bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large Collapse Dolines in Puglia (Southern Italy): The Cases of “Dolina Pozzatina” in the Gargano Plateau and of “Puli” in the Murge
Authors: Castiglioni Benedetta , Sauro Ugo
Published: January 2018

Prispevek opisuje največjo udornico na planoti Gargano in druge velike udornice (puli) v pokrajini Puglia v južni Italiji. Avtorja predlagata razlago nastanka in razvoja teh vrtač: sovpadanje tektonskih dogodkov, kraških korozijskih procesov ter transgresijskih in regresijskih ciklov.The paper deals with the description of the largest doline of Gargano and of other large dolines (puli) of Puglia in southern Italy aiming to suggest an interpretation of their origin and development, in relationship with tectonic events, karst corrosion processes, and transgressive and regressive cycles.
Doline Morphogenetic Processes from Global and Local Viewpoints
Authors: Gams Ivan
Published: January 2018

Geomorfogenetski procesi korozijskih vrtač so razpoznavni iz omejitev za njihovo globalno in lokalno razprostranjenost: več padavin kot znaša potencialna evapotranspiracija, prepustna odeja prsti, kraška vodna gladina in korozijska fronta (to je stik agresivne in sigotvorne vode) globlje pod površjem, površinski naklon pod 30°, kompaktna kamnina. Vrtače so posledica lokalno pospešene korozije. Njihov začetek je v lokalno bolj pretrti kamnini z večjo specifično (površina/volumen) površino, izpostavljeno koroziji talne vlage. Vpliv zdrobljenosti kamnine je bil potrjen z laboratorijskim poskusom. Poznejša rast kotanje sloni na avtomatizmu, ki izhaja iz večje stične površine prst/kamen kot jo ima začetna ravna površina (zdaj odprtina kotanje). Lijakaste vrtače se ob večanju kotanje običajno spremenijo v skledaste, kjer je preseganje večje. Na obliko vplivajo še prepustnost tal in soliflukcija. V zmernem podnebju je nudil dva milijona let dolgi pleistocen z večjo vlago iz snega in mehaničnim razkrajanjem kamna boljše pogoje za razvoj vrtač kot toplejša neogen in holocen, ko je človek bistveno skrčil primarno gozdno okolje in z njim procese v vrtači. Udornice niso upoštevane.Geomorphogenetical processes of solution dolines are evident from restraints in their global and local distribution: more precipitation than potential evapotranspiration, permeable soil cover, water level and solution front (transition from aggressive to flowstone depositing water) below shallow epikarst, slope inclination below 30°, solid soluble rock. Dolines are an effect of local accelerated solution. In initial phase they are connected with more fractured stone, as the grains have greater specific (surface/volume) surface exposed to soil moisture. Effect of stone fracturing on solution was tested in laboratory. Later growth of basin is based on automatism, as the size of soil/stone interface is increased with deepening of the basin. Funnel-like dolines with growth usually convert in a bowl-like form with greater exceeding. The form is controlled also by water permeability of soil and solifluction. In temperate climate the two million year long Pleistocene offered with more moisture from snow and with intensive fracturing of stone better conditions for doline development than the warmer Neogene and Holocene when man’s impact in last centuries essentially redused primary forest environment and thus processes in the basins. Collapse dolines are not taken into account.
Modelling the Stability of a Very Large Cave Chamber; Case Study: Brezno pri Medvedovi konti
Authors: Koritnik Jože , Šušteršič France
Published: January 2018

Dvorana v Breznu pri Medvedovi konti (Pokljuka) je s svojim razponom okrog 150 m, višino prek 50 m in prostornino 62,0 × 104 m3 druga največja znana v Sloveniji. S pomočjo računalniškega programa FLAC smo modelirali stabilnost oboka pri hipotetičnem denudacijskem tanjšanju stropa. Uporabili smo dva nabora mehanskih parametrov kamnine. V obeh primerih so deformacije v stropu najmanjše pri debelini stropa 20 m do 30 m, do zrušenja pa pride pri debelini okrog 4 m. To dobro ustreza terenskim opazovanjem delno zrušenih jamskih dvoran. Skladanje z realnostjo nas opogumlja k nadalnjim simulacijam.The big chamber in Brezno pri Medvedovi konti (Julian Alps, Slovenia), about 150 m wide, over 50 m high and with a volume of about 62 x 104 m3, is the second largest cave chamber yet discovered in Slovenia. Application of FLAC computer software enabled modelling of the stability of the chamber’s arched roof during hypothetical denudational lowering of the overlying surface. Modelling was based on two sets of rock property parameters generally attributed to the local parent rock. In both cases the modelled deformation within the arch was at a minimum at a residual ceiling thickness of 20 to 30 m, whereas collapse occurred when the residual ceiling thickness reduced to about 4 m. These modelling results fit well with field observations of partly collapsed cave chambers.
Natural Bridges on the Vratna River (Eastern Serbia) as the Last Remnants of a Former Cave
Authors: Ćalić-Ljubojević Jelena
Published: January 2018

