bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reference model for improved communicability in projects
Authors: Molena Airton , Rovai Ricardo Leonardo
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a structured and analytical model for the implantation of project communication management (PCM).

Design/methodology/approach

– A survey was carried out with the support of the PMI São Paulo Chapter.

Findings

– The research brought new evidence which, added to the identification of the main gaps and deficiencies found in the theory. The model then deals with project communication and reflects the advances in administration and organizational communication, enabling evolution in the area of project communication.

Research limitations/implications

– The fact that this work offers the view presented by just a part of one of the PMI Chapters is a research limitation. The model proposal offers a new approach for the understanding of the PCM process, structured and integrated into the organization.

Practical implications

– This new vision allows better alignment of projects with the organizational structure of communication.

Social implications

– This study enables use for media professionals in organizations, enabling better communicability between people.

Originality/value

– The model contributes to the understanding of communication in projects as a process with several dimensions, facilitating work in a structured integrated way, enabling a better degree of communicability in projects.
A knowledge management framework for global project development based on Tai Chi principles and practices
Authors: Swain Deborah Elizabeth , Lightfoot James Earl
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show how Tai Chi (or T’ai Chi ch’uan) philosophy might be used in global project development. Collected case studies support a Tai Chi-based framework for global project teams to reduce stress and improve decision making through exercises, storytelling, and martial arts practices. The authors first proposed a model or procedural framework based on experiential knowledge from practicing Tai Chi while managing projects.

Design/methodology/approach

– Analyzing case studies from knowledge managers, project managers, and executive leaders, the researchers collected data on applying the framework from a retrospective case study and from two observational case studies during project development. Tai Chi-based communications and exercises were shown to support critical thinking, knowledge sharing, and problem solving. The proposed framework and four-step procedure build on a global perspective to cultural awareness, creativity, and motivation as well as specific Tai Chi-based tactics, techniques, and operations for knowledge management. This preliminary study looks at improving collaboration in a competitive environment while supporting health, wellness, and work-life enjoyment.

Findings

– Early research results suggest that teams and individuals working on projects and practicing Tai Chi might develop more cohesive strategies and improve soft skills during their integration of Eastern and Western philosophies.

Research limitations/implications

– Used case studies methodology, which provided examples of using Tai Chi during projects. Qualitative data used to develop the proposed framework. Also, interviews and discussion reviews conducted for additional validation collected on framework.

Practical implications

– It is a pioneering, preliminary study. Future research with outcomes-based data from project managers using Tai Chi recommended.

Originality/value

– The integration of Eastern and Western philosophies into a framework for team project and knowledge management was shown to support cohesive strategies, improve soft skills, and strengthen decision making.
Capacity development through international projects: a complex adaptive systems perspective
Authors: McEvoy Peter , Brady Malcolm , Munck Ronaldo
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– International development practice has had as its dominant paradigm the rational-analytic model of project planning, management and evaluation. This is reflected in the widespread adoption by donor agencies of results-based management (RBM), side by side with conventionally used tools for monitoring and evaluation (including logical framework analysis (“logframe”), logic model and results frameworks). Donor agencies rely upon such tools to generate the evidence base for measuring “success” across the spectrum of their work, even though projects differ enormously in their nature, scope and time-span. Process-led capacity development projects and input-led infrastructural or straightforward service delivery projects require very different yardsticks of performance monitoring and appraisal. Drawing on insights from the complex adaptive systems (CAS) literature, the purpose of this paper is to explore how projects focused on capacity development necessitate a more eclectic approach, including – but not restricted to – RBM methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

– Using the insights of CAS theory, and with particular reference to projects which have capacity development as their prime focus, this paper explores a broadening of conventional project management practices.

Findings

– The paper posits an integrative approach to managing international development projects focused on capacity development – one which would recognise the values of instrumental utility and goal-setting associated with the application of the tools of RBM, while situating that within a more open, system focused and holistic approach to projects and their outcomes, placing emphasis on context, adaptability and learning.

Research limitations/implications

– The research enquiry presented is discursive rather than empirical, and builds on established theory and constructs of three distinct conceptual fields: first, the RBM approach to project and programme implementation; second, the “complexity” strand of organisational management literature; and third, the capacity development strand of international development discourse.

