Evaluation of Ecosystem Services in Mining Basins: An Application in the Piedmont Region (Italy)

Mining activities impact on the territorial system in various ways, affecting its environmental and socio-economic components. Specific evaluation tools can support decision-making processes in the context of the sustainable planning and management of mining activities. Within the evaluation procedures of mining activities, a growing interest in the analysis of Ecosystem Services (ES) is emerging. ES refer to the benefits that the natural system delivers to society, linking the health of ecosystems and human well-being. Starting from a real-world case related to the adoption of the Regional Plan of Mining Activities (PRAE) of the Piedmont region (Northern Italy), the paper aims to explore the ES valuation by considering three different mining quarries. The state of the art of the basins is compared with alternative planning scenarios from the point of view of the ES produced. The valuation is developed through GIS and the Simulsoil software, detecting the biophysical benefits produced and estimating their economic performance. The simulation results can be used to support the formulation of planning strategies, estimating the trade-offs in terms of competitive land-use values. The study also demonstrates that the integration of ES into Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) can produce a comprehensive impact assessment of a mining project, guaranteeing the protection and valorisation of the environmental system.

Load Combinations for the Evaluation of Redundancy in Steel Bridges

Over the past decade, there has been considerable interest in the development of quantitative analytical procedures to determine if a primary steel tension member (PSTM) is a fracture critical member (FCM). Traditionally, this designation has most often been arbitrarily determined based simply on the bridge geometry, for example, the number of girders in the cross section, rather than an evaluation of the bridge in the faulted state. Clearly, such a redundancy evaluation must address the loading scenarios concurrent with failure of the PSTM, the likelihood of the member failure, the acceptable probability of load exceeding resistance in the faulted state, and the application of vehicular live load models. This research was conducted to develop a load model and load combinations that are specific to evaluating the performance of a bridge in the event a steel member was to fracture. Specifically, two load combinations were developed to evaluate the strength of a steel bridge, one for the event in which the failure of a PSTM occurs, and another for a post-failure service period. The development adhered to the reliability-based principles and procedures applied in the calculation of load combinations currently used in bridge engineering to facilitate direct implementation and to ensure consistency with current steel bridge design and evaluation procedures contained in the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications.

PENGEMBANGAN KOMIK DIGITAL CHLOROPHYL SEBAGAI MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN PEDULI LINGKUNGAN SISWA SMA

The loss of a sense of responsibility that students have towards protecting and preserving nature is also a bad impact of the progress that has occurred in the present era. Therefore, the researchers took the initiative to develop a valid and practical "chlorophyll" digital comic-based learning media to be used in instilling concern for the surrounding environment. The method used in this research is developing research using ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) procedures. The development of this digital Chlorophyl comic consists of 12 pages starting from the opening page about the introduction of the main character, problems to solutions that can be done to protect the environment. Chlorophyl digital comics can be said to be valid with an average of 3.58 and have good criteria so that they can be used in the field with a few revisions that have been adapted to suggestions from experts. In addition, based on input from the validator with several notes of improvement and the assessment of student responses to chlorophyll digital comics, it was stated that it was very practical with a positive response of 80.59%. The conclusion obtained is that the digital chlorophyll comic that was developed is said to be valid with a value of 3.5 and stated to be very practical with a positive response of 80.59%. ABSTRAKHilangnya rasa tanggung jawab yang dimiliki para pelajar terhadap menjaga dan melestarikan alam juga menjadi dampak buruk dari kemajuan yang terjadi pada era masa kini. Oleh karena itu, peneliti bernisiatif untuk mengembangkan media pembelajaran berbasis komik digital chlorophyl yang valid dan praktis untuk digunakan dalam menanamkan kepedulian terhadap lingkungan sekitar. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah penelitian mengembangkan dengan prosedur ADDIE (Analyze, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). Pengembangan komik digital Chlorophyl ini terdiri atas 12 halaman mulai dari halaman pembuka tentang perkenalana tokoh utama, permasalahan hingga solusi yang bisa dilakukan untuk menjaga lingkungan hidup. Komik digital Chlorophyl dapat dikatakan valid dengan rata-rata yaitu 3,58 dan memiliki kriteria baik sehingga dapat digunakan di lapangan dengan sedikit revisi yang telah disesuaikan dengan saran dari para ahli. Selain itu berdasarkan masukan dari validator dengan beberapa catatan perbaikan dan penilaian angket respon siswa terhadap komik digital chlorophyl dinyatakan sangat praktis dengan respon positif sebanyak 80,59%. Kesimpulan yang didapatkan adalah komik digital chlorophyl yang dikembangkan dikatakan valid dengan nilai 3,5 dan dinyatakan sangat praktis dengan respon positif sebanyak 80,59%.

