bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parity, Age at First Birth, and Risk of Death from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: A Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Brian , Yang Chun-Yuh
Published: August 2015

We undertook this study to examine whether there exists an association between parity and age at first birth and risk of death from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Our sample included a total of 1,292,462 women who had a first and singleton childbirth between 1 January 1978 and 31 December 1987. We followed each subject from their first childbirth to 31 December 2009, and determined their vital status by merging natality data with Taiwan’s national death certificate database. Hazard ratios (HR) of death from NHL associated with parity and age at first birth were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. In all, 412 NHL deaths were recorded during 34,980,246 person-years of follow-up. NHL mortality rate was 1.18 cases per 100,000 person-years. Older age at first birth (>23 vs. ≤23 years) was linked to an increased risk of death from NHL (adjusted HR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.13–1.75). Controlling for age at first birth, the adjusted HR were 0.74 (95% CI = 0.55–0.98) for women with 2 births, and 0.71 (95% CI = 0.53–0.95) for women with 3 births or more, respectively, when compared with women with only 1 birth. A statistically significant downward trend in the adjusted HR for NHL death was detected with increasing parity (p for trend = 0.05). The HR of death from NHL was decreased by 7% (HR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.87–0.99) for each additional parity. Our findings are consistent with reproductive factors (parity and early age at first birth) conferring a protective effect against the risk of NHL death.
Altered Expression of Genes in Signaling Pathways Regulating Proliferation of Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Mice with Subchronic Benzene Exposure
Authors: Sun Rongli , Zhang Juan , Xiong Mengzhen , Wei Haiyan , Tan Kehong , Yin Lihong , Pu Yuepu
Published: August 2015

Leukemias and hematopoietic disorders induced by benzene may arise from the toxicity of benzene to hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells (HS/PCs). Since there is a latency period between initial benzene exposure and the development of leukemia, subsequent impact of benzene on HS/PCs are crucial for a deeper understanding of the carcinogenicity and hematotoxicity in post-exposure stage. This study aims to explore the effects of benzene on HS/PCs and gene-expression in Wnt, Notch and Hh signaling pathways in post-exposure stage. The C3H/He mice were injected subcutaneously with benzene (0, 150, 300 mg/kg/day) for three months and were monitored for another 10 months post-exposure. The body weights were monitored, the relative organ weights, blood parameters and bone marrow smears were examined. Frequency of lineage- sca-1+ c-kit+ (LSK) cells, capability of colony forming and expression of genes in Wnt, Notch and Hedghog (Hh) signaling pathways were also analyzed. The colony formation of the progenitor cells for BFU-E, CFU-GEMM and CFU-GM was significantly decreased with increasing benzene exposure relative to controls, while no significant difference was observed in colonies for CFU-G and CFU-M. The mRNA level of cyclin D1 was increased and Notch 1 and p53 were decreased in LSK cells in mice exposed to benzene but with no statistical significance. These results suggest that subsequent toxic effects of benzene on LSK cells and gene expression in Wnt, Notch and Hh signaling pathways persist in post-exposure stage and may play roles in benzene-induced hematotoxicity.
Large Scale Landform Mapping Using Lidar DEM
Authors: Gökgöz Türkay , Baker Moustafa
Published: August 2015

In this study, LIDAR DEM data was used to obtain a primary landform map in accordance with a well-known methodology. This primary landform map was generalized using the Focal Statistics tool (Majority), considering the minimum area condition in cartographic generalization in order to obtain landform maps at 1:1000 and 1:5000 scales. Both the primary and the generalized landform maps were verified visually with hillshaded DEM and an orthophoto. As a result, these maps provide satisfactory visuals of the landforms. In order to show the effect of generalization, the area of each landform in both the primary and the generalized maps was computed. Consequently, landform maps at large scales could be obtained with the proposed methodology, including generalization using LIDAR DEM.
Functional Selectivity and Antidepressant Activity of Serotonin 1A Receptor Ligands
Authors: Chilmonczyk Zdzisław , Bojarski Andrzej , Pilc Andrzej , Sylte Ingebrigt
Published: August 2015

