bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MALDI-TOF MS for the Identification of Cultivable Organic-Degrading Bacteria in Contaminated Groundwater near Unconventional Natural Gas Extraction Sites
Authors: Santos Inês , Martin Misty , Carlton Doug , Amorim Catarina , Castro Paula , Hildenbrand Zacariah , Schug Kevin
Published: August 2017

Groundwater quality and quantity is of extreme importance as it is a source of drinking water in the United States. One major concern has emerged due to the possible contamination of groundwater from unconventional oil and natural gas extraction activities. Recent studies have been performed to understand if these activities are causing groundwater contamination, particularly with respect to exogenous hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds. The impact of contaminants on microbial ecology is an area to be explored as alternatives for water treatment are necessary. In this work, we identified cultivable organic-degrading bacteria in groundwater in close proximity to unconventional natural gas extraction. Pseudomonas stutzeri and Acinetobacter haemolyticus were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), which proved to be a simple, fast, and reliable method. Additionally, the potential use of the identified bacteria in water and/or wastewater bioremediation was studied by determining the ability of these microorganisms to degrade toluene and chloroform. In fact, these bacteria can be potentially applied for in situ bioremediation of contaminated water and wastewater treatment, as they were able to degrade both compounds.
Genetic Structure and Eco-Geographical Differentiation of Wild Sheep Fescue (Festuca ovina L.) in Xinjiang, Northwest China
Authors: Zhang Chenglin , Zhang Jianbo , Fan Yan , Sun Ming , Wu Wendan , Zhao Wenda , Yang Xiaopeng , Huang Linkai , Peng Yan , Ma Xiao , Zhang Xinquan
Published: August 2017

Glaciation and mountain orogeny have generated new ecologic opportunities for plants, favoring an increase in the speciation rate. Moreover, they also act as corridors or barriers for plant lineages and populations. High genetic diversity ensures that species are able to survive and adapt. Gene flow is one of the most important determinants of the genetic diversity and structure of out-crossed species, and it is easily affected by biotic and abiotic factors. The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic diversity and structure of an alpine species, Festuca ovina L., in Xinjiang, China. A total of 100 individuals from 10 populations were analyzed using six amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer pairs. A total of 583 clear bands were generated, of which 392 were polymorphic; thus, the percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB) was 67.24%. The total and average genetic diversities were 0.2722 and 0.2006 (0.1686–0.2225), respectively. The unweighted group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) tree, principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) and Structure analyses revealed that these populations or individuals could be clustered into two groups. The analysis of molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) suggested that most of the genetic variance existed within a population, and the genetic differentiation (Fst) among populations was 20.71%. The Shannon differentiation coefficient (G’st) among populations was 0.2350. Limited gene flow (Nm = 0.9571) was detected across all sampling sites. The Fst and Nm presented at different levels under the genetic barriers due to fragmentation. The population genetic diversity was significant relative to environmental factors such as temperature, altitude and precipitation.
Trajectory Planning and Tracking Control of a Differential-Drive Mobile Robot in a Picture Drawing Application
Authors: Shih Ching-Long , Lin Li-Chen
Published: August 2017

This paper proposes a method for trajectory planning and control of a mobile robot for application in picture drawing from images. The robot is an accurate differential drive mobile robot platform controlled by a field-programmable-gate-array (FPGA) controller. By not locating the tip of the pen at the middle between two wheels, we are able to construct an omnidirectional mobile platform, thus implementing a simple and effective trajectory control method. The reference trajectories are generated based on line simplification and B-spline approximation of digitized input curves obtained from Canny’s edge-detection algorithm on a gray image. Experimental results for image picture drawing show the advantage of this proposed method.
New electroactive asymmetrical chalcones and therefrom derived 2-amino- / 2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)pyrimidines, containing an N-[ω-(4-methoxyphenoxy)alkyl]carbazole fragment: synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties
Authors: Selivanova Daria G , Gorbunov Alexei A , Mayorova Olga A , Vasyanin Alexander N , Lunegov Igor V , Shklyaeva Elena V , Abashev Georgii G
Published: August 2017

In this paper we present a synthetic approach to six new D–π–A–D conjugated chromophores containing the N-[ω-(4-methoxyphenoxy)alkyl]carbazole fragment. Such readily functionalizable heterocycle as carbazole was used as a main starting compound for their preparation. The investigation of the optical properties has shown that the positive solvatochromism is inherent to the chromophores containing an electron-withdrawing prop-2-en-1-one fragment, while the compounds containing a 2-aminopyrimidine moiety exhibit both positive and negative solvatochromism. The fluorescence quantum yields were experimentally determined for some of the synthesized chromophores; e.g., 1-(5-arylthiophen-2-yl)ethanones quantum yields were found to lie in an interval of 60–80%. Electrochemical oxidation of the synthesized chromophores has resulted in the formation of colored thin oligomeric films that became possible due to the presence of carbazole or pyrrole fragments with free electron-rich positions.
Serendipitous Discovery of RR Lyrae Stars in the Leo V Ultra-faint Galaxy
Authors: Medina Gustavo E. , Muñoz Ricardo R. , Vivas A. Katherina , Förster Francisco , Carlin Jeffrey L. , Martinez Jorge , Galbany Lluis , González-Gaitán Santiago , Hamuy Mario , Jaeger Thomas de , Maureira Juan Carlos , Martín Jaime San
Published: August 2017

