bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cyber-Search and Cyber-Seizure
Authors: Lotrionte Catherine B.
Published: May 2014

This chapter discusses the nature of cyber threats against government and private computer systems, describing some steps the government has taken and the challenges involved in protecting those systems. The chapter argues that a national security approach for cyber security policy is the most promising option for preventing these cyber threats while operating within the domestic legal framework. After a review of the President's constitutional authorities to protect the nation from traditional threats, the chapter concludes that the President has some power to monitor Internet communications in transit within the United States when the communications threaten the welfare of the nation. The chapter recommends that this authority be augmented by Congressional action through legislation. The President's powers in cyber security, even given Congressional support, however, are still restrained by the protections the Fourth Amendment provides for traditional forms of communication and individual privacy. Although there is limited Fourth Amendment precedent in the area of cyber security, the well-established exceptions to the Fourth Amendment requirements, based on consent, special governmental needs and the reasonableness of the search or seizure, provide a legal basis for executive branch action to protect critical infrastructures and their computer systems. As the Courts have long held, these exceptions allow the government to conduct searches or seizures without being bound by all of the requirements of the Fourth Amendment. If the government develops its cyber security policy in line with these exceptions, this chapter argues the government can both protect critical computer systems and operate within Fourth Amendment doctrine that recognizes the legitimacy of privacy in electronic communications.
Mobile Web 2.0 Integration
Authors: Cochrane Thomas , Flitta Isaac
Published: May 2014

Web 2.0 tools provide a wide variety of collaboration and communication tools that can be appropriated within education to facilitate student-generated learning contexts and sharing student-generated content as key elements of social constructivist learning environments or Pedagogy 2.0. “Social software allows students to participate in distributed research communities that extend spatially beyond their classroom and school, temporally beyond a particular class session or term, and technologically beyond the tools and resources that the school makes available to the students.” (Mejias, 2006, p1). This paper illustrates this by describing and evaluating the impact of the introduction of web 2.0 and mlearning to facilitate student eportfolios within the context of a first year Bachelor of Design and Visual Arts course in New Zealand (Unitec). Core web 2.0 (social software) tools used in establishing students' web 2.0 eportfolios included: Vox, Qik, Picasaweb, Prezi, Google Docs, and YouTube. The participating lecturers and the technology steward also used these web 2.0 tools to collaborate on the design of the project. The paper reflects upon the impact of the participants' previous web 2.0 experience and the use of these tools to facilitate student-generated content and at the same time to act as catalysts for pedagogical change. The project is evaluated as an action research cycle within a framework of longitudinal action research investigating the impact of mobile web 2.0 on higher education from 2006 to the present.
Individual E-Portfolios
Authors: Hwang Sunhong , Plankis Brian
Published: May 2014

Electronic portfolios experienced a surge of public interest and funding from 1999 to 2003, but implementation of programs involving the utilization of this tool has been mixed since then. The purpose of this chapter is to identify the current practices related to the use of e-portfolios and to examine some of the latest Web 2.0 tools with the goal of assessing their potential for facilitating possible implementation of e-portfolios. First, we examine the historic concept of portfolios in general and of the e-portfolio in particular within the context of teacher education. Then, we look at the gaps between theory and practice in regard to the utilization of e-portfolios and explore some of the proposed reasons for these gaps. Characteristics of existing e-portfolio tools and emerging Web 2.0 tools are examined for their potential in helping to close these gaps and in facilitating the reflective power of e-portfolios. Finally, we suggest options for students, teachers and administrators in search of sticky and portable e-portfolio solutions.
Application of Collaborative Technologies
Authors: Rojas Evelyn Paola Soto , Batocchio Antonio
Published: May 2014

Currently, to meet the continuous challenges of the business environment, which increasingly becomes more dynamic, competitive, and global, organizations are innovating in the form of a relationship, to respond with greater flexibility and agility to change and adapt to a new world reality. In this context, new organizational structures are emerging based on collaboration, such as Virtual Enterprise (VE), the setting that lets you explore a business opportunity emerging in the best possible way. Due to the characteristics of the life cycle of VE, one sees a strong need for the use of information systems based on different technology platforms, enabling it to establish a quality increase in the forms of interaction, share resources and information among network members, and look for a richer and more complex involvement of people in effective ways of collaboration. Given this context, this paper proposes the implementation of new collaborative technologies, Enterprise 2.0, aiming to support information management and knowledge management in VE.
Botnets and Cyber Security
Authors: Manasrah Ahmed Mansour , Abouabdalla Omar Amer , Mayeh Moein , Suppiah Nur Nadiyah
Published: May 2014

