bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Architectural design with simple shape grammars and learning
Authors: Jiménez-Morales Eduardo , Ruiz-Montiel Manuela , Gavilanes Juan , Boned Javier , Mandow Lawrence , Pérez de la Cruz José Luís
Published: February 2018

This work presents a proposal for the automatic generation of architectural design. This scheme is based on the training of simple shape grammars through reinforcement learning technics. Finally, the results of the implemented system by this technic for the generation of dwelling design with certain restrictions are presented and analyzed.
A Study of Rescheduling Strategies for the Quay Crane Scheduling Problem under Random Disruptions
Authors: Expósito-Izquierdo Christopher , Lalla-Ruiz Eduardo , Melian-Batista, Belén , Moreno-Vega J. Marcos
Published: February 2018

Providing a suitable answer to different types of unforeseen changes in optimization problems is one challenging goal. This paper addresses the Quay Crane Scheduling Problem under random disruptions, whose goal is to determine the sequences of transshipment operations performed by a set of quay cranes in order to load and unload containers onto/from a berthed container vessel. An evolutionary algorithm is used to find an initial solution of the problem with completely deterministic data, whereas several rescheduling strategies are integrated into a dynamism management system aimed at keeping a proper quality level after a random disruption. Computational experiments indicate that using knowledge about previous static problems can largely improve the performance of the implemented schedule.
Decentralized Cooperative Metaheuristic for the Dynamic Berth Allocation Problem
Authors: LallaRuiz Eduardo , Expósito Izquierdo Christopher , Melián Batista Belén , MorenoVega J. Marcos
Published: February 2018

The increasing demand of maritime transport and the great competition among port terminals force their managers to reduce costs by exploiting its resources accurately. In this environment, the Berth Allocation Problem, which aims to allocate and schedule incoming vessels along the quay, plays a relevant role in improving the overall terminal productivity. In order to address this problem, we propose Decentralized Cooperative Metaheuristic (DCM), which is a population-based approach that exploits the concepts of communication and grouping. In DCM, the individuals are organized into groups, where each individual shares information with its group partners. This grouping strategy allows to diversify as well as intensify the search in some regions by means of information shared among the individuals of each group. Moreover, the constrained relation for sharing information among individuals through the proposed grouping strategy allows to reduce computational resources in comparison to the `all to all' communication strategy. The computational experiments for this problem reveal that DCM reports high-quality solutions and identifies promising regions within the search space in short computational times.
A Virtual Village Network Architecture for improving the elderly people quality of life
Authors: Morgavi Giovanna
Published: February 2018

Elder people often feel pushed to the margins by the generational shift and suffer from loss of identity and hence they lose motivation, recognition and self-esteem: they are often considered to be no longer capable of performing any service. This paper proposes an ICT network architecture oriented to improve the quality of life of elderly people and their caregivers focused on the user need satisfaction and reducing negative feelings like insecurity, vulnerability, loneliness and depression. This Virtual Village Network architecture is organized on 3 levels: 1. the Virtual Service Centre (VSC) that, through a proper home interface, carries out the support, the monitoring, the prevention and the social facilitation; 2. the Intelligent Domotic Health Networks (DHN) a domotic modular network with high local evaluation ability through which the VSC can monitor the home and/or the userâ€™s state of wellness and of health ; 3. the Dynamical Village Network (DVN) that is an ICT network of users. The idea is to build an ICT network of â€œvirtual social neighboursâ€ facilitating user relationships, able to have positive influences on the interactive abilities and self-image of the elderly, and to prevent or overcome solitude, isolation and their negative effects on the elderly personâ€™s overall quality of life and health. The whole architecture is pervaded by strict attention paid to security and privacy.
Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm and its use in digital image processing
Authors: Cuevas Erik
Published: February 2018

Classical methods often face great difficulties in solving image processing problems in images containing noise and distortions. Under such conditions, the use of bio-inspired optimization approaches has been extended. This paper explores the use of the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm for digital image processing seen as an optimization problem. ABC is a heuristic algorithm motivated by the biological behaviour of honey-bees which has been successfully employed to solve complex optimization problems. In this paper, image segmentation and circle detection tasks are considered as examples, both issues approached as optimization problems. In segmentation, an image 1-D histogram is approximated through a Gaussian mixture model whose parameters are calculated by the ABC algorithm. On the other hand, the circle detector uses a combination of three edge points as parameters to construct candidate circles. A matching function determines is such candidate circles are actually present in the image. Experimental results show that the generated solutions are able to solve properly the considered problems.
Forward Models for Following a Moving Target with the Puma 560 Robot Manipulator
Authors: Tello Gamarra Daniel Fernando , De Souza Leite Cuadros Marco Antonio
Published: February 2018

This paper describes how a forward model could be applied in a manipulator robot to accomplish the task of following a moving target. The forward model has been implemented in the puma 560 robot manipulator in simulation after a babbling motor phase using ANFIS neural networks. The forward model delivers a rough estimation of the position in the operational space of a moving target. Using this information a Cartesian controller tracks the moving target. An implementation of the proposed architecture and the Piepmeir algorithm for the problem of following a moving target is also shown in the paper. The control architecture proposed in this paper was also tested with MLP and RBF neural networks. Results and simulations are shown to demonstrate the applicability of our proposed architecture for tracking a moving target.
Utilizing Gaze Behavior for Inferring Task Transitions Using Abstract Hidden Markov Models
Authors: Tello Gamarra Daniel Fernando
Published: February 2018

