bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing the robustness of Citizen Science projects: Evaluating the results of pilot project COMBER
Authors: Chatzigeorgiou Giorgos , Faulwetter Sarah , Dailianis Thanos , Smith Vincent , Koulouri Panagiota , Dounas Costas , Arvanitidis Christos
Published: December 2016

Citizen Science (CS) as a term implies a great deal of approaches and scopes involving many different fields of science. The number of the relevant projects globally has been increased significantly in the recent years. Large scale ecological questions can be answered only through extended observation networks and CS projects can support this effort. Although the need of such projects is apparent, an important part of scientific community cast doubt on the reliability of CS data sets.

The pilot CS project COMBER has been created in order to provide evidence to answer the aforementioned question in the coastal marine biodiversity monitoring. The results of the current analysis show that a carefully designed CS project with clear hypotheses, wide participation and data sets validation, can be a valuable tool for the large scale and long term changes in marine biodiversity pattern change and therefore for relevant management and conservation issues.
Hey Mister Tambourine Man, Play a Drug for Me: Music as Medication
Authors: Howland Robert H.
Published: December 2016

Listening to music may be thought of as noninvasive and nonpharmacological, but music should be considered a drug therapy. Music exposure has measurable neurobiological effects that are linked to systems regulating reward, motivation, and pleasure; stress and arousal; and immunity. Functional neuroimaging and lesion studies demonstrate that music-evoked emotions are associated with modulation of linked limbic and paralimbic brain regions. Some of these regions are involved in reward, motivation, and pleasure, and there are additional projections to brain structures regulating autonomic, emotional, and cognitive function. Controlled clinical studies have found significant benefits with the use of music for depression and anxiety, pain relief, stroke recovery, schizophrenia, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Because music is not associated with significant adverse effects, it is a viable adjunctive treatment option for patients in many different clinical settings. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54
(12), 23–27.]
Irritability in Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Durand Simone C. , McGuinness Teena M.
Published: December 2016

Irritability is common among children 5 and younger and is defined as a marked predisposition to anger. Irritability in childhood is associated with later psychopathology, suicide, and financial instability. Its persistence through later childhood may be associated with mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Assessment of irritability and psychiatric nursing implications are discussed. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54
(12), 28–31.]
The Effect of Respite Services on Carers of Individuals With Severe Mental Illness
Authors: Brighton Renee M. , Patterson Christopher , Taylor Ellie , Moxham Lorna , Perlman Dana , Sumskis Susan , Heffernan Tim
Published: December 2016

Many individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) require the support of an informal carer, such as a family member or close friend, to assist with everyday living. The difficulties and altered life circumstances experienced by individuals with SMI result in carers taking on significant responsibilities. The current study aimed to address the benefits to carers of several days relief from their caring responsibilities. Carers (
N
= 9) of a cohort of individuals with SMI who attended a therapeutic recreation initiative, Recovery Camp, were surveyed in late May 2015. A custom-designed instrument using open and closed questions was administered. Data were analyzed using the constant-comparative method. Participants reported negative health effects that they directly associated with their caring responsibilities. The experience of having a break when their care recipient attended Recovery Camp was positive for all participants, highlighting the need for respite services. Further research is required to explore the specific respite needs of individuals who provide care to those with SMI to reduce the burden experienced by these vulnerable populations. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
,
54
(12), 33–38.]
Mental Health and the Transgender Population
Authors: Carmel Tamar C. , Erickson-Schroth Laura
Published: December 2016

Although research into the physical and mental health disparities faced by transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) populations is becoming more popular, historically it has been limited. It is now recognized that TGNC people experience disproportionate rates of negative mental health outcomes relative to both their gender-normative, heterosexual peers, as well as their gender-normative lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) peers. The theoretical basis of current transgender mental health research is rooted in the Minority Stress Model, which postulates that we live in a hetero-centric, gender-normative society that stigmatizes and discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, subjecting them to chronic stress (
Hendricks & Testa, 2012
;
Meyer, 1995
). This chronic, potentially compounding stress, is responsible for the increased risk of negative mental health outcomes in LGBT populations. TGNC people, in particular, may experience more adverse outcomes than their LGB peers due to rejection and discrimination within society at large as well as within the LGB community. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 54
(12), 44–48.]
Héros de légende, héros de culte : la fabrique populaire du récit
Authors: Burguet Delphine , Rakotomalala Malanjaona
Published: December 2016

