Medindo cidades sustentáveis na Rússia: análise crítica de metodologias-chave

The paper provides insights on the critical analysis of the current methodologies of the sustainability cities measurement for the present-day Russia. Based on meta-analysis of more than 90 peer-reviewed papers published in Russian and English, we examined both authoring and corporate methodologies such as the SGM methodology for Russian sustainable cities, the environmental rating of Russian cities, and the rating of the environmental governance of the Russian cities, the environmental efficacy index and several authoring methodologies. The analysis showed that most of the calculation methods are based on quantitative (statistical) data, what is their advantage, on the one hand, making their results as objective as possible, but on the other hand, it is a disadvantage, because in connection with the delay in publication of statistics or even its absence, it does not allow the annual dynamics to observe. In addition, the difficulty in choosing the most suitable methodology lies in the significant differences in the development of large, medium and small cities in Russia, and many rating methods are developed exclusively for one of the types of cities. Authors concluded that in spite of the high level of the existing methodologies development, there was a shortage of comprehensive studies carried out in the qualitative-quantitative paradigm that would, in addition to index assessment and mathematical models generation, explain complex causal relationships and processes within a city.El documento proporciona información sobre el análisis crítico de las metodologías actuales de la medición de ciudades de sostenibilidad para la Rusia actual. Con base en el metanálisis de más de 90 artículos revisados por pares publicados en ruso e inglés, examinamos tanto las metodologías de autoría y corporativas como la metodología SGM para ciudades sostenibles rusas, la calificación ambiental de las ciudades rusas y la calificación de la gobernanza ambiental de las ciudades rusas, el índice de eficacia ambiental y varias metodologías de autoría. El análisis mostró que la mayoría de los métodos de cálculo se basan en datos cuantitativos (estadísticos), lo que es su ventaja, por un lado, hacer que sus resultados sean lo más objetivos posible, pero por otro lado, es una desventaja, porque en conexión con el retraso en la publicación de las estadísticas o incluso su ausencia, no permite observar la dinámica anual. Además, la dificultad de elegir la metodología más adecuada radica en las diferencias significativas en el desarrollo de ciudades grandes, medianas y pequeñas en Rusia, y muchos métodos de calificación se desarrollan exclusivamente para uno de los tipos de ciudades. Los autores concluyeron que, a pesar del alto nivel de desarrollo de las metodologías existentes, había una escasez de estudios exhaustivos llevados a cabo en el paradigma cualitativo-cuantitativo que, además de la evaluación del índice y la generación de modelos matemáticos, explicaran relaciones y procesos causales complejos dentro de una ciudad.O artigo fornece insights sobre a análise crítica das metodologias atuais da medição das cidades de sustentabilidade para a Rússia atual. Com base na meta-análise de mais de 90 artigos revisados por pares publicados em russo e inglês, examinamos metodologias de autoria e corporativas, como a metodologia SGM para cidades russas sustentáveis, a classificação ambiental de cidades russas e a classificação da governança ambiental. das cidades russas, o índice de eficácia ambiental e várias metodologias de autoria. A análise mostrou que a maioria dos métodos de cálculo são baseados em dados quantitativos (estatísticos), o que é sua vantagem, por um lado, tornando seus resultados tão objetivos quanto possível, mas, por outro lado, é uma desvantagem, porque em com o atraso na publicação das estatísticas ou mesmo sua ausência, não permite que a dinâmica anual observe. Além disso, a dificuldade em escolher a metodologia mais adequada reside nas diferenças significativas no desenvolvimento de grandes, médias e pequenas cidades na Rússia, e muitos métodos de classificação são desenvolvidos exclusivamente para um dos tipos de cidades. Os autores concluíram que, apesar do alto nível de desenvolvimento das metodologias existentes, houve escassez de estudos abrangentes realizados no paradigma qualitativo-quantitativo que, além da avaliação de índices e da geração de modelos matemáticos, explicariam relações e processos causais complexos Uma cidade

The effectiveness of flipped classroom in the hospitality education

Focussing on a particular Swiss Hotel School, this research evaluates the student acceptance and overall effectiveness of the flipped classroom approach. The paper aims to evaluate the preference of adopting such an approach as the main teaching method for a range of undergraduate and postgraduate hospitality focused programmes and develop an understanding of students’ awareness of the flipped method. Adopting a quantitative approach, 167 students took part in this study and specifically provided their perspectives of the flipped classroom approach, compared it with a more traditional teaching method and identified the benefits and drawbacks of flipped learning. The findings of the study suggest that students appreciate the reversed classroom as it appears that learners felt safe, engage, and motivated in a student-oriented environment under the guidance of a teacher. However, respondents also highlighted the importance of appropriate guidance and facilitation of the flipped classroom as well as recognising the additional engagement in material prior to attending class

Acculturation Processes of International Labour in Switzerland in the Hospitality Organisations

