bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mapping the Salinity Gradient in a Microfluidic Device with Schlieren Imaging
Authors: Sun Chen-li , Chen Shao-Tuan , Hsiao Po-Jen
Published: May 2015

This work presents the use of the schlieren imaging to quantify the salinity gradients in a microfluidic device. By partially blocking the back focal plane of the objective lens, the schlieren microscope produces an image with patterns that correspond to spatial derivative of refractive index in the specimen. Since salinity variation leads to change in refractive index, the fluid mixing of an aqueous salt solution of a known concentration and water in a T-microchannel is used to establish the relation between salinity gradients and grayscale readouts. This relation is then employed to map the salinity gradients in the target microfluidic device from the grayscale readouts of the corresponding micro-schlieren image. For saline solution with salinity close to that of the seawater, the grayscale readouts vary linearly with the salinity gradient, and the regression line is independent of the flow condition and the salinity of the injected solution. It is shown that the schlieren technique is well suited to quantify the salinity gradients in microfluidic devices, for it provides a spatially resolved, non-invasive, full-field measurement.
Classifying Sources Influencing Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Using Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
Authors: Saad Shaharil , Andrew Allan , Shakaff Ali , Saad Abdul , Kamarudin Azman , Zakaria Ammar
Published: May 2015

Monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ) is deemed important nowadays. A sophisticated IAQ monitoring system which could classify the source influencing the IAQ is definitely going to be very helpful to the users. Therefore, in this paper, an IAQ monitoring system has been proposed with a newly added feature which enables the system to identify the sources influencing the level of IAQ. In order to achieve this, the data collected has been trained with artificial neural network or ANN—a proven method for pattern recognition. Basically, the proposed system consists of sensor module cloud (SMC), base station and service-oriented client. The SMC contain collections of sensor modules that measure the air quality data and transmit the captured data to base station through wireless network. The IAQ monitoring system is also equipped with IAQ Index and thermal comfort index which could tell the users about the room’s conditions. The results showed that the system is able to measure the level of air quality and successfully classify the sources influencing IAQ in various environments like ambient air, chemical presence, fragrance presence, foods and beverages and human activity.
Optimal Self-Tuning PID Controller Based on Low Power Consumption for a Server Fan Cooling System
Authors: Lee Chengming , Chen Rongshun
Published: May 2015

Recently, saving the cooling power in servers by controlling the fan speed has attracted considerable attention because of the increasing demand for high-density servers. This paper presents an optimal self-tuning proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, combining a PID neural network (PIDNN) with fan-power-based optimization in the transient-state temperature response in the time domain, for a server fan cooling system. Because the thermal model of the cooling system is nonlinear and complex, a server mockup system simulating a 1U rack server was constructed and a fan power model was created using a third-order nonlinear curve fit to determine the cooling power consumption by the fan speed control. PIDNN with a time domain criterion is used to tune all online and optimized PID gains. The proposed controller was validated through experiments of step response when the server operated from the low to high power state. The results show that up to 14% of a server’s fan cooling power can be saved if the fan control permits a slight temperature response overshoot in the electronic components, which may provide a time-saving strategy for tuning the PID controller to control the server fan speed during low fan power consumption.
Exploring the Upgrading of Chinese Automotive Manufacturing Industry in the Global Value Chain: An Empirical Study Based on Panel Data
Authors: Lu Fucai , He Wei , Cheng Yang , Chen Sihua , Ning Liang , Mei Xiaoan
Published: May 2015

In the age of globalization, the upgrading of China’s manufacturing industries has attracted great attention from both academicians and practitioners, as it certainly has great implications for the development of China and, even further, for the development of the whole world. To address this issue, the study clarifies the effects of the internal technological innovation capability (ITIC) and external linkages (ELs) on upgrading the Chinese automotive manufacturing industry (CAMI) in the global value chain, in order to indicate the appropriate way for the CAMI to be further upgraded and provide references for the formulation of regional automotive industrial policies. Based on Chinese panel data, the results confirm that both ITIC and EL are important for the upgrading of the CAMI, with ITIC being the more important. Improvement of ITIC facilitates the industry’s cooperation with the EL, resulting in better knowledge access. Furthermore, the results of cluster analysis reveal that regions with relatively developed automotive industries place emphasis on both the ITIC and EL. However, in some regions (e.g., Shanghai and Chongqing), the utility of EL seems insufficient. Therefore, the results of this paper, on the one hand, suggest policies should be directed towards increasing the ITIC of CAMI. On the other hand, in some regions, managers and policymakers need to explore further the advantage of clustering.
First Detection of Tetrodotoxin in Greek Shellfish by UPLC-MS/MS Potentially Linked to the Presence of the Dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum
Authors: Vlamis Aristidis , Katikou Panagiota , Rodriguez Ines , Rey Verónica , Alfonso Amparo , Papazachariou Angelos , Zacharaki Thetis , Botana Ana , Botana Luis
Published: May 2015