Ikotofetsy et Imahaka sont deux personnages très populaires du folklore malgache. Leurs aventures sont faites de mauvais tours, de farces et de supercheries, faisant fi des valeurs sociales et morales. Leur réputation et leurs exploits dépassent le cadre oral du conte, puisque de nombreux ouvrages, notamment pour la jeunesse, relatent leurs méfaits. Ces ouvrages proposent une lecture humoristique de leurs fourberies, en les dotant d’un caractère malicieux ; ils alimentent l’imaginaire populaire et prolongent l’existence héroïque des deux personnages. Il en est de même de certains artistes malgaches qui mettent en musique leurs aventures. Mais plus encore, ce duo malicieux, qui incarne également une figure de réciprocité, est utilisé dans des espaces sociaux qui cherchent à fixer une identité spécifique mêlant la fourberie, l’intelligence et la réussite, notamment à travers la caricature. Celle-ci permet de dénoncer un contexte politique national dont les Malgaches semblent vouloir se moquer actuellement. Par ailleurs, ces deux héros incarnent une figure religieuse pour les fidèles du culte ancestral, dont certains invoquent, pour demander la réussite dans leurs affaires, leurs esprits sur leurs tombes présumées, dans le Nord-Ouest de la région de l’Imerina, sur les Hautes-Terres centrales de Madagascar.
Les récits hagiographiques : lieux de mémoire et incarnation de l’esprit de résistance à Ma‘ân (Jordanie)
Authors: Neveu Norig
Published: December 2016

La ville de Ma‘ân se situe dans le sud de la Jordanie et n’a pas connu, au contraire des principales localités jordaniennes, de rénovation ou de reconstruction à grande échelle de ses sanctuaires. Ceci s’explique par le caractère local de la sainteté ma‘ânie, plus difficilement rattachable à une histoire islamique englobante que ne le sont les compagnons du Prophète Muhammad ou les prophètes préislamiques. Ainsi, l’hagiographie des saints locaux et en particulier celle du cheikh Muhammad permet-elle d’incarner l’esprit de résistance locale et de rappeler l’opulence et la centralité économique passée de la ville. Dans un pays où la tradition orale conserve une importance majeure, l’objet de cet article sera de montrer comment les récits concernant la vie des saints demeurent tenaces alors même que les visites des mausolées sont en net recul et fortement critiquées localement. Les récits liés à la sainteté, progressivement érigés en lieux de mémoire de la ville, sont mobilisés afin de porter les revendications locales.
Le rôle des légendes dans le culte de Ghāzī Miyāñ (Inde)
Authors: Ortis Delphine
Published: December 2016

Dans cet article portant sur l’une des figures de sainteté musulmane les plus anciennes et populaires de l’Inde du Nord, Ghāzī Miyāñ, sont étudiées les fonctions remplies par les traditions orales diffusées, par les desservants de son tombeau et les musiciens dafālī, lors des rites quotidiens et festifs. Cette double tradition est mise en regard des récits littéraires allant à son encontre pour s’opposer à ce culte. Notre visée est de montrer que l’ensemble de ces récits, bien qu’ils semblent nous conter les hauts faits de sa vie justifiant son statut de martyr, s’élaborent en fait en s’adossant au culte, dans le but de le légitimer ou de le détruire.
Creating Shared Value and Increasing Project Success by Stakeholder Collaboration
Authors: Berberich Roland
Published: December 2016

This chapter introduces the idea of accessing new resources by collaborative interaction with stakeholders to optimize the value chain and product development process. It is acknowledged that Creating Shared Value (CSV) could be a value driver by revisiting the supply chain (Porter & Kramer, 2011); however, in a world of scarce and often inaccessible resources, wastage is becoming increasingly detrimental. With project expenditure rising (PMI, 2012) and continuing high rates of failure (Balogun & Hope Hailey, 2008; Langley, 2014) small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) could find themselves in a position where crucial innovation becomes unaffordable and non-achievable. It is suggested that utilizing ‘the crowd', pragmatically incorporating collaborative engagement with stakeholders, could not only alleviate this problem but increase project success rates, lower costs and allow SMEs to fulfil social responsibilities with CSV.
Emotional Capital and Sustainability in Family Businesses
Authors: Elicegui-Reyes José Ignacio , Barrena-Martínez Jesús , Romero-Fernández Pedro M.
Published: December 2016

Currently, family businesses are facing huge competition and economic difficulties aggravated further by the present crisis in which companies are immersed. Additionally, the lack of a specialized human resource management function in these kinds of firms makes an efficient process of generational change difficult, which represents a major challenge for the sustainability of these organizations. The links between family and their emotional ties are, in this regard, an important aspect to consider in human resource management. This chapter examines, in theoretical terms, how emotional capital can be a key factor, not only for attracting and retaining talent, but also for ensuring competitiveness in economic, social and environmental aspects, and therefore its sustainability, understood as a balance of economic, social and environmental performances.
Fostering Responsible Business
Authors: Rahdari Amir Hossein
Published: December 2016