Originality/value

– The paper intersects disciplinary boundaries between project management, organisational studies and international development theory and practice.
Is it for donors or locals? The relationship between stakeholder interests and demonstrating results in international development
Authors: Julian Rachel
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Many development interventions fail to report results that are important to local people (intended beneficiaries of the intervention) but not of strategic importance to the donors funding the work. Failure to report unexpected results, or those not linked to strategic goals, contributes to an overly negative view from external evaluations by donors and agencies. The causes of the mismatch between actual and demonstrated results failure were studied through stakeholder interests. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Nine project and programme managers of similar but unrelated projects were interviewed. From the interviews, previous studies and project publications, the challenges posed by differing interests and different perceptions in reporting stakeholder activities, outputs and outcomes, were identified. The complex environment of many development interventions was analysed and the work was contextualised with a peacebuilding project in Sri Lanka, which the author has previously studied. A stakeholder role and perception analysis was used to map the challenges at four times in the project cycle, producing a dynamic stakeholder analysis.

Findings

– The failure to fully report intervention results was linked to the changing role of competing stakeholder interests as a project proceeds, the conflicting perceptions of stakeholders, the structural over-simplification of a complex environment and power differentials that allow donors to misappropriate the role of clients.

Practical implications

– Current practice in designing and evaluating projects needs to improve reporting of beneficiary interests.

Originality/value

– To the author’s knowledge there are no prior publications in this area of research (under-reporting of development intervention results); the paper is considered highly original.
Sellers versus buyers: differences in user information sharing on social commerce sites
Authors: Yang Jinbi , Sia Choon Ling , Liu Libo , Chen Huaping
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– Social commerce sites offer fertile ground for users to communicate product information. Given that such sites have the potential to transform the way of doing business, it is clearly important for academics to understand user information sharing on social commerce sites. Existing research has considered motivations as core elements of user information sharing in online communities. The purpose of this paper is to advance the theoretical understanding of user information sharing by investigating differences in motivations between the different user types of social commerce sites: sellers and buyers, and the impact on social commerce.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted an empirical study by analyzing data from a social commerce site in China, including panel data (n=892) and survey data (n=913).

Findings

– This research showed that user type (i.e. sellers and buyers) plays an important moderating role in user information sharing: sellers exert a positive moderating effect on utilitarian and social motivations, while buyers are found to have a positive moderating effect on hedonic motivation.

Research limitations/implications

– This study contributes to existing literature, not only by exploring the antecedents of user information sharing on social commerce sites from utilitarian, hedonic and social dimensions, but also by providing an evaluation of user types (i.e. sellers and buyers). The authors believe that the results of this study offer important and interesting insights for IS research and practice.

Practical implications

– This study will enhance social commerce site managers’ understanding of better features for information sharing and differences in motivation between sellers and buyers. This could improve the effectiveness of encouraging strategies and help social commerce sites be more sustainable in the highly competitive contemporary environment.

Originality/value

– Based on social exchange theory and motivation theory, this paper takes user types into account, and postulate that user type (i.e. sellers and buyers) plays a moderating role in the relationships between motivations (i.e. utilitarian, hedonic and social motivation) and user information sharing intention on social commerce sites.
Able but not willing? Exploring divides in digital versus physical payment use in China
Authors: Lloyd Ashley D. , Antonioletti Mario , Sloan Terence M.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– China is the world’s largest user market for digital technologies and experiencing unprecedented rates of rural-urban migration set to create the world’s first “urban billion”. This is an important context for studying nuanced adoption behaviours that define a digital divide. Large-scale studies are required to determine what behaviours exist in such populations, but can offer limited ability to draw inferences about why. The purpose of this paper is to report a large-scale study inside China that probes a nuanced “digital divide” behaviour: consumer demographics indicating ability to pay by electronic means but behaviour suggesting lack of willingness to do so, and extends current demographics to help explain this.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors report trans-national access to commercial “Big Data” inside China capturing the demographics and consumption of millions of consumers across a wide range of physical and digital market channels. Focusing on one urban location we combine traditional demographics with a new measure that reflecting migration: “Distance from Home”, and use data-mining techniques to develop a model that predicts use behaviour.

Findings

– Use behaviour is predictable. Most use is explained by value of the transaction. “Distance from Home” is more predictive of technology use than traditional demographics.

Research limitations/implications

– Results suggest traditional demographics are insufficient to explain “why” use/non-use occurs and hence an insufficient basis to formulate and target government policy.

Originality/value

– The authors understand this to be the first large-scale trans-national study of use/non-use of digital channels within China, and the first study of the impact of distance on ICT adoption.
An application of the BPCM model in an e-business driven transformation agenda
Authors: Bak Ozlem
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate e-business driven organisational transformation and its resource implications for a European automotive multinational corporation. The application of Business Process Change Model (BPCM) was used to investigate throughout the five developmental stages of transformation and the associated resource implications in business-to-business (B2B) and extranet applications.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a case study design, B2B and extranet applications were selected. A triangulated research approach was used to capture the resource implications upon transformation, incorporating a participant observation and interviews.

