bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Values in Asymptomatic and Arthritic Cohorts
Authors: Yu Raymond W. , McLean James M. , Bahl Jasvir S. , Solomon Lucian B.
Published: January 2019

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether an electronic, multicenter data collection system could be used to establish normal population reference values for the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). The secondary aim was to investigate differences in asymptomatic HOOS and WOMAC values reported in 2 geographically distinct English-speaking countries and compare these with a symptomatic arthritic patient cohort. A total of 552 participants were recruited. Asymptomatic Australian and Canadian cohorts were compared; combined asymptomatic cohorts were compared with an arthritic cohort. There was a statistically significant association between age and asymptomatic HOOS (
P
<.0001) and WOMAC (
P
<.0001) values; as age increased, values worsened. Females had worse HOOS and WOMAC values (
P
<.0001). When compared with age- and sex-matched asymptomatic participants, arthritic participants had worse scores (
P
<.0001). Asymptomatic Australians had a statistically significant 3.8% better (higher) HOOS (
P
<.0001) in all age groups (
P
<.0001). When compared with age- and sex-matched asymptomatic participants, younger arthritic participants reported worse activities of daily living and sports and recreation HOOS values. This observational study established an electronic HOOS and WOMAC patient-reported outcome measures database of asymptomatic individuals in 2 geographically distinct countries. An asymptomatic control group should be sourced from the same country of origin as the proposed study. Factors that should be considered when recording the HOOS and WOMAC include age, sex, geographic location, history of an inactive hip problem, contralateral hip disease, and active knee, ankle, or foot problems. [
Orthopedics
. 2019; 42(2):e216–e224.]
An International Scoping Exercise Examining Practice Experience Hours Completed by Nursing Students
Authors: Hungerford Catharine , Blanchard Denise , Bragg Susan , Coates Alison , Kim Tiffany
Published: January 2019

Background:

There is global acceptance of the need for prelicensure nursing students to complete practice experience hours during their program of education. Yet questions remain about these practice experiences, including those related to duration.

Method:

This article reports findings of a scoping exercise that compared the number of practice experience hours mandated for students undertaking courses that lead to RN licensure in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Results:

Substantial differences were evident between the four countries regarding the number of mandated practice experience hours. There is no clearly linked research evidence to justify the decision made in relation to the mandated number of hours.

Conclusion:

Internationally, there is a need to reexamine the rationale for mandating a minimum number of practice experience hours for students in programs of education that lead to licensing as an RN.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2019;58(1):33–41.]
Inflicted Childhood Neurotrauma (Shaken Baby Syndrome): Ophthalmic Findings
Authors: Forbes Brian J , Christian Cindy W , Judkins Alexander R , Kryston Kasia
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

Inflicted childhood neurotrauma (shaken baby syndrome) is the term used for violent, nonaccidental, repetitive, unrestrained acceleration-deceleration head and neck movements, with or without blunt head trauma, combined with a unique, age-related biomechanical sensitivity in children typically younger than 3 years. This syndrome is typically characterized by a combination of fractures, intracranial hemorrhages, and intraocular hemorrhages. Retinal hemorrhage is the most common ophthalmic finding, and usually occurs at all levels of the retina. In recent years, increasing pressure has been placed on ophthalmologists to render diagnostic interpretations of the retinal findings in children suspected to be victims, which may have great forensic implications in criminal proceedings. New research has increased our understanding of the pathophysiology of retinal hemorrhages, the importance of specifically characterizing the types, patterns, and extent of these retinal hemorrhages, and the differential diagnosis. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2004;41:80-88.
Successful Occlusion Therapy for Amblyopia in 11- to 15-Year-Old Children
Authors: Mohan Kanwar , Saroha Vandana , Sharma Ashok
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of full-time occlusion therapy in treating amblyopia in 11- to 15-year-old children and to determine its lasting results.

Patients and Methods: Fifty-five compliant children 11 to 15 years old who had amblyopia were treated with full-time (during all waking hours) occlusion of their good eye until no further improvement in the visual acuity of their amblyopic eye was observed on 3 consecutive monthly follow-up examinations. After this, part-time (4 hours per day) occlusion therapy was used randomly in 24 of 55 patients for 3 to 6 months for maintenance of the final visual acuity. Snellen visual acuity and its logMAR equivalent were recorded before treatment, at the cessation of full-time occlusion therapy, and on the most recent examination.

Results: All 55 of the patients had improved visual acuity after treatment. The mean improvement was 0.46 logMAR unit (4.6 Snellen lines). Thirty-two of the patients had a mean follow-up of 17.6 months after the cessation of full-time and maintenance occlusion therapy. Twenty-nine (91%) of the 32 patients maintained improved visual acuity, whereas 3 (9%) exhibited a regression in visual acuity. Maintenance occlusion therapy did not have a significant stabilizing effect on the improved visual acuity.

