bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Considering Water Quality of Urban Rivers from the Perspectives of Unpleasant Odor
Authors: Sado-Inamura Yukako , Fukushi Kensuke
Published: February 2018

Surface water degradation in urban areas is a common problem in many countries, and degradation hampers ecosystem services provided by rivers, having negative impacts on aquatic organisms and human beings. Unpleasant odor arising from impaired rivers causes annoyance to people, and the study quantitatively analyzed unpleasantness of odor in Tokyo through the application of hedonic tones of odor. Unpleasantness remained or worsened while overall dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration increased downstream. The phenomenon is considered to be caused by multiple external factors, such as combined sewer outflow, hypoxia at Tokyo Bay, and effluent from water reclamation centers (WRC). Converting descriptive odor types into numeric values helped to see changes over time and enabled to depict the relation between DO concentration and the type of odor. In Tokyo, the ratio of effluent from WRC to stream flow increased over time, and it partially contributed to odor becoming more unpleasant. Malodor is no longer a major issue since the situation improved by developing an advanced treatment facility; however, human olfactory sense detects the existence of unpleasant odor in urban rivers. The study presented the complexity of analyzing odor problems in tidal urban areas because these are caused by external factors.
Proteomic Methods of Detection and Quantification of Protein Toxins
Authors: Duracova Miloslava , Klimentova Jana , Fucikova Alena , Dresler Jiri
Published: February 2018

Biological toxins are a heterogeneous group of compounds that share commonalities with biological and chemical agents. Among them, protein toxins represent a considerable, diverse set. They cover a broad range of molecular weights from less than 1000 Da to more than 150 kDa. This review aims to compare conventional detection methods of protein toxins such as in vitro bioassays with proteomic methods, including immunoassays and mass spectrometry-based techniques and their combination. Special emphasis is given to toxins falling into a group of selected agents, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as Staphylococcal enterotoxins, Bacillus anthracis toxins, Clostridium botulinum toxins, Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin, ricin from Ricinus communis, Abrin from Abrus precatorius or control of trade in dual-use items in the European Union, including lesser known protein toxins such as Viscumin from Viscum album. The analysis of protein toxins and monitoring for biological threats, i.e., the deliberate spread of infectious microorganisms or toxins through water, food, or the air, requires rapid and reliable methods for the early identification of these agents.
Modulating Vaccinia Virus Immunomodulators to Improve Immunological Memory
Authors: Albarnaz Jonas , Torres Alice , Smith Geoffrey
Published: February 2018

The increasing frequency of monkeypox virus infections, new outbreaks of other zoonotic orthopoxviruses and concern about the re-emergence of smallpox have prompted research into developing antiviral drugs and better vaccines against these viruses. This article considers the genetic engineering of vaccinia virus (VACV) to enhance vaccine immunogenicity and safety. The virulence, immunogenicity and protective efficacy of VACV strains engineered to lack specific immunomodulatory or host range proteins are described. The ultimate goal is to develop safer and more immunogenic VACV vaccines that induce long-lasting immunological memory.
Detection and Characterization of Homologues of Human Hepatitis Viruses and Pegiviruses in Rodents and Bats in Vietnam
Authors: Van Nguyen Dung , Van Nguyen Cuong , Bonsall David , Ngo Tue , Carrique-Mas Juan , Pham Anh , Bryant Juliet , Thwaites Guy , Baker Stephen , Woolhouse Mark , Simmonds Peter
Published: February 2018

Rodents and bats are now widely recognised as important sources of zoonotic virus infections in other mammals, including humans. Numerous surveys have expanded our knowledge of diverse viruses in a range of rodent and bat species, including their origins, evolution, and range of hosts. In this study of pegivirus and human hepatitis-related viruses, liver and serum samples from Vietnamese rodents and bats were examined by PCR and sequencing. Nucleic acids homologous to human hepatitis B, C, E viruses were detected in liver samples of 2 (1.3%) of 157 bats, 38 (8.1%), and 14 (3%) of 470 rodents, respectively. Hepacivirus-like viruses were frequently detected (42.7%) in the bamboo rat, Rhizomys pruinosus, while pegivirus RNA was only evident in 2 (0.3%) of 638 rodent serum samples. Complete or near-complete genome sequences of HBV, HEV and pegivirus homologues closely resembled those previously reported from rodents and bats. However, complete coding region sequences of the rodent hepacivirus-like viruses substantially diverged from all of the currently classified variants and potentially represent a new species in the Hepacivirus genus. Of the viruses identified, their routes of transmission and potential to establish zoonoses remain to be determined.
Study of the Interactions Between Bacteriophage phiIPLA-RODI and Four Chemical Disinfectants for the Elimination of Staphylococcus aureus Contamination
Authors: Agún Seila , Fernández Lucía , González-Menéndez Eva , Martínez Beatriz , Rodríguez Ana , García Pilar
Published: February 2018

