bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constructing Current Singularity in a 3D Line-tied Plasma
Authors: Zhou Yao , Huang Yi-Min , Qin Hong , Bhattacharjee A.
Published: December 2017

We revisit Parker’s conjecture of current singularity formation in 3D line-tied plasmas using a recently developed numerical method, variational integration for ideal magnetohydrodynamics in Lagrangian labeling. With the frozen-in equation built-in, the method is free of artificial reconnection, and hence it is arguably an optimal tool for studying current singularity formation. Using this method, the formation of current singularity has previously been confirmed in the Hahm–Kulsrud–Taylor problem in 2D. In this paper, we extend this problem to 3D line-tied geometry. The linear solution, which is singular in 2D, is found to be smooth for arbitrary system length. However, with finite amplitude, the linear solution can become pathological when the system is sufficiently long. The nonlinear solutions turn out to be smooth for short systems. Nonetheless, the scaling of peak current density versus system length suggests that the nonlinear solution may become singular at finite length. With the results in hand, we can neither confirm nor rule out this possibility conclusively, since we cannot obtain solutions with system length near the extrapolated critical value.
The GALFA-H i Survey Data Release 2
Authors: Peek J. E. G. , Babler Brian L. , Zheng Yong , Clark S. E. , Douglas Kevin A. , Korpela Eric J. , Putman M. E. , Stanimirović Snežana , Gibson Steven J. , Heiles Carl
Published: December 2017

We present the Galactic Arecibo L-Band Feed Array H i (GALFA-H i) survey data release 2 (DR2). The survey covers the 21 cm hyperfine transition of Galactic H i from −650 to 650

, with 0.184

channel spacing, 4′ angular resolution, and 150 mK rms noise per 1

velocity channel. DR2 covers the entirety of the sky available from the William E. Gordon 305 m antenna at Arecibo, from decl. −1°17′ to decl. + 37°57′ across all R.A.: 4 steradians or 32% of the sky. DR2 differs in a number of ways from data release 1, which was released in 2011. DR2 is built from a largely separate set of observations from DR1, which were taken in a much more consistent mode. This consistency, coupled with more careful attention to systematics and more advanced data reduction algorithms, leads to a much higher-quality DR2 data product. We present three data sets for public use: H i data cubes, far-sidelobe stray-radiation-corrected column density maps, and results of the Rolling Hough Transform linear feature detection algorithm.
Ultraviolet Flux Decrease Under a Grand Minimum from IUE Short-wavelength Observation of Solar Analogs
Authors: Lubin Dan , Melis Carl , Tytler David
Published: December 2017

We have identified a sample of 33 Sun-like stars observed by the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) with the short-wavelength spectrographs that have ground-based detections of chromospheric Ca ii H+K activity. Our objective is to determine if these observations can provide an estimate of the decrease in ultraviolet (UV) surface flux associated with a transition from a normal stellar cycle to a grand-minimum state. The activity detections, corrected to solar metallicity, span the range

, and eight stars have log

. The IUE-observed flux spectra are integrated over the wavelength range 1250–1910 Å, transformed to surface fluxes, and then normalized to solar B − V. These normalized surface fluxes show a strong linear relationship with activity

(R
2 = 0.857 after three outliers are omitted). From this linear regression we estimate a range in UV flux of 9.3% over solar cycle 22 and a reduction of 6.9% below solar cycle minimum under a grand minimum. The 95% confidence interval in this grand-minimum estimate is 5.5%–8.4%. An alternative estimate is provided by the IUE observations of τ Cet (HD 10700), a star having strong evidence of being in a grand-minimum state, and this star’s normalized surface flux is 23.0 ± 5.7% lower than solar cycle minimum.
Après le XIX e Congrès : comment faire face à la Chine de Xi Jinping ?
Authors: Cabestan Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2017

La République populaire de Chine évolue vers une dictature personnelle de son président, Xi Jinping, qui lors du XIX e congrès a renforcé son emprise sur le Parti. Le Parti lui-même se donne les moyens de renforcer son emprise sur une société civile qui lui échappe de plus en plus. Á l’international, le régime chinois tentera de faire de la Chine le moteur de la globalisation, mais selon des termes qui peuvent la faire entrer en conflit avec le système international et ceux qui le défendent. La peur d’un conflit nucléaire et les limites de la puissance chinoise devraient cependant permettre d’éviter un conflit ouvert entre la Chine et les États-Unis. La France et l’Europe doivent avoir le courage de regarder en face la nature de la puissance chinoise.
Le problème nord-coréen avant et après le XIX e congrès du Parti communiste chinois : Brève analyse des enjeux et horizons stratégiques pour la République populaire de Chine
Authors: Heurtebise Jean-Yves
Published: December 2017

