bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Land Conversion Dynamics in the Borana Rangelands of Southern Ethiopia: An Integrated Assessment Using Remote Sensing Techniques and Field Survey Data
Authors: Elias Michael , Hensel Oliver , Richter Uwe , Hülsebusch Christian , Kaufmann Brigitte , Wasonga Oliver
Published: January 2015

Conversion of rangelands into cultivated land is one of the main challenges affecting the management of rangelands in Ethiopia. In order to inform policy makers about trends in land-use conversion, this study examined the drivers, trends, and impacts of land conversions in five locations selected in the Borana rangelands of Southern Ethiopia. This study integrated survey interviews from agro-pastoralists, participatory appraisals, rainfall data, and remotely sensed satellite data from Landsat images taken in 1985 and 2011. Results indicate that there is a marked increase in cultivated land in some of the study sites while in the other sites there is a slight reduction. The bare lands increased in some parts of the study sites though there was slight recovery of grassland in some of the degraded areas. Settlement areas with permanent housing increased. Woodland vegetation decreased except on mountain escarpments where there were slight gains. The results further show that, during this period, bushland decreased while at the same time grassland increased. Shrub/grassland with seasonally flooded areas increased in the bottomlands. Inhabitants interviewed in the study areas perceived land use and land cover changes to be driven by interplay of recurrent drought, loss of pasture, food insecurity, and decline in income. Changes in policies that govern natural resources have influence the land use change in this area and the expansion of cultivation. Expansion of cultivation practices upon rangelands has resulting in significant loss of vegetation biomass and soil erosion, thereby precipitating rangeland degradation. The results provide comprehensive insights regarding the influence of internal and external drivers of land conversion that should be considered when making decisions for land use planning.
Whole Exome Sequencing in Females with Autism Implicates Novel and Candidate Genes
Authors: Butler Merlin , Rafi Syed , Hossain Waheeda , Stephan Dietrich , Manzardo Ann
Published: January 2015

Classical autism or autistic disorder belongs to a group of genetically heterogeneous conditions known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Heritability is estimated as high as 90% for ASD with a recently reported compilation of 629 clinically relevant candidate and known genes. We chose to undertake a descriptive next generation whole exome sequencing case study of 30 well-characterized Caucasian females with autism (average age, 7.7 ± 2.6 years; age range, 5 to 16 years) from multiplex families. Genomic DNA was used for whole exome sequencing via paired-end next generation sequencing approach and X chromosome inactivation status. The list of putative disease causing genes was developed from primary selection criteria using machine learning-derived classification score and other predictive parameters (GERP2, PolyPhen2, and SIFT). We narrowed the variant list to 10 to 20 genes and screened for biological significance including neural development, function and known neurological disorders. Seventy-eight genes identified met selection criteria ranging from 1 to 9 filtered variants per female. Five females presented with functional variants of X-linked genes (IL1RAPL1, PIR, GABRQ, GPRASP2, SYTL4) with cadherin, protocadherin and ankyrin repeat gene families most commonly altered (e.g., CDH6, FAT2, PCDH8, CTNNA3, ANKRD11). Other genes related to neurogenesis and neuronal migration (e.g., SEMA3F, MIDN), were also identified.
No Association between HMOX1 and Risk of Colorectal Cancer and No Interaction with Diet and Lifestyle Factors in a Prospective Danish Case-Cohort Study
Authors: Andersen Vibeke , Kopp Tine , Tjønneland Anne , Vogel Ulla
Published: January 2015

Red meat is a risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). We wanted to evaluate whether a functional polymorphism in the HMOX1 gene encoding heme oxygenase modifies risk of CRC or interacts with diet or lifestyle factors because this would identify heme or heme iron as a risk factor of CRC. The HMOX1 A-413T (rs2071746) was assessed in relation to risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and interactions with diet (red meat, fish, fiber, cereals, fruit and vegetables) and lifestyle (use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and smoking status) were assessed in a case-cohort study of 928 CRC cases and a comparison group of 1726 randomly selected participants from a prospective study of 57,053 persons. No association between HMOX1 A-413T and CRC risk was found (TT vs. AA + TA; IRR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.98–1.36, p = 0.10 for the adjusted estimate). No interactions were found between diet or lifestyle and HMOX1 A-413T. HMOX1 A-413T was not associated with CRC risk and no interactions with diet or lifestyle were identified in this large, prospective cohort with high meat intake. The results reproduced the previous findings from the same cohort and did not support a link between heme or heme iron and colorectal cancer. These results should be sought and replicated in other well-characterized cohorts with high meat intake.
Male Armaments and Reproductive Behavior in “Nutcracker” Camel Crickets (Rhaphidophoridae, Pristoceuthophilus)
Authors: Conroy Lauren , Gray David
Published: January 2015

