bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological Strategies for Presbyopia Correction
Authors: Montés-Micó Robert , Charman W. Neil
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE:

To summarize the pharmacological strategies that are being explored for presbyopia correction.

METHODS:

The review concentrates on pharmacologically induced pupillary miosis to increase depth-of-focus and lens softening or other measures to restore active accommodation.

RESULTS:

Several studies suggest that near vision improves and distance vision is unaffected for many hours after either monocular or binocular instillation of any one of several drug combinations that cause miosis. Unfortunately, in most studies, measurements were limited to photopic visual acuity for near and distance vision, whereas it is anticipated that pupil constriction may have adverse effects on mesopic and scotopic vision. It is not clear whether improved near vision was due entirely to increased depth-of-focus, or whether, for example, a drug-induced myopic shift in refraction was also involved. Currently, no study has provided direct evidence for drug-induced restoration/enhancement of true accommodation involving an ocular power change.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although it is possible that, in the future, pharmacological drops may offer a safe and reliable solution for presbyopia correction, more evidence of their effectiveness and limitations is required.

[
J Refract Surg.
2019;35(12):803–814.]
Prediction of Visual Acuity and Contrast Sensitivity From Optical Simulations With Multifocal Intraocular Lenses
Authors: Fernández Joaquín , Rodríguez-Vallejo Manuel , Martínez Javier , Burguera Noemi , Piñero David P.
Published: December 2019

PURPOSE:

To evaluate whether the prediction of visual performance based on the modulation transfer function area (MTFa) calculated with optical simulations is better correlated with visual acuity or contrast sensitivity obtained from defocus curves in patients implanted with a trifocal intraocular lens.

METHODS:

Biometric eye data from 43 patients were used to create a mean eye model. A trifocal intraocular lens with a power obtained from the mean of the eyes implanted was incorporated into the model and the MTFa was calculated at the 11 defocus planes corresponding the 11 defocus locations measured in clinical practice. Simulations were conducted for pupil diameters of 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 4 mm. The MTFa correlation with visual acuity and contrast sensitivity was evaluated with the mean obtained after stratification of the clinical sample in four groups according to the previous pupil diameters.

RESULTS:

A linear model predicted the visual acuity and contrast sensitivity from MTFa with similar accuracy to nonlinear models, with
R
2
approximately 0.50 for visual acuity and approximately 0.42 for contrast sensitivity. A change of −0.01 logMAR and −0.02 logC was produced per unit of MTFa for visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, respectively. The mean difference between the visual acuity and contrast sensitivity obtained from the model and that measured in clinical practice was close to zero, but the bias varied depending on the defocus lens used, with higher deviation at −0.50 and −3.00 diopters of defocus.

CONCLUSIONS:

The MTFa obtained from optical simulations can be used to predict the mean visual acuity and contrast sensitivity consistently, with contrast sensitivity being more sensitive but with higher bias.

[
J Refract Surg.
2019;35(12):789–795.]
Photodynamic Therapy for Choroidal Neovascular Membrane Secondary to Optic Nerve Drusen
Authors: Chaudhry Nauman A. , Lavaque Alejandro J. , Shah Anish , Liggett Peter E.
Published: December 2019

The authors describe the use of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane secondary to optic nerve drusen. A 28-year-old woman had a peripapillary choroidal neovascular membrane secondary to optic nerve drusen with significant metamorphopsia. Photodynamic therapy using verteporfin was performed. Visual acuity improved to 20/20 with resolution of metamorphopsia and absence of leakage on fluorescein angiography a few weeks after verteporfin therapy. The patient's condition remained stable for 16 months with 20/20 vision. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin may be a useful treatment option in patients with choroidal neovascular membranes secondary to optic nerve drusen. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2005;36:70–72.]
Reverse Flap Dissection for Glaucoma Surgery
Authors: Bellucci Roberto , Morselli Simonetta
Published: December 2019

A modified reverse dissection of scleral flaps for glaucoma surgery is described. A conventional square or rectangular flap is designed with deep scleral incisions, the two radial incisions crossing the limbus. A horizontal tunnel is created parallel to the limbus within the peripheral cornea, joining the two radial incisions. This tunnel is then enlarged toward the sclera, gradually dissecting the whole scleral flap. This centrifugal cutting is opposite to the common centripetal cutting employed for scleral flaps. Advantages over conventional dissection include more precise dissection within the limbal area, smoother surfaces, and reduction of disturbing bleeding. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging 2005;36:79–81.]
Angioedema
Authors: Seth Divya , Kamat Deepak
Published: December 2019