Conclusion: Compliant, full-time occlusion effectively improves acuity in children 11 to 15 years old who have amblyopia due to strabismus, anisometropia, or both. Most older patients have lasting improvement with or without maintenance patching.

J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2004;41:89-95.
Management of a Broken Needle During the Frontalis Suspension Procedure
Authors: Kashkouli Mohsen Bahmani , Beigi Bijan
Published: January 2019

Abstract. A 19-month-old girl with bilateral congenital ptosis and abnormal head posture underwent a bilateral frontalis sling procedure. As the needle was directed through the submyocutaneous tunnel, its tip (eye) snapped. When the needle was withdrawn, the tip was missing. The problem was addressed and the procedure was completed. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2004;41:107-108.
Development of lightweight insulating building materials from perlite wastes
Authors: Tsaousi G. M. , Profitis L. , Douni I. , Chatzitheodorides E. , Panias D.
Published: January 2019

This paper investigates the development of geopolymer foam boards, using perlite wastes as raw material. This type of lightweight materials combines the geopolymerization technology with the foaming process. The mechanism of foaming is based on the generation of a gas that is retained by the geopolymer matrix in the form of individual or interconnected voids. In this study, the inorganic foaming agent is hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is added into the initial paste in different quantities by mechanical stirring. The produced porous materials have effective densities between 408–476.5 kg/m3, thermal conductivities between 0.076–0.095 W/m.K and different type of microstructure, depending on the concentration of the activator and the foaming agent content. To assess the porosity and the size distribution of the voids, image processing techniques were applied on digital images of the samples. According to these results, the synthesized lightweight materials exhibit similar or even better thermal properties than the current concrete porous materials.
Manresa au cœur de la Catalogne, de l’histoire industrielle à l’esthétique de la désindustrialisation
Authors: Rubio Emma
Published: January 2019

Cet article présente Manresa comme exemple du phénomène dit de dépositions urbaines, résultat des processus successifs d’urbanisation. Une brochure touristique proposant des itinéraires au long des deux rivières, le Llobregat et le Cardener, attire l’attention sur un patrimoine industriel imposant. Dès le Moyen Âge Manresa s’urbanise autour des lieux de production artisanaux, préindustriels puis industriels, à partir de l’eau comme énergie primordiale. La Sèquia, son système d’irrigation construit dès 1384 et toujours en fonctionnement en témoigne. L’objet de cet article est de montrer comment l’histoire industrielle de Manresa détermine sa géographie, son esthétique, jusqu’à l’âge d’or du xive siècle, dans l’industrialisation intense du xixe, mais aussi dans son déclin au xxe.
Oficinas e tipógrafos
Authors: Durão Susana
Published: January 2019

Na década de 1980 a renovação dos meios gráficos chegou finalmente a Portugal. Esta veio transformar um sector que se manteve durante séculos maioritariamente assente na composição e impressão de texto a partir de caracteres móveis tridimensionais em chumbo: a tipografia. Todo um universo sóciotécnico foi então abalado. Nas oficinas a tipografia passou para segundo plano, ultrapassada pela infografia e impressão offset, aguardando o desmantelamento definitivo da tecnologia que fica para a história como a «mãe das artes gráficas». O olhar etnográfico, legado da antropologia social e cultural, levou a autora a lugares onde a tipografia e os tipógrafos se fizeram ouvir até à viragem do século xx para o xxi.
Security in Context of the Internet of Things
Authors: Banday Mohammad Tariq
Published: January 2019

The chapter discusses various security challenges in the design of the internet of things and their possible solutions. After presenting a precise introduction to the internet of things, its applications, and technologies enabling it, the chapter discusses its various architectures and models which follow with an introduction of development kits, boards, platforms, hardware, software, and devices used in the internet of things. A concise explanation and discussion on the internet of things standards and protocols with emphasis on their security is presented. Next, various possible security threats and attacks to the internet of things are presented. The subsequent sections of the chapter discuss identified security challenges at individual layers of various models along with their possible solutions. It further presents cryptographic and lightweight cryptographic primitives for the internet of things, existing use of cryptography in the internet of things protocols, security challenges, and its prospectus.
Preserving Security of Mobile Anchors Against Physical Layer Attacks
Authors: Biswas Rathindra Nath , Mitra Swarup Kumar , Naskar Mrinal Kanti
Published: January 2019

