bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Algorithm of Wireless Sensor Monitoring System
Authors: Hongri Li
Published: January 2018

In order to realize more intelligent storage monitoring system, the information fusion model of wireless sensor network for storage environment monitoring is studied on the basis of analyzing information fusion technology. By analyzing the structure of storage monitoring system based on wireless sensor network, a two-layer information fusion method is established. The information fusion of homogeneous sensor based on adaptive weighting and the fusion method of heterogeneous sensor based on radial basis function neural network are designed and verified. The experimental results show that the design method can fuse the storage environment information and realize the accurate identification of the environmental state. Therefore, the algorithm can effectively improve the speed of network training, and the classification effect is good. To a certain extent, it can help enterprises to establish a safe and efficient storage system, to enhance the efficiency of enterprise warehousing operations.
An Optimal Method to Design Wireless Sensor Network Structures
Authors: Ling Yang , Xucan Cai , Chunlin Wu
Published: January 2018

In order to optimize the structure of wireless sensor network, an improved wireless sensor network sleep mechanism is proposed. First, some nodes in the area with too high redundancy are dormant by density control, so that the active nodes are even more distributed. Then, the active node is subjected to circular coverage redundancy decision. Different circumferential coverage decision methods are used for network boundary nodes and non-boundary nodes. As a result, the boundary nodes and non-boundary nodes are well dormant, and the network redundancy is reduced. The simulation results show that the improved dormancy mechanism makes the number of active nodes in the network smaller and more evenly, and the network lifetime is extended on the basis of maintaining the original coverage of the network. Therefore, the proposed method can achieve optimal coverage in wireless sensor networks. The network prolongs network lifetime while ensuring reliable monitoring performance.
Fieldwork in Developing Countries
Authors: Vaughn Michelle , Swanson Karen Weller
Published: January 2018

Twenty-first century teachers can become more culturally competent through thoughtfully planned opportunities designed to develop global perspectives. Cultural competence can be cultivated through service-learning experiences such as study abroad, thus maximizing pre-service teachers' global preparation and future success within diverse classrooms. In this chapter, the authors discuss preparing undergraduate and graduate students for fieldwork in Liberia, South Africa, and Belize. The purpose of trips to developing countries is to teach and serve but also requires planning that acknowledges issues experienced by pre-service teachers such as anxiety and low efficacy. Upon completion of the Mercer on Mission trips, several pre-service teachers expressed their views about the usefulness of the preparation activities, which are explored within student narratives. Ultimately, the goal of the service-learning program is to support the completion of fieldwork requirements in exceptional contexts while adequately preparing students to be effective across a variety of diverse settings and activities.
Active Assistive Orthotic System
Authors: Veneva Ivanka Petkova , Chakarov Dimitar , Tsveov Mihail , Trifonov Dimitar Stefanov , Zlatanov Evgeni , Venev Pavel
Published: January 2018

Active orthosis (exoskeleton) is an assistive device with a wearable structure, corresponding to the natural motions of the human. This chapter focuses on developing an active/assistive orthosis system (AOS) enhancing movement. The AOS design is inspired by the biological musculoskeletal system of human upper and lower limbs and mimics the muscle-tendon-ligament structure. The exoskeleton structure includes left and right upper limb, left and right lower limb, and central exoskeleton structure for human torso and waist and provides support, balance, and control of different segments of the body. The device was fabricated with light materials and powered by pneumatic artificial muscles that provide more than fifteen degrees of freedom for the different joints. The active orthotic systems (AOS) can operate in three modes: motion tracking system with data exchange with virtual reality; haptic and rehabilitation device; and assistive mode with active orthosis in cases of impaired muscles.
Review of Friction and Surface Properties of Snakeskin
Authors: Abdel-Aal Hisham A.
Published: January 2018

Locomotion is an essential activity in the biological world. Friction affects the energy invested in motion. Natural systems tend to conserve energy. As such, it is necessary to mitigate the effects of friction. There are many intriguing examples of creatures where dynamics of motion and surface geometry (macro and micro) combine to optimize the tribological profile. One example is that of snakes. In snakes, texturing geometries and topologies specifically contribute to frictional mitigation in a variety of situations. Snakes are found everywhere on earth. Their diverse habitat presents a broad range of tribological environments. This requires customized surface design features that potentially can inspire deterministic solutions for many technical problems. Therefore, they have attracted attention lately. Many, from surface engineering to robotics, have started to study their tribological response and frictional characteristics. This chapter attempts to review the major findings about the tribology of the legless reptiles obtained through the last two decades.
Discrimination of Dual-Arm Motions Using a Joint Posterior Probability Neural Network for Human-Robot Interfaces
Authors: Shibanoki Taro , Tsuji Toshio
Published: January 2018

