bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraction of Pathogenesis-Related Proteins and Phenolics in Sauvignon Blanc as Affected by Grape Harvesting and Processing Conditions
Authors: Tian Bin , Harrison Roland , Morton James , Jaspers Marlene , Hodge Simon , Grose Claire , Trought Mike
Published: July 2017

Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) and chitinases are the two main groups of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins found in wine that cause protein haze formation. Previous studies have found that phenolics are also involved in protein haze formation. In this study, Sauvignon Blanc grapes were harvested and processed in two vintages (2011 and 2012) by three different treatments: (1) hand harvesting with whole bunch press (H-WB); (2) hand harvesting with destem/crush and 3 h skin contact (H-DC-3); and (3) machine harvesting with destem/crush and 3 h skin contact (M-DC-3). The juices were collected at three pressure levels (0.4 MPa, 0.8 MPa and 1.6 MPa), some juices were fermented in 750 mL of wine bottles to determine the bentonite requirement for the resulting wines. Results showed juices of M-DC-3 had significantly lower concentration of proteins, including PR proteins, compared to those of H-DC-3, likely due to the greater juice yield of M-DC-3 and interactions between proteins and phenolics. Juices from the 0.8–1.6 MPa pressure and resultant wines had the highest concentration of phenolics but the lowest concentration of TLPs. This supported the view that TLPs are released at low pressure as they are mainly present in grape pulp but additional extraction of phenolics largely present in skin occurs at higher pressing pressure. Wine protein stability tests showed a positive linear correlation between bentonite requirement and the concentration of chitinases, indicating the possibility of predicting bentonite requirement by quantification of chitinases. This study contributes to an improved understanding of extraction of haze-forming PR proteins and phenolics that can influence bentonite requirement for protein stabilization.
Docosahexaenoic Acid Inhibits Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Rats
Authors: Jeong Yoo , Lee Sle , Lim Joo , Kim Hyeyoung
Published: July 2017

Oxidative stress is an important regulator in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). Reactive oxygen species induce activation of inflammatory cascades, inflammatory cell recruitment, and tissue damage. NF-κB regulates inflammatory cytokine gene expression, which induces an acute, edematous form of pancreatitis. Protein kinase C δ (PKCδ) activates NF-κB as shown in a mouse model of cerulein-induced AP. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an ω-3 fatty acid, exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in various cells and tissues. This study investigated whether DHA inhibits cerulein-induced AP in rats by assessing pancreatic edema, myeloperoxidase activity, levels of lipid peroxide and IL-6, activation of NF-κB and PKCδ, and by histologic observation. AP was induced by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of cerulein (50 μg/kg) every hour for 7 h. DHA (13 mg/kg) was administered i.p. for three days before AP induction. Pretreatment with DHA reduced cerulein-induced activation of NF-κB, PKCδ, and IL-6 in pancreatic tissues of rats. DHA suppressed pancreatic edema and decreased the abundance of lipid peroxide, myeloperoxidase activity, and inflammatory cell infiltration into the pancreatic tissues of cerulein-stimulated rats. Therefore, DHA may help prevent the development of pancreatitis by suppressing the activation of NF-κB and PKCδ, expression of IL-6, and oxidative damage to the pancreas.
First Assessment of Sentinel-1A Data for Surface Soil Moisture Estimations Using a Coupled Water Cloud Model and Advanced Integral Equation Model over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Bai Xiaojing , He Binbin , Li Xing , Zeng Jiangyuan , Wang Xin , Wang Zuoliang , Zeng Yijian , Su Zhongbo
Published: July 2017

The spatiotemporal distribution of soil moisture over the Tibetan Plateau is important for understanding the regional water cycle and climate change. In this paper, the surface soil moisture in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau is estimated from time-series VV-polarized Sentinel-1A observations by coupling the water cloud model (WCM) and the advanced integral equation model (AIEM). The vegetation indicator in the WCM is represented by the leaf area index (LAI), which is smoothed and interpolated from Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) LAI eight-day products. The AIEM requires accurate roughness parameters, which are parameterized by the effective roughness parameters. The first halves of the Sentinel-1A observations from October 2014 to May 2016 are adopted for the model calibration. The calibration results show that the backscattering coefficient (σ°) simulated from the coupled model are consistent with those of the Sentinel-1A with integrated Pearson’s correlation coefficients R of 0.80 and 0.92 for the ascending and descending data, respectively. The variability of soil moisture is correctly modeled by the coupled model. Based on the calibrated model, the soil moisture is retrieved using a look-up table method. The results show that the trends of the in situ soil moisture are effectively captured by the retrieved soil moisture with an integrated R of 0.60 and 0.82 for the ascending and descending data, respectively. The integrated bias, mean absolute error, and root mean square error are 0.006, 0.048, and 0.073 m3/m3 for the ascending data, and are 0.012, 0.026, and 0.055 m3/m3 for the descending data, respectively. Discussions of the effective roughness parameters and uncertainties in the LAI demonstrate the importance of accurate parameterizations of the surface roughness parameters and vegetation for the soil moisture retrieval. These results demonstrate the capability and reliability of Sentinel-1A data for estimating the soil moisture over the Tibetan Plateau. It is expected that our results can contribute to developing operational methods for soil moisture retrieval using the Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1B satellites.
Radio-Frequency-Based NH3-Selective Catalytic Reduction Catalyst Control: Studies on Temperature Dependency and Humidity Influences
Authors: Dietrich Markus , Hagen Gunter , Reitmeier Willibald , Burger Katharina , Hien Markus , Grass Philippe , Kubinski David , Visser Jaco , Moos Ralf
Published: July 2017

