bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Barriers Affecting the Acceptance of Mobile Commerce
Authors: Gupta Priyanka
Published: April 2016

With the continuous increase in numbers of users of mobile devices, the adoption of M-commerce is still far from reaching its full potential. There are various barriers that hinder the proliferation of m-commerce such as mobile devices inefficiency, lack of consumer's trust, incompatible networks, poor network coverage, limited bandwidth, low speed, lack of security & privacy, high cost of handsets and cost of establishing the necessary wireless infrastructure and lack of awareness. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and gender differences were other influential factors in m-commerce. Recently, Mobile Payment (m-payment) is a promising and exciting domain that has been rapidly developing. However, Consumer adoption of mobile payment (m-payment) solutions is low compared to the acceptance of traditional forms of payments. The chapter discusses these above m-commerce's barriers in details.
Restorative Justice and Technology
Authors: Freitas Pedro Miguel , Palermo Pablo Galain
Published: April 2016

In civil law countries, criminal justice is beginning to experience a shift from retributive justice towards restorative justice. Amongst other goals, restorative justice aims to give the victim a pivotal role in the administration of justice, which until now, with the traditional criminal justice, has not happened at a desirable level. It covers very different processes, but victim-offender mediation is certainly the most established one. Although an online version of the victim-offender mediation model is yet to be implemented, we believe that it could be a relevant alternative to an offline setting. It is nevertheless clear that further studies are necessary to fully comprehend the extent of the structure and implications of a ODR system for criminal conflicts.
Conflict Resolution Problem Solving with Bio-Inspired Metaheuristics
Authors: Oliveira P. B. de Moura , Pires E. J. Solteiro
Published: April 2016

This chapter addresses nature and bio-inspired metaheuristics in the context of conflict detection and resolution problems. An approach is presented for a generalization of a population-based bio-inspired search and optimization algorithm, which is depicted for three of the most well-known and firmly established methods: the genetic algorithm, the particle swarm optimization algorithm and the differential evolution algorithm. This integrated approach to a basic general population-based bio-inspired algorithm is presented for single-objective optimization, multi-objective optimization and many-objective optimization. A revision of these three main bio-inspired algorithms is presented for conflict resolution problems in diverse application areas. A bridge between feedback controller design, genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization and differential evolution is established using a conflict resolution approach. Finally, some perspectives concerning future trends of more recent bio-inspired meta-heuristics is presented.
Intelligent Tutoring
Authors: Rodrigues Manuel Fernando , Gonçalves Sérgio Manuel , Santos Ricardo , Fdez-Riverola Florentino , Carneiro Davide
Published: April 2016

Society has been changing dynamically over the years and technology has been boosting that change. Teaching, as a social activity has not been changing at the same speed. Technology enhanced learning, arises as a way to cope with that challenge, opening new paths for learning. However, sometimes it becomes difficult to cope with student´s challenges: interest, motivation, attention, are difficult to achieve with the so called net-generation. With an amazing new world at the touch of their fingers, the focus is on new, challenging and interesting things, leaving very little room to other activities. Keeping students in the right track, interested and motivated is in fact an enormous challenge. Fatigue and stress play an important role in this equation: they can dramatically decrease students' performance. Controlling these factors, in such a way that´s unaware by students, is the best way to achieve better results, as the data gathering process does not interfere with the parameters being monitored. The aim is to forecast negative situations taking some actions to mitigate them.
Policy Planning to Support Technological Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Chan Leong , Liu Dan
Published: April 2016

The pharmaceutical industry is often characterized as a research-driven sector because of its exceptionally high ratio of R&D inputs to sales. Development of novel drugs is very difficult because of several issues including heavy investment, high risks, and long development cycle. Government plays an important role in regulating the development of the pharmaceutical industry. This is true for all phases in pharmaceutical development: from R&D to market. This chapter will focus on the discussion of prospective high-tech areas, development strategies, and innovation resources in the pharmaceutical industry. Expert opinions were analyzed based on the conditions in China's biopharmaceutical sector. Policy recommendations are provided to support technological innovation.
Open Access Initiatives in Medical Biology
Authors: Chakravarty Rupak
Published: April 2016

Open Access (OA) is reshaping the world by redefining the scholarly communication methods with focus on building a knowledge society. It has the power to democratize the knowledge by removing hurdles from free access to scholarly works while encouraging knowledge sharing. Institutional Repositories (IRs) play a vital role in the OA movement by facilitating the Green Route to Open Access. In India, some elite educational and research institutes such as the Indian Statistical Institute, some CSIR Laboratories, IITs, and IIMs have taken significant initiatives in building IRs. In addition to theses, a few Universities have also taken the initiative and now have their own IRs as their proudest possession. However, many Indian Irs, once functional are in bad shape and a few have been closed. This paper deals with IR initiatives in the discipline of Medicine and Biology including. The paper discusses their scope, collection strength, growth rate and their current status.
Web 2.0 Tools in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Education
Authors: Jesus Ângelo , Gomes Maria João
Published: April 2016