Serotonin (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter that plays an important role in physiological functions. 5-HT has been implicated in sleep, feeding, sexual behavior, temperature regulation, pain, and cognition as well as in pathological states including disorders connected to mood, anxiety, psychosis and pain. 5-HT1A receptors have for a long time been considered as an interesting target for the action of antidepressant drugs. It was postulated that postsynaptic 5-HT1A agonists could form a new class of antidepressant drugs, and mixed 5-HT1A receptor ligands/serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibitors seem to possess an interesting pharmacological profile. It should, however, be noted that 5-HT1A receptors can activate several different biochemical pathways and signal through both G protein-dependent and G protein-independent pathways. The variables that affect the multiplicity of 5-HT1A receptor signaling pathways would thus result from the summation of effects specific to the host cell milieu. Moreover, receptor trafficking appears different at pre- and postsynaptic sites. It should also be noted that the 5-HT1A receptor cooperates with other signal transduction systems (like the 5-HT1B or 5-HT2A/2B/2C receptors, the GABAergic and the glutaminergic systems), which also contribute to its antidepressant and/or anxiolytic activity. Thus identifying brain specific molecular targets for 5-HT1A receptor ligands may result in a better targeting, raising a hope for more effective medicines for various pathologies.
Compositional and in Vitro Evaluation of Nonwoven Type I Collagen/Poly-dl-lactic Acid Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Qiao Xiangchen , Russell Stephen , Yang Xuebin , Tronci Giuseppe , Wood David
Published: August 2015

Poly-dl-lactic acid (PDLLA) was blended with type I collagen to attempt to overcome the instantaneous gelation of electrospun collagen scaffolds in biological environments. Scaffolds based on blends of type I collagen and PDLLA were investigated for material stability in cell culture conditions (37 °C; 5% CO2) in which post-electrospinning glutaraldehyde crosslinking was also applied. The resulting wet-stable webs were cultured with bone marrow stromal cells (HBMSC) for five weeks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and biochemical assays were used to characterise the scaffolds and the consequent cell-scaffold constructs. To investigate any electrospinning-induced denaturation of collagen, identical PDLLA/collagen and PDLLA/gelatine blends were electrospun and their potential to promote osteogenic differentiation investigated. PDLLA/collagen blends with w/w ratios of 40/60, 60/40 and 80/20 resulted in satisfactory wet stabilities in a humid environment, although chemical crosslinking was essential to ensure long term material cell culture. Scaffolds of PDLLA/collagen at a 60:40 weight ratio provided the greatest stability over a five-week culture period. The PDLLA/collagen scaffolds promoted greater cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation compared to HMBSCs seeded on the corresponding PDLLA/gelatine scaffolds, suggesting that any electrospinning-induced collagen denaturation did not affect material biofunctionality within 5 weeks in vitro.
Peptide Amphiphiles in Corneal Tissue Engineering
Authors: Miotto Martina , Gouveia Ricardo , Connon Che
Published: August 2015

The increasing interest in effort towards creating alternative therapies have led to exciting breakthroughs in the attempt to bio-fabricate and engineer live tissues. This has been particularly evident in the development of new approaches applied to reconstruct corneal tissue. The need for tissue-engineered corneas is largely a response to the shortage of donor tissue and the lack of suitable alternative biological scaffolds preventing the treatment of millions of blind people worldwide. This review is focused on recent developments in corneal tissue engineering, specifically on the use of self-assembling peptide amphiphiles for this purpose. Recently, peptide amphiphiles have generated great interest as therapeutic molecules, both in vitro and in vivo. Here we introduce this rapidly developing field, and examine innovative applications of peptide amphiphiles to create natural bio-prosthetic corneal tissue in vitro. The advantages of peptide amphiphiles over other biomaterials, namely their wide range of functions and applications, versatility, and transferability are also discussed to better understand how these fascinating molecules can help solve current challenges in corneal regeneration.
Nanoimprinted Hybrid Metal-Semiconductor Plasmonic Multilayers with Controlled Surface Nano Architecture for Applications in NIR Detectors
Authors: Khosroabadi Akram , Gangopadhyay Palash , Hernandez Steven , Kim Kyungjo , Peyghambarian Nasser , Norwood Robert
Published: August 2015

We present a proof of concept for tunable plasmon resonance frequencies in a core shell nano-architectured hybrid metal-semiconductor multilayer structure, with Ag as the active shell and ITO as the dielectric modulation media. Our method relies on the collective change in the dielectric function within the metal semiconductor interface to control the surface. Here we report fabrication and optical spectroscopy studies of large-area, nanostructured, hybrid silver and indium tin oxide (ITO) structures, with feature sizes below 100 nm and a controlled surface architecture. The optical and electrical properties of these core shell electrodes, including the surface plasmon frequency, can be tuned by suitably changing the order and thickness of the dielectric layers. By varying the dimensions of the nanopillars, the surface plasmon wavelength of the nanopillar Ag can be tuned from 650 to 690 nm. Adding layers of ITO to the structure further shifts the resonance wavelength toward the IR region and, depending on the sequence and thickness of the layers within the structure, we show that such structures can be applied in sensing devices including enhancing silicon as a photodetection material.
Stable Poly(methacrylic acid) Brush Decorated Silica Nano-Particles by ARGET ATRP for Bioconjugation
Authors: Iacono Marcello , Heise Andreas
Published: August 2015

