bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital Locker: an initiative of Government of India
Authors: Singh Rakesh Kumar , Singh Ranjan
Published: November 2016

- Use of information and communication technology (ICT) is increasing constantly in the world. India is no exception to this link development and today, almost all government and non-government operations increased use of information technology techniques. There are many such schemes undertaken by the government of India under digital india programme which are very beneficial for the citizens. Transparency in government activities are being increased due to these schemes and routine work speeding up. Citizines can take benefits of various government schemes with the use of this digital technology by sitting at home through online mode. Digital locker is the scheme which was started under digital India programme. Indian citizens can store their important documents on the internet in digital form by using this digital locker facility. Citizens need to have aadhar card to avail the facility of digital locker.
Govt. language technical Seminar
on “Availability, utility and management of water resources in India”- a report
Authors: Singh Naveen Prakash
Published: November 2016

One day technical seminar on availability, utility and management of water resources in India was held on 28 September, 2016 at Baroda, Gujarat, in joint collaboration with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited(O.N.G.C.) and Geological Parishad, Baroda. Report embodies academic and technical activities during the Seminar.
Isolation of humic acid from oxidized lignite and complexation with metal cations
Authors: Catovic Benjamin , Sisic Minela , Srabovic Majda , Huremovic Melita
Published: November 2016

Lignite is brown coal, which in its composition contains humic acids. Humic acids are produced by coal combustion, which leads to the enrichment of coal humic acids. Lignite, from the opet pit mine Sikulje, lignite ore ?Kreka?, Bosnia and Herzegovina, was fragmented and sieved to the appropriate size and used as a base material. The isolation of humic acid was carried out from pre-oxidized and dried lignite after which it was refined. Identification thus obtained humic acids was carried out by FTIR spectroscopy and its characterization of UV analysis which is determined by optical density of isolated humic acid and its complexation with metal cations. Data obtained by FTIR spectroscopic analysis of isolated humic acids show no significant structural and chemical difference in relation to the spectrum obtained for standard humic acids (Sigma Aldrich). UV analysis showed that isolated and standard humic acid have E4/E6 ratio in an appropriate range of 3?5, which indicates the presence of a large number of aliphatic structure. Based on the degree of humification was found that the isolated humic acids belong to the type B standard while humic acids belong to type A. The most important property of the humic substances is the ability to interact with the metal ions forming soluble or insoluble complexes which possess different chemical and biological properties and stability. The nature of the complex between humic acid and metal cation derived from the heterogeneous, polyelectric and polydispersive character humic acids that occurs due to the presence of a large number of functional groups. Complexation of humic acid is carried out with different concentrations of metal nitrate solutions and at different pH values. Different amounts of humic acids were used for the complexation. The amount of the free metal ions was measured with the ICP-OES methode. The data were also statistically analyzed with ANOVA. The results showed that increasing the pH reduces the concentration of metal ions adsorbed on humic acid and by increasing the concentrations and amounts of metal humic acid that power increases. On the basis of the difference in absorbance between metals and humic acids can be said that there is an interaction between the metal and the ligand and is based on absorbance values obtained can be determine the next set of metal binding to humic acids Pb>Zn>Ni>Cu.
Modalities of treatment for sleep disordered breathing
Authors: Tin Win , Ohn Khin Maung
Published: November 2016

Sleep disordered breathing is a spectrum of diseases that includes snoring, upperairway resistance syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea. It occurs more in obese males, resulting in hypertension and cardiac complications if untreated. There are various treatments, conservatively and surgically, starting from simple tonsillectomy to multi-level surgeries and multi discipline. Literature review was carried out on the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, complications, diagnosis and various treatments, using internet Google, search PubMed. Additional information was obtained by cross referencing, using text and journals in the medical libraries.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 361-369
Water quality, feeding management and cost-benefit analysis of a fish hatchery in Jessore district of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md Monirul , Hassan Rashidul , Sharif BM Newaz , Rahaman Md Mostafizur , Islam Md Aminur , Amin Md Ruhul
Published: November 2016