This chapter describes a novel dual-arm motion discrimination method that combines posterior probabilities estimated independently for left and right arm movements, and its application to control a robotic manipulator. The proposed method estimates the posterior probability of each single-arm motion through learning using recurrent probabilistic neural networks. The posterior probabilities output from the networks are then combined based on motion dependency between arms, making it possible to calculate a joint posterior probability of dual-arm motions. With this method, all the dual-arm motions consisting of each single-arm motion can be discriminated through leaning of single-arm motions only. In the experiments performed, the proposed method was applied to the discrimination of up to 50 dual-arm motions. The results showed that the method enables relatively high discrimination performance. In addition, the possibility of applying the proposed method for a human-robot interface was confirmed through operation experiments for the robotic manipulator using dual-arm motions.
Analyzing the Goal-Finding Process of Human Learning With the Reflection Subtask
Authors: Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Tamai Yuki , Takadama Keiki
Published: January 2018

This chapter reports the authors' experimental results on analyzing the human goal-finding process in continuous learning. The objective of this research is to make clear the mechanism of continuous learning. To fill in the missing piece of reinforcement learning framework for the learning robot, the authors focus on two human mental learning processes, awareness as pre-learning process and reflection as post-learning process. To observe mental learning processes of a human, the authors propose a new method for visualizing them by the reflection subtask for human to be aware of the goal-finding process in continuous learning with invisible mazes. The two-layered task is introduced. The first layer is the main task of continuous learning designing the environmental mastery task to accomplish the goal for any environment. The second layer is the reflection subtask to make clear the goal-finding process in continuous learning. The reflection cost is evaluated to analyze it.
Developing Competencies for Global Engagement
Authors: Smith Terry K.
Published: January 2018

This case study tells the story of a teacher who developed and integrated global projects in an elementary classroom, established connections with other teachers around the world, and worked with a university initiative to partner with a school in Taiwan. Going beyond connecting on the internet, this case study shows how leveraging a global project relationship led to international travel experiences for a group of elementary students from a low-socioeconomic environment. Experiences within the Taiwanese culture and student reactions to those experiences are provided. Educators are invited to use the processes, ideas, and methods from this case study to begin their own journey into global education.
Using Personal Life Experiences and Global Competencies to Build an Orphanage for Abandoned Children
Authors: Shinsky John
Published: January 2018

This case study tells the personal story of how an American orphan's life experiences and passion to give back led to the building of an orphanage in Mexico for abandoned children. As we expand international collaboration as part of humanitarian efforts, global competencies can provide a framework for deeper understanding of the issues we are addressing, an awareness and sensitivity to different cultures, and mutual respect for different opinions. The work done in Mexico demonstrates that, working together, we can make a difference in the lives of children who come from deplorable living conditions.
Developing Cultural Competencies in the Conflict Zone
Authors: Crawford Angela , Witko Kristine
Published: January 2018

This case study explores global competencies developed by two teachers, one near the end of her career and another at the beginning, as they found themselves drawn to volunteer in one of the most notorious favelas in Latin America. Both teachers were motivated by the drive to seek new perspectives about teaching and poverty and both would come home from the experience with greater personal humility. Yet, the personal impact of the experience was not sufficient for either. Thus, two teachers joined forces and took collaborative action to transform a voluntourism company into a non-profit educational organization. Engaging in a process of inquiry helped them to translate their ideas into responsible actions, thereby helping—in their own small way—to fill the need for quality educational services in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Two stories became one mission to provide children greater access to a head start in school and a future filled with opportunities.
What Constitutes Help?
Authors: Roberts Ann Mary
Published: January 2018

This case study is an account of how pre-service teachers in a study abroad context framed and examined the question of appropriate response to individuals, communities, and institutions with perceived needs. The authors' students worked for four weeks in a rural school in Malawi where they tried to help the students and community. During their experiences, the participants faced their limitations, cultural biases, and personal “filters.” Hard questions such as “Are we really helping at all?” arose. Key global competencies proved critical as they shifted their perspectives in order to understand their experiences and respond respectfully in the context of the Malawian culture.
The Place of Ubuntu in Global Education
Authors: Mukuni Joseph , Tlou Josiah
Published: January 2018

Global competencies can be promoted only if people from different cultures share their knowledge systems and traditional conceptual frameworks with the rest of the world. It is in this context that the authors propose that global education can benefit from ubuntu, Africa's indigenous philosophy of being. This case study highlights, among other things, how ubuntu aligns with the global competencies articulated in the Global Competence Matrix.
Sustainable Digitization of Cultural Heritage Through CSR
Authors: Esposito Paolo , Ricci Paolo
Published: January 2018

