bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oriented zinc oxide nanorods: A novel saturable absorber for lasers in the near-infrared
Authors: Loiko Pavel , Bora Tanujjal , Serres Josep Maria , Yu Haohai , Aguiló Magdalena , Díaz Francesc , Griebner Uwe , Petrov Valentin , Mateos Xavier , Dutta Joydeep
Published: October 2018

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) oriented along the crystallographic [001] axis are grown by the hydrothermal method on glass substrates. The ZnO NRs exhibit a broadband (1–2 µm) near-IR absorption ascribed to the singly charged zinc vacancy VZn−1. The saturable absorption of the ZnO NRs is studied at ≈1 µm under picosecond excitation, revealing a low saturation intensity, ≈10 kW/cm2, and high fraction of the saturable losses. The ZnO NRs are applied as saturable absorbers in diode-pumped Yb (≈1.03 µm) and Tm (≈1.94 µm) lasers generating nanosecond pulses. The ZnO NRs grown on various optical surfaces are promising broadband saturable absorbers for nanosecond near-IR lasers in bulk and waveguide geometries.
The Evolution of Environmental Quenching Timescales to z ∼ 1.6: Evidence for Dynamically Driven Quenching of the Cluster Galaxy Population
Authors: Foltz R. , Wilson G. , Muzzin A. , Cooper M. C. , Nantais J. , van der Burg R. F. J. , Cerulo P. , Chan J. , Fillingham S. P. , Surace J. , Webb T. , Noble A. , Lacy M. , McDonald M. , Rudnick G. , Lidman C. , Demarco R. , Hlavacek-Larrondo J. , Yee H. K. C. , Perlmutter S. , Hayden B.
Published: October 2018

Using a sample of four galaxy clusters at 1.35 < z < 1.65 and 10 galaxy clusters at 0.85 < z < 1.35, we measure the environmental quenching timescale, t
Q, corresponding to the time required after a galaxy is accreted by a cluster for it to fully cease star formation. Cluster members are selected by a photometric-redshift criterion, and categorized as star-forming, quiescent, or intermediate according to their dust-corrected rest-frame colors and magnitudes. We employ a “delayed-then-rapid” quenching model that relates a simulated cluster mass accretion rate to the observed numbers of each type of galaxy in the cluster to constrain t
Q. For galaxies of mass M
* ≳ 1010.5
M
⊙, we find a quenching timescale of t
Q = 

Gyr in the z ∼ 1.5 cluster sample, and

Gyr at z ∼ 1. Using values drawn from the literature, we compare the redshift evolution of t
Q to timescales predicted for different physical quenching mechanisms. We find t
Q to depend on host halo mass such that quenching occurs over faster timescales in clusters relative to groups, suggesting that properties of the host halo are responsible for quenching high-mass galaxies. Between z = 0 and z = 1.5, we find that t
Q evolves faster than the molecular gas depletion timescale and slower than an estimated star formation rate-outflow timescale, but is consistent with the evolution of the dynamical time. This suggests that environmental quenching in these galaxies is driven by the motion of satellites relative to the cluster environment, although due to uncertainties in the atomic gas budget at high redshift, we cannot rule out quenching due to simple gas depletion.
Chemical Diversity in Three Massive Young Stellar Objects Associated with 6.7 GHz CH3OH Masers
Authors: Taniguchi Kotomi , Saito Masao , Majumdar Liton , Shimoikura Tomomi , Dobashi Kazuhito , Ozeki Hiroyuki , Nakamura Fumitaka , Hirota Tomoya , Minamidani Tetsuhiro , Miyamoto Yusuke , Kaneko Hiroyuki
Published: October 2018

We have carried out observations in the 42–46 and 82–103 GHz bands with the Nobeyama 45 m radio telescope, and in the 338.2–339.2 and 348.45–349.45 GHz bands with the ASTE 10 m telescope, toward three high-mass star-forming regions containing massive young stellar objects (MYSOs), G12.89+0.49, G16.86−2.16, and G28.28−0.36. We have detected HC3N including its 13C and D isotopologues, CH3OH, CH3CCH, and several complex organic molecules. Using our previous results for HC5N in these sources, we compare their N(HC5N)/N(CH3OH) ratios. The ratio in G28.28−0.36 is derived to be

, which is higher than that in G12.89+0.49 by one order of magnitude, and higher than in G16.86−2.16 by a factor of ∼5. We investigate the relationship between the N(HC5N)/N(CH3OH) and the N(CH3CCH)/N(CH3OH) ratios. The relationships of the two column density ratios in G28.28−0.36 and G16.86−2.16 are similar to each other, while HC5N is less abundant compared to CH3CCH in G12.89+0.49. These results imply a chemical diversity in the lukewarm (T ∼ 20–30 K) envelope around MYSOs. In addition, several spectral lines from complex organic molecules, including very-high-excitation energy lines, have been detected toward G12.89+0.49, while the line density is significantly low in G28.28−0.36. These results suggest that organic-poor MYSOs are surrounded by a carbon-chain-rich lukewarm envelope (G28.28−0.36), while organic-rich MYSOs, namely hot cores, are surrounded by a CH3OH-rich lukewarm envelope (G12.89+0.49 and G16.86−2.16).
Fast Radio Burst 121102 Pulse Detection and Periodicity: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Zhang Yunfan Gerry , Gajjar Vishal , Foster Griffin , Siemion Andrew , Cordes James , Law Casey , Wang Yu
Published: October 2018

