bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
African American Women in STEM Education
Authors: Martin Susan Ferguson , Green Andre , Dean Melissa
Published: June 2016

This project examines the critical issues of stereotypes and gender bias that face students, particularly women, of color in higher education and into their careers, as well as the lack of representation of women of color in higher education STEM related disciplines. Interviews with three, African American females from their start as undergraduate students in Biology, into graduate programs, and eventually with careers as science educators in public science education classrooms, as well as a review of current literature, highlights the need for women of color within STEM disciplines, as well as strides that have been made toward increasing the number of both females and males of color in STEM related areas.
Migration Affecting Masculinities
Authors: Sowad Abu Saleh Mohammad
Published: June 2016

This chapter looks into the causes of behavioral changes among migrant Bangladeshi men after migration; especially changes in roles that they always considered are closely related to their gender identity. Masculinities inspire men to endure gender inequalities in the society. Therefore, one of the most significant causes of the chapter is to trace out the innate reasons of such changes, to plan some conscious actions that can be applied back in Bangladesh to challenge and change the prevailing constructs of masculinities to ensure a gender sensitive socio-cultural environment. The chapter reveals migrant Bangladeshi men's support to the perceived gender equality of British culture and their will to follow such practice. This chapter finally argues that migrant Bangladeshi men in the UK adopt a new kind of masculinities that doesn't have serious clash with the masculine ideologies that they had before migration and doesn't challenge their hegemonic position in the family.
Automatic Melodic Harmonization
Authors: Makris Dimos , Kayrdis Ioannis , Sioutas Spyros
Published: June 2016

Automatic melodic harmonization tackles the assignment of harmony content (musical chords) over a given melody. Probabilistic approaches to melodic harmonization utilize statistical information derived from a training dataset, producing harmonies that encapsulate some harmonic characteristics of the training dataset. Training data is usually annotated symbolic musical notation. In addition to the obvious musicological interest, different machine learning approaches and algorithms have been proposed for such a task, strengthening thus the challenge of efficient and effective music information utilization using probabilistic systems. Consequently, the aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the specific research domain as well as to shed light on the subtasks that have arisen and since evolved. Finally, new trends and future directions are discussed along with the challenges which still remain unsolved.
Ethically Questionable Behavior and Consumerism in Uganda
Authors: Katono Isaac Wasswa
Published: May 2016

While consumerism seems to be on the rise in many societies, little attempt has been made to link consumerism to unethical behavior and its antecedents namely work ethic and perceived unfairness. The purpose of this study is to compare female and male perceptions of work ethic, unethical behavior and consumerism, and use this as a basis to examine whether unethical behavior and its antecedents explain consumerism in an emerging market context where consumer protection is at a minimum. Based on a cross sectional survey research design, this study uses valid measures from previous studies to collect data from a systematic sample of students from a large private university, Findings indicate that women and male students do not differ much on most of the items on the three scales. Further the study finds a direct link between perceived unfairness, unethical behavior and consumerism, while work ethic and consumerism are mediated by unethical behavior. Implications for government and business organizations are discussed.
Directly Elected Mayors vs. Council Appointed Mayors – Which Effects on Local Government Systems?
Authors: García María Jesús García , Sancino Alessandro
Published: June 2016

This chapter compares the Italian and the Spanish case discussing the influence of having elected or appointed mayors on local government systems. Five elements of the local government systems are compared: the electoral system and its influences on the political composition of the local government; the local government structure and the distribution of functions and powers between Mayor and council; the role of political parties; scrutiny of executive and accountability; citizen participation. Our comparative analysis highlights that overall directly elected mayors have ensured better efficiency in terms of quicker and faster decision making processes, even if mostly at the expenses of democratic representation. Having direct or appointed mayors also impacted on accountability and legitimacy patterns. However, all these effects depended not only on the way mayor is elected, but mostly on other mechanisms, such as, for example, the strong majority prize provided by the electoral law and the bond of coexistence existing between the mayor and the council.
Changing Local Government System in Japan
Authors: Ohsugi Satoru
Published: June 2016

As Japanese society has already entered on the phase of historically first rapid and big decline of population and unprecedented aging society. Japanese governments, both central and local, started to propose varieties of policies for local revitalization along with local governmental reform and reorganization. This chapter aims firstly to explain the historical background and structure of local government system in Japan, next to examine the varieties of recent reforms putting impact on local government system, such as decentralization reform, structural reform and so on, and then to consider how to tackle with many challenging problems in the age of aging, shrinking population society.
Coping Better with the Project´s Unknown Unknowns
Authors: Schoper Yvonne-Gabriele , Böhle Fritz , Heidling Eckhard
Published: May 2016

