bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malaria por Plasmodium vivax o P. falciparum en hospital de tercer nivel en la región más endémica de Colombia
Authors: Carmona-Fonseca Jaime , Sánchez Yeliana Lucía , Yasnot María Fernanda
Published: November 2021

Problema: en Colombia hay pocos informes sobre paludismo grave, en especial producidos bajo protocolos bien sustentados.

Objetivo: describir las características clínicas de pacientes del Hospital San Jerónimo (HSJ), de Montería, en 2009-2010, e identificar y cuantificar los síndromes clínicos graves.

Metodología: estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, transversal, de todos los pacientes hospitalizados con diagnóstico de paludismo.

Resultados: hubo 126 pacientes con paludismo en el HSJ; 74% fueron remitidos de municipios circunvecinos; Plasmodium vivax causó 60% de los casos; 54% fueron mujeres (29 de 68 embarazadas, es decir, con malaria gestacional); fueron pacientes jóvenes (23.3 ± 19.3 años); el promedio de evolución de su paludismo actual fue cuatro a cinco días; la parasitemia promedio al ingresar al HSJ fue 13 628 ± 26 790 parásitos/microlitro. La triada clásica de fiebre, escalofrío y cefalea se encuentra en al menos dos de cada tres pacientes al ingresar. El promedio de la hemoglobina indica anemia moderada. Los 126 pacientes aportaron 194 eventos de complicaciones. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron (porcentaje sobre 126 enfermos): trombocitopenia 76%; anemia (<7 g/dL de hemoglobina) 17%; falla renal 10%; falla hepática 10%; complicación cerebral (fiebre + convulsiones, sin coma: siete casos; fiebre + convulsiones + coma: un caso) 6%; cinco casos fueron por P. vivax, dos por P. falciparum y uno por ambas especies (mixta); falla de dos a tres sistemas 11%.

Conclusiones: se requiere adelantar estudios en Colombia sobre malaria grave que evalúen de manera integral los pacientes, con protocolos bien definidos, y que comparen criterios diagnósticos de gravedad y pautas de tratamiento para poder elaborar una norma autóctona sobre la materia
Impact of Moroccan Crocus sativus L. tepals, corms, and stigmas extract on growth and photosynthetic pigments in tomato seedling
Authors: Khoulati Amine , Saalaoui E.
Published: November 2021

An experiment was carried out in a greenhouse to study the effect of aqueous extracts of Crocus sativus L. by-products on tomato plants. Three concentrations of tepals and corms were used by fertigation: 1 g/L, 2 g/L, and 3 g/L. The aqueous extract of the stigmas was used as a foliar application at 0.6 g/L. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized block with three repetitions for each concentration. The concentration of tepal extract at 3 g/L significantly (p≤0.05) increased the plants' height, the chlorophyll a, b content. The same results were observed for the foliar treatment with stigmas; however, there was no effect of tepal extract on the carotenoid content. On the other hand, the concentration 2 g/L of the corms extract had a positive impact (p≤0.05) in the chlorophyll b content while the concentration of 3 g/L increased the plant's height, the chlorophyll a (p≤0.05). Current results indicate that Crocus sativus by-products could improve certain physiological aspects of the recipient plants and new and natural biostimulants.
Coordination Control and Energy Management of Standalone Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid
Authors:   Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, India, Kandari Ritu , Gupta Pankaj ,   Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, India, Kumar Ashwani ,   Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, India
Published: November 2021

An efficient energy management scheme for a standalone hybrid AC/DC microgrid (HMG) has been proposed in this paper. Energy management in a microgrid is a challenging task, because of the involvement of the distributed energy resources (DERs) which are intermittent in nature. The microgrid may therefore, undergo mismatch in demand and supply, when either the generation or load varies. This mismatch in power may result into DC bus voltage deviations and sometimes these deviations may be out of the permissible limits. A coordination control-based strategy (CCS) for DC bus voltage deviation mitigation and efficient energy management of the standalone microgrid is investigated here. The CCS is tested with the help of simulation studies on a test hybrid AC/DC microgrid in MATLAB covering all the scenarios which may arise. The test microgrid consists of a solar photovoltaic (PV) generation, a secondary source of generation, PEM fuel cell, a battery and a super capacitor. Coordination between the various sub-units and energy management of hybrid AC/DC microgrid is done using Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) and the DC bus voltage deviations are also compared with PI based control system. It is found that the system with FLC has better performance than PI based control system.
RATIONAL DRYING MODES FOR RAPE SEEDS
Authors: Paziuk Vadym , Shemanska Eugenia , Paziuk Dasha
Published: November 2021

