bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainability of Water Reclamation: Long-Term Recharge with Reclaimed Wastewater Does Not Enhance Antibiotic Resistance in Sediment Bacteria
Authors: McLain Jean , Williams Clinton
Published: March 2014

Wastewater reclamation for municipal irrigation is an increasingly attractive option for extending water supplies. However, public health concerns include the potential for development of antibiotic resistance (AR) in environmental bacteria after exposure to residual pharmaceuticals in reclaimed water. Though scientific studies have reported high levels of AR in soils irrigated with wastewater, these works often fail to address the soil resistome, or the natural occurrence of AR. This study compared AR patterns in sediment Enterococcus isolated from water storage basins containing either reclaimed water or groundwater in central Arizona. Resistance to 16 antibiotics was quantified in isolates to a depth of 30 cm. Results reveal high levels of resistance to certain antibiotics, including lincomycin, ciprofloxacin, and erythromycin, exists in sediments regardless of the water source (groundwater, reclaimed water), and higher AR was not detectable in reclaimed water sediments. Furthermore, multiple-antibiotic-resistance (MAR) was substantially reduced in isolates from reclaimed water sediments, compared to freshwater sediment isolates. Comparing the development of AR in sediment bacteria at these two sites will increase awareness of the environmental and public health impacts of using reclaimed water for irrigation of municipal areas, and illustrates the necessity for control sites in studies examining AR development in environmental microbiota.
Identification of a Key Residue for Oligomerisation and Pore-Formation of Clostridium perfringens NetB
Authors: Fernandes da Costa Sérgio , Savva Christos , Bokori-Brown Monika , Naylor Claire , Moss David , Basak Ajit , Titball Richard
Published: March 2014

Necrotic enteritis toxin B (NetB) is a β-pore-forming toxin produced by Clostridium perfringens and has been identified as a key virulence factor in the pathogenesis of avian necrotic enteritis, a disease causing significant economic damage to the poultry industry worldwide. In this study, site-directed mutagenesis was used to identify amino acids that play a role in NetB oligomerisation and pore-formation. NetB K41H showed significantly reduced toxicity towards LMH cells and human red blood cells relative to wild type toxin. NetB K41H was unable to oligomerise and form pores in liposomes. These findings suggest that NetB K41H could be developed as a genetic toxoid vaccine to protect against necrotic enteritis.
Transplantation of Human Dental Pulp-Derived Stem Cells Protects against Heatstroke in Mice
Authors: Tseng Ling-Shu , Chen Sheng-Hsien , Lin Mao-Tsun , Lin Ying-Chu
Published: March 2014

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous tooth pulp (SHED) is a promising approach for the treatment of stroke and spinal cord injury. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of SHED for the treatment of multiple organ (including brain, particularly hypothalamus) injury in heatstroke mice. ICR male mice were exposed to whole body heating (WBH; 41.2°C, relative humidity 50-55%, for 1 h) and then returned to normal room temperature (26°C). We observed that intravenous administration of SHED immediately post-WBH exhibited the following therapeutic benefits for recovery after heatstroke: (a) inhibition of WBH-induced neurologic and thermoregulatory deficits; (b) reduction of WBH-induced ischemia, hypoxia, and oxidative damage to the brain (particularly the hypothalamus); (c) attenuation of WBH-induced increased plasma levels of systemic inflammatory response molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor-a and intercellular adhesion molecule-1; (d) improvement of WBH-induced hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity (as reflected by enhanced plasma levels of both adrenocorticotrophic hormone and corticosterone); and (e) attenuation of WBH-induced multiple organ apoptosis as well as lethality. In conclusion, post-WBH treatment with SHED reduced induction of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative radicals, enhanced plasma induction of both adrenocorticotrophic hormone and corticosterone, and improved lethality in mouse heatstroke. The protective effect of SHED may be related to a decreased inflammatory response, decreased oxidative stress, and an increased HPA axis activity following the WBH injury.
Integration of enabling methods for the automated flow preparation of piperazine-2-carboxamide
Authors: Ingham Richard J , Battilocchio Claudio , Hawkins Joel M , Ley Steven V
Published: March 2014

Here we describe the use of a new open-source software package and a Raspberry Pi® computer for the simultaneous control of multiple flow chemistry devices and its application to a machine-assisted, multi-step flow preparation of pyrazine-2-carboxamide – a component of Rifater®, used in the treatment of tuberculosis – and its reduced derivative piperazine-2-carboxamide.
PARALLEL FRAMEWORK FOR EARTHQUAKE INDUCED RESPONSE COMPUTATION OF THE SDOF STRUCTURE
Authors: Munir Sarfraz , Hussain Raja Rizwan , Islam A. B. M. Saiful
Published: March 2014