Bacteriophages are currently considered as a promising alternative to antibiotics and disinfectants. However, the use of phages in different clinical and industrial settings will involve their exposure to other disinfectants. As a result, the outcome of the phage treatment will depend on two aspects derived from such interactions. On the one hand, the susceptibility of the phage to disinfectants at the concentrations used for disinfection and at lower residual concentrations needs to be determined. Additionally, the existence of synergistic or antagonistic interactions between phages and disinfectants would also affect the potential success of phage biocontrol applications. Here, we tested these effects for the antistaphylococcal phage phiIPLA-RODI by using four different disinfectants: benzalkonium chloride, triclosan, chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide. Our results highlight the differences between disinfectants regarding their effect on phage survival and antimicrobial properties. For instance, our data suggests that, out of the four disinfectants used, benzalkonium chloride would be the most adequate to use in settings where phages are to be applied. Nonetheless, this preliminary analysis grants the need for further studies with a larger number of disinfectants for the development of a phiIPLA-RODI-based product.
Increased Levels of Txa2 Induced by Dengue Virus Infection in IgM Positive Individuals Is Related to the Mild Symptoms of Dengue
Authors: Oliveira Eneida , Colombarolli Stella , Nascimento Camila , Batista Izabella , Ferreira Jorge , Alvarenga Daniele , De Sousa Laís , Assis Rafael , Rocha Marcele , Alves Érica , Calzavara-Silva Carlos
Published: February 2018

The inflammatory process plays a major role in the prognosis of dengue. In this context, the eicosanoids may have considerable influence on the regulation of the Dengue virus-induced inflammatory process. To quantify the molecules involved in the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways during Dengue virus infection, plasma levels of thromboxane A2, prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4; mRNA levels of thromboxane A2 synthase, prostaglandin E2 synthase, leukotriene A4 hydrolase, cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipoxygenase; and the levels of lipid bodies in peripheral blood leukocytes collected from IgM-positive and IgM-negative volunteers with mild dengue, and non-infected volunteers, were evaluated. Dengue virus infection increases the levels of thromboxane A2 in IgM-positive individuals as well as the amount of lipid bodies in monocytes in IgM-negative individuals. We suggest that increased levels of thromboxane A2 in IgM-positive individuals plays a protective role against the development of severe symptoms of dengue, such as vascular leakage.
The Enigmatic Alphavirus Non-Structural Protein 3 (nsP3) Revealing Its Secrets at Last
Authors: Götte Benjamin , Liu Lifeng , McInerney Gerald
Published: February 2018

Alphaviruses encode 4 non-structural proteins (nsPs), most of which have well-understood functions in capping and membrane association (nsP1), polyprotein processing and RNA helicase activity (nsP2) and as RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (nsP4). The function of nsP3 has been more difficult to pin down and it has long been referred to as the more enigmatic of the nsPs. The protein comprises three domains, an N-terminal macro domain, a central zinc-binding domain and a C-terminal hypervariable domain (HVD). In this article, we review old and new literature about the functions of the three domains. Much progress in recent years has contributed to a picture of nsP3, particularly through its HVD as a hub for interactions with host cell molecules, with multiple effects on the biology of the host cell at early points in infection. These and many future discoveries will provide targets for anti-viral therapies as well as strategies for modification of vectors for vaccine and oncolytic interventions.
The Emerging Role of Pattern Recognition Receptors in the Pathogenesis of Malaria
Authors: Kalantari Parisa
Published: February 2018

Despite a global effort to develop an effective vaccine, malaria is still a significant health problem. Much of the pathology of malaria is immune mediated. This suggests that host immune responses have to be finely regulated. The innate immune system initiates and sets the threshold of the acquired immune response and determines the outcome of the disease. Yet, our knowledge of the regulation of innate immune responses during malaria is limited. Theoretically, inadequate activation of the innate immune system could result in unrestrained parasite growth. Conversely, hyperactivation of the innate immune system, is likely to cause excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines and severe pathology. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have emerged as essential receptors which detect signature molecules and shape the complex host response during malaria infection. This review will highlight the mechanisms by which Plasmodium components are recognized by innate immune receptors with particular emphasis on TLRs. A thorough understanding of the complex roles of TLRs in malaria may allow the delineation of pathological versus protective host responses and enhance the efficacy of anti-malarial treatments and vaccines.
Water Price Optimization after the Melamchi Water Supply Project: Ensuring Affordability and Equitability for Consumer’s Water Use and Sustainability for Utilities
Authors: Ojha Rajit , Thapa Bhesh , Shrestha Sadhana , Shindo Junko , Ishidaira Hiroshi , Kazama Futaba
Published: February 2018

