bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percepción de estudiantes y docentes de e-posgrado sobre competencias en TIC de educandos
Authors: Arras-Vota Ana-María de Guadalupe , José-Luis Bordas-Beltrán José-Luis Bordas-Beltrán , Gutiérrez-Diez María-Del Carmen
Published: October 2017

Actualmente las universidades ofrecen programas educativos a través de distintas modalidades; en una de ellas, la virtual, están involucradas las Tecnologías de Información y Comunicación (TIC), que demandan competencias para que los usuarios logren procesos de formación significativos. El caso del posgrado virtual de la Facultad de Contaduría y Administración de la Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua (México) requiere analizar la percepción de las competencias en TIC de los educandos versus la percepción de los docentes sobre aquellas y su quehacer académico. Metodología: estudio de caso, técnicas: encuestas, en forma de escala Likert, entrevistas y análisis de trabajos entregados.   Resultados y discusión: Los datos revelan que la percepción de los educandos y su manifestación en tareas, así como la apreciación de los profesores difiere en lo concerniente a las capacidades éticas, de aplicación, profundización y aprendizaje permanente y coincide en cuanto a competencias básicas y de trabajo colaborativo.
SPATIOTEMPORAL PATTERNS AND SOCIOECONOMIC DIMENSIONS OF SHARED ACCOMMODATIONS: THE CASE OF AIRBNB IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Authors: Sarkar A. , Koohikamali M. , Pick J. B.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. In recent years, disruptive innovation by peer-to-peer platforms in a variety of industries, notably transportation and hospitality have altered the way individuals consume everyday essential services. With growth in sharing economy platforms such as Uber for ridesharing and Airbnb for short-term accommodations, interest in examining spatiotemporal patterns of participation in the sharing economy by suppliers and consumers is increasing. This research is motivated by key questions: who are the sharing economy workers, where are they located, and does their location influence their participation in the sharing economy? This paper is the first systematic effort to analyze spatiotemporal patterns of participation by hosts in the shared accommodation-based economy. Using three different kinds of shared accommodations listed in a 3-year period in the popular short-term accommodation platform, Airbnb, we examine spatiotemporal dimensions of host participation in a major U.S. market, Los Angeles CA. The paper also develops a conceptual model by positing associations of demographic, socioeconomic, occupational, and social capital attributes of hosts, along with their attitudes toward trust and greener consumption with hosts’ participation in a shared accommodation market. Results confirm host participation to be influenced by young dependency ratio, the potential of supplemental income, as well as the sustainability potential of collaborative consumption, along with finance, insurance, and real estate occupation, but not so much by trust for our overall study area. These results add new insights to limited prior knowledge about the sharing economy worker and have policy implications.
A SPARK BASED COMPUTING FRAMEWORK FOR SPATIAL DATA
Authors: Xiao F.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. In this paper, a novel Apache Spark-based framework for spatial data processing is proposed, which includes 4 layers: spatial data storage, spatial RDDs, spatial operations, and spatial query language. The spatial data storage layer uses HDFS to store large size of spatial vector/raster data in the distributed cluster. The spatial RDDs are the abstract logical dataset of spatial data types, and can be transferred to the spark cluster to conduct spark transformations and actions. The spatial operations layer is a series of processing on spatial RDDs, such as range query, k nearest neighbour and spatial join. The spatial query language is a user-friendly interface which provide people not familiar with Spark with a comfortable way to operation the spatial operation. Compared with other spatial frameworks based on Spark, it is highlighted that spatial indexes like grid, R-tree are used for data storage and query. Extensive experiments on real system prototype and real datasets show that better performance can be achieved.
DAILY ESTIMATION OF FINE PARTICULATE MATTER MASS CONCENTRATION THROUGH SATELLITE BASED AEROSOL OPTICAL DEPTH
Authors: Karimian H. , Li Q. , Li C. C. , Fan J. , Jin L. , Gong C. , Mo Y. , Hou J. , Ahmad A.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Estimating exposure to fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) requires surface with high spatial resolution. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) is one of MODIS products, being used to monitor PM2.5 concentration on ground level indirectly. In this research, AOD was derived in fine spatial resolution of 1×1 Km by utilizing an algorithm developed in which local aerosol models and conditions were took into account. Afterwards, due to spatial varying the relation between AOD-PM2.5, a regional scale geographically weighted regression model (GWR) was developed to derive daily seamless surface concentration of PM2.5 over Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. For this purpose , various combinations of explanatory variables were investigated in the base of data availability, among which the best one includes AOD, PBL height, mean value of RH in boundary layer, mean value of temperature in boundary layer, wind speed and pressure was selected for the proposed GWR model over study area. The results show that, our model produces surface concentration of PM2.5 with annual RMSE of 18.6μg/m3. Besides, the feasibility of our model in estimating air pollution level was also assessed and high compatibility between model and ground monitoring was observed, which demonstrates the capability of the MODIS AOD and proposed model to estimate ground level PM2.5.
MULTI-SPATIOTEMPORAL PATTERNS OF RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY CRIMES IN CHICAGO: 2006-2016
Authors: Luo J.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. This research attempts to explore the patterns of burglary crimes at multi-spatiotemporal scales in Chicago between 2006 and 2016. Two spatial scales are investigated that are census block and police beat area. At each spatial scale, three temporal scales are integrated to make spatiotemporal slices: hourly scale with two-hour time step from 12:00am to the end of the day; daily scale with one-day step from Sunday to Saturday within a week; monthly scale with one-month step from January to December. A total of six types of spatiotemporal slices will be created as the base for the analysis. Burglary crimes are spatiotemporally aggregated to spatiotemporal slices based on where and when they occurred. For each type of spatiotemporal slices with burglary occurrences integrated, spatiotemporal neighborhood will be defined and managed in a spatiotemporal matrix. Hot-spot analysis will identify spatiotemporal clusters of each type of spatiotemporal slices. Spatiotemporal trend analysis is conducted to indicate how the clusters shift in space and time. The analysis results will provide helpful information for better target policing and crime prevention policy such as police patrol scheduling regarding times and places covered.