During the analysis of RR Lyrae stars (RRLs) discovered in the High Cadence Transient Survey (HiTS) taken with the Dark Energy Camera at the 4 m telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, we found a group of three very distant, fundamental mode pulsator RR Lyrae (type ab). The location of these stars agrees with them belonging to the Leo V ultra-faint satellite galaxy, for which no variable stars have been reported to date. The heliocentric distance derived for Leo V based on these stars is 173 ± 5 kpc. The pulsational properties (amplitudes and periods) of these stars locate them within the locus of the Oosterhoff II group, similar to most other ultra-faint galaxies with known RRLs. This serendipitous discovery shows that distant RRLs may be used to search for unknown faint stellar systems in the outskirts of the Milky Way.
The Superluminous Supernova SN 2017egm in the Nearby Galaxy NGC 3191: A Metal-rich Environment Can Support a Typical SLSN Evolution
Authors: Nicholl Matt , Berger Edo , Margutti Raffaella , Blanchard Peter K. , Guillochon James , Leja Joel , Chornock Ryan
Published: August 2017

At redshift z = 0.03, the recently discovered SN 2017egm is the nearest Type I superluminous supernova (SLSN) to date and first near the center of a massive spiral galaxy (NGC 3191). Using SDSS spectra of NGC 3191, we find a metallicity ∼2

at the nucleus and ∼1.3

for a star-forming region at a radial offset similar to SN 2017egm. Archival radio-to-UV photometry reveals a star formation rate of ∼15

yr−1 (with ∼70% dust obscured), which can account for a Swift X-ray detection and a stellar mass of

. We model the early UV–optical light curves with a magnetar central-engine model, using the Bayesian light curve fitting tool MOSFiT. The fits indicate an ejecta mass of 2–4

, a spin period of 4–6 ms, a magnetic field of

G, and a kinetic energy of

erg. These parameters are consistent with the overall distributions for SLSNe, modeled by Nicholl et al., although the derived mass and spin are toward the low end, possibly indicating an enhanced loss of mass and angular momentum before explosion. This has two implications: (i) SLSNe can occur at solar metallicity, although with a low fraction of ∼10%, and (ii) metallicity has at most a modest effect on their properties. Both conclusions are in line with results for long gamma-ray bursts. Assuming a monotonic rise gives an explosion date of MJD 57889 ± 1. However, a short-lived excess in the data relative to the best-fitting models may indicate an early-time “bump.” If confirmed, SN 2017egm would be the first SLSN with a spectrum during the bump phase; this shows the same O ii lines seen at maximum light, which may be an important clue for explaining these bumps.
Research-Based Applied Psychophysiology
Authors: Hartfiel Ned , Edwards Rhiannon Tudor
Published: August 2017

Recent research indicates that yoga can be effective for reducing both musculoskeletal conditions and stress. In the workplace, musculoskeletal conditions and stress are the two most common reasons for sickness absence. The World Health Organisation has identified the workplace as a priority area for promoting good health. As a result, yoga is increasingly being offered in workplace settings to improve the physical health and mental wellbeing of employees. In September 2014, a comprehensive search of relevant electronic databases was performed to determine the effectiveness of yoga in workplace settings. Eight randomised trials met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that the effectiveness of yoga in the workplace was strong for musculoskeletal conditions, moderate for perceived stress, limited for sleep quality and conflicting for heart rate variability. Overall, this evidence is promising, yet limited due to a lack of high quality studies of yoga in workplace settings.
Management of Obesity With Yoga
Authors: Telles Shirley , Sharma Sachin Kumar
Published: August 2017

A number of experimental studies have been carried out to assess the effectiveness of yoga to manage obesity. This review (1) examined studies assessing the effects of yoga practices on obesity and (2) graded them according to standard grading methods. Fifteen studies were reviewed of which 6 were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The six RCTs had a moderately good rating (70.6 to 88.0 percent). Nonetheless this review showed that there are inadequate studies which have adequate sample sizes, rigorous study designs and conduct a long term follow up, to conclude that yoga can play a definite role in weight management. Nonetheless the evidence is encouraging though future studies should be designed more rigorously.
Yoga in the Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders
Authors: Olsen Elin-Kristin Hem
Published: August 2017

