bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Emergent Global Marketing Challenges For Kerala Cardamom Producers Vis-à-Vis The Role Of The Spices Board Of India
Authors: George Majo , Cherian Elsa
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: Since the late 1980s the Indian monopoly on the export of Cardamom has suffered a sharp and devastating setback from which India cannot recover. The research is looking into the reasons and suggests remedies.

Background: The main problems are the competition from Guatemala, higher production costs, an increasing domestic demand, the lack of action from the Spices Board of India

Methodology : The methodology used was not the conventional one, with an aim to obtain truthful and unbiased responses from all those involved using a mixture of all available methods.

Contribution: The paper focuses on the provocations, limitations and seriousness of the situation and highlights the facts and figures to make the plantation sector to regain its prosperity.

Findings: Lack of awareness among the farmers about the latest farming and post harvesting technologies and marketing strategies.

Recommendations for Practitioners: This paper suggests measures to be taken by the cardamom farmers and the market intermediaries, and analyses the future role of the Spices Board of India

Recommendation for Researchers: Further detailed studies are needed to ascertain current market share of the main competitors, to reduce the cost of production

Impact on Society: If the findings in this paper are followed, the Indian Cardamom industry could retain its previous position in the market

Future Research: Studies can be done export market, the use technology and export.
Observational and Analytic Features for the Study of Transdisciplinary Teams [Abstract]
Authors: R Lotrecchiano Gaetano , Misra Shalini
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: This paper proposes to bridge transdisciplinary team characteristics with the study of communication in teams. It proposes the question “”what does the systematic study of transdisciplinary teams tell us about communication?” This paper addresses (1) a typology of transdisciplinary teams for observation and analysis; (2) features of communication within transdisciplinary teams; and (3) the role of complexity science in bridging the study of transdisciplinary teams with communication studies.

Background: Working within transdisciplinary teams is a challenge as researchers and scholars strive to solve complex problems amidst rapid change and the complexities of coping with competing and shifting priorities. Inquiry into these sorts of complex teams requires a commitment to gathering and analyzing data that are dynamical representing emergent change within teams.

Methodology: The paper draws on literature on transdisciplinary teams as well as highlights trends that can inform research and techniques for observing transdisciplinary teams.

Contribution: By reviewing the definitions and impact these features have on the task of researching communication processes in transdisciplinary teams, scholars can inform the major challenges that transdisciplinary teams face on a regular basis: integration, praxis, and engagement.
Anxiety & Performance in Online Learning
Authors: George Saadé Raafat , Kira Dennis , Mak Tak , Nebebe Fassil
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: To investigate the state of anxiety and associated expected performance in online courses at the undergraduate level.

Background: Online courses continue to increase dramatically. Computer related anxieties remain an important issue, and, in this context, it has evolved to online learning anxieties with deeper psychological states involved. Consequently, performance is compromised.

Methodology: A first semester online course in information technology was used for the study. A survey methodology approach was used for the anxiety scale measurements. A sample of 1377 participants was obtained.

Contribution: Although there are many technology and internet related anxieties studies, they are relatively scarce. Characteristics of educational performance as they relate to anxiety have not matured and are still controversial. We contribute to this body of literature.

Findings: 30% of students seem to experience some sort of anxiety with online courses. Female students are more anxious about taking online courses than male.

Recommendations for Practitioners: Through successive iterations between design and measuring the experience of anxiety, it is important to identify and mitigate sources of anxieties and to design course with greater distribution of marks on more tasks.

Recommendation for Researchers: Anxiety in online learning should take front stage as it represents an underlying stream of influence on all research in the field.

Impact on Society: It has been shown that the progress of nations depends on the academic performance of its students. As such, studies have also shown that anxiety in learning affects performance. Ultimately this impacts the nation’s progress and quality of life.

Future Research: Pedagogy for efficient and effective online courses to reduce anxieties and enhance performance.
Outsourcing Best Practice - The Case of Large Construction Firms in Iran
Authors: Akbari Mohammadreza , J Clarke Steven , Maleki Far Shaghayegh
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: During an evolutionary time for Iran the purpose of this research study was to establish the outsourcing best practices in the area of supply chain by investigating in the construction firms in Iran, which is identified as the most successful industry in outsourcing.

Background: Clarifying outsourcing decisions have been a difficult and challenging task because the outsourcing itself is complex. Meanwhile, the construction industry is recognized as one of the most complex and vibrant industries, although no concentration was set to outsourcing practices and its approach in construction firms in Iran. This paper aims to address this gap.

