bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of participation and intensity of participation in collective action: evidence from smallholder avocado farmers in Kenya
Authors: Gyau A. , Mbugua M. , Oduol J.
Published: September 2016

Access to markets is one important strategy which can assist smallholder farmers to move out of poverty. Collective action through farmers’ groups has been identified as a strategy to improve the participation of farmers in markets. This study analyzes the determinants of participation and intensity of participation of collective action in production and marketing of avocado in Kenya. Group participation and the intensity were modelled as a binary choice decision and analyzed using logit models. Interviews were conducted with 301 farmers in avocado production zones in Kenya. The result showed that age, education, gender and perceptions on knowledge and improved technology influence farmers’ decision to participate in group activities. Occupation, area of residence and farmers’ perception on knowledge and improved technology use, and economic benefits had a significant influence on the intensity of participation. We conclude that it is crucial to educate farmers through trainings, workshops and seminars before group formation in order to ensure that they understand the importance and impacts of collective action. Finally, development practitioners and government organizations which intend to intervene through farmers’ groups should understand farmers’ perceptions and hence expectations from the groups.
Teaching complicated conceptual knowledge with simulation videos in foundational electrical engineering courses
Authors: Chen Baiyun , Wei Lei , Li Huihui
Published: September 2016

Building a solid foundation of conceptual knowledge is critical for students in electrical engineering. This case study explores the use of simulation videos to illustrate complicated conceptual knowledge in foundational communications and signal processing courses. Students found these videos to be very useful for establishing concepts, understanding course content and increasing general knowledge in electrical engineering. We hope that the findings can help inform instructors of electrical engineering to transform their teaching practice and eventually benefit students through building a solid conceptual understanding that fosters the development of further engineering competencies.
Validation of a questionnaire on research-based learning with engineering students
Authors: Cobos Alvarado Fabián , Peñaherrera León Mónica , Ortiz Colon Ana María
Published: September 2016

Universities in Latin American countries are undergoing major changes in its institutional and academic settings. One strategy for continuous improvement of teaching and learning process is the incorporation of methods and teaching aids seeking to develop scientific research skills in students from their undergraduate studies.The aim of this study is the validation of a questionnaire to measure research skills with engineering students.Questionnaire validation was performed by: literature review, semantic and content validation by experts from three Latin American universities, finishing with a factorial and reliability validation. The instrument was applied to 150 students (75,3% men and 24,7% women) that were enrolled in the basic level of engineering.The validated questionnaire has 20 items. The correlations between factors of the instrument, show relationship and dependence between them, indicating the validity of the questionnaire. The reliability of the instrument was calculated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which reached a value of .91 in the total scale.The statistical results to validate the questionnaire have been significant, allowing us to propose this experience as a starting point to implement further studies about the development of research skills in university’s students from other areas of knowledge.
Science learning motivation as correlate of students’ academic performances
Authors: P. Libao Nhorvien Jay , B. Sagun Jessie John , Tamangan Elvira A. , P. Pattalitan Agaton , D. Dupa Maria Elena , Bautista Romiro Gordo
Published: September 2016

This study was designed to analyze the relationship  of students’ learning motivation and their academic performances in science. The study made use of 21 junior and senior Biological Science students to conclude on the formulated research problems. The respondents had a good to very good motivation in learning science. In general, the extent of their motivation do not vary across their sex, age, and curriculum year. Moreover, the respondents had good academic performances in science. Aptly, extrinsic motivation was found to be related with their academic performances among the indicators of motivations in learning science.
Las leguminosas grano en la agricultura española y europea
Authors: González-Bernal María José , Rubiales Diego
Published: September 2016

A pesar de la larga tradición de cultivo y consumo de leguminosas en España y de sus conocidos beneficios medioambientales mejorando la fertilidad de los suelos, su cultivo ha disminuido constantemente en los últimos 50 años siendo reemplazadas por otros cultivos que se han adaptado mejor a los avances tecnológicos y resultan más rentables al agricultor. El consumo de legumbres ha descendido en España notablemente desde los 13 kg/persona/año en la década de los 60, hasta los poco más de 3 en la actualidad, pero aun así, importamos hoy alrededor del 85% de las judías, el 75% de los garbanzos y el 60% de las lentejas que consumimos. Asimismo, el descenso del consumo de legumbres ha ido asociado a un incremento del consumo de carne, lo que ha aumentado el consumo de leguminosas para pienso, sobre todo soja, pero no así su cultivo por lo que importamos casi 5 millones de toneladas de soja al año, lo que supone el 95% de las importaciones de leguminosas. Esta tendencia es similar a la encontrada en el resto de Europa lo que genera dos dependencias preocupantes que solo pueden aliviarse aumentando el cultivo de leguminosas. Por un lado está la dependencia de las importaciones de proteína vegetal (70%), a lo que se une la de fertilizantes nitrogenados (80%). Además, la producción de estos fertilizantes requiere gran energía, básicamente gas natural, del cual la UE importa del orden del 60% de sus necesidades. Esta dependencia de las importaciones de proteína, sobre todo soja, no solo supone un riesgo galopante para la balanza de pagos, sino también de seguridad alimentaria, poniendo a nuestra industria cárnica en manos de las oscilaciones del precio de la soja.
Historia del cultivo de la judía: su evolución más allá de las áreas de origen y domesticación
Authors: De Ron Antonio M. , González Ana M. , Paula Rodiño A. , Santalla Marta , Godoy Luis , Papa Roberto
Published: September 2016