During official shellfish control for the presence of marine biotoxins in Greece in year 2012, a series of unexplained positive mouse bioassays (MBA) for lipophilic toxins with nervous symptomatology prior to mice death was observed in mussels from Vistonikos Bay–Lagos, Rodopi. This atypical toxicity coincided with (a) absence or low levels of regulated and some non-regulated toxins in mussels and (b) the simultaneous presence of the potentially toxic microalgal species Prorocentrum minimum at levels up to 1.89 × 103 cells/L in the area’s seawater. Further analyses by different MBA protocols indicated that the unknown toxin was hydrophilic, whereas UPLC-MS/MS analyses revealed the presence of tetrodotoxins (TTXs) at levels up to 222.9 μg/kg. Reviewing of official control data from previous years (2006–2012) identified a number of sample cases with atypical positive to asymptomatic negative MBAs for lipophilic toxins in different Greek production areas, coinciding with periods of P. minimum blooms. UPLC-MS/MS analysis of retained sub-samples from these cases revealed that TTXs were already present in Greek shellfish since 2006, in concentrations ranging between 61.0 and 194.7 μg/kg. To our knowledge, this is the earliest reported detection of TTXs in European bivalve shellfish, while it is also the first work to indicate a possible link between presence of the toxic dinoflagellate P. minimum in seawater and that of TTXs in bivalves. Confirmed presence of TTX, a very heat-stable toxin, in filter-feeding mollusks of the Mediterranean Sea, even at lower levels to those inducing symptomatology to humans, indicates that this emerging risk should be seriously taken into account by the EU to protect the health of shellfish consumers.
Des configurations d’aide en mouvement. Les mobilisations des fratries à la suite de l’entrée d’un parent âgé en institution
Authors: Billaud Solène
Published: May 2015

À partir d’une enquête qualitative, l’article examine comment les aides apportées par la famille autour de l’entrée en institution d’une personne âgée sont décrites comme étant organisées autour de moments bien identifiés. À chacun de ces moments correspondent des normes, qui organisent la participation des membres de la parenté et la répartition des tâches d’aide entre eux. En adoptant une approche par moments puis une approche par cas, cet article montre que les engagements des individus ne se laissent enfermer ni dans une temporalité continue ni dans une définition stable d’un groupe d’ «aidants » parmi les apparentés. L’analyse, à la fois configurationnelle et dynamique, des aides familiales permet ainsi de restituer les conditions, les modalités et les contextes, sans oublier le sens que ces aides prennent pour les individus impliqués.
Le non-recours au RSA des exploitants agricoles. L’intégration professionnelle comme support de l’accès aux droits
Authors: Deville Clara
Published: May 2015

Dans un contexte de mise en visibilité progressive du phénomène du non-recours aux dispositifs sociaux, cet article porte sur le cas particulier du non-recours au revenu de solidarité active chez les exploitants agricoles. L’étude sur laquelle est fondé ce travail adopte une approche compréhensive de ce phénomène utilisant l’analyse des discours recueillis auprès d’agriculteurs non recourants. Différents types de comportements de non-recours sont soulignés, corrélés aux modalités de l’intégration professionnelle. En explorant les mécanismes individuels qui entravent l’accès aux droits, l’auteure décrit les multiples manières de s’approprier et d’exercer la citoyenneté sociale ainsi que le rôle de «support » joué par l’intégration professionnelle. Pour finir, le concept de «pauvreté » est interrogé à travers la manière dont il opère chez les exploitants agricoles.
Les « modèles familiaux » dans les Dom : entre bouleversements et permanence. Ce que nous apprend l’enquête Migrations, famille et vieillissement
Authors: Marie Claude-Valentin , Breton Didier
Published: May 2015

fre: Fécondité ,famille , Monoparentalité, Maternités précoces , Dom
Relations familiales et engagement caritatif. Des dimensions du capital social peu liées au patrimoine matériel
Authors: Boutchénik Béatrice , Chaput Hélène , Tomasini Magda
Published: May 2015

fre: Capital social , Patrimoine matériel , Relations familiales , Bien-être
Comment se prennent les décisions au sein des couples
Authors: Bigot Sylvie , Hoibian Sandra , Daudey Émilie
Published: May 2015

fre: Couples , Décisions , Logement, Enfants ,Tâches domestiques,Économie domestique
Espace et temps dans les familles postdivorce. Colloque international organisé les 12 et 13 juin 2014 par le Centre d’études démographiques et le Consortium institut de l’enfance et du monde urbain à l’université autonome de Barcelone
Authors: Hachet Benoît
Published: May 2015

fre: Divorce, Séparation conjugale, Coparentalité ,Garde partagée , Espagne, Catalogne
Tattoo ink nanoparticles in skin tissue and fibroblasts
Authors: Grant Colin A , Twigg Peter C , Baker Richard , Tobin Desmond J
Published: May 2015