The Internet, originally designed in a spirit of trust, uses protocols and frameworks that are not inherently secure. This basic weakness is greatly compounded by the interconnected nature of the Internet, which, together with the revolution in the software industry, has provided a medium for large-scale exploitation, for example, in the form of botnets. Despite considerable recent efforts, Internet-based attacks, particularly via botnets, are still ubiquitous and have caused great damage on both national and international levels. This chapter provides a brief overview of the botnet phenomena and its pernicious aspects. Current governmental and corporate efforts to mitigate the threat are also described, together with the bottlenecks limiting their effectiveness in various countries. The chapter concludes with a description of lines of investigation that could counter the botnet phenomenon.
E-Marketing on Online Social Networks and Ethical Issues
Authors: Sharma Gajendra , Baoku Li
Published: May 2014

Online social network is any electronic tool or application that provides information, allowing collaboration, interaction, and sharing information among users. The social network can be utilized as an e-marketing tool with low-cost and effective source of medium for marketers to identify market needs, customer experiences, competitive movements, and trends. The purpose of this paper is to study the significance of online social networks based on web 2.0 technologies on e-marketing promotion and potential challenging issue as well as needs of ethical standards. The paper adopts a broad literature review relating to e-marketing on online social networks and ethics. This study examines that the ethical issues such as acts, regulations and policies that govern privacy, the collection of personal information and the protection of a user's identity are crucial when using social network for e-marketing and business promotion. As a communication tool the online social networks play a key role to reach initial product adopters and maintain interaction and collaboration with customers for market promotion.
Using Web 2.0 Features on Social Networks for Word-of-Mouth Effects
Authors: Liang Tan Chee , Seng Chua Kok , Soe Kaung Pye
Published: May 2014

Over the last few years, social networking has established itself to be a significant trend on the Internet. Together with the existence of social networking, Web 2.0 tools have gained much popularity. Internet users around the world are catching the social networking and Web 2.0 bug. According to a study in the UK, 20 percent of online users were regularly logging onto social networking websites like Facebook, MySpace, Orkut, and Friendster. With the growth in the popularity of social networking and Web 2.0 tools, it is only a matter of time before people and businesses become receptive to the commercial possibilities offered by them. We look at one of the popular social networking website, Facebook, and see how these Web 2.0 tools can actually aid in the advertising and promotion aspects through Word-of-Mouth effects.
An Innovative Approach to Enhance Collaboration in the Biomedical Field
Authors: Tsiliki Georgia , Tzagarakis Manolis , Christodoulou Spyros , Kossida Sophia , Karacapilidis Nikos
Published: May 2014

Web 2.0 technologies applications have been suggested as potential enablers for the accumulation of multidisciplinary knowledge, for instance in the biomedical field. Such applications offer new ways of creating, collaborating and sharing user-generated content online. Under this context, the authors' present an innovative Web 2.0 approach that exploits prominent high-performance computing paradigms and large data processing technologies to meaningfully search, analyze and aggregate data existing in diverse, extremely large and rapidly evolving sources. The underlying tool is designed to support the entire life cycle of a biomedical collaboration, with specifically implemented services. Preliminary evaluation results are also presented and discussed.
A Distributed Community of Practice to Facilitate Communication, Collaboration, and Learning among Faculty
Authors: Coto Mayela
Published: May 2014

Recent research suggests that professional development initiatives within the framework of a community of practice are more likely to have an effective result than traditional forms of professional development. The overall objective of this chapter is to present a study that aims to improve the understanding of how a distributed community of practice approach affects communication, collaboration, and professional development of faculty, and whether this leads to promote a transformation in teaching practices. The results indicate that a community approach to professional development in higher education is feasible but requires careful design if it is to work with a wide range of faculty staff. Findings also show that while the approach has been successful in many areas, there are aspects that require further work and research.
E-Behaviour Trends and Patterns among Malaysian Pre-Adolescents and Adolescents
Authors: Gnasigamoney Selvi Salome , Sidhu Manjit Singh
Published: May 2014

The threat of cyber-related crimes due to excessive usage of Internet and current e-behaviour amongst the younger children is not new in this new millennium but stays as an issue for consideration. This paper provide a general pattern of online related behaviours that seem to be taking place among Malaysian pre-adolescents and adolescents and its possible impact on their behaviours leading towards cyber-related crimes. Facts and finding from various researches conducted from different parts of the world, including Malaysia were reviewed. The results from various studies reveal that a great concern and strategies have to be put into place as the age group using the Internet has reduced and the routine activity of pre-adolescence and adolescence are changing and are based on Internet. Non-awareness of their current online behaviours and its possible link to cyber-related crimes may lead these young children to a greater threat when using e-Commerce or any other Internet dependent activities in the future. This paper focuses on the facts collected from various studies to justify the importance of having future research on this phenomenon.
Identification vs. Self-Verification in Virtual Communities (VC)
Authors: Shen Kathy Ning
Published: May 2014