La judía común (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) es la leguminosa de grano más relevante para el consumo humano directo en escala global. Las colecciones de germoplasma de judía actuales muestran una amplia variación de fenotipos, aunque en muchos países las variedades locales están siendo reemplazados por cultivares de élite, concentrando la producción agraria en un número cada vez más reducido de cultivares con la consecuente erosión genética o pérdida de biodiversidad. Este cultivo se ha extendido por todos los continentes durante los últimos siglos, lo que ha dado lugar a una compleja estructura genética fuera de sus áreas de origen y domesticación (Mesoamérica y Sudamérica). Diversas evidencias indican que el germoplasma europeo contiene una diversidad adicional mayor de la esperada especialmente en el Sur de Europa, y particularmente en la Península Ibérica, dónde fue introducida a comienzos del siglo XVI, y que ha sido documentada como un centro de domesticación secundaria de la especie. La integración de datos ómicos en las bases de datos de documentación del germoplasma de judía y su combinación con datos genéticos, fenotípicos y agro-ecológicos está abriendo una nueva era para la valorización y el uso eficiente de los recursos genéticos de la judía común como la principal leguminosa de grano para consumo humano en Europa y globalmente.
De heroínas y mujeres. La trayectoria cinematográfica del personaje de Lady Marian
Authors: Pérez Herrera Gema , Pavón Benito Julia
Published: September 2016

La revolución histórica de la mujer a lo largo del siglo XX ha tenido su correlato en un testigo de excepción: el cine. El análisis de varias representaciones cinematográficas de Lady Marian, protagonista femenina de la leyenda de Robin Hood, desde 1922 hasta algunas de las producciones más recientes permite señalar que se ha producido un cambio en el papel de lo femenino en lo heroico. Este cambio pasa por la adopción de roles y la inclusión en escenarios antaño reservados para el protagonismo masculino, así como por una progresiva masculinización de la mujer. El análisis de las representaciones realizadas en cada década del siglo XX permite también comprobar cómo el cine siempre proyecta un mensaje contemporáneo, reflejando en sus historias modelos humanos y culturales acordes con la sensibilidad de cada tiempo.
La fábrica de la empatía. Del determinismo genético al origen social de la moral
Authors: Hernández Castro David
Published: September 2016

Preston y De Waal han adoptado una idea teórica, el Mecanismo de Percepción-Acción (MPA), que sugiere que la empatía y la moral tienen raíces genéticas y evolutivas. En este artículo analizamos críticamente el MPA y proponemos una interpretación alternativa, la fábrica de la empatía, que reconsidera la “Hipótesis de la Percepción-Acción” y el descubrimiento de las neuronas espejo bajo la luz del concepto de performatividad de Judith Butler y la construcción social de las emociones. Frente al determinismo genético, nuestra investigación apunta a las relaciones sociales y el lenguaje.
Potential Effects of Drought on Carrying Capacity for Wintering Waterfowl in the Central Valley of California
Authors: Petrie Mark J. , Fleskes Joseph P. , Wolder Mike A. , Isola Craig R. , Yarris Gregory S. , Skalos Daniel A.
Published: September 2016

We used the bioenergetics model TRUEMET to evaluate potential effects of California's recent drought on food supplies for waterfowl wintering in the Central Valley under a range of habitat and waterfowl population scenarios. In nondrought years in the current Central Valley landscape, food supplies are projected to be adequate for waterfowl from fall through early spring (except late March) even if waterfowl populations reach North American Waterfowl Management Plan goals. However, in all drought scenarios that we evaluated, food supplies were projected to be exhausted for ducks by mid- to late winter and by late winter or early spring for geese. For ducks, these results were strongly related to projected declines in winter-flooded rice fields that provide 45% of all the food energy available to ducks in the Central Valley in nondrought water years. Delayed flooding of some managed wetlands may help alleviate food shortages by providing wetland food resources better timed with waterfowl migration and abundance patterns in the Central Valley, as well as reducing the amount of water needed to manage these habitats. However, future research is needed to evaluate the impacts of delayed flooding on waterfowl hunting, and whether California's existing water delivery system would make delayed flooding feasible. Securing adequate water supplies for waterfowl and other wetland-dependent birds is among the greatest challenges facing resource managers in coming years, especially in the increasingly arid western United States.
Advancing Women Leaders in Academe
Authors: Roberts Cynthia
Published: September 2016

