Forest Ecosystem Services: An Analysis of Worldwide Research

The relevance of forests to sustain human well-being and the serious threats they face have led to a notable increase of research works on forest ecosystem services during the last few years. This paper analyses the worldwide research dynamics on forest ecosystem services in the period from 1998 to 2017. A bibliometric analysis of 4284 articles was conducted. The results showed that the number of published research articles has especially increased during the last five years. In total, 68.63% of the articles were published in this period. This research line experiences a growing trend superior to the general publishing trend on forest research. In spite of this increase, its relative significance within the forest research is still limited. The most productive subject areas corresponded to Environmental Science, Agricultural and Biological Sciences and Social Sciences Economic topics are understudied. The scientific production is published in a wide range of journals. The three first publishing countries are United States, China and the United Kingdom. The most productive authors are attached to diverse research centres and their contributions are relatively recent. A high level of international cooperation has been observed between countries, institutions and authors. The findings of this study are useful for researchers since they give them an overview of the worldwide research trends on forest ecosystem services

Educational innovation on collaborative learning with CmapTools in the initial teacher training

Entre las principales destrezas que debería desarrollar actualmente el profesorado durante el proceso de formación inicial, podemos destacar el uso educativo de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC), el trabajo en equipo y la capacidad para reflexionar sobre el propio conocimiento. Para colaborar al desarrollo de tales aspectos hemos llevado a cabo un proyecto de innovación docente donde los estudiantes de magisterio aprenden a realizar mapas conceptuales individuales y grupales, con ayuda de CmapTools. Este software es libre y útil para integrar de forma práctica las TIC en el proceso educativo, ya que permite desarrollar una metodología activa, en la que se fomenta al mismo tiempo el aprendizaje reflexivo y el trabajo en equipo. Tras analizar los datos recogidos hemos observado que los futuros maestros muestran opiniones positivas sobre las estrategias y recursos empleados en esta experiencia, valorando especialmente el proceso de aprendizaje colaborativo desarrollado en el aula

The Sustainable Management of Metals: An Analysis of Global Research

The objective of this study was to analyze research trends in the field of sustainable management of metals on a global level between 1993 and 2017. To do so, a bibliometric analysis was carried out on a total of 6967 articles. The results revealed the growing interest in this research field, particularly over the last five year-period during which 63% of all articles were published. The three journals in which most articles had been published were the Journal of Cleaner Production, ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, and Chemsuschem. The countries that published the most articles were China, the United States, India, Germany, and the United Kingdom. A sizeable network of collaboration has been established between countries for the joint publication of studies. The main lines of research have been focused on metal decontamination in water and soil, waste management oriented towards reuse and recycling, and the innovation of processes for cleaner and more efficient production. The results revealed the need for comprehensive studies that integrate different disciplines within the same analytical framework, and to promote research that contributes to the different dimensions of sustainability (environmental, economic, and social)

Collaborative learning and its application through mind maps use. Educational innovation in initial teacher training

Los mapas mentales constituyen una estrategia de aprendizaje que contribuye al desarrollo integral del alumnado a través de la utilización de todo el cerebro en el procesamiento de la información. Las metodologías aplicables a los mapas mentales son muy diversas, pudiéndose abordar desde una vertiente tanto individual como grupal. En este estudio, nos centramos en la utilización del mapa mental a través de un aprendizaje colaborativo, mediante la puesta en marcha de dinámicas grupales con las que se pretenden reflejar el pensamiento de todos los componentes del grupo y potenciar el desarrollo de relaciones interpersonales positivas entre los mismos. La investigación la abordamos desde una metodología cuantitativa, a través del uso de un cuestionario de 11 items, tipo Likert, con una escala que comprende los valores 1 (Nada) y 4 (Mucho) sobre la experiencia de aprendizaje vivida con mapas mentales. Se ha trabajado con una muestra de 140 estudiantes pertenecientes al Primer Curso de la titulación de Grado de Maestro especialidad en Educación Primaria, durante el curso académico 2011/2012. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la interacción entre los componentes del grupo, así como los grupos entre sí, a través del empleo del mapa mental como recurso que refleja el pensamiento, mejora del clima positivo de aula y permite el logro de la comprensión, organización y memorización comprensiva de los contenidos trabajados con relativa facilidad. Por consiguiente, son considerados como una herramienta que puede resultar de gran utilidad en su labor como futuros docentes.Mind maps are a learning strategy that contributes to students’ comprehensive development since they require the use of the whole brain when it comes to processing information. The methodologies underlying mind maps are very different, and can be approached from individual or group perspectives. In this study, we focus on the use of mind maps in collaborative learning. We put forward a series of group dynamics aimed both at illustrating each group members’ thoughts and at enhancing positive interpersonal relationships among them. The research was conducted in line with a quantitative methodology through the use of an 11-item Likert questionnaire which addresses students’ learning experience when using mind maps. We studied a sample of 140 students from the first year of the Primary Education Degree during the academic year 2011-2012. The results obtained show that interaction triggered by using mind maps, both among members within the same group and the different groups, enhances students’ positive thinking and improves their understanding, organization and comprehensive memorization of contents studied in class. In conclusion, mind maps could be considered as a very useful tool for future teachers

