bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing the Air Temperature Drop in Mediterranean Courtyards from Monitoring Campaigns
Authors: Rodríguez Jara Enrique , Sánchez de la Flor Francisco , Álvarez Domínguez Servando , Salmerón Lissén José , Rincón Casado Alejandro
Published: August 2017

As microclimate modifiers, courtyards may be a good passive strategy for enhancing thermal comfort and reducing the energy demands of buildings. Thus, it is necessary to be able to quantify their tempering effect in dominant summer climates. This is frequently done using calculation methods based on CFD, but these have the drawback of their high computational cost and complexity, so their use is limited to advanced users with a high level of knowledge. Thus, an alternative is required based on a simplified method that can explain and predict the air temperature drop in courtyards. This would be extremely useful for professionals looking for the optimal design of this kind of space through energy assessment programs integrating these methods. This study proposes a simplified method of characterization that aims to identify the functional dependencies of the decrease in air temperatures in courtyards, and so to predict the air temperature inside them from that outside, if available. From the results of several experimental campaigns, three variables have been identified that characterize the decrease in the air temperature in courtyards, all of which depend on the confinement factor of the courtyard. Finally, the proposed predictive method was validated by means of an additional monitoring campaign. The results show a good fit of the calculated values to the measured ones, R2 being equal to 0.98.
Amino Acid: Its Dual Role as Nutrient and Scavenger of Free Radicals in Soil
Authors: Datta Rahul , Baraniya Divyashri , Wang Yong-Feng , Kelkar Aditi , Meena Ram , Yadav Gulab , Teresa Ceccherini Maria , Formanek Pavel
Published: August 2017

Ascorbic acid is a bacteriostatic agent; one of the many ways by which ascorbic acid hampers bacterial growth is by the production of hydrogen peroxide, which further converts into hydroxyl free radicals. Certain amino acids can counteract the inhibitory effect of hydroxyl free radicals by checking their oxidizing effect. Though ascorbic acid is bacteriostatic in nature, it facilitates prokaryotic respiration by decarboxylation. This study was carried out to understand how microbes from different horizons of the forest soil respond to the addition of a bacteriostatic agent (ascorbic acid) and growth promoting agent (amino acids), with respect to the soil respiration. We observed that the addition of either ascorbic acid or a combination of it with amino acid consistently results in increased soil respiration, and this increase is different for different soil types depending on soil composition and origin. Furthermore, we also found that beta alanine-induced maximum respiration in basic soils and L-glutamic in acidic soils. This study is significant because it can be used to explain how a strong reducing sugar, i.e., ascorbic acid, affects the soil respiration mediated via soil microbes. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report that demonstrates the effect of bacteriostatic and the growth promoting agent together on microbe-mediated soil respiration.
Lights and Shadows of Business-Nonprofit Partnerships: The Role of Nonprofit Learning and Empowerment in this Ethical Puzzle
Authors: Sanzo María , Álvarez Luis , Rey Marta
Published: August 2017

Business-nonprofit partnerships have gained increased relevance in the context of the evolution of corporate social responsibility strategies and the existence of extremely complex societal and environmental challenges. However, these collaborations are also associated with important ethical concerns. Under such a scenario, this study attempts to shed light on the effects of high value-added partnerships—i.e., those characterized by a process of nonprofit empowerment—on two potential risks of business-nonprofit partnerships: co-optation and loss of personnel’s identification with the nonprofit’s social mission. Based on a two-step survey to a representative sample of Spanish nonprofits involved in social partnerships with firms, results reveal the existence of a mixed influence in both cases, positive and negative. Several implications for practitioners are drawn, specifically about how firms and nonprofits can reduce the negative ethical consequences of partnering.
Characterizing Factors Associated with Built-Up Land Expansion in Urban and Non-Urban Areas from a Morphological Perspective
Authors: Zhang Zhonghao , Xiao Rui , Yu Weixuan , Liu Yue , Lin Meng , Wang Meng
Published: August 2017

In this paper, built-up land expansion patterns and the associated factors were characterized in urban and non-urban areas across the Wen-Tai region of eastern China. Fractal dimension can be used as a reliable indicator of the complexity of built-up land form, and the increasing trend of fractal dimension indicated a more complex, dispersed pattern of built-up land in urban areas. Spatial regression models were quantitatively implemented to identify the indicators influencing the variation of fractal dimensions. Our findings suggested that the fractal dimension of built-up land forms was positively correlated to the patch density and elevation when built-up land expansion was more concentrated. Both landscape shape index and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) were positively correlated with fractal dimension in urban areas, and total edge, edge density, and connective index had impacts on fractal dimension in non-urban areas. Slope and agricultural population also showed an influence on fractal dimension. This study provided a new way for urban studies in interpreting the complex interactions between fractal dimension and related factors. The combined approach of fractal dimension and spatial analysis can provide the government planners with valuable information that can be efficiently used to realize the influences of land use policies in urban and non-urban areas.
Gate Antiphase of Potassium Channel
Authors: Ben-Abu Yuval
Published: August 2017

