bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Proteomic Approach to Investigate the Drought Response in the Orphan Crop Eragrostis tef
Authors: Kamies Rizqah , Farrant Jill M. , Tadele Zerihun , Cannarozzi Gina , Rafudeen Mohammed Suhail
Published: November 2017

The orphan crop, Eragrostis tef, was subjected to controlled drought conditions to observe the physiological parameters and proteins changing in response to dehydration stress. Physiological measurements involving electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll fluorescence and ultra-structural analysis showed tef plants tolerated water loss to 50% relative water content (RWC) before adverse effects in leaf tissues were observed. Proteomic analysis using isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) mass spectrometry and appropriate database searching enabled the detection of 5727 proteins, of which 211 proteins, including a number of spliced variants, were found to be differentially regulated with the imposed stress conditions. Validation of the iTRAQ dataset was done with selected stress-related proteins, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA) and the protective antioxidant proteins, monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) and peroxidase (POX). Western blot analyses confirmed protein presence and showed increased protein abundance levels during water deficit while enzymatic activity for FBA, MDHAR and POX increased at selected RWC points. Gene ontology (GO)-term enrichment and analysis revealed terms involved in biotic and abiotic stress response, signaling, transport, cellular homeostasis and pentose metabolic processes, to be enriched in tef upregulated proteins, while terms linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producing processes under water-deficit, such as photosynthesis and associated light harvesting reactions, manganese transport and homeostasis, the synthesis of sugars and cell wall catabolism and modification, to be enriched in tef downregulated proteins.
Mapping Radar Glacier Zones and Dry Snow Line in the Antarctic Peninsula Using Sentinel-1 Images
Authors: Zhou Chunxia , Zheng Lei
Published: November 2017

Surface snowmelt causes changes in mass and energy balance, and endangers the stabilities of the ice shelves in the Antarctic Peninsula (AP). The dynamic changes of the snow and ice conditions in the AP were observed by Sentinel-1 images with a spatial resolution of 40 m in this study. Snowmelt detected by the special sensor microwave/imager (SSM/I) is used to study the relationship between summer snowmelt and winter synthetic aperture radar (SAR) backscatter. Radar glacier zones (RGZs) classifications were conducted based on their differences in liquid snow content, snow grain size, and the relative elevations. We developed a practical method based on the simulations of a microwave scattering model to classify RGZs by using Sentinel-1 images in the AP. The summer snowmelt detected by SSM/I and Sentinel-1 data are compared between 2014 and 2015. The SSM/I-derived melting days is used to validate the winter dry snow line (DSL). RGZs derived from Sentinel-1 images suggest that snowmelt expanded from inland of the Larsen C Ice Shelf to the coastal area, whereas an opposite direction was found in the George VI Ice Shelf. The long melting season in the grounding zone of the Larsen C Ice Shelf may result from the adiabatically-dried föhn winds on the east side of the AP. As the uppermost limit of summer snowmelt, DSL was mapped based on the winter Sentinel-1 mosaic of the AP. Compared with the SSM/I-derived melting days, the winter DSL mainly distributed in the areas melted for one to three days in summer. DSL elevations on the Palmer Land increased from south to north.
Probabilistic Prognosis of Environmental Radioactivity Concentrations due to Radioisotopes Discharged to Water Bodies from Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Tomás Zerquera Juan , Mora Juan , Robles Beatriz
Published: November 2017

Due to their very low values, the complexity of comparing the contribution of nuclear power plants (NPPs) to environmental radioactivity with modeled values is recognized. In order to compare probabilistic prognosis of radioactivity concentrations with environmental measurement values, an exercise was performed using public data of radioactive routine discharges from three representative Spanish nuclear power plants. Specifically, data on liquid discharges from three Spanish NPPs: Almaraz, Vandellós II, and Ascó to three different aquatic bodies (river, lake, and coast) were used. Results modelled using generic conservative models together with Monte Carlo techniques used for uncertainties propagation were compared with values of radioactivity concentrations in the environment measured in the surroundings of these NPPs. Probability distribution functions were inferred for the source term, used as an input to the model to estimate the radioactivity concentrations in the environment due to discharges to the water bodies. Radioactivity concentrations measured in bottom sediments were used in the exercise due to their accumulation properties. Of all the radioisotopes measured in the environmental monitoring programs around the NPPs, only Cs-137, Sr-90, and Co-60 had positive values greater than their respective detection limits. Of those, Sr-90 and Cs-137 are easily measured in the environment, but significant contribution from the radioactive fall-out due to nuclear explosions in the atmosphere exists, and therefore their values cannot be attributed to the NPPs. On the contrary, Co-60 is especially useful as an indicator of the radioactive discharges from NPPs because its presence in the environment can solely be attributed to the impact of the closer nuclear facilities. All the modelled values for Co-60 showed a reasonable correspondence with measured environmental data in all cases, being conservative in two of them. The more conservative predictions obtained with the models were the activity concentrations in the sediments of a lake (Almaraz) where, on average, values two times higher were obtained. For the case of rivers (Ascó), calculated results were adequately conservative—up to 3.4 times on average. However, the results for coasts (Vandellos II) were in the same range as the environmental measurements, obtaining predictions that are only—at maximum—1.1 times higher than measured values. Only for this specific case of coasts could it be established that the models are not conservative enough, although the results, on average, are relatively close to the real values.
Withdrawal of unnecessary antidepressant medication: a randomised controlled trial in primary care
Authors: Eveleigh Rhona , Muskens Esther , Lucassen Peter , Verhaak Peter , Spijker Jan , van Weel Chris , Oude Voshaar Richard , Speckens Anne
Published: November 2017

