bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Dicyanoisophorone-Based Ratiometric Fluorescent Probe for Selective Detection of Cysteine and Its Bioimaging Application in Living Cells
Authors: Zhang Hengrui , Qin Nan , Fang Zhijie
Published: February 2018

A selective and ratiometric turn-on fluorescent probe was designed and synthesized by using a novel dicyanoisophorone-based derivative and acrylate moiety. The probe displayed high stability and good selectivity to cysteine (Cys) over homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH). It also exhibited rapid response to Cys within 180 s. Most importantly, the fluorescence intensity ratio at 590 and 525 nm (I590/I525) was linearly dependent on the Cys concentration in the range from 0 to 40 μM and the detection limit calculated to be 0.48 μM. This probe was also applied for bioimaging of intracellular Cys in living HeLa cells with low cytotoxicity.
Study of Hexane Adsorption on Activated Carbons with Differences in Their Surface Chemistry
Authors: Hernández-Monje Diana , Giraldo Liliana , Moreno-Piraján Juan Carlos
Published: February 2018

The study of aliphatic compounds adsorption on activated carbon can be carried out from the energetic change involved in the interaction; the energy values can be determined from isotherms or by the immersion enthalpy. Vapor phase adsorption isotherms of hexane at 263 K on five activated carbons with different content of oxygenated groups and the immersion enthalpy of the activated carbons in hexane and water were determined in order to characterize the interactions in the solid–liquid system, and for calculating the hydrophobic factor of the activated carbons. The micropore volume and characteristic energy from adsorption isotherms of hexane, the BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area from the adsorption isotherms of N2, and the area accessible to the hexane from the immersion enthalpy were calculated. The activated carbon with the lowest content of oxygenated groups (0.30 µmolg−1) and the highest surface area (996 m2g−1) had the highest hexane adsorption value: 0.27 mmol g−1; the values for Eo were between 5650 and 6920 Jmol−1 and for ΔHim were between −66.1 and −16.4 Jg−1. These determinations allow us to correlate energetic parameters with the surface area and the chemical modifications that were made to the solids, where the surface hydrophobic character of the activated carbon favors the interaction.
Recognition of AMP, ADP and ATP through Cooperative Binding by Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes Containing Urea and/or Phenylboronic—Acid Moieties
Authors: Carreira-Barral Israel , Fernández-Pérez Isabel , Mato-Iglesias Marta , De Blas Andrés , Platas-Iglesias Carlos , Esteban-Gómez David
Published: February 2018

We report a series of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with different ligands containing a dipicolyl unit functionalized with urea groups that may contain or not a phenylboronic acid function. These complexes were designed for the recognition of phosphorylated anions through coordination to the metal ion reinforced by hydrogen bonds involving the anion and NH groups of urea. The complexes were isolated and several adducts with pyrophosphate were characterized using X-ray diffraction measurements. Coordination of one of the urea nitrogen atoms to the metal ion promoted the hydrolysis of the ligands containing 1,3-diphenylurea units, while ligands bearing 1-ethyl-3-phenylurea groups did not hydrolyze significantly at room temperature. Spectrophotometric titrations, combined with 1H and 31P NMR studies, were used in investigating the binding of phosphate, pyrophosphate (PPi), and nucleoside 5′-polyphosphates (AMP, ADP, ATP, CMP, and UMP). The association constants determined in aqueous solution (pH 7.0, 0.1 M MOPS) point to a stronger association with PPi, ADP, and ATP as compared with the anions containing a single phosphate unit. The [CuL4]2+ complex shows important selectivity for pyrophosphate (PPi) over ADP and ATP.
Sodium and Potassium Consumption in a Semi-Urban Area in Peru: Evaluation of a Population-Based 24-Hour Urine Collection
Authors: Carrillo-Larco Rodrigo , Saavedra-Garcia Lorena , Miranda J. , Sacksteder Katherine , Diez-Canseco Francisco , Gilman Robert , Bernabe-Ortiz Antonio
Published: February 2018

Despite the negative effects of high sodium and low potassium consumption on cardiovascular health, their consumption has not been quantified in sites undergoing urbanization. We aimed to determine the sodium and potassium consumption in a semi-urban area in Peru with a cross-sectional study. 24-h urine samples were collected. The outcomes were mean consumption of sodium and potassium, as well as adherence to their consumption recommendation: <2 g/day and ≥3.51 g/day, respectively. Bivariate analyses were conducted to identify socio-economic and clinical variables associated with the consumption recommendations of 602 participants, complete urine samples were found in 409: mean age of participants was 45.7 (standard deviation (SD): 16.2) years and 56% were women. The mean sodium and potassium consumption was 4.4 (SD: 2.1) and 2.0 (SD: 1.2) g/day. The sodium and potassium recommendation was met by 7.1% and 13.7% of the study sample; none of the participants met both recommendations. People not adherent to the sodium recommendation had higher diastolic (73.1 mmHg vs. 68.2 mmHg, p = 0.015) and systolic (113.1 mmHg vs. 106.3 mmHg, p = 0.047) blood pressure than those who comply with the recommendation. Public health actions ought to be implemented in areas undergoing urbanization to improve sodium and potassium consumption at the population level.
Combining GPS, BeiDou, and Galileo Satellite Systems for Time and Frequency Transfer Based on Carrier Phase Observations
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Tu Rui , Zhang Rui , Gao Yuping , Cai Hongbin
Published: February 2018