The following research examines the acculturation processes of migrants, working in Switzerland, particularly in the hospitality industry. Due to rapid globalisation and lack of investigation on worker's adaptation, there remains a gap in the research based on the employees' cultural clash occurrence. The study explores potential tools which might simplify cultural adaptation and provide a better understanding of international communication for any future employees coming to live and work in Switzerland. Semi-structured interviews with participants from different nationalities were conducted to identify the importance of effective acculturation, the adaptation issues, and the influence of those on work and life in Switzerland. The results demonstrate that the most efficient way to acculturate in Switzerland is integration to the culture and traditions of the country and its history through understanding their values, norms, practices. Moreover, Switzerland was viewed as a very conservative and strict country where one must work hard to be accepted. Those participants who tried to separate, assimilate, or marginalise tend to experience tougher acculturation. Language, namely Swiss German or German, was highlighted as the most essential to learn or to be provided by the workplace. Lastly, current research identified a link between successful acculturation with job opportunities and development. Since salaries and job opportunities are not the same for the foreign workers in comparison to Swiss employees on the same position there might be a potential recommendation for improvement. Little to no link has been found between acculturation and psychological well-being, financial status, and health conditions

Analysis of production levels of InlA and InlB invasion factors in Listeria monocytogenes isolates collected in the Russian Federation

Background. Listeria monocytogenes is characterized by the presence of epidemic hypervirulent clones. A key feature of L. monocytogenes is its capacity to invade non-professional phagocytic cells. Hypervirulent clones are strongly associated with the increased production and/or the presence of certain isoforms of invasion factors InlA and InlB. The purpose of the study is to create a test system for InlA and InlB detection and to measure the InlA and InlB production levels in L. monocytogenes isolates belonging to clonal groups with different virulence potential. Materials and methods. The study was performed using 32 L. monocytogenes strains belonging to epidemic clones ECII, ECIV, ECVII (clonal complexes CC1, CC2, CC7) and hypovirulent clonal complex CC9. Sequencing of inlA and inlB genes was performed. The indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze the production levels of InlA and InlB proteins. Results. The variability of InlA was revealed among strains belonging to the same clonal complex: 3 InlA isoforms were identified among strains belonging to CC7; out of 8 strains belonging to CC9, one strain had a stop codon in the inlA gene, leading to the loss of function of the InlA protein. The differences between inlB alleles correlated with the specificity of strains belonging to a certain clonal complex. Differences in production levels of invasion factors were measured. In strains belonging to CC9, the InlA production level was 2.5 times as low compared to strains belonging to CC1, CC2, and CC7. In strains belonging to phylogenetically related CC1 and CC2, the InlB production level was on average 4 times as high compared to strains belonging to CC7 and CC9. Conclusion. The obtained results confirm the variability of major invasion factors both among clonal complexes and strains of the same complex. The increased production of invasion factors InlA and InlB correlates with the potential virulence of strains

How circular design can contribute to social sustainability and legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™? The case of innovative shipping container stadium

The circular economy proposes a paradigm shift from the ‘take-make-waste’ type of economic system and aims to foster innovation, resource efficiency, and waste prevention. Mega sporting events can be considered great opportunities to promote sustainable cities and communities and leave a lasting positive legacy after the post-game stage. Qatar will organize the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2022 and Ras Abu Aboud (RAA) is designed as a fully reusable and modular shipping container stadium, which will be dismantled, relocated, and reused after the tournament. This study aims to present the first comprehensive analysis on the social sustainability and legacy aspects of a circular and sharing economy application for the FIFA World Cup organization. The research analyzes the entire life cycle phases of the RAA stadium including the raw material production, construction, operations, and end-of-life. The Ecoinvent v.3.7.1 is used to quantify the midpoint environmental and endpoint human health impacts. For its operation phase assessment, two operation scenarios are comparatively analyzed: one-year temporary operation (Scenario 1) and 50 years of permanent operation (Scenario 2). Later, a simulation-based sensitivity analysis is conducted. Finally, we discussed how circular and modular design thinking can bring long-lasting legacy post-event, through reuse and recycling from a socio-economic perspective. An important finding shows that circular design under Scenario 1 can save up to 60% of human health impacts and significantly reduce the material footprint and dependence on imported construction materials. This research will enhance future awareness for sustainability benefits of circular and sharing economy application adopted by mega sporting events concerning the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and FIFA's post-game legacy and sustainability strategies

Environmental issues in Russian cities:towards the understanding of regional and national mass media discourse

© 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Based on the media discourse analysis of twelve national and six regional Russian online mass media, the study provides critical reflections on the environmental media coverage across two Russian cities following environmental themes including air and water pollution, waste, sustainable transport, energy, environmental civic engagement, and organic food. The findings suggest that the commonalities of the media coverage include the distribution of diagnostic and prognostic framing of motivational, informational articles over analytical, and the domination of discourses of ‘sustainable innovations’, ‘modernisation’, ‘environmental alarmism’ and ‘environmental conflicts’. The differences include the higher coverage of the city of Moscow and pro-governmental journalists in the national media in contrast to coverage in the regional press where the voices of environmental activists and non-governmental organisations are presented equally alongside those of the pro-governmental journalists. Collectively, the results demonstrate that media coverage does not accurately reflect the complex issues of urban stakeholders’ relationship with environmental conflicts which are inevitable in the context of Russia’s continuous reliance on the hydrocarbon sector