bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Suitable Areas for Home Gardens for Irrigation Potential, Water Availability, and Water-Lifting Technologies
Authors: Assefa Tewodros , Jha Manoj , Reyes Manuel , Srinivasan Raghavan , Worqlul Abeyou
Published: April 2018

The study was conducted in Lake Tana Basin of Ethiopia to assess potentially irrigable areas for home gardens, water availability, and feasibility of water-lifting technologies. A GIS-based Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) technique was applied to access the potential of surface and groundwater sources for irrigation. The factors affecting irrigation practice were identified and feasibility of water-lifting technologies was evaluated. Pairwise method and expert’s opinion were used to assign weights for each factor. The result showed that about 345,000 ha and 135,000 ha of land were found suitable for irrigation from the surface and groundwater sources, respectively. The rivers could address about 1–1.2% of the irrigable land during dry season without water storage structure whereas groundwater could address about 2.2–2.4% of the irrigable land, both using conventional irrigation techniques. If the seven major dams within the basin were considered, surface water potential would be increased and satisfy about 21% of the irrigable land. If rainwater harvesting techniques were used, about 76% of the basin would be suitable for irrigation. The potential of surface and groundwater was evaluated with respect to water requirements of dominant crops in the region. On the other hand, rope pump and deep well piston hand pump were found with relatively the most (26%) and the least (9%) applicable low-cost water-lifting technologies in the basin.
What GPs mean by 'spirituality' and how they apply this concept with patients: a qualitative study
Authors: Appleby Alistair , Swinton John , Wilson Philip
Published: April 2018

Background

Little is known about how the concept of spirituality is understood and applied by GPs.

Aim

To provide a detailed description of how GPs understand the concept of spirituality and apply this with patients.

Design & setting

Nineteen Scottish GPs were interviewed about their perceptions of the concept of spirituality and how they apply this in practice.

Method

An approach informed by grounded theory was used to identify and summarise common themes.

Results

Seven concepts concerning spirituality emerged, some of which are previously unrecognised. Four attitudes to spiritual care and four patterns of spiritual care were identified.

Conclusion

GPs have varying views on what spirituality is, and these relate partly to individual beliefs and experiences. These create considerable variation in the delivery of spiritual care.
A novel copper precursor for electron beam induced deposition
Authors: Haverkamp Caspar , Sarau George , Polyakov Mikhail N , Utke Ivo , Puydinger dos Santos Marcos V , Christiansen Silke , Höflich Katja
Published: April 2018

A fluorine free copper precursor, Cu(tbaoac)2 with the chemical sum formula CuC16O6H26 is introduced for focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID). FEBID with 15 keV and 7 nA results in deposits with an atomic composition of Cu:O:C of approximately 1:1:2. Transmission electron microscopy proved that pure copper nanocrystals with sizes of up to around 15 nm were dispersed inside the carbonaceous matrix. Raman investigations revealed a high degree of amorphization of the carbonaceous matrix and showed hints for partial copper oxidation taking place selectively on the surfaces of the deposits. Optical transmission/reflection measurements of deposited pads showed a dielectric behavior of the material in the optical spectral range. The general behavior of the permittivity could be described by applying the Maxwell–Garnett mixing model to amorphous carbon and copper. The dielectric function measured from deposited pads was used to simulate the optical response of tip arrays fabricated out of the same precursor and showed good agreement with measurements. This paves the way for future plasmonic applications with copper-FEBID.
Discovering the factivity of "know"
Authors: Dudley Rachel , Rowe Meredith , Hacquard Valentine , Lidz Jeffrey
Published: April 2018

How do children discover which linguistic expressions are associated with presuppositions? Do they take a direct strategy of tracking whether linguistic expressions are associated with particular speaker presuppositions? This strategy may fail children who are trying to learn about the presuppositions of so-called 'soft' presupposition triggers, which can be readily used even when the relevant would-be presupposed content is not part of the common ground. We present a corpus study with the soft trigger "know" and the related, but non-presuppositional "think". We find that a direct learning strategy would indeed run into problems for such a soft trigger given the nature and availability of evidence in children's linguistic input.
Attitude reports with and without true belief
Authors: Ozyildiz Deniz
Published: April 2018

In Turkish, attitude verbs or embedded clauses cannot be identified as factive presupposition triggers. Yet, the presupposition s observed when certain verbs embed nominalized clauses. I propose to derive the inference globally in the composition, rather than encoding it as a lexical property of certain "triggers."
Attributive uses of 'many'
Authors: Romero Maribel
Published: April 2018

In contrast to its determiner-like use, the attributive use of many has received little attention in the literature. The present paper narrows down the gap. First, just like ordinary superlative/positive adjectives and determiner-like many have received a unified account, a unified analysis is developed for reconstructed superlative/positive adjectives and reconstructed attributive many. In addition to the LFs independently motivated for reconstructed superlatives (Bhatt 2002; Hulsey & Sauerland 2006), an exhaustivity operator will be called for (cf. Chierchia, Fox & Spector (2012)), leading to nested foci. Second, the entire palette of readings attested for determiner-like many –cardinal vs. proportional, host-external vs. host-internal– will be shown to obtain for attributive many.
Singular count NPs in measure constructions
Authors: Filip Hana , Sutton Peter
Published: April 2018

