bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cluster [Re6Se8I6]3− Induces Low Hemolysis of Human Erythrocytes in Vitro: Protective Effect of Albumin
Authors: Rojas-Mancilla Edgardo , Oyarce Alexis , Verdugo Viviana , Zheng Zhiping , Ramírez-Tagle Rodrigo
Published: January 2015

The cluster Re6Se8I63− has been shown to induce preferential cell death of a hepatic carcinoma cell line, thus becoming a promising anti-cancer drug. Whether this cluster induces acute hemolysis or if it interacts with albumin remains unclear. The effect of acute exposure of human red blood cells to different concentrations of the cluster with and without albumin is described. Red blood cells from healthy donors were isolated, diluted at 1% hematocrit and exposed to the cluster (25–150 µM) at 37 °C, under agitation. Hemolysis and morphology were analyzed at 1 and 24 h. The potential protection of 0.1% albumin was also evaluated. Exposition to therapeutic doses of the cluster did not induce acute hemolysis. Similar results were observed following 24 h of exposition, and albumin slightly reduced hemolysis levels. Furthermore, the cluster induced alteration in the morphology of red blood cells, and this was prevented by albumin. Together, these results indicate that the cluster Re6Se8I63− is not a hemolytic component and induces moderate morphological alterations of red blood cells at high doses, which are prevented by co-incubation with albumin. In conclusion, the cluster Re6Se8I63− could be intravenously administered in animals at therapeutic doses for in vivo studies.
Three Adult Cases of Orbital Hidrocystoma Presenting with Blepharoptosis
Authors: Ferraz Lucieni , Burroughs John , Satto Larissa , Natsuaki Kryscia , Meneguin Roberta , Marques Mariangela , Schellini Silvana
Published: January 2015

Purpose: To report adult cases of superior orbital apocrine hidrocystoma. Methods: Retrospective case series of three patients with superior orbital apocrine hidrocystoma and blepharoptosis with review of the clinical aspects of each of the cases. Results: All three cases presented with blepharoptosis. Two of the cases had occult hidrocystoma, and one was visibly subcutaneous at presentation. Conclusions: Although rare and more common along the eyelid margin, apocrine hidrocystomas may occur in the orbit leading to secondary blepharoptosis and should be included within the differential diagnosis of orbital cysts. Physicians should therefore be aware of this possibility.
Measuring Corporate Sustainability Performance
Authors: Nicolăescu Eugen , Alpopi Cristina , Zaharia Constantin
Published: January 2015

The aim of the present study is to examine and evaluate the evolving character of sustainability management in corporations, the significance of environmental protection and sustainability, and barriers to carrying out an incorporated and strategic firm-wide advance of social responsibility. In the present paper, we focus on the contribution of sustainability undertakings towards enhancing corporate performance, the financial involvements of sustainability position and operation, and the chief function of values in corporate policy. Our paper contributes to the literature by supplying proof of elements that lead to the triumph of business patterns for sustainable development, processes through which stakeholders are affecting corporate sustainability conduct, and the link between economic growth and the environment.
The Soil Degradation Paradox: Compromising Our Resources When We Need Them the Most
Authors: DeLong Catherine , Cruse Richard , Wiener John
Published: January 2015

Soil degradation can take many forms, from erosion to salinization to the overall depletion of organic matter. The expression of soil degradation is broad, and so too are the causes. As the world population nears eight billion, and the environmental uncertainty of climate change becomes more manifest, the importance of our soil resources will only increase. The goal of this paper is to synthesize the catalysts of soil degradation and to highlight the interconnected nature of the social and economic causes of soil degradation. An expected three billion people will enter the middle class in the next 20 years; this will lead to an increased demand for meat, dairy products, and consequently grain. As populations rise so do the economic incentives to convert farmland to other purposes. With the intensity and frequency of droughts and flooding increasing, consumer confidence and the ability of crops to reach yield goals are also threatened. In a time of uncertainty, conservation measures are often the first to be sacrificed. In short, we are compromising our soil resources when we need them the most.
Co-operation between Large Enterprises (LE’s) and SME’s: an Approach to Overcome the Stage Internationalization Process
Authors: Dias Eurico Brilhante , Lopes Daniel Serra
Published: January 2015

Many companies are using their networks in order to overcome psychic distance – liability of foreignness – and liability of outsidership; and networks at domestic markets can be a base in which SMEs can find a lever to get a rapid internationalization process. Regarding this topic has been developed a case study in the Polish market, where a local retailer (“Biedronka”) owned by a Portuguese group (“Jerónimo Martins”) is offering Portuguese products. In order to apply a constructivist methodology, using the case study method, five SMEs where selected in order to understand if co-operation between these companies and a LE (Large Enterprise) would be a way in order to overcome the liability of foreignness and the liability of outsidership. It was also our purpose the understanding of which are the main issues that promote insidership and also the promotion of a rapid internationalization. Our conclusions have shown a LE as a source of institutional and market-specific knowledge, and regarding this last type of knowledge, as source of opportunities, and also how a SME with internationalization knowledge, an international focus and adaptation skills (in order to adapt products and prices) can introduce in a co-operative international venture, in far psychic markets, the ingredients needed to get a successful and rapid entry in a foreign market. Trust as a resource, accumulated during lasting relationships in the domestic market, has been shown as a basic requirement to develop these co-operative approaches in international markets.
Fabrique d'un monstre : de la sensorialité dévastée à la violence meurtrière
Authors: Chagnon Jean-Yves
Published: January 2015

