bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of a Titania/X-Zeolite/Porous Glass Composite Photocatalyst Using Hydrothermal and Drop Coating Processes
Authors: Yasumori Atsuo , Yanagida Sayaka , Sawada Jun
Published: January 2015

Combinations of TiO2 photocatalysts and various adsorbents have been widely studied for the adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition of gaseous pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Herein, a TiO2-zeolite-porous glass composite was prepared using melt-quenching and partial sintering, hydrothermal treatment, and drop coating for preparation of the porous glass support and X-zeolite and their combination with TiO2, respectively. The obtained composite comprised anatase phase TiO2, X-zeolite, and the porous glass support, which were combined at the micro to nanometer scales. The composite had a relatively high specific surface area of approximately 25 m2/g and exhibited a good adsorption capacity for 2-propanol. These data indicated that utilization of this particular phase-separated glass as the support was appropriate for the formation of the bulk photocatalyst-adsorbent composite. Importantly, the photocatalytic decomposition of adsorbed 2-propanol proceeded under UV light irradiation. The 2-propanol was oxidized to acetone and then trapped by the X-zeolite rather than being released to the atmosphere. Consequently, it was demonstrated that the micrometer-scaled combination of TiO2 and zeolite in the bulk form is very useful for achieving both the removal of gaseous organic pollutants and decreasing the emission of harmful intermediates.
Isotope Effects on Chemical Shifts in the Study of Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds
Authors: Hansen Poul
Published: January 2015

The paper deals with the use of isotope effects on chemical shifts in characterizing intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Both so-called resonance-assisted (RAHB) and non-RAHB systems are treated. The importance of RAHB will be discussed. Another very important issue is the borderline between “static” and tautomeric systems. Isotope effects on chemical shifts are particularly useful in such studies. All kinds of intramolecular hydrogen bonded systems will be treated, typical hydrogen bond donors: OH, NH, SH and NH+, typical acceptors C=O, C=N, C=S C=N−. The paper will be deal with both secondary and primary isotope effects on chemical shifts. These two types of isotope effects monitor the same hydrogen bond, but from different angles.
Volatile Compounds of Raspberry Fruit: From Analytical Methods to Biological Role and Sensory Impact
Authors: Aprea Eugenio , Biasioli Franco , Gasperi Flavia
Published: January 2015

Volatile compounds play a key role in the formation of the well-recognized and widely appreciated raspberry aroma. Studies on the isolation and identification of volatile compounds in raspberry fruit (Rubus idaeus L.) are reviewed with a focus on aroma-related compounds. A table is drawn up containing a comprehensive list of the volatile compounds identified so far in raspberry along with main references and quantitative data where available. Two additional tables report the glycosidic bond and enantiomeric distributions of the volatile compounds investigated up to now in raspberry fruit. Studies on the development and evolution of volatile compounds during fruit formation, ripening and senescence, and genetic and environmental influences are also reviewed. Recent investigations showing the potential role of raspberry volatile compounds in cultivar differentiation and fruit resistance to mold disease are reported as well. Finally a summary of research done so far and our vision for future research lines are reported.
Promoting Effect of Foliage Sprayed Zinc Sulfate on Accumulation of Sugar and Phenolics in Berries of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot Growing on Zinc Deficient Soil
Authors: Song Chang-Zheng , Liu Mei-Ying , Meng Jiang-Fei , Chi Ming , Xi Zhu-Mei , Zhang Zhen-Wen
Published: February 2015

The effect of foliage sprayed zinc sulfate on berry development of Vitis vinifera cv. Merlot growing on arid zone Zn-deficient soils was investigated over two consecutive seasons, 2013 and 2014. Initial zinc concentration in soil and vines, photosynthesis at three berry developmental stages, berry weight, content of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, phenolics and expression of phenolics biosynthetic pathway genes throughout the stages were measured. Foliage sprayed zinc sulfate showed promoting effects on photosynthesis and berry development of vines and the promotion mainly occurred from veraison to maturation. Zn treatments enhanced the accumulation of total soluble solids, total phenols, flavonoids, flavanols, tannins and anthocyanins in berry skin, decreasing the concentration of titratable acidity. Furthermore, foliage sprayed zinc sulfate could significantly influence the expression of phenolics biosynthetic pathway genes throughout berry development, and the results of expression analysis supported the promotion of Zn treatments on phenolics accumulation. This research is the first comprehensive and detailed study about the effect of foliage sprayed Zn fertilizer on grape berry development, phenolics accumulation and gene expression in berry skin, providing a basis for improving the quality of grape and wine in Zn-deficient areas.
The Interaction between Epigenetics, Nutrition and the Development of Cancer
Authors: Bishop Karen , Ferguson Lynnette
Published: January 2015

