bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computationally Inexpensive Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) Pansharpening
Authors: Zhang Hankui , Roy David
Published: February 2016

Pansharpening algorithms fuse higher spatial resolution panchromatic with lower spatial resolution multispectral imagery to create higher spatial resolution multispectral images. The free-availability and systematic global acquisition of Landsat 8 data indicate an expected need for global coverage and so computationally efficient Landsat 8 pansharpening. This study adapts and evaluates the established, and relatively computationally inexpensive, Brovey and context adaptive Gram Schmidt component substitution (CS) pansharpening methods for application to the Landsat 8 15 m panchromatic and 30 m red, green, blue, and near-infrared bands. The intensity images used by these CS pansharpening methods are derived as a weighted linear combination of the multispectral bands in three different ways using band spectral weights set (i) equally as the reciprocal of the number of bands; (ii) using fixed Landsat 8 spectral response function based (SRFB) weights derived considering laboratory spectra; and (iii) using image specific spectral weights derived by regression between the multispectral and the degraded panchromatic bands. The spatial and spectral distortion and computational cost of the different methods are assessed using Landsat 8 test images acquired over agricultural scenes in South Dakota, China, and India. The results of this study indicate that, for global Landsat 8 application, the context adaptive Gram Schmidt pansharpening with an intensity image defined using the SRFB spectral weights is appropriate. The context adaptive Gram Schmidt pansharpened results had lower distortion than the Brovey results and the least distortion was found using intensity images derived using the SRFB and image specific spectral weights but the computational cost using the image specific weights was greater than the using the SRFB weights. Recommendations for large area Landsat 8 pansharpening application are described briefly and the SRFB spectral weights are provided so users may implement computationally inexpensive Landsat 8 pansharpening themselves.
Phylogenetic Structure of Foliar Spectral Traits in Tropical Forest Canopies
Authors: McManus Kelly , Asner Gregory , Martin Roberta , Dexter Kyle , Kress W. , Field Christopher
Published: February 2016

The Spectranomics approach to tropical forest remote sensing has established a link between foliar reflectance spectra and the phylogenetic composition of tropical canopy tree communities vis-à-vis the taxonomic organization of biochemical trait variation. However, a direct relationship between phylogenetic affiliation and foliar reflectance spectra of species has not been established. We sought to develop this relationship by quantifying the extent to which underlying patterns of phylogenetic structure drive interspecific variation among foliar reflectance spectra within three Neotropical canopy tree communities with varying levels of soil fertility. We interpreted the resulting spectral patterns of phylogenetic signal in the context of foliar biochemical traits that may contribute to the spectral-phylogenetic link. We utilized a multi-model ensemble to elucidate trait-spectral relationships, and quantified phylogenetic signal for spectral wavelengths and traits using Pagel’s lambda statistic. Foliar reflectance spectra showed evidence of phylogenetic influence primarily within the visible and shortwave infrared spectral regions. These regions were also selected by the multi-model ensemble as those most important to the quantitative prediction of several foliar biochemical traits. Patterns of phylogenetic organization of spectra and traits varied across sites and with soil fertility, indicative of the complex interactions between the environmental and phylogenetic controls underlying patterns of biodiversity.
Comparing Near Coincident Space Borne C and X Band Fully Polarimetric SAR Data for Arctic Sea Ice Classification
Authors: Ressel Rudolf , Singha Suman
Published: February 2016

This work compares the polarimetric backscatter behavior of sea ice in spaceborne X-band and C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. Two spatially and temporally coincident pairs of fully polarimetric acquisitions from the TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X and RADARSAT-2 satellites are investigated. Proposed supervised classification algorithm consists of two steps: The first step comprises a feature extraction, the results of which are ingested into a neural network classifier in the second step. Based on the common coherency and covariance matrix, we extract a number of features and analyze the relevance and redundancy by means of mutual information for the purpose of sea ice classification. Coherency matrix based features which require an eigendecomposition are found to be either of low relevance or redundant to other covariance matrix based features, which makes coherency matrix based features dispensable for the purpose of sea ice classification. Among the most useful features for classification are matrix invariant based features (Geometric Intensity, Scattering Diversity, Surface Scattering Fraction). This analysis reveals analogous results for all four acquisitions, in both X-band and C-band frequencies. The subsequent classification produces similarly promising results for all four acquisitions. In particular, the overlapping image portions exhibit a reasonable congruence of detected ice types.
Synthesis and Characterizations of Novel Ca-Mg-Ti-Fe-Oxides Based Ceramic Nanocrystals and Flexible Film of Polydimethylsiloxane Composite with Improved Mechanical and Dielectric Properties for Sensors
Authors: Tripathy Ashis , Pramanik Sumit , Manna Ayan , Azrin Shah Nabila , Shasmin Hanie , Radzi Zamri , Abu Osman Noor
Published: February 2016