Reka Vratna, ki ima porečje na zahodnem robu dačanske kotline, je desni pritok Donave. Od skupaj 22 km dolgega toka teče v dolžini 3,5 km skozi sotesko, vrezano v titonijske apnence. Preko soteske se pnejo 3 naravni mostovi, ki skupaj pokrivajo 94 m rečnega toka. Zelo verjetno sta 2 od teh mostov ostanek nekdanjega jamskega stropa. Zaradi denudacijskih procesov in porušenega ravnotežja se je skoraj ves jamski strop udrl, razen dveh delov. V soteski je tudi nekaj kratkih jam in spodmolov. Najdaljša jama (305 m) je ravno za največjim od mostov.The Vratna River is a right-side tributary of the Danube and its drainage area is situated at the western rim of the Dacian Basin. Along its 22 km long course, the Vratna flows through a 3,5 km long gorge cut in Tithonian limestones. Across the gorge there are three natural bridges, which shelter, in total 94 metres of the river course. There is a strong assumption that two of the natural bridges are the only remaining parts of roof of a former cave. Due to the process of surface denudation and to the disruption of stability, the cave roof almost completely collapsed, with the exception of these two sections. Several short caves and rock shelters exist in the gorge, and the longest cave (305 m) is situated next to the biggest of the three natural bridges.
Water Tracing Test in the Tianshengan Region, Yunnan - China at High Water Level
Authors: Kogovšek Janja , Liu Hong
Published: January 2018

Podani so rezultati sledenja na območju Tianshengan-a, Lunan v provinci Yunnan na Kitajskem. Sledenje je bilo nadaljevanje raziskav pretakanja vode na tem delu krasa v sodelovanju s kitajskimi raziskovalci v okviru slovensko-kitajskega znanstvenega sodelovanja. Sledenje je bilo izvedeno septembra 1997 ob visokem vodostaju in je pokazalo 2 krat večje hitrosti v primerjavi s pretakanjem vode na tem območju ob srednjem vodostaju julija 1996. The results of water tracing in the Tianshengan region, Lunan, Yunnan province, China are given. This water tracing presents a continuation of water flow studies in this part of the karst based on Slovene-Chinese scientific co-operation. In September 1997 a water tracing test at high water level was carried out and showed greater velocities double compared to water flow in this area at medium water level in July 1996.
Fosilne cevke iz brezstrope jame - verjetno najstarejši ostanki jamskega cevkarja Marifugia (Annelida: Polychaeta)
Authors: Mihevc Andrej
Published: January 2018

Članek je poročilo o odkritju cevk jamskega cevkarja v brezstropi jami v kamnolomu nad Črnim kalom. Opisano je nahajališče ter oblika fosilnih cevk. Živali so živele pritrjene na fasetirano steno rova. Rov je nato zapolnila ilovica, nato pa še več metrov debela siga. Strop rova in njegov gornji del je kraška denudacija že odstranila, tako da sega siga že na površje. Na skalni steni so se ohranili prirasli deli cevk različno velikih živali, deli cevk, ki so rasli pravokotno na steno pa so se odlomili, vendar so se ohranili v sedimentu. Cevke so po dimenzijah in obliki podobne cevkam recentnega jamskega cevkarja Marifugia cavatica Absolon in Hrabe. Po legi ohranjenih cevk ter dataciji bližnjih sedimentov s paleomagnetno metodo sodimo, da so ostanki cevkarjev najmanj pliocenske starosti.  The paper is a report on the discovery of tubes of a fossilized cave serpulid in a roofless cave in the quarry above Črni Kal village. The site and shape of the fossilized tubes are described. The animals lived attached to the scallops in the wall of the passage. The passage was later filled with clay deposits, followed by a layer of flowstone several metres thick. The roof of the passage has been removed by karst denudation and flowstone now reaches to the surface. Fragments of tubes of animals of various sizes have been preserved, attached to the rock wall; those tubes which grew at a right angle to the wall have broken off but have been preserved in the sediment. In terms of their dimension and shape the tubes remind one of the tubes of the more recent cave serpulid Marifugia cavatica Absolon and Hrabe. The positions of the preserved tubes and the dating of the nearby sediments by palaeomagnetic method indicate that the remains of the serpulids are from the Pliocene epoch or older.
Function Feeding Groups of Macroinvertebrates in the Reka River (Slovenia)
Authors: Pipan Tanja
Published: January 2018