Tattooing has long been practised in various societies all around the world and is becoming increasingly common and widespread in the West. Tattoo ink suspensions unquestionably contain pigments composed of nanoparticles, i.e., particles of sub-100 nm dimensions. It is widely acknowledged that nanoparticles have higher levels of chemical activity than their larger particle equivalents. However, assessment of the toxicity of tattoo inks has been the subject of little research and ink manufacturers are not obliged to disclose the exact composition of their products. This study examines tattoo ink particles in two fundamental skin components at the nanometre level. We use atomic force microscopy and light microscopy to examine cryosections of tattooed skin, exploring the collagen fibril networks in the dermis that contain ink nanoparticles. Further, we culture fibroblasts in diluted tattoo ink to explore both the immediate impact of ink pigment on cell viability and also to observe the interaction between particles and the cells.
Sujet de quête et quête identitaire
Authors: Maes Jean-Claude
Published: May 2015

L’auteur de cet article propose d’analyser les problématiques identitaires à l’aide d’une version révisée du schéma actantiel, un outil sémiotique inventé par A. Greimas. Ce modèle présuppose que l’emprise est naturelle, fait partie de la condition humaine, et ne devient pathologique, abusive, perverse que quand elle soutient des transgressions. On voit ainsi que l’objet du désir d’Œdipe, dans la pièce de Sophocle, n’est pas Jocaste, mais la guérison de la peste qui frappe Thèbes, et que ce désir motive une quête identitaire au terme de laquelle Œdipe découvre être l’objet fétichique de l’antisujet Jocaste. Un second exemple d’analyse actantielle concerne l’embrigadement sectaire, et montre que la secte est l’objet fétichique collectif de l’antisujet gourou. Là où l’univers des sujets, libidinal, s’organise sur une logique de liens, celui des antisujets, narcissique, s’organise sur une logique de clivages.
Multimodal Imaging for Detection of Clinically Inapparent Diffuse Iris Juvenile Xanthogranuloma
Authors: Samara Wasim A. , Khoo Chloe T. L. , Magrath George , Shields Carol L.
Published: May 2015

A 6-month-old female infant was referred following three episodes of spontaneous hyphema. Iris juvenile xanthogranuloma was suspected but not clinically visible. Multimodal imaging with fluorescein angiography, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and ultrasound biomicroscopy were used to detect the flat, transparent lesion and cytopathology confirmed juvenile xanthogranuloma.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2015;52:e30–e33.]
The use of high alumina cement in structures
Authors: Editorial Equipo
Published: May 2015

Not available
Properties of expansive cements, made with Portland cement, gypsum and high alumina cement
Authors: Monfore G. E.
Published: May 2015

Not available
Determination of cement proportioning of mortars and set concretes, in cases where the usual methods for this determination are not applicable
Authors: Ruiz de Gauna Ángel
Published: May 2015

Not available
Quantitative analysis by X ray fluorescence
Authors: Sagrera José Luis
Published: May 2015

Not available
Perbunan C in super and infrastructure work
Authors: Esser H. , Hofmann W.
Published: May 2015

Not available
Quantitative détermination of aluminium and silicon in SiO2 and Al2O3 by X ray fluorescence
Authors: Sagrera José Luis
Published: May 2015

Not available
Reinforcement corrosion in reinforced and prestressed concretes
Authors: Calleja J.
Published: May 2015

Not available
Chemical mechanism of colour formation in bricks
Authors: Gippini E.
Published: May 2015

Not available
Corrosión of reinforcements in reinforced and prestressed concretes. II part
Authors: Calleja J.
Published: May 2015

Not available
Current knowledge on the basic principles of concrete shrinkage
Authors: Aroni S. , Mehta P. K.
Published: May 2015

Not available
Sound Image and Resonant Animated Space
Authors: Winning Ross
Published: May 2015

Animation is a synthesis of ideas that often encounters unpredictable, illogical, and imagined domains. In those animated worlds, recorded sound is now part of a coalition of two sensory forms mediated through hearing and vision. Sound has therefore been embedded in the audio-visual toolbox since the successful synchronisation of sound and picture. Sonic elements now contribute significantly to how animators might shape their films and express ideas. These animated worlds also often represent deeply rooted expressions of the interior mind of the artists and animators themselves. This chapter explores the relationship of sound to image in the evolutionary and increasingly variable animated forms that are currently proliferating. It aims to focus on sound as being the primary channel that is best able to reflect those interior ideas within a range of animated media. The exploration seeks to do this through tracing proto-cinematic ideas in the art of the past and animation practice that researches the sonified and animated image using musical and figurative metaphors.
The Earth Sciences and Creative Practice
Authors: Worden Suzette
Published: May 2015