The study was conducted at Ma-Fatema Fish Hatchery in Jessore from January to March, 2016. The present study was emphasized on water quality parameters, feeding management and cost- benefit analysis. The water quality parameters temperature (0C), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO) (mg/l) and transparency (cm) were measured by Celsius thermometer, pH meter, DO meter and secchi disk, respectively. The proximate composition of feed ingredients was determined by the Association of Analytical Chemists, 1980. Brood fishes were reared all year round in the brood ponds by supplying formulated feeds. Temperature was 19oC -26°C in brood ponds and 18oC-24oC in hatching jars; pH was 6.937.87 in brood ponds and 6.79-7.54 in the hatching jars; dissolved oxygen was 4.8-6.3 mg/l in brood ponds and 4.8-6.7 mg/l in hatching jars; transparency was 14-18 cm in the brood ponds. The percentage of farm made feed was protein (27.76%), lipid (4.9%), CHO (18.62%), ash (11.31%), fiber (6.4%), moisture (31.01%). The cost benefit ratios were 1.54, 1.32 and 1.23 and net profits were BDT 49911.67, BDT 24816.67and BDT 16366.67 respectively in January, February and March. Management of brood fish by providing quality feed and physico-chemical parameters of water were maintained in according to scientific procedure. Cost-benefit ratio of the hatchery in common carp production was satisfactory.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 414-421
Arsenic deposition in different organs or tissues in an experimental toxicosis of White Newzealand Rabbit
Authors: Ahmed Shaifuddin , Siddiqui Md Saiful Islam , Islam Kamrul , Islam Md Nazrul , Gani Mohammad Usman , Moonmoon Sharifunnessa , Rashid Md Harun Or , Awal Md Abdul
Published: November 2016

The present study was undertaken for the detection of arsenic in different organs or tissues in an experimentally induced arsenicosis affected adult Newzealand white rabbits. The experiment was carried out on a total of 30 (01 month old) adult Newzealand white rabbits. Experimental arsenicosis were developed in rabbits by oral administration of arsenic trioxide alone and along with tannic acid, di-sodium hydrogen phosphate (DSHP), alum and As contaminated water after filtration using SCIF bed along with alum. For this, the rabbits were randomly divided in to six (6) equal groups (A,B,C,D,E & F) at the ratio of three males and two females in each group, rats of group A was kept as control without giving any treatment, rabbits of group B received arsenic trioxide@100ppm, group C received arsenic trioxide @ 100ppm plus tannic acid @100ppm, group D received arsenic trioxide @ 100ppm plus di-sodium hydrogen phosphate (DSHP) @100ppm, group E received arsenic trioxide @100ppm plus alum @100ppm orally daily for 60 days in all cases and group F received alum@100ppm in SCIF-bed filtrated water orally daily for 60 days. The different organs and tissues of both dead and sacrificed rabbits (Liver, kidney, heart, Lungs spleen, stomach, muscle and skin) were collected for detection of arsenic. Arsenic was detected qualitatively by Reinsch test, semiquantitatively by Merck Arsen test kit. The distribution of arsenic concentration was highest in liver and lowest in skin. It has been concluded that arsenic were deposited in different organs or tissues of rabbit in an experimentally induced arsenicosis as like as natural occurrence.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 422-428
Economic analysis of the fishery activities of Bergobindapur baor at Chaugachha upazila under Jessore district of Bangladesh
Authors: Sharif BM Newaz , Ali Md Yousuf , Saha Manos Kumar , Ahmad Md Anam , Islam Md Aminur , Amin Md Ruhul
Published: November 2016

The study was conducted on Bergobindapur baor at Chaugachha upazila under Jessore district. The study period was February to June, 2015. Data were collected by using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools and personal observation. Net return was loss in 2013-2014 and the loss amount was BDT 254200. Cost benefit-ratio in 2013-2014 was 0.99. Major income (83.30%) of the fishermen community was drawn from the fishery activities of Bergobindapur baor. In 2014-2015, average income of fishermen was BDT 25250 during the fishing period. Within the household of fishermen community, the expenditure for food was 19%, clothing, 3%, childrens education, 19%, medical, 3%, dowry and religion, 33%, agriculture, 13% and others, such as business, accommodation, sanitation etc. 10%, which came from baor activities. The findings of this study indicated that Bergobindapur baor plays a vital role for the support of livelihood of fishermen and net profit from baor was not satisfactory. A long-term strategy should be developed to make the baor profitable. The developed strategic plans should be initiated immediately for the profitability of the baor as well as improving the livelihood conditions of the fishermen engaged with the boar fishery activities.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 436-441
Yield and grain dimensions of T. Aman rice varieties as influenced by date of transplanting
Authors: Reza Syeda Nuzhat , Tani Nahid Nadia , Salim Muhammad , Hasan Ahmed Khairul , Akter Mst Arjina
Published: November 2016

A field experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during June 2013 to December 2013 to study the yield and grain dimensions of transplant aman rice varieties as influenced by date of transplanting. The experimental factors comprised of two factors namely, date of transplanting and variety. Date of transplanting comprised of 18 July, 19 August and 18 September. The variety comprised of Binadhan-7, BRRI dhan57, BR11 and Bashiraj. The experimental field was laid out in a split plot design. Most of the yield parameters were significantly affected by the date of transplanting. The yield and yield contributing characters were highest at 19 August transplanting and lowest at 18 September transplanting. Variety had significant effect on most of the yield and yield contributing characters. BR11 gave the highest grain yield (4.47 t ha-1) and the lowest value was obtained in BRRI dhan57. Among the grain dimensions, Binadhan-7 with 18 July transplanting gave the highest grain length (9.64 mm) whereas BR11 with 18 September transplanting gave the lowest value (7.82mm). Results showed that yield components were highest at 19 August transplanting and after that the reduction occurred at 18 September may be due to low temperature and short day length at flowering stage.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 442-450
Growth performance and survival of guppy (Poecilia reticulata): different formulated diets effect
Authors: Anka Ishrat Zahan , Jothi Jakia Sultana , Sarker Joyshri , Talukder Avijit , Islam Md Sadrul
Published: November 2016