Studies on finding rational regimes for drying rapeseed based on drying kinetics and qualitative characteristics are presented. The value of the acid number of oil and laboratory germination of rapeseed on the 7th day of germination were taken as a qualitative characteristic.
Experimental studies of the kinetics of the rapeseed drying process were performed on a convective drying stand using an automatic program for collecting and processing information, which makes it possible to obtain more accurate experimental data. According to the obtained experimental data with the help of an automatic program for collecting and processing information, graphs of the process kinetics from the influence of the coolant temperature are constructed. The presented graphs show the drying curves and drying speed curves that characterize the drying process that takes place during the period of falling drying speed.
The study of the kinetics of the drying process of rapeseed in a single-stage mode at coolant temperatures of 50 - 80°C showed that for better quality it is necessary to use low-temperature modes. The acid number of oil in this temperature range does not change significantly and is 1.03 - 1.8 mg / g of oil. These values of the acid number of the oil correspond to the normative value.
The greatest effect on the germination of rapeseed is observed from the temperature of the coolant. Increasing the temperature by 10 ° C in the temperature range from 50 to 80 ° C reduces the germination of the material. According to laboratory studies, we determined the drying regime of 50 ° С with a germination of 97% to be the most expedient and rational. All other drying regimes significantly reduce the germination of rapeseed and can not be recommended, as the germination value is less than the state standard of Ukraine 2240-93.
Analisis Nilai Tambah Pengolahan Kopi Arabika Di Kelompok Tani Sejahtera Kabupaten Situbondo
Authors: Puryantoro Puryantoro
Published: November 2021

Coffee is one of the mainstay commodities in Situbondo Regency. Kayumas Village, Arjasa District is the best coffee producer that has ever received a national award. The Arabica coffee agro-industry carried out by farmer groups provides promising added value to the business world. This study aims to analyze the added value in the agro-industry of fullwash coffee and natural arabica in the Prosperous Farmer Group in Kayumas Village, Arjasa District, Situbondo Regency. Data collected in March 2020 through primary and secondary data were analyzed using the Hayami method. The results showed that the added value of processing Arabica coffee into full-wash and natural Arabica brewed coffee gave the same added value, namely Rp. 50,600 or 40.48% with different benefits. Fullawash got a profit of Rp. 47,600 / kg and naturally get a profit of Rp. 46,850 / kg.
Analysis and Simulation of Current-source Flyback Inverter with Efficient BCM Control Strategy
Authors: Yaqoob Salam J. , Raham Jawad K. , Sadiq Hassan A.
Published: November 2021

The Flyback inverter is a single-stage power inverter which represent an attractive solution for photovoltaic (PV) grid-tied inverter application. The main advantages of a current-source flyback inverter are high power density and high efficiency due to its small, as well as low total harmonic distortion (THD) operation. However, a flyback topology works with Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) control strategy has lower efficiency and poor THD values. In this paper, an efficient current-source flyback inverter topology works with Boundary Conduction Mode (BCM) control strategy is presented. Besides, an efficient incremental conductance (IC) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is used to extract the maximum power from the PV module. To verify the proposed control a power simulator (PSIM) software is used. As a result, the simulation results indicates that the BCM control is more efficient than the DCM method for various weather conditions. Finally, the proposed BCM strategy is compared with DCM control in terms of THD and thus it is achieved lower THD contain in the injection current of grid.
Anomeric 1,2,3-triazole-linked sialic acid derivatives show selective inhibition towards a bacterial neuraminidase over a trypanosome trans-sialidase
Authors: de Andrade Peterson , Ahmadipour Sanaz , Field Robert A
Published: November 2021

Sialic acid is the natural substrate for sialidases and its chemical modification has been a useful approach to generate potent and selective inhibitors. Aiming at advancing the discovery of selective Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase (TcTS) inhibitors, we have synthesised a small series of anomeric 1,2,3-triazole-linked sialic acid derivatives in good yields and high purity via copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC, click chemistry) and evaluated their activity towards TcTS and neuraminidase. Surprisingly, the compounds showed practically no TcTS inhibition, whereas ca. 70% inhibition was observed for neuraminidase in relation to the analogues bearing hydrophobic substituents and ca. 5% for more polar substituents. These results suggest that polarity changes are less tolerated by neuraminidase due to the big difference in impact of hydrophobicity upon inhibition, thus indicating a simple approach to differentiate both enzymes. Moreover, such selectivity might be reasoned based on a possible steric hindrance caused by a bulky hydrophobic loop that sits over TcTS active and may prevent the hydrophobic inhibitors from binding. The present study is a step forward in exploiting subtle structural differences in sialidases that need to be addressed in order to achieve a selective inhibition.
Les étudiants des catégories populaires face à la décohabitation familiale
Authors: Dietrich-Ragon Pascale
Published: November 2021