V ekološki študiji smo obravnavali sestav favne na dnu kraškega vodotoka, klasificiran po načinu prehranjevanja. Od izvira proti ponoru reke se je delež suspenziofagov, filtratorjev in drobilcev zniževal, naraščal pa je delež detritivorov in strgačev. Delež plenilcev je bil na vseh vzorčnih mestih približno enak. Biološke raziskave so pokazale, da v reki Reki poteka optimalen prehranjevalni pretok z rahlo povečano trofično aktivnostjo, ki se ne odraža negativno v sestavi združbe velikih nevretenčarjev.This ecological study deals with the structure of the fauna in a Karst river, classified into different feeding. From the source to the swallow hole the proportion of suspension feeders, filterer-collectors and shredders diminished, but the proportion of deposit feeders and grazers increased. The proportion of predators was roughly the same at all sampling sites. Biological research showed that in the Reka river optimal food exchange with slightly increased trophic activity takes place, but it does not have a negative effect on the community structure of macroinvertebrates.
Secure Framework for E-Commerce Applications in Cloud Environment
Authors: Shrivastava Sonika , Pateriya R. K.
Published: January 2018

There has been a massive increase in the use of the internet for shopping and payment. The ease and availability of the internet has accelerated the growth of online applications. E-commerce applications handle many sensitive pieces of data like financial or personal data, which are used for critical tasks like banking, socializing, shopping, and tax filling. Online financial service and shopping sites are an attractive target for fraudsters because money transactions are done through these sites. Credit card fraud, identity theft, and account hijack are key concerns for these organizations. These frauds cause financial loss and hurt the reputation of e-commerce sites. The use of the cloud platform has made these sites more productive, but at the same time, it has opened them to a variety of threats. This chapter describes a framework for credit card and identity fraud detection using big data analytics and machine learning techniques to make e-commerce sites more secure and efficient.
Secure Payment Modes Technology for E-Commerce Applications
Authors: Sharma Niteesha , Prashanth Adiraju Rao
Published: January 2018

E-commerce refers to business and customers buying and selling products online. There are significant improvements in the areas of initiating sale of products, placing orders, making payments, and transfer of funds. This has led to a much better global economy and better living standards for all. While buying products online, it is essential to know the payment method that ensures authentication and also many other security issues. There are many payments modes available in market today. This chapter presents different protocols and its security issues that relate to a specific payment mode.
Electronic Commerce and Decision Support Systems
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: January 2018

Electronic Commerce (e-commerce) is an advanced online business tool that allows many companies to launch their websites and helps customers search their specific products shown on the websites. Decision Support Systems (DSSs) are computerized tools designed to facilitate strategic decision making. With the support of data mining and business intelligence methods, DSSs can effectively increase the performance of decision making and can present a sophisticated method of managerial thinking in a timely and effective manner toward gaining competitive advantage. The chapter argues that utilizing e-commerce and DSSs has the potential to enhance business performance and reach strategic goals in modern business.
Energy-Efficient Query Processing in a Combined Database and Web Service Environment
Authors: Niinimäki Marko , Abaunza Felipe , Niemi Tapio , Thanisch Peter , Kommeri Jukka
Published: January 2018

The energy-efficiency of server hardware, web server software, and databases has been widely studied. However, studies that combine these aspects are rare. In this chapter, the authors present an energy-efficiency evaluation of a web/database application in a Windows/IIS/MSSQL environment running on an industrial grade Intel server. Moreover, they provide a wide overview of related research and technologies. Researchers have noticed that despite energy-saving technologies, energy consumption of data centers is still growing. To resolve this dilemma, the authors explore the background and propose concrete solutions. They concentrate on the following aspects: server BIOS/operating system energy optimization (limited impact) and “bursting” (i.e., queuing requests and then executing them in bursts). The authors have used the bursting method with both database and web/database applications. Their results indicate about 10% energy savings using this method. The authors analyse the model using statistical tools and present an equation to express the quality of service vs. burst wait time relationship.
Truly Nourished
Authors: Bandy-Helderman Christine
Published: January 2018

A nutritionist presents case studies of patients who learned not only lessons about nutrition but also lessons about life. Details about the patients' stories are fictionalized, but the life lessons learned by the patients and the nutritionist lead to reflection on healthy choices. The nutritionist uses her faith and conversations with God to guide her as she helps patients.
New Horizons of Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food Processing Industry
Authors: Mir Shabir Ahmad , Shah Manzoor Ahmad , Mir Mohammad Maqbool , Iqbal Umar
Published: January 2018

This chapter addresses the potential application of nanotechnology in various areas of agriculture and food processing sector. Nanotechnology is an exciting and fast developing field which aims to generate new materials and devices with wide range of applications. Nanotechnology is capable to solve the very complex set of engineering and scientific challenges in the agriculture and processing industry. Nanotechnology has great potential in providing novel and improved solutions to many challenges facing agriculture and food sector. Nanotechnology based products and its applications in agriculture include nano-fertilizers, nano-herbicides, nano-pesticides, recalcitrant contaminants from water, nano-scale carriers, nan-osensors, veterinary care, fisheries and food processing etc. Nanotechnology revolutionized the agriculture and food industry by innovation new techniques such as: precision farming techniques, more efficient and targeted use of inputs, disease detection and control, withstand environmental pressures and effective systems for processing and packaging.
Herbal Benefits of Tea
Authors: Eshiet Etetor Roland , Smith Ernest E.
Published: January 2018

