bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Growth of the Cichla temensis Humboldt, 1821 (Perciformes: Cichlidae) from the middle rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: Campos Caroline Pereira , Freitas Carlos Edwar de Carvalho , Amadio Sidineia
Published: June 2015

This study aimed to estimate age and growth of the peacock bass Cichla temensis from the rio Negro (Brazilian Amazonia) by analyzing scale annuli. Specimens were captured between October 2011 and September 2012 in the main channel of the river and in adjacent lakes in the municipality of Barcelos, AM, Brazil. Six growth checks were identified on the scales of specimens. The annual variation in body condition observed suggests that fat is accumulated during the dry season. Results for the GSI (gonadosomatic index) showed that peak reproduction occurred in the receding-water period, indicating that the fish had energy deficiencies as a result of reproductive activity. RMI (relative marginal increment) analysis revealed that an annulus is formed once a year during the receding-water period. The population parameters estimated were L50 (length at sexual maturity) = 31.11 cm, L∞ (asymptotic length) = 68.05 cm, k (growth coefficient) = 0.20.year-1 and A0.95 (longevity) = 14 years. Our results corroborate the validity of using growth rings in scales as indicators to estimate the age and growth rate of Cichla temensis in the middle rio Negro.
A ciência como questão em Camilo e Machado, críticos do naturalismo
Authors: Pavanelo Luciene Marie
Published: June 2015

Apesar de ocuparem lugares distintos na historiografia literária, é possível verificar que as obras de Camilo Castelo Branco e de Machado de Assis muito se aproximam. Uma das características que ambos compartilham é a forma crítica e distanciada com a qual observaram os movimentos estéticos de seu tempo. É nosso objetivo mostrar como os autores criticam o discurso científico, utilizado pelo naturalismo, em romances como O que fazem mulheres e O senhor ministro, de Camilo, e no conto "A causa secreta", de Machado.
Discurso sobre o método poético: o medalhão enigmático no tapete
Authors: Vassoler Flávio Ricardo
Published: June 2015

O artigo desenvolve um diálogo estrutural entre os contos "The figure in the carpet" [A figura no tapete] (1896), de Henry James, e "Teoria do medalhão" (1881), de Machado de Assis, de modo a demonstrar como o movimento da forma estabelece, em ambas as narrativas, sentidos polissêmicos que dão vazão a conteúdos volúveis e contraditórios.
Cantos Ocidentais (1880), a poesia machadiana naRevistaBrasileira
Authors: Sanseverino Antônio Marcos
Published: June 2015

O presente ensaio apresenta o estudo de Cantos ocidentais, um conjunto de seis poemas publicados na Revista Brasileira em janeiro de 1880, na mesma edição em que saíram os primeiros nove capítulos de Memórias póstumas de Brás Cubas. A partir da leitura de "Suave mari magno", do nexo com "A nova geração" (1879), é proposta uma leitura dessa poesia machadiana não mais como clássica ou parnasiana, mas como moderna.
Machado de Assis' homeopathic narrators
Authors: Dixon Paul
Published: June 2015

Machado showed a fascination with homeopathic medicine, an indirect form of treatment that uses agents to stimulate reactions similar to the symptoms of the condition to be cured. Several of the author’s texts show a pattern of projects realized by indirect means, by "like curing like", which suggests a homeopathic logic in Machado’s worldview. Certain narrators, such as those inMemórias póstumas de Brás Cubas, Dom Casmurro, and in short stories such as "O segredo do bonzo" and "Adão e Eva", are notable for denouncing themselves, that is, for undermining their own validity. This curious situation has implications for Machado’s overall project, which seems more interested in posing questions than providing answers. It also suggests a particular relationship with the reader, which affords as much independence as possible.
Confronto do Uso e Ocupação da Terra em APPs no Município de Muqui, ES
Authors: Moreira Taís Rizzo , Santos Alexandre Rosa dos , Dalfi Raphael Lima , Campos Rafael Ferraço de , Santos Gleissy Mary Amaral Dino Alves dos , Eugenio Fernando Coelho
Published: June 2015

Para garantir a qualidade de vida da população e a manutenção dos recursos naturais no município de Muqui, localizado no extremo sul do estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil, entre as latitudes 20º50’ e 21º01’ Sul e longitudes 41º12’ e 41º28’ Oeste de Greewinch, com área de 327,75 km2, foi proposto um estudo a partir de análise utilizando geotecnologias, o qual teve por objetivos delimitar as Áreas de Preservação considerando a legislação ambiental que vigora no município, identificar o uso e ocupação da terra e analisar as áreas de confronto para verificar o grau de degradação, ressaltando a importância de identificarem-se as áreas visando implantar projetos ambientais que promovam ações em busca de um relacionamento sustentável entre homem e ambiente de forma mais eficiente.
Fauna de Coleoptera Edáfica em Eucalipto sob Diferentes Sistemas de Controle Químico da Matocompetição
Authors: Garlet Juliana , Costa Ervandil Corrêa , Boscardin Jardel , Machado Dayanna Nascimento , Pedron Leandra
Published: June 2015

