bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Abandoned Object Detection System Based on Three-Dimensional Image Information
Authors: Zeng Yiliang , Lan Jinhui , Ran Bin , Gao Jing , Zou Jinlin
Published: March 2015

A new idea of an abandoned object detection system for road traffic surveillance systems based on three-dimensional image information is proposed in this paper to prevent traffic accidents. A novel Binocular Information Reconstruction and Recognition (BIRR) algorithm is presented to implement the new idea. As initial detection, suspected abandoned objects are detected by the proposed static foreground region segmentation algorithm based on surveillance video from a monocular camera. After detection of suspected abandoned objects, three-dimensional (3D) information of the suspected abandoned object is reconstructed by the proposed theory about 3D object information reconstruction with images from a binocular camera. To determine whether the detected object is hazardous to normal road traffic, road plane equation and height of suspected-abandoned object are calculated based on the three-dimensional information. Experimental results show that this system implements fast detection of abandoned objects and this abandoned object system can be used for road traffic monitoring and public area surveillance.
Degradation Prediction Model Based on a Neural Network with Dynamic Windows
Authors: Zhang Xinghui , Xiao Lei , Kang Jianshe
Published: March 2015

Tracking degradation of mechanical components is very critical for effective maintenance decision making. Remaining useful life (RUL) estimation is a widely used form of degradation prediction. RUL prediction methods when enough run-to-failure condition monitoring data can be used have been fully researched, but for some high reliability components, it is very difficult to collect run-to-failure condition monitoring data, i.e., from normal to failure. Only a certain number of condition indicators in certain period can be used to estimate RUL. In addition, some existing prediction methods have problems which block RUL estimation due to poor extrapolability. The predicted value converges to a certain constant or fluctuates in certain range. Moreover, the fluctuant condition features also have bad effects on prediction. In order to solve these dilemmas, this paper proposes a RUL prediction model based on neural network with dynamic windows. This model mainly consists of three steps: window size determination by increasing rate, change point detection and rolling prediction. The proposed method has two dominant strengths. One is that the proposed approach does not need to assume the degradation trajectory is subject to a certain distribution. The other is it can adapt to variation of degradation indicators which greatly benefits RUL prediction. Finally, the performance of the proposed RUL prediction model is validated by real field data and simulation data.
Different Welfare System—Same Values? How Social Work Educators in Norway, Chile and Argentina Comprehend Core Social Work and Social Policy Issues
Authors: Lyngstad Rolv
Published: March 2015

During 2013 and 2014, five focus-group interviews were conducted in Norway, Chile and Argentina in order to understand better how professors at social work programs understand professional issues and controversial social policy issues in their countries. In the focus groups, the participants were asked to reflect upon a vignette which was a fictitious discussion about professional issues and dilemmas in social work practices. Three themes were deployed in the vignette. The first related to different attitudes with respect to how social problems in society should be approached and treated (with a special focus on the relationship between the public, private and civil sectors in solving welfare problems). The second was about social work dilemmas in the contested space between universal equality values and local freedom values/discretion embedded in local self-determination. The third focused on welfare states’ principles distinguishing welfare benefits and services and how public welfare policies should be designed. The three countries are very different with respect to variables affecting welfare policies and social work practices. The most profound difference is likely that Chile (and to a lesser degree Argentina) since the dictatorship is highly influenced by neo-liberal policies advocating small public involvement in social policy, whereas Norway is a typical social-democratic welfare state. This fact, however, does not affect the reflections and apprehensions of the issues in a substantial way. The professional attitudes of the professors are surprisingly equal in spite of their different backgrounds.
Multifactorial Origin of Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Approaches to Understanding Complex Etiologies
Authors: De Felice Alessia , Ricceri Laura , Venerosi Aldina , Chiarotti Flavia , Calamandrei Gemma
Published: March 2015

A significant body of evidence supports the multifactorial etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) affecting children. The present review focuses on early exposure to environmental chemicals as a risk factor for neurodevelopment, and presents the major lines of evidence derived from epidemiological studies, underlying key uncertainties and research needs in this field. We introduce the exposome concept that, encompassing the totality of human environmental exposures to multiple risk factors, aims at explaining individual vulnerability and resilience to early chemical exposure. In this framework, we synthetically review the role of variable gene backgrounds, the involvement of epigenetic mechanisms as well as the function played by potential effect modifiers such as socioeconomic status. We describe laboratory rodent studies where the neurodevelopmental effects of environmental chemicals are assessed in the presence of either a “vulnerable” gene background or adverse pregnancy conditions (i.e., maternal stress). Finally, we discuss the need for more descriptive and “lifelike” experimental models of NDDs, to identify candidate biomarkers and pinpoint susceptible groups or life stages to be translated to large prospective studies within the exposome framework.
Anti-CMV-IgG Positivity of Donors Is Beneficial for alloHSCT Recipients with Respect to the Better Short-Term Immunological Recovery and High Level of CD4+CD25high Lymphocytes
Authors: Jaskula Emilia , Dlubek Dorota , Tarnowska Agnieszka , Lange Janusz , Mordak-Domagala Monika , Suchnicki Krzysztof , Sedzimirska Mariola , Borowik Agata , Mizia Sylwia , Lange Andrzej
Published: March 2015