Armalcolite, a rare ceramic mineral and normally found in the lunar earth, was synthesized by solid-state step-sintering. The in situ phase-changed novel ceramic nanocrystals of Ca-Mg-Ti-Fe based oxide (CMTFOx), their chemical reactions and bonding with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were determined by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and microscopy. Water absorption of all the CMTFOx was high. The lower dielectric loss tangent value (0.155 at 1 MHz) was obtained for the ceramic sintered at 1050 °C (S1050) and it became lowest for the S1050/PDMS nanocomposite (0.002 at 1 MHz) film, which was made by spin coating at 3000 rpm. The excellent flexibility (static modulus ≈ 0.27 MPa and elongation > 90%), viscoelastic property (tanδ = E″/E′: 0.225) and glass transition temperature (Tg: −58.5 °C) were obtained for S1050/PDMS film. Parallel-plate capacitive and flexible resistive humidity sensors have been developed successfully. The best sensing performance of the present S1050 (3000%) and its flexible S1050/PDMS composite film (306%) based humidity sensors was found to be at 100 Hz, better than conventional materials.
Advancement of an Infra-Red Technique for Whole-Field Concentration Measurements in Fluidized Beds
Authors: Medrano Jose , De Nooijer Niek , Gallucci Fausto , Van Sint Annaland Martin
Published: February 2016

For a better understanding and description of the mass transport phenomena in dense multiphase gas-solids systems such as fluidized bed reactors, detailed and quantitative experimental data on the concentration profiles is required, which demands advanced non-invasive concentration monitoring techniques with a high spatial and temporal resolution. A novel technique based on the selective detection of a gas component in a gas mixture using infra-red properties has been further developed. The first stage development was carried out using a very small sapphire reactor and CO2 as tracer gas. Although the measuring principle was demonstrated, the real application was hindered by the small reactor dimensions related to the high costs and difficult handling of large sapphire plates. In this study, a new system has been developed, that allows working at much larger scales and yet with higher resolution. In the new system, propane is used as tracer gas and quartz as reactor material. In this study, a thorough optimization and calibration of the technique is presented which is subsequently applied for whole-field measurements with high temporal resolution. The developed technique allows the use of a relatively inexpensive configuration for the measurement of detailed concentration fields and can be applied to a large variety of important chemical engineering topics.
Suitability of Smartphone Inertial Sensors for Real-Time Biofeedback Applications
Authors: Kos Anton , Tomažič Sašo , Umek Anton
Published: February 2016

This article studies the suitability of smartphones with built-in inertial sensors for biofeedback applications. Biofeedback systems use various sensors to measure body functions and parameters. These sensor data are analyzed, and the results are communicated back to the user, who then tries to act on the feedback signals. Smartphone inertial sensors can be used to capture body movements in biomechanical biofeedback systems. These sensors exhibit various inaccuracies that induce significant angular and positional errors. We studied deterministic and random errors of smartphone accelerometers and gyroscopes, primarily focusing on their biases. Based on extensive measurements, we determined accelerometer and gyroscope noise models and bias variation ranges. Then, we compiled a table of predicted positional and angular errors under various biofeedback system operation conditions. We suggest several bias compensation options that are suitable for various examples of use in real-time biofeedback applications. Measurements within the developed experimental biofeedback application show that under certain conditions, even uncompensated sensors can be used for real-time biofeedback. For general use, especially for more demanding biofeedback applications, sensor biases should be compensated. We are convinced that real-time biofeedback systems based on smartphone inertial sensors are applicable to many similar examples in sports, healthcare, and other areas.
Shape Reconstruction Based on a New Blurring Model at the Micro/Nanometer Scale
Authors: Wei Yangjie , Wu Chengdong , Wang Wenxue
Published: February 2016

Real-time observation of three-dimensional (3D) information has great significance in nanotechnology. However, normal nanometer scale observation techniques, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning probe microscopy (SPM), have some problems to obtain 3D information because they lack non-destructive, intuitive, and fast imaging ability under normal conditions, and optical methods have not widely used in micro/nanometer shape reconstruction due to the practical requirements and the imaging limitations in micro/nano manipulation. In this paper, a high resolution shape reconstruction method based on a new optical blurring model is proposed. Firstly, the heat diffusion physics equation is analyzed and the optical diffraction model is modified to directly explain the basic principles of image blurring resulting from depth variation. Secondly, a blurring imaging model is proposed based on curve fitting of a 4th order polynomial curve. The heat diffusion equations combined with the blurring imaging are introduced, and their solution is transformed into a dynamic optimization problem. Finally, the experiments with a standard nanogrid, an atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever and a microlens have been conducted. The experiments prove that the proposed method can reconstruct 3D shapes at the micro/nanometer scale, and the minimal reconstruction error is 3 nm.
Duality in Geometric Graphs: Vector Graphs, Kirchhoff Graphs and Maxwell Reciprocal Figures
Authors: Reese Tyler , Paffenroth Randy , Fehribach Joseph
Published: February 2016

