bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisitando as Décadas da Ásia: Algumas observações sobre o projecto historiográfico de João de Barros
Authors: Loureiro Rui Manuel
Published: June 2018

João de Barros trabalhou durante muitos anos na Casa da Índia, em Lisboa, o centro estratégico do império marítimo português. Aí recolheu informações valiosas sobre os mundos não-europeus, de capitães, soldados, pilotos, marinheiros, mercadores e missionários que regressavam a Portugal depois de um período mais ou menos longo de serviço ultramarino. Sendo também um humanista consumado, concebeu o projecto de escrever uma história global da expansão marítima portuguesa. Mas, sobrecarregado com os seus deveres oficiais, só conseguiu produzir a parte asiática de um vasto trabalho que deveria incluir também secções sobre a África e o Brasil. As suas primeiras três Décadas da Ásia foram publicadas em Lisboa entre 1552 e 1563, enquanto a Quarta Década permaneceu em manuscrito até 1615, ano em que foi impressa em Madrid, editada pelo cosmógrafo João Baptista Lavanha. Barros nunca visitou a Ásia, mas mesmo assim conseguiu reunir uma larga diversidade de materiais sobre seus interesses. Assim, as suas Décadas da Ásia incluíam não apenas um relato das acções militares e políticas dos portugueses, mas também informadas descrições da geografia e da história oriental. Barros, para além de entrevistar homens com experiência do terreno e coleccionar relatórios escritos em português, conseguiu também obter manuscritos orientais, que traduziu com auxílio de colaboradores vários vindos da Ásia.
« Y los que de Manila van a Nueva España dizen que van de la China a Castilla », les enjeux des voies océaniques du Pacifique et du Galion de Manille
Authors: Tempère Delphine
Published: June 2018

À la fin du XVe siècle, le monde connaît une période de profonde mutation : le désenclavement planétaire s’amorce. Les océans dans ce processus d’expansion à travers le monde jouent un rôle fondamental et notamment le Pacifique. La maîtrise de ces espaces, jadis considérés comme des barrières infranchissables, permet alors à l’Europe de se lancer dans un processus d’expansion mondiale jamais égalé auparavant. Pour les Castillans, à l’époque moderne, quelle place occupe l’océan Pacifique dans leurs réseaux de communications ? Quels sont les enjeux planétaires qui se jouent dans cette partie du monde ? L’importance du processus de découverte et de maîtrise des voies océaniques du Pacifique au XVIe siècle, l’itinéraire que suit le Galion de Manille à l’aller et au retour, et enfin le parcours des missionnaires qui traversent le Pacifique pour activer les missions d’évangélisation aux Philippines et en Chine, illustrent dans cet article la dimension planétaire de cette voie de communication maritime.
Peticiones contra el “breve de la alternativa” o el rechazo de la hibridación clerical en Filipinas (siglo XVII)
Authors: García-Garrido Manuela Águeda
Published: June 2018

La alternativa es el nombre que recibió la polémica cuestión relativa a las elecciones de todos los oficios religiosos en las provincias de América y Filipinas, durante los siglos XVI y XVII. La oposición a la alternativa de oficios entre frailes agustinos criollos y españoles llegó a ser una de las estrategias más usadas por la Iglesia española para impedir la hibridación del clero en Filipinas. En el presente trabajo, nos acercaremos a los actores de tal oposición en el seno de la orden de San Agustín; estudiaremos los medios empleados para ello y cuestionaremos las fallas del sistema al que dio lugar la dicha alternativa hasta que, en 1634, el papa Urbano VIII expidiera un breve censurando las pretensiones del clero filipino.
Prêts volontaires, emprunts forcés et impôt universel. La Junta grande et les aléas de la négociation au lendemain de la signature du premier servicio de los ocho Millones
Authors: André Sylvain
Published: June 2018

Dans cet article, nous retraçons les mois qui suivirent la signature du premier service dit « de los ocho Millones ». Devant l’urgence de réunir des liquidités que le service ne permettrait pas d’obtenir dans des délais satisfaisants, Philippe II décida de créer une Junta dont la finalité fut la recherche de solutions financières viables et susceptibles d’être rapidement mises en œuvre. Les négociations et les compromis qu’à la cour donnèrent lieu les travaux de ce dispositif ad hoc offrent un point de vue original et novateur sur l’usage que prétendait faire le monarque des juntas de gouvernement et sur les choix que ces organes permettaient d’opérer. Tâchant à la fois d’être force de proposition et exécutrice des décisions souveraines, la Junta Grande et les sous-commissions qui la composaient contribuèrent au renouvellement des formes du conseil à l’œuvre à la fin du XVIe siècle.
Ordoño Sisnández, autor de la Historia legionensis (versión revisada y aumentada)
Authors: Martin Georges
Published: June 2018