Objective: This research review aimed to investigate yoga as an alternative treatment to trauma-related disorders as depression, anxiety and PTSD. Method: We searched different databases as Oria, PsychNet, and PubMed, and a hand search of relevant papers. Only quantitative studies were included as there were few good qualitative studies. Results: The results are somewhat varying in yoga as an effective intervention for trauma-related disorders or symptoms. In some studies the yoga group show greater improvements than the passive control group. When the control group is active there seems to be less of a difference between the groups. Even though most of these studies have small sample sizes there is an indication that yoga may improve trauma-related disorders such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Since yoga is a time-effective and have low costs it may be considered as an alternative when more time consuming and expensive treatment is not available or possible. Yoga may also be implemented as an adjunctive treatment.
Research-Based Applied Psychophysiology
Authors: Narahari Saravu , Aggithaya Madhur Guruprasad , Ryan Terence J.
Published: August 2017

The lymphedema is a disfiguring and disabling disease caused by dysfunction of lymphatic system due to damage/block or by lymph overload. Breast Cancer Related Lmyphedema and elephantiasis due to Lymphatic Filariasis are most prevalent world over. This chapter describes the yoga protocols used as a part of integrative medicine treatment, to treat lymphedema. Patients perform yoga in two sessions. It includes warm up, breathing, prolonged exercise with appropriate rests and relaxation. Yoga helps to drain lymph though various mechanisms. Asanas focus on dermal stretch, joint movement, muscle pumps and muscle stretch and pranayamas on lung expansion. Yoga also provides knee strengthening, gait correction and improves shoulder movement. Joint movements and muscle contractions are designed to mimic nodal drainage. Yoga sequence is arranged to achieve a similar role of manual lymph drainage as that of Foldi's Complex Decongestive Therapy. Yoga as a self-care in lymphedema is an effective treatment in endemic communities albeit not supported by randomized controlled trials.
The Other Stares Back
Authors: August Anita
Published: August 2017

This chapter addresses the Other's Stare of gendered and raced bodies who visually rupture and resist their discursive formation in Networked Knowledge Communities (NKCs). New multimodal texts described as “texts that exceed the alphabetic and may include still and moving images, animations, color, words, music and sound” (Takayoshi & Selfe, 2007, p. 1), contribute greatly to the situated nature of knowledge production by NKCs in the postmodern “network society” (Castells, 1996). NKCs are learning communities that “proactively participate in building and advancing knowledges” (Gurung, 2014, p. 2). While NKCs are idealized as sites for progressive socio-political transformation, this chapter argues NKCs are also antagonistic visual spheres where images of gendered and raced bodies are used as metadata to ideologically contain, construct, and constitute them. Using a rhetorical perspective, the chapter reveals the discursive formation of the gendered and raced Other and how they preserve their visual image-making with the oppositional stare.
I See What You Mean
Authors: Walker Allison Smith , Sellers Georgeanna
Published: August 2017

The infographic represents a combination of visual imagery and big data, and it can be implemented successfully as a teaching tool across multiple educational settings. The infographic is also, by definition, a multimodal genre. It incorporates visual and textual elements, statistical evidence, research, graphic design, and digital literacy for both the creation and distribution of an effective data visualization through 21st century mechanisms of social action and interaction. In the following chapter, the authors, two instructors at a small, private, liberal arts university in the suburban South, will present examples of infographic curricula from undergraduate courses in first-year writing and professional writing in the medical humanities and analyze the effectiveness of this approach on student learning, particularly in relation to the impact of infographic instruction on the skills of synthesis, public resonance, transfer and social action.
Undergraduate Programs in the U.S
Authors: Charlier Steven D. , Burke-Smalley Lisa A. , Fisher Sandra L.
Published: August 2017

Given the importance of human resource management skills both in management education and business in general, an empirical review of undergraduate human resource (HR) curricula and programs is needed. In this study, the authors provide an investigative analysis of the content taught across HR programs in the U.S. and the context in which HR programs operate. Specifically, data across 179 undergraduate “SHRM-aligned” HR programs were collected and analyzed to identify common as well as unique content and contextual attributes at the university, business school, and program levels. Against the backdrop of the study's findings, the authors step back and purposefully comment on how they believe HR education can best be moved forward. In total, this study seeks to inform stakeholders in HR education through a clearer picture of the current and potential future states of HR curricula within U.S.-based undergraduate management programs.
Mobile Health Systems and Electronic Health Record
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: August 2017

