bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Received Signal Strength-Based Localization through Coverage Hole Detection and Recovery
Authors: Zhai Shuangjiao , Tang Zhanyong , Wang Dajin , Li Qingpei , Li Zhanglei , Chen Xiaojiang , Fang Dingyi , Chen Feng , Wang Zheng
Published: June 2018

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), Radio Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)-based localization techniques have been widely used in various applications, such as intrusion detection, battlefield surveillance, and animal monitoring. One fundamental performance measure in those applications is the sensing coverage of WSNs. Insufficient coverage will significantly reduce the effectiveness of the applications. However, most existing studies on coverage assume that the sensing range of a sensor node is a disk, and the disk coverage model is too simplistic for many localization techniques. Moreover, there are some localization techniques of WSNs whose coverage model is non-disk, such as RSSI-based localization techniques. In this paper, we focus on detecting and recovering coverage holes of WSNs to enhance RSSI-based localization techniques whose coverage model is an ellipse. We propose an algorithm inspired by Voronoi tessellation and Delaunay triangulation to detect and recover coverage holes. Simulation results show that our algorithm can recover all holes and can reach any set coverage rate, up to 100% coverage.
Potential of Visible and Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging for Detection of Diaphania pyloalis Larvae and Damage on Mulberry Leaves
Authors: Huang Lingxia , Yang Liang , Meng Liuwei , Wang Jingyu , Li Shaojia , Fu Xiaping , Du Xiaoqiang , Wu Di
Published: June 2018

Mulberry trees are an important crop for sericulture. Pests can affect the yield and quality of mulberry leaves. This study aims to develop a hyperspectral imaging system in visible and near-infrared (NIR) region (400–1700 nm) for the rapid identification of Diaphania pyloalis larvae and its damage. The extracted spectra of five region of interests (ROI), namely leaf vein, healthy mesophyll, slight damage, serious damage, and Diaphania pyloalis larva at 400–1000 nm (visible range) and 900–1700 nm (NIR range), were used to establish a partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and least-squares support vector machines (LS-SVM) models. Successive projections algorithm (SPA), uninformation variable elimination (UVE), UVE-SPA, and competitive adaptive reweighted sampling were used for variable selection. The best models in distinguishing between leaf vein, healthy mesophyll, slight damage and serious damage, leaf vein, healthy mesophyll, and larva, slight damage, serious damage, and larva were all the SPA-LS-SVM models, based on the NIR range data, and their correct rate of prediction (CRP) were all 100.00%. The best model for the identification of all five ROIs was the UVE-SPA-LS-SVM model, based on visible range data, which had the CRP value of 97.30%. In summary, visible and near infrared hyperspectral imaging could distinguish Diaphania pyloalis larvae and their damage from leaf vein and healthy mesophyll in a rapid and non-destructive way.
STVF: Spatial-Temporal Variational Filtering for Localization in Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks
Authors: Hu Keyong , Sun Zhongwei , Luo Hanjiang , Zhou Wei , Guo Zhongwen
Published: June 2018

Localization is one of the critical services in Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UASNs). Due to harsh underwater environments, the nodes often move with currents continuously. Consequently, the acoustic signals usually propagate with varying speeds in non-straight lines and the noise levels change frequently with the motion of the nodes. These limitations pose huge challenges for localization in UASNs. In this paper, we propose a novel localization method based on a variational filtering technique, in which the spatial correlation and temporal dependency information are utilized to improve localization performance. In the method, a state evolution model is employed to characterize the mobility pattern of the nodes and capture the uncertainty of the location transition. Then, a measurement model is used to reflect the relation between the measurements and the locations considering the dynamics of the acoustic speed and range noise. After that, a variational filtering scheme is adopted to determine the nodes’ locations, which consists of two phases: variational prediction and update. In the former phase, the coarse estimation of each node’ location is computed based on its previous location; in the latter phase, the coarse location is optimized by incorporating the measurements from the reference nodes as precisely as possible. At last, an iterative localization scheme is applied, in which a node labels itself as a reference node if the confidence of its location estimation is higher than the predefined threshold. We conducted extensive simulations under different parameter settings, and the results indicate that the proposed method has better localization accuracy compared to a typical SLMP algorithm while maintaining relatively high localization coverage. Moreover, spatial–temporal variational filtering (STVF) is more robust to the change of the parameter settings compared to SLMP.
Robust Face Recognition Using the Deep C2D-CNN Model Based on Decision-Level Fusion
Authors: Li Jing , Qiu Tao , Wen Chang , Xie Kai , Wen Fang-Qing
Published: June 2018