We compare two mathematical theories that address duality between cycles and vertex-cuts of graphs in geometric settings. First, we propose a rigorous definition of a new type of graph, vector graphs. The special case of R2-vector graphs matches the intuitive notion of drawing graphs with edges taken as vectors. This leads to a discussion of Kirchhoff graphs, as originally presented by Fehribach, which can be defined independent of any matrix relations. In particular, we present simple cases in which vector graphs are guaranteed to be Kirchhoff or non-Kirchhoff. Next, we review Maxwell’s method of drawing reciprocal figures as he presented in 1864, using modern mathematical language. We then demonstrate cases in which R2-vector graphs defined from Maxwell reciprocals are “dual” Kirchhoff graphs. Given an example in which Maxwell’s theories are not sufficient to define vector graphs, we begin to explore other methods of developing dual Kirchhoff graphs.
Isolation and Pharmacological Characterization of α-Elapitoxin-Ot1a, a Short-Chain Postsynaptic Neurotoxin from the Venom of the Western Desert Taipan, Oxyuranus temporalis
Authors: Barber Carmel , Ahmad Rusmili Muhamad , Hodgson Wayne
Published: February 2016

Taipans (Oxyuranus spp.) are elapids with highly potent venoms containing presynaptic (β) and postsynaptic (α) neurotoxins. O. temporalis (Western Desert taipan), a newly discovered member of this genus, has been shown to possess venom which displays marked in vitro neurotoxicity. No components have been isolated from this venom. We describe the characterization of α-elapitoxin-Ot1a (α-EPTX-Ot1a; 6712 Da), a short-chain postsynaptic neurotoxin, which accounts for approximately 30% of O. temporalis venom. α-Elapitoxin-Ot1a (0.1–1 µM) produced concentration-dependent inhibition of indirect-twitches, and abolished contractile responses to exogenous acetylcholine and carbachol, in the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation. The inhibition of indirect twitches by α-elapitoxin-Ot1a (1 µM) was not reversed by washing the tissue. Prior addition of taipan antivenom (10 U/mL) delayed the neurotoxic effects of α-elapitoxin-Ot1a (1 µM) and markedly attenuated the neurotoxic effects of α-elapitoxin-Ot1a (0.1 µM). α-Elapitoxin-Ot1a displayed pseudo-irreversible antagonism of concentration-response curves to carbachol with a pA2 value of 8.02 ± 0.05. De novo sequencing revealed the main sequence of the short-chain postsynaptic neurotoxin (i.e., α-elapitoxin-Ot1a) as well as three other isoforms found in O. temporalis venom. α-Elapitoxin-Ot1a shows high sequence similarity (i.e., >87%) with other taipan short-chain postsynaptic neurotoxins.
Botulinum toxin A for the Treatment of Overactive Bladder
Authors: Hsieh Po-Fan , Chiu Hung-Chieh , Chen Kuan-Chieh , Chang Chao-Hsiang , Chou Eric
Published: February 2016

The standard treatment for overactive bladder starts with patient education and behavior therapies, followed by antimuscarinic agents. For patients with urgency urinary incontinence refractory to antimuscarinic therapy, currently both American Urological Association (AUA) and European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines suggested that intravesical injection of botulinum toxin A should be offered. The mechanism of botulinum toxin A includes inhibition of vesicular release of neurotransmitters and the axonal expression of capsaicin and purinergic receptors in the suburothelium, as well as attenuation of central sensitization. Multiple randomized, placebo-controlled trials demonstrated that botulinum toxin A to be an effective treatment for patients with refractory idiopathic or neurogenic detrusor overactivity. The urinary incontinence episodes, maximum cystometric capacity, and maximum detrusor pressure were improved greater by botulinum toxin A compared to placebo. The adverse effects of botulinum toxin A, such as urinary retention and urinary tract infection, were primarily localized to the lower urinary tract. Therefore, botulinum toxin A offers an effective treatment option for patients with refractory overactive bladder.
Reconstruction et interprétation paléoclimatique des fluctuations glaciaires dans les Andes intertropicales au cours du dernier millénaire (Reconstruction and palaeoclimatic interpretation of glacial variations in the inter-tropical Andes over the last mïllenium)
Authors: Rabatel Antoine , Jomelli Vincent
Published: February 2016

L 'usage des méthodes de datation classiques en géomorphologie (radio-carbone, lichenométrie, sédiments lacustres) a permis de reconstruire l'évolution de glaciers des Andes intertropicales (du Venezuela à la Bolivie) au cours du dernier millénaire. Une première avancée glaciaire aux 13eme/14eme siècles a été documentée sur certains glaciers. Cependant, la période d'extension maximale (PEM) est plus tardive. Elle date de la période 1630-1680 AD pour la zone intertropicale externe et d'environ 1730 AD pour la zone interne. Suite à ce maximum, un retrait glaciaire est observé pour l'ensemble de la zone, entrecoupé de quelques périodes de stagnation des fronts, ou de réavancées n 'ayant cependant jamais eu une ampleur similaire à la PEM. L'interprétation paléoclimatique des résultats, construite à partir d'une modélisation climat/glacier, montre que la PEM serait la conséquence de conditions plus froides et humides que l'actuel. Le retrait glaciaire suivant la PEM serait d'abord associé à des conditions plus sèches (depuis mi-18ème s.), puis à une hausse des températures (depuis mi-19ème s .).
Aléas naturels et menaces sur les axes de communication en Himalaya du Népal : la vallée de la moyenne Kali Gandaki (Natural risks and threats on circulation axes in the Nepalase Himalayas : the middle Kali Gandaki valley)
Authors: Fort Monique , Cossart Étienne
Published: February 2016