Unlike the genome, the epigenome can be modified and hence some epigenetic risk markers have the potential to be reversed. Such modifications take place by means of drugs, diet or environmental exposures. It is widely accepted that epigenetic modifications take place during early embryonic and primordial cell development, but it is also important that we gain an understanding of the potential for such changes later in life. These “later life” epigenetic modifications in response to dietary intervention are the focus of this paper. The epigenetic modifications investigated include DNA methylation, histone modifications and the influence of microRNAs. The epigenotype could be used not only to predict susceptibility to certain cancers but also to assess the effectiveness of dietary modifications to reduce such risk. The influence of diet or dietary components on epigenetic modifications and the impact on cancer initiation or progression has been assessed herein.
Meaning-Making, Religiousness and Spirituality in Religiously Founded Substance Misuse Services—A Qualitative Study of Staff and Patients’ Experiences
Authors: Sørensen Torgeir , Lien Lars , Landheim Anne , Danbolt Lars
Published: February 2015

The Norwegian health authorities buy one third of their addiction treatment from private institutions run by organizations and trusts. Several of these are founded on religious values. The aim of the study was to investigate such value-based treatment and the patients’ experiences of spirituality and religiousness as factors of meaning-making in rehabilitation. The study was performed in an explorative qualitative design. Data were collected through focus-group interviews among therapists and in-patients at a religiously founded substance misuse service institution. The analysis was carried out by content analysis through systematic text-condensation. Through different activities and a basic attitude founded on religious values, the selected institution and the therapists facilitated a treatment framework which included a spiritual dimension and religious activity. The patients appreciated their free choice regarding treatment approaches, which helped them to make meaning of life in various collective and individual settings. Rituals and sacred spaces gave peace of mind and confidence in a situation that up to now had been chaotic and difficult. Sermons and wording in rituals contributed to themes of reflection and helped patients to revise attitudes and how other people were met. Private confessions functioned for several patients as turning point experiences influencing patients’ relations to themselves and their surroundings. Spirituality and religious activity contributed to meaning-making among patients with substance use disorder and had significance for their rehabilitation.
Introduction to the Special Issue on “the Sustainable Asia Conference 2014”
Authors: Choi Yongrok , Zhang Ning
Published: February 2015

The continuous expansion and change in Asia is attracting increasing attention from the rest of the world. Thus, the papers from the Sustainable Asia Conference 2014 (SAC 2014) could provide a platform to examine outperforming governance factors and mechanisms in this dynamically growing region. This editorial for SAC 2014 will highlight the contents and methodologies of selected papers, presenting diverse issues in sustainable policies and strategies.
Human Illnesses and Animal Deaths Associated with Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms—Kansas
Authors: Trevino-Garrison Ingrid , DeMent Jamie , Ahmed Farah , Haines-Lieber Patricia , Langer Thomas , Ménager Henri , Neff Janet , Van der Merwe Deon , Carney Edward
Published: January 2015

Freshwater harmful algal bloom (FHAB) toxins can cause morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals, and the incidence of FHABs in the United States and Kansas has increased. In 2010, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) developed a FHAB policy and response plan. We describe the epidemiology of FHAB-associated morbidity and mortality in humans and animals in Kansas. Healthcare providers and veterinarians voluntarily reported FHAB-associated cases to KDHE. An investigation was initiated for each report to determine the source of exposure and to initiate public health mitigation actions. There were 38 water bodies with a confirmed FHAB in 2011. There were 34 reports of human and animal FHAB-associated health events in 2011, which included five dog deaths and hospitalization of two human case patients. Five confirmed human illnesses, two dog illnesses and five dog deaths were associated with one lake. Four human and seven dog cases were exposed to the lake after a public health alert was issued. Public health officials and FHAB partners must ensure continued awareness of the risks to the public, educate healthcare providers and veterinarians on FHAB-related health events and encourage timely reporting to public health authorities.
Signification géomorphologique des tufs et des travertins (Morphogenetic significance of calcareous tufas and travertines)
Authors: Julian Maurice , Martin J.
Published: January 2015

Résumé. - Les tufs et les travertins sont généralement des formations carbonatées détritiques liées à des émergences d'eaux karstiques mises en contact avec des dolomies ou des évaporites. Leur dépôt, dans des sites variés, est attribué à des processus de précipitations antinomiques des processus de creusement fluviatile. Leur insertion dans l'évolution géomorphologique est rendue délicate par des datations qui ne sont que relatives, par référence à des formes et des dépôts mieux connus. Rapidité de sédimentation et variations de faciès, remaniements incessants, fausse tectonique rendent l'observation difficile et incitent à de prudentes interprétations.
La perception de l'espace en Suisse au dix-huitième siècle : J.-J. Rousseau (Perception of space in Switzerland in the 18th century)
Authors: Piveteau Jean-Luc
Published: January 2015