The carrier-phase (CP) technique based on the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) has proved to be a useful spatial tool for remote and precise time transfer. In order to improve the robustness and stability of the time transfer solution for a time link, a new CP approach based on a combination of GPS, BeiDou (BDS), and Galileo satellite systems is proposed in this study. The mathematical model for the obtained unique time transfer solution is discussed. Three GNSS stations that can track GPS, BeiDou, and Galileo satellites were used, and two time links are established to assess the performance of the approach. Multi-GNSS time transfer outperforms single GNSS by increasing the number of available satellites and improving the time dilution of precision. For the long time link, with a geodetic distance of 7537.5 km, the RMS value of the combined multi-system solution improves by 18.8%, 59.4%, and 35.0% compared to GPS-only, BDS-only, and Galileo-only, respectively. The average frequency stability improves by 12.9%, 62.3%, and 36.0%, respectively. For the short time link, with a geodetic distance of 4.7 m, the improvement after combining the three GNSSs is 6.7% for GPS-only, 52.6% for BDS-only, and 38.2% for Galileo-only.
Determining Forest Duff Water Content Using a Low-Cost Standing Wave Ratio Sensor
Authors: Yan Xiaofei , Zhao Yajie , Cheng Qiang , Zheng Xiaoliang , Zhao Yandong
Published: February 2018

Forest duff (fermentation and humus) water content is an important parameter for fire risk prediction and water resource management. However, accurate determination of forest duff water content is difficult due to its loose structure. This study evaluates the feasibility of a standing wave ratio (SWR) sensor to accurately determine the forest duff water content. The performance of this sensor was tested on fermentation and humus with eight different compaction levels. Meanwhile, a commercialized time domain reflectometry (TDR) was employed for comparison. Calibration results showed that there were strong linear relationships between the volumetric water content (θV) and the SWR sensor readings (VSWR) at different compaction classes for both fermentation and humus samples. The sensor readings of both SWR and TDR underestimated the forest duff water content at low compacted levels, proving that the compaction of forest duff could significantly affect the measurement accuracy of both sensors. Experimental data also showed that the accuracy of the SWR sensor was higher than that of TDR according to the root mean square error (RMSE). Furthermore, low cost is another important advantage of the SWR sensor in comparison with TDR. This low-cost SWR sensor performs well in loose materials and is feasible for evaluating the water content of forest duff. In addition, the results indicate that decomposition of the forest duff should be taken into account for continuous and long-term water content measurement.
The Spectrum Analysis Solution (SAS) System: Theoretical Analysis, Hardware Design and Implementation
Authors: Narayanan Ram M. , Pooler Richard K. , Martone Anthony F. , Gallagher Kyle A. , Sherbondy Kelly D.
Published: February 2018

This paper describes a multichannel super-heterodyne signal analyzer, called the Spectrum Analysis Solution (SAS), which performs multi-purpose spectrum sensing to support spectrally adaptive and cognitive radar applications. The SAS operates from ultrahigh frequency (UHF) to the S-band and features a wideband channel with eight narrowband channels. The wideband channel acts as a monitoring channel that can be used to tune the instantaneous band of the narrowband channels to areas of interest in the spectrum. The data collected from the SAS has been utilized to develop spectrum sensing algorithms for the budding field of spectrum sharing (SS) radar. Bandwidth (BW), average total power, percent occupancy (PO), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), and power spectral entropy (PSE) have been examined as metrics for the characterization of the spectrum. These metrics are utilized to determine a contiguous optimal sub-band (OSB) for a SS radar transmission in a given spectrum for different modalities. Three OSB algorithms are presented and evaluated: the spectrum sensing multi objective (SS-MO), the spectrum sensing with brute force PSE (SS-BFE), and the spectrum sensing multi-objective with brute force PSE (SS-MO-BFE).
Failure Rates for Aging Aircraft
Authors: MacLean Leonard , Richman Alex , Hudak Mark
Published: February 2018

In any consideration of the operating condition, the age of a particular aircraft is a major factor. Much attention is focused on planes which are aged, that is, aircraft with chronological age or accumulated hours of use beyond a threshold. Being aged is a state, and should be distinguished from aging, which is a process of degradation with use. The degradation process starts at first flight and continues through time, with the rate being affected by aircraft design, patterns of use, and maintenance procedures. In this paper, the cycles, block hours and failures were recorded, and failure rates with accumulated use were calculated. A pattern of increasing failure rates with accumulated use (age) is observable, with improvement (decline in rate) at times of planned maintenance. The evidence supports the hypothesis that aging, that is increasing rates of failure, begins early in the life of an aircraft. Early evidence of degradation is also a precursor for accelerated failure rates as use accumulates along the age trajectory.
Single-Valued Neutrosophic Hesitant Fuzzy Choquet Aggregation Operators for Multi-Attribute Decision Making
Authors: Li Xin , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: February 2018

