bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Computation Offloading Scheme for Drone-Based Surveillance Systems
Authors: Kim Bongjae , Min Hong , Heo Junyoung , Jung Jinman
Published: September 2018

Recently, various technologies for utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles have been studied. Drones are a kind of unmanned aerial vehicle. Drone-based mobile surveillance systems can be applied for various purposes such as object recognition or object tracking. In this paper, we propose a mobility-aware dynamic computation offloading scheme, which can be used for tracking and recognizing a moving object on the drone. The purpose of the proposed scheme is to reduce the time required for recognizing and tracking a moving target object. Reducing recognition and tracking time is a very important issue because it is a very time critical job. Our dynamic computation offloading scheme considers both the dwell time of the moving target object and the network failure rate to estimate the response time accurately. Based on the simulation results, our dynamic computation offloading scheme can reduce the response time required for tracking the moving target object efficiently.
Classification of Overt and Covert Speech for Near-Infrared Spectroscopy-Based Brain Computer Interface
Authors: Kamavuako Ernest Nlandu , Sheikh Usman Ayub , Gilani Syed Omer , Jamil Mohsin , Niazi Imran Khan
Published: September 2018

People suffering from neuromuscular disorders such as locked-in syndrome (LIS) are left in a paralyzed state with preserved awareness and cognition. In this study, it was hypothesized that changes in local hemodynamic activity, due to the activation of Broca’s area during overt/covert speech, can be harnessed to create an intuitive Brain Computer Interface based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS). A 12-channel square template was used to cover inferior frontal gyrus and changes in hemoglobin concentration corresponding to six aloud (overtly) and six silently (covertly) spoken words were collected from eight healthy participants. An unsupervised feature extraction algorithm was implemented with an optimized support vector machine for classification. For all participants, when considering overt and covert classes regardless of words, classification accuracy of 92.88 ± 18.49% was achieved with oxy-hemoglobin (O2Hb) and 95.14 ± 5.39% with deoxy-hemoglobin (HHb) as a chromophore. For a six-active-class problem of overtly spoken words, 88.19 ± 7.12% accuracy was achieved for O2Hb and 78.82 ± 15.76% for HHb. Similarly, for a six-active-class classification of covertly spoken words, 79.17 ± 14.30% accuracy was achieved with O2Hb and 86.81 ± 9.90% with HHb as an absorber. These results indicate that a control paradigm based on covert speech can be reliably implemented into future Brain–Computer Interfaces (BCIs) based on NIRS.
Damage Detection in Active Suspension Bridges: An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Meng Fanhao , Mokrani Bilal , Alaluf David , Yu Jingjun , Preumont André
Published: September 2018

This paper considers a Hilbert marginal spectrum-based approach to health monitoring of active suspension bridge hangers. The paper proposes to takes advantage of the presence of active cables and use them as an excitation mean of the bridge, while they are used for active damping. The Hilbert–Huang transform is used to calculate the Hilbert marginal spectrum and establish a damage index for each hanger of the suspension bridge. The paper aims to investigate the method experimentally, through a series of damage scenarios, on a laboratory suspension bridge mock-up equipped with four active cables; each active cable is made of a displacement actuator collocated with a force sensor. Different locations and levels of damage severity are implemented. For the first time, the investigation demonstrates experimentally the effectiveness of the technique, as well as its limitations, to detect and locate the damage in hangers of a suspension bridge.
Southern African Social Work Students’ Acceptance of Rape Myths
Authors: Matthews John , Avery Lisa , Nashandi Johanna
Published: September 2018

Despite numerous interventions to promote gender equality, sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest prevalence rates of non-partner sexual assault in the world, thus constituting a major social and public health issue in the region. As social workers frequently provide services to this population, an exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted to explore rape myth acceptance among undergraduate social work students studying in Namibia. Findings revealed the positive influence of social work education in reducing rape myth acceptance, as well as highlighting the influence of age, gender, country of origin, self-identification as a feminist, and religiosity on rape myth acceptance among this population.
Sustainability and Shared Mobility Models
Authors: Santos Georgina
Published: September 2018

Shared mobility or mobility in the sharing economy is characterised by the sharing of a vehicle instead of ownership, and the use of technology to connect users and providers. Based on a literature review, the following four emerging models are identified: (1) peer to peer provision with a company as a broker, providing a platform where individuals can rent their cars when not in use; (2) short term rental of vehicles managed and owned by a provider; (3) companies that own no cars themselves but sign up ordinary car owners as drivers; and (4) on demand private cars, vans, or buses, and other vehicles, such as big taxis, shared by passengers going in the same direction. The first three models can yield profits to private parties, but they do not seem to have potential to reduce congestion and CO2 emissions substantially. The fourth model, which entails individuals not only sharing a vehicle, but actually travelling together at the same time, is promising in terms of congestion and CO2 emissions reductions. It is also the least attractive to individuals, given the disbenefits in terms of waiting time, travel time, comfort, and convenience, in comparison with the private car. Potential incentives to encourage shared mobility are also discussed, and research needs are outlined.
A Coordinated Revenue-Sharing Model for a Sustainable Closed-Loop Supply Chain
Authors: Zou Hao , Qin Jin , Yang Peng , Dai Bo
Published: September 2018

