bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation and characterization of protective self-cleaning TiO2/kaolin composite coating
Authors: Jovanov V. , Zečević V. , Vulić T. , Ranogajec J. , Fidanchevska E.
Published: July 2018

The application of self-cleaning coatings presents one of the most effective ways to protect the surfaces of the building materials. The effect of TiO2/kaolin based coatings applied to three types of substrates: non-porous, porous and highly porous, was investigated. Mechanical activation was applied for the impregnation of the active TiO2 component (in content of 3 and 10 wt. %) into the kaolin support. Surface properties (roughness, hydrophilicity and micro-hardness) and functional properties (photocatalytic activity and self-cleaning efficiency) were studied in order to define the optimal formulation of the applied coatings. The effect of the photocatalytic behavior of the coated substrates in terms of self-cleaning ability was assessed by the photodegradation of Rhodamine B, performed before and after durability tests. The results obtained in this paper showed that photocatalytic activity of the TiO2/kaolin composite coating generally depends on the procedure of TiO2 impregnation into the kaolin clay and the loaded TiO2 content.
Knowledge Management System for Governance
Authors: Shilohu Rao N. J. P.  , Chaudhary Ravi Shankar , Goswami Dhrubajit
Published: July 2018

Knowledge is power, and when managed efficiently, it generates optimum outcomes. Knowledge management is an established phenomenon, applied across various disciplines for transformational growth. In the year 2015, the Government of India launched Digital India Programme with the vision to “transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.” The program aims to benefit every section and sector of the country by creating an ecosystem for delivery of user centric and qualitative digital services. It weaves together a large number of ideas and thoughts into a single, comprehensive vision so that each of them is seen as part of a larger goal. To foster such knowledge economy, Capacity Building Scheme Phase II has been approved under Digital India Programme with one of the key components being knowledge management (KM) in the area of e-governance. This chapter highlights the multi-dimensional aspects of deploying KM for e-governance in a federal government system, along with its key objectives, core features moving on to framework and implementation structure.
Piloting Crowdsourcing Platform for Monitoring and Evaluation of Projects
Authors: Sanga Camilius A. , Lyimo Neema Nicodemus , Fue Kadeghe G. , Telemala Joseph Philipo , Kilima Fredy , Kipanyula Maulilio John
Published: July 2018

Crowdsourcing can be viewed as a positive catalyst for effective results in many sectors of the economy including business, governance, agriculture, and health to name a few because it provides unlimited opportunities to people to share information among societies around the world. Despite some considerable efforts to adopt this concept in Tanzania, less has been done on its implementation in monitoring and evaluation of projects. This chapter proposes the development of a crowdsourcing platform as an essential step towards combating corruption, misuse, and embezzlement of funds. The developed crowdsourcing platform for monitoring and evaluation provides an up-to-date status of projects based on key indicators set and from such information, any member in particular organization can monitor and evaluate the progress of a given project. Results of this study show that the platform promotes transparency, collaboration, accountability, and has potential to motivate different actors or stakeholders in monitoring projects funded by government and donors.
Microfinance
Authors: Bhattacharyya Rajib
Published: July 2018

In India, microfinance, dominated by Self Help Groups (SHGs), has provided an effective mechanism for providing financial services to the “unreached poor”, and also in strengthening underprivileged and discriminated women in the society and thus significantly contributing to gender equality and women empowerment. The present chapter attempts to analyze the concept of women empowerment and its various indices such as GDI, GEM, and Women's Empowerment Index (WEI) in detail for India. The chapter explores the linkage between the role of microfinance and the empowerment of women in rural and urban India. The study reveals that though micro finance is supposed to provide an effective tool for financial and social upliftment of the poorer sections of the society, particularly women, but its penetration depends on a multifaceted and integrated network and so both the self-help bank model and the MFI model may have achieved some positive growth, but their performances are not quite deterministic when compared with other countries of the world.
Effect of Microfinance on Poor Peri-Urban Female-Headed Households and the Vulnerability of Women to Poverty in Ghana
Authors: Osei-Hwedie Bertha Z. , Kurantin Napoleon
Published: July 2018

This chapter analyzes the impact of microfinance on poverty, in general, and female-headed households, in particular, for Ghana. The analysis shows that there are three types of microfinance institutions in Ghana, and successive governments have identified and upheld microfinance as the means to reduce national poverty rates and close the gender gap in the country. The analysis also demonstrates that microfinance has both positive and negative impacts on poverty and female-headed households. Microfinance has contributed to narrowing the poverty gap between the female and male gender, and improving the quality of their lives. However, on its own, it is not sufficient and necessary means to poverty reduction, growth, and development. The extent to which microfinance impacts on poverty is not conclusive. This necessitates remedial measures such as regulation and monitoring, proper balance between needs of clients and commercial interest of institutions, incentives to microfinance institutions, and capacitation of the poor and institutions.
Impact of Self-Help Group (SHG) Membership on Income and Income Inequality
Authors: Adhikary Maniklal , Das Sumanta Kumar
Published: July 2018

