bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cloud Computing and K-12 School IT Infrastructure in Western Canada: From Challenges to Opportunities
Authors: Holowka Peter 
Published: March 2018

This paper is based on the findings of an exhaustive study of all 75 large K-12 districts in Canada's three western-most provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. This study encompassed over 1.1 million students and a geographical area of 2,258,483 square kilometers. Facilitating teaching and learning activities for so many students across such a large territory, with diverse provincial regulations, is an impressive feat achieved by the information technology leaders of the K-12 school districts. Multiple case study analysis, followed by correlation analysis, were used to explore the nature of IT infrastructure and cloud computing use in Western Canada. A data transformation model mixed methods triangulation design methodology was used. This paper discusses the strategies used in Western Canada to deliver educational technology resources through to students, teachers, parents, and district staff. The findings of this study are that cloud computing is the primary IT infrastructure in Western Canadian K-12 education. All school districts in the three provinces studied use cloud computing for some aspects of their infrastructure. In instances where cloud computing infrastructure is not used, school-level LAN and server infrastructure is used. In addition to being an alternative to cloud computing, the rare instances of school-level server use are either to supplement or complement a district’s centralized cloud computing infrastructure, with cloud computing infrastructure existing in parallel.
Evaluation of breath alcohol analysers by comparison of breath and blood alcohol concentrations
Authors: Jurič Andreja , Fijačko Andrija , Bakulić Lana , Orešić Tanja , Gmajnički Ines 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
The main goal of this study was to determine the reliability of hand-held breath alcohol analysers currently approved for roadside screening of traffic offenders. The first part of the study included a retrospective data analysis of 714 offence records collected in 2011. Blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) obtained from the offenders 0-303 min after the police had screened them for breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) were back-calculated (cBAC) to assess the accuracy of breathalyser screening. All participants were in the alcohol elimination phase, and our analyses did not reveal any significant differences between cBAC and BrAC. To verify our findings, we performed a controlled drinking study that involved 63 healthy volunteers who consumed alcoholic beverages to simulate real drinking conditions. Immediately after alcohol consumption, BrAC was determined with a Dräger breath alcohol analyser model 6810, and 29 participants gave blood and urine sample for concomitant BAC analysis one hour later. BAC and urine alcohol concentrations were determined with headspace gas chromatography. Again, we found no significant differences between BrAC and BAC. These results confirmed the high reliability of breath alcohol analysers for measuring BrAC as long as police officers perform the measurements according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Role of gene polymorphisms in vitamin D metabolism and in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Elkama Aylin , Karahalil Bensu 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in neurological impairment and disability. There is evidence that adequate vitamin D levels may lower the risk of MS development. The aetiology of MS is complex and involves both genetic and environmental factors. In fact, not one but several genes are believed to lead to the disease. As for environmental factors, one of the most important risk factors is vitamin D deficiency, which, in turn, is closely related to gene polymorphisms that play a role in vitamin D metabolism and regulation. However, information about these gene polymorphisms is quite contradictory. The aim of this review is to discuss the association between some of the vitamin D-related gene variants and MS.
Pre-Service Visual Arts Teachers’ Perceptions of Their Experiences of School Practice: A Case of National Teachers College in Uganda
Authors: Julius Ssegantebuka 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to describe and analyse the second year pre-service visual arts teachers’ perceptions of their experiences of school practice. School practice is a fundamental facet of all teacher preparation that strengthens one’s teaching competencies. Pre-service visual arts teachers in National Teacher Colleges (NTCs) in Uganda are trained as generalist on a two-year diploma program, leading to an award of a diploma in secondary education (DSE). During the entire training pre-service visual arts teachers are exposed to twelve weeks of school practice of which six weeks are done in year one and the remaining six weeks of school practice are done in their final second year. The study followed a quantitative research design where a self constructed questionnaire was administered to fifty pre-service visual arts teachers in one of the NTCs. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data collected through the questionnaires. Although the research revealed that pre-service visual arts teachers were satisfied with the general prior preparations for the actual teaching, they needed urgent support in using of a number of assessment strategies; accessing and using tools; selecting and using the most appropriate teaching methods and creating an effective learning environment. It was recommended that NTCs expose pre-service visual arts teachers to the ideal school environment that equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills needed for effective teaching and adaptive skills for any teaching context while still at teacher colleges.
