bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling the Sustainable Development Nexus as a Complex-Coupled System
Authors: Zelinka David , Daher Bassel
Published: January 2021

This chapter begins with defining complex systems, presents an overview of the applied science of dynamical systems by focusing on the main components of complexity and chaos, and introduces the concept of dimensionality of systems. Systems have structural and temporal (dynamic) components – they exist in space and time. This chapter focuses on the time dimension, called temporality. The authors classify a third dimension, chaos (randomness), and illustrate that all systems can be defined according to their structure, dynamics, and chaos. These three dimensions constitute the dimensionality of systems, which can be used to define and categorize all types of systems. A system dynamics model to quantify the progress and interactions among the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is introduced. The benefits and limitations of a system dynamics modeling approach in this context are then discussed.
A Triple Cornerstone Framework for Software Startups
Authors: Shanbhag Narendranath , Pardede Eric
Published: January 2021

Software startups are increasingly under high pressure to deliver successful products to survive and thrive in the modern highly competitive technology market. Larger organizations with deep pockets can replicate the same business ideas used by startups with relative ease. So how does the average startup stand a chance at succeeding at this seemingly David vs. Goliath contest? This chapter looks at the available literature and identifies factors that can affect the success of software development startups. Using causal loop constructs from the field of system dynamics, the interactions among the various identified factors are visualized to reveal the dynamics of the system. The result is as a three-dimensional view of success factors in form of time, capital, and (product) differentiation. The chapter also explores the cornerstones in the context of the product and business dimensions of software startups. This research acts as groundwork for analyzing the workings of software startups and sets the stage for a more holistic study upon which further research can be carried out.
Policy Analysis in Technical Education
Authors: Soni Sanjay , Chourasia Basant Kumar
Published: January 2021

Higher technical education is one of the indicators of national growth. Higher technical education of the country is responsible for its global progress in technology and standard of living as technical advancement helps to make the country economically progressive as the availability of quality technical staff attracts global entrepreneurs who, in turn, increase the revenue of the nation and therefore the higher technical education system is the backbone of the country's economic progress. In the present research paper, India's higher technical education system is being studied, which is currently undergoing uneven expansion due to the implementation of the various policies responsible for this plethora of expansion. The main objectives of this study are to improve the quality of higher technical education by developing a dynamic system model by incorporating some of the important parameters of higher technical education system stakeholders to test various long-term policies that can improve the quality of higher technical education.
Using System Dynamics to Analyse the Cooperation and Reputation in the Electricity Industry
Authors: Carvajal-Prieto Lina , Herrera Milton M.
Published: January 2021

When different stakeholders work together, they can implement a strategy to improve the performance of the electricity industry. This chapter shows how the cooperation and reputation influence on the electricity industry. A simulation model was developed to illustrate how related variables such as altruism, reputation, and strategic alliances contribute to promote the renewable energy industry. To do this, the chapter illustrates a case study for the electricity market in Colombia. The results show a novel perspective that contributes to marketers and engineers in the analysis of the relationship between cooperation and reputation in electricity firms.
Medical Pre-Screening of Common Diseases
Authors: Dutta Palash
Published: January 2021

In this chapter, relation between IFS and IVFS are studied and reviewed along with some existing distance measures on IFSs. Then, some distance measures for IVFSs are derived from IFSs and some properties on distance measures for IVFSs are ascertained. In the end, an attempt has been made to perform pre-screening test for common diseases of patients in two scenarios under this setting. In the first scenario, for medical prescreening IFSs data are taken and converted into IVFSs while IVFSs data are taken into consideration for the same in the second scenario.
Robust Control Methods for Finite Time Synchronization of Uncertain Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Alain Kammogne Soup Soup Tewa , Bertrand Fotsin Hilaire
Published: January 2021

This chapter addresses the dynamic analysis and two different control strategies for the synchronization of new topology of Colpitts oscillator submitted to uncertainties and external disturbances. The diagrams obtained reveal precisely spirals bifurcation and chaos when for a specific values of the system parameters. Based on the relevant control, the authors have controlled this striking phenomenon in the system. The first (control) deals with the sliding mode control (SMC) method. Some important aspects of the design and implementation are considered to reach a suitable controller for the applications. The second presents an adaptive robust tracking control strategy based on a modified polynomial observer which tends to follow exponentially the chaotic Colpitts circuits brought back to a topology of the Chua oscillator with perturbations. To highlight the contribution, they also present some simulation results with the purpose to compare the proposed method to the classical polynomial observer.
Non-Linear Adaptive Control of Induction Motor Drive for Standalone Photovoltaic Water Pumping System
Authors: Meziane Salima , Toufouti Riad , Atarsia Loubna
Published: January 2021