Background

Antidepressant use has increased exponentially in recent decades, mostly due to long continuation.

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of a tailored recommendation to withdraw antidepressant treatment.

Design & setting

Randomised controlled trial in primary care (PANDA study) in the Netherlands.

Method

Long-term antidepressant users (≥9 months) were selected from GPs prescription databases. Patients were diagnosed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Long-term users without indication for maintenance treatment (overtreatment) were selected. The intervention consisted of disclosure of the current psychiatric diagnosis combined with a tailored treatment recommendation. Patients were followed for 12 months.

Results

The study included 146 participants from 45 family practices. Of the 70 patients in the intervention group, 34 (49%) did not comply with the advice to stop their antidepressant medication. Of the 36 (51%) patients who agreed to try, only 4 (6%) succeeded. These figures were consistent with the control group, where 6 (8%) of the 76 patients discontinued antidepressant use successfully. Patients who were recommended to discontinue their antidepressant medication reported a higher relapse rate than the control group (26% versus 13%, P = 0.05).

Conclusion

Changing inappropriate long-term antidepressant use is difficult.
Music Festivals and Eventfulness: Examining Eventful Cities by Event Genres and Policy Agendas
Authors: Colombo Alba
Published: November 2017

In recent decades, cities have used events as tools to address concrete challenges, such as urban regeneration, social cohesion, and economic growth. An eventful city generates programs of events to support long-term policy agendas, and increase "eventfulness." However, little attention
has been paid to how variables such as event size, type, political strategies, or organizational structure may influence the level of eventfulness in a city. This exploratory empirical study of Barcelona as an eventful city analyzes the relationship between event genres and policy agendas.
It examines two music festivals, Primavera Sound and Sónar, and the event policy context deriving from two different administrations. The data are drawn mainly from semistructured in-depth interviews and document analysis. The article concludes with some reflections about the importance
of including event genres and policy agendas in the analysis of eventfulness.
Developing a Framework for Sustainable Event Cities
Authors: Getz Donald
Published: November 2017

This conceptual article considers meanings, and the process of attaining sustainability in eventful cities. New concepts and approaches are required to organize thoughts about, and set parameters for, discourse on sustainability in the realm of planned events. Ideas and recommendations
contained in this article draw from a major research and development project in Sweden in which diverse stakeholders explicitly considered problems associated with event impact assessment and evaluation, and the roles of events in sustainable development. Conceptual foundations include organizational
ecology and portfolio management. It is argued that in the sustainable event city there are dual prerequisites—to provide a supportive environment for events, and to ensure that events are a positive force across the entire agenda of policies for green and sustainable cities. A framework
is presented that considers three levels of concern: individual events and the need to think beyond greening; managed portfolios of events, in which long-term sustainable growth or value is the aim; and whole populations of events that must remain healthy. An action plan is proposed, indicating
how events and the events sector can become a positive force for sustainable cities.
Branching Ratios in Vacuum Ultraviolet Photodissociation of CO and N2: Implications for Oxygen and Nitrogen Isotopic Compositions of the Solar Nebula
Authors: Shi Xiaoyu , Yin Qing-Zhu , Gao Hong , Chang Yih-Chung , Jackson William M. , Wiens Roger C. , Ng Cheuk-Yiu
Published: November 2017

NASA’s Genesis mission reveals that the rare isotope 15N is approximately seven times more enriched than the rare isotopes 17O and 18O in the terrestrial planets relative to the Sun. Here, we explain this peculiar observation under the framework of self-shielding and the difference in chemical reactivity between the excited O(1
D) [N(2
D)] and the ground O(3
P) [N(4
S)] states produced by VUV photodissociation of CO [N2]. After weighting the absorption cross-sections for individual photodissociation bands, and taking into account the mutual shielding by H2, the CO/N2 ratio, and the partition of O and N among gas:ice:dust phases in the solar nebula, we show that the trapping of N(2
D) via hydrogenation is favored over that of O(1
D). This provides a possible explanation of the Genesis results and supports the self-shielding model as the primary mechanism for generating isotopic anomalies of O and N in the early solar nebula.
The Second Galactic Center Black Hole? A Possible Detection of Ionized Gas Orbiting around an IMBH Embedded in the Galactic Center IRS13E Complex
Authors: Tsuboi Masato , Kitamura Yoshimi , Tsutsumi Takahiro , Uehara Kenta , Miyoshi Makoto , Miyawaki Ryosuke , Miyazaki Atsushi
Published: November 2017

