bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Evaluation of Information Sharing Between Australia-Singapore Beef Organisations in Light of Trust and ICT Diffusion
Authors: Al-Hakim Latif , Morgan Melissa Johnson , Chau Roberta
Published: March 2017

This study investigates cross-border collaboration between beef organisations in Australia and Singapore. It aims to identify factors impacting trust and technology diffusion by gauging gaps between expected importance and perceived performance rating of the factors. The research presents results of a survey comprising 69 beef organisations from Australia and Singapore. The research identifies critical gaps using two methods of analysis; validity analysis and performance gap analysis. Each method comprises two types of tests. The WarpPLS software is used to perform the validity analysis. Results indicate gaps in level of responsiveness. The research concludes that the success of cross-border collaboration between organisations in both Australia and Singapore can be better achieved through the establishment of information exchange relationships, rather than through the use of technology alone, and by ensuring compatibility between business partners.
Management Skills and Capabilities in an Era of Technology Disruption
Authors: Blount Yvette
Published: March 2017

This chapter examines the literature relating to information and communications technology (ICT) and management skills and capabilities relating to anywhere working. The workforce is becoming more global, and workers can work from anywhere and still be connected with colleagues and collaborators. Although ICT is an enabler of anywhere working, sustainable anywhere working requires specific management skills and capabilities. Globalization of work requires organizations to manage workers ranging from full-time employees through to freelancers working in different locations including a central office, co-working center, from home and other flexible options. The chapter concludes by proposing a research agenda and conceptual framework to identify the management skills and capabilities required to successfully manage anywhere working (other terms include telework and telecommuting). The proposed conceptual framework will inform researchers and managers on best practice for adopting sustainable anywhere working to achieve strategic business objectives.
Managing Effectively in Virtual Work Contexts
Authors: Morris Pamela L. , Connaughton Stacey L.
Published: March 2017

This chapter offers an empirical examination of supervisory behaviors perceived to be effective in a virtual office setting. The study presented in this chapter is driven by a general research question: What behaviors are perceived to be effective when managing individuals virtually? To address this research question, the authors collected data in a Midwestern government organization that recently transitioned its employees to virtual offices. They conducted interviews with, and distributed surveys to, managers and employees during and after the organization's transition to a virtual office. Based on the analysis, the authors present eight virtual supervision competencies and measures of these competencies adapted for, or developed in, this project. The competencies are trust, organizational identification, technology, buy-in, communication, evaluation, knowledge management, and hiring.
Architectures for 3D Virtual Environments
Authors: Rique Thiago Pereira , Nascimento Samara Martins , Fujioka Rodrigo da Cruz , da Fonseca de Souza Fernando
Published: March 2017

A very important aspect in the development of systems that allow access to virtual environments is their architecture, along with both the requirements and the type of offered services, once they significantly affect the design of an application. The concept of architecture refers to how the components that constitute a software system are arranged, their interfaces and relationships. Thus, this chapter aims to present and discuss different architectures that can be used in the development of 3D virtual environments. The first architecture addresses issues about the design of virtual environments for educational purposes with the goal of making collaborative e-learning services available. The second architecture proposes a modular structure for the development of 3D virtual environments that support collaboration, remote experiments and content adaptation. Lastly, the third architecture presents issues related to the sharing and management of 3D virtual environments, making use of software reuse techniques combined with web services.
Academic Community Manager
Authors: Espinoza Ariana Daniela Del Pino
Published: March 2017

The Academic environment is changing, especially with the nominated web 2.0 and science 2.0. The increase in new academic social network used for researchers to publicize their knowledge, research and contributions in science, can not take lightly. For this and everything that comes with being a researcher, the academic community manager comes to manage the social networks and academic social network, care workflow, generate networking and disseminate results, among others. Increasingly universities seeking to spread the results generated by their students, teachers, masters, doctors or research groups. This research is intended to show the important role that will have the academic community manager inside the group of researchers.
Virtual Team Effectiveness
Authors: Carlson John R. , Carlson Dawn S. , Hunter Emily M. , Vaughn Randal L. , George Joey F.
Published: March 2017

The work of virtual teams is increasingly important to today's organizations, work that is accomplished predominantly via computer-mediated communication. The authors investigate the moderating role of experience with instant messaging on the team interpersonal processes (cohesion and openness) to team effectiveness relationship in virtual teams. Data were obtained from 365 virtual team members using survey methodology and analyzed using hierarchical moderated regression and multilevel analyses. They found that team cohesion has a main effect on team effectiveness. Team openness has a main effect and is moderated by experience with instant messaging, i.e., strengthens the relationship. Understanding the role of team interpersonal processes and the role of the communication media will allow managers to more effectively build virtual teams and provide effective training and support. Using the theoretical lens of channel expansion theory the authors expand theoretical, empirical and practical knowledge of this area.
How to Design a Virtualized Platform?
Authors: Fernandez Valérie , Marrauld Laurie
Published: March 2017

