bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Service and Associated Ridership Impacts near a New Light Rail Transit Line
Authors: Lee Jeongwoo , Boarnet Marlon , Houston Douglas , Nixon Hilary , Spears Steven
Published: October 2017

Los Angeles (LA), for many years a city with limited rail transit, is substantially expanding its public transit system. This paradigm change in transportation policy and investment creates new requirements for monitoring. One area needing evaluation is whether new, high quality transit options, such as light rail, near existing transit services increase sustainable transportation mode shares and reduce car travel. Few studies have explored light rail’s role as a catalyst to increase overall transit use and achieve sustainability goals within an auto-oriented city like LA. Metro’s data show that trips taken on its bus and rail system dropped overall by 10.5% between 2009 and 2016, but its rail ridership grew 21% during the same period due to the debut of the Gold Line and Expo Line extensions. We analyze changes to bus service and associated ridership impacts that resulted from the opening of these two LRT lines in LA. The immediate effect of the city’s bus service changes along the Gold Line light rail extension appear to be associated with a net “bus plus rail” ridership decline in that corridor. In contrast, the Expo Line corridor experienced an initial increase in ridership during the two years immediately after its opening, possibly because the bus service was not reduced by the same magnitude as along the Gold Line extension. Our findings indicate that changes in bus service made to coincide with the introduction of new light rail transit (LRT) can negatively affect the overall transit ridership in the corridor. Planners and policy makers should closely monitor changes in bus service and ridership associated with new rail transit to ensure investments results in an overall net increase in more sustainable travel.
Intelligent Aggregation Based on Content Routing Scheme for Cloud Computing
Authors: Xu Jiachen , Liu Xiao , Ma Ming , Liu Anfeng , Wang Tian , Huang Changqin
Published: October 2017

Cloud computing has emerged as today’s most exciting computing paradigm for providing services using a shared framework, which opens a new door for solving the problems of the explosive growth of digital resource demands and their corresponding convenience. With the exponential growth of the number of data types and data size in so-called big data work, the backbone network is under great pressure due to its transmission capacity, which is lower than the growth of the data size and would seriously hinder the development of the network without an effective approach to solve this problem. In this paper, an Intelligent Aggregation based on a Content Routing (IACR) scheme for cloud computing, which could reduce the amount of data in the network effectively and play a basic supporting role in the development of cloud computing, is first put forward. All in all, the main innovations in this paper are: (1) A framework for intelligent aggregation based on content routing is proposed, which can support aggregation based content routing; (2) The proposed IACR scheme could effectively route the high aggregation ratio data to the data center through the same routing path so as to effectively reduce the amount of data that the network transmits. The theoretical analyses experiments and results show that, compared with the previous original routing scheme, the IACR scheme can balance the load of the whole network, reduce the amount of data transmitted in the network by 41.8%, and reduce the transmission time by 31.6% in the same network with a more balanced network load.
Long-Term Managed Aquifer Recharge in a Saline-Water Aquifer as a Critical Component of an Integrated Water Scheme in Southwestern Florida, USA
Authors: Missimer Thomas , Guo Weixing , Woolschlager John , Maliva Robert
Published: October 2017

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) systems can be used within the context of integrated water management to create solutions to multiple objectives. Southwestern Florida is faced with severe environmental problems associated with the wet season discharge of excessive quantities of surface water containing high concentrations of nutrients into the Caloosahatchee River Estuary and a future water supply shortage. A 150,000 m3/day MAR system is proposed as an economic solution to solve part of the environmental and water supply issues. Groundwater modeling has demonstrated that the injection of about 150,000 m3/day into the Avon Park High Permeable Zone will result in the creation of a 1000 m wide plume of fresh and brackish-water (due to mixing) extending across the water short area over a 10-year period. The operational cost of the MAR injection system would be less than $0.106/m3 and the environmental benefits would alone more than cover this cost in the long term. In addition, the future unit water supply cost to the consumer would be reduced from $1 to $1.25/m3 to $0.45 to $0.65/m3.
A Physical Pre-Treatment Method (Vertical Weir Curtain) for Mitigating Cyanobacteria and Some of Their Metabolites in a Drinking Water Reservoir
Authors: Park Chae-Hong , Park Myung-Hwan , Kim Keun-Hee , Kim Nan-Young , Kim Young-Hyo , Gwon Eun-Mi , Kim Baik-Ho , Lim Byung-Jin , Hwang Soon-Jin
Published: October 2017

