bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Object Tracking Using Local Multiple Features and a Posterior Probability Measure
Authors: Guo Wenhua , Feng Zuren , Ren Xiaodong
Published: March 2017

Object tracking has remained a challenging problem in recent years. Most of the trackers can not work well, especially when dealing with problems such as similarly colored backgrounds, object occlusions, low illumination, or sudden illumination changes in real scenes. A centroid iteration algorithm using multiple features and a posterior probability criterion is presented to solve these problems. The model representation of the object and the similarity measure are two key factors that greatly influence the performance of the tracker. Firstly, this paper propose using a local texture feature which is a generalization of the local binary pattern (LBP) descriptor, which we call the double center-symmetric local binary pattern (DCS-LBP). This feature shows great discrimination between similar regions and high robustness to noise. By analyzing DCS-LBP patterns, a simplified DCS-LBP is used to improve the object texture model called the SDCS-LBP. The SDCS-LBP is able to describe the primitive structural information of the local image such as edges and corners. Then, the SDCS-LBP and the color are combined to generate the multiple features as the target model. Secondly, a posterior probability measure is introduced to reduce the rate of matching mistakes. Three strategies of target model update are employed. Experimental results show that our proposed algorithm is effective in improving tracking performance in complicated real scenarios compared with some state-of-the-art methods.
Characterization of Droughts in Humid Subtropical Region, Upper Kafue River Basin (Southern Africa)
Authors: Lweendo Muumbe , Lu Baohong , Wang Meng , Zhang Hanwen , Xu Wei
Published: March 2017

In this study, an integrated approach involving multiple standardized indicators and hydrological modeling (Soil and Water Assessment Tool, SWAT) was evaluated to reconstruct and characterize meteorological, agricultural and hydrological droughts in Upper Kafue River Basin of Zambia during 1984–2013. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) were used to identify meteorological droughts. Standardized Soil Moisture Index (SSI) was applied to characterize agricultural droughts and Standardized Runoff Index (SRI) was calculated to illustrate hydrological droughts. Input data for SRI and SSI computation was obtained from SWAT model which simulated daily and monthly runoff well with Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R2) greater than 0.65. The results showed that: (1) all indices were able to detect temporal variability of major drought events in a humid subtropical basin in Southern Africa; (2) SWAT successfully simulated runoff and soil moisture although soil moisture requires further calibration to increase accuracy; (3) the average duration and intensity for meteorological droughts at three-month time scale were lower but frequencies were higher compared to agricultural and hydrological droughts at 3- and 12-month aggregates; and (4) drought events exhibited a negative trend as evaluated by Mann–Kendall on SPEI, indicating an increase in drought severity, and correlation analysis between SPEI and SRI revealed that SPEI at 9–15 months has a strong link with hydrological conditions. This study showed that a comprehensive assessment of droughts by integrating multiple variables provided a versatile tool for drought monitoring and mitigation.
A Machine Learning-based Method for Question Type Classification in Biomedical Question Answering
Authors: El Alaoui Said Ouatik , Sarrouti Mourad
Published: March 2017

Background and Objective: Biomedical question type classification is one of the important components of an automatic biomedical question answering system. The performance of the latter depends directly on the performance of its biomedical question type classification system, which consists of assigning a category to each question in order to determine the appropriate answer extraction algorithm. This study aims to automatically classify biomedical questions into one of the four categories: (1) yes/no, (2) factoid, (3) list, and (4) summary.

Methods: In this paper, we propose a biomedical question type classification method based on machine learning approaches to automatically assign a category to a biomedical question. First, we extract features from biomedical questions using the proposed handcrafted lexico-syntactic patterns. Then, we feed these features for machine- learning algorithms. Finally, the class label is predicted using the trained classifiers.

Results: Experimental evaluations performed on large standard annotated datasets of biomedical questions, provided by the BioASQ challenge, demonstrated that our method exhibits significant improved performance when compared to four baseline systems. The proposed method achieves a roughly 10-point increase over the best baseline in terms of accuracy. Moreover, the obtained results show that using handcrafted lexico-syntactic patterns as features’ provider of support vector machine (SVM) lead to the highest accuracy of 89.40%.

Conclusion: The proposed method can automatically classify BioASQ questions into one of the four categories: yes/no, factoid, list, and summary. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that our method produced the best classification performance compared to four baseline systems.
Description, Normative Data, and Utility of the Hearing Aid Skills and Knowledge Test
Authors: Saunders Gabrielle H. , Morse-Fortier Charlotte , McDermott Daniel J. , Vachhani Jay J. , Grush Leslie D. , Griest Susan , Lewis M. Samantha
Published: March 2017