In this chapter, the authors present the project “WITE 2.0.” This project is at the crossroads of various issues related to mobility (Urry, 2007) and use of Information and Communication Technologies. WITE 2.0 is a part of the designing process of a collaborative communication tool: “a virtualized and unified platform.” The authors define scenarios of teleworking practices, “equipped” by ICTs, and use these scenarios to better specify the platform. The project started at the end of 2010 and continued for a period of 18 months. The analysis is based on several complementary methodologies: a qualitative study (47 semi-structured interviews) and an experimentation of the platform. They present the main results of the interview survey through the following themes: remote management, skills, articulation of private and professional spheres, and the maturity of technologies. The authors also describe how these elements help the understanding of the evolution of workers' practices.
Assess and Prognosticate Operational and Environmental Efficiency of Primary Sectors of EU Countries
Authors: Vlontzos George , Pardalos Panos M.
Published: March 2017

Efficiency assessment in agriculture is a research field were quite important methodologies have been implemented. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) in one of the most recognized approaches due to the considerable advantages of it. In this paper the implementation of DEA Window analysis assesses efficiency scores of the primary sectors of EU member states on both operational and environmental level, verifying considerable efficiency differences among them and a continuous improvement after the application of the latest Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform. Regarding prognostication of crop and animal output, as well as Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, the application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) is being proposed, succeeding satisfactory quality characteristics for the models being proposed for operational and environmental predictions in EU agriculture.
The Ecovillage
Authors: Hassan Azizul , Wall Geoffrey
Published: March 2017

This paper examines ecovillages in the context of tourism and research development. Four ecovillages form Bangladesh are selected as cases of this study. Data were mainly collected by focus group discussions harnessing a cross validity check of the given statements and arguments. A critical explanatory type analysis illustrated and evaluated the ecovillage concept application. Ecovillages are validated as an idea, a useful concept and as a practice resulting in tourism, research and sustainable livelihood practices. The concept also found as providing substantial and supplementary economic opportunities for its residents.
Reasons for Adapting Information Connectivity in the Short Supply Chains of Local Food Producers
Authors: Engelseth Per
Published: March 2017

Local food production is becoming increasingly popular in developed post-modern economies. Attention has been directed to developing such forms of food supply by adapting information connectivity. A case study of a local food network in Norway indicates that local food supply paradoxically attempts to mimic the dominant industrialised modes of food production. It is suggested that the fact that local food supply is “personal” and associated with close proximity makes it more closely resemble service supply chains. Applying contingency theory, a conceptual model is developed that indicates how the local food supply must take into consideration the degree to which customer value is associated with tailoring food supply. The high need for tailored local food production implies that information connectivity should support mutual adaptation while, in cases of less need for tailoring information, connectivity should seek automation. Local food production is always a hybrid of these approaches.
Determining the Role of Communication and Distribution Channels for Organic Foods
Authors: Nasir V. Aslihan , Nasir Suphan
Published: March 2017

While, the market for organic foods is growing; the proportion of consumers who buy organic foods is still considered low. The role of communication activities is very important for promoting the organic food consumption. In order to create awareness and generate demand for organic foods, companies need to use effective communication tools. Companies in the agribusiness sector try to take advantage of the information and communication technologies in the digital era with the purpose of communicating the value of their offer to consumers. Companies need to know which information sources (channels) are most influential in purchase decision while communicating with consumers. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine consumers' credibility perceptions of communication channels that are used to promote organic food. The great majority of the respondentsin this study mentioned that they had never seen organic food ads. However, a significant number of consumers who had seen organic food ads declared Internet as the medium they had exposed to organic food ads. Nevertheless, our study revealed that the respondents did not perceive Internet as a credible source of information about organic foods. Yet, online social networks were perceived as more reliable source of information about organic foods when compared to majority of traditional media such as radio and newspaper ads. The distribution channels that consumers prefer to purchase organic foods was also investigated; and it is found that a significant portion of the consumers choose supermarkets and neighborhood bazaars for their organic food shopping whereas Internet/online shops and pharmacy stores were shown as the least preferred shopping alternatives. Finally, a substantial majority of the consumers mentioned high prices and availability as the main barriers against buying organic foods.
Segmenting Paddy Farmer's Attitude and Behavior
Authors: Adnan Nadia , Nordin Shahrina Md , Noor Amir Noor
Published: March 2017

