bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L'utilisation des autochtones dans le corps expéditionnaire français d'Extrême-Orient (1945-1954)
Authors: Bodin Michel
Published: December 2013

De 1945 à 1954, le Corps expéditionnaire français d'Extrême-Orient leva et utilisa massivement les Indochinois. D'un entretien généralement peu coûteux, ils permirent aux forces françaises de tenir — en comblant les déficits en hommes venus de la Métropole, en favorisant l'adaptation des combattants au milieu et à la tactique du Viet Minh — , mais non de gagner la guerre. Leur intégration transforma le Corps expéditionnaire en une armée à dominante asiatique, ce qui généra de multiples problèmes. Les contacts obligés, entre les soldats français et les Indochinois, furent une des clés du « mal jaune ». Réguliers, supplétifs, « maquisards » et auxiliaires non armés perdirent durant la campagne environ cent mille hommes (morts et blessés).
La famine manori au Burundi 1943-1944
Authors: Feltz Gaetan , Bidou Jean-Étienne
Published: December 2013

The Burundi knew his last famine in 1943-1944. Although she is marked by the biggest contradictions because the oral sources are not to be confirmed with the written date, this calamity has impregnated as much the collective memory as the colonial rulers. The reasons should be analysed in the natural calamities, the colonial power, the economic warfare after 1942, and the ethnicity behaviours in the society of Burundi.
TIMELY DETERMINING AND PREVENTING CONFLICT SITUATIONS BETWEEN INVESTORS AND THIRD PARTIES: SOME OBSERVATIONS FROM LITHUANIA
Authors: Šostak Olga Regina , Makutėnienė Daiva
Published: December 2013

The article analyses the possible influence of third-party rights infringed during construction planning on the implementation of an investment project. It analyses the process for defence of third party rights infringed during territorial planning. The focus in this process is on third party rights and opportunities to learn about possible infringement of such rights. In a construction project, judicial disputes are an unwanted risk factor, which may disrupt the entire project. It is therefore necessary to plan and apply preventive measures for the mitigation of such risk at the initial planning stage of a construction project. For that end, the article presents some principles of behaviour and actions that could help investors and third parties to solve conflicts, reduce their negative outcomes or reach an arrangement satisfactory to both disputing parties.
EVALUATION OF BIOGENIC SUBSTANCES IN THE RIVER ŠVENTOJI / BIOGENINIŲ MEDŽIAGŲ KONCENTRACIJŲ NERIES INTAKE ŠVENTOJOJE VERTINIMAS
Authors: Butkutė Simona , Zigmontienė Aušra
Published: December 2013

The article discusses the influence and main causes of nutrient compounds in surface waters. The article is aimed at investigating changes in nutrients – nitrogen and its compounds in the river Šventoji. The samples of analysis were collected in the town of Anykščiai in order to assess the influence of the stream of the Anykšta and waste water treatment. The largest concentrations of nutrients were identified from waste water treatment; however, it had not exceeded the MAC, except for February 2012. The conducted analysis has shown that the river Šventoji belongs to the class of a high ecological status, because physic – chemical quality elements such as nitrate – nitrogen (0,60 mg/l) and ammonium – nitrogen (0,03 mg/l) have not exceeded the range <1,30 mg/l and 0,10 mg/l.

Article in Lihuanian.

Santrauka

Straipsnyje nagrinėjama biogeninių medžiagų įtaka paviršiniams vandens telkiniams ir pagrindinės šių medžiagų atsiradimo priežastys. Tyrimo tikslas – azoto turinčių biogeninių medžiagų – nitritų, nitratų, amonio koncentracijų Šventosios vandenyje analizė. Mėginiai buvo imti Anykščiuose ir už miesto ribų, įvertinta Anykštos upelio, komunalinių nuotekų valyklos įtaka Šventosios vandens užterštumui. Didžiausi biogeninių medžiagų kiekiai Šventojoje nustatyti už nuotekų valyklos, tačiau jie neviršijo DLK, išskyrus sausį. Pagal fizikinius-cheminius kokybės elementus – nitratų azotą (0,60 mg/l) ir amonio azotą (0,03 mg/l) Šventoji atitinka labai geros ir geros ekologinės būklės klasę, nes jos vandens kokybės reikšmės patenka atitinkamai į <0,10 mg/l ir 1,30–2,30 mg/l reikšmių intervalą.
REMOVAL OF SO2 FROM CONTAMINATED AIR USING A PEAT BIOFILTER / SO2 ŠALINIMAS IŠ UŽTERŠTO ORO NAUDOJANT BIOFILTRĄ SU DURPIŲ ĮKROVA
Authors: Skemundrytė Kristina , Vaiškūnaitė Rasa
Published: December 2013

About 64 thousand tons of contaminated air is annually released into ambient air. More than 30% of such pollution includes toxic sulfur compounds. The article discusses the properties of biofiltration - biological air cleaning technology. Research was performed using a biofilter produced in the laboratory at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. During testing, ambient air contaminated with sulfur dioxide was pulled through biomedia with a division of Thiobacillus microorganisms, and calculations of cleaning efficiency were performed. Besides, the efficiency of the charged peat biofilter (changing technical characteristics of the air flow rate, number of layers and value of pollutant concentration), depending on the nature of the investigated sulfur compounds and their concentrations, was determined. The biofilter improves the efficiency of air cleaning when the air flow rate reduces from 0,1 to 0,02 m/s (e.g. when sulfur dioxide is used for treating the air flow rate under the initial concentration C = 15 mg/m³, the efficiency of the filter is equal to E = 96,3%).