The upcoming more stringent automotive emission legislations and current developments have promoted new technologies for more precise and reliable catalyst control. For this purpose, radio-frequency-based (RF) catalyst state determination offers the only approach for directly measuring the NH3 loading on selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts and the state of other catalysts and filter systems. Recently, the ability of this technique to directly control the urea dosing on a current NH3 storing zeolite catalyst has been demonstrated on an engine dynamometer for the first time and this paper continues that work. Therefore, a well-known serial-type and zeolite-based SCR catalyst (Cu-SSZ-13) was investigated under deliberately chosen high space velocities. At first, the full functionality of the RF system with Cu-SSZ-13 as sample was tested successfully. By direct RF-based NH3 storage control, the influence of the storage degree on the catalyst performance, i.e., on NOx conversion and NH3 slip, was investigated in a temperature range between 250 and 400 °C. For each operation point, an ideal and a critical NH3 storage degree was found and analyzed in the whole temperature range. Based on the data of all experimental runs, temperature dependent calibration functions were developed as a basis for upcoming tests under transient conditions. Additionally, the influence of exhaust humidity was observed with special focus on cold start water and its effects to the RF signals.
Cross Deployment Networking and Systematic Performance Analysis of Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Wei Zhengxian , Song Min , Yin Guisheng , Wang Hongbin , Ma Xuefei , Song Houbing
Published: July 2017

Underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) have become a new hot research area. However, due to the work dynamics and harsh ocean environment, how to obtain an UWSN with the best systematic performance while deploying as few sensor nodes as possible and setting up self-adaptive networking is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. Consequently, sensor deployment, networking, and performance calculation of UWSNs are challenging issues, hence the study in this paper centers on this topic and three relevant methods and models are put forward. Firstly, the normal body-centered cubic lattice to cross body-centered cubic lattice (CBCL) has been improved, and a deployment process and topology generation method are built. Then most importantly, a cross deployment networking method (CDNM) for UWSNs suitable for the underwater environment is proposed. Furthermore, a systematic quar-performance calculation model (SQPCM) is proposed from an integrated perspective, in which the systematic performance of a UWSN includes coverage, connectivity, durability and rapid-reactivity. Besides, measurement models are established based on the relationship between systematic performance and influencing parameters. Finally, the influencing parameters are divided into three types, namely, constraint parameters, device performance and networking parameters. Based on these, a networking parameters adjustment method (NPAM) for optimized systematic performance of UWSNs has been presented. The simulation results demonstrate that the approach proposed in this paper is feasible and efficient in networking and performance calculation of UWSNs.
Experimental and Numerical Research of the Thermal Properties of a PCM Window Panel
Authors: Koláček Martin , Charvátová Hana , Sehnálek Stanislav
Published: July 2017

This paper reports the experimental and simulation analysis of a window system incorporating Phase Change Materials (PCMs). In this study, the latent heat storage material is exploited to increase the thermal mass of the building component. A PCM-filled window can increase the possibilities of storage energy from solar radiation and reduce the heating cooling demand. The presented measurements were performed on a specific window panel that integrates a PCM. The PCM window panel consists of four panes of safety glass with three gaps, of which the first one contains a prismatic glass, the second a krypton gas, and the last one a PCM. New PCM window panel technology uses the placement of the PCM in the whole space of the window cavity. This technology improves the thermal performance and storage mass of the window panel. The results show the incongruent melting of salt hydrates and the high thermal inertia of the PCM window panel. The simulation data showed that the PCM window panel and the double glazing panel markedly reduced the peak temperature on the interior surface, reduced the air temperature inside the room, and also considerably improved the thermal mass of the building. This means that the heat energy entering the building through the panel is reduced by 66% in the summer cycle.
Five-Year Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a Local Tertiary Hospital in Bacolod City, Philippines
Authors: Juayang Alain , Lim Joseph , Bonifacio Ann , Lambot Alaica , Millan Sean , Sevilla Vic , Sy Julien , Villanueva Paul , Grajales Carmina , Gallega Christine
Published: July 2017

