bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Channel Convolutional Neural Network Based 3D Object Detection for Indoor Robot Environmental Perception
Authors: Wang Li , Li Ruifeng , Shi Hezi , Sun Jingwen , Zhao Lijun , Seah Hock Soon , Quah Chee Kwang , Tandianus Budianto
Published: February 2019

Environmental perception is a vital feature for service robots when working in an indoor environment for a long time. The general 3D reconstruction is a low-level geometric information description that cannot convey semantics. In contrast, higher level perception similar to humans requires more abstract concepts, such as objects and scenes. Moreover, the 2D object detection based on images always fails to provide the actual position and size of an object, which is quite important for a robot’s operation. In this paper, we focus on the 3D object detection to regress the object’s category, 3D size, and spatial position through a convolutional neural network (CNN). We propose a multi-channel CNN for 3D object detection, which fuses three input channels including RGB, depth, and bird’s eye view (BEV) images. We also propose a method to generate 3D proposals based on 2D ones in the RGB image and semantic prior. Training and test are conducted on the modified NYU V2 dataset and SUN RGB-D dataset in order to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm. We also carry out the actual experiments in a service robot to utilize the proposed 3D object detection method to enhance the environmental perception of the robot.
Refractometric Sensing with Periodic Nano-Indented Arrays: Effect of Structural Dimensions
Authors: Carney Daniel J. , Svavarsson Halldor G. , Hemmati Hafez , Fannin Alexander , Yoon Jae W. , Magnusson Robert
Published: February 2019

Fabrication and sensor application of a simple plasmonic structure is described in this paper. The sensor element consists of nano-patterned gold film brought about from two-dimensional periodic photoresist templates created by holographic laser interference lithography. Reflectance spectroscopy revealed that the sensor exhibits significant refractive index sensitivity. A linear relationship between shifts in plasmonic resonances and changes in the refractive index were demonstrated. The sensor has a bulk sensitivity (SB) of 880 nm/refractive index unit and work under normal incidence conditions. This sensitivity exceeded that of many common types of plasmonic sensors with more intricate structures. A modeled spectral response was used to study the effect of its geometrical dimensions on plasmonic behavior. A qualitative agreement between the experimental spectra and modeled ones was obtained.
Strategy toward Miniaturized, Self-out-Readable Resonant Cantilever and Integrated Electrostatic Microchannel Separator for Highly Sensitive Airborne Nanoparticle Detection
Authors: Bertke Maik , Xu Jiushuai , Fahrbach Michael , Setiono Andi , Wasisto Hutomo Suryo , Peiner Erwin
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a self-out-readable, miniaturized cantilever resonator for highly sensitive airborne nanoparticle (NP) detection is presented. The cantilever, which is operated in the fundamental in-plane resonance mode, is used as a microbalance with femtogram resolution. To maximize sensitivity and read-out signal amplitude of the piezo-resistive Wheatstone half bridge, the geometric parameters of the sensor design are optimized by finite element modelling (FEM). The electrical read-out of the cantilever movement is realized by piezo-resistive struts at the sides of the cantilever resonator that enable real-time tracking using a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit. Cantilevers with minimum resonator mass of 1.72 ng and resonance frequency of ~440 kHz were fabricated, providing a theoretical sensitivity of 7.8 fg/Hz. In addition, for electrostatic NP collection, the cantilever has a negative-biased electrode located at its free end. Moreover, the counter-electrode surrounding the cantilever and a µ-channel, guiding the particle-laden air flow towards the cantilever, are integrated with the sensor chip. µ-channels and varying sampling voltages will also be used to accomplish particle separation for size-selective NP detection. To sum up, the presented airborne NP sensor is expected to demonstrate significant improvements in the field of handheld, micro-/nanoelectromechanical systems (M/NEMS)-based NP monitoring devices.
Improved Bound Fit Algorithm for Fine Delay Scheduling in a Multi-Group Scan of Ultrasonic Phased Arrays
Authors: Li Yuzhong , Tang Wenming , Liu Guixiong
Published: February 2019

Multi-group scanning of ultrasonic phased arrays (UPAs) is a research field in distributed sensor technology. Interpolation filters intended for fine delay modules can provide high-accuracy time delays during the multi-group scanning of large-number-array elements in UPA instruments. However, increasing focus precision requires a large increase in the number of fine delay modules. In this paper, an architecture with fine delay modules for time division scheduling is explained in detail. An improved bound fit (IBF) algorithm is proposed, and an analysis of its mathematical model and time complexity is provided. The IBF algorithm was verified by experiment, wherein the performances of list, longest processing time, bound fit, and IBF algorithms were compared in terms of frame data scheduling in the multi-group scan. The experimental results prove that the scheduling algorithm decreased the makespan by 8.76–21.48%, and achieved the frame rate at 78 fps. The architecture reduced resource consumption by 30–40%. Therefore, the proposed architecture, model, and algorithm can reduce makespan, improve real-time performance, and decrease resource consumption.
FPGA Modeling and Optimization of a SIMON Lightweight Block Cipher
Authors: Abed Sa’ed , Jaffal Reem , Mohd Bassam Jamil , Alshayeji Mohammad
Published: February 2019