We report the detection of 72 new pulses from the repeating fast radio burst FRB 121102 in Breakthrough Listen C-band (4–8 GHz) observations at the Green Bank Telescope. The new pulses were found with a convolutional neural network in data taken on 2017 August 26, where 21 bursts have been previously detected. Our technique combines neural network detection with dedispersion verification. For the current application, we demonstrate its advantage over a traditional brute-force dedispersion algorithm in terms of higher sensitivity, lower false-positive rates, and faster computational speed. Together with the 21 previously reported pulses, this observation marks the highest number of FRB 121102 pulses from a single observation, totaling 93 pulses in five hours, including 45 pulses within the first 30 minutes. The number of data points reveals trends in pulse fluence, pulse detection rate, and pulse frequency structure. We introduce a new periodicity search technique, based on the Rayleigh test, to analyze the time of arrivals (TOAs), with which we exclude with 99% confidence periodicity in TOAs with periods larger than 5.1 times the model-dependent timestamp uncertainty. In particular, we rule out constant periods ≳10 ms in the barycentric arrival times, though intrinsic periodicity in the time of emission remains plausible.
Properties of the Intracluster Medium Assuming an Einasto Dark Matter Profile
Authors: Mirakhor Mohammad S.
Published: October 2018

I investigate an analytical model of galaxy clusters based on the assumptions that the intracluster medium plasma is polytropic and is in hydrostatic equilibrium. The Einasto profile is adopted as a model for the spatial-density distribution of dark matter halos. This model has sufficient degrees of freedom to simultaneously fit X-ray surface brightness and temperature profiles, with five parameters to describe the global cluster properties and three additional parameters to describe the cluster’s cool-core feature. The model is tested with Chandra X-ray data for seven galaxy clusters, including three polytropic clusters and four cool-core clusters. It is found that the model accurately reproduces the X-ray data over most of the radial range. For all galaxy clusters, the data allows one to show that the model is essentially as good as that of Vikhlinin et al. and Bulbul et al., as inferred by the reduced χ
2.
Dust Evolution and Satellitesimal Formation in Circumplanetary Disks
Authors: Dra̧żkowska Joanna , Szulágyi Judit
Published: October 2018

It is believed that satellites of giant planets form in circumplanetary disks (CPDs). Many of the previous contributions assumed that their formation process proceeds similarly to rocky planet formation via accretion of the satellite seeds called satellitesimals. However, the satellitesimal formation itself poses a nontrivial problem, as the dust evolution in CPD is heavily impacted by fast radial drift and thus dust growth to satellitesimals is hindered. To address this problem, we connected state-of-the art hydrodynamical simulations of a CPD around a Jupiter-mass planet with dust growth, and a drift model in a post-processing step. We found that there is an efficient pathway to satellitesimal formation if there is a dust trap forming within the disk. Thanks to natural existence of an outward gas-flow region in the hydrodynamical simulation, a significant dust trap arises at the radial distance of 85 R
J from the planet, where the dust-to-gas ratio becomes high enough to trigger streaming instability. The streaming instability leads to efficient formation of the satellite seeds. Because of the constant infall of material from the circumstellar disk and the very short timescale of dust evolution, the CPD acts as a satellitesimal factory, constantly processing the infalling dust to pebbles that gather in the dust trap and undergo the streaming instability.
Assessing the potential distribution of invasive alien species Amorpha fruticosa (Mill.) in the Mureş Floodplain Natural Park (Romania) using GIS and logistic regression
Authors: Kucsicsa Gheorghe , Grigorescu Ines , Dumitraşcu Monica , Doroftei Mihai , Năstase Mihaela , Herlo Gabriel
Published: October 2018

The assessment of invasive terrestrial plant species in the Romanian protected areas is an important research direction, especially since the adventive species have become biological hazards with significant impacts on biodiversity. Due to limited resources being available for the control of the invasive plants, the modelling of the spatial potential distribution is particularly useful in order to find the best measures to eliminate them or prevent their introduction and spread, as well as including them in the management plans of protected areas. Thus, the present paper aims to assess one of the most disturbing invasive terrestrial plant species in Europe – A.fruticosa in one of the most important natural protected area in Romania, i.e. Mureş Floodplain Natural Park (V IUCN category and RAMSAR –Wetlands of International Importance). The current study is a geographical approach seeking to explain the spatial relationships between this invasive species and several explanatory factors (soil type, depth to water, vegetation cover, forest fragmentation and distance to near waters, roads and settlements) and to assess its potential distribution by integrating GIS and logistic regression into spatial simulation. The resultant probability map can be used by the park’s administration in implementing the Management Plan in terms of identifying the areas with the highest occurrence potential of A.fruticosa according to the primary habitats and ecosystems and setting up actions for its eradication/limitation.
Completing the jigsaw: the first record of the female plant of Daphnopsis filipedunculata (Thymelaeaceae), an endemic species from the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Watanabe Maurício Takashi Coutinho , Mota Nara Furtado de Oliveira , Pastore Mayara , dos Santos Fernando Marino Gomes , Zappi Daniela
Published: October 2018

