bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dimensional analyses of frontal posed smile attractiveness in Japanese female patients
Authors: Hata Kyoko , Arai Kazuhito
Published: September 2015

Objective: 

To identify appropriate dimensional items in objective diagnostic analysis for attractiveness of frontal posed smile in Japanese female patients by comparing with the result of human judgments.

Materials and Methods: 

Photographs of frontal posed smiles of 100 Japanese females after orthodontic treatment were evaluated by 20 dental students (10 males and 10 females) using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The photographs were ranked based on the VAS evaluations and the 25 photographs with the highest evaluations were selected as group A, and the 25 photos with the lowest evaluations were designated group B. Then 12 dimensional items of objective analysis selected from a literature review were measured. Means and standard deviations for measurements of the dimensional items were compared between the groups using the unpaired t-test with a significance level of P < .05.

Results: 

Mean values were significantly smaller in group A than in group B for interlabial gap, intervermilion distance, maxillary gingival display, maximum incisor exposure, and lower lip to incisor (P < .05).

Conclusions: 

Significant differences were observed only in the vertical dimension, not in the transverse dimension. Five of the 12 objective diagnostic items were correlated with human judgments of the attractiveness of frontal posed smile in Japanese females after orthodontic treatment.
Placental Villous Vascularity is Decreased in Premature Infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Yallapragada Sushmita G. , Mestan Karen K. , Palac Hannah , Porta Nicolas , Gotteiner Nina , Hamvas Aaron , Grobman William , Ernst Linda M.
Published: September 2015

The development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious complication of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) among infants born at extremely low gestational ages. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia-associated PH is characterized by persistent pulmonary vasoconstriction, progressive right heart dysfunction, and an increased risk of death. We have shown previously that certain placental vascular lesions are associated with BPD-associated PH. Further evaluation of the villous and vascular morphometry of these placentas is warranted. Using digital image analysis (DIA), we compared villous and vascular morphometric parameters of placentas from infants with and without BPD-associated PH. We conducted a case-control study of placentas from 14 infants born at ≤28 weeks' gestational age (GA). Cases with PH ( N = 7) and non-PH controls ( N = 7) were identified using echocardiogram screening at 36 weeks' corrected GA. Central parenchymal sections from each placenta were stained for CD31. Digital image analysis was used to measure vessel and villous capillary number, perimeter, diameter, and area. Mean villous vascularity (number of vessels per villus) was calculated for each patient. Mean vessel and villous number as well as area were similar between the two groups. Villous vascularity was decreased in placentas from infants who ultimately had PH disease compared to non-PH controls (5.5 ± 1.0 vs 7.1 ± 1.6; P < 0.05). Placental villous vascularity is decreased in infants with BPD-associated PH. Further studies should assess whether placental morphometric markers may allow clinicians to better predict BPD and provide earlier and more targeted management.
Hybrid Model for Prediction of Carbon Monoxide and Fine Particulate Matter Concentrations near a Road Intersection
Authors: Wang Zhanyong , He Hong-Di , Lu Feng , Lu Qing-Chang , Peng Zhong-Ren
Published: September 2015

Air quality time series near road intersections consist of complex linear and nonlinear patterns and are difficult to forecast. The backpropagation neural network (BPNN) has been applied for air quality forecasting in urban areas, but it has limited accuracy because of the inability to predict extreme events. This study proposed a novel hybrid model called GAWNN that combines a genetic algorithm and a wavelet neural network to improve forecast accuracy. The proposed model was examined through predicting the carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations near a road intersection. Before the predictions, principal component analysis was adopted to generate principal components as input variables to reduce data complexity and collinearity. Then the GAWNN model and the BPNN model were implemented. The comparative results indicated that GAWNN provided more reliable and accurate predictions of CO and PM2.5 concentrations. The results also showed that GAWNN performed better than BPNN did in the capability of forecasting extreme concentrations. Furthermore, the spatial transferability of the GAWNN model was reasonably good despite a degenerated performance caused by the unavoidable difference between the training and test sites. These findings demonstrate the potential of the application of the proposed model to forecast the fine-scale trend of air pollution in the vicinity of a road intersection.
Developing Vehicle Classification Inputs for Project-Level MOVES Analysis
Authors: Liu Haobing , Xu Yanzhi (Ann) , Rodgers Michael O. , Guensler Randall
Published: September 2015

