bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Conceptual Framework for The Examination of a Successful Digital Entrepreneurship in 21st Century
Authors: Bilal Ahmad Ali Al-khateeb
Published: January 2021

There is still lack of a clear conceptual framework to examine a successful digital entrepreneurship within the developing and emerging contexts despite calls by previous scholars. Also, recent studies shown that majority of the digital enterprises studies available today are mostly from the Western world. Thus, there are only few studies on digital enterprises studies emanating from the developing and emerging countries in the Middle-East and Africa continents. Based on the evidence from the literature, this paper provides an overview of digital entrepreneurship, identifies key variables that determine a successful digital entrepreneurship and then provides a conceptual model to guide the understanding of a successful digital entrepreneurship development within the context of developing and emerging economies. The paper offered some implications for digital entrepreneurs, policy makers and some other people in the business of digital entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia.
Teleworking and a Green Computing Environment
Authors: Egbuta Iheanyi Chuku , Thomas Brychan , Al-Hasan Said
Published: January 2021

This paper considers strategic green issues of teleworking in terms of the environment, transport, location, office space and resource use for modern organisations and business sectors and formulates a conceptual model of the processes involved. Teleworking technologies are variously implemented for green computing initiatives and many advantages include lower greenhouse gas emissions related to travel, greater worker satisfaction and, as a result of lower overhead office costs, increased profit margins. The paper initially investigates the appropriateness of a working definition of teleworking with regard to green computing and explores the benefits, and barriers, of teleworking in a green computing environment. Theoretical frameworks and models of teleworking are considered and a conceptual model of the contribution of teleworking to green computing is formulated. The application of the model is considered in terms of teleworking concepts, the organisational environment and driving forces. It is the intention of the paper to identify, and articulate, those teleworking concepts that will be useful to academicians, scientists, business entrepreneurs, practitioners, managers and policy makers, and to indicate future directions for research scholars and students with similar interests.
The Destructive Effect of Complex Analytics on Innovativeness
Authors: Güçlü Burçin , Canela Miguel-Ángel
Published: January 2021

Several studies have raised a common concern in the field of management, the lack of innovation. However, they either attribute this phenomenon to the inefficiency of marketing analytics, or to managerial despair in evaluating innovation projects. In this article, the authors propose and empirically test cognitive effort spent on marketing analytics which can lead to the lack of innovativeness, due to the negative impact of high cognitive effort on the managers' mood. In a longitudinal experiment, where manipulating the complexity of the decision context through marketing analytics, the authors demonstrate that managers employing simple marketing analytics expect their competitors to launch more products, compared to managers using complex marketing analytics. They also demonstrate that firms employing simple marketing analytics behave venturesome by embarking upon innovative activities. At the same time, firms using complex marketing analytics take more deliberative actions by innovating less and amplifying short-term gains with high priced products.
Collaborative Systems for Design-Based Learning
Authors: Streator Joycelyn
Published: January 2021

This chapter explores use of Design-based learning (DBL) and digital tools to facilitate collaborative learning through design-based projects. Design-based learning (DBL) is an educational approach that incorporates hands-own, authentic, multidisciplinary design tasks to identify problems and design solutions. With DBL, students typically work in teams and are tasked designing solutions to open-ended problems. Teams develop conceptual solutions to problems and then work through the design process to arrive at the creation of an actual artifact. This artifact may be fully functional or simply a model, prototype, or other representation of the complete system. STEM instructors and students should give careful attention to selecting the digital tools for collaboration. Some collaborative tools offer affordances and features that compliment the communication processes in one phase of the design process while another other tool may be better suited for the tasks specific to another phase.
Digitization and Sustainability
Authors: Arnold Marlen Gabriele , Fischer Anne
Published: January 2021

Digitization and sustainability are two mega-trends. There are a lot of opportunities and threats discussed. However, a compiled and industry-wide analysis of SWOTs is missing. After a review of the literature on digitization and sustainability and compiling a SWOT table, a concept map is developed for visualizing key topics in light of digitization and sustainability. In addition, for illustrating unconscious knowledge, two exemplifying systemic structural constellations are presented in this context as well. The results show immense tensions between sustainability and digitization, but also offer progressive patterns. In light of a development towards sustainability, digitization is both boon and bane and often needs a clear analysis of all relevant issues and a careful handling in order to be progressive. Digital transformation requires a precise and honest value basis and sustainability added value. Therefore, societal progress and strict law regulation will be needed.
Organization-Wide Culture Change in a Large Healthcare Organization
Authors: Quast Louis Neumann , Kuhn Jane M.
Published: January 2021