This paper aims at developing new methods for multi-attribute decision making (MADM) under a single-valued neutrosophic hesitant fuzzy environment, in which each element has sets of possible values designed by truth, indeterminacy, and falsity membership hesitant functions. First, taking advantage of the Choquet integral and that it can reflect more correlations of attributes in MADM, two aggregation operators are defined based on the Choquet integral, specifically, the single-valued neutrosophic hesitant fuzzy Choquet ordered averaging (SVNHFCOA) operator and single-valued neutrosophic hesitant fuzzy Choquet ordered geometric (SVNHFCOG) operator, and their properties are also discussed in detail. Then, novel MADM approaches based on the SVNHFCOA and SVNHFCOG operators are established to process single-valued neutrosophic hesitant fuzzy information. Finally, this work provides a numerical example of investment alternatives to validate the application and effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
A multi-criteria decision making for renewable energy selection using Z-numbers in uncertain environment
Authors: CHATTERJEE Kajal , KAR Samarjit
Published: February 2018

In recent era of globalization, the world is perceiving an alarming rise in its energy consumption resulting in shortage of fossil fuels in near future. Developing countries like India, with fast growing population and economy, is planning to explore among its existing renewable energy sources to meet the acute shortage of overall domestic energy supply. For balancing diverse ecological, social, technical and economic features, selection among alternative renewable energy must be addressed in a multi-criteria context considering both subjective and objective criteria weights. In the proposed COPRAS-Z methodology, Z-number model fuzzy numbers with reliability degree to represents imprecise judgment of decision makers’ in evaluating the weights of criteria and selection of renewable energy alternatives. The fuzzy numbers are defuzzified and renewable energy alternatives are prioritized as per COmplex PropoRtional ASsessment (COPRAS) decision making method in terms of significance and utility degree. A sensitivity analysis is done to observe the variation in ranking of the criteria, by altering the coefficient of both subjective and objective weight. Also, the proposed methodology is compared with existing multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods for checking validity of the obtained ranking result.
L’angle de contingence chez Platon et Protagoras
Authors: Auffret Thomas
Published: February 2018

À partir du Théétète , cet article revient sur quelques aspects des débats épistémologiques suscités, de Zénon à Platon, par la préhistoire de la constitution de l’axiome dit d’Eudoxe-Archimède et les paradoxes métriques caractéristiques de l’angle de contingence. Après avoir rappelé les conditions axiomatiques nécessaires à l’apparition du problème des grandeurs non-archimédiennes, il s’attache à reconstruire le débat qui opposa Protagoras à Zénon à propos de la validité d’une version naïve et archaïque de l’axiome archimédien, ainsi que la réponse platonicienne qu’il suscita.
Windowed Factorization and Merging
Authors: Wanders Ivor , Van den Berg Boudewijn
Published: February 2018

In this work, an online 3D reconstruction algorithm is proposed which attempts to solve the structure from motion problem for occluded and degenerate data. To deal with occlusion the temporal consistency of data within a limited window is used to compute local reconstructions. These local reconstructions are transformed and merged to obtain an estimation of the 3D object shape. The algorithm is shown to accurately reconstruct a rotating and translating artificial sphere and a rotating toy dinosaur from a video. The proposed algorithm (WIFAME) provides a versatile framework to deal with missing data in the structure from motion problem.
Spirituality and Aging
Authors: Mattoo Surendra Kumar , Punia Vikas , Malik Lipika , Khurana Hitesh
Published: February 2018

This chapter reviews the available literature on different aspects of spirituality and health in old age. Old age is marked with physical, mental and social dysfunctions whereas spirituality provides the way to overcome these difficulties. The Asian scriptures give a very clear evidence that spirituality is the way of life that has a meaning, a purpose and connectedness with others. In the Indian description, Vasudhaiv Kutubhkam, it points towards the spiritual interconnectedness. The spiritual practices give a meaning and purpose to life therefore instills a feeling of hope which can protect against mental disorders. The same also strengthen immune system protecting us from physical problems connectedness with others is the ultimate aim of spirituality. With increasing age and degenerative processing taking place in the body, spiritual practices by elderly, make them feel a part of community and improves physical health status.
Stroke in Geriatric Population
Authors: Kallollimath Pradeep
Published: February 2018

