bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PVDF/Carbonnanotubes/Nanoclay Composites for Piezoelectric Applications
Authors: Sadeghi F. , Sarvi A. , Sundararaj U.
Published: March 2014

Poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposite samples were prepared by incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and nanoclay into PVDF using a twin screw extruder. Carbon nanotube was added to improve electrical conductivity and nanoclay was included to enhance β crystal formation for piezoelectric property. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that partial melt intercalation of PVDF in clay was achieved. The XRD results also revealed that CNT and nanocaly addition increased β phase crystal amount in PVDF. FTIR spectroscopy measurements confirmed the XRD results and showed that the effect of nanoclay on β phase crystal formation of PVDF was more prominent than CNT. It was found that shear rate applied during crystallization would improve β phase crystal formation but only for the neat PVDF. Electrical conductivity results showed that addition of CNT improved conductivity as a percolation of 2 wt.% was observed. It was found that dispersion of CNT into PVDF matrix is very crucial for obtaining a higher conductivity. The results showed that clay incorporation into CNT nanocomposite improved electrical conductivity. The TEM micrographs showed bundles of CNT were adhered to clay particles. That was considered an indication of affinity between CNT and organically modified clay. The results of compounding of CNT and nanoclay with PVDF in batch mixer also revealed improvement in electrical conductivity when clay was added into PVDF/CNT composite in melt state. The conductivity improved with mixing time for both systems: PVDF/CNT and PVDF/CNT/nanocaly.
Contested boundaries
Authors: Alvey Jennifer
Published: March 2014

This article examines a 20-year border dispute between two adjacent southern interior municipalities in Nicaragua. The dispute acts as window into the politics of state formation and the consolidation of the dictatorship of Anastacio Somoza García (1936–1956). This conflict was waged by locally based “state actors” who contested each other's attempts to stake and extend spatially based claims to authority. Contending parties developed a shared language of contention that I call “administrative disorder”, which tracked closely with accusations of invasion and abuse of authority. Administrative disorder discourses were representational practices that contributed to the discursive construction of the state. They were also the means by which representatives of the state sought to justify or normalize their own activities. As such, these discourses concealed political tensions rooted in patronage networks, municipal formation, land privatization, and ethnic assimilation, which shaped the contours and longevity of the dispute, but remained lurking silences in administrative disorder discourses.
The Gothic Origin of Modern Civility: Mandeville and the Scots on Courage
Authors: Tolonen Mikko
Published: March 2014

This paper seeks to establish that Bernard Mandeville's ideas on courage and honour shaped the Scottish debate about ancients and moderns by formulating a perspective how eighteenth-century civil societies grew large, luxurious and feminine without losing their ability to wage war. My focus is on Mandeville's positive influence on David Hume, whose writings were a springboard for many Mandevillean ideas in Scotland. In contrast to a recent claim in scholarship, Hume aimed to discredit, instead of developing, Shaftesburyan ideas of ancient courage. The concluding part of the paper will discuss Andrew Millar and Adam Ferguson in this context.
Vanity, Virtue and the Duel: The Scottish Response to Mandeville
Authors: Branchi Andrea
Published: March 2014

Locating the history of male honour in the perspective of his philosophical anthropology, Mandeville is able to show that the rituals of modern honour are an exemplary expression of that spontaneous, artificial order stemming out of a natural disposition of human passions. For Mandeville, duelling provides decisive evidence that the desire for approval from others, even at the cost of one's life, is a dominant motive in man's behaviour. The aim of this paper is to review selected Scottish responses to the questions raised by Mandeville's views on ‘Modern Honour’ and his provocative defense of duelling.
Carrying Matters Too Far? Mandeville and the Eighteenth-Century Scots on the Evolution of Morals
Authors: Heath Eugene
Published: March 2014

Mandeville offers an evolutionary explanation of norms that pivots on the power of praise to affect individuals. Yet this sort of account is not mentioned by Hume or Ferguson, and only indirectly noted by Smith. Nonetheless, there are various similarities in the thought of Mandeville and these philosophers. After delineating some resemblances, the essay takes up the objection Hume poses to Mandeville: praise fails to motivate if individuals take no pride in moral conduct. To this challenge there is a Mandevillean response that emphasizes how, in the evolutionary emergence of norms, the original praise need not be understood in moral terms.
Thinking Through Things in Texts: A Seventeenth-Century Example
Authors: Smith Olivia
Published: March 2014

What is the cognitive role of things — sometimes but not always expressed as nouns — that appear in texts? What kind of literary affordances are the material furnishings that appear in a piece of literary writing? These questions are explored in this essay through the example of John Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1690), a long work of literary philosophy that plays with the evolving conventions of its genre. Fusing methodologies borrowed from anthropology and linguistics, this essay reveals the extent and type of work done by two of Locke's things, manna and porphyry. In doing so it tests a way of tracing the cognitive action of the Essay's contemporary readership without recourse to modern experimental methods.
Gene Expression Profiling during Pregnancy in Rat Brain Tissue
Authors: Mann Phyllis
Published: March 2014

