bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring Pest Insect Traps by Means of Low-Power Image Sensor Technologies
Authors: López Otoniel , Rach Miguel , Migallon Hector , Malumbres Manuel , Bonastre Alberto , Serrano Juan
Published: November 2012

Monitoring pest insect populations is currently a key issue in agriculture and forestry protection. At the farm level, human operators typically must perform periodical surveys of the traps disseminated through the field. This is a labor-, time- and cost-consuming activity, in particular for large plantations or large forestry areas, so it would be of great advantage to have an affordable system capable of doing this task automatically in an accurate and a more efficient way. This paper proposes an autonomous monitoring system based on a low-cost image sensor that it is able to capture and send images of the trap contents to a remote control station with the periodicity demanded by the trapping application. Our autonomous monitoring system will be able to cover large areas with very low energy consumption. This issue would be the main key point in our study; since the operational live of the overall monitoring system should be extended to months of continuous operation without any kind of maintenance (i.e., battery replacement). The images delivered by image sensors would be time-stamped and processed in the control station to get the number of individuals found at each trap. All the information would be conveniently stored at the control station, and accessible via Internet by means of available network services at control station (WiFi, WiMax, 3G/4G, etc.).
Sustainable, Full-Scope Nuclear Fission Energy at Planetary Scale
Authors: Petroski Robert , Wood Lowell
Published: November 2012

A nuclear fission-based energy system is described that is capable of supplying the energy needs of all of human civilization for a full range of human energy use scenarios, including both very high rates of energy use and strikingly-large amounts of total energy-utilized. To achieve such “planetary scale sustainability”, this nuclear energy system integrates three nascent technologies: uranium extraction from seawater, manifestly safe breeder reactors, and deep borehole disposal of nuclear waste. In addition to these technological components, it also possesses the sociopolitical quality of manifest safety, which involves engineering to a very high degree of safety in a straightforward manner, while concurrently making the safety characteristics of the resulting nuclear systems continually manifest to society as a whole. Near-term aspects of this nuclear system are outlined, and representative parameters given for a system of global scale capable of supplying energy to a planetary population of 10 billion people at a per capita level enjoyed by contemporary Americans, i.e., of a type which might be seen a half-century hence. In addition to being sustainable from a resource standpoint, the described nuclear system is also sustainable with respect to environmental and human health impacts, including those resulting from severe accidents.
Combining Ecosystem Service and Critical Load Concepts for Resource Management and Public Policy
Authors: Sullivan Timothy J.
Published: November 2012

Land management and natural resource public policy decision-making in the United States can benefit from two resource damage/recovery concepts: ecosystem service (ES) and critical load (CL). The purpose of this paper is to suggest an integrated approach to the application of ES and CL principles for public land management and natural resource policy decision-making. One well known example that is appropriate for ES and CL evaluation is examined here: the acidification of soil and drainage water by atmospheric deposition of acidifying sulfur and nitrogen compounds. A conceptual framework illustrates how the ES and CL approaches can be combined in a way that enhances the strengths of each. This framework will aid in the process of translating ES and CL principles into land management and natural resource policy decision-making by documenting the impacts of pollution on environmental goods and services that benefit humans.
A Mass Balance Model for Designing Green Roof Systems that Incorporate a Cistern for Re-Use
Authors: Hardin Mike , Wanielista Martin , Chopra Manoj
Published: November 2012

Green roofs, which have been used for several decades in many parts of the world, offer a unique and sustainable approach to stormwater management. Within this paper, evidence is presented on water retention for an irrigated green roof system. The presented green roof design results in a water retention volume on site. A first principle mass balance computer model is introduced to assist with the design of these green roof systems which incorporate a cistern to capture and reuse runoff waters for irrigation of the green roof. The model is used to estimate yearly stormwater retention volume for different cistern storage volumes. Additionally, the Blaney and Criddle equation is evaluated for estimation of monthly evapotranspiration rates for irrigated systems and incorporated into the model. This is done so evapotranspiration rates can be calculated for regions where historical data does not exist, allowing the model to be used anywhere historical weather data are available. This model is developed and discussed within this paper as well as compared to experimental results.
La chanson dans les tranchées : une forme musicale originale ?
Authors: Lavaud Charles
Published: November 2012

Résumé Si les études sur les cabarets et les music-halls français au début du xx e siècle sont nombreuses, peu de chercheurs se sont penchés sur la production musicale dans les tranchées de la Première Guerre mondiale. Pourtant, la création artistique a existé, comme en témoignent les nombreuses chansons publiées dans les journaux de tranchée. Plus encore, celle-ci dévoile, dans le fond comme dans la forme, de multiples originalités.
Robustness as an image of sustainability: applied conceptualisations and their contribution to sustainable development
Authors: de Goede Douwe M. , Gremmen Bart , Blom-Zandstra Margaretha
Published: November 2012