Potassium channels are integral membrane proteins that selectively transport K+ ions across cell membranes. They function through a pair of gates, which work in tandem to allow the passage of the ions through the channel pore in a coupled system, to which I refer to here as the “gate linker”. The functional mutation effects, as described in the literature, suggest that the gate linker functions analogously to a triad of coiled springs arranged in series. Accordingly, I constructed a physical model of harmonic oscillators and analyzed it mechanically and mathematically. The operation of this model indeed corresponds to the phenomena observed in the mutations study. The harmonic oscillator model shows that the strength of the gate linker is crucial for gate coupling and may account for the velocity, direction, and efficiency of ion transfer through the channel. Such a physical perspective of the gating process suggests new lines of investigation regarding the coupling mode of potassium channels and may help to explain the importance of the gate linker to channel function.
Viral Ubiquitin Ligase Stimulates Selective Host MicroRNA Expression by Targeting ZEB Transcriptional Repressors
Authors: Lutz Gabriel , Jurak Igor , Kim Eui Tae , Kim Ju Youn , Hackenberg Michael , Leader Andrew , Stoller Michelle L. , Fekete Donna M. , Weitzman Matthew D. , Coen Donald M. , Wilson Angus C.
Published: August 2017

Infection with herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) brings numerous changes in cellular gene expression. Levels of most host mRNAs are reduced, limiting synthesis of host proteins, especially those involved in antiviral defenses. The impact of HSV-1 on host microRNAs (miRNAs), an extensive network of short non-coding RNAs that regulate mRNA stability/translation, remains largely unexplored. Here we show that transcription of the miR-183 cluster (miR-183, miR-96, and miR-182) is selectively induced by HSV-1 during productive infection of primary fibroblasts and neurons. ICP0, a viral E3 ubiquitin ligase expressed as an immediate-early protein, is both necessary and sufficient for this induction. Nuclear exclusion of ICP0 or removal of the RING (really interesting new gene) finger domain that is required for E3 ligase activity prevents induction. ICP0 promotes the degradation of numerous host proteins and for the most part, the downstream consequences are unknown. Induction of the miR-183 cluster can be mimicked by depletion of host transcriptional repressors zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1)/-crystallin enhancer binding factor 1 (δEF1) and zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2)/Smad-interacting protein 1 (SIP1), which we establish as new substrates for ICP0-mediated degradation. Thus, HSV-1 selectively stimulates expression of the miR-183 cluster by ICP0-mediated degradation of ZEB transcriptional repressors.
Can Antiretroviral Drugs Be Used to Treat Porcine Endogenous Retrovirus (PERV) Infection after Xenotransplantation?
Authors: Denner Joachim
Published: August 2017

Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are integrated in the genome of all pigs; they are released as infectious particles, and under certain conditions they can infect human cells. Therefore, they represent a risk when pigs are used as sources of cells, tissues, or organs for xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation is under development due to the increasing shortage of human transplants. Whereas most porcine microorganisms which may be able to induce a disease (zoonosis) in the transplant recipient can be eliminated, this is not possible in the case of PERVs. Antiretroviral drugs which had been developed for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infections have been tested in vitro for their efficacy in inhibiting PERV replication. Inhibitors of the viral reverse transcriptase and of the integrase have been found effective. The most effective inhibitor of the reverse transcriptase was azidothymidine (AZT); the integrase inhibitors were the most potent inhibitors of PERV. Although in the past PERV transmission has not been observed after experimental or clinical xenotransplantation of pig cells or organs, and although PERVs may one day be inactivated in pigs by genome editing using CRISPR/Cas, knowing which antiretroviral drugs can effectively restrict PERV infection will still be important.
The Telomeric Response to Viral Infection
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Deng Zhong , Tutton Steve , Lieberman Paul
Published: August 2017

The ends of linear genomes, whether viral or cellular, can elicit potent DNA damage and innate immune signals. DNA viruses entering the nucleus share many features with telomeres in their ability to either suppress or co-opt these pathways. Here, we review some of the common mechanisms that viruses and telomeres use to manage the DNA damage and innate immune response pathways. We highlight recent studies on the role of the telomere repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) in response to viral infection. We discuss how TERRA can be activated through a p53-response element embedded in a retrotransposon-like repeat found in human subtelomeres. We consider how TERRA can function as a danger signal when secreted in extracellular vesicles to induce inflammatory cytokines in neighboring cells. These findings suggest that TERRA may be part of the innate immune response to viral infection, and support the hypothesis that telomeres and viruses utilize common mechanisms to maintain genome integrity and regulate innate immunity.
A Geospatial Approach for Identifying and Exploring Potential Natural Water Storage Sites
Authors: Holmes Danika , McEvoy Jamie , Dixon Jean , Payne Scott
Published: August 2017