This chapter introduces a new security scheme for mobile anchors avoiding the physical layer attacks towards localization in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In a network, anchors are made location-aware equipping them with GPS (global positioning system) receivers. Direction finding capabilities are also incorporated with smart antennas. The proposed algorithm is based on adaptive beamforming of smart array that always minimizes the probabilities of successful attacks, keeping the adversaries beyond its beam coverage. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique is used to compute array excitation coefficients, generating the desired pattern. Thus, anchors remain secured through pattern irregularities, deteriorating the information retrieval process even though chances of occurring adequate RSS (received signal strength)/AoA (angle of arrival) measurements may exist. Moreover, anchors are assumed to send pseudo references towards stationary nodes over private links, preserving data integrity for localization. Simulation results validate its effectiveness over the existing methods.
From College to the City
Authors: O'Connell Lenahan L. , (Wie) Yusuf Juita-Elena , Brock Timothy J. , Blandford Benjamin
Published: January 2019

This chapter focuses on how investment in the American rail infrastructure has shaped changes in the population and residential patterns. Specifically, the chapter examines the association between commuter rail systems, urban rail transit systems, and the movement of the college-educated young into the inner city. Two hypotheses are proposed about the characteristics of rail systems and the relationship to the growth in the percentage of young college graduates residing in close-in neighborhoods. Using a sample of central cities within the 51 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S., the chapter compares the growth in young college graduates (ages 25 to 34 years) across cities with the different transit configurations. Using correlation analysis, the chapter explores the relationship between the presence of rail transit and the residential location choices of this population group. In the discussion and conclusion, the findings are summarized and implications for policy and sustainability are discussed.
Cost and Cost Politics in Airport Takeovers
Authors: Mohr Zachary , Mushipe Tonderai E. C.
Published: January 2019

While it is well known that cost is a politically salient issue, much less is known about the role of cost development and how costs get elevated into the political discussion. This chapter looks at the role of cost accounting and cost development in the recent takeover attempts of two airports by the state of North Carolina. The Charlotte-Douglas airport takeover was a failed attempt, and the Asheville Regional airport takeover succeeded. The chapter makes three important contributions to the study of sustainable transportation financial management. First, it shows that costs are important to the political discussion of the takeovers. Second, it provides a discussion of the relevant costs in each case. Third, it provides research on the political dimensions of cost in the United States in the management of transportation assets, which may limit sustainable transportation policy.
Academic Leaders in Leading Chinese Universities
Authors: Jing Meiying , Yao Xiang
Published: January 2019

The Double First-Class Initiative is now underway in a number of Chinese universities, of which about 36 are designated as level-A first-class universities of China. What kind of academic leaders do these universities have? In order to answer this question, the chapter firstly defines who can be classified as academic leaders at institutional level and their characteristics; secondly, it generalizes the common features of academic leaders in these universities such as education and academic research background, overseas study or research experience, work experience, and so on; thirdly, it analyzes the government policies and institutional strategies related to academic leaders so as to identify benchmark criteria (if in existence) regarding academic leaders in China's first-class universities. It also examines the extent to which these criteria or official requirements coincide with academic leaders' common features and puts forward policy advice on relevant issues.
Cultural Transformation and Academic Leadership
Authors: Kondakci Yasar , Zayim-Kurtay Merve
Published: January 2019

This chapter aims to elaborate on the leadership properties in the transformation in higher education across the world by advancing specific illustration from the Turkish higher education context. Three specific objectives were identified around this broad aim: (1) document the current forces of change surrounding HEIs, (2) identify the culture shift in HEIs, and (3) provide literature-based evidence for the leadership gap in the face of culture shift and develop preposition for academic leadership. Higher education institutions (HEIs) form one of the sectors which has been drastically affected from the trends and developments in the economic, political, social, and technological spheres and responded to these change forces by radical transformations that have touched their traditional and historical value systems. This chapter argues that HEIs need leadership practices to survive the crisis and conflict era successfully, which carry some properties of transformational leadership while holding the traditional academic leadership perspective.
Global Challenges and Trends of University Governance Structures
Authors: Antoine Anthony , Van Langenhove Luk
Published: January 2019

This chapter tries to identify the different trends in university governance and their underlying causes. Although it focuses on university trends in Europe, it makes reference to global trends and causes, such as digitalization, inter-connectivity of our societies, and growing international competition. In sum, the chapter argues that the digital evolution has led both to a changed approach to teaching as well as to growing global competition in the race to obtain the best talent. This, in combination with a generation that has a growing access to higher education and that thrives on “instant knowledge-satisfaction,” has led to university governance changes that better fit current needs. Government-led austerity programs have further accelerated these changes, as universities seek to optimize their financing whilst, at the same time, striving to move up the international rankings. University governance trends include a professionalization of management, the creation of international excellence networks, and the establishment of interdisciplinary but specialized schools.
Challenges Facing Chinese and European Universities in Mobility Cooperation
Authors: Mrowiec-Denkowska Joanna , Chen Yujuan , Zoll Fryderyk Stanisław , Wang Kai
Published: January 2019