This chapter describes how a stroke or ‘brain attack' occurs when blood circulation to the brain fails. Although first recognized 2400 years ago by Hippocrates, the father of medicine, advances in treatment are made only in the last few decades. After a stroke, 8 out of 10 patients develop paralysis on the side of body opposite the side of brain damaged. There are other symptoms to look for such as drooping of face to one side, slurred or confused speech, sudden visual disturbance, sudden giddiness and imbalance or sudden severe headache. Incidence of stoke increases with age and elderly people are more likely to have more severe stroke. In addition, elderly people will have multiple comorbidities which make management more difficult. After a disabling stroke, easing back to life requires a positive attitude to overcome difficulties. A physiotherapist can help restore the strength and reduce stiffness of muscles. Regular follow up with a physician or neurologist, taking medicines as prescribed is important to improve the outcome and prevent the recurrence of stroke.
Ageing and Cancer
Authors: Goswami Srijan , Mahanta Kongkoan , Goswami Swagata , Jigdung Trecy , Devi Trishna Priya
Published: February 2018

This chapter describes how cancer is the disorder of immune system and is epigenetically controlled. As a person grows older the cells in their body become weaker. The defense system of the body and genetic repair mechanisms becomes more delicate. Loss of control in these protective mechanism leads to cancer. Thus, cancer and ageing are entwined in an intricate and abstruse relationship. This chapter explores the demographic changes, biological theories and clinical considerations that link cancer and ageing. It highlights the implications of these associations in the context of population and health system, with a focus on preventative strategies, research imperatives and delivery of cancer services. Furthermore, the chapter discusses how to best prepare the most junior of the medical profession to manage a growing number of senior cancer patients. Overall, it underscores how all elements in the relationship of cancer and ageing need to be considered and incorporated into a framework that facilitates a holistic approach to cancer control.
Disability Issues, Aging, and Preventive Measures
Authors: Kori Ashok , Bajantri Manjunath R.
Published: February 2018

As we know, aging is an ongoing biological process from which no human being can escape. Although everyone is familiar with ageing, defining it is not so easy. There is no United Nations standard numerical criterion of old age, but, it is agreed cut off is 60 plus years. Currently, due to the availability and accessibility of effective medication and treatment at specialty hospitals that increase life expectancy of old age people, over the past century, the population, although aged with disabilities, has aged around the world. Recent advances in the field of medicine, public health, technology, and rehabilitation in different streams have reduced the discrepancy in life expectancy for persons with disabilities.
Solar Energy in Agro-Ecologic Micrometeorology Measurements
Authors: Nurgaliev Ildus Saetgalievich
Published: February 2018

New approach to the measurements in agro-ecologic micrometeorology is suggested on the bases of renewable solar panels for energy supply to instruments at the remote sites and new turbulent model of the flow of the gases. Analytical dynamic model of the turbulent multi-component flow in the three-layer boundary system is presented. Turbulence is simulated by the non-zero vorticity, but not only. Other mathematical aspects of the turbulence are an introducing new model of the material point and considering a torsion of their trajectories. The generalized advection-diffusion-reaction equation is derived for an arbitrary number of components in the flow. The flows in the layers are objects for matching requirements on the boundaries between the layers. Different types of transport mechanisms are dominant on the different levels of the layers and space scales. The same models of mass and energy transfer are instrumental in simulation rural electrification concepts in general on the bases renewable sources.
Maintenance of Power Equipment System Based on the Methods of Diagnosis and Control of Technical Condition
Authors: Strebkov Dmitry , Nekrasov Alexey , Nekrasov Anton
Published: February 2018

Maintenance of the power equipment system is based on the industry standard of averaged volumes of standard maintenance and repair of power equipment, frequency and duration of the preventive measures, the nomenclature and consumption of materials and spare parts to perform operations. One of the more efficient uses of electrical equipment is to improve its maintenance system through the development and implementation of service strategies for the actual condition. The work proved the necessary conditions for the realization of electric service strategy on defining the main diagnostic parameter. The general mathematical model is proposed to implement the service strategy. The model is based on a study of basic parameters using random monotone normal type of process and diagnostic controlled parameter with three discrete product states (working, the state of preventive actions, and failure) and continuous operating time. The results of studies of the new techniques development for improving the operation of electrical systems are presented.
Single-Wire Resonant Electric Power Systems for Renewable-Based Electric Grid
Authors: Strebkov Dmitry , Nekrasov Alexey , Trubnikov Vladimir , Nekrasov Anton
Published: February 2018

The results of comparison of parameters of a classical electric power supply system with an electric power supply system using single-wire wave-guide lines with high frequency, proposed by N. Tesla 100 years ago, are presented. The future world energy model based on direct solar energy conversion and transcontinental terawatt power transmission with the use of resonant wave-guide technology developed by N. Tesla is proposed. The trends of the future development of electric engineering and energy technologies for agriculture, space exploration, solar energy, hydrogen energy, and electric transport based on resonant wave-guide methods of electric power transmission and application are suggested. Substantiation of the use of resonant electric technologies for hydrogen generation by water electrolysis as well as the technical parameters of the plant and the experiment findings are given.
A SEM-Neural Network Approach for Predicting Antecedents of Factors Influencing Consumers' Intent to Install Mobile Applications
Authors: Akgül Yakup
Published: February 2018