The Galactic Center is the nuclear region of the nearest spiral galaxy, the Milky Way, and contains the supermassive black hole with

, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). One of the basic questions about the Galactic Center is whether or not Sgr A* is the only “massive” black hole in the region. The IRS13E complex is a very intriguing infrared (IR) object that contains a large dark mass comparable to the mass of an intermediate mass black hole (IMBH) from the proper motions of the main member stars. However, the existence of the IMBH remains controversial. There are some objections to accepting the existence of the IMBH. In this study, we detected ionized gas with a very large velocity width (

km s−1) and a very compact size (

au) in the complex using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). We also found an extended component connecting with the compact ionized gas. The properties suggest that this is an ionized gas flow on the Keplerian orbit with high eccentricity. The enclosed mass is estimated to be

by the analysis of the orbit. The mass does not conflict with the upper limit mass of the IMBH around Sgr A*, which is derived by the long-term astrometry with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). In addition, the object probably has an X-ray counterpart. Consequently, a very fascinating possibility is that the detected ionized gas is rotating around an IMBH embedded in the IRS13E complex.
Réseaux et nouvelles configurations RH territoriales : le rôle des groupements d’employeurs
Authors: Lethielleux Laëtitia
Published: November 2017

Le rôle des groupements d’employeurs (GE) reste largement sous-estimé dans le déploiement de nouvelles configurations RH sur les territoires. Il serait victime d’une forme de paradoxe liée à une invisibilité institutionnelle. Pour sortir de cette impasse, il ressort d’une recherche-action, menée de 2015 à 2017 auprès de 23 GE, que la structuration en réseau apporte des perspectives encourageantes, sous réserve de prendre en compte la question de la pérennité de ce réseau.
Le récit d’un survivant
Authors: Sagahutu Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2017

Jean-Pierre Sagahutu est un rescapé des massacres de 1994. Son nom signifie : « Je ne suis pas un Hutu. » Très tôt, il a donc compris ce qu’être un Tutsi signifiait, dès l’école primaire, au Rwanda, mais aussi à l’école secondaire au Zaïre. En effet, non seulement les vocables de « cafard », de « cancrelat » l’avaient poursuivi, mais également les caractéristiques dont on affuble généralement les Tutsis lui furent reprochées. Après le génocide, il n’aura de cesse de retrouver le « tueur » de son père et de lui faire dire comment il avait été tué et où se trouvait son corps, afin de commencer son deuil.
Prediction Models for Burden of Caregivers Applying Data Mining Techniques
Authors: Yoon Sunmoo , Patrao Maria , Schauer Debbie , Gutierrez Jose
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Caregiver stress negatively in uences both patients and caregivers. Predictors of caregiver diffculty may provide crucial insights for providers to prioritize those with the highest risk of stress. The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction model of caregiver di culty by applying data mining techniques to a national behavioral risk factor data set.

Methods

Behavioral data including 397 variables on 2,264 informal caregivers, who provided any care to a friend or family member during the past month, were extracted from a publicly available national dataset in the U.S (N = 451,075) and analyzed. We applied several classi cation algorithms (J48, RandomForest, MultilayerPerceptron, AdaboostM1), to iteratively generate prediction models for caregiving diffculty with 10-fold cross validation.

Results

44.7% of informal caregivers answered that they faced the greatest diffculties while they took care of patients. Among those who faced the greatest di culties, the reasons were creating emotional burden (45%). Patient cognitive alteration (e.g. cognitive changes in thinking or remembering during the past year), care hours, and relationship with a caregiver appeared as the main predictors of caregiver stress (classified correctly 63%, diffculty AUC = 65%, no diffculty AUC = 65%).

Conclusions

Data mining methods were useful to discover new behavioral risk knowledge and to visualize predictors of caregiver stress from a multidimensional behavioral dataset.This study suggests that health professionals target dementia family caregivers who are anticipated to experience patients neuro-cognitive changes, and inform the caregivers about importance of limiting care hours, burn out and delegation of caregiving tasks.
Les réquisitions de chevaux par l’armée allemande dans l’Aube entre 1939 et 1944
Authors: Deborde Gilles , Bandelli Alessio
Published: November 2017