Harmful cyanobacteria and their metabolites often contaminate drinking water resources, and effective control remains challenging. Here, we developed a physical algal pre-treatment method, the vertical weir curtain (VWC), to mitigate cyanobacteria and some of their metabolites (geosmin, 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), and microcystins) in situ and evaluated its performance in a raw water reservoir used for drinking water supply. The VWC was manufactured with two fibrous polypropylene mats (0% and 92% porosity) which were mounted to maintain a constant underwater depth. We installed the VWC to cover the entire epilimnion of the drinking water intake zone and monitored its efficiency during an algal bloom period (July–October 2015). Reduction rates were 40–59% for total algae, 60–75% for cyanobacteria, 23–55% for geosmin, 30–51% for 2-MIB, and 47–89% for microcystin-LR during the study period. Significant reductions were observed in the shallow layer of the water column (1–3 m water depth), particularly during August, when cyanobacterial density was the highest. The results indicate that the VWC can effectively mitigate harmful cyanobacteria and their metabolites when suitably applied, serving as a valuable reference for the algal reduction in raw drinking water resources.
Ewing sarcoma during follow-up
Authors: Heinemann Melina , Ranft Andreas , Jürgens Heribert , Langer Thorsten , Vieth Volker , Timmermann Beate , Weckesser Matthias , Dirksen Uta , Stegger Lars
Published: October 2017

Aim: To evaluate the performance of a prospectively defined follow-up imaging protocol that includes FDG-PET(/CT) to detect tumour recurrence in Ewing sarcoma (EwS) before becoming symptomatic.

Methods: Imaging results and clinical data during follow-up were retrospectively analysed from all patients treated successfully within the EURO E.W.I.N.G. 99 trial at the University Hospital Münster, Germany. All patients received follow-up imaging according to a comprehensive protocol that included regular X-ray, CT, MRI, bone scan and PET(/CT), albeit not all on the same day and with varying intervals for the different modalities.

Results: 80 of 105 patients underwent follow-up at our institution after complete remission. 30 patients had recurrent tumour during the follow-up period of 3.6 years on average. 19 recurrences (63%) were detected by scheduled imaging before the advent of clinical symptoms. The majority of these recurrences (8 out of 19; 42%) was detected first by PET/ CT (and confirmed with additional imaging thereafter), even though the total number of PET/CTs was comparatively low (138) and PET/CT was not systematically scheduled before other imaging techniques. Recurrences detected by bone scan were also detectable by PET.

Conclusions: The implemented follow-up protocol was effective in the detection of EwS recurrence before the advent of symptoms. Most cases of those detected before onset of symptoms were detected by PET/CT first. This hybrid imaging modality should therefore be considered in the routine follow-up of EwS patients, as is standard in our hospital. In combination with PET, low-dose chest CT seems to be sufficient in the detection of small pulmonary nodules.
Concept of a Polish Database of a Multi-Dimensional
Cadastral System with Particular Focus on Geo-Hazards
Authors: Trystuła Agnieszka
Published: October 2017

The dynamic growth of contemporary cadastral systems depends on multiple factors, which include, e.g.
economic policy of a given country and possibilities of implementing activities supporting innovation and transfer of
new technologies. A modern cadastre should satisfy not only its leading functions, which include, e.g. fiscal, information,
legal or record functions. It should also be oriented towards new challenges, including 3D geovisualisation,
which will enable multidimensional visualisation of cadastral objects. New data visualisation methods will contribute
to extending the existing functions of cadastral systems and to emergence of new functions, e.g. related to ensuring
public safety as a basic aim of crisis management, being an important element of sustainable development. This paper
presents a concept of a database of multidimensional cadastral system enabling, for instance, 3D visualisation of system
objects, incorporating its known functions (e.g. fiscal, information or legal functions), and also a new purpose –support
for crisis management. Additionally, the study indicates sources of data that should be used for this type of undertaking
(e.g. flood hazard maps, maps of areas at risk of mass land movements, orthophotomaps).
Embedded Filaments in IRAS 05463+2652: Early Stage of Fragmentation and Star Formation Activities
Authors: Dewangan L. K. , Devaraj R. , Baug T. , Ojha D. K.
Published: October 2017

We present a multiwavelength data analysis of IRAS 05463+2652 (hereafter I05463+2652) to study star formation mechanisms. A shell-like structure around I05463+2652 is evident in the Herschel column density map, which is not associated with any ionized emission. Based on the Herschel submillimeter images, several parsec-scale filaments (including two elongated filaments, “s-fl” and “nw-fl” having lengths of ∼6.4 and ∼8.8 pc, respectively) are investigated in the I05463+2652 site. The Herschel temperature map depicts all these features in a temperature range of ∼11–13 K. 39 clumps are identified and have masses between

∼
70
–
945

M

⊙

. The majority of clumps (having

M

clump

≳
300

M

⊙

) are distributed toward the shell-like structure. 175 young stellar objects (YSOs) are selected using the photometric 1–5 μm data and a majority of these YSOs are distributed toward the four areas of high column density (

≳
5
×

10

21

cm−2; A

V
 ∼ 5.3 mag) in the shell-like structure, where massive clumps and a spatial association with filament(s) are also observed. The knowledge of observed masses per unit length of elongated filaments and critical mass length reveals that they are supercritical. The filament “nw-fl” is fragmented into five clumps (having

M

clump

∼
100
–
545

M

⊙

) and contains noticeable YSOs, while the other filament “s-fl” is fragmented into two clumps (having

M

clump

∼
170
–
215

M

⊙

) without YSOs. Together, these observational results favor the role of filaments in the star formation process in I05480+2545. This study also reveals the filament “s-fl,” containing two starless clumps, at an early stage of fragmentation.
Chandra and NuSTAR Follow-up Observations of Swift-BAT-selected AGNs
Authors: Marchesi S. , Tremblay L. , Ajello M. , Marcotulli L. , Paggi A. , Cusumano G. , La Parola V. , Segreto A.
Published: October 2017

