bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elution Profiles of Two Methods of Antibiotic Tibial Nail Preparations
Authors: Karek Matthew R. , Jackson Nancy M. , Flynn Jeffrey C. , Vaidya Rahul , Markel David C.
Published: January 2017

Interlocking nails coated with antibiotic-supplemented cement provide effective treatment of infected long bone nonunion, but the thicker coating on guidewires may provide greater antibacterial activity. This study compared the properties of cement cured on each construct by evaluating 2-cm segments of 8-mm interlocking nails and 3.5-mm guidewires coated with antibiotic-supplemented cement. Each construct (n=7 for each group) was coated with polymethylmethacrylate cement (Simplex; Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, New Jersey) containing either 1 g tobramycin or 1 g vancomycin powder plus 2.2 g tobramycin powder. A No. 40 French polyvinyl chloride chest tube was used as a mold for all constructs. Segments were soaked in sterile phosphate-buffered saline, and entire aliquots were exchanged at various intervals over a 6-week period. Antibiotic concentration, antibacterial activity, cement curing temperature, and porosity were measured. At least half of the total elution of antibiotics occurred within the first 24 hours for all constructs. For the tobramycin-only cement, no differences between constructs were observed. For constructs containing both antibiotics, interlocking nails showed more antibiotic release than guidewires at most time points (
P
<.05–
P
<.001). Antibiotics were released for 6 weeks and continued to inhibit
Staphylococcus aureus
growth. Cement curing temperatures for interlocking nails were lower than those for guidewires (
P
<.05). Guidewires coated with cement containing tobramycin and vancomycin showed significantly greater porosity compared with the other 3 groups (
P
<.05), but the amount of antibiotic released did not directly relate to porosity for any construct type. Interlocking nails coated with antibiotic-supplemented cement may provide greater antibiotic delivery to infected long bone nonunion compared with guidewires. A thin mantle of cement may allow greater elution, possibly as a result of cooler exothermic reactions. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(3):e436–e442.]
Sleep Disturbance and Anatomic Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Morris Brent J. , Sciascia Aaron D. , Jacobs Cale A. , Edwards T. Bradley
Published: January 2017

Sleep disturbance is commonly encountered in patients with glenohumeral joint arthritis and can be a factor that drives patients to consider surgery. The prevalence of sleep disturbance before or after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty has not been reported. The authors identified 232 eligible patients in a prospective shoulder arthroplasty registry following total shoulder arthroplasty for primary glenohumeral joint arthritis with 2- to 5-year follow-up. Sleep disturbance secondary to the affected shoulder was characterized preoperatively and postoperatively as no sleep disturbance, frequent sleep disturbance, or nightly sleep disturbance. A total of 211 patients (91%) reported sleep disturbance prior to surgery. Patients with nightly sleep disturbance had significantly worse (
P
<.05) Constant pain, Constant activity, and Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Shoulder index scores prior to surgery. Postoperatively, there was a significant improvement in the prevalence of sleep disturbance, with 186 patients (80%) reporting no sleep disturbance (
P
<.001). The no sleep disturbance group had significantly greater patient-reported outcome scores and range of motion following surgery compared with the other sleep disturbance groups for nearly all outcome measures (
P
≤.01). Patients have significant improvements in sleep after anatomic shoulder arthroplasty. There was a high prevalence of sleep disturbance preoperatively (211 patients, 91%) compared with postoperatively (46 patients, 20%). [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(3):e450–e454.]
Honoring our helpers
Authors: Talanow Roland , Giesel Frederik
Published: January 2017

This special issue of the Journal of Radiology Case Reports honors the reviewers who donated their time and expertise throughout the year 2016 to the high quality and success of this journal.
Los micromamíferos (Lagomorpha, Eulipotyphla y Rodentia) del yacimiento del Pleistoceno Medio de Cuesta de la Bajada (Teruel, España): Estudio sistemático y consideraciones paleoambientales
Authors: Sesé C. , Soto E. , Santonja M. , Pérez-González A. , Domínguez-Rodrigo M.
Published: January 2017