Over five years, a total of 646 P. aeruginosa isolates was acquired from different clinical specimens and their resistance to the commonly used anti-pseudomonal antibiotics was determined. The majority of the isolates were from respiratory (60.99%) and urinary sources (23.22%) while the least came from transudates and exudates (2.01%). Most of the samples were acquired from older adults (77.55%), most of whom were admitted (67.03%). Amikacin was found to be the most effective drug with a resistance rate of 7.5%, followed by piperacillin/tazobactam (8.5%) and gentamicin (13.5%). On the other hand, 26.7% of the isolates were resistant to levofloxacin. Almost 100% of the isolates were screened positive for AmpC production, which may suggest inducible resistance against expanded spectrum beta-lactamase. Furthermore, for the last three years, P. aeruginosa isolates from this area have been noted to have decreasing resistance only to aztreonam and gentamicin. Also, for five years, a mean MAR index of 0.17 was noted which indicates either proper antibiotic use or most isolates did not come from high-risk areas. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the resistance of P. aeruginosa when compared by specimen source (p = 0.662), but significant when compared by year band (p = 0.02).
Mapping Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Using RapidEye Satellite Data: The Example of Lake Kummerow (Germany)
Authors: Fritz Christine , Dörnhöfer Katja , Schneider Thomas , Geist Juergen , Oppelt Natascha
Published: July 2017

Submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) is sensitive to changes in environmental conditions and plays an important role as a long-term indictor for the trophic state of freshwater lakes. Variations in water level height, nutrient condition, light availability and water temperature affect the growth and species composition of SAV. Detailed information about seasonal variations in littoral bottom coverage are still unknown, although these effects are expected to mask climate change-related long-term changes, as derived by snapshots of standard monitoring methods included in the European Water Framework Directive. Remote sensing offers concepts to map SAV quickly, within large areas, and at short intervals. This study analyses the potential of a semi-empirical method to map littoral bottom coverage by a multi-seasonal approach. Depth-invariant indices were calculated for four Atmospheric & Topographic Correction (ATCOR2) atmospheric corrected RapidEye data sets acquired at Lake Kummerow, Germany, between June and August 2015. RapidEye data evaluation was supported by in situ measurements of the diffuse attenuation coefficient of the water column and bottom reflectance. The processing chain was able to differentiate between SAV and sandy sediment. The successive increase of SAV coverage from June to August was correctly monitored. Comparisons with in situ and Google Earth imagery revealed medium accuracies (kappa coefficient = 0.61, overall accuracy = 72.2%). The analysed time series further revealed how water constituents and temporary surface phenomena such as sun glint or algal blooms influence the identification success of lake bottom substrates. An abundant algal bloom biased the interpretability of shallow water substrate such that a differentiation of sediments and SAV patches failed completely. Despite the documented limitations, mapping of SAV using RapidEye seems possible, even in eutrophic lakes.
Performance and Fouling in Pre-Denitrification Membrane Bioreactors Treating High-Strength Wastewater from Food Waste Disposers
Authors: Lee Jongkeun , Lee Jae , Kim Young , Park Chul , Park Ki
Published: July 2017

The study investigated the performance of the pre-denitrification membrane bioreactor (MBR) process to treat high-strength wastewater generated from food waste disposals. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) as membrane foulant and microbial community profiles were analyzed under different hydraulic retention time (HRT) operation conditions. The pre-denitrification MBR was effective for treating food wastewater with high chemical oxygen demand (COD)/N resulting in high total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency. The operational data showed that effluent qualities in terms of COD, TN, and TP improved with longer HRT. However, membrane fouling potential as shown by specific membrane fouling rate and specific resistance to filtration (SRF) increased as HRT increased. The longer HRT conditions or lower influent loading led to higher levels of bound EPS while HRT did not show large effects on the level of soluble microbial products (SMP). The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis showed similar microbial banding patterns from the sludges generated under different HRT conditions, indicating that HRT had minimal effects on the composition of microbial communities in the system. All these results suggest that the MBR with pre-denitrification is a feasible option for treating high-strength food wastewater and that different HRT conditions could affect the operational performance and the fouling rate, which is governed via changes in microbial responses through EPS in the system.
Volunteers with Disabilities at the London 2012 Olympic And Paralympic Games: Who, Why, and Will They Do It Again?
Authors: Dickson TRacey J. , Darcy Simon , Benson Angela
Published: July 2017