The synthesis of polymer brush decorated silica nano-particles is demonstrated by activator regeneration by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP) grafting of poly(tert-butyl methacrylate). ATRP initiator decorated silica nano-particles were obtained using a novel trimethylsiloxane derivatised ATRP initiator obtained by click chemistry. Comparison of de-grafted polymers with polymer obtained from a sacrificial initiator demonstrated good agreement up to 55% monomer conversion. Subsequent mild deprotection of the tert-butyl ester groups using phosphoric acid yielded highly colloidal and pH stable hydrophilic nano-particles comprising approximately 50% methacrylic acid groups. The successful bio-conjugation was achieved by immobilization of Horseradish Peroxidase to the polymer brush decorated nano-particles and the enzyme activity demonstrated in a conversion of o-phenylene diamine dihydrochloride assay.
Dynamic Response of Satellite-Derived Vegetation Growth to Climate Change in the Three North Shelter Forest Region in China
Authors: He Bin , Chen Aifang , Wang Honglin , Wang Qianfeng
Published: August 2015

Since the late 1970s, the Chinese government has initiated ecological restoration programs in the Three North Shelter Forest System Project (TNSFSP) area. Whether accelerated climate change will help or hinder these efforts is still poorly understood. Using the updated and extended AVHRR NDVI3g dataset from 1982 to 2011 and corresponding climatic data, we investigated vegetation variations in response to climate change. The results showed that the overall state of vegetation in the study region has improved over the past three decades. Vegetation cover significantly decreased in 23.1% and significantly increased in 21.8% of the study area. An increase in all three main vegetation types (forest, grassland, and cropland) was observed, but the trend was only statistically significant in cropland. In addition, bare and sparsely vegetated areas, mainly located in the western part of the study area, have significantly expanded since the early 2000s. A moisture condition analysis indicated that the study area experienced significant climate variations, with warm-wet conditions in the western region and warm-dry conditions in the eastern region. Correlation analysis showed that variations in the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were positively correlated with precipitation and negatively correlated with temperature. Ultimately, climate change influenced vegetation growth by controlling the availability of soil moisture. Further investigation suggested that the positive impacts of precipitation on NDVI have weakened in the study region, whereas the negative impacts from temperature have been enhanced in the eastern study area. However, over recent years, the negative temperature impacts have been converted to positive impacts in the western region. Considering the variations in the relationship between NDVI and climatic variables, the warm–dry climate in the eastern region is likely harmful to vegetation growth, whereas the warm–wet conditions in the western region may promote vegetation growth.
A Distributed Data-Gathering Protocol Using AUV in Underwater Sensor Networks
Authors: Khan Jawaad , Cho Ho-Shin
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we propose a distributed data-gathering scheme using an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) working as a mobile sink to gather data from a randomly distributed underwater sensor network where sensor nodes are clustered around several cluster headers. Unlike conventional data-gathering schemes where the AUV visits either every node or every cluster header, the proposed scheme allows the AUV to visit some selected nodes named path-nodes in a way that reduces the overall transmission power of the sensor nodes. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to investigate the performance of the proposed scheme compared with several preexisting techniques employing the AUV in terms of total amount of energy consumption, standard deviation of each node’s energy consumption, latency to gather data at a sink, and controlling overhead. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme not only reduces the total energy consumption but also distributes the energy consumption more uniformly over the network, thereby increasing the lifetime of the network.
Upper Extremity Muscle Activation during Bodyblade Exercises Following Six Weeks of Intervention Focusing on the Lumbopelvic-Hip Complex
Authors: Oliver Gretchen , Stone Audrey , Weimar Wendi , Lemak Lawrence , Washington Jessica , Dougherty Christopher
Published: August 2015

The current study examined the effects of a six-week lumbopelvic-hip complex (LPHC) strengthening program on muscle activation when performing the shoulder dump exercise. The shoulder dump is a total body exercise that includes overhead arm movements. A pre-post test with a control group was implemented. Twenty-seven graduate students (23.5 ± 1.34 yr; 174.4 ± 11.0 cm; 76.6 ± 16.9 kg) participated. Participants were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group where the intervention group performed LPHC exercises. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant increase in muscle activation of the serratus anterior from pre- and post-LPHC intervention, (t = 6.5, p < 0.001). As presented by these data, incorporation of LPHC exercises may assist in facilitating greater activation in some of the scapula-stabilizing musculature that has traditionally been rehabilitated in prone or side-lying positions. It is, therefore, suggested that LPHC exercises be incorporated in a regular shoulder rehabilitation program.
Integrated Bioenergy and Food Production—A German Survey on Structure and Developments of Anaerobic Digestion in Organic Farming Systems
Authors: Blumenstein Benjamin , Siegmeier Torsten , Bruckhaus Carsten , Anspach Victor , Möller Detlev
Published: August 2015