This reflective case history explores a large-scale organizational culture change in a private, global organization based in the United States. The organizational culture concept first emerged in the 1970s and is an influential and controversial concept in research and practice. The success rate of change initiatives is only about 30%, while success for culture-change drops to 10%. Because culture change is not easy, this case history highlights evidence-based practices, supportive factors, barriers, and recommendations for culture change.
Impact of Social CRM Capabilities on Firm Performance
Authors: Kamboj Shampy , Yadav Mayank , Rahman Zillur , Goyal Praveen
Published: January 2021

The emergence of social media technologies have drastically changed the face of customer relationship management (CRM), hence firms are incorporating social media technologies in their existing CRM systems which has led to the evolution of social CRM. This article extends capability-based perspective of traditional CRM by integrating it with social media technologies and to assess empirically their significant impact on firm performance. It also examines the mediating role of co-created customer experience. The developed hypothesis and proposed model were tested through structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that co-created customer experiences play a role of mediator between social CRM capabilities and performance outcomes. Sales/marketing centric technology resources significantly influence four dimensions and customer centric technology resources influence two dimensions of relational information processing capability. The findings also depict that there is an influence of Sales/marketing and customer centric technology resources on customer linking, market sensing and social CRM capabilities.
Strategic Leadership, Readiness for Change, and Innovative Work Behavior
Authors: Akca Meltem
Published: January 2021

At the present time, business work environments are becoming more volatile and competitive. The development of information technologies, rapid changes of organizational structures, changeable customer attitudes are more important for today's organizations. These features of the marketplace direct organizations to be in search of new methods to achieve and maintain sustainable performance. Leadership, employee favorable work behavior, technological investments are some methods to provide continuity of an organization's existence. This chapter aims to obtain influence of strategic leadership on the employees' innovative work behavior. Furthermore, it is expected to obtain the mediator role of readiness for change in this relation. In the study, the sample is composed of four-star hotel employees in Antalya, Turkey. This evidence-based field study proves new implementation's impact on the employees.
Emerging Trends and Opportunities for Industry Development at the Sub-National Level in Russia
Authors: Gamidullaeva Leyla A. , Merkulova Natalia S. , Kryachkova Ludmila I. , Kondratieva Zoya A. , Efimova Yulia A. , Matukin Sergey V.
Published: January 2021

The authors believe that the transition to Industry 4.0 will have a strong impact on the level of urbanization in Russia. The level of urbanization is influenced by many factors, which include the level of economic development of the country, migration of the population, natural and climatic conditions. The highest level of urbanization is typical for industrialized regions. This suggests that it is necessary to develop industry and move to Industry 4.0. The purpose of this chapter is to show the relationship between urbanization and Industry 4.0, as well as to increase the level of knowledge about digital production, the internet of things, the Industry 4.0, and urbanization. The chapter explains the role of Industry 4.0 in the current changing environment. The chapter deals with the most important problems and opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution.
Resistance to Organizational Change in Academia
Authors: Akella Devi , Khoury Grace
Published: January 2021

Resistance to change happens to be a phenomenon in which both the change agents and change recipients are equally responsible for all forms of resistance. Resistance and its various forms are an outcome of the change agents' observations and their interpretations of the conversations, behavior, and reactions of the change recipients. This chapter uses auto-ethnographic reflexive narratives of two change agents involved in the self-assessment process at a college planning to seek US-based business program accreditation to make sense of the change process. The purpose of this chapter is to emphasize the under-reflected role of the change agents and how they influence and affect the behavior of change recipients and thereby contribute towards employee resistance. The chapter also emphasizes the crucial role of reflection and introspection in the sensemaking activities of the change agents in the entire change initiative and thereby adds evidence-based organizational change and development initiatives in an academic setting where research is limited.
Corporates in the Digital Age
Authors: Azzam Hammad
Published: January 2021

A proposition for digital transformation of global groups into efficient enterprises is introduced. At the heart of the proposition is a transformational practice aimed at creating a customer-focused, data-driven global culture in any customer-serving company. The digital age has added a level of complexity to the way we acquire and serve customers. Doing a good job in the traditional channels is not enough anymore. Online is increasingly becoming the channel of choice with the two main customer-interaction paradigms: sell and service. And building a great customer experience is probably the most essential factor of success for both functions.
Digitally Empowered Workers and Authentic Leaders
Authors: Crawford Joseph , Butler-Henderson Kerryn
Published: January 2021

The digital era has catalyzed the contemporary workforce and workplace. Employees are now required to develop skills that may be outdated in a matter of years, and be consciously aware that their society is evolving rapidly. This Chapter conceptualizes the characteristics of a digitally empowered worker to encompass awareness, creativity, agility, and a positive learning orientation. In doing so, the authors consider the way in which an authentic leader and authentic follower may influence the development of the digitally empowered. Authors present a model and its impact on digital innovation and digital productivity.
Strategic and Business-IT Alignment Under Digital Transformation
Authors: Daidj Nabyla
Published: January 2021