Sustainability is a catch-all term in need of more tangible, yet qualitatively measureable operationalisations. This paper discusses the relevance of robustness as an image of sustainability. We argue that robustness has conceptual advantages against sustainability because it is embedded in system thinking and gives direction to operationalisations of sustainable development more than sustainability ever can. We consider conceptualisations of robustness in three TransForum projects which were set up to develop the concept of robustness in agricultural innovation. In these projects, robustness is conceptualised from an engineering perspective in relation to system efficiency and control. We suggest a frame of reference based on two organising principles, and suggest that other conceptualisations of robustness should be taken into account when operationalising sustainable development through robustness.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder inDSM-5
Authors: Bryant-Waugh Rachel , Kreipe Richard E.
Published: November 2012

CME Educational Objectives

1.

Explain the core clinical features of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

2.

Understand the diagnostic limitations of feeding disorders of infancy or early childhood inDSM-IV.

3.

Describe the rationale for the recommendation that ARFID be included inDSM-5.

It is well recognized that a number of patients present with a feeding or eating disturbance that is difficult to classify and diagnose usingDSM-IVcriteria.1The frequent use of the diagnosis Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified2has been widely discussed.3In addition, there are a number of presentations familiar to clinicians working in this field that simply do not fit current diagnostic placeholders. This is particularly the case in presentations characterized by restricted or otherwise inadequate eating, most commonly seen in child and adolescent populations,4but also in adults.5Examples include individuals who eat only a very narrow range of foods, and those who restrict their food intake to cope with difficult feelings, an emotional crisis, or an unpleasant experience. Such individuals do not fit the existingDSM-IVfeeding and eating disorder diagnoses; yet they can experience clinically significant levels of impairment in development or functioning, as well as potentially severe medical complications.
Bulimia Nervosa in
DSM-5
Authors: Wolfe Barbara E. , Hannon-Engel Sandra L. , Mitchell James E.
Published: November 2012

CME Educational Objectives

1.

Outline the core clinical features of bulimia nervosa (BN).

2.

Describe the concerns surrounding the
DSM-IV
criteria for BN.

3.

Understand the rationale for changes in the diagnostic criteria for BN as recommended for
DSM-5
.

Bulimia nervosa, a disorder first introduced as “bulimia” in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition
,
1
is characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors (such as, self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, excessive exercising, and fasting) to prevent weight gain. The disorder is more common in females than in males, with onset typically in adolescence and young adulthood.
2
Binge Eating Disorder in
DSM-5
Authors: De Young Kyle P. , Lavender Jason M. , Wilson G. Terence , Wonderlich Stephen A.
Published: November 2012

CME Educational Objectives

1.

Describe the core clinical features of binge eating disorder (BED).

2.

State the diagnostic criteria for BED in
DSM-IV
.

3.

Note the rationale for changes regarding BED recommended for
DSM-5
.

A pattern of binge eating episodes associated with marked distress is the defining feature of binge eating disorder, recommended by the Eating Disorders Work Group for inclusion in the Feeding and Eating Disorders section of the forthcoming
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
, Fifth Edition (
DSM-5
).
Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome from Atypical Antipsychotic Medications: Applying Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Model in Clinical Practice
Authors: Parrinello Michael C.
Published: November 2012

Patients who are taking atypical antipsychotic medications have a high incidence of metabolic complications, including increased weight, waist circumference, blood sugar, lipid levels, and blood pressure. In 2004, the American Diabetic Association and three other associations, including the American Psychiatric Association, developed guidelines to screen for metabolic syndrome, but in practice, adherence to the guidelines varies. This article describes a process to implement the guidelines in a suburban psychiatric day treatment hospital using Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations model. Measurement of waist circumference was identified as an opportunity to improve the current metabolic screening protocol. Post-intervention evaluation revealed increased adherence to the guidelines (0% pre versus 95% post). Adherence to the guidelines demonstrates the effect of the systematic application of Rogers’ model on acceptance of practice change. Fully implementing the guidelines meets recommendations for the standard of practice and can improve the health and quality of life of patients prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications.
Innovative Teaching Strategy for Pharmacology in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Moving from Content to Concepts
Authors: Bonnivier Joy F. , Magoteaux April L.
Published: November 2012

Faculty teaching an undergraduate psychiatric-mental health nursing course noted that the vast content related to psychotropic medication interventions needed to be conceptualized creatively to help students develop expertise. In this article, an innovative pedagogical approach is presented for teaching nursing students psychopharmacology by moving from content to concepts.
Gender Differences in Adolescent Depression
Authors: Dyer Janyce G. , Wade Ellin H.
Published: November 2012