The integration in the isolated areas and rural sectors is a better solution for producing the electrical energy needed for applications such as pumping systems. The rural water demand for crop irrigation and domestic water supplies is increasing. For this, one of the most conceived solutions is the photovoltaic water pumping technology which has the advantage of being sustainable and respectful of the environment to supply water to rural areas. This chapter describes a robust control of a standalone photovoltaic water pumping system using induction motor drive coupled with a centrifugal hydraulic pump. The induction motor is controlled by algorithm called an adaptive nonlinear control uses a combination of the adaptive observer for rotor flux and nonlinear control technique. The variables to be controlled are the rotor speed and the rotor flux norm required to implement the nonlinear control algorithm is estimated by adaptive flux observer. Simulations are carried out in order to show the effectiveness of the drive and the robustness to parameters variations.
Accessibility to Spa Experiences
Authors: Michopoulou Eleni , Hilton Sarah J.
Published: January 2021

This chapter aims to highlight and raise awareness of the previously unknown barriers currently faced by wheelchair using consumers in the spa industry and the implications of these barriers for consumer and industry alike. Existing research on accessibility within this specific environment is extremely limited (if any). This study shows that access to accurate information is a key issue, a key barrier to participation and not only for those who have not visited a spa before. Gaining information pre visit in tourism is increasingly done online and there is the opportunity to use technologies and especially websites and social media platforms to help provide this information. The chapter also illustrates the potential for health and greater mental and social wellbeing the spa industry and the wider wellness tourism industry have for wheelchair users and how they could mutually benefit each other, as well as further promoting the case for barrier free accessible tourism and leisure opportunities.
A Video-Based Multimedia Curricular Design and Implementation for Advanced English Language Learners (ELLs)
Authors: Dinh Hanh
Published: January 2021

Based on the theoretical framework by Ellis, this chapter analyzes the conceptual orientation in curriculum design that teachers in each context (ESL vs. EFL) used and addresses a variety of in-class activities that were utilized to integrate YouTube videos into their English teaching. Data collection for this study includes two curriculum artifacts and a group focus interview from a university in the USA (ESL context) and in Vietnam (EFL context). The results demonstrated fundamental differences on the two video-based curricula. While the video-based curriculum in ESL context focuses on knowledge application for English language learners from a more societal and learner orientation, the video-based curriculum in EFL context emphasizes a knowledge-centered orientation.
Intelligent CALL Systems for Writing Development
Authors: Curry Niall , Riordan Elaine
Published: January 2021

Technological innovation in supporting feedback on writing is well established in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) literature. Regarding writing development, research has found that intelligent CALL systems that respond instantly to learners' language can support their production of better-written texts. To investigate this claim further, this chapter presents a study on learner use of Write & Improve (W&I). The study, based on learner engagement with W&I and learner and teacher surveys and focus groups, demonstrates that learners find W&I to be engaging and motivating. Moreover, there is evidence of improvements in learner writing practices and written language proficiency. For teachers, W&I can render feedback more efficient, allowing them to focus on more complex aspects of learner texts, while spelling and syntactic accuracy are addressed by W&I. Issues also emerge in the use of W&I, which present problem areas for teachers and learners and which signal important future considerations for CALL research.
Gaming the System
Authors: Przymus Steve Daniel , Romo Smith Alejandro
Published: January 2021

This chapter highlights the potential and practical application of CALL and specifically the use of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) for the language and identity socialization of transnational students. The authors focus on the educational trajectories of 1) children returnees and 2) international migrants who have lived and attended school in the U.S. and now have been uprooted to Mexico as a result of repatriation and/or deportation. The authors advocate creating blended affinity spaces at schools where youth can meet and play digital role-playing games. Game-ecology literacy development within these spaces is detailed through the sharing of game screen shots, blog posts, and the perspectives of transnational students that support this kind of learning within the EFL environment. The chapter concludes with a “call to action” and steps for educators to create such blended affinity spaces for gaming at schools.
Promotion of Digital Entrepreneurship for Youth Employability in the Post Covid-19 Era
Authors: Masenya Tlou Maggie
Published: January 2021