Count Ns like fence, wall or twig notoriously pose problems for the semantic analysis of the mass/count distinction, given that they exhibit grammatical count behavior, thus patterning with bona fide count Ns like cat, but unlike the latter, fail to denote quantized predicates (in Krifka’s (1989) original sense); at the same time, they do not denote cumulative predicates, unlike mass Ns, such as mud or water. This puzzling class of count Ns has another intriguing property, so far largely neglected in contemporary mass/count debates in formal semantics: most of its members felicitously occur in pseudo-partitive (measure) NP constructions. Take, for instance, wall, as in Thick woolen drapes of red and gold covered every inch of wall (COCA). We argue that count Ns like fence, wall or twig fail to denote quantized predicates, because they admit of multiple overlapping individuation schemas with respect to what counts as ‘one’. In a nutshell, (i) fence, like cat, but unlike mud is quantized at specific counting contexts (and so grammatically count), (ii) fence, like mud, but unlike cat is non-quantized at the null counting context (the union of interpretations across all specific counting contexts), which make them felicitous in pseudo-partitive (measure) NPs.
Hyperactivity and Dust Composition of Comet 103P/Hartley 2 During the EPOXI Encounter
Authors: Harker David E. , Woodward Charles E. , Kelley Michael S. P. , Wooden Diane H.
Published: April 2018

Short-period comet 103P/Hartley 2 (103P) was the flyby target of the Deep Impact eXtended Investigation on 2010 November 4 UT. This comet has a small hyperactive nucleus, i.e., it has a high water production rate for its surface area. The underlying cause of the hyperactivity is unknown; the relative abundances of volatiles in the coma of 103P are not unusual. However, the dust properties of this comet have not been fully explored. We present four epochs of mid-infrared spectra and images of comet 103P observed from Gemini-South +T-ReCS on 2010 November 5, 7, 21 and December 13 UT, near and after the spacecraft encounter. Comet 103P exhibited a weak 10 μm emission feature ≃1.14 ± 0.01 above the underlying local 10 μm continuum. Thermal dust grain modeling of the spectra shows the grain composition (mineralogy) was dominated by amorphous carbon and amorphous pyroxene with evidence for Mg-rich crystalline olivine. The grain size has a peak grain radius range of a
peak ∼ 0.5–0.9 μm. On average, the crystalline silicate mass fraction is ≃0.24, fairly typical of other short-period comets. In contrast, the silicate-to-carbon ratio of ≃0.48–0.64 is lower compared to other short-period comets, which indicates that the flux measured in the 10 μm region of 103P was dominated by amorphous carbon grains. We conclude that the hyperactivity in comet 103P is not revealing dust properties similar to the small grains seen with the Deep Impact experiment on comet 9P/Tempel 1 or from comet C/1995 O1 (Hale–Bopp).
Study of Three-dimensional Magnetic Structure and the Successive Eruptive Nature of Active Region 12371
Authors: Vemareddy P. , Demóulin P.
Published: April 2018

We study the magnetic structure of a successively erupting sigmoid in active region 12371 by modeling the quasi-static coronal field evolution with nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) equilibria. Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager/Solar Dynamic Observatory vector magnetograms are used as input to the NLFFF model. In all eruption events, the modeled structure resembles the observed pre-eruptive coronal sigmoid and the NLFFF core field is a combination of double inverse-J-shaped and inverse-S field lines with dips touching the photosphere. Such field lines are formed by the flux cancellation reconnection of opposite-J field lines at bald-patch locations, which in turn implies the formation of a weakly twisted flux-rope (FR) from large-scale sheared arcade field lines. Later on, this FR undergoes coronal tether-cutting reconnection until a coronal mass ejection is triggered. The modeled structure captured these major features of sigmoid-to-arcade-to-sigmoid transformation, which is reoccuring under continuous photospheric flux motions. Calculations of the field line twist reveal a fractional increase followed by a decrease of the number of pixels having a range of twist. This traces the buildup process of a twisted core field by slow photospheric motions and the relaxation after eruption, respectively. Our study infers that the large eruptivity of this AR is due to a steep decrease of the background coronal field meeting the torus instability criteria at a low height (≈40 Mm) in contrast to noneruptive ARs.
Interstellar Ices and Radiation-induced Oxidations of Alcohols
Authors: Hudson R. L. , Moore M. H.
Published: April 2018