Males of many species possess striking weaponry used in intrasexual competition for access to females. Until recently, there were no known cases of male weaponry being used against females in sexual coercion. However, in the camel cricket, Pristoceuthophilus marmoratus, males use modified hind legs to fight with each other and also to trap females and force them to copulate. To determine whether hind leg armaments serve similar fighting and mating functions in morphologically similar congeners, we performed a comparative survey of armament use in intra- and inter-sexual interactions in four additional species of Pristoceuthophilus (P. arizonae and three undescribed species: P. ‘Huachuca summer,’ P. ‘Madera’ and P. ‘Mt. Pinos’). Intrasexual leg fighting occurred in all species for which trials were performed, and hints of sexual coercion occurred in two species (P. ‘Huachuca summer’ and P. ‘Mt. Pinos’), suggesting additional cases of a uniquely dual-purpose armament. These findings suggest an evolutionary exaptation of hind leg armaments in this genus, wherein an intrasexual fighting weapon took on a secondary function of sexual coercion.
Chitosan in Mucoadhesive Drug Delivery: Focus on Local Vaginal Therapy
Authors: Andersen Toril , Bleher Stefan , Eide Flaten Gøril , Tho Ingunn , Mattsson Sofia , Škalko-Basnet Nataša
Published: January 2015

Mucoadhesive drug therapy destined for localized drug treatment is gaining increasing importance in today’s drug development. Chitosan, due to its known biodegradability, bioadhesiveness and excellent safety profile offers means to improve mucosal drug therapy. We have used chitosan as mucoadhesive polymer to develop liposomes able to ensure prolonged residence time at vaginal site. Two types of mucoadhesive liposomes, namely the chitosan-coated liposomes and chitosan-containing liposomes, where chitosan is both embedded and surface-available, were made of soy phosphatidylcholine with entrapped fluorescence markers of two molecular weights, FITC-dextran 4000 and 20,000, respectively. Both liposomal types were characterized for their size distribution, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and the in vitro release profile, and compared to plain liposomes. The proof of chitosan being both surface-available as well as embedded into the liposomes in the chitosan-containing liposomes was found. The capability of the surface-available chitosan to interact with the model porcine mucin was confirmed for both chitosan-containing and chitosan-coated liposomes implying potential mucoadhesive behavior. Chitosan-containing liposomes were shown to be superior in respect to the simplicity of preparation, FITC-dextran load, mucoadhesiveness and in vitro release and are expected to ensure prolonged residence time on the vaginal mucosa providing localized sustained release of entrapped model substances.
Penicibrocazines A–E, Five New Sulfide Diketopiperazines from the Marine-Derived Endophytic Fungus Penicillium brocae
Authors: Meng Ling-Hong , Zhang Peng , Li Xiao-Ming , Wang Bin-Gui
Published: January 2015

Five new sulfide diketopiperazine derivatives, namely, penicibrocazines A–E (1–5), along with a known congener (6), were isolated and identified from the culture extract of Penicillium brocae MA-231, an endophytic fungus obtained from the fresh tissue of the marine mangrove plant Avicennia marina. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by detailed interpretation of NMR and mass spectroscopic data and the structures of compounds 1 and 3 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All these compounds were examined for cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities. Compounds 2–6 exhibited antimicrobial activity against some of the tested strains with MIC values ranging from 0.25 to 64 μg/mL.
X-Optogenetics and U-Optogenetics: Feasibility and Possibilities
Authors: Berry Rachel , Getzin Matthew , Gjesteby Lars , Wang Ge
Published: January 2015

Optogenetics is an established technique that uses visible light to modulate membrane voltage in neural cells. Although optogenetics allows researchers to study parts of the brain like never before, it is limited because it is invasive, and visible light cannot travel very deeply into tissue. This paper proposes two new techniques that remedy these challenges. The first is x-optogenetics, which uses visible light-emitting nanophosphors stimulated by focused x-rays. X-rays can penetrate much more deeply than infrared light and allow for nerve cell stimulation in any part of the brain. The second is u-optogenetics, which is an application of sonoluminescence to optogenetics. Such a technique uses ultrasound waves instead of x-rays to induce light emission, so there would be no introduction of radiation. However, the tradeoff is that the penetration depth of ultrasound is less than that of x-ray. The key issues affecting feasibility are laid out for further investigation into both x-optogenetics and u-optogenetics.
PSI Deformation Map Retrieval by Means of Temporal Sublook Coherence on Reduced Sets of SAR Images
Authors: Iglesias Rubén , Mallorqui Jordi , Monells Dani , López-Martínez Carlos , Fabregas Xavier , Aguasca Albert , Gili Josep , Corominas Jordi
Published: January 2015

