Understanding students’ global interdependence in science instruction

Multiple American educational organizations such as the National Education Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the Council of Chief State School Officers have advocated for globalizing the K-12 curriculum. The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) in a position statement on international education and the Next Generation Science Standards have produced goals and standards for internationalizing the science curriculum by addressing topics such as climate change, environment, and disease that cross borders. In contrast to those pronouncements on the curriculum, this article views global science education through an instructional lens that focuses on a students’ global interdependence in science continuum allowing researchers and casual observers to classify science classroom activities into one of five stages based on the interdependence during instruction of students in two or more countries. At the continuum’s lowest stage labeled isolated, instruction is contained within a classroom with students having no interaction with students in another country. At the highest end called collaborate, students in two or more countries are working jointly to co-create a solution to the task before them. This science education continuum can also be used to categorize technology and engineering activities and could be adapted for use in other curricular areas including mathematics, language arts, and social studies, used as a tool to complement scholarship about a range of education topics from social justice to curriculum to student motivation, or inform pre- and in-service teacher education.

Modelling the key enablers of organizational building information modelling (BIM) implementation: An interpretive structural modelling (ISM) approach

Building Information Modelling (BIM) implementation is a dynamic process and there are a number of influential variables that may change throughout. There is little research on the dynamics of the change environment and the AEC organizations’ approaches to BIM adoption and implementation. A considerable number of BIM enablers have been identified and/or developed in the extant literature. However, stipulating BIM implementation enablers per se provides only a static view that is not adequate for describing effective management of BIM implementation in Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) organizations. This study is the second part of an ongoing research about BIM implementation enablers. In the first paper “Building Information Modelling (BIM) adoption and implementation enablers in AEC firms: a systematic literature review” (Abbasnejad et al., 2020) the organizational BIM enablers have been identified. The aim of this second paper is to (1) further review and validate the key BIM implementation enablers using both the existing literature and expert interviews, and (2) develop a structural model of the key enablers using the ISM technique to understand the mutual interaction of these enablers and identify the driving enablers and the dependent enablers. Twenty-eight enablers for BIM implementation were initially identified from the literature and subsequent discussion with experts from academia and industry has been conducted to select most key BIM implementation enablers. Eleven enablers were finally chosen based on the literature review and expert interviews and the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique has been adopted to evaluate the contextual interrelationships among them. MICMAC (Matrix Impacts Cross-reference Multiplication Applied to a Classification) analysis was employed to classify the eleven enablers based on their dependence and driving power. The results indicate that there is no enabler in the autonomous cluster and this therefore signifies that all enablers are required for the implementation of BIM. BIM leadership and top management support have been identified as the enablers with the highest driving power in the initial stages of the BIM adoption and implementation process and for that reason, these enablers demand a greater priority given that there are other dependent enablers that will be impacted.

THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS IN SOCIAL ECONOMY OF THE WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES

The most important innovation for Western Balkan countries is combining social, labor and economic development policies, together with sustainable development focus on increasing and sustaining the welfare and wellbeing of the people in this countries. The purposes of this study is to investigate current social economy in the Western Balkans countries (Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina). To give an answer to the research question whether the socio-economic situation in Western Balkan countries is improving, we have firstly revise the literature to find out what different authors have found in recent researches concerning this area and the methods, models used in collecting, processing and analyzing data. The processing of the data of the above-mentioned has been done by the STATA software program, specifically using Linear Regression, Fixed Effect, Random Effect, Hausman Taylor Regression and Correlation & Covariance. Based on the empirical results of this study, we conclude that the R Square designation coefficient indicating a higher relationship between dependent variable (Social Development) and independent variables (economic growth, education, climate change, environment, health, poverty, social protection and labor). Economic growth, education, climate change, social protection and labor, environment, health and poverty force explain and have an impact on increase/decrease the social development of the Western Balkan countries during for the period 2009-2019. This research paper highlights an empirical analysis based on real data, statistical reports of the World Bank of the Western Balkan Countries. Given that these results are evident, economic situation in Western Balkan countries have to improve with establishing social economy exactly in key area for the rapid grow of this countries.

