bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finding Work-Life Balance in a Digital Age
Authors: McCloskey Donna Weaver
Published: November 2017

Mobile computing has changed when and where one works, necessitating an examination of the boundaries one maintains between work and home. Flexible boundaries allow for the shifting of work to alternate times and/or locations. Permeable boundaries allow for the integration of one role while present in the other role, such as scheduling dinner reservations on an app while at work or taking a work call while on vacation. This exploratory research examines the characteristics of employees who have different boundary types and whether these individuals experience different levels of work-family conflict as well as job and life satisfaction.
An Empirical Investigation of the Consequences of Technostress
Authors: Chen Leida , Muthitacharoen Achita
Published: November 2017

With the growing adoption of information technology in organizations, technostress has become a problem that can no longer be ignored. Despite the fact that this form of stress emanates from excessive dependence on technologies, prior studies investigated its consequences mostly from job-centric points of view. The current study argues that technostress consequences are multi-faceted and lead to not only job-centric but also IT-centric detriments. It proposes a model that theoretically ties together the immediate reactions and extensive consequences of technostress for users. Using a survey of 221 Chinese knowledge workers, it was found that the negative influences of technostress expand far beyond what have been identified in prior research. Putting in a broader perspective, it can be detrimental to both the employee's job satisfaction and global attitude towards using information and communications technologies. Theoretical and pragmatic implications are also discussed.
Procedural Remedies as Continuing Violations and Therapeutic Jurisprudence as Best Practice to Prevent Workplace Harassment in the United States
Authors: Saade Marta Vides
Published: November 2017

The well-being of adversaries and witnesses participating in workplace gender and sex discrimination actions filed under federal and state laws in the United States is generally not considered as important. These actions are typically initiated within the personal workplace where the offending conduct presumably occurred, and proceed in an already tension filled atmosphere. The effect is that the procedure itself becomes an additional violation harming claimants through overt and micro-aggressions. These practices have focused on “rule” not “relational” principles. Conventional law and policy frameworks inadequately address the harms these processes promote. This chapter will move from the limitations of rights-based regulation to a jurisprudence of imperfect obligations and vulnerability, incorporating therapeutic understandings of needs and relationships, as the more inclusive and equitable foundation of institutional practices. It offers “best practices” models in therapeutic jurisprudence as alternatives to resolve workplace conflicts.
Quality Control and Standards of Organisational Justice in Nigerian Higher Education
Authors: Muraina Monsuru Babatunde
Published: November 2017

Organisational justice improves overall organisational effectiveness, prudency, efficacy and efficiency. Previous studies examined the relationship between organisational justice and job satisfaction in manufacturing companies. This study therefore x-rayed the quality control and standards of organisational justice in Nigerian higher education: the roles and interplay of various agencies. To do this, efforts were made to examine the concept, types and models of organisational justice. A brief history of higher education in Nigeria was discussed as well as the principles of organisational justice within the context of education, empirical studies on the link among organisational justice, job satisfaction, organisational commitment and turnover intention were reviewed and the roles of various agencies in ensuring quality and standards of organisational justice in Nigerian higher education. It was therefore recommended that there should be regular and periodic workshops, conferences, seminars and symposium for the heads of the various institutions of higher learning with a view to gearing them on the relevance of organisational justice in the effective management and administration of higher educational institutions.
Role of Self-Efficacy and Collective Efficacy as Moderators of Occupational Stress Among Software Development Professionals
Authors: Anantharaman Reddiyoor Narayanaswamy , Rajeswari K. S.  , Angusamy Ajitha , Kuppusamy Jayanty
Published: November 2017

Emergence of new professions and novel approaches to work contribute to newer causes of occupational stress. The current study focuses on one such emergent group namely, the software development professionals. An attempt has been made to examine the role of self-efficacy, collective efficacy and perception of control in the study of occupational stress. The data was collected from 156 software development professionals in India. Variables such as self-efficacy, collective efficacy and perception of control using multiple moderated regression revealed that these variables moderate the negative consequences of stress with respect to work exhaustion, organizational commitment and intent to turnover but not with respect to job satisfaction. The results indicate that self-efficacy and collective efficacy have to be strengthened in order to mitigate the negative consequences of stress. The knowledge pertaining to causes of stress can empower individuals and organizations to plan effective stress management interventions.
Employees' Protection
Authors: Chrysochou Chrysi , Iglezakis Ioannis
Published: November 2017