This chapter per the authors will introduce the reader to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and shall discuss herbalism as a subset of CAM. Particular emphasis will be placed on herbal teas or rather infusions and decoctions used in disease therapy. This chapter will enumerate the different types of teas and shall use maps, graphs, and other tools to illustrate location, consumption, use and availability. Furthermore, the authors will highlight potential health benefits, recent studies (in vitro, in vivo) undertaken by research scientists to validate efficacy, and shall call for more research (clinical data management, clinical trials, etc.) and support for ongoing work in this area of expertise. The authors shall place a spotlight on the plant family, Asteraceae, and their herbal plants of interest, Artemisia annua and Brickellia cavanillesii. Extensive studies have been performed to determine the therapeutic potential of Brickellia cavanillesii plant at Ernest E. Smith laboratory, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA.
Intelligent Transportation Systems
Authors: Narayanaswami Sundaravalli
Published: January 2018

“Intelligent Transportation systems” is what everyone wants to know about, and about which very little is available as know-how. ITS technologies and monitoring systems are quite popular and reasonably well deployed in developed countries, particularly the roadways and airways. ITS holds a greater promise than ever before, as both availability of niche technologies and demand for more efficient transportation systems have increased multi-fold in recent years. Of late, there are huge railway projects all over the world that spans through several techniques, such as light / heavy rails, monorails etc. Apart from the social benefits that can be envisaged, these projects are genuine examples of public-private partnerships along with global business operations. Many of these projects demonstrate a classy trend of moving towards automation of operations of very large scales. Few agent architectures are discussed in brief in this chapter.
Solving Solid Transportation Problems With Multi-Choice Cost and Stochastic Supply and Demand
Authors: Roy Sankar Kumar , Mahapatra Deshabrata Roy
Published: January 2018

In this chapter, the authors propose a new approach to analyze the Solid Transportation Problem (STP). This new approach considers the multi-choice programming into the cost coefficients of objective function and stochastic programming, which is incorporated in three constraints, namely sources, destinations, and capacities constraints, followed by Cauchy's distribution for solid transportation problem. The multi-choice programming and stochastic programming are combined into a solid transportation problem, and this new problem is called Multi-Choice Stochastic Solid Transportation Problem (MCSSTP). The solution concepts behind the MCSSTP are based on a new transformation technique that will select an appropriate choice from a set of multi-choice, which optimize the objective function. The stochastic constraints of STP converts into deterministic constraints by stochastic programming approach. Finally, the authors construct a non-linear programming problem for MCSSTP, and by solving it, they derive an optimal solution of the specified problem. A realistic example on STP is considered to illustrate the methodology.
Modeling Carrier Interactions in an International Freight Transport System
Authors: Lee Hyangsook , Boile Maria , Theofanis Sotirios
Published: January 2018

This paper presents a novel multi-level hierarchical approach which models carrier interactions in international maritime freight transportation networks. Ocean carriers, land carriers and port terminal operators are considered. Port terminal operators, providing transportation services within a port complex, are regarded as a special type of the carrier, based on their behavior. The carriers make pricing and routing decisions at different parts of the multimodal network, having hierarchical relationships. Ocean carriers are regarded as the leaders in a maritime shipping market. Port terminal operators are the followers of ocean carriers as well as the leaders of land carriers. The individual carrier problem is formulated at each level using Nash equilibrium to find the optimal service charge and routing pattern for which each carrier obtains the greatest profit. Interactions among different types of carriers are captured in a three-level model. The concept of multi-leader-follower game is applied to a multi-level game. A numerical example is used to demonstrate the validity of the developed three-level model.
Individual Mobility Analysis Using Smartphone Data
Authors: Kazagli Evanthia , Chen Jingmin , Bierlaire Michel
Published: January 2018

This chapter provides an overview of the capabilities and limitations of smartphone data for individual mobility analysis and choice modeling. First, the Lausanne Data Collection Campaign (LDCC) that yielded one of the richest smartphone datasets with respect to the assortment of the available data is introduced. Next, the opportunities and challenges associated with this type of data are assessed, and the resolved problems for each challenge are summarized. The objective of the present chapter is to share lessons and experiences related to the LDCC data to support future use of smartphones in mobility research and travel demand analysis. Specific attention is given to the exploitation of such data for the purpose of route choice modeling within the context of discrete choice analysis.
Modeling the Change of Urban Spatial Structure: Use Interzonal Travel Data to Estimate Urban Growth and Expansion by Hierarchical Cluster Analyses
Authors: Akin Darcin , Alasalvar Serdar
Published: January 2018

