bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Sensor Placement Optimization for Shape Deformation Sensing of Antenna Structures with Fiber Bragg Grating Strain Sensors
Authors: Zhou Jinzhu , Cai Zhiheng , Zhao Pengbing , Tang Baofu
Published: August 2018

This paper investigates the problem of an optimal sensor placement for better shape deformation sensing of a new antenna structure with embedded or attached Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors. In this paper, the deformation shape of the antenna structure is reconstructed using a strain–displacement transformation, according to the measured discrete strain data from limited FBG strain sensors. Moreover, a two-stage sensor placement method is proposed using a derived relative reconstruction error equation. In this method, the initial sensor locations are determined using the principal component analysis based on orthogonal trigonometric (i.e., QR) decomposition, and then a new location is sequentially added into the initial sensor locations one by one by minimizing the relative reconstruction error considering information redundancy. The numerical simulations are conducted, and the comparisons show that the proposed method is advantageous in terms of the sensor distribution and computational cost. Experimental validation is performed using an antenna experimental platform equipped with an optimal FBG strain sensor configuration, and the reconstruction results show good agreements with those measured directly from displacement sensors. The proposed method has a large potential for the strain sensor placement of complex structures, and the proposed antenna structure with FBG strain sensors can be applied to the future wing-skin antenna or flexible space-based antenna.
A Collaborative Data Collection Scheme Based on Optimal Clustering for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Li Guorui , Chen Haobo , Peng Sancheng , Li Xinguang , Wang Cong , Yu Shui , Yin Pengfei
Published: August 2018

In recent years, energy-efficient data collection has evolved into the core problem in the resource-constrained Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Different from existing data collection models in WSNs, we propose a collaborative data collection scheme based on optimal clustering to collect the sensed data in an energy-efficient and load-balanced manner. After dividing the data collection process into the intra-cluster data collection step and the inter-cluster data collection step, we model the optimal clustering problem as a separable convex optimization problem and solve it to obtain the analytical solutions of the optimal clustering size and the optimal data transmission radius. Then, we design a Cluster Heads (CHs)-linking algorithm based on the pseudo Hilbert curve to build a CH chain with the goal of collecting the compressed sensed data among CHs in an accumulative way. Furthermore, we also design a distributed cluster-constructing algorithm to construct the clusters around the virtual CHs in a distributed manner. The experimental results show that the proposed method not only reduces the total energy consumption and prolongs the network lifetime, but also effectively balances the distribution of energy consumption among CHs. By comparing it o the existing compression-based and non-compression-based data collection schemes, the average reductions of energy consumption are 17.9% and 67.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the average network lifetime extends no less than 20-times under the same comparison.
Interval Fuzzy Model for Robust Aircraft IMU Sensors Fault Detection
Authors: Crispoltoni Michele , Fravolini Mario , Balzano Fabio , D’Urso Stephane , Napolitano Marcello
Published: August 2018

This paper proposes a data-based approach for a robust fault detection (FD) of the inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors of an aircraft. Fuzzy interval models (FIMs) have been introduced for coping with the significant modeling uncertainties caused by poorly modeled aerodynamics. The proposed FIMs are used to compute robust prediction intervals for the measurements provided by the IMU sensors. Specifically, a nonlinear neural network (NN) model is used as central prediction of the sensor response while the uncertainty around the central estimation is captured by the FIM model. The uncertainty has been also modelled using a conventional linear Interval Model (IM) approach; this allows a quantitative evaluation of the benefits provided by the FIM approach. The identification of the IMs and of the FIMs was formalized as a linear matrix inequality (LMI) optimization problem using as cost function the (mean) amplitude of the prediction interval and as optimization variables the parameters defining the amplitudes of the intervals of the IMs and FIMs. Based on the identified models, FD validation tests have been successfully conducted using actual flight data of a P92 Tecnam aircraft by artificially injecting additive fault signals on the fault free IMU readings.
Real-Time Distributed Architecture for Remote Acoustic Elderly Monitoring in Residential-Scale Ambient Assisted Living Scenarios
Authors: Navarro Joan , Vidaña-Vila Ester , Alsina-Pagès Rosa Ma , Hervás Marcos
Published: August 2018

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) has become a powerful alternative to improving the life quality of elderly and partially dependent people in their own living environments. In this regard, tele-care and remote surveillance AAL applications have emerged as a hot research topic in this domain. These services aim to infer the patients’ status by means of centralized architectures that collect data from a set of sensors deployed in their living environment. However, when the size of the scenario and number of patients to be monitored increase (e.g., residential areas, retirement homes), these systems typically struggle at processing all associated data and providing a reasonable output in real time. The purpose of this paper is to present a fog-inspired distributed architecture to collect, analyze and identify up to nine acoustic events that represent abnormal behavior or dangerous health conditions in large-scale scenarios. Specifically, the proposed platform collects data from a set of wireless acoustic sensors and runs an automatic two-stage audio event classification process to decide whether or not to trigger an alarm. Conducted experiments over a labeled dataset of 7116 s based on the priorities of the Fundació Ave Maria health experts have obtained an overall accuracy of 94.6%.
On-The-Fly Ambiguity Resolution Based on Double-Differential Square Observation
Authors: Wang Tengfei , Yao Zheng , Lu Mingquan
Published: August 2018