MODELING A SPATIO-TEMPORAL INDIVIDUAL TRAVEL BEHAVIOR USING GEOTAGGED SOCIAL NETWORK DATA: A CASE STUDY OF GREATER CINCINNATI
Authors: Saeedimoghaddam M. , Kim C.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Understanding individual travel behavior is vital in travel demand management as well as in urban and transportation planning. New data sources including mobile phone data and location-based social media (LBSM) data allow us to understand mobility behavior on an unprecedented level of details. Recent studies of trip purpose prediction tend to use machine learning (ML) methods, since they generally produce high levels of predictive accuracy. Few studies used LSBM as a large data source to extend its potential in predicting individual travel destination using ML techniques. In the presented research, we created a spatio-temporal probabilistic model based on an ensemble ML framework named “Random Forests” utilizing the travel extracted from geotagged Tweets in 419 census tracts of Greater Cincinnati area for predicting the tract ID of an individual’s travel destination at any time using the information of its origin. We evaluated the model accuracy using the travels extracted from the Tweets themselves as well as the travels from household travel survey. The Tweets and survey based travels that start from same tract in the south western parts of the study area is more likely to select same destination compare to the other parts. Also, both Tweets and survey based travels were affected by the attraction points in the downtown of Cincinnati and the tracts in the north eastern part of the area. Finally, both evaluations show that the model predictions are acceptable, but it cannot predict destination using inputs from other data sources as precise as the Tweets based data.
A SIMPLE SPATIALLY WEIGHTED MEASURE OF TEMPORAL STABILITY FOR DATA WITH LIMITED TEMPORAL OBSERVATIONS
Authors: Piburn J. , Stewart R. , Morton A.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Identifying erratic or unstable time-series is an area of interest to many fields. Recently, there have been successful developments towards this goal. These new developed methodologies however come from domains where it is typical to have several thousand or more temporal observations. This creates a challenge when attempting to apply these methodologies to time-series with much fewer temporal observations such as for socio-cultural understanding, a domain where a typical time series of interest might only consist of 20-30 annual observations. Most existing methodologies simply cannot say anything interesting with so few data points, yet researchers are still tasked to work within in the confines of the data. Recently a method for characterizing instability in a time series with limitedtemporal observations was published. This method, Attribute Stability Index (ASI), uses an approximate entropy based method tocharacterize a time series’ instability. In this paper we propose an explicitly spatially weighted extension of the Attribute StabilityIndex. By including a mechanism to account for spatial autocorrelation, this work represents a novel approach for the characterizationof space-time instability. As a case study we explore national youth male unemployment across the world from 1991-2014.
DETECTING VESSELS CARRYING MIGRANTS USING MACHINE LEARNING
Authors: Sfyridis A. , Cheng T. , Vespe M.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Political instability, conflicts and inequalities result into significant flows of people worldwide, moving to different countries in search of a better life, safety or to be reunited with their families. Irregular crossings into Europe via sea routes, despite not being new, have recently increased together with the loss of lives of people in the attempt to reach EU shores. This highlights the need to find ways to improve the understanding of what is happening at sea. This paper, intends to expand the knowledge available on practices among smugglers and contribute to early warning and maritime situational awareness. By identifying smuggling techniques and based on anomaly detection methods, behaviours of interest are modelled and one class support vector machines are used to classify unlabelled data and detect potential smuggling vessels. Nine vessels are identified as potentially carrying irregular migrants and refugees. Though, further inspection of the results highlights possible misclassifications caused by data gaps and limited knowledge on smuggling tactics. Accepted classifications are considered subject to further investigation by the authorities.
SPATIO-TEMPORAL DATA MODEL FOR INTEGRATING EVOLVING NATION-LEVEL
DATASETS
Authors: Sorokine A. , Stewart R. N
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Ability to easily combine the data from diverse sources in a single analytical workflow is one of the greatest promises of the Big Data technologies. However, such integration is often challenging as datasets originate from different vendors, governments, and research communities that results in multiple incompatibilities including data representations, formats, and semantics. Semantics differences are hardest to handle: different communities often use different attribute definitions and associate the records with different sets of evolving geographic entities. Analysis of global socioeconomic variables across multiple datasets over prolonged time is often complicated by the difference in how boundaries and histories of countries or other geographic entities are represented. Here we propose an event-based data model for depicting and tracking histories of evolving geographic units (countries, provinces, etc.) and their representations in disparate data. The model addresses the semantic challenge of preserving identity of geographic entities over time by defining criteria for the entity existence, a set of events that may affect its existence, and rules for mapping between different representations (datasets). Proposed model is used for maintaining an evolving compound database of global socioeconomic and environmental data harvested from multiple sources. Practical implementation of our model is demonstrated using PostgreSQL object-relational database with the use of temporal, geospatial, and NoSQL database extensions.
Effectiveness of a structured teaching program on anxiety and perception regarding toxoplasmosis among seropositive pregnant women in Northern Upper Egypt
Authors: Elzeblawy Hassan Hanan
Published: October 2017