Digital transformation is at a very early stage. Digital transformation has several impacts on business, on organization and process and raises several questions. Over the years, the aims of strategic fit and IT-business alignment have remained constant but the environment in which companies operate has changed significantly becoming more dynamic, very competitive and global. This chapter attempts to analyse how the digital transformation could affect more specifically strategic and IT-business alignment.
Distributed Work Environments
Authors: Franck Edwiygh
Published: January 2021

Technology is making the traditional workplace obsolete. Companies are taking advantage of the myriads of digital resources available to make their processes leaner, cut costs and have a larger presence in the global market through the concept of distributed work environment. In this chapter, the author provides an overview of the distributed work environment, as well as the impact it has on the human condition in the workplace. Although this technology driven work concept can be beneficial, companies have to ensure that it is the right business model for them and their employees. The author looks at different factors that companies need to consider in deciding to adopt a distributed work environment model. Several companies, over 125 of them, have successfully implemented the concept and the author shares some examples on how they were able to achieve success and employee satisfaction.
What Does the Future Hold for Innovation Management Education?
Authors: Širok Klemen , Jääskeläinen Pia
Published: January 2021

Education often struggles to keep up with the pace of changes in the global economy- and technology-driven world. This issue can be seen especially in the education of innovation management. Even if the current pace with which education in general is adapting to these changes remains the same, the intensifying change dynamics imposed by accelerating technological development, labor market changes, population aging, and environmental challenges will simply outpace the education system's adaptability. This chapter aims to identify and describe emerging trends that will most likely put additional pressures on innovation management education in the short- and mid-term. Based on the presented change-driving trends, a concept of a future-oriented innovation management course will be presented. Additionally, the hypothetical implementation of the innovation management course concept will be presented. In the conclusion, the challenges that innovation management education should address will be outlined and discussed.
A Pedagogy of Promise
Authors: Zygmunt Eva M. , Cipollone Kristin
Published: January 2021

This chapter details an innovative teacher education paradigm that privileges community-engagement and critical service-learning in the development of culturally responsive teachers. Candidates are removed from campus and immersed in a low-income, African-American neighborhood for an entire semester's coursework, where they participate in critical service-learning alongside community mentors and members of the neighborhood community council. Differentiated from more traditional models of university service learning characterized by “doing for,” and which tend to favor those who serve over those being served, candidates participate with and alongside residents in projects identified by members of the neighborhood as integral to community vitality. The chapter details examples of critical service-learning that have been co-enacted in the eight-year history in the neighborhood. Candidate and community member reflections on their co-participation are privileged in the rich description of how this partnership is instrumental in the development of culturally responsive teachers.
Finnish Education
Authors: Itkonen Tuija , Dervin Fred , Talib Mirja-Tytti
Published: January 2021

Finland represents an educational utopia for many educators and decision-makers around the world. The Nordic country is known for its excellence in learning results and the emphasis it lays on equality/equity in education. This paper focuses on the way the latter has been presented and constructed in two popular commercial products on Finnish education: a book and a 60-minute documentary. Audiences for both include educational scholars and practitioners, decision-makers and the general public. The authors examine assumptions, ideologies, and silences in the discussions of equality and equity behind the discourse of excellence in Finnish education. As Finland is actively involved in marketing its education around the world, this calls for a review of the myths and realities of Finnish education.
Visual Rhetoric
Authors: Kramer Kate
Published: January 2021

This literature review traces recent scholarship on a particular form of communication that uses images for persuasive purposes: visual rhetoric. Disciplines within the purview of this literature review include writing studies, speech, communication, education, and marketing as well as, to a limited degree, anthropology, information science, art history, architecture, and design. The chapter will discuss three main theoretical constructs which ground scholarship in this field: rhetoric, iconology, and semiotics. The chapter will then explore how the Sister Arts tradition has been evoked as a potential model for interdisciplinary scholarly work; describe the propensity for social justice in writing studies pedagogy; identify convergence and divergence in scholarship on visual rhetoric that hold promise for new avenues of interdisciplinary research; and introduce scholarship in education and information science that sheds new light on the topic.
Game Theory for Co-Tiered Interference Mitigation in 5G Small-Cell Networks
Authors: Wu Ducheng , Wu Qihui , Xu Yuhua
Published: January 2021

Small-cell technologies are seen as one of the most promising solutions for the rapid growth of wireless data services and 5G requirements. However, because most SBSs are deployed with minimum intervention from the end users and the service providers, it is hard to mitigate co-tiered interference. It is significant to study the self-organized distributed co-tiered interference mitigation and resource allocation. Game theory is an effective distributed approach towards handling the distributed co-tiered interference mitigation problem without a central controller. This chapter is to address the application of game theory and distributed learning solutions for distributed co-tiered interference mitigation. Two potential game models for static and dynamic co-tiered interference mitigation are presented and discussed for small-cell networks with fixed loads and dynamic loads separately. In addition, two distributed learning algorithms are presented and results are discussed. Finally, some future research directions are given.
QoS-Aware Green Communication Strategies for Optimal Utilization of Resources in 5G Networks
Authors: Prasad Ganesh , Mishra Deepak , Hossain Ashraf
Published: January 2021