The Urban spatial structure is affected by spatial interactions among various activity locations, and land uses in the city over the transportation system. Each city has its unique circulation pattern of passengers and freight due to its unique geographic conditions and the distribution of locations of economic activities. In that sense, it is claimed in this chapter per the authors that urban spatial structure can be modeled using interzonal (O/D) travel data. Thus, the chapter presents a case study of modeling spatial structures developed by employing Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) using travel pattern data for current and future scenarios. As a result, urban growth and expansion were estimated based on the level of interaction (represented by distance or similarity modeled based on trip interchanges) over the transportation system in terms of population and/or employment increases. The interaction was described by a measure of distance or similarity, modeled with respect to trip interchanges.
Understanding Accessibility
Authors: Ertugay Kivanc , Duzgun Sebnem H.
Published: January 2018

Accessibility measures are generally concerned with equity and a better distribution of services in a territory and can be accepted as key variables for supporting supply/demand, location/allocation and service/catchment area related planning policies and strategies at national, regional, and local levels. Since accessibility measures need organization of huge and complex spatial data sets, accessibility modeling often lends itself to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for analysis and presentation. Since numerous accessibility measures and modeling techniques ranging from simple to sophisticated can be found in the literature, this work aim to provide an overview of the theoretical framework and relevant background about GIS-based accessibility modeling process. The results could provide a significant support for the decision makers who are supposed to deal with transportation planning, accessibility modeling, location/allocation and service/catchment area related issues.
On Solving Multiobjective Transportation Problems With Fuzzy Random Supply and Demand Using Fuzzy Goal Programming
Authors: Biswas Animesh , Modak Nilkanta
Published: January 2018

In this article a fuzzy goal programming model is developed to solve multiobjective unbalanced transportation problems with fuzzy random parameters. In model formulation process the cost coefficients of the objectives are considered as fuzzy numbers and the supplies and demands are considered as fuzzy random variables with known fuzzy probability distribution from the view point of probabilistic as well as possibilistic uncertainties involved with the model. A fuzzy programming model is first constructed by applying chance constrained programming methodology in fuzzy environment. Then, the model is decomposed on the basis of the tolerance ranges of the fuzzy numbers associated with it. The individual optimal solution of each decomposed objectives is found in isolation to construct the membership goals of the objectives. Finally, priority based fuzzy goal programming technique is used to achieve the highest degree of each of the defined membership goals to the extent possible by minimizing the under deviational variables and thereby obtaining optimal allocation of products by using distance function in a cost minimizing decision making environment. An illustrative example is solved and compared with existing technique to explore the potentiality of the proposed methodology.
Maritime Logistics
Authors: Caliskan Aylin , Ozturkoglu Yucel
Published: January 2018

In the literature, mostly, under the heading of maritime logistics, classical sea transportation issues have been studied. In actual fact, with broader scope, maritime logistics is a different field under the logistics theme and sea transportation is just one of the functions that must be carried effectively and in an integrated manner with other logistics functions. This chapter focuses on the maritime logistics functions which were selected by the authors in accordance with the gap in the literature, namely transportation and traffic management, inventory management, demand forecasting, material handling, and packaging and labelling. In addition to the maritime logistics functions; port logistics, green maritime logistics and decision problems in maritime logistics topics are handled deeply with the aim of completing the skeleton of the maritime logistics concept by which an understanding of the clear definition of maritime logistics can be achieved. The practitioners can gain more integrated and holistic viewpoint about maritime logistics with the help of this chapter.
Domiciling Truck Drivers More Strategically in a Transportation Network
Authors: Melton Kerry , Parepally Sandeep
Published: January 2018

The authors propose a method to better domicile truck drivers in a relay-point highway transportation network to obtain better solutions for the truck driver domiciling and sourcing problem. The authors exploit characteristics of the truckload driver routing problem over a transportation network and introduce a new approach to domicile, source, and route truck drivers while more inclusively considering performance and cost measures related to the driver, transportation carrier, and customer. Driver domicile and relay-point locations are exploited to balance driver pay and recruiting costs and driving time. A mixed integer quadratic program will determine where driver domiciles are located to base drivers, source drivers, route drivers, etc. while considering key costs related to transporting truckload freight over long distances. A method to improve driver domicile locations is introduced to enhance driving jobs and driver sourcing, but not at the expense of the transportation carrier and customer. A numerical experiment will be conducted.
Reserve Capacity of Mixed Urban Road Networks, Network Configuration and Signal Settings
Authors: Divsalar Masoomeh , Hassanzadeh Reza , Mahdavi Iraj , Mahdavi-Amiri Nezam
Published: January 2018

The authors formulate the transportation mixed network design problem (MNDP) as a mixed-integer bi-level mathematical problem, based on the concept of reserve capacity. The upper level goal is to maximize the reserve capacity by signal settings at intersections, determine street direction and increase street capacities via addition of lanes. The lower level problem is a deterministic user equilibrium traffic assignment problem to minimize the user travel time. The model being non-convex, meta-heuristic methods are used to solve the problem. A hybridization of genetic algorithm with simulated annealing and a bee algorithm are proposed. Numerical examples are illustrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed model and the algorithms.
Home Bias in Innovation Ecosystems
Authors: Nylund Petra A. , Arimany-Serrat Núria , Ferràs-Hernández Xavier , Corral-Marfil José Antonio
Published: January 2018