Based on current models of the cosmic X-ray background (CXB), heavily obscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are expected to make up ∼10% of the peak emission of the CXB and ∼20% of the total population of AGNs, yet few of these sources have been recorded and characterized in current surveys. Here we present the Chandra follow-up observation of 14 AGNs detected by Swift-BAT. For five sources in the sample, NuSTAR observations in the 3–80 keV band are also available. The X-ray spectral fitting over the 0.3–150 keV energy range allows us to determine the main X-ray spectral parameters, such as the photon index and the intrinsic absorption, of these objects and to make hypotheses on the physical structures responsible for the observed spectra. We find that 13 of the 14 objects are absorbed AGNs, and one is a candidate Compton-thick AGN, having intrinsic absorption

cm−2. Finally, we verified that the use of NuSTAR observations is strategic to strongly constrain the properties of obscured AGNs, since the best-fit values we obtained for parameters such as the power-law photon index Γ and the intrinsic absorption

changed sometimes significantly fitting the spectra with and without the use of NuSTAR data.
Probing the Intergalactic Medium with Lyα and 21 cm Fluctuations
Authors: Heneka Caroline , Cooray Asantha , Feng Chang
Published: October 2017

We study 21 cm and Lyα fluctuations, as well as Hα, while distinguishing between Lyα emission of galactic, diffuse, and scattered intergalactic medium (IGM) origin. Cross-correlation information about the state of the IGM is obtained, testing neutral versus ionized medium cases with different tracers in a seminumerical simulation setup. In order to pave the way toward constraints on reionization history and modeling beyond power spectrum information, we explore parameter dependencies of the cross-power signal between 21 cm and Lyα, which displays a characteristic morphology and a turnover from negative to positive correlation at scales of a couple Mpc−1. In a proof of concept for the extraction of further information on the state of the IGM using different tracers, we demonstrate the use of the 21 cm and Hα cross-correlation signal to determine the relative strength of galactic and IGM emission in Lyα. We conclude by showing the detectability of the 21 cm and Lyα cross-correlation signal over more than one decade in scale at high signal-to-noise ratio for upcoming probes like SKA and the proposed all-sky intensity mapping satellites SPHEREx and CDIM, while also including the Lyα damping tail and 21 cm foreground avoidance in the modeling.
Crowdfunding et qualité de l’information
Authors: Cariou Christophe , Lyubareva Inna , Rochelandet Fabrice
Published: October 2017

Le crowdfunding se distingue d’autres modes de financement en ligne en raison du rôle des communautés qui se construisent autour des projets. Rares sont les études qui s’intéressent à l’impact de ces dynamiques participatives sur la qualité des projets finaux produits à l’issue des campagnes. Pour pallier ces lacunes, notre papier s’appuie sur une étude de 40 médias en ligne et de 1200 articles publiés par ces titres, issus des deux principales plateformes de crowdfunding en France (KissKissBanBank et Ulule). Nous montrons que les campagnes de crowdfunding journalistique peuvent avoir un impact ambivalent sur les projets produits ‒ un effet négatif sur la diversité de l’information et un impact positif sur la richesse, la profondeur et la lisibilité de l’information publiée.
Stratégies de marques et stratégies éditoriales du Groupe Figaro
Authors: Joux Alexandre
Published: October 2017

L’article propose une monographie du Groupe Figaro qui, depuis son rachat par Dassault, a pour stratégie de renforcer la marque issue du quotidien papier tout en développant son audience en ligne grâce à de nouvelles thématiques éditoriales. Cette monographie met en lumière les enjeux auxquels sont confrontés les groupes de presse qui cherchent à repenser leurs modèles d’affaires sur Internet, le cas du Groupe Figaro étant emblématique, notamment depuis le rachat de CCM Benchmark. Si l’évolution du modèle d’affaires du groupe lui permet encore de financer une rédaction conséquente, elle s’opère en revanche dans un contexte qui rend plus difficile le maintien du pluralisme en ligne.
L’électron, la modernité et les ingénieurs d’état
Authors: Lelong Benoît
Published: October 2017

Apparaissant au milieu des années 1890 dans les travaux de certains physiciens, redéfinissant complètement la nature de l’électricité, l’électron devient l’emblème d’une science dite « moderne », se séparant d’approches désormais qualifiées de « classiques ». Pour une part, les personnages et les collectifs portant ces dernières en France rassemblaient des anciens élèves des écoles d’ingénieurs. Cet article voudrait examiner leurs réactions à la critique intellectuelle et politique que leur adressèrent les partisans de l’électron. Loin de le rejeter, ils le réinterprétèrent pour l’incorporer à leur propre univers symbolique et institutionnel centré sur les théories mathématiques et les instruments de mesure. Ces attitudes prenaient sens dans le paysage plus général de l’électrotechnique telle que les ingénieurs d’État la réorganisaient dans ses savoirs et ses équipements. Mobilisant des imaginaires rationalisateurs, le déploiement des réseaux électriques promettait un futur socialement pacifié et économiquement stabilisé grâce au contrôle exercé par des élites techniciennes garantes du bien commun. Une nouvelle version de l’ancien projet technocratique et industrialiste fut finalement envisagée pour l’électricité. Ni radicale ni conservatrice, mais plutôt progressiste et continuiste, elle marginalisa la portée subversive de l’électron, confinant ses bouleversements éventuels à un avenir lointain et improbable.
Des outils numériques en quête d’inscription organisationnelle
Authors: Benedetto-Meyer Marie
Published: October 2017