Depression in adolescents is more common in girls; this gender disparity becomes more apparent during the teen years when girls have close to twice the rate of depression compared with boys. Vulnerability-stress models help explain these differences, and a tendency toward rumination may play a role both in the development and continuation of depressive symptoms. Psychiatric nursing interventions must focus on reappraisal of relationships, challenging rumination, and promoting autonomy.
Association of Surgeon Experience With Outcomes of Femtosecond LASIK
Authors: Shtein Roni M. , Michelotti Monica M. , Kaplan Ariane , Mian Shahzad I.
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To determine effect of surgeon experience on outcomes of LASIK.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Retrospective case series of myopic femtosecond LASIK performed by residents and fellows compared to an attending surgeon, with mean follow-up of 6.6 months.

RESULTS:

Seventy-two eyes (38 patients) had LASIK performed by a trainee and 157 eyes (83 patients) by an attending surgeon. There were no statistically significant preoperative differences. The attending surgeon had lower mean flap thickness (
P
= .0001), but ablation depth and residual stromal bed were similar. Postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity was significantly better in the experienced surgeon group on the first postoperative day (
P
= .0203). Postoperative findings of microstriae (
P
< .0001) and interface debris (
P
= .0034) were more common with trainee-performed LASIK.

CONCLUSION:

Visual outcomes are excellent after femtosecond LASIK performed by trainees and experienced surgeons. Early postoperative complications are more common in trainee-performed LASIK, but are not visually significant. Resident and fellow LASIK surgical training with a comprehensive refractive curriculum under the guidance of an experienced surgeon is safe and appropriate.
Intrasession Reproducibility of RNFL Thickness Measurements Using SD-OCT in Eyes With Keratoconus
Authors: Reibaldi Michele , Uva Maurizio G. , Avitabile Teresio , Toro Mario D. , Zagari Marco , Mariotti Cesare , Cennamo Gilda , Reibaldi Alfredo , Longo Antonio
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the intrasession reproducibility of the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements obtained by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in eyes with keratoconus and normal eyes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements with SD-OCT were repeated three times during the same visit using the eye tracker and retest function in one eye of each participant. Reproducibility was evaluated using within-subject standard deviation (Sw), coefficient of variation (CV), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS:

For the overall global RNFL thickness, the values of the three parameters were Sw (± 1.96 standard error) 1.43 ± 0.24, CV 1.28%, ICC (95% confidence interval) 0.969 (range: 0.947–0.983) in control eyes and Sw (± 1.96 standard error) from 1.41 ± 0.26 to 1.57 ± 0.34, CV from 1.18% to 1.37%, and ICC (95% confidence interval) from 0.951 (range: 0.909–0.976) to 0.977 (range: 0.938–0.993) in eyes with keratoconus.

CONCLUSION:

Measurement of peripapillary RNFL thickness by SD-OCT shows a good intrasession reproducibility in eyes with keratoconus.
Retinal and Choroidal Findings in Oxalate Retinopathy Using EDI-OCT
Authors: Roth Bryan M. , Yuan Alex , Ehlers Justis P.
Published: November 2012

A 55-year-old woman with extensive retinal crystalline deposition secondary to primary hyperoxaluria presented with bilateral loss of vision secondary to oxalate retinopathy. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography revealed intraretinal, subretinal, and intraretinal and subretinal pigment epithelium, and choroidal focal hyperreflective structures consistent with both neurosensory and uveal deposition of oxalate crystals. Serial optical coherence tomography revealed continued crystalline deposition with progressive retinal atrophy.
Automated Detection of the Foveal Center Improves SD-OCT Measurements of Central Retinal Thickness
Authors: Wang Fenghua , Gregori Giovanni , Rosenfeld Philip J. , Lujan Brandon J. , Durbin Mary K. , Bagherinia Homayoun
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the performance of an automated foveal center detection algorithm on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Fifty normal eyes and 50 eyes with early stage dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were analyzed. The actual scan center (SC), automatically detected foveal center (AF), and manually identified foveal center (MF) were compared.

RESULTS:

The mean of the radial distances was 89 ± 120 μm from MF to SC and 54 ± 41 μm from MF to AF for normal eyes and 179 ± 125 μm from SC to MF and 104 ± 62 μm from AF to MF for eyes with AMD. The differences were statistically significant (
P
< .001).