Methodology: Based on a combination of academic literature, screening interviews, and survey, data was collected from Iranian construction firms involved in outsourcing. Participants were senior managers and CEOs from twenty one large construction firms in Tehran. The analysis methods in this study were centered on comparative analysis, factor analysis, Pearson correlation, and relative important indices.

Contribution: The paper offers insight into outsourcing decisions, focusing on Iranian construction firms.

Findings: The findings identified that construction firms regularly choose to outsource their operation functions/processes to find operational expertise, a wider pool of knowledge and experience, and cost restructuring. The study revealed that selective outsourcing was the popular practiced outsourcing type in construction firms. On the other hand, the study has acknowledged that construction firms mainly practiced strategic outsourcing as a level of outsourcing. The study established that conducting a need analysis prior to making the outsourcing decision is the outsourcing success element for Iranian construction firms. Lastly, the result shows that nearly two thirds of the large construction firms were identified as successful at outsourcing process.

Recommendations for Practitioners and Researchers: The outcomes of this research offer practical value for construction managers and researchers to choose the best outsourcing practices method.
Impact on Society As the sanctions are removed, it is predicted the economic settings in Iran will become more firm and the findings of the study will assist the successful implementation of outsourcing in economic growth of Iran.

Future Research: To further development of this study, an in-depth investigation into risks involved in outsourcing, reasons to insource, economical and environmental effects on outsourcing process, cultural and social effects, as well as the result of sanctions on the process of outsourcing can provide more insight to the outsourcing practitioners.
Transforming Communications in the Workplace: The Impact of UC on Perceived Productivity in a Multi-national Corporation
Authors: Fluker Joy , Coffin Murray Meg
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: Unified Communications (UC) is touted as a technology that will transform business communication. While positive claims abound, the factors of UC attributable to its success have yet to be identified. By examining how users perceive UC impacts productivity, this study aids organizations in making better decisions regarding investments in and usage of communications technologies.

Background: Unified Communications integrates disparate communications and information sharing applications into a single platform. The promise of UC is that it will revolutionize the workplace by providing a more synchronized fit between the way people communicate and the technology they use.

Methodology: Through case study research conducted within a large multinational corporation (the Hewlett Packard Company), this study investigated the impact of UC on productivity. Interview narratives were examined using an open coding technique to capture individual perceptions of productivity. Further, to assess the role UC plays in facilitating relationship building and its connection to productivity, participant responses were mapped to the key factors of technology that influence relationships within an organization as identified by Dillon and Montano (2005).

Contribution: This research contributes to studies on the impact of UC on productivity in the workplace.
Findings UC was found to increase personal productivity, remove communication barriers, and create a more positive work environment.

Recommendations for Practitioners : The findings of this study will aid organizations in making investment decisions as they evolve their business communications strategy.

Impact on Society: Unified Communications will play an increasingly important role as people adapt to the evolving digital world through which they communicate and collaborate.

Future Research: Little research exists that examines the impact of UC within an organization. Additional research investigating the use of UC in a variety of business sectors is needed.
Devising Enabling Spaces and Affordances for Personal Knowledge Management System Design
Authors: Schmitt Ulrich
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) has been envisaged as a crucial tool for the growing creative class of knowledge workers, but adequate technological solutions have not been forthcoming.

Background: Based on former affordance-related publications (primarily concerned with communication, community-building, collaboration, and social knowledge sharing), the common and differing narratives in relation to PKM are investigated in order to suggest further PKM capabilities and affordances in need to be conferred.

Methodology: The paper follows up on a series of the author’s PKM-related publications, firmly rooted in design science research (DSR) methods and aimed at creating an innovative PKM concept and prototype system.

Contribution: The affordances presented offer PKM system users the means to retain and build upon knowledge acquired in order to sustain personal growth and facilitate productive collaborations between fellow learners and/or professional acquaintances.

Findings: The results call for an extension of Nonaka’s SECI model and ‘ba’ concept and provide arguments for and evidence supporting the claims that the PKM concept and system is able to facilitate better knowledge traceability and KM practices.

Recommendations and Impact on Society: Together with the prior publications, the paper points to current KM shortcomings and presents a novel trans-disciplinary approach offering appealing opportunities for stakeholders engaged in the context of curation, education, research, development, business, and entrepreneurship. Its potential to tackle opportunity divides has been addressed via a PKM for Development (PKM4D) Framework.