Prior to the application of any persistent scatterer interferometry (PSI) technique for the monitoring of terrain displacement phenomena, an adequate pixel selection must be carried out in order to prevent the inclusion of noisy pixels in the processing. The rationale is to detect the so-called persistent scatterers, which are characterized by preserving their phase quality along the multi-temporal set of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images available. Two criteria are mainly available for the estimation of pixels’ phase quality, i.e., the coherence stability and the amplitude dispersion or permanent scatterers (PS) approach. The coherence stability method allows an accurate estimation of the phase statistics, even when a reduced number of SAR acquisitions is available. Unfortunately, it requires the multi-looking of data during the coherence estimation, leading to a spatial resolution loss in the final results. In contrast, the PS approach works at full-resolution, but it demands a larger number of SAR images to be reliable, typically more than 20. There is hence a clear limitation when a full-resolution PSI processing is to be carried out and the number of acquisitions available is small. In this context, a novel pixel selection method based on exploiting the spectral properties of point-like scatterers, referred to as temporal sublook coherence (TSC), has been recently proposed. This paper seeks to demonstrate the advantages of employing PSI techniques by means of TSC on both orbital and ground-based SAR (GB-SAR) data when the number of images available is small (10 images in the work presented). The displacement maps retrieved through the proposed technique are compared, in terms of pixel density and phase quality, with traditional criteria. Two X-band datasets composed of 10 sliding spotlight TerraSAR-X images and 10 GB-SAR images, respectively, over the landslide of El Forn de Canillo (Andorran Pyrenees), are employed for this study. For both datasets, the TSC technique has showed an excellent performance compared with traditional techniques, achieving up to a four-fold increase in the number of persistent scatters detected, compared with the coherence stability approach, and a similar density compared with the PS approach, but free of outliers.
Class Energy Image Analysis for Video Sensor-Based Gait Recognition: A Review
Authors: Lv Zhuowen , Xing Xianglei , Wang Kejun , Guan Donghai
Published: January 2015

Gait is a unique perceptible biometric feature at larger distances, and the gait representation approach plays a key role in a video sensor-based gait recognition system. Class Energy Image is one of the most important gait representation methods based on appearance, which has received lots of attentions. In this paper, we reviewed the expressions and meanings of various Class Energy Image approaches, and analyzed the information in the Class Energy Images. Furthermore, the effectiveness and robustness of these approaches were compared on the benchmark gait databases. We outlined the research challenges and provided promising future directions for the field. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review that focuses on Class Energy Image. It can provide a useful reference in the literature of video sensor-based gait representation approach.
Le millefeuille des affiliations françaises dans les publications scientifiques
Authors: Dassa Michèle , Deniau Alina , Durand-Barthez Manuel , Girard Françoise , Pothier Nathalie , Sene Angèle
Published: January 2015

[recherche scientifique] À l’heure où l’évaluation et le financement sous-jacent de la recherche sont en jeu, l’affiliation des acteurs de la recherche publique française est une question essentielle. Le groupe Renatis/Urfist présente les conclusions de ses travaux.
Un guide technique des échanges multimédias
Authors: Couty Benjamin , Hachemaoui Imane , Taleb Nadia
Published: January 2015

[marketing] Reproduire sur Internet la liberté de choix en magasin est un défi pour les distributeurs. Un standard Image doit faciliter les échanges de supports multimédia et diminuer les coûts.
Ciel, ma bibliothèque numérise des livres !
Authors: Marino Laure
Published: January 2015

[bibliothèques] La révolution numérique est en marche dans les bibliothèques ! Les éditeurs s’inquiètent, les lecteurs se réjouissent... Dans l’arrêt Darmstadt, la Cour de justice de l’Union européenne se prononce sur la question de la numérisation des livres.
Opposabilité et accessibilité internationale des textes juridiques nationaux
Authors: Lortie Philippe
Published: January 2015

[international] La Conférence de La Haye entend faciliter l’accès au droit étranger, gage d’un droit opposable, aux effets reconnus par des tiers. Plusieurs principes ont été définis à cette fin lors d’une conférence organisée en 2008.
La revue de presse, toujours d'actualité
Authors: Battisti Michèle
Published: January 2015

[presse] Le produit documentaire qu’est la revue de presse est bien souvent en porte-à-faux face au droit et le numérique semble aggraver la situation. Des évolutions juridiques sont à imaginer pour équilibrer diffusion de l’information et modèles économiques de la presse.
Les aspects juridiques des bases de données : le Web de demain ?
Authors: Cahen Murielle
Published: January 2015

[base de données] Le droit des bases de données est une pierre d’achoppement pour le Linked data et le Text and data mining . Une solution serait pourtant envisageable avec l’interopérabilité juridique. Explications.
L'impact du droit à l'oubli sur les services de documentation
Authors: Le Clainche Julien
Published: January 2015

[veille] La consécration d’un droit au déréférencement par la Cour de justice de l’Union européenne le 13 mai 2014 va-t-elle compliquer le travail des documentalistes ?
Recette pour un droit de l'information
Authors: Lafay Fabien
Published: January 2015

[savoirs] Tout professionnel de l’information doit avoir un socle minimum de connaissances sur le droit appliqué à l’information. Cet article dresse la liste des éléments essentiels à garder en mémoire.
Du locataire au client, tournant néolibéral et participation dans la gestion des HLM
Authors: Demoulin Jeanne
Published: January 2015

