bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Computation of the Dispersion Diagram of Symmetric One-Dimensionally Periodic Structures
Authors: Mesa Francisco , Rodríguez-Berral Raúl , Medina Francisco
Published: August 2018

A critical discussion on the computation of the dispersion diagram of electromagnetic guiding/radiating structures with one-dimensional periodicity using general-purpose electromagnetic simulation software is presented in this work. In these methods, full-wave simulations of finite sections of the periodic structure are combined with appropriate simplifying network models. In particular, we analyze the advantages and limitations of two different combined methods, with emphasis on the determination of their range of validity. Our discussion is complemented with several selected numerical examples in order to show the most relevant aspects that a potential user of these methods should be aware of. Special attention is paid to the relevant role played by the high-order coupling between adjacent unit cells and between the two halves of unit cells exhibiting reflection, inversion, and glide symmetries.
Ultrafast Dynamics of High-Harmonic Generation in Terms of Complex Floquet Spectral Analysis
Authors: Yamane Hidemasa , Tanaka Satoshi
Published: August 2018

We studied the high-harmonic generation (HHG) of a two-level-system (TLS) driven by an intense monochromatic phase-locked laser based on complex spectral analysis with the Floquet method. In contrast with phenomenological approaches, this analysis deals with the whole process as a coherent quantum process based on microscopic dynamics. We have obtained the time-frequency resolved spectrum of spontaneous HHG single-photon emission from an excited TLS driven by a laser field. Characteristic spectral features of the HHG, such as the plateau and cutoff, are reproduced by the present model. Because the emitted high-harmonic photon is represented as a superposition of different frequencies, the Fano profile appears in the long-time spectrum as a result of the quantum interference of the emitted photon. We reveal that the condition of the quantum interference depends on the initial phase of the driving laser field. We have also clarified that the change in spectral features from the short-time regime to the long-time regime is attributed to the interference between the interference from the Floquet resonance states and the dressed radiation field.
Analytical Model of a Multi-Step Straightening Process for Linear Guideways Considering Neutral Axis Deviation
Authors: Zhang Yongquan , Lu Hong , Ling He , Lian Yang , Ma Mingtian
Published: August 2018

The cross-sectional shape of a linear guideway has been processed before the straightening process. The cross-section features influence not only the position of the neutral axis, but also the applied and residual stresses along the longitudinal direction, especially in a multi-step straightening process. This paper aims to present an analytical model based on elasto-plastic theory and three-point reverse bending theory to predict straightening stroke and longitudinal stress distribution during the multi-step straightening process of linear guideways. The deviation of the neutral axis is first analyzed considering the asymmetrical features of the cross-section. Owing to the cyclic loading during the multi-step straightening process, the longitudinal stress curves are then calculated using the linear superposition of stresses. Based on the cross-section features and the superposition of stresses, the bending moment is corrected to improve the predictive accuracy of the multi-step straightening process. Finite element analysis, as well as straightening experiments, have been performed to verify the applicability of the analytical model. The proposed approach can be implemented in the multi-step straightening process of linear guideways with similar cross-sectional shape to improve the straightening accuracy.
Botulinum Neurotoxin F Subtypes Cleaving the VAMP-2 Q58–K59 Peptide Bond Exhibit Unique Catalytic Properties and Substrate Specificities
Authors: Sikorra Stefan , Skiba Martin , Dorner Martin B. , Weisemann Jasmin , Weil Mirjam , Valdezate Sylvia , Davletov Bazbek , Rummel Andreas , Dorner Brigitte G. , Binz Thomas
Published: August 2018

In the recent past, about 40 botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) subtypes belonging to serotypes A, B, E, and F pathogenic to humans were identified among hundreds of independent isolates. BoNTs are the etiological factors of botulism and represent potential bioweapons; however, they are also recognized pharmaceuticals for the efficient counteraction of hyperactive nerve terminals in a variety of human diseases. The detailed biochemical characterization of subtypes as the basis for development of suitable countermeasures and possible novel therapeutic applications is lagging behind the increase in new subtypes. Here, we report the primary structure of a ninth subtype of BoNT/F. Its amino-acid sequence diverges by at least 8.4% at the holotoxin and 13.4% at the enzymatic domain level from all other known BoNT/F subtypes. We found that BoNT/F9 shares the scissile Q58/K59 bond in its substrate vesicle associated membrane protein 2 with the prototype BoNT/F1. Comparative biochemical analyses of four BoNT/F enzymatic domains showed that the catalytic efficiencies decrease in the order F1 > F7 > F9 > F6, and vary by up to a factor of eight. KM values increase in the order F1 > F9 > F6 ≈ F7, whereas kcat decreases in the order F7 > F1 > F9 > F6. Comparative substrate scanning mutagenesis studies revealed a unique pattern of crucial substrate residues for each subtype. Based upon structural coordinates of F1 bound to an inhibitor polypeptide, the mutational analyses suggest different substrate interactions in the substrate binding channel of each subtype.
Salinity and Marine Mammal Dynamics in Barataria Basin: Historic Patterns and Modeled Diversion Scenarios
Authors: White Eric , Messina Francesca , Moss Leland , Meselhe Ehab
Published: August 2018

