bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distributed Cooperative Localization
Authors: Panzieri Stefano , Pascucci Federica , Sciavicco Lorenzo , Setola Roberto
Published: January 2019

Localization for mobile platforms, in indoor scenarios, represents a cornerstone achievement to effective develop service and field robots able to safely cooperate. This paper proposes a methodology to achieve such a result by applying a completely decentralized and distributed algorithm. The key idea of the solution developed is to enable a dynamic correction of the position estimate, computed by robots, through information, shared during random rendezvous. This objective is reached using a specific extension of the Extended Kalman Filter, called Interlaced Extended Kalman Filter, which allows exchanging the estimation performed by any single robot together with the corresponding uncertainties. The proposed unsupervised method provides a large flexibility: it facilitates the handling of heterogeneous proprioceptive and exteroceptive sensors, that can be merged taking into account both their accuracy and the system model one. The solution is particularly interesting for rescue scenario, since it is able to cope with irregular communication signals and loss of connectivity among robots team without requiring any synchronization.
Graphical User Interface for the Control of a Biped Robot
Authors: Urrea Claudio , Mac-Evoy Carlos Cortés
Published: January 2019

The design and implementation of a graphical user interface (GUI) for the control and operation of a biped robot is presented. This GUI allows establishing communication between the user, the robot and a computer (controller) so that the robot can perform bipedal walking without the need to introduce commands that are not user-friendly. The developed graphic interface permits the user to carry out tasks operating on the robot without having to resort to commands that are not easy to use. This interface was created using the MATLAB-Simulink software and it presents important advantages compared to the manual operation of a robot.
Building Data Warehouses Using Automation
Authors: Rahman Nayem , Rutz Dale
Published: January 2019

Software development is a complex endeavor. While significant benefits can be achieved, the process is often laborious, time consuming and error prone requiring multiple iterations in order to achieve the desired result. Issues arise for numerous reasons – coding defects, unclear requirements, migration challenges, lack of convention, and inadequate testing to name a few. When convention and automation are introduced into the software development lifecycle there are significantly fewer opportunities for failure. Automation also allows for shorter development windows. Generally there are fewer errors throughout testing, with the bulk of those being found in unit and functional testing, far before the users get involved in systems acceptance testing. A data warehouse consists of multiple subject areas in which many tasks are common and should be automated for the sake of efficiency and enforcing convention. This article discusses a set of tools that can be used to automate writing data warehouse objects. The article also provides statistics of time saved using automation.
Standardized Dynamic Reconfiguration of Control Applications in Industrial Systems
Authors: Strasser Thomas , Rooker Martijn , Ebenhofer Gerhard , Zoitl Alois
Published: January 2019

Industrial areas like manufacturing, logistics and power systems require highly flexible and adaptable control solutions in order to fulfill future requirements. An industrial automation system has to provide technologies, concepts and mechanisms allowing the adaption of control logic during operation. Proper engineering approaches as well as execution environments with dynamic reconfiguration capabilities are needed to turn this vision into reality. This article provides an overview of applying the IEC 61499 reference model for distributed automation as basis for a standard-compliant reconfigurable method in industrial environments. It covers the modeling and engineering of reconfiguration applications and their execution on distributed embedded controllers using IEC 61499. This approach significantly increases engineering efficiency and reuse in component-based design of industrial automation and control applications. A special focus of this contribution is the discussion of implemented industrial use cases from the manufacturing, robotics and power systems domain.
Wheelchairs Embedded Control System Design for Secure Navigation With RF Signal Triangulation
Authors: Flávio de Melo Leonimer , Borges Felipe Andrade Allemand , Rosário João Maurício
Published: January 2019

In the mobile robotic systems a precise estimate of the robot pose (Cartesian [x y] position plus orientation angle θ) with the intention of the path planning optimization is essential for the correct performance, on the part of the robots, for tasks that are destined to it, especially when intention is for mobile robot autonomous navigation. This work uses a ToF (Time-of-Flight) of the RF digital signal interacting with beacons for computational triangulation in the way to provide a pose estimative at bi-dimensional indoor environment, where GPS system is out of range. It's a new technology utilization making good use of old ultrasonic ToF methodology that takes advantage of high performance multicore DSP processors to calculate ToF of the order about ns. A mobile robot platform with differential drive and nonholonomic constraints is used as base for state space, plants and measurements models that are used in the simulations and for validation the experiments. After being tested and validated in the simulator, the control system is programmed in the control board memory of the mobile robot or wheelchair. Thus, the use of material is optimized, firstly validating the entire model virtually and afterwards operating the physical implementation of the navigation system.
A Decentralized Control Architecture to Achieve Synchronized Task Behaviors in Autonomous Cooperative Multi-Robot Systems
Authors: Yasuda Gen'ichi
Published: January 2019