Angioedema is a localized swelling of the skin and submucosal tissues and is generally benign and self-limiting. However, it can be life threatening if angioedema involves the upper airway, resulting in airway obstruction. Airway protection would be critical and lifesaving in patients with angioedema irrespective of the underlying etiology. Detailed history and physical examination can help identify the underlying mechanism of angioedema in an individual patient (ie, mast-cell versus bradykinin-mediated angioedema). Treatment of angioedema depends on the underlying etiology. Mast cell-mediated angioedema is generally responsive to steroids, antihistamines, and epinephrine (when indicated), unlike bradykinin-mediated disease.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2019;48(12):e473–e478.]
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada
Authors: Scott Tracie Lea
Published: December 2019

This chapter examines how one particular group of people within Canada, indigenous women, experiences both a higher rate of victimization and a lower rate of case clearance. Indigenous women in Canada are three times more likely to be killed by a stranger than non-Aboriginal women, and as of 2010, clearance rates for cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women are consistently lower across Canada. Despite these statistics, other measures show that Indigenous women show similar satisfaction with their personal safety from crime as non-Aboriginal women as well as other measures indicating a similar confidence in the criminal justice system as non-Indigenous women. In this chapter, it is argued that the dissonance between certain measures is indicative of the settler-colonial heritage that informs both the perception of violence against indigenous women in Canada, as well as the phenomenon of violence against indigenous women themselves.
Measuring Corruption Victimization and Strengthening Corruption Cleanup in Developing Countries
Authors: Adisa Waziri Babatunde
Published: December 2019

Corruption is one of the greatest challenges of development in developing countries particularly in Africa where the state is run like a personal enterprise. Since the end of the Cold war, the international community has shown considerable interest in the study and control of corruption in developing societies leading to billions of dollars investments in anticorruption cleanups. This chapter argues that although there has been considerable success in the measurement of corruption using corruption perception index, BEEPS, PETS, case studies, and direct observation, and despite the sub rosa nature of the problem, only marginal success has been achieved in measuring corruption victimization in many of these societies. The consequence of this is a lack of synergy between corruption victimization data sets and anti-corruption programs.
Emerging Technologies, Information Provision, and Libraries
Authors: Muunga Alexious
Published: December 2019

The advent of computers and information communication technologies (ICTs) has drastically changed the acquisition, storage, and retrieval of information. Further, information can be accessed through various media as new technologies continue to spring up. Since information can be accessed anywhere as long as one has internet connectivity, this has resulted in many users not using the libraries and other information centers. The decline in the use of libraries is worrying, hence the need to understand how the emerging technologies have changed information provision in the libraries. The chapter addresses challenges that affect the provision of the needed services in the libraries. Finally, alternative services that libraries are adopting in order for them to remain relevant in this information age are outlined. This chapter provides insights on how libraries can continue to play their role as information providers and how they can fit into the present information age.
Library Associations, Leadership, and Programmes
Authors: Udo-Anyanwu Adaora Joy , Alor Amaka Rose
Published: December 2019

Professions are distinct groups whose members share body of knowledge and practice as well as ethics of engagements in common. Every profession is brought together by an association that in one way or another influences the practice of the profession. The influence of library associations, for example, IFLA, AfLIA, and NLA, on library and information services cannot be underestimated, but suffice it to say that these associations have led to the growth and development of the library profession. This chapter therefore examines these associations, programmes, areas of influence, their problems, and recommendations are made based on the identified challenges.
Financial Resources Development for 21st Century Libraries
Authors: Nzewi Adaeze Nwona
Published: December 2019

The basic purpose of libraries is to provide and meet the information needs of their real and potential user communities. Resources that include information resources and library professionals are needed for libraries to effectively fulfil the purpose of their existence. Most importantly, financial resources are critical for acquisition of information resources and ensuring that the human resources are up to date with developments in the information sector. The continuous introduction of new technologies, stagnant budgetary allocations, and the expectations of users – who have been conditioned by information availability on the internet – are putting undue pressure on libraries who need more funds to catch up with the technologies and increasing population of people who need information for daily activities. The chapter therefore explores new revenue streams for libraries such as grants, crowdfunding, and friends of the library. Having a financial resource development plan is also advocated for.
Deep Learning Network
Authors: Chander Bhanu
Published: December 2019

Artificial intelligence (AI) is defined as a machine that can do everything a human being can do and produce better results. Means AI enlightening that data can produce a solution for its own results. Inside the AI ellipsoidal, Machine learning (ML) has a wide variety of algorithms produce more accurate results. As a result of technology, improvement increasing amounts of data are available. But with ML and AI, it is very difficult to extract such high-level, abstract features from raw data, moreover hard to know what feature should be extracted. Finally, we now have deep learning; these algorithms are modeled based on how human brains process the data. Deep learning is a particular kind of machine learning that provides flexibility and great power, with its attempts to learn in multiple levels of representation with the operations of multiple layers. Deep learning brief overview, platforms, Models, Autoencoders, CNN, RNN, and Appliances are described appropriately. Deep learning will have many more successes in the near future because it requires very little engineering by hand.
Deep Learning Approach for Extracting Catch Phrases from Legal Documents
Authors: S. Kayalvizhi , D. Thenmozhi
Published: December 2019

