bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Back to the roots: a reappraisal of Neocosmospora
Authors: Sandoval-Denis M. , Lombard L. , Crous P.W.
Published: August 2019

The genus Neocosmospora (Fusarium solani species complex) contains saprobes, plant endophytes and pathogens of major economic significance as well as opportunistic animal pathogens. Advances in biological and phylogenetic species recognition revealed a rich species diversity
which has largely remained understudied. Most of the currently recognised species lack formal descriptions and Latin names, while the taxonomic utility of old names is hampered by the lack of nomenclatural type specimens. Therefore, to stabilise the taxonomy and nomenclature of these important
taxa, we examined type specimens and representative cultures of several old names by means of morphology and phylogenetic analyses based on rDNA (ITS and LSU), rpb2 and tef1 sequences. Sixty-eight species are accepted in Neocosmospora, 29 of them described herein as new;
while 13 new combinations are made. Eleven additional phylogenetic species are recognized, but remain as yet undescribed. Lectotypes are proposed for eight species, seven species are epitypified and two species are neotypified. Notes on an additional 17 doubtful or excluded taxa are provided.
STUDY ON RISK CONTROL OF WATER INRUSH IN TUNNEL CONSTRUCTION PERIOD CONSIDERING UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Wen Zhu , Xia Yuanpu , Ji Yuguo , Liu Yiming , Xiong Ziming , Lu Hao
Published: August 2019

Water inrush risk is a bottleneck problem affecting the safety and smooth construction of tunnel engineering works, so the risk control of water inrush is important, however, geological uncertainty and artificial uncertainty always accompany tunnel construction. Uncertainty will not only affect the accuracy of water inrush risk assessment results, but also affect the reliability of water inrush risk decision-making results. How to control the influence of uncertainty on water inrush risk is key to solving the problem of water inrush risk control. Based on the definition of improved risk, a risk analysis model of water inrush based on a fuzzy Bayesian network is constructed. The main factors affecting the risk of water inrush are determined by sensitivity analysis, and possible schemes in risk control of water inrush are proposed. Based on the characteristics of risk control of water inrush in a tunnel, a multi-attribute group decision-making model is constructed to determine the optimal water inrush risk control scheme, so that the optimal scheme for reducing uncertainty in risk control of water inrush is determined. Finally, this system is applied to Shiziyuan Tunnel. The results show that the proposed risk control system for reducing uncertainty of water inrush is efficacious.
Discovery of an Outbursting 12.8 Minute Ultracompact X-Ray Binary∗
Authors: Pietrukowicz Pawel , Mróz Przemek , Udalski Andrzej , Soszyński Igor , Skowron Jan
Published: August 2019

We report the discovery of OGLE-UCXB-01, a 12.8 minute variable object located in the central field of Galactic bulge globular cluster Djorg 2. The presence of frequent, short-duration brightenings at such an ultrashort period in long-term OGLE photometry together with the blue color of the object in Hubble Space Telescope images and the detection of moderately hard X-rays by Chandra observatory point to an ultracompact X-ray binary system. The observed fast period decrease makes the system a particularly interesting target for gravitational-wave detectors such as the planned Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.
Primary healthcare centers engagement in tuberculosis treatment in Ukraine
Authors: Geliukh Evgenia , Nabirova Dilyara , Davtyan Karapet , Yesypenko Svetlana , Zachariah Rony
Published: August 2019

Introduction: We assessed the influence of a result-based financing (RBF) model, which included incentives for Primary Healthcare facilities on TB treatment outcomes.

Methodology: We compared TB patients > 17 years and their treatment outcomes among those who did and did not benefit from RBF-model in 14 districts of Odeska oblast, Ukraine in 2017. Log-binomial regression was used to examine factors associated with being included in RBF-model.

Results: Of 2,269 reported TB patients, 308 (14%) were included in RBF-model. Most patients in the RBF-model were from rural areas 229 (74%), unemployed 218 (71%), and HIV-infected 131 (43%). Individuals from urban areas (Adjusted risk ratio, ARR =0.9, 95% Confidence Interval, CI:0.89-0.94), having drug-resistant TB (ARR = 0.3, 95% CI: 0.18-0.45), and relapse TB (ARR = 0.6, 95% CI:0.40-0.83) were less likely to be included in RBF-model. Favorable outcomes in new/relapse cases with RBF-model was 89% compared with 41% (p < 0.001) without RBF. Similarly, for other retreatment this was 83% versus 40% (p < 0.001). Failures in the no-RBF group was 29% for new and relapse cases while for other retreatment cases, it was 26% (significantly higher than in the RBF-model).

