bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Star Formation Histories with Gaia: The Galaxy and Beyond
Authors: Kučinskas A. , Lindegren L. , Tanabé T. , Vansevičius Savanorių
Published: February 2017

ESA’s Gaia mission will provide accurate astrometric, photometric and spectroscopic data for millions of stars in the Galaxy and beyond. We discuss the prospects of using this vast amount of astrophysical information for understanding star formation histories in the Galaxy and its immediate neighbors within the Local Group.
Principles and Applications of the Synchronous Network of Remote Telescopes
Authors: Zhilyaev B. E. , Romanyuk Ya. O. , Svyatogorov O. A. , Verlyuk I. A.
Published: February 2017

A new approach for the search of microvariability and high-speed phenomena in variable stars is presented. It gives a new technology of observation and analysis of the data. Statistical photometry stands on the three pillars: the digital filtering technique, the photon counting statistics based on the Mandel equation, and the integral transforms of the light curves. This technique permits to investigate low-amplitude and rapid variability of stars.
On the Data Reduction of WET Observations
Authors: Pakštienė Erika
Published: February 2017

It is demonstrated how the length of a continuous time-series of photometric data and their gaps affect the power spectrum of a Fourier Transform of the data. It is shown that second order effects of the atmospheric extinction - the dependence of the extinction coefficient on spectral type of a star and on the air mass - cannot be ignored. The ignoring of these effects results in aliases at frequencies lower than 200 μHz. A modification of the extinction correction procedure is proposed.
Correction of UBV Photometry for Emission Lines
Authors: Skopal A.
Published: February 2017

We investigate the effect on U,B,V magnitudes of the removal of emission lines from the spectra of some symbiotic stars and novae during their nebular phases. We approach this problem by the precise reconstruction of the composite UV/optical continuum and the line spectrum. The corrections ΔU, ΔB and ΔV are determined from the ratio of fluxes with and without emission lines. We demonstrate the effect for symbiotic nova V1016 Cyg during its nebular phase. We find that about 68%, 78% and 66% of the observed flux in the U, B and V filters is radiated in the emission lines. The effect should be taken into account before using the observed color indices of emission-line objects for diagnosis of their radiation in the continuum.
Near-Infrared Colors of Carbon Stars in Cygnus
Authors: Alksnis A. , Alksne Z.
Published: February 2017

The J-H, H-K diagram based on the 2MASS Sky Survey for 140 carbon stars in Cygnus, which have been photometrically monitored with the Baldone Schmidt telescope, is discussed.
Effect of crop management and cultivar on colonization of Capsicum annuum L. by Endophytic Fungi
Authors: Halász Krisztián , Borbély Csaba , Pós Veronika , Gáspár László , Haddadderafshi Neda , Winter Zsófia , Lukács Noémi
Published: February 2017

Due to their importance as biological control agents, we analysed the colonization of two pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars by culturable endophytic fungi in natural sandy soil in the open field and under soil-free conditions in the greenhouse, respectively. In natural soil, we observed a significant difference in colonization rates between the cultivars ‘Hó’ and ‘Kápia’. Colonization rates were always lower in the greenhouse than in the open field. Colonization was enhanced towards the end of the growing period and organ-specific differences were also observed. On the basis of colony morphology, 15 separate groups were identified for future sequence-based identification.
Analysing quality deficiencies of three potato cultivars during the storage period
Authors: Buna Alexandru , Domokos Erzsébet , Donescu Livia Daniela , Ianoși Elena Maria
Published: February 2017

The aim of this work was to assess quality deficiencies in three potato cultivars (Christian, Roclas, and Cumidava) during the storage period. According to the results, the Roclas presented the highest level of susceptibility to pathogens; this, however, can be attributed to the dry rot that causes greater damage in this cultivar. No significant positive correlations between the plant’s vegetative parameters and the most dangerous diseases and pests in Christian were detected. There was a significant positive correlation between the biomass of the tubers and the silver scurf blemish disease, respectively between tuber numbers and dry rot in Cumidava and significant positive correlations between tuber numbers and the silver scurf blemish disease, between biomass of the tubers and dry rot, respectively between tuber numbers and wireworm larvae at Roclas. Altogether, we can conclude that the most susceptible cultivar was Roclas followed by Cumidava, while the least susceptible was the Christian cultivar.
Detailed hydrogeomorphic analysis in the Gerecse Mountains, Hungary
Authors: Józsa Edina
Published: February 2017