Aujourd’hui, les jeunes figurent parmi les premières victimes de la crise du logement. À partir d’une enquête menée au Forum du logement étudiant et d’entretiens, cet article s’intéresse à la décohabitation des étudiants issus des catégories populaires en Île-de-France. Quels sont pour eux les enjeux de la recherche de logement et comment cette démarche influence-t-elle leur parcours universitaire et la perception qu’ils ont d’eux-mêmes dans la société ? Ces jeunes pensent l’accession à une position résidentielle valorisée comme un outil de réussite universitaire, mais se heurtent à divers obstacles pour réaliser ce projet. D’une part, le marché locatif privé leur ferme largement ses portes en raison du peu de ressources économiques de leurs parents et parfois de l’absence de garant. D’autre part, ils tendent à s’auto-exclure de ce secteur où ils pensent ne pas avoir leur place. Tous leurs espoirs se reportent donc sur le marché locatif social. Mais, là aussi, l’attente aux guichets et l’accompagnement qui leur est proposé les renvoient à leur « place », c’est-à-dire à une position dominée dans l’espace social. Enfin, quand ils trouvent une solution de logement, ils ont parfois du mal à faire face aux contraintes économiques liées au loyer. Cette situation a d’importants retentissements sur leur parcours universitaire et, en contribuant à la prise de conscience des inégalités sociales, leur rapport à la société.
A kernel-free fuzzy support vector machine with Universum
Authors: Yan Xin , Zhu Hongmiao
Published: November 2021

Support vector machines with Universum are attractive for dealing with classification problems by incorporating prior information. In this paper, a quadratic function based kernel-free support vector machine with Universum is proposed for binary classification. To deal with noise and outliers, two fuzzy membership functions considering both information entropy and distance information are constructed for labeled and Universum data, respectively. The fuzzy membership function for Universum is also adopted for further selecting Universum data to improve the robustness. The proposed model corresponds to an efficiently solved convex quadratic programming. In the meanwhile, by avoiding the issue of choosing kernel functions, the proposed model saves more computational time when compared with other Universum-based support vector machines. Finally, some numerical tests are implemented on several data sets to validate the classification effectiveness of the proposed method. The numerical results illustrate the competitive performance when compared with some state-of-the-art support vector machines. Applications on two credit rating data sets are also conducted to distinguish the classification performance of the proposed method.
Capital Buffers in a Quantitative Model of Banking Industry Dynamics
Authors: Corbae Dean , D'Erasmo Pablo
Published: November 2021

We develop a model of banking industry dynamics to study the quantitative impact of regulatory policies on bank risk‐taking and market structure. Since our model is matched to U.S. data, we propose a market structure where big banks with market power interact with small, competitive fringe banks as well as non‐bank lenders. Banks face idiosyncratic funding shocks in addition to aggregate shocks which affect the fraction of performing loans in their portfolio. A nontrivial bank size distribution arises out of endogenous entry and exit, as well as banks' buffer stock of capital. We show that the model predictions are consistent with untargeted business cycle properties, the bank lending channel, and empirical studies of the role of concentration on financial stability. We find that regulatory policies can have an important impact on banking market structure, which, along with selection effects, can generate changes in allocative efficiency and stability.
Identification at the Zero Lower Bound
Authors: Mavroeidis Sophocles
Published: November 2021

I show that the zero lower bound (ZLB) on interest rates can be used to identify the causal effects of monetary policy. Identification depends on the extent to which the ZLB limits the efficacy of monetary policy. I propose a simple way to test the efficacy of unconventional policies, modeled via a “shadow rate.” I apply this method to U.S. monetary policy using a three‐equation structural vector autoregressive model of inflation, unemployment, and the Federal Funds rate. I reject the null hypothesis that unconventional monetary policy has no effect at the ZLB, but find some evidence that it is not as effective as conventional monetary policy.
The Reputation Trap
Authors: Levine David K.
Published: November 2021

Few want to do business with a partner who has a bad reputation. Consequently, once a bad reputation is established, it can be difficult to get rid of. This leads on the one hand to the intuitive idea that a good reputation is easy to lose and hard to gain. On the other hand, it can lead to a strong form of history dependence in which a single beneficial or adverse event can cast a shadow over a very long period of time. It gives rise to a reputational trap where an agent rationally chooses not to invest in a good reputation because the chances others will find out is too low. Nevertheless, the same agent with a good reputation will make every effort to maintain it. Here, a simple reputational model is constructed and the conditions for there to be a unique equilibrium that constitutes a reputation trap are characterized.
Security Awareness in the Internet of Everything
Authors: Izosimov Viacheslav , Törngren Martin
Published: November 2021