Conclusion: RBF-model is effective in achieving high levels of favorable TB treatment outcomes. Almost three-in-ten TB patients in non-RBF category failed TB treatment despite having drug-susceptible TB. Efforts are now needed to include it within ongoing public health reforms and assess the feasibility of scaling-up this intervention through implementation research and dedicated funding.
Engaging people who inject drugs and their peers in HIV testing and harm reduction in Ukraine: do they make a difference?
Authors: Kravchenko Nataliia , Denisiuk Olga , Kuznetsova Julia , Jayaraj Joshua , Zachariah Rony , Smyrnov Pavlo
Published: August 2019

Introduction: People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) should be offered HIV-testing and harm reduction services. We assessed the effectiveness of including PWID and their peers in HIV-testing by comparing for a period before (2013-2014) and after their introduction (2015-2017), the a) numbers HIV tested b) number enrolled in harm reduction and c) frequency of HIV-testing.

Methodology: An analysis of programme data involved PWID aged ≥ 14 years (1st January 2013-31st December 2017) in Ukraine. Between 2013-2014, HIV-testing (VCT) was done by trained health workers. From 2015, this was Directly Assisted HIV Self-testing (DAST) done by social workers and peers. Optimized HIV case finding (OCF) was introduced (in 2016) as an overlapping strategy with DAST.

Results: A total of 844,837 HIV tests were done with 23,427 (2.8%) HIV-positive results. With VCT, there were 164,417 HIV tests compared to 639,685 after engagement of PWID and their peers (>3-fold increase). The highest HIV positive yield (20%) was when OCF was included. With increasing HIV-testing caseload, a progressive decrease in enrollment in harm reduction was seen (85% in 2014 to 47% in 2017, X2 for trend P < 0.001). OCF resulted in enrollment into harm reduction of 2722 HIV-positives, which was 35% higher than through DAST alone (7,5%). HIV re-testing almost doubled with DAST.

Conclusion: Active engagement of PWID and their peers in HIV-testing increased uptake of HIV-testing. Including OCF has a synergistic effect in HIV-positive yield. Strategies are urgently needed to ensure that individuals who are HIV tested are enrolled in harm reduction.
Schémas précoces inadaptés, tempérament et caractère chez des patients présentant une dépendance aux substances psychoactives
Authors: Berrewaerts Joëlle , Pallincourt Romain , Wildemeersch Géraldine , Desseilles Martin , Kempeneers Philippe
Published: August 2019

Le questionnaire des schémas de Young (YSQ-S3) et celui des tempéraments et des caractères de Cloninger (TCI-R) ont été remplis par 49 femmes et 56 hommes présentant un trouble lié à l’utilisation d’une substance, tel que défini par le DSM-IV-TR. Pour 84,8 % des personnes, le principal produit incriminé était l’alcool, soit à titre unique (73,3 %), soit en combinaison avec d’autres produits. Leur âge moyen est de 45,5 ans et s’étend de 21 à 64 ans. Pour le YSQ-S3, on relève une sur-activation de cinq schémas précoces inadaptés (SPI) dans l’échantillon : manque affectif, abandon/instabilité, abnégation, négativité/pessimisme et idéaux exigeants. Pour le TCI-R, on observe une surpondération des notes d’évitement du danger et une sous-pondération des notes d’autodétermination. D’un autre côté, des régressions linéaires montrent qu’une faible autodétermination, telle que mesurée par le TCI-R, permet de prédire une large palette de SPI. À un degré moindre, l’évitement du danger apparaît, également, comme un prédicteur significatif des SPI. Par ailleurs, la particularité d’un profil de réponse au TCI-R ne paraît guère à même de prédire un profil de réponse particulier au YSQ-S3.
Entre curriculum formel et curriculum caché. Quelle morale l’école enseigne-t-elle en réalité ?
Authors: Maulini Olivier
Published: August 2019

L’enseignement de la morale, du civisme ou de la citoyenneté à l’école est en partie gouverné par le curriculum formel et les débats d’idées qui cherchent à l’orienter. Mais quelle morale l’école enseigne-t-elle en réalité, dans l’ordinaire de ses pratiques et les plis du curriculum caché ? Une synthèse des recherches menées sur vingt ans dans l’enseignement obligatoire de Suisse romande montre que l’ethos localement dominant est d’abord celui de la responsabilité des élèves et de la cohésion des classes dans un cadre de travail adapté. Ailleurs, dans chaque établissement, la confiance et la complémentarité sont les composantes valorisées d’un dialogue apaisé. Savoir vivre ensemble est un objectif du plan d’études, mais aussi la vertu immédiate du convivialisme ainsi pratiqué. Cette configuration est-elle propre à la Suisse ou illustre-t-elle une tension démocratique entre deux perspectives : décréter le bien commun en surplomb ou le chercher collectivement par la contradiction ?
Retour à l’éducation. Des exercices scolaires éducatifs pour le XXI e siècle. Plaidoyer pour un nouveau chantier de recherches
Authors: Barrère Anne
Published: August 2019