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from anti-cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G (anti-CMV-IgG) positive donors facilitated immunological recovery post-transplant, which may indicate that chronic CMV infection has an effect on the immune system. This can be seen in the recipients after reconstitution with donor lymphocytes. We evaluated the composition of lymphocytes at hematologic recovery in 99 patients with hematologic malignancies post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Anti-CMV-IgG seropositivity of the donor was associated with higher proportions of CD4+ (227.963 ± 304.858 × 106 vs. 102.050 ± 17.247 × 106 cells/L, p = 0.009) and CD4+CD25high (3.456 ± 0.436 × 106 vs. 1.589 ± 0.218 × 106 cells/L, p = 0.003) lymphocytes in the blood at hematologic recovery. The latter parameter exerted a diverse influence on the risk of acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) if low (1.483 ± 0.360 × 106 vs. 3.778 ± 0.484 × 106 cells/L, p < 0.001) and de novo chronic GvHD (cGvHD) if high (3.778 ± 0.780 × 106 vs. 2.042 ± 0.261 × 106 cells/L, p = 0.041). Higher values of CD4+ lymphocytes in patients who received transplants from anti-CMV-IgG-positive donors translated into a reduced demand for IgG support (23/63 vs. 19/33, p = 0.048), and these patients also exhibited reduced susceptibility to cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and/or human herpes 6 virus (HHV6) infection/reactivation (12/50 vs. 21/47, p = 0.032). Finally, high levels (³0.4%) of CD4+CD25high lymphocytes were significantly associated with better post-transplant survival (56% vs. 38%, four-year survival, p = 0.040). Donors who experience CMV infection/reactivation provide the recipients with lymphocytes, which readily reinforce the recovery of the transplanted patients’ immune system.
Modulation of SIV and HIV DNA Vaccine Immunity by Fas-FasL Signaling
Authors: Yan Jiabin , Zapata Juan , Pauza Charles , Salvato Maria
Published: March 2015

Signaling through the Fas/Apo-1/CD95 death receptor is known to affect virus-specific cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses. We tested whether modulating the Fas-apoptotic pathway can enhance immune responses to DNA vaccination or lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection. Mice were electroporated with plasmids expressing a variety of pro- or anti-apoptotic molecules related to Fas signaling and then either LCMV-infected or injected with plasmid DNA expressing SIV or HIV antigens. Whereas Fas or FasL knockout mice had improved CMI, down-regulation of Fas or FasL by shRNA or antibody failed to improve CMI and was accompanied by increases in regulatory T cells (Treg). Two “adjuvant” plasmids were discovered that significantly enhanced plasmid immunizations. The adjuvant effects of Fas-associated death domain (FADD) and of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (cFLIP) were consistently accompanied by increased effector memory T lymphocytes and increased T cell proliferation. This adjuvant effect was also observed when comparing murine infections with LCMV-Armstrong and its persisting variant LCMV-Clone 13. LCMV-Armstrong was cleared in 100% of mice nine days after infection, while LCMV-Clone 13 persisted in all mice. However, half of the mice pre-electroporated with FADD or cFLIP plasmids were able to clear LCMV-Clone 13 by day nine, and, in the case of cFLIP, increased viral clearance was accompanied by higher CMI. Our studies imply that molecules in the Fas pathway are likely to affect a number of events in addition to the apoptosis of cells involved in immunity.
Facilitation of Rice Stripe Virus Accumulation in the Insect Vector by Himetobi P Virus VP1
Authors: Li Shuo , Ge Shangshu , Wang Xi , Sun Lijuan , Liu Zewen , Zhou Yijun
Published: March 2015

The small brown planthopper (SBPH) is the main vector for rice stripe virus (RSV), which causes serious rice stripe disease in East Asia. To characterize the virus-vector interactions, the SBPH cDNA library was screened with RSV ribonucleoprotein (RNP) as bait using a GAL4-based yeast two-hybrid system. The interaction between RSV-RNP and the Himetobi P virus (HiPV, an insect picorna-like virus) VP1 protein was identified. The relationships between HiPV and RSV in SBPH were further investigated, and the results showed that the titer of RSV was commonly higher in single insect that exhibited more VP1 expression. After the VP1 gene was repressed by RNA silencing, the accumulation of RSV decreased significantly in the insect, whereas the virus acquisition ability of SBPH was unaffected, which suggests that HiPV VP1 potentially facilitates the accumulation of RSV in SBPH.
Molecular Genetic Analysis of Orf Virus: A Poxvirus That Has Adapted to Skin
Authors: Fleming Stephen , Wise Lyn , Mercer Andrew
Published: March 2015