Study on mechanical and thermal properties of a modified epoxy resin

The uniaxial tensile test, linear expansion coefficient test of a modified epoxy resin in the ambient temperature range from -35℃ to 120℃, and the impact test at room temperature were carried out to explore its mechanical and thermal characteristics under temperature change environment. The constitutive model of the material suitable for temperature change environment is deduced, the numerical calculation is carried out in MATLAB, compared with the relative tested curve, and the obtained constitutive model is applied to the modeling calculation in ABAQUS and the results are verified. The results show that the modified epoxy resin has better strength, stiffness, impact toughness and lower coefficient of linear expansion than common epoxy resins such as E-44, E-51 and EPON e863. The material is suitable to be used as the matrix of spaceborne electronic component potting module. The proposed empirical constitutive model can obtain the stress-strain relationship of the material at any temperature in the range of -35℃~120℃ through interpolation, and can be directly used in relevant damage analysis and life prediction of electronic component potting module. The research method and derivation results have engineering reference value.

Sentinel-2 mission Contribution for Supporting Bathymetric layers of SAFAGA coastal zone, Egypt

<p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p>With the fast and highly growing demand for all possible ways of remote work as a result of COVID19 pandemic, new technologies using Satellite data were highly encouraged for multidisciplinary applications in different fields such as; agriculture, climate change, environment, coastal management, maritime, security and Blue Economy.</p><p>This work supports applying Satellite Derived Bathymetry (SDB) with the available low-cost multispectral satellite imagery applications, instruments and readily accessible data for different areas with only their benthic parameters, water characteristics and atmospheric conditions.  The main goal of this work is to derive bathymetric data needed for different hydrographic applications, such as: nautical charting, coastal engineering, water quality monitoring, sediment movement monitoring and supporting both green carbon and marine data science.  Also, this work proposes and assesses a SDB procedure that makes use of publicly-available multispectral satellite images (Sentinel2 MSI) and applies algorithms available in the SNAP software package for extracting bathymetry and supporting bathymetric layers against highly expensive traditional in-situ hydrographic surveys. The procedure was applied at SAFAGA harbor area, located south of Hurghada at (26°44′N, 33°56′E), on the Egyptian Red Sea coast.  SAFAGA controls important maritime traffic line in Red Sea such as (Safaga – Deba, Saudi Arabia) maritime cruises.  SAFAGA depths change between 6 m to 22m surrounded by many shoal batches and confined waters that largely affect maritime safety of navigation.  Therefore, there is always a high demand for updated nautical charts which this work supports.  The outcome of this work provides and fulfils those demands with bathymetric layers data for the approach channel and harbour usage bands electronic nautical chart of SAFAGA with reasonable accuracies.  The coefficient of determination (R<sup>2</sup>) differs between 0.42 to 0.71 after applying water column correction by Lyzenga algorithm and deriving bathymetric data depending on reflectance /radiance of optical imagery collected by sentinel2 missions with in-situ depth data values relationship by Stumpf equation.  The adopted approach proved to give  highly reasonable results that could be used in nautical charts compilation. Similar methodologies could be applied to inland water bodies.  This study is part of the MSc Thesis of the first author and is in the framework of a bilateral project between ASRT of Egypt and CNR of Italy which is still running.</p><p><strong>Keywords: Algorithm, Bathymetry, Sentinel 2, nautical charting, Safaga port, satellite imagery, water depth, Egypt.</strong></p>

Premonitory symptoms in migraine from China: A multi-clinic study of 4821 patients

