bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Edaphic Factors on the Similarity of Parasitic Nematodes in the Soil Sampled in Nurseries of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs
Authors: Chałańska Aneta , Łabanowski Gabriel
Published: September 2014

The largest faunistic similarity of nematodes was found in soils sampled in coniferous nurseries where arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis - Cupressaceae), spruces (Picea spp. - Pinaceae) and pines (Pinus spp. - Pi-naceae) were grown. In soil sampled from deciduous tree and shrub nurseries, similar species composition of parasitic nematodes was found in stands of oaks (Quercus spp. - Fagaceae), black locusts (Robiniapseudo-acacia - Fabaceae) and maples (Acer spp. - Sapindaceae). In soils, especially the light and medium, from stands of coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs, Aphelenchus avenae was often isolated. Bitylenchus dubius occurred in both types of nurseries, particularly in light soils. The largest faunistic similarities between nematodes isolated from places of growth of coniferous and deciduous plants were recorded in soils of loamy sand and sandy loam. The most abundant nematode species and the greatest similarity in species of plant parasitic nematodes were observed in soils with neutral pH or slightly acidic. Aphelenchus avenae was found in soil samples collected from both coniferous and deciduous plants, with no relation to soil acidity.
Examination of the Suitability of Different Pollinators for Four Sweet Cherry Cultivars Commonly Grown in Poland
Authors: Głowacka Agnieszka , Rozpára Elżbieta
Published: September 2014

The aim of the work was to select pollinators for sweet cherry cultivars: ‘Vanda’, ‘Techlovan’, ‘Syl–via’ and ‘Regina’, which are of great economic significance in Poland. As pollinators, three or four different cultivars with the same or similar flowering time as the pollinated cultivars were evaluated annually. The pollinators belonged to different incompatibility groups. Pollination was carried out over four consecutive seasons. Assuming that for a good yield more than 20% of the flowers should develop fruits, a good polli–nator for the cv. ‘Vanda’ was ‘Techlovan’, and for the cv. ‘Regina’ - ‘Sylvia’. The cv. ‘Techlovan’ was pollinated to best effect by ‘Vega’, and the cv. ‘Sylvia’ by ‘Regina’, but the setting of fruits in the last two combinations was moderately good. Low to moderately good fruit setting but depending on the year was observed in the combinations ‘Sylvia’ x ‘Summit’, ‘Regina’ x ‘Summit’, and ‘Regina’ x ‘Rainier’. Cultivar ‘Summit’ for ‘Sylvia’, and ‘Summit’ and ‘Rainier’ for the cv. ‘Regina’ should not be used as pollinators because the low percentage of fruit set obtained annually does not guarantee a satisfactory yield.
Ethylene Emission of Apples Treated with 1-Methylcyclopropene During Storage
Authors: Melnyk Oleksandr , Drozd Olga , Boicheva Natalia , Zhmudenko Yuliia , Melnyk Igor , Khudik Liudmyla , Remeniuk Leonid , Vykhvatniuk Liubomyr
Published: September 2014

The effect of post-harvest application of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on ethylene emission in early-winter apple (cv. ‘Calville’), winter (‘Gloster’, ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Jonagold’), and late-winter cultivars (‘Granny Smith’, ‘Idared’ and ‘Reinette Simirenko’) w as investigated. The fruits were picked at a commercial harvest time and half of them were treated with 1-MCP (‘SmartFresh™’ 0.068 gm-3) for 24 h at 5 °C. Then both groups of apples were placed in a common storage at the temperature of 2 °C. The intensity of fruit ethylene emission (rate of ethylene production) was measured and 1 -MCP inhibition index was calculated. During storage, activity of ethylene emission by control apples of ‘Calville’ and ‘Golden Delicious’ showed typical climacteric pattern, while the intensity of ethylene emission of apples of other cultivars only increased gradually. The change of ethylene activity of early-winter apple cv. ‘Calville’ and winter cv. ‘Jonagold’, both treated with 1-MCP after harvest, had exponential character, especially actively increasing after 3 months of storage. At the same time ethylene emission of 1 -MCP treated fruits of other cultivars changed steadily to a low level and was effectively suppressed during the whole 6-month period of storage in normal atmosphere. The value of inhibition index of fruits treated by 1-MCP confirmed the consistent restoration of the ability to ethylene synthesis and thus to post-harvest ripening of some apples cultivars.
Congenital brain anomalies and chromosomal aberrations from the Zagreb Collection of human brains
Authors: Krušlin Božo , Džombeta Tihana , Bezjak Miran , Sedmak Goran , Petanjek Zdravko , Šimić Goran , Judaš Miloš , Kostović Ivica
Published: September 2014