This chapter describes the conflict between employers' legitimate rights and employees' right to privacy and data protection as a result of the shift in workplace surveillance from a non-digital to a technologically advanced one. Section 1 describes the transition from non-digital workplace surveillance to an Internet-centred one, where “smart” devices are in a dominant position. Section 2 focuses on the legal framework (supranational and national legislation and case law) of workplace surveillance. In section 3, one case study regarding wearable technology and the law is carried out to prove that national and European legislation are not adequate to deal with all issues and ambiguities arising from the use of novel surveillance technology at work. The chapter concludes by noting that the adoption of sector specific legislation for employees' protection is necessary, but it would be incomplete without a general framework adopting modern instruments of data protection.
Understanding the Financial Derivatives Instruments
Authors: Kayahan Cantürk
Published: November 2017

Today, core of the individual and institutional decisions are mainly finance and economics related thereby in today's world the most important success and performance indicators are financial results. Concepts which are called as change or innovation found themselves throughs derivative products in financial markets. Basically, the instruments that are known as forwards, futures, options and swaps have left their mark in last 20 years. However, after the 2008 financial crisis, these products have been labeled as toxic, complex or speculative and held solely responsible for the crisis. Whereas, first appearance of the derivative products was directed toward hedging and risk management. Therefore, objective of this study is to academically explain basic operating principles of financial derivative markets from conceptual and functioning point of view, to understand their places in world financial markets and to analyze their pricing examples. In this way, we aim to help students, academicians, and researchers make better assessment of derivative products.
Risk Analysis Using Simulation Software Applied on a Road Infrastructure Project
Authors: Desai Vijaya S.
Published: November 2017

Risk management in infrastructure projects has been a very important process to achieve the project objectives, namely: time, cost, quality, safety and environmental sustainability. Huge investments are made in infrastructure construction projects like roads, railways, ports, airports, electricity, telecommunication, oil gas pipelines and irrigation. This growing Increase in investment in infrastructure investment projects demands requires close monitoring of costs to ensure a net return. The evaluation of returns on investment at the conceptual stage plays a vital role in this phase. Software tools help in bringing out near accurate analysis of returns on investments and to support project viability under multiple circumstances. The paper presents an analysis of how software was applied to evaluate and mitigate risk during the case of a six lane road infrastructure project. The unit of analysis was the impact of cost of construction cost, interest rates for loans, methods of depreciation, revenue sharing on various financial indices: IRR, MIRR, DSCR and payback period. The interpretation was that software tools can be used to perform risk analysis, sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis. The case study makes a contribution to the body of knowledge by developing guidelines for using software tools in risk management.
Marketing Financial Services and Products in Different Cultural Environments
Authors: Mertzanis Charilaos
Published: November 2017

In this chapter, an analysis is presented of the conditions for effective marketing of financial services/products in different cultural environments. It is argued that financial services/products are not like other conventional goods and services/products: they exhibit special characteristics (i.e. intangible and risky). Thus, they should not be marketed to all financial consumers alike for they incur risks that are unsuitable for all consumers. Any associated capital loss may lead not only to consumer reaction but also might impair the normal operation of the financial market as a whole. Marketing efforts owe to take into consideration these characteristics and risks and effectively integrate marketing strategies with the carefully regulated issuance and distribution of financial products/services. Effective marketing of financial services requires a concerted effort on behalf of governments and financial service/product providers. Finally, marketing efforts must take into consideration the cultural environment within which marketing takes place.
Financial Risk Management
Authors: Stoian Mirela-Madalina , Stoian Rares-Gabriel
Published: November 2017

The present paper intends to serve as an introduction into the financial risk management universe. It starts with the basic assumption that performance of an organization is inseparable from the risks it is facing. Any organization should have in place the necessary tools to identify, assess and constantly measure the risks it is exposed to. The paper focuses in defining the basic principles in creating a viable risk management framework that keeps track of three major categories of identified financial risks: market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Emphasis is put on the models to measure these types of risks but also on the tools an organization can use in order to reduce them. The second part of the paper is dedicated to recent events that shaped and shocked financial markets and illustrate the consequences faced by organizations when risks are not properly assessed and the risk management models in place are based on dangerously unrealistic notions.
Risk Management in Agriculture
Authors: Hamada Youssef Mohamed
Published: November 2017

