bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization pattern of health care services at a peripheral health care facility of Nepal
Authors: Bista Bihungam , Rai D , Sagtani RA , Budhathoki SS
Published: June 2017

Background: In Nepal, basic health care services at the grass root level are delivered by Subhealth Posts (SHPs) and Health Posts (HPs). The basic aim of these institutions is to deliver essential health care services. In accordance of the Alma Ata declaration on primary health care (PHC) Government of Nepal (GoN) adopted free health care policy on 2006 A.D. to make basic health care services accessible, affordable and available. Thus, SHPs and HPs offer free of cost services to every Nepali citizen. The current study was conducted with the aim of finding utilization pattern of health care services in a peripheral level institution of Sunsari District.Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in Panchkanaya, a sub- health post of Sunsari district utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data was collected through face to face structured interviews with fifty patients and an in depth interview with in charge of the sub health post. Furthermore, secondary data from records of Health Management Information System (HMIS) of Nepal were also utilized.Results: Out of total patients, most of them were female (67.4%) and majority of patients were from higher age group (>50years).Most of the patients were involved with agriculture as their occupation. Regarding accessibility of health services, most of the respondents could reach sub- health post via walking within 15 minutes. Fifty percent of the patients were satisfied with services provided by the sub-health post. From qualitative aspect, health careservices were under utilized by the people from the northern side of VDC due to inappropriate location of the health post.Conclusion: Health care services were easily accessible although only fifty percent of patients were satisfied by the services.Health Renaissance 2015;13(2): 160-163
Cardiovascular collapse due to wild honey Intoxication: A case report
Authors: Aryal Bijaya Devi , Niraula S , Malla GB , Niraula S
Published: June 2017

Background: Wild honey has been traditionally been used by indigenous people for its medicinal, aphrodisiac and hallucinogenic properties in Nepal and some other countries. Wild (mad) honey intoxication is one of the rarest presentations to emergency department and is caused by ingestion of wild honey obtained from the nectar of Rhododendron species on the higher altitudes. The cause of mad honey poisoning is the toxin grayanotoxin, found in such wild honey. It can also be caused by consuming the leaves, flowers of Rhododendron from Himalayan belt. Wild honey intoxication has widely been reported from Turkey and the regions around the Black Sea. Some cases have been reported in the few hospitals in Kathmandu and Chitwan. However, such cases have rarely been reported in eastern Nepal. The intoxication might present with mild symptoms of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and neurological systems or might also present in rare life threatening form with AV block and cardiovascular collapse. Here, we report a case of a seventy three years old man who presented to our emergency department with cardiovascular collapse in the form of severe bradycardia, AV block and hypotension after wild honey consumption.Health Renaissance 2015;13(2): 170-172
Living foreign body: Leech inside the nasal cavity causing epistaxis
Authors: Manandhar Sriti , Chettri S , Shah S , Sah BP , Shilpakar S , Mishra S , Kandel D , Gupta PP
Published: June 2017

This is a case report of a three years old male child presented in the Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery with chief complain of bleeding from the left nostril since seven days with nasal itching which was later diagnosed to be living foreign body leech causing epistaxis.Health Renaissance 2015;13(2): 178-179
SHAPU: Forty years on Mystery Persists
Authors: Upadhyay Madan P , Shrestha Bharat R
Published: June 2017

In 1975, our team encountered several cases of severe inflammatory eye disease presenting as a white pupil in a red eye with rapid loss of vision. The eyes became soft within a few days with shallow anterior chamber which we called “Malignant Hypotension” in view of the latter’s sinister significance. Unilaterally, little or no pain, predominantly affecting children and difficulty in dilating the pupil and keeping it dilated were some of the other important features. Posterior segment was not visible due to massive exudation in vitreous. Microbiological investigations of aqueous humor did not retrieve any bacterial or fungal organisms. All eyes became pthisical in few weeks despite treatment with topical and subconjunctival antibiotics and steroids. Similar cases appeared again after two years in 1977 with identical presentation and outcome. Both out breaks began during September and lasted until about January- the next year.
Ocular morbidity among porters at high altitudes
Authors: Gnyawali Subodh , Shrestha Gauri Shankar , Khanal Safal , Dennis Talisa , Spencer John C
Published: June 2017