This study takes a sustainable closed-loop supply chain composed of one manufacturer and two price-competitive retailers as the object and considers the two-way risk aversion characteristics of manufacturers and retailers in examining the coordination mechanism in a closed-loop supply chain. Using game theory, optimal decision-making on wholesale prices, retail prices, and recycling prices are explored under decentralized and centralized decision-making scenarios, and representative expressions are established. By analyzing the effects of the risk aversion coefficient on players’ optimal strategies, we found that the manufacturer’s and retailers’ risk aversion coefficients have different effects on the wholesale price, retail price, and recycling price under decentralized decision-making, while in a centralized decision-making scenario, the effects are the same. The comparison also found that the wholesale price and recovery price under the centralized decision-making scenario are higher than those under decentralized decision-making. To achieve closed-loop supply chain coordination, we propose a revenue-sharing contract that we demonstrate by coordinating price competition with risk aversion and analyze a range of parameters that influence the revenue-sharing contract. The results show that the proposed contract can increase the profits of supply chain members by identifying the optimal revenue-sharing ratio.
Applying the SDGs to Cities: Business as Usual or a New Dawn?
Authors: Zinkernagel Roland , Evans James , Neij Lena
Published: September 2018

With growing urbanisation the sustainability of cities has become increasingly important. Although cities have been using indicators for a long time it is only in the last decades that attempts have been made to collate indicators into sets that reflect the many different aspects required to assess the sustainability of a city. The aim of this paper is to review the evolution of indicators for monitoring sustainable urban development in order to understand how ‘new’ the indicators suggested by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are for cities and the challenges they may face in using them. The review reveals that previous indicator sets emphasised environmental sustainability, health and economic growth. It is also shown that indicator sets that pre-date the SDGs lacked dimensions such as gender equality and reduced inequalities. In all, the SDG indicators provide the possibility of a more balanced and integrated approach to urban sustainability monitoring. At the same time, further research is needed to understand how to adapt the SDGs, targets and indicators to specific urban contexts. Challenges of local application include their large number, their generic characteristics and the need to complement them with specific indicators that are more relevant at the city level.
A Generalised Model of Ground Lease Pricing
Authors: Trojanek Maria , Anholcer Marcin , Banaitis Audrius , Trojanek Radoslaw
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we present a generalization of Mandell’s model for the estimation of ground lease pricing. We adjust the model so that it fits, in particular, the Polish legal regulations and situation of the Polish real estate market. The model involves two aspects. The first is the perpetual usufruct, a form of owning the ground similar to a long-term lease, but having some specific features. The second is allowing lease rent adjustments after some fixed period, meaning we consider the situation where the payments are fixed during certain periods as defined in the contract. The proposed model determines the minimum lease amount for the owner, which is the rate at which it is beneficial to lease the property, and the maximum for the lessee, which is the amount above which the lease is unprofitable for the leaseholder or perpetual usufruct.
Does Seeing “Mind Acts Upon Mind” Affect Green Psychological Climate and Green Product Development Performance? The Role of Matching Between Green Transformational Leadership and Individual Green Values
Authors: Zhou Shunyi , Zhang Dapeng , Lyu Chan , Zhang Hongfeng
Published: September 2018

In the field of management psychology, the matching of employees and leaders can help improve enterprise performance. Then, in the field of sustainable development, can human aspects enhance green product development performance? Does the match between leaders and employees help to advance this improvement? A survey questionnaire was used to collect data for this study; 52 leaders and their 214 employees were contacted. The findings of this study revealed that green transformational leadership is positively related to green product development performance. Besides, both green transformational leadership and individual green values have positive influences on green psychological climate, which leads to the promotion of green product development performance in the organization. Further, when green transformational leadership matches employees with green values, it is more conducive to create green psychological climate in the organization, thereby improving the green products development performance. The implications for practitioners are discussed on the basis of the empirical findings.
Comparing the Hydrological Responses of Conceptual and Process-Based Models with Varying Rain Gauge Density and Distribution
Authors: Yin Zhaokai , Liao Weihong , Lei Xiaohui , Wang Hao , Wang Ruojia
Published: September 2018

Precipitation provides the most crucial input for hydrological modeling. However, rain gauge networks, the most common precipitation measurement mechanisms, are sometimes sparse and inadequately distributed in practice, resulting in an imperfect representation of rainfall spatial variability. The objective of this study is to analyze the sensitivity of different model structures to the different density and distribution of rain gauges and evaluate their reliability and robustness. Based on a rain gauge network of 20 gauges in the Jinjiang River Basin, south-eastern China, this study compared the performance of two conceptual models (the hydrologic model (HYMOD) and Xinanjiang) and one process-based distributed model (the water and energy transfer between soil, plants and atmosphere model (WetSpa)) with different rain gauge distributions. The results show that the average accuracy for the three models is generally stable as the number of rain gauges decreases but is sensitive to changes in the network distribution. HYMOD has the highest calibration uncertainty, followed by Xinanjiang and WetSpa. Differing model responses are consistent with changes in network distribution, while calibration uncertainties are more related to model structures.
Smart Doll: Emotion Recognition Using Embedded Deep Learning
Authors: Espinosa-Aranda Jose Luis , Vallez Noelia , Rico-Saavedra Jose Maria , Parra-Patino Javier , Bueno Gloria , Sorci Matteo , Moloney David , Pena Dexmont , Deniz Oscar
Published: September 2018

