bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimating the Completeness of Preserved Collections in Representing Global Biodiversity
Authors: Huybrechts Pieter , Trekels Maarten , Groom Quentin
Published: September 2021

There are an estimated 8.7 million eukaryotic species globally and knowledge of those organisms is organised about their scientific names and the specimens we have of those species (Sweetlove 2011, Mora et al. 2011). Likewise there are between 1.2 and 2.1 billion (109) specimens held in biodiversity collections globally (Ariño 2010). These collections constitute an infrastructure and scientific tool to understand, catalogue and study biodiversity. Yet we find it hard to answer the simple question, how many species are in a collection? This is not trivial to answer, collections are not completely inventoried, do not use the same taxonomy, and the volume of data is vast (Samy et al. 2013, Ariño 2010). We have developed a method that allows us to take a list of collections and to estimate the species richness contained within them. By doing this we will have a deeper insight into the scientific value of the world's biodiversity collections.

Dealing with non-homogeneous and non-random, but incomplete, sampling of sites is a common issue that occurs in many ecological studies (Magurran and McGill 2011, Colwell et al. 2012, Gotelli and Colwell 2001). By using techniques and toolboxes, such as iNEXT (Chao et al. 2014b) and vegan (Oksanen et al. 2020) we can estimate species richness under these conditions. In the case of collections we consider not only the digitized and published proportion of preserved collections, but make extrapolations to the specimens that have not made their way to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) yet.

Nevertheless, to calculate on such large datasets we need to employ innovative Big Data analytic tools. GBIF contains 1.8 billion observations that amount to 120 GB of data compressed. This can then be interrogated in the cloud or locally using tools such as Galaxy, which has made it possible to process large numbers of records in a single batch. We can now evaluate the biodiversity within collections, and divide the result by taxon and geographical region, and compare them to one another.

Ultimately, this work will allow individual collections and consortia to evaluate their coverage of biodiversity and help them better target their collecting strategies.
Announcing Big-Bee: An initiative to promote understanding of bees through image and trait digitization
Authors: Seltmann Katja , Allen Julie , Brown Brian , Carper Adrian , Engel Michael , Franz Nico , Gilbert Edward , Grinter Chris , Gonzalez Victor , Horsley Pam , Lee Sangmi , Maier Crystal , Miko Istvan , Morris Paul , Oboyski Peter , Pierce Naomi , Poelen Jorrit , Scott Virginia , Smith Mark , Talamas Elijah , Tsutsui Neil , Tucker Erika
Published: September 2021

While bees are critical to sustaining a large proportion of global food production, as well as pollinating both wild and cultivated plants, they are decreasing in both numbers and diversity. Our understanding of the factors driving these declines is limited, in part, because we lack sufficient data on the distribution of bee species to predict changes in their geographic range under climate change scenarios. Additionally lacking is adequate data on the behavioral and anatomical traits that may make bees either vulnerable or resilient to human-induced environmental changes, such as habitat loss and climate change. Fortunately, a wealth of associated attributes can be extracted from the specimens deposited in natural history collections for over 100 years.

Extending Anthophila Research Through Image and Trait Digitization (Big-Bee) is a newly funded US National Science Foundation Advancing Digitization of Biodiversity Collections project. Over the course of three years, we will create over one million high-resolution 2D and 3D images of bee specimens (Fig. 1), representing over 5,000 worldwide bee species, including most of the major pollinating species. We will also develop tools to measure bee traits from images and generate comprehensive bee trait and image datasets to measure changes through time. The Big-Bee network of participating institutions includes 13 US institutions (Fig. 2) and partnerships with US government agencies. We will develop novel mechanisms for sharing image datasets and datasets of bee traits that will be available through an open, Symbiota-Light (Gilbert et al. 2020) data portal called the Bee Library. In addition, biotic interaction and species association data will be shared via Global Biotic Interactions (Poelen et al. 2014). The Big-Bee project will engage the public in research through community science via crowdsourcing trait measurements and data transcription from images using Notes from Nature (Hill et al. 2012). Training and professional development for natural history collection staff, researchers, and university students in data science will be provided through the creation and implementation of workshops focusing on bee traits and species identification. We are also planning a short, artistic college radio segment called "the Buzz" to get people excited about bees, biodiversity, and the wonders of our natural world.
Antiamnestic effect of new nicotinic acid derivatives
Authors: Yasnetsov Victor V. , Kaurova Diana E. , Skachilova Sofia Ya. , Bersenev Evgeniy Yu.
Published: September 2021

Introduction: The search for new drugs for the prevention and treatment of vascular cognitive disorders continues to be a relevant task of pharmacology. In this regard, the aim of this work is to study the antiamnestic effect of five new nicotinic acid derivatives in comparison with the well-known drug mexidol (ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate) in animals.