Risk has always been part of the business of agriculture. It's an industry built on the unpredictable forces of nature. What looks like a promising crop or herd can suddenly fall victim to the weather, insects or disease. Farmers are continually developing new ways to manage risk, from the use of hardier and higher yielding crop varieties and animal breeds to the application of new technologies on the farm to innovative marketing strategies. Smart agricultural policy has also evolved toward risk management programming that helps farmers deal with short-term income fluctuations as a result of risks largely outside their control. But the risks in agriculture today are greater and more complicated than ever before. International competition is fierce. Technological improvements are increasing world production and driving down real commodity prices. Public demand for higher food safety standards and better environmental practices requires new investments in the food system. Advances in science and technology are raising moral and ethical questions about the way food can and should be produced. At the same time, Smart agriculture itself has never been more diverse, ranging from specialty crops planted in small plots to grain farms covering thousands of hectares. In between being livestock operations of all sizes, greenhouses, organic farms and a growing number of agricultural businesses catering to unique consumer demands? It's an environment that is demanding new approaches to how business is conducted on the farm and consequently, how governments conduct agricultural policy.
The Rise of Credit Default Swaps and Its Implications on Financial Stability
Authors: Dural Fatma Sezer
Published: November 2017

The credit default swap market has experienced an exponential growth in recent decades. Though the fırst credit default swap contract was negotiated in the mid-1990s, the market has enjoyed a surge of popularity beginning in 2003. By the end of June 2013, the outstanding amount reached 24.3 trillion dollars. It is mostly used to transfer or to hedge credit risk. Concurrently with the global credit crisis, several shortcomings in CDS markets have appeared. One of the obvious questions is whether they affect the stability of financial markets. In this context after broader exhibition of credit default swaps market, speculative use of CDS, inception of central counterparty, and transparency of CDS market is handled. As a conclusion, it is true that the CDS market still has some weaknesses, but it is no more prone to be destabilizing than other financial instruments. This is shown in this chapter.
Overview of Workforce Development in Education
Authors: Neal Julie
Published: November 2017

Workforce development focuses on economic development to boost a region's economic stability and prosperity, focusing on individuals. It is also described as the ability to sustain a workforce that can support current and future business/industry. Workforce and technical programs provide training in specialized fields to educate and prepare students to enter the workforce. Keeping in mind that business/industry requires trained employees, and employees need business/industry to create a sustainable lifestyle, decision-makers with knowledge and skills to lead their company and employees in a sustainable, prosperous direction are also required. This chapter explores workforce-development advisory committees, focusing on their relationship with community colleges and higher education. A particular focus is on the challenges growing and evolving workforce faces, and how to train and retrain to keep up with a changing and emerging workforce.
Challenges to Working Collaboratively
Authors: Neal Julie
Published: November 2017

It is important to gain perspective directly from business and industry, and the service providers through their own words and experiences, to create a complete outlook regarding the project and program under consideration. The discussion in this chapter is the result of the research findings gained in 2015 by interviewing workforce practitioners in the areas of welding, auto mechanics, criminal justice, information technology, surveying, diesel technology, and applied technology. The chapter includes discussions from practitioners regarding: decision-making process, lack of knowledge, effects of business and industry on workforce programs, advisory committees, and best practices—a unique discussion offered by practitioners with years of experience, all of whom serve on advisory committees.
An Investigation Into ‘Lean-BIM' Synergies in the UK Construction Industry
Authors: Greenwood David J , Jie Lou Thai , Rogage Kay
Published: November 2017

This article highlights the advantages of Lean Construction (‘Lean') and Building Information Modelling ('BIM') that have received much attention. Individually, each promises transformative and beneficial effects on the construction process, prompting researchers to consider the possibility of synergies between the two. An early example is the hypothetical ‘Lean-BIM Interaction Matrix' of Rafael Sacks and his collaborators. In this, Lean principles are set against BIM functionality and synergies predicted. Early tests of the proposals were through retrospective case studies. Further promising results have been demonstrated in construction projects in the USA. This suggests that similar results might be possible elsewhere, prompting the present UK study. The methodological approach is case-study based on projects where the contractor purports to be using (i) Lean principles, (ii) BIM, and (iii) both. Evidence will be collected through a variety of means (including interviews, documents, and observation). The research is currently at a stage where data has been collected from the first few case-study projects.
Exploring BIM Preparedness Among National Health Service Facilities Management
Authors: Andrews Nick , Shikder Shariful , Khosrowshahi Farzad
Published: November 2017