Infrared spectra of ices containing alcohols that are known or potential interstellar molecules are examined before and after irradiation with 1 MeV protons at ∼20 K. The low-temperature oxidation (hydrogen loss) of six alcohols is followed, and conclusions are drawn based on the results. The formation of reaction products is discussed in terms of the literature on the radiation chemistry of alcohols and a systematic variation in their structures. The results from these new laboratory measurements are then applied to a recent study of propargyl alcohol. Connections are drawn between known interstellar molecules, and several new reaction products in interstellar ices are predicted.
Des territoires et des cartes : ce que cartographier veut dire…
Authors: Rekacewicz Philippe , Taïbi Nadia
Published: April 2018

Depuis le début des années 2000, et dans le désordre, émerge une pratique cartographique qui se dit « radicale » (on parle aussi de « cartographie critique » ou de « contre-cartographie »), riche combinaison revendiquée d’art, de sciences, de géographie, de politique et de militantisme social. En filigrane apparaît l’idée complexe de « cartographie radicale » : représenter le monde est affirmer des valeurs, en dire quelque chose. Pour Philippe Rekacewicz les cartes doivent rendre lisibles les injustices, condition nécessaire et première à la lutte !
Le wwoof(ing) : un territoire du travail dénié
Authors: Erbs Laurent
Published: April 2018

Le wwoofing revendique un espace ouvert, externe au monde du travail et basé sur la gratuité. Un fermier héberge un volontaire en échange de ses services. Le rapport social à la source de cette relation interroge car les promoteurs du wwoof lui dénient son intégration à un procès de travail. Ce point de vue contredit la nature des faits. En effet, ces derniers révèlent une économie fondée sur le régime de la dette. Son mécanisme est à l’image d’un système féodal, porteur d’un sous-prolétariat agricole.
Les institutions de la nature. Un potentiel de recherche sociologique à développer
Authors: Mauz Isabelle , Cosson Arnaud
Published: April 2018

Résumé Les institutions chargées de gérer et de conserver la nature expriment une demande croissante de sociologie. Les sociologues peuvent s'y impliquer en participant à leurs conseils scientifiques et en réalisant des études et des recherches. Ils permettent aux institutions de la nature de se familiariser avec la discipline, d'augmenter leur réflexivité sur leurs pratiques et de développer des approches inter- et transdisciplinaires. Leur rôle peut aller de l'accompagnement pour favoriser les réformes en cours à une analyse critique des discours et des logiques qui sous-tendent la transition écologique. Développer ce potentiel de recherche sociologique passe par des changements au niveau des institutions et par une explicitation et une mise en débat du rôle des sociologues.
A Grounded Theory Investigation Into Sophomore Students' Recall of Depression During Their Freshman Year in College: A Pilot Study
Authors: Brandy Julie M. , Kessler Theresa A. , Grabarek Christina H.
Published: April 2018

Using a grounded theory approach, the current descriptive qualitative design was conducted with sophomore students to understand the meaning participants gave their freshman experiences with depression. Twelve participants were recruited using scripted class announcements across campus. After informed consent, interviews began with the question: What was the experience of your freshman year in college? All interviews were completed with the primary investigator and transcribed verbatim. Interviews were analyzed using constant comparative methodology. Data collection continued until saturation was achieved. Four major categories emerged, including the category of symptoms and emotions. This category included the subcategories expressions of stress, changes in eating habits, sleep issues, and procrastination. Descriptive examples of each were found throughout the interview data. With greater understanding of living with depression as a college freshman, health care and college student affairs professionals will have additional evidence to guide their practices. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 56
(9),44–50.]
Chronic Stress, Social Isolation, and Perceived Loneliness in Dementia Caregivers
Authors: Kovaleva Mariya , Spangler Sydney , Clevenger Carolyn , Hepburn Kenneth
Published: April 2018

Caregivers of individuals with dementia are at risk for chronic stress and social isolation. These exogenous factors may lead to perceived stress and perceived loneliness—psychosocial endogenous (subjective) elements of caregiving experience. Chronic stress and perceived loneliness may disrupt neuroendocrine and neuroimmunological regulation, creating low-grade systemic inflammation, promoting proinflammatory gene expression, and expediting cellular aging (endogenous physiological factors). These disturbances may enhance caregivers' risk for chronic conditions of inflammatory pathogenesis. Thus, caregivers' perceived stress and perceived loneliness may form a symptom cluster that can serve as a marker of risks for physical and mental illness. Due to the overwhelming reliance on family caregivers within the increasing population of individuals with dementia, it is essential that clinicians inquire about caregivers' perceived stress and perceived loneliness, are competent in supporting and educating caregivers, and are knowledgeable about specific resources for caregivers. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 56
(10), 36–43.]
General Movements: A Behavioral Biomarker of Later Motor and Cognitive Dysfunction in NICU Graduates
Authors: Peyton Colleen , Einspieler Christa
Published: April 2018

Infants who have graduated from a neonatal intensive care unit require close follow-up because they have a greater chance of experiencing later motor and cognitive difficulties; however, these difficulties are often challenging to identify at an early age. The General Movement Assessment is a low-cost and highly reliable tool that can indicate abnormal neurological development in young high-risk infants, but it has not yet been widely implemented in the United States. In this review, we discuss the literature about the use of the General Movement Assessment in high-risk infants and how to implement the tool in a clinical setting.