Much has been written about the dearth of women in leadership positions within the academy both in the United States as well as abroad, however, the percentage of women in key roles continues to remain stagnant. This chapter reviews the forces at play that promote and/or hinder the advancement of women into leadership roles. Several barriers to progression have been identified in the literature ranging from implicit bias, individual preference, and struggles with work life balance to organizational issues such lack of adequate role models and a culture structured around masculine archetypes. Although much is written about programming aimed at the individual or micro level, the larger context of organizational culture must be addressed in order to effect real change. The author suggests that creating a culture of inclusion can facilitate advancement and equity and reviews aspects of the organization that can be utilized as levers for change.
Privacy, Security, and Identity Theft Protection
Authors: Francia III Guillermo A. , Hutchinson Frances Shannon , Francia Xavier Paris
Published: September 2016

The proliferation of the Internet has intensified the privacy protection and identity theft crises. A December 2013 report by the U.S. Department of Justice indicates that 16.6 million persons were victims of identity theft with direct and indirect losses amounting to almost $24.7 billion in 2012 (Harrell & Langton, 2013). These startling and apparently persistent statistics have prompted the United States and other foreign governments to initiate strategic plans and to enact several regulations in order to curb the crisis. This chapter surveys recently enacted national and international laws pertaining to identity theft and privacy issues. Further, it discusses the interplay between privacy and security, the various incentives and deterrence for privacy protection, and the prospects for the simulation of the social and behavioral aspects of privacy using the agent-based modeling.
A Routine Activity Theory-Based Framework for Combating Cybercrime
Authors: Glasser Dillon , Taneja Aakash
Published: September 2016

Since the government began tackling the problems of cybercrime, many laws have been enacted. A lack of a comprehensive definition and taxonomy of cybercrime makes it difficult to accurately identify report and monitor cybercrime trends. There is not just a lack of international agreement on what cybercrime is; there are different laws in every state within the United States, reflecting the inconsistency of dealing with cybercrime. There is also concern that many times lawyers and information technology professions are unable to understand each other well. The deficiency of cyber laws is an obvious problem and development of effective laws is emerging as an important issue to deal with cybercrime. This research uses the routine activity theory to develop a unified framework by including the motivation of the offender to use a computer as a tool/target, suitability of the target, and the presence (or absence) of guardian. It could help states that want to update their existing laws and cover areas that were previously uncovered.
Security and Privacy Issues, Solutions, and Tools for MCC
Authors: Tank Darshan M.
Published: September 2016

With the development of cloud computing and mobility, mobile cloud computing has emerged and become a focus of research. Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) integrates mobile computing and cloud computing aiming to extend mobile devices capabilities. By the means of on-demand self-service and extendibility, it can offer the infrastructure, platform, and software services in a cloud to mobile users through the mobile network. There is huge market for mobile based e-Commerce applications across the globe. Security and privacy are the key issues for mobile cloud computing applications. The limited processing power and memory of a mobile device dependent on inherently unreliable wireless channel for communication and battery for power leaves little scope for a reliable security layer. Thus there is a need for a lightweight secure framework that provides security with minimum communication and processing overhead on mobile devices. The security and privacy protection services can be achieved with the help of secure mobile-cloud application services.
The German Electronic Identity Card
Authors: Sorge Christoph
Published: September 2016

Authentication is an important aspect of e-government applications, as in many cases the identity of a citizen has to be established before provision of a service. Germany is among the countries that have established an electronic identification and authentication infrastructure, based on an electronic identity card. The card enables both local and remote authentication to service providers and authorities. While privacy-enhancing technologies have been used to a large extent in its design and there are no known attacks on its security protocols, the eID card has been harshly criticized. Less than a third of the citizens requesting an identity card choose to activate the eID function. Using the example of Germany, this chapter discusses whether the establishment of an electronic authentication infrastructure makes sense and presents possible reasons for the German eID card's lack of success. In addition, the author considers electronic signatures and their integration in an electronic authentication infrastructure.
Cyber Risk
Authors: Arcuri Maria Cristina , Brogi Marina , Gandolfi Gino
Published: September 2016