Our societal infrastructure is transforming into a connected cyber-physical system of systems, providing numerous opportunities and new capabilities, yet also posing new and reinforced risks that require explicit consideration. This chapter addresses risks specifically related to cyber-security. One contributing factor, often neglected, is the level of security education of the users. Another factor, often overlooked, concerns security-awareness of the engineers developing cyber-physical systems. Authors present results of interviews with developers and surveys showing that increase in security-awareness and understanding of security risks, evaluated as low, are the first steps to mitigate the risks. Authors also conducted practical evaluation investigating system connectivity and vulnerabilities in complex multi-step attack scenarios. This chapter advocates that security awareness of users and developers is the foundation to deployment of interconnected system of systems, and provides recommendations for steps forward highlighting the roles of people, organizations and authorities.
Opportunities and Challenges of Cybersecurity for Undergraduate Information Systems Programs
Authors: Wang Shouhong , Wang Hai
Published: November 2021

This article investigates the opportunities and challenges of cybersecurity for information systems (IS) programs and proposes a curriculum structure of cybersecurity track for IS programs. The study has collected data from eighty-two course websites of thirteen institutions at the graduate level and sixteen institutions at the undergraduate level as well as twenty descriptions of cybersecurity jobs posted on the internet. The collected qualitative data has been analyzed from the from the perspective of IS education. The findings indicate that the topics of cybersecurity management and essential cybersecurity technology are relevant to the IS discipline. The article suggests that these topics can be the components of two cybersecurity courses offered by IS programs to meet the demands and challenges of cybersecurity.
Enhancing a SCRM Curriculum With Cybersecurity
Authors: Conklin Art , Bronk Chris
Published: November 2021

Supply chain-related curricula exist across many universities, with many including risk management as an important or focal element. With the rise of software-driven technology across the supply chain, how can firms manage the inherent risks associated with software as part of a procurement process? This article examines how to provide context appropriate cybersecurity exemplars in a model supply chain education program, bringing to light the issue of embedded risk in software acquisition. Through a series of specifically placed educational elements that provide targeted cybersecurity knowledge to students, the objective is to provide additional skill sets for future supply chain professionals to assist firms in including software related cybersecurity risk as a component in SCRM.
Teaching Graduate Technology Management Students With Innovative Learning Approaches Around Cybersecurity
Authors: Burrell Darrell Norman
Published: November 2021

Every year in the U.S., 40,000 jobs for information security analysts go unfilled, and employers are struggling to fill 200,000 other cybersecurity related roles. Colleges and universities have created certificates, undergraduate, and graduate programs to train professionals in these job roles. This issue becomes more complicated when you explore the that competent workers in this field need more than just book knowledge to be effective. Engaged and experiential learning approaches encourages experimentation and expanding teaching cybersecurity beyond the use of just classroom lectures, textbooks, and PowerPoint slides. The use of experiential and scenario-based learning approaches helps students to develop real-world problem solving and critical thinking skills that demonstrate expertise beyond course grades and degrees. Developing the ability to strategic and adaptive is vital to be effective. This case study research intends not to reconstitute theory but to influence the practice of cybersecurity education through the use of innovative applied and engaged learning approaches.
The Compromised Healthcare Sector of India and Other Southeast Asian Countries
Authors: Goswami Manisha
Published: November 2021

This chapter aims to focus on the umpteen challenges in the healthcare sector of India which temper the possibility of partnerships with India and the 10 Southeast Asian countries. India's expenditure on the healthcare sector is only 1% of GDP, less than neighboring ASEAN countries. The Indian Government has privatised the healthcare sector. In the second wave of COVID-19, public and private hospitals are operating at full capacity with shortages of life-saving medicines, oxygen, ventilators, and vaccines. Lower middle-income groups and the poor are suffering the most. Nations of the world, medical scientific community, and pharmaceutical companies put their resources together to discover a vaccine for coronavirus within a year. To have an effective and sustainable model of doing business in healthcare, it is important to have partnerships and integrating best practices and innovations for improving and providing equitable and affordable access to healthcare.
Connectedness Despite Disruption
Authors: Whiteside Aimee L. , Fleetwood April
Published: November 2021

This chapter addresses the unique position of those already well versed in technology during the COVID-19 lockdown and how their expertise became imperative to the success of more novice educators. Through the lens of disruptive innovation, this chapter details the how the pandemic advanced one innovative partnership of experts from a virtual school, the Regional Education Lab, and a university. It addresses how they collaborated to help educators understand the importance of social presence for students during a pandemic and how to better support their students in this difficult time. Ultimately, this chapter underscores that the disruption story does not come from educators implementing new technologies, but rather from seizing the opportunity to partner and learn solutions together that push innovation forward.
Discovering the Role of Artificial Intelligence in K12
Authors: Nadi Armana Hakim , Hossain Syed Far Abid , Safin Mussanna Ahmed , Sofin Mahbuba Rahman , Akhter Rahma
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this study is to explore AI (artificial intelligence)-enhanced teaching and learning in future educational development. The chapter is a representation of whether the future of online platforms will highly depend on AI or not. The study identified how students are affected by technology-enhanced AI as a future online platform. The study consists of qualitative research methodology approach where literature review is conducted to determine the future of online platforms with the help of robotic technology or AI. Results of the study revealed that the role of AI and the future of online platforms with the help of robotic technology has a significant effect on sustainable educational development. The study is limited to literature review only, and that may affect the generalizability of the result.
5 Phases of Educational Robotics (5PER)
Authors: Galvez-Legua Mauricio P. , Galvez-Aranda Diego E.
Published: November 2021

