bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishing a Mentoring Relationship Between Pre-Service and Mentor Teachers Through Windows Into Teaching and Learning
Authors: Petty Teresa , Heafner Tina L. , Farinde Abiola A. , Plaisance Michelle
Published: October 2018

Windows into Teaching and Learning (WiTL) was a project designed by researchers at one southeastern U.S. University that allowed the facilitation of online clinical experiences for graduate interns during their content area methods course. WiTL was originally developed to address challenges in providing meaningful clinical experiences for interns during online summer coursework. In providing these experiences, a mentoring relationship emerged between the participating practicing and pre-service teachers. This chapter explores those relationships and how they were fostered by the unique features of WiTL, which include online threaded discussions, synchronous and asynchronous viewings of classroom instruction, and text chat communication. These relationships are further supported through WiTL's debriefing process, which allows for immediate interaction between pre-service and mentor teachers. The type of dialogue and collaboration encouraged by WiTL results in strong mentoring relationships. The potential for programs like WiTL to be implemented in PK-12 settings are discussed.
Supporting Teacher Education Candidates Through the edTPA Process
Authors: Petty Teresa , Heafner Tina L. , Lachance Joan , Polly Drew
Published: October 2018

edTPA is a performance-based, content-specific assessment process designed by educators to determine whether new teachers are ready for the job. This chapter provides a thorough description of how two departments at the University of North Carolina implemented edTPA in teacher licensure programs and how candidates were supported through the process. Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, Teaching English as a Second Language, and Foreign Language Education programs are described and implementation details of edTPA are provided. Formative supports for each program are presented. Finally, the chapter discusses future directions and next steps.
Guest Students
Authors: Amos Yukari Takimoto
Published: October 2018

Higher education institutions welcome international students because of their status as resources for fostering intercultural competencies among college students and because of financial benefits the institutions receive. The author in this ethnographic case study investigated the level of academic expectations undergraduate international students from Japan received from faculty members in a U.S. teacher education program. Findings reveal that the program's faculty members had low expectations of these international students. Their expectations were reflected in the participants' receiving good grades, praise, and advice which told them not to worry, but failed to address their academic weaknesses. It appears that the faculty members' niceness ironically contributed to a trajectory of academic inequity and produced negative educational outcomes.
Role of Microbes in Eco-Remediation of Perturbed Aquatic Ecosystem
Authors: Lahiri Susmita , Ghosh Debarati , Bhakta Jatindra Nath
Published: October 2018

Anthropogenic and natural hazards put aquatic ecosystem under severe stress due to organic and inorganic pollutants and calls for remediation. Eco-remediation, an ecological blessing for ecosystem stabilization refers to the restoration of the perturbing ecosystem to its original balanced state with a multi-purpose approaches for removing pollutants by vast array of biological components. Aquatic habitats and biodiversity are adversely affected by indiscriminate pollution along with rising levels of carbon dioxide. To overcome the aquatic stress of various pollutants, microorganisms significantly imparting crucial roles in environmentally sustainable bioremediation approaches by adapting themselves in order to survive in perturbed ecosystems resulting in the environmental remediation. This chapter attempts to deal with eco-remediation of ecosystems perturbed by various hazardous pollutants by focusing the degrading and transforming of contaminants into less toxic forms by microbes and carbon sequestration through heterotrophic pathway applying different ex situ or in situ detoxifying mechanisms. Considering the high eco-remedial efficiencies, microbial eco-remediation technologies could be applied as an emerging approach in restoring perturbed aquatic ecosystems in ecological engineering systems.
The Influence of Air Temperature on the Quality Parameters of the Black Sea Coastal Waters
Authors: Zăgan Sabina , Chiţu Mihaela-Greti
Published: October 2018

In this chapter, the authors point out the connection between some physical and chemical parameters of the Black Sea water under extreme air temperatures. In this context, the period from 2006 to 2012 was chosen as the study period, because it is characterized by very high values of air temperature, which significantly affect not only the quality of the Black Sea water in the superficial layer but also the marine ecosystem and life. Some quality parameters as water temperatures, oxygen regime or the degree of eutrophication have been collected and analyzed and they show noticeable variations relative to ambient air temperature changes, mainly if they are determined on the surface layer.
Heavy Metal Levels in Sediment of the Turkish Black Sea Coast
Authors: Bat Levent , Özkan Ebru Yesim
Published: October 2018