Sustainability of water supply services has been central to the main water supply agenda globally. In order to promote affordable, equitable, and sustainable water supply, this paper proposed a method to set the piped water price inside Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) is currently under construction inside the valley to tide over the water deficit. Domestic water use and expenditure data were obtained from a household survey of 1500 households. Post-MWSP were developed based upon per capita water use and water price. Equity and affordability were evaluated by comparing the ratio of water expenditure to total expenditure of households (expenditure ratio: ER) in each service area. The expenditure for piped water service and alternate water sources was taken into account to calculate the total water expenditure. Sustainability was measured as the ratio of operation and maintenance cost to the total revenue of the utility (Working ratio: WR). The results show that an increase in water price by approximately 54% over the current price is necessary to meet operation and maintenance costs, assuming the WR to be 0.7. Approximately 30% increase in water use (a minimum of 80 LPCD) can be maintained post MWSP. However, water use of 135 LPCD increased the ER by more than 1%, which was the threshold of water affordability and may cause ground water stress.
Case Study: Effects of a Partial-Debris Dam on Riverbank Erosion in the Parlung Tsangpo River, China
Authors: Choi Clarence , Cui Yifei , Au Kelvin , Liu Haiming , Wang Jiao , Liu Dingzhu , Wang Hao
Published: February 2018

This paper examines two successive debris flows that deposited a total of 1.4 million m3 of sediment into the Parlung Tsangpo River in China in 2010. As a result of these deposits, a partial-debris dam was formed in the river. This dam rerouted the discharge in the river along one of the riverbanks, which supported a highway. The rerouted discharge eroded the riverbank and the highway eventually collapsed. To enhance our understanding of the threat posed by partial-debris dams, a field investigation was carried out to measure the discharge in the river and to collect soil samples of the collapsed riverbank. Findings from the field investigation were then used to back-analyze fluvial erosion along the riverbank using a combined erosion framework proposed in this study. This combined framework adopts a dam-breach erosion model which can capture the progressive nature of fluvial erosion by considering the particle size distribution of the soil being eroded. The results from the back-analysis were then evaluated against unique high-resolution images obtained from satellites. This case study not only highlights the consequences of the formation of partial-debris dams on nearby infrastructure, but it also proposes the use of a combined erosion framework to provide a first-order assessment of riverbank stability. Unique high-resolution satellite images are used to assess the proposed erosion framework and key challenges in assessing erosion are discussed.
Tuber aztecorum sp. nov., a truffle species from Mexico belonging to the Maculatum clade (Tuberaceae, Pezizales)
Authors: Guevara-Guerrero Gonzalo , Bonito Gregory , Smith Matthew E. , Healy Roseanne , Grupe Arthur , Cazares Efren , Castellano Michael A. , Trappe James M.
Published: February 2018

A new species of truffle, T.aztecorum, is described from central Mexico. Tuberaztecorum can be distinguished from other related Tuber species synoptically by a combination of morphological features including ascospore size, pellis cells with irregular thickness, cystidia, ascoma colour and associated host (Abiesreligiosa an endemic Abies species from central Mexico); sequence variation on the ITS rDNA also distinguishes T.aztecorum from related species. A phylogenetic analysis of the ITS rDNA demonstrates that T.aztecorum belongs to the Maculatum clade and is unique from other similar small, white-cream coloured Tuber species distributed in north-eastern Mexico such as T.castilloi and T.guevarai.
France obscure vs France éclairée . L’instrumentalisation de la carte choroplèthe du baron Charles Dupin dans les débats sur la suppression ou le transfert de la Faculté de théologie de Montauban après 1830
Authors: de Falguerolles Antoine
Published: February 2018

Antoine de Falguerolles aborde la manière dont la carte choroplèthe du baron Charles Dupin (1826-1827) apparaît curieusement dans un débat qui concerne principalement le protestantisme français et plus largement, régime concordataire oblige, les instances politiques au xix e siècle. À partir d’un petit corpus de textes datant pour la majorité des années 1830, il retrace l’histoire de l’instrumentalisation de ce graphique statistique et de son auteur dans ce débat.
La Faculté de théologie protestante de Montauban (1890-1905) : crises et transitions
Authors: Vidal Gilles
Published: February 2018

En se penchant sur l’histoire de la Faculté de théologie protestante de Montauban, transférée en 1919 à Montpellier, l’hypothèse de départ de Gilles Vidal faisait de la promulgation de la Loi du 9 décembre 1905 concernant la séparation des Églises et de l’État une rupture signifiante, et donc un repère commode dans une tentative de périodisation de l’histoire de cette institution : on aurait un avant et un après puisque le statut de l’établissement passait de Faculté d’État intégrée à l’université de Toulouse à celui de Faculté libre 1 . En travaillant sur la composition du corps professoral ainsi que sur l’évolution du nombre d’étudiants, l’auteur s’aperçoit cependant assez vite que la césure, ou plus exactement les césures, ne se situent pas forcément et surtout uniquement à cet endroit qui a marqué si intensément la conscience historique du pays. L’étude de l’occupation des différentes chaires fait assez nettement apparaître trois phases de transition dans l’histoire de la Faculté : la première autour des années 1890, la deuxième en 1905-1906, la troisième en 1919. Seules les deux premières sont traitées dans le cadre restreint de cet article.
Complexité et perception des effets socioéconomiques de l’Entrepreneuriat Social : Cas des entreprises sociales au sud du Maroc
Authors: Majdouline Ilias , Elbaz Jamal
Published: February 2018

