bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on a Face Real-time Tracking Algorithm Based on Particle Filter Multi-Feature Fusion
Authors: Wang Tao , Wang Wen , Liu Hui , Li Tianping
Published: March 2019

With the revolutionary development of cloud computing and internet of things, the integration and utilization of “big data” resources is a hot topic of the artificial intelligence research. Face recognition technology information has the advantages of being non-replicable, non-stealing, simple and intuitive. Video face tracking in the context of big data has become an important research hotspot in the field of information security. In this paper, a multi-feature fusion adaptive adjustment target tracking window and an adaptive update template particle filter tracking framework algorithm are proposed. Firstly, the skin color and edge features of the face are extracted in the video sequence. The weighted color histogram are extracted which describes the face features. Then we use the integral histogram method to simplify the histogram calculation of the particles. Finally, according to the change of the average distance, the tracking window is adjusted to accurately track the tracking object. At the same time, the algorithm can adaptively update the tracking template which improves the accuracy and accuracy of the tracking. The experimental results show that the proposed method improves the tracking effect and has strong robustness in complex backgrounds such as skin color, illumination changes and face occlusion.
Spatial Evaluation of Soil Moisture (SM), Land Surface Temperature (LST), and LST-Derived SM Indexes Dynamics during SMAPVEX12
Authors: Sun Hao , Zhou Baichi , Liu Hongxing
Published: March 2019

Downscaling microwave soil moisture (SM) with optical/thermal remote sensing data has considerable application potential. Spatial correlations between SM and land surface temperature (LST) or LST-derived SM indexes (SMIs) are vital to the current optical/thermal and microwave fusion downscaling methods. In this study, the spatial correlations were evaluated at the same spatial scale using SMAPVEX12 SM data and MODIS day/night LST products. LST-derived SMIs was calculated using NLDAS-2 gridded meteorological data with conventional trapezoid and two-stage trapezoid models. Results indicated that (1) SM agrees better with daytime LST than the nighttime or the day-night differential LST; (2) the daytime LSTs on Aqua and Terra present very similar spatial agreement with SM and they have very similar performances as downscaling factors in simulating SM; (3) decoupling effect among SM, LST, and LST-derived SMIs occurs not only in very wet but also in very dry condition; and (4) the decoupling effect degrades the performance of LST as a downscaling factor. The future downscaling algorithms should consider net surface radiation and soil type to tackle the decoupling effect.
Parabolic Equation Modeling of Electromagnetic Wave Propagation over Rough Sea Surfaces
Authors: Gao Ying , Shao Qun , Yan Binzhou , Li Qifan , Guo Shuxia
Published: March 2019

The parabolic equation is an efficient numerical solution for electromagnetic wave propagation. In order to address the difficulties in predicting electromagnetic wave propagation in the maritime environment caused by atmospheric dust and rough sea surfaces, and the shortcomings of the existing research that cannot fully reflect the rough characteristics of sea surfaces, the authors have modelled electromagnetic wave propagation in the maritime environment, including in the presence of atmospheric dust. In this study the authors present a parabolic equation modeling method for calculating the electromagnetic wave propagation over rough sea surfaces. Firstly, the rough sea surface is generated by building a double summation model of three-dimensional random sea surface. Then, combined with the piecewise linear shift transformation method of the parabolic equation model, the parabolic equation random sea surface model is constructed, and the electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics in a rough sea environment are analyzed. Finally, a large number of results are compared with the Miler-Brown model and shadow effect model in rough sea environments, which verifies that the random sea surface model can better characterize the influence of rough sea surfaces on electromagnetic wave propagation. The model can be used to improve the reliability of marine microwave communication links and the detection performance of ship-borne radar.
Sensitivity Improvement of Extremely Low Light Scenes with RGB-NIR Multispectral Filter Array Sensor
Authors: Jee Seunghoon , Kang Moon Gi
Published: March 2019

Recently, several red-green-blue near-infrared (RGB-NIR) multispectral filter arrays (MFAs), which include near infrared (NIR) pixels, have been proposed. For extremely low light scenes, the RGB-NIR MFA sensor has been extended to receive NIR light, by adding NIR pixels to supplement for the insufficient visible band light energy. However, the resolution reconstruction of the RGB-NIR MFA, using demosaicing and color restoration methods, is based on the correlation between the NIR pixels and the pixels of other colors; this does not improve the RGB channel sensitivity with respect to the NIR channel sensitivity. In this paper, we propose a color restored image post-processing method to improve the sensitivity and resolution of an RGB-NIR MFA. Although several linear regression based color channel reconstruction methods have taken advantage of the high sensitivity NIR channel, it is difficult to accurately estimate the linear coefficients because of the high level of noise in the color channels under extremely low light conditions. The proposed method solves this problem in three steps: guided filtering, based on the linear similarity between the NIR and color channels, edge preserving smoothing to improve the accuracy of linear coefficient estimation, and residual compensation for lost spatial resolution information. The results show that the proposed method is effective, while maintaining the NIR pixel resolution characteristics, and improving the sensitivity in terms of the signal-to-noise ratio by approximately 13 dB.
Does Corporate Charitable Giving Help Sustain Corporate Performance in China?
Authors: Wang Keling , Miao Yaqiong , Su Ching-Hui (Joan) , Chen Ming-Hsiang , Wu Zhongjun , Wang Tie
Published: March 2019