Santrauka

Didžiausia šiais laikais išsivysčiusių ir besivystančių šalių problema yra greitai besiplečiančių pramonės ir energetikos sektorių į aplinkos orą išmetami cheminiai junginiai (apie 64 tūkst. tonų per metus), iš kurių apie 30 % – žmogui nuodingi ir aplinkai neigiamą poveikį darantys sieros junginiai. Trumpai aptariama biologinio oro valymo privalumai, pagrindinės pasirinktõs durpių bioįkrovos charakteristikos, pateikiama taikyta metodika bei sieros dioksido valymo iš oro eksperimentų rezultatai, aprašomas biofiltracijos procesas. Biofiltro oro valymo efektyvumas didėja mažinant valomo oro srauto greitį nuo 0,1 iki 0,02 m/s (valant sieros dioksidu užterštą orą, kai pradinė teršalo koncentracija C = 15 mg/m³), filtro efektyvumas yra E = 96,3 %.
THE RESULTS OF MEASURING AND MODELLING SOIL-INDOORS RADON TRANSPORTATION / RADONO PERNAŠOS IŠ DIRVOŽEMIO Į PATALPAS MATAVIMO IR MODELIAVIMO REZULTATAI
Authors: Streckytė Erika , Butkus Donatas
Published: December 2013

The article presents the entry of radon gas into premises and introduces the parameters accelerating and slowing this process. The paper determines the dependence of radon gas entering the premises on ambient temperature and humidity changes. It is noted that a growth in differences under ambient and indoor temperature increases indoor radon concentrations in the air due to an increase in the intensity of radon exhalation from soil. Also, an increase in the moisture content indoors decreases the volumetric activity of radon in the air. The simulated values of radon volumetric activity in ambient air were similar to those measured using radon monitoring device RTM2200. Radon concentration in the air of the first floor was higher than that in the second floor. Indoor radon concentrations were highest in the winter and lowest in summer season. Article in Lithuanian. Santrauka Nagrinėjama radono dujų patekimo į patalpas procesas, šį procesą spartinantys ir lėtinantys parametrai. Nustatoma radono dujų patekimo į patalpas priklausomybė nuo aplinkos temperatūros bei drėgnio kitimo. Pastebėta, kad, didėjant aplinkos ir patalpos temperatūrų skirtumui, didėja ir radono tūrinis aktyvumas patalpos ore (vasarą radono tūrinis aktyvumas siekė 45,0±3,0 Bq/m3, kai temperatūrų skirtumas buvo 3,1 °C, o rudenį – 62,0±5,0 Bq/m3, esant temperatūrų skirtumui 3,9 °C), didėja radono ekshaliacijos iš dirvožemio intensyvumas, o didėjant drėgmės kiekiui patalpose radono tūrinis aktyvumas ore mažėja. Sumodeliuotos radono tūrinio aktyvumo patalpos ore reikšmės buvo panašios kaip ir išmatuotos naudojant radono monitorių RTM2200. Pirmajame aukšte radono tūrinis aktyvumas ore buvo didesnis nei antrajame. Žiemos sezonu jo vertė buvo didžiausia (47,0±10,5 Bq/m3), o vasaros sezonu – mažiausia (15±1,8 Bq/m3).
A COMPARISON OF THE THERMODYNAMIC EFFICIENCY OF VACUUM TUBE AND FLAT PLATE SOLAR COLLECTOR SYSTEMS / VAKUUMINIŲ IR PLOKŠČIŲJŲ SAULĖS KOLEKTORIŲ SISTEMŲ EKSERGINIŲ EFEKTYVUMŲ PALYGINIMAS
Authors: Bielskus Juozas , Januševičius Karolis , Martinaitis Vytautas
Published: December 2013

The article presents simulation based exergy analysis used for comparing solar thermal systems applied for preparing domestic hot water. The simulation of flat and vacuum tube solar collector systems was performed in TRNSYS simulation environment. A period of one year under Lithuanian climate conditions was chosen. Simulation was performed on 6 min time step resolution by calculating energy and exergy flows and creating balance calculation. Assessment results at system and element levels have been presented as monthly variation in efficiency. The conducted analysis has revealed that the systems designed to cover equal heat energy demand operates in different exergetic efficiencies. Article in Lithuanian. Santrauka Straipsnyje eksergijos požiūriu nagrinėjamos dvi saulės kolektorių sistemos, skirtos karštam vandeniui gaminti. Plokščiųjų ir vakuuminių saulės kolektorių modeliavimas atliktas TRNSYS programa. Modeliuota vienerių metų periodui Lietuvos klimatinėmis sąlygomis 6 minučių laiko žingsniu skaičiuojant energijos ir eksergijos srautus kiekvienam laiko žingsniui ir sudarant energinius ir ekserginius balansus. Sistemos ir posistemių efektyvumo rodiklių kitimo rezultatai pateikti grafiškai. Išanalizavus akivaizdu, kad pasirinktomis sąlygomis plokščiųjų ir vakuuminių saulės kolektorių sistemos, turinčios tą pačią funkcinę paskirtį, veikia skirtingu efektyvumu.
OPTIMISATION OF BUILDING ENERGY SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY CONFIGURATION USING MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION MAKING METHODS / DAUGIAKRITERIŲ METODŲ TAIKYMAS RACIONALIAM PASTATO ENERGETINĖS SISTEMOS TECHNOLOGIJŲ DERINIUI NUSTATYTI
Authors: Džiugaitė-Tumėnienė Rasa , Medineckienė Milena
Published: December 2013