The microfinance program has now been recognized as an effective tool to empower economically the rural women folk. The earning is the most important direct outcome of micro finance participation unlike acquiring empowerment. Participation in the program helps women to inculcate their saving habit. It gives access to the formal credit to them. All these have direct impact on their economic condition. This study explores the impact of microfinance program on the income of the program participants of Birbhum District in West Bengal in India. The study also focuses on how participation helps in reducing inequality in income of the participants. The major finding of the study is that women self-help group (SHG) members have the higher level of income compared to that of non-SHG members. The study also shows that SHG participation also helps them in reducing inequalities in their income. Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve technique has been used to assess the income distribution of the respondents.
Sustainable Development as a Management Challenge
Authors: Sorsa Kaisa
Published: July 2018

Quality management is core area of every company. Sustainable development has become another core issue for the companies encompassing ecological, economic, and social issues. Companies need to decide how sustainable development can be managed in order to achieve both organizational and global sustainability. The aim of the case study is to discuss how sustainability is being incorporated into company management practices in the Finnish coffee company. It also aims to deepen the understanding about the implementation of sustainable development management practices in companies. The ecological challenge consists in reducing the burden that economic activities place on ecosystems directly and indirectly. The successful management improves the company's ecological effectiveness. The social challenge improves the business task of improving the sum of its social impacts. Economic challenge is composed in increasing eco-efficiency and improving social efficiency. There is a need for methodological integration of environmental and social management with their concepts and instruments in conventional, economically oriented management.
Strengthening Quality Initiative for Organization Stability
Authors: Huda Miftachul , Almunawar Mohamad Nabil , Hananto April Lia , Rismayadi Budi , Jasmi Kamarul Azmi , Basiron Bushrah , Mustari Mohd Ismail
Published: July 2018

The emerging trends of technology use should be prioritized in enabling the human abilities with the distinct facilities to utilize in improving their capacities in the digital information. Since information technology (IT) could shift the way we look at the world, it would also show some benefit for human communities and thus need to incorporate the number of values such as trust, care, friendship, and cooperative commitment. This case aims to explore the significant essence of the role of trust in the information to assure in building information quality for safe cyberspace. As a result, empowering both professional and ethical basis associated with the instructional strategy and application in the technology will demonstrate how the individuals with all the potential can contribute their significant potential performance in information quality to lead to the organization stability. Proposing the reference model specifically for building information quality, this case will contribute to the outcome that could lead to organizational longevity.
Quality Improvement in Real Sense or Just a Quick Fix?
Authors: Shanmugam Merlin Mythili , Popli Sapna
Published: July 2018

High quality education has always been an aspiration for an average Indian student and an area where every parent is willing to invest. Quality offered a differentiation opportunity to business schools, and a market opportunity to the numerous ranking, rating, certification, and accreditation bodies. Today there are statutory accreditations (NBA and NAAC), national rankings (Business World, Business Today, IMRB, People Matters), international rankings (FT QS), and international accreditations (SAQS, AACSB, EDUIS, EPAS, ACBSP, AMBA). While all of them claim to be different and serve different missions and objectives, a business school essentially adds it to their portfolio as a feather in the cap. Do these rankings, certifications, and accreditations really make a difference? Do they really improve quality of education? The case study documents a business school and its journey through quality and accreditations. The names and instances have been fictionalized. The case, however, captures the situation, challenges, and opportunities.
Physical Education and Religious Freedom
Authors: Margaritis Konstantinos
Published: July 2018

Freedom of religion has been constantly characterized as one of the foundations of a democratic society. On the other hand, the significance of physical education in the development of children's overall personality is beyond dispute. Thus, the question that arises is, What happens in a case of a conflict involving the above? The aim of this chapter is to provide an answer on the basis of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. In particular, the fundamental cases of Dogru vs. France and Kervanci vs. France will be examined, as well as the recent case of Osmanoglu and Kocabas vs. Switzerland. Through the analysis of the cases, useful conclusions will be drawn on the possible impact of religious freedom on physical education.
A Fuzzy MCDM Framework for Weapon Systems Selection
Authors: Karadayi Melis Almula , Ekinci Yeliz , Tozan Hakan
Published: July 2018