Materials and methods: The experiments were carried out on white male mice using conditioned passive avoidance reflex (CPAR). Electroconvulsive shock (ECS), scopolamine administration, and acute hypoxia in a hermetic chamber were used as amnesic effects. Testing for the safety of CPAR was performed 24 h after amnesic exposure. The new substances, reference drug mexidol, and a 0.9% sodium chloride solution (control group) were administered once intraperitoneally 60 min before mice training.

Results and discussion: Three of the five new nicotinic acid derivatives, LKhT 4-19 (100 mg/kg), LKhT 6-19 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg), and LKhT 7-19 (100 mg/kg), have antiamnestic properties on models of amnesia in mice induced by ESC, scopolamine, and acute hypoxia in a hermetic chamber. At the same time, the most efficient substance – LKhT 6-19 – exceeds the reference drug mexidol on all three models used. In addition, this compound is also more efficient than two other new compounds, LKhT 4-19 and LKhT 7-19, on the model of ESC-induced amnesia and LKhT 7-19 on the scopolamine-induced amnesia model.

Conclusion: Compound LKhT 6-19 is promising for further advanced preclinical studies as a potential drug with antiamnestic activity.
Pirogues et Cuivres sur la côte Nord-Ouest. Formes et matières animées
Authors: Mauzé Marie
Published: September 2021

Cet article s’intéresse à la vitalité des artefacts telle qu’elle est envisagée par les sociétés de la côte Nord-Ouest en se fondant sur deux exemples. La question de l’objet vivant et animé est abordée à travers les qualités des matériaux, l’examen des processus techniques et des tâches rituelles contribuant à faire émerger des formes vivantes. Sont examinées les conditions d’expression de l’agentivité des artefacts dans les relations entre les humains et les non-humains. Est traitée en conclusion la question de la vitalité biologique et de la vitalité transcendantale dans le cadre de la transmission de privilèges auxquels sont associés les artefacts.
Des députés « hors sol » ?
Authors: Pellen Cédric
Published: September 2021

Cet article ambitionne de participer à une meilleure compréhension des processus de l’action publique à destination des émigrés et, plus spécifiquement, des implications sur leur dynamique de l’instauration d’une représentation parlementaire spéciale dans le pays d’origine. À travers l’étude approfondie des premiers députés des Français de l’étranger sous la 14 e  législature de l’Assemblée nationale (2012-2017), il montre que ceux-ci se sont attachés à cultiver, à travers les frontières, leur proximité avec leurs mandants et à peser sur l’orientation des politiques françaises de diaspora. Néanmoins, l’analyse pointe également que ce mandat original fait peser sur ses détenteurs des contraintes particulières qui entravent leurs efforts d’implantation locale et d’influence sur les sujets intéressant spécifiquement les émigrés français.
A basic study of a fractional integral operator with extended Mittag-Leffler kernel
Authors: Rahman Gauhar ,   Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan, Suwan Iyad , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Abdeljawad Thabet , Samraiz Muhammad , Ali Asad ,   Department of Mathematics and Statistics, The Arab American University, P.O. Box 240, 13 Zababdeh, Jenin, Palestine,   Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, Wadi Aldawser 11991, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia,   Department of Mathematics and General Sciences, Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, KSA,   Department of Medical Research, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan,   Samraiz-Department of Mathematics, University of Sargodha, P.O. Box 40100, Sargodha, Pakistan
Published: September 2021

In this present paper, the basic properties of an extended Mittag-Leffler function are studied. We present some fractional integral and differential formulas of an extended Mittag-Leffler function. In addition, we introduce a new extension of Prabhakar type fractional integrals with an extended Mittag-Leffler function in the kernel. Also, we present certain basic properties of the generalized Prabhakar type fractional integrals.
Least squares estimation for non-ergodic weighted fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process of general parameters
Authors: Alsenafi Abdulaziz ,   Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Al-Foraih Mishari , Es-Sebaiy Khalifa
Published: September 2021

