bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Right to Life and Cyber Warfare
Authors: Poposka Vesna
Published: November 2015

Referring to the cyber space as the new dimension of warfare opens many legal challenges. Those challenges can be settled in two main clusters: first one related to the usage of cyberspace as a weapon itself, related the environment in which terrorist attack occurs (meaning that cyber infrastructure and cyber are used for terrorist attacks, or as an asset during counterterrorist operations), and the second drives on ancillary usage of the cyber infrastructure, means and methods for the same purposes. The cyberspace is lacking specific legal regime that is applicable, same as cyber attacks. While the specific applicable regime is lacking, as well as any consensus upon that issue, what has to be considered is if any parts of the currently ongoing legal regimes are applicable. Put into the context of cyber warfare, it can lead to different solutions, examined in the chapter.
Service-Driven Computing with APIs
Authors: Jayathilaka Hiranya , Krintz Chandra , Wolski Rich
Published: November 2015

While both SOAP and REST have been used widely to implement Web services and software integration, over time REST has emerged as the predominant approach. REST provides developers with a lower barrier to entry for implementation and greater development flexibility than SOAP. Its architectural conventions and best practices can be integrated into Web services incrementally as opposed to the all-or-nothing adoption of SOAP. In order to achieve generality, SOAP standards are extensive, rigid, and complex. This complexity can lead to implementations that introduce significant overhead on the network bandwidth consumption, execution times, and throughput of SOAP services, especially in the emerging resource-restricted mobile realm. This chapter provides an overview of the logical and physical design of modern Web services and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of the predominant styles. It provides evidence and reasoning behind the emergence of REST as the leader for the development of next-generation Web APIs and services. The chapter also delineates the key technologies that underlie REST and describes emerging and future research directions in support of REST-based APIs and service development.
Cloud Computing Economics
Authors: Bibi Stamatia , Katsaros Dimitrios , Bozanis Panayiotis
Published: November 2015

Cloud services and technologies are currently receiving increased attention from the industry mostly due to business-driven promises and expectations. Significant innovations in virtualization and distributed computing, as well as improved access to high-speed Internet and a weak economy, have accelerated interest in cloud computing. However, is the migration to the Cloud the most profitable option for every business? Enterprise adoption of cloud computing often requires a significant transformation of existing Information Technology (IT) systems and processes. To justify such a change, a viable business case must be made based on the economics of transformation. This chapter presents a study of the basic parameters for estimating the potential infrastructure and software costs deriving from building and deploying applications on cloud and on-premise assets. Estimated user demand and desired quality attributes related to an application are also addressed in this chapter as they are aspects of the decision problem that also influence the choice between cloud and in-house solutions.
Governance and Risk Management in the Cloud with Cloud Controls Matrix V3 and ISO/IEC 38500:2008
Authors: Chaudhuri Abhik
Published: November 2015

Cloud based services are gaining popularity across the globe and there is a growing interest to adopt the cloud for operational efficiency, green computing initiatives and service agility. However, concerns of security and risks in the Cloud are important constraints to reaping the benefits of Cloud Computing. Controlling the threats and vulnerabilities of Cloud based IT Services are prime necessities with proper policies and guidance from the Business Leadership or Board. While Business is concentrating on cost reduction as a primary enabler for adopting Cloud based Services, there is a growing need for exercising effective Governance and Risk Management to mitigate security risks and to exercise control over data in the Cloud. This chapter discusses how Governance and Risk Management domain (GRM) of Cloud Controls Matrix (CSA CCM) V3 Framework from Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) and the ISO/IEC 38500:2008 standard for IT Governance can be utilized together for an effective Governance and Risk Management of Cloud Services.
A Resource Allocation Model for Desktop Clouds
Authors: Alwabel Abdulelah , Walters Robert John , Wills Gary B.
Published: November 2015

Cloud computing is a new paradigm that promises to move IT a step further towards utility computing, in which computing services are delivered as a utility service. Traditionally, Cloud employs dedicated resources located in one or more data centres in order to provide services to clients. Desktop Cloud computing is a new type of Cloud computing that aims at providing Cloud capabilities at low or no cost. Desktop Clouds harness non dedicated and idle resources in order to provide Cloud services. However, the nature of such resources can be problematic because they are prone to failure at any time without prior notice. This research focuses on the resource allocation mechanism in Desktop Clouds. The contributions of this chapter are threefold. Firstly, it defines and explains Desktop Clouds by comparing them with both Traditional Clouds and Desktop Grids. Secondly, the paper discusses various research issues in Desktop Clouds. Thirdly, it proposes a resource allocation model that is able to handle node failures.
Offline and Online Customer Satisfaction in B2C Markets
Authors: Aquilani Barbara , Serpico Elsa , Silvestri Cecilia , Ruggieri Alessandro
Published: November 2015