This article presents the evaluation and optimization algorithm of the building energy system. Two main objectives have been achieved: the optimal configuration of the building energy system has been defined, which minimizes the use of non-renewable sources and reduces the environmental impact of the building. Energy demand for the house has been simulated employing DesignBuilder software. Five configurations of technologies for the building energy system have been chosen and simulated applying Polysun software in order to define the seasonal energy efficiency of the generators of each configuration. Multi-criteria decision making methods SAW (Simple Additive Weight), COPRAS (COmplex PRoportion ASsessment) and MEW (Multiplicative Exponential Weighting) have been used for finding the optimal decision on this case study. Article in Lithuanian. Santrauka Pateikiamas mažai energijos vartojančio gyvenamojo namo energetinės sistemos vertinimo ir optimizavimo algoritmas. Šio tyrimo metu, siekiant nustatyti racionalų realiai pritaikomą pastato energetinės sistemos technologijų derinį, įgyvendinti du pagrindiniai tikslai: parinktas derinys, kurį taikant maksimaliai išnaudojami atsinaujinantieji energijos ištekliai ir sumažinamos sistemos išmetamų CO2 dujų emisijos. DesignBuilder kompiuterine programa atliktas energinis modeliavimas pastato energijos reikmėms nustatyti. Esamam gyvenamajam namui parinkti penki energetinės sistemos technologijų deriniai. Atliktas derinių modeliavimas Polysun programa, nustatytas kiekvieno derinio generatoriaus sezoninis energinis efektyvumas. Įvairiapusiškai racionaliam sprendimui priimti buvo taikyti daugiakriterio vertinimo metodai: SAW (Simple Additive Weight), COPRAS (COmplex PRoportion ASsessment) ir MEW (Multiplicative Exponential Weighting).
LIFE CYCLE MULTI-CRITERIA ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SUPPLY SYSTEMS FOR A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING / ALTERNATYVIŲJŲ DAUGIABUČIO NAMO APRŪPINIMO ENERGIJA SISTEMŲ GYVAVIMO CIKLO DAUGIAKRITERĖ ANALIZĖ
Authors: Rogoža Artur
Published: December 2013

The article analyses energy supply alternatives for a partially renovated residential building. In addition to the existing district heating (base case) alternative systems, gas boilers, heat pumps (air-water and ground-water), solar collectors, solar cells, and combinations of these systems have been examined. Actual heat consumption of the building and electricity demand determined by the statistical method are used for simulating the systems. The process of simulation is performed using EnergyPro software. In order to select an optimal energy supply option, the life cycle analysis of all systems has been carried out throughout a life span of the building, and the estimated results of energy, environmental and economic evaluation have been converted into non-dimensional variables (3E) using multi–criteria analysis. Article in Lithuanian. Santrauka Nagrinėjamos iš dalies renovuoto daugiabučio gyvenamojo pastato aprūpinimo energija alternatyvos. Be esamo centralizuotojo šilumos tiekimo (bazinis variantas), tiriama alternatyviosios sistemos: dujiniai katilai, šilumos siurbliai (oras– vanduo ir gruntas–vanduo), saulės kolektoriai, saulės elementai ir šių sistemų deriniai. Modeliuojant sistemas, naudojami faktiniai pastato šilumos suvartojimo ir statistiniu būdu nustatyti elektros poreikių duomenys. Sistemų modeliavimas atliekamas EnergyPro programa. Siekiant nustatyti optimalų aprūpinimo energija variantą, analizuojamas visų sistemų gyvavimo ciklas per visą pastato gyvavimo trukmę, o gauti energinio, ekologinio ir ekonominio vertinimų rezultatai daugiakriterės analizės būdu perskaičiuojami į nedimensinius rodiklius (3E).
REDUCTION IN AMMONIUM IONS IN SLUDGE LIQUOR / VIENAS IŠ BŪDŲ MAŽINTI AMONIO JONŲ KONCENTRACIJĄ DUMBLO VANDENYJE
Authors: Šlajūtė Eglė , Mažeikienė Aušra
Published: December 2013

Liquor rejected from the centrifugation of the digested sludge can contain the concentrations of ammonium ions up to 1750 mg/L. These loads are usually returned to the intake of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) without additional treatment and can have a negative impact on biological wastewater and/or sludge treatment processes, e.g. phosphorus and nitrogen removal. This article deals with the use of naturally obtained sorbent, zeolite, in batch and column test procedure for removing ammonium from the rejected liquor. This research study was carried out using different sizes of zeolite particles: 0.8–1.6 mm and 1.6–2.5 mm. The highest efficiency of ammonium removal (up to 98 %) was achieved by applying the zeolite particles of 0.8–1.6 mm.

Article in Lithuanian.