This chapter explores the present gap in the literature regarding the acceptance of mobile applications by investigating the factors that affect users' behavioral intention to use apps in Turkey. First, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to determine which variables had significant influence on intention to install. In a second phase, the neural network model was used to rank the relative influence of significant predictors obtained from SEM. The results reveal that habit, performance expectancy, trust, social influence, and hedonic motivation affect the users' behavioral intention to use apps.
Educational Disparities Among Marginalized Groups of Students
Authors: Radu Monica Bixby
Published: February 2018

Parents play a critical role in shaping their children's educational outcomes. Scholars identify parental resources, family background, and capital investments in children as factors that contribute to educational outcomes later in life. Schools also prove to be important contexts where children develop, suggesting that both families and schools are important for promoting youths' educational success. Ecological systems theory suggests the importance of considering how multiple contexts affect youths' social, cognitive, and behavioral development and maintains that socio-demographic factors, such as race and ethnicity, may affect interactions with immediate settings, such as families and schools. Therefore, drawing from this perspective, this researcher argues that perceiving one's school as unsafe and being the victim of bullying disrupts the educational process, particularly for students of color. Bullying encompasses a power dynamic between the bully and bully-victim, and the presence of bullying in schools may exacerbate unequal school environments.
From Visualization Framework on Teaching Process
Authors: Preprotić Suzana Pasanec , Petković Gorana
Published: February 2018

A framework for learning was developed with input from teachers, education experts, and business leaders to define and illustrate the skills and knowledge that students need to succeed in work, life, and citizenship, as well as the support system for learning outcomes. The critical system ensures student development and learning environment, including their personal skills, content knowledge, and important expertise, which they will need at Faculty, on the job, and generally in life. Students achieve better when they are actively engaged in solving meaningful problems. Today, among other academic courses, ICT-based learning provides an active learning process that enhances student-centered learning approaches, collaborative and participative forms of teaching and learning. Dialog, writing, and “high-order thinking” have significant importance, which directly improve communicative learning processes, including social network model of thinking. That process involves focusing on achieving a particular prior learning outcome (previous courses) and resolution comprehension of all aspects of the issue.
Authorship Attribution for Online Social Media
Authors: Banga Ritu , Bhardwaj Akanksha , Peng Sheng-Lung , Shrivastava Gulshan
Published: February 2018

This chapter gives a comprehensive knowledge of various machine learning classifiers to achieve authorship attribution (AA) on short texts, specifically tweets. The need for authorship identification is due to the increasing crime on the internet, which breach cyber ethics by raising the level of anonymity. AA of online messages has witnessed interest from many research communities. Many methods such as statistical and computational have been proposed by linguistics and researchers to identify an author from their writing style. Various ways of extracting and selecting features on the basis of dataset have been reviewed. The authors focused on n-grams features as they proved to be very effective in identifying the true author from a given list of known authors. The study has demonstrated that AA is achievable on the basis of selection criteria of features and methods in small texts and also proved the accuracy of analysis changes according to combination of features. The authors found character grams are good features for identifying the author but are not yet able to identify the author independently.
Social Aware Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Haldorai Anandakumar , Ramu Arulmurugan , Murugan Suriya
Published: February 2018

The mobile networks seem to have a steady future in the direction of the recent emergence of socially aware cognitive mobile networks. Their style and design are specifically made in improving shared spectrum space access, in cooperative spectrum sensing, and in enhancing device-to-device communications. Socially aware mobile networks do have enough potential to amass sufficient returns in the efficacy of the spectrum and also to march and gain a considerable amount of increase in the capacity of the network. Even though there are lot of gains in its potency to be reaped yet, still there seems to be enough challenges that are both business- and technical-related that have to be taken care of. This chapter delves into the cognitive radio (CR) and its social relations and also makes sufficient exploits in establishing a scheme that will be based on social-based cooperative sensing scheme (SBC).
Specifying Knowledge Graph with Data Graph, Information Graph, Knowledge Graph, and Wisdom Graph
Authors: Duan Yucong , Shao Lixu , Hu Gongzhu
Published: February 2018

Knowledge graphs have been widely adopted, in large part owing to their schema-less nature. It enables knowledge graphs to grow seamlessly and allows for new relationships and entities as needed. A knowledge graph is a graph constructed by representing each item, entity and user as nodes, and linking those nodes that interact with each other via edges. Knowledge graphs have abundant natural semantics and can contain various and more complete information. It is an expression mechanism close to natural language. However, we still lack a unified definition and standard expression form of knowledge graph. The authors propose to clarify the expression of knowledge graph as a whole. They clarify the architecture of knowledge graph from data, information, knowledge, and wisdom aspects respectively. The authors also propose to specify knowledge graph in a progressive manner as four basic forms including data graph, information graph, knowledge graph and wisdom graph.
A Centralized Autonomous System of Cooperation for UAVs- Monitoring and USVs- Cleaning
Authors: Bella Salima , Belbachir Assia , Belalem Ghalem
Published: February 2018

