A comparison of methods for detecting hot topics

In scientometrics for trend analysis, parameter choices for observing trends are often made ad hoc in past studies. For examples, different year spans might be used to create the time sequence and different indices were chosen for trend observation. However, the effectiveness of these choices was hardly known, quantitatively and comparatively. This work provides clues to better interpret the results when a certain choice was made. Specifically, by sorting research topics in decreasing order of interest predicted by a trend index and then by evaluating this ordering based on information retrieval measures, we compare a number of trend indices (percentage of increase vs. regression slope), trend formulations (simple trend vs. eigen-trend), and options (various year spans and durations for prediction) in different domains (safety agriculture and information retrieval) with different collection scales (72500 papers vs. 853 papers) to know which one leads to better trend observation. Our results show that the slope of linear regression on the time series performs constantly better than the others. More interestingly, this index is robust under different conditions and is hardly affected even when the collection was split into arbitrary (e.g., only two) periods. Implications of these results are discussed. Our work does not only provide a method to evaluate trend prediction performance for scientometrics, but also provides insights and reflections for past and future trend observation studies.     

The implementation of SOA within grid structure for disaster monitoring

Nowadays, the administration and execution of disaster monitoring in Taiwan are able to achieve the goal of overall monitoring with the assistance of various tools and technology distributed in different organizations. Examples of information and technology include the data collected by monitoring stations, existing database and spatial data warehouse, precipitation information provided by the Central Weather Bureau (CWB), results of site investigation, Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) airscape images, aerial photos, satellite images, and etc. Therefore, in order to facilitate tasks of disaster monitoring, heterogeneous data needs to be integrated via a consistent communication interface.The use of grids was proposed to solve the problems in heterogeneity, distribution, and efficiency triggered by networking. Information worth sharing is uploaded to a platform which can publish and register data and control the flow of information; users then access the platform to search and fetch valuable information and value-added applications. On the platform, all of the heterogeneous and distributed data is encrypted, decrypted, monitored, and hence interchangeable according to international standards. Because the employment of grid computing does not require large-scale modifications of existing systems, grids designed for different purposes are being developed.Our research adopts the emerging grid technology to create a grid-based disaster management mechanism. Taking disaster relief distribution as an example, we optimize the stockpile distribution and delivery routes by utilizing Sensor GRID and Application GRID and by combining the interpretation given by real-time traffic information systems. Our study will further the government’s abilities to manage disasters, and substantially strengthen the cooperation and communication between the government and academic units.     

The effects of sequential combinations of virtual experience, direct experience, and indirect experience: the moderating roles of need for touch and product involvement

This study explored the effects of sequential combinations of consumer experiences. Four kinds of sequential combinations of consumer experiences were designed: exposing to escapist virtual experience preceding direct experience (VE^escapist → DE), exposing to education virtual experience preceding direct experience (VE^education → DE), exposing to escapist virtual experience preceding indirect experience (VE^escapist → IDE), and exposing to education virtual experience preceding indirect experience (VE^education → IDE). The results indicated that “VE^escapist → IDE” produces the highest product knowledge and brand attitude; “VE^escapist → DE” produces the lowest perceived risk. Additionally, the moderating roles of need for touch and product involvement also explored. For the high need for touch, “VE^escapist → IDE” produces the highest product knowledge and “VE^escapist → DE” produces the lowest perceived risk; for the high product involvement, “VE^escapist → IDE” produces the highest product knowledge and brand attitude and “VE^escapist → DE” produces the lowest perceived risk.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-based composite film with Ag-immobilized TEMPO-oxidized nano-tea cellulose for improving photocatalytic performance

In the present study, we report a simple and eco-friendly method for the synthesis and immobilization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto functional films using green tea extract as a reducing and capping agent. The freestanding flexible immobilized AgNPs composite was obtained from a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)-mediated tea cellulose (TTC) process. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the homogeneous coating of the AgNPs on the surface of the TTC nanofibers. Ag-TTC-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite film was prepared through a simple solvent casting method, which displayed higher antioxidant activity than the TTC-PVA film, and the rate of release of Ag was reduced owing to the immobilized AgNPs. The photocatalytic performance of Ag-TTC-PVA composite film was evaluated along with the investigations of the optical transparency, morphology, and thermal properties. Ag-TTC-PVA composite film showed enhanced photocatalytic property than TTC-PVA film. This study presents a simple approach for the green synthesis of materials with controlled leakage based on Ag-TTC-PVA composite film, which has good potential application prospects in the development for the photocatalytic degradation of certain toxic dyes, thereby paving the way for waste treatment.