Computer vision and deep learning are clearly demonstrating a capability to create engaging cognitive applications and services. However, these applications have been mostly confined to powerful Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) or the cloud due to their demanding computational requirements. Cloud processing has obvious bandwidth, energy consumption and privacy issues. The Eyes of Things (EoT) is a powerful and versatile embedded computer vision platform which allows the user to develop artificial vision and deep learning applications that analyse images locally. In this article, we use the deep learning capabilities of an EoT device for a real-life facial informatics application: a doll capable of recognizing emotions, using deep learning techniques, and acting accordingly. The main impact and significance of the presented application is in showing that a toy can now do advanced processing locally, without the need of further computation in the cloud, thus reducing latency and removing most of the ethical issues involved. Finally, the performance of the convolutional neural network developed for that purpose is studied and a pilot was conducted on a panel of 12 children aged between four and ten years old to test the doll.
Infectious Bronchitis Virus Nonstructural Protein 4 Alone Induces Membrane Pairing
Authors: Doyle Nicole , Neuman Benjamin W. , Simpson Jennifer , Hawes Philippa C. , Mantell Judith , Verkade Paul , Alrashedi Hasan , Maier Helena J.
Published: September 2018

Positive-strand RNA viruses, such as coronaviruses, induce cellular membrane rearrangements during replication to form replication organelles allowing for efficient viral RNA synthesis. Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), a pathogenic avian Gammacoronavirus of significant importance to the global poultry industry, has been shown to induce the formation of double membrane vesicles (DMVs), zippered endoplasmic reticulum (zER) and tethered vesicles, known as spherules. These membrane rearrangements are virally induced; however, it remains unclear which viral proteins are responsible. In this study, membrane rearrangements induced when expressing viral non-structural proteins (nsps) from two different strains of IBV were compared. Three non-structural transmembrane proteins, nsp3, nsp4, and nsp6, were expressed in cells singularly or in combination and the effects on cellular membranes investigated using electron microscopy and electron tomography. In contrast to previously studied coronaviruses, IBV nsp4 alone is necessary and sufficient to induce membrane pairing; however, expression of the transmembrane proteins together was not sufficient to fully recapitulate DMVs. This indicates that although nsp4 is able to singularly induce membrane pairing, further viral or host factors are required in order to fully assemble IBV replicative structures. This study highlights further differences in the mechanism of membrane rearrangements between members of the coronavirus family.
Insights into the Human Virome Using CRISPR Spacers from Microbiomes
Authors: Hidalgo-Cantabrana Claudio , Sanozky-Dawes Rosemary , Barrangou Rodolphe
Published: September 2018

Due to recent advances in next-generation sequencing over the past decade, our understanding of the human microbiome and its relationship to health and disease has increased dramatically. Yet, our insights into the human virome, and its interplay with important microbes that impact human health, is relatively limited. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic viruses are present throughout the human body, comprising a large and diverse population which influences several niches and impacts our health at various body sites. The presence of prokaryotic viruses like phages, has been documented at many different body sites, with the human gut being the richest ecological niche. Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and associated proteins constitute the adaptive immune system of bacteria, which prevents attack by invasive nucleic acid. CRISPR-Cas systems function by uptake and integration of foreign genetic element sequences into the CRISPR array, which constitutes a genomic archive of iterative vaccination events. Consequently, CRISPR spacers can be investigated to reconstruct interplay between viruses and bacteria, and metagenomic sequencing data can be exploited to provide insights into host-phage interactions within a niche. Here, we show how the CRISPR spacer content of commensal and pathogenic bacteria can be used to determine the evidence of their phage exposure. This framework opens new opportunities for investigating host-virus dynamics in metagenomic data, and highlights the need to dedicate more efforts for virome sampling and sequencing.
Improved Immune Responses Against Zika Virus After Sequential Dengue and Zika Virus Infection in Humans
Authors: Delgado Félix G. , Torres Karina I. , Castellanos Jaime E. , Romero-Sánchez Consuelo , Simon-Lorière Etienne , Sakuntabhai Anavaj , Roth Claude
Published: September 2018