O Eucalyptus grandis destaca-se como uma das espécies mais cultivadas no Brasil em razão de sua produtividade e da qualidade da madeira. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a coleopterofauna edáfica em um plantio inicial de E. grandis sob diferentes sistemas de controle de plantas daninhas em Santa Maria, RS, utilizando-se armadilhas de solo. Os tratamentos avaliados basearam-se no controle químico de plantas daninhas: total, na linha e entrelinha de plantio (CT); total, na linha de plantio (CL); monocotiledôneas, na linha e entrelinha de plantio (CM); dicotiledôneas, na linha e entrelinha de plantio (CD); em faixas, com controle de um metro ao lado da linha de plantio, deixando-se um metro na entrelinha sem controle (CF); e sem controle (SC). No período de março de 2011 a agosto de 2012 foram coletados 1,190 coleópteros, distribuídos em sete famílias. Houve diferença entre a coleopterofauna edáfica capturada nos tratamentos avaliados. A aplicação de uma menor quantidade de herbicidas mantém a diversidade vegetal, possibilitando maior diversidade de coleópteros na área.
Microclima e Conforto Térmico de um Fragmento de Floresta Urbana em Curitiba, PR
Authors: Martini Angeline , Biondi Daniela
Published: June 2015

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o microclima e conforto térmico proporcionado por um fragmento de floresta urbana existente no Campus III da UFPR com outros ambientes gramado, estacionamento e bosque de pinus. Para isso foram coletados dados meteorológicos nas quatro estações do ano. Os resultados encontrados mostram que os demais ambientes estudados são estatisticamente distintos do fragmento de floresta urbana, pois apresentaram maiores valores de temperatura do ar (3,5 °C em média) e menores valores de umidade relativa (em média 16%). O bosque de pinus apresentou a mesma classe de conforto térmico que o fragmento de floresta urbana em todas as estações, predominando a classe “sem estresse”. Os resultados demonstram a importância da cobertura arbórea, pois tanto o fragmento florestal como o bosque de pinus apresentam microclimas mais agradável e confortável termicamente do que os ambientes gramado e estacionamento.
Desenvolvimento de Mudas de Nim Indiano sob Diferentes Níveis de Sombreamento
Authors: Azevedo Glauce Taís de Oliveira Sousa , Novaes Adalberto Brito de , Azevedo Gileno Brito de , Silva Helane França
Published: June 2015

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de níveis de sombreamento na produção de mudas de nim indiano (Azadirachta indica), visando a obtenção de mudas com maior padrão de qualidade. Foram adotados quatro tratamentos (pleno sol, 30%, 50% e 70% de sombreamento), dispostos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis repetições. Os parâmetros avaliados, aos 100 dias, foram: altura da parte aérea, diâmetro do coleto, relação altura/diâmetro, massa fresca e seca da parte aérea, raízes e total, número de folhas e índice de qualidade de Dickson. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, sendo as médias comparadas pelo teste de Duncan a 5% de significância. Mudas produzidas a pleno sol apresentaram maior padrão de qualidade, sendo observados valores mais adequados para os parâmetros diâmetro do coleto, relação altura/diâmetro, massa fresca e seca das raízes, número de folhas e índice de qualidade de Dickson.
Efeito de bioestimulante composto de cinetina, ácido indolbutírico e ácido giberélico em epífitas, visando a restauração florestal
Authors: Lunelli Naiana Pereira , Kanashiro Shoey , Tavares Armando Reis
Published: June 2015

RESUMO Com objetivo de introdução de epífitas em manejo de restauração florestal, foi avaliado o efeito da aplicação de bioestimulante no desenvolvimento de três espécies epífitas sob condição de arboreto. Plantas das espécies Vriesea carinata Wawra (Bromeliaceae), Oncidium flexuosum Sims (Orchidaceae) e Rhipsalis paradoxa (Salm-Dyck ex Pfeiff.) Salm-Dyck (Cactaceae) foram pulverizadas, com o bioestimulante Stimulate® nas concentrações de 0,0, 4,0, 8,0 e 12,0 mL L-1. Estacas de Chorisia speciosa foram utilizadas como suporte e substrato para a fixação das plantas. As variáveis analisadas foram: qualidade da fixação, número de folhas, brotos e raízes e, matéria seca da parte aérea e raízes. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso constituído de quatro tratamentos (concentrações do bioestimulante) com três repetições de cinco plantas, totalizando 15 plantas por tratamento, para cada espécie. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e regressão. Os tratamentos 4 e 8 mL L-1 de bioestimulante proporcionou aumento da produção de folhas e do diâmetro do caule de V. carinata, enquanto que as demais variáveis analisadas, nas três espécies, não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos. Nas condições do experimento, o bioestimulante não apresentou respostas significativas quanto ao crescimento, desenvolvimento do sistema radicular e à qualidade da fixação para as espécies estudadas; estimulando, no entanto, o crescimento da parte aérea de V. carinata e O. flexuosum. A facilidade de aplicação do bioestimulante, proporcionando o crescimento da parte aérea e o baixo custo do produto, possibilita a sua utilização no estímulo do crescimento de plantas epífitas a serem utilizadas na restauração florestal.
Riqueza dos fungos ingoldianos e dos fungos aquáticos facultativos do Parque Municipal da Aclimação, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
Authors: Schoenlein-Crusius Iracema Helena , Moreira Carolina Gasch , Gomes Eduardo Pereira Cabral
Published: June 2015