The motor vehicle emission simulator (MOVES) model is the primary regulatory model for estimating automobile emissions in the United States. The model requires refined input data; otherwise, internal model assumptions that are not necessarily representative of the project being modeled can dominate the outputs. For example, project-level on-road fleet composition is highly dependent on local vehicle use; hence, MOVES default inputs and regional distributions are not likely to apply (and MOVES estimates for project-level analyses are especially sensitive to vehicle source type distribution). Unfortunately, developing project-level source type distributions can be challenging for model users. This research proposes a procedure for developing MOVES vehicle source type distribution inputs that uses the FHWA vehicle classification scheme, Environmental Protection Agency certification data, state registration data, along with on-road license plate and video data. A case study of I-85 near Atlanta, Georgia, is presented to illustrate the importance of distinguishing within light-duty vehicle classes for hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide estimations, and between the single-unit heavy-duty truck (HDT) and combination HDT classes for nitrogen oxide and particulate matter estimation. The analysis suggests that the most important work is to generate on-road distributions of HDTs with respect to single-unit and combination trucks rather than to use regional defaults. The case study results show the need for locally derived vehicle class inputs for MOVES for project-level analysis and calls for an alternative MOVES vehicle class input option that uses regulatory class distributions because the default vehicle class distribution embedded in MOVES may sometimes be unrealistic.
Networkwide Impacts of Vehicle Ecospeed Control in the Vicinity of Traffic Signalized Intersections
Authors: Kamalanathsharma Raj Kishore , Rakha Hesham A. , Yang Hao
Published: September 2015

Ecospeed control is an advanced ecodriving or ecovehicle control algorithm that uses signal phasing and timing information from signalized intersections to generate fuel-optimum vehicle trajectories. The proposed algorithm uses connected vehicles technology to communicate between vehicles and the infrastructure. The research presented in this paper integrates the algorithm with state-of-the-art traffic simulation software, in this case the INTEGRATION software, to develop a tool capable of analyzing and evaluating systemwide impacts. The algorithm uses dynamic programming to generate fuel-efficient vehicle trajectories in the vicinity of traffic signalized intersections by controlling the vehicle variable limiting speed (VLS) to minimize fuel consumption while maintaining safe car-following behavior. Ecospeed control uses constraints upstream and downstream of the intersection to generate a longitudinal VLS function. Multiple simulations for levels of congestion (volume-to-capacity ratios) and levels of market penetration suggest that the average fuel savings per vehicle are in the range of 26% when all vehicles are equipped with such systems. Similarly, the average reduction in total delay reaches 65% within the vicinity of traffic signalized intersections. The results also demonstrate that at levels of market penetration less than 50%, the system does not produce systemwide fuel and delay savings. In addition, the savings are higher for lower levels of traffic congestion.
Analysis of Vehicles' Daily Fuel Consumption Frontiers with Long-Term Controller Area Network Data
Authors: Li Dawei , Miwa Tomio , Morikawa Takayuki
Published: September 2015

The vehicle fuel consumption frontier (VFCF) is the unobserved maximum amount of fuel that an individual private car user is willing to consume for driving. This study incorporated interindividual and intraindividual variations into the modeling of VFCF. Long-term controller area network data collected from private cars during 10 months in Toyota City, Japan, were used. A stochastic frontier model with random parameters was applied as the modeling methodology to deal with the panel data. The data fit of the estimation results demonstrated that models with random coefficients were preferable and had better model fits than the ordinary linear regression models. VFCFs on working days were significantly affected by the departure time of the first trip, temperature, weather, home location, gender, age, and occupation. All explanatory variables, except weather and temperature, also significantly affected VFCFs on holidays. Predictions made with the estimated parameters showed that the expected VFCFs were about double the corresponding actual vehicle fuel consumption expenditures.
Development of the Worldwide Harmonized Test Procedure for Light-Duty Vehicles
Authors: Ciuffo Biagio , Maratta Alessandro , Tutuianu Monica , Anagnostopoulos Konstantinos , Fontaras Georgios , Pavlovic Jelica , Serra Simone , Tsiakmakis Stefanos , Zacharof Nikiforos
Published: September 2015

To assess vehicle performance on criteria compounds, carbon dioxide emissions, and fuel energy consumption, laboratory tests are generally carried out. During these tests, a vehicle is driven on a chassis dynamometer (which simulates the resistances the vehicle encounters during its motion) to follow a predefined test cycle. In addition, all conditions for running a test must strictly adhere to a predefined test procedure. The procedure is necessary to ensure that all tests are carried out in a comparable way, following the requirements set by the relevant legislation. Test results are used to assess vehicle compliance with emissions limits or to evaluate the fuel consumption that will be communicated to customers. Every region in the world follows its own approach in carrying out these types of tests. The variations in approaches have resulted in a series of drawbacks for vehicle manufacturers and regulating authorities, leading to a plethora of different conditions and results. As a step toward the harmonization of the test procedures, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe launched a project in 2009 for the development of a worldwide harmonized light-duty test procedure (WLTP), including a new test cycle. The objective of the study reported here was to provide a brief description of WLTP and outline the plausible pathway for its introduction in European legislation.
Emergence of Electric-Powered Two-Wheelers on Asian Roads
Authors: Velasquez Juan Miguel , Eisenbeiss Katrin
Published: September 2015