This chapter describes a method for designing decentralized simulation and control architecture for multiple robot systems based on the discrete event net models. Extended Petri nets are adopted as an effective tool to describe, design, and control cooperative behavior of multiple robots based on asynchronous, concurrent processes. By hierarchical decomposition of the net model of the overall system, global and local Petri net models are assigned to the upper level and the lower level controllers, respectively. For the lower level control, individual net models of robots are executed on separate local controllers. The unified net representation for cooperative control is also proposed. Overall control software is implemented and executed on a general hierarchical and distributed control architecture corresponding to the hardware structure of multiple robot systems.
An Approach to Efficiency Evaluation of Services With Smart Attributes
Authors: Kulakov Kirill
Published: January 2019

Nowadays amount of “smart” services in e-Tourism is growing rapidly. This is due to widespread use of mobile devices with new input methods and large amount of digitized data. In addition, Internet of Things and Big Data analytics has a major impact on development of e-Tourism services and cultural heritage services. At the same time the smart services implementation requires complex methods and high cost of their creation. Thereby there is an actual problem to estimate efficiency of smart services. This paper presents an approach to efficiency evaluation of services with smart attributes. The evaluation is based on service's work time utilization and required manual work. For each used attribute the execution scenario, ordinary (non-smart) service for comparison and used estimates are defined. Each estimate is calculated by taking into account the user's experience. Presented approach is relevant for smart services with big data analytics. The demonstration of the approach was carried out using Cultural trip planning service with possible ordinary services.
Can Cognitive Biases in Robots Make More ‘Likeable' Human-Robot Interactions Than the Robots Without Such Biases
Authors: Biswas Mriganka , Murray John
Published: January 2019

The research presented in the paper aims to develop long-term companionship between cognitively imperfect robots and humans. In order to develop cognitively imperfect robot, the research suggests to implement various cognitive biases in a robot's interactive behaviours. In the authors' understanding, such cognitively biased behaviours in robot will help the participants to relate with it easily. In the current paper, they show comparative results of the experiments using five biased and one non-biased algorithms in a 3D printed humanoid robot MARC. The results from the experiments show that the participants initially liked the robot with biased and imperfect behaviours than the same robots without any mistakes and biases.
Agriculture, Trade Liberalization and Poverty in the ACP Countries
Authors: Rajack-Talley Theresa Ann
Published: January 2019

This chapter looks specifically at the impact of the ACP agriculture trade agreements on issues of food production, food security and poverty and how they relate in some ways to each other. It is divided into four distinct but inter-related sections. First, poverty in the ACP regions is briefly described. Secondly, the importance of agriculture, particularly the role of small farming systems to economic growth, employment, food production, food security and poverty reduction in the ACP countries is examined. Thirdly, the impact of the acceleration of trade liberalization and agriculture protectionism on ACP countries is reviewed and analyzed. Here, the trade arrangements and networks in the three ACP regions are described and include international, regional and local agricultural trade and market agreements. Further, the paradoxes and dilemmas that emerge are interrogated and their outcomes discussed. Particular attention is paid to small producers and women. The fourth and final section of the chapter concludes that while the impact of agriculture trade liberalization remains a mixed bag of positive and negative possibilities, one thing that is clear is that while trade liberalization is promoted as a cure for food security and world poverty, the jury is still out on whether it has helped or hindered this endeavour. Trade policies and arrangements do substantially change the lives of people in developing countries, but in very complex ways. Recommendations are made to support the South-South initiatives of the ACP and others as well as enhance regional and domestic agriculture production and trade policies. The author, however, warns that agriculture and trade policies must be linked closer to food security and the healthy diets of local populations.
Determinant of Food Security on Upland Agriculture Households in Paletwa Township, Chin State of Myanmar
Authors: Lwin San , Poungchompu Supaporn
Published: January 2019

This study aims to determine food security on upland agriculture households in rural area. Food security is concerned with the first two main goals of Sustainable Development Goals, No Poverty and Zero Hunger. Myanmar is Food Insecure State that showing 14.2% that is 7.7 million of 51 million population. Chin state is least developing and Paletwa is poorest out of 324 townships. Research is applied by both qualitative and quantitative approaches. 3 Villages and 1 Quarter are chosen for qualitative method and 141upland agriculture households are selected for field survey using random sampling method. The data are analyzed by logistic regression in SPSS 17 to determine food security. Age, education, schooling years of household head, size, second occupation and no. of working people in households are socio-economic determinant and own food production and fruit access are food security determinant.
Human Overpopulation and Food Security
Authors: Singh Rishikesh , Srivastava Pratap , Singh Pardeep , Upadhyay Shweta , Raghubanshi Akhilesh Singh
Published: January 2019

World population is rapidly growing and expected to reach in between 8.5 to 12 billion by 2100. More than 75% of the population is expected to inhabit in the African and Asian countries having most of the developing nations. The overpopulation leads to a state of food insecurity that induced the evolution of resource-exhaustive agriculture causing irreparable environmental damages. Now the challenge is to feed more with less environmental damages. Adoption of technologically-sound, traditional knowledge inclusive, socio-economically sensible recommended agricultural practices can be the basis for achieving future dietary demands. However, before wider recommendation, their environmental impact assessment at various sustainability issues is necessitated for a holistic understanding of the future agriculture. The challenges of overpopulation and food security can only be managed by identifying the core areas of research and development under different agricultural sectors. The present chapter will provide a brief dimension on some of these key issues.
Acculturation of Syrian Refugees in Turkey as a Condition for Successful SLA
Authors: Gürsoy Esim , Ertaşoğlu Leyla Deniz
Published: January 2019