Summary. - Rousseau, while giving little attention to space when writing about Switzerland, does so with affectivity and much causal schematism. The urban concept as such rarely appears, except when denouncing large agglomerations and in fact his position is based on a global, determinist and puritain view of society. Perusal of his texts with reference to the different « social times » shows them in three complementary lights.
Du symbole à l'image : analyse de l'espace urbain à Belfort (From symbolism to the image : analysis of a french city, Belfort)
Authors: S. Bailly Antoine
Published: January 2015

Résumé. - En fonction de son apprentissage, de son vécu individuel, des symboliques des lieux, le citadin se crée une image riche et variée du milieu urbain. A travers l'étude de textes littéraires et des perceptions des citadins, la géographie « behaviouriste » propose un renouvellement et un enrichissement de la connaissance de l'espace urbain.
Le remplissage de Tuchan et l'évolution morphologique récente du chaînon de Galamus (Pyrénées-orientales) (The tuchan filling and the recent morphological evolution of the Galamus hill (Eastern Pyrenees))
Authors: Cornet Cécile
Published: January 2015

Abstract. - During the epoch of the epirogenic warping of Galamus chain which had been levelled at the aquitano-vindobonian time, running waters coming down from Pyrenees continue to head for NE. The discharge into Tuchan hollow making use of valleys which had crossed the Galamus chain on the way of raising ; they worked so till the digging of Roussillon. This system is in keeping with the infra-Pliocene.
Nuisances et propositions d'aménagement dans l'espace industrialisé sud-rhénan (Noises and fitting up proposals in the upper-rhine industrial space)
Authors: Wackermann Gabriel
Published: January 2015

Résumé. - Le couloir du Rhin supérieur témoigne à la fois d'une concentration intense d'activités et d'une extraordinaire accumulation de nuisances ou d'encombrements divers. Les complications inhérentes à l'aspect multinational du périmètre étudié rendent difficile un aménagement cohérent prenant en compte les nécessaires articulations transfrontalières. Face à la lourdeur des organismes officiels, les aménageurs ont eux-mêmes élaboré des solutions concrètes grâce auxquelles ils souhaitent constituer une force de proposition.
L'impact économique d'une réglementation du fuel dans la région parisienne
Authors: Pierre-Taverdet Anne
Published: January 2015

Résumé. -Après avoir rappelé que la protection de l'environnement n'est pas une idée nouvelle, nous étudierons le comportement des industriels confrontés à l'impératif économique dans le respect de la loi. L 'exemple des industries du pétrole nous renseigne quant aux difficultés tant financières que techniques pour adapter ces nouvelles réglementations aux différents produits pétroliers sortant des raffineries françaises, à moindre perte.
Complete sequencing and characterization of equine aggrecan
Authors: Caporali E. H. G. , Kuykendall T. , Stewart M. C.
Published: January 2015

Objectives: To fully sequence and characterize equine aggrecan and confirm conservation of major aggrecanase, calpain and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) cleavage sites.

Methods: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and rapid amplification of cDNA ends were used to generate clones that encompassed the complete equine aggrecan sequence. Clones were sequenced and compared with the equine genome database to determine intron-exon boundaries.

Results: The aggrecan gene spans over 61 kb on chromosome 1 and is encoded by 17 exons. Two major variants of aggrecan were cloned; one containing 8187 bp (2728 amino acids) and a second sequence of 8061 nucleotides (2686 amino acids). The variation was due to a CS1 domain polymorphism. Both sequences are substantially larger than predicted by the genomic database; 11 CS1 repeat elements are absent in the database sequence. The equine amino acid sequence was compared with human, bovine and murine sequences. Globular domains 1, 2 and 3 are highly conserved (overall identity over 80%). Equine CS1 is considerably larger than in other species and, therefore, is the least conserved domain (an overall amino acid identity of 22%). Previously defined aggrecanase, calpain and MMP cleavage sites were identified. Western blotting of chondrocyte culture samples showed complex post-secretion processing.

Clinical significance: The complete equine aggrecan sequence will support more in-depth research on aggrecan processing and degradation in equine articular cartilage and other musculoskeletal tissues.
Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for the pseudometallophyte Commelina communis (Commelinaceae)
Authors: Li Jiao‐Kun , Song Yun‐Peng , Xu Hui , Zhu Jian‐Yu , Tang Lu‐Lu
Published: January 2015

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for the pseudometallophyte Commelina communis (Commelinaceae), an important pioneer plant for phytoremediation of copper‐contaminated soil. Two wild populations collected from metalliferous and nonmetalliferous sites were used to assess the polymorphism at each locus.