The enhancement of artistic and cultural heritage has been a recurrent theme in the scientific and cultural debate. It has also been in the political agenda of many countries over the past few decades. This chapter aims at highlighting the complex relationship existing between digitization aimed at improving the management and enjoyment of museums' cultural heritage. In essence, the research question (RQ) is as follows: Is the digitization of museums only an economic activity or is it rather a new form through which social responsibility can materialize? Keywords: CSR, Virtual, musealization, digital, Heritage, accountability
Effect of Corporate Cultural Responsibility on a Company's Financial Performance and Brand Image
Authors: Bayraktar Azra , Cömert Cagla Ersen
Published: January 2018

This chapter examines the concept of institutional cultural responsibility and the effect of corporate cultural responsibility on financial performance and brand image within the framework of the corporate cultural responsibility project implemented by a Turkish petroleum company. This company has been working on several CSR projects for more than 20 years. With these projects, they won the Lovemark award from the Ipsos research company for the third time. The projects helped the company to increase its market share and its brand loyalty among customers. This research focuses on the CSR project in which the company rehabilitated the Gallipoli War areas from 1915.
Assessments of Urban Soundscapes
Authors: Hong Joo Young , Lee Pyoung Jik , Jeon Jin Yong
Published: January 2018

Soundscape refers to the acoustic environment perceived by humans within a given context. This chapter introduces the assessment of urban soundscapes based on recent research conducted in Seoul, South Korea. This chapter begins by describing soundscape data collection and analysis. A participatory soundwalk approach concentrating on the experiences and impressions of each participant is discussed. The conceptual models for soundscapes that are developed from social surveys are also examined. These approaches are used to collect and analyze the soundscape components of an environment. The chapter then discusses soundscape design with natural sounds under laboratory conditions. Various natural sounds such as water sounds are introduced in order to enhance soundscapes and to clarify their acoustical characteristics. This discussion is followed by an examination of the interrelationship between audio-visual components, specifically highlighting the soundscape design of urban streets. Finally, this chapter considers soundscape maps as well as the spatial relationship among soundscape variables.
Non-Participant Observation Methods for Soundscape Design and Urban Planning
Authors: Lavia Lisa , Witchel Harry J. , Aletta Francesco , Steffens Jochen , Fiebig André , Kang Jian , Howes Christine , Healey Patrick G. T.
Published: January 2018

More accurate non-participatory parameters and psychoacoustics to assess human perceptual responses to the acoustic environment are critical to inform effective urban sound planning and applied soundscape practice. Non-participatory observation methods are widely used by experts to capture animal behavior. In 2012, Lavia and Witchel applied these principles and methodologies for the first time to capturing and assessing human behavior “in the wild” to changes to the acoustic environment using added sound and music interventions in a clubbing district. Subsequent work was conducted with Aletta and Kang and Healey, Howes, Steffens, and Fiebig to begin characterizing the acoustic environment and human responses to align the perceptual and physical findings. Here, the authors report on new work and analysis and propose a preliminary predictive agile applied soundscape framework using non-participatory observation methods and psychoacoustics to be used with environmental assessment practice and evolving urban soundscape planning methods by researchers, practitioners, and policy makers.
Identification, Prioritization, and Assessment of Urban Quiet Areas
Authors: Tsaligopoulos Aggelos , Economou Chris , Matsinos Yiannis G.
Published: January 2018

Urban growth retains a bipolar dissension regarding quality of life as it is both deleterious and beneficial for urban dwellers. Environmental noise could be considered a byproduct of growth, and according to numerus studies, it should not be ignored. The small urban setting of Mytilene located in the island of Lesvos (North Aegean, Greece) was the case study of this research. By implementing a novel protocol, the potential Quiet Areas of Mytilene were highlighted. The methodology consisted of noise measurements, soundscape recordings, and strategic noise mapping using the CadnaA noise prediction software. Furthermore, several soundwalks were conducted with the scope to obtain the citizen perspective regarding Quiet Area management. The way that city inhabitants perceive their acoustic surroundings could determine the character of the landscape along with the quality of the soundscape and define the meaning of quietness, which still remains vague.
Changing Perception Through Performance Art
Authors: Cruz Pablo Berzal
Published: January 2018

Interest in the study of the senses and performance has been increasing in the last decades in the disciplines of Anthropology and Social Sciences. Architecture has slowly been integrating the senses as part of the analysis, and only more recently, the performance. This chapter analyzes the artistic experience denominated Thermopolis, which took place in Athens in 2012, and used performance and perception as key work tools. The aforementioned analysis is aimed to find references that serve the study of the space and also for future architectural designs.
Attention Perception and Social Cognition
Authors: Nisha Bobby
Published: January 2018