Cities in the developing world are experiencing rapid motorization. In Asian cities, the fleets of two-wheelers are growing particularly fast, with electric bikes (e-bikes) driving much of that growth, especially in China, where more than 200 million e-bikes are on the roads. This study aimed to provide elements to further the understanding of the environmental implications of the fast growth of e-bikes by examining their energy efficiency, effect on local air quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. The findings show that e-bikes have a positive environmental performance, with high energy efficiency compared with other transport modes and benefits for public health as a result of zero tailpipe emissions. The findings need to be weighed by the fact that e-bikes have higher accident rates and are a strong competitor for public transport that could threaten the financial sustainability of public transport and reduce its ability to shape the urban form in a more sustainable way.
Fusion of Vehicle Weight and Activity Data for Improved Vehicle Emission Modeling
Authors: Boriboonsomsin Kanok , Wu Guoyuan , Hao Peng , Barth Matthew
Published: September 2015

Vehicle weight is one of several factors that affect vehicle emissions. Vehicle weight is especially important when modeling emissions from heavy-duty trucks (HDTs). The motor vehicle emission simulator (MOVES) model provides a way to account for vehicle weight during the construction of vehicle emissions inventories. To date, vehicle weight has not received much attention, although reliable vehicle weight data have become increasingly available in the past several years with the deployment of weigh-in-motion (WIM) technology. This study developed a method for fusing vehicle weight data from WIM stations and traffic data from vehicle detector stations (VDS) to obtain HDT activity data for input in MOVES as vehicle operating mode distributions. The study identified trucks recorded by a WIM station that were likely to travel over a VDS during a specified time period. The measured weight data of the trucks were fused with the second-by-second speed and acceleration values in truck trajectories that were created based on the knowledge of truck traffic speed at the VDS. The study used freeways in Los Angeles County, California, as a case study. The case study showed that the distributions of vehicle operating mode were quite different between the proposed method and the existing method, which assumed an average weight value for all HDTs in the same class. In the example case illustrated in this paper, the proposed method resulted in 78% higher nitrogen oxide emissions and 30% higher particulate matter emissions than the existing method.
On the Strong Metric Dimension of Cartesian Sum Graphs
Authors: Kuziak Dorota , Yero Ismael G. , Rodríguez-Velázquez Juan A.
Published: September 2015

A vertex w of a connected graph G strongly resolves two vertices u, v ∈ V ( G), if there exists some shortest u – w path containing v or some shortest v – w path containing u. A set S of vertices is a strong metric generator for G if every pair of vertices of G is strongly resolved by some vertex of S. The smallest cardinality of a strong metric generator for G is called the strong metric dimension of G. In this paper we obtain several tight bounds or closed formulae for the strong metric dimension of the Cartesian sum of graphs in terms of the strong metric dimension, clique number or twins-free clique number of its factor graphs.
OPTIMAL OUTCOME SHARING WITH A CONSORTIUM OF CONTRACTORS
Authors: HOSSEINIAN S. Mahdi , CARMICHAEL David G.
Published: September 2015

Where a consortium of contractors is involved, there exist no guidelines in the literature on what the outcome sharing arrangement should be. The paper addresses this shortfall. It derives the optimal outcome sharing arrangement for risk-neutral and risk-averse contractors within the consortium, and between the consortium and a risk-neutral owner. Practitioners were engaged in a designed exercise in order to validate the paper’s propositions. The paper demonstrates that, at the optimum: the proportion of outcome sharing among contractors with the same risk-attitude should reflect the levels of their contributions; the proportion of outcome sharing among contractors with the same level of contribu­tion should be lower for contractors with higher levels of risk aversion; a consortium of risk-neutral contractors should receive or bear any favourable or adverse project outcome respectively; and the proportion of outcome sharing to a con­sortium of risk-averse contractors should reduce, and the fixed component of the consortium fee should increase, when the contractors become more risk-averse or the level of the project outcome uncertainty increases. The paper proposes an original solution to the optimal sharing problem in contracts with a consortium of contractors, thereby contributing to current practices in contracts management.
AN APPROACH FOR MADM PROBLEMS WITH INTERVAL-VALUED INTUITIONISTIC FUZZY SETS BASED ON NONLINEAR FUNCTIONS
Authors: WU Jian , CAO Qingwei , LI Hui
Published: September 2015

This paper investigates an approach for multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problems with interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IVIFNs). To do that, the nonlinear score, accuracy and hesitation functions of IVIFNs are developed based on the normal distribution. The novelty of these nonlinear functions is that they have an additional variance value, which can have more information to rank IVIFNs than Xu and Chen’s score function and Ye’s accuracy function. Based on these nonlinear functions, a ranking method for IVIFNs is proposed. Furthermore, a nonlinearly optimized model is proposed to obtain attribute weights by integrating these nonlinear functions. Then, we develop an approach for interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy MADM programs in which two cases are considered: the attribute weight information is known and particularly known. In the end, we apply the proposed approach to select green supplier.
ON THE ROAD WITH A SMARTPHONE / KELYJE SU IŠMANIUOJU TELEFONU
Authors: Keturakis Saulius
Published: September 2015

