bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurodegenerative disease and microbiota
Authors: AKPINAR Orhan
Published: January 2020

Evidence suggests that intestinal microbiota, especially in the case of dysbiosis, may affect the progression of neurological diseases and may even lead to the formation of the disease. It has been realized that decreasing diversity in aging gut of the microbiota may be an important factor in the development of neurodegeneration. Neuroinflammation is one of the major mechanisms that associate microbiota with agerelated diseases. Intestinal microbiota; plays a key role in the activation of microglia and it is suggested that manipulation of intestinal microbiota, especially withshort chain fatty acid producing bacteria, may modulate neuroimmun activation (Westfall et al. 2017). On the clinical and scientific level, most neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Disease related pathology may spread across the nervous system in a self-propagative fashion. Importantly, there is a strong bidirectional interaction between gut microbiota and the central nervous system, a connection recently termed the “microbiota-gut-brainaxis” (Jiang et al. 2017; Houser and Tansey, 2017). While the effects of the autonomic nervous system on gut physiology have been known for a long time, we are just beginning to understand that gut microbiota has strong effects on CNS physiology as well. The vast number of ways through which gut microbiota affects the host shows intriguing overlaps with pathways previously implicated in neurodegeneration. Although evidence for involvement of microbiota in neurodegenerative diseases is still very preliminary, initial findings are extremely promising (Zhu et al. 2017). This presentation will give an overview of recent findings regarding the connections between gutmicrobiota and neurodegenerative disorders and how this may reshape our understanding of these diseases.
The gut-brain axis: interactions between microbiota and nervous systems
Authors: AKPINAR Orhan
Published: January 2020

Humans coexist in a mutualistic relationship with the intestinal microbiota, a complex microbial ecosystem that resides largely in the distal bowel. The lower gastrointestinal tract contains almost 100 trillion microorganisms, most of which are bacteria. More than 1,000 bacterial species have been identified in this microbiota. The intestinal microbiota lives in a symbiotic relationship with the host. A bidirectional neurohumoral communication system, known as the gut–brain axis, integrates the host gut and brain activities (Mayer et al. 2015). Communication between the brain and gut occurs along a network of pathways collectively termed the brain-gut axis. The brain-gut axis encompass the CNS, ENS, sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system, neuroendocrine and neuroimmune pathways, and the gut microbiota (Colins et al. 2012). The gut microbiota can signal to the brain via a number of pathways which include: regulating immune activity and the production of roinflammatory cytokines that can either stimulate the HPA axis to produce CRH, ACTH and cortisol, or directly impact on CNS immune activity; through the production of SCFAs such as propionate, butyrate, and acetate; the production of neurotransmitters which may enter circulation and cross the blood brain barrier; by modulating tryptophan metabolism and downstream metabolites, serotonin, kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid. Neuronal and spinal pathways, particularly afferent signaling pathways of the vagus nerve, are critical in mediating the effect of the gut microbiota on brain function and behavior. Microbial produced SCFAs and indole also impact on EC cells of the enteric nervous system (Romijn et al. 2008; Cani et al. 2013). The purpose of this presentation was to summarize our current knowledge regarding the role of microbiota in bottom-up pathways of communication in the gutbrain axis.
Effects of alpha lipoic acid on TRPV1 cation channel in dorsal root ganglion of diabetes-induced rats
Authors: YAZĞAN Yener
Published: January 2020

Diabetes is a common chronic metabolic disease worldwide. It causes diabetes, tissue degenerations, cell death and associated functional disability. Diabetes also causes the development of common diseases such as cardiovascular and nervous diseases. The most important pathophysiological mechanisms that are accepted in describing diabetic degenerative processes are oxidative stress damage (El-Refaei et al. 2014). Neuropathic pain is induced by several factors including inflammation, excessive Ca2+ influx, oxidative stress and tissue degeneration. Inflammatory reactions in destroying neurons lead to the activation of the pain molecular pathway. In addition, destruction cell membranes induce excessive Ca2+ entry in the neurons, because the Ca2+ concentration is about 10.000 times higher in out of the neurons than in the inside of the neuron. Overload Ca2+ influx into cytosol and it leads to excessive production of ROS in the neurons. Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an important member of the thiol cycle because it is containing the sulfur groups. It is powerful antioxidant substance and it can prevent the complications of diabetes (Ghibu et al. 2009). Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have six subfamilies and 28 members in human. Most of these channels are responsible in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons for the Ca2+ permeation especially in neuronal cells. Expression level of the TRPV1 channels is high in the DRG neurons and they show oxidative stress dependent activation. The TRPV1 channel expression levels in the DRG increased in different types of pain. Forty female rats were divided into four groups: First group was used as control. Second group used as diabetic. Third and fourth groups received ALA and STZ+ALA, respectively. Diabetes was induced using a single dose of intraperitoneal STZ. On 14th day of DRG samples were freshly taken from all animals. In plate reader analyses, we observed modulator role of ALA on apoptosis, caspase 3, caspase 9, mitochondrial depolarization and cytosolic ROS production values on TRPV1 channel in the DRG neurons. In addition, we observed modulator role of ALA on intracellular Ca2+ concentration through inhibition of TRPV1 in neuropathic pain-induced rats. In conclusion, in our diabetes experimental model, oxidative stress are involved in the Ca2+ entry-induced neuronal death, and modulation of this channel activity by ALA pretreatment may account for their neuroprotective activity against apoptosis.
Causality Between Tourism and Economic Development: The Case of China
Authors: Wu Tsung-Pao , Wu Hung-Che
Published: January 2020