La asociación de micromamíferos determinada en este trabajo es la siguiente: Lagomorpha: Oryctolagus cuniculus; Eulipotyphla: Crocidura cf. russula, cf. Sorex sp., Neomys sp., Soricidae indet. y Talpa sp.; y Rodentia: Eliomys quercinus, Apodemus cf. sylvaticus, Cricetulus (Allocricetus) bursae, Arvicola aff. sapidus, Microtus (Iberomys) brecciensis y Microtus (Terricola) duodecimcostatus. Es una asociación característica del Pleistoceno Medio. El estadio evolutivo de Cricetulus (A.) bursae, Arvicola aff. sapidus y Microtus (I.) brecciensis le aproximan a las poblaciones de dichas especies de algunos yacimientos de la Península Ibérica del Pleistoceno Medio avanzado, pero no final, lo que es acorde con las dataciones numéricas obtenidas en el yacimiento (243-337 ka) que le sitúan en el MIS 8 o 9. Los micromamíferos indican la predominancia de los espacios abiertos con abundante vegetación herbácea y arbustiva, en los que podría haber también alguna zona arbolada. El clima que indican es de tipo mediterráneo, similar al actual en la zona o quizás algo más benigno y más húmedo.
Consolidation treatments applied to ceramic tiles: are they homogeneous?
Authors: Costa D. , Leal A. S. , Mimoso J. M. , Pereira S. R.M.
Published: January 2017

The mass consolidation treatment of azulejos is necessary when ceramic biscuits show signs of disaggregation. Such treatment is often used as a complementary conservation technique to the reestablishment of weakened glaze-ceramic bonds.
In this research, two commonly used consolidants (ethyl silicate and acrylic resin) were tested on artisanal ceramic tiles via mass consolidation and the resulting impregnation profiles were evaluated. The results indicated that after consolidation, hard zones frequently formed due to localized consolidant concentration after the polymerization and curing processes. These inhomogeneous hard zones subsequently influenced the results obtained through conventional mechanical strength testing (i.e. flexural and compression), creating a false impression of success. This research demonstrated that by using the Drilling Resistance Measuring System, impregnation characteristics such as penetration depth and distribution of consolidant could be observed that otherwise could not be discerned through the more common testing methods. As such, a more extensive evaluation of consolidation effects was achieved.
Architecture Leadership and Systems Thinking
Authors: Krishnamurthy Raghuraman
Published: January 2017

Gone are the days when organizations were concerned with increasing efficiency by mastering repetitive tasks. The competitive, boundary-less world of today has dramatically altered the primary challenges of an organization: fluidity, coherence, and connectedness are the hallmarks of successful organizations. Concomitant with this epochal transformation is the emergence of information systems as the backbone for conducting any business. Today, one cannot find any enterprise or government that is not permeated by information systems at all levels. That the role of information systems is so central to any organization is evident from the prescient words of management legend, Peter Drucker, that the future CEO may be the CIO. With extended enterprises so very common, how do we not lose sight at the bigger picture while making decisions? Systems thinking advocates cultivation of viewing the “whole” and seeing the parts (of the whole) in the context of dependence with other parts (of the whole) and their interactions. Architecture should help create necessary artifacts to understand and manage the complexities. Developing insights on how things work together and the influence of one part over the other is at the heart of architectural conversations. There is thus a natural connect between leadership, architecture, and systems thinking. This chapter explores the nature of evolving enterprises and the increasing relevance of systems thinking in architectural activities. The author discusses the importance of systems thinking to enterprise architecture and illustrate, with TOGAF as an example, how to apply the principles of systems thinking. A conceptual case study is presented to illustrate the application of systems thinking in architectural governance.
Asset Management for Buildings within the Framework of Building Information Modeling Development
Authors: López Antonio Jesús Guillén , Crespo Márquez Adolfo , Sanz Jose A. , Kobbacy Khairy A. H. , Shariff Samir M. , Le Page Etienne , González-Prida Vicente
Published: January 2017

Buildings lifecycle management is an area of great interest. Due this, the R&D is being promoting worldwide looking for new effective maintenance tools and methodologies. In this scenario there are two development lines whose convergence can bring great advances in this area: Asset Management (AM) and Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM models are transforming the way buildings are conceived, designed, constructed and managed. But current use of BIM concentrates on preplanning, design, construction and integrated project delivery of buildings and facilities, rather than maintenance and building operation management. Asset Management tools, including Facilities Management (FM), and application frameworks provide the approach and required elements to get more efficiency and efficacy in the building lifecycle management. This chapter introduces the application of AM for building and how the development of BIM models is the key element to allow its effective implementation.
A Cognitive Analytics Management Framework (CAM-Part 1)
Authors: Osman Ibrahim H. , Anouze Abdel Latef
Published: January 2017