Security of sensitive data exchanged between devices is essential. Low-resource devices (LRDs), designed for constrained environments, are increasingly becoming ubiquitous. Lightweight block ciphers provide confidentiality for LRDs by balancing the required security with minimal resource overhead. SIMON is a lightweight block cipher targeted for hardware implementations. The objective of this research is to implement, optimize, and model SIMON cipher design for LRDs, with an emphasis on energy and power, which are critical metrics for LRDs. Various implementations use field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology. Two types of design implementations are examined: scalar and pipelined. Results show that scalar implementations require 39% less resources and 45% less power consumption. The pipelined implementations demonstrate 12 times the throughput and consume 31% less energy. Moreover, the most energy-efficient and optimum design is a two-round pipelined implementation, which consumes 31% of the best scalar’s implementation energy. The scalar design that consumes the least energy is a four-round implementation. The scalar design that uses the least area and power is the one-round implementation. Balancing energy and area, the two-round pipelined implementation is optimal for a continuous stream of data. One-round and two-round scalar implementations are recommended for intermittent data applications.
Characterization of Multipath Effects in Indoor Positioning Systems by AoA and PoA Based on Optical Signals
Authors: De-La-Llana-Calvo Álvaro , Lázaro-Galilea José-Luis , Gardel-Vicente Alfredo , Rodríguez-Navarro David , Bravo-Muñoz Ignacio , Espinosa-Zapata Felipe
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we characterize and measure the effects of the errors introduced by the multipath when obtaining the position of an agent by means of Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS) based on optical signal. These effects are characterized in Local Positioning Systems (LPSs) based on two different techniques: the first one by determining the Angle of Arrival (AoA) of the infrared signal (IR) to the detector; and the second one by working with the measurement of the Phase shift of signal Arrival from the transmitter to a receiver (PoA). We present the obtained results and conclusions, which indicate that using Position Sensitive Devices (PSD) the multipath effects for AoA have little impact on the measurement, while for PoA the positioning errors are very significant, making the system useless in many cases.
Deep Learning-Based Framework for In Vivo Identification of Glioblastoma Tumor using Hyperspectral Images of Human Brain
Authors: Fabelo Himar , Halicek Martin , Ortega Samuel , Shahedi Maysam , Szolna Adam , Piñeiro Juan , Sosa Coralia , O’Shanahan Aruma , Bisshopp Sara , Espino Carlos , Márquez Mariano , Hernández María , Carrera David , Morera Jesús , Callico Gustavo , Sarmiento Roberto , Fei Baowei
Published: February 2019

The main goal of brain cancer surgery is to perform an accurate resection of the tumor, preserving as much normal brain tissue as possible for the patient. The development of a non-contact and label-free method to provide reliable support for tumor resection in real-time during neurosurgical procedures is a current clinical need. Hyperspectral imaging is a non-contact, non-ionizing, and label-free imaging modality that can assist surgeons during this challenging task without using any contrast agent. In this work, we present a deep learning-based framework for processing hyperspectral images of in vivo human brain tissue. The proposed framework was evaluated by our human image database, which includes 26 in vivo hyperspectral cubes from 16 different patients, among which 258,810 pixels were labeled. The proposed framework is able to generate a thematic map where the parenchymal area of the brain is delineated and the location of the tumor is identified, providing guidance to the operating surgeon for a successful and precise tumor resection. The deep learning pipeline achieves an overall accuracy of 80% for multiclass classification, improving the results obtained with traditional support vector machine (SVM)-based approaches. In addition, an aid visualization system is presented, where the final thematic map can be adjusted by the operating surgeon to find the optimal classification threshold for the current situation during the surgical procedure.
Detection of Induced GNSS Spoofing Using S-Curve-Bias
Authors: Wang Wenyi , Li Na , Wu Renbiao , Closas Pau
Published: February 2019

In Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a spoofing attack consists of forged signals which possibly cause the attacked receivers to deduce a false position, a false clock, or both. In contrast to simplistic spoofing, the induced spoofing captures the victim tracking loops by gradually adjusting it’s parameters, e.g., code phase and power. Then the victims smoothly deviates from the correct position or timing. Therefore, it is more difficult to detect the induced spoofing than the simplistic one. In this paper, by utilizing the dynamic nature of such gradual adjustment process, an induced spoofing detection method is proposed based on the S-curve-bias (SCB). Firstly, SCB in the inducing process is theoretically derived. Then, in order to detect the induced spoofing, a detection metric is defined. After that, a series of experiments using the Texas spoofing test battery (TEXBAT) are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
FPGA-Based Hybrid-Type Implementation of Quantized Neural Networks for Remote Sensing Applications
Authors: Wei Xin , Liu Wenchao , Chen Lei , Ma Long , Chen He , Zhuang Yin
Published: February 2019