The neurophysiological changes that occur during pregnancy in the female mammal have led to the coining of the phrases “expectant brain” and “maternal brain”. Although much is known of the hormonal changes during pregnancy, alterations in neurotransmitter gene expression have not been well-studied. We examined gene expression in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) during pregnancy based on the fact that this nucleus not only modulates the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy but is also involved in the development of maternal behavior. This study was designed to identify genes that are differentially expressed between mid- and late-pregnancy in order to determine which genes may be associated with the onset and display of maternal behavior and the development of the maternal brain. A commercially available PCR array containing 84 neurotransmitter receptor and regulator genes (RT2 Profiler PCR array) was used. Brains were harvested from rats on days 12 and 21 of gestation, frozen, and micropunched to obtain the VMH. Total RNA was extracted, cDNA prepared, and SYBR Green qPCR was performed. In the VMH, expression of five genes were reduced on day 21 of gestation compared to day 12 (Chrna6, Drd5, Gabrr2, Prokr2, and Ppyr1) whereas Chat, Chrm5, Drd4, Gabra5, Gabrg2, LOC289606, Nmu5r2, and Npy5r expression was elevated. Five genes were chosen to be validated in an additional experiment based on their known involvement in maternal behavior onset. This experiment confirmed that gene expression for both the CCK-A receptor and the GABAAR γ2 receptor increases at the end of pregnancy. In general, these results identify genes possibly involved in the establishment of the maternal brain in rats and indicate possible new genes to be investigated.
Ensemble Entropy for Monitoring Network Design
Authors: Alfonso Leonardo , Ridolfi Elena , Gaytan-Aguilar Sandra , Napolitano Francesco , Russo Fabio
Published: March 2014

Information-theory provides, among others, conceptual methods to quantify the amount of information contained in single random variables and methods to quantify the amount of information contained and shared among two or more variables. Although these concepts have been successfully applied in hydrology and other fields, the evaluation of these quantities is sensitive to different assumptions in the estimation of probabilities. An example is the histogram bin size used to estimate probabilities to calculate Information Theory quantities via frequency methods. The present research aims at introducing a method to take into consideration the uncertainty coming from these parameters in the evaluation of the North Sea’s water level network. The main idea is that the entropy of a random variable can be represented as a probability distribution of possible values, instead of entropy being a deterministic value. The method consists of solving multiple scenarios of Multi-Objective Optimization Problem in which information content is maximized and redundancy is minimized. Results include probabilistic analysis of the chosen parameters on the resulting family of Pareto fronts, providing additional criteria on the selection of the final set of monitoring points.
Investigating Forest Disturbance Using Landsat Data in the Nagagamisis Central Plateau, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Forsythe K. , McCartney Grant
Published: March 2014

The Nagagamisis Central Plateau (located in Northern Ontario, Canada) is an area of distinct natural and cultural significance. The importance of this land was officially recognized in 1957 through the establishment of the Nagagamisis Provincial Park Reserve. The park has experienced significant expansion since its inception and is currently under development as one of Ontario Parks ‘Signature Sites’. Since the 1980s, timber harvest activity has led to widespread forest disturbance just outside of the park boundaries. This research is focused on the detection of stand level forest disturbances associated with timber harvest occurring near Nagagamisis Provincial Park. The image time-series data selected for this project were Landsat TM and ETM+; spanning a twenty-five year period from 1984 to 2009. The Tasselled Cap Transformation and Normalized Difference Moisture Index were derived for use in unsupervised image classification to determine the land cover for each image in the time-series. Image band differencing and raster arithmetic were performed to create maps illustrating the size and spatial distribution of stand level forest disturbances between image dates. A total area of 1649 km2 or 26.1% of the study area experienced stand level disturbance during the analysis period.
Neuronal Activity in the Subthalamic Cerebrovasodilator Area under Partial-Gravity Conditions in Rats
Authors: Zeredo Zeredo , Toda Kazuo , Kumei Yasuhiro
Published: March 2014