Let $ B^{a, b}: = \{B_t^{a, b}, t\geq0\} $ be a weighted fractional Brownian motion of parameters $ a > -1 $, $ |b| < 1 $, $ |b| < a+1 $. We consider a least square-type method to estimate the drift parameter $ \theta > 0 $ of the weighted fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process $ X: = \{X_t, t\geq0\} $ defined by $ X_0 = 0; \ dX_t = \theta X_tdt+dB_t^{a, b} $. In this work, we provide least squares-type estimators for $ \theta $ based continuous-time and discrete-time observations of $ X $. The strong consistency and the asymptotic behavior in distribution of the estimators are studied for all $ (a, b) $ such that $ a > -1 $, $ |b| < 1 $, $ |b| < a+1 $. Here we extend the results of [1,2] (resp. [3]), where the strong consistency and the asymptotic distribution of the estimators are proved for $ -\frac12 < a < 0 $, $ -a < b < a+1 $ (resp. $ -1 < a < 0 $, $ -a < b < a+1 $). Simulations are performed to illustrate the theoretical results.
$ \ell_{1} $-norm based safe semi-supervised learning
Authors: Gan Haitao ,   School of Computer Science, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China, Yang Zhi , Wang Ji , Li Bing ,   Key Laboratory of Brain Machine Collaborative Intelligence of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310018, China,   State Key Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering, Wuhan 430062, China,   School of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Shipbuilding Technology, Wuhan 430050, China
Published: September 2021

In the past few years, Safe Semi-Supervised Learning (S3L) has received considerable attentions in machine learning field. Different researchers have proposed many S3L methods for safe exploitation of risky unlabeled samples which result in performance degradation of Semi-Supervised Learning (SSL). Nevertheless, there exist some shortcomings: (1) Risk degrees of the unlabeled samples are in advance defined by analyzing prediction differences between Supervised Learning (SL) and SSL; (2) Negative impacts of labeled samples on learning performance are not investigated. Therefore, it is essential to design a novel method to adaptively estimate importance and risk of both unlabeled and labeled samples. For this purpose, we present $ \ell_{1} $-norm based S3L which can simultaneously reach the safe exploitation of the labeled and unlabeled samples in this paper. In order to solve the proposed ptimization problem, we utilize an effective iterative approach. In each iteration, one can adaptively estimate the weights of both labeled and unlabeled samples. The weights can reflect the importance or risk of the labeled and unlabeled samples. Hence, the negative effects of the labeled and unlabeled samples are expected to be reduced. Experimental performance on different datasets verifies that the proposed S3L method can obtain comparable performance with the existing SL, SSL and S3L methods and achieve the expected goal.
Wind assisted propulsion systems and the role of a Ship Classification Society
Authors: Hollenbach U , Hoffmeister H , Wienke J
Published: September 2021

As an independent third-party consultant, DNV GL provides dedicated simulation studies on comparing the performance, reliability and economic impact of different sailing rig concepts in a high-level assessment. In more detailed studies a comparison of the reduction of green-house gases on different shipping routes throughout the year can be assessed.

Each newbuilding must fulfil mandatory EEDI limit values. What is almost unknown in the shipbuilding community is that wind propulsion systems can become a significant measure to fulfil future stricter limits. EEDI rules and regulations offer the possibility considering the effect of WAPS (Wind Assisted Propulsions Systems) in the EEDI calculation. The assumptions in the EEDI rule set regarding a global wind matrix with reference to the global shipping routes are explained and discussed.

DNV GL has traditionally been dealing with certification and engineering of sailing rigs and uses these synergies for offering certification and engineering services within the wind propulsion segment. Recently technical standards for wind assisted propulsion systems and a new additional class notation for the ships carrying such devices has been developed. These services and standards are presented in the third part of the paper.
The Moderating Effect of Family Management on R&D Productivity in Privately Held Firms
Authors: Martínez-Romero María J. , Martínez-Alonso Rubén , Casado-Belmonte M. Pilar , Rojo-Ramírez Alfonso A.
Published: September 2021

The aim of this chapter is to analyze the moderating effect of family management on the relationship between R&D inputs and R&D outcomes, that is, R&D productivity. Using a longitudinal sample of 337 Spanish privately held manufacturing firms, the results show that in general terms, although family managed firms invest less in R&D than their non-family managed counterparts, they reinforce the conversion of R&D inputs into R&D outcomes. Moreover, the findings reveal that the strengthening effect of family management on R&D productivity is contingent upon the level of R&D expenditures. Thus, this chapter contributes to shedding some light into the debate regarding innovation management in privately held family firms.
Sustainability Attitudes of Tourism Family Firms in Alpine Tourism Regions
Authors: Eller Robert , Glowka Gundula , Zehrer Anita , Peters Mike
Published: September 2021

Recognising opportunities and risks are central for every business to stay successful in the long-run and a mandatory capability to create realistic management strategies. Recent papers argue strategic planning is sustainable in the long run. However, little is known about the owner-managers' attitudes and perceptions of challenges and opportunities of family businesses. This research shows the results of a qualitative inquiry identifying attitudes on sustainability of owner-managers in tourism family firms. Furthermore, attitudes towards the three dimensions of sustainability are analysed. The results reveal an awareness of economic and social sustainability attitudes while the environmental dimension seems to be less prominent.
Strategic Behavior in Family Firms
Authors: Barros Ismael , Hernangómez Juan , Cruz Natalia Martín
Published: September 2021

