bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The South African e‐Retail Change Agenda: A Curriculum Development Perspective
Authors: Alexander Bennett , Mason Roger 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study provides a broad overview of e‐Retail implementation and its impact on skills development within the South African retail sector. The study interrogates the readiness of the South African retail sector for e‐Retail on the basis of a selection of technology, marketing, operations and business imperatives; and provides in particular a predictive analysis of the technical skills requirement to sustain a viable e‐Retail industry in the country. In this regard, a set of salient e‐Retail functions, skills and services are identified that pragmatically define a set of baseline competencies for implementation. Furthermore, a proposed framework for a professional qualification in e‐Retail Management is provided as a possible Higher Education curriculum intervention.The study deploys a Design Science Research approach that informs the design and construction of various knowledge artefacts that describe the South African e‐Retail experience and aspirations by highlighting salient aspects relating to (1) traditional versus e‐Retail, (2) global e‐Retail trends, (3) e‐Retail technologies and platforms, and (4) e‐Retail training imperatives. The research furthermore elucidates the environment for e‐Retail deployment in South Africa with respect to e‐Retail functions, services and job skills requirements and prospects of e‐Retail as a career. The research methodology deployed in the study centres around the establishment of a change agenda for e‐Retail within the South African landscape.The study identified a comprehensive suite of key and breaking technologies that inform the successful implementation of e‐Retail in South Africa. The study also uncovered essential business process elements that are required to drive the change agenda for e‐Retail in South Africa. In this regards the study draws from salient international case studies as well as relevant national case studies. The study makes significant knowledge contributions with respect to the delineation of salient issues to be addressed with regard to the practical implementation of e‐Retail in South Africa. The study makes a novel methodological contribution by deploying a Design Science approach to establish the process logic for the research and a Critical Interpretivist approach of information synthesis. This strategy allowed the research to be both suggestive of, and receptive to, opportunities and challenges within a complex environment of change and transformation. However, the nature and limitations of the data gathering process places a practical limitation on the value of the research in that generalised conclusions are not possible and information is relevant only for the purpose and within the context that it was mined.
Influence of Perception and Quality of ICT‐Based Agricultural Input Information on Use of ICTs by Farmers in Developing Countries: Case of Sikasso in Mali
Authors: Kante Macire , Oboko Robert , Chepken Christopher 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSmall‐scale cereal farmers dominate agricultural activities in developing countries. These agricultural activities are characterized by low productivity due to lack of agricultural input information. This lack is restrained by the low use of ICTs caused by some factors such as the farmers' perception of ICTs and the ICTs' delivered information quality. We investigated these factors and their effects on ICTs' use by small‐scale cereal farmers in developing countries. Sikasso region in Mali was selected as a case. A convenient sample size of 300 cereal farmers was selected. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling technique was used to analyse the data. The results suggested that the perception i.e. relative advantage, compatibility and simplicity and the delivered information quality were able to explain 77.9% of the variance in the Use of ICTs to access and use agricultural input information. From these results, it is important to take the Relative Advantage, Compatibility, Simplicity and Information Quality as the main factors determining the use of ICTs in developing countries in the cereal production context. A further line of inquiry could be to gather data from other developing countries to validate or find out more factors in such settings.
The Use of the Mobile Phone for Religious Mobilization in Niger Republic
Authors: Alzouma Gado 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWhile many scholars have studied the ways in which the Internet and online social networks are shaping contemporary religious practices and how new information and communication technologies are supporting networked forms of religious activism, only a few have analyzed the relationships between religion and the use of the mobile phone in African countries. However, in Africa as elsewhere, mobile phones are influencing the everyday practices of religion in multiple ways that are not simply anecdotal but affect beliefs and behaviors and raise ethical concerns among believers. In some cases (e.g., divorce, Qur'an verses, ringtones, prayer disruption), religious authorities have been obliged to draw up rules and provide guidance to the faithful. This article seeks to identify the opportunities offered and the challenges posed to religion by the introduction of mobile phones in Niamey, the capital‐city of Niger Republic. It specifically examines how believers are using this device to mobilize co‐religionists, to maintain religious ties and religious faith, as well as how they are coping with the challenges and seeking to resolve related issues. The article argues that the mobile phone is helping mediate in new ways and in a new context the religious norms and behaviors that have always guided Muslim communities. In other words, the advent of the mobile phone offers new opportunities but also poses new challenges to believers who strive to cope with this new phenomenon by inventing new ways to integrate the device into everyday practices. The article is based on semi‐structured interviews carried out in June, July, and August 2009 in Niger's capital city, Niamey, with ordinary Nigerien Muslims. It combines qualitative data obtained through interviews and observation with demographic statistics and survey results to describe the role the mobile phone plays in the current evolution of Islam in Niger.