Introduction: High altitude, often characterized by settings over 2400m, can be detrimental to the human body and pose a significant risk to ocular health. Reports concerning various ocular morbidities occurring as a consequence of high altitude are limited in the current literature. Objectives: This study was aimed at evaluating the ocular health of porters working at high altitudesof Himalayas in Nepal. Materials and methods: A mobile eye clinic was set up in Ghat and patient data were collected from its out- patient unit by a team of seven optometrists which was run for five days. Ghat is a small village in north-eastern Nepal, located at 2860 m altitude. Travellers walking through the trekking route were invited to get their eyes checked at the clinic. Comprehensive ocular examinations were performed, including visual acuities, objective and subjective refraction, anterior and posterior segment evaluations, and intraocular pressure measurements; blood pressure and blood glucose levels were also measured as required. Ocular therapeutics, prescription glasses, sunglasses and ocular health referrals were provided free of cost as necessary. A total of 1890 people visited the eye clinic, among which 57.4% (n=1084) were porters. Conclusions: Almost half of the porters had an ocular morbidity. Correctable refractive error was most prevalent, with other ocular health-related complications, including dry eye disease, infectious disorders, glaucoma and cataract. Proper provision of regular and effective eye care services should be made more available for those residing at these high altitudes in Nepal.
Alveolar soft part sarcoma of the orbit, a case report of a rare tumor
Authors: Nava-Castañeda Ángel , Tovilla-Canales José Luis , Zuazo Francisca , Rodríguez-Cabrera Lourdes , Garnica-Hayashi Lilia
Published: June 2017

Background: Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of uncertain histogenesis, representing 0.5-1% of all soft tissue tumors. It occurs predominantly in head and neck regions, especially the orbit and the tongue, in infants, causing no specific symptoms for an extended period of time. Case: A four year old girl was brought to consultation because of persistent swelling of her left upper and lower eyelid for the past six months. A 4 mm proptosis was noted on her left eye with significant upwards displacement of the globe. A firm, not pulsating and non tender mass was palpated, and motility examination revealed deficient abduction and infraduction. Visual acuity was 20/40 and 1/200 in the right and left eye, respectively. The computed tomography revealed an extraconal mass on the inferotemporal aspect of the left orbit, with no bony erosion or globe invasion. An excisional biopsy was made, finding a tumor with nests of clusters of large polygonal cells, separated by fibrous septa and a sinusoidal vascular channel. An Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma was diagnosed. Our patient had a favorable post-operative follow up, and oncologic evaluations have not shown metastasis or local recurrences. Observations and Conclusions: Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of indolent course, but with propensity to distant metastases, making early diagnose and long term follow up necessary.
The Democratic Languages of Exile: Reading Eugene Jolas and Yvan Goll's American Poetry with Jacques Derrida and Hannah Arendt
Authors: Grass Delphine
Published: June 2017

Taking from departure Jacques Derrida and Hannah Arendt's divergent points of view on the cultural role of the mother tongue in totalitarian and democratic contexts, this essay investigates the writings of two poets, Yvan Goll and Eugene Jolas, who both wrote poetry in English during their exiles in New York during the Second World War. The essay analyses how issues of belonging and citizenship are approached in their works through the prism of multilingualism for Jolas, and by challenging mono-referentiality in language and proper names in Yvan Goll's Kabbalistic poetry. The essay investigates how both poets and both thinkers tried to reimagine democracy through the prism of multilingualism or mother-tongue expression in their works.
Graphene Encapsulated Silicon Carbide Nanocomposites for High and Low Power Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Martínez-Periñán Emiliano , Foster Christopher , Down Michael , Zhang Yan , Ji Xiaobo , Lorenzo Encarnación , Kononovs Dmitrijs , Saprykin Anatoly , Yakovlev Vladimir , Pozdnyakov Georgy , Banks Craig
Published: June 2017

In this paper, a graphene decorated SiC nanomaterial (graphene@SiC) fabricated via a facile adiabatic process was physicochemically characterised, then applied as a supercapacitor material and as an anode within a Li-ion battery (LIB). The reported graphene@SiC nanomaterial demonstrated excellent supercapacitative behaviour with a relatively high power density and specific capacitance of 4800 W·kg−1 and 394 F·g−1, respectively. In terms of its capabilities as an anode within an LIB, the layered-graphene overwhelms the Li-intercalation, which is reflected in the obtained specific capacity of 150 mAh·g−1, with a columbic efficiency of ~99% (after 450 cycles) at a current of 100 mA·g−1.
Computer-Generated Abstract Paintings Oriented by the Color Composition of Images
Authors: Li Mao , Lv Jiancheng , Li Xiaojie , Yin Jing
Published: June 2017

Designers and artists often require reference images at authoring time. The emergence of computer technology has provided new conditions and possibilities for artistic creation and research. It has also expanded the forms of artistic expression and attracted many artists, designers and computer experts to explore different artistic directions and collaborate with one another. In this paper, we present an efficient k-means-based method to segment the colors of an original picture to analyze the composition ratio of the color information and calculate individual color areas that are associated with their sizes. This information is transformed into regular geometries to reconstruct the colors of the picture to generate abstract images. Furthermore, we designed an application system using the proposed method and generated many works; some artists and designers have used it as an auxiliary tool for art and design creation. The experimental results of datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our method and can give us inspiration for our work.
The Novel Mechanisms Concerning the Inhibitions of Palmitate-Induced Proinflammatory Factor Releases and Endogenous Cellular Stress with Astaxanthin on MIN6 β-Cells
Authors: Kitahara Atsuko , Takahashi Kazuto , Morita Naru , Murashima Toshitaka , Onuma Hirohisa , Sumitani Yoshikazu , Tanaka Toshiaki , Kondo Takuma , Hosaka Toshio , Ishida Hitoshi
Published: June 2017