We demonstrate an improved method for utilizing observed gaze behavior and show that it is useful in inferring hand movement intent during goal directed tasks. The task dynamics and the relationship between hand and gaze behavior are learned using an Abstract Hidden Markov Model (AHMM). We show that the predicted hand movement transitions occur consistently earlier in AHMM models with gaze than those models that do not include gaze observations.
An Assessment of Household and Individual-Level Mosquito Prevention Methods during the Chikungunya Virus Outbreak in the United States Virgin Islands, 2014–2015
Authors: Feldstein Leora R. , Rowhani-Rahbar Ali , Staples J. Erin , Halloran M. Elizabeth , Ellis Esther M.
Published: February 2018

Recent large-scale chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Zika virus epidemics in the Americas pose a growing public health threat. Given that mosquito bite prevention and vector control are the main prevention methods available to reduce transmission of these viruses, we assessed adherence to these methods in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). We interviewed 334 USVI residents between December 2014 and February 2015 to measure differences in mosquito prevention practices by gender, income, presence of CHIKV symptoms, and age. Only 27% (91/334) of participants reported having an air conditioner, and of the 91 with air-conditioners, 18 (20%) reported never using it. Annual household income > $50,000 was associated with owning and using an air conditioner (41%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 28–53% compared with annual household income ≤ $50,000: 17%; 95% CI: 12–22%). The majority of participants reported the presence of vegetation in their yard or near their home (79%; 265) and a cistern on their property (78%; 259). Only 52 (16%) participants reported wearing mosquito repellent more than once per week. Although the majority (80%; 268) of participants reported having screens on all of their windows and doors, most (82%; 273) of those interviewed still reported seeing mosquitoes in their homes. Given the uniformly low adherence to individual- and household-level mosquito bite prevention measures in the USVI, these findings emphasize the need for improved public health messaging and investment in therapeutic and vaccine research to mitigate vector-borne disease outbreaks.
JUDICIALIZAÇÃO DA SAÚDE: A DIGNIDADE DA PESSOA HUMANA E A ATUAÇÃO DO SUPREMO TRIBUNAL FEDERAL NO CASO DOS MEDICAMENTOS DE ALTO CUSTO.
Authors: Costa Fabricio Veiga , Da Motta Ivan Dias , De Araújo Dalvaney Aparecida
Published: February 2018

O objetivo da pesquisa é investigar o fenômeno da judicialização do direito à saúde, no que atine especificamente aos medicamentos de alto custo. Para isso, analisou-se a atuação dos Supremo Tribunal Federal e os critérios hermenêuticos utilizados no julgamento dos casos a ele apresentados, averiguando sua pertinência com o princípio da dignidade da pessoa humana. O artigo cientifico propõe o debate de tema relevante sob o ponto de vista teórico e prático, haja vista a necessidade de esclarecimento jurídico dos critérios hermenêuticos utilizados para o reconhecimento do direito fundamental à saúde. A originalidade do tema decorre dos apontamentos críticos do atual posicionamento do Supremo Tribunal Federal, e dos parâmetros hermenêuticos adotados nas decisões já proferidas. O impacto social pretendido com a pesquisa consiste em garantir a implementação da política pública de medicamentos de alto custo, via atuação jurisdicional, para assegurar a dignidade humana dos pacientes. A presente pesquisa problematiza o tema mas deixa evidente suas limitações, com a intenção de propor novos questionamentos para futuras investigações, especificamente no que tange ao debate de possível colisão entre direitos fundamentais individuais e coletivos. Por meio da pesquisa teórico-bibliográfica e documental, foi possível construir análises temáticas, teóricas, interpretativas e comparativas, que permitiram uma abordagem crítico-epistemológica do tema proposto. Ao final, concluiu-se que a interpretação extensivo-democrática do direito fundamental à saúde garante aos pacientes o acesso aos medicamentos de alto custo, com fundamento na dignidade da pessoa humana.
SHARENTING, LIBERDADE DE EXPRESSÃO E PRIVACIDADE DE CRIANÇAS NO AMBIENTE DIGITAL: O PAPEL DOS PROVEDORES DE APLICAÇÃO NO CENÁRIO JURÍDICO BRASILEIRO
Authors: Eberlin Fernando Büscher von Teschenhausen
Published: February 2018

Por meio das redes sociais, os pais contam suas experiências de vida e, às vezes, divulgam informações de caráter pessoal dos filhos, como fotografias, informações de localização, colégio em que estudam, rede de amigos, questões de saúde, dentre outras. Essa prática, conhecida como sharenting, cria um rastro digital que acompanha as crianças durante a vida, tem implicações no âmbito da privacidade, e coloca em rota de colisão a liberdade de expressão dos pais e a proteção dos dados pessoais dos filhos. Esse trabalho analisa essa prática e os mecanismos do Marco Civil da Internet (MCI) e da jurisprudência para endereçar tal colisão de normas. O artigo, também, analisa o papel dos provedores de aplicação, em especial redes sociais e ferramentas de busca, na criação de mecanismos que assegurem o direito ao esquecimento das crianças (a ser exercido quando entram na vida adulta) e que previnam o compartilhamento exagerado de informações pelos pais; a esse respeito, foi realizada a comparação dos modelos brasileiro e europeu, com análise normativa e jurisprudencial, objetivando encontrar elementos que auxiliem o modelo brasileiro na formulação legislativa para proteção da liberdade de expressão dos pais e da privacidade das crianças. Ao final, conclui-se pela pertinência de políticas públicas para educação em relação aos riscos do sharenting e pela necessidade de positivação de um dever de diligência dos provedores para que atuem preventivamente (melhorando a qualidade das informações sobre os riscos associados ao sharenting) e corretivamente (implementando mecanismos para efetivação do direito ao esquecimento).
COMO SALVAR O SISTEMA DE REPERCUSSÃO GERAL: TRANSPARÊNCIA, EFICIÊNCIA E REALISMO NA ESCOLHA DO QUE O SUPREMO TRIBUNAL FEDERAL VAI JULGAR
Authors: Barroso Luís Roberto , Montedonio Rego Frederico
Published: February 2018