Understanding spatiotemporal patterns of salinity in Barataria Basin in coastal Louisiana is important to better understand and manage operations of existing and proposed freshwater and sediment diversions from the Mississippi River into the estuary. In this study, a comprehensive salinity dataset was compiled which covered the entire basin and included data from 1990 through 2015. The data were aggregated into daily mean salinity timeseries across Barataria Basin at a variety of spatial scales and used to analyze historic patterns. Simulations were conducted with two hydrodynamic models, the Integrated Compartment Model (ICM) and Delft3D. The Delft3D model output was overlaid with observed geo-tagged locations of bottlenose dolphins that were sampled from the southwest quadrant of the basin. The ICM simulations were used to assess the impact of existing freshwater and proposed sediment diversion projects which reintroduce riverine water into the estuary. The salinity in the uppermost portions of the basin is sensitive primarily to the existing freshwater diversion, whereas additional flows from a proposed sediment diversion result in additional freshening. The lowermost region of the basin is most sensitive to the proposed sediment diversion; however, the magnitude varies by diverted flow volumes and assumed sea levels in the Gulf of Mexico.
A Multi-disciplinary Modelling Approach for Discharge Reconstruction in Irrigation Canals: The Canale Emiliano Romagnolo (Northern Italy) Case Study
Authors: Luppi Marta , Malaterre Pierre-Olivier , Battilani Adriano , Di Federico Vittorio , Toscano Attilio
Published: August 2018

Agriculture is the biggest consumer of water in the world, and therefore, in order to mitigate the effects of climate change, and consequently water scarcity, it is important to reduce irrigation water losses and to improve the poor collection of hydraulic status data. Therefore, efficiency has to be increased, and the regulation and control flow should be implemented. Hydraulic modelling represents a strategic tool for the reconstruction of the missing hydraulic data. This paper proposes a methodology for the unmeasured offtake and flowing discharge estimation along the open-canal Canale Emiliano Romagnolo (CER), which is one of the major irrigation infrastructures in Northern Italy. The “multi-disciplinary approach” that was adopted refers to agronomic and hydraulic aspects. The tools that were used are the IRRINET management Decisional Support System (DSS) and the SIC2 (Simulation and Integration of Control for Canals) hydraulic software. Firstly, the methodology was developed and tested on a Pilot Segment (PS), characterized by a simple geometry and a quite significant historical hydraulic data availability. Then, it was applied on an Extended Segment (ES) of a more complex geometry and hydraulic functioning. Moreover, the available hydraulic data are scarce. The combination of these aspects represents a crucial issue in the irrigation networks in general.
GIS-Based Random Forest Weight for Rainfall-Induced Landslide Susceptibility Assessment at a Humid Region in Southern China
Authors: Wang Peng , Bai Xiaoyan , Wu Xiaoqing , Yu Haijun , Hao Yanru , Hu Bill X.
Published: August 2018

Landslide susceptibility assessment is presently considered an effective tool for landslide warning and forecasting. Under the assessment procedure, a credible index weight can greatly increase the rationality of the assessment result. Using the Beijiang River Basin, China, as a case study, this paper proposes a new weight-determining method based on random forest (RF) and used the weighted linear combination (WLC) to evaluate the landslide susceptibility. The RF weight and eight indices were used to construct the assessment model. As a comparison, the entropy weight (EW) and weight determined by analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were also used, respectively, to demonstrate the rationality of the proposed weight-determining method. The results show that: (1) the average error rates of training and testing based on RF are 18.12% and 15.83%, respectively, suggesting that the RF model can be considered rational and credible; (2) RF ranks the indices elevation (EL), slope (SL), maximum one-day precipitation (M1DP) and distance to fault (DF) as the Top 4 most important of the eight indices, occupying 73.24% of the total, while the indices runoff coefficient (RC), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), shear resistance capacity (SRC) and available water capacity (AWC) are less consequential, with an index importance degree of only 26.76% of the total; and (3) the verification of landslide susceptibility indicates that the accuracy rate based on the RF weight reaches 75.41% but are only 59.02% and 72.13% for the other two weights (EW and AHP), respectively. This paper shows the potential to provide a new weight-determining method for landslide susceptibility assessment. Evaluation results are expected to provide a reference for landslide management, prevention and reduction in the studied basin.
Chiral bisoxazoline ligands designed to stabilize bimetallic complexes
Authors: Das Deepankar , Mal Rudrajit , Mittal Nisha , Zhu Zhengbo , Emge Thomas J , Seidel Daniel
Published: August 2018

Chiral bisoxazoline ligands containing naphthyridine, pyridazine, pyrazole, and phenol bridging units were prepared and shown to form bimetallic complexes with various metal salts. X-ray crystal structures of bis-nickel naphthyridine-bridged, bis-zinc pyridazine-bridged, and bis-nickel as well as bis-palladium pyrazole-bridged complexes were obtained.
Increased Soluble Cytoplasmic Bcl-2 Protein Serum Levels and Expression and Decreased Fas Expression in Lymphocytes and Monocytes in Juvenile Dermatomyositis
Authors: Liphaus Bernadete L. , Sallum Adriana E.M. , Aikawa Nadia E. , Kiss Maria Helena B. , Carrasco Solange , Palmeira Patricia , Lima Laila , Silva Clovis A. , Goldenstein-Schainberg Claudia , Carneiro-Sampaio Magda
Published: August 2018

Objective.