The persistently high youth unemployment rate has long been one of the most pressing socio-economic problems in South Africa. This calls for a mix of innovative, creativity, digital skills, and entrepreneurial spirit to create job opportunities and prepare the youth for the digital economy. Digital entrepreneurship is perceived as a key pillar for job creation and economic growth. The purpose of this chapter was to investigate the role of digital entrepreneurship development in promoting youth employment through the application of novel digital technologies and the innovative application of such technologies. Barriers to effective digital entrepreneurship development were identified and among others include inadequate funding, lack of infrastructure and resources, lack of digital and entrepreneurial skills, poor collaboration between stakeholders, lack of awareness in digital entrepreneurship opportunities, and lack of appropriate mentors and role models. The chapter proposed a roadmap for promoting digital entrepreneurship development among youth in South Africa.
SME Sustainability and Growth in Emerging Markets
Authors: Iwu Chux Gervase
Published: January 2021

The relatedness of the factors that slow down the sustainability and growth of SMEs in emerging markets is discussed in this chapter. The chapter further argues that even though the factors that have encumbered SMEs have gained traction in enterprise development and business management research, how their multidimensional interrelationship can harm the sustainability and growth of SMEs in emerging markets is yet to receive considerable attention. The entrepreneurial ecosystem framework of Mazzarol is used to present a novel approach in this review by attempting a richer explanation of the extent of the mutual connectedness of these factors and how they shape the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This chapter concludes that the factors that inhibit the realization of an impressive sustainable growth of SMEs are interrelated. For instance, the high cost of electricity significantly reduces the profit that can be made by a small business owner, and, in this case, the small business owner may have difficulty paying back a loan obtained in favor of the business.
A Review of the IoT-Based Pervasive Computing Architecture for Microservices in Manufacturing Supply Chain Management
Authors: Pal Kamalendu
Published: January 2021

Supply chain coordination needs resource and information sharing between business partners. Recent advances in information and communication technology (ICT) enables the evolution of the supply chain industry to meet the new requirements of information sharing architectures due to globalization of supply chain operations. The advent of the internet of things (IoT) technology has since seen a growing interest in architectural design and adaptive frameworks to promote the connection between heterogenous IoT devices and IoT-based information systems. The most widely preferred software architecture in IoT is the semantic web-based service-oriented architecture (SOA), which aims to provide a loosely coupled systems to leverage the use of IoT services at the middle-ware layer to minimise system integration problems. This chapter reviews existing architectural frameworks for integrating IoT devices and identifies the key areas that require further research for industrial information service improvements. Finally, several future research directions in microservice systems are discussed.
Distance and Online Learning
Authors: Kalaian Sema A.
Published: January 2021

The aim of this chapter is to present a conceptual and practical overview of online learning pedagogies for the 21st century courses including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. Online learning and various alternative innovative forms of online small-group learning have been developed and implemented worldwide to replace or supplement the traditional face-to-face classroom instruction. Online teaching/learning using small-group learning methods such as problem-based learning, cooperative learning, collaborative learning methods, and team-based learning are examples of such innovative reform-based collaborative student-driven pedagogies that are covered in the chapter. These innovative 21st pedagogies make learning in online environments more stimulating, engaging, and motivating for students to deeply and meaningfully learn the course content and maximize their persistence in the web-based online courses.
ODL Systems for Women Training in Organizations
Authors: Bhandar Mamata
Published: January 2021

Bridging the gender diversity gap has become a key KPI for most organizations today. Diversity teams are constantly planning interventions to recruit and retain women in the workforce to increase their representation. One of the most common interventions is to provide women with training to equip them with the necessary skills and competencies (e.g., career management, social, management, and leadership) to stay and grow in their careers. Corporates today are relying on online learning to offer these training programs for cost-effective, flexible, and long-duration learning. However, there is a lack of guidelines for the successful implementation of online women training programs. This study aims to provide a framework to guide the planning and implementation of these programs. The framework is arrived at based on insights and best practices from a leading Online University that offers women training programs in India and south Africa. Participant feedback from the programs and participant perceptions on online training programs are also used to further refine framework.
Strategies for Efficient, Meaningful, and Inclusive Online Learning Environments
Authors: Petersen Naomi Jeffery
Published: January 2021