Sediments are an important repository for various pollutants such as pesticides and heavy metals and also play a significant role as sensitive indicators for monitoring contaminants in aquatic systems. Heavy metals which are regarded as serious pollutants of aquatic ecosystems are a major environmental problem in the Black Sea. Contamination by heavy metals has not been extensively studied in the Black Sea coast of Turkey, even though these are subjected to intense discharges of pollutants. It is important, therefore, that sediment by heavy metals be assessed in order to facilitate better management and protection of these valuable coastal ecosystems. This is especially the case, since Turkish Black Sea coast represents a prominent area for fishing, industrial development and urban extension and tourism activities. In view of the economic importance of the Black Sea coastal region of Turkey, this review aims to analyses the distribution and concentrations of heavy metals in bottom sediment in the coastal sediment along the Black Sea.
Maritime Spatial Planning Concepts and Approaches
Authors: Papatheochari Theodora , Vassilopoulou Vassiliki , Kokkali Athina , Grati Fabio , Coccossis Harry , Fabi Gianna , Bolognini Luca
Published: October 2018

Often human activities taking place at limited available marine space may lead to important spatial and temporal conflicts and synergies. Through Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) a series maritime issues have been addressed focusing on such interactions. This chapter makes a presentation of the development of Maritime Spatial Planning concepts and approaches on a global basis, highlighting best practices as well as gaps that need to be addressed. Lessons learned from two Mediterranean case studies of the EU FP7 research projects MESMA and COEXIST focusing particularly on fisheries, as one of the main human activities in the two marine areas, interacting with other uses and with conservation initiatives, is also discussed.
Role of Remote Sensing in Potential Fishing Zone Forecast
Authors: Santra Abhisek , Mitra Debashis
Published: October 2018

Forecasting of Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) is considered as economically and environmentally significant towards ensuring profitable base of economy and planning for sustenance of existing fishing pool. Changes in environmental conditions affect the distribution, abundance and availability of fish. The traditional sampling approaches for PFZ identification using boats and vessels are not only costly and time consuming but practically absurd considering the vastness of seas and oceans. In this chapter importance of alternative but effective methods of airborne and satellite remote sensing has been given. The chapter elucidates the factors for PFZ identification like thermal condition in sea controlling its thermal circulation, chlorophyll-a concentration estimated from ocean color dynamics, etc. Tools/system to prepare PFZ advisories and also the platforms for dissemination of the same, have been illustrated based on Indian scenario.
Environmental Location Assessment for Seaweed Cultivation in Ghana
Authors: Segbefia Alexander Yao , Barnes Victor Rex , Akpalu Lawrence Atsu , Mensah Moses
Published: October 2018

This study was designed to select potential areas for the cultivation of seaweeds on the Ghanaian coastline. The challenge of selecting suitable sites for the cultivation of seaweed along the coast was investigated, using spatial multi-criteria approach in GIS. Environmental and physical parameters based on spatial multi-criteria decision for the best sites suitable for seaweed cultivation were used. The parameters used included Sea-depth (1-10)m, (11-20)m, (21-30)m and (31-40)m, sea-surface temperature (24-26) degree Celsius, proximity to settlements (0-8) kilometers and sheltered coves (areas sheltered from strong wind and waves) as variables for the various models. The study identified twelve suitable sites along the coast of Ghana for seaweed cultivation. Five of the selected sites were ground-truthed for model validation. All five validation sites have agreed to the GIS models indicating that GIS is the most appropriate tool to use for selecting most suitable environment for seaweed cultivation especially when dealing with a complex coastal environment like Ghana's coastline.
Coastline Change and Erosion-Accretion Evolution of the Sandwip Island, Bangladesh
Authors: Emran Al , Rob Md. Abdur , Kabir Md. Humayun
Published: October 2018

The study tries to analyze the morphological and hydrological changes and to establish their relationship in the Sandwip Island through the integration of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The study concludes from the recent 30 years' data that the different parts of the island response different cycle of coastline change associated with hydrological dynamics. The resulted net loss of the coastline is about 6.98 km (0.23 km/y) and the net loss of the coastal area is about 23.99 km2 (0.8 km2/y). The erosion processes (increase in the water depth near shore) were active along the western and the south-western shores. This erosion of the island is facilitated by the steep slope of the bank, high tidal water pressure and loose bank materials. In contrast, the accretions (decrease in the water depth near shore) were taken place in the larger parts of the northern and the north-eastern shores of the island. This is due to the backwash sediment deposition with the favor of gentle topographic slope along shores.
Social Exclusion and Poverty
Authors: Günaydin Davuthan , Cavlak Hakan , Cavlak Neslihan
Published: October 2018