Parallel computing briskly diminishes computation time through simultaneous use of multiple computing resources. In this research, parallel computing techniques have been developed to parallelize a program for obtaining a response of single degree of freedom (SDOF) structure under earthquake loading. The study uses Distributed Memory Processors (DMP) hardware architecture and Message Passing Interface (MPI) compilers directives to parallelize the program. The program is made parallel by domain decomposition. Concurrency in the program is created by dividing the program into two parts to run on different computers, calculating forced response and free response of the first half and the second half. Parallel framework successfully creates concurrency and finds structural responses in significant lesser time than sequential programs.
Spatial distribution of P. argentipes in association with agricultural surrounding environment in North Bihar, India
Authors: Kesari Shreekant , Mandal Rakesh , Bhunia Gouri Sankar , Kumar Vijay , Das Pradeep
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Phlebotomus argentipes is considered to be one of the major control measure targets in eradicating visceral leishmaniasis (VL). This study demonstrates the spatial association of P. argentipes abundance in relation to agricultural environment in the endemic area of north Bihar. Methodology: Vector data were collected from the 95 villages of the study area using a handheld aspiration technique. Space technology and ground observationwere made to estimate the environmental characteristics. Results: A total of 1,663 P. argentipes were collected between April and November 2011. Results showed negative and significant association between P. argentipes density and proximity to the agricultural land in both the dry (r = -0.39) and wet seasons (r = -0.55), respectively. A strong and positive association was observed between relative humidity and P. argentipes abundance (r = 0.55). Results illustrated a very strong positive association between soil moisture and P. argentipes abundance (r = 0.58). The agricultural land class density and the spatial abundance of P. argentipes showed a very strong and positive association (r = 0.46). Conclusions: This study will help in understanding the advantage of agricultural land use practices to delineate of P. argentipes habitat suitability, which may strengthen existing control strategies in this endemic area.
Virulence genes and antimicrobial susceptibility of Escherichia coli taken from women with vaginitis in Talca, Chile
Authors: Padilla Carlos , Padilla Andrés , Lobos Olga
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Vaginitis is one of the most common reasons women visit a gynecologist. Escherichia coli has been isolated from women with vaginitis, but its role as a vaginal infection aetiological agent is controversial. This study aimed to detect virulence genes and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli strains isolated from monomicrobial and polymicrobial cultures collected from women with  vaginitis. Methodology: The presence of the following virulence genes: papC, hly, iucC, afa, fimH, neuC, sfa/foc, cnf1, usp, and ibeA in two E. coli groups was determined by PCR. The antibacterial susceptibility of strains was tested. Results: A higher percentage (93.3%) of isolated strains from monomicrobial cultures with virulence genes in relation to  polymicrobial cultures (56.7%) was found. The most frequent virulence genes in both groups were hly (p = 0.0357), fimH (p = 0.000), and cfn1 (p = 0.000). In addition, E. coli isolated from monomicrobial cultures showed 5 genetic combinations compared to the 10 observed in the polymicrobial cultures. An increased number of strains were sensitive to cefotaxime, moxifloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. A high resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was observed. Conclusions: Most of the E. coli strains isolated from monomicrobial cultures and some from polymicrobial cultures showed virulence genes. A better understanding of  the virulence and antibacterial susceptibility of E. coli strains isolated from patients with vaginitis can contribute to improved diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
EVALUATION OF ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITY OF SURVIVIN siRNA DELIVERED BY FOLATE RECEPTOR-TARGETED POLYETHYLENE-GLYCOL LIPOSOMES IN K562-BEARING XENOGRAFT MICE
Authors: Li Juanjuan , Yue Mei , Shi Xiaodong , Feng Shunqiao , Tang Ruihong , Zhang Xia , Liu Rong , Liu Ziqin , Wang Tianyou
Published: March 2014

Objective: To investigate anti-cancer activity of the novel survivin siRNA Folate Receptor (FR)-targeted Polyethylene-Glycol Liposomes (PEG) liposomes in K562-bearing nude mice. Methods: The leukemia cell line K562 xenograft model was established in balb/c nu/nu mice, and survivin siRNA FR-targeted PEG liposomes was administrated by intraperitoneal (i.p.). The same volume of liposomes was administrated as placebo control. The real time PCR and western blotting were used to examine the knocking down effect. The tumor weight and size in nude mice was measured to evaluate the inhibitory effect in vivo. Results: The expression ratio of survivin mRNA in siRNA group was 0.35 ± 0.1 (survivin/GAPDH) vs. 1.85 ± 0.65 in control group with significant difference (p < 0.05), as well as protein level by western blotting analysis (p < 0.05). The results also showed the novel survivin siRNA liposomes could inhibit the growth of K562 in xenograft model. Conclusion: This novel survivin siRNA FR-targeted PEG liposome delivery system may be a potential gene therapy for the treatment of leukemia.
Building the Capacity of Librarians through Collaboration
Authors: Musoke Maria G. N. , Landoy Ane
Published: March 2014