The literature is dominated by the studies on refugee studies since it is a current issue with great importance. In addition, this group of people leaving their homes due to serious human rights violations need to occupy a great space in the policy agendas and to be studied to enlighten policymakers and authorities in this fragile process of handling the issue of immigration. This necessitates higher education institutions involvement for a healthier and more systematic process of adaptation. Among the large group of refugees, Syrians—upon the break of the civil war in 2011—are the most visible group in Turkey. Witnessing the swiftly changing socio-economic dynamics in the world, Turkey is now home to a considerable number of Syrians. Furthermore, the intersection of Syrian refugees and the Turkish society has generated an intercultural space impacting on their SLA experiences, which is complicated by the process of adjustment concerning the two groups—those “uprooted” from their homes and the host society.
The Dark Web of Urban Data
Authors: McMeel Dermott John James
Published: January 2019

Given the long history of using data to shape the environment, this article argues we are entering a new epoch of information and that careful attention needs to be paid to the creation of personal geospatial data. The Internet of things has not yet left the indelible mark on cities and culture we have been promised. However, devices and infrastructures that produce and store information on the environment—and that are linked to it—have proliferated. A subset of these services is considered, specifically the growing trend in wearable fitness devices. This phenomenon is likened to the dark web in that it contains data that is public, although not meaningfully accessible through popular search engines like Google. This article discusses experiences accessing fitness data within a particular city. It also assesses the availability of urban data and expands on the traditional methods for gathering. Finally, it aims to deepen the understanding of the systems and privacy issues underpinning the cyber-physical fitness phenomenon in contemporary society.
The Power of the Human Face in Online Education
Authors: Patterson Dale
Published: January 2019

The modern student exists in a highly technical and digitally driven educational world. Online delivery of courses and interactions, with the primary purpose of enhancing learning, and access to learning opportunities is becoming almost mainstream. Yet, despite the broad availability of online education courses and systems, the completion rates and levels of student satisfaction with online courses remains comparatively low. Studies have indicated that online students are seeking personal engagement to drive their learning. This project looked at the importance of having a human face at the heart of the online course materials to help develop a more personal level of engagement. The project, carried out between 2016 and 2018, involved a randomized control trial of 84 students, and compared two sets of course materials, for a common course topic, one with human face-based resources, and one without. The results clearly showed a significant increase in student engagement with the human face-based resources, but the learning outcomes, for those who completed, were not significantly different between the two groups.
Will Patients Accept Daily SMS as a Communication to Support Adherence to Mental Health Treatment?
Authors: Clough Bonnie A , Casey Leanne M
Published: January 2019

The aim of this article was to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of a daily Short Message Service (SMS) communication system to support patients attending weekly psychotherapy. The patients (N = 32) received daily SMS messages for the duration of a group therapy treatment program. Measures relating to engagement, treatment satisfaction, acceptability of the intervention and treatment outcome were administered. The patient satisfaction and acceptability were high, with patients reporting positive attitudes towards the SMS messages, particularly with regards to increased motivation and perceptions of support. Symptom reduction over the course of treatment was consistent with expectations for transdiagnostic group psychotherapy. The current study indicates that SMS is a well-received form of communication that can be used to support engagement in psychotherapy treatment programs. Future research should focus on exploring the range of adjunctive technologies that may be used to support face-to-face therapies.
The Use of New Technologies to Improve Attention in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
Authors: Murdaca Anna Maria , Fabio Rosa Angela , Caprì Tindara
Published: January 2019

The aim of the work is to present the potential use of various technologies in special needs teaching, demonstrating how their use may enhance some basic learning processes in individuals with disabilities. A detailed analysis of national and international literature revealed that most studies have demonstrated that ICT use plays an important role in supporting students with intellectual disability. This article presents two studies. The main objective was to study the role of eye-gaze digital games to improve attentional and motivation abilities in two groups: girls with Rett Syndrome (RTT) and children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Classification of Remote Sensing Imagery Based on Density and Fuzzy c-Means Algorithm
Authors: Le Hung Trinh , Sinh Mai Dinh
Published: January 2019

The goal of data clustering is to divide a set of data into different clusters, so that the data in the same cluster show some similar characteristics. There are many clustering methods for satellite image segmentation, such as k-means, c-means, iso-data, minimum distance algorithms. Each method has certain advantages and disadvantages, but generally they are based on brightness value to divide the pixels of the image in to clusters. Actually, the probability of occurrence of frequency of appearance of pixel has certain effects on clustering results. In this article, the authors propose a method for clustering satellite imagery based on density. It consists of two main steps: find cluster centroid using density and data clustering using fuzzy c-Means algorithm (DFCM). The results obtained in this study can be used to potentially improve classification accuracy of satellite image.
Disruptive-Technology Avoidance in Healthcare
Authors: Samhan Bahae , Joshi K.D.
Published: January 2019