Given that facial features contain a wide range of identification information and cannot be completely represented by a single feature, the fusion of multiple features is particularly significant for achieving a robust face recognition performance, especially when there is a big difference between the test sets and the training sets. This has been proven in both traditional and deep learning approaches. In this work, we proposed a novel method named C2D-CNN (color 2-dimensional principal component analysis (2DPCA)-convolutional neural network). C2D-CNN combines the features learnt from the original pixels with the image representation learnt by CNN, and then makes decision-level fusion, which can significantly improve the performance of face recognition. Furthermore, a new CNN model is proposed: firstly, we introduce a normalization layer in CNN to speed up the network convergence and shorten the training time. Secondly, the layered activation function is introduced to make the activation function adaptive to the normalized data. Finally, probabilistic max-pooling is applied so that the feature information is preserved to the maximum extent while maintaining feature invariance. Experimental results show that compared with the state-of-the-art method, our method shows better performance and solves low recognition accuracy caused by the difference between test and training datasets.
An Optimization-Based Initial Alignment and Calibration Algorithm of Land-Vehicle SINS In-Motion
Authors: Gao Kang , Ren Shunqing , Chen Xijun , Wang Zhenhuan
Published: June 2018

For a running freely land-vehicle strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS), the problems of self-calibration and attitude alignment need to be solved simultaneously. This paper proposes a complete alignment algorithm for the land vehicle navigation using Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) and an odometer. A self-calibration algorithm is proposed based on the global observability analysis to calibrate the odometer scale factor and IMU misalignment angle, and the initial alignment and calibration method based on optimal algorithm is established to estimate the attitude and other system parameters. This new algorithm has the capability of self-initialization and calibration without any prior attitude and sensor noise information. Computer simulation results show that the performance of the proposed algorithm is superior to the extended Kalman filter (EKF) method during the oscillating attitude motions, and the vehicle test validates its advantages.
Is the Maker Movement Contributing to Sustainability?
Authors: Millard Jeremy , Sorivelle Marie N. , Deljanin Sarah , Unterfrauner Elisabeth , Voigt Christian
Published: June 2018

ICT has already revolutionized content creation and communications. In principle, today, everybody with Internet access, the right skills and equipment can produce digital content composed of virtual “bits” and make it instantly available across the globe. The same is now happening to manufacturing for everyone with access to tools like 3D printers. This inter-changeability of bits and atoms is being called the maker movement, which started as a community-based, socially-driven bottom-up movement but is today also impacting mainstream manufacturing through increased efficiencies, distributed local production and the circular economy. The maker movement thus has significant promise for increasing social, economic and environmental sustainability, but is it currently living up to this potential? This paper reports on work undertaken by the European-funded MAKE-IT project has examined this question through detailed qualitative and quantitative empirical research, including ten in-depth case studies across Europe and a detailed examination of 42 maker initiatives at Europe’s foremost city-based maker faire, supplemented by extensive secondary research. Despite the maker movement’s short history, the overall results provide sound evidence of its important though variable contribution to sustainability thus far. In addition, there is a strong gender dimension showing that females are underrepresented both as users and leaders of maker initiatives, whilst female leaders tend to achieve much higher sustainability impacts than their male counterparts. There is also clear evidence that maker initiatives in close collaboration with each other and other actors in city- and region-wide ecosystems are much more successful in achieving sustainability impacts than others.
The Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours of European Golf Tourists
Authors: López-Bonilla Jesús Manuel , Reyes-Rodríguez María del Carmen , López-Bonilla Luis Miguel
Published: June 2018

Environmental attitudes and behaviours have received relatively little attention in golf tourism, compared to other tourism research areas. Golf tourism provides products and services based on nature, and they should focus on the environment. Golf has become increasingly important in the development of European tourism within the last decade. Moreover, golf is one of the primary motivations for European tourists in the sports tourism sector. This study is based on a sample of 431 golf tourists, from different nationalities, who visit Andalusia, Spain. This research examines the relationship between environmental attitudes and behavioural intentions for three subsamples of European nationalities: British, German, and Spanish. This relationship was corroborated in the three subsamples. However, the national citizenship of European golf tourists was not a moderator effect on the relationship between environmental attitudes and behavioural intentions.
What Factors Influence the Sustainable Tour Process in Social Media Usage? Examining a Rural Mountain Region in Pakistan
Authors: Hussain Talib , Li Benqian , Wang Dake
Published: June 2018

This research demonstrated a significant method for measuring tourist behavior in terms of social media use for rural mountain region tourism. This study proposed a quantitative method for establishing tourists’ main activities during the travel process when using social media. This study is potentially unique in its application of a predominantly mathematical analysis to measure tourist intentions, which until now have been evaluated mainly on the basis of qualitative analyses. It is now possible to quantitatively measure the activities and ambitions of tourists in rural mountain region tourism. The data was collected from different respondents in the area of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Pakistan. The researchers visited different areas in GB and interviewed the tourists who use social media for tourism. The results of study showed that the majority of tourists are more interested in using social media at the planning stage. Thus, this study contributes to the literature in the sense that it provides a mathematical and statistical model to measure tourist intentions in sustainable rural mountain region tourism.
Watershed Sediment and Its Effect on Storage Capacity: Case Study of Dokan Dam Reservoir
Authors: Ezz-Aldeen Mohammad , Hassan Rebwar , Ali Ammar , Al-Ansari Nadhir , Knutsson Sven
Published: June 2018