In recent years, professional mobility opportunities for university staff and students enshrined within various initiatives have been an effective tool in increasing the international visibility of universities. Activities such as participation in EU sponsored programs (mainly Erasmus-MUNDUS followed by ERASMUS+) as well as opportunities provided by national agencies like the China Scholarship Council, Polish National Academic Exchange Agency, and relevant schemes in other EU member states are perceived as perfect tools for turning ideas into reality. Aside from the scientific profits collected by the beneficiaries, opportunities for academic mobility serve as eye-openers, triggering new ideas and solutions based on good practices and experience. The purpose of this chapter is to study the background, practices, and effects of cooperation between China and the EU. It argues that the process of accelerating mobility cooperation between universities in China and Europe should not only start from people mobility but also from project mobility and policy mobility.
Guidance Algorithm for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles on a Basis System of Technical Viewing
Authors: Pikenin Oleksii , Marynoshenko Oleksander
Published: January 2019

The chapter considers a description of developed control system for a group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that has a software capable to continue the flight in case of failures by using alternative control algorithms. Control system is developed on vision system by using methods of image recognition. Grouped coordinated flight of UAVs can significantly improve the performance of surveillance processes, such as reconnaissance, image recognition, aerial photography, industrial and environmental monitoring, etc. But to control a group of UAVs is a quite difficult task. In this chapter, the authors propose a model that corresponds to the principle of construction by the leading UAVs. In the case of using this model, the parameters of the system motion are determined by the direction of motion, the speed, and the acceleration of the UAVs' driving. The control system based on the methods of image recognition expands the possibilities of coordinating the group of UAVs.
Information Technology for the Coordinated Control of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Teams Based on the Scenario-Case Approach
Authors: Sherstjuk Vladimir , Zharikova Maryna
Published: January 2019

The authors present a dynamic scenario-case approach to coordinated control of heterogeneous ensembles of unmanned aerial vehicles, which use coordination patterns of activity in similar situations described as spatial configurations affected by observed events. The method of obtaining deviations for approximate spatial configurations, which allows obtaining elements of the safe vehicle's trajectories. The method of qualitative safety assessment is presented. It uses a soft level topology to obtaining blurred boundaries of dynamic safety domains using fuzzy soft level sets and allows finding suitable compensations of vehicles' activity scenarios that can both keep the spatial configuration and satisfy all safety restrictions. The authors demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly reduces the computational complexity of problem solving and provides the acceptable performance.
Ensuring the Safety of UAV Flights by Means of Intellectualization of Control Systems
Authors: Dergachov Konstantin , Kulik Anatolii
Published: January 2019

In this chapter, the authors present analysis of reasons for deficient safety of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and further ground an approach to improve the safety by intellectualizing operation of the control system. Intellectualization results from the rational control owing to machine vision means used. A conception of building algorithms for visual evaluating position of the UAV that is equipped with a computer vision system is suggested. Algorithms are illustrated by related investigation of an adapted UAV. Both hardware and software means for realizing the visual estimation algorithms are presented.
Realization Features of System Software of Multiprocessor Computing Systems
Authors: Moroz Boris , Fedorov Eugene , Pobochii Ivan , Kozenkov Dmytro , Sushko Larisa
Published: January 2019

The chapter is aimed at the problem of use and adjustment of system software of multiprocessor computing systems. The main principles of the Linux operating system were considered, which were necessary when constructing a multiprocessor computing system. These studies also cover new ways to remotely access the memory of processor systems through the use of RDMA technology for InfiniBand technology. Thus, it has been shown that the RDMA principle, together with the formation of a separate computing network in the data interchange environment, and the implementation of VLAN mechanisms, allowed the data transmission among nodes memory of the multiprocessor computing system without additional buffering. This approach does not require the active OS operation, libraries, or applications on those nodes of the system which memory is requested.
Avatar-Based Supply Chain Management as Expert Knowledge for Smart Solutions
Authors: Panasenko Svetlana , Potapova Irina , Belyanina Lubov , Rozhkova Liliya , Kharicheva Dina , Mkrttchian Vardan , Bershadsky Alexander
Published: January 2019

This chapter discusses issues related to managing the avatar-based supply chains as expert knowledge for smart solutions in creating sustainable urban systems. Avatar-based supply chains as expert knowledge is a new term that describes the planning, search, production, distribution, and delivery of Mkrttchian's digital avatars from the place of origin to consumption. These supply chains are very different from traditional ones because they relate to a specific product-expert knowledge, which is created through electronic data distributed on the internet between business partners and value-added service providers operating in a general digital economy paradigm using blockchain technologies. This chapter focuses on the analysis of business relations and this integration into sustainable urban systems.
The Integration of Urban Growth and Industrial Policies in Africa
Authors: Suleiman Muhammad Aliyu , Benna Umar G.
Published: January 2019