Discussions on Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation Performed in Patients With Voice Disorders

The auditory-perceptual evaluation of speech-language pathologists (SLP) in patients with voice disorders is often regarded as a touchstone in the multi-dimensional voice evaluation procedures and provides important information not available in other assessment modalities. Therefore, it is necessary for the SLPs to conduct a comprehensive and in-depth evaluation of not only voice but also the overall speech production mechanism, and they often encounter various difficulties in the evaluation process. In addition, SLPs should strive to avoid bias during the evaluation process and to maintain a wide and constant spectrum of severity for each parameter of voice quality. Lastly, it is very important for the SLPs to perform a team approach by documenting and delivering important information pertaining to auditory-perceptual characteristics in an appropriate and efficient way through close communication with the laryngologists.

SNSF Datastory - Central role in the evaluation procedures: The evaluation panels and their members

The National Research Council of the SNSF decides whether an application is funded or not. The 89 evaluation panels prepare its decisions. Every year, they evaluate several thousand applications.

Evaluation of the quality of state programs: the outcomes of testing of a multi-criteria model (results, problems, opportunities)

Decree of the President of the Russian Federation № 633 dated November 8, 2021 «On approval of the Fundamentals of State Policy in the field of strategic planning in the Russian Federation» among the main directions of state policy in this area, scientific and methodological support for strategic planning of socio-economic development and ensuring national security is defined [3]. Within the framework of this direction, a multi-criteria model for assessing the quality of state programs of the Russian Federation has been developed and passed initial testing. New methodological approaches have been transformed into an algorithm and assessment tools, brought to the level of draft Guidelines and tested on the example of several government programs of various formats and areas of implementation. The model includes the author's conceptual apparatus, parameters and evaluation criteria, a regulated sequence of evaluation procedures (algorithm), specific tools, a specially developed tabular format for obtaining and issuing evaluation results. The principal features of the multicriteria model were described earlier [11]. This article presents the first practical results of assessing the quality of individual state programs of the Russian Federation based on the developed model. The obtained results, in turn, can be used for further improvement of the model.

State Medicaid Policy and LTC: A Multi-State Qualitative Study of Policy Influence on Caregiver Experiences

This study focuses on long-term care (LTC) state Medicaid policy and its impact on caregiver decisions and experiences. It examines respondents’ general knowledge of LTC state policies and services, challenges with navigating LTC policies and services, and decision-making pathways based on these factors. Using purposive sampling, 63 family caregivers across eight states participated in open-ended qualitative interviews (2019-2020) until thematic saturation was reached. Questions broadly examined caregivers’ experiences and decisions, focusing on decisions made around type of care setting and experiences with LTC state policy. States were selected to represent variation in Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) expenditures as a percentage of total Medicaid long-term services and support expenditures. While LTC policies and services vary significantly by state, we identified many parallels in caregiver experiences and perceptions across states, as respondents often lacked specific knowledge about LTC policies and services and how to access them. Overarching themes include LTC policy navigation challenges, distrust in state-funded LTC services and supports, and moral expectations of caregiving. To manage these challenges, caregivers employed coping strategies such utilizing informal support networks, hiring care coordination assistance, and “stretching things thin” to fill the policy and service gaps. Study findings highlight potential strategies to improve LTC services across states. There is a need to improve community trust with state services by employing transparent regulatory and evaluation procedures for LTC. Wider access to case management may improve communication and knowledge of available services to maximize benefit from HCBS expansions.