Rising global energy needs and limited fossil fuel reserves have led to increased use of renewable energies. In Germany, this has entailed massive exploitation of agricultural biomass for biogas generation, associated with unsustainable farming practices. Organic agriculture not only reduces negative environmental impacts, organic farmers were also prime movers in anaerobic digestion (AD) in Germany. This study’s aim was to identify the structure, development, and characteristics of biogas production associated with organic farming systems in order to estimate further development, as well as energetic and associated agronomic potentials. Surveys were conducted among organic farms with AD technology. 144 biogas plants could be included in the analysis. Total installed electrical capacity was 30.8 MWel, accounting for only 0.8% of the total installed electrical capacity in the German biogas sector. Recently, larger plant types (>250 kWel) with increased use of (also purchased) energy crops have emerged. Farmers noticed increases in yields (22% on average) and quality of cash crops in arable farming through integrated biogas production. In conclusion, although the share of AD in organic farming is relatively small it can provide various complementary socio-ecological benefits such as the enhancement of food output through digestate fertilization without additional need for land, while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock manures and soils. However, to achieve this eco-functional intensification, AD systems and their management have to be well adapted to farm size and production focus and based primarily on residue biomass.
Structural and Functional Properties of the Hepatitis C Virus p7 Viroporin
Authors: Madan Vanesa , Bartenschlager Ralf
Published: August 2015

The high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the human population has triggered intensive research efforts that have led to the development of curative antiviral therapy. Moreover, HCV has become a role model to study fundamental principles that govern the replication cycle of a positive strand RNA virus. In fact, for most HCV proteins high-resolution X-ray and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance)-based structures have been established and profound insights into their biochemical and biological properties have been gained. One example is p7, a small hydrophobic protein that is dispensable for RNA replication, but crucial for the production and release of infectious HCV particles from infected cells. Owing to its ability to insert into membranes and assemble into homo-oligomeric complexes that function as minimalistic ion channels, HCV p7 is a member of the viroporin family. This review compiles the most recent findings related to the structure and dual pore/ion channel activity of p7 of different HCV genotypes. The alternative conformations and topologies proposed for HCV p7 in its monomeric and oligomeric state are described and discussed in detail. We also summarize the different roles p7 might play in the HCV replication cycle and highlight both the ion channel/pore-like function and the additional roles of p7 unrelated to its channel activity. Finally, we discuss possibilities to utilize viroporin inhibitors for antagonizing p7 ion channel/pore-like activity.
Genetic Characterization of the Belgian Nephropathogenic Infectious Bronchitis Virus (NIBV) Reference Strain B1648
Authors: Reddy Vishwanatha , Theuns Sebastiaan , Roukaerts Inge , Zeller Mark , Matthijnssens Jelle , Nauwynck Hans
Published: August 2015

The virulent nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (NIBV) strain B1648 was first isolated in 1984, in Flanders, Belgium. Despite intensive vaccination, B1648 and its variants are still circulating in Europe and North Africa. Here, the full-length genome of this Belgian NIBV reference strain was determined by next generation sequencing (NGS) to understand its evolutionary relationship with other IBV strains, and to identify possible genetic factors that may be associated with the nephropathogenicity. Thirteen open reading frames (ORFs) were predicted in the B1648 strain (51UTR-1a-1b-S-3a-3b-E-M-4b-4c-5a-5b-N-6b-31UTR). ORFs 4b, 4c and 6b, which have been rarely reported in literature, were present in B1648 and most of the other IBV complete genomes. According to phylogenetic analysis of the full-length genome, replicase transcriptase complex, spike protein, partial S1 gene and M protein, B1648 strain clustered with the non-Massachusetts type strains NGA/A116E7/2006, UKr 27-11, QX-like ITA/90254/2005, QX-like CK/SWE/0658946/10, TN20/00, RF-27/99, RF/06/2007 and SLO/266/05. Based on the partial S1 fragment, B1648 clustered with the strains TN20/00, RF-27/99, RF/06/2007 and SLO/266/05 and, further designated as B1648 genotype. The full-length genome of B1648 shared the highest sequence homology with UKr 27-11, Gray, JMK, and NGA/A116E7/2006 (91.2% to 91.6%) and was least related with the reference Beaudette and Massachusetts strains (89.7%). Nucleotide and amino acid sequence analyses indicated that B1648 strain may have played an important role in the evolution of IBV in Europe and North Africa. Further, the nephropathogenicity determinants might be located on the 1a, spike, M and accessory proteins (3a, 3b, 4b, 4c, 5a, 5b and 6b). Overall, strain B1648 is distinct from all the strains reported so far in Europe and other parts of the world.
Decreasing Service Coupling to Increase Enterprise Agility
Authors: Delgado Jose Carlos Martins
Published: August 2015

