bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building the Friendly Airline Brand
Authors: Senturk Hayat Ayar
Published: July 2019

Hospitality, the hosting behavior that brings convivial and personalized services with the ultimate aim to provide psychological comfort to guests, is a growing success criterion for service firms in today's new, experience-based economy, and thus has received considerable scientific attention in the service industries literatures. In this stream of research, most of the researchers have examined airline hospitality by taking the view pre-flight, in-flight, post-flight tangible and intangible service quality factors in an integrative manner. However, recent researches have pointed out that the airline industry has evolved in a direction where the intangible factor, such as hospitality of the cabin crew, stands out rather than its concrete functions such as “transport.” In the light of this argument, the purpose of this study is, by examining various cases, to theoretically reveal the airline hospitality as a new and fresh perspective that need to be emphasized in digital marketing activities to create widespread impact on customer experiences.
Overcoming Implicit Bias in Collaborative Online Learning Communities
Authors: Battista Ludmila T. , Wright Lisa
Published: July 2019

This chapter will lay the groundwork for exploring implicit bias and the effects in the online higher education environment. The authors will analyze privilege, power, oppression, and institutionalized bias and explore examples in higher education, through both student and faculty perspectives. The chapter will focus on collaborative solutions to a diverse variety of case studies on implicit bias across race, culture, gender, ability, and other dimensions. An emphasis will be placed on reflective analysis and creating collaborative experiences for online students and educators.
Guidelines for Working Collaboratively in Virtual Teams
Authors: Stewart Shelley
Published: July 2019

As virtual teams continue to become more prevalent, educational administrators, faculty, and other members of online communities must discover and employ guidelines for effectively collaborating in online contexts. Applying the same traditional team strategies to those working in dispersed groups of people may hinder communication and prevent optimal results. In today's world, teams need to execute and learn at the same time. It is time to re-define what constitutes a (virtual) team and consider new avenues for cooperating in an increasingly diverse, global, and continuously “plugged-in” society. A set of practical steps for why and how virtual teams can collaborate in digital environments is presented. Tips for implementing the steps are provided. An analysis of technological tools available for facilitating online team collaboration is also shared.
Transforming From the Classroom to an Online Nursing Educator
Authors: Passmore Denise
Published: July 2019

This chapter explores through phenomenological methodology the experiences of nursing faculty who transitioned from live to online teaching. These experiences are further examined through the theory of transformative learning to determine whether participants were able to transform their teaching identity from traditional classroom teacher (sage on the stage) to facilitators of learning. One-on-one interviews were conducted with 16 full-time nursing faculty at four state universities. Findings revealed that most faculty were originally hesitant to teach online and had multiple misconceptions regarding teaching methods and online student communication. With one exception, professional development for online teaching was limited. Most participants described transforming their teaching methods and philosophies as they gained more experience. Results implicate that faculty development should focus not only on educational principles and technology, but also on ways to connect with students and develop course content that helps maintain faculty identities.
Utilizing Social Networking Sites for Communication in Higher Education
Authors: Whitehurst Jodi , Vander Putten Jim
Published: July 2019

This chapter first analyzes the need for communication and collaboration tools to connect units of higher education. It then examines a popular social networking site, Facebook, as a possible platform of communication. This chapter also discusses findings from a phenomenological study that explored rhetorical roles employed by participants on Facebook and then connects findings to current research concerning communication and collaboration in higher education. Data indicated that messages on Facebook were used for cooperation and coordination, but not necessarily collaboration. It also indicated that while participants were audience-minded, they were not necessarily audience-aware, and participants used audience shaping as a coping mechanism. Finally, composers' inclinations to exercise authority over their personal, representational space (Facebook wall) led the researchers to conclude that use of Facebook in higher education may best be achieved by creating a Facebook page or group for specific communicative purposes.
Technology and Culturally Competent Strategies for the Online Classroom
Authors: Kwapy Justina Elise
Published: July 2019

The last decade has brought an increase in online courses in the educational setting. One-quarter of American college students are in an online degree program, and 32% have taken at least one online course. While students, higher universities, and faculty are enjoying the convenience and flexibility of online learning environments, there is an increasing concern over the support in distance education, teaching methods, and a social disconnectedness of students from the course. This chapter explores how technology can support a successful online learning experience and impede the dissatisfaction and higher dropout rates among students in distance learning programs. Higher institution's online faculty are now faced with the task of creating a virtual community of learners, meeting both the academic and social needs of students.
Electronic Waste
Authors: Dervash Moonisa A. , Geelani Syed Maqbool , Bhat Rouf Ahmad , Singh Dig Vijay , Wani Akhlaq Amin
Published: July 2019

Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the swift waste streams and comprises of end of life electronic products. The Western countries as alternative destinations for disposal ship the wastes to underdeveloped and developing countries where labor cost is reasonably meager and environmental laws are feebly implemented. When not recycled, the e-waste is either incinerated or landfilled. These methods involve not only wasting valuable metals but also creating potential risk for the environment. These substances are detrimental to nervous system, kidneys, bones, reproductive system, and endocrine system, and some of them are even carcinogenic and neurotoxic. Thus, extensive research is needed to evolve sophisticated technology which may help to curb environmental pollution and contribute towards sustainable development in terms of recycling of precious metals.
Recovery and Regeneration of Energy From Wastes
Authors: Geelani Syed Maqbool , Dervash Moonisa Aslam , Bhat S. J. A.
Published: July 2019

Management of domestic and industrial wastes is of great concern to all sections of society. Huge quantities of solid wastes are generated from cities, industries, agricultural activities, markets, and hotels on a daily basis. Inadequate management of these wastes poses a serious risk to environment. Generation of energy from these wastes could be helpful for proper management of waste. Recovery and generation of energy from wastes isn't only of economic importance but also could be a boon for conserving natural resources.
A systems approach to research inquiry in accounting: A research note
Authors: Koornhof Carolina
Published: July 2019

Accounting research is strongly influenced by the research methodology and methods adopted in the natural sciences. As a result many researchers in Accounting have steered away from non-formal or interpretative methods. From a methodological perspective, Accounting research therefore has a narrow base (Tomkins and Groves, 1983). A solution to expanding the research base may be to search for non-formal, naturalistic research methods in disciplines related to Accounting, where they are more established. The purpose of the article is to introduce a research method, employed in Management Information Systems (Mitroff, Betz, Pondy and Sagasti, 1974) that may be of value to postgraduate students and Accounting researchers engaged in non-formal and naturalistic research. It is hoped that the exposure to this and other research models will contribute towards the broadening of the Accounting research base.
Foreign capital flows and economic policies in South Africa
Authors: Gidlow R. M.
Published: July 2019

There is no "silver bullet" for reducing the external imbalances facing South Africa, and for coping with the ebb and flow of foreign capital movements. Nevertheless, various policy measures can be identified which would most probably reduce the incidence of external shocks which can plague South Africa's capital account of the balance of payments. Sound macro-economic policies, and in particular the creation of an environment incorporating greater monetary stability are perceived to be crucially important. The position on the capital account needs to be altered such that greater inflows of foreign direct equity capital take place, and in this respect it is concluded that a reduction in the corporate tax rate offers one of the few options open to the authorities at this stage. This offers greater potential than a system of special tax incentives, the effectiveness of the latter in attracting greater foreign investments being open to question.
Steering in uncertain territory: E-Business, globalisation and the South African automotive components industry
Authors: Moodley Sagren
Published: July 2019

Significant and sustainable growth of the South African automotive components industry is contingent upon its ability to compete in a global, e-business-enabled operating environment. The key challenge facing the South African automotive component industry today is one of connectedness to global trade networks, the generation of export volumes and industrial upgrading in global-scale value chains. The domestic components industry will need to leverage e-business for supply chain management and to take part in global trade networks, thus making it urgent for firms to develop IT capabilities. By not making the transition to e-business, component firms may be placing themselves at risk of becoming less competitive in the globally interconnected market, impacting on both their current market positions and long-term viability. If this were to happen, it would have adverse development implications for the country, such as job losses, a decline in revenue growth and an eroded export base.
The use of neural networks and rule induction for customer segmentation and target market profiling
Authors: Bloom J. Z.
Published: July 2019

Inadequate market segmentation and clustering problems could cause an enterprise to either miss a strategic marketing opportunity or not cash in on a tactical campaign. The need for in-depth knowledge of customer segments and to overcome the limitations of non-linear problems require a different approach. The objectives of the research are (1) to consider the use of self-organising feature (SOM) neural networks for segmenting tourist markets and (2) to assess the use of inducing decision trees to obtain rules for profiling existing and classifying new respondents. The findings of the SOM neural network modelling indicate three definitive natural clusters. The induction of rules from decision trees were used to obtain a broad indication of a segment profile on the basis of a rule set and also enables the segment classification of customers from follow-up surveys.
Business opportunities and sustainable development
Authors: Davidson Ogunlade R.
Published: July 2019

The conventional development paradigm appears to have failed the poor regionsof the world. It has led to a widening gap between rich and poor, while theworld as a whole is getting richer. Attempts to integrate social andenvironmental concerns into the conventional development paradigm have ledto the concept of sustainable development.
Economic analysis of the eradication and management of invasive alien vegetation in the Mhlatuze river catchment (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)
Authors: Cooper Jennifer , Schroenn Jessica , Quinn Nevil
Published: July 2019