It is the goal of management to overcome and delete uncertainty. Uncertainty is seen as an obstacle and threat for successful management. However projects are full of uncertainty. Successful project management therefore aims to overcome and ideally delete uncertainty as far as possible. In project management, uncertainty and risk are often used synonymously. Current project management methodology contains only technics how to manage risk in projects. The assessment of risks is based on the precondition of stable conditions and the idea that the influencing parameters are known, assessable and calculable. Since more than 2,000 years it is the aim of the Western cultures to master the nature by natural sciences and mathematics. In the last three centuries of Modern Philosophy the perspective developed that analytical scientific know how (episteme) and technical skills (techne) can master any kind of complexity and risk. The third traditional Aristotelian competence, the practical wisdom (phronesis) however was perceived as not acknowledgeable.
Managing Risks in the Innovation Projects in the Services Sector
Authors: Stancu Stelian
Published: May 2016

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a review on the similarities and/or the heterogeneity of the innovation taxonomy that could be found in the economic domain highlighting that in the specialized literature different terms are used for the same type of technical change and innovation and the same term is used for different types of innovation. This classification ambiguity represents a challenge when comparing different studies. Schumpeter highlights how technical knowledge is acquired both through invention and innovation. A detailed review of the innovation taxonomy in an economy of innovation will be provided. Taxonomy of innovation in the technology management is also provided. An analysis of the innovation projects characteristics in service industry is presented, as the basis for a proposed framework for managing risks. A case study for the Romanian mobile communication industry using data provided by specialized publications is presented at the end of the chapter.
Alternative Concepts of Economic Development and Their Implications for Higher Education
Authors: García Isaías Álvarez , Flores Juan de Luna , Haro Maribel del Carmen Casas
Published: May 2016

This chapter is an academic essay that presents six theoretical concepts about economic human development that allow the leaders and the teaching staff of the institutions of higher education to understand that the growth and integral development of a country does not only rely on the fruits of a given ideology or economic system, in a fixed time, but on the integral human development of the peoples from their culture, customs, idiosyncrasy, production means, integration with other nations, among other ways of expressing their identity and their ways of life. These concepts are: 1) economic and social growth, 2) self-sufficiency, 3) interdependence, 4) self-determination, 5) knowledge as a transformation strategy, and 6) integral human development. It is proposed the analysis of these concepts to explore utilization alternatives for the development of future research works.
Evaluation of the Management of Second Language Study Development Program at Secondary School in Mexico
Authors: Bricaire Jorge Mejía , Espinosa Edgar Oliver Cardoso , Hurtado Fernando Briseño , Mendoza Joel García
Published: May 2016

It is currently determining programmes of teaching of foreign language especially in Latin American countries, to go in line with quality policies demanded by international agencies. In Mexico the Second Language Study Development Program (English), represents a new model for the teaching of English as a second language. The present paper aims to propose indicators that allow to evaluate the academic governance of this program at the secondary level, based on the general theory of systems and above all in the pursuit of a quality education; the criteria are: teachers; Teaching-learning processes; Infrastructure support and training materials; certification; Accreditation of the subject index; Learning products; Planning; Students and address. The above demonstrates the need to develop indicators that can serve as a guide for the constant improvement of the management of the programme, and to ensure the students English learning.
Análise das variáveis intervenientes na tomada de decisão ética do profissional contábil
Authors: Feil Alexandre André
Published: June 2016

O escopo central deste estudo é identificar e analisar as variáveis intervenientes que influenciam na tomada de decisão ética dos profissionais contábeis, em uma região localizada no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. A metodologia empregada é quantitativa e exploratória descritiva. Os procedimentos técnicos compreendem a aplicação de questionários com resposta vinculadas a escalalikert, compreendendo uma unidade amostral de 122 profissionais da contabilidade, e sua análise ocorre através da estatística não paramétrica, tais como, a regressão logística e a correlação de Spearman. Os resultados revelam que os profissionais contábeis que concordam totalmente com a importância do Código de Ética Profissional do Contador (CEPC) como guia de conduta representam 59% e em cumpri-lo nas tomadas de decisões em 63,9%. O modelo de regressão logística previu que os profissionais que cumprem o CEPC e não cumprem, respectivamente com uma certeza de 87,5% e 100%. As atitudes em relação ao CEPC destes profissionais contábeis pode ser explicada pela importância e utilização deste como guia de conduta, com uma certeza de previsão de 95,5%. As variáveis intervenientes que foram significativas ao nível de 0,01 e 0,05 no cumprimento do CEPC relacionam-se a religiosidade, a relevância e ao auxílio que o código proporciona na conduta profissional. Conclui-se, que a tomada de decisão ética do profissional contábil é influenciada pela sua religiosidade e a relevância e auxilio que o CEPC proporciona para este profissional.
Factors contributing to the low uptake of medical male circumcision in Mutare Rural District, Zimbabwe
Authors: Chiringa Irene O. , Ramathuba Dorah U. , Mashau Ntsieni S.
Published: May 2016

