bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On a New Approach to SNR Estimation of BPSK Signals
Authors: Moazzeni Taleb , Amei Amei , Ma Jian , Jiang Yingtao
Published: July 2013

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) information is required in many communication receivers and their proper operation is, to a large extent, related to the SNR estimation techniques they employ. Most of the available SNR estimators are based on approaches that either require large observation length or suffer from high computation complexity. In this paper, we propose a low complexity, yet accurate SNR estimation technique that is sufficient to yield meaningful estimation for short data records. It is shown that our estimator is fairly close to the (CRLB) for high SNR values. Numerical results also confirm that, in terms of convergence speed, the proposed technique outperforms the popular moment based method, M2M4
A Multichannel Receiver of the Experimental FM Based Passive Radar Using Software Defined Radio Technology
Authors: Szlachetko Bogusław , Lewandowski Andrzej
Published: July 2013

In this paper we present results of research on multichannel receiver using Software Defined Radio technology. This receiver is a part of the experimental FM based passive radar being designed. The hardware platform of the receiver consists of the Universal Software Defined Radio Peripheral devices. In the paper we propose modifications of the USRP’s FPGA configuration and GNU Radio code. These modifications allow for developing six/nine synchronous input channel receiver based on two/tree USRPs respectively. Issues of synchronization of separate USRP devices by assuring synchronous sampling were presented. We also propose the solution of the problem of the alignment of the data streams being sent from USRP devices via USB to the PC host.
Modeling the Arithmetic Decomposition of DA-LUT Block for Heterogeneous FPGA Structures
Authors: Staworko Michał , Rawski Mariusz
Published: July 2013

Distributed arithmetic is well known technique of designing FIR filters in FPGA devices. The quality of such filter implementation strongly depends on synthesis results of the DALUT block. Heterogeneity of modern FPGA structures introduces new possibilities into implementation process, that may lead to better results, but also makes it more complicated. This paper presents the simple mathematical model for estimating the necessary FPGA resources to implement DA-LUT using decomposition-based approach. The model takes into account the type of logic cells or memory blocks used for decomposition process. The proposed model is helpful to determinate the DALUT decomposition strategy for further automation of modified distributed arithmetic decomposition method
Problem-Independent Approach to Multiprocessor Dependent Task Scheduling
Authors: Król Dawid , Zydek Dawid , Koszałka Leszek
Published: July 2013

This paper concerns Directed Acyclic Graph task scheduling on parallel executors. The problem is solved using two new implementations of Tabu Search and genetic algorithm presented in the paper. A new approach to solution coding is also introduced and implemented in both metaheuristics algorithms. Results given by the algorithms are compared to those generated by greedy LPT and SS-FF algorithms; and HAR algorithm. The analysis of the obtained results of multistage simulation experiments confirms the conclusion that the proposed and implemented algorithms are characterized by very good performance and characteristics.
Modelling and Simulation of Utility Service Provision for Sustainable Communities
Authors: Strzelecka Anna , Skworcow Piotr
Published: July 2013

Utility service provision is designed to satisfy basic human needs. The main objective of the research is to investigate mathematical methods for evaluating the feasibility of using a more efficient approach for utility services provision, compared to the current diversity of utility products delivered to households. Possibilities for alternative utility service provision that lead to more sustainable solutions include reducing the number of delivered utility products, on-site recycling and use of locally available natural resources. The core of the proposed approach is the simulation system that enables carrying out feasibility study of so-called transformation graph, which describes direct transformations and indirect transformations of the utility products into defined services. The simulation system was implemented in C# and .NET 3.5, while the XML database was implemented using eXist-db. The XML database stores information about all devices, utility products, services and technologies that can be used to define and solve services-provision problems. An example of such problem and its solution is presented in this paper. This research is a part of the All-in-One Project.
Hierarchical Configurable Petri Net Modeling in VHDL
Authors: Doligalski Michał , Adamski Marian
Published: July 2013

The paper presents method for hierarchical configurable Petri nets description in VHDL language. Dual model is an alternative way for behavioral description of the discrete control process. Dual model consists of two correlated models: UML state machine diagram and hierarchical configurable Petri net (HCfgPN). HCfgPN are Petri nets variant with direct support of exceptions handling mechanism. Logical synthesis of dual model is realized by the description of HCfgPN model by means of hardware description language. The paper presents placesoriented method for HCfgPN description in VHDL language
New Conception of Safety Logic Microcontroller
Authors: Sałamaj Marek
Published: July 2013