Findings

– The findings indicate that the resource implications change in a transformation process based on individual e-business applications as well as the developmental stages of BPCM. Throughout the transformation only resource investment remained present in both applications. The change in resource implications and iterations between the BPCM stages in the case of “process redefinition”, “continuous improvement” underline why organisational transformation in similar settings could indicate variances in organisations’ transformation results.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper offers an insight into the resource implications in an e-business enabled transformation and underpins the importance of using developmental stages to bridge the divide between planning and application. The resource impact has been evaluated within the automotive sector using BPCM, future empirical research is needed to test the BPCM in other industrial e-business enabled transformation settings.

Practical implications

– Organisations should take a developmental approach to transformation that assesses resources implications. This also raises the need for using models such as the BPCM to fine-tune the transformation effort, through the inclusion of a more interactive iteration between BPCM stages.

Originality/value

– In this paper, the authors present an analysis of an e-business related, organisational transformation project, including an assessment of its ultimate effectiveness. This is the first case study, which focuses on resource implications solely and utilises the BPCM framework to understand the evolution of transformation effort and its resource implications.
Factors influencing fertilizer demand in developing countries: evidence from Malawi
Authors: Mustapha Alhaji Bukar , Said Rusmawati
Published: May 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine some factors that influence the intensity of fertilizer use in Malawi.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study uses Engle-Granger, Engle-Yoo three steps and autoregressive distributed lags (ARDLs) approaches to examine the long-run and the short-run dynamics among the variables using annual data from 1961 to 2006.

Findings

– The econometric results indicate that all the variables exert significance influence on the quantity of fertilizer demanded excluding population growth, while the results of the short-run model indicate that the responsiveness of fertilizer demand to all the variables is significant.

Research limitations/implications

– Although, this study has provided some helpful results in understanding the major factors responsible for low fertilizer consumption in the study but some time series data on important factors are lacking.

Originality/value

– The work is different from already existing literature in Malawi. The authors included subsidy and real gross domestic product to account for the effect of macroeconomic shocks and policies, which has not been accounted for by other related empirical studies. Moreover, this study used ARDLs techniques that can overcome the problem of insufficiently long time series data which is a significant contribution to the existing literature.
Multi-level loyalty program rewards and their effects on top-tier customers and second-tier customers
Authors: Colliander Jonas , Söderlund Magnus , Szugalski Stefan
Published: May 2016

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to examine how members at different levels in a multi-level loyalty program react when they are allowed the opportunity to compare the rewards they receive with the rewards received by other members. The authors believe this is crucial, as previous research often ignores the social setting in which exchanges concerning loyalty rewards take place. The authors believe such interactions in social settings are likely to induce justice perceptions, which in turn will affect customer satisfaction and repatronizing intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The research question was addressed through a between-subjects experiment in an airline setting.

Findings

The results show that belonging to the top-tier level of a multi-level loyalty program seems to boost perceived justice. Participants assigned to this level in the experiment perceived the program as more just than did participants assigned to the lower level. Importantly though, members assigned the second-tier who compared themselves to the top-tier did not perceive to program as more unjust than did second-tier members comparing themselves to other second-tier members. The levels of customer satisfaction and repatronizing intentions followed the same pattern. In social settings, multi-level loyalty programs thus seem to be able to increase justice perceptions, customer satisfaction and repatronizing intentions of top-tier members, while at the same time avoiding the potential drawback of alienating second-tier members.

Originality/value

The study bridges the gap between research on perceived justice, loyalty programs and the effects of social settings on consumer interactions. In doing so, it brings valuable insights to both researchers and practitioners.
Locating and leveraging inside sources of consumer insights
Authors: Wansink Brian
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Inside sources are people who interact with target consumers on a frequent or intense basis. They can have powerful insights about why consumers behave as they do. This paper aims to focus on how to identify, interview and leverage inside sources to uncover new insights about target consumers and how to better engage with them.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides field-tested techniques on how to elicit the most useful insights from inside sources. The paper demonstrates how the generated insights can be used for everything from more precise targeting and message development to modifying products and services to increase loyalty, usage frequency or switching behavior.

Findings

Generating novel insights about a unique target market involves four steps: identify, locate, interview inside sources and then apply the insights.

Research limitations/implications

There can be limitations to interviewing inside sources, such as interviewer bias, respondent bias and the Hawthorne effect. Some individuals react differently to different events, and some insights are not generalizable.

Practical implications

Costly wide-scale surveys, laddering interviews or focus groups are not always needed to uncover insights about target consumers. Within 24 hours, inside sources can produce the insights needed to better market products, develop research questions or design interventions.