RESUMO No Parque Municipal da Aclimação, amostras de folhedo misto submerso foram coletadas mensalmente de março de 2007 a junho de 2009 em três locais de um lago onde algumas variáveis abióticas foram medidas. No laboratório, as folhas foram lavadas, fragmentadas em alíquotas (1 cm2), incubadas em água destilada esterilizada durante 30 dias a 22 °C, e preparadas em lâminas para análise microscópica. Com base em características morfológicas, 26 táxons de fungos foram identificados, sendo 16 fungos ingoldianos com predomínio de Lunulospora curvula Ingold, Triscelophorus monosporus Ingold e Tripospermum myrti (Lind.) S. Hughes, e 10 facultativos, com Cylindrocladium scoparium Morgan, Endophragmiella sp. e Beltrania rhombica Penz como sendo os táxons mais comuns. Os números de táxons de fungos não diferiram muito na comparação das principais estações climáticas, mas apresentaram-se maiores nos locais próximos da saída da água tratada por flotação do que em um local cujo monitoramento mais intensivo da qualidade da água torna-se recomendável.
Espécies de Canoparmelia s.l. (Parmeliaceae, ascomicetes liquenizados) da região tocantina, MA e TO, Brasil
Authors: Cunha Iane Paula Rego , Marcelli Marcelo Pinto , Pereira Eugênia Cristina
Published: June 2015

RESUMO Canoparmelia amazonica, C. [Crespoa] crozalsiana, C. cryptochlorophaea, C. [Parmelinella] salacinifera e C. texana, são mencionadas para os Estados do Maranhão e/ou Tocantins, Brasil. Todas são novas ocorrências para a região, exceto C. salacinifera, já conhecida do Estado do Maranhão. São apresentados comentários para todas as espécies e C. martinicana, uma nova citação para o Brasil (Estado do Maranhão), é detalhadamente descrita e ilustrada.
Xyridaceae na Serra do Cabral, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil
Authors: Guedes Juliana Santos , Wanderley Maria das Graças Lapa
Published: June 2015

RESUMO Xyridaceae é composta por cinco gêneros e aproximadamente 400 espécies. Possui distribuição Pantropical, com a maioria dos gêneros ocorrendo na região neotropical e apenas Xyris estendendo-se até áreas temperadas da América, Ásia e Austrália. Este trabalho teve como objetivo conhecer a diversidade das espécies de Xyridaceae na Serra do Cabral, contribuindo para o conhecimento das espécies da flora brasileira. A área de estudo localiza-se na região centro-norte do Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, compreendendo parte dos municípios de Augusto de Lima, Buenópolis, Joaquim Felício, Francisco Dumont e Lassance. Na área de estudo, a família está representada por dois gêneros, Abolboda com duas espécies e Xyris com 32 espécies e duas variedades. Entre as contribuições para o conhecimento das Xyridaceae, o presente estudo amplia os dados de ocorrência de X. pirapamae Wand. & J. Guedes e X. stenocephala Malme.
Trophic relationships among fish assemblages in a mudflat within Brazilian marine protected area
Authors: Campos Dafne Marcelle de Almeida Ramos , Silva Adna Ferreira da , Sales Natalice dos Santos , Oliveira Ronnie Enderson Mariano Carvalho Cunha , Pessanha Andre Luiz Machado
Published: June 2015

Abstract The present study on the temporal variations in diet and the trophic guilds of dominant fish species in a tidal mudflat, during the dry and rainy seasons. We aimed at classifying the diet composition of 17 species in the Mamanguape river estuary, northeastern Brazil, identifying the dominant food components and evaluating the effects of seasonality on the guild organization. Diet varied little between species and seasons; during the rainy season, the diets seemed to be more heterogeneous. According to the importance of prey in the diets, 5 primary feeding guilds were identified: (1) Detritivore, (2) Zooplanktivore, (3) Zoobenthivore-epifaune, (4) Zoobenthivore-infaune, and (5) Piscivore. Most fishes fed on a diverse range of food items but relied heavily on the zooplankton preys. Several fish species showed a tendency for a specialised diet, with almost all species showing some degree of opportunistic feeding. A high degree of diet overlap was found among some species; however, the presence of exploitative competition could not be determined.
El problema didáctico del álgebra elemental: Un análisis macro-ecológico desde la teoría antropológica de lo didáctico
Authors: Munzón Noemí Ruiz , Bosch Marianna , Gascón Josep
Published: June 2015

We present a global, synthetic and updated vision of the contributions made by the anthropological theory of the didactic to the problem of teaching elementary algebra. We start by summarising the first results obtained by Yves Chevallard in the 80s that have marked the trend of research on elementary algebra in the anthropological approach. A reference epistemological model of elementary algebra is then proposed. This model provides a new interpretation of the role of elementary algebra in current school mathematics and guides the study of its ecology, that is, the constraints which partially explain the current situation and the conditions that could modify it in a given direction.
Food Policy as a Wicked Problem: Contending with Multiple Demands and Actors
Authors: Peters B. Guy , Pierre Jon
Published: June 2015

