bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Transformational Leadership on Safety Climate and Individual Safety Behavior on Construction Sites
Authors: Shen Yuzhong , Ju Chuanjing , Koh Tas , Rowlinson Steve , Bridge Adrian
Published: January 2017

Unsafe acts contribute dominantly to construction accidents, and increasing safety behavior is essential to reduce accidents. Previous research conceptualized safety behavior as an interaction between proximal individual differences (safety knowledge and safety motivation) and distal contextual factors (leadership and safety climate). However, relatively little empirical research has examined this conceptualization in the construction sector. Given the cultural background of the sample, this study makes a slight modification to the conceptualization and views transformational leadership as an antecedent of safety climate. Accordingly, this study establishes a multiple mediator model showing the mechanisms through which transformational leadership translates into safety behavior. The multiple mediator model is estimated by the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique, using individual questionnaire responses from a random sample of construction personnel based in Hong Kong. As hypothesized, transformational leadership has a significant impact on safety climate which is mediated by safety-specific leader–member exchange (LMX), and safety climate in turn impacts safety behavior through safety knowledge. The results suggest that future safety climate interventions should be more effective if supervisors exhibit transformational leadership, encourage construction personnel to voice safety concerns without fear of retaliation, and repeatedly remind them about safety on the job.
Impact of Air Pollutants on Outpatient Visits for Acute Respiratory Outcomes
Authors: Li Ran , Jiang Ning , Liu Qichen , Huang Jing , Guo Xinbiao , Liu Fan , Gao Zhancheng
Published: January 2017

The air pollution in China is a severe problem. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of air pollutants on acute respiratory outcomes in outpatients. Outpatient data from 2 December 2013 to 1 December 2014 were collected, as well as air pollutant data including ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). We screened six categories of acute respiratory outcomes and analyzed their associations with different air pollutant exposures, including upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), acute bronchitis (AB), community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), acute exacerbation of asthma (AE-asthma), and acute exacerbation of bronchiectasis (AEBX). A case-crossover design with a bidirectional control sampling approach was used for statistical analysis. A total of 57,144 patients were enrolled for analysis. PM2.5, PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO exposures were positively associated with outpatient visits for URTI, AB, CAP, and AEBX. PM10, SO2, and CO exposures were positively associated with outpatient visits for AECOPD. Exposure to O3 was positively associated with outpatient visits for AE-asthma, but negatively associated with outpatient visits for URTI, CAP, and AEBX. In conclusion, air pollutants had acute effects on outpatient visits for acute respiratory outcomes, with specific outcomes associated with specific pollutants.
RAB10 Interacts with the Male Germ Cell-Specific GTPase-Activating Protein during Mammalian Spermiogenesis
Authors: Lin Ying-Hung , Ke Chih-Chun , Wang Ya-Yun , Chen Mei-Feng , Chen Tsung-Ming , Ku Wei-Chi , Chiang Han-Sun , Yeh Chung-Hsin
Published: January 2017

According to recent estimates, 2%–15% of couples are sterile, and approximately half of the infertility cases are attributed to male reproductive factors. However, the reasons remain undefined in approximately 25% of male infertility cases, and most infertility cases exhibit spermatogenic defects. Numerous genes involved in spermatogenesis still remain unknown. We previously identified Male Germ Cells Rab GTPase-Activating Proteins (MGCRABGAPs) through cDNA microarray analysis of human testicular tissues with spermatogenic defects. MGCRABGAP contains a conserved RABGAP catalytic domain, TBC (Tre2/Bub2/Cdc16). RABGAP family proteins regulate cellular function (e.g., cytoskeletal remodeling, vesicular trafficking, and cell migration) by inactivating RAB proteins. MGCRABGAP is a male germ cell-specific protein expressed in elongating and elongated spermatids during mammalian spermiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to identify proteins that interact with MGCRABGAP during mammalian spermiogenesis using a proteomic approach. We found that MGCRABGAP exhibited GTPase-activating bioability, and several MGCRABGAP interactors, possible substrates (e.g., RAB10, RAB5C, and RAP1), were identified using co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) and nano liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (nano LC-MS/MS). We confirmed the binding ability between RAB10 and MGCRABGAP via co-IP. Additionally, MGCRABGAP–RAB10 complexes were specifically colocalized in the manchette structure, a critical structure for the formation of spermatid heads, and were slightly expressed at the midpiece of mature spermatozoa. Based on these results, we propose that MGCRABGAP is involved in mammalian spermiogenesis by modulating RAB10.
When Less Is Less: Solving Multiple Simple Problems Is Not Complex Problem Solving—A comment on Greiff et al. (2015)
Authors: Funke Joachim , Fischer Andreas , Holt Daniel
Published: January 2017