Se defiende aquí la hipótesis de que Ordoño Sisnández, canónigo de San Isidoro de León en la primera mitad del siglo XII, fue hijo de Sisnando Davídiz, cónsul de Coimbra entre 1064 y 1091, y autor de la Historia legionensis. Dicha hipótesis descansa sobre ocho indicios. Cuatro de ellos se hallan en el texto de la obra: el doble interés territorial que manifiesta el autor por Coimbra y por León –más concretamente por la iglesia de San Isidoro–; la evocación altamente elogiosa –única tocante a un magnate– que hace en ella del cónsul don Sisnando; el arraigo de dicha evocación en un saber de origen conimbricense; la sibilina mención que hace de su padre para autorizar una apreciación histórica de Almanzor que podía desconcertar a sus lectores u oyentes. Los cuatro indicios restantes están en la documentación: la existencia de un hijo natural del cónsul don Sisnando ; la presencia en San Isidoro de León, lugar donde en mi opinión se compuso la Historia, de un tal Ordoño Sisnández cuyo patronímico y cuya fecha de muerte (1150) pueden autorizar la idea de que fuera ese mismo hijo del cónsul de Coimbra; la enigmática preeminencia de la que gozó dicho personaje entre las comunidades canonicales a las que perteneció pese a que no disfrutara de ninguna dignidad eclesiástica; las confirmaciones que hizo bajo su solo nombre entre próceres de la más alta nobleza.
Blended Learning With a Virtual Mentoring Community
Authors: Gotian Ruth
Published: June 2018

Mentoring, the tutelage of one person by a more experienced one, is well documented to have a multitude of benefits. Mentoring, which can be traced back to Greek mythology and beyond, has seen its format evolve, especially with the advancement of technology. Traditional models of mentoring include in-person mentoring or more recently, online mentoring. For some underrepresented groups, mentors provide models for success. In 2014, capitalizing on technological advancements and the need for in-person dialogue with a larger constituency, Weill Cornell Medicine launched a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) blended learning curriculum during its summer program that prepares undergraduates for careers as physician-scientists. This initiative fuses the positive aspects of in-person mentoring along with the opportunities provided by virtual mentoring by a larger group of peer mentors. Blended learning, together with in-person and virtual mentoring, offers a newly charted multi-dimensional approach to fulfilling academic and career goals during a STEM summer program.
A Review of Transnational Higher Education
Authors: Branch John David
Published: June 2018

The internationalization of higher education is as old as the university itself. Recently, however, there has been a growing interest in transnational higher education, a specific form of internationalization that considers education as a product which can be packaged and sold abroad. The purpose of this chapter is to review the phenomenon of transnational higher education. More specifically, it aims to 1) define transnational higher education, situating it within globalization and the internationalization of higher education, 2) enumerate the various perspectives on transnational higher education, and 3) provide guidelines for the appropriate conduct of transnational higher education.
CSR and PSR Diversity Engagement Among Ethnic Minority Businesses (EMBs) Within the UK
Authors: Brown Carlton
Published: June 2018

This chapter attempts to comprehend the complexity, nuances, and inherent challenges that exist amongst corporate social responsibility (CSR) and purchasing social responsibility (PSR) in the public and private sectors, within the context of ethnic minority businesses (EMBs) in the UK. As noted by Carter and Jennings and the Institute of Supply Chain Management, there is now a need to discuss ethnic minority businesses in the same context as human rights as there are such inequalities in both fields.
Corporate Social Responsibility as a Strategy in a Self-Service Shop S-Mart
Authors: Vargas-Hernández José G. , Polo-Navarro César Alejandro
Published: June 2018

The objective of this chapter is to make known the importance of the use of these practices in Mexican companies, the benefits they have in the community where they are implemented. The method used is the method in a descriptive way through the periodic notes of the regional self-service company S-Mart. The method is based on analysis of the literature review. The main conclusion is that the company seeks to compete against the large self-service companies through CSR trying to fulfill its mission as a company. It is also concluded that corporate social responsibility affects the social responsibility of the consumer to the extent that circumstances permit, positively or negatively.
Practical Relevance of Management Research
Authors: Moshonsky Madora , Serenko Alexander , Bontis Nick
Published: June 2018

