bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Real-Time Recording Model of Key Indicators for Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions of Sustainable Buildings
Authors: Wu Weiwei , Yang Huanjia , Chew David , Hou Yanhong , Li Qiming
Published: May 2014

Buildings’ sustainability is one of the crucial parts for achieving urban sustainability. Applied to buildings, life-cycle assessment encompasses the analysis and assessment of the environmental effects of building materials, components and assemblies throughout the entire life of the building construction, use and demolition. Estimate of carbon emissions is essential and crucial for an accurate and reasonable life-cycle assessment. Addressing the need for more research into integrating analysis of real-time and automatic recording of key indicators for a more accurate calculation and comparison, this paper aims to design a real-time recording model of these crucial indicators concerning the calculation and estimation of energy use and carbon emissions of buildings based on a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-based system. The architecture of the RFID-based carbon emission recording/tracking system, which contains four functional layers including data record layer, data collection/update layer, data aggregation layer and data sharing/backup layer, is presented. Each of these layers is formed by RFID or network devices and sub-systems that operate at a specific level. In the end, a proof-of-concept system is developed to illustrate the implementation of the proposed architecture and demonstrate the feasibility of the design. This study would provide the technical solution for real-time recording system of building carbon emissions and thus is of great significance and importance to improve urban sustainability.
Novel Calibration Algorithm for a Three-Axis Strapdown Magnetometer
Authors: Liu Yan , Li Xi , Zhang Xiao , Feng Yi
Published: May 2014

A complete error calibration model with 12 independent parameters is established by analyzing the three-axis magnetometer error mechanism. The said model conforms to an ellipsoid restriction, the parameters of the ellipsoid equation are estimated, and the ellipsoid coefficient matrix is derived. However, the calibration matrix cannot be determined completely, as there are fewer ellipsoid parameters than calibration model parameters. Mathematically, the calibration matrix derived from the ellipsoid coefficient matrix by a different matrix decomposition method is not unique, and there exists an unknown rotation matrix R between them. This paper puts forward a constant intersection angle method (angles between the geomagnetic field and gravitational field are fixed) to estimate R. The Tikhonov method is adopted to solve the problem that rounding errors or other errors may seriously affect the calculation results of R when the condition number of the matrix is very large. The geomagnetic field vector and heading error are further corrected by R. The constant intersection angle method is convenient and practical, as it is free from any additional calibration procedure or coordinate transformation. In addition, the simulation experiment indicates that the heading error declines from ±1° calibrated by classical ellipsoid fitting to ±0.2° calibrated by a constant intersection angle method, and the signal-to-noise ratio is 50 dB. The actual experiment exhibits that the heading error is further corrected from ±0.8° calibrated by the classical ellipsoid fitting to ±0.3° calibrated by a constant intersection angle method.
A Combined Experimental and Finite Element Analysis Method for the Estimation of Eddy-Current Loss in NdFeB Magnets
Authors: Fratila Radu , Benabou Abdelkader , Tounzi Abdelmounaïm , Mipo Jean-Claude
Published: May 2014

NdFeB permanent magnets (PMs) are widely used in high performance electrical machines, but their relatively high conductivity subjects them to eddy current losses that can lead to magnetization loss. The Finite Element (FE) method is generally used to quantify the eddy current loss of PMs, but it remains quite difficult to validate the accuracy of the results with complex devices. In this paper, an experimental test device is used in order to extract the eddy current losses that are then compared with those of a 3D FE model.
Laying the Foundation for Transdisciplinary Faculty Collaborations: Actions for a Sustainable Future
Authors: Vanasupa Linda , Schlemer Lizabeth , Burton Roger , Brogno Courtney , Hendrix Ginger , MacDougall Neal
Published: May 2014

How can academicians who desire a sustainable future successfully participate in transdisciplinary projects? Transcending our hidden thought patterns is required. Paradoxically, the disciplinary specialization that enabled the industrial era and its metaphors now function to undermine our ability to recognize and participate in the transformational learning that is needed. In this paper, we offer a post-industrial era metaphor for transdisciplinarity—that of complex dynamic system—that has helped us to work through the unexpected experiences encountered in the process of transformative learning. These insights are based on an ongoing transdisciplinary research collaboration (2008–present) using action research methods; we focus on the faculty experience. Accepting the metaphors of complex systems, we describe the systemic conditions that seem to repeatedly reproduce the emergence of transformative learning for participants, as well as what one might expect to experience in the process. These experiences include: conflict, existential crisis, transformation and renewed vitality within the necessary context of a safe and caring community. Without the adoption of complexity metaphors, these elements would have been overlooked or interpreted as a hindrance to the work. These insights are intended to serve as socially robust knowledge to support the effective participation of faculty members in sustainability projects of a transdisciplinary nature.
Dynamic Processes in Prochiral Solvating Agents (pro-CSAs) Studied by NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Labuta Jan , Ishihara Shinsuke , Ariga Katsuhiko , Hill Jonathan
Published: May 2014