Agriculture is the major driving force of Malaysian economic. The aim of this research study is to segment the behavior of paddy farmers in Malaysia and understand how they influence adoption, a green fertilizer technology (GFT). The first objective of this chapter is to establish the thinking which enables a society to bridge the gap between embracing GFT among paddy farmer in Malaysia. Furthermore, the study builds the conceptual framework and examine the relationship among the relevant construct of this conceptual framework which was found by critically examining the different agricultural innovation literature. To make this conceptual framework robust it is found in the literature that theory of planned behavior and theory of reasoned action play a major role in segment farmer's behavior towards the adoption of GFT. Policy implications and/or suggestions for future research are deliberated for each issue and factor that affecting the adoption of GFT.
The Risk Parity Approach Applied to Agricultural Commodities
Authors: Veliu Denis
Published: March 2017

The recent years were hard for commodities, with most suffering of high losses. The uncertainty of the financial markets after the 2008 crisis has pushed in the interest of finding new way of diversification. With the Risk Parity or Equally Weighted Risk Contribution strategy, Maillard, Roncalli, and Teiletche (2008) suggested a method that maximize the diversification. These authors have applied this strategy to the volatility (standard deviation). In this chapter, the author describes how to apply Risk Parity to the Conditional Value at Risk using historical data estimation. Passing to CVaR, a coherent measure, the model can benefit from its properties with the needed assumptions. As a special case, the author has applied this method to an agricultural portfolio, compared the Risk Parity strategies with each other and with the Mean Variance and Conditional Value at Risk. An important part is the analysis of the riskiness, the diversification and the turnover. A portfolio with a certain numbers of agricultural commodities may have particular specified that an investor requires.
A System Dynamics Model and Interface for the Simulation and Analysis of Milk Supply Chains
Authors: Tsaples Georgios , Tarnanidis Theodore
Published: March 2017

The objective of this chapter is the development of a System Dynamics model for the study of the milk supply chain and how an extreme event can affect its behavior. A simple interface is developed that can be used to increase the ease of communication and provide an interactive approach to the decision-making process. The model contains three echelons: farmers, processors and retailers. The main results show that under normal circumstances, the behavior of the system reaches equilibrium after a few oscillations. However, these oscillations can be smoothed out if the adjustment time of the order placement is increased. Under an extreme event that reduces the demand for milk, behavior changes and the system remains in dis-equilibrium for the entire simulation. Once again, adjustment times remain the leverages that can influence and mitigate those negative effects. Finally, a more robust and collaborative decision-making process among the actors of the chain could be beneficial for all not only under normal circumstances, but also in the presence of extreme uncertainty.
Cyber Crime and Cyber Security
Authors: Devi Aruna
Published: March 2017

Cybercrime is a multifaceted and forever changing phenomenon. It is found that Cyber criminals who are becoming more classy and stylish are making consumers of both private and public organizations their prey. To prevent attacks additional layers of defense are required. It has been observed that Cyber crime has increased in density and complexity and financial costs ever since organizations have adopted the use of computers in carrying out their business processes. An example of the case studies carried out on cyber crimes is the Parliament attack case. The main points discussed in this chapter are Cyber crime and cyber security, the unusual cyber crimes that we come across. Various prevention techniques and detection techniques like Tripwires, Honey Pots, anomaly detection system, configuration checking tools and operating system commands, various acts that have been imposed against Cyber crime and online safety tips are also discussed.
Role of Cyber Security in Today's Scenario
Authors: Khari Manju , Shrivastava Gulshan , Gupta Sana , Gupta Rashmi
Published: March 2017

Cyber Security is generally used as substitute with the terms Information Security and Computer Security. This work involves an introduction to the Cyber Security and history of Cyber Security is also discussed. This also includes Cyber Security that goes beyond the limits of the traditional information security to involve not only the security of information tools but also the other assets, involving the person's own confidential information. In computer security or information security, relation to the human is basically to relate their duty(s) in the security process. In Cyber security, the factor has an added dimension, referring humans as the targets for the cyber-attacks or even becoming the part of the cyber-attack unknowingly. This also involves the details about the cybercriminals and cyber risks going ahead with the classification of the Cybercrimes which is against individual, property, organisation and society. Impacts of security breaches are also discussed. Countermeasures for computer security are discussed along with the Cyber security standards, services, products, consultancy services, governance and strategies. Risk management with the security architecture has also been discussed. Other section involves the regulation and certification controls; recovery and continuity plans and Cyber security skills.
Mobile Robotics
Authors: Karabegović Isak , Doleček Vlatko
Published: March 2017