Astaxanthin, an antioxidant agent, can protect pancreatic β-cells of db/db mice from glucotoxicity and resolve chronic inflammation in adipose tissue. Nonetheless, the effects of astaxanthin on free-fatty-acid-induced inflammation and cellular stress in β-cells remain to be demonstrated. Meanwhile, palmitate enhances the secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF120). We therefore investigated the influence of astaxanthin on palmitate-stimulated MCP-1 and VEGF120 secretion in mouse insulinoma (MIN6) pancreatic β-cells. Furthermore, whether astaxanthin prevents cellular stress in MIN6 cells was also assessed. Pre-treatment with astaxanthin or with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) which is an antioxidant drug, significantly attenuated the palmitate-induced MCP-1 release through downregulation of phosphorylated c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK) pathways, and suppressed VEGF120 through the PI3K/Akt pathways relative to the cells stimulated with palmitate alone. In addition, palmitate significantly upregulated homologous protein (CHOP) and anti-glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), which are endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers, in MIN6 cells. On the other hand, astaxanthin attenuated the increased CHOP content, but further up-regulated palmitate-stimulated GRP78 protein expression. By contrast, NAC had no effects on either CHOP or GRP78 enhancement induced by palmitate in MIN6 cells. In conclusion, astaxanthin diminishes the palmitate-stimulated increase in MCP-1 secretion via the downregulation of JNK pathways in MIN6 cells, and affects VEGF120 secretion through PI3K/Akt pathways. Moreover, astaxanthin can prevent not only oxidative stress caused endogenously by palmitate but also ER stress, which NAC fails to attenuate, via upregulation of GRP78, an ER chaperon.
Insights into Penicillium brasilianum Secondary Metabolism and Its Biotechnological Potential
Authors: Bazioli Jaqueline , Amaral Luciana , Fill Taícia , Rodrigues-Filho Edson
Published: June 2017

Over the past few years Penicillium brasilianum has been isolated from many different environmental sources as soil isolates, plant endophytes and onion pathogen. All investigated strains share a great ability to produce bioactive secondary metabolites. Different authors have investigated this great capability and here we summarize the metabolic potential and the biological activities related to P. brasilianum’s metabolites with diverse structures. They include secondary metabolites of an alkaloid nature, i.e., 2,5-diketopiperazines, cyclodepsipeptides, meroterpenoids and polyketides. Penicillium brasilianum is also described as a great source of enzymes with biotechnological application potential, which is also highlighted in this review. Additionally, this review will focus on several aspects of Penicillium brasilianum and interesting genomic insights.
A Near-Infrared Light-Responsive Hybrid Hydrogel Based on UCST Triblock Copolymer and Gold Nanorods
Authors: Zhang Hu , Guo Shengwei , Fu Shangyi , Zhao Yue
Published: June 2017

We report a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive hydrogel that is capable of undergoing the gel to sol transition upon 785 nm light exposure based on a photothermal effect. The new hydrogel design relies on loading gold nanorods (AuNRs) in an ABA-type triblock copolymer, namely P(AAm–co–AN)–b–PDMA–b–P(AAm–co–AN), where P(AAm–co–AN) stands for a random copolymer of acrylamide and acrylonitrile that exhibits an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in aqueous solution and PDMA is water-soluble polydimethylacrylamide. At solution temperature below UCST, the insoluble P(AAm–co–AN) blocks lead to formation of hydrogel of flower-like micelles. When the hydrogel is exposed to 785 nm NIR light, the absorption due to the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of loaded AuNRs generates heat that raises the hydrogel temperature above UCST and, consequently, the gel-to-sol transition. The NIR light-triggered release of a protein loaded in the hydrogel was found to display a switchable fashion.
A New Stereo Pair Disparity Index (SPDI) for Detecting Built-Up Areas from High-Resolution Stereo Imagery
Authors: Peng Feifei , Gong Jianya , Wang Le , Wu Huayi , Liu Pengcheng
Published: June 2017

Within-class spectral variation and between-class spectral confusion in remotely sensed imagery degrades the performance of built-up area detection when using planar texture, shape, and spectral features. Terrain slopes and building heights extracted from auxiliary data, such as Digital Surface Models (DSMs) however, can improve the results. Stereo imagery incorporates height information unlike single remotely sensed images. In this study, a new Stereo Pair Disparity Index (SPDI) for indicating built-up areas is calculated from stereo-extracted disparity information. Further, a new method of detecting built-up areas from stereo pairs is proposed based on the SPDI, using disparity information to establish the relationship between two images of a stereo pair. As shown in the experimental results for two stereo pairs covering different scenes with diverse urban settings, the SPDI effectively differentiates between built-up and non-built-up areas. Our proposed method achieves higher accuracy built-up area results from stereo images than the traditional method for single images, and two other widely-applied DSM-based methods for stereo images. Our approach is suitable for spaceborne and airborne stereo pairs and triplets. Our research introduces a new effective height feature (SPDI) for detecting built-up areas from stereo imagery with no need for DSMs.
On Footwear and Disability: A Dance of Animacy?
Authors: Devlieger Patrick , De Coster Jori
Published: June 2017