The agility with which an Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) can be changed is of primordial importance in today's fast paced, competitive market. This depends on the changeability of the EIS software resources, which in turn is heavily influenced by the coupling between the services implemented by these resources. This chapter presents a solution to the coupling problem based on the concepts of structural compliance and conformance, in which compatibility between interacting services does not rely on a shared schema. Instead, it checks resources component by component, recursively, until primitive elements are reached. However, coupling is not a single-faceted issue and involves several aspects and slants. To help in understanding and systematizing them, the chapter proposes a multidimensional framework that caters for EIS lifecycle stages, concreteness (with various levels of abstraction), interoperability (based on structural compliance and conformance), and concerns (to deal with non-functional aspects such as security, reliability and quality of service).
Disaster Management and Continuity Planning in Libraries
Authors: Hamilton Rebecca , Brown Diane
Published: August 2015

Since the year 2000 libraries' concepts of disaster management, contingency planning and the role of libraries in a major disruptive event have changed dramatically. Libraries have gone from an emphasis on protecting and restoring collections and facilities to an emphasis on service continuity. Although broadband adoption nationwide remains disproportionate at best, the advent and widespread use of the Internet and e-government mean that libraries have become the centers of communication for their communities in a crisis. This chapter will demonstrate the essential role of libraries before, during and after a disaster, both short term and long term and how to get a seat at the table with community planners by demonstrating the functions that are critical to recovery. In order to fulfill this community role, a library first needs to be prepared with its own business continuity plan.
Emergency Planning (R)Evolution
Authors: Lock Mary Beth , Fansler Craig , Webb Meghan
Published: August 2015

This chapter discusses how a library can revise its existing emergency, disaster, and Continuity of Operations plans, through the utilization of new technologies and an ongoing review cycle. While reviews of existing emergency plans typically happen in response to actual emergencies, this chapter encourages flipping that scenario by conducting ongoing reviews with a small, dedicated committee. The chapter identifies important steps to follow in revising emergency plans and discusses incorporating e-book and short form formats to enhance training and documentation.
Safety Doesn't Happen by Accident
Authors: Nixon Miranda L.
Published: August 2015

In the spring of 2012, events on the University of Pittsburgh's campus in Oakland prompted concerns about personal safety and the disaster plan for the library system. These disquieting events, coupled with the need to re-write the outdated ULS disaster plan, hastened planning efforts that had begun that very spring. Through discussion of the re-writing of the disaster plan for the University of Pittsburgh's University Library System (ULS), this chapter will educate readers on library safety concerns and potential resources that can be explored and built upon to better prepare for disasters and emergency situations. The lessons learned from this planning process will likely mirror situations other libraries find themselves in and offer guidance on where to turn and how to educate staff.
After the Flood
Authors: Chaudron Gerald
Published: August 2015

This chapter uses two case studies of small disasters caused by water to examine the impact of such small-scale events on the libraries concerned, how those libraries managed the emergencies, and what lessons were learned which will inform their planning for future incidents. The case studies show that while both incidents are water-related, they are quite different in terms of source, size, impact, recovery time, and frequency. Many books and articles on disaster planning focus on the larger disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, which may be the reason the much more common smaller emergencies do not get the attention they deserve. Libraries should be planning for the small disasters first, and then scaling up their preparation to account for the larger, less frequent events, rather than the reverse. More libraries may be persuaded to do such planning if they are preparing for a probable scenario rather than one which may only be a possibility.
“A Spoonful of Game Design Makes the Work-Out More Fun”
Authors: Upchurch William R. , Wildermuth Susan M.
Published: August 2015

Gamification is the concept of infusing elements of gameplay (competition, incentives, story/narrative, collaboration, problem-solving, etc.) into non-game activities in order to make those activities more compelling. Recently, game designers have begun stressing the need for greater “maturity” in the field of gamification with greater focus on the importance of designing applications for optimal user experience. One hurdle to achieving maturity in the field is the fact that even gamification experts question “What exactly are the essential elements of gameplay that optimize user engagement and enjoyment?” Thus, the goal of the current chapter is to provide a comprehensive listing of the elements of gameplay that are essential to user engagement, and to provide examples of how each of those elements has been applied successfully in game design in the past. The chapter reviews 14 essential gameplay elements including: chance, control, creativity, completion, spectacle, status, strategy, unification, rules, narrative, recognition, collaboration, escapism, and enjoyment.
Gamification in Market Research
Authors: Pashupati Kartik , Raman Pushkala
Published: August 2015

This chapter presents an overview of gamification in the domain of market research, with a specific focus on digital data collection methods, such as online surveys. The problems faced by the market research industry are outlined, followed by a discussion of why gamification has been offered as a possible way to overcome some of these challenges. The literature on gamification is reviewed, with a focus on results from empirical studies investigating the impact of gamification on outcome variables such as data quality and respondent engagement. Finally, the authors present results from an original study conducted in 2013, comparing differences between a conventional (text-dominant) survey and a gamified version of the same survey.
Bare Nothingness
Authors: Dare Eleanor , Papadaki Elena
Published: August 2015