Disruptive innovation has transformed business activities as well as individuals throughout a variety of industries. In healthcare, the implementation of electronic health records (EHR) innovation has changed the way healthcare organizations handle patient records. Despite the potential benefits EHR can bring to healthcare organizations, there is evidence to show that healthcare providers are avoiding EHR innovations. Little research in information system mainstream research has addressed this phenomenon. To understand EHR avoidance, a mid-range theory is evoked from this textual analysis of responses gathered from healthcare providers at a large international hospital. The data was analyzed by applying a revealed causal mapping technique (RCM). Results of the study revealed not only the key constructs surrounding EHR avoidance, but also the underlying concepts that are shaping each of these constructs. This study demonstrated that the use of the RCM methodology yielded concepts and constructs of EHR avoidance that are not suggested by generalized theory, and revealed main interactions and linkages between these constructs.
Improving Opportunities in Healthcare Supply Chain Processes via the Internet of Things and Blockchain Technology
Authors: Jayaraman Raja , Salah Khaled , King Nelson
Published: January 2019

Despite key advances in healthcare informatics and management, little progress to address supply chain process-related problems has been made to date. Specifically, key healthcare supply chain processes include product recalls, monitoring of product supply shortages, expiration, and counterfeits. Implementing and executing these processes in a trusted, secure, efficient, globally accessible and traceable manner is challenging due to the fragmented nature of the healthcare supply chain, which is prone to systemic errors and redundant efforts that may compromise patient safety and impact health outcomes adversely. Blockchain, combined with the Internet of things (IoT), is an emerging technology that can offer a practical solution to these challenges. Accordingly, IoT blockchain offers a superior way to track and trace products via a peer-to-peer distributed, secure, and shared ledger of the blockchain network. This article highlights key challenges related to healthcare supply chains, and illustrates how IoT blockchain technologies can play a role in overcoming these challenges now and in the near future.
Delay Optimization Using Genetic Algorithm at the Road Intersection
Authors: Sharma Bharti , Kumar Sachin
Published: January 2019

Metropolitan road traffic mechanisms in developing countries are a critical problem due to fast motorization. The optimization of traffic control is one method to decrease this problem. In this study, a genetic algorithm was implemented to minimize delay at an intersection by finding red and green cycle intervals at an intersection. The objective function minimizes the delay at an intersection and increases progressive flows of traffic on roads. The study was done on real data collected from three t- intersections in the city of Hardwar, India. Traffic data for traffic flows, queue sizes, and traffic speed are collected using video detection systems in the study area. The digital images from the camera were analyzed in real time. The results show that the traffic control performance is improved up to 85% over existing algorithms proposed by the same author.
An Adaptive Approach Towards Computation Offloading for Mobile Cloud Computing
Authors: Kero Archana , Khanna Abhirup , Kumar Devendra , Agarwal Amit
Published: January 2019

The widespread acceptability of mobile devices in present times have caused their applications to be increasingly rich in terms of the functionalities they provide to the end users. Such applications might be very prevalent among users but the execution results in dissipating many of the device end resources. Mobile cloud computing (MCC) has a solution to this problem by offloading certain parts of the application to cloud. At the first place, one might find computation offloading quite promising in terms of saving device end resources but eventually may result in being the other way around if performed in a static manner. Frequent changes in device end resources and computing environment variables may lead to a reduction in the efficiency of offloading techniques and even cause a drop in the quality of service for applications involving the use of real-time information. In order to overcome this problem, the authors propose an adaptive computation offloading framework for data stream applications wherein applications are partitioned dynamically followed by being offloaded depending upon the device end parameters, network conditions, and cloud resources. The article also talks about the proposed algorithm that depicts the workflow of the offloading model. The proposed model is simulated using the CloudSim simulator. In the end, the authors illustrate the working of the proposed system along with the simulated results.
Dynamic Capability and Organizational Performance
Authors: Pham Ly Minh Thi , Tran Lobel Trong Thuy , Thipwong Phanee , Huang Wan Tran
Published: January 2019

Given the growing importance of organizational capabilities due to the dynamic nature of most markets, dynamic capability has been increasingly considered a key element of superior organizational performance. This article extends this link by the mediational role of social networking site integration (SNS) to develop a competitive advantage. Drawing from the resource-based view (RBV) and social capital theory, this article empirically examines the ability of recognizing and capitalizing opportunities of dynamic capability and SNS mechanisms (technical and administrative) affecting organizational performance. Using a sample of 124 hotel managers, the article successfully identifies the mediator role of SNS in the dynamic capability-organizational performance link.
Pragmatic Sensory Data Semantics With Service-Oriented Computing
Authors: Bhadoria Robin Singh , Chaudhari Narendra S.
Published: January 2019