Web 2.0 technologies are being rapidly integrated in higher education, which dramatically influences the ways learners approach and use information. Knowledge transfer has evolved into a two-way process. Users no longer simply consume and download information from the web; they create and interact with it. Several theoretical works were developed in order to discuss the possibilities of integration of Web 2.0 tools in Pharmacy, Medicine, Allied Health, Nursing and many other Biomedical Areas. Other works have started gathering qualitative and quantitative evidence of the importance of Web 2.0 tools in the learning process. By performing this integrative review, this paper will provide an overview of what is being done in biomedical and pharmaceutical education, and elaborate some of the potential opportunities and challenges that these applications present. With this updated review we hope to give our contribution to consolidate research in this promising area.
How to Identify Rheumatic Diseases by General Physicians
Authors: Contreras Eduardo C. , Puente Gustavo J.
Published: April 2016

A large part of the population in countries in process of development ignores what Rheumatic Diseases are, and general practitioners are in most cases unaware of enough information to identify them and the treatments to successfully control them. A proposal to help those general practitioners to detect if an articular condition belongs to a Rheumatic Disease case is to present them the clinical semiology that should lead them to redirect the given conditions to a specialist on the subject, a rheumatologist. The clinical semiology is presented by an automated algorithm inside a goal-based software agent, containing all the necessary information to identify the seven most common inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases, and fourteen of the non-inflammatory ones. The purpose of this tool is to provide the general practitioner with the correct information to redirect the patient with a rheumatologist, in order for it to receive the appropriate medication to be controlled.
Improving Pharmaceutical Care through the Use of Intelligent Pharmacoinformatics
Authors: Gasmelseid Tagelsir Mohamed
Published: April 2016

The expansion of drug-related problems urged healthcare organizations to adopt Pharmacoinformatics to signal, analyze and report Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs). Data for this study have been compiled from local and international sources such as WHO. The study resulted into the development of an intelligent multi-agent decision support system including a process model, a multi-agent architecture and an integrated data processing model with clear description of agent functionalities. The model reflects three main modules: a data capture and update module, diagnosis module and a pharmaceutical care and drug monitoring module. The study also reflected on the practical and managerial environment of the model and the basic considerations to be taken into account. The study also provided some important recommendations.
An Approach Based on Service Components for Adapting Web-Oriented Applications
Authors: Bendekkoum Soumia , Boufaida Mahmoud , Seinturier Lionel
Published: April 2016

Service Oriented Architecture is a software design paradigm of choice for building and integrating distributed Information Systems. The greatest challenge of SOA is to make the system more flexible and adaptable to the enterprise and user environment changes. However, services can change constantly. These changes are produced due to adjustment in structure, e.g., changing service signature, integrating new services into existing business services; in behavior e.g., adding new business rules in simple or composite services; and in interaction schema between the services and the clients. This paper presents a solution based on service component concepts for dealing with changes confined to services and clients in SOA-based applications. It uses service components concepts to define adaptable services that facilitate the extension and the customization of existing services in harmony with service users. In addition, it presents an adaptation service-oriented lifecycle scenario to control service changes in the entire service lifecycle ranging from the announcement to the execution phase
Comparative Analysis of Short and Longweld Hardness
Authors: Grigore Nicolae
Published: April 2016

Short rows and multiple layers fixture welding is characterized by a non-stationary thermal field, compared to the long welds, characterized by quasi-stationary thermal field, excluding the end zones characterized by a non-stationary thermal field.Up to the present, welded tests are made for homologating welding processes or for welders authorizations or validity prolongations of welders authorizations or certifications, these being made on 500 mm long welded samples, where the 20 mm parts at the beginning and at the end of the sample are removed and no test specimens for mechanical test are made of them. The present article studies the values of HV 10 Vickers hardness in these beginning and end zones of the weld (crater) when the welding is made without putting on the technological plates at the beginning and at the end, compared to the values of HV 10 Vickers hardness measured in the middle part of the weld..
Links between Low Velocity Impact Results and the Residual Mechanical Performance of Sandwich Composite Materials
Authors: Constantin Nicolae , Sandu Marin , Găvan Mircea , Spânu Paulina , Roşu Dorin , Epuran Constantin Valentin , Pătrău Bogdan , Enescu Cătălin
Published: April 2016

The paper presents results obtained during low velocity impact tests, performed on sandwich materials of different types. The common force history curves are discussed along with the visual inspections, in order to asses, in a first stage, the structural integrity of the materials subjected to this aggressive and hazardous event.
Usage of Network-Centric Approach to Distributed Management of Complex Systems
Authors: Korovin Iakov S. , Kalyaev Anatoly , Khisamutdinov Maxim
Published: April 2016