Global navigation systems provide worldwide positioning, navigation and navigation services. However, in some challenging environments, especially when the satellite is blocked, the performance of GNSS is seriously degraded or even unavailable. Ground based positioning systems, including pseudolites and Locata, have shown their potentials in centimeter-level positioning accuracy using carrier phase measurements. Ambiguity resolution (AR) is a key issue for such high precision positioning. Current methods for the ground based systems need code measurements for initialization and/or approximating linearization. If the code measurements show relatively large errors, current methods might suffer from convergence difficulties in ground based positioning. In this paper, the concept of double-differential square observation (DDS) is proposed, and an on-the-fly ambiguity resolution (OTF-AR) method is developed for ground based navigation systems using two-way measurements. An important advantage of the proposed method is that only the carrier phase measurements are used, and code measurements are not necessary. The clock error is canceled out by two-way measurements between the rover and the base stations. The squared observations are then differenced between different rover positions and different base stations, and a linear model is then obtained. The floating integer values are easy to compute via this model, and there is no need to do approximate linearization. In this procedure, the rover’s approximate coordinates are also directly obtained from the carrier measurements, therefore code measurements are not necessary. As an OTF-AR method, the proposed method relies on geometric changes caused by the rover’s motion. As shown by the simulations, the geometric diversity of observations is the key factor for the AR success rate. Moreover, the fine floating solutions given by our method also have a fairly good accuracy, which is valuable when fixed solutions are not reliable. A real experiment is conducted to validate the proposed method. The results show that the fixed solution could achieve centimeter-level accuracy.
Triple Flat-Type Inductive-Based Oil Palm Fruit Maturity Sensor
Authors: Aliteh Nor Aziana , Misron Norhisam , Aris Ishak , Mohd Sidek Roslina , Tashiro Kunihisa , Wakiwaka Hiroyuki
Published: August 2018

This paper aims to study a triple flat-type air coil inductive sensor that can identify two maturity stages of oil palm fruits, ripe and unripe, based on the resonance frequency and fruitlet capacitance changes. There are two types of triple structure that have been tested, namely Triple I and II. Triple I is a triple series coil with a fixed number of turns (n = 200) with different length, and Triple II is a coil with fixed length (l = 5 mm) and a different number of turns. The peak comparison between Triple I and II is using the coefficient of variation cv, which is defined as the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean to express the precision and repeatability of data. As the fruit ripens, the resonance frequency peaks from an inductance–frequency curve and shifts closer to the peak curve of the air, and the fruitlet capacitance decreases. The coefficient of the variation of the inductive oil palm fruit sensor shows that Triple I is smaller and more consistent in comparison with Triple II, for both resonance frequency and fruitlet capacitance. The development of this sensor proves the capability of an inductive element such as a coil, to be used as a sensor so as to determine the ripeness of the oil palm fresh fruit bunch sample.
Analysis of Key Issues on GNSS-R Soil Moisture Retrieval Based on Different Antenna Patterns
Authors: Li Fei , Peng Xuefeng , Chen Xiuwan , Liu Maolin , Xu Liwen
Published: August 2018

GNSS-R (Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry) has been demonstrated to be a new and powerful tool to sense soil moisture in recent years. Multi-antenna pattern and single-antenna pattern have been proposed regarding how to receive and process reflected signals. Great efforts have been made concerning ground-based and air-borne observations. Meanwhile, a number of satellite-based missions have also been implemented. For the in-depth study of soil moisture remote sensing by the technique of GNSS-R, regardless of the extraction methods of the reflected signals or the types of the observation platform, three key issues have to be determined: The specular reflection point, the spatial resolution and the detection depth in the soil. However, in current literatures, there are no comprehensive explanations of the above three key issues. This paper conducts theoretical analysis and formula derivation, aiming to systematically and quantitatively determine the extent of soil moisture being detected in three dimensions from the above-mentioned aspects. To further explain how the three factors behave in the specific application, the results of two application scenarios are shown: (1) a ground-based GPS measurement in Marshall, Colorado, US from the Plate Boundary Observatory, corresponding to single-antenna pattern. The relative location of the specular reflection points, the average area of the First Fresnel Ellipse Clusters and the sensing depth of the time-series soil moisture are analyzed, and (2) an aviation experiment conducted in Zhengzhou to retrieve soil moisture content, corresponding to the multi-antenna pattern. The spatial distribution of soil moisture estimation with a certain resolution based on the flight tracks and the relevant sensing depth are manifested. For remote sensing using GNSS reflected signals, BeiDou is different from GPS mainly in the carrier frequency. Therefore, the results of this study can provide references for China’s future development of the BeiDou-R technique.
A Contribution to Empirical Revitalization of the Samfunnssikkerhet Concept
Authors: Høyland Sindre Aske
Published: August 2018