In this commentary, we critically review the study of Greiff, Stadler, Sonnleitner, Wolff, and Martin, “Sometimes less is more: Comparing the validity of complex problem solving measures” (Intelligence, 2015, 50, 100–113). The main conclusion of Greiff et al. that the “multiple complex systems” (MCS) approach to measuring complex problem-solving ability possesses superior validity compared to classical microworld scenarios (“less is more”) seems to be an overgeneralization based on inappropriate analysis and selective interpretation of results. In its original form, MCS is a useful tool for investigating specific aspects of problem solving within dynamic systems. However, its value as an instrument for the assessment of complex problem solving ability remains limited.
Ligands of Therapeutic Utility for the Liver X Receptors
Authors: Komati Rajesh , Spadoni Dominick , Zheng Shilong , Sridhar Jayalakshmi , Riley Kevin , Wang Guangdi
Published: January 2017

Liver X receptors (LXRs) have been increasingly recognized as a potential therapeutic target to treat pathological conditions ranging from vascular and metabolic diseases, neurological degeneration, to cancers that are driven by lipid metabolism. Amidst intensifying efforts to discover ligands that act through LXRs to achieve the sought-after pharmacological outcomes, several lead compounds are already being tested in clinical trials for a variety of disease interventions. While more potent and selective LXR ligands continue to emerge from screening of small molecule libraries, rational design, and empirical medicinal chemistry approaches, challenges remain in minimizing undesirable effects of LXR activation on lipid metabolism. This review provides a summary of known endogenous, naturally occurring, and synthetic ligands. The review also offers considerations from a molecular modeling perspective with which to design more specific LXRβ ligands based on the interaction energies of ligands and the important amino acid residues in the LXRβ ligand binding domain.
CK2—An Emerging Target for Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Castello Julia , Ragnauth Andre , Friedman Eitan , Rebholz Heike
Published: January 2017

Protein kinase CK2 has received a surge of attention in recent years due to the evidence of its overexpression in a variety of solid tumors and multiple myelomas as well as its participation in cell survival pathways. CK2 is also upregulated in the most prevalent and aggressive cancer of brain tissue, glioblastoma multiforme, and in preclinical models, pharmacological inhibition of the kinase has proven successful in reducing tumor size and animal mortality. CK2 is highly expressed in the mammalian brain and has many bona fide substrates that are crucial in neuronal or glial homeostasis and signaling processes across synapses. Full and conditional CK2 knockout mice have further elucidated the importance of CK2 in brain development, neuronal activity, and behavior. This review will discuss recent advances in the field that point to CK2 as a regulator of neuronal functions and as a potential novel target to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Religion, the Federalists, and American Nationalism
Authors: Den Hartog Jonathan
Published: January 2017

It may seem a truism to assert that the Federalist Party in the Early American Republic possessed a nationalist emphasis, but the question remains as to the character of their nationalism. This article draws on categories from the historian John D. Wilsey to determine how “open” or “closed” Federalist nationalism was. It looks to public utterances of Federalist leaders to find that they attempted to hold up the nation as an ideal, but that they avoided expansionistic tendencies in foreign affairs. This allows the article to posit Federalist nationalism as “open.” It then considers what role religion played in supporting this “open” Federalist nationalism. It finds that Federalist religious nationalism developed in three stages: “Republican,” “Federalist,” and “Voluntarist,” as Federalists responded to needs within, and changes to, the new nation. The article concludes that religion (predominantly Protestant Christianity) thus operated creatively in support of an “open” Federalist nationalism.
Assessment of Pansharpening Methods Applied to WorldView-2 Imagery Fusion
Authors: Li Hui , Jing Linhai , Tang Yunwei
Published: January 2017

Since WorldView-2 (WV-2) images are widely used in various fields, there is a high demand for the use of high-quality pansharpened WV-2 images for different application purposes. With respect to the novelty of the WV-2 multispectral (MS) and panchromatic (PAN) bands, the performances of eight state-of-art pan-sharpening methods for WV-2 imagery including six datasets from three WV-2 scenes were assessed in this study using both quality indices and information indices, along with visual inspection. The normalized difference vegetation index, normalized difference water index, and morphological building index, which are widely used in applications related to land cover classification, the extraction of vegetation areas, buildings, and water bodies, were employed in this work to evaluate the performance of different pansharpening methods in terms of information presentation ability. The experimental results show that the Haze- and Ratio-based, adaptive Gram-Schmidt, Generalized Laplacian pyramids (GLP) methods using enhanced spectral distortion minimal model and enhanced context-based decision model methods are good choices for producing fused WV-2 images used for image interpretation and the extraction of urban buildings. The two GLP-based methods are better choices than the other methods, if the fused images will be used for applications related to vegetation and water-bodies.
Easy Handling of Sensors and Actuators over TCP/IP Networks by Open Source Hardware/Software
Authors: Mejías Andrés , Herrera Reyes , Márquez Marco , Calderón Antonio , González Isaías , Andújar José
Published: January 2017