The results of intensive fieldwork in the National Forest of Carajás (FLONA Carajás) led to the discovery of pistillate plants of Daphnopsisfilipedunculata, an endemic species from the Serra dos Carajás, previously known only from staminate individuals. These newly discovered populations add valuable missing information related to pistillate buds, mature flowers and fruits.
Description and molecular analysis of Tylencholaimus helanensis sp. n. from China (Dorylaimida, Tylencholaimidea)
Authors: Wu Wen-Jia , Yu Lu , Xie Hui , Xu Chun-Ling , Yu Jiao , Wang Dong-Wei
Published: October 2018

A new species, Tylencholaimushelanensissp. n., extracted from the rhizosphere soil of unidentified grasses from Helan Mountain, Inner Mongolia, China was identified. The new species is characterized by having a body length of 0.93–1.07 mm with the lip region approximately one-quarter of the body diameter at the posterior end of the neck region wide; female didelphic-amphidelphic; pars proximalis vaginae violin-shaped. Males were not found. SEM observations of the new species were made and a phylogenetic analysis of both the 18S rDNA and the D2-D3 region of 28S rDNA is presented.
Villagers’ knowledge of some edible insects in southern Cameroon: crickets, termites, honeybees and cockchafers
Authors: Tamesse J.L. , Kekeunou S. , Tchouamou C.L. Djuideu , Meupia M.J.
Published: October 2018

With the global meat crisis and the high growth in the human population, alternative sources of protein need to be found in order to ensure food security. Insects are widely recognised as an important source of protein and food for several countries worldwide. We carried out a study of the importance of crickets, termites, honeybees and cockchafers in five divisions of Cameroon: Koung-khi, High Plateaus, Menoua (West Region), Mvila, Dja and Lobo (South Region). A semi-structured survey involving 409 villagers was conducted from December 2014 to February 2015. The results showed that most villagers (71.3%) eat these insects. The highest proportion was obtained for termites (96%), followed by crickets (94%) and cockchafers (87%). Honeybees were the least consumed (17.5%) and villagers reported that it is a dangerous insect because of its venom. Crickets, termites, honeybees and cockchafers are eaten under different preparations and the most cited were fried in oil and braised in fire. These insects are all found on farms mainly during the rainy season. The developmental stages most consumed depended on the insect group: adults for crickets and termites; larvae for cockchafers, and both stages for honeybees. These insects are consumed because of their good taste (74.4%) and their richness in protein (49.6%). Villagers also provided some additional uses of these insects in various domains such as medicine, cultural rites and indigenous traditions. A small proportion of villagers (4%) practised the trade of these edible insects in local markets, with the exception of crickets, and most of them (75%) reported to earn some essential money for their households. The medicinal value of these insects needs to be verified and eventually promoted for widespread use, and their commercial value needs to be improved in a way to optimise the production and trade thereof on a regional scale.
Tracing Pedagogical Progression on the Doctoral Level
Authors: Lappalainen Pia Helena
Published: October 2018

While much has been written about cognition and intellect as factors enhancing researcher productivity, less is known about the mental processes impacting scholarly endeavors. The anxiety stemming from such vast and solitary projects as thesis writing has been recognized, but the literature on doctoral study has been more silent on pedagogies supporting thesis completion. To design effective pedagogies mediating postgraduate degree completion and promoting research quality, this article traces pedagogical progression on the doctoral level. As a modest empirical effort investing in affective learning, this work analyses doctor-al students’ needs for instructional writing support. The analysis reveals unmet needs that undermine student well-being, engagement, and writing progress. The qualitative analysis of 93 engineering candidates’ responses directs the pedagogic focus in doctoral writing away from language proficiency towards holistic con-sideration of learner needs, especially in terms of the affective load involved in thesis writing. This article aims to decelerate the trend towards decreased contact hours on the doctoral level through empirically-derived evidence highlighting the importance of face-to-face instruction. As pedagogy, this study proposes 1) participation in the research community of practice through peer reviews to intensify mimicry strategy in adopting expertise, and 2) teacher immediacy as means of promoting the quality of the mentor-mentée relationship and of ultimately expedit-ing research progress and degree completion.
Managing the Senior Capstone Design Project for Undergraduate Students at King Abdulaziz University
Authors: Sait Hani H , Turkman Nadim , Ishaq Raja
Published: October 2018