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a major opportunistic infection caused by single cell protozoan from the Coccidia family. Up to 95% of infected individuals remain asymptomatic, nevertheless, it may be a leading cause of foodborne illness-related hospitalisation and death. Primo-infection can cross the placental barrier and cause life-threatening sequelae for the fetus leading to miscarriage, hydrocephalus and, retinochoroiditis. Moreover, the infection may cause infertility, endometritis, and uterine atrophy and, impaired folliculogenesis for the mother.Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational program on perception and anxiety level regarding toxoplasmosis among seropositive pregnant women in Beni-Suef in Egypt.Subjects and methods: A quasi-experimental design was used with 50 seropositive pregnant women attending the inpatient/outpatient antenatal care units. Tools: A structured knowledge questionnaire, pre-test/post-test/retained test knowledge assessment sheet and Zung’s self-rating anxiety scale.Results: Pre-program 96% of women scored poor knowledge and no participants (0.00%) reported severe anxiety; whereas, immediately post-program 70% of women scored good knowledge and 84% reported severe anxiety. After implementation of the program, all women (100%) gained a good knowledge score while 48% of them reported severe anxiety. Significant association between mean knowledge scores and demographic variables (p < .0001) was found.Conclusions: Although the program is effective to enhance women’s perception regarding Toxoplasmosis, it exaggerated the anxiety level for pregnant women. A negative association was found between women’s perception and anxiety level, however, this relation was not significant.Recommendations: Implementation of health education programs aimed at primary prevention of toxoplasmosis is recommended for all women of childbearing age.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction: A case report and literature review
Authors: Singh Gurpreet , Cinicola Margaret M , Parva Naveen R , Cinicola John T , Muvva Venkat G , Nookala Vinod K
Published: October 2017

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is loss of cognition especially in memory and executive function that can extend from a few days to a few weeks after surgery. It is more common in older adult patients. We present a case featuring a typical progression of POCD along with its associated preoperative risk factors.Case report: A 65-year-old male patient with an extensive past medical history including generalized anxiety disorder, hypertension and hyperlipidemia initially presented to the emergency department for chest pain. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was performed under general anesthesia with Propofol, Fentanyl, Rocuronium and Midazolam. The patient tolerated the procedure well. After the procedure, his stay was complicated by delirium and altered mental status. All reversible causes were investigated and eliminated as likely causes. Later, the patient was sent home after a prolonged hospital stay. Following discharge, he had multiple admissions to the hospital for altered mental status, and his mental status has not reached baseline again. Family has been confident that the patient’s psychological and cognitive symptoms began following the CABG.Conclusion: We present this case to highlight the heightened incidence of postoperative cognitive decline in patients over sixty undergoing major surgery. We also present a comprehensive review of the current literature on the risk factors, clinical manifestations, and pathogenesis of POCD.
Evidence calls for practice change in intramuscular injection techniques
Authors: Strohfus Pamela K. , Paugh Oya , Tindell Chelsea , Molina-Shaver Paula
Published: October 2017

Background and objective: Intramuscular (IM) injections are administered to patients in all health care settings. Even though this procedure is invasive and the evidence supporting the process of administration is extensive, techniques and procedures vary throughout the literature and in practice. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to 1) investigate the literature on current evidence-based IM injection procedures pertaining to gender, patient weight, injection site, needle length, and technique, 2) compare surveyed healthcare personnel self-reported IM injection practices, and 3) query respondents on informational resources they access, continuing education they receive, and their years of healthcare experience and higher education.Methods: The Intramuscular Injection Questionnaire (IIQ) was sent via email to various professional healthcare facilities and their respective social media sites. Two hundred and six (206) healthcare personnel of various healthcare backgrounds and educational levels accessed the IIQ via a link to Qualtrics software. SPSS Version 24 was used for data analysis.Results: Most respondents were registered nurses with 4-15+ years of experience. Seventy-eight percent of respondents considered their IM injection knowledge at above average or expert levels. Gender was not considered an important factor when selecting an injection needle among 75% of participants. Of all respondents, 61% use z-track technique, 59% use the ventrogluteal site and 34% always bunch or stretch the skin during injection. IM injection education was not provided in 75% of healthcare facilities.Conclusions: IM injection practices vary among respondents and in the literature; some reported practices are contrary to current evidence-based practice. While the evidence provides some sound recommendations, some procedures are not well-documented or supported including in nursing texts. Nurses and other healthcare personnel must critically analyze the site, depth, needle, volume, medication, vaccine, and whether to bunch or stretch, according to evidence-based practice. Healthcare facilities should provide IM injection education routinely to ensure safe practices. Future studies (Level 1 and 2) are needed to further demonstrate the best evidence leading to safe and effective IM injections.
Procedimentalismo: superação da teoria e seus fatores
Authors: Mozetic Vinicius Almada , Dos Santos Paulo Junior Trindade
Published: October 2017