This article aims at discussing the changes of modern travel and a traveller, arising from mobile technology. As research suggests, nowadays smartphones are more likely to be worn as garments than carried as tools, therefore mobile technology is distinguished by an unusually intimate relationship with the holder. The article is concerned with the consequences of this relationship, or, to be more precise, with the change in the concept of a digital image, increased confidence in its verisimilitude, altered signs of an authentic relationship with the reality and an illusion of a specific location, paradoxically emphasised by mobile technology. As it turns out, the traveller's attention on the road with a smartphone is focused on himself rather than on the surrounding unseen reality. Santrauka Straipsnyje aptariami keliautojo, kelionės bei su jomis susijusių atminties pavidalų – fotografijos bei teksto – pokyčiai atsiradus mobiliosioms technologijoms. Kaip pastebima, santykis su mobiliosiomis technologijomis yra išskirtinis, jos labiau yra dėvimos kaip drabužiai, nei nešiojamos kaip kokie įrankiai. Šio beveik intymaus ryšio pasekmės pastebimos tiek skaitmeninio atvaizdo transformacijose, tiek kintančiose tikrovės autentiškumo koncepcijose, tiek paradoksaliai akcentuojant mobiliųjų – regis, beviečių – technologijų konkrečią vietą. Straipsnyje daroma išvada, jog mobiliosioms technologijoms tapus savotišku keliaujančiojo partneriu, jo kelionę papildančiu nepaliaujamos komunikacijos dėmeniu, dėmesys nuo supančios tikrovės yra narciziškai perkeliamas į save patį. Reikšminiai žodžiai: kūnas, komunikacija, skaitmeninis atvaizdas, kelionė, vieta, tekstas, keliavimas.
L’impact de l’absence et l’aspect ineffable du protocole
Authors: Oates Steff , Blondel Agnès
Published: September 2015

L’auteur se penche sur un aspect relativement peu étudié de la perte, de la mort et du décès : l’absence. Elle raconte son travail avec plusieurs clients pour lequel elle a eu besoin d’ajouter une variante ou un nouvel élément à son répertoire d’analyse du scénario et des jeux ou encore de recourir à une déconfusion de l’état du moi Enfant. Cette approche, qui nécessite davantage de réceptivité pensive et un accompagnement dénué d’attentes, est particulièrement adaptée aux clients à la recherche de sens dans les lacunes non négligeables de leur éducation. Le présent article remet en question la croyance selon laquelle la personnalité se forme à partir d’injonctions, de contre-injonctions et de messages contraignants en réaction aux autres signifiants. On invitera le lecteur à se demander à quel point ce que nous sommes s’est formé au-delà des paroles ou des actions des autres. On se repenchera sur la théorie de Berne (2005) selon qui le protocole constitue l’essence ou l’atmosphère qui est intégrée au plus profond de notre être.
L’opinion autorisée
Authors: Kotras Baptiste
Published: September 2015

Cet article vise à comprendre comment les spécialistes de l’analyse d’opinion sur le web remédient à l’indétermination sociodémographique généralisée des traces conversationnelles qui constituent leur matériau. En l’absence de toute variable classique, il leur faut en effet trouver des formes collectives alternatives pour incarner et imputer les tendances d’opinion qu’ils analysent. À travers le cas de la société Linkfluence (Paris, France), nous montrons comment est élaboré un paradigme alternatif, fondé sur le concept de « communautés en ligne », par lequel les sites sont catégorisés en fonction de leur profil hypertexte et de leur thématique. Dès lors, la sélection des communautés thématiques liées à un sujet donné donne à voir un nouveau mode d’échantillonnage délibérément asymétrique, où seuls ont la parole les sites mobilisés et influents.
Participation et amélioration des compétences dans des groupes restreints
Authors: Faysse Nicolas , Bouzekraoui Myriam , Errahj Mostafa
Published: September 2015

Les théories de l’apprentissage n’ont que peu étudié une possible différenciation des compétences liées aux modalités de participation de membres de groupes restreints menant une action collectivement. De même, les études sur la participation dans des organisations ont identifié différentes trajectoires possibles d’évolution des modalités de participation au sein de ces organisations, mais n’ont que peu pris en compte le rôle et l’évolution des compétences des membres dans ces trajectoires. La présente étude porte sur cette interaction entre les modalités de participation et l’amélioration des compétences dans deux coopératives féminines au Maroc. Dans une des deux coopératives, les tâches sont nettement séparées entre les membres de base et la présidente, qui s’occupe seule de la gestion du groupe et améliore seule les compétences concernant cette gestion. En revanche, dans la seconde coopérative, les membres s’investissent dans la gestion du groupe et améliorent leurs capacités d’action collective. Dans les deux cas, l’amélioration des compétences des membres contribue à une stabilisation des modalités de participation au sein du groupe, que ce soit dans le sens d’une délégation à un leader ou bien d’une implication de l’ensemble des membres dans la gestion du groupe.
Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (K-PSS-10) in Older Adults
Authors: Hong Gwi-Ryung Son , Kang Hye-Kyung , Oh Eunmi , Park YoungOk , Kim Haesook
Published: September 2015