This article proposes an approach which deals with the problem of monitoring ocean pollution and cleaning dirty zones using autonomous unmanned vehicles. The authors present a cooperative agent-based planning approach for heterogeneous unmanned vehicles with different roles. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) monitor multiple ocean regions and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) tackle the cleaning of dirty zones. Due to the rapid deployment of these unmanned vehicles, and the increase of ocean pollution, it is convenient to use a fleet of unmanned vehicles. Thus, most of the existing studies deal with the monitoring of different zones, the detection of the polluted zones and then the cleaning of the zones. In order to optimize this process, the authors' solution aims to use one UAV and one USV to reduce the pollution level of the ocean zones while taking into account the problem of fault tolerance related to these vehicles.
Self-Organizing Map Convergence
Authors: Tatoian Robert , Hamel Lutz
Published: February 2018

Self-organizing maps are artificial neural networks designed for unsupervised machine learning. Here in this article, the authors introduce a new quality measure called the convergence index. The convergence index is a linear combination of map embedding accuracy and estimated topographic accuracy and since it reports a single statistically meaningful number it is perhaps more intuitive to use than other quality measures. The convergence index in the context of clustering problems was proposed by Ultsch as part of his fundamental clustering problem suite as well as real world datasets. First demonstrated is that the convergence index captures the notion that a SOM has learned the multivariate distribution of a training data set by looking at the convergence of the marginals. The convergence index is then used to study the convergence of SOMs with respect to the different parameters that govern self-organizing map learning. One result is that the constant neighborhood function produces better self-organizing map models than the popular Gaussian neighborhood function.
ANÁLISE ESTRATÉGICA DAS POLÍTICAS DE SEGURANÇA DA INFORMAÇÃO NO SETOR BANCÁRIO
Authors: Lyra Mauricio Rocha , Nishi Vitor Tormin
Published: February 2018

Este trabalho pretende apresentar uma análise, do ponto de vista estratégico, baseados em preceitos do CoBIT 5 for Information Security, das políticas de segurança da informação no setor bancário. Buscou-se, através de 12 princípios de governança propostos na publicação da ISACA, avaliar quão alinhados se encontram os aspectos estratégicos com os aspectos táticos/operacionais da segurança nas políticas de segurança da informação. Como esperado, o estudou mostrou um índice de aderência aos preceitos de governança inferior a 50% nas organizações e evidenciou que, mesmo entre elas, existe uma grande diferença entre os níveis de aderência quando comparadas uma a uma. O entendimento final do trabalho leva a acreditar que existe um desalinhamento entre o negócio e a segurança, que ainda é muito vinculada aos conceitos conservadores de segurança, ignorando a vantagem competitiva de mercado que a segurança pode prover e não se atentando que a segurança envolve o negócio como um todo e não apenas TI e que ferramentas são os meios e não os motivadores da segurança.
A CONTRIBUICAO DA GESTAO DE PROJETOS PARA A GOVERNANCA DE TI
Authors: Lyra Mauricio Rocha , Oliveira Fernanda , Batista Douglas Gomes , Souza Grazielly Siqueira , Cardoso Willian Meyer Felix
Published: February 2018

A Gestão de Projetos tornou-se um dos principais insumos de apoio à gestão das organizações para minimizar riscos, assegurar competitividade e continuidade dos negócios. Este artigo buscou expor a importância do elo entre a Gestão de Projetos e a Governança de TI evidenciando os benefícios que podem ser alcançados com a implementação de suas principais práticas.
Southeast Atmosphere Studies: learning from model-observation syntheses
Authors: Mao Jingqiu , Carlton Annmarie , Cohen Ronald C. , Brune William H. , Brown Steven S. , Wolfe Glenn M. , Jimenez Jose L. , Pye Havala O. T. , Lee Ng Nga , Xu Lu , McNeill V. Faye , Tsigaridis Kostas , McDonald Brian C. , Warneke Carsten , Guenther Alex , Alvarado Matthew J. , de Gouw Joost , Mickley Loretta J. , Leibensperger Eric M. , Mathur Rohit , Nolte Christopher G. , Portmann Robert W. , Unger Nadine , Tosca Mika , Horowitz Larry W.
Published: February 2018