Previous research emphasizes that the participation of the family in business operations is the source of resources and capabilities that conditions the strategic behavior of the family firm. This influence has been recognized as “familiness.” However, this definition is contextualized from static reasoning that ignores the effect of family dynamics on the behavior and value generation of the family-owned business. Prior literature has recognized that the family influence has a dynamic character based on the idiosyncratic process of knowledge management that manifests itself in the company, dynamic familiness. This family capability is shaped by family organizational routines through the family influence and aims to increase its knowledge portfolios for the strategic use of its resources. This chapter addresses the relationship between family influence and the process of learning and knowledge management. The analysis of this relationship allows assessing how family influence can promote the generation of family organizational routines based on knowledge management processes.
Family Firm Competitiveness and Organizational Ambidexterity
Authors: Boronat-Navarro Montserrat , García-Joerger Alexandra
Published: September 2021

Long-term survival is one of the main goals of family business. Nevertheless, very few firms survive to the third generation. The concept of organizational ambidexterity could add insights into the explanation of family firm (FF) survival. In the literature, organizational ambidexterity is defined as the capability to explore new knowledge, processes, and opportunities while exploiting current ones to achieve a greater competitive advantage and ensure the survival of the firm. The aim of this chapter is to review the literature that analyzes relationships between FF specificities and organizational ambidexterity to propose a framework of the antecedents of ambidexterity in this context. This could be a useful tool to better identify FF specificities that will support long-term survival through their influence on organizational ambidexterity.
Implementing Cloud Information Systems for Organizational Agility and Competitive Advantage
Authors: Janamian Kamran
Published: September 2021

In today's competitive business environment, information systems are not a luxury; rather they are vital for survival. A new generation of ISs has been established on cloud capabilities. Moving toward software as a service is not the goal in a business, and if not implemented properly, competitive advantage may even suffer. Managers and change agents should undertake deep study over SaaS implementation before migration. In this chapter, the main elements and features in which CEOs and IT managers should consider in evaluating the SaaS migration option will be provided, and enterprises may be acquainted with the concept, goals, and theoretical foundations of SaaS as a main cloud-based service in the business environment. On the other hand, businesses should undertake some necessary changes in the operating circumstances which are utilization of a proper and modified business models established over a knowledge base strategic movement. This will lead enterprises to achieve the main goals of migrating to SaaS and cloud platforms (i.e., agility, competitive advantage, and innovation).
From Business Intelligence to Data Science
Authors: Miori Virginia M. , Yi John , Malhotra Rashmi , Klimberg Ronald K.
Published: September 2021

The use of information technology and decision support concepts at the operational business level were slow to take hold in the 20th century. In 2010, the authors documented the evolution and current state of the field of business intelligence and analytics (BIA). In the last decade, however, through the resurgence and mainstream use of artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, the development of inexpensive cloud-based mass storage, and the internet-of-things, business intelligence has evolved into data science. In this chapter, the authors trace this evolution across the diverse areas of data science and identify extremely useful advancements and best practices in the field.
Assistive Technologies for Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Goosen Leila
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this chapter is to provide readers with an overview of the latest research on assistive technologies, especially as related to children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). While introducing and describing the general perspective of the chapter as specifically focusing on objectives in terms of children and adolescents with ASDs, background that summarizes the content of this chapter as also consisting of significant results with regard to young and older adults as well as references to other connected conditions will be included. Issues, problems, and challenges in this regard are presented, together with possible solutions and recommendations, future research directions, and concluding remarks.
Assistive Technology for Promoting the Independence and the Quality of Life in Persons With Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Ciarmoli Donatella
Published: September 2021

Persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) may present a loss of cognitive functioning, memory impairments, communication difficulties, obstacles to perform daily activities, disorientation, and challenging behaviours. Currently, there is no cure for AD. However, there are valid treatments to alleviate AD-related symptoms and to reduce the burden on carers; for example, the effectiveness of the use of assistive technology (AT) has been seen. The aim was to provide, in this chapter, an overview of the newest empirical evidences available on the use of AT-based programs to improve the independence and the quality of life of patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. A selective literature review was carried out considering Alzheimer's, assistive technologies, dementia, quality of life, and caregivers. Empirical data demonstrated the effectiveness and the suitability of the AT interventions allowing participants to improve their quality of life, as well as to mitigate the mental and physical burden of their caregivers.
Recovering Higher Education During and After the Pandemic
Authors: Kose Huri B. , Kalanee Isha , Yildirim Yetkin
Published: September 2021

