bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Risk Management Profession in Australia
Authors: McMurray Adela , Cross Jean , Caponecchia Carlo
Published: June 2018

This study aimed to identify to what extent Australian organizations have any plans to manage business continuity threats, and the nature and content of these plans. Sixty-four respondents who were risk management professionals were surveyed to explore the Business Continuity Practices within their organizations. The ANOVA analysis showed 39 per cent of the organizations had developed an enterprise-wide plan of which just over half stated that the plan was tested. However, 36 per cent of respondents had no plan, an “informal plan,” were developing a plan, or did not know whether they had a plan. Standardized guidelines for a process to manage risks have been developed across many spheres and countries and are brought together in the international risk management standard ISO31000 (ISO, 2009), which presents a process applicable to all organizations and all risks. Human resource practices that promote consistent communication and an organizational culture that allows business continuity plan values, attitudes and beliefs to become embedded and to move across traditional organizational boundaries are therefore important for gaining the cooperation needed to implement plans in an organization's operational areas pertaining to business continuity.
Analysis and Comparison of the Role of Local Governments With Other Policy Actors in Disaster Relief via Social Media
Authors: Yildiz Mete , Demirhan Kamil
Published: June 2018

This chapter examines the social media use by local governments, and other policy actors (government agencies, non-governmental organizations and citizens) after the 2011 Van Earthquake in Turkey. This study is different from others examining social media use of just one policy actor after a disaster; as it compares and contrasts the performance of different policy actors with that of local governments. To this end, contents of the messages posted on selected Facebook pages after the earthquake are analyzed. The findings include examples of effective social media use for disaster relief and recovery, as well as detailed information about the nature and functioning of “multiple/parallel systems of public service/information delivery”, more than one electronic channel of communication and coordination simultaneously connecting people and organizations. The findings suggest that, if institutional arrangements conducive to collaborations are present, social media platforms can be effective means of disaster relief and recovery, especially for communication among citizens after a disaster.
Incremental Distributed Learning With JavaScript Agents for Earthquake and Disaster Monitoring
Authors: Bosse Stefan
Published: June 2018

Ubiquitous computing and The Internet-of-Things (IoT) grow rapidly in today's life and evolving to Self-organizing systems (SoS). A unified and scalable information processing and communication methodology is required. In this work, mobile agents are used to merge the IoT with Mobile and Cloud environments seamless. A portable and scalable Agent Processing Platform (APP) provides an enabling technology that is central for the deployment of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) in strong heterogeneous networks including the Internet. A large-scale use-case deploying Multi-agent systems in a distributed heterogeneous seismic sensor and geodetic network is used to demonstrate the suitability of the MAS and platform approach. The MAS is used for earthquake monitoring based on a new incremental distributed learning algorithm applied to seismic station data, which can be extended by ubiquitous sensing devices like smart phones. Different (mobile) agents perform sensor sensing, aggregation, local learning and prediction, global voting and decision making, and the application.
Prospect of Low Power Sensor Network Technology in Disaster Management for Sustainable Future
Authors: Prusty Alok R. , Mohanty Ankita
Published: June 2018

Countries with better disaster management plans can better signify their existence. The earthquake is one such hazardous catastrophe that leads to heavy damage. Disaster management does not avert or eliminate the threats fully; instead, it focuses on use of technology, creating plans to lessening the effect of disasters up to significant level. Depending on the magnitude and type of waves, earthquakes crush everything, from buildings to small houses, from towers to trees, and from roads to bridges. Tsunamis and landslides follow its way as well. After the earthquake comes, the settling of things back to normal involves a lot of time, money, and manpower as well. Hence, the only solution of this is leading-edge technology support. Sensor network technology is one of the proven techniques for not only varieties of early warning, prediction, and detection systems but also post-phenomenon rescue and support. This chapter will help researchers and policy makers to think fresh on disaster management with sensor network technology.
mLearning to Enhance Disaster Preparedness Education in K-12 Schools
Authors: Chandler Thomas , Beedasy Jaishree
Published: June 2018

Several of the most disconcerting and compelling news events of the 21st century pertain to natural and human-caused disasters. However, these themes are generally absent in the social studies, civics, science, or mathematics curricula of most U.S. K-12 schools. Similarly, discussions about ways to incorporate new digital tools, such as mobile tablet computers and apps into such discussions are also overlooked. This chapter provides a roadmap for considering disaster-oriented themes in the K-12 curriculum and then provides several examples of apps that can be included in classroom lessons along with guidelines for incorporating these digital tools into pedagogical practices. The authors have framed their analysis within the context of mLearning as a way to address cross-disciplinary themes via mobile technologies.
Overview of Search and Rescue From Robotics to Wireless Sensors and Robots Networks
Authors: Allali Sarah , Benchaïba Mahfoud
Published: June 2018