In this chapter, the current world's challenges, shortcomings of strategic performance measurement, and management methodologies are analyzed to introduce the new Cognitive Analytics Management (CAM) framework. CAM uses five components (SAMAS): Shared values to stakeholders; cognitive Analytics to generate applied insights; Mission, vision, and goals to develop corporate strategy; Activities to create—innovative models, products, and services—using various organizations' supporting Structure from people, process, regulation, and technology to develop smart organizations. The efficient frontier data envelopment analysis is proposed to generate performance measures and derive insights from best practices. The input-efficiency and output-effectiveness performances are used to prioritize scenarios. Insights from the best scenarios are used to improve inefficient ones, to manage performance, and to boost productivity growth. CAM also introduces a new cognitive leadership concept to help making informed decisions in a smart competitive world while alleviating societal challenges. Finally, CAM implementation roadmap, supporting literature, and new research innovations are provided.
Development of a Conceptual Framework for Performance Measurement of Pharmaceutical Supply Chain within Hospital
Authors: Nsamzinshuti Alexis , Ndiaye Alassane Ballé
Published: January 2017

In recent years, the European hospital sector suffers the brunt of the economic crisis. This sector is now faced with a paradox, which is to reduce costs, related to the decline in government subsidies and an increase in the quality of care required by the regulatory bodies. This paradox can be resolved through the optimization of the hospital supply chain. Despite hospital supply chains having a great impact on hospital budgets, still opportunities for optimization exist and improve the health care quality. This article aims to propose a conceptual framework that allows hospitals to evaluate the performance of their pharmaceutical supply chains in order to identify bottlenecks and cost reduction opportunities. After reviewing the literature regarding to the hospital supply chain and the performance measurement, the authors focused on the study of hospital processes of pharmaceutical distribution within the hospital. The findings of this study propose a conceptual framework that will allow hospital to measure the performance of their pharmaceutical supply chain.
Determinants of the Design and Use of PMS in Portuguese Government Agencies
Authors: Gomes Patrícia , Camões Silvia Mendes , Carvalho João
Published: January 2017

Performance measurement is seen as a main pillar of public management reforms. However, prior research did not mitigate the level of ambiguity on PMS development and use and many questions left unanswered. Our findings provide knowledge on the design and use of PMS in the public sector answering to calls for a complementary approach among institutional and contingency factors. The authors find that the design of PMS and the use of performance information for external purposes are increased to legitimate the organizational' work and to obtain external support. Moreover, structural variables such as type of agency and management autonomy are also determinants on the organizational responses. Finally, the authors find some coupling between the design of PMS and outcomes. So, both contingent and institutional approaches play an important role on the empirical model.
Designing BioSim
Authors: Thompson Naomi , Peppler Kylie , Danish Joshua
Published: January 2017

In this chapter, we discuss the design decisions made when creating the game mechanics and rules for BioSim, a pair of game-like participatory simulations centered around honeybees and army ants to help young children (ages kindergarten through third grade) explore complex systems concepts. We outline four important design principles that helped us align the games and simulations to the systems thinking concepts that we wanted the students to learn: (1) Choose a specific and productive focal topic; (2) Build on game mechanics typically found in children's play; (3) Purposefully constrain children's play to help them notice certain system elements; and (4) Align guiding theories to game rules, and vice versa. We then highlight how these guiding principles can be leveraged to allow young children to engage with complex systems concepts in robust ways, and consider our next steps and goals for research as we continue to iterate and build on these games.
Cultural Integration with Strategic Decision-Making Process in Determining Innovation Performance
Authors: Galanou Ekaterini , Katsioloudes Marios
Published: January 2017

This chapter presents an empirical study that examines the co-alignment between the Strategic Decision-Making Process (SDMP) and cultural contextual factors in developing a more completely specified model of innovation performance in a different setting from the Arab Middle East, namely Qatar. The key variables in this model consist of four strategic decision-making process dimensions (speed, degree of rationality, political behavior, and individual involvement), four culture attributes (locus of control, decision style, collectivistic orientation, and hierarchy), and innovation performance as an outcome variable in terms of process and product/service practice. The survey from 140 public and private organizations improves our understanding in three major issues: first, that SDM practices have a direct and more significant impact on process innovation performance than product/service innovation performance; second, that innovation performance is both process- and context-specific; and third, certain characteristics of the location support culture-specific awareness.
Quantification of Corporate Performance Using Fuzzy Analytic Network Process
Authors: Öztayşi Başar , Kahraman Cengiz
Published: January 2017

Performance Measurement (PM) is a combination of a company's characteristics that can be numerically expressed. The aim of the PM is to provide feedback about the success of current activities and give insight about future performance. Performance of a company depends on its vision and goals so the definition of performance can vary with time. While PM literature provides various models for PM, the most accepted model is Balanced ScoreCard (BSC). BSC supplies four inter-related perspectives that the companies can identify as indicators for performance. These perspectives are: financial, internal business processes, customer, and learning and growth perspectives. In this study, PM is formulated as a Multi Attribute Decision Making (MADM) problem and a Fuzzy Analytical Network Process (FANP) based performance measurement model is proposed. The performance measurement criteria are built based on four perspectives of BSC. The proposed model utilizes FANP in order to determine the relative importance of perspectives and indicators. The performance scores for each indicator are determined based on the predefined goals and these scores are aggregated to reach an overall performance score.
Systems Thinking to Improve E-Government Evaluation
Authors: Córdoba-Pachón José-Rodrigo
Published: January 2017