This chapter examines the current state of digital artworks, arguing that they have not yet made a groundbreaking impact on the cultural landscape of the early 21st century and suggesting that a reason for this lack of notoriety is the obsolete model of agency deployed by many digital artists. As an alternative to what is framed as out-of-date forms of interactivity, the chapter highlights evolving research into interactive systems, artists' tools, applications, and techniques that will provide readers with an insightful and up-to-date examination of emerging multimedia technology trends. In particular, the chapter looks at situated computing and embodied systems, in which context-aware models of human subjects can be combined with sensor technology to expand the agencies at play in interactive works. The chapter connects these technologies to Big Data, Crowdsourcing and other techniques from artificial intelligence that expand our understanding of interaction and participation.
Families and Multimedia Exhibits
Authors: Stellaki Panagiota
Published: August 2015

The purpose of the current article is to present the results of a survey conducted in 2010 in an exhibition at “Hellenic Cosmos”, the Cultural Centre of the Foundation of the Hellenic World in Athens, Greece. The title of the exhibition was “Is There an Answer to Everything? A journey to the world of Greek mathematics”. The survey was a part of the writer's dissertation at Panteion University at the MA Program “Cultural Management”, Department of Communication, Media and Culture. The survey focuses only in families and it gives insight about important aspects regarding exhibition spaces such as the use of multimedia before entering the exhibition space, the relation of visitors towards multimedia exhibits and the role of the museum as an alternative place for learning, especially with the use of innovative interactive multimedia.
Learning by Playing
Authors: Zafeiropoulos Vasilis , Kalles Dimitris , Sgourou Argyro
Published: August 2015

The practical training of students and employees in laboratories containing scientific instruments constitutes an educational challenge. Laboratory equipment is by definition sensitive, costly and requires specific safety rules for its use. Therefore, students do not have the opportunity to make improper use of the equipment and get trained by “trial-and-error”. The educational process becomes even trickier when students are many and training takes place simultaneously within the same laboratory; damages to instrumentation and accidents are possible and as a consequence, the effectiveness of learning is greatly limited. For such purposes, an adventure-style computer game -Onlabs- has been developed to provide an interactive simulation environment of a biology laboratory where students may experiment and make several harmless mistakes and where no time or space restrictions are imposed on them. This chapter describes how Onlabs was developed to serve a real need for a remote tool for familiarization and safe experimentation within the laboratory space.
Augmented Reality Edutainment Systems for Open-Space Archaeological Environments
Authors: Deliyannis Ioannis , Papaioannou Georgios
Published: August 2015

In this chapter we discuss the development of edutainment systems supported by augmented reality applications, in order to enable augmented reality technologies for archaeology within the so-called communication engine for museums and cultural tourism. The task in hand is interdisciplinary and its successful implementation relies heavily on information technology as a detailed analysis of content-user needs and sound interaction design capable to support edutainment scenario is needed. This work identifies the role of each building component, describes their interrelationship within the wider context and adopts a suitably designed framework in order to develop multiple guided-tour types. Real-life case study scenario on a specific case, that of the Old Fortress in the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Corfu, Greece, are used to demonstrate the adaptive nature of content and how the system and developers handle different uses. The proposed approach offers new narration tools for content experts while it may be used to support personalised visitor experiences.
Soil Bioremediation
Authors: Shiekh Ruqeya Nazir , Bhat Sajad , Shah Fayaz , Ahanger Faroz Ahmad
Published: August 2015

Bioremediation, a rapidly changing and growing area of environmental biotechnology employing microorganisms, presents a potentially more effective as well as economical clean-up technique than conventional approaches. The combination of several remediation techniques are considered to improve the remediation results especially in sites with complex contamination, as most traditional methods do not provide acceptable solutions for the removal of wastes from soils. The combination of electro kinetics with bioremediation, nanotechnology, biofilms, phytoremediation, chemical oxidation or electrical heating, presents interesting perspectives for the remediation. It is expected that the combination of these technologies will expand the dimensions of the remediation process to improve the remediation results, saving energy and time. Employment of new techniques is the need of the hour to carry forward this novel technology from its embryonic stage to all its developmental stages providing it with promising attributes to address some of the grave challenges faced by our environment today.
C-SCRIP
Authors: Bouaziz Rahma , Krichen Fatma , Coulette Bernard
Published: August 2015

Collaboration is the act of working together, towards a common goal. Collaboration is essential to the success of construction project. In software engineering projects, understanding and supporting collaboration gives the broad impact on product quality. There appears that it is difficult to effectively interact and achieve a common project goals within the bounds of cost, quality and time. The purpose of the paper is to propose a collaborative engineering process, called Collaborative SeCurity patteRn Integration Process (C-SCRIP), and a tool that supports the full life-cycle of the development of a secure system from modeling to code.
Institutional Reforms and Interaction of Local Governments
Authors: Sarafopoulos Georges , Ioannidis Panagiotis G.
Published: August 2015