En quoi les outils collaboratifs transforment-ils l’organisation du travail ? L’article se fonde sur l’analyse d’une « plateforme de compétences » introduite dans le service de recherche & innovation d’une grande entreprise pour favoriser l’entraide entre les salariés et les mettre en contact pour travailler collectivement. L’analyse montre que ce dispositif semble finalement peu articulé aux modes de coordination existants, mais n’en propose pas non plus d’alternative claire. Cette imprécision génère en retour un certain embarras de la part des utilisateurs, perplexes quant à la manière de se saisir de l’outil, peu enclins à exposer leurs compétences comme leurs besoins d’aide sur la plateforme. Plus encore, l’idée de nouer des liens sans engagement ni encadrement organisationnel suscite une certaine méfiance. Partant de ce constat, l’article montre l’incomplétude de ces outils prônant de nouvelles formes de régulations, de coordination et de confiance dans les organisations sans créer les conditions de leur réalisation.
Health Disparities and Child Development After Prematurity
Authors: Carter Frances A. , Msall Michael E.
Published: October 2017

There is increased recognition that preterm neonates require sequential surveillance to capture the spectrum of coordination, communication, learning, and behavior regulation disorders that may occur in the first 5 years of life and beyond. In particular, the framework of follow-up needs to go beyond the detection of cerebral palsy, blindness, and deafness in the first 2 years of life for only those at highest preterm risk (ie, <28 weeks gestation, with combinations of severe cranial sonographic abnormalities, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and retinopathy of prematurity). In addition, there are numerous barriers for diverse families in accessing quality, comprehensive early intervention and early child education supports. This article highlights recent research on the long-term impact of preterm birth with a focus on disparities in resource access and in outcomes at entry to kindergarten and early educational trajectories. Across all degrees of prematurity, children from disadvantaged backgrounds face significant disparities both in access to comprehensive and continuous supports and in long-term academic outcomes. Ten key recommendations are provided for ensuring proactive management strategies for the long-term academic, behavioral, and social success of these at-risk children.

[
Pediatr Ann.
2017;46(10):e360–e364.]
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Findings in Punctate Inner Choroidopathy
Authors: Kim Esther Lee , Thanos Aristomenis , Yonekawa Yoshihiro , Todorich Bozho , Wolfe Jeremy , Randhawa Sandeep , Faia Lisa J.
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) is an inflammatory chorioretinopathy characterized by multiple punctate, hypopigmented fundus lesions. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is an emerging imaging modality that enables high-resolution visualization of the retinal and choroidal vasculature. The objective of this study is to examine the OCTA findings in PIC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Observational, retrospective review of five patients with PIC.

RESULTS:

OCTA revealed several features in PIC lesions: distinctly visible choroidal neovascular membranes when present, as well as flow voids within the choroid and choriocapillaris layers that correspond with hypocyanescent lesions on indocyanine green angiography.

CONCLUSION:

OCTA may serve as a useful adjunctive imaging modality in diagnosing and monitoring patients with PIC.

[Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:786–792.]
Pachychoroid Pigment Epitheliopathy Associated With Tamoxifen
Authors: Ersoz Mehmet Giray , Arf Serra , Karacorlu Murat , Hocaoglu Mumin , Muslubas Isil Sayman
Published: October 2017

Pachychoroid pigment epitheliopathy (PPE) is considered to be a forme fruste of central serous chorioretinopathy. Tamoxifen (Soltamax; Midatech Pharma, Raleigh, NC) has an anti-estrogenic effect on cytoplasmic estrogen receptors. Serum total testosterone, cortisol, and cortisone levels increase during tamoxifen therapy. Tamoxifen may cause hormone disturbance leading to the development of disorders in the pachychoroid spectrum. The authors present two cases of PPE associated with tamoxifen therapy. A 65-year-old woman (Patient 1) and a 52-year-old woman (Patient 2) had a recent history of tamoxifen therapy. PPE lesions were seen in both eyes of Patient 1 and in the right eye of Patient 2.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2017;48:838–842.]
Acute Exudative Polymorphous Paraneoplastic Vitelliform Maculopathy Managed With Intravitreal Aflibercept
Authors: Gündüz Kaan , Çöndü Gökçen , Shields Carol L.
Published: October 2017