Background: Medical male circumcision (MMC) has become a significant dimension of HIV prevention interventions, after the results of three randomised controlled trials in Uganda, South Africa and Kenya demonstrated that circumcision has a protective effect against contracting HIV of up to 60%. Following recommendations by the World Health Organization, Zimbabwe in 2009 adopted voluntary MMC as an additional HIV prevention strategy to the existing ABC behaviour change model.Purpose: The purpose of this study is thus to investigate the factors contributing to the low uptake of MMC.Methods: The study was a quantitative cross-sectional survey conducted in Mutare rural district, Zimbabwe. Questionnaires with open- and closed-ended questions were administered to the eligible respondents. The target population were male participants aged 15–29 who met the inclusion criteria. The households were systematically selected with a sample size of 234. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to analyse the data.Results: Socioculturally, circumcised men are viewed as worthless (37%), shameful (30%) and are tainted as promiscuous (20%), psychological factors reported were infection and delayed healing (39%), being ashamed and dehumanised (58%), stigmatised and discriminated (40.2%) and fear of having an erection during treatment period (89.7%) whilst socio-economic factors were not having time, as it will take their time from work (58%) and complications may arise leading to spending money on treatment (84%).Conclusion: Knowledge deficits regarding male medical circumcision lead to low uptake, education on male medical circumcision and its benefits. Comprehensive sexual health education should target men and dispel negative attitudes related to the use of health services.Keywords: Factors, Low uptake, Medical Male Circumcision (MMC)
Double Trouble in a Patient with Coronary Ectasia, Bradycardia with Angina: Epiphenomenal or Mechanistic Association
Authors: Rameh Vanessa , Kossaify Antoine
Published: June 2016

Coronary artery ectasia is a rare angiographical finding, and it accounts for less than 5% of all coronary angiograms. We report a case of a 55-year-old male patient who presented with fatigue and exertional chest pain. Paraclinical tests revealed cardiac ischemia and sinus node dysfunction, as well as coronary artery ectasia without significant coronary stenosis. Factors involved in cardiac ischemia in this context comprise slow flow, poor collateral circulation, microcirculatory dysfunction, lack of adequate exertional coronary vasodilatation, and endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, poor collaterals with rudimentary sinus node artery may explain sinus node dysfunction. Discussion is made in light of the relevant medical literature.
Об одном варианте бесконечномерной теоремы Борсука-Улама для многозначных отображений
Authors: Gel'man Boris Danilovich
Published: May 2016

Статья посвящена доказательству бесконечномерной теоремы Борсука-Улама для случая нечетных многозначных
вполне непрерывных отображений с выпуклыми образами, определенных на множествах уровня четных функций. Результаты статьи являются новыми даже для однозначных отображений. В заключение статьи рассматриваются некоторые приложения доказанной теоремы в анализе и дифференциальных уравнениях.
Библиография: 12 названий.
Conveying Cappadocia. A new representation model for rock-cave architecture by contour lines and chromatic codes
Authors: Colonnese Fabio , Carpiceci Marco , Inglese Carlo
Published: May 2016

Architectural heritage preservation is based on an in-depth, multi-layered and interdisciplinary knowledge of the cultural heritage sites, especially when they are a combination between natural and artificial, such as rupestrian (cave) architecture often is. Survey and representation of rock-cut architecture is one of the most problematic issues for a number of problems concerning the geometrical complexity of the interior and exterior enveloping surfaces. Laserscanner is an appropriate tool concerning the registration of geometric and spatial properties of artificial caves in continuity with the external topography, but automatic representations are often unable to convey their hidden geometric and spatial relationships. In the context of a work methodology customized on the rupestrian habitat of Cappadocia (Turkey), the authors developed an original envisioning model in which an associate use of contour lines and chromatic codes transforms traditional orthogonal projections after the numeric model into drawings able to offer a synthesis and transmit the complex forms and relationships of rupestrian settlements.
Reliability of the Client-Centeredness of Goal Setting (C–COGS) Scale in Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Authors: Doig Emmah , Prescott Sarah , Fleming Jennifer , Cornwell Petrea , Kuipers Pim
Published: June 2016

OBJECTIVE. To examine the internal reliability and test–retest reliability of the Client-Centeredness of Goal Setting (C–COGS) scale.

METHOD. The C–COGS scale was administered to 42 participants with acquired brain injury after completion of multidisciplinary goal planning. Internal reliability of scale items was examined using item–partial total correlations and Cronbach’s α coefficient. The scale was readministered within a 1-mo period to a subsample of 12 participants to examine test–retest reliability by calculating exact and close percentage agreement for each item.

RESULTS. After examination of item–partial total correlations, test items were revised. The revised items demonstrated stronger internal consistency than the original items. Preliminary evaluation of test–retest reliability was fair, with an average exact percent agreement across all test items of 67%.