Several dynamic processes, including tautomerism and macrocyclic inversion, in 1H-NMR prochiral solvating agents (pro-CSAs) are investigated. Various features of pro-CSA, including modes of interaction for complex formation, stoichiometry, binding strength and temperature effects were compared for three representative pro-CSA molecules. Structural effects of conjugated tetrapyrrole pro-CSA on the mechanism of enantiomeric excess determination are also discussed. Detailed analysis of species (complexes) and dynamic processes occurring in solution and their 1H-NMR spectral manifestations at various temperatures is presented.
Fluorescence Localization and Comparative Ultrastructural Study of Periplocoside NW from Periploca sepium Bunge in the Midgut of the Oriental Amyworm, Mythimna separata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Feng Mingxing , Zhao Juan , Zhang Jiwen , Hu Zhaonong , Wu Wenjun
Published: May 2014

Periplocoside NW (PSNW) is a novel insecticidal compound isolated from the root bark of Periploca sepium Bunge and has potent stomach toxicity against some insect pests. Previous studies showed that the Mythimna separata larva is sensitive to PSNW, but the Agrotis ispilon larva is insensitive. In this study, preliminary target localization on the midgut of M. separata larvae was conducted via a fluorescence labeling technique. A comparative ultrastructural study on the effects of PSNW on the midguts of M. separata and A. ispilon larvae was performed. Symptom observation results showed that typical stomach toxicity was induced by PSNW in M. separata larvae. Fluorescence localization results showed that PSNW binds to the midgut cells of M. separata larvae. Ultrastructure observations showed destruction of the microvilli, organelle, and cytomembrane in the midgut cells of M. separata larvae, whereas no obvious changes were observed in midgut cells of A. ispilon larvae. These results were consistent with the insecticidal activity of PSNW. Therefore, PSNW might act on the midgut tissues of the insects, and one or more binding sites of PSNW may exist in M. separata larvae midgut cell cytomembranes.
HIV DNA Vaccine: Stepwise Improvements Make a Difference
Authors: Felber Barbara , Valentin Antonio , Rosati Margherita , Bergamaschi Cristina , Pavlakis George
Published: May 2014

Inefficient DNA delivery methods and low expression of plasmid DNA have been major obstacles for the use of plasmid DNA as vaccine for HIV/AIDS. This review describes successful efforts to improve DNA vaccine methodology over the past ~30 years. DNA vaccination, either alone or in combination with other methods, has the potential to be a rapid, safe, and effective vaccine platform against AIDS. Recent clinical trials suggest the feasibility of its translation to the clinic.
Pleurocidin Peptide Enhances Grouper Anti-Vibrio harveyi Immunity Elicited by Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-Encapsulated Recombinant Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase
Authors: Chuang Shu-Chun , Huang Wan-Ling , Kau Sau-Wei , Yang Yun-Pei , Yang Chung-Da
Published: May 2014

Outer membrane proteins, such as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), are considered immunodominant antigens for eliciting protective immunity against Vibrio harveyi, the main etiological agent of vibriosis in fish. Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), such as pleurocidin (PLE), play important roles in activating and recruiting immune cells, thereby contributing to subsequent innate and adaptive immune responses. In the present study, we aimed to use PLE peptide as a potent adjuvant to improve the immunogenicity of V. harveyi recombinant GAPDH (rGAPDH). In order to prepare a controlled-release vaccine, PLE peptide and rGAPDH protein were simultaneously encapsulated into polymeric microparticles made from the biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) polymer. The resulting PLG-encapsulated PLE plus rGAPDH (PLG-PLE/rGAPDH) microparticles, 3.21–6.27 μm in diameter, showed 72%–83% entrapment efficiency and durably released both PLE and rGAPDH for a long 30-day period. Following peritoneal immunization in grouper (Epinephelus coioides), PLG-PLE/rGAPDH microparticles resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.05, nested design) long-lasting GAPDH-specific immunity (serum titers and lymphocyte proliferation) than PLG-encapsulated rGAPDH (PLG-rGAPDH) microparticles. After an experimental challenge of V. harveyi, PLG-PLE/rGAPDH microparticles conferred a high survival rate (85%), which was significantly higher (p < 0.05, chi-square test) than that induced by PLG-rGAPDH microparticles (67%). In conclusion, PLE peptide exhibits an efficacious adjuvant effect to elicit not only improved immunity, but also enhanced protection against V. harveyi in grouper induced by rGAPDH protein encapsulated in PLG microparticles.
CXCR4 Antagonist TG-0054 Mobilizes Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Attenuates Inflammation, and Preserves Cardiac Systolic Function in a Porcine Model of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Hsu Wan-Tseng , Jui Hsiang-Yiang , Huang Ying-Huey , Su Mao-Yuan M. , Wu Yen-Wen , Tseng Wen-Yih I. , Hsu Ming-Chu , Chiang Bor-Luen , Wu Kenneth K. , Lee Chii-Ming
Published: May 2014