Across the globe, climate change is projected to affect the quantity, quality, and timing of freshwater availability. In western North America, there has been a shift toward earlier spring runoff and more winter precipitation as rain. This raises questions about the need for increased water storage to mitigate both floods and droughts. Some water managers have identified natural storage structures as valuable tools for increasing resiliency to these climate change impacts. However, identifying adequate sites and quantifying the storage potential of natural structures is a key challenge. This study addresses the need for a method for identifying and estimating floodplain water storage capacity in a manner that can be used by water planners through the development of a model that uses open-source geospatial data. This model was used to identify and estimate the storage capacity of a 0.33 km2 floodplain segment in eastern Montana, USA. The result is a range of storage capacities under eight natural water storage conditions, ranging from 900 m3 for small floods to 321,300 m3 for large floods. Incorporating additional hydraulic inputs, stakeholder needs, and stakeholder perceptions of natural storage into this process can help address more complex questions about using natural storage structures as ecosystem-based climate change adaptation strategies.
Applications of Hydro-Chemical and Isotopic Tools to Improve Definitions of Groundwater Catchment Zones in a Karstic Aquifer: A Case Study
Authors: Jiménez-Madrid Alberto , Castaño Silvino , Vadillo Iñaki , Martinez Carlos , Carrasco Francisco , Soler Albert
Published: August 2017

Some researchers have proposed the groundwater protection zone (GPZ) method as a methodological framework for defining safeguard zones of groundwater bodies. Its goal is to protect the quality of water intended for human consumption and to facilitate a common implementation of this method in all European Union member states. One of the criteria used to establish GPZs is to define contributing catchment areas (CCAs). This methodology has been applied to the Sierra de Cañete, a region comprising a carbonate aquifer in the province of Malaga, Spain. The tools used to define CCAs are hydro-chemical and isotopic characterizations, namely water isotopes (i.e., 2H, 18O and tritium) and the isotopes of dissolved sulfates (i.e., 34S and 18O). Traditionally, the Sierra de Cañete aquifer has been divided into six sectors. Hydro-chemical and isotopic characterization differentiated between two large areas in the carbonate aquifer. The southern part presents younger water that is the result of faster recharge and that shows a high level of karstification, while the northern area has a slower flow, and recharge is produced over several years. In addition, the northern part is hydraulically connected to an alluvial aquifer (i.e., Llanos de Almargen) that borders the Sierra de Cañete to the north. This aquifer has high levels of pollution due to agricultural and livestock activities carried out in the Llanos de Almargen area. This pollution is transmitted to the carbonate aquifer when groundwater depletion occurs. Therefore, the Sierra de Cañete GPZ needs to be extended to include the Llanos de Almargen aquifer.
Quantitative Trait Loci for Resistance to Common Scab and Cold‐Induced Sweetening in Diploid Potato
Authors: Braun Sarah R. , Endelman Jeffrey B. , Haynes Kathleen G. , Jansky Shelley H.
Published: August 2017

The development of germplasm with resistance to common scab and cold‐induced sweetening is a high priority for the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) industry. A mapping population was developed from mating two individuals of a diploid family generated by crossing the susceptible cultivated potato clone US‐W4 to the highly resistant wild relative (Solanum chacoense Bitter) clone ‘524–8’. Progeny were evaluated in replicated field trials. Tubers were scored for percentage of surface area with scab lesions, scab lesion type, cold‐induced sweetening, average tuber weight, and dry matter. Plants were evaluated for vine maturity. A genetic map was constructed, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified, and the gene action of significant QTLs was characterized using 1606 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Significant QTLs for common scab percentage of surface area covered with lesions and lesion type were identified in overlapping regions on chromosome 11 (R2 = 21.0 and 18.2%, respectively). Quantitative trait loci were identified on chromosomes 4 (R2 = 17.1%) and 6 (R2 = 19.4%) for cold‐induced sweetening, chromosome 5 for maturity (R2 = 29.8%), and chromosome 1 (R2 = 26.3 and 22.0%) for average tuber weight. Identification of QTLs is the first step toward developing molecular markers for breeders to efficiently integrate these desirable traits into cultivars.
THE EVALUATION OF THE II PILLAR PENSION’S FUNDS: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH USING MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION METHODS
Authors: Novickytė Lina , Rabikauskaitė Viktorija
Published: August 2017