Cet article propose de considérer les dispositifs participatifs comme des traceurs de changement du tournant néolibéral qui caractérise le contexte sociopolitique européen à partir de la fin des années 1970. Un secteur d’activité spécifique est analysé dans cette optique : les organismes HLM, organes d’exécution de la politique du logement social français. L’article étudie la manière dont la mise en place de dispositifs participatifs accompagne le changement de référentiel des dirigeants de ces entités. Il est montré que ces dispositifs sont l’un des instruments au service de la conversion des organismes HLM en entreprises de service destinées à satisfaire des clients.
Éviter la conflictualité des opérations d'aménagement : un savoir-faire des équipes-projets ? Étude comparative de deux parcs solaires
Authors: Baggioni Vincent
Published: January 2015

L’installation de parcs solaires en région PACA donne lieu à des réactions contrastées dans les territoires concernés, entre indifférences, soutiens et oppositions. Cependant, bien avant qu’un public puisse se constituer autour des conséquences de l’impact d’un projet, l’opérateur, le maire et ses élus mettent en œuvre des actions qui ont pour objectif d’empêcher sa contestation. Ces actions peuvent dépeindre cette équipe de promotion du projet comme un collectif d’acteurs en situation d’« enquête sociale » pour la non-émergence du projet comme problème public. La comparaison de deux communes aux projets et contextes comparables, mais aux dénouements opposés, permet ici d’observer les dispositifs normatifs d’instruction et de participation, mais aussi les ajustements plus informels que peuvent mettre en œuvre ces acteurs, et d’interroger l’effectivité de ces activités sur le contrôle des contestations. Les actions et inactions observées nous semblent ainsi relever des dispositions cognitives et sociales préalables pour penser le projet au sein de l’univers social local.
« Le sang de mon frère ». Expérience de la greffe intrafamiliale à travers dessins et discours d'enfants drépanocytaires
Authors: d’Autume Clémence , Cavadini Raphaël , Giannica Davide , Drain Élise , Giraud François , Moro Marie Rose , Baubet Thierry , Bernaudin Françoise , Taïeb Olivier
Published: January 2015

La drépanocytose, maladie génétique, peut désormais être traitée et guérie par une allogreffe intrafamiliale de cellules souches hématopoïétiques (CSH). Cette greffe a fait ses preuves sur le plan médical et est de plus en plus utilisée, notamment chez les jeunes enfants. Elle leur donne le statut de chimère biologique grâce à la moelle osseuse d’un frère ou d’une sœur. Comment vivent-ils alors cette expérience médicale lourde et ses conséquences sur le plan psychologique ? Cette étude prospective a permis de décrire le vécu de la greffe chez trois enfants drépanocytaires âgés de 5 à 7 ans sur une durée d’un an par une méthodologie qualitative à partir des dessins et du discours des enfants. Ces enfants sont confrontés à des modifications de la perception d’eux-mêmes et de la représentation du temps entre rupture et continuité. Face à cette épreuve, on observe une oscillation entre un besoin de maîtrise et au contraire de passivité. La greffe va mettre à mal les enveloppes psychiques et leurs qualités. De plus, une problématique du don et de la dette va émerger. En effet, la greffe entraine un bouleversement dans la construction de leur personnalité, avec une réminiscence de processus archaïques. La représentation du changement pour ces enfants et le sentiment de guérison qui en découle sont complexes, et impliquent un véritable travail de deuil de la maladie qui s’avère long et douloureux. Il s’agit d’une période de vulnérabilité pour l’enfant qui nécessite un accompagnement psychologique.
Place de la nourriture dans les relations familiales d'adolescents présentant une anorexie mentale : étude qualitative par la photographie
Authors: Khiar Zerrouk Assia , Sibeoni Jordan , Blanchard Bernard , Lachal Jonathan , Taïeb Olivier , Moro Marie Rose , Revah-Levy Anne
Published: January 2015

L’objectif de cette étude était d’explorer la place de la nourriture dans les relations familiales auprès d’adolescents présentant une anorexie mentale. Onze entretiens ont été menés avec des adolescentes anorexiques âgées de 13 à 18 ans et leurs parents. Nous avons choisi une méthodologie qualitative utilisant un outil original : la photo-elicitation. Le matériel verbal a été analysé à l’aide de l’Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Les résultats ont été organisés selon deux axes : le premier explore la place de la nourriture dans la dynamique parents-enfants (le contrôle relationnel, la ressemblance et la différence ainsi que la fonction parentale), le second explore la dynamique groupale et familiale (la cohésion, le conflit écran et le fonctionnement familial). Notre étude a permis de montrer la pertinence de la photo-elicitation et son apport dans la recherche en psychiatrie de l’adolescent. Sur le plan thérapeutique, elle confirme la nécessité de l’abord familial dans le soin et ouvre sur l’intérêt de la prise en charge individuelle des adolescents anorexiques notamment dans la construction de leur self.
Citoyenneté de l'Union, mobilité et intégration dans l'espace européen
Authors: Iliopoulou-Penot Anastasia
Published: January 2015