The importance of an architectural semantic for service-oriented computing starts with the characteristics of software systems that has been recognized with sharing and the utilization of resources. However, an architectural characteristic for service-oriented based applications depends on interaction patterns that utilizes a data format in communication. These patterns also help in establishing communication between service components. The goal of service-oriented computing methodologies could be achieved by adopting a logical separation of services from the actual mechanism of resource assignment and allotment. This shows that how services are reliable as interaction patterns between service provider and requester. It generates the binding patterns between these two and establishes communication between them. This article discusses the mathematical-based semantic model that presents an architectural view for systems that follows a service-oriented computing methodology. It also briefs describes about different execution states and routes, which addresses the service specifications in service-oriented computing.
The Shift to Socio-Organizational Drivers of Business Intelligence and Analytics Acceptance
Authors: Grublješič Tanja , Coelho Pedro Simoes , Jaklič Jurij
Published: January 2019

The growing importance of IT in new ways of doing business, bringing with it ever greater empowerment, competencies, and skills of people associated with IT use, reveals that traditional views that individuals decide to accept new or emerging IT mostly based on their effort and performance perceptions or a similar individualistic utilitarian criteria may no longer satisfactorily explain the individual's acceptance behavior. Socio-organizational considerations encompassing normative and behavioral beliefs have so far only been recognized as potential additional predictors of acceptance, moderated, or mediated by certain effects and circumstances, whereas performance perceptions remain the strongest predictor of IS acceptance. The authors' mixed-methods study drives acceptance in the business intelligence and analytics (BI&A) context, comprising literature review, case studies and a survey, which reveals socio-organizational considerations have become more important than individualistic considerations arising from the visibility and recognition of the results of BI&A use in an organization.
Biomarkers and prognostication in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Umamaheswara Rao Ganne
Published: January 2019

A number of patients who suffer from mild head injury later on develop significant disabilities. Biomarkers help identify and quantify the extent of injury and help predict the possible functional outcome of the patients. There are promising candidate biomarkers for axonal injury (Tau) and astrocytic damage (glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100β) in traumatic brain injury. However, the biological significance of these markers cannot be confidently declared due to lack of studies with adequate sample size.
Recent advances in the management of post-operative intracerebral vasospasm
Authors: Dash Harihar
Published: January 2019

Postoperative intracerebral vasospasm is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality following clipping of intra cranial aneurysm. Early diagnosis, prompt and effective management helps in salvaging these patients. Umpteen modalities of treatment strategies are available to achieve good neurologic recovery. Intraarterial nimodipine, nicardipine and milrinon provide good neurologic recovery. Stellate ganglion block on the affected side is also a treatment modality which needs to be investigated.
A near catastrophe from trigeminocardiac reflex
Authors: Bithal Parmod , Jan Ravees , Qadah Khalid , Kahtani Ghadah Al
Published: January 2019

Trigeminocardiac reflex is a brainstem reflex that results from stimulation of any branch of the trigeminal nerve along its course. It produces a constellation of signs and symptoms decrease in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate, dysrhythmias, apnoea and increased gastric motility. We present a case of 80-year-old female patient who developed alarming hypotension and bradycardia during craniotomy for meningioma excision resulting from this reflex. In the face of refractory hypotension despite administering ephedrine and phenylephrine, we had to resort to adrenaline to restore her normal BP.
Understanding the physiological changes induced by mannitol: From the theory to the clinical practice in neuroanaesthesia
Authors: Fandino Wilson
Published: January 2019

In this narrative review, the current evidence for the use of mannitol in neuroanaesthesia is presented, with focus on its pharmacokinetics and its main physiologic effects. Mannitol is a naturally occurring polyol that undergoes no biotransformation and is freely filtered in the kidney. Due to its strong osmotic effects, it induces key physiological changes, mainly in the cardiovascular system, the kidney and the brain. While it is clear that hypertonic solutions are effective in the treatment of intracranial hypertension in patients with acute brain injury, the role of mannitol in the context of intracranial haemorrhage, acute stroke and brain relaxation remains controversial. Furthermore, it possesses important side effects including acute kidney injury and electrolyte imbalances, particularly related to high doses in predisposing patients. Other aspects including the capability to modify neurological outcomes, the impact on mortality, the utility in patients with disrupted blood–brain barrier and the alternative use of hypertonic saline are also discussed. Further research is needed to make clear recommendations on these aspects.
Waveguide amplification of dye fluorescece in NLC
Authors: Shtykov Nikolay M. , Palto Serguei P. , Umanskii Boris A. , Rybakov Dmitry O. , Simdyankin Ivan V.
Published: January 2019