Perception is the basis of being human. It warrants everything we know and everything there is to be known. This chapter explores the perceptual system that leads to the exploration and interpretation of qualities of urban space. The chapter challenges the disciplinary tradition of regarding perception and cognition as being one and establishes that systems of perception and cognition play an equally important role to enable this construct of ‘place'. By means of an inter-disciplinary review and knowledge transfer, the chapter reimagines the dimension of perceptual simulation in urban design by constructing a process map to understand the complexity of the workflow from subjective perception to social cognition. The chapter further advocates the need for design to incorporate cognitive affordances to better shape physical reality. The process map and framework is intended as a reference for understanding sensory stimuli in urban design practice to aid efficacy and to reinstate the importance in recreating and bridging the physical and perceived realities.
Indicators of Environmental Comfort Sensitive to Human Perception
Authors: Garcia Igone , Herranz-Pascual Karmele , Aspuru Itziar , Gutierrez Laura , Acero Juan Angel , Santander Alvaro
Published: January 2018

This chapter introduces environmental experience as a theoretical framework that describes people's perceptions of urban places. Its aim is to describe indicators that quantify how people perceive urban environmental conditions and evaluate its level of comfort. Factors considered in the environmental comfort assessment are soundscape, thermal comfort, and natural light quality, and indicators that quantify these factors are presented and discussed. Projects are also described where environmental comfort assessments have been incorporated into urban design or management strategies. Lastly, examples are presented of ICT tools that facilitate participative observation of public places. The chapter concludes with suggestions to raise awareness of the importance of perception-driven approaches in urban assessment and design. Main conclusion is that there is a need to build consensus on the methods to address subjectivity and to exchange experiences showing the potential of these studies.
Introduction to SDN and NFV
Authors: Sahu Himanshu , Hungyo Misha
Published: January 2018

Software defined network (SDN) and Network function virtualization (NFV) are the two new networking paradigms changing the way traditional networks work. SDN works on the concept of centralization so that all the decisions related to controlling the networks is done in a centralized place in a centralized manner. To provide a centralized control, SDN decouples the control plane and data from the traditional routing devices to take it in the centralized position. The data plane is still intact with the routing devices, but they now become mere forwarding devices and the decisions are made at the centralized place called the controller. The controller is basically the x86 server that is connected to the forwarding devices and communicates with them for all control decisions such as routing. NFV is based on virtualization of network functions in the form of software running over a high end server. This kind of virtualization helps in easy setup of networks as well as easy migration.
SDN Controller
Authors: Sujitha S.  , Manikandan M. S. K.  , Ashwini G.
Published: January 2018

Designing and organizing networks has become extra innovative over the past few years with the assistance of SDN (software-defined networking). The software implements network protocols that undergo years of equivalence and interoperability testing. Software-defined networking (SDN) is a move toward computer networking that allows network administrators to programmatically initialize, manage, alter, and direct network behavior dynamically through open interfaces and abstraction of lower-level functionality. SDN controller is an application in software-defined networking (SDN) that manages run control to permit clever networking. SDN controllers are based on protocols, such as OpenFlow, that permit servers to inform switches where to send packets. This chapter explores SDN controllers.
SDN Practical Orientation
Authors: Pandey Lalit
Published: January 2018

This chapter is focused on SDN practical approach with Cisco controllers APIC, APIC-EM, and the application programming interfaces with real-world benefits and challenges. The chapter uses Cisco SDN way of managing, administering, maintaining, and implementing platforms using an external tool. This chapter will also discuss the controller API structures, management model of the controller, and using POSTMAN tool to push API requests and talk to the APIC controller. The chapter also discusses some of the important APIC EM applications like PnP, Easy QoS, IWAN, etc.
Simulation on SDN and NFV Models Through Mininet
Authors: Chithaluru Premkumar , Prakash Ravi
Published: January 2018

Mininet is a stage for working extensive systems on the assets of a finest single little framework or virtual machine. Mininet is made for initiating research in software-defined networking (SDN) and OpenFlow. Mininet permits executing predefined code intuitively on virtual equipment machine on a basic PC. Mininet gives an accommodation and authenticity at less cost. The auxiliary to Mininet is equipment test beds, which are quick and precise, yet extremely costly and shared. The other alternative is to utilize Mininet test system, which is low cost, yet some of the time moderate and requires code substitution. Mininet gives convenience, execution precision, and versatility.
Quality of Service in SDN Technology
Authors: Dumka Ankur
Published: January 2018