Actor‐Network Theory to Depict Context‐Sensitive M‐Learning Readiness in Higher Education
Authors: Paledi Victor N. , Alexander Patricia M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study has taken a relatively unusual approach to assessing technology readiness within a higher educational institution by using Actor Network Theory (ANT) as a lens instead of the more common adoption models and indices. The study sets out to identify the key actors within an actor network and to describe how these actors are recruited during the problematisation stage of building the actor network. The actors were identified by means of the input from three groups participating in this study, namely the students, lecturers and non‐academic staff members. The paper then goes on to explain how the actors influence one another to become and remain m‐Learning ready. This influence is described in terms of attributes found as part of the inscription process. The construction and stabilization of the naturally dynamic actor network is intended to achieve a common goal, in this case, to use mobile learning effectively within South African higher educational institutions. The study contributes practically as an analytical process is demonstrated and that this could be used as a guide for future m‐Learning readiness studies with the existing findings being used as a reference point. Once the actors are identified, their participation in the project and the extent to which they are aligned in terms of the attributes can be used to assess the readiness of the institution to use m‐Learning. Theoretically, this paper provides evidence that sociological theories such as ANT can be used to complement traditional technology readiness, adoption and use models.
Association of PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism with liver steatosis but not with cirrhosis in patients with HBV infection: Systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: Ghalamkari Saman , Sharafi Heidar , Alavian Seyed Moayed 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide health issue and is well known for being the main cause of developing secondary liver complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism has been investigated conclusively with occurrence risk of steatosis and cirrhosis. Therefore, performing a meta‐analysis of the available studies with the aim of clarifying the association between rs738409 and occurrence risk of steatosis and cirrhosis among HBV‐infected patients would be helpful.MethodsChronic HBV infection was defined as the persistence of HBsAg for more than 6 months. To gather sufficient data for this meta‐analysis, reliable databases were conclusively searched using appropriate keywords. Only studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the present study.ResultsThis meta‐analysis pooled four studies with 1135 cases of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) to evaluate the impact of PNPLA3 SNP on liver steatosis and also pooled five studies with 3713 cases of CHB to evaluate the impact of PNPLA3 SNP on cirrhosis. The association of rs738409 with each complication was investigated. The rs738409 was found to be associated with steatosis in recessive [p = 4.57 × 10–6, odds ratio (OR) = 2.85], dominant (p = 4.35 × 10‐6, OR = 1.84), co‐dominant (p = 6.18 × 10‐8; OR = 3.74) and allelic (p = 9.79 × 10‐9; OR = 1.78) models. No association was found between rs738409 and cirrhosis development in recessive (p = 0.99, OR = 1.00), dominant (p = 0.30, OR = 0.92), co‐dominant (p = 0.74; OR = 0.96) and allelic (p = 0.45; OR = 0.96) models.ConclusionsAlthough the PNPLA3 rs738409 G allele has been associated with the risk of steatosis in CHB patients, no association between this polymorphism and the risk of cirrhosis was seen.