Corporate social responsibility networks and associations play a significant role in fostering responsible business yet there exists a lacuna in the literature regarding the role of these networks and associations in augmenting responsible business practices. Furthermore, research studies with regard to how they function seem to be non-existent. Following this line of argument, this study attempts to shed light on these ambiguities by examining three leading networks. The results suggest that corporate sustainability and responsibility networks and associations play the role of facilitators, by providing tools and services, and incentivize business organizations to take measurable actions towards corporate sustainability. Moreover, they function as the engine of growth for responsible and sustainable business ecosystem. With their growing influence and the mainstreaming of responsible practices, a review of their objectives, organizational structures, types of activities, practices and impacts using a reviewing framework would provide a solid background for future research.
Using the Blogosphere to Promote Disputed Diets
Authors: Holmberg Christopher
Published: December 2016

Widely influential low-carb high fat diet (LCHF) promoters have been using social media to marshal support when contesting the nutritional recommendations provided by the National Swedish Food Agency (NFA). Political events led to an increased public awareness of the LCHF diet, which in turn provided the advocates with vital opportunities to contest the established nutritional authorities. This study explored how three of the leading promoters transact their criticisms of nutrition authorities, and how they use social media for this purpose. A longitudinal thematic analysis of the diet promoters' social media presence demonstrates that they made full use of media convergence to form opinion and attain their goals. The LCHF promoters utilized a rhetorical arsenal based in science popularization to appeal to the public and social media allowed for the spread of anecdotal evidence of individual dieters. Interestingly, social media also facilitated the advocates to network their expertise and to start science initiatives evolving from merely anecdotal methods to conventional approaches.
The Demobilizing Potential of Conflict for Web and Mobile Political Participation
Authors: Dalisay Francis , Kushin Matthew J. , Yamamoto Masahiro
Published: December 2016

In this chapter, we expand the idea that conflict avoidance (CA) inhibits online political participation. We specifically propose that CA has a direct negative link with traditional online political participation and online political expression, and an indirect negative link with these two forms of participation when mediated by political interest and internal political efficacy. We test our propositions through analyzing data from a survey of young adult college students residing in a battleground state in the U.S. Midwest conducted during the weeks prior to the 2012 U.S. presidential election. Our results showed that CA has a direct negative association with both traditional online political participation and online political expression. CA also has a negative relationship with political interest and internal political efficacy, which in turn, are positively linked with traditional online political participation and online political expression. We discussed implications.
Developing and Validating the “This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things Scale”
Authors: Bishop Jonathan
Published: December 2016

Internet trolling describe the posting of any content on the Internet which is provocative or offensive, which is different from the original meaning online in the 1990s, referring to the posting of messages for humourous effect. Those systems operators (sysops) who run online communities are being targeted because of abuse posted on their platforms. Political discussion groups are some of the most prone to trolling, whether consensual or unwanted. Many such websites ara open for anyone to join, meaning when some members post messages they know are offensive but legal, others might find grossly offensive, meaning these messages could be illegal. This paper develops a questionnaire called the This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things Scale (TIWWCHNT-20), which aims to help sysops better plan the development of online communities to take account of different users' capacity to be offended, and for users to self-assess whether they will be suited to an online community. The scale is discussed in relation to different Internet posting techniques where different users will act differently.
Do Campaigns “Go Negative” on Twitter?
Authors: Bekafigo Marija , Pingley Allison Clark
Published: December 2016

The use of negative ads in traditional election campaigns has been well-documented, but we know little about the use of Twitter to “go negative.” We content analyze candidate tweets from four different gubernatorial elections in 2011 to understand how candidates are using Twitter. We coded 849 tweets to explain the determinants of “going negative” on Twitter. Our results show that while tweets are overwhelmingly positive, candidates go negative by tweeting about policy. We believe this supports the innovation hypothesis and argue that Twitter is a conducive social media forum for policy-based messages due to its highly partisan nature. However, other determinants of negative campaigning such as competitiveness of the race and campaign funding were consistent with the normalization hypothesis. Our mixed results are consistent with other studies on social media and suggest there is still much to be learned from this tool.
Online Free Expression and Its Gatekeepers
Authors: Kulesza Joanna
Published: December 2016

