bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Necessity and Complexity of Standardization
Authors: Kazantseva T. V. , Kazantseva N. K. , Tkachuk G. A. , Nevolina A. L. , Baganov N. A. , Aleksandrov V. A. , Kukhar V. S.
Published: October 2020

The standards are one of the most important infrastructural elements of the economy. The relationship between all factors ensuring product quality and safety is carried out by using complex standardization. The standards establish and ensure the technically achievable level of safety, quality and competitiveness of products. The main factors of standardization object: the object composition, object production and monitoring, in their turn, form the following more precise groups of factors, determining the object quality: primary products and materials, component nodes and parts, production technology, equipment, tools and appliances, measurement means, and test methods. On the example of a specific standard, the "tree of references" of the first and second levels and the problems of an integrated approach for establishing quality requirements for a specific product is considered. The necessity and complexity of updating the requirements that ensure the systematization, optimization and coordination of all interacting factors influencing a specific object of standardization and providing an economically optimal level of quality of the object are demonstrated
«ОСОБЛИВІ ДІТИ» В УМОВАХ ОСОБЛИВОГО НАВЧАЛЬНОГО РОКУ
Authors: ЗАСЕНКО В'ячеслав Васильович , ПРОХОРЕНКО Леся Іванівна
Published: October 2020

Стисло окреслено загальні аспекти реформування освіти осіб із особливими потребами в Україні, розкрито ключові шляхи модернізації та охарактеризовано позитивні зрушення в освітній галузі. У доповіді зазначено, що Україна реорганізовує освітню систему для приведення її у відповідність з вимогами ринкової економіки та відкритого демократичного суспільства щодо забезпечення рівного доступу до якісної освіти для всіх дітей із особливими освітніми потребами. Сенс освіти розглядається як основний інструмент трансформації усієї системи, включаючи спеціальну освіту, на принципах компетентності. З точки зору компетентності конкретизація кількості шкільних предметів не є метою спеціальної освіти. Натомість суть полягає у визначенні результатів, які є вагомими на національному рівні і відображаються, зокрема, у державних стандартах, що впроваджуються в Україні. Охарактеризовано основні підходи і складові Концепції Нової української школи та визначено їх вплив на реформування системи освіти осіб з особливими потребами. Окреслено коло проблемних питань психолого-педагогічного та корекційно-розвивального супроводів дітей із особливими потребами, що потребують нагального вирішення.
CAPACITIVE PROPERTIES OF MODIFIED AND NON MODIFIED THERMALLY EXPANDED GRAPHITE COMPOSITES WITH POLYANILINE
Authors:   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, KOVALYSHYN Yaroslav , TERENYAK Ivanna ,   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, PEREVIZNYK Orest ,   Ivan Franko National University of Lviv
Published: October 2020

Modified thermally exfoliated graphite with p-nitrophenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate, followed by reduction of nitrophenyl groups to aminophenyl ones. Composites PAN - graphite, PAN - modified graphite at a constant value of potential 1 V were synthesized by electrochemical method. Their conditional density and electrical conductivity were determined. The electrochemical behavior in 1 M HCl solution was investigated and the capacity of synthesized composites was calculated. The conditional density of PAN composites with modified and non modified graphite increases sharply with increasing graphite content from 0 to 5%. At graphite contents higher than 5%, the density of composites varies very slightly. In the range of graphite contents 0% - 20%, the density is the highest for composites with a graphite content of 5% - 10%. In the case of modified graphite, the density of composites is higher than that of composites with non modified graphite. Analysis of the dependence of the specific conductivity on the content of modified graphite indicates that the conductivity of PAN - graphite composites increases the most with increasing graphite content from 1 to 10%. In this interval, the conductivity increases linearly. This indicates the absence of specific interactions between the components in the synthesized composites, as well as the fact that the nature of the distribution of these components does not change with changes in the graphite content. For a composite with modified graphite, there are two maximum capacities of composites with a graphite content of 2 and 10%. For a composite with non modified graphite on the obtained curves there is a maximum capacity of composites with a graphite content of 2%. Modification of the graphite surface leads to increased interaction between the components of the compo¬site, which resulted in the compaction of its structure. As a result, the capacitive characteristics of modified graphite composites, as well as CVA currents and electrical conductivity, were lower compared to composites with non modified graphite.
INHIBITOR EFFICACY AND COMPOSITION OF OAK BAR EXTRACT
Authors:   Lutsk National Technical University, HULAI Olha , SHEMET Vasylyna ,   Lutsk National Technical University, ZHILKO Vasyl ,   Volyn Scientific Research Forensic Center of the MIA of Ukraine, KLYMOVYCH Olena ,   Volyn Scientific Research Forensic Center of the MIA of Ukraine
Published: October 2020