The Zagreb Collection of developing and adult human brains consists of approximately 1,300 brains of fetuses, children and adults that were collected following routine autopsies in the period from 1974 to 2014. The collection comprises brains of different normal developmental stages that may serve for investigation of normal human brain development. Previous studies on this material have led to several important contributions on human cortical development, such as the discovery of the transient fetal subplate zone. The Zagreb Collection, however, also contains approximately 100 brains with different anomalies including chromosomal aberrations such as Down syndrome. We have analyzed all the available material from the Zagreb Collection and identified 44 brains of fetuses and children with Down syndrome, 10 with Patau syndrome, 6 with Edwards syndrome as well as 7 holoprosencephalic, 7 hydrocephalic and 4 microcephalic brains. The largest part of the Collection is available for further research using modern genetic, immunocytochemical and imaging methods, especially magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, the histological slides from the Zagreb Collection are currently being digitally scanned and made available as virtual slides to general scientific audience. The Zagreb Collection represents unique and versatile resource for the future study of normal and abnormal human brain development.
Relating motor and cognitive interventions in animals and humans
Authors: Carruthers Kadir , Zampieri Cris , Damiano Diane
Published: September 2014

Cognition and motor performance are essential components of human functioning. Recent research has provided evidence that these two domains are more interrelated than previously thought. This is a potentially important area of research with many questions that warrant further exploration and have practical implications to the field of neurological rehabilitation. In this review of literature we included animals and humans in healthy conditions as well as pathological conditions affecting the central nervous system. Our primary goal was to comprehensively review the relevant basic science and clinical literature on the effects of motor interventions on cognitive function and vice versa. We found more evidence supporting positive effects of exercise on cognition than effects of cognitive training on motor function. In addition, we examined the extent to which findings from animal literature have been or can be translated to humans. We found that, with the exception of one study in monkeys, most animal studies which investigate rodents are somewhat challenging to translate to human studies, independent of the intervention employed. It is difficult to find a human parallel to exercise in rodents, because both the voluntary and forced exercise paradigms used in rodents happen in a different context than humans. In addition it is difficult to find an animal parallel to cognitive training in humans, because the environmental enrichment intervention cannot be considered “purely” cognitive stimulation as it also involves sensory, motor and social components. We conclude the review by suggesting avenues for future research and intervention strategies.
The function of offset neurons in auditory information processing
Authors: Xu Na , Fu Zi-Ying , Chen Qi-Cai
Published: September 2014

Offset neurons which respond to the termination of the sound stimulation may play important roles in auditory temporal information processing, sound signal recognition, and complex distinction. Two additional possible mechanisms were reviewed: neural inhibition and the intrinsic conductance property of offset neuron membranes. The underlying offset response was postulated to be located in the superior paraolivary nucleus of mice. The biological significance of the offset neurons was discussed as well.
Los Estudios de Traducción desde una perspectiva sociológica o la “caja de herramientas” bourdieusiana
Authors: Folica Laura
Published: September 2014

This article approaches Pierre Bourdieu’ sociology and his contributions to Translation Studies. We will look at some theoretical notions developed by Bourdieu in his sociology of knowledge as well as at his social theory regarding the researcher’s reflexivity towards himself and his object. Then we will put these notions to test in a specific research about translation developed by the Canadian traductologist Jean-Marc Goaunvic, who analyses the reception of science-fiction in postwar France.
Autour d’un échange inégal : contes roumains en français vs. contes français en roumain
Authors: Pelea Alina
Published: September 2014

Our paper aims at illustrating the inequality of languages and cultures, highlighted, among others, by Itamar Evan-Zohar and the laws of literary interference, by Pascale Casanova, who uses Bourdieu’s concepts of dominant and dominated and applies them to languages and literatures, and by Yves Gambier, who speaks of asymmetry. The specific case of the editorial context of fairy tales translated between the Romanian and French cultural spaces can provide information about the inextricable link between translation and the socio-political and historical context.
Une facette méconnue du travail des traducteurs
Authors: Léchauguette Sophie
Published: September 2014

Some knowledge of the publishers’ strategy is useful for understanding the translation process. Besides literary translators, the publishing industry uses translators whose specialty is hardly known. There is therefore no specific training in this area, yet. This paper presents their work and suggests the introduction of courses in intersemiotic translation. Such courses would help translators specialising in the non literary sector of the publishing industry to deal with the layout of the book, insofar as it bears on the translation process. This paper also hopes to convince the layman to revisit the image of this profession and thus to better appreciate the work of all translators.
Adam Ferguson's Pedagogy and his Engagement with Stoicism
Authors: Nicolai Katherine
Published: September 2014