[
Pediatr Ann.
2018;47(4):e159–e164.]
Isothermal water vapour permeability of concrete with different supplementary cementitious materials
Authors: Alderete N. , Villagrán Zaccardi Y. A. , Di Maio A. A. , De Belie N.
Published: April 2018

Water vapour permeability (WVP) is a key parameter for the sustainable thermal conditioning of buildings. The study of the WVP in concrete with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) allows for the design of structures with improved durability and sustainability. To our knowledge, there is insufficient experimental data in the literature regarding the WVP of concrete with SCMs.

WVP tests were made on concrete mixes containing ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) and limestone powder (LP) as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement, and of concrete mixes containing pozzolanic cement (NP). Results from three moisture gradients show that GGBFS induces the greatest reduction in WVP, followed by the NP. LP shows a diluting effect of the binder, which could be compensated by GGBFS in the ternary blend. From the comparison between the WVP and the capillary sorption rate, the influence of the SCMs on the connectivity of the smallest pores is assessed.
A composite cement of high magnesium sulphate resistance
Authors: Allahverdi A. , Akhondi M. , Mahinroosta M.
Published: April 2018

This study investigates the magnesium sulphate resistance of chemically activated phosphorus slag-based composite cement (CAPSCC). Enough mortar specimens were prepared from phosphorus slag (80 wt.%), type II Portland cement (14 wt.%), and compound chemical activator (6 wt.%) and were exposed to 5% magnesium sulphate solution after being cured. Mortar specimens of both type II and V Portland cements (PC2 and PC5) were also prepared and used for comparison purpose. According to the test results, after 12 months of exposure, PC2, PC5 and CAPSCC exhibited 43.5, 35.2 and 25.2% reduction in compressive strength, 0.136, 0.110, and 0.026% expansion in length, and 0.91, 2.2, and 1.78% change in weight, respectively. Complementary studies by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy revealed that CAPSCC has a very low potential for the formation of sulphate attack products, especially ettringite. The results confirm a high magnesium sulphate resistance for CAPSCC compared to PC2 and PC5.
Problemas de la institucionalización y la profesionalización de la participación en contextos de profundización democrática
Authors: Martínez-Palacios Jone
Published: April 2018

Desde 1970, el conocido como mundo occidental canaliza los procesos de profundización democrática a través de la institucionalización de medidas participativas y deliberativas que, progresivamente, impulsan la profesionalización del sector de la participación. Estas dinámicas de institucionalización y profesionalización están impregnadas de contradicciones que ponen en peligro el sentido inclusivo de la democratización. En concreto, en este texto, reflexiono sobre tres de ellas: 1) la desaparición del argumento a favor de la justicia social; 2) la reactualización del debate elitista de la democracia por parte del “núcleo operativo” de las administraciones públicas; 3) la despolitización de la polémica tensión entre burocracia, mercado liberal y democracia participativa.
Nano-Bioremediation
Authors: Tripathi Sandeep , Sanjeevi R. , Anuradha J. , Chauhan Dushyant Singh , Rathoure Ashok K.
Published: April 2018

The functional aspect of nanotechnology (NBT) is driven either to accelerate the performance of materials and/or to reduce the quantity of materials that are used for the purpose. Most significantly, its potential attribute to the environment includes the treatment and remediation, sensing and detection, and pollution prevention. In general nano-bio remediation (NBR) involves the use of nano-materials either in in-situ (in place), or ex-situ (off-place) treatment of contaminated materials. To accomplish this, the elemental or zero-valent metals and like materials in nano-form (1-100 nm) have been applied as an instinctive need to embrace sustainable environment. The use of nanomaterials initially reduces the biodegradable contaminants and then it promotes to achieve the standard levels. Thus, the role of nano-materials could be an efficient, effective approach to remediate the environmental contaminant sustainably. However, further research is required to record the detailed fate of the nano-materials that are used in environment remediation.
Forging and Consolidating Developmental Local Government Through Area-Based Management Governance
Authors: Tshishonga Ndwakhulu Stephen
Published: April 2018

This chapter deliberates on the role and importance of area-based management governance in forging and consolidating the developmental local government at eThekwini Municipality in South Africa. Considering the challenges faced by developmental local government to fulfill its constitutional mandate, the chapter argues that the grounding and consolidation of area-based management governance could be instrumental in economic growth, job creation, poverty alleviation, and meeting basic needs. However, for area-based governance to succeed in addressing these challenges, appropriate structures of democratic accountability and coordination coupled with competent staff could be entrenched. This could also be done by sticking to key developmental goals as outlined in the eThekwini Municipality's integrated development plan. The chapter made use of secondary data in the form of books, journal articles, and governmental policies and documents as well as selected interviews with key participants in five area-based areas.
Is Street Begging a Result of Poverty, Budding Trade, or the Manipulation of Sentiments by Some Vested Interest Groups?
Authors: Abalo Jannette
Published: April 2018