Current research of the Norwegian samfunnssikkerhet concept appears to be lacking, with few scientific publications advancing the understanding of the concept. This weakness is addressed through the paper’s empirical exploration of challenges in the work on samfunnssikkerhet (Paper aim #1), where the resulting insight informs an epistemological understanding of the concept of samfunnssikkerhet (Paper aim #2). The paper identifies four challenges in the work on samfunnssikkerhet, which suggest that samfunnssikkerhet is about mobilizing against both known and unknown threats through broad and border-crossing cooperation and about flexible methods and design approaches. It is concluded that the paper’s empirical exploration of the samfunnssikkerhet concept contributes to a clarification and overall empirical revitalization of the concept. A recommendation to safety and security researchers is to further develop the empirical understanding of the samfunnssikkerhet concept, including through validation of the challenges identified in this paper and continuous mapping of additional and future challenges. This can give the samfunnssikkerhet concept, including its relation to concepts such as resilience, risk and societal security, a clearer meaning and consequently a stronger unifying role in efforts to prevent and manage today’s dynamic threats both within and outside Norway.
Analysis of Loss of Offsite Power Events at China’s Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Jiao Feng , Ding Shanshan , Li Juan , Zheng Lixin , Zhang Qinghua , Xiao Zhi , Zhou Jie
Published: August 2018

The function of the electric power system of nuclear power plants (NPPs) is to provide safe and reliable electricity for the equipment both in normal operation and accident conditions, and to provide emergency power for nuclear safety-related systems to maintain the safety of NPPs. Station blackout (SBO) occurs when loss of offsite power (LOOP) happens concurrently with unavailability of the onsite emergency alternating current (ac) power. LOOP is a precursor of SBO which rarely occurs but contributes significantly to reactor core damage frequency (CDF). Collecting and analyzing all LOOP events in NPPs of China from 1993 to 2017, this paper summarizes the common features of the LOOP events, and identifies the weaknesses and lessons learned from these events. Conclusions and experience feedback suggestions are put forward for improving the reliability of the offsite power supply of NPPs in China.
Characterizing the Difference between Indirect and Direct CO2 Emissions: Evidence from Korean Manufacturing Industries, 2004–2010
Authors: Lee Sinwoo , Noh Dong-Woon , Oh Dong-hyun
Published: August 2018

This study measures and decomposes green productivity growth of Korean manufacturing industries between 2004 and 2010 using the Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index. We focus on differences in the measures of productivity growth by distinguishing carbon emissions from either end-user industries or the electricity generation industry. Empirical results suggest three main findings. First, the efficiency of total emissions is higher than that of direct emissions except for the shipbuilding industry. Second, green productivity in the manufacturing sector increased during the study period. Finally, green productivity depends on the indirect emissions of each industry. These results indicate that policymakers need to deliberately develop policy tools for mitigating carbon emissions of the manufacturing industrial sectors based on our empirical findings.
Meta-Analysis of NOS3 G894T Polymorphisms with Air Pollution on the Risk of Ischemic Heart Disease Worldwide
Authors: Johns Robin , Chen Zhao-Feng , Young Lufei , Delacruz Flordelis , Chang Nien-Tzu , Yu Chong Ho , Shiao S. Pamela K.
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this updated meta-analysis was to investigate the effect of nitric oxide synthase-3 (NOS3) G894T polymorphisms, air pollution and their interaction on ischemic heart disease (IHD) risk across populations worldwide. Recursive partition trees, nonlinear association curve fit and geographic information system maps were incorporated to verify results of conventional pooled analyses for sources of heterogeneity. Results from 61 studies (16,219 cases, 12,222 controls) revealed a significant increased relative risk (RR) of IHD associated with NOS3 894 polymorphisms TT (RR = 1.44) and GT (RR = 1.37). Subgroup analysis revealed that the TT polymorphism genotype had significantly increased risk of IHD in Caucasian, East Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern populations (all p < 0.05). It is important to point out that many countries demonstrated an average risk of greater than two, which identifies the NOS3 894 TT polymorphism as a potential causal factor and biological marker of IHD, based on criteria for strong evidence used in international consensus panels. These 10 countries include Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile, Japan, South Korea, India, Iran, Egypt and Morocco. For these countries with elevated risk (RR > 2) from the NOS3 894 TT polymorphism, meta-predictive analysis demonstrated an increasing trend in air pollution association with increased NOS3 894 polymorphisms. Further studies are needed to explore the complexity of the associations among NOS3 gene polymorphisms per population stratifications within countries, detailed air pollution data for added specificity for geographic location across time, and disease risk.
Epidemiology and Spatiotemporal Patterns of Leprosy Detection in the State of Bahia, Brazilian Northeast Region, 2001–2014
Authors: Amorim de Souza Eliana , Fuentes Ferreira Anderson , Heukelbach Jorg , Nzundu Boigny Reagan , Alencar Carlos Henrique , Novaes Ramos Alberto
Published: August 2018