The amplification of spontaneous fluorescence in a planar layer of a nematic liquid crystal doped with a DCM dye is experimentally studied in a waveguide mode of light propagation. The optical pumping threshold of the superfluorescence is 0.65 MW/cm2. The gain value reaches 0.0014 μm-1 at a pumping intensity of 1.38 MW/cm2. Full Text: PDF ReferencesLiquid Crystal Microlasers, Eds. L. M. Blinov, R. Bartolino (Kerala India, Transworld Research Network 2010). DirectLink H. Kogelnik, C. V. Shank, "Coupled‐Wave Theory of Distributed Feedback Lasers", J. Appl. Phys. 43, 2327 (1972). CrossRef I. P. Il'chishin, E. A. Tihonov, V. G. Tishchenko, M. T. Shpak, "Generation of a tunable radiation by impurity cholesteric liquid crystals", JETP Lett. 32, 25 (1980). DirectLink A. Yariv, M. Nakamura, "Periodic structures for integrated optics", IEEE Quant. Electr. 13, 233 (1977). CrossRef N. M. Shtykov, M. I. Barnik, L. M. Blinov B. A. Umanskii, S, P. Palto, "Amplification of the emission of a liquid-crystal microlaser by means of a uniform liquid-crystal layer", JETP Lett. 85, 602 (2007). CrossRef
Foreword
Authors: GOLOB Nina
Published: January 2019

In the mids of cold northern winds and landscape covered with snow we are pleased to announce the first ALA issue of the year 2019, which contains six research articles. Warm congratulation goes to all the authors, and words of appreciation to the Editorial team and recently enlarged proofreading team that have been working very hard in order to offer state-of-the-art contemporary linguistic research in this journal.
The present issue is opened up by Mayuri J. DILIP and Rajesh KUMAR, who present a unified account of licensing conditions of Negative Polarity Items (NPI) in Telugu. In their work “Negative Polarity Items in Telugu” they analyze the distribution of NPIs in complex sentences with embedded clauses, and conclude that negation c-commanding NPI be conducted at the base-generated position.
Kun SUN with his article “The Integration Functions of Topic Chains in Chinese Discourse” thoroughly presents the long and extensive Chinese research tradition on topic chains, and re-examines their core characteristics with the help of the so-called “integration functions”.
The following paper “Tracing the Identity and Ascertaining the Nature of Brahmi-derived Devanagari Script” by Krishna Kumar PANDEY and Smita JHA exploits the orthographic design of Brahmi-derived scripts. Authors argue that such scripts should not be described with the existing linguistic properties of alphabetic and syllabic scripts but should instead gains its own categorization with a unique descriptor.
Chikako SHIGEMORI BUČAR successfully submitted the article “Image of Japan among Slovenes” in which she represents the process and mechanism of borrowing from Japanese into Slovene. Conclusions briefly touch the image of Japan seen through the borrowing process and consolidated loanwords, and predict possible development of borrowing in the near future.
Another interesting paper “Understanding Sarcastic Metaphorical Expression in Hindi through Conceptual Integration Theory” was authored by Sandeep Kumar SHARMA and Sweta SINHA. Based on a corpus of five thousand sentences, authors examine the abstract notion of sarcasm within the framework of conceptual integration theory, and with special reference to Hindi language. Findings aim to provide a theoretical understanding on how Hindi sarcasm is perceived among the native speakers.
And last but not least, Điệp Thi Nhu NGUYỄN, An-Vinh LƯƠNG, and Điền ĐINH humbly observe research backlog in the area of Vietnamese text readability and write their paper “Affection of the part of speech elements in Vietnamese text readability” to encourage researchers to further explore the field and put Vietnamese findings on the world’s map.
Editors and Editorial Board wish the regular and new readers of the ALA journal a pleasant read full of inspiration.
Negative Polarity Items in Telugu
Authors: DILIP Mayuri J. , KUMAR Rajesh
Published: January 2019

The paper presents a unified account of licensing conditions of Negative Polarity Items (NPI) in Telugu. Based on the distribution of NPIs in complex clauses, we state that negation c-commanding NPI at the base-generated. Consequently, features checking between negation and NPI restricts the alternatives on the scale inherent to NPIs. The morphological realization of NPI in the non-negative contexts is different from the context with overt negation. The NPIs show the following distribution. NPI occurs in subject position; A negative licensing Multiple NPIs. There are three types of NPIs: wh-element, quantifier and idiomatic expression. In complex clauses, wh-elements block long-distance licensing. In contrast, quantifiers and idiomatic expressions do not block long-distance licensing.
Odtujevanje umetniških del v rimski dobi: nezakonito dejanje ali pravica zmagovalca?
Authors: Šmid Katarina
Published: January 2019

Prispevek obravnava odtujevanje (pretežno grških) umetniških del s strani rimskih zavojevalcev oziroma oblastnikov. Rimski poveljniki so iz zavzetih mest med drugim vojnim plenom odpeljali tudi številna umetniška dela, ki so jih v prestolnici razstavili, da so postala ornamenta urbis, medtem ko se sami z njimi praviloma niso okoristili. Na drugi strani so si jih lahko nezakonito, po zaslugi svojega položaja, prilaščali nekateri oblastniki. Evidenten primer tovrstne korupcije je Gaj Veres, proti kateremu je ostro nastopil Cicero.
Análisis regional de frecuencias de las precipitaciones diarias extremas en Navarra. Elaboración de los mapas de cuantiles
Authors: López J.J. , Goñi M. , San Martín I. , Erro J.
Published: January 2019