This chapter reveals the overview of mobile health systems; the adoption of mobile health systems; mobile health systems and patient monitoring; the overview of mobile health technology; the advanced issues of Electronic Health Record (EHR); and the challenges of EHR in global health care. Mobile health helps deliver the health care services with quality care, improved workflow, and increased patient interaction while minimizing complexity and cost to achieve the desired goals in health care settings. EHR systems are the real-time and patient-centered records that make information available instantly and securely to authorized users. The chapter argues that applying mobile health systems and EHR has the potential to improve health care efficiency and gain sustainable competitive advantage in global health care.
Pervasive Computing in Supporting Pediatric and Neonatology Care Unit Decision Process
Authors: Martins Bia , Guimarães Tiago André Saraiva , Santos Mariana , Frutuoso Simão , Portela Filipe , Santos Manuel Filipe
Published: August 2017

Neonatal units, and especially the sections devoted to intensive care require an individualized medical prescription, based on body weight and gestational age making them among the hospital settings where treatment errors are most likely to occur. These errors may harm patients and their families, as well as increase the duration of hospital stay and its costs. Tools such as Sabichão have sought, over the last years, to aid clinical decision-making to reduce clinical error. However, with the increased use and dissemination of mobile platforms, it's now possible and essential to bring the available assistance closer to the health providers and their practice. This paper describes a Framework that seeks to present itself as a more efficient and ubiquitous alternative to an existing Clinical decision support system.
Recommendation System
Authors: Srivastava Shashi Kant , Roy Sudipendra Nath
Published: August 2017

Health is the most critical but very less celebrated application area of recommendation system. The purpose of this work is to put forward the present development and potential future applications of the recommendation system for the physical health of an individual and community. These recommendations are aimed to mitigate the probable future health risks. Present chapter ensembles the existing literature to illustrate the current applications of the subject. Furthermore, this put forward future scope and knowledge boundary for health recommendation system research. Because of present innovations i.e. wearable health technologies, the application of recommendation system for health has become possible. The present chapter evaluates the existing wearable health technologies and its suitability for the deployment of a responsive health recommendation system.
Advanced Issues of Health Informatics and Clinical Decision Support System in Global Health Care
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: August 2017

This chapter indicates the advanced issues of health informatics; the advanced issues of Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS); CDSS and Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE); the false positive alerts in CDSS; and CDSS and biomedical engineering. Health informatics and CDSS are the advanced health care technologies with the support of many technological fields. Health informatics and CDSS apply various computerized devices to provide enhanced health-related outcomes in terms of problem solving, analytical thinking, and decision making. Health informatics and CDSS help clinicians and health care providers to make complex information useful in supporting clinical decisions, thus delivering the best standard of care for each patient. The chapter argues that utilizing health informatics and CDSS has the potential to increase health outcomes and reach strategic goals in global health care.
Pervasive Business Intelligence Platform to Support the Decision-Making Process in Waiting Lists
Authors: Esteves Marisa , Miranda Filipe , Abelha António
Published: August 2017

In recent years, the increase of average waiting times in waiting lists is an issue that has been felt in health institutions. Thus, the implementation of new administrative measures to improve the management of these organizations may be required. Hereupon, the aim of this present work is to support the decision-making process in appointments and surgeries waiting lists in a hospital located in the north of Portugal, through a pervasive Business Intelligence platform that can be accessed anywhere and anytime by any device connected within the hospital's private network. By representing information that facilitate the analysis of information and knowledge extraction, the Web tool allows the identification in real-time of average waiting times outside the outlined patterns. Thereby, the developed platform permits their identification, enabling their further understanding in order to take the necessary measures. Thus, the main purpose is to enable the reduction of average waiting times through the analysis of information in order to, subsequently, ensure the satisfaction of patients.
Metaheuristic-Based Hybrid Feature Selection Models
Authors: Dash Sujata
Published: August 2017

This chapter focuses on key applications of metaheuristic techniques in the field of gene selection and classification of microarray data. The metaheuristic techniques are efficient in handling combinatorial optimization problems. In this article, two different types of metaheuristics such as Genetic algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) are hybridized with fuzzy-rough (FR) method for optimizing the subset selection process of microarray data. The FR method applied here deals with impreciseness and uncertainty of microarray data. The predictive accuracy of the models is evaluated by an adaptive neural net ensemble and by a rule based classifier MODLEM respectively. Moreover, the learning efficiency of the ensemble is compared with base learners and with two classical ensembles. The rule based classifier generates a set of rules for disease diagnosis and prognosis and enables to study the function of genes from gene ontology website. The experimental results of both the models prove that, hybrid metaheuristic techniques are highly effective for finding potential genes.
Insights Into Simulated Annealing
Authors: Amine Khalil
Published: August 2017