There are several specific solutions for accessing sensors and actuators present in any process or system through a TCP/IP network, either local or a wide area type like the Internet. The usage of sensors and actuators of different nature and diverse interfaces (SPI, I2C, analogue, etc.) makes access to them from a network in a homogeneous and secure way more complex. A framework, including both software and hardware resources, is necessary to simplify and unify networked access to these devices. In this paper, a set of open-source software tools, specifically designed to cover the different issues concerning the access to sensors and actuators, and two proposed low-cost hardware architectures to operate with the abovementioned software tools are presented. They allow integrated and easy access to local or remote sensors and actuators. The software tools, integrated in the free authoring tool Easy Java and Javascript Simulations (EJS) solve the interaction issues between the subsystem that integrates sensors and actuators into the network, called convergence subsystem in this paper, and the Human Machine Interface (HMI)—this one designed using the intuitive graphical system of EJS—located on the user’s computer. The proposed hardware architectures and software tools are described and experimental implementations with the proposed tools are presented.
Comprehensive Benefit Evaluation of the Wind-PV-ES and Transmission Hybrid Power System Consideration of System Functionality and Proportionality
Authors: Ji Huizheng , Niu Dongxiao , Wu Meiqiong , Yao Duoduo
Published: January 2017

In the background of decreasing fossil fuels and increasing environmental pollution, the wind-photovoltaic energy storage and transmission hybrid power system (or called the wind-PV-ES and transmission hybrid system) has become a strategic choice to achieve energy sustainability. However, the comprehensive benefit evaluation of such a combined power system is in a relatively blank state in China, which will hinder the reasonable and orderly development of this station. Four parts, the technical performance, economic benefit, ecological impact and social benefit, are considered in this paper, and a multi-angle evaluation index system of the wind-PV-ES and transmission system is designed. The projection pursuit model is used to evaluated system functionality conventionally; relative entropy theory is used to evaluate the system functionality simultaneously; and a comprehensive benefit evaluation model of the technique for order preference by similar to ideal solution (TOPSIS) considering both system functionality and proportionality is constructed. Finally, the national demonstration station of the wind-PV-ES-transmission system is taken as an example to testify to the practicability and validity of the evaluation index system and model.
Experimental Measurement of Wave Field Variations around Wave Energy Converter Arrays
Authors: O’Boyle Louise , Elsäßer Björn , Whittaker Trevor
Published: January 2017

Wave energy converters (WECs) inherently extract energy from incident waves. For wave energy to become a significant power provider in the future, large farms of WECs will be required. This scale of energy extraction will increase the potential for changes in the local wave field and coastal environment. Assessment of these effects is necessary to inform decisions on the layout of wave farms for optimum power output and minimum environmental impact, as well as on potential site selection. An experimental campaign to map, at high resolution, the wave field variation around arrays of 5 oscillating water column WECs and a methodology for extracting scattered and radiated waves is presented. The results highlight the importance of accounting for the full extent of the WEC behavior when assessing impacts on the wave field. The effect of radiated waves on the wave field is not immediately apparent when considering changes to the entire wave spectrum, nor when observing changes in wave climate due to scattered and radiated waves superimposed together. The results show that radiated waves may account for up to 50% of the effects on wave climate in the near field in particular operating conditions.
GLOBULAR CLUSTER ABUNDANCES FROM HIGH-RESOLUTION, INTEGRATED-LIGHT SPECTROSCOPY. II. EXPANDING THE METALLICITY RANGE FOR OLD CLUSTERS AND UPDATED ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES*
Authors: Colucci Janet E. , Bernstein Rebecca A. , McWilliam Andrew
Published: January 2017

We present abundances of globular clusters (GCs) in the Milky Way and Fornax from integrated-light (IL) spectra. Our goal is to evaluate the consistency of the IL analysis relative to standard abundance analysis for individual stars in those same clusters. This sample includes an updated analysis of seven clusters from our previous publications and results for five new clusters that expand the metallicity range over which our technique has been tested. We find that the [Fe/H] measured from IL spectra agrees to ∼0.1 dex for GCs with metallicities as high as [Fe/H] = −0.3, but the abundances measured for more metal-rich clusters may be underestimated. In addition we systematically evaluate the accuracy of abundance ratios, [X/Fe], for Na i, Mg i, Al i, Si i, Ca i, Ti i, Ti ii, Sc ii, V i, Cr i, Mn i, Co i, Ni i, Cu i, Y ii, Zr i, Ba ii, La ii, Nd ii, and Eu ii. The elements for which the IL analysis gives results that are most similar to analysis of individual stellar spectra are Fe i, Ca i, Si i, Ni i, and Ba ii. The elements that show the greatest differences include Mg i and Zr i. Some elements show good agreement only over a limited range in metallicity. More stellar abundance data in these clusters would enable more complete evaluation of the IL results for other important elements.
Retained Surgical Foreign Bodies after Surgery
Authors: Zejnullahu Valon A. , Bicaj Besnik X. , Zejnullahu Vjosa A. , Hamza Astrit R.
Published: January 2017