This chapter presents a methodology for the development of activities based on educational robotics: five phases of educational robotics (5PER). First, the authors describe how technology and science have evolved to this day, recognizing their importance, and how they have impacted the schools with approaches such as STEM. Then, the main theories and learning approaches that have driven to the use of educational robotics in schools are reviewed, as well as concepts of robotics, educational robotics, and the difference between them. Finally, each of the five phases are explained, and two practical examples of how to implement them in the development of learning activities are shown.
Educational Robotic Competitions
Authors: Galvez-Aranda Diego E. , Galvez-Legua Mauricio P.
Published: November 2021

In this chapter, the authors present a methodology for the formation and preparation of teams in order to participate in educational robotics competitions composed of five stages: recruitment, training, team conformation and preparation, prototyping, and competition day. The chapter begins with an introduction to educational robotics applied in schools and its use to implement design-based learning, followed by a description of the characteristics of the educational robotics kits and a brief description of the 5PER methodology used in the fourth stage, prototyping, with a description of the main robotics competencies worldwide. The five stages methodology is presented in detailed so it can be replicated by other educators around the world. The exposed methodology is based on the experience of the authors in the preparation of equipment to participate in various robotics competitions at the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of the Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria Lima, Peru.
Botnet Defense System and White-Hat Worm Launch Strategy in IoT Network
Authors: Yamaguchi Shingo , Gupta Brij
Published: November 2021

This chapter introduces a new kind of cybersecurity system named botnet defense system (BDS) that defends an IoT system against malicious botnets. This chapter consists of two parts. The former part describes the concept and design of the BDS. The concept is “fight fire with fire.” To realize the concept, the BDS uses bot technology. The BDS builds a white-hat botnet on the IoT system by itself and uses it to exterminate the malicious botnets. The white-hat botnet autonomously spreads over the IoT system and thus drastically increases the defense ability. The latter part explains the strategy of the BDS. The white-hat botnet is a so-called double-edged sword. It defends the IoT system against malicious botnet but wastes the system's resources. Therefore, the BDS should strategically use the white-hat botnet. Some strategies have been proposed. Their characteristics are discussed through the simulation with the agent-oriented petri nets.
World Creativity and Innovation Celebrations
Authors: Fields Ziska
Published: November 2021

The World Creativity and Innovation Week (WCIW) is celebrated annually (15-21 April). The mission of WCIW is to encourage people to use new ideas, make new decisions, and take new steps towards making the world better through creativity. The purpose of this chapter was to explain what World Creativity and Innovation Week (WCIW) and World Creativity and Innovation Day (WCID) entails. Three research objectives were identified to meet the purpose of the chapter: (1) to explain why creativity, innovation, and education are important; (2) to explore how WCIW/D was celebrated across the six continents focusing on the three countries per continent that celebrated WCIW/D the most; and (3) to make recommendations to celebrate the WCIW/D in the future. The chapter showed how different countries celebrated education, creativity, and innovation and provided ideas on enhancing learning and fun in the classroom.
Occupational Health and Safety Performance Management System
Authors: Krstić Bojan , Rađenović Tamara , Živković Snežana
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this chapter is to provide the conceptual framework, design, and vital elements of implementation of an effective and efficient occupational health and safety (OHS) performance management system in an enterprise. The aim of the chapter is to emphasize the importance of a managerial, systematic, and integral approach to the management of OHS performance, which is a field often left in the shadow of other performance dimensions. This chapter develops the specific framework of OHS performance management, which is characterized by the four key OHS performance phases: planning, measurement, analysis, and reporting. The proposed conceptual framework and the highlighted key aspects of OHS performance management are intended to aid managers in various industries (with particularly prominent OHS risks and hazards) in the development and implementation of the OHS management system and the OHS performance management system. Their proper implementation is aimed at the accomplishment of OHS goals and the business goals of enterprises in the contemporary business environment.
Online Learning as a Workplace Safety Answer to the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis
Authors: Slavković Marko , Tošić Bojana , Sretenović Stefan
Published: November 2021