In the recent years, many researchers have shown interest in developing search and rescue system composed of one or multiple robots, which have the mission of finding victims and identifying the potential hazards. To enhance the robotic systems there is a growing trend of integrating wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to robots and multi-robot systems, which gives more awareness of the environments. In the first part of this article, the authors present a review of robotic system and their environments in search and rescue systems. Additionally, they explain challenges related to these systems and tasks that a robot or a multi-robot system should execute to fulfil the search and rescue activities. As a second part, the authors expose the system that integrates WSNs with robots and the advantages that brings this latter. In addition, they cite tasks and missions that are achieved in a better way with a cooperation of WSN and robots. Furthermore, the authors expose and discuss the remarkable research, challenges and the open research challenges that includes this cooperation.
Post Disaster Housing Management for Sustainable Urban Development
Authors: Das Kanu Kumar , Sharma Nagendra Kumar
Published: June 2018

Developing countries have still shortage of housing due to natural disasters. Houses get destroyed wholly or partly and it causes the increase of lack of housing stock of a country. In disaster management cycle, rehabilitation or reconstruction is an important issue to protect, reduce or mitigate the effect of disasters. For sustainable urban development, disaster consideration is as important as it helps to maintain the development growth rate and tries to make sure that the settlements are in a stable way. The paper describes the natural disasters and issues related to proper disaster housing for sustainable urban development on the basis of literature.
Global Natural Hazard and Disaster Vulnerability Management
Authors: Ekpeni Nkemdilim Maureen , Ayeni Amidu Owolabi
Published: June 2018

This chapter examines both concept of global hazard and disaster and its management in the lights of its vulnerability. It categorized the different types of hazards and disasters and their components. From the research findings, it is observed that hazards and disaster are two sides of a coin. They occur at the interface between human systems and natural events in our physical environments. This chapter highlights that the major environmental changes driving hazards and vulnerability to disasters are climate change, land-use changes, and degradation of natural resources. After presenting a typology of disasters and their magnitude globally, management of disaster has transited from just being a “response and relief”-centric approach to a mitigation and preparedness approach.
Preservation of Recorded Information in Public and Private Sector Organizations
Authors: Mnjama Nathan Mwakoshi
Published: June 2018

The long-term preservation and accessibility of business records is often not accorded the attention that it deserves. Yet, records are a major organizational resource needed to support the current business of the organization as well as retaining the verifiable evidence of an organization's past programmes and activities. Records also serve as tools of accountability, transparency and good governance and provide reliable evidence in organizations' transactions and activities. The long-term preservation of records ensures that the organization is protected against costly litigation and that its interests and those of its employees are protected. This chapter lays emphasis on the need to preserve organizational records, the challenges facing preservation activities in the public and private sector organizations, the challenges of managing and preserving electronic records and proposes strategies for addressing these challenges.
Leveraging Volunteered Geographic Information to Improve Disaster Resilience
Authors: Porto de Albuquerque João , Horita Flávio Eduardo Aoki , Degrossi Livia Castro , Rocha Roberto dos Santos , Camargo de Andrade Sidgley , Restrepo-Estrada Camilo , Leyh Werner
Published: June 2018

Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) has emerged as an important additional source of information for improving the resilience of cities and communities in the face of natural hazards and extreme weather events. This chapter summarizes the existing research in this area and offers an interdisciplinary perspective of the challenges to be overcome, by presenting AGORA: A Geospatial Open collaboRative Architecture for building resilience against disasters and extreme events. AGORA structures the challenges of using VGI for disaster management into three layers: acquisition, integration and application. The chapter describes the research challenges involved in each of these layers, as well as reporting on the results achieved so far and the lessons learned in the context of flood risk management in Brazil. Furthermore, the chapter concludes by setting out an interdisciplinary research agenda for leveraging VGI to improve disaster resilience.
Bitcoin
Authors: Saito Tetsuya
Published: June 2018

This paper considers whether the stability of Bitcoin in the market as a method of payment using a dual currency money-search model. In the model, there is traditional money and Bitcoin. The two currencies are classified by the storage cost and the probability that sellers accept particular money for payments. Agents are randomly matched for transactions. To consider substitution effect between monies, we allow new entries every period. In the beginning of each period, new entrants come into the matching process with a unit of money of their choice. A certain number of sellers also come into the same process to maintain the population share of sellers at a constant level. With appropriately chosen parameters, the author finds that there can be stable and unstable equilibria of the share of bitcoiners. In this case, a stable equilibrium is a success (bitcoiners take a large share) while the other (unstable) is a failure (bitcoiners take a marginal share or vanish). However, if the inflation rate of traditional money decreases, the successful equilibrium disappears to start approaching the failure even if Bitcoin is currently widely accepted. Furthermore, welfare comparisons suggest that an increase in the share of bitcoiners has a negative effect; hence, the benefit from reductions in the transaction costs must compensate for the welfare erosion if Bitcoin is accepted as a new kind of payment system. If the author is to succeed, the Bitcoin community or the public authorities need to be prepared for protecting the system from several illicit activities.
Web-Based Electronic Money for Online Banking
Authors: Kumar Raghvendra , Sharan Preeta , Devi Aruna
Published: June 2018