Le but de cet article est de présenter le problème nord-coréen en évoquant les différentes possibilités d’approches stratégiques que la Chine peut adopter en vue de sa « résolution » – étant précisé que la non-résolution du problème peut faire partie des solutions adoptées. Plus précisément, la question est de savoir dans quelle mesure la Corée du Nord est le problème de la Chine – c’est-à-dire, dans quelle mesure c’est un problème pour la Chine ou/et un problème que la Chine doit résoudre de façon prioritaire (et sur lequel elle peut plus peser que d’autres nations) de façon à démontrer son poids et son influence dans le concert global des nations.
« Un mouton gras attendant le sacrifice ». Sacrifice, gouvernance et châtiment en Chine ancienne et contemporaine
Authors: Dubois de Prisque Emmanuel
Published: December 2017

Dans la Chine antique comme dans la Chine contemporaine, le politique est informé par une structure sacrificielle qui au-delà de ses différents avatars présente des constantes. Il s’agit toujours par l’expulsion d’une victime émissaire de restaurer l’ordre et l’harmonie que les dissensions et les calamités menacent. Cette structure sacrificielle permet de comprendre certains des traits les plus saillants de la vie politique chinoise contemporaine.
Fonds vautours : contrer la stratégie du passager clandestin
Authors: Zacharie Arnaud
Published: December 2017

Depuis deux décennies, certains États endettés sont victimes des « fonds vautours ». Tirant profit de l’évolution du système financier international et de l’absence de droit international des faillites des États, ces fonds ont pour particularité de refuser les termes des accords de restructuration des dettes souveraines et d’exiger d’être remboursés à 100 %, au détriment des recettes budgétaires des États visés et des autres créanciers. Ces stratégies déloyales du « passager clandestin » ont débouché, ces dernières années, sur plusieurs initiatives législatives. Des mesures qui mériteraient d’être élargies à l’échelle multilatérale.
Student Competence
Authors: Mkrttchian Vardan , Gevorgian Spartak , Shoukourian Samvel , Gasparyan Ferdinand , Vardanyan Ruben , Poghossian Arshak , Avetisov Vladik
Published: December 2017

Student competence includes process of the organization, transfer and assimilation of knowledge, skills of activity. Educational processes (or otherwise, training process) are connected with development of training in time and space and mean consecutive system of actions. Traditionally, research and study process of training is connected with transfer of knowledge by the teacher to the pupil (or to the trainee). The course of training, since ancient times, began to apply various supportive applications promoting acceleration, strengthening of understanding. In modern times, the process of training became impossible without use of computer equipment. It led to emergence of a new paradigm of educational process – electronic education, which is realized in the form of distance education. This chapter 7 students', from National Polytechnic University of Armenia, Faculty of Engineering Cybernetic, =scientific competence in study period from 1967-1972.
Project-Design Activity as a Condition for the Formation of Research Competence Among Students
Authors: Belyanina Lubov A.
Published: December 2017

This chapter presents a model of research competence, identifies the contradictions in the development of research competence in Russian education and suggests ways to resolve them using the potential of a rapidly developing industry – nanotechnology. The vectors for the development of the problem of introducing nano-technological education into basic and professional schools have been determined. Variants of educational courses are offered, training on which will promote the development of research competence using innovative equipment. The theoretical positions are illustrated by examples from practice.
Professors of Innovative Implementations in Sliding Mode Digital Technology for Enhancing Student Competence
Authors: Mkrttchian Vardan , Potapova Irina
Published: December 2017

Тhe aim of our research is the development of portrait office administrator of the educational process on the basis of competence approach for Students and Professors of Innovative Implementations in Sliding Mode Digital Technology. By competence we mean the unity of knowledge, skills, and professional experience of the behavior of employees, allowing them to successfully perform the job tasks. The competence is of the activity, the specifics of the situation. Describing the competence, we fix the requirements for professionalism of the person at a particular workplace. To create a competency model, you can buy competencies guide, select it from the appropriate competencies and evaluation criteria, and then adapt them to your organization's needs. A composed portrait position is useful for the selection of candidates and employees of conformity assessment specific position requirements.
Professional Training for Structural Economic Transformations Based on Competence Approach in the Digital Age
Authors: Tolstykh Tatyana Olegovna , Vertakova Yulia , Shkarupeta Elena
Published: December 2017

The intensive development of the society of the digital economy inevitably entails tasks in the field of knowledge management. Priority resources become information and knowledge, obtained on the basis of expert experience. Competencies that are competitive advantages in the market are innovation, competence, creativity, cognition. Therefore, the transition from the physical to the digital economy requires fundamentally new approaches in the sectors, and in production, and in education, training, formation and management of innovative human capital. The paper considers approaches, tools and mechanisms for students to develop innovative-oriented competences based on project training. The key moments in this approach should be the initiation and generation in the University Ideas, their prototyping, scaling and commercialization to the market.
Applied Zoology for Forming of Research Competence at Students of Biologists
Authors: Miniyarov Farit
Published: December 2017