Growth performance of guppy fries was assessed by providing four different types of formulated diets comprised of some available ingredients (fish meal (FM), prawn meal (PM), meat and bone meal (MBM), wheat flour (WF), corn flour (CF), starch (S) and soya bean oil) and the result was compared with supplied commercial diet as control. After 30 days experimental period, diet 1 (FM: PM=6:1) showed the best result in case of length gain (0.48 cm) in guppies whereas lowest (0.01 cm) was reported from diet 2 (PM: MBM= 4:3). The body weight gain in guppies was also found higher (0.004 g) in diet 1 than other diets. Specific growth rate (SGR) of all formulated diets was between 1.03% to 4.8% while 0.7% was found in commercial diet. Maximum survival rate (95%) was recorded in formulated diet 1 whereas 80% was investigated in control .Growth trend of guppies from all the supplied formulated diets resulted better rather than the imported commercial diets. So, Commercial diets might be replaced by experimental diets for the better production of guppy.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 451-457
No Effect of Cathodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Fear Memory in Healthy Human Subjects
Authors: Mungee Aditya , Burger Max , Bajbouj Malek
Published: November 2016

Background: Studies have demonstrated that fear memories can be modified using non-invasive methods. Recently, we demonstrated that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is capable of enhancing fear memories. Here, we examined the effects of cathodal tDCS of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during fear reconsolidation in humans. Methods: Seventeen young, healthy subjects were randomly assigned to two groups, which underwent fear conditioning with mild electric stimuli paired with a visual stimulus. Twenty-four hours later, both groups were shown a reminder of the conditioned fearful stimulus. Shortly thereafter, they received either tDCS (right prefrontal—cathodal, left supraorbital—anodal) for 20 min at 1 mA, or sham stimulation. A day later, fear responses of both groups were compared. Results: On Day 3, during fear response assessment, there were no significant differences between the tDCS and sham group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that cathodal tDCS of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (right prefrontal—cathodal, left supraorbital—anodal) did not influence fear memories.
Cellular Automata Modelling of Photo-Induced Oxidation Processes in Molecularly Doped Polymers
Authors: Goldie David
Published: November 2016

The possibility of employing cellular automata (CA) to model photo-induced oxidation processes in molecularly doped polymers is explored. It is demonstrated that the oxidation dynamics generated using CA models exhibit stretched-exponential behavior. This dynamical characteristic is in general agreement with an alternative analysis conducted using standard rate equations provided the molecular doping levels are sufficiently low to prohibit the presence of safe-sites which are impenetrable to dissolved oxygen. The CA models therefore offer the advantage of exploring the effect of dopant agglomeration which is difficult to assess from standard rate equation solutions. The influence of UV-induced bleaching or darkening upon the resulting oxidation dynamics may also be easily incorporated into the CA models and these optical effects are investigated for various photo-oxidation product scenarios. Output from the CA models is evaluated for experimental photo-oxidation data obtained from a series of hydrazone-doped polymers.
Emulsion Polymerization of Tung Oil-Based Latexes with Asolectin as a Biorenewable Surfactant
Authors: Johns Ashley , Edwards Kyle , Inglesby Sarah , Quirino Rafael
Published: November 2016

Bio-based vesicles, with potential application in drug delivery and/or catalyst encapsulation, have been prepared by the free radical emulsion co-polymerization of tung oil, divinylbenzene (DVB), n-butyl methacrylate (BMA), and asolectin in a xylene/water mixture. The free radical polymerization was initiated by di-tert-butyl peroxide (DTBP) at 100 °C in a convection oven. Molecular weights of approximately 11,000 Da were measured by Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight (Maldi-TOF) for tung oil-asolectin copolymers, verifying that significant polymerization occurs under the cure conditions employed. The cure of the co-monomer mixture employed in this work was monitored by Dielectric Analysis (DEA), while changes in the Raman spectrum of all co-monomers before and after the cure, along with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, have been used to verify the need of a post-cure step and completion of the polymerization reaction. Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) images of the emulsion after polymerization indicate that vesicles were formed, and vesicle size distribution of samples prepared with different amounts of tung oil were determined using a Zetasizer.
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Intercropping within Managed Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) Does Not Affect Wild Bee Communities
Authors: Campbell Joshua , Miller Darren , Martin James
Published: November 2016