L’entrepreneuriat social (ES) est un concept émergent qui a suscité l’intérêt aussi bien des chercheurs que des décideurs et des porteurs de projets. Malgré l’abondance des travaux traitant la thématique d’ES, très peu de recherches ont analysé l’impact social et économique des entreprises d’ES (Pärenson, 2011 ; El Ebrashi, 2013 ; Jiao, 2011). L’objectif de cet article est d’explorer la perception des impacts socioéconomiques de l’ES par les entrepreneurs au sein des entreprises sociales. Pour ce faire, nous avons réalisé une étude empirique sur les entreprises sociales au Sud du Maroc. Les résultats obtenus montrent une perception globalement positive des effets socioéconomiques des projets d’ES, ce qui confirme les travaux d’autres chercheurs dans le domaine.
La refonte d’un cursus en entrepreneuriat centrée sur l’autonomisation des étudiants
Authors: Allard Frédérique , Bravo Ketty , Loup Stéphanie
Published: February 2018

La refonte du cursus en entrepreneuriat restituée ici est le résultat d’une démarche d’adoption et d’appropriation de pratiques révélées plus aptes que d’autres à développer les compétences visées. Sur fond d’innovations pédagogiques qu’elle a mobilisées graduellement, elle a débouché sur un dispositif composite qui affiche une priorité donnée à l’action. Au cœur de la dynamique d’accompagnement qu’elle appelait, l’objectif d’autonomisation des étudiants singularise ce cursus. L’examen de quelques leviers actionnés pour la renforcer permet d’en apprécier la portée autant que les limites actuelles.
New probiotic strains for inflammatory bowel disease management identified by combining in vitro and in vivo approaches
Authors: Alard J. , Peucelle V. , Boutillier D. , Breton J. , Kuylle S. , Pot B. , Holowacz S. , Grangette C.
Published: February 2018

Alterations in the gut microbiota composition play a key role in the development of chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The potential use of probiotics therefore gained attention, although outcomes were sometimes conflicting and results largely strain-dependent. The present study aimed to identify new probiotic strains that have a high potential for the management of this type of pathologies. Strains were selected from a large collection by combining different in vitro and in vivo approaches, addressing both anti-inflammatory potential and ability to improve the gut barrier function. We identified six strains with an interesting anti-inflammatory profile on peripheral blood mononuclear cells and with the ability to restore the gut barrier using a gut permeability model based on Caco-2 cells sensitized with hydrogen peroxide. The in vivo evaluation in two 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced murine models of colitis highlighted that some of the strains exhibited beneficial activities against acute colitis while others improved chronic colitis. Bifidobacterium bifidum PI22, the strain that exhibited the most protective capacities against acute colitis was only slightly efficacious against chronic colitis, while Bifidobacterium lactis LA804 which was less efficacious in the acute model was the most protective against chronic colitis. Lactobacillus helveticus PI5 was not anti-inflammatory in vitro but the best in strengthening the epithelial barrier and as such able to significantly dampen murine acute colitis. Interestingly, Lactobacillus salivarius LA307 protected mice significantly against both types of colitis. This work provides crucial clues for selecting the best strains for more efficacious therapeutic approaches in the management of chronic inflammatory diseases. The strategy employed allowed us to identify four strains with different characteristics and a high potential for the management of inflammatory diseases, such as IBD.
Equipment Condition Monitoring and Diagnosis System Based on Evidence Weight
Authors: Yao Xuemei , Li Shaobo , Zhang Ansi
Published: February 2018

To ensure the safety and reliability of equipment and effectively prevent the occurrence of major accidents, a monitoring and diagnosis system of equipment condition is proposed in this paper. First, a perceptual model of four layers, which can collect the original data of equipment by sensors and analyze the real-time information with intelligent algorithms and display the decision making on the screen, is designed. Second, a method of condition monitoring and diagnosis based on evidence weight is proposed. The basic probability assignment of evidence is corrected by Mahalanobis distance and sensor weight. A threshold is introduced to select the appropriate fusion rule by comparing the relationship between threshold and conflict factor. In order to verify the effectiveness and practicability of the method, the improved fusion algorithm is applied to the monitoring and diagnosis of centrifugal pumps. Finally, a prototype system is implemented to illustrate the validity of the system in practice.
Design and Analysis of a Relational Database for Behavioral Experiments Data Processing
Authors: Kraleva Radoslava Stankova , Kralev Velin Spasov , Sinyagina Nina , Koprinkova-Hristova Petia , Bocheva Nadejda
Published: February 2018

