bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yoga in Adult Cancer: A Pilot Survey of Attitudes and Beliefs among Oncologists
Authors: McCall M.C. , Ward A. , Heneghan C.
Published: February 2015

Background: Depending on interest, knowledge, and skills, oncologists are adapting clinical behaviour to include integrative approaches, supporting patients to make informed complementary care decisions. The present study sought to improve the knowledge base in three ways: (1) Test the acceptability of a self-reported online survey for oncologists. (2) Provide preliminary data collection concerning knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and current referral practices among oncologists with respect to yoga in adult cancer. (3) List the perceived benefits of and barriers to yoga intervention from a clinical perspective. Methods: A 38-item self-report questionnaire was administered online to medical, radiation, and surgical oncologists in British Columbia. Results: Some of the 29 oncologists who completed the survey (n = 10) reported having recommended yoga to patients to improve physical activity, fatigue, stress, insomnia, and muscle or joint stiffness. Other responding oncologists were hesitant or unlikely to suggest yoga for their patients because they had no knowledge of yoga as a therapy (n = 15) or believed that scientific evidence to support its use is lacking (n = 11). All 29 respondents would recommend that their patients participate in a clinical trial to test the efficacy of yoga. In qualitative findings, oncologists compared yoga with exercise and suggested that it might have similar psychological and physical health benefits that would improve patient capacity to endure treatment. Barriers to and limitations of yoga in adult cancer are also discussed. Conclusions: An online self-report survey is feasible, but has response rate limitations. A small number of oncologists are currently recommending yoga to improve health-related outcomes in adult cancer. Respondents would support clinical yoga interventions to improve the evidence base in cancer patients, including men and women in all tumour groups.
Distribution and Clinical Significance of Tumour-Associated Macrophages in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis in China
Authors: Chen S.J. , Zhang Q.B. , Zeng L.J. , Lian G.D. , Li J.J. , Qian C.C. , Chen Y.Z. , Chen Y.T. , Huang K.H.
Published: February 2015

Background: We aimed to characterize the localization and prognostic significance of tumour-associated macrophages (tams) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (pdac). Methods: Tumour specimens from 70 patients with pdac and inflammatory specimens from 13 patients with chronic pancreatitis were collected and analyzed for tam and M2 macrophage counts by immunohistochemistry. Correlations between tam distributions and clinicopathologic features were determined. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis showed that tam and M2 macrophage counts were higher in tissues from pdac than from chronic pancreatitis. The tams and M2 macrophages both infiltrated more into peritumour. Both macrophage types were positively associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.041 for tams in peritumour, p = 0.013 for M2 macrophages in introtumour, p = 0.006 for M2 macrophage in peritumour). In addition, abdominal pain was significantly more frequent in pdac patients with a greater tams count. The survival rate was much lower in patients having high infiltration by M2 macrophages than in those having low infiltration. Conclusions: The tam count might be associated with neural invasion in pdac, and M2 macrophages might play an important role in lymph node metastasis. Higher counts of either macrophage type were associated with increased risk of lymph node metastasis, and the M2 macrophage count could potentially be a marker for evaluating prognosis.
Adherence to Abiraterone among the First 86 Recipients after Release in Saskatchewan
Authors: Smith A.D. , Olson C. , Lyons B. , Tran D. , Blackburn D.F.
Published: February 2015

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer is now commonly treated with abiraterone, an orally administered chronic medication. Although abiraterone has certain advantages over docetaxel-based therapy, patients are now responsible for ensuring optimal adherence to their medication. To our knowledge, adherence to abiraterone in a real-world setting has never been described. The objective of the present study was to measure adherence to abiraterone among the first patients to receive the drug in Saskatchewan. Electronic pharmacy claims were obtained from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency after removal of patient names and identifiers. All patients with at least 1 dispensation for abiraterone between August 2011 and October 2013 were eligible. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients achieving optimal adherence at 6 months, defined as a medication possession ratio (mpr) of 80% or better. During the study period, 141 patients received abiraterone, among whom 86 could be followed for at least 6 months. Optimal adherence was achieved in 82.6% of patients (71 of 86) at 6 months, with 79.1% achieving a mpr of at least 90%. Of patients with available follow-up to 1 year, 81.6% (31 of 38) maintained optimal adherence during the entire period.
Use of the Word “Cured” for Cancer Patients—Implications for Patients and Physicians: The Siracusa Charter
Authors: Tralongo P. , Maso L. Dal , Surbone A. , Santoro A. , Tirelli U. , Sacchini V. , Pinto C. , Crispino S. , Ferraù F. , Mandoliti G. , Tonini G. , Russo A. , Santini D. , Madeddu A. , Panebianco V. , Pergolizzi S. , Respini D. , Rolfo C. , Bongiovanni M. , De Lorenzo F. , Spatola C. , Di Raimondo F. , Terenziani M. , Peeters M. , Castoro C.
Published: February 2015