Inorganic light‐emitting diode displays using micro‐transfer printing
Authors: Cok Ronald S. , Meitl Matthew , Rotzoll Robert , Melnik George , Fecioru Alin , Trindade Antonio Jose , Raymond Brook , Bonafede Salvatore , Gomez David , Moore Tanya , Prevatte Carl , Radauscher Erich , Goodwin Scott , Hines Paul , Bower Christopher A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractLarge quantities of microscopic red, green, and blue light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) made of crystalline inorganic semiconductor materials micro‐transfer printed in large quantities onto rigid or flexible substrates form monochrome and color displays having a wide range of sizes and interesting properties. Transfer‐printed micro‐LED displays promise excellent environmental robustness, brightness, spatial resolution, and efficiency. Passive‐matrix and active‐matrix inorganic LED displays were constructed, operated, and their attributes measured. Tests demonstrate that inorganic micro‐LED displays have outstanding color, viewing angle, and transparency. Yield improvement techniques include redundancy, physical repair, and electronic correction. Micro‐transfer printing enables revolutionary manufacturing strategies in which microscale LEDs are first assembled into miniaturized micro‐system “light engines,” and then micro‐transfer printed and interconnected directly to metallized large‐format panels. This paper reviews micro‐transfer printing technology for micro‐LED displays.
Improved adductor function after canine recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and repair using muscle progenitor cells
Authors: Paniello Randal C. , Brookes Sarah , Bhatt Neel K. , Bijangi‐Vishehsaraei Khadijeh , Zhang Hongji , Halum Stacey 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveMuscle progenitor cells (MPCs) can be isolated from muscle samples and grown to a critical mass in culture. They have been shown to survive and integrate when implanted into rat laryngeal muscles. In this study, the ability of MPC implants to enhance adductor function of reinnervated thyroarytenoid muscles was tested in a canine model.Study DesignAnimal study.MethodsSternocleidomastoid muscle samples were harvested from three canines. Muscle progenitor cells were isolated and cultured to 107 cells over 4 to 5 weeks, then implanted into right thyroarytenoid muscles after ipsilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve transection and repair. The left sides underwent the same nerve injury, but no cells were implanted. Laryngeal adductor force was measured pretreatment and again 6 months later, and the muscles were harvested for histology.ResultsMuscle progenitor cells were successfully cultured from all dogs. Laryngeal adductor force measurements averaged 60% of their baseline pretreatment values in nonimplanted controls, 98% after implantation with MPCs, and 128% after implantation with motor endplate‐enhanced MPCs. Histology confirmed that the implanted MPCs survived, became integrated into thyroarytenoid muscle fibers, and were in close contact with nerve endings, suggesting functional innervation.ConclusionMuscle progenitor cells were shown to significantly enhance adductor function in this pilot canine study. Patient‐specific MPC implantation could potentially be used to improve laryngeal function in patients with vocal fold paresis/paralysis, atrophy, and other conditions. Further experiments are planned.Level of EvidenceNA. Laryngoscope, 2017
Limb Kinetic Apraxia Is an Independent Predictor for Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Vanbellingen Tim , Hofmänner Dinah , Kübel Stefanie , Bohlhalter Stephan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundImpaired dexterity is a common symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD) and has been related to limb kinetic apraxia (LKA). LKA negatively influenced activities of daily living (ADL) in PD. However, the impact on quality of life (QoL) remains to be clarified, which was the aim of the current study.MethodsEighty nondemented patients with PD and 60 age‐matched, sex‐matched healthy individuals participated in this study. The 39‐item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire was used to measure QoL. Dexterity was assessed by the coin rotation (CR) task and the ADL‐related Dexterity Questionnaire 24. Nonmotor symptoms were monitored with part I of the Movement Disorder Society‐Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, and motor symptoms were measured with parts II and III of the modified Movement Disorder Society‐Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.ResultsRegression analysis revealed that dexterity scores controlled for parkinsonian motor symptoms were a strong and independent predictor of QoL in patients with PD.ConclusionThe study demonstrated that the strong association of impaired dexterity and QoL is independent of bradykinesia, thereby underscoring the clinical relevance of LKA in PD.
Monte Carlo study of ionization chamber magnetic field correction factors as a function of angle and beam quality
Authors: Malkov Victor N. , Rogers D. W. O. 