La mise au jour en 2013 à Bar-sur-Aube d’une tranchée remplie de carcasses de chevaux est à l’origine d’une enquête archéologique et documentaire ayant conduit à envisager un aspect insoupçonné de l’histoire de la localité durant l’occupation allemande. Plus de quarante équidés de grands gabarits, mâles et femelles, y étaient inhumés, disposés les uns sur les autres sur un laps de temps très court. Quelques artefacts militaires et domestiques permirent de situer chronologiquement cet enfouissement dans le milieu du XXe siècle.
L’analyse des ossements a permis de détecter des traces de réduction des membres post-mortem. D’autres individus présentaient sur le crâne des signes de mise à mort. L’enquête s’est donc orientée sur l’étude de nombreuses archives traitant du sort des chevaux dans l’Aube sous l’occupation ainsi que des événements auxquels la population baralbine avait pu être confrontée au cours de cette période. Le croisement de multiples informations permet désormais d’envisager la présence à la fin du conflit, dans un corps de ferme situé à proximité, de troupes allemandes occupées à la réquisition, au soin et probablement à la sélection de chevaux au profit de son armée. Entre le 27 et le 30 août 1944, avant que les alliés ne parviennent à Bar-sur-Aube, ces chevaux, vraisemblablement retenus dans une grange, auraient été victimes d’un incendie qui les aurait décimés, ayant d’être inhumés dans cette tranchée militaire.
Le cheval dans le château
Authors: Beuchet Laurent
Published: November 2017

La fouille archéologique du château du Guildo (Côtes-d’Armor) a mis au jour quatre espaces interprétés comme des écuries qui se sont succédé des origines du château aux xie-xiie siècles aux guerres de Religion à la fin du xvie siècle. La plus ancienne occupe une partie d’une maison située au centre de la haute-cour du château. Elle se signale par la présence de matériel métallique lié au cheval (fers à sabots, boucle de sangle et décors de harnais). Au milieu du xve siècle, lors d’une phase importante de travaux, un ensemble de bâtiments est érigé dans un angle de la cour, abritant une écurie pour deux chevaux, une forge maréchale et un appartement pour le personnel chargé de l’entretien des chevaux. Enfin, la remise en défense du château pour la guerre franco-bretonne de la fin du xve siècle puis pour les guerres de la Ligue à la fin du xvie siècle, voient la transformation d’anciens celliers en écuries abritant chacune 6 à 8 chevaux destinés à la garnison. Cet exemple montre la diversité des installations pour l’hébergement des chevaux dans un même château selon les périodes, mais surtout selon l’usage de celui-ci, résidentiel ou militaire.
Vibrations cosmiques
Authors: Gouk Penelope
Published: November 2017

La conception médiévale de musica mundana et de musica humana, selon laquelle l’univers et l’homme sont construits musicalement, a connu une seconde fortune au temps des Lumières. Ce paradigme musical fut en grande partie abandonné durant le xviie siècle sous l’influence cartésienne. Cependant, les idées développées par certains penseurs de la philosophie naturelle britannique montrent que plusieurs aspects de la tradition de l’harmonia mundi ont été absorbés, en particulier la théorie selon laquelle l’univers est rempli d’un éther ou d’un esprit vibratoire qui sert de connexion entre le corps et l’âme.
« Celles qu’on n’entend pas sont plus douces »
Authors: Kennaway James
Published: November 2017

L’historiographie s’est intéressée jusqu’ici aux hallucinations musicales en lien avec les débuts de la médecine moderne, si bien que le xixe siècle a été considéré comme une période charnière marquant une rupture : les conceptions mystiques auraient été supplantées par une approche scientifique attribuant aux hallucinations le statut de symptômes. Mais la réalité est plus complexe, et cet article montre de quelle façon les différents discours – religieux, semi-scientifiques, romantiques et médicaux – ont permis le maintien de conceptions ambiguës et positives du phénomène.
Le désir de tuer
Authors: Morand Katell
Published: November 2017

Un chant peut-il pousser à tuer ? Cet article explore les rapports étroits entre musique et homicide dans une ancienne région frontière des haut-plateaux éthiopiens. Émotions faisant perdre la tête, échauffements collectifs, précautions en tous genres : tout dans des récits de protagonistes porte à croire à une efficacité dangereuse du chant. Mais à quoi serait-elle due ? En filigrane de discours paradoxaux et au fil des performances apparaissent des enjeux cruciaux de légitimité dans le cadre de conflits interpersonnels. Mettre en lumière certains des ressorts du passage à l’acte revient à se demander ce qui dans le chant en fait une explication si convaincante au désir de tuer.
Cœurs brûlants
Authors: Bretèque Estelle Amy de la
Published: November 2017

Chez les Yézidis d’Arménie, les
kilamê ser
(litt. « paroles sur ») constituent un genre musical intimement lié à la souffrance. On peut les entendre lors des enterrements, dans les maisons, ou sur des enregistrements commercialisés. Ils sont fréquemment énoncés par des femmes « au cœur brûlant », endeuillées éternelles qui se remémorent leurs souffrances. L’entretien de la douleur est une forme de sacrifice de soi, un acte qui offre le pendant féminin au martyr masculin exemplifié dans la mort tragique.
Voies de guérison, voix de sorciers
Authors: Mori Bernd Brabec de
Published: November 2017