Alien invasive vegetation threatens the functioning and existence of natural ecosystems in South Africa because many of these plants have no predators or competitors, allowing them to dominate the ecosystem which they inhabit. The rapid proliferation of this alien vegetation, ascribed to the increase in afforestation and changes in land use, has had significant adverse impacts on water resources, biodiversity and the stability as well as integrity of these ecosystems. Although eradicating alien invasive vegetation gives rise to a number of different benefits, this process entails enormous costs. Consequently, in order to establish the economic viability of alien plant eradication it is essential to analyse these costs as well as the benefits associated with eradication.
Memory properties of the forward premium: A study on South African exchange rates
Authors: Boraine H. , Van Staden P. J.
Published: July 2019

The forward rate unbiasedness hypothesis states that the current forward rate should be an unbiased forecaster of the future spot rate. Inference has always been done under the assumption that the forward premium is a stationary short memory series. Recent empirical results have indicated that this assumption is not valid. Standard unit root tests performed on the forward premium often indicate infinite long memory. However, in recent literature fractionally integrated models have been applied for the forward premium. Empirical analysis is usually performed on exchange rates of developed economies. In this article, the South African Rand-Dollar exchange rate is considered and the focus is therefore on a developing country. A bootstrap method for determining standard errors and confidence limits is described and implemented.
Importance of external environmental labour-related risk factors for financial investment decision-making
Authors: Mostert J. H. , Steel S. J. , Mostert F J.
Published: July 2019

External environmental labour-related risk factors influence the relationship between management and the work force of an enterprise. It is therefore of prime importance to consider these labour-related risk actors in order to be able to take a comprehensive financial investment decision. The risk factors concerned come from the political, economic, social and technological environments. The views of the participating investment practitioners (who are active in the long-term insurance industry) regarding these aspects are analysed against the background of relevant literature. The responses with reference to these labour-related risks in manual and knowledge worker enterprises are presented simultaneously and significant similarities and differences are highlighted.
A large sieve inequality of Elliott–Montgomery–Vaughan type for automorphic forms on GL$_3$
Authors: Xiao Xuanxuan , Xu Zhao
Published: July 2019

We get a large sieve inequality of Elliott–Montgomery–Vaughan type for automorphic forms on GL

_3

in short intervals. As an application, we give a statistical result of sign changes for Hecke eigenvalues

A_j(p, p)

.
Filtro de cascarilla de Ricinus communis y carbón vegetal para tratamiento de agua contaminada con hidrocarburos: diseño de un sistema en serie por etapas
Authors: Marín Velásquez T.D. , Heredia-Jiménez V.I. , Alcarraz-Curi M.
Published: July 2019

El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar un sistema de tres filtros en serie, usando cascarillas de Ricinus communis y carbón vegetal. Se construyó cada filtro con tubos de plástico PVC y se colocaron los paquetes filtrantes granulares, dos de cascarilla y uno de carbón vegetal, para filtrar el agua de manera descendente por gravedad. Se utilizó agua contaminada con 5 y 10% Diésel y se tomaron muestras a la salida de cada uno para medir las variables SST y AyG, mediante las normas ASTM D5907 y EPA Method 1664 A. Los ensayos se hicieron por triplicado, con un diseño factorial con prueba ANAVA y DMS de Fisher con significancia α = 0.05. El sistema filtrante fue eficiente para disminuir los parámetros a valores permitidos por las normas ambientales peruanas, siendo más eficiente para AyG. Las eficiencias mostraron diferencias significativas por Etapas de filtración, pero fueron iguales en función al % Diésel.
How should we aggregate data? Methods accounting for the numerical distributions, with an assessment of aerosol optical depth
Authors: Sayer Andrew M. , Knobelspiesse Kirk D.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Many applications of geophysical data – whether from surface observations, satellite retrievals, or model simulations – rely on aggregates produced at coarser spatial (e.g. degrees) and/or temporal (e.g. daily, monthly) resolution than the highest available from the technique. Almost all these aggregates report the arithmetic mean and standard deviation as summary statistics, which are what data users employ in their analyses. These statistics are most meaningful for Normally-distributed data; however, for some quantities, such as aerosol optical depth (AOD), it is well-known that distributions are on large scales closer to Lognormal, for which geometric mean and standard deviation would be more appropriate. This study presents a method to assess whether a given sample of data are more consistent with an underlying Normal or Lognormal distribution, using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and tests AOD frequency distributions on spatial scales of 1° and daily, monthly, and seasonal temporal scales. A broadly consistent picture is observed using Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET), Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR), Moderate Resolution Imagining Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Goddard Earth Observing System Version 5 Nature Run (G5NR) data. These data sets are complementary: AERONET has the highest AOD accuracy but is sparse; MISR and MODIS represent different satellite retrieval techniques and sampling; as a model simulation, G5NR is spatiotemporally complete. As time scales increase from days to months to seasons, data become increasingly more consistent with Lognormal than Normal distributions, and the differences between arithmetic and geometric mean AOD become larger, with geometric mean becoming systematically smaller. Assuming Normality systematically overstates both the typical level of AOD and its variability. There is considerable regional heterogeneity in the results: in low-AOD regions such as the open ocean and mountains, often the AOD difference is sufficiently small (
Global TEC prediction performance assessment of IRI-2016 model based on EOF decomposition
Authors: Li Shuhui , Xu Jiajia , Zhou Houxiang , Zhang Jinglei , Xu Zeyuan , Xie Mingqiang
Published: July 2019