This study applies a bootstrap panel Granger causality test to examine the causal relationship between international tourism receipts and economic growth in 20 regions of China for the period from 1995 to 2015, accounting for both dependency and heterogeneity across regions. The empirical results support evidence for the growth hypothesis in the regions, such as Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Ningxia, and Shannxi. A reverse relationship supports evidence on the conservation hypothesis for the regions, such as Hunan and Inner Mongolia. A reciprocal causal relationship was found in Qinghai and Tibet, while the result of a neutrality hypothesis supported 11 of these 20 major regions (i.e., Chognqing, Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, Heilongjiang, Jiangxi, Jilin, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang and Yunnan).
Negative Effect of Innovation on Organizational Competitiveness on Tourism Companies
Authors: Zuñiga-Collazos Alexander , Harrill Rich , Castillo-Palacio Marysol , Padilla-Delgado Lina Marcela
Published: January 2020

The present study allows researchers to examine the influence of innovation on organizational competitiveness of 430 small hospitality and tourism companies in a country emerging from a turbulent past, Colombia, and in particular analyzes companies from the cities of Cali and Popayan.
Data were collected through face-to-face survey research. First, the researchers performed a confirmatory factor analysis for validating the scale. Second, for the examination of the hypotheses, structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed. The findings show a significant, direct, and
negative relationship between innovation and competitiveness, presenting the discussion of possible negative impacts for small hospitality and tourism companies in emerging contexts. Empirical evidence found allows to fulfill the gap between this relationship in terms of the different and
possible effects of innovation in an emerging context and considering this type of companies on the hospitality and tourism industry.
Identifying and Measuring Customer Delight in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Rivera Dalilis Escobar , Casadesús Fa Martí , Villar Alexandra Simon
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study is to identify customer delight by developing a research model and measurement scale in the hospitality industry that includes cognitive and emotional factors. The main analysis to support the research uses a confirmatory factor analysis, while collected data represent
186 tourism experiences in hotels and restaurants. The model describes a way to appraise memorable experiences by customers and the positive significance of emotions based on their needs. The authors argue that managing designed experiences and considering a customer's service ideal from the
factors in the proposed model could be the basis for achieving customer delight in the hospitality industry.
Examining the Stability of the Long-Run Relationship Between Tourism and Economic Growth for Puerto Rico
Authors: Husein Jamal , Kara S. Murat
Published: January 2020

This study empirically examines the stability of the long-run relationship between tourism and economic growth for Puerto Rico using annual data for 1960–2016. Robust results across several model specifications support the existence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between
real GDP, real tourism receipts, and real exchange rate. Contrary to many previous studies that either explicitly or implicitly assume the stability of the cointegrated vector, the authors apply formal stability tests developed by Hansen and Johansen to investigate the long-run parameter constancy
issue. Tests for long-run parameter stability reveal that the hypothesis of stable long-run parameters could not be rejected. The results indicate that tourism is a stable source of economic growth for Puerto Rico and Granger causality tests based on the error-correction model indicate a unidirectional
causality from tourism receipts to real GDP.
Research Design in Socially Deviant Tourist Behavior Studies: A Mixed-Method Approach
Authors: Wen Jun , Meng Fang
Published: January 2020

Most extant research on socially deviant tourist behavior is qualitative in nature and lacks empirical investigation due to the topic's sensitivity and data collection difficulties. This research note addresses the methodological and data collection challenges in deviant tourist behavior
studies and provides a comprehensive mixed-method research design by demonstrating an empirical study of drug tourism among Chinese visitors in Amsterdam. A sequential explanatory design is presented, which includes ethnography and two-staged qualitative interview data gathering and analysis,
followed by a cross-sectional quantitative survey study. This research note provides methodological contributions to solve the data collection problems in special interest tourism and other sensitive research topics in social science.
Evidence-Based Electroconvulsive Therapy for Major Depression Disorder
Authors: Khan Zahra D , Marchira Carla R , Wulandari Patricia
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a treatment that steals medical attention and the public. Memory disturbance after ECT is a special consideration for the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of the United States to classify ECT, whether it belongs to class III (high risk). Psychiatrists or anesthesiologists (who are experienced with ECT) tend to change this classification, while neurologists, psychologists, biostatistics experts, and public representatives agree to maintain ECT status in class III. Contrary to unexpected effects, ECT can induce a transition in severe melancholic patients and suicide to normal functioning humans, after other treatments have failed. With the aim of balancing effectiveness and safety, this paper provides modern evidence of the benefits and risks of ECT.
What Predicts Peptic Ulcer in Patients Referred for Endoscopy?
Authors: Habib Omran , Abdul-Wahab Rifka
Published: January 2020

