bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interplay between Radiation Pressure and the Photoelectric Instability in Optically Thin Disks of Gas and Dust
Authors: Richert Alexander J. W. , Lyra Wladimir , Kuchner Marc J.
Published: March 2018

In optically thin disks, dust grains are photoelectrically stripped of electrons by starlight, heating nearby gas and possibly creating a dust clumping instability—the photoelectric instability (PeI)—that significantly alters global disk structure. In the current work, we use the Pencil Code to perform the first numerical models of the PeI that include stellar radiation pressure on dust grains in order to explore the parameter regime in which the instability operates. In some models with low gas and dust surface densities, we see a variety of dust structures, including sharp concentric rings. In the most gas- and dust-rich models, nonaxisymmetric clumps, arcs, and spiral arms emerge that represent dust surface density enhancements of factors of ∼5–20. In one high gas surface density model, we include a large, low-order gas viscosity and find that it observably smooths the structures that form in the gas and dust, suggesting that resolved images of a given disk may be useful for deriving constraints on the effective viscosity of its gas. Our models show that radiation pressure does not preclude the formation of complex structure from the PeI, but the qualitative manifestation of the PeI depends strongly on the parameters of the system. The PeI may provide an explanation for unusual disk morphologies, such as the moving blobs of the AU Mic disk, the asymmetric dust distribution of the 49 Ceti disk, and the rings and arcs found in the HD 141569A disk.
A Spatially Resolved Study of the GRB 020903 Host Galaxy
Authors: Thorp Mallory D. , Levesque Emily M.
Published: March 2018

GRB 020903 is a long-duration gamma-ray burst with a host galaxy close enough and extended enough for spatially resolved observations, making it one of less than a dozen GRBs where such host studies are possible. GRB 020903 lies in a galaxy host complex that appears to consist of four interacting components. Here we present the results of spatially resolved spectroscopic observations of the GRB 020903 host. By taking observations at two different position angles, we were able to obtain optical spectra (3600–9000 Å) of multiple regions in the galaxy. We confirm redshifts for three regions of the host galaxy that match that of GRB 020903. We measure the metallicity of these regions, and find that the explosion site and the nearby star-forming regions both have comparable subsolar metallicities. We conclude that, in agreement with past spatially resolved studies of GRBs, the GRB explosion site is representative of the host galaxy as a whole rather than localized in a metal-poor region of the galaxy.
Confronting Models of Massive Star Evolution and Explosions with Remnant Mass Measurements
Authors: Raithel Carolyn A. , Sukhbold Tuguldur , Özel Feryal
Published: March 2018

The mass distribution of compact objects provides a fossil record that can be studied to uncover information on the late stages of massive star evolution, the supernova explosion mechanism, and the dense matter equation of state. Observations of neutron star masses indicate a bimodal Gaussian distribution, while the observed black hole mass distribution decays exponentially for stellar-mass black holes. We use these observed distributions to directly confront the predictions of stellar evolution models and the neutrino-driven supernova simulations of Sukhbold et al. We find strong agreement between the black hole and low-mass neutron star distributions created by these simulations and the observations. We show that a large fraction of the stellar envelope must be ejected, either during the formation of stellar-mass black holes or prior to the implosion through tidal stripping due to a binary companion, in order to reproduce the observed black hole mass distribution. We also determine the origins of the bimodal peaks of the neutron star mass distribution, finding that the low-mass peak (centered at ∼1.4 M
⊙) originates from progenitors with M
ZAMS ≈ 9–18 M
⊙. The simulations fail to reproduce the observed peak of high-mass neutron stars (centered at ∼1.8 M
⊙) and we explore several possible explanations. We argue that the close agreement between the observed and predicted black hole and low-mass neutron star mass distributions provides new, promising evidence that these stellar evolution and explosion models capture the majority of relevant stellar, nuclear, and explosion physics involved in the formation of compact objects.
Multi-episode Chromospheric Evaporation Observed in a Solar Flare
Authors: Tian H. , Chen N.-H.
Published: March 2018