Lithuania has had a significant reform path in the last twenty-five years like other communist bloc countries during the intense changes in the world. Changes and transformations took place in various areas including social security system. Since 2004 have been significant developments legalizing the three-pillar old age pension system supported by the World Bank. Currently, the pension funds operating more than ten years and their assessment still have not stopped being the centre of numerous discussions. There are ongoing discussions about the fund performances’ benefit, efficiency and its evaluation. Therefore, this paper investigates the funds’ valuation problem by testing II pillar pension’s funds in Lithuania. We use the multi-criteria methods with two scenarios: first we estimate II pillar pension’s funds by applying a return (as well as the added value) and the risk indicators; second we include only the most popular derivative indicators: Sharpe, Treynor and Jensen’s alpha ratios. Our results indicate that based on the second scenario methodology is more precise evaluated II pillar pensions funds’ performance, but funds evaluation model based on multi-criteria assessment is more appropriate for larger funds groups. However, in order to assess the performance of the funds and compare them with each other it is important not only use the mathematical methods but also to maintain a holistic approach which allows to integrate micro and macro environmental factors into the funds’ assessment.
MINDSET OF EMPLOYEES WORKING IN A MATRIX ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Authors: Lukinaitė Eglė , Sondaitė Jolanta
Published: August 2017

Organizations wishing to be successful and control their complexity will probably have to develop matrix mindset. The main goal of this research is to reveal the mindset of employees working in a matrix organizational structure. The data were collected through focus groups. A thematic analysis was employed to achieve the goal. The results revealed that employees working in a matrix organizational structure perceive their influence through cooperation, discussion and personal efficiency. Employees not working in a matrix organizational structure emphasize the manager’s influence and formal power instead of their own personal power.
THE EFFECTS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF SOCIAL COLLABORATION AND GREEN INNOVATION
Authors: Handayani Rini , Wahyudi Sugeng , Suharnomo Suharnomo
Published: August 2017

Manufacturing industry contributes to environmental pollution and social cost. Hence, corporate social responsibility (CSR) functions as a way to reduce the effects of corporate activities, to increase long-term performance and stakeholder trust. To increase its effectiveness, this study analyses the mediating role of green-oriented innovation and community participation in implementing the CSR. The study uses simple random sampling to collect 173 respondents from large scale manufacturing firms in Central Java, Indonesia. By using structural equation modeling, the findings showed the significant influence of CSR to the firm performance. The originality of this study concerns the need to involve social and environmental dimensions in applying the ethical program of CSR.
Remineralization Potential of Three Tooth Pastes on Enamel Caries
Authors: Singhal Rajnish K. , Rai Balwant
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND: Different formulations of dentifrices exist in the market. Usually, single toothpaste is used by all family members including children. There is a big concern of fluoride ingestion with the toothpaste containing high fluoride content in children. Recently, new toothpaste (including toothpaste) with remineralization potential without fluoride content has been formulated.AIM: There is an urgent need to compare remineralization potential of this new formulation with the exiting dentifrices. Therefore, the present study has been undertaken to assess and compare the remineralization potential of three dentifrices with different compositions on artificially induced carious lesions in vitro by using scanning electron microscopy and polarised light microscopy.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present in vitro study was conducted on 21 healthy extracted primary central incisor teeth surfaces, which were divided into three groups and were treated by three different dentifrices. Artificial demineralization was followed by remineralization using dentifrice slurry as per the group distribution. All the samples were studied for remineralization by using scanning electron microscopy and polarised light microscopy. Data were analysed using SPSS version 11 software.RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the remineralization potential of  incudent toothpaste and other toothpaste groups based on the analysis of polarised light microscopy and stereomicroscope. The remineralizing ability of  incudent toothpaste for artificial enamel lesions was found to be significantly higher than that of Colgate® and Crest toothpaste.CONCLUSIONS: The limitations of this study include, being a short term study, low sample size and in vitro experiment.  incudent toothpaste has exhibited a higher remineralizing potential as compared to fluoride based toothpaste in our study.
Expression of hnRNPK & Claudin-4 in HCV-Induced Early HCC and Adjacent Liver Tissue
Authors: Hammam Olfat , Magdy Mona , Anas Amgad , Rahim Ali Abdel , Heedaya Mohamed , Helmy Ahmed
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND: HCC in Egypt usually occurs in HCV cirrhotic livers with poor prognosis due to late diagnosis. High hnRNPK & low Claudin-4 profiles indicate Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), malignant transformation and high-grade tumours.AIM: We studied the immunohistochemical expression of hnRNPK and Claudin-4 in HCV induced early HCC (eHCC) and adjacent liver tissue in Egyptian patients to improve eHCC detection in cirrhotic livers with better curative therapy options.METHOD: We studied the immunohistochemical expression of hnRNPK and Claudin-4 in 100 Egyptian patients resection specimens of HCV induced early HCC (eHCC) and adjacent liver tissue, in order to improve eHCC detection in cirrhotic livers, thus improving their therapeutic options.RESULTS: Early HCC grade significantly directly correlated with nuclear hnRNPK/5HPFs count and inversely correlated with Claudin-4 expression %, with a converse correlation between hnRNPK and Claudin-4. Moreover in eHCC, combined hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs & Claudin-4 ³ 40% significantly distinguished low grade eHCC (G1) from high grade eHCC (G2&G3), with sensitivity 97% & specificity 69.7% for hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs, and with sensitivity 70% & specificity 94.3% for Claudin-4 ³ 40%. Moreover in the adjacent liver, both markers expressions significantly directly correlated with each other and with METAVIR fibrosis score but not with activity. Furthermore, 58% of eHCCs showed hnRNPK ³ 30 Claudin-4 < 40% profile, indicating EMT type3, compared to 26% with hnRNPK ³ 30 Claudin-4 £ 10% profile in adjacent cirrhotic/ precirrhotic liver, with significant use of combined hnRNPK ³30/5HPFs & Claudin 4 £ 10% as eHCC prediction cut offs in cirrhosis (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Combination of hnRNPK and Claudin-4 can indicate early HCC development in HCV cirrhotic livers using hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs & Claudin-4 £ 10% cut offs. Also, combination of hnRNPK ³ 30/5HPFs & Claudin-4 ³ 40% can distinguish low grade eHCC (G1) from high grade eHCC (G2&G3).
The Effect of the Crystalline Lens on Central Vault After Implantable Collamer Lens Implantation
Authors: Qi Meng-ying , Chen Qian , Zeng Qing-yan
Published: August 2017