In the Himalayas, many landslides occur during the monsoon season ; they affect the valley bottoms and are the causes of heavy human losses and material destruction. Along the middle Kali Gandaki River (Central Nepal), we study the natural hazards and risks induced by these landslides (bank erosion, flooding, burying) that threaten the recently built road and villages along it. The proximity of glaciated peaks represents an additional threat. It appears that the road network, far from being a primary cause of slope instability, is a vulnerable asset the destruction of which may jeopardize the unlocking, hence the development of this country, one among the poorest in the world.
Géographie, mythe, conte, archétype : une introduction
Authors: Lévy Bertrand
Published: February 2016

Issue du 3 e Colloque international de Géographie humaniste intitulé " Géographie, mythe, conte, archétype" (2013), cette contribution vise à questionner les liens et l’usage de ces quatre concepts en géographie contemporaine. Elle établit des rapports entre science et mythe, et met en évidence l’intérêt d’inclure des formes de récits imaginaires et mythiques dans le discours géographique.
Les flâneries d'Ulysse : nouvelles géographies du mythe dans l'oeuvre de l'écrivain Eyvind Johnson
Authors: Briens Sylvain
Published: February 2016

Résumé : Cet article analyse dans une perspective géographique deux réécritures romanesques du mythe d’Ulysse au XX e siècle par l’écrivain suédois Eyvind Johnson Heureux Ulysse… (1946) et Lettre recommandée (1927). Si le voyage d’Ulysse dans Heureux Ulysse… suit un itinéraire identique à celui décrit par Homère, Lettre recommandée transpose le mythe à Paris. Mais les deux romans exploitent une même structure géographique fondée sur la flânerie, qu’elle soit maritime ou urbaine. Johnson crée ainsi de nouvelles géographies : le territoire du mythe est sous sa plume le territoire de la flânerie dont les contours et les frontières relèvent de la topologie et, par un travail d’introspection et d’imagination, Ulysse-flâneur s’affirme comme une figure romanesque moderne.
Le Paris de Balzac : du mythe à la contextualisation historique
Authors: Gal Maria
Published: February 2016

Le présent article se propose de confronter deux conceptions de la représentation de la ville balzacienne : celle, historique et scientifique, du XIXe siècle, et celle, mythique, du XXe siècle. Nous comparerons ces deux perspectives à partir de trois points de vue : la temporalité, la notion de signe et la notion de didactique. Nous analyserons quelles ont été les étapes décisives de l’évolution de ces conceptions d’un siècle à l’autre, et nous tenterons de déterminer, dans une approche historiciste, ce qu’un retour aux modèles esthétiques et scientifiques du XIXe siècle permet de révéler de l’originalité et de la créativité du rapport établi par Balzac entre temps et espace.
La Chèvre d’Or et son territoire : essai spéculatif de caractérisation spatiale
Authors: Loubier Jean-Christophe
Published: February 2016

Cet article se propose d’étudier le conte de la Chèvre d’Or. Typiquement provençal, ce conte, célèbre dans le pays à la fin du XIXe et au début du XXe siècle, est resté confiné au territoire provençal. Des auteurs folkloristes célèbres ont fait des références explicites à ce conte, qui apparaît d’ailleurs clairement sur les armoiries de quelques communes. Cette histoire est restée vivante dans un espace plutôt restreint, principalement aux alentours des Baux-de-Provence. Cet article cherche à retracer la trajectoire temporelle des différentes versions du conte, à identifier le contexte historique et culturel sur lequel il s’est construit et, finalement, à déterminer spatialement son territoire de diffusion.
Dynamic behavior of rearranging carbocations – implications for terpene biosynthesis
Authors: Hare Stephanie R , Tantillo Dean J
Published: February 2016

This review describes unexpected dynamical behaviors of rearranging carbocations and the modern computational methods used to elucidate these aspects of reaction mechanisms. Unique potential energy surface topologies associated with these rearrangements have been discovered in recent years that are not only of fundamental interest, but also provide insight into the way Nature manipulates chemical space to accomplish specific chemical transformations. Cautions for analyzing both experimental and theoretical data on carbocation rearrangements are included throughout.
Letter Frequency Analysis of Lithuanian and Other Languages Using the Latin Alphabet
Authors: Grigas Gintautas , Juškevičienė Anita
Published: February 2016

It is important to evaluate specificities of alphabets, particularly the letter frequencies while designing keyboards, analyzing texts, designing games based on alphabets, and doing some text mining. In order to adequately compare lettter frequences of Lithuanian language to other languages in the Internet space, Wikipedia source was selected which content is common to different languages. The method of letter frequency jumps is used. The main attention is paid to the analysis of letter frequencies at the boundary between native letters and foreign letters used in Lithuanian and other languages.
Discourse Relational Devices of Contrast in Lithuanian and English
Authors: Šliogerienė Jolita , Valūnaitė Oleškevičienė Giedrė , Asijavičiūtė Vilma
Published: February 2016