The Anthropocene is being suggested as a new geological age replacing the Holocene and is a description of a time interval where significant conditions and processes are profoundly altered by human activity. Artists interested in the earth sciences are using digital media to provide audiences with ways of understanding the issues highlighted in discussions about the Anthropocene. These artists are harnessing data through visualisation and sonification, facilitating audience participation, and are often working in art-science collaborations. These activities demonstrate a transdisciplinary approach that is necessary for confronting the world's most pressing problems, such as climate change. After a discussion of the opportunities provided by visualisation technologies and an overview of the Anthropocene, this chapter explores the following interrelated themes through examples of creative works: (1) nanoscale, (2) geology and deep time, (3) climate, weather, and the atmosphere, (4) extreme places – beyond wilderness, and (5) curatorial practice as environmental care.
“Virtual Reality” Reconsidered
Authors: Benjamin Garfield
Published: May 2015

The term ‘virtual reality' is used widely in contemporary culture to evoke the false worlds of the imagination digital technology has enabled us to create. However, the term itself remains ill defined, particularly amidst recent developments in theories of virtuality and reality that have left contradictory marks on VR. The phrase ‘virtual reality' has become problematic, and is in need of a reconsideration for its continued relevance. This chapter assesses the term throughout its development and in the context of other theorisations such as cinema and cyberspace that have dominated recent digital theory. Taking the Deleuzian expansion of the Virtual and the Lacanian expansion of the Real, the chapter interrogates the constituent processes of VR to suggest a new mode of conceiving the technologies in terms of a parallax between virtual-real and physical-digital within contemporary thought, which will then be applied to a conceptual framework for digital creative practices.
Designing Pervasive Virtual Worlds
Authors: Reyes-Garcia Everardo
Published: May 2015

Virtual worlds can be approached in a broader sense of that which refers to common conceptions of virtual reality and immersive environments. This chapter explores the design of virtual worlds in a time when much contemporary media is accessed through and simulated by software. Today, the main extensions of man are cognitive skills and experiences. Software is a way of seeing the world; it plays a central role in media design and distribution. Software and perception of reality are intertwined and pervasive: media not only exist in form of software but the shape and properties of media are also designed with software. In order to understand the implications of computational media, it is necessary to re-articulate problems in a creative and virtual manner. At the end of the chapter, the author speculates on design approaches and presents some examples developed by him.
Smart CCTV and the Management of Urban Space
Authors: Han Jung Hoon , Hawken Scott , Williams Angelique
Published: May 2015

This chapter briefly describes the proliferation of CCTV over the last few decades with particular reference to Australia and discusses the limits of the technology. It then focuses on new image interpretation and signal processing technologies, and how these advanced technologies are extending the reach, power, and capabilities of CCTV technology. The advent of “Smart” CCTV has the ability to recognize different human behaviours. This chapter proposes a typology to assist the application and study of Smart CCTV in urban spaces. The following four typologies describe different human behaviours in urban space: 1) Human-Space Interaction, 2) Human-Social Interactions, 3) Human-Object Interactions, and 4) Crowd Dynamics and Flows. The chapter concludes with a call for future research on the legal implications of such technology and the need for an evidence base of risk behaviours for different urban situations and cultures.
Constraints and Perspectives on Traditional Products Market in Romania
Authors: Turek-Rahoveanu Maria Magdalena , Turek-Rahoveanu Adrian , Zugravu Gheorghe Adrian
Published: May 2015

In Romania, there is a limited range of traditional foods recognized at the European level, due to low productivity at the farm and processing sector and the diversification and marketing activities. During 2005-2013, Romania was “flooded” with over 4000 “traditional” products produced by ancient recipe with natural ingredients, with the largest share representing a dairy products (1360), followed by meat products (1059). It is known that through cooperation, traditional producers can obtain protection and recognition of their products on the European market, identify new ways to market a larger volume of their own products and attract new categories of consumers. This chapter develops the subject from a survey carried out in Prahova County, based on a questionnaire among traditional producers in the Local Action Group “Colinele Prahovei”. Here there was a concern for farmers for food protection, so in 2013, 26.3% of products certified to the county Prahova traditional territory belonged to LAG “Colinele Prahovei.”
Intensification of Agricultural Production vs. Environmental Management
Authors: Lescheva Marina , Ivolga Anna
Published: May 2015

The chapter includes analysis of the current state of agricultural production in Russia, addresses the major problems and limitations of its efficiency and substantiates the perspective ways of growing intensification of agricultural production in Russia on the basis of integration of agricultural producers, growing scales of agricultural production, rational management of natural resources and effective utilization of existing resource and environmental potential.
Human Capital as a Factor of Development of the Rural Economy
Authors: Kusakina Olga , Chaplitskaya Anastasia
Published: May 2015

The challenges of the post-industrial stage of development of society dictate the high quality requirements of human capital, which depends on both the level of economic development of the country as a whole and the state of the rural economy. In this chapter, the authors propose a methodological approach to the definition of the index of multiple-factor conditions for human capital development in rural areas. It reflects the vector of long-term development of human capital under the influence of an interlocking system of social, economic, demographic, environmental and institutional factors that manifest themselves at different levels of its formation. An open trend model building of influence multi-level factors system on the development of human capital in the rural economy of the region allows the authors to model the possible directions of human capital development on the basis of experimental calculations and use them in making management decisions by program-target method.
Green Agricultural Marketing
Authors: Ion Raluca Andreea
Published: May 2015