COVID-19 brought very big challenges for business, and organizations needed to react immediately. In the new circumstances, the knowledge of employees must not be neglected even in situations when the implementation of traditional forms of training is not possible. This put in focus online learning as a method of acquiring knowledge that is cost-efficient and effective. The aim of this chapter is to point out the new circumstances, limitations, and possibilities for the development of e-learning that have arisen as a consequence of the pandemic. The purpose of this chapter is to point out the possibility that the existing situation can be significantly used for the period of normal business that should follow after the stabilization of the pandemic. Perception of employees in companies in Serbia demonstrate that there are possibilities for implementation of online learning. Still, there are differences in point of views depending on certain aspects such as gender or experience in using internet browsers, and this opportunity should be used for enhancement of this tool.
Relationship Between Population Health and Economic Development on the Example of European Countries
Authors: Marjanović Ivana , Marković Milan
Published: November 2021

The purpose of the chapter is to determine the link between the health of the population and economic development in the case of European countries. Based on the selected health indicators, a composite index was created, while the GDP per capita and disposable income were used as indicators of economic development. The results obtained by TOPSIS method show that there is a significant positive relationship between the composite index of health status of the population and indicators of economic development. Therefore, more investment in health care and improvement of living conditions is essential. The average values of composite population health index indicate that the countries of Western Europe on average have the best health status of the population, followed by the Mediterranean countries and the Northern European countries, while the Baltic countries have the lowest average value of the composite population health index.
Antecedents Driving the Intention to Share Unverified COVID-19 Information on Social Media
Authors: Tai Thong Bing , Liew Tze Wei , Tan Su-Mae , Khan Mohammad Tariqul Islam
Published: November 2021

Infodemic refers to the influx of inaccurate or deceptive information on social media during a pandemic. The sharing of unverified COVID-19 information on social media is pervasive in Malaysia, which leads to adverse consequences stemming from misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information. Drawing upon the cognitive load theory (CLT) and self-determination theory (SDT), this research examined the antecedents driving unverified COVID-19 information sharing on social media in Malaysia. Based on 309 validated online survey responses, the PLS-SEM analysis revealed that except for trust towards online information; the proposed factors, self-disclosure, information overload, entertainment, and fear of missing out (FoMo), were found to predict the intention to share unverified COVID-19 information sharing on social media in Malaysia. Theoretical implications are discussed through CLT and SDT, and practical recommendations for government agencies, social media administrators, and public members to curb unverified COVID-19 information sharing on social media in Malaysia are offered.
Factors Leading to Increased Online Engagement
Authors: Nyamekye Michael Boadi , Agbemabiese George Cudjoe , Amoako George Kofi
Published: November 2021

The presence of the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the need for businesses to reconsider their marketing strategies for survival. This has become necessary due to the shift in consumer habits and demands as a consequence of the crisis. The lockdown and social distancing among other factors have forced more businesses to result to the use of digital platforms in order to continue to meet the needs of their target audiences. Fortunately, consumers across the world have wholeheartedly embraced digital channels in fulfilling their needs and now seem to shop online much more than before. Nonetheless, in the digital platform era, the word engagement and participation are the fundamental non-transactional constructs employed to explain the nature of the participant's unique interactive experiences. In this chapter, the authors set out to look at some factors that could lead to increased online engagement. Among the factors hypothesized are the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, online advertisement, and electronic word of mouth. The chapter recommends further testing of the proposed hypothesis.
Managing Distance Learning Systematically
Authors: Sariyalcinkaya Ahmet Dogukan , Altun Emrah , Erümit Ali Kürşat
Published: November 2021

The distance education structure is preferred by many learners in the world. With the COVID-19 pandemic, distance education has become an even more important trend all over the world and in Turkey. With the spread of e-learning and distance education applications, educational content and management of applications in electronic environment has become increasingly important. There are many different applications where activities can be managed together or separately in educational processes. In this study, the concepts of content management system (CMS), learning management system (LMS), and learning content management system (LCMS) are examined, and different aspects of each term are explained. It will contribute to the national literature. This chapter will examine the latest approaches in the use of learning management systems and virtual classroom software before pandemic, during pandemic, and after the pandemic.
Views of Academic Staff About the Assessment Processes of Online Courses During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Karamete Ayşen , Öztürk Gülcan
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to determine views of academic staff about the assessment processes of online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the study, the case study method, one of qualitative research methods, was used. The participants of the study were 42 academic staff teaching in six faculties from nine universities in Turkey. The research data were collected using the semi-structured interview method, and content analysis was conducted on the collected data. According to the research results, most of the participants used more than one method for assessment, and the most common methods were homework, tests with multiple choice questions, tests with open-ended questions, projects, and reports. It was found that the most important problem reported by the participants in relation to assessment was the cheating done by students in online exams. In line with the opinions at the end of the research, suggestions were put forward regarding the academic staff's assessment processes of online courses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Visualisation Analysis Using the VOSviewer of Literature on Virtual Reality Technology Application in Healthcare
Authors: Liu Xiaoxiao , Chau Ka Yin , Chan Hoi Sze , Wan Yan
Published: November 2021