The authors report on two patients with bilateral acute exudative polymorphous paraneoplastic vitelliform maculopathy (AEPPVM) treated with intravitreal aflibercept (Eylea; Regeneron, Tarrytown, NY [marketed locally in Turkey by Bayer]). Underlying malignancy had been treated in each case, including breast carcinoma in one case and colon carcinoma in the other case. A macular vitelliform lesion was noted in the right eye and atrophic retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) changes were noted in the left eye of each case. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) of the vitelliform lesion showed sensorineural retinal detachment, highly reflective subretinal material, ellipsoid loss in the right eye, and photoreceptor loss in both eyes of each patient. In both cases, the right eye with a vitelliform macular lesion was treated with intravitreal aflibercept (2.0 mg/0.05 mL) at monthly intervals for the first three injections and at bimonthly intervals for the following injections. Case 1 received a total of six injections and visual acuity (VA) increased from 20/70 to 20/50 at 10 months' follow-up. EDI-OCT showed slight gradual resolution of subretinal vitelliform material. Case 2 received three injections and VA increased from 20/100 to 20/40 at 4 months' follow-up with a decrease in the subretinal vitelliform deposit and intraretinal edema on EDI-OCT. Intravitreal aflibercept may control progression of APPVME in newly diagnosed cases by decreasing vascular leakage and stabilizing RPE function.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2017;48:844–850.]
The Impact of Switching Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy in the Management of Exudative Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Chia Karen Jhi Wen , Gunasekeran Dinesh Visva , Laude Augustinus
Published: October 2017

Switching of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy in the management of poorly responsive exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has had suggested benefits in individual reports that have yet to be consolidated. In this retrospective review, 24 studies published between 2009 and 2014 were identified. Reasons for switching included tachyphylaxis, health insurance coverage, cost issues, and nonresponse or inadequate response. Nine studies had data that could be used for comparison between studies. Median follow-up was 10.6 months (range: 4.2 months to 21.8 months). Mean baseline visual acuity (VA) ranged from 0.42 logMar to 0.94 logMar (standard deviation [SD] range: 0.05 logMar to 0.50 logMar) and mean VA on final follow-up ranged from 0.38 logMar to 0.78 logMar (SD range: 0.08 logMar to 0.50 logMar). Five of nine studies reported no statistically significant change in vision, and five of nine studies reported a statistically significant improvement in central retinal thickness. This review found that switching anti-VEGF did not confer significant improvement of VA, although it provided some anatomical improvement. Pertinent considerations for evaluating response following anti-VEGF therapy are also presented in this review.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2017;48:859–869.]
La « nouvelle loi de la jungle » : développement, droits des peuples autochtones et Convention 169 de l’OIT en Amérique latine
Authors: Larsen Peter Bille
Published: October 2017

Cet article traite des liens entre droits des peuples autochtones, normes mondiales et développement en Amérique latine, et plus particulièrement de la Convention 169 de l’Organisation Internationale du Travail (OIT), sur les droits des peuples autochtones et tribaux ainsi que de son application dans la région. Si les changements démocratiques, les réformes constitutionnelles et la reconnaissance des droits des peuples autochtones attestent de la naissance d’une nouvelle ère des droits, les profondes inégalités qui prévalent, la persistance de la pauvreté et les conflits de développement révèlent des tensions structurelles ainsi que le caractère ambigu de cette reconnaissance. Cette ambiguïté est souvent perçue comme le fruit d’une application inefficace des normes ou des « anomalies congénitales » résultant des compromis qui ont présidé à leur élaboration. Toutefois, cet article analyse les tendances qui caractérisent les administrations, tant orthodoxes qu’hétérodoxes, et l’arène internationale, pour montrer qu’elles sont le lieu d’un processus de renégociation des régimes de droits. Sous l’empire de cette « nouvelle loi de la jungle », les droits ne sont plus relégués à la marge ou victimes des défaillances dans leur application ; ils sont le révélateur d’une échelle mobile dont le curseur oscille entre autonomisation et normalisation, sous l’effet des processus de réappropriation, des intérêts stratégiques et des négociations de nature réglementaire.
Novel Technique for 3D Face Recognition Using Anthropometric Methodology
Authors: Sghaier Souhir , Farhat Wajdi , Souani Chokri
Published: October 2017

This manuscript presents an improved system research that can detect and recognize the person in 3D space automatically and without the interaction of the people's faces. This system is based not only on a quantum computation and measurements to extract the vector features in the phase of characterization but also on learning algorithm (using SVM) to classify and recognize the person. This research presents an improved technique for automatic 3D face recognition using anthropometric proportions and measurement to detect and extract the area of interest which is unaffected by facial expression. This approach is able to treat incomplete and noisy images and reject the non-facial areas automatically. Moreover, it can deal with the presence of holes in the meshed and textured 3D image. It is also stable against small translation and rotation of the face. All the experimental tests have been done with two 3D face datasets FRAV 3D and GAVAB. Therefore, the test's results of the proposed approach are promising because they showed that it is competitive comparable to similar approaches in terms of accuracy, robustness, and flexibility. It achieves a high recognition performance rate of 95.35% for faces with neutral and non-neutral expressions for the identification and 98.36% for the authentification with GAVAB and 100% with some gallery of FRAV 3D datasets.
Fractal Coding Based Video Compression Using Weighted Finite Automata
Authors: Kamble Shailesh D. , Thakur Nileshsingh V. , Bajaj Preeti R.
Published: October 2017