CONCLUSION:

The automated algorithm designed to detect the foveal center was more accurate in detecting the foveal center than relying on the fixation target of the SD-OCT instrument.
Effect of environmental salinity and dopamine injections on key digestive enzymes in hepatopancreas of the euryhaline crab Cyrtograpsus angulatus (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae)
Authors: Michiels María Soledad , Del Valle Juana Cristina , López Mañanes Alejandra Antonia
Published: November 2012

We studied the occurrence and characteristics of lipase activity and the response of lipase and proteolytic activity to salinity and dopamine injections in hepatopancreas of the euryhaline crab (Cyrtograpsus angulatus). Lipase activity was maximal at pH 8.5; it exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics (apparent Km=0.019 mM), was higher at 37°C and appeared to be cold tolerant, being also high at 4°C. In 10 psu (hyper-regulation conditions), lipase and proteolytic activity were about 3 and 5 times higher, respectively, than in 35 psu (osmoconformation). In 40 psu (hypo-regulation), lipase activity was about three times higher than in 35 psu, while proteolytic activity was similar. Lipase activity was inhibited in vivo by 10–4 M dopamine in 35 psu but not in 10 or 40 psu. Proteolytic activity was not affected by 10–4 M dopamine. The differential responses of lipase and proteolytic activity to salinity and dopamine suggest the occurrence of distinct digestive adjustments and mechanisms of regulation upon osmoregulatory conditions. This study contributes to a better understanding of the complexity of the biochemical adaptations to salinity in euryhaline crabs. The fact that higher digestive enzyme activities could be associated with a differential digestive capacity potentially leading to enhanced availability of energy substrates is discussed.
Teaching Information Systems Technologies: a New Approach based on Virtualization and Hosting Technologies
Authors: García Carmelo R. , Quesada-Arencibia Alexis , Candela Santiago , Carrasco Eduardo , González Armide
Published: November 2012

This paper describes how to provide suitable computing systems for information systems technologies learning using virtualization and hosting technologies. The main functionalities and components of an university learning lab based on these technologies are presented. All the software components used in its development are open source. Also, the use of this lab, providing the computing systems required for the learning activities of different matters related to the information systems technologies, is illustrated. The model of computing lab proposed is a more sustainable and scalable alternative than the traditional academic computing lab.
The Influence of Travel Experience on Mature Travelers’ Quality of Life
Authors: Wang Yawei , McGuire Francis A. , Zhou Bin
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of past travel experience (i.e., number of trips and number of days away from home in last year), and on mature travelers’ quality of life (i.e., self-perceived health and global life satisfaction). A total number of 217 respondents (50+) in a southern state were used in this study. Path analysis (PROC CALIS in SAS) was performed to test the proposed model. An estimation of the proposed theoretical model revealed that the model fit the data. However, the model should be further examined and applied with caution.
A Simulation Study to Derive the Optimal Cycle Length for Feeder Transit Services
Authors: Chandra Shailesh , Shen Chung-Wei , Quadrifoglio Luca
Published: November 2012

This paper presents a simulation study to evaluate the capacity and the optimum service cycle time of a demand responsive transit “feeder” service within the colonia of El Cenizo, TX. Demand data are taken from a survey questionnaire conducted to evaluate the existing travel patterns and the potential demand for a feeder service. Results showed that a single shuttle would be able to comfortably serve 150 passengers per day and that a fleet of 7-8 vehicles would be needed to serve the residential area. The optimal cycle length between consecutive departures from the terminal should be between 11-13 minutes for best service quality. This exploratory study can serve as a first step towards improving transportation services within these growing underprivileged communities, but also other residential areas, especially those with demographics and geometry similar to our target area of El Cenizo.
Identifying Services in Procedural Programs for Migrating Legacy System to Service Oriented Architecture
Authors: Nakamur Masahide , Igaki Hiroshi , Kimura Takahiro , Matsumoto Kenichi
Published: November 2012

In order to support legacy migration to the service-oriented architecture (SOA), this paper presents a pragmatic method that derives candidates of services from procedural programs. In the SOA, every service is supposed to be a process (procedure) with (1) open interface, (2) self-containedness, and (3) coarse granularity for business. Such services are identified from the source code and its data flow diagram (DFD), by analyzing data and control dependencies among processes. Specifically, first the DFD must be obtained with reverse-engineering techniques. For each layer of the DFD, every data flow is classified into three categories. Using the data category and control among procedures, four types of dependency are categorized. Finally, six rules are applied that aggregate mutually dependent processes and extract them as a service. A case study with a liquor shop inventory control system extracts service candidates with various granularities.
Enterprise Intelligence
Authors: Morabito Joseph , Stohr Edward A. , Genc Yegin
Published: November 2012

This paper examines the key issues associated with current and future implementations of business intelligence (BI). The authors review the literature and discover both the growing importance and emerging issues associated with BI. The issues are further examined with an exploratory, but detailed, case study of organizations from a variety of industries, yielding a series of lessons learned. The authors find that organizations are rapidly moving to an enterprise perspective on BI, but in an unsystematic way. The authors present a prescription for the future of BI called “enterprise intelligence” (EI). EI is described in a framework that combines elements of hierarchy theory, organization modeling, and intellectual capital.
Business Intelligence Conceptual Model
Authors: Glancy Fletcher H. , Yadav Surya B.
Published: November 2012