Recently, a number of academics and practitioners have questioned the relevance and practical impact of management research. This study, based on an analysis of interviews with 20 doctoral program graduates, demonstrates that such claims are not fully warranted. Instead, academic research reaches practitioners because graduates of doctoral business programs act as knowledge-transfer intermediaries that aggregate, summarize, communicate, and implement findings reported in academic publications. Demand for evidence-based knowledge in the practitioner's environment determines his or her probability of applying academic knowledge. However, not all academic knowledge is perceived as useful by practitioners, and limited access to academic literature is a major impediment to the application of scholarly findings in practice. The practitioners' connection with academia after graduation influences their probability of using academic literature. Academic journals also have the potential to disseminate scholarly knowledge beyond the academic world.
A Business-Driven Process Model for Knowledge Security Risk Management
Authors: Ilvonen Ilona , Jussila Jari , Kärkkäinen Hannu
Published: June 2018

This chapter introduces a model to manage knowledge security risks in organizations. Knowledge security risk management is a process that should always be done in connection with the business benefits assessment and realization. The process model presented helps to identify knowledge security risks and provides a comprehensive approach to evaluating and balancing the costs and benefits of knowledge sharing and knowledge risk management and is discussed in light of the benefits realization process. The process model can be a valuable tool for practitioners aiming to develop knowledge sharing practices in companies, and at the same time need to consider the security of knowledge. It is also a communication tool for managers to identify possible risk sources and sources for business benefits, and as such works as a translation tool in many business contexts.
A Collaborative Active Learning Model as a Vehicle for Online Team Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Han Soo Jeoung , Lim Doo Hun , Jung Eulho
Published: June 2018

As more higher education faculty use team-based assignments in online courses across a wide range of university disciplines, research on team learning as one of the pedagogical approaches in higher education has become more relevant. The authors reviewed active learning as a type of instructional method for team members' satisfaction and active engagement in their learning processes. Therefore, this chapter explores team learning as an effective online learning model that also facilitates effective use of learning management systems (LMS). Additionally, the chapter examines essential strategies to work and learn as a successful team in an online setting. With the intent of supporting faculty and practitioners of higher education who adopt an online team learning method, the authors propose an active learning model for online team learning and specific guidelines to utilize the model.
The Role of Librarians in Blended Courses
Authors: Farmer Lesley S. J.
Published: June 2018

This chapter investigates the intersection of instructional design and implementation, blended learning, ICT literacy, and academic librarians within higher education. Using the TPACK, pedagogy 2.0, and community of inquiry models, the chapter explains how librarians can help academic instructors design blended courses that effectively address physical and intellectual access to a wide variety of resources, especially digital materials, in order to optimize student learning.
Teaching First Aid, CPR, and AED Using Blended Learning in Academic Settings
Authors: Rotich Jerono P. , Elliott Gloria
Published: June 2018

Due to the increase of accidents, incidences, and unexpected emergencies, knowledge of first aid, CPR, and AED skills is critical. It can make the difference between life and death and between complete recovery and permanent disability. Although numerous agencies such as the American Red Cross, American Safety and Health and Institute (ASHI), American Heart Association (AHA), and other organizations have trained millions of individuals in first aid, CPR, and AED, there is still a need to train more people especially the college age population. This chapter examines the need and impact of teaching first aid, CPR, and AED through blended learning in a college or university setting. Benefits of blended and online courses as well as strategies for setting up and teaching a blended learning course are provided.
Impact of Online Learning in K-12
Authors: Ward-Jackson Jerri , Yu Chien
Published: June 2018

Online learning capabilities in K-12 education have changed tremendously in the past years and are continually evolving in the traditional classrooms. The overall growth in the total number of high school students currently taking online distance learning courses as well as the importance of distance learning as a solution to educational challenges has increased the need to study more closely the factors that contribute to distance learning outcomes and success rates in K-12. Therefore, the challenge that emerges for educators, researchers, scholars, and advocates for students is to carefully and effectively join the growth and power of K-12 online learning for the benefit of the students involved. This chapter provides an overview of factors that contribute to learning outcomes and success rates for K-12 distance education. Some of the challenges, issues, and considerations affecting implementation of K-12 online education are discussed.
Social Value and Sociological Perspective on Social Entrepreneurship
Authors: Yilmaz Abdullah , Yilmaz Hande Ulukapi
Published: June 2018

The needs of communities are endless and unlimited like the needs of individuals. Societies have to meet their reasonable set of unlimited needs to sustain their continuity. Otherwise, social problems become unsolvable and these problems that become unsolvable can be sources of other problems. In this sense, social enterprises are the institutions that have emerged in order to meet the needs of the society and to solve the problems. The close relation of social enterprises with society and social structure and the “social” expression in the concept make it necessary to look at social entrepreneurship from a sociological perspective. In this direction, the aim of this chapter is intended to create a sociological perspective on social entrepreneurship that aims to contribute to social order and welfare rather than commercial entrepreneurship serving the purpose of individual or organizational interest in economic sense. In the context of sociological perspective, social problem, social benefit, social mission and vision, social value, social capital, and finally, social change and transformation concepts and their relation with social entrepreneurship are examined.
Optimizing Channel Utilization for Wireless Broadcast Databases
Authors: Borgy Waluyo Agustinus
Published: June 2018