In 2011, a UK government mandate stated that all public-sector construction projects must conform to BIM level 2. As the owner of one of the largest estate portfolios in Europe the NHS will be heavily impacted by the introduction of the BIM mandate. The aim of this article is to explore how prepared NHS facilities managers (FM) are for the introduction of the BIM 2016 mandate. To do this an online questionnaire survey and face to face interviews were conducted to identify NHS FM professionals' awareness, understanding, experience, and opinions of BIM and organisational readiness. Analysis of the primary data shows that NHS FM professionals are underprepared to engage fully with BIM in a competent manner with many failing to demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of BIM. By developing an understanding of NHS FM professionals current skills, knowledge, experience and opinions with regards to BIM this article aims to help future studies understand what key elements should be considered by public sector organisations when establishing a BIM for FM implementation framework.
Application of Hierarchical Visualization Techniques in Meta-Analysis Data
Authors: Delazeri Bruna Rossetto , Gusmão Felipe Paes , Matos Simone Nasser , Guimarães Alaine Margarete , Canteri Marcelo Giovanetti
Published: November 2017

The meta-analysis is a probabilistic technique that groups the results of several studies, approaches the same subject and produces a result that summarizes the whole. The results that are displayed in graphical form neither offer interactivity with the user, nor a user-friendly interface and easy comprehension. In order to obtain a visual exploratory analysis with more satisfactory results, there are information visualization techniques applied to map the data in graphical form to broaden the user cognition. This article performs the execution of the meta-analysis, through R software, in order to determine the efficiency of fungicide fluquinconazole when combating Asian soy rust and applies the Technique for the Visualization of Hierarchical Information Structure; the Bifocal Tree, to improve the results displayed by the R through the forest plot graphic.
Reconstruction of Missing Hourly Precipitation Data to Increase Training Data Set for ANN
Authors: Nagaraja Hema , Kant Krishna , Rajalakshmi K.
Published: November 2017

This paper investigates the hourly precipitation estimation capacities of ANN using raw data and reconstructed data using proposed Precipitation Sliding Window Period (PSWP) method. The precipitation data from 11 Automatic Weather Station (AWS) of Delhi has been obtained from Jan 2015 to Feb 2016. The proposed PSWP method uses both time and space dimension to fill the missing precipitation values. Hourly precipitation follows patterns in particular period along with its neighbor stations. Based on these patterns of precipitation, Local Cluster Sliding Window Period (LCSWP) and Global Cluster Sliding Window Period (GCSWP) are defined for single AWS and all AWSs respectively. Further, GCSWP period is classified into four different categories to fill the missing precipitation data based on patterns followed in it. The experimental results indicate that ANN trained with reconstructed data has better estimation results than the ANN trained with raw data. The average RMSE for ANN trained with raw data is 0.44 and while that for neural network trained with reconstructed data is 0.34.
Performance Evaluation of Feed-Forward Neural Network Models for Handwritten Hindi Characters with Different Feature Extraction Methods
Authors: Singh Gunjan , Kumar Sandeep , Singh Manu Pratap
Published: November 2017

Automatic handwritten character recognition is one of the most critical and interesting research areas in domain of pattern recognition. The problem becomes more challenging if domain is handwritten Hindi character as Hindi characters are cursive in nature and demonstrate a lot of similar features. A number of feature extraction, classification and recognition techniques have been devised and being used in this area; still the efficiency and accuracy is awaited. In this article, performance of various feed-forward neural networks is evaluated for the generalized classification of handwritten Hindi characters using various feature extraction methods. To study and analyze the performance of the selected neural networks, training and test character patterns are presented to each model and their recognition accuracy is measured. It has been analyzed that the Radial basis function network and Exact Radial basis network give highest recognition accuracy while Elman backpropagation neural network gives lowest recognition rate for most of the selected feature extraction methods.
From Doing Digital to Being Digital
Authors: Murdoch Donna , Fichter Rachel
Published: November 2017

In this article, it is explored how digital transformation is reshaping existing conceptions of technology adoption in the workplace and, as part of this, why the adoption of enterprise technology often lags behind consumer technology. The effect of business intractability towards technological advancement is examined. Also, the inability to quickly disseminate new information about technological changes puts additional stress on adoption by employees. This article then continues into suggestions to improve adoption of technology based on changes in the workplace in attitude and culture, promoting digital literacy and the establishment of new programs to facilitate them.
Applying Andragogical Concepts in Creating a Sustainable Lifelong Learning Society
Authors: Charungkaittikul Suwithida , Henschke John A.
Published: November 2017