It is compulsory for final-year undergraduate engineering students to take a senior design class, commonly known as the senior capstone design project. This project is set up to help students deeply understand and apply what they have learned since beginning their quest for a bachelor’s degree in science. Capstone preparation involves many elements including the contribution of faculty members and academic programs that give students the technical and management skills needed to establish a career in engineering. Moreover, the capstone usually requires funding, which often comes from the industry sector. The engineering faculty at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) encourages students to complete this course showing high-quality levels of achievement. The university’s mechanical engineering department led the effort in organizing the senior design project course, which meets the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) requirements. This paper presents an overview of a program that promises an outstanding engineering capstone experience for two KAU engineering colleges in Rabigh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This paper delineates the process, leadership skills, ABET involvement and evaluation. The capstone project presented here has provided overall satisfaction from both faculty members and students. Moreover, course management improvements led to a more cost-efficient program.
Teaching Process Skills to Pre-Engineers using Situated Learning – A Case Study
Authors: Maher Pamela A. , Bailey Janelle M. , Tucka Allan M.
Published: October 2018

In this case study, undergraduate students presented physics concepts to patrons at a planetarium. This created an early opportunity for these pre-professionals to practice the process skill of oral communication to a lay audience. The case study resulted from working with students participating in a grant called the da Vinci project. It reports on a situated experience pre-engineering and calculus-based physics students had working with their professor to create a brochure and present a physics concept to patrons visiting a public planetarium. Working closely with their professor, students were able to use this required professional skill in a real world (situated) context. This opportunity helped bridge the gap between these pre-professionals’ experiences in training and in their careers in STEM fields. Thirty students attending a two-year college in the Southwestern US self-selected to participate in the project. Each student participant built a kit-based model of a machine, designed an informational flyer aligned to state K-12 physical science standards, and presented informally to the public visiting a planetarium. Data were collected from the students via written reflections before and after the presentation and from email correspondence with their professor. Qualitative analyses of these reflections assessed the students’ progress toward a finished presentation. Results suggest that obstacles to public speaking fluency come from the fear of making mistakes or giving out misinformation. Opportunities to engage in informal public speaking helped overcome these obstacles. Students demonstrated increased confidence in their ability to share their knowledge with the public after undergoing guided informal speaking practice. The opportunity for students to practice public speaking during their undergraduate training can increase confidence and better prepare them for a career.
Bridging the Academic-Practitioner Divide in Marketing
Authors: Morgado Andre Vilares
Published: October 2018

In recent years, marketing practice has increased in complexity, becoming more challenging. This situation demands that marketing professionals be better prepared to face the difficulties of the market. Business schools play a key role in training marketing professionals. However, there is a strong divide between the expectations held by marketing professionals and those held in academia. This chapter considers this phenomenon from a theoretical point of view and explores its causes. The author argues that business schools are able to play a key role in bridging theory and practice in marketing. The chapter closes by offering several suggestions for how business schools might increase the relevance of marketing research while reducing the gap between marketing theory and practice. In particular, the chapter offers a set of policies that business schools can implement in order to close this gap.
Causal Links Among Banks' Investments on Government Securities, GDP and Different Heads of Central Plan Expenditures in India
Authors: Das Ramesh Chandra
Published: October 2018

Most of the countries from the developing zones used to generate funds through sales of their securities to the commercial banks, among others. The generated fund, a type of public debt, is intended to spend on economic and social infrastructure developments of the countries which further accelerate their GDPs. India is not an exception to this strategy. The present article examines whether there are causal linkages among the banks' investment on government securities, all heads of central plan expenditures and GDP in India for the period 1981-2014. Using the Granger causality tests, the study observes that banks' security investments make a cause to food and fertilizers subsidy, irrigation and flood control, energy and transport sector and, on the other hand, GDP is a cause to total heads of expenditures, total subsidy, food and fertilizers subsidy, irrigation development, rural development, total infrastructure, energy, transport and social services. There are no way causations between either security investment or GDP with agriculture and communication sectors.
Smartphone Dependence of University Students and Parental Rearing Attitudes
Authors: Toda Masahiro , Ezoe Satoko , Mure Kanae , Takeshita Tatsuya
Published: October 2018

We investigated associations between smartphone dependence and perceived parental rearing attitudes. We administered a set of self-reporting questionnaires to 195 medical-university students designed to evaluate these factors. For females, the maternal high care/high protection group had statistically significantly higher scores for smartphone dependence than the low care/low protection group. No such relationship was apparent for male respondents. These findings suggest, at least for females, that smartphone dependence may be associated with perceived rearing attitudes.
Design of a Decision Support System for Resource Allocation in Brazil Public Universities
Authors: Martins Carolina Lino , Teixeira de Almeida Adiel , Morais Danielle Costa
Published: October 2018

This study aims to demonstrate how the design of a decision support system (DSS) can improve the process of internal resource allocation in Brazil public universities. Currently, there are not any kind of general DSS for such a problem. To do so, the analysis is carried out by identifying the general model from the Brazilian Ministry of Education and the models from every federal university, finding similarities between each model, and dividing the models into categories, according to their similarities. Thus, a DSS resource allocation model prototype was proposed. The perspectives are to contribute to the decision problem of how to allocate resources properly faced by Brazilians public universities, take safer and reliable decisions, seeking to reduce uncertainties and to maximize their results.
Improved CEEMDAN Based Speech Signal Analysis Algorithm for Mental Disorders Diagnostic System
Authors: Alimuradov Alan K. , Tychkov Alexander Yu. , Kuzmin Andrey V. , Churakov Pyotr P. , Ageykin Alexey V. , Vishnevskaya Galina V.
Published: October 2018