To evaluate soluble Fas antigen (sFas), sFas ligand (sFasL), soluble tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, and soluble cytoplasmic Bcl-2 protein (sBcl-2) serum levels, Fas and Bcl-2 expressions in T and B lymphocytes and monocytes and relations with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale, and manual muscle testing in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).

Methods.

Serum levels were determined by ELISA and peripheral cell expressions by flow cytometry for patients with JDM or juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and healthy controls.

Results.

Patients with JDM had increased sBcl-2, which correlated with CRP. Expression of Bcl-2 was increased and expression of Fas was decreased in CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes compared with JIA and/or healthy controls.

Conclusion.

Patients with JDM presented a unique apoptosis-related proteins profile, which may contribute to disease development.
Pulmonary Manifestations and Progression of Lung Disease in Juvenile-onset Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
Authors: Hetlevik Siri Opsahl , Flatø Berit , Aaløkken Trond Mogens , Lund May Brit , Reiseter Silje , Mynarek Georg Karl , Nordal Ellen , Rygg Marite , Lilleby Vibke
Published: August 2018

Objective.

To assess the occurrence and extent of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with juvenile mixed connective tissue disease (JMCTD), compare pulmonary function in patients and matched controls, study associations between ILD and disease-related variables, and examine progression of pulmonary manifestations over time.

Methods.

A cohort of 52 patients with JMCTD were examined in a cross-sectional study after a mean 16.2 (SD 10.3) years of disease duration with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFT) comprising spirometry, DLCO, and total lung capacity (TLC). Matched controls were examined with PFT. Previous HRCT and PFT were available in 37 and 38 patients (mean 8.8 and 10.3 yrs before study inclusion), respectively.

Results.

Compared to controls, patients with JMCTD had lower forced vital capacity (FVC), DLCO, and TLC (p < 0.01). The most frequent abnormal PFT was DLCO in 67% of patients versus 17% of controls (p < 0.001). Fourteen patients (27%) had ILD on HRCT. Most had ILD in < 10% of their lungs. ILD was associated with low values for FVC and TLC, but not with DLCO. HRCT findings did not progress significantly over time, but FVC declined (p < 0.01).

Conclusion.

Compared to controls, patients with JMCTD had impaired pulmonary function. ILD was present in 27% of patients after a mean 16 years of disease duration, mostly as mild disease, and did not progress. ILD seems to be less common in juvenile-onset than in adult-onset MCTD, and ILD in JMCTD seems mostly mild and stable over time.
Burying A Sage: The Heroon Of Thales In The Agora Of Miletos
Authors: Herda Alexander
Published: August 2018

This article addresses the heroon of Thales in the agora of Miletos, so far only literarily attested (§§ IV, VII). The sage was worshiped as secondary founder, having the status of a ‘cultural hero’, an age-old Indo-European concept. Graves of founders are typically placed on the agora (§ V), but not those of the mythical founders of Miletos, Asterios, Miletos and Kelados or Ionian Neileos (§ VI). Of the intramural heroa excavated in Miletos none can claim to be that of Thales: Neither ‘Heroon I (the grave of the Macedonian general Dokimos?), II and III’ (§ I), nor the ‘Ehrengrab’ in the courtyard of the Hellenistic bouleuterion, which is most likely an altar (§ II). Instead, a thesauros in the assembly hall may have served as a heroon (§ III), and the philosopher Anaximander may also have received cult in the bouleuterion (§ VIII). Finally, a chamber tomb slightly west of the bouleuterion is discussed (§ IX). At the end some general remarks on Greek hero cults are added, stressing the common concept of the immortal divine soul, again an Indo-European heritage, manifest for example in the apotheosis of the Hittite kings as well as that of the Roman emperors (§ X).This piece is devoted to the memory of my grandaunt Josefine Schmitz, teacher and friend, who always encouraged me to study archaeology and history and ask what’s behind human beliefs and knowledge. It was written in the inspiring atmosphere of the library of the German Archaeological Institute at Athens to whose always helpful staff, Soi Agelidis, Christina Zoiga and Katharina Brandt, are addressed my warmest thanks. The English was corrected by Robert Hahn, of whose keen insight into early Ionian philosophy I profit a lot. The figures were improved with the ingenious skills of Stefan Gräbener.
Divine Kingship at the City Centre
Authors: Carstens Anne Marie
Published: August 2018