Long-term survival for adult patients with solid tumours continues to increase. For some cancers, the possibility of recurrence after a number of years is extremely low, and the risk of death becomes similar to that of the general population of the same sex and age. During the Fifth European Conference on Survivors and Chronic Cancer Patients held in Siracusa, Italy, June 2014, oncologists, general practitioners, epidemiologists, cancer patients and survivors, and patient advocates joined to discuss the possible use of the term “cured” in reference to some adult patients with solid tumours. The specific focus was the appropriateness of using the term in communicating with cancer patients, survivors, and their families. Initial results of the discussion, in concert with a review of the published literature on the subject, were later further discussed by all participants through electronic communication. The resulting final statement aims to suggest appropriate ways to use the word “cured” in the clinical and communicative setting, to highlight the potential impact of the word on patients, and to open a critical discussion concerning this timely and delicate matter.
Rectal Cancer Resection and Circumferential Margin Rates in Canada: A Population-Based Study
Authors: DeCaria K. , Rahal R. , Niu J. , Lockwood G. , Bryant H.
Published: February 2015

INTRODUCTION [...]
Effect of a Hybrid Maneuver in Treating Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Authors: Badawy Wanees M. A. , El-Mawla Ebtessam K. Gad , Chedid Ahmed E. F. , Mustafa Ahmed H. A.
Published: February 2015

Background:Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common disorder of the vestibular system of the inner ear, which is a vital part of maintaining balance. Although the efficacy of the Epley maneuver—also known as the canalith repositioning maneuver (CRM)—is
well established, data comparing CRM versus a hybrid treatment are lacking.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a hybrid treatment, the Gans repositioning maneuver (GRM) either with or without postmaneuver restrictions, compared with CRM on treatment of posterior
canal BPPV (PC-BPPV).Research Design:Study design was a randomized controlled trial.Study Sample:A total of 45 patients (30 males and 15 females) with unilateral PC-BPPV were randomly allocated to one of three equal groups on the basis of the date of the first visit with matched
assignment for gender: a GRMR group (GRM with postmaneuver restrictions), a GRM group, and a CRM group.Intervention:Patients received weekly administration of the maneuver until resolution of symptoms. The Dix-Hallpike test was performed before treatment at every appointment, and finally
after 1 mo from the last maneuver.Data Collection and Analysis:Nystagmus duration and vertigo intensity were recorded. The supine roll test was performed in case the Dix-Hallpike test was negative to test otoconial migration. Data were analyzed with repeated-measures analysis of variance,
paired t-tests with a Bonferroni correction, and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient.Results:All patients showed improvement within the groups, and PC-BPPV symptoms were resolved by an average of 2, 1.7, and 1.6 maneuvers for GRMR, GRM, and CRM, respectively, with no statistical
differences among the three groups (p > 0.05). Only two patients had recurrence, and one patient had horizontal BPPV at 1 mo follow-up.Conclusion:We demonstrated that the GRM as a new treatment is effective in treating PC-BPPV with no benefits to postmaneuver restrictions.
Preserved Acoustic Hearing in Cochlear Implantation Improves Speech Perception
Authors: Sheffield Sterling W. , Jahn Kelly , Gifford René H.
Published: February 2015

Background:With improved surgical techniques and electrode design, an increasing number of cochlear implant (CI) recipients have preserved acoustic hearing in the implanted ear, thereby resulting in bilateral acoustic hearing. There are currently no guidelines, however, for clinicians
with respect to audiometric criteria and the recommendation of amplification in the implanted ear. The acoustic bandwidth necessary to obtain speech perception benefit from acoustic hearing in the implanted ear is unknown. Additionally, it is important to determine if, and in which listening
environments, acoustic hearing in both ears provides more benefit than hearing in just one ear, even with limited residual hearing.Purpose:The purposes of this study were to (1) determine whether acoustic hearing in an ear with a CI provides as much speech perception benefit as an equivalent
bandwidth of acoustic hearing in the nonimplanted ear, and (2) determine whether acoustic hearing in both ears provides more benefit than hearing in just one ear.Research Design:A repeated-measures, within-participant design was used to compare performance across listening conditions.Study
Sample:Seven adults with CIs and bilateral residual acoustic hearing (hearing preservation) were recruited for the study.Data Collection and Analysis:Consonant-nucleus-consonant word recognition was tested in four conditions: CI alone, CI + acoustic hearing in the nonimplanted ear,
CI + acoustic hearing in the implanted ear, and CI + bilateral acoustic hearing. A series of low-pass filters were used to examine the effects of acoustic bandwidth through an insert earphone with amplification. Benefit was defined as the difference among conditions. The benefit of bilateral
acoustic hearing was tested in both diffuse and single-source background noise. Results were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance.Results:Similar benefit was obtained for equivalent acoustic frequency bandwidth in either ear. Acoustic hearing in the nonimplanted ear
provided more benefit than the implanted ear only in the wideband condition, most likely because of better audiometric thresholds (>500 Hz) in the nonimplanted ear. Bilateral acoustic hearing provided more benefit than unilateral hearing in either ear alone, but only in diffuse background
noise.Conclusions:Results support use of amplification in the implanted ear if residual hearing is present. The benefit of bilateral acoustic hearing (hearing preservation) should not be tested in quiet or with spatially coincident speech and noise, but rather in spatially separated
speech and noise (e.g., diffuse background noise).
Social Media Utilization in the Cochlear Implant Community
Authors: Saxena Rajeev C. , Lehmann Ashton E. , Hight A. Ed , Darrow Keith , Remenschneider Aaron , Kozin Elliott D. , Lee Daniel J.
Published: February 2015