A business intelligence conceptual model (BISCOM) is proposed as a process-focused design theory for developing, understanding, and evaluating business intelligence (BI) systems. Previous work has concentrated on subsets of the BI systems, use of BI tools, and specific business functional area requirements. BISCOM provides a unified and comprehensive design theory that integrates and synthesizes existing research. It extends existing research by proposing functionality that does not currently exist in BI systems. The BISCOM is validated through descriptive methods that demonstrate the model utility and through prototype creation to demonstrate the need for BISCOM.
IT Outsourcing Strategies
Authors: Ravi Siva Prasad , Jain Ravi Kumar , Song Wei
Published: November 2012

Several studies pertaining to outsourcing in the banking and financial services sector in developed countries show a gradually growing trend of outsourcing among banking and financial organizations, both in terms of nature and scope of activities outsourced. Outsourcing of Information Technology (IT) services to achieve competitive advantage has become a key part of the organizational strategies in the banking industry. However, not many studies focus on outsourcing trends and practices of banking industries in developing countries like India and China. The present paper investigates the trends in IT outsourcing (ITO) practices among the private and public sector banking institutions in India and makes a comparative analysis of these practices with reference to four importantt dimensions of outsourcing, shoring, sourcing, engagement and duration.
General Enterprising Tendency (GET) and Recommendations to Boost Entrepreneurship Education in Sarawak
Authors: Ha Lee Ming , Ling Edith Lim Ai , Muniapan Balakrishnan , Gregory Margaret Lucy
Published: November 2012

This paper explores the General Enterprising Tendency (GET) test used to examine the enterprising tendency among business students in Sarawak. The findings from a sample of 75 final year business students indicate low scores in five key enterprising tendencies, namely: need for achievement, need for autonomy, calculated risk taking, drive and determination and creative tendency (innovativeness). To explore the reasons for these low scores, focus group interviews with the students were conducted and reasons for the low enterprising tendencies and barriers for entrepreneurial development were identified. The authors provide some recommendations to rejuvenate the interest in entrepreneurship culture among business students and eliminate entrepreneurial barriers. This paper has a practical implication for universities and business schools to re-examine their current business and entrepreneurship curriculum, as one of the purposes of a business school is to produce entrepreneurs or business leaders to contribute to economic growth and development.
What Skill/Knowledge is Important to a Nursing Professional?
Authors: Lin Li-Min , Chen Yi-Cheng , Wu Jen-Her , Tennyson Robert D.
Published: November 2012

This study employed a survey instrument to investigate the knowledge topics that are important to a nursing professional. We asked 491 nursing professionals and managers in Taiwan what they thought about 47 educational topics. For each topic, the authors asked them how much they had learned about a given topic in their formal education, their current knowledge of the topic, and how important the topic has been in their career. Results indicate each knowledge topic’s importance, the amount learned in formal education programs, and the educational knowledge gap. The findings also show the amount currently known, current knowledge gap, and the amount learned (or forgotten) subsequent to education. The survey supports current perceptions about the importance of some topics, but it also highlights topics that are sometimes underemphasized or overemphasized. Efforts to develop nursing curricula or training programs for nursing professionals or students should consider the experience of practitioners in clinics and hospitals. Findings should be useful to hospital training departments and nursing educators in universities and colleges to refine or revise their curriculum design. Nursing professionals and students seeking continuing education will also be able to use the results for selecting courses for career enhancement.
An Introduction to Educational Research
Authors: Dedeaux Tim
Published: November 2012

Within the field of educational research, there are several methods, approaches, and concerns a potential researcher must be made aware of. This chapter serves as an introduction to the process of educational research, and as such, is intended for novice researchers seeking to gain an overview of the process of envisioning, designing, and carrying out a successful research project. Further, this chapter addresses the kinds of research that are possible within the academic field, some of the ethical and practical considerations involved in human subject research, and best methodological practices. Four major methods of research are discussed: qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, and action research. Each method is provided with information on the subtypes of research within each area, appropriate methods of data collection and analysis, and acceptable formats for reporting results for each methodological type.
Online Trust
Authors: Dwyer Natasha
Published: November 2012

The design of trust in digital environments shapes how users relate. By reducing complexity, trust expedites transactions, and thus, some developers of online spaces seek to resolve their users’ trust issues quickly. Some designers approach the problem of trust as a display of evidence. This chapter questions this approach, because it is easy to present a façade of trust on the Internet, and users are increasingly aware of this fact. Alternative design directions are reviewed, such as the enablement of trust, which may feature prominently in the future of trust design.
The Ethos of Online Publishing
Authors: Erickson Joe , Blair Kristine
Published: November 2012