With the advancement in the requirement of data, the need for stringent quality of service guarantee is a demand of the current world, which brings the network programmers to design the network protocols that certify certain guaranteed performance in terms of service delivery. Here, focus is on the quality of service within the SDN network with its comparison and implementation using simulation. Types of quality of service are also discussed in this chapter with a focus on the ways of implementation of quality of service. The authors define a QoS management and orchestration architecture that allow them to manage the network in a modular manner. Performing the operation and results in such a network is shown as are the outputs for the same.
WSN Structure Based on SDN
Authors: Chithaluru Premkumar , Prakash Ravi , Srivastava Subodh
Published: January 2018

In this chapter, a general structure for a product-characterized remote sensor is arranged where the controller is actualized at the base station and the SDN-WSN system by talking about and breaking down. The execution and vitality utilization of SDN-WSN system is superior to other vitality-effective conventions.
Software-Defined Storage
Authors: Sahu Himanshu , Singh Ninni
Published: January 2018

SDS along with SDN and software-defined compute (SDC; where in computing is virtualized and software defined) creates software-defined infrastructure (SDI). SDI is the set of three components—SDN, SDS, and SDC—making a new kind of software-defined IT infrastructure where centralization and virtualization are the main focus. SDI is proposed to have infrastructure developed over commodity hardware and software stack defined over it. SDS is exploiting the same concept of decoupling and centralization in reference to storage solutions as in SDN. The SDN works on decoupling the control plane with the data plane from a layer, three switches, or router, and makes a centralized decision point called the controller. The SDS works in a similar way by moving the decision making from the storage hardware to a centralized server. It helps in developing new and existing storage solutions over the commodity storage devices. The centralization helps to create a better dynamic solution for satisfying the customized user need. The solutions are expected to be cheaper due to the use of commodity hardware.
Designing Transmedia Journalism Projects
Authors: Moloney Kevin
Published: January 2018

This chapter explores the design and execution of transmedia journalism projects to inform professional production and academic experimentation. It draws on the author's current project to illustrate real-world production planning. The chapter opens with a discussion of how design thinking and audience targeting apply to this task and contribute to project success. The chapter then elaborates the flow of decisions required for a thorough transmedia plan and finally presents the Refuge project as a design example. This pilot transmedia story network focuses on the single issue of refugees: those who migrate by force, either to escape suffering and deprivation or to build new, more hopeful lives elsewhere. It is the first in a networked series of similar projects that will explore the issues that polarize the electorate in the American West, from economic stratification to religious identity, environment, and gun ownership rights.
2016 Rio Summer Olympics and the Transmedia Journalism of Planned Events
Authors: Gambarato Renira Rampazzo , Alzamora Geane C. , Tárcia Lorena Peret Teixeira
Published: January 2018

The news coverage of the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in Brazil encompassed multiple media platforms and the flow of information in the intersection between mass media (especially television) and social media (especially Snapchat and Instagram). The 2016 Rio Olympics was the Games of Snapchat stories and filters along with Instagram stories for news coverage. This chapter aims to investigate how transmedia features are structured and implemented in the news coverage of the 2016 Olympics by the official Brazilian broadcaster, Globo Network. The theoretical framework focuses on transmedia journalism of planned events, and the methodology is based on the analytical model for transmedia news coverage of planned events developed by Gambarato and Tárcia (2017). The research findings indicate that the coverage presented systematic content expanded throughout various media platforms (a core characteristic of transmedia journalism) but involved limited mechanisms of audience engagement, particularly in terms of citizen participation.
Potential Mediations of Hashtags Within Transmedia Journalism
Authors: Bicalho Luciana Andrade Gomes
Published: January 2018

In the last few years, sociopolitical events have been marked by the presence of hashtags on social networks, creating a direct dialogue with street protests. This chapter aims to investigate how media activism movements appropriate hashtags to expand the narrative through social engagement. In this sense, hashtags appear as signic processes that perform a mediating function. They articulate common positioning that creates hybrid and transmedia storytelling using online and offline dynamics. From the theoretical-methodological support of semiotics by Charles Sanders Peirce and the principles of transmedia, this study analyzes the news production by the Brazilian media activism group Mídia Ninja [Ninja Media]. The results point to a transmedia journalism anchored to the social use of hashtags by the association of new signs to semiosis, generating provisional action habits from collateral experience.
The Transmedia Script for Nonfictional Narratives
Authors: Lovato Anahí
Published: January 2018