Background:The ability to manage hearing aids is crucial for successful outcomes and for maintaining hearing aid use. It is therefore important to have a tool that can effectively identify which hearing aid management skills are lacking so that the audiologist can provide additional
education and training on that skill. Such a tool can also provide useful quantitative data for researchers.Purpose:To collect normative data (Experiment 1) and assess inter- and intrarater reliability (Experiment 2) for a hearing aid management assessment tool known as the Hearing
Aid Skills and Knowledge (HASK) test.Study Sample:Two hundred thirty-six new hearing aid users recruited from the VA Portland Health Care System and 126 experienced hearing aid users recruited from the local Portland community participated in Experiment 1. The veteran participants were
taking part in a larger hearing aid study, and the community participants were recruited at community events that took place around Portland, OR. Three clinical audiologists and two AuD students completing their fourth year externship participated in Experiment 2.Data Collection and Analysis:In
Experiment 1, HASK data were collected from the new hearing aid users at 4‐8 wk and 6‐8 mo after the fitting of their first pair of hearing aids, and from experienced users on a single occasion. In addition, self-reported hearing aid use, benefit, and satisfaction were assessed
for all participants. The audiologists/students in Experiment 2 watched and independently scored videos of six individuals completing the HASK. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) across audiologists were computed for HASK scores. Three audiologists/students rated at least one video
on two occasions to provide interrater reliability data.Results:Mean performance on the HASK was about 70% for knowledge and 80% for skills for both the new and experienced hearing aid users. Performance did not change among the new users between the 4‐8 wk and 6‐8 mo
administration. The specific skills lacking were associated with advanced management abilities (cleaning and troubleshooting). Experiment 2 revealed ICCs for inter- and intrarater reliability for HASK to range from 0.76 to 0.94, showing acceptable to excellent reliability.Conclusions:The
HASK is a quick and easy test with good-to-excellent inter- and intrarater reliability. It can effectively identify which hearing aid management skills are lacking so that the audiologist can provide additional education and training on those skills. Data show performance is ∼70% for knowledge
and 80% for skills and this does not change with hearing aid experience. The significant positive correlations between HASK scores and hearing aid use and satisfaction highlight the notion that ability to manage hearing aids successfully is integral to good hearing aid outcome.
Epidemiological Profile Of Vascular Encephalic Accident (VEA) Victims Hospitalized In A Regional Hospital Of Paraíba, Brazil
Authors: Ferreira de Oliveira Jordeyanne , Marques Nunes Elicarlos , Santos Carvalho Renata , Costa Melquíades Barreto Cristina , Da Silva Carvalho Robéria , Dias de Oliveira Josseana , Pereira Evangelista Bianka , Firmino de Araújo Neto Alexandre , Leite Mota Maria da Glória , Melquíades Azevedo Denisy Dantas , Dantas da Silva Paulo Ana Paula , De Oliveira Costa Nobre Juliane , Da Nóbrega Xavier Martins Edmara , Ribeiro César Alves Érica Surama , Martins Ferreira Allan
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Responsible for a high mortality rate and for causing numerous sequels in the general population, stroke arises from a deficiency in cerebral oxygen supply, commonly caused by obstruction of the arteries or extravasation of blood for the tissue. Genetic factors, style and quality of life are factors directly related to the incidence of stroke and its numerous hospitalizations.

Objective: The study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of hospitalized patients after clinical diagnosis of stroke.

Methodology: This is a retrospective study, with a quantitative approach, carried out through the analysis of 252 medical records of patients hospitalized in the Medical Clinic and in the Mixed Stroke Unit of the Deputado Janduhy Carneiro Regional Hospital, in the municipality of Patos - PB, in the period of January 1 to December 31 2015. All medical records of patients affected by stroke in 2015 were included; internal with clinical diagnosis of stroke; Computed Tomography of Skull; Neurologist's evaluation; and readable handwriting. Data were collected using a questionnaire with objective questions, including variables related to the objective of study. They were submitted to simple statistical analysis and later, discussed and related to the literature from the reading and the comprehension of the researchers.

Results: It was observed that the affected victim is woman, over 70 years of age, brown, living in an urban area and retired. The most frequent etiology of the stroke is of the ischemic type, being able to notice preexisting diseases in the patients, such as Arterial Hypertension and Heart diseases. 42% of patients were discharged after treatment in less than 15 days (78%). By causing many deaths and disabilities, bringing not only human, but social and financial damage to the health and social security system.

Conclusion: More and more studies are needed to diagnose the causes of stroke, consequences and possible decisions that attenuate this problem.

Keywords: Vascular Encephalic Accident. Hospitalization. Prognosis.
Information and communication technology for obstetric good practices
Authors: Caxias de Souza Maurício , Santos Sérgio Ribeiro dos , Holmes Ericka Silva , De Medeiros Ana Lúcia , Pereira Wilma Dias de Fontes , Arruda Aurilene Josefa Cartaxo Gomes de , De Mendonça Faustino e Freitas Waglânia , Pereira de Souza Avelino Jéssica Priscilla , Pedrosa Leite Natalia
Published: March 2017

Objective: to investigate the use of information and communication technologies in good obstetrical practices.