This chapter argues that online academic journals are not only a legitimate venue and sustainable source of disciplinary inquiry, but an important professional development opportunity for graduate students as future faculty and are therefore crucial to maintaining a discipline’s ethos. The authors begin by reviewing the ethos of individually produced print publications in the humanities, paying particular attention to the value such publications hold in helping scholars earn tenure and promotion. The authors then posit that efforts within the rhetoric and writing scholarly community to recognize the collaborative nature of multimodal digital texts and to advocate for the collaborative production of such digital texts, which has helped such scholarship achieve a higher level of ethos over the past two decades. Emphasizing the role of graduate students in these ongoing efforts, the authors conclude by recommending three benchmarks developing and advanced scholars should implement to increase their own professional development and thus the ethos of online academic publishing: curricular development, team development, and dissertation research.
Ethos [edit]
Authors: McGrady Ryan
Published: November 2012

This chapter examines the credibility of Wikipedia from a rhetorical point of view, using ethos, one of Aristotle’s original modes of persuasion, to assess the community behind the content of the site’s articles. To do so, the author adapts a newer perspective from video game studies, procedural rhetoric (Bogost 2007), to provide a means with which to analyze the site’s community-created rules, which he argues, operates symbiotically with a unified body of editors to shape what the reader sees. By considering Wikipedia within the encyclopedia genre, and by looking beyond the surface content to the archived and easily accessible sets of rules and user data, those who must make decisions about why, how, and to what extent they should use and/or trust the site—or permit it to be used under their purview—may be able to avoid the mire of evaluating constantly evolving pseudonymous documents for factuality.
Credibility in Web Search Engines
Authors: Lewandowski Dirk
Published: November 2012

Web search engines apply a variety of ranking signals to achieve user satisfaction, i.e., results pages that provide the best-possible results for the user. While these ranking signals implicitly consider credibility (e.g., by measuring popularity), explicit measures of credibility are not applied. In this chapter, credibility in Web search engines is discussed in a broad context: credibility as a measure for including documents in a search engine’s index, credibility as a ranking signal, credibility in the context of universal search results, and the possibility of using credibility as an explicit measure for ranking purposes. It is found that while search engines—at least to a certain extent—show credible results to their users, there is no fully integrated credibility framework for Web search engines.
Establishing Credibility in the Information Jungle
Authors: Wichowski Dawn Emsellem , Kohl Laura E.
Published: November 2012

In this chapter, the authors locate blogs and microblogs such as Facebook and Twitter in the information landscape. They explore their diverse habitats and features, as well as the explosion of uses discovered for them by academic and journalistic researchers. The authors describe an approach to evaluating the quality of blogs and microblogs as information sources using the CRAAP test, and they show how a consideration of digital ethos in the application of the CRAAP checklist imbues the test with flexibility and effectiveness, and promotes critical thinking throughout the evaluation process. The chapter demonstrates how the special features of blogs can be leveraged for rigorous assessment. For the purpose of defining examples, it focuses on blogs and microblogs such as Facebook and Twitter, but the authors see their approach as having application across other yet-to-be developed platforms because of its flexibility.
Building a Professional Ethos on LinkedIn
Authors: Oslund Christy
Published: November 2012

In the face of increasing use of digitally mediated contexts, teachers and students on all levels are expected to be familiar with creating content appropriate for the World Wide Web, and their professional lives are affected by the digital content they create. The professional online networking site LinkedIn, for example, is a group of communities where professionals can create an ethos that will benefit them in both searching for work and maintaining their current working status. In such venues, both students and teachers still need guidance on how to create a profile and presence that will establish a positive, approachable ethos. Specific examples show how the author accomplished this in the $50 billion per year pet industry. These examples clarify both what to do and what to avoid in creating a profile and presence in a professional online community.
Online Identity Formation and Digital Ethos Building in the Chinese Blogosphere
Authors: Tai Zixue , Zhang Yonghua
Published: November 2012

Exponential growth in the past decade has turned the Chinese blogosphere into the largest blogging space in the world. Through studying some of the most popular blog sites and bloggers, this chapter critically examines a number of their key defining features such as rhetorical strategies and persuasive approaches in building popular ethos and unique online identities in order to attract a steady user base. It also discusses some of the personal, topical, social, cultural, and political factors of the emerging Chinese culture of blogs and blogging against the particular backdrop of China’s state-controlled media and communication environment.
The Cyber-Propelled Egyptian Revolution and the De/Construction of Ethos
Authors: Gamie Samaa
Published: November 2012