Online transaction payment for the purpose of introducing web-based electronic money as an alternative way of online transaction payment, the main areas that cover in this chapter include research of current payment system, limitation of current payment, what are e-money and the current state of electronic money. It will discuss the proposed web-based electronic money as an alternative for online payment and the benefit of web-based e-money. Online payment transaction is a form of a financial exchange that takes place between the buyer and seller facilitated by means of electronic communications for conducting e-commerce and online purchasing. This chapter includes research of current payment system, limitation of current payment, what are e-money and the current state of electronic money.
Social Media and Online Gaming
Authors: Ramos Pedro , Funderburk Pierre , Gebelein Jennifer
Published: June 2018

This article describes how the rise in technological innovation has allowed for transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) to expand their operations using virtual platforms such as social media and online video games. These virtual platforms are utilized by TCOs to conduct some of their traditional forms of crimes, such a money laundering. These criminal practices have found solace in technological innovation, mainly through the exploitation of rising technologies, such as online video games, video game consoles and peripherals, such as Virtual Reality headsets, inconspicuous electronic devices for children, Near-Field Communication (NFC), and finally, social media as tool for recruitment and immediate communication. TCOs have managed to utilize these mediums to conduct their criminal activities in part due to the lack or nonexistence of new or proper legislation that regulates how these new mediums can function without facilitating illicit activities and the germination of illicit markets.
Observations of native bumble bees inside of commercial colonies ofBombus impatiens(Hymenoptera: Apidae) and the potential for pathogen spillover
Authors: Hicks B.J. , Pilgrim B.L. , Perry E. , Marshall H.D.
Published: June 2018

Many fruit producers use commercial colonies ofBombus impatiensCresson (Hymenoptera: Apidae) to supplement crop pollination by native bees. A small number of Newfoundland (Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada) farmers forego purchasing new colonies and, instead, purchase previously used colonies from crops in other provinces. This practice has potentially dangerous implications that may adversely affect future native bee diversity in Newfoundland. This study is the first to record the presence of native bumble bee species inside the colonies of new and pre-used commercialB. impatiensand the first to look at diseases in native bumble bees from Newfoundland. Polymerase chain reaction and taxon-specific oligonucleotides were used to screen the commercial and native bumble bee species for pathogens.Crithidia bombi(Lipa and Triggiani), Apicystis bombi(Liu, Macfarlane, and Pengelly),Nosema bombiFantham and Porter, Nosema ceranaeFrieset al., and species ofAscosphaeraOlive and Spiltoir, were detected in native bumble bees that were collected from inside the new and pre-used commercialB. impatiens.Crithidia bombi,A. bombi, andN. bombiwere also detected among native bees that were collected away from the commercial colonies.Nosema apis(Zander) andMelissococcus plutonius(White) were not detected in any of the bees tested. The mixing of native bumble bees inB. impatienscolonies increases the potential for pathogen spillover and spillback that may threaten the small and vulnerable island bee fauna.
A new genus and species, and first record of the family Thaumaleidae (Diptera) from Brazil
Authors: Pivar Robert J. , Pinho Luiz Carlos , Klingeman William E. , Moulton John K. , Sinclair Bradley J.
Published: June 2018

Neothaumalea atlanticanew genus, new species (Diptera: Thaumaleidae), is described from the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. This represents the first thaumaleid collected east of the Andes mountain range. The egg, larva, pupa, and both adults are described and illustrated, distribution map presented, and phylogenetic affinities discussed. A key to the genera of South America is also provided.
Bone Marrow Abnormalities Detected by Magnetic Resonance Imaging as Initial Sign of Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: Grønningsæter Ida Sofie , Ahmed Aymen Bushra , Vetti Nils , Johansen Silje , Bruserud Øystein , Reikvam Håkon
Published: June 2018

The increasing use of radiological examination, especially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), will probably increase the risk of unintended discovery of bone marrow abnormalities in patients where a hematologic disease would not be expected. In this paper we present four patients with different hematologic malignancies of nonplasma cell types. In all patients the MRI bone marrow abnormalities represent an initial presentation of the disease. These case reports illustrate the importance of a careful diagnostic follow-up without delay of patients with MRI bone marrow abnormalities, because such abnormalities can represent the first sign of both acute promyelocytic leukemia as well as other variants of acute leukemia.
Treatment of heart failure in the elderly: Which drugs are essential and which should be avoided
Authors: Scorcu Giampaolo , Pilleri Annarita
Published: June 2018