The chapter by Aquilani, Serpico, Silvestri, and Ruggieri explores online and offline customer satisfaction in B2C markets. The authors emphasize that building strong relationships with customers is of even higher strategic relevance in dynamic and competitive environments implying that firms must continuously work towards ever higher levels of experienced customer satisfaction. The objectives of this conceptual work are threefold: (1) to review customer satisfaction studies in both offline and online environments and their relationships with customer relationship management both offline and online, (2) to analyze tools and methods already used to measure it, and (3) to propose a new and comprehensive theoretical framework that helps evaluate overall customer satisfaction. The framework considers both offline and online customer satisfaction antecedents, being aware of the different weight and effects they have on e-customer satisfaction. This depends on the context in which they have been created and previously applied to, as well as considering the website as a moderator in the relationship between offline antecedents of customer satisfaction (prior experience, brand, quality, price, etc.) and overall customer satisfaction. Thus, the latter would come from both offline antecedents of customers' satisfaction and website quality dimensions, namely information, services, and system quality.
Cloud Computing for Rural ICT Implementations
Authors: Firdhous Mohamed Fazil Mohamed
Published: November 2015

Half of the world's population live in rural areas and majority of them are in developing countries. The rural population face many challenges in their life compared to their urban counterparts. Some of these challenges include high unemployment rate, limited employment opportunities in their areas, high brain drain to more developed cities, lack of access to education and healthcare facilities. Information and communication technology has been identified as the enabling technology that can be used to overcome the present day problems. There are several ICT projects implemented across the world with the objective of helping these rural masses. But many of these projects face sustainability challenges due to lack of resources. In this chapter, the author takes an in depth look at how cloud computing can be leveraged successfully to address the sustainability problem of current rural ICT implementation.
Semantic Web Services-Based Knowledge Management Framework
Authors: Podgorelec Vili , Grašič Boštjan
Published: November 2015

In this chapter, a Semantic Web services-based knowledge management framework that enables holistic knowledge management in organizations is presented. As the economy is becoming one single global marketplace, where the best offer wins, organizations have to search for competitive advantage within themselves. With the growing awareness that key potentials of an organization lie within its people and their knowledge, efficient knowledge management is becoming one of key focuses in organizational activities. The proposed knowledge management framework is based on Semantic Web technologies and service-oriented architecture, supporting the operational business processes as well as knowledge-based management of services in service-oriented architecture.
Cloud Integration for Effective Delivery of IT Services
Authors: Puri Roma
Published: November 2015

Cloud computing is a state-of-the-art Internet technology being recently adapted by enterprises. The cloud computing models are implemented by business to improve existing practices. With improvement in the standards of the Web and affordability of mobile devises, the customer has accepted the online way of shopping. Cloud computing has been extensively used to deliver e-commerce, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). E-commerce models have undergone considerable changes in order to attract customers online. This chapter showcases the requirement of e-commerce model to integrate cloud computing technology. This chapter puts forward cloud computing applications for E-commerce, CRM and ERP by describing the significant characteristics of the cloud. For enterprises to bring into play cloud based e-commerce, CRM and ERP, certain significant issues need to be handled. These issues are the points of discussion in the chapter. In addition, the chapter introduces big data framework for building efficient e-commerce framework.
Evaluation of Cloud System Success Factors in Supply-Demand Chains
Authors: Soliman Fawzy
Published: November 2015

Cloud systems could help companies to optimize the structure and operation of supply chain and improve organizational performance into a higher level. In this chapter, the advantages and basic operation methods of cloud computing are analyzed, and the essential factors that contribute to the success of the cloud system are evaluated through some business examples. Supply chain firms rely on cloud system to share resources and to achieve integration through the Internet. Cloud systems could transform customer relationship and internal operation to achieve sustainable competitive advantages. Cloud services are providing the ability to share information to the supply chain at any time anywhere. This chapter explores the relationship between supply chain organization and cloud computing. This chapter also discusses the benefits and advantage to evaluate of cloud system in successful factors.
Green Economic and Secure Libraries on Cloud
Authors: T.M. Kalpana , Gopalakrishnan S.
Published: November 2015

Libraries are considered storehouses of knowledge in the form of books and other resources. Introduction of computers and information and communication technology paved the way for resources in electronic format. Hence, storage of library resources is categorized in two ways namely physical storage and electronic storage. The advantages of e-format are multiple users, increasing availability of free resource, sharing, storing, accessibility, retrieval, flexibility, compatibility, and so forth. As an evolutionary change in adapting to the electronic dissemination, electronic data can be stored virtually, externally, and retrieved in cloud computing. For cloud storage users, service providers and tools are considered as major components of the service architecture. Tool connects cloud storage server and thin client platform through the Internet. Green computing and green production technology are utilizing minimum resources and maximum production in an eco-friendly way. Data warehousing is collection of data, categorizing, filtering, eliminating replica data, format compatibility; security of data retrieval gives economic storage of files. Warehoused data with extract, transform, and load (ETL) tools are retrieved by data mining. This chapter discusses various architecture, service providers, models of service, certifications, billing models, security issues, solutions to security issues and eco-friendly economic storage.
Mobile Learning Services on Cloud
Authors: Barać Dušan , Radenković Miloš , Jovanić Branislav
Published: November 2015