Interaction between chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 and the CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) governs the sequestration and mobilization of bone marrow stem cells. We investigated the therapeutic potential of TG-0054, a novel CXCR4 antagonist, in attenuating cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI). In miniature pigs (minipigs), TG-0054 mobilized CD34+CXCR4+, CD133+CXCR4+, and CD271+CXCR4+ cells into peripheral circulation. After isolation and expansion, TG-0054-mobilized CD271+ cells were proved to be mesenchymal stem cells (designated CD271-MSCs) since they had trilineage differentiation potential, surface markers of MSCs, and immunosuppressive effects on allogeneic lymphocyte proliferation. MI was induced in 22 minipigs using balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by intravenous injections of 2.85 mg/kg of TG-0054 or saline at 3 days and 7 days post-MI. Serial MRI analyses revealed that TG-0054 treatment prevented left ventricular (LV) dysfunction at 12 weeks after MI (change of LV ejection fraction from baseline, −1.0 ± 6.2% in the TG-0054 group versus −7.9 ± 5.8% in the controls). The preserved cardiac function was accompanied by a significant decrease in the myocardial expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 at 7 days post-MI. Moreover, the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were persistently suppressed by the TG-0054 treatment. Infusion of TG-0054-mobilized CD271-MSCs reduced both myocardial and plasma cytokine levels in a pattern, which is temporally correlated with TG-0054 treatment. This study demonstrated that TG-0054 improves the impaired LV contractility following MI, at least in part, by mobilizing MSCs to attenuate the postinfarction inflammation. This insight may facilitate exploring novel stem cell-based therapy for treating post-MI heart failure.
Heterologous expression of an alligatorweed high‐affinity potassium transporter gene enhances salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Song Zhizhong , Yang Shunying , Zhu Hong , Jin Man , Su Yanhua
Published: May 2014

• Premise of the study: The potassium cation (K+), one of the most abundant cations in cells, improves plant tolerance to various abiotic stresses. Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) is well known for its strong capacity to accumulate K+. The distinctive K+ accumulation capability of alligatorweed is linked to a high‐affinity K+ transport facilitated by K+‐uptake transporters (ApKUPs).

• Methods: A putative K+ transporter gene, ApKUP4, was isolated from alligatorweed using degenerate primers and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques. Gene expression profiles were performed by quantitative real time PCR and northern blot analysis. Moreover, we introduced ApKUP4 into Arabidopsis to determine its function in improving crop nutrition and NaCl stress tolerance.

• Key results: ApKUP4 was localized throughout the entire alligatorweed plant, and its expression was stimulated in the stems and roots under K+ deficiency, osmotic stress, and salinity stress. Northern blot analysis revealed that ApKUP4 was present in all tested organs of transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Compared with the wild type, Arabidopsis plants overexpressing ApKUP4 showed improved growth and K+ homeostasis. Moreover, ApKUP4 overexpression in Arabidopsis plants enhanced plant tolerance to salinity stress, as evidenced by reduced water loss and ROS generation, associated with enhanced photosynthesis, nutritional status, and enzymatic antioxidants.

• Conclusions: The present study provides direct evidence that the alligatorweed K+ transporter gene, ApKUP4, contributes to salinity tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings, demonstrating the essentiality of potassium homeostasis for plant salinity tolerance.
Stereocontrolled synthesis of 5-azaspiro[2.3]hexane derivatives as conformationally “frozen” analogues of L-glutamic acid
Authors: Bechi Beatrice , Amantini David , Tintori Cristina , Botta Maurizio , Fabio Romano di
Published: May 2014

Several strategies aimed to “freeze” natural amino acids into more constrained analogues have been developed with the aim of enhancing in vitro potency/selectivity and, more in general, drugability properties. The case of L-glutamic acid (L-Glu, 1) is of particular importance since it is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and plays a critical role in a wide range of disorders like schizophrenia, depression, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and in the identification of new potent and selective ligands of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (GluRs). To this aim, bicycle compound Ib was designed and synthesised from D-serine as novel [2.3]-spiro analogue of L-Glu. This frozen amino acid derivative was designed to further limit the rotation around the C3–C4 bond present in the azetidine derivative Ia by incorporating an appropriate spiro moiety. The cyclopropyl moiety was introduced by a diastereoselective rhodium catalyzed cyclopropanation reaction.
Novel indolin-2-one-substituted methanofullerenes bearing long n-alkyl chains: synthesis and application in bulk-heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Romanova Irina P , Bogdanov Andrei V , Izdelieva Inessa A , Trukhanov Vasily A , Shaikhutdinova Gulnara R , Yakhvarov Dmitry G , Latypov Shamil K , Mironov Vladimir F , Dyakov Vladimir A , Golovnin Ilya V , Paraschuk Dmitry Yu , Sinyashin Oleg G
Published: May 2014