Abstract. In this study, the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) decomposition technique was utilized to analyze the similarities and differences of the spatiotemporal characteristics between the total electron content (TEC) of the International GNSS Service global ionospheric map (GIM) and that derived from the International Reference Ionosphere 2016 (IRI-2016) model in 2013. Results showed that the main spatial patterns and time-varying features of the data set have good consistency. The following four main spatiotemporal variation features can be extracted from both data sets through EOF decomposition: the variation with the geomagnetic latitude reflecting the daily averaged solar forcing, the diurnal and semidiurnal periodic changes with longitude due to local time, and the interhemispheric asymmetry caused by the annual variation of the inclination angle of the Earth's orbit. The differences between the spatial patterns represented by the EOF base functions of IRI-2016 and GIM TECs were analyzed by extracting the same time-varying coefficients. The deviations of the interhemispheric asymmetry component between the two data sets showed roughly equal values throughout the Southern or Northern Hemisphere, whereas those of the other spatial modes were mainly concentrated on the equatorial region. The differences of the time-varying characteristics between the IRI-2016 and GIM TECs were also compared by extracting the same EOF base functions. Although the EOF coefficients of the two data sets presented consistent seasonal variations, the magnitude of IRI-2016 TEC changes over time was less than that of GIM TEC. The diurnal variation of the daily averaged solar forcing component and the annual variation of the interhemispheric asymmetry component exhibited relatively large deviations between the two data sets. Considering the variance contribution of the different EOF components and their average relative deviations, both analyses showed that the daily averaged solar forcing and interhemispheric asymmetry components were the main factors for the deviation between the IRI-2016 and GIM TECs.
Low sensitivity of gross primary production to elevated CO2 in a mature Eucalypt woodland
Authors: Yang Jinyan , Medlyn Belinda E. , De Kauwe Martin G. , Duursma Remko A. , Jiang Mingkai , Kumarathunge Dushan , Crous Kristine Y. , Gimeno Teresa E. , Wujeska-Klause Agnieszka , Ellsworth David S.
Published: July 2019

Abstract. The response of mature forest ecosystems to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (Ca) is a major uncertainty in projecting the future trajectory of the Earth’s climate. Although leaf-level net photosynthesis is typically stimulated by exposure to elevated Ca (eCa), it is unclear how this stimulation translates into carbon cycle responses at whole-ecosystem scale. Here we estimate a key component of the carbon cycle, the gross primary productivity (GPP), of a mature native Eucalypt forest exposed to Free Air CO2 Enrichment (the EucFACE experiment). In this experiment, light-saturated leaf photosynthesis increased by 19 % in response to a 38 % increase in Ca. We used the process-based forest canopy model, MAESPA, to upscale these leaf-level measurements of photosynthesis with canopy structure to estimate Gross Primary Production (GPP) and its response to eCa. We assessed the direct impact of eCa, as well as the indirect effect of photosynthetic acclimation to eCa and variability among treatment plots via different model scenarios. At the canopy scale, MAESPA estimated a GPP of 1574 g C m−2 yr−1 under ambient conditions across four years and a direct increase in GPP of +11 % in response to eCa. The smaller canopy-scale response simulated by the model, as compared to the leaf-level response, could be attributed to the prevalence of RuBP-regeneration limitation of leaf photosynthesis within the canopy. Photosynthetic acclimation reduced this estimated response to 10 %. Considering variability in leaf area index across plots, we estimated a mean GPP response to eCa of 6 % with a 95 % CI of (−2 %, 14 %). These findings highlight that the GPP response of mature forests to eCa is likely to be considerably lower than the response of light-saturated leaf photosynthesis. Our results provide an important context for interpreting eCa responses of other components of the ecosystem carbon cycle.
Dynamic allometry in coastal overwash morphology
Authors: Lazarus Eli D. , Davenport Kirstin L. , Matias Ana
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Allometry refers to a physical principle in which geometric (and/or metabolic) characteristics of an object or organism are correlated to its size. Allometric scaling relationships typically manifest as power laws. In geomorphic contexts, scaling relationships are a quantitative signature of organisation, structure, or regularity in a landscape, even if the mechanistic processes responsible for creating such a pattern are unclear. Despite the ubiquity and variety of scaling relationships in physical landscapes, the emergence and development of these relationships tend to be difficult to observe – either because the spatial and/or temporal scales over which they evolve are so great, or because the conditions that drive them are so dangerous (e.g., an extreme hazard event). Here, we use a physical experiment to examine dynamic allometry in overwash morphology along a model coastal barrier. We document the emergence of a canonical scaling law for deposit (washover) length versus area. Comparing the experimental features, formed during a single forcing event, to four decades of change in real washover morphology from the Ria Formosa barrier system, in southern Portugal, we show that features forming at the event scale might exhibit a different pattern of change over longer time scales. This work reinforces the potential importance of initial conditions in landscape evolution, such that a landscape may reflect characteristics associated with an equilibrium or steady-state condition even when features within that landscape do not.
Liberation or Reconstruction? Black Theology as Unfinished Business in South Africa
Authors: Solomons Demaine , Klaasen John
Published: July 2019