Solving any policy problem is difficult but some are more difficult than are others. As food becomes a more central political issue the underlying conflicts between actors‐producers and consumers, GMO producers and opponents, etc.‐become more apparent and more intensely politicized. Further, food policy becomes more difficult to discuss independently and becomes embedded in other policy debates such as those over water, population and climate change. This paper conceptualizes food policy as a “wicked problem” and discusses how this concept originally derived from the planning literature illuminates the difficulties involved in making contemporary food policy.
Quantification of Amino Acid Neurotransmitters in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Neurocysticercosis
Authors: Camargo José Augusto , Bertolucci Paulo Henrique Ferreira
Published: June 2015

Background :

Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic disease that affects the central nervous system. Its main clinical manifestations are epileptic seizures. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between neurotransmitter concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the different evolutive forms of neurocysticercosis with or without seizures.

Methods :

Neurotransmitter concentrations (Aspartate, Glutamate, GABA, Glutamine, Glycine, Taurine) were determined in CSF samples from 42 patients with neurocysticercosis divided into patients with the active cystic form (n = 24, 12 with and 12 without seizures) and patients with calcified form (n = 18, 12 with and 6 without seizures), and a control group consisting of 59 healthy subjects.

Results :

Alterations in amino acid concentration were observed in all patients with neurocysticercosis.

Conclusion :

We conclude that disturbances in amino acid metabolism accompany the presentation of neurocysticercosis. Replacement of the terms inactive cyst by reactive inactive cyst and calcification by reactive calcification is suggested.
Rorschach Space Responses and Anger
Authors: Rosso Anna Maria , Chiorri Carlo , Denevi Simona
Published: June 2015

In this study, three different subtypes of Space responses to the Rorschach test were hypothesized: S-fusion, S-reversal, and S-integration. The relationship between these subtypes and feelings of anger and aggression was investigated. The Rorschach test, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-2 (STAXI-2), and the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ) were administered to 50 university students. Scores on the STAXI-2 were positively associated with S-fusion and negatively associated with S-integration. No significant associations of S subtypes with aggression were found. The findings support the hypothesis that different figure-ground relationships, shown in the subtypes of S responses, indicate different psychological processes.
Attributes of Aesthetic Quality Used by Textile Conservators in Evaluating Conservation Interventions on Museum Costumes
Authors: Nilsson Johanna , Axelsson Östen
Published: June 2015

Aesthetic quality is central to textile conservators when evaluating a conservation method. However, the literature on textile conservation chiefly focuses on physical properties, and little is known about what factors determine aesthetic quality according to textile conservators. The latter was explored through two experiments. Experiment 1 explored the underlying attributes of aesthetic quality of textile conservation interventions. Experiment 2 explored the relationships between these attributes and how well they predicted aesthetic quality. Rank-order correlation analyses revealed two latent factors called Coherence and Completeness. Ordinal regression analysis revealed that Coherence was the most important predictor of aesthetic quality. This means that a successful conservation intervention is visually well-integrated with the textile item in terms of the material and method.
Minorities Are Disproportionately Underrepresented in Special Education
Authors: Morgan Paul L. , Farkas George , Hillemeier Marianne M. , Mattison Richard , Maczuga Steve , Li Hui , Cook Michael
Published: June 2015

We investigated whether minority children attending U.S. elementary and middle schools are disproportionately represented in special education. We did so using hazard modeling of multiyear longitudinal data and extensive covariate adjustment for potential child-, family-, and state-level confounds. Minority children were consistently less likely than otherwise similar White, English-speaking children to be identified as disabled and so to receive special education services. From kindergarten entry to the end of middle school, racial- and ethnic-minority children were less likely to be identified as having (a) learning disabilities, (b) speech or language impairments, (c) intellectual disabilities, (d) health impairments, or (e) emotional disturbances. Language-minority children were less likely to be identified as having (a) learning disabilities or (b) speech or language impairments.
Non-Nutrient, Naturally Occurring Phenolic Compounds with Antioxidant Activity for the Prevention and Treatment of Periodontal Diseases
Authors: Varela-López Alfonso , Bullón Pedro , Giampieri Francesca , Quiles José
Published: June 2015

One of the main factors able to explain the pathophysiological mechanism of inflammatory conditions that occur in periodontal disease is oxidative stress. Given the emerging understanding of this relationship, host-modulatory therapies using antioxidants could be interesting to prevent or slow the breakdown of soft and hard periodontal tissues. In this context, non-nutrient phenolic compounds of various foods and plants have received considerable attention in the last decade. Here, studies focusing on the relationship between different compounds of this type with periodontal disease have been collected. Among them, thymoquinone, coenzyme Q (CoQ), mangiferin, resveratrol, verbascoside and some flavonoids have shown to prevent or ameliorate periodontal tissues damage in animal models. However evidence regarding this effect in humans is poor and only limited to topical treatments with CoQ and catechins. Along with animal experiments, in vitro studies indicate that possible mechanisms by which these compounds might exert their protective effects include antioxidative properties, oxygen and nitrogen scavenging abilities, and also inhibitory effects on cell signaling cascades related to inflammatory processes which have an effect on RNS or ROS production as well as on antioxidant defense systems.
The Role of Sister Cities’ Staff Exchanges in Developing “Learning Cities”: Exploring Necessary and Sufficient Conditions in Social Capital Development Utilizing Proportional Odds Modeling
Authors: Buckley Patrick , Takahashi Akio , Anderson Amy
Published: June 2015