With observations of the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), we study chromospheric heating and evaporation during an M1.6 flare SOL2015-03-12T11:50. At the flare ribbons, the Mg ii 2791.59 Å line shows quasi-periodic short-duration red-wing enhancement, which is likely related to repetitive chromospheric condensation as a result of episodic heating. On the contrary, the Si iv 1402.77 Å line reveals a persistent red-wing asymmetry in both the impulsive and decay phases, suggesting that this line responds to both cooling downflows and chromospheric condensation. The first two episodes of red-wing enhancement occurred around 11:42 UT and 11:45 UT, when two moving brightenings indicative of heating fronts crossed the IRIS slit. The greatly enhanced red wings of the Si iv and Mg ii lines at these occasions are accompanied by an obvious increase in the line intensities and the HXR flux, suggesting two episodes of energy injection into the lower atmosphere in the form of nonthermal electrons. The Mg ii k/h ratio has a small value of ∼1.2 at the ribbons and decreases to ∼1.1 at these two occasions. Correspondingly, the Fe xxi 1354 Å line reveals two episodes of chromospheric evaporation, which is characterized as a smooth decrease of the blueshift from ∼300 km s−1 to nearly zero within ∼3 minutes. The Fe xxi 1354 Å line is entirely blueshifted in the first episode, while it appears to contain a nearly stationary component and a blueshifted component in the second episode. Additional episodes of blueshifted Fe xxi emission are found around the northern ribbon in the decay phase, though no obvious response is detected in the Si iv and Mg ii emission. We have also examined the Fe xxi emission at the flare loop top and identified a secondary component with a ∼200 km s−1 redshift, which possibly results from the downward moving reconnection outflow. Our analysis also yields a rest wavelength of 1354.0878 ± 0.0072 Å for this Fe xxi line.
Brazilian obligatory subterranean fauna and threats to the hypogean environment
Authors: Gallão Jonas Eduardo , Bichuette Maria Elina
Published: March 2018

The subterranean environment harbors species that are not capable of establishing populations in the epigean environment, i.e., the obligatory subterranean species. These organisms live in a unique selective regime in permanent darkness and usually low food availability, high air humidity in terrestrial habitats, and low temperature range allied to other unique conditions related to lithologies and past climatic influences. The pressure to increase Brazil’s economic growth relies on agricultural/pastoral industries and exporting of raw materials such as iron, limestone, ethanol, soybean, cotton, and meat, as well as huge reservoir constructions to generate electricity. Mining (even on a small scale), agricultural expansion, and hydroelectric projects are extremely harmful to subterranean biodiversity, via the modification and even destruction of hypogean habitats. The Brazilian subterranean species were analyzed with respect to their distributions, presence on the IUCN Red List, and current and potential threats to hypogean habitats. A map and three lists are presented, one with the described obligatory subterranean species, one with undescribed taxa, and one with the current and potential threats to the hypogean environment. To date, 150 obligatory subterranean species have been recorded in Brazil, plus at least 156 undescribed troglomorphic taxa, totaling 306 Brazilian troglobites/obligatory cave fauna. We also analyzed the current and potential cave threats and the conservation actions that are underway to attempt to compensate for loss of these habitats. In according to the Brazilian legislation (Decree 6640) only caves of maximum relevance are fully protected. One strategy to protect the subterranean fauna of Brazil is the inclusion of these species in the IUCN Red List (one of attributes that determines maximum relevance for caves); however, one of the IUCN assumptions is that the taxa must be formally described. It is clear that the description and proposed protection of Brazilian subterranean biodiversity depends on more systematics studies.
Intellectual capital management: An approach to organizational practices in Ecuador
Authors: Claver-Cortés Enrique , Zaragoza-Sáez Patrocinio , González Illescas Mayiya
Published: March 2018