Os principais tribunais constitucionais e supremas cortes do mundo viram-se, ao longo do tempo, na contingência de criar filtros de relevância para selecionar os processos que irão julgar. No Brasil, desde 2004, tem-se adotado, para esse propósito, o instituto da repercussão geral. A despeito de suas potencialidades, alguns desacertos na sua compreensão e aplicação têm conduzido o sistema ao colapso. O presente artigo, dividido em três partes, representa um esforço para reverter este quadro. Procura-se, assim, apresentar os números que exibem o insucesso do modelo (Parte I), identificar as práticas que tornam o sistema disfuncional (Parte II) e formular sugestões que podem torná-lo viável e eficiente (Parte III). São ideias simples, capazes de transformar o processamento dos recursos extraordinários, independentemente de modificações na Constituição ou nas leis. Basta um indispensável desapego ao que não vem dando certo.
MARCO CIVIL DA INTERNET E POLÍTICA PÚBLICA DE TRANSPARÊNCIA: UMA ANÁLISE DA E-DEMOCRACIA E DO COMPLIANCE PÚBLICO
Authors: De Miranda Wallace Vieira , Zaganelli Juliana Costa
Published: February 2018

O presente artigo se propõe a analisar em que medida o compliance público se revela efetivo no combate à malversação dos recursos públicos. Como método, será utilizada a abordagem dialética, sendo fundamental para sistematizar os objetivos por meio da tese-antítese-síntese. Nesse ínterim, o cenário das políticas públicas no Brasil será contextualizado, de modo a evidenciar a Lei nº 12.965/2014, mais conhecida como o Marco Civil da Internet, por representar uma “quebra” de paradigma na realidade brasileira. Posteriormente, o modelo de e-democracia será apresentado, detalhando as medidas existentes em prol da transparência pública e do controle social, como a Lei de Acesso à Informação, a Política Nacional de Dados Abertos, o Portal e-Democracia e o Gabinete Digital. Por fim, o estudo se ocupará em analisar a efetividade do compliance público como instrumento de transparência para promover o controle social e minimizar riscos ao Erário.
ESQUECIMENTO, INTERNET E “PREFERÊNCIA” DA INFORMAÇÃO: POSSIBILIDADES DE APLICAÇÃO DA DOUTRINA DOS PREFERRED RIGHTS DA JURISPRUDÊNCIA NORTE-AMERICANA AO CASO BRASILEIRO
Authors: Da Rocha Maria Vital , Cunha Isaac Rodrigues , Oliveira Karin De Fátima Rodrigues
Published: February 2018

A internet vem se configurando, desde já há algum tempo, como meio precípuo comunicação dos cidadãos em geral, aproximando-se, por conta disso, dos debates em torno dos direitos fundamentais diretamente ligados, por um lado, ao acesso às informações e, por outro lado, ao sigilo dessas mesmas informações. Aquela “cartularidade”, antes atribuída desde ao dinheiro até os meios impressos de comunicação, jornais, revistas, entre outros periódicos, deu lugar a um mundo digital, a um “espaço virtual” praticamente sem arestas ou limites por conta das novas tecnologias de comunicação e informação. Com efeito, o assim chamado “direito ao esquecimento” acaba por ser tencionado pela inimaginável capacidade armazenamento dos provedores de internet e, especialmente, pela indexação dos chamados buscadores. Casos em que, inobstante a antiguidade dos acontecimentos, têm-se retomadas determinadas informações que provocam inegável dissabor entre os envolvidos – e. g. como para acusados de crime cometido há décadas –, requer a atenção para o quanto deve prevalecer o direito de acesso às informações. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho reflete sobre a aplicabilidade da teoria dos preferred rights, tal qual concebida na doutrina e jurisprudência constitucional estadunidense, à realidade jurídica brasileira, sobre se, porque e quando deveria haver uma “posição de preferência” do direito à informação sobre o direito ao esquecimento. A metodologia seguiu a leitura de obras e documentos no assunto, classificando, destarte, como bibliográfica e documental, sendo classificada como pura quanto aos objetivos e descritiva quanto a seus objetivos.
Making the case for constitutional reform
Authors: Taylor Alice
Published: February 2018