Neste eixo o Direito tem grande influência diante da política, neste tocante o Direito já não está subordinado à política como se dela fosse instrumento, senão é a política que se converte em instrumento de atuação do Direito, subordinada aos vínculos e a ela impostos pelos princípios constitucionais: vínculos negativos, como os gerados pelo direito às liberdades que não pode ser violado; vínculos positivos, como os gerados pelos direitos sociais, que devem ser satisfeitos . E ainda, o poder político tem a obrigação de sua autoridade normativa fundir-se com o Direito. Entretanto, essa reconstrução revela também que o Direito só mantém força legitimadora enquanto puder funcionar como uma fonte da justiça. E precisa continuar presente enquanto tal; ao passo que o poder político tem à mão, como fonte de força, meios coercitivos da caserna.
O direito administrativo sob a égide do pós-positivismo
Authors: Melquíades Duarte Luciana Gaspar , Calegari Priscilla De Oliveira , Ferreira Mariana Colucci Goulart Martins
Published: October 2017

O presente artigo almeja analisar o direito administrativo sob a égide do pós-positivismo, destacando alguns de seus principais institutos. Desse modo, discutir-se-á sobre o conceito e o objetivo desse ramo jurídico conforme o olhar pós-positivista, enfatizando os princípios da legalidade, da supremacia do interesse público sobre o interesse particular e da discricionariedade administrativa, sempre de forma crítica. Além disso, algumas questões acerca dos direitos fundamentais no âmbito do direito administrativo pós-positivista serão abordadas através de análise de alguns julgamentos do Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF) brasileiro, nomeadamente o Recurso Extraordinário (RE) nº 440.028/SP e a Arguição de Descumprimento de Preceito Fundamental (ADPF) nº 186.
A autonomia federativa e o problema da unanimidade nos convênios do Confaz
Authors: Marins Daniel Vieira , De Oliveira Gustavo Da Gama Vital
Published: October 2017

Os autores do artigo questionam a necessidade de haver decisões unânimes nos convênios do Conselho Nacional de Política Fazendária (CONFAZ) sobre a concessão de benefícios ou incentivos fiscais de ICMS. Para tanto, é apresentado o posicionamento do STF sobre o tema, o procedimento legislativo adotado pelos Estados para enfrentar as declarações de inconstitucionalidade, a ocorrência da chamada “inconstitucionalidade útil”, bem como é examinada a Lei Complementar n° 24/75. Além disso, é realizada uma análise crítica do perigo de se perpetuar a “ditadura da minoria” na Federação brasileira. Somando-se a isso, uma abordagem histórica é realizada, destacando-se o posicionamento doutrinário sobre a questão. Por fim, são apresentadas sugestões para se enfrentar o problema da unanimidade nos convênios do CONFAZ.
A construção social da realidade
Authors: Soares Rodrigo Da Silva
Published: October 2017

BERGER, Peter L. LUCKMANN, Thomas. A construção social da realidade: tratado de sociologia do conhecimento. Rio de Janeiro: Editora Vozes, 2004.
Diseño y fiabilidad de un cuestionario sobre la comprensión auditiva/audiovisual
Authors: Casañ Núñez Juan Carlos
Published: October 2017

Este trabajo forma parte de una investigación mixta multifase que explora el empleo de preguntas de comprensión audiovisual integradas en el vídeo en forma de subtítulos y sincronizadas con los fragmentos pertinentes para el aprendizaje de lenguas extranjeras. El objetivo principal del artículo es comunicar el diseño y la fiabilidad test-retest de un cuestionario sobre la comprensión auditiva/audiovisual para estudiantes adultos de español como lengua extranjera que sería administrado en estudios posteriores. Además, se analizan las respuestas de los informantes para conocer algunas de sus creencias y preferencias. Veinte aprendientes completaron el cuestionario en dos ocasiones con un intervalo de catorce días. Los resultados indican que el instrumento es fiable. Asimismo, la mayoría de los participantes considera que es importante practicar la comprensión auditiva/audiovisual en el aula y que la imagen del vídeo ayuda a comprender a los interlocutores. Finalmente se discuten las aplicaciones y limitaciones del estudio.
Una entrevista con José Plácido Ruiz Campillo sobre la gramática operativa y cognitiva y su estado en la enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera
Authors: Sánchez-Jiménez David
Published: October 2017

El autor entrevistó al profesor José Plácido Ruiz Campillo del Department of Latin American and Iberian Cultures de Columbia University en Nueva York en el verano del 2017, sobre la gramática operativa y cognitiva y su estado en la enseñanza del español como lengua extranjera.
Estructura de Mercado y Responsabilidad Social Empresarial en Mipymes Mexicanas. El Vínculo entre Preferencias Individuales y Sociales
Authors: López-Mateo Celina , Ríos-Manríquez Martha , Sánchez-Fernández María Dolores
Published: October 2017

