bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pour un système de santé qui profite à tous : l’Algérie face au défi de l’approche systémique
Authors: Akki-Alouani Aoumeur
Published: December 2015

Dans la déclaration d’Alma Ata de 1978, puis dans celle d’Alger de 2008, le gouvernement de l’Algérie s’est engagé dans la promotion des soins de santé primaires pour tous. Malgré ces engagements et l’augmentation des dépenses de santé, le système de santé de l’Algérie ne fournit pas des services de qualité et accessibles à chacun, quels que soient son lieu de résidence ou son revenu. La persistance de ces dysfonctionnements est un problème de gestion opérationnelle des structures de soins et de gouvernance sanitaire. L’article souligne l’importance d’un système d’information de santé informatisé et intégré, selon l’approche systémique, pour obtenir un système efficace et efficient. Il fait appel au modèle de Donabedian et montre que la qualité ne dépend pas de la valeur intrinsèque de la structure, des processus ou des résultats recherchés, mais de leurs interactions. Il rapproche ce modèle de la méthode ABC/M, utilisée par les entreprises pour améliorer leurs performances et considérée comme une importante innovation managériale de la fin du XX e  siècle.
Santé et équité. Vers une économie politique de la santé
Authors: Djenane Abdelmadjid
Published: December 2015

L’économie de la santé est une discipline relativement jeune et en transformation. Au départ, elle analysait les comportements et les stratégies, aux niveaux individuels et collectifs, des opérateurs et des usagers du secteur de la santé, notamment lorsqu’on s’intéresse à la question de l’équité. Elle s’enrichit aujourd’hui d’analyses sur l’évolution des dépenses de santé, soulevant des questions liées à l’efficience des dépenses et à leur équité. Ces aspects ne sont pas purement économiques ; ils revêtent un caractère médical, politique, sociologique et juridique. Seule une approche interdisciplinaire est à même de les appréhender en les inscrivant dans une économie politique de la santé . Cette dernière s’appuie sur l’analyse micro- et macroéconomique, pour évaluer les besoins de santé et la façon dont ils sont pris en charge par les différentes parties. Elle s’intéresse surtout à leur évaluation du point de vue de l’efficacité et de l’équité des dépenses publiques susceptibles d’assurer un développement durable du système de santé.
Le chercheur en sciences sociales à l’épreuve d’exigences multidimensionnelles
Authors: Mbiatong Jérôme
Published: December 2015

Cette contribution examine comment les épreuves de terrain et les épreuves structurelles impactent de manière fondamentale le processus de recherche, dans les Sciences sociales notamment. Au-delà de la question de la confrontation du chercheur aux réalités persistantes et perturbantes de son terrain et de son époque, il s’agit modestement de démystifier le portrait du chercheur héros. Le propos s’appuie sur une expérience sur un terrain glissant, celui de la migration précaire, pour conclure à l’idée qu’aujourd’hui, plus que jamais la conscience éthique du chercheur est sollicitée et sa responsabilité consiste aussi à tenir le bon équilibre entre détachement et engagement, entre le devoir et la résistance. Les qualités du chercheur sont forgées par ces épreuves.
L’Épreuve de la thèse et la particularité de ses Épreuves
Authors: Sankara Théodul
Published: December 2015

Cette contribution aborde une réalité des épreuves dans la vie des doctorants. Elle met l’accent sur le vécu des doctorants étrangers en France. Loin du fleuve tranquille, la thèse est pour beaucoup de jeunes chercheurs une lutte quotidienne entre recherche doctorale et recherche vitale. Ces épreuves, caractérisées d’existentielles par Boltanski, font référence au domaine des expériences vécues, par exemple des traumatismes, des souffrances (Boltanski, 2009). J’inscris ma démarche dans une sociologie pragmatique (Boltanski), plus particulièrement dans la perspective de « construire une approche qui tient compte de la capacité des acteurs à s’ajuster à différentes situations de la vie sociale (Nachi, 2006).
Le tutorat intergénérationnel, l’épreuve de la preuve
Authors: Laport Danielle
Published: December 2015

La Martinique s’achemine sur la voie d’un changement institutionnel avec la mise en place de la Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique (CTM), en décembre 2015, entraînant la disparition du Conseil Régional et du Conseil Général. Par ailleurs, la pyramide des âges de ces deux collectivités est vieillissante. Cette situation conduira la nouvelle collectivité à renouveler dans moins de dix ans 25 % de ses effectifs. Une métamorphose des pratiques de gestion des ressources humaines s’impose. Le Conseil Régional de Martinique anticipe en développant un management intergénérationnel à travers le tutorat. Le tutorat, outil de socialisation professionnelle, consiste à transformer les agents seniors en tuteurs « passeurs de compétences reconnues », les invitant ainsi à sortir de l’individualisme. Le tutorat convoque alors la dialectique sujet-acteur. Ce dispositif propice à l’émergence d’une organisation apprenante ouvre des perspectives intéressantes pour la Collectivité Territoriale de Martinique. Cette approche s’inscrit dans les théories de l’interdépendance. Aussi l’analyse de cette initiative régionale s’appuiera-t-elle sur la sociologie singulariste qui invite à traduire systématiquement les enjeux collectifs en épreuves.
Épreuve(s) et formation tout au long de la vie
Authors: Pariat Marcel
Published: December 2015