Originality/value

Generating novel insights about a unique target market can be done quickly and inexpensively. It involves leveraging inside sources – those people who interact frequently or intensively with target consumers.
Experimental investigation and analysis of machinability behaviour of hybrid GFRP composites during end milling
Authors: Jenarthanan M.P. , Lakshman Prakash A. , Jeyapaul R.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a mathematical model for analysing surface roughness during end milling by using response surface methodology (RSM) and to determine how the input parameters (cutting speed, depth of cut and feed rate) influence the output parameter (surface roughness) in the machining of hybrid glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP; Abaca and Glass) composite by using solid carbide end mill cutter.

Design/methodology/approach

Three factors and a three-level Box–Behnken design in RSM were used to carry out the experimental investigation. Handysurf E-35A was used to measure the surface roughness of the machined hybrid GFRP composites. The “Design Expert 8.0” was used to analyse the data collected graphically. Analysis of variance was carried out to validate the model and determine the most significant parameter.

Findings

The response surface model was used to predict the input factors influencing the surface roughness of the machined surfaces of hybrid GFRP composite at different cutting conditions with a chosen range of 95 per cent confidence intervals. Analysis of the influences of the entire individual input machining parameters on the surface roughness carried out using RSM.

Originality/value

The effect of the milling of hybrid GFRP composite on the surface roughness with solid carbide end mill by using RSM has not been analysed yet.
In Vivo Dual Fluorescence Imaging to Detect Joint Destruction
Authors: Cho Hongsik , Bhatti Fazal‐Ur‐Rehman , Lee Sangmin , Brand David D. , Yi Ae‐Kyung , Hasty Karen A.
Published: May 2016

Diagnosis of cartilage damage in early stages of arthritis is vital to impede the progression of disease. In this regard, considerable progress has been made in near‐infrared fluorescence (NIRF) optical imaging technique. Arthritis can develop due to various mechanisms but one of the main contributors is the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), enzymes that can degrade components of the extracellular matrix. Especially, MMP‐1 and MMP‐13 have main roles in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis because they enhance collagen degradation in the process of arthritis. We present here a novel NIRF imaging strategy that can be used to determine the activity of MMPs and cartilage damage simultaneously by detection of exposed type II collagen in cartilage tissue. In this study, retro‐orbital injection of mixed fluorescent dyes, MMPSense 750 FAST (MMP750) dye and Alexa Fluor 680 conjugated monoclonal mouse antibody immune‐reactive to type II collagen, was administered in the arthritic mice. Both dyes were detected with different intensity according to degree of joint destruction in the animal. Thus, our dual fluorescence imaging method can be used to detect cartilage damage as well as MMP activity simultaneously in early stage arthritis.
Dental Implants Placed in Periodontally Infected Sites in Humans
Authors: Crespi Roberto , Capparé Paolo , Crespi Giovanni , Lo Giudice Giuseppe , Gastaldi Giorgio , Gherlone Enrico
Published: May 2016

Background

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate fresh socket implant outcome leaving granulomatous tissue into the bone defects.

Materials and Methods

Subjects requiring tooth extractions in periodontal infected sites were selected for this prospective study. Only patients with 4‐wall defects and asymptomatic ones were included. The fresh sockets were randomly scheduled into two groups: In one group (Removal Group, RG) granulomatous tissue was removed and, in the other group (Left Group, LG) granulomatous tissue was left. Implants were positioned immediately after tooth extraction, and were loaded after 3 months in both groups. Intraoral digital radiographs were performed at temporary prosthesis placement; at 12, 24 and 36 months to evaluate marginal bone levels changes. Moreover, clinical parameters were acquired at the same time points.

Results

Sixty patients were included in this study. Three‐hundred seventy‐two implants were placed immediately after tooth extraction and, at 3‐year follow‐up, a survival rate of 98.66% was reported, 2 implants were lost in RG and 3 implants in LG. At 36‐month follow‐up, not statistically significant differences were found between RG and LG in marginal bone level changes and clinical parameters (p > 005). Moreover, not statistically significant differences were found in intragroup comparisons over time (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

With the limits of this study it was concluded that granulomatous tissue left in infected fresh sockets doesn't injury dental implant outcome.
The impact of nonverbal ability on prevalence and clinical presentation of language disorder: evidence from a population study
Authors: Norbury Courtenay Frazier , Gooch Debbie , Wray Charlotte , Baird Gillian , Charman Tony , Simonoff Emily , Vamvakas George , Pickles Andrew
Published: May 2016

Background

Diagnosis of ‘specific’ language impairment traditionally required nonverbal IQ to be within normal limits, often resulting in restricted access to clinical services for children with lower NVIQ. Changes to DSM‐5 criteria for language disorder removed this NVIQ requirement. This study sought to delineate the impact of varying NVIQ criteria on prevalence, clinical presentation and functional impact of language disorder in the first UK population study of language impairment at school entry.