A very large number of broadcast items affect the access time of mobile clients to retrieve data item of interest. This is due to high waiting time for mobile clients to find the desired data item over wireless channel. In this chapter, the authors propose a method to optimize query access time and hence minimize power consumption. The proposed method is divided into two stages: (1) The authors present analytical models and utilize the analytical models for both query access time over broadcast channel and on-demand channel; (2) they present a global index, an indexing scheme designed to assist data dissemination over multi broadcast channel. Several factors are taken into account, which include request arrival rate, service rate, number of request, size of data item, size of request, number of data item to retrieve, and bandwidth. Simulation models are developed to find out the performance of the analytical model. Finally, the authors compare the performance of the proposed method against the conventional approach.
The Acceptance Process of the Internet of Things
Authors: Attié Elodie , Meyer-Waarden Lars
Published: June 2018

The internet of things, or the IoT, is progressively and surely invading environments, and is consequently creating new kinds of consumer needs and behaviors. More and more companies are getting involved in this growing field, showing the importance for them to understand this technology market. This chapter aims at studying the acceptance process of the IoT. More specifically, the main factors that influence consumer decisions to accept and use the IoT and smart objects have been tested, such as the ethical, wellbeing, social, and utility values. The importance of each benefit is demonstrated, according to specific targets and to examples of applications. A system of values that represents the promises of the IoT and the central needs of users is also described. Besides, a typology of users should help companies creating or refining targeting strategies and should guide consumers into their acceptance process. Finally, further research directions are discussed.
IoT Digital Service Provider
Authors: Pinto Filipe Cabral , Borges Isabel , Santiago Fernando
Published: June 2018

Digitalization is changing the way people live and interact. A new society has been built supported by cutting-edge technology changing even the most conservative habits. This new dynamic also changes the way people consume and relate to different brands. Communication service providers are evolving their business and taking digital transformation initiatives to engage customers by putting them at the center of their operations. But only the deep knowledge of customers guarantees a change with value. The advent of the IoT enables getting useful insights about people context facilitating the delivery of personalized offers and first-class experiences all over the journey. New business can be created in an endless market across different domains. However, the IoT value chain is complex and interactions between stakeholders are not always clear. This chapter presents the on-boarding of the IoT on the service provider actuation sphere.
An Overview of Main IoT Trends Applied to Business and Marketing
Authors: Remondes Jorge , Afonso Carolina
Published: June 2018

Currently there are more devices connected to internet than people in the world and industrial sensors and robots are also increasing. Not only organizations but also individuals are obtaining data from internet of things (IoT) devices and automating them. The aim of this chapter is to investigate and analyze this context and to identify the main trends of IoT for business and management, as well as potential organizational marketing strategies. Based on the literature review, six business trends in the IoT era are identified: personalization, interaction, integration, analytics, monitoring, and protection. These trends have implications to consider not only in future organizational marketing strategies but also in the present.
Gratitude and Happiness in Adolescents
Authors: Gottlieb Rachel , Froh Jeffrey
Published: June 2018

Gratitude is important for social and emotional health. Research suggests that there is a relation between experiencing and expressing gratitude and happiness. The aim of this chapter is to review current research regarding gratitude development and happiness, adolescent gratitude development, and to discuss future recommendations. This chapter also discusses a study examining adolescent perspectives on the meaning of being thankful. To obtain adolescent perspectives on the meaning of being thankful, adolescents (N = 1,098) wrote essays describing what being thankful meant to them. Thematic analysis was used to identify and analyze themes within the essays. Percentiles were calculated for the most recurrent themes across essays (Appreciation = 54.07%, Family = 31.42%, Positive Emotions = 28.81%, Assistance/Support from Others = 25.99%, Friendship = 21.18%, and Downward Comparison = 16.60%). Understanding gratitude development in adolescents can aid in creating effective interventions, potentially increasing adolescent well-being and happiness.
Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Watkins Philip Charles , McLaughlin Trese , Parker Jhenifa P.
Published: June 2018

In this chapter we review the good of gratitude and recommend various methods for cultivating this human strength. First, we show how gratitude is indeed good. We show how gratitude is important to flourishing and happiness. Gratitude is strongly correlated with various measures of well-being, and experimental studies suggest that gratitude actually causes increases in happiness. If gratitude is good, then it behooves us to investigate how the disposition of gratitude can be enhanced. We suggest that grateful responding can be enhanced by training in noticing the good in one's life, and by encouraging interpretations and appraisals that have been found to promote gratitude. We then present a discussion of unresolved issues in the science of gratitude. This is followed by a discussion of who might benefit most from gratitude. We conclude with a summary of the cultivation of gratitude. Research strongly supports the idea that the cultivation of gratitude should result in a harvest of happiness, but cultivating gratitude is not likely to be an easy process.
A Happier Balance
Authors: Tomasulo Daniel J.
Published: June 2018