This chapter examines two key Egyptian Facebook pages that became the voice and face of the youth movement that ignited the Egyptian revolution. The “Kolena Khaled Said” and “We are all Khaled Said” Facebook pages, respectively, represent the Arabic and international branch of the Egyptian human rights campaign against police violence. This chapter explores the complexity of ethos construction in activist digital discourses by analyzing the visual and textual elements of each page, the communal ethos, and the sense of shared identity that emerge in these digital social networks, as well as the internal and external challenges posed to their emergent ethos. The results of the analysis of both Facebook campaigns indicate the powerful role anonymity plays in activist digital discourses in creating a communal ethos that, combined with the visual and textual elements of the page, are able to achieve massive outreach that legitimates their calls for reform, activism, and revolutionary work. The chapter reflects upon the possibilities of integrating the critical study of ethos in composition teaching.
“I Rolled the Dice with Trade Chat and This is What I Got”
Authors: Sierra Wendi , Eyman Doug
Published: November 2012

In this chapter, the authors extend Warnick’s (2007) appropriation of Toulmin’s (1958) “field-dependency” as applied through an ecological lens to examine credibility and ethos in the virtual world of a massive multiplayer online game. The authors theorize that ethos in such virtual environments is context-dependent—that it is in the interaction between designed game and user action/communication that ethos is engineered in a process that is fundamentally different from both websites (which are static) and other social media (where the environment is not nearly as much of an actor in the development of ethos/credibility). To better understand how players (as inhabitants of the game ecology) view the establishment of ethos, the authors collected in-game chat and near-game forum posts that included responses to requests for assistance or invitations to join a guild, and we asked our participants to evaluate these texts. The chapter uses the data collected about the perception of ethos to identify three key elements for successful demonstration of credibility in multiplayer games: specificity, demonstrated expertise, and experience.
Black Economic Empowerment, ICT, and Preferential Public Procurement in South Africa
Authors: Reddy Karunanidhi , Rampersad Renitha
Published: November 2012

Broad-based black economic empowerment has been a central part of the South African government’s economic transformation strategy. The main purpose of BEE is to increase the number of black people that manage, own, and control the country’s economy, and as a result, to reduce income inequalities and to contribute to economic transformation in South Africa. During apartheid in South Africa, the government procurement system favoured large, established businesses and made it difficult for newly established businesses to participate in the procurement system. This chapter gives an overview of the Black Economic Empowerment policy as a means to achieve socio-economic transformation in South Africa by providing preferences for Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs) and small businesses, when making procurement decisions. It also examines how procurement is used as a policy tool by government while simultaneously ensuring that it does not contradict the constitutional right to equality. The chapter also explores the implications of the Preferential Public Procurement Framework Act (Act 5 of 2000) and the latest procurement regulations. Finally, it discusses the use of ICT and the vital role it plays in preferential procurement in South Africa.
Social and Solidarity Economy Web Information Systems
Authors: Malta Mariana Curado , Baptista Ana Alice
Published: November 2012

This chapter presents the state-of-the-art on interoperability developments for the social and solidarity economy web based information systems. A search on the bibliographic databases showed that there are no articles on interoperability initiatives on the social and solidarity economy, so it was necessary to have other sources of information: a preliminary analysis of the platforms that support social and solidarity economy activities; and interviews with the representatives of some of the world’s most important social and solidarity economy organizations. The study showed that the platforms are still not interoperable, but that there are efforts in this direction promoted by the social and solidarity economy organizations. It is clear that these organizations will need to find a common framework of understanding in order to implement interoperability among their platforms.
Telework as a Driver of the Third Sector and its Networks
Authors: Belzunegui-Eraso Angel , Erro-Garcés Amaya , Pastor-Gosálbez Inmaculada
Published: November 2012

This chapter examines the role of telework as a driving force behind third sector activities and in the creation of networks and links between organizations in that sector. Telework as a tool has generated considerable change in the traditional organization of work. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to respond more quickly to customer requirements and to users and beneficiaries of third sector and social economy organizations. Online connections and services provided by telework have also led to a greater density of contacts between organizations in the third sector, which promotes the transmission of information and collaborative practices in providing services to the public.
ICT
Authors: Banerjee Preeta M.
Published: November 2012

This chapter highlights the use of ICT as a resource for making do with what is on hand (bricolage) in social entrepreneurship. A growing proportion of social entrepreneurs are starting in fundamentally resource-constrained yet dynamic and uncertain environments. This chapter investigates the role of ICT as a bricolagable resource that provides malleability and scalability for social entrepreneurship. However, findings suggest that implementing ICT alone is a resource model set for failure. Such a tactic ignores the need for co-evolution with complementary human capital of the entrepreneur(s). These insights are valuable not only for the building of social entrepreneurship ventures, but more broadly for resource-constrained firms in dynamic and uncertain environments that are required to leverage resources for competitive advantage.
ICT and Agricultural Cooperatives
Authors: Montegut-Salla Yolanda , Cristóbal-Fransi Eduard , Gómez-Adillón Maria Jesús
Published: November 2012