In this chapter The EU's 2020 Objectives concerning social exclusion and poverty and Turkey's vision on social exclusion and poverty based on tenth development plan and Justice and Development Party's 2023 vision is dealt. The EU has developed a growth strategy named “EU 2020” in 2010. The objective concerning social exclusion and poverty of this strategy is to rescue as much EU citizens as possible from social exclusion and poverty and decreasing the number of EU citizens who live under poverty line by 20%. Although Turkey is not officially obliged to follow goals stated in EU 2020 objectives, it is integral for Turkey to pursue those principles in order to be harmony with the EU and reach her final aim of being a member of the EU.
Towards a New Definition of Social Innovation
Authors: Ettorre Donatella , Bellantuono Nicola , Scozzi Barbara , Pontrandolfo Pierpaolo
Published: October 2018

This chapter focuses on social innovation, a topic that the literature has been increasingly discussing in the last decade. The authors revise the many available (and, to some extent, too general) definitions as well as identify the main features that have been claimed as relevant for social innovation (e.g. Mumford, 2002), which concur in providing its definition. By doing so, they pursue the assessment of a less fuzzy definition of social innovation and make a first attempt to focus on the role that companies play in developing as well as scaling social innovations. The adopted approach exploits the literature review and is based on an in-depth analysis of the definitions of social innovation: the authors collected and catalogued them, so identifying the main dimensions of analysis. Clarifying what social innovation is and the role that companies play in social innovation initiatives can increase companies' awareness of what they (can) do with respect to social innovation, possibly taking advantage of this in terms of business objectives.
A Study of Two Microfinance Models and Their Suitability for Egypt
Authors: Youssry Ahmed , Winklehake Brett , Lobera Jaime A.
Published: October 2018

Developing countries around the world strive to implement one of the several current models of microfinance. This study focuses on two models: Grameen Bank, which is considered the change factor for the microfinance field, and Kiva.org, an organization that understood the importance of the Internet and crowdfunding to create a different model of microfinance. The purpose of the study is to analyze these two models and determine which would be more suitable for application in Egypt. This study provides a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis), a financial analysis, and a structural analysis, as well as historical background for both organizations along with a scan for the political, economic, social, and technological infrastructure in Egypt to determine the most suitable microfinance model.
Measuring the Poverty of Elderly People With Needs Analysis in Turkey
Authors: Özmete Emine
Published: October 2018

This study aimed to analyze the economic, social, and cultural needs of elderly people to determine the poverty thereof in Ankara (the capital city of Turkey). The economic, social, and cultural needs of individuals, which are among the indicators taken into consideration by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in measurement of human poverty index, were subject to research in measurement of poverty of elderly people. Face-to-face surveys were conducted with individuals over 65 years of age in the study, with 2.522 surveys qualified for evaluation. It was seen that the majority of elderly people were covered by social security. The elderly people reported their health to be good. They stated satisfaction regarding interindividual relationships with regard to social needs. However, it was concluded that the income of elderly people was not sufficient, and that they could not sufficiently afford electrical power and water invoices, medicine, food, and clothing expenses.
FDI, Urbanization, and Economic Growth Linkages in India and China
Authors: Patra Sudhakar
Published: October 2018

The rapid urbanization and economic growth during new round of globalization is largely due to the flows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In this context the objectives of this chapter is to analyze the causality and linkage among urbanization, GDP and foreign direct investment in China and India with the help of secondary data from 1979 to 2012. It focuses on determinants and pattern of FDI flow in China and India. The study observes a significant positive correlation between urbanization and flow of FDI to a particular region both in China and India. The rate of growth of FDI is significantly influenced by rate of growth of urban population at 10 per cent level of significance and by rate of growth of per capita GDP at 1 percent level of significance. The study also highlights the causality and linkage between urbanization and FDI inflow with evidences from China and India.
The Arts, Civic Engagement, and Urban Youth
Authors: Grebe Amy M.
Published: October 2018

The Arts, Civic Engagement, and Urban Youth explores methods for using the arts as a vehicle to empower urban youth to become critically engaged in their communities and positively improve their quality of life. Barriers that prevent urban youth from critically engaging social injustices and inequalities are examined and arts-based responses offered. An arts-integrated methodology is woven into previously researched and proposed pathways to civic engagement in order to offer urban youth opportunities for hope and healing from chronic adversity. This arts-integrated methodology facilitates in the development of self-efficacy and knowledge for youth to successfully affect sustainable change in their communities.
The Role of Entrepreneurial Spirit in Indonesian Youths and Housewives to Reduce Unemployment and Poverty Rate
Authors: Cahayani Ati
Published: October 2018