Catch phrases are the important phrases that precisely explain the document. They represent the context of the whole document. They can also be used to retrieve relevant prior cases by the judges and lawyers for assuring justice in the domain of law. Currently, catch phrases are extracted using statistical methods, machine learning techniques, and deep learning techniques. The authors propose a sequence to sequence (Seq2Seq) deep neural network to extract catch phrases from legal documents. They have employed several layers, namely embedding layer, encoder-decoder layer, projection layer, and loss layer to build the deep neural network. The methodology is evaluated on IRLeD@FIRE-2017 dataset and the method has obtained 0.787 and 0.607 as mean average precision and recall scores respectively. Results show that the proposed method outperforms the existing systems.
Fostering Culturally Inclusive Family and School Collaboration Within the African American “Community”
Authors: Williams York
Published: December 2019

Public schools are vested with the responsibility of meeting the needs of all students. However, the literature continues to evolve demonstrating patterns of disparities within predominately African American school communities and challenges with school and home partnerships. Students who have been identified with special education needs are at an even greater risk of failure because of ineffective services that are often the result of parents or caretakers who lack the capital, knowledge, and skills to advocate for them for many complex reasons. In order to meet the needs of this historically marginalized group within the field of special education, schools must adopt a posture of culturally responsive inclusivity and family collaboration within the African American school community. This collaboration entails (1) culturally responsive collaboration, (2) culturally responsive teaching, (3) strong family partnerships, (4) culturally responsive communication, and (5) family-centered school-based services for diverse families and culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students.
Documentation, Processing, and Representation of Architectural Heritage Through 3D Semantic Modelling
Authors: Maietti Federica , Di Giulio Roberto , Medici Marco , Ferrari Federico , Ziri Anna Elisabetta , Turillazzi Beatrice , Bonsma Peter
Published: December 2019

Documentation, data processing, and representation of Architectural Heritage through digital models are one of the main challenges in the field of conservation, preservation, management, and inclusive use and understanding of European heritage assets. In this framework, the impact of Industry 4.0 is more and more crucial, since new technologies, devices, and digital environment are strongly influencing the ways in which heritage contents are explored, used, managed, and shared, also in citizens' everyday life. In this direction, the INCEPTION project – founded by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 programme – develops key-targeted innovations in efficient 3D digitization methods, post-processing modelling tools, semantic web-based solutions, and applications to ensure a wide and aware access to digital Cultural Heritage. This chapter presents main actions achieved by INCEPTION.
Impact of Industry 4.0 in Architecture and Cultural Heritage
Authors: Mirarchi Claudio , Pavan Alberto , Di Martino Beniamino , Esposito Antonio
Published: December 2019

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is recognized as the central mean in the digitalization process of the construction sector affecting both the technological and the organizational levels. The use of information models can empower communication capabilities thus addressing one of the main development directions of industry 4.0. However, several issues can be highlighted in the representation of objects through information models especially in the case of existing and/or historical buildings. This chapter proposes an extensive analysis of the use of BIM for existing assets exploring the recent development in the area of machine learning and in the use of ontologies to overcome the existing issues. It will provide a structured presentation of existing works and of perspectives in the use of ontologies, expert systems, and machine learning application in architecture and cultural heritage focusing on communication and data use in digital environments along the industry 4.0 paradigm.
International Best Practices in Existing Corporate Waqf Models
Authors: Kasri Noor Suhaida , Hilmi Muhammad Hasan
Published: December 2019

Waqf is being introduced and implemented in a number of innovative structures with contemporary movable asset class. Despite that, there is still a demand for waqf to be more effectively organised and managed. This chapter studies the contemporary establishment of corporate waqf, as exemplified by Waqaf An-Nur Corporation Berhad, Larkin Sentral Property Berhad, and Wareef Endowment Fund. These models are analyzed from the angles of governance, sustainable investment strategy, risk management, and social impact. These mini case studies are benchmarked against the leading Harvard Endowment Fund. The analysis sheds light on their levels of efficiency and effectiveness as well as their issues and challenges. This chapter proposes recommendations for consideration, especially to policy makers and waqf market players. This chapter adopts a qualitative research methodology by using textual and documentary analysis together with semi-structured interviews and discussions with the relevant stakeholders.
Innovations of Zakat (Alms) Distribution Practices in Malaysia
Authors: Masruki Rosnia
Published: December 2019