The reduced-gravity environment in space is known to cause an upward shift in body fluids and thus require cardiovascular adaptations in astronauts. In this study, we recorded in rats the neuronal activity in the subthalamic cerebrovasodilator area (SVA), a key area that controls cerebral blood flow (CBF), in response to partial gravity. “Partial gravity” is the term that defines the reduced-gravity levels between 1 g (the unit gravity acceleration on Earth) and 0 g (complete weightlessness in space). Neuronal activity was recorded telemetrically through chronically implanted microelectrodes in freely moving rats. Graded levels of partial gravity from 0.4 g to 0.01 g were generated by customized parabolic-flight maneuvers. Electrophysiological signals in each partial-gravity phase were compared to those of the preceding 1 g level-flight. As a result, SVA neuronal activity was significantly inhibited by the partial-gravity levels of 0.15 g and lower, but not by 0.2 g and higher. Gravity levels between 0.2–0.15 g could represent a critical threshold for the inhibition of neurons in the rat SVA. The lunar gravity (0.16 g) might thus trigger neurogenic mechanisms of CBF control. This is the first study to examine brain electrophysiology with partial gravity as an experimental parameter.
Chiroptical Properties and the Racemization of Pyrene and Tetrathiafulvalene-Substituted Allene: Substitution and Solvent Effects on Racemization in Tetrathiafulvalenylallene
Authors: Hasegawa Masashi , Iwata Seiya , Sone Yasuto , Endo Junta , Matsuzawa Hideyo , Mazaki Yasuhiro
Published: March 2014

Dissymmetric 1,3-diphenylallene derivative 3 connected with 4,5-bis(methyl-thio)tetrathiafulvalenyl and 1-pyrenyl substituents was prepared and characterized. The molecular structure was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Optical resolution was accomplished using a recycling chiral HPLC, and its chiroptical properties were examined with optical rotation and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. The title compound underwent photoracemization under daylight. This behavior was investigated in various solvents and compared with that of 1,3-bis(tetrathiafulvalenyl)allene (bis-TTF-allene) derivative 2. The first-order rate plot of the intensity of the ECD spectra at a given time interval gave the rate of racemization. Mild racemization was observed in polar solvents, whereas a relatively fast rate was obtained in less polar solvents. In addition, the TTF groups of the allene also accelerate the racemization rate. These results suggest that the racemization mechanism occurs via a non-polar diradical structure.
Intermittent Feeding Schedules—Behavioural Consequences and Potential Clinical Significance
Authors: Murphy Michelle , Mercer Julian
Published: March 2014

Food availability and associated sensory cues such as olfaction are known to trigger a range of hormonal and behavioural responses. When food availability is predictable these physiological and behavioural responses can become entrained to set times and occur in anticipation of food rather than being dependent on the food-related cues. Here we summarise the range of physiological and behavioural responses to food when the time of its availability is unpredictable, and consider the potential to manipulate feeding patterns for benefit in metabolic and mental health.
Posaconazole: A Review of Drug Interactions with HIV Antiretroviral Agents
Authors: Poulakos Mara , Henneman Amy , Leung Simon
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this review is to examine the literature for reports of clinically significant interactions noted amongst HIV antiretroviral medications when coadministered with posaconazole. A literature search was conducted to identify studies addressing drug interactions between posaconazole and HIV antiretroviral medications. Two pharmacokinetic studies and three clinical trials involving the administration of posaconazole to HIV-infected patients were identified. The pharmacokinetic studies involved concomitant administration of either a protease inhibitor (PI) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). Both studies showed alterations in systemic concentrations of either posaconazole or the HIV antiretroviral when administered together. Of the three clinical trials, all patients were on HIV antiretrovirals. However, their potential interaction with posaconazole was not explored. To date, there is no published literature regarding the interaction between maraviroc or elvitegravir and posaconazole. Dose adjustments for each are recommended when coadministered with strong CYP 3A4 inhibitors or inducers. Currently available literature points to the potential for clinically significant drug interactions when posaconazole is coadministered with HIV antiretrovirals, specifically NNRTIs and PIs. More studies are needed involving a wider range of HIV antiretrovirals to determine the significance of the interaction. Clinicians should be aware of this potentially significant interaction and avoid concomitant administration when possible. When available, consideration should be given to therapeutic drug monitoring of antiretroviral serum concentrations in select patients.
Interpretation of Cellular Imaging and AQP4 Quantification Data in a Single Cell Simulator
Authors: Kim Seon , Hsu Ying , Linninger Andreas
Published: March 2014

The goal of the present study is to integrate different datasets in cell biology to derive additional quantitative information about a gene or protein of interest within a single cell using computational simulations. We propose a novel prototype cell simulator as a quantitative tool to integrate datasets including dynamic information about transcript and protein levels and the spatial information on protein trafficking in a complex cellular geometry. In order to represent the stochastic nature of transcription and gene expression, our cell simulator uses event-based stochastic simulations to capture transcription, translation, and dynamic trafficking events. In a reconstructed cellular geometry, a realistic microtubule structure is generated with a novel growth algorithm for simulating vesicular transport and trafficking events. In a case study, we investigate the change in quantitative expression levels of a water channel-aquaporin 4-in a single astrocyte cell, upon pharmacological treatment. Gillespie based discrete time approximation method results in stochastic fluctuation of mRNA and protein levels. In addition, we compute the dynamic trafficking of aquaporin-4 on microtubules in this reconstructed astrocyte. Computational predictions are validated with experimental data. The demonstrated cell simulator facilitates the analysis and prediction of protein expression dynamics.
Transcription Factor Functional Protein-Protein Interactions in Plant Defense Responses
Authors: Alves Murilo , Dadalto Silvana , Gonçalves Amanda , De Souza Gilza , Barros Vanessa , Fietto Luciano
Published: March 2014

