bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability-Based Modeling of Park-and-Ride Service on Linear Travel Corridor
Authors: Wang David Z. W. , Du Bo
Published: August 2013

The modeling of multimodal choice in a railway–highway system with single park-and-ride service on a linear travel corridor is studied. Commuters choose either auto or railway to travel directly from home to city center or drive to the park-and-ride facility and transfer to railway transit service. Both the traffic congestion on the highway and the crowding on rail transit are considered. The highway capacity is assumed to be stochastic to take into account travel time reliability for use of the auto mode. Commuters are assumed to be distributed uniformly along the corridor. A linear complementarity system to model commuters' mode choice along the corridor and to solve the spatial equilibrium travel pattern is proposed. The formulated linear complementarity system is transformed into a mixed integer linear program to be solved. The modeling approach and solution algorithm are implemented in a small numerical example.
Limited Information-Sharing Strategy for Taxi–Customer Searching Problem in Nonbooking Taxi Service
Authors: Lee Der-Horng , Wu Xian , Sun Lijun
Published: August 2013

One of the issues in current taxi service is the imbalance between supply and demand. In response to this issue, an automatic taxi-dispatching approach in which customers can book taxis through phones or mobile devices is widely used in many large cities worldwide. However, this approach is not satisfactory: most customers still prefer nonbooking taxi service (NBTS), taking the taxi by either waiting at a taxi stand or hailing one on the street. One important reason for this phenomenon is that customers take a lower risk in NBTS: they are free from complicated booking procedures and have no commitment to any as-yet-arrived taxis. To facilitate the taxi–customer matching process in NBTS, a novel control strategy is proposed—namely, the limited information-sharing strategy (LISS) for the taxi–customer searching problem in NBTS, in which both the taxi and the customer are equipped with mobile devices that can communicate with each other within limited searching ranges. The proposed LISS is based on the game theoretical formulation in which a learning algorithm to find the pure Nash equilibrium is developed. A microscopic traffic simulation model for evaluation of the LISS is developed. The simulation results show that the proposed LISS is an effective control strategy when taxi supply is low and will not increase the risk of the taxi driver in losing the total occupied time.
Modeling Framework to Analyze Effect of Multiple Traffic Information Service Providers on Traffic Network Performance
Authors: Yang Inchul , Jayakrishnan R.
Published: August 2013

Along with the increasing popularity of mobile smart devices such as smartphones and tablet personal computers, traffic information is coming to drivers through many intelligent traffic applications. Many countries have multiple traffic information service providers (ISPs), who make every effort to improve their service quality to influence more people to subscribe to their services. Because such a commercial environment is developing, a study of the effect of multiple ISPs on road network performance is necessary. Therefore, a modeling framework of day-to-day dynamics in which multiple ISPs compete and cooperate with each other to enhance their subscriber service quality is developed in this study. A realistic information acquisition and learning mechanism that ensures consistent updating of individually perceived day-by-day travel times is incorporated for driver behavior in this framework. A bounded rational behavior model was adopted for route choice decisions. The framework is capable of investigating the effects of any potential competition or cooperation of multiple ISPs in the traffic information market in terms of their information-sharing strategies. Numerical experiments on a real network were conducted to analyze the impact of such interactions on the network performance. The results showed that a cooperative system was not necessarily the best for network performance and that there was an optimal level of market penetration of traffic information services in transportation networks beyond which the benefits no longer increased or even worsened.
Primal–Dual Heuristic for Path Flow Estimation in Medium to Large Networks
Authors: Tang Shikai , Zhang H. Michael
Published: August 2013

The path flow estimator, an origin–destination demand estimation algorithm that relies on the computation of path flows, can be slow when applied to medium to large networks. A primal–dual heuristic that can significantly improve the computational efficiency of the algorithm when it is applied to large networks is developed. Numerical examples are provided to show the performance improvement of this primal–dual heuristic over the original path flow estimator algorithm.
Challenges to Analysis of Air and Rail Alternatives in Government Environmental Impact Review Processes
Authors: Woodburn Amber , Ryerson Megan S. , Chester Mikhail
Published: August 2013

The current institutional process for project-level environmental review, the government-required Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), requires assessment of the proposed project, the no-build alternative, and alternatives to the proposed project. Despite growing academic research to compare the environmental impacts of air and high-speed rail (HSR) infrastructure, there are few instances of multimodal alternatives analysis in airport and HSR EIS documents. In this paper, examples of EISs for air and HSR capacity-enhancement projects are chronicled to identify key challenges to completing modal alternative analysis in the EIS: the spatial heterogeneity of the physical infrastructure for air and HSR, the framing of EIS purpose and need statements, and the complicated interpretations of environmental impact significance thresholds. The paper concludes by proposing strategies to incentivize modal alternative assessments and highlight methods that are needed to perform high-quality comparative analysis to inform decision makers, whether in the context of the EIS or in upstream planning processes.
Developing Early Alerting Mechanism to Support Robust Terminal Radar Approach Control Operations
Authors: Katkin Raphael , Tien Shin-Lai (Alex) , Topiwala Tejal , Conroy Jay , Guensch Craig A. , You Huaizu
Published: August 2013