This chapter details the collaboration scenario of the University libraries of Makerere University in Uganda and the University of Bergen in Norway for over a decade. This chapter highlights the multiplier effect of the collaboration leading to new partners at the University of Juba in South Sudan, the East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS) at Makerere and the Norwegian School of Librarianship. The new partners implemented the Juba University Library Automation Project (JULAP) funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. JULAP aimed to rebuild the Juba University Library closed due to 1985 war. The project includes library automation, training and sponsoring young Sudanese for a Bachelor’s degree in Librarianship at EASLIS. Staff training is conducted by EASLIS, while the practical component was handled by previously trained Makerere University Library staff. Activities, challenges faced and addressed, achievements and future plans of the project are outlined.
Innovation Network in IT Sector
Authors: Patra Swapan Kumar
Published: March 2014

Multinational Enterprises usually keep their crucial R&D close to their home base. However, recent trends show that MNEs are increasingly offshoring their R&D activities. A couple of decade ago this R&D offshoring phenomenon was mainly restricted in the developed countries. Since early 1990’s this paradigm has changed and many Multinational firms prefer developing countries as their R&D destination. Among developing countries, India and China are favorable destinations for many MNEs. The R&D alliance trends of foreign firms show that, in India they prefer Indian domestic firms and in China, they prefer universities and government research institutes. Government of both these countries should take policy measures to strengthen the linkages between foreign firms and local actor of innovation system. Also, innovation is no longer restricted to or confined within a firm’s border. Firms are acquiring knowledge from outside its boundary by “Open Innovation Mode.”
Collaboration at an International Level
Authors: Klauser Hella
Published: March 2014

Information is essential, and it accepts no boundaries. Librarians are importing and exporting information; they work globally. They are globally IT-connected; they are offering an extensive network staffed with specialists, and they know how to treat this network right. A Global Librarian is working within this network. This chapter discusses the information society, or the knowledge society. Librarians are global players within the knowledge society.
International Cooperation in Developing a Digital Library Software and South Asia Network
Authors: Neelameghan A. , Raghavan K.S.
Published: March 2014

Inter-country cooperation in any sector almost invariably begins with information exchange among the nations or groups involved. Briefly Describes international collaboration and networking in developing user-interfaces for selected Indian languages for an open source software - the GSDL (Greenstone Digital Library) software - for creating digital libraries of multilingual multimedia information resources, more particularly for the South Asia region. The steps in the formation of the related GSDL South Asia Network, the tasks assigned to the institutions in the SAARC countries, and the plan of work are mentioned. The role and contributions of the participating institutions and the organizations at the international level and in different countries is also briefly described. Further developmental work needed and problems to be solved as identified from the work done on user-interfaces in Indian languages are highlighted.
Digital Library in a Collaborative Context
Authors: Repanovici Angela , Landoy Ane
Published: March 2014

In this paper, the authors report on collaboration between two universities from 2003 and beyond. The collaborations have been carried out in four main spheres: in the area of Staff training programmes, in the area of Development and research in information literacy, in the area of Developing Models of Digital Repositories and also in the domain of Research in Library Leadership. This cooperation started in 2003 when the authors worked on developing the first Leonardo da Vinci program in the field of continued education, and is still ongoing. The collaborations have been funded by different national and international funding agencies, as well as from the institutions of the authors.
Curriculum Contents of Digital Library Education (DLE) in Europe
Authors: Shuva Nafiz Zaman , Audunson Ragnar Andreas
Published: March 2014

Digital library research has attracted much attention around the world. Much of the research and projects funded by several agencies and governments around the world focus on how DLs can aid education; very few studies and projects are funded that address teaching and learning about digital libraries. There has been very little literature on digital library education in Europe. This chapter explores the existing Digital Library curriculum scenario in European Library and Information Science (LIS) schools as well as to find out the preferred DL curriculum contents as rated by the European LIS faculty members. Survey research methodology is used in this study. Three directories of institutions of higher education in LIS (i.e. IFLA, EUCLID, and BAILER) were consulted to find the potential respondents of the current study. The questionnaire was sent to 159 LIS schools/departments in Europe; of those, 54 LIS schools/departments participated in this study. The result indicates that the majority of LIS schools/departments have already integrated the concept of digital libraries into their curriculum. A list of preferred content by LIS faculty members for DL education is presented. Comprehensive literature reviews on DL education aspects have been conducted. The findings of the study would help creating a uniform DL curriculum for Europe and other regions of the world.
Learning Mode of the Future
Authors: Satija M. P.
Published: March 2014