L’article présente, chez un post-adolescent meurtrier et violeur post-mortem , les ratages du processus de création adolescente et la réapparition, sous forme d’agirs violents monstrueux, d’une sensorialité dévastée de la petite enfance. La psychopathologie structurale est insuffisante à rendre compte de ces cas. Néanmoins, la psychocriminologie psychodynamique tente de décrire un langage du corps et de l’acte, préalable à une prise en charge multidimensionnelle « incarcérée » qui permettrait que ces sujets retrouvent peut-être une part d’humanité.
Passion et sensorialité
Authors: Ouvry Olivier
Published: January 2015

Le processus adolescent, par le remaniement inconscient qu’il suppose, implique l’intégration d’une sensorialité nouvelle, sans correspondance dans le symbolique hérité de l’enfance, et qui correspond à l’avènement du Féminin (Autre sexe) et à la jouissance Autre. Elle est un effet de réel pubertaire, un réel dont la question du devenir définit le temps adolescent. Comment passer de celui-ci à un objet pris dans la réalité, inscrit comme cause du désir et intégré dans les contraintes du champ social ?
Figures de l'altérité : rencontres par corps
Authors: Maurin Souvignet Aurélie
Published: January 2015

Le corps des adolescents occupe les espaces et les temps, formels et informels dans les institutions scolaires, dans l’espace social qui leur est dédié. Il est contraint par les horaires, les rythmes et les activités d’apprentissage. Le rapport au savoir et au penser s’origine dans le corps, et pourtant c’est lui que l’institution semble dénier dans sa réalité pulsionnelle. Cet article propose une exploration de ce postulat à partir d’observations réalisées dans un lycée francilien.
Le corps de l'indicible
Authors: Barouh-Cohen Stéphanie
Published: January 2015

Le processus d’adolescence engage des remaniements identitaires et identificatoires qui nécessitent un travail de psychisation indispensable pour assurer un sentiment de continuité. Son achoppement fait courir au sujet le risque de la domination par la « fonction désobjectalisante » de son économie psychique, obturant par là même toute forme de créativité et d’expression du vivant. Le travail de l’analyse pourrait alors emprunter la voie de la sensorialité à partir du déplacement dans le transfert des impressions sensorielles non assimilées, au plus près du « corps de l’indicible », entre impasse et créativité.
Sensorialité et conquête du moi corporel chez de jeunes autistes
Authors: Lheureux-Davidse Chantal
Published: January 2015

L’accompagnement des nouveaux éprouvés corporels et de leurs fluctuations au moment du passage pubertaire chez les jeunes autistes permet d’ouvrir de nouvelles modalités d’apaisement face à l’effraction pulsionnelle. Le passage pubertaire qui donne l’occasion d’un éveil sensoriel dans le bas du corps peut ainsi participer à relancer la construction d’un moi corporel inachevé et rend par la suite le jeune autiste plus disponible à un intérêt spontané pour la relation aux autres.
Charles in Slumberland , rêve et bande dessinée
Authors: Nouhet-Roseman Joëlle
Published: January 2015

Little Nemo in Slumberland , bande dessinée de W. McCay, explore l’univers onirique d’un jeune garçon. Elle figure de nombreuses sensations, transformations et angoisses corporelles. L’intérêt que lui a porté Charles, adolescent en psychothérapie, a permis d’utiliser cette médiation dans le transfert. Elle a eu pour lui une fonction d’éveil à son monde interne, mais aussi de pare-excitations, et a permis un travail psychique d’élaboration.
Diderot philosophe des sciences
Authors: Pépin François
Published: January 2015

Diderot est davantage connu comme écrivain et penseur matérialiste que comme philosophe des sciences. Mais, quoiqu’il ne fût pas un savant, son intérêt pour les sciences et leur importance dans son travail encyclopédique et philosophique justifient cette idée. Il s’agit d’abord d’esquisser les traits principaux du « Diderot homme de sciences », pour reprendre les mots de Jean Mayer. En m’appuyant sur les études plus ou moins récentes sur le sujet, je voudrais proposer un bilan personnel axé sur la manière dont Diderot pratique les sciences et la réflexion philosophique à leur égard. Loin d’en faire un usage doctrinal exploitant des résultats scientifiques pour justifier des thèses métaphysiques élaborées par ailleurs, Diderot pense avec les sciences, médite sur leur esprit, se soucie des gestes des savants et des conditions concrètes du développement du savoir.
Des graphes et des voix
Authors: Abramovici Jean-Christophe
Published: January 2015