Identity-related processes have been identified as important in explaining virtual community (VC) member behavior as well as informing system design of VCs. In particular, the two distinct identity processes of self-verification and identification have been identified and investigated separately, portrayed as two distinctive or contradictory identity processes with different practical implications. This chapter compares and reconciles these two theoretical perspectives in explaining VC participation. Based on a critical and comprehensive review of prior literature, the author identifies three major theoretical gaps that suggest how VC research and management can be advanced through an identity perspective. Finally, the chapter is concluded by discussing key implications of applying identity perspectives in VC research and future research agenda.
When the Virtual and the Real Clash
Authors: Livermore Celia Romm
Published: May 2014

This paper focuses on two related aspects–the politics of social networking communities and the impact that clashes between the real and the virtual spheres have on relationships in social networking communities. The starting point for this paper is a series of events that took place in a social networking community involving a dominant member of the community attempting to overpower others, leading to several of the most active members, including the dominant member himself, leaving the community. Following a review of the literature on social networking and politics, the Virtuality/Reality Conflict (VRC) model is presented. The model is used in this paper as a basis for explaining the events in the case and for discussing the implications from this study to research on politics in virtual communities.
From Town Hall to the Virtual Community
Authors: Kloby Kathryn , Sadeghi Leila
Published: May 2014

Engaging the public is a vital component of the public policy process. Traditional strategies for civic engagement include town hall meetings as well as citizen surveys, 311 call systems, and more interactive meetings for public deliberation. Each of these approaches has their limitations, leading many to consider new ways of engaging the public and the role that technology can play in the process. The authors focus on a discussion of the traditional citizen engagement approaches that are widely used by government to communicate with and interact with the public. Focusing on new interactive media, they discuss what is meant by “Web 2.0” and present the capabilities and potential applications of social media in the public sector. Highlighting government programs that utilize these technologies and interviewing subject-matter experts on this new form of communication, the authors present some of the adoption concerns and implementation strategies that public administrators should consider as they adopt Web 2.0 technologies. They conclude with a discussion of the potential that these new civic engagement techniques can offer the public sector as strategies to communicate, interact, and engage the public.
Users' Involvement in the Innovation Process through Web 2.0
Authors: Mazini Sergio Ricardo , Gobbo Jr. José Alcides
Published: May 2014

Organizations are inserted into a competitive environment in which innovation is an essential factor in gaining temporary competitive advantages. The search for external sources of knowledge, which can contribute to the innovation process, has become a constant among the organizations. One of the actors involved in this search is users, who often play an important role in the development of new products. This chapter develops a framework for the analysis of users' involvement in the innovation process through Web 2.0. The research method used a unique case study conducted in a Brazilian automotive company that developed a project of a concept car involving users through Web 2.0. The presented study case was analyzed according to the framework. The obtained result shows that users can contribute not only with idea generation, but also with involvement in the innovation process, depending on which steps of the New Product Development (NPD) process they take part in. Moreover, increasingly users' development, participation, and collaboration are essential factors in this process.
Organizational Learning and Web 2.0 Technologies
Authors: Santos Neide
Published: May 2014

The knowledge era redefines companies' scenarios and workers' profiles, requiring models and tools for Knowledge Management (KM) and Organizational Learning (OL) to respond to external demands. The growth of the Internet and the emergence of Web 2.0 created the conditions for Enterprise 2.0. This chapter analyzes Web 2.0 usefulness in the workplace and presents a software application for KM and OL that aims to support the software development process in software houses. The conclusion discusses controversial issues related to collaboration and competitive markets and presents some reasons for the apparent negative reaction of companies to adopt systems based on social networks.
The Web 2.0 Mandate for a Transition from Webmaster to Wiki Master
Authors: McHaney Roger W.
Published: May 2014

This chapter focuses on the how the advent of Web 2.0 has influenced the role of webmaster and given rise to the wiki master. In section 1, the author provides an overview of the role of webmaster and how a Web 2.0 mindset began to exert an influence on the duties of this individual. The section concludes with the rise of collaborative Web technologies, specifically Wikis. Section 2 describes the evolution of the wiki master and provides a distinction from its predecessor. The specific roles of a wiki master are described in detail here. Section 3 provides a case study-type overview of the wiki master at ELATEwiki.org. Section 4 provides more detail by looking a typical day in the life of the wiki master at ELATEwiki. Conclusive remarks are provided in the final section of this chapter.
Improving CRM 2.0 through Collective Intelligence by Using CBIR Algorithms
Authors: Perez-Gallardo Yuliana , Alor-Hernandez Giner , Cortes-Robles Guillermo
Published: May 2014