The northern foreland of the Central Gerecse Mountains is a complex landscape with a moderate relief and the presence of terrace remnants. To explore the hydrogeomorphic settings, the characteristics of the drainage network, several basin metrics, and geomorphometric maps were interpreted, which are the outputs of a semi-automated algorithm. Based on the results, the small catchments of the area were divided into two groups with diverse topographic characteristics and the presence of 7 terrace levels was revealed.
Ground-dwelling arthropod (Araneae, Coleoptera: Carabidae, Isopoda: Oniscidea) assemblages on Hungarian main road verges
Authors: Vona-Túri Diána , Szmatona-Túri Tünde , Kádár Ferenc , Kiss Balázs , Weiperth András , Gál Blanka
Published: February 2017

In this study, we research ground-dwelling arthropods along four road stretches, which represent the main verge habitats (arid grassland, agricultural area, forest, and wetland) of Hungary. Besides the faunistic investigation of arthropod communities, we described and compared dominance relation and species composition. We identified 83 carabids, 81 spiders, and 4 isopod species. Seven beetle species and one spider species are included in the invertebrate Red List of Hungary. The registered species were dominant on main road verges bordering arid grassland and wetland. Main road verges proved to be a diverse habitat; hence, it is important to carry on more investigation.
Evaluating the effect of plant population densities and nitrogen application on the leaf area index of maize in a reclaimed wetland in Kenya
Authors: Njuguna Catherine Waithira , Kamiri Hellen Wangechi , Okalebo John Robert , Ngetich Wilson , Kebeney Syphilline
Published: February 2017

Maize is the main staple food in Kenya with over 90% of Kenyans relying on it. While the annual national consumption is increasing, the production of this crop has been on the decline in the last two decades. Maize production in Kenya fell by 33.4% in 2013 with Nyeri among the counties said to be grappling with the production of this crop. Land pressure is one of the major causes of decreased availability of food as well as soil depletion and encroachment upon fragile ecosystems such as wetlands. Nitrogen is a key nutrient in the production of maize, and its deficiency is a major factor limiting its production. This study investigated the effect of N application at 120 kg N/ha and maize density on the Leaf Area Index in reclaimed wetland soils in an experimental set-up comprising a randomized complete block design with three replications. The research was carried out in Nyeri County, Kenya. Leaf Area Index (LAI) was determined using the given SunScan formula. Measurements were done continuously until crop physiological maturity. Results indicated that the leaf area index increased with nitrogen application and reduced with spacing for most treatments. There were no significant differences between the two methods (Copy Method and SunScan). Leaf Area Index (LAI) was high in treatments containing nitrogen and high plant density. It was concluded that high plant density gives high LAI. 50 cm * 12.5 cm (-N) and 50 cm * 12.5 cm (+N) are the recommended plant densities for the site.
Drug generations that combat influenza A virus infection
Authors: Żaroffe Gabriela , Leluk Jacek , Żyźniewska Agata , Filip Rafał
Published: February 2017

Influenza viruses are significant human respiratory pathogens that cause infections and unpredictable pandemic outbreaks. M2 ion-channel protein, participating in the transmission of viral genetic materials into infected cells, is considered to be the crucial target for old-generation drugs such as rimantadine and amantadine. Neuraminidase protein, which is responsible for the replication of the influenza virus, is affected by the new generation of drugs, including oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). The virus mutations that cause oseltamivir resistance are also described. This review presents the details concerning the treatment of influenza neuraminidase inhibitors against the H5N1 strain. It also describes virus mutations that cause resistance to oseltamivir and presents a new drug, peramivir, which is a neuraminidase inhibitor that was introduced against the H1N1 epidemic. This work specifies the details of the pharmacokinetics, dosing, toxicity, side effects, and efficiency of the drugs being used against influenza A virus infections.
The Effect of Kinship Placement Laws on Foster Children’s Well-Being
Authors: Hayduk Iryna
Published: February 2017

This paper examines whether placing foster children with relatives, instead of unfamiliar caregivers, institutions, or group homes, increases the effectiveness of foster care and consequently improves children’s well-being. As a source of exogenous variation in kinship placement, I use recent major reform of foster care – state policies that prefer kin placement over other types of foster care settings. Using individual-level panel dataset, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), and employing difference-in-differences identification strategy, I find that in the short-run children exposed to law benefit from higher stability of placement and shorter length of foster care episode, but do not experience significant changes in either mental or physical health. In the longer term, kinship foster homes are more efficient in terms of improving safety and providing permanent home through discharge from foster care with a relative. Thus, given the effectiveness of kinship care, policymakers should focus on developing and implementing policies that further facilitate relatives’ involvement in foster care.
Preparation of Aluminium Hydroxide with Mechanochemical Synthesis in the Middle School Laboratory Lesson
Authors: Okálová Anna , Chrappová Jana , Haláková Zuzana
Published: February 2017