The paper considers the interaction between regions during the implementation of a reform, on regional development through a discrete dynamical system based on replicator dynamics. The existence and stability of equilibria of this system are studied. The authors show that the parameter of the local prosperity may change the stability of equilibrium and cause a structure to behave chaotically. For the low values of this parameter the game has a stable Nash equilibrium. Increasing these values, the Nash equilibrium becomes unstable, through period-doubling bifurcation. The complex dynamics, bifurcations and chaos are displayed by computing numerically Lyapunov numbers, sensitive dependence on initial conditions and the box dimension.
Statistical analysis of storm-time near-Earth current systems
Authors: Liemohn M. W. , Katus R. M. , Ilie R.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Currents from the Hot Electron and Ion Drift Integrator (HEIDI) inner magnetospheric model results for all of the 90 intense storms (disturbance storm-time (Dst) minimum < −100 nT) from solar cycle 23 (1996–2005) are calculated, presented, and analyzed. We have categorized these currents into the various systems that exist in near-Earth space, specifically the eastward and westward symmetric ring current, the partial ring current, the banana current, and the tail current. The current results from each run set are combined by a normalized superposed epoch analysis technique that scales the timeline of each phase of each storm before summing the results. It is found that there is a systematic ordering to the current systems, with the asymmetric current systems peaking during storm main phase (tail current rising first, then the banana current, followed by the partial ring current) and the symmetric current systems peaking during the early recovery phase (westward and eastward symmetric ring current having simultaneous maxima). The median and mean peak amplitudes for the current systems ranged from 1 to 3 MA, depending on the setup configuration used in HEIDI, except for the eastward symmetric ring current, for which the mean never exceeded 0.3 MA for any HEIDI setup. The self-consistent electric field description in HEIDI yielded larger tail and banana currents than the Volland–Stern electric field, while the partial and symmetric ring currents had similar peak values between the two applied electric field models.
Diagnosing hydrological limitations of a Land Surface Model: application of JULES to a deep-groundwater chalk basin
Authors: Le Vine N. , Butler A. , McIntyre N. , Jackson C.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Land Surface Models (LSMs) are prospective starting points to develop a global hyper-resolution model of the terrestrial water, energy and biogeochemical cycles. However, there are some fundamental limitations of LSMs related to how meaningfully hydrological fluxes and stores are represented. A diagnostic approach to model evaluation is taken here that exploits hydrological expert knowledge to detect LSM inadequacies through consideration of the major behavioural functions of a hydrological system: overall water balance, vertical water redistribution in the unsaturated zone, temporal water redistribution and spatial water redistribution over the catchment's groundwater and surface water systems. Three types of information are utilised to improve the model's hydrology: (a) observations, (b) information about expected response from regionalised data, and (c) information from an independent physics-based model. The study considers the JULES (Joint UK Land Environmental Simulator) LSM applied to a deep-groundwater chalk catchment in the UK. The diagnosed hydrological limitations and the proposed ways to address them are indicative of the challenges faced while transitioning to a global high resolution model of the water cycle.
Morphological dynamics of an englacial channel
Authors: Vatne G. , Irvine-Fynn T. D. L.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Despite an interest in the hydraulic functioning of supraglacial and englacial channels over the last four decades, the processes and forms of such ice-bounded streams have remained poorly documented. Recent glaciological research has demonstrated the potential significance of so-called "cut and closure" streams, where englacial or subglacial flowpaths are created from the long-term incision of supraglacial channels. These flowpaths are reported to exhibit step-pool morphology, comprising knickpoints and/or knickzones, albeit exaggerated in dimensions in comparison to their supraglacial channel counterparts. However, little is known of the development of such channels' morphology. Here, we examine the spatial organization of step-pools and the upstream migration of steps, many of which form knickzones, with repeated surveys over a 10 year period in an englacial conduit in cold-based Austre Brøggerbreen, Svalbard. The observations show upstream knickpoint recession to be the dominant process for channel evolution. This is paralleled by an increase in average step height and conduit gradient over time. Characteristic channel reach types and step-riser forms are consistently observed in each of the morphological surveys reported. We suggest that the formation of steps has a hydrodynamic origin, where step-pool geometry is more efficient for energy dissipation than meanders, and that the englacial channel system is one in rapid transition rather than in dynamic equilibrium. The evolution and recession of knickzones reported here result in the formation of a 37 m moulin, suggesting over time the englacial channel may evolve towards a stable end-point characterised by a singular vertical descent to the local hydraulic base level. In light of this, our observations highlight the need to further examine the adjustment processes in cut-and-closure channels to better understand their coupling to supraglacial meltwater sources and role and potential significance in cold-based glacier hydrology and ice dynamics.
Area, elevation and mass changes of the two southernmost ice caps of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago between 1952 and 2014
Authors: Papasodoro C. , Berthier E. , Royer A. , Zdanowicz C. , Langlois A.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. Grinnell and Terra Nivea Ice Caps are located on the southern Baffin Island, Nunavut, in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. These relatively small ice caps have received little attention compared to the much larger ice masses further north. Their evolution can, however, give valuable information about the impact of the recent Arctic warming at lower latitudes (i.e. ~ 62.5° N). In this paper, we measure or estimate historical and recent changes of area, elevation and mass of both ice caps using in situ, airborne and spaceborne data sets, including imagery from the Pléiades satellites. The area of Terra Nivea Ice Cap has decreased by 34 % since the late 1950s, while that of Grinnell Ice Cap has decreased by 20 % since 1952. For both ice caps, the areal reduction accelerated at the beginning of the 21st century. The estimated glacier-wide mass balance was −0.37 ± 0.21 m a−1 water equivalent (w.e.) over Grinnell Ice Cap for the 1952–2014 period, and −0.47 ± 0.16 m a−1 w.e. over Terra Nivea Ice Cap for the 1958/59–2014 period. Terra Nivea Ice Cap has experienced an accelerated rate of mass loss of −1.77 ± 0.36 m a−1 w.e. between 2007 and 2014. This rate is 5.9 times as negative when compared to the 1958/59–2007 period (−0.30 ± 0.19 m a−1 w.e.) and 2 times as negative when compared to the mass balance of other glaciers in the southern parts of Baffin Island over the 2003–2009 period. A similar acceleration in mass loss is suspected for the Grinnell Ice Cap, given the calculated elevation changes and the proximity to Terra Nivea Ice Cap. The recent increase in mass loss rates for these two ice caps is linked to a strong near-surface regional warming and a lengthening of the melt season into the autumn that may be indirectly strengthened by a later freezing of sea ice in the Hudson Strait sector. On a methodological level, our study illustrates the strong potential of Pléiades satellite data to unlock the under-exploited archive of old aerial photographs.
Benchmarking Characteristics of Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) Projects: Based On Interview Findings
Authors: Ikpe Elias , Kumar Jatinder , Jergeas George
Published: August 2015