In this paper a new conception of safety logic microcontroller (BML) is described, together with its physical hardware realization. The unit has various mechanisms which increase its safety and reliability, so that it can satisfy rigorous requirements of safety-critical systems. Thus, the BML unit uses some untypical and innovative technical solutions. The new approach to safety systems development allowed to propose a new conception. The paper describes also physical realization of small multiprocessor BML unit for management of decision-control systems adopted to critical usage.
Antibacterial dyeing of polyamide using turmeric as a natural dye
Authors: Mirjalili Mohammad , Karimi Loghman
Published: July 2013

Curcuma longa rhizome (turmeric) is a medicinal plant used for fabric and food coloration. In this study, polyamide
(nylon 6.6) fabric was dyed with different mordants at various turmeric concentrations. The dyed fabric was
evaluated for bacteriostatic activity against pathogenic strains of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gramnegative
(Escherichia coli) bacteria. The relationship between bacteriostatic activity and turmeric concentration was
investigated. Durability of antibacterial activity to laundering is also discussed. Results indicate that the polyamide
dyed with turmeric displayed excellent antibacterial activity in the presence of ferric sulfate, cupric sulfate, and
potassium aluminum sulfate, and exhibited good and durable fastness properties.
Exploratory Spatial Mapping of the Occurrence of Antimicrobial Resistance in E. coli in the Community
Authors: Galvin Sandra , Bergin Niall , Hennessy Ronan , Hanahoe Belinda , Murphy Andrew , Cormican Martin , Vellinga Akke
Published: July 2013

The use of antimicrobials over the past six decades has been associated with the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. To explore local geographical patterns in the occurrence of acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR), AMR of E. coli causing urinary tract infections (UTI) in the community in the West of Ireland was mapped. All adult patients consulting with a suspected UTI in 22 general practices in the West of Ireland over a nine-month study period were requested to supply a urine sample. Those with a laboratory confirmed E. coli infection were included (n = 752) in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by standardized disc diffusion. Patient addresses were geocoded. The diameters of the zone of inhibition of growth for trimethoprim (5 μg) and ciprofloxacin (5 μg) for the relevant isolate was mapped against the patient address using ArcGIS software. A series of maps illustrating spatial distribution of AMR in the West of Ireland were generated. The spatial data demonstrated a higher proportion of isolates with AMR from urban areas. Some rural areas also showed high levels of resistant E. coli. Our study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of using a geographical information system (GIS) platform for routine visual geographical analysis of AMR data in Ireland. Routine presentation of AMR data in this format may be valuable in understanding AMR trends at a local level.
Structural Sampling of Glycan Interaction Profiles Reveals Mucosal Receptors for Fimbrial Adhesins of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Lonardi Emanuela , Moonens Kristof , Buts Lieven , De Boer Arjen , Olsson Johan , Weiss Manfred , Fabre Emeline , Guérardel Yann , Deelder André , Oscarson Stefan , Wuhrer Manfred , Bouckaert Julie
Published: July 2013

Fimbriae are long, proteinaceous adhesion organelles expressed on the bacterial envelope, evolutionarily adapted by Escherichia coli strains for the colonization of epithelial linings. Using glycan arrays of the Consortium for Functional Glycomics (CFG), the lectin domains were screened of the fimbrial adhesins F17G and FedF from enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and of the FimH adhesin from uropathogenic E. coli. This has led to the discovery of a more specific receptor for F17G, GlcNAcb1,3Gal. No significant differences emerged from the glycan binding profiles of the F17G lectin domains from five different E. coli strains. However, strain-dependent amino acid variations, predominantly towards the positively charged arginine, were indicated by sulfate binding in FedF and F17G crystal structures. For FedF, no significant binders could be observed on the CFG glycan array. Hence, a shotgun array was generated from microvilli scrapings of the distal jejunum of a 3-week old piglet about to be weaned. On this array, the blood group A type 1 hexasaccharide emerged as a receptor for the FedF lectin domain and remarkably also for F18-fimbriated E. coli. F17G was found to selectively recognize glycan species with a terminal GlcNAc, typifying intestinal mucins. In conclusion, F17G and FedF recognize long glycan sequences that could only be identified using the shotgun approach. Interestingly, ETEC strains display a large capacity to adapt their fimbrial adhesins to ecological niches via charge-driven interactions, congruent with binding to thick mucosal surfaces displaying an acidic gradient along the intestinal tract.
Quantity versus Price Rationing of Credit: An Empirical Test
Authors: Waters George
Published: July 2013