Purpose: The present study has as its aim to identify the organizational management practices that involve intellectual capital as facilitators of innovation in its diverse formats, in Ecuador-based shrimp exporting companies.Design/methodology: The research of a qualitative nature was based on the Grounded Theory as a support for data analysis and collection. The personal interview was used in order to obtain the text corpus. The five resulting clusters served as the basis to apply inductive processes: open coding; axial coding; and selective coding, as a methodological activity meant to help interpret concepts and relationships.Findings: The organizational practices associated with intellectual capital in shrimp exporting companies are focused on structural and human capital management, where innovation has developed from the demands for the implementation of quality management systems in accordance with international regulations.Research limitations/implications:  The main contribution made by the present study lies in establishing a primary reference framework for the design of strategic alternatives that involve strengthening intellectual capital as a way to generate sustainable competitive advantages in the companies belonging to this sector.Social implications: Shrimp exports, which stand out for being one of the most significant sources of income in Ecuador, contribute to local development by means of employment generation, mainly in rural communities. The exposure to organizational routines linked to intellectual capital provides a chance to come closer to the reality of this sector. This can prove useful for executives and public policy managers to prioritize an approach which influences the generation and maintenance of competitiveness at a firm level, and also impacts on the development of the regions where such business are located.Originality/value: Faced with the absence of works applied to this sector, the present work explores the reality of shrimp exporting companies, seeking to define a framework for the understanding of intellectual capital management, which might eventually imply a reference point for the design of strategies aimed at strengthening competitive positioning.
Potential of Annona muricata L. seed oil: phytochemical and nutritional characterization associated with non-toxicity
Authors: Pinto L. C. , De Souza C. O. , De Souza S. A. , Da Silva H. B. , Da Silva R. R. , Cerqueira-Lima A. T. , Teixeira T. O. , Da Silva T. M.S. , Medeiros K. C.P. , Bittencourt M. , Brandão H. R. , Druzian J. I. , Conceição A. S. , Lopes M. V. , Figueiredo C. A.
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional quality, phenolic compounds, fatty acid and antioxidant activity in vitro as well as a toxicological screening of A. muricata seed oil in vivo. The chemical composition and quantification of phenolic compounds were determined by the Adolfo Lutz Institute normative. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods. The oil was extracted by chloroform/ methanol and precipitated crude (AmPtO) and supernatant oils (AmSO) were obtained. The fatty acid profile was evaluated by gas chromatography and total compounds by HPLC-DAD. BALB/C mice received AmPtO and AmSO (0.5 and 1.0mL·Kg-1) for 14 days. Toxicity parameters were assessed. The major fatty acids in the oil were oleic (39.2%) and linoleic (33%). HPLC-DAD suggested the presence of acetogenins (annonacin: 595 [M-H]-), with a greater presence in AmPtO. The AmPtO group showed toxicity, which may be related to the acetogenin content in AmPtO. The AmSO group showed no toxicity and this oil has potential for food or medicinal use.
Evaluation of oil and flour for human nutrition obtained from conventional and organic grape seed Bordô from a winery in the South of Brazil
Authors: Gauer P. O. , Silva M. C.A. , Hoffmann S.
Published: March 2018

The south of Brazil is one of the largest producers of grapes, and as a consequence there is a large generation of waste that can be used as a profitable alternative source. The aim of this work was to obtain and evaluate oil and the flour for human consumption from the residue of cold-pressed Bordô from conventional and organic grape seeds in a winery in the south of Brazil. By cold pressing, the organic oil obtained higher yield. The quality parameters of the conventional oil were better, although with a higher index of peroxides and iodine. The conventional flour presented better results for quality and centesimal composition, mainly due to the higher fiber content and the fact that it did not contain high acidity or humidity. Therefore, the results of products were similar for both crops, but the conventional one was better. However, traces in the agrochemical residue analysis found for the conventional crop might better qualify the organic products.
Variation in oil content and fatty acid composition of sesame accessions from different origins
Authors: Kurt C.
Published: March 2018

Oil content and fatty acid composition are very important parameters for the human consumption of oilseed crops. Twenty-four sesame accessions including seven collected from various geographical regions of Turkey and 11 from different countries were investigated under field conditions for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). The sesame accessions varied widely in their oil content and fatty acid compositions. The oil content varied between 44.6 and 53.1% with an average value of 48.15%. The content of oleic acids, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid,and stearic acid varied between 36.13–43.63%, 39.13–46.38%, 0.28–0.4%, 8.19–10.26%, and 4.63–6.35%, respectively. When total oil content and fatty acid composition were compared, Turkish sesame showed wide variation in oil and fatty acid compositions compared to those from other countries. However, the accessions from other countries were fewer compared to those from Turkey. It is essential to compare oil and fatty acid composition using a large number of germ plasm from different origins. In sesame oil, the average contents of oleic acid and linoleic acid were 39.02% and 43.64%, respectively, and their combined average content was 82.66%, representing the major fatty acid components in the oil from the sesame accessions used in the present study. The results obtained in this study provide useful information for the identification of better parents with high linoleic and oleic acid contents for developing elite sesame varieties with traits which are beneficial to consumer health.
In vivo correlation of olive leaves extract on some oxidative stress markers in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in rats
Authors: Afify A. M.R. , El-Beltagi H. S. , Fayed S. A. , El-Ansary A. E.
Published: March 2018

Diabetes mellitus type two (T2DM) is one of the most extensive diseases in the world. Herbal therapy remains a possible adjunct therapy to sustain better glycemic control and reduce complications arising from diabetes. In order to evaluate the curative impacts of olive leaf extract (OLE) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, twenty-four Wistar male adult rats were divided into four equal groups; control, diabetic control (45 mg/kg STZ), normal rats treated with OLE (17.8 mg/kg b.wt.), and diabetic rats treated with OLE (45 mg/kg STZ + 17.8 mg/kg b.wt.). The OLE extract was investigated for in vitro antioxidant activity using the DPPH• assay. The phenolic, tannin, and flavonoid contents were determined. The activity of GPX, SOD, and GSH in RBC lysate, CAT in plasma and MDA in serum were measured. The OLE prevented the decrease in GSH and kept MDA around the normal range in the treated diabetic rats. The current study suggests that OLE might be used safely to ameliorate T2DM and its accompanying oxidative stress.
Prairie Pothole Region Wetlands and Subsurface Drainage Systems: Key Factors for Determining Drainage Setback Distances
Authors: Tangen Brian A. , Wiltermuth Mark T.
Published: March 2018