Methods

A population‐based survey design with sample weighting procedures was used to estimate population prevalence. We surveyed state‐maintained reception classrooms (n = 161 or 61% of eligible schools) in Surrey, England. From a total population of 12,398 children (ages 4–5 years), 7,267 (59%) were screened. A stratified subsample (n = 529) received comprehensive assessment of language, NVIQ, social, emotional and behavioural problems, and academic attainment.

Results

The total population prevalence estimate of language disorder was 9.92% (95% CI 7.38, 13.20). The prevalence of language disorder of unknown origin was estimated to be 7.58% (95% CI 5.33, 10.66), while the prevalence of language impairment associated with intellectual disability and/or existing medical diagnosis was 2.34% (95% CI 1.40, 3.91). Children with language disorder displayed elevated symptoms of social, emotional and behavioural problems relative to peers, F(1, 466) = 7.88, p = .05, and 88% did not make expected academic progress. There were no differences between those with average and low‐average NVIQ scores in severity of language deficit, social, emotional and behavioural problems, or educational attainment. In contrast, children with language impairments associated with known medical diagnosis and/or intellectual disability displayed more severe deficits on multiple measures.

Conclusions

At school entry, approximately two children in every class of 30 pupils will experience language disorder severe enough to hinder academic progress. Access to specialist clinical services should not depend on NVIQ.
EXAMINING THE UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSEHOLD TRAVEL CARBON EMISSIONS WITHIN AND ACROSS NEIGHBORHOODS: THE CASE OF BEIJING
Authors: Xiao Zuopeng , Lenzer James H. , Chai Yanwei
Published: May 2016

Although a growing number of studies have scrutinized population‐based variations in travel carbon emissions, few have examined these variations and uneven composition at the neighborhood level. Based on a 2007 Beijing household daily travel/activity survey, this paper attempts to calculate household daily travel carbon emissions and delineate the heterogeneous distribution within and across different neighborhoods. Using multilevel regression models, this paper confirms that socioeconomic variables (especially car availability) are the dominant contributing factors to household travel carbon emissions. Increasing the population density, land use mix and access to metro stations decreases emissions; whereas, household travel emissions increase along with the residential distance to the city center. Moreover, these effects vary across neighborhoods. Consequently, besides behavioral change policies aimed at high emitters, land use instruments should be targeted to different neighborhoods. The observed heterogeneous distributions call for a new governance framework to develop more effective and equitable urban transport policies.
X-ray diffraction analysis for step and linearly graded InxGa1−xAs/GaAs (001) heterostructures using various hkl reflections
Authors: Althowibi Fahad A. , Rago Paul B. , Ayers John E.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, the authors present dynamical x-ray rocking curves for step and linearly graded InxGa1−xAs/GaAs (001) heterostructures containing dislocations. The x-ray rocking curve analysis for a number of reflection profiles including 002, 004, 006, 044, 135, 335, 444, and 117 was conducted assuming Cu kα1 radiation. The analysis provides an accurate estimation for the threading dislocation density in step graded structures from the broadening of the individual rocking curve peaks. The rocking curve has little sensitivity to the threading dislocation density for linearly graded InxGa1−xAs/GaAs (001) buffer layers regardless of the hkl reflection which is chosen, but the dislocation density for a uniform layer on top of a linearly graded buffer may be estimated from its rocking curve width.
Near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy at atmospheric pressure with a table-top laser-induced soft x-ray source
Authors: Kühl Frank-Christian , Müller Matthias , Schellhorn Meike , Mann Klaus , Wieneke Stefan , Eusterhues Karin
Published: May 2016

The authors present a table-top soft x-ray absorption spectrometer, accomplishing investigations of the near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) in a laboratory environment. The system is based on a low debris plasma ignited by a picosecond laser in a pulsed krypton gas jet, emitting soft x-ray radiation in the range from 1 to 5 nm. For absorption spectroscopy in and around the “water window” (2.3–4.4 nm), a compact helium purged sample compartment for experiments at atmospheric pressure has been constructed and tested. NEXAFS measurements on CaCl2 and KMnO4 samples were conducted at the calcium and manganese L-edges, as well as at the oxygen K-edge in air, atmospheric helium, and under vacuum, respectively. The results indicate the importance of atmospheric conditions for an investigation of sample hydration processes.
Angular oversampling with temporally offset layers on multilayer detectors in computed tomography
Authors: Sjölin Martin , Danielsson Mats
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

Today's computed tomography (CT) scanners operate at an increasingly high rotation speed in order to reduce motion artifacts and to fulfill the requirements of dynamic acquisition, e.g., perfusion and cardiac imaging, with lower angular sampling rate as a consequence. In this paper, a simple method for obtaining angular oversampling when using multilayer detectors in continuous rotation CT is presented.