Regional and international researchers have proven that natural products, plants and their extracts can be used to reduce the corrosion rate. Such studies are relevant because natural inhibitors are obtained from renewable sources, therefore they are environmentally friendly. Ukrainian scientists have investigated the inhibition effect of oak bark extracts, but no such studies have been performed on cast iron. What is more, it has not been established which substances cause this effect. The purpose of the study is to determine the corrosion resistance of 08kp steel and gray cast iron SCh-15 (common structural materials of food industry equipment) in acidic and neutral environments in presence of oak bark extracts; to define the qualitative composition of the extract. Structure of cast iron and steel samples was studied on a metallographic microscope MMP-14C. The corrosion rate of metals was evaluated by weight. To determine the corrosion potential, we used a setting of a cathode voltmeter, electrodes (test and saturated chloride-silver), an intermediate vessel with a saturated KCl solution and electrolytic keys filled with the test electrolyte and saturated KCl solution (for the comparison electrode). The extract was analyzed on a Shimadzu GCMS-QP2020 gas chromatograph with mass-selective detection. Using weight method, the inhibition effect of oak shavings alcohol extract was proved in acidic and neutral corrosive environments. Under the influence of oak bark extract (5%), the stationary potential of steel 08kp has shifted: in 3% NaCl solution (oxygen depolarization) – towards more negative values; in 5% HCl solution (hydrogen depolarization) – to less negative values. Gas chromatography with mass-selective detection (GC/MS) revealed that the active substance in the extract is a mixture of natural tannins – polyphenolic compounds with a molecular weight of 500 to 3000. The inhibition effect of natural tannins is probably enhanced by siloxane compounds.
Effects of Storage Characteristics on Flash Point and Water Content of Biodiesel derived from Crude Palm Oil, Jatropha, and Waste Cooking Oil
Authors: Azizul Muhamad Asri , Khalid Amir , Nanihar Nadiarulah , Manshoor Bukhari , Ngadiron Zuraidah
Published: October 2020

In recent years, there was a major drawback in the reduction of fossil fuels. Researchers attempts to find solutions to overcome this crisis including using biodiesel as replacement for fossil fuel. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ambient and storage characteristics on flash point and water content of biodiesel derived from crude palm oil, jatropha and waste cooking oil. There are three types of biodiesel blending which is 5 vol %, 10 vol % g and 15 vol% blending and compare with commercial diesel. There are three type of biodiesel blended from Crude Palm Oil, Jatropha, and Waste Cooking Oil. The biodiesel samples were stored in clinical compartment, at different temperatures and were monitored at regular interval over a period of 1960 hours’ periods and storage temperature from 28oC~35oC. The analysis of blending biodiesel properties is performed with ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standard. The changes of properties of biodiesel such as density, kinematics viscosity, acid value, water content and flash point of biodiesel were discussed in detail. High blending ratio CPO blends and longer storage period influences the increasing of viscosity for both conditions. Storage characteristics has a great influence on the biodiesel blends especially under high blending ratio. Increasing storage duration and temperature for all variant blending ratios are found to influences the increasing of the water content fuel density, resulting in increased the biodiesel viscosity. However, flash point of all biodiesel blends tends to decrease with increasing storage duration at different storage temperature.
Cardiovascular Manifestations in COVID-19
Authors: Konar Niladri , Saha Pratyasha , Moseley Alice , Denman Jessica , Hatahintwali Fabiola , Ali Reema , Zatorska Anna , Chakravorty Indranil
Published: October 2020

Novel COVID-19 pandemic presented primarily as a severe acute respiratory distress syndrome however, in addition to respiratory features there were many with cardiovascular presentations, not ‘typical’ of COVID-19 that caused confusion in diagnosis and management in frontline units.
A case-series was undertaken in a large London Hospital to describe cardiovascular manifestations and outcomes (discharge vs death) of all patients with a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, admitted from March-May 2020.
Results
In this cohort (n=855) there were 295 deaths (standardised mortality 345 per thousand admissions). Patients who had died were older; age 72.2 (SD 16.3) vs 64.8 (18.7) years, p<0.001, had similar length of stay - 12.3 (SD 9.7) vs 11.9 (SD 11.7) days. Almost 50% had pre-existing hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, or atrial fibrillation, 45% had radiographic changes. Ventilatory support was required in 20% of the group who were discharged versus 44% in those who died. Patients who were male, older, with palpitations, or pulmonary infiltrates and raised inflammatory markers were more likely to die. Following recovery, over 50% had abnormal findings on echocardiography.
Therefore follow up should include a repeat echocardiogram and cardio-pulmonary assessment to explore long term sequelae.
Fast Transit Computation Using Tabulated Stellar Intensities
Authors: Short Donald R. , Orosz Jerome A. , Windmiller Gur , Welsh William F.
Published: October 2020