Les peuples indigènes d’Amazonie occidentale emploient fréquemment le chant comme une technique de guérison. Cette guérison est toutefois affaire de perspective : dans la mesure où elle implique une riposte contre celui ou celle qui cause la maladie, le bien des uns peut faire le désastre des autres. Pour être en mesure de chanter des chants de guérison puissants, il faut en tout cas connaître aussi le processus inverse.
Paths of healing, voices of sorcerers
Authors: Mori Bernd Brabec de
Published: November 2017

Western Amazonian indigenous people often use song to “cure” people. Healing, however, depends on perspective: as healing is often achieved by overthrowing an assumed original causer of the illness, one’s benefit may result in another’s disaster. Being able to sing powerful healing songs implies that the reverse process is known too.
Responsible Tourism and Poverty
Authors: Sinclair-Maragh Gaunette
Published: November 2017

The chapter provides a review of the principles of responsible tourism and its propensity to alleviate poverty. It presents a case study on the responsible tourism initiatives by Sandals Resorts International, a hotel company operating in a small developing island state in the Caribbean. The aim is to determine how these practices can help to alleviate poverty; both relative and absolute poverty in the countries in which they co-exist. Analysis of the case indicates that Sandals Resorts International through the Sandals Foundation embraces responsible tourism. This is manifested through its corporate social responsibility thrust to educate, build and protect the Caribbean, under the three pillars of community, education, and environment. According to the literature, the successful delivery and implementation of responsible tourism has the propensity to alleviate poverty in communities in which hospitality / tourism businesses operate. This is supported by the normative approach of the stakeholder theory which explains the moral and philosophical guidelines of an organization.
Pros and Cons of Integrating Non-Financial Services in Microfinance
Authors: Vu Nhung Thi Hong
Published: November 2017

Microfinance as argued in recent literature is not a panacea for poverty reduction as it was expected. The poor may need support from various ranges of non-financial services including business development services and social services alongside microfinance services. The main aim of this chapter is to provide policymakers and practitioners some discussions on the pros and cons of integrating non-financial services together with microfinance services. This chapter proposes a framework of both positive and negative effects of providing non-financial services on microfinance institutions and clients. A case study of offering non-financial services in a microfinance institution in Vietnam provides both quantitative and qualitative evidence of effects on the microfinance institution and its clients.
The Role of Family Factors in Internet Addiction Among Children and Adolescents
Authors: Bozoglan Bahadir
Published: November 2017

As the Internet becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, there is a growing concern on the antecedents that contribute to some of the adverse effects such as Internet addiction. Parents are important and influential agents, and their parenting practices may promote or prevent the development of Internet-related problems. This chapter provides a review of family factors surrounding child and adolescent Internet addiction such as parental monitoring and parental guidance, parental mediation, Internet parenting styles, parental norms and behaviors, parent and child characteristics, family functioning and parent marital conflict, quality of the parent-child and peer relationship and culture as highlighted in previous research. Common limitations on past research on family factors and child and adolescent Internet addiction are noted and future research directions are suggested. Finally, family-based solutions and recommendations to prevent children and adolescents from developing Internet addiction are provided in the light of previous findings.
Enhancing Women's Economic Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aloulou Wassim J.
Published: November 2017

This chapter aims, first, to explore the state of the art of women's economic empowerment as a challenging research inquiry that needs a real investigation and to explore the different mechanisms of entrepreneurship development for women. It presents, then, the evidence of how Saudi women are economically empowered and how their potential is unleashed and sparked through entrepreneurship mechanisms. This chapter is based on a literature review on women's economic empowerment and entrepreneurship and a desk research involving the collection and analysis of already available information in the country. It introduces a needed ecosystem for Saudi women's economic empowerment and highlights some main empirical evidence from selected initiatives. Moreover, the recommendation that this chapter advances would be helpful to the practitioners, researchers, planners, and policymakers who are involved in the concerned area. Further, it tries to contribute to the literature of economic empowering of women through entrepreneurship in an emerging economy.
Evaluating the Impact of Trade Liberalization on Women With Special Reference to the Kingdom of Bahrain
Authors: Elbeshbishi Amal Nagah , A'ali Ebtihaj A. Al
Published: November 2017

The institutional framework of the multilateral trading system (MTS) assumes that trade policies and agreements are gender neutral. There is very little known on the impact of trade liberalization on women, partly because of lack of gender-disaggregated data in trade statistics and partly because of lack of gender awareness in economic analysis. This chapter discusses the issue of trade liberalization and gender gap in general, then the issue of trade liberalization and women employment specifically, to evaluate the impact of trade liberalization on women with special reference to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Finally, the chapter concludes and discusses the policy recommendations as to whether national-level policy recommendations or international ones are necessary to move towards a gender-balanced trading system.
Bahraini Women in PR Managerial Positions
Authors: AlSaqer Layla , Al-Rashed Maha
Published: November 2017