Zakat (alms) is one of the Islamic social finance tools, besides waqaf (endowment) that can contribute to the socio-economic development of the Muslims, and society at large (ummah). In Malaysia, the local media have reported complaints from some dissatisfied members of the public on the distribution of zakat to zakat beneficiaries (asnaf). These emerge despite the introduction of numerous innovations by zakat institutions under the administrations of Majlis Agama Islam Negeri (MAIN) or State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRC), in the form of assistance schemes, for the distribution of asnaf in Malaysia. This chapter discusses the concept of innovations in zakat distribution according to three foundations: fatwa muzakarah (Islamic ruling discussion) resolutions, ijtihad (independent interpretation and reasoning by scholars) in handling issues related to zakat distribution, and temporal dynamism of the Shariah. Numerous challenges concerning zakat issues have also highlighted the significant roles of zakat institutions, especially in the eradication of poverty.
Minority Health and Wellness
Authors: Wickramasinghe Nilmini
Published: December 2019

With the advancement of the technologies of the internet of things (IoT), we are witnessing great advances in the areas of analytics, sensors, platforms, 3D printing, and mobile. At the same time and unrelated, we are also witnessing a growing increase in the decreasing health and wellness of people in minority communities especially with regard to increase in chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Thus, there exists an opportunity to leverage these IoT technologies to try to support better minority health and wellness. This chapter explores this opportunity.
Trying to Predict in Real Time the Risk of Unplanned Hospital Readmissions
Authors: Wickramasinghe Nilmini
Published: December 2019

This study aims to identify predictors for patients likely to be readmitted to a hospital within 28 days of discharge and to develop and validate a prediction model for identifying patients at a high risk of readmission. Numerous attempts have been made to build similar predictive models. However, the majority of existing models suffer from at least one of the following shortcomings: the model is not based on Australian Health Data; the model uses insurance claim data, which would not be available in a real-time clinical setting; the model does not consider socio-demographic determinants of health, which have been demonstrated to be predictive of readmission risk; or the model is limited to a particular medical condition and is thus limited in scope.
Sustainable Tourism Development in the Black Sea Coastal Areas
Authors: Bulin Daniel , Țuclea Claudia-Elena , Dobre Robert-Ionuț
Published: December 2019

This chapter analyses the significance that tourists, on the one hand, and the business environment, on the other hand, lend to the concept of sustainable development in tourism. Starting from this point, the chapter highlights the characteristics of the sustainable development of tourism in the coastal areas of Black Sea. Sustainable development has been conceptualized by a set of four variables: economic, socio-human, ecological, and institutional-technological. The main results of the research show that both tourists and members of the business environment attach the greatest importance to the institutional-technological variable, focusing primarily on collaboration and communication between decision-makers and executives. Regarding the stakeholders, both tourists and the business community indicate local governance and central government as the main factors responsible for sustainable development. Following the research, a possible list of actions was proposed.
Slow Movement and Forms of Evolution in the 21st Century
Authors: Georgica Gheorghe
Published: December 2019

We live in a world that is constantly evolving, which is taking place with an astonishing speed. Over the past 30 years, there have been concerns that have tried or are trying to promote the slowdown. Such a current is the slow movement, promoted initially by Carlo Petrini and which today has millions of followers worldwide. Under the slow umbrella there were developed many ideas, some with high impact such as slow food, CittaSlow, and others. In the chapter, the author makes an inventory of the evolution of the slow current and puts this evolution in a logical structure. In his research, the author uses the international databases as well as the multimedia resources available. The chapter underlines that the slow movement has its best results in the tourism industry, for which this movement is so important. The author points out three main directions of evolution, which may constitute points of interest for future research, especially in the direction that has connection with slow food, slow tourism, and CittaSlow.
Learning Management Systems
Authors: Fadil Omer Abdelrahim , Khaldi Mohamed
Published: December 2019

This chapter deals with several details related to e-learning represented in the concept of learning management systems, types of learning management systems in terms of learning management system and course management system, learning and content. The authors will clarify the importance of e-learning management systems in the educational process and features of e-learning management systems. In addition, the authors will explain the steps chosen for e-learning management systems with inference on some examples of e-learning management systems. At the end of the chapter, they will talk about learning management systems in Arab universities in the education process.
Indexing Serious Games to Meet Adaptive E-Learning System Needs
Authors: El Borji Yassine , Khaldi Mohammed
Published: December 2019