CONCLUSION. Findings support the preliminary reliability of the C–COGS scale as a tool to evaluate and promote client-centered goal planning in brain injury rehabilitation.
At the Crossroads: The Embedding Work of Market Participants in and around Markets
Authors: Bernhard Stefan
Published: May 2016

Market participants stand at the intersection of at least two perennial contexts: their target market and their experience in other social spheres. A question remains regarding how market participants manage this position at the crossroads and how it affects their market activities. Thus far, market sociology has paid scant attention to these issues. To more closely investigate the enmeshment of market participants in multiple contexts, this article introduces the concept of embedding work and applies it to self-employed market participants, who engage in embedding work in two directions: They establish equivalences to target markets and biographic experiences, and at the same time, they draw distinctions from these contexts. Case studies of nascent entrepreneurs in Germany illustrate how embedding work impacts the choice of target markets and the maneuvering within these markets. The article contributes to market sociology by dealing with the embedding of markets in other social contexts as mediated by market participants.
Skype as a Tool for Qualitative Research Interviews
Authors: Lo Iacono Valeria , Symonds Paul , Brown David H.K.
Published: May 2016

Internet based methods of communication are becoming increasingly important and influencing researchers’ options. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technologies (such as Skype and FaceTime) provide us with the ability to interview research participants using voice and video across the internet via a synchronous (real-time) connection. This paper highlights the advantages of using Skype to conduct qualitative interviews and weighs these advantages against any limitations and issues that using this tool may raise. This paper argues that Skype opens up new possibilities by allowing us to contact participants worldwide in a time efficient and financially affordable manner, thus increasing the variety of our samples. At the same time, the use of Skype affects the areas of rapport, non-verbal cues and ethics by creating limitations but also new opportunities. The observations in this paper stem from two different researches, carried out by the authors, on dance (as a form of trans/cultural heritage) and wayfinding (the experience of getting from A to B in various settings). These studies lent themselves to using Skype for qualitative interviews, because of the need to reach an international, varied and purposeful sample. The researchers’ experiences, combined with feedback from participants in Skype interviews, are used in this paper. The conclusion is that, although VoIP mediated interviews cannot completely replace face to face interaction, they work well as a viable alternative or complimentary data collection tool for qualitative researchers. This paper argues that VoIP based interviews offer new opportunities for researchers and should be embraced with confidence.
Organic Aerosol source apportionment in London 2013 with ME-2: exploring the solution space with annual and seasonal analysis
Authors: Reyes-Villegas Ernesto , Green David C. , Priestman Max , Canonaco Francesco , Coe Hugh , Prévôt André S. H. , Allan James D.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. The Multilinear Engine (ME-2) factorisation tool is being widely used following the recent development of the Source Finder (SoFi) interphase at PSI. However, the success of this tool, when using the a-value approach, largely depends on the inputs (i.e. target profiles) applied as well as the experience of the user. A strategy to explore the solution space is proposed to objectively determine the solution that best deconvolves the organic aerosol (OA) sources where trilinear regression has proven to be a useful tool to compare different ME-2 solutions. Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (ACSM) measurements were carried out at the urban-background site of North Kensington, London from March to December 2013, where for the first time the behaviour of OA sources and their possible environmental implications are studied using an ACSM. Five OA sources were identified: biomass burning OA (BBOA), hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA), cooking OA (COA), semivolatile oxygenated OA (SVOOA) and low-volatility oxygenated OA (LVOOA). ME-2 analysis of the seasonal datasets (spring, summer and autumn) showed a higher seasonal variability in the OA sources that was not detected when the March-December dataset was analysed; this variability was explored with the triangle plots f44 : f43 f44 : f60, with HOA and COA being the most suitable sources to constrain. Further analysis on the atmospheric implications of these OA sources was carried out, identifying evidence of the possible contribution of heavy-duty diesel vehicles to air pollution during weekdays compared to those fuelled by petrol.
Update on GOSAT TANSO-FTS performance, operations, and data products after more than 6 years in space
Authors: Kuze Akihiko , Suto Hiroshi , Shiomi Kei , Kawakami Shuji , Tanaka Makoto , Ueda Yoko , Deguchi Akira , Yoshida Jun , Yamamoto Yoshifumi , Kataoka Fumie , Taylor Thomas E. , Buijs Henry L.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. A data set containing more than 6 years (February 2009 to present) of radiance spectra for carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) observations has been acquired by the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT, available at http://data.gosat.nies.go.jp/GosatUserInterfaceGateway/guig/GuigPage/open.do), nicknamed “Ibuki”, Thermal And Near infrared Sensor for carbon Observation Fourier Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS). This paper provides updates on the performance of the satellite and TANSO-FTS sensor and describes important changes to the data product, which has recently been made available to users. With these changes the typical accuracy of retrieved column-averaged dry air mole fractions of CO2 and CH4 (XCO2 and XCH4, respectively) are 2 ppm or 0.5 % and 13 ppb or 0.7 %, respectively. Three major anomalies of the satellite system affecting TANSO-FTS are reported: a failure of one of the two solar paddles in May 2014, a switch to the secondary pointing system in January 2015, and most recently a cryocooler shutdown and restart in August 2015. The Level 1A (L1A) (raw interferogram) and the Level 1B (L1B) (radiance spectra) of version V201 described here have long-term uniform quality and provide consistent retrieval accuracy even after the satellite system anomalies. In addition, we discuss the unique observation abilities of GOSAT made possible by an agile pointing mechanism, which allows for optimization of global sampling patterns.
Temperature and moisture effects on greenhouse gas emissions from deep active-layer boreal soils
Authors: Bond-Lamberty Ben , Smith A. Peyton , Bailey Vanessa
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Rapid climatic changes, rising air temperatures, and increased fires are expected to drive permafrost degradation and alter soil carbon (C) cycling in many high-latitude ecosystems. How these soils will respond to changes in their temperature, moisture, and overlying vegetation is highly uncertain, but critical to understand given the large soil C stocks in these regions. We used a laboratory experiment to examine how temperature and moisture control CO2 and CH4 emissions from mineral soils sampled from the bottom of the annual active layer, i.e. directly above permafrost, in an Alaskan boreal forest. Gas emissions from thirty cores, subjected to two temperatures and either field moisture conditions or experimental drought, were tracked over a 100-day incubation; we also measured a variety of physical and chemical characteristics of the cores. Gravimetric water content was 0.31 ± 0.12 (unitless) at the beginning of the incubation; cores at field moisture were unchanged at the end, but drought cores had declined to 0.06 ± 0.04. Carbon dioxide fluxes were strongly influenced by incubation chamber temperature, core water content, and percent soil nitrogen, and had a temperature sensitivity (Q10) of 1.3 and 1.9 for the field moisture and drought treatments, respectively. Methane emissions were most strongly correlated with percent nitrogen, but neither temperature nor water content was a significant first-order predictor of CH4 fluxes. The cumulative production of C from CO2 was over six orders of magnitudes higher than that from CH4. These results suggest that deep active-layer soils may be much more sensitive to changes in moisture than to temperature, a critical factor as discontinuous permafrost melts in interior Alaska. Deep but unfrozen high-latitude soils have been shown to be strongly affected by long-term experimental warming, and these results provide insight into their future dynamics and feedback potential with future climate change.
The use of regression for assessing a seasonal forecast model experiment
Authors: Benestad Rasmus E. , Senan Retish , Orsolini Yvan
Published: May 2016