CRM 2.0 is a business philosophy whose purpose is to involve the customer in the business in order to provide value of mutual benefit. CRM is supported by two main elements: a technological platform and social features; in this chapter both elements are covered. An overview of different Content Based Images Retrieval (CBIR) algorithms, with the aim to develop Web 2.0 applications for improving CRM 2.0 by using Collective Intelligence is introduced. The result of applying Collective Intelligence is an improvement in the services offered, useful for maintaining an inter-functional integration among processes, the people, and the area of marketing to increase customer satisfaction. It is also useful for identifying tendencies and to proactively conceive new business strategies. With the implementation of CBIR paradigms and Collective Intelligence into Web 2.0 application, CRM 2.0 can be improved by providing a new strategy for presenting products or services. This integration materializes a link where customers have the ability to enrich their search before the purchase; to effectively compare products, and to clarify their preferences. Finally, it is important to underline that the proposed integration represents a decision support in the feedback phase of CRM.
Studying Web 2.0 Interactivity
Authors: Mechant Peter , De Marez Lieven
Published: May 2014

With more than one third of the world's population being online, the Internet has increasingly become part of modern living, giving rise to popular literature that often takes a teleological and celebratory perspective, heralding the Internet and Web 2.0 specifically, as an enabler of participation, democracy, and interactivity. However, one should not take these technological affordances of Web 2.0 for granted. This article applies an interaction framework to the analysis of two Web 2.0 websites viewed as spaces where interaction goes beyond the mere consultation and selection of content, i.e., as spaces supporting the (co)creation of content and value. The authors' approach to interactivity seeks to describe websites in objective, structural terms as spaces of user, document, and website affordances. The framework also makes it possible to talk about the websites in subjective, functional terms, considering them as spaces of perceived inter-action, intra-action and outer-action affordances. Analysis finds that both websites provide numerous user, document, and website affordances that can serve as inter-action or social affordances.
A Study of the Predictive Relationship between Online Social Presence and ONLE Interaction
Authors: Tu Chih-Hsiung , Yen Cherng-Jyh , Blocher J. Michael , Chan Junn-Yih
Published: May 2014

Open Network Learning Environments (ONLE) are online networks that afford learners the opportunity to participate in creative content endeavors, personalized identity projections, networked mechanism management, and effective collaborative community integration by applying Web 2.0 tools in open environments. It supports social interaction by integrating User-Generated Content, Participatory Web, digital identities, social and networking linkages, and collaborative learning community to allow learners manage and tailor their social presence. The purposes of this study were to assess the predictive relationship between online social presence and overall ONLE's social interaction and examine the predictive relationships between online social presence and four dimensions of ONLE's interaction (i.e., cognitive, social, networking, and integration). The results of this study did not support the role of online social presence as a predictor for overall ONLE's social interaction. Although social presence can serve as a predictor for networking and integration dimensions, social presence cannot serve as a predictor for cognitive and social dimensions. This study suggests CMC and ONLE have different dynamics in social interaction. ONLE focuses on “social and “networking” linkages to transform online learners into “network learners” to project their ideal and preferred “network social presence” rather than online social presence.
Toward an Infrastructural Approach to Understanding Participation in Virtual Communities
Authors: Li Ben
Published: May 2014

This chapter outlines an infrastructural approach to understanding virtual communities (VCs) and applies it to a novel set of VCs. The infrastructural approach explicitly links logics embodied in technical, social, and information systems to opportunities and motives for participation. This chapter first outlines how the infrastructure approach is synthesised from current approaches to understanding VCs. Second, it uses the infrastructural approach to analyse three related meatspace communities' progress toward collaborating through specific data-sharing VCs. Third, it highlights merits and shortcomings of the infrastructural approach to understanding participation in virtual communities. Finally, it offers potential avenues of further VC research using the infrastructural approach.
Understanding Brand Implication and Engagement on Facebook
Authors: Haikel-Elsabeh Marie
Published: May 2014

What are the drivers for Brand engagement and implication on Facebook? In order to explore the impact of motivations on content and information sharing on Facebook brand pages, this study proposes an analysis focused on a reduced number of motivations and a proposal of a statistical model attempting to link the frequency of posting and liking on Facebook in general and Brand engagement to motivations. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of motivations on brand implication and frequency of posting on Facebook. The authors use the concept of brand implication measure a deep interest toward brands on Facebook. The concept of frequency of posting and liking focuses on the tendency to post or like frequently each time the user connects to Facebook. The motivations the authors introduced are based on the literature for sharing on social networks.
Citizens Collaboration and Co-Creation in Public Service Delivery
Authors: Kokkinakos Panagiotis , Koussouris Sotirios , Panopoulos Dimitrios , Askounis Dimitrios , Ramfos Antonis , Georgousopoulos Christos , Wittern Erik
Published: May 2014