Africa is the last of the major global regions to urbanize and to economically benefit therefrom largely due to centuries of the fragmented spatial system by geographic, trading zone, colonial experiences, and logistics barriers. Recently, however, the integration of African urban spatial structure was spearheaded by the private sector under the guidance of the public sector. This chapter analyzes the goals driving integration, the tools used by private and the public sectors in setting the stage for integrative urban growth through industrialization, and then identifies the future opportunities and challenges in sustaining the momentum. The chapter comprises of an introduction, a conceptual framework, the gluing elements, the review of the development guidance system, opportunities and challenges ahead, future research direction, and conclusion.
A Technology Assessment of Renewable Energy Potentials in Nigeria
Authors: Akinwale Yusuf Opeyemi , Ogundari Ibikunle Olalekan , Adepoju Adeyemi Oluwaseun , Akinbami John-Felix Kayode
Published: January 2019

Science, technology, and innovation (STI) has become a significant factor in driving several sectors towards economic growth and development in many economies. There are several possibilities of usage for renewable energy resources in Nigeria which could be explored for solving electricity crisis especially in the growing urban centers where large population of Nigerians are moving into en masse. There is no doubt that technology capability plays a central role in the development of renewable energy. This chapter assessed the level of technology capability among the Nigerian university academia specializing in renewable energy-related disciplines. The results revealed that the level of renewable energy R&D funding is insufficient and poor university-industry interaction also abounds. Thus, there is a colossal gap between the existing and the required technology innovation capabilities. This study makes some suggestions which could be used by the policymakers to salvage the present situations in the country so as to improve the electricity generation in meeting the needs of the growing urbanization.
Vulnerability of Human Populations to Climate Change
Authors: Ben Salem Abdelkrim , Ben Salem Souad , Kahime Kholoud , Messouli Mohammed , Khebiza Mohammed Yacoubi
Published: January 2019

Moroccan ecosystems are considered endangered due to climate change that affects directly or indirectly different key features (biodiversity, snow cover, run-off processes, and water availability). The chapter describes the strategy for achieving collaboration between natural and social scientists, stakeholders, decision makers, and other societal groups in order to carry out an integrated assessment of climate change in the 12 Moroccan regions, with an emphasis on vulnerability and adaptation, and evaluate the vulnerability of human population to climate change applying the socioeconomic vulnerability index (SeVI) that measures socioeconomic vulnerability by regions. Result suggest that three southern and one north region are relatively more vulnerable, which are the most exposed to natural hazard. Furthermore, significant adaptive capacity scores are recorded in in the remaining regions, and average sensitivity for all. Therefore, societies and economies at all levels and on every region have to prepare for and adapt to impacts of climate change.
Childhood Leukemia and Environmental Risk Factors
Authors: Tilaoui Mounir , Zyad Abdelamjid , Chatoui Hicham , Rakkaa Tarik
Published: January 2019

Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood forming cells which occurs in several forms of chronic or acute diseases. It is the most common cause of pediatric malignancy, accounting for approximately 25% of all cancers occurring before age 20. It represents 32% of all cancer cases occurring among children younger than 15 years of age, with an annual incidence rate of 43 cases per million. In the last decade of the 20th century, the occurrence of childhood leukemia has shown a rise. This disease, like most cancers, has a multifactorial etiological causal mechanism and a heterogeneous biological composition involving the interaction between different aspects originating from the environment as well as human genetics. This chapter discusses, through the current published literature, the relationship between cancer, particularly childhood leukemia, and environmental exposures to heavy metals, pesticides, and mycotoxins.
Epilepsy and Stroke Emerging From Climate Change-Related Neurotoxicity
Authors: Benammi Hind , El Hiba Omar , Aimrane Abdelmohcine , Zouhairi Nadia , Chatoui Hicham , Lahouaoui Hasna , Kahime Kholoud , Belkouri Morad , Ghchime Rokia , Draoui Ahmed , Gamrani Halima
Published: January 2019

Climate change has an important impact on the environment. As it degrades the quality of water, soil, and area, it also spreads the distribution of many toxic elements, specifically heavy metals and pesticides. The impact of climate change on contamination with heavy metals and pesticides has been well investigated and discussed. The influence of these elements on human health is obviously exacerbated following their extended distribution. Moreover, a wide range of health problems have been associated to such intoxication, among which impairment and dysfunction of the nervous system are prominent. In this chapter, the authors will shed light on two most common neurological diseases such as epilepsy and stroke affecting people worldwide arising from food and water contaminations, mainly with heavy metals and pesticides.
Climate Impact on Seasonal Distribution of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Southern Morocco
Authors: Karmaoui Ahmed , Zerouali Siham , Kahime Kholoud
Published: January 2019