Students and faculty rely on clear and unambiguous time targets to exchange information and pace their intersecting lives. Most students juggle work, family, and commuting demands, and increasing numbers also struggle with language needs and disabilities, requiring additional and flexible time to grasp the scope of assignments, read and gather information, process concepts into written products, and finally make sense of the experience. It all takes time. In this chapter, practical strategies for structuring time expectations are introduced in the context of a commitment to empower self-regulation and lifelong learning with particular attention to accessibility. The time dimension of each component of the syllabus, assignments, and gradebook are described with examples from a successful online course, with reference to theory and research on student engagement and satisfaction.
Flipped Class Pedagogy as a Digital Pedagogical Strategy in an Open Distance E-Learning Environment
Authors: van Wyk Micheal M.
Published: January 2021

This chapter explores student teachers' performance and perceptions of a flipped classroom pedagogy vs. a lecture method in a teacher education course at an open distance learning university. The study used an explanatory mixed methods design, employed a pre-test and post-test online survey, and economics blog postings to collect data for the study. Only Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) and Bachelor of Education (BEd: senior and further education and training phase) student teachers (n=371) were purposively selected. It is reported that the flipped classroom pedagogy group outperformed the lecture group in the final examination scores. Furthermore, the flipped classroom pedagogy encouraged an engaging atmosphere and accelerates a collaborative interactive synergy among student teachers. Finally, the findings revealed that the role of the teacher in the flipped classroom pedagogy design is crucial, promoting optimal learning experiences for student teachers in the course. Findings could not be generalized because this study employed only a small sample, but further investigation is needed to compare similar teacher education courses.
Measurement in K–12 Online Learning Environments
Authors: Anderson Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2021

The measurement of online latent constructs, such as student engagement, have mimicked the measurement of these constructs in traditional, brick-and-mortar learning environments. For brick-and-mortar K-12 schools and online K-12 schools there are challenges that need to be addressed to establish a measure with support for validity. Measurement in an online learning environment has different accessibility and data collection requirements. The online learning environment lends itself well to the use of student behaviors to measure latent constructs, including student engagement. The behaviors of students in an online learning environment are regularly documented. This chapter will delve into the ways latent constructs, using student engagement as an example/case study, are currently being measured in the K-12 online learning environment and alternatives to these measures mimicking traditional brick-and-mortar measures.
Investigation Into the Selection of Online Learning Platforms and Tools in Higher Education
Authors: Acquaro Paul Evan
Published: January 2021

Selecting and implementing the platforms and tools to support online learning effectively in higher education is currently a challenge for which there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Finding the right balance between supporting strong pedagogy, offering training and support, providing data security and privacy, ensuring ease of use, among other factors, shape the decisions that leaders in higher education make as they develop and implement online learning environments. This chapter explores the results of a study conducted during the Fall of 2016 to better understand the efforts higher education experts undergo to develop online learning environments. The study considers the sometimes-competing pedagogical and pragmatic needs such efforts entail and seeks to identify trends and best practices.
Components of Student Support in Blended and Online Learning
Authors: Rangara-Omol Tabitha
Published: January 2021

For every student cohort that registers for an online program, some will persist through to graduation while a good number will drop out. Studies continue to investigate the phenomena of persistence and dropout without consensus to the solution. However, student support has been shown to impact positively on a student's decision to stay for the duration of the program. Students of online/blended learning formats lack the advantage of socio-physical motivation. Therefore, they require support that constantly reassures them of peers, teachers, and university presence throughout the duration of the program. At every stage in the life of the program, the student will require specific support which are herein referred to as components of student support. They include student support during recruitment, registration procedures, registration requirements, orientation, study skills training, technology, learning materials, counselling and mentorship, communication and interactions, feedback, regional centers, library, students' association, and representation.
Driving Success in e-Learning Portals
Authors: Vivekananthamoorthy N. , Venkata Subramanian D.
Published: January 2021

Technological advancements are triggering disruptive inventions in the teaching and learning process. The introduction of massive online courses offers students many opportunities to enroll in any course they choose, transcending geographical barriers. However, online learning puts responsibility for learning on the learners and lack faculty-student and peer-peer direct interactions. The instructor's role also must be redefined to provide support and collaboration in the online environment. Recent research reports poor student retention and completion rates in such courses and there is a lack of effective frameworks and gap in research related to identifying key factors and finding solutions to these problems. A multi-faculty e-learning framework is proposed based on a theoretical model highlighting important factors to address these problems. Experimental results of an ANOVA analysis done on student performance data collected in a multi-faculty setup provided empirical evidence for its effectiveness in improving the student learning outcomes.
Technological and Ethical Challenges of Online Education
Authors: Haar Lauren , Kaja Simon
Published: January 2021