The dependence on cyberspace has considerably increased over time, as such, people look at risk associated with cyber technology. This chapter focuses on the cyber risk issue. The authors aim to describe the global state of the art and point out the potential negative consequences of this type of systemic risk. Cyber risk increasingly affects both public and private institutions. Some of the risks that entities face are the following: computer security breaches, cyber theft, cyber terrorism, cyber espionage. Developed nations but also emerging markets suffer from cyber risk. It is therefore important to examine the different security regulation implemented across different markets. Moreover, cyber risk is a concern for all economic sectors. In particular, it is a crucial issue in banking sector because of the negative effects of cyber attacks, among others, the financial losses and the reputational risk. However, the awareness is increasing and cyber insurance is growing.
Cyber-Crimes against Adolescents
Authors: Pereira Filipa da Silva , Veloso de Matos Marlene Alexandra , Sampaio Álvaro Miguel do Céu Gramaxo Olivei
Published: September 2016

At young ages there is an increase in reports of intimidation, harassment, intrusion, fear, and violence experienced through Information Technologies (IT). Hacking, spamming, identity theft, child pornography, cyber bullying, and cyber stalking are just few examples of cyber-crimes. This chapter aims to contribute, from a psychological and design perspective, to an integrative viewpoint about this complex field of cyber-crime. In this chapter, the most common types of cyber-crimes, epidemiological data, and the profiles of cyber victims and aggressors' are approached. The studies that identify the factors contributing to IT misuse and to growing online vulnerability, principally in adolescents, are also discussed. Likewise, the central explanatory theories for the online victimization and the risk factors for victimization and perpetration online are addressed. Finally, some cyber-crime prevention strategies are anticipated, in particular among young people, seeking to provide clues to the consolidation of recent policies, namely at the digital design level.
Privacy Dangers of Wearables and the Internet of Things
Authors: Amyx Scott
Published: September 2016

This chapter identifies concerns about, and the managerial implications of, data privacy issues related to wearables and the IoT; it also offers some enterprise solutions to the complex concerns arising from the aggregation of the massive amounts of data derived from wearables and IoT devices. Consumer and employee privacy concerns are elucidated, as are the problems facing managers as data management and security become an important part of business operations. The author provides insight into how companies are currently managing data as well as some issues related to data security and privacy. A number of suggestions for improving the approach to data protection and addressing concerns about privacy are included. This chapter also examines trending issues in the areas of data protection and the IoT, and contains thought-provoking discussion questions pertaining to business, wearables/IoT data, and privacy issues.
Visibility of Scholarly Research and Changing Research Communication Practices
Authors: Kell Catherine , Czerniewicz Laura
Published: September 2016

Scholars globally are increasingly required to account for the visibility and impact of their research, and visibility and impact are increasingly digitally-mediated through the platforms and practices associated with Web 2.0. Traditional prestige-based metrics of visibility (ISI/WoS Impact Factor) measure only scholar-to-scholar outputs like journals and books. In many African universities with nascent research cultures, legacies of colonialism and imperatives of national development, these measures present scholars with particular challenges. At the same time, in the North, moves towards Open Access, along with the potential of Web 2.0 technologies for increasing visibility of research, offer the potential for changes to traditional measures of assessing impact and visibility. Using a framework whereby the extent of change in research communication practices at all stages of the research process can be analysed, this paper reveals the pressures shaping African research communication practices and the visibility of research, using data from a case study at the University of Namibia.
Academics' Active and Passive Use of YouTube for Research and Leisure
Authors: Zhu Yimei
Published: September 2016

This chapter presents findings from a survey study regarding academics' use of YouTube videos for research and leisure. The results are based on a large-scale survey which reflects responses from over 1,800 researchers based at 12 Russell Group universities in the UK. The results suggest that YouTube has been a very popular entertainment tool. The majority of academics have watched YouTube videos for leisure purposes whilst almost half of them watched YouTube videos for academic purposes. However, active uses of YouTube for posting videos were still limited. There were some differences in the extent of active/passive use of YouTube between groups in terms of academic discipline, age and seniority. Academics who had received social media training, recommendations from colleagues, had teaching duties and positive attitudes towards YouTube as a means of dissemination, were more likely to post videos on YouTube for research purposes. Additionally, academics who owned a smartphone were more likely to post videos on YouTube for leisure purposes.
Google Scholar's Filter Bubble
Authors: Yu Ke , Mustapha Nazeem , Oozeer Nadeem
Published: September 2016

This chapter investigates the allegation that popular online search engine Google applies algorithms to personalise search results therefore yielding different results for the exact same search terms. It specifically examines whether the same alleged filter bubble applies to Google's academic product: Google Scholar. It reports the results from an exploratory experiment of nine keywords carried out for this purpose, varying variables such as disciplines (Natural Science, Social Science and Humanities), geographic locations (north/south), and levels (senior/junior researchers). It also reports a short survey on academic search behaviour. The finding suggests that while Google Scholar, together with Google, has emerged as THE dominant search engine among the participants of this study, the alleged filter bubble is only mildly observable. The Jaccard similarity of search results for all nine keywords is strikingly high, with only one keyword that exhibits a localized bubble at 95% level. This chapter therefore concludes that the filter bubble phenomenon does not warrant concern.
Writing Groups in the Digital Age
Authors: O'Dwyer Siobhan T. , McDonough Sharon L. , Jefferson Rebecca , Goff Jennifer Ann , Redman-MacLaren Michelle
Published: September 2016