This chapter covers the pressing issues of online free expression at the time of global telecommunication services and social media. What once was the domain of the state has become the prerogative of private global companies – it is their terms of service and sense of social responsibility that have replaced local perceptions of morality and set limits to individual personal rights. Whether protecting privacy or defending against defamation, it is the Internet Service Provider who can offer tools far more effective and prompt than any national court and law enforcement agency. And even though the right to free expression is firmly rotted in the global standard of article 19 UDHR, nowhere than online are the differences in its interpretation, originated by history, morality and religion, more palpable. The paper aims to discuss each of the three composite rights of free expression (the right to hold, impart and receive information and ideas) and identify the actual limitations originated by national laws. The author emphasizes states' positive obligation to take active measures aimed at protecting free expression, ensuring that all human rights are “protected, respected and remedied”. This obligation makes the interrelationship between national lawmakers and international telecommunication service providers complex as the latter serve as the actual gate keepers of free expression in the information society. The paper covers a discussion on how different countries deal with this challenge through various approaches to ISP liability, including the notice-and-take down procedure as well as content filtering (preventive censorship). The author goes on to criticize those mechanisms as enabling ISPs too much freedom in deciding upon the shape and scope of individuals' right to impart and receive information.
eLearning Political Strategies
Authors: Romm-Livermore Celia , Raisinghani Mahesh S. , Rippa Pierluigi
Published: December 2016

The starting point for this paper is the eLearning Political Strategies (ELPoS) model. The model is based on two dimensions: 1) the direction of the political strategy (upward or downward), and 2) the scope of the political strategy (individual or group based). The interaction between the above dimensions defines four different types of eLearning political strategies, which result in different political outcomes. The model is accompanied with one case study that is divided into four parts (“acts”). Each of the acts provides an example of one of the four strategies in the model. The discussion and conclusions sections integrate the findings from the case study, outline the rules that govern the application of political strategies in the context of eLearning, and list some of the theoretical and practical implications from a better understating of the politics of eLearning.
Mastering Intelligent Decision Support Systems in Enterprise Information Management
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: December 2016

This chapter explains the overview of Intelligent Decision Support Systems (IDSSs); the overview of Enterprise Information Management (EIM); the IDSS techniques for EIM in terms of Expert System (ES), Multi-Agent System (MAS), Fuzzy Logic (FL), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Evolutionary Computation (EC), and Hybrid System (HS); and the multifaceted applications of IDSSs in EIM. IDSS techniques are rapidly emerging as the modern tools in information management systems and include various techniques, such as ES, MAS, FL, ANN, EC, and HS. IDSS techniques can increase the sensitiveness, flexibility, and accuracy of information management systems. IDSS techniques should be implemented in modern enterprise in order to gain the benefits of using the decision-making process concerning EIM. The chapter argues that utilizing IDSS techniques for EIM has the potential to increase organizational performance and reach strategic goals in global operations.
Digitalization of Death Certification Model
Authors: Stanimirovic Dalibor
Published: December 2016

Accurate and consistent death certification facilitates evidence-informed health policies, morbidity and mortality surveillance on the national level, and consequently serves increasingly demanding medical and statistical needs. This paper initially explores the current situation concerning the death certification in Slovenia, and identifies related deficiencies and systemic problems. Based on the research findings, the paper outlines a construction of ICT-based model of death certification and provides applicable guidelines for its implementation at the national level. The research is based on focus group methodology. Structured discussions were conducted with 29 experts from cross-sectional areas related to death certification. Research results imply that effective ICT-based transformation of the existing death certification model should involve a redefinition of functions and relationships between the main actors, as well as a reconfiguration of the technological, organizational, and regulatory elements in line with the long-term public health objectives.
Outsourcing to Cloud-based Computing Services in Higher Education in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alwasel Athary , Clegg Ben , Schroeder Andreas
Published: December 2016

In recent years Saudi Arabia has made great strides in higher education. This paper looks at the higher education sector in Saudi Arabia with special emphasis on outsourcing to Software as a Service based email systems as a positive enabler of higher education. Outsourcing can be defined as the process of contracting services to a third party with financial and contractual terms to govern that provision. There are many advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing and many reasons why an organization might decide to outsource specific services. This chapter describes the information systems outsourcing trend towards cloud based solutions (particularly email) in the Saudi Arabian higher education sector over the last few years and discusses the implications of this trend.
Usability Evaluation of E-Government Websites in Saudi Arabia by Cognitive Walkthrough
Authors: Gull Hina , Iqbal Sardar Zafar
Published: December 2016