Mobile robots are increasingly becoming the subject of research and a very important area of science, so that the 21st century will be named as the century of development of service robots. Mobile robots are an excellent “System Engineering” research example because it includes a lot of scientific research, namely in the area of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, electronics, computer science, social science, and more. As mobile robots perform their tasks in the same environment as humans, mobile robots should have the abilities that people have. The mobile robots should be able to recognize faces, gestures, signs, objects, speech and atmosphere. Successful realization set of tasks results in bypassing obstacles without collision and destruction in the shortest possible time and distance. They should communicate with people on the basis of emotion. The range of mobile robots application is huge. Mobile robots have found application in many areas, but this chapter will cover the following distribution of mobile robots areas of application: medicine, agriculture, defense, logistics, construction, demolition, professional cleaning, space exploration, education and scientific research. The price of robots is declining steadily and they are coming into ever wider use. It is only a matter of time before robots become available to the population of today's high school students, just as it happened with computers and cell phones.
Intelligent Agents and Autonomous Robots
Authors: Bhargava Deepshikha
Published: March 2017

Over decades new technologies, algorithms and methods are evolved and proposed. We can witness a paradigm shift from typewriters to computers, mechanics to mechnotronics, physics to aerodynamics, chemistry to computational chemistry and so on. Such advancements are the result of continuing research; which is still a driving force of researchers. In the same way, the research in the field of artificial intelligence (Russell, Stuart & Norvig, 2003) is major thrust area of researchers. Research in AI have coined different concepts like natural language processing, expert systems, software agents, learning, knowledge management, robotics to name a few. The objective of this chapter is to highlight the research path from software agents to robotics. This chapter begins with the introduction of software agents. The chapter further progresses with the discussion on intelligent agent, autonomous agents, autonomous robots, intelligent robots in different sections. The chapter finally concluded with the fine line between intelligent agents and autonomous robots.
Survey of Recent Cyber Security Attacks on Robotic Systems and Their Mitigation Approaches
Authors: Chowdhury Abdullahi , Karmakar Gour , Kamruzzaman Joarder
Published: March 2017

With the rapid expansion of digital media and the advancement of the artificial intelligence, robotics has drawn the attention of cyber security research community. Robotics systems use many Internet of Things (IoT) devices, web interface, internal and external wireless sensor networks and cellular networks for better communication and smart services. Individuals, industries and governments organisations are facing financial loses, losing time and sensitive data due these cyber attacks. The use these different devices and networks in robotics systems are creating new vulnerabilities and potential risk for cyber attacks. This chapter discusses about the possible cyber attacks and economics losses due to these attacks in robotics systems. In this chapter, we analyse the increasing uses of public and private robots, which has created possibility of having more cyber-crimes. Finally, contemporary and important mitigation approaches for these cyber attacks in robotic systems have been discussed in this chapter.
Mobile Agent Communication, Security Concerns, and Approaches
Authors: Pooja Kamat , Shilpa Gite , Shruti Patil
Published: March 2017

Mobile Agent Systems model has attracted attention of various researchers and scholars all over the world due to a wide array of features it offers. The capability of mobile agent to hop independently from one network to another, carrying out various computational processes on remote network, enables them to operate in fixed and mobile networks more efficiently and robustly than typical client-server systems. However little attention is paid to the security management of the mobile agents due to which it is still not widely used in the industry domain. . In this chapter, the authors examine the various security issues in Mobile Agent systems and approaches used to overcome them.
What Danger Can There Be in Being the Shadow of a Gunman in Dublin, at Easter, in 1916?
Authors: Bristow Daniel C.
Published: March 2017

As the centenary of the events of the Rising that took place in Dublin in Easter week 1916 revolves around us, this article revisits the period, and its before and after, through the lens of three literary works – James Joyce's Dubliners (1914), Sean O'Casey's The Shadow of a Gunman (1923) and W. B. Yeats' ‘Easter, 1916' (1916, pub. 1921) – employing theorisations of temporality set out in Jacques Derrida's Specters of Marx (1993), and a concentration on ideological messaging in the forms of hauntological ellipses and spectral insignias, to analyse the events and map their potentials, then, and their effects on the present day.
The Allegory of Holocaust
Authors: Korstanje Maximiliano Emanuel
Published: March 2017

The current bloody conflict between Israelis and Palestine in Middle East has widely approached by social scientists and humanists as a moral campaign to impose the human dignity. Although in some respect, literature would play a leading role in narrowing both sides, the fact is that in digital times Holocaust is far from being a closed issue. As a platform towards victimization or political oppression, Holocaust still remains in the heart of West as well as the negative effects of depersonalizing subject identities. The nature of any genocide is associated to the power of Gods to select who lives or not, in the same way, Noah abode the decision of God to destroy a world which unfits with his desires. This chapter explores not only the ebbs and flows of Holocaust as a site of tourism and mediatized consumption, but as an allegory which reinforces the exclusionary logic of capitalism.
Testimony and Trauma in Sri Lanka's War Narratives
Authors: Senaratne Madhushala
Published: March 2017