Intensively-managed pine (Pinus spp.) have been shown to support diverse vertebrate communities, but their ability to support invertebrate communities, such as wild bees, has not been well-studied. Recently, researchers have examined intercropping switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), a native perennial, within intensively managed loblolly pine (P. taeda) plantations as a potential source for cellulosic biofuels. To better understand potential effects of intercropping on bee communities, we investigated visitation of bees within three replicates of four treatments of loblolly pine in Mississippi, U.S.A.: 3–4 year old pine plantations and 9–10 year old pine plantations with and without intercropped switchgrass. We used colored pan traps to capture bees during the growing seasons of 2013 and 2014. We captured 2507 bees comprised of 18 different genera during the two-year study, with Lasioglossum and Ceratina being the most common genera captured. Overall, bee abundances were dependent on plantation age and not presence of intercropping. Our data suggests that switchgrass does not negatively impact or promote bee communities within intensively-managed loblolly pine plantations.
Investigation of the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Graphene Nanoplatelet-Cement Composite
Authors: Wang Baomin , Jiang Ruishuang , Wu Zhenlin
Published: November 2016

In this work, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were dispersed uniformly in aqueous solution using methylcellulose (MC) as a dispersing agent via ultrasonic processing. Homogenous GNP suspensions were incorporated into the cement matrix to investigate the effect of GNPs on the mechanical behavior of cement paste. The optimum concentration ratio of GNPs to MC was confirmed as 1:7 by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and the optical microscope and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images displayed remarkable dispersing performance. The GNP–cement composite exhibited better mechanical properties with the help of surface-modified GNPs. The flexural strength of cement paste increased up to 15%–24% with 0.05 wt % GNPs (by weight of cement). Meanwhile, the compressive strength of the GNP–cement composite increased up to 3%–8%. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (TG/DTG) demonstrated that the GNPs could accelerate the degree of hydration and increase the amount of hydration products, especially at an early age. Meanwhile, the lower porosity and finer pore size distribution of GNP–cement composite were detected by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). In addition, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed the introduction of GNPs could impede the development of cracks and preserve the completeness of the matrix through the plicate morphology and tortuous behavior of GNPs.
Quality Control of Traditional Cannabis Tinctures: Pattern, Markers, and Stability
Authors: Peschel Wieland
Published: November 2016

Traditional tinctures of Cannabis sativa L. became obsolete before elucidation of the main cannabinoids and routine quality testing for medicines. In view of increasing medicinal use of cannabinoids and associated safety concerns, tinctures from a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-type chemovar were studied. High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC/DAD) was used to determine THC, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA), cannabinol (CBN), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), cannflavin A/B, and total phenolics. Derived group and ratio markers describe absolute and relative profiles when varying plant part (flos, folium), extraction solvent (EtOH percentage), storage conditions (‘shelf’ or ‘fridge’ up to 15 months), and pasteurization (2 h 70 °C, 20 min 80 °C). Tinctures from female flowering tops contained ten-fold more cannabinoids than tinctures from leaves; tinctures (80%–90% EtOH) contained ten-fold more cannabinoids than tinctures (40% EtOH). The analysis of CBGA + CBG, the main co-cannabinoids aside from THCA + THC, appears more relevant than CBDA + CBD. The decarboxylation of THCA to THC—the main change during storage of freshly prepared tinctures—is after 15 months in the ‘fridge’ comparable to 3 months on the ‘shelf’. Minimally increased CBN totals did not correlate to diminished totals of THCA and THC (up to 15% after 3 months ‘shelf’, 45% after 15 months ‘fridge’). Instead, total cannabinoids or acidic/neutral cannabinoid ratios are better stability markers. Moderate changes after pasteurization and partial losses below 10% for total cannabinoids after 9 months ‘fridge’ indicate possibilities for a reasonable shelf life. Yet storage and use of non-stabilized tinctures remain critical without authorized specification and stability data because a consistent cannabinoid content is not guaranteed.
Regarding Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever in the Americas; Some Historical Aspects of a Forgotten Disease in Colombia
Authors: Faccini-Martínez Álvaro , Botero-García Carlos
Published: November 2016

In the first decades of the 20th century, scientific papers were published suggesting the presence of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever in Colombia. As a contribution, we present some historical aspects referring to this topic.
Development of single‐nucleotide polymorphism markers for Bromus tectorum (Poaceae) from a partially sequenced transcriptome
Authors: Merrill Keith R. , Coleman Craig E. , Meyer Susan E. , Leger Elizabeth A. , Collins Katherine A.
Published: November 2016

Premise of the study:

Bromus tectorum (Poaceae) is an annual grass species that is invasive in many areas of the world but most especially in the U.S. Intermountain West. Single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were developed for use in investigating the geospatial and ecological diversity of B. tectorum in the Intermountain West to better understand the mechanisms behind its successful invasion.