The purpose of the current study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (K-PSS-10). After translation and back-translation of the original PSS-10, a convenience sample of 342 community-dwelling older adults was recruited from senior community centers. Data were analyzed using factor analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Cronbach's alpha. Using factor analysis with principal axis factoring with oblimin rotation, two factors were extracted. The two-factor solution explained 49.71% of the total variance. Internal consistency values for negative and positive subdomains were 0.87 and 0.71, respectively. Moderate relationships were found between a negative response to stress and depression (
r
= 0.42,
p
< 0.001) and quality of life (
r
= −0.45,
p
< 0.001). A positive response to stress had moderate significant correlations with depression (
r
= 0.30,
p
< 0.001) and quality of life (
r
= −0.36,
p
< 0.001). Overall, the K-PSS-10 had good reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.75. The K-PSS-10 demonstrated the desired psychometric properties and was easy to use to assess the stress of community-dwelling older adults in Korea.

[Res Gerontol Nurs. 2016; 9(1):45–51.]
Detection Probabilities of Electrofishing, Hoop Nets, and Benthic Trawls for Fishes in Two Western North American Rivers
Authors: Smith Christopher D. , Quist Michael C. , Hardy Ryan S.
Published: September 2015

Research comparing different sampling techniques helps improve the efficiency and efficacy of sampling efforts. We compared the effectiveness of three sampling techniques (small-mesh hoop nets, benthic trawls, boat-mounted electrofishing) for 30 species in the Green (WY, USA) and Kootenai (ID, USA) rivers by estimating conditional detection probabilities (probability of detecting a species given its presence at a site). Electrofishing had the highest detection probabilities (generally greater than 0.60) for most species (88%), but hoop nets also had high detectability for several taxa (e.g., adult burbot Lota lota, juvenile northern pikeminnow Ptychocheilus oregonensis). Benthic trawls had low detection probabilities (<0.05) for most taxa (84%). Gear-specific effects were present for most species indicating large differences in gear effectiveness among techniques. In addition to gear effects, habitat characteristics also influenced detectability of fishes. Most species-specific habitat relationships were idiosyncratic and reflected the ecology of the species. Overall findings of our study indicate that boat-mounted electrofishing and hoop nets are the most effective techniques for sampling fish assemblages in large, coldwater rivers.
Gamification and Health Literacy
Authors: Faddoul Badia
Published: September 2015

The growing body of knowledge on the effectiveness and usability of digital games in delivering health information to consumers reveals that the academic attention toward gaming has increased. An overabundance of health information for consumers is often very daunting. Healthcare workers need resources that focus on health literacy, and consumers demand easy to comprehend information in a user friendly format. This chapter explores how gamification as a mode of information exchange could provide answers to the health literacy issue and demonstrates how games can potentially be a natural platform to deliver information to consumers.
Gamification in Rehabilitation
Authors: Proffitt Rachel
Published: September 2015

Rehabilitation is complex. It involves an ever-changing interaction of the rehabilitation patient with different clinical environments and healthcare providers. Gamification for rehabilitation goes beyond simply creating a “fun” and “exciting” application or environment in which to complete rehabilitation exercises and interventions. A delicate balance of the demands of the task and the patient's abilities must be achieved. High-cost and commercially available systems are limited in their applications to gamification for rehabilitation. Furthermore, the created game and system must be usable across treatment settings and at different phases in the recovery process. Insurance companies are also requiring more data from rehabilitation therapists and therapists have minimal time to be able to learn and use a game. Pairing low-cost devices with customized games will allow for better “fit” with each patient, provide appropriate data to therapists and insurance companies, and eventually lead to effective games for rehabilitation.
The Effects of Active Videogames on BMI among Young People
Authors: van ‘t Riet Jonathan , Alblas Eva , Crutzen Rik , Lu Amy Shirong
Published: September 2015

The objective of this chapter is a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to quantify the effectiveness of active videogames (AVGs) as obesity prevention interventions aimed at children and adolescents. The method is studies were included that focused on children or adolescents (=18 years), assessed BMI as the outcome measure, used one or more AVGs as intervention, employed a controlled experimental design, used BMI as an outcome measure, enrolled participants up to and including 18 years of age, and comprised original studies. Employing these inclusion criteria, nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results are active videogames had a small to medium-sized and significant average effect on children and adolescents: Hedges' g = 0.38 (95% CI: 0.00 - 0.77). Heterogeneity was substantial (I2 = .91) but neither participants' weight status, nor sample size, intervention duration or dropout moderated the effect of AVGs. The conclusion of this chapter is the results of this meta-analysis provide preliminary evidence that active videogames can decrease BMI among children/adolescents.
Muscle Activation during Exergame Playing
Authors: Soltani Pooya , Vilas-Boas João Paulo
Published: September 2015