As a metaphor, “liberation” was at the heart of the Black theological project in South Africa. However, after centuries of colonial and apartheid rule, Black liberation and its association with Black theology need to be examined in light of democracy in South Africa. Some have asserted that the end of apartheid together with the democratization of the country renders Black theology irrelevant. These views are taken further by suggesting that it is not Black people alone who are in need of liberation. The dawn of democracy, therefore, is a significant variable for those seeking to replace liberation with metaphors deemed more “suitable” for the current context. The most significant proposal—which has generated much debate—suggests that Black theology should shift emphasis from “liberation” to “reconstruction.” Often these debates question the continued relevance of “liberation” as a root metaphor. Moreover, they highlight the need for a clearly defined framework for Black theology following the demise of apartheid.
Catalytic Decomposition of Methane for Energy Efficient Use of Natural Gas
Authors: Scurrell Mike S. , Venugopal A K , Salipira K
Published: July 2019

The catalytic decomposition of methane (CDM) on suitable surfaces offers the prospect for lower or zero-carbon routes to energy using natural gas or methane derived via biomass options. The carbon from the decomposition could be stored (buried), used for specific applications or perhaps converted to electricity using carbon fuel cells, according to which the overall process is near-zero or low carbon dioxide producing in character. A large volume of work now describes the action of supported nickel in the CDM reaction. However, the basic ground rules governing activity, longevity (closely related to carbon yield) and carbon morphology as well as issues around practical reactor systems for the sustained catalytic action of solid catalysts remain to be developed. In nickel/titania systems the carbon type and yield are dependent on nickel loading levels, with lower Ni loadings favouring higher carbon yields per unit of Ni. The carbon yield per unit mass of catalyst in nickel-titania systems is largely independent of Ni loading. Carbon yields are greatly influenced by the nature of the catalytic solid. Addition of Cu or La can lead to unusually high carbon yields in excess of 2000 g/gNi, some of the highest ever reported. The nature of zeolite morphology in Cu-Ni systems also greatly influences the carbon yield and examples of this behaviour will be presented and discussed. Considerations of how to regenerate CDM catalysts, or slowing their deactivation in the first place are demanded if sustained practical CDM is to be achieved and some ideas on the issue may be developed from experiences with other methane decomposition systems, including non-catalytic approaches that have been pursued using concentrated solar energy, for example.
Roads to Makkah: Ambient Air Quality and Personal Exposure Assessment During Ritual of Hajj
Authors: Siddique Azhar
Published: July 2019