Simulated annealing is a probabilistic local search method for global combinatorial optimisation problems allowing gradual convergence to a near-optimal solution. It consists of a sequence of moves from a current solution to a better one according to certain transition rules while accepting occasionally some uphill solutions in order to guarantee diversity in the domain exploration and to avoid getting caught at local optima. The process is managed by a certain static or dynamic cooling schedule that controls the number of iterations. This meta-heuristic provides several advantages that include the ability of escaping local optima and the use of small amount of short-term memory. A wide range of applications and variants have hitherto emerged as a consequence of its adaptability to many combinatorial as well as continuous optimisation cases, and also its guaranteed asymptotic convergence to the global optimum.
Applications of Hybrid Intelligent Systems in Adaptive Communication
Authors: Rahman Atta ur
Published: August 2017

Dynamic allocation of the resources for optimum utilization and throughput maximization is one of the most important fields of research nowadays. In this process the available resources are allocated in such a way that they are maximally utilized to enhance the overall system throughput. In this chapter a similar problem is approached which is found in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) environment, in which the transmission parameters namely the code rate, modulation scheme and power are adapted in such a way that overall system's data rate is maximized with a constrained bit error rate and transmit power. A Fuzzy Rule Base System (FRBS) is proposed for adapting the code rate and modulation scheme while Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm are used for adaptive power allocation. The proposed scheme is compared with other schemes in the literature including the famous Water-filling technique which is considered as a benchmark in the adaptive loading paradigm. Supremacy of the proposed technique is shown through computer simulations.
A Holistic-Based Multi-Criterion Decision-Making Approach for Solving Engineering Sciences Problem Under Imprecise Environment
Authors: Hussain Syed Abou Iltaf , Mondal Sankar Prasad , Mandal Uttam Kumar
Published: August 2017

Multi-Criteria Decision Making has evolved as an important tool for taking some of the most important decisions in the today's hi-tech engineering world. But due to some reasons like measurement difficulty, lack of data, faulty instruments, etc., or due to lack of absolute information about the topic, alternatives present and the criteria, decision making becomes very difficult as all parameter for modeling a decision making problem are not precise. In such scenario the importance of one with respect to the others are represented in terms of linguistic factor. Such cases could be tackled by considering the problem in fuzzy environment. In this chapter, the different hybrid fuzzy MCDM techniques are shown along with their application in different engineering problems. One problem is randomly selected and solved using different fuzzy MCDM techniques and compared the result with the existing literature.
Application of Natured-Inspired Technique to Odia Handwritten Numeral Recognition
Authors: Pujari Puspalata , Majhi Babita
Published: August 2017

In this chapter an effort has been made to develop a hybrid system using functional link artificial neural network (FLANN) and differential evolution (DE) for effective recognition of Odia handwritten numerals. The S-transform (ST) is chosen for feature extraction from handwritten numerals and these are further reduced by using principal component analysis (PCA). After reduction of feature the reduced features are applied to FLANN model for recognition of each numeral. Further differential evolution algorithm (DE) is used for the optimization of weights of FLANN classifier. For performance comparison, genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) based FLANN models (FLANN_GA and FLANN_PSO) are also designed and simulated under similar condition. The efficiency of proposed DE based FLANN (FLANN_DE) method is assessed through simulation with standard dataset consisting of 4000 handwritten Odia numerals. The results of three models are compared and it is observed that the FLANN_DE model provides the best result as compared to other models.
Intelligent Technique to Identify Epilepsy Using Fuzzy Firefly System for Brain Signal Processing
Authors: Gurumoorthy Sasikumar , Tripathy B. K.
Published: August 2017

In the new direction of understand the signal that is created from the brain organization is one of the main chores in the brain signal processing. Amid all the neurological disorders the human brain epilepsy is measured as one of the extreme prevalent and then programmed artificial intelligence detection technique is an essential due to the crooked and unpredictable nature of happening of epileptic seizures. We proposed an Improved Fuzzy firefly algorithm, which would enhance the classification of the brain signal efficiently with minimum iteration. An important bunching technique created on fuzzy logic is the Fuzzy C means. Together in the feature domain with the spatial domain the features gained after multichannel EEG signals remained combined by means of fuzzy algorithms. And for better precision segmentation process the firefly algorithm is applied to optimize the Fuzzy C-means membership function. This proposed algorithm result compared with other algorithms like fuzzy c means algorithm and PSO algorithm.
The “Dark Side” of Hypermobility Within Queenstown, New Zealand
Authors: Gonçalves Kellie
Published: August 2017

This study adopts a transformational perspective of globalization and draws on the theoretical framework of the ‘new mobilities paradigm' (Sheller & Urry, 2004) and more specifically, employs the lens of ‘lifestyle mobilities' (Cohen et al., 2015) in order to highlight the intersection of tourism, migration and neoliberal market flows within Queenstown, New Zealand also known as the world's top adventure mecca. I analyze the discourse produced by lifestyle migrants currently residing and working in the area in order to illustrate the social consequences of the ‘darker side' of hypermobility on the micro level, which are strongly influenced by the country's past and current national labour and immigration policies.
Localization of Tourism Destinations' Websites
Authors: Mele Emanuele , Cantoni Lorenzo
Published: August 2017