When the Persian dynast and Karian King Maussollos died in 352/351 BC he was interred in the most incredible dynastic monument the world had ever seen, the eponymous ruler’s tomb to be, the Maussolleion at Halikarnassos. The Maussolleion was placed in the city centre of the newly planned residential city and capital of Hekatomnid Karia, and it was staged as the biggest of the sanctuaries of Halikarnassos. Surely, neither discretion nor modesty was involved in this endeavour. It was soon counted as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and already in the 18th century it was included as one of the canonical yet quite mysterious monuments of Classical Antiquity. This contribution focuses on the Maussolleion as both a dynastic tomb and as a sanctuary celebrating the Hekatomnid dynasty in an Ancient Near Eastern tradition of Divine Kingship. It explores local, regional and supra-regional contexts of similar phenomena in Antiquity. Furthermore, it also focuses on the Maussolleion as a building type, forming a vital part of aristocratic culture by offering a phenomenological view of rulers’ tombs and their role in urban planning.
Le street art, outil de valorisation territoriale et touristique : l’exemple de la Galeria de Arte Urbana de Lisbonne
Authors: Grondeau Alexandre , Pondaven Florence
Published: August 2018

La Galeria de Arte Urbana lisboète est une opération d'aménagement du territoire consistant à institutionnaliser la pratique du street art dans la capitale du Portugal à des fins de valorisations territoriales et touristiques. Nous verrons dans cet article comment cette opération a été mise en place en parallèle des politiques publiques en faveur de la culture, de la créativité et de la gentrification d'une partie du centre historique lisboète. Nous étudierons le fonctionnement de la GAU, son organisation et ses objectifs et montrerons comment elle a participé à l'évolution de la géographie du street art local. Nous analyserons les impacts territoriaux de l'institutionnalisation du street art en termes économique et social mais également en matière de marketing urbain, puis nous mettrons en perspective les limites de cette opération et les critiques qu'elle subit notamment en matière de sélection des œuvres, des artistes autorisés à peindre au sein de la GAU et de financement privé.
Les espaces du graffiti dans les capitales touristiques : l’exemple de Paris et Berlin
Authors: Vaslin Julie
Published: August 2018

Partant du constat que Paris, dont le bâti est largement classé au patrimoine mondial de l’Unesco, et Berlin, connue pour être « pauvre mais sexy », sont deux capitales européennes aux images très contrastées, cet article cherche à nuancer cette opposition en comparant les modalités du gouvernement de l’espace public dans ces deux villes. En particulier, le gouvernement du graffiti est révélateur, à Paris comme à Berlin, de logiques d’esthétisation de l’espace public convergentes. Effacés dans les hauts-lieux touristiques, les graffitis sont tolérés voire promus dans les quartiers populaires périphériques où se développe le tourisme hors des sentiers battus. Pris dans des temporalités différentes, les dispositifs de gouvernement du graffiti transitent d’une capitale à l’autre, dans un jeu où développements culturel et touristique se mêlent, au service de l’attractivité territoriale. Considéré alternativement comme allégorie du désordre ou comme emblème du tourisme alternatif, le graffiti apparaît alors comme un très bon révélateur de ces processus.
Le street art entre valorisation informelle du territoire et logiques d’institutionnalisation
Authors: Le Gallou Aude
Published: August 2018

À partir d’une analyse du projet des « Oides » à Saint-Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique), cet article interroge les enjeux géographiques et politiques de la valorisation urbaine du street art. Il montre d’abord comment le projet artistique, indépendamment de toute reconnaissance institutionnelle, constitue un facteur d’évolution des représentations et des pratiques des usagers de l’espace urbain dans lequel il s’inscrit. Il s’intéresse ensuite aux acteurs, aux critères et aux logiques qui interviennent dans le processus de légitimation d’un projet apparemment consensuel mais dont la valorisation institutionnelle s’avère délicate, mettant ainsi en évidence l’écart entre la capacité du street art à valoriser un territoire et les choix auxquels répond la décision politique de reconnaître ou non ce potentiel sous la forme d’une institutionnalisation.
Le street art à Naples
Authors: Salomone Christine
Published: August 2018

Cet article étudie le rôle du street art dans les transformations urbaines d’une ville du sud de l’Italie, Naples, et sa difficile valorisation. Terreau fertile et emblématique de cet art urbain avec des expériences artistiques précoces dès les années 1980, Naples ne figure pourtant pas dans les grandes destinations du street art comme Berlin, Barcelone ou Londres. Alors que d’autres villes d’Italie comme Rome ou Milan réfléchissent à de nouveaux instruments et outils de valorisation touristique du street art, la ville peine à faire émerger officiellement cette offre. Pourtant les initiatives spontanées ou non en faveur de l’art urbain issues de quartiers variés - marges du centre historique ou quartiers plus périphériques - se sont étoffées et densifiées. Aux côtés des artistes, les promoteurs de l’art urbain sont pluriels (privé, associatif et institutionnel). Ils investissement ce champ de la culture avec des objectifs variés pour en faire notamment un outil au service du renouvellement urbain et de la créativité dans des quartiers en déshérence. Pour envisager cette articulation entre valorisation du street art et espace urbain, l’article confronte les initiatives privées dans deux quartiers napolitains, une marge du centre historique, l’aire Vergini-Sanità et un quartier plus périphérique, Ponticelli. Il interroge les discours et le jeu des acteurs et questionne la nature des espaces valorisés et les objectifs recherchés.
Des images qui dénoncent ?
Authors: Darcis Damien
Published: August 2018