PURPOSE:

To identify associations between crystalline lens–related factors and central vault after Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) (Staar Surgical, Monrovia, CA) implantation.

METHODS:

This retrospective clinical study included 320 eyes from 186 patients who underwent ICL implantation surgery. At 1 year after surgery, the central vault was measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Preoperative anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, lens position (lens position = anterior chamber depth + 1/2 lens thickness), and vault were analyzed to investigate the effects of lens-related factors on postoperative vault.

RESULTS:

The mean vault was 513 ± 215
µ
m at 1 year after surgery. Vault was positively correlated with preoperative anterior chamber depth (
r
= 0.495,
P
< .001) and lens position (
r
= 0.371,
P
< .001), but negatively correlated with lens thickness (
r
= −0.262,
P
< .001). Eyes with vaults of less than 250
µ
m had shallower anterior chambers, thicker lenses, and smaller lens position than eyes in the other two vault groups (which had vaults ≥ 250
µ
m) (
P
< .001). Eyes with both anterior chamber depth less than 3.1 mm and lens position less than 5.1 mm had greatly reduced vaults (
P
< .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The crystalline lens could have an important influence on postoperative vault. Eyes with a shallower anterior chamber and a forward lens position will have lower vaults.

[
J Refract Surg.
2017;33(8):519–523.]
Capsule-Fixated Intraocular Lens Implantation in Small Pupil Cases
Authors: Schojai Merita , Schultz Tim , Burkhard Dick H.
Published: August 2017

PURPOSE:

To describe a new technique for implantation of capsule-fixated intraocular lenses (IOLs) (FEMTIS; Oculentis, Berlin, Germany) in patients with small pupils.

METHODS:

In 4 eyes with small pupils, an anterior capsule–fixated IOL was implanted into the capsular bag after femtosecond laser treatment. The two large and two small flaps of the IOL were elevated to the front of the iris and the anterior capsule. Finally, the iris was flipped over the flaps to ensure a fixation of the capsule inside of the capsulotomy.

RESULTS:

In all cases, the implantation of anterior capsule–fixated IOLs was possible. No complications occurred during surgery or within the first months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS:

With the described technique, capsulefixated IOLs can be implanted in eyes with small pupil easily and safely. This type of IOL has great potential to improve the refractive outcome by better prediction of the postoperative IOL position and eliminating IOL rotation after cataract surgery.

[
J Refract Surg.
2017;33(8):568–570.]
Structuring Online Instruction by Dynamic Design, Delivery, and Assessment
Authors: Koç Selma , Boboc Marius
Published: August 2017

Over 900 colleges and universities across the U.S. have adopted the Quality Matters Rubric for the design of their online courses with the intention of providing guidance to both instructors and peer reviewers. Given the challenge of how design components align with Web-based instruction delivery in terms of interactivity and formative assessment, there is a need to develop guidelines to establish a strong connection between design and delivery. Such information could support a dynamic, balanced, and student-centered approach to instructional development in virtual learning environments. This chapter proposes a matrix built on the linkage among well-established design practices, delivery methods or strategies, and assessment routines.
Flipped Classroom
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: August 2017

This chapter indicates the advanced issues of flipped classroom and the important perspectives on flipped classroom in the digital age. Flipped classroom is a learning environment where students learn new content on their own by watching video lectures or other online sources and assigned problems are completed in class with teachers offering personalized guidance instead of lectures. Flipped classroom allows students to learn on their own time and at their own pace and allows students to have more time for collaborating with other students which can be a great learning experience for the students and as a way for them to build their teamwork abilities. The chapter argues that utilizing flipped classroom has the potential to improve educational performance and facilitate the modern learning environments.
Multimedia Active Reading
Authors: Palilonis Jennifer Ann
Published: August 2017