Abstract. We demonstrate how factorial regression can be used to analyse numerical model experiments, testing the effect of different model settings. We analysed results from a coupled atmosphere-ocean model to explore how the different choices in the experimental set-up influence the seasonal predictions. These choices included a representation of the sea-ice and the choice of top of the atmosphere, and the results suggested that the simulated monthly mean temperatures poleward of the mid-latitudes are highly sensitivity to the specification of the top of the atmosphere, interpreted as the presence or absence of a stratosphere. The seasonal forecasts for the mid-to-high latitudes were also sensitive to whether the model set-up included a dynamic or non-dynamics sea-ice representation, although this effect was less important than the role of the stratosphere. The temperature in the tropics was insensitive to these choices.
COMPARISON OF ZEB1 AND LEICA C10 INDOOR LASER SCANNING POINT CLOUDS
Authors: Sirmacek Beril , Shen Yueqian , Lindenbergh Roderik , Zlatanova Sisi , Diakite Abdoulaye
Published: June 2016

Abstract. We present a comparison of point cloud generation and quality of data acquired by Zebedee (Zeb1) and Leica C10 devices which are used in the same building interior. Both sensor devices come with different practical and technical advantages. As it could be expected, these advantages come with some drawbacks. Therefore, depending on the requirements of the project, it is important to have a vision about what to expect from different sensors. In this paper, we provide a detailed analysis of the point clouds of the same room interior acquired from Zeb1 and Leica C10 sensors. First, it is visually assessed how different features appear in both the Zeb1 and Leica C10 point clouds. Next, a quantitative analysis is given by comparing local point density, local noise level and stability of local normals. Finally, a simple 3D room plan is extracted from both the Zeb1 and the Leica C10 point clouds and the lengths of constructed line segments connecting corners of the room are compared. The results show that Zeb1 is far superior in ease of data acquisition. No heavy handling, hardly no measurement planning and no point cloud registration is required from the operator. The resulting point cloud has a quality in the order of centimeters, which is fine for generating a 3D interior model of a building. Our results also clearly show that fine details of for example ornaments are invisible in the Zeb1 data. If point clouds with a quality in the order of millimeters are required, still a high-end laser scanner like the Leica C10 is required, in combination with a more sophisticated, time-consuming and elaborative data acquisition and processing approach.
REFINEMENT OF COLORED MOBILE MAPPING DATA USING INTENSITY IMAGES
Authors: Yamakawa T. , Fukano K. , Onodera R. , Masuda H.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Mobile mapping systems (MMS) can capture dense point-clouds of urban scenes. For visualizing realistic scenes using point-clouds, RGB colors have to be added to point-clouds. To generate colored point-clouds in a post-process, each point is projected onto camera images and a RGB color is copied to the point at the projected position. However, incorrect colors are often added to point-clouds because of the misalignment of laser scanners, the calibration errors of cameras and laser scanners, or the failure of GPS acquisition. In this paper, we propose a new method to correct RGB colors of point-clouds captured by a MMS. In our method, RGB colors of a point-cloud are corrected by comparing intensity images and RGB images. However, since a MMS outputs sparse and anisotropic point-clouds, regular images cannot be obtained from intensities of points. Therefore, we convert a point-cloud into a mesh model and project triangle faces onto image space, on which regular lattices are defined. Then we extract edge features from intensity images and RGB images, and detect their correspondences. In our experiments, our method worked very well for correcting RGB colors of point-clouds captured by a MMS.
MODELLING STEEP SURFACES BY VARIOUS CONFIGURATIONS OF NADIR AND OBLIQUE PHOTOGRAMMETRY