Dokan is a multipurpose dam located on the Lesser Zab River in the Iraq/Kurdistan region. The dam has operated since 1959, and it drains an area of 11,690 km2. All reservoirs in the world suffer from sediment deposition. It is one of the main problems for reservoir life sustainability. Sustainable reservoir sediment-management practices enable the reservoir to function for a longer period of time by reducing reservoir sedimentation. This study aims to assess the annual runoff and sediment loads of the Dokan Dam watershed using the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model to evaluate the relative contributions in comparison with the total values delivered from both watershed and Lesser Zab River and to identify the basins with a high sediment load per unit area. These help in the process of developing a plan and strategy to manage sediment inflow and deposition. The SUFI-2 program was applied for a model calibrated based on the available field measurements of the adjacent Derbendekhan Dam watershed, which has similar geological formations, characteristics and weather. For the calibration period (1961–1968), the considered statistical criteria of determination coefficients and Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency were 0.75 and 0.64 for runoff while the coefficients were 0.65 and 0.63 for sediment load, respectively. The regionalization technique for parameter transformation from Derbendekhan to Dokan watershed was applied. Furthermore, the model was validated based on transformed parameters and the available observed flow at the Dokan watershed for the period (1961–1964); they gave reasonable results for the determination coefficients and Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency, which were 0.68 and 0.64, respectively. The results of SWAT project simulation for Dokan watershed for the period (1959–2014) indicated that the average annual runoff volume which entered the reservoir was about 2100 million cubic meters (MCM). The total sediment delivered to the reservoir was about 72 MCM over the 56 years of dam life, which is equivalent to 10% of the reservoir dead storage. Two regression formulas were presented to correlate the annual runoff volume and sediment load with annual rain depth for the studied area. In addition, a spatial distribution of average annual sediment load was constructed to identify the sub basin of the high contribution of sediment load.
Prelaten, edelen en steden. De samenstelling van de Staten van Brabant in de vijftiende eeuw
Authors: Damen Mario
Published: June 2018

Qui étaient les personnes qui siégeaient dans les États de Brabant au XVe siècle et pouvaient recevoir une lettre de convocation pour une assemblée ? Dans cette étude, je propose une vue d’ensemble et une analyse des États sur base de quatre listes de convocation non datées pour cet organe représentatif au XVe siècle. Étant donné l’importance de ces listes pour l’histoire politique-institutionnelle et sociale du duché de Brabant, les listes sont intégralement éditées et toutes les personnes mentionnées sont identifiées et pourvues de notes biographiques. La présence et la participation des représentants des sujets étaient appréciées surtout à l’occasion des grands événements politiques, et par conséquent la chancellerie ducale préparait chaque fois une nouvelle liste. Une recherche plus poussée a montré que de telles listes de convocation ont été compilées à l’occasion de l’inauguration du duc Antoine de Bourgogne en 1406, l’inauguration de duc Jean IV en 1415 et pour célébrer la paix que l’archiduc Maximilien avait conclu avec les villes rebelles de Brabant en août 1489. Conjointement avec la partie «brabançonne » de la liste de convocation de 1464 pour les États généraux, les listes offrent une vue d’ensemble des personnes que les contemporains considéraient comme leurs représentants politiques : le clergé, la noblesse et le tiers état. J’étudie également si les listes de convocation correspondent à la participation effective aux assemblées des États. Pour rendre le processus de convocation plus clair, quelques lettres de convocation sont éditées pour l’abbé de Parc, Engelbert I de Nassau, seigneur de Breda, et la ville d’Anvers.
Guibert of Gembloux’s De destructione monasterii Gemblacensis. Literary legacy and issues of authorship against the backdrop of the “decline” of traditional monasticism
Authors: Moens Sara
Published: June 2018

De benedictijn Guibertus van Gembloers staat vooral bekend als de laatste secretaris van de befaamde Rijnlandse profetes Hildegard van Bingen. Hij liet echter ook een rijke literaire erfenis na die de leefwereld van een traditionele monnik tijdens de centrale middeleeuwen belicht. Een van zijn werken is De destructione monasterii Gemblacensis, bewaard in hs. 5535-37 in het Handschriftenkabinet van de Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België. Deze tekst geeft inzicht in Guibertus’ visie op auteurschap, in het bijzonder van een collectie van veertien traktaatbrieven die in het handschrift volgen op De destructione. Aan de hand van verschillende topoi en Bijbelse voorbeelden verantwoordde Guibertus zijn eigen literaire ambities en plaatste hij zichzelf binnen het traditionele geleerde discours rond auteurschap. Daarenboven biedt De destructione een bouwsteen in het onderzoek naar de staat van het traditionele kloosterleven in een tijd waarin het zich geconfronteerd zag met toenemende concurrentie van andere monastieke groepen. Guibertus maakte gebruik van het discours van verval van het traditionele cenobitisme, deels als een literaire strategie waarmee hij zijn daden wou verantwoorden.
Drug targeting to decrease cardiotoxicity – determination of the cytotoxic effect of GnRH-based conjugates containing doxorubicin, daunorubicin and methotrexate on human cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells
Authors: Polgár Livia , Lajkó Eszter , Soós Pál , Láng Orsolya , Manea Marilena , Merkely Béla , Mező Gábor , Kőhidai László
Published: June 2018