In the age of online textbooks and digital reading devices, the nature of active reading has changed. During active reading, learners build and analyze the materials they read by applying specific strategies, such as annotating, summarizing, and developing study guides or other artifacts in an effort to comprehend, memorize, and synthesize information. However, research suggests that as textbooks migrate to the digital space, contemporary active reading may be more accurately conceptualized as, at least in part, dependent upon the medium or the platform on which it occurs. This chapter proposes a novel perspective for understanding active reading called Multimedia Active Reading, which is empirically grounded in prior research that uncovered ways in which learner behaviors in the tablet textbook environment map to common physical active reading strategies (i.e., annotation, reorganization, browsing, and cross-referencing) and introduced and evaluated novel active reading support designed for the tablet textbook environment.
How Virtual Work Informs Virtual Learning
Authors: Morris Lonnie R. , Morse Christine , Jones Ta Karra
Published: August 2017

This chapter explores the connections between behaviors in virtual work and virtual learning environments. Benefits and challenges of virtual communities are reviewed. Following a review of organizational and educational literature, the authors identified six core competencies that emerged with shared emphasis as keys to virtual environment success. The authors appeal to educational leaders to assess and develop student, faculty, and administrator skills in developing trust, building relationships, empowerment, coaching and mentoring, inclusion and communication management.
Personal Learning Environments
Authors: Hricko Mary
Published: August 2017

A personal learning environment (PLE) is a construct designed to facilitate the process of learning and knowledge management. As a multidimensional system, a personal learning environment enables users to control the content and process of learning through the selection of resources, applications, and activities that best serve the learning needs. Personal learning environments exist as transformative learning spaces that differentiate to the users' ongoing personal interests and needs. Personal learning environments will continue to transform the educational landscape as technology continues to impact our culture. New modalities of learning will be needed to meet the needs of individuals who wish to pursue education in a manner that best serves their needs. Self-directed learning will require flexible landscapes that can coexist with traditional educational platforms; personal learning environments, if implemented effectively, can meet the emerging challenges in the future of education.
Social Media and Technology May Change the Culture of Rape on College Campuses
Authors: Niblett Sherri L. , Rakes Melissa L.
Published: August 2017

This chapter per the authors identifies the problem of rape culture on college campuses, and within the nation, and the idea that social media and technology have not only brought much-needed attention to the issue of sexual assault and violence to the forefront, but it can also serve as a catalyst for college campuses to combat the issue by enlisting the help of its faculty, staff, students, and especially the college's student celebrities. It examines the effect of Social Learning Theory, Differential Association Theory of Deviance, and Feminism as a means to identify faults in our nation's culture, and to use this same method to correct the attitudes of all involved concerning rape culture, bystander intervention, and other aspects of fighting rape culture through the avenue of social media and technology.
Wearable Computers
Authors: Havard Byron , Podsiad Megan
Published: August 2017

Wearable computers include a variety of body-borne sensory, communication, and computational components that may be worn on the body, under, over, or within clothing. These mechanisms have potential benefits for (a) human performance support, (b) cognitive and psychomotor learning, and (c) K-12 educational environments. This chapter begins with a historical overview of wearable computers and then provides the reader with a current and future perspective of their use across a variety of educational environments.
Long-Term Changes in Experienced Yoga Practitioners
Authors: Travis Frederick T.
Published: August 2017

This chapter explores subjective and objective correlates of the state of Yoga during Transcendental Meditation practice. Yoga fits the three criteria of a higher state of consciousness: (1) Yoga has a different subject/object relationship than other states. In Yoga there is no content—only self-awareness. (2) Yoga involves a more expanded sense-of-self. Content analysis of descriptions of Yoga yielded three themes: the absence of time, absence of space and absence of body sense. Yoga is the most universal aspect of the individual. (3) Yoga is defined by distinct physiological patterns. Slowing of breath, autonomic orienting and frontal alpha1 brain coherence are reported during the state of Yoga. The integration of Yoga with waking, sleeping and dreaming also fits the criteria for being a higher state of consciousness, called Cosmic Consciousness in the Vedic tradition. The chapter ends with the conclusion that growth of higher states of consciousness is the most important result of experiencing the state of Yoga. Then, life is lived in freedom.
Influence of Yoga on the Autonomic Nervous System
Authors: Udupa Kaviraja , Sathyaprabha T. N.
Published: August 2017