This chapter discusses providing mobile learning services on cloud. Mobile cloud computing brings numerous benefits and enables overcoming technical constraints of mobile learning. The main techniques and approaches in mobile cloud computing are analyzed. A model for mobile learning services delivering through cloud computing is proposed. Several examples of mobile learning services implementations on cloud are presented: Android native application that provides Moodle learning management system features and a SMS service and mobile application for managing the infrastructure of e-learning system.
Dimensions of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Systems Success in Kuwait
Authors: Rouibah Kamel , Lowry Paul Benjamin , Almutairi Laila
Published: November 2015

An extensive body of research has tested the information systems success model in many contexts. Surprisingly, few of these studies have applied it to e-commerce. A study by represents one such initiative, but it is crucial to address several remaining gaps associated with that study. Moreover, no e-commerce success model has considered the Arab world, which exhibits unique cultural factors influencing e-commerce. The authors' study proposes an improved IS success model for e-commerce in the Arab world. This model, based on that of , adds several enhancements to the validity and generalisability of his efforts, uses the latest SEM techniques, including both monetary and nonmonetary value conceptualisations, uses a multidimensional conceptualisation of system quality, and proposes specific factors of e-commerce service quality. The authors tested the proposed research model with a truly randomised sampling approach using 288 experienced business-to-consumer (B2C) consumers in the Arab world. The results largely support our hypothesised model. The most important difference between our results and those of previous studies is our finding that although service quality influences value, it has no bearing on user satisfaction in an Arab context. This study will be useful for practitioners and researchers seeking to improve the understanding of B2C e-commerce success in the Arab world.
Application of Cloud Computing in Library Information Service Sector
Authors: Rawat Ajay , Kapoor Praveen , Sushil Rama
Published: November 2015

Cloud computing is a process that provides services on virtual machines. Through the Cloud the information can be stored permanently on the Cloud servers which can be accessed by the Internet. The main aim of Cloud computing is to bring scalability in the system, due to which CPU and memory will be fully utilized. It is up to a customer that one can increase or decrease the resources in the Cloud according to his need. Cloud computing provides a fascinating possibility for libraries that helps to increase data storage capacity, reliability, performance, and reduce technology cost. This chapter elaborates how libraries and information centers can enhance their resources infrastructure with minimum cost, make effective systems, and provide better services to the user community at minimum cost and time. The aim of this chapter is to explain how librarian, information and computer science professionals and knowledge workers apply Cloud computing in the libraries and information center management. Chapter begins with the Cloud computing introduction in the context of Libraries which is called Cloud libraries. How libraries are using Cloud services today and what can the Cloud computing solutions do for the libraries are presented in detail. The chapter describes the potential role of Cloud computing to serve library needs. At the end of the chapter some live examples, where Libraries are adopting Cloud Computing, like Dura Space, OCLC, Library Thing, Library Cloud and Seer Suite are discussed.
Investigating the Relationship between Educational Quality and Students' Satisfaction
Authors: Omran Sally Kamel Ali
Published: November 2015

This research aims at investigating the relationship between higher educational quality and students' satisfaction who are studying in the professional programs (MBA, DBA, and Diploma) offered by Faculty of Commerce, Cairo University. The research depends on stratified random sample of 235 students. The response rate is 83.9% and data is analyzed by different statistical methods. The research ends with the following results: (a) there is positive, strong, and significant relationship between higher educational quality and students' satisfaction level; (b) there is positive, strong and significant relationship between functional quality, technical quality, college image and the overall higher educational quality; (c) there is positive, strong, and significant relationship between functional quality, technical quality, college image and students' satisfaction level; (d) technical quality is the strongest determinant of the educational quality followed by college image and finally functional quality. Finally, the research ends with some suggested points for future research.
Measuring Service Quality Dimensions in Nationalized and Private Banks
Authors: Panwar Upendra Singh
Published: November 2015

Quality generally refers to something done by human beings at a very high level of excellence, oftentimes in the sense of works of perfection as being distinctive from inferior to mediocre performance. This chapter is an analytical study based mainly on the primary data collected through a scientifically developed scale. The scale was personally administered on a sample size of 202, chosen on a convenient basis from two banks, a nationalized bank and private bank. The scale of Parasuraman, Zeithml, and Berry (1986, 1988) was used here. In order to achieve higher levels of quality service in banking, banks should deliver higher levels of service quality, and in the present context, customers' perceptions are highest in the level of infrastructure facilities of the bank. Owing to the increasing competition in retail banking, customer service is an important part and bank managers should rethink how to improve customer satisfaction.
Cloud Security Using Face Recognition
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Sadhya Debanjan , Singh Durgesh , Singh Sanjay Kumar
Published: November 2015