Orf virus is the type species of the Parapoxvirus genus of the family Poxviridae. It induces acute pustular skin lesions in sheep and goats and is transmissible to humans. The genome is G+C rich, 138 kbp and encodes 132 genes. It shares many essential genes with vaccinia virus that are required for survival but encodes a number of unique factors that allow it to replicate in the highly specific immune environment of skin. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that both viral interleukin-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor genes have been “captured” from their host during the evolution of the parapoxviruses. Genes such as a chemokine binding protein and a protein that binds granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-2 appear to have evolved from a common poxvirus ancestral gene while three parapoxvirus nuclear factor (NF)-κB signalling pathway inhibitors have no homology to other known NF-κB inhibitors. A homologue of an anaphase-promoting complex subunit that is believed to manipulate the cell cycle and enhance viral DNA synthesis appears to be a specific adaptation for viral-replication in keratinocytes. The review focuses on the unique genes of orf virus, discusses their evolutionary origins and their role in allowing viral-replication in the skin epidermis.
‘I finally felt like I had power’: student agency and voice in an online and classroom-based role-play simulation
Authors: Rector-Aranda Amy , Raider-Roth Miriam
Published: March 2015

This article presents an educational action research study examining how one online, classroom-based role-play simulation offers middle school students the opportunity to strengthen their agency and voice. The Jewish Court of All Time (JCAT) is a web-mediated simulation designed for middle school classrooms where students take on roles of various characters throughout the world, history and literature to address an imaginary court case. JCAT is meant to develop students’ skills in writing, critical thinking, perspective-taking, historical empathy and communication, as well as subject literacy in social, historical and cultural contexts. Our research question focuses on how JCAT further encourages and supports the middle school students’ agency and voice. We examine how students exercise their agency and voice both in the online environment and in accompanying classroom activities. As an educational action research study, we focus on simulations in which at least one of the authors was a participant, and also pay special attention to how our findings can enhance future simulations. Findings suggest that students constructed knowledge of democratic ideals and were able to exercise their agency and voice specifically, both in the online environment and in accompanying classroom activities.Keywords: democratic education; empowerment; middle school; educational simulations; social studies(Published: 23 March 2015)Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2015, 23: 25569 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v23.25569
Applications of three-dimensional carbon nanotube networks
Authors: Scarselli Manuela , Castrucci Paola , De Nicola Francesco , Cacciotti Ilaria , Nanni Francesca , Gatto Emanuela , Venanzi Mariano , De Crescenzi Maurizio
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we show that it is possible to synthesize carbon-based three-dimensional networks by adding sulfur, as growth enhancer, during the synthesis process. The obtained material is self-supporting and consists of curved and interconnected carbon nanotubes and to lesser extent of carbon fibers. Studies on the microstructure indicate that the assembly presents a marked variability in the tube external diameter and in the inner structure. We study the relationship between the observed microscopic properties and some potential applications. In particular, we show that the porous nature of the network is directly responsible for the hydrophobic and the lipophilic behavior. Moreover, we used a cut piece of the produced carbon material as working electrode in a standard electrochemical cell and, thus, demonstrating the capability of the system to respond to incident light in the visible and near-ultraviolet region and to generate a photocurrent.
The reactions of 2-ethoxymethylidene-3-oxo esters and their analogues with 5-aminotetrazole as a way to novel azaheterocycles
Authors: Goryaeva Marina V , Burgart Yanina V , Ezhikova Marina A , Kodess Mikhail I , Saloutin Viktor I
Published: March 2015

The interaction of 2-ethoxymethylidene-3-oxo esters and their analogues with 5-aminotetrazole is an efficient synthetic approach to novel azaheterocycles. 2-Ethoxymethylidene-3-oxo esters bearing alkyl substituents react with 5-aminotetrazole to form ethyl 2-azido-4-alkylpyrimidine-5-carboxylates which are capable of subsequent nucleophilic substitution. The use of diethyl 2-ethoxymethylidenemalonate in this reaction resulted in ethyl 7-hydroxytetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate, while ethyl 2-ethoxymethylidenecyanoacetate yielded 5-[2,6-diamino-3,5-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)pyridinium-1-yl]tetrazol-1-ide through an alternative pathway. Ethyl 2-benzoyl-3-ethoxyprop-2-enoate reacted with 5-aminotetrazole by two reaction routes to form ethyl 2-benzoyl-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-ylamino)prop-2-enoate and ethyl 7-(1-ethoxy-1,3-dioxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)-5-phenyl-4,7-dihydrotetrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-6-carboxylate.
Être soignant à l’hôpital auprès d’adolescents atteints d’une maladie potentiellement mortelle : une clinique de l’extrême ?
Authors: Fradkin Sophie , Ricadat Élise , Schwering Karl-Leo , Boissel Nicolas , Aujoulat Isabelle
Published: March 2015