Future DSR Activities: After completing the test phase of the prototype, its transformation into a viable PKM system and cloud-based server based on a rapid development platform and a noSQL-database is estimated to take 12 months.
Devising Enabling Spaces and Affordances for Personal Knowledge Management System Design
Authors: Schmitt Ulrich
Published: October 2017

[This Proceedings paper was revised and published in Informing Science: the International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline (InfoSci)]

Aim/Purpose: Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) has been envisaged as a crucial tool for the growing creative class of knowledge workers, but adequate technological solutions have not been forthcoming.

Background: Based on former affordance-related publications (primarily concerned with communication, community-building, collaboration, and social knowledge sharing), the common and differing narratives in relation to PKM are investigated in order to suggest further PKM capabilities and affordances in need to be conferred.

Methodology: The paper follows up on a series of the author’s PKM-related publications, firmly rooted in design science research (DSR) methods and aimed at creating an innovative PKM concept and prototype system.

Contribution: The affordances presented offer PKM system users the means to retain and build upon knowledge acquired in order to sustain personal growth and facilitate productive collaborations between fellow learners and/or professional acquaintances.

Findings: The results call for an extension of Nonaka’s SECI model and ‘ba’ concept and provide arguments for and evidence supporting the claims that the PKM concept and system is able to facilitate better knowledge traceability and KM practices.

Recommendations and Impact on Society: Together with the prior publications, the paper points to current KM shortcomings and presents a novel trans-disciplinary approach offering appealing opportunities for stakeholders engaged in the context of curation, education, research, development, business, and entrepreneurship. Its potential to tackle opportunity divides has been addressed via a PKM for Development (PKM4D) Framework.

Future: DSR Activities After completing the test phase of the prototype, its transformation into a viable PKM system and cloud-based server based on a rapid development platform and a noSQL-database is estimated to take 12 months.
Lazada's Last Mile: Where No E-Commerce Company in Vietnam Had Gone Before
Authors: J Calbeto Jaime , Abareshi Ahmad , Sriratanaviriyakul Narumon , Nkhoma Mathews , Pittayachawan Siddhi , ulhaq Irfan , Wandt Fabian , Xuan Vo Hung
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: This case study examines the last-mile logistics model as implemented by Lazada Vietnam, as well as the logistics challenges in the local business environment that led the e-commerce company to dually employ the inventory/retail model and the marketplace model for delivering orders to online customers in Vietnam in search of the way to perfect their last-mile logistics.

Background: For electronic commerce companies aiming to be successful in customer service, what academics and practitioners refer to as ‘last-mile logistics’ is the one moment of truth, when deliveries have to be planned tactically and exactly, so that orders are delivered to customers at the right time, right place, right quantity, right quality, and ultimately at the right cost. When deciphering this type of supply chain, i.e., one that is e-commerce- driven, last-mile logistics is the one segment of the product flow that directly interacts with the ultimate customer, but many times is the one segment that is the most problematic and less efficient to implement well. Lazada Group, a German e-commerce company, discovered the serious complications of ‘last-mile logistics’ when they first entered Vietnam in 2013.

Methodology: This case study used qualitative method through interviews with Lazada Vietnam’s management.

Contribution: The paper explains the challenges incorporating last-mile logistics concept in e-commerce operation in Vietnam.
Can Finance Education Benefit from Online Collaborative Methods? An Experiment
Authors: N Abou Jaoude Joe , G Saade Raafat
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: We introduce interactive and collaborative learning tools into a “traditional” finance course and collect feedback from the students concerning satisfaction, engagement, and overall learning. The aim is to show that collaborative learning methods have a place in finance academia.

Background: Finance education still relies on the traditional education model. We implement a collaborative learning method in a Finance course to measure its use on the topic.

Methodology : We conducted two peer-to-peer sessions in a class environment, Following the two tests, we released a survey to collect information about the tool’s effectiveness. We received 42 responses out of a population of 57.

Contribution: Our case study aims to bridge the gap between the use of collaborative learning methods and the academic learning environment of finance.
Findings The learning tool implemented was well received and provided a significant benefit to the students in the class, per the survey.

Recommendations for Practitioners : We recommend further implementations of collaborative learning methods in finance, and their injection into other traditional courses to better study their effectiveness.

Recommendation for Researchers: Experiments in different courses of the same field as well as different fields and different academic schools is needed to fully understand the capabilities and limitations of the collaborative learning tools.

Impact on Society: Moving away from the traditional academic model into an interactive and collaborative framework can help expand and extend the reach and effectiveness of education.

Future Research: Research on the tools is needed to fit this learning approach to the multiple fields of academia (if any are needed).
Design Based Research in Doctoral Studies: Adding a New Dimension to Doctoral Research
Authors: M Goff Wendy , Getenet Seyum
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: We show a new dimension to the process of using design-based research approach in doctoral dissertations.