This chapter describes how intentional well-being interventions integrate the development of character strengths and activation of positive emotional resources while reducing risks and alleviating symptoms of depression and poor health. The emergence of these interventions reaches back nearly half a century and each layer of development has led to a more robust platform for implementing these approaches. Now, based on the evidence-based principles of positive psychology, these positive interventions help to cultivate hope through a more balanced approach to well-being than traditional deficit-oriented methods of psychotherapy. This chapter looks at the history of development of these interventions and their likely next phase of development.
Mature Happiness and Global Wellbeing in Difficult Times
Authors: Wong Paul T. P. , Bowers Victoria
Published: June 2018

The starting point in the wellbeing research of this chapter is that life is full of suffering, just as the living environment is full of bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Therefore, a realistic strategy to research sustainable happiness needs to include at least two components: (1) the capacity to overcome or live with suffering and stress, as measured by a comprehensive misery index, and (2) the process to achieve mature happiness and flourishing despite the dark side of human existence. This two-pronged approach is based on the second wave of positive psychology (PP 2.0). At the broadest level, wellbeing research needs to be situated in the context of universal human suffering, while a middle level of theorizing needs to specify the special circumstances and people. Furthermore, a complete theory needs to integrate the best evidence and wisdom from both the East and West. Mature or noetic happiness is characterized by a sense of acceptance, inner serenity, harmony, contentment, and being at peace with oneself, others, and the world.
Constructing Happiness
Authors: Simon Richi
Published: June 2018

Every living being longs for happiness, a life at peace with little of negative emotions and disturbances. This chapter tries to establish constructive living, meaning making and client systems as constructs of happiness. Everybody visualizes the world differently. Thoughts, experiences, feelings and actions define and design lives. They describe the version one holds for the world around them. In times of distress, it is natural that one finds it hard to understand truth. The meaning making process then differs from the way one derives meaning in normal life. Intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental factors all determine the client's system. An understanding of the client system and using constructive living, a method involving Morita and Naikan,the two most notable psychotherapies of Japan, can help in constructing happiness. This chapter will explore the role of meaning making, constructive living and client systems in being happy. The study will also put forward suggestions for attaining a happy and contented life.
Customer Experiential Knowledge's Contribution to Innovation Management
Authors: Jaziri Dhouha
Published: June 2018

Many researchers have explored the knowledge management theory. However, to the author's knowledge few were interested in the tacit knowledge construct, whether it is gained inside or outside the organization. This chapter has a challenge to analyze in-depth the embedded knowledge gained from the customer, especially as it sheds light on the role of customer experiential knowledge by defining the customer experiential knowledge. It follows an emphasis on the customer experience and its close relationships with innovation management. Hence, a thorough theoretical background is presented progressively in order to define a new organizational competence labeled CEKMC. The first part presents an overview of the knowledge status, fundamental knowledge views, the evolutionary theory to the tacit knowledge construct. The second part stresses the definition of customer tacit knowledge related to customer experience. Finally, the conclusion defines a new organizational competence relative to this knowledge while discussing its contribution, especially to the experiential innovation type.
Organizational Intelligence
Authors: Fernandes da Anunciação Pedro , Peñalver Antonio Juan Briones
Published: June 2018

In the present context, the term intelligence has marked the economic and social fields. The increase in computational power of the technologies, associated with the activities of the people and organizations, economic know-how development needs of the market, the imperative of participation in economic dynamics established, among other things, is critical to the survival and for the sustainability of organizations. This is the dimension of competitive intelligence. But the term intelligence is not limited only to the external side of organizations, where this concept has gained broad meaning. This should also encompass the internal domain of organizations, organizational intelligence, and in this sense, refers to the centrality of functioning, flexibility of the articulation of resources, the indispensability of the systems architecture, and to the management insight. The ability to see important issues in the chain of value is crucial to identify the most important factors for success, to anticipate the competition, and to have pro-active management instead of reacting to market pressures.
U.InovAcelerator
Authors: Goncalves Fábio , Pinto Maria Manuela Gomes de Azevedo , Xavier Alexandra
Published: June 2018