This chapter presents the key elements of green agricultural marketing, referring to distribution and promotion. Similarities and discrepancies of conventional and green marketing of agricultural products are identified, using comparative analysis. Models of sustainable distribution and promotions are designed. The results and discussions reveal that green products, distribution and promotion meet both ecological principles (referring to environment), and economic ones (reduced costs). Green agricultural marketing is ethical, beneficial and safe for individuals and target groups.
Russia's Foreign Trade in Agricultural Commodities in Its Transition to Liberalization
Authors: Erokhin Vasily
Published: May 2015

The chapter includes an analysis of the current state of the international organic market and contemporary tendencies in the production and marketing of green products in Russia. Analysis of Russia's foreign trade in agricultural products is also provided. This chapter includes an overview of major threats and opportunities for organic production in Russia in view of trade liberalization. This is also related to state support of green production in Russia and CIS and its influence on volumes, directions, structure and effectiveness of trade. The chapter concludes with assessment of perspective tools to ensure sustainability of green production through a set of political, social and financial tools, and bigger involvement of rural households into international competition, diversification of traditional rural sources of income by means of green production, local identification and specialization, and utilization of existing competitive advantages.
The Role of Marketing Strategies in Modern Business and Society
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: May 2015

This chapter introduces the role of marketing strategies in modern business and society, thus explaining the theoretical and practical concepts of competitive strategy, market segmentation strategy, differentiation strategy, cost leadership strategy, focus strategy, market orientation, and organizational performance; the significance of marketing strategies in modern business and society; and the impact of marketing strategies on organizational performance. Marketing strategies serve as the valuable foundation of marketing plans designed to fill marketing needs and reach marketing objectives. Marketing strategies include all basic and long-term activities in the field of marketing, thus dealing with the analysis of the strategic situation of an organization and the formulation, evaluation and selection of market-oriented strategies and effectively contribute to the goals of the organization and its marketing objectives. The chapter argues that applying marketing strategies has the potential to increase organizational performance and gain sustainable competitive advantage in the social media age.
New Technologies and Neuropsychological Evaluation of Older Adults
Authors: Zygouris Stelios , Tsolaki Magda
Published: May 2015

In this chapter the history of computerized cognitive testing for older adults is reviewed critically, challenges are being highlighted and solutions and emerging trends are discussed. Issues such as lack of validation, insufficiently documented psychometric properties and the high cost of computerized instruments are analyzed. At the same time a discussion concerning the lack of integration of computerized testing in healthcare highlights management issues and the need for a paradigm shift. Possible solutions to the issues presented and new avenues of research are identified. Emerging technologies such as adaptive testing, virtual reality (VR) environments, and reliable speech recognition software are presented and their potential is highlighted. At the same time social and scientific trends such as the shift to early detection and the increasing familiarity of older adults with technology are analyzed. The chapter concludes with an outline of the expected future of computerized testing.
Graceful Ageing
Authors: Astaras Alexander
Published: May 2015

This chapter provides a review of pilot studies and clinical trials which have been performed to date on serious gaming (exergaming) for the elderly. It is a novel pre-emptive approach to help maintain seniors physically and mentally fit, maximising the time for which they are capable of living independently at their own residence. Several studies are reviewed which show that this is a beneficial arrangement for both the elderly and the national healthcare system. We argue that by using exergaming it may be possible to pre-empt and delay the most common ailments that typically force the elderly to -often reluctantly- leave their residence and seek admission to a nursery home: dementia, arthritis, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Finally, we suggest possible next steps and focal points for pre-emptive exergaming geriatric research and conclude that much larger clinical trials are required to obtain conclusive results about the efficacy of this novel approach.
Cognitive Exercising for Patients with MCI Using Serious Games
Authors: Tarnanas Ioannis , Tsolakis Apostolis , Tsolaki Magda
Published: May 2015

In this chapter we demonstrate how older adults can benefit from novel technologies. One hundred and fourteen patients with MCI according to the revised Petersen criteria (Petersen, 2006), aged between 65 and 88 years, were recruited to participate in a Serious Game training (SG) and an Active Control group (AC). They benefited from neuropsychological testing and electroencephalography before and after the intervention. Our results showed that the SG group improved performance in specific cognitive functions such as working memory, dual task performance and visual conjunction search. The performance improvement was also supported only at the SG group by increased amplitude of the Event Related Potentials extracted from the electroencephalography measures.The results from our study suggest that older adults do not need to be technologically savvy to benefit from virtual reality training.
Integrated Care
Authors: Lewy Hadas
Published: May 2015