À partir de propos tenus lors d’entretiens de recherche par des soignants travaillant dans une unité dédiée aux adolescents et jeunes adultes traités pour des leucémies aiguës, les auteurs montreront les processus psychiques que les soignants mettent en œuvre pour supporter, accompagner ces situations de soins et juguler ainsi l’extrême que cette clinique représente.
Determining the Quality and Impact of an E-Mentoring Program on At-Risk Youth
Authors: Culpepper Diane W. , Hernandez-Gantes Victor M. , Blank William E.
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of an e-mentoring program and the impact of participation on at-risk high school students enrolled in dropout prevention programs. The quality of the program was evaluated based on the ease of implementation, use of technology, and overall satisfaction. Indicators of student's self-esteem, career decision, attendance, and GED test scores were used to gauge the impact of participation. Design-based research methods were used to compare the participation of students in mentored and control groups. The results indicated a high level of satisfaction with ease of implementation, use of technology, and overall program quality. However, there were no significant differences between the mentored and control groups regarding self-esteem, career indecision, attendance, and GED test scores. Since the GED dropout prevention program provides guidance and mentorship by the coordinator, further research is suggested to account for the role of program and other contributing variables. Also, further research is suggested on the ancillary benefits of e-mentoring.
Vocational School Students' Information and Communication Technology Self-Efficacy Beliefs and the Factors Affecting their Use of Such a Technology
Authors: Turel Vehbi , Calık Sinan , Doganer Adem
Published: March 2015

The purpose of vocational schools (VSs) in Turkey, which offer two-year degree courses, is to provide the students who have completed a high school programme successfully with practical introductory experience in skilled trades such as computing, electronics, mechanics, carpentry, construction, field crops, and so on. Those who complete a two-year VS degree successfully are also entitled to take the national exam to access the associate degrees so that they can study further two years and get a four year degree diploma instead of a two-year one. In this study, vocational school (VS) students' (i.e., age 17/18 and above) information and communication technology (ICT) self-efficacy beliefs and their level in use of certain common programmes at one of the colleges in the eastern part of Turkey were investigated in the spring of 2012. The study examined the VS students' (a) demographic background, (b) their ICT self-efficacy beliefs and (c) their ICT-using level in certain common programs. The VS students at four different departments (i.e., two-year degree courses) who were full-time were given the questionnaires to complete. 272 (N=272) participants completed them. The study was both quantitative and qualitative. The quantitative results were analysed with SPSS (i.e., descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Independent Samples Test). The qualitative data were analysed with examining the participants' responses gathered from the open-ended questions and focussing on the shared themes among the responses. The results revealed that the participants were ICT literate and users. They had positive ICT self-efficacy beliefs and their level in certain common programs was good. There were also statistical differences between their (a) ICT self-efficacy beliefs and (b) ICT level in certain common programs in terms of the length of ICT-use, the frequency of ICT-use, the place of ICT-access, and gender. The findings were consistent with the models and theories of technology engagement (i.e., theory of technology acceptance, the theory of reasoned action, the decomposed theory of planned behaviour, and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology), which recognise facilitating or inhibiting conditions. The implications are (1) to provide (free) full-access to ICT in terms of technology availability and efficient resources, (2) to provide free efficient ICT courses and (3) to integrate ICT into teaching/learning.
Cultural Learning Processes through Local Wisdom
Authors: Ratana-Ubol Archanya , Henschke John A.
Published: March 2015

This article provides the background and concept of Thailand Lifelong Learning [LLL], even attempting a definition. The Thai LLL vision encompasses strategies for developing human qualities such as integrity, self-reliance, adaptability, resilience, and spirituality, to name a few. In some regards LLL seeks to recapture a more fully-developed perspective, on what in earlier times and places [1238 AD in Thailand], was called ‘indigenous education', as it now pursues the benefits of a vibrant Learning Society. Progress of LLL in Thailand at times seems to be very slow and methodological rather than dynamic. It stems from developing a policy of learning processes for establishing solid education systems – Formal, Non-Formal, and Informal. LLL also has developed by means of garnering and integrating ‘Local Wisdom' [a Thai term designating important valued human experience] into what has become known as ‘cultural learning processes'. This Local Wisdom is held by ‘Wisdom Teachers' and encompasses nine areas, as follows: agriculture, handicraft/cottage industry, traditional medicine, conservation of natural resources, funding/community economics, fine arts, languages/literatures, philosophy/religion/tradition, and food/nutrition. Government Organizations and Private Non-Governmental Organizations have strongly supported and have been major forces for advancing cultural learning, LLL, and what may be labeled as a ‘Learning Society'. In addition, collaboration between Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok [Thailand's premier university] and Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Missouri, USA, has helped Thai LLL advance immeasurably and move toward becoming a Learning Society from 2010 to 2015. Added to this, and provided a Model of Cultural Learning, with recommendations for improvement at the National and Community levels. It concludes with assurances toward its creating diversity within the constituencies to be served, strengthening a self-sufficient economy, solidifying moral values, and enhancing Thailand's becoming a vibrant and flourishing Lifelong Learning Society.
Query Interaction Based Approach for Horizontal Data Partitioning
Authors: Bellatreche Ladjel , Kerkad Amira
Published: March 2015