• Methods and Results: Based on the Fast Isolation by AFLP of Sequences COntaining repeats (FIASCO) method, a total of 34 pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were designed. When 40 specimens from two populations were screened, 12 microsatellite loci were found to be highly polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 11 and the observed and expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.000 to 1.000 and from 0.195 to 0.941, respectively.

• Conclusions: These markers will be useful for examining genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow in populations of C. communis under different edaphic conditions and guiding sustainable management plans for phytoremediation.
Réinventer l'Association de formation professionnelle des adultes
Authors: Barou Yves
Published: January 2015

L’Afpa, leader européen de la formation professionnelle, a été mise en porte-à-faux par la mise en concurrence des commandes publiques et l’attribution de la formation professionnelle aux régions. Yves Barou, nommé en 2011, fait face à de sérieux défis...
De la construction de voiliers de compétition à l'industrie
Authors: Dubois Dominique
Published: January 2015

Multiplast, après avoir trusté le marché des navires de compétition, se diversifie en proposant des structures en composite à l’aéronautique, aux transports, la défense, etc. C’est passer de l’artisanat à l’industrie, une vraie rupture...
Les nouveaux leviers de l'animation culturelle
Authors: Bluzet Dominique
Published: January 2015

À la tête de trois théâtres privés à Aix-en-Provence et Marseille, Dominique Bluzet invente de nouveaux métiers, casse les codes, estompe les frontières entre disciplines ou entre privé et public, et participe de la construction du territoire.
Précarité économique et dérive des comportements : l'exemple du dopage dans le cyclisme
Authors: Aubel Olivier
Published: January 2015

Des sociologues aguerris ont étudié le dopage dans le cyclisme professionnel. Ils montrent que le moralisme est moins efficace que des dispositions contre la précarité et les mauvaises conditions de travail, et pour la sécurisation des carrières.
L'enseignement de la science infirmière en formation initiale Bachelor : processus de développement d'une vision partagée
Authors: da Rocha Gora , Regat-Bikoï Chantal , Montreuil Chantal , Doyon Odette
Published: January 2015

Le projet de développement et d’implantation de l’enseignement de la science infirmière en formation initiale au niveau «  Bachelor  » est né des recommandations formulées dans le nouveau Plan d’études-cadre (PEC 2012) pour la formation Bachelor of Science des filières du domaine Santé de la haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale (HES-SO). Considérant les questions soulevées par des enseignants autour des connaissances fondamentales à enseigner en formation initiale, dans un continuum Master et Doctorat en science infirmière, la direction de l’institution a mandaté des étudiantes consultantes inscrites au programme Master en sciences infirmières pour soutenir une réflexion avec des enseignants pour la mise en place d’un dispositif pour implanter l’enseignement de la science infirmière. À partir d’une méthodologie d’intervention fondée sur une approche systémique, des entretiens auprès des enseignants, d’experts nationaux et internationaux en science infirmière et de dirigeants d’instituts de formation et de recherche en soins ont permis d’orienter l’implantation du projet selon deux priorités d’action : l’intégration d’une conception de la discipline infirmière au sein de la filière ; et la conception d’un dispositif de formation selon la conception choisie. Ce projet original a permis d’accompagner un changement concerté et en profondeur au niveau de l’enseignant, de l’organisation du plan de formation et de l’institution pour un renouvellement d’une vision partagée de la pratique de l’enseignement de la science infirmière.
A Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey–Based Investigation of Alternative Primary Care Models in Nursing Homes: Functional Ability and Health Status Outcomes
Authors: Abdallah Lisa M. , Van Etten Deborah , Lee A. James , Melillo Karen Devereaux , Remington Ruth , Gautam Ramraj , Gore Rebecca J.
Published: January 2015

This study assessed how the health status and functioning of Medicare beneficiaries residing in nursing homes varies systematically with nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) providing primary care services. A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Medicare Current Beneficiary Surveys. The study sample included 433 participant-year observations within one of three cohorts: (a)
medical doctor (MD)-only
, those who received primary care services exclusively from a physician; (b)
MD-dominant
, those who received some primary care services from an NP or PA, but those visits accounted for less than one half of total primary care visits; and (c)
NP/PA-dominant
, those who received more than one half of their primary care visits from an NP or PA. Participants in the MD-only cohort had significantly less orientation and independence in activities of daily living compared to participants in the NP/PA-dominant cohort. Other study variables did not vary significantly by practice model. Although the study provides some evidence that NP/PA involvement is associated with improved functioning, it is premature to draw strong inferences.