Use of agricultural subsurface drainage systems in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America continues to increase, prompting concerns over potential negative effects to the Region's vital wetlands. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protects a large number of wetlands through conservation easements that often utilize standard lateral setback distances to provide buffers between wetlands and drainage systems. Because of a lack of information pertaining to the efficacy of these setback distances for protecting wetlands, information is required to support the decision making for placement of subsurface drainage systems adjacent to wetlands. We used qualitative graphical analyses and data comparisons to identify characteristics of subsurface drainage systems and wetland catchments that could be considered when assessing setback distances. We also compared setback distances with catchment slope lengths to determine if they typically exclude drainage systems from the catchment. We demonstrated that depth of a subsurface drainage system is a key factor for determining drainage setback distances. Drainage systems located closer to the surface (shallow) typically could be associated with shorter lateral setback distances compared with deeper systems. Subsurface drainage systems would be allowed within a wetland's catchment for 44–59% of catchments associated with wetland conservation easements in North Dakota. More specifically, results suggest that drainage setback distances generally would exclude drainage systems from catchments of the smaller wetlands that typically have shorter slopes in the adjacent upland contributing area. For larger wetlands, however, considerable areas of the catchment would be vulnerable to drainage that may affect wetland hydrology. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service easements are associated with > 2,000 km2 of wetlands in North Dakota, demonstrating great potential to protect these systems from drainage depending on policies for installing subsurface drainage systems on these lands. The length of slope of individual catchments and depth of subsurface drainage systems could be considered when prescribing drainage setback distances and assessing potential effects to wetland hydrology. Moreover, because of uncertainties associated with the efficacy of standard drainage setback distances, exclusion of subsurface drainage systems from wetland catchments would be ideal when the goal is to protect wetlands.
Becoming Citizens in the Age of Online Social Networks
Authors: Yang Ping , Ogawa Mito
Published: March 2018

New media studies have attracted increasing scholarly attention as communication technologies become integrated into our everyday lives. New media provide unique contexts to share, record, and extend civic life and motivate civic commitment in the digital era. This chapter addresses the intersection of new media, culture, and political communication by exploring youths' civic engagement in China and Japan through individual voluntarism, civic participation, and political activism. It interrogates the civic use of social network sites in the digital age so as to increase our understanding of intercultural online interactions. Through the case studies of China and Japan, this research adds to the knowledge of intercultural communication in the networked society, with its potential to promote more democratic forms of engagement between citizens and states in the contexts of new media.
An Application of Big Data Analytics in Road Transportation
Authors: Nair Rajit , Bhagat Amit
Published: March 2018

Data is being captured in all domains of society and one of the important aspects is transportation. Large amounts of data have been collected, which are detailed, fine-grained, and of greater coverage and help us to allow traffic and transportation to be tracked to an extent that was not possible in the past. Existing big data analytics for transportation is already yielding useful applications in the areas of traffic routing, congestion management, and scheduling. This is just the origin of the applications of big data that will ultimately make the transportation network able to be managed properly and in an efficient way. It has been observed that so many individuals are not following the traffic rules properly, especially where there are high populations, so to monitor theses types of traffic violators, this chapter proposes a work that is mainly based on big data analytics. In this chapter, the authors trace the vehicle and the data that has been collected by different devices and analyze it using some of the big data analysis methods.
Video Steganography Using Two-Level SWT and SVD
Authors: Srinivasu Lingamallu Naga , Rao Kolakaluri Srinivasa
Published: March 2018

Secured text data transmission plays an important role in communications. Discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is a time variant transform. The drawback of DWT can be overcome by stationary wavelet transform (SWT). SWT is designed to achieve the translation invariance. This chapter presents a novel secured text data transmission through video steganography using two-level stationary wavelet transform (SWT) and singular value decomposition (SVD). SVD of an image can be factored into its three components. In this chapter, text data is encrypted in cover video file using SWT and SVD techniques. First, the cover video is split into frames and each frame of the video acts as an image. Each character in the text data is encrypted with appropriate key value in each frame of the image using two-level SWT and SVD. The encrypted images are converted into video files that are called stego-video files. The text data can be recovered from the stego-video files after converting these files into frames by applying suitable key values, two-level SWT and SVD techniques.
Global Sustainability Leadership
Authors: Sertyesilisik Begum
Published: March 2018