Following the reflection around the emergence of “research university” in the context of the slow but progressive increase in value of science and technology and research and development in Portugal, a study applied to the knowledge transfer and the process of innovation in the university, in the context of a master dissertation in information science (IS), study area of information management, is presented. The university is one of the most important institutions in the context of the national innovation system (SNI), being part of its mission the creation and transfer of knowledge. At the University of Porto (U.Porto), projects, such as the University of Porto Innovation unit (U.Porto Inovação) and the Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto (UPTEC) seek to support the university's innovation value chain, promoting the reinforcement and solidification of knowledge transfer and of the relations between the university and companies, as well as the promotion and support to the creation of companies with a technological, scientific, and creative base, and the attraction of numerous innovation centers of national and international companies. This chapter points out an informational perspective on I&D+i (research and development and innovation) and entrepreneurship, based on the systemic theory and the quadripolar method, as theoretical and methodological guidance tools, and an information management/knowledge management approach of innovation models for the knowledge economy, the national and international referents, and corresponding set of indicators. An exploratory study, which allowed the identification of internal and external agents, the resources, the relations between actors and institutions, the processes and flows, and the main inputs and outputs, is presented. The most relevant result is embodied in a model of innovation indicators in an academic context and applied to the University of Porto.
Teacher-Centred Delivery Approach in Uganda's Secondary School Education and Empowering Learners With Higher Order Skills
Authors: Kakongoro Dorothy Businge Kabugo
Published: June 2018

This chapter analyses the extent to which the teacher-centred delivery approach has influenced the quality of learning in private secondary school education in Uganda. Theories applied are: The Stimulus-Response (S-R) Learning theory, the Social Learning theory and the Transmission model. A Self-administered questionnaire, Focus Group discussion and interview guides were used to collect data. Discussion of the chapter centered on how the teacher's roles inside the classroom result into attainment of problem solving skills, interpersonal skills and preparing the learner for occupation. Findings showed that, to equip learners with higher order skills, teachers demonstrated all the five roles. However, effective use of this approach was encumbered by a number of limitations that recommendations are provided. Key among these is incorporating a number of activities to inter-marry the philosophies of the teacher-centred and the student-centred approaches in secondary school education.
Towards a Framework for Lifelong E-Learning and Employability
Authors: Martínez-Cerdá Juan-Francisco , Torrent-Sellens Joan
Published: June 2018

This chapter presents and introduces several key concepts related to lifelong e-learning as a way for employability from the point of view of the socio-technical approach. Current employability needs and continuous training via new information and communication technologies bring an opportunity for a fresh proposal in this research area. Starting with the human capital approach, and several issues related to a socio-technical lifelong e-learning, we introduce the need of a new conceptual framework for improving the employability of workers and global citizens, which is based on relationships between people and technologies.
Teaching Executive Functions
Authors: Owens Angela , Garcia Bernice
Published: June 2018

Neuroscientists have identified Executive Functions (EF) as the skills and processes persons use to engage in purposeful, goal-directed, and future-oriented behaviors. This chapter will consider the correlation between new research about executive functions and implications for educators in nursery, primary, secondary and post-secondary school settings. The first part of the chapter will provide a synthesis of what EF are and how research about the brain is useful for educators. The second part of the chapter will provide recommendations for educators provided in Boosting Executive Skills in the Classroom: A Practical Guide for Educators as well as other resources available for educators intending to improve EF skills in developing children, preparing them for greater success in college and in the workforce.
A New MapReduce Approach with Dynamic Fuzzy Inference for Big Data Classification Problems
Authors: Jin Shangzhu , Peng Jun , Xie Dong
Published: June 2018

Currently, big data and its applications have become one of the emergent topics. In practice, MapReduce framework and its different extensions are the most popular approaches for big data. Fuzzy system based models stand out for many applications. However, when a given observation has no overlap with antecedent values, no rule can be invoked in classical fuzzy inference can also appear in big data environment, and therefore no consequence can be derived. Fortunately, fuzzy rule interpolation techniques can support inference in such cases. Combining traditional fuzzy reasoning technique and fuzzy interpolation method may promote the accuracy of inference conclusion. Therefore, in this article, an initial investigation into the framework of MapReduce with dynamic fuzzy inference/interpolation for big data applications (BigData-DFRI) is reported. The results of an experimental investigation of this method are represented, demonstrating the potential and efficacy of the proposed approach.
ERP Systems and Accounting
Authors: Sardo Filipe , Alves Maria-Céu
Published: June 2018