This chapter proposes a journey through an experience of transmedia journalism developed by the multimedia communication team at the National University of Rosario, Argentina, focusing on the transformation of the current media ecosystem, the characteristics assumed by transmedia storytelling in a nonfictional field, and the development of the transmedia script for the project Women for Sale, a transmedia documentary that addresses the trafficking of people for the purposes of sexual exploitation. The creation of a complex narrative universe and the definitions of stories, platforms, user experiences, and the execution of a transmedia project are analyzed in light of what has been learned in this experience of journalistic production.
Transmedia Television Journalism in Brazil
Authors: Fechine Yvana , Rêgo Sofia Costa
Published: January 2018

One of the main features of television is its appeal to transmediation—a production model oriented for the distribution of additional and/or associated content of a specific production in different media and technology platforms. In each field of television production (entertainment, journalism, advertising, etc.), transmediation takes various demonstrations and functions. The interest of the authors here is to show how transmedia strategies are part of the construction of the éthos in TV journalism, based on the analysis of Jornal da Record News, the first Brazilian newscast to be introduced as a transmedia production.
From Morphology to Morphogenesis
Authors: Voyatzaki Maria , Gourdoukis Dimitris
Published: January 2018

The chapter describes the principles behind that change and illustrates how it affects architectural education through examples of student design projects. This is through the description of how the shift from morphology to morphogenesis have marked a shift in the general understanding of form. Where morphology concerns itself with the syntax of predefined, archetypal architectural form, morphogenesis moves towards an understand of generative form production from the bottom up. That shift creates a new condition for the architect to operate in.
Digital Creativity
Authors: Symeonidou Ioanna
Published: January 2018

This chapter tackles the topic of digital creativity and the use of new technologies for architectural innovation. Architects exploit the possibilities offered by digital media, with a direct repercussion on the design process and style. It is vital to understand that new technologies are not to be isolated from traditional media, innovation may arise by the combination of analogue and digital techniques and design methodologies. New media opens up new possibilities and designers should experiment, evolve and use the immense power of computation to make the best of his designs. We must acknowledge the current generation of designers is witnessing a transition phase, as it comprises of both “digital natives” and “digital immigrants,” it is therefore a unique opportunity to examine the influence of digital media in architecture and education, critically observe the technological advances and integrate analogue and digital tools for form-finding.
Optimization and Evolution in Architectural Morphogenesis
Authors: Buffi Alessandro , Filippucci Marco , Bianconi Fabio
Published: January 2018

In the last century, a large number of architects and engineers developed a variety of form-finding strategies, and some of them looked to natural systems with the aim of transfering their principles into architecture. Through digital techniques, the designer can emulate or invent new processes to create architectural forms characterized by the same efficiency and beauty of natural systems. In particular, the efficiency of living systems is the result of a slow evolutionary process, as explained by Darwin's theory of evolution. The possibility to apply this process to architecture through genetic algorithms puts in the hands of the designer a powerful tool, which can be used in a wide variety of applications. In this chapter, by means of a case study, a form-finding strategy based on genetic algorithms is structured. A generative model able to adapt to different contexts is designed, and the research of the final shape is driven by a multifunctional optimization process aiming to reduce the energy consumption of the building and the weight of its structure.
Concept as the DNA for Morphogenesis
Authors: Eilouti Buthayna Hasan
Published: January 2018

Form in architecture is a product of a complex set of layers and generators. One major generator of these is the design concept. In this context, a concept can be considered as the nexus that orchestrates all considerations and layers to keep them coherent and consistent. Furthermore, the concept represents the clearest semantic message conveyed by the designer through the building to the viewers and users. Similar to the role of DNA, concept functions as the hidden molecule that carries the instructions that the design needs to emerge and evolve. This chapter discusses the structure of form as a language, and its various generators, with a focus on the role of concept in the resultant morphological output. The discussion of form is followed by another of concept. The discussion of the impact of concept on design is supported by a contemporary case study. The case study is used to illustrate the role of a concept as a driving force and its implications in the design derivation, as well as its impacts on the various layers of the final morphology.
Geometry, Shape, and Typological Adaptation of Lighthouses Within the Italian Environment
Authors: Amoruso Giuseppe
Published: January 2018

The chapter starts from the analysis of several buildings designed as lighthouses for the Italian network or adapted to host lights from existing heritage. The graphic study of shapes, internal staircases, and also architecture creates an important reference for morphogenesis studies. The chapter presents the evolution that lighthouses have undergone during the centuries in order to assume geometrical layouts; while the outward appearance of the tower has always been designed according to their visibility during the day hours, shape and construction's technology evolved through geometrical forms which would resist to the conditions of exposure and to critical state of the site. The interior staircase represents the living core starting from stone design and cutting, according to the stereotomic design. The chapter presents a parallel of cases, highlighting geometric principles, shapes, and solutions according to architectural typology.
Innovative Construction Systems
Authors: Ruttico Pierpaolo
Published: January 2018