Increased interest in exploring the physiological benefits of yoga in last few decades resulted in plethora of scientific studies involving different physiological measures in healthy volunteers and patients with various disorders. Of these measures, autonomic functions assessment remained prime role because of wider regulation of autonomic nervous system functions over all visceral systems of the body. Through its two limbs (sympathetic and parasympathetic) autonomic nervous system regulates involuntary visceral organs and systems of the body, which is critical in maintaining the homeostasis of all the physiological functions. This homeostasis is altered in various disease conditions most of which resulted because of the increased stress, a product of modern day lifestyle. Yoga is perfect antidote for the stress, effectively tackling the dreaded effects of stress on physiological systems mainly acting through modulating sympathovagal balance to maintain the homeostasis and restoring the health. We will discuss how yoga achieves this balance in various disorders by reviewing the autonomic system, its functions, laboratory assessments and plenty of scientific studies conducted over last few decades in various disorders involving yoga and autonomic functions. Although we have general idea as to how yoga modulates the sympathovagal balance improving clinical condition, we need to have more long-term, in-depth, well-controlled studies not only to understand these complex interactions of yoga and autonomic functions but also to provide scientific credibility to yoga research in world's scientific community. These steps would hopefully enable mankind to lead the disease-free healthy life style effectively to achieve meaningfully the purpose of one's life.
Yoga for Seniors
Authors: Paholpak Pattharee , Obler Laura , Lavretsky Helen
Published: August 2017

Increasing life expectancies have resulted in global aging of the population. Because of physiological changes associated with aging, older adults are more vulnerable to developing chronic diseases and disability. Multimorbidity with two or more aging and stress-related conditions occurs in more than half of older adults. The use of polypharmacy for multiple disorders increases risks of adverse reactions. Mind-body medicine uses ancient Eastern practices like yoga and meditation to achieve balance between mind, body and spirit. The US National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) showed the growing popularity of yoga practice in people aged 65 and over. The use of mind-body therapies like yoga could supplement conventional medicine in management of mild-moderate mental and physical symptoms. Yoga therapy empowers individuals to take responsibility for own health and is ideal for preventing chronic stress-related disorders of aging because of low-cost and improved safety profile.
Psychophysiological Effects of Yoga for Adults With Occupational Stress
Authors: Singh Umesh Pal
Published: August 2017

Stress is a psychological process initiated by events that threaten, harm or challenge an organism or that exceed available coping resources and it is characterized by psychological responses that are directed towards adaptation. PNI research suggests that chronic stress can lead to or exacerbate mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, cognitive (thinking) problems, personality changes, and problem behaviors. In survival mode, the optimal amounts of cortisol can be lifesaving. But, chronic elevated levels can lead to serious issues. Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India. Among the well-known types of yoga are Asthang yoga and Hath yoga. Moving yourself into a healthy parasympathetic state, and staying there as much of the time as possible, helps heal all health conditions, both physical and emotional ones as well. The parasympathetic system returns the body's physiological conditions to normal (homeostasis). Vagus Nerve Stimulation normalizes an elevated HPA axis (Selfhacked, 2015).
Promoting Better Healthcare for Patients in Critical Condition
Authors: Barroca Itamir , Aquino Gibeon , Lima Maria Alzete
Published: August 2017

The high cost of healthcare services, the aging population and the increase of chronic disease is becoming a global concern. Several studies have indicated the need to minimize the process of hospitalization and the high cost of patient care. A promising trend in healthcare is to move the routines of medical checks from a hospital to the patient's home. Moreover, recent advances in microelectronics have boosted the advent of a revolutionary model involving systems and communication technology. This new paradigm, the Internet of Things (IoT), has a broad applicability in several areas, including healthcare. Based on this context, this chapter aims to describe a computer platform based on IoT for the remote monitoring of patients in critical condition. Furthermore, it is planned to approach the current advances and challenges of conceiving and developing a set of technology-centric, targeting issues relevant to underdeveloped countries, particularly in regards to Brazil's health infrastructure.
Applied Business Intelligence in Surgery Waiting Lists Management
Authors: Neto Cristiana , Dias Inês , Santos Maria , Peixoto Hugo , Machado José
Published: August 2017

With the advent of computer science in hospitals, Electronic Health Record comes up, with the aim of bringing the new information technologies to the hospital environment with the promise not only to replace the paper process, but also to improve and provide better patient care. The operationalization of the EHR in supporting evidence-based practice, complex and conscientious decision-making, and improving the quality of healthcare delivery has been supported by the Business Intelligence (BI) technology. Since the beginning of the 1990s, the Portuguese health system has been confronted with a chronic problem, waiting time for surgery, due to inability to respond to demand for surgical therapy. Therefore, using business intelligence and information, obtained with the construction of dashboards, can help, for example, allocating hospital resources and reducing waiting times.
Tourism Promotion and Disability
Authors: Gandin Stefania
Published: August 2017