Background: Design-based research is a long-term and concentrated approach to educational inquiry. It is often a recommendation that doctoral students should not attempt to adopt this approach for their doctoral dissertations. In this paper, we document two doctoral dissertations that used a design-based research approach in two different contexts.

Methodology : The study draws on a qualitative analysis of the methodological approaches of two doctoral dissertations through the lenses of Herrington, McKenney, Reeves and Oliver principles of design-based research approach.

Contribution: The findings of this study add a new dimension to using design-based research approach in doctoral dissertations in shorter-term and less intensive contexts.

Findings: The results of this study indicate that design-based research is not only an effective methodological approach in doctoral dissertations, but it also has the potential to guide future research direction beyond examination.

Recommendations for Practitioners : The findings of this study demonstrate that the design based research approach could bring researchers and practitioners together regarding a common purpose to design context-based solutions to educational problems.

Impact on Society: We show an alternative view and application of design-based research in doctoral dissertations. Also, we identify the benefits of this type of research for doctoral students after completing their dissertations.
Let’s Tell a Story Together
Authors: Kelsey Karishma , J. Zaliwski Andrew
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: The teaching solution presented in this paper was implemented to overcome the common problems encountered by authors during years of practice of applied business studies teaching.

Background: In our school, we have deep multicultural environments where both teachers and students are coming from different countries and cultures. The typical problems encountered with students include: not reading the case studies, language problems, different backgrounds and cultures, a different understanding of leadership in teamwork related to various management traditions, lack of student participation, and engagement in teamwork.

Methodology : The above problems were solved on the basis of the novelty use of several tools usually used separately: a combination of case studies with visualization and current representation of knowledge related to the case study. The visualization context is provided by “rich picture” (as a part of SSM methodology) to create a shared understanding among students. Another ingredient of the proposed solution is based on Pacific storytelling tradition and the Pacific methodology of solving problems.

Contribution: It was suggested the new delivery model strengthening advantages of case studies.

Findings: Studies and surveys made from 2009 to the present are promising. There is a visible improvement in students’ grades and observed changes in students’ behavior toward more active in-class participation.

Recommendations for Practitioners: This paper focuses on implementation and technical aspects of the presented method. However, the application of the presented method needs robust and time-consuming preparation of the teacher before the class.

Recommendation for Researchers: The current results show that the proposed method has the potential to improve students’ experience in applied business courses. The project is ongoing and will undergo progressive changes while collecting new experiences. The method may be applied to other types of courses. By focusing on the storytelling and rich picture, we avoid technological bias when we teach business problem-solving. We focus instead on teaching students the social-organizational interactions influencing the problem solution.

Impact on Society: Implementing of cultural sensitivity into the teaching process. Making teaching process more attractive for multicultural students.

Future Research: Reducing teacher overload when using the method presented by the development of computerized tools. This is undergoing through utilizing Unreal Engine. Also, it is planned to enhance our team by artists and designers related to computer games.
Comparison of Text-Based and Visual-Based Programming Input Methods for First-Time Learners
Authors: Saito Daisuke , Washizaki Hironori , Fukazawa Yoshiaki
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: When learning to program, both text-based and visual-based input methods are common. However, it is unclear which method is more appropriate for first-time learners (first learners).

Background: The differences in the learning effect between text-based and visual-based input methods for first learners are compared the using a questionnaire and problems to assess first learners’ understanding of programming. In addition, we study the benefits and feasibility of both methods.

Methodology: In this research, we used the sandbox game Minecraft and the extended function ComputerCraftEdu (CCEdu). CCEdu provides a Lua programming environments for the two (text and visual) methods inside Minecraft. We conducted a lecture course on both methods for first learners in Japan ranging in age from 6 to about 15 years old. The lecture taught the basics and concepts of programming. Furthermore, we implemented a questionnaire about the attitude of programming before and after the lecture.

Contribution: This research is more than a comparison between the visual method and the text method. It compares visual input and text input methods in the same environment. It clearly shows the difference between the programming learning effects of visual input and text input for first learners. In addition, it shows the more suitable input method for introductory education of first learners in programming learning.

Findings: The following results are revealed: (1) The visual input method induces a larger change in attitude toward programming; (2) The number of operations and input quantity influence both groups; (3) The overall results suggest that a visual input is advantageous in a programming implementation environment for first learners.

Impact on Society: A visual input method is better suited for first learners as it improves the attitude toward programming.