This chapter about how to involve students of biologists in research work, using benefits of applied zoology. The first part of the chapter provides the overview of such questions as research activity of students, methods and conditions of its forming, feature for students of biologists. The second part is devoted to the step-by-step organization of research activity according to levels of readiness of students. Much attention in this part is paid to questions of applied zoology: directions and objects of researches; structure and content of laboratory works, scientific and practical and research projects; uniform approach to use of techniques of researches in field and laboratory conditions. For assessment of results of researches and formation of research competence of students such methods as rating system, a portfolio, methods of expert estimates are offered.
Public Relations, Organizational Communication, and Crisis Management
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: December 2017

Public relations (PR) is one of the most significant communication methods that can help establish the trustworthiness of products, services, and companies. To gain the enhanced organizational reputation, PR-related press conferences can introduce key decision makers to the general public and can organize any crisis in a timely and effective manner with the support of social media and modern communication technologies. Crisis management relates to both PR and organizational communication, thus dealing with several situations that may threaten the reputation and survival of the business. The chapter argues that promoting PR, organizational communication, and crisis management has the potential to increase organizational performance and gain high reputation in modern society.
Using Corporate Social Responsibility as a Public Relations Tool in Reputation Management
Authors: Harludi Vera
Published: December 2017

This chapter delves into the subject of corporate social responsibility, its relations, and how it affects corporate reputation. The literature review presents a brief history of CSR and sheds light into the role of business ethics, corporate governance, corporate citizenship, and corporate social performance with a specific focus on companies' approaches towards CSR; motivations for company to invest in CSR; and corporate reputation. While the literature review will wrap up with arguments for and against CSR, this chapter will provide a brief outlook on CSR practices in Turkey.
Integrating Public Relations and Social Marketing
Authors: Uğurlu Saadet
Published: December 2017

This chapter discusses how new media turns individuals into medium, the changing face of brand communication, and works as a handmaiden in producing the right content for mass media with data management. A theoretical research with a qualitative analysis is conducted by analyzing the content methods used in new and social media in various sectors (such as construction, tourism, shopping malls, retail, health, education, etc.), from 1991 to 2015, while the focal point will be to emphasize how reputation can be managed online.
Putting Humanity Before Brand Reputation in the Context of Turkey
Authors: Türkmenoğlu Mehmet Ali
Published: December 2017

This chapter examines how food leaders responded to the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul, Turkey in 2013. Recent Gezi Park protests in Istanbul triggered a multi-layered crisis. These protests lasted more than two months, having long-term effects on Turkey's social, cultural, and economic life. This chapter considers the Gezi Park protests as a crisis for food sector businesses in the neighbourhood around the park. It uncovers how food leaders in Taksim area managed their firm brand reputations by addressing the protests as leaders' responses affected their businesses. Some leaders of these firms have managed the protests successfully by opening their doors to provide humanitarian help to people. However, on the other hand, leaders of some other firms have failed in managing the crisis resulting in damaged brand value of the whole company in Turkey.
Designing for Collaborative Play
Authors: Rosenheck Louisa
Published: December 2017

Games and MUVEs each have distinct features that make them rich environments for learning. The MIT Education Arcade has worked to capitalize on the affordances present in both genres by designing The Radix Endeavor, a multiplayer online game for STEM learning set in a rich virtual world. This chapter presents the game as an example of how collaborative learning theory can be applied to game design within a MUVE. It will discuss the process of intentionally designing game features and content with the goal of bringing about social experiences, as well as the concrete game features that resulted. Then it will describe the importance of implementation design and the ways that teachers can leverage a multiplayer educational game based on the Radix pilot project. More broadly, it will explore how this type of social game can lead to authentic scientific inquiry and deep STEM learning.
Create-and-Learn
Authors: Vallance Michael
Published: December 2017

The aim of this chapter is to argue how create-and-learn pedagogy can be used to direct and drive the development of virtual reality applications in academic settings. The chapter discusses the development of a synthetic learning environment that provides a context for new learning and twenty-first century education. A case study of an interdisciplinary project by university undergraduates in Japan designing, modeling, and programming a rudimentary virtual nuclear power plant provides the scenario for reflecting on the learning experiences. The chapter attempts to answer the question: How can education-appropriate virtual reality technology support students in their learning endeavors? The participation “in” technology, described in this chapter, advances the development of particular skill sets, applies knowledge to innovative situations, empowers positive attitudes to active learning, and promotes ethical considerations of the impact of technological implementations.
(Re)Defining Smart Education
Authors: Visvizi Anna , Lytras Miltiadis D. , Daniela Linda
Published: December 2017

In the increasingly interconnected world, the relationship among learning and teaching, innovation and innovativeness, entrepreneurship, business development, as well as sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth and development, requires a multidimensional interdisciplinary analysis. Importantly, information systems and advancements in sophisticated information and communication technologies (ICTs) are consequential for the potential inherent in education to be exploited. This edited volume opens discussion on ways and strategies of exploiting opportunities and synergies, which the maturing relationship between smart education and information systems offers. In this context, the objective of this chapter is to suggest how to (re)define smart education and how to reap its benefits in view of promoting dynamic education and information systems conducive to the emergence of innovation networks in socially, politically and economically trying times.
Impact of Accreditation on Engineering Education
Authors: Brahimi Tayeb , Sarirete Akila , Khalifa Sajid
Published: December 2017