Background:More than 200,000 individuals worldwide have received a cochlear implant (CI). Social media Websites may provide a paramedical community for those who possess or are interested in a CI. The utilization patterns of social media by the CI community, however, have not
been thoroughly investigated.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to investigate participation of the CI community in social media Websites.Research Design:We conducted a systematic survey of online CI-related social media sources. Using standard search engines, the search terms
cochlear implant, auditory implant, forum, and blog identified relevant social media platforms and Websites. Social media participation was quantified by indices of membership and posts.Study Sample:Social media sources included Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,
blogs, and online forums. Each source was assigned one of six functional categories based on its description.Intervention:No intervention was performed.Data Collection and Analysis:We conducted all online searches in February 2014. Total counts of each CI-related social media
source were summed, and descriptive statistics were calculated.Results:More than 350 sources were identified, including 60 Facebook groups, 36 Facebook pages, 48 Twitter accounts, 121 YouTube videos, 13 forums, and 95 blogs. The most active online communities were Twitter accounts,
which totaled 35,577 members, and Facebook groups, which totaled 17,971 members. CI users participated in Facebook groups primarily for general information/support (68%). Online forums were the next most active online communities by membership. The largest forum contained approximately 9,500
topics with roughly 127,000 posts. CI users primarily shared personal stories through blogs (92%), Twitter (71%), and YouTube (62%).Conclusions:The CI community engages in the use of a wide range of online social media sources. The CI community uses social media for support, advocacy,
rehabilitation information, research endeavors, and sharing of personal experiences. Future studies are needed to investigate how social media Websites may be harnessed to improve patient-provider relationships and potentially used to augment patient education.
Consolidation des souvenirs du quotidien chez des enfants présentant un trouble spécifique d'acquisition du langage
Authors: Giraudat Kim , Pamphile Leslie , Schlumberger Émilie , Chevallier Bertrand , Noulhiane Marion
Published: February 2015

La mémoire épisodique exerce un rôle déterminant dans les apprentissages. Les liens entre les troubles d’apprentissage, et plus particulièrement les troubles spécifiques d’acquisition du langage, et le développement mnésique ont notamment été étudiés pour la mémoire à court terme. D’après ces travaux, des déficits de mémoire de travail (MDT) sont souvent observés chez les enfants présentant un trouble du langage, les capacités de MDT étant étroitement liées à l’apprentissage du vocabulaire. Le but de cette étude était d’évaluer si des troubles du langage chez des enfants âgés de 9 à 12 ans peuvent entraîner des dysfonctionnements de la mémoire épisodique, et de statuer sur la nature et l’ampleur des difficultés de consolidation mnésique. Le protocole était structuré en 2 phases : (1) une phase de recueil de souvenirs, certains étant associés à un contexte ; (2) une phase de récupération 16 jours plus tard avec, si besoin, un rappel indicé pour les souvenirs non rappelés. Les enfants étaient répartis en 2 groupes selon leur trouble, dysphasie ou dyslexie, et appariés en âge à un groupe d’enfants contrôles. Cette étude révèle l’existence de troubles de la consolidation relatifs au processus de recollection pour l’ensemble des patients, ces derniers étant toutefois plus prononcés chez les dysphasiques. Par ailleurs, l’analyse plus spécifique des composantes épisodiques met en évidence que le Quoi et le Où sont plus fragiles respectivement chez les dysphasiques et les dyslexiques que chez les enfants contrôles ; le Quand étant quant à lui une information aussi sensible au passage du temps chez les patients et les contrôles. En conclusion, ces résultats suggèrent que les enfants atteints de trouble du langage présentent des difficultés de récupération et de consolidation en mémoire épisodique.
Musique et dyslexie : vers une rééducation cognitivo-musicale intermodalitaire des « troubles dys »
Authors: Habib Michel , Lardy Chloé , Desiles Tristan , Commeiras Céline , Chobert Julie , Besson Mireille
Published: February 2015