This study illustrates the preliminary results of a corpus-based analysis aimed at discovering the main linguistic features characterising the promotion of tourism for special-needs travellers. Even if accessible tourism represents an important sector in the market, not only for its social and moral importance but also for its strong economic potential, detailed research on the linguistic properties of tourism for disabled people is still rather limited and mainly tends to focus on the problems of physical access rather than considering the ways to improve its promotional strategies. Through a comparative corpus-based analysis, this paper will investigate the relevant linguistic features of a corpus of promotional materials advertising holidays and tourist services for the disabled, and relate them to the communicative strategies of two other corpora dedicated to the standard and translational language of tourism. The aim of this research is to show how mainstream tourism discourse still considers disability as a taboo topic, mostly ignoring or vaguely mentioning it in the general promotion of tourist destinations. The study will also attempt to suggest new linguistic and social attitudes aimed at stylistically improving and further including the accessible tourism sector within the overall tourism promotion.
Evaluating the Determinants of Nascent Entrepreneurship Among Countries
Authors: Natário Maria Manuela Santos
Published: August 2017

This chapter reflects upon factors that influence nascent entrepreneurship across countries. Correlation analysis is applied using various explanatory variables derived from different approaches. Clusters analysis is applied to verify how different countries are positioned in terms of nascent entrepreneurship. Scheffe's test of mean differences distinguish the unique characteristics of each cluster and assess the principal determinants of the nascent entrepreneurship capacity. The chapter uses the global entrepreneurship monitor (GEM) database and nascent entrepreneurship rates for 52 countries (in 2015), as well as the competitiveness database (2015-16) of the World Economic Forum and Hofstede's cultural dimensions. Analysis from the different approaches assumes that nascent entrepreneurship depends upon the competitive level of the country. In addition, it assumes that nascent entrepreneurship is a cultural phenomenon.
Comparative Analysis of Codes of Conduct Meant to Promote Non-Violent Behavior in the Academic Romanian Space
Authors: Suditu Mihaela , Badea Mihaela
Published: August 2017

The aim of the chapter is to realize an investigation of official documents of representative universities in Romania (taking into account the geographical dispersion, as well as their historical importance / prestige), but also of a European university which is considered to be milestones in the academic world, that is the University of Oxford. The analyzes, observations, comments will aim at offering suggestions for improvement of public documents in our country in order to configure a possible model that could be implemented for improving the academic life specific processes.
On Restraining the Feeling of Self-Efficacy in the Academic Environment
Authors: Safta Cristina Georgiana , Iurea Corina
Published: August 2017

The aim of the study is to help reduce institutional violence in universities by presenting its origins and manifestations, by explaining how they affect the needs of self-realization and individual progress, by providing solutions—viable, we believe—to eradicate this phenomenon. In this respect, the study will be devoted to a deeper diagnostic analysis which would lead to achieving a comprehensive and explicit picture of the causes of institutional violence at academic level and of the specific forms of expression it takes. The following issues will be addressed: institutional dysfunctions; living and working conditions of the main actors in the academic environment; the duplicitous role of the educational institution; university's helplessness, as a core of educational lofty ideals, to voice these ideals and fulfil them.
From Science to Practice
Authors: Drozd Filip , Haga Silje Marie , Slinning Kari
Published: August 2017

This chapter provides a practical hands-on blueprint needed to design and plan the implementation of internet interventions, addressing all the important aspects of the implementation process. The guidelines are based on the active implementation framework by Fixsen and colleagues (2005) and provide readers with a case example of an internet intervention in Norwegian primary care. They describe the “how-to” of implementation from presenting the background of the intervention, the theory behind implementation, actual implementation planning, evaluation, and clinical work. This serves to give stakeholders a common framework for understanding the requirements for implementing an intervention in practice, the activities and resources needed, and may guide an organization through the implementation process. The case example also shows that implementation and clinical guidelines are mutually affected by each other, and should be developed and viewed together.
Entangled Systems at the Energy-Water-Food Nexus
Authors: Nyangon Joseph , Alabbas Nabeel , Agbemabiese Lawrence
Published: August 2017

This chapter assesses energy, water, and food resource systems based on their inter- and intra-sectoral imperatives of large scale development investments at the institutional level (including private and public activities) and how to achieve security of resource supplies. It identifies key interrelated processes, practices, and factors that underpin integrated resource management (IRM) and their attendant benefits. Applying the E4 framework concerned with energy, economy, environment, and equity to identify the main threats to these systems, the chapter evaluates their institutional, political, economic, cultural and behavioral components, and characterizes the forces that drive each of them at different governance scales. The chapter is guided by political economy, economic, and sociological theories that suggest that institutional structures affect economic factors and processes (i.e. production, distribution, and consumption processes). A case study of energy, water, and food (EWF) conflicting sectoral imperatives in Delaware is discussed in detail to better understand how these policy and institutional processes occur, which forms they take, and in which ways they define the quality and quantity of EWF resource systems in the State. In order to verify these parameters, the analysis considered the advantages of a sectorally balanced, E4 framework, in particular to evaluate the valency and magnitude of cross-sectoral connections, balance competing needs, and identify policy options that address various trade-offs.