brasileiros contemporâneos, tema ainda pouco explorado no Brasil.

Abstract

THE CITY OF SALVADOR-BA IN THE CONTEMPORARY CINEMA

The paper deals with representations about the city of Salvador - BA in contemporary Brazilian cinema, focusing on the public space of the city, its main aspects and socio - spatial contradictions. The inventory of twenty-five films presented contributes to the line of research of the Geographies of Cinema, in structuring in Brazil and in the world, because it deals with the analysis of public space in contemporary Brazilian films, a topic still little explored in Brazil.
Space‐Time Evolution of Magma Storage and Transfer at Mt. Etna Volcano (Italy): The 2015–2016 Reawakening of Voragine Crater
Authors: Cannata Andrea , Di Grazia Giuseppe , Giuffrida Marisa , Gresta Stefano , Palano Mimmo , Sciotto Mariangela , Viccaro Marco , Zuccarello Francesco
Published: February 2018

The eruptions of December 2015 and May 2016 at Voragine crater were among the most explosive recorded during the last two decades at Mt. Etna volcano. Here we present data coming from geophysics (infrasound, LP, VLP, volcanic tremor, VT earthquakes, and ground deformations) and petrology (textural and microanalytical data on plagioclase and olivine crystals) to investigate the preeruptive magma storage and transfer dynamics leading to these exceptional explosive eruptions. Integration of all the available data has led us to constrain chemically, physically, and kinetically the environments where magmas were stored before the eruption, and how they have interacted during the transfer en‐route to the surface. Although the evolution and behavior of volcanic phenomena at the surface was rather similar, some differences in storage and transfer dynamics were observed for 2015 and 2016 eruptions. Specifically, the 2015 eruptions have been fed by magmas stored at shallow levels that were pushed upward as a response of magma injections from deeper environments, whereas evidence of chemical interaction between shallow and deep magmatic environments becomes more prominent during the 2016 eruptions. Main findings evidence the activation of magmatic environments deeper than those generally observed for other recent Etnean eruptions, with involvement of deep basic magmas that were brought to shallow crustal levels in very short time scales (∼1 month). The fast transfer from the deepest levels of the plumbing system of basic, undegassed magmas might be viewed as the crucial triggering factor leading to development of exceptionally violent volcanic phenomena even with only basic magma involved.
Critical Evolution of Damage Toward System‐Size Failure in Crystalline Rock
Authors: Renard François , Weiss Jérôme , Mathiesen Joachim , Ben‐Zion Yehuda , Kandula Neelima , Cordonnier Benoît
Published: February 2018

Rock failure under shear loading conditions controls earthquake and faulting phenomena. We study the dynamics of microscale damage precursory to shear faulting in a quartz‐monzonite rock representative of crystalline rocks of the continental crust. Using a triaxial rig that is transparent to X‐rays, we image the mechanical evolution of centimeter‐size core samples by in situ synchrotron microtomography with a resolution of 6.5 μm. Time‐lapse three‐dimensional images of the samples inside the rig provide a unique data set of microstructural evolution toward faulting. Above a yield point there is a gradual weakening during which microfractures nucleate and grow until this damage span the whole sample. This leads to shear faults oriented about 30° to the main compressive stress in agreement with Anderson's theory and macroscopic failure. The microfractures can be extracted from the three‐dimensional images, and their dynamics and morphology (i.e., number, volume, orientation, shape, and largest cluster) are quantified as a function of increasing stress toward failure. The experimental data show for the first time that the total volume of microfractures, the rate of damage growth, and the size of the largest microfracture all increase and diverge when approaching faulting. The average flatness of the microfractures (i.e., the ratio between the second and third eigenvalues of their covariance matrix) shows a significant decrease near failure. The precursors to faulting developing in the future faulting zone are controlled by the evolving microfracture population. Their divergent dynamics toward failure is reminiscent of a dynamical critical transition.
Chi‐Squared Tests: Numerical Examples
Authors: Wiener Laura E. , Koch Gary G. , Stokes Maura E.
Published: February 2018

This article describes the range of applications of chi‐squared tests via five illustrative examples. The first of these applies chi‐squared approximations to randomization‐based nonparametric rank tests for a randomized clinical trial concerning heart disease. The second example illustrates three types of analyses for a three‐way contingency table based on a clinical trial for mastitis in dairy cows. The first analysis implements randomization model methods, while the other two analyses use chi‐squared tests pertaining to functions of proportions and related statistical models for testing linear and log‐linear hypotheses. Alternative chi‐squared tests for goodness‐of‐fit of logistic regression models via maximum likelihood methods for a quantal response animal study are illustrated in the third example. Example 4 describes the modeling of the proportion of hours women had little or no obstetric pain via weighted least squares methods and the chi‐squared tests used to assess contrasts of specific interaction effects. The final example applies Wald chi‐squared statistics and the fitting of linear models to a repeated measures observational study for two diagnostic procedures with a dichotomous outcome at two time points.
Risk‐Adjusted Exponentially Weighted Moving Average Control Chart in Healthcare
Authors: Mitra Amitava
Published: February 2018

The use of control charts for monitoring outcomes, classified as nonconforming or not, in the field of healthcare is of much importance. However, unlike the manufacturing sector where the assumption that items being monitored are independent and identically distributed may hold, such may not be the case in the area of healthcare. The patients, whose outcomes are to be monitored, do not have the same degree of severity of illness. Since these preexisting conditions may affect the outcome, such as mortality or survival from a surgical procedure, they need to be incorporated in the monitoring scheme. The concept of risk adjustment, which utilizes the patient's severity of illness, is used to determine the expected outcome and the associated control limits. A risk‐adjusted exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart is presented. The procedure takes into account the outcome associated with each patient, for example, mortality or survival, and the patient's preoperative risk to monitor a statistic that weights the current and prior outcomes. Since the procedure incorporates each patient's outcome, compared to aggregating the outcomes as in a proportion nonconforming chart, it has a higher power for detecting out‐of‐control conditions.