Social media writing groups are an emerging phenomenon in the academic world. Combining the discipline, mentorship, and peer support of face-to-face writing groups, with the convenience, global reach, and interdisciplinary networks of social media, they offer a way for scholars to apply new digital technologies to the old problem of developing, maintaining, and protecting an academic writing practice. Despite their growing popularity, however, there has been little critical or empirical analysis of these groups. Using Shut Up & Write Tuesdays (SUWT) as a case study, this chapter examines the purpose, use, outcomes, and challenges of a social media writing group for academics. Usage data from the three SUWT Twitter accounts, a survey of SUWT participants, and the narrative reflections of the SUWT hosts, are drawn together to highlight the value, strengths, and limitations of social media writing groups as a scholarly activity in the digital age.
Gamification and Health Literacy
Authors: Faddoul Badia
Published: September 2016

The growing body of knowledge on the effectiveness and usability of digital games in delivering health information to consumers reveals that the academic attention toward gaming has increased. An overabundance of health information for consumers is often very daunting. Healthcare workers need resources that focus on health literacy, and consumers demand easy to comprehend information in a user friendly format. This chapter explores how gamification as a mode of information exchange could provide answers to the health literacy issue and demonstrates how games can potentially be a natural platform to deliver information to consumers.
Adaptable Learning Theory Framework for Technology-Enhanced Learning
Authors: Havard Byron , East Marlene L. , Prayaga Lakshmi , Whiteside Alex
Published: September 2016

The sheer volume of technological innovations with educational potential along with the myriad of instructional theories and models present quite the challenge for educators. A contemporary framework is needed to connect these components with learning theory and to ultimately serve as a guide to educators grappling with how to align the interrelated components of effective instruction when using educational technologies. The objective of this chapter is to present a viable contemporary framework to fulfill this need. The Adaptable Learning Theory Framework for Technology Enhanced Learning (AF-TEL) provides a framework based on the cognitive presence, social presence, and teaching presence tenets of the Community of Inquiry model (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2003) to achieve desired educational outcomes. Professional Development for STEM Teachers using Discovery Labs (PDSTDL) is a format of teacher professional development that integrates AF-TEL to address the critical need of preparing effective STEM teachers.
Learning to Teach Online
Authors: Tschida Christina M. , Hodge Elizabeth M. , Schmidt Steven W.
Published: September 2016

The rapid expansion of distance education in higher education has left a high demand for faculty willing to design and teach online courses, often with little or no training. The path from face-to-face to online courses is not an easy one and can be filled with frustration and doubt for many faculty. Professional development often focuses on technology tools rather than pedagogical issues of online learning or course content. This chapter focuses on research that examines the experience of several faculty from the college of education at a state university in the Southeast United States, as they learned to teach online. It presents their negotiations of issues of online platform and pedagogy and their efforts to find professional development to meet their needs. The implications for institutions of higher learning are important as distance education continues to increase and more and more faculty are asked (or told) to transfer their courses online.
A Professional Development Framework for the Flipped Classroom Model
Authors: Katz Anne , Brown Tricia Muldoon , Kim Jackie Hee Young
Published: September 2016

A major goal of K-12 education is to create a student-centered classroom where educators are teaching to increase critical thinking skills, promote problem-based learning, and differentiate instruction. However, the reality is that many educators are challenged by the difficult task of creating such a learning environment in their classrooms. In this chapter, the authors will introduce a Flipped Classroom Professional Development project, a Title II Part A Higher Education Improving Teacher Quality State Grant initiative. This project centered on two goals. First, the authors sought to teach the flipped classroom model through an integrated literacy and math approach while “mathematizing” read-aloud instruction for primary and elementary grade educators. Secondly, the chapter describes efforts to expand teachers' repertoire of effective instructional, blended technology tools for teaching math and literacy. The authors will conclude with the potential of the Flipped Classroom model in K-5 settings based upon this professional development framework.
Water Resources Management
Authors: Nayak Sabyasachi
Published: September 2016