Street begging is a social problem and has negative implication for both the development of towns, socio-physical environment, and the wellbeing of beggars themselves. The daily increase in the population of beggars in Kampala city constitutes an environmental threat and health hazards to the surrounding, predominantly with carriers of communicable and transmittable diseases. Begging is a serious social problem with grave development implication for Kampala city and the national economy because beggars contribute nothing apart from begging. Begging leads to social relegation of the city and life of beggars as well as subject them to stigmatization.
Urban Agriculture as Livelihood Strategy
Authors: Hailie Ashenafi Tilahun
Published: April 2018

This chapter assesses the benefits of urban agriculture in the study area. Data is generated through questionnaire, focus group discussions, interviews, and direct observations. Qualitative and quantitative analysis is made in line with sustainable livelihood framework. In the findings, sex indiscrimination, migrants' dominancy, poor educational status, and agricultural background made it as main stays. As assets, access to land, gentle slope, fertile soil, moderate climate, drainage, diversification, access to transportation, are promising. Skills, knowledge transfer, ability to labor, and good health are examined insufficient. Population explosion, absence of good governance, frequent indeterminable natural calamities, land tenure insecurity, and seasonality of prices are identified vulnerabilities. The strategies designed need intervention, organization, and persuasion effort. As outcomes, increasing well-being, reducing vulnerability, and improving food security, are substantial. Hence, incorporating a land use plan and promoting and providing support to the sector imply helping urban poor.
Photon Upconversion in Lanthanide-Activated Inorganic Luminescent Materials
Authors: Pandey Anurag , Tiwari Surya Prakash , Dutta Viresh , Kumar Vinod
Published: April 2018

The growing demand for energy-efficient materials needs advancement in existing approaches. Photon upconversion is an effective way to overcome this issue. Novel upconverting materials show their potential in the advancement of energy conservation and lighting technology. In this contest, lanthanide-activated inorganic luminescent materials play a key role. The unique features of these materials like non-toxic nature, narrow multicolour emissions, long luminescence lifetime, high signal/noise ratio, and good chemical durability make them more promising. In this chapter, an overview of photon upconversion process in various lanthanide doped/codoped materials is given. Introductory idea about upconversion mechanism, criteria of material selection, novel synthesis roots, reports on upconversion-emitting materials, and emergent applications of these materials are presented.
Electroluminescence Principle and Novel Electroluminescent Materials
Authors: Lahariya Vikas , Ramrakhiani Meera
Published: April 2018

Over the past few decades, many efforts have been put to optimize the properties of electroluminescent devices such as electroluminescence (EL) panel, organic light emitting diode (OLED), flat panel display, EL lamps, etc. In this chapter, the authors provide a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art research activities related to EL phenomena, the principle of electroluminescence, different types of EL, fabrication of devices, studies on novel electroluminescent materials, their characteristics and potential applications. The authors begin with a historical background of electroluminescence, description of its structure, working principle and parameters with mechanism. They discuss the experiments determining the electrical, optical, and physical properties of the powder as well as thin film EL cells. The recent progress on the improvement of their characteristics and finding novel structures, such as the latest achievements in using various semiconductor nanostructures in polymer matrix as emitting layer in EL devices, are summarized.
Continuous Stress Assessment
Authors: Simões Luís Daniel , Sílva Joaquim , Gonçalves Joaquim
Published: April 2018

Chronic stress is a spreading disease that affects millions of individuals with an enormous economic and social impact. Its prevention is, increasingly, a fundamental aspect for the improvement of the quality of life of individuals and the overall society. This chapter aims to understand how stress can be continuously monitored with the goal of predicting and alerting the occurrence of chronic or pathological stress and burnout situations. For this purpose, a non-invasive individual measurement instrument was developed to measure biometric signals through a wearable device that is connected to a mobile device. The prototype consists of a mobile application that gets the signals from a smartband and sends the data to an information system, tracking the individual physical condition to calculate the risk of entering the state of chronic stress. Continuous assessment of signs of stress is a key aspect for early detection of distress and effective intervention.
Wireless Sensor Network as Enabling Technology for Cyber-Physical System
Authors: Abdullah Jiwa , Alduais Nayef Abdulwahab
Published: April 2018