With increase in demand of data traffic with no compromise on the underlying quality of service (QoS), the coexistence problem arises due to high electricity consumption by the network architecture which results in a huge CO2 emission and thereby causing various health hazards. Efficient utilization of the resources can reduce the cost of power consumption which will increase the economy-characteristics of the network. The resource consumption can be reduced under an intelligent technology-neutral policies which optimizes the deployment of the network architecture along with their transmit power paving the way for fifth generation (5G) in green wireless communications. On another front, the ultra-dense deployment of the small cells can increase the frequency reuse factor as well as help in reducing the energy consumption. This chapter designs the energy efficient networks while satisfying the underlying QoS by joint optimization of available resources depending on the interoperability challenges in terrestrial, underwater acoustic, and free space optical (FSO) communications.
M2M in 5G Communication Networks
Authors: Salem Mohammed A. , El-Kader Sherine M. Abd , Youssef Mohamed I. , Tarrad Ibrahim F.
Published: January 2021

Machine type communication (MTC), additionally called machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, broadly is referring to a number of cooperating machines exchange sensed data or information and make decisions with slight or zero human intervention. M2M technology will let a massive number of devices to be interconnected over the internet leading to a rapid development in recent time, which can be a promising enabling key for many areas, particularly for the internet of things (IoT) and 5th generation (5G) networks. This chapter presents a summary and state of art of M2M communications characteristics, taxonomy, applications, different technologies for deploying of M2M communications, and future challenges.
Licensing Terms for IoT Standard-Setting
Authors: Heckman Matt
Published: January 2021

The development of 5G and IoT standards requires an active participation of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). These SMEs do not always have the resources and expertise to participate in the work of standard development organizations (SDOs). The valuation of the patents in standards can be based on “license for all” or “end-user” concepts. A specific choice for use-based licensing terms by an SDO might drive SMEs more towards standard-setting in consortia. The chapter will discuss the competition law aspects of both licensing concepts for SMEs and the recent communication in this field by the EU Commission.
Optimizing 5G in V2X Communications
Authors: AbdelHakeem Shimaa Abdelnaby , Hady Anar Abdel , Kim HyungWon
Published: January 2021

Recently, the automotive industries have accelerated the deployment of Cellular V2X as a motivation to integrate vehicular communication with NewRadio-5G (NR-5G) technology. Nowadays, two critical technologies are concurrently supporting V2X communication: IEEE802.11p and cellular technologies. C-V2X is standardized and designed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) for automotive services. C-V2X supports two communication modes through a single platform to provide Wifi-short-range and cellular-long-range communication. Wifi-short-range communication doesn't require network subscription or coverage while the cellular-long-range requires network subscription and coverage. LTE-V2X is the current standard of C-V2X which completed in March-2017 as the 3GPP-Release 14 and enhanced to support the upcoming 3GPP-Release 16 which support the NR-5G capabilities, enhancement, and services. In this chapter, the authors propose the Optimizing of 5G with V2X and analyzing the current V2X standards, introducing the evolution of 5G, challenges, features, requirements, design, and technologies.
Exploring the Gender Digital Divide in E-Government Use in a Developing Country
Authors: Acilar Ali
Published: January 2021

This article explores the gender digital divide in e-government use in Turkey. Historical trends and differences in internet and e-government use by males and females are investigated. The findings of this study indicate that although internet use has increased over the years, there remains a steady and significant gap between males and females in terms of internet use and e-government services use. It appears that females in Turkey tend to be on the wrong side of the digital divide, and a significant number of females do not benefit from the potential advantages of the internet and e-government services. The gender digital gap in e-government use is higher than in internet use.
Investigating Change Management Based on Participation and Acceptance of IT in the Public Sector
Authors: Ben Rehouma Mariem , Geyer Tim , Kahl Timo
Published: January 2021

The digitalization of public administrations faces big challenges regarding employees' acceptance of IT. Change management approaches based on participation should help achieving acceptance and success of IT projects in the public sector. The research investigated how participation methods can be integrated into change management and which effects participation has on the acceptance of the introduced system in this sector. The authors followed a mixed research approach and conducted a quantitative and a qualitative study within public administrations and ministries in two states in Germany. The findings reveal that employees' participation in the form of information, communication, training, support, and active participation as well as the role of managers all have a significant positive relationship with employees' attitudes towards IT. Furthermore, they identified four key aspects of applying change-management based on employee participation in IT-projects, which they recommend to consider when implementing IT projects in the public sector in the future.
Os investimentos em saúde pública: uma avaliação do desempenho dos gastos públicos em Minas Gerais
Authors: Mendes Wanderson de Almeida , Teixeira Karla Maria Damiano , Ferreira Marco Aurelio Marques
Published: January 2021