Methods:

By introducing temporal offsets between the measurement periods of the different layers on a multilayer detector, the angular sampling rate can be increased by a factor equal to the number of layers on the detector. The increased angular sampling rate reduces the risk of producing aliasing artifacts in the image. A simulation of a detector with two layers is performed to prove the concept.

Results:

The simulation study shows that aliasing artifacts from insufficient angular sampling are reduced by the proposed method. Specifically, when imaging a single point blurred by a 2D Gaussian kernel, the method is shown to reduce the strength of the aliasing artifacts by approximately an order of magnitude.

Conclusions:

The presented oversampling method is easy to implement in today's multilayer detectors and has the potential to reduce aliasing artifacts in the reconstructed images.
Geometry planning and image registration in magnetic particle imaging using bimodal fiducial markers
Authors: Werner F. , Jung C. , Hofmann M. , Werner R. , Salamon J. , Säring D. , Kaul M. G. , Them K. , Weber O. M. , Mummert T. , Adam G. , Ittrich H. , Knopp T.
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a quantitative imaging modality that allows the distribution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles to be visualized. Compared to other imaging techniques like x‐ray radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MPI only provides a signal from the administered tracer, but no additional morphological information, which complicates geometry planning and the interpretation of MP images. The purpose of the authors’ study was to develop bimodal fiducial markers that can be visualized by MPI and MRI in order to create MP–MR fusion images.

Methods:

A certain arrangement of three bimodal fiducial markers was developed and used in a combined MRI/MPI phantom and also during in vivo experiments in order to investigate its suitability for geometry planning and image fusion. An algorithm for automated marker extraction in both MR and MP images and rigid registration was established.

Results:

The developed bimodal fiducial markers can be visualized by MRI and MPI and allow for geometry planning as well as automated registration and fusion of MR–MP images.

Conclusions:

To date, exact positioning of the object to be imaged within the field of view (FOV) and the assignment of reconstructed MPI signals to corresponding morphological regions has been difficult. The developed bimodal fiducial markers and the automated image registration algorithm help to overcome these difficulties.
Intensity statistics of very high frequency sound scattered from wind-driven waves
Authors: Walstead Sean P. , Deane Grant B.
Published: May 2016

The interaction of vhf 100–1000 kHz underwater sound with the ocean surface is explored. The bistatic forward scatter of 300 kHz sound is measured in a wind driven wave channel. Fluctuations in arrival amplitude are described by the scintillation index (SI) which is a measure of arrival intensity variance. SI initially increases with wind speed but eventually saturates to a value of 0.5 when the root-mean-square (rms) roughness is 0.5 mm. An adjusted scintillation index (SI*) is suggested that accounts for the multiple arrivals and properly saturates to a value of 1. Fluctuations in arrival time do not saturate and increase proportionately to the dominant surface wave component. Forward scattering is modeled at frequencies ranging from 50 to 2000 kHz using the Helmholtz-Kirchhoff integral with surface wave realizations derived from wave gauge data. The amplitude and temporal statistics of the simulated scattering agree well with measured data. Intensity saturation occurs at lower wind speeds for higher frequency sound. Both measured and modeled vhf sound is characterized by many surface arrivals at saturation. Doppler shifts associated with wave motion are expected to vary rapidly for vhf sound however further analysis is required.
Geometrical parameter combinations that correlate with early interaural cross-correlation coefficients in a performance hall
Authors: Cheung L. Y. , Tang S. K.
Published: May 2016

The previous binaural data of the authors measured inside two multi-purpose performance halls are re-analyzed using regression in this study. It is done in an attempt to establish a framework that can improve the prediction of early interaural cross-correlation coefficients (IACCs), but with as little measurement effort and parameters as possible. The results show that regression models consist of linear combinations of polynomials of geometrical parameters, when used together with the measurement schemes suggested previously by the authors, are sufficient for predicting the IACCs to within engineering tolerance. The predictions are better than those obtained previously by the neural network approach of the authors. The relative importance of the geometrical parameters in the prediction of IACCs is also investigated.
Radiation efficiency of plates subjected to turbulent boundary layer fluctuations
Authors: Kou Yiwei , Liu Bilong , Chang Daoqing
Published: May 2016