This chapter aims to strengthen the integration of serious games in the educational field by providing tools to monitor and assist the progress of learners/players. The main idea is to address the integration aspects and the deployment of serious games in adaptive e-learning systems based on the automatic package and the export of serious games as reusable learning objects (LO). This integration will allow SGs to benefit from the tracking and support features offered by the LMS. On the other hand, LMS can supplement their training offer and reach a certain maturity. The approach aims to meet the specific needs of SGs in terms of metadata so that they can be described, indexed, and capitalized. This is a new application profile of the IEEE LOM standard entitled “SGLOM” integrating fields to describe SGs not only in a technical sense but also by examining the pedagogical and playful criteria. The authors also focus on the integration and extraction aspects of SGs in an LMS using the ADL SCORM 2004 data model that defines how content can be packaged as a SCORM PIF (package interchange file).
New Perspectives on Cluster Model of Enterprise Development in the Context of Risk Management
Authors: Vertakova Yulia , Surovitskaya Galina Vladimirovna , Semerkova Lubov , Leontyev Eugene , Izmalkova Irina , Irina Potapova , Kireev Maksim
Published: December 2019

This chapter presents the author's views about new perspectives on cluster model of enterprise development in the context of risk management. Ensuring the efficiency and risk tolerance of enterprises is possible through the use of network organizational structures. Modern business conditions have created a significant variety of network forms, due to the peculiarities of the functioning of the industries and territories where they are used, the level of availability of information and communication technologies, the development of market infrastructure and social environment. One of the traditional and common forms of networks is the integration of enterprises into a cluster.
Avatar-Based and Automated Testing System for Quality Control of Student Training
Authors: Kataev Mikhail , Mkrttchian Vardan , Bulysheva Larisa , Korikov Anatoly
Published: December 2019

The chapter covers avatar-based control for neuron natural and artificial technology platform used in automated testing system for quality control of student training. The chapter proposes the concept of creating an automated software system for monitoring student knowledge in the learning process. It is proven that for successful students to learn remotely, it is necessary to develop a knowledge assessment system that takes into account various learning features, as well as the individual characteristics of the student. The block structure of an automated software system is presented and its elements are discussed in relation to the educational process. The role of the teacher in the virtual learning system is discussed and an algorithm of the learning process in this system is presented.
Intellectual Property Institute as a Means of Regional Economic Integration in the Digital Framework
Authors: Gamidullaeva Leyla Ayvarovna , Agamagomedova Saniyat , Koshevoy Oleg , Smagina Valentina , Rasskazova Natalia
Published: December 2019

The effectiveness of intellectual property management in the context of Eurasian economic integration is positioned as a factor in reducing business costs in the EAEU. One of the basic conditions for effective economic development is competition in the field of intellectual property. In the context of globalization and digital transformation, intellectual property management reaches a qualitatively new level of organizational and legal regulation and determines the freedom of movement of goods and services in the single economic territory of interstate integration entities. The authors of the chapter concluded that an effective intellectual property management mechanism in the EAEU is a factor of reducing the costs of foreign trade business. Inequality in the protection of intellectual property in the EAEU impedes the formation and development of competitive relations, and impedes the freedom of movement of goods as the basic goal of economic integration of the EAEU states.
Math Model of Neuron and Nervous System Research Based on AI Constructor Creating Virtual Neural Circuits
Authors: Galiautdinov Rinat , Mkrttchian Vardan
Published: December 2019

The research describes the mathematical modeling of a neuron and the possibility of its technical implementation. Unlike existing technical devices for implementing a neuron based on classical nodes oriented to binary processing, the proposed path is based on bit-parallel processing of numerical data (synapses) for obtaining result. The proposed approach of implementing a neuron can serve as a new elementary basis for the construction of neuron-based computers with a higher processing speed of biological information and good survivability. The research demonstrates the developed nervous circuit constructor and its usage in building of the nervous circuits of biological creatures and simulation of their work.
Brain Machine Interface for Avatar Control and Estimation for Educational Purposes Based on Neural AI Plugs
Authors: Galiautdinov Rinat , Mkrttchian Vardan
Published: December 2019

In the future education process where Avatar will be used, it is critically important to have a layer which is responsible for transferring the knowledge from a Student's Avatar to Student. In this research, authors show the method and high-level architecture of how it could be done. And although the suggested approach works, the current level of technology does not allow creating a mobile set which could implement this approach. The general high-level schema of the Avatar methodology used in the education process is enclosed in the following. There are 4 layers which interact with each other. On the first layer there is a professor, who is an expert in some domain. The professor transfers their knowledge to the second layer which is a computer program, performing the role of the Professor's Avatar. The knowledge gets transferred to a Student's Avatar, which is the 3rd layer, and eventually the Student's Avatar transfers the newly received knowledge to the Student, the 4th layer in this schema. So, the most difficult part here is to transfer the knowledge from machine to human.
Camel Gelatin Composition, Properties, Production, and Applications
Authors: Jaswir Irwandi , Al-Kahtani Hassan Abdullah , Octavianti Fitri , Lestari Widya , Yusof Nurlina
Published: December 2019