Worldwide there is increasing interest in both academic and government sectors to evaluate the different impacts of electronic government (e-government) systems. A number of predictive, cause-effect, linearly and functionally oriented models of evaluation have been proposed and applied. The focus of these models is to identify and quantify costs and benefits derived from successful e-government systems implementation and adoption. However the inclusion of different stakeholders in e-government evaluation remains marginal and limited to input information for the above models. This paper criticises existing evaluation models in two particular aspects: 1) the uncritical identification and quantification of different evaluation elements (aspects, costs, benefits or impacts, people to be involved in evaluation); and 2) the lack of reflection in relation to how evaluation information is used in managerial decision making. Criticisms regarding these aspects are drawn with the help of systems thinking, a body of knowledge which includes theories, ideas and methodologies for complex problem solving and whose use could enable critical surface and review of evaluation stakeholders' concerns about e-government. Strategies to make e-government evaluation practice more inclusive and critical in relation to stakeholders' concerns in their evaluation context are proposed and discussed.
An Empirical Study of the Balanced Scorecard Model
Authors: Nisha Nabila
Published: January 2017

Today, the effective use of the Balance Scorecard (BSC) model can bring in a holistic approach to performance measurement and break the traditional use of financial indicators alone to measure the performance of any service-sector organization. As such, the aim of this paper is to examine the underlying hypotheses of the BSC model and how they can be used for performance evaluation by focusing on the banking sector of Bangladesh. Results indicate a positive correlation among the BSC perspectives at a statistically significant level and in a sequential way for the selected banks. Findings of the study particularly highlights that banks which have experienced improvements in their selected financial indicators like ROA, ROE, etc had evidently increased their efforts towards the characteristics under the learning and growth, internal business process and customer perspectives. These findings thus clearly have a number of important implications for bank managers in the context of Bangladesh.
Transformation Mechanisms in the Business Model/Business Process Interface
Authors: Weiblen Tobias , Schief Markus , Bonakdar Amir
Published: January 2017

Many scholars view the emerging business model concept as the missing link between a company's strategy and its operational implementation into business processes. They remain vague, however, in answering the question as to how strategy-induced changes to the business model can be transformed into business process adjustments. The other way round—a feedback mechanism that triggers business model adjustments in case of issues at the business process level—is not conceptualized either. The study hence is twofold. The authors explore both the top-down (business model to business process) and the bottom-up (business process to business model) perspective of this interface. The top-down part considers business model changes, such as induced by adopting a Software-as-a-Service strategy, which require an effective implementation in a firm's organization. The explorative findings cover a detailed description of the transformation framework as well as an exemplary expert survey that can serve as a reference for software firm decision makers. The bottom-up part clarifies the influence of business processes on the business model based on a literature review, expert interviews, and inductive reasoning. The authors derive a classification framework that provides new insights into the maturity of current KPI-systems and their strategic importance with regards to business model changes.
Applying Balanced Scorecard in Non-Government Organizations
Authors: Ćwiklicki Marek
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this chapter is to present the application of Balanced Scorecard among non-governmental organizations. The limitation to this type of non-profit organizations is justified by their specificity in respect of such institutions as governmental agencies. Notwithstanding the fact that the main narration is subordinated to NGOs the text also contains references to other organizations. The premise of placing these threads is the fact that the literature on this subject, in relation to the use of BSC in non-profit organizations, includes them together. The chapter ends with discussion of basic benefits concerning the application of BSC in non-governmental organizations.
Four Eras of CRM Selling
Authors: Gordon Cindy Marie
Published: January 2017

This chapter examines the evolution of selling, as well as the software solutions that sales professionals have used to support Customer Relationship Management (CRM) practices. Tracing over four eras of selling, spanning 30 years, including product to solution selling, customer centric selling, social selling, and big data: predictive analytics selling. This chapter examines the stark reality that after three generations of CRM: less than 50% of sales organizations do not achieve their sales quotas. It is time to seriously challenge the current approaches to Customer Relationship Management (CRM), as quota attainment is seriously underperforming, despite what sales software leaders espouse. Research from CSO Insights, Accenture (2013), and Sales Choice (2014) is compelling to pause to Think Big and Smarter! The next era's growth resides in Big Data and Predictive Analytics as advanced sciences and mathematics will pave the way to unlock productivity growth challenges that have plagued the first three eras.
Business Excellence Strategies for SME Sustainability in India
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: January 2017