This chapter discusses the economic, academic, and socioemotional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income students and the institutes of higher education that serve them. Income-based inequities among students have been amplified significantly by the economic recession and the shift to remote learning. This chapter examines the federal and state-level plans that aim to address these inequities by providing/redistributing aid to universities. Additionally, updated pedagogies that are attuned to the needs of remote/hybrid learning are proposed, since keeping student motivation (and graduation rates) high will be a priority for universities as they recover from this pandemic. Universities must therefore provide their students with the sufficient monetary, academic, and emotional support needed to ensure both their students' and their own success.
Redefining the Meaning of Learning
Authors: Andriamiarisoa Miary
Published: September 2021

An examination of the educational system during the last decade reveals that changes have gradually permeated all aspects of teaching and learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the pace of change, affecting all areas of teaching and learning through most of the 2020 school year and beyond. A digital learning modality quadrant is presented to provide educators and enterprises with a tool to determine the most optimal modality that meets the need of the curriculum as well as learners. Also, this chapter introduces the quadrantal teaching and learning framework (QTLF) designed to assist in redefining the meaning of learning and, by extension, reshaping the future of learning. It outlines four areas of the educational system that must change: how we teach, how we learn, what we teach, and what we learn. This chapter endeavors to address the challenges related to these four areas and proposes strategies that could be used to prepare educational institutions to operate within a redefined meaning of learning.
Authentic Assessment in Online Higher Education
Authors: Tkatchov Mary A. , Ervin Dan
Published: September 2021

Among the increasing pressures on today's higher education providers are the call from employers for improved preparedness of graduates for entering the workforce and the expectation from students that their learning be personalized and targeted toward their unique professional goals. Authentic performance assessment is proposed as an opportunity for higher education to collaborate with industry and create targeted and personalized skills-based performance assessment for adult learners as a means for closing the skills gap between school and work. This chapter provides in-depth descriptions of the characteristics of authentic performance assessment and steps and strategies for creating them.
Examining Assessment Tools and Procedures for Work-Based Learning in Pandemic Times
Authors: Hondonga Jerald , Chinengundu Tawanda , Maphosa Phyllis Kudzai
Published: September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the continuity to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) training activities and assessment thereby affecting and/or threatening the completions dates for many learners. Several institutions must revisit their assessment methods and tools for work-based learning during such pandemics. This study investigated the innovative assessment methods adopted by private TVET institutions to assess work-based learning during the pandemic. A quantitative research design was used to gather data using online questionnaires. Online questionnaires were used to effect social distancing and getting instant feedback. Purposive sampling was used to select research participants amongst TVET lecturers and attachment coordinators in private TVET colleges. Descriptive statistics were used to present research results using quantitative analysis and descriptions for clarifications. Findings indicated that assessment of practical skills virtually remains a challenge, and most of the institutions kept on using their old ways of assessing.
Mentoring in an Online Environment
Authors: Moodian Margaret
Published: September 2021

This chapter aims to illustrate how online mentorship can be as effective or even more effective as in-person mentorship. Individuals have been mentored online for years; however, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become more popular out of necessity. Mentorship can happen in any number of settings. The focus for this chapter will be on different areas that foster mentor/protégé relationships. These include competency-based education programs, doctoral studies, instructional design, adjunct and fulltime faculty, and nonprofit leadership.
Rolling With the Flow
Authors: McCleskey Jim A. , Melton Rebecca M.
Published: September 2021

COVID-19 created a paradigm shift in higher education (HE), speeding up a process that was already underway and forcing institutions and instructors to develop the competencies necessary to offer effective delivery and resources online. Student reflections on Spring 2020 suggested that institutions were not always successful in their transitions. Students saw gaps in crucial areas, including online instructor presence, social presence for instructors and peers, and instructor immediacy. The purpose of this chapter is to propose best practices for instructional practice and technology in the online virtual education space to increase student engagement, instructor immediacy, and online social presence. HE institutions must embrace or enhance a variety of techniques that will improve the student experience. HE continues its shift toward cutting-edge technology to scale, streamline, and improve student engagement and interaction while creating new ways of establishing instructor presence and immediacy.
Equity Pedagogies for Inclusive Online Classrooms in Higher Education
Authors: Santos Ieda M. , Wu Wenli
Published: September 2021