Partant d’un diagnostic considérant la crise de l’école comme une crise de l’éducation et abordant celle-ci au travers des exercices scolaires, l’article propose trois grandes lignes de recherche. La première problématisation étudie les raisons historiques et structurelles qui ont conduit à la déliaison actuelle entre exercices scolaires et considérations éducatives. La deuxième s’attache à caractériser, au contraire, les tentatives actuelles de maintenir ces liens, tant à l’intérieur de l’institution scolaire qu’à sa périphérie. Enfin, la troisième réfléchit sur la manière dont les systèmes publics d’enseignement peuvent repenser la question éducative dans une période marquée par l’absence de tout accord normatif global. En articulant ces trois problématisations, l’article dessine la nécessité d’un vaste programme collectif de recherche à la croisée des enjeux éducatifs et d’exercices scolaires.
Variación no alométrica en el cráneo del perezoso bayo Bradypus variegatus (Schinz, 1825) (Mammalia, Pilosa, Bradypodidae)
Authors: Parés-Casanova P. M.
Published: August 2019

El perezoso bayo Bradypus variegatus (Schinz, 1825) es un mamífero monomórfico, de ontogenia craneal poco conocida. En este estudio analizamos la alometría estática entre tamaño y forma, utilizando 21 especímenes diferentes de edades diversas. El tamaño y la forma fueron determinados mediante técnicas de morfometría geométrica. De los resultados obtenidos se desprende que la variación en la forma craneal queda muy poco explicada por la variación en el tamaño. Muchos estudios han señalado características morfológicas únicas en los perezosos en relación al resto de mamíferos, características fenotípicas que van de la estructura esquelética a tejidos blandos. En este caso, el escalado no alométrico del cráneo debería ser visto como otra característica única de este grupo taxonómico.
Data Text Mining Based on Swarm Intelligence Techniques
Authors: Mosa Mohamed Atef
Published: August 2019

Due to the great growth of data on the web, mining to extract the most informative data as a conceptual brief would be beneficial for certain users. Therefore, there is great enthusiasm concerning the developing automatic text summary approaches. In this chapter, the authors highlight using the swarm intelligence (SI) optimization techniques for the first time in solving the problem of text summary. In addition, a convincing justification of why nature-heuristic algorithms, especially ant colony optimization (ACO), are the best algorithms for solving complicated optimization tasks is introduced. Moreover, it has been perceived that the problem of text summary had not been formalized as a multi-objective optimization (MOO) task before, despite there are many contradictory objectives in needing to be achieved. The SI has not been employed before to support the real-time tasks. Therefore, a novel framework of short text summary has been proposed to fulfill this issue. Ultimately, this chapter will enthuse researchers for further consideration for SI algorithms in solving summary tasks.
Text Classification and Topic Modeling for Online Discussion Forums
Authors: Zhao Xin , Jiang Zhe , Gray Jeff
Published: August 2019

Online discussion forums play an important role in building and sharing domain knowledge. An extensive amount of information can be found in online forums, covering every aspect of life and professional discourse. This chapter introduces the application of supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques to analyze forum questions. This chapter starts with supervised machine learning techniques to classify forum posts into pre-defined topic categories. As a supporting technique, web scraping is also discussed to gather data from an online forum. After this, this chapter introduces unsupervised learning techniques to identify latent topics in documents. The combination of supervised and unsupervised machine learning approaches offers us deeper insights of the data obtained from online forums. This chapter demonstrates these techniques through a case study on a very large online discussion forum called LabVIEW from the systems modeling community. In the end, the authors list future trends in applying machine learning to understand the expertise captured in online expert communities.
Markov Decision Theory-Based Crowdsourcing Software Process Model
Authors: Pal Kamalendu
Published: August 2019

The word crowdsourcing, a compound contraction of crowd and outsourcing, was introduced by Jeff Howe in order to define outsourcing to the crowd. It is a sourcing model in which individuals or organizations obtain goods and services. These services include ideas and development of software or hardware, or any other business-task from a large, relatively open and often rapidly-evolving group of internet users; it divides work between participants to achieve a cumulative result. It has been used for completing various human intelligence tasks in the past, and this is an emerging form of outsourcing software development as it has the potential to significantly reduce the implementation cost. This chapter analyses the process of software development at a crowdsourced platform. The work analyses and identifies the phase wise deliverables in a competitive software development problem. It also proposes the use of Markov decision theory to model the dynamics of the development processes of a software by using a simulated example.
I-Way
Authors: Gupta Chetna , Singhal Surbhi , Kumari Astha
Published: August 2019

This study addresses the problem of effectively searching and selecting relevant requirements for reuse meeting stakeholders' objectives through knowledge discovery and data mining techniques maintained over a cloud platform. Knowledge extraction of similar requirement(s) is performed on data and meta-data stored in central repository using a novel intersective way method (i-way), which uses intersection results of two machine learning algorithm namely, K-nearest neighbors (KNN) and term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF). I-way is a two-level extraction framework which represents win-win situation by considering intersective results of two different approaches to ensure that selection is progressing towards desired requirement for reuse consideration. The validity and effectiveness of results of proposed framework are evaluated on requirement dataset, which show that proposed approach can significantly help in reducing effort by selecting similar requirements of interest for reuse.
Independent Verification and Validation of FPGA-Based Design for Airborne Electronic Applications
Authors: Srinivasan Sudha , Chauhan D. S. , R. Rekha
Published: August 2019

Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are finding increasing number of applications in high integrity safety critical systems of aerospace and defence industry. Though FPGA design goes through various development processes, it is widely observed that the critical errors are observed in the final stages of development, thereby impacting time and cost. The risk of failure in complex embedded systems is overcome by using the independent verification and validation (IV&V) technique. Independent verification and validation (IV&V) of FPGA-based design is essential for evaluating the correctness, quality, and safety of the airborne embedded systems throughout the development life cycle and provides early detection and identification of risk elements. The process of IV&V and its planning needs to be initiated early in the development life cycle. This chapter describes the IV&V methodology for FPGA-based design during the development life cycle along with the certification process.
Development of Novel Design to Enhance the Characteristics of Flexible Antenna
Authors: Nigam Neha , Singh Vinod Kumar
Published: August 2019

This chapter proposed triple band novel geometry and enhanced characteristics of flexible textile antenna. The proposed radio wire indicates wideband execution with wide data transfer capacity of 20.50% covering the recurrence scope of 6.3039 GHz to 7.7445 GHz, 11.57% covering the recurrence scope of 9.0694 GHz to 10.184 GHz, and 8.23% in the recurrence scope of 12.497 GHz to 13.57 GHz. In this chapter, reenacted outcomes like return loss, directivity, and radiation characteristics have been contemplated.
Performance Analysis of Cascade H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter Topology With Filter Circuit and Without Filter Circuit
Authors: Agrawal Nikhil
Published: August 2019

Multilevel inverter is a modified version of inverter. Multilevel inverter recently emerged in the area of high power and medium voltage application. In the last few decades, the great innovation has been done to improve the inverter performance, and it is challenging even today. The multilevel inverter performance is examined by total harmonic distortion and component required. In multilevel, as level increases, the total harmonic distortion value decreases, but the number of components required and driver circuit increases that make the circuit more complex and also the effect on cost. So, the challenge is to balance the bridge between cost and total harmonic distortion. This chapter simulates the various levels of conventional cascade H-bridge inverter and new proposed topology of multilevel inverter with using different modulation techniques and with using filter circuit and without filter circuit.
The Roles of Technology and Digital Literacy for Global Education
Authors: Horvath Dorota
Published: August 2019

This chapter considers the critical theory, media literacy, and stresses sustained collaboration and the transnational exchange of critical thinking practices for digital literacy in global education. Media literacy represents a multidisciplinary category that integrates the knowledge of a broader spectrum of social sciences and is the subject of ICT, journalism, psychology, sociology, pedagogy, and, to a lesser extent, requires the attention of institutions and governmental policies. It is important to raise awareness about media manipulation and spreading disinformation and consequently foster mutual understanding among various communities while targeting young and also senior population.
Electronic Marking and Educational Assessment
Authors: Michael Walimbwa
Published: August 2019

Pervasiveness of technology in the digital age has affected education generally and is fundamentally transforming assessment, causing changes in traditional educational settings, like learning taking place anywhere, anytime and in real-world context. In such an environment, emphasis is put on what is to be seen as effective assessment in a smart learning environment (SLE). Through a case chapter examines the process of electronic marking and how it enhances smart learning practices. Drawing on the technology acceptance model, the meaning and process of e-marking in enhancing smart learning is presented. Features and process of e-marking and it's perceived benefits and barriers are described. From the reported experiences of engagement in the e-marking process; it is found out that e-marking is increasingly becoming important and dependable in enhancing smart learning. Findings also indicate that in contexts where e-marking is thriving, it started as a small project, with a few scripts marked electronically and then gradually gets up scaled into a full practice. It is concluded that e-marking is an intervention that is key in the assessment of large classes in large classes, that will contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal number four- ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Exploring the ICT Competence and Confidence Among Undergraduate Nurses in University of Lagos
Authors: Folami Florence Funmilola
Published: August 2019

The role of technology in education has been critical in the potential of computer technology to transform teaching and learning. This study explored nursing students' information and communication technology competence and confidence. It presents selected findings that focus on students' attitudes towards information and communication technology as an educational methodology. Information and communication technology is integral to contemporary nursing practice. A cross sectional study was used and the sample consists of 74 undergraduate nurses. The result showed that 95.8% undergraduate nurses have good competence level of ICT and 88.7% undergraduate nurses have positive perception towards the use of ICT while the remaining 11.3% have a negative perception. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the undergraduate nurses have a positive perception and good competence level about ICT. It is therefore the role of the lecturers to design students' curricula program emphasizing importance role ICT in nursing.
Technological Impact on Educational System and Societal Influence
Authors: Adedokun Abayomi Ayodeji
Published: August 2019