Accepted worldwide Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are fueling the engine of economic growth apart from promoting equitable development. They provide large employment opportunities at comparatively lower capital cost apart from enabling industrialisation of backward areas, thereby, reducing regional imbalances, assuring more equitable distribution of national income and wealth. This is more so in the Asian economies and undoubtedly SME is an important contributor to Indian economy. However, globalisation is bringing new opportunities. To seize these opportunities, SMEs need to re look at their business and strategize for excellence. Hence, the core objective of this chapter is to explore whether adopting excellence models can help SMEs to attain sustainability. Through in depth literature review and grounded theory approach the focus is to discuss different business excellence theories and focus on the need to use business excellence strategies for their sustainability and continued success.
Performance Measurement Systems and Firms' Characteristics
Authors: Michael Oyewo Babajide
Published: January 2017

The Nigerian banking industry, being the second largest in sub-Saharan Africa after the South-African banking industry, has evolved and undergone remarkable transformation over the years. As such, the evaluation of the Performance Measurement Systems (PMS) of banks in Nigeria becomes highly desirable. In response, this research was undertaken to: identify the elements of PMS; investigate the appropriateness and effectiveness of PMS; and assess the interrelationship between the PMS and strategy in the Nigerian banking industry. Statistics such as charts, percentage analysis, Wilcoxon, Chi – square, Kruskal Wallis, and Mann- Whitney U tests were employed for data analyses. Following research findings that traditional financial measures were commonly used in the Nigerian banking industry, the study recommends the adoption of more innovative PMS to improve performance. Also, the inclusion of performance measures like innovation, continuous improvement, and risk management should be enshrined in the PMS of the Nigerian banking industry to strengthen monitoring.
Performance Measurement Perceptions in Romanian Higher Education
Authors: Coste Andreea Ioana , Tiron-Tudor Adriana
Published: January 2017

Performance measurement in Romanian higher education is of high interest. On one hand, this topic would be significant because public funding depends on the performance of the universities. On the other hand, when measuring performance, the objectives have to be drafted in order to have a comparison basis with what universities achieved. Starting from these two issues, this chapter provides information regarding performance measurement in Romanian higher education. Thus, the main objective of the chapter consists in finding the perceptions of performance measurement at both top and middle management levels. This study is based on a qualitative case study approach and the authors used interviews as a data collection method. The authors used an interpretive research approach to obtain a deeper understanding of the process. Even if performance is hard to define, the results show that depending on the primary purpose of the universities performance receives a definition. Universities use various types of indicators when are measuring performance.
Performance Measurement System in Banking Services in India
Authors: Yadav Vinod Kumar
Published: January 2017

Increased competition and technological breakthroughs in banking services has sidelined the customer focus and opened new vistas of managing figures of success not only to show past performance rather as a strategy to sustain in business. This has led to many practices in banking as non standardized services. The non- core businesses subsidizing the core businesses on failure fronts also cause this deviation. Performance of any organization is one of the mechanisms to gain people's commitment towards achieving the stated objectives of the organization. This study is an attempt to address the questions, which includes: (a) the different performance measurement systems adopted by Indian companies in banking services; (b) the approaches used to measure the performance of the organization in banking services in India; (c) the different factors distorting the PMS of the organization and (d) the effectiveness of PMS and need for the change in the existing PMS. This study also aims to establish an equation between performance measurement practices and environmental variables in Indian banking services. The primary data as well as secondary data has been used to decipher the trends in performance measurement practices in banking services in India. The empirical study deciphers the trend used to identify the potential of banking services in context of economic and social changes underway in India. Although, banking industry is lagging behind in the level of understanding of performance measurement system, but the sector realizes the importance of effective PMS for the organization. The different banking companies are found to use different approaches to measure the performance. The performance measurement systems adopted by Indian companies are also found to be different than that followed by multinational banks. The role of social, economic and cultural factors is being realized by most of the service providers in India. Therefore, the development of performance measurement practices in this dynamic world is need of banking service business.
The Role of Business Analytics in Performance Management
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: January 2017

This chapter introduces the role of Business Analytics (BA) in Performance Management (PM), thus explaining the theoretical and practical concepts of BA, Performance Management Analytics (PMA), and organizational performance; the overview of performance measurement and PM; the application of Performance Management System (PMS) through BA; and the significance of BA in PMA. This chapter also explains the practical areas of BA and their advantages within the foundation of PM. BA can be used to validate causal relationships within traditional input, process, output, and outcome categories toward business success. Extending the domain of PM to PMA requires new business data analysis skills to gain organizational effectiveness. PMA fills the existing gap between PMS and effective PM adoption. Understanding the role of BA in PM will significantly enhance the organizational performance and achieve business goals in the global business environments.
Application of Geographical Information System and Interactive Data Visualization in Healthcare Decision Making
Authors: Zhu Zhecheng
Published: January 2017