Abstract. Concentrations of atmospheric trace species in the United States have changed dramatically over the past several decades in response to pollution control strategies, shifts in domestic energy policy and economics, and economic development (and resulting emission changes) elsewhere in the world. Reliable projections of the future atmosphere require models to not only accurately describe current atmospheric concentrations, but to do so by representing chemical, physical and biological processes with conceptual and quantitative fidelity. Only through incorporation of the processes controlling emissions and chemical mechanisms that represent the key transformations among reactive molecules can models reliably project the impacts of future policy, energy and climate scenarios. Efforts to properly identify and implement the fundamental and controlling mechanisms in atmospheric models benefit from intensive observation periods, during which collocated measurements of diverse, speciated chemicals in both the gas and condensed phases are obtained. The Southeast Atmosphere Studies (SAS, including SENEX, SOAS, NOMADSS and SEAC4RS) conducted during the summer of 2013 provided an unprecedented opportunity for the atmospheric modeling community to come together to evaluate, diagnose and improve the representation of fundamental climate and air quality processes in models of varying temporal and spatial scales.This paper is aimed at discussing progress in evaluating, diagnosing and improving air quality and climate modeling using comparisons to SAS observations as a guide to thinking about improvements to mechanisms and parameterizations in models. The effort focused primarily on model representation of fundamental atmospheric processes that are essential to the formation of ozone, secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and other trace species in the troposphere, with the ultimate goal of understanding the radiative impacts of these species in the southeast and elsewhere. Here we address questions surrounding four key themes: gas-phase chemistry, aerosol chemistry, regional climate and chemistry interactions, and natural and anthropogenic emissions. We expect this review to serve as a guidance for future modeling efforts.
The dynamical core of the Aeolus 1.0 statistical–dynamical atmosphere model: validation and parameter optimization
Authors: Totz Sonja , Eliseev Alexey V. , Petri Stefan , Flechsig Michael , Caesar Levke , Petoukhov Vladimir , Coumou Dim
Published: February 2018

Abstract. We present and validate a set of equations for
representing the atmosphere's large-scale general circulation in an Earth
system model of intermediate complexity (EMIC). These dynamical equations
have been implemented in Aeolus 1.0, which is a statistical–dynamical
atmosphere model (SDAM) and includes radiative transfer and cloud modules
(Coumou
et al., 2011; Eliseev et al., 2013). The statistical dynamical approach is
computationally efficient and thus enables us to perform climate
simulations at multimillennia timescales, which is a prime aim of our model
development. Further, this computational efficiency enables us to scan large
and high-dimensional parameter space to tune the model parameters, e.g., for
sensitivity studies. Here, we present novel equations for the large-scale zonal-mean wind as well
as those for planetary waves. Together with synoptic parameterization (as
presented by Coumou et al., 2011), these form the mathematical description
of the dynamical core of Aeolus 1.0. We optimize the dynamical core parameter values by tuning all relevant
dynamical fields to ERA-Interim reanalysis data (1983–2009) forcing the
dynamical core with prescribed surface temperature, surface humidity and
cumulus cloud fraction. We test the model's performance in reproducing the
seasonal cycle and the influence of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). We use a simulated annealing
optimization algorithm, which approximates the global minimum of a
high-dimensional function. With non-tuned parameter values, the model performs reasonably in terms of
its representation of zonal-mean circulation, planetary waves and storm
tracks. The simulated annealing optimization improves in particular the
model's representation of the Northern Hemisphere jet stream and storm
tracks as well as the Hadley circulation. The regions of high azonal wind velocities (planetary waves) are accurately
captured for all validation experiments. The zonal-mean zonal wind and the
integrated lower troposphere mass flux show good results in particular in
the Northern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, the model tends to
produce too-weak zonal-mean zonal winds and a too-narrow Hadley circulation.
We discuss possible reasons for these model biases as well as planned future
model improvements and applications.
Spatial and temporal analysis of fatal off-piste and backcountry avalanche accidents in Austria with a comparison of results in Switzerland, France, Italy and the US
Authors: Pfeifer Christian , Höller Peter , Zeileis Achim
Published: February 2018

Abstract. In this article we analyzed spatial and temporal patterns of fatal Austrian avalanche accidents caused by backcountry and off-piste skiers and snowboarders within the winter periods 1967/1968–2015/2016. The data were based on reports of the Austrian Board for Alpine Safety and reports of the information services of the federal states. Using the date and the location of the recorded avalanche accidents, we were able to carry out spatial and temporal analyses applying generalized additive models and Markov random-field models. As a result of the trend analysis we noticed an increasing trend of backcountry and off-piste avalanche fatalities within the winter periods 1967/1968–2015/2016 (although slightly decreasing in recent years), which is in contradiction to the widespread opinion in Austria that the number of fatalities is constant over time. Additionally, we compared Austrian results with results of Switzerland, France, Italy and the US based on data from the International Commission of Alpine Rescue (ICAR). As a result of the spatial analysis, we noticed two hot spots of avalanche fatalities (Arlberg–Silvretta and Sölden). Because of the increasing trend and the rather narrow regional distribution of the fatalities, initiatives aimed at preventing avalanche accidents were highly recommended.
On soil textural classifications and soil-texture-based estimations
Authors: Martín Miguel Ángel , Pachepsky Yakov A. , García-Gutiérrez Carlos , Reyes Miguel
Published: February 2018