Government websites are the easy sources of getting access to the services offered by governmental organizations. These websites provide manifold benefits to their users i.e. efficiency of use, cost decline, effective communication between citizens and government, delivery of different service, transparency and time saving. However, users cannot get full benefit out of these services if the e-government websites are not interactive and user friendly. Keeping this view into consideration, study investigated the usability concerns of the e-government websites in Saudi Arabia. Cognitive walk-through is selected as the implication method to figure out usability related traits by the real users of the interfaces. Findings from the study showed that these websites are partially usable for the users, as they lack some of the major concerns of the usability. Evaluation results showed the clear picture of the usability features of the selected websites of Saudi Arabia both in positive and negative ways. Furthermore, recommendations are given to improve overall quality of these websites.
A Mobile System for Managing Personal Finances Synchronously
Authors: Dlamini Jabulani Sifiso , Kogeda Paul Okuthe
Published: December 2016

Many Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) fail within their first year of operation in South Africa mainly because of the lack of proper financial management skills. To address this, a number of software applications have been developed. However, they fail to cater for the needs of SMME owners. In this Chapter, we intend to design and implement a software application to address some of these financial management challenges faced by SMMEs. To achieve this, a through literature review was conducted. Then we designed and implemented a new system with additional features missing from the existing applications. The main objectives of this new system, is to help SMME owners manage their finances from anywhere, have access to real time data and be easy to use. To implement the system, PHP and MySQL database was used. Usability testing was done to evaluate the effectiveness of the system. The system performed 20% better in keeping records as compared to the manual accounting system.
China and Europe from Confucius and Aristotle to Now
Authors: Green Stephen
Published: December 2016

Confucius and Aristotle have provided much of the bedrock of Chinese and European thought respectively about how individuals relate to others and to the natural order. They have in common a this-worldly focus and some strikingly similar elements in their understanding of what makes for the good life. China's Confucian ethos has contributed to a strong sense of the Chinese identity: but it found it difficult to come to terms with the pressures of social modernisation. Europe by contrast has had a theologically based culture, into which Aristotle was integrated, but which fragmented under the impact of reformation and renaissance. In the twenty first century, a modernised Europe and a rapidly modernising China face a shared dilemma: the need for an understanding of the good life which does not reduce it to materialist self-centredness. Both have seen renewed use of Aristotelian and Confucian themes in response. Time will tell, however, whether this response is sufficient.
Religion, Church, and Public Space
Authors: Petraru Gheorghe
Published: December 2016

The present text is divided into three chapters and deals with the intrinsic religious dimension of man as being of communion from an ontological viewpoint and in relation with God, her Creator and Supporter in this mundane existence. This existence is open to eternity as a real personal and communitarian communion in the dynamics of spiritual growth. For Christians, the Church is the path of genuine and redeeming communion with God the Trinity as shown in the foundational biblical metanarrative, typologically interpreted by Christian theology, and spiritually experienced by practicing believers. Sacramentally, this happens through prayer, through the reading of the holy text, and the liturgical and Eucharistic gathering that celebrates the real sacrament of God's presence for us. The relation between the Church with the State in modern and postmodern times testifies to the change in mindset that has occurred by means of the ideological absolutisation of the state and the theoretical marginalization or atomization of religion. On the one hand, this shows the inconsistency of the project and on the other hand, the impossibility to fight with the religious soul of humanity, the religious dimension inherently and intrinsically structured in the ontological relationship between human and divine, in any mundane historical context.
The Passion of Port Talbot
Authors: Walsh Carys Ruth
Published: December 2016

This chapter examines a dramatic reinterpretation of The Passion narrative which took place in Port Talbot in 2011. It explores the roots of the drama (within the medieval mystery tradition and the local context), its production, and the impact which the drama had upon the town, to consider how this reinterpretation, whilst primarily secular in conception and content, might nevertheless have opened a ‘religious space' for the community. The production of The Passion of Port Talbot is discussed in the light of an analogous ‘theo-dramatic' understanding of how God acts in the world. The chapter goes on to explore whether in the impact of The Passion, traces of the sacred might be discerned, embedded within the apparently secular, and that in the ‘religious space' opened up by this production, the transformative power of a community's spiritual and religious heritage might have been activated.
Great Risk for the Kingdom
Authors: Jennings Mark Alan Charles
Published: December 2016

Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity (“PCC”) has successfully navigated the challenges modernity poses to religion, growing rapidly in the twentieth century. Toward the end of the twentieth century, however, neoliberalism began its ascent to its current hegemonic status. Neoliberalism reconfigures social institutions as marketized practices with a measurable ‘payoff'. PCC adapted to this challenge in the form of a “growth churches,” adopting many of the characteristics of neoliberalism. In adopting a homogenous model and method of ‘best practice' in order to facilitate growth; offering a ‘prosperity' theology that fits well with the development of human capital; and endorsing the universalization of risk through modelling “pastorpreneur” leadership, it is argued in this chapter that growth churches are a paradigmatic example of a late modern religious phenomenon accommodating neoliberalism in a largely uncritical manner. The chapter concludes with some observations that critique this association between neoliberalism and growth churches.
Literary History as National History
Authors: Shiran Parisa
Published: December 2016