Recently, extensive convolutional neural network (CNN)-based methods have been used in remote sensing applications, such as object detection and classification, and have achieved significant improvements in performance. Furthermore, there are a lot of hardware implementation demands for remote sensing real-time processing applications. However, the operation and storage processes in floating-point models hinder the deployment of networks in hardware implements with limited resource and power budgets, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). To solve this problem, this paper focuses on optimizing the hardware design of CNN with low bit-width integers by quantization. First, a symmetric quantization scheme-based hybrid-type inference method was proposed, which uses the low bit-width integer to replace floating-point precision. Then, a training approach for the quantized network is introduced to reduce accuracy degradation. Finally, a processing engine (PE) with a low bit-width is proposed to optimize the hardware design of FPGA for remote sensing image classification. Besides, a fused-layer PE is also presented for state-of-the-art CNNs equipped with Batch-Normalization and LeakyRelu. The experiments performed on the Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) dataset using a graphics processing unit (GPU) demonstrate that the accuracy of 8-bit quantized model drops by about 1%, which is an acceptable accuracy loss. The accuracy result tested on FPGA is consistent with that of GPU. As for the resource consumptions of FPGA, the Look Up Table (LUT), Flip-flop (FF), Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and Block Random Access Memory (BRAM) are reduced by 46.21%, 43.84%, 45%, and 51%, respectively, compared with that of floating-point implementation.
Robust Construction Safety System (RCSS) for Collision Accidents Prevention on Construction Sites
Authors: Jo Byung-Wan , Lee Yun-Sung , Khan Rana Muhammad Asad , Kim Jung-Hoon , Kim Do-Keun
Published: February 2019

A proximity warning system to detect the presence of a worker/workers and to warn heavy equipment operators is highly needed to prevent collision accidents at construction sites. In this paper, we developed a robust construction safety system (RCSS), which can activate warning devices and automatically halt heavy equipment, simultaneously, to prevent possible collision accidents. The proximity detection of this proposed system mainly relies on ultra-wideband (UWB) sensing technologies, which enable instantaneous and simultaneous alarms on (a) a worker’s personal safety (personal protection unit (PPU)) device and (b) hazard area device (zone alert unit (ZAU)). This system also communicates with electronic control sensors (ECSs) installed on the heavy equipment to stop its maneuvering. Moreover, the RCSS has been interfaced with a global positioning system communication unit (GCU) to acquire real-time information of construction site resources and warning events. This enables effective management of construction site resources using an online user interface. The performance and effectiveness of the RCSS have been validated at laboratory scale as well as at real field (construction site and steel factory). Conclusively, the RCSS can significantly enhance construction site safety by pro-actively preventing collision of a worker/workers with heavy equipment.
Estimating Visibility of Annotations for View Management in Spatial Augmented Reality Based on Machine-Learning Techniques
Authors: Ichihashi Keita , Fujinami Kaori
Published: February 2019

Augmented Reality (AR) is a class of “mediated reality” that artificially modifies the human perception by superimposing virtual objects on the real world, which is expected to supplement reality. In visual-based augmentation, text and graphics, i.e., label, are often associated with a physical object or a place to describe it. View management in AR is to maintain the visibility of the associated information and plays an important role on communicating the information. Various view management techniques have been investigated so far; however, most of them have been designed for two dimensional see-through displays, and few have been investigated for projector-based AR called spatial AR. In this article, we propose a view management method for spatial AR, VisLP, that places labels and linkage lines based on the estimation of the visibility. Since the information is directly projected on objects, the nature of optics such as reflection and refraction constrains the visibility in addition to the spatial relationship between the information, the objects, and the user. VisLP employs machine-learning techniques to estimate the visibility that reflects human’s subjective mental workload in reading information and objective measures of reading correctness in various projection conditions. Four classes are defined for a label, while the visibility of a linkage line has three classes. After 88 and 28 classification features for label and linkage line visibility estimators are designed, respectively, subsets of features with 15 and 14 features are chosen to improve the processing speed of feature calculation up to 170%, with slight degradation of classification performance. An online experiment with new users and objects showed that 76.0% of the system’s judgments were matched with the users’ evaluations, while 73% of the linkage line visibility estimations were matched.
Profiling Isokinetic Strength of Shoulder Rotator Muscles in Adolescent Asymptomatic Male Volleyball Players
Authors: de Lira Claudio Andre Barbosa , Vargas Valentine Zimermann , Vancini Rodrigo Luiz , Andrade Marilia Santos
Published: February 2019