L’éducation et la formation tout au long de la vie s’apparentent à un parcours semé d’embûches aussi bien pour les individus que pour les groupes sociaux. Incertitude et crise en sont le corollaire et sont présentes à toutes les étapes et dans tous les espaces de la vie, rappelant, si besoin en est, que le rôle de l’épreuve n’est pas seulement d’ordre initiatique, mais qu’il participe pleinement au processus de construction, de structuration et de développement de l’individu comme de la société.
L’épreuve dans la formation professionnelle allemande : le cas de la formation des « mécatroniciens »
Authors: Hollinger Véronique
Published: December 2015

Cette contribution se place dans le contexte spécifique de la formation professionnelle allemande déterminée par l’apprentissage en entreprise et par l’école professionnelle à temps partiel (système dual). Très proche du travail au quotidien, l’épreuve de fin d’apprentissage a pour vocation de former de bons praticiens, capables de s’intégrer dans une équipe et d’assumer leur rôle de citoyens. Encore faut-il s’interroger afin de savoir si le modèle corporatiste allemand est durablement en mesure de survivre dans une société de plus en plus individualiste.
Reconstrucciones históricas del puente de El Kantara en Constantine, Argelia
Authors: Bernabeu-Larena J. , Meghraoui A. , Hernández-Lamas P.
Published: December 2015

Constantine, conocida como la «ciudad de los puentes», reúne un patrimonio construido excepcional. Entre sus puentes, se analiza como obra especialmente significativa el de «El Kantara» y sus reconstrucciones históricas: desde el primer puente romano de piedra del año 161, hasta el actual arco de hormigón armado que data de 1951, pasando por la reconstrucción otomana de 1792 y el arco de ingeniería francesa de hierro de 1863. El artículo reúne referencias históricas y documentales de sus diferentes configuraciones. Las sucesivas soluciones ponen de manifiesto la evolución tecnológica de la construcción de puentes, a la vez que muestran su incidencia en la transformación urbana y en la propia identidad de la ciudad.
Febrile Seizure Detect and Alarm System
Authors: Awwad Khader , Hussien Sundous , Rimawi Rawan
Published: December 2015

Wearable medical technology is becoming increasingly popular. Such devices have the potential to vastly improve the effectiveness, safety and economy of monitoring vital signs including temperature by both patients and clinicians. The purpose of this paper is to present design and implementation of a reliable, low cost and non-intrusive system that is to monitor a child’s body temperature using high precision temperature sensor and alarm his/her parents or guardian on their mobile phones as well as on a webpage which can be accessed via internet connection so as to avoid convulsions brought on by a significant rise in body temperature.
Design and Analysis of High Frame Rate Capable Active Pixel Sensor by Using CNTFET Devices for Nanoelectronics
Authors: Biswas Subrata , Kundu Poly , Kabir Md. Hasnat , Ahmed Sagir , Islam Md. Moidul
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a high frame rate capable Active Pixel Sensor (APS) using Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor (CNTFET) instead of Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). Conventionally, the design of a single APS circuit is based on three transistors (3T) model. In order to achieve higher frame rate, one extra transistor with a column sensor circuit has been introduced in the proposed design to reduce the readout time. This study also concerns about the effect of transistor sizing, bias current, and moreover, the chiral vector of CNTFET. The power consumption and power delay product (PDP) are also investigated for specific sets of reset and row selector signal. Data for these studies were collected with the help of HSPICE software which were further plotted in OriginPro to analyze the optimal operation point of APS circuit. The bias current was also recorded for the readout transistor which is uniquely introduced in the proposed model for achieving better readout time. Hence, the main focus of this paper is to improve the frame rate by reducing the readout time. Results of the proposed CNTFET APS circuit are compared with the conventional CMOS APS circuit. The performance benchmarking shows that CNTFET APS cell significantly reduces readout time, PDP, and thus can achieve much higher frame rate than that of conventional CMOS APS cell.
A Fuzzy Least Squares Support Tensor Machines in Machine Learning
Authors: Zhang Ruiting , Zhou Zhijian
Published: December 2015