This paper focuses on two techniques and their applications in healthcare systems: geographic information system (GIS) and interactive data visualization. GIS is a type of technique applied to manipulate, analyze and display spatial information. It is a useful tool tackling location related problems. GIS applications in healthcare include evaluation of accessibility to healthcare facilities, site planning of new healthcare services and analysis of risks and spreads of infectious diseases. Interactive data visualization is a collection of techniques translating data from its numeric format to graphic presentation dynamically for easy understanding and visual impact. Compared to conventional static data visualization techniques, interactive data visualization techniques allow user to self-explore the entire data set by instant slice and dice, quick switching among multiple data sources. Adjustable granularity of interactive data visualization allows for both detailed micro information and aggregated macro information displayed in a single chart. Animated transition adds extra visual impact that describes how system transits from one state to another. When applied to healthcare system, interactive visualization techniques are useful in areas such as information integration, flow or trajectory presentation and location related visualization, etc. One area both techniques intersect is location analysis. In this paper, real life case studies will be given to illustrate how these two techniques, when combined together, help in solving quantitative or qualitative location related problem, visualizing geographical information and accelerating decision making procedures.
Visual Analytics for Crime Analysis and Decision Support
Authors: Ku Chih-Hao , Iriberri Alicia , Jena Goutam
Published: January 2017

Today, the amount of digital data increases exponentially due to the rapid growth of the Internet, mobile, and sensory data. Crime data are arriving from multiple sources and formats. The major challenge for crime analysis is to store, manipulate, manage, and analyze data efficiently. To gain useful insight from a great amount of raw data, visual analytics techniques have been drawn attention to law enforcement agencies and researchers. The visual analytics applications do not erase the need for crime analysts' insight. To make better predictions and smarter decisions, data mining, text mining, information visualization, human-computer interaction, and analytics techniques are important to explore. This book chapter provides an overview of different types of crime data, discusses how to analyze and visualize different types of data, and explores popular visualization toolkits that have been used for crime analysis.
Current and Future Trends in Human Resources Analytics Adoption
Authors: Kapoor Bhushan , Kabra Yaggeta
Published: January 2017

While many organizations use business intelligence and analytics in business functions including Supply Chain, Finance, Accounting and Marketing, they have taken little advantage of this in the Human Resources (HR) management area. Seeing tremendous opportunities in the use of analytics, businesses are taking big measures, such as creating a culture of making critical decisions validated by data driven approaches and hiring analytics professionals in areas that promises high rates of return. Experts continue to emphasize the importance of analytics for HR to transform itself into a more effective resource for the organization. In this paper the authors study the current and the near future states of analytics in Human Resources area. With information collected from leading job search engines, SimplyHired.com and Indeed.com, the authors have modeled trends in hiring analytics professionals in different functional areas of business. The authors compared the HR analytics trend with trends in hiring analytics professionals in Supply Chain, Finance, Accounting and Marketing functions. The extent to which companies are hiring analytics professionals now should be a good indication of analytics adoptions in the future.
Cognitive Processes and Traits Related to Graphic Comprehension
Authors: Zoss Angela M.
Published: January 2017

The subject of how visualizations and graphics in general can be understood by their viewers draws on theories from many fields of research. Such theories might address the formal structure of the visualization, the style and graphic design skills of the creator, the task driving the viewer's interaction with the visualization, the type of data being represented, or the skills and experiences of viewer. This chapter focuses on this last question and presents a set of interrelated constructs and viewer traits that contribute to (or interfere with) a viewer's ability to analyze a particular data visualization. The review covers spatial thinking skills, cognitive styles, mental models, and cognitive load in its discussion of theoretical constructs related to graphic comprehension. The review also addresses how these cognitive processes vary by age, sex, and disciplinary background–the most common demographic characteristics studied in relation to graphic comprehension. Together, the constructs and traits contribute to a diverse and nuanced understanding of the viewers of data visualizations.
An Empirical Investigation of Extensible Information Sharing in Supply Chains
Authors: Chengalur-Smith InduShobha , Duchessi Peter
Published: January 2017