Today, the world is changing, re-establishing the role of education to have a developed society. This article aims to explore the practical application of Andragogy as a key element for creating a sustainable lifelong learning society, to propose strategies for developing a lifelong learning society using andragogical concepts, to enhance ‘andragogy' as a scientific academic discipline and to expand on the horizon of andragogical assumptions and processes put forth by Malcolm Knowles. The literature on andragogy demonstrates the need to consider the future of andragogy, which may strengthen the theory and allow for the assumptions and processes to further guide this aspect of adult education. While the journey towards a lifelong learning society will continue to evolve, the lessons learned may help to identify key facilitating factors as well as pitfalls to be avoided in formulating more comprehensive lifelong learning society development strategies in the future.
Community Health Workers (CHWs) as Innovators
Authors: Prentiss Tyler , Zervos John , Tanniru Mohan , Tan Joseph
Published: November 2017

Community health workers (CHWs) have a longstanding role in improving the health and well-being of underserved populations in resource-limited settings. CHWs are trusted in the communities they serve and are often able to see through solutions on community challenges that outside persons cannot. Notwithstanding, such solutions often must be low-cost, easily implementable, and permit knowledge gaps among CHWs to be filled via appropriate training. In this sense, use of cost-effective information technology (IT) solutions can be key to increasing access to knowledge for these community agents. This paper highlights insights gleaned from a pilot study performed in Detroit, Michigan with a group of CHWs in basic grant-writing training via an e-platform, the Community Health Innovator Program (CHIP). The results are discussed within the context of learning theory. It is concluded that e-platforms are necessary for CHWs to leverage knowledge from multiple sources in an adaptive environment towards addressing ever-evolving global health challenges.
Population Size vs. Number of Crimes: Is the Relationship Superlinear?
Authors: Chang YuSang , Choi SungSup Brian , Lee JinSoo , Jin Won Chang
Published: November 2017

Do large cities suffer from an even greater incidence of crime? According to the Urban Scaling Theory, the number of crimes committed may follow a superlinear relationship as a function of the population size of city. For example, if the population size increases by 100%, the incidence of crime may increase by 120%. We analyzed a total of 11 types of crimes which had occurred in about 250 cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants in the United States during the period of 1995-2010. We found that the relationship between the number of crimes counts and the population size of cities have followed a superlinear power function without exception in all 176 cases. However, significant variations exist among the superlinear relations by types of crime. We also found that the values of scale exponents display time-invariant pattern during the 16-year period.
Investigating Critical Factors for Project Success and the Impact of Certification/Training
Authors: Wan James , Saade Raafat George
Published: November 2017

This paper investigates via a survey methodology, project critical success factors (CSFs) of a UN organization as perceived by computer and information technology trained and certified professionals. James Wan and Raafat Saade adopt their CSFs from three seminal studies done at different times. They provide a critical analysis of those factors for the 21st century United Nations context facing today an increasing need for agility in a fast-changing global environment. The authors investigate project CSFs in this study with two goals in mind: Firstly, to test the applicability of well-studied CSFs in the United Nations context, and secondly, to assess the influence of certification/training on these factors. Results show that 5 out of 13 factors differ in the United Nation's context and that certification is not perceived as important while training is. Results are discussed bringing forth insights into the nature of UN-type organization project management. Results have shown that close to 40% of the CSFs previously studied do not apply to the United Nations context. At the same time, correlation analysis shows that training in project management knowledge areas are more important that actual certification.
Effect of Process Parameters on Hole Diameter Accuracy in High Pressure Through Coolant Peck Drilling Using Taguchi Technique
Authors: Shete Hanmant V. , Sohani Madhav S.
Published: November 2017

Machining with pressurized coolant is nowadays widely accepted technique in the manufacturing industry, especially in high performance machining conditions. The data on the effects of variation of high coolant pressure in drilling operation is limited. This paper presents the effect of high coolant pressures along with spindle speed, feed rate and peck depth on hole diameter accuracy. Experiments were performed on EN9 steel with TiAIN coated through coolant drill on CNC vertical machining center. Taguchi technique was employed for design of experiments and analysis of results. Results showed that the higher values of optimal coolant pressure and spindle speed were demanded for drilling at bottom of hole as compared to that for drilling at top of hole. The optimal values of feed rate and peck depth were same for both the cases of drilling at top and bottom of hole. Use of high coolant pressure in drilling permits higher peck depth for better hole diameter control which results in reduced cycle time and hence production cost.
Selection of Optimal Hot Extrusion Process Parameters for AA6061-Fly Ash Composites
Authors: Jajimoggala Sarojini
Published: November 2017