The modal averaged radiation efficiency of a rectangular plate subjected to turbulent boundary layer fluctuations is discussed in this letter. Numerical results demonstrate that below the hydrodynamic coincidence frequency, the modal averaged radiation efficiency will be larger with the increase of the convection velocity, and an increase of the structural damping will increase the modal averaged radiation efficiency at sub-critical frequencies.
High-Speed Resistance Training in Older Women: The Role of Supervision
Authors: Ramírez-Campillo Rodrigo , Martínez Cristian , de La Fuente Carlos I. , Cadore Eduardo L. , Marques Mário C. , Nakamura Fabio Y. , Loturco Irineu , Caniuqueo Alexis , Cañas Rodrigo , Izquierdo Mikel
Published: May 2016

Older women participated in a 12-week high-speed resistance training program under two supervisor-to-subject ratio methods (i.e., high versus low supervision) to assess its effects on muscle strength, power, functional performance, and quality of life assessed before (T1) and after (T2) intervention. Women were divided into either the control group (CG, n = 15), high supervision group (HSG, n = 30), or low supervision group (LSG, n = 28). The training program included exercises requiring high-speed concentric muscle actions. No differences were observed among groups at T1. Between T1 and T2, the HSG showed a higher (p < .05) improvement in muscle strength (ES = 0.36–1.26), power (ES = 0.5–0.88), functional performance (ES = 0.52–0.78), and quality of life (ES = 0.44–0.82) compared with LSG and CG. High-speed resistance training under closer supervision is more effective for improving muscle strength, power, functional performance, and quality of life in older women.
The Efficacy of a Dance Intervention as Cognitive Training for the Old-Old
Authors: Kosmat Helena , Vranic Andrea
Published: May 2016

This research investigates the efficacy of a dance intervention of moderate length (10 weeks, 45 min/week) on a sample of old-old adults living in a residential care setting. The study focused on the effect of the intervention on aspects of cognitive functioning (short-term memory, executive functioning). In addition, changes in general self-efficacy and life satisfaction were investigated. Twenty-four older adults (mean age M = 80.8), with no cognitive impairments, participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two programs: the experimental group attended the dance intervention, while the active control group was involved in an alternative (nondance) program. A pretest, posttest, and follow-up measurement was conducted. A 2 × 3 mixed design ANOVA revealed benefits in short-term memory and executive functioning for the trained group, but not for the active control, and this benefit was maintained at the 5 months follow-up. These results suggest that training procedures, based on dance, could improve cognitive functioning in the old-old.
Long-Term Maintenance of Physical Function in Older Adults Following a DVD-Delivered Exercise Intervention
Authors: Roberts Sarah , Awick Elizabeth , Fanning Jason T. , Ehlers Diane , Motl Robert W. , McAuley Edward
Published: May 2016

Previous evidence suggests physical activity interventions effectively produce short-term improvements in physical function for older adults. The present study examined whether improvements in physical function after a DVD-delivered exercise intervention were maintained 18 months postintervention. Older adults (n = 153) randomized to a 6-month DVD-delivered exercise intervention or an attentional control condition were contacted 18 months postintervention. Participants completed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and measures of flexibility, strength, and functional limitations were taken. Analyses of variance were conducted to determine if improvements in physical function as a result of the intervention were maintained at follow-up. Improvements in the SPPB, F (1,125) = 3.70, p = .06, η2 = .03, and upper body strength, F (1,121) = 3.04, p = .08, η2 = .03 were maintained for the intervention condition. Home-based DVD exercise training interventions may hold promise for long-term maintenance of physical function in older adults.
Lateral response of piles in weak calcareous sandstone
Authors: Guo F. , Lehane B.M.
Published: May 2016

Existing design methods for laterally loaded piles in soft rock have insufficient supporting case history data and consequently cannot be regarded as having a high level of reliability. This paper addresses the shortage of experimental data by describing the results from four instrumented lateral load tests on drilled and grouted piles installed in weak calcareous sandstone. The derived lateral load transfer (p–y) curves are first compared with existing approaches for weak rock and cemented soils. The paper then examines the potential of using cone penetration test (CPT) data directly for the design analysis of laterally loaded piles in weak rock. It is shown that equivalent elastic moduli of the rock controlling values of qcat the test site are very similar to those controlling lateral pile response. This finding is used to formulate a simple bilinear p–y approximation of the lateral response that requires qcdata and an estimate of the rock’s effective stress strength parameters. It is shown that such an approach is likely to be sufficient for many practical purposes if the moment capacity of the pile section is incorporated in the analysis.
Phosphate adsorption on metal oxides and metal hydroxides: A comparative review
Authors: Li Mengxue , Liu Jianyong , Xu Yunfeng , Qian Guangren
Published: May 2016