The problem of retained surgical bodies (RSB) after surgery is an issue for surgeons, hospitals and the entire medical team. They have potentially harmful consequences for the patient as they can be life threatening and usually, a further operation is necessary. The incidence of RSB is between 0.3 to 1.0 per 1,000 abdominal operations, and they occur due to a lack of organisation and communication between surgical staff during the process. Typically, the RSB are surgical sponges and instruments located in the abdomen, retroperitoneum and pelvis.
Blending Face-to-Face and Technology
Authors: Pulley Philip G.
Published: January 2017

Flipped or inverted learning is a type of blended learning that involves the use of educational technology to switch or flip what is traditionally done in the classroom with what is done as homework. With the flipped model, lectures are often recorded for students to watch at home while traditional homework, or projects that involve application, are done in the classroom with the teacher available as a guide and resource. Like any new teaching method, with the flipped learning model there is a need for the instructor to evaluate its use and determine whether changes will be required with each implementation. In this chapter, an overview of the history of the flipped model is presented. In addition, an outline of methods like universal design that can be implemented for learning in flipped classrooms is provided.
Strategies to Promote Pedagogical Knowledge Interplay with Technology
Authors: Bull Prince Hycy , Patterson Gerrelyn C.
Published: January 2017

The transformation from face-to-face instruction to digital instruction or hybrid learning requires robust pedagogical strategies. This chapter addresses key pedagogical strategies used to support online learning experiences through the lenses of evidence-based educational theories. Additionally, the TPACK framework, which asserts that instruction requires the interplay of technological knowledge, content knowledge, and pedagogical knowledge, is used to analyze students' perceptions of flipped and double flipped online courses. The data show positive dispositions of flipping and double flipping the classroom as pedagogical strategies. Flipped content provided powerful instruction and provided participants with opportunities to utilize learned multimedia skills and receive constructive feedback from the instructor and peers. Double flipping promoted more classroom engagement, interactivity, and class discussions. In both flipped and double flipped classrooms, there was a shift from an instructor-driven learning environment to a whole-class driven learning environment.
Active Learning Strategies for Online and Blended Learning Environments
Authors: Cummings Cynthia , Mason Diane , Shelton Kaye , Baur Katie
Published: January 2017

Students must be engaged in active learning opportunities that allow them to feel connected to the class and not just a passive spectator. However, that may require the instructor to learn and try different methods of teaching and learning that are more student-centered and less faculty-centered. The purpose of this chapter is to assist faculty in developing active learning strategies that will advance their personal skill sets to better embrace learner-centered instruction with the use of technology tools for online and blended environments.
Flipped Instruction for Language Learning
Authors: Galvez Hilda
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this chapter is to prepare teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) to utilize flipped models of instruction to better prepare their students in content subjects. This chapter is relevant to educators, school districts, administrators, colleges, and universities. Flipped instruction enables students to engage in more critical thinking skills, while instructors guide their learning. Flipping instruction uses students' input and thought processes as opposed to the direct lectures. The flipped instruction uses technology, which has great potential to hold student's attention, while at the same time building critical thinking processes. Case studies of showing the success flipped instruction are available; however, there is a scarcity of flipped instruction research in the ESL classroom. ESL Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) affords students opportunities to explain, question, and develop their language skills as well as their own thinking.
Flipped University Classrooms
Authors: Sankey Michael , Hunt Lynne
Published: January 2017

The three case studies in this paper show how flipped classroom approaches can facilitate the renewal of university teaching. The case studies form part of a scholarship of teaching and learning that provides opportunities for educators to learn from the experiences of others. Descriptions of course preparation illuminate the application of constructivist pedagogy, the affordances of a range of learning technologies, and a role for university teachers that facilitates their students' engagement with learning. The cases outline the application of flipped classroom approaches at early and later stages of students' learning journeys and show how they introduce parity of learning experiences for on-campus and off-campus students. The case studies show how flipped classroom approaches can be an instrument of change, forming part of institution-wide planning for coherent and effective student learning journeys. They reveal the importance of an infrastructure of learning technologies to facilitate active and interactive learning and the significance of professional development and organized support teams, including technology experts, librarians and instructional designers, in preparing the groundwork for teachers and students using flipped classroom methodologies.
Ideation to Execution
Authors: Brewley Denise Natasha , Boindala Priya Shilpa , Sinclair Jennifer L.
Published: January 2017