Deteriorated living conditions of the world endangers humanity's survival and the peace in the world. Human beings whose living conditions have been deteriorated in a way that they cannot fulfil their primary needs (based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs) can look for different options (including war) to have access to the scarce resources vital for their survival. Peace can be sustained through sustainability. For this reason, global leadership initiatives on sustainability are required for the proactive conflict resolution and for the proactive peace building among the countries. This chapter aims to introduce the global sustainability leadership as a key for the peace in the word. With this aim, the chapter covers the following topics: need for sustainability and sustainable development; role of the sustainability in the peace of the world; ways of enhancing sustainability performance of the world; and need for the global leadership initiatives for sustainability movement and role of the global leadership in the proactive conflict resolution and peace building.
Global and Intercultural Leadership
Authors: Jiménez Luque Antonio
Published: March 2018

Since the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) gave up the guns and launched a political party, it is time to implement the peace agreements including the different sectors of society and ethnic groups that historically have been excluded and marginalized. This chapter focuses on Afro-Colombian communities and their past and present social movements and leadership projects, and identifies the characteristics and perspectives of a leadership process that will implement the peace accords in a more comprehensive and sustainable way. Finally, the author suggests a global and intercultural leadership perspective to implement the peace agreements in Colombia because it will emphasize on relationships and value other cultures, facilitate platforms to include the narratives and leadership approaches of different worldviews, and put the focus on an intercultural dialogue and communication that will transform objective and subjective structures of society.
Peace Leadership Education Within Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Approach in International Peace Leadership College – Philippines
Authors: Mirshahi Rahim
Published: March 2018

It becomes clear that integration of appropriate and effective inputs of principles of peace into education is vital to raise future leaders who would lead humanity into prosperity and peace. This qualitative study aims to have deeper understanding of the International Peace Leadership founder's teaching on five principles of peace and effect of the teaching on molding peaceful graduates. The result of the interview with students indicated that five principles of peace broaden the understanding of the students and turn them into more global peace leaders who would like to actively take responsibility for their spiritual growth, strengthening families, live for the sake of others, and involve cooperation with others beyond the barriers of ethnicity, religion, and nationality to realize peace.
The Importance of Truth Commission Leadership
Authors: Lanegran Kimberly
Published: March 2018

Kenya's Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission was undermined and nearly destroyed by a scandal surrounding its chairman, Bethuel Kiplagat. This case demonstrates that hostile political leadership and illegitimate institutional leaders can severely damage a truth commission. It also highlights the need for greater investigation into appropriate selection processes and leadership skills for commissioners. This chapter surveys that state of the field concerning best practices for appointing truth commissioners and evaluates the degree to which Kenya's TJRC complied. It tests the popular perception that Kiplagat was appointed to co-opt the truth-seeking project and concludes that the government took advantage of a poorly conducted selection process to approve the appointment of a controversial chairman so as to weaken the truth commission.
The Women Who Tried to Stop the Great War
Authors: Paull John
Published: March 2018

The Congress of Women developed a roadmap for enduring peace. The women passed 20 resolutions including five resolutions which were “Principles of a Permanent Peace.” Theirs was a gendered response to a gendered war. The Congress was a bold and brave initiative. The war was not halted. But neither were the women in their quest for peace. This is their story.
Aerobic Respiration in Lactic Acid Bacteria
Authors: Pophaly Sarang Dilip , Chauhan Manorama , Tarak Jitesh , Bashetty Shekhar Banala , Singh Tejinder Pal , Tomar Sudhir Kumar
Published: March 2018

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are used as food-grade microorganisms for production of a variety of fermented milk products. They are also the most common probiotic organisms used for making functional foods. Lactic acid bacteria are well known for their fermentative metabolism wherein they convert simple carbohydrates to organic acids and other end products. Fermentation helps the bacteria to generate ATP required for various cellular activities via substrate level phosphorylation reaction. Fermentation results in incomplete oxidation of substrate and hence is an inefficient process with a low ATP yield. However, some LAB are genetically capable of activating an auxiliary respiratory metabolism in which a quinol oxidase serves as the final electron acceptor and high ATP production is achieved due to oxidative phosphorylation. The respiratory process is associated with high biomass production of LAB and more robust bacterial cells, which are essentially required for manufacture of high viability starter culture. This chapter explores LAB's current and future applications in dairy starter cultures.
Microbial Non-Coagulant Enzymes Used in Cheese Making
Authors: Moschopoulou Ekaterini
Published: March 2018