Establishing identity has become very difficult in the vastly crowded cloud computing environment. The need for a trustworthy cloud authentication phenomenon has increased in the wake of heightened concerns about authentication and rapid advancements in cloud computing, database access, and Internet communication. Face recognition is a non-intrusive method, and facial characteristics are probably most common biometrics features used by humans to identify others. Authentication for cloud computing using face recognition is based on security issues related to data access and cloud database in a cloud. It can provide a satisfactory level of security measures to users and service providers, cloud consumers, and different organizations. In this chapter, the authors cover different research aspects related to cloud security.
QoS in the Mobile Cloud Computing Environment
Authors: Shi Zhefu , Beard Cory
Published: November 2015

Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) integrates cloud computing into the mobile environment and overcomes obstacles related to performance (e.g., bandwidth, throughput) and environment (e.g., heterogeneity, scalability, and availability). Quality of Service (QoS), such as end-to-end delay, packet loss ratio, etc., is vital for MCC applications. In this chapter, several important approaches for performance evaluation in MCC are introduced. These approaches, such as Markov Processes, Scheduling, and Game Theory, are the most popular methodologies in current research about performance evaluation in MCC. QoS is special in MCC compared to other environments. Important QoS problems with details in MCC and corresponding designs and solutions are explained. This chapter covers the most important research problems and current status related to performance evaluation and QoS in MCC.
Towards Semantic Mashups
Authors: Kalou Aikaterini K. , Koutsomitropoulos Dimitrios A.
Published: November 2015

Semantic Mashups constitute a relatively new genre of applications that illustrate the combination of the current trends of the Web, i.e. the Semantic Web and Web 2.0. The great benefit of Semantic mashups lies in the ability to aggregate different and heterogeneous data with rich semantic annotations and due to this, an additional ease of integration. In this paper, the authors attempt to outline the transition from conventional to semantic mashups, analyzing the former's limitations and identifying improvements and contributions which can come in with the advent of the later. Furthermore, the authors survey the background technologies on which semantic mashups are based, like Semantic Web Services and the process of data triplification. The authors also investigate the current trends and efforts put into developing tools and frameworks, which are designed to support users with little programming knowledge in semantic mashup application development, such as Semantic Pipes or Jigs4OWL. After presenting and illustrating the theoretical and technological background of this genre of mashups, the authors look into some use cases and systems. Among others, the authors present their mashup, called Books@HPClab, in which they introduce a personalized semantic service for mashing up information from different on-line bookstores.
Cloud Computing for Teaching Practice
Authors: Saadatdoost Robab , Sim Alex Tze Hiang , Jafarkarimi Hosein , Hee Jee Mei , Saadatdoost Leila
Published: November 2015

Recently researchers have shown an increased interest in cloud computing technology. It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore cloud computing technology in education context. However rapid changes in information technology are having a serious effect on teaching framework designs. So far, however, there has been little discussion about cloud computing benefits in domains of teaching frameworks which propels us to study and redesign teaching frameworks considering cloud computing. The purpose of this paper is to review recent research into cloud computing and features which can be improved with this new technology. This paper studied several researches through literature to determine the main impact of cloud computing on “planning and preparation” and “instruction” domains as two main domains of teaching framework. Light will be then shed on the impact and potential benefits of cloud computing on teaching framework. The paper closes by proposing to design an evaluation table based on cloud computing artifacts to enhance teaching practice and highlights its offerings for educational institutions.
Cloud-Based Healthcare Systems
Authors: Shawish Ahmed , Salama Maria
Published: November 2015

Healthcare is one of the most important sectors in all countries and significantly affects the economy. As such, the sector consumes an average of 9.5% of the gross domestic product across the most developed countries; they should invoke smart healthcare systems to efficiently utilize available resources, vastly handle spontaneous emergencies, and professionally manage the population health records. With the rise of the Cloud and Mobile Computing, a vast variety of added values have been introduced to software and IT infrastructure. This chapter provides a comprehensive review on the new Cloud-based and mobile-based applications that have been developed in the healthcare field. Cloud's availability, scalability, and storage capabilities, in addition to the Mobile's portability, wide coverage, and accessibility features, contributed to the fulfillment of healthcare requirements. The chapter shows how Cloud and Mobile opened a new environment for innovative services in the healthcare field and discusses the open research issues.
Exploring the Barriers to Electronic Collaboration
Authors: Imarhiagbe Bernard Owens
Published: November 2015