Santrauka

Sausinant pūdytą dumblą centrifugomis išsiskiria skystis, kuriame gali būti didelės amonio jonų koncentracijos (iki 1750 mg/l). Taip užterštas ir papildomai nevalytas dumblo vanduo, grąžinamas į nuotekų valymo įrenginių pradžią, gali trukdyti nuotekų ar dumblo valymo procesams, būtent, kai siekiama pašalinti azotą ir fosforą. Nagrinėjamas gamtinio sorbento ceolito panaudojimas amonio jonams šalinti iš dumblo vandens maišaluose ar skystį filtruojant pro ceolito užpildus. Tyrimams naudota 0,8–1,6 mm ir 1,6–2,5 mm dydžio ceolito grūdeliai. Didžiausias amonio jonų šalinimo iš skysčio efektyvumas (iki 98 %) buvo pasiektas, kai ceolito grūdeliai 0,8–1,6 mm dydžio.
Migration et soins périnataux : une approche transculturelle de la rencontre soignants/soignés
Authors: Gabai Nina , Furtos Jean , Maggi-Perpoint Caterina , Gansel Yannis , Danet François , Monloubou Céline , Taieb Olivier , Sturm Gesine , Moro Marie Rose
Published: December 2013

Nous présentons une recherche qualitative longitudinale qui explore, à travers le discours des femmes migrantes (n = 4) et des soignants de la maternité (n = 10), les mécanismes impliqués dans cette rencontre soignants/soignées au cours de la période périnatale. Notre travail montre que cette rencontre a lieu sur le mode de l’hypermédicalisation des soins, permettant une certaine contenance psychique. Elle comporte aussi le risque de favoriser le déni des affects et de l’histoire singulière des patientes, laissant émerger de nombreux stéréotypes autour de la culture d’origine. En manifestant leur intérêt pour la singularité de leur patiente, les soignants peuvent participer à l’émergence de compétences métissées, favorisant l’établissement d’une relation harmonieuse entre la mère, son bébé et l’entourage.
Human Zoos or Ethnic Shows? Essence and contingency in Living Ethnological Exhibitons
Authors: Sánchez-Gómez Luis A.
Published: December 2013

The aim of this article is to study the living ethnological exhibitions. The main feature of these multiform varieties of public show, which became widespread in late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century Europe and the United States, was the live presence of individuals who were considered “primitive”. Whilst these native peoples sometimes gave demonstrations of their skills or produced manufactures for the audience, more often their role was simply as exhibits, to display their bodies and gestures, their different and singular condition. In this article, the three main forms of modern ethnic show (commercial, colonial and missionary) will be presented, together with a warning about the inadequacy of categorising all such spectacles under the label of “human zoos”, a term which has become common in both academic and media circles in recent years.
Improving Security and Efficiency of Multimodal Supply Chains Using Monitoring Technology
Authors: Scholliers Johan , Toivonen Sirra , Permala Antti , Lahtinen Timo
Published: December 2013

Multimodal supply chains are characterized by multiple changes of transport modes, vehicles, and transport operators, and hence, the risks for theft, untimely delivery, and freight quality deterioration increase. There is a growing need to manage the security and efficiency of consignments. Tracking and tracing services, which are on the market, mainly concentrate on a single mode of transport, such as road vehicles, or transport units, such as containers. This chapter describes a concept for managing the security of multimodal supply chains using monitoring technology. A profound risk analysis was performed to identify threats and vulnerabilities during the different phases of the supply chain and key threat scenarios. A security service concept was developed to cope with the risks using monitoring technology. The technological solution depends on the needs of the supply chain actors and on the supply chain properties. The service concept was tested by monitoring different international shipments leaving from Finland. Intelligent monitoring devices, which were attached to the consignments, collected information on location and environmental parameters and transmitted in real-time to a background system. The chapter gives an overview of the framework, service concept, and the analysed results of multimodal shipments.
Analysis, Critique, and Proposed Revision of Crew Resource Management for Cockpit Automation
Authors: Lofaro Ronald John
Published: December 2013

It is well over 30 years since the first (then called) Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) training, now called crew resource management was introduced. It is a shibboleth, a sacred cow as it were, despite many issues, concerns, and changes over the years. Some 21 years ago, 1992, an Air Transport Association (ATA)/Federal Aviation Association (FAA)-Sponsored Workshop was convened in an attempt to deal with some specific CRM issues. Yet the issues and needs as articulated in that workshop, and some newer ones, remain. Thus, this chapter is 21 years overdue, leading to the questions: Why now and is it still relevant? As said, some needs, issues, and concerns remain. The relevancy is that both a critique of civil aviation CRM on many levels and a comparison with current USAF, USCG, and USN CRM are presented. The proposed skeletal template for the long-overdue revision of civil aviation CRM, the R-MPM is shown. Next, a new model for an intelligent cockpit automated decision aid/advisory system, Event Response Integrated Decision Advisories (ERICA), is shown. ERICA came about from 2009-2012 work in automated decision-making tools for the cockpit and the realization that the Revised Mission Performance Model (R-MPM) and ERICA were interrelated.
Beyond the Paradox of Service Industrialization
Authors: González Jesús Alcoba
Published: December 2013

Highly industrialized services add value to a company, but at the same time they can destroy it, should an almost identical proposal be made to two different clients who are seeking different experiences. The analysis of human subjectivity shows that the interaction with services goes beyond its mere use, as it is related to human beings’ search for meaning, and it can potentially become a part of its users’ biography and identity. The present chapter compiles some of the models that can contribute to getting over the paradox of service industrialization and which are here divided into two types: those that allow for a deep knowledge of the customer and those that are based upon designing experiences as a value proposition. The present chapter also suggests a research agenda that aims to get over the paradox of service industrialization.
Framework Based on Benefits Management and Enterprise Architecture
Authors: Rodrigues António , O’Neill Henrique
Published: December 2013