This paper describes the development of an automated mechanism to alert aviation traffic managers of the need to take action to adjust the rate of aircraft arriving into airports. When rates are too high, air traffic controllers are forced to do costly maneuvering and to hold aircraft to maintain required spacing. When arrival rates are too low, valuable airport landing capacity goes unused. In today's operations, mismatches between the planned and actual arrival rates often occur gradually and may not even be noticed until too late, after significant problems have materialized. This paper proposes an alerting mechanism that uses realtime signal metrics based on actual airspace operations to alert controllers of impending problems. Alerts would be triggered when signal metrics crossed their respective threshold values, which would be tailored for specific airspaces and generated with sufficient lead time to allow for mitigating actions. The alerting mechanism would reduce reliance on manual monitoring and thus reduce traffic manager workload. With historical flight data from airspace surrounding Atlanta International Airport an initial predictive model was developed and validated for one possible signal metric. Through discussions with subject matter experts, an analysis of various metric threshold values was also performed.
Implementing GigaPan Technology into an Airport's Foreign Object Debris Management Program
Authors: Heymsfield Ernie , Kuss Mark
Published: August 2013

This paper presents a technology that can easily be implemented at airports by airport operators to conduct inspections for daily foreign object debris (FOD). The process includes developing gigapixel panoramas of an airport runway that can be reviewed close to live time by trained staff. The approach promotes an inexpensive means for FOD detection without conducting daily runway drive-through tours. In addition to FOD inspection, the technology might be used as a tool for the pavement management system and for detecting wildlife. GigaPan technology is used to develop high-resolution panoramas from multiple grid images. The technology incorporates a robotic camera mount and corresponding software to develop a composite image from multiple images. The high-resolution gigapixel panorama enables a viewer to zoom in on objects within the panorama, similar in approach to Google Earth. Consequently, panorama viewing becomes interactive. This paper reviews GigaPan technology and how it can be incorporated into FOD inspections to promote airfield runway safety.
Simultaneous Modeling of Passenger and Cargo Demand at an Airport
Authors: Wadud Zia
Published: August 2013

Forecasts for passenger and cargo demands are important parameters for airport planners. Although there are a number of studies for passenger demand in an airport, the number of studies for air cargo is much smaller. Also, these two entities are often dealt with separately in the literature. However, there can be advantages in modeling them simultaneously, especially when time series data are used for estimating the demand models. A seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) framework is followed to jointly model passenger and cargo demand at the Shahjalal International Airport at Dhaka, Bangladesh. Allowing for contemporaneous correlation between the air passenger and air cargo demand models in the SUR approach allows a more efficient and reliable estimate than ordinary least squares and individual cointegration methods. Results of the simultaneous demand modeling are used to forecast passenger and cargo demand at the airport up to 2030.
Modeling Framework of Origin and Destination Air Cargo Routing
Authors: Heinitz Florian M. , Meincke Peter A.
Published: August 2013

This contribution summarizes modeling work aimed at explaining and predicting global airfreight flows. The centerpiece and computational goal is a multistep, twofold capacity-restrained itinerary-based demand assignment algorithm using sample weekly observations from a period timetable. The supply-side module is organized into carrier route subnetworks, as defined by interlining agreements or strategic alliances. The main objective is to map the modeled cargo flows to the modeled flight capacities on city pairs. In doing so, it is essential that itineraries remain reproducible and realistic at the origin and destination level. Moreover, the computational complexity must be kept manageable. The very detailed load patterns obtained allow for model calibration by using, for example, observed tonnages at the airport, carrier, and city-pair levels.
Explanatory Power of Different Data Envelopment Analysis Models for Determining Airports' Cost-Efficiency
Authors: Merkert Rico , Mangia Luca
Published: August 2013

For analyzing the cost-efficiency of airports and the determinants of that efficiency, several data envelopment analysis (DEA) methods are available. The variety across the available approaches is a result primarily of different assumptions in the model specification. Although it is well established that the outcomes of these models vary depending on what the analyst assumes with respect to input and output orientation and economies of scale, there is still a lively debate on the impact of bootstrapping and the choice of input variables on the explanatory power of such models. This paper analyzes the cost-efficiency of Italian and Norwegian airports over time. A series of two-stage DEA approaches is applied, with truncated regression models in the second stage to evaluate the explanatory value of the chosen methods and also to establish robust results on the impact factors of airports' cost-efficiency. With regard to the latter it is found that the impact of airport size is limited to technical efficiency and that the catchment area is the most significant impact factor on cost-efficiency.
Investigating the Truth of Heinrich's Pyramid in Offshore Helicopter Transportation
Authors: Nascimento Felipe A. C. , Majumdar Arnab , Ochieng Washington Y.
Published: August 2013