The aim of the study was to describe the strength symmetry of internal and external rotator muscles and the conventional and functional strength balance ratios between these muscles in adolescent male volleyball players. Twenty-eight male adolescent volleyball players (15.5 ± 1.1 years (15–17 years); 73.2 ± 10.9 kg (55.3–100.1 kg) and 184.9 ± 8.4 cm (170–209 cm)) participated in this cross-sectional study. Concentric and eccentric peak torque of external and internal rotator muscles were measured, and conventional and functional strength balance ratios were calculated. The dominant limb presented significantly higher values for peak torque than the non-dominant limb of internal rotator muscles at concentric action assessed at 60°/s (48.7 ± 13.7 Nm and 43.9 ± 11.6 Nm, p = 0.01 and d value = 0.37) and at 240°/s (44.7 ± 11.2 Nm and 41.1 ± 11.0 Nm, p = 0.03 and d = 0.32). However, there was no difference in the peak torque of external rotator muscle between limbs for either angular speed. Regarding strength balance ratios, neither conventional (74.8 ± 14.3 for dominant limb and 80.1 ± 14.0 for non-dominant limb, p = 0.06 and d = 0.37) nor functional ratio (1.2 ± 0.4 for dominant limb and 1.3 ± 0.5 for non-dominant limb, p = 0.06 and d = 0.22) presented significant contralateral differences. Despite the short practice time, adolescent male volleyball athletes already have significant contralateral differences for internal rotator muscles and conventional ratio tends to be asymmetrical. Thus, preventive shoulder-strengthening programs, focused on the internal rotator muscles of the non-dominant limb, aiming to correct contralateral deficiency and conventional ratio, may be warranted for this population in the process of biological growth, maturation and development.
Clock Time in Quantum Cosmology
Authors: Rotondo Marcello , Nambu Yasusada
Published: February 2019

We consider the conditioning of the timeless solution to the Wheeler–DeWitt equation by a predefined matter clock state in the simple scenario of an FLRW universe. The resulting evolution of the geometrodynamical degree of freedom with respect to clock time is characterized by the “Berry connection” of the reduced geometrodynamical space, which relies on the coupling of the clock with the geometry. When the connection vanishes, the standard Schrödinger equation is obtained for the geometry with respect to clock time. When one considers environment-induced decoherence in the semiclassical limit, this condition is satisfied, and clock time coincides with cosmic time. Explicit results for the conditioned wave functions for minimal clocks made up of two quantum harmonic oscillator eigenstates are shown.
Do Private Transport Services Complement or Compete against Public Transit? Evidence from the Commuter Vans in Eastern Queens, New York
Authors: Musili Catherine , Salon Deborah
Published: February 2019

Do private transport services complement or compete against public transit? As transit agencies scramble to adjust to the new transport landscape of mobility services, this has become an important question. This study focuses on New York’s commuter vans (also known as “dollar vans”), private vans that have operated alongside public transit for decades. We use original survey and observational data collected in the summer of 2016 to document basic ridership characteristics and to provide insight into whether the commuter vans complement or compete against city buses. Commuter van ridership in Eastern Queens is high; it is roughly equivalent to city bus ridership on parallel routes at approximately 55,000 per day. Further, more than 60% of van riders surveyed would have had a free trip on a city bus, through either a transit pass or transfer. Time savings was an important motivation for these riders to pay extra for the vans; the vans are faster than city buses, and van wait times are shorter. These results suggest that New York’s commuter vans complement public transit by serving as a feeder system. This conclusion, however, is highly context-dependent. As private transport services proliferate, continued research is needed to ascertain their relationships with public transit.
Bugs on Cuffs and Pockets: A Cross-sectional Study of the Contamination of Healthcare Personnel Attire at Salmanyia Medical Complex
Authors: AlSalman Jameela M. , AlAlwan Yusuf N , Rajab Mohamed Redha , Saeed Nermin K
Published: February 2019

Background: Hospital acquired infections increase the morbidity and mortality of the inpatient population. Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococci are transmitted by direct contact or transmitted by fomites such as healthcare personnel’s attires. This is a cross-sectional study aimed to explore the prevalence ofcontamination of the attires of healthcare personnel working atSalmanyia Medical Complex.

Method: We randomly selected 100 doctors and nurses working in different departmentsand swabbed their attire's sleeves and pockets. We then stored both swabs in their accompanying syringe that contains a bacterial transportation media, and sent them to the lab for culturing. SPSS 23 was used for data entry and analysis. After that, percentages and frequencies were computed for different categorical variables, and a cross-tabulation was computed between each two categorical variables. Chi-Squared test was used to determine whether there were significant relationships between each two categorical variables.

Results:Of the total samples, 44 pocket and 45 cuff samples were contaminated with staphylococcus epidermidis (skin flora). Thirty eight participants were found to have contamination of both the cuff and pocket. Nurseshad slightly higher prevalence of cuff contamination than doctors (P=0.032). Amongst doctors, surgeons had the highest prevalence (P=0.006).

Discussion:Compared to the data available in the literature, our data did not reveal contamination with significant pathogens such as staphylococcus aureus or MRSA.Nevertheless, contamination with staphylococcus epidermidis could be whether from autoinoculation or contamination from the hospital environment and could correlate to level of hygiene. Frequent washing of attire doesn’t reduce the level of contamination.
Could 1I/’Oumuamua be an Icy Fractal Aggregate?
Authors: Moro-Martín Amaya
Published: February 2019