An automated algorithm for pitch frequency measurement for diagnostic systems of borderline mental disorders is developed. It is based on decomposition of a speech signal into frequency components using an adaptive method for analyzing of non-stationary signals, improved complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (improved CEEMDAN), and isolating the component containing pitch. A block diagram for the developed algorithm and a detailed mathematical description are presented. A research of the algorithm using the formed verified signal base of healthy patients, and male and female patients with psychogenic disorders, aged from 18 to 60, is conducted. The research results are evaluated in comparison with the known algorithms for pitch frequency measurement. In accordance with the results of the study, the developed algorithm for pitch frequency measurement provides an accuracy increase in determination of borderline mental disorders: for the error of the first kind, on the average, it is more accurate by 10.7%, and for the second type error by 4.7%.
Enhanced Spectrum Sensing Algorithm Based on MME Detection and OAS Shrinkage Estimator
Authors: Khalil Amoon , Wainakh Mohiedin
Published: October 2018

Spectrum Sensing is one of the major steps in Cognitive Radio. There are many methods to conduct Spectrum Sensing. Each method has different detection performances. In this article, the authors propose a modification of one of these methods based on MME algorithm and OAS estimator. In MME&OAS method, in each detection window, OAS estimates the covariance matrix of the signal then the MME algorithm detects the signal on the estimated matrix. In the proposed algorithm, authors assumed that there is correlation between two consecutive decisions, so authors suggest the OAS estimator depending on the last detection decision, and then detect the signal using MME algorithm. Simulation results showed enhancement in detection performance (about 2dB when detection probability is 0.9. compared to MME&OAS method).
Modeling and Investigating the Economy and Production Structure of Iran Public Theater
Authors: Abdollahi Hooman , Ebrahimi Seyed Babak
Published: October 2018

Cultural productions are considered as a sign of civilization in modern societies. Theater is known as an important type of cultural productions, playing important role in the cultural economy of a society. Due to complexities of socio-economic interactions, this sector needs dynamic investigation to illuminate different aspects of possible potentials and threats. The present paper tries to find relationships between Iran public theater economy and production structure based on a dynamic model including all economic stages, namely production, distribution, and consumption to achieve a solid perception of Iran theater position. The authors use System Dynamics to create a model that can explain or mimic the behavior of the system in order to evaluate policies. Since Tehran City Theater complex is the sole place for the public theater in Iran, the authors assess it over the period 2012-2015 and predict its behavior to 2022. On the other hand, the investigation in this context is being directed in accordance with microeconomics principles. The results indicate that the position of Iran public theater is undesired due to vague managerial policy. Also, the findings offer insights into the problems and suggest practical solutions.
Application of System Engineering to Project Management
Authors: Galli Brian J.
Published: October 2018

Task administration is the procedure through which work is instated, arranged, executed, and controlled by a group to accomplish an objective. Since project management activities are different from normal business activities that are conducted every day, project management calls for special technical and management skills amongst team members. The successful completion of a project depends largely on systems engineering and the management of various programs. Systems engineering refers to an interdisciplinary approach that facilitates the realization and success of complex systems. The purpose of system engineering is to, therefore, influence the whole system through various cohesive subsystems. The principles of system engineering are synonymous with most characteristics of project management. System engineering is, therefore, applicable to advance project management. This paper looks at the application of system engineering to project management.
Scaling the Maternal and Newborn Survival Initiative (MANSI)
Authors: Prabhu Deepa Fernandes , Larson Richard C.
Published: October 2018

The infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality ratio (MMR) are unacceptably high in many parts of rural India. This article focuses on a system analysis approach to the best practices for scaling and replicating of maternal and newborn survival initiative (MANSI), a field-tested pilot program for addressing high IMRs and MMRs. A system dynamics model of the village birthing system is used to understand the resources needed for the viability of scaling or replication, is constructed and incorporated in the analysis. The MANSI program is a public and private partnership between a few key players. Implemented in the Seraikela area of India's Jharkhand state, the program has achieved a 32.7% reduction in neonatal mortality, a 26.5% reduction in IMR, and a 50% increase in hospital births, which tend to have better health outcomes for women and newborns. The authors conclude with a discussion of the prospects for and difficulties of replicating MANSI in other resource-constrained areas, not only in India but in other developing countries as well.
Automatic Construction of OWL Ontologies From Petri Nets
Authors: Ma Zongmin , Cheng Haitao , Yan Li
Published: October 2018