Adam Ferguson, lecturer of moral philosophy at the University of Edinburgh (1764–1785), was one of the leading figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. His published works, however, have sometimes been dismissed as derivative and viewed as less important than some of his contemporaries, because of his reliance on ancient Stoic philosophy. An analysis of Ferguson's lecture notes, conversely, demonstrates Stoicism's pedagogical function. Rather than adopting Stoic principles, Ferguson used their terminology to teach philosophical concepts. Ferguson's nuanced discussion of ancient philosophy in his lectures demonstrated his critiques of the ancient schools and his purpose for employing their language throughout his texts.
Robert Baron on the Assent of Faith
Authors: Broadie Alexander
Published: September 2014

Are faith and knowledge mutually incompatible in the sense that it is not possible for someone both to know something to be the case and also, and at the same time, to accept as a matter of faith that it is the case? Robert Baron, one of the group of early seventeenth-century Episcopalians known as the ‘Aberdeen doctors’, examines this question and provides an answer full of philosophical interest. This article discusses his answer, focusing in particular on his account of the nature of and the relation between the assent of knowledge, assent of faith, and assent of will.
Calreticulin: Roles in Cell-Surface Protein Expression
Authors: Jiang Yue , Dey Sandeepa , Matsunami Hiroaki
Published: September 2014

In order to perform their designated functions, proteins require precise subcellular localizations. For cell-surface proteins, such as receptors and channels, they are able to transduce signals only when properly targeted to the cell membrane. Calreticulin is a multi-functional chaperone protein involved in protein folding, maturation, and trafficking. However, evidence has been accumulating that calreticulin can also negatively regulate the surface expression of certain receptors and channels. In these instances, depletion of calreticulin enhances cell-surface expression and function. In this review, we discuss the role of calreticulin with a focus on its negative effects on the expression of cell-surface proteins.
Evaluation of the Impact of a Physical Assessment Course on the Practice of Institutional Pharmacists
Authors: Breault Rene , Korn Darlene , George-Phillips Kirsten
Published: September 2014

We aimed to assess the impact of a professional development course on clinical pharmacists’ level of confidence using physical assessment (PA) and whether it resulted in changes to their clinical practice. Workshop participants were asked to complete a pre-workshop survey, as well as three post-workshop surveys, to assess the pharmacists’ level of confidence in PA. Pharmacists were also asked about their integration of PA skills and use of Additional Prescribing Authority (APA). Pharmacists’ confidence in performing PA, discussing PA findings, and using PA to manage drug therapy were significantly higher at all time-points post workshop. Pharmacists with APA also indicated increased confidence with prescribing. Professional development in physical assessment may provide opportunities for pharmacists to integrate new knowledge and skills within their practice. Future research should examine if such educational opportunities will support sustainable practice change.
Ancient Maya Regional Settlement and Inter-Site Analysis: The 2013 West-Central Belize LiDAR Survey
Authors: Chase Arlen , Chase Diane , Awe Jaime , Weishampel John , Iannone Gyles , Moyes Holley , Yaeger Jason , Brown M. , Shrestha Ramesh , Carter William , Fernandez Diaz Juan
Published: September 2014

During April and May 2013, a total of 1057 km2 of LiDAR was flown by NCALM for a consortium of archaeologists working in West-central Belize, making this the largest surveyed area within the Mayan lowlands. Encompassing the Belize Valley and the Vaca Plateau, West-central Belize is one of the most actively researched parts of the Maya lowlands; however, until this effort, no comprehensive survey connecting all settlement had been conducted. Archaeological projects have investigated at least 18 different sites within this region. Thus, a large body of archaeological research provides both the temporal and spatial parameters for the varied ancient Maya centers that once occupied this area; importantly, these data can be used to help interpret the collected LiDAR data. The goal of the 2013 LiDAR campaign was to gain information on the distribution of ancient Maya settlement and sites on the landscape and, particularly, to determine how the landscape was used between known centers. The data that were acquired through the 2013 LiDAR campaign have significance for interpreting both the composition and limits of ancient Maya political units. This paper presents the initial results of these new data and suggests a developmental model for ancient Maya polities.
Wearability Assessment of a Wearable System for Parkinson’s Disease Remote Monitoring Based on a Body Area Network of Sensors
Authors: Cancela Jorge , Pastorino Matteo , Tzallas Alexandros , Tsipouras Markos , Rigas Giorgios , Arredondo Maria , Fotiadis Dimitrios
Published: September 2014

Wearable technologies for health monitoring have become a reality in the last few years. So far, most research studies have focused on assessments of the technical performance of these systems, as well as the validation of the clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, the success in the acceptance of these solutions depends not only on the technical and clinical effectiveness, but on the final user acceptance. In this work the compliance of a telehealth system for the remote monitoring of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients is presented with testing in 32 PD patients. This system, called PERFORM, is based on a Body Area Network (BAN) of sensors which has already been validated both from the technical and clinical point for view. Diverse methodologies (REBA, Borg and CRS scales in combination with a body map) are employed to study the comfort, biomechanical and physiological effects of the system. The test results allow us to conclude that the acceptance of this system is satisfactory with all the levels of effect on each component scoring in the lowest ranges. This study also provided useful insights and guidelines to lead to redesign of the system to improve patient compliance.
Raman Spectroscopy for In-Line Water Quality Monitoring—Instrumentation and Potential
Authors: Li Zhiyun , Deen M. , Kumar Shiva , Selvaganapathy P.
Published: September 2014