Published: December 2017

PurposeTo use EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulations for magnetic field dosimetry to determine optimal measurement orientations, calculate beam quality conversion factors for 32 cylindrical and three parallel‐plate (PP) ion chambers, evaluate the beam quality and angular dependence of these factors, and examine the magnetic field effects on %dd(10)x and TPR.MethodsBeam quality conversion factors, k, and magnetic field conversion factors, kB = k/kQ, are calculated as a function of chamber rotation for six cylindrical ionization chamber in either a 60Co beam with a 0.35 T magnetic field or a 7 MV beam with a 1.5 T field, both magnetic fields are perpendicular to the photon beam. The chambers’ sensitive air volumes are varied by either using the entire geometric volume or excluding the air volume associated with the first 1 mm away from the stem. The kB and k factors are evaluated using four clinical photon spectra. The variation in %dd(10)x and TPR as a function of magnetic field for six photon spectra are studied using DOSXYZnrc.ResultsWhen the magnetic field is perpendicular to the photon beam, orienting the chamber parallel with the magnetic field reduces the magnetic field effect on chamber response (i.e., dose to air per water dose) and variations due to the unknown sensitive volume are essentially eliminated. Calculated kB factors are within 1% of unity for the majority of cylindrical chambers, although larger kB values are associated with chambers with high‐Z electrodes. PP chambers have kB corrections as large as 8.9% and have a larger angular sensitivity compared to cylindrical chambers. Values of kB for cylindrical ion chambers are independent of beam quality, except for chambers with high‐Z electrodes. For %dd(10)x values between 63.3% and 73.8%, kB varies by at most (0.26 ± 0.15)% when the magnetic field is perpendicular to the photon beam and parallel to the chamber. Differences in %dd(10)x, between no magnetic field and with a 1.5 T field perpendicular to the photon beam are (0.04 ± 0.10)%, (1.89 ± 0.10)%, and (6.20 ± 0.10)% for a 60Co, 7, and 25 MV photon beam, respectively, while TPR shows less than (0.36 ± 0.10)% change. Applying the ICRU‐90 recommendations for stopping powers instead of ICRU‐37 is found to change kQ (and hence kB) by less than 0.1%.ConclusionsOrienting the chamber parallel to the magnetic field when the field is perpendicular to the photon beam will minimize the effect of the magnetic field on chamber response, and eliminate the problem of the unknown sensitive volume. Values of kB and k can bring ion chamber dosimetry in magnetic fields in‐line with the TG‐51 protocol. PP chamber are sensitive to the magnetic field and variation in chamber response due to small angular changes makes them unlikely candidates for clinical reference dosimetry in magnetic fields. The stability in TPR, as a function of magnetic fields and beam qualities, makes it the best beam quality specifier in magnetic fields.
AGRAPES‐based mesoscale ensemble prediction system for tropical cyclone forecasting: configuration and performance
Authors: Zhang Xubin 
Published: December 2017

To improve short‐range tropical cyclone (TC) forecasting in China from both deterministic and probabilistic standpoints, a mesoscale ensemble prediction system (TREPS) based on the Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction System (GRAPES) is constructed as a planned operational system.TREPScomprises one unperturbed and 30 perturbed forecasts ranging up to 60 h at 0.09° horizontal resolution. Downscaling perturbations from the European Centre for Medium‐range Forecasts' (ECMWF) ensemble prediction system (ENS) are used to generate initial perturbations by blending them with balanced random perturbations implemented around theTCand to generate perturbations for lateral boundary conditions. The surface temperature around theTCis also perturbed, with a combination of multi‐physics and stochastically perturbed parametrization tendencies considered to represent uncertainties in the model physics. These perturbation methods contribute a full‐area, multi‐scale and multi‐variable mutual complement to increasing forecast perturbations.TREPSis evaluated for 19TCsmaking landfall in China during 2014–2016. For deterministic guidance,TREPSsignificantly improvesTCforecasting for intensity, rainfall and wind compared toECMWFdeterministic and ensemble forecasts.TREPSdemonstrates significant advantages over its deterministic forecasts in predicting track, intensity, (extremely) heavy rainfall and wind. Furthermore,TREPSeffectively reduces the degree of underdispersion in intensity forecasting compared toENS. For probabilistic forecasting,TREPSoutperformsENSin accurately predicting extremely heavy rainfall and (extremely) strong wind owing to its better discriminating ability, but performs worse in predicting modest wind, light and heavy rainfall. Two post‐processing techniques – optimal member and optimal probability – to improve, respectively, deterministic and probabilistic guidance ofTREPSin rainfall and wind forecasting are proposed. The former is shown to be effective only for light rainfall, while the latter demonstrates consistent (partial) improvements in rainfall (wind). The superiorities and inferiorities ofTREPS, as well as possible reasons for these, are intuitively illustrated in a case‐study forRammasun.