In this chapter, a flipped model is implemented in an undergraduate mathematics course. There is a need to enhance learning experiences in STEM disciplines and college mathematics courses. The authors seek to redefine the traditional relationship of instructor as the active conveyor of knowledge and the student as the passive receiver of knowledge. They discuss their efforts to plan and prepare for the course and their experiences with its implementation. The authors started with what they wanted their students to learn in the course. Prior to coming to class, students watched video lectures and completed pre-work assignments. In class, the authors incorporated group-work through peer-instruction and lab activities, and the use of a classroom response system. They present the results of their data collection, feedback from student response surveys. Among other results, the students realized the value of preparation and took an active role in the formation of their own learning experiences.
Student-Driven Education with Flipped Learning and 20-Time
Authors: Driscoll III Thomas F. , Petty Katherine A.
Published: January 2017

Educators from a wide-range of K-12 settings have begun implementing a variation of blended instruction commonly referred to as flipped learning. This typically refers to shifting direct instruction online through screencast videos, therefore enabling more authentic and collaborative classroom experiences. Some suggest that not only is the direct instruction flipped, but also the ownership of learning from the teacher to the student. An example of how Flipped Learning opens up opportunities for personalized, inquiry-based learning is the emergence of 20-Time. These 20-Time projects, largely influenced by research on cognition and emerging business world practices, aim to foster creativity and higher-order thinking by tapping into students' intrinsic motivations. Flipped learning and 20-Time projects are emerging as innovative and practical ways for K-12 educators to develop and implement effective, student-centered blended learning environments.
The Flipped Model in an Advanced Placement United States History Course
Authors: Kotlik Ronald H.
Published: January 2017

The flipped classroom model can transform the traditional lecture-discussion approach to teaching history and give teachers and students the opportunity to explore more student-centered critical thinking activities. This chapter explores how an Advanced Placement United States History course was transformed through the flipped model. First, the teacher shares his frustrations with trying to “cover” a tremendous amount of content in a short amount of time, which often led to the course being dominated by a lecture-discussion format. Second, the teacher details the methods and tools used to flip this course and the enrichment activities that ensued. Finally, there is an exploration of student reaction to this experience followed by a comprehensive discussion of the emerging technology tools currently available to achieve success with the flipped model.
Credibility Hypothesis Testing of Variance of Fuzzy Normal Distribution
Authors: Sampath S. , Ramya B.
Published: January 2017

This paper considers the problem of developing test procedures for testing credibility hypotheses about the variance of fuzzy normal distribution assuming the expected values of the distributions mentioned under null and alternative credibility hypotheses are known and equal. The cases where the underlying hypothesis is simple and composite (one sided) are considered. Tests have been derived with the help of the membership ratio criterion. Properties possessed by the developed tests, like best credibility rejection region and uniformly best rejection region have been studied. Examples are also given to illustrate the usage of the derived tests.
Mann Deshi Foundation
Authors: Balkawade Minakshi
Published: January 2017

Women in India, especially in the rural areas remain a deprived lot from mainstream education, employment, and productive resources, causing their marginalisation, poverty and social exclusion. The Government of India initiated various policies and programmes for development of rural entrepreneurship, including women. Nevertheless many of these programmes bungled owing to lack of tailor-made solutions to suit a particular rural environment. Thus SHGs, were used as a conduit to identify the needs of the rural community. Further various NGOs, and other voluntary organisations forayed in through their respective rural developmental models. This chapter attempts to demonstrate efforts and underscores the progress made by one such organisation, amidst a host of challenges in creating micro-entrepreneurs - the Mann Deshi Foundation in the State of Maharashtra, launched with an intent of human capital formation and human resource development through its b-school - Udyogini, in conjunction with the Mann Deshi Mahila Sahakari Bank and the Mann Deshi Chamber of Commerce for Rural Women.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: January 2017

This chapter emphasizes the overview of corporate social responsibility (CSR); the practices and disclosure of CSR; CSR and human values; CSR in mining operations; CSR in sports tourism industry; CSR in emerging economies; and the perspectives of CSR in the digital age. A strategic approach to CSR is crucial to a company's success. CSR can bring various benefits in terms of risk management, cost savings, access to capital, customer relationships, human resource management, and innovation capacity. CSR encourages more social and environmental responsibility from the corporate sector at a time when the crisis has damaged consumer confidence and the levels of trust in business. Socially responsible companies can improve their brand reputation, attract more customers, and increase stakeholder engagement. The chapter argues that promoting CSR has the potential to enhance organizational performance and reach strategic goals in the digital age.
From Control to Commitment Work Systems
Authors: Innocenti Laura , Sammarra Alessia , Profili Silvia
Published: January 2017

The shift towards a flatter, more networked and flexible organization has required an alternative approach to employment issues - from a normative and prescriptive “Personnel Management” approach to a broader “Human Resource Management” (HRM) approach - so as to foster employees' commitment and empowerment. Through a range of HRM practices, so-called High Commitment Work Systems (HCWS), organizations seek to engender higher level of identification, empowerment and autonomy, which are crucial for the ‘post-bureaucratic employee' who is expected to use intuition, discretion and knowledge to deal with ongoing changes and service demands. Focusing on recruitment and selection, career management and flexible work arrangements, the chapter argues that contemporary HR practices offer a powerful mechanism that modern organizations may use to replace bureaucratic control. However, the analysis also highlights several contradictions and tensions that surface during the adoption of HCWS and may explain some of the unsatisfying outcomes of the post-bureaucratic approach.
Learning in Post-Bureaucratic Organizations
Authors: Mormino Sara
Published: January 2017