With the explosion of data, several applications are designed around analytical aspects, with data warehousing technology at the heart of the construction chain. The exploitation of this data warehouse is usually performed by the use of complex queries involving selections, joins and aggregations. These queries bring the following characteristics: (1) their routinely aspects, (2) their large number, and (3) the high operation sharing between queries. This interaction has been largely identified in the context of multi-query optimization, where graph data structures were proposed to capture it. Also during the physical design, the structures have been used to select redundant optimization structures such as materialized views and indexes. Horizontal data partitioning (HDP) is another non-redundant optimization structure that can be selected in the physical design phase. It is a pre-condition for designing extremely large databases in several environments: centralized, distributed, parallel and cloud. It aims to reduce the cost of the above operations. In HDP, the optimization space of potential candidates for partitioning grows exponentially with the problem size making the problem NP-hard. This paper proposes a new approach based on query interactions to select a partitioning schema of a data warehouse in a divide and conquer manner to achieve an improved trade-off between the optimization algorithm's speed and the quality of the solution. The effectiveness of our approach is proven through a validation using the Star Schema Benchmark (100 GB) on Oracle11g.
Making Smart Choices
Authors: Kwan Alvin C.M. , Chu Samuel K.W. , Hong Athena W.L. , Tam Frankie , Lee Grace M.Y. , Mellecker Robin
Published: March 2015

Current educational resources for sex education in Hong Kong are mainly designed to be used in classroom. They are mostly text-based and are unattractive to the most vulnerable adolescent group. As discussion on sex is still taboo in Chinese society, self-learning resources can supplement classroom teaching. This paper describes an interactive game playable on Facebook, iPad and the web to educate young adolescents with reliable knowledge and positive attitudes towards relationship and sex and life skills necessary for making wise decisions regarding love and sex in a fun way. The effectiveness and acceptance of the game were evaluated by more than 1000 grades 7-9 students from six schools. The results showed that after playing the game, students' sex knowledge improved with a medium effect size. The students were mostly receptive to the game, finding it fun to play with and describing the content as “interesting”, “interactive”, “informative”, “close to reality” and “applicable”.
Rural Intelligent Public Transportation System Design
Authors: Esmaeili Leila , Hashemi G. Seyyed AliReza
Published: March 2015

In order to improve the level of intelligence, availability, convenience, information and humanization of rural public transportation systems, they are more willing to use modern information and communicative technologies. In addition to management services, intelligent transportation systems can provide passengers, drivers and other institutions with other services such as trip planning, tracking and so forth. In this paper the authors have attempted to present a comprehensive design of rural ITS based on cloud and grid computing, RFID, GPS, GIS, etc. through e-commerce and particularly m-commerce in order to improve the rural transportation management and presentation of user-centric services. Also according to the design, intercity transportation services to passengers are re-engineered. The results show proposed design with distribution infrastructure improves the performance of e-commerce and ISs in transportation domain. The system designed on this paper regardless of the possible challenges could efficiently cover the problems of rural transportation of newly developing countries.
Conflict of Interest
Authors: Zhang Yanli , Hsu Jeffrey , Xing Ruben , Zhou Wencang
Published: March 2015

Given the persistent prevalence of conflict of interest in our society, the authors ask the question: What exactly is conflict of interest? Based on an extensive analysis of conflict of interest cases in the popular press, the authors come up with a typology of conflict of interest: personal conflict of interest versus organizational conflict of interest. Furthermore, the authors develop a model of the causes and reactions to conflict of interest. The authors identify four antecedents to conflict of interest which include delegation of authority, guanxi and guanxi practice, law and ethics code, and moral & values. At the same time, the authors find that the characteristics of conflict of interest, which include network strength, exchange value, and transparency will influence people's reactions to the conflict of interest and perception of impaired judgment and decision making.
HERMES
Authors: Pelekis Nikos , Frentzos Elias , Giatrakos Nikos , Theodoridis Yannis
Published: March 2015

This paper presents HERMES, a prototype DB engine that defines a powerful query language for trajectory databases, which enables the support of mobility-centric applications, such as Location-Based Services (LBS). HERMES extends the data definition and manipulation language of Object-Relational DBMS (ORDBMS) with spatio-temporal semantics and functionality based on advanced spatio-temporal indexing and query processing techniques. Its implementation over two ORDBMS and its utilization in various domains proves the expressive power and applicability of HERMES in different application domains where knowledge regarding mobility data is essential. As a proof-of-concept, in this paper HERMES is applied to a case study related with vehicle traffic analysis, demonstrating its flexibility and usefulness for delivering custom-defined LBS.
The Intention to Use Mobile Digital Library Technology
Authors: Alfaresi Sumayyah Hassan , Hone Kate
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a qualitative study on student adoption of mobile library technology in a developing world context. The findings support the applicability of a number of existing constructs from the technology acceptance literature, such as perceived ease of use, social influence and trust. However, they also suggest the need to modify some adoption factors previously found in the literature to fit the specific context of mobile library adoption. Perceived value was found to be a more relevant overarching adoption factor than perceived usefulness for this context. Facilitating conditions were identified as important but these differed somewhat from those covered in earlier literature. The research also uncovered the importance of trialability for this type of application. The findings provide a basis for improving theory in the area of mobile library adoption and suggest a number of practical design recommendations to help designers of mobile library technology to create applications that meet user needs.
Biomechanics of Front and Back-of-Tablet Pointing with Grasping Hands
Authors: Wolf Katrin , Schneider Markus , Mercouris John , Hrabia Christopher-Eyk
Published: March 2015