Massive Materieinjektion in das Ultrahochvakuum thermonuklearer Fusionsanlagen
Authors: Dibon Mathias , Lang Peter , Pautasso Gabriella , Herrmann Albrecht , Mertens Vitus , Neu Rudolf , Ploeckl Bernhard 
Published: December 2017

ZusammenfassungDie Injektion großer Mengen von Material in Fusionsplasmen ist eine der technischen Herausforderungen heutiger Fusionsforschung. Die Einbringung verschiedener Stoffe hat zum Ziel, Brennstoff in das Plasma einzubringen, Instabilitäten zu kontrollieren, den Energieeinschluss des Plasmas zu verbessern, für bessere Vakuumbedingungen zu sorgen oder im Falle von Disruptionen die Folgen (hohe Wärmelasten, hohe elektromagnetische Kräfte, relativistische Elektronen) zu mindern. Um das Vakuumsystem der Fusionsanlage nicht unnötig zu belasten, werden für die Injektion Pellets oder konzentrierte Gaspulse eingesetzt. Pellets sind Festkörper mit Volumina von wenigen mm3 die entweder aus Material bei Raumtemperatur bestehen oder aus kryogenen Gasen. Die Pellets werden mit Zentrifugen oder Gaskanonen auf bis zu 1500 m/s beschleunigt und mit Frequenzen von bis zu 140 Pellets/s in das Plasma geschossen. Die Gaspulse werden mittels Hochgeschwindigkeitsventilen erzeugt, die sich wenige Zentimeter vom Plasmarand entfernt befinden.
Reducing the costs of landscape restoration by using invasive alien plant biomass for bioenergy
Authors: Stafford William HL , Von Maltitz Graham P , Watson Helen K 
Published: December 2017

South Africa's natural resources are severely impacted by invasive alien plants (IAPs). As water is a scarce resource, the national Working for Water (WfW) program was established in 1995 to restore landscapes by eradicating IAPs. Since then, considerable progress has been made with about three million hectares cleared. However, the costs of doing so have been substantial and the overall area invaded has increased while new species have become invasive. Focusing on terrestrial woody IAPs, this study reviews the extent of IAPs as well as efforts to eradicate them, and identifies value‐adding opportunities to use the cleared IAP biomass for reducing the costs of landscape restoration. Since bioenergy is suited to a large portion of the biomass, and energy powers socio‐economic growth and development, this opportunity was explored in detail, with a focus on generating electricity. Bioenergy businesses struggle to be financially feasible due to the significant costs to access, harvest, and secure the widely distributed and varied IAP biomass. The costs of eradicating IAPs can be substantially offset by the potential benefits from using IAP biomass for producing bioenergy and biomaterial, as well as from a wide range of ecosystem services from the restored landscapes. Incorporating the values of these benefits into the business case for clearing IAPs can accelerate and upscale landscape restoration programs, while creating jobs in the environmental goods and services sector, and facilitating the transition to a Green economy. WIREs Energy Environ 2018, 7:e272. doi: 10.1002/wene272.This article is categorized under:

Bioenergy > Science and Materials
Bioenergy > Economics and Policy
Bioenergy > Climate and Environment