O financiamento da saúde pública possui limitações como a escassez e a distribuição de recursos, dasquais comprometem a prestação do serviço público de qualidade. Nesse sentido, há a necessidade debuscar a eficiência dos gastos públicos, a fim de alcançar os resultados. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o desempenho do serviço de saúde pública nos municípios de Minas Gerais. Para isso, foi avaliado 602 municípios mineiros, no período de 2015, utilizando duas variações do modelo Análise Envoltória de Dados. O primeiro se chama Modelo de Medidas Específicas (MME), o qual utilizou-se o desenvolvimento municipal como variável não-discricionária, e o segundo modelo utilizado foi a Fronteira Invertida, com o intuito de diferenciar os municípios mais eficientes. Os resultados apresentaram que municípios vizinhos tendem a possuir valores de eficiência próximos, devido à regionalidade. Nesse sentido, há uma preocupação com municípios de regiões mais carentes, necessitando da formulação de políticas públicas capazes de atender à população e melhorar o desempenho dos serviços de saúde pública.
Preparation of WC/Ni Flexible Cloth Coating by Vacuum Brazing
Authors: Yang Zheng Zheng , Zhang Jian , Yu Xin Hai
Published: January 2021

In this study, one novel WC/Ni flexible cloth coatings were prepared to enhance the abrasion and erosion resistances and meanwhile to accommodate the complicated component surfaces. Neither precipitation of WC particle nor pores or cracks were detected in the coating. The scarification extent of WC particle decreased with the increase in the WC content. With the abrasion mechanism of three body abrasive wear, the WC/Ni coating with 59.8 wt.% WC (WC/Ni-59.8 wt.%) showed the best abrasion resistance with the wear rate of 0.3% of 304 stainless steel. At 30° of impact angle, the WC/Ni-59.8 wt. % exhibited a superior erosion resistance to that of WC coating developed by high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF). The application potential of WC/Ni flexible cloth coating for the commercial components was testified by developing the coating on a ball valve disc.
Effect of Tensile Stress on Characteristics of High-Temperature Superconducting Tape
Authors: Chen Quan , Cheng Jin Min , Liu Bai Liang , Xu Ying , Wang Xiao Lei , Ma Tao , Wang Bang Zhu
Published: January 2021

With the discovery of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape and the improvement of the performance of the second-generation HTS tape, the application of superconductors in power system is gradually unfolding. There have been many demonstration projects at home and abroad. When the HTS tape is applied to the power cable, the mechanical external action of the cable winding, laying and installation operations, and the Ampere force when the current is applied are applied to it. Stress has an important influence on the critical current characteristic of the superconducting tape. In different application scenarios of the tape, different materials and thicknesses reinforcement layers can be chosen. In this paper, for the YBCO superconducting tapes with different reinforcement layers, a set of systems with critical current under tensile stress at cryogenic temperature is used to study the influence of tensile stress on the critical current of superconducting tape at low temperature. We analyze the influence of the structure of the superconducting tape on the characteristics of the tape and studied its degradation characteristics, which have guiding significance for the design and operation of the superconducting cable.
The Distribution Trend of Boron Atoms in Semiconductor Silicon under High Temperature
Authors: Zhao Zhi Huan , Zhao Zhi Bin , Jiang Ming Ming , Chen Chuan Zhong , Song Wei Hai , Zhang Li , Liu Li Li , Yu Hui Jun
Published: January 2021

The ProENGINEER software is used to build a geometric model for the whole process cavity and internal structure and conduct the internal dynamic simulation of cavity with different diffusion temperatures of 1,000°C, 1,050°C, 1,100°C and 1,150°C, and different diffusion time of 5 min, 10 min, 15 min and 20 min. Analyze the process control indexes by combining with specific thermal diffusion test, and study the relationship between hydrodynamic parameters and diffusion uniformity, Comprehensively investigate the effects of the diffusion temperature and diffusion time on doping, achieving the requirements of impurity distribution in materials.
Fabrication and Investigation on the Polyimide/Al2O3 Composite Films via Ion Exchange Technology
Authors: Zhang Ming Yu , Wang Ya , Liu Li Zhu , Song Wei , Zhang Chun Qi
Published: January 2021