Several hazardous industries have embraced Heinrich's premise that incidents of negligible safety consequences are precursors to accidents in a statistical sense. However, in few such industries has research verified the truth of that assumption. This paper explores the relationships between accidents and reported incidents in the context of oil and gas–related offshore helicopter operations by using the accident investigation reports published by the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch and the incidents filed under the British Mandatory Occurrence Reporting Scheme between 1997 and 2010. Classification frameworks were developed to enable the independent analysis of accidents and incidents in relation to specific variables of interest. Frequencies and statistical associations that could have indicated the precursor relationship were explored. From the results of the analysis, the paper highlights potentially severe shortcomings in the assumptions underpinning incident data collection as well as the process with which incident data are generated. For example, the paper unveils the existence of sudden failures that cannot be reliably anticipated or reported and draws attention to a potentially flawed incident-reporting culture. Given the results, the paper informs stakeholders in the industry of specific initiatives to ensure that the right lessons are learned from past occurrences (e.g., through ways of collecting incident data that will not rely solely on reporters) and how these could be used to inform future interventions, for example, through the analysis of potential consequences of incidents, as a complement to the analysis of frequencies.
Tumor control after surgery for spinal myxopapillary ependymomas: distinct outcomes in adults versus children
Authors: Feldman William B. , Clark Aaron J. , Safaee Michael , Ames Christopher P. , Parsa Andrew T.
Published: August 2013

Object

Myxopapillary ependymomas (MPEs) are rare WHO Grade I tumors found in the conus medullaris, cauda equina, and filum terminale. Treatment generally consists of resection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Evidence-based guidelines for surgical management are lacking due to the rarity of this tumor.

Methods

An English-language PubMed search was performed using the key words “myxopapillary” and “ependymoma.” Reports describing fewer than 3 patients or those lacking data on the extent of resection or radiotherapy were excluded. A total of 28 articles describing 475 patients met the authors' inclusion criteria. Patients were grouped by extent of resection and whether or not they underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Differences in recurrence rates were assessed by chi-square test.

Results

The overall recurrence rate was 15.5% in patients treated by gross-total resection (GTR) and 32.6% in patients treated by subtotal resection (STR), irrespective of whether they underwent adjuvant therapy (p < 0.001). Regardless of the extent of resection, adjuvant radiotherapy was not associated with a decrease in recurrence rates. The overall recurrence rate was 15.6% in patients who underwent GTR and radiotherapy compared with 15.9% in patients who underwent GTR alone (p = 0.58), and it was 29.3% in patients who underwent STR and radiotherapy compared with 35.1% in those who underwent STR alone (p = 0.53). The difference between recurrence rates for patients who underwent GTR alone versus STR and radiotherapy was statistically significant (p = 0.02). Subgroup analysis demonstrated significantly higher recurrence rates in pediatric patients compared with adults (40.5% vs 23.4%, respectively; p = 0.02). Even in the setting of GTR alone, recurrence rates were higher in pediatric patients (65% vs 7.6%; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Gross-total resection alone is associated with decreased recurrence rates compared with STR with or without radiotherapy. The authors' results suggest that treatment goals should include attempted GTR whenever possible. The observation that children benefitted from radiation therapy to a greater extent than did adults suggests that biological differences between tumors in these patient populations warrants more rigorous scientific studies.
Role of subconcussion in repetitive mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Bailes Julian E. , Petraglia Anthony L. , Omalu Bennet I. , Nauman Eric , Talavage Thomas
Published: August 2013

Research now suggests that head impacts commonly occur during contact sports in which visible signs or symptoms of neurological dysfunction may not develop despite those impacts having the potential for neurological injury. Recent biophysics studies utilizing helmet accelerometers have indicated that athletes at the collegiate and high school levels sustain a surprisingly high number of head impacts ranging from several hundred to well over 1000 during the course of a season. The associated cumulative impact burdens over the course of a career are equally important. Clinical studies have also identified athletes with no readily observable symptoms but who exhibit functional impairment as measured by neuropsychological testing and functional MRI. Such findings have been corroborated by diffusion tensor imaging studies demonstrating axonal injury in asymptomatic athletes at the end of a season. Recent autopsy data have shown that there are subsets of athletes in contact sports who do not have a history of known or identified concussions but nonetheless have neurodegenerative pathology consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Finally, emerging laboratory data have demonstrated significant axonal injury, blood-brain barrier permeability, and evidence of neuroinflammation, all in the absence of behavioral changes. Such data suggest that subconcussive level impacts can lead to significant neurological alterations, especially if the blows are repetitive. The authors propose “subconcussion” as a significant emerging concept requiring thorough consideration of the potential role it plays in accruing sufficient anatomical and/or physiological damage in athletes and military personnel, such that the effects of these injuries are clinically expressed either contemporaneously or later in life.
Tumor volume as a predictor of survival and local control in patients with brain metastases treated with Gamma Knife surgery
Authors: Baschnagel Andrew M. , Meyer Kurt D. , Chen Peter Y. , Krauss Daniel J. , Olson Rick E. , Pieper Daniel R. , Maitz Ann H. , Ye Hong , Grills Inga Siiner
Published: August 2013

Object

The aim of this study was to examine tumor volume as a prognostic factor for patients with brain metastases treated with Gamma Knife surgery (GKS).