In this paper, the results of a comparative analysis between different approaches to experimental data storage and processing are presented. Several studies related to the problem and some methods for solving it have been discussed. Different types of databases, ways of using them and the areas of their application are analyzed. For the purposes of the study, a relational database for storing and analyzing a specific data from behavioral experiments was designed. The methodology and conditions for conducting the experiments are described. Three different indicators were analyzed, respectively: memory required to store the data, time to load the data from an external file into computer memory and iteration time across all records through one cycle. The obtained results show that for storing a large number of records (in the order of tens of millions of rows), either dynamic arrays (stored on external media in binary file format), or an approach based on a local or remote database management system can be used. Regarding the data loading time, the fastest approach was the one that uses dynamic arrays. It outperforms significantly the approaches based on a local or remote database. The obtained results show that the dynamic arrays and the local data sets approaches iterated much faster across all data records than the remote database approach. The paper concludes with proposal for further developments towards using of web services.
Study on Communication Methods for Electric Power High-voltage Equipment Monitoring System
Authors: Chen Jia Yu , Tao Jia , Tao Jia , Huo Limin , Huo Limin
Published: February 2018

Real-time monitoring of high-voltage equipment in substations is beneficial for early detection of faults. The use of wireless sensor networks to build monitoring system is an effective way, but the data collection is a difficult task. The author introduces a real-time monitoring system based on ZIGBEE and mobile communication technology. The system includes multiple monitoring points and terminal platforms. Each monitoring point consists of a number of sensor nodes to form a ZIGBEE network, detecting relevant parameters, coordinator node data collected one by one, known as linear transmission, and finally to the monitoring platform through the mobile communication network. This paper presents a fusion algorithm for monitoring cell data acquisition to reduce the amount of data uploaded to the base station. In addition, multi-hop routing algorithm based on opportunistic routing is proposed to balance network energy and improve network transmission rate and efficiency.
The emergence of text-graphics conventions in a medical research journal: The Lancet 1823-2015
Authors: Rowley-Jolivet Elizabeth
Published: February 2018

Les articles de recherche actuels en médecine contiennent un grand nombre d'images de divers types ainsi que d'autres éléments non verbaux (tableaux, statistiques). La présentation de tous ces éléments est régie par des conventions fortes : chaque élément est numéroté, comporte un titre et une légende, et il est relié au texte par des références intratextuelles. Les légendes, souvent très détaillées, confèrent à ces éléments une grande autonomie par rapport au texte. Cependant, la multimodalité actuelle des articles de recherche en médecine, et les conventions qui régissent l'interaction entre texte et éléments non verbaux, résultent d'un long processus : les premiers articles publiés dans les revues médicales se caractérisent par l'absence de tableaux, très peu d'images et une typologie visuelle très restreinte. L'absence de titres, de légendes, et de références intratextuelles imposaient une stratégie linéaire de lecture. L'objectif de la présente étude est de retracer l'émergence de ces conventions depuis 1823, date de la parution de la première revue médicale anglaise, The Lancet, jusqu'à nos jours, et de proposer des explications pour les évolutions constatées.
Le corpus comme aide à la rédaction de résumés scientifiques pour des étudiants LANSAD : une approche comparative
Authors: Simard Laura-May
Published: February 2018

L’essor de l’apprentissage sur corpus dans le monde universitaire peine à se refléter dans les pratiques pédagogiques. Ce phénomène est notamment imputable au manque de lien entre recherche et pédagogie. La présente étude cherche à combler un vide informationnel quant à la manière dont les étudiants LANSAD se servent d’un corpus spécialisé. Nous proposons de comparer l’apport d’un corpus spécialisé à celui d’un dictionnaire en ligne dans le cadre de la rédaction de résumés scientifiques. Les données au sujet de l’utilisation des ressources par les étudiants permettent de démontrer que l’outil corpus est efficacement utilisable par tous, même en contexte spécialisé, et qu’il est une source d’apprentissage langagier. Néanmoins, une initiation en amont semble nécessaire afin que les apprenants puissent se servir de cette ressource le mieux possible. À cet effet, des activités d’introduction au corpus sont proposées. Des études similaires à celle-ci sont requises afin de mieux comprendre l’interaction de l’étudiant LANSAD avec le corpus.
ASSESSMENT OF CARDIAC HEART FAILURE AND CARDIAC ARTERY DISEASE BY THE HIGHER ORDER SPECTRA
Authors: Singh Ram Sewak , Saini Barjinder Singh , Sunkaria Ramesh Kumar
Published: February 2018