With the emergence of a new materialism in architecture and as a result of the ongoing advancements in digital technologies, computer numerically controlled (CNC) fabrication and 3D-printing are rapidly gaining popularity within the building construction industry. Robots, CNC machines, and algorithmic programming allow us to create new construction systems and innovative designs that otherwise might not be possible. This chapter analyzes adaptive and flexible systems that facilitate the design and the production processes of mass-customized building components through digital fabrication and assembly. The aspiration is to achieve morphological complexity and performance in material constituents: an engineering computational design process that envisions a sustainable built environment, with higher-level functionality and higher-level integration between material system and environment.
Antecedents and Consequences of Employee Engagement for a Diverse Workforce
Authors: Kamboj Shampy , Sarmah Bijoylaxmi
Published: January 2018

In the recent years, employee engagement has become a hot topic of discussion among popular business press and consulting firms. This topic has created interest in various stakeholder groups ranging from scholarly human resource practitioners to policy makers or government agencies. The interest in employee engagement has progressively increased, however, in academic literature: the concept of employee engagement has been studied rarely and comparatively less is known regarding its antecedents and consequences. Recently, a number of researchers have argued that the challenge of engaging the employees is mounting. Although it seems to conceptually overlap with existing constructs, for instance, job involvement, organizational commitment, still some empirical research confirms that engagement is a separate construct. Therefore, this chapter aims (a) to shed some light in this respect by assessing the association between workforce diversity, specifically in terms of their age and employee engagement, and (b) to provide a variety of precursors and outcomes of employee engagement.
Diversity and Inclusion Management
Authors: Itam Urmila , Bagali M. M.
Published: January 2018

Diversity and inclusion have been increasingly recognized and are the most utilized organizational resources over the last three decades. However, research has demonstrated that many organizations may not have the requisite diversity in their midst. Research further highlights that employees might feel that few of their components of their social identities may be valued and included, leaving them feeling excluded. These attitudes may influence employee behaviors, leading to low morale, high absenteeism, low job satisfaction, negative word of mouth, and so on, which will eventually make the estranged employee leave the job/organization. Understanding the impact of diversity and inclusion on individual, group, and organizations performance is analyzed through employee engagement by developing a framework. To develop a framework that provides rigorous theoretical evidence for its ability to determine whether an organization has indeed engendered an inclusive and engaging environment for its employees is the goal of the chapter.
Role of Team Climate in Improving Team Functioning and Team Empowerment
Authors: Parmar Alpa D. , Patel Chhaya
Published: January 2018

The changing work force dynamics have great impact on organisation effectiveness as it requires proper and deep understanding of organisation structure and working patterns. The organisations are changing their workgroups into teams and that requires deep understanding of how teams are functioning and how they work within the organisation. The social climate plays a significant role in the improvement of the team climate, which provides shared belief amongst the team member of organisations and leads to the development of positive team climate. This chapter refers to the theory of team climate and provides a different perspective that reflects the difference between team climate and organisational climate. The changing work force diversity and pattern of organisation structure really needs understanding of team climate and how it can contribute to developing conducive team climate for learning within the organisation. Further, the chapter emphasises role of team climate in terms of team functioning and team empowerment.
Exploring the Relationship Between Organizational Culture and WLB
Authors: Singh Smita
Published: January 2018

The objective of the chapter is to investigate the relationship between organisational culture and work-life balance Questionnaires for organisational culture and work-life balance were developed and tested and the relationship between the two explored. The main findings were 1) organisational culture has a significant impact on work-life balance, and 2) more than rewards, it is support in terms of resources, roles, and empathy that have a significant impact on WLB of an individual. It is the prevailing culture that determines whether an employee does or does not take the benefit of existing family-friendly or work/life policies. While the organization may include policies related to work/life in its human resource manual, it is the culture of the organization that instills confidence in the individual to make use of the offered options. The chapter highlights the issues arising when organisational culture lacks empathy.
Teachers Learning to Teach English Learners in an Online Community of Practice in an Urban District
Authors: del Rosal Karla , Ware Paige , Montgomery Nancy
Published: January 2018

This chapter reports on a study that investigated the knowledge and skills for teaching English learners (ELs) that in-service teachers displayed during their participation in an online community of practice. Teachers' conversations were analyzed using a priory and inductive codes. Findings showed that teachers demonstrated an understanding of practices that support ELs in overcoming language demands that disciplinary content standards in the U.S. pose, including promoting ELs' participation, teaching language within content and in the four modes, assessing ELs' progress during instruction, and offering differentiated language scaffolds. The online community of practice offered in-service teachers an environment in which they engaged in learning tasks related to theories that they had learned and to their practice. Online communities of practice can facilitate information flow, peer collaboration, and content application in teacher preparation programs. However, tasks need to leverage technology tools affordances and to establish equitable participation expectations.
Focus-on-Form and L2 learning in Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication
Authors: Kung Wan-Tsai , Eslami Zohreh R.
Published: January 2018