Online learning continues to grow and is increasing including more diverse students. Diverse students with various backgrounds and experiences challenge educators to implement pedagogies to achieve equitable learning experiences and outcomes. This chapter aims to discuss four equity pedagogies commonly referred to in the literature that can contribute to democratic and inclusive learning experiences for all students. The chapter's four strategies include pedagogic voice, universal design for learning, equitable assessment, and collaborative learning. Although these strategies were discussed separately, the universal design for learning framework can incorporate both the pedagogic voice, equitable assessments, and collaborative learning while considering their unique perspectives. If well-designed and implemented, these strategies can help all students to receive fair education and prepare them to succeed in a changing world and become agents for social change. The chapter includes recommendations for practice and future research.
Adopting Complexity Leadership in University Research and Innovation Management
Authors: Caro González Antonia , Anabo Icy Fresno , Ferreira-Lopes Silva Luana
Published: September 2021

The aim of this chapter is to provide an alternative perspective to managing universities' capacities for change through the lens of complexity leadership, more specifically in the realm of research management. It does so by developing and proposing a leadership framework underpinned by three dimensions: complexity leadership principle statements applicable to the university setting; the attributes, roles, and leadership functions of university agents to best support the needs of a complex context and organization; and general guidelines on how to activate the change process towards more collaborative, responsible, and sustainable research actions. The chapter's intended contributions are two-fold: to contribute to the growing yet underexplored literature on complex leadership in managing change in the university setting and to propose an actionable framework that can boost the contributions and sustainability of higher education institutions.
Assessing the International Student Enrolment Strategies in Australian Universities
Authors: Kwee Ching Ting Tany
Published: September 2021

Travel restrictions in the COVID-19 pandemic cause a significant drop in international student enrolment. To cope with such drastic change, this study aims to assess the international student enrolment strategies in Australian universities during the pandemic. Using the critical theory as a theoretical framework, this case study first probed into the problems of the current international student enrolment strategies by taking power and discourses into consideration. The problems identified include the marginalisation of international students and hindrance in their empowerment. Then, this study proposed some future directions for international student enrolment in relation to international students' concerns and needs, alongside migration policies and workforce demands. The future directions include increasing their chances to be academically competitive and equip them to prepare for their future career. The findings can be useful for university management to devise better strategies to recruit and retain international students in the post-pandemic era.
Educational Strategy in Digital Health Literacy
Authors: Esteves Sandra Cristina Laia , Lopes Ana Sofia Lourenço
Published: September 2021

The acquisition of health literacy levels is preponderant in enabling citizens to access, understand, and use health-related information in a more conscious and responsible way in making health decisions. The ACP model—assertiveness, clarity, and positivity—has revealed numerous positive results in health, an excellent contribution to health literacy, as it favors the acquisition of communication skills and therapeutic relationship between health professionals and patients. The use of pedagogical audiovisual techniques (PAT) is one of the best educational strategies in health and facilitates digital dissemination. This project aimed to raise the awareness of health professionals, through the PAT. As a methodology, the authors follow a literature review and the functional, interactive, and critical literacy model. They applied this PAT to health professionals, associated with a knowledge monitoring instrument. The use of the ACP model promotes an improvement in the quality of care provided and, in turn, resulting positive results in health.
Three Essential Elements to Demystify Prejudice and Promote Literacy in Mental Health
Authors: Fragoeiro Isabel Maria Abreu Rodrigues
Published: September 2021

The text is based on the scientific research carried out by the author during the many years that she has tried to follow the evolution of mental health at an international level, in Portugal and in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. It is based on the knowledge deepened through critical reflection carried out throughout the training and professional processes in which it has participated. The performance as a professor at the University of Madeira-Health Higher School, the real experience as a provider of specialized nursing care in mental and psychiatric health to population groups living in different communities, the various intervention contexts in which mental healthcare is available, the different circumstances of health and illness observed in people who experience transactional and adaptive processes at various stages of the life cycle are real contributions that have been constituted as a source of essential material for a critical and constructive look at one of the great challenges that health and mental health services and their professionals face in today's societies.
Importance of Medication Reconciliation as a Strategy for Health Literacy
Authors: Feliz José Manuel , Barroca Marta
Published: September 2021

Health literacy depends on communication skills of health professionals. Assertiveness, clarity, and positivity (ACP) are a communication model/technique very useful to improve the patient-health professional relationship, adherence to treatment, health literacy, and quality of life. This model can be used in medication reconciliation (MR) – the identification of the most precise list of medication that a patient has been taking and should take, which requires a multidisciplinary participation and a better communication between health professionals and between them and the patient. When the guidance from healthcare professionals is clear and effective, patients and caregivers are more compliant to the recommended drug regimen, resulting in better health outcomes.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality as Promoters of Better Health Literacy
Authors: Malheiros Ofelia
Published: September 2021