Il existe dans la littérature neuroscientifique récente des arguments de plus en plus fournis pour justifier l’utilisation d’un entraînement musical comme outil thérapeutique à part entière au sein de l’arsenal dont disposent déjà les orthophonistes pour traiter les enfants souffrant de dyslexie. Parmi ces travaux, on peut citer (1) des arguments directs, issus d’études de l’effet de la musique sur les troubles à l’origine de la dyslexie et de l’étude des performances de dyslexiques musiciens, et (2) des arguments indirects, comme les multiples preuves d’un effet de l’entraînement musical sur la psychophysiologie de la perception du langage, ou encore la mise en évidence répétée d’un effet de la pratique musicale sur l’organisation des faisceaux d’associations hémisphériques gauches, ceux-là mêmes dont la structure est altérée chez les dyslexiques. Parmi les diverses hypothèses sous-jacentes à cet effet de la musique, l’une d’entre elles est que la pratique régulière de la musique pourrait contribuer à renforcer les mêmes connexions qui ont été retrouvées anormalement sous-développées dans les études d’imagerie cérébrale chez les dyslexiques. Partant de cette hypothèse, nous avons mis au point un protocole thérapeutique dit « cognitivo-musical » basé sur le principe de l’intermodalité, c’est-à-dire visant autant que possible à solliciter de façon conjointe et simultanée les systèmes sensoriels (visuel, auditif, somesthésique) et moteur en utilisant des exercices musicaux. Deux études distinctes sont présentées, chez deux groupes d’enfants dyslexiques, l’une réalisant un entraînement de ce type concentré sur 18 heures en trois jours successifs, l’autre où ces mêmes 18 heures, ont été étalées sur 6 semaines. Les deux études montrent des améliorations significatives de certaines variables non entraînées, linguistiques et non linguistiques. Dans la première étude, il est démontré que seulement 3 jours d’entraînement musical intensif suffisent pour modifier le déficit des dyslexiques dans des tâches de perception auditive des composantes temporelles de la parole. La seconde montre des améliorations en attention auditive, conscience phonologique (fusion syllabique), vitesse de lecture et en répétition de pseudo-mots, par comparaison entre les mesures prises avant et après les 6 semaines d’entraînement, alors qu’aucune amélioration n’est significative sur deux périodes non entraînées. Bien que ces résultats restent préliminaires, ils incitent fortement à poursuivre les recherches pour déterminer dans quelle mesure la pratique de la musique doit ou non faire partie de manière systématique de l’arsenal thérapeutique dans les diverses formes de dyslexie, et de la pratique pédagogique dans les écoles primaires.
Mise au point et recherche de validation d'un outil de repérage des troubles d'apprentissage en classe de CE1
Authors: Sorreau Léa , Decara Bruno , Hazard Marie Claire , Szikora Agnès , Fossoud Catherine , Degremont Danièle , Taudou Pierre , Habib Michel
Published: February 2015

À ce jour, il n’existe pas d’outil de mesure validé permettant aux enseignants de classes de CE1 de repérer de manière collective les enfants susceptibles de développer un trouble spécifique des apprentissages. La présente étude vise donc à combler ce manque psychométrique en évaluant le repérage des enfants à risque par REPER-CE1, un outil spécialement mis au point pour couvrir l’ensemble des domaines cognitifs susceptibles d’interférer avec les apprentissages. Quatre-vingt-dix-sept élèves ont effectué ce test. Ils ont ensuite été soumis à la passation d’épreuves similaires tirées de la batterie EDA (nouvelle BREV). D’après les analyses statistiques réalisées, REPER-CE1 permet aux enseignants d’effectuer un repérage des difficultés de lecture et de graphisme. Il permet également l’observation du niveau global de l’enfant sur la base de ses scores total et verbal. Les enseignants peuvent également s’appuyer sur le questionnaire joint au test et sur l’épreuve Copie de Phrases qui ont montré des qualités corrélationnelles et de prédictibilité intéressantes. En revanche, les épreuves phonologiques et visuo-attentionnelles se sont révélées trop faciles ou trop différentes des épreuves d’EDA pour discriminer les enfants faibles des autres enfants. Enfin, les épreuves de phonologie sont remises en question, car leur réalisation en classe entière ne permet pas d’obtenir des résultats exploitables.
La logique symbolique en débat à Oxford à la fin du dix-neuvième siècle : Les disputes logiques de Lewis Carroll et John Cook Wilson
Authors: Marion Mathieu , Moktefi Amirouche
Published: February 2015

Le développement de la logique symbolique est souvent présenté comme le récit cumulatif d’innovations successives pour mener à ce qu’il est commun d’appeler la logique moderne. Ce récit cache les obstacles qui se dressent sur le chemin de cette logique et qui contribuent ainsi à façonner son histoire. Les réactions négatives à l’émergence de la nouvelle logique dans la seconde moitié du xix e siècle sont nombreuses, et nous étudions dans ce texte le cas de la scène logique à Oxford, où nous retrouvons Lewis Carroll, enseignant de mathématiques qui travaille à la promotion de la logique symbolique, et John Cook Wilson, Wykeham professor of logic , qui s’y oppose. L’analyse de leurs disputes sur la question du symbolisme logique montre selon nous que leur opposition est moins marquée qu’il n’y paraît, puisque Cook Wilson ne s’oppose pas à Lewis Carroll sur le caractère « symbolique » de la logique, mais bien plutôt à l’intrusion d’idées mathématiques et à ce qu’il percevait comme des problèmes futiles pour les logiciens et les philosophes.
La réception du logicisme en France en réaction à la controverse Poincaré-Russell
Authors: Brenner Anastasios
Published: February 2015