People with disabilities are often the recipients of volunteer services but are rarely considered as a potential volunteer resource, such as in sport events where volunteers are an essential component of major sport event operation and legacy potential. For London's 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games, there was a determined effort by the Organizing Committee to recruit people with disabilities to be Games Makers (i.e., volunteers). This exploratory research investigated 786 London 2012 volunteers who self-identified as having disability or access needs. The research
design involved an online questionnaire examining their motivations for volunteering, their experiences, their likelihood to continue volunteering, and their sociodemographic profile. This article contributes to the literature by examining the motivations of people with disability volunteering
at a mega-sport event, as this has not been done previously. The factor analysis identified eight components: transactional; altruistic; it's all about the games; volunteering community; rewards; availability; variety; and application. The solution highlighted the duality of human capital-related
transactional components where the individual wanted to improve their skills and the altruistic components of giving back and it's all about the games experience. The discussion examined these components in comparison to other mega-event volunteers to examine commonalities and contrasts.
Attendees' User Experience of Social Media Technology During Multiphase Participation In Conventions: a Consumption Values Approach
Authors: Wei Wei , Tracy Lu Ying , Hua Nan
Published: July 2017

This study explores attendees' user experience with social media during their multiphase participation in conventions. Drawn from the Theory of Consumption Values, this study examines both extrinsic and intrinsic values that attendees experience when using social media technology across
anticipatory, experiential, and reflective phases at conventions. With the method of theoretical sampling, qualitative data was collected from 24 in-depth interviews with individuals who had experience with using social media for convention participation. Findings revealed that social media
were used to different extents as an information transmitter, relationship hub, and emotion trigger during multiphase participation in conventions. Three consumption values (i.e., functional, social, and emotional values) were identified, which enhance attendees' experience by satisfying attendees'
need for utilitarian benefits, belonging and interpersonal relatedness, and hedonism. A model of convergence of social media usage and conventions with four propositions was proposed based on the findings. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Event Evaluation and Design: Human Experience Mapping
Authors: Beard Colin , Russ William
Published: July 2017

This article reports a phenomenological evaluation of a small-scale cause-related event. Three complimentary methods were applied to the interpretation of data obtained from interviewing participants who took part in an event involving the experience of sleeping on the streets with
homeless people in a city in the UK. The participant experience data were first explored by applying a simple multiphasic interpretation. A second layer of exploration involved separating the data into six human experience dimensions. A third and final interpretation method involved the collaborative
construction of a schematic map as a composite-summative expression of the data. In order to further explore this collaborative schematic data interpretation approach, and its potential for application in event design, experience mapping has subsequently undergone further field trials with
event experience designers from a range of private and public organizations across the globe, notably Singapore, Prague, Hong Kong, India, and the UK.
TRPA1 Mechanoreceptors Mediate the IL-6 Response to a Single PD Dwell in the Rat
Authors: Nilsson Daniel , Jennische Eva , Cavallini Nicola , Braide Magnus
Published: July 2017

Background

The development of modern, biocompatible peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluids has not entirely eliminated the local pro-inflammatory effects of PD fluid administration. The present study was performed in order to establish the importance of known signaling pathways connected to mechano-, osmo- and chemo-sensors of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family for the acute inflammatory response to PD.

Methods

Rats were exposed to a single 4-hour dwell of lactate-buffered, 2.5% glucose, filter-sterilized PD fluid through an implanted PD catheter. In some groups, the PD dwell was preceded by intravenous administration of blockers of TRPV1 (BCTC), TRPA1 (HC030031), or neurokinin 1 (NK1) (Spantide II) receptors. Cytokine messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions were quantified in tissue biopsies (real-time polymerase chain reaction [qPCR]), and cytokine concentrations were quantified in dialysate samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Tissue expressions of TRPV1, TRPA1, and NK1 were evaluated immuno-histochemically.

Results

The PD dwell induced peritoneal synthesis of Il1b, Tnf, and Il6 and a secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) into the dialysate. The catheter implantation already induced the transcription of Il1b and Tnf but did not significantly affect Il6 transcription. The Il6 response to the PD dwell could be virtually eliminated by blocking TRPA1 but was not affected by TRPV1 blockade. Blocking the substance P receptor, NK1, produced an insignificant trend towards Il6 inhibition. TRPA1 and NK1 showed a stronger immuno-reactivity than TRPV1 on cells of the peritoneal tissue.

Conclusion

The results show that IL-6 synthesis and secretion were connected to acute PD fluid exposure, and this response was triggered by TRPA1 receptors, possibly located to non-neuronal cells.
De la récompense à l’utilité : la trajectoire économique du béhaviorisme de 1961 à nos jours
Authors: Vallois Nicolas
Published: July 2017

À partir des années 1960, la psychologie dite « béhavioriste » se réfère de manière croissante à des concepts et un vocabulaire issus de la théorie économique. L’émergence d’une « économie comportementale » dans les années 1980 semble indiquer que l’économie et les sciences comportementales partagent désormais des objets communs. Pourtant, le franchissement des frontières disciplinaires a soulevé d’importantes difficultés théoriques. Cet article propose une histoire de cette transformation économique du béhaviorisme, au travers de l’équivalence progressivement introduite entre la notion comportementale de « récompense » et celle, économique, d’« utilité ». Les chevauchements partiels des deux disciplines rendent compte de problèmes théoriques actuels de l’économie comportementale. JEL:  B21, D83, D87
Digital Technology in Kindergarten
Authors: Schriever Vicki
Published: July 2017