We examined whether corporate charitable giving (CCG) in China benefits corporate performance (CP) in terms of sales growth (SG), return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE), and Tobin’s Q (TQ), and revealed several findings. First, testing shows variation in the impact of CCG on CP. Whereas the ratio of corporate charitable giving (RCCG) to total sales revenue does not significantly enhance SG, ROA, and ROE, it is positively related to TQ. Second, the positive relationship between RCCG and TQ originates from non-state-owned firms (NSOFs) rather than state-owned firms (SOFs). Third, Chinese firms may use CCG as traditional philanthropy to enhance long-term performance instead of strategically using it to generate short-term performance. Lastly, an inverted U-shaped relationship exists between RCCG and TQ, especially for NSOFs.
Challenges of Asian Models and Values for Sustainable Development
Authors: Choi Yongrok
Published: March 2019

Northeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions in the global economy in its dynamic change in the economic scape as well as in the challenge of environmental issues. In particular, many countries in Asia have experienced transitional challenges from a quantitative, GDP-oriented economic development toward environmental-friendly, sustainable development. The quality of the life became much more important for government policies, also fueled by the demand from the private sector. Nonetheless, these countries are experiencing much more severe and sarcastic skepticism in response to government policies, resulting in a lack of effective governance. The Sustainable Asia Conference (SAC) has promoted the importance of these challenges for 10 years since its inauguration in 2009. The major consensus on sustainable development reached at the conference may come from innovation in the positive-sum game approach to environmentally friendly development and sustainable governance in order for the initial innovation to be put into effect. Moreover, due to the complicated and complex process of solving environmental challenges, the countries in this region should cooperate with strong partnerships as well as open connectivity. Therefore, all the countries should participate in the project not as helpers, but as partners to create and share value through regional cooperation.
Potential and Environmental Impacts of Liquid Biofuel from Agricultural Residues in Thailand
Authors: Heo Sujung , Choi Joon Weon
Published: March 2019

In this study, various national strategies and programs are described by planning instruments. The TIEB (Thailand Integrated Energy Blueprint), which includes six programs (AEDP, PDP, EEDP, ODP, GDP, REDP), aims to regulate renewable energy and improve the use of biofuel. In addition, the potential of second-generation biofuels is estimated with different residue extractions of second-generation biomasses: 20% (scenario 1), 44% (scenario 2), and 66% (scenario 3). Based on the production potentials that were estimated, CO2 will decrease 1.3–3.5 megatons in the gasoline sector, and 1.4–3.8 megatons in the diesel sector under scenario 1. In scenario 2, we estimated decreases of 2.8–7.7 mega tons and 3.2–8.4 mega tons of CO2 for the gasoline and diesel sectors, respectively. Finally, scenario 3 is expected to reduce the CO2 concentration by 4.2–11.6 megatons in the gasoline sector, and by 4.7–12.6 megatons in the diesel sector. We also estimate the economic potential of a second-generation biofuel with the view of emissions trading. For bioethanol and biodiesel, respectively, 27–74 million USD and 30–81 million USD could be realized in scenario 1, 60–163 million USD and 67–178 million USD in scenario 2, and 90–244 million USD and 100–267 million USD in scenario 3. We conclude that the future potential of second-generation biofuels in Thailand is optimistic, and that they can provide both environmental and economic benefits to the country.
Approximate Solutions and Symmetry of a Two-Component Nonlocal Reaction-Diffusion Population Model of the Fisher–KPP Type
Authors: Shapovalov Alexander V. , Trifonov Andrey Yu.
Published: March 2019

We propose an approximate analytical approach to a ( 1 + 1 ) dimensional two-component system consisting of a nonlocal generalization of the well-known Fisher–Kolmogorov–Petrovskii– Piskunov (KPP) population equation and a diffusion equation for the density of the active substance solution surrounding the population. Both equations of the system have terms that describe the interaction effects between the population and the active substance. The first order perturbation theory is applied to the system assuming that the interaction parameter is small. The Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB)–Maslov semiclassical approximation is applied to the generalized nonlocal Fisher–KPP equation with the diffusion parameter assumed to be small, which corresponds to population dynamics under certain conditions. In the framework of the approach proposed, we consider symmetry operators which can be used to construct families of special approximate solutions to the system of model equations, and the procedure for constructing the solutions is illustrated by an example. The approximate solutions are discussed in the context of the released activity effect variously debated in the literature.
The Logic of Pseudo-Uninorms and Their Residua
Authors: Wang SanMin
Published: March 2019

Our method for density elimination is generalized to the non-commutative substructural logic GpsUL * . Then, the standard completeness of HpsUL * follows as a lemma by virtue of previous work by Metcalfe and Montagna. This result shows that HpsUL * is the logic of pseudo-uninorms and their residua and answered the question posed by Prof. Metcalfe, Olivetti, Gabbay and Tsinakis.
Viroids as Companions of a Professional Career
Authors: Duran-Vila Núria
Published: March 2019