Worldwide, the access to safe drinking water is a huge problem. In fact, the number of persons without safe drinking water is increasing, even though it is an essential ingredient for human health and development. The enormity of the problem also makes it a critical environmental and public health issue. Therefore, there is a critical need for easy-to-use, compact and sensitive techniques for water quality monitoring. Raman spectroscopy has been a very powerful technique to characterize chemical composition and has been applied to many areas, including chemistry, food, material science or pharmaceuticals. The development of advanced Raman techniques and improvements in instrumentation, has significantly improved the performance of modern Raman spectrometers so that it can now be used for detection of low concentrations of chemicals such as in-line monitoring of chemical and pharmaceutical contaminants in water. This paper briefly introduces the fundamentals of Raman spectroscopy, reviews the development of Raman instrumentations and discusses advanced and potential Raman techniques for in-line water quality monitoring.
Biochemical Characterization of the SPATE Members EspPα and EspI
Authors: Weiss André , Kortemeier David , Brockmeyer Jens
Published: September 2014

The activity of serine proteases is influenced by their substrate specificity as well as by the physicochemical conditions. Here, we present the characterization of key biochemical features of the two SPATE members EspPα and EspI from Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). Both proteases show high activity at conditions mimicking the human blood stream. Optimal activities were observed at slightly alkaline pH and low millimolar concentrations of the divalent cations Ca2+ and Mg2+ at physiological temperatures indicating a function in the human host. Furthermore, we provide the first cleavage profile for EspI demonstrating pronounced specificity of this protease.
Assessing the Feasibility of Managed Aquifer Recharge for Irrigation under Uncertainty
Authors: Arshad Muhammad , Guillaume Joseph , Ross Andrew
Published: September 2014

Additional storage of water is a potential option to meet future water supply goals. Financial comparisons are needed to improve decision making about whether to store water in surface reservoirs or below ground, using managed aquifer recharge (MAR). In some places, the results of cost-benefit analysis show that MAR is financially superior to surface storage. However, uncertainty often exists as to whether MAR systems will remain operationally effective and profitable in the future, because the profitability of MAR is dependent on many uncertain technical and financial variables. This paper introduces a method to assess the financial feasibility of MAR under uncertainty. We assess such uncertainties by identification of cross-over points in break-even analysis. Cross-over points are the thresholds where MAR and surface storage have equal financial returns. Such thresholds can be interpreted as a set of minimum requirements beyond which an investment in MAR may no longer be worthwhile. Checking that these thresholds are satisfied can improve confidence in decision making. Our suggested approach can also be used to identify areas that may not be suitable for MAR, thereby avoiding expensive hydrogeological and geophysical investigations.
Ionic liquid-assisted formation of cellulose/calcium phosphate hybrid materials
Authors: Salama Ahmed , Neumann Mike , Günter Christina , Taubert Andreas
Published: September 2014

Cellulose/calcium phosphate hybrid materials were synthesized via an ionic liquid-assisted route. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis show that, depending on the reaction conditions, cellulose/hydroxyapatite, cellulose/chlorapatite, or cellulose/monetite composites form. Preliminary studies with MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts show that the cells proliferate on the hybrid materials suggesting that the ionic liquid-based process yields materials that are potentially useful as scaffolds for regenerative therapies.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is Associated with IgG Antibodies to Human Endogenous Retrovirus Gag Matrix: A Potential Pathogenic Mechanism of Disease?
Authors: Nelson Paul N. , Roden Denise , Nevill Alan , Freimanis Graham L. , Trela Malgorzata , Ejtehadi Hora Davari , Bowman Simon , Axford John , Veitch Andy M. , Tugnet Nicola , Rylance Paul B.
Published: September 2014

Objective.

Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K10 has been implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A secondary immune response to this virus might suggest an antigen-driven response in patients. The Gag region of HERV-K10 could provide a key epitope important for immunological reactivity. We investigated the presence of IgG antibodies to this region and assessed its significance in RA.

Methods.

We determined an antigenic peptide on the matrix segment of HERV-K10 and developed an ELISA system to detect IgG antibodies in patients with RA and controls. The presence of antibodies to the matrix peptide (denoted as MAG1: RIGKELKQAGRKGNI) was correlated with patient details.

Results.