Unemployment and poverty are problems experienced especially by developing countries. The higher level of unemployment and poverty will lead the higher level of crime. The unemployment rate in Indonesia in August 2014 is 5.94% or 7,244,905 people, and 4% of Indonesian people living on less than $1.25 a day. One of the things that can reduce the unemployment rate and the percentage of poor people is entrepreneurship. This chapter wants to explain that the level of unemployment and poverty can be minimized by the spirit of entrepreneurship of housewives and youths, who has a micro, small, and medium business. From six women and youth entrepreneurs who start their micro and small business that described in this book chapter, it can be seen that their effort could empower themselves and make themselves and their family exit from poverty. But, they are facing barriers to starting up. The government must push and encourage Indonesian people to become an entrepreneur by designing entrepreneurship development program, which includes government, educational institution, and family.
Women in Development Mobilize Grassroots Enterprises to Reduce Household Poverty
Authors: Semali Ladislaus M.
Published: October 2018

This study examines the roles African women played in reducing household poverty through local enterprises that resulted in feeding their families, sending their children to school and contributing to community development. Their determination was to implement and invest in self-help enterprises in order to counter the incidence of household poverty and eventually bring about social change. A literature review section distinguishes theoretical from empirical approaches to study poverty and leads this study to some important conclusions. The results paint a picture that explains a world in which women live in poverty as they face gross inequalities and injustices from birth to death—from poor education, poor nutrition, vulnerable and low-pay employment, and acts of discrimination that women are likely to suffer throughout their entire life.
Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM)
Authors: Dore Conor , Murphy Maurice
Published: October 2018

Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) is a new approach for modelling historic buildings which develops full Building Information Models (BIMs) from remotely sensed data. HBIM consists of a novel library of reusable parametric objects, based on historic architectural data and a system for mapping theses library objects to survey data. This chapter describes the development of a library of parametric objects for HBIM that can be used to model classical architectural elements. Steps towards automating the HBIM process are also described in this chapter. Using concepts from procedural modelling, a new set of rules and algorithms have been developed to automatically combine HBIM library objects and generate different building arrangements by altering parameters. This is a semi-automatic process where the required building structure and objects are first automatically generated and then refined to match survey data. The use of procedural modelling techniques with HBIM library objects introduces automation and speeds up the slow process of plotting library objects to survey data.
BIM and Interoperability for Cultural Heritage Through ICT
Authors: Osello Anna , Acquaviva Andrea , Dalmasso Daniele , Erba David , Del Giudice Matteo , Macii Enrico , Patti Edoardo
Published: October 2018

This chapter presents a methodology based on Building Information Modelling (BIM) and interoperability to convert existing buildings, even historical, into smart buildings. The chapter starts describing the main concepts of BIM and interoperability in the Architecture, Engineer and Construction (AEC) industry with special attention on integrating information from heterogeneous devices deployed in the building. Then, it details the SEEMPubS (Smart Energy Efficient Middleware for Public Buildings) middleware, which consists on three layers: (i) Integration Layer, (ii) Middleware Layer, and (iii) Application Layer. The validation of the most significant results is presented using both gamification and technical approaches involving different end-users. Finally, Apps for data management are introduced with a Community Portal and an Android Application for real-time data visualization. Future works introduce the integration of smart building into smart district context.
San Pietro di Deca in Torrenova
Authors: Bassetta Manuela , Fatta Francesca , Manti Andrea
Published: October 2018

In this chapter San Pietro di Deca represented an opportunity for scientific knowledge process experimentation applied to a small building with a great past, an unknown monument standing in north west of Sicily that recently has been studied by a team of Austrian archeologists. The first scientific survey carried out by the authors by means of the latest technology as well as all the stages of the research are presented: the historical research, the laser scanner survey, the critical analysis leading to the interpretation of the architecture's masonry structures, and an accurate analytical representation of the transformation processes experienced by the structure from its origin until today. The evaluation of the survey and its comparison with similar Byzantine Sicilian buildings were major steps confirming the hypotheses inferred on the morphological evolution of the structure.
Palazzo Dei Tribunali in Via Giulia
Authors: Chiavoni Emanuela , Porfiri Francesca , Tacchi Gaia Lisa
Published: October 2018

The study presents the very first results of research carried out on the Palazzo dei Tribunali in via Giulia, designed by Bramante but realised only in part. The only fragments that have survived are a few portions of a massive ashlar masonry structure, which characterized the base of the palace. The objective of the research was to carry out an analysis of the site but one that would combine the documentary biblio-iconographic aspect of the study – which would take full account of existing and published articles – with an enquiry based on a direct approach to the site within the metric and perspective-visual frame of reference. This type of analysis can be carried out through direct observation “in situ” and through an integrated digital survey campaign on various levels. This study can be considered an important contribution to the knowledge of the Palazzo and to the documentation of Cultural Heritage.
Enhancing Building Performance and Environmental Learning
Authors: Chance Shannon M. , Cole J. Timothy
Published: October 2018