Gelatin is an important protein produced through partial hydrolysis of collagen from animal parts and byproducts such as cartilage, bones, tendons, and hides. The ability of gelatin to form a thermo-reversible gel at normal body temperature and high water content make it an exceptional food ingredient. A good quality gelatin is translucent, brittle, colorless (sometimes slightly yellow), bland in taste, and odorless. Gelatin has been found useful as stabilizer and filler in dairy products and other food industries. Recently, the global gelatin production net over 300,000 metric tons: 46% were from pigskin, 29.4% from bovine hides, 23.1% from bones, and 1.5% from other parts. Although camels have been recognized as source of meat and milk, utilization of camel bones and skins for gelatin production has not been fully explored. This chapter will discuss the processing of camel gelatin extraction.
Camel Milk Disguised Cosmeceutical
Authors: Mehta Rajesh Datt , Agrawal Ritika
Published: December 2019

This chapter conveys the untapped property of camel milk as cosmeceutical. The camel milk ingredients (i.e., water, ascorbic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, peptides, and micronutrients) make it a cost-effective cosmeceutical with no adverse cutaneous or systemic reactions. It may be used as a photoprotective, moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, anti-aging skin softener. The bioactive ingredients may begin the new class of natural cosmeceutical when consumed orally or applied topically.
Secure Speaker Recognition using BGN Cryptosystem with Prime Order Bilinear Group
Authors: Nidhyananthan S. Selva , Prasad M. , Kumari R. Shantha Selva
Published: December 2019

Speech being a unique characteristic of an individual is widely used in speaker verification and speaker identification tasks in applications such as authentication and surveillance respectively. In this paper, framework for secure speaker recognition system using BGN Cryptosystem, where the system is able to perform the necessary operations without being able to observe the speech input provided by the user during speaker recognition process. Secure speaker recognition makes use of Secure Multiparty Computation (SMC) based on the homomorphic properties of cryptosystem. Among the cryptosytem with homomorphic properties BGN is preferable, because it is partially doubly homomorphic, which can perform arbitrary number of addition and only one multiplication. But the main disadvantage of using BGN cryptosystem is its execution time. In proposed system, the execution time is reduced by a factor of 12 by replacing conventional composite order group by prime order group. This leads to an efficient secure speaker recognition.
Digital Image Steganography
Authors: Dhawale Chitra A. , Jambhekar Naveen D.
Published: December 2019

Digital data transmitted over the insecure communication can be prone to attacks. Intruders try various attacks to unauthorized access of the confidential information. The Steganography is such as security system that provide the protection to the images, text and other type of data digitally transferred through the data communication network. This chapter elaborates the basics of Digital Image Steganographic techniques from ancient era to digital edge, types of images used for the steganography, payload used for the steganography, various attacks and different algorithms that can provide the information security. The performance analysis of the various Digital Image Steganographic algorithms are discussed. The current applications and their necessities are discussed in this chapter.
Secure Group Message Transfer Stegosystem
Authors: Bhatia Mahinder Pal Singh , Bhatia Manjot Kaur , Muttoo Sunil Kumar
Published: December 2019

Grid environment is a virtual organization with varied resources from different administrative domains; it raises the requirement of a secure and reliable protocol for secure communication among various users and servers. The protocol should guarantee that an attacker or an unidentified resource will not breach or forward the information. For secure communication among members of a grid group, an authenticated message transferring system should be implemented. The key objective of this system is to provide a secure transferring path between a sender and its authenticated group members. In recent times, many researchers have proposed various steganographic techniques for secure message communications. This paper proposes a new secure message broadcasting system to hide the messages in such a way that an attacker cannot sense the existence of messages. In the proposed system, the authors use steganography and image encryption to hide group keys and secret messages using group keys in images for secure message broadcasting. The proposed system can withstand against conspiracy attack, message modification attack and various other security attacks. Thus, the proposed system is secure and reliable for message broadcasting.
An Improved Size Invariant (n, n) Extended Visual Cryptography Scheme
Authors: Sharma Rahul , Agrawal Nitesh Kumar , Khare Ayush , Pal Arup Kumar
Published: December 2019

