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One of the main issues in the present and upcoming decades is the improvement of natural resource use efficiencies. The industrial use of water is preferred as a target for the implementation of sustainable models of water management with the purpose of reducing the use of this resource and generates less waste. This study aims the application of the Water Source Diagram (WSD) method in paper industry, typology associated to high wastewater generation, as a potential strategy to achieve sustainable industrial processes through wastewater reuse. Operational data from paper industry were provided by previous works. Two scenarios of freshwater consumption were generated to model the system. Both cases showed that the freshwater consumption may be reduced over 30.22%, in relation to the baseline of no reuse. The efficiency of the WSD was also compared to other results reported in the literature. Although economic evaluation has not been addressed in this work, the method could be considered as a strategic tool for decision making. Uno de los principales problemas de la presente y las próximas décadas es la mejora de la eficiencia en el uso de los recursos naturales. Se prefiere el uso industrial del agua como objetivo para la implementación de modelos sostenibles de gestión del agua con el propósito de reducir el uso de este recurso y generar menos residuos. Este estudio tiene como objetivo la aplicación del método Diagrama de fuente de agua (DFA) en la industria papelera, tipología asociada a alta generación de aguas residuales, como una estrategia potencial para lograr procesos industriales sostenibles a través de la reutilización de aguas residuales. Los datos operativos de la industria del papel fueron proporcionados por trabajos anteriores. Se generaron dos escenarios de consumo de agua dulce para modelar el sistema. Ambos casos mostraron que el consumo de agua dulce puede reducirse más del 30,22%, en relación con la línea de base de no reutilización. La eficiencia del DFA también se comparó con otros resultados reportados en la literatura. Si bien la evaluación económica no se ha abordado en este trabajo, el método podría considerarse como una herramienta estratégica para la toma de decisiones. Um dos principais problemas nas décadas atuais e nas próximas é a melhoria da eficiência do uso dos recursos naturais. O uso industrial da água é preferido como alvo para a implantação de modelos sustentáveis de gestão da água com o objetivo de reduzir o uso desse recurso e gerar menos resíduos. Este estudo visa à aplicação do método Diagrama de Fontes de Água (DFA) na indústria de papel, tipologia associada à alta geração de efluentes, como uma estratégia potencial para alcançar processos industriais sustentáveis por meio do reuso de efluentes. Os dados operacionais da indústria de papel foram fornecidos por trabalhos anteriores. Dois cenários de consumo de água doce foram gerados para modelar o sistema. Ambos os casos mostraram que o consumo de água doce pode ser reduzido em mais de 30,22%, em relação à linha de base de não reutilização. A eficiência do DFA também foi comparada com outros resultados relatados na literatura. Embora a avaliação econômica não tenha sido abordada neste trabalho, o método pode ser considerado uma ferramenta estratégica para a tomada de decisões.

Background Computer-based examinations (CBE) ensure higher efficiency with respect to producibility and assessment compared to paper-based examinations (PBE). However, students often have objections against CBE and are afraid of getting poorer results in a CBE. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the readiness and the objections of students to a CBE vs. PBE (2) to examine the acceptance and satisfaction with the CBE on a voluntary basis, and (3) to compare the results of the examinations, which were conducted in different formats. Methods Fifth year medical students were introduced to an examination-player and were free to choose their format for the test. The reason behind the choice of the format as well as the satisfaction with the choice was evaluated after the test with a questionnaire. Additionally, the expected and achieved examination results were measured. Results Out of 98 students, 36 voluntarily chose a CBE (37%), 62 students chose a PBE (63%). Both groups did not differ concerning sex, computer-experience, their achieved examination results of the test, and their satisfaction with the chosen format. Reasons for the students' objections against CBE include the possibility for outlines or written notices, a better overview, additional noise from the keyboard or missing habits normally present in a paper based exam. The students with the CBE tended to judge their examination to be more clear and understandable. Moreover, they saw their results to be independent of the format. Conclusions Voluntary computer-based examinations lead to equal test scores compared to a paper-based format.

Background To see if there is a difference in performance when students switch from traditional paper-and-pencil examinations to computer-based examinations, and to determine whether there are gender differences in student performance in these two examination formats. Methods This study involved first year medical students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign over three Academic Years 2002–03/2003–04 and 2003–05. Comparisons of student performance by overall class and gender were made. Specific comparisons within courses that utilized both the paper-and-pencil and computer formats were analyzed. Results Overall performance scores for students among the various Academic Years revealed no differences between exams given in the traditional pen-and-paper and computer formats. Further, when we looked specifically for gender differences in performance between these two testing formats, we found none. Conclusion The format for examinations in the courses analyzed does not affect student performance. We find no evidence for gender differences in performance on exams on pen-and-paper or computer-based exams.