School buildings directly affect their natural and socio-cultural environments. They do this through their construction, maintenance, operation, and demolition. Most of the school buildings we have in stock today drain natural resources and inadvertently perpetuate a culture of environmental, social, and long-term economic ignorance and misuse. When approached thoughtfully, however, the design of school buildings can help inform and enrich society. Well-designed buildings can impart environmental knowledge and values. They can foster more effective behaviors among the people who learn in and from them. Effectively designed buildings can also conserve natural resources and—at their best—even help replenish the natural environment. For many school leaders today, participation in green certification programs represents one important step toward improved building and learning performance. This chapter provides a case study of successful learning approaches developed by Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS).
An Ecological Originated Design in Education Structures
Authors: Sirel Ayşe , Yücel Gökçen Firdevs
Published: October 2018

Diminishing natural resources have increased the prominence and implementation of approaches to sustainable planning, design, and application. Green schools minimize environmental impact by promoting environmentally friendly attitudes, reducing the need for infrastructure facilities, and using recycling as a strategy both during and after their construction. As with other green buildings, green schools reduce dependency on fossil fuels and thus limit the emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Concerning global warming, green schools have the capacity to “turn back time,” creating learning circles that elicit solutions from their student bodies. In this chapter, the authors explore the economic, ecological, and social dimensions of green schools by means of a case study of an education campus in Adana, Turkey. The authors aim to elucidate how green schools may be effective in the conservation of future resources in architectural sustainability.
Simulating Passive Design Strategies of Rural Residential Buildings in Severe Cold Regions of Northeast China
Authors: Zhen Meng , Sun Cheng , Goh Bee Hua
Published: October 2018

With a strong dependency on regions and climate, passive design is the most economically effective strategy to reduce energy consumption. Using Climate Consultant 5.5 software, data analysis is conducted to analyze 16 cities in Northeast China. The independent and integrated effectiveness of nine kinds of passive design strategy are studied like sun shading of windows, high thermal mass, high thermal mass night flushed, direct evaporative cooling, two-stage evaporative cooling, natural ventilation cooling, passive solar direct gain low mass, passive solar direct gain high mass, wind protection of outdoor spaces. The results show that passive solar heat gains are the most important passive design strategy, whether in the heating or non-heating season, with an average contribution rate of 14.64% and 28.38%, respectively. This study provides suggestions on passive design in severe cold regions in Northeast China. The effectiveness-evaluation tables proposed can be referred to by architects in their passive designs.
Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Masonry Building from Ottoman Period in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Hrasnica Mustafa , Čaušević Amir , Rustempašić Nerman
Published: October 2018

Traditional art of building in Bosnia and Herzegovina comprises brick or stone masonry structures. Most historical buildings belonging to national cultural heritage were made of stone-masonry. The country is situated in seismic active region of South-East Europe. In the case of strong earthquake motion such buildings could suffer heavy damages. Some structural elements of historical buildings, as domes and arches, cracked already by moderate earthquake but without the loss of stability. Substantial damages were caused by recent war disaster. Damages could be accumulated through the history as well. Generally, stone-masonry buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be classified in vulnerability classes between A and C according to European Macroseismic Scale. Design and construction procedures for rehabilitation are presented here with examples of repair and strengthening of mosques, which present historical stone masonry structures dating from the Ottoman period in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Traditional and contemporary materials were used for their rehabilitation. It is important to preserve original forms, especially those of damaged elements. The challenge for structural engineers and architects was to find equilibrium between aesthetical and structural demands.
Towards Regenerative Urban Environments
Authors: Zhu Xiaocun , Galland Pius Leuba Dit , Dick Ryan D. , Wallis Raefer K.
Published: October 2018

This chapter uses air pollution to illustrate how regeneration can be achieved within interior environments. It explores urban growth and reveals the impact that increasing populations and modern lifestyles have on interior spaces, people's interactions, the natural environment, and human health. Air pollution and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) are identified as key indicators of urban vitality and quality. Performance driven design and healthy IAQ solutions are highlighted as decisive drivers towards regenerative urban environments. The open flow of personally relevant, objective data is shown to be a strong driver for public awareness and bottom-up, sustainable change. The text illustrates how to create health-giving cities that support human activities while simultaneously providing health benefits to occupants. The aim of this chapter is to provide readers with replicable design strategies and catalyze industry demand for performance driven, regenerative urban interior environments.
A Comprehensive Study on Internet of Things Based on Key Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Industry 4.0
Authors: Uslu Banu Çalış , Fırat Seniye Ümit Oktay
Published: October 2018