This chapter examines Sri Lankan fiction against the country's devastating ethnic conflict. It aims to re-read selected and contrasting texts, the recently released autobiography, A Long Watch: War, Captivity and Return in Sri Lanka, and the novel, Island of a Thousand Mirrors, as stories of trauma, examining their role as testimonies to what is unknown, or have been left unsaid, of the country's war. Further, drawing on theories of trauma, it examines the notion of trauma as the experience of having survived a horrific event, placing the characters as witnesses. It argues that such texts, by giving voice to the unknown, disturbs the everyday.
Travel Politics Mirroring Anatolia, Asia Minor, and the Greek Islands
Authors: Kaya Onur
Published: March 2017

19th century,within the perspective of English and American writers' approach to Turkey and Greek Islands is significant for them about reflecting west's perspective on east.By the means of The Innocents Abroad,which American writer Mark Twain wrote as a result of his trip to Turkey, and A Tour Through Asia Minor and The Greek Islands reflecting Charles Wilkonson's impression on Anatolia and the Greek Islands, the ideological,political portrayal of region from the English and American perspectives in the 19th century will be analyzed.The orientalist theory,space and identiy concepts,socio-economic,historical conditions will be detailed.The perspectives of these western authors on 19th century Turkey and Greek Islands, their positive, negative approaches for the region, Turkish and Greek people,and the meanings these approaches reveal in both works will be emphasized.The study will reveal the way 19th century Turkey, the Greek Islands and people of the region are portrayed by these authors and representation of these lands in the frame of this ideological and political portrayal.
Data Visualisation and Statistics Education in the Future
Authors: Prodromou Theodosia , Dunne Tim
Published: March 2017

Data visualisation has blossomed into a multidisciplinary research area, and a wide range of visualisation tools has been developed at an accelerated pace. Preliminary statistical data analysis benefits from data visualisation to form the basis for decision-making. There is a greater need for people to make good inferences from visualisations. The flexible nature of current computing tools can potentially have a major impact on the learning and practice of the discipline of statistics and allow easier use of visualisations in the educational process. While this view has many merits and we support its general spirit, we argue for a valuable role for a non-visual approach at certain points. Students will employ data visualisation in an OPEN Data context. This chapter is a theoretical discussion of a framework, which emphasises explicit assumptions that help to direct inferences appropriately. In particular it addresses the common illusions of causality in student reasoning. Our discussion of points of disagreement is based on specific theoretical concerns.
Teachers Analyzing Sampling With TinkerPlots
Authors: Martins Maria Niedja Pereira , Monteiro Carlos Eduardo Ferreira , Prodromou Theodosia
Published: March 2017

The teaching of statistics at the secondary level should provide statistical literacy for students who interact with data in several everyday situations. Therefore, it is crucial that the teacher education can provide a wider variety of situations in which teachers can learn how to improve students' statistical literacy. The conceptualization of sampling is crucial to understand statistical data. However, this topic is not generally emphasized in school curriculum or in teacher education programs. This chapter discusses a study on how primary school teachers understand issues of size and representativeness of samples using TinkerPlots 2.0 software. The participants were four teachers from a public school in Brazil. The research protocol followed three phases: interviews to identify the teacher's profile and their statistical knowledge; a familiarization session with TinkerPlots; and a session to use the software to solve tasks involving sampling. The results showed that the teachers began to consider aspects of data variation to determine when representative samples were presented using TinkerPlots. The ability to select samples and analyze them seemed to contribute to improve their understanding about sample size and representativeness. Since the purpose of the study was to explore teacher education activities that could support development of aspects of statistical literacy, further analysis of findings from the study offered insights into design of tasks to help teachers teach sampling as part of statistical literacy. For example, the analysis suggested that the questions asked during the research sections should not only explore the participants´ knowledge on the sample size or the confidence level, but should also promote reflection on the meanings assigned to tasks, leading to discussion of the skills required for statistical literacy in the Big Data era.
Visualising Big Data for Official Statistics
Authors: Clarke Frederic , Chien Chien-Hung
Published: March 2017

This chapter outlines recent ABS research in applying data visualisation to the analysis of big data for official statistics. Examples are presented from the application of a prototype analytical platform created by the ABS to two significant big data use cases. This platform – the Graphically Linked Information Discovery Environment (GLIDE) – demonstrates a new approach to representing, integrating and exploring complex information from diverse sources. This chapter discusses the role of data visualisation in meeting the analytical challenges of big data and describes the entity-relationship network model and data visualisation features implemented in GLIDE, together with examples drawn from two recent projects. It concludes and outlines future directions.
Big Data Techniques for Supporting Official Statistics
Authors: Virgillito Antonino , Polidoro Federico
Published: March 2017