1I/’Oumuamua is the first interstellar interloper to be detected, and it shows a non-gravitational acceleration that cannot be accounted for by outgassing, given the strict upper limits of outgassing evident from Spitzer observations, unless the relative abundances of the common volatiles are very different to those in comets. As an alternative, it has been suggested that its peculiar acceleration is due to radiation pressure, requiring a planar-sheet geometry of an unknown natural or artificial origin. Here we assess whether or not the internal structure of 1I/’Oumuamua, rather than its geometry, could support a radiation-pressure-driven scenario. We adopt a mass fractal structure and find that the type of aggregate that could yield the required area-to-mass ratio would have to be extraordinarily porous, with a density ∼10−5 g cm−3. Such porous aggregates can naturally arise from the collisional grow of icy dust particles beyond the snowline of a protoplanetary disk, and we propose that 1I/’Oumuamua might be a member of this population. This is a hypothesis worth investigating because, if this were the case, 1I/’Oumuamua would have opened a new observation window on to the study of the building blocks of planets around other stars. This could set unprecedented constraints on planet formation models.
Entomopathogenic fungi in Portuguese vineyards soils: suggesting a ‘Galleria-Tenebrio-bait method’ as bait-insects Galleria and Tenebrio significantly underestimate the respective recoveries of Metarhizium (robertsii) and Beauveria (bassiana)
Authors: Sharma Lav , Oliveira Irene , Torres Laura , Marques Guilhermina
Published: February 2019

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are the natural enemies of insect-pests. However, EPF recoveries can be influenced by the soil habitat-type(s) incorporated and/or the bait-insect(s) used. Galleriamellonella (GM) as bait-insect, i.e. ‘Galleria-bait’, is arguably the most common methodology, which is sometimes used solely, to isolate EPF from soils. Insect baiting using Tenebriomolitor (TM) has also been employed occasionally. Here 183 soils were used to estimate the functional diversity of EPF in Portuguese Douro vineyards (cultivated habitat) and adjacent hedgerows (semi-natural habitat), using the TM bait method. Moreover, to study the effect of insect baiting on EPF recovery, 81 of these 183 soil samples were also tested for EPF occurrences using the GM bait method. Twelve species were found in 44.26% ± 3.67% of the total of 183 soils. Clonostachysroseaf.rosea was found in maximum soils (30.05% ± 3.38%), followed by Beauveriabassiana (12.57% ± 2.37%), Purpureocilliumlilacinum (9.29% ± 2.14%) and Metarhiziumrobertsii (6.01% ± 1.75%). Beauveriapseudobassiana (P < 0.001), C.roseaf.rosea (P = 0.006) and Cordycepscicadae (P=0.023) were isolated significantly more from hedgerows, highlighting their sensitivities towards agricultural disturbances. Beauveriabassiana (P = 0.038) and M.robertsii (P = 0.003) were isolated significantly more using GM and TM, respectively. Principal component analysis revealed that M.robertsii was associated both with TM baiting and cultivated habitats, however, B.bassiana was slightly linked with GM baiting only. Ecological profiles of B.bassiana and P.lilacinum were quite similar while M.robertsii and C.roseaf.rosea were relatively distant and distinct. To us, this is the first report on (a) C.cicadae isolation from Mediterranean soils, (b) Purpureocilliumlavendulum as an EPF worldwide; and (c) significant recoveries of M.robertsii using TM over GM. Overall, a ‘Galleria-Tenebrio-bait method’ is advocated to study the functional diversity of EPF in agroecosystems.
Amendment of Articles 8, 9, 10, 21 and 78 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature to expand and refine methods of publication
Authors: ICZN ICZN
Published: February 2019

The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature has voted in favour of a revised version of the amendment to the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature that was proposed in 2008. The purpose of the amendment is to expand and refine the methods of publication allowed by the Code, particularly in relation to electronic publication. The amendment establishes an Official Register of Zoological Nomenclature (with ZooBank as its online version), allows electronic publication after 2011 under certain conditions, and disallows publication on optical discs after 2012. The requirements for electronic publications are that the work be registered in ZooBank before it is published, that the work itself state the date of publication and contain evidence that registration has occurred, and that the ZooBank registration state both the name of an electronic archive intended to preserve the work and the ISSN or ISBN associated with the work. Registration of new scientific names and nomenclatural acts is not required. The Commission has confirmed that ZooBank is ready to handle the requirements of the amendment.
A new species of Cotesia Cameron (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae) reared from the hickory horned devil, Citheronia regalis, and luna moth, Actias luna, in east Texas
Authors: Whitfield James B. , Nuelle Jr. Robert J. , Nuelle III Robert J.
Published: February 2019

The braconid wasp parasitoidCotesianuellorumWhitfield, new species, is described from specimens reared from a caterpillar of the hickory horned devil,Citheroniaregalis(F.), and from a caterpillar of the luna moth,Actiasluna(L.), in eastern Texas. The species is diagnosed with respect to other species ofCotesiarecorded from North American Saturniidae, and details of its biology are provided.
Evaluating STEM Education in the U.S. Secondary Schools: Pros and Cons of the «Project Lead the Way» Platform
Authors: Stebbins Melissa , Goris Tatiana V.
Published: February 2019