Under uncertainty, understanding and controlling complex environments is only possible with an ability to use distributed computing by the way of information exchange between devices to be able to understand the response of the system to a particular problem. From transformation of raw data in a huge distribution of network into the meaningful information, to use the understood knowledge to make rapid decisions needs to have a network composed of smart devices. Internet of things (IoT) is a novel approach, where these smart devices can communicate with each other by using key technologies of artificial intelligence (AI) in order to make timely autonomous decisions. This emerging technical advancement and realization of horizontal and vertical integration caused the fourth stage of industrialization (Industry 4.0). The objective of this chapter is to give detailed information on both IoT based on key AI technologies and Industry 4.0. It is expected to shed light on new work to be done by providing explanations about the new areas that will emerge with this new technology.
Clear and Private Ad Hoc Retrieval Models on Web Data
Authors: Ortiga Souria
Published: October 2018

During the 1980s, and despite its maturity, the search information (RI) was only intended for librarians and experts in the field of information. Such tendentious vision prevailed for many years. Since the mid-90s, the web has become an increasingly crucial source of information , which has a renewed interest in IR. In the last decade, the popularization of computers, the terrible explosion in the amount of unstructured data, internal documents, and corporate collections, and the huge and growing number of internet document sources have deeply shaken the relationship between man and information. Today, a great change has taken place, and the RI is often used by billions of people around the world. Simply, the need for automated methods for efficient access to this huge amount of digital information has become more important, and appears as a necessity.
Photogrammetric Survey and 3DGIS Management of Mesh in the Integrated Investigation of Complex Sites
Authors: Trizio Ilaria , Savini Francesca , Continenza Romolo , Giannangeli Alessandro , Marchetti Alessio , Redi Fabio
Published: October 2018

This chapter illustrates the results of an experimentation carried out by a group of multidisciplinary researchers from the ITC-CNR of L'Aquila and of archaeologists and engineers from the University of L'Aquila. This research project is based on the analysis of architectural and archaeological artefacts (the state of conservation of the artefacts, seismic vulnerability, stratigraphic analysis, construction phases) using methods linked to innovative digital technologies such as digital photogrammetric restitution, based on structure from motion (SfM) algorithms and the generation of photorealistic textures. The innovative methodological approach specifically refers to the management of archaeological data concerning the state of conservation of structures, damages and to their seismic vulnerability in a 3D GIS environment, with particular attention to three-dimensional stratigraphic readings of the artefacts.
The Maritime Theatre at Hadrian's Villa and Its Decoration
Authors: Adembri Benedetta , Cipriani Luca , Fantini Filippo
Published: October 2018

Maritime Theatre is one of the most iconic buildings of Hadrian's Villa (UNESCO site since 1999). This circular-shaped “domus” is characterized by one of the most obvious aspects of Hadrianic architectural production, namely the alternation of curved and straight lines applied to designing both plans and elevations. Mixtilinear features caught the interest of architects from the Renaissance to present day, becoming inspiration as well as a sort of “quarry” for noble families and antiquarians. Complex entablatures designed by Hadrian's architects have been systematically removed and reused starting from Middle Ages with the consequence of having several fragments scattered in private and public collections all over Europe. Through a systematic digital survey of remaining structures as well as of removed elements, a 3D analytical model was exploited in order to include all the “digitally gathered” elements and for deepening the knowledge of this emblematic mixtilinear architecture.
Digital Restoration for Widespread Fruition of the Samnite Chamber Tombs
Authors: Rossi Adriana
Published: October 2018

The aim of the chapter was to design a sensory experience that would enable contemporary users to appreciate artifacts that are remote in terms of time, space, and contemporary cultural sensibility. The chamber tombs, a glorious example of Samnite civilization (ninth through third century B.C.) offered a unique possibility to pursue this objective thanks to the peculiarities of the architectural paintings which paratactically decorate the chamber tomb walls. Rather than “freeze” the observers in a service space, the paintings seem to encourage them to explore the chamber and synaesthetically interact with the built environment. From a contemporary perspective, these pictorial dynamics epitomize the emerging paradigm of real and virtual space organization where the real and the virtual combine and guide users towards interactive fruition. The developments in range-based and image-based techniques have made the surveying procedures more rapid and the representations more attractive. Remote fruition has become more flexible thanks to the advent of information and communication technologies.
Digital Literacy for the 21st Century
Authors: Spires Hiller A. , Medlock Paul Casey , Kerkhoff Shea N.
Published: October 2018