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of accreditation on engineering education including student learning outcomes and innovation based on two accreditation bodies the NCAAA in KSA, and the ABET in USA. The article explores the approach of constructionism with emphasis to makerspace by delivering engineering and design courses with opportunities for innovation, creativity, and the ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs. This innovative approach shifts the active learning strategies from Do-It-Yourself to Do-It-With-Others culture. Makerspace is one of the integral parts of modern education system that brings together and facilitates the community of interdisciplinary individuals. Results from courses in engineering and design shows the benefit of the accreditation in terms of enhancing the overall program quality and the importance of re-evaluating strategies and methodologies of learning which help in delivering innovative solutions and educating tomorrow's leaders to address the most pressing issues facing our societies.
Using Recommendation Systems in MOOC
Authors: Jdidou Youssef , Khaldi Mohamed
Published: December 2017

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) is a model of educational delivery that is, to varying degrees, massive, with theoretically no limit to enrollment; open, allowing anyone to participate, usually at no cost; online, with learning activities typically taking place over the web; and a course, structured around a set of learning goals in a defined area of study. The MOOCs (Massive Online Open Course) are online courses, which are mainly for higher education level. These courses present an interesting evolution in the distance learn methods. The MOOCs do not replace the current universities, but they can be an innovative proposal to the curriculum. In this chapter, the authors present the algorithm they are creating. The main purpose of this algorithm is to create automatic mechanisms as the recommendation system to give such assistance and personalized guidance to students. They will also discuss the integration of this algorithm in MOOCMAROC which is a MOOC platform powred by Open edX.
Innovation on User-Generated Content for Environmental Noise Monitoring and Analysis in the Context of Smart Cities
Authors: Hipólito Juan Humberto Juárez , Ibarra Marco Antonio Moreno , Torres-Ruiz Miguel , Guzmán Giovanni , Quintero Rolando
Published: December 2017

This work presents an approach based on the concept of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) to monitoring environmental noise; it is a problem that specially affects people's quality of life in urban areas. In this work, mobile devices are used to massively collect environmental noise measurements, which are used to generate maps of a specific area and then make a forecast. The difference of this approach with respect to the traditional methods based on monitoring stations is that it is much less costly, which is a major innovation in developing countries. This approach is based on a GIS approach that consists of an application for mobile devices and a web mapping application; including Geospatial Analysis and Machine Learning methods for the acoustic noise prediction using contextual information. With this approach it will be possible to define actions to mitigate the effects of environmental noise, it is aligned in the context of the smart cities. The proposed case study is based on collecting noise data of the Mexico City.
Innovation Contests
Authors: Hartmann Sarah , Mainka Agnes , Stock Wolfgang G.
Published: December 2017

Cities all over the world are challenged with problems evolving from increasing urbanity, population growth, and density. For example, one prominent issue that is addressed in many cities is mobility. To develop smart city solutions, governments are trying to introduce open innovation. They have started to open their governmental and city related data as well as awake the citizens' awareness on urban problems through innovation contests. Citizens are the users of the city and therefore, have a practical motivation to engage in innovation contests as for example in hackathons and app competitions. The collaboration and co-creation of civic services by means of innovation contests is a cultural development of how governments and citizens work together in an open governmental environment. A qualitative analysis of innovation contests in 24 world cities reveals this global trend. In particular, such events increase the awareness of citizens and local businesses for identifying and solving urban challenges and are helpful means to transfer the smart city idea into practicable solutions.
Nanocrystalline, Enamel and Composite Coatings for Superalloys
Authors: Zhu Shenglong , Wang Fuhui
Published: December 2017

This chapter describes several innovations for improving the performance of high-temperature coatings. Nanocrystallization has been demonstrated to be a practical way to prolong the lifetime of high temperature coatings by decreasing the minimum Al concentration for sustaining the growth of thermally grown oxide (TGO) scales, and increasing the resistance against scale cracks and spallation. Enamel coatings with enhanced strength, toughness and thermophysical properties were developed for improving the hot corrosion resistance of superalloys. Low expansion nanocomposite coatings minimize the mismatch between coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of the TGO scales and the underlying coatings, so allow growth of thicker TGO scales free of cracks and spallation and then prolong the lifetime.
High Temperature Nanocomposite Coatings by Plasma Spraying for Friction and Wear Applications
Authors: Sadri Ehsan , Ashrafizadeh Fakhreddin
Published: December 2017