In this paper, the authors have presented a (n, n) extended visual cryptography scheme where n numbers of meaningful shares furnish a visually secret message. Initially they have converted a grayscale image into binary image using dithering method. Afterwards, they have incorporated pixel's eight neighboring connectivity property of secret image during formation of meaningful shares. The scheme is able to generate the shares without extending its size. This approach has enhanced the visual quality of the recovered secret image from n numbers of shares. The scheme has been tested with some images and satisfactory results are achieved. The scheme has improved the contrast of the recovered secret image than a related (n, n) extended visual cryptography scheme.
Reversible Watermarking in Medical Image Using RDWT and Sub-Sample
Authors: Gao Lin , Gao Tiegang , Zhao Jie
Published: December 2019

This paper proposed a reversible medical image watermarking scheme using Redundant Discrete Wavelet Transform (RDWT) and sub-sample. To meet the highly demand of the perceptional quality, the proposed scheme embedding the watermark by modifying the RDWT coefficients. The sub-sample scheme is introduced to the proposed scheme for the enhancement of the embedding capacity. Moreover, to meet the need of security, a PWLCM based image encryption algorithm is introduced for encrypting the image after the watermark embedding. The experimental results suggests that the proposed scheme not only meet the highly demand of the perceptional quality, but also have better embedding capacity than former DWT based scheme. Also the encryption scheme could protect the image contents efficiently.
Type of Relationships and Their Management Towards Quality and Performance in the Textile and Apparel Industry
Authors: Lavín José M.
Published: December 2019

Relations within the textile and apparel industry have varied considerably in recent years. New modes of relationship management and the emergence of new international actors have altered traditional concepts. In the chapter, the authors study the reflection of these variations in inter-organizational and intra-organizational relations, especially by reviewing 42 articles reported in journals and conference proceedings from the ISI Web of Knowledge database, finding 28 articles on the subject mentioned. A classification of the 28 articles has been made based on their context, their sources of results, the stakeholders that appear, and their final results. The contributions are shown in each of the two areas mentioned and which is the most studied. Later on, an account is made of the main theoretical bodies mentioned in the articles, and finally, it is observed that while marketing and supply chain management, belonging to inter-organizational relations are widely mentioned, intra-organizational relations have less value, especially in the question of human resources.
The Quality of Relationships When Business Association Is a Prerequisite to Obtain Benefits From Public Institutions
Authors: Margalina Vasilica-Maria , Morales Carrasco Lilian Victoria , Coba Molina Edisson Marcelo
Published: December 2019

The objective of this chapter is to measure the levels of relational coordination and their impact on partners' satisfaction and perceived benefits at business associations belonging to the apparel industry of Tungurahua, Ecuador, that receives benefits from public institutions. For this purpose, two business associations from a footwear local fair and two associations from a textile and apparel fair were analyzed. Interviews were conducted with the presidents of these associations, and a survey was applied to their partners. Results show that these business associations must still work on the improvement of their relational coordination levels, especially on shared knowledge. Relational coordination has also been found to be positively correlated with satisfaction and perceived benefits. The results of this research have implications for business associations and public institutions that want to develop social capital through associativity with the aim of improving the competitivity of SMEs of the textile and apparel industry.
Challenges for Measuring Value Chain Relation Coordination of SMEs of the Textile and Apparel Industry
Authors: Benítez Gaibor Marcela Karina , Martínez Mesías Juan Pablo , Jara Vásquez Ernesto Alfredo
Published: December 2019

The objective of this chapter is to propose a methodology for the measurement of value chain relational coordination of SMEs. For this purpose, the case of the measurement of relational coordination of the value chain of a small safety footwear company of Ambato, Ecuador is analyzed. The results of the analysis show that the measurement of relational coordination in the value chain of SMEs presents several challenges. Some of the challenges are the result of some characteristics of SMEs such as the lack of strategy, processes, and functions formalization. Other challenges are derived from the size and power asymmetry of chain members and the geographical distance between them. Five steps are proposed for the measurement of relational coordination of the value chain of SMEs.
Why the Latin American Footwear Industry Still Lags Behind in E-Commerce Adoption
Authors: Margalina Vasilica-Maria , Benítez Gaibor Marcela Karina , Martínez Mesías Juan Pablo , Robalino Peña Edgar Freddy
Published: December 2019

Latin American countries have made important investments in digital infrastructure, but there is still an important gap in information and communication technologies (ICT) and e-commerce adoption. The objective of this chapter is to analyze e-commerce adoption by the footwear manufacturing firms of Ecuador. For this purpose, a sample of firms of the province of Tungurahua has been analyzed. Results show that the dominance of micro-businesses in the sector, age, the low level of education and of computer literacy are barriers to e-commerce adoption in this industry. Additionally, it was found that the behavior of micro-businesses and small firms in terms of e-commerce adoption is different. The results are important for governments that want to grow e-commerce adoption among businesses, as they show that additionally to economic and sociopolitical factors, the characteristics of business sectors, and individual characteristics of the business owner are key drivers for ITC adoption.
Social Responsibility and Sustainability of Fast Fashion Retail Companies in the Textile Sector
Authors: Sierra-Sánchez Javier , Mañas-Viniegra Luis
Published: December 2019