Responses to biotic stress in plants lead to dramatic reprogramming of gene expression, favoring stress responses at the expense of normal cellular functions. Transcription factors are master regulators of gene expression at the transcriptional level, and controlling the activity of these factors alters the transcriptome of the plant, leading to metabolic and phenotypic changes in response to stress. The functional analysis of interactions between transcription factors and other proteins is very important for elucidating the role of these transcriptional regulators in different signaling cascades. In this review, we present an overview of protein-protein interactions for the six major families of transcription factors involved in plant defense: basic leucine zipper containing domain proteins (bZIP), amino-acid sequence WRKYGQK (WRKY), myelocytomatosis related proteins (MYC), myeloblastosis related proteins (MYB), APETALA2/ ETHYLENE-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING FACTORS (AP2/EREBP) and no apical meristem (NAM), Arabidopsis transcription activation factor (ATAF), and cup-shaped cotyledon (CUC) (NAC). We describe the interaction partners of these transcription factors as molecular responses during pathogen attack and the key components of signal transduction pathways that take place during plant defense responses. These interactions determine the activation or repression of response pathways and are crucial to understanding the regulatory networks that modulate plant defense responses.
Validating and Linking the GIMMS Leaf Area Index (LAI3g) with Environmental Controls in Tropical Africa
Authors: Pfeifer Marion , Lefebvre Veronique , Gonsamo Alemu , Pellikka Petri , Marchant Rob , Denu Dereje , Platts Philip
Published: March 2014

The recent Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) LAI3g product provides a 30-year global times-series of remotely sensed leaf area index (LAI), an essential variable in models of ecosystem process and productivity. In this study, we use a new dataset of field-based LAITrue to indirectly validate the GIMMS LAI3g product, LAIavhrr, in East Africa, comparing the distribution properties of LAIavhrr across biomes and environmental gradients with those properties derived for LAITrue. We show that the increase in LAI with vegetation height in natural biomes is captured by both LAIavhrr and LAITrue, but that LAIavhrr overestimates LAI for all biomes except shrubland and cropland. Non-linear responses of LAI to precipitation and moisture indices, whereby leaf area peaks at intermediate values and declines thereafter, are apparent in both LAITrue and LAIavhrr, although LAITrue reaches its maximum at lower values of the respective environmental driver. Socio-economic variables such as governance (protected areas) and population affect both LAI responses, although cause and effect are not always obvious: a positive relationship with human population pressure was detected, but shown to be an artefact of both LAI and human settlement covarying with precipitation. Despite these complexities, targeted field measurements, stratified according to both environmental and socio-economic gradients, could provide crucial data for improving satellite-derived LAI estimates, especially in the human-modified landscapes of tropical Africa.
Sensor Data Acquisition and Processing Parameters for Human Activity Classification
Authors: Bersch Sebastian , Azzi Djamel , Khusainov Rinat , Achumba Ifeyinwa , Ries Jana
Published: March 2014

It is known that parameter selection for data sampling frequency and segmentation techniques (including different methods and window sizes) has an impact on the classification accuracy. For Ambient Assisted Living (AAL), no clear information to select these parameters exists, hence a wide variety and inconsistency across today’s literature is observed. This paper presents the empirical investigation of different data sampling rates, segmentation techniques and segmentation window sizes and their effect on the accuracy of Activity of Daily Living (ADL) event classification and computational load for two different accelerometer sensor datasets. The study is conducted using an ANalysis Of VAriance (ANOVA) based on 32 different window sizes, three different segmentation algorithm (with and without overlap, totaling in six different parameters) and six sampling frequencies for nine common classification algorithms. The classification accuracy is based on a feature vector consisting of Root Mean Square (RMS), Mean, Signal Magnitude Area (SMA), Signal Vector Magnitude (here SMV), Energy, Entropy, FFTPeak, Standard Deviation (STD). The results are presented alongside recommendations for the parameter selection on the basis of the best performing parameter combinations that are identified by means of the corresponding Pareto curve.
An Integrated Thermal Compensation System for MEMS Inertial Sensors
Authors: Chiu Sheng-Ren , Teng Li-Tao , Chao Jen-Wei , Sue Chung-Yang , Lin Chih-Hsiou , Chen Hong-Ren , Su Yan-Kuin
Published: March 2014