Hajj, an annual pilgrimage of Islam, draws millions of pilgrims from more than 200 countries for religious rituals in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Mecca population during Hajj grows equal to a mega city and traffic activities in Mecca remain busiest during Hajj. Traffic emissions are the principal local source of air pollutants. Air quality in Mecca and surrounding holy sites was investigated during the 2012 (1433 H) and 2013 (1434 H) Hajj. This is the first detailed study to elucidate the exposure to air pollutants among pilgrims. It is also the very first VOCs emission study in the region (GCC) which assesses VOCs including Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes, Aromatics, Alkyl Nitrates, cycloalkanes/alkenes, sulfur species, and halocarbons in air sample. Spatial and temporal variations in total suspended particulate (TSP), PM10, PM7, PM2.5, PM1, ozone (O3), and black carbon (BC) levels along the route were also recorded using portable monitors. Strongly elevated levels of carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured. The most pilgrim routes had on average exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended threshold for PM10 and PM2.5 during Hajj, especially in the tunnels of Mecca, and are a concern for human health. High volume of traffic, construction work, re-suspension of particles, and geographical conditions (arid regions) are identified as major causes of health significant pollutants. The pilgrim's longer trip duration lead to their highest whole trip exposure to air pollutants, which indicate that they are subject to higher health risk. Better understanding of air pollution exposure and their determinants in the environments will contribute to the development of more appropriate exposure reductive strategies and have significant public health meanings.
Feasibility Study on an Efficient Electricity Tariff Solution for Renewable Energy Initiative of Qatar
Authors: Cen Zhaohui
Published: July 2019

Comparing Qatar with some developed countries such as Unite States and Europe, electricity price in Qatar is ultra-low because most of electricity is produced from low-cost gas and subsides are offered by the goverment. With facing this truth, it is very important to keep in mind that current electricity tariff is neither sustainable nor energy-saving due to oil price down, and also it will cause more and more electricity waste and carbon emission. Therefore, it is necessary for stakeholders and policymakers such as Kahramaa to evaluate what is the best tariff for electricity tariff for energy-saving and renewable energy initiative of Qatar. This paper investigate and addresses this issue by developing an approach on how to design and validate an efficient electricity tariff for renewable energy in Qatar. Firstly, negative impacts on the public and other stakeholders are investigated for the current electricity tariff. Based on demand analysis, a numerical pricing model of electricity for suppliers and users is built, and its quantitative economics are designed, considering renewables as a key utility function factor. Based on the designed pricing model of electricity, a convex quadratic minimization with linear constraints is defined. Optimization solving algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence such as Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Ant Colony Algorithm (ACA) are utilized to search the best solution to maximize the utility function. Finally, the dynamics of the pricing model is investigated and validated based on simulation scenarios. The main contribution of this study is to help stakeholders such as Kaharama to evaluate the effectiveness of current electricity tariff and advise a better pricing solution under consideration for renewable energy initiative of Qatar. Also, the quantitative model can also work as an efficient and dynamic evaluation tool and approach for stakeholders and policy-makers.
Smart Energy Efficient Air-Conditioning System
Authors: Khalil Shady Samir
Published: July 2019

GCC's climate has a high ambient temperatures throughout most of the year, therefore, the air conditioning is not optional or luxury, it is a necessity. Residential sector in those countries represents the largest portion of electricity consumption. According to Qatar National Development Strategy (QNDS) 2011-2016, two-thirds (67 percent) of total residential power consumption in Qatar is due to air conditioning units (AC), Such heavy cooling demand is expected to approximately triple by 2030. Thereby, the fuel needed to power air-conditioning units in the GCC will is expected to 1.5 million barrels of oil per day. Energy efficient system is basically depending on two different categories; technological modification program and behavioral modification program. Both programs are required for energy efficient air conditioner systems. Existing air conditioner systems are based on conventional technological modification systems without considering the behavioral modification program which are impacted by the cost of implementation, impact on running systems as well as providing a fixed step algorithm of closed loop control between utility and residential customer. Therefore, we present a novel embedded real-time, smart, active energy and efficient air conditioning system for minimizing energy consumption, and minimizing energy cost per day while considering residential customer preferences, comfort level in behavioral modification program and health aspect, which provides opportunity for residential customer to reduce energy consumption improve energy efficiency with cost effective manners and healthcare concept. The proposed algorithm automatic adjustment air conditioning temperature below the outdoor temperature as recommended from physiologists. In addition the proposed energy efficient Air-conditioning system equipped with embedded tools to collects and monitor energy information for each air conditioning through measurements of current, voltages, frequency, active power (kW), reactive power (kVAR), apparent power (kVA), power factor (PF), total harmonic distortion (THD) to increased awareness of the importance of energy efficiency and energy saving benefits. The system has three modes of operation; automatic, semi-automatic and manual. The automatic status i.e. the system smartly and completely controls airflow/energy consumption of air conditioner at all times based on Psychrometric Chart; semi-automatic status is designed to quickly and efficiently controlled energy usage with fixed selected temperature value. The manual status is considered as a conventional, delivery and use of energy without any control. The Smart energy efficiency algorithm is set based on psychrometric chart, load importance, comfort level, room temperature, and internet weather service. The proposed novel system leads to achieve comfortable temperature with less energy consumption over many hours during the day. The proposed energy management strategy aims to save around 15-26% of daily energy consumption. Index Terms -Energy-efficient, air conditioning, Energy saving.
Sensitive Spectroscopic Analysis of Isotopes for Characterization of Crude Oil and Well Gas Samples
Authors: Kaya Necati , Rahman Jahanur , Strohaber James , Amani Mahmood , Schuessler Hans
Published: July 2019