Under current conditions of oil industry development in Russia the information technology genesis is getting increasingly important. The operational data “flow” consisting of enourmous number of sensors and gauges and is increasing, reflecting the intensifying interaction between different production processes, and is critical for the decision-making time. Therefore, the communication system in the oilfield is gaining in size and complexity. In the frame of the "digital oilfield" conception that has grown recently over the past few years, the active organization of production processes into unified systems in the oilfield has begun. The first control systems that combine into a single structure the various purposes technological equipment are arising, with their basic element being the data exchange telecommunication networks that allow to fulfill centralized interaction between information resources and decision-makers. Due to central place of the network, such systems have been called "network-centric".
Improving the Organizational Performance in Automotive Manufacturing by Using Fast Response on Layers at Quality Issues
Authors: Braga Ion Cristian , Nedelcu Anișor , Udroiu Razvan
Published: April 2016

The organizational performance depends of the development of the processes in the organization. In the automotive manufacturing – based on the requirements from the referential standards like ISO 9001 or ISO TS 16949 – the processes map describe very clear all the processes and their inter-correlation. To achieve the level of performance according with top management expectation all processes are monitored regarding the effectiveness and efficiency using the key indicators, but the level of performance is also direct linked with the level of response at quality issues. But the organizations have the processes with different structure of personnel who take care for managing the processes, with different levels of reporting and leadership. This paper presents the advantages to develop the FLRQI (Fast Response on Layers at Quality Issues) easy to communicate and escalate from down to top, and to develop and coach the personnel from top to down in the same time, at the end the advantages to have the fast response at issues implemented in all departments will be measured in better quality, less cost and on time delivery. The paper proposes a new concept to implement a culture of fast response which is easy to be applied in multi-national companies because is easier to be tailored on each structure of the processes.
Time, Cost and Quality Management Trilogy and its Impact on Lebanese Construction Projects Success
Authors: AZAR Anthony , Militaru Constantin , Mattar Claudia Pierre
Published: April 2016

The construction industry plays significant role in the economy of developing countries, where Lebanon is one of. However, the performance industry remains under critique. Many projects encounter considerable time and cost overruns, fail to realize their intended benefit or even totally terminated and abandoned before or after their completion. As the construction project goes through many phases, the success of each phase will affect the success of the project. Thus, the “Project Success” notion is becoming a priority in the Lebanese construction sector. This paper describes a study of the time, cost and quality management trilogy impact on the success of the local Lebanese construction projects. It shows the importance of each factor and its role in the attainment of client objectives. A Questionnaire survey, supported by “face to face” interviews, elicit the attitude of owners (developers), consultants, and contractors towards the factors affecting each parameter is done. Conclusion and remarks for future construction quality system rating will follow.
Study Regarding the Influence of the Fuel Tank Constructive Characteristics on Slosh-Noise Effect
Authors: Manta Balas Oana Maria , Balas Radu , Doicin Cristian Vasile
Published: April 2016

The aim of this article is to highlight the impact of the fuel movements inside the plastic fuel tank (waves) for the client perception of noise. Today there isn’t a clear methodology regarding the reproducing the fuel waves, but there are different approaches to be taken into account and also there is an innovative potential. Due to the fast technological progress the body in white and not only, the entire vehicle became lighter and lighted. A consequence of this great achievement is that the client can hear easier the sound produced by different components of the car. The plastic fuel tank can be considered such a component. The authors have done a deep analysis of present automotive fuel tanks and propose solutions for breaking the waves produced inside fuel tanks, so as to reduce the slosh noise effect. The studies will be continued during the doctoral approach of the first author.
The Use of 3D Scanning and 5-Axis Machining in Design and Fabrication of Dental Bridge
Authors: Milde Ján , Morovič Ladislav
Published: April 2016

Dental restorations are currently produced mainly by conventional dental technology methods. The automation of the manufacturing process can be achieved by the use of CAD/CAM technology. Basic research on the most important aspects of CAD/CAM fixed dental restorations from the viewpoint of production, information technology, and dentistry/dental technology are the subject of a current article. The aim of this article is practical using of computer aided technologies such as 3D scanning and 5-axis machining for designing and fabrication of dental restorations. It further explains the detailed process of acquiring a digital description of tooth’s shape and its subsequent modification. Attention is drawn to a detailed analysis of dental restorations’ design obtained from a digital description of a tooth in Cercon Art software. The last part of this paper concentrates on the fabrication of dental restorations, which took place at CAD/CAM dental centre in Bratislava, Slovakia. The fabrication was accomplished by 5-axis kinematic structure of machine tools.
Numerical Simulation of Friction Stir Spot Welding
Authors: Constantin Marius Adrian , Boşneag Ana , Iordache Daniela Monica , Bădulescu Claudiu , Nitu Eduard Laurentiu
Published: April 2016

Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW) is a solid state joining process that relies on frictional heating and plastic deformation realized at the interaction between a non-consumable welding tool that rotates on the contact surfaces of the workpieces. Friction Stir Spot Welding (FSSW) is an evolving technique that has received considerable attention from automotive industries to replace electric resistance spot welding, which shows poor weldability for advanced high-strength steels as well as aluminium alloys. Because of the interest shown by the industry towards this process, an attempt to optimize it is imperative. But the experiments are often time consuming and costly. To overcome these problems, numerical analysis has frequently been used in the last years. The purpose of this paper is to develop a three-dimensional fully coupled thermal-stress finite element (FE) model of FSSW process for thin aluminium alloy Al 6061-T6. Numerical simulation being helpful for better understanding and observation of the influence of input parameters on the resulting phenomena. It is described the algorithm and are presented the activities needed to be performed in order to develop a valid numerical model for FSSW. The validation of the numerical model being achieved by comparing the resulted temperatures from the numerical simulation with the experimentally determined temperatures for the same material
Small Scale AS/RS System for Educational Purposes - Part 1 - The Virtual Prototype and the Small Scale Physical System
Authors: Popescu Constantin Adrian , Nicolescu Adrian , Avram Georgia Cezara , Ivan Andrei Mario
Published: April 2016

The paper presents the works performed by the authors in the field of AS/RS systems design and experimental small scale AS/RS physical model set-up for educational purposes. First part of the paper presents the virtual prototype of the 3D CAD model of the AS/RS system and the developing of the physical model set-up for an experimental small scale AS/RS for educational purposes. The specific hardware for control the AS/RS system and software for programming it are also included in a second part of the paper.
Improvement of Manufacturing Process by Reducing of the Failures Ratio through Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Belu Nadia , Ionescu Laurentiu Mihai , Anghel Daniel Constantin , Rachieru Nicoleta
Published: April 2016

This research introduces a new approach of using Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and Genetic Algorithm to improvement of manufacturing process – welding process. FMEA analysis is used to measure the weight of failures by calculating the Risk Priority Number (RPN) value for welding process. By FMEA we have identified precisely the main causes which lead to the appearance of many failures for which the RPN value is highest. Then we have established the parameters which are directly responsible of these causes. By using these parameters we have got a function that actually has to be improved optimized. This is going to be the objective function for the Genetic Algorithm.
Finite Element Analysis of Stress Intensity Factors in the Cracking of Brittle Materials under Biaxial Loading
Authors: Ayas H. , Hamli Benzahar Hamid , Chabaat Mohamed
Published: April 2016

The present study evaluates the von Mises stress distribution around the crack tip and stress Intensity Factor (SIF) under biaxial mixed modes during the propagation of a crack interacting with two nearby circular inclusions. The finite element method is used for determination of stress intensity factors by ABAQUS software. The stress field and the SIF are determined for different crack’s length .A brittle material such as a glass having an equivalent elasticity modulus and a Poisson rain this research work. Besides, the proposed model is a rectangular specimen with an edge crack subjected to tensile stresses according to the modes (I & II) of rupture .Obtained results are compared and agreed with those determined by other researchers.
Improving Technological Process Performance by Using FMEA: A Study Case
Authors: Fechete Flavia , Nedelcu Anișor
Published: April 2016

This paper reports the description of FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis) methodology design and implementation in an industrial system, where it could be used as a tool to assure products quality, and as a mean to improve operational performance of the production cycle. The work was developed in a Romanian sugar factory, in co-operation with part of the internal staff, chosen as FMEA team members, and it was focused on the study of the crystal sugar lines. All the work done permits to increase company’s knowledge and the control of the capacity on processes and products. The FMEA methodology operated in different production phases allowed to study and analyse every single step of production cycle and to achieve an exhaustive knowledge and improvement of products and processes.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: Unusual Presentation of Rare Disease
Authors: Vu Duy , Reddy Srini , Day Lynn , Aydin Nail , Misra Subhasis
Published: April 2016

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare, benign disorder that typically follows a selflimiting natural course and was initially described in young females of Asian descent. Its clinical presentation may mimic lymphoproliferative disorders, connective tissue disorders, and chronic infections. This often leads to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. The exact cause of this condition remains unknown although autoimmune processes and certain infectious agents have been associated with the disease. The diagnosis of KFD is made histopathologically. Treatment is supportive and long-term follow-up is recommended due to increased risk of future development of systemic lupus erythematosus. Here we are presenting a case of a patient with an unusual presentation of KFD.
ОСДУ, управляемые многомерными мартингалами и их применения к моделированию рынков с издержками
Authors: Nie T , Rutkowski Marek
Published: April 2016