Over the last decade, scientific literature has given more attention to enterprise resource planning system in the accounting context. In that sense, the authors perform a systematic literature review in order to map and assess the intellectual territory based on scientific publications from 2000 to 2018, in ISI Web of Science and Scopus database. Based on grounded-theory methodology approach, they performed a content analysis to develop their ERP-Accounting information interface literature framework. The results confirm that it is a recent and growing field of study. Five main groups were identified as well as the main authors and journals, such as International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management, Journal of Accounting and Organizational Change, Management Accounting Research, Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, International Journal of Accounting and Information Management, and Industrial Management and Data Systems. Mainstream and interpretative research approach are the main paradigms when studying ERP and accounting information relationship. The authors also identified recent key areas that may indicate tendencies towards future studies and which allows researchers to strategically focus their research.
ERP System Adoption Analysis Using TOE Framework in Permata Hijau Group (PHG) Medan
Authors: Catherine Catherine , Abdurachman Edi
Published: June 2018

In this research, employee adoption intention is important consideration of successful ERP system implementation. The purpose of this research is to identify the important factors in Technology-Organization-Environment framework that affect ERP system adoption's intention. Online survey data were collected from 175 employees with active status from each department who had used ERP in PHG, Indonesia. The research data was collected through simple random sampling method and applying SEM in AMOS 24. The results of this article proves that technology readiness, organization size, and external support significantly influence ERP system adoption intention. Compatibility, relative advantage, complexity, top management support, business operation, and competition pressure have no significant influence on ERP system adoption intention. Thus, it can be concluded that ERP system adoption's intention is important to enhance corporate competitive advantage. Adopted ERP system can be developed continuously by involving employees to achieve information technology and business strategy within company.
The International Status of Migrant Workers
Authors: Christopher Elizabeth
Published: June 2018

April 2018 marked the 50th anniversary month in the UK of Enoch Powell's “rivers of blood” speech, widely condemned for its anti-immigrant, racist rhetoric. Time has shown how wrong Powell was; and over the decades Britain has become more, not less, tolerant. The concept of workforce diversity has gained enormous support, due in part to international politics of economic competition, technological progress, increasing emphasis on the importance of human rights; and immigration. The article discusses answers to the question: in the face of this consensus, why are xenophobic arguments (communicated worldwide through mass media) increasingly allowed to foster global climates of fear of, and resistance to, immigrant labour? Answers seem to lie in political and social pressures on governments that constrain them to discriminate against migrants and refugees seeking immigration. Reasons for this are discussed and - since consensus is so strong on the benefits of workforce diversity - possible remedies are suggested.
The Essential Role of Double-Stranded RNA–Dependent Antiviral Signaling in the Degradation of Nonself Single-Stranded RNA in Nonimmune Cells
Authors: Kimura Sayaka , Matsumiya Tomoh , Shiba Yuko , Nakanishi Michi , Hayakari Ryo , Kawaguchi Shogo , Yoshida Hidemi , Imaizumi Tadaatsu
Published: June 2018

The recognition of nonself dsRNA by retinoic acid–inducible gene-I (RIG-I) leads to the engagement of RIG-I–like receptor signaling. In addition, nonself dsRNA triggers a robust latent RNase (RNase L) activation and leads to the degradation of ribosomal structures and cell death. In contrast, nonself ssRNA is known to be recognized by TLR 7/8 in immune cells such as plasmacytoid dendritic cells and B cells, but little is known regarding the involvement of nonself ssRNA in antiviral signaling in nonimmune cells, including epithelial cells. Moreover, the fate of intracellular nonself ssRNA remains unknown. To address this issue, we developed a quantitative RT-PCR–based approach that monitors the kinetics of nonself ssRNA cleavage following the transfection of HeLa human cervical carcinoma cells, using model nonself ssRNA. We discovered that the degradation of ssRNA is independent of RIG-I and type I IFN signaling because ssRNA did not trigger RIG-I–mediated antiviral signaling. We also found that the kinetics of self (5′-capped) and nonself ssRNA decay were unaltered, suggesting that nonself ssRNA is not recognized by nonimmune cells. We further demonstrated that the cleavage of nonself ssRNA is accelerated when nonself dsRNA is also introduced into cells. In addition, the cleavage of nonself ssRNA is completely abolished by knockdown of RNase L. Overall, our data demonstrate the important role of dsRNA–RNase L in nonself ssRNA degradation and may partly explain the positive regulation of the antiviral responses in nonimmune cells.
The predatory behaviour of Monopelopia tenuicalcar (Kieffer, 1918) larvae in a laboratory experiment
Authors: Syrovátka Vit
Published: June 2018