La fameuse « Préface-annexe » de La Religieuse reprend le texte de la « confession » que, dix ans plus tôt, Grimm avait publié dans son périodique pour confesser son rôle dans la mystification qui avait été jouée au marquis de Croismare. La « reprise » de Diderot accompagne la résurrection du roman que Grimm avait enterré, sans se soucier des affirmations contradictoires qui en résultent. La polygraphie de Diderot est polyphonie ; elle participe de la représentation des pouvoirs de l’écriture, que conquiert Suzanne, l’héroïne du roman.
La fracture économique
Authors: Jacquet Denis
Published: January 2015

Libérons la France ! Nous disposons de forces extraordinaires, trop souvent gâchées par une classe politique qui, par manque de courage, d’audace, et surtout de connaissance de la réalité de ceux qui restent pourtant, l’unique espoir de retour de la croissance : les entrepreneurs et, de façon plus large, la société dite « civile ». Le pays a besoin d’air frais, d’esprits neufs, dédiés au bien public, sans obsession du pouvoir, mais rien n’est prévu pour laisser ce courant d’air salvateur enrichir leur travail. Quelles sont les principales décisions à prendre pour le rebond de la France ? De quel courage faudra t-il faire preuve pour l’offrir à un pays qui a tant d’atouts pour réussir, mais les gâche inexorablement ? Denis Jacquet trace les lignes de force d’une nouvelle culture, qui doit précéder toutes les mesures que nous pourrions prendre, qui ne seraient autrement, que des coups d’épées dans l’eau.
L'embargo russe sur les produits agricoles européens et sa dimension géoéconomique
Authors: Pouch Thierry
Published: January 2015

L’implication de Moscou dans le conflit ukrainien a conduit l’Union européenne a sanctionné économiquement et financièrement la Russie. La réaction de Vladimir Poutine ne s’est pas faite attendre. Il a en effet fermé le marché russe à certains produits agricoles et alimentaires en provenance des 28 États membres. Au-delà des répercussions strictement économiques que cet embargo entraîne déjà pour les producteurs européens, cet article vise également à mettre en exergue sa dimension géoéconomique, tant européenne que mondiale.
Les enjeux géopolitiques et géoéconomiques de l'Arctique pour l'US Navy
Authors: Hanne Hugo
Published: January 2015

La feuille de route de la marine américaine pour l’Arctique pour la période 2014-2030 établie en février 2014 poursuit et précise la stratégie nationale du président Obama et la stratégie du ministère de la Défense américain, dans le contexte du changement climatique et de l’ouverture de routes maritimes dans un futur proche. Les principaux objectifs de la marine sont d’assurer la sécurité et la sûreté de cette région et de défendre les intérêts économiques des États-Unis, au vu des ressources considérables qui pourraient y être développées, notamment en matière énergétique. Toutefois tant les éléments de tensions récentes avec la Russie que les bouleversements mondiaux à prévoir avec la continuation du changement climatique mais aussi les contraintes budgétaires du gouvernement américain accroissent les incertitudes sur la réalisation des objectifs de cette stratégie.
Industrie de souveraineté et diplomatie d'entreprise
Authors: Brugère Didier
Published: January 2015

Dans les industries de souveraineté, les clients sont le plus souvent des États, à la fois régulateurs, législateurs et quelquefois actionnaires. La diplomatie d’entreprise, regroupant relations institutionnelles et intelligence économique, est une notion particulièrement pertinente. C’est pilotée par la direction de la stratégie du groupe que la diplomatie d’entreprise prend tout son sens et sa légitimité. Esprit d’innovation permanent, organisation en réseau collaboratif, principe de subsidiarité, partage de l’information, aptitude à appréhender et à modeler l’environnement dans toute sa complexité, capacité d’anticipation et vision prospective sont les facteurs clés de la diplomatie d’entreprise au sein de ces industries touchant directement ou indirectement aux intérêts et prérogatives régaliens de l’État.
France : ajustements graduels
Authors: Département analyse et prévision  , Heyer Éric , Cochard Marion , Ducoudré Bruno , Péléraux Hervé
Published: January 2015

En 2013, l’économie française a connu une croissance de 0,3 % en moyenne annuelle, ce qui lui a permis de retrouver en fin d’année le niveau de production atteint six ans plus tôt. Entre 2008 et le début de 2011, l’économie française a bien résisté : au premier trimestre 2011, le PIB français avait même quasiment retrouvé son niveau d’avant-crise et n’accusait que très peu de retard vis-à-vis de l’Allemagne et des États-Unis. La donne a changé à partir du deuxième trimestre 2011 lorsque les premiers effets de la politique de rigueur sont apparus. La dynamique de reprise s’est interrompue : l’activité a alors connu une croissance annuelle positive, certes, mais proche de zéro jusqu’en 2013. Depuis quelques mois, le paysage conjoncturel s’est notablement éclairci en Europe avec un retour de la croissance et un raffermissement des indicateurs conjoncturels. Pour ce qui est de la France, les enquêtes de conjoncture témoignent également d’un retour de la confiance dans les secteurs productifs. Le relâchement de l’austérité permettra à l’économie française de prolonger ce mouvement positif : en 2014 et 2015, le PIB français croîtrait respectivement de 1,2 et 1,6 %. L’écart de production se refermant à peine, la phase conjoncturelle en cours et anticipée ne peut être qualifiée de reprise. Les entreprises profiteront de ce regain de croissance pour restaurer progressivement leur situation financière. Cette stratégie repose prioritairement sur l’augmentation de la productivité qui permettra de résorber les marges de capacité de production et de restaurer le taux de marge des entreprises. Le taux de chômage en France métropolitaine augmenterait légèrement pour s’établir à 10,1 % fin 2015. Il s’élèverait à 10,5 % pour la France entière. La contrepartie à l’allègement de la rigueur est un déficit public plus élevé que ce qui avait été initialement programmé. Celui-ci devrait s’établir à 3,7 % du PIB en 2014 et 3 % en 2015.
Politiques monétaires : normalisation ou divergence ?
Authors: Antonin Céline , Blot Christophe , Rifflart Christine
Published: January 2015