Dans cet article, je voudrais interroger le pouvoir politique des images dans l'espace urbain. Pour ce faire, je m'appuie sur la confrontation de deux types d'images s’affichant à Calais, ville désormais associée au « problème des migrants ». D'un côté, j'étudierai quatre interventions du street artist Banksy. De l'autre côté, j'analyserai des images réalisées par des artistes anonymes, dans des sites reculés, moins visibles, sur les murs, sur les portes ou sur les fenêtres de squats hébergeant notamment des migrants. Alors que les images de Banksy font passer un message politique dénonçant la situation des migrants, les responsables politiques de Calais ont affirmé vouloir protéger ces peintures. Inversement, les images anonymes, qui ne véhiculent aucun message politique, sont systématiquement effacées ou rendues inaccessibles. Sur la base des travaux de Michel Foucault, Jacques Rancière et Étienne Balibar, je voudrais montrer que ce paradoxe s'explique peut-être moins par la célébrité de Banksy que par la relation des images à l'espace : les Banksy maintiennent, voire perpétuent, les découpages de l'espace et les relations entre les groupes sociaux constituant l'ordre établi, alors que les images anonymes les suspendent un temps, pour faire exister des lieux hétérotopiques.
Une histoire institutionnelle de l'Institut national de la recherche agronomique (Inra) – Mise en place du second Inra (1980-1996)
Authors: Denis Gilles
Published: August 2018

À partir essentiellement des procès-verbaux du conseil d’administration, ce texte propose une histoire de la mise en place des missions énoncées par décrets en 1980 et 1984 qui ont défini le second Inra, induisant une mutation institutionnelle et conceptuelle. Elles concernent : le développement des nouvelles biotechnologies ; la qualité et la diversité alimentaires en lien avec la santé et la demande ; la protection de l’espace rural ; l’adaptation au nouveau contexte économique. Ce texte décrit comment l’Inra tente d’y répondre par une orientation des moyens, une nouvelle structuration, le développement de collaborations diverses.
A Survey on Implementation Methods and Applications of Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Karnam Sudheer , Valarmathi B.  , Sariki Tulasi Prasad
Published: August 2018

Sentiment analysis also called opinion mining, and it studies opinions of people towards products and services. Opinions are very important as the organizations always want to know the public opinions about their products and services. People give their opinions via social media. With the advent of social media like Twitter, Facebook, blogs, forums, etc. sentiment analysis has become important in every field like automobile, medical, film, fashion, stock market, mobile phones, insurance, etc. Analyzing the opinions and predicting the opinion is called sentiment analysis. Sentiment analysis is done using opinion words by classification methods or by sentiment lexicons. This chapter compares different methods of solving sentiment analysis problem, algorithms, its merits and demerits, applications, and also investigates different research problems in sentiment analysis.
Data Visualization in R
Authors: Sekhar S. R. Mani , Siddesh G. M.  , Manvi Sunilkumar S.
Published: August 2018

Data visualization helps the users to understand the relationships and associations between information. Visualization helps in minimizing the errors generated during decision making. Different visualization methods have been developed to unlock the valuable insight. These methods have been developed on the supposition that the information to be present is free from ambiguity. This chapter provides an overview of data visualization techniques in R programming. Various methods have been discussed with supported explanation and examples which in turn helps the reader to create their own visualization method. Later, four different case studies are presented to understand the importance and use of data visualization in real-world problems.
Mining Data Streams
Authors: Kompalli Prasanna Lakshmi
Published: August 2018

In recent years, advancement in technologies has made it possible for most of the present-day organizations to store and record large streams of data. Such data sets which continuously and rapidly grow over time are referred to as data streams. Mining of such data streams is a unique opportunity and also a challenging task. Data stream mining is a process of gaining knowledge from continuous and rapid records of data. Due to increased streaming information, data stream mining has attracted the research community in the recent past. There is voluminous of literature which has been published in this domain over the past few years. Due to this, isolating the correct literature would be a grueling task for researchers and practitioners. While addressing a real-world problem, it would be more difficult to find relevant information as it would be hidden in data streams. This chapter tries to provide solution as it would be an amalgamation of all techniques used for data stream mining.
Introduction to Big Data and Business Analytics
Authors: Vaghela Dineshkumar Bhagwandas
Published: August 2018