Recent discussions on whether or not to amend the Australian Constitution to ‘recognise’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are important and long overdue for many Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Federation in 1901 meant the loss of rights and freedoms for Indigenous Australians when the Constitution was made. Today, even after the changes brought about by the 1967 referendum, Australia is still the only democratic nation in the world with a Constitution with clauses that authorise discrimination on the basis of race (Davis & William 2015). Indeed, sub-section 51 of the Constitution allows the Commonwealth to make laws for the people of any race for whom they deem necessary, and section 25 allows the Commonwealth to disqualify individuals from voting because of their race. These disgraceful aspects of the Constitution have allowed such negative and damaging interferences in Indigenous Communities as the Howard government’s ‘Northern Territory Intervention’. Like Davis, I believe it is unacceptable for Australia as a modern liberal democracy to have a ‘race power’ in the Constitution (Davis 2008, p. 8), and so to eradicate that inequity, there must be a Constitutional amendment as well as a treaty put in place.
Lagrangian process attribution of isotopic variations in near-surface water vapour in a 30-year regional climate simulation over Europe
Authors: Dütsch Marina , Pfahl Stephan , Meyer Miro , Wernli Heini
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Stable water isotopes are naturally available tracers of moisture in the
atmosphere. Due to isotopic fractionation, they record information about
condensation and evaporation processes during the transport of air parcels,
and therefore present a valuable means for studying the global water cycle.
However, the meteorological processes driving isotopic variations are complex
and not very well understood so far, in particular on short (hourly to daily)
timescales. This
study presents a Lagrangian method for attributing the isotopic composition
of air parcels to meteorological processes, which provides new insight into
the isotopic history of air parcels. It is based on the temporal evolution of
the isotope ratios, the humidity, the temperature, and the location of the
air parcels. Here these values are extracted along 7-day backward
trajectories started every 6 hours
from near the surface in a 30-year regional climate simulation over
Europe with the isotope-enabled version of the model of the Consortium for
Small-Scale Modelling (COSMOiso). The COSMOiso simulation has a horizontal
resolution of 0.25∘ and is driven at the lateral boundaries by a T106
global climate simulation with the isotope-enabled version of the European
Centre Hamburg model (ECHAMwiso).
Both simulations are validated against
measurements from the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP),
which shows that nesting COSMOiso within ECHAMwiso improves the
representation of δ2H and deuterium excess in monthly accumulated
precipitation. The method considers all isotopic changes that occur inside
the COSMOiso model domain, which, on average, correspond to more than half of
the mean and variability in both δ2H and deuterium excess at the air
parcels' arrival points. Along every trajectory, the variations in the
isotope values are quantitatively decomposed into eight process categories
(evaporation from the ocean, evapotranspiration from land, mixing with
moister air, mixing with drier air, liquid cloud formation, mixed phase cloud
formation, ice cloud formation, and no process). The results show that for
air parcels arriving over the ocean, evaporation from the ocean is the
primary factor controlling δ2H and deuterium excess. Over land,
evapotranspiration from land and mixing with moister air are similarly
important. Liquid and mixed phase cloud formation contribute to the
variability of δ2H and deuterium excess, especially over continental
Europe. In summary, the presented method helps to better understand the
linkage between the meteorological history of air parcels and their isotopic
composition, and may support the interpretation of stable water isotope
measurements in future.
Haze pollution in winter and summer in Zibo, a heavily industrialized city
neighboring the Jin-Jin-Ji area of China: source, formation, and implications
Authors: Li Hui , Duan Fengkui , Ma Yongliang , He Kebin , Zhu Lidan , Ma Tao , Ye Siqi , Yang Shuo , Huang Tao , Kimoto Takashi
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Continuous field observations of haze pollution were conducted in winter and summer during 2015 in Zibo, a highly industrialized city in the North China Plain that is adjacent to the Jing-Jin-Ji area. PM2.5 concentration averaged 146.7 ± 85.8 and 82.2 ± 44.3 μg m−3 in winter and summer, respectively. The chemical component contributions to PM2.5 showed obvious seasonal variation. Organics were high in winter, but secondary inorganic aerosols (SIA) were high in summer. From non-haze to haze days, the concentration of SIA increased, implying an important role of secondary processes in the evolution process of the pollution. The diurnal behavior of several pollutants during haze days appeared to fluctuate more, but during non-haze days, it was much more stable, suggesting that complex mechanisms are involved. Specifically, gaseous precursors, mixed layer height (MLH), photochemical activity, and relative humidity (RH) also played important roles in the diurnal variation of the pollutants. Normally, larger gaseous precursor concentrations, photochemical activity, and RH, and lower MLH favored high concentrations. In winter, the formation of sulfate was mainly influenced by RH, indicating the importance of heterogeneous reactions in its formation. In contrast, in summer, photochemistry and SO2 concentration had the largest impact on the sulfate level. We found that Zibo was an ammonia-rich city, especially in winter, meaning that the formation of nitrate was through homogeneous reactions between HNO3 and NH3 in the gas phase, followed by partitioning into the particle phase. The RH, NO2, and Excess NH4+ were the main influencing factors for nitrate in winter, whereas Excess NH4+, RH, and temperature were the key factors in summer. The secondary organic carbon (SOC) level depended on the MLH and photochemistry. In winter, the effect of the MLH was stronger than that of photochemistry, but a reversed situation occurred in summer because of the intensive photochemistry. Our work suggested that the inter-transport between Zibo, one of the most polluted cities in north China, and its adjacent areas should be taken into account when formulating air pollution control policy.
Transition from hydrothermal vents to cold seeps records timing of carbon release in the Guaymas Basin, Gulf of California
Authors: Geilert Sonja , Hensen Christian , Schmidt Mark , Liebetrau Volker , Scholz Florian , Doll Mechthild , Deng Longhui , Lever Mark A. , Su Chih-Chieh , Schlömer Stefan , Sarkar Sudipta , Thiel Volker , Berndt Christian
Published: February 2018