Si les grandes banques centrales n’ont eu de cesse depuis 2008 de développer des outils non-conventionnels pour stimuler l’activité économique et soutenir les marchés financiers, la justification du maintien de ces politiques s’est émoussée dans le courant de l’année 2013. Aux États-Unis et au Royaume-Uni, le taux de chômage a atteint le seuil que les banques centrales avaient défini pour justifier la poursuite de leurs achats de titres publics. Dans la zone euro, la normalisation du fonctionnement du marché interbancaire s’accompagne d’une moindre demande de liquidités des banques auprès de la BCE. L’heure est donc à la sortie progressive du quantitative easing. L’actif du bilan de la Réserve fédérale augmente de moins en moins vite depuis janvier 2014. Celui de la Banque d’Angleterre stagne depuis un an. Quant à la BCE, il s’est retourné à la suite notamment du remboursement des anciens prêts accordés aux banques. Cette normalisation des outils ne signifie surtout pas la fin des politiques monétaires accommodantes. La croissance reste insuffisante pour réduire les écarts de production et surtout, le risque particulièrement aigu dans la zone euro de laisser s’installer des tendances déflationnistes, nécessite que les banques centrales continuent à stimuler les économies. En effet, en renchérissant les taux réels, l’entrée dans la déflation rendrait la politique monétaire encore plus inopérante. C’est donc le message que les banques centrales veulent faire passer, notamment la BCE qui n’exclut pas, si besoin était, la mise en place d’un nouveau programme d’assouplissement quantitatif. Aussi aucun resserrement des taux directeurs n’est prévu à l’horizon de notre prévision. Les taux longs n’ont que peu réagi à cette inflexion de tendance. Néanmoins, malgré les bas taux d’intérêt et les conditions de crédits particulièrement attractives, la demande n’est pas au rendez-vous. L’heure est encore au désendettement tant du côté des entreprises dans la zone euro que des ménages aux États-Unis. Les politiques monétaires peinent à mordre sur l’activité, d’où la nécessité pour elles de rester actives.
Customer Relationship Management as an Imperative for Academic Libraries
Authors: Xu Amanda , Yang Sharon Q.
Published: January 2015

This chapter proposes a conceptual model, the 121 e-Agent Framework, for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) in academic libraries. Linked data and Semantic Web are the core components of this model. The implementation of the Framework will enable the participating U.S. academic libraries to reach out to their user communities through systematic customer group identification, differentiation, and interaction. The main contributions of the chapter are 1) applying Semantic Web technologies for CRM in academic libraries using the 121 e-Agent Framework, 2) defining the relevance challenges of CRM for academic libraries, 3) adding trust management to the linked data layer with a touch of tagging, categorizing, query log analysis, and social ranking as part of the underlying structure for distributed customer data filtering on the Web in CRM applications, and 4) making the approach extensible to address the challenges of CRM in other fields.
Customer-Centric Marketing in the European Union from a Legal Perspective
Authors: Tzoulia Eleni
Published: January 2015

Consumer-Centric Marketing is one of the latest methods employed by traders to influence and shape consumer behaviour in order to secure and increase demand for their products. This chapter analyses two forms of Consumer-Centric Marketing, the so-called Cause-Related Marketing and Relationship Marketing. It examines their logic and methods of application, before asking which legal issues might arise from the use of such practices. Then, European legislation on the protection of personal data and the current developments in Unfair Competition law in Europe are discussed, as well as the tactics that should be avoided by companies when implementing the above marketing methods to prevent a possible ban on their advertising.
Managing and Influencing Consumer Behavior to Become a Worldwide Leader in the Apparel Industry
Authors: Viardot Eric
Published: January 2015

This chapter details the various strategies used by Zara, a leading apparel company, to manage and influence the behavior of its customers. The chapter starts with a brief history of Zara and an overview of the apparel industry. Then it details how Zara delivers realistic and achievable fashion for its customers, and it analyzes the revolutionary concept of “fresh” fashion that Zara has been the first to implement in the fashion business. Next, the chapter provides an in-depth analysis of the pivotal role of the store and the employees in the marketing strategy of Zara for managing and influencing its customers' purchasing behavior. Afterwards, the chapter considers the unique advertising and branding strategy of Zara and the influence of its strong and powerful brand on the fashion consumers. Finally, the chapter reflects on the challenges that Zara is currently facing with its expansion strategy in the Chinese market and on the Internet where consumers may have different expectations and behaviors.
Basic Model of CKM in Terms of Marketing Performance and Some Important Antecedents and Dimensions
Authors: Panni Mohammad Fateh Ali Khan
Published: January 2015