This chapter argues that the roots of Persian culture are in Persian poetry. The high esteem in which classical Persian poetry is held among Iranians is well known. This rich literary tradition provides enormous resources for a distinct Persian identity. However, unlike the commonly held perception that Iranian identity is a pre-Islamic construct with deep roots in the Persian cultural heritage of the Great Persia, this chapter reasserts the status of classical Persian poetry as an Islamic literary tradition, one that has had an enormous influence on Iranian society and culture. The creation of a distinct Persian Islamic identity has historically been a “cohesive force,” and this essential Islamic element must be recognized and acknowledged before any verdict about Persian identity can be reached. The chapter discusses the vast influence of Islamic mysticism on classical Persian poetry and its subsequent shaping of Iranian culture.
Reconciling Homosexuality and Spirituality in Africa as a Heresy and Survival Strategy
Authors: Endong Floribert Patrick C.
Published: December 2016

The fight against homophobia in Africa has motivated the emergence of various advocacy initiatives including pro-gay religious forces. One of such initiatives – which have audaciously Christianized homosexuality – has been the Nigerian based, House of Rainbow (LGBT church). Using observations and a critical exploitation of secondary sources, this book chapter critically appraises this church in the light of four socio-religious theories namely, secular humanism, postmodernism, religious liberalism and African conservatism. The chapter is divided into four main parts. The first part provides a theoretical framework composed of four movements namely postmodernism, secular humanism, religious liberalism and African conservatism. The second part explores the origin, mission and structure of House of Rainbow. The third part examines House of Rainbow as postmodernist and religious humanist Christianity; while the last part examines the extent to which the gay-only church is more a survival strategy for Nigerian LGBT people than it is a heresy.
CHOICES
Authors: Hersey Leigh Nanney
Published: December 2016

Social media is increasing becoming a prominent tool in today's nonprofit sector. By 2010, the largest 200 nonprofit organizations in the United States used social media as a tool to meet their goals (Barnes, n.d.). According to those surveyed the top reason for using social media is for increasing awareness of the organization's mission (90%). In studying the American Red Cross' use of social media, Briones, et al. (2011) found that the use of social media built relationships with the public. This chapter explores the success of a mid-sized nonprofit organization, CHOICES: Memphis Center for Reproductive Health, as it develops a strategic social media plan to increase awareness and support for the organization. Through this case study, we will address how this organization has used social media to advance its mission and the process used to develop performance metrics along the way.
Ethical and Legal Issues in Knowledge Management Life-Cycle in Business
Authors: Jain Priti
Published: December 2016

In this Knowledge-based economy knowledge is the driver of economic growth and knowledge management (KM) is seen as a strategic tool by most successful organizations. ICTs have transformed the way information and knowledge are acquired, created, stored and shared. These days, social media has become a mainstream for internal and external communication, collaboration and knowledge sharing. As the importance of KM is increasing, the numbers of ethical and legal issues also are escalating through-out the KM life-cycle from knowledge creation to knowledge maintenance, such as, issues related to privacy, confidentiality, plagiarism, ownership and intellectual property. Advanced technologies have raised new concerns and issues regarding KM and business at large in the form of ethical challenges. This chapter discusses the ethical and legal issues in Knowledge Management Life-Cycle in Business. In its conclusion, the chapter presents recommendations to overcome some of the ethical and legal challenges of KM in business.
The Diffusion of the Concept of Knowledge Management among African Scholars
Authors: Akakandelwa Akakandelwa
Published: December 2016

Knowledge Management (KM) is a new phenomenon that is directly related to the recent emergence of the knowledge economy and technology advancement. It consists of the initiatives and systems that sustain and support the creation, storage, dissemination, assessment, application, refinement and exchange of relevant knowledge (UNDP, 2012). The application of Knowledge Management, generally, can assist to facilitate the capturing and sharing of various experiences by societies. Its acquisition can ensure that knowledge is converted to useful information which informs decision making. This sharing of experience and knowledge can take place through formal meetings or in informal encounters and should be managed through structured Knowledge Management processes. The understanding of what constitutes Knowledge Management (KM) has different meanings to different people. This paper investigates the diffusion of the concept of Knowledge Management in Africa in the last two decades using bibliometric techniques. The paper has investigated the total production of Knowledge Management related publications by African researchers. Furthermore, the paper has investigated the diffusion of KM concept through collaboration among institutions of higher learning (universities, colleges, and polytechnics). It also investigated the preferred channels of dissemination of KM research, the most prolific African researchers on KM, and the prominent journals in which these researchers publish their publications.
The Management of Magistrate Courts Records in Namibia
Authors: Abankwah Ruth M. , Hamutumwa Meameno N.
Published: December 2016