Desde la perspectiva del paradigma Estructura-Conducta-Desempeo de Organizacin Industrial, las condiciones de mercado determinan el comportamiento de la empresa. Dentro de la estructura de mercado, las condiciones de demanda tienen un rol importante. De aqu que un aspecto que puede modificar la conducta de las empresas sea la influencia de los grupos de inters y otros agentes econmicos, como consumidores y proveedores, por mencionar algunos. Estas condiciones de demanda afectan la toma de decisiones y el desempeo de la organizacin, motivndola a incorporar acciones de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial (RSE) en el diseo de estrategias, que se manifiestan a travs de la conciliacin de las preferencias individuales de los empresarios con sus preferencias sociales.En este trabajo se analiza la relacin entre la estructura de mercado y la incorporacin de acciones de RSE en las estrategias corporativas. Se utiliza un modelo logit en el cual se incorporan como variables de control el sector de actividad econmica, tamao y edad de la empresa. Se considera una muestra de 296 Micro, pequeas y medianas empresas (MiPymes) de los sectores industria, comercio y servicios de Celaya, Guanajuato. Ciudad importante en el centro de Mxico debido al creciente dinamismo econmico que ha reportado en los ltimos aos al ser un destino de flujos importantes de Inversin Extranjera Directa (IED), principalmente en la industria automotriz. La evidencia emprica da cuenta de la importancia de la estructura de mercado visualizada a partir de la presin de grupos de inters, demandas de los consumidores y lealtad de clientes y proveedores para las MiPymes de los sectores industria y comercio en su diseo de estrategias con un componente de responsabilidad social.
Dinâmica da Digitação Aplicada à Autenticação Periódica de Usuários em Ambientes Virtuais de Aprendizagem
Authors: Cruz Marco Aurélio Silva , Duarte Julio Cesar , Goldschmidt Ronaldo Ribeiro
Published: October 2017

The authentication of users on a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) is, in general, punctual and intrusive, occurring when the user connects to the environment, by typing his password. Such approach allows, after the initial login, that unauthenticated users take the role of authenticated users and perform tasks in the environment, causing, among other things, distortions in the perception about the academic performance of students. The objective of this work is, thus, to propose a mechanism to execute periodic and non-intrusive authentications of users in VLEs. The proposed mechanism uses machine learning techniques to build recognition models based on the keystroke dynamics of users and it is also independent of the used VLE. A prototype of the proposed mechanism, integrated with Moodle, was implemented and applied to a postgraduate course with seventeen users. The recognition models generated by the prototype in the case study showed a performance above 92% of accuracy, which is a positive indication about the viability of the utilization of the proposed mechanism.
Research, Who Cares? A Joint Section View of Water Research
Authors: Committee Joint Section Research
Published: October 2017

The Joint Section Research Committee is facilitating water industry research efforts through enhanced collaboration and information exchange.
Is Fear a CEC?
Authors: Mercer Kenneth L.
Published: October 2017

Communication between water utilities and their stakeholders can always improve, but there are particularly notable issues in messaging with both the general public and media organizations. A deeper understanding of a community's water resources and the vital functions its water systems provide can strengthen support for the ongoing investments they require. But when the public must contend with other more prominent, immediate, and sometimes shocking news, is fear becoming a “contaminant” of emerging concern (CEC) for water utilities to address?
The Gift of Coffee and Infrastructure
Authors: Lafrance David B.
Published: October 2017

LaFrance discusses Infrastructure Brew ‐ a company that does more than just produce a great cup of coffee ‐ it also provides a gift to water's infrastructure. Consistent with its name, a portion of the proceeds from each bag of coffee beans is donated to help water's infrastructure by supporting the Community Engineering Corps.
MCMLpar and MCSLinv: A Parallel Version of MCML and an Inverse Monte Carlo Algorithm to Calculate Optical Scattering Parameters
Authors: Streater Richelle H. , Lieberson Anne-Michelle R. , Pintar Adam L. , Levine Zachary H.
Published: October 2017

The MCML program for Monte Carlo modeling of light transport in multi-layered tissues has been widely used in the past 20 years or so. Here, we have re-implemented MCML for solving the inverse problem. Our formulation features optimizing the profile log likelihood which takes into account uncertainties due to both experimental and Monte Carlo sampling. We limit the search space for the optimum parameters with relatively few Monte Carlo trials and then iteratively double the number of Monte Carlo trials until the search space stabilizes. At this point, the log likelihood can be fit with a quadratic function to find the optimum. The time-to-solution is only a few minutes in typical cases because we use importance sampling to determine the log likelihood on a grid of parameters at each iteration. Also, our implementation uses OpenMP and SPRNG to generate Monte Carlo trials in parallel.
Diagnostic Model of Fuel Installation of Marine Diesel Engine
Authors: Grządziela Andrzej , Załęska-Fornal Agata , Kluczyk Marcin
Published: October 2017

The paper presents the results of simulation of marine diesel engine fuel injector malfunction and its effects on engine vibration. The work includes the analysis of the engine internal forces and their mathematical models. Simplifications are proposed to allow analyzing the system in one degree of freedom. The results of vibration simulations for the model with efficient fuel system and improperly adjusted injector are also presented. The comparison of simulation results with vibration measurements on the engine was also performed, the diagnostic model was identified and simulation errors were calculated. The complexity of other internal and external interactions is the subject of other studies by the authors. The paper analyzes only the effects of energy dissipation - vibration as a symptom of changes in the technical condition.
Standardised English Language Proficiency Testing for Seafarers
Authors: Mönnigmann Bernd , Čulić-Viskota Adelija
Published: October 2017