An active thermal compensation system for a low temperature-bias-drift (TBD) MEMS-based gyroscope is proposed in this study. First, a micro-gyroscope is fabricated by a high-aspect-ratio silicon-on-glass (SOG) process and vacuum packaged by glass frit bonding. Moreover, a drive/readout ASIC, implemented by the 0.25 µm 1P5M standard CMOS process, is designed and integrated with the gyroscope by directly wire bonding. Then, since the temperature effect is one of the critical issues in the high performance gyroscope applications, the temperature-dependent characteristics of the micro-gyroscope are discussed. Furthermore, to compensate the TBD of the micro-gyroscope, a thermal compensation system is proposed and integrated in the aforementioned ASIC to actively tune the parameters in the digital trimming mechanism, which is designed in the readout ASIC. Finally, some experimental results demonstrate that the TBD of the micro-gyroscope can be compensated effectively by the proposed compensation system.
Ambient Assisted Living Healthcare Frameworks, Platforms, Standards, and Quality Attributes
Authors: Memon Mukhtiar , Wagner Stefan , Pedersen Christian , Beevi Femina , Hansen Finn
Published: March 2014

Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) is an emerging multi-disciplinary field aiming at exploiting information and communication technologies in personal healthcare and telehealth systems for countering the effects of growing elderly population. AAL systems are developed for personalized, adaptive, and anticipatory requirements, necessitating high quality-of-service to achieve interoperability, usability, security, and accuracy. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the AAL field with a focus on healthcare frameworks, platforms, standards, and quality attributes. To achieve this, we conducted a literature survey of state-of-the-art AAL frameworks, systems and platforms to identify the essential aspects of AAL systems and investigate the critical issues from the design, technology, quality-of-service, and user experience perspectives. In addition, we conducted an email-based survey for collecting usage data and current status of contemporary AAL systems. We found that most AAL systems are confined to a limited set of features ignoring many of the essential AAL system aspects. Standards and technologies are used in a limited and isolated manner, while quality attributes are often addressed insufficiently. In conclusion, we found that more inter-organizational collaboration, user-centered studies, increased standardization efforts, and a focus on open systems is needed to achieve more interoperable and synergetic AAL solutions.
Akt—mTOR Pathway Inhibits Apoptosis and Fibrosis in Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity following Embryonic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Singla Dinender K.
Published: March 2014

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic drug used for the treatment of a variety of malignancies. Unfortunately, time and dose-dependent DOX therapy induces cardiotoxicity and heart failure. We previously reported that transplanted embryonic stem (ES) cells and the conditioned medium (CM) can repair and regenerate injured myocardium in acute DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC). However, the effectiveness of ES cell and CM therapeutics has not been challenged in the chronic DIC model. To this end, the long-term impact of ES cells and CM on apoptosis, fibrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolization, oxidative stress, and their associated mediators were examined. Four weeks post-DIC, ES cells and CM-transplanted hearts showed a significant decrease in cardiac apoptotic nuclei, which was consequent to modulation of signaling molecules in the Akt pathway including PTEN, Akt, and mTOR. Cytoplasmic vacuolization was reduced following treatment with ES cells and CM, as was cardiac fibrosis, which was attributable to downregulation of MMP-9 activity. Oxidative stress, as evidenced by DHE staining and lipid peroxide concentration, was significantly diminished, and preservation of the antioxidant defense system was observed following CM and ES cell transplantation. In conclusion, our data suggest that transplanted ES cells and CM have long-term potentiation to significantly mitigate various adverse pathological mechanisms present in the injured chronic DIC heart.
Improving the odds? How to pick the winner of the English Derby
Authors: Marlin D.J. , Williams J.M. , Parkin T.
Published: March 2014

Many consider the English Derby on Epsom Downs to be ‘The Blue Riband of the Turf’. The Epsom Derby has been run annually since 1780 and the colt Diomed was the first winner. Today the Epsom Derby, run over 1.5 miles, is one of five classic races and is the second leg of the English Triple Crown, preceded by the 2,000 Guineas and followed by the St Leger. The prize money for 2010 has been in excess of £1.25 million. To the best of our knowledge, whilst epidemiological techniques have previously been applied in an attempt to identify risk factors for injury, the purpose of the present study, which we believe is unique, was to use an epidemiological approach to analyse factors that may be predictive of success (or failure) in a single race over the course of a number of consecutive years: The Epsom Derby. Information on the horses competing in the last 22 runnings of the Epsom Derby between 1988 and 2009. Univariate and multivariable single-level and mixed effects logistic regression models were developed using winning the Epsom Derby as the dependent variable. Between 1988 and 2009 in 22 runnings of the Derby, a total of 344 horses started the Epsom Derby. The number of runners in the race has varied between 12 and 25 over the same time period. On average the probability of winning the Derby between 1988 and 2009 was approximately 6% (22/344), without accounting for any potentially predictive variables. Variables that were related to an increased chance of success were being the favourite (odds ratio (OR) 4.75; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.58-14.3; P=0.006), the number of 2-year old wins (OR 1.45; CI 1.03-2.04; P=0.03), being foaled in Ireland (OR 2.80; CI 1.12-7.04; P=0.041) and having the same jockey in all races throughout the horses career up to and including the Derby (OR 2.53; CI 1.0-6.41; P=0.05). The highest predictive probability was for horses that started the race as a favourite, were Irish bred, had been ridden by a single jockey and had won twice as a 2-year old. Although the point estimate for this probability was 52% the degree of uncertainty around this estimate was wide, i.e. the 95% CI was 17.5 to 86.5%. Nevertheless even at the lower confidence interval this still represents a significant improvement on the approximately 6% chance of picking a winner at random. In conclusion, using mixed effects logistic regression models would allow one to improve the odds of picking the winner of the Epsom Derby over the past 22 runnings.
Influence of velocity on horse and rider movement and resulting saddle forces at walk and trot
Authors: Bogisch S. , Geser-Von Peinen K. , Wiestner T. , Roepstorff L. , Weishaupt M.A.
Published: March 2014