In the machine learning field, high-dimensional data are often encountered in the real applications. Most of the traditional learning algorithms are based on the vector space model, such as SVM. Tensor representation is useful to the over fitting problem in vector-based learning, and tensor-based algorithm requires a smaller set of decision variables as compared to vector-based approaches. We also would require that the meaningful training points must be classified correctly and would not care about some training points like noises whether or not they are classified correctly. To utilize the structural information present in high dimensional features of an object, a tensor-based

learning framework, termed as Fuzzy Least Squares support tensor machine (FLSSTM), where the classifier is obtained by solving a system of linear equations rather than a quadratic programming problem at each iteration of FLSSTM algorithm as compared to STM algorithm. This in turn provides a significant reduction in the computation time, as well as comparable classification accuracy. The efficacy of the proposed method has been demonstrated in ORL database and Yale database. The FLSSTM outperforms other tensor-based algorithms, for example,

LSSTM, especially when training size is small.
A New Multiple Criteria Decision Making Method and its Application in Cloud Computing for Education
Authors: Sun Heng
Published: December 2015

Cloud computing can extend the traditional education framework. In education, cloud can provide students and teachers with tools to deploy computing resources on-demand for lectures and labs according to their learning needs. But how to select a perfect cloud server is a key point, which is considered as a multiple criteria decision making problem. So, in this paper, intuitionistic fuzzy set is first introduced to express the decision maker’s views. Intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) includes a membership function and a non-membership function. More importantly, a new operator with choquet integral is developed to deal with assessment of education using cloud computing. Meanwhile, score function and accuracy function are demonstrated to obtain the final result. Finally, we develop this method to apply in a case study to show its applicability.
Assessment of E-learning System in Higher Education Based on Hesitant Fuzzy Information with Incomplete Attribute Weights
Authors: Ye Hong
Published: December 2015

With the development of information technology, colleges and universities around the world are constructing E-learning system to meet their students' and faculty's needs. E-learning can effectively help students to learn varieties of knowledge and even skills they want to obtain.

Therefore, the efficiency of E-learning system is important to popularize and develop it. Then, in this paper, we investigate to propose a method to evaluate E-learning system in higher education based on some criteria. Hereinto, this assessment problem can be considered as a multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problem. Thus, TOPSIS method, as a popular multiple attribute decision making method, is introduced in this paper to solve this assessment problem. In MADM problem, how to acquire preference of the decision maker is critical. In order to solve this issue, hesitant fuzzy set is developed in this paper. Weight vector, as a balance to weight the importance of different attributes, is hard to obtain. Then, a new fuzzy weight method is proposed to determine attribute weights. Finally, a case study is demonstrated to verify the applicability of this method.
Research on the Ranking of University Education based on Grey-TOPSIS-DEA Method
Authors: Liu Jianfen , Li Shengpu
Published: December 2015

The University is the cradle of the higher education. In the college life, the college students continue to accept the new knowledge and continue to grow. Obviously, the level of the university education will be directly related to the growth for the college students. Therefore, it is an important job to evaluate and order the college education quality. In this paper, we combine the Grey theory, TOPSIS with DEA method. And we propose an improved Grey-TOPSIS-DEA model. Then, we use the model to evaluate the college education quality. Finally, we get the rankings of the college education. In the last part of this paper, we use the method to evaluate the education quality for different colleges. And we verify the validity of the method.
Implementing a New Class-Lab
Authors: Tavernise Assunta , Bertacchini Francesca , Pantano Pietro S. , Bilotta Eleonora
Published: December 2015

Some recent researches affirm that students' perception of lessons is highly positive when various multimedia teaching tools are integrated. Topics seems more interesting, learners are motivated and feel that media provide them an advantage over the students in a traditional setting. However, in Italy, pre-service teachers' training does not involve a laboratorial approach to the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to use in classroom. In this study, a case study on the integration of different technologies, involving a new advanced setting by which teachers can interact with diverse specific technologies, is presented. In particular, in this technology-enhanced environment, pedagogical agents in a virtual world, touch-screen technologies, and robotics can be combined in order to make enjoyable the acquisition of technological skills. Pre-service teachers' reports show an overwhelmingly positive response, even if further case studies are necessary.
An Exploratory Study on Perceptions and Use of Technology by Novice and Future Teachers
Authors: Petrucco Corrado , Grion Valentina
Published: December 2015

The article discusses the factors that affect the choice of teachers to integrate technology in their teaching and presents the results of a questionnaire administered to 805 teachers attending professional development training courses (TFA and PAS) in the Veneto Region (Northern Italy). The research is aimed at collecting data for the development of a teachers training program that is effective in motivating them to a broader and more effective use of technology. The study reveals how teachers still have little consideration for the potential of interactive and collaborative technology, preferring to use technology for searching information and materials rather than for discussion and participation in on-line communities with their peers, in order to improve their teaching and towards a collaborative construction and sharing of knowledge. The study also confirms the findings in the literature on the subject relative to a number of factors (internal and external) that are perceived as obstacles to the decision to integrate technology in education and proposes specific training activities that are useful in order to remove them.
Application of Cellular Communications Models and Designs for Use in Disaster-Aftermath Related Scenarios
Authors: Curran Stephen J.
Published: December 2015