Results and Discussion: the studies found have dealt with the use of different information technologies, demonstrating that they are essential to good obstetrical practices because they provide security and greater access to information, as well as provide a more efficient diagnosis and consequently an adequate treatment.

Conclusion: It is essential to use the technologies to achieve good obstetric practices throughout the health team. However, it is still necessary to carry out studies, as well as the creation of software that gives greater security to the welfare practices.  

Descriptors: Information Technology; Obstetrics; Software; Professional Practice.
Toward Detection of Exoplanetary Rings via Transit Photometry: Methodology and a Possible Candidate
Authors: Aizawa (逢澤正嵩) Masataka , Uehara (上原翔) Sho , Masuda (増田賢人) Kento , Kawahara (河原創) Hajime , Suto (須藤靖) Yasushi
Published: March 2017

The detection of a planetary ring of exoplanets remains one of the most attractive, but challenging, goals in the field of exoplanetary science. We present a methodology that implements a systematic search for exoplanetary rings via transit photometry of long-period planets. This methodology relies on a precise integration scheme that we develop to compute a transit light curve of a ringed planet. We apply the methodology to 89 long-period planet candidates from the Kepler data so as to estimate, and/or set upper limits on, the parameters of possible rings. While the majority of our samples do not have sufficient signal-to-noise ratios (S/Ns) to place meaningful constraints on ring parameters, we find that six systems with higher S/Ns are inconsistent with the presence of a ring larger than 1.5 times the planetary radius, assuming a grazing orbit and a tilted ring. Furthermore, we identify five preliminary candidate systems whose light curves exhibit ring-like features. After removing four false positives due to the contamination from nearby stars, we identify KIC 10403228 as a reasonable candidate for a ringed planet. A systematic parameter fit of its light curve with a ringed planet model indicates two possible solutions corresponding to a Saturn-like planet with a tilted ring. There also remain two other possible scenarios accounting for the data; a circumstellar disk and a hierarchical triple. Due to large uncertain factors, we cannot choose one specific model among the three.
Long-term Study of the Double Pulsar J0737-3039 with XMM-Newton: Spectral Analysis
Authors: Egron E. , Pellizzoni A. , Pollock A. , Iacolina M. N. , Ikhsanov N. R. , Possenti A. , Marongiu M.
Published: March 2017

We present a long-term spectral monitoring of the unique double pulsar binary PSR J0737-3039 corresponding to two “Large Programs” performed by XMM-Newton in 2006 and 2011. Spectral variability of pulsar emission in soft X-rays is not evident over 5 years, despite the significant relativistic spin precession in the considered time span (

). We provide, for the first time, evidence of hard X-ray emission from the system in the 5–8 keV energy band. The standard spectral analysis was coupled to the energy dependent spatial analysis to confirm this excess, most likely ascribed to iron line emission. The Fe Kα emission line at 6.4–6.97 keV was previously unheard of in non-accreting binary systems and could testify to the presence of a relic disk that survived the supernova explosions that terminated the lives of the double pulsar’s stellar progenitors. The existence of a relic disk in this system reinforces speculation about the presence of similar structures around other peculiar classes of isolated neutron stars.
Seroprevalence and molecular epidemiology of EAST1 gene-carrying Escherichia coli from diarrheal patients and raw meats
Authors: Sukkua Kannika , Manothong Somruthai , Sukhumungoon Pharanai
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Several Escherichia coli pathotypes have been reported in Thailand; however, information on enteroaggregative heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1)-carrying E. coli (EAST1-EC) is insufficient. Previous reports show that consumption of raw meats causes diarrheagenic E. coli infections. In this study, we investigated the seroprevalence and genetic relationship of EAST1-EC from clinical and raw meat samples. Methodology: Diarrheal patients and raw meat samples were investigated for the presence of EAST1-EC by performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect astA. Serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and PCR-based phylogenetic group assay were performed. Molecular epidemiology of E. coli strains from clinical and raw meat samples was determined using repetitive element-PCR typing, BOX-PCR, and ERIC2-PCR. Results: Results showed that 11.2% (17/152) of clinical samples and 53.3% (16/30) of raw meat samples had EAST1-EC. In all, 24 and 36 EAST1-EC strains were successfully isolated from 17 clinical and 16 raw meat samples, respectively. These strains had astA but did not possess the indicative genes of other E. coli pathotypes and were therefore classified as EAST1-EC. Most of these strains were multidrug resistant and were classified into nine serogroups. Molecular genotyping showed identical DNA fingerprint among EAST1-EC serotype O15 strains from clinical and raw chicken samples, suggesting that they were derived from the same bacterial clone. Conclusions: Our results indicated a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant EAST1-EC strains in clinical and environmental samples in Thailand belonging to nine serogroups. Moreover, the study highlighted the close association between infections caused by EAST1-EC serotype O15 and raw meat consumption.
Gallbladder microbiota variability in Colombian gallstones patients
Authors: Arteta Ariel Antonio , Carvajal-Restrepo Hernan , Sánchez-Jiménez Miryan Margot , Diaz-Rodriguez Sergio , Cardona-Castro Nora
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Gallbladder stones are a very frequently occurring condition. Despite bile bactericidal activity, many bacteria have been detected inside the gallbladder, and gallstones facilitate their presence. Between 3% and 5% of the patients with Salmonella spp. infection develop the carrier stage, with the bacteria persisting inside the gallbladder, shedding bacteria in their feces without signs of infection. The aim of this study was to isolate bacteria from Colombian patients with gallstones, using standard culturing methods, and to identify Salmonella spp. carriers by molecular techniques. Methodology: A total of 149 patients (120 female and 29 male) diagnosed with gallstones who underwent cholecystectomy and who did not have symptoms of acute inflammation were included. Gallbladder tissue and bile were cultured and used for DNA extraction and Salmonella spp. hilA gene detection. Results: Of the 149 patients 28 (19%) had positive cultures. Twenty-one (75%) patients with positive cultures were from Medellin’s metropolitan area. In this geographical location, the most frequent isolations were Pseudomonas spp. (38%), Klebsiella spp. (23%), and Proteus spp. (9%) in addition to unique cases of other bacteria. In Apartado, the isolates found were Enterobacter cloacae (50%), Raoultella terrigena (32%), and both Enterobacter cloacae and Raoultella terrigena were isolated in one (18%) male patient. Five (3.3%) of the 149 patients had positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results for the hilA gene of Salmonella spp., all of whom were female and residents of the Medellín metropolitan area. Conclusions: The gallbladder microbiota variability found could be related to geographical, ethnic, and environmental conditions.
“The Problem of the Adjective”
Authors: Feldman Jessica
Published: March 2017