The high levels of dengue-virus (DENV) seroprevalence in areas where the Zika virus (ZIKV) is circulating and the cross-reactivity between these two viruses have raised concerns on the risk of increased ZIKV disease severity for patients with a history of previous DENV infections. To determine the role of DENV preimmunity in ZIKV infection, we analyzed the T- and B-cell responses against ZIKV in donors with or without previous DENV infection. Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from donors living in an endemic area in Colombia, we have identified, by interferon (IFN)-γ enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay, most of the immunodominant ZIKV T-cell epitopes in the nonstructural (NS) proteins NS1, NS3, and NS5. Analyses of the T- and B-cell responses in the same donors revealed a stronger T-cell response against peptides conserved between DENV and ZIKV, with a higher level of ZIKV-neutralizing antibodies in DENV-immune donors in comparison with DENV-naïve donors. Strikingly, the potential for antibody-mediated enhancement of ZIKV infection was reduced in donors with sequential DENV and ZIKV infection in comparison with donors with DENV infection only. Altogether, these data suggest that individuals with DENV immunity present improved immune responses against ZIKV.
Hydrogeochemical Characterization and Quality Assessment of Groundwater in a Long-Term Reclaimed Water Irrigation Area, North China Plain
Authors: Gu Xiaomin , Xiao Yong , Yin Shiyang , Hao Qichen , Liu Honglu , Hao Zhongyong , Meng Geping , Pei Qiuming , Yan Huijun
Published: September 2018

Water scarcity has led to wide use of reclaimed water for irrigation worldwide, which may threaten groundwater quality. To understand the status of groundwater in the reclaimed water irrigation area in Beijing, 87 samples from both shallow and deep aquifers were collected to determine the factors affecting groundwater chemistry and to assess groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes. The results show that groundwater in both shallow and deep aquifers in the study area is weakly alkaline freshwater with hydrogeochemical faces dominated by HCO3-Na·Mg·Ca, HCO3-Mg·Ca·Na, HCO3-Ca·Na, and HCO3-Na. The chemical composition of groundwater in both shallow and deep aquifers is dominantly controlled by the dissolution of halite, gypsum, anhydrite, and silicates weathering, as well as ion exchange. Geogenic processes (rock weathering and ion exchange) are the only mechanisms controlling groundwater chemistry in deep aquifers. Besides geogenic processes, evaporation and anthropogenic activities also affect the chemistry of shallow groundwater. Quality assessment reveals that both shallow and deep groundwater are generally suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes. The quality of deep groundwater is more excellent for drinking than shallow groundwater. However, long-term use of deep groundwater for irrigation exhibits higher potential risks to deteriorate soil property due to the relative higher permeability indexes (PI). Therefore, it is recommended that deep groundwater is preferentially used for drinking and domestic purpose, and shallow groundwater for agricultural irrigation.
Experimental Study of Influence of Karst Aquifer on the Law of Water Inrush in Tunnels
Authors: Yang Weimin , Fang Zhongdong , Yang Xin , Shi Shaoshuai , Wang Jing , Wang Hao , Bu Lin , Li Liping , Zhou Zongqing , Li Xueqing
Published: September 2018

Water inrush is a geological hazard often encountered in tunnel construction. In order to overcome problems encountered when using the existing water-inrush simulation model test, such as single function, low repetition utilization rate, and poor visibility, we developed a multi-type water-inrush model test system. Our test system can be a precursor to large-scale studies, handle multiple types, and perform serialization and visualization. We conducted cavity water-inrush simulation testing using this device, and studied the failure model of aquifuge rock. We reveal the evolution laws of water inrush from the cavity, including the initiation of fracture in the aquifuge rock, the formation of water-inrush channels, and the rupture of the aquifuge rock. By analyzing the seepage pressure changes at the monitoring points of the aquifuge rock, we divided the water-inrush process of the cave into a rack generation stage, a holing-through of fracture and forming of water-inrush channel stage, and a water-inrush stage. Test results show that the system is stable and reliable, only requiring a short test period, and can be used to guide large water-inrush testing and related projects.
An Integrated Hydrological-Hydraulic Model for Simulating Surface Water Flows of a Shallow Lake Surrounded by Large Floodplains
Authors: Tanaka Tomohiro , Yoshioka Hidekazu , Siev Sokly , Fujii Hideto , Fujihara Yoichi , Hoshikawa Keisuke , Ly Sarann , Yoshimura Chihiro
Published: September 2018

An integrated hydrological-hydraulic model employing the 2-D local inertial equation as the core is established for effective numerical simulation of surface water flows in a great lake and its floodplain. The model is a cascade of validated hydrological and hydraulic sub-models. The model was applied to simulating the surface water flows of the Tonle Sap Lake and its floodplain in Cambodia using the roughness coefficient value calibrated comparing with a remote-sensing data set. The resulting model reasonably handles backwater flows during the rainy season and simulates the propagations of wet and dry interfaces without numerical instability, owing to a proper setting of time step supported by a novel numerical stability analysis. Sensitivity analysis of the surface water dynamics focusing on the setting of roughness coefficient and the backwater effect was also carried out. Overall, utilizing the 2-D local inertial equation in the assessment of lake water dynamics is a new modelling approach, which turns out to be an efficient simulation tool.
Large-scale Multiconfiguration Dirac–Hartree–Fock and Relativistic Configuration Interaction Calculations of Transition Data for B-like S xii
Authors: Wang Kai , Song Chang Xian , Jönsson Per , Ekman Jörgen , Godefroid Michel , Zhang Chun Yu , Si Ran , Zhao Xiao Hui , Chen Chong Yang , Yan Jun
Published: September 2018