Methods and Results:

Normalized cDNA libraries from six diverse B. tectorum individuals were pooled and sequenced using 454 sequencing. Ninety‐five SNP assays were developed for use on 96.96 arrays with the Fluidigm EP1 genotyping platform. Verification of the 95 SNPs by genotyping 251 individuals from 12 populations is reported, along with amplification data from four related Bromus species.

Conclusions:

These SNP markers are polymorphic across populations of B. tectorum, are optimized for high‐throughput applications, and may be applicable to other, related Bromus species.
DIAGNOSIS OF CARDIAC ABNORMALITY USING HEART SOUND
Authors: Chaudhuri Anandeep , Jayanthi T.
Published: November 2016

Heart sound (HS) analysis or auscultation is a standout amongst the most simple, non-invasive and costless methods used to evaluate heart health and is one of the basic and foremost routine of a doctor while reviewing a patient. Detecting cardiac abnormality by auscultation demands a physician’s experience and even then there is a high scope of committing error. In this paper, a low cost electronic stethoscope is built to acquire HS in a novel manner by taking one from each ventricular and auricular area and superimposed, to get a resultant signal of both distinct lub-dub sound. Then, a light, fast and low computation speed beat track method followed by wavelet reconstruction is presented for correct detection of S1 and S2. It is done without ECG reference, and can be used satisfactorily on both normal and pathological HSs. Moreover, heartbeats can be identified in both de-noised and noised environment as it is independent of external disturbances. Significant features are extracted from the resultant HSs with detected S1 and S2 and feed-forward back propagation method. It is used to classify the HS nature into normal and pathological. This algorithm has been implemented on 24 pairs of HSs, extracted from 24 patients of 15 pathological and nine normal subjects and the classification yields a result of 91.7% accuracy with 81.8% sensitivity. The overall performance suggests a good performance to cost ratio. This system can be used as first diagnosis tool by the medical professionals.
ASSOCIATION ASSESSMENT BETWEEN DIFFUSION TENSOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING INDICES AND CLINICAL DISABILITIES IN MS PATIENTS
Authors: Karami Vania , Khayati Rasoul Mahdavifar , Nabavi S. Massood
Published: November 2016

Purpose: Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) has the ability to gather information on tissue microstructure by using the indices that quantify the anisotropy of water diffusion in tissues. This study was designed to find out the impact of patient clinical disability on diffusion tensor (DT) indices. Method: In this paper, images were generated from the data acquired at 3T among 25 MS patients (mean age [Formula: see text] years old). DT indices including fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), relative anisotropy (RA), and volume ratio (VR) of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions are calculated and the correlation between Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score and the values of DT indices of 25 MS patients lesions are obtained. The correlation comparison procedure is done between the EDSS scores and DT indices in MS lesions attained, respectively, from fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images and black holes of T1-weighted (T1-w) images. Results: EDSS scores and DT indices of MS lesions extracted from the black holes present in T1-w images are more correlated in comparison with those extracted from FLAIR images. It is found that MD has a significant correlation with EDSS in both types of images. The results of FLAIR image processing indicates that any increase in EDSS leads to decreasing FA and RA on one hand and increasing MD and VR on the other hand. The correlation between the identical size of lesions in different parts of brain with EDSS shows that the location of lesion in brain also has a correlation with EDSS. Conclusion: The results showed, MD is the best biomarker of clinical disability between these four DT indices. It is also concluded that the correlation between DT indices of frontal brain lesions and EDSS is higher than the other selected brain parts.
Data-Driven Inventory Management in the Healthcare Supply Chain
Authors: Xu Shuojiang , Tan Kim Hua
Published: November 2016

From 21st century, enterprises combine supply chain management with big data to improve their products and services level. In China healthcare industry, supply chain decisions are made based on experience, due to the environment complexities, such as changing policies and license delay. A flexible and dynamic big data driven analysis approach for supply chain decisions is urgently required. This report demonstrates a case study on CRT forecasting model of inventory data to predict the market demand based on pervious transaction data. First a basic statistic approach has been applied to represent the superficial patterns and suggest some decisions. After that a CRT model has been built based on the several independent variables. And there is also a comparison between CRT and CHAID models to choose a better one to further build an improved model. Finally some limitations and future work have been proposed.
Swift Guanxi Data Analysis and Its Application to E-Commerce Retail Strategies Improvement
Authors: Lacka Ewelina
Published: November 2016

The Internet has changed the face and the pace of retail offering an opportunity to sell products online. This has led to the fast growth of e-commerce sites in which retailers envision a source of competitive advantage. Before they are able to benefit from e-commerce however, they have to understand the range of factors, which impact consumers' e-commerce acceptance. Even more, to ensure sustainability of online product sale, retailers have to go a step further and understand not only consumers' intentions to purchase online but also factors driving product re-purchase. To date, a number of factors driving consumers' e-commerce purchase and re-purchase have been examined. Most recently, the concept of swift guanxi has been studied. This study extends this stream of research by analysing social media data being a result of swift guanxi in order to help retailers in their online strategies improvement.
Developing Digital Literacy
Authors: Obel-Omia Carolyn Haviland
Published: November 2016