Mechanochemical reactions proceed if solid reactants combine together by grinding, milling or kneading with no or minimal solvent. It is possible to observe changes: fizzing, foaming, colour changes, water release. This process is manually simple and there are several mechanochemical reactions which can be demonstrated during school laboratory lessons. For high school pupils there exist five possibilities of inorganic synthesis: mechanochemical synthesis, crystallisation, precipitation, filtration and decantation. The preparation of aluminium hydroxide in the school laboratory is described in this paper. Five mechanochemical reaction schemes were tested by pupils in their laboratories. The pupils conducted the experiments and filled in worksheets to accompany the practical. On the basis of their results, a suitable procedure for school use is suggested.
The Errors in Visual Estimation of Plants Cover in the Context of Education of Phytosociology
Authors: Chmura Damian , Salachna Anna
Published: February 2017

In vegetation science including phytosociology, visual estimates of plant cover and point method belong to the common field method to record species composition and their abundance. Two methods were compared: Braun-Blanquet scale and point method using Levy bridge. A group of students performed measurements in five plots belonged to an oak-hornbeam forestTilio-Carpinetum. It was revealed that there is a very high discrepancy in a observed number of species. Total mean numbers obtained are 13.4 and 31.2 for point method and Braun-Blanquet method respectively. However, there is the significant positive and medium correlation between two methods in terms of estimation of abundance of species. It can be concluded that point-method is not suitable for study of forest floor vegetation. It can be merged with other methods. Due to many repetitive measures, it can be helpful in learning of recognition of species.
Efficiency of Biological Phosphorus Removal by Filamentous Bacteria
Authors: Machnicka Alicja , Grübel Klaudiusz
Published: February 2017

Phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment plant is carried out by chemical precipitation, advanced biological treatment or a combination of both. One of the biggest problems with high concentration of phosphorus in water environment is eutrophication. Activated sludge flocs have a heterogeneous structure, which consist of a variety of microorganisms. Filamentous bacteria are normally present in the activated sludge and have ability to assimilation of phosphorus. In this study phosphorus accumulation by isolated filamentous bacteria from activated sludge foam was present.
Application of REACH and LCA System’s to the Materials Formed in the Production of Mineral Wool
Authors: Adamczyk Zdzisław , Harat Andrzej , Grmela Arnost
Published: February 2017

The article analyses the application of two management systems - REACH directive and ISO 14040 (Life Cycle Assessment - LCA) with reference to the technological process as well as by-products of mineral wool production. It characterizes basic differences between the norms discussed, i.e. the strict formalization of REACH, which results in the analysis being conducted according to a precisely defined scheme, or the subjective character of LCA, which makes it possible to take into account the most important environmental aspects pertaining to the entire life cycle of a particular product. The discussion provides a basis for formulating the general conclusion that the classification criteria encompassed by REACH regulations do not allow for a complex analysis of the negative environmental impact of a particular substance (preparation, product) and should be complemented with elements of LCA analysis.
The Importance Of Human Capital For The Economic Development Of EU Regions
Authors: Laskowska Iwona , Dańska-Borsiak Barbara
Published: February 2017

The EU designs its cohesion policy with the primary purpose of reducing disparities in regional development. The success of the policy is largely determined by the identification of factors that contribute to such disparities. One of the key determinants of economic success is human capital. This article examines the relationship between the quality of human capital and economic development of EU’s regions. Using spatial analysis methods, the spatial dependencies between the growth of human capital and GDP per capita are investigated. According to the research results, the highest levels of human capital are typical of the most affluent regions in Western Europe, while its lowest levels are found in the poorest countries that became EU members only recently and in countries in southern Europe, including Greece. The spatial correlation measures confirm that spatial relationships have effect on the regional resources of human capital, showing that regions rich in human capital border on regions that are similar to them in that respect. The results of the spatial growth regression indicate that the amount of human capital in the region has a significant and positive effect on its GDP per capita.
What Affects The Ability To Accumulate The Best Applicants By Russian Universities? The Application Of Quantile Regression Model
Authors: Łaszkiewicz Edyta , Zemstov Stepan , Barinova Vera
Published: February 2017

The aim of this paper is to evaluate which university’s characteristics have the greatest impact on the competitiveness of universities in their ability to attract better students in Russia. We examined the impact of three groups of factors,related to teaching, research and entrepreneurial activities of universities. The quantile regression model was applied for the subsample of public and private higher education institutions localized in Russia. The results prove that not only traditional, teaching-related factors affect the attractiveness of the universities. We found that the research quality and entrepreneurial experience both increase the ability to accumulate the best applicants by Russian universities. However, the synergy between training, research and business activities is not always achieved. The importance of science and business-oriented activities varies between public and private institutions. According to the results from the quantile regression the importance of the certain factors differs between the quantiles of the dependent variable distribution. Our findings might be useful for the governmental authorities during the universities’ assessment as well as for the higher education institutions themselves – in order to define their strategic development and attract better students.
Using Space Syntax For Estimation Of Potential Disaster Indirect Economic Losses
Authors: Penchev Georgi
Published: February 2017