One proxy of price rationing of credit is an aggregation of information on interest rates, while loan officer survey data measures quantity rationing of credit, meaning some borrowers are denied loans. The latter Granger causes real GDP but the former does not. The loan officer survey is a better leading indicator of credit market conditions that affect real activity.
Gene Expression Analyses Support Fallopian Tube Epithelium as the Cell of Origin of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: O'Shannessy Daniel , Jackson Stephen , Twine Natalie , Hoffman Bryan , Dezso Zoltan , Agoulnik Sergei , Somers Elizabeth
Published: July 2013

Folate receptor alpha (FOLR1/FRA) is reported to be overexpressed in epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC), especially the serous histotype. Further, while dysregulation of the folate-dependent 1-carbon cycle has been implicated in tumorogenesis, little is known relative to the potential mechanism of action of FOLR1 expression in these processes. We therefore investigated the expression of FOLR1, other folate receptors, and genes within the 1-carbon cycle in samples of EOC, normal ovary and fallopian tube on a custom TaqMan Low Density Array. Also included on this array were known markers of EOC such as MSLN, MUC16 and HE4. While few differences were observed in the expression profiles of genes in the 1-carbon cycle, genes previously considered to be overexpressed in EOC (e.g., FOLR1, MSLN, MUC16 and HE4) showed significantly increased expression when comparing EOC to normal ovary. However, when the comparator was changed to normal fallopian tube, these differences were abolished, supporting the hypothesis that EOC derives from fallopian fimbriae and, further, that markers previously considered to be upregulated or overexpressed in EOC are most likely not of ovarian origin, but fallopian in derivation. Our findings therefore support the hypothesis that the cell of origin of EOC is tubal epithelium.
Melatonin Signaling and Its Modulation of PfNF-YB Transcription Factor Expression in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Lima Wânia , Holder Anthony , Garcia Célia
Published: July 2013

Malaria is one of the most severe tropical infectious diseases. More than 220 million people around the world have a clinical malaria infection and about one million die because of Plasmodium annually. This parasitic pathogen replicates efficiently in its human host making it difficult to eradicate. It is transmitted by mosquito vectors and so far mosquito control programs have not effectively eliminated this transmission. Because of malaria’s enormous health and economic impact and the need to develop new control and eventual elimination strategies, a big research effort has been made to better understand the biology of this parasite and its interactions with its vertebrate host. Determination of the genome sequence and organization, the elucidation of the role of key proteins, and cell signaling studies have helped to develop an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that provide the parasite’s versatility. The parasite can sense its environment and adapt to benefit its survival, indeed this is essential for it to complete its life cycle. For many years we have studied how the Plasmodium parasite is able to sense melatonin. In this review we discuss the melatonin signaling pathway and its role in the control of Plasmodium replication and development.
Labeling Genetically Engineered Food in the United States: Suggestions for a New Approach
Authors: Endres A.
Published: July 2013