Même si elle est souvent présentée comme l’une des grandes réussites de l’intégration européenne, la mobilité des citoyens de l’Union au sein de l’espace européen connaît encore des difficultés. Celles-ci concernent les acteurs du marché intérieur que sont les travailleurs migrants, y compris les frontaliers. Leur accès aux droits sociaux rencontre aujourd’hui des résistances que l’on pouvait penser désormais dépassées. Quant aux citoyens économiquement inactifs, leur droit de séjour est menacé par des mesures d’expulsion prises souvent de manière automatique, pour défaut de ressources suffisantes. Plus généralement, nous constatons encore des efforts consistant à empêcher l’installation durable des citoyens migrants dans l’État d’accueil. Par ailleurs, une attention particulière est accordée à la mobilité étudiante, qui pose la question de l’accès aux études universitaires et celle de son financement. Enfin, le traitement de la population Rom vulnérable constitue un problème avec une incontestable dimension européenne, qui doit être traité dans les plus brefs délais.
La légitimité démocratique de la gouvernance économique européenne : la mutation de la fonction parlementaire
Authors: Allemand Frédéric , Martucci Francesco
Published: January 2015

Le Traité de Lisbonne se présente comme « le traité des parlements ». Cependant, pour répondre à la crise financière et à la crise des dettes souveraines, les réformes de l’Union économique et monétaire accentuent le phénomène de relégation du Parlement européen et des parlements nationaux dans le processus décisionnel. En contrepartie, les parlements obtiennent des pouvoirs renforcés en matière de reddition des comptes. Le renforcement du principe démocratique dans l’UEM exige une implication accrue des parlements. Cela suppose notamment d’éviter le recours aux accords intergouvernementaux, d’organiser un comité zone euro au sein du Parlement européen et de tenir une Convention socio-économique tous les ans pour définir les grandes orientations des politiques de l’UEM.
Quelle gouvernance de la zone euro ?
Authors: Mathieu Catherine , Sterdyniak Henri
Published: January 2015

La période d’avant-crise, comme la crise, ont mis en évidence les défauts d’organisation de la zone euro. Il est difficile d’avoir une monnaie unique entre des pays dont les conjonctures et les problèmes structurels diffèrent. La gouvernance mise en place (pas de garantie des dettes publiques, des règles arbitraires centrées sur les seules finances publiques) n’était pas satisfaisante. Les institutions européennes ont voulu imposer une stratégie (paralysie des politiques nationales, baisse des dépenses publiques, réformes structurelles libérales) qui a échoué. Avant la crise, les divergences se sont creusées entre les pays du Nord et ceux du Sud ; la crise les a rendues insoutenables. Depuis, le Pacte budgétaire a renforcé des règles sans fondement économique. Les politiques d’austérité aveugles se sont révélées catastrophiques pour la croissance et la cohésion de la zone. Les procédures mises en place renforcent la surveillance des politiques économiques des pays membres, sans organiser une véritable coordination des politiques nationales. Elles instaurent une solidarité limitée et chèrement payée. Les projets proposés de fédéralisme budgétaire ne peuvent compenser la perte d’autonomie des politiques nationales. Les dettes publiques des pays membres doivent redevenir des actifs sans risque, ceci grâce à la garantie de BCE. Ceci nécessite d’instaurer une véritable coordination des politiques économiques nationales ; celle-ci doit se donner explicitement comme objectif la croissance, le plein-emploi, la résorption ordonnée des déséquilibres entre pays membres. L’Europe doit réaffirmer sa spécificité : son modèle social, sa volonté de préparer la transition écologique. Ce n’est que dans le cadre de ce projet commun qu’elle pourra progresser.
Le(s) marché(s) du travail européen(s)
Authors: Cornilleau Gérard
Published: January 2015

Depuis sa fondation, l’Union européenne a connu une accentuation de la dispersion de ses systèmes sociaux. L’objectif d’une Union sociale, complétant l’Union économique et monétaire s’éloigne de plus en plus. L’absence d’un marché du travail régulé en commun par les pays de l’Union est un facteur de déstabilisation qui pousse à la concurrence sociale et à la déflation salariale. Pour éviter les risques liés à une telle situation il faudrait trouver un accord sur les politiques à mettre en œuvre pour revenir au plein emploi et choisir entre partage du travail « libéral » ou « social ». L’absence de perspectives à court terme pour une unification sociale complète implique l’acceptation de frontières sociales gérées en commun qui permettent à la fois la mobilité et la protection effective des travailleurs.
La politique commerciale européenne
Authors: Boulanger Pierre H. , Messerlin Patrick
Published: January 2015

Cet article replace la politique commerciale européenne dans le cadre beaucoup plus vaste de l’intégration des marchés régionaux et internationaux. Si l’OMC est indiscutablement le meilleur forum pour négocier des objectifs quantifiables et assurer un règlement des différends, sa primauté en matière réglementaire est moins évidente. L’UE est engagée dans la négociation de nombreux accords préférentiels de commerce et d’investissement, dont l’objectif diffère selon le pays ou la région partenaire. Ainsi cet article propose de distinguer une politique du « cercle proche » (pays voisins de l’UE) dominée par un objectif de stabilité politique et celle du « cercle large » (pays de niveau de développement comparable à celui de l’UE) dominée par un objectif de croissance économique.
Teaching Critical Thinking and Academic Writing Skills to Japanese University EFL Learners
Authors: Heffernan Neil
Published: January 2015