Abstract. The soil texture representation with the standard textural fraction triplet sand–silt–clay is commonly used to estimate soil properties. The objective of this work was to test the hypothesis that other fraction sizes in the triplets may provide a better representation of soil texture for estimating some soil parameters. We estimated the cumulative particle size distribution and bulk density from an entropy-based representation of the textural triplet with experimental data for 6240 soil samples. The results supported the hypothesis. For example, simulated distributions were not significantly different from the original ones in 25 and 85 % of cases when the sand–silt–clay and very coarse+coarse + medium sand − fine + very fine sand − silt+clay were used, respectively. When the same standard and modified triplets were used to estimate the average bulk density, the coefficients of determination were 0.001 and 0.967, respectively. Overall, the textural triplet selection appears to be application and data specific.
A Network Perspective and Hidden Corruption
Authors: Osifo O. C.
Published: February 2018

This study examines the hidden aspects of corruption from a network perspective. Through networking, we understand the nature and functioning of hidden corruption, because hidden corruption relates to various acts of corruption that are difficult to observe and prosecute legally. The dimensions to understand hidden corruption are structural and institutional corruption, distorted network, and grey corruption.  Different types of illegal, criminal, or unethical networks are understood through two dimensions (structural and institutional corruption and distorted network) of hidden corruption. Grey corruption is another dimension of hidden corruption, but has no defined network existence. The main types of hidden, unethical and criminal networks that exist around the world are greed-oriented institutional network, old-boy network, and clandestine network. Emphases on digital expertise and reforms targeting attitudinal, cultural, legal, and institutional changes have been identified as ways of addressing the phenomenon of hidden corruption from a contemporary standpoint, because of emerging events/realities.
The Unsustainability of Kalego Traditional Game among Muna Community of Watopute District
Authors: Basri La Ode Ali , Momo Abdul Halim , Marhadi Akhmad , Rahman Abdul , Jers La Ode Topo , Aslim Aslim , Aswati Aswati
Published: February 2018

This study aims at analyzing the unsustainability causes of kalego as one of traditional games of Muna communities in Watopute District, Muna Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. Data collection was conducted through participant observation, interviews, surveys, and focused discussion. Data analysis was conducted qualitatively and descriptive statistic by employing data reduction technique, data presentation and conclusion. The results showed that kalego traditional game has been degraded or unsustainably practiced as the impact of the low awareness and low understanding among Muna community toward this traditional game. Approximately 71.25% Muna community in Watopute district cannot play the traditional game. The unsustainability of kalego was caused by several factors namely; 1) the absence of the family inheritance about kalego traditional game and the decreasing number of old figures who understand Muna culture contribute to the decreasing of local culture knowledge among younger generations; 2) Cultural encounters which results incorporated acculturation toward Muna's local culture; 3) the absence of the massive kalego game staging.
Human Capital and the Level of Economic Development
Authors: Thamma-Apiroam Rewat
Published: February 2018

This study aims at testing the causal relationship between human capital via the government spending share on education and economic growth using cross-country evidence and investigating the relationship pattern between such human capital – growth and the level of economic development based on 30 country data. The study employs a standard approach through uniting root test and Granger causality test. The data is annually collected during the periods 1983 – 2012, totaling to 30 observations. The finding indicates that for both developing and developed countries, education human capital cannot explain much the economic growth and vice versa. In addition, from the relationship pattern between human capital – growth and the economic development level neutrality is the most commonly found pattern for both developing and developed countries. However, we see somewhat difference between them in terms of causation running from growth to human capital. That is, the number of developed countries is almost double as compared to the developing ones. This gives rise to a policy implication for developed countries in that it should put more emphasis on the government education spending share to GDP since it can help boost human capital in the long run.
The Impact of Glossed Texts on Reading Comprehension among Tertiary Saudi Students
Authors: Alharbi Bader
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this study is to explore the existing effect of gloss conditions on reading comprehension and vocabulary understanding of learners in the context of English as a foreign language. The study composed of 72 male students aged between 19 and 21 years selected from Qassim University in Saudi Arabia. The participants were divided into four groups, namely; L1 Arabic gloss, L2 English gloss, a combination of L1 and L2, and the last group with no gloss. Results and findings of the study revealed a significant difference regarding the comprehension of the texts among the experimental groups when correlated with the control group. Additionally, there was no significant change noted regarding performance among the experimental groups. Another finding indicated that the learners had a preference of L1 and L2 gloss over L1 gloss and L2 gloss types, with 93.03% of them preferring to read glossed texts. Overall, these ﬁndings suggest that the gloss and no conditions were significantly distinct. This research results will be beneficial for future studies that are interested in developing reading comprehension of EFL learners.
The Profits from Weapons and Troops in Iraq War 2003: The Real Reason for the World Financial Crises 2008
Authors: Dobrev-Halachev Momtchil , Garibova Mariola
Published: February 2018

Lord prof PhD Momtchil Dobrev-Halachev developed 2008 “Theory of generating of crises” and 2001 “Theory of the mafia”. Based on these two theories, this paper explane the establishment of the financial crises 2008 all over the world.