Phosphorus removal from wastewater is important for eutrophication control of water bodies. Metal oxides and metal hydroxides have always been developed and investigated for phosphorus removal, because of their abundance, low cost, environmental friendliness, and chemically stability. This paper presents a comparative review of the literature on the preparation methods, adsorption behaviors, adsorption mechanisms, and the regeneration of metal (hydr)oxides (e.g., Fe, Zn, Al, etc.) with regard to phosphate removal. The contrasting results showed that metal hydroxides could offer an effective and economic alternative to metal oxides, because of their cost–benefit synthesis methods, higher adsorption capacities, and shorter adsorption equilibrium times. However, the specific surface area of metal oxides is larger than that of metal hydroxides because of the calcination process. Metal oxides with a higher pH at the zero point of charge have wider optimal adsorption pH ranges than metal hydroxides because of their surface precipitation in alkaline solutions. The regeneration of metal oxides using acids, bases, and salts and that of metal hydroxides using acids and bases has been critically examined. Further research on uniform metal (hydr)oxides with small particle size, high stabilities, low cost, and that are easily regenerated with promising desorbents are proposed. In addition, quantitative mechanism study and application in continuous-mode column trials are also suggested.
Intrinsic Plasticity for Natural Competition in Koniocortex-Like Neural Networks
Authors: Peláez Francisco Javier Ropero , Aguiar-Furucho Mariana Antonia , Andina Diego
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we use the neural property known as intrinsic plasticity to develop neural network models that resemble the koniocortex, the fourth layer of sensory cortices. These models evolved from a very basic two-layered neural network to a complex associative koniocortex network. In the initial network, intrinsic and synaptic plasticity govern the shifting of the activation function, and the modification of synaptic weights, respectively. In this first version, competition is forced, so that the most activated neuron is arbitrarily set to one and the others to zero, while in the second, competition occurs naturally due to inhibition between second layer neurons. In the third version of the network, whose architecture is similar to the koniocortex, competition also occurs naturally owing to the interplay between inhibitory interneurons and synaptic and intrinsic plasticity. A more complex associative neural network was developed based on this basic koniocortex-like neural network, capable of dealing with incomplete patterns and ideally suited to operating similarly to a learning vector quantization network. We also discuss the biological plausibility of the networks and their role in a more complex thalamocortical model.
Transceiver Optimization for ToA-Based Localization of Mobile WSN
Authors: Taheri Mostafa , Motamedi Seyed Ahmad
Published: May 2016

One of the main parameters in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is the design of energy-efficient protocols. And accuracy is another central goal of localization. Since sensor nodes run on battery power, any WSN application and accurate localization needs to be energy-efficient. In this paper, the accuracy of localization is increased by accurate measurement of the distance between the mobile sensors. Limit error in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) has been calculated by CRB method. Virtual MIMO (VMIMO) technique can obtain better localization precision and the localization is energy-efficient. Optimum selection of the number of the transceiver nodes is obtained by the lowest possible energy consumption, the existent localization error, and speed of nodes. Mathematical relation between energy consumption and localization of mobile nodes is presented and then verified by simulation. VMIMO decreases power of transmitters and this in turn will result in decreasing destructive effects of electromagnetic sensitivity (EMS) on body. Furthermore, optimized localization parameters will increase the efficiency of the system and network lifetime.
A Fault Tolerant Parallelism Approach for Implementing High-Throughput Pipelined Advanced Encryption Standard
Authors: Kamali Hadi Mardani , Hessabi Shaahin
Published: May 2016

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is the most popular symmetric encryption method, which encrypts streams of data by using symmetric keys. The current preferable AES architectures employ effective methods to achieve two important goals: protection against power analysis attacks and high-throughput. Based on a different architectural point of view, we implement a particular parallel architecture for the latter goal, which is capable of implementing a more efficient pipelining in field-programmable gate array (FPGA). In this regard, all intermediate registers which have a role for unrolling the main loop will be removed. Also, instead of unrolling the main loop of AES algorithm, we implement pipelining structure by replicating nonpipelined AES architectures and using an auto-assigner mechanism for each AES block. By implementing the new pipelined architecture, we achieve two valuable advantages: (a) solving single point of failure problem when one of the replicated parts is faulty and (b) deploying the proposed design as a fault tolerant AES architecture. In addition, we put emphasis on area optimization for all four AES main functions to reduce the overhead associated with AES block replication. The simulation results show that the maximum frequency of our proposed AES architecture is 675.62[Formula: see text]MHz, and for AES128 the throughput is 86.5[Formula: see text]Gbps which is 30.9% better than its closest existing competitor.
Nonlinear ordinary differential equations: A discussion on symmetries and singularities
Authors: Paliathanasis Andronikos , Leach P. G. L.
Published: May 2016

Two essential methods, the symmetry analysis and the singularity analysis, for the study of the integrability of nonlinear ordinary differential equations is the purpose of this work. The main similarities and the differences of these two different methods are discussed.