Current virtual reality technology applications in healthcare perform potential abilities in clinical and nursing practices. This review aims to analyse the use and the development direction of virtual reality technology in the whole healthcare field. Researchers searched (n = 5,209) English-language literature related to the application of virtual reality in healthcare on the basis of the Web of Science online database and used VOSviewer 1.6.17 to visualise and analyse the time trend co-authorship, co-occurrence keywords, and country distribution of the literature. Furthermore, they found that the application of virtual reality technology in healthcare shows an overall fragmentation and a relatively concentrated trend, focusing on medical education, rehabilitation therapy, and psychological interventions. Augmented reality and COVID-19 are present research hotspots.
Prototyping VR Training Tools for Healthcare With Off-the-Shelf CGI
Authors: Zawadzki Tomasz , Nikiel Slawomir , Young Gareth W.
Published: November 2021

Cloud computing, big data, wearables, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality (VR), when seamlessly combined, will create the healthcare of the future. In the presented study, the authors aim to provide tools and methodologies to efficiently create 3D virtual learning environments (VLEs) to immerse participants in 3600, six degrees of freedom (6DoF) patient examination simulations. Furthermore, the authors will discuss specific methods and features to improve visual realism in VR, such as post-processing effects (ambient occlusion, bloom, depth of field, anti-aliasing), texturing (normal maps, transparent, and reflective materials), and realistic lighting (spotlights and custom lights). The presented VLE creation techniques will be used as a testbed for medical simulation, created using the Unity game engine.
Innovative Learning Technologies for Children With Autism and Special Educational Needs During COVID-19
Authors: Koumpouros Yiannis
Published: November 2021

The internet and the latest technological developments promise new and innovative work and learning environments and capabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the way people work, communicate, and learn. Many traditional infrastructures, such as the internet, have been tested to the fullest extent. Education has faced the most significant challenge as it had to serve people with different needs and backgrounds. Cheap technology solutions combined with increased computing and storage capabilities enable the education system to cope on time. Nevertheless, the need to adequately serve special population groups remains a challenge. The chapter presents an example of a methodological approach to designing an effective solution employing game-based learning techniques for children with autism or other learning difficulties. The latest pedagogical approaches are combined with appropriate gamification techniques to produce the desired outcome. It concludes by presenting critical issues in designing game-based learning applications for children with special educational needs.
Digital Transformation Challenges for the Development of Quality Electronic Medical Records in Greece
Authors: Katehakis Dimitrios G. , Kouroubali Angelina
Published: November 2021

This work presents, analyzes, and discusses the digital transformation challenges that need to be addressed for the development of quality electronic medical record (EMR) systems in Greece in the aftermath of the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic. The authors highlight quality EMR characteristics and provide an overview of factors affecting their adoption within the wider context of the European digital single market towards supporting continuity of care. Key challenges addressed include the linking of EMRs with the medical practice workflow in a standardized manner, building trust and acceptance by making the best use of champions to build capacity, and by financing the digital transformation transition and sustainability in a coordinated manner. Foreseen benefits include better support of medical decisions across all stages of the patient journey, patient empowerment through virtual dossiers with clinically significant information, enhancement of vendor potential to implement innovative tools to support continuity of care, and acceleration of evidence-based research.
Implementation of Videos Captured by Static Telecytological Applications for Obtaining Expert Opinions
Authors: Archondakis Stavros K. , Oustampasidou Ourania S.
Published: November 2021

Published studies compare static and dynamic telecytology systems. Still, no study has focused on implementing short videos captured by static telecytology stations for telemedical applications. The chapter aims to evaluate the diagnostic reproducibility of telecytology in thyroid fine-needle aspiration specimens prepared using liquid-based cytology among four cytopathologists using representative short duration videos captured by a static telecytology station. It also examines the agreement between the contributor's and the reviewer's diagnoses.
Theory and Practice of the Post-Audit of Capital Projects
Authors: Kovarnik Jaroslav , Hamplova Eva , Lefley Frank
Published: November 2021

This paper reports on the post-audit practices of organisations in the Czech Republic. Much of the earlier published empirical research has been conducted in Australia, Canada, the USA, and Western Europe. Only recently, attention has been given to emerging markets, including Eastern European accession/transition countries. This exploratory study's main objective is to identify CZ companies' post-audit practices and obtain opinions on various post-audit issues. It also seeks to assess if these practices mirror those adopted by more developed economies. The research adopts interview, questionnaire, and descriptive statistical analysis approaches. The results present some interesting findings which are of value to both academics and practitioners. Although at the fringe of the general understanding of logistics, project management is a vital part. The authors believe that this is one of the first papers to focus on CZ post-audit practices and fills an important gap in the applied logistics literature.
Specifications of a Queuing Model-Driven Decision Support System for Predicting the Healthcare Performance Indicators Pertaining to the Patient Flow
Authors: Fadelelmoula Ashraf Ahmed
Published: November 2021