Although information sharing is highly desirable in a supply chain, the reality is that most supply chain participants restrict themselves to dyadic information sharing (i.e., information sharing between immediate, first-tier supply chain participants). In this investigation, data is collected from one system that permits extensible information sharing (i.e., information sharing beyond immediate, first-tier supply chain participants) to empirically investigate the determinants of extensible information sharing. The goal of this study is to identify specific actions that promote extensible information sharing. It uses hierarchical regression analysis to examine the contribution of these actions, after controlling for certain dyadic information sharing and industry practices. According to the results, companies that pursue real-time integration of the supply chain and are willing to change the roles and responsibilities of their employees engage in extensible information sharing. Surprisingly, it is found that companies that have a long-term relationship with immediate supply chain participants are less likely to expand their information sharing beyond dyadic information sharing, perhaps because of a perception that their information needs are adequately met.
Strategic Information Systems and Business Outcomes
Authors: Bento Alberto , Bento Regina , White Lourdes , Bento Ana
Published: January 2017

This large-scale study of 1,990 responses from practitioners in a wide range of industries developed and tested a model of relationships among a specific type of strategic information system -- strategic performance measurement systems (SPMS) -- characteristics and business outcomes. Using as methodology path analysis and stepwise regression, we found that two SPMS characteristics (design purpose and information technology use), together with system effectiveness, explain close to 50% of the SPMS impact on business results.
A Conceptual and Pragmatic Review of Regression Analysis for Predictive Analytics
Authors: Kalaian Sema A. , Kasim Rafa M. , Kasim Nabeel R.
Published: January 2017

Regression analysis and modeling are powerful predictive analytical tools for knowledge discovery through examining and capturing the complex hidden relationships and patterns among the quantitative variables. Regression analysis is widely used to: (a) collect massive amounts of organizational performance data such as Web server logs and sales transactions. Such data is referred to as “Big Data”; and (b) improve transformation of massive data into intelligent information (knowledge) by discovering trends and patterns in unknown hidden relationships. The intelligent information can then be used to make informed data-based predictions of future organizational outcomes such as organizational productivity and performance using predictive analytics such as regression analysis methods. The main purpose of this chapter is to present a conceptual and practical overview of simple- and multiple- linear regression analyses.
We Can Trust without Data, But We Are Accountable Only through Measurement
Authors: Kazandjian Vahé A.
Published: January 2017

Traditional expectations about healthcare continue to be challenged by the umbrella concerns about accountability and trust. The core of this challenge is two-fold: healthcare providers have seen the absolute trust placed into their intentions and practices erode through the quantification of quality and safety of care, and, the recipients of care have been empowered with timely and specific data to demand accountability rather than unquestionably trust providers. The purpose of this chapter is to review the key dimensions of the operationalization of performance measurement and the translation of its findings to statements about quality and safety of care. The past four decades have seen the continuous discovery and refining of analytical tools to quantify what once was taken for granted: that patients always receive the best care possible. These tools have uncovered the probabilistic nature of medicine and the resulting nature of the relationships outcomes have to processes. Hence the expectations of patients, payers of care and policy makers require being continuously modified to reflect the limitations of medicine and healthcare. The education of various audiences as to what the measures mean not only is a necessary requisite for sound project design but also will determine how the accountability model is shaped in each environment based on the generic measurement tools results, local traditions of care and caring, and expectations about outcomes.
Soft Systems Model (SSM)
Authors: Al-Harrasi Nabhan Harith
Published: January 2017

Soft Systems Model (SSM) is an action-oriented approach developed by Checkland (1981) to tackle complex and ill-defined social phenomena. It facilitates development of a model of inquiry for use in carrying out an investigation to understand, learn, and achieve changes in a social situation. These features provided justification for using SSM to tackle the problematical situation in library and information sciences. It has the capacity to deal with inter-organizational social phenomena and different worldviews. This chapter aims to understand the existing library and information science (LIS) literature that has been used in SSM applications. It focuses on the purposes and validity of using SSM. This chapter then discusses the using of two streams of SSM in LIS: the stream of logic-based enquiry and the stream of cultural enquiry. Moreover, the chapter reports the changes and action resulted by using SSM in the field of library and information management.
New Visual Literacies and Competencies for Education and the Workplace
Authors: Delello Julie A. , McWhorter Rochell R.
Published: January 2017

This chapter examines how new visual literacies allow students to create meaning and develop competencies needed for the 21st century. Today's generation is continually exposed to visual and digital media. Through empirical work, this chapter highlights how emerging visual technologies such as big data, infographics, digital badges, electronic portfolios (ePortfolios), visual social media, and augmented reality are facilitating the development of technology-related skills required for students in academics and in the workforce. Each visual technology platform will be examined for their usefulness in promoting engagement, subject-matter knowledge, and collaborative learning outside the traditional classroom approach.
Information and Communication Overload
Authors: Lucas Margarida , Moreira António A. F. G.
Published: January 2017