The realm of the voice and the realm of the affective often share the distinction of the ineffable. Over the past 5-10 years, there has been a proliferation of scientific research and commercial products focused on the measurement of affect in the voice, attempting to codify and quantify that which previously had been understood as beyond language. Following similar work regarding the digital detection of facial expressions of emotion, this form of signal capture monitors data “below the surface,” deriving information about the subject’s intentions, objectives, or emotions by monitoring the voice signal for parameters such as timing, volume, pitch changes, and timbral fluctuation. Products claim to detect the mood, personality, truthfulness, confidence, mental health, and investability quotient of a speaker, based on the acoustic component of their voice. This software is being used in a range of applications, from targeted surveillance, mental health diagnoses, and benefits administration to credit management. A study of code, schematics, and patents reveals how this software imagines human subjectivity, and how such recognition is molded by, and in service of, the risk economy; revealing an evolution from truth-telling, to diagnostic, to predictive forms of listening.
Privacy in the Internet of Things
Authors: Kanniappan Jayashree , Rajendiran Babu
Published: March 2017

Internet of Things technology is rapidly gaining popularity, not only in industrial and commercial environments, but also in personal life by means of smart devices at home. The Internet of Things (IoT) spawn new businesses and make buildings, cities and transport smarter. The IoT allows for ubiquitous data collection or tracking, but these useful features are also examples of privacy threats that are already limiting the success of the IoT vision when not implemented correctly. Privacy should be protected in the device, in storage, during communication, and at processing. The privacy of users and their data protection have been identified as one of the important challenges that need to be addressed in the IoT. The chapter presents the IoT technology, the various applications, and privacy issues. Various other issues such as security and performance are also addressed.
IoT for Hospitality Industry
Authors: Yuksel Asim Sinan , Cankaya Ibrahim Arda , Cankaya Sadi Fuat
Published: March 2017

Creating and updating meal tags, printing them on small-sized papers raise the costs, cause workload and affect the service quality negatively at the hotels with all-you-can-eat buffet system. Over the last few years, we have seen that many hotels started to make use of tablets to improve the service quality, decrease the costs, provide customers ability to order foods, make reservations, manage their rooms, etc. Going paperless and including more features by adopting new technologies increase the quality of service, help customer's and staff's decision-making processes more effective, improve customer and service personnel experience. In this chapter, authors designed and developed a flexible, cost effective, easy-to-use, customer-friendly and staff oriented paperless buffet management system for the restaurants that have all-you-can-eat buffet. Through this system, they aimed to achieve enhanced customer service, increased efficiency and customer satisfaction; save time, paper and printing costs; provide environmental benefits and efficient buffet management.
Examining the Potential for Flipped Literature Units
Authors: Shaffer Shelly
Published: March 2017