The simulation of hot extrusion process is a challenging problem in process modeling because of very large deformations, strain rates and temperature changes during the process. The process development in industrial extrusion is to a maximum extent based on trial and error and often involves full size experiments. Numerical simulations can replace most of these experiments, which are often both time consuming and expensive. Hence in the present work, attempt has been made to simulate hot extrusion process. AA6061-flyash Metal Matrix Composite(MMC) as billet, H13 tool steel as the die, 400oC as billet temperature and extrusion ratio of 25:4 are used as simulation parameters. Simulation is performed using software DEFORM 3D by varying ram speed, Cone Half Angle (CHA) and friction coefficient with extrusion load. The effects of change of process parameters were observed and optimal process parameters were selected.
Effect of TiCN and AlCrN Coating on Tribological Behaviour of Plasma-nitrided AISI 4140 Steel
Authors: Bhaskar Santosh Vitthal , Kudal Hari Narayan
Published: November 2017

In the present article, samples made of AISI 4140 steel, pre-treated with plasma nitriding (PN), and coated with different coatings like Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN), Aluminium Chromium Nitride (AlCrN), using Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) technique, were investigated in terms of their microhardness, surface roughness, and dry sliding wear behaviour. Wear tests were performed with a pin-on-disc machine. Coatings were deposited on plasma nitrided samples. The wear behaviour, and wear mechanisms of TiCN- and AlCrN-coated, PN treated AISI 4140 specimens were investigated using a field emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), equipped with an Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer. An SEM was used to study the surface morphology of the worn surfaces. Also, adhesion tests were conducted to investigate the adhesion quality of the coated specimens. The results of the investigation showed improved wear properties. Furthermore, the compound layer formed during nitriding was found to act as an intermediate hard layer, leading to superior sliding wear properties.
Frictional Behavior of Aluminium MMC Foam Synthesized Using Dual Foaming Agent
Authors: Haidar Shamim , Sekh Mukandar , Ghose Joyjeet , Sutradhar Goutam
Published: November 2017

In the present article, an attempt is made to develop aluminium foam indigenously. The experimental setup for the production of aluminium foam is designed and fabricated. Investigation are made into the use of dual foaming agents (i.e. TiH2 and CaCO3) along with SiC to develop suitable aluminium foams which can be utilized for various engineering products like load-bearing elements, crash resistance elements etc. The process is standardized to produce aluminium foam with specific density with minimum variability. This aluminium foam produced possesses a very low coefficient of friction. This work successfully characterized the frictional properties of the developed material. In order to define the Frictional properties of this material, a mathematical model which uniquely defines the frictional behavior of this modified Al-MMC foam has been developed.
Design and Testing of a Jet-Impingement Instrument to Study Surface-Modification Effects by Nanofluids
Authors: Molina Gustavo J. , Aktaruzzaman Fnu , Soloiu Valentin , Rahman Mosfequr
Published: November 2017

The growing research interest on nanofluids, the suspensions of nano-size powders in ordinary fluids with enhanced cooling properties, has led the authors to study surface modifications (i.e., possible erosion-corrosion effects) from nanofluid interactions with typical heat-exchanger materials. This article discusses existing instruments and the rationale for designing a new ad-hoc test rig using jet-impingement at speeds from 3.5 m/s to 35 m/s. Preliminary tests used typical nanofluids—2% volume alumina-nanopowder in water—which were jet-impinged at 15.5 m/s speed on aluminum and copper specimens. The instrument, methodologies and assessment tools proved to be appropriate to test for the nanofluid interactions with material surfaces. The studied surface modifications, which were assessed by roughness measurements, weighing for removed-material, and optical-microscopy, suggest that addition of nano-powders can lead to patterns of erosion-corrosion that are substantially different than those typically obtained from base fluids.
Analysis of Solar Farm Site Selection Based on TOPSIS Approach
Authors: Nazari Mohammad Alhuyi , Aslani Alireza , Ghasempour Roghayeh
Published: November 2017

Energy is necessary for industrial activities and social development. Due to environmental effect of fossil fuels and resource limitation, the importance of using renewable energy is growing. One of the most appropriate renewable energies is solar energy. Photovoltaic cells directly convert solar energy to electricity. In addition to PV technology, selecting an appropriate site is a main concern for PV power plant installation. The aim this article is to select suitable site for photovoltaic installation in a case study, Iran. Four different locations are the primary options for utility scale PV plants installation and the best choice is selected based on a MADM method, TOPSIS.
Diffusion of Collaborative Standards and EU Competition Law
Authors: Tsilikas Haris
Published: November 2017