Considering the kinematic model of the hand allows for deeper understanding of target selection on the front and on the back of tablets. The authors found that the position where the thumb and fingers are naturally hovering when the device is held results in shortest target selection times. The authors broaden our understanding of that ergonomic optimum by analyzing the touch data as well as 3D data. That allows us to model the entire hand pose including finger angles, thumb angles, and orientation. The authors show how target acquisition with grasping hands is realized through bending the joints of the digits. For targets located very close to the palm of the grasping hand, the digit joints have to be bent till their limit, which is a less ergonomic motion that therefore requires longer selection times than pointing at targets with relaxed digits that are further away.
A Novel Evolutionary Algorithm for Multidimensional Knapsack Problem
Authors: Sabba Sara , Chikhi Salim
Published: March 2015

Binary optimization problems are in the most case the NP-hard problems that call to satisfy an objective function with or without constraints. Various optimization problems can be formulated in binary expression whither they can be resolved in easier way. Optimization literature supplies a large number of approaches to find solutions to binary hard problems. However, most population-based algorithms have a great tendency to be trapped in local optima particularly when solving complex optimization problems. In this paper, the authors introduce a new efficient population-based technique for binary optimization problems (that we called EABOP). The proposed algorithm can provide an effective search through a new proposed binary mutation operator. The performance of our approach was tested on hard instances of the multidimensional knapsack problem. The obtained results show that the new algorithm is able of quickly obtaining high-quality solutions for most hard instances of the problem.
A Review and Comparison of Genetic Algorithms for the 0-1 Multidimensional Knapsack Problem
Authors: Lienland Bernhard , Zeng Li
Published: March 2015

The 0-1 multidimensional knapsack problem (MKP) is a well-known combinatorial optimization problem with several real-life applications, for example, in project selection. Genetic algorithms (GA) are effective heuristics for solving the 0-1 MKP. Multiple individual GAs with specific characteristics have been proposed in literature. However, so far, these approaches have only been partially compared in multiple studies with unequal conditions. Therefore, to identify the “best” genetic algorithm, this article reviews and compares 11 existing GAs. The authors' tests provide detailed information on the GAs themselves as well as their performance. The authors validated fitness values and required computation times in varying problem types and environments. Results demonstrate the superiority of one GA.
Fuzzy Prediction of Insolvent Customers in Mobile Telecommunication
Authors: Moudani Walid , Zaarour Grace , Mora-Camino Félix
Published: March 2015

This paper presents a predictive model to handle customer insolvency in advance for large mobile telecommunication companies for the purpose of minimizing their losses. However, another goal is of the highest interest for large mobile telecommunication companies is based on maintaining an overall satisfaction of the customers which may have important consequences on the quality and on the consume return of the operations. In this paper, a new mathematical formulation taking into consideration a set of business rules and the satisfaction of the customers is proposed. However, the customer insolvency is defined to be a classification problem since our main purpose is to categorize the customer in one of the two classes: potentially insolvent or potentially solvent. Therefore, a model with precise business prediction using the knowledge discovery and Data Mining techniques on an enormous heterogeneous and noisy data is proposed. Moreover, a fuzzy approach to evaluate and analyze the customer behavior leading to segment them into groups that provide better understanding of customers is developed. These groups with many other significant variables feed into a classification algorithm based on Rough Set technique to classify the customers. A real case study is considered here, followed by analysis and comparison of the results for the reason to select the best classification model that maximizes the accuracy for insolvent customers and minimizes the error rate in the misclassification of solvent customers.
A Bidder Strategy System for Online Auctions Trust Measurement
Authors: El-Kenawy El-Sayed M. Towfek , El-Desoky Ali Ibraheem , Sarhan Amany M.
Published: March 2015

In this paper, the authors investigate trust of the online auctions one of most e-commerce fields used today, with online auctions; users could buy/sell items all over the world. Compared to traditional auctions, online auctions bring greater convenience while dramatically decreasing the transaction cost., Participants' trust more important one, this paper propose new algorithm that depends on bidder Strategy System(BSS).
Virtual Teams and Knowledge Communication
Authors: Lehtonen Miikka J. , Kampf Constance E.
Published: March 2015