When conjunctions are employed to link sentences, they become discourse relational devices The purpose of this study is to analyse if the semantic meaning of Lithuanian contrastive conjunctions o (but/when/whereas/while) and bet (but) coincides with the pragmatic meaning and to draw some parallels with their English counterparts. A corpus-based approach is employed to make generalizations on the use of Lithuanian conjunctions and their English counterparts, whereas discourse analysis provides a theoretical framework to analyse the conjunctions in spoken language and distinguish their peculiarities typical of this social context. The research reveals that Lithuanian conjunction bet and its English counterpart but demonstrate similar pragmatic behavior. On pragmatic level both conjunctions bet and but serve to object indirectly, to deny interlocutor’s ideas by first agreeing to them and then contradicting. Lithuanian conjunction o does not have a direct English counterpart. Lithuanian conjunction o, mainly contrastive in its semantic meaning, has manifold pragmatic meanings, therefore, it can be translated to English not only by but and and but also by any other English utterance introducer depending on the context. The focus of the research is spoken discourse which naturally implies certain limitations as it is not so much organized and more open to the recipient’s intervention. Knowledge of semantic meaning and pragmatic functions provides easily identifiable advice on how conjunctions could be used and translated. The object of the research is comparatively new in Lithuania and adds to the research field related to discourse relations studies.
Pecularities of French Pronoun on Usage in Lithuanian Scientific Discourse
Authors: Dubikaltytė-Raugalienė Lina
Published: February 2016

Scientists studying personal identifiers in French scientific discourse incorporate the personal indefinite pronoun “on” into the paradigm. The semantics of the pronoun depends on the genre of scientific discourse. The pronoun “on” can acquire four meanings denoting or including the author. The current paper, based on two databases of native French and Lithuanian authors’ articles, aims at comparing the tendencies of the pronoun “on” usage and its functions in scientific discourse. The analyses has shown that the Lithuanian authors use the personal pronoun almost twice less frequently to mark an author or authors’ denotative or inclusive meaning. In the articles of Lithuanian authors, the pronoun “on” performs fewer pragmatic functions than in scientific discourse of French authors.
A MULTI-WAVELENGTH STUDY OF STAR FORMATION ACTIVITY IN THE S235 COMPLEX
Authors: Dewangan L. K. , Ojha D. K. , Luna A. , Anandarao B. G. , Ninan J. P. , Mallick K. K. , Mayya Y. D.
Published: February 2016

We have carried out an extensive multi-wavelength study to investigate the star formation process in the S235 complex. The S235 complex has a spherelike shell appearance at wavelengths longer than 2 μm and harbors an O9.5V type star approximately at its center. A near-infrared extinction map of the complex traces eight subregions (having A

V
> 8 mag), and five of them appear to be distributed in an almost regularly spaced manner along the spherelike shell surrounding the ionized emission. This picture is also supported by the integrated 12CO and 13CO intensity maps and by Bolocam 1.1 mm continuum emission. The position–velocity analysis of CO reveals an almost semi-ringlike structure, suggesting an expanding H ii region. We find that the Bolocam clump masses increase as we move away from the location of the ionizing star. This correlation is seen only for those clumps that are distributed near the edges of the shell. Photometric analysis reveals 435 young stellar objects (YSOs), 59% of which are found in clusters. Six subregions (including five located near the edges of the shell) are very well correlated with the dust clumps, CO gas, and YSOs. The average values of Mach numbers derived using NH3 data for three (East 1, East 2, and Central E) out of these six subregions are 2.9, 2.3, and 2.9, indicating these subregions are supersonic. The molecular outflows are detected in these three subregions, further confirming the ongoing star formation activity. Together, all these results are interpreted as observational evidence of positive feedback of a massive star.
ON THE GRAIN-MODIFIED MAGNETIC DIFFUSIVITIES IN PROTOPLANETARY DISKS
Authors: Xu Rui , Bai Xue-Ning
Published: February 2016

Weakly ionized protoplanetary disks (PPDs) are subject to nonideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects, including ohmic resistivity, the Hall effect, and ambipolar diffusion (AD), and the resulting magnetic diffusivities (

, and

) largely control the disk gas dynamics. The presence of grains not only strongly reduces the disk ionization fraction, but also modifies the scalings of

and

with magnetic field strength. We analytically derive asymptotic expressions of

and

in both the strong and weak field limits and show that toward a strong field,

can change sign (at a threshold field strength

), mimicking a flip of field polarity, and AD is substantially reduced. Applied to PPDs, we find that when small ∼0.1 (0.01)μm grains are sufficiently abundant (mass ratio ∼0.01 (10−4)),

can change sign up to ∼2–3 scale heights above the midplane at a modest field strength (plasma

) over a wide range of disk radii. The reduction of AD is also substantial toward the AD-dominated outer disk and may activate the magnetorotational instability. We further perform local nonideal MHD simulations of the inner disk (within 10 au) and show that, with sufficiently abundant small grains, the magnetic field amplification due to the Hall-shear instability saturates at a very low level near the threshold field strength