Following the advent of Big Data, statistical offices have been largely exploring the use of Internet as data source for modernizing their data collection process. Particularly, prices are collected online in several statistical institutes through a technique known as web scraping. The objective of the chapter is to discuss the challenges of web scraping for setting up a continuous data collection process, exploring and classifying the more widespread techniques and presenting how they are used in practical cases. The main technical notions behind web scraping are presented and explained in order to give also to readers with no background in IT the sufficient elements to fully comprehend scraping techniques, promoting the building of mixed skills that is at the core of the spirit of modern data science. Challenges for official statistics deriving from the use of web scraping are briefly sketched. Finally, research ideas for overcoming the limitations of current techniques are presented and discussed.
Small Active Investors' Perceptions and Preferences Towards Tax Saving Mutual Fund Schemes in Eastern India
Authors: Kumar Jitendra , Adhikary Anindita , Jha Ajeya
Published: March 2017

Perception and preference factor plays an important role and help the investor to understand and make the meaningful investment decisions. These two factors are highly influenced by demographic differences of an investor. The present study aims to examine the perception and preference factors influencing the investment behavior of an investor based on various demographics differences. Survey method of primary data collection techniques was adopted to collect responses of 750 respondents from Eastern India particularly (state capital or satellite towns having the population of 10,00,000) Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Sikkim and Assam. Results of the present study suggest that significant demographics differences occur in investment perceptions and preferences towards tax saving mutual fund investments among the investors.
Public Participation Distribution and Marketing
Authors: Weber Patrick , Wagner Sascha Alexander , Kabst Rüdiger
Published: March 2017

The distribution of public participation in Western political environments has become an important topic in recent years. Low participation rates combined with low levels of trust toward government officials has resulted in low efficiency of public participation projects. Whereas prior research has focused on the quality of public participation projects, this study focuses on upstream processes to optimize public participation marketing and distribution. The present study tests the applicability of hierarchical marketing instruments with structural equation modeling in a sample of 266 individuals obtained from a random survey in Germany. The results indicate a sufficient relationship between the hierarchical steps.
Feature Extraction of Video Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Hayakawa Yoshihiro , Oonuma Takanori , Kobayashi Hideyuki , Takahashi Akiko , Chiba Shinji , Fujiki Nahomi M
Published: March 2017

In deep neural networks, which have been gaining attention in recent years, the features of input images are expressed in a middle layer. Using the information on this feature layer, high performance can be demonstrated in the image recognition field. In the present study, we achieve image recognition, without using convolutional neural networks or sparse coding, through an image feature extraction function obtained when identity mapping learning is applied to sandglass-style feed-forward neural networks. In sports form analysis, for example, a state trajectory is mapped in a low-dimensional feature space based on a consecutive series of actions. Here, we discuss ideas related to image analysis by applying the above method.
The Cloud Gets Personal
Authors: Joseph Rhoda , Brown Patrick
Published: March 2017

Cloud computing, at its most fundamental level, is a technology that allows computing to occur as an on-demand utility. Personalized medicine is revolutionizing the field of medicine, and aims to provide individualized treatment for patients, based on their genetic material and medical history, through comparisons to genetic material from thousands of other patients. Better patient outcomes are expected in a personalized medicine domain as compared to more generic generalized options. In this paper the authors explore the use of cloud computing in the area of personalized medicine examining unique benefits and opportunities. They also recognize and discuss the presence of some inherent risks. Using the cloud for personalized medicine can expedite collaborations and data collection across different clinicians, researchers and other stakeholders involved in the fight against diseases. This paper examines key elements associated with using cloud computing in the specialized area of personalized medicine.
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Diagnosis Using Hierarchical Clustering Algorithm and K-Nearest Neighbor Based Methodology
Authors: Anand Divya , Pandey Babita , Pandey Devendra K.
Published: March 2017