The technology use has been an enormous factor in educational development all over the globe. Despite technological constraints in many developing countries, emphasis on technology use cannot but be referenced. There has been a pattern of technology use and integration in many colleges, but the passion for technology use has not been completely appraised by all the stakeholders. Obviously, technology use can positively and negatively affect student learning. However, control over negative uses of technology rests in the hand of both parents and teachers. Apparently, technology use in today's educational system should create an atmosphere that fosters creativity among the students.
Society and State in Ethiopia for Quality Education
Authors: Wudie Alelign Aschale
Published: August 2019

This paper deciphers how different sociopolitical variables are (re/de)constructed and implemented in education in Ethiopia between 1991 and 2018. A thorough analysis of multi-modal texts and practices in education using Trans-disciplinary Critical Discourse Analysis (TCDA) was done. The analysis revealed that Ethiopian society has been segregated and structurally sorted. Targeted groups have been given identities and positions of power through fallacious discourses in Ethiopia. The gap between the powerful and the powerless becomes mighty, and that of between the rich and the poor is broad. The discursive nature of the politically-menaced education in Ethiopia deliberately constructed a hegemonic struggle between rich and poor teachers, between students and the society in the heretic ethnic politics and cognitive pillars of the rule. The policy and its implementations are the battlegrounds in mortifying, long-established cultures, values, ethics, and power in covert and convertible discourses. Similar menaces are highlighted and remedies are forwarded.
African Universities Quality management Challenges and Higher Education Agenda
Authors: Afolabi Olugbemiga Samuel , Idowu Harrison Adewale
Published: August 2019

Higher Education in Africa has gone through various stages and processes. Starting from the colonial period, higher education was conceived as the fulcrum to drive development, provide skilled workers for administration, and showcase the best in knowledge production in the continent. The listed aims were seen as the Higher Education agenda. However, years after independence, questions are being raised about the quality of knowledge dispensed and viability of graduates to compete in the labor market, within and outside Africa. To answer these questions, the chapter, relying on survey and secondary data, addresses the challenges of quality management in African universities in view of the Higher Education Agenda. This is with a view to recommending policy options that address the quality management deficits in Africa's Higher Education.
Statistical Analysis of Distance Education Quality
Authors: Tubulingane Booysen Sabeho
Published: August 2019

There is a need to identify factors which impact the performance of students before the quality of the education can be improved. Assessing the level of student performance is one of the requirements before a qualification is accredited by the National Council of Higher Education in Namibia. Low student performance can be an indication that students are receiving low-quality support during their studies. However, concentrating only on student support does not provide a comprehensive picture of where education needs to be improved. Thus, this chapter looks at distance Basic Business Statistics 1A student characteristics and tutor characteristics as predictors of student performance. The chapter is based on a sample of 187 out of 474 distance students who were enrolled for Basic Business Statistics 1A during 2018. Regression and chi-square tests were applied, and study results revealed that student age, achievement in secondary mathematics, and tutor's sex and education level predict student performance.
Pricing Rental Tourist Accommodation
Authors: Lladós-Masllorens Josep , Meseguer-Artola Antoni
Published: August 2019

Digital marketplaces are rapidly flourishing, especially in travel and tourism services. Airbnb is providing one of the most evident examples of this successful evolution. Prices are a crucial factor to understand the business model and the economic performance in hospitality businesses. This chapter studies how prices are formed in Airbnb, focusing the analysis on a wide sample of accommodations listed in Barcelona (Spain). Contextual factors, lodging amenities and some hosts' attributes critically influence pricing in the digital platform. The accommodations located closer to the main tourist amenities concentrate most of the supply of rental services whereas consumer preferences for privacy and host identification give rise to higher prices. The research also confirms that commercial hosts exacerbate the upward movement of rental prices in the central districts of the city.
The Impact of Sharing Economy in Heritage Neighborhoods in Granada
Authors: Romero-Frías Esteban , Leontidis Charalampos
Published: August 2019

The objective of this chapter is to provide reliable information from online platforms that quantifies the impact of tourist accommodation in Granada in relation to commercial activities, hotels, and residential homes. To do so, the authors take into consideration economic and population variables. Particularly, they focus on offering evidence on the tourist pressure in the most touristic neighborhoods of the city, mainly Albaicín-Sacromonte, Centro 1, and Realejo. This type of research has been widely demanded by residents, local government, and stakeholders in general in order to take action on this field.
How Do Food Delivery Platforms Affect Urban Logistics?
Authors: Alvarez-Palau Eduard Josep , Viu-Roig Marta , Molet Josep Reixach
Published: August 2019