This paper is a pilot study on the concept of an aerial base station as a future strategy for restoring cellular communications in the aftermath of a major disaster. The strategy being studied makes use of low altitude platforms (LAPs) or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can hover or orbit in a relatively fixed position and can act as an aerial base station. Unlike High Altitude Platforms (HAP) operating in a layer of the atmosphere above any existing air traffic, the LAPs or UAVs will be able to operate a few hundred to some thousands of meters above ground level. This paper also describes the functionality of the components comprising the aerial base station.
Green Practices Implementation as Prerequisite to Sustain Firm Competitive Advantages
Authors: Lumbanbatu Kardison , Aryanto Vincent Didiek Wiet
Published: December 2015

Encompassing firms to apply green policy in a holistic management practices are strongly required in order to maintain competitive advantages and experience long-term marketing performance. This current empirical research is aimed to fill the lack of empirical findings and empirical studies on firm's innovative concept. Green-based product innovation, green management practices and green corporate image are presented as the antecedents and postulated as the sources of sustaining firm competitive advantages. A questionnaire-based survey was deployed to collect data from Large Scale Enterprises in Indonesia with Top Management, Operational and Marketing Managers served as respondents. 500 questionnaires were mailed and 388 were valid for further analysis. Data was analyzed by using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via AMOS statistical software. Statistical findings demonstrated that green-based product innovation, green management practices and green corporate image significantly has a positive affect to sustain firm competitive advantages which is led to enhance long term marketing performance. However, green-based product innovation plays insignificant direct relationship on long term marketing performance. This study discusses some managerial implications for enterprises and recommendations on a basis of green implementation.
Indices of Land Degradation and Control Measures in Selected Urban Communities of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Lawal-Adebowle O. A. , Aromolaran A. K.
Published: December 2015

The study assessed the causal factors of land degradation in urban areas of Abeokuta and the employed control measures by residents of the communities. A qualitative approach, which encompasses observational techniques – participant/field observation, interactive discussion and photographic capturing, was used for collection of data on land degradation in the study area. Analysis of collected data showed land gradients, rainfall and run-offs, erosion, entrenched foot paths, sand scraping/mining, poor/absence of drainage system and land covers as causal factors of land degradation in the study area. The study though observed that control measures such as filling of drenches with sand bags, wood logs, bricks and stones were employed by residents in the study area, construction of good drainage system was presumed to be the most appropriate and sustainable control measure of water erosion in the study area.
The Value of Climate Change Reporting of Firms
Authors: Zamora-Ramirez Constancio , Gonzalez-Gonzalez Jose M.
Published: December 2015

Existing literature has not yet provided fully conclusive evidence on the relationship between the level of companies' carbon disclosure, as one type of environmental information disclosure, and their financial performance. This paper studies carbon disclosure through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) and observes its effect on financial performance by means of a test double carried out in the Spanish financial market. Market response to the publication of CDP reports was monitored through an event study and studying how the CDP score impacts companies' share price using a model based in Ohlson, (1995) and developing a panel data analysis. The results confirm that the market responds to the disclosure of environmental information with an incremental effect on financial performance, which furthermore corroborates the fact that companies with better environmental performance have higher levels of environmental information disclosure, as predicted by the voluntary disclosure theory.
Using mobile phones and social media to facilitate education and support for rural-based midwives in South Africa
Authors: Chipps Jennifer , Pimmer Christoph , Brysiewicz Petra , Walters Fiona , Linxen Sebastian , Ndebele Thandi , Gröhbiel Urs
Published: December 2015

Background: Empirical studies show the value of mobile phones as effective educational tools to support learning in the nursing profession, predominantly in high income countries.Problem statement: The rapidly increasing prevalence of mobile phone technology in Africa nourishes hopes that these tools could be equally effective in lowly resourced contexts, specifically in efforts to achieve the health-related Millennium Development goals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception and use of mobile phones as educational and professional tools by nurses in lowly resourced settings.Methodology: A quantitative survey using self-administered questionnaires was conducted of rural advanced midwives.Results: Fifty-six nurses (49.6%) from the 113 rural-based midwives attending an advanced midwifery training programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, filled in a questionnaire. The results showed that, whilst nurses regarded their technology competences as low and although they received very little official support from their educational and professional institutions, the majority frequently used mobile functions and applications to support their work and learning processes. They perceived mobile devices with their voice, text, and email functions as important tools for the educational and professional activities of searching for information and engaging with facilitators and peers from work and study contexts. To a lesser extent, the use of social networks, such as WhatsApp and Facebook, were also reported.Conclusion and recommendation: It is concluded that educational institutions should support the appropriate use of mobile phones more systematically; particularly in relation to the development of mobile network literacy skills.
The Speckled Cellist : Classification of Cello Bowing Techniques using the Orient Specks
Authors: Mukherjee Debadri , Arvind DK
Published: December 2015