[Res Gerontol Nurs. 2015; 8(2):85–93.]
A Novel Real-time Video Transmission Approach for Remote Laboratory Development
Authors: Wang Ning , Chen Xuemin , Song Gangbing , Parsaei Hamid
Published: January 2015

Remote laboratories are an inevitable necessity for Internet enabled education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields due to their effectiveness, flexibility, cost savings, and the fact that they provide many benefits to students, instructors and researchers. Accordingly, real-time experiment live video streaming is an essential part of remote experimentation operation. Nevertheless, in the development of real-time experiment video transmission, it is a key and difficult issue that the video is transferred across the network firewall in most of the current remote laboratory solutions. To address the network firewall issue, we developed a complete novel solution via HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol and FFMPEG that is a powerful cross-platform command line video trans-code/encoding software package on the server side. In this paper, a novel, real-time video streaming transmission approach based on HLS for the remote laboratory development is presented. With this new solution, the terminal users can view the real-time experiment live video streaming on any portable device without any firewall issues or the need for a third party plug-in., This new solution also significantly benefits remote laboratory development in the future.
The Development and Education Application of Editable University Digital Museum
Authors: Yang Yu Hui , Zhang Hao , Jiang Bin You
Published: January 2015

Currently most of the university digital Museums are confronted with such issues like lacking immersive, loading content slow, failing to update their 3D digital resources, can’t extend their virtual exhibition space and change their styles. In order to solve these problems, an editable university digital museum system (EUDMS) was proposed in this paper. Firstly, we analyzed the major problems of the university digital museums at present. Next, we designed a novel architecture of editable university digital Museum and realized it. Finally, a typical editable university digital Museum system was applied in the humanities education.
Weak Signal Detection with Duffing Oscillator Based on Virtual Instrument Technology
Authors: Liu Xuanchao , Ni Wenlong
Published: January 2015

In order to obtain new ways of weak signal detection, we analyze the motion of Duffing oscillator in the case of different input state by solving the Duffing equation firstly, and then elaborate the basic principles of weak signal detection based on Duffing oscillator phase-change characteristics. Further illustrate the experiment that shows how to achieve the weak signal detection with Duffing oscillator based on virtual instrument technology, then discuss the impact on signal detection coming from Gaussian white noise and how to implement weak signal detection with noises. The results show that, Duffing oscillator not only can be effective on detection of weak signal in the background of strong noises, but also has high cost performance to achieve it with virtual instrument technology. Compared with existing methods, it can greatly improve the detection results and has broad application.
Underwater Wireless Sensor Network Deployment Based on Chaotic Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Su Shaojuan , Wang Tianlin
Published: January 2015

The application of particle swarm optimization algorithm in underwater wireless sensor node deployment strategy was studied. The chaotic particle swarm optimization algorithm was proposed. Set up a function variance to determine whether the particles enter the premature state. Then chaos searched and took the chaotic search optimal solution vector as the global optimization solution to guide the particles quickly jump out of local optimum, accelerate the convergence speed and to overcome the premature problem of standard particle swarm algorithm brought. The network coverage was the fitness function to optimize the deployment of nodes question. The chaotic particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to wireless sensor network node deployment strategy. The experimental results showed that this method could effectively improve the convergence speed and increase network coverage.
Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Data Recovery via Adaptive Window Matching Method
Authors: Zeng Yiliang , Lan Jinhui , Han Chuanzhao , Jiang Libo , Shi Xuefei
Published: January 2015

HJ-1A satellite is often used to monitor environmental disaster and plays an important role in environmental changes. Because of the affection of various factors, certain band of HJ-1A hyperspectral remote sensing data is severe loss or distortion, which brings great difficulties for subsequent quantitative processing. A novel adaptive window matching algorithm, which can adjust intelligently size of matching window according to different local feature information of the image, is proposed for HJ-1A satellite hyperspectral data recovery in this paper. The results show that the adaptive matching algorithm has a more superior performance than other algorithms in image quality index, column mean curve, and image correlation coefficient.
Mine Ground Disaster Monitoring Based on Geosensor Networks
Authors: Wang Jianmin , Zhang Yongzhan
Published: January 2015

Sensor network technology is one of the most promising technologies in the high technology field. Building integrated multi-sensor disaster monitoring system based on sensor network technology is the main direction of the intelligent disaster monitoring technique. The exploitation activities of the mineral resources may lead to geological disasters, so monitoring system needs to speed up the theory and technology innovations, i.e. disaster monitoring, forecasting, early warning and prevention. This paper expounds the concept connotation and key technologies of the geosensor network which contains constructing the unified mining space-time standards, sensor layout principles, and surface disaster monitoring technologies. In addition, the methods of data publication and service in sensor network based on sensor observation service (SOS) are also discussed. It also designs the integral framework of ground disaster monitoring system with SOS. Utilizing the geosensor networks in the ground disaster monitoring system to realize real-time access, cooperative observation, dynamic monitoring, analyzing and predicting the monitoring data will enhance disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities of the monitoring system.
Business Analytics for Business Analysts in Manufacturing
Authors: Wilder Coleen , Ozgur Ceyhun
Published: January 2015