This chapter explores grassroots interventions by forging partnerships with stakeholders in improving the management of water resources at the community level. In order to gain insight into the nuances of managing water resources in partnership, a pilot study was instituted in the State of Rajasthan, India. The efficacy of the partnership approach in ensuring equitable water management is demonstrated. The analysis is supported by data collected through the administration of a questionnaire for five different stakeholders. The impact of the intervention reiterates the positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes in a more sustainable manner.
Basin-Scale, Real-Time Salinity Management Using Telemetered Sensor Networks and Model-Based Salt Assimilative Capacity Forecasts
Authors: Quinn Nigel W.T. , Tassey Roberta , Wang Jun
Published: September 2016

This chapter describes a new approach to environmental decision support for salinity management in the San Joaquin Basin that focuses on Web-based data sharing using tools such as YSI Econet and continuous data quality management using an enterprise-level software tool WISKI. These tools offer real-time Web-access to sensor data as well as providing the owner full control over the way the data is visualized. The same websites use GIS to superimpose the monitoring site locations on maps of local hydrography and allow point and click access to the data collected at each environmental monitoring site. This information technology suite of software and hardware work together with a watershed simulation model WARMF-SJR to provide timely, reliable, and high quality data and forecasts of river salinity that can used by stakeholder decision makers to ensure compliance with state water quality objectives.
The Evolution of Effective Leadership Practices in Botswana Horticulture Council
Authors: Montsho Cheneso Bolden , Mosweunyane Dama
Published: September 2016

Botswana Horticultural Council was formed by District Horticultural Associations. It represents and advocates for the interest and development of horticultural farmers. Botswana Horticultural Council leads the associations by acting as their voice, protecting their interest, advocating for conducive and favourable horticultural policies, working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture for promoting and facilitating sound extension services for horticulture farmers in the country. Extension Service provides technical knowledge and skills for improved horticultural crop production that ensures good quality products. Botswana Horticultural Council creates linkages by networking with other relevant organizations within the country and outside. It promotes sustainability of the horticultural business in the country by ensuring improved management practices, conformity to the required production standards, good handling and packaging of products, proper records keeping and marketing efficiency. It plays a leading and coordinative role in horticultural crop production in Botswana.
Organic Farming
Authors: Agrawal Aditya Vikram , Sharma Charu , Joshi Neha , Jindal Siddharth , Raghavendra V. , Kango Vaibhav
Published: September 2016

India practised organic farming in early centuries but Green revolution lead to shift of farming to fertilizer based farming. So, in this chapter the focus is to elucidate the idea of organic farming and its growth over the years across the countries with focus on India. Organic farming is a type of farming method where the crops are sowed and raised by using organic wastes instead of the regular use of pesticides and insecticides. This method has been quickly accepted and adopted by most of the countries across the world with the number being 144 in the year 2010 with major percentage being practised in developing nations. Out of this, India has just about 0.03 percent of the total land under organic farming across the world. India has witnessed a significant growth in organic farming since the last few years, keeping in sync with the world market.
Best Practice Model Tools and Methods for Developing KM Systems
Authors: Noszkay Erzsébet
Published: September 2016

This chapter focuses on an experience based presentation of the parameters that determine organizational culture, and the impact that basic interrelationships among such parametric factors exercise on the elaboration of KM; the timing and the sort of KM structure, configuration that is feasible to make KM an approved and successful management function within a corporate structure; the possibility and the proper timing of the elaboration of KM through corporate strategic approach i.e. starting from above (decision of the senior management), and the efficiency of a solution initiated from below (by the members of the organization). This chapter will describe some practice-proven solutions, such as: the application of the problem solution method named action research that could be expedient in the implementation of KM in certain cases, and times and situations where the application of the “sandwich method” could be expedient. Also, this chapter describes knowledge transfer experiences that facilitate the recognition of the “capillary model”, its substance and scope of utilization.
Product Knowledge Management in Small Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Bruno Giulia
Published: September 2016

An important issue present in the most of manufacturing systems, and become worse in SMEs, is the systematic management of the huge amount of unstructured information generated about products, from their design to their disposal. The aim of this chapter is to define a framework to manage such kind of data, overcoming the actual issues of the meaningless and the unstructured nature of generated information. To this aim, a knowledge management platform is proposed, both to store product information with semantic enrichment and to retrieve product information by means of a new similarity index. Such platform is based on the one hand on a non-relational data management system and on the other hand on a set of manufacturing ontologies. An example of the potentiality of the proposed framework is shown in the domain of telecommunication filter manufacturing.
Knowledge Sharing Relation to Competence, Emotional Intelligence, and Social Media Regarding Generations
Authors: Obermayer Nora , Csepregi Anikó , Kővári Edit
Published: September 2016

This chapter introduces the possible differences revealed of the applied methods in knowledge sharing based on generational differences. In addition the chapter investigates the relationship of knowledge sharing to competences, emotional intelligence and social media tools and presents research that were carried out between 2006-2015. The aim of this part is to enable companies, especially SMEs to learn from these research outcomes and develop strategies to trigger knowledge sharing among different generations regarding the vital competences, emotional intelligence and social media tools.
Managing Collective Knowledge at a Small Business Group (VID Group)
Authors: Véry Zoltán
Published: September 2016