In order to explore what an anthropological material culture approach to disability would comprise, we take Tim Ingold’s morphogenetic approach to life as continuously unfolding, a result of things engaged in a dance of animacy, and in processes of ‘making’ as our central point of departure. This approach allows for a continued understanding of disability’s constructed nature; however, this approach is one that has a material, and not a discursive, point of view. We will focus on footwear and explore its material and evolutionary history, and how it has been shaped throughout different historical periods and in different parts of the world. Our central understanding of a material approach to disability is one that concerns how body-objects, such as shoes, are to be remembered. Therefore, we start with research in an archive of human material culture, namely a collection of clothing and footwear, situated in North America. We will then focus on recent contemporary African and Asian engagement with prosthetic shoes for physically disabled people. These examples are then confronted with a well-known case from the Chinese cultural repertoire; namely, that of bound feet and lotus shoes. By examining many examples from across the globe, we intend to illustrate the many ways in which the body, shoes, and the ground, all correspond to each other in a dance of animacy. Disability is sometimes an instigator, and, in many cases, either a mediator or an accelerator, within this correspondence. Materially, the making and use of footwear is a central component to one being classified as a synaesthetic sentient being in the world. Shoes for disabled people are designed with the feet in mind, and their construction is a more labor-intense process than it would be for those who have lesser degrees of disability. It appears that disability is not a matter of either/or, but is instead a matter of degrees of vulnerability. The bodily function of walking, as well as shoes themselves, are articulated in space and time. Theoretically, we ask whether disability might also advance our understanding of humans beyond thinking in terms of normative standards and of the modern, given that the areas examined here involve processes of making, correspondence, and ultimately life itself. We claim that the human is to be found in the dance of animacy, shoes–feet–ground, and that disability is felt and articulated in materiality. We also claim that the posthuman, as observed in the human–machine connection, may have always existed after all. Finally, we will explain how the human and the modern can be found in the materially-made nature of disability, and we suggest that it might be better to orient future research from a transmodern perspective that contextualizes disability in multiple ways in which one might be considered to be modern.
“Strength of Weak Ties,” Neighborhood Ethnic Heterogeneity, and Depressive Symptoms among Adults: A Multilevel Analysis of Korean General Social Survey (KGSS) 2012
Authors: Kim Harris
Published: June 2017

A substantial body of research, based largely on North American and European contexts, demonstrates that social networks play a critical role in protecting and promoting mental, as well as physical, health. The purpose of this study is to examine how “weak” and “strong” network relations are differentially related to individual mental health (depressive symptoms) based on a nationally representative sample of South Korean adults. Using multilevel analysis, the current research also investigates the extent to which contextual or neighborhood-level factors moderate the associations between depression and social network. Findings show that regular interaction with weaker ties (acquaintances, neighbors, coworkers, etc.) are associated with better mental health. The number of strong ties (family members and friends), on the other hand, is not a significant predictor of psychological distress. In addition, a cross-level interaction term is observed: The negative relationship between weak ties and depressive symptoms is diminished in neighborhoods with more foreign-born residents or immigrants. General implications beyond the empirical case under investigation are discussed, as to why weak ties can be “strong” in relation to mental health and how this phenomenon can vary according to residential characteristics such as ethnic heterogeneity.
The Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Geo-Economic Relationships between China and ASEAN Countries: Competition or Cooperation?
Authors: Wang Shufang , Zhu Axing , Ge Yuejing , Liu Yuli , Xue Xiao
Published: June 2017

In the last 30 years, China’s economic power has experienced great changes and has brought about a profound impact on the world economy. This led us to ask a question: do changes in China’s economic power shift the geo-economic relationships between China and its neighboring countries? To answer this question, we researched the evolution of geo-economic relationships between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. Using the Euclidean distance method, we explored the changes in these geo-economic relationships between China and ASEAN countries from 1980 to 2014. Our findings resulted in five conclusions: (1) Over time, geo-economic relationships between China and ASEAN countries remained relatively stable. (2) Geographically, the main geo-economic relationships between China and continental ASEAN countries were complementary, while the main geo-economic relationships between China and island ASEAN countries were competitive. (3) Geopolitics and geo-culture were attributed to the changes in geo-economic relationships. (4) The evolution of geo-economic relationships was characterized by path dependence. (5) Geo-economic relationships between China and ASEAN countries could be classified into four types: game type, with high cooperation and competition; complementary type, with high cooperation and low competition; fight type, with low cooperation and high competition; and loose type, with low cooperation and competition. Our findings contribute to improving the understanding of geo-economic relationships.
The Light Curve and Distance of the Kepler Supernova: News from Four Centuries Ago
Authors: Ruiz-Lapuente Pilar
Published: June 2017