This chapter looks at a critical thinking and academic writing skills course designed for Japanese learners of English. The study presents two sets of data from the 87 participants who have taken part in the course since its inception in 2008. The first data set is concerned with actual writing samples from multiple drafts of a medium-sized research project carried out by the student participants. The second data set results from a self-assessment survey given to the learners both at the beginning and end of the 15-week course described in this chapter. Further, results from a satisfaction survey given to learners at the end of the course are presented. The chapter concludes with some pedagogical implications for both Japanese and other Asian EFL learners and how the methods used in the course described within can be replicated elsewhere.
The Role of Online Tools in Promoting EFL Writing
Authors: Torky Shaimaa Abd El Fattah
Published: January 2015

Taking into account the paradigm shift we are witnessing because of the technological revolution, the call for drastic changes in writing instruction has grown louder and stronger in recent years. In this chapter, the potential for incorporating technology into EFL writing instruction is explored. It offers a detailed account of how to incorporate online synchronous and asynchronous communication into writing instruction and mentions the precedence of asynchronous tools in this respect. It then follows a description of possible online activities claimed to promote EFL writing proficiency as well as pitfalls that might be encountered. Clear guidelines are provided for online written communication, and emphasis is on the resulting drastic change in the teacher's role. The chapter ends by explaining how to integrate online asynchronous communication and the process writing approach to enhance EFL written production.
Omani Undergraduate Students' Writing Errors
Authors: Chalikandy Muhammed Ali
Published: January 2015

This chapter analyses learners' writing errors. It focuses on error types and sources because these will reveal learners' current linguistic competence and what they need now for improvement. Data was collected mainly from the written work of English Department students at Al Buraimi University College. Results show that their errors are both interlingual and intralingual and that there is a positive relationship between these and learning strategies. Not only does the learners' previous language-learning experience influence the process of second language acquisition; target language learning experience does so as well.
Metaheuristics Applied to Biorefinery Supply Chain Problems
Authors: Castillo-Villar Krystel K.
Published: January 2015

Bioenergy has been recognized as an important alternative source of energy. The production of bioenergy is expected to increase in the years to come, and one of the most important obstacles in increased bioenergy utilization are the logistics problems, which involve complex and large-scale optimization problems. Solving these problems constitutes a daunting task, and often, traditional mathematical approaches fail to converge to the optimal solution within a reasonable time. Thus, more robust methods are required in order to overcome complexity. Metaheuristics are strategies for solving complex and large-scale optimization problems, which provide a near-optimal or practically useful solution. The aim of this chapter is to present a survey of metaheuristics and the available literature regarding the application of metaheuristics in the bioenergy supply chain field as well as the uniqueness and challenges of the mathematical problems applied to bioenergy.
Aggregating GIS and MCDM to Optimize Wave Energy Converters Location in Tasmania, Australia
Authors: Le Phuc , Fischer Andrew , Penesis Irene , Rahimi Rahman
Published: January 2015

The aim of this chapter is to develop a framework to guide Wave Energy Converters (WECs) sites using the coastal waters of Tasmania as a case study. This chapter proposes a combined two-stage Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodology to determine suitable locations for WECs siting with overlapping and minimal conflicting uses. A methodology combining MCDM and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was developed combining the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Priority rankings for each of the human uses and ocean features were prioritized using AHP and were then applied to TOPSIS analyses. A chain of optimal locations were determined, stretching from the southwest to southeast coast of Tasmania, where presently low densities of human activities overlap with high wave height. The result shows that suitable areas for harnessing WECs may not always be located in the highest wave energy areas.
Classification of Failures in Photovoltaic Systems using Data Mining Techniques
Authors: Serrano-Luján Lucía , Cadenas Jose Manuel , Urbina Antonio
Published: January 2015

Data mining techniques have been used on data collected from a photovoltaic system to predict its generation and performance. Nevertheless, up to date, this computing approach has needed the simultaneous measurement of environmental parameters that are collected by an array of sensors. This chapter presents the application of several computing learning techniques to electrical data in order to detect and classify the occurrence of failures (i.e. shadows, bad weather conditions, etc.) without using environmental data. The results of a 222kWp (CdTe) case study show how the application of computing learning algorithms can be used to improve the management and performance of photovoltaic generators without relying on environmental parameters.
Creative Energy Alternatives
Authors: Okay Esin
Published: January 2015

Energy has a strong impact on both economy and ecology. Global economy and ecology need to obtain sustainable and clean sources of energy, which is an issue of financial challenges. Developing countries face problems of energy sourcing due to costs and risks. But using the natural sources of energy in creative ways is cheap and clean. Therefore, developing economies must develop energy strategies based on creative energy solutions. Turkey as a developing country implemented policies to improve renewables and energy efficiency in line with EU requirements. Turkey does not have enough conventional energy but very large renewable energy resources. In this chapter, the large potential of creative energy alternatives in Turkey is explored. The indistinct start of energy savings market and the risks of financing huge energy projects show that Turkey needs to depend on investing in the cheapest forms of creative energy solutions.
Disclosure for Sustainability
Authors: Ünal Gözde , Çoşkun Ali
Published: January 2015