Cello bowing techniques are classified by applying supervised machine learning methods to sensor data from two inertial sensors called the Orient specks – one worn on the playing wrist and the other attached to the frog of the bow. Twelve different bowing techniques were considered, including variants on a single string and across multiple strings. Results are presented for the classification of these twelve techniques when played singly, and in combination during improvisational play. The results demonstrated that even when limited to two sensors, classification accuracy in excess of 95% was obtained for the individual bowing styles, with the added advantages of a minimalist approach.
Body-IMU autocalibration for inertial hip and knee joint tracking
Authors: Salehi Sarvenaz , Bleser Gabriele , Reiss Attila , Stricker Didier
Published: December 2015

Sensor to body calibration is a key requirement for capturing accurate body movements in applications based on wearable systems. In this paper, we consider the specific problem of estimating the positions of multiple inertial measurement units (IMUs) relative to the adjacent body joints. To derive an efficient, robust and precise method based on a practical procedure is a crucial as well as challenging task when developing a wearable system with multiple embedded IMUs. In this work, first, we perform a theoretical analysis of an existing position calibration method, showing its limited applicability for the hip and knee joint. Based on this, we propose a method for simultaneously estimating the positions of three IMUs (mounted on pelvis, upper leg, lower leg) relative to these joints. The latter are here considered as an ensemble. Finally, we perform an experimental evaluation based on simulated and real data, showing the improvements of our calibration method as well as lines of future work.
Requirements Identification Towards a Design of Adaptive ICTs for Supporting Bipolar Disorder Treatment in Different Healthcare Contexts
Authors: Torri Emanuele , Mayora Oscar , Cobo Jesus , Palao Diego
Published: December 2015

This paper presents patient and caregiver perspective on ICTs supporting bipolar disorder management in multinational healthcare provisioning contexts. The envisioned mHealth solutions should adopt general requirements that could be instantiated into different clinical settings. Engagement of users in designing new technologies for mental health is crucial to ensure empowerment and patient-centeredness of services. We performed focus groups to understand user needs, attitudes and experiences towards the supportive ICTs in two target regions where the expected solutions will operate. The survey offered valuable inputs for the construction of the clinical requirements used to produce a trans-national call for tender on mobile health solutions aimed at supporting bipolar disorders treatment among public purchasers in different European countries. The study was part of the NYMHPA-MD (Next Generation Mobile Platform for Health in Mental Disorders) project, co-funded by the European Commission.
Type 2 diabetes patients assessment of the COMODITY12 mHealth system.
Authors: Kardas Przemyslaw , Lewandowski Krzysztof
Published: December 2015

Background: Patient acceptance is one of the major barriers toward widespread use of mHealth. The aim of this study was to assess patients’ experience with their use of COMMODITY12 telehealth system. Methods: DM2 patients assessed COMMODITY12 system after its 6 weeks’ long use within clinical trial. Patients opinions were collected with 7-item questionnaire, assessing different aspects of system use, as well as EuroQol-5D-5L generic questionnaire, assessing health-related quality of life. Results: Thirty patients (female, 13, male, 17, mean age +/- SD 59.9 +/- 5.3) completed study. All dimensions of experience with system use were assessed well, with maximum values for clearness of instructions, and ease of use (4.80, and 4.63, respectively). Health related quality of life, as assessed with general utility measure, improved significantly (P<0.05). Conclusions: Study proved that the COMODITY12 system is accepted well by type 2 diabetes patients taking part in clinical trial. Nevertheless, before future commercialisation of the system, several minor problems identified during the study need to be addressed.
О совместных спектрах наборов неограниченных операторов
Authors: Mirotin Adolf Ruvimovich
Published: December 2015

Рассматривается несколько типов совместных спектров конечного семейства коммутирующих замкнутых операторов в банаховом пространстве, устанавливаются новые соотношения между этими спектрами (ранее было известно лишь включение спектра Тейлора в коммутантный спектр), и для случая генераторов полугрупп доказываются теоремы об отображении спектров; некоторые из этих теорем являются обобщениями предшествующих результатов автора. Даются приложения полученных результатов к вопросу об
устойчивости многопараметрических полугрупп.
Библиография: 31 наименование.
Application of Data-Driven Decision Making Using Ayres Sensory Integration® With a Child With Autism
Authors: Faller Patricia , Hunt Joanne , van Hooydonk Elke , Mailloux Zoe , Schaaf Roseann
Published: December 2015