Background: Cardiomyopathy induced by the chemotherapeutic agents doxorubicin and daunorubicin is a major limiting factor for their application in cancer therapy. Chemotactic drug targeting potentially increases the tumor selectivity of drugs and decreases their cardiotoxicity. Increased expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors on the surface of tumor cells has been reported. Thus, the attachment of the aforementioned chemotherapeutic drugs to GnRH-based peptides may result in compounds with increased therapeutic efficacy. The objective of the present study was to examine the cytotoxic effect of anticancer drug–GnRH-conjugates against two essential cardiovascular cell types, such as cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. Sixteen different previously developed GnRH-conjugates containing doxorubicin, daunorubicin and methotrexate were investigated in this study. Their cytotoxicity was determined on primary human cardiac myocytes (HCM) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) using the xCELLigence SP system, which measures impedance changes caused by adhering cells on golden electrode arrays placed at the bottom of the wells. Slopes of impedance–time curves were calculated and for the quantitative determination of cytotoxicity, the difference to the control was analysed.

Results: Doxorubicin and daunorubicin exhibited a cytotoxic effect on both cell types, at the highest concentrations tested. Doxorubicin-based conjugates (AN-152, GnRH-III(Dox-O-glut), GnRH-III(Dox-glut-GFLG) and GnRH-III(Dox=Aoa-GFLG) showed the same cytotoxic effect on cardiomyocytes. Among the daunorubicin-based conjugates, [4Lys(Ac)]-GnRH-III(Dau=Aoa), GnRH-III(Dau=Aoa-YRRL), {GnRH-III(Dau=Aoa-YRRL-C)}2 and {[4N-MeSer]-GnRH-III(Dau-C)}2 had a significant but decreased cytotoxic effect, while the other conjugates – GnRH-III(Dau=Aoa), GnRH-III(Dau=Aoa-K(Dau=Aoa)), [4Lys(Dau=Aoa)]-GnRH-III(Dau=Aoa), GnRH-III(Dau=Aoa-GFLG), {GnRH-III(Dau-C)}2 and [4N-MeSer]-GnRH-III(Dau=Aoa) – exerted no cytotoxic effect on cardiomyocytes. Mixed conjugates containing methotrexate and daunorubicin – GnRH-III(Mtx-K(Dau=Aoa)) and [4Lys(Mtx)]-GnRH-III(Dau=Aoa) – showed no cytotoxic effect on cardiomyocytes, as well.

Conclusion: Based on these results, anticancer drug–GnRH-based conjugates with no cytotoxic effect on cardiomyocytes were identified. In the future, these compounds could provide a more targeted antitumor therapy with no cardiotoxic adverse effects. Moreover, impedimetric cytotoxicity analysis could be a valuable technique to determine the effect of drugs on cardiomyocytes.
LAND USE OPTIMIZATION USING THE FUZZY MATHEMATICAL-SPATIAL APPROACH: A CASE STUDY OF CHELGERD WATERSHED, IRAN
Authors: Heydari Moslem , Honarbakhsh Afshin , Pajoohesh Mahdi , Zangiabadi Maryam
Published: June 2018

In recent years, inappropriate land use, urban and industrial development along with different pollutions emanating from it gives rise to loss of natural resources and further leads to destructive floods, soil erosion, sedimentation and other various environmental, economic and social damages. Thus, management and planning are essential for the proper utilization, protection and revival of these resources. This study aimed to develop a mathematical-spatial optimum utilization model using FGP – MOLA in watershed including environmental and economic objectives while considering social issues. The results showed that the proposed model can lead to economic growth to 37% and decreasing the environmental damages to 2.4%. Under optimized condition, the area allocated to dry farming lands will decrease about 12% and gardens will increase about 423% and the other land uses remain unchanged too. In addition to, the results demonstrated the usefulness and efficiency of the proposed fuzzy model due to its flexibility and capability to simultaneously provide both optimum values and location of production resources.
A NEURAL NETWORK NOISE PREDICTION MODEL FOR TEHRAN URBAN ROADS
Authors: Mansourkhaki Ali , Berangi Mohammadjavad , Haghiri Majid , Haghani Mohammadreza
Published: June 2018