The weapon system selection problem is a crucial issue for military logistics managers and decision makers. In most real-world cases, such critical selection problems include many alternatives, and those alternatives have to be assessed with respect to multiple criteria. In this chapter, the use of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approaches to tackle the weapon selection problem is discussed. Next, a fuzzy MCDM framework that is based on the hierarchical fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (HFTOPSIS) method is proposed to solve the problem. The proposed approach is capable of incorporating both crisp and fuzzy data. The authors demonstrate the performance of the proposed methodology on a missile system selection problem which incorporates fuzzy environment elements.
Preserving Logistical Support for Deployed Battle Groups in Hostile Environments
Authors: Colburn Brian , Craparo Emily
Published: July 2018

The U.S. Navy's at-sea replenishment system is a mobile supply line designed to support the deployed carrier task force (CTF)/cruiser/destroyer (CRUDES) surface action group (SAG) and forward deployed units while at sea. In the Pacific, the main component of the mobile supply line, the combat logistics force (CLF) ship, has become a possible target with the development of the anti-ship ballistic missile. With the ability to target and disable a CLF, an enemy can now disable a deployed CTF/CRUDES fleet by eliminating its required resources. With the goal of preserving the CLF's capabilities to perform its mission while avoiding ASBM threat, the authors consider the possibility of utilizing a “mini-CLF” to shuttle fuel between CLFs operating in a safe environment and warships operating in a threat zone. The authors perform two analyses: they (1) analyze the feasibility of using the Littoral combat ship/joint high-speed vessel, reconfigured as a shuttle to transport resources, and (2) analyze requirements for development of a new class of ships to support the CTF/CRUDES SAG while deployed in the Pacific.
Optimization of NAS Lemoore Scheduling to Support a Growing Aircraft Population
Authors: Rosas Manuel , Craparo Emily
Published: July 2018

The manual process for flight scheduling at Naval Air Station Lemoore accommodates the needs of 16 fighter resident squadrons as well as constraints imposed by limited military operating area availability. Given the complexity of this problem, attempting to additionally avoid periods of high activity and resultant congestion would challenge the manual process. However, congestion leads to long wait times for flight-line services. Refueling operations are particularly costly when operational time is lost, and resources are backlogged. The problem of avoiding inefficient periods of high demand is complicated by the two types of refueling available: hot refueling, which occurs when the aircraft's engine is running, and cold refueling, which occurs when the aircraft is shut down. Achieving a balance between the two refueling methods is key to maximizing operational effectiveness. The authors discuss an optimization model designed to determine the best daily flight schedules based on the squadrons' flying and training requirements, the refueling infrastructure, and range availability.
Bearing-Only Target Motion Analysis
Authors: Aytun Alper , Bulkan Serol
Published: July 2018

The main goal of the bearing-only target motion analysis (BOTMA) is to determine the target's kinematic parameters such as position, course, and speed by only using the bearings reported by an onboard passive sensor (e.g., a sonar or an ESM [electronic support measures] device). This chapter provides a brief description of the BOTMA problem. Next, it discusses the implementation of the Kalman filtering technique to solve the problem. The authors then discuss the variations of the Kalman filtering (i.e., the extended and unscented Kalman filters). They also propose a genetic algorithm metaheuristic that incorporates a novel search space narrowing technique to solve the BOTMA problem and present numerical results for different noise conditions. They finally highlight the future research directions for modeling and solving the BOTMA problem.
Sustainable Development Through Field Vegetal Exploitation in Romania
Authors: Bran Mariana , Dobre Iuliana , Bran Stefania Daniela
Published: July 2018

The anthropic factor, expanding its vital area, has disrupted the natural system of existence. Over time, the evolution has been managed to meet the current needs of the human being in order to reach economic and geopolitical control of interest groups. The study is based on research into the living conditions and productivity of natural and cultivated ecosystems, as a scientific basis for plant production. The local natural environment exploited by field crops has been analyzed, focusing on species with a weight in agriculture. Romania has higher agricultural potential compared to the world's agricultural potential, but there are some which sporadically influences economic development. The chapter, based on rigorous analytical documentation, highlights the technological, economic, and environmental support necessary and accessible to entrepreneurs in the vegetable sector. In order to develop a sustainable farming, the chapters try to find out what types of technology are appropriate to that.
The Social, Economic, and Environmental Impact of Ecological Beekeeping in Romania
Authors: Popescu Cristina Raluca Gh. , Popescu Gheorghe N.
Published: July 2018

The beekeeping activity in Romania benefits from an exceptional melliferous base and favorable climatic conditions, especially for Apis Melifera Carpatica species adapted for millennia to the specific Romanian conditions. Beekeeping is a beneficial activity for beekeepers who either supplement their income, whether it is the main or sole source of income, as well as for agriculture, society, and the environment. After 1989, during the transition period to the market economy, beekeeping experienced a severe decline, but the good organization experience in the Association of Beekeepers in Romania dating from 1958 and the relatively large share of the private sector before 1989 made the transition period much diminished compared to other sectors of the economy, and to experience continuous development. The quantitative and qualitative indicators that have been analyzed highlight the main economic, social, and environmental effects of apiculture practices in Romania.
Green Public Procurement
Authors: Trica Carmen Lenuta , Ghita Luminita
Published: July 2018