The genetic diagnosis of neuromuscular disorder is an active area of research. Microarrays are used to detect the changes in genes for the accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, the number of genes in gene expression data is very large as compared to number of samples. The number of genes needs to be reduced for correct diagnosis. In the present paper, the authors have made an intelligent integrated model for clustering and diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases. Wilcoxon signed rank test is used to preselect the genes. K-means and hierarchical clustering algorithms with different distance metric are employed to cluster the genes. Three classifiers namely linear discriminant analysis, quadratic discriminant analysis and k-nearest neighbor are used. For the employment of integrated techniques, a balanced facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy dataset is taken. A comparative analysis of the above integrated algorithms is presented which demonstrate that the integration of cosine distance metric hierarchical clustering algorithm with k-nearest neighbor has given the best performance measures.
Open Source Software Evolution
Authors: Chahal Kuljit Kaur , Saini Munish
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the results of a systematic literature review conducted to understand the Open Source Software (OSS) development process on the basis of evidence found in the empirical research studies. The study targets the OSS project evolution research papers to understand the methods and techniques employed for analysing the OSS evolution process. Our results suggest that there is lack of a uniform approach to analyse and interpret the results. The use of prediction techniques that just extrapolate the historic trends into the future should be a conscious task as it is observed that there are no long-term correlations in data of such systems. OSS evolution as a research area is still in nascent stage. Even after a number of empirical studies, the field has failed to establish a theory. There is need to formalize the field as a systematic and formal approach can produce better software.
Open Source Software in the Arab World
Authors: Abu Talib Manar
Published: March 2017

A literature survey study was conducted to explore the state-of-the-art of Open Source Software and the opportunities and challenges faced by this segment of the software industry in seven Arab countries — Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, KSA, Qatar, Oman and UAE. A framework and road map for OSS is presented derived from interviews conducted in the UAE with at least four experts from each of the following categories: governments and ministries, IT companies, universities and IT enthusiasts. This is the first study of its kind in this part of the world and is expected to make a significant contribution to the direction for Open Source Software in the region and beyond.
Customers' Personal Trust Perception in Automotive Repair Services
Authors: Ben Ayed Manel
Published: March 2017

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the service employee skills and personal trust dimensions in the automotive repair services setting outside of the western context. Following a qualitative study among 12 customers and 6 frontlines service employees within the automotive repair companies in Tunisia, two quantitative surveys were successively conducted on 240 and 332 customers to empirically explore the personal trust attributes and confirm the dimensionality of the personal trust in this specific industrial context. Personal trust attributes, classified in hard and soft skills of frontline service employees are explored by highlighting the perfect diagnosis of automobile problems and honesty. Exploring specific trust attributes can help managers of dealerships in selecting their personal, foster customer trust, and better manage the long-term customer-mechanic relationship.
An Endogenous Switching Model to Poverty Dynamic Assessment in Tunisia
Authors: Jmaii Amal
Published: March 2017

This paper focus on the determinants of poverty dynamics in Tunisia by performing a two-stage endogenous model using a Bayesian algorithm to avoid missing data. Based on this approach author show that panel data analysis can be performed through potential variables such presented by the work of Donald B. Rubin. This contribution is rather empirical; researcher propose a method based on the concept of causal inference that enable to execute a panel data model using independent surveys. As the author assert the dependence between poverty status over time, they choose to use an endogenous switching model take into consideration the form of endogeneity caused by initial condition.
Observation of Material Flow in Friction Stir Forming for A5083 Aluminum Alloy Gear-Rack
Authors: Ohashi Takahiro , Tabatabaei Hamed Mofidi , Nishihara Tadashi
Published: March 2017

This paper reports observation of material flow in friction-stir forming of aluminum alloy gear racks. Friction-stir forming was newly developed by Nishihara and is dedicated for material forming. In the process, a material plate is placed on the die and friction stirring is conducted on its back surface. The material deforms due to high pressure and heat caused by the friction-stir process and deforms precisely to the shape of the die. The process has mainly been studied for microforming and mechanical jointing; however it was successfully utilized for net-shape forming of A5083 aluminum alloy gear racks. The authors observed the appearance of products, change of mark-off lines on its surface, and deformation of its longitudinal cross section by photo-processing. In addition, we evaluated the distribution of hardness in transverse cross sections of a product tooth. As a result, it was observed that the material did not flow in the transverse direction of the cavity of the gear-rack die, though more material filled at the retreating side than at the advancing side. The material filled the tooth-cavity mostly before passage of the tool probe over the tooth.
Investigation on Mode I Propagation Behavior of Fatigue Crack in Precipitation-Hardened Aluminum Alloy with Different Mg Content
Authors: Anis Samsol Faizal , Koyama Motomichi , Noguchi Hiroshi
Published: March 2017