Main objective of the proposed work is to develop an approach for video coding based on Fractal coding using the weighted finite automata (WFA). The proposed work only focuses on reducing the encoding time as this is the basic limitation why the Fractal coding not becomes the practical reality. WFA is used for the coding as it behaves like the Fractal Coding (FC). WFA represents an image based on the idea of fractal that the image has self-similarity in itself. The plane WFA (applied on every frame), and Plane FC (applied on every frame) coding approaches are compared with each other. The experimentations are carried out on the standard uncompressed video databases, namely, Traffic, Paris, Bus, Akiyo, Mobile, Suzie etc. and on the recorded video, namely, Geometry and Circle. Developed approaches are compared on the basis of performance evaluation parameters, namely, encoding time, decoding time, compression ratio, compression percentage, bits per pixel and Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR). Though the initial number of states is 256 for every frame of all the types of videos, but we got the different number of states for different frames and it is quite obvious due to minimality of constructed WFA for respective frame. Based on the obtained results, it is observed that the number of states is more in videos namely, Traffic, Bus, Paris, Mobile, and Akiyo, therefore the reconstructed video quality is good in comparison with other videos namely, Circle, Suzie, and Geometry.
Developing a Military Cyber Maturity Model for Multi-Domain Battle Mission Resilience and Success
Authors: Ormrod David , Turnbull Benjamin
Published: October 2017

Modern military forces rely heavily on cyber-enabled systems; for logistics, communication, and control. Modern military platforms are heavily integrated with computing capability. This integration and reliance will only increase over time. Modern military operations require the support of flexible, responsive and resilient cyber-capabilities. Current information system security models and information assurance constructs seek to achieve information assurance, a high degree of certainty in the confidentiality, integrity and availability of cyber-systems supporting combat operations. However, this approach assumes that an information assurance approach is a complete and comprehensive defense. History though, has proven otherwise. This work argues that the information assurance approach, whilst a worthy goal, is not reflective of the lessons of history or warfare. Specifically, this work outlines the need for, and introduces The Military Cyber-Maturity Model, a pragmatic model that assumes a technically capable and intelligent adversary. This model assumes the possibility of an adversary utilizing an unknown vulnerability to attack the system, and expends resources to minimise the impact of the successful attack rather than relying entirely on an impregnable defense. This approach extends beyond the assumption that a cyber-attack immediately causes mission failure, by recognizing that each cyber-attack has different requirements and outcomes and will affect different assets and processes. The Military Cyber-Maturity Model seeks to model business continuity through a high degree of cultural change, embedded work practices that parallel analogue and digital work practices with deceptive counterintelligence behavior. The Military Cyber-Maturity Model incorporates the concepts of behavioral defense and mission assurance to provide agility and increase the likelihood of success in combat. Information deception provides a behavioral defense, creating uncertainty and doubt in the adversary's mind and reducing the degree of trust they have in the information available. This paper introduces the model, outlines its aims, components and justifications. This work also outlines the need for simulation and testing to validate the model's effectiveness, and introduces a number of potential use-cases.
Cultural Event Management and Urban e-Planning Through Bottom-Up User Participation
Authors: Corallo Angelo , Trono Anna , Fortunato Laura , Pettinato Francesco , Schina Laura
Published: October 2017

Cultural events are an important driver of socio-cultural-economic transformation. The growth of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has affected the ways in which people can play an active role in cultural event management and urban planning. This work proposes a methodological approach that identifies the key elements for building bottom-up urban e-planning strategies. After a brief theoretical analysis of the impact of cultural activities, tourism and ICTs on urban planning, this paper presents the results of an empirical study carried out in the Puglia region (south of Italy) during the cultural event known as “La Notte della Taranta”, in which the crowd created added-value information via comments posted on social media. Data were collected using a mobile application specifically created for this event as part of the Folkture project, as well as from Facebook and Twitter posts. Using network-analytic and sentiment/semantic algorithms, the work aims to support the event management decisional process and produce results valuable to the field of urban planning.
Bridging the Gap Between Strategic Environmental Assessment and Planning
Authors: Campagna Michele , Di Cesare Elisabetta Anna , Matta Andrea , Serra Matteo
Published: October 2017

Current planning practices in Europe are affected by new regulations aiming at environmental protection and risk reduction, however, planning professionals often face difficulties in properly implementing the principles given by the norms. This paper discusses the influence of the introduction of Strategic Environmental Assessment and of Spatial Data Infrastructures in the EU, highlighting innovation potential and implementation shortcomings and pitfalls. To address these issues, the Geodesign approach is proposed, firstly analysing its relationships with the current planning regulations at the regional level in Italy, and then its opportunities for application in practice with regard to the Sardinian case study (Italy); secondly an integrated Planning Support System is proposed and tested to implement the core phases of the Geodesign approach. The paper concludes suggesting that Geodesign may fruitfully address some of the major issues in the current planning and SEA practice, taking full advantage of the newly available resources of SDI.
Word Sense Based Hindi-Tamil Statistical Machine Translation
Authors: Kumar K. Vimal , Yadav Divakar
Published: October 2017