This chapter examines the literature surrounding digital technologies within kindergarten. It highlights the ways in which mobile devices and smart gadgets are used by early childhood teachers and young children in diverse teacher-focused and child-centred approaches. The challenges faced by early childhood teachers to successfully use and integrate mobile devices and smart gadgets within their kindergarten will be explored. These challenges include, meeting curriculum requirements, mediating parental expectations, seeing the potential of digital technologies, having the confidence and self-efficacy to use digital devices and determining the value and place of digital technologies within a play-based environment. Each of these challenges are explored within the chapter and the ways these challenges can be overcome are detailed. The opportunities which mobile devices and smart gadgets present to maximise young children's learning, play and engagement and which facilitate and support the role of the early childhood teacher will also be examined.
Investigating Students' Acceptance and Intention to Use Mobile Learning in Moroccan Higher Education
Authors: Marzouki Ouiame Filali , Idrissi Mohammed Khalidi , Bennani Samir
Published: July 2017

Giving the mobile technologies increasing adoption in Morocco, the authors explore students' intention to use mobile learning in their learning and teaching processes. A survey has been purposely designed targeting final year students from different Moroccan universities. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is used to determine students' intention to use mobile learning determinants. The chapter details the data analysis results using descriptive and inferential statistics to test TAM hypothesis and answer research questions. The survey also investigates the main instructional teaching approaches used inside and outside the classrooms. 1298 Responses were analyzed, 44.3% of the respondents were male and 55.7% were female and both show positive attitude and perception towards mobile learning. Smart devices ownership and areas of study proved to be determinants of mobile learning intention to use with large effect size. Student's prior experience, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use influence the behavioral intention to use mobile learning.
An Analysis of Mobile Applications for Early Childhood Students With Bilateral Hearing Loss
Authors: Harvey Janell
Published: July 2017

The present research reviews Dolch Sight Word Apps and their potential impact on early childhood classrooms when students with bilaterial hearing loss are present. Little research exists that articulates the impact of such technological intervention, this paper therefore provides a framework for future study. Although few teachers incorporate mobile apps into the early childhood classroom, this paper provides a strategy for instructors should they choose to in the future. This strategy entitled, low-tech, mid-tech, high-tech, provides examples of a number of activities that help teachers to design their classroom ranging from basic activities to those that are technologically focused.
Does Gadget Usage Hamper the Psychological Aspects of Pre-Schoolers?
Authors: Yee Hon Kai , Seok Chua Bee , Hashmi Shazia Iqbal
Published: July 2017

The society is keen to rely on gadgets in everyday life due to versatile gadgets that help them to connect with the world in the 21st century. On the flip side of using gadgets, several researches argued that screen time is affecting children's psychosocial, behavioural and health problems. The present study interviewed 14 preschool teachers to perceive their knowledge in gadget usage, sedentary behaviour and social skills among preschoolers. Besides that, teaching methods and teachers' opinions on gadget usage were also discussed. Inductive analysis (IA) revealed that parents habitually offer children gadgets at home. Also, the teachers expressed a positive opinion on gadget usage where preschoolers simply learn from media and gadget's applications. However, the teachers asserted that usage time needs to be controlled and the amount of usage depends on the role of parents and teachers. Teachers' attitude and habits were found to be moderate in lesson planning and improving the social skills of preschoolers but minimal for addressing their sedentary behaviour.
Using Mobile Technology for Formative Assessment in the Classroom
Authors: Elliott Joshua
Published: July 2017

A Bring Your Own Device Policy (BYOD), although open to criticism, has many benefits. One significant benefit of a BYOD policy is the opportunities for formative assessment opened up when students can access devices on an individual level. BYOD policies are often implemented in an effort to place a device in the hands of every student when district funding would not allow it. The value of formative assessment lies in its ability to provide teachers with information about the level of student understanding. This chapter provides an overview of BYOD, formative assessments, and where they can intersect. States possible concerns and issues associated with the use of personal student devices in an educational setting along with possible ways of addressing these concerns and issues. It also gives specific strategies for developing and implementing formative assessments in a BYOD classroom. This chapter also includes specific tools as well as their strengths and weaknesses.
The Integration of Educational Technology for Classroom-Based Formative Assessment to Empower Teaching and Learning
Authors: Saglam Asli Lidice Gokturk
Published: July 2017