Limb-darkening laws are convenient parameterizations of the stellar intensity center-to-limb variation, and their use is ubiquitous in eclipse and transit modeling. But they are not “laws” in any sense—they are simple approximations of the real intensity variations, and their limitations are becoming more and more apparent as stellar atmosphere models improve and higher precision data become available. When fitting eclipses and transit light curves, one would ideally like to use model intensities that are based on fundamental stellar parameters such as the mass, radius, and effective temperature of the star, rather than a limb-darkening law representation and its coefficients. This is especially true when attempting to detect higher-order effects such as planetary oblateness, rings, satellites, or atmospheres. However, using model intensities requires numerically integrating many small-area “tiles” on the model stellar surface(s), and this has traditionally been too computationally expensive for general use. Here we present a fast technique to compute light curves and the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect that uses tabulated stellar models intensities. This is a step in the development of tools that obviate the need for limb-darkening laws.
A Planar Five-body Problem in a Framework of Heterogeneous and Mass Variation Effects
Authors: Abouelmagd Elbaz I. , A. Ansari Abdullah , Ullah M. Shahbaz , García Guirao Juan Luis
Published: October 2020

The aim of the present paper is to study the effects of heterogeneous oblate spheroid and variable mass on the motion of the fifth infinitesimal body in the frame of the circular restricted five-body problem, with the imposition that the three primaries are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle and the fourth primary is placed at the center of the equilateral triangle. By using Jeans law and Meshcherskii space transformation, we evaluate the equations of motion and find a quasiJacobian integral. We determine the locations of equilibrium points, the regions of motion, and the attracting domain of in-plane motion. Furthermore, the effects of heterogeneous oblate spheroid and variable mass have been examined with the help of Poincaré surfaces of section. We studied the linear stability of equilibrium points and found that all of them are unstable.
The Solar Neighborhood. XLVI. Revealing New M Dwarf Binaries and Their Orbital Architectures
Authors: Vrijmoet Eliot Halley , Henry Todd J. , Jao Wei-Chun , Dieterich Serge B.
Published: October 2020

We use 20 yr of astrometric data from the REsearch Consortium On Nearby Stars (RECONS) program on the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory/SMARTS 0.9 m telescope to provide new insight into multiple star systems in the solar neighborhood. We provide new and updated parallaxes for 210 systems and derive nine high-quality astrometric orbits with periods of 2.49–16.63 yr. Using a total of 542 systems’ parallaxes from RECONS, we compare systems within 25 pc to Gaia DR2 to define criteria for selecting unresolved astrometric multiples from the DR2 results. We find that three out of four unresolved multistar red dwarf systems within 25 pc in DR2 have parallax_error ≥ 0.32 mas, astrometric_gof_al ≥ 56, astrometric_excess_noise_sig ≥ 108.0, ruwe ≥ 2.0, and parallaxes more than ∼10% different from the long-term RECONS results. These criteria have broad applications to any work targeting nearby stars, from studies seeking binary systems to efforts targeting single stars for planet searches.
A NICER View of a Highly Absorbed Flare in GRS 1915+105
Authors: Neilsen J. , Homan J. , Steiner J. F. , Marcel G. , Cackett E. , Remillard R. A. , Gendreau K.
Published: October 2020

After 26 yr in outburst, the black hole X-ray binary GRS 1915+105 dimmed considerably in early 2018; its flux dropped sharply in mid-2019, and it has remained faint ever since. This faint period, the “obscured state,” is punctuated by occasional X-ray flares, many of which have been observed by NICER as part of our regular monitoring program. Here we present detailed time-resolved spectroscopy of one bright flare, whose spectrum shows evidence of high column density partial covering absorption and extremely deep absorption lines (equivalent widths over 100 eV in some cases). We study the time-dependent ionization of the obscuring gas with xstar, ultimately attributing the absorption to a radially stratified absorber of density ∼1012–1013 cm−3 at ∼few ×1011 cm from the black hole. We argue that a vertically extended outer disk could explain this obscuration. We discuss several scenarios to explain the obscured state, including massive outflows, an increase in the mass accretion rate, and changes in the outer disk that herald the approach of quiescence, but none are entirely satisfactory. Alternative explanations, such as obscuration by the accretion stream impact point, may be testable with current or future data.
Electromagnetic Emission Driven by Electron Beam Instability in the Jovian Polar Regions
Authors: Shi Chen , Zhao Jinsong , Sun Heyu , Huang Chaoyan , Xie Huasheng
Published: October 2020