Innovative standards bring about substantial benefits to consumers, such as lower prices, a wider variety of standard-compliant products to choose from and more innovation. Although standardisation is an efficient process, still making sure that the benefits of standardisation are distributed widely remains a challenge. This article is about how the EU competition law has had a significant impact on the development of collaborative standardisation, with a view to ensure that standards are diffused as widely as possible and that consumers internalise a fair share of the value of innovative standards. Arguably EU competition policies in collaborative standardisation have not always been an unqualified success. Yet, the CJEU Huawei ruling has been a positive step forward for EU competition law, successfully striking a fair balance between the interests of various stakeholders and aligning incentives of patent holders and implementers to conduct licensing negotiations in good faith and to refrain from practices that could be characterised opportunistic.
The Effects 0f 4C-ID Model Approach on Acquisition and Transfer of Knowledge About Electric Circuits
Authors: Melo Mário , Miranda Guilhermina Lobato
Published: November 2017

This paper reports the first results of an experimental research, carried out in a private school with 9th grade students, where the 4C/ID-model was used for teaching and learning electric circuits. The authors describe the principles and features of the instructional model, that is suitability for the teaching and learning of complex knowledge and skills and yet their permeability to develop digital educational resources and learning environments. The authors analyse the preliminary experimental results in terms of students' performance (both reproduction and learning transfer), mental effort and instructional efficiency. They also suggest clues to future research.
Gliding Robotic Fish: An Underwater Sensing Platform and Its Spiral-Based Tracking in 3D Space
Authors: Zhang Feitian , Ennasr Osama , Tan Xiaobo
Published: November 2017

AbstractGliding robotic fish are a new type of underwater robot that combines the advantages of energy efficiency of underwater gliders and high maneuverability of robotic fish. Tail-enabled spiraling, as a novel locomotion pattern of gliding robotic fish, uses a buoyancy-driven
mechanism and features a small turning radius. This paper investigates the spiral trajectory characteristics from the viewpoint of differential geometry and exploits them for curve tracking in the 3D space. The influences of control inputs on spiral trajectories are investigated through both
simulation and experiments. A simulation example using a combined feedforward and feedback controller illustrates the proposed curve-tracking approach.
Role of Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Cipriani Alberto , Bariani Riccardo , De Lazzari Manuel , Migliore Federico , Angheben Carlo , Del Greco Maurizio , Corrado Domenico , Zorzi Alessandro
Published: November 2017

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is characterized by progressive fibro-fatty replacement of the myocardium that represents the substrate for recurrent sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). These arrhythmias characterize the clinical course of a sizeable proportion of patients and have significant implications for their quality of life and long-term prognosis. Antiarrhythmic drugs are often poorly tolerated and usually provide incomplete control of arrhythmia relapses. Catheter ablation is a potentially effective strategy to treat frequent VT episodes and ICD shocks in ARVC patients. The aims of this review are to discuss the electrophysiological and electroanatomic substrates of ventricular tachycardia in patients with ARVC and to analyze the role of catheter ablation in their management with particular reference to selection of patients, technical issues, potential complications and outcomes.
Regverdiging van die sondaar: Martin Luther se teologiese definisie van die mens soos uiteengesit in die Disputatio de homine van 1536, stelling 32
Authors: Van Wyk Gabriël M.J.
Published: November 2017

Disputations were a fixture of Martin Luther’s academic career. Luther participated regularly in disputations. It was an important communicative vehicle through which he developed and expressed his theology. The well-known 95 theses are a case in point. Luther’s career as a disputator was impressive. Several of his most influential disputations were explicitly intended for consideration by his academic and ecclesiastical colleagues, but the majority of his disputations took place as a curricular exercise at the University of Wittenberg. The purpose of these disputations was pedagogical and polemical. Luther deployed the same tools for his defence of proper doctrine that were at the centre of the Protestant reformation in the face of objections. The disputatio de homine is a systematic summary of Luther’s anthropology. It incorporates the doctrine of justification as the theological definition of man. It treats the subject within the context of the relationship between theology and philosophy, and reflects upon the new language of theology. The disputatio de homine provides an essential resource for the study of Luther’s anthropology and the doctrine of justification.
Mutual-mothering as wise living or living wisely
Authors: Nortjé-Meyer Susara J.
Published: November 2017

In the 1970s, feminist biblical scholars began to conduct research on the biblical traditions of wisdom and the manifestation of female images of God, named Sophialogy. There are different focus areas within Sophialogy, but the formulation of Wisdom/Sophia goals for liberation and equality was inter alia the focus area of feminist biblical interpretation. According to this approach, Jesus as the prophetic messenger of Wisdom/Sophia activates the Sophia tradition through his works or deeds of compassion for the poor, the outcasts, and all those suffering from injustice. Women in Africa interpret these deeds as communal ‘wise living’ and the custodians of justice. This culminates in a motherhood agenda, namely, making peace for life; ensuring mutual respect, honour and care for life; looking for fairness; reciprocity; wholeness and inclusiveness. The aim of this paper is to discuss mutual-mothering in the African context as an ethos for living wisely and justly. Having instincts to care and to protect are not exclusively female attributes, but include also males.
‘For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel’ (Is 12:6b): Trauma and resilience in the Isaianic Psalm
Authors: Groenewald Alphonso
Published: November 2017