La determinación de la ley de frecuencias de precipitaciones resulta imprescindible para el diseño de diferentes infraestructuras hidráulicas así como para el análisis y determinación de zonas inundables. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar los cuantiles de las precipitaciones diarias extremas en el territorio de la Comunidad Foral de Navarra, obtenidos mediante un análisis regional de frecuencia (ARF), y su representación espacial. Se ha partido de las 142 estaciones pluviométricas manuales, localizadas en la Comunidad Foral de Navarra y en el entorno de la misma, con duración de registro superior a 20 años. El Análisis Regional de Frecuencias (ARF) se ha realizado según la metodología de Hosking y Wallis, obteniendo seis regiones homogéneas y sus funciones de distribución más adecuadas. Para la elaboración de los mapas se han aplicado dos métodos de interpolación: el de la distancia inversa ponderada; y el geoestadístico Kriging ordinario. Después del análisis comparativo se ha elegido el Kriging.
Riego capilar por mecha en el cultivo de lechuga (Lactuca sativa L.) en sistema combinado de solución hidropónica y suelo, como alternativa en la agricultura urbana de Bolivia
Authors: Medrano-García P. , Chipana-Rivera R. , Moreno-Pérez M.F. , Roldán-Cañas J.
Published: January 2019

Algunas de las principales ciudades de Bolivia se encuentran ubicadas en zonas semiáridas y áridas, donde se tiene sequías en forma recurrente que provocan racionamiento en la dotación de agua. El presente estudio fue realizado en el centro Experimental de Cota Cota, dependiente de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, ubicado en la ciudad de La Paz a 3400 m.s.n.m. En tal sentido. el objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el riego por mecha en el cultivo de lechuga (Lactuca sativa L.) en sistema combinado de suelo y solución hidropónica, durante dos ciclos de cultivo. Para ello se usaron recipientes desechables de plástico de 5 litros de capacidad. En una parte del envase se puso el sustrato (arena o suelo franco) y en la otra la solución hidropónica (FAO, La Molina y la Local) y mecha de algodón. El consumo de agua por transpiración en los sistemas de riego con y sin mecha fue similar, sin embargo, hubo diferencias altamente significativas en el rendimiento y productividad del agua a favor de la solución FAO, principalmente en el segundo ciclo. En este tipo de sistemas de riego se observó una gran reducción del consumo de agua, además no existe gasto de energía adicional, por lo que se constituye en una alternativa para el cultivo de hortalizas de hoja, en pequeñas superficies de terreno.
Mejora en la retención y distribución de agua en muros verdes usando materiales alternativos como medio de crecimiento
Authors: Rivas-Sanchez Y.A. , Moreno-Pérez M.F. , Roldán-Cañas J.
Published: January 2019

Este trabajo muestra como la fibra de coco mezclada con cascarilla de arroz es útil como medio de cultivo en muros verdes, reduciendo el impacto ambiental de la explotación de musgo Sphagnum a largo plazo. Por esto, se diseñó un prototipo de muros verdes para analizar la diferencia entre ambos sustratos. La escorrentía y la retención hídrica de los sustratos se analizaron mediante sensores de flujo y humedad. El sustrato compuesto de cascarilla de arroz y fibra de coco mostró mayor homogeneidad en la distribución del agua de riego que el musgo Sphagnum. Los análisis de clorofila mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre el material vegetal plantado en el sustrato de fibra de coco y cascarilla de arroz y en el de Sphagnum, pero no se encontraron diferencias en biomasa y en el contenido hídrico.
O convite da história global
Authors: Morales Fábio Augusto , Pereira Mateus Henrique De Faria
Published: January 2019

Apresentação do dossiê "Virada global: tensões, limites e perspectivas".
Conductor Willem Mengelberg, 1871-1951
Authors: Zwart Frits ,   Uitgeverij Prometheus
Published: January 2019

Willem Mengelberg is undeniably the greatest conductor in Dutch music history. In his biography, Frits Zwart carefully examines a musical life lived. Mengelberg was not only one of the world’s greatest, he had an excellent reputation as a trainer of orchestral ensembles, responsible for the international reputation of his own Concertgebouw as well as many others including the New York Philharmonic. A champion of numerous composers, including Mahler and Strauss, Mengelberg was the founder of the renowned tradition of annual performances of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. As Chief Conductor of Amsterdam’s (now Royal) Concertgebouw Orchestra, Mengelberg developed it into one of the world’s most illustrious, simultaneously forging a music life of international eminence for its city of residence. His recordings bear witness to a singular musical interpreter. In 1920, Mengelberg was even more popular than his own Queen, yet a mere thirty years later he died in exile, banned to his remote Swiss chalet. Willem Mengelberg fell from grace, becoming a despised, disputed target of gossip, jealousy and rebuke. His dubious role during World War II has since overshadowed his extraordinary career. Zwart contests that few have ever surpassed Mengelberg‘s international musical legend.
Long-range-transported Canadian smoke plumes in the lower stratosphere over northern France
Authors: Hu Qiaoyun , Goloub Philippe , Veselovskii Igor , Bravo-Aranda Juan-Antonio , Popovici Ioana Elisabeta , Podvin Thierry , Haeffelin Martial , Lopatin Anton , Dubovik Oleg , Pietras Christophe , Huang Xin , Torres Benjamin , Chen Cheng
Published: January 2019