As in most arid and pre-Saharan North Africa regions, the local population is especially rural, socioeconomically vulnerable, and exposed to vector-borne disease like cutaneous leishmaniasis. Information on geographical and seasonal distribution of this disease can be helpful in the control of this disease. In this context, four sites were used to identify the seasonality of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Middle Draa Valley (MDV). The seasonal occurrence of this disease was correlated with some climatic and hydrologic variables. The findings show that the most part of patients (86%) were from rural areas with a bit high rate of affected people is female gender (54%) and children less than 9 years (51%). The distribution of cases shows a prevalence of affected in the upstream area than in downstream where the climate is more and more arid. The highest number of cases were detected in the winter season (from December to March).
Climate Change, Scorpion Ecology, and Envenomation
Authors: El Hidan Moulay Abdelmonaim , Kahime Kholoud , Laaradia Mehdi Ait , Bouimeja Btissam , Aabadi Fadoua , Mansour Abdellaziz Ait , Touloun Oulaid , Chait Abderrahman
Published: January 2019

Every year, more than 1 million cases of scorpion envenomation are reported worldwide. Scorpions are thermophilic organisms. They are sensitive to weather and climate conditions, in such a way the ongoing trends of increasing temperature and more variable weather could lead to scorpionism spreading. There has been considerable debate as to whether global envenomation will be impacted by climate change which has focused on snake and spider envenomation risk. This debate didn't give enough interest to scorpion stings and its burden risks, in spite their widespread potential effects in many regions. Here, the authors review how climate and climate change may impact scorpion activity as well as scorpion envenomation. They contrast ecological and behavioral characteristics of these arthropods, and how weather, climate, climate change, and socioeconomic factors may have very different impacts on the spatiotemporal occurrence and abundance of scorpions, and the resulting scorpion envenomation.
Classification Algorithms for EEG-Based Brain-Computer Interface
Authors: Ramakuri Sravanth Kumar , Chakraboirty Chinmay , Peddi Anudeep , Gupta Bharat
Published: January 2019

In recent years, a vast research is concentrated towards the development of electroencephalography (EEG)-based human-computer interface in order to enhance the quality of life for medical as well as nonmedical applications. The EEG is an important measurement of brain activity and has great potential in helping in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and brain neuro-degenerative diseases and abnormalities. In this chapter, the authors discuss the classification of EEG signals as a key issue in biomedical research for identification and evaluation of the brain activity. Identification of various types of EEG signals is a complicated problem, requiring the analysis of large sets of EEG data. Representative features from a large dataset play an important role in classifying EEG signals in the field of biomedical signal processing. So, to reduce the above problem, this research uses three methods to classify through feature extraction and classification schemes.
Melanoma Image Classification Based on Multivariate Parametric Statistical Tests of Hypothesis
Authors: Seetharaman K.
Published: January 2019

This chapter proposes a novel method, based on the multivariate parametric statistical tests of hypotheses, which classifies the normal skin lesion images and the various stages of the melanoma images. The melanoma images are categorized into two classes, such as initial stage and advanced stage, based on the degree of aggressiveness of the cancer. The region of interest is identified and segmented from the input skin melanoma image. The features, such as HSV color, shape, and texture, are extracted from the region of interest. The features are treated as a feature space, which is assumed to be a multivariate normal random field. The proposed statistical tests are employed to identify and classify the melanoma images. The proposed method yields an average correct classification up to 91.55% for the normal skin lesion versus the initial and the advanced stages of the melanoma images, up to 91.39% for initial stage melanoma versus the normal skin lesion and the advanced stages melanoma, and up to 92.27% for the advanced stage melanoma versus the normal skin lesion and the initial stage melanoma. The proposed method yields better results.
Smart Technologies to Build Healthcare Models for Vision Impairment
Authors: Singhal Shikha , Jain Shubham , Rathi Megha , Sinha Adwitiya
Published: January 2019

Technology has broadened the perspective healthcare delivery. Computer vision is such an enhanced spectrum of scientific revolution that imparts automated intelligence to assist patients with full or partial vision difficulties. This discipline engages machine acumen with learning and mining techniques to substitute impairment with clarity in vision. This helps people suffering from visionary ailments to see the world and experience its elegance through machine intelligence. The chapter surveys the recent and smartly configured technologies for building models and related applications, which could be useful for managing health problems in case of visually challenged ones. Several intelligent systems are analyzed and highlighted that can be utilized for providing sub-optimal cure to the concerned patients who mostly confront problems in plight of accessing relevant information, thereby receiving severely limited healthcare facilities. The chapter also illustrates several methods and mechanisms that can be applied to tailor treatment strategies as per the criticality and need towards customized clinical care for vision impairment.
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders of Odisha Farmers in Selected Agricultural Tasks
Authors: Mishra Debesh , Satapathy Suchismita
Published: January 2019