SAGD is a relatively new method of oil extraction and recovery in Alberta oil and gas industry and the number of new SAGD plants in Alberta is expected to increase within this decade. The paper discusses the interviews finding of benchmarking characteristics of the SAGD projects. The research reviewed and analysed definition of capacity, main features, life cycle/ phases of SAGD projects and also major risks associated with it. A qualitative research methodology was employed in investigating the characteristics of SAGD projects. Interviews were conducted with industry practitioners, which contained open-ended questions. The result found the definition of capacity of SAGD projects is barrels/day and from the lifecycle of SAGD projects procurement/cosntruction phase is 75% of the total project cost while other phase in total constiutues the 25% of the total cost of the project. On the schedule prospective, procurement/construction phase constitute the 55% of the total project duration. This method has the potential to contribute to a reduction in cost and schedule overruns and improves SAGD project performance. It is concluded that the results of the study will help in achieving a higher rate of productivity in the Alberta oil and gas industry.
The use of artificial dermis for corrective surgery on burn scars
Authors: Praditsuktavorn Banjerd , Muangman Pornprom
Published: August 2015

Background

Hypertrophic scarring from burn injuries on large skin areas is of great concern for both patients and attending physicians because of significant functional and cosmetic impairment. Surgery for scar corrections is challenging because of limitations on the availability of normal tissue. An alternative method for scar correction using artificial dermis is now possible. Artificial dermis can be used in the reconstruction of scars, burn injuries on large skin areas and in patients who do not have sufficient donor sites for skin grafts after scar excisions.

Objective

To report the efficacy of artificial dermis on a 20 years old Thai man with severe scar contracture from burn injuries.

Method

An open-label case study, the severe contracture case underwent scar excision and was applied with artificial dermis.

Result

A 20-year-old man had severe scar contractures on his left arm, forearm, and elbow, and a shearing wound with a scar at his left elbow. Total scar excision was done on his left arm, forearm, elbow, and hand, and then followed by application of artificial dermis on to the wounds. After 2 weeks, neodermis formation was observed, after which an ultrathin split thickness skin graft was applied to the wounds. One month after sugery, the patient could extend his left elbow fully and the cosmetic result is satisfactory.

Conclusion

Use of artificial dermis should be a new alternative modality in improving our strategy in correcting scar issues from burn injuries, especially on large burn scar areas with limited donor sites for skin grafts.