Corpus based natural language processing has emerged with great success in recent years. It is not only used for languages like English, French, Spanish, and Hindi but also is widely used for languages like Tamil, Telugu etc. This paper focuses to increase the accuracy of machine translation from Hindi to Tamil by considering the word's sense as well as its part-of-speech. This system works on word by word translation from Hindi to Tamil language which makes use of additional information such as the preceding words, the current word's part of speech and the word's sense itself. For such a translation system, the frequency of words occurring in the corpus, the tagging of the input words and the probability of the preceding word of the tagged words are required. Wordnet is used to identify various synonym for the words specified in the source language. Among these words, the one which is more relevant to the word specified in source language is considered for the translation to target language. The introduction of the additional information such as part-of-speech tag, preceding word information and semantic analysis has greatly improved the accuracy of the system.
Queuing Analysis of Cloud Load Balancing Algorithms
Authors: Majhi Santosh Kumar , Pal Shankho Subhra , Bhuyan Shweta , Dhal Sunil Kumar
Published: October 2017

The emergence of cloud-computing and the apparent shift to this new paradigm has led to the creation of data centres that consist of hundreds of thousands of servers. The Cloud is a distributed system that helps share data and provides resources to the users. The data and the distributed resources are stored in the open environment. This paper presents a model of cloud load balancing using queuing and probability theory. A queuing cloud model is discussed with load balancing perspective. We present analysis for two servers and then extended it to n server. In addition, an optimal strategy is modelled for cloud load balancing. The analytical results are verified through numeric simulation.
Test Path Prioritization from UML Activity Diagram Using a Hybridized Approach
Authors: Bhattacharjee Gargi , Dash Sudipta
Published: October 2017

Software testing is regarded as a pivotal approach to realize a high reliable product. To check for the correctness of results, we require appropriate test cases. UML models are largely used to depict the specifications for software development. Test cases are created independently and based on the sequence of occurrence in the diagrams; they lead to corresponding test paths in the program. In this paper, we have analyzed an activity diagram, consisting of concurrent activities, for generating test paths. The obtained test paths are therefore required to be ranked. We have demonstrated that it is conceivable to apply Genetic Algorithm procedures alongside Ant Colony Optimization technique for not only finding the most critical path but also prioritizing the other paths too for enhancing the effectiveness of software testing.
Mobile Phone Usage Patterns, Security Concerns, and Security Practices of Digital Generation
Authors: Zhang Sonya , Costa Saree
Published: October 2017

As the digital generations have grown up with high-tech gadgets and become avid users of mobile phones and apps, they are also exposed to increasing mobile security threats and vulnerability. In this paper the authors discuss the impact of recent mobile technology advancements on mobile threat environment and mobile security practices. They also conducted a survey to 262 college students to examine their mobile phone usage patterns, security concerns and practices. The results show that students use their mobile phone frequently for various productivity and entertainment purposes. They are generally aware of and concerned about mobile security, not only on losing the phone physically but also on data theft, web threat, and mobile malware. Students also practice security to some extend - most change PIN and passwords regularly, download their apps mostly from official app stores, and generally keep their OS and apps up-to-date. The authors also found significant correlations between mobile security practices and personal attributes, including major, gender, and technology aptitude.
Towards a Model for Engaging Citizens via Gov2.0 to Meet Evolving Public Value
Authors: Aladalah Mohammed , Cheung Yen , Lee Vincent CS
Published: October 2017

The adoption of Gov2.0 is intended to be an efficient and effective way of reaching digital citizens where they are, thereby facilitating the dissemination of information and enabling citizen participation. Since citizens are actively using Web2.0 tools and applications in their social lives, it is assumed that Gov2.0 would provide a means to lend their voices to the decision-making process. However, Gov2.0 has not been successful in engaging citizens and has not lived up to expectations. Governments need to reassess their engagement models via Gov2.0 to achieve a desired level of public value. To engage effectively in the process of public value co-creation, a synergistic integration of citizens and governments must occur. The authors use the co-creation lenses to suggest that citizen participation and satisfaction can help to enhance public value. A validated research model and measures are proposed that link citizen-government synergistic integration to participation and satisfaction in order to achieve public value. The paper concludes with suggestions for future avenues of research.
Political Discourse Strategies Used in Twitter during Gezi Park Protests
Authors: Yavuz Nilay , Karkın Naci , Parlak İsmet , Subay Özlem Özdeşim
Published: October 2017

Along with the growing use of twitter as a tool of political interaction, recently, there has also been an attention in the academia to understand and explain how and why politicians use twitter, and what its impact on the political outcomes are. On the other hand, there has been little analysis about the content of the tweets that politicians from different parties posted during major political events. Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the discourse strategies that the top-level politicians of the party in power and of the main opposition party in Turkey used in their tweets during Gezi Park events in the summer of 2013. Findings from a hand-coded content analysis based on Van Dijk's framework (2006) indicate that while the most frequently used strategy was actor descriptions and categorization for both parties' politicians, burden strategy and lexicalization / metaphor strategy were used significantly more by the main opposition party politicians compared to the politicians of the party in power.
Concept Attribute Labeling and Context-Aware Named Entity Recognition in Electronic Health Records
Authors: Pomares-Quimbaya Alexandra , Gonzalez Rafael A. , Velandia Oscar Mauricio Muñoz , Peña Angel Alberto Garcia , Rodríguez Julián Camilo Daza , Múnera Alejandro Sierra , Labbé Cyril
Published: October 2017