Background: Peptic ulcers and other gastric lesions are significant
medical conditions. Endoscopy is one useful diagnostic tool, the use of
which is dependent on patient selection.
Objectives: This study attempts to explore how predictive selected
symptoms may be, along with their characteristics in diagnosing peptic
ulcers and other gastric lesions in patients undergoing endoscopy.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 152 patients
referred to the endoscopic unit at Al-Sadr teaching hospital in Basrah.
The patients were carefully interviewed to determine clinical and
sociodemographic characteristics. They were subjected to endoscopic
examination by a specialist physician, and their results were recorded
on the same information sheet. Data were analyzed using the
Statistical Package for Social Science, version 20.
Results: Given the complexity of the risk factors, clinical
manifestations and diagnostic techniques, it seems difficult to predict
which patients are likely to have peptic ulcers and which are not. In
this study, only self-reported stress and H pylori infection were found
to significantly predict the likelihood of peptic ulcers among patients
subjected to endoscopic examination.
Conclusions: Patients subjected to endoscopy are expected to have a
variety of gastric lesions, including peptic ulcer. A substantial
proportion of these patients were entirely lesion free.
Key words: Prediction, peptic ulcer, Basrah, endoscopy
Neonatal Intestinal Obstruction Due to Intussusception: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Kadhem Sadik , Salman Omer
Published: January 2020

Intussusception is a very rare cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction, particularly in preterm neonates. This rarity may lead to a significant delay in diagnosis. We present a case report of ileo-ileal intussusception occurring in a preterm neonate. Intussusception should be suspected in any neonate suffering from intestinal obstruction. Performing an abdominal ultrasound may confirm the diagnosis.
Regulations of government policy in financing education: identification based on neural networks
Authors: Radionova Iryna , Usyk Vira
Published: January 2020

Purpose. The aim of the article is a progress in addressing the problem of identifying educational funding rules and harnessing the potential of artificial neural networks in the process of identifying rules.

Methodology of research. The following specific methods have been used in the research process: a systematic approach – to classify forms of identification of policy rules and to determine the levels at which educational funding rules should be implemented; artificial neural network analysis – to substantiate and identify educational funding rules; formalization and graphical presentation of the results obtained – to refine the results of the study.

Findings. It has been determined that government policy rules are a tool of public administration, and to be used in this capacity they must be identified and institutionalized. It is substantiated that the use of artificial neural network method, which allows to analyze and predict nonlinear processes with high uncertainty, creates new opportunities for identification of policy rules. Two funding indicators for education, the formation of which should be governed by government rules, are based on two neural networks.

Originality. An innovative approach to modelling and forecasting of Ukrainian education funding indicators, subject to certain government rules, using artificial neural network models, is proposed. This made it possible to obtain graphs of the relationship between input and output variables and to predict the share of education expenditure in GDP and the share of education expenditure in public spending, provided that the five governmental variables envisaged by the government, international institutions and research institutions of the country, namely: labour productivity, share of innovative activity, share of budget deficit and public debt in GDP, share of able-bodied population in the country's population.

Practical value. Practical approaches to the identification of educational funding rules developed and proposed by the authors can help to achieve a higher level of institutionalization of the rules and be used in the work of the Ministry of Education and Science.

Key words: rules of government policy; rules for financing education; public administration; artificial neural networks.
Hubungan Umur Ibu Dan Paritas Terhadap Kejadian Asfiksia Neonatorum Di RSIA Sitti Khadijah 1 Makassar
Authors: Syarif Darmiati , Umar Nur Siskawati
Published: January 2020