Understanding Health Exposures and Vulnerabilities of Women Workers and their Work Changes
Authors: Mohanty Sukanya 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
The paper looks at employment shifts of women construction and domestic workers and explores whether social and economic factors as well as processes are adequate in explaining and understanding the reason of health for work changes. It uses the gender model of social determinants of health to explore how women workers differed on the basis of exposures. This paper uses the case studies data of 33 respondents who were purposively selected on the basis of reasons cited for work change from a larger survey sample. The study was conducted in slums of Cuttack city, in Odisha state of India from June 2014 to February 2015.It was found that women’s health exposures were psychosocial and physical in form, wherein both affected each other. Exposures occurred on a daily as well as episode basis. Structural and community level factors of women’s work, living and diet conditions, access of health care and family support were found crucial for her health besides the individual level wherein her predisposition and age factor mattered. Class, gender, age, family support and state support were the reasons of differential experiences of exposures to conditions and vulnerabilities that affected women’s health. Gendered social determinants of health (SDH) along with life course approach helps understand accumulation of health risks over time through the exposures and vulnerabilities as lack of time for recovery, lack of compensation during work loss and challenges of accessing health care invariably led to accumulation of health issues.
Widening the Scope and Scale of Sustainability Assessments in Built Environments: From Passive House to Active Neighbourhood
Authors: Verovsek Spela , Juvancic Matevz , Zupancic Tadeja 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
The paper provide an insight into the research conducted by the University of Ljubljana, and the Urban institute of Slovenia committed to the assessment of the efficiency related to the management of local resources at the level of neighbourhoods. The reduction of energy consumption and energy efficient built environments are key objectives of many sustainability agendas which is followed by suitable assessment methods in urban analytics. However, there are two important hesitations occurring: first, traditional assessment methods that focus solely on the energy reduction and efficiency are often too narrow in their analysis and limited in their scope of impact. According to the recent advances in research worldwide, efforts solely related to reduction of energy consumption will unlikely lead to more responsive environments or rise the living quality. Thus, more comprehensive methodologies for assessing and monitoring the change and transformation in built environments shall be sought for to reach long-term sustainability. Second, to date, the majority of the evaluation methods - whether focusing to energy consumption or broader sustainability issues - are building- or household- oriented, thus systematically examining separate spatial and social entities, but neglecting the spaces between, the holistic aspect and the community aspect. The research develops structured evaluation model, where two main research pillars are addressed: 1) the development of the structured and modular system of indicators; and 2) the development of the methodology to interpret the resulting values. The paper presents first two stages of the research process and subjects the outcomes to the debate.
Definiteness and Indefiniteness of Nouns in English and Albanian: A Contrastive Analysis
Authors: Çanta Agnesa 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Different languages have different ways of indicating the definiteness and indefiniteness of nouns. In English, as in most languages, the category of definiteness and indefiniteness is not a grammatical category of nouns. It is rather a semantic category that is mainly conveyed by means of two articles: the definite article the and the indefinite article a/an. In Albanian, on the other hand, the category of definiteness and indefiniteness is a grammatical category realised mainly by case endings and the indefinite article një (a/an) which, along with the case endings, is used to indicate only the indefiniteness, as the definiteness relies exclusively on case endings. The main purpose of this paper was to indicate that, in spite of the difference in the ways they express the definiteness and indefiniteness which account for some of their functional differences, definite and indefinite nouns in English and Albanian also show some similarities. The contrastive analysis indicates that the definite nouns in English and Albanian share their main functions, namely the specific reference and the generic reference, although they do not certainly share the cataphoric reference, whereas the indefinite nouns share the descriptive, classifying, and categorising function as well as the numerical function, but they do not share the generic function.
Successful and Efficient Knowledge Management in the Greek Hospitality Industry: Change the Perspective!
Authors: Dimitrios Belias , Ioannis Rossidis , Efstathios Velissariou , Christos Amoiradis , Dimitrios Tsiotas , Labros Sdrolias 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
In a constantly evolving world, new devices and technologies are incorporating. Organizations should follow the technological changes of the rest of the world if they want to keep up. Standards that were valid few years ago are no longer valid. In this new age knowledge has surpassed other traditional factors, such land, labor and capital. This paper approaches the historical evolution of knowledge, as well as the reasons that have made it an influential factor for organizations wishing to survive, using the tourist industry by way of an example. Furthermore, this paper explores how knowledge management can become a useful tool in the process of leveraging a tourist organization. Knowledge Management is a relatively new concept. Nevertheless, it has become a very popular term, which is increasingly used nowadays. Knowledge management focuses on organizational change under specialized guidance. The paper aims to analyze contemporary literature review in order to enhance the apprehension of how knowledge can become a useful tool not only to overcome crisis but also to contribute to the creation of new ideas and innovations. The paper seems to agree with Mantas (2016)’s view that knowledge management can become a tool to overcome the crisis and also to create innovative ideas which will contribute to the further development of tourism. The research outcome indicates that Organizations will be strongly benefited by such an approach.