Au début du xx e siècle s’est déroulée une controverse au sujet de la logique et de sa capacité à rendre compte des raisonnements mathématiques. Cette controverse, qui a opposé Henri Poincaré et Bertrand Russell et à laquelle toute une série de penseurs ont pris part, touche à la notion de nombre et à la possibilité d’en donner une définition logique. Le débat n’a pas manqué de déborder le cadre strict de l’arithmétique et s’est élargi à plusieurs branches des mathématiques, dont la géométrie, posant la question de la pertinence des conceptions philosophiques traditionnelles. L’objet du présent article est d’examiner ce moment particulier dans le développement de la discipline, qui correspond au passage d’une logique philosophique à une logique mathématique. On constate alors que si les épistémologues français se sont majoritairement détournés du logicisme, ce n’est pas faute de s’y être intéressés.
La logique à la croisée des chemins : La controverse Goblot-Rougier sur la nature de la démonstration et du raisonnement déductif (1907-1921)
Authors: Bourdeau Michel
Published: February 2015

Le Traité de logique d’Edmond Goblot a longtemps servi en France de manuel de référence. Or son « Avertissement » est tout entier consacré à répondre à des objections qui lui avaient été adressées en 1916 par un de ses anciens étudiants, encore inconnu, Louis Rougier. À son maître, celui-ci opposait les résultats de l’algèbre de la logique ou de l’axiomatique hilbertienne. L’article présente tour à tour les deux positions en présence et montre quelques-unes des difficultés rencontrées dans le passage d’une logique philosophique à une logique mathématique, et en particulier les équivoques qui entourent l’usage qui était fait alors de la notion de construction.
Nonlinear Adaptive Filtering with a Family of Kernel Affine Projection Algorithms
Authors: Albu Felix , Nishikawa Kiyoshi
Published: February 2015

In this chapter, the family of kernel affine projection algorithms with coherence criterion is presented. The proportionality principle is translated to the kernel-based version. A new algorithm called Kernel Proportionate Affine Projection Algorithm (KPAPA) is proposed. It is proved that the additional computational increase burden is independent of the order of the algorithm, being dependent only on the order of the kernel expansion. The Dichotomous Coordinate Descent (DCD) method and an example of an efficient implementation of KAPA using DCD are presented. This chapter also discusses the influence of the coherence value, the step size value, and the dictionary size on the performance of KAPA and KPAPA algorithms. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithms and the effect of different parameters are confirmed by computer simulations for nonlinear system identification application.
On Proportional Plus Derivative State Feedback H2 Control for Descriptor Systems
Authors: Zaghdoud Rim , Salhi Salah , Ksouri Moufida
Published: February 2015

This chapter studies the control problem for linear singular systems. Firstly a proportional plus derivative feedback controller for continuous and discrete cases for descriptor systems is given, satisfying the closed loop systems normal and stable states. A necessary and sufficient condition for the solvability of this problem should be obtained in terms of linear matrix inequality. In second part, the designed controller is required to yield a cost function with guaranteed upper bound for the continuous and discrete case and also an extension for robust control is developed. Numerical examples are included to show the effectiveness of the proposed result.
Approximate Input-Output Feedback Linearization of Non-Minimum Phase System using Vanishing Perturbation Theory
Authors: Charfeddine Monia , Jouili Khalil , Braiek Naceur Benhadj
Published: February 2015

The inverse of a non-minimum-phase system being unstable, standard input-output feedback linearization is not effective to control such systems. In this chapter is a presentation of a new tracking control method for the nonlinear non-minimum-phase system. Indeed, the main idea here is to dismiss a part of system dynamics in order to make the approximate system input-state feedback linearizable. The neglected part is then considered as a perturbation part that vanishes at the origin. Finally, a linear controller is designed to control the approximate system. Stability is analyzed using the vanishing perturbation theory. The efficacy and usage of the proposed approach is evaluated in an illustrative inverted cart-pendulum example.
Random Bit Generator Based on Non-Autonomous Chaotic Systems
Authors: Volos Christos , Kyprianidis Ioannis , Stouboulos Ioannis , Vaidyanathan Sundarapandian
Published: February 2015

In the last decade, a very interesting relationship between cryptography and chaos theory was developed. As a result of this close relationship, several chaos-based cryptosystems, especially using autonomous chaotic dynamical systems, have been put forward. However, this chapter presents a novel Chaotic Random Bit Generator (CRBG), which is based on the Poincaré map of a non-autonomous dynamical system. For this reason, the very-well known Duffing-van der Pol system has been used. The proposed CRBG also uses the X-OR function for improving the “randomness” of the produced bit streams, which are subjected to the most stringent statistical tests, the FIPS-140-2 suite tests, to detect the specific characteristics that are expected from random bit sequences.
On Stability Analysis of Switched Linear Time-Delay Systems under Arbitrary Switching
Authors: Kermani Marwen , Sakly Anis
Published: February 2015