In conventional high temperature solid lubricants, during thermal cycling, a reduction of lubrication performance results in fluctuating friction coefficient and formation of abrasive wear debris. Moreover, the demand for high temperature solid lubrication in the range 300-1000 °C has led to development of self-lubricating wear resistant coatings of desired characteristics at high temperatures. This chapter introduces typical nanostructured ceramic matrix coatings produced by plasma spraying for self-lubricating wear resistance purposes in a wide temperature range. Production and properties of spray dried agglomerated nanocomposite granules are described and, then, structural, mechanical and tribological properties of Cr2O3-Ag nanocomposite coatings are presented. The lubrication mechanisms at moderate and high temperatures, by means of creation of a silver tribofilm on top surface, is discussed.
Thin Coating Deposition by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Odetola Peter Ifeolu , Popoola Patricia A. P. , Oladijo Philip
Published: December 2017

Advances in thin-film deposition expose new frontiers to structures and phases that are inaccessible by conventional chemical means and have led to innovative modification of existing materials' properties. Thin-film deposition by magnetron sputtering is highly dependent on ion bombardments; coupled with sublimation of solid target unto the substrate through momentum transfer. It is summarily base on phase change of target material under high-energy influence; corresponding controlled condensation of sputtered atoms on substrate material during which process parameters and growth conditions dictate the pace of the atomic scale processes for thin-film formation. Magnetron sputtering is a state-of-the-art thin film deposition technique versatile for several unique applications, especially in the semiconductor industry. Magnetron sputtering is very novel in its use to achieve low-pressure condition that maximizes and conserve stream of electrons for effective knocking of inert atoms into ions. This ensures the high-energy acquired is not dissipated in gas-phase collisions.
Hardness of Duplex Treated Stainless Steel
Authors: Umm-i-Kalsoom  , Ali Nisar , Begum Narjis , Hussnain Ali , Ahmad Riaz
Published: December 2017

This chapter describes how the aim of duplex surface engineering includes chronological application of two surface modification technologies for the production of a surface, with collective properties. Duplex treatment of nitriding and carbonitriding of austenitic stainless steel is of high technical importance owing to its capability to increase hardness, corrosion and wear resistance of treated surface. Duplex treatment has been utilized to enhance the surface mechanical properties of austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304). The microstructure of nitrided surface indicates the development of nitride phases, Fe4N, Fe2N, CrN, Cr2N and γN whereas, duplex treated films shows the formation of FeC, Fe3C, Fe7C3, Cr3C2, Cr7C3, along with nitride phases like Fe3N. Both nitrided and duplex treated samples show the formation of cauliflower like grains. Surface micro hardness of treated substrates has been dependent on the variation of crystallite size and increased by 1.26 times the hardness of nitrided sample and 4.60 times the hardness of the untreated substrates.
Connectivity, Value, and Evolution of a Semantic Warehouse
Authors: Mountantonakis Michalis , Minadakis Nikos , Marketakis Yannis , Fafalios Pavlos , Tzitzikas Yannis
Published: December 2017

In many applications, one has to fetch and assemble pieces of information coming from more than one source for building a semantic warehouse offering more advanced query capabilities. This chapter describes the corresponding requirements and challenges, and focuses on the aspects of quality, value and evolution of the warehouse. It details various metrics (or measures) for quantifying the connectivity of a warehouse and consequently the warehouse's ability to answer complex queries. The proposed metrics allow someone to get an overview of the contribution (to the warehouse) of each source and to quantify the value of the entire warehouse. Moreover, the paper shows how the metrics can be used for monitoring a warehouse after a reconstruction, thereby reducing the cost of quality checking and understanding its evolution over time. The behaviour of these metrics is demonstrated in the context of a real and operational semantic warehouse for the marine domain. Finally, the chapter discusses novel ways to exploit such metrics in global scale and for visualization purposes.
A Hybrid Concept Learning Approach to Ontology Enrichment
Authors: Kastrati Zenun , Imran Ali Shariq , Yayilgan Sule Yildirim
Published: December 2017

The wide use of ontology in different applications has resulted in a plethora of automatic approaches for population and enrichment of an ontology. Ontology enrichment is an iterative process where the existing ontology is continuously updated with new concepts. A key aspect in ontology enrichment process is the concept learning approach. A learning approach can be a linguistic-based, statistical-based, or hybrid-based that employs both linguistic as well as statistical-based learning approaches. This chapter presents a concept enrichment model that combines contextual and semantic information of terms. The proposed model called SEMCON employs a hybrid concept learning approach utilizing functionalities from statistical and linguistic ontology learning techniques. The model introduced for the first time two statistical features that have shown to improve the overall score ranking of highly relevant terms for concept enrichment. The chapter also gives some recommendations and possible future research directions based on the discussion in following sections.
OOPS!
Authors: Poveda-Villalón María , Gómez-Pérez Asunción , Suárez-Figueroa Mari Carmen
Published: December 2017