Abstract. The Guaymas Basin in the Gulf of California is an ideal site to test the hypothesis that magmatic intrusions into organic-rich sediments can cause the release of large amounts of thermogenic methane and CO2 that may lead to climate warming. In this study pore fluids close (~ 500 m) to a hydrothermal vent field and at cold seeps up to 20 km away from the northern rift axis were studied to determine the influence of magmatic intrusions on pore fluid composition and gas migration. Pore fluids close to the hydrothermal vent area show predominantly seawater composition, indicating a shallow circulation system transporting seawater to the hydrothermal catchment area rather than being influenced by hydrothermal fluids themselves. Only in the deeper part of the sediment core, composed of hydrothermal vent debris, Sr isotopes indicate a mixture with hydrothermal fluids of ~ 3 %. Also cold seep pore fluids show mainly seawater composition. Most of the methane is of microbial origin and consumed by anaerobic oxidation in shallow sediments, whereas ethane has a clear thermogenic signature. Fluid and gas flow might have been active during sill emplacement in the Guaymas Basin, but ceased 28 to 7 thousand years ago, based on sediment thickness above extinct conduits. Our results indicate that carbon release depends on the longevity of sill-induced, hydrothermal systems which is a currently unconstrained factor.
Climate pattern-scaling set for an ensemble of 22 GCMs – adding uncertainty to the IMOGEN version 2.0 impact system
Authors: Zelazowski Przemyslaw , Huntingford Chris , Mercado Lina M. , Schaller Nathalie
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Global circulation models (GCMs) are the best tool to understand
climate change, as they attempt to represent all the important Earth
system processes, including anthropogenic perturbation through
fossil fuel burning. However, GCMs are computationally very
expensive, which limits the number of simulations that can be
made. Pattern scaling is an emulation technique that takes advantage
of the fact that local and seasonal changes in surface climate are
often approximately linear in the rate of warming over land and
across the globe. This allows interpolation away from a limited number of
available GCM simulations, to assess alternative future emissions
scenarios. In this paper, we present a climate pattern-scaling set
consisting of spatial climate change patterns along with parameters
for an energy-balance model that calculates the amount of global
warming. The set, available for download, is derived from 22 GCMs of
the WCRP CMIP3 database, setting the basis for similar eventual
pattern development for the CMIP5 and forthcoming CMIP6
ensemble. Critically, it extends the use of the IMOGEN (Integrated
Model Of Global Effects of climatic aNomalies) framework to enable
scanning across full uncertainty in GCMs for impact studies. Across
models, the presented climate patterns represent consistent global
mean trends, with a maximum of 4 (out of 22) GCMs exhibiting
the opposite sign to the global trend per variable (relative
humidity). The described new climate regimes are generally warmer,
wetter (but with less snowfall), cloudier and windier, and have
decreased relative humidity. Overall, when averaging individual
performance across all variables, and without considering
co-variance, the patterns explain one-third of regional change in
decadal averages (mean percentage variance explained, PVE, 34.25±5.21), but the signal in some models exhibits much more
linearity (e.g. MIROC3.2(hires): 41.53) than in others (GISS_ER:
22.67). The two most often considered variables, near-surface
temperature and precipitation, have a PVE of 85.44±4.37 and
14.98±4.61, respectively. We also provide an example
assessment of a terrestrial impact (changes in mean runoff) and
compare projections by the IMOGEN system, which has one land surface
model, against direct GCM outputs, which all have alternative
representations of land functioning. The latter is noted as an
additional source of uncertainty. Finally, current and potential
future applications of the IMOGEN version 2.0 modelling system in the
areas of ecosystem modelling and climate change impact assessment
are presented and discussed.
Evaluation of the pH-sensitive swelling of a hydrogel by means of a plasmonic sensor substrate
Authors: Kroh Christoph , Wuchrer Roland , Günther Margarita , Härtling Thomas , Gerlach Gerald
Published: February 2018

Abstract. The inline monitoring of parameters in aqueous liquids is
facing an increasing demand in many different application areas. Hydrogels
with pH-induced swelling and deswelling behavior offer a means to measure pH
in such liquids. Here we investigate the optical interrogation of a
pH-sensitive hydrogel which can be applied in the physiological pH range.
For this, a nanostructured gold substrate supporting surface plasmon
oscillations is coated with a HPMA/DMAEMA/TEGDMA/EG hydrogel. The gel swells
in the pH range under investigation (here 4.5 to 6.5), and the resulting
refractive index changes subsequently lead to a spectral shift of the
plasmon resonance of the gold nanostructure. The spectral resonance position
is determined from optical transmittance spectra of the sensor substrates,
and the initial results for our hydrogel reported here indicate a nearly
linear dependence between the swelling state and the plasmon resonance
wavelength.
Capacidades estatais para a promoção de processos participativos: atributos do aparato burocrático ou condições temporárias para a ação?
Authors: Leite de Souza Clóvis Henrique
Published: February 2018