The term big data has come due to rapid generation of data in various organizations. In big data, the big is the buzzword. Here the data are so large and complex that the traditional database applications are not able to process (i.e., they are inadequate to deal with such volume of data). Usually the big data are described by 5Vs (volume, velocity, variety, variability, veracity). The big data can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured. Big data analytics is the process to uncover hidden patterns, unknown correlations, predict the future values from large and complex data sets. In this chapter, the following topics will be covered more in detail. History of big data and business analytics, big data analytics technologies and tools, and big data analytics uses and challenges.
Applications of Domain-Specific Predictive Analytics Applied to Big Data
Authors: Poluru Ravi Kumar , Bhushan Bharath , Muzamil Basha Syed , Rayani Praveen Kumar , Reddy Praveen Kumar
Published: August 2018

Performing prediction on every domain belonging to industry/firm is measured as effective management. This prediction helps the firm effectively manage human power and other resources, which leads to good productivity. In this chapter, the authors discuss applications where predictive analytics are applied. The applications are as follows: evaluation of customer lifetime value used in retail industry, customer churn management in the telecommunication sector, credit scoring in banking, sentiment analysis on product reviews to understand the customer opinion, clinical decision support systems, news analytics, and social media analytics. They conclude the application areas of predictive analytics will drive the research community towards developing novel methods for handling big data.
Technology in Education
Authors: Harkness Nalungo Nsombi
Published: August 2018

Education has been the cornerstone of growth and development in our society. Traditionally, parents sent their student off to a brick-and-mortal building where teachers infused knowledge into them. Mathematics, language arts, and science are some of the core curriculum in which teachers taught. However, education is continuously evolving. As we continue to develop as a society, so do our innovations in technology. Many school's chalkboards are replaced with the newest technology called Smart Boards. Pen and paper is replaced with writing software such as Microsoft Word documents. Instead of physically submitting assignments or homework to the teacher, students now submit their assignments and test through educational software programs such as Blackboard. Technology is redefining the way in which our students are educated and knowledge is obtained. This chapter will capture the different periods in history where schools utilized the technology of the day to educate students.
Technology Impact on K-12 Education
Authors: Lewis Timothy D. , Burks Brooke A. , Thompson C. Nichole , Austin Shelia M.
Published: August 2018

Technology can be a leveraging tool that allows learning experiences to be reimagined to allow the creation of meaningful connections between acquiring a base of knowledge and making meaningful connections to peers and mentors in our daily lives and global workforce. Therefore, it is important to consider and explore methods for integrating technological tools and resources into school environments so that technology in the classroom can continue to expand from information gathering to include product creation and collaboration for all students. Therefore, this chapter will focus on the following: 1) learning and technology integration frameworks, 2) technology-enabled learning in action, and 3) overcoming obstacles for technology integration.
Transmedia Experiences That Blur the Boundaries Between the Real and the Fictional World
Authors: Gouveia Patrícia
Published: August 2018

This chapter uses an arts- and design-based research methodology to explore emergent possibilities in contemporary transmedia arts and design practices. Focusing in narrative and fiction creation for the development of participatory and performative events with emphasis in audience or community engagement and conveying inspiration from modernist and postmodernist movements, it reveals the role of participation design in connected and smart experiences for urban cooperative gaming and play. Mobile gaming and play technologies taking advantage of sensors and data tracking devices immerse us in a persistent and pervasive game of life which blur the boundaries between the real and the fictional world.
Thinking Art in the Technological World
Authors: Silva Henrique , Simão Emília
Published: August 2018

In this chapter, the authors discuss the use of digital media in the creation of digital art, questioning the evolution of the relationship between technology and concept in communication through art. The intersection of new media and digital art have been opening interesting and seductive new horizons and in parallel, the concept, the understanding, the legitimacy of artistic creation, the role of the artist and the role of the spectator are also redefined. Based on two experimental works of the artist Henrique Silva, the authors analyze and reflect on the relationship of technology, art and virtuality, focusing on concepts like experience, sensory, immersion, communication and interaction in artworks created through digital media.
Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage to the Ecuadorian Andes
Authors: Rodríguez Fernández María Magdalena , Sánchez-Amboage Eva , Membiela-Pollán Matías Enrique , Martínez-Fernández Valentín Alejandro
Published: August 2018

The singularities of the pilgrimage to the Virgin of El Cisne in the South of Ecuador identify it as a unique religious event. It was decreed by Simón Bolívar. It has a circular route spacing in time, and since its origin, it has a tourist focus while at the same time performing the Loja Fair Trade also created by the Liberator for boosting the influx of pilgrims venerating the Virgin.
Religious Heritage and Nature
Authors: Frederico Isabela Barbosa , Funari Pedro Paulo A.
Published: August 2018

The chapter starts by stating the theoretical stand and proposing a case study: a safe haven in Brazil, Caraça. An interdisciplinary stand puts together environmental, tourism, historical, and other perspectives to understand how religious heritage, nature, and people's perceptions interact and produce meaning. The approach proposes a look at the conservation and tourist use of religious heritage from a perspective of the spirit of the place in which culture and nature are in constant dialogue enabling important debates in the present century.
Analysis of the Contribution of ICT to Cultural and Religious Tourism
Authors: Ramos Célia M. Q. , Mafé-García Ana
Published: August 2018