On screening patients’ serum, we found a significantly higher mean IgG antibody response to MAG1 in 30 patients with RA as compared to 23 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (p = 0.003), 29 patients with osteoarthritis (p = 0.001), and 43 healthy individuals (p = 0.002). Reactivity was not observed to a control peptide possessing a nonhomologous amino acid sequence. On evaluating clinical details with serological activity, no correlation with disease duration (p = 0.128), sex (p = 0.768), or rheumatoid factor status (p = 0.576) was found.

Conclusion.

A significantly elevated IgG antibody response to an HERV-K10 Gag matrix peptide was observed in patients with RA, suggesting that the exposure of HERV-K10 may cause a secondary, antigenic driven immune response in RA.
A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group Study of 2 Dosing Regimens of Fostamatinib in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis with an Inadequate Response to a Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Antagonist
Authors: Genovese Mark C. , van der Heijde Désirée M. , Keystone Edward C. , Spindler Alberto J. , Benhamou Claude , Kavanaugh Arthur , Fudman Edward , Lampl Kathy , O’Brien Chris , Duffield Emma L. , Poiley Jeffrey , Weinblatt Michael E.
Published: September 2014

Objective.

Our 24-week study (NCT01197755; OSKIRA-3) compared the efficacy and safety of fostamatinib versus placebo in patients taking background methotrexate treatment with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and an inadequate response to a single tumor necrosis factor-α antagonist.

Methods.

Adult patients were randomized (1:1:1) to fostamatinib [100 mg bid for 24 weeks (n = 105; Group A)], or 100 mg bid for 4 weeks, then 150 mg qd (n = 108; Group B), or to placebo (n = 110; Group C) for 24 weeks. Nonresponders at Week 12 could enter a longterm extension study. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving an American College of Rheumatology 20% (ACR20) response at Week 24.

Results.

Baseline characteristics were well balanced. Significantly more patients in fostamatinib Group A (36.2%; p = 0.004), but not B (27.8%; p = 0.168), achieved ACR20 at Week 24 versus placebo (21.1%). Frequently reported adverse events were diarrhea, hypertension, and headache. Elevated blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mm Hg) at ≥ 1 visit was observed in 46.7%, 51.9%, and 26.6% of patients, respectively. There were 2 deaths in the study, 1 in Group B and 1 in the placebo group.

Conclusion.

Fostamatinib 100 mg bid, but not fostamatinib 100 mg bid for 4 weeks then 150 mg qd, achieved statistical improvements in ACR20 at 24 weeks versus placebo. Because of efficacy and safety results from the phase III clinical program, the companies developing fostamatinib have decided not to study it further in RA at this time.
Putting Me in Media
Authors: Wells Christine
Published: September 2014

Like learning to read or write, or acquiring the fundamentals of mathematics, screen media literacy is rapidly becoming an essential life skill. This dominant and expansive interface for contact, culture, and commerce has become the way we communicate now. Given the power and reach of the screen, it seems essential that as with any other fundamental skill, we must begin to understand and create within this medium in a more foundational, intentional way. But the language of the screen is complicated, rapidly becoming almost as multidimensional and multifaceted as the number of users it encompasses. Additionally, given its reliance on technology, it is an ever-changing landscape fraught with the challenges of chasing the elusive cutting edge. This chapter looks at a more back to basics approach to screen media literacy by offering instruction in what screen media really is and how to create it in a more foundational and transferable fashion. Using simple, accessible technology, people become more screen literate and the creation process enables deeper, more authentic learning, with the credence and accountability of a potentially world wide audience. Focusing on an integral part of a process developed by the Rosebud Institute – an organization committed to making screen media literacy more broadly understood and accessible – this step-by-step, integrated method delivers a new understanding of media literacy. Using simple, accessible technology, participants create dynamic, original ePortfolio websites themselves and distribute their work to an ever-expanding audience. Developed along with Rosebud's founder and director, Paul Chilsen, the process encourages individuals to find their own voice and embrace the me in media, moving us towards a future where people will instantly capture, identifiably own, intelligently store, and instinctively know what to do with their digital assets, allowing us all to communicate more effectively and thrive in a media-saturated world.
Third Party Multimedia Streaming Control with Guaranteed Quality of Service in Evolved Packet System
Authors: Pencheva Evelina
Published: September 2014

This paper studies implementation issues of Parlay X “Multimedia Streaming Control” and “Application-driven Quality of Service” web services in the Evolved Packet System (EPS). EPS is defined as evolution of mobile communication networks with broadband radio interface and Internet Protocol (IP) based core. The main signalling protocols in EPS used for multimedia session management and quality of service control are respectively Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Diameter. The functional architecture for third party multimedia streaming control with guaranteed quality of service considers deployment of an application server which exposes web service interfaces toward applications and control protocols toward the network. In a role of mediation functionality, this application server is responsible for the translation between web services interface operations and control protocol messages. In addition, it needs to maintain synchronized state models that reflect both third party application view and protocol view. An approach to automated functional verification of such type of application server providing “Multimedia Streaming Control” and “Application-driven Quality of Service” web service interfaces is suggested. Use cases that illustrate the approach applicability are described.
Analytics and Performance Measurement Frameworks for Social Customer Relationship Management
Authors: Ayanso Anteneh , Visser Derek
Published: September 2014