Customer-centric marketing strategies have gained momentum in the academic world as well as in the professional field. With the gradual development of CRM, RM, and most recently KM, Customer Knowledge Management (CKM) is becoming a buzzword in the marketing discipline. Based on thoroughly researched secondary data, this conceptual chapter suggests a basic framework of CKM in terms of marketing performance through integrating the so far incoherent frameworks as proposed by previous authors. The proposed framework reveals the influence of the elements of CRM and KM layer on the marketing performance of the organizations as well as different interaction effects of these layers. The chapter also includes some new dimensions and antecedents of CKM in terms of organizational performance and some new recent trends of CKM. Some practices of CKM in an emerging country like Vietnam are included in the chapter.
Fuzzy Social Network Modeling for Influencing Consumer Behavior
Authors: Yager Ronald R. , Yager Rachel L.
Published: January 2015

Social networks have become an important component in most companies' bag of tools for managing and influencing consumer behavior. It is imperative for modern organizations to fully understand these social networks and have at their disposal an armada of tools to intelligently model and manipulate these complex structures in order to accomplish their goals. In order to most effectively and intelligently use social networks, decision makers and planners must be able to bring to bear their expertise, experience, and professional intuition on issues involving these networks. This requires an understanding, comprehension, and view of social networks that is compatible with their human cognition and perception. They must be able to understand the structure and dynamics of social networks in terms of human-focused concepts. In this chapter, the authors investigate and describe the use of the FISNA technology to help in the modeling of consumer behavior-related concepts in social networks.
The Necessity of Shared Vision to Achieve Coherence
Authors: Lynch-Davis Kathleen , Salinas Tracie M. , Crocker Deborah , Mawhinney Katherine J.
Published: January 2015

The adoption of Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) has implications for state-level curriculum, policy, and assessment. For most states, including North Carolina, the CCSSM represents a departure from recent state curricula and requires more than a simple “retooling” of content organization. To respond to such change, district and school-level leaders must share a common vision of high-quality mathematics teaching based on common understandings. Just as importantly, classroom teachers must share this vision. In this chapter, the authors describe the Appalachian Mathematics Partnership (AMP), the factors that have significant impact on partners, an activity, and how the understanding gained from this activity impacted future professional development with the goal of working towards a shared vision and coherence.
The Infusion of Technology into Teacher Education Programs
Authors: Koch Anne S. , Kush Joseph C.
Published: January 2015

In this chapter, student achievement, the differentiation of instruction, and 21st Century Skills are examined along with their relationship to the use of technology in an educational setting. Characteristics of highly qualified teachers are also examined from multiple standpoints within the educational system. Standards from INTASC, NCATE, NCTAF, and NCLB point to the importance of the university faculty and quality teacher education programs to support the needs of preservice teachers. In addition, the joining of business and education across the nation and the world to infuse technology into education has shown positive results. This merger between business and education exemplifies the need for the acquisition of 21st century skills needed for all students to be a literate part of the 21st century workforce.
Facebook as an Educational Environment for Mathematics Learning
Authors: Baya'a Nimer , Daher Wajeeh
Published: January 2015

In this chapter, the authors describe four successful experiments in using social networking sites (Facebook and Edmodo) in mathematics teaching and learning, where this use depended on populating the sites with historical mathematicians and/or mathematical phenomena. They describe two models of using social networking sites in mathematics education, as well as the phases of working mathematically with students when implementing each model. The authors emphasize the use of social talk as the first step to involve students with the learning of mathematics, as well as moving to cultural talk as a bridge between the social talk and the mathematical discourse. The experience in the four experiments indicates that social networking sites invite student collaboration, as well as encourage their learning actions and interactions. Teacher's or moderator's sensitivity is a very important factor for the success of the experiment, especially when young students are involved. Other factors which influenced the success of students' learning in social networking sites were the features of the social networking site, the properties of the inter-disciplinary phenomenon or the mathematics produced by the historical mathematicians, the background of the learners, and the activities of the moderator.
Improving Learning Strategies for Mathematics through E-Learning
Authors: Bardelle Cristina
Published: January 2015

This chapter describes an experience concerning a mathematics course offered at university for first-year science students. The course, realized in a blended format, is aimed at supporting students in the critical stage of transition from high school to university. Beside standard materials and resources, students were provided with online tools for the achievement of learning strategies mainly based on semiotic and pragmatic aspects of mathematical language. The online activities are an effective tool from the cognitive and metacognitive perspective, promoting a shift from passive learning (listening to lectures and taking notes) to more active modalities of learning where the students were engaged in student-instructor or student-computer interaction activities. Overall, more than half of the students participated in the optional online activities, and a positive relationship between this participation and the results in the final written test serve to verify the potential effectiveness of this form of study.
Subject Specialization and Science Teachers' Perception of Information and Communication Technology for Instruction in Kwara State
Authors: Fakomogbon Michael Ayodele , Adebayo Rachael Funmi , Adegbija Mosiforeba Victoria , Shittu Ahmed Tajudeen , Oyelekan Oloyede Solomon
Published: January 2015