In the chapter, there are dual main contributions. In the first phase, based on the extensive review of literature on the application of cuckoo search (CS) methodology, its application for the optimization of agricultural pesticide sprayers for maximum efficiency was suggested. In the second phase of study, 75 farmers of Odisha in India were considered to assess their musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) during seeding, fertilizing, and weeding of crops using a Standardized Nordic Questionnaire with a five point rating scale (i.e., 1 = Very less, 2 =Less, 3 = Nil, 4 = Strong, 5 = Very Strong). Factor analysis was performed for “seeding, fertilizing, and weeding characteristics,” “economical characteristics,” and “tools and equipment characteristics of farmers.” Then Pearson correlation coefficient matrix was generated for the seeding, fertilizing, and weeding characteristics of farmers, followed by regression analysis for the economic characteristics of farmers.
Centrality Metrics-Based Connected Dominating Sets for Real-World Network Graphs
Authors: Meghanathan Natarajan , Rahman Md Atiqur , Akhter Mahzabin
Published: January 2019

The authors investigate the use of centrality metrics as node weights to determine connected dominating sets (CDS) for a suite of 60 real-world network graphs of diverse degree distribution. They employ centrality metrics that are neighborhood-based (degree centrality [DEG] and eigenvector centrality [EVC]), shortest path-based (betweenness centrality [BWC] and closeness centrality [CLC]) as well as the local clustering coefficient complement-based degree centrality metric (LCC'DC), which is a hybrid of the neighborhood and shortest path-based categories. The authors target for minimum CDS node size (number of nodes constituting the CDS). Though both the BWC and CLC are shortest path-based centrality metrics, they observe the BWC-based CDSs to be of the smallest node size for about 60% of the real-world networks and the CLC-based CDSs to be of the largest node size for more than 40% of the real-world networks. The authors observe the computationally light LCC'DC-based CDS node size to be the same as the computationally heavy BWC-based CDS node size for about 50% of the real-world networks.
Real-Time FMCW Radar X-Band Signal Acquisition and Visualization
Authors: Eslami Akbar
Published: January 2019

The recent developments in the remote sensing technologies have resulted in large amounts of data transmitted from spaceborne sensors. To keep up with the volume, speed, and variety of these data, new data acquisition and visualization systems need to be developed. This chapter focuses on some design and development considerations for a real-time data acquisition and visualization of X-band in a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar. Relevant issues such as high-speed network, parallel data processing system, and large-scale storage system are discussed. Ideally, the acquisition system should be capable of concurrent processing at low cost and visualization technique should be in the same time scale with other conventional 2D visualization of X-band weather radars. Benefits of this type of radar are that it is not just safe and inexpensive, but also serves as a means in filling in gaps of higher-powered pulse-doppler radars when used in conjunction with them.
Software-Defined Radio/Digital Signal Processing-Based Cognitive System for Universal Software Radio Peripheral Satellite Signal Detection
Authors: Javidi Giti
Published: January 2019

In this chapter, the author describes a software-defined radio (SDR)/digital signal processing (DSP)-based cognitive system that has been developed based on the universal software radio peripheral (USRP) and the GNU radio software platform to detect satellite signals. The USRP, running Ubuntu operating system, with interchangeable daughterboard, allows for a variety of experimental settings. The USRP Xilinx Vertex 3 FPGA chip can handle C++, Python, and/or VHDL device programming and configuration. The goal is to create a detector in C++ and Python to implement a cognitive system capable of recording the L1 signal from a DirecTV satellite. The GNU radio companion (GRC), an open source for building software defined radio, and Matlab/Simulink logic blocks are used to create the desired flow graph that results in building and generating the detector program. The proposed experiments explore the effects of different detection techniques, and provide some quantitative results on performance improvements via the software-defined radio approach.
Internet of Things and Big Data-Driven Data Analysis Services for Third Parties
Authors: Lokshina Izabella V. , Durkin Barbara J. , Lanting Cees J. M.
Published: January 2019

Ubiquitous sensing devices, enabled by wireless sensor network (WSN) technologies, cut across every area of modern day living, affecting individuals and businesses and offering the ability to measure and understand environmental indicators. The proliferation of these devices in a communicating-actuating network creates the internet of things (IoT). The IoT provides the tools to establish a major global data-driven ecosystem with its emphasis on big data. Now business models may focus on the provision of services (i.e., the internet of services [IoS]). These models assume the presence and development of the necessary IoT measurement and control instruments, communications infrastructure, and easy access to the data collected and information generated. Different business models may support creating revenue and value for different types of customers. This chapter contributes to the literature by considering, for the first time, knowledge-based management practices, business models, new ventures, and new business opportunities for third-party data analysis services.
Security Framework for Smart Visual Sensor Networks
Authors: Suseela G. , Phamila Y. Asnath Victy
Published: January 2019