The detection of leprosy cases is distributed unequally in Brazil, with high-risk clusters mainly in the North and Northeast regions. Knowledge on epidemiology and spatiotemporal patterns of leprosy occurrence and late diagnosis in these areas is critical to improve control measures. We performed a study including all leprosy cases notified in the 417 municipalities of Bahia state, from 2001 to 2014. New case detection (overall and pediatric <15 years) and grade 2 disability (G2D) rates were calculated and stratified according to socio-demographic variables. Spatial analyses were performed to detect high-risk areas for occurrence and late diagnosis. A total of 40,060 new leprosy cases was reported in the period (mean = 2861 cases/year), 3296 (8.2%) in <15-year-olds, and 1921 (4.8%) with G2D. The new case detection rate was 20.41 cases/100,000 inhabitants (95% CI: 19.68–21.17). A higher risk was identified in older age groups (RR = 8.45, 95% CI: 7.08–10.09) and in residents living in the state capital (RR = 5.30, 95% CI: 4.13–6.79), in medium-sized cities (RR = 2.80; 95% CI: 2.50–3.13), and in the west (RR = 6.56, 95% CI: 5.13–8.39) and far south regions of the state (RR = 6.56, 95% CI: 5.13–8.39). A higher risk of G2D was associated with male gender (RR = 2.43, 95% CI: 2.20–2.67), older age (RR = 44.08, 95% CI: 33.21–58.51), Afro-Brazilian ethnicity (RR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.37–1.85), living in medium-sized cities (RR = 2.60; 95% CI: 2.27–2.96) and residency in the north (RR = 5.02; 95% CI: 3.74–6.73) and far south (RR = 7.46; 95% CI: 5.58–9.98) regions. Heterogeneous space–time patterns of leprosy distribution were identified, indicating high endemicity, recent transmission, and late diagnosis. This heterogeneous distribution of the disease was observed throughout the study period. Leprosy remains a relevant public health problem in Bahia state. The disease has a focal distribution. We reinforce the importance of integrating surveillance, prevention and control actions in regions of higher risk of leprosy detection and late diagnosis, and in the most vulnerable populations.
New Immuno-Epidemiological Biomarker of Human Exposure to Aedes Vector Bites: From Concept to Applications
Authors: Sagna André , Yobo Mabo , Elanga Ndille Emmanuel , Remoue Franck
Published: August 2018

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) such as dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and yellow fever virus (YFV) are the most important ‘emerging pathogens’ because of their geographic spread and their increasing impact on vulnerable human populations. To fight against these arboviruses, vector control strategies (VCS) remain one of the most valuable means. However, their implementation and monitoring are labour intensive and difficult to sustain on large scales, especially when transmission and Aedes mosquito densities are low. To increase the efficacy of VCS, current entomological methods should be improved by new complementary tools which measure the risk of arthropod-borne diseases’ transmission. The study of human–Aedes immunological relationships can provide new promising serological tools, namely antibody-based biomarkers, allowing to accurately estimate the human–Aedes contact and consequently, the risk of transmission of arboviruses and the effectiveness of VCS. This review focuses on studies highlighting the concept, techniques, and methods used to develop and validate specific candidate biomarkers of human exposure to Aedes bites. Potential applications of such antibody-based biomarkers of exposure to Aedes vector bites in the field of operational research are also discussed.
DNA Diagnostics for Schistosomiasis Control
Authors: Weerakoon Kosala G. , Gordon Catherine A. , McManus Donald P.
Published: August 2018

Despite extensive efforts over the last few decades, the global disease burden of schistosomiasis still remains unacceptably high. This could partly be attributed to the lack of accurate diagnostic tools for detecting human and animal schistosome infections in endemic areas. In low transmission and low prevalence areas where schistosomiasis elimination is targeted, case detection requires a test that is highly sensitive. Diagnostic tests with low sensitivity will miss individuals with low infection intensity and these will continue to contribute to transmission, thereby interfering with the efficacy of the control measures operating. Of the many diagnostic approaches undertaken to date, the detection of schistosome DNA using DNA amplification techniques including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provide valuable adjuncts to more conventional microscopic and serological methods, due their accuracy, high sensitivity, and the capacity to detect early pre-patent infections. Furthermore, DNA-based methods represent important screening tools, particularly in those endemic areas with ongoing control where infection prevalence and intensity have been reduced to very low levels. Here we review the role of DNA diagnostics in the path towards the control and elimination of schistosomiasis.
Water Use and Rice Productivity for Irrigation Management Alternatives in Tanzania
Authors: Materu Stanslaus , Shukla Sanjay , Sishodia Rajendra , Tarimo Andrew , Tumbo Siza
Published: August 2018