This chapter discusses a case study of an eleventh-grade American Literature course in the Southwestern United States using flipped teaching approaches with technology for the first time. The study's purpose was to investigate the effects of flipping using technology on how the teacher and students worked, learned, and engaged with English Language Arts (ELA) content. Specifically, the researcher hoped to study the effects of flipped coursework on homework and classwork, the students' and teacher's responses to flipped strategies, and the impact of technology on a two-week unit on The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald, 1925). The teacher worked with the researcher to choose four activities in the unit to flip, which involved a webquest, Google quiz, blog, and online PowerPoint. The participants in the study included the teacher: Mr. Riggs, a veteran ELA teacher with over 20 years' experience and four eleventh grade students: Simone, a bi-racial female; Omar, an African-American male; Garrett, a Caucasian male; and Audrey, a Latino female. Through open-coding analysis of interviews with each participant during the study, field notes taken throughout the unit, and documents collected from online and paper artifacts, three major categories were established. The major categories included perceptions of changes in classwork and homework, impact of technology, and appeal of flipped classrooms. The findings of this study revealed that the flipped unit had an impact on the amount of homework, the type of homework and classwork, homework completion, time spent in class, and the way technology was used. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation played an important role on whether flipped assignments were completed on time or were engaging for students. A final important finding showed that teacher flexibility was necessary for the flipped unit to be successful. This study provides insight into how flipping could work and look in an ELA classroom.
Two Sides of the Flip in Middle Grades ELA
Authors: Brooks Natascha , Weaver Hannah
Published: March 2017

This chapter aims to guide secondary teachers through the process of flipping their classrooms. The authors will share results from their action research and lay out recommendations for before, during, and after a flipped unit, providing readers with resources to flip their own classrooms. The authors will also share student perspectives and describe how these perspectives have shaped future flipped lessons and classroom approaches.
Making the Most of the Flipped Format
Authors: Gudenrath April
Published: March 2017

Flipping the English language arts (ELA) classroom can be equally empowering and frustrating. However, the increased time and effort are worth the gains in student knowledge and teacher satisfaction. The key to success is helping students to work individually and independently. In this chapter, ideas for promoting student independence through flipping writing, flipping discussions, and flipping vocabulary instruction are provided.
Mapping the Commons in Istanbul
Authors: Ergüder Başak
Published: March 2017

In the study, bids for Üçüncü Köprü (The Third Bridge), Üçüncü Havalimani (The Third Airport), and link roads in Northern Forests will be examined to map urban commons in Istanbul. Two coordinates will be followed for mapping urban commons. First coordinate is the conceptual one which regulates the differences of fundamental conceptions relating to urban commons. At this level, use value will be analyzed in terms of public benefit which is in regard to basic features of urban commons. In second coordinate, urban spaces including exchange value and privately owned such as bridges, roads, airports and highways will be analyzed in terms of infrastructure finance. The aim of the study is discussing the “tragedy of commons” within the context of investments to be made for the urban commons and bringing into question the future of urban commons upon the basis of Istanbul example.
Integrating Technology in Preschool Science and Inquiry
Authors: Spektor-Levy Ornit , Plutov Inna , Israeli Naama , Perry Netta
Published: March 2017

Technology has brought about considerable changes in our private, social and professional lives, as well as in our culture and values. Therefore, educational frameworks should make an effort to become more relevant for young students and prepare them for the future in all aspects of career and life, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). This chapter will discuss the opportunities and challenges of integrating technology into preschool classrooms (3-6 years of age). It attempts to determine the essence of judicious, proportionate, and beneficial integration of technology in preschool, with a particular focus on science and inquiry. Consideration is given to maintaining the children's creativity, their joy of play, their concrete and sensory exploration, their unmediated observation of their environment, their social interactions, and their safety. Examples of actual practices from preschool classrooms are presented followed by recommendations for successful technology integration in preschool curriculum.
Integrating Theory and Practice to Identify Contemporary Best Practice Factors in USA Not-for-Profits
Authors: Strang Kenneth David
Published: March 2017

This chapter used a critical analysis of the current NFP literature followed by a practitioner activity analysis using a purposive nonprobability sample of 880 NFP institutions. The current literature was integrated with the practitioner activity data to identify contemporary best practices. Eight categories emerged from the text analytics. Several insightful recommendations were provided to guide future NFP research as well as to overcome the limitations of this study. The results of this research should generalize to the key stakeholders of NFP organizations, namely to the managers and the board of director members, as well as to their volunteers and to other researchers focused on studying these entities. In particular, this research will be of interest to government social assistance agencies to inform policy development as well as to higher educational institutions for curriculum content.
Running Successful Crowdfunding Campaigns for Non-Profits
Authors: Manzoor Amir
Published: March 2017

Crowdfunding is a method to raise revenue and funding from a large number of people. First used by entrepreneurs as a way to attract small-sized investments to for-profit ventures, the crowdfunding platform has grown substantially over the last five years. Today, a valuable mechanism for fundraising for not for profit organisations, the crowdfunding platform is projected to realise nearly a US$100 billion by 2025. Non-profit leaders, employees and volunteers can benefit by successful crowdfunding campaigns as a means to raise revenue.
Social Media Use by Chambers of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) in Turkey
Authors: Acilar Ali , Aydemir Muzaffer
Published: March 2017