The rise of new technologies in society have contributed to increase the tourism experience and caused changes in tourist behavior, while contributing to the acquisition of knowledge about the visited spaces, in general, and specifically to the religious tourist. Mobile technology with context-aware applications is relevant to supporting the religious tourist in their decision-making process, which in general includes searching, processing, and using information to solve problems. The methodology involved the development of a questionnaire with the objective of analyzing the influence of the use of personal technology on the religious tourism experience of places and culture in Valencia. The findings indicate that the utilization of ICT has positive implications in the cultural and religious tourism experience, mainly when visiting a cultural point of interest, and has contributed to planning a more successful trip, even contributing to adding value to the travel and to a learning experience associated with the acquisition of cultural knowledge.
Segmenting Pilgrims to Santiago Using the Via de la Plata Route
Authors: Rangel Cristina Rodríguez , Rivero Marcelino Sánchez
Published: August 2018

Religious tourism presents itself as an increasing tourism modality despite the growing secularization of society. There are numerous destinations that are including this tourist modality in their product portfolio for the possibilities of economic development that it offers, both destinations considered mature as well as those others that try to position themselves in the tourist map. Within this product, pilgrimages to places of worship or sacred as the most successful by-product are currently being highlighted, with the Camino de Santiago being a clear example of the success of this modality for its enormous recognition, both nationally and internationally. The present chapter focuses on generating knowledge about the profile of the traveler who pilgrims to Santiago through the Via de la Plata Route in the Extremadura territory, focusing on identifying different profiles of pilgrims based on their tourist spending behavior at destination.
Digital Games
Authors: Alves Lynn Rosalina Gama
Published: August 2018

The chapter aims at socializing the results of the investigation that the Gamebook Guardiões da Floresta (Gamebook Guardians of the Forest) had as an interactive, ludic, and mediator environment for stimulation of executive functions for children 8-12 years of age. The research was of a qualitative nature, characterized as a collaborative process of development and research on children, in the Municipal School Roberto Santos, Salvador, Bahia, having participant observation and sensitive listening as investigative devices. The results point to the necessity of giving feedback to the environment and also the continuity through this second part with neuropsychological evaluation before and after the interaction with the Gamebook in order to strengthen the evidences for this media contribution as a learning environment.
Educational Games Design
Authors: Hamdaoui Nabila , Idrissi Mohammed Khalidi , Bennani Samir
Published: August 2018

Video games are widely and increasingly adopted in the educational field thanks to their inherent engaging, immersive, and adaptive capacities. Yet, one of the greatest problematic in educational games design remains how to create ludic and adaptive experiences without going astray from the targeted learning objectives. In creating adaptive educational games, modeling the learner/player is a prerequisite. This chapter highlights the importance of educational standards in learning content design and proposes an adaptive mechanism “AMEG” based on IMS learning design and artificial intelligence that model learners using game metrics and adapt the gameplay as well as the learning content. As a practical experimentation of the mechanism, MathQuests, an educational game that helps in teaching mathematical operations for first year middle school students was created.
A Serious Game as an Auxiliary Tool for the Learning Process of Children With ASD
Authors: Silva Salatiel Dantas , Neto Francisco Milton Mendes , De Lima Rodrigo Monteiro , Silva Patrício de Alencar , Demoly Karla Rosane Do Amaral , Nogueira da Cruz Ilara
Published: August 2018

This chapter presents the game K-Hunters, a serious game with the purposes of decreasing the isolation time and helping the learning process of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). The game uses geolocation, virtual reality, and augmented reality techniques to provide an environment to hunt and capture virtual monsters, holders of knowledge. These monsters are geographically spread throughout the real world and can be associated to learning objects. Through mobile devices, the users can go out hunting the monsters, capture them, and view their learning object-related content. Thus, the users are encouraged to get out of their isolation, to search for the virtual monsters, to obtain knowledge, as well as being inserted in scenarios favorable to interpersonal interaction.
Hidden Curriculum and School Culture as Postulates of a Better Society
Authors: Jukić Renata
Published: August 2018

When considering the role of school as the most widespread institution among all social organizations, one cannot avoid the question of its educational role in the development of each individual, but also of its function as an instance of transfer of socially desirable values. In following the sociological and pedagogical perspectives, it is necessary to ask oneself which mechanisms within the school enable the adoption of attitudes and building of the value system in children and young people, how much can be systemized, prescribed, and controlled by pedagogical experts and teachers, to what extent they are aware of the entire process, which part of it belongs to intentional education, and which part belongs to the field of the hidden, implicit curriculum, and what the role of the institution (school) culture in the formation of value patterns in the contemporary society is. This chapter explores this hidden curriculum.
Child's Readiness for Compulsory Education in the Context of Research and Development Aimed at Czech Kindergartens
Authors: Šmelová Eva , Rýdl Karel
Published: August 2018