Governments are striving to deliver more efficient and effective public services in order to achieve better public service quality, with reduced waiting times, improved cost effectiveness, higher productivity and more transparency. It's an issue of doing things in new ways that requires fundamental change in the provision of public services in the future and a complete new approach for Governments to work and interact with their citizens. Currently, Societies witness more than ever that Web 2.0 and social media in particular, constitute the emerging, if not already established, mass collaboration and cooperation platform between citizens and administrations, as the latter have started to realise the benefits of such applications. The COCKPIT project builds on these developments and based on a highly synergetic approach aims to define a new Governance model for the next generation public service delivery, by combining various research areas.
Law and Technology at Crossroads in Cyberspace
Authors: Ayanso Anteneh , Herath Tejaswini
Published: May 2014

Historical incidents have taught organizations several key lessons on computer crimes. The complexity of the current technology environment dictates that no one mechanism can effectively address computer crimes. Investing in the most sophisticated counter-technologies alone is not enough to fight cyber threats. Thus it has become increasingly important for organizations and governments to establish control frameworks that incorporate proactive measures in the technological, legislative, and administrative dimensions. While it is government's role to keep up with the legislative rules, organizations need to have the right security policies and guidelines in place as well as develop awareness in the legal front to combat computer crimes. With the review of the academic literature, industry reports, and the media, this chapter identifies various kinds of computer crimes and discusses the counter strategies to tackle such crimes in the legal, technological, and organizational dimensions.
The Electronic-Mediated Public Sphere and Environmental Public Participation in China
Authors: Xu Ying
Published: May 2014

This chapter offers a critical analysis of the new pattern of public participation in the electronic-mediated public sphere. By reviewing the development of Chinese environmental activities that led to an active, electronic-mediated public discussion concerning environmental protection, the findings reveal that new Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) have made the public sphere more easily seen and heard by everyone, including governmental departments in the bureaucratic system. Thus, the electronic-mediated public sphere is providing a third power that could help Non-Profit Organizations' (NPOs) development in relatively conservative societies such as China. The implications of using ICTs in the management of NPOs are also discussed.
Use and Management of Conventional ICT and Mobile Technology in Microfinance
Authors: Mia Mohammad Badruddozza , Ramage Magnus
Published: May 2014

Microfinance has been a significant means of reducing poverty since the mid-1970s. With the economic, social, and demographic characteristics, Bangladesh has been one of the countries where microfinance interventions are notable. In Bangladesh, hundreds of microfinance organisations have been implementing microfinance programs covering almost one-third of the rural population of the country. Studies show that the proper use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may help microfinance intervention in different ways. It may help increase operational performance, organisational upsizing, and poverty outreach, and decrease interest rate with many other organisational and social implications. This chapter looks into the Information Systems (IS) of microfinance of Bangladesh, the extent and intensity of the use of ICT, the factors that hinder the use of ICT in microfinance, the approaches to ICT management, and the emerging mobile technology-based operational model of microfinance and perceived implications of the changing landscape of ICT on this development program.
Use of New Technologies in Organizational Change Process in Aprosub
Authors: Aguilar Juan Antonio Gonzalez
Published: May 2014

Use of new technologies in the field of organizational management is a key element to achieving enhanced outcomes in terms of effectiveness and efficiency (Schalock & Verdugo, 2013). Third sector organizations (NGOs) usually see the use of new tools as an expense rather than as an investment that will allow them to obtain, at a short or medium term, better outcomes in diverse areas and to assess approximation to their vision and attainment of their stated mission. This chapter sees organizational change implemented by Aprosub and how this electronic tool has been incorporated, allowing one to know the current status, thus easing swift and precise decision making.
ICT Management and Compliance
Authors: Barata João , Rupino da Cunha Paulo , Barata Sofia
Published: May 2014

This chapter presents an action research study for the integrated management of ICT and standards compliance. The case reports on a technological institute with multiple certifications. There are an increasing number of nonprofit organizations that adopt international standards such as ISO9001. ICT becomes critical in this context and must be integrated with the standards requirements, the stakeholders' needs, and the organizational processes. Moreover, combining digital- and paper-based compliance brings challenges to the organizational users and to external auditors. The proposed approach guides ICT management in highly regulated contexts. In the practical case, ICT and compliance become two sides of a single coin. The findings may assist nonprofit organizations in dealing with the increasing pressure of regulations worldwide.
On Returning to Pakistan after Studying in the UK
Authors: Shahriar Ambreen
Published: May 2014