At present, legal provisions and environmental policy regulate the possibilities of using environmental considerations in the development of award criteria, as well as in the performance clauses of procurement contracts. The first part of the chapter analyzes the concept of green procurement and product categories for which green procurement can be used. The second part of the chapter presents the benefits of using green procurement. The third part of the chapter will include assessing the progress and impact of using green procurement. The fourth part of the chapter analyzes the legal framework for public procurement in Romania, as well as the capacity of the market to offer and develop products and services that include minimum environmental requirements and criteria. In the fifth part of the chapter, the authors analyze the possibility of implementing a mechanism for the operation and implementation of the legal provisions in Romania in order to improve the quality of the services and optimize the costs of the public procurement.
Public-Private Partnership Model for Supporting Traditional Producers
Authors: Todirica Ioana Claudia , Dinu Anca Marina , Calin Henriette Cristiana
Published: July 2018

Traditional products market in Romania is starting to become competitive as a result of the adoption of new legislative framework (Order 724/2013), which requires new conditions regarding traditional foods definition and limitation of produced quantity. At the end of 2016, there were 556 registered traditional products nationwide as follows: 456 limited liability company, 64 individual, 14 family business, 17 individual, and 15 individual enterprise. Given that there is a limitation in terms of traditional foods production, we must consider the effects of land taxation over the entrepreneur's income in this field. The aim of this study is to identify an effective model of public-private partnership that could support the traditional producers, while taking into consideration the role of financial instruments in order to remove the barriers between the farmer and the government. One of these forms is the association or creating groups of manufacturers.
Zeolite-Based Optical Detectors
Authors: Murrieta-Rico Fabian N. , Petranovskii Vitalii , Yocupicio-Gaxiola Rosario I. , Tyrsa Vera
Published: July 2018

The detection of chemical species is a common and required task in several areas of technology. Currently, measurements in dedicated labs are the predominant tools for detection and characterization of chemicals and materials. Although these techniques are available in specialized equipment, their use is often bounded by cost of application or the operator's expertise. Also, in many applications rather than an analysis of all the detectable chemical species, it is only of interest to determine the presence of a particular chemical compound, and if it is present, to quantify its concentration. For these reasons, alternative methods for detecting specific chemical species are required. One case of such methods are the optical chemical sensors, particularly the ones based on the materials known as zeolites. In a broad sense, these sensors are constituted by an optical detector that is modified with zeolites. This combination allows the detection of specific chemical compounds if the zeolitic materials is properly modified to have an optical response for the analyte.
Optoelectronic Differential Cloudy Triangulation Method for Measuring Geometry of Hot Moving Objects
Authors: Dvoynishnikov Sergey Vladimirovich , Meledin Vladimir Genrievich
Published: July 2018

The new differential cloudy triangulation method for quick and precise measurement of thickness of hot dynamic objects is proposed. The method is based on laser cloudy triangulation, used in the synchronous differential mode. The experimental model of the laser system for thickness measurements, which implements the proposed method, has been developed. Laboratory and industrial tests of the laser system have been performed. They confirm efficiency and possibilities of differential cloudy triangulation in metallurgy. The differential cloudy triangulation method may be used for geometry measurement of hot dynamic objects in a wide range of strong optical refractions in media.
Machine Vision-Based Application to Structural Analysis in Seismic Testing by Shaking Table
Authors: Roselli Ivan , Fioriti Vincenzo , Mongelli Marialuisa , Colucci Alessandro , De Canio Gerardo
Published: July 2018

In the present chapter the most recent and successful experiences in the application of machine vision-based techniques to structural analysis with main focus on seismic testing by shaking table are described and discussed. In particular, the potentialities provided by 3D motion capture methodologies and, more recently, by motion magnification analysis (MMA) emerged as interesting integrations, if not alternatives, to more conventional and consolidated measurement systems in this field. Some examples of laboratory applications are illustrated with the aim of providing evidence and details on the practical potentialities and limits of these methodologies for vibration motion acquisition, as well as on data processing and analysis.
Methods to Reduce the Optical Noise in a Real-World Environment of an Optical Scanning System for Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Miranda-Vega Jesus E. , Rivas-Lopez Moises , Flores-Fuentes Wendy , Sergiyenko Oleg , Rodríguez-Quiñonez Julio Cesar , Lindner Lars
Published: July 2018