Upward energetic electron beams are often observed simultaneously with the plasma-wave emission in the Jovian polar regions, where the electron cyclotron frequency Ωce is much larger than the plasma frequency ω
pe. This study gives a comprehensive wave and instability analysis in the extreme plasma environment with Ωce ≫ ω
pe. We find that energetic electron beams can effectively drive the electron acoustic/magnetoacoustic instability. The excited electron acoustic/magnetoacoustic waves distribute from the parallel direction to the highly oblique direction, and their wave frequencies are always below the plasma frequency. These waves are electrostatic at parallel propagation, and exhibit electromagnetic polarization at oblique propagation. These theoretical predictions are qualitatively consistent with the main observed features of electromagnetic fluctuations in the Jovian polar regions. Therefore, we propose that upward electron beam-driven electron acoustic/magnetoacoustic waves can contribute to the plasma-wave emission in Jupiter’s polar environments. Furthermore, energetic electron beam-driven electron acoustic/magnetoacoustic waves may exist in Saturn’s polar regions and solar flare loops, where the extreme plasma condition Ωce ≫ ω
pe is satisfied in these plasma environments.
The Boltzmann-radiation-hydrodynamics Simulations of Core-collapse Supernovae with Different Equations of State: The Role of Nuclear Composition and the Behavior of Neutrinos
Authors: Harada Akira , Nagakura Hiroki , Iwakami Wakana , Okawa Hirotada , Furusawa Shun , Sumiyoshi Kohsuke , Matsufuru Hideo , Yamada Shoichi
Published: October 2020

Using the Boltzmann-radiation-hydrodynamics code, which solves the Boltzmann equation for neutrino transport, we present the results of the simulations with the nuclear equations of state (EOSs) of Lattimer and Swesty (LS) and Furusawa and Shen (FS). We extend the simulation time of the LS model and conduct thorough investigations, though our previous paper briefly reported some of the results. Only the LS model shows the shock revival. This seems to originate from the nuclear composition: the different nuclear composition results in the different energy loss by photodissociation and hence the different strength of the prompt convection and the later neutrino-driven convection. The protoneutron star seen in the FS model is more compact than that in the LS model because the existence of multinuclear species softens the EOS. For the behavior of neutrinos, we examined the flux and the Eddington tensor of neutrinos. In the optically thick region, the diffusion of neutrinos and the dragging by the motion of matter determine the flux. In the optically thin region, the free-streaming determines it. The Eddington tensor is compared with that obtained from the M1-closure relation. The M1-closure scheme overestimates the contribution from the velocity-dependent terms in the semitransparent region.
Oblique Tearing Mode Instability: Guide Field and Hall Effect
Authors: Shi 时 Chen 辰 , Velli Marco , Pucci Fulvia , Tenerani Anna , Innocenti Maria Elena
Published: October 2020

The tearing mode instability is one important mechanism that may explain the triggering of fast magnetic reconnection in astrophysical plasmas, such as the solar corona and the Earth's magnetosphere. In this paper, the linear stability analysis of the tearing mode is carried out for a current sheet in the presence of a guide field, including the Hall effect. We show that the presence of a strong guide field does not modify the most unstable mode in the 2D wavevector space orthogonal to the current gradient direction, which remains the fastest-growing parallel mode. With the Hall effect, the inclusion of a guide field turns the nondispersive propagation along the guide field direction to a dispersive one. The oblique modes have a wavelike structure along the normal direction of the current sheet and a strong guide field suppresses this structure while making the eigenfunctions asymmetric.
Parents' Experiences of Caring for Their Only Child With Mental Illness in China: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sheng Qingqing , Zhang Xi , Cai Chunfeng , Shi Yan
Published: October 2020

The current study explored Chinese parents' experiences of caring for their only child with mental illness. Face-to-face interviews with semi-structured questions were conducted to learn about the care experiences of parents whose only child had mental illness. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit parents (
n
= 14) and thematic analysis was used. Five themes were identified: (1)
Having Responsibility to Care for Children
, (2)
Feeling Guilt and Self-Blame
, (3)
Experiencing Loneliness and Helplessness
, (4)
Drained by Caregiving
, and (5)
Worrying About the Future
. Parents who cared for their only child with mental illness experienced considerable emotional and physical challenges. Professionals and health care providers should recognize and understand the experiences of these parents to identity their needs and provide adequate support. Targeted support services and appropriate professional information should be developed and provided for parents to relieve them of negative caregiving experiences and improve their psychological and physical well-being. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 59
(1), 29–37.]
Mental Health Predictors After the COVID-19 Outbreak in Korean Adults
Authors: Kim Ah Rim , Kim Soo-Yeon
Published: October 2020

The current study was conducted to investigate mental health levels in Korean adults during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and determine their predictors. The study was conducted online, and 334 adults from 14 locations in Korea participated. Data collection was conducted from May 19 to May 24, 2020, using a questionnaire consisting of general and COVID-19–related characteristics, perceived physical health, individual and community resilience, and mental health. For data analysis, descriptive statistics,
t
test, one-way analysis of variance, and hierarchical regression were used. In cases where women were more vulnerable to mental health problems and gender was controlled, regression analysis showed that individual resilience (β = −0.212,
p
< 0.001), perceived physical health (β = −0.160,
p
= 0.004), and community resilience (β = −0.119,
p
= 0.031) had an effect on mental health. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, communities should screen groups vulnerable to mental health problems and develop an integrated mental health program that incorporates predictors of mental health difficulties. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health, 59
(3), 18–27.]
Ordering results of extreme order statistics from dependent and heterogeneous modified proportional (reversed) hazard variables
Authors: Zhang Miaomiao , Lu Bin , Yan Rongfang
Published: October 2020