The impact of technology can be felt throughout the medical education continuum. From online learning environments in blended learning approaches to exclusively providing the preclinical curriculum online, there is a growing need to optimize the way that technology supports self-directed learning in the next generation of medical professionals. In this chapter, the authors address issues of best practice surrounding the development of virtual content for medical education. The information presented will be integral for medical education professionals, basic science/clinical faculty, and educational assessment specialists with an interest in the use of technology for contemporary medical education. The goal is to offer an overview of the theory and ethics behind adopting an online strategy for medical education. An emphasis is placed on developing best practices for presenting content, a comparison of blended and online-only approaches, and the ethical considerations necessary for the successful training of medical professionals online.
Student Perceptions of Online vs. Face-to-Face Learning in Criminal Justice
Authors: Godoy Alicia Marie , Pfeffer Rebecca
Published: January 2021

This chapter provides an overview of the findings from a study of students at a four-year university who were surveyed about their experiences learning in both online and face-to-face modalities. While some students reported perceived equitableness between their experiences in online and face-to-face classes, there were some findings that demonstrated the need for further inquiry. Of note, the majority (61%) of students indicated that they learned more or much more in face-to-face classes than online. Students in online classes were also much less likely to make use of faculty office hours or, in some cases, to even have contact with their professors at all. This chapter concludes with a discussion of the ethical issues corresponding to the disparity between online and traditional learning modalities.
Converting Traditional Learning to Online Environments
Authors: Heard Irvin Renzell
Published: January 2021

Teaching and learning are transitioning from traditional classroom-based approaches to computer-based learning environments. The demand for technology innovations generate from the new student generation who was born into a technology-driven era termed digital natives. While a large majority of current teachers come from a less technical generation termed digital immigrants. A teacher cannot reap the benefits of online teaching approaches if they are not trained on how to convert traditional methods to online learning and do not understand the available technologies. This chapter covers e-learning paradigms, e-tools, and e-assessments for converting traditional approaches to online environments.
Mobile Learning Experience
Authors: McKain Danielle
Published: January 2021

As the world is moving towards experience economy, consumers are paying more and more attention to memorable and fun experience beyond a product or service. Learners are the same, especially when learning goes mobile. Mobile learning has been examined in different areas ranging from forms and formats to features and functions. Mobile experience in learning, however, has not yet fully examined. After identifying mechanisms to measure and evaluate mobile learning experience, this chapter reviewed what mobile learning resources could be leveraged to enhance mobile learning experience, followed by recommendations for further studies.
Social Presence in Online Learning
Authors: Poth Rachelle Dene
Published: January 2021

Studies have focused on social presence and its meaning in both traditional face-to-face classroom settings as well as an online learning environment. Technology usage is increasing in classrooms, making opportunities for learning available to many more people than in prior years. The theme of social presence continues to be studied as an important element in fostering student learning and growth. In particular, the focus is on the meaning of social presence, how to develop it as an instructor or learner in the learning community, and how social presence can positively impact all members of the learning community. The main questions that this chapter addresses are: Why study social presence? What is the meaning of social presence? What is the research behind social presence? How does an individual cultivate and project social presence in a learning environment?
Learning Styles and Cultural Differences in Online Learning Environments in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Adeoye Blessing F.
Published: January 2021

The nature of learning is changing, especially learning in the twenty-first century. It's increasingly becoming more to do with student-centered learning. It emphasizes digital literacy, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. This chapter revisited online learning environments in terms of differences in the learning styles of Nigerian university students according to their cultural backgrounds. The author also reviewed past research that focused on culturally different learning styles in online learning environments. Of specific interest are the studies that examined the same issue in the twenty-first century. This chapter concluded based on the review of literature that a person's learning style could affect how they react to any learning situation, including learning online; therefore, knowledge of learning styles could help in the selection of appropriate instructional designs and teaching strategies for courses. In the case of the students at the University of Lagos, it was found that students with different learning styles have different responses to online learning within their culture.
Texts and Tasks
Authors: Massey Dixie D.
Published: January 2021