Cardiac diseases are major reason of death in the world populace and the numeral of cases is upsurging every year. Due to cardiac artery disease (CAD), the strength of heart muscles becomes weak and heart pumping is disturbed which may eventually lead to abnormal heart beat and heart failure. Therefore, the beginning stage detection of CAD and cardiac heart failure (CHF) are of prime importance. In this work, we have used a non-invasive diagnosis method as higher order spectra (HOS) for assessment of cardiac diseases. The method indicates whether or not a cardiac heart disease is present, by assessing the cardiac health of subjects using extracted features from heart rate variability (HRV) signals. This assessment is based on 10 spectra nonlinear features. These features were extracted from HRV signals by using the HOS method. For this study, the R-R interval data (i.e. HRV signals) were taken from the standard database of cardiac heart failure (CHF), CAD patients, healthy young (YNG) and Self recorded of healthy young (SELF_YNG) subjects. Statistical assessments were performed on the group of database sets as YNG-CAD, YNG-CHF, SELF_YNG-CAD and Self_YNG-CHF subjects. A Wilcoxon rank sum test ([Formula: see text]-value) was used to statistically compare the features extracted by HOS for group of data sets. It indicates whether or not the same features of individual classes of HRV data sets are dissimilar. The results depicted that the all features are very significant ([Formula: see text]) except the phase entropy (PHE) feature which is not significant for CAD-CHF, SELF_YNG-CAD and SELF_YNG-CHF group of subjects. While in the case of YNG-CAD group of subjects, features like first-order spectral moment of amplitudes of diagonal elements (H3), PHE and logarithmic amplitudes of diagonal elements (H2) are significant ([Formula: see text]) and excluding these features, the remaining features are very significant except MM and H1 which are not significant. The results also depicted that the mean value of sum of logarithmic amplitude (H1), H2, normalized entropy (P1), normalized squared entropy (P2) and PHE features of healthy YNG subjects are having higher values than that of CAD and CHF patients. While weighted center of bi-spectrum (WCOB2) and FLAT spectrum features are lower than CAD and CHF patients compared to YNG subjects. In case of CAD and CHF patients, all the features of CAD patients are having higher values compared to CHF except P1, P2 and WCOB1.
Role of Cyber Security and Cyber Forensics in India
Authors: Shrivastava Gulshan , Sharma Kavita , Khari Manju , Zohora Syeda Erfana
Published: February 2018

This chapter describes cyber forensics, also known as computer forensics, which is a subdivision of digital forensic science, relating to evidence detection in computers and digital storage media. The purpose of cyber forensics is the forensically-sound investigation of digital media with the intent to: identify, preserve, recover, analyze, present facts, and opinions; concerning the digital information. Even though it is generally allied with the analysis of cyber-based crimes, computer forensics may also be used in civil proceedings. Evidence composed from cyber forensic analysis is typically subjected to similar procedures and performs as supplementary digital evidence. With these advancements, it was desired that cyber forensics be to protect users and remain citizen-centric. This chapter shows that there is additional research needed to understand the implications of cyber forensic research to improve detection of cyber crimes.
The Impact of Big Data Analytics and Challenges to Cyber Security
Authors: Haldorai Anandakumar , Ramu Arulmurugan
Published: February 2018

In order to scrutinize or evaluate an extremely high quantity of an ever-present and diversified nature of data, new technologies are developed. With the application of these technologies, called big data technologies, to the constantly developing various internal as well as external sources of data, concealed correlations between data can be identified, and promising strategies can be developed, which is necessary for economic growth and new innovations. This chapter deals with the analysis of the real-time uses of big data to both individual persons and the society too, while concentrating on seven important areas of key usage: big data for business optimization and customer analytics, big data and healthcare, big data and science, big data and finance, big data as enablers of openness and efficiency in government, big data and the emerging energy distribution systems, and big data security.
Security and Privacy Challenges in Big Data Environment
Authors: Manikandakumar M. , Ramanujam E.
Published: February 2018

In this information era, big data is revolutionizing business. The data are generated by each and every user from servers, terminals, smart phones, appliances, satellites, and a range of other sensors on vehicles: military, agriculture, and the like. Anything the end users does online can be traced, stored, and analyzed. It is also possible to analyze from various diverse sources such as social media postings, credit card or e-cash purchases, internet searches, mobile phone locations, etc. Users are willing to provide their private information, linked to their real-life identities, in exchange for faster or better digital services. But, the companies yet may not have the fundamental rights of the user from a security perspective. More risks are associated with big data security. The main purpose of this chapter is to explore the security concerns and privacy issues in big data environments.
A Comparative Review of Various Machine Learning Approaches for Improving the Performance of Stego Anomaly Detection
Authors: Jeyaprakash Hemalatha , M. K. KavithaDevi , S. Geetha
Published: February 2018

In recent years, steganalyzers are intelligently detecting the stego images with high detection rate using high dimensional cover representation. And so the steganographers are working towards this issue to protect the cover element dependency and to protect the detection of hiding secret messages. Any steganalysis algorithm may achieve its success in two ways: 1) extracting the most sensitive features to expose the footprints of message hiding; 2) designing or building an effective classifier engine to favorably detect the stego images through learning all the stego sensitive features. In this chapter, the authors improve the stego anomaly detection using the second approach. This chapter presents a comparative review of application of the machine learning tools for steganalysis problem and recommends the best classifier that produces a superior detection rate.
A Robust Biometrics System Using Finger Knuckle Print
Authors: Kumar Ravinder
Published: February 2018