This chapter empirically investigates the Turkish chambers of commerce and industry's social media usage. Specifically, the research explores the prevalence, types, frequency, reasons, and the most importantly effectiveness of social media usage among the Turkish Chambers of Commerce and Industry (TCCI). A web based survey conducted to gather data from the TCCI. The chapter consists of five main parts: Introduction, social media as a modern business imperative, survey about social media usage in Turkish chambers of commerce and industry, and conclusion.
Operational Challenges in Hybrid Organizations
Authors: Ávila Liliana , Amorim Marlene
Published: March 2017

The last few years have witnessed the emergence of hybrid business models, in particular, social enterprises, which combine social and economic concerns in the same extent. Social enterprises are ambidextrous organizations that conduct activities to meet the social needs of their target beneficiaries simultaneously with income generating activities. This hybrid operational nature raises new questions about the definition and identification of an effective operations management strategy. The present chapter aims to identify the main operational challenges faced by hybrid organization in order to open avenues for future research. Drawing on current literature, the main concepts, the definition of an operations strategy and the social enterprises as hybrid organizations, are discussed. Findings suggest that the main operational challenges arise from hybridity. This chapter contributes to the theory and practices of social enterprises and concludes by identifying some opportunities for future research.
A Business-Like Strategic Model That Works?
Authors: Xiang Xunyu , Chui Cheryl Hiu-Kwan , Jordan Lucy Porter , Chiang Min-Hsiu
Published: March 2017

The application of the business-like strategic model in the nonprofit sector has attracted increasing attention from scholars and practitioners in both western countries and Asian countries like China. In order to assess how the business-like strategic model can be applied successfully in an authoritarian regime, this Chapter concentrates on a single case in China's context, the Nonprofit Incubator (NPI), to identify the contributing factors to its success in applying the business-like strategic model. Drawing from two theoretical frameworks of policy window and balanced scorecard, this chapter examines the internal and external management of NPI to investigate how, and to what extent, a business-like strategic model is adopted in the context of China. Findings indicate that organizational needs to be very sensitive to both internal and external managerial environment so as to achieve its success. This chapter argues that the business-like strategic model is feasible in China without any obvious disparity compared with its implication in Western countries.
Overcoming Challenges to Long-Term Financing
Authors: Mohamed Hazik Bin
Published: March 2017

A concern that has emerged repeatedly in the support for long-term sustainable development is the insufficient availability of long-term finance for projects such as infrastructure. This paper considers some of the possible strategies to overcome obstacles (cognitive or otherwise) to ensure the provision of long-term financing. The author discusses several behavioral interventions to surmount hurdles both from the demand and supply sides as well as creating enabling environments for better access to finance. This effectively requires challenging the rationale underlying private financial flows that are driven by short-term profits and rents, and strengthening mechanisms for mobilizing and allocating both domestic and external finance for value creation and development over a longer time horizon. It also involves properly designed projects that contractually distributes risks and shares returns within economically rational financing structures and create the right incentives for the various partners.
Multiresolution SVD Based Image Watermarking Scheme Using Noise Visibility Function
Authors: Majumder Swanirbhar
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a robust and imperceptible methodology of watermark embedding. It uses two vital techniques, firstly the Multi-Resolution Singular Value Decomposition (MR-SVD) and an image adaptive algorithm on the lines of the human visual system (HVS), called Noise Visibility Function (NVF). This is a special type of Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) with cell based operation for multi-resolution behavior like wavelets. So, by embedding the watermark in the Eigen values the robustness of the scheme is enhanced. While for the imperceptibility the NVF has been employed here. The optimal areas for embedding the watermark are characterized by it based on the local smooth or rough textures detected on the MR-SVD image based on the wavelet strength at sub bands. For imperceptibility, the algorithm has been tested on standard test images and different types of attacks for robustness to obtain encouraging results. This incorporates MR-SVD for the first time with HVS based NVF function. Together they produce better results.
Examining Cross-Domain Alignment
Authors: Wiedemann Anna , Gewald Heiko
Published: March 2017

Prior research hardly investigates how externally focused competitive strategies can be bridged with internal IT processes. We aim to explore the relationship between five archetypical IT management profiles (ITMP) and four business strategy archetypes linked with six IT business value domains. Considering prior literature, we propose that each ITMP delivers unique sources of value, thus, contributes to specific IT business value domains. Furthermore, we assume that each business strategy archetype requires contributions to these domains. To test our hypotheses, we conducted a matched-pair study within manufacturing firms. Our findings indicate that IT business value domains link competitive strategy and IT management approaches. For instance, IT functions that act as Project Coordinator of IT-based activities, manage relationships between vendors and business units were found to contribute to firm's external integration. We present evidence for the significance of aligning externally focused strategies with internal IT management approaches.
Hierarchical Method Based on Artificial Neural Networks for Power Output Prediction of a Combined Cycle Power Plant
Authors: Fainti Rafik , Nasiakou Antonia , Alamaniotis Miltiadis , Tsoukalas Lefteri H.
Published: March 2017