The subject of students' reading abilities and achievement are the focus national and international comparisons. Such a broad audience makes reading content, activities, and assessments the subject of great scrutiny. At the same time, we know little about reading within the quickly expanding market of K-12 distance education. Research offers a very limited description of the types of reading that students are asked to do or the students' abilities to accomplish this reading effectively. This chapter describes the types of reading students do in online K-12 courses, followed by a review of the limited research about reading in online courses. The chapter concludes with instructional implications for teachers of online courses and possibilities for future research.
Online Leadership and Learning
Authors: Kolbaek Ditte
Published: January 2021

Online working environments develop and change continuously, meaning that online leaders and online team members must learn to adapt to change and should utilize emerging possibilities for doing their jobs. The purpose of this chapter is to explore how online leaders learn from experiences developed by and with online teams; the chapter also provides a metaphor by which online leaders' learning is likened to a spiral. The theoretical foundation rests in activity theory and proactive review. The methodological approach involves a case study and netnography, the latter of which is utilized for researching phenomena that occur in the interaction between humans and information and communication technology. Data were gathered online from an online team in a global IT company classified as big business. The following research question was addressed: How do online leaders learn from experiences generated by their online teams by utilizing proactive review as a practice of learning?
Indicators for Cooperative, Online-Based Learning and Their Role in Quality Management of Online Learning
Authors: Ammenwerth Elske , Hackl Werner O. , Hoerbst Alexander , Felderer Michael
Published: January 2021

Learning is a constructive and social process that works best in interaction with others. From this perspective, interaction and cooperation are seen as essential for learning especially in online-based learning environments. The objective of this chapter is to propose and test indicators for cooperative online-based learning. The indicators focus on three areas: presence of participants (indicators: access index, access pattern index), participation of participants (reading index, contribution index, completion index), and interaction of participants (answer contribution index, connectivity index, reciprocity index). The indicators can be applied both to students and instructors. The indicators were applied to three online-based courses in higher education. Log data from the learning management system was used. Also, success rates, student evaluations, and workload analysis were conducted. Results show that the indicators can be calculated automatically and can provide meaningful information for students' and instructors' dashboards. The presented indicators are tailored to cooperative online-based learning environments, where interaction and cooperation are means of fostering higher levels of learning.
Pursuit of Online Services for Online Students
Authors: Richardson Michael D. , Sheeks Gina , Waller Robert E. , Lemoine Pamela A.
Published: January 2021

Increasing numbers of university students are studying online. Distance learning enrollment in global higher education has increased dramatically in the past two decades due to the ubiquity of technology, increasing diversification and globalization, and use of new advanced technology. The development of online learning programs has focused primarily on implementing educational technology to deliver academic content while enhancing the online learning experience. A significant element for the success of distance education programs is the provision of student support services that are appropriate to the unique needs of distance learners. Technology has facilitated this new era in global higher education making the utilization of technology essential to provide university support for online clients. Student support services are all kinds of services other than the coursework rendered by the institutions to online students/learners to facilitate their success.
Student-Led Online Discussions
Authors: Lai Alice
Published: January 2021

Digital gender inequality is well alive in online classrooms in U.S. higher education. The present study aimed to investigate this persistent issue and proposed a feminist pedagogy-inspired, student-led online discussion activity as a means to mitigate digital gender inequality. Specifically, the purpose of this chapter is threefold: (1) to expose and unravel the issue of digital gender disparity and inequality with a particular focus on its relevance to the online discussions, (2) to contextualize the feminist pedagogy within the postmodern technoculture and analyze its potential to sustain gender-equitable and empowered online education, and (3) to exemplify the feminist pedagogy through a student-led discussion activity implemented in an online undergraduate art history course. Reflecting on qualitative and learning survey data, this chapter is concluded with a diagnosis of the students' perceptions of the positive, challenging, and transformative aspects of the student-led discussion.
Arguments Against Online Learning
Authors: Patroc Dan
Published: January 2021

This chapter details some arguments against online learning both from the literature dealing with such problems and from the personal experience of the author. There are eight arguments rendered in detail, as well as some other arguments briefly mentioned. Even if the order of the arguments is random, they all point in the same direction: that online learning should be accepted with much caution. In spite of these arguments (and although most of them should really create some doubts for the defenders of online learning), in the end we must admit that such a choice (teaching or being a student in an online environment) is a purely personal one.
Heutagogy Approach Using Trello Online Learning on the Critical Thinking Skills Amongst Students With Different Learning Styles
Authors: Rathakrishnan Mohan , Raman Arumugam
Published: January 2021