The influence of excess Mg on the Mode I propagation of fatigue crack was examined in newly developed precipitation-hardened Al alloy containing Zr and excess Mg. The aim of this study was to evaluate the underlying factor affecting fatigue crack growth rate in the stage II region. For this purpose, the rotating bending fatigue tests were performed in constant amplitude loading, and replication technique with an optical microscope was used to measure the crack growth in the Al alloys. Through analyses of the crack propagation on the specimen surface and striation formation of the fracture surface, the effects of excess Mg in the Al alloys were clarified to promote the occurrence of mode I fatigue crack, and decelerate the fatigue crack propagation. These facts suggest that the dynamic strain aging of Mg induces the formation of fatigue striation and reduce the driving force of the crack propagation. The findings were supported by the fractographic observations in the fatigue crack propagation region.
Cyclic Oxidation Performance of Si-Aluminide/MCrAlY Coating on Ni-Base GTD-111 Superalloy
Authors: Shirvani K. , Miraboutalebi S.V.
Published: March 2017

A slurry aluminising process was utilised to produce duplex Si-modified aluminide MCrAlY coatings for superalloy GTD-111. MCrAlY coating was applied by means of high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) metal spray technique. Cyclic oxidation behaviour of the aluminide/MCrAlY coating were compared with plain MCrAlY coating. Oxidation performance of the coated samples was investigated by exposing samples to 1 h cyclic oxidation at 1100 °C. Oxidation test results demonstrate the Si-aluminide/MCrAlY coating exhibited much better oxidation resistance than the the uncoated superalloy due to the superior oxidation resistance of the alumina-silica scale at 1100 °C.
Development Approach of Asbestos-Free Friction Material Using Flyash Particles
Authors: Pupan Danuwat , Suvanjumrat Chakrit , Chookaew Watcharapong
Published: March 2017

In the present work, the development of flyash-based friction composites for replacing asbestos material was systematically proposed. In order to solve the high-testing cost and time consuming problem in design formulation process, the mechanical properties of composites were first investigated with regarding to the contents of phenolic resin, friction modifiers and aramid fibers. Friction performances were continually tested with the samples optimized mechanical properties. When considering the results of mechanical testing, it was observed that the elastic modulus and compressive strength decreased with increasing resin fractions in the corresponding test ranges. On the other hand, an addition of friction modifiers and fiber contents can be contributed the mechanical strength. In the friction performance results, an addition of 2.5 wt% fibers showed enhancing of friction coefficient and decreasing of wear resistance at elevated temperature ranges of 100 oC to 200°C. Conversely, the composite filled with 5.0 wt% aramid fiber presented the stability of friction efficient in ranges of 0.56-0.57 and also gave better wear resistance lower than 0.39×10-7 cm3/N.m.
Characterization of Planar Interdigital Micro Supercapacitor with PECVD Graphene as Electrodes at Low Temperature
Authors: Abidin Hafzaliza Erny Zainal , Hamzah Azrul Azlan , Mohamed Mohd Ambri , Majlis Burhanuddin Yeop
Published: March 2017

Graphene has recently gained much interest in applications such as energy storage, catalysis and gas sensing. In terms of energy storage, micro supercapacitor has attracted a lot of interest in fields such as bioMEMS, biomedical implants such as cardiac pacemaker and the promising field of powering small electronic devices. In this paper, the structure of the micro supercapacitor PECVD graphene on electrodes consists of SiO2 substrate, graphene on Nickel (Ni) electrodes, with Polypyrrole (Ppy), graphene and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) layers. To improve performance, graphene is one of the more promising material being investigated for micro supercapacitor electrodes due to several advantages such as high specific surface area and high electron mobility. Graphene was then grown on the Ni electrodes using the Plasma- Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) process. The graphene growth structure on the interdigital electrodes of micro supercapacitor was characterized by Raman Spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). A Raman spectrum of graphene growth on interdigital electrode has identified three peaks which are the D band, G band and 2D band. The broad peaks at 1340 cm-1 and 1580 cm-1 correspond to the D and G bands, respectively.
Preparation and Application of Zinc Chloride-Modified Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) Pod Husk-Based Carbon for the Removal of Acid Dyes
Authors: Zainal Nur Aqilah , Ibrahim Shariff , Arifin Borhannuddin
Published: March 2017

Cocoa pod husk, an agricultural waste was chemically modified using Zinc Chloride (ZnCl2) and used as an adsorbent for removal of acid dyes; (i) Acid Violet 17 (AV17) and (ii) Acid Yellow 36 (AY36) from aqueous solution. The raw (CPHC) and chemically modified cocoa pod husk carbon (ZCPHC) were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). The adsorption was performed on removing AV17 and AY36 from aqueous solution in batch adsorption system. The experimental data was simulated using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The isotherm study revealed that the AV17 adsorption on ZCPHC matched well with the Langmuir model, whereas AY36 adsorption on ZCPHC fitted well with Freundlich model. The maximum adsorption capacity determined from the Langmuir isotherm was 11.02 mg/g and 11.37 mg/g for AV17 and AY36 respectively at room temperature.