Starting in 1990-s, the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program became one of the most known and favorable interdisciplinary STEM platforms in K-12 education in the United States. Moving away from the traditional classroom, PLTW focuses on the integration of several subjects into one. It includes various hands-on-activities that, according to PLTW mission, help to develop deeper practical hands-on skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). In nowadays, PLTW is a nationally recognized curriculum, which offers many opportunities for teachers, as well as students, developing engineering skills and preparing the youth for college and upcoming STEM-oriented carriers. However, despite of its popularity, various factors (such as the cost of PLTW equipment, supplies, and software, as well as support of school administration) might signif-icantly influence quality of PLTW teaching.
Development of a Mobile Application for Teaching Transmission Line Theory
Authors: Salmi Khalid , Magrez Hamid , Sefraoui Hanane , Ziyyat Abdelhak
Published: February 2019

The teaching of transmission line theory in electrical engineering courses must be tailored to an audience which is increasingly reluctant to adhere to abstract disciplines. In our opinion, the best solution to make transmission line courses more attractive is to offer practical applications and intensively use of mathematical computer-aided teaching tools to overcome, at the beginning, the difficulties linked to the theory. Indeed, transmission line theory comes alive when the travelling waves are animated on a screen (smartphone, tablets, laptop, etc.). Fundamental concepts such as “progressive wave”, “reflected wave” and “load matching” could be easily demonstrated in the classroom or at home. Transmission line simulations are applied to problems using connections to shunt, open, matched and unmatched loads, and show how the signal waveforms arise from one end to another. The proposed Android-based animations are used with a sinusoidal generator to illustrate the evolution to the sinusoidal steady state and allow learners to easily handle the corresponding Smith chart. Students are encouraged to run those applications at home as a computational laboratory to verify their solutions to homework problems.
This article introduces simple Android-based virtual tools for the investigation and visualization in real time of waves traveling along a terminated finite-length transmission line, without and with faults between the source and the load. The package can be used as an educational tool in various lectures or homework to aid teaching high frequency electronics and transmission lines theory.
Mobile Apps the Educational Solution for Autistic Students in Secondary Education
Authors: Stathopoulou Agathi , Karabatzaki Zoe , Tsiros Dimosthenis , Katsantoni Spiridoula , Drigas Athanasios
Published: February 2019

For many adolescents in developed countries mobile apps can be the easy way for learning and teaching. This paper examines its role in secondary education focusing in mobile applications that support autistic students. The results of a research revealed the educators ` views that high school students with autism may use mobile apps in a variety of supportive educational ways.
Digital Image Forensics Based on CFA Interpolation Feature and Gaussian Mixture Model
Authors: Wang Xinyi , Niu Shaozhang , Zhang Jiwei
Published: February 2019

According to the characteristics of the color filter array interpolation in a camera, an image splicing forgery detection algorithm based on bi-cubic interpolation and Gaussian mixture model is proposed. The authors make the assumption that the image is acquired using a color filter array, and that tampering removes the artifacts due to a demosaicing algorithm. This article extracts the image features based on the variance of the prediction error and create image feature likelihood map to detect and locate the image tampered areas. The experimental results show that the proposed method can detect and locate the splicing tampering areas precisely. Compared with bi-linear interpolation, this method can reduce the prediction error and improve the detection accuracy.
Numerical Analysis of the Biomechanical Behavior for both Kinds of Dental Structures
Authors: Bouzouina Kheira , Gouasmi Sadek , Noureddine Djebbar , Yamina Chelahi Chiker
Published: February 2019

The aim of the present study is to investigate the comparison between the biomechanical behavior of the dental prosthesis composed of three implants replacing successively the premolar and two molars and the dental bridge located between two implants. Both dental structures were subjected to the same masticatory loading (Corono-apical, Linguo-buccal and Disto- mesial). Three-dimensional finite element models of dental structures were developed to determine the stress distribution under simulated applied loads. In this study the biomechanical behavior of prosthetics dental crowns subjected to static loads in contact with the jawbone has been highlighted. Biomechanical simulations indicated that the equivalent stresses in the dental bridge are greater than that produced in the dental prosthesis. The dental bridge can be assimilated to a beam at the embedded ends, subjected to the bending.
Effects of Pretreatment Methods on the Enamel Surface Improving Sealant Adhesion
Authors: Rotaru-Birgaoanu Adina , Teslaru Teodora , Olariu R. Ionut , Chirap Ionut , Sachelarie Liliana , Dumitrascu Nicoleta
Published: February 2019

Is PlasBeam pretreatment an efficient method to improve sealant adhesion onto the enamel surface?The aim of this study isto investigate the effects induced by three pretreatment techniques used to improve sealant adhesion on the enamel surface, respectively standard acid-etching, UV radiations and a new method based on plasma operating at atmospheric pressure, namely the PlasBeam method.The physical-chemical modifications induced onto the enamel surface by the above pretreatments were analyzed using Contact Angle Measurements and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy.The changes in the enamel surface morphology show that the acid-etching pretreatment is mostly efficient in increasing roughness, but this method stimulates the degradation processes that are well-known and turns down the brillianceof the treated surface. On the other hand, the PlasBeam treatment brings a higher roughness at the contact area between sealant and the enamel surface, compared to the UV radiations pretreatments.Moreover, the PlasBeam improves the hydrophilic character of enamel as a practical solution in enhancing the sealant adhesion to the surface. Related to other effects, it has been noticed that thePlasBeam method generates the most reflective enamel surface, whereas the White/Yellow index reaches the minimum level after a 10 second treatment.
Secondary school teachers’ experiences related to learner teenage pregnancies and unexpected deliveries at school
Authors: Du Preez Antoinette , Botha A. Johan , Rabie Tinda , Manyathi Dudu G.
Published: February 2019