With improved health care and with population aging, heart failure (HF) has become a common disease among the elderly and is one of the principal causes of mortality in elderly age. But the pharmacological management of HF in the elderly has still not yet been defined, as the clinical context is complicated by comorbidities, and differs from that of younger adults. In general, elderly patients with HF should be treated according to current guideline recommendations, for which ACE-I, beta-blockers and anti-aldosterones constitute the cornerstone of therapy. Interesting prospects are opening up with the use of new drugs such as neprilysin inhibitors, which appear to reproduce in the elderly the positive effects observed in the young adult population, and ivabradine, which may substitute the traditional use (now probably obsolete) of digitalis. Currently, however, treatment of HF in elderly patients is characterized by insufficient drug titration and by a habitual underuse of the recommended therapies â€“ this is partly due to prescription inertia and in part to the negative effect of polypharmacotherapy on patient adherence. Even if HF therapy is similar in older and younger patients, the presence in older patients of more comorbidities, and frailty, functional status, and socio-environmental factors related to aging require a multidisciplinary approach to care and, above all, an additional assessment aimed at personalizing the treatment.
NSAIDs and heart failure: A dangerous relationship
Authors: Rotunno Raffaele , Oppo Igino , Saetta Gabriele , Aveta Pietro , Bruno Sergio
Published: June 2018

One of the potential cardiotoxic action of anti-inflammatory drugs is the occurrence of heart failure (HF), due to their effects on fluid retention and blood pressure. The risk of hospitalization for HF is roughly doubled for both Coxibs, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase- 2 (COX-2) inhibitors, and all the conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs are also associated with a risk of vascular thrombosis, which for NSAIDs is different in relation to their different ability to inhibit COX-1 and COX-2. The cardiovascular toxicity of these drugs in the direction of HF follow different pathways respect to their related vascular thrombosis toxicity and involves, in particular, the renal prostaglandins, PGE2 and prostacyclin, mostly synthesized by COX-2. In the kidneys the PGs perform a direct vasodilatory action, e.g. by means of non-contrasting angiotensin mechanisms, and for this reason nimesulide effects on renal microcirculation are independent from the prevalence of intrarenal renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) activity. Conversely, nimesulide reduces sodium tubular urinary flow only in presence of intrarenal RAAS.
Blood pressure control in older patients with carotid artery stenosis
Authors: Faggiano Pompilio , Scodro Marta , Sbolli Marco , Branca Luca , Cani Dario , Valentini Francesca , Perego Carlotta , Provini Martino
Published: June 2018

StrokeÂ is the second largest cause of European cardiovascular and total mortality, largely due to atherosclerotic carotid artery narrowing or thromboembolism consequent to internal carotid artery stenosis. Current therapeutic indications suggest lifestyle interventions (smoking cessation, healthy diet and physical activity), adequate control of LDL-cholesterol and glycemic balance. It is nonetheless established that the most important factors in preventing stroke are antiplatelet therapy and blood pressure regulation. In fact, many physiological parameters, including age, drugsâ€™ effects and especially systemic blood pressure, can be involved in maintaining cerebral blood flow through compensation for impairment of flow within carotid arteries. Many studies demonstrate the benefits of blood pressure lowering in terms of prevention of stroke, but there are conflicting data about a specific pressure target to achieve, with some evidence in favor of â€œthe lower the betterâ€ idea, while other identifying a too low systolic blood pressure as a cause of cerebral ischemia worsening, especially in symptomatic patients. In summary, the available data suggest the need of a tailored blood pressure treatment without inflexible targets, according to the assessment of the cardiovascular risk of each patient, the benefits of an intensive antihypertensive therapy and the comorbidities-related response to the treatment.
Epidemiology of Injury in Elite English Schoolboy Rugby Union: A 3-Year Study Comparing Different Competitions
Authors: Barden Craig , Stokes Keith
Published: June 2018

Context: 

Injury risks in professional and community rugby union have been extensively described; however, less is known about injury epidemiology at the schoolboy level.

Objective: 

To investigate the injury risk in English schoolboy rugby union matches, comparing an elite competition (Achieving Academic and Sporting Excellence [AASE]) with subelite matches (non-AASE).

Design: 

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: 

Rugby union academy, consisting of 16- to 19-year-old males, based at an elite sports college in England.

Patients or Other Participants: 

A total of 132 participants (mean age = 17.5 years) were included in the study; 64 athletes experienced a total of 103 time-loss injuries over a 3-season period (2012–2015). All injuries were assessed and recorded by the team therapist using consensus statement definitions.

Main Outcome Measure(s): 

Injury characteristics were recorded and compared between groups. Primary outcome measures were injury incidence (per 1000 h match exposure) and injury burden (days absent/1000 h), and rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals are presented throughout.

Results: 

A total of 131 matches were played (34 AASE, 97 non-AASE) and a total of 103 injuries were recorded (47 AASE, 56 non-AASE). The injury incidence in AASE matches (77/1000 h) was greater than in non-AASE matches (34/1000 h). The concussion incidence in AASE matches (20/1000 h) was 5 times that of non-AASE matches (4/1000 h). The head/face had the highest injury incidence for a specific location, followed by the shoulder region (AASE = 19/1000 h, non-AASE = 5/1000 h), which had the greatest injury burden (553/1000 h and 105/1000 h, respectively) for any specific body location. More than 50% of all injuries were associated with tackles.