Methods

Two hundred fifty patients with 1–14 brain metastases who had initially undergone GKS alone at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received upfront whole brain radiation therapy were excluded. Survival times were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses using Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to determine if various prognostic factors could predict overall survival, distant brain failure, and local control.

Results

Median overall survival was 7.1 months and the 1-year local control rate was 91.5%. Median time to distant brain failure was 8.0 months. On univariate analysis an increasing total tumor volume was significantly associated with worse survival (p = 0.031) whereas the number of brain metastases, analyzed as a continuous variable, was not (p = 0.082). After adjusting for age, Karnofsky Performance Scale score, and extracranial disease on multivariate analysis, total tumor volume was found to be a better predictor of overall survival (p = 0.046) than number of brain metastases analyzed as a continuous variable (p = 0.098). A total tumor volume cutoff value of ≥ 2 cm3 (p = 0.008) was a stronger predictor of overall survival than the number of brain metastases (p = 0.098). Larger tumor volume and extracranial disease, but not the number of brain metastases, were predictive of distant brain failure on multivariate analysis. Local tumor control at 1 year was 97% for lesions < 2 cm3 compared with 75% for lesions ≥ 2 cm3 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

After adjusting for other factors, a total brain metastasis volume was a strong and independent predictor for overall survival, distant brain failure, and local control, even when considering the number of metastases.
Electrostatic discharges and their effect on the validity of registered values in intracranial pressure monitors
Authors: Andresen Morten , Juhler Marianne , Thomsen Ole Cornelius
Published: August 2013

Object

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is used extensively in clinical practice, and as such, the accuracy of registered ICP values is paramount. Clinical observations of nonphysiological changes in ICP have called into question the accuracy of registered ICP values. Subsequently, the authors have tried to determine if the ICP monitors from major manufacturers were affected by electrostatic discharges (ESDs), if the changes were permanent or transient in nature, and if the changes were modified by the addition of different electrical appliances normally used in the neurointensive care unit environment.

Methods

The authors established a test setup in the neurointensive care unit using a large container filled with isotonic saline, creating a phantom patient. Intracranial pressure monitors were sequentially lowered into the container and subjected to a predefined test battery of ESDs.

Results

Five pressure monitors from 4 manufacturers were evaluated. Three monitors containing electrical circuitry at the tip of the transducer were all affected by ESDs. Clinically significant permanent changes in the reported ICP values for 1 pressure monitor were observed, as well as temporary deflections for 2 other monitors. The monitors had different levels of sensitivity to discharges at low voltages.

Conclusions

These results explain some of the sudden shifts in ICP noted in the clinical setting. However, a clear deflection pattern related to the addition of electrical appliances was not found. The authors recommend instituting policies for reducing the risk of subjecting patients to ESDs in the neurointensive care unit setting.
Surgical treatment of refractory status epilepticus in children
Authors: Bhatia Sanjiv , Ahmad Faiz , Miller Ian , Ragheb John , Morrison Glenn , Jayakar Prasanna , Duchowny Michael
Published: August 2013

Object

Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is a life-threatening neurological emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality. Affected patients often require prolonged intensive care and can suffer multiple complications. Surgical intervention to control RSE is rarely used but can obviate the risks of prolonged seizures and intensive care treatment. Authors of the present study analyzed their experience with the surgical management of patients suffering from RSE.

Methods

The Epilepsy Surgery Database at Miami Children's Hospital was reviewed for patients who had undergone surgery for RSE. Clinical presentation, electrophysiological profile, radiological data, surgical details, and postoperative course were evaluated.

Results

Between 1990 and 2012, 15 patients underwent surgery for uncontrolled seizures despite high-dose medical suppressive therapy. The mean preoperative duration of status epilepticus was 8 weeks. Ictal SPECT and FDG-PET imaging in conjunction with intraoperative electrophysiological studies helped to outline the extent of resection. Surgical intervention controlled seizures in all patients and facilitated the transition out of intensive care. Adverse events related to a prolonged intensive care unit stay included sepsis and respiratory complications. Four patients had worsened neurological function, developing hemiparesis and dysphasia. There was no operative mortality.

Conclusions

Surgical intervention can successfully control refractory partial status epilepticus, prevent associated morbidity, and decrease intensive care unit stay. Ictal SPECT and PET are valuable in guiding resection.
Acute respiratory failure from Surgifoam expansion after anterior cervical surgery
Authors: Skovrlj Branko , Mascitelli Justin R. , Camins Martin B. , Doshi Amish H. , Qureshi Sheeraz A.
Published: August 2013