How does culture affect virtual teams and the knowledge communication processes in which they engage? As virtual spaces are increasingly used to support teams and establish collaboration in cross-cultural projects, the notion of cross-cultural communication can be understood as shifting from contextual perspective to a semiotic perspective. That is to say, although the team members are using the same vocabulary they might attach different meanings to and have different knowledge about them thus highlighting the importance of approaching virtual teams and collaboration from a semiotic perspective. To look at how knowledge about virtual work is established in a multinational context, the authors interviewed members of a team that connects Finland and India. Results reveal five objects shared between the team members with varying knowledge about them. By making these differences in knowledge visible through semiotics the authors are calling for a more nuanced understanding of cross-cultural collaboration that draws on and extends the existing body of knowledge on virtual teams and collaboration.
Meet the HUEHUEs
Authors: Fragoso Suely
Published: March 2015

This paper discusses the relation between disruptive behaviour in online environments and the design of multiplayer online games, focusing on huehueing, a widespread phenomenon of disruptive behaviour in online games linked to Brazil's national identity. The discussion is based on a sociotechnical view that understands MOGs not as the combination of a technical artefact and a social construct that belong to different realms and mutually influence each other but as the two sides of a single coin in which huehueing is inscribed. This vision allows the identification of how and why the social dynamics of huehueing is capable of temporarily changing the mediating ground, and therefore the design features of the game.
A Conceptual Framework of RFID Adoption in Retail Using TOE Framework
Authors: Bhattacharya Mithu , Wamba Samuel Fosso
Published: March 2015

Motivated by the need to understand the underlying antecedents of RFID adoption in retail, this study proposes and tests a framework predicting RFID adoption intent. Based on the TOE (technology-organization-environment) framework, this research develops and validates the research framework to examine the influence of twelve contextual factors under four broad categories (technological, organizational, environmental, and value-chain) on RFID adoption in retail. A structured study instrument is developed to measure these variables and data are collected from 74 experts spread across different business associations through Delphi technique. Multivariate discriminant analysis (MDA) is used to develop the conceptual framework for RFID adoption. The results indicate that relative advantage, competitive pressure, catalyst agent, and value chain complexity are significant determinants of RFID adoption in retail. It suggests that environmental characteristics are very important to be considered in RFID adoption studies along with technological and value chain characteristics.
An Approach for the Implementation of Intelligent PID Controller Based on Fast Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Song E.Z. , Albakirat N.S.I. , Mohammed N.F.
Published: March 2015

An efficient controller named Intelligent PID is proposed based on hybridization between original PID tuning methods and fast genetic algorithm (FGA) to enhance the transient response of automatic voltage regulator (AVR) in synchronous machine. PID controller has several advantages compared with another controller, but it’s susceptible to the local minima problem and does not give sufficient output response. Therefore, FGA is used here to overcome this problem and to enhance the output response. The performance of the proposed controller is tested and compared with the original PID controller. The results demonstrate that, the intelligent PID is an effective controller to enhance the transient voltage response of AVR system.
Research on PCS Real-Time System Based on Integrated Control and Simulation
Authors: Liu S. , Shi S.S. , Zhang Z.W. , Chen J.T. , Wang Z.
Published: March 2015

The principle and control method of PCS circuit based on DSP2812 are introduced.The unified model of equations and simulation is built based on the topology of the circuit.The real-time simulation and directly generation of the control code is implemented using Embedded Coder of MATLAB toolbox.The integrated control and simulation design of control algorithm and dynamic process of PCS are implemented.
Programmable Control on Initial Phase of Oscillation Using AD9854
Authors: Leng Y. , Shi Xiong
Published: March 2015

Based on in depth study of internal structure and external interface of AD9854, applying singlechip to control its interior programmable register and related accumulator through parallel interface of AD9854, to explore feasible control method, after reiterative experiment, achieved programmable control on initial phase of oscillation of output pulse of AD9854. This method had applied on some radar echo signal simulator, fulfilled fixed objective echo signal synthesizing.
The Research of Signal Optimal Control Strategy Based on SCATS
Authors: Yang Lin Xiang , Zeng Xiao Qing
Published: March 2015

In terms of the deficiency of SCATS which can only detect the traffic state of the intersection entrance near the stop line,this paper uses the queue length and speed on the outlet as indicators of participating preset scheme based on SCATS and proposes a signal optimal control strategy based on the queue length and speed on the outlet.On this condition, this paper has designed a signal optimal control strategy as a supplement and optimization of the existing SCATS, which has already been connected with SCATS successfully.In the end,this paper applies and verified the signal optimal control strategy through a demonstration project in shanghai,which has proved its effectiveness.
Simulation of DC Regulated Power Supply by SVPWM Control
Authors: Su Y.M. , Zhu H.Y. , Zhao Fang
Published: March 2015

To make the voltage of and the power factor of AC side adjustable, according to the working principle of the three-phase voltage source PWM rectifier,establish the mathematical model of DC regulated power supply, introduce the space voltage vector modulation technology, and build its circuit model based on SVPWM control on the Matlab/Simulink software platform, The simulation results show that this control strategy is feasible.
Fuzzy Multiple Attributes Decision-Making Hybrid Model for Selecting Aircraft Baseline Scenario
Authors: Wang R.B. , Gu L.X.
Published: March 2015