Rice production is important for global food security but given its large water footprint, efficient irrigation management strategies need to be developed. Expansion of rice growing area is larger than any other crop in Africa due to increasing demand for rice. Three rice irrigation management alternatives with the system of rice intensification (SRI) were field-evaluated against the conventional continuously flooded system (CF) in Tanzania. Production systems included: (1) CF (50 mm ponding depth for the entire season); (2) SRI (40 mm ponding for 3 days and no irrigation for next 5 days); (3) 80% SRI (80% of the SRI ponding); and (4) 50% SRI (50% of the SRI ponding). Experimental evaluation of the four systems was conducted for both wet and dry seasons. For the dry season, the SRI and 80% SRI produced higher yields of 9.68 tons/ha and 11.45 tons/ha and saved 26% and 35% of water, respectively compared to the CF (8.69 tons/ha). The yield advantage of the 80% SRI and SRI over the CF was less during the wet season with 6.01 tons/ha and 5.99 tons/ha of production, and water savings of 30% and 14%, respectively compared to the CF (5.64 tons/ha). The 50% SRI had lowest yield of all for both seasons, 7.48 tons/ha and 4.99 tons/ha for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Statistically, the 80% SRI treatment outperformed all other treatments over the two seasons with an additional yield of 1.57 tons/ha and 33% (345 mm) water savings compared to the CF. Economic productivity of water (US$/ha-cm) over two seasons was highest for the 80% SRI ($20.27/ha-cm), while it was lowest for the CF ($12.89/ha-cm). Water saved by converting from the CF to the 80% SRI (1.98 million ha-cm) can support a 50% expansion in the current rice irrigated area in Tanzania. Even without irrigation expansion, the 80% SRI can increase rice production by 1.5 million tons annually while enhancing water availability for industrial and environmental uses (e.g., ecological preserves) and help achieve food security in Tanzania and the greater sub-Saharan Africa.
A self-assembled photoresponsive gel consisting of chiral nanofibers
Authors: Zou Lei , Han Dan , Yuan Zhiyi , Chang Dongdong , Ma Xiang
Published: August 2018

A novel compound based on a glutamic acid skeleton, containing azobenzene as a photoresponsive group and ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) as a connection site, was designed and synthesized. The monomer is capable of forming an organogel in nonpolar organic solvents and different types of nanostructures in other solvents. The state of the gel and the chirality of the nanostructures could both be adjusted by subsequent light irradiation at different wavelengths. The helical nanofiber-like morphology was verified in the internal structure of the gel. The performance of this gel was investigated by a series of methods, such as UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, circular dichroism, scanning electron microscopy and rheological techniques. This work provides a new method for facile synthesis of chiro-optical gels.
Resolved Star Formation Efficiency in the Antennae Galaxies
Authors: Matthews Allison M. , Johnson Kelsey E. , Whitmore Bradley C. , Brogan Crystal L. , Leroy Adam K. , Indebetouw Remy
Published: August 2018

We use Atacama Large Millimeter Array CO(3–2) observations in conjunction with optical observations from the Hubble Space Telescope to determine the ratio of stellar to gas mass for regions in the Antennae Galaxies. We adopt the term “instantaneous mass ratio”

, which is equivalent to the star formation efficiency (SFE) for an idealized system at t = 0. We use two complementary approaches to determining the IMR(t) based on (1) the enclosed stellar and molecular mass within circular apertures centered on optically identified clusters, and (2) a tessellation algorithm that defines regions based on CO emission. We find that only a small number of clusters appear to have IMR(0) = SFE > 0.2, which suggests that only a small fraction of these clusters will remain bound. The results suggest that by ages of 106.7 years, some clusters will have lost all of their associated molecular gas, and by 107.5 years this is true for the majority of clusters. There appears to be a slight dependence of the IMR(t) on the CO surface brightness, which could support the idea that dense molecular environments are more likely to form bound clusters. However, the IMR(t) appears to have a strong dependence on extinction, which likely traces the evolutionary state of clusters.
Lithium and Beryllium Isotopes with the PAMELA Experiment
Authors: Menn W. , Bogomolov E. A. , Simon M. , Vasilyev G. , Adriani O. , Barbarino G. C. , Bazilevskaya G. A. , Bellotti R. , Boezio M. , Bongi M. , Bonvicini V. , Bottai S. , Bruno A. , Cafagna F. , Campana D. , Carlson P. , Casolino M. , Castellini G. , De Donato C. , De Santis C. , De Simone N. , Di Felice V. , Formato V. , Galper A. M. , Karelin A. V. , Koldashov S. V. , Koldobskiy S. , Krutkov S. Y. , Kvashnin A. N. , Leonov A. , Malakhov V. , Marcelli L. , Martucci M. , Mayorov A. G. , Mergè M , Mikhailov V. V. , Mocchiutti E. , Monaco A. , Mori N. , Munini R. , Osteria G. , Palma F. , Panico B. , Papini P. , Pearce M. , Picozza P. , Ricci M. , Ricciarini S. B. , Sarkar R. , Scotti V. , Sparvoli R. , Spillantini P. , Stozhkov Y. I. , Vacchi A. , Vannuccini E. , Voronov S. A. , Yurkin Y. T. , Zampa G. , Zampa N.
Published: August 2018