Gender in School Textbooks as an Evidence of General Education Policy Approaches

This paper examines gender equality in general education policy of Georgia making emphasis on textbooks development practices under the ongoing third wave National Curriculum. The desk research, content analysis and in-depth interviews were employed as research methods. Six textbooks of math, biology and aesthetic subject group for grades 1-8 were analysed in light of a. gender roles and activities b. Male firstness Porreca (1984) and c. fragmentation and isolation (Blumberg 2007). Moreover, as part of the study, the desk-research of textbook evaluation policy and practices, perspectives of the school textbooks authors in different subject matters and 50 randomly selected evaluation reports for years 2019-2020 were examined. The study should provide answers on the following questions: 1. To what extend do Georgian textbooks provide gender-sensitive content? 2. Does the textbook approval rule and evaluation procedures facilitate development of gender balanced education resources? 3. Are authors of school textbooks empowered to develop gender sensitive materials? The research results were triangulated and reviewed in light of the Social Relations Concept for Policy analysis by Kabeer (1994). Based over the analysis we can conclude that Georgia is adhered to the gender-aware education policy and is manifested in the gender-neutral approach towards the school textbook development requirements and practices.

Mapping of Spatio-Temporal Changes of Surface Water Using Sentinel-1 SAR Images

Exploration of surface water bodies and their spatial definition has great importance in water resources management and helps understand hydrological processes in the country. Fast, regular, and effective ways of mapping watercourses and their surroundings through remote sensing methods are crucial tools for capturing change and predicting hazards. The last decades have brought new data products, open-source software, and evaluation procedures that allow low-cost mapping of surface water objects. A widespread and sought-after option for this type of mapping is the use of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) image products. Just through SAR technology that it is possible to identify changes in water in a relatively short time and at the same time under any meteorological conditions thanks to backscattered microwave radiation. This paper presents the possibilities of using SAR technology and its data for long-term temporal mapping of meteorological-hydrological changes in surface water using satellite images of Sentinel-1 product level GRD. As regards surface water extraction, this process is performing by segmenting the threshold values according to the Otsu principle. The water surfaces are then interpreted into the form of water masks of objects by the binarization of the final image. These values are subsequently compared with the supervised classification RFC (Random Forest Classifier) method results. Suitable processing and evaluation procedures conclude that the more suitable polarization configuration for mapping water bodies is VV (vertical-vertical) polarization. As for speckle filter tools to eliminate radar noise, the most suitable option seems to be using a Lee filter. To achieve more accurate results of the extracted water bodies, it is then appropriate to implement quantitative statistical indicators of accuracy and their numerical interpretation of the reliability of results. This paper aims to demonstrate the advantages of using satellite SAR images for spatiotemporal mapping of surface water in the landscape to observe hydrological processes due to inundation, ecological and meteorological changes, and anthropogenic activity.

Analysis of Grade 10 English Textbook with Reference to Curriculum and Examination

This paper entitled “Analysis of Grade 10 English textbook with reference to curriculum and examination” was an attempt to explore the relationship among curriculum, text book and examination system. It aims to explore the contents in the textbook which were assumed by curriculum and evaluation procedures specified in the examination system. The contents and exposure sufficiency to develop intended language competency in learners were attempted to analyze. Another important concern of this paper was to explore the opinions of school level English teachers, who are the keys to materialize the textbook in relation to curriculum and examination system. Phenomenological research design was used in the study and the data was collected through interview, group discussion and interaction. The collected data were critically analyzed by developing themes. The findings of the study depict that there is insufficiency of the contents in the prescribed textbook for grade 10 in the experience of teachers and students. Similarly, they also noted that the contents are not suffice to achieve the objectives of the curriculum.