In the last half century former international adversaries have become cooperators through networking and knowledge sharing for decision making aimed at improving quality of life and sustainability; nowhere has this been more striking then at the urban level where such activity is seen as a key component in building “learning cities” through the development of social capital. Although mega-cities have been leaders in such efforts, mid-sized cities with lesser resource endowments have striven to follow by focusing on more frugal sister city type exchanges. The underlying thesis of our research is that great value can be derived from city-to-city exchanges through social capital development. However, such a study must differentiate between necessary and sufficient conditions. Past studies assumed necessary conditions were met and immediately jumped to demonstrating the existence of structural relationships by measuring networking while further assuming that the existence of such demonstrated a parallel development of cognitive social capital. Our research addresses this lacuna by stepping back and critically examining these assumptions. To accomplish this goal we use a Proportional Odds Modeling with a Cumulative Logit Link approach to demonstrate the existence of a common latent structure, hence asserting that necessary conditions are met.
A Method for Remotely Sensing Vital Signs of Human Subjects Outdoors
Authors: Li Chuantao , Chen Fuming , Jin Jingxi , Lv Hao , Li Sheng , Lu Guohua , Wang Jianqi
Published: June 2015

After chemical or nuclear leakage or explosions, finding survivors is a huge challenge. Although human bodies can be found by smart vehicles and drones equipped with cameras, it is difficult to verify if the person is alive or dead this way. This paper describes a continuous wave radar sensor for remotely sensing the vital signs of human subjects. Firstly, a compact and portable 24 GHz Doppler radar system is designed to conduct non-contact detection of respiration signal. Secondly, in order to improve the quality of the respiration signals, the self-correlation and adaptive line enhancer (ALE) methods are proposed to minimize the interferences of any moving objects around the human subject. Finally, the detection capabilities of the radar system and the signal processing method are verified through experiments which show that human respiration signals can be extracted when the subject is 7 m away outdoors. The method provided in this paper will be a promising way to search for human subjects outdoors.
Creating TUIs Using RFID Sensors—A Case Study Based on the Literacy Process of Children with Down Syndrome
Authors: Jadán-Guerrero Janio , Guerrero Luis , López Gustavo , Cáliz Doris , Bravo José
Published: June 2015

Teaching children with intellectual disabilities is a big challenge for most parents and educators. Special education teachers use learning strategies to develop and enhance motivation for complex learning tasks. Literacy acquisition is an essential and life-long skill for a child with intellectual disabilities. In this context, technology can support specific strategies that will help children learn to read. This paper introduces a Tangible User Interface (TUI) system based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to support literacy for children with Down syndrome. Our proposed system focuses on the integration of RFID tags in 3D printed objects and low cost toys. The paper describes the experience of using some materials covering the tags and the different problems related to the material and distance of radio wave propagation. The results of a preliminary evaluation in a special education institution showed that the system helps to improve the interaction between teachers and children. The use of a TUI seems to give a physical sensory experience to develop literacy skills in children with Down syndrome.
Integrating Regret Psychology to Travel Mode Choice for a Transit-Oriented Evacuation Strategy
Authors: An Shi , Wang Ze , Cui Jianxun
Published: June 2015

Facing the potential dangers from sudden disasters in urban cities, emergency administrators have to make an appropriate evacuation plan to mitigate negative consequences. However, little attention has been paid to evacuee real decision psychology when developing a strategy. The aim of this paper is to analyze evacuee mode choice behavior considering regret aversion psychology during evacuation. First, the utility-based and regret-based models are formulated to obtain evacuees’ preferences on travel mode choice, respectively. According to the data collected from the stated preference (SP) survey on evacuee mode choice, the estimation results show that the regret-based model performs better than the utility model. Moreover, based on the estimates from behavioral analysis, the elasticities of evacuee mode choices are calculated, and transit strategy simulation is undertaken to investigate the influence on evacuee mode switching from private automobile to public transit. The results are expected to help emergency administrators to make a transit-oriented strategy for a sustainable evacuation plan, especially for the benefit of carless people.
NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Viroporins of Animal Viruses
Authors: Guo Hui-Chen , Jin Ye , Zhi Xiao-Yin , Yan Dan , Sun Shi-Qi
Published: June 2015

Viroporins are a group of low-molecular-weight proteins containing about 50–120 amino acid residues, which are encoded by animal viruses. Viroporins are involved in several stages of the viral life cycle, including viral gene replication and assembly, as well as viral particle entry and release. Viroporins also play an important role in the regulation of antiviral innate immune responses, especially in inflammasome formation and activation, to ensure the completion of the viral life cycle. By reviewing the research progress made in recent years on the regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by viroporins of animal viruses, we aim to understand the importance of viroporins in viral infection and to provide a reference for further research and development of novel antiviral drugs.
FORECASTING DEMAND FOR LOW COST CARRIERS IN AUSTRALIA USING AN ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK APPROACH
Authors: Srisaeng Panarat , Baxter Glenn S. , Wild Graham
Published: June 2015