В работе получены результаты о корректной определенности и сравнении обратных стохастических дифференциальных уравнений (ОСДУ), управляемых одно- и многомерными мартингалами. С одной стороны, наш подход в значительной степени мотивирован результатами и методами, разработанными в [3] и [7]. С другой
стороны, наши результаты также мотивированы недавними достижениями в теории оценивания производных финансовых инструментов при наличии издержек на финансирование и предоставление залога. В работе доказана новая версия теорем сравнения для ОСДУ, управляемых многомерными мартингалами, которая применяется к оцениванию ОСДУ, изучавшихся в [1] и [25]-[27]. Получены результаты о существовании и единственности для односторонних цен и установлено существование безарбитражных границ для контрактов с залогом в случае, когдаинвест оры имеют ненулевые начальные капиталы.
Influence of tropical cyclones on tropospheric ozone: possible implications
Authors: Das Siddarth Shankar , Ratnam Madineni Venkat , Uma Kizhathur Narasimhan , Subrahmanyam Kandula Venkata , Girach Imran Asatar , Patra Amit Kumar , Aneesh Sundaresan , Suneeth Kuniyil Viswanathan , Kumar Karanam Kishore , Kesarkar Amit Parashuram , Sijikumar Sivarajan , Ramkumar Geetha
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The present study examines the role of tropical cyclones in the enhancement of tropospheric ozone. The most significant and new observation reported is the increase in the upper-tropospheric (10–16 km) ozone by 20–50 ppbv, which has extended down to the middle (6–10 km) and lower troposphere ( <  6 km). The descent rate of enhanced ozone layer during the passage of tropical cyclone is 0.8–1 km day−1, which is three times that of a clear-sky day (non-convective). Enhancement of surface ozone concentration by  ∼ 10 ppbv in the daytime and 10–15 ppbv in the night-time is observed during a cyclone. Potential vorticity, vertical velocity and potential temperature obtained from numerical simulation, reproduces the key feature of the observations. A simulation study indicates the downward transport of stratospheric air into the troposphere. Space-borne observations of relative humidity indicate the presence of sporadic dry air in the upper and middle troposphere over the cyclonic region. These observations quantitatively constitute experimental evidence of redistribution of stratospheric ozone during cyclonic storms.
The CAIRN method: Automated, reproducible calculation of catchment-averaged denudation rates from cosmogenic radionuclide concentrations
Authors: Mudd Simon Marius , Harel Marie-Alice , Hurst Martin D. , Grieve Stuart W. D. , Marrero Shasta M.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The use of cosmogenic radionuclides to calculate catchment-averaged denudation rates has become a widely adopted technique in the last two decades, yet the methodology varies between studies and is not always reproducible. We report a new program for calculating catchment-averaged denudation rates from cosmogenic radionuclide concentrations. The method (Catchment-Averaged denudatIon Rates from cosmogenic Nuclides: CAIRN) bundles previously reported production scaling and topographic shielding algorithms. In addition, it calculates production and shielding on a pixel-by-pixel basis. We explore the sampling frequency across both azimuth (Δθ) and altitude (Δφ) angles for topographic shielding and show that in high relief terrain a relatively high sampling frequency is required, with a good balance achieved between accuracy and computational expense at Δθ = 8° and Δφ = 5°. The method includes both internal and external uncertainty analysis, and is packaged in freely available software in order to facilitate easily reproducible denudation rate estimates. CAIRN calculates denudation rates but also automates catchment averaging of shielding and production, and thus can be used to provide reproducible input parameters for the CRONUS family of online calculators.
iCRESTRIGRS: A coupled modeling system for cascading flood-landslide disaster forecasting
Authors: Zhang Ke , Xue Xianwu , Hong Yang , Gourley Jonathan J. , Lu Ning , Wan Zhanming , Hong Zhen , Wooten Rick
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Severe storm-triggered floods and landslides are two major natural hazards in the U.S., causing property losses of $6 billion and approximately 110–160 fatalities per year nationwide. Moreover, floods and landslides often occur in a cascading manner, posing significant risk and leading to losses that are significantly greater than the sum of the losses from the individual hazards. It is pertinent to couple hydrological and geotechnical modelling processes toward an integrated flood-landslide cascading disaster early warning system for improved disaster preparedness and hazard management. In this study, we developed the iCRESTRIGRS model, a coupled flash flood and landslide disaster early warning system, by integrating the Coupled Routing and Excess STorage (CREST) model with the physically based Transient Rainfall Infiltration and Grid-Based Regional Slope-Stability (TRIGRS) landslide model. The iCRESTRIGRS system is evaluated in four river basins in western North Carolina that experienced a large number of floods, landslides and debris flows, triggered by heavy rainfall from Hurricane Ivan during September 16–18, 2004. The modelled hourly hydrographs at four USGS gauge stations show generally good agreement with the observations during the entire storm period. In terms of landslide prediction in this case study, the coupled model has a global accuracy of 89.5 % and a true positive rate of 50.6 %. More importantly, it shows an improved predictive capability for landslides relative to the stand-alone TRIGRS model. This study highlights the important physical connection between rainfall, hydrological processes and slope stability, and provides a useful prototype system for operational forecasting of flood and landslide.
Factors of subjective heat stress of urban citizens in contexts of everyday life
Authors: Kunz-Plapp Tina , Hackenbruch Julia , Schipper Janus Willem
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Heat waves and the consequent heat stress of urban populations have a growing relevance in urban risk management and strategies of urban adaptation to climate change. In this context, social science studies on subjective experiencing of heat as stress by urban citizens are a new emerging field. To contribute to the understanding of self-reported subjective heat stress and its major determinants in a daily life perspective, we conducted a questionnaire survey with 323 respondents in Karlsruhe, Germany, after heat waves in July and August 2013. Statistical data analysis showed that subjective heat stress is an issue permeating everyday activities. Subjective heat stress at home was lower than at work and in general. Subjective heat stress in general, at home, and at work was determined by the health impairments experienced during the heat and the feeling of being helplessly exposed to the heat. For subjective heat stress at home, characteristics of the residential building and the built environment additionally played a role. Although the rate of implemented coping measures was rather high, coping measures showed no uniform effect for the subjective heat stress. We conclude that in terms of urban adaptation strategies, further research is needed to understand how various processes of daily social (work) life enable or limit individual coping and that communication strategies are important for building capacities to better cope with future heat waves.
Brief communication: On direct impact probability of landslides on vehicles
Authors: Nicolet Pierrick , Jaboyedoff Michel , Cloutier Catherine , Crosta Giovanni B. , Lévy Sébastien
Published: April 2016