This chapter will review the individual's, organizational and societal needs for integrated care for the elderly population and the suggested solutions. For the elderly population, early diagnosis and timely personalized intervention is crucial for treatment, prevention of deterioration and hospitalization. The author describes the development of new technologies that enables the involved parties (e.g. healthcare, welfare, community) to receive relevant reliable information and respond in a timely and personalized way that will address the specific needs of the patient/elderly person. The need also exists at the organizational level for better management and care. The proposed solution will address the organizational needs by integrating into healthcare system and workflow and involving multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, family and other care providers.
Towards an HCI-Based Symbiotic Environment for Alzheimer's Support
Authors: Hadjileontiadis Leontios J. , Mandiliotis Dimitrios , Toumpas Konstantinos , Kyprioti Aikaterini
Published: May 2015

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), being the most common form of dementia diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, is a global problem with dramatic impact, as there is no cure for it and worsens as it progresses, eventually leading to death. As the sufferer declines s/he often withdraws from family and society, leading to a marginalized way of living. Considering the life expectancy rise, a looming global epidemic of AD is foreseen; hence, new approaches need to be considered regarding AD prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and confrontation. In this vein, an alternative approach (namely Symbiosis) towards a symbiotic Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) environment is presented in this chapter, as a means to facilitate, understand and incorporate the needs of the whole AD community (i.e., patients, caregivers and doctors), involving cutting-edge technology, special serious games and natural-user interfacing, embedded within an innovative design framework. Overall, Symbiosis acts as a technology-based mediator for AD's indoor and outdoor activities, fostering their social inclusion and increasing their quality of life in a symbiotic context.
Unobtrusive Smart Environments for Independent Living and the role of Mixed Methods in Elderly Healthcare Delivery
Authors: Astaras Alexander , Lewy Hadas , James Christopher , Katasonov Artem , Ruschin Detlef , Bamidis Panagiotis D.
Published: May 2015

In this chapter the authors describe a novel approach to healthcare delivery for the elderly as adopted by USEFIL, a research project which uses unobtrusive, multi-parametric sensor data collection to support seniors. The system is based on everyday devices such as an in-mirror camera, smart TV, wrist-mountable personal communicator and a tablet computer strategically distributed around the house. It exploits sensor data fusion, intelligent decision support for carers, remote alerting, secure data communications and storage. A combined quantitative and qualitative knowledgebase was established and analysed, target groups were established among elderly prospective users and scenarios were built around each group. Use cases have been prioritised according to quantitative functional and non-functional criteria. Our research findings suggest that an unobtrusive system such as USEFIL could potentially make a significant difference in the quality of life of elderly people, improve the focus of provided healthcare and support their daily independent living activities.
Instrumenting the eHome and Preparing Elderly Pilots
Authors: Antoniou Panagiotis E. , Konstantinidis Evdokimos , Billis Antonis S. , Bamparopoulos Giorgos , Tsatali Marianna S. , Sioundas Anastasios
Published: May 2015

In this chapter the lessons learnt from the build-up and integration of the USEFIL are demonstrated. First an introduction to Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) platforms, the infrastructure for eHomes of any purpose eHome is presented, in the context of their emergence as a viable way for managing healthcare costs in an aging first world population. Then technical and sustainability issues that are present after several years of maturation are touched upon. The USEFIL project's aim at an AAL platform that utilizes low cost “off-the-shelf” technologies in order to develop immediately applicable services, to assist elderly people in maintaining an independent, healthy lifestyle and program of daily activities is then briefly discussed. Afterwards, the methodological framework as well as principal results of the preparation and running of the pre-piloting phase of that platform are presented. Closing, current trends are explored in conjunction with future directions as triggered by this project in the context of cognitive impaired elderly support.
Spinning Off Business Activities for Care Giver Support
Authors: Vontas Apostolos , Moumtzi Vasiliki , Urwin Gerry
Published: May 2015

Demographic changes in Europe show an increased demand for quality care for family members, through innovative, broadly accessible solutions that have an overarching focus of improving the quality of life for carers through learning. DISCOVER platform is such a technology, based on existing eLearning systems and delivers digital skills training for carers, focusing in particular on opportunities for informal carers as a socially excluded group. DISCOVER business strategy provides a sustainable entity in order to deliver benefits to the carer, and cared-for communities in the future. An appropriate business model is required to support spinning off business activities for care giver support services, but allow the inclusion of those who may be disadvantaged or those who have a high need for support, but a limited ability to afford to pay for solutions.
Spinning off Gerotechnology Business Activities
Authors: Romanopoulou Evangelia D. , Zilidou Vasiliki I. , Antoniou Panagiotis E.
Published: May 2015

Aging is an economic and societal challenge for the 21st century in Europe. With the percentage of elderly increasing, the national health and social care services face the need to adapt the increased costs. In this chapter, LLM service is going to be described as it comes in response to market research in the area of ICT, providing an opportunity for seniors to improve their cognitive and physical condition and continue to feel active members of society. The objectives of LLM Care are: Establishing a self-financing project. Utilizing existing infrastructure (Marketing, Financial, Management and IT) of the research institution from which it emerged (Research Committee of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki). Deploy a network of organizations and stakeholders that will support seniors with Alzheimer's disease as the first customers in the first year of operation. Become established as a self-sustained, viable company in Greece developing future LLM services in the Greek market for homes, care centers and medical healthcare facilities.
Network Design and Performance Evaluation of Wireless Sensor Network for Precision Agriculture
Authors: Sahota Herman S , Kumar Ratnesh , Kamal Ahmed E
Published: May 2015