Extracting valuable knowledge from Electronic Health Records (EHR) represents a challenging task due to the presence of both structured and unstructured data, including codified fields, images and test results. Narrative text in particular contains a variety of notes which are diverse in language and detail, as well as being full of ad hoc terminology, including acronyms and jargon, which is especially challenging in non-English EHR, where there is a dearth of annotated corpora or trained case sets. This paper proposes an approach for NER and concept attribute labeling for EHR that takes into consideration the contextual words around the entity of interest to determine its sense. The approach proposes a composition method of three different NER methods, together with the analysis of the context (neighboring words) using an ensemble classification model. This contributes to disambiguate NER, as well as labeling the concept as confirmed, negated, speculative, pending or antecedent. Results show an improvement of the recall and a limited impact on precision for the NER process.
Electronic Medical Record Implementation Challenges for the National Health System in Greece
Authors: Katehakis Dimitrios G.
Published: October 2017

The purpose of this work is to expose challenges related to the implementation of quality electronic medical record (EMR) systems in public hospitals in Greece, a country where the national health system (NHS) has already acquired electronic medical records (EMRs). The level of EMR implementation, together with organizational maturity at a hospital level, are explored. What is discovered is that there are different adoption levels, not recorded in a systematic manner. The majority of physicians are either reluctant to implement EMRs or do not know options available to them. Implications include not continuous flow of events, cut off of critical information, lower quality of health services, patients not empowered to carry with them clinically significant information, unnecessary repetition of medical procedures and higher costs. It is concluded that focus should be paid on enabling the use of quality, interoperable and secure EMRs to better support medical decision, in an effort to improve the health of the population and to better control costs.
Pintura em barriga e book fotográfico: projeto de vivência universitária com gestantes e acompanhantes / Belly painting / photo book: university experience project with pregnant women and their supporters
Authors: Modes Priscilla Shirley Siniak dos Anjos , Silva Ana Maria Nunes da , Pinto Elen Daniele Rosa , Longhi Ligia Paula , Moraes Jéssica Gonçalves Holanda , Santos Vanda Patrícia Da Silva
Published: October 2017

Objetivou-se analisar um projeto de vivência universitária com gestantes e acompanhantes em uma unidade da Estratégia Saúde da Família de Sinop-MT-Brasil, em interface com a prática do enfermeiro. Trata-se de um relato de experiência do projeto de “pintura em barriga/book fotográfico”, com envolvimento de graduandos em enfermagem, trabalhadores da equipe de saúde, gestantes, acompanhantes e colaboradores da comunidade acadêmica e local. O acesso facilitado pelas gestantes as atividades, a inclusão dos acompanhantes e a valorização de aspectos emocionais colaboraram para o êxito da atividade. Observou-se intensa participação do grupo-alvo nas ações, a interação entre os sujeitos envolvidos e a colaboração da academia na proposição de práticas em saúde. Conclui-se pela importância de projetos que oportunizam vivências aos acadêmicos e demais participantes, promovam maior articulação entre o ensino-serviço e subsidiem a reflexão em torno de práticas de saúde/de enfermagem, incluindo não apenas a mulher e o bebê, mas os seus acompanhantes.
Dissimilar and Similar Laser Beam and GTA Welding of Nuclear Fuel Pin Cladding Tube to End Plug Joint
Authors: Murugan Aravind , Sai Santhosh R. , Raju Ravikumar , Lakshminarayanan A.K. , Albert Shaju K.
Published: October 2017

The end plug to cladding tube of fast reactor fuel pin is normally welded using Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) process. The GTAW process has large heat input and wide heat-affected-zone (HAZ) than high energy density process such as laser welding. In the present study Laser Beam Welding (LBW) is being considered as an alternative welding process to join end plug to clad tube. The characteristics of autogenous processes such as GTAW and pulsed Nd-YAG laser welding on fuel cladding tube to end plug joints have been investigated in this study. Dissimilar combinations of modified stainless steel (SS) alloy D9 cladding tube to SS316L end plug, and similar combinations of SS316L cladding tube to SS316L end plug were successfully welded using the above two welding processes. The laser welding was performed at the butting surfaces of the cladding tube and the end plug, and also by shifting the laser beam by 0.2 mm towards the end plug side to compensate the heat balance and for improving the Creq/Nieq ratio in the molten pool. Helium Leak Test (HLT) and Radiography Test (RT) were carried out to validate the quality of the welds. The microstructures of the weld joints were analysed using optical microscope. In the present study, it has been demonstrated that it is possible to obtain welds free from hot cracks by shifting the laser beam by 0.2 mm towards end plug side, while the weld produced using the beam positioned at the interface shows cracks in the weld.