A 65-year-old woman underwent an uneventful C3–4 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for a large, symptomatic disc herniation. On postoperative Day 1 the patient suffered a sudden, acute respiratory compromise. Emergency fiberoptic intubation revealed significant anterior neck swelling with concern for physical obstruction of the airway. Computed tomography of the neck did not demonstrate an expanding hematoma. The patient was managed with surgical wound exploration and washout. Examination of the anterior neck after incision of the prior surgical site revealed a large volume of Surgifoam under high pressure, which was greater than the amount used during the initial surgery. Thorough washout of the surgical site did not reveal any swelling of the prevertebral soft tissues or hematoma, and the Hemovac drain did not appear to be occluded. The patient was extubated on the 2nd postoperative day and is symptom free 12 months after surgery. To the authors' knowledge, this report represents the first reported complication of acute respiratory failure from Surgifoam overexpansion after anterior cervical surgery.
On the Entropy of a Two Step Random Fibonacci Substitution
Authors: Nilsson Johan
Published: August 2013

We consider a random generalization of the classical Fibonacci substitution. The substitution we consider is defined as the rule mapping, a → baa and b → ab, with probability , and → ba, with probability 1 – p for 0 < p < 1, and where the random rule is applied each time it acts on a . We show that the topological entropy of this object is given by the growth rate of the set of inflated random Fibonacci words, and we exactly calculate its value.
Information Geometry of Complex Hamiltonians and Exceptional Points
Authors: Brody Dorje , Graefe Eva-Maria
Published: August 2013

Information geometry provides a tool to systematically investigate the parameter sensitivity of the state of a system. If a physical system is described by a linear combination of eigenstates of a complex (that is, non-Hermitian) Hamiltonian, then there can be phase transitions where dynamical properties of the system change abruptly. In the vicinities of the transition points, the state of the system becomes highly sensitive to the changes of the parameters in the Hamiltonian. The parameter sensitivity can then be measured in terms of the Fisher-Rao metric and the associated curvature of the parameter-space manifold. A general scheme for the geometric study of parameter-space manifolds of eigenstates of complex Hamiltonians is outlined here, leading to generic expressions for the metric.
Delta Opioid Receptor and Its Peptide: A Receptor-Ligand Neuroprotection
Authors: Staples Meaghan , Acosta Sandra , Tajiri Naoki , Pabon Mibel , Kaneko Yuji , Borlongan Cesar
Published: August 2013

In pursuit of neurological therapies, the opioid system, specifically delta opioid receptors and delta opioid peptides, demonstrates promising therapeutic potential for stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other degenerative neurological conditions. Recent studies offer strong evidence in support of the therapeutic use of delta opioid receptors, and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of action. Delta opioid receptors have been shown to confer protective effects by mediating ionic homeostasis and activating endogenous neuroprotective pathways. Additionally, delta opioid agonists such as (D-Ala 2, D-Leu 5) enkephalin (DADLE) have been shown to decrease apoptosis and promote neuronal survival. In its entirety, the delta opioid system represents a promising target for neural therapies.
Do REITs Outperform Stocks and Fixed-Income Assets? New Evidence from Mean-Variance and Stochastic Dominance Approaches
Authors: Chiang Thomas , Lean Hooi Hooi , Wong Wing-Keung
Published: August 2013

This paper re-examines the performance of REITs, stocks, and fixed-income assets based on the preferences of risk-averse and risk-seeking investors using mean-variance and stochastic dominance approaches. Our findings indicate no first-order stochastic dominance and no arbitrage opportunity among these assets. However, our stochastic dominance results reveal that in order to maximize their expected utility, the risk-averse prefer fixed-income assets over real estate, which, in turn, is preferable to stocks. On the other hand, to maximize their expected utility, all risk-seeking investors would prefer to invest in stocks than in real estate, but real estate, in turn, is preferable to fixed-income assets.
Impact of Groundwater Salinity on Bioremediation Enhanced by Micro-Nano Bubbles
Authors: Li Hengzhen , Hu Liming , Xia Zhiran
Published: August 2013

Micro-nano bubbles (MNBs) technology has shown great potential in groundwater bioremediation because of their large specific surface area, negatively charged surface, long stagnation, high oxygen transfer efficiency, etc. Groundwater salinity, which varies from sites due to different geological and environmental conditions, has a strong impact on the bioremediation effect. However, the groundwater salinity effect on MNBs’ behavior has not been reported. In this study, the size distribution, oxygen transfer efficiency and zeta potential of MNBs was investigated in different salt concentrations. In addition, the permeability of MNBs’ water through sand in different salt concentrations was studied. The results showed that water salinity has no influence on bubble size distribution during MNBs generation. MNBs could greatly enhance the oxygen transfer efficiency from inner bubbles to outer water, which may greatly enhance aerobic bioremediation. However, the enhancement varied depending on salt concentration. 0.7 g/L was found to be the optimal salt concentration to transfer oxygen. Moreover, MNBs in water salinity of 0.7 g/L had the minimum zeta potential. The correlation of zeta potential and mass transfer was discussed. The hydraulic conductivities of sand were similar for MNBs water with different salt concentrations. The results suggested that salinity had a great influence on MNBs performance, and groundwater salinity should be taken into careful consideration in applying MNBs technology to the enhancement of bioremediation.
Six-Degrees-of-Freedom (6-DOF) Work Object Positional Calibration Using a Robot-Held Proximity Sensor
Authors: Hultman Erik , Leijon Mats
Published: August 2013