Over the last decades, the number of motor vehicles has increased dramatically in Iran, where different traffic characteristics and urban structures are notable. In the present study, a multilayer perceptron neural network model trained with the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm was used for predicting the equivalent sound level (LAeq) originating from traffic. Fifty-one samples were collected from different areas of Tehran. Input parameters consisted of total traffic volume per hour, average speed of vehicles, percentage of each category of vehicles, road gradient, density of buildings around the road section and a new parameter named “Building Reflection Factor”. These data were randomly used with 80, 10 and 10 percentiles respectively for training, validation and testing of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Results yielded by the ANN model were compared with field measurement data, a proposed regression model and some classical well-known models. Our study indicated that the prediction error of the neural network model was much less than that of the regression model and other classical models. Moreover, a statistical t-test was applied for evaluating the goodness-of-fit of the proposed model and proved that the neural network model is highly efficient in estimating road traffic noise levels.
Emission from the Ionized Gaseous Halos of Low-redshift Galaxies and Their Neighbors
Authors: Zhang Huanian , Zaritsky Dennis , Behroozi Peter
Published: June 2018

Using a sample of nearly half a million galaxies, intersected by over 8 million lines of sight from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 12, we extend our previous study of the recombination radiation emitted by the gaseous halos of nearby galaxies. We identify an inflection in the radial profile of the Hα+N[ii] radial emission profile at a projected radius of ∼50 kpc and suggest that beyond this radius the emission from ionized gas in spatially correlated halos dominates the profile. We confirm that this is a viable hypothesis using results from a highly simplified theoretical treatment in which the dark matter halo distribution from cosmological simulations is straightforwardly populated with gas. Whether we fit the fraction of halo gas in a cooler (T = 12,000 K), smooth (c = 1) component (0.26 for galaxies with

M
⊙ and 0.34 for those with

M
⊙) or take independent values of this fraction from published hydrodynamical simulations (0.19 and 0.38, respectively), this model successfully reproduces the radial location and amplitude of the observed inflection. We also observe that the physical nature of the gaseous halo connects to primary galaxy morphology beyond any relationship to the galaxy’s stellar mass and star formation rate. We explore whether the model reproduces behavior related to the central galaxy’s stellar mass, star formation rate, and morphology. We find that it is unsuccessful in reproducing the observations at this level of detail and discuss various shortcomings of our simple model that may be responsible.
Design and Implementation of a College English Listening Learning System Based on Android Platform
Authors: Huang Hongbo
Published: June 2018

To create a good English listening learning environment for college students, based on the Android platform and learning from mobile learning theory and language learning theory, Android software platform was applied to design and develop a learning system for college students' English listening. The system could provide a relatively complete listening learning system accord-ing to the listening cognition rule, increase the intelligence test, strengthen the listening training and feedback mechanism, help improve the listening level step by step, and improve the input and output process of listening learning. The practice showed that the system could effectively improve the learning effect of college students' English listening mobile learning.
Design and Application of a Situation Simulation Technology in Financial Teaching
Authors: Li Jingsheng
Published: June 2018

In the current financial instructional design, the current technical means can only solve the theoretical problems such as “what” and “why”, and it cannot solve the practical problem of “how to do it”. To solve this problem, the sit-uation simulation technology was used to financial teaching, and the overall design of experimental teaching system was achieved according to the real situation and data of sample companies. The system focused on the design of the accounting system for one of the two subsystems. It not only included the design of traditional accounting and account systems, and the design of accounting services, but also enriched the design of accounting policies and accounting methods, as well as role-playing design. In particular, the ac-counting ethics projects, emergencies and coordination relationships were added, focusing on the training of students' judgment ability, coordination ability and innovation ability. The practice showed that situation simulation technology can achieve the experimental operating conditions and can solve the practical problem of “how to do it”. To sum up, this experimental teach-ing has certain operability.
Application of Virtual Environment in the Teaching of Basketball Tactics
Authors: Li Shuaidong
Published: June 2018

The traditional experience basketball teaching method can only master the technical essentials through repeated practice, which seriously affects the ef-ficiency of basketball training. Based on this problem, a basketball teaching simulation system was constructed by using virtual reality technology. The system established a virtual simulation model of basketball players, which planed the track of athletes. In the meanwhile, it captured the real situation of basketball players and contrasted them with simulated trajectories, so as to help athletes do more targeted training. The results showed that basketball technology teaching model based on virtual reality could help athletes grasp the key points of motion skills as soon as possible, and greatly improve the training efficiency of basketball players.
Design and Application of Children's Entertainment Education Software in Preschool Education
Authors: Li Xicai
Published: June 2018

The current preschool education children's educational software mostly ig-nores the preschool children's psychological characteristics and rigidly com-bines the educational and entertainment nature of the game, which affects the learning effect of preschool children. Based on the psychological charac-teristics of preschool children, the characteristics of preschool children's de-mand for computer games were deeply analyzed. In addition, the preschool children's entertainment software was designed and developed. The game was built according to the system elements and design principles of the edu-cational games, and the appropriate kindergarten curriculum content was se-lected so that pre-school children can be substituted and truly entertained. The practice showed that the preschool children's educational software cap-tured the psychological characteristics of preschool children. It is concluded that the software effectively promotes preschool children to obtain knowledge in a relaxed gaming environment and improves the learning ef-fect of preschool children.
Examining User Adoption of Mobile Augmented Reality Applications
Authors: Zhou Tao
Published: June 2018