Future Research: In the future, we plan to collect and analyze additional data as well as elucidate the correlation between attitudes and understanding of programming.
Applying a Fit Perspective to College Presidential Turnover and Selection
Authors: L. McNaughtan Jon
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose : The role of college presidents has become increasingly critical, yet their tenure as institutional leaders have decreased over the last half century, leading to institutional instability and an expensive search process for new presidents. Scholars have sought to understand this phenomenon by focusing on either presidential characteristics, or institutional characteristics, with few approaches that examine both.

Contribution: This article posits that our understanding of presidential departure and selection is in need of a more holistic and theoretically sound approach. This paper presents a structured literature review college presidential turnover that illustrates the limited approaches taken to understand this challenge.

Recommendations for Practitioners : The conceptual framework presented here provides practitioners with specific areas to focus on when seeking to measure fit with their current/ future presidents. This is beneficial as it leads to intentional defining of goals, values, skills, and experiences desired in a new president and clarifies expectations for the incoming leader. In addition, this article argues that such models could enhance presidential evaluations.

Recommendation for Researchers: This model can help illuminate underlying causes of presidential turnover, and offers a theoretically robust model for building on past research in a cohesive way. Further, researchers should seek to apply this model in to many professions in higher education as a way to both understand challenges created by employee is fit, and the benefits of strong fit on efficiency and effectiveness.
Examining Scholar-Practitioner Identity in Peer-Led Research Communities in Higher Education Programs
Authors: M. Bettencourt Genia , K. Malaney Victoria , J. Kidder Caitlin , A. George Mwangi Chrystal
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore how research skills and communities can be promoted in student affairs and/or higher education graduate preparation programs through a peer-led, team-based model.

Background: Numerous scholars emphasized a lack of empirical research being conducted by student affairs professionals, even though integration of scholarship with practice remains of critical importance to field of higher education.

Methodology: Though a descriptive case study of a graduate research course, we engage both quantitative and qualitative data points in a convergent parallel mixed methods design.

Contribution: This study provides an important contribution in understanding how graduate programs may better prepare students to engage within a spectrum of scholar-practitioner identity.

Findings: Findings suggest that while participants see value in a scholar-practitioner identity and its impact on their future goals, there is often a discrepancy between the perceived feasibility of embodying the role in actual student affairs practice as well as variations across master’s and doctoral student levels.

Recommendations for Practitioners: Recommendations for practice include working to integrate scholarship in professional positions and promoting greater collaboration between graduate coursework and professional supervisors.

Recommendation for Researchers: Recommendations for researchers include continuing to examine how communities of practice develop across the levels of graduate socialization.

Impact on Society: Understanding how individuals engage in scholarship in their fields carries interdisciplinary implications for merging research into professional roles.

Future Research: A key area for future research is longitudinal inquiry into how emerging professionals in higher education/student affairs negotiate the scholar-practitioner spectrum across career development.
Typology on Leadership toward Creativity in Virtual Work
Authors: A Humala Iris
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: This study aims to develop a descriptive typology to better identify leadership toward creativity in virtual work in different types of companies.

Background: The study empirically explores how leadership toward creativity occurs in virtual work and uses the theoretical lenses of creativity-conducive leadership and heterarchy to generate a typology.

Methodology : A multiple qualitative case study design, interpretivist approach, and abductive analysis are applied. Data is collected by interviewing 21 leaders and employees face-to-face in four companies in the ICT sector and one business advisor company.

Contribution: The empirical evidence of this study enriches the understanding of leadership toward creativity in virtual work and contributes to the limited empirical knowledge on leadership that stimulates a virtual workforce to achieve creativity.

Findings: The four different types of companies in the typology utilize various transitions toward leadership creativity in virtual work. The trend in leadership in the existing virtually networked business environment is toward the “collective mind” company, which is characterized by shared values, meaningful work, collective intelligence, conscious reflection, transparency, coaching, empowering leadership by example, effective multichannel interaction, and assertiveness. The findings empirically support applying a heterarchy perspective to lead a virtual workforce toward creativity and promote leaders who are genuinely interested in people, their development, collaboration, and technology.

Recommendations for Practitioners: The typology helps professionals realize the need to develop leadership, communication, interaction, learning, and growth to foster creative interaction and improve productivity and competitiveness.

Recommendation for Researchers: This study enables researchers to more rigorously and creatively conceptualize the conditions and relationships in leadership that facilitate creativity in virtual work.

Impact on Society : The findings highlight humanistic values for developing leadership. The study strengthens the view that collective creativity in virtual work cannot emerge without virtual and physical interaction in appropriate spaces and caring for each other.