The globalization of the tourism industry has been made possible thanks to ICTs. From a communication viewpoint, Internet does not know political borders, but still experiences linguistic and cultural ones. This situation requires that publishers provide both a linguistic and a cultural translation of their messages. Only caring for such a comprehensive “localization” will ensure being understandable and attractive for people with different cultural backgrounds. The chapter analyzes (1) the reasons why localization in tourism online communication is needed (with a focus on tourism destinations and cultural tourism); (2) the main needed activities to provide it. It also discusses (3) different practices and strategies (presenting a few cases), as well as (4) the issue of how much localization is needed, and when it may become counter-productive, making the destination too much similar to one's own experience at home.
Different Ways of Cycling?
Authors: Magris Marella , Ross Dolores
Published: August 2017

The study aims at comparing the ways in which different cultures perceive the experience of cycling holidays by analysing texts that promote this kind of tourism, i.e., website texts produced in three linguistic and cultural realities: Germany, Italy, and The Netherlands. The underlying assumption is that promotional tourism texts are influenced by the cultural peculiarities of their target groups: in order to produce functionally effective texts, authors must take into account their readers' attitudes and expectations towards a specific destination or – as in this case – a specific activity. The comparison focuses on the different profiles of potential clients addressed by the texts and on the main topics used as “promotional levers”. Some translations in German and Dutch are then analysed to ascertain whether they reflect the same differences and cultural characteristics found between the original texts. Finally, the benefits of linking Translation Studies and Imagology are briefly discussed.
Addressing Translation Issues as Intercultural Communication Barriers in Tourism
Authors: Yang Ping
Published: August 2017

This chapter examines Chinese-English translation issues that cause intercultural communication misunderstanding in the tourism language. As international tourists are travelling around China, Chinese-English translation services are useful. It plays an important role in facilitating the tourism business operations and meeting the tourist language needs. However, failure to understand cultural differences can result in intercultural communication failure in tourism discourse. The researcher critically analysed the English-Chinese translation issues using tourist information texts collected from a variety of written sources and examining them at cross-lingua-cultural communication level. Translation of tourist information texts from a source language to a target language is more than a linguistic transfer and involves linguistic restructure and cultural imaging re-creation that make sense in a target language and culture. Implications for addressing translation issues as intercultural communication barriers are discussed. Future research direction is also indicated in the conclusion.
Entrepreneurship, Non-Cognitive Skills, and Education
Authors: Dantas José Guilherme Leitão , Valente Fernando Manuel
Published: August 2017

The factors influencing entrepreneurship have been widely studied. The debate has focused on the dichotomy between personality characteristics and the influence of their experiences or the contexts in which entrepreneurs operate. Contextual conditions play an important role in promoting entrepreneurship but entrepreneurs are the critical entity of the entrepreneurial process hence the influence of genetics, entrepreneurial predisposition, and experiences are very relevant. Regardless the greater or lesser influence of genes or environmental factors in the impulse to engage in entrepreneurship, it is agreed that entrepreneurial activity depends on the detention of cognitive and non-cognitive skills. If the acquisition of the former is a fundamental objective of any education system, the latter have been clearly discarded, despite its importance. We intend to explore the process of non-cognitive skills acquisition, the influence of these skills on entrepreneurship as well as the role that the Portuguese educational system is playing in order to develop this competencies.
Entrepreneurship Education as a Key Antecedent to Boost Nascent Entrepreneurs
Authors: Sánchez-García José Carlos , Rodriguez-Gómez Elena , Hernández-Sánchez Brizeida R. , Pérez-Díaz José Manuel
Published: August 2017

The focus of this chapter is to show the importance of entrepreneurial education for students at all non-university educational levels in order to foster enterprising skills. We also take into account the need to train other groups, such as parents and teachers, and encourage joint training. With this goal in mind, we collected information about specific practical programmes and here we provide a descriptive analysis of them. Ultimately this information should serve to provide an approximate overview of the current situation in our country and to propose future lines of action
Women and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Lado-Sestayo Ruben , Vivel-Bua Milagros
Published: August 2017

This chapter studies the determinants of women in entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry using a sample of individuals participating in the GEM (Global Entrepreneurship Global) project. This is important because of the obvious difference between the rates of male and female entrepreneurship. Specifically, this research arises in the hospitality sector because of its importance in the Spanish economy which can generate relevant results for other economies with an important tourism sector. By means of logistic regression models for entrepreneurs – female and male – this chapter considers demographics, economic variables, social and intellectual capital and perception variables, allowing a comparative analysis of the results. This holistic approach contributes to identifying the determinants that influence the propensity to entrepreneur in men and women and their differences. The findings point the relevant factors to policymakers in order to promote female entrepreneurial intention and consequently favors equal opportunities.
The Dynamics of Entrepreneurial Networks
Authors: Erçek Mehmet , Sarıtemur Mesut
Published: August 2017