Authors: Casella V. , Franzini M.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Among the parts of the territory requiring periodical and careful monitoring, many have steep surfaces: quarries, river basins, land-slides, dangerous mountainsides. Aerial photogrammetry based on lightweight unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is rapidly becoming the tool of election to survey limited areas of land with a high level of detail. Aerial photogrammetry is traditionally based on vertical images and only recently the use of significantly inclined imagery has been considered. Oblique photogrammetry presents peculiar aspects and offers improved capabilities for steep surface reconstruction. Full comprehension of oblique photogrammetry still requires research efforts and the evaluation of diverse case studies. In the present paper, the focus is on the photogrammetric UAS-based survey of a part of a large sandpit. Various flight configurations are considered: ordinary linear strips, radial strips (as the scarp considered has a semi-circular shape) and curved ones; moreover, nadir looking and oblique image blocks were acquired. Around 300 control points were measured with a topographic total station. The various datasets considered are evaluated in terms of density of the extracted point cloud and in terms of the distance between the reconstructed surface and a number of check points.
A NEW ALGORITHM FOR VOID FILLING IN A DSM FROM STEREO SATELLITE IMAGES IN URBAN AREAS
Authors: Gharib Bafghi Z. , Tian J. , d'Angelo P. , Reinartz P.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Digital Surface Models (DSM) derived from stereo-pair satellite images are the main sources for many Geo-Informatics applications like 3D change detection, object classification and recognition. However since occlusion especially in urban scenes result in some deficiencies in the stereo matching phase, these DSMs contain some voids. In order to fill the voids a range of algorithms have been proposed, mainly including interpolation alone or along with auxiliary DSM. In this paper an algorithm for void filling in DSM from stereo satellite images has been developed. Unlike common previous approaches we didn’t use any external DSM to fill the voids. Our proposed algorithm uses only the original images and the unfilled DSM itself. First a neighborhood around every void in the unfilled DSM and its corresponding area in multispectral image is defined. Then it is analysed to extract both spectral and geometric texture and accordingly to assign labels to each cell in the voids. This step contains three phases comprising shadow detection, height thresholding and image segmentation. Thus every cell in void has a label and is filled by the median value of its co-labelled neighbors. The results for datasets from WorldView-2 and IKONOS are shown and discussed.
DIRECT IMAGE-TO-GEOMETRY REGISTRATION USING MOBILE SENSOR DATA
Authors: Kehl C. , Buckley S. J. , Gawthorpe R. L. , Viola I. , Howell J. A.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. Adding supplementary texture and 2D image-based annotations to 3D surface models is a useful next step for domain specialists to make use of photorealistic products of laser scanning and photogrammetry. This requires a registration between the new camera imagery and the model geometry to be solved, which can be a time-consuming task without appropriate automation. The increasing availability of photorealistic models, coupled with the proliferation of mobile devices, gives users the possibility to complement their models in real time. Modern mobile devices deliver digital photographs of increasing quality, as well as on-board sensor data, which can be used as input for practical and automatic camera registration procedures. Their familiar user interface also improves manual registration procedures. This paper introduces a fully automatic pose estimation method using the on-board sensor data for initial exterior orientation, and feature matching between an acquired photograph and a synthesised rendering of the orientated 3D scene as input for fine alignment. The paper also introduces a user-friendly manual camera registration- and pose estimation interface for mobile devices, based on existing surface geometry and numerical optimisation methods. The article further assesses the automatic algorithm’s accuracy compared to traditional methods, and the impact of computational- and environmental parameters. Experiments using urban and geological case studies show a significant sensitivity of the automatic procedure to the quality of the initial mobile sensor values. Changing natural lighting conditions remain a challenge for automatic pose estimation techniques, although progress is presented here. Finally, the automatically-registered mobile images are used as the basis for adding user annotations to the input textured model.
AUTOMATIC CONSTRUCTION OF HIERARCHICAL ROAD NETWORKS
Authors: Yang Weiping
Published: June 2016