DEFS - Data exchange with Free Sample Protocol

Distrust between data providers and data consumers is one of the main obstacles hampering digital-data commerce to take off. Data providers want to get paid for what they offer, while data consumers want to know exactly what are they paying for before actually paying for it. In this article, we present a protocol that overcomes this obstacle by building trust based on two main ideas. First, a probabilistic verification protocol, where some random samples of the real dataset are shown to buyers in order to allow them to make an assessment before committing any payment; and second a guaranteed, protected payment process, enforced with smart contracts on a public blockchain, that guarantees the payment of the data if and only if the data provided meets the agreed terms, and that refunds honest players otherwise.The architecture presented in this paper is supported and developed in the context of the i3-MARKET project [?]. The i3-MARKET project is an active European H2020 project focused on developing solutions for building an European data market economy by enhancing current marketplace platforms with innovative technologies (call H2020-ICT-2019-2 with grant agreement number 871754). This work is also supported by the TCO-RISEBLOCK (PID2019-110224RBI00), MINECO/FEDER funded project ARPASAT TEC2015-70197-R and by the Generalitat de Catalunya grant 2014-SGR-1504.Postprint (author's final draft

The use of mind maps in initial teacher training

El dominio y manejo de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación (TIC) en el ámbito educativo es considerado una de las principales destrezas que debe desarrollar, hoy día, el profesorado durante su proceso de formación, en sintonía con el desarrollo de la metacognición, entre otras. Con el objetivo de dar respuesta al desarrollo de tales aspectos hemos llevado a cabo un proyecto de innovación docente donde los estudiantes de magisterio aprenden a realizar mapas mentales individuales y grupales, con ayuda del programa Microsoft Powerpoint. Este software resulta una herramienta potente para integrar de forma práctica las TIC en el proceso educativo, ya que permite desarrollar una metodología activa, en la que se fomenta el aprendizaje reflexivo y la capacidad metacognitiva. Una vez analizados los datos de la investigación hemos observado que los futuros docentes valoran positivamente la dinámica de aprendizaje y los recursos empleados en esta experiencia, apreciando especialmente la utilidad de los Mapas Mentales como estrategia de aprendizaje y su fácil elaboración a través del citado software.Nowadays, specific capabilities and use of Information and Communication Technology (ITC) in education are considered a part of main skills to be developed by teachers during their training along with the development of metacognition. In order to achieve the development of these aspects, we have carried out a teaching innovation project where teaching students learn to elaborate individual and group mind maps with Microsoft PowerPoint software. This software is a powerful tool as a practical way to integrate ICT in the educational process because it helps in development of an active methodology that improves reflective learning and metacognitive ability. Once research data has been analyzed, we have observed that future teachers found valuable and positive this learning dynamic and resources used in this experience, especially appreciating the usefulness of Mind Mapping as a learning strategy and its creation through this software

A protocol for data exchange with free samples using smart contracts

Distrust between data providers and data consumers is one of the main obstacles hampering digitaldata commerce to take off. Data providers want to get paid for what they offer, while data consumers want to know exactly what are they paying for before actually paying for it. In this paper, we summarize a protocol that overcomes this obstacle by building trust based on two main ideas. First, a probabilistic verification protocol, where some random samples of the real dataset are shown to buyers in order to allow them to make an assessment before committing any payment; and second a guaranteed, protected payment process, enforced with smart contracts on a public blockchain, that guarantees the payment of the data if and only if the data provided meets the agreed terms, and that refunds honest players otherwise.This research has been funded by i3Market (H2020- ICT-2019-2 grant number 871754). This work is also supported by the TCO-RISEBLOCK (PID2019-110224RBI00), ARPASAT (TEC2015-70197-R), Project RTI2018- 102112-B-I00 (AEI/FEDER,UE) and by the Generalitat de Catalunya grant 2014-SGR-1504Postprint (author's final draft

An empirical analysis for period 2010-2013 Intangible Capital

Abstract Purpose: This piece of research quantifies and analyses empirically the given economic differences among public service television in Spain according to the adopted management model (classic or outsourced). Design/methodology: In so doing, an average contrast of different economic variables studied in the literature is conducted (audience share, total assets, public subsidies, cost of personnel, suppliers spending and profit after taxes). In addition, these variables are related so as to calculate productivity obtained by each two groups of television operators. This analysis is conducted for period 2010-2013, featured by a crisis context in the Spanish economy. Findings: Management model adopted by each regional broadcaster impacts on different economic variables as obtained share, total assets, public subsidies, cost of personnel, suppliers spending or profit after taxes. Moreover, those public corporations adopting an outsourced management model present better productivity values. Research limitations/implications: Only one country has been analyzed for a 4 years period. -530- Versión en español Intangible Capital -http://dx.doi.org/10.3926/ic.722 Practical implications: Regional public service broadcasters with an outsourced model present less economic losses and require less public subsidies by their corresponding regional governments. Social implications: Outsourcing part of the value chain can be useful so as to guarantee sustainability of regional public service television. Originality/value: It has been proven empirically that the management model of a regional public service television impacts its economic results