Besides financial performance, corporations started to disclose their sustainability performances with an increasing awareness on environment. This chapter compares two mainstreams in sustainability reporting, one that relies on guidelines of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the other one that follows the integrated reporting () framework published by International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) while emphasizing mainly the latter one. Sustainability reports prepared in accordance with the  framework aim to provide accountability for business impacts for a niche target audience, which are the providers of financial capital.
Sales Force Appraisal System
Authors: Vel K. Prakash , Raman Amith
Published: January 2015

Performance appraisal is an important control tool in all functional areas of an organization, more so in sales management, as it is an important area to be considered for an organization's bottom line, sales revenue, and profits. Having an integrated and holistic approach to a Sales Force Appraisal System (SFAS) is useful for motivating and retaining the sales force in a competitive environment, particularly with the use of IT in the appraisal process, referred to in the current context as automated SFAS. In this chapter, the authors look at the importance of such a system and how this approach has helped reap benefits in one of the organizations in the pharmaceutical industry. This model has immensely transformed the organization's environment into a high sales performance culture. Additionally, this model can serve as an addition to the existing literature on sales force performance appraisal and its role on sales management.
Relationship between Movie Industry and Marketing with Respect to Cultural Economy
Authors: Demirel Elif Ulker
Published: January 2015

Today, culture and art industry have expanded and diversified thanks to the increasing interest and demand for culture and art products in the world. As a result, a structure, which comprises conventional components of marketing, has emerged in order to fulfill this demand and bring together the products of art and their target market. As an element of the culture and art industry, cinema industry constitutes an important part of everyday life. Cinema has gone through technological advancements and has become an industry, which feeds many different lines of business. This chapter examines the movie industry, which has an evolving and diversifying structure and which is considered an important element of the art and culture industry. The aim of this research is to create a theoretical structure between the relationship of marketing and the movie industry, especially at the point where the movie industry brings the audiences together.
Sentiment Analysis, Social Media, and Public Administration
Authors: Oliveira Daniel José Silva , Bermejo Paulo Henrique de Souza , Aparecida dos Santos Pamela
Published: January 2015

This chapter describes how sentiment analysis, based on texts taken from social media, can be an instrument for measuring popular opinion about government services and can contribute to evaluating and developing public administration. This is an applied, interdisciplinary, qualitative, exploratory, and technological study. Throughout the chapter, the main theoretical and conceptual formulations about the subject are reviewed, and practical demonstrations are made using opinion-mining tools that provide high accuracy in data processing. For demonstration purposes, topics that triggered the popular protests of June 2013 in Brazil were selected, involving million people across the country. A total of 51,857 messages posted on social media about these topics were collected, processed, and analyzed. Through that analysis, it can be observed that even after six months, the factors that motivated the protests continued generating citizen dissatisfaction.
E-Health
Authors: Felizardo Virginie , Sousa Paula , Sabugueiro Daniel , Alexandre Celina , Couto Rafael , Garcia Nuno , Pires Ivan
Published: January 2015

Due to higher life expectancy, the number of older people continues to increase, and with it the number of cases of chronic diseases. Estimates indicate that the percentage of people with at least one chronic disease living in modern societies can reach as much as 40%, making chronic diseases one of the major challenges for modern healthcare systems. In order to reduce healthcare costs, solutions based on information and communication technologies have emerged. The expansion of e-Health solutions is associated with the increased demand for flexible, comprehensive, and cost-effective chronic care models, and continues expanding, putting together a very comprehensive set of knowledge. This chapter presents an inclusive and widespread current state of the art of e-health solutions for chronic diseases, proposing a number of predictable future trends and scenarios.
Corporate Social Responsibility in the West (U.S. and West Europe) vs. East (China)
Authors: Wolf Ruth
Published: January 2015

This chapter explains why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not widespread in some of countries, such as China, and how little effort towards CSR can create problems regarding a country's ability to trade with other countries that have national CSR policies and regulations. The chapter shows the strengths of organizations through the point of view of ethical social responsibility that actualizes itself in CSR. There is no doubt that the contribution to a community regarding the community's social, economic, and natural environment is impacted by different factors. A community is impacted by national policies as well as by the social perspectives and practices that exist in that nation. This chapter highlights the need to revive ethical values in the fields of society, economics, and the natural environment in correlation with the social and cultural norms in each given country.
Ethical Outsourcing and the Act of Acting Together
Authors: Ang Yue S.
Published: January 2015