This chapter highlights present and future dimensions of lifelong learning for skills development in all domains of professional, vocational, and liberal education. Libraries should be essentially integrated with different types of learning pathways and learning institutions, including ODL (Open and Distance Learning) institutions. Digital learning and self-directed learning also require informational support from libraries and knowledge networks for helping the budding knowledge workers in their decision making.
Anatomy of Social Science Research Literature
Authors: Panda K. C. , Sethi Bipin Bihari
Published: March 2014

This chapter evaluates the publication output and citation pattern of research papers in Social Sciences and Humanities based on the Science Direct Database, exclusively for the period 2006-2010. In addition to the analysis of trends in publication, the citation patterns and global publication profiles are emphasized. An extensive attempt has been also made to explore the strengths and weakness of different productive countries, affiliated organizations, and productive researchers considering their respective research productivity. The core findings indicate that the momentum in publication output has increased due to the growing participation of researchers in research and development activities, particularly in the area of social sciences at the global level and more identically in sub-fields such as: Lib. and Inf. Sc.; Sociology; Political Science; and Education.
Models for the Behaviour of Light
Authors: Saxby Graham , Emmett John
Published: March 2014

In this chapter, the authors discuss models for the behaviour of light and explain the modern units of light measurement and the types of lighting used in photography. The theoretical models of Huygens, Abbe, Young, Maxwell, and Fresnel are outlined, emphasising the effects of diffraction and polarisation. They describe the structure and physiology of the human eye and the stereoscopic principle. The development of 3-D cinema and television is discussed with a summary of viewing parameters.
Principles of Holography
Authors: Richardson Martin
Published: March 2014

The discovery of diffraction and interference led eventually to the holographic principle, the recording and reconstruction of the shape of a wavefront. Transmission and reflection holograms are detailed in this chapter, along with the principles of rainbow holograms and holographic stereograms and their applications. Digital holography is described in the form of multiplexed images. The psychological and philosophical implications of the holographic image are discussed with some examples from the field of creative art.
Constructing a Unified Framework and a Causal Model of Occupational Satisfaction, Trainee Reactions, Perception of Learning, and Perceived Training Transfer
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: March 2014

This chapter introduces the framework and causal model of occupational satisfaction, trainee reactions, perception of learning, and perceived training transfer. It argues that dimensions of occupational satisfaction, trainee reactions, and perception of learning have mediated positive effect on perceived training transfer. Perception of learning positively mediates the relationships between occupational satisfaction and perceived training transfer and between trainee reactions and perceived training transfer. Furthermore, the author hopes that understanding the theoretical constructs of occupational satisfaction, trainee reactions, perception of learning, and perceived training transfer through the use of the framework and causal model will not only inform researchers of a better design for studying occupational satisfaction, trainee reactions, perception of learning, and perceived training transfer, but also assist in the understanding of intricate relationships between different factors.
Effective Technologies and Strategies for the Development of Teachers and School Leaders
Authors: Moyle Kathryn , Speering Glen , Murray Donna , Mason Jon
Published: March 2014

Three case studies are presented here to demonstrate some effective professional learning approaches set in remote contexts. Through the use of case studies, this chapter illustrates and discusses how remote workforce training is conducted in the school education sector in remote northern Australia. Workforce training in this chapter is geared towards professional learning required to build the capacity of school leaders located a long way from urban and city locations. Each case study focuses upon the interplay between the quality of professional learning opportunities available to remotely located participants and the use of technologies to support learning in remote locations. Issues emerging from the case studies are discussed, with particular attention paid to the enabling nature of the selected technologies. The chapter concludes by proposing some future directions and potential research activities.
Analyzing Work Teams Using Social Network Diagrams
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: March 2014

Workplace teams are a common social structure that enables the successful completion of collaborative projects. They have been studied as “hot” teams, virtual ones, and other manifestations. For both management and team members, it is helpful to have a form of meta-cognition on teams to solve work team issues pre-, during-, and post-project. One way to systematize understandings of a work team is to apply social network analysis to depict the work team’s power structure, its functions, and ways to improve the team’s communications for productivity, creativity, and effective functioning. This chapter depicts three real-world team-based projects as social network diagrams along with some light analysis. This work finds that social network diagrams may effectively shed light on the social dynamics of projects in the pre-, during-, and post-project phases.
Using Stranger Small World Networks for E-Marketing in Academia
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: March 2014

In an institution of higher education, there are a number of projects that provide opportunities for online learning and collaboration. The success of a project often requires the participation of registered students, crowd-sourcing partners, Website visitors, and other types of virtual collaboration. To this end, many development teams use various forms of outreach to publicize the online degree, online credit course, short course, collaborative project, or call for project proposals (publication project). A common form of outreach involves the affordances of Social Web 2.0 connectivity: electronic marketing or e-marketing. The analysis of stranger small world networks enhances the efficacy of e-marketing endeavors by helping to identify individuals and social networks that may have a vested interest in a project; targeted outreach may enhance the low response rates from traditional “cold calls” and “break the ice” between people who may benefit from a bridge between each other’s social networks. Social network analysis may be applied to marketing to stranger social networks by helping a development team see which individuals and groups to target and what strategies to use—to expand the ties and capabilities of the development team and the university beyond known and familiar groups. This chapter includes some takeaway insights from the applied Social Network Analysis (SNA) and electronic SNA.
Learning4Content
Authors: Sharma Ramesh C.
Published: March 2014