Industrial automation has been recognized as a fundamental key to build and keep manufacturing industries in developed countries. In most automation tasks, knowing the exact position of the objects to handle is essential. This is often done using a positional calibration system, such as a camera-based vision system. In this article, an alternative six-degrees-of-freedom work object positional calibration method using a robot-held proximity sensor, is presented. A general trigonometry-based measurement and calculation procedure, which, step-by-step, adjusts a work object coordinate system to the actual work object position, is explained. For suitable robot tasks and work object geometries, the benefits with the presented method include its robustness, large work area and low investment cost. Some drawbacks can be longer cycle time and its limited capacity to handle unsorted and complicated objects. To validate the presented method, it was implemented in an experimental robot setup. In this robot cell, it was used to calibrate the position of a stator section work object, which is used in the Uppsala University Wave Energy Converter generator. Hereby the function of the positional calibration procedure was validated. Sufficient positioning accuracy for the stator winding task was achieved and theoretically validated based on the experiments.
A Refractive Index Sensor Based on the Resonant Coupling to Cladding Modes in a Fiber Loop
Authors: Reyes Mauricio , Monzón-Hernández David , Martínez-Ríos Alejandro , Silvestre Enrique , Díez Antonio , Cruz José , Andrés Miguel
Published: August 2013

We report an easy-to-build, compact, and low-cost optical fiber refractive index sensor. It consists of a single fiber loop whose transmission spectra exhibit a series of notches produced by the resonant coupling between the fundamental mode and the cladding modes in a uniformly bent fiber. The wavelength of the notches, distributed in a wavelength span from 1,400 to 1,700 nm, can be tuned by adjusting the diameter of the fiber loop and are sensitive to refractive index changes of the external medium. Sensitivities of 170 and 800 nm per refractive index unit for water solutions and for the refractive index interval 1.40–1.442, respectively, are demonstrated. We estimate a long range resolution of 3 × 10−4 and a short range resolution of 2 × 10−5 for water solutions.
Fetal Electrocardiogram (fECG) Gated MRI
Authors: Paley Martyn , Morris Janet , Jarvis Debbie , Griffiths Paul
Published: August 2013

We have developed a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-compatible system to enable gating of a scanner to the heartbeat of a foetus for cardiac, umbilical cord flow and other possible imaging applications. We performed radiofrequency safety testing prior to a fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) gated imaging study in pregnant volunteers (n = 3). A compact monitoring device with advanced software capable of reliably detecting both the maternal electrocardiogram (mECG) and fECG simultaneously was modified by the manufacturer (Monica Healthcare, Nottingham, UK) to provide an external TTL trigger signal from the detected fECG which could be used to trigger a standard 1.5 T MR (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA) gating system with suitable attenuation. The MR scanner was tested by triggering rapidly during image acquisition at a typical fetal heart rate (123 beats per minute) using a simulated fECG waveform fed into the gating system. Gated MR images were also acquired from volunteers who were attending for a repeat fetal Central Nervous System (CNS) examination using an additional rapid cardiac imaging sequence triggered from the measured fECG. No adverse safety effects were encountered. This is the first time fECG gating has been used with MRI and opens up a range of new possibilities to study a developing foetus.
GPS/MEMS INS Data Fusion and Map Matching in Urban Areas
Authors: Chu Hone-Jay , Tsai Guang-Je , Chiang Kai-Wei , Duong Thanh-Trung
Published: August 2013

This paper presents an evaluation of the map-matching scheme of an integrated GPS/INS system in urban areas. Data fusion using a Kalman filter and map matching are effective approaches to improve the performance of navigation system applications based on GPS/MEMS IMUs. The study considers the curve-to-curve matching algorithm after Kalman filtering to correct mismatch and eliminate redundancy. By applying data fusion and map matching, the study easily accomplished mapping of a GPS/INS trajectory onto the road network. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithms in controlling the INS drift error and indicate the potential of low-cost MEMS IMUs in navigation applications.
Human Body Parts Tracking and Kinematic Features Assessment Based on RSSI and Inertial Sensor Measurements
Authors: Blumrosen Gaddi , Luttwak Ami
Published: August 2013

Acquisition of patient kinematics in different environments plays an important role in the detection of risk situations such as fall detection in elderly patients, in rehabilitation of patients with injuries, and in the design of treatment plans for patients with neurological diseases. Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) measurements in a Body Area Network (BAN), capture the signal power on a radio link. The main aim of this paper is to demonstrate the potential of utilizing RSSI measurements in assessment of human kinematic features, and to give methods to determine these features. RSSI measurements can be used for tracking different body parts’ displacements on scales of a few centimeters, for classifying motion and gait patterns instead of inertial sensors, and to serve as an additional reference to other sensors, in particular inertial sensors. Criteria and analytical methods for body part tracking, kinematic motion feature extraction, and a Kalman filter model for aggregation of RSSI and inertial sensor were derived. The methods were verified by a set of experiments performed in an indoor environment. In the future, the use of RSSI measurements can help in continuous assessment of various kinematic features of patients during their daily life activities and enhance medical diagnosis accuracy with lower costs.
Lightweight Filter Architecture for Energy Efficient Mobile Vehicle Localization Based on a Distributed Acoustic Sensor Network
Authors: Kim Keonwook
Published: August 2013