Digital literacy involves any number of digital reading and writing techniques across multiple media forms. These media include words, texts, visual displays, motion graphics, audio, video, and multimodal forms. There are myriad cognitive processes at play, along a continuum from consumption to production when a reader is immersed with digital content as well as with print text. The purpose of this chapter is to (1) define digital literacy from multiple theoretical viewpoints, (2) illustrate how the definition continues to evolve in light of emerging technologies, and (3) discuss the cognitive, social, and affective dimensions of digital literacy as it is a key requirement in contemporary K-12 education.
A Maturity Model for Digital Literacies and Sustainable Development
Authors: Sharma Ravi S. , Malone Lin G. , Guan Chong , Dattakumar Ambica
Published: October 2018

As the world becomes increasingly digitized, a key aspect of digitization is the notion of “digital inclusion,” the empowerment of individuals through digital participation, as enabled through the functional, socio-economic, and transformational dimensions of digital literacies. This chapter recounts the role of digital literacies in supporting participative and therefore sustainable development. Taking a historical, development perspective, this chapter describes a digital literacies maturity model (DLMM) to examine the relationship between knowledge societies, digital inclusion, and digital literacies. This model combines the World Bank's four knowledge policy pillars with the four stages of digital development to link digital policies with socio-economic wellbeing and serves as a framework for the creation of sustainable knowledge societies.
Toward a Working Definition of Digital Literacy
Authors: Dowell Margaret-Mary Sulentic
Published: October 2018

Literacy is generally understood to be the combined abilities to read and write, speak and listen; however, the advancement of technology has broadened what it means to be literate to encompass the notion of digital literacy. This chapter is divided into four major sections. First, a comprehensive definition of digital literacy will be presented. Then, digital literacy within a socio-cultural framework will be briefly highlighted. Next, three prominent issues that have surfaced around digital literacy will be examined: the dissonance between digital natives and digital immigrants, how and why some forms of digital literacy enjoy acceptance and legitimacy, and attaining and not gaining access to digital literacy formats – the digital divide. The final section of this chapter is devoted to a discussion of implications of digital literacy in K-12 education, college, and career.
Towards a General Theory of Information
Authors: Pană Laura L.
Published: October 2018

Contemporary society is an information society based on information sciences and information technology. Technical information is therefore the most accessed and further promoted. This chapter aims to push toward completeness the study of information by analyzing the variety of information types and by presenting the hierarchy of information levels of existence. Specific features of natural, social, and human information are highlighted. The internal information structure of distinct domains and levels of natural and social existence is explored. Information types such as structural information, systemic information, functional information, or free information are characterized and defined from various perspectives. An interdisciplinary study of information is thus accomplished by using findings from several scientific and philosophical disciplines from information epistemology or information aesthetics to neuroinformatics and neurorobotics. New research topics such as information values, information efficiency, and information responsibility are proposed at the end of the chapter.
Analysis and Assessment of Cross-Language Question Answering Systems
Authors: Gutiérrez-Artacho Juncal , Olvera-Lobo María-Dolores
Published: October 2018

Within the sphere of the web, the overload of information is more notable than in other contexts. Question answering systems (QAS) are presented as an alternative to the traditional information retrieval (IR) systems seeking to offer precise and understandable answers to factual questions instead of showing the user a list of documents related to a given search. Given that the QAS is presented as a substantial advance in the improvement of IR, it becomes necessary to determine its effectiveness for the final user. With this aim, seven studies were undertaken to evaluate: 1) in the first two, the linguistic resources and tools used in these systems for multilingual retrieval (Research 1, Research 2), and 2) the performance and quality of the answers of the main monolingual and multilingual QA of general domain and specialized domain in the web in response to different types of questions and subjects, so that different evaluation means can be applied (Research 3, Research 4, Research 5, Research 6, Research 7).
A Fast and Space-Economical Algorithm for the Tree Inclusion Problem
Authors: Chen Yangjun , Chen Yibin
Published: October 2018

The ordered tree inclusion is an interesting problem, by which the authors will check whether a pattern tree P can be included in a target tree T, where the order of siblings in both P and T is significant. In this chapter, the authors propose an efficient algorithm for this problem. Its time complexity is bounded by O(|T|⋅loghP) with O(|T| + |P|) space being used, where hP represents the height of P. Up to now the best algorithm for this problem needs Θ(|T|⋅|leaves(P)|) time, where leaves(P) stands for the set of the leaves of P.
Boosting the Social Development of the Majority Through the Creation of a Wireless Knowledge Society
Authors: Piaggesi Danilo
Published: October 2018