This chapter explores the design of wireless sensor networks for applications in precision agriculture. A short review of developments in precision agriculture and recent applications of wireless sensor networks in the area is presented. The authors present their design of medium access control and network layer protocols exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with the design of such a networked system. The physical layer in their network allows multiple power modes in both receive and transmit operations. The MAC layer employs these multiple power modes to implement a novel wake-up synchronization mechanism to reduce the energy overhead. The network layer ensures reliable collection of data while balancing the energy consumption among the nodes. Finally, the authors present an analytical approach to model the behavior of the MAC protocol developed and compare it against the duty-cycle based S-MAC protocol. The results are also confirmed using simulations.
Fault-Diagnosis and Decision Making Algorithm for Determining Faulty Nodes in Malicious Networks
Authors: Khosravi A. , Kavian Yousef S.
Published: May 2015

This chapter addresses fault diagnosis agreement problem in a network with malicious members. The authors provide a new algorithm to reach an agreement among fault-free members about the faulty ones. The algorithm is designed for fully-connected networks and also can be easily adapted to partially connected networks. The authors contribution is to reduce bit complexity of Byzantine agreement process by detecting the same list of faulty units in all fault-free members. Therefore, the malicious units can be removed from other consensus processes. Also, each healthy unit detects a list of malicious units locally which results in lower packet transmission in the network. The authors provided algorithm solves fault diagnosis agreement problem in 2t+1 rounds and O(nt+1) bit complexity for each member.
The Development of Mobile Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhu Yuenong , Hua Kun
Published: May 2015

In this chapter, the authors mainly discuss mobile wireless sensor networks (MWSNs). First, the authors are introduce the evolution of MWSNs from sensor networks to wireless sensor networks, and finally to mobile networks. Second, to provide a general context of MWSNs the authors then compare the peer work of MWSNs in chronological order. The third section discusses typical issues including localization, deployment, resource/energy efficiency and coverage issues. Cross-layer design is considered as one of the most useful ways to improve MWSNs in the future.
Covert Communication in Wireless Sensor Networks for E-Health Applications
Authors: Rezaei Fahimeh , Shrestha Pradhumna Lal , Hempel Michael , Mohan Rakshit Sushanta , Sharif Hamid
Published: May 2015

In this chapter, the authors introduce a threat in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) E-Health applications that can be used for leaking patients' medical information, identity, personal data, and medical history. This threat is called covert communication, which establishes a secret path hidden within legitimate network traffic to transfer information. Based on the exploit used for this type of communication, covert channels have different categories and functionalities. The authors introduce various covert communication methods and their possible applications in transmitting e-health data secretly in WSNs. In addition, the authors discuss different methods and approaches to detect this type of communication in WSNs to prevent this form of malicious e-health information transfer.
Renewable Energy Management with a Multi-Agent System
Authors: Ben Abdessalem Wahiba , Karaa Sami , Ashour Amira S.
Published: May 2015

Renewable energy generation (Wind, solar …) is rising rapidly around the world. Energy storage is being today realistic with some kind of variable renewable electricity sources such as the Pumped Hydraulic Storage (PHS). The incorporation of the PHS requires different policies since there are a variety of electric generation technologies that can be exploited commonly with the PHS. The energy management system, the scheduling of the generation units is a crucial problem for which adequate solutions can optimize the energy supply. This paper focuses on the applicability of the PHS technology in the development of renewable energy generation in Tunisia. This paper proposes also a multi agent system that can be implemented to simulate the exploitation of the PHS, commonly with other energy sources: conventional energy, wind energy, photovoltaic energy etc.
Evaporation of Thin Film of Polar Liquid in Presence of Soluble Surfactant
Authors: Gordeeva Varvara Yu. , Lyushnin Andrey V.
Published: May 2015

Evaporation of a thin layer of a polar liquid (water) having a free surface and located on a solid substrate is investigated. A surfactant is solved in the liquid film. The surface tension is a linear function of the surface concentration of the surfactant. The surface energy of the solid-liquid interface is a nonmonotonic function of the layer thickness and is the sum of the Van der Waals interaction and the specific interaction of the double electric layer on the interface. The effect of the solvable surfactant on the dynamics of the propagation of the evaporation front in the thin liquid film is analyzed in the long-wave approximation in the system of Navier-Stokes equations.
Anomalous Effect on the Phononic Thermal Conductivity of Silicene Nanoribbon by Hydrogenation
Authors: Monterola Emmanuel Dioresma , Paylaga Naomi Tabudlong , Paylaga Giovanni Jariol , Bantaculo Rolando Viño
Published: May 2015