The cosmic ray (CR) lithium and beryllium (6Li, 7Li, 7Be, 9Be, 10Be) isotopic composition has been measured with the satellite-borne experiment PAMELA, which was launched into low-Earth orbit on board the Resurs-DK1 satellite on 2006 June 15. The rare lithium and beryllium isotopes in CRs are believed to originate mainly from the interaction of high-energy carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen nuclei with the interstellar medium (ISM), but also on “tertiary” interactions in the ISM (i.e., produced by further fragmentation of secondary beryllium and boron). In this paper, the isotopic ratios 7Li/6Li and 7Be/(9Be + 10Be), measured between 150 and 1100 MeV n−1 using two different detector systems from 2006 July to 2014 September, will be presented.
A Cancellation Nanoflare Model for Solar Chromospheric and Coronal Heating
Authors: Priest E. R. , Chitta L. P. , Syntelis P.
Published: August 2018

Nanoflare models for heating the solar corona usually assume magnetic braiding and reconnection as the source of the energy. However, recent observations at record spatial resolution from the Sunrise balloon mission suggest that photospheric magnetic flux cancellation is much more common than previously realized. We therefore examine the possibility of three-dimensional reconnection driven by flux cancellation as a cause of chromospheric and coronal heating. In particular, we estimate how the heights and amount of energy release produced by flux cancellation depend on flux size, flux cancellation speed, and overlying field strength.
Intraday Mid-infrared Variability of CTA 102 During Its 2016 Giant Outburst
Authors: Jiang Ning
Published: August 2018

We report the discovery in archival data from Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) of intraday mid-infrared (mid-IR) variability of CTA 102 during its 2016 giant outburst. The mid-IR emission of CTA 102 reached its peak around 2016 November and exhibited prominent minor flares within one day. Mid-IR color shows a bluer-when-brighter trend like the optical band during the flaring period. These characteristics likely suggest that CTA 102 was experiencing a transition from flat-spectrum radio quasar to BL Lac, whose synchrotron emission from the relativistic jet was then boosted to totally dominate optical and infrared emission.
Outreach Strategies to Engage Citizen Scientists: Insights from the Biodiversity Heritage Library
Authors: Costantino Grace
Published: August 2018

How do you successfully engage volunteers in citizen science projects?

In recent years, citizen science has grown considerably in popularity, resulting in rapid increases in the number of citizen science and crowdsourcing projects and providing cost-effective means for scientists to gather more data over broader spatial ranges to tackle research questions in a wide variety of scientific, conservation, and environmental fields Bonney et al. 2016, Aceves-Bueno et al. 2017. While the proliferation of such projects has produced a growing abundance of citizen scientist-generated data and published research informed by citizen science methods Follett and Strezov 2015, this also means that volunteers have a greater number of projects competing for their time.

When faced with an increasingly-crowded landscape, how can you generate interest in a citizen science or crowdsourcing project and maintain contributions over the project’s lifetime?

The Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) supports a variety of citizen science and crowdsourcing projects, from transcribing field notes to tagging scientific illustrations with taxonomic names on Flickr and enhancing data for 19th century periodicals through its Zooniverse-based Science Gossip project. Through a variety of outreach strategies including collaborative social media campaigns, partnerships with citizen science communities, and interactive incentives, BHL has successfully engaged volunteers with diverse projects to enrich the library’s data and increase discoverability of its collections.

This presentation will discuss outreach strategies for citizen science projects that BHL has undertaken to further support research initiatives with our content. In addition, the presentation will share lessons-learned and offer suggestions that attendees can apply to their own citizen science engagement efforts.
Abnormal Cardiac Biomarkers in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and No Prior Heart Disease: A Consequence of Antimalarials?
Authors: Tselios Konstantinos , Gladman Dafna D. , Harvey Paula , Akhtari Shadi , Su Jiandong , Urowitz Murray B.
Published: August 2018

Objective.

Cardiac involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is often undiagnosed in its early phases. Specific heart biomarkers may identify patients at risk. We sought to investigate the prevalence and associated factors for such biomarkers in SLE.

Methods.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were measured simultaneously in 151 consecutive patients with no history of heart disease or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). None had electrocardiographic abnormalities suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. Cross-sectional comparisons and logistic regression analyses were performed. Patients with abnormal biomarkers were investigated to delineate the specific cause.

Results.

Sixteen patients (16/151, 10.6%) had elevated BNP, and 9 of them also had abnormal cTnI. Compared to subjects with normal biomarkers, they were older, had longer disease and antimalarial (AM) use duration, and more frequently persistent creatine phosphokinase (CPK) elevation. Multivariable regression analysis showed prolonged AM treatment (> 5.6 yrs) and persistent CPK elevation to be important predictors for elevated cardiac biomarkers. Six patients were diagnosed with definite (based on endomyocardial biopsy, n = 2) or possible (based on cardiac magnetic resonance after exclusion of other causes) AM-induced cardiomyopathy (AMIC); all had both BNP and cTnI elevated. Alternative causes were identified in 5, while no definitive diagnosis could be made in the remaining patients.

Conclusion.