This chapter describes different methods and devices that can be used in optical scanning systems (OSS), especially applied to structural health and monitoring (SHM) in order to reduce the interference and losing of resolution in the measurements of the displacements and coordinates calculated by the OSS of a specific structure to be monitored. The principal parts of the OSS are a photo-detector, non-rotating emitter source of light, a DC electrical motor, lens, and mirror. All the measurements and experiments have been realized in a controlled environmental; the optical noise was simulated with a similar intensity than the intensity of the reference signal of the emitter source. Applying analogue filters has disadvantages because part of signal with important information for the performance of the system is removed, but particularly the components will often be too costly. However, there are digital filters and techniques of computational statistics that can solve these problems.
The Effect of Globalization on Economic Growth
Authors: Ulucak Recep
Published: July 2018

Globalization has gathered great momentum over the past four decades and it has led to important changes in the economic, political, and cultural dynamics of countries. It is theoretically expected that globalization stimulates economic growth by leading institutional reforms, opening economies to global markets, direct and indirect foreign investments, and technology transfers. Therefore, it is crucial for emerging economies to increase economic growth. This study investigates the impact of globalization on economic growth for the panel of emerging economies by conducting second generation panel data techniques. For this purpose, employing annual data spanning from 1970 to 2014, the effects of overall KOF globalization index and three dimensions of globalization on economic growth are estimated via CUP-FM and CUP-BC estimators. Results show that overall the KOF globalization index, economic, and social dimensions of globalization have positive influence on economic growth while the effect of political dimension on economic growth is negative.
Inequality and Rural Poverty
Authors: Thuita Gladys , Ouma Matilda
Published: July 2018

The main purpose of this chapter was to establish the effect of innovative agricultural practices on reduction of inequality and rural poverty among sorghum farmers in Homabay County, Kenya. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to randomly select 120 smallholder sorghum farmers. The study found that use of innovative agricultural practices has an impact on agricultural produce and, therefore, on reduction of inequality and rural poverty among farmers in Homabay County. The study thus concluded that sorghum farming has drastically reduced inequality and rural poverty in the county. The study recommends that the government should provide more support in the application of innovative agricultural practices to assist farmers have diversified portfolio of crops that generate more income to address the issue of inequality and rural poverty in Homabay County. Lastly, the research recommends further research in other innovative agricultural practices such as livestock rearing and maize growing to combat inequality and rural poverty in Homabay County.
Global Labor Market, “Re-Shoring” Dynamics, and Skill Mismatch
Authors: Ferrari Filippo
Published: July 2018

Workers' capabilities and knowledge are factors that a company can use to boost its productivity. The relocation of operational activity away from industrialized nations has led to the erosion of manufacturing skills, and this fact often results in a severe skill shortage in specific local labor markets, becoming much more prominent in the case of re-shoring. Consistent with the transaction cost economics approach (TCE), the purpose of this research was to verify if students possess at least basic skills at the end of their educational path to face the labor market without economic frictions in school-to-work transition. Finally, this chapter presents a model that could be useful in order to design programs aimed to overcome the erosion of manufacturing skills and provide students with skills that companies need to deal with local labor markets successfully.
Diversity, Disability, and Addressing the Varied Needs of Learners
Authors: Dalton Elizabeth M.
Published: July 2018

This chapter presents a thorough examination of international and U.S. legal and educational foundations which justify instructional variation and diversification for all students, particularly for those with disabilities. With the exploration of various instructional frameworks, objective setting, methods and strategies, materials, and outcomes assessment, the reader develops an understanding of instructional diversification and why it is important for students with and without disabilities. The diverse educational approaches of differentiated instruction, multi-sensory instruction, Bloom's taxonomy of learning, understanding by design, and universal design for learning are presented and explained.
Focusing on the Current State of Special Needs Education in Japan and the Utilization of Handmade Teaching Materials
Authors: Koreeda Kiyoji , Nemoto Fumio , Yamazaki Michiko
Published: July 2018

In recent years, special needs education in Japan has undergone major changes due to the ratifications of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2014 and enhanced enforcement from 2016 of the Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities in Japan. In this chapter, the authors first considers the current state and issues concerning special needs education in Japan based on recent historical developments. Next, they introduce two clinical support cases in which the authors discuss the use in special needs education schools of various handmade teaching materials and information and communication technologies (ICT). The new approaches identified are likely to help students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) who do not have oral language and support students with severe and co-morbid disabilities who require full-time medical care.
Original Teaching Materials and School Activities With Multimedia-Enabled Dot Codes
Authors: Ikuta Shigeru , Yamashita Satsuki , Higo Hayato , Tomiyama Jinko , Saotome Noriko , Sudo Satoko , Hoshi Shoko , Endo Takahiro , Narushima Tomomi , Suzuki Kiriko , Watanuki Masamichi
Published: July 2018