Teacher education programs are increasingly responsible for preparing teachers who use technology fluently across curricula. Future teachers must define literacy more broadly than they have in the past to include digital modes of reading and writing. Experience with digital tools in literacy methodology courses provides opportunities for teacher candidates to reflect critically on these tools, preparing teachers to use technology to its advantage in elementary school classrooms. This chapter describes four digital practices designed to engage teacher candidates in participating in and reflecting on authentic reading and writing to develop next-generation literacy teachers. These practices include examples of activities that can be adapted to both teacher preparation and elementary education classrooms.
The Effect of Technology-Enhanced Classrooms in Middle School Education
Authors: Eyyam Ramadan
Published: November 2016

This study examined whether technology-enhanced classrooms enhanced students' learning despite their various dominant intelligences and learning styles. For this purpose, a comprehensive investigation was used to verify whether and in what ways students benefit from technology-enhanced classrooms. As the research design, a cross-implementation experimental method was developed for the study by the researcher. Lesson plans and materials were prepared for English and mathematics subjects considering Gagne's nine events of instruction and Bloom's taxonomy. The Technology-enhanced Classroom Perception Scale and a standardized open-ended interview were prepared to examine the perceptions of both students and teachers. In the end, some interesting differences were found between the treatment and control groups, although they were not significant. One of the most important reasons for this might be the positive attitudes of English teachers in general but negative attitudes of mathematics teachers towards technology-enhanced classroom.
From 2D Thinking to 3D Printing
Authors: Trust Torrey , Maloy Robert W. , Kommers Suzan
Published: November 2016

Riding the wave of increasing popularity and declining costs, many schools are buying 3D printers. However, while this technology has the potential to transform teaching and learning, it remains an open question how teachers and students will use this new technology. To date, 3D printing has no agreed upon set of best practices and there are no definitive set of research findings to guide the implementation of 3D printing in school settings. In this chapter, the authors present the results of an action research study exploring how teams of preservice and in-service teachers learned to integrate 3D printing into their lesson planning and instructional practices. The authors highlight two case studies that provide an in-depth look at how preservice and in-service teacher teams implemented a 3D printing lesson plan. Based on the findings, the authors provide recommendations for supporting teachers' use of this innovative new technology to redesign teaching and learning.
Implementation of Online Education for K-12 School Children
Authors: Jones Charlene Marie
Published: November 2016

This chapter contains information found in literature surrounding online education in K-12 settings. It offers a description of the terminology, a brief history and evolution of online education, issues with the use of online education, and influences supporting online tool usage. Despite support for online tools in K-12 settings, empirical research shows discouraging results related to such usage. Considering this discrepancy, this chapter suggests that implementation of online tools be executed by an informed user. Thus, it is necessary to acquire a clear understanding of the terminology and characteristics of online tool delivery before implementation. Also, educators are to be aware of student's and teacher's learning and teaching experiences online to be able to offer an optimum educational setting. Being cognizant of participant's exposure to online programs can provide helpful suggestions, like the importance of parental involvement, the relevance of socialization for learning, and the influence of literacy in promoting a stable foundation for successful implementation.
Teacher, Students, and MOOCs
Authors: López Carlos Monge , Hernández Patricia Gómez
Published: November 2016

The main aim of this research is to understand future teachers' attitudes, knowledge and needs about Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). These courses are a supplementary resource in Higher Education that can fill fields of knowledge in which the curriculum could not encompass. In addition, these types of courses can contribute significantly to teachers, both in initial and in-service, training. For this reason, the students' perspectives towards MOOCs are essential in these terms. In this way, fundamentally a questionnaire was administered to the students in the Degree in Teaching of Childhood Education, Degree in Teaching of Primary Education, and Masters Degree in Teacher Training of Secondary Education (n=145). The results indicated that a large part of the sample confirmed that they did not know anything about MOOCs. Therefore, Universities need to train competent future teachers in MOOCs culture. This chapter provides insights into the topic of advancing next generation elementary teacher education through digital tools and applications.
Understanding Glacial Retreat in the Indian Himalaya
Authors: Kumar Rajesh , Rao Prakash , Areendran G.
Published: November 2016

One of the most important and visible indicators of global climate change is the recession of glaciers in many parts of the world. The findings of the IPCC Assessment Report (2007) suggest that there has been a significant decline in mountain glaciers and snow cover, which has contributed to the increased sea levels and water flow changes in river basins. In the latter half of 20th century, an increase in the rate of retreat has been observed in Himalayan Glaciers since advent of industrialization. The paper attempts to present a critical review and understanding of the recent changes in retreat of selected Himalayan glaciers from potential climate change. The study explores scientific evidence and analysis of observed data from a large and a small glacier in the Indian Himalaya. This will help in understanding the vulnerability of retreat of the glaciers based on their size. The larger glaciers are unlikely to disappear in the near future, due to its large mass balance and large response time due to climatic changes. Future adaptation needs, research and action for downstream communities, ecosystems and impacts on power sector are discussed.
Issues, Concerns, and Local Stakes
Authors: Chaudhary Navendu , Pisolkar Yogesh
Published: November 2016

