bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone) Ion Exchange Preparation Conditions on Membrane Properties
Authors: Yee Rebecca , Zhang Kaisong , Ladewig Bradley
Published: August 2013

A low cost cation exchange membrane to be used in a specific bioelectrochemical system has been developed using poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK). This material is presented as an alternative to current commercial ion exchange membranes that have been primarily designed for fuel cell applications. To increase the hydrophilicity and ion transport of the PEEK material, charged groups are introduced through sulfonation. The effect of sulfonation and casting conditions on membrane performance has been systematically determined by producing a series of membranes synthesized over an array of reaction and casting conditions. Optimal reaction and casting conditions for producing SPEEK ion exchange membranes with appropriate performance characteristics have been established by this uniquely systematic experimental series. Membrane materials were characterized by ion exchange capacity, water uptake, swelling, potential difference and NMR analysis. Testing this extensive membranes series established that the most appropriate sulfonation conditions were 60 °C for 6 h. For mechanical stability and ease of handling, SPEEK membranes cast from solvent casting concentrations of 15%–25% with a resulting thickness of 30–50 µm were also found to be most suitable from the series of tested casting conditions. Drying conditions did not have any apparent impact on the measured parameters in this study. The conductivity of SPEEK membranes was found to be in the range of 10−3 S cm−1, which is suitable for use as a low cost membrane in the intended bioelectrochemical systems.
Highly Efficient Biotransformation of Polydatin to Resveratrol by Snailase Hydrolysis Using Response Surface Methodology Optimization
Authors: Wang Zi , Zhao Li-Chun , Li Wei , Zhang Lian-Xue , Zhang Jing , Liang Jian
Published: August 2013

Resveratrol (RV), a dietary antioxidant polyphenolic compound found in grapes and red wine, exerts a wide variety of pharmacological activities. However, lower content in plants compared with polydatin (PD, the glucoside of RV) limits its application in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this paper, we carried out efficient biotransformation of PD to RV with 100% conversion yield by snailase hydrolysis. Moreover, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the effects of the reaction temperature, enzyme load, and reaction time on the conversion process. Validation of the RSM model was verified by the good agreement between the experimental and the predicted RV yield values. The optimum preparation conditions were as follows: temperature of 62.0 °C, enzyme load of 6.6%, and reaction time of 96 min. The proposed method may be highly applicable for the enzymatic preparation of RV for medicinal purposes.
Iron and Zinc Nutrition in the Economically-Developed World: A Review
Authors: Lim Karen , Riddell Lynn , Nowson Caryl , Booth Alison , Szymlek-Gay Ewa
Published: August 2013

This review compares iron and zinc food sources, dietary intakes, dietary recommendations, nutritional status, bioavailability and interactions, with a focus on adults in economically-developed countries. The main sources of iron and zinc are cereals and meat, with fortificant iron and zinc potentially making an important contribution. Current fortification practices are concerning as there is little regulation or monitoring of intakes. In the countries included in this review, the proportion of individuals with iron intakes below recommendations was similar to the proportion of individuals with suboptimal iron status. Due to a lack of population zinc status information, similar comparisons cannot be made for zinc intakes and status. Significant data indicate that inhibitors of iron absorption include phytate, polyphenols, soy protein and calcium, and enhancers include animal tissue and ascorbic acid. It appears that of these, only phytate and soy protein also inhibit zinc absorption. Most data are derived from single-meal studies, which tend to amplify impacts on iron absorption in contrast to studies that utilize a realistic food matrix. These interactions need to be substantiated by studies that account for whole diets, however in the interim, it may be prudent for those at risk of iron deficiency to maximize absorption by reducing consumption of inhibitors and including enhancers at mealtimes.
Application of a Force Sensor to Improve the Reliability of Measurement with Articulated Arm Coordinate Measuring Machines
Authors: González-Madruga Daniel , Cuesta Eduardo , Barreiro Joaquín , Fernandez-Abia Ana
Published: August 2013

A study of the operator contact force influence on the performance of Articulated Arm Coordinate Measuring Machines (AACMMs) is presented in this paper. After developing a sensor capable of measuring the contact force applied by an operator, a ring gauge has been used to analyse the relationship between the contact force and diameter and form errors measured with the AACMM. As a result, contact force has been proved as one of the main factors influencing the AACMM performance. A probe deflection model based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) has been also proposed in order to obtain the AACMM probe deflection caused by contact force. This allows measurement correction by comparing them with reference values, specifically, a ring gauge. Experimental test results show a significant measurement improvement that minimizes diameter error. Finally, an uncertainty evaluation for the contact force sensor and AACMM measurements with and without probe deflection model has been carried out in order to validate the ability of the sensor and the methodology followed.
Application of Visible and Near Infrared Spectroscopy for Rapid Analysis of Chrysin and Galangin in Chinese Propolis
Authors: Nie Pengcheng , Xia Zhengyan , Sun Da-Wen , He Yong
Published: August 2013