Conclusions: 

A much greater incidence of all injuries occurred at the highest level of competition, and the concussion incidence was greater than that reported in any previously published study of youth rugby. Given the high incidence and burden of concussions and shoulder injuries, prevention and management deserve specific focus.
Influence of chloramine-T disinfection on elastomeric impression stability
Authors: Guiraldo Ricardo Danil , Berger Sandrine Bittencourt , Punhagui Marilia Franco , Moretto Thais Staut , Lopes Murilo Baena , Gonini-Júnior Alcides , Sinhoreti Mário Alexandre Coelho
Published: June 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of elastomer through detail reproduction and its dimensional stability (DS) after disinfection with 0.2% chloramine-T. Materials and Methods: The elastomeric impression dental materials used in this study were polydimethylsiloxane (Oranwash L), polyvinyl siloxane (Express), polysulfide (Permlastic), and polyether (Impregum Soft). The entire press procedure was performed on a matrix in accordance with the ISO 4823. Detail reproduction was analyzed using an optical microscope (Stereozoom Microscope) over the 20-μm line with 25 mm of length at a magnification of ×4. DS was measured using an optical microscope (Scanning Tunneling Microscope) by subtracting the distance between the lines X and X’ over the 20-μm line on the matrix (DM) from the distance between the lines on the impression material (DI) divided by DM and multiplied by 100 establishing the equation: DS = ([DI – DM]/DM) ×100; then, 100% was added to the results of the equation. The detail reproduction values were subsequently subjected to descriptive analysis by percentage (%), and the DS values (%) were submitted to Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, two-way ANOVA (material × disinfectant), and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Results: All elastomeric impression materials showed 100% of detail reproduction, regardless of the disinfection procedure. Polysulfide (not disinfected) and polysulfide and polydimethylsiloxane (after disinfection with 0.2% chloramine-T) showed the smaller mean values of DS. Conclusion: According to the stability properties analyzed, chloramine-T can be used for disinfection of elastomer molds.
Influence of experimental staining on the color stability of indirect computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing dental provisional materials
Authors: Almohareb Thamer , Alkatheeri Mohammed S. , Vohra Fahim , Alrahlah Ali
Published: June 2018

Objective: This study presents a comparative analysis of the color stability of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-fabricated provisional restorations with those of conventional restorations. Materials and Methods: Three different provisional restorative materials (Systemp C&B, 3M Protemp 4, and Telio CAD) were inspected for their color stability using four solutions (Pepsi, coffee, tea, and distilled water). All samples used were fabricated using A1 shade by following the manufacturer's instructions. Color assessment was performed using CIELAB system and a colorimeter. After baseline color measurement, color assessments were done weekly after immersion in specified solutions. Triplicate readings were taken for every sample and the mean value of the color coordinates (L*), (a*), and (b*) were recorded at baseline, week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4. The data within different groups were compared statistically using analysis of variance (⍺ = 0.05). Results: Overall, the highest color stability was found in CAD/CAM material, followed by Protemp and SystempC&B. It was also observed that the maximum color variation was observed in case of coffee, followed by tea and Pepsi. Conclusions: CAD/CAM provisional material (Telio CAD) showed better color stability compared to conventional materials (Protemp 3M ESPE and SystempC&B Ivoclar Vivadent). CAD/CAM provisional materials are recommended for long-term temporization procedures. This is attributed to the prepolymerization, higher monomer conversion, and minimal preparation errors in CAD/CAM materials.
Sling Incision is Not Always Sufficient
Authors: Zimmern Philippe E. , Aggarwal Himanshu , Alhalabi Feras
Published: June 2018

Objectives:

To review various erroneous diagnoses assigned to symptomatic women after MUS incision, and report our outcomes after MUS excision in these women.

Materials and Methods:

Following IRB approval, a retrospective review of a prospectively collected MUS removal database was performed for non-neurogenic women who presented with continued LUTS despite a prior sling incision. Data reviewed by a neutral investigator not involved in patient care included demographics, presenting symptomatology, and outcomes after sub-urethral sling excision.

Results:

From 2006-2015, 18 patients were identified. Mean age was 55 + 12 years. Median time from initial placement to sling incision was 12 (range 1-108) months. Following sling incision, residual LUTS were treated with various therapies but without LUTS resolution. Indications for sling excision were obstruction (3), obstruction and pain (2), persistent vaginal pain/dyspareunia (9), recurrent vaginal exposure/dyspareunia (2), worsening urgency incontinence (1) and mixed urinary incontinence (1). Median time from sling incision to sling excision was 55 (range 5-146) months. Median follow-up after MUS excision was 12 months (range 6-45 months). Obstruction (5) and exposure (2) were all cured. Vaginal pain and dyspareunia improved in 8 of 11 women and UUI improved in one. Three women had persistent SUI and 1 developed recurrent SUI. Two women were treated satisfactorily with bulking agents, one with fascial sling and one with bulking agent followed by a fascial sling.