The paper is aimed at estimation of indirect economic losses resulting from natural disasters. Generally, these losses are defined as interruptions in economic activities and are not related to the damaged enterprises. Even limited physical damage to property and infrastructure caused by natural disaster can produce chain reaction of losses in supply chain within a certain region. The Space Syntax Methodology is developed and used for accessing the characteristics of buildings, cities or the surrounding space in general. Although the methodology was primarily developed as urban planning method, it was also applied in the field of social and economic networks. Various studies of poverty, crime, disaster management and real estate prices are based on this methodology. The economic activities within a specific area are in a state of equilibrium before a disastrous event occurs. The disaster will change the spatial configuration (streets, buildings and infrastructure) causing negative effect on the economic networks and business opportunities. The main assumption of the research is that potential indirect losses could be estimated by comparing the Space Syntax characteristics before and after a disastrous event by measuring the deterioration of links between economic enterprises. The methodology is applied in a practical study of urban area. OpenStreetMap data is used as road-centred map of the city of York. The Historical Flood Map of the UK Environment Agency is used to setup disaster event impact. The Angular Segment Analysis implemented in DepthmapX software is used as the main method for analysis. The study of applicable network measures shows that Normalised Angular Choice can be used as criteria for selecting alternatives for minimizing indirect costs caused by road network damages. At the same time, this methodology cannot be used for monetizing indirect costs or identifying losses in different economic sectors. The study approach does not contradict the main theoretical approaches and it gives new opportunities for research on disasters recovery.
Religion and Science: What Can Anthropology Offer?
Authors: Skalník Peter
Published: February 2017

This short tribute to Ján Podolák comments on the space between two extremes: pure science and blind belief. If religion is not susceptible to scientific proof because it is a belief in an invisible world inhabited by spirits who influence human existence on earth then science in its strictest sense is the opposite of religion because it is not based on any beliefs but solely on provable facts. However, the anthropology of science should be based on the pluralism of knowledge and the seeking of truth in different cultural settings around the world. Everything human, also science, is a social and cultural phenomenon. This means that rationality is not a preserve of the Western mind only and that without falling into the trap of postmodernist excessive relativism, we should admit that rationality is not only universal but also not hierarchized evolutionistically or qualitatively by giving preference to its Western brand. Science thus ceases to be the only realm of rational knowledge. Religion in its turn is a kind of non-scientific knowledge.
Statistical Analysis of Indoor RSSI Read-outs for 433 MHz, 868 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ISM Bands
Authors: Chruszczyk Łukasz
Published: February 2017

This paper presents statistical analysis of RSSI read-outs recorded in indoor environment. Many papers concerning indoor location, based on RSSI measurement, assume its normal probability density function (PDF). This is partially excused by relation to PDF of radio-receiver's noise and/or together with influence of AWGN (average white Gaussian noise) radio-channel – generally modelled by normal PDF. Unfortunately, commercial (usually unknown) methods of RSSI calculations, typically as “side-effect” function of receiver's AGC (automatic gain control), results in PDF being far different from Gaussian PDF. This paper presents results of RSSI measurements in selected ISM bands: 433/868 MHz and 2.4/5 GHz. The measurements have been recorded using low-cost integrated RF modules (at 433/868 MHz and 2.4 GHz) and 802.11 WLAN access points (at 2.4/5 GHz). Then estimated PDF of collected data is shown and compared to normal (Gaussian) PDF.
Building Energy Efficient Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Cherepanov Alexander , Tyshchenko Igor , Popova Mariia , Vakhnin Dmitriy
Published: February 2017

This article provides an overview of the existing problems in the construction of wireless sensor networks (WSN), in particular the problem of energy efficiency of the system. In many cases, the WSN is set in places where the connection to the stationary power sources is difficult or impossible. Such situations require the use of autonomous energy sources: traditional (batteries) or alternative (solar panels, wind generators, etc.). Due to limitations in the available system power there is obvious need in efficient use of available energy resources.
Hexagonal Photonic Crystal Fiber Behaviour as a Chromatic Dispersion Compensator of a 40 Gbps Link
Authors: Betancur-Pérez Andrés F. , Botero-Cadavid Juan F. , Reyes-Vera Erick , Gómez-Cardona Nelson
Published: February 2017