As educational technology continues to change the face of educational contexts in the digital age, the way in which teachers can incorporate various existing online resources and applications within their everyday classroom activities deserves closer attention. In particular, it is important to explore how interactive Web 2.0 tools might be integrated into classroom-based assessment practices. This way, the efficacy of online tools and their ability to both facilitate teacher assessment practices and empower student learning can be adequately assessed. This chapter aims to explore, showcase and discuss how Web 2.0 tools can be integrated into teachers' classroom-based language assessment to get information that can be used diagnostically to adjust teaching and learning with reference to current literature, explore challenges and focus on suggestions and avenues for further research. Furthermore, examples of web tools that could be used for formative assessment will be briefly enlisted.
Fuzzy Rock Mass Rating
Authors: Yardimci Ahmet Gunes , Karpuz Celal
Published: July 2017

Rock mass classification systems are the most commonly used empirical tools in preliminary design of rock slopes. In spite of numerous advantages, these systems lack the common drawbacks of classification systems originated from uncertainties. These drawbacks may lead to similar or so close quality scores for different rock mass properties. Fuzzy Sets is a rising trend in describing Geomechanical problems by including the expert opinion. Especially in the case of weak rocks it allows prediction of more realistic rock mass quality scores. Although the empirical systems form a basis for the preliminary slope stability investigation, slope height and overall slope angle are still two missing important characteristic slope parameters. However, there have been some attempts to describe the graphical presentation of rock quality score, slope height and overall slope angle relation. These charts are called as slope performance charts. This chapter presents a short review on integration of Fuzzy RMR with these charts to provide a useful modification for the case of weak rock slopes.
Geophysical Surveys in Engineering Geology Investigations With Field Examples
Authors: Aydin Ali , Akyol Erdal , Gungor Mahmud , Kaya Ali , Tasdelen Suat
Published: July 2017

This chapter focusses on geophysical survey techniques, employed in engineering geological investigations and it includes case studies. Goal of a geophysical study in an engineering geological research is to display discontinuities in the rock masses, physico-mechanical properties of soils and rocks, groundwater exploration, faults, landslides, etc. It is also helpful to learn type and thickness of soil, layer inclination. These techniques include engineering geological surface mapping, geotechnical drilling and in situ testing.Then the obtained geophysical field data are analyzed and interpreted in conjunction with the results of geological information.The most common geophysical methods namely seismic, magnetometric, vertical electrical sounding (VES), Very Low Frequency (VLF) Electromagnetics methods, ground penetration radar (GPR) provide sufficient information about the subsurface although they have their limitations, setting up the minimum tests requirements in relation to the type of the geological formations.
Determination of the Cyclic Properties of Silty Sands
Authors: Karakan Eyyüb , Altun Selim
Published: July 2017

Liquefaction may be triggered by cyclic loading on saturated silty sands, which is responsible of severe geotechnical problems. Development of excess pore water pressure in soil results in a liquid-like behavior and may be the reason of unavoidable superstructural damage. In this study, in order to investigate the behavior of saturated silty sands exposed to cyclic loading under undrained conditions, a systematic testing program of stress-controlled cyclic triaxial tests was performed on specimens of different silt contents, under different loading conditions and environment. The effect of parameters such as silt content on the liquefaction behavior of specimens was studied. Pore water pressure and shear strain curves were obtained for the silty sands. Furthermore, the boundaries existing in the literature on sands are compared with the results current research, on silty sands. Conclusively, the outcomes of this study were useful to develop insight into the behavior of clean and silty sands under seismic loading conditions.
Management of Risks in Sustainable Supply Chain Using AHP and Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Luthra Sunil , Mangla Sachin Kumar , Venkatesh V. G. , Jakhar Suresh Kumar
Published: July 2017

Business organizations are facing increasingly pressure from stakeholders to incorporate sustainable initiatives in the supply chains. In supply chain management, risk deals with the ‘disturbance and disruption' in a variety of operations that consequences to undesired consequences. Sustainable supply chain (SSC) risk management is a supply chain strategy that aligns economic goals with a supply chain's ecological course of actions. In this chapter, an attempt is made to prioritize and manage the risks linked to SSC. The analysis has been done by combined Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) approach, which helps in distinguishing the priority of risks and revealing of the impacts of risk. Initially, the recognized risks are analyzed to know their priority using AHP technique. Next, the uncertainties related to the risks are explored. This is followed by a risk evaluation procedure to access the disruption impacts of these risks using MCS approach. This methodical approach helps in understanding of the probable risks and consequences to emerge in SSC.
Strategic Information Surveillance
Authors: Rascão José Poças
Published: July 2017