In this chapter, the use of microbial non-coagulant proteases, microbial lipases, and microbial transglutaminase in the cheese making procedure is discussed. Microbial proteases and lipases have been used for over 30 years to accelerate cheese ripening and consequently to enhance the cheese flavor development by increasing proteolysis and lipolysis level in a shorter time. They are commercially produced by bacteria and fungi species. Transglutaminase is a relative new enzyme, which catalyzes the cross-linking of peptide bonds and helps to improve the cheese texture and to increase the cheese yield. Today, cheeses from almost all cheese categories are produced using these enzymes.
Soil, Water, and Climate Change Integrated Impact Assessment on Yields
Authors: Monterroso-Rivas Alejandro I. , Gómez-Díaz Jesús D. , Arce-Romero Antonio R.
Published: March 2018

This article describes the potential yields of maize, wheat and barley which were modeled with climate change, soil degradation and water balance scenarios in central Mexico. Two adaptation measures were also evaluated. To estimate yields the AquaCrop-FAO model was applied. Three study cases were chosen and their climate, soil, phenological and management information was compiled. Once calibrated, the authors tested the response in yields for 28 climate change scenarios: five General Circulation Models, two RCP and three-time horizons. Two adaptation actions were evaluated: changing planting date and increase of organic mulches. Results show that yield of maize in the near future (2015-2039) would fall 50% average, barley and wheat yields would decrease in 40% and 25% respectively. If soil degradation and loss is considered, the yield will reduce considerably. Adaptation measure based on changing planting date was as effective as increasing mulches. It is necessary to consider soil together with climate change scenarios in yield modeling. It is possible to suggest wrong adaptation measures if only the climate is considered and not all the variables involved.
Enhancing the Binary Watermark-Based Data Hiding Scheme Using an Interpolation-Based Approach for Optical Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Khosravi Mohammad Reza , Rostami Habib , Samadi Sadegh
Published: March 2018

Computer networking and internet developments create new challenges in information security and copyright protection. In order to protect the multimedia data and also in some cases, for information management, the authors can use watermarking schemes to achieve more security. In this article, the authors firstly review a watermarking scheme for remote sensing applications, represented by Zhu et al.; They also explain two problems in Zhu et al.'s scheme and in addition, introduce two solutions for these problems. Generally, Zhu et al.'s scheme is a non-blind scheme that also does not have any attention to watermarked image quality, thus they try to represent ways in order to achieve the blind and quality-aware watermarking. Experimental results confirm that both of their modifications have suitable effectiveness than the original scheme whereas in practice, their modifications create an output with embedding capacity like the original scheme but it is high quality and also blind.
Academic Foundations of Air Transportation Research in an Emerging Country
Authors: Aldemir Huseyin Onder , Sengur Ferhan Kuyucak
Published: March 2018

This article explores the progress of academic research of air transportation in an emerging country. The foundations of the air transportation field were scanned in the context of postgraduate theses. Postgraduate theses in air transportation were surveyed to illustrate what kind of themes were researched at Turkish universities and what were the tendencies of Turkish academics to study regarding air transportation. The research that spanned a 44-year period from 1972 to 2016 and was carried out by thoroughly examining the postgraduate theses that exist in the electronic database of the Turkish Council of Higher Education. In this research, 329 postgraduate theses- 58 doctorates (17.6%) and 271 masters (82.4%) - were found. The data were analyzed through a bibliometric method by using content analysis.
Investigation of ESL Students' Interaction With Online Information Resources
Authors: Almobarraz Abdullah
Published: March 2018

This article describes how Saudi Arabia has a scholarship program that provides opportunities for Saudi citizens to pursue their undergraduate and graduate university education abroad. Because students have not mastered English, they initially enroll in an English institution. The internet is an enormously valuable learning tool for ESL students. However, Saudi students' use of information resources for learning English is unclear. This study thus investigates the information-seeking behavior of scholarship students when using online resources to learn ESL. The findings reveal that the students have a positive perception of online resources; however, they require training on searching for and using such resources. It is also found that most students use self-motivation to find online resources to increase their knowledge of English. The lack of awareness of appropriate resources is found to be the most common problem.
Application of the Big Data Grey Relational Decision-Making Algorithm to the Evaluation of Resource Utilization in Higher Education
Authors: Huan Ji , Bo Ren
Published: March 2018