The present review study informs the readers about the development and the concept of school maturity and about research studies performed during the last 10 years at the Faculty of Education, Palacký University in Olomouc. The first part of the study presents an overview of experimental as well as theoretical approaches in the area of starting compulsory education in the context of chronological changes related to psychology, education, and education policy. The second part of the study comprises an overview of research studies and relevant outcomes in the context of preschool curriculum. The present study is based on research conducted at the Faculty of Education, Palacký University under various projects and theses. The third part of the study includes a critical analysis, the purpose of which is to identify positive and negative impacts of current approaches on preschool education. The final part includes recommendations for educational practice in kindergartens. The objective of the paper is to describe the development of the concept of school maturity, which has a significant effect on starting compulsory education and children's attitudes to school and learning. The results presented herein not only highlight the system of assessment of school maturity in the Czech Republic but also the problem areas that need to be addressed in order to achieve the objectives of the preschool curriculum and develop children's key competences. In many European countries, preschool education is being reformed to reflect on the introduction and verification of the preschool curriculum. The results have the potential to open a broad international debate on the issue of preparing children for starting school in the context of the development of their key competences. The present research study is of a mixed design. The basic method is a document content analysis. The analysis was performed from a historical development perspective and included relevant documents, legal acts, and data from previous research studies carried out in the Czech Republic. Based on the resulting data, an overall assessment was performed and practical conclusions for kindergartens formulated. The research was conducted between 2016 and 2017.
Analyzing Teachers' Competencies in Regular Classroom Practice With Gifted Students in Slovenia
Authors: Gabrijelčič Mojca Kukanja , Konrad Sonja Čotar
Published: August 2018

The highest level of educational quality can be achieved with teachers' awareness of their fundamental responsibilities in teaching gifted and talented students, knowing their capacities and characteristics and their different needs. The chapter presents research on teachers' self-assessment of their competencies, efficacy, and attitudes towards gifted students in Slovenia. Such students should have the opportunity to develop their skills not being limited by the class average. A selection of appropriate teaching personnel is needed to accomplish such achievement. The obtained results are presented in relation to three research questions and expose that teachers in Slovenia are usually inadequately informed on working approaches with gifted students; they tend to have low self-esteem in identifying children personal characteristics and commonly choose inappropriate teaching strategies. The study discusses different options that would allow teachers to ensure as best education for the gifted children.
Medical Data Storage and Compression
Authors: Chandran Saravanan
Published: August 2018

This chapter introduces medical imaging devices and its history. Further, the chapter discusses the history of the DICOM image and DICOM standard. The chapter also discusses image acquisition. Moreover, the chapter discusses the various software used for processing DICOM image. The chapter also discusses the limitations of DICOM and other medical image data formats. The basic structure of the DICOM is described in this chapter. Further, various research articles on medical image processing are discussed.
Internet Behind Bars
Authors: Fernandez-Diaz Carmen-Rocio
Published: August 2018

This chapter focuses on the relevance of information and communication technologies (hereinafter, ICTs) as an essential part of the day-to-day life of all societies nowadays. Nevertheless, a means that continue to be behind this reality is the penitentiary area regarding inmates' rights. Introducing ICTs within prison could improve the social reinsertion of persons serving a prison sentence. Deprivation of liberty entails normal contact with the prison subculture and the harmful effects of it, causing in cases of long-term sentences the so-called phenomenon of “prisonization.” This negative effect of imprisonment could be reduced if ICTs were used inside prisons in the different areas where they can have an impact, and which are treated in this research, as (1) access to information and culture, (2) basic and advanced training, (3) employment, (4) communication with the outside world, (5) treatment, or (6) leisure and entertainment. The value that new technologies would add to these areas in prison constitutes a way of humanization of prisons in the twenty-first century.
M-Government and Its Application on Public Service Delivery
Authors: Naidoo Vannie , Nzimakwe Thokozani Ian
Published: August 2018

Technology has taken over every aspect of society. It is only fitting that governments embrace technological changes in society and develop m-government for the technologically savvy people of today's society. A global change that is transforming the government sector is the use of ICTs to improve service delivery. In this chapter, the following themes will be investigated and discussed: e-government, defining mobile government, different perspectives on mobile government, mobile government in developed countries, mobile government in developing countries, benefits and limitations of mobile government, way forward in implementing mobile government, and future research in areas of mobile government.
E-Governance and Corruption Impasse in Nigeria
Authors: Aluko Opeyemi Idowu , Aderinola Gabriel Temitope
Published: August 2018

E-governance is a technological innovation that brings governance to the fore of integrity and accountability. It requires high technological commitment so as to bring the government closer to the people. Corruption on the other hand is a bane to growth and development in any country. E-governance is a corrective measure to corruption which prevents government officials from shady activities due to its transparency nature. The connection between e-governance and corruption is analyzed in this chapter, and Nigeria is selected as a case study in developing countries. The chapter concludes on the premise that e-governance reduces the strength of corruption in any country and more investment is needed to enhance this development.