Innovation ecosystems enable small- and medium-sized enterprises to compete with innovations that include the knowledge of others. Integrating external knowledge in innovation is however a complex process, and there are many pitfalls to consider. This chapter analyses a small company that leverages its innovation ecosystem to compete in a dynamic global industry characterized by rapid technological change. The company faces the challenge of creating and commercializing a breakthrough innovation for digital education, with educational content for teachers and easy-to-use authoring tools for modifying this content. As the company attempts to benefit from lead-user experiences, home bias towards knowledge from local users appears as an unexpected hurdle. The analysis of the case encompasses the firm, the industry, and the ecosystem levels, and indicates key concepts for innovation in ecosystem settings.
Microblogging Case Study in Higher Education
Authors: Paliktzoglou Vasileios , Suhonen Jarkko
Published: January 2018

Recent research indicates that even though social media networking sites are commonly used in higher education, very little empirical evidence is available concerning the impact of social media use on student learning and engagement. In this chapter, the experience of using Edmodo is analysed as learning aid to support group work in comparison with the level of familiarity, engagement, and frequency of use of social media technologies among university-level computer science students in Finland. The specific focus of the chapter is to examine the reception of the students towards the Edmodo platform. The data was collected through a social media familiarity questionnaire, Edmodo experience questionnaire, and interviews. The main findings are that the cohort was not very familiar with social media at the beginning of the course. This chapter provides experimental evidence that microblogging social networking sites and, more specifically, Edmodo can be used as an educational tool to help engage students more in the use of social media networking sites.
Students Skills in a Blended Learning Environment
Authors: Pinto-Llorente Ana Mª , Sánchez-Gómez Mª Cruz , García-Peñalvo Francisco José
Published: January 2018

The objective of this chapter is to determine participants' perceptions about the characteristics that students must have to be successful in a blended learning environment. The authors adopted a qualitative approach in which 91 learners participated. Data collection was carried out through guided interviews over three months. The results of the research emphasized the need to have a good level of English and new digital skills as essential requirements to study an English degree in a blended learning modality. Participants were strongly aware of the necessity to master synchronous and asynchronous technological tools to communicate online with their virtual classmates, and to do assessment and self-assessment e-activities. Learners also considered that it was essential to be mature enough to be able to reflect and evaluate their own learning. Results showed that students must be organised and tenacious, and must have the ability to innovate and collaborate inside the created e-learning community.
Demography of Open Source Software Prediction Models and Techniques
Authors: Fatema Kaniz , Syeed M. M. Mahbubul , Hammouda Imed
Published: January 2018

Open source software (OSS) is currently a widely adopted approach to developing and distributing software. Many commercial companies are using OSS components as part of their product development. For instance, more than 58% of web servers are using an OSS web server, Apache. For effective adoption of OSS, fundamental knowledge of project development is needed. This often calls for reliable prediction models to simulate project evolution and to envision project future. These models provide help in supporting preventive maintenance and building quality software. This chapter reports on a systematic literature survey aimed at the identification and structuring of research that offers prediction models and techniques in analysing OSS projects. The study outcome provides insight into what constitutes the main contributions of the field, identifies gaps and opportunities, and distils several important future research directions. This chapter extends the authors' earlier journal article and offers the following improvements: broader study period, enhanced discussion, and synthesis of reported results.
Business Intelligence Strategy
Authors: Hawking Paul , Sellitto Carmine
Published: January 2018

Business Intelligence has been adopted across numerous industry sectors where the commensurate benefits have been reported as being significant to those that fall short of expectations. Indeed, an effective strategy that aligns company objectives and Business Intelligence has been shown to be an important factor in firm realizing organizational benefits. Using a case study approach, the paper documents the key aspects of two companies' Business Intelligence strategy that directly enhanced informational requirements. The paper presents a novel description of Business Intelligence strategies that will provide valuable lessons for not only researchers, but also industry practitioners.
Cognitive Informatics
Authors: Wang Yingxu , Howard Newton , Kacprzyk Janusz , Frieder Ophir , Sheu Phillip , Fiorini Rodolfo A. , Gavrilova Marina L. , Patel Shushma , Peng Jun , Widrow Bernard
Published: January 2018

Cognitive Informatics (CI) is a contemporary field of basic studies on the brain, computational intelligence theories and underpinning denotational mathematics. Its applications include cognitive systems, cognitive computing, cognitive machine learning and cognitive robotics. IEEE ICCI*CC'17 on Cognitive Informatics and Cognitive Computing was focused on the theme of neurocomputation, cognitive machine learning and brain-inspired systems. This paper reports the plenary panel (Part I) at IEEE ICCI*CC'17 held at Oxford University. The summary is contributed by invited keynote speakers and distinguished panelists who are part of the world's renowned scholars in the transdisciplinary field of CI and cognitive computing.
The Cognitive Machine as Mental Language Automata
Authors: Marques Carla Verônica Machado , Tolla de Oliveira Carlo Emmanoel , Oliveira Cibele Ribeiro da Cunha
Published: January 2018