This chapter focuses on the stability analysis problem for a class of continuous-time switched time-delay systems modelled by delay differential equations under arbitrary switching. Then, a transformation under the arrow form is employed. Indeed, by using a constructed Lyapunov function, the aggregation techniques, the Kotelyanski lemma associated with the M-matrix properties, new delay-dependent sufficient stability conditions are derived. The obtained results provide a solution to one of the basic problems in continuous-time switched time-delay systems. This problem ensures asymptotic stability of the switched time-delay system under arbitrary switching signals. In addition, these stability conditions are extended to be generalized for switched systems with multiple delays. Noted that, these obtained results are explicit, simple to use, and allow us to avoid the problem of searching a common Lyapunov function. Finally, two examples are provided, with numerical simulations, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Design of a Controller with Time Response Specifications on STM32 Microcontroller
Authors: Ben Hariz Maher , Bouani Faouzi , Ksouri Mekki
Published: February 2015

The basic idea of this chapter is to implement a fixed low order controller on an electronic system using the STM32 microcontroller. The principal aim of this controller is to guarantee some time response specifications as the settling time and the overshoot. The controller parameters are obtained by minimizing a non-convex optimization problem while taking into account the desired closed-loop performances. Accordingly, the resolution of this sort of problem with classical optimization method may lead to a local solution and the achieved control law is not optimal. Hence, with an aim of obtaining an optimal solution that will be able to satisfy the desired specifications, the use a global optimization method is recommended. In this chapter, the Generalized Geometric Programming (GGP) method is exploited. The practical implementation, on a fast electronic system, of the designed control law and a Proportional Integral (PI) controller illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Modelling and Realisation of a Three-Level PWM Inverter Using a DSP Controller to Feed an Asynchronous Machine
Authors: Hakim Denoun , Nabil Benyahia , Mustapha Zaouia , Nacereddine Benamrouche , Haddad Salah , Mamar Sadek Ait
Published: February 2015

Multilevel inverters have seen an increasing popularity in the last few years for medium- and high-voltage applications. The most popular has been the three-level neutral clamped inverter. Multilevel inverters synthesize output voltage from more than two voltage levels. Thus, the output signal spectrum is significantly improved in comparison with the classical two-level converters. This chapter discusses modelling and control of a Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) inverter which operates with the PWM switching pattern using a DSP. The mathematical model of the NPC inverter is carried out using conversion and connection functions for an easier understanding of the system operation. Simulation results using MATLAB program are reported, and it is shown that the performances obtained for driving an asynchronous motor using this inverter are very promising. Finally, analysis of the theoretical and the experimental results is carried out in order to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control solution.
Service Branding through Quality Practices in Public and Private Telecommunication Organization
Authors: Krishnan Archana
Published: February 2015

This chapter focuses on comparative analysis of service branding of two telecommunication organisations—one in the public and one in the private sector—through the implementation of quality initiatives. This case was designed after extensive interviews with senior managers to understand the practical issues and challenges involved in improvement of service branding of an organisation through the implementation of quality initiatives, such as benchmarking, leadership, service orientation, continuous improvement, and knowledge management, and their subsequent impact on organisation culture and organisation effectiveness. Even though the public sector organisation has taken several measures to improve service branding through quality in its services, it is engulfed in its own internal issues as compared to the private sector organisation. The real life scenarios of both the organisations presented in the case could facilitate young managers to address the challenges involved in improving the service branding of the organisation through the implementation of quality practices in the future.
The Importance of Supply Chain Management in Positioning and Creating Brands of Agro-Based Products
Authors: Mukherjee Aroop , Kamarulzaman Nitty Hirawaty
Published: February 2015

This case aims to provide information on the importance of supply chain management in creating and positioning of brands of products by companies. Supply chain management entails configuration, collaboration, and coordination. The company that uses only costing for creating brands without resource availability exposes its supply chain to an insufferable risk. Consequently, the company hoping to create its brand in the world market needs to be more resilient in the supply chain process and resources. A strategic and holistic approach to supply chain in collaboration with different companies will help to identify the different strategies, which can be more resilient and efficient supply chain. Supply chain management acts as branding tool and is vital for conveying branded goods to the market in optimal time and cost. The creation of a brand name is linked to management strategies, but persistence and character are possible solely by using supply chain efficiently.
Factors Influencing the Buying Behavior of Female Consumers with Reference to Top Three Brands of Make-Up Cosmetics in Pune City
Authors: Srivastava Mukta
Published: February 2015

Customers are the end beneficiary of all the marketing activities. No matter what type of cosmetics a company is making (natural or chemical), what type of company it is (national or international), it has to satisfy the needs of the customers. No marketer can ever be successful until and unless it is able to understand the buying behavior of the end users. Hence, the current study addresses issues, such as, ‘what factors are influencing the buying behavior of female consumers with reference to make-up cosmetics?' Has there been a relationship existing between the demographical factors and other influencing factors? How female consumers make decisions for buying a particular brand of make-up cosmetics and what factors affect the decision?
Social Media and Alcohol Use
Authors: Shah Gulzar H. , Alfonso Moya L. , Jolani Nina
Published: February 2015