Health care and educational legislation and policy require that clinicians demonstrate, using measurement and report of outcomes, accountability for services rendered. Clinical algorithms have been developed and are used by various health care professionals to assist with hypothesis generation and systematic clinical reasoning; however, they do not explicitly guide measurement of outcomes as part of the reasoning process. Schaaf and colleagues developed the Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM) process to address the greater need for outcome measurement, systematically support decision making, target intervention more precisely, and measure and document outcomes. This article describes the application of the DDDM process with a child with ASD who received occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration®.
Nitrogen isotopic evidence for a shift from nitrate- to diazotroph-fueled export production in VAHINE mesocosm experiments
Authors: Knapp A. N. , Fawcett S. E. , Martínez-Garcia A. , Leblond N. , Moutin T. , Bonnet S.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. In a shallow, coastal lagoon off the southwest coast of New Caledonia, large-volume (~ 50 m3) mesocosm experiments were undertaken to track the fate of newly fixed nitrogen (N). The mesocosms were intentionally fertilized with 0.8 μM dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) to stimulate diazotrophy. N isotopic evidence indicates that the dominant source of N fueling export production shifted from subsurface nitrate (NO3−) assimilated prior to the start of the 23 day experiments to N2 fixation by the end of the experiments. While the δ15N of the sinking particulate N (PNsink) flux changed during the experiments, the δ15N of the suspended PN (PNsusp) and dissolved organic N (DON) pools did not. This is consistent with previous observations that the δ15N of surface ocean N pools is less responsive than that of PNsink to changes in the dominant source of new N to surface waters. In spite of the absence of detectable NO3− in the mesocosms, the δ15N of PNsink indicated that NO3− continued to fuel a significant fraction of export production (20 to 60 %) throughout the 23 day experiments, with N2 fixation dominating export after about two weeks. The low rates of primary productivity and export production during the first 14 days were primarily supported by NO3−, and phytoplankton abundance data suggest that export was driven by large diatoms sinking out of surface waters. Concurrent molecular and taxonomic studies indicate that the diazotroph community was dominated by diatom-diazotroph assemblages (DDAs) at this time. However, these DDAs represented a minor fraction (< 5 %) of the total diatom community and contributed very little new N via N2 fixation; they were thus not important for driving export production, either directly or indirectly. The unicellular cyanobacterial diazotroph, a Cyanothece-like UCYN-C, proliferated during the last phase of the experiments when N2 fixation, primary production, and the flux of PNsink increased significantly, and δ15N budgets reflected a predominantly diazotrophic source of N fueling export production. At this time, the export flux itself was likely dominated by the non-diazotrophic diatom, Cylindrotheca closterium, along with a lesser contribution from other eukaryotic phytoplankton and a small contribution (< 10 %) from aggregated UCYN-C cells. Despite comprising a small fraction of the total biomass, UCYN-C was largely responsible for driving export production during the last ~ 10 days of the experiments through the rapid transfer of its newly fixed N to other phytoplankton; we infer that this newly fixed N was transferred through the DON and/or ammonium pools. This inference reconciles previous observations of invariant oligotrophic surface ocean DON concentrations and δ15N with incubation studies showing that diazotrophs can release a significant fraction of their newly fixed N as some form of DON.
A DIMENSION REDUCTION-BASED METHOD FOR CLASSIFICATION OF HYPERSPECTRAL AND LIDAR DATA
Authors: Abbasi B. , Arefi H. , Bigdeli B.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The existence of various natural objects such as grass, trees, and rivers along with artificial manmade features such as buildings and roads, make it difficult to classify ground objects. Consequently using single data or simple classification approach cannot improve classification results in object identification. Also, using of a variety of data from different sensors; increase the accuracy of spatial and spectral information. In this paper, we proposed a classification algorithm on joint use of hyperspectral and Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) data based on dimension reduction. First, some feature extraction techniques are applied to achieve more information from Lidar and hyperspectral data. Also Principal component analysis (PCA) and Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) have been utilized to reduce the dimension of spectral features. The number of 30 features containing the most information of the hyperspectral images is considered for both PCA and MNF. In addition, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) has been measured to highlight the vegetation. Furthermore, the extracted features from Lidar data calculated based on relation between every pixel of data and surrounding pixels in local neighbourhood windows. The extracted features are based on the Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) matrix. In second step, classification is operated in all features which obtained by MNF, PCA, NDVI and GLCM and trained by class samples. After this step, two classification maps are obtained by SVM classifier with MNF+NDVI+GLCM features and PCA+NDVI+GLCM features, respectively. Finally, the classified images are fused together to create final classification map by decision fusion based majority voting strategy.