This chapter addresses the gap in the literature on the experience of women who are holding managerial positions in public relations in the non-Western society of Bahrain. This research attempts to provide a unique contribution to PR scholarship by using a qualitative approach to study the experience of Bahraini female leaders working in public relations. The chapter introduces the progression enjoyed by women in the kingdom of Bahrain today, in parallel to the social, cultural, and political developments enjoyed by this country. The appointment of women to managerial positions in Bahrain over the past years has ushered in a significant departure from the traditionally exclusive, male-dominated decision-making arena. The research suggests combined liberal and radical feminist strategies to improve the role of female managers in public relations in the cultural context of Bahrain. Moreover, new legislative and educational development facilitates promising opportunities for the progress of female PR practitioners in managerial positions in Bahrain.
Critical Mass of Women Legislators and Oversight for National ICT Policy of Malawi
Authors: Makoza Frank
Published: November 2017

This article analyses how the representation of women legislators may affect the oversight of national ICT policy. The article uses Critical Mass Theory (CMT) to explain the composition of the Media and Communications Committee (MCC) of parliament. The case of Malawi is analysed, which represented a low-income economy in Africa. The article uses electoral reports and legislative documents. The results show that women legislators in the MCC achieved a critical mass despite the decrease in the representation of women in parliament. The women legislators have the opportunity to support gender issues related to ICT legislations and national ICT policy oversight. However, the functions of MCC related to national ICT policy oversight were not aligned with the gender equity strategies. This may affect the priority of gender issues in the policy oversight. The article contributes towards literature on national ICT policy oversight in the context of developing countries.
Speech Emotion Analysis of Different Age Groups Using Clustering Techniques
Authors: Palo Hemanta Kumar , Mohanty Mihir Narayan , Chandra Mahesh
Published: November 2017

The shape, length, and size of the vocal tract and vocal folds vary with the age of the human being. The variation may be of different age or sickness or some other conditions. Arguably, the features extracted from the utterances for the recognition task may differ for different age group. It complicates further for different emotions. The recognition system demands suitable feature extraction and clustering techniques that can separate their emotional utterances. Psychologists, criminal investigators, professional counselors, law enforcement agencies and a host of other such entities may find such analysis useful. In this article, the emotion study has been evaluated for three different age groups of people using the basic age- dependent features like pitch, speech rate, and log energy. The feature sets have been clustered for different age groups by utilizing K-means and Fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm for the boredom, sadness, and anger states. K-means algorithm has outperformed the FCM algorithm in terms of better clustering and lower computation time as the authors' results suggest.
OFDM for 4G Wireless Communications
Authors: Dixit Saurabh , Katiyar Himanshu
Published: November 2017

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) is the multiple access scheme for the fourth generation(4G) wireless communications. This paper analyzes the performance of OFDM through the Bit Error Rate(BER), Outage Probability, and ergodic capacity with flat delay profile as well as linearly increasing power decay factor. The probability density function(PDF) obtained in a Rayleigh fading channel is used to derive a closed-form expression for the outage probability, error rates and ergodic capacity of OFDM signals. The exact error rate values are similar to those obtained from simulation results. The performance improves with more number of channel taps
Working Toward a System for Measuring Dynamic Knowledge
Authors: Nissen Mark E.
Published: November 2017

Knowledge is inherently intangible, invisible and resistant to quantification, particularly when in dynamic motion. This makes it a considerable and persistent challenge to understand, visualize and measure. The research described in this article builds upon emerging knowledge measurement techniques and well-established knowledge flow theory to develop a system for measuring dynamic knowledge in the organization. This measurement capability is developed judiciously and analogically from the author's understanding of dynamic physical systems. As a background, the key literature on knowledge measurement and knowledge flow theory is reviewed. Then this system for measuring dynamic knowledge is conceptualized, and its use, utility and theoretical coherence are illustrated through practical application. This research makes a theoretical contribution by advancing a coherent approach to dynamic knowledge measurement, and it makes a practical contribution through illustration in the organization context. A related goal is to stimulate considerable thinking, discussion, debate and continued research.
Exploring the Role of the Project Manager in Organizational Knowledge Creation
Authors: Bibbes Ted , Rollins Minna , Johnston Wesley
Published: November 2017

This article explores and shows how a Project Manager interacts with the project team to facilitate the creation and sharing of new knowledge within project environment. Three types of data were collected from one pharmaceutical company. This article contributes to the current Knowledge Management literature by proposing a new structure for the knowledge creation process, an infinite loop enabling multiple paths rather than a single linear path process. The authors discuss practical implications as well as avenues for the future research.
A Grayscale Segmentation Approach Using the Firefly Algorithm and the Gaussian Mixture Model
Authors: Giuliani Donatella
Published: November 2017