This study examined Kwara State secondary school science teachers' perception of ICT for instruction based on their area of specialization. Participants were 630 science teachers of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics from both public and private senior secondary schools in 12 Local Government Areas in Kwara State. The data collected through questionnaires tagged Science Teachers Information and Communication Technology Perception Questionnaire (STICOTEPQ) were analysed using frequency count, mean, chi-square and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics. Findings revealed that (i) the science teachers' perception of ICT was generally positively low and (ii) there was significant difference in the secondary school science teachers' perception of ICT for instruction based on their area of specialization{F(3,252) = 50.323, p<0.05}with the Biology teachers having the highest level of perception while the Mathematics teachers had the lowest perception. The implication of this study was that should the secondary school science teachers remain at this level of perception of ICT for instruction, the probability that ICT will be used for classroom instruction in Kwara State is very low. It was therefore recommended that ICT should be fully integrated into science teacher education at the Colleges of Education and the Universities and that Kwara State Government should formulate a programme of ICT training and retraining of teachers currently in service as a way of improving their perception of the use of ICT for instruction.
Using the Flipped Classroom Instructional Approach to Foster a Mathematics-Anxious-Friendly Learning Environment
Authors: Yuen Chris L.
Published: January 2015

This chapter examines the nature and characteristics of mathematics anxiety learning and provides instructional implications for highly mathematics-anxious learners, which are informed by lived experience. The discussion comes from research on the Mathematics Anxiety Learning Phenomenon (MALP), a hermeneutic phenomenological study using Wilber's Integral Model as the underpinning framework. Based on the lived experience data, hermeneutic themes were developed, and it is shown that those themes are capitalized upon in the flipped approach to foster a mathematics-anxious-friendly learning environment. Using the themes from the study, the chapter argues that the flipped approach could be beneficial to students who are highly mathematics-anxious. The system of linear equations with two variables, a common mathematics topic, is used to illustrate how the flipped approach to instructional design could recognize mathematics-anxious adult learners.
Women's Roles
Authors: Lawrence Heshium R.
Published: January 2015

Women have played a significant role in the birth and history of technology, yet their roles have diminished in recent decades and their voices have often gone unheard. Slocum (1975) states that though “women were probably its first inventors” (pp. 36-50), their roles are largely unrecognized and acknowledged. Lois Mossman, for example, one of the first women to play an active role in the pedagogy of the field now known as Industrial Technology, is rarely mentioned in contemporary literature or in discussion about the field of Industrial Technology. The myriad of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs are found throughout academia and the professions in the United States; however, women in these programs and fields are still underrepresented and their roles relegated to the margins. This chapter identifies and discusses the apparent inequality of the roles of women in the field of technology. Additionally, it offers several potential solutions for addressing the inequality, and offers recommendations on how women can assume, retain, and provide service in roles as technology leaders.
New Trends in Service Science and Education for Service Innovation
Authors: Kosaka Michitaka , Shirahada Kunio
Published: January 2015

Service science is a new trans-disciplinary science and technology in the 21st century. In this chapter, firstly, new definitions of service and new directions for service are described for innovations in various industries. Service science should cover not only traditional service industries but also important basic industries such as information or manufacturing industries. Then, the importance of a system's approach to creating service values is emphasized. In particular, system science and knowledge science are important from the viewpoint of maximizing service value. Finally, education for service innovation considering such trends is proposed and evaluated by implementing it as a management course for professionals in business.
A Study of Distinguisher Attack on AES-128 and AES-256 Block Ciphers through Model Based Classification Using Neural Network
Authors: Vetrivel K. , Shantharajah S.P.
Published: January 2015

Modern encryption algorithms will focus on transforming rendered text block into a non-rendered block of symbols. The objective is to make the cipher block more non-interpretable. Distinguisher attack algorithm is used to distinguish cipher text from random permutation and other related algorithms. Currently, a cipher has been design to concentrate on distinguisher attack. In this research work, we have attempted to distinguish the cipher blocks of AES-128 (Advanced Encryption Standard) and AES-256 symmetric block cipher algorithms using an artificial neural network based classifier.
Research on Multi-Agent Intelligent Information Retrieval Model
Authors: Dai Rui , Xu Xiang , Shi Chang Feng , Lu Yi
Published: January 2015

The intelligent information retrieval model based on multi-agent imitates and synthesizes the features of search engine and information retrieval in the website. It realizes high recall-precision and high precision of the retrieval effectively, and has good flexibility and expansibility. It is convenient for users to configure and choose target source of retrieval.
Identifying Significant Control Factors of Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithms in Solving Permutation Flowshop Scheduling Problems
Authors: Lee Cheng Kang
Published: January 2015