Since the early 1970s when “virus-like” agents were considered as the cause of two diseases (potato spindle tuber and citrus exocortis), their study and further characterization have been linked to the development and use of molecular biology tools. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) played a critical role in the pioneering studies of PSTVd and citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd). This was later modified by using other PAGEs (sequential PAGE, return PAGE, two-dimensional PAGE), and/or different staining methods (ethidium bromide, silver nitrate, etc.). Since then, disease-causing agents suspected to be viroids were usually subjected to a number of tests to define their: (i) Molecular nature (RNA or DNA; single stranded or double stranded; circular or linear RNA); (ii) molecular weight; (iii) secondary and tertiary structure. Further biological assays are also essential to establish the relationship of a viroid with plant disease and to fulfill Koch’s postulates.
Diversity and Evolution of Viral Pathogen Community in Cave Nectar Bats (Eonycteris spelaea)
Authors: Mendenhall Ian H , Wen Dolyce Low Hong , Jayakumar Jayanthi , Gunalan Vithiagaran , Wang Linfa , Mauer-Stroh Sebastian , Su Yvonne C.F. , Smith Gavin J.D.
Published: March 2019

Bats are unique mammals, exhibit distinctive life history traits and have unique immunological approaches to suppression of viral diseases upon infection. High-throughput next-generation sequencing has been used in characterizing the virome of different bat species. The cave nectar bat, Eonycteris spelaea, has a broad geographical range across Southeast Asia, India and southern China, however, little is known about their involvement in virus transmission. Here we investigate the diversity and abundance of viral communities from a colony of Eonycteris spelaea residing in Singapore. Our results detected 47 and 22 different virus families from bat fecal and urine samples, respectively. Among these, we identify a large number of virus families including Adenoviridae, Flaviviridae, Reoviridae, Papillomaviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Parvoviridae, Picornaviridae, and Polyomaviridae. In most cases, viral sequences from Eonycteris spelaea are genetically related to a group of bat viruses from other bat genera (e.g., Eidolon, Miniopterus, Rhinolophus and Rousettus). The results of this study improve our knowledge of the host range, spread and evolution of several important viral pathogens. More significantly, our findings provide a baseline to study the temporal patterns of virus shedding and how they correlate with bat phenological trends.
Probability Analysis and Control of River Runoff–sediment Characteristics based on Pair-Copula Functions: The Case of the Weihe River and Jinghe River
Authors: You Qiying , Jiang Hao , Liu Yan , Liu Zhao , Guan Zilong
Published: March 2019

Analyzing the encounter frequency of high–low runoff and sediment yield is important for the appropriate dispatching of runoff–sediment resources, as well as river regulation. However, there have been no reports on the utilization of the pair-copula function in analyzing the runoff–sediment characteristics from a probabilistic perspective and conducting probability control on the runoff–sediment yields of different hydrologic stations. This paper builds marginal distribution functions on the basis of kernel distribution theory. In addition, this paper builds the joint distribution functions through pair-copula functions in order to analyze the encounter probability and the compensation characteristics of high–low runoff and sediment at different stations on the Weihe River in China, as well as the origins of runoff–sediment, to conduct probability control of river runoff–sediment resource allocation. The results show that, in different periods, the synchronous probability of high–low runoff of the Weihe River’s Xianyang and Huaxian Stations, and the Jinghe River’s Zhangjiashan Station differ, while that of high–low sediment at the three stations changes little—remaining at around 54%. Therefore, the sediment and runoff of the Weihe River apparently have different origins. In years of high and low runoff, if the runoffs of the Xianyang and Zhangjiashan Stations can be kept within a certain range, then the runoff of the Huaxian Station will be in a particular range, at a certain probability. Sediment at the Huaxian Station can be controlled, in a similar way. These results are of great significance for the water and sediment management department of the Weihe river, in order to reasonably allocate water and sediment resources.
Cover Crops and Landscape Position Effects on Nitrogen Dynamics in Plant-Soil-Water Pools
Authors: Singh Gurbir , Williard Karl , Schoonover Jon , Nelson Kelly A. , Kaur Gurpreet
Published: March 2019

Nitrogen dynamics and water quality benefits deriving from the use of cover crops (CCs) are mostly incurred from plot-scale studies without incorporating large-scale variability that is induced by landscape positions. Our understanding of how topography affects the N response in CC systems is limited. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of topography (shoulder, backslope, and footslope) and CCs (cereal rye, Secale cereale L. and hairy vetch, Vicia villosa L.) on nitrogen (N) uptake, soil inorganic N content (nitrate-N, NO3-N and total N, TN), and N leaching in watersheds that were planted with or without CCs. The crop rotation in CC watersheds was corn (Zea mays L.)-cereal rye-soybean (Glycine max L.)-hairy vetch whereas control watersheds had corn-no CC-soybean-no CC rotation. Data from the watersheds was collected for three cash crop seasons and three CC seasons from 2015 to 2018. Nitrogen uptake of hairy vetch in CC watersheds was 110.9, 85.02, and 44.89 kg ha−1 higher at the shoulder, backslope, and footslope positions, when compared to shoulder, backslope, and footslope positions of no CC watersheds. About 12 to 69% reduction in soil solution NO3-N and TN was observed with cereal rye CC when compared to no CCs watersheds. However, reductions in soil solution N concentrations were only seen at the footslope position where the hairy vetch reduced NO3-N and TN concentrations by 7.71 and 8.14 mg L−1 in CC watersheds compared to no CC watersheds. During the corn and soybean growing seasons, similar reductions in soil solution N concentration were only seen at the footslope position in the CC watersheds. The excessive N at footslope positions of CC watersheds may have been fixed in CC biomass, immobilized, or lost through denitrification stimulated by higher water availability at the footslope position. The results of this research can help farmers and stakeholders to make decisions that are site-specific and topographically driven for the management of CCs in row-cropped systems.
Modelando um esconde-esconde no Minecraft utilizando Hidden Markov Model
Authors: Vieira Ronaldo E Silva , Leal Matheus Rodrigues , Chaimowicz Luiz
Published: March 2019