The advances and diffusion of information and communication technology (ICT) combined with the growth of the internet have led to deep transformations in economic, social, and institutional structures. ICT affects the performance of businesses and the efficiency of markets, fosters the empowerment of citizens and communities as well as their access to knowledge, and contributes to strengthening and redefining governance processes at all institutional levels. ICT is at the same time creating enormous opportunities and posing daunting challenges. On one hand, it has the potential to increase productivity and wealth, generate new activities, products and services, and improve the wellbeing of the population. On the other hand, the uneven distribution of such opportunities can lead to further alienation of marginalized communities and an exacerbation of existing socioeconomic inequalities. This chapter presents some of the best ICT practices aiming at boosting the social development of the majority contributing to the creation of a wireless and inclusive knowledge society.
Knowledge Management From the Metaphorical Perspective
Authors: Bielenia-Grajewska Magdalena
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this chapter is to present the notions connected with how knowledge management is communicated. The focus of investigation is on the place of metaphors in creating, acquiring, and sharing data. The metaphorical side of knowledge management is discussed from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Thus, selected theories are supported with practical examples coming from diversified sources on knowledge management. The discussion aims at showing the positive and negative role of metaphors in various stages of knowledge management.
The Gender Dimension in Urban Air Quality
Authors: Slini Theodora , Pavlidou Fotini-Niovi
Published: October 2018

In the frame of existing differences between genders regarding the access and control of resources, women and men have different vulnerability, capacities, and reactions to climate change and global warming issues and policies. Women are increasingly recognized as potentially critical actors of successful climate change policies. Thus, gender dimensions and perspectives need to be addressed by both global and local stakeholders and decision makers. The current chapter explores and highlights this gap. It identifies the current situation and indicates ways for authorities to integrate the gender dimension of climate change in the various stages of policy making. The focus is on European countries and Greece. The chapter stands as a starting point that introduces gender-sensitive aspects of climate change to decision makers and experts and promotes the development of efficient environmental and women-friendly technologies for sustainable development.
How Exclusive Work Climates Create Barriers for Women in IS&T
Authors: Reynoldson Katelyn R. , Major Debra A.
Published: October 2018

Exclusive climates are associated with negative outcomes such as feelings of anxiety. Furthermore, barriers may arise for women when they experience exclusive climates in the IS&T workplace. This chapter examines several barriers women may encounter, including stereotypes, stereotype threat, the motherhood penalty, work-family conflict, and mentoring. As women are underrepresented in IS&T, recommendations for future research include building more inclusive climates in IS&T workplaces for women and mitigating the obstacles women may face while working in the field.
Women and IT in Lilongwe
Authors: Nyamundundu Alice Violet
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this chapter was to investigate and describe why women in Malawi and Africa at large are underrepresented in IT despite the widespread availability of IT through cell phones, institutions, and general computer hardware and software. Gender discriminates women in education and world of work. The gender issue is all rooted, promoted, and strengthened in cultural beliefs. Literature reveals that for their part, African women have internalized the so-called inferiority position through their culture and society. Critiques of these beliefs commonly agree that there is need for mental rewiring on gender equity roles. Women need to believe in themselves and shun the positional gender differences that are causing severe imbalances in education and workplaces across Africa. The findings led to the overarching conclusion that African culture is not really changing with the times and it pushes women on the edge. One recommendation will be arrived at; there is need to include to a larger scale gender equity and justice system in education and workplaces across Africa.
E-Government Service Adoption and the Impact of Privacy and Trust
Authors: Iqbal Mehree , Nisha Nabila , Rifat Afrin
Published: October 2018

E-government helps government to accomplish daily administrative activities and provides an easier way to communicate with external entities such as citizens and businesses through utilization of an online portal. Although adoption of e-government is potentially a route to provision of better services to citizens, it is not clear that citizens will embrace the use of such services, particularly in developing countries. This is because citizens are often concerned about the use of technology due to lack of privacy and trust for any such online transactions. As such, the success and acceptance of e-government initiatives are contingent upon citizens' willingness to adopt these services. This chapter thus aims to investigate factors that can influence the future use intentions and adoption of e-government services in Bangladesh by employing the UTAUT model with the proposed constructs of privacy and trust. Findings of this study and implications for research and practice have been discussed.
The Growing Impact of ICT on Development in Africa
Authors: Kamel Sherif H.
Published: October 2018

Information and communication technology for development has been evolving for almost four decades, realizing business and socioeconomic development and growth and capitalizing on channels for information acquisition and knowledge dissemination allowing the creation of an emerging global knowledge-based society with innovative means of communication that can help increase competitiveness for individuals, organizations, and societies. ICT tools and applications could be used as an effective platform to minimize the digital divide and promote social inclusion. The transformation process enabled through ICT is affecting different aspects of the economy and is forcing governments to rethink the way they handle their socioeconomic challenges as they move forward in their development paths. This chapter addresses some of the initiatives in Africa to minimize the intra- and inter-digital divide and join actively the global knowledge society by capitalizing on emerging technologies but more importantly by focusing on human capital as the most invaluable element in the technology ecosystem.