This paper aims to identify significant control factors of particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms in solving permutation flowshop scheduling problems. Control factors of PSO algorithms considered herein include inertial weight, acceleration coefficients, breeding operation, and the amount of particles. The full factorial design method is applied to plan a set of experiments. Each experiment, denoting a specific version of PSO algorithm, is used to solve the test problems, Carlier problems. The searching ability of PSO algorithms is defined by the ratio of the number of times that the optimal makespan is searched to the total number of searching times. To identify significant factors, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method is used to analyze the results of experiments. According to the results of ANOVA, adopting time-varying acceleration coefficients, breeding operation, and a low amount of particles can advance significantly the searching ability of PSO algorithms. Adopting a high amount of particles can increase significantly the robustness of PSO algorithms. Any two-factor interaction is not significant. Inertia weight is not a significant factor, so any effort to modify inertia weight is unnecessary.
Anti-Theft and Temperature Control of Car Wheel
Authors: Gupta Rupesh , Jagdev Gaurav , Singh Gurjant , Singh Gurwinder Bir , Singh Manjot
Published: January 2015

Vehicle theft and vandalism is unfortunately an extremely common problem. As our world is modernizing, the ways of thefts are also changing and are becoming more and more sophisticated. Our project features an anti-theft system for wheels and rims. Moreover, the overheating and further bursting of the wheels has also been a major issue which has been worked over in this project.
Comparative Investigation of an Automated Oceanic Wave Surface Glider Robot Influence on Resistance Prediction Using CFD Method
Authors: Elhadad Aladdin , Duan Wen Yang , Deng Rui
Published: January 2015

The wave glider is composed of two parts: the float is roughly the size and shape of a surfboard that contains all the instrumentation needed for scientific experiments; the sub has wings and hangs 6 meters below on an umbilical tether. This difference allows wave energy to be harvested to produce forward thrust. According to the lake of design information and data for the wave glider, the main aim of the study is using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to present a method to predict calm water resistance for the floating part of the wave glider (the hull). Wigley parabolic hull and high speed round bilge form (NPL) have been investigated in order to estimate the hydrodynamic performances of the hull using CFD software fluent. Wave glider is designed with slender hull shapes in order to decrease the wave making resistance of the ship.In this paper a method is evaluated by comparing the numerical predictions for wigley and NPL forms (2m) using the same mesh generation method under the same conditions to design the hull. Calculations for total calm water resistance are carried out using three different mesh sizes for Froude numbers in the range of 0.10 to 0.40 and compared for accuracy of the solution parameters. The close agreement between the numerical predictions shows the importance of CFD applications in estimating the hydrodynamics performance to design the floating hull and the numerical method is useful in glider design. This means that the method discussed in this paper can be used for the resistance calculation of some hulls like the float of the glider.
Bootstrap Identification of Confidence Intervals for the Non-Linear DoE Model
Authors: Pietraszek Jacek , Radek Norbert , Stojek Małgorzata , Goroshko Andrii , Kołomycki Maciej
Published: January 2015

Design of experiment (DoE) is a methodology widely used in an industry and an academia. However the fundamentals of DoE are well known since first articles of R.A. Fisher, the uncertainty estimation is still the investigated issue due to the fact that non-linear outcome functions do not preserve the normal distribution. The analytical solutions are known only for a very limited number of transformation. Authors propose to involve a bootstrap approach to estimate the outcome uncertainty of the response surface model.
The Study of the Effect of Static Axial Loads on Vertically-Mounted Tapered Cantilever Transverse Vibrations Using the Cauchy Function
Authors: Jaroszewicz Jerzy , Radziszewski Leszek , Dragun Łukasz
Published: January 2015

The Cauchy function and characteristic series were applied to solve the boundary value problem of free transverse vibrations of vertically mounted, elastically supported tapered cantilever beams. A concentrated mass was attached at the same distance from the base. The beams were subjected to universal axial loads - conservative and follow wing tangential forces - and distributed loads along the cantilever length. The general form of characteristic equation was obtained taking into account the shape of the tapered cantilever, elastic foundation and nonhomogeneous material. Bernstein-Kieropian double estimators of natural frequency were calculated based on free coefficients of the characteristic series. Good agreement was obtained between the calculated natural frequency results and the exact values available in the literature.
Optimization of the Selection Process of Galvanic Coatings
Authors: Ulewicz Robert
Published: January 2015

Processes of electrolytic application of metals are used in order to obtain pure coatings, single - or multilayer. Appropriate selection and proper execution contribute to the improvement of product quality, which affects its proper and long functioning. Production costs are not necessarily high. They depend mainly on the proper selection of the coating. The article presents the results of the use of generalized objective function for selection of galvanic coating on metal parts. There were used following criteria in order to characterize the quality (usability): corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, physical properties, gloss, roughness, and economical criteria. Presented method of determining the objective function can be used to choose the optimal coatings for specific service conditions or customer requirements. Presented method of determining the objective function in the design process of the surface layer makes it possible to assess the impact of various factors on the quality of the product and thus gives a chance to make the right choice.
Application of Coded Modulation for Physical-Layer Network Coding
Authors: Yuan Quan Sheng , Hu Yong Jiang , Wang Chang Long , Yang Zhi Min
Published: January 2015