An easy, high-yield and atom-economic procedure of a C60 fullerene modification using a reaction of fullerene C60 with N-alkylisatins in the presence of tris(diethylamino)phosphine to form novel long-chain alkylindolinone-substituted methanofullerenes (AIMs) is described. Optical absorption, electrochemical properties and solubility of AIMs were studied. Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT)/AIMs solar cells were fabricated and the effect of the AIM alkyl chain length and the P3HT:AIM ratio on the solar cell performance was studied. The power conversion efficiencies of about 2% were measured in the P3HT/AIM devices with 1:0.4 P3HT:AIM weight ratio for the AIMs with hexadecyl and dodecyl substituents. From the optical and AFM data, we suggested that the AIMs, in contrast to [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), do not disturb the P3HT crystalline domains. Moreover, the more soluble AIMs do not show a better miscibility with the P3HT crystalline phase.
Les enseignants face aux élèves en difficulté scolaire : l'intérêt des Groupes de Parole et d'Analyse de Pratique (GPAP)
Authors: Montagne Yves-Félix
Published: May 2014

Les Groupe de Parole et d’Analyse de Pratique (GPAP) tels qu’ils sont présentés ici permettent de pointer certaines causes subjectives des nouveaux malaises de la relation éducative présentés dans le numéro 182 (Mars 2007) de la revue Éducation et Formation  ; « Les représentations de la grande difficulté scolaire par les enseignants ». Les hypothèses explicatives avancées à ces embarras font écho à la question d’un jeune professeur de l’Académie de Paris rencontré dans un GPAP : «   Pourquoi est-ce aussi difficile d’être professeur en face de certains élèves ? ». La position épistémologique de la psychanalyse, qui soutient ce propos permet d’avancer que c’est du lieu de l’enseignant qui parle à d’autres, que les causes des difficultés rencontrées en classe face à certains élèves en difficulté peuvent, en partie, se révéler et parfois s’amoindrir. De plus, dans le discours des enseignants se dessine un peu de leur « être professeur », ce qu’ils sont comme Sujet en classe. Se jouent ici une autre conception et un autre usage de la parole à et pour l’école.
Vers de nouvelles formes hybrides de coordination en santé mentale : entre conformité et innovation
Authors: Bartoli Annie , Gozlan Guy
Published: May 2014

Cet article étudie les caractéristiques et besoins de la coordination dans le champ de la santé mentale et montre les apports d’une nouvelle forme de configuration organisationnelle qualifiée de « réseau intégré de services ». S’appuyant sur le concept d’organisation hybride de Williamson et sur l’étude du cas Prepsy, il met en évidence quelques conditions de réussite organisationnelles et stratégiques de ce type de dispositif.
Bald Eagle Lead Exposure in the Upper Midwest
Authors: Warner Sarah E. , Britton Edward E. , Becker Drew N. , Coffey Michael J.
Published: May 2014

In 2012, we examined lead exposure in 58 bald eagles Haliaeetus leucocephalus found dead in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. We determined lead concentrations in livers, examined differences in exposure among ages and between sexes, and recorded clinical signs consistent with lead poisoning. Most (60%) of the bald eagles had detectable lead concentrations, and 38% of the 58 had concentrations within the lethal range for lead poisoning. We found no differences in exposure based on sex or age, but we did find an inverse relationship between body and liver mass and liver lead concentration. The high percentage of lead-exposed bald eagles encouraged us to further examine potential sources of lead in our local environment. We initiated a study on the Fish and Wildlife Service's Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge to investigate if discarded offal piles from hunter-killed deer were a potential source of lead exposure to scavenging wildlife such as the bald eagle. Radiographs showed that 36% of offal piles in our sample area contained lead fragments ranging from 1 to 107 particles per pile. Our study indicated that 1) lead exposure rates for bald eagles found dead in our Upper Midwest study area were high, 2) more than one-third of the bald eagles found dead in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin had liver lead concentrations consistent with lead poisoning, and 3) discarded offal piles from deer shot with lead ammunition can be a potential source of lead exposure for bald eagles.
Increasing Visibility through Process Mining
Authors: Pasupathy Kalyan S , Clark David A
Published: May 2014

Healthcare processes have variability embedded within care delivery systems. Healthcare providers and managers need visibility of the process to understand variability, and make process design changes, to improve safety and efficiency. Process mapping has been traditionally used to study processes, and is based on perceptions. However, to better understand and manage variability, there is an urgent need for process mining techniques. Process mining requires data for validation, to increase understanding and/or change perceptions and improve visibility. Radio frequency identification (RFID) can be used for collecting process-related data and can eliminate data quality issues. This paper discusses process mining and its application in healthcare, summarizes process mapping and RFID, and proposes an integration framework and method to improve visibility.
Machine Learning Techniques to Predict Software Defect
Authors: Mohanty Ramakanta , Ravi Vadlamani
Published: May 2014