Within the last 20 years, wireless communication and network has been one of the fastest-growing research areas. Significant progress has been made in the fields of mobile ad hoc network (MANET) and wireless sensor networks (WSN). Very recently, the cyber-physical system (CPS) has emerged as a promising direction to enrich human-to-human, human to-object, and object-to-object interactions in the physical world as well as in the virtual world. The possibilities are enormous, such that CPS would adopt, and even nurture, the areas of MANET and WSN because more sensor inputs and richer network connectivity are required. The chapter reviews what has been developed in these fields, outlines the projection of what may happen in the field of CPS, and identifies further works. The authors identify the unique features of WSN, raising some CPS critical examples, and then directing the future challenges of CPS. In order to fully comprehend the connection of WSN to CPS, the authors provide some preliminaries of WSN and establish their necessary connections.
The NovaGenesis Smart Cities Model
Authors: Alberti Antonio Marcos
Published: April 2018

Smart cities encompass a complex, diverse, and rich ecosystem with the potential to address humanity's biggest challenges. To fully support society demands, many emerging technologies should be gracefully integrated. Current architectures and platforms frequently address specific topics, requiring intricate coordination of partial solutions. In this context, interoperability of technological solutions is mandatory. Examples include interoperability of IETF standards (e.g., 6LowPAN, RPL, CoAP to other IEEE standards, such as 802.15.4, and Bluetooth). Designs based on these protocols are being largely employed worldwide. However, they have some limitations that deserve our attention. Recent examples, such as ramsomware and DDoS attacks, are concerning many people on the suitability of our current stacks. NovaGenesis (NG) is an alternative architecture for TCP/IP that has been already proofed. In this chapter, the NG model for smart cities is explored, presenting its benefits. Recent results in NG are summarized and discussed on the proposed scope.
Secure Embedded Systems
Authors: Ahmadinia Ali , Saeed Ahmed
Published: April 2018

As computing devices have become an almost integral part of our lives, security of systems and protection of the sensitive data are emerging as very important issues. This is particularly evident for embedded systems which are often deployed in unprotected environments and at the same time being constrained by limited resources. Security and trust have also become important considerations in the design of virtually all modern embedded systems as they are utilized in critical and sensitive applications such as in transportation, national infrastructure, military equipment, banking systems, and medical devices. The increase in software content and network connectivity has made them vulnerable to fast spreading software-based attacks such as viruses and worms, which were hitherto primarily the concern of personal computers, servers, and the internet. This chapter discusses the basic concepts, security attacks types, and existing preventive measures in the field of embedded systems and multi-core systems.
Preferences, Machine Learning, and Decision Support With Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Pavlov Yuri P. , Marinov Evgeniy Ivanov
Published: April 2018

Modeling of complex processes with human participations causes difficulties due to the lack of precise measurement coming from the qualitative nature of the human notions. This provokes the need of utilization of empirical knowledge expressed cardinally. An approach for solution of these problems is utility theory. As cyber-physical systems are integrations of computation, networking, and physical processes in interaction with the user is needed feedback loops, the aim of the chapter is to demonstrate the possibility to describe quantitatively complex processes with human participation. This approach permits analytical representations of the users' preferences as objective utility functions and modeling of the complex system “human-process.” The mathematical technique allows CPS users dialog and is demonstrated by two case studies, portfolio allocation, and modeling of a competitive trade by a finite game and utility preference representation of the trader. The presented formulations could serve as foundation of development of decision support tools and decision control.
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Ameliorates Acute Myocarditis and Atherosclerosis by Regulating Inflammatory and Autoimmune Responses
Authors: Benitez Raquel , Delgado-Maroto Virginia , Caro Marta , Forte-Lago Irene , Duran-Prado Mario , O’Valle Francisco , Lichtman Andrew H. , Gonzalez-Rey Elena , Delgado Mario
Published: April 2018

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide that exerts various vascular and cardioprotective functions and regulates immune function and inflammatory response at multiple levels. However, its role in inflammatory cardiovascular disorders is largely unknown. Myocarditis and atherosclerosis are two inflammatory and autoimmune cardiovascular diseases that cause important adverse circulatory events. In this study, we investigate the therapeutic effects of VIP in various well-established preclinical models of experimental autoimmune myocarditis and atherosclerosis. Intraperitoneal injection of VIP during the effector phase of experimental autoimmune myocarditis in susceptible BALB/c mice significantly reduced its prevalence, ameliorated signs of heart hypertrophy and injury, attenuated myocardial inflammatory infiltration, and avoided subsequent profibrotic cardiac remodeling. This effect was accompanied by a reduction of Th17-driven cardiomyogenic responses in peripheral lymphoid organs and in the levels of myocardial autoantibodies. In contrast, acute and chronic atherosclerosis was induced in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice fed a hyperlipidemic diet and subjected to partial carotid ligation. Systemic VIP treatment reduced the number and size of atherosclerotic plaques in carotid, aorta, and sinus in hypercholesterolemic mice. VIP reduced Th1-driven inflammatory responses and increased regulatory T cells in atherosclerotic arteries and their draining lymph nodes. VIP also regulated cholesterol efflux in macrophages and reduced the formation of foam cells and their presence in atherosclerotic plaques. Finally, VIP inhibited proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells and neointima formation in a mouse model of complete carotid ligation. These findings encourage further studies aimed to assess whether VIP can be used as a pharmaceutical agent to treat heart inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Lower Extremity Biomechanics During a Drop-Vertical Jump in Participants With or Without Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Herb C. Collin , Grossman Kaitlyn , Feger Mark A. , Donovan Luke , Hertel Jay
Published: April 2018

Context: 

Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a condition characterized by range-of-motion, neuromuscular, and postural-control deficits and subjective disability, reinjury, and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Differences have been reported in kinematics, kinetics, surface electromyography (EMG), and ground reaction forces during functional tasks performed by those with CAI. These measures are often collected independently, and the research on collecting measures simultaneously during a movement task is limited.