Objective To observe the prevalence and characteristics of premonitory symptoms in Chinese migraineurs and explore their associations with migraine-related factors. Method Migraineurs who visited a tertiary headache clinic and one of nine neurology clinics between May 2014 and November 2019 were studied. Result Among the 4821 patients meeting the migraine criteria (International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition), 1038 (21.5%) patients experienced at least one premonitory symptom. The most common premonitory symptoms were neck stiffness, dizziness, yawning and drowsiness. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that aura, photophobia, aggravation by routine physical activity, triggers, family history, depression, coffee consumption and physical exercise were associated with an increased probability of experiencing premonitory symptoms ( p ≤ 0.001). The premonitory symptoms of migraine with and without aura differ in prevalence and most common symptoms. The cluster analysis revealed pairwise clustering of the following premonitory symptoms: Photophobia/phonophobia, concentration change/dysesthesia, loquacity/overactivity, yawning/drowsiness, fatigue/dizziness, and mood change/irritability. The correlation analysis of triggers and premonitory symptoms revealed that temperature change, environment change, sleep disorder, activity and stress were related to multiple premonitory symptoms, and that food, light, menstruation, alcohol and odor were related to special premonitory symptoms ( p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of premonitory symptoms among migraineurs in China is 21.5%. Some factors influence the probability of experiencing premonitory symptoms. Paired premonitory symptoms in the clustering analysis may share similar origins. Certain triggers associated with multiple premonitory symptoms may induce brain dysfunction; however, other triggers that overlap with corresponding special premonitory symptoms may be premonitory symptoms or a form of premonitory symptom.

Strategic Technology Foresight in Organizations through Quality Management and Business Excellence Concepts: A Case Study

We are living in an era of accelerated change and uncertainties where disruption in all aspects of our modern lives is the norm. In such context, foresight supported by quality management systems and organizational excellence frameworks comes into prominence as strategic toolset to face these social and economic challenges in organizations and societies and ensure sustainability. Foresight has been widely used by organizations as a strategy to support leadership and decision makers in situations that involve big uncertainties towards the future. The present paper is a conceptual study in the sense it discusses the relationship between organization`s foresight capability and quality management and organization excellence approaches. Essentially, we will attempt to answer the fundamental research question: “To what extent quality management and organizational excellence approaches and models lead to enabling and building future foresight capability of modern organizations?” For that purpose, a survey questionnaire was developed based on literature review, and administered online to leadership of Saudi organizations national wide. Statistical analysis performed. The analysis showed that quality management and organization excellence frameworks implementation in Saudi organizations would be an enabler for successful foresight implementation. This led to pronounce that in order to achieve their strategic objectives in line with the national vision 2030, Saudi organizations should implement quality management systems such as ISO 9001:2015 and the national quality award (KAQA). It is believed that the paper opens a discussion between quality professionals and foresight experts on the potential link between quality management principals and foresight capability in modern organizations operating in an accelerated change environment and disruption.

Optimization potential of the Digital Transformation program in EU top transportation company

Research background: We are living in complex and uncertain times and nowadays no one is doubting the DT expediency in order to support business transformation process or to boost agility for the new reality adoption and coping with the Crisis Purpose of the article: The aim of this study was to explore and assess Digital Transformation journey by one of Europe's largest transport companies – Girteka Logistics, in change environment and under uncertainty. The study collects data from the company’s Digital Transformation program, enabled by SAP solutions, insides from the Digital Transformation program internal and external teams. Methods: Within the study empirical research with descriptive research method was carried out using qualitative and quantitative observation methods. As the study is only about one company, the statistical population represents most of the Digital Transformation program team members. The data collection happened by the online questionary and afterward through the interviews with the key respondents to validate and extend gathered data. Second part of the data gathered is from Girteka’s Digital Transformation program documentation. The data collection happened by the documentation analysis and information consolidation. Findings & Value added: As the result of the study the antifragile generic hand-on Digital Transformation program roadmap was created and number of aspects were highlighted to be considered for the potential future research, like internal transformation team competency level requirements, expert labor marker and transformation partners situation as enabler for the companies’ digital transformation, process for the digital transformation program and overall business KPI definition to be used as transformation execution success indicator.