Ao propor investigação a respeito das capacidades estatais para a promoção da participação social, o estudo contribui com a compreensão a respeito dos recursos organizacionais necessários à gestão pública participativa, além de investigar sua forma de mobilização. O foco investigativo está no funcionamento estatal para a organização de conferências nacionais. Assim, revelou a importância de capacidades institucionais, políticas e administrativas, possibilitando a identificação de capacidades técnicas que estão ligadas ao desenho e desenvolvimento de processos participativos. O artigo propõe a compreensão que capacidades estatais não são, necessariamente, atributos que podem ser instalados em uma estrutura, mas sim condições para a ação, recursos organizacionais que podem ser mobilizados. Assim, permitiu revisar o entendimento de capacidades como atributos de uma estrutura que podem ser gerados ou instalados. Com a investigação empreendida, parece mais razoável falar de capacidades estatais como recursos que podem ser mobilizados a depender das necessidades.
Transculturalidade e ficções migratórias no cinema da identidade: experiências diaspóricas em 14 Kilómetros
Authors: Tassi Teixeira Rafael
Published: February 2018

O presente trabalho parte de uma interrogação bastante presente nos discursos migratórios contemporâneos: como as narrativas em trânsito reposicionam os sujeitos na condição do olhar sobre a relação foraneidade-autoctonia, pensadas através da experiência fundamental do deslocamento? O artigo explora as relações entre as escolhas das narrativas e a identidade na estrada, focalizando as dinâmicas interculturais entre as historicidades móveis e as culturas de recepção. Desenvolve a imagem da experiência do deslocamento como condição estrutural da construção dos itinerários culturais a partir de “zonas de contato/emergência” abertas pela globalização circundante, que tem significativo impacto nas dinâmicas da alteridade imigrante. Posteriormente, o trabalho analisa a reflexividade ensaística a partir da emergência do olhar sobre a imagem dos lugares migratórios em relação a um discurso fílmico a respeito de imigrantes em processos de trânsito. A relação subjetividade-cultura é pensada através da imagem do migrante em busca da identificação psicológica e comunitária na relativização espacial. As identidades observadas pela cultura de envolvimento e a relação de forças, hegemônicas e assimétricas, servem de material para reflexão do alcance comparativo “Nós-Outros”.
Arranjo institucional, capacidades estatais e política industrial: os Conselhos de Competitividade do Plano Brasil Maior
Authors: De Queiroz Stein Guilherme , Alejandro Gugliano Alfredo
Published: February 2018

Nesse artigo discute-se a relação entre capacidades estatais epolítica industrial a partir da perspectiva de análise de arranjosinstitucionais de políticas públicas. Como objeto empírico,analisa-se a experiência histórica da implementação de conselhos setoriais tripartites na política industrial brasileira eo caso dos Conselhos de Competitividade do Plano BrasilMaior. As conclusões apontam que os Conselhos de Competitividade reproduziram problemas encontrados nas experiências prévias e foram incapazes de gerar capacidades sufcientespara coordenar os atores da maneira como sua função exigia.
Capacidade estatal e formulação de políticas sociais por municípios sob a ótica da gestão pública democrática
Authors: Della Lucia Gomes Marília , Aparecida Ferreira Patrícia , Moretto Amâncio Júlia
Published: February 2018

A Constituição Federal de 1988 alargou as responsabilidadesdo Estado Democrático Brasileiro ao estabelecer atividadesprestacionais ao cidadão, em termos de direitos sociais, osquais são efetivados por meio das políticas públicas. Ao mesmo tempo, operou a municipalização de alguns serviços sociais universais e gerou novas institucionalidades na governançalocal, pois distribuiu competências e reconheceu a autonomiados municípios, lugar de execução e de disponibilização deserviços públicos e de elaboração de políticas públicas condizentes com as necessidades da população local. Este trabalhotem o objetivo de promover uma discussão teórica e trazer à baila os estudos sobre as capacidades estatais, propondoque sejam adaptadas de forma a aplicarem-se aos municípios, visando impulsionar a capacidade de formulação de suaspolíticas sociais, bem como contribuir com as discussões sobrecapacidades estatais a nível local integrando, para tanto, o referencial da gestão pública democrática.
Bio-characterization of Some Free Living Amoebae in the Surface Water of the City of Yaounde: Relationship to Physico-chemical Parameters of the Medium
Authors: Mireille Kapso Tchouankep , Aghaindum Ajeagah Gideon , Elambo Nkeng George , Pierre Ngassam
Published: February 2018

A study was carried in Yaounde to evaluate the level of organic pollution in the surface water and to determine the distribution of pathogenic free living amoeba in the aquatic ecosystem. Six points were selected on the Olezoa and the Abiergue streams of Yaounde for our study. Physico-chemical pollution was carried out by standard methods of assessment. The parameters measured were suspended solids, electric conductivity, pH, TDS, Oxydability, BOD5, COD, humidity, Dissolved Oxygen. The free living amoeba were identified by direct observation on microscope and observation after culture on Non Nutritive Agar (NNA)and Page’s Agar Saline Solution (PAS) which are all enriched with Escherichia coli. The data obtained reveal a high pollution of these urban streams of the Mfoundi River system and presents a high densities of telluric amoebae such as Acanthamoeba (21 Cell./L), Balamuthia (11 Cell./L), Naegleria (6 Cell./L), Vanella (17 Cell./L) and Vermamoeba (5 Cell./L). The sizes vary between 12 to 94 μm for the different forms isolated and identified in our study. The presence of amoeba are significantly correlated with hydrometry, temperature, nitrates suspended solids, COD and BOD5 (p <0.001). These organisms in water show contamination of the groundwater by wastewater during the study period.
Effectiveness of Operationalized Gestalt Therapy Role-Playing in the Treatment of Phobic Behaviors
Authors: Martinez Mario E.
Published: February 2018