We study the light curve of SN 1604 using the historical data collected at the time of observation of the outburst. Comparing the supernova with recent SNe Ia of various rates of decline after maximum light, we find that this event looks like a normal SN Ia (stretch s close to 0.9 : 0.9 ± 0.13), a fact that is also favored by the late light curve. The supernova is heavily obscured by 2.7 ± 0.1 mag in V. We obtain an estimate of the distance to the explosion with a value of

. This can help to settle ongoing discussions on the distance to the supernova. It also shows that this supernova is of the same kind as those of the SN Ia samples that we now use for cosmology.
Implications of the Low Binary Black Hole Aligned Spins Observed by LIGO
Authors: Hotokezaka Kenta , Piran Tsvi
Published: June 2017

We explore the implications of the low-spin components along the orbital axis observed in an Advanced LIGO O1 run on binary black hole (BBH) merger scenarios in which the merging BBHs have evolved from field binaries. The coalescence time determines the initial orbital separation of BBHs. This, in turn, determines whether the stars are synchronized before collapse, and hence determines their projected spins. Short coalescence times imply synchronization and large spins. Among known stellar objects, Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars seem to be the only progenitors consistent with the low aligned spins observed in LIGO’s O1, provided that the orbital axis maintains its direction during the collapse. We calculate the spin distribution of BBH mergers in the local universe, and its redshift evolution for WR progenitors. Assuming that the BBH formation rate peaks around a redshift of ∼2–3, we show that BBH mergers in the local universe are dominated by low-spin events. The high-spin population starts to dominate at a redshift of ∼0.5–1.5. WR stars are also progenitors of long gamma-ray bursts that take place at a comparable rate to BBH mergers. We discuss the possible connection between the two phenomena. Additionally, we show that hypothetical Population III star progenitors are also possible. Although WR and Population III progenitors are consistent with the current data, both models predict a non-vanishing fraction of high positive values of the BBHs’ aligned spin. If those are not detected within the coming LIGO/Virgo runs, it will be unlikely that the observed BBHs formed via field binaries.
Mass and p-factor of the Type II Cepheid OGLE-LMC-T2CEP-098 in a Binary System∗
Authors: Pilecki Bogumił , Gieren Wolfgang , Smolec Radosław , Pietrzyński Grzegorz , Thompson Ian B. , Anderson Richard I. , Bono Giuseppe , Soszyński Igor , Kervella Pierre , Nardetto Nicolas , Taormina Mónica , Stȩpień Kazimierz , Wielgórski Piotr
Published: June 2017

We present the results of a study of the type II Cepheid (P
puls = 4.974 days) in the eclipsing binary system OGLE-LMC-T2CEP-098 (P
orb = 397.2 days). The Cepheid belongs to the peculiar W Vir group, for which the evolutionary status is virtually unknown. It is the first single-lined system with a pulsating component analyzed using the method developed by Pilecki et al. We show that the presence of a pulsator makes it possible to derive accurate physical parameters of the stars even if radial velocities can be measured for only one of the components. We have used four different methods to limit and estimate the physical parameters, eventually obtaining precise results by combining pulsation theory with the spectroscopic and photometric solutions. The Cepheid radius, mass, and temperature are

,

, and

, respectively, while its companion has a similar size (

), but is more massive (

) and hotter (9500 K). Our best estimate for the p-factor of the Cepheid is

. The mass, position on the period–luminosity diagram, and pulsation amplitude indicate that the pulsating component is very similar to the Anomalous Cepheids, although it has a much longer period and is redder in color. The very unusual combination of the components suggest that the system has passed through a mass-transfer phase in its evolution. More complicated internal structure would then explain its peculiarity.
The Identification of the White Dwarf Companion to the Millisecond Pulsar J2317+1439
Authors: Dai S. , Smith M. C. , Wang S. , Okamoto S. , Xu R. X. , Yue Y. L. , Liu J. F.
Published: June 2017

We report the identification of the optical counterpart to the companion of the millisecond pulsar J2317+1439. At the timing position of the pulsar, we find an object with

,

, and

. The magnitudes and colors of the object are consistent with a white dwarf (WD). Compared with WD cooling models, we estimate that it has a mass of

, an effective temperature of

K, and a cooling age of 10.9 ± 0.3 Gyr. Combining our results with published constraints on the orbital parameters obtained through pulsar timing, we estimate the pulsar mass to be

. Although the constraint on the pulsar mass is still weak, there is a significant possibility that the pulsar could be more massive than two solar masses.
Condensation of Halo, Circumgalactic, and Intergalactic Gas onto Massive High-velocity Clouds
Authors: Gritton Jeffrey A. , Shelton Robin L. , Galyardt Jason E.
Published: June 2017