Many of the skills that define analytics are not new. Nonetheless, it has become a new source of competitive advantage for many corporations. Today's workforce, therefore, must be cognizant of its power and value to effectively perform their jobs. In this chapter, the authors differentiate the role of a business analyst by defining the appropriate skill level and breadth of knowledge required for them to be successful. Business analysts fill the gap between the experts (data scientists) and the day-to-day users. Finally, the section on Manufacturing Analytics provides real-world applications of Analytics for companies in a production setting. The ideas presented herein argue in favor of a dedicated program for business analysts.
Evaluation of Information Awareness and Understanding through Different Internal Communication Tools
Authors: Sedej Tanja , Mumel Damijan
Published: January 2015

We are living at a time when change is the only constant in our lives. This is also true for organizations, which have to communicate these changes effectively to their employees. Internal communications are therefore increasingly garnering attention. In this regard, immense efforts should be made to create high levels of awareness and understanding about a new change project. Organizations use a variety of tools to communicate this information effectively. However, employee awareness and understanding can also vary on the choice of internal communications tools. This chapter presents the results of research carried out in Slovenia in 2012, where an experiment was conducted on 165 individuals. The individuals who took part in the experiment were exposed to information distributed through three different tools used in internal communications. Empirical data concerning the views of awareness and understanding of information according to the three internal communications tools are evaluated and presented.
Empirical Investigation on the Evolution of BI Maturity in Malaysian Organizations
Authors: Ong In Lih , Siew Pei Hwa
Published: January 2015

Many organizations have recognized the importance of increasing commitment towards delivering long-term success of Business Intelligence (BI). However, effective BI strategies and governance to accommodate the rapid growth of data volumes are still scarce. Furthermore, there appears to be low usage rates of BI and analytics among business users. Consequently, many organizations are still positioned at either low or moderate levels in the BI maturity chart. In view of these issues, this chapter explores and develops a multi-dimensional BI maturity model that serves as a guideline to lift the BI capabilities of an organization for effectively planning, assessing, and managing BI initiatives. The focus of this research is to assess the current BI maturity level in Malaysian organizations and identify factors that affect the BI maturity. It also examines the effect of organization's demographic variables (i.e., types of industry, organizational size, and age of BI initiatives) on the BI maturity.
Cultural Integration with Strategic Decision-Making Process in Determining Innovation Performance
Authors: Galanou Ekaterini , Katsioloudes Marios
Published: January 2015

This chapter presents an empirical study that examines the co-alignment between the Strategic Decision-Making Process (SDMP) and cultural contextual factors in developing a more completely specified model of innovation performance in a different setting from the Arab Middle East, namely Qatar. The key variables in this model consist of four strategic decision-making process dimensions (speed, degree of rationality, political behavior, and individual involvement), four culture attributes (locus of control, decision style, collectivistic orientation, and hierarchy), and innovation performance as an outcome variable in terms of process and product/service practice. The survey from 140 public and private organizations improves our understanding in three major issues: first, that SDM practices have a direct and more significant impact on process innovation performance than product/service innovation performance; second, that innovation performance is both process- and context-specific; and third, certain characteristics of the location support culture-specific awareness.
Application of Data Mining Techniques on Library Circulation Data for Library Material Acquisition and Budget Allocation
Authors: Hossain Md. , Rahman Rashedur M.
Published: January 2015

This chapter offers a model for automated library material utilization that is based on knowledge discovery using association rules. Processing the circulation data of the library to extract the statistics and association utilization of the materials for departments is a great achievement that makes the analysis easier for calculating material utilization. Moreover, processing the circulation data of the library, two important dimensions, namely concentration and connection (Kao, Chang, & Lin, 2003), could be explored among departments and library members. This can make the analysis easier by calculating weights in those two important dimensions to make the decision about budget allocation. This chapter analyses the circulation data of North South University Library and suggests that efficient management and budget allocation can be achieved by using the above-mentioned metrics.
Some Aspects of Estimators for Variance of Normally Distributed Data
Authors: Hemachandra N. , Sahu Puja
Published: January 2015

Normally distributed data arises in various contexts and often one is interested in estimating its variance. The authors limit themselves in this chapter to the class of estimators that are (positive) multiples of sample variances. Two important qualities of estimators are bias and variance, which respectively capture the estimator's accuracy and precision. Apart from the two classical estimators for variance, they also consider the one that minimizes the Mean Square Error (MSE) and another that minimizes the maximum of the square of the bias and variance, the minmax estimator. This minmax estimator can be identified as a fixed point of a suitable function. For moderate to large sample sizes, the authors argue that all these estimators have the same order of MSE. However, they differ in the contribution of bias to their MSE. The authors also consider their Pareto efficiency in squared bias versus variance space. All the above estimators are non-dominated (i.e., they lie on the Pareto frontier).
GML-Based Data Management and Semantic World Modelling for a 4D Forest Simulation and Information System
Authors: Roßmann Jürgen , Hoppen Martin , Bücken Arno
Published: January 2015