As an emerging service, mobile augmented reality (AR) applications have not received wide adoption among users. This may affect the successful implementation of AR. Integrating both perspectives of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and flow theory, this research examined user adoption of mobile AR applications. The results indicated that performance expectancy and the flow experience consisting of perceived enjoyment, attention focus and perceived control significantly affect usage intention, which in turn affects actual usage behaviour. The results imply that service providers need to improve the perceived utility and user experience in order to facilitate user adoption of mobile AR applications.
Social Adaptation of Children in a Mixed Age Group in Montessori Preschool Educational Institution
Authors: Dreimane Santa
Published: June 2018

The article explores the opportunities of children's social adaptation in a mixed age group in one Montessori preschool educational institution in Riga, Latvia. To find answers to the set research questions, the researcher carried out the observation of eight children, interviewed two teachers working in the preschool and surveyed the parents whose children were observed. The findings indicated several problems concerning social adaptation in the mixed age group at the Montessori preschool.
Toward an Environmental Law of Essential Goods
Authors: Gillroy John Martin
Published: June 2018

Perhaps if the preservation of nature is to mean anything in the concrete legal and policy world in which we live, it is time to move away from our reliance on fundamentally changing grass-roots conventional moral values as a prerequisite to policy in a bottom-up approach to change. Instead, perhaps we should consider a revolution in the terms of the explicit legal contract between humanity and nature granting new essential status and fundamental legal standing to the natural world; redefining the core values and assumptions applied to policy from the top-down. The author will call this explicit ‘status' contract between humanity and nature the ‘Ecological Contract' and argue that it is only through legitimizing the status of nature in law that we can assure the long-term sustainability of the natural world.
Treatment resistant depression
Authors: Ariyasinghe D. , Williams S. S.
Published: June 2018

No abstract available
A comparative survey of Nigerian physiotherapists’ familiarity with, knowledge of and utilisation of standard outcome measures: 10 years after initial survey
Authors: Odole Adesola C. , Oyewole Olufemi O. , Akinpelu Aderonke O.
Published: June 2018

Background: The need for physiotherapists to use standardised outcome measures (SOMs) is recognised and recommended in clinical practice guidelines in many countries.Aim: To evaluate changes in physiotherapy practice in Nigeria on the utilisation of SOMs and physiotherapists’ familiarity with and knowledge of SOMs over the past decade.Methods: A comparative cross-sectional survey of present data with 2006 data was undertaken. The existing validated questionnaire of 2006 was used to assess physiotherapists’ familiarity with, knowledge of and utilisation of 16 SOMs.Results: There was a noticeable change in familiarity with and utilisation of 16 SOMs in the current data and in knowledge. Between 52% and 90% of physiotherapists were not familiar with 14 SOMs in 2006, whereas 51.4% – 85.8% of physiotherapists were not familiar with 8 SOMs in 2016; 77% – 97% and 63.4% – 97.3% of physiotherapists were not utilising SOMs in the 2006 and 2016 data, respectively. The least utilised SOMs in 2006 were Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index, Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment and SF-36 Health Survey; in 2016, it was only the Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment. The Visual Analogue Scale and Gross Motor Function Measure remained the most utilised in both data. Duration of practice, age and sex were significant factors for the utilisation of and familiarity with SOMs.Conclusion: There was an improvement in the familiarity with, knowledge of and utilisation of SOMs over the past decade among Nigerian physiotherapists but the level of utilisation is unsatisfactory. Action is required if routine outcome measurement is to be achieved.Clinical Implications: Utilisation of SOMs is part of core standards of physiotherapy practice for effective management of patients. Although the utilisation of SOMs improved over the past 10 years, it is very low. Therefore, studies directed at finding factors responsible for low utilisation of SOMs among Nigerian physiotherapists are warranted.
Christian ethics and secularisation: Business as usual?
Authors: De Villiers Dawid E.
Published: June 2018

It is now 49 years since Johan Heyns’s Sterwende Christendom? [Dying Christendom] was published (1969) in which he traced the history of secularisation and its impact on the theology of his time and 36 years since the publication (1982) of the first volume of his Teologiese etiek [Theological ethics] in which he discussed the impact of secularisation on ethics. In this article, the topic of the impact of secularisation on Christian ethics is revisited. Account is taken of research conducted on the secularising impact of modernisation since then. Although empirical research points to the fact that it is not true that modernisation inevitably leads to the complete demise of religious faith and ethics, and also not that there is today absolutely no room for religious influences in the different social orders, it does not mean that it is a case of business as usual for Christian ethics. It cannot be denied that modernisation has a significant effect on the shape of Christian ethics in the contemporary world. And it can also not be denied that in most contemporary liberal democratic societies, including South Africa, the public role of Christian ethics is restricted. Some of the challenges – and opportunities – present-day realities pose to South African churches and their members are identified and discussed.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: On account of the pluralising and fragilising impact of modernisation on Christian faith, the discipline of Christian ethics should today criticise the absolutising of Christian ethical beliefs and encourage Christians to actively support consensus seeking on moral values in the workplace and in society.
Role of diffusion tensor imaging in renal parenchymal changes
Authors: Saini Shimona , Kumar Vikas , Koteshwara Prakashini
Published: June 2018