Polyimide/Al2O3 films were prepared by the surface modification with different hydrolysis time, ion exchange technique and heat treatment using polyimide films as the substrates and aluminum chloride as the precursor of Al2O3. The morphology, thermal properties and electrical properties of the composite films were characterized and tested. The results indicated the alumina distributed in certain thickness on the surface of the films and there was a clear interface layer between the alumina layer and the substrate. The breakdown strength of the composite films maintains the excellent properties of the pristine film while the thermal and corona-resistant time properties of composite films were better than the pristine film due to introducing aluminum oxide. The composite film which used KOH to treat for 90 min has the longest corona-resistant time (101.2 min), which was almost 10 times longer than the pristine film.
Research on the Magnetron Sputtering Performance of Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display Electronic Materials Based on Amorphous Oxide Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Sha Lin , Du Qi Fei , Tu Li Ping
Published: January 2021

With the widespread use of film transistors, amorphous oxide thin films have excellent transparency and conductivity, stable performance, smooth and smooth surface, easy to etch and large-area preparation, are compatible with existing processes, and do not require subsequent annealing to simplify the process. Process and other advantages have been applied to many fields such as thin film transistors. The principle of the amorphous oxide is basically the same as that of the crystalline state, Magnetron sputtering technology can prepare super-hard films, corrosion-resistant friction films, superconducting films, magnetic films, optical films, and various films with special functions. It is widely used in the field of industrial film preparation. This article focuses on the principle and characteristics of magnetron sputtering technology for electronic materials, the development history of magnetron sputtering technology and its development trend.
Effect of Initial Consolidation Stress Path on Shear Behavior of Calcareous Sand
Authors: Zhou Hong Xing , He Shao Heng , Gao Min , Ding Zhi , Xia Tang Dai
Published: January 2021

Calcareous sand is widely used as backfill material for land reclamation, but due to its special mechanical characteristics such as easily broken particles, calcareous sand foundation is facing more complex engineering problems. In this study, drained and undrained shear tests were carried out on calcareous sand samples from the South China Sea using K0 consolidation and isotropic consolidation conditions. It was found that the particle breakage of calcareous sand has obvious dependence on the initial consolidation stress path and drainage condition, thus showing different shear strength behavior. The particle breakage under drained shear is greater than that under undrained shear, and the particle breakage under isotropic consolidated shear is greater than that under K0 consolidated shear. The larger the particle breakage, the smaller the dilatancy and internal friction angle of calcareous sand. The dilatancy and internal friction angle of K0 consolidated specimen are larger than those of isotropic consolidated specimen. It is suggested that the actual stress path of calcareous sand should be considered in the engineering.
Asphalt Modified by Ethylene-Acrylic Acid Copolymer Ionomers: Fundamental Investigations of Mechanical and Rheological Properties
Authors: Ouyang Chun Fa , Xu Chun Ye , Gao Qun , Xue Wei Li , Yang Wei Gang , Zheng Kang Sheng
Published: January 2021

Ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) has been demonstrated to be a suitable additive for modifying the properties of asphalt. EAA mixed with metal hydroxides/oxides form EAA-M ionomers, which increase the polarity of EAA, improving its adhesive properties and affecting its mechanical and rheological characteristics. The present work investigates the mechanical and rheological characteristics of asphalt modified by EAA in conjunction with either Ca (OH)2, NaOH, or ZnO. The high-temperature properties of the modified asphalts, including the softening point, and needle penetration, were evaluated. Rheological characteristics of modified asphalts were investigated by rotary rheometer. Moreover, the storage stability at high temperature, morphology and chemical structure were also analyzed. Results indicate that a 4wt% EAA-M ionomer concentration in the base asphalt is adequate for providing the enhanced properties studied. For an equivalent concentration of EAA, the properties of modified asphalts were affected by very small additions of the metal hydroxides/oxides. The best overall mechanical and rheological performance was obtained for EAA-Ca modified asphalt with 4wt% EAA and 2.5wt‰ Ca (OH)2. EAA-Zn modified asphalt provided the most stable high-temperature storage. Compared with 6wt% pure EAA-modified asphalt, which is not stable, the EAA-Zn modified asphalt (2.7wt‰ ZnO) demonstrated reasonable high-temperature storage stability. Compared with asphalt modified with 6wt% pure EAA, the softening point increased from 55.81 °C to 58.05 °C with the addition of 2.7wt‰ NaOH. However, while the mechanical and rheological properties of EAA-Na modified asphalt were very good, its high-temperature storage stability due to the strong reactivity of NaOH, which led to the crosslinking of EAA-Na ionomers, making it difficult to disperse.
Effect of Annealing Temperature on Microstructure and Properties of Cold Drawn Tube
Authors: Tang Cai , Wen Jun , Fan Hui Ji
Published: January 2021