This article has developed specifications for a new model-driven decision support system (DSS) that aids the key stakeholders of public hospitals in estimating and tracking a set of crucial performance indicators pertaining to the patients flow. The developed specifications have considered several requirements for ensuring an effective system, including tracking the performance indicator on the level of the entire patients flow system, paying attention to the dynamic change of the values of the indicator’s parameters, and considering the heterogeneity of the patients. According to these requirements, the major components of the proposed system, which include a comprehensive object-based queuing model and an object-oriented database, have been specified. In addition to these components, the system comprises the equations that produce the required predictions. From the system output perspective, these predictions act as a foundation for evaluating the performance indicators as well as developing policies for managing the patients flow in the public hospitals.
Effective Decision Support in the Big Data Era
Authors: Wang Fen , Raisinghani Mahesh S. , Mora Manuel , Forrest Jeffrey
Published: November 2021

This study conducts a review and synthesis of the Business Intelligence and Analytics (BI&A) evolution, applications, frameworks and emerging trends with the aim to provide a summary of core concepts, a succinct but valuable description of main applications and frameworks, and an account of main recommendations for addressing the Big Data challenges and opportunities. It develops an integrated and organized view on the BI&A evolution process and presents an integrated BI&A application framework to help organizations adopt or develop the appropriate BI&A solutions to derive the desired impact in the Big Data era. This paper also elicits a set of practical recommendations to executives and leaders in organizations worldwide for interpreting the BI&A literature and applying the rich body of knowledge for IT practitioners. It traces the BI&A evolution to data-driven discovery and highly proactive and creative decision-making utilizing advanced analytical techniques with unstructured and massive data sources to cope with a highly dynamic global business environment in the Big Data era.
A Modified Markov-Based Maximum-Entropy Model for POS Tagging of Odia Text
Authors: Pattnaik Sagarika , Nayak Ajit Kumar
Published: November 2021

POS (Parts of Speech) tagging, a vital step in diverse Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks has not drawn much attention in case of Odia a computationally under-developed language. The proposed hybrid method suggests a robust POS tagger for Odia. Observing the rich morphology of the language and unavailability of sufficient annotated text corpus a combination of machine learning and linguistic rules is adopted in the building of the tagger. The tagger is trained on tagged text corpus from the domain of tourism and is capable of obtaining a perceptible improvement in the result. Also an appreciable performance is observed for news articles texts of varied domains. The performance of proposed algorithm experimenting on Odia language shows its manifestation in dominating over existing methods like rule based, hidden Markov model (HMM), maximum entropy (ME) and conditional random field (CRF).
Fuzzy Multi-Objective Linear Programming Problem Using DM's Perspective
Authors: Singh Vishnu Pratap , Deshmukh Madhura , Sharma Kirti
Published: November 2021

In this paper, a two-stage method has been proposed for solving Fuzzy Multi-objective Linear Programming Problem (FMOLPP) with Interval Type-2 Triangular Fuzzy Numbers (IT2TFNs) as its coefficients. In the first stage of problem solving, the imprecise nature of the problem has been handled. All technological coefficients given by IT2TFNs are first converted to a closed interval and then the objectives are made crisp by reducing a closed interval into a crisp number and constraints are made crisp by using the concept of acceptability index. The amount by which a specific constraint can be relaxed is decided by the decision maker and thus the problem reduces to a crisp multi-objective linear programming problem (MOLPP). In the second stage of problem solving, the multi-objective nature of the problem is handled by using fuzzy mathematical programming approach. In order to explain the methodology, two numerical examples of the proposed methodology in Production planning and Diet planning problems have also been worked out in this paper.
Decision Support for Plan Adaptation in Unforeseen Situations
Authors: Diirr Bruna , Borges Marcos Roberto da Silva
Published: November 2021

Handling irregular phenomena might bring great complexity for involved teams. Variables considered for undertaking recommended procedures may yield many decision alternatives, challenging to deal with at planning time. Additionally, expectations regarding the phenomena handling may not match those observed. This means that the existing plan’s application may become inappropriate, and teams must be creative in performing actions and decision-making. An approach for on-the-fly adaptation of plans aims to assist teams in identifying and diagnosing unforeseen situations, besides adjusting previously developed plans at runtime. This approach was evaluated through experiments in the emergency management domain, and the initial results indicate its feasibility in dealing with unforeseen situations while handling irregular phenomena in complex environments.