The rise of the platform economy is rapidly changing the traditional economic and business environment. The phenomenon is being widely studied in academia, although so far this has taken a general approach. Lack of precise data and differences in markets hinder more specific analyses that could illustrate the real impact of these trends. This chapter offers an exploratory study of the impact of food-delivery platforms on urban logistics. The study is based on data scraped from the app of the Barcelona-based Glovo, consisting of affiliated restaurants, delivery times, and cost of the delivery. The physical premises identified for the restaurants were georeferenced to study how they are spread and clustered in the city. Restaurants were also matched to their parent companies to obtain economic data from the specialist SABI database. The research questions aim to provide understanding of what types of restaurants have joined the platform, how this has affected their annual turnover, where their physical premises are located, and how the consumer's location affects the service.
Towards Increasing the Efficiency of E-Learning Systems Using Recommendation System Approach
Authors: Gulzar Zameer , Raj L. Arun , Leema A. Anny
Published: August 2019

Data mining approaches have been tried in e-learning systems for information optimization and knowledge extraction to make decisions. In recent years, the recommendation system has gained popularity in every field be it e-commerce, entertainment, sports, healthcare, news, etc. However, in e-learning system, the recommender systems were not effectively utilized in comparison to other domains and thus emerged as a bottleneck for almost all e-learning systems for not offering flexible delivery of the learning resources. Current e-learning systems lack personalization features, and the information is presented in a static way despite their varying learning objectives and needs. The aim of recommender system is to personalize the information with respect to learner interest. The objective of this study is to highlight various algorithmic techniques that can be used to improve information retrieval process to provide effective recommendations to learners for improving their performance and satisfaction level.
E-Trading Decision Making
Authors: Pınarbaşı Fatih , Akpınar Habib Mehmet
Published: August 2019

Electronic trade has a key role for today's companies with help of technology affecting marketing environment. The emergence of the Internet has led to huge changes in both the production and strategy channels and the consumer's purchasing process. Previous studies from different contexts examine electronic trade focusing on different aspects on concept. An integrative approach combining theory with cases can help to a better understanding of electronic trade and competitive markets. This study aims to examine electronic trading decision making with digital marketing approach. The study identifies a three-step marketing plan for competitive advantage about electronic trading. First step includes identifying standards, seasonalities, and anomalies related to market. Second step continues with further evaluation of market environment by including sentiment analysis and network analysis cases. Third step goes further with predicting cases by focusing on future. The study also contains solutions and recommendations, future research directions, and conclusion sections.
Understanding Shopping Behaviors With Category- and Brand-Level Market Basket Analysis
Authors: Kabasakal İnanç
Published: August 2019

In a digital transformation environment, most businesses shift towards e-business and encounter businesses and customer interaction on digital channels. Information Technology renders data access and processing more efficient, and use of customer data in decision making has become a focal interest area that attracts researchers. Customer data is a relevant subject for numerous studies in Data Mining. In this chapter, Association Rule Mining has been utilized to extract purchase behavior patterns with a multilevel approach. Basket data obtained from an online retailer was analyzed to discover purchase behaviors with a focus on category and brand attributes of products. Brands and categories purchased together frequently were discovered. Brand and category-wise association rules were also presented in the results. The analysis differs from the majority of prior analyses, by referring to the category and brand attributes in basket data. It could be noted that generalized rules obtained with this approach might prove useful in recommending new items of existing brands or categories.
Examination of Effects of Competitive Strategies on the E-Commerce Companies in Terms of Achieving Sustainable Competitive Advantage
Authors: Adiguzel Zafer
Published: August 2019

E-commerce brings companies and customers together in an exchange market environment, beyond any physical, cultural, and legal boundaries, and on an unimaginable scale, which was considered to be technically impossible before. The companies' online facilities have been improved and become accessible to everyone through smart phones, tablets, etc. as the web pages and social networks started to direct individuals towards e-commerce. E-commerce not only raises economic concerns related to competition and pricing, but also reveals new social and environmental threats that can be quite widespread and viral. Several studies have been conducted to examine the transformation of traditional business models into e-businesses, the impact of e-commerce businesses on traditional business activities, or opportunities brought by technological innovations. For this reason, the effects of the competitive strategies will be explained in terms of ensuring sustainable competitive advantage within e-commerce companies.
Cooperative Collaboration Amongst Healthcare Institutions Towards Central Access to Medical with Patients Records
Authors: Marutha Ngoako Solomon
Published: August 2019

This chapter investigates the extent to which healthcare facilities may cooperate to collaborate with an intention to share management of and access to patients' medical histories for quality healthcare service across their facilities. This study used a literature review, the author's experience, and an observational study in the healthcare institutions to support and recommend his view of medical records management and access collaboration. The study discovered that there is still a lack of collaborative access and management of medical records in healthcare institutions. This may affect the healthcare service negatively and the health of the patients directly. The study recommended a collaborative framework that healthcare institutions may apply, whether national, continental or international, to ensure that the medical or health history of patients is always accessible to healthcare practitioners wherever the patients find themselves seeking healthcare service anywhere and at any time.
Inhibitors and Promoters of Quality Research Outputs for Women in the Library and Information Science (LIS) Profession in Africa
Authors: Zimu-Biyela Nomusa
Published: August 2019