In this paper, we carry out stochastic comparisons on extreme order statistics (i.e. smallest and largest order statistics) from dependent and heterogeneous samples following modified proportional hazard rates (MPHR) and modified proportional reversed hazard rates (MPRHR) models. We build the usual stochastic order for sample minimums and maximums, and the hazard rate order on minimums of sample and the reversed hazard rate order on maximums of sample are also derived, respectively. Finally, some examples are given to illustrate the theoretical results.
Restorative Peacebuilding in Liberia
Authors: Travis Cynthia , Saa William
Published: October 2020

This chapter explores how traditional Liberian communities decimated by colonization, multi-generational trauma, and war found healing through ancient wisdom and ritual. The events related here highlight some of the ways that guidance from other-than-human realms, particularly from nature and the dead, makes quantum healing possible by restoring respectful relationships with all life as well as with the unseen world that is its source. The discussion highlights the urgency for international peacebuilding and foreign aid policy to re-examine the erroneous assumption that outside experts and money will solve the dilemmas caused by colonization, commodification, and greed. In the experiences related here, the authors show how dreaming, divination, ritual, offerings, and community councils helped divided communities work together for the sake of peace. The unexpected appearance of elephants—traditionally understood to be harbingers of peace—reawakened an ancient understanding of how to work in alliance with the natural world. The mysterious, interwoven events related here reveal new ways of working collaboratively across cultures and beyond the human realm. This suggests an innovative role for outsiders wishing to support the efforts of traditional communities seeking peace and stability after war, with the awareness that impending global extinction requires an unprecedented cultural shift to re-invigorate lived reciprocity within and beyond the human community for the sake of all life.
The Expression of Religion and Identity in International Funding
Authors: Nicholson Rebecca
Published: October 2020

Donor preference is a significant component that can either promote or inhibit sustainable development results, yet the involvement of private donors in international development work has not yet been examined in academic literature. Models for integrative negotiation in funding processes have been proposed, but without having the voice of donors present in literature, all previous negotiation models are incomplete because a major party to the negotiation is absent from the model. Conflict analysis and resolution is a new approach that will bring clarity to the role of private donors in international development work and generate integrative solutions for donors to employ in their work should they choose. This phenomenographic study analyzed the content, process, identity, and relational aspects of conflict in private international development projects through the viewpoint of donors. The research goals were to (1) generate understanding about how private donors understand their role in the international development work they fund, (2) ascertain how donors experience conflict in the course of this work, and (3) determine which conflict resolution techniques can be integrated to align their intentions, resources, and outcomes more accurately. The purposive snowball sample was comprised of six donors who fund private international work outside the US. The interrelated culmination of knowledge generated from this study demonstrates a broad landscape of experiences that describe how donors experience conflict and what may motivate them to consider alternative behaviors that can change the course of their work.
Indigenous Conflict Resolution Systems
Authors: Masenya Tlou Maggie
Published: October 2020

African tribal societies still rely upon indigenous conflict resolution systems as well as cultural sources to uphold the values of peace, tolerance, solidarity, and respect for one another. The purpose of this chapter was to examine the efficacy of indigenous conflict resolution systems in building peace and promoting social solidarity among indigenous communities in South Africa. Data collection was largely based on critical review of literature relating to the application of indigenous conflict resolution systems in resolving conflicts among indigenous communities. Social capital, Ubuntu, and social solidarity were also used as underpinning theories to guide the study. Findings revealed territorial expansion, resource competition, inheritance or land boundaries, misunderstanding over succession, indebtedness, chieftaincy, adulterous affairs, family property, breach of contract, murder, allegations of bewitchment, theft, matrimonial fall-outs, and cattle raiding as the main causes of violence conflict in indigenous communities. However, the absence of clear policy in the application of indigenous conflict resolution system has been found to be a limiting factor, although these systems are effective in resolving conflicts, building peace, and promoting social solidarity among indigenous communities. Socio-cultural norms and values embedded in indigenous communities have remained an integral part of every organized society. The study thus recommended the establishment of indigenous institutions of governance based on norms, values and principles of conflict resolution and peace building.
The Training of the Digital Competence at the Postgraduate Level for a Knowledge-Based Economy
Authors: Espinosa Edgar Oliver Cardoso , Ruiz Jésica Alhelí Cortés , Mercado María Trinidad Cerecedo
Published: October 2020