Original teaching materials with dot codes, which can be linked to multimedia such as audio, movies, web pages, html files, and PowerPoint files, were created for use with students with disabilities. Hand-crafted original teaching materials can easily be created by the users themselves—for example, by schoolteachers—with newly developed and easy-to-handle software. A maximum of four multimedia files can be linked to each Post-It sticker icon and/or dot codes overlaid with a specially-designed software (GM Authoring Tool), and such multimedia files are replayed with a specially-designed sound pen (G-Speak) and scanner pen (G-Pen Blue) with Bluetooth functionality just by using the pen to touch the Post-It sticker icon and/or the dot codes on the printed document. Many activities using dot code materials have been successfully conducted, especially at special needs schools. Basic information on the creation of these materials—and on their use in schools—is presented in this chapter.
Practical Examples of Using Switch-Adapted and Battery-Powered Technology to Benefit Persons With Disabilities
Authors: Anderson Cindy L. , Anderson Kevin M.
Published: July 2018

Handmade switch-adapted toys and LED lights were created by a first grader student as part of a makerspace activity to aid a person with disabilities. Commercial toys and light strings were adapted for ease of use by interrupting the electrical current by use of a handmade battery interrupter and the addition of remote switches. In addition, an illuminated glove was created using conductive thread, LED lights, and an Arduino LilyTiny controller to enable the person with disabilities to signal turns on a disability scooter using hand signs. Basic information on the creation of these materials and their possible use are presented in this chapter.
Strategies for Teaching Math to Middle and High School Students With Special Needs
Authors: Epler Pam L.
Published: July 2018

This chapter is designed to inform and educate 6th- through 12th-grade teachers on how to provide math activities for students with an identified learning disability as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The chapter provides an introduction to the topic, background information on teaching math at the secondary level, research-based instructional strategies that can be used for teaching math to students with identified special needs, and specific manipulatives that can be created and utilized to teach the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics to this population. Additional resources and readings are included as well.
Feature Subset Selection Using Ant Colony Optimization for a Decision Trees Classification of Medical Data
Authors: Alaoui Abdiya , Elberrichi Zakaria
Published: July 2018

This article describes how a feature selection is a one of the most important assignments of the preprocessing step for medical data. It can extract a subset of features from a larger set and eliminate redundant, irrelevant or noisy features. The authors can reduce the cost of diagnosis by avoiding many tests by the selection of features which are important for the prediction of disease. Applied to the task of supervised classification, the authors build a robust learning models for disease prediction. The search for a subset of features is an NP-hard problem which can be solved by metaheuristics. In this article, the hybridization between the Ant Colony Optimization and Adaboost with Decision Trees (C4.5) to improve the classification is proposed. The experiments show the usefulness of the approach.
A Knowledge Based Approach for Accident Analysis
Authors: Mejri Lassad
Published: July 2018

This article introduces a research aiming at the development of a decision support system concerning the approval of automated railway transportation systems. The objective is to evaluate the degree of compliance of the transportation system according to the security standards by the simulation of the scenarios of accident. To reach this target, the authors envisaged an approach Rex (Return of experience) who draws lessons of accidents lived and/or imagined by the experts of the analysis of security in the NRITS (National Research Institute on Transports and their Security): currently IFSTAAR. The approach consists in offering aid to the experts by a reuse of the accidents already validated. This approach provides to the experts a class of similar accidents situations to the new case. The case-based reasoning is then exploited allowing choosing one under group of historical cases that can help in the resolution of the new case introduced by the experts.
A Novel Method for Building Indexer for Aligning Ontologies in Semantic Web
Authors: Jain Ranjna
Published: July 2018

This article describes how communication, knowledge sharing, and exchange are the new economic stakes of the information society and the semantic web represents the next major evolution in connecting information. It enables data to be linked from a source to any other source and to be understood by computers so that they can perform increasingly sophisticated tasks on our behalf. Ontology plays a very important role in forming a communication between people, organization and software system as it is an agreed vocabulary of common terms and meanings shared by a group of people and computers. However, ontologies are designed and developed by several designers according to their specification and thereby creating redundancies and inconsistencies between the concepts in the domain. So, to create a common knowledge base and to avoid overlapping between existing ontologies, ontology alignment was introduced. The contribution of this article is to provide a new architecture for ontology alignment that result in a complete, coherent global aligned ontology of a domain.
Intercâmbio internacional na formação do doutor enfermeiro docente: relato de experiência / International exchange in the formation of the nurse doctor professor: experience report
Authors: Cecagno Diana , Siqueira Hedi Crecencia Heckler de , Weykamp Juliana Marques , Montesinos Maria José Lopéz
Published: July 2018