The first contribution of this paper consists on a live catalogue of pitfalls that extends previous works on modeling errors with pitfalls resulting from an empirical analysis of numerous ontologies. Such a catalogue classifies pitfalls according to the Structural, Functional and Usability-Profiling dimensions. For each pitfall, we include the value of its importance level (critical, important and minor). The second contribution is the description of OntOlogy Pitfall Scanner (OOPS!), a widely used tool for detecting pitfalls in ontologies and targeted at newcomers and domain experts unfamiliar with description logics and ontology implementation languages. The tool operates independently of any ontology development platform and is available through a web application and a web service. The evaluation of the system is provided both through a survey of users' satisfaction and worldwide usage statistics. In addition, the system is also compared with existing ontology evaluation tools in terms of coverage of pitfalls detected.
Exploring Fuzzy Association Rules in Semantic Network Enrichment Improvement of the Semantic Indexing Process
Authors: Mallat Souheyl , Hkiri Emna , Zrigui Mounir
Published: December 2017

In the aim of natural language processing applications improvement, we focus on statistical approach to semantic indexing for multilingual text documents based on conceptual network formalism. We propose to use this formalism as an indexing language to represent the descriptive concepts and their weighting. Our contribution is based on two steps. In the first step, we propose the extraction of index terms using the multilingual lexical resource EuroWordNet (EWN). In the second step, we pass from the representation of index terms to the representation of index concepts through conceptual network formalism. This network is generated using the EWN resource and pass by a classification step based on association rules modelOur proposed indexing approach can be applied to text documents in various languages. Next, we apply the same statistical process regardless of the language in order to extract the significant concepts and their associated weights. We prove that the proposed indexing approach provides encouraging results.
Keyword Extraction Based on Selectivity and Generalized Selectivity
Authors: Beliga Slobodan , Meštrović Ana , Martinčić-Ipšić Sanda
Published: December 2017

This chapter presents a novel Selectivity-Based Keyword Extraction (SBKE) method, which extracts keywords from the source text represented as a network. The node selectivity value is calculated from a weighted network as the average weight distributed on the links of a single node and is used in the procedure of keyword candidate ranking and extraction. The selectivity slightly outperforms an extraction based on the standard centrality measures. Therefore, the selectivity and its modification – generalized selectivity as the node centrality measures are included in the SBKE method. Selectivity-based extraction does not require linguistic knowledge as it is derived purely from statistical and structural information of the network and it can be easily ported to new languages and used in a multilingual scenario. The true potential of the proposed SBKE method is in its generality, portability and low computation costs, which positions it as a strong candidate for preparing collections which lack human annotations for keyword extraction.
Graph-Based Abstractive Summarization
Authors: Jagan Balaji , Parthasarathi Ranjani , Geetha T. V.
Published: December 2017

Customization of information from web documents is an immense job that involves mainly the shortening of original texts. Extractive methods use surface level and statistical features for the selection of important sentences. In contrast, abstractive methods need a formal semantic representation, where the selection of important components and the rephrasing of the selected components are carried out using the semantic features associated with the words as well as the context. In this paper, we propose a semi-supervised bootstrapping approach for the identification of important components for abstractive summarization. The input to the proposed approach is a fully connected semantic graph of a document, where the semantic graphs are constructed for sentences, which are then connected by synonym concepts and co-referring entities to form a complete semantic graph. The direction of the traversal of nodes is determined by a modified spreading activation algorithm, where the importance of the nodes and edges are decided, based on the node and its connected edges under consideration.
Cataloguing the Context of Public SPARQL Endpoints
Authors: Hasnain Ali , Mehmood Qaiser , Sana e Zainab Syeda , Hogan Aidan
Published: December 2017

Access to hundreds of knowledge bases has been made available on the Web through SPARQL endpoints. Unfortunately, few endpoints publish descriptions of their content. It is thus unclear how agents can learn about the content of a given endpoint. This research investigates the feasibility of a system that gathers information about public endpoints by querying directly about their own content. It would thus be feasible to build a centralised catalogue describing the content indexed by individual endpoints by issuing them SPARQL 1.1 queries; this catalogue could be searched and queried by agents looking for endpoints with content they are interested in. However, the coverage of the catalogue is bounded by the limitations of public endpoints themselves: some may not support SPARQL 1.1, some may return partial responses, some may throw exceptions for expensive aggregate queries, etc. The goal is twofold: 1) using VoID as a bar, to empirically investigate the extent to which endpoints can describe their own content, and 2) to build and analyse the capabilities of an online catalogue.
A Cellular MicroRNA Facilitates Regulatory T Lymphocyte Development by Targeting the FOXP3 Promoter TATA-Box Motif
Authors: Zhang Yiwen , Liu Weiwei , Chen Yingshi , Liu Jun , Wu Kang , Su Lishi , Zhang Wanying , Jiang Yawen , Zhang Xu , Zhang Yijun , Liu Chao , Tao Liang , Liu Bingfeng , Zhang Hui
Published: December 2017

The CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediate immunological self-tolerance and suppress various immune responses. FOXP3 is a key transcriptional factor for the generation and development of Tregs. Its expression is regulated by various cytokines including TGF-β, IL-2, and IL-10. It is important to further identify the regulatory factors for Tregs. Given that many microRNAs (miRNAs) could specifically interact with the core promoter region and specifically enhance the transcription of many target genes, we searched for any possible miRNA(s) targeting the core promoter region of the FOXP3 gene. We found that miR-4281, an miRNA specifically expressed in hominids, can potently and specifically upregulate FOXP3 expression by directly interacting with the TATA-box motif in the human FOXP3 promoter. Consequently, miR-4281 significantly accelerated the differentiation of human naive cells to induced Tregs (iTregs) that possess immune suppressor functions and weaken the development of graft-versus-host disease in a humanized mouse model. Interestingly, iTregs induced by the combination of TGF-β, IL-2, and chemically synthesized miR-4281 were more stable and functional than those induced by TGF-β and IL-2 alone. Moreover, we found that the IL-2/STAT5 signal transduction upregulates FOXP3 expression not only through the classical pathway, but also by enhancing the expression of the miR-4281 precursor gene (SNCB) and, correspondingly, miR-4281. This study reveals a novel mechanism regulating FOXP3 expression and human iTreg development and, therefore, offers a new therapeutic target to manipulate immunosuppressive system.
Nlrp12 Mediates Adverse Neutrophil Recruitment during Influenza Virus Infection
Authors: Hornick Emma E. , Banoth Balaji , Miller Ann M. , Zacharias Zeb R. , Jain Nidhi , Wilson Mary E. , Gibson-Corley Katherine N. , Legge Kevin L. , Bishop Gail A. , Sutterwala Fayyaz S. , Cassel Suzanne L.
Published: December 2017

Exaggerated inflammatory responses during influenza A virus (IAV) infection are typically associated with severe disease. Neutrophils are among the immune cells that can drive this excessive and detrimental inflammation. In moderation, however, neutrophils are necessary for optimal viral control. In this study, we explore the role of the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat containing receptor family member Nlrp12 in modulating neutrophilic responses during lethal IAV infection. Nlrp12−/− mice are protected from lethality during IAV infection and show decreased vascular permeability, fewer pulmonary neutrophils, and a reduction in levels of neutrophil chemoattractant CXCL1 in their lungs compared with wild-type mice. Nlrp12−/− neutrophils and dendritic cells within the IAV-infected lungs produce less CXCL1 than their wild-type counterparts. Decreased CXCL1 production by Nlrp12−/− dendritic cells was not due to a difference in CXCL1 protein stability, but instead to a decrease in Cxcl1 mRNA stability. Together, these data demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for Nlrp12 in exacerbating the pathogenesis of IAV infection through the regulation of CXCL1-mediated neutrophilic responses.
Criminology and situational prevention
Authors: Mastronardi Vincenzo
Published: December 2017

The present work brings to light a criminology and a preventative system from a less classic perspective, which does not aim to explain the criminal or the reasons why the act is committed, but rather a theoretical overview that focuses on the setting of the offense and the environmental opportunities that the criminal has taken to commit him. Situational Crime Prevention places attention and works on a set of public and private facilities (such as schools, hospitals, transport systems, shops, shopping malls, small businesses, telephone companies, parks, clubs, entertainment venues, bars and parkings) that create conditions, actions and performance that are potentially suitable and fertile for delinquency. ---------- Il presente lavoro porta alla luce una criminologia e un sistema preventivo letti da una prospettiva meno classica, che non si pone l’obiettivo di spiegare il criminale o le ragioni per cui l’atto illecito viene compiuto, bensì tratta una panoramica teorica che si focalizza sul setting del reato e sull’opportunità ambientale che il reo ha colto per commetterlo. Ecco che le Prevenzione Situazionale Criminologica attenziona e va ad operare su un insieme di strutture pubbliche e private (quali scuole, ospedali, sistemi di trasporto, negozi, centri commerciali, piccola imprenditoria, compagnie telefoniche, parchi, locali, luoghi di divertimento, bar e parcheggi) che vanno a creare circostanze, azioni e prestazioni, tutte potenzialmente idonee e fertili per la realizzazione di delinquenza. ---------- El presente trabajo saca a la luz una criminología y un sistema preventivo leídos desde una perspectiva menos clásica, que no pretende explicar el criminal o las razones por las cuales se comete el acto, sino que trata de una visión teórica que enfoca en el escenario de la ofensa y en la oportunidad ambiental que el rey ha capturado para cometerla. Prevención Situacional Criminológica atrae y opera en un conjunto de instalaciones públicas y privadas (como escuelas, hospitales, sistemas de transporte, tiendas, centros comerciales, pequeñas empresas, compañías telefónicas, parques, clubes, lugares de entretenimiento, bares y aparcamientos) que crean condiciones, acciones y rendimiento, todos potencialmente aptos y fértiles para el propósito de la delincuencia.
Rassegna giurisprudenziale in tema di danno biologico: recentissime novità in tema di micro e macropermanenti e rapporti tra danno biologico e immissioni
Authors: Cicchitelli Giovanni
Published: December 2017

Not available.
The analysis of a cold case. Crimes in Astigiano in the 90’s: serial killers or different authors?
Authors: Raso Agostino , Maestoso Giulia
Published: December 2017