The objective of the chapter is to describe the main digital competences to be developed at the postgraduate level based on the characteristics established by the knowledge economy. It is a priority to evaluate, analyze, and synthesize the information generated, in addition to communicating creatively and innovatively in a network environment. Thus, the postgraduate course has been constituted as a social community that develops innovation, scientific, and technological projects as a substantial activity in which information is a fundamental resource in the development of the generation of new knowledge. To achieve this, it is necessary to carry out an investigation that involves a set of relevant processes such as identifying the problems; planning the search for information; selection of information sources; information processing, organization, and storage; as well as the communication of results. The digital competence is defined as the set of capabilities focused on the use of ICT to obtain, store, organize, present, and exchange information.
Investigating the Educational Needs of Elderly People Within the Scope of an Educational Program on the Use of Social Media Networks by Smartphones
Authors: Kanakaris Venetis , Korres Maria Pavlis
Published: October 2020

Social media networks are becoming increasingly popular as a means for social interaction. A number of studies have found that elderly people have a difficulty in using social media platforms while exist a number of barriers that discourage them from using technology. This chapter investigates the educational needs of older people, who are members of two elderly care centers in Northern Greece, intending to attend an educational program on using smartphones as a communication tool to join social media networks. Research findings indicate that elderly women are more willing to attend an educational program than men and key areas of their interest include access to the internet (e.g., online payments), how to create and use an e-mail account, and how to join social media networks in order to feel less isolated by communicating with other individuals or groups with the same interests.
The Importance of Digital Fluency in Terms of Disruptive and Emerging Technologies
Authors: Demir Kadir , Odabasi Hatice Ferhan
Published: October 2020

This chapter primarily provides information about digital literacy, which enables us to make basic use of today's technologies. In parallel with today's technological developments, high-level digital literacy skills expected from individuals are addressed. Definitions of digital fluency and studies on this subject are examined. The concept of digital fluency is redefined by the authors. It is based on theoretical foundations that are needed by authors on why digital fluency is needed in educational life. The authors point to the lack of a workforce with high-level digital literacy capabilities around the world.
The Integration of Educational Technologies in Foreign Language Education
Authors: Oikonomou Varvara Lemonia , Patsala Paschalia
Published: October 2020

The aim of this chapter is to examine the use of educational technologies in foreign language teaching in Greece. It explores whether FL teachers tend to integrate learning tools in their classroom, and if their implementation is affected by teachers' age, gender, level of confidence in using these tools, or any previous training they attended. The most popular technological tools employed in FL teaching are also presented, while the attitude of teachers towards the utilization of learning technologies is thoroughly investigated. A quantitative research method has been adopted with the usage of a web-based questionnaire. Based on the findings retrieved from the responses of a hundred FL teachers, they tend to integrate educational technologies extensively in their teaching practices, mainly to enhance learners' speaking and listening skills. Out of the variables examined, only teachers' confidence in using educational technologies seems to impact the integration of technology in their FL teaching.
Enterprise Quality Perception in a Changing Environment
Authors: Mata-Fernández Montserrat
Published: October 2020

This chapter gives an overview of the importance of the quality as a whole in a company, considering it moves in an environment not only determined by the velocity of change of the technologies but also by the cultural change suffered in recent years. It has been proposed a new framework where new factors have to be analyzed to achieve a company pioneer and leader in the industry. Also, it explains all the benefits of doing it and how it will affect the performance of the staff, in the vision of clients and users, and the financial results of the firm. In conclusion, all these advantages will have a great benefit to society.
Extended Quality Processes in Internationalized Agro-Industrial. Rural Collaborative Economy
Authors: Castillo-Nazareno Uriel Hitamar , Matute-Petroche Jessica Silvana , Alcívar-Avilés María Teresa
Published: October 2020

Exploring agricultural production and derived products is one of the challenges that countries like Ecuador have today. The crises in the agrarian economies could find formulas to be reversed if capital is built and distributed so that accumulation is visible in each of the processes that make up the value chains. One formula proposed is the productive strategic partnership in the collaborative line: the little ones must always go together. A perspective of this collaborative model with comprehensive quality processes is proposed in the global market. To this end, two productive attempts in the province of Chimborazo (Ecuador) are studied. The first one from Alausí canton, and the second production and export criterion already developed, is located in Colta Canton of the same province and is called COPROBICH. Based on these elements, the chapter proposes to incorporate theoretical and technical aspects that will make it possible to achieve greater efficiency in the process of internationalization of these business drives
The Evaluation of the Service and Its Impact on Brand Value
Authors: Barbery-Montoya Danny C. , Bautista-Nuques Carlos , Wiesner-Mora Jeaneth P.
Published: October 2020

For service companies, one of the most difficult challenges to measure is brand value, considering the subjectivity of the service, given by consumer perception. In this way, the objective of this chapter is to know the elements that provide value to the service company's brand. To carry out the study, the authors deepen the concepts of service and brand considering the SERVQUAL and CSI questionnaires, which allow them to obtain indexes of measurement of the quality of services and brand valuation and apply them in the English language teaching institutes in Guayaquil (Ecuador). The results show that five high-importance schools have valuation elements that build their brand with characteristics that differentiate them, but also with others that resemble them. Understanding each of the brands and variables, they propose an initial model that allows analyzing this industry in which elements relevant to the consumer are observed.
Reference Models for Intelligent Cities
Authors: Soares Nuno , Monteiro Paula , Duarte Francisco J. , Machado Ricardo J.
Published: October 2020