Abstract. This paper describes an automated method of constructing a hierarchical road network given a single dataset, without the presence of thematic attributes. The method is based on a pattern graph which maintains nodes and paths as junctions and through-traffic roads. The hierarchy is formed incrementally in a top-down fashion for highways, ramps, and major roads directly connected to ramps; and bottom-up for the rest of major and minor roads. Through reasoning and analysis, ramps are identified as unique characteristics for recognizing and assembling high speed roads. The method makes distinctions on the types of ramps by articulating their connection patterns with highways. Major and minor roads will be identified by both quantitative and qualitative analysis of spatial properties and by discovering neighbourhood patterns revealed in the data. The result of the method would enrich data description and support comprehensive queries on sorted exit or entry points on highways and their related roads. The enrichment on road network data is important to a high successful rate of feature matching for road networks and to geospatial data integration.
ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OFWAVE PATTERNS ON REFRACTION IN AIRBORNE LIDAR BATHYMETRY
Authors: Westfeld P. , Richter K. , Maas H.-G. , Weiß Robert
Published: June 2016

Abstract. This contribution investigates the effects of wave patterns on 3D point coordinate accuracy in LiDAR bathymetry. The finite diameter refracted laser pulse path passing the air/water interface is modelled differentially and in a strict manner. Typical wave patterns are simulated and their impact on the 3D coordinates at the bottom of the water body are analysed. It can be shown that the effects of waves within small LiDAR bathymetry footprints on the depth and planimetry coordinates is significant. Planimetric effects may reach several decimetres or even metres, and depth coordinate errors also reach several decimetres, even in case of horizontal water body bottom. The simplified assumption of averaging wave effects often made in many ALB applications is not only fulfilled in cases of a very large beam divergence under certain wave pattern conditions. Modern smaller beam divergence systems will mostly experience significant wave pattern dependent coordinate errors. The results presented here thus form a basis for a more strict coordinate correction if the wave pattern can be modelled from the LiDAR bathymetry water surface reflections or other observations. Moreover, it will be shown that the induced coordinate errors contain systematic parts in addition to the local wave surface dependent quasi-random part, which allows for the formulation of wave pattern type dependent correction terms.
DEVELOPING THE STABILIZED MAPPING SYSTEM FOR THE GYROCOPTER – REPORT FROM THE FIRST TESTS
Authors: Kolecki J. , Prochaska M. , Kurczyński Z. , Piątek P. , Baranowski J.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. The LiDAR mapping carried out using gyrocopters provides a relatively cheap alternative for traditional mapping involving airplanes. The costs of the fuel and the overall maintenance are much lower when compared to planes. At the same time the flight kinematics of the gyrocopter makes it an ideal vehicle for corridor mapping. However a limited payload and a strongly limited space prevent using stabilized platforms dedicated for aerial photogrammetry. As the proper stabilization of the laser scanner during the flight is crucial in order to keep the desirable quality of the LiDAR data, it was decided to develop the prototype of the stabilized, ultra-light mapping platform that can meet the restricted requirements of the gyrocopter. The paper starts with the brief discussion of the legal and practical aspects of the LiDAR data quality, dealing mostly with the influence of the flight imperfections on the point pattern and point density. Afterwards the mapping system prototype is characterized, taking into account three main components: stabilized platform, sensors and control. Subsequently first in-flight tests are described. Though the data are still not perfect mostly due to vibrations, the stabilization provides a substantial improvement of their geometry, reducing both roll and pitch deflections.
Articulated blade tip devices for load alleviation on wind turbines
Authors: Bottasso Carlo L. , Croce Alessandro , Gualdoni Federico , Montinari Pierluigi , Riboldi Carlo E. D.
Published: June 2016

Abstract. This paper investigates the load alleviation capabilities of an articulated tip device, where the outermost portion of the blade can rotate with respect to the rest of the blade. Passive, semi-passive and active solutions are developed for the tip rotation. In the passive and semi-passive configurations tip pitching is mainly driven by aerodynamic loads, while for the active case the rotation is obtained with an actuator commanded by a feedback control law. Each configuration is analyzed and tested using a high-fidelity aeroservoelastic simulation environment, by considering standard operative conditions as well as fault situations. The potential benefits of the proposed blade tip concepts are discussed in terms of performance and robustness.
The Universal Non-Neuronal Nature of Parkinson's Disease: A Theory
Authors: Valente Andre X.C.N. , Adilbayeva Altynai , Tokay Tursonjan , Rizvanov Albert
Published: June 2016