Berdasarkan data yang diperoleh dari rekam medik Rumah Sakit RSIA Sitti Khadijah 1 Makassar, angka kejadian asfiksia pada bayi baru lahir pada tahun 2017 mencapai 235 bayi dari jumlah persalinan 4,824 orang, pada tahun 2018 angka kejadian asfiksia pada bayi baru lahir mencapai 413 bayi  dari jumlah persalinan 4,940 orang. Sedangkan periode bulan Januari s.d April tahun 2019, angka kejadian asfiksia bayi baru lahir mencapai 134 bayi dari jumlah persalinan 870 orang. Tujuan dilakukannya penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan antara umur ibu dan paritas terhadap kejadian asfiksia neonatorum di RSIA Sitti Khadijah 1 Makassar 2019.Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian analitik dengan melakukan pendekatan Cross Sectional Study untuk mengetahui hubungan antara umur ibu dan paritas terhadap kejadian asfiksia neonatorum di RSIA Sitti Khadijah 1 Makassar dengan jumlah populasi sebanyak 870 orang dan jumlah sampel 134 orang dengan menggunakan teknik Random Sampling.Dari hasil uji statistik dengan menggunakan uji Chi-Square (Pearson chi-square)di peroleh untuk variabel umur ibu nilai p= 0,235 > dari α = 0,05 artinya tidak ada hubungan antara umur terhadap kejadian asfiksia neonatorum. Untuk varibel paritas nilai p= 0,001 < dari α = 0,05 artinya ada hubungan antara paritas terhadap kejadian asfiksia neonatorum. Kesimpulan dari dua variable yaitu umur ibu dan paritas, hanya variable paritas yang berhubungan dengan kejadian asfiksia neonatorum di RSIA Sitti Khadujah 1 Makassar 2019.
POLLUTION ASSESSMENT AND SOURCE APPROXIMATION OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN THE FARMLAND SOIL NEAR THE TRAFFICWAY
Authors: Sun Linhua
Published: January 2020

The traffic related environmental pollution problems have attracted a lot of attention. In this study, contents of eight trace elements along with Fe and Mn in the farmland soil near a trafficway of Suzhou, Anhui province, China have been measured for the pollution assessment and source identification (along with quantification). The results show that iron is the most abundant element, followed by manganese, zinc, chromium, nickel, copper, lead, arsenic, cobalt and cadmium. They have coefficients of variation range between 0.028 and 0.281, indicating that some of them might have multi-sources. The pollution indexes (including single pollution, geo-accumulation and the Nemerow composite indexes) indicate that the soil samples are slightly polluted. Multivariate statistical analyses (including correlation, cluster and factor analyses) have identified three sources (geogenic, traffic and agriculture related) responsible for the elemental concentrations in the soils. Moreover, the EPA Unmix model have calculated their mean contributions to be 33.4%, 33.2% and 33.3%, respectively.
Demand Forecasting
Authors: Mar Hernández Natalie Nicole , Cano-Olivos Patricia , Sánchez-Partida Diana , Martínez-Flores José-Luis , Caballero-Morales Santiago Omar
Published: January 2020

This chapter provides a proposal for demand management in furniture SMEs located in the city of Puebla, México. The historical production data reviewed, and the classification of the most critical articles was made using the ABC classification methodology. Subsequently, the literature of SMEs was analyzed as well as the current situation and statistical information was sought. Additionally, it presented an overview of the models to forecast demand and applied to the most relevant articles. Due to the results and previous study, it was decided to implement a forecasting technique which is modelled by artificial neural networks. The ANN model developed with the TANSIGMOID transfer function by using MATLAB software. The appropriate forecasting techniques selected according to the variability of the demand of the articles takes a short-term planning horizon. This research will help the company reduce uncertainty, forecasting sales, and achieve better production planning through ANNs.
Manufacturing, Control, and Automation
Authors: Das Shubhajit , Roy Kakoli , Nampi Tage
Published: January 2020

This chapter identifies the common needs for process controls and automation that include methodologies to enable in-situ-level process controls, optimization at the plant or industry level, open-architecture software tools, adaptive control systems, methods and diagnostic tools for condition-based maintenance of process equipment in a manufacturing industry.
Tribological Behavior, Machinability, and Optimization of EDM of AA-2014 Hybrid Composite Reinforced With SiC and Glass Particulates
Authors: Pradhan Mohan Kumar
Published: January 2020

In the present work, the mechanical, tribological behavior of the machinability using electro discharge machining on a hybrid reinforced with different compositions of SiC and glass particulates are fabricated through a stir casting route. The effect of composition with machine parameters on the responses was observed. The Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was used for conducting the experiments, and the optimal EDM machining condition was obtained by performing MULTI-MOORA method integrated with PCA method. However, the effect of load, speed, and composition was investigated for tribological properties. It has been observed that SiC and glass particulates, significantly affect the compressive strength and hardness. However, the impact energy reduces an increase in the brittle nature of the composite. The glass particles do not contribute to the tensile strength but significantly improve the tribological property. The composition and pulse current found to be the most influencing parameters, the composition (Al- 2014+2wt% glass+3 wt% SiC) has led to the best combination for machinability.
Non-Destructive Testing of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Composite Using Thermosonic Technique
Authors: Bose Tanmoy , Hanuman N. S. V. N. , Roy Subhankar
Published: January 2020