Oilfield reservoir characterization with a nonradioactive Kr isotope tracers with collinear fast beam laser spectroscopy (CFBLS) has been developed in our laboratory and has unprecedented sensitivity, selectivity and dynamic range. It provides efficient method of reservoir mapping, which is much safer than commercially available radioactive isotope based enhanced oil recovery approaches. Our approach can be used in far and near borehole surveys and to quantify fracturing efficiency. The analytical system uses mass separation in conjunction with highly selective laser excitation and sensitive optical detection. For similar applications we also implemented a novel optical spectroscopy based on frequency comb lasers (FCL) that have a regular comb structure of millions of laser modes for ultra broad band detection. Especially in the infrared, a plethora of green house and other gases have molecular fingerprint spectra that can be studied with FCL, based mainly on the Er-, Yb-doped fiber lasers with their wavelength ranges extended by optical parametric oscillation processes, supercontinuum or difference-frequency generation. We present our work on trace isotope detection that utilized both techniques. As examples we describe analysis of crude oil and well gas samples based on the research in Qatar, and the monitoring of the methane content of seawater in the aftermath of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This work was supported by the by the Robert A. Welch Foundation grant No. A1546 and the Qatar Foundation under the grant NPRP 5-994-1–172.
Buildings Construction and Maintenance Role in Urban Pest Management
Authors: Farrag Hassan Ali
Published: July 2019

The major threats to community health were recognized as coming from poor housing, poor management of sewage and drainage, foul air in industrialized towns, unsafe drinking water, and inadequate control of pests.

Increasing pest infestation in urban areas is now a reality. The reliance on the use of chemical pesticides leads to negative results. Use of clean ecological methods must be the strategy of the future. Pests are attracted to our buildings to satisfy their needs which include food water and shelter. The development of building designs (green buildings), offers intriguing opportunities for use in future urban pest control by preventing pests from invading our buildings and enjoy the available food and shelter.

A survey was conducted including 150 houses in Rayyan municipality with the aim to investigate the buildings defects which play a role in pest infestation. The results revealed that more than 50% of the buildings inspected are having defects which attract urban pests to the buildings. These defects include the presence of unsealed electrical and water pipes entry points to the buildings, sewage water manhole defects, cracks and crevices, gaps between floor tiles, doors and windows gaps. More than 60% of the buildings have defects in sewage water manholes include broken covers, manholes not built according to the standard specifications. More than 90% of the manholes are not equipped with valves. The results also indicated buildings with defects are more likely infested with pests like cockroach and ants. House owners questioner, revealed that, 73% of them believe that chemical control is the best method of control and they don't think that sanitation and maintenance will reduce pests population.

It is clear from the results that construction and maintenance can be used as an important tool in urban pests management by preventing pests entry and survival inside our buildings.

The survey results showed that effective pest management depends on more than just a skillful pest control operator because the conditions that allow the pests to have access to the buildings and satisfy their needs and requirements are under the control of other individuals for examples building designers, electrician, plumbers. Buildings managers, owners residence are also involved in the pests management program because sanitation is a major factor in the pest prevention program.
Concordance of PAP Smear, Colposcopy and Histopathology in Patients with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Authors: Deniz Melissa Archangela , Mohammed Abdel Baset F , Ansari Afaf Al , Ahuja Vijay Kumar
Published: July 2019

Objective

To evaluate the concordance of Pap smear, Colposcopy and histopathology in patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in a local tertiary care hospital.

Design

Retrospective descriptive study.

Materials and methods

All patient with CIN undergoing LLETZ during the period from January 2007 to July 2013 were included in the study. Case records were reviewed regarding demographics and clinical data, Pap smear reports, colposcopy findings and histopathology (HPR) reports following colposcopically directed cervical biopsy (CDB) and that following Large Loop excision of Transformation zone (LLETZ).

Results

patients with CIN undergoing LLETZ were included. Agreement between Pap smear and HPR was 96.2% with sensitivity of 80.6% and specificity of 60%. Agreement between CDB and HPR was 86.4% for high grade and only 33.3% for low grade lesions. Level of concordance of Pap smear with CDB was 96.2% for high grade and only 50% for low grade lesions.

Main Outcome Measures

Agreement between Pap smear, colposcopy, CBD and HPR.