O intercâmbio internacional utilizado na formação do doutorando é uma das estratégias que potencializa a cooperação entre Instituições de Ensino Superior, no intuito de qualificar recursos humanos e contribuir para o desenvolvimento da ciência entre os países envolvidos. Relato de experiência que objetiva descrever as vivências de uma doutoranda em enfermagem durante seu estágio doutoral no exterior. A experiência vivida durante o intercâmbio, a curto, médio e longo prazo proporcionou inúmeras potencialidades. O aprimoramento da ciência e tecnologia de inovações na enfermagem se constituiu numa experiência de vida e de aprendizagem.  As experiências vivenciadas neste período poderão ser aplicadas em trabalhos futuros da doutoranda como também encorajar a colaboração e as inter-relações entre as instituições envolvidas, tanto na graduação como na pós-graduação, observando e respeitando a realidade de cada Instituição e propiciando as adequações e mudanças para atender as exigências do mundo contemporâneo.
 Efeito da obesidade na fisiologia e distúrbio pulmonar antes e após a cirurgia bariátrica/ Effect of obesity on lung physiology and disturbances before and after bariatric surgery
Authors: Pereira Rafaell Batista , Rivera Ivan Romero , Brito Zirlene Correia Toscano de , Silva Maria Alayde Mendonça da
Published: July 2018

O estudo teve por objetivo comparar os dados da espirometria e da frequência de distúrbios pulmonares antes e após a cirurgia bariátrica. Realizou-se estudo observacional de coorte, retrospectivo e analítico, de uma amostra de pacientes com diagnóstico de obesidade e indicação de gastroplastia. Os dados da amostra constituíram-se de 28 obesos, dos quais 23 eram mulheres e cinco eram homens,para a análise das variáveis através da espirometria, em que foram seguidos os protocolos da ATS, utilizando-se o melhor sopro de três e as melhores curvas dos resultados. Após a cirurgia,observou-se uma melhora significativa na Capacidade Vital Forçada (CVF), na Capacidade Vital Forçada/Volume Expiratório no 1º segundo (CVF/VEF1), no Pico de Fluxo Expiratório (PFE) e no Volume Expiratório Forçado no 1º segundo (VEF1).Também se observou uma forte correlação entre a perda de peso e as CVF/VEF1 e PFE. Verificou-se um Risco Relativo de 2,8 vezes maior de desenvolvimento de distúrbios pulmonares em obesos do que em não obesos (pacientes pós-cirúrgicos). Concluiu-se que a gastroplastia melhorou a função pulmonar, bem como reduziu a frequência dos distúrbios respiratórios após a cirurgia. Palavras chave: Obesidade. peso. espirometria. gastroplastia. índice de massa corporal. doença pulmonar.
Intervenção de educação em saúde na BR 116: relato de experiência/ Intervention of health education on highway BR 116: experience report
Authors: Sanches Gislene De Jesus Cruz , Silva Mara Lucia Miranda , Oliveira Lívia Lessa de , Gomes Iracema Costa Ribeiro , Souza Ianderlei Andrade , Yarid Sérgio Donha
Published: July 2018

Este estudo objetivou descrever a atividade de intervenção de educação em saúde do projeto de extensão Saúde na BR. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, tipo relato de experiência, com atividades realizadas na base da Polícia Rodoviária Federal que integram o cronograma semestral do projeto de extensão. As atividades de intervenção contemplaram orientações nutricionais, saúde bucal, ergonomia, uso de medicamentos e substâncias psicoativas e, sobre a influência da espiritualidade no enfrentamento às situações de estresse. A avaliação das condições de saúde, contou com a aferição da pressão arterial, glicemia capilar e imunização; verificação de medidas antropométricas e avaliação de índice de massa corporal, bem como, demonstrações práticas de cuidados de saúde, como a ginástica laboral e o relaxamento. Evidenciou-se que as atividades de educação em saúde incorporaram as características de intervenção direcionadas à realidade do público-alvo, como sujeito ativo do processo do cuidado para a melhoria da qualidade de vida.
Contribuições do pré-natal para o autocuidado de mulheres assistidas por equipes de saúde da família / Contributes of pre-natal to self-care of women assisted by family health teams
Authors: Magalhães Sabrina Quézia Costa , Fracolli Lislaine Aparecida , Siqueira Lucíola D’Emery , Chiesa Anna Maria , Reticena Kesley De Oliveira
Published: July 2018