This investigation reviews research literature on electronic collaboration (e-collaboration) with a view to collate relevant information to support e-collaboration knowledgebase, further research and encourage further collaborative engagements. E-collaboration has been described with various phrases such as information sharing, information exchange, knowledge sharing, social networking and joint working. This research categorised the challenges of e-collaboration into people, process and technology because all the issues identified in e-collaboration research are rooted in one of these categories. As e-collaboration is a source of competitiveness, businesses that fail to strategically adopt the phenomenon could lose out. A notable example of e-collaboration is crowdfunding which provides funding for start-up and small businesses. However, businesses that support e-collaboration strategy have the potential to have better competitive advantage with increased firm performance.
Role Negotiation in Collaborative Projects
Authors: Donaldson Jonan
Published: November 2015

The nature of the traditional approaches to collaborative group projects can often be characterized by hierarchy, clarity of roles, and assignment of tasks to participants. Digital-age collaborative projects are often characterized by impromptu and ill-defined organization, spontaneity, democratic decision-making, and continual morphing of roles. These two approaches are grounded in fundamentally different cultural frameworks. This chapter describes and analyzes an innovative collaborative process of role description, negotiation, adoption, and ongoing evolution through routine metacognitive processes which provides a structure by which to integrate positive aspects of traditional hierarchical approaches to collaborative projects and positive aspects of digital-age communication culture. This role negotiation process can clarify responsibilities and processes while nurturing the sense of personal agency and self-determination crucial to intrinsic motivation and engagement.
Guidelines to Innovate Organizations by Knowledge Management via Communities of Practice
Authors: Gonçalves da Silva Roberta Salgado , Cazarini Edson Walmir
Published: November 2015

This study proposes to achieve an innovative environment via Communities of Practice (CoP) in companies that doesn´t know Knowledge Management (KM). The contribution of the paper is to elucidate the relevance of KM presenting a research and the literature of KM, CoP, Organizational Culture and Information and Communication Technology. A survey was performed at ten companies in the interior of São Paulo state, Brazil. Any company that doesn´t know KM and needs to be innovative may use the original twenty-two guidelines.
Education from the Enlightenment to the Globalization
Authors: Rudic Gheorghe
Published: November 2015

The chapter presents a series of “calls” offered by globalization to education and to educational system, which are not compatible with our time: the integration of Enlightenment Age into Globalization; the conflict with the pedagogical sciences (the transition from the knowledge-pedagogy to competency pedagogy); the attempt, through changing the old form declare a fresh content; the aspiration, through linear thinking to reveal the essence of education in multi-dimensional space; through the low level of functional literacy implement the highest levels of education; the current level of cybernetics to substitute of using computers as a technical training aids; while remaining in the framework of the modernism to prepare the next generation for life in the post-modernism. In this chapter the “calls” are analysed as the paradoxes in education, through the prism of scientists' opinion from various fields of science, public figures and the teaching community (copyright pilot study). This synthetic approach has allowed to outline a new conceptual framework.
Innovation and Creativity in Applied Learning Theory and Design
Authors: Railean Elena A.
Published: November 2015

Innovation and creativity are two moderns concerns in educational sciences. These terms cannot be understood without the investigation of technology of contemporary learning environments. The learning design of these environments aims to describe (meta)cognitive activities and sequences of teaching, assessment and learning processes. Recent years have seen a ground in the number of peer-reviewed articles that investigate innovation and creativity in digital textbook learning environments. This chapter analyses EBSCO HOST and Google Scholar databases in order to prove MetaSystems Learning Design approach. This presents unique insight into significance of frontier research in pedagogy. These chapter reviews peer review articles and interprets their findings in order to answer the following questions: (1) What is the theoretical basis for understanding innovation and creativity in applied learning theory of digital textbooks? and (2) How do pre-existing innovation and creativity tendencies influence the way of frontier research in pedagogy?
START Model in Science Teaching
Authors: de Silva Eugene , de Silva Eugenie
Published: November 2015

This chapter presents a discussion of the START model, which has been internationally recognized as a useful syllabi-tracking system that can be applied to online and on-ground teaching. START, an acronym for “(S)yllabus Analysis (T)racking System Covering Objectives (A)ssessment Methods (R)esearch Component Inclusion, (T)esting Through Research,” is presented in this chapter as a unique method for educators to heighten current academic standards by placing a priority on multidisciplinary approaches. Through this chapter, the authors sought to provide readers with an understanding of the application of the START model in the twenty-first century. Additionally, to further strengthen the presented information, the authors included reflections on past experiences in the application of the model at a university level.
Dynamic Electronic Textbooks
Authors: Manzoor Amir
Published: November 2015