This chapter provides an overview of the analytics and performance measurement frameworks for social customer relationship management (SCRM). Based on a review of academic research and industry practices, the chapter discusses the limitations of traditional CRM, and the technology and analytical capabilities that support SCRM. The chapter also provides a review of existing measurement frameworks for SCRM strategies and outlines the various metrics that have been proposed and/or are currently in use as part of SCRM systems. Furthermore, in view of the opportunities and challenges of big data and the social media environment, the chapter highlights current business practices as well technology and analytics trends that facilitate the implementation and maintenance of SCRM systems.
Social Media Marketing In Emerging Economies
Authors: Bakshi Madhupa , Mishra Prashant
Published: September 2014

Nearly 30 million Indians who are online are members of social networking sites and popular surveys report that about two-thirds of them spend time daily on these social networking sites. More importantly, Indians spend more time on social media than they do using personal email. This has immense implications for a country which has been dubbed as one of the largest emerging markets and has multinationals vying to set up shop. This scenario in India is unique as Internet penetration piggybacks on the telecom boom, boosting online retail and advertising opportunities. Therefore savvy marketers will want to jump on this bandwagon. This chapter looks at the unique situation in India in context of the growth of social media usage and tries to find developed world theoretical models as to how companies are coping with this new phenomenon. The results indicate that the companies are eager to interact with their target groups in social media; however, few have found the path to full leverage the return on investments made on a social media presence. Much of their efforts remain confined to branding and therefore better metrics need to be developed for better analytics.
ICT as an Engine for Community Participation
Authors: Semujju Brian
Published: September 2014

This paper discusses two issues prevalent in community media: Information communication technology (ICT) and Community participation. While several studies have explored community media and ICT in Uganda (Nassanga, 2003, 2009a, 2009b), the view that ICT has changed the way media operate to an extent of reversing the agenda-setting role to the listeners (McQuail, 2006, pp. 38-39; Straubhaar & Larose 2002, p. 386) needed investigation. Using Kagadi-Kibale Community radio (KKCR), the paper shows how ICT is spreading in one Ugandan region and the relationship that technology has with participation in community media activities. Findings show that there is need to redefine the relationship between ICT and geographically defined community media as usage of ICT is dependent on forces that still require decades to harmonize. The paper therefore suggests that an alternative to community media, herein called Basic Media, is best suited to match the communication patterns of a developing world.
Rethinking the Democratization Role of Online Media
Authors: Chari Tendai
Published: September 2014

Online publications have become critical sites for the expression of views alternative to those of the state. This is true in Zimbabwe as in many developing states where the mainstream media operate under onerous legislative frameworks. However, the real impact of these ‘new public spheres' on the country's democratization agenda is subject to contestation. This chapter examines the impact of online publications run by exiled Zimbabwean journalists on the country's democratization process. The chapter evaluates the extent to which these online publications constitute genuine alternative spaces for the mediation of national discourses. Data is elicited through focus group interviews, in-depth interviews, and textual analysis. The chapter argues that a combination of technical, social, and economic factors which limit Internet access and professional shortcomings conspire against online publications becoming genuine alternative public spheres, thus minimizing their role in the democratization of the Zimbabwean state.
Strong Value Proposition through Social Media Tools
Authors: Kapoor Avinash , Kulshrestha Chinmaya
Published: September 2014

This chapter looks into social media tools being leveraged by marketing groups of various organisations. More specifically, this chapter attempts to identify the usefulness, sustainability, and reliability of social media tools in the context of the brand image of American Express. In the last two years, American Express has launched numerous touch points on various social media platforms, which include Facebook, LinkedIn, and FourSquare. The chapter concludes that social media tools do impact the brand building exercise of an organisation to offer strong value proposition, and therefore, American Express should also invest such effort to stay a leader in the payment industry. However, in order to target younger customers there is a need for revamping and rejuvenation the value proposition so as to remain young, meaningful, and contemporary.
The Spaces between Us
Authors: Rajakumar Mohanalakshmi
Published: September 2014

Despite having one of the highest per-capita incomes of the world, social and political changes in Qatar have not kept pace with the country's economic development. The expatriate and national population of the small emirate have access to luxury brands and a variety of Western goods including food as well as hotels. The high level of commercialization, however, does not mean that cultural differences between the various nationalities have been erased. Online forums and social media have provided neutral public spaces where debate and dialogue about identity and values can take place in a way they do not occur in public. This chapter examines a variety of examples through comments by expats and nationals on a number of media sites as well as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
The Empathy Paradox
Authors: Konrath Sara
Published: September 2014