Objective: 

To assess the kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremity, vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), and EMG of 4 shank muscles during a drop–vertical-jump (DVJ) task.

Design: 

Controlled laboratory study.

Setting: 

Motion-capture laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants: 

Forty-seven young, active adults in either the CAI (n = 24) or control (n = 23) group.

Intervention(s): 

Three-dimensional motion capture was performed using an electromagnetic motion-capture system. Lower extremity kinematics, frontal- and sagittal-plane kinetics, vGRF, and EMG of the shank musculature were collected while participants performed 10 DVJs.

Main Outcome Measure(s): 

Means and 90% confidence intervals were calculated for all measures from 100 milliseconds before to 200 milliseconds after force-plate contact.

Results: 

Patients with CAI had greater inversion from 107 to 200 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 4.01° ± 2.55°), smaller plantar-flexion kinematics from 11 to 71 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 5.33° ± 2.02°), greater ankle sagittal-plane kinetics from 11 to 77 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 0.17 ± 0.09 Nm/kg) and from 107 to 200 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 0.23 ± 0.03 Nm/kg), and smaller knee sagittal-plane kinematics from 95 to 200 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 8.23° ± 0.97°) than control participants after landing. The patients with CAI had greater vGRF from 94 to 98 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 0.83 ± 0.03 N/kg) and peroneal activity from 17 to 128 milliseconds postcontact (difference = 10.56 ± 4.52 N/kg) than the control participants.

Conclusions: 

Patients with CAI presented with differences in their landing strategies that may be related to continued instability. Kinematic and kinetic changes after ground contact and greater vGRF may be related to a faulty landing strategy. The DVJ task should be considered for rehabilitation protocols in these individuals.
Perceptions of Employer Socialization Tactics During Junior Faculty Transition into Higher Education
Authors: Bowman Thomas G. , Mazerolle Stephanie M. , Kilbourne Brianne F.
Published: April 2018

Context:

New faculty are expected to teach, be productive scholars, and provide service in order to earn tenure, but few experience the full spectrum of faculty responsibility during doctoral preparation. Recent evidence suggests mentorship and orientation are important during role transition. However, how employers facilitate role transition for new faculty remains unclear.

Objective:

Examine the perspectives of junior faculty members' organizational socialization into higher education, specifically focusing on mentorship and orientation sessions.

Design:

Qualitative study.

Setting:

Fourteen higher education institutions.

Patients or Other Participants:

Sixteen junior faculty (7 male, 9 female; age = 32 ± 3.5 years) representing 7 National Athletic Trainers' Association districts participated. At the time of the interview, all participants were within their first 3 years of a full-time faculty position.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

All participants completed a semistructured telephone interview. The interview guide was focused on the experiences of junior faculty and was developed based upon the literature and purpose of the study. We analyzed the transcribed interviews using a general inductive approach.

Results:

Mentors provided support to assist in the transition to faculty positions on a variety of topics, although formal mentoring programs are identified as helpful only if a relationship develops. Regarding the second theme, participants noted orientation sessions organized by the institution or department that provided a clear overview of the position. However, despite their use, many described the orientation sessions as not providing essential information that would have been helpful. Additionally, tenure and promotion processes often had purposefully vague criteria regardless of how thorough the explanation, leading to stress.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that higher education administrators help new athletic training faculty transition by providing mentors and orientation sessions. Findings also suggest that these experiences, at times, are not comprehensive and caused the transition to academe to be stressful.
The FitTrack Index as fitness indicator: A pilot study
Authors: Janse van Rensburg Dina C. , Grant Catharina C. , Jansen van Rensburg Audrey , Botha Roelf P.G. , Wood Paola S. , Nolte Kim , Fletcher Lizelle , Du Toit Peet J. , Pepper Michael S. , Kruger Pieter E.
Published: April 2018