The present study aims to give insights on how to support patient literacy using AR/VR online solutions and effective communication. The future of healthcare is previewed to be human-centric and use a personalised approach to patient treatment. The study confirms AR/VR patient usage is an emerging topic, when compared with other AR/VR health applications. The analysed solutions which had online information were overall mature and accomplished communication to public. The AR/VR solutions intrinsically help in having a clearer communication; they support assertiveness and positivity and can be a literacy promoter. It is recommended to increase AR/VR patient usage and communication, to promote public/patient knowledge and adoption, with advantages to the patient literacy and healthcare system. The solution usage is relevant to educate public/patients and empower self-care. With correct adoption and scale, it can be an enabler to help reduce pressure in healthcare systems.
Autism and Health Literacy in the Context of Angola
Authors: Filipe Beatriz
Published: September 2021

This chapter presents an approach to the scientific concepts on autism, diagnosis, and treatment criteria, as well as the assessment of knowledge on this subject and its relationship with the level of health literacy in the context of Angolan society. To substantiate the importance of health literacy, dimensions of access, understanding and use of health information, and decision making, an observational case study related to a research carried out in 2012 for the tracking of signs of autism is explored. The sample consisted of a group of 200 mothers of children and adolescents who were initially diagnosed with intellectual disabilities. This sample, for convenience, was selected from students who had previously been diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and attended a public school located in the municipality of Rangel, in the Province of Luanda, capital of Angola. The current stigma still exists about the disease.
Cognitive Brain Tumour Segmentation Using Varying Window Architecture of Cascade Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Chandrakar Mukesh Kumar , Mishra Anup
Published: September 2021

Brain tumour segmentation is a growing research area in cognitive science and brain computing that helps the clinicians to plan the treatment as per the severity of the tumour cells or region. Accurate brain tumor detection requires measuring the volume, shape, boundaries, and other features. Deep learning is used to measure the characteristics without human intervention. The proper parameter setting and evaluation play a major role. Keeping this in mind, this paper focuses on varying window cascade architecture of convolutional neural network for brain tumour segmentation. The cognitive brain tumour computing is associated with the model using cognition concept for training data. The mixing of training data of different types of tumour images is applied to the model that ensures effective training. The feature space and training model improve the performance. The proposed architecture results in improvement in dice similarity, specificity, and sensitivity. The approach with improved performance is also compared with the existing approaches on the same dataset.
Place Selection of Sectionalizing Units in 0.38 kV Power Networks
Authors: Vinogradova Alina , Vinogradov Alexander , Vasilyev Alexey N. , Dorokhov Alexey , Bolshev Vadim , Psaryov Alexander
Published: September 2021

In the paper there is the developed methodology for selecting the installation places and number of sectionalizing units which allows solving the problem according to the criterion of providing the necessary sensitivity of the protective devices installed on the line input. The obtained expression allows calculating the maximum distance to the installation place of a sectionalizing unit. It also allows determining the need to install a sectionalizing unit in a power line. If a sectionalizing unit is installed to protect an outgoing line, the technique can also be used taking into account the adjustment of the original calculated data. The developed methodology for determining the installation place of a sectionalizing unit can be used for other purposes. For example, it allows selecting the cross section of power lines in terms of the protection sensitivity when designing power lines or when reconstructing them.
Time Series Geographic Social Network Dynamic Preference Group Query
Authors: Zhou Yinglian , Chen Jifeng
Published: September 2021

Driven by experience and social impact of the new life, user preferences continue to change over time. In order to make up for the shortcomings of existing geographic social network models that often cannot obtain user dynamic preferences, a time-series geographic social network model was constructed to detect user dynamic preferences, a dynamic preference value model was built for user dynamic preference evaluation, and a dynamic preferences group query (DPG) was proposed in this paper . In order to optimize the efficiency of the DPG query algorithm, the UTC-tree index user timing check-in record is designed. UTC-tree avoids traversing all user check-in records in the query, accelerating user dynamic preference evaluation. Finally, the DPG query algorithm is used to implement a well-interacted DPG query system. Through a large number of comparative experiments, the validity of UTC-tree and the scalability of DPG query are verified.
Evaluating the Effects of Facilitating Conditions and Usage Experience on Mobile Payment
Authors: Tsai Ling Long
Published: September 2021

The following research attempts to investigate the determinants influencing consumers' intention to adopt mobile payment (MP). The research model was adapted based on three constructs from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions in the research model. In addition, usage experience was also added to the model to test for moderating effect. An online survey conducted through Taiwanese chat rooms resulted in 348 valid responses, which were analyzed using Smart PLS. Results indicated that (1) effort expectancy, performance expectancy, and facilitating conditions were three major factors influencing intention to use mobile payment; (2) facilitating conditions played a significant role in impacting effort expectancy and performance expectancy; (3) usage experience positively moderated the relationship between facilitating conditions and performance expectancy; and (4) usage experience also positively moderated the relationship between facilitating conditions and effort expectancy.
Experiential Cyber Education
Authors: Glantz Edward J. , Nasereddin Mahdi , Fusco David J. , Kachmar Devin
Published: September 2021