The increasing demand for electricity the last decades leads towards the more frequent use of Combined Cycle Power Plants (CCPPs) because of the quite efficient way these units are capable to produce electricity. Hence, the prediction of the output of these units is of significant interest and constitutes the cornerstone towards the attainment of economic power production and a reliable power generation system as a whole. To that end, the aim of this paper is the development of a hierarchical predictive method based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) in order to efficiently predict the power plant's output. The under consideration features are the hourly average ambient variables of Temperature (T), Ambient Pressure (AP), Relative Humidity (RH) and Exhaust Vacuum (V) for predicting the hourly power output of a CCPP. A parellel, but equally important, aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of ANNs in this type of applications.
A Survey of Research in Real-Money Trading (RMT) in Virtual World
Authors: Nazir Mohamed , Man Lui Carrie Siu
Published: March 2017

This paper presents a set of data relating to the investigation of RMT in the virtual world (VW) and social capital associated with RMT platforms. The investigation is carried out using five main research databases: Science Direct; Emerald Insight; Springer Link; Proquest Database; and IEEE Xplore; with a total of 161 research papers. The objective of this survey study is to highlight areas of strength and weakness in current RMT research in VW and its social capital. This study also presents the basic RMT classification based on these previous studies.
Exploring #nofilter Images When a Filter Has Been Used
Authors: Santarossa Sara , Coyne Paige , Woodruff Sarah J
Published: March 2017

Many social media users rely on photo editing techniques in order to receive more positive attention (i.e., likes/comments) online. This study used a mixed methods approach to conduct a descriptive analysis of #nofilter use by Instagram users. By using #nofilter users are making a point that they did not edit/manipulate their images. Of particular interest were those who used #nofilter but did filter their images. A text analysis of 18,366 images was conducted using Netlytic, reveling the largest content category as ‘appearance'. A content analysis was used to examine authors of #nofilter images whom did use a filter, and photo-coding scheme for this group of images was implemented. Of 18,366 images collected that used #nofilter, 12% (N=1630) did in fact use a filter. Listwise deletions were conducted and 1344 images remained. Results suggest the majority of accounts were personal, and belonged to females and of the images, majority had people in them. People using #nofilter do in fact filter their images and research into the reasons for deceit on social media is needed.
Angiofibrolipoma of Posterior Mediastinum with Transforaminal Extension
Authors: Attia Monia , Megdiche Imen , Neji Henda , Belhadj Ameur , Baccouche Ines , Zannad Soussen Hantous , M'rad Khaoula Ben Miled
Published: March 2017

Angiofibrolipoma is a histological variant of lipoma, which commonly occurs in subcutaneous tissues. In the present report we illustrate the case of an angiofibrolipoma of the posterior upper mediastinum in a 75-year-old man presented with progressive chest pain. Xray chest showed a homogeneous opacity vertically oriented along the right lateral aspect of thoracic vertebrae with an obtuse angle to the mediastinum. The upper extremity of the mass extended above the superior clavicle, suggestive of a posterior mediastinal lesion. Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging revealed a posterior mediastinal mass, in keeping with a nonaggressive lesion, with particular endocanalar extension and heterogeneous signal and enhancement patterns that was highly suggestive of a mixed mesenchymal tumor. The tumor was incompletely removed by right postero-lateral thoracotomy with final diagnosis of angiofibrolipoma. To the author's knowledge, such a case of angiofibrolipoma located in the posterior mediastinum has not been previously reported in the literature.
Osteosclerosis Secondary to Metastatic Oligodendroglioma
Authors: Maloney Patrick R. , Yamaki Vitor Nagai , Kumar Ravi , Johnson Derek , Hunt Christopher , Jentoft Mark E. , Clarke Michelle
Published: March 2017

This paper reviews a case of metastatic 1p/19q codeleted oligodendrioglioma causing diffuse osteosclerosis and pain. Primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors rarely metastasize outside the CNS, and metastatic oligodendroglioma is rarer still. The patient in this study had relief of pain after being treated with temozolomide. We discuss this rare presentation and potential treatment options, and review the literature in regards to metastatic oligodendrogliomas.
Assessing the status of biological control as a management tool for suppression of invasive alien plants in South Africa
Authors: Zachariades Costas , Paterson Iain D. , Strathie Lorraine W. , Hill Martin P. , Van Wilgen Brian W.
Published: March 2017