This chapter is based on a study prompted by concerns about delayed cases in Namibian magistrate courts. The purpose was to examine the prevailing records management practices. The study was conducted in seven regions which were purposively selected based on location or population. Data was collected by means of observations and face-to-face interviews. The study revealed that: some magistrate courts did not adhere to records management standards resulting in an absence of a records management policy, classification schemes, retention schedules, shortage of storage space, lack of physical security and untrained record staff. The study recommends employment of trained records personnel; staff awareness in the management of the Namibia Case Information System (NAMCIS); install CCTV and maintain air conditioners in records storage facilities; ensure that the National Archives of Namibia fast tracks the process of approving requests for transfer or destruction of magistrate courts' records; and uphold records management standards.
Clay Minerals Converted to Porous Materials and Their Application
Authors: Huyen Pham Thanh
Published: December 2016

Clay minerals can be used as raw materials for the production of various industrial products. However, most bentonite and kaolinite deposits contain a significant quantity of non-clay mineral impurities. These impurities often affect the quality of clay minerals for adsorption and catalytic application. Therefore, in order to be used as adsorbents and catalysts, those clay minerals need some beneficiation, activation processing to improve their properties or conversion to a porous materials. In this chapter, an overview of the current state, the properties, the beneficiation, activation as well as the conversion of bentonite, kaolinite… to porous materials such as pillared clays, zeolites and their intended applications were presented. In addition, in this review, the challenges and difficulty in the conversion of bentonite and kaolinite to porous materials were also discussed.
Sustainable Cooling Research Using Activated Carbon Adsorbents and Their Environmental Impact
Authors: Elsayed Ahmed M. , Dakkama Hassan J. , Mahmoud Saad , Al-Dadah Raya , Kaialy Waseem
Published: December 2016

Conventional vapour compression system is one of the most utilized cycles in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, due to its compact size, the relatively low running cost, the high coefficient of performance and the wide range of the operating temperatures. Nevertheless, the system suffers from the high initial cost and the high-energy consumption. Unlike the vapour compression cycle, adsorption heat pumps have the advantage of utilizing waste heat reducing the energy consumption and the carbon emissions. Activated carbon is a porous adsorbent material that can be efficiently used in low temperature adsorption refrigeration systems. This chapter reviews the recent developments in the compact adsorption cooling systems using activated carbon regarding the enhancement of the material properties, the design of the sustainable adsorption systems and their environmental and cost perspectives.
Bacterial Cellulose
Authors: Taokaew Siriporn , Phisalaphong Muenduen , Newby Bi-min Zhang
Published: December 2016

Bacterial cellulose, synthesized by bacteria, is one of the most highly pure cellulose sources. It has gained a great attention due to its unique properties. With molecular similarity to cellulose derived from plants, bacterial cellulose can be modified based on diverse techniques established for the plant-derived cellulose. Modification of cellulose has become one of the major areas of cellulose research to provide cellulose-based materials with novel properties. The progress in cellulose science has also opened up more potentials for bacterial cellulose. This chapter describes an overview of biosyntheses, modifications, and applications of bacterial cellulose.
Eco-Friendly On-Site Water Analyses for Ultra-Trace Harmful Ions
Authors: Takahashi Yukiko
Published: December 2016

Governments in developed countries specify water quality standards to be applied in their own countries. Recently the allowance values of harmful metals are getting tighter for environmental water and industrial wastewater throughout the world. For example, World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the criterion value of 3 ppb for cadmium for protection of human health, furthermore, governments of some countries provide the wastewater standard for zinc for conservation of aquatic life. High-performance analytical instruments such as AAS, ICP, and ICP-MS have been employed as official analytical methods of ultra-trace elements. Besides the costly initial and running expenses and the material and energy consuming of the instruments, specific technical skills and long analytical time are required for sample pre-treatment. Therefore, simple yet highly sensitive and eco-friendly on-site methods have been demanded for quick judgment of industrial and environmental water in developed countries as well as evaluation of drinking water in developing countries.
Facilitating Multicultural Student Team Engagement in Higher Education
Authors: Han Soo Jeoung , Liau-Hing Carla , Beyerlein Michael
Published: December 2016