This chapter is based on life-story interviews of three Pakistani teachers who came to the UK to pursue higher education (i.e. PhD). The chapter focuses on their lives in the UK and how this experience influenced their life, attitude, and behaviour after they went back home. Drawing on Bourdieu's notion of habitus as the analytic tool, the present study focuses on, firstly, the dilemma faced by these teachers in the UK due to the cultural and educational differences, and how each of them learned to cope with it. Secondly, the present study looks at the dilemma faced by these teachers upon their return home after acquiring education and spending five years of their life in the UK and how they continue to struggle to cope with it. The chapter aims to understand and highlight the identity crisis faced by the participants due to their experiences in two completely different cultures.
African American Women, Education, and Self-Actualization
Authors: Ford Theron N. , Glimps Blanche Jackson
Published: May 2014

Americans cling to the mythology that education is the great social equalizer with the power to lift members of society out of poverty and to overcome gender and racial discrimination. In turn, American society becomes more harmonious, more equitable, and more democratic as a result of having an educated citizenry. The experiences of two African American women in higher education, particularly in religious institutions, offer a counter-narrative to the persisting mythology. Using a combination of secondary research and personal narrative, the authors posit that American education embodies ongoing institutionalized political, social, and economic injustices. The chapter presents through vignettes, the African American women's first-hand experiences, which potentially are representative of a broader constituency of American academics whose life and work experiences have been affected by their race and gender.
The Role of Blogging in a Changing Society
Authors: Nisiforou Efi A. , Eteokleous Nikleia
Published: May 2014

Educational blogs have remained a noteworthy component, even in an age of rapid technological development. The chapter makes an in-depth description of the blogging phenomenon as it tackles the most important findings of the international literature. It provides insights into the connection between teacher identity, within the context of higher education, by incorporating aspects of theory and practice. The practical tone reports on three case studies on the use of blogs in education. A set of evaluation criteria on blogging for educational purposes and a theoretical framework for utilizing blogging as a problem solving approach are addressed. Moreover, it stresses necessity for the development of a pedagogical framework that will guide blog integration as a learning-cognitive tool in achieving specific learning outcomes. The results underscore the importance of essential training for the effective implementation of educational blogging in teaching and learning environments. A compendium of terms, definitions and explanations of concepts are clearly explained.
Public Perception of Costs Associated with Major Sporting Events
Authors: Núñez-Pomar Juan Manuel , Calabuig-Moreno Ferran , Añó-Sanz Vicente , Parra-Camacho David
Published: May 2014

Sporting events have become first-order promotional tools of large cities, allowing them to reach levels of dissemination economically unaffordable as conventional advertising. The social impact of the event on residents is very important, given their role as main actors. Perceptions of the residents of the cities that host sporting events have been extensively studied, although in this case a singular point of comparison to study the perception of the costs of organizing and holding the sporting event is provided. The purpose of this chapter is to assess the perception of the citizens of Valencia (Spain) on specific aspects of three sports events held in the city in 2012: European Grand Prix Formula 1, the Tennis Open 500, and Valencia Marathon. The results show significant differences in the perception of the costs of organizing the events related, and demonstrate the impact of the type of activity in the perception of residents.
The Mediator of Disconfirmation on Satisfaction and Consumer Intentions
Authors: Dos Santos Manuel Alonso , Baeza Steve , Ríos Francisco Javier Montoro
Published: May 2014

This chapter aims to improve the knowledge on the relationship between disconfirmation, satisfaction, and loyalty within a cognitive affective model. The literature suggests a direct relationship between disconfirmation and intent through an empirical analysis of a sample of 637 participants in a sporting event. Evidence confirms the relationship of emotions on satisfaction as mediators of disconfirmation. Finally, the authors discuss the implications of the causal relationships in the model on corporate management.
Design for Business & Business for Design
Authors: Gallico Dalia
Published: May 2014

E-learning, knowledge sharing, creativity design and collaborative innovation are all concepts that are key elements of this case study. There is a particular focus here on the question of what role design should play in innovation. Other key topics include the role of e-learning and of long life learning. Such roles are not always easy to explain, since they differ from case to case, but Design in Italy is – and will increasingly become – a definite value and a competitive tool. Design can and must be a fundamental part of every single company's production, communication and distribution strategy. Every e-learning platform launched by Università Telematica San Raffaele Roma's “Design for Business & Business for Design” is intended to demonstrate that design is neither a sole interest nor an exclusive prerogative of large companies or those operating in sectors that have traditionally been design oriented. In fact, design-driven education and innovation is a basic lever for competitiveness and internationalization that is available in every sector. Creating an e-learning platform is an important way of building a designing and community identity; a significant chance to meet and a landmark not only for professionals, but also for creative people working outside established enterprises.
Testing for Near I(2) Trends When the Signal-to-Noise Ratio Is Small
Authors: Juselius Katarina
Published: May 2014