Expertise or certain performance metrics information was often separately considered to model the Aircraft baseline scenario preferential problem in a traditional way, with one-sidedness and subjective. This paper focus on baseline scenario preferential problem in aircraft conceptual design, proposed a hybrid fuzzy decision merit model with synthesizing the description and numerical fuzzy indicators and using interval theory to model the fuzziness of each attribute. Proposed the preference information method based on multi-level expertise interval scale to model description fuzzy indicators and grey incidence analysis to model numerical fuzzy indicators, induced objective information entropy to increase the discrimination degree among group information, and then established a hybrid fuzzy interval multi-attribute decision model based on expertise, grey scale and objective information entropy, by constructing the Lagrangian function to solve each attribute weights. Applied it to the aircraft baseline scenario preferred example, to verify its feasibility and effectiveness.
A Novel Method for Segmenting and Ranking Nuclei for Cervical Cell
Authors: Ravi S. , Annalakshmi G.
Published: March 2015

The main objective of this paper is to automate segmentation and analyze nucleolus to cytoplasm ratio of cervical cell. The first step, the nuclei initialization, concentrates on the target nuclei and related boundaries by removing incidental regional minima from the gradient map. The multi-scale gradient watershed transform is used for nuclei segmentation. It identifies regional minima and preserves the valid nuclei. A local filter is designed for the segmentation of cytoplasm. The performance of the proposed method measuring Nuclear to Cytoplasm (NC) shows better results as compared to other any other methods available in the literature.
System of HD Digital Audio Decoder
Authors: Zhou Mang
Published: March 2015

This paper describes a audio system for high-definition(HD)digital audio decoding solution. The system is well aligned to decoding audio data stream Dolby True HD,DTS HDMaster, and support advanced audio processing Pro Logic® IIx, DTS Neo6. Discuss focuses on system construction and management of audio process by host MUC.
Design of a Horizontal Axis Turbine Marine Energy Generation System
Authors: Hu H.P. , Wang S.M. , Tian K.
Published: March 2015

exploiting marine energy is an important measure to promote "marine economy" development and maintain national security, and based on which, designed and introduced a new horizontal axis turbine marine energy generation system which mainly included energy capturing system, energy transfer system, security service system and remote monitoring system. It proved the feasibility and the high efficiency of the system from the tank experiment, which provides a reliable design idea and reference for the similar engineering project.
A Color Image Encryption Algorithm Based on Improved DES
Authors: Lan Zhang Li , Zhu Lin , Li Yi Cai , Liu Jun
Published: March 2015

Key space will be reduced after using the traditional DES algorithm to directly encrypt color images. Through combining the chaotic capability of the logistic function and by means of a specific algorithm, the fake chaotic son key’s space which is produced by the logistic chaotic pseudo-random function could be acquired. Then use the key generation algorithm to replace the traditional DES key generation algorithm. Experiment illustrates that the proposed algorithm has stronger robustness and anti-jamming capability to noise, and larger key’s space, sensitive initial keys, and better encryption effect, meanwhile it is better immune to multiple attacks.
Parking Choice Behavior for Shared Parking Based on Parking Purposes
Authors: He P. , Chen J. , Zhen J.H. , Jiang Y.H.
Published: March 2015

This paper considers two parking purposes: commute parking and non-commute parking, based on a SP survey, different factors which affect shared parking choice are present firstly. Then, two choice models towards shared parking based on two parking purposes are established. The results show that the difference of distance between the expected parking lot to the destination and the shared one has the deepest influence on shared parking choice for commuters. For non-commuters, the difference of parking price between the expected parking lot and the shared one has the deepest influence.
Development of Prediction Models for Particle Size Composition on Urban Road Surfaces
Authors: Liu An , Liu Liang , Li Dun Zhu , Guan Yun Tao
Published: March 2015

It is commonly known that particles play a critical role in urban stormwater quality because other pollutants can be attached to the particles and transported into receiving waters. Previous research studies have shown a strong relationship between pollutant build-up loads and particle sizes. In this context, accurately estimating the particle amounts in different sizes is extremely important since it can assist in predicting stormwater quality and hence contribute to effective stormwater quality improvement measures. This paper presents a robust model to predict particle size composition on urban road surfaces using heavy-duty vehicle volumes, traffic coefficient and road texture depth by multiple linear regression (MLR) method. The pollutants build-up data was used for model development and was collected on typical urban roads in Shenzhen, China. The relative prediction error and coefficient of variation values were found within the acceptable limits and hence indicated that the developed prediction models are relatively reliable. This developed model can assist in predicting particle size composition on urban road surfaces and thereby contribute to effective stormwater quality assessment and treatment design. Additionally, this developed modelling approach can also provide a guide in terms of particle size composition prediction using more influential factors.