Background: Biological control of invasive alien plants (IAPs) using introduced natural enemies contributes significantly to sustained, cost-effective management of natural resources in South Africa. The status of, and prospects for, biological control is therefore integral to National Status Reports (NSRs) on Biological Invasions, the first of which is due in 2017. Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate the status of, and prospects for, biological control of IAPs in South Africa. We discuss expansion of biological control and suggest indicators to be used in the upcoming NSR to assess sufficient growth. Method: We used published literature, unpublished work and personal communication to assess the status of biological control of IAPs. We propose indicators based on the targets for biological control that were proposed in the 2014 ‘National Strategy for dealing with biological invasions in South Africa’. To prioritise targets for future efforts, we used published lists of damaging IAPs and assessed the prospects for their biological control. Recommendations for using biological control as a management tool were made after discussion among the authors and with colleagues. Results: Significant control of several Cactaceae, Australian Acacia species and floating aquatic plants, and many other IAPs has been achieved in South Africa since 1913. Recently, biological control has benefited from improved international collaboration, a streamlined application process for the release of new biological control agents (resulting in the approval of 19 agents against 13 IAP species since 2013), and increased funding and capacity. There is still a need to improve implementation and to better integrate biological control with other control methods. In order to maximise benefits from biological control, increased investment is required, particularly in implementation and post-release evaluation, and in targeting new IAPs. Proposed targets for growth between 2017 and 2020 include an increase in financial investment in research by 29%, implementation by 28% and mass-rearing by 68%. Research capacity should increase by 29%, implementation capacity by 63% and mass-rearing capacity by 61%. New research projects should be initiated on 12 new IAP targets, while post-release monitoring efforts should be expanded to another 31 IAPs. Conclusion: Biological control of IAPs has contributed substantially to their management in South Africa, and continues to do so. Further investment in targeted aspects of IAP biological control will increase this contribution.
Alien animals in South Africa – composition, introduction history, origins and distribution patterns
Authors: Picker Mike D. , Griffiths Charles L.
Published: March 2017

Background: There is no comprehensive inventory and analysis of the composition, distribution, origin and rate of introduction of the alien fauna of South Africa. Objectives: To provide such an analysis to facilitate effective ecological management, and compile a comprehensive inventory of introduced animal species across major habitats. Methods: All available databases and references were used to compile the inventory, forming the basis of subsequent analyses. A graduated map was produced to identify concentrations of alien species.Results: Of the 571 alien animal species analysed, insects comprised the largest component (53%, 300 species), followed by molluscs (9%, 51 species), annelids (8%, 48 species), arachnids (7%, 41 species), vertebrates (7%, 41 species) and crustaceans (6%, 36 species). Vertebrate introductions (88%) were largely intentional, whereas 84% of invertebrate introductions were unintentional. Conclusions: Almost all marine and most terrestrial alien species were accidentally introduced, whereas freshwater introductions were almost entirely intentional. Some 13% had not spread significantly, 16% had spread significantly and 71% had become fully invasive. Vertebrate introductions virtually ceased after the 1950s, but rate of introduction of invertebrates remained linear. The overall rate of species accumulation was fairly low until 1880, but accelerated sharply thereafter. Most terrestrial alien species originated from Europe (28.6%) and Asia (25.0%) and the lowest proportion (6.1%) from Africa. Freshwater introductions largely originated from the Americas, with few from Africa. The most invaded areas were around Cape Town, (up to 162 introduced species/half-degree grid cell), followed by Gauteng and Durban
Test–retest reliability of contrast visual acuities in a clinical population
Authors: Sukha Anusha Y. , Rubin Alan
Published: March 2017

Background: Previously, contrast visual acuities (VA) have been evaluated as a potential screening, diagnostic and predictive tool in cases where standard visual acuity remains intact. Issues around contrast acuity sometimes make it difficult for clinicians to make appropriate clinical decisions and thus such tests have to be standardised and reliable.Aim: To investigate test–retest reliability of contrast VA in healthy adults in a clinical setting.Methods: Best compensated contrast VA at 100%, 10%, 5% and 2.5% of 155 patients (mean age 39.7 ± 12.2 years) were measured using the computerised Thomson Test Chart 2000 Expert. For all participants and at each contrast level, two measurements per right eye were determined. Test–retest reliability for the four contrast levels were assessed using reliability coefficients and Bland–Altman plots. Participants were also divided into three age groups of young (18–39 years, n = 72), middle-age (40–49 years, n = 45) and elderly (50–67 years, n = 38) and reliability was assessed within and between age and gender groups.Results: For the whole-sample test and retest, measurements within each contrast level were not statistically different (p ≥ 0.05). Thus, test and retest measurements per participant were averaged and whole-sample mean-contrast VA and standard deviations for 100%, 10%, 5% and 2.5% were -0.146 ± 0.060, 0.050 ± 0.071, 0.135 ± 0.079 and 0.405 ± 0.115 logMAR, respectively. Significant differences were found between all pairs of contrast levels compared (p ≤ 0.0125). Mean-contrast VA within each age group were also significantly different across all contrast levels (p < 0.0001). Mean-contrast VA at each contrast level between the age groups indicated that mean-contrast VA were not significantly different between the young and middle-age groups (p > 0.05) but were statistically different between the young and elderly groups (p < 0.01). Only mean-contrast VA 10% was significantly different between the middle-age and elderly groups (p < 0.001). Also, mean-contrast VA for the four contrast levels within gender were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) but not between genders (p ≥ 0.05).Conclusion: This study found good reliability of test and retest measurements of contrast VA in an adult clinical population.