This study focuses on predicting Australia‘s low cost carrier passenger demand and revenue passenger kilometres performed (RPKs) using traditional econometric and artificial neural network (ANN) modelling methods. For model development, Australia‘s real GDP, real GDP per capita, air fares, Australia‘s population and unemployment, tourism (bed spaces) and 4 dummy variables, utilizing quarterly data obtained between 2002 and 2012, were selected as model parameters. The neural network used multi-layer perceptron (MLP) architecture that compromised a multi-layer feed-forward network and the sigmoid and linear functions were used as activation functions with the feed forward‐back propagation algorithm. The ANN was applied during training, testing and validation and had 11 inputs, 9 neurons in the hidden layers and 1 neuron in the output layer. When comparing the predictive accuracy of the two techniques, the ANNs provided the best prediction and showed that the performance of the ANN model was better than that of the traditional multiple linear regression (MLR) approach. The highest R-value for the enplaned passengers ANN was around 0.996 and for the RPKs ANN was round 0.998, respectively.
STRENGTH DETERMINATION AND PREDICTION OF DESTRUCTIVE PROCESSES OF COMPOSITES
Authors: Blumbergs Ilmars , Kleinhofs Martins
Published: June 2015

This paper is devoted to issues related to strength determination and prediction of destructive processes of composites; these issues enable determining the limits of safe use of a product and to recognize when limits are reached. The model that was developed and is presented in this paper enables to describe not only the predictable strength of unidirectional composites, but also the character of the destruction, taking into account the fiber stress and/or ultimate strain distribution.
Evaluación de la resistencia a abolladura por cortante de vigas armadas híbridas de acero según la norma venezolana COVENIN 1618:1998
Authors: Chacón R. , Rojas-Blonval J. E.
Published: June 2015

En este estudio se presenta un análisis de la resistencia a abolladura por cortante de vigas armadas híbridas según la norma venezolana COVENIN 1618:1998. El estudio se basa en una recopilación bibliográfica de ensayos experimentales encontrados así como en una base de datos numérica creada por los autores. Se comparan los valores obtenidos tanto experimental, como numéricamente con los derivados de la formulación teórica recogida en dicha normativa. Asimismo, dentro de la comparación, se incluyen los resultados derivados de la aplicación del Eurocódigo 3(EN1993-1-5) y las normativas americanas AISC-AASHTO. Los resultados que arrojan dichas comparaciones muestran el carácter conservador de COVENIN 1618:1998 en la valoración de dicha resistencia. En base a los resultados obtenidos, se proponen expresiones de diseño que permiten incluir el diseño híbrido de vigas armadas obteniendo del mismo su máximo beneficio estructural.
Thermal dehydration kinetics of phosphogypsum
Authors: López F. A. , Tayibi H. , García-Díaz I. , Alguacil F. J.
Published: June 2015

Phsophogypsum is a by-product from the processing phosphate rock. Before the use of it in cement industry such as setting regulator is necessary a study of dehydration reaction of phosphogypsum to avoid the false setting during the milling.
The aim is to study the thermal behavior of two different phosphogypsum sources (Spain and Tunisia) under non-isothermal conditions in argon atmosphere by using Thermo-Gravimetriy, Differential Thermal Analysis (TG-DTA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
DSC experiments were carried out at temperatures ranging from ambient to 350 °C at different heating rates. The temperatures of conversion from gypsum to hemihydrate and anhydrite states and heat of dehydration were determined. Various methods were used to analyze the DSC data for reaction kinetics determination. The activation energy and frequency factor were calculated for dehydration of phosphogypsum. Activation energy values of the main dehydration reaction of phosphogypsum were calculated to be approximately 61–118 kJ/mol.
A Cognitive Analytics Management Framework (CAM-Part 1)
Authors: Osman Ibrahim H. , Anouze Abdel Latef
Published: June 2015

In this chapter, the current world's challenges, shortcomings of strategic performance measurement, and management methodologies are analyzed to introduce the new Cognitive Analytics Management (CAM) framework. CAM uses five components (SAMAS): Shared values to stakeholders; cognitive Analytics to generate applied insights; Mission, vision, and goals to develop corporate strategy; Activities to create—innovative models, products, and services—using various organizations' supporting Structure from people, process, regulation, and technology to develop smart organizations. The efficient frontier data envelopment analysis is proposed to generate performance measures and derive insights from best practices. The input-efficiency and output-effectiveness performances are used to prioritize scenarios. Insights from the best scenarios are used to improve inefficient ones, to manage performance, and to boost productivity growth. CAM also introduces a new cognitive leadership concept to help making informed decisions in a smart competitive world while alleviating societal challenges. Finally, CAM implementation roadmap, supporting literature, and new research innovations are provided.
A Cognitive Analytics Management Framework (CAM-Part 3)
Authors: Osman Ibrahim H. , Anouze Abdel Latef
Published: June 2015