Future Research: Future studies may focus on other fields, industries, networks, roles of materialities, and employees in fostering creativity and on theory development. Longitudinal studies are advisable.
Comparison of Traditional and ADRI Based Teaching Approaches in an Introductory Programming Course
Authors: Iqbal Malik Sohail , Coldwell-Neilson Jo
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: This study introduced a new teaching and learning approach based on an ADRI (Approach, Deployment, Result, Improvement) model in an introductory programming (IP) course. The effectiveness of the new teaching and learning process was determined by collecting feedback from the IP instructors and by analyzing the final exam grades of the course.

Background: Learning to program is considered a difficult and challenging task for a considerable number of novice programmers. As a result, high failure and dropout rates are often reported in IP courses. Different studies have been conducted to investigate the issue. One of the reasons for this challenge is the multiple skills that students have to master in order to be able to build programs. These skills include programming knowledge and problem-solving strategies and being able to pay equal attention to these required skills in the IP course.

Methodology: A focus group was conducted to obtain feedback from the IP instructors about the ADRI approach. The performance of the students who had completed the IP course before ADRI was compared with those who used the ADRI approach by undertaking a comparative analysis of their final exam grades.

Contribution: The study demonstrates that the new teaching and learning approach based on the ADRI model encourages students to pay equal attention to programming knowledge and problem-solving strategies, discouraging programming shortcuts and reducing high attrition rates (failure and dropout) in the IP course.

Findings: The results of the focus group show that the instructors preferred the ADRI approach compared to the traditional approach. The final exam grades show that the students performed better in semesters which offered the ADRI approach as compared to those semesters without this approach.

Future Research: Future research will explore the ADRI approach in other fields of computer science studies, such as database and data structure, to determine if its impact has a wider application than just teaching introductory programming.
Validation of an e-Learning 3.0 Critical Success Factors Framework: A Qualitative Research
Authors: Miranda Paula , Isaias Pedro , J Costa Carlos , Pifano Sara
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: As e-Learning 3.0 evolves from a theoretical construct into an actual solution for online learning, it becomes crucial to accompany this progress by scrutinising the elements that are at the origin of its success.

Background: This paper outlines a framework of e-Learning 3.0’s critical success factors and its empirical validation.

Methodology: The framework is the result of an extensive literature review and its empirical substantiation derives from semi-structured interviews with e-Learning experts.

Contribution: The viewpoints of the experts enable the confirmation and the refinement of the original framework and serve as a foundation for the prospective implementation of e-Learning 3.0.

Findings: The analysis of the interviews demonstrates that e-Learning 3.0 remains in its early stages with a reticent dissemination. Nonetheless, the interviewees invoked factors related to technology, content and stakeholders as being critical for the success of this new phase of e-Learning.

Recommendations for Practitioners: Practitioners can use the framework as a guide for promoting and implementing effective e-Learning 3.0 initiatives.

Recommendation for Researchers: As a new phenomenon with uncharted potential, e-Learning 3.0 should be placed at the centre of educational research.

Impact on Society: The understanding of what drives the success of e-Learning 3.0 is fundamental for its implementation and for the progress of online education in this new stage of its evolution.

Future Research: Future research ventures can include the design of quantitative and self-administered data collection instruments that can provide further insight into the elements of the framework.
The Influence of Teaching Methods on Learners’ Perception of E-safety
Authors: Šimandl Václav , Dobias Vaclav , Šerý Michal
Published: October 2017

Aim/Purpose: The traditional method of teaching e-safety by lecturing is not very effective. Despite learners often being equipped with the right knowledge, they reject the need to act accordingly. There is a need to improve the way digital e-safety is taught.

Background: The study compares four different teaching styles, examining how each affected the way students perceive a range of e-safety keywords and consequently the way they approach this issue.

Methodology: The semantic differential technique was used to carry out the research. Students completed a semantic differential questionnaire before and after lessons. A total of 405 first year undergraduates took part in the study.

Contribution: The paper contributes to the debate on appropriate methods for teaching e-safety, with an aim to influence learners’ attitudes.

Findings: Experience-based learning seems to be very effective, confronting students with an e-safety situation and providing them with a negative experience. This teaching method had the biggest influence on students who were deceived by the prepared e-safety risk situation.

Recommendations for Practitioners: E-safety instruction can be enhanced by ensuring that lessons provide students with a personal experience.

Recommendation for Researchers: The semantic differential technique can be used to measure changes in learners’ attitudes during the teaching process.

Impact on Society: Our findings may bring improvements to the way e-safety topics are taught, which could, in turn, evoke in learners a more positive e-safety attitude and a desire to improve their e-safety behavior.