Social and environmental sustainability in the supply chain has been a major concern over the last decade as public opinion has placed responsibility on the shoulders of retail companies for their lack of control over suppliers that go beyond the first tier, which are usually located in emerging countries with regulations far below international standards. The objective of this research is to identify the variables through which retail companies are building their brand equity with a fast fashion business model in the textile sector. An analysis has been carried out regarding the content of annual reports, as well as CSR and sustainability reports, of the main retail companies in the textile sector: The TJX Companies, Inditex, and H&M. Inditex, the company with the highest level of compliance, can be identified and considered as a case study.
The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) From the Perspective of International Relations (IR) Theories
Authors: Aydın Gülşen Şeker
Published: December 2019

This chapter examines the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) from the perspective of the main theories in the Discipline of International Relations (IR). The author sketches out the main stages of the development of the EAEU cooperation by highlighting the conceptualization of the scheme by President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan in 1994, the establishment of the Customs Union (CU), and the Common Economic Space (CES) between Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan in 2010. Theories analyzed include Neo-Realism, Neo-Classic Realism, Hegemonic Stability Theory, Liberalism, Functionalism, Neo-Functionalism, Neo-Institutionalism, the English School, Constructivism, and Neo-Gramscian Theory. The author makes an overall evaluation and stresses the need for an eclectic approach for analyzing the EAEU experience.
Eurasian Economic Union as the Space of Security in the Context of English School of International Relations
Authors: Eremina Natalia
Published: December 2019

Regional integration creates a common economic, social, and political space, which is based on interstate dialogue. A common integration space forms the territory of security, since the security sphere is not only to solve specific tasks, but also to create permanent instruments for preventing various risks. The Post-Soviet space remains a complex territory, the states of which have gone through a period of political destabilization, faced various threats, and come to the idea that only collective security mechanisms in the framework of constant cooperation are capable of preventing risks. Therefore, the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is not only an economic project, it is a project that forms a common security space for all participants, and not only for its member states. In this regard, this chapter is structured around two key problems: established conceptual approaches in the field of security in relation to integration processes and tools of the EAEU for the formation of a common and indivisible security space for all its participants.
Features of “Soft Power” in the Eurasian Economic Union and the Role of Russia
Authors: Markushina Natalia
Published: December 2019

The chapter is devoted to the problem of the formation of “soft power” in the Eurasian space. All attempts to find a common language between states in the world lead to the fact that an appeal to “soft power” appears more and more often on the states' agenda as a tool of achieving the goals of the states, including the states of Eurasian region. The concept of “soft power”, introduced into the circulation of the modern theory of international relations by J. Nye, is being actively discussed in Russia. In recent years, President V. Putin and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia S. Lavrov were repeatedly called upon to multiply the Russian resource of “soft power” for solving foreign policy tasks. Undoubtedly, this is also valid when we speak about Eurasian integration.
Green Practices in Supply Chain Management to Improve Sustainable Performance
Authors: Sánchez-Flores Rebeca B. , Cruz-Sotelo Samantha E. , Ojeda-Benitez Sara
Published: December 2019

This chapter presents an overview of current research on green practices said to improve global supply chain performance by driving the discussion into four main processes: sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, and customer service. Authors present the importance of sustainable development in supply chain management from environmental and green perspectives. The chapter undertakes a literature review on supply chain management, sustainable performance, and green supply chain. It continues with a discussion of green supply chain practices from different functions' perspectives, as strategic sustainable performance improvement and as a source of competitive advantage for business operations throughout the supply chain. Finally, this chapter identifies research gaps, discusses potential research directions for green supply chain management, and provides recommendations to expand on research to address the shortcomings of the existing literature.
Nexus Between Money Laundering and Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Janjua Laeeq Razzak , Khan Syed Abdul Rehman
Published: December 2019

Money laundering is a hot debate discussion among policymakers, as money laundering usually arises due to theft of money or other illegal activity. Such criminal activities damage every stakeholder of the economic cycle, whether it is trade, productivity, or contribution of the financial sector itself. Due to the fact money laundering makes the industrial growth process very slow and undercuts economic activities, which are essential for the development. This chapter explores the nexus between money laundering as a threat to a sustainable development goal from different angles. The discussion reveals that money laundering negatively impacts economic growth, and the fundamental pillar of sustainable development is economic growth. So can we achieve sustainable economic growth and development without controlling money laundering? The authors conclude it is not possible.