Various types of 3D simulation applications benefit from realistic forest models. They range from flight simulators for entertainment to harvester simulators for training and tree growth simulations for research and planning. This paper's 4D forest simulation and information system integrates the necessary methods for data extraction, modelling and management. Using modern methods of semantic world modelling, tree data can efficiently be extracted from remote sensing data. The derived forest models contain position, height, crown volume, type and diameter of each tree. This data is modelled using GML-based data models to assure compatibility and exchangeability. ForestGML is the name of a new schema family developed to provide a common basis for forestry data. A flexible approach for database synchronization is used to manage the data and provide caching, persistence, a central communication hub for change distribution, and a versioning mechanism. Combining various simulation techniques and data versioning, the 4D forest simulation and information system can provide applications with “both directions” of the fourth dimension. This paper outlines the current state, new developments, and integration of tree extraction, data modelling, and data management. It also shows several applications realized with the system.
Performance of a Parallel Multi-Agent Simulation using Graphics Hardware
Authors: Johnson Timothy W. C. , Rankin John R.
Published: January 2015

Large-scale Agent-Based Modelling and Simulation (ABMS) is a field of research that is becoming increasingly popular as researchers work to construct simulations at a higher level of complexity and realism than previously done. These systems can not only be difficult and time consuming to implement, but can also be constrained in their scope due to issues arising from a shortage of available processing power. This work simultaneously presents solutions to these two problems by demonstrating a model for ABMS that allows a developer to design their own simulation, which is then automatically converted into code capable of running on a mainstream Graphical Processing Unit (GPU). By harnessing the extra processing power afforded by the GPU this paper creates simulations that are capable of running in real-time with more autonomous agents than allowed by systems using traditional x86 processors.
Hybrid TRS-PSO Clustering Approach for Web2.0 Social Tagging System
Authors: Inbarani H Hannah , Kumar S Selva , Azar Ahmad Taher , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: January 2015

Social tagging is one of the important characteristics of WEB2.0. The challenge of Web 2.0 is a huge amount of data generated over a short period. Tags are widely used to interpret and classify the web 2.0 resources. Tag clustering is the process of grouping the similar tags into clusters. The tag clustering is very useful for searching and organizing the web2.0 resources and also important for the success of Social Bookmarking systems. In this paper, the authors proposed a hybrid Tolerance Rough Set Based Particle Swarm optimization (TRS-PSO) clustering algorithm for clustering tags in social systems. Then the proposed method is compared to the benchmark algorithm K-Means clustering and Particle Swarm optimization (PSO) based Clustering technique. The experimental analysis illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Forecasting Exchange Rates
Authors: Radhwan Ahmed , Kamel Mahmoud , Dahab Mohammed Y. , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: January 2015

Accurate forecasting for future events constitutes a fascinating challenge for theoretical and for applied researches. Foreign Exchange market (FOREX) is selected in this research to represent an example of financial systems with a complex behavior. Forecasting a financial time series can be a very hard task due to the inherent uncertainty nature of these systems. It seems very difficult to tell whether a series is stochastic or deterministic chaotic or some combination of these states. More generally, the extent to which a non-linear deterministic process retains its properties when corrupted by noise is also unclear. The noise can affect a system in different ways even though the equations of the system remain deterministic. Since a single reliable statistical test for chaoticity is not available, combining multiple tests is a crucial aspect, especially when one is dealing with limited and noisy data sets like in economic and financial time series. In this research, the authors propose an improved model for forecasting exchange rates based on chaos theory that involves phase space reconstruction from the observed time series and the use of support vector regression (SVR) for forecasting.Given the exchange rates of a currency pair as scalar observations, observed time series is first analyzed to verify the existence of underlying nonlinear dynamics governing its evolution over time. Then, the time series is embedded into a higher dimensional phase space using embedding parameters.In the selection process to find the optimal embedding parameters,a novel method based on the Differential Evolution (DE) geneticalgorithm(as a global optimization technique) was applied. The authors have compared forecasting accuracy of the proposed model against the ordinary use of support vector regression. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method, which is based on chaos theory and genetic algorithm,is comparable with the existing approaches.
A Method for Detecting Bad Smells and its Application to Software Engineering Education
Authors: Ito Yuki , Hazeyama Atsuo , Morimoto Yasuhiko , Kaminaga Hiroaki , Nakamura Shoichi , Miyadera Youzou
Published: January 2015