Silicene is a two-dimensional (2D) allotrope of silicon known to have a lower thermal conductivity than graphene; thus, more suitable for thermoelectric applications. This paper investigates the effect of hydrogenation on the thermal conductivity of silicene nanoribbon (SiNR) using equilibrium molecular dynamics (EMD) simulations. The simulations were carried out in Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS) using a modified Tersoff potential that considers both Si-Si and Si-H interactions. The thermal conductivity of fully hydrogenated silicene nanoribbon (H-SiNR), also known as silicane nanoribbon, was found to be higher than that of pristine SiNR in all the temperatures and dimensions considered here. This anomalous enhancement in the thermal conductivity is similar to that found in hydrogenated silicon nanowires (H-SiNWs). A mechanism for this anomalous effect has been proposed relating the hydrogenation of SiNR with the stiffening and increase of the acoustic out-of-plane flexural (ZA) phonon modes. Also, for both SiNR and H-SiNR, the thermal conductivities generally increase as the dimensions are increased while they generally decrease as the temperatures are increased, in agreement to other reports.
Influence of Substrate Temperature on the Optoelectronic Properties of CuPc Thin Film
Authors: Zou Tao Yu , Ji Xiao Lin , Yu Lei Ming , Qiao Zhen Fang , Yang Yi Ji , Wu Qiong , Yang Hai , Wang Hai
Published: May 2015

The copper phthalocyanine thin films were deposited on quartz and Si/SiO2 substrates at different substrate temperatures. The morphologies, structures and optical properties of CuPc films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffra ction and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The polymorph of alpha–CuPc was observed in films deposited at temperature ranging from 20°C to 145°C. The transmission and absorption spectra of CuPc films deposited at different temperatures are presented.
CdTe/PbTe Superlattice Energy Bands Analysis Using k.p Method
Authors: Kabalan Amal , Singh Pritpal
Published: May 2015

A model based on the k.p perturbation theory to compute the energy bands in a CdTe/PbTe superlattice structure is developed. The model uses the dispersion relations for the heavy hole, light hole and the split off bands to compute the effective bandgap in a CdTe/PbTe superlattice structure. Given a certain thickness of the layers composing the superlattice the model computes the effective bandgap. This model will be used towards understanding the relationship between film thickness and optical bandgaps in a CdTe/PbTe superlattice. The end goal is to tailor the optical bandgap of a CdTe/PbTe superlattice to result in maximum efficiency when used in a solar cell.
Parametric Requirements for Optimum Performance of InGaP/GaAs Heterojonction Solar Cell
Authors: Hadri B. , Djaafar F .
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we analyze the temperature effect on the performance of photovoltaic cells using a virtual wafer fabrication TCAD Silvaco. As is often done, the previous work on this solar cell involved optimizing it at 300 K, even though operating temperatures are typically higher. Therefore, for this article, we model the InGaP/GaAs heterojunction solar cell from 275 °K to 375° K in 25°K increments while varying their thicknesses and doping levels, as well as varying the molar fraction of InAlAsP, AlGaAs and InGaP. We chose to vary these design parameters to observe their effect on performance and suggest a better design for operating at higher temperatures.
Effect of Addition of Some Grain Refiners to Zinc-Aluminum 22, ZA22, Alloy on its Grain Size, Mechanical Characteristics in the Cast and after Pressing by the Equal Channel Angular Pressing, ECAP
Authors: Zaid Adnan I.O. , AlKasasbeh Jehad A.S. , Al-Qawabah S.M.A.
Published: May 2015

In this paper, the effect of addition of some grain refiners namely: molybdenum, titanium and titanium+boron to zinc-aluminum 22%, ZA22, alloy on its microstructure and mechanical characteristics is investigated in two conditions one in the cast condition and the other after pressing by the equal channel angular pressing, ECAP. Recently the ECAP process has been used to produce severe plastic deformation. It was found that addition of any of these elements to ZA22 alloy resulted in grain refinement of its structure both in the cast and after pressing by the ECAP conditions, being more pronounced after pressing by ECAP. The maximum decrease was %. Furthermore, it resulted in enhancement of its mechanical strength at, indicating softening of the alloy. Regarding the effect on its hardness, it decreased by th addition of either Mo or Ti+B. at any rate of Mo addition.
A Study on Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir Welded and Electron Beam Welded AA2195 Sheets
Authors: Lee Ye Rim , Jung Hyun Ho , Yoon Jong Hoon , Yoo Joon Tae , Min Kyung Ju , Lee Ho Sung
Published: May 2015

Aluminum-Copper-Lithium alloys are used as substitute for conventional aerospace Al alloys in cryogenic tank of liquid rocket engines, aircraft wing box and satellite systems due to their high specific modulus and specific strength. For this reason they are currently under consideration for one of the potential choices for a large structure of Korea Space Launch Vehicle. In this study, friction stir welding and electron beam welding were conducted on AA2195 sheets, in butt joint configuration in order to compare the two processes and to evaluate mechanical properties. The results provide valuable information for the optimal condition of joining AA2195 sheets for a large tankage structure of the space launcher.