Excitation energies and lifetimes for the 213 lowest states of the n ≤ 5 configurations in B-like S xii are calculated using highly correlated wave functions, optimized with the fully relativistic multiconfiguration Dirac–Hartree–Fock method. Multipole transition rates and associated radiative data (line strengths and oscillator strengths) for transitions connecting these levels are also reported. The theoretical excitation energies are systematically compared with the NIST Atomic Spectra Database in which misidentifications are pointed out. After eliminating the latter, a mean energy difference with the standard deviation between computed and observed energies of 12 ± 341 cm−1 is obtained for the n ≥ 3 high-lying states. This level of accuracy confirms that elaborate ab initio calculations can assist in the identification of new emission lines in the solar and other astrophysical spectra. The present work provides atomic data of high accuracy for an ion of astrophysical interest, B-like S xii, for which experimental data are scarce.
¿De quién es el conocimiento? El papel del conocimiento en un currículum de gran autonomía
Authors: Sheehan Mark
Published: September 2018

El plan de estudios no preceptivo de historia de Educación Secundaria de Nueva Zelanda les permite a los maestros que tienen una gran experiencia intelectual en el conocimiento disciplinar la oportunidad de desarrollar programas innovadores que aborden los intereses de sus alumnos. El currículo o el marco de evaluación no requieren conocimiento de eventos históricos particulares, de personalidades o de temas concretos. Sin embargo, para el profesorado que no tiene una comprensión sólida de cómo funciona la disciplina de la historia, la ausencia de límites plantea un desafío. La base para elegir contenidos o temas puede carecer de coherencia, ser en gran medida arbitraria y basarse en la experiencia limitada de individualidades en lugar de en los conocimientos especializados de los investigadores. Este artículo examina las implicaciones de un currículum de historia de alta autonomía con un enfoque basado en el conocimiento. En él se sostiene que, si los jóvenes deben tener acceso a formas intelectualmente poderosas de comprender el pasado, el conocimiento histórico debe diferenciarse entre los marcos disciplinares del pensamiento (que fomente un espíritu crítico) y el conocimiento que no requiere una dimensión crítica.
Los manuales escolares de historia en España y Portugal. Reflexiones sobre su uso en Educación Primaria y Secundaria
Authors: Rodríguez Pérez Raimundo A. , Solé Glória
Published: September 2018

El manual escolar sigue siendo un recurso didáctico clave en la enseñanza de la historia. En Educación Primaria y Secundaria pervive su uso, a pesar de las numerosas reformas educativas llevadas a cabo desde hace siglo y medio. Este trabajo pretende analizar su vigencia, estructura y cambios a lo largo del tiempo. Los cada vez más numerosos estudios se han escrito desde una perspectiva española o portuguesa, así que interesa conocer la evolución paralela y establecer comparaciones. Se analizan las escuelas historiográficas y pedagógicas que han influido en la evolución de los currículos educativos. Además, se reflexiona sobre los contenidos históricos de los manuales, especialmente las narrativas nacionales.
Implicaciones de los estudios sobre memoria colectiva para la enseñanza de la historia
Authors: Arnoso Maitane , Páez Darío , Bobowik Magdalena , Basabe Nekane
Published: September 2018

La investigación sobre la memoria colectiva y las representaciones sociales de la historia en el campo de la psicología social puede proporcionar reflexiones de interés para el fortalecimiento de las competencias meta-cognitivas en la enseñanza de la historia. En este capítulo se revisa la bibliografía existente y la investigación empírica en este campo. En primer lugar, se analizan los procesos a través de los cuales se conforman las memorias y representaciones del pasado. A continuación, se exponen tres competencias de razonamiento necesarias para su aplicación en las prácticas de enseñanza: a) una centrada en la determinación de lo que es de importancia histórica; b) otra que aborda la identificación y la compresión de la continuidad y del cambio histórico; y c) aquella dirigida a identificar la multiplicidad de causas y consecuencias en la historia a través de la conciencia histórica y la toma de perspectiva. Concluimos nuestro capítulo con una serie de orientaciones prácticas dirigidas al profesorado o agentes relevantes en la enseñanza de la historia.
La agricultura en Cuba: condicionantes sociales de su desarrollo
Authors: Herrera Sorzano Angelina
Published: September 2018

La agricultura ha sido por más de cinco siglos la actividad económica principal en Cuba. Sobre la agricultura actúa un conjimto de condicionantes, abordándose en este artículo las sociales y dentro de éstas se profundiza lo relacionado a la situación actual y evolución de la tenencia de la tierra y el tamaño de la propiedad.
La ciudad de la Habana y su medio ambiente
Authors: Pérez Rodríguez Nancy
Published: September 2018

La diferenciación ambiental en una ciudad obedece a una serie de factores que de conjunto le confieren carácter sistémico. La Ciudad de La Habana se presenta como un espacio constituido mediante un largo y complicado proceso de urbanización, donde el componente natural sin ser determinante, potenció la presencia de un medio ambiente complejo y diferenciado.
La influencia del relieve en la isla de calor de Madrid: las vaguadas del Manzanares y del Abroñigal
Authors: Fernández Garcla Felipe , López Gómez Antonio , López Gómez Antonio
Published: September 2018

La influencia del relieve en la isla de calor de Madrid. Las vaguadas del Manzanares y del Abroñigal. Resumen. Se estudia la influencia de la topografía y de diversos usos de suelo en la isla de calor urbana de Madrid, a través de dos perñles en las vaguadas del río Manzanares desde el extrarradio, donde se favorece la entrada de aire frío del exterior de la ciudad, y del Abroñigal en una disposición más urbana.