About 10% of patients with SLE had elevated myocardial biomarkers, in the absence of prior cardiac disease or PAH. One-third of them were diagnosed with AMIC. Prolonged AM therapy and persistent CPK elevation conferred an increased risk for abnormal BNP and cTnI, which might predict AMIC.
Ideating a Recommender System for Business Growth Using Profit Pattern Mining and Uncertainty Theory
Authors: Badhe Vivek , Singh Satpal , Arvind Terrence Shebuel
Published: August 2018

Association rule mining (ARM) alone is a classical yet powerful method for basic rule discovery. However, generic measures being used are insufficient for specific pattern generation and rules of business interest. Critical decision making is a “key” component in contemporary businesses which could be rewarded by periodically utilizing patterns and rules to steer business growth and profit as well. To effectuate self-propelled growth in businesses, a feasible optimal recommender system needs to be accomplished without human intervention that recommends targeted product marketing and promotional strategies. In conjunction to ARM, uncertainty is a growing challenge in data mining research with facets of being probabilistic, fuzzy, or vague. Among many set theories to surmount uncertainty, vague set theory is employed for handling vagueness in data which gives the motivation of implementing a knowledge-based recommender framework by aggregating the two approaches to predict uncertain market growth strategy patterns and profitable rules.
Teacher Education Discussion Module
Authors: Kowalsky Michelle , Long Leonard
Published: August 2018

In two university graduate education courses, experienced K-12 teachers were asked to discuss amongst themselves—without the university instructor present at the time—several issues and readings about technology in K-12 schools. Content analysis of their online chats reveal useful information about teacher perceptions, values, and philosophies of teachers. Themes in their chats reveal underlying opportunities to help influence the next generation of school leaders. Information obtained via qualitative coding of these honest and detailed online discussions was able to help university instructors 1) to understand global and local barriers to technology from teachers' points of view and 2) to target instruction of educational leaders at the graduate level towards reform efforts. This type of engagement and analysis may help universities “take the pulse” of teacher perceptions in their area in order to improve K-12 teaching and monitor teachers', supervisors', and principals' growth toward dispositional goals for certification.
Leveraging Elements of Understanding by Design to Develop Elementary Education Candidates' TPACK in Mathematics
Authors: Polly Drew
Published: August 2018

Technology access is at an all-time high in schools in the United States. However, research continues to document barriers to using technology in mathematics in ways that support higher-level thinking and lead to student achievement. This study examined teacher candidates' work samples in a course focused on instructional design and technology integration. The inductive analysis of candidates' work indicated that candidates demonstrated instructional design skills related to planning mathematics units, lessons, and personalized learning playlists. TPACK development was evident at the end of the semester, but barriers related to content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge were evident in the early and middle stages of the semester. Implications for continuing to examine the development of candidates' instructional design and TPACK are also shared.
Multimedia Experiences for Cultural Heritage
Authors: Piscitelli Manuela
Published: August 2018

The chapter analyzes, with particular regard to the Italian context, the aspects related to the fruition of cultural heritage and to the expectations of the potential public. There is often a lack of adequate media for communication, which should create interest in a non-specialist public. Multimedia and interactive technologies can be a valuable support to enhance internal and external communication for museums and cultural sites, reaching a wide audience in a differentiated and customized manner depending on their interests. The aim is to understand the link between the work of art and the geographical, physical, historical, and cultural context in which it was born, to open the horizon to a synoptic and organic understanding of heritage, contributing to its protection and educating citizens. Finally, a case study concerning the museum and territory of Mondragone (Italy) is presented.
Accessible Tourism in Religious Destinations
Authors: Gassiot-Meilan Ariadna , Coromina-Soler Lluís , Planagumà Lluís Prats
Published: August 2018

People's reasons for visiting religious destinations range from being devoted pilgrims to tourists with secular motivations. People with special access go to specific shrines for curative purposes. They may be differently motivated and display different behaviors at the destination. As they must confront obstacles when travelling, they may be more constrained, leading to different behaviors in terms of satisfaction and loyalty. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the motivations of those with special access needs and those without when traveling to curative shrines, such as Lourdes, France. First, motivations of these two groups will be compared. Second, the effects of motivations on their travel behavior at the destination will be contrasted. The wide scope of visitors' motivations means that destinations must address all market segments, being crucial to ensure accessibility standards, as this affects not only people with disabilities but also seniors and families with young children.
Game Concepts in Learning and Teaching Process
Authors: Concilio Ilana de Almeida Souza , Braga Pedro Henrique Cacique
Published: August 2018

The traditional teaching and learning process has undergone several transformations in order to increase the engagement and motivation of students in relation to the content studied. The emergence of learning management systems, along with the adoption of games or gamification features, make the instructional process more stimulating and dynamic. Educators also seek to identify appropriate pedagogical strategies in the context of motivational design and the study of emotions. This chapter aims to present different approaches to playful learning and also discuss good practices in the use of frameworks created based on students' emotional components and instructional design in order to make game-based learning and the use of gamification more effective and engaging.
Digital Games for Computing Education
Authors: Petri Giani , Gresse von Wangenheim Christiane , Borgatto Adriano Ferreti , Calderón Alejandro , Ruiz Mercedes
Published: August 2018