In this article, the author proposes an unsupervised grayscale image segmentation method based on a combination of the Firefly Algorithm and the Gaussian Mixture Model. Firstly, the Firefly Algorithm has been applied in a histogram-based research of cluster centroids. The Firefly Algorithm is a stochastic global optimization technique, centred on the flashing characteristics of fireflies. In this histogram-based segmentation approach, it is employed to determine the number of clusters and to select the gray levels for grouping pixels into homogeneous regions. Successively these gray values are used in the initialization step for the parameter estimation of a Gaussian Mixture Model. The parametric probability density function of a Gaussian Mixture Model is represented as a weighted sum of Gaussian components, whose parameters are evaluated applying the iterative Expectation-Maximization technique. The coefficients of the linear super-position of Gaussians can be thought as prior probabilities of each component. Applying the Bayes rule, the posterior probabilities of the grayscale intensities have been evaluated, therefore their maxima are used to assign each pixel to the clusters, according to their gray levels.
Pelletization and Granulation of Calcium Oxide Powder Based on Eggshell
Authors: Tangboriboon Nuchnapa
Published: November 2017

The objective in this study focuses oncalcium oxide pellets and granules preparation made from hen eggshellmixed with polysaccharides acted as a binder by wet process. There are many factors effect to size and shape of pellets and granules i.e. types, amount, particle size of binders, viscosityof mixture, and temperature of liquid medium. An important factor is types of binder effect to particle design, nuclei formation, solid-liquid interaction, amount and size of porosity, and pellets/granules dispersion.In this study, all-purpose flour is one kind of polysaccharides and organic binders which is the most suitable for calcium oxide pellets and granules preparation. The average particle, viscosity, amount of starch content of all-purpose flour are equal to 35.9 µm, 1,864 ± 8 cp, 115 ± 1 RVU including non-toxic and less expensive.Furthermore, the chemical composition, particle size, viscosity, and chemical functional groups were measured by using XRF, particle size analyzer, viscometer, and FTIR, and are reported here.
The Influence of Compaction Effort in Laterite Soil with the Appearance of Sodium Bentonite as a Soil Liner
Authors: Che Azmi Nor Azizah , Mukri Mazidah , Kasim Nur Aisyah , Che Hasan Asmawati , Nasir Nazri
Published: November 2017

Soil liner which is placed at the foundation of a landfill is very important in order to isolate waste materials and leachate from the environment. However, if not properly managed, the leachate can beriskytothe safety and serviceability of which are directly related to the environment and public health issues. Soil liners were proposed to minimize leachate egress and prevent ground pollution. In soil liner design, it is important to compact the layer properly in order to achieve low hydraulic conductivity and high strength of soil. In this study, different percentages of sodium bentonite were added to laterite soil to act as soil liner to stabilize the liner system. Sodium bentonite can easily absorb water more than a hundred percent of its weight. Thus, the sodium bentonites were chosen to be mixed with laterite soil. The differentpercentagesof sodium bentonite used are 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. This research was carried out asan attempt to see the compaction effort for laterite soil mixedwith sodium bentonite. The outcomesof this study give positive results due to the potential of sodium bentonite to fulfill spaces in between soil particles. It is also found that sodium bentonite influences the resistance properties, hydraulic conductivity and the strength of soil.
Analysis on Correlation among Evaluation Indexes of Heavyweight Impact Sound in Apartment Buildings
Authors: Kim Kyoung Woo , Yang Kwan Seop
Published: November 2017

Floor impact sound is one noise in apartment houses that cannot be avoided. Heavyweight impact sound can be evaluated by three indexes: a method using reverse-A curve (Li,Fmax,Aw), A-weighted sound level (LiA,Fmax), and the method of the arithmetic mean of measured frequencies (Li,Favg,Fmax). The present study divided slab thickness in apartments into two groups on the basis of 210 mm thickness. Their correlations with the three indexes were then analyzed. Among the three indexes, a determination coefficient (R2=0.97) between the index using reverse-A curve and dB(A) index was the highest. The analysis result of the correlation between the three indexes and frequencies (63 Hz, 125 Hz, 250 Hz) revealed that a correlation with the 63 Hz was the highest although the result was somewhat different depending on data group and index.
Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Prefabricated Concrete Shear Wall Structure under Seismic Excitation
Authors: Zhang Hao , Zhang Zi Hang , Li Yong Qiang
Published: November 2017

The dynamic behavior of the prefabricated and cast in situ concrete shear wall structures subjected to seismic loading is investigated by finite element method. This paper adopted a prefabricated concrete shear wall in a practical engineering. The Precise finite element models of prefabricated and cast in situ concrete shear wall were established respectively by ABAQUS. The damaged plasticity model of concrete and kinematic hardening model of reinforcing steel were used. The top displacement, top acceleration, story drift ratio and base shear forceof prefabricated and cast in situ concrete shear wall under different seismic excitation were compared and analyzed. The earthquake resistant behaviorsof the two kinds of structuresare analyzed and compared. Results show that the performances of PC structure were equal to the cast-in-situ ones.
Research on Pressure Relief Technology of Main Transformer in 220KV Indoor Substation
Authors: Guo Zheng Wei , Liu Xiang Li , Guo Xin Ju , Liu Cun Kai , Jing Chuan , Li Yong , Tang Min
Published: November 2017