This article describes how learning is a native ability of the brain. However, very little is known of the process as it happens. The engineering model presented in this work provides a base to explore the innards of cognition. The computational implementation of the model is usable to assess cognitive profiles by means of machine learning and harmonic filtering. The model relies on an evolutionary dimensional space consisting of phylogenetic, ontogenetic and microgenetic timelines. The microgenetic space reveals the state machine nature of cognition, standing as an internal translator to a brain specific language. The study of this machine and its language is the key to understanding cognition.
Power Distribution System Planning Using Q-GIS
Authors: Uddin Shabbir , Chakravorty Sandeep , Sherpa Karma Sonam , Ray Amitava
Published: January 2018

This article focuses on the usage and advantage of incorporating Geographical Information System for advancing the power distribution system. Geographical Information System-based electricity distribution system planning strategies are applied to determine optimum routing. Existing and proposed layouts have been drawn using GIS-based software Q-GIS 2.12.3. This software helps attach data with the corresponding geographic. A comparison between the Newton-Raphson load flow study of existing and proposed layouts of distribution systems has been performed to find the technical viability of the proposed route. The information obtained from the power flow study is voltage at each load and the real power flowing in each line. The voltages found by the load flow analysis of existing and proposed layouts are compared to show the voltage increase. The developed system is tested on a 12 bus system substation of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Sikkim, India.
A Formal Framework for Scalable Component-Based Systems
Authors: Bouanaka Chafia , Debza Ahmed Amar , Belala Faiza , Zeghib Nadia
Published: January 2018

Constructing systems from components and building components for different systems require well-established methodologies and processes. This article proposes a formal framework for designing and specifying component-based systems (CBS). The two-dimensional evolutions of CBS are architectural reconfiguration and behavioral adaptation, when user requirements and/or runtime contexts change. This framework provides an incremental design methodology where component interfaces and their corresponding ports are the basic units of software construction, rather than components. Conceptually, interfaces serve to assemble simple components to obtain more complex ones. Behaviorally, they serve to propagate side effects of visible changes of a component on its neighbors. Interfaces also supply interactions and synchronization effects on the underlying sub-system. The calculation process is guided by changes on interfaces where the hierarchical structure of the underlying CBS is maintained. In this framework, CBS specification is supported by some execution tools based on Maude.
A Computational, Cognitive, and Situated Framework for Emotional Social Simulations
Authors: Vallverdú Jordi , Casacuberta David
Published: January 2018

Human emotions and social processes are evolutionary intertwined, as the result of neuromodulatory mechanisms that define the nature of how bodies interact with the world and create strategies with other bodies and agents. This article presents the previous simulations of TPR, TPR 2.0 and The Game of Emotions. Ideas are also justified in order to achieve the next research level into social emotional simulations. This article describes a defense of the epistemological value of computer simulations for the analysis of emotions and social interactions. Finally, the elements of the model are described as well as is defined a basic sketch of the basic control algorithm.
Particle Swarm Optimization from Theory to Applications
Authors: El-Shorbagy M.A. , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: January 2018

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is considered one of the most important methods in swarm intelligence. PSO is related to the study of swarms; where it is a simulation of bird flocks. It can be used to solve a wide variety of optimization problems such as unconstrained optimization problems, constrained optimization problems, nonlinear programming, multi-objective optimization, stochastic programming and combinatorial optimization problems. PSO has been presented in the literature and applied successfully in real life applications. In this paper, a comprehensive review of PSO as a well-known population-based optimization technique. The review starts by a brief introduction to the behavior of the PSO, then basic concepts and development of PSO are discussed, it's followed by the discussion of PSO inertia weight and constriction factor as well as issues related to parameter setting, selection and tuning, dynamic environments, and hybridization. Also, we introduced the other representation, convergence properties and the applications of PSO. Finally, conclusions and discussion are presented. Limitations to be addressed and the directions of research in the future are identified, and an extensive bibliography is also included.
Metaheuristic Algorithms for Detect Communities in Social Networks: A Comparative Analysis Study
Authors: Hassanien Aboul Ella , Babers Ramadan
Published: January 2018

This article presents a comparative analysis between Cuckoo Search Optimization Algorithm, Lion Optimization Algorithm and Ant-Lion Optimization Algorithm. Zachary karate Club, The Bottlenose Dolphin Network, American College Football Network, and Facebook used as benchmark datasets for comparison, the results proved those algorithms can define the structure and detect communities of complex networks with high accuracy and quality based on different method that it used. The Cuckoo Search Optimization Algorithm is the best algorithm compared to Ant-Lion Optimization Algorithm and Lion Optimization Algorithm as it got greatest number of communities, detect communities in used benchmark datasets with average accuracy %69, average modularity %62 and average fitness %60.
Philosophical foundations of human rights: the Yoruba example
Authors: Balogun Babalola Joseph
Published: January 2018