Researchers seldom find evidence of I(2) in exchange rates, prices, and other macroeconomics time series when they test the order of integration using univariate Dickey-Fuller tests. In contrast, when using the multivariate ML trace test they frequently find double unit roots in the data. The paper demonstrates by simulations that this often happens when the signal-tonoise ratio is small.
Liquid water absorption and scattering effects in DOAS retrievals over oceans
Authors: Peters E. , Wittrock F. , Richter A. , Alvarado L. M. A. , Rozanov V. V. , Burrows J. P.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. It is well-known that spectral effects of liquid water are present in absorption (DOAS) measurements above the ocean and insufficiently removed liquid water structures may interfere with trace gas absorptions leading to wrong (sometimes even non-physical) results. Currently available literature cross-sections of liquid water absorption are provided in coarser resolution than hyperspectral DOAS applications require and Vibrational Raman Scattering (VRS) is mostly unconsidered or compensated for using simulated pseudo cross-sections from radiative transfer modelling. During the ship-based TransBrom campaign across the western Pacific in October 2009, MAX-DOAS measurements were performed into very clear natural waters achieving underwater light paths of up to 50 m. From these measurements, the retrieval of a residual (H2Ores) spectrum is presented compensating simultaneously for insufficiencies of the liquid water absorption cross-section and broad-banded VRS structures. Small-banded (Ring) structures caused by VRS were found to be very efficiently compensated for by the intensity offset (straylight) correction included in the DOAS fit. In the MAX-DOAS tropospheric NO2 retrieval, this method was able to compensate entirely for all liquid water effects that decrease the fit quality. This was not achieved using a liquid water cross-section in combination with a simulated VRS spectrum. Typical values of improvement depend on the measurement's contamination with liquid water structures and range from ≈ 30% for measurements slightly towards the water surface to several percent in small angles above the horizon. Furthermore, the H2Ores spectrum was found to prevent misfits of NO2 slant columns especially for very low NO2 scenarios and thus increase the reliability of the fit. In test fits on OMI satellite data, the H2Ores spectrum was found selectively above ocean surfaces where it leads to fit quality improvements of up to 6–18%.
Evidence for vivianite formation and its contribution to long-term phosphorus retention in a recent lake sediment: a novel analytical approach
Authors: Rothe M. , Frederichs T. , Eder M. , Kleeberg A. , Hupfer M.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Vivianite, Fe3(PO4)2 × 8 H2O, is a ferrous iron phosphate mineral which forms in waterlogged soils and sediments. The phosphorus (P) bound in its crystal lattice is considered to be immobilised because vivianite is stable under anoxic, reducing, sedimentary conditions. Thus, vivianite formation can make a major contribution to P retention during early diagenesis. Much remains unknown about vivianite in sediments, because technical challenges have rendered direct identification and quantification difficult. To identify vivianite and assess its significance for P burial during early diagenesis we studied the consequences of a 1992/1993 in-lake application of FeCl3 and Fe(OH)3 aimed at restoring Lake Groß-Glienicke (Berlin, Germany). In a novel approach, we firstly applied a heavy-liquid separation to the iron-rich surface sediments which allowed direct identification of vivianite by X-ray diffraction in the high-density (ρ > 2.3 g cm−3) sediment fraction. Secondly, we assessed the contribution of vivianite to P retention, combining results from chemical digestion with magnetic susceptibility data derived from magnetic hysteresis measurements. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the dark blue spherical vivianite nodules were 40–180 μm in diameter, and formed of platy- and needle shaped crystal aggregates. Although equilibrium calculations indicated supersaturation of vivianite throughout the upper 30 cm of the sediment, the vivianite deposits were homogeneously distributed within, and restricted to, the upper 23 cm only. Thus, supersaturated pore water alone cannot serve as a reliable predictor for the in-situ formation of vivianite. In Lake Groß -Glienicke, vivianite formation continues to be triggered by the artificial iron amendment more than 20 years ago, significantly contributing to P retention in surface sediments.
Response of microbial decomposition to spin-up explains CMIP5 soil carbon range until 2100
Authors: Exbrayat J.-F. , Pitman A. J. , Abramowitz G.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Soil carbon storage simulated by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) models varies 6-fold for the present day. We show that this range already exists at the beginning of the historical simulations and demonstrate that it is mostly an artifact of the representation of microbial decomposition and its response during the spin-up procedure used by the models. The 6-fold range in soil carbon, once established, is maintained through the present and to 2100 almost unchanged even under a strong business-as-usual emissions scenario. By highlighting the role of the response of decomposition to spin-up in explaining why current CMIP5 soil carbon stores vary widely, we identify the need to better constrain the outcome of this procedure as a means to reduce uncertainty in transient simulations.
LiDAR measurement of seasonal snow accumulation along an elevation gradient in the southern Sierra Nevada, California
Authors: Kirchner P. B. , Bales R. C. , Molotch N. P. , Flanagan J. , Guo Q.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. We present results from snow-on and snow-off airborne-scanning LiDAR measurements over a 53-km2 area in the southern Sierra Nevada. We found that snow depth as a function of elevation increased approximately 15 cm 100 m-1, until reaching an elevation of 3300 m, where depth sharply decreased at a rate of 48 cm 100 m-1. Departures from the 15 cm 100 m-1 trend, based on 1-m elevation-band means of regression residuals, showed slightly less-steep increases below 2050 m; steeper increases between 2050–3300 m; and less-steep increases above 3300 m. Although the study area is partly forested, only measurements in open areas were used. Below approximately 2050 m elevation, ablation and rainfall are the primary causes of departure from the orographic trend. From 2050 to 3300 m, greater snow depths than predicted were found on the steeper terrain of the northwest and the less-steep northeast-facing slopes, suggesting that ablation, aspect, slope and wind redistribution all play a role in local snow-depth variability. At elevations above 3300 m orographic processes mask the effect of wind deposition when averaging over large areas. Also, terrain in this basin becomes less steep above 3300 m. This suggests a reduction in precipitation from upslope lifting, and/or the exhaustion of precipitable water from ascending air masses. Our results suggest a precipitation lapse rate for the 2100–3300 m range of about 6 cm 100 m-1 elevation. This is a higher gradient than the widely used PRISM (Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model) precipitation products, but similar to that from reconstruction of snowmelt amounts from satellite snowcover data. Our findings provide a unique characterization of the consistent, steep average increase in precipitation with elevation in snow-dominated terrain, using high-resolution, highly-accurate data, as well as the importance of solar radiation, wind redistribution and mid-winter melt with regard to snow distribution.
Winter speed-up of quiescent surge-type glaciers in Yukon, Canada
Authors: Abe T. , Furuya M.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Glacier surge is known to often initiate in winter, but the mechanisms remain unclear in light of the summer speed-up at normal glaciers. We examined spatial-temporal changes in the ice velocity of surge-type glaciers near the border of Alaska and Yukon, and found significant upstream accelerations from fall to winter, regardless of surging episodes. Moreover, whereas the summer speed-up was observed downstream, the winter speed-up propagated from upstream to downglacier. Given the absence of upstream surface meltwater input in winter, we speculate the presence of water storages near the base that do not directly connect to the surface but can promote basal sliding through increased water pressure as winter approaches. Our findings have implications for modeling of glacial hydrology in winter time, and its link to glacier dynamics and subglacial erosion.
The inhibitory microcircuit of the substantia nigra provides feedback gain control of the basal ganglia output
Authors: Brown Jennifer , Pan Wei-Xing , Dudman Joshua Tate
Published: May 2014