Abstract. When calculating the risk of railway or road users of being killed by a natural hazard, one has to calculate a temporal spatial probability, i.e. the probability of a vehicle being in the path of the falling mass when the mass falls, or the expected number of affected vehicles in case such of an event. To calculate this, different methods are used in the literature, and, most of the time, they consider only the dimensions of the falling mass or the dimensions of the vehicles. Some authors do however consider both dimensions at the same time, and the use of their approach is recommended. Finally, a method considering an impact on the front of the vehicle is discussed.
The effects of grazing on the spatial pattern of elm (Ulmus pumila L.) in the sparse woodland steppe of Horqin Sandy Land in northeastern China
Authors: Zhang M. , Wu J. , Tang Y.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of grazing on the formation of the spatial pattern of elm growth in a sparse woodland steppe. We used a point pattern method to analyze the elm trees within different diameter at breast height (DBH) classes in both grazed and fenced plots, which were established in Horqin Sandy Land of northeastern China. The results showed that, in the grazed plot, the distances where transformation between random and clustered patterns occurred in class 1 (10 cm  ≤  DBH  ≤  15 cm) and class 2 (15 cm  <  DBH  ≤  20 cm) were 2.27 and 2.37 m, respectively. Meanwhile, in the fenced plot, the distances between random and aggregated patterns that occurred in classes 1, 2 and 3 (DBH > 20 cm) were 3.13, 3.13 and 7.85 m, respectively. In the fenced plot, at distances larger than 67.72 m there was a negative association between classes 1 and 2, which was also the case between classes 2 and 3 and between classes 1 and 3 for distances greater than 104.09 and 128.54 m, respectively. Meanwhile, negative associations occurred only at distances larger than 29.38 m in the grazed plot. These findings suggest that grazing reduced the competition intensity between elm trees; and therefore, grazing management could be an effective strategy used to regulate the elm population in the degraded sandy land of northern China.
Disfiguring Socratic Irony
Authors: Detweiler Eric
Published: April 2016

This article pursues an antihermeneutic conception of Socratic irony that troubles the borders between pedagogical authority and humility. One of the most tenacious ways of troping the teacher-student relation, Socratic irony is often figured as a way for a masterful teacher to exercise authority over a student. Drawing on the writings of Søren Kierkegaard and Avital Ronell, this article repositions such irony as an uncontrollability in language itself—one that can humble and humiliate teacher and student alike. Via divergent readings of Plato's Gorgias and Aristophanes' Clouds, as well as Bruno Latour's interpretation of the former, I question how this approach to Socratic irony might re- and unwork rhetoricians' positions of mastery with regard to both students and systematized bodies of knowledge.
Hegelian Comedy
Authors: Donougho Martin
Published: April 2016

This article examines how rhetoric bears on Hegel's presentation of comedy. Although comedy succeeds tragedy in his catalogue of “romantic” arts, Hegel says little about it, a paradox mirrored in the secondary literature. Moreover, while Hegel's dialectic attests to his education in rhetoric in its staging of the multivalent image and its tracking of ironic, chiastic reversal of significance, the Aesthetics downplays any such performative element. I note Hegel's praise of Aristophanes, at odds with the dominant line of New Comedy: following the romantics, Hegel foregrounds human subjectivity in both action represented and audience reception. I summarize his position and then contrast its thematic bias with the Phenomenology's attention to form and pragmatics. Comedic discovery of self in “Art-religion” (chapter 7) prefigures self-presentation in the philosophical Idea, and confirms Hayden White's filing of Hegelian historiography under comedy. Anticipating Bergson, Hegel locates comedy on the margin between art and life, as philosophical regard merges with its object.
O uso do Facebook como ferramenta para o compartilhamento de atividades pedagógicas: uma experiência em uma escola pública de educação infantil
Authors: Marin Bernardi Priscila , De Avila e Silva Scheila
Published: April 2016