In this article, the authors apply the big grey relational decision-making algorithm to improve performance evaluation effectiveness of the higher educational resources utilization. First, they discuss the performance evaluation indexes in higher education. Second, they propose the big data grey relational decision algorithm. Third, they establish the mathematical models of entropy weight and grey evaluation method. Finally, the authors carry out an evaluation simulation analysis on four cities as researching objects. The results show that the big data grey relational decision-making algorithm is an effective method for evaluating the higher educational resource utilization.
A Preference-Based Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm for Semiautomatic Sensor Ontology Matching
Authors: Xue Xingsi , Chen Junfeng
Published: March 2018

This article describes how with the advent of sensors for collecting environmental data, many sensor ontologies have been developed. However, the heterogeneity of sensor ontologies blocks semantic interoperability between them and limits their applications. Ontology matching is an effective technique to solve the problem of sensor ontology heterogeneity. To improve the quality of sensor ontology alignment, the authors propose a semiautomatic ontology matching technique based on a preference-based multi-objective evolutionary algorithm (PMOEA), which can utilize the user's knowledge of the solution's quality to direct MOEA to effectively match the heterogeneous sensor ontologies. The authors specifically construct a new multi-objective optimal model for the sensor ontology matching problem, propose a user preference-based t-dominance rule, and design a PMOEA to solve the sensor ontology matching problem. The experimental results show that their approach can significantly improve the sensor ontology alignment's quality under different heterogeneous situations.
From Human-Centered Design to Disabled User & Ecosystem Centered Design in Case of Assistive Interactive Systems
Authors: Guffroy Marine , Nadine Vigouroux , Kolski Christophe , Vella Frédéric , Teutsch Philippe
Published: March 2018

This article aims to revisit and to adapt the Norman's theory of action by focusing on the design of interactive systems for disabled people. The background section demonstrates that there is a need to include all the stakeholders involved in the environment of the disabled person in the design process, constituting his or her ecosystem. Then the adaptation of the Norman's theory action, considering explicitly the ecosystem is justified; examples of the both role of the disabled people and members of his/her ecosystem are given for the seven components of Norman's model. Two cases studies are after presented to illustrate the crucial role of the ecosystem in case of assistive interactive system design. The benefits of taking into account the ecosystem in the design of interactive systems for disabled persons are discussed. The article ends with a conclusion and research perspectives.
A Participatory Design Approach with Visually Impaired People for the Design of an Art Exhibition
Authors: HingTing Karine Lan , Di Loreto Ines
Published: March 2018

This article describes the participatory design (PD) approach adopted in systematically involving visually impaired people in the design of an art exhibition adapted to their needs. This exhibition will be the outcome of a publicly-funded research project aimed at making visual art accessible to everyone: specifically (but not exclusively) to visually impaired people, in an objective of social inclusion. This article presents the research done to elicit, capture, and analyse the needs of visually impaired people who are the active actors of this research. The aim of the article is to trigger discussion about both the necessity and difficulty of elaborating relevant techniques in this empirical and open-ended approach, and what is meant by participation in this particular setting.
A Support Based Initialization Algorithm for Categorical Data Clustering
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Kumar Shishir
Published: March 2018

Several initial center selection algorithms are proposed in the literature for numerical data, but the values of the categorical data are unordered so, these methods are not applicable to a categorical data set. This article investigates the initial center selection process for the categorical data and after that present a new support based initial center selection algorithm. The proposed algorithm measures the weight of unique data points of an attribute with the help of support and then integrates these weights along the rows, to get the support of every row. Further, a data object having the largest support is chosen as an initial center followed by finding other centers that are at the greatest distance from the initially selected center. The quality of the proposed algorithm is compared with the random initial center selection method, Cao's method, Wu method and the method introduced by Khan and Ahmad. Experimental analysis on real data sets shows the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Highly faithful actions and dense free subgroups in full groups
Authors: Le Maître François
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we show that every measure-preserving ergodic equivalence relation of cost less than

m

comes from a “rich” faithful invariant random subgroup of the free group on

m

generators, strengthening a result of Bowen which had been obtained by a Baire category argument.

Our proof is completely explicit: we use our previous construction of topological generators for full groups and observe that these generators induce a totally non free action. We then twist this construction so that the action is moreover amenable onto almost every orbit and highly faithful.