A novel method for the rapid determination of chrysin and galangin in Chinese propolis of poplar origin by means of visible and near infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIR) was developed. Spectral data of 114 Chinese propolis samples were acquired in the 325 to 1,075 nm wavelength range using a Vis-NIR spectroradiometer. The reference values of chrysin and galangin of the samples were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Partial least squares (PLS) models were established using the spectra analyzed by different preprocessing methods. The effective wavelengths were selected by successive projections algorithm (SPA) and employed as the inputs of PLS, back propagation-artificial neural networks (BP-ANN), multiple linear regression (MLR) and least square-support vector machine (LS-SVM) models. The best results were achieved by SPA-BP-ANN models established with the Savitzky-Golay smoothing (SG) preprocessed spectra, where the r and RMSEP were 0.9823 and 1.5239 for galangin determination and 0.9668 and 2.4841 for chrysin determination, respectively. The results show that Vis-NIR demosntrates powerful capability for the rapid determination of chrysin and galangin contents in Chinese propolis.
The Performance Analysis of a Real-Time Integrated INS/GPS Vehicle Navigation System with Abnormal GPS Measurement Elimination
Authors: Chiang Kai-Wei , Duong Thanh , Liao Jhen-Kai
Published: August 2013

The integration of an Inertial Navigation System (INS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS) is common in mobile mapping and navigation applications to seamlessly determine the position, velocity, and orientation of the mobile platform. In most INS/GPS integrated architectures, the GPS is considered to be an accurate reference with which to correct for the systematic errors of the inertial sensors, which are composed of biases, scale factors and drift. However, the GPS receiver may produce abnormal pseudo-range errors mainly caused by ionospheric delay, tropospheric delay and the multipath effect. These errors degrade the overall position accuracy of an integrated system that uses conventional INS/GPS integration strategies such as loosely coupled (LC) and tightly coupled (TC) schemes. Conventional tightly coupled INS/GPS integration schemes apply the Klobuchar model and the Hopfield model to reduce pseudo-range delays caused by ionospheric delay and tropospheric delay, respectively, but do not address the multipath problem. However, the multipath effect (from reflected GPS signals) affects the position error far more significantly in a consumer-grade GPS receiver than in an expensive, geodetic-grade GPS receiver. To avoid this problem, a new integrated INS/GPS architecture is proposed. The proposed method is described and applied in a real-time integrated system with two integration strategies, namely, loosely coupled and tightly coupled schemes, respectively. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, field tests with various scenarios are conducted and the results are compared with a reliable reference system.
PEDOT:PSS-Based Piezo-Resistive Sensors Applied to Reinforcement Glass Fibres for in Situ Measurement during the Composite Material Weaving Process
Authors: Trifigny Nicolas , Kelly Fern , Cochrane Cédric , Boussu François , Koncar Vladan , Soulat Damien
Published: August 2013

The quality of fibrous reinforcements used in composite materials can be monitored during the weaving process. Fibrous sensors previously developed in our laboratory, based on PEDOT:PSS, have been adapted so as to directly measure the mechanical stress on fabrics under static or dynamic conditions. The objective of our research has been to develop new sensor yarns, with the ability to locally detect mechanical stresses all along the warp or weft yarn. This local detection is undertaken inside the weaving loom in real time during the weaving process. Suitable electronic devices have been designed in order to record in situ measurements delivered by this new fibrous sensor yarn.
Rethinking Education for All
Authors: Carm Ellen
Published: August 2013

The rational for this paper is contextualized within a broader national and international agenda of reaching Education for All (EFA), knowledge transformation and production with an overall focus on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Whose education and whose development is at issue? The purpose of this paper is to reconceptualize EFA in a broader developmental context. Definitions of formal-, non-formal and informal education are applied in order to analyze the epistemological perspectives underlying the educational achievements more than two decades after Jomtien in 1990. Concepts of contextualized expansive education and object-oriented learning will be used to reveal the systemic causes of the challenges the individual actors experience in their daily learning activities. Two case studies further illustrate how a broad stakeholder involvement through collective design and implementation created innovation and educational transformation that contributed to relevant and sustained learning/knowledge and development at an individual and community level. The paper argues that in the current sociocultural context, responses to EFA need to be based on a comprehensive national education strategy, situated in the local context. By creating space for educational innovation, through interaction and negotiation, the confluence of the epistemological lenses characterizing formal, non-formal, and informal learning could ultimately be a strategy to adequately respond to the diversified learning needs of the population and sustainable developmental of the country. One expected outcome of the paper is a contribution to the future strategies of EFA beyond 2015, built on the urgent requirements for inter-professional partnership and collaboration through a multidimensional approach to education and learning.
Polymeric redox-responsive delivery systems bearing ammonium salts cross-linked via disulfides
Authors: Dollendorf Christian , Hetzer Martin , Ritter Helmut
Published: August 2013