Introdução: A disseminação e incorporação de mídias sociais no cotidiano levanta a questão de seu uso como ferramentas de apoio pedagógico. Deste modo, o presente trabalho descreve uma reflexão sobre o tema tendo como base uma experiência de utilização da mídia social Facebook como mecanismo de compartilhamento de atividades pedagógicas em uma escola pública de educação infantil. Este trabalho teve como objetivo investigar o significado do compartilhamento de informações nos indivíduos desta comunidade escolar. Método: Utilizou-se análise qualitativa dos dados derivados de entrevistas e de relatos escritos pelos participantes. Resultados: O projeto envolveu todos os integrantes da comunidade escolar: professores, funcionários e responsáveis pelos alunos e, após um ano de utilização da mídia social, foram realizadas 26 postagens na página da escola e 31 no grupo secreto, aproximadamente. Os participantes internos da escola relataram benefício no fluxo de informações, enquanto que os membros externos da comunidade escolar descrevem os benefícios de acompanhar a rotina das crianças. Conclusão: Os relatos apontam para a aceitação da ferramenta tanto pelos colaboradores da instituição, quanto pela comunidade externa. Assim, percebe-se que há uma potencialidade de se  aprimorar a prática docente, além dos benefícios da utilização desta mídia social na comunicação da escola com a comunidade externa.
El Personal Learning Environment en el proceso de aprendizaje de estudiantes de nivelación: un caso en la Universidad de Guayaquil/Ecuador
Authors: Aráuz Arroyo Oswaldo , Figueroa Lizarzaburu Annabelle Estefanía
Published: April 2016

Introdução: O objetivo desta pesquisa é identificar as vantagens comunicativas e de aprendizagem de ensino na implementação de um modelo inovador de treinamento para nivelar os estudantes da Universidade de Guayaquil, ou seja, a criação e desenvolvimento de um Ambiente de Aprendizagem Pessoal (PLE) como um projeto de sala de aula. Método: Para este estudo de caso considerou-se uma abordagem mista realizada em quatro fases: (a) Socialização conceito de PLE, (b) Desenvolvimento de PLE pelos alunos e comentários dos colegas em um blog criado para este fim, (c) Avaliação do PLE desenvolvido por alunos e (d) Levantamento para medir o nível de satisfação e motivação obtidas pelos estudantes. Resultados: Os resultados permitiram a percepção de um altos níveis de satisfação, comprometimento e interesse desenvolvidas pelos alunos quando da implementação do PLE como um projeto de sala de aula. Foi possível a considerar essa estratégia educacional como uma prática inovadora que lhes permitiu descobrir novas habilidades e melhorar os seus níveis de interação e colaboração entre pares. Conclusões: O desenvolvimento do PLE como um projeto de sala de aula resultou ser uma experiência motivadora e gratificante para os alunos, enriquecendo o seu conhecimento sobre as TIC, bem como, desenvolvendo sua criatividade e também contribuindo significativamente para seu processo de aprendizagem.
Expediente V4N2
Authors: AtoZ Comitê Editorial
Published: April 2016

informações sobre a elaboração do respectivo número
A Single Centre Retrospective Analysis of Toxicity, Prognostication and Oncological Outcomes in Clinical Stage One Seminoma Treated with Carboplatin
Authors: Kelly Deirdre , Buckley John , Watson Geoffrey , Carney Desmond , Mc Caffrey John
Published: April 2016

Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the clinical role and side effect profile of adjuvant carboplatin in patients with clinical stage one seminoma. Methods: Twenty four patients with stage one seminoma who were treated with carboplatin were assessed retrospectively. Result: 54% (13/24) of patients experienced no acute toxicities with carboplatin.17%(8/24) had grade 1 myelosupression, 8% (2/24)had fatigue and 4%(1/24) had epididymo-orchitis.In terms of long-term toxicities due to carboplatin; 67% (15/24) were well at follow up,13% (3/24) had gastrointestinal toxicity,8% (2/24) had pulmonary changes ,4% (1/24)had grade two fatigue,4%(1/24) had a cardiac event and 4%(1/24) had erectile dysfunction.17% (4/24)had high risk histologic features with a tumour size greater than 4 cm and rete testis involvement.4% (1/24) patient had recurrent disease. 4% (1/24) patient had a second malignancy. All patients were alive at follow up. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that carboplatin is a safe and well tolerated alternative to Active Surveillance in a selected group of patients.
A Seamless Learning Design for Mobile Assisted Language Learning: An Iranian Context
Authors: Foomani Elham Mohammadi , Hedayati Mohsen
Published: April 2016