In particular, we obtain that the full group of a measure-preserving ergodic equivalence of cost less than m contains a dense free subgroup on m generators.
September/October 2012
Authors: DeVito, Jr. Richard A.
Published: March 2018

Volume 10, Number 5
Resilience to post-traumatic stress among World Trade Center survivors: A mixed-methods study
Authors: Gargano, PhD Lisa M. , Hosakote, MS Sindhushree , Zhi, MPH Qi , Qureshi, PhD Kristine A. , Gershon, DrPH Robyn R.
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify individual characteristics, behaviors, and psychosocial factors associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among World Trade Center (WTC) disaster evacuation survivors. The study utilized a mixed-method design. In-depth interviews were conducted using a prepared script. PTSD was assessed using the PTSD checklist-civilian (PCL-C; a score ≥ 50 indicates probable PTSD). Thematic analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with PTSD. A purposive sample of 29 WTC evacuees was recruited using a multimodal recruitment strategy. Eligibility included: history of evacuation from the WTC (Tower 1 and/or Tower 2) on September 11, 2001, and decisional capacity for informed consent. Five participants had PCL-C scores ≥ 50. Thematic analysis identified resiliency factors (protective for PTSD), including leadership, taking action based on “gut” feelings (to evacuate), social support (staying in a group), going on “automatic survival” mode, and previous training on emergency response. Risk factors for PTSD included lack of emergency response training, lack of sense of urgency, poor physical condition, lack of communication skills, lack of direction, peri-event physical injury, peri-event traumatic exposure (horror), and moral injury (guilt and remorse). Several modifiable factors that may confer resilience were identified. In particular, the role of emergency response training in preventing disaster-related mental illness should be explored as a possible strategy for enhancing resilience to disaster events.
Rescue workers and trauma: Assessing interaction among risk factors after a firework factory explosio
Authors: Romano, MS Eugenia , Elklit, MSc Ask
Published: March 2018

Introduction: This study investigates which factors had the biggest impact on developing distress in rescue workers who were involved in a firework factory explosion.Method: Four hundred sixty-five rescuers were assessed using items investigating demographic factors, organizational variables, social support, personality variables, and distress symptoms. Correlation and regression analyses were performed.Results: Our final model provided 70 percent of the predictive model for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity. Waiting time, lack of rest, problems at work, and perceived level of danger seemed to have the highest impact on protective factors.Discussion: In addition to perceived life danger and personality, small organizational factors seem to play an important role in the prediction of PTSD. The importance of such factors needs further investigation in future research, contributing to a better organization in the field of disaster management.
Use of social media and e-Government in disasters: 2016 Louisiana floods case study
Authors: Bosch, MPA Daniel
Published: March 2018

The case study analyzes the use of social media as a component of disaster response during and after the Louisiana Floods of August 2016. The study analyzes the survey responses of thirty social media users on a series of questions regarding social networks they regularly used during the flooding events, the extent to which users contacted government agencies via those networks, other uses of social media connected with the disaster, and whether social media served as a primary means of communication during cell carrier service interruptions. The results of this study show that there was a correlation between service disruption and increased use of social media as a means of communication. Additionally, the survey showed that social media networks have been utilized for a wide range of purposes during disasters, including locating family and loved ones, requesting help, disseminating information, and psychosocial interaction. Finally, a majority of respondents did not use social media to contact government agencies, and a number of respondents rated federal government engagement through social media as either dissatisfactory or were neutral on the question.
Displacement during Hurricane Sandy: The impact on mental health
Authors: Schwartz, PhD Rebecca M. , Rasul, MA Rehana , Kerath, MS Samantha M. , Watson, BS Alexis R. , Lieberman-Cribbin, MPH Wil , Liu, PhD Bian , Taioli, MD, PhD Emanuela
Published: March 2018

Objective: To assess the effect of displacement due to Hurricane Sandy on mental health outcomes among residents of the greater New York City (NYC) area.Design: Prospective, cross sectional.Setting: NYC area residents, including Queens, Staten Island, and Long Island.Participants: In a 4.25 year period (June 2012 to September 2016), a convenience sample of 1,615 adult residents from the greater NYC area completed validated measures of hurricane exposure (including displacement), perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms as well as indicators of alcohol, illicit substance, and tobacco use.Main Outcome Measures: Perceived stress, depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms and alcohol, illicit substance, and tobacco use.Results: Multivariable analyses indicated that displaced participants were more likely to have PTSD (adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.21, 95%CI: 1.73-2.82), depression (AOR: 1.37, 95%CI: 1.05-1.79) and anxiety symptoms (AOR: 1.30, 95%CI: 1.01-1.67) and had a 1.16 unit increase in perceived stress score (SE = 0.38) compared to nondisplaced participants. Staying with friends/family vs. at a shelter was significantly associated with a 48 percent decreased odds of having PTSD symptoms (AOR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.31-0.88) and of being a current tobacco user (AOR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.30-0.92).Conclusions: Displacement is associated with negative mental health outcomes, particularly displacement to shelters. Disaster preparedness efforts should involve increasing mental health resources to those who are displaced and providing support services within the shelter setting.