A criação de agentes inteligentes é uma área da inteligência artificial que busca construir entidades capazes de desempenhar ações semelhantes aos seres humanos. Dessa forma, é possível modelar cenários e avaliar a tomada de decisão de entidades envolvidas nesses cenários. Este trabalho consiste na construção de agentes inteligentes para participarem da brincadeira de esconde-esconde. Para isso, é desenvolvida uma abordagem probabilística baseada em um Hidden Markov Model, que utiliza o jogo Minecraft como plataforma para sua aplicação. Os experimentos realizados demonstram que a estratégia desenvolvida permite a interação entre os agentes de forma adequada às regras da brincadeira.
Nomeando a dor da engenharia de requisitos no domínio de sistemas robóticos
Authors: Ribeiro Tayse Virgulino , Mariño Laura María Palomino , Da Silva Fabio Queda Bueno
Published: March 2019

A pesquisa no campo da engenharia de software tem sido explorada com maior ênfase nos últimos anos, dado o crescente aumento das tecnologias no mercado; o que fortalece sua demanda precisando de qualidade. A fim de contribuir para este último aspecto, é tido como conceito essencial a aplicação de práticas de engenharia de requisitos. No âmbito da Robótica, torna-se relevante uma vez que existem muitos tipos de robô que intervêm em atividades vitais ou que podem ter alguma repercussão para o ser humano. Nesse sentido, é imprescindível estudar como potenciais desenvolvedores nessa área, tendem a desenvolver seus projetos. Assim, o estudo visa explorar como ocorre este processo no grupo de pesquisa RobôCIn - UFPE, Brasil, enfocada especificamente em aspectos que são levados em consideração para a definição de requisitos. Isso, com a intencionalidade de avaliar o grau de correspondência entre o modelo proposto por Albuquerque, Castro, & Sousa (2018) e a dinâmica de desenvolvimento no grupo. Para a coleta de dados, foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas durante dois meses (outubro e novembro de 2018) e aplicação de questionários. Depois de analisar as entrevistas e os questionários, apresentamos resultados que avaliam características do modelo, descrevendo em que medida eles corroboram ou não o mesmo.
Three New Species of Anthurium (Araceae) from the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo, Brazil
Authors: Coelho Marcus A. Nadruz , Valadares Rodrigo Theófilo
Published: March 2019

This study describes and illustrates three new species of Anthurium Schott sect. Urospadix Engl. subsect. Obscureviridia Engl. from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil: A. temponiae Nadruz & Theófilo, A. martinellii Nadruz & Theófilo, and A. erythrospathaceum Nadruz & Theófilo. Information about their conservation status within priority areas of the Atlantic Forest is included, together with distribution maps and an updated key to the species of subsection Obscureviridia.
The Occurrence of Compact Groups of Galaxies through Cosmic Time
Authors: Wiens Christopher D. , Wenger Trey V. , Tzanavaris Panayiotis , Johnson Kelsey E. , Gallagher S. C. , Xiao Liting
Published: March 2019

We use the outputs of a semianalytical model of galaxy formation run on the Millennium Simulation to investigate the prevalence of 3D compact groups (CGs) of galaxies from z = 11 to 0. Our publicly available code identifies CGs using the 3D galaxy number density, the mass ratio of secondary+tertiary to the primary member, mass density in a surrounding shell, the relative velocities of candidate CG members, and a minimum CG membership of three. We adopt “default” values for the first three criteria, representing the observed population of Hickson CGs at z = 0. The percentage of nondwarf galaxies (M > 5 × 108
h
−1
M
⊙) in CGs peaks near z ∼ 2 for the default set and in the range of z ∼ 1–3 for other parameter sets. This percentage declines rapidly at higher redshifts (z ≳ 4), consistent with the galaxy population as a whole being dominated by low-mass galaxies excluded from this analysis. According to the most liberal criteria,  ≲3% of nondwarf galaxies are members of CGs at the redshift where the CG population peaks. Our default criteria result in a population of CGs at z < 0.03 with number densities and sizes consistent with Hickson CGs. Tracking identified CG galaxies and merger products to z = 0, we find that ≲16% of nondwarf galaxies have been CG members at some point in their history. Intriguingly, the great majority (96%) of z = 2 CGs have merged to a single galaxy by z = 0. There is a discrepancy in the velocity dispersions of Millennium Simulation CGs compared to those in observed CGs, which remains unresolved.
The Weakening Outburst of the Young Eruptive Star V582 Aur
Authors: Zsidi G. , Ábrahám P. , Acosta-Pulido J. A. , Kóspál Á. , Kun M. , Szabó Zs. M. , Bódi A. , Cseh B. , Segura N. Castro , Hanyecz O. , Ignácz B. , Kalup Cs. , Kriskovics L. , Mészáros L. , Ordasi A. , Pál A. , Sárneczky K. , Seli B. , Sódor Á. , Szakáts R.
Published: March 2019