The strategy for any organization can be set from the outside in, according to the school of positioning; according to this, the supply of products and / or services has to adapt to changes that occur in the environment. According to the movement schools of thought, a strategy can be set from the inside out in which case the organization influences the surroundings with its offer of products and / or services. Given the importance of weak signals in the definition of the strategy, the research goal is to treat the issue of pre-emptive strategy in the context of strategic decision making. An answer is provided for the following questions: (1) What is a weak signal? (2) How to tell if it is anticipative, relevant and useful for the decision makers? and (3) How to turn a weak signal in an effective anticipative clue? Based on investigator's experience in strategic consulting for small, medium and large companies, the weak and strong signals are explained and a set of criteria which are representative of their identification is presented.
Knowledge, Innovation, and Profitability
Authors: Longo-Somoza Monica
Published: July 2017

This chapter studies the identification of the profile of knowledge-intensive firms, analyzing if their innovation activity is a characteristic related with their profitability and employing as framework the ‘Resource-based view of the firm (RBV)'. Using a sample of 202 Spanish biotechnology companies, drawn from SABI database, the author has identified these firms' available data until 31st December, 2013. It has been used the cluster analysis methodology rarely employed in the preceding literature to characterise the firms of the sample. The empirical analysis results clarify the profile of the analysed firms, helping stakeholders and policy-makers to understand the dynamics of these kinds of firms and making strategic decisions accordingly over their characteristics. This would help them to grow in an orderly way and, thus, promote socio-economic changes to improve competitiveness and economic growth.
Effects of Irrigation Management Practices on Water Allocation Among Farmers in Kiladeda Sub-Catchment, Tanzania
Authors: Khatib Mwadini , Obando Joy , Murimi Shadrack
Published: July 2017

Kiladeda River in Pangani Basin, Tanzania, plays a vital role of providing water for agricultural activities of the sub catchment. However, it is experiencing a problem of inequitable distribution of irrigation water among farmers. Cross-sectional data was collected from farmers both in upstream and downstream using questionnaires, while river discharge measurements were conducted in referenced spot gauging stations. WEAP model was used to analyze water demand and allocation among farmers. Furrow irrigation (94%) and plastic buckets (6%) were the main irrigation water management practices. The results of WEAP model revealed a water shortage of about 53.6% of the total irrigation water required. The annual irrigation water demand and unmet demand were 13.93Mm3 and 7.47Mm3 respectively, and are both expected to increase twice in 2020. This high water demand for irrigation could be the main cause of excessive water abstraction. A partnering approach is recommended to improve irrigation water management; reviewing of laws, regulations and water rights.
Museums of Dark Mythologies in the Tourist Place
Authors: Afanasiev Oleg E. , Afanasieva Alexandra V.
Published: July 2017

The present chapter focuses on the role of museums as producer of dark myths, which means the cultural background that leads visitors to consume “other´s death”. Anthropologically speaking, museums are symbolic instrument that helps understanding traumatic events. For this reason, it is important to deepen the connection between tourism consumption and disasters. Over centuries, positivism trivialized mythology as a fictional story, or rumors proper of primitive cultures; rather, not only myths play a leading role in configuring culture, but also the borders between life and death. Here we propose an alternative fresh methodology to study dark tourism issues in the decades to come.
Research Methods in Dark Tourism Fields
Authors: Korstanje Maximiliano Emanuel
Published: July 2017

The current chapter delves into the methodologies as well as limitations of used method in dark tourism fields. As fieldworkers are familiar, sometimes interviewees not only are incognizant of their inner-world, but in other occasion, they simply do not say the truth to protect their own interests. Though in tourism and dark tourism fields, researchers are prone to administer questionnaires or interviews as the main methodological option, no less true is that results are far from being clear or have very problems to be organized in an all-encompassing model.
Wireless Sensor Network With Always Best Connection for Internet of Farming
Authors: Alahmadi Ahmed , Alwajeeh Tami , Mohanan Vasuky , Budiarto Rahmat
Published: July 2017

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming the agriculture industry and enables farmers to deal with the vast challenges in the industry. Internet of Farming (IoF) applications increases the quantity, quality, sustainability as well as cost effectiveness of agricultural production. Farmers leverage IoF to monitor remotely, sensors that can detect soil moisture, crop growth and livestock feed levels, manage and control remotely the smart connected harvesters and irrigation equipment, and utilize artificial intelligence based tools to analyze operational data combined with 3rd party information, such as weather services, to provide new insights and improve decision making. The Internet of Farming relies on data gathered from sensor of Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). The WSN requires a reliable connectivity to provide accurate prediction of the farming system. This chapter proposes a strategy that provides always best connectivity (ABC). The strategy considers a routing protocol to support Low-power and lossy networks (LLN), with a minimum energy usage. Two scenarios are presented.
Smart Real-Time Internet-of-Things Network Monitoring System
Authors: Alharthi Adil Fahad , Alzahrani Mohammed Yahya , Aldmour Ismat , Stiawan Deris , Pasha Muhammad Fermi , Budiarto Rahmat
Published: July 2017