Most indoor substations adopt oil-immersed transformers as voltage transformation device. In multiple disadvantage conditions, the flammable gases formed form transformer oil may explode in transformer room. Typical 220kV main transformer room of indoor substation was researched in this paper. An correlation of pressure relief area of the 220kV mail transformer room of indoor substation were presented based on the CFD tool FLACS modeling of the general designing schemes of the State Grid Corporation of China. This research may be used as reference of the pressure relief technology for main transformer rooms of indoor substations.
The Research on Shift Rule of Double Clutch Transmission
Authors: Yu Wen Tao
Published: November 2017

Based on the dual clutch automatic transmission, the shift rule is studied. MTTLAB is used to establish the engine model, the transmission model and the vehicle dynamics model respectively. The input parameters are numerically analyed to analye the shift rules of the vehicle, including the best dynamic shift law and the best fuel economy shift law, the combination of shift law. According to the simulation results, we analysis three indicators which include shift speed and quality and fuel consumption.The acceleration performance of the vehicle is better than that of the economic shift rule when the dynamic shift rule is adopted. When the combined shift rule is adopted, the acceleration performance is changed from the slow to the fast. Economic shift law behave the minimum fuel consumption and the best economic performance, combined shift of the economy followed by the economic shift law, the dynamic law is the worst performance of the economy. The combined shift rule is suitable for vehicles that do not have special power requirements and fuel economy requirements for vehicles or vehicles that travel for a long period of time.
The Research on Joining of Segmented Window-Glass
Authors: Bu Mei Xia , Zhou Jin Song , Wang Xin , He Xiao Ying , Feng Lei
Published: November 2017

There is one project related to high resolution aeronautic camera, which is used in the Military aircraft. In the project, the task requires that the camera's field angle is ±20 degrees. Besides, we there need a window glass for the camera, and the distance between the window-glass and the platform is limited not more than 30mm. That is to say, the aerial camera is required to have a large field of view and small optical window order. To solve this problem, we designed a four-section-type optical window. This paper mainly describes the possible kinds of joining of the glasses used in this four-section-type optical window. There are three kinds of joining mentioned in this paper, such as mechanical connection, joining with adhesive and welding connection. Every kind has its own advantages and disadvantages. After the comprehensive consideration, the paper will use the method of mechanical connection. And this paper will give some guiding significance for the subsequent progress of the project.
The Effect of Lithium Molybdate in Tungsten Trioxide Electrochromic Film
Authors: Inmae Thitinun , Sikong Lek , Kooptarnond Kalayanee
Published: November 2017

Lithium molybdate doped tungsten trioxide electrochromic films were prepared from tungsten trioxide precursor and lithium molybdate powder by sol-gel and dip coating methods on fluorine doped tin oxide glass. The films, which synthesized were flat and amorphous structure, which confirmed by x-ray diffraction patterns. From UV-vis transmittance spectra within the wavelength from 400 to 800 nm. and cyclic voltammogram at the applying a potential of 1.0 V (bleached state) to -1.0 V (colored state) in sulfuric acid 0.5 M solution. The doping lithium molybdate 10 mol% films showed good result in terms of transmittance modulation, high diffusion coefficient and optimal surface area. Therefore, doping lithium molybdate 10 mol% has better outcome when compared to undoped lithium molybdate.
Intelligent Analysis of Heavy Metal Contents in the Toys Based on Internet of Things
Authors: Chen Hong Bo , Zheng Yi , Ding Hao , Han Yan Gang , Zhang Peng
Published: November 2017

Spectral analysis for detecting migration heavy metals in toys is widely used in domestic and international standards. In this paper, intelligent analysis system for detection heavy metals was developed utilizing Internet of Things based on current spectral analysis instruments. And the virtual application of instrumentations such as bar code scanner, balance, digital temperature/humidity recorder, spectrum analyzer and central server could be realized by using Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). The test results from different equipments and different types of data such as sample information and environmental parameters were collected automatically. And they were transported to the central server in real time. The data processing model which met the requirements of spectral analysis was embedded in the system. In that way, the system has the features of real-time data storage, automatic report generating and so on. As a result, the data recording and processing time could be decreased dramatically. Meanwhile, the risk of manual operation could be effectively reduced with improved efficiency and data processing accuracy.
Cell Mapping Modeling for Complex Systems Based on ISODATA Algorithm
Authors: Guo Ling Li , Wang Mu Shu , Wang Ye
Published: November 2017

This paper presents a new type of modeling framework for complex dynamical systems based on cell mapping. The systems considered are difficult in modeling by physical principle due to complex mechanism. By the method of data driven, the cell mapping model is constructed and the modeling objective is describing statistical dynamic trajectory for this kind of complex system, which overcome the difficulties found in mechanism modeling. Firstly, the clustering of operation modes is achieved by Self-Organizing Data Analysis Techniques Algorithm (ISODATA). Then, a cell division measure is obtained by the clustering result, which is different from the regular partition in other measures. Meanwhile, each class bound is treated as a cell bound, and hence the dynamic trajectory of complex systems is described by the cell mapping. Finally, a simulated experience illustrates the feasibility of the proposed approach.