A redox-responsive polycationic system was synthesized via copolymerization of N,N-diethylacrylamide (DEAAm) and 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). N,N’-bis(4-chlorobutanoyl)cystamine was used as disulfide-containing cross-linker to form networks by the quaternization of tertiary amine groups. The insoluble cationic hydrogels become soluble by reduction of disulfide to mercaptanes by use of dithiothreitol (DTT), tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine (TCEP) or cysteamine, respectively. The soluble polymeric system can be cross-linked again by using oxygen or hydrogen peroxide under basic conditions. The redox-responsive polymer networks can be used for molecular inclusion and controlled release. As an example, phenolphthalein, methylene blue and reactive orange 16 were included into the network. After treatment with DTT a release of the dye could be recognized. Physical properties of the cross-linked materials, e.g., glass transition temperature (Tg), swelling behavior and cloud points (Tc) were investigated. Redox-responsive behavior was further analyzed by rheological measurements.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of an Internal Family Systems-based Psychotherapeutic Intervention on Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Shadick Nancy A. , Sowell Nancy F. , Frits Michelle L. , Hoffman Suzanne M. , Hartz Shelley A. , Booth Fran D. , Sweezy Martha , Rogers Patricia R. , Dubin Rina L. , Atkinson Joan C. , Friedman Amy L. , Augusto Fernando , Iannaccone Christine K. , Fossel Anne H. , Quinn Gillian , Cui Jing , Losina Elena , Schwartz Richard C.
Published: August 2013

Objective.

To conduct a proof-of-concept randomized trial of an Internal Family Systems (IFS) psychotherapeutic intervention on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity and psychological status.

Methods.

Patients with RA were randomized to either an IFS group for 9 months (n = 39) or an education (control) group (n = 40) that received mailed materials on RA symptoms and management. The groups were evaluated every 3 months until intervention end and 1 year later. Self-assessed joint pain (RA Disease Activity Index joint score), Short Form-12 physical function score, visual analog scale for overall pain and mental health status (Beck Depression Inventory, and State Trait Anxiety Inventory) were assessed. The 28-joint Disease Activity Score-C-reactive Protein 4 was determined by rheumatologists blinded to group assignment. Treatment effects were estimated by between-group differences, and mixed model repeated measures compared trends between study arms at 9 months and 1 year after intervention end.

Results.

Of 79 participants randomized, 68 completed the study assessments and 82% of the IFS group completed the protocol. Posttreatment improvements favoring the IFS group occurred in overall pain [mean treatment effects −14.9 (29.1 SD); p = 0.04], and physical function [14.6 (25.3); p = 0.04]. Posttreatment improvements were sustained 1 year later in self-assessed joint pain [−0.6 (1.1); p = 0.04], self-compassion [1.8 (2.8); p = 0.01], and depressive symptoms [−3.2 (5.0); p =0.01]. There were no sustained improvements in anxiety, self-efficacy, or disease activity.

Conclusion.

An IFS-based intervention is feasible and acceptable to patients with RA and may complement medical management of the disease. Future efficacy trials are warranted. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00869349.
Uncovering Nurse Educators’ Beliefs and Values About Grading Academic Papers: Guidelines for Best Practices
Authors: O’Flynn-Magee Kathy , Clauson Marion
Published: August 2013

Fair and consistent assessment, specifically grading, is crucial to teaching and learning scholarship and is a professional responsibility of nurse educators. Yet, many would agree that assessment is one of the most challenging aspects of their role. Despite differing beliefs, values, and meanings attributed to grading and grades, teachers’ grading practices should be guided by principles and supported by policies. Inconsistent grading practices among educators, students’ unrealistic expectations of grades, and a trend toward grade inflation may be contributing to both educators’ and students’ concerns. A teaching scholarship project that led to a research study explored nurse educators’ beliefs, values, and practices related to the grading of written academic work. The purpose of this article is to share the findings and the resulting grading guidelines that were developed to support nurse educators’ endeavors to enact equitable grading practices. [
J Nurs Educ.
2013;52(9):492–499.]
Integrated Learning Through Student Goal Development
Authors: Price Deborah , Tschannen Dana , Caylor Shandra
Published: August 2013

New strategies are emerging to promote structure and increase learning in the clinical setting. Nursing faculty designed a mechanism by which integrative learning and situated coaching could occur more readily in the clinical setting. The Clinical Goals Initiative was implemented for sophomore-, junior-, and senior-level students in their clinical practicums. Students developed weekly goals reflecting three domains of professional nursing practice. Goals were shared with faculty and staff nurse mentors at the beginning of the clinical day to help guide students and mentors with planning for learning experiences. After 6 weeks, faculty and students were surveyed to evaluate project effectiveness. Faculty indicated that goal development facilitated clinical learning by providing more student engagement, direction, and focus. Students reported that goal development allowed them to optimize clinical learning opportunities and track their growth and progress. Faculty and students indicated the goals promoted student self-learning, autonomy, and student communication with nurse mentors and faculty. [
J Nurs Educ
. 2013;52(9):525–528.]
Students' Participation in a Social Media Enhanced Learning Environment
Authors: Tervakari Anne-Maritta , Silius Kirsi , Kailanto Meri
Published: August 2013