The world over, some common factors have contributed to the emergence and growth of open educational resources. These can be to increase access to educational materials, to reduce the costs, to enhance the quality of educational content through working collaboratively, and to be used for capacity building and research. The WikiEducator project has been the foremost initiative to turn digital divide into digital dividends through free content and open networks. WikiEducator was established on 1 May 2006, and since then, it has grown a very big network of more than 66,700 registered WikiEducators. Learning4Content is one of the flagship initiative of WikiEducator providing free training for teachers. In this chapter, the author discusses building a vibrant and sustainable global community contributing to design, development, and delivery of free content for learning and providing training to develop wiki skills for mass collaboration to create high quality learning resources.
The IT Readiness for the Digital Universe
Authors: Raj Pethuru
Published: March 2014

The implications of the digitization process among a bevy of trends are definitely many and memorable. One is the abnormal growth in data generation, gathering, and storage due to a steady increase in the number of data sources, structures, scopes, sizes, and speeds. In this chapter, the authors show some of the impactful developments brewing in the IT space, how the tremendous amount of data getting produced and processed all over the world impacts the IT and business domains, how next-generation IT infrastructures are accordingly being refactored, remedied, and readied for the impending big data-induced challenges, how likely the move of the big data analytics discipline towards fulfilling the digital universe requirements of extracting and extrapolating actionable insights for the knowledge-parched is, and finally, the establishment and sustenance of the smarter planet.
The Network Infrastructures for Big Data Analytics
Authors: Raj Pethuru
Published: March 2014

The most delectable factor here is that the stability and maturity of networking and communication technologies enable the seamless and spontaneous interconnectivity of diverse and distributed consumer electronics, electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing devices at ground level and a bevy of services (Web, enterprise, cloud, embedded, analytical, etc.) at cyber level. Any tangible artefact and article gets connected with another to get the right and relevant empowerment, which in turn facilitates more data generation and transmission. Regulated interactions amongst digitalized entities have put a stimulating foundation for hitherto unforeseen and creative new capabilities and competencies. In short, data has grandly acquired the status of an asset not only in business organizations but also in personal lives, and hence, the data gathering, storage, and leverage tasks are fast-growing. With the data explosion happening feverishly, the discipline of big data computing and analytics has become a much-discoursed and deliberated domain of study and research. In this chapter, the authors discuss the emerging and evolving network infrastructures and architectures for big data analytics.
Driving Big Data with Hadoop Technologies
Authors: G. M. Siddesh , Hiriyannaiah Srinidhi , Srinivasa K. G.
Published: March 2014

The world of Internet has driven the computing world from a few gigabytes of information to terabytes, petabytes of information turning into a huge volume of information. These volumes of information come from a variety of sources that span over from structured to unstructured data formats. The information needs to update in a quick span of time and be available on demand with the cheaper infrastructures. The information or the data that spans over three Vs, namely Volume, Variety, and Velocity, is called Big Data. The challenge is to store and process this Big Data, running analytics on the stored Big Data, making critical decisions on the results of processing, and obtaining the best outcomes. In this chapter, the authors discuss the capabilities of Big Data, its uses, and processing of Big Data using Hadoop technologies and tools by Apache foundation.
An Overview on the Virtualization Technology
Authors: Deka Ganesh Chandra , Das Prashanta Kumar
Published: March 2014

Virtualization technology enables organizations to take the benefit of different services, operating systems, and softwares without increasing their IT infrastructure liabilities. Virtualization software partitions the physical servers in multiple Virtual Machines (VM) where each VM represents a complete system with the complete computing environment. This chapter discusses the installation and deployment procedures of VMs using Xen, KVM, and VMware hypervisor. Microsoft Hyper-v is introduced at the end of the chapter.
Bioinformatics Clouds for High-Throughput Technologies
Authors: Cava Claudia , Gallivanone Francesca , Salvatore Christian , Della Rosa Pasquale Anthony , Castiglioni Isabella
Published: March 2014

Bioinformatics traditionally deals with computational approaches to the analysis of big data from high-throughput technologies as genomics, proteomics, and sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis allows extraction of new information from big data that might help to better assess the biological details at a molecular and cellular level. The wide-scale and high-dimensionality of Bioinformatics data has led to an increasing need of high performance computing and repository. In this chapter, the authors demonstrate the advantages of cloud computing in Bioinformatics research for high-throughput technologies.
Green Cloud Computing
Authors: Al-Fatlawi Ahmed Abdul Hassan , Kadry Seifedine
Published: March 2014