In 2010, a framework aiming to address strategic investment decisions on IT infrastructure was developed. It was based in Benefits Management principles and Enterprise Architecture concepts, being inspired by the emerging public cloud technological trend. Meanwhile, the public cloud concept did not materialise at the expected pace and other alternatives have emerged in the market, in particular the private cloud-based solutions. This fact required the framework to be updated to cope with the business and technological requirements of the private cloud concept. A new version of the framework has been developed and was used to help managers to address IT investment decisions on private cloud in an international bank.
Performance of Firms
Authors: Agrawal Soni , Goswami Kishor , Chatterjee Bani
Published: December 2013

With the evolution of information technology, firms offshore outsource services to developing and low service cost countries to have cost as well competitive advantages. This is a growing practice, but there has been limited empirical attention in understanding the outsourcing phenomenon, particularly from the perspective of service provider firms that execute important business processes for their overseas clients. This shows the need to study the factors that play a significant role in the growing trend to outsource and why only a few service provider firms report success. In this chapter, the authors try to find factors that influence performance of service provider firms. Multiple regressions using four indicators of firm performance are carried out to see the influence of certain factors on Information Technology Enabled Service (ITES) firms’ performance.
Application of Functional Approach to Lists for Development of Relational Model Databases and Petri Net Analysis
Authors: Gantayat Sasanko Sekhar , Tripathy B. K.
Published: December 2013

The concept of list is very important in functional programming and data structures in computer science. The classical definition of lists was redefined by Jena, Tripathy, and Ghosh (2001) by using the notion of position functions, which is an extension of the concept of count function of multisets and of characteristic function of sets. Several concepts related to lists have been defined from this new angle and properties are proved further in subsequent articles. In this chapter, the authors focus on crisp lists and present all the concepts and properties developed so far. Recently, the functional approach to realization of relational databases and realization of operations on them has been proposed. In this chapter, a list theory-based relational database model using position function approach is designed to illustrate how query processing can be realized for some of the relational algebraic operations. The authors also develop a list theoretic relational algebra (LRA) and realize analysis of Petri nets using this LRA.
Pharma in the Web
Authors: Vozikis Athanassios
Published: December 2013

In the context of intensified business competition and globalization of markets, the strategic use of the Internet in e-commerce can provide a business advantage. The research scope was the evaluation and benchmarking of pharmaceutical companies’ Websites in Greece, in order to draw conclusions about the level of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) use and specifically the ways they become active in e-business. For the evaluation of the Websites, the authors used scientifically acceptable criteria suited to the business sector of our research. From the survey, it was unveiled that pharmaceutical companies operating in Greece have a rather limited Web presence. Specifically, out of the 112 pharmaceutical companies, only 60 have developed their own Website with the multinationals to be more active. In addition, the majority of the pharmaceutical companies’ Websites provide business information but limited additional information and interactive features to potential users. In conclusion, the pharmaceutical industry in Greece must undergo critical steps to further obtain an anthropocentric approach that the global pharmaceuticals sector has already begun to adopt.
How Interface Design and Search Strategy Influence Children’s Search Performance and Evaluation
Authors: Jochmann-Mannak Hanna , Lentz Leo , Huibers Theo , Sanders Ted
Published: December 2013

This chapter presents an experiment with 158 children, aged 10 to 12, in which search performance and attitudes towards an informational Website are investigated. The same Website was designed in 3 different types of interface design varying in playfulness of navigation structure and in playfulness of visual design. The type of interface design did not have an effect on children’s search performance, but it did influence children’s feelings of emotional valence and their evaluation of “goodness.” Children felt most positive about the Website with a classical navigation structure and playful aesthetics. They found the playful image map Website least good. More importantly, children’s search performance was much more effective and efficient when using the search engine than when browsing the menu. Furthermore, this chapter explores the challenge of measuring affective responses towards digital interfaces with children by presenting an elaborate evaluation of different methods.
Properties of Safety Important I&C Systems and their Components
Authors: Rozen Yuri
Published: December 2013

Operation reliability of NPP I&C and its components is considered in this chapter. Besides quantitative measures, qualitative features that provide required functional reliability such as protection against Common Cause Failures (CCF), single-failure criterion, redundancy, diversity, prevention of personnel errors, and technical diagnostics, are discussed. A group of features of NPP I&C and its components, united by “performance resistance,” is also considered. In particular, they are resistance to environment influences, mechanical influences (including earthquake impacts), insensitivity changes of power supply, and electromagnetic disturbances. Operation quality issues are considered. By quality (in a broad sense), the authors mean the accuracy, response rate characteristics, and features of human-machine interfaces. Features that provide NPP I&C independence from malfunction or removal from operation of system components (including redundant ones) or from adjacent NPP I&C, and the decrease of possible impact of components on other adjacent systems (electromagnetic emission, fire safety) are described as well.
Diversity and Multi-Version Systems
Authors: Siora Alexander , Sklyar Vladimir , Kharchenko Vyacheslav , Brezhnev Eugene
Published: December 2013