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, yet the etiology of the majority of its cases remains unknown. In this manuscript, relevant published evidence is interpreted and integrated into a comprehensive hypothesis on the nature, origin, and inter-cellular mode of propagation of sporadic PD. We propose to characterize sporadic PD as a pathological deviation in the global gene expression program of a cell: the PD expression-state, or PD-state for short. A universal cell-generic state, the PD-state deviation would be particularly damaging in a neuronal context, ultimately leading to neuron death and the ensuing observed clinical signs. We review why ageing associated accumulated damage caused by oxidative stress in mitochondria could be the trigger for a primordial cell to shift to the PD-state. We propose that hematopoietic cells could be the first to acquire the PD-state, at hematopoiesis, from the disruption in reactive oxygen species homeostasis that arises with age in the hematopoietic stem-cell niche. We argue that cellular ageing is nevertheless unlikely to explain the shift to the PD-state of all the subsequently affected cells in a patient, thus indicating the existence of a distinct mechanism of cellular propagation of the PD-state. We highlight recently published findings on the inter-cellular exchange of mitochondrial DNA and the ability of mitochondrial DNA to modulate the cellular global gene expression state and propose this could form the basis for the inter-cellular transmission of the PD-state.
AVALIAÇÃO DOS COEFICIENTES DE SEGURANÇA DOS CÓDIGOS NORMATIVOS PARA REFORÇOS AO CISALHAMENTO EM VIGAS DE CONCRETO ARMADO REFORÇADAS COM PRFC
Authors: Villanova Menon Nara , Vieira Risson Adriano , Alexia Uno Lunna
Published: May 2016

RESUMO: O problema da avaliação do cisalhamento em vigas de concreto armado reforçadas por polímeros reforçados com fibras (PRF) é um assunto muito complexo. As atuais normas/códigos mais importantes e recomendações de pesquisadores quantificam o cisalhamento por meio de uma simples soma das contribuições do concreto (Vc), do aço (Vsw), e do PRF (Vf). Apresentar comparações entre as formulações analíticas dos mais importantes códigos e recomendações disponíveis na literatura e avaliar os coeficientes de segurança propostos utilizando dados obtidos de resultados provenientes de investigações experimentais é o objetivo deste trabalho. Desenvolveu-se uma série de comparações entre as normas e recomendações NBR 6118 (2014), EUROCODE 2 (1992), ACI 318M (2011), ACI 440.2R (2008), fib BULLETIN 14 - TG 9.3 (2001) e CNR-DT 200 (2004). A base de dados foi feita pelos resultados experimentais de 30 vigas de concreto armado reforçadas. Observou-se que algumas normas são mais restritivas em relação às outras, oferecendo uma menor contribuição ao reforço, sendo, portanto, mais seguras. As informações permitiram demonstrar através de gráficos que o comportamento esperado, possível devido ao uso dos coeficientes de segurança, mantiveram os valores de cálculo muito abaixo dos valores de ruptura. Este trabalho pretende contribuir para a melhor utilização da combinação das principais normas utilizadas. ABSTRACT: The problem of the evaluation of the shear strength in RC beams strengthened with fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) is a very complex subject. The actual most important codes/recommendations quantify the nominal shear strength by a simple sum of the contributions to concrete (Vc), steel (Vsw), and FRP (Vf). This paper presents a broad comparison between the experimental results sourced from a number of experimental investigations and the analytical formulation of the most important codes/recommendations available in literature NBR 6118 (2014), EUROCODE 2 (1992), ACI 318M (2011), ACI 440-2R (2008), fib BULLETIN 14 - TG 9.3 (2001) and CNR-DT 200 (2004) and analyses the safety factors. Experimental results of 30 RC beams strengthened with PRFC made the database. Some guides are more restrictive in respect of the others, giving a minor contribution to the strengthening and, therefore, gives more safety. Graphics Comparisons between the experimental results and the corresponding analytical formulations demonstrated the expected behavior, possible due to the use of safety factors and the design values remained below to the collapses values. This work aims to contribute to the best use of the combination of the main codes used.
Suicide Terrorism: Perspectives from Muslims in Northern Ghana
Authors: Frimpong Agyemang
Published: June 2016

Suicide terrorism has been on the rise in most parts of the world after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Ghana as a country is yet to experience any acts of terrorism but recent events in some parts of Northern Nigeria, Kenya, and Somalia and in the Arabian Peninsula have given policymakers a great concern. Some African Muslims with ties to radical Islamic organizations have embraced this phenomenon as a means of settling their grievances. This article attempts to examine the phenomenon of suicide terrorism from the perspectives of Muslims in Northern Ghana. The paper discusses some of the rationale behind the phenomenon and various efforts that have been made to address the psychology behind the phenomenon. It was established that individual psychopathology alone is not the only reason for suicide terrorism but intertwined with other social conditions. In order to develop the appropriate responses and policies to protect the people, there is the need to understand these social conditions. It concludes by discussing the reason why adopting combative approach to the issue has not worked and recommends the use of economic development as well as cultural integration in changing the psychology behind the phenomenon.Keywords: suicide terrorism, psychopathology, homegrwon terrorists; lonewolf terrorists