The past 10 years have seen the prediction of software defects proposed by many researchers using various metrics based on measurable aspects of source code entities (e.g. methods, classes, files or modules) and the social structure of software project in an effort to predict the software defects. However, these metrics could not predict very high accuracies in terms of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. In this chapter, we propose the use of machine learning techniques to predict software defects. The effectiveness of all these techniques is demonstrated on ten datasets taken from literature. Based on an experiment, it is observed that PNN outperformed all other techniques in terms of accuracy and sensitivity in all the software defects datasets followed by CART and Group Method of data handling. We also performed feature selection by t-statistics based approach for selecting feature subsets across different folds for a given technique and followed by the feature subset selection. By taking the most important variables, we invoked the classifiers again and observed that PNN outperformed other classifiers in terms of sensitivity and accuracy. Moreover, the set of ‘if- then rules yielded by J48 and CART can be used as an expert system for prediction of software defects.
Marketing Decisions with Reference Price Effect
Authors: Zhang Juzhi , Zhou Erfeng , Gou Qinglong , Li Susan
Published: May 2014

Empirical research shows that there is a reference price existing in a consumer mind, which greatly affects the consumer's purchase decisions. However, what its impact is on a firm's advertising and pricing decisions has not been investigated. In this chapter we introduce a joint advertising and pricing model for a manufacturer-retailer supply chain, proposing an analytical framework to investigate the reference price's influence on these decisions. In detail, we assume that the reference price is affected by the brand advertising and retail price simultaneously and model its change in a differential equation. The manufacturer and retailer aim to maximize the present value of their profits. The way to solve this problem and future possible research on this issue are also suggested.
Multiobjective Programming
Authors: Sun Minghe
Published: May 2014

Optimization problems with multiple criteria measuring solution quality can be modeled as multiobjective programming problems. Because the objective functions are usually in conflict, there is not a single feasible solution that can optimize all objective functions simultaneously. An optimal solution is one that is most preferred by the decision maker (DM) among all feasible solutions. An optimal solution must be nondominated but a multiobjective programming problem may have, possibly infinitely, many nondominated solutions. Therefore, tradeoffs must be made in searching for an optimal solution. Hence, the DM's preference information is elicited and used when a multiobjective programming problem is solved. The model, concepts and definitions of multiobjective programming are presented and solution methods are briefly discussed. Examples are used to demonstrate the concepts and solution methods. Graphics are used in these examples to facilitate understanding.
Portfolio Optimization using Rank Correlation
Authors: Edirisinghe Chanaka , Zhou Wenjun
Published: May 2014

A critical challenge in managing quantitative funds is the computation of volatilities and correlations of the underlying financial assets. We present a study of Kendall's t coefficient, one of the best-known rank-based correlation measures, for computing the portfolio risk. Incorporating within risk-averse portfolio optimization, we show empirically that this correlation measure outperforms that of Pearson's in our out-of-sample testing with real-world financial data. This phenomenon is mainly due to the fat-tailed nature of stock return distributions. We also discuss computational properties of Kendall's t, and describe efficient procedures for incremental and one-time computation of Kendall's rank correlation.
Randomizing DEA Efficiency Scores with Beta Distribution
Authors: Dharmapala P. Sunil
Published: May 2014

A criticism leveled against Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is that it is incapable of handling input/output data contaminated with random errors, and therefore, efficiency scores reported by DEA do not reflect reality. Several researchers have addressed this issue by incorporating statistical noise into DEA modeling, thus giving birth to Stochastic DEA. In this chapter, utilizing well known DEA models, we propose a method to randomize efficiency scores by treating each score as an order statistic of an underlying Beta distribution. In an application to a set of banks, we demonstrate how to do this randomization and derive some statistical results.
Semantic Document Networks to Support Concept Retrieval
Authors: Boese Simon , Reiners Torsten , Wood Lincoln C.
Published: May 2014

There are many unstructured documents created in many disciplines which need to be (pre-) processed in one way or another for further integration and use in IT systems. The predominance of the Internet and large corporate databases implies that there are large volumes of documents that need to be analysed and searched to retrieve information; particularly within the fields of machine translation, text analysis, semantic mining, information extraction and retrieval. We explicate a framework based on concept-based indexing that supports the analysis, storage, and retrieval of documents. Natural-language reduction is used to calculate semantic cores for concept-based indexing of stored concepts found within documents. The processed documents are stored within a semantic network enabling effective analysis of core concepts within documents and rapid retrieval of specific ideas from multiple documents based on provided concepts
Watermarking Using Intelligent Methods
Authors: Rao Channapragada R. S. G. , Ravi Vadlamani , Prasad Munaga. V. N. K. , Gopal E. V.
Published: May 2014

This chapter presents a brief review of the work done during 1990-2013, in the application of intelligent techniques to digital image watermarking. The review has mainly focused on genetic algorithms area. The review is structured by considering the type of technique applied to solve the problem as an important dimension. Comparative analysis of different techniques is presented in this paper. Finally, the review is concluded with future directions.
Web Service Composition for Tourism Information
Authors: Chantrapornchai Chantana , Sirimun Varisa
Published: May 2014

Tourism information are scattered around in the Internet and are provided in many websites. To search for a particular information, for example, as a hotel information, the users need to look through the search engine and browse to many related sites to find the best possible hotels according to the requirements. In this paper, we address the use of Web service compositionThe method to combine Web service calls to integrate results from many Web services. The QoS can be used to determine the selected services and query results. Considered services include hotel service, airline service, traveling service, etc. The experiences in the service integration are discussed.
Weighting Imputation for Categorical Data
Authors: Tsai Liang-Ting , Yang Chih-Chien , Teo Timothy
Published: May 2014