. Together with previous studies, we conclude by discussing the grain-abundance-dependent phenomenology of PPD gas dynamics.
AN EMPIRICAL METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF RXTE HEXTE SPECTRA
Authors: García Javier A. , Grinberg Victoria , Steiner James F. , McClintock Jeffrey E. , Pottschmidt Katja , Rothschild Richard E.
Published: February 2016

We have developed a correction tool to improve the quality of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) High Energy X-ray Timing Experiment (HEXTE) spectra by employing the same method we used earlier to improve the quality of RXTE Proportional Counter Array (PCA) spectra. We fit all of the hundreds of HEXTE spectra of the Crab individually to a simple power-law model, some 37 million counts in total for Cluster A and 39 million counts for Cluster B, and we create for each cluster a combined spectrum of residuals. We find that the residual spectrum of Cluster A is free of instrumental artifacts while that of Cluster B contains significant features with amplitudes ∼1%; the most prominent is in the energy range 30–50 keV, which coincides with the iodine K edge. Starting with the residual spectrum for Cluster B, via an iterative procedure we created the calibration tool hexBcorr for correcting any Cluster B spectrum of interest. We demonstrate the efficacy of the tool by applying it to Cluster B spectra of two bright black holes, which contain several million counts apiece. For these spectra, application of the tool significantly improves the goodness of fit, while affecting only slightly the broadband fit parameters. The tool may be important for the study of spectral features, such as cyclotron lines, a topic that is beyond the scope of this paper.
Black Sea Dimension of Ukraine War
Authors: Eichler Jan
Published: February 2016

The article is based on the positions of neo-realism, namely in the works by S. Walt and J. Mearsheimer. It characterizes the key actors of the war in Ukraine, which is a result of a long-term geopolitical competition between the USA and RF in the Black Sea region. The NATO enlargement in the area is classified as a non-coercive Expansion by Invitation (articulated by the elites of the former member states of the USSR and Warsaw Pact), which has provoked growing irritation of Russian political and military elites and the following hybrid war with dramatic international consequences. Last but not least, the article analyses military incidents and resulting security threats and challenges.
Possibilities of Tactical Activities Optimization in the Framework of Engineer Units
Authors: Zelený Jaroslav
Published: February 2016

The article presents possible approaches to solve problems of finding the optimum state of tactical activities within the level of small Engineer Units. The intention is, by elaborating of the partial engineer goal which is focussed on the area of engineer units' tactics, to develop input data/ information needed for further development of mathematical models of the tactical activities. Subsequently, with the judgement on modelling outputs (applicability within C2 activities of staffs' task force structures) from engineer unit tactics point of view, the article contributes to enhancing all of C2 processes effectiveness. The article also provides us with information about the range of facts relative with problems of selected engineer unit (counter-mobility task forces) deployment planning, and controlling. There can be also found inventory of activities appropriate for optimization.
Determinants of Profitability and Recovery from System-Wide Shocks: The Case of the Airline Industry
Authors: Mantin Benny , Wang Jen-Hung Edward
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the determinants of profitability in the U.S. domestic airline industry, segmented into: operations strategy, productivity, and service measures, using quarterly data between 1995 and 2007. The analysis is performed separately on data prior and post 9/11 attack, revealing, among others, that after 9/11 the profitability of full-service carriers is improving faster than that of focused carriers, and that passengers are more forgivable to service glitches after 9/11 or possibly are associating lack of service with the intensified security measures imposed after 9/11. Focusing the analysis on determinants of consumers’ complaints we find further support for these arguments.
The impact of mobile marketing in airport
Authors: Florido-Benítez Lázaro
Published: February 2016

Purpose: This paper seeks to analyze the effects of mobile marketing tool at airports and passengers. Design/methodology: This research approach consist of going through data files and bibliographical sources in search of information gathered by authors, institutions and organizations regarding our case study. Findings: Mobile marketing to increase passenger satisfaction and commercial income in the airports. Large airports are taking advantage of the consolidation of mobile devices in the 21st century to create applications for branding and communication. Originality/value: This paper is the first research that examines the impact of mobile marketing in airports. First, to evaluate the effects that mobile marketing is having over the levels of passenger satisfaction at airports. Second, to analyze the impact of mobile marketing on passengers behavior in the aerodrome; lastly, to study the effects of this tool on the perceived image of an airport.
A field investigation of flight anxiety: Evidence of gender differences in consumer behaviors among Las Vegas passengers
Authors: Harvell Lindsey A , Stillman Tyler , Nisbett Gwendelyn S , Cranney Kyle , Schow Amber
Published: February 2016