“The digital age has spawned an e-publishing revolution and cultivated the growing prevalence of e-books” (Carreiro, 2010, p. 232). Breakthroughs in technology allow e-books to be downloaded, customized, printed, or sent instantly anywhere. A rapidly evolving culture of information-seeking students have embraced these new technologies as they increasingly expect the immediacy and familiarity of digital content. The academic publishing industry must respond to this growing demand. “How individuals access digital content will depend largely on how academic publishers adapt to the new digital environment” (Janke, 2011, p. 153). This chapter examines how contemporary education theory could be used to support certain e-textbook design features, enhancing the student's learning and fostering educational growth.
Applied Learning Educators Searching for a Pedagogical Model
Authors: Schulz Christine
Published: November 2015

Australia, like many nations across the globe, has a focus on engaging young people in the post compulsory years of school to ensure their transition into further education, training and /or the workforce. Applied Learning programs which are based on the premise of active, transformative learning from authentic experience have emerged as valuable tools in assisting the transition of young people. Understanding of Applied Learning however, not only varies between nations but also disciplines, context, education settings and curricula. Using a lens of boundary crossing, this chapter draws on research data to provide an account of challenges educators face in an Australian program where there appears little guidance for educators on constructing an Applied Learning pedagogical model for individual practice. From consideration of data and educational theory an Applied Learning pedagogical framework is proposed as a guide for educators in developing Applied Learning programs.
Paired Multiple Choice Questionnaires
Authors: Triantis Dimos , Ventouras Errikos-Chaim
Published: November 2015

Multiple Choice Question (MCQs) tests have long been used as assessment tools. A significant problem of MCQs tests is the positive grades bias introduced by guessing. This chapter describes a novel assessment tool in which the questions given in the test constitute pairs, referred to as “paired” MCQs (p-MCQs). Every pair addresses the same topic, but this similarity is not evident for a student who does not possess adequate knowledge on the topic addressed in the questions of the pair. The answers to the questions are graded in pairs, providing a bonus, if both questions of the pair are correctly answered, or a penalty, if only one of the pair's questions is answered correctly. If both answers are wrongly answered no marking is collected by the examinee. Application examples are reviewed, indicating that the p-MCQs method removes the guessing factor bias, in a way that might not overtly induce the dissuading effects of direct negative marking of incorrect answers, commonly used in mixed-scoring schemes.
Learning Inclusion in Thailand
Authors: Roungchai Chaitut
Published: November 2015

Compulsory Education (CE) in Thailand has been implemented since 1921 as part of a broader global move towards universal education. Yet while most nations have implemented CE, each nation may not always account for marginalized groups that exist on the periphery of mainstream society. A study by Oh and Van Der Stouwe (2008) suggests that Karen refugees from Burma may be such a marginal community, excluded from educational and other opportunities within Thailand. If Karen refugee children entered mainstream schooling, they may become possible candidates for citizenship in Thai society. This chapter asks what future inclusion might look like, and explores the benefits and drawbacks of such inclusion. Using scholarly works by prestigious authors on Karen education, refugee and migrant education and theories on citizenship and education, this chapter argues that Thai education may aid refugees in gaining access to new forms of Thai identity; however, these new identities may often stand in tension with Karen forms of personhood.
Combating the “Gimme More” Mindset in Modern Classrooms
Authors: Irwin Marian Evelyn
Published: November 2015

A primary goal of this chapter is to explore the phenomenon of increased attitudes and behaviors of entitlement among youth in modern America. With a basis that the increase is a result of social mindset shifts of post-World War II America, instances of the “Gimme More” mindset will be explored using qualitative research methodology stemming from the author's experiences and research as an educator. Moreover, the author will provide ways in which educators can combat this character-threatening mentality and help develop more accountable and empathetic citizens despite grade level, race, socio-economic status, and other elements that sometimes detract from a core issue and diverge from individual choice. This explanation will cover ideas that, if reflected accurately and consistently, can transcend to the human race, not certain races by exclusion or exception. While issues of intersectionality must be understood and discussed, they are not widely addressed in this chapter, and they do not ultimately thwart ambitions of global citizenship in the context that is explored here.
Strategies and Technologies for Preventing Plagiarism in Modern Higher Education
Authors: Dolzhenko Anton V. , Khan Tahir Mehmood , Dolzhenko Anna V.
Published: November 2015

In today's higher education, plagiarism can be ranked as one of the top challenges to academic honesty and integrity. Defining plagiarism itself is another challenging issue as it is transcribed in different manners and practices depending on cultures and institutes. This chapter aims to define plagiarism in context of culture, student perceptions and according to different university policies and procedures adopted around the globe. Plagiarism comes under review not only as an individual's misconduct but more as a symptom of an eroded academic culture. The treatment of this symptom is discussed from point of view of two sometimes competing strategies. One of them is based on the formal side of the problem and uses as tools policy, detection (using specialized software), and punishments (PDP) to abolish plagiarism. Another one focuses on trust, education, and assessments (TEA) as points of intervention with the aim to improve academic integrity and negate plagiarism.
I Crisomelidi (Coleoptera; Chrysomelidae) del Parco di Montevecchia e della Valle del Curone (Italia, Lombardia, provincia di Lecco) [Leaf beetles (Coleoptera Chrysomelidae) from Montevecchia and Curone Valley Natural Park (Italy, Lombardy, Lecco)]
Authors: Farina Laura
Published: November 2015