[fr] Influence du ralief dans l'île de chaleur à Madrid. Les thalwegs du Manzanares et de lAbroñigal. L'étude de l'influence de du relief et des différents paysages urbaines sur l'île de chaleur de la ville de Madrid a été affectuée à partir de deux coupes, l'une dua thalweg du Manzanares dans les faubourgs, où l'on trouve l'air froid de l'extérieur de la ville, et l'autre du thalwg de 1'Abroñigal, situé bienplus à l'intérieur de la cité.
Desigualdades de Gênero no Mercado de Trabalho Brasileiro: Uma Análise na área de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas
Authors: Haussmann Darclê Costa Silva , Vogt Mara , Hein Nelson , Silva Marcia Zanievicz da
Published: September 2018

Este estudo objetivou analisar os aspectos que evidenciam a desigualdade de gênero na atuação de profissionais ligados à área de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas no mercado de trabalho brasileiro. Realizou-se uma pesquisa descritiva, documental e quantitativa do período de 2013 a 2015. A população compreendeu os profissionais graduados, contratados no referido período, da área de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas (Administrador, Contador e Economista) de todo o Brasil, perfazendo um total de 143.468 observações e a amostra de 134.532 observações. Os dados foram coletados no sítio do Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego (MTE) e dizem respeito a Relação Anual de Informações Sociais (RAIS), na qual incluem-se diversas informações do Cadastro Geral de Empregados e Desempregados (CAGED). Os resultados foram obtidos a partir do Teste t de médias e verificou-se que a média da idade de homens e mulheres apresentou-se bem próxima em todos os anos e profissões. No que tange a variável remuneração, o Administrador possui menor desigualdade de gênero em todos os anos analisados, o Economista apresentou maior desigualdade em 2013 e o Contador em 2014 e 2015. O estudo apontou também que, se comparado 2013 com 2015, todas as áreas mantiveram um decréscimo na desigualdade de gênero, porém para os profissionais da Economia, esse resultado foi mais significativo. Diante dos resultados, conclui-se que em relação ao problema de pesquisa e o objetivo, nos três anos analisados ainda há desigualdade de gênero em relação a profissão do Administrador, Contador e Economista, no entanto, com indícios de redução anual, fato considerado positivo.
Divulgação de provisões e passivos contingentes ambientais sob a ótica da teoria institucional
Authors: Leal Paulo Henrique , Costa Benedito Manoel do Nascimento , Oliveira Marcelle Colares , Rebouças Sílvia Maria Dias Pedro
Published: September 2018

O estudo teve por objetivo investigar os fatores que influenciam a divulgação de provisões e passivos contingentes ambientais pelas empresas de alto impacto ambiental, sob a perspectiva das pressões institucionais de acordo com a vertente da Nova Sociologia Institucional (NIS) da Teoria Institucional. Nesse sentido, foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva, documental com abordagem quantitativa, na qual foram analisadas as notas explicativas de 48 empresas pertencentes aos setores de atividades classificados como de alto potencial poluidor, listadas na BM&FBovespa, referentes aos exercícios de 2010, 2011, 2012 e 2013. A pesquisa constatou, por meio de análise de regressão com dados em painel, que a divulgação de informações sobre provisões e passivos contingentes ambientais pelas empresas da amostra é influenciada pelas variáveis: tamanho da empresa, nível de governança, setor de atuação e participação no ISE (Índice de Sustentabilidade Empresarial). Os resultados, analisados à luz da Teoria Institucional, revelam que motivações externas parecem ser mais significativas que internas para explicar a divulgação de informações sobre provisões e passivos contingentes ambientais pelas empresas, como a presença de mecanismos de pressão normativa, visto que as regras diferenciadas de governança corporativa e a participação no ISE exigem uma maior divulgação de informações. Além disso, empresas maiores tendem a apresentar maior nível de divulgação devido a características próprias do seu ambiente institucional como o nível de pressão externa e a disponibilidade de recursos para tal divulgação.
Aprendizado e desenvolvimento de habilidades no curso de Contabilidade: uma pesquisa-ação com o método Team-Based Learning (TBL)
Authors: Silva Sidnei Celerino da , Colle Fatima Eduarda Schmitk , Cavichioli Denize , Souza Roberto Francisco de
Published: September 2018