In this article, we introduce the results of a study concerning visualizations of studentsâ?? participation and activity in TUT Circle, a social media enhanced web service for learning, networking, and communication. Well-designed visualizations can provide useful information for teachers to improve pedagogical practices and the quality of online courses. Visualization enables students to monitor their own activity levels and performance processes, and make strategic adjustments to improve them.
e-Assessment Cloud Solution: Architecture, Organization and Cost Model
Authors: Gusev Marjan , Ristov Sasko , Arminski Goce , Velkoski Goran , Bozinoski Krste
Published: August 2013

Several challenges address the existing e-Assessment systems, such as accurate evaluation, security and data privacy, performance, scalability etc. Our focus in this paper is on e-Assessment scalability and performance.

We have developed a new SOA architecture of a cloud hosted e-Assessment system to achieve sustainable performance as a highly scalable and elastic solution.

The proposed organization solution is based on three modules (subsystems): management module, reporting module, and assessment module. The built in logic enables an efficient environment where minimum resources will be utilized during exploitation. The proposed system organization ensures that the assessment module, as active subsystem for each assessment, will work with much smaller data compared to the centralized one. The cost model developed for this solution analysis this cloud based solution against the existing e-Assessment web application.

Therefore, we expect that this solution will have several benefits, like overall cost reduction and better performance.
Decomposition Kinetics of MAX Phases in Extreme Environments
Authors: Low I.M. , Pang W.K.
Published: August 2013

MAX phases are remarkable materials but they become unstable at elevated temperatures and decompose into binary carbides or nitrides in inert atmospheres. The susceptibility of MAX phases to thermal dissociation at 1300-1550 °C in high vacuum has been studied using in-situ neutron diffraction. Above 1400 °C, MAX phases decomposed to binary carbide (e.g., TiCx) or binary nitride (e.g., TiNx), primarily through the sublimation of A-elements such as Al or Si, which results in a porous surface layer of MXx being formed Positive activation energies were determined for decomposed MAX phases with coarse pores but a negative activation energy when the pore size was less than 1.0 µm. The kinetics of isothermal phase decomposition at 1550 °C was modelled using a modified Avrami equation. An Avrami exponent (n) of < 1.0 was determined, indicative of the highly restricted diffusion of Al or Si between the channels of M6X octahedra. The role of pore microstructures on the decomposition kinetics is discussed.
C/C-ZrB2-ZrC-SiC Composite Derived from Polymeric Precursor Infiltration and Pyrolysis
Authors: Zhang Weigang , Xie Changming , Wei Xi , Ge Min
Published: August 2013

Part II. Mechanical and ablation properties of the 2D C/C-ZrB2-ZrC-SiC composites with a fiber volume fraction of 17.6%, fabricated by infiltration and co-pyrolysis of blended polymeric precursors, were studied in this Part II. Flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composites were found to be influenced strongly by the thickness of the deposited pyrolytic carbon interphase, a composite with the pyrolytic carbon volume fraction of 22.3% exhibits improved bending strength and fracture toughness of 127.9 MPa and 6.23 MPa·m1/2, respectively. The pseudo-plastic strain to failure of the composite is ascribed to sliding of the interphase and pulling out of carbon fibers from the brittle ceramics matrix. Ablation properties of the composite were investigated with a plasma torch and arc-heated wind tunnel tests at temperatures above 1800~2200°C. The composite exhibits very low ablation rates of 0.18×10-3 mm/s at 1800°C and 0.37×10-3 mm/s at 2000°C in the plasma torch after 1000s testing, as compared to a similar rate of 0.30×10-3 mm/s in the wind tunnel at 1900°C after 600s testing. Ablation rates increase with increasing of temperatures from 1800 to 2200°C. The maximum ablation rate is only 1.67×10-3 mm/s in a plasma torch at 2200°C for 1000s, decreased by 71.0% as compared with the C/C-SiC composite with the same fiber and interphase contents. The 2D C/C-ZrB2-ZrC-SiC composite simultaneously showed excellent thermal shock resistance, on account of no cracks on the surface and breakage of the material being detected after these abrupt temperature increasing and long time ablations. The heating-up rate at the center of the composite specimen was found as high as above 30K/s in the plasma torch tests. Excellent ablation and thermal shock resistances of the composite can be attributed to its architecture of carbon fiber and interphase, as well as its matrix microstructures characterized by nano sized dispersions of ZrB2-Zr-SiC phases inherent formed by co-pyrolysis of three polymeric precursors. These meso- and microstructures make the composites possess very small and steady coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) around 1.5~2.5×10-6/K and high thermal conductivities around 10~14 W/mK (which increases with increasing of temperature) from room temperature to 1300°C, respectively. Surface products and cross sectional morphologies of the composite after the ablation tests were also investigated using SEM and XRD, it was found that a homogeneous distributed and continuous glass layer composing of ZrO2-SiO2 with zirconia as a skeleton was in-situ formed. These special features of coating benefits from the merits of matrix microstructures, and inhibits the inward diffusion of oxygen and protects the composite from further oxidation and spalled off by strong gas fluid.
Towards Automated Verification of P Systems Using Spin
Authors: Lefticaru Raluca , Tudose Cristina , Ipate Florentin
Published: August 2013