This study attempts to analyze the dynamic impact of the entrepreneurial network at early stages of high technology start-ups, namely conception, gestation and infancy phases, located at a university based incubator. Empirical results show that, in different stages of a new enterprise, the use of formal or informal components of entrepreneurial network imposes distinctive impacts on performance of the start-ups. Prior ties that helped start-ups to acquire critical resources and capabilities proved to be dysfunctional in the latter stages. Conversely, weak or insignificant ties that were created in earlier periods provided start-ups with critical resources or capabilities for growth and survival. Consequently, results revealed that the formal efforts of incubator to facilitate such networks, such as mentoring activities, organized events and provision of access to local and international organizations, positively influenced start-up survival and growth.
The Benefits of Peer Tutoring and Peer Mentoring in University
Authors: López-Gómez Ernesto , Camilli-Trujillo Celia
Published: August 2017

This chapter presents the results of a review of research about peer tutoring and peer mentoring in higher education oriented by two fundamental aims. The first of them, deepen and clarify from the conceptual point of view the peer tutoring and the peer mentoring in the university context and, in second place, to explore and evidence the benefits and the impact that these support modalities has in the light of the results of international investigations. The results show that the benefits of peer collaboration focus on two horizons: academic achievement and human-social development. An integrated approach is needed, for its greater impact for the university student. Finally, some conclusions and some guidelines for future research are proposed.
Empathetic and Collaborative Climate in the Classroom
Authors: Dominguez Maria Medina , Rivilla Antonio Medina , Medina Conchita
Published: August 2017

Educational institutions are complex and uncertain organizations, living situations and relationships of interaction based on reflection, collaboration and achieve valuable educational goals, but sometimes such relationships become distressed, generating aggression, tension and mistrust that prevent the consolidation of a climate of emotional harmony, empathy and understanding between people of school. This chapter aims to answer the following questions: What kind of relationships should be built in order to build a climate of harmony, empathy and full coexistence among all members of the classroom? Theoretical basis for identifying protective factors, to work the most appropriate climate of empathy in the classroom that stresses the importance of clear rules, enthusiasm and emotional balance, as well as a real involvement of the entire educational community against processes and factors such as harassment, exhibit aggressive behavior, lack of supervision, etc., all of them understood as risks.
Revisiting the Issue of Trust in E-Health
Authors: Sillence Elizabeth , Briggs Pam , Harris Peter R.
Published: August 2017

As people continue to go online for their health information needs we revisit the issue of trust in relation to e-health. This chapter begins by briefly presenting an overview of e-health and describing current ways in which people are using the Internet for health advice and information. Models of trust are revisited and we then explore two emerging areas within the e-health field: peer resources and mobile health applications. Finally, we revisit and update our guidelines and point to further sources of information in this field.
Evaluation of the Migration Phenomenon as an Economics Dimension
Authors: Çelik Sabri
Published: August 2017

Migration is a phenomenon that affects individuals and societies multi-dimensionally. Migration, whether voluntary or forced is a troublesome process for immigrants, because everything in their lives changes. Migration affects both immigrants and local people who live in migration areas. In this study, economic and educational effects of migration are discussed. In fact, in many places and in many countries, governments help immigrants with basic vital needs and if immigrants try to continue their efforts to establish new order, many them do succeed. Several precautions have been taken for immigrant children in many places such as language courses, training and financial aid in many countries to improve on the educational performance of immigrants. If we look at the other side of the coin however, social inclusion, discrimination, stigmatization experiences of immigrants should also be searched, because the social dimension of migration is still an open sore in many places of the world.
Climate Change and Agriculture
Authors: Ventrapragada Eshwar Anand , Rayavarapu Neela
Published: August 2017

This chapter is an attempt to study the impact of climate change on water and agricultural production in India and abroad. While analyzing best practices in climate change adaptation and water management, the chapter examines regional issues and challenges. Policy interventions, success stories and new initiatives to tackle drought, boost rained agriculture as well as increase the irrigation potential have been studied together with the need for necessary course corrections. Leveraging technology for crop forecasting, inter-State river water disputes and measures needed to resolve them in the light of international experience are other areas of focus. In fine, the chapter calls for a comprehensive water policy that will not only recognize water as a national resource but also help bridge all differences for making world a worthy place to live in. The research methodology adopted in this chapter is primarily historical-analytical. Research papers, journal articles, official reports and newspaper clippings have all been consulted for analysis and interpretation.
“Virtual Water” and Occam's Razor
Authors: Ghosh Nilanjan , Goswami Anandajit
Published: August 2017