Dysfunction of the basal ganglia produces severe deficits in the timing, initiation, and vigor of movement. These diverse impairments suggest a control system gone awry. In engineered systems, feedback is critical for control. By contrast, models of the basal ganglia highlight feedforward circuitry and ignore intrinsic feedback circuits. In this study, we show that feedback via axon collaterals of substantia nigra projection neurons control the gain of the basal ganglia output. Through a combination of physiology, optogenetics, anatomy, and circuit mapping, we elaborate a general circuit mechanism for gain control in a microcircuit lacking interneurons. Our data suggest that diverse tonic firing rates, weak unitary connections and a spatially diffuse collateral circuit with distinct topography and kinetics from feedforward input is sufficient to implement divisive feedback inhibition. The importance of feedback for engineered systems implies that the intranigral microcircuit, despite its absence from canonical models, could be essential to basal ganglia function.
Collaborative Action Research Approach Promoting Professional Development for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairment in Assistive Technology
Authors: Argyropoulos Vassilios , Nikolaraizi Magda , Tsiakali Thomai , Kountrias Polychronis , Koutsogiorgou Sofia-Marina , Martos Aineias
Published: May 2014

This paper highlights the framework and discusses the results of an action research project which aimed to facilitate the adoption of assistive technology devices and specialized software by teachers of students with visual impairment via a digital educational game, developed specifically for this project. The persons involved in this collaborative scheme were general and special education teachers, experts in IT, researchers and students with and without visual impairment. The findings of the study indicated that the digital educational game constituted for teachers a fertile ground for consolidation of their knowledge in assistive technology and for collaboration with their students. It is also argued that such applications could prove very useful means for students with visual impairment, encouraging them to use assistive technology since the environment of these applications is designed to be simple, friendly and amusing.