The main objectives of the chapter are to evaluate the impact of the tsunami of big data, business analytics, and technology on the delivery and diffusion of knowledge around the world through the use of Internet-of-things and to design future academic education and training programs. Global and local trends are analyzed to evaluate the impact of the digital tsunami on the delivery and diffusion of knowledge; to identify the shortage of critical skills, drivers of challenges, hot skills in demand, and salaries in big data/business analytics; to highlight obstacles to make informed decisions. CAM education framework is proposed to design customized higher education and training programs to meet current shortage and future generation with the relevant and rigorous skills to boost productivity growth and to impact society and professional domains in the digital economy. Finally, new ideas on how governments, academic institutions, technology companies, and professional employers can work together to reform the traditional education value chain and integrate the “massive open online courses” to achieve mass diffusion of knowledge, to transform people from loyalty to parties, clergies, and dictatorships to society's loyalty, and to develop a culture of shared-value in a move towards a smarter and fairer planet in the 21st century.
Introduction to Data Envelopment Analysis and its Applications
Authors: Emrouznejad Ali , Cabanda Emilyn
Published: June 2015

This chapter provides the theoretical foundation and background on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method and some variants of basic DEA models and applications to various sectors. Some illustrative examples, helpful resources on DEA, including DEA software package, are also presented in this chapter. DEA is useful for measuring relative efficiency for variety of institutions and has its own merits and limitations. This chapter concludes that DEA results should be interpreted with much caution to avoid giving wrong signals and providing inappropriate recommendations.
Introduction to Performance Improvement Management Software (PIM-DEA)
Authors: Emrouznejad Ali , Thanassoulis Emmanuel
Published: June 2015

This chapter provides information on the use of Performance Improvement Management Software (PIM-DEA). This advanced DEA software enables users to make the best possible analysis of the data, using the latest theoretical developments in Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). PIM-DEA software gives full capacity to assess efficiency and productivity, set targets, identify benchmarks, and much more, allowing users to truly manage the performance of organizational units. PIM-DEA is easy to use and powerful, and it has an extensive range of the most up-to-date DEA models and which can handle large sets of data.
A New Integrative Approach Based on Balanced Scorecard, Data Envelopment Analysis, and Management Performance to Prioritize Research and Development Projects
Authors: Abbasian-Naghneh Salaman , Samiei Mahboobeh , Felahat Marziyeh , Mahdavi Marziyeh
Published: June 2015

The objective of this chapter is to propose a new approach for evaluating Research and Development (R&D) projects at different stages of their life cycle. The approach is based on the integration of the balanced scorecard, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and Multiple Objective (MO) linear programming. An interactive MO-DEA model is presented to incorporate Decision Maker's (DM) preference to effectively establish a common basis for fully ranking projects. The approach is illustrated on 50 R&D projects from the literature to highlight the effectiveness of the approach to fully rank all competing projects, hence increasing the discrimination power of DEA approach.
Efficiency of Turkish Provincial General Hospitals with Mortality as Undesirable Output
Authors: Davutyan Nurhan , Bilsel Murat
Published: June 2015

The authors present a directional distance model where quality of care is brought in by treating mortality in each hospital as a strongly disposable “bad output.” After deriving pure technical and scale inefficiencies under strong disposability, the authors derive “congestion” inefficiencies via allowing weak disposability. A second stage, “seemingly unrelated” regression of these inefficiencies against hospital level variables like spare capacity, inpatient-to-outpatient ratio, and bed turnover rate allows pinpointing the critical areas for hospital performance improvement. Evidence shows that the smallest hospitals are operating on an inefficient scale. Moreover, allocation of specialists should be done very carefully, as shortage of specialists seems to cause congestion inefficiency, while having too many specialists causes technical inefficiency.
The Performance of Printed Circuit Boards in the Presence of Production Errors
Authors: Charles Vincent , Kumar Mukesh , Charles Irene Kavitha
Published: June 2015

The Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembling production process is generally optimized to ensure very low levels of production errors (defects) so as to assure a higher quality product. In view of the number of components and solder joints in the products, and the very high demands placed on quality, the operation of this process is critical to the success of the products that are manufactured. A special class of the efficiency identification problem considered in this case relates to the occurrence of different kinds of production errors during the assembling process of the PCBs. However, the process of assembling often gets influenced by certain factors, which make some of the assembled PCBs to be defective. This chapter addresses the efficiency identification problem of a teleprinter-manufacturing company that assembles PCBs. The technique of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to assess the efficiency of different types of PCBs.
The Efficiency Performance of the Turkish Ceramic Sector in Terms of Revenue and Export
Authors: Yenilmez Füsun
Published: June 2015

Turkey is one of the leading countries in the world in the field of tile production and exportation. The ceramic sector constitutes the main focus and scope of this chapter, which makes some suggestions and recommendations to the industrial companies which were ranked among the 1,000 largest companies in 2011 based on their performance in revenue and exportation. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used in the measurement of the ceramic companies' performances. Three inputs (net actives, number of workers, and equity) and one output (revenue) are used in the first analysis where nine companies are taken as decision-making units. This chapter shows that Eczacibasi and Vitra were efficient in revenue making in 2011. Likewise, three inputs and one output (export) are used in the second analysis where nine companies are taken as decision-making units. According to DEA model findings, only Vitra was efficient in exporting in 2011.
The Development of Open Government Data in Austria
Authors: Höchtl Johann , Parycek Peter , Sedy Florian
Published: June 2015