To protect safety-critical systems from common-cause failures that can lead to potentially dangerous outcomes, special methods are applied, including multi-version technologies operating at different levels of diversity. A model representing different diversity types during the development of safety-critical systems is suggested. The model addresses diversity types that are the most expedient in providing required safety. The diversity of complex electronic components (FPGA, etc.), printed circuit boards, manufacturers, specification languages, design, and program languages, etc. are considered. The challenges addressed are related to factors of scale and dependencies among diversity types, since not all combinations of used diversity are feasible. Taking these dependencies into consideration, the model simplifies the choice of diversity options. This chapter presents a cost effective approach to selection of the most diverse NPP Reactor Trip System (RTS) under uncertainty. The selection of a pair of primary and secondary RTS is named a diversity strategy. All possible strategies are evaluated on an ordinal scale with linguistic values provided by experts. These values express the expert’s degree of confidence that evaluated variants of secondary RTS are different from primary. All diversity strategies are evaluated on a set of linguistic diversity criteria, which are included into a corresponding diversity attribute. The generic fuzzy diversity score is an aggregation of the linguistic values provided by the experts to obtain a collective assessment of the secondary RTS’s similarity (difference) with a primary one. This rational diversity strategy is found during the exploitation stage, taking into consideration the fuzzy diversity score and cost.
Rod Group and Individual Control System
Authors: Rozen Yuri , Siora Alexander
Published: December 2013

Chapter 10 considers the Rod Group and Individual Control (RG&IC) system, which is one of the individual I&C systems and a part of the reactor control and protection system. RG&IC is an actuation system, which performs functions initiated by emergency and preventive reactor protection, reactor power control, unloading, limitation and accelerated preventive protection, and remote control rod position commands sent by the power unit personnel. The central part of RG&IC system consists of software-hardware complex SHC RG&IC-R based on the equipment family of the Research and Production Corporation “Radiy” (RADIY PLATFORM – see Chapter 1). The RG&IC system combines functions that belong to A and B categories according to safety impact (IEC, 2009), relates to safety class 2(A) and complies with the fundamental safety principles (IAEA, 1999), requirements that are set forth in international standards (IAEA, 2002, 2012; IEC, 2011), and Ukrainian nuclear safety rules and regulations (NP, 2000, 2008a, 2008b).
Organization and Information Support of Expert Reviews of I&C Systems Modernization at NPP of Ukraine
Authors: Klevtsov Alexander , Inyushev Vladislav
Published: December 2013

Safety assessment of Instrumentation and Control systems (I&C systems) of NPP is performed during expert reviews of nuclear and radiation safety in the framework of the licensing process at all life cycle stages of I&C systems. Life cycle stages of NPP I&C systems, which are determined by current guides, rules, and standards of Ukraine, are considered in the chapter. A short overview of the main principles of safety regulation of nuclear facilities, licensing, and expert review of nuclear and radiation safety is presented. Specific safety assessments of NPP I&C systems at different life cycle stages are analyzed (in particular, a list of documents proving NPP I&C safety that should be submitted for expert review at each stage is given). Such assessment is a labor-intensive process that requires processing considerable amounts of a variety of information. Hence, it is reasonable to provide experts with information support for assessing the safety of NPP I&C systems. The chapter gives suggestions and examples of practical implementation of the automated system for support of expert activities and considers the knowledge base for I&C systems.
A New Approach in Short-Term Prediction of the Electrical Charge with Regression Models A Case Study
Authors: Gharehchopoghi Farhad Soleimanian , Mokri Freshte Dabaghchi , Molany Maryam
Published: December 2013

The accuracy of forecasting of electrical load for the electricity industry has a vital significance in the renewal of economic structure as well as various equations including: purchasing and producing energy, load fluctuation, and the development of infrastructures. Its short-term forecasting has a significant role in designing and utilizing power systems and in the distribution systems and having a variety of systems used to maintain security potentials for the system. In this paper, we attempted to carry out a short-term forecasting of electrical distribution company in west Azerbaijan state in Iran's electricity in a few days on the basis of regression multi linear model. This forecasting which was done during a three-day period is and categorized weekdays into three groups including working days, weekends, and holidays was carried out in an hourly manner. This model regardless of parameters like humidity, wind velocity, daylight time, etc. by minimizing the forecasting error managed to maximize the reliability of the results as well as the safety potential of the system. In this model the only influential parameter on the forecasting was the reliance of the forecasting day on previous days. The main purpose of the present study was to maximize the accuracy and reliability of forecasting for certain days (religious holidays, national holidays …). In this paper, the authors managed to decrease the error of forecasting for particular and regular off days to a great extent.
An Efficient Ant Colony Instance Selection Algorithm for KNN Classification
Authors: Miloud-Aouidate Amal , Baba-Ali Ahmed Riadh
Published: December 2013

The extraordinary progress in the computer sciences field has made Nearest Neighbor techniques, once considered impractical from a standpoint of computation (Dasarathy et al., 2003), became feasible for real-world applications. In order to build an efficient nearest neighbor classifier two principal objectives have to be reached: 1) achieve a high accuracy rate; and 2) minimize the set of instances to make the classifier scalable even with large datasets. These objectives are not independent. This work addresses the issue of minimizing the computational resource requirements of the KNN technique, while preserving high classification accuracy. This paper investigates a new Instance Selection method based on Ant Colonies Optimization principles, called Ant Instance Selection (Ant-IS) algorithm. The authors have proposed in a previous work (Miloud-Aouidate & Baba-Ali, 2012a) to use Ant Colony Optimization for preprocessing data for Instance Selection. However to the best of the authors’ knowledge, Ant Metaheuristic has not been used in the past for directly addressing Instance Selection problem. The results of the conducted experiments on several well known data sets are presented and compared to those obtained using a number of well known algorithms, and most known classification techniques. The results provide evidence that: (1) Ant-IS is competitive with the well-known kNN algorithms; (2) The condensed sets computed by Ant-IS offers also better classification accuracy then those obtained by the compared algorithms.
A Modified Ant Colony Algorithm to the P| Prec| Cmax Scheduling Problem
Authors: Messaoudi-Ouchene Mohamed , Derbala Ali
Published: December 2013