Purpose: This study examines how anxious the Las Vegas public is through a case study of one local international airport. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study examines gender differences in consumer behaviors among the flying public inside Las Vegas McCarran International Airport in a field experiment theoretically grounded in Terror Management Theory. Findings and Originality/Value: Because airports are replete with reminders of human mortality, it is not a surprise that death awareness and flight anxiety may be closely related. The flying public that is anxious to fly presents an interesting public relations situation for airports. Therefore, this study examines how anxious the Las Vegas public is through a case study of one local international airport. Results show that flight anxiety does provoke the same kind of existential defenses that traditional death awareness does. This study also suggests that men and women do not react to flight anxiety in a uniform way, they are different in their reactions in seeking to gamble, eating unhealthy food, and an increased desire for electronic entertainment.
Air freight in the Stockholm region with focus on Eskilstuna Airport
Authors: Brorsson Kjell-Åke Allan
Published: February 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to analyse the conditions for commencing air freight operations at the regional Eskilstuna Airport in Sweden, which require investments in airport infrastructure of at least SEK 140 –180 million.Design/ methodology: The qualitative data collection for the study was carried out through open-ended interviews with representatives of airport management, staff, representatives of residents, and actors and stakeholders in the field. In addition, much written material was collected from different authorities. Document analysis was used to systematically evaluate and review the collected documents. Content analysis was applied to organize collected data into categories. Based on the reports, decisions, environmental scanning and interviews, the data have been coded and categorized in tables via thematic analysis.Findings: The major findings of the study are that Eskilstuna Airport lacks cargo facilities and has limited apron space, and that there is strong competition from four other airports in the Stockholm region. The prospects for permanent air freight operations at Eskilstuna Airport are therefore not favourable in the current situation. However, if the development of Eskilstuna Logistics Park and the concept of inter modal highway-rail transportation are successful, they could serve as a major driving force for the development of air cargo. Furthermore, with sustainable development as a guiding principle, there is great potential to develop an airport with a high standard of environmental profile.Originality/ value: My findings are of great value to managers of airports and cargo airlines, as they highlight some of the competition aspects associated with engaging in air cargo at regional airports. The study fills a gap in existing research whose main focus is environmental issues concerning airports in general.
Critical Reflection in Cultural Competence Development: A Framework for Undergraduate Nursing Education
Authors: Blanchet Garneau Amélie
Published: February 2016

Background:

Nursing faculties are urged to adopt a curriculum that supports culturally competent care and to mentor students to provide care that promotes social justice, particularly for the marginalized members of society. This article describes the development of a framework for critical reflection in cultural competence development among undergraduate nursing students.

Method:

Following the Medical Research Council guidelines for developing complex interventions, empirical and theoretical literature was reviewed to define the framework rationale and its components.

Results:

The resulting framework is grounded in Blanchet Garneau's constructivist model of cultural competence development and Mezirow's transformative learning theory. It clarifies the desired outcomes, the main steps to foster critical reflection among students, and the contextual conditions and prerequisites for teachers and learners.

Conclusion:

Education oriented toward critical reflective practice promotes a full reflection about Western social and clinical practices and points out the role of nurses in reducing health inequities. [
J Nurs Educ
. 2016;55(3):125–132.]
Increasing the Cultural Competence Levels of Undergraduate Nursing Students
Authors: Govere Linda , Fioravanti Marie A. , Tuite Patricia K.
Published: February 2016

Background:

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Culturally Competent Nursing Modules (CCNMs) developed by the U.S. Office of Minority Health on improving the cultural competence levels of undergraduate nursing students.

Method:

Students completed the CCNMs over a 2-week period, and their pre- and posttraining cultural competence was assessed using the Inventory for Assessing the Process of Cultural Competence Among Healthcare Professionals–Revised tool.

Results:

The CCNMs were effective in increasing the cultural competence of the nursing students (pretest mean = 68.44 ± 6.58; posttest mean = 79.06 ± 7.99;
t
(17) = 7.44;
d
= 10.61; 95% confidence interval = 7.60, 13.62;
p
< .001). Before training, 89% of the students were culturally aware and 11% were culturally competent. After training, 22%, 67%, and 11% were culturally aware, culturally competent, and culturally proficient, respectively.

Conclusion:

The CCNMs training program is effective and should be incorporated into nursing curricula. [
J Nurs Educ.
2016;55(3):155–159.]
Critical Aspects of Stress in a High-Stakes Testing Environment: A Phenomenographical Approach
Authors: Tagher Catherine Gannon , Robinson Erin M.
Published: February 2016

Background:

A high-stakes examination is any examination used for tracking or determining promotion or graduation. Therefore, when used as a basis for progression or graduation in nursing, standardized examinations become high stakes for students. High-stakes testing in nursing is a focal stimulus that has been shown to contribute to the negative consequences associated with stress. The adverse effects of stress have the potential to result in unhealthy coping behaviors such as isolation, withdrawal, decreased motivation, and decreased self-efficacy.

Method:

Phenomenography was used to capture the various ways in which students experience stress.

Results:

Six major categories of description emerged. All students experienced stress in relation to high-stakes testing. However, student interviews revealed that students experienced the stress in myriad ways, ranging from fear of not graduating to social isolation and withdrawal.