In this paper, the capabilities of chromatic dispersion compensation of a photonic crystal fiber with a hexagonal distribution of circular air holes was investigated. The vector finite element method with scattering boundary condition was used to analyze a set of configurations of the fiber in which the distance between air holes’ centers was modified. With this method it was possible to obtain the values of chromatic dispersion and confinement factor in the C fiber band. The best suited configurations were tested in a 160 km optical link with a bit rate of 40 Gbps. The performance was evaluated by measuring the bit error rate for a set of 20 channels with channel spacing of 100 GHz. The simulation results showed that is possible to reach values of chromatic dispersion as low as

$- 850{{{\rm{ps}}} \over {{\rm{nm}} \middot {\rm{km}}}}$

, confinement losses close to 10−3 dB/km and good BER results in the order of 10−17 for a wavelength of 1550 nm.
ARIES – Development of Accelerator Technology in Europe 2017-2020: Global and Local Consequences
Authors: Romaniuk Ryszard S.
Published: February 2017

The article describes chosen, yet key parts of newly established European, infrastructural research and development project ARIES (2017-2020) - Accelerator Research and Innovation for European Science and Society, to be realized inside the framework of the H2020 programme. Two institutions from Poland participate in ARIES – these are Warsaw University of Technology and Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology. ARIES is a topical continuation of the previous infrastructural accelerator projects realized uninterruptedly since 2003 – FP6 CARE – Coordinated Accelerator Research in Europe and FP7 TIARA – Test Infrastructure and Accelerator Research Area, EuCARD – European Coordination for Accelerator Research and Development, and EuCARD2. The article is simultaneously a part of a series of papers concerning the participation of Polish doctoral students and young researchers, especially from the Warsaw University of Technology, in large European and world experiments of the discovery class, including building large research infrastructures like: FLASH and EXFEL, ESS, ITER and DEMO, IFMIF, but also satellites built by the ESA, etc. ARIES embraces, among others, the following subjects: energy efficiency and management, cost lowering, miniaturization and ultra-high field gradients, promotion innovation, industrial applications, societal implications, new materials and components, new methods of particles acceleration including laser-plasma-particles interaction, and building new generations of systems.
Why is “not infrequent” not always “frequent”? Double negation in political discourse
Authors: Osmankadić Merima
Published: February 2017

The aim of this paper is to view double negation in the light of its semantic and pragmatic meaning. While double negation in logic gives a positive value, in natural languages, besides having positive entailment, it can have a range of different implicatures and functions. Thus, depending on different discoursal factors, double negation can be used for different motives, e.g. the speaker is not sure whether a certain proposition is true or is sure that it is not true, to name just one. The analysis is carried out on the database consisting of the reports, interviews and articles of the High Representative and his associates in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period from 1995 to 2001.
Concentration of Credit Exposure as a Significant Source of Risk in Banking Activities: The Idea and Methods of Estimation
Authors: Kozak Sylwester
Published: February 2017

The simultaneous activation of many sources of risk can slow bank operations and even lead to bankruptcy. Credit risk is the greatest threat to the orderly functioning of a bank. To protect against its materialization banks spend nearly 90% of their total capital requirement. Concentration of credit exposure to single entities, as well as to single economic sectors, can be a source of additional risks. Estimation of the additional portion of the capital requirement in selected banks in Poland in 2008-2013 indicates that banks should assign additional 4% and 2% of the capital requirement to cover the risk of exposure concentrations in: respectively, individual entities and individual economic sectors. For banks with a retail profile more important was the risk of large exposures in individual economic sectors, and for banks with a corporate profile in individual entities. Estimates were carried out according to the procedure used by the Bank of Spain and the Bank of Slovenia, and the data derived from the annual financial reports of selected banks listed on the WSE.
Is There Any Relation between Intellectual Capital and the Capital Structure of a Company? The Case of Polish Listed Companies
Authors: Bolek Monika , Lyroudi Katerina
Published: February 2017

This study investigates the relationship of the intellectual capital of a company (proxied by its intangible assets), with leverage and equity and capital structure. Our empirical results indicate that there is a negative relation between the intellectual capital (intangible assets) of a company and its leverage based on the Warsaw Stock Exchange main market and NewConnect alternative market. Moreover, the equity capital is found positively related to the level of intangibles in each of the two markets. These results support the thesis that intellectual capital (intangible assets) influences the capital structure of a company.
Verification of the elastic material characteristics of Norway spruce and European beech in the field of shear behaviour by means of digital image correlation (DIC) for finite element analysis (FEA)
Authors: Milch Jaromír , Brabec Martin , Sebera Václav , Tippner Jan
Published: February 2017

Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) samples were loaded in shear mode aimed at testing their elastic material characteristics applicable in finite element analysis (FEA). More precisely, experimental and numerical analyses of uniaxial tensile test parallel to grain in longitudinal-radial (LR) or longitudinal-tangential (LT) shear of plane are described. The elastic material models in the FEA are based on own experimental data and those of the literature. The verification of material characteristics was performed by 3D numerical models with the same parameters as for the experimental tests. The fully orthotropic elastic material model was applied in the uniaxial tensile tests. The digital image correlation (DIC) method served for verification of the numerical models with proposed elastic material characteristics. Good correlation was found between numerically predicted and experimentally measured data. The minor differences between the two data sets could be mainly attributed to certain natural wood characteristics, which were neglected in the proposed models, i.e. especially variation of earlywood and latewood density. The proposed elastic material models offer general data sets for the evaluation of mechanical response of timber structures and especially in timber connexions.
Power to the People: An Inverse Role in Nigeria’s Politics and Governance
Authors: Onyemekara Emecheta Kingsley Onyemekara
Published: February 2017

An attempt to contextualize the political power structure in Nigeria exposes an orientation and practice that directly negates the democratic norm of power belonging to the people. Today, power belongs entirely to government officials who use it to advance the course of their political and economic interests. The people are thus, subjected to the point and path of complete alienation from the demands and benefits of their democratic citizenship. Given the weakness of the rule of law and institutions of check in Nigeria, established statutes and legislation have not been able to stand tall to relevance in dislodging the hegemony of the ruling elites as is evident in our case study-Imo State. This has since 1999, propped up a telling political effect, which also spirals to the arena of development, and quakes the stability of the state, and the nation at large. The paper examines the current domiciliation of political power, its potential effect on the people, and on service delivery in the country. A case is made for recovery of power for the people and reasserting the law as a balancing force and as means of providing check against breach of constitutionally prescribed political power structure and configuration.
Wi-Fi location fingerprinting using an intelligent checkpoint sequence
Authors: Retscher Günther , Hofer Hannes
Published: February 2017

For Wi-Fi positioning location fingerprinting is very common but has the disadvantage that it is very labour consuming for the establishment of a database (DB) with received signal strength (RSS) scans measured on a large number of known reference points (RPs). To overcome this drawback a novel approach is developed which uses a logical sequence of intelligent checkpoints (iCPs) instead of RPs distributed in a regular grid. The iCPs are the selected RPs which have to be passed along the way for navigation from a start point A to the destination B. They are twofold intelligent because of the fact that they depend on their meaningful selection and because of their logical sequence in their correct order. Thus, always the following iCP is known due to a vector graph allocation in the DB and only a small limited number of iCPs needs to be tested when matching the current RSS scans. This reduces the required processing time significantly. It is proven that the iCP approach achieves a higher success rate than conventional approaches. In average correct matching results of 90.0% were achieved using a joint DB including RSS scans of all employed smartphones. An even higher success rate is achieved if the same mobile device is used in both the training and positioning phase.
Object tracking with robotic total stations: Current technologies and improvements based on image data
Authors: Ehrhart Matthias , Lienhart Werner
Published: February 2017

The importance of automated prism tracking is increasingly triggered by the rising automation of total station measurements in machine control, monitoring and one-person operation. In this article we summarize and explain the different techniques that are used to coarsely search a prism, to precisely aim at a prism, and to identify whether the correct prism is tracked. Along with the state-of-the-art review, we discuss and experimentally evaluate possible improvements based on the image data of an additional wide-angle camera which is available for many total stations today. In cases in which the total station’s fine aiming module loses the prism, the tracked object may still be visible to the wide-angle camera because of its larger field of view. The theodolite angles towards the target can then be derived from its image coordinates which facilitates a fast reacquisition of the prism. In experimental measurements we demonstrate that our image-based approach for the coarse target search is 4 to 10-times faster than conventional approaches.
The degradation efficiency and mechanism of meclofenamic acid in aqueous solution by UV irradiation
Authors: Li Jian , Zhou Huihui , Chen Rong , Yu Tingchao , Ye Miaomiao
Published: February 2017

The photodegradation of meclofenamic acid (MCFA) was investigated using UV irradiation process. Parameters affecting the photodegradation process such as dissolved oxygen, reaction temperature, solution pH, initial MCFA concentration, humic acid, cations and anions were carried out. The intermediate products were identified by HPLC-MS analysis, and a tentative photodegradation pathway of MCFA was proposed. Results show that the photodegradation of MCFA can be modeled by the first-order kinetics. The photodegradation efficiency increases with the decreased concentration of humic acid or the decreased initial MCFA concentration, while the reaction temperature and the inorganic ions have no significant effect on the MCFA removal. It has found that the optimal initial solution pH for MCFA degradation is about 7.0. Finally, the HPLC-MS results reveal that the Cl atom in the MCFA molecule would form Cl
Elimination of organic micro-contaminants in municipal wastewater by a combined immobilized biomass reactor and solar photo-Fenton tertiary treatment
Authors: Prieto-Rodríguez L. , Oller I. , Agüera A. , Malato S.
Published: February 2017

Municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs) have become one of the main sources of water for potential reuse. However, some pharmaceuticals, pesticides, hormones and others organics escape conventional wastewater treatments, and therefore, new technologies must be applied to overcome the problem. This article presents an efficient alternative that combines an aerobic immobilized biomass reactor (IBR) with a solar photo-Fenton process as a tertiary treatment. Real municipal wastewater was treated in the IBR system in batch and continuous modes. Micro-pollutants were monitored by using an advanced analytical procedure consisting of pre-concentration of samples by solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Results were compared with those observed in the MWTP secondary conventional activated sludge treatment. Effluents from the IBR, operating at the maximum treatment capacity, were treated in a previously optimized solar photo-Fenton pilot plant as a tertiary treatment to entirely eliminate remnant micro-pollutants.
An Analysis of Revenue Maximising Efficiency of Public Sector Banks in the Post-Reforms Period
Authors: Singh Ombir , Bansal Sanjeev
Published: February 2017

The paper investigates and compares the performance of the Indian public sector banks (PSBs) based on revenue maximising efficiency in the deregulation period from 2001-02 to 2012-13. Several efficiency estimates viz., overall technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of individual banks are calculated using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The empirical findings indicate the presence of managerial and scale inefficiencies in the operation of the most of the PSBs. Applying the Tobit regression analysis, the paper also assesses the impact of different environmental factors, like profitability, the level of non-performing assets, size etc. on the efficiency of PSBs. It is observed that banks with high profitability, low level of non-performing assets, and relatively larger size are more technically efficient.
Globalization and Inclusive Human Development in Africa
Authors: Asongu Simplice , Nwachukwu Jacinta
Published: February 2017

This study extents the literature on responses to a recent World Bank report on the African poverty tragedy by assessing the effect of globalisation on inclusive human development in 51 African countries for the period 1996–2011. Political, economic, social and general globalisation variables are used. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) and Instrumental Quantile Regressions (IQR). While estimated coefficients are not significant in GMM results, for IQR, globalisation positively affects inclusive human development and the favourable effect is higher in countries with high initial levels of inclusive development. The main economic implication is that in the post-2015 development agenda, countries would benefit more from globalisation by increasing their levels of inclusive development.
On Witold Lutosławski’s Artistic Self-Awareness. A Survey of Very Recent Research
Authors: Skowron Zbigniew
Published: February 2017

This paper presents the results of the most recent research concerning Witold Lutosławski’s artistic self-awareness, based on critical source editions of Lutosławski’s writings (publ. 2007–08). In the first part I discuss the edition of the composer’s ‘official’ writings contained in the collection Lutosławski on Music. These writings provide us with knowledge of the key elements of Lutosławski’s compositional technique and aesthetic principles, his attitude towards new music, and also to various problems of contemporary music culture in Poland and abroad. The second part of the article concerns Lutosławski’s notes contained in what is known as the Notebook of Ideas. Written in a characteristically personal tone, they illustrate the transformation of the composer’s artistic self-awareness that took place in the late 1950s and the early 1960s, when Lutosławski’s individual musical language was taking shape. The Notebook of Ideas sheds light, amongst other things, on the circumstances of composing Jeux vénitiens – the first work that puts into practice Lutosławski’s vision of twelve-tone harmony and controlled aleatorism.
TV Sports Viewers – Who Are They?
Authors: Solberg Harry Arne , Hammervold Randi
Published: February 2017

This article reports on empirical data from Norway which indicates that popular sports contests are also popular TV programmes. Individual sports, such as biathlon and cross-country skiing headed the popularity list, while football and ski-jumping came joint third. However, although football (only) came third, a higher proportion of football fans were willing to pay for watching it on TV than fans of other sports. This can explain why football has been the most successful sport pay-TV in Europe. Those interested in football were more interested in cultivating their favourite teams/athletes than fans of other sports. The analysis also indicates that the uncertainty of outcome is not as important for peoples’ interest in sport as the literature in sport economics has argued.
The Mediatization of Society
Authors: Hjarvard Stig
Published: February 2017

Using mediatization as the key concept, this article presents a theory of the influence media exert on society and culture. After reviewing existing discussions of mediatization by Krotz (2007), Schulz (2004), Thompson (1995), and others, an institutional approach to the mediatization process is suggested. Mediatization is to be considered a double-sided process of high modernity in which the media on the one hand emerge as an independent institution with a logic of its own that other social institutions have to accommodate to. On the other hand, media simultaneously become an integrated part of other institutions like politics, work, family, and religion as more and more of these institutional activities are performed through both interactive and mass media. The logic of the media refers to the institutional and technological modus operandi of the media, including the ways in which media distribute material and symbolic resources and make use of formal and informal rules.
The New Wave of Pragmatism in Communication Studies
Authors: Bergman Mats
Published: February 2017