Trello online discussion has become one of the important strategies for the University Utara Malaysia Management Foundation Programme student to teach other students to think critically in conveying their ideas and become more proactive and creative in critical thinking subject. In a heutagogical approach, learners become highly autonomous and self-determined while learning online. They use Trello online discussion tool as self-determination learning. Trello enable the learners to use their capacity and capability with the goal of producing learners. Trello online learning was conducted to examine its effectiveness in enhancing macro critical thinking among active-reflective learning style. The students discuss and write their ideas in Trello. Ideas that are posted in Trello will be displayed in front of the class so that the entire learners in the class could see the given ideas. Paul's model was used to analyze learners' critical thinking in Trello online discussion.
Transition to the Circular Economy
Authors: Schipper Ron , Silvius Gilbert
Published: January 2021

Programmes are seen as vehicles for (internal) strategy implementation. However, organisations are existing within society, and their activities effect this society. Society itself also faces ‘strategic' challenges. One of these is the transition to a circular economy which requires organisations to organize themselves along circular business models (CBM). It can be expected that organisations would apply program management to pursue these CBM. A systemic transformation approach distinguishes multiple societal levels that need to evolve jointly over time. The research question is how this would influence the program management discipline. Therefore, a conceptual mapping of the circular economy and program management was performed. The findings reveal that taking a societal view on programs would urge PgM to address this challenge at multiple levels, within multi-dimensions and a system thinking perspective. It requires to position programs between the stakeholders at the meso-level and adopt to an explicit sense-making and learning cycle benefiting from short iterative interventions.
Disclosures of the Environmental Management Accounting Practices in the Banking Sector of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahaman Mohammad Mizenur , Aktar Mst. Khadiza
Published: January 2021

The disclosure of environmental management accounting (EMA) practices determine the eco-friendly business activities and helps to measure costs and benefits of environmental preservation of any organizations. The study aims to identify the disclosures status of EMA practices in the in PCBs in Bangladesh. The study also aims to examine the factors (total assets, total investment, profit after tax, ROA, ROE, and EPS) influencing disclosure of the adoption of environmental management accounting in listed PCBs in Bangladesh. This study applied quantitative research method to collect and analyze data. EMA disclosure data is collected from the annual reports of the banks and panel data is used to data analysis of the factors. The collected data is analyzed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis. Six hypotheses are developed and tested at 5% significance level. The study concludes that the private banks disclose 71.15% information of EMA practices.
Innovation, M-Banking, and Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Moudud-Ul-Huq Syed
Published: January 2021

Innovation through information technology (IT) has made advances all over, and banking is no exemption to it. The utilization of technology has gotten pervasive in the present banking institutions. Mobile banking is a recently included service in the banking area that facilitates banking by means of mobile gadgets. Mobile banking has stamped itself as a rising technology embraced by banks the world over. That's why this investigation is to recognize the effect of innovation, mobile banking on customer satisfaction and decide the elements that lead to customer satisfaction. By reviewing literature, the authors propose a model and to demonstrate the model accuracy dependent on information gathered from 269 respondents utilizing on the web media. To examine the aforesaid relationships, they use the partial least squares (PLS)-structural equation modeling (SEM) technique. The aftermath of their investigation uncovers that there is a noteworthy connection between innovation (I) and mobile banking (MB) on customer satisfaction. Then again, innovation has positive effect on mobile banking.
Multiple Blind Watermarking Framework for Security and Integrity of Medical Images in E-Health Applications
Authors: Soualmi Abdallah , Alti Adel , Laouamer Lamri
Published: January 2021

Nowadays, e-health applications carry the most advanced information and communication technologies for ensuring quality, remote healthcare services, and support diagnostics. These applications are sharing and transmitting of medical data over the internet, which makes them serious targets for alteration and illegal access. Image watermarking presents a compelling solution for protecting patient's information and ensures medical image integrity. This paper gives a new secure framework to protect medical data based on blind multiple watermarking schemes. The proposed approach consists of combining LWT (lifting wavelet transform), QR decomposition, and Arnold chaotic map in transform domain for the first watermark, while for the second watermark is encrusted in the spatial domain. During the de-watermarking process, both extracted watermarks are compared to detect any alterations during transmitting. The experimentation results demonstrate that the suggested method achieves good image fidelity and alters detection and robustness contra different kinds of attacks.
A Review of Services-Based Architectures for Video Surveillance
Authors: Duque-Gomez Henry , Azorin-Lopez Jorge
Published: January 2021