Context: Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) is a reliable noninvasive tool to assess renal function with medullary Fractional Anisotropy (FA) values showing the most consistent results. Aims: Evaluation of FA, Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) for detecting diabetic nephropathy (DN) using 1.5-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To determine FA and ADC values in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and controls, and comparing these with estimated glomerular filtiration rate (eGFR) and categorizing the stage of CKD. Patients and Methods: Thirty nondiabetic volunteers underwent DTI.The study included 83 diabetics, 30 frank urine proteinuric, 30 micro-albuminuric, 23 normo-albuminuric with only raised blood sugar patients.Patients were stratified by eGFR into groups: eGFR <60 and eGFR>60ml/min. ADC and FA values in cortex and medulla were compared between controls and study groups. Statistical Analysis Used: Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation using SPSS 16 were performed. Results: There was significant difference of FA medulla in controls versus albuminuric and micro-albuminuric versus frank proteinuric patients (P < 0.001).Also, there was significant difference between cortical ADC values between normal, microalbuminuric/proteinuric groups (P = 0.010, P =0.000, respectively). Significant difference between medullary FA values of patients with eGFR >60 and eGFR < 60 versus normal controls (P < 0.001) was noted.With declining renal function from normal to CKD category 5, a negative correlation between medullary FA (r= −0.785, P = 0.001) and ADC cortex values (r= −0.436, P = 0.001) was noted. A strong positive correlation between medullary FA and cortex ADC with eGFR (r = 0.598 and 0.344, respectively) was noted. Conclusion: Medullary FA of diabetics with relatively intact kidney function were significantly lower than those of controls. Hence, drop in medullary FA values can be an indicator of early nephropathy/patients at risk where eGFR is in near normal range. Cortical ADC and medullary FA demonstrated a significant correlation with eGFR with the latter showing a stronger positive correlation.
Language lateralization in pre-adolescent children: FMRI study using visual verb generation and word pair paradigms
Authors: Sreedharan Ruma M , James Jija S , Kesavadas Chandrasekharan , Thomas Sanjeev V
Published: June 2018

Background: FMRI is a noninvasive tool for mapping language networks, especially in children. We conducted FMRI studies in children in the age group 8- 12 years using 2 different paradigms for assessing language networks and lateralization. Aim: To map language networks in pre-adolescent children and to calculate lateralization index using two different visual paradigms. Methods and Materials: The study was conducted in normal right handed children in the age group 8-12 years. Sixteen normal subjects underwent FMRI using 2 paradigms- visual verb generation (VVG), word pairs paradigm (WPP) to stimulate language areas. FMRI data analysis was done using SPM8 (statistical parametric Mapping) software. Total activated voxels were calculated for each hemispheres in the pre-defined ROIs for both paradigms. Results: FMRI showed left language lateralization in 13 out of 16 children with both VVG and WPP and bilateral language lateralization in two subjects. With VVG there was more significant activation in the left inferior triangular gyrus (ITG) (P < 0.001), left inferior opercular gyrus (IOG) (P < 0.01), left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) (P < 0.05), left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (P < 0.05). Left posterior superior temporal gyrus (STG or WA) (P < 0.001), Left AG (P < 0.03), Left SMG (P < 0.05) were significantly activated with WP paradigm. Conclusion: Our FMRI studies showed that VGP predominantly activated frontal language areas and WPP predominantly activated temperoparietal language areas. Several other brain regions were also involved in language processing apart from the classical language areas.
Hydropic degeneration of leiomyoma in nongravid uterus: The “split fiber” sign on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Patil Aruna R. , Nandikoor Shrivalli , Padilu Ramya
Published: June 2018

Extensive hydropic degeneration in uterine leiomyoma is a rare occurrence and is commonly reported in association with pregnancy. It is a close mimicker of malignancy due to rapid growth and atypical imaging appearances. Awareness of the imaging features helps in diagnosis, avoids unnecessary patient anxiety, and hence reassurance especially when encountered in pregnancy. We report two cases of extensive hydropic degeneration of leiomyoma in nonpregnant females with imaging and histopathology correlation. We also propose the “split fiber” sign as a useful magnetic resonance imaging feature for diagnosing this condition.
Esophageal stents in children: Bridge to surgical repair
Authors: Slater Bethany J , Pimpalwar Ashwin , Wesson David , Olutoye Oluyinka , Pimpalwar Sheena
Published: June 2018

Management of complex esophageal problems in children is challenging. We report our experience with the use of esophageal stents in three children with esophageal strictures, leaks, or airway-esophageal fistulae refractory to conventional treatment. The stent played a key role in allowing extubation of a child with a large tracheo-esophageal-pleural fistula and in the resolution of pulmonary infection in a child with esophago-bronchial fistula, both followed by surgery. In the third child, with stricture, stents were complicated with migration, esophageal erosion, and esophago-bronchial fistula. In our experience, esophageal stents were useful mainly as a bridge to definitive surgical repair.
Comparative accuracy of magnetic resonance morphometry and sonography in assessment of post-cesarean uterine scar
Authors: Satpathy Gayatri , Kumar Ishan , Matah Manjari , Verma Ashish
Published: June 2018

Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with that of ultrasonography (USG) for the measurement of lower segment cesarean scar during trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective case-control observational study conducted with a cohort of 30 participants being considered for TOLAC but eventually proceeding to lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) at a university-based teaching institute over a period of 2 years. Measurement of scar thicknesses were done by MRI and USG preoperatively and validated by surgical findings. Comparison of diagnostic accuracy as well as the cut-off values (to differentiate a normal scar from an abnormal scar) was done between the two modalities. Results: Insignificant systematic error between the measurements obtained by the two modalities was noted by a Bland–Altmann analysis. The diagnostic accuracy of USG for differentiating a normal from an abnormal uterine scar was 96.7% while that of MRI was at a slightly lower level of 90%. A strong level of agreement between the two modalities was observed. Conclusion: MRI offers no advantage in diagnostic accuracy for the measurement of LSCS scar thickness during consideration of TOLAC. Advances in Knowledge: Measurement of uterine scar by MRI has a good correlation with that done on USG in the setting of post-cesarean pregnancy. The results hold good both for normal (grades 1 and 2) and abnormal (grades 3) scars. MRI, however, does not offer any added advantage over sonographic scar thickness measurement for the differentiation of a normal (grades 1 and 2) from an abnormal (grade 3) scar.
Percutaneous gastrostomy placement by intervention radiology: Techniques and outcome
Authors: Karthikumar Balasubramanian , Keshava Shyamkumar N , Moses Vinu , Chiramel George K , Ahmed Munawwar , Mammen Suraj
Published: June 2018

Background: Interventional radiology (IR) has played an important role in the technical evolution of gastrostomy, from the first surgical, endoscopical to percutaneous interventional procedures. Aim: This study is done to assess the technical feasibility and outcome of IR-guided percutaneous gastrostomy for patients requiring nutritional support for neuromuscular disorders or head and neck malignancies, as well as to describe simplified and newer technique for pull-type gastrostomy. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study including 29 patients who underwent IR-guided percutaneous gastrostomy over a period of 8 years in a tertiary-level institution. Either pull or push-type gastrostomy was performed in these patients as decided by the interventional radiologist. The procedures were assessed by analyzing the indications, technical aspects, and complications. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive summary statistics and frequencies were used to assess the techniques and related complications. Results: The sample consists of 27 patients (93%) with pull technique and 2 patients (7%) with push technique. The technical success rate was 100%. Most of the complications were minor 24% (7/29), including superficial skin infections around the tube site, self-resolving pneumoperitoneum, tube-related complications such as block, leakage, deformation, and dislodgement. Three patients (10.3%) had major complications. One patient (3.4%) developed massive pneumoperitoneum and mild peritonitis due to technical failure in the first attempt and needed re-puncture for successful placement, and other two patients (6.9%) developed peristromal focal abscess. One patient died on the third postoperative day due to type II respiratory failure. Conclusion: IR-guided percutaneous gastrostomy is a safe and effective procedure in selected patients.
Dystopias Go Global: The Transnational Reorganization of Territories and Societies in Elysium
Authors: Gómez Muñoz Pablo
Published: June 2018

This article argues that at the turn of the twenty-first century science fiction (SF) cinema has begun to show particular interest in transnational interactions and cosmopolitan concerns. The article focuses on one of the most representative groups of this trend: dystopias that explore the transnational systems that shape deeply unequal societies. The first part of the article provides an overview of the different transnational issues that contemporary dystopias deal with. The article then presents the film Elysium (Neill Blomkamp, 2013) as a representative example of this trend. The analysis of Elysium sheds light on several socioeconomic and territorial processes that are shaping the development of neoliberal globalization in the twenty-first century: extraterritorial operations, market incorporation, and the reorganization and superposition of borders. The article concludes that Elysium and similar films at first appear to criticize a set of structures and practices that prevent large numbers of people from living in decent conditions, but eventually reproduce the same circumstances and hierarchies that they appear to denounce.
Sci-fi, Cli-fi or Speculative Fiction: Genre and Discourse in Margaret Atwood’s “Three Novels I Won’t Write Soon”
Authors: Gadpaille Michelle
Published: June 2018

Margaret Atwood’s short prose piece, “Three Novels I Won’t Write Soon,” poses a conundrum for anyone seeking to place it within a genre. With features of science fiction, speculative fiction and a postmodern prose poem, the text addresses the topic of climate change and its concomitant fiction without offering closure. After examining and attempting to resolve the issue of genre, the paper aligns Atwood’s discourse of indeterminacy with the parallel discourse of climate change as expressed in science writing, in order to account for this text’s unusual structural and stylistic features.