This article focuses on Isaiah 12 – an important text that concludes the first main section of the Book of Isaiah (BI). The analysis focuses on the structure and redaction of this text. The text is interpreted as a meaning-making text against the background of trauma as described in this first main section of the BI.
Assessment of a portable lactate meter for field use in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)
Authors: Cole Georgina C. , Tordiffe Adrian S.W. , Steenkamp Gerhard
Published: November 2017

Blood lactate is a predictor of mortality in critically ill humans and animals. Handheld lactate meters have the potential to be used in the field to evaluate the condition of severely injured rhinoceroses but have not been compared with laboratory-based methods. Agreement between a handheld lactate meter and a laboratory method was assessed, as was the stability of rhino blood lactate in the anticoagulant sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate (fluoride/oxalate). Blood samples were obtained from 53 white rhinos that had been immobilised for management reasons. Lactate was measured by means of a handheld meter using whole blood in heparin (WBHEP), whole blood in fluoride/oxalate (WBFO) and fluoride/oxalate plasma (PFO). Results were recorded in both blood (BL) and plasma (PL) modes and compared to an established laboratory method for measuring plasma lactate. To assess the stability of lactate over time, blood lactate in fluoride/oxalate was measured on the handheld meter at intervals for up to 91 h. Agreement was best using WBFO in PL mode, with small bias (-0.16), tight 95% limits of agreement (LOA) (-1.46, 1.14) and a Pc (95% CI) of 0.97 (0.92, 0.99). The agreement was improved for all sample types when using the PL mode compared to the blood lactate (BL) mode. Blood lactate was stable in fluoride/oxalate for 91 h, with a mean change from baseline of 0.15 (-0.178, 0.478) mmol/L (mean, 95% CI). The handheld meter was found to be suitable for field use in white rhinos but provided more reliable results with the device in PL mode. Furthermore, rhino blood lactate was found to be stable in fluoride/oxalate for as long as 3 days.
Three three-letter words in three recent novels in three different languages: God, sex and joy
Authors: Lombaard Christo J.S. , Jansone Ilze
Published: November 2017

In this article, the authors propose to analyse the ways in which religion and sexuality are related to one another in three recent novels: (1) Fransi Phillips’s Die donker god (2007), (2) Inga Žolude’s Santa Biblia (2013) and (3) Michel Houellebecq’s Soumission [English translation: Submission] (2015). In each case, the novels are briefly placed within their respective literary cultures (Afrikaans, Latvian and French) in order to offer a contextually sensitive analysis. After each of the novels has been discussed related to the three related topoi of God, sex and joy, some comparative remarks are offered in conclusion.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: In this contribution, from the theological field of Spirituality Studies, the field of Comparative Literature is approached, seeking to identify aspects of Religiosity and Sexuality from the perspective of Post-Secularity.
Proteomic Biomarkers of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Vivanco F. , Padial L.R. , Darde V.M. , De La Cuesta F. , Alvarez-Llamas G. , Diaz-Prieto Natacha , Barderas M.G.
Published: November 2017

Biomarkers provide a powerful approach to understanding the spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. They have application in screening, diagnostic, prognostication, prediction of recurrences and monitoring of therapy. The “omics” tool are becoming very useful in the development of new biomarkers in cardiovascular diseases. Among them, proteomics is especially fitted to look for new proteins in health and disease and is playing a significant role in the development of new diagnostic tools in cardiovascular diagnosis and prognosis. This review provides an overview of progress in applying proteomics to atherosclerosis. First, we describe novel proteins identified analysing atherosclerotic plaques directly. Careful analysis of proteins within the atherosclerotic vascular tissue can provide a repertoire of proteins involved in vascular remodelling and atherogenesis. Second, we discuss recent data concerning proteins secreted by atherosclerotic plaques. The definition of the atheroma plaque secretome resides in that proteins secreted by arteries can be very good candidates of novel biomarkers. Finally we describe proteins that have been differentially expressed (versus controls) by individual cells which constitute atheroma plaques (endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages and foam cells) as well as by circulating cells (monocytes, platelets) or novel biomarkers present in plasma.