This article aims to propose the Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) approach to impute missing group membership and sampling weights in inferring the accuracy of population parameters of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models with categorical questionnaires. Survey data with missing group memberships, for example, gender, age, or ethnicity, are very familiar. However, the group memberships of examinees are critical for calculating the stratum sampling weights. Asparouhov (2005), Tsai and Yang (2008), and Yang and Tsai (2008) have described that appropriate imputation can further improve the precision of CFA model estimations. Questionnaires with categorical responses are not well established yet. In this study, a Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to compare the LVQ method with the other three existing methods (e.g., listwise-deletion, weighting-class adjustment, non-weighted). Four experimental factors, such as missing data rates, sampling sizes, disproportionate sampling, and different populations, were used to examine the performance of these four methods. The results showed that the LVQ method outperformed the other three methods in terms of accuracy of parameters of CFA model with binary or 5-category responses. The conclusion and discussion sections of this article provide for some practical guidelines.
What Would Cloud Computing Learn from Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Serpa Nilo
Published: May 2014

This theoretical article studies the bearings of cloud computing under the impact of quantum mechanics in the field of information processing, considering quantum entanglement as an essential physical resource to deploy intelligent behavior in server clouds. It proposes a “beehive” model of cloud after the introduction of the concept of spontaneous quantum entanglement in Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA). Also it proposes a way to represent the creation of entangled states of information, introducing the concept of progenitor.
Forum-ing: Signature practice for public theological discourse
Authors: Wimberly Edward P.
Published: May 2014

This article introduces a unique model for public theological conversation and discourse, which was developed by the Concerned Black Clergy of Atlanta (CBC). It was a model developed in response to the problems of poverty, homelessness, and the ‘missing and murdered children’ victimised in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States of America in the early 1980s. It was originally organised to respond to the economic, financial, spiritual, emotional, employment, housing and resource needs of the underserved poor. This unique practice is called forum-ing. The forum meets every Monday morning, except when there is a national holiday. It has operated 30 consecutive years. The forum has a series of presentations, including the opening prayer, self-introductions of each person, a report of the executive director, special presentations from selected community groups, reports, and then questions and answers. The end result is that those attending engage in a process of discourse that enables them to internalise new ideas, approaches, and activities for addressing poverty and injustice in the community. Key to forum-ing for the 21st century is that it is a form of public practical theology rooted and grounded in non-violence growing out of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s in the United States. The overall purpose of this article is to contribute to the effort of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria (South Africa) to identify those variables that will assist religious leaders in South Africa to develop public conversational spaces to enhance democratic participation. This article presents one model from the African American community in Atlanta, Georgia. The hope is to lift up key variables that might assist in the practical and pastoral theological conversation taking place in South Africa at present.
Tryptophan and Kynurenic Acid May Produce an Amplified Effect in Central Fatigue Induced by Chronic Sleep Disorder
Authors: Yamashita Masatoshi , Yamamoto Takanobu
Published: May 2014

Tryptophan (TRP) and its neuroactive metabolite, kynurenic acid (KYNA), are thought to play key roles in central fatigue, but the specifics are still unknown. To clarify their roles in the brain, we developed a rat model of central fatigue induced by chronic sleep disorder (CFSD) by disturbing the sleep-wake cycle. Results showed that while 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) concentration did not differ between control and CFSD groups, levels of TRP and KYNA in the CFSD group were about 2 and 5 times higher in the hypothalamus, and 2 and 3.5 times higher in the hippocampus, respectively. Moreover, CFSD-induced fatigue led to abnormal running performance (via treadmill test) and social interaction (via social-interaction test). These results support a TRP-KYNA hypothesis in central fatigue in which increased TRP concentration in the brain and subsequently synthesized KYNA may produce an amplified effect on central fatigue, with enhanced concentrations being a possible mechanism by which social-interaction deficits are generated.
Personal Health Records for Patients with Chronic Disease
Authors: Rozenblum R. , Park A. , Dunn M. , Bates D.W. , Wells S.
Published: May 2014

Background: Personal health records (PHRs) connected to a physician’s electronic health record system hold substantial promise for supporting and engaging patients with chronic disease. Objectives: To explore how U.S. health care organizations are currently utilizing PHRs for chronic disease populations.

Methods: A mixed methods study including semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire was conducted. A purposive sample was developed of health care organizations which were recognized as exemplars for PHRs and were high performers in national patient satisfaction surveys (H-CAHPS or CAHPS). Within each organization, participants were health IT leaders or those managing high-risk or chronic disease populations.