The generic properties of an acoustic signal provide numerous benefits for localization by applying energy-based methods over a deployed wireless sensor network (WSN). However, the signal generated by a stationary target utilizes a significant amount of bandwidth and power in the system without providing further position information. For vehicle localization, this paper proposes a novel proximity velocity vector estimator (PVVE) node architecture in order to capture the energy from a moving vehicle and reject the signal from motionless automobiles around the WSN node. A cascade structure between analog envelope detector and digital exponential smoothing filter presents the velocity vector-sensitive output with low analog circuit and digital computation complexity. The optimal parameters in the exponential smoothing filter are obtained by analytical and mathematical methods for maximum variation over the vehicle speed. For stationary targets, the derived simulation based on the acoustic field parameters demonstrates that the system significantly reduces the communication requirements with low complexity and can be expected to extend the operation time considerably.
18FDG-PET to assess recurrence and long term survival in patients with malignant melanoma
Authors: Wieder H. A. , Tekin G. , Rosenbaum-Krumme S. , Klode J. , Altenbernd J. , Bockisch A. , Nagarajah J.
Published: August 2013

Aim: To assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of FDG-PET/CT in the follow-up of malignant melanoma in comparison to the serum protein S100B. Patients and methods: A total of ninety patients with either low-risk or high-risk malignant melanoma, respectively, were included in this study. The followup of the patients was pursuant with the guidelines of the German Dermatological Association. The diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic power were determined for PET/CT and for the serum protein S100B. Results: In 28 of the 90 patients PET/CT was positive in the follow up, 47 patients had an elevated Serum S100B level. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of PET/CT for the total groups of patients were 87%, 93%, 87% and 93%. The corresponding values for the serum protein S100B were 65%, 52%, 43% and 74%, respectively. PET/CT positive patients showed a significantly (p < 0.001) higher risk of melanoma associated death compared to patients with PET/CT negative findings. No statistical significance could be found in the 5 year survival rate between the S100B positive and S100B negative patients. Conclusion: PET/CT is suitable to confirm or exclude recurrences and can be used to assess the prognosis in melanoma patients. The diagnostic accuracy and the prognostic power is much higher compared to the serum protein S100B.
Synthesis of the reported structure of piperazirum using a nitro-Mannich reaction as the key stereochemical determining step
Authors: Anderson James C , Kalogirou Andreas S , Porter Michael J , Tizzard Graham J
Published: August 2013

Piperazirum, isolated from Arum palaestinum Boiss, was originally assigned as r-3,c-5-diisobutyl-c-6-isopropylpiperazin-2-one. The reported structure was synthesised diastereoselectively using a key nitro-Mannich reaction to set up the C5/C6 relative stereochemistry. The structure was unambiguously assigned by single crystal X-ray diffraction but the spectroscopic data did not match those reported for the natural product. The structure of the natural product must therefore be revised.
Issues in working with families in the Midwest USA during the perinatal period
Authors: Maldonado-Dúran Jesus-Martin , Karacostas Velissarios , Millhuff Charles
Published: August 2013

Résumé En partant de l’expérience clinique d’un travail effectué dans de multiples lieux du Centre-Ouest des Etats-Unis, les auteurs exposent un certain nombre de stratégies de parentalité d’un point de vue transculturel. Des stratégies de parentalité qui ne sont clairement significatives que dans un certain contexte culturel sont parfois présentées comme « scientifiques », plus modernes et avancées en comparaison avec des pratiques en usage dans des sociétés traditionnelles et des pays du Tiers-Monde. Sont examinées des stratégies de parents pour promouvoir l’autonomie, l’individuation et l’indépendance chez leurs enfants parfois depuis la toute petite enfance. L’importance d’être fort, d’assumer ses responsabilités et les conséquences de ses actions sont des thèmes culturels très importants. Les auteurs explorent comment les parents font avec les pleurs des jeunes enfants, quelle est leur approche de la nourriture et du sommeil, ainsi que la question de la discipline. Les thématiques culturelles résonnent à travers tous ces domaines, où les stratégies utilisées par les parents sont la conséquence logique du besoin d’être un individu dès le début de la vie. Sont explorées quelques raisons possibles qui expliquent pourquoi dans une société capitaliste hautement industrialisée, marquée par une importante mobilité sociale et par une progressive nucléarisation des familles, ces stratégies de parentalité tendent à favoriser des traits émotionnels et de caractère qui sont adaptés à la survie dans une telle société.
Le pacte avec le diable : étiologie et métaphore de violence
Authors: Valenzuela-Pérez Alicia , Rojas-Viger Celia , Sterlin Carlo
Published: August 2013