Recent developments in information communication technology (ICT) have resulted in a paradigm shift in e-Learning and there is a growing interest in developing design-based research (DBR) focusing on learners and their involvement in knowledge sharing in a contextualized mode. The present study reports a mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) design with a focus on contextualized student-created content having a seamless learning approach. The students in this study (N= 24) used their mobile devices to take photos and create artifacts to represent English idioms and share them on Padlets with their peers for further discussion and feedback. In the first four weeks of the study, students were taught English idioms and in the following next two weeks they created and shared their own artifacts to represent the learnt idioms. The post-study reflections and results of the interviews and obtained from students and the teacher at the end of study revealed that they favor and support greater learner autonomy achieved by learner-generated context (LGC) which bridges the in-classroom and out-of-classroom learning. The article also highlights the necessity of reconceptualization of teachers and students’ perceptions of mobile use in language learning in Iran.
Factors Stimulating Social Innovation in Entrepreneurship: An Empirical Evidence of Inter-Organizational Alliances in Italy
Authors: Zollo Lamberto , Rialti Riccardo , Ciappei Cristiano , Pellegrini Massimiliano M.
Published: April 2016

This article will focus on the meaning of social innovation, which could represent the tipping point of the modern entrepreneurship phenomenon, allowing it to reach a larger scale and increase its social benefits. After having described the definition of social entrepreneurship and how it may be influenced by inter-organizational social arrangements, we will analyze the Italian scenario, which is particularly significant for investigating inter-organizational alliances and their social outcomes. Specifically, the focus will be on inter-organizational alliances in the Region of Tuscany, underlining how the Third Sector is capable of creating both direct and indirect effects on social innovation, thus becoming a possible turning point for modern societal evolution. Consequently, the article will conclude with theoretical propositions concerning the direct and indirect effects that inter-organizational alliances have on social entrepreneurship, thus emphasizing the positive outcomes that such interactions have both on the financial equilibrium of the organizations and on their organizational structure.
The Antecedents of Women Leadership in SMEs: The Malaysian Senior Female Managerial Perspective
Authors: Husain Rohani Binti Mohamad , Xiao Xiao Li
Published: April 2016

Leadership emphasis on leader abilities, personality traits, influence of relationships, cognitive versus emotional orientation and individual versus collective interests (Deanne & Hartog, 2001).With the accelerate development of human civilization, women began playing indispensable leading roles in different social realm, particularly in business, society and political area. With women began playing increasing significant leading roles currently, it raised the influence of women’s leadership in organization.
In this study, through the full research of female leaders and the influential factors of women leadership, by analysing the of female leaders and through the deep assessment of women leadership, it summarized the existing achievements made by female leaders, pointed out the common problem existed in women leadership as well, and found out the relationship between leadership effectiveness of female leaders and women leadership. In general, this study summed up the dimensions of leadership effectiveness of female leaders, then concluded how these dimensions influenced on female leaders in middle management level. This research will be conducted on the basis of women senior managers in SMEs in Kuala Lumpur.
The Customer Satisfaction Status towards Core Governmental Services in Malaysia
Authors: Selvanathan Mahiswaran , Selladurai Sugumaran , Gill Sarjit S. , Kunasekaran Puvaneswaran , Jun Tan Pei
Published: April 2016

This present study examines the level of customer satisfaction of three government agencies Royal Malaysian Police (RMP), National Registration Department (NRD), and the Public Works Department (PWD) in Malaysia. Studies on these three government agencies were conducted in Selangor, Johor, Perak, and Pulau Pinang since these agencies in these states received the highest complaint from consumers. A total of 270 employees and 627 customers from these three agencies of the four states were the respondents of the present study. Results showed customers are not satisfied with the services given by the government agencies (RMP, NRD, and PWD). Therefore, efforts to improve employee’s attitudes, and more reforms in the areas of work should be continued by the Government of Malaysia in government agencies in order to maintain the excellent work.
Organizational Agility: The Key to Organizational Success
Authors: Wageeh Nafei A.
Published: April 2016

Background: In the current turbulent and highly competitive environment of today, OA, that is the ability of organizations to quickly sense and respond to environmental changes, is an important determinant of organization success.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to identify the types of OA (sensing agility, decision-making agility and acting agility) and its role in promoting Organizational Success (OS) of the employees at Menoufia University Hospitals in Egypt.

Research Design/Methodology: To assess positive OA, refer to (OA questionnaire, Jaworski & Kohli, 1993) and OS (OS questionnaire Simon et al., 2011). The data of the study was collected from the employees at Menoufia University Hospitals in Egypt. Out of the 338 questionnaires that were distributed to employees, 285 usable questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 84%. Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) was used to confirm the research hypotheses.

Findings: The researcher has found that the study subjects do agree that OA directly affects the dimensions of OS of the employees at Menoufia University Hospitals in Egypt.

Practical implications: This research helps to stimulate scientific research, particularly in terms of testing the model content, as well as studying the study variables and the factors affecting them. In addition, this research pointed to the need for organizations to practice OA in order to be able to meet contemporary intense competition, as this trend is to play an important role in enhancing OS.
Originality/value: This research dealt with OA in terms of its concept and dimensions, in addition to dealing with the role of OA in promoting OS at Menoufia University Hospitals in Egypt.