The annealing process of an improved Q420 cold drawn tube was studied by using different annealing temperatures (430°C, 450°C, 470°C, 490°C and 510°C) with a same annealing holding time (3h). The effect of different annealing temperatures on the mechanical properties, microstructure and fracture features of the cold drawn tube was studied by means of tensile test, microstructure observation and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The results show that, annealing temperature has great influence on the strength and plasticity of the cold drawn tube. When the annealing temperature increased to 450°C, banded microstructure was mitigated and the pearlite is relatively dispersed. The tensile fracture morphology under the annealing temperature of 450°C has more dimples and deeper bremsstrahlung than other annealing temperatures. The best annealing process of the cold drawn tube was 450°C×3h. Under this annealing process, the cold drawn tube with good strength and toughness can be obtained.
Immune Cell–Stromal Circuitry in Lupus Photosensitivity
Authors: Sim Ji Hyun , Ambler William G , Sollohub Isabel F , Howlader Mir J , Li Thomas M , Lee Henry J , Lu Theresa T
Published: January 2021

Photosensitivity is a sensitivity to UV radiation (UVR) commonly found in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients who have cutaneous disease. Upon even ambient UVR exposure, patients can develop inflammatory skin lesions that can reduce the quality of life. Additionally, UVR-exposed skin lesions can be associated with systemic disease flares marked by rising autoantibody titers and worsening kidney disease. Why SLE patients are photosensitive and how skin sensitivity leads to systemic disease flares are not well understood, and treatment options are limited. In recent years, the importance of immune cell–stromal interactions in tissue function and maintenance is being increasingly recognized. In this review, we discuss SLE as an anatomic circuit and review recent findings in the pathogenesis of photosensitivity with a focus on immune cell–stromal circuitry in tissue health and disease.
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and T Cells: From Mechanisms to Outcomes
Authors: Baker Alfie T , Abuwarwar Mohammed H , Poly Lylarath , Wilkins Simon , Fletcher Anne L
Published: January 2021

Over the past decade, T cell immunotherapy has changed the face of cancer treatment, providing robust treatment options for several previously intractable cancers. Unfortunately, many epithelial tumors with high mortality rates respond poorly to immunotherapy, and an understanding of the key impediments is urgently required. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) comprise the most frequent nonneoplastic cellular component in most solid tumors. Far from an inert scaffold, CAFs significantly influence tumor neogenesis, persistence, and metastasis and are emerging as a key player in immunotherapy resistance. In this review, we discuss the physical and chemical barriers that CAFs place between effector T cells and their tumor cell targets, and the therapies poised to target them.
Utility of gastric ultrasound in evaluating nil per os status in a child
Authors: Munlemvo Dolly , Moharir Alok , Yamaguchi Yoshikazu , Khan Sarah , Tobias Joseph D.
Published: January 2021

Although rare, the aspiration of gastric contents can lead to significant morbidity or even mortality in pediatric patients receiving anesthetic care. For elective cases, routine preoperative practices include the use of standard nil per os times to decrease the risk of aspiration. However, patients may fail to adhere to provided NPO guidelines or other patient factors may impact the efficacy of standard NPO times. Gastric point-of-care ultrasound provides information on the volume and quality of gastric contents and may allow improved patient management strategies. We present a 4-year-old patient who presented for bilateral myringotomy with tympanostomy tube insertion, who was found to have evidence of a full stomach during preoperative gastric ultrasound examination. The use of preoperative gastric point-of-care ultrasound in evaluating stomach contents and confirming NPO times is reviewed and its application to perioperative practice discussed.
Perioperative pain management in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Alyamani Omar A. , Bahatheq Mohammed S. , Azzam Hatem A. , Hilal Faisal M. , Farsi Sara , Bahaziq Wadeeah , Alshoaiby Ali N.
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has swept across the world over the past few months. Many articles have been published on the safety of anesthetic medications and procedures used in COVID-19 positive patients presenting for surgery. Several other articles covered the chronic pain management aspect during the pandemic. Our review aimed to focus on perioperative pain management for COVID-19 patients. We conducted a literature search for pertinent recent articles that cover considerations and recommendations concerning perioperative pain management in COVID-19 patients. We also searched the literature for the relevant adverse effects of the commonly used medications in the treatment of COVID-19, and their potential drug–drug interactions with the common medications used in perioperative pain management. Professional societies recommend prioritizing regional anesthesia techniques, which have many benefits over other perioperative pain management options. When neuraxial and continuous peripheral nerve block catheters are not an option, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) should be considered if applicable. Many of the medications used for the treatment of COVID-19 and its symptoms can interfere with the metabolism of medications used in perioperative pain management. We formulated an up-to-date guide for anesthesia providers to help them manage perioperative pain in COVID-19 patients presenting for surgery.
ANALISIS KESALAHAN SISWA PASIF DALAM MENYELESAIKAN SOAL MATEMATIKA BERBENTUK CERITA
Authors: Singeran Petronela  , Sumadji  , Yuniar Ika Putri Pranyata
Published: January 2021

Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mendeskripsikan analisis kesalahan siswa pasif dalam menyelesaikan soal matematika berbentuk cerita pada pokok bahasan lingkaran. Pendekatan dan jenis penelitian yang digunakan yaitu pendekatan kualitatif dan jenis penelitian deskriptif kualitatif. Pengecekan keabsahan temuan menggunakan teknik triangulasi metode yaitu dengan dibandingkan hasil observasi, hasil tes siswa, dan hasil angket. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa kesalahan yang dilakukan siswa pasif pada tahap membaca tidak ada siswa pasif yang melakukan kesalahan, tahap memahami masalah terdapat 8 siswa, tahap transformasi terdapat 8 siswa, tahap keterampilan proses terdapat 6 siswa dan tahap penulisan jawaban terdapat 9 siswa. Hasil tes dan angket pada siswa diperoleh data bahwa penyebab kesalahan siswa meyelesaikan soal lingkaran karena kurang mampu memahami yang diketahui dan ditanya, kurang mampu memahami intruksi soal
PEMODELAN REGRESI LATEN PADA EFEK PLASEBO MEMAKAI METODE MAXIMUM LIKELIHOOD
Authors: Diana Purwandari
Published: January 2021

Pemodelan regresi dapat memodelkan bentuk hubungan misalnya variabel respons terhadap satu atau beberapa variabel prediktor. Pemodelan akan lebih rumit apabila menggunakan prediktor laten yang tidak terpantau. Pemodelan regresi laten memiliki peran utama dalam memodelkan variabel laten, contohnya efek plasebo dalam pemulihan depresi. Pemodelkan regresi laten pada efek plasebo diduga menggunakan model regresi laten multivariat. Sedangkan parameter model diduga memakai metode maximum likelihood. Hasil penelitian berupa persamaan regresi laten yang menerangkan efek plasebo dalam pemulihan depresi
Engagement with Mathematics: The Influence of Teachers
Authors: Attard Catherine
Published: January 2021

Recent decades have seen growing concern over the lowering levels of engagement with mathematics in Australia and internationally. This paper reports on a longitudinal study on engagement with mathematics and explores the influences of teachers on the students’ engagement with mathematics. Findings reveal that the development of positive pedagogical relationships between students and their teachers forms a critical foundation from which positive engagement can be promoted.
Teaching for Abstraction: Teacher Learning
Authors: White Paul , Wilson Sue , Mitchelmore Michael
Published: January 2021

Working collaboratively with the researchers, a small team of teachers developed and taught two Grade 6 mathematics lessons based on the Teaching for Abstraction model (White & Mitchelmore, 2010). This paper reports how one teacher learned about the model and implemented it in practice. It was found that she assimilated several key features of the model, such as starting with several embodiments of the target concept and guiding students to look for similarities between them. However, it was more difficult for her to help students abstract and reify the target concept and link it to other mathematical concepts. It was concluded that teachers also need to abstract Teaching for Abstraction, and need more embodiments of it before they can reify and implement an effective model.
Introducing Computer Adaptive Testing to a Cohort of Mathematics Teachers: The Case of Concerto
Authors: Shanmugam S. Kanageswari Suppiah , Kin Leong Chee
Published: January 2021

This article describes a study that explores on-line assessment, with the objectives to identify features that support or impede the usability of Concerto, an on-line adaptive testing software that was developed by the Psychometrics Centre of the University of Cambridge. We report on the analysis of data collected during a one-month in-service programme organised for secondary teachers and teacher educators from the Southeast Asian Minister of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) region. The study identifies the challenges the participants encountered during a one-day workshop and evaluates thedifficulties of adopting Concerto to create a simple and an adaptive on-line mathematics test. While the small study limits the possibility of applicability for other samples, yet the findings of the study illustrate the complexity of using the Concerto’s features and the commonly occurring difficulties, providing the basis for the development of some new workshop materials that will contribute to the improvement of introductory Concerto workshops that will be conducted in the future.
What Does Brain Research Say about Teaching and Learning Mathematics?
Authors: White Allan Leslie
Published: January 2021

Brain research has shaken our ideas of the structure of the brain and how the brain works. Gone are the ancient ideas of comparing the brain to a machine. Neuroplasticity describes the remarkable ways in which the brain adapts and transforms itself as a result of a change in stimuli. Cognitive exercises have been designed and trialled that improve memory, problem solving abilities, and language skills in aged subjects and in children, as well as reversing the aging process by twenty to thirty years in some adults. Since the decline of behaviourism as a major theoretical influence upon mathematics education, there have been a number of learning theories emphasising thinking and the influences of the social and cultural contexts. Although, brain research is in its infancy, the question arises as to what does brain research add to mathematics teaching and learning in addressing student needs and developing their potential?