This chapter aims to explore inhibitors and promoters of quality research output for women in general and with specific reference to the library and information science (LIS) discipline and profession in Africa. It is envisaged that findings might help influence established, novice and potential women researchers in Africa to engage in collaborative production of quality research outputs, particularly women in the LIS profession. The chapter is organized into sections. First, the introduction and background, in which the uneven global bibliometrics about women in the research profession is highlighted. Then problem statement, research aims, and research methodology are described. After which, a theoretical framework, a literature review including inhibitors and promoters, are discussed. The chapter recommends women to work towards positioning themselves on the global scholarly landscape.
Knowledge Sharing Practices Amongst the Library and Information Professionals of Pakistan in the Digital Era
Authors: Haq Ikram Ul , Faridi Rabiya Ali
Published: August 2019

We are living in the age of an ever-changing knowledge-based society. Information, and most preferably knowledge, has been considered as a noteworthy resource for the development of any person, profession, institute, nation, and even all humanity on a larger scale. Knowledge sharing (KS) is a significant activity and an integral part of knowledge management. KS is substantial in building the capacity and learning development of library and information professionals. The aim of this article is to find out knowledge sharing practices among the library and information professionals working in different libraries in the Pakistani digital era. The study will be limited to the perceptual aspect of the issue, specifically from the respondents' opinions and their sentiments. Finally, the article highlights the role, skills and challenges for information professionals while sharing knowledge in the digital era of Pakistan.
Deep Learning and Sustainable Telemedicine
Authors: Chen Edward T.
Published: August 2019

The need for healthcare is increasing on a global scale. The lack of medical professionals available to fill this need has increased interest in deep learning and sustainable telemedicine technologies. Telemedicine has been shown to be financially beneficial to both patients and healthcare facilities, provided that government regulations and insurance companies recognize them as a reimbursable expense. Advancements in cloud computing, deep learning, and telemedicine are creating a global standard for healthcare, and at the same time increasing the need for these services.
Common-Sense Epidemiology in the Age of Electronic Patient Records (EPR)
Authors: Bar-Lev Shirly , Beimel Dizza
Published: August 2019

Encouraging patients to play a more active role in their health care is crucial for healthcare planning and for the design of services. This chapter shifts the scholarly focus from practitioners' decision making to that of laypersons' trying to make sense of the lab results available on their EPRs. The authors developed a methodology to capture the relationship between information formats (graph, numeric, or verbal), laypersons' assessment of the conditions' gravity, and their preferred course of action. Focusing on the effect of “not knowing” on laypersons' preferred courses of action, our findings show that formats that left respondents less able to understand the results—namely, the numeric and verbal formats—produced a lower sense of urgency, and correspondingly, less inclination to actively seek professional help. The chapter takes a step toward deriving practical recommendations as to how personal clinical information should be communicated, to improve laypersons' interpretation of the information's significance.
The Evolution of Private Label Products in Turkey
Authors: Arslan Yusuf
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this chapter is to reveal the recent situation in Turkey for private label products in detail and to create some insights for marketing professionals in terms of which marketing strategy to use for private labels to become more successful in the market. To reach this aim, a literature review has been made to understand the success of developed markets and to reveal the marketing strategies that would be proper to implement also in the Turkish market. Then, certain marketing strategies were proposed to the professionals in the Turkish market. One of the main solutions revealed in this study was the importance of creating premium private labels for the Turkish market. It was also understood that Turkish professionals can benefit from the successful marketing activities implemented by developed markets earlier.
The Effects of Private Label Brand Strategies on Consumer Perception
Authors: Tandon Nidhi , Verma Jayender
Published: August 2019

The increasingly globalized economy has many effects on consumer everyday lives. The rapid changes in technological, social, and economic aspects have impacted the people's buying and consumption patterns. Even the traditional roles in value chain have started to disappear. Manufacturers have started to be taken over retailing functions whereas retailers began with the creation of their own brands. This increasing trend towards the retailer's brands is indeed one of the key changes in the retail industry. As per the reports of FMI and IRI's consumer research, 97% of households consume private label products. This chapter will give insight on different perspective and strategies that effect the consumer perception.
OX40 Agonist Tumor Immunotherapy Does Not Impact Regulatory T Cell Suppressive Function
Authors: Polesso Fanny , Sarker Minhaz , Weinberg Andrew D. , Murray Susan E. , Moran Amy E.
Published: August 2019