The European Commission (2011) defines Corporate Social Responsibility as “a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis” (p. 3). Outsourcing affects the interests of laborers and ethical outsourcing protects their interests through the act of acting together, ensuring that labor protection is a shared responsibility between the participants. An aspect of social philosophy helps rectify this problem by introducing ethical outsourcing that occurs upon fulfilling the combination of three features: (1) the inclusion of all participants in a joint activity, (2) all participants agree to enter into a multi-lateral agreement, (3) the voluntarism of each participant practicing CSR is strengthened by the peer-to-peer demands of fulfilling these obligations. This chapter proposes that business leaders must find incentives engaging their outsourcing participants in multi-lateral contractual agreements. The empowerment of the participating organizations is incentivizing because of the engagement in participatory decision-making through the act of acting together.
Insourcing of IT Workers
Authors: Koriat Noam , Gelbard Roy
Published: January 2015

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a policy and the practices of corporate responsibility for the common good. It might take the form of donations, environmental responsibility, or socially related investments. However, CSR can also be an in-house strategy regarding all the Human Resources (HR) of the company, making them part of the “common good” by fair employment. In this manner, employment contracts can be regarded as both a CSR and Business Ethics (BE) issue. Treating your employees in a respectable way represents the most basic form of corporate responsibility and respectable ethics. The chapter brings an economic analysis illustrating that applying fair and moral HR practices, particularly favoring internal employment (insourcing) over external employment (outsourcing), is consistent with CSR and serves the primary corporate goal, increasing its value. Insourcing is thus a win-win strategy, where in addition to CSR and BE aspects it has a direct impact on the company's achievements.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Wolf Ruth
Published: January 2015

In the framework of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), organizations and firms give to the community, environment, and economy. It is clear that an act like this, of giving, enriches the society on the receiving end. That being said, organizations and companies today increasingly understand that the act of giving to another also has a business value for the contributing organization. Companies today are very aware of the advantage and of the contribution to the community. They have internalized the fact that they will begin to benefit as soon as they allocate resources to social responsibility. Contributing to the community brings about a change in the organizational image of a company. Volunteer activities and contributions to the community generally have a positive influence on the company's business reputation. This chapter explores these aspects of CSR.
In Search of the Good Dam
Authors: Clayton Terry , West Nicole
Published: January 2015

There are few places in the world where hydropower development is progressing as intensely as the Mekong River Basin in Southeast Asia. In searching for ways of supporting public dialog on development, the Challenge Program on Water and Food found that the hydropower sector speaks of social responsibility only in terms of “benefit sharing,” while the development sector and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) largely ignore or are unaware of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The chapter begins with an overview of hydropower development in the Mekong, considers some possible reasons for the absence of CSR in the ongoing debate over hydropower development, and concludes with recommendations for designing a project to build on the findings from this research.
Mobile Education Mitigating the Heavy Magnitude of Illiteracy in India
Authors: Pandey Kshama
Published: January 2015

This chapter introduces the concept of mobile learning as a means of portable learning. Through the use of mobile technology, citizens of the world will be able to access learning materials and information from anywhere and at any time. Learners will not have to wait for a certain time to learn or go to a certain place to learn. It presents the evolution of classroom learning to mobile learning. There has been made an effort to explore current perspectives of mobile learning. Approaches of m-learning suggest implication of mobile devices in the classroom. Pedagogical methods and instructional approaches of m-learning have also been explored in this chapter. Further, the authors make an attempt to give rational of mobile learning through various theories of m-learning. It suggests opportunities of mobile learning in the Indian scenario. Mobile learning can effectively support a wide range of activities for learners of all ages.
The Impact of Diversity on Career Transitions over the Life Course
Authors: Wittmer Jenell L. S. , Rudolph Cort W.
Published: January 2015

There are many aspects of diversity that impact career transitions over the life course. Whereas traditional conceptualizations of career stages emphasize a clear career path for the majority of people, modern career transitions are better characterized by both the multitude and variety of potential mobility paths. Modern career trajectories have also been linked to early developmental activities, which are similarly related to increases in diversity and other societal changes. This chapter discusses the impact of different forms of diversity on career transitions from both psychological/developmental and sociological life course perspectives, as well from a dynamic perspective where one's career transitions are dictated by lesser-planned socio-contextual and personal circumstances. The authors conclude this discussion by outlining some trends that are likely to influence career development in the future, including suggestions for future research.
Women from Diverse Backgrounds in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Professions
Authors: Duran Anna , Lopez Denise
Published: January 2015

The strength of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) talent pool is a key factor for boosting innovation. This pipeline has been weakened substantially as emerging groups of STEMs, particularly White and minority women, have failed to enter STEM professions at the same rates as White males. Moreover, once women from diverse backgrounds overcome significant hurdles during the educational process, they depart the STEM workplace at alarmingly high rates. Some of the reasons for this phenomenon are discussed in this chapter, along with some solutions about how to decrease these departures. Additionally, ways to focus on the future needs of the changing demographics of the STEM workforce are reviewed. Ultimately, the goal is to offset STEM shortages in intellectual capital and mitigate brain drain and brain migration circumstances so that the U.S. can fully leverage the contributions of high-ability women from diverse groups, eventually benefitting innovation strategies.