This paper aims at pointing out the necessity of raising the levels of both communicative competence and Maritime English knowledge of seafarers, as well as of introducing a common language testing system into maritime education and training. It provides insight into the process of implementation of improvements in a different, but related practice of Aviation English and the relative regulations. Also, the paper presents the accounts of one aircraft accident, and two ship accidents due to the participants’ misunderstanding, or deficiency in English. This is followed by the results of an investigation into the reports published by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) about the sea accidents due to inadequate English language competence, or inadequate professional communication. Although there are commonly more than one cause which combine in each accident, these are usually fuelled by inadequate language competence. It is of utmost importance, especially in emergencies, that all the participants in the maritime venture are adequately competent in Maritime English to handle the emergencies to the benefit of all the persons involved. Therefore, the compulsory introduction of a uniform global language certification is suggested.
Species of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) collected from natural reserves in the Pacific and Darien regions of Colombia
Authors: Vivero Rafael J. , Contreras María Angélica , Suaza Juan D. , Vélez Iván D. , Porter Charles , Uribe Sandra
Published: October 2017

Introducción. Los departamentos de Chocó y Antioquia en Colombia presentan condiciones climáticas y de vegetación que favorecen el establecimiento de especies de vectores del género Lutzomyia y la transmisión de Leishmania spp. a poblaciones humanas que ingresan a ambientes selváticos conservados.Objetivo. Reportar las especies de flebotomíneos presentes en tres reservas naturales de las regiones del Darién y del Pacífico en Colombia.Materiales y métodos. Los flebotomíneos se recolectaron en las reservas naturales El Aguacate (Acandí, Chocó), Nabugá (Bahía Solano, Chocó) y Tulenapa (Carepa, Antioquia). La recolección se hizo con trampas de luz CDC, mediante búsqueda activa en sitios de reposo y con trampas Shannon. La determinación taxonómica de especies se basó en las claves taxonómicas. En algunas especies de interés taxonómico, se evaluó el uso de secuencias parciales de la región 5’ del gen COI. Resultados. Se recolectaron 611 flebotomíneos adultos: 531 en Acandí, 45 en Carepa y 35 en Bahía Solano. Se identificaron 17 especies del género Lutzomyia, tres del género Brumptomyia y una del género Warileya. Las distancias genéticas (K2P) y los soportes de agrupación (>99 %) en el dendrograma de neighbor joining correspondieron a la mayoría de unidades taxonómicas operacionales moleculares (Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units, MOTU) establecidas para el grupo Aragaoi y confirmaron claramente la identidad de Lu. coutinhoi.Conclusión. Se identificaron especies que tienen importancia en la transmisión de la leishmaniasis en Acandí, Bahía Solano y Carepa. Se confirmó la presencia de Lu. coutinhoi en Colombia.
Virological surveillance of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus as support for decision making for dengue control in Medellín
Authors: Pérez-Pérez Juliana , Sanabria William H. , Restrepo Carolina , Rojo Raúl , Henao Enrique , Triana Omar , Mejía Ana María , Castaño Sandra M. , Rúa-Uribe Guillermo L.
Published: October 2017

Introducción. El dengue en Colombia representa un grave problema de salud y, dado que no existe un tratamiento efectivo para la enfermedad y la vacuna no se ha aprobado en todos los países, se deben fortalecer acciones para mitigar su impacto mediante el control de Aedes aegypti, el mosquito vector. La vigilancia en el país se hace con base en los índices entomológicos y en la notificación de casos, la cual es frecuentemente tardía y por ello conduce a falta de oportunidad en las intervenciones. La detección viral en mosquitos urbanos mediante técnicas moleculares proporciona información entomológica más precisa para la adopción de decisiones.Objetivo. Reportar los resultados de la vigilancia virológica de especímenes de Aedes spp. recolectados durante actividades entomológicas rutinarias de la Secretaría de Salud de Medellín.Materiales y métodos. Los ejemplares se recolectaron durante dos periodos, en cada uno de los cuales se seleccionaron 18 viviendas alrededor de cada una de las 250 trampas para larvas dispuestas para la vigilancia entomológica, así como 70 instituciones educativas y 30 centros de salud. Los ejemplares se identificaron y se conformaron grupos para la detección viral mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcripción inversa (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction, RT-PCR). Se calculó la tasa mínima de infección y el índice de infestación en adultos.Resultados. Se recolectaron 1.507 mosquitos, 10 de los cuales eran Ae. albopictus. De los 407 grupos conformados, 132 (uno de ellos de Ae. albopictus) fueron positivos, y 14,39 % correspondió a machos de Ae. aegypti. La tasa mínima de infección para Ae. aegypti fue de 120,07 y 69,50 en el primer y segundo períodos, respectivamente, y el índice de infestación en adultos fue mayor en las instituciones educativas (23,57 %).Conclusión. Mediante la RT-PCR se detectaron la infección natural y la transmisión vertical del virus del dengue en Ae. aegypti y en Ae. albopictus. Se propone considerar la incorporación de estas técnicas moleculares en los programas de vigilancia y control de las arbovirosis en el país.
Spatial distribution of potential and positive Aedes aegypti breeding sites
Authors: Cuartas Daniel Elías , Martínez Genny , Caicedo Diana María , Garcés Jhonny , Ariza-Araujo Yoseth , Peña Miguel , Mendéz Fabián
Published: October 2017