Vengono presentati i risultati di un’indagine faunistica condotta nel Parco Regionale di Montevecchia e della Valle del Curone, localizzato all’estremità meridionale del sistema Sudalpino, in provincia di Lecco. Viene fornito un elenco delle 92 specie di Crisomelidi censite (tre delle quali risultano nuove per la fauna lombarda: Aphthona sicelidis, Dibolia femoralis, Crepidodera fulvicornis) con indicazioni corologiche, fenologiche e la lista delle piante nutrici, ricavate in parte dalla letteratura e in parte da osservazioni sul campo. Vengono inoltre fornite alcune considerazioni sistematiche e biogeografiche relative alla specie Aphthona sicelidis. Le raccolte sono state effettuate prevalentemente in 9 stazioni situate all’interno del parco regionale e selezionate in base a criteri fitosociologico-vegetazionali. L’analisi zoogeografica mostra che il gruppo corologico maggiormente rappresentato è quello delle specie ad ampia distribuzione nella regione Olartica (57 specie = 62%), seguito dagli elementi ad ampia distribuzione in Europa (26 specie = 28%), e nel bacino mediterraneo (5 specie = 6%); i gruppi delle specie afrotropicali e orientali presenti anche nell’area mediterranea sono rappresentati da una sola specie (Chaetocnema hortensis), i gruppi di origine Neartica invece sono rappresentati da tre specie (Diabrotica virgifera, Ophraella communa, Leptinotarsa decemlineata).

 

This paper is the result of a faunistic research on the Chrysomelidae fauna of Montevecchia and Curone Valley Natural Park. The Park is located south of the Alps, in Lombardy, in the province of Lecco. The author provides a list of 92 species collected. Three of these are new for the Lombardy fauna: Aphthona sicelidis, Dibolia femoralis and Crepidodera fulvicornis. The paper contains chorological and phenological notes for many species and taxonomical remarks on Aphthona sicelidis. Most specimens have been collected in 9 sampling-sites placed inside the Park and selected according to physiognomic-vegetational criteria. The zoogeographical analysis shows that the list of species is dominated by Olarctic species (57 species = 62%), followed by European elements (26 species = 28%) and Mediterranean species (5 species = 6%). Afrotropical and Oriental species also present in the Mediterranean area are represented by a single species (Chaetocnema hortensis), the groups of Nearctic origin instead are represented by three species (Diabrotica virgifera, Ophraella communa, Leptinotarsa decemlineata).
Forbidden islands. The absence of endemics among the insular non-volant terrestrial mammalian fauna of the Red Sea
Authors: Masseti Marco , De Marchi Giuseppe , Chiozzi Giorgio
Published: November 2015

The Red Sea is a land-locked sea that is globally significant in terms of the unique biodiversity and endemism of its marine species. In contrast, the terrestrial biodiversity on its islands is poor and mainly composed of species present also on the mainland. To profile the non-volant terrestrial mammalian fauna, we reviewed all available records in the literature and report some recent captures; in particular, we point out two additional species from the Dahlak archipelago: the Northeast African spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus) and a still undetermined shrew (Crocidura sp.). As far as we know, the only endemic vertebrates are three species of snake (Squamata, Serpentes) and perhaps one gazelle (Gazella arabica). The composition of the insular mammalian fauna of the Red Sea is olygotypic, consisting of only a few taxa, mostly anthropochorous, that are shared with the mainland of eastern Africa and/or western Arabia, and which are repeated monotonously on the few islands inhabited by mammals. A lack of endemic mammals can be explained as the result of the only recent connection of almost all the islands with the mainland during the Last Glacial Maximum and by the harsh climatic conditions that allow the survival of only a few xeric specialists.
Dichoropetalum schottii: examination of the type specimen, distribution and comparison with D. carvifolium-chabraei (Apiaceae)
Authors: Kljuykov Eugene V. , Ostroumova Tatiana A. , Conti Fabio , Tilney Patricia M.
Published: November 2015

The lectotype and isolectotype specimens of Peucedanum schottii, based on plants originally cultivated in Cremenets Botanical Garden, have been studied in detail. The geographic provenance of the plants is unknown but they are identical to natural populations in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Montenegro and Serbia. The valid name for this plant is therefore Dichoropetalum schottii. It differs from a related species, D. carvifolium-chabraei, in having glabrous umbel rays, white (not yellow) petals, long styles and solitary secretory ducts in fruit valleculae.
Alien grapes (Vitis, Vitaceae) in Sicily (Italy): novelties for the Sicilian and Mediterranean flora
Authors: Ardenghi Nicola M.G. , Cauzzi Paolo
Published: November 2015