High-velocity clouds (HVCs) hydrodynamically interact with their surroundings. In scenarios with small clouds, the net result is erosion of the HVC, but in scenarios with large, massive clouds, it is capture and cooling of environmental gas by the cloud. In order to examine these effects over long periods of time, we made detailed three-dimensional hydrodynamic FLASH simulations of massive HVCs (1.35 × 105
M
☉ to 1.35 × 108
M
☉) traveling through hot, low-density media like that in the extended Galactic halo, circumgalactic media, and intergalactic space for at least 200 Myr. By setting the metallicity of the clouds to differ from that of the ambient gas, we were able to track the transfer of material between the two media. We found that massive clouds condense substantial amounts of ambient gas, up to 100% of their initial mass in certain cases. This gas cools to temperatures below 1.0 × 104 K, but retains some high ions. The amount of condensed gas depends on the cloud mass, the ambient density, and the cloud density and temperature, but apparently not on the velocity. We discuss the ramifications for cloud survivability and for the transport of halo, circumgalactic, and intergalactic gas to the disk of the Galaxy aboard massive HVCs.
VLA Survey of Dense Gas in Extended Green Objects: Prevalence of 25 GHz Methanol Masers
Authors: Towner A. P. M. , Brogan C. L. , Hunter T. R. , Cyganowski C. J. , McGuire B. A. , Indebetouw R. , Friesen R. K. , Chandler C. J.
Published: June 2017

We present ∼1″–4″ resolution Very Large Array (VLA) observations of four CH3OH

-E 25 GHz transitions (J = 3, 5, 8, 10) along with the 1.3 cm continuum toward 20 regions of active massive star formation containing Extended Green Objects (EGOs), 14 of which we have previously studied with the VLA in the Class I 44 GHz and Class II 6.7 GHz maser lines. Sixteen regions are detected in at least one 25 GHz line (J = 5), with 13 of 16 exhibiting maser emission. In total, we report 34 new sites of CH3OH maser emission and 10 new sites of thermal CH3OH emission, significantly increasing the number of 25 GHz Class I CH3OH masers observed at high angular resolution. We identify probable or likely maser counterparts at 44 GHz for all 15 of the 25 GHz masers for which we have complementary data, providing further evidence that these masers trace similar physical conditions despite uncorrelated flux densities. The sites of thermal and maser emission of CH3OH are both predominantly associated with the 4.5 μm emission from the EGO, and the presence of thermal CH3OH emission is accompanied by 1.3 cm continuum emission in 9 out of 10 cases. Of the 19 regions that exhibit 1.3 cm continuum emission, it is associated with the EGO in 16 cases (out of a total of 20 sites), 13 of which are new detections at 1.3 cm. Twelve of the 1.3 cm continuum sources are associated with 6.7 GHz maser emission and likely trace deeply embedded massive protostars.
Does Inter-Bank Investments Restraints Financing Performance of Islamic Banks?
Authors: Mohamad Mohammad Taqiuddin , Saeed Munazza
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Inter-bank Investment and changes in monetary policy on financing behaviour of Islamic banks in Malaysia. The change occurring in bank specifications and changes in monetary policy, will lead financial authorities generally, banking management specifically to make modifications on financing. In order to achieve the objective, this study employs panel data estimation of 17 Malaysian banks for the period of 1994-2014. Findings revealed that the pattern and behaviour of Islamic banking in offering financing is influenced by the investment in inter-bank investment and also by the factors such as level of past financing, the exposure to risk, size and structure of the capitalisation level. While for monetary policy factor, financing behaviour of Islamic banking is influenced by Malaysian government securities (MGS). Next to the economic environment, the study showed no significant relationship to the behaviour of the Malaysian Islamic banking financing.
Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Walczak Steven
Published: June 2017

This chapter examines the history of artificial neural networks research through the present day. The components of artificial neural network architectures and both unsupervised and supervised learning methods are discussed. Although a step-by-step tutorial of how to develop artificial neural networks is not included, additional reading suggestions covering artificial neural network development are provided. The advantages and disadvantages of artificial neural networks for research and real-world applications are presented as well as potential solutions to many of the disadvantages. Future research directions for the field of artificial neural networks are presented.
Concerns and Challenges of Cloud Platforms for Bioinformatics
Authors: Dessì Nicoletta , Pes Barbara
Published: June 2017

Bioinformatics traditionally concerns applying computational approaches for the management and the exploitation of large volumes of biomedical data that continues to expand in size and in distribution. Although the application of cloud computing in biomedical areas is still preliminary, an increasing number of biomedical applications rely on the Cloud for processing large datasets. This chapter aims investigating the extent to which cloud technology offers a viable platform for developing and deploying applications that support users in searching and integrating information offered by bioinformatics resources. The chapter outlines the basic features that such computing applications should exhibit and the challenging issues they deal with. The architecture and the functionality of the cloud-based environments are presented to stress how cloud platforms could offer added-value service components and flexibility that make their adoption attractive for bioinformatics.
Hyper-Sensitivity in Global Virtual Teams
Authors: Araujo Andre L.
Published: June 2017