The Gestalt therapy role-playing technique applied to dreams is based on the assumption that unwarranted avoidance behaviors in a dream are maintained by failing to recognize that the aversive properties attributed or projected to avoided stimuli are self-created. This study extrapolates that the recognition of these projections through the Gestalt role-playing technique can also reduce avoidance in phobic behavior. Twenty-four participants with phobias of long duration were randomly assigned to three groups with operationalized components of the role-playing technique that varied as follows: full treatment (FT) role-playing both the phobic responses and the aversive properties attributed to the phobic stimulus; stimulus role-playing (SRP) role-playing only the aversive properties attributed to the phobic stimulus; and response role-playing (RRP) role-playing only the phobic responses. Across several measures, the two groups that role-played the aversive properties attributed to the phobic stimulus (FT and SRP) were significantly more effective in reducing their phobias than the RRP group, which only role-played the phobic responses. Results are interpreted as support for the Gestalt therapy projections construct. Furthermore, the cognitive restructuring related to the reduction of a phobic response may be achieved more effectively through an abbreviated role-playing technique that focuses on reenacting the aversive properties attributed to the phobic stimulus rather than on the phobic response.
Trends in prevalence of obesity and hypertension in an urban Congolese community
Authors: MP Bayauli , JR M'Buyamba-Kayamba , NG Ngoyi , BF Lepira , KP Kayembe , D Lemogoum , MN Buila , L Thijs , MS Ditu , R Fagard , JP Degaute , P Van Den Borne , JA Staessen , JR M'Buyamba-Kabangu
Published: February 2018

Objective: To assess trends over time in the prevalence of overweight/obesity and hypertension among adult Congolese people.Methods: Data from 1292 inhabitants of an urban Congolese community collected in 2007-8 were confronted to observations from a 1983-4 survey of 424 participants from the same location. Prevalence of overweight/obesity and hypertension was directly standardized for gender and age. We modeled the risk of hypertension in a multivariable logistic regression analysis including the participants from the two periods and a dummy variable (coded 0 for 1983-4, 1 for 2007-8).Results: Gender distribution was similar in 2007-8 and 1983-4 with women representing 56.6% and 55.2% of the participants, respectively. Age averaged 37±15 years in 2007-8 vs. 33±12 years in 1983-4 (P˂.0001). Crude prevalence of overweight/obesity (26.7 vs 42.3%; P<.0001) and hypertension (21.5% vs. 30.9%; P=.0002) was higher in 2007-8. The 2007-8 prevalence of overweight/obesity was 15.6%, 14.2% and 16.8% higher respectively for all subjects, women and men. The respective differences were 9.4%, 16.7% and 0.3% for hypertension. Overweight/obesity predominated among women at both periods, hypertension among men in 1983-4 with a trend in women at the latter period. The gender-age directly standardized prevalence was higher in 2007-8 for overweight/obesity [28.4(24.1–32.7)% vs. 41.3(38.8–43.7)%] and borderline for hypertension [24.9(20–28.9)% vs. 29.7(27.4–31.9)%]. The 1983-4/2007-8 risk ratio was 0.69 for overweight/obesity (P<.0001), 0.84 for hypertension (P=.054). Awareness, treatment and control of hypertension were higher in 2007-8 for all subjects and women, not for men.  They were similar in both genders in 1983-4 but higher among women in 2007-8. In the logistic model including participants from both periods, the risk of hypertension increased with gender (OR for men vs women: 1.47 [95% CI:1.14–1.88]; P=.0029), age (for age ≥ 45 years: 5.62 [4.37–7.23]; P<.0001), overweight/obesity (present vs absent; 2.27 [1.77–2.91]; P<.0001) and pulse rate (for each 10 beats/min: 1.20 [1.08–1.32]; P=.0005); the risk was 35% higher in 2007-8 compared to 1983-4 (OR:1.35;95% CI:1.01–1.80; P=.0416).Conclusion: The data highlight the increment overtime in the prevalence of hypertension and overweight/obesity among adult urban Congolese dwellers whose global cardiovascular risk is rather high. Control of these features should be considered mandatory for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
SOME RESULTS OF CROP STRESS MONITORING BY REMOTE SENSING IN NORTHERN MONGOLIA
Authors: D Tuvshinbayar , B Erdenetuya , E Erkhembayar , B Batbileg , J Sarangerel
Published: February 2018

This paper presents the spatiotemporal monitoring crop stress in the first period of wheat phenology by satellite image in northern Mongolia. We used 2 satellite images Landsat8 that are dated June 23rd and July 12th of this year. Also calculated are same ratio-based indices such as NDVI, LAI and GNDVI of 2 images in the middle period of wheat phrenology, which are indicated crop stress field reports. NDVI and LAI, derived from satellite imagery are the most important characteristics of wheat stress monitoring. According to our result, as shown satellite image, wheat growth is critical and fuzzily, which is predicted necessary some management for farming. Our results show the ability of pre-processing image to analyze and visualize agricultural environments and workflows has proven to be beneficial to those involved in the farming industry.
THE INFLUENCE OF ARTIFICIAL FOREST PLANTATIONS ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN THE COASTAL ZONE OF LAKE SHIRA
Authors: Sorokina O A , Kuular Ch I
Published: February 2018