Due to the significance of image data over the scalar data, the camera-integrated wireless sensor networks have attained the focus of researchers in the field of smart visual sensor networks. These networks are inexpensive and found wide application in surveillance and monitoring systems. The challenge is that these systems are resource deprived systems. The visual sensor node is typically an embedded system made up of a light weight processor, low memory, low bandwidth transceiver, and low-cost image sensor unit. As these networks carry sensitive information of the surveillance region, security and privacy protection are critical needs of the VSN. Due to resource limited nature of the VSN, the image encryption is crooked into an optimally lower issue, and many findings of image security in VSN are based on selective or partial encryption systems. The secure transmission of images is more trivial. Thus, in this chapter, a security frame work of smart visual sensor network built using energy-efficient image encryption and coding systems designed for VSN is presented.
Looking at Linear Algebra Teaching Practices Through Multimodal Narratives
Authors: Costa Cecília , Gonçalves Ricardo
Published: January 2019

There is a lack of research studies on teaching practices in higher education, which does not contribute to a greater and better reflection on the failure in some disciplines, namely in linear algebra. Multimodal narrative (MN) is a facilitator of research in this field. This chapter describes how the use of MN of linear algebra classes was done and allowed reflection on and modification of the practices. Formative situations are presented: 1) planned and successful, 2) planned and less achieved, 3) unexpected and successful, and 4) unexpected and less achieved. Two transversal aspects to the teaching sequence are also presented: use of technology and geometric approach. This study made it possible to recognize the MN's potential as a tool to “observe” and analyze linear algebra teaching practices in diverse aspects. It also shows that MN analysis allowed linear algebra teachers to promote their professional development regardless of the teacher's experience.
Improving Visual Representations' Impact in Mathematics Teaching With Multimodal Narratives
Authors: Montenegro Paula , Costa Cecília , Lopes J. Bernardino
Published: January 2019

This chapter focuses on the impact that multimodal narratives (MN), elaborated to a first intervention (MN1) and to a succession of interventions (MN2), had in the professional development of a teacher to increase the impact of visual representations in the teaching and learning of mathematical content. The study follows an interpretative paradigm, with design science research and case study investigation methods. The participants are two groups of students (mean age 10.7 years and 11.3 years) and their Mathematics teacher. The data were collected from the students' written records, lesson plans, and teacher's notes. The data collected were organized in a MN. The results show that the MN is a tool that facilitates the process of professional development at the self-reflection level and in combination with researchers. The authors conclude that MN is an efficient and useful tool for professional development that aims to improve teaching practices and student learning.
Using Multimodal Narratives in Science and Technology Education Research
Authors: Cravino José Paulo
Published: January 2019

This chapter begins by presenting how multimodal narratives were developed and how they have evolved in time as a research tool. Their characteristics are explained, as well as their potential for use in research studies. One important aspect discussed in this chapter is the versatility of this tool, which allows for many possible investigative approaches. In particular, it addresses how multimodal narratives can be used to carry out studies in science and technology education research. Several examples are provided of such studies that were developed within a research community which has been working with multimodal narratives for over a decade.
How Does Complexity Affect the Relationship Between Supply Chain Integration and Firm Performance?
Authors: Mohamed Errassafi , Hassan Abbar
Published: January 2019

Supply chain integration has become a major challenge for companies in the current context. Information sharing, and collaboration improve supply chain flexibility, tractability, and efficiency. Several studies have demonstrated, the positive and the significant relationship between supply chain integration and firm performance. Other studies have focused on the factors that affect this relationship. Supply chain complexity is a contingency factor that affects this relationship. Based on the literature review and through a confrontational approach, the authors propose a conceptual model to show how the complexity of supply chain affects the benefit of integration. Propositions are posited with suggestions for further research. Authors suggest that there are three dimensions of supply chain complexity which moderate the effect of supply chain integration on the firm performance: upstream, internal and downstream complexity; that there is a taxonomy of firm's group based on their level of each dimension of complexity and the effect of integration differs from one group to another.
Multimodal Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Kaur Ramandeep , Kautish Sandeep
Published: January 2019

Multimodal sentiments have become the challenge for the researchers and are equally sophisticated for an appliance to understand. One of the studies that support MS problems is a MSA, which is the training of emotions, attitude, and opinion from the audiovisual format. This survey article covers the comprehensive overview of the last update in this field. Many recently proposed algorithms and various MSA applications are presented briefly in this survey. The article is categorized according to their contributions in the various MSA techniques. The main purpose of this survey is to provide a full image of the MSA opportunities and difficulties and related field with brief details. The main contribution of this article includes the sophisticated categorizations of a large number of recent articles and the illustration of the recent trend of research in the MSA and its related areas.