Cities are multifaceted and highly complex interconnected systems of people, objects, and machines, bringing endless design, construction, and operational challenges. To be intelligent, the parts of a city and the relationships and connectivity among them need to be smart. Much work has been done on models and reference architectures for intelligent cities to achieve the smart integration of city domains. Nevertheless, a universally complete smart city reference architecture does not exist. This chapter aims to discuss accepted dimensions of an intelligent city and the best arrangement for connectivity of them. Through literature review of relevant studies from academia, international organizations, and standards organizations that analysed contributions ranging from enunciations of smart cities' relevant dimensions, conceptual models, reference architectures, and urban platforms, this chapter aggregates the dimensions to align the reference model for intelligent cities that reflects the importance of the core relevant dimensions.
Integrating Blockchain With AI
Authors: Vedula Radha Madhu Seekar , Bhadoria Robin Singh , Dixit Manish
Published: October 2020

The advancement in AI and blockchain can fundamentally reshape our way of working, learning, and almost our way of living. Though the research in both areas helps us in advancing our knowledge, it is even more advantageous by converging concepts of blockchain and AI (i.e., developing the thinking through blockchain). Blockchain is decentralized, distributed, and often a public system. Thinking, fundamentally defined as rationally concluding something, with a few known premises, is the fundamental concept behind AI and implementing the AI to become as close to human intelligence as possible; therefore, improvements in thinking are always welcomed. Both being incomplete, AI suffers from issues with trustworthiness, explainability, and privacy, while blockchain suffers in case of security, scalability, and efficiency. Bringing these two together can complement each other and make the system efficient. The chapter deals with various uses of integrating blockchain with AI. It also gives a brief on the uses of blockchain for improving both human and machine thinking.
Prospects of Machine Learning With Blockchain in Healthcare and Agriculture
Authors: Singh Pushpa , Singh Narendra , Deka Ganesh Chandra
Published: October 2020

Presently, machine learning (ML) techniques have gained considerable attention, with growing interest in various areas and applications. Healthcare, agriculture, and bioinformatics are the most identified areas to study with the help of ML. This chapter introduces about the basic principle of ML such as data, model, basic mathematical details of ML, and types of learning. The important aspect of ML is “how to teach a machine.” This chapter focuses on the types of learning: supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, and reinforcement learning. Some commonly used ML algorithms such as decision tree (DT), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), naïve Bayes, k-mean, q-learning, etc. are briefly discussed for understanding. Finally, the author offers the application of ML with blockchain that is reforming the traditional healthcare and agricultural sector to a more reliable means.
Enshrining Motherhood, Entombing the Mother
Authors: Shirodkar Preeti Sharatchandra
Published: October 2020

In India, motherhood is a haloed trope that has ‘enshrined' motherhood leading gradually to an ‘entombing' of the mother – pushing her to decisions and actions, the alternatives of which may not have been realised or explored. The persona thus takes over the person, resulting in a need to assess what is and what needs to be done, to establish a balance between the two. The attempt would be to establish motherhood as just another role of a woman, thus liberating the person from both the ‘enshrining' and the ‘entombment' and offer suggestions based on the experience of Indian urban women professionals that would help them reach fulfilment at the professional and personal fronts. Based on the target audience, which includes not merely women from academia, but the Indian working professionals at large, the tone has been deliberately kept conversational, rather than one that is purely academic. Furthermore, given the paucity of work on the impact of motherhood and mothering on urban professionals in India, this would engage with important questions in the area of women's studies.
Fifty Shades of Pretty and Thin
Authors: Carta Andrea , Carraro Elena , Martini Simona Adelaide , Perasso Giulia
Published: October 2020

Today, gender representation in media and advertising could be responsible for creating and maintaining female stereotypes that have a negative impact on women's psychological and social well-being. From a psychological point of view, women have to face several issues including the objectification of their body, which could have negative effects on their mental, emotional, and physical health; furthermore, the portrayal of the female body as a sexual object could be associated with aggressive inclinations and behaviours against women, but also with cyber-bullying victimization in terms of body-shaming and revenge porn. Finally, it is relevant to consider how the use of gender stereotypes in advertising and media could lead to a distorted perception of gender roles, mostly based on outdated socio-cultural expectations of how men and women should behave and present themselves, that could be passed on to the next generations.
Discovering Similarity Across Heterogeneous Features
Authors: Janeja Vandana P. , Namayanja Josephine M. , Yesha Yelena , Kench Anuja , Misal Vasundhara
Published: October 2020