Personal knowledge is the construction of the individual. It is the context of factual knowledge and experience. Collective work, thinking, writing requires adaptation, adjustment, coordination. The VID SME Group demonstrates the significance of collective knowledge, as the group is dominated by diversity, manifold ordering, but also by the maintenance and coordination of plurality. The present paper provides the framework and the praxis of the plural management of collective knowledge, hence allowing for the attainment of the approach and thinking lying therein. Following an overview of the background of the adopted systemic, pluralistic approach, the paper gives insight into the VID Group's systemically, corporally-corporately and textually ordered architecture, into its management and control praxes of collective knowledge, but it also presents the business group's principles, tasks, networks, its functional ordering and connections.
The Transfer of Knowledge and University-Firm Tensions
Authors: Pinto Hugo
Published: September 2016

Innovation is transformed in an encompassing domain where different types of actors are connected and interrelated. Nevertheless, academic science often feels threatened by the new emerging institutional paradigm characterized by the economic exploitation of public research results. This chapter explores university-firm relations and tensions, discussing the increased relevance of knowledge transfer. The ideas of Ludwik Fleck, intellectual precursor of Social Studies of S&T, contribute to the understanding of the difficulties of communication between different collectives, their styles of thought and the importance of ‘marginal individuals' in connecting different institutional spheres. Based on a qualitative approach to the case study of a Portuguese university attempting to create bridges with the business world, the text illustrates differences between the ‘academic science' and the firm, the recent institutionalization of commercialization of research, and findings for policy-making and management of knowledge transfer activities.
A Comprehensive Review on Magnetic Abrasive Finishing Process
Authors: Houshi Mohannad Naeem
Published: September 2016

In the nanotechnology era, the need for products with high quality and surfaces with free-from damage has become an urgent necessity. Many components in the precision industries such as electronics, automobile, medical, and aviation require high surface finish to meet their functional requirements, such as, reducing fluid flow resistance, friction, optical losses and increase fatigue strength. However, the scale of such surface quality cannot be achieved by traditional finishing methods. To overcome these limitations, many advanced finishing processes have been developed such as abrasive flow finishing, magnetorheological fluid finishing, magnetic float polishing, and chemical mechanical polishing and magnetic abrasive finishing. Magnetic abrasive finishing (MAF) is one of advanced finishing processes which offers superior surface finish over conventional finishing processes, because of its self-adaptability to finish of different geometric shapes, its a gentle tool which does not impact workpiece surface, its capability to polish advanced engineering materials and its low cost. This article has been focused on MAF, as well as reviewing of advanced finishing processes. The recent researches and challenges of MAF have been discussed as well.
Investigation of a New Corrosion Inhibitor Cucurbiturils for Mild Steel in 10% Acidic Medium
Authors: Berdimurodov Elyor , Wang J. , Kholikov Abduvali , Akbarov Khamdam , Burikhonov Bakhtiyor , Umirov Nurbik
Published: September 2016

The corrosion inhibition property of cucurbiturils has studied in 10% HCl for mild steel using gravimetric, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization (Tafel) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. It was found that the inhibition efficiency of inhibitors increases with increase in concentration. The effect of temperature on the corrosion rate was investigated and some thermodynamic parameters were calculated. Polarization studies show that inhibitors are of mixed type in nature. The results show that they are good inhibitors, and the adsorption of inhibitors on mild steel surface obeys Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies were used to characterize the surface morphology of uninhibited and inhibited mild steel specimens. The results obtained from experimental measurements and those from theoretical calculations are in good agreement.
Numerical Simulation of Temperature Field in Steel under Action of Electron Beam Heating Source
Authors: Skeeba Vadim Yu. , Ivancivsky Vladimir V. , Martyushev Nikita V. , Lobanov Dmitry V. , Vakhrushev Nikita V. , Zhigulev Aleksey K.
Published: September 2016

It is impossible to improve the most critical performance properties of machine parts without methods of modifying the surface layer using such concentrated energy as laser, plasma, an electron beam or high-frequency currents. For the rational use of these methods, which are characterized by high heating rates, i.e. about 104 ... 105oC/sec a reliable mechanism for determining the processing modes that ensure the required level of quality characteristics of the hardened surface layer of machine parts, is essential. In this paper, the interrelation between the parameter values of thermal cycles, implemented in the surface layer of steel U8, and the modes of electron beam heating in the atmosphere has been determined.
Cascade Probability Method and its Relationship with Boltzmann Equations
Authors: Kupchishin Anatoliy I. , Kupchishin Alexander A. , Voronova Natalia A. , Lisitsyn Viktor M.
Published: September 2016