Résumé Cette étude illustre le parcours d’un immigrant latino-américain dans les systèmes de soins montréalais (Québec, Canada) et les difficultés à penser et à vivre la maladie dans un contexte d’opposition, de rupture et d’exclusion. Elle rend compte des possibilités thérapeutiques d’une clinique transculturelle qui favorise l’ouverture des espaces de soins et facilite l’émergence des images et des représentations culturelles de la maladie et du processus de guérison. Elle témoigne aussi des défis thérapeutiques posés par les « maladies du surnaturel » (pacte avec le diable) et veut ouvrir le débat sur la possibilité d’historiciser et de politiser ces problématiques dans l’intervention ethnopsychiatrique.
Clinique orthophonique et migration : la langue de la mère et l'œil du père
Authors: Rosenbaum Francine
Published: August 2013

Résumé A travers le récit de la prise en charge orthophonique d’une famille migrante, l’auteur essaie de mettre en évidence quelques aspects paradoxalement pathogènes d’un cadre thérapeutique monolingue et les aménagements susceptibles de les atténuer. Ce récit relate aussi l’impact de l’irruption du réel traumatique dans le cadre thérapeutique.
L'école, les cultures et la laïcité
Authors: Giraud François
Published: August 2013

Résumé Afin d’éclairer les controverses actuelles concernant la place des enfants de migrants à l’école, l’auteur examine quelques points essentiels du débat transculturel dans la société et l’école en France. Du fait des liens étroits existant entre celle-ci et la République, il montre que les problèmes sont liés à la difficulté à penser le religieux dans la culture contemporaine, mais aussi à articuler droits culturels et droits individuels, comme le montre l’affaire dite du « foulard islamique ». Plus globalement, il plaide pour une meilleure intégration de la connaissance des civilisations extra-européennes à l’école et pour une véritable laïcisation qui fasse le partage entre culture et société politique.
Encrucijadas sociales de la innovación
Authors: López Cerezo José A. , González Marta I.
Published: August 2013

La creciente literatura aparecida en los últimos años sobre innovación ha producido multitud de definiciones y clasificaciones de la misma en las que se reflejan disciplinas y tradiciones de origen, así como compromisos teóricos y prácticos. Distinguir entre innovación de productos o innovación de procesos, o diferenciar de acuerdo con el grado de novedad de los resultados de la innovación (o la “intensidad” innovadora) son algunas de estas estrategias taxonómicas. Aunque los enfoques más clásicos sobre innovación han obviado sistemáticamente los aspectos sociales de la misma, recientemente ha aparecido una nueva categoría, la “innovación social”, etiqueta que engloba clases muy distintas de prácticas. En esta contribución analizaremos los distintos sentidos en los que se entiende la “innovación social” y defenderemos que una innovación apropiada ha de ser siempre una forma de innovación social.
Investigación e innovación para la inclusión social: la trama de la teoría y de la política
Authors: Alzugaray Santiago , Mederos Leticia , Sutz Judith
Published: August 2013

Los porqué y para qué una sociedad debe dedicar esfuerzos a la investigación y a la innovación están cambiando, incorporando como perspectiva central que los sectores más postergados sean sus destinatarios directos y tengan voz en su orientación. Luego de argumentar esta afirmación, el trabajo analiza algunos abordajes en torno a las articulaciones entre conocimiento, innovación e inclusión social, mostrando sus diferencias y, en ocasiones, divergencias. Ciertos enfoques teóricos que colaboran a entender mejor estas articulaciones son analizados, así como una experiencia específica de política de investigación en la Universidad de la República, Uruguay, que busca potenciarlas.
Vectores éticos de innovación oculta en la tecnología social
Authors: Bustamante Donas Javier
Published: August 2013

En este artículo se estudia la conexión entre tecnología social e innovación oculta a partir de un conjunto de vectores éticos. Estos vectores éticos permiten que aflore y se difunda la innovación oculta que se produce a través de la tecnología social en entornos colaborativos. Entender la dimensión ética de la tecnología social permite identificar el papel que juega un conjunto de leyes (ley de Metcalfe, ley de rendimientos crecientes de adopción y ley de externalidades positivas) en el desarrollo de prácticas de empoderamiento social en dichos entornos, definidos como "comunidades de conocimiento". Se analizan estos vectores éticos presentes en la tecnología social a partir de las siguientes categorías: conocimiento e innovación comunitarios, participación ciudadana y democracia, diálogo entre saberes populares y saberes científicos, y proceso pedagógico holístico.
Ética en la innovación y el movimiento Open
Authors: Alonso Andoni
Published: August 2013

Este artículo trata de contextualizar la dificultad de entender el término innovación y por ello el conocimiento de los valores encerrados en ella. Se apuesta entonces por definir innovación como producto de la actividad humana en campos diferentes. Asimismo se toma como marco de referencia la axiología de los valores tecnocientíficos de J. Echeverría. A partir de ahí se examinan diferentes valores como el de libertad, convivencialidad y comunidad propios del movimiento “open”. Se concluye que en este movimiento existe una apuesta decisiva de una innovación basada en valores.