This paper presents an approach to P systems verification using the Spin model checker. The authors have developed a tool which implements the proposed approach and can automatically transform P system specifications from P-Lingua into Promela, the language accepted by the well known model checker Spin. The properties expected for the P system are specified using some patterns, representing high level descriptions of frequently asked questions, formulated in natural language. These properties are automatically translated into LTL specifications for the Promela model and the Spin model checker is run against them. In case a counterexample is received, the Spin trace is decoded and expressed as a P system computation. The tool has been tested on a number of examples and the results obtained are presented in the paper.
The Four Levers for Change in Knowledge Management Implementation
Authors: Flynn Robert , Marshall Verena
Published: August 2013

The purpose of this chapter is to argue the connection between successful knowledge management implementation and a robust change management platform. The framework emanating from the platform is that of four levers: Mobilisation, Communication, Infrastructure, and Sustainability. Drawing on the research literature and the writers’ combined experience in implementing change and knowledge management in the Public Sector, the content examines utilisation of the four levers in overcoming the barriers to knowledge management systems and promoting commitment to their success. A planned outcome of this chapter is that Public Sector managers can consider and “leverage” the opportunity offered by knowledge management and sharing in the formulation and delivery of government policy. The framework of the four levers is considered from a conceptual perspective and acknowledges the opportunity for their exploration and testing in future empirical research.
Employing Individuals’ Social Capital to Create Value in the Public Sector Organisations
Authors: Ghaznavi Mahmood , Iqbal Salman , Toulson Paul
Published: August 2013

Social capital provides individuals with access to knowledge. Knowledge Management (KM) research recognises the importance of individuals’ social capital in problem solving and innovation. However, while discussing the link between social capital and value creation, the literature seems ambitious in portraying that social capital can create new knowledge and drive innovation in firms. The authors argue that social capital can provide access to knowledgeable individuals but purposeful knowledge collaboration needs to be arranged by knowledge workers according to their specific knowledge needs. In this chapter, the authors discuss how public sector knowledge workers can utilise their social capital to create value for their organisation. The chapter presents a task-based knowledge collaboration model to improve performance and innovation capability of the public sector organisations. The model suggests that public sector organisations should support and encourage cross-organisational knowledge collaboration through informal (personal) networking of employees.
Assessing Knowledge Management Processes and Competitive Advantage in Local Authorities using Knowledge Management Assessment Instrument (KMAI)
Authors: Abu Bakar Abu Hassan , Virgiyanti Wiwied , Tufail Muhammad Asim , Yusof Mohamad Nizam
Published: August 2013

For academics and professionals, knowledge management has been widely known as a core agenda and has been recognized as one of the most important sources of competitive advantage. Managing knowledge to achieve organizational performance is not only crucial for private sector institutions, but it is significant for the public sector institutions as well. Since the study of knowledge management in the public sector is still in its infancy, this study is aimed at investigating the relationship between knowledge management processes and competitive advantages in local authorities in Malaysia to raise the awareness of the importance of managing organizational knowledge, particularly in the public sector. For this study, the data was collected from selected Heads of Departments in 42 institutions of local authorities in Peninsular Malaysia and yielded 82 usable responses. The analysis suggests that all six knowledge management processes (knowledge creation, capture, organization, storage, dissemination, and application) have a strong relationship with competitive advantage. This study is expected to raise awareness and provide initial guidelines to local authorities as knowledge-intensive institutions to formulate strategies on how to manage the knowledge management processes within the organization.
Project Story Capturing System
Authors: Kalid Khairul Shafee B , Saifullah Mohd Syafiq
Published: August 2013

Studies have shown that one of the failures of government projects in Malaysia is the lack of necessary knowledge among project team members. Therefore, knowledge management in project environment is seen as important because it enables project team members to perform project activities and make informed decisions more effectively. While knowledge in government projects are made explicitly through project reports, standard operating procedures, guidelines, policies, and others, the capture of tacit knowledge such as project team members’ experience, insights, and judgments are less emphasized. One of the tools to capture tacit knowledge is storytelling. This chapter presents a video-based storytelling system that enables project related tacit knowledge to be captured, stored, and circulated.
Communities of Practice in the Catalan Public Administration
Authors: Rodríguez-Gómez David , Gairín Joaquín
Published: August 2013