Conclusions:

Sling incision may not always resolve LUTS. In a subset of women, sling excision may eventually be needed, with variable outcomes.
Binary cuckoo search based optimal PMU placement scheme for united Indian grid - A case study
Authors: Babu N. V. Phanendra , Babu P. Suresh , Sivasarma D.V.S.S.
Published: June 2018

The Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) is becoming very effective device for power system as it produces synchronized parameters of power system. This measurement data helps us in monitoring, controlling and protecting the system effectively. To design a wide-area measurement system that could observe the complete system, a Binary Cuckoo Search (BCS) method is suggested in this paper. It also considers the system observability under line/PMU outage conditions. After testing the  methodology on some  benchmark systems, it has been applied on the Indian power grid. The results are then compared with the methods available in literature. This comparison has proven the proposed method as the best and accurate.Keywords: Optimal PMU placement (OPP); Binary Cuckoo Search (BCS); Power system observability
Modelling of the urban concentrations of PM2.5 on a high resolution for a period of 35 years, for the assessment of lifetime exposure and health effects
Authors: Kukkonen Jaakko , Kangas Leena , Kauhaniemi Mari , Sofiev Mikhail , Aarnio Mia , Jaakkola Jouni J. K. , Kousa Anu , Karppinen Ari
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Reliable and self-consistent data on air quality are needed for an extensive
period of time for conducting long-term, or even lifetime health impact
assessments. We have modelled the urban-scale concentrations of fine
particulate matter (PM2.5) in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area for a
period of 35 years, from 1980 to 2014. The regional background concentrations
were evaluated based on reanalyses of the atmospheric composition on global
and European scales, using the SILAM model. The high-resolution urban
computations included both the emissions originated from vehicular traffic
(separately exhaust and suspension emissions) and those from small-scale
combustion, and were conducted using the road network dispersion model
CAR-FMI and the multiple-source Gaussian dispersion model UDM-FMI. The
modelled concentrations of PM2.5 agreed fairly well with the
measured data at a regional background station and at four urban measurement
stations, during 1999–2014. The modelled concentration trends were also
evaluated for earlier years, until 1988, using proxy analyses. There was no
systematic deterioration of the agreement of predictions and data for earlier
years (the 1980s and 1990s), compared with the results for more recent years
(2000s and early 2010s). The local vehicular emissions were about 5 times
higher in the 1980s, compared with the emissions during the latest considered
years. The local small-scale combustion emissions increased slightly over
time. The highest urban concentrations of PM2.5 occurred in the
1980s; these have since decreased to about to a half of the highest values.
In general, regional background was the largest contribution in this area.
Vehicular exhaust has been the most important local source, but the relative
shares of both small-scale combustion and vehicular non-exhaust emissions
have increased in time. The study has provided long-term, high-resolution
concentration databases on regional and urban scales that can be used for the
assessment of health effects associated with air pollution.
The sensitivity of benzene cluster cation chemical ionization mass spectrometry to select biogenic terpenes
Authors: Lavi Avi , Vermeuel Michael P. , Novak Gordon A. , Bertram Timothy H.
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Benzene cluster cations are a sensitive and selective reagent ion for
chemical ionization of select biogenic volatile organic compounds. We have
previously reported the sensitivity of a field deployable chemical ionization
time-of-flight mass spectrometer (CI-ToFMS), using benzene cluster cation ion
chemistry, for detection of dimethyl sulfide, isoprene and α-pinene.
Here, we present laboratory measurements of the sensitivity of the same
instrument to a series of terpenes, including isoprene, α-pinene,
β-pinene, D-limonene, ocimene, β-myrcene, farnesene, α-humulene, β-caryophyllene, and isolongifolene at atmospherically
relevant mixing ratios (< 100 pptv). In addition, we determine the
dependence of CI-ToFMS sensitivity on the reagent ion neutral delivery
concentration and water vapor concentration. We show that isoprene is
primarily detected as an adduct (C5H8 ⋅ C6H6+) with a sensitivity ranging between 4 and 10 ncps ppt−1,
which depends strongly on the reagent ion precursor concentration,
de-clustering voltages, and specific humidity (SH). Monoterpenes are detected
primarily as the molecular ion (C10H16+) with an average
sensitivity, across the five measured compounds, of 14 ± 3 ncps ppt−1 for SH between 7 and 14 g kg−1, typical of the boreal
forest during summer. Sesquiterpenes are detected primarily as the molecular
ion (C15H24+) with an average sensitivity, across the four
measured compounds, of 9.6 ± 2.3 ncps ppt−1, that is also
independent of specific humidity. Comparable sensitivities across broad
classes of terpenes (e.g., monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes), coupled to the
limited dependence on specific humidity, suggest that benzene cluster cation
CI-ToFMS is suitable for field studies of biosphere–atmosphere interactions.
On the directions and structure of the short-term magnetic variations
Authors: Khokhlov Andrey , Krasnoperov Roman , Nikolov Bogdan , Nikolova Julia , Dobrovolsky Mikhail , Kudin Dmitry , Petrov Valery , Belov Ivan
Published: June 2018