The International Public Procurement Evolution: New Strategic Challenges Met in Collaboration with Internal Audit Advisory Services
Authors: Baltos Georgios , Doni Leonardo , Balodis Janis 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
This study identifies and evaluates some of the major procurement issues met currently by international organizations both in private and public sectors. It deals with strategic procurement decision-making like outsourcing and market globalization, concessions set up, business continuity and contracting typology transformations. Such dynamic changes are deployed in a context of increased concern about the application of liberal procurement principles, which drive towards a series of improvements at the procedures and documentation level. The authors relate this evolution with the Internal Audit consulting perspective, which is still a recent endeavor, but in progress and dynamically expanding. European Union and related Agencies and Institutions are usually spearheading towards this direction offering lessons learned for further consideration.
Superluminous Devices Versus Low-Level Laser for Temporomandibular Disorders
Authors: Sveshtarov Vasil , Nencheva-Sveshtarova S. , Grozdanova R. , Prodanova K. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
The aim of this study is to compare the pain intensity reduction between the mean radiation doses per session of gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAIAs) laser with superluminous diodes (SLD) in four of the most common pain-related chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMD) - local myalgia, myofascial pain, myofascial pain with a referral, and arthralgia. This study was implemented on 124 patients with pain-related temporomandibular disorders according to the DC/TMD criteria. We applied trigger point oriented near-infrared laser (785 nm, 100 s, 8 J/cm2) and SLD cluster sessions (the cluster is composed of 49 SLDs with a combination of visible red (633 nm) and infrared (880 nm) diodes, 200 mW, 300 s, 8 J/cm2) for the temporomandibular joints and the affected muscles. Patients were evaluated at the start of the treatment, and after the 6th session of combined phototherapy. The pain intensity scores were measured according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Our results show that the most statistically manifested pain reduction is found for the SLD dose, р = 0,000118, followed by the overall dose (laser plus SLD); р = 0,001031, and the laser dose; р = 0,030942 (ANOVA dispersion analyses). Consequently, it can be concluded that myalgia is better treated through lower doses of red light compared to infrared laser doses because SLDs combine the prooxidative effect of photons with 633 nm wavelength, a large area of exposure, sufficient tissue penetration, and some positive warming thermal impact of the SLD clusters.
Minimal positive realizations of linear continuous-time fractional descriptor systems: Two cases of an input-output digraph structure
Authors: Markowski Konrad Andrzej 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
In the last two decades, fractional calculus has become a subject of great interest in various areas of physics, biology, economics and other sciences. The idea of such a generalization was mentioned by Leibniz and L’Hospital. Fractional calculus has been found to be a very useful tool for modeling linear systems. In this paper, a method for computation of a set of a minimal positive realization of a given transfer function of linear fractional continuous-time descriptor systems has been presented. The proposed method is based on digraph theory. Also, two cases of a possible input-output digraph structure are investigated and discussed. It should be noted that a digraph mask is introduced and used for the first time to solve a minimal positive realization problem. For the presented method, an algorithm was also constructed. The proposed solution allows minimal digraph construction for any one-dimensional fractional positive system. The proposed method is discussed and illustrated in detail with some numerical examples.
Active fault tolerance control of a wind turbine system using an unknown input observer with an actuator fault
Authors: Li Shanzhi , Wang Haoping , Aitouche Abdel , Tian Yang , Christov Nicolai 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
This paper proposes a fault tolerant control scheme based on an unknown input observer for a wind turbine system subject to an actuator fault and disturbance. Firstly, an unknown input observer for state estimation and fault detection using a linear parameter varying model is developed. By solving linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and linear matrix equalities (LMEs), the gains of the unknown input observer are obtained. The convergence of the unknown input observer is also analysed with Lyapunov theory. Secondly, using fault estimation, an active fault tolerant controller is applied to a wind turbine system. Finally, a simulation of a wind turbine benchmark with an actuator fault is tested for the proposed method. The simulation results indicate that the proposed FTC scheme is efficient.