To investigate the effect of increasing velocity within one gait on horse and rider movement and to describe the resulting changes in saddle forces, seven ridden dressage horses were examined on an instrumented treadmill. The speed ranged between 1.3-1.8 m/s at walk and 2.6-3.6 m/s at trot. Kinematics of the horse and rider, vertical ground reaction forces and saddle forces were measured simultaneously. Velocity dependency of each variable was assessed for the whole group with linear regression. With increasing velocity, the saddle forces at walk were mainly influenced by the accentuated rocking type of movement and at trot by the higher vertical dynamic and a more rigid horseback which resulted in increased counteracting force between horse and rider. Even small increases of velocity changed the dynamics of the movement pattern of the horse and consequently the forces emerging beneath the saddle: a 10% increase within the indicated speed range resulted in +5% (walk) and +14% (trot) higher total saddle force peaks. Accurate comparison of saddle forces requires speed-matched trials; velocity is therefore a factor which also has to be considered under clinical conditions.
Intra- and inter-day variability in plasma tCO2 concentration in sedentary horses
Authors: Bergstrom B.E. , Foreman J.H. , Foreman C.R. , Barger A.M.
Published: March 2014

Sodium bicarbonate and other alkalinising solutions (‘milkshakes’) have been given to horses surreptitiously before exercise to provide exogenous buffering effects. After an initial positive blood test, some accused horse trainers claim that their horses ‘naturally test high’, so some jurisdictions allow a secured quarantine in which the horse is tested multiple times. The objective of this experiment was to determine the intra- and inter-day variability of plasma total CO2 (tCO2) and other plasma strong ions in a group of sedentary horses housed similarly to a quarantine period. The hypothesis was that plasma tCO2 would not remain constant over a multi-day monitoring interval, but would vary measurably during that interval. Eight sedentary (unconditioned) horses were studied for 2 weeks. Horses were acclimated to a climate-controlled indoor environment and an alfalfa-only diet for a minimum of 10 days prior to sampling. Horses were sampled 3 times daily for 5 consecutive days at 7:00, 11:00 and 15:00 h. Blood samples were collected directly into 10 ml heparinised evacuated glass tubes by jugular venipuncture using a double-ended 0.91 mm needle. Samples were chilled until concentrations of plasma tCO2, Na+, K+, and Cl-, were determined within 1-3 h of sampling using an automated serum chemistry analyzer which was calibrated daily using commercial reagents obtained from the manufacturer as well as externally-obtained NIST-traceable calibrating solutions. Mean results documented mild variations in mean plasma tCO2 (range 28.9-31.6 mmol/l), but individual horses’ plasma tCO2 ranged over 4-7 units. Results showed that there was considerable intra- and inter-individual variability in plasma tCO2. Mean pooled tCO2 and measured strong ion difference (SIDm) differed by time-of-day, with both late morning and early afternoon values lower than early morning values (P<0.001). There was a strong positive linear relationship between plasma SIDm and tCO2 (r=0.75, P<0.001).
Mobile Devices and Recording in the Classroom
Authors: Ibrahim Yasmin , Howarth Anita
Published: March 2014

Mobile technologies such as tablets, iPads, laptops, netbooks as well as mobile phones with internet connectivity and recording features present new challenges to the academy. In the age of convergence and with the encoding of several features into mobile telephony, private spaces of the classroom can be reconfigured through the mediation of technologies. In most cases, existing rules and regulations of higher education institutions do not comprehensively address these challenges. The introduction of new technologies into the classroom has been often framed historically as vital and relevant for a progressive academic society or as part of a national imperative to transform the ways in which the authors access and engage with knowledge. This paper surveys British universities to examine how they govern the phenomenon of recording content through mobile technologies. The results reveal a pervasive use of mobile devices in UK universities and clear divergences in approaches to enacting mobile device-specific policies to govern the usage of these technologies.
Preparing Business and Information Technology Students to Contribute to Organizational Cultures Grounded in Moral Character
Authors: Sauser William I. , Sims Ronald R.
Published: March 2014