O presente estudo objetivou avaliar as influências da modalidade didática Team-Based Learning (TBL) no aprendizado e no desenvolvimento de habilidades dos estudantes de graduação em Ciências Contábeis. A pesquisa justifica-se em função de a TBL configurar-se como uma metodologia ativa e inovadora e por apresentar resultados satisfatórios no ensino da Contabilidade em outros países. No Brasil, no entanto, a TBL tem sido amplamente empregada em cursos da área da Saúde. Assim, a lacuna de pesquisa referese à inexistência de pesquisa com a utilização da modalidade TBL no ensino de Contabilidade. Orientada pelas fases da pesquisa-ação, a TBL foi implementada na disciplina Pesquisa em Contabilidade II, ofertada em 2016, em uma universidade pública localizada no Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Para tanto, o conteúdo do terceiro bimestre foi aplicado em quatro rodadas de TBL, as quais demandaram 16 horas e, ao final, 34 estudantes que participaram do processo responderam a um questionário de avaliação formativa. Os resultados indicaram que a TBL fortalece o comprometimento dos estudantes com o aprendizado. Ficou evidente a influência da modalidade TBL no desenvolvimento de habilidades pessoais, interpessoais e de comunicação. Tal fato foi percebido no estímulo ao exercício da dúvida, no fortalecimento da interação e da negociação de soluções e de acordos, motivação à discussão em equipe e à promoção da defesa de visões em situações formais e informais. Ainda, a TBL contribuiu no desenvolvimento de habilidades intelectuais, funcionais e de gestão organizacional
Remarkably Robust Antiviral Immune Response despite Combined Deficiency in Caspase-8 and RIPK3
Authors: Feng Yanjun , Livingston-Rosanoff Devon , Roback Linda , Sundararajan Aarthi , Speck Samuel H. , Mocarski Edward S. , Daley-Bauer Lisa P.
Published: September 2018

Caspase-8 (Casp8)–mediated signaling triggers extrinsic apoptosis while suppressing receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 3–dependent necroptosis. Although Casp8 is dispensable for the development of innate and adaptive immune compartments in mice, the importance of this proapoptotic protease in the orchestration of immune response to pathogens remains to be fully explored. In this study, Casp8−/−Ripk3−/− C57BL/6 mice show robust innate and adaptive immune responses to the natural mouse pathogen, murine CMV. When young, these mice lack lpr-like lymphoid hyperplasia and accumulation of either B220+CD3+ or B220−CD3+CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with increased numbers of immature myeloid cells that are evident in older mice. Dendritic cell activation and cytokine production drive both NK and T cell responses to control viral infection in these mice, suggesting that Casp8 is dispensable to the generation of antiviral host defense. Curiously, NK and T cell expansion is amplified, with greater numbers observed by 7 d postinfection compared with either Casp8+/−Ripk3−/− or wild type (Casp8+/+Ripk3+/+) littermate controls. Casp8 and RIPK3 are natural targets of virus-encoded cell death suppressors that prevent infected cell apoptosis and necroptosis, respectively. It is clear from the current studies that the initiation of innate immunity and the execution of cytotoxic lymphocyte functions are all preserved despite the absence of Casp8 in responding cells. Thus, Casp8 and RIPK3 signaling is completely dispensable to the generation of immunity against this natural herpesvirus infection, although the pathways driven by these initiators serve as a crucial first line for host defense within virus-infected cells.
Two 4-Week Balance-Training Programs for Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Anguish Ben , Sandrey Michelle A.
Published: September 2018

Context: 

Traditional single-limb balance (SLB) and progressive dynamic balance-training programs for those with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have been evaluated in the literature. However, which training program may be more beneficial is not known.

Objective: 

To investigate the effects of a progressive hop-to-stabilization balance (PHSB) program compared with an SLB program on self-reported function, dynamic postural control, and joint position sense (JPS) where angle and direction were self-reported by participants with CAI.

Design: 

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting: 

A single testing location in a mid-Atlantic state.

Patients or Other Participants: 

A total of 18 participants (age = 18.38 ± 1.81 years; height = 175.26 ± 6.64 cm; mass = 75.79 ± 12.1 kg) with CAI.

Intervention(s): 

Participants were randomly assigned to the PHSB or SLB program. The PHSB and SLB groups pursued their 4-week programs 3 times a week. The PHSB group performed a battery of single-limb hop-to-stabilization exercises, while the SLB group performed a series of SLB exercises. Exercises were advanced throughout the 4 weeks for both groups.

Main Outcomes Measure(s): 

Pretest and posttest measurements were the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM)-Activities of Daily Living subscale; FAAM-Sports subscale; Star Excursion Balance Test in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions; and weight-bearing JPS blocks (dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, eversion).

Results: 

A significant main effect of time was present for the FAAM-Activities of Daily Living, FAAM-Sports, Star Excursion Balance Test (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions), and JPS (dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion), as posttest results improved for the PHSB and SLB groups. The main effect of group was significant only for the FAAM-Sports, with the SLB group improving more than the PHSB group.