Conclusion

Pap smear and CDB are complimentary to each other, and each cannot be used independently. LLETZ improves the yield of high grade lesions and detecs minimally invasive cancer which could be missed by CDB.
A Three-Way Decision Making Approach to Protein Functions Classification
Authors: Azam Nouman , Rehman Hafeez Ur
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Proteins are the most important molecules of life that are part of almost every biological process. The knowledge of protein functions plays an essential role in understanding biological cells which ultimately have a significant impact on human life in areas, such as, personalized medicine, better crops and improved therapeutic interventions. The conventional approaches for classifying protein functions are essentially based on two-way classification decisions, i.e., a function is either decided as being positively annotated to a protein or it is decided as being negatively annotated to a protein. There are two basic shortcomings with these two-way classification approaches. Firstly, they classify every case irrespective of the available information. As a result, the cases with low level of associated information may be misclassified thereby leading to ineffective accuracy rates. Secondly, there is no mechanism in these approaches to incorporate and take advantage from continuously evolving biological information resulting from technological advancements.

Methodology

In this work, we propose and evaluate a three-way decision making approach to classify protein functions. The essential idea is to extend the two-way decision making approach by adding a third decision option of deferment. Keeping in view the technological advancements for understanding biological processes, which are continuously refining and updating the details of biological information, we argue that the three-way approach can be used to overcome the two shortcomings of the two-way approaches. Firstly, we can exercise the decision of deferment whenever we do not have sufficient evidence to reach certain conclusions. This can help us in reducing some of the misclassifications. Secondly, by explicitly identifying the cases for which immediate decisions may not be possible, we make room for integrating anticipated future biological information which will make the decision making more evident and obvious.

Results

We evaluated the proposed three-way decision making approach on the dataset of Saccharomyces cerevisiae species proteins which is obtained from Uniprot database with the corresponding functional classes extracted from the Gene Ontology database. For our experiments, we consider rough sets based models for inducing three-way decisions. The results of our experiments indicate that by increasing the level of biological information associated with proteins, the number of deferred cases can be reduced while maintaining the same level of accuracy. We comprehensively benchmark our scheme under these settings and conclude that the classification becomes more crisp as the knowledge of associated biological information matures.
OFD1 Missense Mutation Causes an Autosomal Recessive Dyskeratosis Congenita-Like Disorder Further Complicating the Clinical Heterogeneity of OFD1 Mutations
Authors: Kambouris Marios , Shaath Hibah , Fadda Abeer , Al-Sarraj Yasser , Tomei Sara , Ena Wang , El-Shanti Hatem
Published: July 2019

A consanguineous [first cousin marriage] family of Arabic ethnic origin with four unaffected siblings and two male siblings affected by a Dyskeratosis Congenita-like disorder, was studied by Genome-Wide SNP homozygosity mapping, functional and positional candidate gene screening by Sanger sequencing, and Whole Genome Sequencing [WGS] to identify the offending gene and mutation. The disorder is marked by short stature, sparse hair including eyelashes, leukoplakia, dental carries and early tooth loss, osteoporosis, skin atrophy and hyper pigmentation, nail dystrophy with longitudinal ridging and splitting without bone marrow involvement.

The offending gene was mapped to two possible homozygous genomic regions on chromosomes 3p and 6q cumulatively spanning 24 Mb containing 86 protein-coding genes. Functional and positional candidate gene screening by Sanger sequencing for ARL6IP, BCKDHB, DKC1, DNAH17, EEF1A1, LRIG1, ORC3, POLA1, SLC17A5 and SYNCRIP did not identify causative pathogenic mutations. Analyses and mining of WGS data for homozygous variants within the homozygous regions and Xlinked variants [as only males are affected] in X-shared regions among affected siblings, identified a homozygous missense c.C2353T/p.P785S mutation in the OFD1 gene, at Xp22.2. The mutation co-segregates with the disease phenotype within the family, is absent in all public databases and in 500 ethnically matched control chromosomes. OFD1 is a 1012 aa protein component of centrioles, controlling centriole length and involved in cilium biogenesis. OFD1 mutations cause Oral-facial-digital syndrome 1, Simpson-Golabi-Behmel Syndrome Type 2, Joubert Syndrome 10 and Retinitis Pigmentosa 23 displaying significant phenotypic heterogeneity and clinical variability. The c.C2353T/p.P785S mutation ads a Dyskeratosis Congenita-like phenotype to the wide spectrum of OFD1 disease phenotypes. In addition, it demonstrates that when applying WGS data to clinical diagnoses, all significant variants should be considered and scrutinized for their clinical impact, irrespective of the observed clinical presentation.