A gravidez é uma fase que traz modificações físicas, psicológicas e sociais para a mulher e sua família Compreender o processo do autocuidado e como promovê-lo, repercutirá na saúde da mulher e nos cuidados à criança. Assim, objetivou-se analisar a contribuição do projeto “Nossas Crianças: Janelas de Oportunidades” no autocuidado da mulher assistida por equipes de saúde da família durante o pré-natal. Trata-se de estudo exploratório, descritivo, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa, realizado com 65 gestantes do município de São Paulo. Realizou-se entrevistas semiestruturadas, de dezembro de 2015 a fevereiro de 2016. As entrevistas foram digitadas em banco de dados e analisadas conforme o material do projeto, sendo agrupadas nas categorias: apoio no pré-natal e parto; família e rede social; e ambiente intrauterino adequado. As gestantes evitaram a automedicação, o consumo de álcool e reduziram o consumo do tabaco, porém tiveram pouca orientação quanto aos sinais de risco da gravidez e não foram estimuladas a envolverem um acompanhante nas consultas de pré-natal. Conclui-se que, os conceitos de cuidado do projeto estão presentes nas orientações oferecidas pelas equipes de saúde e vêm sendo incorporados pelas gestantes como atividades de autocuidado, contudo algumas ações não foram amplamente implementadas.
Access to dialysis services: A systematic mapping review based on geographical information systems
Authors: Hoseini Benyamin , Bagheri Nasser , Kiani Behzad , Azizi Amirabbas , Tabesh Hamed , Tara Mahmood
Published: July 2018

Equitable access to healthcare services constitutes one of the leading priorities of healthcare provision and access to dialysis services (ADS) has an essential impact on patients depending on renal dialysis. The many existing GIS-based ADS evaluations include various spatial and non-spatial factors affecting ADS. We systematically mapped and reviewed the available literature with reference to this area identifying gaps in current GIS-based ADS measurements and developing recommendations for future studies. A threestep, systematic mapping review of the available GIS-related evidence in PubMed, Embase, Web of science, Scopus, Science Direct and IEEE Xplore was performed in May 2016 and the information collected updated October 2017 by two independent selection processes. The quality of the studies was assessed using an informal, mixed-approach scoring system. Out of 1119 literature references identified, 36 were identified and used for final review after removal of duplicates, study screenings and applying inclusion/exclusion criteria. Given the contents of the selected studies, three study groups were identified and 41 factors with potential effects on ADS determined. These studies mainly addressed the potential and/or spatial aspects of ADS. Our systematic mapping review of the evidence revealed that current GIS-based measures of ADS tend to calculate potential ADS instead of a realized one. It was also noted that listed factors affecting ADS were mainly nonspatial bringing forth the hypothesis that designing an integrated ADS index could possibly produce better ADS score than those currently advocated. Some primary and secondary research suggestions are made and a list of recommendations offered.
Spatial analysis for the epidemiological study of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic literature search
Authors: Mena Carlos , Sepúlveda Cesar , Fuentes Eduardo , Ormazábal Yony , Palomo Iván
Published: July 2018

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the primary cause of death and disability in de world, and the detection of populations at risk as well as localization of vulnerable areas is essential for adequate epidemiological management. Techniques developed for spatial analysis, among them geographical information systems and spatial statistics, such as cluster detection and spatial correlation, are useful for the study of the distribution of the CVDs. These techniques, enabling recognition of events at different geographical levels of study (e.g., rural, deprived neighbourhoods, etc.), make it possible to relate CVDs to factors present in the immediate environment. The systemic literature presented here shows that this group of diseases is clustered with regard to incidence, mortality and hospitalization as well as obesity, smoking, increased glycated haemoglobin levels, hypertension physical activity and age. In addition, acquired variables such as income, residency (rural or urban) and education, contribute to CVD clustering. Both local cluster detection and spatial regression techniques give statistical weight to the findings providing valuable information that can influence response mechanisms in the health services by indicating locations in need of intervention and assignment of available resources.
Correlation analysis of air pollutant index levels and dengue cases across five different zones in Selangor, Malaysia
Authors: Thiruchelvam Loshini , Dass Sarat C. , Zaki Rafdzah , Yahya Abqariyah , Asirvadam Vijanth S.
Published: July 2018

This study investigated the potential relationship between dengue cases and air quality – as measured by the Air Pollution Index (API) for five zones in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Dengue case patterns can be learned using prediction models based on feedback (lagged terms). However, the question whether air quality affects dengue cases is still not thoroughly investigated based on such feedback models. This work developed dengue prediction models using the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and ARIMA with an exogeneous variable (ARIMAX) time series methodologies with API as the exogeneous variable. The Box Jenkins approach based on maximum likelihood was used for analysis as it gives effective model estimates and prediction. Three stages of model comparison were carried out for each zone: first with ARIMA models without API, then ARIMAX models with API data from the API station for that zone and finally, ARIMAX models with API data from the zone and spatially neighbouring zones. Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) gives goodness-of-fit versus parsimony comparisons between all elicited models. Our study found that ARIMA models, with the lowest BIC value, outperformed the rest in all five zones. The BIC values for the zone of Kuala Selangor were –800.66, –796.22, and –790.5229, respectively, for ARIMA only, ARIMAX with single API component and ARIMAX with API components from its zone and spatially neighbouring zones. Therefore, we concluded that API levels, either temporally for each zone or spatio- temporally based on neighbouring zones, do not have a significant effect on dengue cases.