Multi-layer health-aware economic predictive control of a pasteurization pilot plant
Authors: Pour Fatemeh Karimi , Puig Vicenç , Ocampo-Martinez Carlos 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
This paper proposes two different health-aware economic predictive control strategies that aim at minimizing the damage of components in a pasteurization plant. The damage is assessed with a rainflow-counting algorithm that allows estimating the components’ fatigue. By using the results obtained from this algorithm, a simplified model that characterizes the health of the system is developed and integrated into the predictive controller. The overall control objective is modified by adding an extra criterion that takes into account the accumulated damage. The first strategy is a single-layer predictive controller with an integral action to eliminate the steady-state error that appears when adding the extra criterion. In order to achieve the best minimal accumulated damage and operational costs, the single-layer approach is improved with a multi-layer control scheme, where the solution of the dynamic optimization problem is obtained from the model in two different time scales. Finally, to achieve the advisable trade-off between minimal accumulated damage and operational costs, both control strategies are compared in simulation over a utility-scale pasteurization plant.
Boundary controllability of nonlinear stochastic fractional systems in Hilbert spaces
Authors: Lizzy Rajendran Mabel , Balachandran Krishnan 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Sufficient conditions for the controllability of nonlinear stochastic fractional boundary control systems are established. The equivalent integral equations are derived for both linear and nonlinear systems, and the control function is given in terms of the pseudoinverse operator. The Banach contraction mapping theorem is used to obtain the result. A controllability result for nonlinear stochastic fractional integrodifferential systems is also attained. Examples are included to illustrate the theory.
Bobillier Formula for the Elliptical Harmonic Motion
Authors: Dundar Furkan Semih , Ersoy Soley , Pereira Nuno T. Sá 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
In this study, we have considered the elliptical harmonic motion which is the superposition of two simple harmonic motions in perpendicular directions with the same angular frequency and phase difference of π/2 . It is commonly recognized that a convenient formulation for problems in planar kinematics is obtained by using number systems. Here the elliptical numbers are used to derive the Bobillier formula with two different methods for aforesaid motion; the first method depends on the Euler-Savary formula and the second one uses the usual relations of the velocities and accelerations.
Managed Play: The Media’s Impact on Play in the Australian Football League
Authors: Duncan Samuel Keith 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
No industry has influenced the transformation of the Australian Football League (AFL) into a professional, commercial business more than the media. Today, the AFL players are paid more than ever and are used as marketing tools to promote and sell the game, often to new fans in new markets of Australia - namely New South Wales and Queensland - who haven’t traditionally played Australian Football, preferring the rugby codes instead. But perhaps the biggest change in the AFL is that the play element is now used as function of business. Put simply, winning leads to more money. As such, the play element is now manipulated more than ever. The game has more coaches implementing more tactics, strategies, game plans and set plays than ever before. These changes can be linked back to the media’s influence on the game. This paper utilises the combined observations and theories of Johan Huizinga and Pierre Bourdieu to create a theoretical lens through which we can understand the media’s growing influence in sport and its impact on play’s transformation. The theory will then be expounded through an extensive analysis of the media’s influence in the AFL, particularly its play element. This analysis will be supported with insights and views from AFL fans, members, commentators and theorists.
Effect of Social Intelligence on OCB and EB, with Effect on Social Capital as a Mediating Variable, in a Sport Organization in Iran
Authors: Mirsafian Hamidreza 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
This study aimed to measure the effect of social intelligence on organizational citizenship behavior and entrepreneurial behaviors among staff members in a sport organization in Iran, with the effect on social capital as a mediating variable. The method of this study was survey, and 205 staff members were selected using stratified random sampling. The instrument in this study included four standard questionnaires measuring social intelligence (Silvera, Martinussen & Dahl, 2001), social capital (Nahapiet & Ghoshal, 1998), OCB (Organ, 1988), and EB (Mirsafian & Salimi, 2016). The data was analyzed by employing SPSS and AMOS Graphics software. The results indicated that the staff’s social intelligence had a direct effect on improving the social capital of the organization (β = 0.63). Also, social capital had a direct effect on increasing the staff’s OCB (β = 0.20) and EB (β = 0.25). Furthermore, the staff’s social intelligence had an indirect effect on increasing the social capital and improved their OCB (β = 0.51) and EB (β = 0.44). Hence, trying to increase the staff’s social intelligence in sport organizations in Iran led to improving the staff’s extra role behaviors as well as entrepreneurial behaviors at the organization, in addition to the effect of increasing the social capital in those organizations.