OX40 is a costimulatory molecule from the TNFR family. In mice, it is expressed on Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) constitutively and on conventional CD4 (Tconv) and CD8 T cells after Ag encounter. OX40 agonists are in clinical development to enhance antitumor immune responses, and one proposed mechanism of action is loss of Treg suppressive function. Studies have postulated that agonist OX40 therapy can impair Treg suppressive function. Using tools developed since the initial studies were published, we evaluated a direct effect of OX40 agonism on Treg function. We conclude that OX40 agonist Abs do not intrinsically impair Treg function but rather enhance Tconv cell IL-2 production, increasing Treg and Tconv cell proliferation. OX40-stimulated Tregs retain suppressive function, but also gain IFN-γ, TNF-α, and granzyme B expression. These data help resolve mechanistic questions regarding OX40 agonist immunotherapy and thus are relevant to developing combination therapies that target distinct T cell functions.
Politics or ethics?
Authors: Davids L. M.
Published: August 2019

No abstract available
Chest physiotherapy in cystic fibrosis - Adjuncts and alternatives
Authors: Oberwaldner B. , Zach M. S.
Published: August 2019

Chest physiotherapy is part of the long-term respiratory management of cystic fibrosis. Since compliance is often poor, effective and practical alternatives need to be sought.A preliminary study investigated the effect of weeks swimming training on the respiratory status of 10 patients while continuing their chest physiotherapy programme. Pulmonary function improved significantly after the course viz. FEV1: 82% predicted ± 24 to 90% predicted ± 23, p 0,05. Ten weeks after the trial most of the measurements had returned to their pre swimming levels. It was noted that sputum production on swimming days was higher than on non-swimming days.In a second study 12 children with cystic fibrosis participated in a training programme which included a variety of sports. Physiotherapy was discontinued during this period. Again pulmonary function improved significantly after the course viz. FEV1: 71% predicted ±23 to 79% predicted ± 23, p 0,01. Most values had returned to pre-training levels 8 weeks after the programme had ended.A current study is investigating the possible therapeutic benefit of a one-way breathing valve with increased expiratory resistive loads. Preliminary results indicate increased mobilisation of obstructing secretions as well as a significant improvement of pulmonary function.One can conclude that some highly effective and practical adjuncts and alternatives to the daily physiotherapy routine for cystic fibrosis do exist
Obituary: Doreen Tredrea
Authors: Davids L. M.
Published: August 2019

No abstract available
Dangers of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning in psychiatric patients
Authors: Bamford Colleen , Milligan Peter , Kaliski Sean
Published: August 2019

Clostridium perfringens food poisoning can be fatal in patients with chronic constipation. We report the investigation and management of a probable outbreak of C. perfringens food poisoning among psychiatric patients in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2013.
‘Obesageing’
Authors: Ghosh Shampa , Sinha Jitendra Kumar , Raghunath Manchala
Published: August 2019

Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable mortalities in many parts of the globe. The rise in geriatric population due to better treatment opportunities has also emerged as a major public health challenge. Both of these health challenges have impacted developed as well as developing countries. Obesity is attributed as a powerful risk factor of a variety of health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dementia, neuropsychiatric diseases and many more. On the other hand, ageing is a natural process involving a gradual decline in physiological functions and is associated with similar co-morbidities as obesity. This review discusses about the commonalities (termed as ‘Obesageing') between the pathological phenomenon of obesity and normal physiological process of ageing. A unique rodent model of obesageing has been developed (WNIN/Ob) that has characteristics of morbid obesity as well as premature ageing. Such a novel animal model would facilitate the understanding of the complex interplay of different mechanisms that are common to obesity and ageing and help to devise strategies in future to tackle the growing burden of obesity and ageing.
Initial trends of individual donation nucleic acid testing in voluntary & replacement donors from a tertiary care centre in north India
Authors: Hans Rekha , Marwaha Neelam , Sharma Suresh , Sachdev Suchet , Sharma Ratti Ram
Published: August 2019

Background & objectives:

Individual donation nucleic acid testing (ID-NAT) is considered as sensitive technology to assess blood safety from viral transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) in blood donors. The present study was aimed to analyze the results of ID-NAT for three years (2013-2015) with special reference to different types of donors and their age ranges in a tertiary care centre in north India.

Methods:

The results of ID-NAT for three years were retrospectively analyzed at our centre. A total of 168,433 donations were tested with ID-NAT, of which 10,467 were tested with Procleix® Ultrio® reagents and 157,966 were tested with Procleix® UltrioPlus® reagents, and the results were compared with those of serology to calculate the NAT yield in voluntary, replacement, first-time and repeat donors.

Results:

A combined NAT yield was observed as one in 1031 out of 167,069 seronegative donations with HBV yield as one in 1465, HCV yield as one in 3885 and HIV-1 as one in 167,069. Yield for co-infection (HCV and HBV) was one in 41,767. A high NAT yield was observed in replacement donors (1 in 498) as compared to voluntary donors (1 in 1320).

Interpretation & conclusions:

Addition of NAT to serology improved the blood safety in our centre interdicting possibility of 150 TTIs annually. It has also reemphasized the safety of voluntary over replacement donors. The results also highlight the need of proper counselling, notification and referral guidelines of NAT yield donors in our country and other countries which lack them.