This chapter introduces a three-phase model of multicultural online project team development in order to engage students in digital learning environments in higher education. To develop this phase model, we explored existing challenges and strategies of multicultural digital project teams by conducting a systematic literature review. We examined previous empirical studies, from 1998 to 2014, focusing on culturally diverse online project teams in higher education. The literature review identified several critical factors that affect the processes of culturally diverse online project teams. By synthesizing these critical process factors, we created an integrative phase model within the multicultural online project team processes, categorizing them into either a task or a socio-emotional process. The findings suggested that cultural diversity in teams negatively impacted the process factors, such as communicating, trust building, establishing expectations, intercultural learning, and knowledge sharing.
Active Student Engagement through the Use of WebEx, MindTap, and a Residency Component to Teach a Masters Online Group Counseling Course
Authors: Dames Levette S. , Royal Chadwick , Sawyer-Kurian Kyla M.
Published: December 2016

Group counseling is one of the core counseling courses which students need in order to receive their degrees. As group counseling is an experiential course, counselor educators must think strategically and creatively when developing this course to be delivered online to ensure that positive outcomes are achieved. Hence, this chapter explores the development, implantations and lessons learned from such a course. We will specifically discuss the integration of WebEx, MindTap/Coursemate, and a residency component that enhances the delivery of this master's level group counseling online course and by encouraging active engagement of both the students and instructor alike. The development and implementation of the online group course is guided by Bandura's theory. An informal evaluation from a previous online group counseling course using these modes will also be discussed. Implications for instructors and students will be included.
Mobile Learning
Authors: Ireri Bonface Ngari , Wario Ruth Diko , Omwenga Elijah I. , Oboko Robert , Mukiri Mwingirwa Irene
Published: December 2016

When an instructor is able to identify, develop and apply appropriate digital media content that motivates learners and encourages them to learn, the process of learning is empowered. This study has identified multimedia digital content packaged in the format of video as the most preferred learning media by the learners. Content formats that had highest hit rate with accessed mean rate above 300 (discussion forums, video clips, and graphics) are discussed. The study revealed that learning becomes interactive and effective when a video is presented in the style of hypermedia. Learners' perceptions rating indicated that learners perceived the video format as satisfactory, helpful in knowledge retention, motivational and an enhancement of learning. Available online authoring tools and supportive open content sites are identified and educators are encouraged to develop digital content in video format and disseminate them for teaching and learning.
The Role of Social Media in Enforcing Environmental Justice around the World
Authors: Pohl Gayle M.
Published: December 2016

This chapter is a critical analysis of the role that social media plays enforcing environmental justice around the world. It particularly examines how social media has been used internationally to foster Greenpeace International's actions to enforce environmental justice and compliance in three selected countries, namely India, Canada and Russia. The cases examined are a.) the Essar Ltd.'s coal mine project in the Mahan Forests in India; b.) Prirazlomnaya Oil Company's offshore drilling in the Artic Sea, and c.) Resolute Forests Products' mining in the Boreal Forest in Canada. The paper concludes that social media can be used to promote and foster environmental justice globally.
The Impact of Supplier's Administrative Attributes on Production Process and Marketing Benefits
Authors: Fong José Roberto Mendoza , García-Alcaraz Jorge Luis , Ramírez Cuauhtemoc Sánchez , Alor-Hernández Giner
Published: December 2016

Supplier selection process is one of the daily activities of purchasing departments in the maquiladora industries, but traditionally the attributes analyzed are those that can be quantified, ignoring others because its impact on the production process or on the company's revenues is unknown. This article presents a structural equation model in which three latent variables associated with administrative attributes are integrated, the benefits obtained along production process and marketing, where three hypotheses which relate them are exposed. The information is derived from a survey of 253 managers who works in maquiladoras in Mexico, thus a descriptive analysis of the sample and the items are obtained. The hypotheses were validated according to a structural equation model and the results indicate that there is a direct and positive effect between the variables analyzed, but the most interesting due to its size, is between the profits made by the production process and the marketing benefits.
Sustainability Reporting and Sustainability in the Turkish Business Context
Authors: Seckin-Celik Tutku
Published: December 2016

Companies have started to publish social and environmental reports, in addition to their financial reports. Disclosing non-financial information takes the form of sustainability reports due to some pressures from the environment. The reasons of why organizations publish sustainability reports and benefits that can be obtained with such disclosures can be explained from institutional theory, legitimacy theory and stakeholder theory perspectives. This chapter aims to broaden the understanding about sustainability reporting. Thus, after a quick introduction with the meaning and scope of sustainability and organizational sustainability, theoretical framework for sustainability reporting practices and related studies from different organizational contexts are examined. Besides, sustainability in the Turkish business context is shortly addressed.