Future Research: More research needs to be carried out to examine how the experiential learning method affects the attitudes of younger learners (primary, middle, and high school students).
Thermal and Performance Analysis of a Photovoltaic Module with an Integrated Energy Storage System
Authors: Hammami Manel , Torretti Simone , Grimaccia Francesco , Grandi Gabriele
Published: October 2017

This paper is proposing and analyzing an electric energy storage system fully integrated with a photovoltaic PV module, composed by a set of lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) flat batteries, which constitutes a generation-storage PV unit. The batteries were surface-mounted on the back side of the PV module, distant from the PV backsheet, without exceeding the PV frame size. An additional low-emissivity sheet was introduced to shield the batteries from the backsheet thermal irradiance. The challenge addressed in this paper is to evaluate the PV cell temperature increase, due to the reduced thermal exchanges on the back of the module, and to estimate the temperature of the batteries, verifying their thermal constraints. Two one-dimensional (1D) thermal models, numerically implemented by using the thermal library of Simulink-Matlab accounting for all the heat exchanges, are here proposed: one related to the original PV module, the other related to the portion of the area of the PV module in correspondence of the proposed energy-storage system. Convective and radiative coefficients were then calculated in relation to different configurations and ambient conditions. The model validation has been carried out considering the PV module to be at the nominal operating cell temperature (NOCT), and by specific experimental measurements with a thermographic camera. Finally, appropriate models were used to evaluate the increasing cell batteries temperature in different environmental conditions.
Comparison of Modelled and Measured Tilted Solar Irradiance for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Mubarak Riyad , Hofmann Martin , Riechelmann Stefan , Seckmeyer Gunther
Published: October 2017

This work assesses the performance of five transposition models that estimate the global and diffuse solar irradiance on tilted planes based on the global horizontal irradiance. The modelled tilted irradiance values are compared to measured one-minute values from pyranometers and silicon sensors tilted at different angles at Hannover (Germany) and NREL (Golden, CO, USA). It can be recognized that the deviations of the model of Liu and Jordan, Klucher and Perez from the measurements increases as the tilt angle increases and as the sensors are oriented away from the south direction, where they receive lower direct radiation than south-oriented surfaces. Accordingly, the vertical E, W and N planes show the highest deviation. Best results are found by the models from Hay and Davies and Reindl, when horizontal pyranometer measurements and a constant albedo value of 0.2 are used. The relative root mean squared difference (rRMSD) of the anisotropic models does not exceed 11% for south orientation and low inclination angles (β = 10–60°), but reaches up to 28.9% at vertical planes. For sunny locations such as Golden, the Perez model provides the best estimates of global tilted irradiance for south-facing surfaces. The relative mean absolute difference (rMAD) of the Perez model at NREL ranges from 4.2% for 40° tilt to 8.7% for 90° tilt angle, when horizontal pyranometer measurements and a measured albedo value are used; the use of measured albedo values instead of a constant value of 0.2 leads to a reduction of the deviation to 3.9% and 6.0%, respectively. The use of higher albedo values leads to a significant increase of rMAD. We also investigated the uncertainty resulting from using horizontal pyranometer measurements, in combination with constant albedo values, to estimate the incident irradiance on tilted photovoltaic (PV) modules. We found that these uncertainties are small or negligible.
Combustion Characteristics of Single Particles from Bituminous Coal and Pine Sawdust in O2/N2, O2/CO2, and O2/H2O Atmospheres
Authors: Lei Kai , Ye Buqing , Cao Jin , Zhang Rui , Liu Dong
Published: October 2017

Burning fuels in an O2/H2O atmosphere is regarded as the next generation of oxy-fuel combustion for CO2 capture and storage (CCS). By combining oxy-fuel combustion and biomass utilization technology, CO2 emissions could be further reduced. Therefore, this work focuses on investigating the combustion characteristics of single particles from bituminous coal (BC) and pine sawdust (PS) in O2/N2, O2/CO2 and O2/H2O atmospheres at different O2 mole fractions (21%, 30%, and 40%). The experiments were carried out in a drop tube furnace (DTF), and a high-speed camera was used to record the combustion processes of fuel particles. The combustion temperatures were measured by a two-color method. The results reveal that the particles from BC and PS all ignite homogeneously. Replacing N2 by CO2 results in a longer ignition delay time and lower combustion temperatures. After substituting H2O for N2, the ignition delay time is shortened, which is mainly caused by the steam gasification reaction (C + H2O → CO + H2) and steam shift reaction (CO + H2O → CO2 + H2). In addition, the combustion temperatures are first decreased at low O2 mole fractions, and then increased at high O2 mole fractions because the oxidation effect of H2O performs a more important role than its volumetric heat capacity and thermal radiation capacity. At the same condition, particles from PS ignite earlier because of their higher reactivity, but the combustion temperatures are lower than those of BC, which is owing to their lower calorific values.
Pressure-Drop Coefficients for Cushioning System of Hydraulic Cylinder With Grooved Piston: A Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulation
Authors: Castilla Robert , Alemany Ignasi , Algar Antonio , Gamez-Montero Pedro , Roquet Pedro , Codina Esteban
Published: October 2017