Background: The incidence of learner teenage pregnancies can be reduced, provided that the major stakeholders, which include the Department of Education and the Department of Health, combine to address this issue. Despite the implementation of Life Orientation as a school subject, which focuses on sexual behaviour, health, decision-making, pregnancy risk, sexually transmitted infections and HIV and AIDS, the prevalence of learner teenage pregnancies at secondary schools remains alarmingly high.Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe teachers’ experiences of learner teenage pregnancies in secondary schools in a province in South Africa.Setting: Secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal.Method: A qualitative approach with exploratory, descriptive and contextual strategies was used in this research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers who had been selected through purposive sampling. Tesch’s steps of systematic open coding were used to analyse all of the interviews.Results: The results that emerged during the data analysis indicate that firstly, teachers’ experiences of having pregnant learners in their classrooms are negative as these learners are frequently absent from school, perform badly and drop out of school. Secondly, teachers’ experiences related to unexpected deliveries are coloured by their lack of the necessary skills and competencies to deal and their resultant insecurity. Thirdly, the teachers feel that they do not receive the assistance they need to deal with teenage pregnancies as well as unexpected deliveries.Conclusions: Collaboration between and continuous support from the Department of Health and the Department of Education are crucial if teenage pregnancies at secondary schools are to be handled with greater success. Support from health care personnel should include guidance on contraception and health campaigns should target both the teachers and secondary school learners. Furthermore, coping strategies for the teachers should form part of the preservice curriculum of teachers.
Mapping recent developments in Old Testament theology
Authors: Snyman Fanie
Published: February 2019

This article provides the readers with an overview of the history of the study of the Old Testament, highlighting major turning points especially during the 20th and 21st centuries. It is argued that the approaches of Eichrodt, Von Rad, Childs and Brueggemann mark the major innovative developments in Old Testament theology during the 20th and 21st centuries. The article concludes with a number of conclusions based on the overview of developments in the field. The postmodern turn represented in especially the Old Testament theologies of Brueggemann and Gerstenberger is pointed out together with other trends that can be detected from recent developments in the field.
Liberation reimagined: Counter imperial theology and the gospel
Authors: Genade Aldred
Published: February 2019

No abstract available.
Community-based approach for a flood preparedness plan in Malaysia
Authors: Shariff Nur N.M. , Hamidi Zety S.
Published: February 2019

Floods have caused inevitable major disasters around the world as well as in Malaysia. This paper demonstrates that lessons can be taken from the previous flood disasters when developing an effective flood preparedness plan. As a common practice, disaster management is based on a top–down approach or is government-centred. This article attempts to highlight the significance of developing a flood preparedness plan by involving the communities affected. Qualitative analysis was adopted in order to gain in-depth insight of the communities. Two flood-prone communities were chosen: (1) Machang, Kelantan; and (2) Kuala Lipis, Pahang. There were two important things executed by the community for the preparation: (1) community-based disaster risk management; and (2) intensive mutual assistance.
Combined endovascular and microsurgical hybrid management of cerebral aneurysms: The preliminary fujita experience
Authors: Tanaka Riki , Ansari Ahmed , Kato Yoko , Yamada Yasuhiro , Kawase T , Kalyan Sai
Published: February 2019

Introduction: A subgroup of complex aneurysms demands multimodal treatment by microscopic and endovascular means. Partial obliteration or remnant postprocedure demands to go further to the other modality. Materials and Methods: All patients between July 2016 and January 2017 who had to undergo multimodality measures for complete obliteration of the aneurysms were included in the study. The patients who had either undergone clipping or coiling for their aneurysms, but with incomplete obliteration of the aneurysm, were also included in the study. Results: Between July 2016 and January 2017, a total of three patients had to undergo coiling after clipping of the aneurysm for complete obliteration. Two patients had to go for clipping following coiling. All five patients had complete obliteration of the aneurysm sac. Conclusion: Both microscopic and endovascular means are complementary measures instead of competing procedures. It is important to realize the technical difficulties when surgical therapy follows initial endovascular treatment. Similarly, coiling a previously clipped aneurysm can be difficult, if the clip obscures normal working projections.
Hydrocephalus after deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zekaj Edvin , Saleh Christian , Servello Domenico
Published: February 2019

A fearsome complication of deep brain stimulation (DBS) constitutes intracranial hemorrhage. Incidence rates vary between 0.5% and 5%, with 1.1% of cases resulting in permanent deficit or death. Intracranial hemorrhage can present asymptomatically or result in fatal outcome. A rare complication in this setting is acute hydrocephalus due to obstruction of the cerebrospinal fluid flow. This complication might have catastrophic consequences resulting in death in a few hours if not an external ventricular drainage promptly is placed. We report a patient with acute hydrocephalus due to intraventricular hemorrhage after the DBS procedure. Patients should be warned of this complication when informed consent is obtained.
Outcome analysis of surgical clipping for incidental internal carotid posterior communicating and anterior choroidal artery aneurysms
Authors: Mohammad Ameen , Yasuhiro Yamada , Seng Liew , Rajagopal Niranjana , Yoko Kato
Published: February 2019