There is a gap between available cyber professionals with necessary skills and experience to meet industry requirements. Institutions of higher education (IHE)—as well as other programs—have begun increasing course and degree offerings to help educate, train, and even retrain working professionals to close this gap. Of growing importance are tools and techniques to supplement theoretical development with accelerated experiential cyber training. Fortunately, there has been an increase in providers offering these services, although they vary substantially in features, costs, and opportunities. The purpose of this research is to identify a current spectrum of vendors and opportunities providing hands-on cyber training. The authors of this paper include cyber faculty at a university offering undergraduate and master's cybersecurity degrees. Both degrees are offered to resident as well as online students.
Extending the UTAUT Model to Study the Acceptance Behavior of MOOCs by University Students and the Moderating Roles of Free Time Management and Leisure-Study Conflict
Authors: Chu Jinhua , Dai You-Yu
Published: September 2021

Much research has focused on massive open online courses (MOOCs) but little of it has focused on university students in China who can only participate in MOOCs in their free time. To address this gap, this research adopted unified theories of acceptance and a usage of technology model, and added three new moderating variables, which are the network learning channel of MOOC, free time management, and leisure-study conflict. Seven hundred seventy-one valid questionnaires were collected from 11 universities in China. LISREL and AMOS were used to conduct confirmatory factor analysis, model fit analysis, and path coefficients analysis and to analyze the moderating roles of the three moderating factors. Most hypotheses concerning the three moderating variables were valid, indicating that the three moderating variables did exhibit some moderating effects. Some suggestions are put forward for regulating and promoting the development of MOOCs from the perspectives of government, universities, and developers of network learning platforms.
Using Actor Network Theory to Understand ICT Integration in Secondary Schools
Authors: Ginger Lucia , Govender Irene
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study is to understand the effective implementation and use of technology in secondary schools in Mozambique, a developing country. Actor network theory (ANT) was used as a lens to understand technology integration in the education system as a package, in which the mutual dependence between the social and technical is highlighted. Maputo province in Mozambique was chosen as the site for this research. Both qualitative and quantitative data approaches were employed. The findings revealed that technology implementation in secondary schools is a dynamic process which is impacted either positively or negatively by the surrounding contextual situation. The study emphasizes that the role of non-human actors such as the ICT curriculum guide, the time-table and the schools' basic infrastructure, and its relationship with human actors, such as the heads of schools, teachers, and students, is gradually shaped by technology and its related network entities.
Antecedents of Dynamic Capabilities and IT-Dependent Initiatives in the Context of Digital Data
Authors: Mola Lapo , Vitari Claudio , Raguseo Elisabetta , Rossignoli Cacilia
Published: September 2021

Firms automatically and continuously capture a high amount of digital data (DD) through social media, RFID tags, clickstreams, manufacturing sensors. However, empirical evidence on the effects of the generation of such digital data on firms remains scarce. Therefore, this paper examines the antecedents of companies' ability to leverage DD, which the authors refer to as DD dynamic capability and DD initiatives, and investigates whether this ability directly leads to better data accessibility. They empirically test the hypotheses, and they find that the antecedents have specific influences on both DD initiatives and DD capability, such that all the antecedents support the initiatives; however, only organizational processes strengthen DD capability. Furthermore, DD initiatives and DD capability improve the accessibility of DD. The results show that organizational processes of sensing, coordination, integration, and learning emerged as the most important sources of DCs. By contrast, the firm's assets and history played only a marginal, supporting role.
Users' In-Game Purchase Intention
Authors: Goli Mahendar , Vemuri Vishnu Vandana
Published: September 2021

During the recent times, the majority of the mobile game revenue comes from in-game features/products. In the recent past, many studies were conducted to study the factors affecting mobile game adoption. However, research on the factors driving purchase of virtual goods during mobile gaming is scarce. This study with the foundation on flow theory and theory of consumption values aimed at studying the interrelationships among the constructs to know the mobile game users' in-game purchase intention. A 10-factor research model was developed and tested empirically. For this, data were obtained from 367 high school and college students. Structural equation modelling with the aid of AMOS software was used to analyse the data. Users' gaming flow experience and satisfaction were found to exert a positive effect on intention to buy mobile in-game items. In addition, the study offers academic and practical implications of the variables affecting the decision-making behaviour of mobile gamers. Further avenues applicable for future research were also discussed in the concluding literature.