“Cold case” is an unsolved major crime (mainly homicide or abduction), which, after long time, can be re-examined by using modern technologies for their investigation. Unsolved homicides are typical examples of “cold case”. Many crime news’ cases (either recent or past) have undergone new examinations, with the support of forensic science. In some cases, these new activities have led to crimes’ solution. To face this new need, both “Carabinieri” and “Polizia di Stato” have established recently specific units as part of their own Criminal Investigation Department. ---------- Per “cold case”, si intendono i c.d. “casi freddi” o “piste fredde”, con riferimento ai delitti più gravi, irrisolti, che anche a distanza di numerosi anni possono essere oggetto di nuove indagini eseguite in particolare attraverso l’utilizzo delle moderne tecniche investigative. Tra questi rientrano per eccellenza gli omicidi rimasti senza colpevole. Numerosi sono i casi di cronaca più o meno recenti che, specie con il supporto delle scienze forensi, sono stati oggetto di nuove indagini, talvolta risolutive. Per far fronte a tale esigenza sia l’Arma dei Carabinieri che la Polizia di Stato hanno creato di recente specifici Reparti di investigazione, all’interno delle proprie strutture centrali di Polizia Giudiziaria. ---------- Para “casos fríos”, nos referimos a c.d. “Casos fríos” o “pendientes frías”, con referencia a los crímenes más graves, no resueltos, que incluso después de varios años pueden ser objeto de nuevas investigaciones llevadas a cabo, en particular, mediante el uso de técnicas modernas de investigación. Estos incluyen la excelencia para los homicidios que quedan impunes. Existen numerosos casos recientes o recientes que, especialmente con el apoyo de la ciencia forense, han estado sujetos a nuevas investigaciones, a veces resolutivas. Para satisfacer esta necesidad, tanto las Armas de Carabinieri como la Policía del Estado han creado recientemente Departamentos de Investigación específicos dentro de sus propias estructuras de Policía Judicial Central.
Athletic Trainers' Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Exertional Heat Stroke Before and After an Educational Intervention
Authors: Schellhase Kristen Couper , Plant Jennifer , Mazerolle Stephanie M.
Published: December 2017

Context:

Death from exertional heat stroke (EHS) is preventable when evidence-based guidelines are followed. The assessment of core body temperature using rectal thermometry and the treatment of cold-water immersion for EHS has been established as the standard of care; however, rectal thermometry is still controversial. Athletic trainers (ATs) may lack knowledge and comfort with this skill, which could impact implementation.

Objective:

Examine ATs' current practices, attitudes, and perceptions regarding EHS before and after an educational intervention.

Design:

Prequantitative/postquantitative experimental.

Setting:

Classroom.

Patients or Other Participants:

Twenty-five ATs in various athletic training settings.

Intervention(s):

Educational intervention designed to increase knowledge and address negative attitudes and perceptions regarding EHS evaluation and treatment.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Attitude and perception scores.

Results:

Prior to the educational intervention, most ATs (86.9%, 20/23) reported that they use methods other than rectal thermometry to evaluate EHS. Of those who did not use rectal thermometry, their reasons included: lack of equipment/budget, concerns about liability/lack of consent (especially when dealing with minors), lack of training, and/or concerns about the privacy, embarrassment, compliance of the athlete. Cold-water immersion was chosen as the definitive method of cooling an athlete by only 41.7% (n = 10) of participants. Following the educational intervention, attitudes toward the use of rectal temperature to assess core body temperature (t[24] = 8.663, P < .001) and cold-water immersion treatment for EHS (t[24] = 4.187, P < .001) were significantly improved. However, while attitudes toward the use of other “cold” methods to treat EHS were not significantly changed (t[24] = 1.684, P = .105), perceptions regarding nonexertional influences on EHS were significantly improved (t[24] = 1.684, P = .105).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated that a 3-hour educational intervention can improve attitudes and perceptions regarding the assessment and treatment of EHS in the short term. It is important that educational interventions use best-practice continuing education methods and include special attention to the barriers to evidence-based practice.
Identification and Functional Validation of a Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Miltefosine Relapse during Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Tiwary Puja , Kumar Dinesh , Sundar Shyam
Published: December 2017

Miltefosine is the only orally administrable drug for the treatment of leishmaniasis. But in recent years, a decline in its efficacy points toward the emergence of resistance to this drug. Knowledge of biomarkers for miltefosine resistance may be beneficial for proper selection of treatment regimen. Splenic aspirates were collected and parasites cultured from patients relapsed after initial cure (N = 15) and successfully treated (N = 15) with miltefosine. Differential expression of genes in miltefosine-resistant strains was examined by DNA microarray and validated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Of 669 upregulated genes, the cysteine protease-like protein of calpain family (GenBank: CBZ34784) was found to be significantly overexpressed in resistant parasite strains and only anti-calpain antibodies showed its presence in the sera of relapse patients through Western blotting. Calpain family cysteine protease-like protein can be useful as a potential biomarker of miltefosine unresponsiveness.