Abstract. Long-range-transported Canadian smoke layers in the stratosphere over
northern France were detected by three lidar systems in August 2017. The
peaked optical depth of the stratospheric smoke layer
exceeds 0.20 at 532 nm, which is
comparable with the simultaneous tropospheric aerosol optical depth. The
measurements of satellite sensors revealed that the observed stratospheric
smoke plumes were transported from Canadian wildfires after being lofted by
strong pyro-cumulonimbus. Case studies at two observation sites, Lille (lat
50.612, long 3.142, 60 m a.s.l.) and Palaiseau (lat 48.712, long 2.215,
156 m a.s.l.), are presented in detail. Smoke particle depolarization
ratios are measured at three wavelengths: over 0.20 at 355 nm, 0.18–0.19 at
532 nm, and 0.04–0.05 at 1064 nm. The high depolarization ratios and their
spectral dependence are possibly caused by the irregular-shaped aged smoke
particles and/or the mixing with dust particles. Similar results are found by
several European lidar stations and an explanation that can fully resolve
this question has not yet been found. Aerosol inversion based on lidar
2α+3β data derived a smoke effective radius of about
0.33 µm for both cases. The retrieved single-scattering albedo is
in the range of 0.8 to 0.9, indicating that the smoke plumes are absorbing.
The absorption can cause perturbations to the temperature vertical profile,
as observed by ground-based radiosonde, and it is also related to the ascent
of the smoke plumes when exposed in sunlight. A direct radiative
forcing (DRF) calculation is performed using the obtained optical and
microphysical properties. The calculation revealed that the smoke plumes in
the stratosphere can significantly reduce the radiation arriving at the
surface, and the heating rate of the plumes is about 3.5 K day−1. The
study provides a valuable characterization for aged smoke in the
stratosphere, but efforts are still needed in reducing and quantifying the
errors in the retrieved microphysical properties as well as radiative forcing
estimates.
A decade of CH4, CO and N2O in situ measurements at Lauder, New Zealand: assessing the long-term performance of a Fourier transform infrared trace gas and isotope analyser
Authors: Smale Dan , Sherlock Vanessa , Griffith David W. T. , Moss Rowena , Brailsford Gordon , Nichol Sylvia , Kotkamp Michael
Published: January 2019

Abstract. We present a
10-year (January 2007–December 2016) time series of continuous in situ
measurements of methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrous
oxide (N2O) made by an in situ Fourier transform infrared trace
gas and isotope analyser (FTIR) operated at Lauder, New Zealand (45.04 S,
169.68 E, 370 m a. m. s. l.). Being the longest continuous deployed
operational FTIR system of this type, we are in an ideal position to perform
a practical evaluation of the multi-year performance of the analyser. The
operational methodology, measurement precision, reproducibility, accuracy and
instrument reliability are reported. We find the FTIR has a measurement repeatability of the order of 0.37 ppb
(1σ standard deviation) for CH4, 0.31 ppb for CO and
0.12 ppb for N2O. Regular target cylinder measurements provide a
reproducibility estimate of 1.19 ppb for CH4, 0.74 ppb for CO and
0.27 ppb for N2O. FTIR measurements are compared to co-located
ambient air flask samples acquired at Lauder since May 2009, which allows a
long-term assessment of the FTIR data set across annual and seasonal
composition changes. Comparing FTIR and co-located flask measurements show
that the bias (FTIR minus flask) for CH4 of
−1.02 ± 2.61 ppb and CO of −0.43 ± 1.60 ppb are within the Global
Atmospheric Watch (GAW)-recommended compatibility goals of 2 ppb. The
N2O FTIR flask bias of −0.01 ± 0.77 ppb is within the GAW-recommended compatibility goals of 0.1 ppb and should be viewed as a
serendipitous result due to the large standard deviation along with known
systematic differences in the measurement sets. Uncertainty budgets for each
gas are also constructed based on instrument precision, reproducibility and
accuracy. In the case of CH4, systematic uncertainty dominates,
whilst for CO and N2O it is comparable to the random uncertainty
component. The long-term instrument stability, precision estimates and flask comparison
results indicate the FTIR CH4 and CO time series meet the GAW
compatibility recommendations across multiple years of operation (and
instrument changes) and are sufficient to capture annual trends and seasonal
cycles observed at Lauder. The differences between FTIR and flask
N2O measurements need to be reconciled. Trend analysis of the
10-year time series captures seasonal cycles and the secular upward trend of
CH4 and N2O. The CH4 and CO time series have
the required precision and accuracy at a high enough temporal resolution to
be used in inversion models in a data-sparse region of the world.