Information and communication overload have gained a new dimension in today's digital world. The exposure to the volume of information being distributed has probably never been so high due to the rapid increase of communication channels at our disposal. Facing great volumes of information (and communication channels) may cause constraints in our personal and professional lives and therefore it requires the ability to deal with and solve the problems related with them. This chapter presents the DigComp, a tool that proposes a set of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are part of digital competence, one of the eight key competences for lifelong learning and essential for participation in our increasingly digitalised society. It takes the stance that the DigComp may work as a foundation for “calculating” the boundaries of that so-called overload. The intention is to find in this tool the right ally to gauge the acquisition of competences that will make any user more critically aware and proactive towards the ways s/he deals with communication and information in her/his daily routines.
Information Overload in Augmented Reality
Authors: Pascoal Rui Miguel , Guerreiro Sérgio Luís
Published: January 2017

This chapter explores the benefits and challenges of using augmented reality (AR) technology in outdoor sports environments. Questions emerge about the presentation of information more appropriate to give a user without being excessive. The aim is to assess the problems related with information overload before implementing an AR system to be used in outdoors environments. Solutions are listed to manage and interact, the best way, with the information on the mobile device of AR, and achieve social acceptance. The Solutions and Recommendations answer through an empirical research about what data are more appropriate without information overload for outdoor sports. Finally, to better understand, an AR Mockup example frame AR components of information and possible features, which represent the ideal display for sportsman, without information and communication overload.
Information Overload as a Challenge and Changing Point for Educational Media Literacies
Authors: Ganguin Sonja , Gemkow Johannes , Haubold Rebekka
Published: January 2017

This article deals with the concept of information overload as a crucial element of the changing information environment. Against this background, the authors discuss an alternative process for the conceptualisation of educational media literacy. By combining two nationally-based concepts on media literacy (German and Anglo-American), the yield of such a transnational approach will be demonstrated. The first section is dedicated to a historical overview. Based on the observation that humanity is currently dealing and always has dealt with information overload, leads to the necessity of coping with said overload. To this end, the second section will present and didactically reduce both discourses to their essentials. The third section provides a possible conceptualisation of both concepts and practical application of the combined approach for scholastic learning. The aim of this paper is to stimulate an international exchange on media literacy.
Principles and Advantages of Microwave-Assisted Methods for the Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Water Purification
Authors: Saleh Tawfik A. , Majeed Shafquat , Nayak Arunima , Bhushan Brij
Published: January 2017

Nanomaterials are the pillars of nanoscience and nanotechnology and to realize their full potential in various potential applications, synthetic methodologies/routes need to be established that are simple, fast and cost-effective. Wet-chemical approaches for nanomaterial synthesis have proven to be among the most versatile and effective routes to finely tailor nanocrystals with varying compositional and architectural complexity. Microwave-assisted solution route represents an efficient wet-chemical approach for the synthesis of nanomaterials that offers additional advantages, such as rapid volumetric heating, high reaction rates, size and shape control by tuning reaction parameters, and energy efficiency. In addition, the homogenous heating of the reactants in microwave synthesis minimizes thermal gradients and provides uniform nucleation and growth conditions that leads to the formation of nanomaterials with uniform size distribution. This chapter deals with the basics of microwave chemistry and its applications towards the synthesis of nanomaterials for catalytic applications.
Fundamentals and Sources of Magnetic Nanocomposites and Their Sorption Properties
Authors: Shikuku Victor O. , Kowenje Chispin O , Nyairo Wilfrida N.
Published: January 2017

Over the years, adsorption has been the most widely applied technique for pollutants remediation in conventional water and wastewater treatment regimes with commendable results. Consequently, multiple adsorbents have been synthesized, characterized and tested for various pollutants sequestration such as; heavy metals, dyes, pharmaceutically active ingredients, among others, in aqueous media. Unfortunately, most of the sorbents face many inherent limitations such as high production cost, difficult separation of adsorbent from solution, and complex synthesis processes. Therefore, an efficient adsorbent that would be sustainably adopted for industrial application in wastewater treatment requires, among other properties, a simple and efficient recovery step from a continuous flowing system. The regenerated adsorbent must also possess near original properties after several cycles of reuse thereby resulting to low capital investment. To address this challenge, studies conducted in the past few years incorporating magnetism in both natural and synthetic sorbents to improve their removal from water via magnetic separation have yielded stupendous results compared to conventional technologies. This chapter concisely discusses synthesis methods and adsorption capacities and mechanisms of selected magnetic nanocomposite adsorbents under diverse physicochemical conditions for removal of cations, dyes and organic pollutants from wastewater. Magnetic nanocomposites present eco-friendly properties and are potential alternatives for application in water purification processes subject to commercial viability evaluation before practical use.