This chapter broadens the understanding of global virtual teams by integrating two theoretical approaches—the Hyper-personal Perspective and the Social Constructionist Theory—to examine how members of global virtual teams develop relational interactions and outcomes. Specifically, the integrated research model presented here suggests that global virtual team members are hyper-sensitive to their computer-mediated interpersonal interactions in that individuals' socially constructed perceptions of the context influence their relational development and judgments much more intensively than those of collocated members. The chapter offers managerial suggestions and research directions.
Viewpoints on Business Process Models
Authors: Bruno Giorgio
Published: June 2017

Over the past few years a number of viewpoints have influenced the design of notations for business processes. They emphasize the different elements (tasks, business entities and roles) that compose business process models; for this reason, they are referred to as activity-centric, data-centric, and role-centric viewpoints. The activity-centric viewpoint focuses on the orchestration of operational activities, which encompass human tasks and automatic ones. On the contrary, the data-centric viewpoint stresses the identification of the key business entities and their life cycles consisting of states and transitions. In the role-centric viewpoint, a process model is made up of several “role” models; each role model provides a restricted view of the process limited to the behavior of the role under consideration. This article illustrates how the above-mentioned viewpoints can be extracted from a global model, with the help of an example concerning the submission of papers to conferences.
Architectural Framework for the Implementation of Information Technology Governance in Organisations
Authors: Batyashe Thami , Iyamu Tiko
Published: June 2017

The goals of every organisation are unique. As a result, it is difficult to find a single Information Technology (IT) governance framework that will embrace functions of every organisation. This is attributed to the primary reason why organisations tend to select various (multiple) IT governance frameworks, for your processes and activities. However, many organisations later realised that some of the frameworks are very similar (duplications), and others are inappropriate. This evidently and inevitably cause complexities, and negatively impact return on investment in organisations. This highlights the need for an architectural framework which guides the selection and implementation of an appropriate framework, as presented and discussed in this paper. The qualitative, case study and interpretive method and approach were followed in conducting this research, which was to develop an architectural framework for the implementation of IT governance in the organisations. A South African organisation was used as a case, focusing on the IT division. The data collection method presented in this research was semi-structured interviews. Through a framework, the paper presents and discusses the fundamental factors, which influences the selection and implementation of IT governance in organisations. The factors include organisational needs, managing, assessment and innovation. These factors are influenced and do interacts with other tenets, which include adherence, competitiveness and sustainability, training and education, governance and compliance.
Forecasting the Demand of Agricultural Crops/Commodity Using Business Intelligence Framework
Authors: Chickerur Satyadhyan , Sharma Supreeth , Narayankar Prashant M.
Published: June 2017

Information technology now a days is playing a very important role in all the spheres of life, starting from healthcare to entertainment. The agricultural community is not far behind in utilizing information technology for increasing the efficiency and productivity of agriculture and allied activities. This paper proposes how the concepts of BI (Business Intelligence), BI tools, Data mining tools might be used for forecasting the agricultural demand of various crops reliably and more efficiently. The paper clearly elaborates how BI tools could be used during various stages of ETL (Extract, transform and load) and how cleansed, quality data could be used by data mining tool for forecasting. Experiments are carried out for forecasting the demands for various agricultural crops by using the previous year's demand and the results are encouraging. The experimental set up involved the open source tools like Pentaho's Kettle and Weka.
Improving Competitiveness Through Organizational Market Intelligence
Authors: Jamil George Leal , Dos Santos Leandro Rocha , Jamil Cecília C.
Published: June 2017

Market intelligence (MI) is a concept that results in real opportunities for knowledge management in organizations. MI is a cyclic process to deliver knowledge for strategic marketing decisions, considering typical organizations of a defined sector as its final users. As organizations must not react to external factors or phenomena, but also try to lead its sector proposing and executing innovative plans and differential strategic positioning, MI is a modern and cooperative approach which can produce consistent bases for such planning abilities. It is an organizational continuum to answer typical decision problems faced by firms when competing in actual business environments. This article details MI concept, working from theoretical point of view and adds a practical approach on studying real cases of its potential applications. As MI is a multidisciplinary context, its conceptualization also provokes perspectives for research from other scientific fields, as information science, systems and management, computing science, human resources management, strategy, marketing.
Digital Animation for Representing Architectural Design
Authors: Spallone Roberta
Published: June 2017

Since the late Nineties digital movies are emerging as one of the main methods for submission of architectural designs at international competitions, public presentations and shares on websites of contemporary masters. The chapter highlights how the ability to access the fourth dimension, through the construction of a sequence of images, constitutes a specific prerogative of digital representation, which goes beyond the static constraint imposed by conventional methods of representation. The author investigates on the methods, techniques and languages of the fourth-dimensional communication of architecture, unexplored area of research thus far, already the subject of her previous studies, relating them with the masters' personal poetics. The chapter provides also analysis and critiques of the case studies collected by the author from the beginning of the phenomenon, and traces an ideal interpretation path, due both to the changing technologies and the emerging specific languages.
Data Visualization Strategies for Computer Simulation in Bioelectromagnetics
Authors: Gasmelseed Akram , Alharbi Ali H.
Published: June 2017