V582 Aur is a pre-main-sequence FU Orionis type eruptive star, which entered a brightness minimum in 2016 March due to changes in the line-of-sight extinction. Here, we present and analyze new optical B, V, R

C
, and I

C
band multiepoch observations and new near-infrared J, H, and K

S
band photometric measurements from 2018 January–2019 February, as well as publicly available midinfrared Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) data. We found that the source shows a significant optical–near-infrared variability, and the current brightness minimum has not completely finished yet. If the present dimming originates from the same orbiting dust clump that caused a similar brightness variation in 2012, then our results suggest a viscous spreading of the dust particles along the orbit. Another scenario is that the current minimum is caused by a dust structure, that is entering and leaving the inner part of the system. The WISE measurements could be consistent with this scenario. Our long-term data, as well as an accretion disk modeling hint at a general fading of V582 Aur, suggesting that the source will reach the quiescent level in ∼80 yr.
Mass Loss of Different Stellar Populations in Globular Clusters: The Case of M4
Authors: Tailo M. , Milone A. P. , Marino A. F. , D’Antona F. , Lagioia E. P. , Cordoni G.
Published: March 2019

In a Globular Cluster (GC), the mass loss during the red giant branch (RGB) phase and the helium content are fundamental ingredients to constrain the horizontal-branch (HB) morphology. While many papers have been dedicated to the helium abundance in different stellar populations, small efforts have been made to disentangle the effects of mass loss and helium content. We exploit the nearby GC NGC 6121 (M4), which hosts two well-studied main stellar populations, to infer both helium and RGB mass loss. We combine multi-band Hubble Space Telescope photometry of RGB and main-sequence (MS) stars of M4 with synthetic spectra to constrain the relative helium content of its stellar populations. We find that the second-generation stars in M4 are enhanced in helium mass fraction by

with respect to the remaining stars that have pristine helium content. We then infer the mass of the HB stars by searching for the best match between the observations and HB populations modeled assuming the helium abundance of each population estimated from the MS. By comparing the masses of stars along the HB, we constrain the mass loss of first- and second-generation stars in M4. We find that the mass lost by the helium-enriched population is ∼13% larger than the mass lost by the first-generation stars (

). We discuss the possibility that this mass-loss difference depends on helium abundance, the different formation environment of the two generations, or a combination of both.
Kiloparsec Scale Properties of Star Formation Driven Outflows at z ∼ 2.3 in the SINS/zC-SINF AO Survey*
Authors: Davies R. L. , Schreiber N. M. Förster , Übler H. , Genzel R. , Lutz D. , Renzini A. , Tacchella S. , Tacconi L. J. , Belli S. , Burkert A. , Carollo C. M. , Davies R. I. , Herrera-Camus R. , Lilly S. J. , Mancini C. , Naab T. , Nelson E. J. , Price S. H. , Shimizu T. T. , Sternberg A. , Wisnioski E. , Wuyts S.
Published: March 2019

We investigate the relationship between star formation activity and outflow properties on kiloparsec scales in a sample of 28 star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 2–2.6, using adaptive optics assisted integral field observations from SINFONI on the Very Large Telescope. The narrow and broad components of the Hα emission are used to simultaneously determine the local star formation rate surface density (

), and the outflow velocity

and mass outflow rate

, respectively. We find clear evidence for faster outflows with larger mass loading factors at higher

. The outflow velocities scale as

 ∝ 

0.34±0.10, which suggests that the outflows may be driven by a combination of mechanical energy released by supernova explosions and stellar winds, as well as radiation pressure acting on dust grains. The majority of the outflowing material does not have sufficient velocity to escape from the galaxy halos, but will likely be re-accreted and contribute to the chemical enrichment of the galaxies. In the highest

regions the outflow component contains an average of ∼45% of the Hα flux, while in the lower

regions only ∼10% of the Hα flux is associated with outflows. The mass loading factor, η = 

/SFR, is positively correlated with

but is relatively low even at the highest

: η ≲ 0.5 × (380 cm−3/n

e
). This may be in tension with the η ≳ 1 required by cosmological simulations, unless a significant fraction of the outflowing mass is in other gas phases and has sufficient velocity to escape the galaxy halos.
Using Malaise traps for collecting Lepidoptera (Insecta), with notes on the preparation of Macrolepidoptera from ethanol
Authors: Schmidt Olga , Schmidt Stefan , Häuser Christoph , Hausmann Axel , Van Vu Lien
Published: March 2019