In order to extend and maintenance software systems, it is necessary to remove factors behind bad smells from source code through refactoring. However, it is time-consuming process to detect and remove factors behind bad smells manually from large source code. And, learning how to refactor bad smells can be difficult for students because they are not yet software development experts. Therefore, the authors propose a method for detecting bad smells using declarative meta programming that can be applied to software development training. In this manner, software development training is facilitated.
IDA
Authors: Zheng Ying , Zhou Harry
Published: January 2015

This article presents an intelligent corporate governance analysis and rating system, called IDA System, capable of retrieving SEC required documents of public companies and performing analysis and rating in terms of recommended corporate governance practices. With the techniques of analogical learning, local knowledge bases, databases, and question-dependent semantic networks, the IDA system is able to automatically evaluate the strengths, deficiencies, and risks of a company's corporate governance practices based on the documents stored in the “SEC EDGAR database by (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 2013)”. A produced score reduces a complex corporate governance process and related policies into a single number which enables concerned government agencies, investors and legislators to assess the governance characteristics of individual companies.
Structural Epochs in Software
Authors: Gray Patrick A , Sandén Bo , Laplante Phillip
Published: January 2015

A way to measure the complexity of object-oriented software involves topological features of the code's hierarchical organization at the method, class, package, and component levels. Sangwan et al (2008) suggested that as certain software products evolve, this complexity shifts from lower to higher structural levels, or vice-versa. They studied three widely used open source software programs and showed that these structural shifts called “epochs” were present and suspected that this phenomenon was pervasive. To support or refute this assertion, 30 open source programs were studied and structural shifts in complexity were found significantly in 27 of them. In those projects where no complexity shift was evident, no refactoring had occurred. These findings further suggest that in large, open source software projects, when refactoring occurs a shifting in complexity from one level to another will occur.
Telecommunications Entrepreneurial Orientation (TELEO)
Authors: Branch NaShawn , McGivern Michael H.
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this research was to study the significance of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on business performance of small to medium enterprises (SME) in the telecommunications industry. This study utilized the EO scales with a web-based survey to question executives in the telecommunications industry. The test results with the variables pro-activeness and risk-taking did not show significance. No levels of innovativeness were significant for evaluating business performance. The results demonstrate evidence that testing for pro-activeness and risk taking may be an indicator for testing for entrepreneurial success for small to medium businesses in the telecommunications industry. The key findings suggest trends for utilizing EO scales for testing entrepreneurial ventures in the telecommunications industry. This research proves beneficial to industry practitioners, board members, and venture capitalists seeking tools for evaluating the success of telecommunications companies.
Maturity and Process Capability Models and Their Use in Measuring Resilience in Critical Infrastructure Protection Sectors
Authors: Houston Jr. Clemith J. , Sicker Douglas C.
Published: January 2015

This paper provides a literature review and survey of maturity and process capability models, Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) tools and frameworks to identify strategies for assessing and measuring resilience and risk management capabilities, with a specific focus on the electricity generating sector. The focus is on the use of models such as CERT-RMM, and others, as a means of addressing challenges associated with cyber security and risk management. Foundational concepts, terminology and definitions are provided; examples of maturity and process capability models are presented and discussed, tools that enable process capability and resilience are identified, including those specific to the electricity generating sector. The evolution of models and how they have addressed challenges is presented, in addition to the characteristics and differences of models and the growth in domains where they can be used. The benefits of the application of process capability and maturity models in maintaining and enhancing resilience and cyber security protection is supported in this paper and recommendations for research opportunities that may yield further insight and measurement capabilities are offered.
A Sub-Chain Ranking and Recommendation Mechanism for Facilitating Geospatial Web Service Composition
Authors: Zhou ZhangBing , Cheng Zehui , Ning Ke , Li Wenwen , Zhang Liang-Jie
Published: January 2015

With a huge volume of geospatial information being collected and a huge number of domain-specific functions being developed for processing these geospatial information, an increasing number of Open Geospatial Consortium Web services (OWSs) are built and being available on the Web for the accessibility and processing of these information. Given the specific requirement specified by a certain user, normally, a composition (or chain) of OWSs, rather than a single OWS, can fulfill this requirement. Consequently, retrieving and recommending sub-chains of possible service invocations is an important research challenge. Leveraging the semantic similarity between the name and text description of parameters, a degree that represents the invocation possibility between operations in OWSs is calculated. Thereafter, a service network model is constructed for capturing possible invocations between operations. Given a user's requirement which is represented in terms of a pair of initial and ending operations, possible sub-chains of operations are retrieved, ranked and recommended. Based on which the user can select the most appropriate sub-chain with respect to her specific requirement. The result of evaluation leveraging a real OWSs set indicates that our technique is applicable in real applications from both the functional and performance perspectives.