Communities of Practice are one of the leading strategies used to promote knowledge management processes aimed at generating both organisational and individual learning along with innovations that contribute to improving the public administration. The optimal design of Communities of Practice in organisations implies exhaustive knowledge of how they work, and particularly identifying and understanding the factors that determine their operation and effectiveness for organisational change. This chapter presents some of the most important results of a study conducted in two departments within the Catalan public administration. The goal of the study was to analyse knowledge management processes and propose intervention protocols and quality standards. This study enabled the authors to present proposals aimed at improving the dynamics of the Communities of Practice in the public administration and to suggest possible avenues of research focused on improving the functioning of the public sector.
Semiotic Analysis of the Conceptual Outlay of Knowledge Management
Authors: Bojelo Mooketsi , Bwalya Kelvin Joseph
Published: August 2013

Knowledge Management (KM) development in the SADC region has been hampered by contextual challenges and lack of context-aware KM designs and interventions. In most of the cases, the frameworks and models utilized are adopted from the developed world with inherent characteristics of the developed world and when these are introduced on the African scene, they provide a contextual mismatch. This chapter presents the fundamental concepts of knowledge management especially as conceptualized in the African context and paves way for the design of a framework commensurate to the dynamic environment of the African continent. The chapter presents key concepts of knowledge management and probes whether the desired levels of knowledge management development have been reached to guarantee effective participation in the global knowledge value chains. This conceptual chapter emanates from extensive literature and document review on the different interventions and strategies for KM development in the SADC region. Using South Africa as a case, the chapter presents the ramifications that need to be followed with regards to KM design and implementation. The chapter provides “semiotic” analysis of the synergy between different KM interventions propagated by the governments and/or co-operating partners and actual realization of a knowledge economy.
Global Education in the Russian Federation
Authors: Schmidtke Carsten
Published: August 2013

This chapter explores the history of international activities and global education in the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the Russian Federation. Although readers might expect that Russia has over the centuries had a significant impact on global matters, just the opposite has been the case. Rather than impressing its mark on the world, Russia has generally been a country that was affected by global developments and has had to react to its demands and influences. One of the barriers to Russia’s assuming a more proactive role today is Russian suspicion toward globalization and the intentions of Western countries within a global framework. In addition, Russians fear that too hasty an introduction of globalization might help tear their multi-ethnic nation apart. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that unless Russia stabilizes its domestic cultural interactions and unless direct benefits for Russia can be discerned from a more global orientation, its involvement in global education will remain quite restrained.
Collaboration Not Competition
Authors: Benton Cynthia J. , White Orvil L. , Stratton Susan K.
Published: August 2013

This chapter documents the development of a program for college faculty, public school teachers, graduate, and undergraduate students to pursue international travel, study, and teaching in Thailand. The program features collaboration among institutions, faculty colleagues, and school personnel focused particularly on science and mathematics education. The chapter reflects on the current methodological perspectives used to compare educational systems and the concomitant outcomes in workforce articulation. Details of expansion, development, and measurement of local, individual, and program success are provided and analyzed using current competitive international models. An alternative view of international relationships as collaborative learning opportunities is proposed.
The Roles of Professional Organizations in School Library Education
Authors: Farmer Lesley S. J.
Published: August 2013

International guidelines for school libraries and school librarians exist. However, the role of professional library associations in school librarian education has been largely overlooked. This exploratory study examines the role of professional library associations in Brazil, Honduras, Nepal, and the United States (specifically California) relative to school librarian pre-service education and in-service professional development. The associations are analyzed in light of communities of practice and the contingency theory of socialization. The findings demonstrate how professional library associations provide culturally relevant professional development that melds professional expertise and socialization.
Homeowner Behavioral Intent to Evacuate After Flood Risk Warnings
Authors: Strang Kenneth David
Published: August 2013

The purpose was to create a model for improving resident attitudes toward flood evacuation warnings. Survivors of Hurricane Sandy in New York City were surveyed to test hypotheses based on a behavioral intent construct developed from the social-psychology literature. Expectancy Theory and Theory of Reasoned Action served as the basis for the personal attitude and social norm factors. Near disaster experience was derived from natural disaster studies to form a moderator of personal attitude. Credibility of the evacuation message source was engineered from Balance Theory in the consumer behavior literature as a modifier for social norms. A statistically significant model was developed using correlation, stepwise regression, ordinary least squares regression, and logistic regression. Only two composite factors were needed to capture 55.4% of the variance for behavioral intent to evacuate. The model predicted 43.9% of the evacuation decisions, with 13.3% undecided, leaving 42.8 incorrectly classified), using an ex post facto design (N=405).
An Experimental Study and Analysis of Full Process of External Prestressing CFRP Concrete Box Girder
Authors: Zhu Ming Qiao , Pan Hua , Wei Fu Jia , Liu Qiao
Published: August 2013