The present paper deals with the potential of employing Malaise traps for collecting butterflies and moths for morphological analysis and presents a protocol for preparing Macrolepidoptera from Malaise trap samples that were preserved in ethanol. About 80 specimens of Lepidoptera, including Nymphalidae, Geometridae, Hesperiidae, Erebidae, Noctuidae, Pyralidae and Tortricidae, were mounted, following the protocol. All specimens with robust wings and contrasting wing patterns were well suited for the study of external morphology, regardless of the family. The specimens used in this study were collected in highland forest areas of central Vietnam with a little known entomofauna, as part of the German-Vietnamese biodiversity project 'VIETBIO'. The study offers new methodological approaches in an attempt to make the most of the material that was obtained using Malaise traps.
Redescription of the alpine Incurvaria stangei Rebel, 1903 (Lepidoptera, Incurvariidae), reinstated from Prodoxidae
Authors: Wiesmair Benjamin , Buchner Peter , Kurz Michael , Huemer Peter
Published: March 2019

IncurvariastangeiRebel, 1903 revised combination, placed without justification in Prodoxidae, is redescribed and transferred back to the Incurvariidae. Male and female genitalia of this south-eastern alpine endemic species are illustrated for the first time. DNA barcode sequences as well as morphological traits support the revised family assignment.
Diversity and conservation of amphibians and reptiles of a protected and heavily disturbed forest of central Mexico
Authors: Díaz de la Vega-Pérez Aníbal H. , Jiménez-Arcos Víctor H. , Centenero-Alcalá Eric , Méndez-de la Cruz Fausto R. , Ngo Andre
Published: March 2019

The high loss rate of forest ecosystem by deforestation in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt is one of the principal ecological problems of central Mexico, even in natural protected areas. We compiled a checklist and determined β-diversity indexes of amphibians and reptiles of the highly disturbed protected area, La Malinche National Park (LMNP) in Mexico, to determine the principal habitats for herpetofaunal conservation. After our extensive eight-year field sampling, we documented 28 species (nine amphibians and 19 reptiles), representing 11 families and 18 genera; four of these species are new records for LMNP. Of the species, 89% are endemic to Mexico. The IUCN Red List considers 22 species as Least Concern, one as Near Threatened, and four as Vulnerable. Meanwhile, the Environmental Viability Scores categorize three species as low vulnerability, 15 as medium, and 10 as high. According to the Mexican list of protected species, eight species are under Special Protection and nine are considered Vulnerable. The dissimilarity index between habitat types (βsør) in both groups is high, principally due to the environmental gradient generated by the altitudinal range.Abiesand Pine forest are high diversity areas for amphibians and reptiles, respectively, and must be considered for special protection. LMNP hosts more than 60% of the herpetofauna of Tlaxcala and is the principal “conservation island” for this state. Therefore, based on the percentage of state species represented, endemism and the current social and ecological problems, additional efforts that involve the local communities to protect the biodiversity of this National Park are necessary.
Molecular and morphological characterisation of Longidorus polyae sp. n. and L. pisi Edward, Misra & Singh, 1964 (Dorylaimida, Longidoridae) from Bulgaria
Authors: Lazarova Stela S. , Elshishka Milka , Radoslavov Georgi , Lozanova Lydmila , Hristov Peter , Mladenov Alexander , Zheng Jingwu , Fanelli Elena , De Luca Francesca , Peneva Vlada K.
Published: March 2019

Longidoruspolyaesp. n., a bisexual nematode species found in the rhizosphere of pear tree (Pyruscommunis L.), is described and characterised using an integrative approach. The new species has a female body length of 6.8–9.1 mm; a comparatively long odontostyle (114.0–127.5 μm); a narrow lip region (14.0–15.5 μm), anteriorly flattened and almost continuous with the body profile; pocket-like amphidial pouches long, deeply bilobed, and slightly asymmetrical, a guide ring at 37–42 μm from the anterior end; normal arrangement of pharyngeal glands; and a short bluntly rounded to hemispherical tail. Four juvenile stages identified: the first stage with a digitate tail, and the second and subsequent stages with a bluntly rounded tail. Males have one adcloacal pair and a row of 10 or 11 single ventromedian supplements; spicules 71.0–74.5 μm long. Based on morphometric data, the new species belongs to a group of species spread over Europe (L.arthensis, L.silvae, L.uroshis,), Iran (L.kheirii), and Syria (L.pauli), which share common characters such as amphidial fovea, lip region and tail shapes, similar odontostyle and body length, and similar first-stage juvenile tail shape. Codes for identifying the new species are A5, B2, C34, D3, E3, F45, G12, H1, I2, J1, K7. The phylogenetic analysis based on D2-D3 expansion domains of the rRNA gene revealed that the new species has the closest relationships with L.athesinus from Italy and three unidentified Longidorus spp. from USA (Longidorus sp. 1, Longidorus sp. 2, and Longidorus sp. 6). New morphometric and molecular data (18S rRNA gene, ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 regions and D2-D3 28S rRNA gene sequences) for three populations of L.pisi from Bulgaria were obtained and variations between populations are discussed.
HUMAN INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL REGION DETECTION IN BRIGHT-FIELD MICROSCOPY IMAGES USING CONVOLUTIONAL NEURAL NETWORKS
Authors: Chang Yuan-Hsiang , Abe Kuniya , Yokota Hideo , Sudo Kazuhiro , Nakamura Yukio , Tsai Ming-Dar
Published: March 2019

Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells represent an ideal source for patient specific cell-based regenerative medicine. For practical uses of iPS cells, large-scale, cost- and time-effective production of fully reprogrammed iPS cells from a number of patients should be achieved. To achieve this goal, culture protocols for inducing iPS cells as well as methods for selecting fully reprogrammed iPS cells in a mixture of cells which are still in reprogramming and non-iPS differentiated cells, should be improved. This paper proposes a convolutional neural network (CNN) structure to classify a bright-field microscopy image as respective probability images. Each probability image represents regions of differentiated cells, fully reprogrammed iPS cells or cells still in reprogramming, respectively. The CNN classifier was trained by multiple types of image patches which represent differentiated, reprogramming and reprogrammed iPS cells, etc. Classification of an image containing the confirmed iPS cells by the trained CNN classifier shows that high classification accuracy can be achieved. Classifications of sets of time-lapse microscopy images show that growth and transition from CD34[Formula: see text] human cord blood cells through reprogramming to reprogrammed iPS cells can be visualized and quantitatively analyzed by the output time-series probability images. These experiment results show our CNN structure yields a potential tool to detect the differentiated cells that possibly undergo reprogramming to iPS cells for screening reagents or culture conditions in human iPS induction, and ultimately further understand the ideal culturing conditions for practical use in regenerative medicine.
Multi-User Virtual Environments for Physical Education and Sport Training
Authors: Soltani Pooya , Vilas-Boas João Paulo
Published: March 2019

For effective learning and training, virtual environments may provide lifelike opportunities, and researchers are actively investigating their potential for educational purposes. Minimal research attention has been paid to the integration of multi-user virtual environments (MUVE) technology for teaching and practicing real sports. In this chapter, the authors reviewed the justifications, possibilities, challenges, and future directions of using MUVE systems. The authors addressed issues such as informal learning, design, engagement, collaboration, learning style, learning evaluation, motivation, and gender, followed by the identification of required elements for successful implementations. In the second part, the authors talked about exergames, the necessity of evaluation, and examples on exploring the behavior of players during playing. Finally, insights on the application of sports exergames in teaching, practicing, and encouraging real sports were discussed.
A Study on Visual Perturbations Effect on Balance in a VR Environment
Authors: Santoso Markus , Phillips David
Published: March 2019

Users sometimes lost their balance or even fell down when they played virtual reality (VR) games or projects. This may be attributed to degree of content, high-rate of latency, coordination of various sensory inputs, and others. The authors investigated the effect of sudden visual perturbations on human balance in VR environment. This research used the latest VR head mounted display to present visual perturbations to disturb balance. To quantify balance, measured by double-support and single-support stance, the authors measured the subject's center of pressure (COP) using a force plate. The results indicated that visual perturbations presented in virtual reality disrupted balance control in the single support condition but not in the double support condition. Results from this study can be applied to clinical research on balance and VR environment design.
Edutainment With Flipped IDEAS
Authors: Ahmad Norita , Dias Kevin Rose
Published: March 2019

Virtual learning environments are receiving a growing interest due to exponential advancements in technology alongside the millennial users' preference for more modern rather than traditional means of studying. This chapter narrows down on optimizing edutainment in the classroom by strategically using the methods of flipped classroom, team-based learning, and the IDEAS method. The study provides an explained framework that highlights what needs to be implemented on behalf of the instructor and what outcomes can be expected as a result. An experimental study was conducted on students within a course at the graduate level in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The main objective is to study the effect of virtual learning environment that incorporates the use of flipped classroom, Team-based learning and IDEAS methods on students' academic performance.
Multiliteracies Performance Assessment Zones (MPAZ)
Authors: Savva Stefania
Published: March 2019

Recognition of the dramatically changing nature of what it means to be literate in the so-called “information age” has resulted in an increasing interest among the educational research community around the importance of students developing “multiliteracy” skills and engaging in multimodal learning. Nevertheless, for such learning to be meaningful, requires to reconceptualize delivery strategies and assessment of multimodally mediated experiences. The aim of this chapter is dual: First to introduce an alternative framework for formative assessment of multimodal interactions for learning. Secondly, the intention is to uncover the story of culturally and linguistically diverse students' multimodal experiences, resulting from engagement in the creation of a student-generated virtual museum during a design-based research implementation. Drawing from the literature, analysis, and evaluation using the framework explained, it is evident that virtual museum-based multiliteracies engagement, benefits pupils' multimodal awareness, meaning making, and development as active designers of their learning.
Techniques on Multiplatform Movement and Interaction Systems in a Virtual Reality Context for Games
Authors: Ntokos Konstantinos
Published: March 2019