The ethical crisis in business and information technology is very real. Countering this crisis by creating organizational cultures grounded in moral character is the challenge people face as leaders if they are to regain the respect and confidence of the public. As educators of future business and information technology leaders, how can educators prepare their students to understand, appreciate, and contribute to the establishment of cultures of character in the organizations which employ them—and which they may ultimately lead? In this article the authors distinguish among four corporate cultures with respect to ethics —cultures of defiance, compliance, neglect, and character—and present a blueprint for constructing an organizational culture grounded in moral character. With respect to showing students how to contribute to such a culture, the authors then (a) describe how to establish an effective learning context for teaching about ethics, (b) proffer a number of practical suggestions for student assignments and experiences that can empower students to understand, appreciate, and contribute to organizational cultures of character, and (c) explain how to enhance experiential learning by conducting an effective debriefing session. The authors conclude the article by providing three examples from their own experience illustrating how these ideas can be incorporated into programs designed to show business and information technology students how to contribute to organizational cultures grounded in moral character.
Advances in Assessment of Students' Intuitive Understanding of Physics through Gameplay Data
Authors: Martinez-Garza Mario M. , Clark Douglas , Nelson Brian
Published: March 2014

In this paper, the authors present advances in analyzing gameplay data as evidence of learning outcomes using computational methods of statistical analysis. These analyses were performed on data gathered from the SURGE learning environment (Martinez-Garza, Clark, & Nelson, 2010). SURGE is a digital game designed to help students articulate their intuitive concepts of motion physics and organize them toward a more normative scientific understanding. Various recurring issues of assessment, which pervade assessment of learning in games more generally, prompted the authors to consider whether gameplay (actions of learners in the context of the game) can be analyzed to produce evidence of learning. The authors describe their approach to the analysis of game play in terms of qualitative assessment that the authors believe may lay the groundwork for the application of similar computationally-intensive techniques in other educational game contexts.
Gestural Articulations of Embodied Spatiality
Authors: Lee Lai Har Judy , San Chee Yam
Published: March 2014

The work described in this paper is part of a design-based research involving the use of a game-based learning curriculum to foster students' understanding of physics concepts and principles governing the motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields. Students engaged in game-play and discussed the dynamics of the charged particles within the 3D game environment. The discussion sessions were video-recorded and an analysis was carried out on the gestures used by a group of students attempting to generalize their observations of the phenomena. The students’ gestures were analyzed to gain insights on their embodied sense-making of charged particle dynamics. The analysis showed that the students used gestures to (1) establish a shared frame of reference, (2) enact embodied game experience, and (3) enable the development of new understanding that surpasses their own existing vocabulary. Implications are discussed with regard to how teachers may take students’ gestures into account when facilitating the development of concepts with a strong visuo-spatial core.
IFEDH
Authors: Popper Niki , Miksch Florian , Zauner Günther , Piringer Harald , Wilbacher Ingrid , Breitenecker Felix
Published: March 2014

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) provides information for decision-makers in the health care system. The consortium IFEDH (Innovative Framework for Evidence-based Decision Support in Healthcare) was formed in order to design a new strategy for the integration of modelling and simulation into the HTA process within limited resources whilst staying open to emerging new technologies. This aim resulted in a framework that consists of a standardized workflow, tasks, methods and good practices. Beginning with formalization of the underlying problem and identification of research questions, the process is followed by data acquisition and modelling and finally ends by generating results for decision support. Visualization and documentation are crucial tasks that support the whole process. Additionally, standards for modelling were defined and new general modelling concepts were developed. All these developments serve as a basis for fast, credible, evidence-based decision support for comparing various technologies in the health system.
The Effects of Transit Corridor Developments on the Healthcare Access of Medically Fragile Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Diaz Rafael , Behr Joshua , Ng ManWo , Jeng Anna , Giles Bridget
Published: March 2014

Transportation has been identified as a major barrier to healthcare access, particularly, within vulnerable population groups. The level of healthcare access that most population segments have in traditional transit systems may be increased with new initiatives that involve complex and large investments in transit oriented developments (TOD) projects. However, the increasing attractiveness of neighborhoods affected by TOD initiatives may result in the gentrification of vulnerable population segments. These vulnerable segments are likely to be relocated into less attractive neighborhoods characterized by inadequate transit systems. This relocation increases the probabilities of reducing healthcare access for these underserved groups leading to an increase in health disparities. The present discussion calls for research to explore relevant factors that affects these dynamics. A framework that enables the identification of individual factors that affect gentrification processes under TOD initiatives as well as quantifying the effects from these processes is suggested in this paper. A system dynamics framework that allows the understanding of the dynamics associated with this system is suggested in this paper. Critical areas for empirical research are highlighted. These are prerequisites for the effective deployment of initiatives that ensure the mitigation of possible negative impacts on vulnerable populations.
Obesity Epidemic Simulation Based on Behavioral Models and Intelligent Agents
Authors: Massei Marina , Tremori Alberto , Novak Vera , Poggi Simonluca , Bartolucci Christian , Ferrando Angelo , Chiurco Alessandro
Published: March 2014