It has been proved that Physical-layer Network Coding (PNC) can boost the system throughput obviously and decrease the error rate by reducing the time slots of inter-communication,which makes signal processing efficient and reliable.Coded Modulation (CM) considers coding and modulation as a whole,which makes coding and modulation effective without decreasing system transmission rate ,to guarantee bandwith efficiency.In this paper,the basic idea of the CM and its implementation are introduced.We analyze the effect of the combination of CM and PNC for communication system performance,which provide the foundation for future research.
The Ship Strong Electromagnetic Environment and its Improvement
Authors: Xia Hui Cheng , Teng Zhe
Published: January 2015

Strong electromagnetic pulse protection is very important. We must solve the electromagnetic compatibility problem between the circuit components, the ship equipments and internal information systems, and ensure the electromagnetic compatibility of the protection measures. This paper analyzed the requirements and reinforcement targets. It also put special stress on analyzing the basic method and principle of reinforcing platform.
Study on Bus Assignment Algorithm for SOC Test
Authors: Li Xiao Min , Huang Shuang Hua
Published: January 2015

The main concern is over rising temperature during the testing of complex system-on-chip (SOC), this paper studies SOC wrapper and test access mechanism (TAM), and proposes an improved algorithm of TAM assignment under the constraints of temperature. The algorithm uses temperature superposition method and adds compression process. This algorithm can find the test structure that uses shorter test time.
A Study on Operation Optimization of Chain SVG in Stabilized Voltage of Rural Power Grid 220kV Transformer Substation
Authors: Guo Kun Ya , Jin Peng , Wang Shu Han , Sun Jian
Published: January 2015

In a rural power grid 220kV transformer substation in Liaoning Province, because of the appearance of a lot of new impact loads in the power supply area, the original reactive power repertory can not meet the existing load need. As a result, the output 66kV voltage fluctuation affects the power supply security of the users. After a comprehensive evaluation, it is planned to set up a set of ±100M SVG to increase the reactive power repertory to stabilize the system voltage. The electrical system of 220kV transformer substation is huge and often meets with sudden failure; and the capacity of this set of SVG is large, so it may worsen the situation in case of improper control. This paper discusses several operational modes that SVG should have and designs a scheme that can be flexibly switched in several operational modes, which is specifically executed by an overall coordination module. This method has passed the preliminary field operation verification.
Design and Implementation of Multi-Master GPRS Transparent Transmission Module
Authors: Wang Fu Dong , Wang Zhong Feng , Fan Ji Bin , Huang Jian Long , Li Li Gang
Published: January 2015

GPRS data transparent transmission modules are increasingly applied in different remote transmission occasions. With the development of remote monitoring system, there are some deficiencies need to be improved. This paper realizes a design of GPRS transparent transmission modules with multi-master communications function, the module integrates RS232 interface and supports UDP protocol. After experimental verification, the stability and practicability of the design is superior.
Relay Selection Algorithms in D2D Cluster Underlaying Cellular Networks
Authors: Ruan Zhi Hao , Shao Shi Xiang , Sun Jun
Published: January 2015

With the development of mobile communication, D2D (Device-to-Device technology) has become a research hotpot. In this paper, we first derive the channel capacity of an n-hop link and get the formula of spectrum efficiency. And then to maximize the spectrum efficiency, we focus the algorithm of selecting the best relay for data transmission in a D2D cluster of cellular network. The algorithm proposed in this paper is an improvement of the greedy algorithm. This algorithm solves the problem that the greedy algorithm would be invalid in the case of having a big hole in the topology. At last, we could see a significant gain in terms of spectrum efficiency by using the new relay selection algorithm.
Research on the Technology of Service Pricing Optimization Strategy for Mobile Communication Enterprise
Authors: Zhang Ping
Published: January 2015

Price is the main competition means in China's mobile communications market, scientific pricing methods and strategies are important issues must be resolved by operators. Meanwhile, the pricing strategy selection of service product is an important decision factor in mobile communication business marketing. Based on this, this paper through analyzing on the cost-plus pricing strategy, competition-oriented pricing strategy and customer-oriented pricing strategy, consider mobile communication enterprise pricing strategy should be selected according to their own environment and the different stages of the mobile service growth, so that pricing is more in line with the subjective wishes of the client, and favorable for long-term interests of the enterprise.
Ultra-Short-Term Forecasting Based on Phase Space Reconstruction and Wind Power Wind
Authors: Du De Yin , Chen Bao Fan
Published: January 2015

The amount of random variation of wind speed, wind turbine output power are volatile, a lot of wind power will be on the safe and stable operation of power systems and power quality pose serious challenges, so the wind farm wind speed and power generation forecast scheduling and management of wind farms play an important role. According wind with chaotic discuss the use of phase space CC method to reconstruct the chaotic time series, and the phase space of a wind farm 10 units were reconstructed using the weighted first order local prediction model to obtain short-term within 1h wind forecast values obtained using the power curve conversion method of generating power for each unit. By examples show that the proposed method is feasible and effective.