This paper investigates a comparative study which addresses the P/prec/Cmax scheduling problem, a notable NP-hard benchmark. MLP_SACS, a modified ant colony algorithm, is used to solve it. Its application provides us a better job allocation to machines. In front of each machine, the jobs are performed with three priority rules, the longest path (LP), a modified longest path (MLP) and a maximum between two values (MAX). With these three rules and with both static and dynamic information heuristics called “visibility”, six versions of this ant colony algorithm are obtained, studied and compared. The comparative study analyzes the following four meta-heuristics, simulated annealing, taboo search, genetic algorithm and MLP_SACS (a modified ant colony system), is performed. The solutions obtained by the MLP_SACS algorithm are shown to be the best.
Motor Unit Synchronization as a Measure of Localized Muscle Fatigue
Authors: Arjunan Sridhar P. , Kumar Dinesh K.
Published: December 2013

There is spectral compression of the surface Electromyogram (sEMG) towards lower frequencies and corresponding increase in amplitude of sEMG associated with muscle fatigue. While it is possible to use these features to compare pre and post onset of muscle fatigue, it is not possible to use these features alone to identify fatigued muscles due to the large inter-subject and inter-experimental variations. This is further compounded when the contraction is not isometric but cyclic because there is large variation of sEMG within each cycle. This research has developed and demonstrated a technique that measures motor unit synchronization within a muscle which can be used to determine if the associated muscle is fatigued or non-fatigued. This technique measures the level of independence between two channel sEMG recorded from the muscles measured by determinant of the Global matrix generated by performing independent component analysis. When the muscle is non-fatigued, the two channels have a high degree of independence with a high value of the determinant (0.35 to 0.98), while the channels become dependent when the muscles get fatigued and the determinant is close to zero (0.0007 to 0.0018). This is irrespective of the contraction being isometric or cyclic, and is valid for all subjects.
EEG Based Thought Translator
Authors: Sriraam N.
Published: December 2013

A brain computer interface is a communication system that translates brain activities into commands for a computer. For physically disabled people, who cannot express their needs through verbal mode (such as thirst, appetite etc), a brain-computer interface (BCI) is the only feasible channel for communicating with others. This technology has the capability of providing substantial independence and hence, a greatly improved quality of life for the physically disabled persons. The BCI technique utilizes electrical brain potentials to directly communicate to devices such as a personal computer system. Cerebral electric activity is recorded via the electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes attached to the scalp measure the electric signals of the brain. These signals are transmitted to the computer, which transforms them into device control commands. The efficiency of the BCI techniques lies in the extraction of suitable features from EEG signals followed by the classification scheme. This paper focuses on development of brain-computer interface model for motor imagery tasks such as movement of left hand, right hand etc. Several time domain features namely, spike rhythmicity, autoregressive method by Burgs, auto regression with exogenous input, autoregressive method based on Levinson are used by varying the prediction order. Frequency domain method involving estimation of power spectral density using Welch and Burg’s method are applied. A binary classification based on recurrent neural network is used. An optimal classification of the imagery tasks with an overall accuracy of 100% is achieved based on configuring the neural network model and varying the extracted feature and EEG channels optimally. A device command translator finally converts these tasks into speech thereby providing the practical usage of this model for real-time BCI application.
A Comparative Study of Consumer’s Gender Based Attitude towards Mobile Value Added Services in Jalandhar District Using Tri-Component Model
Authors: Vasudeva Savdeep , Singh Gurdip
Published: December 2013

Mobile value added services (MVAS) are different from the core services such as calling, text messaging and extend the usability of mobile phones. This study has been carried out with the purpose to make a comparative analysis of the genders in context of their awareness and attitude towards MVAS. As a part of theoretical framework, the Tri-component model of consumer behaviour has been used to measure the attitude of consumers based on cognitive, affective and conative components. This study uses both primary and secondary methods of data collection. The responses of the users have been presented and analysed through hypothesis testing. As per the findings of the study, males and females differ in awareness towards MVAS. Overall, the mobile phone users differ significantly in attitude towards value added services. However, this not true when genders in conjunction to their respective attitude components are taken into consideration.
Cognitive Revolution
Authors: Michelini Rinaldo C. , Razzoli Roberto P.
Published: December 2013