Introducción. La distribución espacial de Aedes aegypti es heterogénea, y la interacción entre criaderos positivos y potenciales en el intradomicilio y el extradomicilio es uno de los aspectos más difíciles de caracterizar en los programas de control vectorial.Objetivo. Describir la relación espacial entre los criaderos potenciales y positivos de A. aegypti en el intradomicilio y en el extradomicilio en un sector de Cali, Colombia.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo una encuesta entomológica con el objetivo de recolectar datos de los criaderos en el intradomicilio y el extradomicilio. El análisis exploratorio de los datos espaciales incluyó la localización, la tendencia espacial, la autocorrelación espacial local, la continuidad espacial y la correlación espacial de los criaderos positivos y potenciales según el hábitat.Resultados. Se determinaron las tendencias espaciales. Mediante el análisis de autocorrelación espacial local se ubicaron los conglomerados de criaderos potenciales y positivos del extradomicilio. Se encontró una correlación positiva entre los criaderos potenciales y los positivos y una correlación negativa entre el intradomicilio y el extradomicilio.Conclusiones. La relación espacial entre criaderos positivos y potenciales de A. aegypti en el intradomicilio y el extradomicilio es dinámica y muy sensible a las características de cada territorio, por lo que establecer su distribución en el espacio contribuye a la priorización de recursos y acciones en los programas de control vectorial.
Dengue virus detection in Aedes aegypti larvae and pupae collected in rural areas of Anapoima, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Authors: Velandia-Romero Myriam Lucía , Olano Víctor Alberto , Coronel-Ruiz Carolina , Cabezas Laura , Calderón-Peláez María Angélica , Castellanos Jaime Eduardo , Matiz María Inés
Published: October 2017

Introducción. La incidencia y la prevalencia del dengue en Cundinamarca son elevadas y, recientemente, se detectó Aedes aegypti en algunas áreas rurales del departamento.Objetivo. Evaluar la transmisión transovárica del virus del dengue en larvas y pupas recolectadas en áreas rurales del municipio de Anapoima.Materiales y métodos. Se recolectaron ejemplares vivos en 53 viviendas y se transportaron al laboratorio de Anapoima, donde se clasificaron, se agruparon y se congelaron. Llevadas a Bogotá, se las homogeneizó, se les extrajo el ARN con Trizol®, se las sometió a una reacción en cadena de la polimerasa de transcripción inversa (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Change Reaction, RT-PCR) y a PCR convencional, y los productos amplificados se analizaron en geles de agarosa al 2 %.Resultados. En 54,7 % de las viviendas evaluadas se encontraron formas inmaduras del vector y el serotipo más frecuente fue el DENV-1. Sin embargo, en algunos pools se detectó la presencia simultánea de los serotipos DENV 1 y 2, DENV 1 y 3, y DENV 1 y 4, así como los serotipos DENV 1, 2 y 3.Conclusión. Los resultados confirmaron la transmisión vertical del virus de manera natural en el área rural del municipio, lo cual reafirma la capacidad vectorial de A. aegypti y explica, en parte, la persistencia del virus en la región y la posibilidad de que en la fase adulta el vector lo transmita sin haber consumido sangre infectada. Esta situación aumenta el riesgo de infección por el virus del dengue en Colombia y, por lo tanto, la necesidad de adelantar programas de prevención y control en todas las zonas con presencia del mosquito.
A checklist of fossil names in extant genera of the Proteaceae.
Authors: Olde Peter Maurice
Published: October 2017

A preliminary checklist of more than 360 fossil plants in the Proteaceae is presented, together with details of their publication. The list includes only current and synonymised genera in which extant species are or were recognised. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of new names being taken up with earlier homonyms, ultimately necessitating unfortunate name changes. Lomatia fraxinifolia F. Muell. ex Benth. is an illegitimate homonym and is here replaced with the name Lomatia milnerae Olde. Grevillea trilobata (Hort ex Ettingsh.) Olde, comb. nov., previously incorrectly treated as a fossil, is here recognised as a probable synonym of Grevillea manglesii (Graham) Planch. Hakea salisburiifolia Hügel ex Ettingsh. is recognised as an extant species and treated as a synonym of Hakea baxteri R.Br.
Physical and Transport Property Variations Within Carbonate‐Bearing Fault Zones: Insights From the Monte Maggio Fault (Central Italy)
Authors: Trippetta F. , Carpenter B. M. , Mollo S. , Scuderi M. M. , Scarlato P. , Collettini C.
Published: October 2017