Background: The FitTrack Index is a web-based programme developed in South Africa and widely used by athletes to indicate their fitness. A need exists for a self-managed, noninvasive tool to evaluate and categorise health-related fitness in different population groups. The aim of this study was to compare the FitTrack Index with a reliable measure of cardio-respiratory fitness as indicated by maximal oxygen uptake (direct VO2max).Methods & results: During a 12-week cross-sectional, descriptive pilot study the direct laboratory tested VO2max indicated a moderate to strong correlation with the FitTrack Index (Spearman's rho = 0.439, p = 0.089 at baseline; Spearman's rho =0.853, p < 0.001 after 12 weeks).Conclusions: These results suggest that the web-based FitTrack Index may be considered an appropriate tool to evaluate exercise capacity and cardiovascular fitness in healthy individuals following an aerobic training programme.
The experiences of clients and healthcare providers regarding the provision of reproductive health services including the prevention of HIV and AIDS in an informal settlement in Tshwane
Authors: Mataboge M. L.S. , Beukes S. , Nolte A. G.W.
Published: April 2018

Globally challenges regarding healthcare provision are sometimes related to a failure to estimate client numbers in peri-urban areas due to rapid population growth. About one-sixth of the world's population live in informal settlements which are mostly characterised by poor healthcare service provision. Poor access to primary healthcare may expose residents of informal settlement more to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) than their rural and urban counterparts due to a lack of access to information on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. The objective of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of both the reproductive health services' clients and the healthcare providers with regard to the provision of reproductive health services including the prevention of HIV and AIDS in a primary healthcare setting in Tshwane. A qualitative, exploratory and contextual design using a phenomenological approach to enquire about the participants' experiences was implemented. Purposive sampling resulted in the selection of 23 clients who used the reproductive healthcare services and ten healthcare providers who were interviewed during individual and focus group interviews respectively. Tesch's method for qualitative data analysis was used. Ethical principles guided the study, and certain strategies were followed to ensure trustworthiness. The findings revealed that females who lived in informal settlements were aware of the inability of the PHC setting to provide adequate reproductive healthcare to meet their needs. The HCPs acknowledged that healthcare provision was negatively affected by policies. It was found that the community members could be taught how to coach teenagers and support each other in order to bridge staff shortages and increase health outcomes including HIV/AIDS prevention.
Systematic review as a research method in postgraduate nursing education
Authors: Ten Ham-Baloyi Wilma , Jordan Portia
Published: April 2018

In South Africa, there appears to be poor understanding about using a systematic review as an acceptable research method in post-graduate nursing education. The lack of understanding may result in research supervisors being unable to guide post-graduate students, such as masters and doctoral students, in using the systematic review methodology in the completion of an academic qualification. Furthermore, they might not be able to assist post-graduate students in completing their studies, or conducting studies, in particular systematic reviews, which are of high quality. Valuable opportunities can thus be missed that might add to the body of knowledge to inform and improve research, education, and clinical practice. This article may set the field for an informed debate on systematic reviews as a useful and acceptable research method to be used by post-graduate nursing students in South Africa. We conclude that a systematic review could be a useful and acceptable method for research in post-graduate nursing education. However, the method's benefits and disadvantages should be considered before a post-graduate student embarks on such a journey.
Health care professionals' perspectives on the requirements facilitating the roll-out of kangaroo mother care in South Africa
Authors: Ham Wilma Ten , Minnie Karin C.S. , Van der Walt Christa S.J.C.
Published: April 2018

Background: Using best evidence to inform practice is the cornerstone of quality patient care, and requires spread, uptake, implementation and roll-out of best practices. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was used as a best practice which has been partly rolled-out in South Africa. In order for successful roll-out of best practices, it is important to understand what health professionals perceive as requirements for the rolling-out process. However, no published research was found on requirements for rolling-out a best practice in the South African context.Purpose of the research: To explore and describe the perspectives of health professionals on the requirements for the rolling-out process of KMC as a best practice in South Africa.Methodology: Twelve semi-structured individual interviews were conducted in 2012 with health professionals from various South African healthcare levels, involved in the implementation and the rolling-out process of kangaroo mother care. Content analysis were guided in terms of the four requirements for roll-out of best practices, identified in Edwards and Grinspun's Evidence Informed Model of Care.Results: The requirements for the successful rollout of best practices mentioned by the participants in this study concur with the requirements of Edwards and Grinspun: personal alignment and protocol/policy alignment with the best practice; a roll-out plan; leadership; and supporting and reinforcing structures such as: resources, communicating, education and development regarding the best practice, and the organisational structure. The requirements were identified at four different levels: individual level (e.g. the nurse and medical specialists), management level (of the hospital), provincial level and national level.
Primary health care management challenges for childhood atopic eczema as experienced by the parents in a Gauteng district in South Africa
Authors: Meintjes Kaarina F. , Nolte Anna G.W.
Published: April 2018

The goal of this study was to explore and describe the experience of parents regarding the primary health care (PHC) managementof their children's atopic eczemain a Gauteng district. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive, contextual embedded single case study design was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews, field notes and direct observation until saturation occurred; analysed according to Tesch's steps of descriptive data analysis. Trustworthiness and ethical measures were used and were employed.Three themes were identified. Management challenges, the second theme with subthemes: drug management, knowledge levels of PHC clinicians, health education andfinancial challenges, will be discussed.