The aim of the chapter is to analyze the evolution of training and learning in post-bureaucratic organizations through the lens of the learning 2.0 phenomenon, discussing some of the critical aspects and challenges of learning effectively for both individuals and organizations. First, the chapter introduces the main characteristics of post-bureaucratic models and illustrates the evolution of Human Resource Management and the strategic role it plays in the success of post-modern organizations. The concept of Strategic Human Resources Development will also be introduced, with attention given to the importance of training and learning for human capital development and improvement. The author then details some significant trends and evolutions in how learning is accomplished in post-bureaucratic organizations. Second, the chapter outlines the role and contribution of social media in workplace learning and the related benefits, risks and limitations. After reviewing the findings of recent studies, the author delineates some ways for post-bureaucratic organizations to effectively leverage social technologies in order to support learning and growth at both the individual and organizational level. Finally, the chapter ends with a discussion of the main avenues for future research.
Cloud-Based Platforms and Infrastructures
Authors: Tanque Marcus
Published: January 2017

Cloud computing consists of three fundamental service models: infrastructure-as-a-service, platform-as-a service and software-as-a-service. The technology “cloud computing” comprises four deployment models: public cloud, private cloud, hybrid cloud and community cloud. This chapter describes the six cloud service and deployment models, the association each of these services and models have with physical/virtual networks. Cloud service models are designed to power storage platforms, infrastructure solutions, provisioning and virtualization. Cloud computing services are developed to support shared network resources, provisioned between physical and virtual networks. These solutions are offered to organizations and consumers as utilities, to support dynamic, static, network and database provisioning processes. Vendors offer these resources to support day-to-day resource provisioning amid physical and virtual machines.
Cloud Database Systems
Authors: Balusamy Balamurugan , Nadhiya S  , Sumalatha N  , Velu Malathi
Published: January 2017

In earlier days, people ran their applications or programs on a physical computer or a server. Cloud computing is a kind of Internet-based computing, where shared resources, data and information are provided to computers and other devices on-demand. Many business organizations were moving towards cloud because it provides flexibility, disaster recovery, security, collaboration etc., Relational Databases ruled the IT Industries for almost 40 years. Limitations of relational database lead to the rise of cloud database. A cloud database is a database that typically runs on a cloud computing platform. Cloud databases are on the rise as more and more businesses look to capitalize on the advantages of cloud computing to power their business applications. Cloud databases are mainly used in data mining, data warehousing and business intelligence. This chapter deals with different types of cloud database and how database influence capacity planning.
Green Investments and Returns
Authors: Nisha Nabila
Published: January 2017

A vital issue that must be considered by all functional areas in recent times is green safety and sustainable ecological balance. To be part of this environment-friendly investment, even the banking sectors of the most environmentally affected countries in the world invest voluntarily in social and environmental activities that targets socially-responsive business and ethics in the form of green banking. Green banking mainly involves the environmental and social responsibility of banks in terms of the contribution they make towards ensuring sustainability of the environment and ecological system, through the wide range of financial products and services that they offer. This chapter will primarily focus on the present status of the banks in complying with the green banking policy to save the environment as well as to increase financial sustainability from the perspective of a developing country like Bangladesh.
Ensuring Ethics and Equity With Classroom Assessments and Mobile Technology
Authors: Gallavan Nancy P. , Huffman Stephanie , Shaw Erin C.
Published: January 2017

As online education continues to grow in both K-12 and higher education environments, teachers are becoming more attentive to the presence and power of their classroom assessments via mobile technology to enhance their self-efficacy. In online education, classroom assessments change both the role of the teacher and the function of the assessments. Mobile technology offers more choices for conducting assessments and providing feedback, accommodating learners' lives and locations, and increasing democratic participation and social inclusion. However, prevalent across online education are ethics and equity: two essential elements that can be difficult to guarantee with many approaches to classroom assessment via mobile technology. This chapter examines the essential elements of ethics and equity with classroom assessments via mobile technology in online education with recommended guidelines for teachers to enhance their self-efficacy.
Teaching Exceptional Children With Mobile Technologies in a General Education Classroom
Authors: Trumble Jason , Farah Yara N. , Slykhuis David A.
Published: January 2017