The paper recalls ideas on the human wellbeing developments, already outlined by the Authors (Chap. 17, M.M. Cruz-Cunha, Ed., Social, Managerial & Organizational Dimensions of Enterprise Information Systems, IDEA Group Inc., Hershey, 2009, pp. 329-351, ISBN 978-1-60566-856-7). The cognitive revolution is condition of growth sustainability, requiring new social, political and management paradigms rather different from the extant Western Style ones, and, quite amazingly, more related to the regular culture and ethics ideas, which typify the Eastern Style world. The analyses list peculiarities in opposition between the two styles, such as holism and complexity instead of logic and reductionism, or fairness and conformity instead of rivalry and individualism. The pickings are examined in relation to the robot age technologies, deemed fundamental for the cognitive revolution to come, and to the cultural and ethics backdrop of a global village, aimed at safer running, because of altruism uniformity.
Are We Still Talking to Ourselves? An Analysis of the Introspective Information Technology Field by Brazilian Experts
Authors: Bellini Carlo Gabriel Porto , Dantas Gicele Fernandes Martins , Pereira Rita de Cássia de Faria
Published: December 2013

Academic productivity standards in the field of information technology (IT) seem to address only in part the interests of practice – what is best known as the conflict between rigor and relevance in research. Based on assumptions about the interest, the currency, the accessibility and the applicability of academic production, the authors collected the perception of 11 researchers and 11 managers highly representative of the IT field in Brazil. Brazil was the site of research given its boosting economy and solid IT industry. Results suggest the need to rethink the current system of research production and communication in order to promote a more fruitful dialogue between research and practice.
Variable selection study using Procrustes analysis
Authors: Munita Casimiro S. , Barroso Lúcia P. , Oliveira Paulo M.S.
Published: December 2013

Several analytical techniques are often used in archaeometric studies, and when used in combination, these techniques can be used to assess 30 or more elements. Multivariate statistical methods are frequently used to interpret archaeometric data, but their applications can be problematic or difficult to interpret due to the large number of variables. In general, the analyst first measures several variables, many of which may be found to be uninformative, this is naturally very time consuming and expensive. In subsequent studies the analyst may wish to measure fewer variables while attempting to minimize the loss of essential information. Such multidimensional data sets must be closely examined to draw useful information. This paper aims to describe and illustrate a stopping rule for the identification of redundant variables, and the selection of variables subsets, preserving multivariate data structure using Procrustes analysis, selecting those variables that are in some senses adequate for discrimination purposes. We provide an illustrative example of the procedure using a data set of 40 samples in which were determined the concentration of As, Ce, Cr, Eu, Fe, Hf, La, Na, Nd, Sc, Sm, Th, and U obtained via instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) on archaeological ceramic samples. The results showed that for this data set, only eight variables (As, Cr, Fe, Hf, La, Nd, Sm, and Th) are required to interpret the data without substantial loss information.
Use of Provider-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Adult Smokers in the United States: Comparison from the 2002 and 2007 NHIS Survey
Authors: Hamm Eric , Muramoto Myra L. , Howerter Amy , Floden Lysbeth , Govindarajan Lubna
Published: December 2013

Purpose.

To provide a snapshot of provider-based complementary and alternative medicine (pbCAM) use among adult smokers and assess the opportunity for these providers to deliver tobacco cessation interventions.

Design.

Cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2002 and 2007 National Health Interview Surveys.

Setting.

Nationally representative sample.

Subjects.

A total of 54,437 (31,044 from 2002; 23,393 from 2007) adults 18 years and older.

Measures.

The analysis focuses on 10 types of pbCAM, including acupuncture, Ayurveda, biofeedback, chelation therapy, chiropractic care, energy therapy, folk medicine, hypnosis, massage, and naturopathy.

Analysis.

The proportions of current smokers using any pbCAM as well as specific types of pbCAM in 2002 and 2007 are compared using SAS SURVEYLOGISTIC.

Results.

Between 2002 and 2007, the percentage of recent users of any pbCAM therapy increased from 12.5% to 15.4% (p = .001). The largest increases occurred in massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture. Despite a decrease in the national average of current smokers (22.0% to 19.4%; p = .001), proportions of smokers within specific pbCAM disciplines remained consistent.

Conclusion.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners, particularly those in chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage, represent new cohorts in the health care community to promote tobacco cessation. There is an opportunity to provide brief tobacco intervention training to CAM practitioners and engage them in public health efforts to reduce the burden of tobacco use in the United States.
Identifying Patients at Risk for High Medical Costs and Good Candidates for Obesity Intervention
Authors: Snider Julia Thornton , Bognar Katalin , Globe Denise , Ng-Mak Daisy , Sullivan Jeff , Summers Nicholas , Goldman Dana
Published: December 2013

Purpose.

To develop a risk-scoring tool to identify in a base year patients likely to have high medical spending in the subsequent year and to understand the role obesity and obesity reduction may play in mitigating this risk.

Design.

Cross-sectional analysis, using commercial claims and health risk assessment data.

Setting.

United States, 2004–2009.

Subjects.

Panel of 192,750 person-year observations from 116,868 unique working-age employees of large companies.

Measures.

Probability of high medical expenses (80th percentile or above) in the following year; adjusted body mass index (BMI).

Analysis.

Generate risk scores by modeling the likelihood of high next-year expenses as a function of base-year age, sex, medical utilization, comorbidities, and BMI. Estimate the effect of simulated bariatric intervention on patient risk scores.

Results.

Individuals with higher BMI were more likely to be categorized in the very high risk group, in which the average annual medical expense was $8621. A weight-loss intervention transitioning a patient to the next lower obesity class was predicted to reduce this risk by 1.5% to 27.4%—comparable to hypothetically curing a patient of depression or type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion.

A logistic model was used to capture the effect of BMI on the risk of high future medical spending. Weight-loss interventions for obese patients may generate significant savings by reducing this risk.