The paper suggests and develops a cascade probability method (in particular, for flows of plasma particles), the essence of which is to obtain and apply cascade probability functions (CPF) to cases of different particles. CPF is the probability of particles formed at a certain depth h' reaching a certain depth h after i collisions. The work has considered the interaction of particles with matter; yielded the general solution for cascade probability method and a particular solution for the case of a collided particle not changing its direction and the flow rate not depending on time.
Polyfunctional Coatings on the Basis of Powder Paints Electrostatically Sprayed from the Composite Mixtures Treated in Planetary Ball Mill
Authors: Panin Sergey V. , Yazykov Sergei Yu. , Kornienko Larisa A. , Ovechkin Boris B.
Published: September 2016

The comparative analysis of the structure and properties of composite coatings deposited by electrostatic spraying of nine powder mixtures based on polyester powder paint (PPP), epoxy powder paint (EPP), polyurethane varnish (PUV) with micron size fillers in the form of carbon black (CB), colloidal graphite (CG) and Cr17Ni2 steel have been carried out. The powder mixtures were pre-treated in a planetary ball mill (PBM) to input the maximum amount of functionalizing particles in the coatings. The designed coatings besides carrying out conventional protective (anti-corrosion) functions might be used for removing static electricity and shielding electromagnetic radiation.
The Structure of Quaternary Iron-Based Alloy Obtained at High and Ultrahigh Cooling Rates
Authors: Kovalevskaya Zhanna G. , Kovalevskiy Evgeny A. , Khimich Margarita A.
Published: September 2016

Influence of Fe-Si-Al-C alloy cooling rate on its phase composition, structure and microhardness is shown based on metallographic investigations, electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction analysis. It was determined that the structure will change from dendrite to grained, size of structure elements will decrease, quantity and size of secondary phases precipitations will decrease when cooling rate changes from 103 to 107 K/s. The metastable phases such as primary ferrite, austenite and complex carbides are formed in cooling rate range. The volume ratio of main phases changes in favor of primary ferrite with cooling rate increasing. Hardening of the material occurs more than twice. Hardening is due to the interaction of solid-solution hardening, grain boundary hardening and dispersive hardening by secondary phases particles. The maximum hardening is achieved during formation of the alloy in molten pool at electron-beam melting. The alloy in this case contains 80 vol. % of austenite with dendrite similar structure and precipitations of carbide and silicocarbide phases. It can be assumed than such structure will be formed from the alloy with investigated composition at additive manufacturing.
Mechanical Properties of Additive Manufactured Complex Matrix Three-Component Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites
Authors: Chumaevskii Andrey V. , Kolubaev Evgeny A. , Tarasov Sergei Yu. , Eliseev Alexander A.
Published: September 2016

Mechanical strength of carbon fiber reinforced composites made of thermoplastic-thermosetting polymer matrix reinforced by carbon fibers has been determined. High mechanical strength has been revealed in tensile and compression tests both along and across the fibers. Specificity of fracturing in fiber-thermoplastics-thermosetting composition has been revealed. The effect of fiber bundling type on fracturing has been addressed.
Capabilities of Laser Printers with Different Power
Authors: Ahmetshin Rinat G. , Fedorov Vasilii V. , Kostikov Kirill S. , Martyushev Nikita V. , Ovchinnikov V.A. , Razin Aleksey V. , Yakovlev Alexey N.
Published: September 2016

The paper provides data on the structures and specifications of laser printers for 3D metal printing. The printers were engineered in Research and Educational Center "Modern manufacturing technologies" in Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia. The essential difference of the given printers is their laser power. The experimental research has shown that the setups with a more powerful laser (500W) enable synthesizing the objects of higher quality in a shorter period of time. The paper also presents data on forming samples structure with the use of 3D printing.
Influence of Dispersivity of Micron-Sized Aluminum Powders on their Resistance to Water Vapor
Authors: Zmanovskiy Sergey V. , Smirnova Valentina V. , Korshunov Andrey V. , Ilyin Alexander P.
Published: September 2016

The influence of dispersivity of micron-sized industrial Al powders with interval of the particles diameter of 0.18-11.0 μm on their resistance to oxidation in the saturated water vapor atmosphere at its different partial pressures has been studied. It was experimentally shown the effect of increasing the stability of powders with a higher proportion of submicron particles to oxidation when exposed to water vapor, which consists in reducing the degree of oxidation with increasing dispersivity of Al powders under the same exposure conditions to water vapor. Enhancing the stability of submicron and nanoparticles of Alto oxidation with water vapor was explained by the formation on the particle surface a special charge state of the oxide film (double electric layer) which slows the diffusion of oxidant to the metal core of particles.