Some foundations have been provided for the social validity of human rights in Western philosophical literature. Some African scholars have also sought to ground the notion of human rights within the traditional African cultural beliefs and practices. There is, however, a dearth in literature on the Yoruba notion of human rights. Perhaps this may be due to scholars’ attitude that any talk about human rights is incompatible with the communalistic social structure of the Yoruba. The present paper challenges this prevalent attitude by providing some philosophical foundations for human rights within the limits permitted by the Yoruba world-view. The paper attempts a theoretical reconciliation between the Yoruba claim to communitarianism and the possibility of human rights. The paper concludes that, in spite of the seemingly antinomic relation they bear to each other, the idea of human rights is neither practically meaningless/unintelligible in a communitarian society, nor is it conceptually incompatible with the communitarian ideology.Keywords: Philosophical foundations, Human, Rights, Communitarianism, Yoruba
An African ethic of hospitality for the global church: a response to the culture of exploitation and violence in Africa
Authors: Aihiokhai Simon Mary Asese
Published: January 2018

Barely seventeen years into the twenty-first century, our world continues to be plagued by endless wars and violence. Africa is not immune from these crises. As many countries in Africa celebrate more than fifty years of independence from colonial rule, Africa is still the poorest continent in the world. Religious wars, genocides, ethnic and tribal cleansings have come to define the continent’s contemporary history. Corruption, nepotism, dictatorship, disregard for human life, tribalism, and many social vices are normalized realities in many parts of the continent. Rather than despair, a radical refocusing on Africa’s rich history of hospitality that affirms the flourishing of all life ought to be embraced. This article aims to do exactly this by exploring Africa’s role and place in the history of three Abrahamic religions; Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. While celebrating Africa’s unique role as the gateway for the realization of divine hospitality, this article aims to serve as a witness to an ethic of life that is relevant for the global church’s vision and mission to a pluralistic world and for the mission of the churches of Africa to addressing the social, cultural, and political crises faced by the continent. To achieve these, this work appropriates a comparative theological method that sheds light on the centrality of Africa in these three Abrahamic religions with a bias for the flourishing of life.Keywords: Africa, Hospitality, Life, Christianity, Islam, Judaism
Methodological anarchism or pluralism? An afro-constructivist perspective on Paul Feyerabend’s critique of science
Authors: Chukwuokolo J. Chidozie
Published: January 2018

In this article, I argue that methodological pluralism is not identical with methodological anarchism. While the former connotes the existence of different methods that could be legitimately employed in different disciplines or contexts, the latter tends to suggest the non-existence of any legitimate method at all. Consequently, I contend that Afroconstructivism, a recent development in African philosophy supports methodological pluralism but repudiates methodological anarchism. The corollary of this is a critical re-evaluation of Paul Feyerabend’s critique of method. My basic argument is that the epistemological framework of Afro-constructivism accepts Feyerabend’s repudiation of the hegemonic imposition of the method of modern science as valid. However, I argue that an Afro-constructivist interpretation of Feyerabend’s critique gives credence to methodological pluralism as against methodological anarchism. I buttress this position using the methods of logical analysis and argumentation. I begin with an analysis of the question of method, Feyerabend’s critique of method and Afro-constructivism,and then proceed to examine the merit of Feyerabend’s critique from the perspective of Afro-constructivism. At the end, I submit that the logical product of Feyerabend’s critique of method is methodological pluralism.Keywords: Afro-constructivism, Anarchism, Paul Feyerabend, methodology, epistemological dadaism, Pluralism, Reason, Science
Leadership Programming: Exploring a Path to Faculty Engagement in Transformational Leadership
Authors: Lamm Kevan W. , Sapp L. Rochelle , Lamm Alexa J.
Published: January 2018

Transformational leadership has served as a model for positive, individual-focused leadership, based on its emphasis on motivation and higher levels of organizational performance. Change is a constant for faculty that become leaders within the Land Grant University System. Changes to governance and accountability of institutions and threats to research through commercial or political interests reflect the need for positive and effective leaders. The purpose of this study was to examine if participation in LEAD21, a leadership development program intended for land grant universities’ colleges of agricultural, environmental, and human sciences and NIFA, changes participant levels of transformational leadership. Results indicated overall level of transformational leadership rose by an average of 7%. This finding was unexpected based on previous research that found statistically significant changes in transformational leadership dimensions of 1% - 2%. These results are encouraging, considering transformational leaders tend to lead higher performing organizations. Agricultural educators and leadership development professionals can use the results of this study to inform future teaching practices. The empirical evidence that transformational leadership development within a sample of emerging leaders is encouraging. The continuation and expansion of leadership development programs focused on transformational leadership dimensions are encouraged.