Ontology, as a formal representation method of domain knowledge, plays a particular important key role in semantic web. How to construct ontologies has become a key technology in the semantic web, especially constructing ontologies from existing domain knowledge. Currently, Petri nets have been a mathematical modeling tool, and have been widely studied and successfully applied in modeling of software engineering, database and artificial intelligence. In particular, PNML (Petri Net Markup Language) language has been a part of ISO/IEC Petri nets standard for representing and exchanging data on Petri nets. Therefore, how to construct ontologies from PNML model of Petri nets needs to be investigated. In this article, the authors investigate a method for automatic construction of web ontology language (OWL) ontologies from PNML of Petri nets. Firstly, this paper gives a formal definition and the semantics of PNML models of Petri nets. On this basis, a formal approach for constructing OWL ontologies from PNML model of Petri nets is proposed, i.e., this paper transforms Petri nets (including PNML model and PNML document of the Petri nets) into OWL ontologies at both structure and instance levels. Furthermore, the correctness of the transformation is proved. Finally, a prototype construction tool called PN2OWL is developed to transform Petri nets models into OWL ontologies automatically.
An Event-Based Data Warehouse to Support Decisions in Multi-Channel, Multi-Service Contact Centers
Authors: Brunello Andrea , Gallo Paolo , Marzano Enrico , Montanari Angelo , Vitacolonna Nicola
Published: October 2018

Multi-channel contact centers are an increasingly important component of today's business world. They serve as a primary customer-facing channel for firms in many different industries, and employ millions of operators across the globe. During their operation, they generate vast amounts of data, ranging from automatically registered logs to handwritten notes and voice recordings. Unfortunately, in most firms, data of interest is unstructured, and stored in several databases, making their exploitation very hard. This article presents a decision support system for a multi-channel, multi-service contact center for front office business process outsourcing, along with its prospective extension to a decision management system. Its core is an enterprise-wide data warehouse, based on the general concept of an event. The proposed system supports a broad new set of advanced analysis tasks, ranging from operator performance assessment to call-flow simulation and data mining, providing operational and management staff the basis for taking effective operative and strategic decisions.
Protective Measures and Security Policy Non-Compliance Intention
Authors: Chang Kuo-Chung , Seow Yoke May
Published: October 2018

Internal vulnerabilities and insider threats top the list of information security (InfoSec) incidents; prompting organizations to establish InfoSec policy (ISP). Yet, mitigating user's ISP non-compliance is still an arduous task. Hence, this study aims to minimize user's ISP non-compliance intention by investigating their perception and attitude toward ISP non-compliance. Specifically, protective measures drawing upon the protection motivation theory - perceived severity of ISP non-compliance, rewards and familiarity with ISP - analyze users' attitude toward ISP non-compliance. Further, the new construct, information technology (IT) vision conflict, is the mismatch between the values that users hold and those embedded in the ISP. The misalignment of the two conflicting values moderates the relationship between the protective measures and attitude toward ISP non-compliance. Findings show that IT vision conflict weakens the negative relationship between perceived severity of ISP non-compliance and attitude toward ISP non-compliance; indirectly affecting ISP non-compliance intention.
An Empirical Study of Gamification Frameworks
Authors: Buckley Patrick , Noonan Seamus , Geary Conor , Mackessy Thomas , Nagle Eoghan
Published: October 2018

Gamification is a relatively novel concept which is attracting interest from academics and practitioners as a method of mediating individual behaviour. It is increasingly being used in a wide range of social and business contexts across a range of diverse activities such as education, health care and personal productivity. In this article, the components used to implement gamification are catalogued. Using a standardised rubric, a sample of gamified activities is studied to measure the prevalence of the various components used to implement gamification. This research provides an empirically validated catalogue of specific components used to implement gamification, which can serve to guide the work of academics and practitioners. It demonstrates variance in the use of the different types of component, indicating that the utility of gamification components may differ. Finally, by contrasting the utilization of components in the individual and group contexts, this research identifies the contextual sensitivity of gamification.
How to Engineer Gamification
Authors: Shahri Alimohammad , Hosseini Mahmood , Phalp Keith , Taylor Jacqui , Ali Raian
Published: October 2018

Gamification refers to the use of game elements in a business context to change users' behaviours, mainly increasing motivation towards a certain task or a strategic objective. Gamification has received a good deal of emphasis in both academia and industry across various disciplines and application areas. Despite the increasing interest, we still need a unified and holistic picture on how to engineer gamification, including the meaning of the term, its development process, the stakeholders and disciplines which need to be involved in it, and the concerns and risks that an ad-hoc design could raise for both businesses and users. To address this need, this article reports on empirical research which involved reviewing the literature and a range of gamification techniques and applications as secondary research, and an expert opinion study of two phases, qualitative and quantitative, as primary research. Based on the results, we provide a body of knowledge about gamification and point-out good practice principles and areas of gamification that are debatable and need further investigation.
Investigating the Mediating Role of Social Networking Service Usage on the Big Five Personality Traits and on the Job Satisfaction of Korean Workers
Authors: Kim Hyondong
Published: October 2018

This study examines how the Big Five personality traits and the use of social networking services (SNSs) promote job satisfaction among Korean workers. The study sample is drawn from the Korean Education & Employment Panel (KEEP) for 2011, which gathers comprehensive data on Koreans' individual demographics, including information regarding their education, families, and work and personal lives. Structural equation modeling is employed to examine the mediation model between Big-Five personality and job satisfaction of workers. From a sample of 1,646 workers employed in Korean workplaces, the authors found that the Big Five personality traits were significantly related to SNS usage and job satisfaction. SNS usage was found to be a factor in determining job satisfaction, and SNS usage partially mediated the relationship between personality (extroversion and neuroticism) and job satisfaction. To improve employees' work-related attitudes, organizations must recognize the growing influence of SNS usage on those workplace attitudes.
Partial replacement of artificial diets by wet bioflocs biomass in Nile tilapia culture tanks
Authors: Caldini Nayara Nunes , Capistrano Hermano Hertz de Almeida , Rocha-Filho Pedro Roberto Nogueira , Sá Marcelo Vinícius do Carmo e
Published: October 2018