Among various biometric indicators, hand-based biometrics has been widely used and deployed for last two decades. Hand-based biometrics are very popular because of their higher acceptance among the population because of their ease of use, high performance, less expensive, etc. This chapter presents a new hand-based biometric known as finger-knuckle-print (FKP) for a person authentication system. FKP are the images obtained from the one's fingers phalangeal joints and are characterized by internal skin pattern. Like other biometrics discrimination ability, FKP also has the capability of high discrimination. The proposed system consists of four modules: image acquisition, extraction of ROI, selection and extraction of features, and their matching. New features based on information theory are proposed for matching. The performance of the proposed system is evaluated using experiment performed on a database of 7920 images from 660 different fingers. The efficacy of the proposed system is evaluated in terms of matching rate and compromising results are obtained.
Culture Industry
Authors: Romero Claudia Sandoval
Published: February 2018

This chapter examines some of the ideas that Theodor Adorno elucidated around the term culture industry, compiling mainly the ideas published in the text Aesthetic Theory of 1970. The term culture industry is also contextualized in the chapter with the reflections that Adorno previously exposed in 1947. A dialog is created with the proposal of the North American theoretician and artist Martha Rosler to understand the chronological development of art before, during, and after Adorno. Regarding the relation between art and autonomy, the ideas of Adorno offer elements to understand contemporary art production. This way, the author also discusses contemporary new media art manifestations, which are analyzed in key terms such as autonomy/culture industry in relation to the proposals of the Brazilian theoretician Arlindo Machado. Lastly, the chapter offers an approach to the artistic institution analyzing the museum in relation with Adorno's ideas.
Remediating Interaction
Authors: Pineda Roger Gacula
Published: February 2018

The concept of interaction is foundational in technology interface design with its presuppositions being taken for granted. But the interaction metaphor has become ambiguous to the extent that its application to interface design contributes to misalignments between peoples' expected and actual experience with computer-enhanced actions. This chapter re-examines the presuppositions governing human-computer interaction with the motivation of strengthening weaknesses in their foundational concepts, and contributing a theoretical framework to designing for artistic as well as mundane experience. It argues for abandoning the interaction metaphor to refocus design discourse toward the intermediation and mediation roles of technology interfaces. Remediation (i.e., representation of one medium in another) is proposed as a conceptual model that more precisely describes the human-to-computer actions.
Playing With Text in Space
Authors: Ayiter Elif
Published: February 2018

This chapter delves into the creation of text and its visualization through typographic design inside three-dimensional virtual worlds known as the metaverse, with a particular focus upon the way in which these environments may place the usage of text within a context that stands in contradiction to its traditional one – namely legibility. Readability can be displaced through the usage of text and typography as playful devices that may manifest as visual structures, the contents of which are meant to be understood through means other than reading – as it is understood in the traditional sense of the word. Instead, such spaces are aimed to bring about states of heightened engagement, wonder, and “play” by being immersed within the typographic conglomerations that constitute their essences. This subject is explored through the discussion of three such typographic playgrounds that the authors created in the metaverse.
Impact of Climate Change on a Key Agricultural Pest
Authors: Garrick Tamika A. , Liburd Oscar E.
Published: February 2018

The world population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050 and most of this growth will occur in developing countries. As population increases, more arable lands will be used to construct cities and these activities increase CO2 in the atmosphere and contribute to climate change. Climate assessments have shown rising sea levels and increase in the frequency of droughts in many dry areas. Prolonged droughts can decrease the relative amounts of water available for human consumption and agriculture. In developing countries agriculture contributes to more than 15% of GDP and when crops and livestock are deprived of water they become more susceptible to pests and diseases. As climate change continues to occur there is a need to develop strategies to manage key invasive pest and disease species that threaten agricultural production. Thrips are major agricultural pests with the majority of species in tropical regions. They are cosmopolitan in nature and damage crops when they feed and lay eggs in many parts of the plant. Thrips are also vectors for spreading plant diseases. They disperse quickly into new areas where susceptible hosts exist. This chapter focuses on a few important thrips species that threatens agricultural production in the Americas including Central and South America and the Caribbean. The chapter discusses the ecology and pest management strategies for key invasive thrips species and examines the potential effects of climate change on these troublesome species.
Achieving Climate Smart Agriculture With a Sustainable Use of Water
Authors: Kumari Sneha , Patil Yogesh
Published: February 2018

With time there has been an unpredictable climate change affecting the requirement of water for agriculture. Survival of agriculture has become a matter of concern with an efficient management of water. The aim of the chapter is to design a conceptual framework in sustaining water for agriculture in the era of climate change. The authors in the present chapter have used secondary data from previous research work and critically analysed the cases on water management for agriculture. The chapter discusses on practices like drip irrigation, new adaptations, mitigation technologies, vapour pressure, agro-ecological zone model and other water management strategies and the agricultural practices which though increases the yield but is leaving an adverse impact on climate. The chapter designs a conceptual framework to sustain water for agricultural use in the era of climate change and discusses it. This must be dealt through in order to attain sustainability.
Spatial Analysis of Climate-Viticulture Indices for the Eastern United States
Authors: MacCracken Rosalyn Francine , Houser Paul R.
Published: February 2018