The analysis of both continuous and categorical attributes generating a heterogeneous mix of attributes poses challenges in data clustering. Traditional clustering techniques like k-means clustering work well when applied to small homogeneous datasets. However, as the data size becomes large, it becomes increasingly difficult to find meaningful and well-formed clusters. In this paper, the authors propose an approach that utilizes a combined similarity function, which looks at similarity across numeric and categorical features and employs this function in a clustering algorithm to identify similarity between data objects. The findings indicate that the proposed approach handles heterogeneous data better by forming well-separated clusters.
A Temporal Multidimensional Model and OLAP Operators
Authors: Ahmed Waqas , Zimányi Esteban , Vaisman Alejandro Ariel , Wrembel Robert
Published: October 2020

Usually, data in data warehouses (DWs) are stored using the notion of the multidimensional (MD) model. Often, DWs change in content and structure due to several reasons, like, for instance, changes in a business scenario or technology. For accurate decision-making, a DW model must allow storing and analyzing time-varying data. This paper addresses the problem of keeping track of the history of the data in a DW. For this, first, a formalization of the traditional MD model is proposed and then extended as a generalized temporal MD model. The model comes equipped with a collection of typical online analytical processing (OLAP) operations with temporal semantics, which is formalized for the four classic operations, namely roll-up, dice, project, and drill-across. Finally, the mapping from the generalized temporal model into a relational schema is presented together with an implementation of the temporal OLAP operations in standard SQL.
Impact of E-Collaboration Between Indian Banks and Fintech Companies for Digital Banking and New Emerging Technologies
Authors: Bhasin Narinder Kumar , Rajesh Anupama
Published: October 2020

At present, the Indian banking system is passing through the journey of revolutionary reforms from traditional banking to e-collaboration of digital banking products and financial technologies (Fintech) companies. They are creating financial disruptions and changing the shape of the payment system. Fintech is a new buzzword in the banking and finance industry which have to combine the core traditional banking liability and lending functions with new financial technology. It's a win-win situation for both Indian banks that have a huge customer base and a wide network of branches. On the other hand, Fintech companies are very strong in technology, but they need to build trust among the customer for the adoption of new digital and Fintech products. This research paper traces the various challenges and opportunities Indian banking system is facing in collaboration and co-invention with Fintech firms.
Design and Evaluation of Wi-Fi Offloading Mechanism in Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: Kumar V. Vinoth , Ramamoorthy S.  , Kumar V. Dhilip , Prabu M.  , Balajee J. M.
Published: October 2020

In recent years, WiFi offloading provides a potential solution for improving ad hoc network performance along with cellular network. This paper reviews the different offloading techniques that are implemented in various applications. In disaster management applications, the cellular network is not optimal for existing case studies because the lack of infrastructure. MANET Wi-Fi offloading (MWO) is one of the potential solutions for offloading cellular traffic. This word combines the cellular network with mobile ad hoc network by implementing the technique of Wi-Fi offloading. Based on the applications requirements the offloading techniques implemented into mobile-to-mobile (M-M), mobile-to-cellular (M-C), mobile-to-AP (M-AP). It serves more reliability, congestion eliminated, increasing data rate, and high network performance. The authors also identified the issue while implementing the offloading techniques in network. Finally, this paper achieved the better performance results compared to existing approaches implemented in disaster management.
The Design and Practice of Library Maker Service in Shenyang Normal University
Authors: Wang Yu , Fan Shuli , Cheng Ziling
Published: October 2020

Library maker services are a current focus of the industry's theoretical research and practice. With the popularization of the maker movement and the development of “mass entrepreneurship and innovation” in China, the library has been forced to re-examine itself and seek new development opportunities and spaces. Based on the experience of library maker service activities both at home and abroad, this paper explores the design of the library space transformation and the practice of the maker services in Shenyang Normal University. In the face of “mass entrepreneurship and innovation” and the background of education, library maker services have become the main melody, and the construction of makerspaces is the panacea to boost the development of library services. Every qualified library needs to be transformed, insufficient ones need to be reformed, and maker services are not only a development drive of the era, but also the essential path to the future.
WeChat Mobile Library Service in Chinese Academic Libraries
Authors: Liu Hua
Published: October 2020

This paper introduces the WeChat mobile library service programme at Shanghai University Library and identifies problems and resolutions by reviewing the development process and experience and user feedback. A case study was conducted, and user feedback from a web survey was analysed to identify the programme's problems. Accordingly, recommendations and resolutions were developed. The author discovers that a WeChat account is crucial as an interaction platform between libraries and patrons, particularly on mobile devices. Patrons prefer to receive library services via WeChat rather than other channels. Their favourite features include online public access catalogue (OPAC), my library, and study facility availability. Libraries should conduct regular assessments to understand patrons' feedback or requests and make timely adjustments accordingly. The web survey and its data are novel in this area and provide a credible example to optimize WeChat library services.