A HYBRID METHOD IN VEGETATION HEIGHT ESTIMATION USING POLINSAR IMAGES OF CAMPAIGN BIOSAR
Authors: Dehnavi S. , Maghsoudi Y.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Recently, there have been plenty of researches on the retrieval of forest height by PolInSAR data. This paper aims at the evaluation of a hybrid method in vegetation height estimation based on L-band multi-polarized air-borne SAR images. The SAR data used in this paper were collected by the airborne E-SAR system. The objective of this research is firstly to describe each interferometry cross correlation as a sum of contributions corresponding to single bounce, double bounce and volume scattering processes. Then, an ESPIRIT (Estimation of Signal Parameters via Rotational Invariance Techniques) algorithm is implemented, to determine the interferometric phase of each local scatterer (ground and canopy). Secondly, the canopy height is estimated by phase differencing method, according to the RVOG (Random Volume Over Ground) concept. The applied model-based decomposition method is unrivaled, as it is not limited to specific type of vegetation, unlike the previous decomposition techniques. In fact, the usage of generalized probability density function based on the nth power of a cosine-squared function, which is characterized by two parameters, makes this method useful for different vegetation types. Experimental results show the efficiency of the approach for vegetation height estimation in the test site.
A STUDY FOR REMOTE DETECTION OF INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS’ EFFECT ON RICE USING THERMAL IMAGES
Authors: Dehnavi S. , Abkar A.A. , Maghsoudi Y. , Dehnavi E.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Rice is one of the most important nutritious grains all over the world, so that only in some parts of Asia more than 300 million acres allocated for cultivating this product. Therefore, qualitative and quantitative management of this product is of great importance in commercial, political and financial viewpoints. Rice plant is very influenced by physical and chemical characteristics of irrigation water, due to its specific kind of planting method. Hence, chemically-polluted waters which received by plant can change in live plants and their products. Thus, a very high degree of treatment will be required if the effluent discharges to rice plants. Current waters receive a variety of land-based water pollutants ranging from industrial wastes to excess sediments. One of the most hazardous wastes are chemicals that are toxic. Some factories discharge their effluents directly into a water body. So, what would happen for rice plant or its product if this polluted water flow to paddies? Is there any remotely-based method to study for this effect? Are surface temperature distributions (thermal images) useful in this context? The first goal in this research is thus to investigate the effect of a simulated textile factory’s effluent sample on the rice product. The second goal is to investigate whether the polluted plant can be identified by means of thermal remote sensing or not. The results of this laboratory research have proven that the presence of industrial wastewater cause a decrease in plant’s product and its f-cover value, also some changes in radiant temperature.
DESIGN A FILTER TO DETECT AND REMOVE VEGETATION FROM ULTRA-CAM-X AERIAL IMAGES’ POINT CLOUD TO PRODUCE AUTOMATICALLY DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL
Authors: Enayati H. , Veissy M. , Rahimpour F.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Digital elevation model is one of the most important spatial information for displaying bare earth. Because of existing objects on the ground, manual editing is unavoidable. Aerial images’ point clouds produced by advanced matching methods are good resources for generating DEM. In this paper, the purpose is design a filter for detect and eliminate vegetation from point clouds. For this purpose, point clouds’ texture is used for finding vegetation. Texture of point clouds is segmented by Otsu method. In the next step, segmented image is added to raster of elevation and vegetation elevation is detected. Results is showing that point clouds’ texture is a good data for filtering vegetation and generating DEM automatically.
ASSESSMENT OF COMPLETENESS AND POSITIONAL ACCURACY OF LINEAR FEATURES IN VOLUNTEERED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (VGI)
Authors: Eshghi M. , Alesheikh A. A.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Recent advances in spatial data collection technologies and online services dramatically increase the contribution of ordinary people to produce, share, and use geographic information. Collecting spatial data as well as disseminating them on the internet by citizens has led to a huge source of spatial data termed as Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) by Mike Goodchild. Although, VGI has produced previously unavailable data assets, and enriched existing ones. But its quality can be highly variable and challengeable. This presents several challenges to potential end users who are concerned about the validation and the quality assurance of the data which are collected. Almost, all the existing researches are based on how to find accurate VGI data from existing VGI data which consist of a) comparing the VGI data with the accurate official data, or b) in cases that there is no access to correct data; therefore, looking for an alternative way to determine the quality of VGI data is essential, and so forth. In this paper it has been attempt to develop a useful method to reach this goal. In this process, the positional accuracy of linear feature of Iran, Tehran OSM data have been analyzed.
AGENT-BASED CROWD SIMULATION CONSIDERING EMOTION CONTAGION FOR EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROBLEM
Authors: Faroqi H. , Mesgari M.-S.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. During emergencies, emotions greatly affect human behaviour. For more realistic multi-agent systems in simulations of emergency evacuations, it is important to incorporate emotions and their effects on the agents. In few words, emotional contagion is a process in which a person or group influences the emotions or behavior of another person or group through the conscious or unconscious induction of emotion states and behavioral attitudes. In this study, we simulate an emergency situation in an open square area with three exits considering Adults and Children agents with different behavior. Also, Security agents are considered in order to guide Adults and Children for finding the exits and be calm. Six levels of emotion levels are considered for each agent in different scenarios and situations. The agent-based simulated model initialize with the random scattering of agent populations and then when an alarm occurs, each agent react to the situation based on its and neighbors current circumstances. The main goal of each agent is firstly to find the exit, and then help other agents to find their ways. Numbers of exited agents along with their emotion levels and damaged agents are compared in different scenarios with different initialization in order to evaluate the achieved results of the simulated model. NetLogo 5.2 is used as the multi-agent simulation framework with R language as the developing language.
A NEW MULTIMODAL MULTI-CRITERIA ROUTE PLANNING MODEL BY INTEGRATING A FUZZY-AHP WEIGHTING METHOD AND A SIMULATED ANNEALING ALGORITHM
Authors: Ghaderi F. , Pahlavani P.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. A multimodal multi-criteria route planning (MMRP) system provides an optimal multimodal route from an origin point to a destination point considering two or more criteria in a way this route can be a combination of public and private transportation modes. In this paper, the simulate annealing (SA) and the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP) were combined in order to find this route. In this regard, firstly, the effective criteria that are significant for users in their trip were determined. Then the weight of each criterion was calculated using the fuzzy AHP weighting method. The most important characteristic of this weighting method is the use of fuzzy numbers that aids the users to consider their uncertainty in pairwise comparison of criteria. After determining the criteria weights, the proposed SA algorithm were used for determining an optimal route from an origin to a destination. One of the most important problems in a meta-heuristic algorithm is trapping in local minima. In this study, five transportation modes, including subway, bus rapid transit (BRT), taxi, walking, and bus were considered for moving between nodes. Also, the fare, the time, the user’s bother, and the length of the path were considered as effective criteria for solving the problem. The proposed model was implemented in an area in centre of Tehran in a GUI MATLAB programming language. The results showed a high efficiency and speed of the proposed algorithm that support our analyses.
ESTIMATING AND FUSING OPTICAL FLOW, GEOSTROPHIC CURRENTS AND SEA SURFACE WIND IN THE WATERS AROUND KISH ISLAND
Authors: Ghalenoei E. , Sharifi M. A. , Hasanlou M.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The aim of this study is calculation of sea surface currents (SSCs) which are estimated from satellite data sets and processed with the variance component estimation (VCE) algorithm to check role of each data set, in fused surface currents (FSCs). The satellite data used in this study are sea surface temperature (SST), satellite altimetry data and sea surface wind (SSW) that plays the important role to make the SSCs and is measured by Ascat satellite. We use optical flow (OF) method (Horn-Schunck algorithm) to extract sea surface movements from sequential SST imageries; in addition, geostrophic currents (GCs) are estimated by satellite altimetry data like sea surface height (SSH). Combining these data sets, has its pros and cons, the OF results are so dense and precise due to high spatial resolution of MODIS data (SST), but sometimes cloud covering over the sea, does not allow the MODIS sensor to measure the SST. In contrast the SST data, the altimetry data have poor spatial resolution and the GCs are not able to determine small scale SSCs. The VCE algorithm shows variances of our data sets and it can be shown their correlations with themselves and with the FSCs. We also calculate angular differences between FSCs and OF, GCs and SSW, and plot distributions of these angular differences. We discover that, the OF and SSW are homolographic, but OF and GCs are accordant to each other.
IMPROVEMENT OF DEM GENERATION FROM ASTER IMAGES USING SATELLITE JITTER ESTIMATION AND OPEN SOURCE IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: Girod L. , Nuth C. , Kääb A.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) system embarked on the Terra (EOS AM-1) satellite has been a source of stereoscopic images covering the whole globe at a 15m resolution at a consistent quality for over 15 years. The potential of this data in terms of geomorphological analysis and change detection in three dimensions is unrivaled and needs to be exploited. However, the quality of the DEMs and ortho-images currently delivered by NASA (ASTER DMO products) is often of insufficient quality for a number of applications such as mountain glacier mass balance. For this study, the use of Ground Control Points (GCPs) or of other ground truth was rejected due to the global “big data” type of processing that we hope to perform on the ASTER archive. We have therefore developed a tool to compute Rational Polynomial Coefficient (RPC) models from the ASTER metadata and a method improving the quality of the matching by identifying and correcting jitter induced cross-track parallax errors. Our method outputs more accurate DEMs with less unmatched areas and reduced overall noise. The algorithms were implemented in the open source photogrammetric library and software suite MicMac.