The purpose of this chapter is to summarize changes in personality traits that have co-occurred with the rise of new social media, and to evaluate the plausibility of the hypothesis that new social media are a partial explanation for these dramatic changes. Studies have found a rise in social disconnection among recent generations of young Americans. Self-esteem and narcissism have been rising in college students from the late 1970s to 2010, with simultaneous declines in empathy. Scholars and lay people alike blame the rise of the internet, and in particular, self-oriented and self-promoting “social” networking sites. This new media landscape could lead to increasing social disconnection even as it superficially increases our social connections, and several studies suggest a direct link between social media use and social disconnection. However, since most research thus far is correlational, interpretations are limited, leaving open more optimistic possibilities for new social media.
Fostering Psychological Coherence
Authors: Schafer Stephen Brock
Published: September 2014

As we experience a paradigm shift into a media age, ICTs are altering the psychological parameters of human reality. The premise of this chapter is that the psychological dynamics of interactive images projected as Media Dreams correspond with the psychological dynamics of dream images as defined by Carl G. Jung. (Jacobi, 1973). If this is true, images in media dreams mirror patterns of energy and information in what Jung called the collective unconscious. Jung calls images archetypal representations or projections of archetypal energy patterns that are structured as metaphorical narrative. The most recent cognitive research (Lakoff, 2008) verifies that—indeed—the cognitive unconscious has the framework of metaphorical narrative and that these story patterns correlate with energy patterns in the nervous system. Jung also knew that dreams “have a purpose,” and that the purpose is “compensation” or harmonization of conscious and unconscious psyche. Jungian compensation is essentially the same thing as coherence, and recent research on coherence confirms that coherent states can be evoked with specific feedback technologies. Moreover, coherent psychological states increase emotional and perceptual stability as well as alignment among the physical, cognitive, and emotional systems. The authors' hypothesis is that the images projected by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)—the media dreams of a population—are subject to psychological analysis in order to disclose unconscious sources of psychological stress in contextual collectives.
Online Behavior of the Social Media Student
Authors: Reid Alan J. , Prudchenko Kate
Published: September 2014

A survey of 100 undergraduates and 30 post-secondary faculty members was conducted in order to examine the current attitudes and perceptions of both groups toward the integration of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter in education. Results indicate that both parties are willing to incorporate these social media sites into academics but caution that digital identities are not necessarily representative of face-to-face behavior, thus suggesting the need for an awareness of social presence for online interaction between students and faculty. Social cognitive theories are applied to the use of social media as an instructional tool and a set of best practices for implementing social media in academics is proposed.
Social Interactions and Automated Detection Tools in Cyberbullying
Authors: Moore Michael J. , Nakano Tadashi , Suda Tatsuya , Enomoto Akihiro
Published: September 2014

Face-to-Face bullying is a traditional form of bullying in which bullies attack victims through physical, verbal, or social attacks. Cyberbullying is a new form of bullying. Cyberbullies abuse digital media to attack victims (such as attacks through websites, social networking services, blogging, e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, and cell phones). Cyberbullying and face-to-face bullying share many similarities. For example, bullies achieve power over a victim in both cyberbullying and face-to-face bullying. On the other hand, cyberbullying has differences from face-to-face bullying that arise from characteristics of digital media such as anonymity and rapid spreading of attacks. This chapter highlights key concerns of cyberbullying stemming from the use of digital media and discusses existing models of face-to-face bullying which may aid in model cyberbullying. This chapter then introduces state-of-the-art research in automated tools to detect cyberbullying. Finally, this chapter concludes with future perspective of research in automated tools to detect cyberbullying.
Analyzing Blending Social and Mass Media Audiences through the Lens of Computer-Mediated Discourse
Authors: Zelenkauskaite Asta
Published: September 2014

In recent years, mass media content has undergone a blending process with social media. Large amounts of text-based social media content have not only shaped mass media products, but also provided new opportunities to access audience behaviors through these large-scale datasets. Yet, evaluating a plethora of audience contents strikes one as methodologically challenging endeavor. This study illustrates advantages and applications of a mixed-method approach that includes quantitative computer-mediated discourse analysis (CMDA) and automated analysis of content frequency. To evaluate these methodologies, audience comments consisting of Facebook comments and SMS mobile texting to Italian radio-TV station RTL 102.5 were analyzed. Blended media contents through computer-mediated discourse analysis expand horizons for theoretical and methodological audience analysis research in parallel to established audience analysis metrics.
DASH
Authors: Rovcanin Lejla , Muntean Gabriel-Miro
Published: September 2014