Coastal Maharashtra is in transition. Growing coastal tourism and allied developmental activities along southern Maharashtra coast needs integration of various stakeholders to address the various issues and concerns. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), which can cater to the needs of people while preserving the environment is thus need of the hour. The effects on natural resources, including water, will change the socioeconomic as well as the cultural fabric of coastal communities. This chapter explores a holistic approach to the developmental issues and the impact of climate change on the coastal region with specific cases of villages of Devbag and Tarkarli, coastal Maharashtra, India. It explores both physical and socioeconomic landscapes with special attention given to water resources in the context of changing dynamics of coastal communities and coastal tourism. The chapter discusses the issues and concerns of villages of Devbag and Tarkarli and proposes solutions for a sustainable development.
Industrial Wastewater Management in the Context of Climate Change Adaptation in Selected Cities of India
Authors: Hiremath Rahul , Kumar Bimlesh , Bansode Sheelratan S. , Nulkar Gurudas , Patil Sharmila S. , Murali J.
Published: November 2016

Climate change and wastewater control are one of the foremost demanding situations for Indian cities. Urbanization and unparalleled growth of cities across India continue to create immense pressure on land and water resources. This uncontrolled growth continues to produce growing volumes of wastewater. Climate change, impacts inclusive of, intense storm events in summer time or extended moist periods in wintry weather are quite visible in India. In urban and peri-urban areas, wastewater use for agriculture is an emerging precedence. Due to susceptible enforcement of regulatory, most of the wastewater generated is permitted off untreated/ partially treated. While many previous studies have checked out the global modifications and associated impacts of climatic variations on water resources, few have targeted at the evaluation of the particular effects and adaptation priorities for water systems in towns. Proper reuse of wastewater for irrigation will significantly lessen the shortage, offer a sustainable water source, improving farming productiveness, lessen pollution, generate livelihood potential for low earnings city households along with contributing to their each day food needs. There are tradeoffs which need to understand which includes problems to individual's health, and surroundings. Through suitable treatment methods, water users' cooperatives, policy shift and the introduction of market based approaches, treated wastewater use in agriculture can be enhanced and all associated risks can also be curtailed. This chapter focuses on use of treated urban wastewater and its management for agriculture in selected Indian cities.
Common Duckweeds as a Model System for Climate Change Impact Assessment
Authors: Rale Vinay , Tendulkar Pooja
Published: November 2016

Common duckweeds – Lemna – are free-floating aquatic macrophytes belonging to Lemnaceae family. They occur universally, in tropical and temperate zones and are enabled to grow in stagnant, slow-flowing, nutrient-enriched waters. They have an ability to grow over a wide range of temperatures (6 – 33 0C) and pH (optimum 5.5 – 7.5). Lemna species also manifest a characteristic macrophyte community in association with plants functioning as a dominant primary producer. Asexual mode of reproduction is exclusive and therefore, all resources are directed towards vegetative growth. Structure wise they show leaflets (frond) and root-like diffuse form. This simple morphological and physiological form offers special scientific and engineering properties – reflected in easy handling and manipulation under laboratory conditions. As a result they are regarded as a model plant system for a number of chemical and biogeochemical studies. Climate change affects plant growth and physiology. For example, increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone (O3) or increase in ultraviolet (UV) radiation (due to the thinning of the ozone layer) can have pronounced effects on the growth and development of plants. In many instances the decrease in growth rate can create disturbances in photosynthetic processes. In the recent past there has been a surge in the interest in looking for alternative remediation technologies to meet formidable demands of polluting materials and situations. One such approach is phytoremediation – the use of plants and associated microbes for environmental cleanup. Cardinal points in favour of such an approach are – cost-effectiveness, natural energy-driven and minimal capital and running costs. Potency of Lemna spp. as a phytoremediation agent as well as its limitations haven dealt with in details in literature. Moreover, Lemna spp. are accepted and highly standardized as test organisms in aquatic ecotoxicology. The authors have shown earlier that Lemna spp. can play a vital role in combating pollution burden in a glaring local situation of river pollution. However, the recent trend in research indicates that Lemna spp (duckweeds at large) can play a critical and sensitive role in being an indicator of overt and subtle climate change. The following is an attempt to take a review of such recent trends.
Effects of ocean acidification on pelagic carbon fluxes in a mesocosm
experiment
Authors: Spilling Kristian , Schulz Kai G. , Paul Allanah J. , Boxhammer Tim , Achterberg Eric P. , Hornick Thomas , Lischka Silke , Stuhr Annegret , Bermúdez Rafael , Czerny Jan , Crawfurd Kate , Brussaard Corina P. D. , Grossart Hans-Peter , Riebesell Ulf
Published: November 2016