The present work aimed to assess the partial replacement of artificial diets by wet bioflocs biomass in the culture of Nile tilapia juveniles. Fish were fed on different combinations of commercial dry diets (CD) and wet bioflocs biomass (BF), as it follows: 75% CD + 25% BF, 50% CD + 50% BF, and 25% CD + 75% BF, dry matter basis. There were also positive control tanks in which the fish received only commercial diet (100% CD), and three negative control tanks where the reductions of dry diets were not compensated by wet bioflocs biomass (75% CD, 50% CD, and 25% CD). Bioflocs were produced in one 500-L outdoor tank, which did not belong to the culture system, and it was called “separate BFT tank”, in which there was a daily adjustment of the C: N ratio of water to 15: 1, by the application of dry molasses to the water. There were no significant differences between the treatments for water pH, O2, TAN and NH3. Except by 25% CD, nitrite concentrations in water were lower in bioflocs tanks than in the artificial diet tanks. The final body weight of fish was significantly higher in tanks that received only dry diets (21.9 ± 6.4 g) than in tanks with a combination of 50% dry diet and 50% wet bioflocs biomass (10.4 ± 2.5 g; p < 0.05). It can be concluded that the impairment on the growth performance of tilapia submitted to feeding restriction is lessened if wet bioflocs biomass is provided to the animals. Besides, the total substitution of artificial diets for wet bioflocs biomass in clear-water tanks is unfeasible because it leads to higher rates of mortality of tilapia in a relatively short period.
Nutritional composition of pre-dried silage of different winter cereals
Authors: Horst Egon Henrique , Neumann Mikael , Mareze Juliana , Leão Guilherme Fernando Mattos , Bumbieris Junior Valter Harry , Mendes Marcelo Cruz
Published: October 2018

This study aimed to assess the chemical composition of the forage and pre-dried silage from twelve winter cereals harvested at pre-flowering. We used black oat (Avena strigosa) cv. EMB 139 and cv. IAPAR 61; white oat (Avena sativa) cv. IPR and 126 hp. URS Taura; barley (Hordeum vulgare) cv. BRS Brau and cv. BRS Cauê; wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. BRS Umbu and cv. BRS Tarumã; rye (Secale cereale) cv. Temprano and cv. BRS Serrano; and triticale (X. Triticosecale) cv. IPR and 111 hp. BRS Saturno. Plants were harvested at pre-flowering, when they were pre-dried and ensiled. The analysis of variance evidenced nutritional differences between species and cultivars. Triticale cv. IPR 111 showed notorious chemical characteristics in relation to the other treatments, highest protein content (113.7 g kg-1) and lower content of NDF and ADF (657.9 and 380.9 g kg-1, respectively). Among the pre-dried silages, barley cv. BRS Cauê had the highest level of NDT (614.7 g kg-1). Triticale cv. IPR 111 was shown as a high-quality nutritional food as forage and kept these characteristics after conservation. On the other hand, the pre-dried silage of barley cv. BRS Cauê showed the highest potential for nutrient degradability.
Fermentation characteristics of elephant grass silages with macaúba cake
Authors: Guimarães Cíntia Gonçalves , Bonfá Caroline Salezzi , Evangelista Antônio Ricardo , Santos Alexandre Soares dos , Pantoja Lílian De Araújo , Castro Gustavo Henrique De Frias
Published: October 2018

The elephant grass presents problems during the fermentation of the ensiled material, being necessary use of additives. This study aimed to evaluate the population of yeast and filamentous fungi, enterobacterias, contents of acetic and butyric acids and ethanol production, in elephant grass silages added with different levels of macaúba cake at opening times. This was a 3 x 6 factorial completely randomized experimental design, with three inclusion levels of the macaúba cake (0, 10 and 20%) and six opening times (1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 days after ensiling), with four replications. For all the studied variables, there was a difference in the interaction among levels and times, and an increasing linear behavior only for the contents of acetic acid, for the other variables, the behavior was quadratic. The elephant grass silages produced acetic acid, which in turn inhibited the production of yeast and filamentous fungi. There was a small development of enterobacterias only in the first opening times, and low production of butyric acid and ethanol, which indicated a material with good fermentative characteristics. The macaúba cake contributed to improve the anaerobic fermentation process, but it was not as expressive for the parameters evaluated in this work.
Body size and its effects on productive efficiency of cows with predominant Nellore genetic composition
Authors: Farias Gustavo Duarte , Cerdótes Liliane , Restle João , Pascoal Leonir Luiz , Costa Pablo Tavares , Ferreira Otoniel Geter Lauz , Vaz Ricardo Zambarda
Published: October 2018