The materials on the influence of artificial forest plantations on the soil properties in the conditions of the dry steppe of Khakassia are discussed. The soil-improving effect of plantations of Siberian larch, Siberian elm-tree, joint plantations of elm and larch, as well as pine and caragana tree, through optimization of moisture mode, biogenic accumulation of elements and agrochemical properties of soils is established. Ecologically sustainable phytocenoses are formed.
ISSUES ON TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL CAPACITY IN KHANGAI NURUU
Authors: B Baasannamjii , L Bayasgalan
Published: February 2018

The imbalances of development such as unequal benefits of the tourism, high migration from tourism undeveloped area, over-centralization in developed area are derived from the issue of the tourism development policy is not covered the whole region. Therefore the state and local organizations and administration of specially protected areas should take their consideration on sustainable development of the tourism with policy and planning in order to balance the benefits of local people, foreign and domestic travelers and entities, to give positive tendency of nature, to improve the protection and utilization of natural resources. The sustainable tourism, one of rapid developing and most appropriate types of tourism can be the large financial resources to improve the management of specially protected area, if implement the sustainable tourism in specially protected areas with appropriate policy and management.
MARKET CONDITIONS OF EFFICIENCY AND DURABILITY
OF ROAD TRANSPORT ENTERPRISES
Authors: Jarocka Małgorzata , Mandera Ewelina
Published: February 2018

Market efficiency of road transport enterprises is achieved through the implementation of measures such as building a competitive advantage and adapting to the changing environment. Functional durability of road transport enterprises is a reflection of their long-term effectiveness, and thus remains competitive in the long term. The aim of the paper is to present the market conditions of the functional efficiency and durability ofroad transport companies. These conditions reflect values such as the age of the company, the determinants of the customer choice of a company and the promotion tools they use. The theoretical part of the article is based on the review of literature and reports of the Central Statistical Office, and the empirical part – on extensive primary research.
Adequação da prescrição de medicamentos na Atenção Primária à Saúde de Ribeirão Preto-SP: estudo transversal
Authors: Barboza Zanetti Maria Olívia , Maldonado Marchetti Juliana , Garcia de Andrade Regina Célia
Published: February 2018

Objetivo: Este estudo transversal visa analisar comparativamente as prescrições de medicamentos provenientes da atenção básica tradicional (Unidades Básicas de Saúde - UBS) com as da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF). Métodos: Foram incluídas 1053 prescrições, alocadas em dois grupos: 932 provenientes de UBS e 121 da ESF. Tais prescrições foram analisadas de acordo com a adequação aos itens legalmente exigidos e aos indicadores de qualidade (presença de antimicrobianos, presença de injetáveis, uso da denominação oficial, uso da relação de medicamentos essenciais, média de medicamentos prescritos). Resultados: As prescrições da ESF se mostraram estatisticamente mais completas quanto à presença do endereço do prescritor (82,6% UBS, 96,7% ESF), à ausência de rasuras (90,3% UBS, 96,7% ESF) e ao cumprimento dos aspectos legais exigidos referentes ao uso do medicamento, sendo eles: forma farmacêutica (70,7% UBS, 80,2% ESF), dose (70,9% UBS, 79,3% ESF), posologia (63,0% UBS, 75,2% ESF), via de administração (58,3% UBS, 83,5% ESF) e duração do tratamento (76,9% UBS, 92,6% ESF). Os resultados dos indicadores de qualidade da prescrição se aproximaram nos dois modelos de atenção básica e estão de acordo com os valores recomendados, com exceção da média de medicamentos prescritos, a qual evidenciou uma tendência à polifarmácia no município (3,9 medicamentos por prescrição na UBS e 3,5 na ESF). Conclusão: Apesar dos resultados revelarem práticas inapropriadas na prescrição de medicamentos na Atenção Primária como um todo, há evidências de que as prescrições da ESF estão mais próximas ao padrão ideal, o que pode favorecer o Uso Racional de Medicamentos.
Probability Sampling in Matched Case-Control Study in Drug Abuse
Authors: Niraula Surya Raj , A. Connell Frederick
Published: February 2018

Although random sampling is generally considered to be the gold standard for population-based research, the majority of drug abuse research is based on non-random sampling despite the well-known limitations of this kind of sampling. We compared the statistical properties of two surveys of drug abuse in the same community: one using snowball sampling of drug users who then identified “friend controls” and the other using a random sample of non-drug users (controls) who then identified “friend cases”. Models to predict drug abuse based on risk factors were developed for each data set using conditional logistic regression. Bootstrap analysis of the random-sample data set showed less variation, and did not change the significance of the predictors when compared to the non-bootstrap analysis. Comparison of ROC curves using the model derived from the random-sample data set was similar when fitted to either data set (0.93 for random-sample data vs. 0.91 for snowball-sample data (p=0.35)); however, when the model derived from the snowball-sample data set was fitted to each of the data sets, the areas under the curve were significantly different (0.98 vs. 0.83, p<.001). The proposed method of random sampling of controls appears to be superior from a statistical perspective to snowball sampling and may represent a viable alternative to snowball sampling.