Multimedia streaming has major commercial potential as the global community of online video viewers is expanding rapidly following the proliferation of low-cost multimedia-enabled mobile devices. These devices enable increasing amounts of video-based content to be acquired, stored, and distributed across existing best effort networks that also carry other traffic types. Although a number of protocols are used for video transfer, a significant portion of the Internet streaming media is currently delivered over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Network congestion is one of the most important issues that affects networking traffic in general and video content delivery. Among the various solutions proposed, adaptive delivery of content according to available network bandwidth was very successful. In this context, the most recent standardisation efforts have focused on the introduction of the Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) (ISO, 2012) standard. DASH offers support for client-based bitrate video streaming adaptation, but as it does not introduce any particular adaptation mechanism, it relies on third party solutions to complement it. This chapter provides an overview of the DASH standard and presents a short survey of currently proposed mechanisms for video adaptation related to DASH. It also introduces the DASH-aware Performance-Oriented Adaptation Agent (dPOAA), which improves user Quality of Experience (QoE) levels by dynamically selecting best performing sources for the delivery of video content. dPOAA, in its functionality, considers the characteristics of the network links connecting clients with video providers. dPOAA can be utilised as a DASH player plugin or in conjunction with the DASH-based performance-oriented Adaptive Video Distribution solution (DAV) (Rovcanin & Muntean, 2013), which considers the local network characteristics, quantity of requested content available locally, and device and user profiles.
New Media Cloud Computing
Authors: Sasikala P.
Published: September 2014

New Media is a generic term for the many different forms of electronic communication that are made possible through the use of computer technology. New media refers to on-demand access to content anytime, anywhere, on any digital device, as well as interactive user feedback, creative participation and community formation around the media content. Another important promise of new media is the “democratization” of the creation, publishing, distribution and consumption of media content along with real-time generation of new and user created content. Cloud computing, is a style of computing where scalable and elastic IT-related capabilities are provided as shared assorted services (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, DaaS). It is metered by use, to customers using internet technologies built on top of diverse technologies like virtualisation, distributed computing, utility computing, and more recently networking, web infrastructure and providing on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. It represents a paradigm shift in how we think about our data, the role of our computing devices and on managing computing resources. Being an emerging service technology with promising novel and valuable capabilities it attracts industrial research community with main focus on standardisation and customised implementation in every segment of society. To meet out the ever growing popularity of the inevitable new media applications and services over the Internet and the way it overpowers mobile devices, there is a strong demand for cloud integration. This paper outlines the concepts of new media cloud computing and addresses the problem of handling exponential growth of online data. It presents a novel framework for New Media Cloud Computing. A preliminary simulation of the work on the proposed architecture shows that there is increase in the quality of computations done, despite the demand of constant updating of resources in New Media environment.
Media Convergence and Cloud Technologies
Authors: Lorenz Mirko , Rath-Wiggins Linda , Runde Wilfried , Messina Alberto , Sunna Paola , Dimino Giorgio , Montagnuolo Maurizio , Borgotallo Roberto
Published: September 2014

Why do media organizations look out for cloud storage? In short, the media industry as a whole is facing various challenges. Due to digital convergence there is more material, less time, and multiple channels to fill, while budgets get smaller. TV, video on demand, and mobile content have become big drivers in pushing a search for innovative storage solutions. In addition to that, the opportunity to work with raw data, which can be used for deeper analysis, mapping, visualization, and personalized services is another aspect of why there is a need for novel storage solutions, preferably in the cloud. The media industry could lower production costs and increase speed to market of time critical reporting. This book chapter provides an overview of how far VISION Cloud can provide novel concepts for these demands.
Editorial Foreword Vol.9(3)
Authors: Mahaliyanaarachchi Rohana P
Published: September 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jas.v9i3.7421 The Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2014, vol.9, no3
Structure and species diversity of traditional homegardens in Batticaloa district
Authors: Krishnal S , Weerahewa J
Published: September 2014

A homegarden is part of a household livelihood strategy and has gained prominence as a natural asset through which sustainable use of resources, for the livelihoods of the poor, may be achieved. Despite the benefits, homegardens in the Batticaloa district have not been evaluated in-depth. This study focused on the composition, structure, diversity and different systems of homegardens in the Batticaloa district. The study was conducted in three Divisional Secretariat divisions in the district where 206 samples were collected. Results of the study revealed that average number of trees per household was 6.56. Species richness, varied from 2- 56 with the mean of 12.93. Mean Shannon index was 0.66. Two different types of systems were identified viz., Single layered and Multi layered systems. Single storied system composed only of banana or cashew or coconut trees. Only 23% homegardens were classified as single layered system while the rest were multi layered system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jas.v9i3.7436The Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2014, vol.9, no3: p.139-146