This study characterizes the climate structure in the Eastern United States for suitability of winegrape growth. For this study, the Eastern US is defined as the 44 contiguous Eastern most states. This excludes the premium wine growing states of California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. For this characterization, a comparative study is performed on the four commonly used climate-viticulture indices (i.e., Average Growing Season Temperature, Growing Degree Days, Heliothermal Index and Biologically Effective Degree Days), and a new climate-viticulture index, the Modified-GSTavg (Mod-GSTavg). This is accomplished using the 1971 – 2000 PRISM 800-meter resolution dataset of climate temperature normal for the study area of 44 states and 62 American Viticultural Areas across the Eastern United States. The results revealed that all the climate indices have similar spatial patterns throughout the US with varying magnitudes and degrees of suitability.
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
Authors: Meldrum Helen Mary , Szymanski David , Oches Eric A. , Davis P. Thompson
Published: February 2018

Broadcast meteorologists are trusted by the general public to convey knowledge on climate change and they make choices about what information to present to their viewing audiences. Interviews with broadcast meteorologists revealed a wide range in their knowledge base and confidence in conveying climate science to their audiences. However, all interviewees agreed that visual images are an essential means for communicating with their viewers. Three major themes emerged from interviews with participants: visual imagery is important, dramatic images are powerful motivators, and the new visual presentation technologies have great value.
Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management in the Caribbean
Authors: Eudoxie Gaius , Roopnarine Ronald
Published: February 2018

Caribbean countries share unique features such as small size, geographical location, limited natural resources, low economic status aligned with ambitious developmental agendas, all of which influences their vulnerability to natural disasters. Agriculture and tourism are the main economic drivers for Caribbean states. Notably, both these sectors are highly prone to natural disasters. Other sectors including forestry, biodiversity, coastal resources and inland water resources are also susceptible to climatic hazards. The eroding natural resource base aligned to these sectors demands appropriate management. Risk assessment is integral in planning and preparing for natural hazards. Several methods have been used in the Caribbean with varying success. Two successful examples are the Land Degradation Assessment (LADA) conducted in Grenada and the Landslide Mapping in Trinidad. The LADA project geospatially quantified the extent of land degradation and presented data in support of natural resource management. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) was a milestone establishment for regional disaster management. Introduction and implementation of the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) strategy transformed disaster management from simply response and recovery, to include preparedness, prevention and mitigation. This approach included the appointment of national focal points in all participating countries, a feature that aimed to build and improve communication channels. Whilst mostly positive, the present approach has also showcased limitations to long term sustainability. Most islands lack effective governance structures with a dedicated budget to disaster management and where available, activities are centrally operated. Improving social resilience through community engagement is seen as critical to the success of CDM. Social media has also been shown to add real value to networking and communication in disaster management.
Global Environmental Change and Emerging Infectious Diseases
Authors: Machalaba Catherine , Romanelli Cristina , Stoett Peter
Published: February 2018

The prediction of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and the avoidance of their tremendous social and economic costs is contingent on the identification of their most likely drivers. It is argued that the drivers of global environmental change (and climate change as both a driver and an impact) are often the drivers of EIDs; and that the two overlap to such a strong degree that targeting these drivers is sound epidemiological policy. Several drivers overlap with the leading causes of biodiversity loss, providing opportunities for health and biodiversity sectors to generate synergies at local and global levels. This chapter provides a primer on EID ecology, reviews underlying drivers and mechanisms that facilitate pathogen spillover and spread, provides suggested policy and practice-based actions toward the prevention of EIDs in the context of environmental change, and identifies knowledge gaps for the purpose of further research.
Waterborne Diseases and Climate Change: Impact and Implications
Authors: Bouzid Maha
Published: February 2018

Waterborne diseases are caused by a multitude of pathogens and associated with a significant burden in both developed and developing countries. While the assessment of the adverse impacts of climate change on human heath from infectious diseases has mainly focused on vector-borne diseases, waterborne diseases prevalence and transmission patterns are also likely to be impacted by environmental change. This chapter will outline relevant waterborne pathogens, summarise the impact of climate change on disease transmission and explore climate change adaptation options in order to reduce the increased burden of waterborne diseases.
Modified Mutation in Asynchronous Differential Evolution
Authors: Vaishali  , Sharma Tarun K.
Published: February 2018

This article presents a variant of an asynchronous differential evolution (ADE) algorithm for solving global optimization problems. The proposed algorithm uses the mean of two randomly chosen variables as a third variable to perform a mutation operation. The modification in a mutation operation is done to exploit the chosen random variables and to accelerate the convergence. The proposed algorithm is tested on a set of benchmark functions and compared with differential evolution (DE) and ADE. Results and comparisons show that the proposed work outperforms other algorithms in terms of number of function evaluation, standard deviation and convergence rate. Results are validated through non-parametric statistical analysis.