Conclusions: 

Either a 4-week PHSB or SLB can be used in athletes with CAI, as both programs resulted in similar gains.
Editorial
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: September 2018

No abstracts available.
The role of speech audiometry in practical otology
Authors: Haynes D. R.
Published: September 2018

No abstract available.
Sentiment polarity classification of tweets using a extended dictionary
Authors: Camargo Jorge E. , Vargas-Calderon Vladimir , Vargas Nelson , Calderón-Benavides Liliana
Published: September 2018

With the purpose of classifying text based on its sentiment polarity (positive or negative), we proposed an extension of a 68,000 tweets corpus through the inclusion of word definitions from a dictionary of the Real Academia Espa\~{n}ola de la Lengua (RAE). A set of 28,000 combinations of 6 Word2Vec and support vector machine parameters were considered in order to evaluate how positively would affect the inclusion of a RAE's dictionary definitions classification performance. We found that such a corpus extension significantly improve the classification accuracy. Therefore, we conclude that the inclusion of a RAE's dictionary increases the semantic relations learned by Word2Vec allowing a better classification accuracy.
Spatiotemporal variability of NO2 and PM2.5 over Eastern China: observational and model analyses with a novel statistical method
Authors: Liu Mengyao , Lin Jintai , Wang Yuchen , Sun Yang , Zheng Bo , Shao Jingyuan , Chen Lulu , Zheng Yixuan , Chen Jinxuan , Fu Tzung-May , Yan Yingying , Zhang Qiang , Wu Zhaohua
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Eastern China (27–41∘ N,
110–123∘ E) is heavily polluted by
nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter
below 2.5 µm (PM2.5), and other air pollutants. These pollutants
vary on a variety of temporal and spatial scales, with many temporal scales
that are nonperiodic and nonstationary, challenging proper quantitative
characterization and visualization. This study uses a newly compiled
EOF–EEMD analysis visualization package to evaluate the spatiotemporal
variability of ground-level NO2, PM2.5, and their associations
with meteorological processes over Eastern China in fall–winter 2013.
Applying the package to observed hourly pollutant data reveals a primary
spatial pattern representing Eastern China synchronous variation in
time, which is dominated by diurnal variability with a much weaker
day-to-day signal. A secondary spatial mode, representing north–south
opposing changes in time with no constant period, is characterized by
wind-related dilution or a buildup of pollutants from one day to another. We further evaluate simulations of nested GEOS-Chem v9-02 and
WRF/CMAQ v5.0.1 in capturing the
spatiotemporal variability of pollutants. GEOS-Chem underestimates
NO2 by about 17 µg m−3 and PM2.5 by
35 µg m−3
on average over fall–winter 2013. It reproduces the diurnal
variability for both pollutants. For the day-to-day variation, GEOS-Chem
reproduces the observed north–south contrasting mode for both pollutants but
not the Eastern China synchronous mode (especially for NO2). The
model errors are due to a first model layer too thick (about 130 m) to
capture the near-surface vertical gradient, deficiencies in the nighttime
nitrogen chemistry in the first layer, and missing secondary organic aerosols
and anthropogenic dust. CMAQ overestimates the diurnal cycle of pollutants
due to too-weak boundary layer mixing, especially in the nighttime, and
overestimates NO2 by about 30 µg m−3 and PM2.5
by 60 µg m−3. For the day-to-day variability, CMAQ reproduces
the observed Eastern China synchronous mode but not the north–south opposing
mode of NO2. Both models capture the day-to-day variability of
PM2.5 better than that of NO2. These results shed light on
model improvement. The EOF–EEMD package is freely
available for noncommercial uses.
Examination on total ozone column retrievals by Brewer spectrophotometry using different processing software
Authors: Siani Anna Maria , Frasca Francesca , Scarlatti Francesco , Religi Arianna , Diémoz Henri , Casale Giuseppe R. , Pedone Massimiliano , Savastiouk Volodya
Published: September 2018

Abstract. The availability of long-term records of the total ozone content (TOC)
represents a valuable source of information for studies on the assessment of
short- and long-term atmospheric changes and their impact on the terrestrial
ecosystem. In particular, ground-based observations represent a valuable tool
for validating satellite-derived products. To our knowledge, details about
software packages for processing Brewer spectrophotometer measurements and
for retrieving the TOC are seldom specified in studies using such datasets. The
sources of the differences among retrieved TOCs from the Brewer instruments
located at the Italian stations of Rome and Aosta, using three freely available
codes (Brewer Processing Software, BPS; O3Brewer software; and European Brewer Network (EUBREWNET) level
1.5 products) are investigated here. Ground-based TOCs are also compared with
Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) TOC retrievals used as an independent
dataset since no other instruments near the Brewer sites are available. The overall agreement of the BPS and O3Brewer TOC data with EUBREWNET data is
within the estimated total uncertainty in the retrieval of total ozone from a
Brewer spectrophotometer (1 %). However, differences can be found
depending on the software in use. Such differences become larger when the
instrumental sensitivity exhibits a fast and dramatic drift which can affect
the ozone retrievals significantly. Moreover, if daily mean values are
directly generated by the software, differences can be observed due to the
configuration set by the users to process single ozone measurement and the
rejection rules applied to data to calculate the daily value. This work aims to provide useful information both for scientists engaged in
ozone measurements with Brewer spectrophotometers and for stakeholders of
the Brewer data products available on Web-based platforms.