This study was developed to evaluate productive efficiency during the lactation period of cows with predominant Nellore genetic composition based on their body size. Cows were divided into the following categories: light (≤ 316 kg), moderate (≥ 317 and ≤ 400 kg), or heavy (≥ 401 kg). Body weight change and total gain from birth to 210 days of age of calves born from heavy cows (0.155±0.03 and 111.6±5.1 kg) were higher than those of calves born from light (0.064±0.03 and 91.0±4.3 kg) and moderate (0.144±0.03 and 97.7±4.0 kg) cows. Calf production index differed (p < 0.05) with the herd of heavy cows (93.5±3.2 kg), producing 57.4 and 19.7% more kilograms of calf than light (59.4±2.7 kg) and moderate (78.1±2.4 kg) cows, respectively. Heavy Nellore cows produce heavier calves and have a better reproductive performance, which lead to a better calf production index. However, they require a larger area for the same herbage allowance. Calves born from heavier Nellore cows gain more weight from birth to 210 days of age and are heavier from 210 to 270 days of age.
Nitrogen sources associated with different physical forms of corn grain in the diet for steers in feedlot
Authors: Porsch Renata Volpatto , Machado Diego Soares , Brondani Ivan Luiz , Cocco Joziane Michelon , Alves Filho Dari Celestino , Oliveira Leonardo Mendes de
Published: October 2018

This study evaluated the substitution of soybean meal with non-protein nitrogen sources, in combination with ground or whole corn for feedlot cattle. Fifty-four Charolais x Nellore steers with 22 ± 0.23 months and 250 ± 15.80 kg were assigned to a 3 x 2 factorial completely randomized experimental design. The treatments consisted of different combinations of concentrate formulation: soybean meal with whole or ground corn, conventional urea with whole or ground corn, and protected urea with whole or ground corn. There was interaction between nitrogen source and collection date for serum albumin, with increasing elevation for soybean meal; while there was elevation from day 0 to day 84, stabilizing until the slaughter, for urea. Higher intakes of dry matter and crude protein, daily weight gain and rumination efficiency were observed for soybean meal. Steers that received protect urea spent more time to feed, in comparison to soybean meal. Longer idle time was verified for soybean meal; while conventional urea was superior to protected urea. Replacing soybean meal by sources of non-protein nitrogen limits the results of blood metabolites, performance and ingestive behavior.
Corn grain processing improves chemical composition and fermentative profile of rehydrated silage
Authors: Silva Marlon Richard Hilário da , Jobim Clóves Cabreira , Neumann Mikael , Osmari Milene Puntel
Published: October 2018

This study evaluated the effects of the rehydration and ensiling of corn grain with two geometric mean diameters (GMD) of 0.55 and 1.83 mm obtained by the diameter of the sieved used on the fermentation characteristics and chemical composition of the silage. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments and six replications, as follows: rehydrated fine-corn grain silage (RFS) and rehydrated coarse-corn grain silage (RCS). Ground corn was rehydrated with water to achieve moisture levels close to 350 g kg-1. There was no effect on the dry matter recovery, though the recovery rate was high, with values greater than 97% in both silages. The particle size influenced the fiber content, with lower values in the RFS. The acetic and lactic acid concentrations were higher in the RFS, but the pH of the silages did not change. Oxygen exposure changed the pH of silages to 4.25 and 4.38 for RFS and RCS, respectively. After opening the silos, the silages showed high aerobic stability after 90 hours, which resulted in lower deterioration and lesser loss of quality. The geometric mean diameter of corn grain affects the silage fermentative profile and nutritional value.
Estratégias de desenvolvimento profissional docente em universidades públicas: similaridades e diferenças
Authors: Selbach Paula Trindade da Silva , Luce Maria Beatriz
Published: October 2018

Neste estudo buscamos compreender o processo de definição das principais estratégias desenvolvidas pelos movimentos de formação pedagógica em cinco universidades públicas do Brasil. Especificamente, pretendemos saber como ocorre a articulação da pedagogia universitária com as diferentes áreas do conhecimento, descrever as estratégias desenvolvidas e perceber as condições que facilitam e/ou dificultam seu empreendimento. A pesquisa contou com a colaboração de sete gestores que participavam da organização e planejamento dessas estratégias. Os resultados revelaram que: as principais estratégias utilizadas são palestras, seminários e oficinas; apenas uma das instituições utiliza atividades mediadas por tecnologias, como a teleformação; as universidades evidenciaram dificuldades para constituir e fortalecer grupos que congreguem docentes e técnicos para o enfrentamento de questões da prática de ensino, em face das especificidades da instituição; pouco foi mencionado sobre organizar e valorizar grupos internos com este objetivo, o que permite supor que não estejam contando com pesquisadores especializados ou considerando suficientemente a literatura e experiências deste escopo. Ao final, apontamos que novos estudos poderiam aprofundar o conhecimento sobre os impasses e seus condicionantes, assim, auxiliar no desenvolvimento de alternativas, inovações organizacionais e programáticas para melhorar os processos de ensinar e aprender na educação superior brasileira.