Composite materials are often subjected to low velocity impacts which leads to delamination in subsequent layers. Linear ultrasound-based approaches are not accurate enough to detect it properly. The local defect resonance (LDR) based thermosonic is proved to be an efficient candidate for detection of such defects. LDR frequency excitation leads to high amplitude vibration which raises defect temperature drastically, detectable by an infrared camera. In this chapter, a numerical investigation of LDR frequency excited ultrasound thermography is carried out on delaminated carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) plate. The location and size of the delamination can be easily understood from thermal signature. The temperature gradient variation is found to be high at first and then it decreases due to higher heat conduction rate. The delamination in CFRP plate is detected by standard phased array ultrasound testing (PAUT) using flat bottom hole in aluminium plate as a case study. Delamination detection by PAUT is found to be very time consuming process compared with thermosonic technique.
The Study of Digital Marketplace in Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Abdullah Alif Azizi , Almunawar Mohammad Nabil , Anshari Muhammad
Published: January 2020

A two-sided market or two-sided network is made up of two distinct user groups that provide each other with network benefits in which they interact through an intermediary or platform. A digital marketplace makes use of a two-sided market where the two distinct groups are the buyers and sellers. A digital marketplace is a type of e-commerce site where the sellers offer products or services to the buyers, and transactions are controlled and processed by marketplace operators. With the rapid development and adoption of the Internet and digital marketplace globally and also regionally, businesses in Brunei Darussalam are slowly incorporating digital marketplace. This chapter provides an overview of the current state of the digital marketplace in Brunei, and thus, case studies of local digital marketplaces are discussed. A qualitative approach, which consists of interviews with companies, is made for the study. The strengths and problems of employing digital marketplace for businesses and analysis using Michael Porter's five models is also covered in this chapter.
A Study of Quality Tools and Techniques for Smart Manufacturing in Industry 4.0 in Malaysia
Authors: Abd Hamid Mohd Syaiful Rizal , Isa Saifuddin , Boon Cheong Chew
Published: January 2020

This chapter explores the key factors for selecting quality tools and techniques in industrial revolution 4.0, particularly in the smart manufacturing context. What are the factors determining which quality tools and techniques are more applicable in specific circumstances related to quality performance in Industrial Revolution 4.0? To answer this question, authors employ a multiple case study and an in-depth literature review as the research design approach. Two key data collection methods (qualitative methods) are used: (1) Primary data from face-to-face interviews with Toyo Memory Technology and Intel Malaysia (2) Secondary data from previous studies. This review, coupled with the case study analysis, leads to the identification of the real implementation of quality tools and techniques in the industries. The chapter can enhance the reader understanding of Industrial Revolution 4.0 and quality management practices as well as highlight opportunities for further research.
Capability Demands of Digital Service Innovation
Authors: Coldwell-Neilson Jo , Cooper Trudi , Patterson Nick
Published: January 2020

This chapter explores the demands that digital service innovation places on those stakeholders who use the digital service through three lenses: workers and workplace, digital literacy, and, finally, digital education. The chapter includes an overview of digital service innovation. The impact of digital services generally is explored from the perspective of the workforce and the future of work developing an argument for the need for ongoing upskilling in the digital space. The skills required in the age of digital disruption are explored, and a definition and general understanding of what digital literacy entails is presented. Finally, the opportunities for education in digital environments are explored through three vignettes which illustrate different opportunities for upskilling and retraining. The chapter highlights adaptations required in socio-political environments, education and training, and curricula to allow digital service innovations to achieve the expected benefits.
Digitalisation of Mandatory Social Expenditure Targets in India
Authors: Dayanandan Ajit , Kuntluru Sudershan
Published: January 2020

The chapter examines the impact of mandatory CSR expenditure targets of firms on financial performance in India. Extant studies have shown using event study methodology that announcement effect of compulsory CSR expenditure targets on abnormal returns of these firms is negative. Further, it is examined on how financial performances of these firms which met or exceeded the targets (Socially responsible firms) or were not able to meet the targets (socially irresponsible firms) differ. Based on the data for 1,460 firm years for the period 2015 to 2018 in the Indian context, the empirical analysis shows that their financial performance was negatively impacted because of these mandated CSR targets. Available evidence shows that CSR expenditure that spurs digitalisation and technological innovation helps the poorest and most vulnerable which enables them to lead a healthy, productive life.
Understanding Digital Transformation of Procurement Through E-Procurement Systems Implementation
Authors: Ilhan Nergiz , Rahim Md. Mahbubur
Published: January 2020

E-procurement systems require a rigorous implementation process for attracting their acceptance within buying organisations and generating benefits. However, despite a rich body of literature on e-procurement systems, little is known on how buying organisations generally implement their e-procurement system. Even though an important role is played by the procurement function, limited studies have been reported to explain the details of the activities undertaken by buying organisations for implementing an e-procurement system, and in what ways those activities are influenced. To address these gaps, this chapter proposes an association between the type of business relationship a buying organisation intends to maintain with its suppliers when deciding to implement an e-procurement system, and the e-procurement implementation process it follows. The chapter further presents empirical evidence in support of one particular type of business relationship by analysing the e-procurement system implementation experience of an Australian organisation.
Digital Transformation in the Hospitality Industry in an Emerging Country
Authors: Terdpaopong Kanitsorn
Published: January 2020