New technologies in information and communication technology are significantly impacting traditional business models, demonstrating how the relationship between the company and its corresponding value chain is changing in recent years due to the new possibilities they offer. The aim of this chapter is to analyze the current situation of Internet usage and electronic commerce in agri-food cooperatives in the province of Lleida, Spain. To this end, a questionnaire was completed by olive oil and sweet fruit cooperatives in 2010 that addressed the following aspects: computer equipment, Internet connection and presence, and finally, the level of electronic commerce. The results provide information on aspects to consider for ensuring that agricultural cooperatives take full advantage of the opportunities offered by new technologies, resulting in a useful tool for the managers of these organizations as well as for policy makers concerned with encouraging and promoting the social economy.
Technology Integration in Strategic Management
Authors: Taifi Nouha , Gharbi Khaddouj
Published: November 2012

The micro-financing sector is considered as one of the most important environments contributing to poverty reduction and to the creation of new small and medium enterprises, thus creating new value for high economic performance. Also, in the actual digital environment, each organization tends to use information and communication technologies for the optimization of the work activities and processes of collaboration. So, the main objective of this book chapter is to demonstrate the important role of technology integration in the micro-financing sector strategic management. Through a case study related to a strategic network of micro-financing institutions that develop and integrate technologies in their strategic management, the most important pillars of social value creation of information and communication technologies are identified in this chapter. Furthermore, the results of the research demonstrate the impact of IT integration in the micro-financing sector and derive a theory and a methodology for the development of IT integration and usage in this sector.
Mice Deficient in Ficolin, a Lectin Complement Pathway Recognition Molecule, Are Susceptible to Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection
Authors: Endo Yuichi , Takahashi Minoru , Iwaki Daisuke , Ishida Yumi , Nakazawa Naomi , Kodama Toshihisa , Matsuzaka Tomohiro , Kanno Kazuko , Liu Yu , Tsuchiya Kohsuke , Kawamura Ikuo , Ikawa Masahito , Waguri Satoshi , Wada Ikuo , Matsushita Misao , Schwaeble Wilhelm J. , Fujita Teizo
Published: November 2012

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and ficolin are complexed with MBL-associated serine proteases, key enzymes of complement activation via the lectin pathway, and act as soluble pattern recognition molecules in the innate immune system. Although numerous reports have revealed the importance of MBL in infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders, the role of ficolin is still unclear. To define the specific role of ficolin in vivo, we generated model mice deficient in ficolins. The ficolin A (FcnA)–deficient (Fcna−/−) and FcnA/ficolin B double-deficient (Fcna−/−b−/−) mice lacked FcnA-mediated complement activation in the sera, because of the absence of complexes comprising FcnA and MBL-associated serine proteases. When the host defense was evaluated by transnasal infection with a Streptococcus pneumoniae strain, which was recognized by ficolins, but not by MBLs, the survival rate was significantly reduced in all three ficolin-deficient (Fcna−/−, Fcnb−/−, and Fcna−/−b−/−) mice compared with wild-type mice. Reconstitution of the FcnA-mediated lectin pathway in vivo improved survival rate in Fcna−/− but not in Fcna−/−b−/− mice, suggesting that both FcnA and ficolin B are essential in defense against S. pneumoniae. These results suggest that ficolins play a crucial role in innate immunity against pneumococcal infection through the lectin complement pathway.
Serum-Derived Plasminogen Is Activated by Apoptotic Cells and Promotes Their Phagocytic Clearance
Authors: Rosenwald Matthias , Koppe Uwe , Keppeler Hildegard , Sauer Guido , Hennel Roman , Ernst Anne , Blume Karin Erika , Peter Christoph , Herrmann Martin , Belka Claus , Schulze-Osthoff Klaus , Wesselborg Sebastian , Lauber Kirsten
Published: November 2012

The elimination of apoptotic cells, called efferocytosis, is fundamentally important for tissue homeostasis and prevents the onset of inflammation and autoimmunity. Serum proteins are known to assist in this complex process. In the current study, we performed a multistep chromatographic fractionation of human serum and identified plasminogen, a protein involved in fibrinolysis, wound healing, and tissue remodeling, as a novel serum-derived factor promoting apoptotic cell removal. Even at levels significantly lower than its serum concentration, purified plasminogen strongly enhanced apoptotic prey cell internalization by macrophages. Plasminogen acted mainly on prey cells, whereas on macrophages no enhancement of the engulfment process was observed. We further demonstrate that the efferocytosis-promoting activity essentially required the proteolytic activation of plasminogen and was completely abrogated by the urokinase plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and serine protease inhibitor aprotinin. Thus, our study assigns a new function to plasminogen and plasmin in apoptotic cell clearance.