A critical review of works related to visual surveillance from an algorithmic point of view including detection, monitoring, and analysis of people's behavior is presented in this paper. On the other hand, the architectures of services for video surveillance are reviewed, making a critical analysis and presenting the challenges to be solved. In this sense, the authors remark on the design trends through a framework of an EDA reference architecture (event-driven architecture), efficient and flexible, to capture events from sequences of images emitted from video surveillance cameras, integrating concepts of services and complex event processing.
Regulations and Standards Aware Framework for Recording of mHealth App Vulnerabilities
Authors: Prodanoff Zornitza , White-Williams Cynthia , Chi Hongmei
Published: January 2021

The authors describe a standards-based security framework for the purposes of recording security and privacy vulnerabilities discovered in mHealth apps. The proposed framework is compliant with the international standard for software architecture descriptions, ISO/IEC/IEEE 42010, relevant state-agency regulations, and US federal healthcare mandates, as well as computing standards for data interchange formats. Future real-life implementations are envisioned to consists of three key components: (1) design and implementation of a repository that links vulnerabilities to concepts from the taxonomy used by legislative and standardization bodies; (2) population of the repository with security vulnerability descriptions that follow a standard format, such as JavaScript Object Notation (JSON); and (3) implementation of a searchable user interface (e.g., Google's Firebase UI), which allows for aggregation statistics, data analytics, as well as public access to the repository. The proposed framework design promotes timely updates of regulations, standardization drafts, and app development platforms.
Study of Healthcare Annotation Systems
Authors: Chehab Khalil , Kalboussi Anis , Kacem Ahmed Hadj
Published: January 2021

The annotation practice is an almost daily activity used by healthcare professionals (PHC) to analyze patients' records, collaborate, share knowledge, and communicate. These annotations are generated within a healthcare cycle. Similarly, this cycle represents the life cycle of annotations in the patient record. The exponential increase in the number of medical annotation systems made the choice of a system by a PHC difficult, in a well-defined context (biology, radiology) and according to his/her needs to the functionalities offered by these tools. Therefore, the authors propose two taxonomies to distinguish annotation tools developed by industry and academia over the last two decades. The first classification provides an external vision based on five generic criteria. The second classification is an internal vision that gives us an idea about the functionalities offered by these systems. Finally, these unified and integrated classifications criteria are used to organize and observe the limitation of 50 medical annotation tool systems.
Identification of Preoperative Clinical Factors Associated With Perioperative Blood Transfusions
Authors: Walczak Steven , Velanovich Vic
Published: January 2021

Predicting patients' surgical transfusion needs preoperatively enables more efficient blood resource management. Identifying the significance of variables to use for transfusion predictions may be accomplished more reliably using machine learning, specifically artificial neural networks (ANN). A logistic regression model and two ANN programs are used to identify the contribution of nine variables selected following a literature review. The first ANN uses a sum of the weights method to identify variable contribution and the second ANN uses a leave one out strategy to identify variable contribution. All models indicated that hematocrit was the most significant variable for predicting perioperative blood transfusions. The weighted averages method indicated wRVU's and ASA score were the next most significant contributors. The leave one out method identified sex and INR as contributing to transfusion prediction. The importance of the variables other than hematocrit varied between techniques and may be dependent on the modeling method used.
A New Robust Adaptive Sliding Mode Control for Discrete-Time Systems With Time-Varying State Delay
Authors: Ben Njima Chakib , Benamor Anouar , Messaoud Hassani
Published: January 2021

This article proposes a novel robust adaptive sliding control mode law for time unknown varying delay in state uncertain systems. In this work, the upper limit of disruption and uncertainty is assumed to be unknown. The model is adjusted so that the system looks like a certain one with unknown added disturbances on the bounds of which are unknown too. Accordingly, new control law for this kind of systems has been defined based on a Lypunov function choice. The main results of this paper are that the conditions for the existence of linear sliding surfaces are derived within the linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) framework by employing the free weighting matrices and the determination of the control law based on a sliding surface will converge to zero. This proposed approach has been validated in simulation on an uncertain system with comparative study proved the efficiency of the proposed resulting methodology after has been validated in real system.