The physical characterization of carbonate‐bearing normal faults is fundamental for resource development and seismic hazard. Here we report laboratory measurements of density, porosity, Vp, Vs, elastic moduli, and permeability for a range of effective confining pressures (0.1–100 MPa), conducted on samples representing different structural domains of a carbonate‐bearing fault. We find a reduction in porosity from the fault breccia (11.7% total and 6.2% connected) to the main fault plane (9% total and 3.5% connected), with both domains showing higher porosity compared to the protolith (6.8% total and 1.1% connected). With increasing confining pressure, P wave velocity evolves from 4.5 to 5.9 km/s in the fault breccia, is constant at 5.9 km/s approaching the fault plane and is low (4.9 km/s) in clay‐rich fault domains. We find that while the fault breccia shows pressure sensitive behavior (a reduction in permeability from 2 × 10−16 to 2 × 10−17 m2), the cemented cataclasite close to the fault plane is characterized by pressure‐independent behavior (permeability 4 × 10−17 m2). Our results indicate that the deformation processes occurring within the different fault structural domains influence the physical and transport properties of the fault zone. In situ Vp profiles match well the laboratory measurements demonstrating that laboratory data are valuable for implications at larger scale. Combining the experimental values of elastic moduli and frictional properties it results that at shallow crustal levels, M ≤ 1 earthquakes are less favored, in agreement with earthquake‐depth distribution during the L'Aquila 2009 seismic sequence that occurred on carbonates.
Elimination of the Reaction Rate “Scale Effect”: Application of the Lagrangian Reactive Particle‐Tracking Method to Simulate Mixing‐Limited, Field‐Scale Biodegradation at the Schoolcraft (MI, USA) Site
Authors: Ding Dong , Benson David A. , Fernàndez‐Garcia Daniel , Henri Christopher V. , Hyndman David W. , Phanikumar Mantha S. , Bolster Diogo
Published: October 2017

Measured (or empirically fitted) reaction rates at groundwater remediation sites are typically much lower than those found in the same material at the batch or laboratory scale. The reduced rates are commonly attributed to poorer mixing at the larger scales. A variety of methods have been proposed to account for this scaling effect in reactive transport. In this study, we use the Lagrangian particle‐tracking and reaction (PTR) method to simulate a field bioremediation experiment at the Schoolcraft, MI site. A denitrifying bacterium, Pseudomonas Stutzeri strain KC (KC), was injected to the aquifer, along with sufficient substrate, to degrade the contaminant, carbon tetrachloride (CT), under anaerobic conditions. The PTR method simulates chemical reactions through probabilistic rules of particle collisions, interactions, and transformations to address the scale effect (lower apparent reaction rates for each level of upscaling, from batch to column to field scale). In contrast to a prior Eulerian reaction model, the PTR method is able to match the field‐scale experiment using the rate coefficients obtained from batch experiments.
Sex differences in LRRK2 G2019S and idiopathic Parkinson's Disease
Authors: San Luciano Marta , Wang Cuiling , Ortega Roberto A. , Giladi Nir , Marder Karen , Bressman Susan , Saunders‐Pullman Rachel ,   the Michael J Fox Foundation LRRK2 Consortium
Published: October 2017

Objective

To evaluate sex differences and the relative effect of G2019S LRRK2 mutations in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

530 LRRK2 PD carriers and 759 noncarrier PD (idiopathic, IPD) evaluated as part of the Fox Foundation (MJFF) Consortium were included. All participants completed a study visit including information on clinical features, treatment, examination, and motor and nonmotor questionnaires. Clinical features were compared between men and women separately for IPD and LRRK2 PD; and features were compared between IPD and LRRK2 PD separately for men and women.

Results

Among IPD: men had higher levodopa equivalency dose (LED), worse activities of daily living and motoric severity but lower complications of therapy (UPDRS‐IV). IPD women had higher olfaction and thermoregulatory scores and were more likely to report family history of PD. Among LRRK2 PD: Male predominance was not observed among G2019S LRRK2 cases. Women had worse UPDRS‐IV but better olfaction. Among same sex: LRRK2 men and women had better olfaction than IPD counterparts. LRRK2 men demonstrated lower motor and higher cognitive, RBD and thermoregulation scores than IPD men and LRRK2 women had greater UDPRS‐IV and rates of dyskinesia.

Interpretation

There were clinical differences between sexes with a more severe phenotype in IPD men and more complications of therapy in women. The more severe male phenotype was moderated by LRRK2, with LRRK2 men and women showing less diversity of phenotype. Our study supports that both genetics and sex drive phenotype, and thus trials in LRRK2 and IPD should consider gender stratification in design or analysis.
Robust adaptive constrained boundary control for a suspension cable system of a helicopter
Authors: Ren Yong , Chen Mou , Shi Peng
Published: October 2017

In this article, the problems of modeling and controlling are investigated for a suspension cable system of a helicopter with input saturation, system parameter uncertainties, and external disturbances by using the boundary control method. In accordance with the Hamilton's principle, the model of the suspension cable system of a helicopter is established by using a set of partial differential and ordinary differential equations. Considering nonsymmetric saturation constraint, the auxiliary systems are designed to handle with the effect of input saturation. Considering Lyapunov's direct method and the designed auxiliary systems, two robust adaptive boundary controllers are provided by the actuators at the helicopter and the box. Under the proposed controllers, the error between the bottom payload and the target location and the vibration range are uniformly ultimately bounded. Moreover, they will converge to a small neighborhood of zero by selecting the suitable parameters. Meanwhile, to guarantee the validity of the proposed adaptive boundary control laws, some sufficient conditions are raised. Simulation results are provided to verify that the effectiveness of the designed controllers in this paper.