Abstract. We study the directional structure of the 1-minute magnetic variations and demonstrate their polarization-like asymmetry: statistically these directions are close to certain 2D plane in 3D space and the orientation of such a plane depends on the observatory location. We describe the method of the magnetic data processing and some partial results, however in this publication we are avoiding the reasonings concerning the physical origins of the detected effect and its consequences for the observatory data 5 analysis in general.
On the location of the Io plasma torus: Voyager 1 observations
Authors: Volwerk Martin
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The Voyager 1 outbound ultraviolet observations of the Io plasma torus are
used to determine the location of the ansae, to obtain a third viewing angle
of this structure in the Jovian magnetosphere. At an angle of -114∘
with respect to the Sun–Jupiter line, or a Jovian local time of 04:30 LT,
the Voyager 1 data deliver a distance of 5.74±0.10 RJ for
the approaching and 5.83±0.15 RJ for the receding ansa.
Various periodicities in the radial distance, brightness and width of the
ansae are seen with respect to system III longitude and Io phase angle. The
torus ribbon feature does not appear in all ansa scans. Keywords. Magnetospheric physics (magnetosphere interactions with satellites and rings)
Rostrum size differences between Toarcian belemnite battlefields
Authors: Rita Patrícia , De Baets Kenneth , Schlott Martina
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Body size changes have been reported across crisis intervals. Belemnites – now considered extinct stem-decabrachians – have rarely been investigated for this purpose, and the few studies have resulted in ambiguous outcomes. Here we investigate two Toarcian belemnite accumulations in southern Germany from a morphometric point of view with the support of computed tomography data. The aim of this study is to test whether a difference in size can be observed between the rostra of the two studied samples, from individual lineage to community, and which proxy is more reliable. A significant decrease in median size from the Early Toarcian (Dactylioceras tenuicostatum Zone) to the Middle Toarcian (Haugia variabilis Zone) is recognized. This is observed at the community level of organization, considering the whole assemblage, but also within Passaloteuthis–Acrocoelites lineage, at the genus level. It is also demonstrated that diameter-based measurements or maximum preserved length are not reliable proxies for size, and therefore apical length or three-dimensional approximations, such as the geometric mean or the post-phragmocone volume, are more advisable. This is especially important when comparing specimens with markedly different rostrum shapes. Further studies are, however, still necessary to disentangle the mechanisms behind the reduction in rostrum size within the Toarcian and their putative environmental causes.
Modified Atmosphere Packaging Enhances the Effectiveness of Coolbot™ Cold Storage to Preserve Postharvest Quality of Mango Fruits
Authors: Ambuko Jane , Karithi Esther , Hutchinson Margaret , Owino Willis
Published: June 2018

Recently, the Coolbot™ technology was introduced to smallholder farmers in Kenya as a low-cost alternative to conventional cold rooms. The present study sought to establish the additive benefits of cold storage under Coolbot™ cold storage and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in mango fruits. The participatory study was conducted in Makueni County of Kenya between November 2014 and July 2015. The mango fruits (variety ‘Apple mango’) were harvested at mature green stage from commercial orchards owned by smallholder farmers. The fruits were selected for uniformity and randomly separated into four batches which were subjected to four different treatments (storage conditions). The treatments included fruits packaged using Activebag® MAP or not packaged and either stored in the Coolbot cold room or at ambient room conditions. A random sample was taken at regular intervals from each of the four storage environments and evaluated for ripening and quality related changes during storage. The parameters evaluated included physiological weight loss, respiration, firmness, color, sugars and vitamin C. Results showed that cold storage extended the shelf life of mango fruits by 23 days without MAP and 28 days with MAP, in comparison to storage at ambient room conditions. Slow ripening under cold storage (with and without MAP) was evidenced by lower rates of respiration, softening, color changes and sugars accumulation compared to ambient room conditions. In addition, cold-stored mango fruits maintained better nutritional quality as evidenced by higher vitamin C levels, 59.77 mg/100mL and 51.8 mg/100mL with and without MAP respectively at the end of storage (day 40 and 35). This was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to 55.17 and 51.53 mg/100 mL vitamin C for MAP packed and unpacked fruits at the end of storage under ambient room conditions (day 12). The results demonstrate the additive benefit of MAP and cold storage to preserve postharvest quality and extend the shelf life of mango fruits.
Application of biomimetic HPLC to estimate lipophilicity, protein and phospholipid binding of potential peptide therapeutics
Authors: Valko Klara Livia , Ivanova-Berndt Gabriela , Beswick Paul , Kindey Mark , Ko Dorothy
Published: June 2018