Digital games are considered an effective and efficient instructional strategy for computing education. However, there are few empirical studies providing sound evidence on the benefits of such educational games. In this respect, the objective of this chapter is to present a comprehensive analysis in order to summarize empirical evidence on the benefits of digital games used as an instructional strategy for computing education. The analysis is based on data collected from 21 case studies that use the MEEGA model, the most commonly used model for educational games' evaluation, evaluating 9 different games, involving a population of 344 students. The results indicate that digital games can yield a positive effect on the learning of computing, providing a pleasant and engaging experience to the students and motivating them to study. These results may guide instructors in the selection of educational games as instructional methods and guide game creators with respect to the development of new games.
The Uses of Games That Transcend the Play and Mediate Learning
Authors: Notargiacomo Pollyana , Cabrini Felipe , Ohata Daniel , Martins Rafael , Brancaccio Rafael , Marin Rafael
Published: August 2018

The digital games market is around 109 billion dollars. In this scenario, games as tools for mental and educational stimulation have been highlighted. They allow the connection between friends, the narrowing of family ties, artistic expression, improvement of aspects related to health, institute mechanisms for business and advertising, as well as constitute opportunities for differentiated training and simulations. Such artifacts are also mediators for building knowledge, as well as developing or exercising skills and attitudes, since they involve the flow state. For this it is necessary to make use of adaptability that in the educational scope allows the personalization of the experience to extend the immersion and fun. The present chapter presents a review to subsidize the expansion of the mapping of games' uses developed by Klopfer, Osterweil, and Salen, as well as to establish their relation with the deliberate practice to institute immersive and meaningful educational proposals.
Developing a Clearer Understanding of Genre and Mobile Gameplay
Authors: DaCosta Boaventura , Seok Soonhwa
Published: August 2018

This chapter presents a study that explored the mobile game-genre preferences of 1,950 South Korean students. The findings help create a clearer picture of the mobile gameplayer, revealing that mobile gameplay is more of a situational activity than a social replacement, often played during periods of interruption or idle time and lasting for short intervals. Action, arcade, sports, adventure, puzzle, board, simulation, and strategy were among the most popular genres played. Statistically significant relationships were found between genre and age and gender, with the younger and older students as well as males and females favoring different genres. For example, puzzle games were popular among the older females, whereas action games were preferred by the younger males. Significant relationships were also found between genre and academic grades and level, with differences found for genre preferences between high- and low-performing as well as vocational high school and college students.
Examining Motivational Game Features for Students With Learning Disabilities or Attention Disorders
Authors: Heath Corey D. C. , McDaniel Troy , Panchanathan Sethuraman
Published: August 2018

Students with learning disabilities (LD) or attention disorders (AD) often require supplementary or alternative instruction to achieve their learning goals. Computer-assisted intervention (CAI) has been explored as a promising method for fostering students' success by providing an engaging learning environment. The following chapter examines publications employing empirical studies of computerized games designed for students with LD or AD conducted between 2006-2016. The goal of this chapter is to give a brief overview and critique of the current research on incorporating computerized games into modern education for students with LD or AD, and to identify the key game features that successfully motivate and engage students.
Gamified Virtual Environment and Interaction Design for Activities of Daily Living Training
Authors: Siqueira da Silva Isabel Cristina , Nesi Luan Carlos , Machado Viviane da Silva
Published: August 2018

Ludic games and gamification processes can extend functional skills in players as they integrate different intelligences and stimulate the cognitive, perceptual, and motor activities. Play can facilitate the work of occupational therapist since provides better cooperation of the patient, besides helping in its development, increasing its behavioral repertoire, mainly in the accomplishment of activities of daily living. This chapter addresses these issues, discussing the design of a gamified virtual environment that helps occupational therapists to develop the potential of children and adolescents with mild, moderate, and severe neuropsychomotor disorder. For that, the authors present an investigation of the use of a gamified virtual environment and interaction devices in the training of activities of daily living. As result, they note that games as assistive technology can encourage the integration of education, rehabilitation, and habilitation of people in situations of vulnerability and social risk, providing access and inclusion through playful and challenging activities.
Using Game Development to Teach Programming
Authors: Martins Valéria Farinazzo , Eliseo Maria Amelia , Omar Nizam , Castro Marcia Luciana Aguena , Corrêa Ana Grasielle Dionísio
Published: August 2018

One of the educational actions used to leverage the acquisition of practical and theoretical knowledge in the classroom is related to the “learn by practice” methodology in which the student goes from a mere spectator to an agent in his/her learning process. This methodology is being applied in the teaching of courses related to programming, fostering the development of digital games as a didactic practice. This chapter describes the digital games development experience in programming courses on the first year of computer graduation courses in a Brazilian private university. The study reveals the opinion of students and teachers on the application of game development in such courses, as well as the methodology applied to each one of them. The results obtained emphasize that the activity intensifies the learning of concepts inherent to programming, along with fostering motivation and commitment that is paramount in the building of their competencies and skills.