Results: Interviews were conducted with 30 informants and completed questionnaires were received from 16 organizations (84% response rate). Most PHRs allowed patients to access health records and educational material, message their provider, renew prescriptions and request appointments. Patient generated data was increasingly being sought and combined with messaging, resulted in greater understanding of patient health and functioning outside of the clinic visit. However for chronic disease populations, there was little targeted involvement in PHR design and few tools to help interpret and manage their conditions beyond those offered for all. The PHR was largely uncoupled from high risk population management interventions and no clear framework for future PHR development emerged.

Conclusion: This technology is currently underutilized and represents a major opportunity given the potential benefits of patient engagement and shared decision making. A coherent patient-centric PHR design and evaluation strategy is required to realize its potential and maximize this natural hub for multidisciplinary care co-ordination.

Citation: Wells S, Rozenblum R, Park A, Dunn M, Bates DW. Personal health records for patients with chronic disease: A major opportunity. Appl Clin Inf 2014; 5: 416–429 http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-01-RA-0002
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) emissions in East Asia determined by inverse modeling
Authors: Fang X. , Thompson R. L. , Saito T. , Yokouchi Y. , Kim J. , Li S. , Kim K. R. , Park S. , Graziosi F. , Stohl A.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) has a global warming potential of around 22 800 over a 100-year time horizon and is one of the greenhouse gases regulated under the Kyoto Protocol. Around the year 2000 there was a reversal in the global SF6 emission trend, from a decreasing to an increasing trend, which was likely caused by increasing emissions in countries that are not obligated to report their annual emissions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. In this study, SF6 emissions during the period 2006–2012 for all East Asian countries – including Mongolia, China, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea and Japan – were determined by using inverse modeling and in situ atmospheric measurements. We found that the most important sources of uncertainty associated with these inversions are related to the choice of a priori emissions and their assumed uncertainty, the station network as well as the meteorological input data. Much lower uncertainties are due to seasonal variability in the emissions, inversion geometry and resolution, and the measurement calibration scale. Based on the results of these sensitivity tests, we estimate that the total SF6 emission in East Asia increased rapidly from 2404 ± 325 Mg yr−1 in 2006 to 3787 ± 512 Mg yr−1 in 2009 and stabilized thereafter. China contributed 60–72% to the total East Asian emission for the different years, followed by South Korea (8–16%), Japan (5–16%) and Taiwan (4–7%), while the contributions from North Korea and Mongolia together were less than 3% of the total. The per capita SF6 emissions are highest in South Korea and Taiwan, while the per capita emissions for China, North Korea and Japan are close to global average. During the period 2006–2012, emissions from China and from South Korea increased, while emissions from Taiwan and Japan decreased overall.
Processing of biomass-burning aerosol in the eastern Mediterranean during summertime
Authors: Bougiatioti A. , Stavroulas I. , Kostenidou E. , Zarmpas P. , Theodosi C. , Kouvarakis G. , Canonaco F. , Prévôt A. S. H. , Nenes A. , Pandis S. N. , Mihalopoulos N.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. The aerosol chemical composition in air masses affected by wildfires from the Greek islands of Chios, Euboea and Andros, the Dalmatian Coast and Sicily, during late summer of 2012 was characterized at the remote background site of Finokalia, Crete. Air masses were transported several hundreds of kilometers, arriving at the measurement station after approximately half a day of transport, mostly during nighttime. The chemical composition of the particulate matter was studied by different high-temporal-resolution instruments, including an aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) and a seven-wavelength aethalometer. Despite the large distance from emission and long atmospheric processing, a clear biomass-burning organic aerosol (BBOA) profile containing characteristic markers is derived from BC (black carbon) measurements and positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis of the ACSM organic mass spectra. The ratio of fresh to aged BBOA decreases with increasing atmospheric processing time and BBOA components appear to be converted to oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA). Given that the smoke was mainly transported overnight, it appears that the processing can take place in the dark. These results show that a significant fraction of the BBOA loses its characteristic AMS (aerosol mass spectrometry) signature and is transformed to OOA in less than a day. This implies that biomass burning can contribute almost half of the organic aerosol mass in the area during periods with significant fire influence.
Satellite observations of cirrus clouds in the Northern Hemisphere lowermost stratosphere
Authors: Spang R. , Günther G. , Riese M. , Hoffmann L. , Müller R. , Griessbach S.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Here we present observations of the Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometers and Telescopes for the Atmosphere (CRISTA) of cirrus cloud and water vapour in August 1997 in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) region. The observations indicate a considerable flux of moisture from the upper tropical troposphere into the extra-tropical lowermost stratosphere (LMS), resulting in the occurrence of high altitude optically thin cirrus clouds in the LMS. The locations of the LMS cloud events observed by CRISTA are consistent with the tropopause height determined from coinciding radiosonde data. For a hemispheric analysis in tropopause relative coordinates an improved tropopause determination has been applied to the ECMWF temperature profiles. We found that a significant fraction of the cloud occurrences in the tropopause region are located in the LMS, even if a conservative overestimate of the cloud top height (CTH) determination by CRISTA of 500 m is assumed. The results show rather high occurrence frequencies (∼5%) up to high northern latitudes (70° N) and altitudes well above the tropopause (>500 m at ∼350 K and above) in large areas at mid and high latitudes. Comparisons with model runs of the Chemical Lagragian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS) over the CRISTA period show a reasonable consistency for the retrieved cloud pattern. For this purpose a limb ray tracing approach was applied through the 3-D model fields to obtain integrated measurement information through the atmosphere along the limb path of the instrument. The simplified cirrus scheme implemented in CLaMS seems to cause a systematic underestimation in the CTH occurrence frequencies in the LMS with respect to the observations. The observations together with the model results demonstrate the importance of isentropic, quasi-horizontal transport of water vapour from the sub-tropics and the potential for the occurrence of cirrus clouds in the lowermost stratosphere and tropopause region.
A comparison of ice water content measurement techniques on the FAAM BAe-146 aircraft
Authors: Abel S. J. , Cotton R. J. , Barrett P. A. , Vance A. K.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. This paper presents a comparison of ice water content (qi) data from a variety of measurement techniques on the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) BAe-146 research aircraft. Data are presented from a range of cloud types measured during the PIKNMIX field experiment that include mixed phase stratocumulus, cumulus congestus and cirrus clouds. These measurements cover a broad range of conditions in which atmospheric ice particles are found in nature, such as the low ice water content environments typically found in mid-latitude cirrus and the much higher ice water content environments often observed in cold convective clouds. The techniques include bulk measurements from (i) a Nevzorov hot-wire probe (ii) the difference between the measured total water content (condensed plus vapour) and the water vapour content of the atmosphere and (iii) a Counterflow Virtual Impactor (CVI) (only for cirrus measurements). We also estimate the qi from integration of the measured particle size distribution (PSD) with assumptions on how the density of ice particles varies as a function of size. The results show that the only bulk ice water content technique capable of measuring high qi values (several g kg−1) was the total water content minus water vapour method. For low ice water contents we develop a new parametrization of the Nevzorov base-line drift that enables the probe to be sensitive to qi ± 0.002 g m−3. In cirrus clouds the agreement between the Nevzorov and other bulk measurements was typically better than a factor of two for the CVI (qi 0.01 g kg−1) and the total water content minus water vapour method (qi > 0.03 g kg−1). Good agreement with the bulk measurements for all cases could be obtained with the estimate from the PSD provided that appropriate a-priori assumptions on the mass–dimension relationship were made. This is problematic in the convective clouds sampled because pristine ice particles, heavily rimed particles and supercooled liquid drops were all present. In a cirrus case we show that using a temperature dependent mass–dimension relation was required to match the bulk measurement of qi.
Principal component analysis for fast and automated thermographic inspection of internal structures in sandwich parts
Authors: Griefahn D. , Wollnack J. , Hintze W.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. Rising demand and increasing cost pressure for lightweight materials – such as sandwich structures – drives the manufacturing industry to improve automation in production and quality inspection. Quality inspection of honeycomb sandwich components with infrared (IR) thermography can be automated using image classification algorithms. This paper shows how principal component analysis (PCA) via singular value decomposition (SVD) is applied to compress data in an IR-video sequence in order to save processing time in the subsequent step of image classification. According to PCA theory, an orthogonal transformation can project data into a lower dimensional subspace with linearly uncorrelated principal components preserving all original information. The effect of data reduction is confirmed with experimental data from IR-video sequences of simple square-pulsed thermal loadings on aramid honeycomb-sandwich components with CFRP/GFRP (carbon-/glass-fiber-reinforced plastic) facings and GFRP inserts. Hence, processing time for image classification can be saved by reducing the dimension of information used by the classification algorithm without losing accuracy.
Numerical modelling of tsunami wave run-up and breaking within a two-dimensional atmosphere–ocean two-layer model
Authors: Kshevetskii S. P. , Vereshchagina I. S.
Published: May 2014

Abstract. A numerical model of propagation of internal gravity waves in a stratified medium is applied to the problem of tsunami wave run-up onto a shore. In the model, the ocean and the atmosphere is considered as a united continuum whose the density varies with height with a saltus at a water–air boundary. Correct conditions of join at a water–air interlayer are automatically ensured because the solution is searched for as a generalised one. The density stratification in the ocean and in the atmosphere is supposed to be an exponential one, but in the ocean, a scale of stratification of density is large and the density varies slightly. The wave running to a shore is taken as a long solitary wave. The wave evolution is simulated with consideration of time-varying vertical wave structure. Inshore, the wave breaks down, and intensive turbulent mixing develops in water thickness. The effect of breakdown depends on shape of the bottom. If slope of the bottom is small, and inshore the depth grows slowly with distance from a shore, then mixing happens only in the upper stratum of the fluid, thanks to formation of a dead region near the bottom. If the bottom slope inshore is significant, then the depth of fluid mixing is dipped up to 50 metres. The developed model shows the depth of mixing effects strongly depends on shape of a bottom, and the model may be useful for investigation of influences of strong gales and hurricanes on coastline and beaches and investigation of dependence of stability of coastline and beaches on bottom shape.