With the aim to improve and update the information on distribution and invasiveness of the genus Vitis across the Euro-Mediterranean area, the authors explored Sicily (Italy), one of the world most important areas for viticulture, where this taxonomic critical group seems to have been neglected on floristics grounds. One naturalized (V. ×goliath) and two invasive taxa (V. ×instabilis, V. ×ruggerii) are reported for the first time from this region, while the presence of V. labrusca and V. ×koberi is confirmed. V. rupestris and V. ×ruggerii are recorded as invasive for the first time in the Euro-Mediterranean area, while the invasion status of V. labrusca is changed from casual to naturalized for Sicily. Previous literature data on V. berlandieri and V. riparia are discussed: the former species is excluded from the Sicilian flora, while the latter is regarded as doubtfully present. Additionally, the first record of V. ×ruggerii from Greece (Crete) is reported; this neophyte was previously unknown from eastern Mediterranean.
Petrochirus sanctilazzari Pasini, Garassino & De Angeli, 2014 non Petrochirus fabroensis Pasini, Garassino & De Angeli, 2014 (Anomura, Diogenidae) from the Pliocene of Masserano (Piedmont, NW Italy)
Authors: Pasini Giovanni , Garassino Alessandro
Published: November 2015

We rectify the name Petrochirus fabroensis Pasini, Garassino & De Angeli, 2014, from the Pliocene of Masserano (Piedmont, NW Italy), erroneously reported for P. sanctilazzari Pasini, Garassino & De Angeli, 2014, from the early Pleistocene of Fabro Scalo (Umbria, Central Italy).
Canadian deposits of uranium and thorium
Authors: Lang A H , Griffith J W , Steacy H R
Published: November 2015

From a relatively small beginning, stemming from a radium mine operated before World War II, uranium deposits were quickly found in several parts of Canada and production has grown so that uranium became the leading metal produced in Canada in 1958. The value of
Canadian uranium production in that year was more than $274,000,000. This report is a summary of information on the geology of more than 1,000 mining properties containing uranium. Thorium is discussed also, because it is related to uranium and occurs with it in several deposits; a few deposits
contain only thorium, or thorium with only traces of uranium. The descriptions of areas and deposits are as of December 31, 1957; generalizations include information gained in 1958 and early 1959. Seventy uranium or thorium minerals and varieties have been found in Canada, but of these the only
important ore minerals are brannerite, uraninite (and its variety pitchblende), uranothorite, and uranophane. Uranium occurs in small amounts in a wide variety of deposits, but the ores are of three main types: 1) conglomerate; 2) pitchblende veins and disseminations; and 3) pegmatitic granite and
syenite. Occurrences are widespread, but most are in the Canadian Shield, particularly in its margins. Most Canadian production of uranium now comes from conglomerate ore in Blind River area, Ontario, where ore reserves in 1958 were sufficient for about 20 years at current rates of production.
Additional ore is partly blocked out; when still more is required the better prospects now known in various districts can be tested further, and additional prospecting can be done in areas suggested, using techniques explained.
Cachexia Index in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Jafri Syed Hasan Raza , Previgliano Carlos , Khandelwal Keerti , Shi Runhua
Published: November 2015

Introduction

Cancer cachexia affects many advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Cachexia index (CXI) was developed to assess the degree of cachexia in these patients.

Methods

Patients with metastatic NSCLC diagnosed between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2011, at our institution were retrospectively studied. Abdominal computed tomography scans done within 1 month of diagnosis were reviewed to estimate skeletal muscle area (SMA) and skeletal muscle index (SMI) at the L3 level. CXI was developed as follows: [Formula: see text] where SMI is the skeletal muscle index, Alb is the serum albumin, and NLR is the NLR neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Survival among various factors was calculated using the log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression was used to perform survival analysis in order to estimate the effects of various factors.

Results

Patients were divided into two groups around the median into stage I cachexia (CXI ≥35, n = 56) and stage II cachexia (CXI <35, n = 56). Groups did not differ in age, gender, ethnicity, or histology of cancer. Patients with stage II cachexia had significantly worse PFS (2.45 vs 5.43 months, P < 0.0001) and OS (3.45 vs 8.8 months, P = 0.0001) than those with stage I cachexia. On multivariate analysis adjusting for gender, race, and histology, patients with stage II cachexia were found to have worse PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.27–2.95) and OS (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.0009–2.34).

Conclusion

The CXI is a novel index for estimating cachexia that also correlates with prognosis in both men and women with advanced NSCLC.