Emerging technologies have an undeniably significant impact on the hospitality industry. Hotel owners and general managers face many challenges to compete in an ever-increasingly competitive market. Many hotels are quick to adopt some of the emerging technologies to maximize brand visibility, gain operational efficiencies, and enhance customer experiences. The digital transformation is well underway. Hotels need to keep up with technological changes; otherwise, they are taking risks being left behind. This chapter encompasses the digital transformation of the hospitality industry to examine the impact of it on operational competence and organizational performance in an emerging country like Taiwan. Five case studies are used in this chapter. In-depth interviews with the executives of the leading hotels in Taiwan are a source of rich information and reflect the gradual transformation of technology in the hotel industry of Taiwan.
Disillusioned by Experience
Authors: Taylor Jonathan E. , Frye Steven B.
Published: January 2020

This qualitative study examined the role that a priori conceptual frameworks play in fostering learning resistance by adult learners in a mandatory training context. In this qualitative study p/k-12 school teachers were interviewed about the views they held regarding in-service teacher training. Methods consisted of a taxonomic analysis with an imported concept, both from other sources. A taxonomic analysis is associated with grounded theory, and codes data using a taxonomy. The imported concept was a taxonomic framework taken from another source and was based on conceptual change research. The general purpose of the study was to populate the imported concept with participant data.
Hybridizing Bees Algorithm with Firefly Algorithm for Solving Complex Continuous Functions
Authors: Nemmich Mohamed Amine , Debbat Fatima , Slimane Mohamed
Published: January 2020

In this article, two hybrid schemes using the Bees Algorithm (BA) and the Firefly Algorithm (FA) are presented for numerical complex problem resolution. The BA is a recent population-based optimization algorithm, which tries to imitate the natural behaviour of honey bees foraging for food. The FA is a swarm intelligence technique based upon the communication behaviour and the idealized flashing features of tropical fireflies. The first approach, called the Hybrid Bee Firefly Algorithm (HBAFA), centres on improvements to the BA with FA during the local search thus increasing exploitation in each research zone. The second one, namely the Hybrid Firefly Bee Algorithm (HFBA), uses FA in the initialization step for a best exploration and detection of promising areas in research space. The performance of the novel hybrid algorithms was investigated on a set of various benchmarks and compared with standard BA, and other methods found in the literature. The results show that the proposed algorithms perform better than the Standard BA, and confirm their effectiveness in solving continuous optimization functions.
An Adaptive Neuro-Based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for the Prediction of Option Price
Authors: Abdollahi Hooman
Published: January 2020

Option price prediction has been an important issue in the finance literature within recent years. Affected by numerous factors, option price forecasting remains a challenging problem. In this study, a novel hybrid model for forecasting option price consisting of parametric and non-parametric methods is presented. This method is composed of three stages. First, the conventional option pricing methods such as Binomial Tree, Monte Carlo, and Finite Difference are used to primarily calculate the option prices. Next, the author employs an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) in which the parameters are trained with particle swarm optimization to minimize the prediction errors associated with parametric methods. To select the best input data for the ANFIS structure, which has high mutual information associated with the future option price, the proposed method uses an entropy approach. Experimental examples with data from the Australian options market demonstrate the effectivity of the proposed hybrid model in enhancing the prediction accuracy compared to another method.
Multi-Layer Distributed Constraint Satisfaction for Multi-criteria Optimization Problem
Authors: Mnif Mouna Gargouri , Bouamama Sadok
Published: January 2020

This article introduces a new approach to solve the multimodal transportation network planning problem (MTNP). In this problem, the commodities must be transported from an international network by at least two different transport modes. The main purpose is to identify the best multimodal transportation strategy. The present contribution focuses on efficient optimization methods to solve MTNP. This includes the assignment and the scheduling problems. The authors split the MTNP into layered. Each layer is presented by an agent. These agents interact, collaborate, and communicate together to solve the problem. This article defines MTNP as a distributed constraint satisfaction multi-criteria optimization problem (DCSMOP). This latter is a description of the constraint optimization problem (COP), where variables and constraints are distributed among a set of agents. Each agent can interact with other agents to share constraints and to distribute complementary tasks. Experimental results are the proof of this work efficiently.
Pedagogical Foci of Teaching Cantonese as a Second Language
Authors: Lee Siu-lun
Published: January 2020