Green Cloud computing is envisioned to achieve not only efficient processing and utilization of computing but also to minimize energy consumption. This is essential for ensuring that the future growth of Cloud computing is sustainable. Otherwise, Cloud computing with increasingly pervasive client devices interacting with data centers will cause an enormous escalation of energy usage. To address this problem, data center resources need to be managed in an energy-efficient manner to drive Green Cloud computing. The management of power consumption in data centers has led to a number of substantial improvements in energy efficiency. Techniques such as ON/OFF mode on server of data centers improve the energy efficiency of Cloud computing. In this chapter, the authors present how to calculate power consumption in Cloud computing and how power consumption in a data center can be reduced when its storage is used in a way that decreases the time needed to access it.
Towards the Cognitive Informatics of Natural Language
Authors: Taylor J. M. , Raskin V.
Published: March 2014

This paper deals with a contribution of computational analysis of verbal humor to natural language cognition. After a brief introduction to the growing area of computational humor and of its roots in humor theories, it describes and compares the results of a human-subject and computer experiment. The specific interest is to compare how well the computer, equipped with the resources and methodologies of the Ontological Semantic Technology, a comprehensive meaning access approach to natural language processing, can model several aspects of the cognitive behaviors of humans processing jokes from the Internet. The paper, sharing several important premises with cognitive informatics, is meant as a direct contribution to this rapidly developing transdisciplinary field, and as such, it bears on cognitive computing as well, especially at the level of implementation of computational humor in non-toy systems and the relationship to human cognitive processes of understanding and producing humor.
Enhancing Local Linear Models Using Functional Connectivity for Brain State Decoding
Authors: Fırat Orhan , Özay Mete , Önal Itır , Öztekin Ilke , Vural Fatoş T. Yarman
Published: March 2014

The authors propose a statistical learning model for classifying cognitive processes based on distributed patterns of neural activation in the brain, acquired via functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In the proposed learning machine, local meshes are formed around each voxel. The distance between voxels in the mesh is determined by using functional neighborhood concept. In order to define functional neighborhood, the similarities between the time series recorded for voxels are measured and functional connectivity matrices are constructed. Then, the local mesh for each voxel is formed by including the functionally closest neighboring voxels in the mesh. The relationship between the voxels within a mesh is estimated by using a linear regression model. These relationship vectors, called Functional Connectivity aware Mesh Arc Descriptors (FC-MAD) are then used to train a statistical learning machine. The proposed method was tested on a recognition memory experiment, including data pertaining to encoding and retrieval of words belonging to ten different semantic categories. Two popular classifiers, namely k-Nearest Neighbor and Support Vector Machine, are trained in order to predict the semantic category of the item being retrieved, based on activation patterns during encoding. The classification performance of the Functional Mesh Learning model, which range in 62-68% is superior to the classical multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) methods, which range in 40-48%, for ten semantic categories.
LTE Cellular Network Planning for Urban Area
Authors: Ahamed Md. Maruf , Islam Zahirul , Hossainand Sehtab , Faruque Saleh
Published: March 2014

Due to the advancement of telecommunication platform, users are now demanding new applications such as Online Gaming, mobile TV, Web 2.0, and to meet this requirement operators needed to design more flexible network. To fulfill the requirements, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) works on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) and propose a system which has larger bandwidths (up to 20 MHz), low latency and packet optimized radio access technology having peak data rates of 100 Mbps in downlink and 50 Mbps in the uplink (Magdalena, 2007; Motorola, 2007; Skold, 2009). Offering a greater coverage by providing higher data rates over wider areas and flexibility of use at existing and new frequency bands plan is a major challenge. In this paper, we are analyzing practical coverage scenario in an urban area (i.e. Kolkata) in terms of received signal levels, total noise, interference, throughput, and quality factor for downlink signal level.
Using Communication Frequency and Recency Context to Facilitate Mobile Contact List Retrieval
Authors: Plessas Athanasios , Stefanis Vassilios , Komninos Andreas , Garofalakis John
Published: March 2014

As mobile contact lists get bigger and bigger the cognitive load on the user increases while trying to retrieve the next contact to start a communication session. In this paper we focus on the task of retrieving a contact when the purpose is to start a phone call, examining mobile users’ call logs and showing that it is possible to accurately predict the next contact to be called using relatively simple heuristics and algorithms that describe usage context. The authors present and discuss the results of the proposed method applied on a dataset collected from an experiment the authors organised involving 25 mobile users.
Toward an RFID Scheme for Secure Material Flow Tracing and Verification in Supply Chains
Authors: Zuo Yanjun
Published: March 2014