Cushioning is an important aspect in hydraulic cylinder performance. The piston has to be decelerated before it strikes the end cap in order to avoid stresses in the cylinder components and reduce vibration that can be transmitted to the machine. One of the least-studied methods is internal cushioning by grooves in the piston. In this method, the flow is throttled with adequately designed grooves when the piston reaches the outlet port position. The purpose of the present work is to present a method to estimate the pressure-drop coefficients for a certain design of piston grooves in order to provide a model to develop a dynamic system simulation of the cushion system. The method is based on a computational fluid dynamic simulation of flow through piston grooves to the outlet port for each piston’s static position. The results are compared with experimental measurements, and a correction, based on Reynolds number, is proposed. Good agreement, below 16%, was obtained for all the positions but particularly for the last grooves, for which the numerical result’s deviation to the experimental measurements was less than 10%. In general, the numerical simulation tended to underestimate the pressure drop for the first grooves and overestimate the calculation for the last grooves.
Fractional Divergence of Probability Densities
Authors: Alexopoulos Aris
Published: October 2017

The divergence or relative entropy between probability densities is examined. Solutions that minimise the divergence between two distributions are usually “trivial” or unique. By using a fractional-order formulation for the divergence with respect to the parameters, the distance between probability densities can be minimised so that multiple non-trivial solutions can be obtained. As a result, the fractional divergence approach reduces the divergence to zero even when this is not possible via the conventional method. This allows replacement of a more complicated probability density with one that has a simpler mathematical form for more general cases.
RNA-Seq Analysis of Plant Maturity in Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.)
Authors: Zeng Fangqin , Biligetu Bill , Coulman Bruce , Schellenberg Michael , Fu Yong-Bi
Published: October 2017

Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.) breeding programs aim to develop later maturing cultivars for extending early spring grazing in Western Canada. Plant maturity is a complex genetic trait, and little is known about genes associated with late maturity in this species. An attempt was made using RNA-Seq to profile the transcriptome of crested wheatgrass maturity and to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between early and late maturing lines. Three cDNA libraries for each line were generated by sampling leaves at the stem elongation stage, spikes at the boot and anthesis stages. A total of 75,218,230 and 74,015,092 clean sequence reads were obtained for early and late maturing lines, respectively. De novo assembly of all sequence reads generated 401,587 transcripts with a mean length of 546 bp and N50 length of 691 bp. Out of 13,133 DEGs detected, 22, 17, and eight flowering related DEGs were identified for the three stages, respectively. Twelve DEGs, including nine flowering related DEGs at the stem elongation stage were further confirmed by qRT-PCR. The analysis of homologous genes of the photoperiod pathway revealed their lower expression in the late maturing line at the stem elongation stage, suggesting that their differential expression contributed to late maturity in crested wheatgrass.
Exceptional Chromosomal Evolution and Cryptic Speciation of Blind Mole Rats Nannospalax leucodon (Spalacinae, Rodentia) from South-Eastern Europe
Authors: Savić Ivo , Ćirović Duško , Bugarski-Stanojević Vanja
Published: October 2017

Mole rats are exclusively subterranean and highly specialized rodents. Their long lifespans, remarkable anti-cancer mechanisms, and various distinctive adaptive features make them a useful research model. Moreover, opposing convergence of morphological traits, they have developed extremely high karyotype variability. Thus, 74 chromosomal forms have been described so far and new ones are being revealed continuously. These evolved during the process of rapid radiation and occur in different biogeographical regions. During research into their reproductive biology we have already provided substantial evidence for species-level separation of these taxa. Here, we review diverse chromosomal forms of the lesser blind mole rat, Mediterranean Nannospalax leucodon, distributed in South-eastern Europe, their karyotype records, biogeography, origin, and phylogeny from our extensive research. In the light of new data from molecular genetic studies, we question some former valuations and propose a cryptospecies rank for seven reproductively isolated chromosomal forms with sympatric and parapatric distribution and clear ecogeographical discrepances in their habitats, as well as new experimental and theoretical methods for understanding the courses of speciation of these unique fossorial mammals.