The network traffic of the Internet became huge and more complex due to the expansion of the Internet technology in supporting the convergence of IP networks, Internet of Things, and social networks. As a consequence, a more sophisticated network monitoring tool is desired in order to prevent an enterprise network from malware attacks, to maintain its availability as high as possible at any time, and to maintain the network's healthiness. This chapter offers a development of real-time network monitoring tool platform. The research component of this chapter attempts to answer the challenges of making the monitoring tool become smarter and more accurate by applying artificial intelligence techniques. In addition, a research on buffering techniques to speed up the traffic data acquisition process and micro-controller unit design for sensor-based applications are also carried out. In the development component, some ground works has already been done such as network traffic packets capturing modules, and packets decoding modules. The system development uses Java Eclipse platform.
Sentiment Mining Approaches for Big Data Classification and Clustering
Authors: J Ashok Kumar , S Abirami , Trueman Tina Esther
Published: July 2017

Sentiment analysis is one of the most important applications in the field of text mining. It computes people's opinions, comments, posts, reviews, evaluations, and emotions which are expressed on products, sales, services, individuals, organizations, etc. Nowadays, large amounts of structured and unstructured data are being produced on the web. The categorizing and grouping of these data become a real-world problem. In this chapter, the authors address the current research in this field, issues and the problem of sentiment analysis on Big Data for classification and clustering. It suggests new methods, applications, algorithm extensions of classification and clustering and software tools in the field of sentiment analysis.
A Review on Spatial Big Data Analytics and Visualization
Authors: Seethapathy Bangaru Kamatchi , R Parvathi
Published: July 2017

Spatial dataset, which is becoming nontraditional due to the increase in usage of social media sensor networks, gaming and many other new emerging technologies and applications. The wide variety of sensors are used in solving real time problems like natural calamities, traffic analysis, analyzing climatic conditions and the usage of GPS, GPRS in mobile phones all together creates huge amount of spatial data which really exceeds the traditional spatial data analytics platform and become spatial big data .Spatial big data provide new demanding situations for their size, analysis, and exploration. This chapter discusses about the analysis of spatial data and how it gets descriptive manipulation, so that one can understand how multi variant variables get interact with each other along with the different visualization tools which make the understanding of spatial data easier.
Adapting and Advancing Organizational Communication Research Methods
Authors: Stephens Keri K.
Published: July 2017

Organizational Communication scholars have a rich history of encouraging multiple approaches to data collection and analysis. In this chapter, I provide examples from our recent history that illustrate how we have developed our broad perspective on research methods. I also disclose the struggles I had when trying to decide how to represent the trends in published methods found in Management Communication Quarterly between 2000 and 2015. My analysis revealed that approximately two thirds of the papers published in MCQ used a qualitative approach to data collection. Mixed methods were rare, while using multiple methods was more common and has been stable over time. The chapter ends by highlighting pedagogical issues surrounding our field's acceptance of methodological diversity. I argue that as teachers, we must not lose the value of educating the next generation to be methodologically deep in some research approaches. However, we must also encourage methodological curiosity; a mindset that will allow our students to continue learning methods well beyond their graduate education.
Expanding Organizational Research Methods
Authors: Blithe Sarah Jane , Wolfe Anna Wiederhold
Published: July 2017

Collecting qualitative data in organizations is a complex and messy process which produces subjective, performed, and partial data. In this chapter, the authors argue that analyzing “ruptures” in organizational interview data—paying attention to absences, exits, unspoken feelings, and temporal shifts--can enrich the researcher's understanding by making visible multiple aspects of the data which might otherwise have been overlooked. Examining ruptures draws attention to jarring disjunctures and previously unseen angles often missed through traditional data analysis. Drawing from interview data with brothel owners and sex workers in Nevada's legal brothels, the authors present two main contributions to qualitative organizational research: (1) the benefits of analyzing ruptures in organizational interview performances and transcripts and (2) a challenge to organizational researchers to take seriously their emotions during the interview performance.
Ethics, Agency, and Non-Human Agency in the Study of the Communicative Constitution of Organizations
Authors: Meisenbach Rebecca J.
Published: July 2017

This chapter interrogates how recent CCO (communication constitutes organizing) theorizing impacts the study of organizational ethics. Beginning with existing approaches, the chapter addresses how the complexity of analyzing choice and agency (typically tied to ethics) at an organizational level helps explain the relative lack of organizational ethics research. Ethics research in areas connected to organizational communication (public relations, crisis communication, corporate social responsibility, and organizational rhetoric) are also specifically examined. Next, the chapter considers the two distinct definitions of agency, from to the Montreal School's CCO approach and the Four Flows approach respectively, delves into a theoretical discussion of each definition's implications, and concludes that the Montreal School's CCO approach is more suited to investigating and questioning organizational ethics. The chapter concludes by noting paths for organizational research on ethics and responsibility, including challenging assumptions that moral thinking prioritizes rational choice.