When the West met East at the Pearl River delta during the 19th century, learning Cantonese as a second language was rooted in the area. Nowadays, there always exists a need by expatriates who are living and working in Hong Kong for learning the local language. The field was developed and influenced by theories in TESOL and foreign language education. It is also inspired by ideas and concepts of teaching Chinese as a second language since the learning of Mandarin Chinese has rapidly spread out in recent decades. Teaching Cantonese as a second language has developed with its own characteristics. This article reviews the development of teaching Cantonese as a second language in terms of pedagogical framework and teaching approaches. The article presents different pedagogical foci in the field of teaching Cantonese as a second language and discusses the academic debates whether to focus on linguistic competence or on pragmatic language use when teaching Cantonese as a second language in Hong Kong.
Terrorism in the Website
Authors: Korstanje Maximiliano Emanuel
Published: January 2020

Without any doubt, terrorism causes higher levels of anxiety and very well enhances our fears as never before. The post 9/11 context witnesses the multiplication of xenophobic expressions, such as Islamophobia or tourist-phobia, only to name a few. These expressions result from a culture of intolerance, which not only was enrooted in the ideological core of western capitalism but was accelerated just after 9/11. Some voices emphasize the needs of employing technology to make this world a safer place. This chapter goes in a contradictory direction. The authors focus on the ethical limitations of technologies when they are subordinated to the ideals of zero-risk society. Echoing Sunstein and Altheide, the authors hold the thesis that the precautionary principle has invariably created a paradoxical condition where “the invented fears” transformed in the basic grounds of a new stage of capitalism.
A Probability-Based Clustering Algorithm with CH Election for Expanding WSN Life Span
Authors: Kanellopoulos Dimitris N. , Gite Pratik
Published: January 2020

Clustering achieves energy efficiency and scalable performance in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). A cluster is formed by several sensors nodes, and one of them is elected as Cluster-head (CH). A CH collects information from the cluster members and sends aggregated data to the base station or another CH. This article proposes a new clustering algorithm (EMESISC) that is based on each node's probability of becoming a CH. This node's probability depends on its residual energy, buffer length, and received signal power. We compared EMESISC with LEACH algorithm. Simulation results showed that EMESISC is superior to LEACH.
Design of Sensor Nodes based on Principles of LoRaPhy and LoRaWAN
Authors: Muthu Maruti , Gore Sanket Sunil , Sawant Sarvesh Sandesh
Published: January 2020

The idea of research is based on long distance low power wireless communication. The primary objective is to prolong the battery life of the communication device connected to the sensors. This is done by providing single gateway to multiple nodes. Conventionally in IoT (Internet of Things) applications, the sensors are interfaced with 3G/4G modules to push the data to the server directly. Hence, individual devices require more power to send data to the server. This would deteriorate the battery backup of the system and would increase the power dissipation. By using LORA node-gateway network, a group of sensors send data to a single gateway which requires less power compared to the conventional methods. This article provides insight about the LoRa sensor node design and enclosure setup. Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) or Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) modulation technique is used to encode the data that is to be sent to the server under this scheme. The data acquired at the gateway is formatted and forwarded to the server.
Open Sourcing the Pedagogy to Activate the Learning Process
Authors: Rea Alan , Yeates Nick
Published: January 2020

Information systems graduates increasingly need to understand the collaborative, technology-driven practices inspired by open source software development that are fundamentally changing today's workplace. To meet this challenge, instructors must bring open source principles and technologies to active learning experiences. In this paper, the authors describe how nineteen undergraduates in a web development and design course at a Midwest university worked collaboratively with leading open-source software provider, Red Hat, to revamp the Teaching Open Source website. Accommodating this semester-length project required making significant revisions to course structure, instructional strategy, and assessments. The authors also describe the challenges of integrating these practices into the classroom and conclude with project reflections, including cautions and suggestions for instructors considering similar initiatives to move away from the “instructor as expert” paradigm to “meritocracy rule” thereby enabling students to make decisions with impacts beyond the classroom.
An Intelligent Opportunistic Routing Protocol for Big Data in WSNs
Authors: Bangotra Deep Kumar , Singh Yashwant , Selwal Arvind Kumar
Published: January 2020

Opportunistic routing (OR) is an emerging and promising data communication protocol in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The OR becomes more important when the routing of data is Big Data (BD) generated from multidimensional distributed sensors nodes. The central idea behind OR is overhearing and coordination between relay nodes in the forwarders list and management of multidimensional BD. It uses the salient broadcast feature of the wireless medium for achieving advanced reliability and maximizing the communication range. This article presents the basic concepts of WSN, reviews different OR protocols, and describes the use of different machine learning (ML) techniques in routing BD. Current issues and challenges associated with WSN in general and OR in particular are also presented in this article.
Caring for the Caregivers Through Healthy Human Resource Practices
Authors: Kalambi Mihir Dilip
Published: January 2020