Meeting the needs of all students is of crucial concern for all teachers. As technology continues to change our culture and the ways students learn, it is important for teachers to embrace new pedagogies that meet the needs of both gifted students and students with special needs. This chapter proposes a framework that supports the integration of differentiation, inquiry learning processes, and mobile technologies. The goal of presenting this framework is to provide a research foundation for a conceptual ideal geared toward practical implementation that benefits these two marginalized populations of students.
The Claim on Human Conviviality in Cyberspace
Authors: Arenas Fil J. , Connelly Daniel A.
Published: January 2017

This chapter sets out by defining conviviality in a way that allows the term to be simultaneously applied to face-to-face and virtual experiences. The educational context is introduced as one of many that can benefit from both types of experience. Impairment of the components of a shared learning experience (self, others, teacher) does not have to occur if educators understand the unique combination produced by the content to be learned plus the markers of the type of learning experience selected. Matching the content to the medium produces the optimal results. The authors conclude that conviviality in a specific application is not only possible, but, potentially highly productive in cyberspace, minimizing the logistical, high-risk, and cognitive constraints identified by Calandra & Puvirajah (2014) that can impair other forms of communication and specifically non-cyber learning experiences. This chapter contributes to new era of human interaction literature in the age of virtuality.
Digital Citizenship in Participatory Culture
Authors: Hill Valerie J
Published: January 2017

Global participatory digital culture provides collaborative learning opportunities beyond physical walls and without time constraints. Learners connect across the planet in real time. The virtual representation of self requires understanding the personal responsibility for digital citizenship and information literacy. Both the presentation of self and evaluation of content in all formats are new challenges for learners of all ages, including the youngest students born into an age of sharing and connecting. Virtual learning environments may transform education and certainly provide both advantages and disadvantages for educators and learners. Understanding the personal responsibility for digital citizenship is imperative to identify the best practices of education in virtual spaces. This chapter focuses on digital citizenship and information literacy in virtual worlds, virtual reality, and immersive learning environments.
A Girls-Only Online Virtual World Environment and its Implications for Game-Based Learning
Authors: Kamberi Shahnaz
Published: January 2017

This chapter outlines how and why virtual worlds are the best gaming environments for female game players. It explores strategies for utilizing this information to provide a mass multiplayer online game environment to improve the negative perceptions of computer science and programming by teenage girls. The author shares insights from a case study involving workshops, utilizing a 3D virtual world called Gamher World to teach Java programming to forty-nine 13- to 17-year-old girls. The chapter concludes with recommendations for using virtual worlds to improve the methods used to introduce STEM to girls.
Highly Selective Cleavage of Cytokines and Chemokines by the Human Mast Cell Chymase and Neutrophil Cathepsin G
Authors: Fu Zhirong , Thorpe Michael , Alemayehu Rahel , Roy Ananya , Kervinen Jukka , de Garavilla Lawrence , Åbrink Magnus , Hellman Lars
Published: January 2017

Human mast cell chymase (HC) and human neutrophil cathepsin G (hCG) show relatively similar cleavage specificities: they both have chymotryptic activity but can also cleave efficiently after leucine. Their relatively broad specificity suggests that they may cleave almost any substrate if present in high enough concentrations or for a sufficiently long time. A number of potential substrates have been identified for these enzymes and, recently, these enzymes have also been implicated in regulating cytokine activity by cleaving numerous cytokines and chemokines. To obtain a better understanding of their selectivity for various potential in vivo substrates, we analyzed the cleavage of a panel of 51 active recombinant cytokines and chemokines. Surprisingly, our results showed a high selectivity of HC; only 4 of 51 of these proteins were substantially cleaved. hCG cleaved a few additional proteins, although this occurred after adding almost equimolar amounts of enzyme to target. The explanation for this wide difference in activity against peptides or other linear substrates compared with native proteins is most likely related to the reduced accessibility of the enzymes to potential cleavage sites in folded proteins. In this article, we present evidence that sites not exposed on the surface of the protein are not cleaved by the enzyme. Interestingly, both enzymes readily cleaved IL-18 and IL-33, two IL-1–related alarmins, as well as the cytokine IL-15, which is important for T cell and NK cell homeostasis. Cleavage of the alarmins by HC and hCG suggests a function in regulating excessive inflammation.
Subfossil Cladocera as a powerful tool for paleoecological reconstruction
Authors: Tolotti Monica , Milan Manuela , Szeroczyńska Krystyna
Published: January 2017

Subfossil Cladocera (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) represent one of the most valuable biological proxies preserved in lake sediments that can be studied for reconstruction purposes. They are widespread in both the pelagic and littoral zones of lakes of different geographical distribution, altitude and typology, where they often represent the dominant component of zooplankton in terms of biomass. The chitinous parts of their body are well preserved in lake sediments, and the taphonomic taxonomy is well established, thanks to the numerous studies that followed the first pioneer works by Frey (1960).
Asymptomatic Epstein-Barr virus Ahedding in the Urine of Kidney Transplant Recipients: Case Reports and Review of the Literature
Authors: Rahbar Maryam , Poormand Gholamreza , Karkhaneh Mahmoodi Masoud , Jazayeri Aboozar , Jazayeri Seyed Mohammad
Published: January 2017