The use of Social Networking Sites (SNSs) has become an integral part of daily life, particularly for adolescents. The chapter examines the negative impact of social networking sites and how they may expose alcohol-related consumption and behavior to young adults, especially college students. In particular, the focus is on the use of two specific social networking sites, Facebook and Twitter, and their association with alcohol use. The review of existing literature reveals that the depiction of alcohol use on social networking sites has a deleterious effect on alcohol use through the creation of positive social norms toward use and abuse. Further, the chapter looks at the Theory of Differential Association to explain the use of SNS as a pivot to increased alcohol use by adolescents and young adults.
Abuse of the Social Media Brain
Authors: Kohle Fritz , Raj Sony Jalarajan
Published: February 2015

Despite the criticism in the mainstream press regarding the use and abuse of digital and social media, its use has been increasingly encouraged and supported in schools and universities. This chapter examines the social media behaviour of techy-savvy undergraduate students at NHTV, University of Applied Sciences, Breda, The Netherlands, from the perspective of an independent documentary producer and educator, to determine whether any correlation between the amount of time spent online and the use of cognitive functions exists. Media producers require an audience capable of critical thought, and teachers educate future audiences to acquire the necessary cognitive skills. Hence, the chapter analyses how the viewer's cognitive functions impaired by the use of social and digital media affects the reception of media products. This further leads to a more critical concern about the educators' response to the challenges provided by social and digital media.
Social Networking
Authors: Benson Vladlena
Published: February 2015

As the social technology matured in recent years, so did the threat landscape of the online medium. Fears about breaches of privacy and personal information security seem to dominate the list of concerns of social media users described in literature. Popular press continually reports cases of inadvertent and malicious information disclosure and breaches, cyberbullying, and stalking. Yet, social networking sites proliferated into all areas of human activity. The factor causing this phenomenon lies in the trusted nature of networks and the sense of trustworthiness of this easy-to-use technology. The formation of trust into social technology has attracted much attention, and this chapter offers an overview of the trust predictors in social settings. It continues with a retrospective into the threat landscape and the use of personalisation by social networking services to counter some of these threats. Further research directions are discussed.
The Role of Social Media in Creating and Maintaining Social Networks Including its Impact on Enhancing Competitive Positioning within the Education Sector
Authors: Raman Adam
Published: February 2015

Social media is being increasingly utilised within society as an interactive communication platform. It has revolutionised the manner in which organisations communicate with their stakeholders, from the old way of simply designing messages and transmitting them across a desired medium, described as a static, one-way communication channel. Communications are the means by which organisations achieve their strategic goals through influencing their stakeholders. Social media allows stakeholders to connect to one another in relational, interactional networks. This means that stakeholders can now interact with organisations and each other and have a greater influence on the outcomes of communication strategies, which was impossible with traditional media. Organisations have less power dictating communications to stakeholders who in turn have more power in co-creating communication with each other. Social media is likely to have a major competitive impact on higher education institutions and these institutions should be accounting for these changes in their future strategy development. This chapter explores how social media is being utilized in organisations.
Countering Threats
Authors: Jaitner Margarita
Published: February 2015

The increased adoption of social media has presented security and law enforcement authorities with significant new challenges. For example, the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO) asserts that a large proportion of radicalization takes place in open fora online. Still, approaches to contain social media-driven challenges to security, particularly in democratic societies, remain little explored. Nonetheless, this type of knowledge may become relevant in European countries in the near future: Amongst other factors, the challenging economic situation has resulted in increased public discontent leading to emergence or manifestation of groups that seek to challenge the existing policies by almost any means. Use of social media multiplies the number of vectors that need law enforcement attention. First, a high level of social media adaption allows groups to reach and attract a wider audience. Unlike previously, many groups today consist of a large but very loosely connected network. This lack of cohesion can present a challenge for authorities, to identify emerging key actors and assess threat levels. Second, a high level of mobile web penetration has allowed groups to ad-hoc organize, amend plans and redirect physical activities. Third, the tool social media is as not exclusive to potential perpetrators of unlawful action, but is as well available to law enforcement authorities. Yet, efficient utilization of social media requires a deep understanding of its nature and a well-crafted, comprehensive approach. Acknowledging the broad functionality of social media, as well as its current status in the society, this article describes a model process for security authorities and law enforcement work with social media in general and security services work in particular. The process is cyclic and largely modular. It provides a set of goals and tasks for each stage of a potential event, rather than fixed activities. This allows authorities to adapt the process to individual legal frameworks and organization setups. The approach behind the process is holistic where social media is regarded as both source and destination of information. Ultimately, the process aims at efficiently and effectively mitigating the risk of virtual and physical violence.
Aligning Two Specifications for Controlling Information Security
Authors: Nykänen Riku , Kärkkäinen Tommi
Published: February 2015