Peptide therapeutics are new modalities offering several challenges to drug discovery. They are generally less stable and permeable in vivo. The characterization of their lipophilicity cannot be carried out using the traditional in silico or wet octanol/water partition coefficients. The prediction of their in vivo distribution and permeability is also challenging. In this paper, it is demonstrated that the biomimetic properties such as lipophilicity, protein and phospholipid binding can be easily assessed by HPLC using chemically bonded protein and immobilized artificial membrane (IAM) stationary phases. The obtained properties for a set of potential therapeutic peptides with 3 to 33 amino acids have been analysed and it was found that similar characteristics of the properties could be observed as for small molecule drugs. The albumin binding showed correlation with their measured lipophilicity on the C-18 stationary phase with acidic peptides showing stronger than expected albumin binding. The (IAM) chromatography revealed peptide membrane affinity, which was stronger for positively charged peptides (containing arginine) and showed correlation to the alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) binding, which was also stronger for positively charged compounds. The in vivo volume of distribution and drug efficiency of the peptides have been estimated using the models developed for small molecules. One of the candidate linear peptides has been assessed in various cellular and in vivo assays and the results have confirmed the estimated cell partition and brain to plasma ratio. It can be demonstrated, that up to 21 amino acids, the peaks of the peptides obtained on the protein phase were symmetrical and narrow. The interaction of larger peptides with the protein stationary phases resulted in wide peaks showing multiple equilibrium processes with slow kinetics during chromatography. The larger peptides showed narrow and symmetrical peaks on the IAM column enabling the quantification of peptide - cell membrane interactions.
Pragmaticism, Science, and Theology or How to Answer the Riddle of the Sphinx?
Authors: Brier Søren ,   Semiotic Society of America
Published: June 2018

This text is written in the honor of my scholarly friend John Deely, discussing the claims regarding the relation of modern science and religion put forth in Ashley and Deely, How Science Enriches Theology. I view it as the confrontation of a Peircean and a Thomist philosophical view of modern science and its relation to religion. I argue that the book demonstrates the problems inherent in the dialogue between a Thomist theist and a Peircean panentheist process view. Furthermore, that they are central to the contemporary philosophy of science discussion of the relation between the types of knowledge produced in the sciences and in theology. The important choice seems to be whether the link between science and religion should be based on a panentheist process concept of the divine as arising from a pure zero or on a theology with a personal god as the absolute and eternal source. I argue that Peirce’s triadic semiotic process philosophy is a unique form of panentheism in the way it draws on a combination of Schelling, Unitarianism, plus Emerson, and the transcendentalist’s spiritual ecumenical reading of Buddhist emptiness ontology and non-dualist Advaita Vedanta. This and Peirce’s synechism produce a non-confessional theological process philosophy. The surprising conclusion is that, because of its extended process philosophical grounding in emptiness, this panentheism does not assume any supernatural quality about the divine force of reasoning that drives Cosmogony. Rather Peirce’s pragmaticist formulation stands out as a true non-reductionist alternative to logical positivism’s reductionist unity science, especially in its form of mechanicism based on a concept of transcendental absolute law. The panentheism process view is also an alternative to the many forms of radical constructivism and postmodernism on the other hand. This is one of the reasons why Deely insightfully named Peirce the first true postmodernist.
Bridging psychology and mathematics education: Reflections on boundary crossing
Authors: Alibali Martha W. , Knuth Eric J.
Published: June 2018

Collaborations between psychology and mathematics education have the potential to yield progress on critical questions about the teaching and learning of mathematics. In this paper, we describe our experience of collaborating at this boundary. We have found that collaboration has many benefits: it strengthens the research, it is professionally enriching, and it brings novel perspectives to disciplinary communities. However, collaboration is also challenging, because different views about the nature of knowledge and the aims of inquiry can be difficult to bridge. Collaboration can also raise difficult questions about professional identity. We consider several factors that are critical to success in interdisciplinary collaboration, including methodological openness, a broad view of what constitutes “basic” and “applied” research, and an appreciation for diverse perspectives and varying levels of analysis. We close by offering some advice for others who wish to collaborate at the boundary of psychology and mathematics education.
Modelling daily water temperature from air temperature for the Missouri River
Authors: Zhu Senlin , Nyarko Emmanuel Karlo , Hadzima-Nyarko Marijana
Published: June 2018

The bio-chemical and physical characteristics of a river are directly affected by water temperature, which thereby affects the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. It is a complex problem to accurately estimate water temperature. Modelling of river water temperature is usually based on a suitable mathematical model and field measurements of various atmospheric factors. In this article, the air–water temperature relationship of the Missouri River is investigated by developing three different machine learning models (Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), and Bootstrap Aggregated Decision Trees (BA-DT)). Standard models (linear regression, non-linear regression, and stochastic models) are also developed and compared to machine learning models. Analyzing the three standard models, the stochastic model clearly outperforms the standard linear model and nonlinear model. All the three machine learning models have comparable results and outperform the stochastic model, with GPR having slightly better results for stations No. 2 and 3, while BA-DT has slightly better results for station No. 1. The machine learning models are very effective tools which can be used for the prediction of daily river temperature.