A full rang of external prestressing CFRP concrete box girder flexural performance have been tested. Crack distribution, deflection,strain distribution, stress increment of external CFRP have been measured. The results demonstrate that that as the load increase, the shear lag phenomenon on the upper and bottom plate of the box girder is more significantly; There is a certain friction Loss on the interface between CFRP and two steering block which arrange in the mid-span. If suitable element models and material constitutive laws are chose, the ANSYS program may simulate the fully flexural experimental process of the box girder, the result is well agree with the experimental result.
Site-Test Research on Shearing Capacity of Bonding Interface between New and Old Concrete
Authors: Li Xiao Xia , Yang Zhi Gang
Published: August 2013

Base on a practical project, the site-test Research on s Capacity of Bonding Interface Between New and Old Concrete was carried out with three different disposal ways, which is Roughening ,slotting and planting bar. The test process and phenomenon were described, The conclusion is that Planting bar is a more effective way to improve the bearing capacity between the new and old concrete surface.
The Application of MATLAB-Based Monte Carlo Method in Hydraulic Structures Reliability
Authors: Feng Geng , Ma Cheng , Zheng Dong Jian , Yao Zao , You Lai Feng , Tang Duo Zhen
Published: August 2013

Since the application restrictions of JC method for hydraulic structures reliability, and the drawbacks of Monte Carlo method for large and complex hydraulic structures, this paper combines MATLAB with Monte Carlo method to analysis and calculate hydraulic structures reliability. Also, this paper puts forward the grading standards for hydraulic structures reliability. Taking a masonry gravity dam for example, using the Monte Carlo method and MATLAB programming to analysis the dam's sliding and strength failure risk, and then grading the dam. The results show that the application of MATLAB-based Monte Carlo method in hydraulic structures reliability is simple and quick, with good usability and operability.
Concentration Distribution of Chloride Ion in Cracked Concrete
Authors: Yu Bo , Huang Zhong Hui , Wu Ming , Sun Hui Liang , Yang Lu Feng , Hong Bin
Published: August 2013

Cracks provide diffusion path for chloride ions transport from the external environment into the concrete, resulting in the durability degradation of concrete structures. In this paper, the boundary condition of cracked concrete and chloride diffusion coefficient in crack were analyzed. The time-dependent chloride diffusion model was established based on the time-dependent chloride diffusion coefficient and the Ficks second law of diffusion. The influence of crack on the concentration distribution of chloride ion in cracked concrete was quantificationally investigated.
Axial Compression Performance Research of RPC Filled Steel Tube Columns Based on the Unified Strength Theory
Authors: Zhu Qian , Zhao Jun Hai , Li Yan , Wu Peng , Wang Su
Published: August 2013

With consideration of the intermediate principal stress,the calculation formula of bearing capacity of RPC filled steel tube columns under axial compression is deduced based on the twin shear unified strength theory. Combining with the bond-slip theory,new ultimate bearing capacity formula is derived with the highest regard for bond stress. Compared with the theoretical result and the experimental data,good agreement can be found. The results show that unified strength theory and the bond-slip theory are versatile in theoretical analysis of the column. The analysis results can be provided for the optimum design of RPC filled steel tube and the solution has an important practical value for engineering application.
Study on Dynamic Characteristics and Parameter Sensitivity of Three Spans Prestressed Continuous Beam
Authors: Shi Lu Ning , He Hao Xiang , Yan Wei Ming , Chen Yan Jiang , Zhang Da
Published: August 2013

Established the three spans prestressed continuous beam dynamic equation, obtained analytical expression of frequency equation. To solve the frequency equation for natural frequency, and compared with the finite element numerical analysis results, the frequency both with analytical expression and with finite element are in good agreement. The formula can be obtained accurately the dynamic parameters of three spans prestressed continuous beam such as frequency. At the same time, the paper also studied the natural frequency sensitivity analysis of three spans prestressed continuous beam, and focuses on the impact on the frequency with effective prestress and prestressed eccentricity.
Analysis and Prospect of Size Effect on Normal Section Bearing Capacity of Reinforced Concrete Column
Authors: Xie Yong Ping , Jia Lei , Sun Gang
Published: August 2013

With the development of modern constructional technique, more attention on the size effect is paid by academics and engineers. The normal section bearing capacity of Reinforced Concrete Column is analyzed by eccentrically compressed theory firstly. The size effect on normal section bearing capacity of reinforced concrete column is obtained by theoretical analysis and experimental summary. The size effect formula of concrete compressive strength is proposed. Finally, a research thinking of size effect on bearing capacity is suggested.
Simulation Analysis of Longitudinal Shear Bond Performance of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Composite Slab
Authors: Zhang Yan Kun , Song Ze Zhao
Published: August 2013