Introduction: Surgical outcome and ischemic complications of Internal carotid Posterior Communicating (IC PC) and anterior choroidal aneurysms have been questionable due to frequent occlusion of the anterior choroid artery and also due to low incidence of true anterior choroid artery aneurysms. The present series describes the postoperative outcome after clipping of such aneurysms at a single centre. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 73 cases with IC PC and Anterior choroidal aneurysms performed at a Fujita Health University, Banbuntane Hotokukai Hospital, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan from 2014 to 2018 have been studied and emphasis is made on the demography and ischemic complications. Results: A total of 73 patients with IC PC and anterior choroidal aneurysms were studied, out of which 57 patient had a true IC PC aneurysm, 14 patients had aneurysms involving the anterior choroidal artery and only 2 patients had aneurysms which involved both the IC PC and the anterior choroidal arteries. None of the patients had a permanent Anterior Choroidal Artery syndrome, whereas only 2 out of the 73 patients had postoperative complications in the form of transient hemiparesis. Conclusion: Ischemic complications following surgical clipping of IC PC and anterior choroidal aneurysms can be minimised by meticulous micro dissection to identify the anterior choroidal artery thus preserving the patency of the same.
Giant calvarial cavernous hemangioma: A rare case report and review of literature
Authors: Prasanna Govindappagari , Katari Uday , Vandanapu Sathish , Reddy Malepeddi , Adusumilli Hima
Published: February 2019

Primary intraosseous cavernous hemangiomas (PICHs) are benign vascular lesions that may occur in any part of the body. They account for 0.2% of all bone tumors and 10% of benign skull tumors. PICHs are usually seen in vertebral column and very rarely involve skull. We report a 36-year-old female patient with large right parietal cavernous hemangioma. The lesion had been excised completely with a good neurological outcome.
En plaque meningioma presenting as a cutaneous nodule
Authors: Apostolakis Sotirios , Karagianni Aikaterini , Mylonakis Ioannis , Vlachos Konstantinos , Roussos Lavrentios
Published: February 2019

Meningiomas are the most common central nervous system tumor and can be found anywhere in the neuraxis. In rare cases, they may extend beyond the cranial vault, while cases without evidence of intracranial mass existence have also been reported. Here, we report the case of a 64-year-old male patient with a history of craniectomy for parasagittal meningioma, who presented at the emergency department with onset of focal seizures. The patient underwent nonenhanced brain computed tomography scan which was indicative of recurrence of the mass. The patient was scheduled for craniotomy and excision of the mass. He also expressed his desire to have a scalp nodule removed concomitantly. Thickening of the meninges underlying the nodule was observed but without indication of a space-occupying lesion. Both histological examinations were suggestive of Grade II, atypical meningiomas. A case of a subcutaneous meningioma in a patient with a history of surgically excised parasagittal meningioma is presented. Radiologic evidence of dural proliferation underlying the mass was suggestive of an en plaque meningioma secondary to iatrogenic dissemination of tumor cells.
Effects of Dynamic Variable - Value Ordering Heuristics on the Search Space of Sudoku Modeled as a Constraint Satisfaction Problem
Authors: Cox James L. , Lucci Stephen , Pay Tayfun
Published: February 2019

We carry out a detailed analysis of the effects of different dynamic variable and value ordering heuristics on the search space of Sudoku when the encoding method and the filtering algorithm are fixed. Our study starts by examining lexicographical variable and value ordering and evaluates different combinations of dynamic variable and value ordering heuristics. We eventually build up to a dynamic variable ordering heuristic that has two rounds of tie-breakers, where the second tie-breaker is a dynamic value ordering heuristic. We show that our method that uses this interlinked heuristic outperforms the previously studied ones with the same experimental setup. Overall, we conclude that constructing insightful dynamic variable ordering heuristics that also utilize a dynamic value ordering heuristic in their decision making process could drastically improve the search effort for some constraint satisfaction problems.
The importance of climate scenarios in setting the productivity indexes in the Pampa Arenosa sub-region of the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Pérez Silvia Patricia , Irigoin Julieta , Cassani Mariano Tomás , Massobrio Marcelo Juan
Published: February 2019

Starting in the 1970's, the Pampa Arenosa sub-region experienced an increasing water regime that generated an increased area for dryland farming. With increasing agricultural activity, examining the land is an essential strategic tool for its planning. The objective of this work was to highlight the importance of considering several climate scenarios when setting the productivity index in the sector of longitudinal dunes in the Pampa Arenosa sub-region in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The climate scenarios were set in relation to the shifts in average rain values, according to the Pettitt Test. The land were classified according to their productivity index. It was found that the productivity index of the land increased with the rain, reaching its highest value in the period right after the abrupt shift. Land of moderate productive capacity whose productivity index values are between 65 and 51 comprised the majority of the area of our study.