Abstract. About a quarter of anthropogenic CO2 emissions are currently taken up by the oceans, decreasing seawater pH. We performed a mesocosm experiment in the Baltic Sea in order to investigate the consequences of increasing CO2 levels on pelagic carbon fluxes. A gradient of different CO2 scenarios, ranging from ambient ( ∼  370 µatm) to high ( ∼  1200 µatm), were set up in mesocosm bags ( ∼  55 m3). We determined standing stocks and temporal changes of total particulate carbon (TPC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and particulate organic carbon (POC) of specific plankton groups. We also measured carbon flux via CO2 exchange with the atmosphere and sedimentation (export), and biological rate measurements of primary production, bacterial production, and total respiration. The experiment lasted for 44 days and was divided into three different phases (I: t0–t16; II: t17–t30; III: t31–t43). Pools of TPC, DOC, and DIC were approximately 420, 7200, and 25 200 mmol C m−2 at the start of the experiment, and the initial CO2 additions increased the DIC pool by  ∼  7 % in the highest CO2 treatment. Overall, there was a decrease in TPC and increase of DOC over the course of the experiment. The decrease in TPC was lower, and increase in DOC higher, in treatments with added CO2. During phase I the estimated gross primary production (GPP) was  ∼  100 mmol C m−2 day−1, from which 75–95 % was respired,  ∼  1 % ended up in the TPC (including export), and 5–25 % was added to the DOC pool. During phase II, the respiration loss increased to  ∼  100 % of GPP at the ambient CO2 concentration, whereas respiration was lower (85–95 % of GPP) in the highest CO2 treatment. Bacterial production was  ∼  30 % lower, on average, at the highest CO2 concentration than in the controls during phases II and III. This resulted in a higher accumulation of DOC and lower reduction in the TPC pool in the elevated CO2 treatments at the end of phase II extending throughout phase III. The “extra” organic carbon at high CO2 remained fixed in an increasing biomass of small-sized plankton and in the DOC pool, and did not transfer into large, sinking aggregates. Our results revealed a clear effect of increasing CO2 on the carbon budget and mineralization, in particular under nutrient limited conditions. Lower carbon loss processes (respiration and bacterial remineralization) at elevated CO2 levels resulted in higher TPC and DOC pools than ambient CO2 concentration. These results highlight the importance of addressing not only net changes in carbon standing stocks but also carbon fluxes and budgets to better disentangle the effects of ocean acidification.
Designing Science and Technology Park of Tabriz with Organic Architecture Approach, Inspired by Ants' Nest Algorithm
Authors: Ghannadian Zahra , Shaghagh Shahriyar
Published: November 2016

Establishment of every urban element in its appropriate position requires advanced technology and science from geographical and climatic point of view. This is accompanied and synchronous with modern culture born by supreme and high level of training and education in the society. In this regard, one of the main objectives of the architectures' union is to establish science and Technology Park with the aim of facilitating and accelerating science and technology transmission from university to the society and country.Tabriz city is considered as one of the most important academic and industrial cities in the country. Establishing science and technology parks can be effective in scientific, economic and social development of the country and province. Employing organic methods in architecture to use natural energies is an effective and useful method and its structure produces less pollution. Using philosophical and introductory issues and views of technology and establishing technology parks, present article proceeds on issues of organic architecture with new approach which is inspired by ants' nest algorithm and presents a new experience of architecture in the form of Science and Technology Park.
Estimation of Sugar Beet Yield and its Dry Matter Partitioning Under Different Irrigation and Nitrogen Levels
Authors: Kamali Hamidreza , Zand-Parsa Shahrokh
Published: November 2016

In this study, a simple logistic model was developed for estimating total dry matter of sugar beet under different irrigation and nitrogen levels. The experiment was conducted using line source sprinkler irrigation in 2013 and furrow irrigation in 2014. Irrigation treatments were from 44% to 130% of full irrigation and applied nitrogen treatments ranged from 0 to 240 kg N ha-1. Results showed that the model was more accurate in predicting total dry matter at harvest date with the Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE) amounting to almost 10 percent. After total dry matter estimation, a model was needed for dry matter partitioning between different organs of sugar beet. To achieve this goal, another logistic model was developed and was compared with three revised models. Finally, white sugar content of root dry matter was estimated using a quadratic equation as a function of applied water and nitrogen. Validation results indicated that total and root dry matters, and white sugar yield were estimated fairly well. Results showed that excessive water had negative effects on total dry matter and root dry matter. Also, excessive nitrogen affected root dry matter negatively too, but even the excess had positive effects on total dry matter. In contrast to common belief, our results showed that drought stress reduced both ratios of root to leaf, and root to shoot dry matter.