Because of the experiment can only reflect the overall performance of composite slabs under the various parameters combined action, and to ensure the materiality level of one single parameter, ANSYS, one of the finite element analysis software, was used in analogue simulation. According to selected reasonable elements and generated contact elements where between profiled steel sheet and lightweight aggregate concrete, appropriate mathematical model was been built. With full Newton-Raphson method to calculate nonlinear equation, the relevant data and curves were been obtained. Through the comparison between simulation analysis results and experiment results, the mathematical model was verified that it could reflect experiment correctly. These studies could provide assistance in the lightweight aggregate concrete composite slab project finally.
Structural Damage Assessment by an Improved Flexibility Sensitivity Method
Authors: Lu Fang Jun , Yang Qiu Wei , Li Jian Heng , Jin Wei Min , Yao Ying
Published: August 2013

Structural damage detection using vibration modes has become a very important research area in recent years. In this paper, an improved generalized flexibility sensitivity method is presented for structural damage identification. The existing generalized flexibility method is firstly reviewed and then an improved technique is proposed. In this contribution, a simple accelerated formula is developed to improve the accuracy of the generalized flexibility method. With the introduction of the accelerated formula, the proposed method is able to achieve more accurate results than that obtained by the original generalized flexibility method without any high-order analysis or multi-iterations. The effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated using simulated data on a published numerical example. From the numerical results, it can be conclued that the proposed new method is very efficient with only the first frequency and its corresponding mode shape. It has been shown that the proposed procedure is simple to implement and may be useful for structural damage identification.
Theoretical Analysis of the Impact on the Rod Bending about the Axial Force
Authors: Li Zhi Da , Wu Di
Published: August 2013

Starting from the basic theory, to deduce the balance equations of the rod under the vertical and horizontal loads. Concerning the boundary problem, to analyze of this most general conditions, that is, the elastic rod ends are fixed on the elastic supports, thus to summary the common simplified boundary conditions.
Research on Practical Design Method of Single-Layer Lattice Shell Components
Authors: Wang Fan , Pan Xiao Rong
Published: August 2013

There are some limitations on the calculation about effective length factor of the single-layer lattice shell structure`s component by the current specifications. That`s why Euler formula is commonly used to anti-push the effective length in engineering design. In traditional design, one or few components were used to calculate the effective length factor, and the single biggest value is assigned to all components for design. Owing to the coarse method, values of some components` effective length are too large or too small. This paper improved the traditional design method, and used excel in formula programming to calculate effective length factors of all components. Then all factors are assigned to all components for designing by SAP2000. At the end of the article, it explored the difference in this new design method with the traditional design method.
Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis on the Abnormal Exterior Joint of Steel Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Yang Ke Jia , Zhu Jia Ning , Li Xiao Wen
Published: August 2013

Nonlinear finite element analysis of abnormal exterior joints consist of Steel Reinforced Concrete column and Reinforced Concrete beam was performed using ABAQUS computation program, the joints failure mode and the skeleton curve were calculated. Comparison with experimental results to prove the reliability of finite element analysis. Then, the paper analyzed different parameters which affect the joints loading capacity, the results indicate that to a certain extent, the eccentricity of the upper and lower column sections and steel ratio both have important effects on the stiffness and ultimate loading capacity of the joints; with the increment of the ratio of axial compression, the joints ductility will be reduced.
Study on Bend Performence of Binding Bars Prestressed Steel Box Concrete Beam
Authors: Zhou Chun Li , Zhang Qian
Published: August 2013

Put forward binding bars prestressed concrete filled steel box girder and analyses it’s advantage, Study on the bending moment by the fiber model method to analyze the beam-Curvature and load-Relation curves of deflection theory.Through the finite element software analysis of prestressed concrete steel box beam prestressed concrete filled steel tubes and four ways to set binding bars the ultimate bearing capacity of the beam,Analysis of the influence of the thickness of the steel plate and rod diameter, constraint, constraint rod axial spacing on various beam flexural capacity.The results show that,Binding bar has more advantages for prestressed concrete steel box using a thin plate bending ability improvement,Diameter, spacing of the binding bars binding bars as long as not bending capacity of prestressed concrete with binding bars of steel box beam structure under the condition of impact.
Grey New Information GOM(1,1) Model Based on Opposite-Direction Accumulated Generating and its Application
Authors: Che Xiao Yi , Luo You Xin , He Zhe Ming
Published: August 2013

As the monotonic decreasing data the traditional grey model is characteristic with low accuracy, using the opposite-direction accumulated generating operation, making full use of the new information, the formula of the parameters was induced and the grey new information GOM(1,1) model was established based on opposite-direction accumulated generating operation. It provides a new way for the grey model. The examples show the model is practical and reliable.