Virtual Water has been criticized as merely being a jargon camouflaging crop-water requirements. This chapter attempts to contest this argument. From the neoclassical production theory, it is argued that virtual water cannot simply be expressed in terms of crop-water requirements. Rather, the notion of virtual water imports has deep economics embedded in it, along with tremendous social implications. This chapter brings to surface the new economics of water management that is deeply rooted in the notion of virtual water imports.
Coastal Impervious Cover and Watershed Scale
Authors: Griffin Michael T. , Edwards Jr. James Dean , Allen Thomas R.
Published: August 2017

Environmental planners seek techniques that will enable them to analyze impervious cover to develop sound management plans for coastal regions. The spatial scale in which impervious cover has traditionally been widely analyzed is mismatched to the fine-scale resolution needed for local environmental management. This study examines impervious cover in New Hanover County, North Carolina using LiDAR derived subwatersheds and United States Geological Survey (USGS) 14-digit hydrologic unit watersheds to evaluate potential scale-dependency of impervious cover estimates. Spatial analysis of impervious cover across multi-scale watersheds indicates that fine scale subwatersheds exhibit patterns not revealed with coarser watersheds. Spatial and cartographic analyses suggest that localized impervious development and its expansion in first-order drainages originating in coastal lagoon watersheds is more appropriately analyzed using fine-scale, LiDAR-derived watersheds. Results stress the importance of using scale in watershed management and hydrogeomorphic context to aid planners when making decisions involving impervious cover.
Water Scarcity and Conflicts
Authors: Ghosh Nilanjan , Goswami Anandajit
Published: August 2017

This chapter presents the concept of the establishment of a futures market in water in the context of the risk of water availability that Indian agriculture has been facing in the recent years. In the process, the chapter argues how the development of such a market can actually reduce the scarcity value of water, and may help in reducing the intensity of conflicts over water resources.
Management and Modeling of Waste Water Treatment Systems
Authors: Lisichkov Kiril , Kuvendziev Stefan , Marinkovski Mirko
Published: August 2017

In this chapter wastewater treatment and water resource management are discussed and analyzed. The goal of this chapter is to deepen the knowledge of application of adequate, precise process eco-technologies in the wastewater treatment from scientific and applicative aspect. This represents an ongoing problem in the modern process eco-engineering. The appropriate wastewater management issue is regulated by domestic and EU regulative as well as through recommendations of several relevant water and wastewater management associations worldwide. This chapter elaborates the application of SuperPro Designer software for modeling of a wastewater treatment plant, considering the technological, technical, environmental and financial aspects. Regarding the management of a wastewater treatment system, the application of an appropriate control system is essential from an engineer's point of view. The SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) control systems were found to be most adequate and effective control systems practically applied to real life wastewater treatment systems.
Water and Sanitation
Authors: Osman Abdi D. , Robinson Priscilla , Lin Vivian , Jackson Darryl , Mwanthi Mutuku
Published: August 2017

Globally, the provision of clean and safe drinking water to most populations has been an elusive development goal though some of us take the availability of this vital resource for granted. Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target 7.C is the target, which addresses sustainability and access to water, among other developmental goals. As the preceding targets appear elusive, Kenya is now refocussing on Vision 2030. It is important to identify reasons for this to avoid a repetition during the next fifteen years. In order to discover the factors hampering these achievements, all possible contributing factors need to be investigated and the focus of this chapter is the Kenya national legislation and policies. Based on the findings, we recommend a reassessment of policies on groundwater management, reconsideration of ideal universal goals and political commitment by state and organisational accountability to identify better strategies for achieving internationally identified standards and goals.
Water Crises in Urban-Rural Gradients of African Drylands
Authors: Abdulhamid Adnan , Barau Aliyu
Published: August 2017

This chapter takes a critical look at the multiple dimensions of water crises in drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa. It argues that urban water crises cannot be explained in isolation of rural areas many of which have competing water needs and are the locations for dams and other critical urban water infrastructure. It uses an example of Kano region – a hydrogeological and geopolitical region of over ten million inhabitants whose lives and livelihoods are vulnerable to climate change. The study draws upon a suite of methods comprising literature review, field-based measurements and observations of wells, as well as information retrieval from people managing wells and those directly affected by water scarcity. Results reveal that basement complex aquifer found mostly in Kano State is the most overexploited compared to Jigawa State's predominantly Chad formation system. It is evident that majority people in basement complex areas travel to a distance of 300-1000m in order to fetch water for their daily use. The current situation of current and future water crises in the region brings to the fore the role of technology, governance, and the need for active private sector participation in planning and management of water resources and services in dry land areas.