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an important wireless communication and pervasive computing technique used for automatic item identification and data capture. In this paper, we present a scheme for securely tracing material flow in supply chains using the inherent RFID authentication and data logging capability. The scheme provides not only an overall path tracing and verification through the entire supply chain, but also the product identification within the scope of a supply chain partner. RFID tags and readers are deployed to ensure that only authorized supply chain partners can identify the tagged items in a secure and private way. The authors develop tag-reader authentication protocols to ensure the authenticity of RFID tags and readers. Their approach avoids the single point failure of the supply chain server – there is no need for each supply chain partner to communicate with the server for every material flow. Therefore, it minimizes the risks caused by system interruptions due to network failures or server unavailability.
Enabling Semantic Mediation in DaaS Composition
Authors: Amarouche Idir Amine , Benslimane Djamal , Alimazighi Zaia
Published: March 2014

As commonly agreed, Web services fall into two categories depending on their functionality world-altering services and Data-as-a-Service (DaaS). Much work has been done on automatic DaaS discovery and composition, such as the query rewriting approach proposed by the database community. In this context, DaaS is described as Parameterized-RDF View over Domain Ontology (DO). However, the DO is unable to capture the different perspectives or viewpoints for the same domain knowledge. This limitation raises semantic conflicts between pieces of data exchanged during DaaS composition process. Thus, mediators are typically required to reconcile potential conflicts. In this paper, the authors propose a service-based approach for automatically inserting appropriate mediation services in DaaS compositions to resolve incompatibilities in their data flow. Also, the authors present a context-driven approach to support semantic mediation between composed DaaSs. The implementation and the experimental evaluations performed showed us satisfactory results.
Geo-Multi-Agent System Based Webmapping Approach Using Multiple Representation and Generalisation Driven by Domain Ontology
Authors: Amieur Khalissa Derbal , Boukhalfa Kamel , Alimazighi Zaia
Published: March 2014

Geographic Information (GI) is currently available at any time, from anywhere on the surface of the earth, for any person connected to internet. Some applications of design, implementation, generation and dissemination of maps on the web are recognized as “Webmapping” application, geographic web services or more generally on demand-map making tools. All these web applications aims the satisfaction of user needs by providing personalized maps in a fast response time with a good quality. However, the complexity and diversity of aspects taking into account have lead researchers to focus on one aspect at the expense of others. Consequently, few works have addressed all these aspects simultaneously. The authors propose in this paper, a Webmapping approach organized into two main tasks: (1) query analysis driven by domain ontology in analyzing a query launched by a user on a web browser and (2) map generation process. The first step allows extracting and formalizing user needs through two map determinants factors: the Level of Detail (LoD) and Point of View (PoV) and the second, exploit an hybrid approach “Multi Representation and Generalization” in storing and generating geographical data with integrating Multi-Agent technology in all steps of processing. To evaluate the effectiveness of our proposal, a first tool prototype implementing our approach is so developed using a geographic vector dataset provided by national cartographic agency.
A Query Approximating Approach Over RDF Graphs
Authors: Djeddai Ala , Seridi-Bouchelaghem Hassina , Khadir Med Tarek
Published: March 2014

Regardless of the knowledge structure lack about Resource Description Framework (RDF) data, difficulties, principally, occur in specifying and answering queries. Approximate querying is the solution to find relevant information by getting a set of sub structures (e.g. sub graphs) matching the query. Approaches based on the structure and others based on semantic, marginalized the common meaning between concepts in its computing. In this paper in order to improve the approximation by introducing the meaning similarity between components in the query and RDF components is proposed, getting better need satisfaction. The meaning similarity measure can be calculated using WordNet and used in all steps of the query answering process. In addition, other important properties in the approximation level calculation between query paths and RDF paths are considered; besides indexing and optimizations strategies are performed. Answers are a set of sub graphs ranked in decreasing order on its matching degree. Experiments are conducted within real RDF dataset.
Innovative Development of Non-Contact Torque Sensor Applied to Wind Generator
Authors: Ju Dong Ying , Tabata Kazuaki
Published: March 2014

In order to solve the variable speed control as non-linear in wind energy application, it is important to obtain wind energy efficiently. And it is also effective in suppressing output fluctuation. Therefore, it will become a main torque system in the wind generation. The main object of this paper is to present a developed non-contact torque sensor for applying of non-linear control in the wind generator. In this paper, it examines whether efficient torque measurement of output shaft in the wind generation would be maintainable by non-linear control methods.
Optimization of Fuzzy Logic Controller Using PSO for Mobile Robot Navigation in an Unknown Environment
Authors: Algabri Mohammed , Ramdane Hedjar , Mathkour Hassan , Al-Mutib Khalid , Alsulaiman Mansour
Published: March 2014