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with a wide range of malignancies and complications like post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). To suppress active EBV infection in transplant recipients, who are at a heightened risk of developing PTLD, EBV DNAemia monitoring has been recommended. Quantitative multiplex real time polymerase chain reaction (QMRTPCR) offered the advantage of detection of more than one target in the same sample. We present four cases of kidney transplant recipient who were admitted for rising serum creatinine between 9 and 20 months post-transplant with a suspicion of BKV-associated nephropathy. All but one patient had unusual sonography findings in their genitourinary tracts and were positive for urinary culture for bacteria. Using a commercial QMRTPCR that could detect and quantitate BKV, EBV and cytomegalovirus simultaneously, all patients were positive for EBV in their urine for the levels between 2500 and 8×108 U/mL. None of the patients had any symptoms regarding this finding. On following up survey 3 month post discharge from hospital, all patients were negative for plasma and urine EBV. Absent of EBV DNAemia together with alternating phases of detectable EBV in urine might reflect the presence of functionally efficient central/effector memory T cells against EBV. The significance of this finding in immunocompromized patients necessitates prospective longitudinal studies.
Streptococcus pneumoniae Intracranial Abscess and Post-Infectious Vasculitis
Authors: Lucas Alexandra , Maung Ko Ko , Ratts Ryan
Published: January 2017

Intracranial abscesses are rare complications of Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, and to our knowledge, there have been no case reports of post-infectious vasculitis developing in such patients. Here we describe the case of a 48-year-old post-splenectomy male who developed post-infectious vasculitis following S. pneumoniae otitis media complicated by mastoiditis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, and intracranial abscess. Clinicians ought to be aware of the possible adverse outcomes of invasive S. pneumoniae and the limitations of current treatment options.
A Case Report of Neisseria mucosa Peritonitis in a Chronic Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patient
Authors: Awdisho Alan , Bermudez Maria
Published: January 2017

Peritonitis is a leading complication of chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. However, very rarely does Neisseria mucosa cause peritonitis. We describe an unusual case of N. mucosa peritonitis in a chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patient. A 28-year-old Hispanic male presents with diffuse abdominal pain exacerbated during draining of the peritoneal fluid. Peritoneal fluid examination was remarkable for leukocytosis and gramnegative diplococci. Bacterial cultures were positive for N. mucosa growth. The patient was treated with ciprofloxacin with preservation of the dialysis catheter. This case highlights the rarity and importance of Neisseria mucosa causing peritonitis in chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients’. There seems to be a unique association between N. mucosa peritonitis and chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients’. The patient was successfully managed with ciprofloxacin along with salvaging of the dialysis catheter.
Fine particle pH and gas-particle phase partitioning of inorganic species in Pasadena, California, during the 2010 CalNex campaign
Authors: Guo Hongyu , Liu Jiumeng , Froyd Karl , Robert James M. , Veres Patrick R. , Hayes Patrick L. , Jimenez Jose L. , Nenes Athanasios , Weber Rodney J.
Published: January 2017

Abstract. pH is a fundamental aerosol property that affects ambient particle concentration and composition, linking pH to all aerosol environmental impacts. Here, PM1 and PM2.5 pH are calculated based on data from measurements during the California Research at the Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change (CalNex) study from 15 May to 15 June 2010 in Pasadena CA. Particle pH and water were predicted with the ISORROPIA-II thermodynamic model and validated by comparing predicted to measured gas-particle partitioning of inorganic nitrate, ammonium and chloride. The study mean ± standard deviation PM1 pH was 1.9 ± 0.5 for the SO42−-NO3−-NH4+-HNO3-NH3 system. For PM2.5, internal mixing of sea salt components (SO42−-NO3−-NH4+-Na+-Cl−-K+-HNO3-NH3-HCl system) raised the bulk pH to 2.7 ± 0.3 and improved predicted nitric acid partitioning with PM2.5 components. The results show little effect of sea salt on PM1 pH, but significant effects on PM2.5 pH. A mean PM1 pH of 1.9 at Pasadena was approximately one unit higher than what we have reported in the southeastern US, despite similar temperature, relative humidity and sulfate ranges and is due to higher total nitrate concentrations (nitric acid plus nitrate) relative to sulfate, a situation where particle water is affected by semi-volatile nitrate concentrations. Under these conditions nitric acid partitioning can further promote nitrate formation by increasing aerosol water, which raises pH by dilution, further increasing nitric acid partitioning and resulting in a significant increase in fine particle nitrate and pH. This study provides insights on the complex interactions between particle pH and nitrate in a summertime coastal environment and a contrast to recently reported pH in the eastern US in summer and winter and the eastern Mediterranean. All studies have consistently found highly acidic PM1 with pH generally below 3.