Assuring information security is a necessity in modern organizations. Many recommendations for information security management exist, which can be used to define a baseline of information security requirements. ISO/IEC 27001 prescribes a process for an information security management system, and guidance to implement security controls is provided in ISO/IEC 27002. Finnish National Security Auditing Criteria (KATAKRI) has been developed by the national authorities in Finland as a tool to verify maturity of information security practices. KATAKRI defines both security control objectives and security controls to meet an objective. Here the authors compare and align these two specifications in the process, structural, and operational level, focusing on the security control objectives and the actual controls. Even if both specifications share the same topics on high level, the results reveal the differences in the scope and in the included security controls.
A Methodological Review on Copy-Move Forgery Detection for Image Forensics
Authors: Sekhar Resmi , Shaji R. S.
Published: February 2015

Copy-Move forgery is the very prevalent form of image tampering. The powerful image processing tools available freely helps even the naive to tamper with images. A copy-move forgery is performed by copying a region in an image and pasting it in the same image most probably after applying some form of post-processing on the region like rotation, blurring, scaling, double JPEG compression etc. This makes it difficult to develop one common technique to detect copy-move forgery. As a result a considerable number of methods have been developed in view to detect different forms of copy-move forgeries. Those techniques can be classified generally as block based techniques and key- point based techniques. This paper presents an extensive survey on the very recent methods developed for copy-move forgery detection.
Digital Literacy Concepts and Definitions
Authors: Boechler Patricia , Dragon Karon , Wasniewski Ewa
Published: February 2015

This article presents a scan of the concept of “digital literacy” and discusses issues encountered in the literature, including: a) challenges in the research base for conceptualizing digital literacy, b) the multiplicity of frameworks which attempt to situate digital literacy but lack sound theoretical origins, and c) wide disagreement among stakeholder disciplines, including education, media studies, library information studies and computing/ICT studies as to what specific skills or knowledge should fall under the umbrella term of digital literacy. The review focuses on the field of education and briefly examines the inconsistent local, national, and international curriculum standards used to both instruct and assess students. It concludes with a presentation of a brief assessment tool, the Software Recognition Test, which preliminary research suggests has predictive validity for educational use and could, with further development, be used for low stakes assessment of digital literacy for K-12 or post-secondary settings.
The Use of Digital Texts as an Alternative Method of Determining Functional ICT Literacy Levels
Authors: Karasavvidis Ilias , Theodosiou Sevasti
Published: February 2015

The aim of this study was to determine ICT literacy levels using a situated approach, targeting the functional understanding of technical terms contained in digital everyday culture texts. A cohort of 70 first year undergraduate Education students participated in the study. The assessment task included writing definitions for 47 technical terms which were derived from a series of digital texts, such as songs and advertisements. Students' definitions were evaluated using a simple rating scale. Results indicated that for two-thirds of the terms examined students' understanding ranged from medium to high. On the other hand, students' understanding of the remaining one-third of the terms was either poor or minimal. Furthermore, the correlation of students' understanding of the terms with student's self-reported familiarity with software applications was low to moderate. The paper is concluded with a discussion of the potential of using popular cultural texts as an alternative approach for assessing levels of functional ICT literacy.
Adolescent Coping Strategies in the Face Of Their “Worst Online Experience”
Authors: Michikyan Minas , Lozada Fantasy T. , Weidenbenner Jennifer V. , Tynes Brendesha M.
Published: February 2015

Adolescents' increased use of virtual environments (e.g., online games, social networking sites) provides opportunities for social and emotional learning and development. Negative online experiences in particular require adolescents to use social and emotional competencies to navigate these experiences. The present study used qualitative methods to describe adolescents' (N = 245; Median age ˜ 16) worst online experiences and to examine their coping strategies in managing these experiences. Results indicated that adolescents most frequently described negative experiences with themes of sexual and relational harassment, online stalking and feuds, followed by ethnic/racial harassment, online fraud, bystander experiences, and technical issues. Adolescents' coping strategies with these experiences included direct problem solving, positive cognitive restructuring, distraction, avoidance, and support seeking. Gender and white vs ethnic minority differences in negative online experience types and coping strategies were examined. Findings extend work that explores the application of offline coping strategies to virtual environments.
Does Game Quality Reflect Heuristic Evaluation?
Authors: Strååt Björn , Rutz Fredrik , Johansson Magnus
Published: February 2015

Usability evaluation tools in the form of heuristic lists can be very helpful in software development. In the field of video game design, researchers are continuously developing new heuristic tools aimed specifically at video game productions. However, through previous studies, the authors have found that even though these tools are frequent and common, design issues regularly appear in video games. This study examines whether video game heuristics are able to capture and evaluate softer values of video game interaction, based on the challenges, flow and immersion of gameplay. By conducting a heuristic evaluation on low scoring and high scoring games the authors manage to show which kind of design issues are most frequent in both high and low scoring games. As a further result of the study, two new heuristics are presented.