The control of autonomous mobile robot in an unknown environments include many challenge. Fuzzy logic controller is one of the useful tool in this field. Performance of fuzzy logic controlling depends on the membership function, so the membership function adjusting is a time consuming process. In this paper, we optimized a fuzzy logic controller (Fuzzy) by automatic adjusting the membership function using a particle swarm optimization (PSO). The proposed method (PSO-Fuzzy) is implemented and compared with Fuzzy using Khepera simulator. Moreover, the performance of these approaches compared through experiments using a real Khepera III platform.
Dynamic Obstacle Avoidance Algorithm for the Mobile Robot Based on Depth Image of Kinect Sensor
Authors: Zhang Yi , Tong Xue Rong , Luo Yuan
Published: March 2014

In order to solve the problem of the dynamic obstacle avoidance of the mobile robot in indoor environment, a new approach based on depth information is presented in this paper. The depth information of surrounding environment was collected and used to set the robots obstacle avoidance warning area by a Kinect sensor. When the moving obstacle accessed into the warning area, the robots obstacle avoidance direction was determined preliminary by the obstacles position, and then an improved Kalman filter algorithm was used to optimize the avoidance path. Experiments show that this approach can overcome the potential problem of path selection, and realize the mobile robot obstacle avoidance behavior in the dynamic environment.
Bigtoe Sizing Design of Small Biped Robot by Using Gait Generation Method
Authors: Nerakae Krissana , Hasegawa Hiroshi
Published: March 2014

The study of biped robot has long history and continuation. One of important moving processes is walking procedure. The walking posture is an important research field that always adapts and implements in the biped robot. The walking research field is very interesting because the walking posture of humans is flexible and stable. Additionally, the force that affect on the humans foot is also investigated. This research addresses the walking simulation of small biped robots that have tiptoe and bigtoe. The study based on the assumption that the bigtoe size affects on the walking posture and walking distance. The gait generation method, for finding the proper size of bigtoe, is utilized by varying the bigtoe size. There are two requirements of robot design: go straight and stay within setting conditions. The simulation results of all small biped robot models which have the different bigtoe sizes can walk within setting conditions. There is only one model its bigtoe width per foot width ratio equals 0.28 (or 28% of foot width) has the longest walking distance. Moreover, this ratio is equal to the ratio of humans foot.
Design of a PD Controller Combined with a MRAS-Based LFFC for a Two - Link Robot Manipulator
Authors: Cuong Nguyen Duy , Lanh Nguyen Van , Loc Dam Bao , Son Tran Que , Chu Ngo Minh
Published: March 2014

In this paper we introduce a new control structure which consists of a PD controller and a Model Reference Adaptive System-based Learning Feed-Forward Controller to a two-link robot manipulator. The proposed approach seeks to benefit the multi-variable control of multi-input multi-output systems with variable parameters, nonlinear behavior, and significant coupling in the system dynamics. Conventionally, the function approximators with standard neural networks were used which enabled to approximate complex non-linear functions. The idea of LFFC is applied but without using the complex neural networks. Instead, we propose to use MRAS-based adaptive components. The well-known Lyapunov approach is used to find stable adaptive laws for the feed-forward parameters in such way that learning converges. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated by simulation analysis.
Architectural System Design of Six Channels Compact Fuzzy Logic Controller for Arm Robot Joints Using FPGA Technology
Authors: Siswoyo Bambang , Choiron M. Agus , Wardana I.N.G. , Irawan Yudy Surya
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this study is to develop the architectural system design of the Six Channels Compact Fuzzy Logic Controller (SCC-FLC) ready to be embedded into the FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) for joints of arm robot's manipulator. The FPGA based system design of this study could controlled independently six servo of arm robot manipulators to reduce workload of computer system.
The method of this study divided into four steps. The first step, the FLC-P (Fuzzy Logic Controller Processor) block module of single channel C-FLC (Compact Fuzzy Logic Controller) on the previous study is redesigned in architectural system design by adding lots of block modules using multiplexing method. The second step, the module interconnections of system architecture are designed by defining some of inputs and output ports. The third step, the specific function of block modules about working processes is determined based on the definition of input and output ports. The fourth step, sequences of multiplexing processes are determined based on the algorithm of FLC, thus the total processing time of SCC-FLC could be estimated from architectural system design.
Architectural system design of SCC-FLC requires external chips are 12bit ADC MAX-186 chip and 12bit DAC MAX-3203 of six chips. The block modules of SCC-FLC are FLC-P, LUT-MBFs (Look Up Table of Membership Function), ADC-I (Analog to Digital Converter Interface), DAC-I (Digital Analog Converter Interface), ECEG (Error and Change Error Generators), SPL (Set Point Latchs) and TAC (Time And Control). The total processing time of SCC-FLC by estimation is 256.2 µS or sampling frequency of 3.907KHz using clock frequency of 100MHz.