When a student works on a VR game design project, the input scheme is often bypassed because it is considered to be one of the easiest things to implement. But should design affect the inputs, or the other way around? The author attempts to solve this with the creation of a unified communication tool among students, academics, and developers. This proposed tool will define which movement and/or interaction technique is best suited, depending on the following factors: platform, constraints, context, physique, space, immersion, and user experience. The game design framework will be described, discussed, and presented in a table format to address all of the above when working on VR games. This chapter will also include a section that will define what the player can do and how.
Virtual Reality (VR) Applications in Learning
Authors: Camilleri Vanessa , Haddod Foaad , Montebello Matthew , Camilleri Joseph C. , Dingli Alexiei , Briffa Vince
Published: March 2019

This chapter illustrates the use of VR applications in professional development and introduces an application used to assist teachers, learning support assistants (LSAs), and teaching assistants (TAs) to better understand autistic children's behaviors while in the classroom. One of the challenges faced in classrooms is how to understand the autistic children's behaviors and empathize with them. The proposed VR application repurposes a different form of narrative of the world of a child on the autism spectrum in an immersive environment designed for educators. The VR application in this chapter uses recorded footage through 360-degree cameras and special effects powered by Unity. In a context where integration is a key to today's learning and education, the researchers believe that the use of VR to assist the teachers in empathizing with their learners' traits and conditions may be of great benefit to the learners' school experiences.
The Applications of Digital Reality in Creative and Oceanic Cultural Industries
Authors: Kang Yowei
Published: March 2019

Digital reality technologies have become a key component of promoting creative and cultural industries in Taiwan. In 2016, Taiwan's Ministry of Culture funded 45 projects to promote creative and cultural industries in this island country. A total of USD$25.6 million dollars have been granted to this project. Among these projects, the applications of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies have been found to be the latest trend in Taiwan's creative and cultural industries. This chapter employs a case study approach to survey the current state of digital reality technology applications particularly in the area of creative and oceanic cultural industries in Taiwan. Using a detailed description of these best practices among creative and cultural industries to promote Taiwanese oceanic culture, this chapter aims to provide a detailed examination of digital reality applications in the creative and cultural industry sectors in a non-Western context.
Evidence-Based Organizational Change and Development
Authors: Hamlin Robert G. , Russ-Eft Darlene F.
Published: March 2019

The chapter first provides an overview of “best practice” and conventional “received wisdom” relating to OCD and emphasizes the importance of adopting more evidence-based approaches to develop in-depth understanding of the organization prior to planning and instigating an OCD initiative. The authors then discuss a range of historical and contemporary theoretical perspectives for analyzing and making sense of the interacting relationships between an organization's structure, function, and culture, and of the complexities, contradictions, and paradoxes of organizational life. Additionally, they identify various approaches, tools, techniques, and desirable attributes, competencies, and political skills for developing and evaluating the effectiveness of EBOCD strategies and change agency practice.
Action Research, Action Learning, and Appreciative Inquiry
Authors: Watkins Karen E. , Marsick Victoria J. , Wasserman Ilene
Published: March 2019

This chapter introduces Action Research (AR), Action Learning (AL), and Appreciative Inquiry (AI) as three evidence-based intervention approaches to support learning and change for individuals, groups, and larger systems. The authors show that, despite differences, all three approaches share intellectual roots and participatory learning strategies. Each approach privileges relevance for local knowledge; hence, knowledge is defined in local terms. What is particularly powerful about these approaches is that they have embedded processes, tested over time, that facilitate transformation and that reliably support local knowledge generation along with insight into conditions and system dynamics that improve results. From the perspective of organization development (OD), the authors rely on these approaches as particularly effective because they operate at multiple levels: they change individuals, groups, and systems. These multi-faceted, systemic evidence-based approaches are very powerful OD strategies that simultaneously deepen individual and organizational learning and growth.
Factors Contributing to Organizational Change Success or Failure
Authors: Jones Jenni , Firth Janet , Hannibal Claire , Ogunseyin Michael
Published: March 2019

Change, and changing, exercise the minds of most managers most of the time. In consequence, leadership development and change management tend to be top priorities for many human resource development (HRD) professionals today. Despite this, much academic and practitioner literature suggests that 70% of all change programs fail. Through analyzing 200 organizational change case studies, this chapter examines this high failure rate, investigates leadership styles and their relationship to change, and explores the key factors that either enable or hinder successful change. The key findings of this examination were that the majority of the 200 studied change initiatives were considered successful and that using Kotter's change model, which has been long established, does not necessarily mean success; nor does the use of a democratic/participative leadership style. The most significant hindering factors and the key critical success factors are also acknowledged.
Applied Theatre
Authors: Vaz Pedro , Clarke Nicholas
Published: March 2019

This chapter describes applied theatre as an innovative and novel intervention for helping individuals and organizations to manage change. Applied theatre engages participants to understand their emotional responses to change and how they might respond more effectively to it. These processes are discussed through the legacy of Aristotle's ideas on emotional participation and Boal's Forum Theatre on engagement with groups and their empowerment. After a brief introduction to applied theatre methodology, the chapter presents key insights from interviews with five directors of applied theatre that highlight how they use their skills and competence in emotional awareness and emotional management in order to shape the emotional states of participants and achieve learning to cope with change. Finally, the authors highlight recent studies suggesting applied theatre can have positive impacts within a broad array of settings.