Exergames may provide low-cost solutions for playing, training and rehabilitation. Exergame user research, studies the interaction between an exergame and users, in order to provide feedback for game developers and safe and meaningful game play. Detailed evaluations and a coding system based on muscle activation levels are necessary to characterize. This is important when it comes to use exergames in purposes other than fun. The purpose of this chapter was to characterize the muscle activation during a swimming exergame and to compare the level of activation during different conditions. Healthy subjects played bouts of exergame using Xbox360 and Kinect. Muscle activation was monitored for desired muscles on dominant upper limb using wireless electromyography system. An investigation of muscular coordination was also conducted to provide activation sequences of studied muscles. Preliminary results showed that upper trapezius was the most active muscle in all techniques. Results can provide insights for practitioners to have a baseline on application of exergames in their routines.
Choices in Gamification of Therapy for PTSD
Authors: Thomsen Dan , Rye Jeffrey M. , Ott Tammy
Published: September 2015

Effective treatments for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) already exist in the form of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure therapy (PE). However, common symptoms of PTSD, like depression and avoidance, make finding and engaging patients in these treatments difficult. We have designed SAGA, an online game to help veterans suffering from PTSD. SAGA works to illustrate and educate players about effective therapy so they can successfully engage in evidence-based treatment. SAGA allows players to create and repeatedly edit stories to illustrate how exposure therapy works. This chapter presents the game design choices made to motivate and engage players with PTSD and reports the results of a small pilot study. We also present the design of our upcoming clinical trial, which will determine SAGA's effectiveness in changing attitudes toward evidence based PTSD therapy.
Supporting Active and Healthy Aging with Advanced Robotics Integrated in Smart Environment
Authors: Esposito Raffaele , Fiorini Laura , Limosani Raffaele , Bonaccorsi Manuele , Manzi Alessandro , Cavallo Filippo , Dario Paolo
Published: September 2015

The technological advances in the robotic and ICT fields represent an effective solution to address specific societal problems to support ageing and independent life. One of the key factors for these technologies is the integration of service robotics for optimising social services and improving quality of life of the elderly population. This chapter aims to underline the barriers of the state of the art, furthermore the authors present their concrete experiences to overcome these barriers gained at the RoboTown Living Lab of Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna within past and current projects. They analyse and discuss the results in order to give recommendations based on their experiences. Furthermore, this work highlights the trend of development from stand-alone solutions to cloud computing architecture, describing the future research directions.
Elderly Monitoring and AAL for Independent Living at Home
Authors: Veronese Fabio , Saidinejad Hassan , Comai Sara , Salice Fabio
Published: September 2015

The population ageing is inevitably going to change the society and the elderly living dynamics. Optimization of resources, independent living and enhancement of elderly's social, working, and physical activities are the key aspects of this changing. The current paradigm is Ambient Assisted Living (AAL), where the elderly person is enabled to live an independent and high-quality life by empowering the ambient around him/her. Home Automation can provide a two-way contribution: it represents an opportunity to help overcoming difficulties; while its pervasive instrumentation provides precious information. Being aware of the elderly's activities has several applications: for the families, reassuring them about their beloved's safety, for the caregivers, enabling them to provide prompt interventions. To highlight this aspect, it is possible to refer to AAML: Ambient Assisted and Monitored Living. This chapter introduces the design procedure of AAML systems, and their main challenges: user's needs centrality, data visualization and dependability.
ICT-Enabled Communication Tools for the Elderly
Authors: Saidinejad Hassan , Veronese Fabio , Comai Sara , Salice Fabio
Published: September 2015

Elderly population is growing all over the globe. Social life (social contact, social support, social participation) and communication are important factors for ageing well. Research has shown the potential benefit of ICT-enabled communication tools and social networks for the elderly. The number of elderly people appearing on social networks is increasing. However, not all the available tools are effective for the elderly users. In this chapter, authors propose a communication model for the elderly. Focusing mainly on the locality of the users, a social communication tool for the elderly is proposed which is built around six main features: proximity, proactivity, less content more contact, visual map-based interface, gamification of support, and personal assistant.
Empowering Patients in Self-Management of Parkinson's Disease through Cooperative ICT Systems
Authors: Rovini Erika , Esposito Dario , Maremmani Carlo , Bongioanni Paolo , Cavallo Filippo
Published: September 2015

The objective of this chapter is to demonstrate the technical feasibility and medical effectiveness of personalised services and care programmes for Parkinson's disease, based on the combination of mHealth applications, cooperative ICTs, cloud technologies and wearable integrated devices, which empower patients to manage their health and disease in cooperation with their formal and informal caregivers, and with professional medical staff across different care settings, such as hospital and home. The presented service revolves around the use of two wearable inertial sensors, i.e. SensFoot and SensHand, for measuring foot and hand performance in the MDS-UPDRS III motor exercises. The devices were tested in medical settings with eight patients, eight hyposmic subjects and eight healthy controls, and the results demonstrated that this approach allows quantitative metrics for objective evaluation to be measured, in order to identify pre-motor/pre-clinical diagnosis and to provide a complete service of tele-health with remote control provided by cloud technologies.
Ventricular Assist Device and Its Necessity for Elderly Population
Authors: Arefin Md. Shamsul , Awad Nasser K. , Rathore Chandra Prakash , Shukla Anupam , Morsi Yosry S.
Published: September 2015

Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) is considered to be the part and parcel to those people who have cardiac complications or heart failure especially the aged patients. Although VADs have contributed remarkably for the past few years, yet these devices possess some limitations, mainly the driveline infections. Due to these conditions, researchers are aiming to improve its functionality as well as other necessary/additional features and hence there is a need to develop the ‘next generation' wireless VAD system which could be very effective to reduce the risk of this infection. In this chapter, the necessity of the VAD and different kinds of VADs are presented and discussed. These features incorporate hemodynamic states after receiving the VADs, selection of biomaterials for the VAD system, VAD pumps and its classifications. Finally, a brief discussion is also provided based on the recent advancement of the VAD system and the scope for the future research.
Hempcrete - Cement Composite with Natural Fibres
Authors: Mikulica Karel , Hela Rudolf
Published: September 2015

The paper describes use of hemp boon as a natural organic filler for building materials, especially concrete designed as heat - insulating filler material around the load-bearing structure of wooden buildings. In constructions, hemp has been used in the form of mats made of hemp fiber, with the addition of bonding bicomponent fibers and soda solution for protection against burning and rots. Mats are formed by pneumatic fleece, they are subsequently thermally treated and then cut to the desired dimensions. Calcium-hemp building material is a revolutionary construction and thermal insulating material which can be used for building the entire building, bricks or other insulation are not necessary. The trend is spreading across Europe from France, where the mixture of boon and lime was used in the 16th and 17th centuries for the construction of timber-framed houses. Although there are hundreds of buildings made from hempcrete in Europe, its use in our country develops very slowly. Concrete is a mixture of hemp boon, lime hydrate, cement and water. It is a recyclable material that offers high thermal and sound insulation. The biggest advantage is undoubtedly the speed of construction, namely hemp concrete hardens very quickly.
Influence of Binder and Filler Modification of Composite Materials for Extreme Conditions on Development in Time Parameters
Authors: Melichar Tomáš , Bydžovský Jiří , Dufka Ámos
Published: September 2015

The article presents results of the research focused on study of time development of composite material resistance to extreme exposition conditions. The tested materials were modified either in matrix respect (mixing binder) and aggregate item as well by alternative raw materials (lightweight aggregates). The emphasis was placed on evaluation of resistance at exposition in 28, 45 and 90-day extreme conditions ambient when the specimens were stored under standard conditions. Mortars were exposed in ambient with temperature up to 1000 °C and subsequently cooled under control in furnaces.
Sintered Artificial Aggregate with New Correction Raw Materials
Authors: Černý Vit
Published: September 2015

Combustion of coal creates a high amount of by-products in heat power plants. The largest share occupies fly ash as solid mineral residuals. Global pressure grows currently for the use of energy by-products. Utilization as a raw material for production of artificial sintered aggregate is one of the ways to make optimal use of even low-quality fly ash. Environmental and economic reasons lead currently to trying to upgrade the technology, which will fully use of the principle of self-sintering process based on content of combustible substances.The amount of combustible substances is today increasing by coal as a primary and finite resource. There is also best way for utilization of industrial wastes that contain a suitable share of combustible substances for ensure the smooth running of sintering.The paper deals with laboratory verification of selected industrial wastes as a correction component in the sintered aggregate production technology. As an alternative raw materials were selected coal tailings, sludge from paper industry, sludge from waste water treatment plant and fly ash from municipal waste incineration plant. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of corrective components to the quality of the resulting sintered aggregates.
A Methodology for Evaluation of Shockwave Absorption by Blast Energy-Absorption Materials
Authors: Koutný Ondřej , Krátký Josef , Popovič Miloslav , Drdlová Martina
Published: September 2015

This article presents a new direct testing method and device for evaluation of response of blast-absorption materials against direct blast wave and its ability to absorb energy generated during this type of loading. This is a second step of characterization of blast energy absorption materials which take place after standard and most common characterization using Split-Hopkinson pressure bar. The principle of the method is an assessment of longitudinal stress process in standard rod after the explosion of testing blast charge. Stress amplitude reduction in standard rod caused due to energy-absorption of sample material will directly lead to absorption capability of tested sample material.
Multichannel Laboratory Device for Measurement of Smart Concrete Material Properties
Authors: Machan Ladislav , Steffan Pavel
Published: September 2015

This article deals with the measurement system and the use of special cement composites with carbon particulates. The type of carbon particulates consequently determines the electrical properties of cement composite material. These materials can be used for electric heating, electromagnetic shielding or stress measurement. Strain properties can be used to measure the deformation of concrete structures (bridges, beams, pillars) or for weighing-in-motion of road vehicles. This article describes novel laboratory equipment which is designed for multichannel dynamic and long-period material stability measurements.
The Application of NUS Method for Concrete-Covered Steel Corrosion Monitoring
Authors: Matysík Michal , Timcakova Kristýna
Published: September 2015