Larvae of the subfamily Tanypodinae are in general regarded as predators. Actual predation has been observed directly in only a few Tanypodinae species, but their behaviour and mouthpart morphology suggest that all Tanypodinae ingest food in the same way and thus are all predators. This view is reflected in most autecological databases. There remains uncertainty for some species, most notably for Monopelopia tenuicalcar (Kieffer 1918). The uncertainty stems from the lack of direct observations, while gut content analysis points to non-animal food sources. A laboratory experiment was carried out in which larvae of Corynoneura sp. were offered to M. tenuicalcar in a set of Petri dishes. All predator and prey larvae were collected from the same locality, where they were the most abundant members of early spring littoral community. M. tenuicalcar showed clear predatory behaviour. In most cases (84 out of 86) the predator larva pierced the larva of Corynoneura and sucked its inner body content instead of engulfing it. Only in two cases did the predator engulf the whole victim. In all cases the seizing and processing of the prey was the same, with the ingestion of the food carried out by strong sucking. Obviously, if the chitinous structures of the prey fit the mouth opening of the predator, it was engulfed completely, otherwise the prey larva’s internal contents were just sucked out. A video of the exceptional case of engulfing the whole prey is available at https://youtu.be/o6-8dA1XDy0. The strategy of sucking out prey may explain why body remnants like head capsules or claws of prey have not been found in the guts of Monopelopia larvae. Instead, the guts of Monopelopia larvae that pierced Corynoneura were green as they were full of algae “stolen” from the intestines of the grazing victims. Piercing and sucking out prey by Tanypodinae may be more common than has been expected before. Due to this, gut content analysis seems to be unreliable for the determination of feeding strategy in Tanypodinae.
Investigating retention and workplace implementation of board game learning in employee development
Authors: Wait Marius , Frazer Mariette
Published: June 2018

Orientation: Business simulation games for the development of learners take many forms, such as video games and computer games, and are popular choices in academia. The board game, however, is an underutilised educational tool in the development of employees.Research purpose: The retention of board game learning long after the intervention, and the workplace implementation of the decisions it has involved, is an area neglected by academia.Motivation for the study: This study wanted to determine if board games are an effective teaching tool by investigating retention and workplace learning of board games.Research design, approach and method: This qualitative study used descriptive interpretation and deductive content analysis based on two group interviews conducted 1 year after the board game was played.Main finding: This study showed that the participants retained and implemented the learning long after the board game intervention. It is a practical, interactive way to encourage teamwork and allows participants to learn and implement decisions.Practical and managerial implications: Company executives should consider board games as an alternative to traditional educational methods of developing employees.Contribution or value-add: This study showed overwhelmingly that employees still remember the board game 1 year after the intervention and implemented some of its learning in the workplace.
Green supply chain management in small and medium enterprises: Further empirical thoughts from South Africa
Authors: Epoh Louis R. , Mafini Chengedzai
Published: June 2018

Background: For South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to gain and maintain competitive advantages and succeed, they have to change their practices and adapt their strategies to the dynamic environment of today. A better understanding and application of green supply chain management practices by SMEs could enable such enterprises to improve their performance and succeed in their operations.Objectives: This study aimed to analyse the relationship between green supply chain management, environmental performance and supply chain performance in South African SMEs.Method: A conceptual model was proposed and subjected to empirical verification using data collected from SMEs based in Gauteng province. The structural equation modelling procedure was used to test hypotheses in the proposed relationships in SMEs within different industries.Results: The results of the study indicated mixed outcomes. No relationships were found between environmental performance and two green supply chain dimensions, namely green purchasing and eco-design. However, the remaining dimensions of green supply chain management, namely reverse logistics and legislation and regulation, positively and significantly predicted environmental performance. In turn, environmental performance positively and significantly predicted supply chain performance.Conclusion: Integrating green supply chain management practices, especially reverse logistics and adherence to legislation and regulation into the SME business strategy, leads to the improvement of environmental and overall supply chain performance.
An unusual cause of respiratory distress
Authors: Rajagopala S , Selvam N
Published: June 2018

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia is a rare alveolar-filling disorder characterized by foreign body reaction to inhaled/aspirated hydrocarbon that may be vegetable oil, animal fat, or mineral oil. It is vanishingly rare and often missed except in the classical clinical settings of acute aspiration of petroleum products. We present a toddler with iatrogenic exogenous lipoid pneumonia and highlight clinical and radiological clues that can prompt early recognition of this entity.
Positron emission tomography-computed tomography for inguinal nodes in vulvar cancer
Authors: Oldan Jorge , Sullivan Stephanie
Published: June 2018

We aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) for the spread of disease to inguinal lymph nodes in vulvar cancer. A retrospective review of vulvar cancer patients who underwent both inguinal nodal sampling and dissection as well as FDG PET-CT was performed, with 21 patients meeting criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of the FDG PET-CT imaging was performed using a combination of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). Using an SUVmaxcutoff of 4.5 or of two times the average liver uptake, we had a 100% sensitivity and 89% specificity for positive inguinal nodes. MTV and TLG did not add to sensitivity or specificity. We conclude that FDG PET-CT has good sensitivity for inguinal nodal spread in vulvar cancer, and either a quantitative or semiquantitative approach is effective.