This chapter reports on a study of the effectiveness of interaction in synchronous computer-mediated communication (SCMC) context by comparing the nature of negotiations between learners of different proficiency levels in different dyadic types (NS/NNS and NNS/NNS). Dyads performed two tasks using textual SCMC interactions. Language-related episodes (LRE) were identified and used as a basis for individualized tailor-made tests to assess the learners' subsequent learning outcome. The results revealed that in the NS-NNS dyads, no significant difference in the frequency of LREs produced was found between the lower- and higher-proficiency learners whereas in the NNS-NNS dyads, the lower-proficiency learners produced significantly more LREs than their higher-proficiency interlocutors. Additionally, the learners of both proficiency groups interacting with NSs produced significantly more LREs than learners interacting with NNSs. However, no significant differences were found in the test performance of learners of different proficiency levels in either dyadic type.
L2 Strategy Instruction
Authors: Ranalli Jim
Published: January 2018

This chapter discusses the potential of technology-mediated forms of L2 strategy instruction (SI) to enhance not only the design of SI interventions but also SI evaluations and L2 strategy research more generally. The results of an empirical study are used to show how technology can facilitate the delivery of SI in ways supportive of increasingly online forms of L2 learning while at the same time providing remedies for problematic features of SI evaluation, including access to process data showing how learners actually perform strategy-related tasks, the timing and frequency of collection of learner-perception data, and most importantly, data about task definition and metacognitive monitoring, which can position L2 strategies within frameworks for self-regulated learning. The underlying premise of this chapter is the need to revitalize the field of L2 learner strategies with new methods for evaluation and research that can better capture the complex and situated nature of L2 strategy use.
Analyzing the Engagement of CAPT Program Users With Data Mining Methods
Authors: Nix John-Michael L.
Published: January 2018

Educators gauge learning with CALL applications via achievement metrics such as point scores or level advancement. Overreliance on such metrics may limit validity of learner engagement measures. This chapter used learning analytic approaches (e.g., cluster and regression analyses) to investigate user engagement with a web-based CAPT program. Cluster analysis identified four types of users with effort-based attributes best distinguishing among types. Regression analysis found that lines recorded has the strongest association with point scores. Follow-up retrospective time-series analysis of cluster members showed distinct trends in learning behavior that indicate possible goal orientations per group. These results imply that one must deconstruct and identify the aspects of engagement that are actually being measured by application metrics. Additionally, significant differences in engagement patterns exist within high and low scoring groups that are opaque to analysis across the whole sample. Finally, activity logs provide data that suggest variability in motivation types.
Enhancing Students' Intercultural Competence and Learner Autonomy via Facebook Telecollaboration
Authors: Vurdien Ruby , Puranen Pasi
Published: January 2018

This chapter reports on a Spanish-Finnish telecollaborative task-based study that was conducted with a view to exploring students' intercultural learning experience via Facebook employed as the educational platform. Nineteen Spanish and 17 Finnish students were afforded the opportunity to interact with each other in an authentic environment on the social networking site outside of class to elicit relevant information regarding each other's culture in terms of leisure activities and university education. Data analysis showed that the participants felt stimulated to take part in this novel learning experience and adopted a positive attitude towards their online interactions. They were able to manage their tasks without the assistance of their tutors, which encouraged them to become autonomous learners. Facebook can be considered an effective tool to foster intercultural competence development through successful exchange of pertinent information.
Effects of Using Multimodal Glosses in Video Games to Enhance Incidental Vocabulary Learning and Retention
Authors: Alghamdi Emad A.
Published: January 2018

Given the crucial role of vocabulary knowledge in language development, the literature is replete with studies that explore the effects of various vocabulary learning strategies. This chapter taps into two areas of research on vocabulary learning, multimodal glossing and digital gaming, and reports on an experimental study whose aim was to investigate the effect of providing EFL students (n=162) with three gloss conditions (L1 test + picture, L2 text + picture, and picture-only) when they play a video game on their vocabulary acquisition and retention. The students took two vocabulary tests immediately after playing the game, and again two weeks later. The findings revealed that while all groups benefited from multimodal glossing, the L1 text + picture gloss group significantly performed better than the other two groups in the acquisition and retention of the targeted words. The chapter concludes by discussing the limitations of the current study and suggesting new directions for future research.