The corrosion of steel elements in reinforced concrete can cause considerable damage to civil engineering structures. Early detection of corrosion is therefore very important. Steel in concrete is protected if the concrete pH is higher than 9.6. Carbonated concrete, unfortunately, has a lower pH and this causes that the unprotected steel reinforcement begins to corrode. Nonlinear ultrasonic spectroscopy (NUS) methods shows potential to be very reliable to identify the structure defects in a wide range of materials. These methods are based on the fact that crack-induced nonlinearity makes a sensitive material impairment indicator. This paper describes the ability of one of NUS methods for monitoring steel corrosion in reinforced concrete. It studies nonlinear interaction between elastic waves and structural defects caused by corrosion of steel in concrete. For research we used concrete beams with ten millimetres thick steel rods. These beams were exposed to accelerated degradation by chlorides. The paper presents the initial results of our research.
Influence of Water Content on Fundamental Frequency of Mortar Sample
Authors: Carbol Ladislav , Martinek Jan , Kusák Ivo
Published: September 2015

Ultrasonic non-destructive testing methods such as Impact-echo are often conducted under different conditions. Such results might be distorted by ambient temperature or by water content of the tested sample. Tested mortar sample displayed shift of the fundamental frequency by 3.7 %. This article confirms necessity of standardized conditions during ultrasonic testing for both laboratory and in-situ testing.
Mechanism of Immobilization of Toxic Elements in Special Binders
Authors: Staněk Theodor , Sulovský Petr
Published: September 2015

The paper deals with development of cementitious binders that would be able to efficiently immobilize toxic elements contained in various types of wastes. The basic component of the proposed binders are clinkers with phosphorus incorporated into the structure of clinker silicates, mixtures of cement with ash containing hydroxylapatite and belite-rich clinkers activated with sulfate anions. The prepared binders were mixed with water doped with various toxic elements; after a defined period of cement stone hydration the test beams were subjected to long-term testing of leachability of individual toxic elements. The research methods involved besides leaching tests also optical and electron microscopy.
Impact-Echo Method for Non-Destructive Testing of High-Temperature-Degraded Cement-Based Composite
Authors: Štefková Daniela , Timcakova Kristýna , Chobola Zdeněk
Published: September 2015

Non-destructive acoustic analysis method Impact-echo method as a traditional method for civil engineering was used for this experiment. The paper deals with the applicability of Impactecho acoustic method to testing of cement-based composites prepared from a mix of cement mortar and quartz sand, which were intentionally degraded by high-temperature treatment (in the temperatures range from 200°C to 1200°C). The aim of this paper is introduce the effect of high-temperature degradation. An understanding of microstructure performance relationships is the key to true understanding of material behaviors. The results of non-destructive testing confirmed the different structure of mortar specimens. The subjected to high-temperatures led to absorption of lower frequencies as compared to the reference specimens. A significant decrease of the absorbed frequencies was observed, depending on temperature. The largest decrease occurred after the specimens exposure at 400-600 °C. The effect of heat exposure to the decrease of frequencies was mitigated to the temperature degradation 1200 °C.
Mechanical Fracture Properties of Cement Mortars with Diatomite in Relation to their Microstructure
Authors: Rovnaníková Pavla , Šimonová Hana , Schmid Pavel , Zahálková Jana , Bayer Patrik , Havlíková Ivana , Keršner Zbyněk
Published: September 2015

The paper is focused on the mechanical fracture properties of hardened cement mortars in which Portland cement is partially replaced by reactive admixtures. These properties are evaluated in relation to the mortars’ microstructure through the size and content of pores. The cement in the mortars was partially replaced by a diatomite that contains amorphous SiO2. The three-point bending fracture tests were performed on beams with a central edge notch. The investigated mechanical fracture properties of the aforementioned cement-based composites included flexural strength, compressive strength, elasticity modulus, effective fracture toughness and specific fracture energy.
Cementitious Composites in Severe Environmental Conditions - Dynamic Loading
Authors: Rehacek Stanislav , Simunek Ivo , Citek David , Kolisko Jiří
Published: September 2015

Structure and properties of cement composite are time-varying characteristics, depending among others on environmental conditions. The key idea of the project is a struggle for complex research of joint effect of physical, chemical and dynamic loads on the internal structure [8] of cement composite and understanding the correlation between changes in microstructure and macro-scale properties [5]. During the experimental program, specimens will be exposed to combined influence of freeze-thaw cycles [9], aggressive chemical agents and dynamic loading [7]. The aim is to create a theoretical basis for design of effective cement composites meant to be used in severe environmental conditions. Results of first dynamic load tests carried out on prismatic specimens (100x100x400 mm) are presented in this paper. The results are supplemented by ultrasonic measurement.