Bioelectromagnetics is a branch of science that examines how living organisms interact with electromagnetic fields. In a broader sense, it is a discipline that spans the fields of signal processing, electromagnetics, medical imaging, physiology, medical physics, anatomy, occupational and environmental health, behavioral, and computer sciences. Due to its provision of interactive and flexible programming environment, this chapter describes a LabVIEW based data visualization system that has been implemented and used in bioelectromagnetics simulations. The graphical nature of the LabVIEW programming environment makes it very easy to create a sophisticated application in a minimum amount of time, especially when compared to designing graphical user interfaces in a low-level programming language.
Improving Data Quality in Intelligent eCRM Applications
Authors: Ahmed Bashar Shahir , Amroush Fadi , Ben Maati Mohammed
Published: June 2017

Today most of the businesses are in continuous search of sophisticated tools and techniques to progressively grow their business. And therefore, the use of intelligence systems has found its pace in the global market. The intelligence systems has mostly effected the E-CRM as it is the most critical and central part for the growth of the business. The E-CRM approaches have enhanced drastically with an integration of the business intelligence systems and organizations are now diligently striving for excellence by gaining benefit from these integrated systems. However, there are many organizations which lag behind in escalating their progress and growth as they have not yet understand how to improve the data quality by using business intelligence systems and therefore used it for decision making. Hence, the following research is conducted to study the implementation trends of Intelligence E-CRM in business process and how the business intelligence systems could help in improvising the data quality and the business processes.
Optimizing Cloud Computing Costs of Services for Consumers
Authors: Weintraub Eli , Cohen Yuval
Published: June 2017

Cloud computing consumers wish to minimize their costs. Minimization depends on the technological infrastructure operated by providers. Cloud computing services are composed of services organized according to a hierarchy of software services, platforms and infrastructures. Providers offer software services as bundles of services which include software, platform and infrastructures. Bundling prevents customers from splitting their service purchases between different providers. Bundling policy is likely to change in the long run since it contradicts economic competition. This paper assumes that in the future market forces will push providers to act in a free competitive market. The proposed model is aimed at the potential customer who wishes to find the optimal combination of service providers which minimizes his costs. The model suggests two possible strategies for implementation in organizations.
Graph-Based Concept Discovery
Authors: Mutlu Alev , Karagoz Pinar , Kavurucu Yusuf
Published: June 2017

Multi-relational data mining (MRDM) is concerned with discovering hidden patterns from multiple tables in a relational database. One of the most commonly addressed tasks in MRDM is concept discovery in which the problem is inducing logical definitions of a specific relation, called target relation, in terms of other relations, called background knowledge. Inductive Logic Programming-based and graph-based approaches are two main competitors in this research. In this paper, we aim to introduce concept discovery problem and compare state-of-the-art methods in graph-based concept discovery by means of data representation, search method, and concept descriptor evaluation mechanism.
Healthcare Data Analysis in the Internet of Things Era
Authors: Tzanis George
Published: June 2017

Undoubtedly the IoT is the future of technology, which can provide manifold benefits to health care. However, the challenges posed are also great. Concerning the analysis of healthcare data, various tools have been introduced to deal efficiently with the large volumes as well as the various peculiarities of data (e.g. missing values, noise, etc.). Most popular representative of these modern tools is data mining, or the KDD process, strictly speaking. Although the KDD process has provided a lot of solutions, in many cases these techniques have to be scaled in order to deal with the new challenges posed by the big data paradigm. Cloud computing is the modern infrastructure that can provide the means to efficiently manage big data. Both cloud computing and the IoT are very promising concepts of technology and their complementary characteristics assure that their integration, Cloud-IoT, is very promising too. The introduction of the Cloud-IoT paradigm in the healthcare domain can offer manifold benefits and opportunities that will considerably improve the quality of health care.
Schema Evolution in Conventional and Emerging Databases
Authors: Brahmia Zouhaier , Grandi Fabio , Oliboni Barbara , Bouaziz Rafik
Published: June 2017

In information systems, changing the database schema is a common but often troublesome task in database administration that is needed for many reasons such as changes in user requirements, compliance to new regulations, addition of new functionalities, or correction of deficiencies in the current schema. For most database applications, changing the schema of the database without loss of existing data is a significant challenge: it is usually a time-consuming and error-prone task which must be done carefully. In the literature, schema evolution has been defined as the modality for the management of schema changes which relieves database programmers and administrators from this burden, by automatically recovering extant data and possibly adapting them to the new schema. The main goal of this chapter is to present the recent research proposals that deal with schema evolution in traditional and emerging databases and to discuss the recent advances on schema evolution support in mainstream DBMSs.