This article examines two recent discussions of pragmatism in the field of communication and media studies: Chris Russill’s reconstruction of a pragmatist tradition based on the theories of William James and John Dewey, and Mike Sandbothe’s neopragmatist design for media philosophy. The main contention of the article is that Russill and Sandbothe advocate an unnecessarily narrow conception of pragmatist thought, one that tends to exclude the contribution of Charles S. Peirce, the founder of pragmatism. After the presentation of Russill’s and Sandbothe’s positions, the article attempts to meet their explicit and implicit criticisms of Peircean pragmatism. More specifically, it is shown that Peirce does not advocate “transcendental universalism”. In conclusion, the article argues that his broad conception of experience is preferable to the radical empiricism of James, and that Peircean habit-realism is not only compatible with Dewey’s pragmatism, but may in fact provide the most fertile starting-point for pragmatist communication inquiry.
Rethinking Cyberreligion?
Authors: Lövheim Mia
Published: February 2017

Since the coming of the Internet scholars have been discussing its implications for the future of religion. With its high levels of Internet use and low levels of religious practice Sweden represents an interesting case for studying these issues. This article presents findings from the first online survey of Swedish teenager’s use of the Internet for religious purposes, conducted at one of the largest social networking sites LunarStorm. The results show that more young people seem to come into contact with religion via the Internet than through local religious communities. However, the findings also challenge several early expectations about the Internet as a new arena for religion in contemporary society. Thus the article initiates a critical discussion of what conclusions may be drawn from these results, and where future research on young people, religion and the Internet should be directed.
When will the Daybreak Come?
Authors: Orgeret Kristin Skare
Published: February 2017

Popular musical expressions are important for discourses of citizenship and belonging. Focusing on popular music and political processes in Ethiopia today, this discussion uses Tewodros Kassahun aka Teddy Afro’s music as an example. Teddy Afro is a popular voice challenging the prevailing political discourse in Ethiopia. Several of Afro’s songs have been banned by the government on radio and television in Ethiopia, but are found to provide alternative sites of political and cultural resistance to the autocratic regime. Reasons for censorship are discussed as well as how music can provide alternative sites of resistance. The findings show that oppressing political expressions may not always kill the ideas, as they may find alternative arenas in the face of obstacles.
Popular Cultural Memory
Authors: Kukkonen Karin
Published: February 2017

Conventions of genres, types and icons of popular culture are the shared knowledge of media audiences. Becoming acquainted with them through the reception of media texts resembles a socialisation process in its own right: It constitutes a community of media readers. The context knowledge they share is their popular cultural memory. On the level of the individual reading process, this context knowledge then provides the necessary guiding lines for understanding the connotative dimensions of a popular media text.

Popular cultural memory is a repository of conventions and imagery that are continually reconstructed in contemporary popular culture. Drawing on J. Assmann’s writings on the functions and processes of collective memory, the present article develops popular cultural memory as a concept to describe the workings of context knowledge for media texts, while taking into consideration both the macrolevel of audience communities and the microlevel of the individual reading process.

The comics series Fables by Bill Willingham (NY: DC Comics Vertigo, 2003-) will provide the example through which the article explores the functions of popular cultural memory in media texts, which can take shapes as different as the identification of genre, the stabilisation of intertextual reference chains or the creation of round characters and complex reflexivity.
The Othering of Islam in a European Context
Authors: Creutz-Kämppi Karin
Published: February 2017

Media representations of Islam mostly appear in the Finnish media in connection with events in other parts of the world. In this context, Islam is often treated as something distant and ascribed the role of the Other. These representations function as definers for collective categorizations, having an impact on which categories for self-identifications are relevant in specific cases. The aim of the present article is to discuss othering discourses on Islam in Swedish-language dailies in Finland on the basis of the debate following the cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. These discourses build upon a broader tradition of othering and have a great deal in common with medieval representations, thus the othering of Islam in a historical perspective is also briefly discussed.
Mobile Visual Communication
Authors: Villi Mikko
Published: February 2017

In this article I will elucidate the concept of photo messaging, and examine camera phones in the context of communication and photography. Camera functions are nowadays a popular add-on to the mobile (cellular) phone. Users can send photographs directly from the phone as photo messages. Findings suggest that the ubiquitous camera phone, and photo messaging, may substantially change the ways in which people use personal photography. The imaging capacity of mobile phones is becoming a potential part of perpetual visual contact. Thus taking and sending photographs on a camera phone represents a new resource for visual communication.