This research work is aimed at proposing a simulation model based on Intelligent Agents devoted to reproduce human behavior influence over the evolution and impact of obesity epidemics. Indeed, obesity is a real big problem for both USA and European countries, so it is necessary to take under control this phenomenon and, above all, to support Agencies and Nations with simulation models in order to promote specific actions, to guarantee population healthy and to reduce the related social costs. To this end, taking advantage of previous experiences on Human Behavior Models, a Library including Intelligent Agents for Computer Generated Forces (IA-CGF Libraries) has been developed. This library is conceived to reproduce complex scenarios with particular attention to non-conventional frameworks on the progression of obesity epidemics in the world where human behaviors play a crucial role. As for the simulation models test, calibration and validation, two scenarios with different underlying social and cultural conditions have been considered and compared, namely: Italy (obesity prevalence ~10%) and U.S.A. (obesity prevalence ~35%). This way, it has been possible to gain fruitful insights about how simulation models evolve over different social and cultural conditions in different countries.
Transformation of Markov Models for Cost-Effectiveness Analysis into the System Dynamics Methodology
Authors: Einzinger Patrick , Leskovar Ruth , Wytrzens Claudia
Published: March 2014

Markov cohort models are one of the standard methodologies for conducting cost-effectiveness analyses of health care interventions of chronic diseases. The system dynamics (SD) approach, where a model consists of stocks and their interconnecting flows, is rarely used, but in principle it can be used to conduct the same type of analysis. The authors show that a simple transformation from the transition probabilities of a Markov model to relative rates always leads to an equivalent system dynamics model. Here the stocks match the Markov states, because they store the same number of patients as in the corresponding state. The authors demonstrate an approach on an exemplary cost-effectiveness analysis for a smoking cessation programme for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a simplified Markov model based on Menn (2009). Both the Markov model and the system dynamics model lead to nearly identical results. However, the latter offers more flexibility as it can incorporate interactions between different patient groups.
A Supervised Classification System of Financial Data Based on Wavelet Packet and Neural Networks
Authors: Lahmiri Salim , Boukadoum Mounir , Chartier Sylvain
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this paper is to present an automated system to classify financial data patterns as indicators of stock market future upward or downward moves. The classification system uses wavelet packet transform (WPT) for data decomposition and backpropagation neural networks (BPNN) for classification task. Its results are compared to those of a common classification system found in the literature which is based on ordinary wavelet transform (WT) and BPNN. In particular, the WPT is applied to the stock market data to obtain two categories of patterns: (i) approximation coefficients that represent major trend of the original data, and (ii) the residuals of the original data that capture its short-time variations. Therefore, those patterns are both complementary information used as inputs to classify stock market future shifts. For comparison purpose, BPNN and support vector machine (SVM) are separately used to classify patterns. Using S&P500 price index data, simulation results showed that both BPNN and SVM perform better with WPT extracted patterns (residuals and approximation coefficients) than standard approach based on WT approximation coefficients. In addition, BPNN outperform SVM. The WPT-NN based approach for financial data classification is more effective and promising than the standard approach adopted in the literature. The finding supports the adoption of the proposed classification system as an appropriate decision-making system in financial industry to classify financial data for forecasting purpose.
αPIX RhoGEF Supports Positive Selection by Restraining Migration and Promoting Arrest of Thymocytes
Authors: Korthals Mark , Schilling Kerstin , Reichardt Peter , Mamula Dejan , Schlüter Thomas , Steiner Michael , Langnäse Kristina , Thomas Ulrich , Gundelfinger Eckart , Premont Richard T. , Tedford Kerry , Fischer Klaus-Dieter
Published: March 2014

Thymocytes mature in a series of stages by migrating through specific areas of the thymus and interacting with other cells to receive the necessary developmental signals; however, little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing this migration. We report that murine thymocytes with a knockout mutation in α-PAK (p21-activated kinase)-interacting exchange factor (PIX; Arhgef6), an activator of Rho GTPases, showed greatly increased motility and altered morphology in two-dimensional migration on ICAM-1. αPIX was also required for efficient positive selection, but not negative selection, of thymocytes. TCR signaling was normal in αPix− thymocytes, indicating that the effects of αPIX on positive selection are largely independent of TCR signaling. αPix− thymocytes also paused less during migration in the thymic cortex, interacted less with ICAM-1 coated beads, and could overcome TCR stop signals, consistent with defective scanning behavior. These results identify αPIX as a regulator of thymocyte migration and subsequent arrest that is linked to positive selection.