Open Government Data has become an integral part for European governments at all federal levels. However, varying jurisdictions and government structures have also contributed to different operational models. The UK is pursuing a more central approach, expressing political will through its prime minister and with the ODI providing the technical and organisational framework. Austria is a much more federated country, yet also on the edge of OGD. This chapter presents the inception of OGD in Austria, the informal approach of OGD consensus finding, OGD specifications, organisational setting, and harmonisation approaches in the DACH and pan-European region.
Sociotechnical Aspects of Policy Simulation
Authors: Ginters Egils , Aizstrauts Artis , Chinea Rosa Maria Aguilar
Published: June 2015

Political decision-making is implemented in the framework of a classic sociotechnical system where respect has to be shown for both technical and social aspects. The development of suitable support tools for the previously mentioned requirements is rather complicated because a fundamentally important factor is product functionality and algorithm conformity to objective requirements (e.g. political decision quality assurance). Traditional design methods mainly focus on the quality of the system design process. They do ensure the quality of the decision-making process but not the decision quality itself. The inclusion of simulation in the system development process permits face validation for the decision-making algorithms of the goal system. This substantially improves acceptance and sustainability indices for the developed political decisions support system. The chapter deals with sociotechnical systems design peculiarities, emphasizing the role of simulation and social factors in the designing of policy decision-making support systems.
Information Visualization and Policy Modeling
Authors: Nazemi Kawa , Steiger Martin , Burkhardt Dirk , Kohlhammer Jörn
Published: June 2015

Policy design requires the investigation of various data in several design steps for making the right decisions, validating, or monitoring the political environment. The increasing amount of data is challenging for the stakeholders in this domain. One promising way to access the “big data” is by abstracted visual patterns and pictures, as proposed by information visualization. This chapter introduces the main idea of information visualization in policy modeling. First abstracted steps of policy design are introduced that enable the identification of information visualization in the entire policy life-cycle. Thereafter, the foundations of information visualization are introduced based on an established reference model. The authors aim to amplify the incorporation of information visualization in the entire policy design process. Therefore, the aspects of data and human interaction are introduced, too. The foundation leads to description of a conceptual design for social data visualization, and the aspect of semantics plays an important role.
Real-Time Multimedia Policy Analysis of Using Video and Audio Recognition from Radio, TV, and User-Generated Content
Authors: Netousek T. , Gugumuk H. , Beleznai C.
Published: June 2015

Real-Time Multimedia Content Analysis opens up exciting possibilities for accessing opinion-oriented arguments about regulations and dynamic policy changes. In this chapter, the authors present common methodologies and core technologies to analyse multimedia content from a practitioner's viewpoint, highlighting their primary impact, best practices, current limitations, and future trends. They illustrate the impact of multimedia content analysis within a governance-oriented applied context based on two use cases: one use case addresses the task regarding the improvement of certain KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) for the quality of living in a city by performing real-time analytics of TV news in order to assess public opinion and how it changes over time with respect to certain events or incidents; the second use case addresses search and data exploration within multimedia data to reveal certain correlations across space and time in order to retrieve meaningful information from unstructured sources of data, information which can effectively contribute to meeting the concrete needs of citizens.
Approaches to Integrate Various Technologies for Policy Modeling
Authors: Rumm Nikolaus , Ortner Bernhard , Löw Herbert
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this chapter is to outline various aspects of the technical design and architecture of an ICT system that is capable of handling the requirements that are typical for the policy-modeling domain. The authors provide an overview of the relevant technologies for each step of the FUPOL policy modeling lifecycle, the standards that they build upon, and how to integrate them into a coherent system. As FUPOL is currently the only existing system that is capable of covering the full policy modeling process, the authors illustrate the practical application of these architectural and technical concepts with examples taken from the FUPOL system.
Singapore Policy-Making Processes
Authors: Feraco Antonio , Müller-Wittig Wolfgang
Published: June 2015

In Singapore, ICT plays a key role in enabling technology for most of the sectors, several initiatives have been launched to gather insights from these large amount of data, and the utilization of visual solutions as a means to provide useful insights represents the basis for policymakers' decisions. In addition, Singapore is promoting the usage of new channels of communications to optimise the processes of e-Participation, to enhance public inputs in governmental activities, and other initiatives to gather insights from geo-spatial, behavioural, commercial, and scientific data. This chapter provides an overview about Singapore IT strategy development and the relation between government and key stakeholders to define and establish new policies, governance, and the framework implemented through the value add provided by IT and visual solutions ad-hoc utilised.
A Theoretical Model for the Study of Persuasive Communication through Digital Games
Authors: Conde-Pumpido Teresa de la Hera
Published: June 2015

In this chapter, the author presents a theoretical model for the study of how persuasive messages can be conveyed through digital games. The objective of developing this new theoretical model is to make visible how persuasiveness can be structured within digital games and to help identify specific aspects of persuasive games that might not be obvious to the naked eye, by giving them order and intelligibility. This model may facilitate the study and implementation of persuasive strategies within advergames from a new and specific perspective. In the first part of the chapter, the author justifies the reasons why the author has chosen to work with a theoretical model. In the second part, the author describes the three characteristics that define these theoretical models and present the new theoretical model as well as a visual representation of it.