Conclusion:

Although it is known that high-stakes testing contributes to the development of stress, this study provides evidence of the need for nursing programs to consider the implementation of supportive measures as a means to mitigate student stress and foster student success. [
J Nurs Educ.
2016;55(3):160–163.]
Fault Diagnosis Based on Multi-sensor Data Fusion for Numerical Control Machine
Authors: Wen Yan , Tan Ji-wen , Zhan Hong , Sun Xian-bin
Published: February 2016

Fault diagnosis for numerical control machine is more difficult than that for other mechanical equipments due to its structural complexity and the coupling feature among different faults. In order to improve the accuracy and reliability of fault diagnosis for numerical control machine, an intelligent fault diagnosis model is studied. Besides the traditional method that multiple sensors are mounted on different locations, internal operation parameters from machine tool itself or NC program are introduced into the condition monitoring system because numerical machine tool is equipped with different kinds of sensors. These two information sources establish the multi-dimensional information system which provides the original information for diagnosis. On this base, the method based on multi-sensor data fusion is developed in this paper. Multiple characteristic parameters in time domain, frequency domain and time-frequency domain are extracted from the processed signal to mine the fault information. The sensitive parameter set which is regarded as the input characteristic vectors of classifiers is obtained on the base of correlation analysis. Multiple classifiers are enabled respectively and simultaneously to fuse all the sensitive parameters quantitatively and diagnose the fault type. Finally the results of multiple classifiers are fused in the form of global decision fusion by the method of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to obtain the final diagnosis result. The determination method of weight based on classifier output's entropy is discussed in this paper and the formula is given. This model and method has been tested in rolling bearing fault diagnosis for numerical control machine and the results of the proposed model show which is effective and versatile.
The Design and Implementation of Network Simulated Virtual Laboratory Based on Dynamips
Authors: Jiang Guocui
Published: February 2016

This paper designed a virtual experiment system for computer network curriculum with Dynamips. First this paper introduced the Dynampis function and running mode. Then this paper designed the system modules. Finally this paper implemented the Dynamips with Flex and Applet. And system testing shows the virtual experiment system satisfy the network simulation function as the system designed. The remote courseware virtual experiment system had a great practice value in the teaching and leaning process of the computer network curriculum.
Research of Multifunctional Fitness Equipment Monitor Based on Photoelectric Sensor
Authors: Fu Qiang
Published: February 2016

Health is the eternal topic that human concern, especially in modern times, and equipment fitness is an important part of people's fitness. People's demand for fitness equipment is becoming more and more rational. With the rapid development of information technology and electronic technology, using photoelectric methods to detect physiology index of human body has become an unescapable trend. Therefore, bringing in some advanced technology in other fields to design a portable, noninvasive, low-cost multifunctional human physiological health index monitor has a great significance. This thesis firstly introduces the situation of fitness equipment, then studies people's demand for intelligent fitness equipment, and specifically proposes the measurement scheme of human physical health index based on the photoelectric sensor. By studying the production principle of photoelectric volume pulse wave , this thesis sets up the experimental platform to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method. Finally, this topic research has shown that this kind of intelligent fitness equipment like multifunctional fitness monitor based on the photoelectric sensor can effectively improve people's exercise styles, and has a large market application prospect.
The Intelligent Remote Control System Based on the Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Wei Kaibin
Published: February 2016

Remote control system is mainly used for industrial applications, such as the wireless control of factory equipment, and monitor factory environment parameters, like temperature, humidity, light intensity. This paper explores the current development of wireless sensor network (WSN) , and then this paper aim to construct an overall architecture of the remote control system on the basis of RS485 platform, and analyze and design the intelligent remote control system. Finally by testing the system, it prove to meet the specific needs of factory environment parameters monitoring. The system can achieve all kinds of physical parameter monitoring requirement from a remote device, such as humidity and light density. This remote control system based on the wireless sensor network provide a safety monitoring environment to operators.
Motion Simulation in Virtual Basketball Shooting Teaching System
Authors: Chen Gong , Chen Ning
Published: February 2016

With basketball shooting of new technologies and methods emerging, people should research and summarize its methods and characteristics of the understanding and mastering the principle, while requires people have profound recognition Knowledge and understanding to new technology and new methods , in order to keep up with the development of the technology. Meanwhile, with the development and popularization of basketball, basketball technology also needs Inheritance and the promotion, which requires good methods and means to spread the basketball technology, so that more and more people learn and master Basketball technology to take part in the joy of basketball experience. This paper, using Motion simulation in virtual basketball shooting teaching system in the process of shooting the basketball, simulates the process of moving to basketball players to provide scientific reference data.
Lot Size Model for Reverse Logistics with Quadratic Demand
Authors: Shah Digeshkumar Bipinchandra , Patel Dushyantkumar G. , Shah Nita H.
Published: February 2016

Taking care of nature is the prime responsibility of the companies nowadays. This chapter proposes inventory model with reverse logistics for environmental concerns. Customers return used products and after remanufacturing such products they become as good as new products. Now, demand is satisfied by newly produced as well as remanufactured products. Quadratic demand is discussed in the present inventory model. Such demand increases initially and after sometimes it shows decreasing pattern. Shortages are also allowed to take place. Optimal cost is worked out for the present system. Numerical example and sensitivity analysis are given to validate mathematical model and to find critical inventory parameters. Based on it, managerial issues are discussed.