India has a colossal shortage of human resources for health. The management of human resources in a healthcare institution is vital to enable the delivery of efficient and effective medical services and to achieve patient satisfaction. Everyone proclaims that the human asset is the most important asset. On the other side, health is declared to be one of the most important wealth. Hospitals and pharmaceutical companies constitute two arms of the “health management/ maintenance” effort of humanity. Human resource professionals face many hurdles in their attempt to deliver high-quality health care to citizens. Some of these constraints include budgets, lack of congruence between different stakeholders' values, absenteeism rates, high rates of turnover, and low morale of health personnel.
Analyzing Social Emotions in Social Network Using Graph Based Co-Ranking Algorithm
Authors: Priya Kani , Krishnaveni R.  , Krishnamurthy M.  , Bairavel S.
Published: January 2020

Twitter has become exceedingly popular, with hundreds of millions of tweets being posted every day on a wide variety of topics. This has helped make real-time search applications possible with leading search engines routinely displaying relevant tweets in response to user queries. Recent research has shown that a considerable fraction of these tweets are about “events,” and the detection of novel events in the tweet-stream has attracted a lot of research interest. However, very little research has focused on properly displaying this real-time information about events. For instance, the leading search engines simply display all tweets matching the queries in reverse chronological order. Online content exhibits rich temporal dynamics, and diverse real-time user generated content further intensifies this process. However, temporal patterns by which online content grows and fades over time, and by which different pieces of content compete for attention remain largely unexplored. This article describes tracking and analyzing public sentiment on social networks and finding the possible reasons causing these variations. It is important to find the decision from public views and opinion in different domain. They can be used to discover special topics or aspects in one text collection in comparison with another background text collection. The implemented method attains the 95% accuracy while predict the sentiments from the social websites and the 96.3% of the opinion rate with minimum time.
Exploring the Effectiveness of the Clickers-Aided Flipped English Classroom
Authors: Yu Zhonggen
Published: January 2020

The clicker-aided flipped English pedagogical approach has received popularity recently. Unfortunately, learner beliefs and motivational needs have hardly been explored in this approach. This study aims to compare the effectiveness between clicker-aided/non-clicker-aided flipped English classrooms and the traditional English pedagogical approach. The study divided the randomly selected participants into three cohorts, where different English pedagogical approaches were explored. The quantitative data was obtained from the measurements via scales of English proficiency, learner beliefs, and motivational needs. The comparative analysis and an interview concluded that the clicker-aided flipped English classroom was significantly more effective than the non-clicker-aided and the latter was more effective than the traditional English classroom in terms of English proficiency, learner beliefs and motivational needs. Interdisciplinary research may be necessary involving education, computer, statistics, linguistics and information technologies in the future.
Robotic surgery of head and neck cancers, a narrative review
Authors: Kalantari Farbood , Rajaeih Shahin , Daneshvar Ali , Karbasi Zahra , Mahdi Salem Mohammad
Published: January 2020

Head and neck cancers are the most common cancers in the body. Treatments are determined on the basis of the location and stage of the primary tumor. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the tumor, prevent recurrence or metastasis, and maintain the quality of life. There are several treatments available for the management of head and neck cancers, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, new molecular agents, and a combination of them. Transoral robotic technique is a short-time operation using a type of robotic machine in which the patient undergoes anesthesia for a shorter time and the side effects of this operation and the time of hospitalization are less than open surgery. Due to the importance of speed and accuracy in head and neck cancer surgery and the importance of application of robotics in surgery, the present study was designed and implemented to review the application of robotics in the management of head and neck cancers. In this review study, the keywords: application, robotic, surgical, head cancer, transoral robotic surgery (TORS), and neck cancer, were searched in ISI, PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar databases. Related articles written domestically or abroad that have covered areas such as the background of transoral robotic surgery, maintaining organ function and approaches, the advantages and disadvantages of TORS, the affordability of TORS, the combination of TORS with other therapeutic approaches published from 2003 to 2019 were reviewed. The use of robotic surgery for precise operations such as head and neck cancers seems to be essential. More advanced robotic devices are expected to expand the surgery treatment for head and neck cancers as well as the results of using TORS for oncologic optimization and acceptability of results while maintaining organ function and patient's quality of life.
Spinal manipulations
Authors: Cyriax James
Published: January 2020

No abstract available.
The value of deep transverse frictions in sports injuries with particular reference to the knee
Authors: Coldham Margaret
Published: January 2020

No abstract available.
Book Reviews
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: January 2020

No abstract available.
Book Review
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: January 2020

No abstract available.
The muscles of respiration
Authors: Sellars I. E.
Published: January 2020

No abstract available.
Book Review
Authors: Eales C.
Published: January 2020

Respiratory Physiotherapy and Pulmonary Care, by Ulla Ingwersen (Munksgaard, Copenhagen, 1976), John Wiley and Sons, New York/London/Sydney/Toronto. Price: Danish kroner 60,00.
Abstracts
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: January 2020

N/A.
Obituary: Evelyn Smith and Dr Harry D. Epstein
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: January 2020

No abstract available.