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) provides that a food is misbranded if the label accompanying the product is false or misleading in any particular. Congress provided minimal guidance to assist the FDA in making these determinations. When challenged, courts have granted substantial deference to FDA’s various interpretations of what constitute a material fact. However, when confronted with the regulatory question of whether or how to label products derived from genetically engineered (GE) crops, the FDA adopted a narrow reading of the statute that focused on changes in the product itself, rather than the act of genetic engineering. Only those GE products that possessed characteristics significantly different from their conventional counterparts would require labels. This “process versus product” distinction in food labels lies at the heart of the FDA’s resistance to repeated calls for mandatory labeling of foods derived from genetic engineering. Consumer interest in GE food, according to the agency, is not a material fact to trigger mandatory labeling under the statute. In contrast to its approach to GE labels, the agency has long required (since 1966) process-based labels for foods treated with irradiation. As recently as 1986, the FDA affirmed that materiality of information under it misbranding analysis is not limited to product safety or even the abstract worth of the information, but whether consumers view the information as important and whether the omission of a labeling statement would mislead the consumer. Accordingly, mere consumer interest can give rise to a mandatory labeling regime under the FFDCA. In the irradiation context, whole foods and single-ingredient products treated with irradiation must bear a label indicating the process. The irradiation of components in a multi-ingredient food product, however, need not bear a label. This distinction between processed, multi-ingredient and whole or single-ingredient foods provides a potential pathway for the agency to revise its approach to mandatory GE labeling. Exempting highly processed, multi-ingredient foods from a labeling regime would minimize traceability and segregation-generated disruptions in the commodity supply chain, thereby minimizing potential compliance costs, while also empowering consumers to express their preferences for non-GE whole and single-ingredient food products.
Hepatoprotective Effects of Mushrooms
Authors: Soares Andréia , De Sá-Nakanishi Anacharis , Bracht Adelar , Da Costa Sandra , Koehnlein Eloá , De Souza Cristina , Peralta Rosane
Published: July 2013

The particular characteristics of growth and development of mushrooms in nature result in the accumulation of a variety of secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, terpenes and steroids and essential cell wall components such as polysaccharides, b-glucans and proteins, several of them with biological activities. The present article outlines and discusses the available information about the protective effects of mushroom extracts against liver damage induced by exogenous compounds. Among mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum is indubitably the most widely studied species. In this review, however, emphasis was given to studies using other mushrooms, especially those presenting efforts of attributing hepatoprotective activities to specific chemical components usually present in the mushroom extracts.
Diamidines versus Monoamidines as Anti-Pneumocystis Agents: An in Vivo Study
Authors: Stanicki Dimitri , Pottier Muriel , Gantois Nausicaa , Pinçon Claire , Forge Delphine , Mahieu Isabelle , Boutry Sébastien , Vanden Eynde Jean Jacques , Martinez Anna , Dei-Cas Eduardo , Aliouat El-Moukhtar
Published: July 2013

Some compounds articulated around a piperazine or an ethylenediamine linker have been evaluated in vitro to determine their activity in the presence of a 3T6 fibroblast cell line and an axenic culture of Pneumocystis carinii, respectively. The most efficient antifungal derivatives, namely N,N′-bis(benzamidine-4-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine (compound 6, a diamidine) and N-(benzamidine-4-yl)-N′-phenylethane-1,2-diamine (compound 7, a monoamidine), exhibited no cytotoxicity and were evaluated in vivo in a rat model. Only the diamidine 6 emerged as a promising hit for further studies.
CIVIL AVIATION ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO GROUPS OF AVIATION SPECIALISTS
Authors: Trifonov-Bogdanov Peter , Vinogradov Leonid , Shestakov Vladimir
Published: July 2013

During an operational process, activity is implemented through an ordered sequence of certain actions united by a common motive. Actions can be simple or complex. Simple actions cannot be split into elements having independent objectives. Complex actions can be presented in the form of a set of simple actions. If the logical organisation of this set is open, a complex action can be described as an algorithm consisting of simple actions. That means various kinds of operational activities develop from the same simple and typical actions, but in various sequences. Therefore, human error is always generated by a more elementary error of action. Thus, errors of action are the primary parameter that is universal for any kind of activity of an aviation specialist and can serve as a measure for estimating the negative influence of the human factor (HF) on flight safety. Aviation personnel are various groups of experts having various specialisations and working in various areas of civil aviation. It is obvious that their influence on conditions is also unequal and is defined by their degree of interaction with the performance of flights. In this article, the results of an analysis of air incidents will be presented.
METHOD OF FORMULATING INPUT PARAMETERS OF NEURAL NETWORK FOR DIAGNOSING GAS-TURBINE ENGINES
Authors: Kulyk Mykola , Dmitriev Sergiy , Yakushenko Oleksandr , Popov Oleksandr
Published: July 2013

A method of obtaining test and training data sets has been developed. These sets are intended for training a static neural network to recognise individual and double defects in the air-gas path units of a gas-turbine engine. These data are obtained by using operational process parameters of the air-gas path of a bypass turbofan engine. The method allows sets that can project some changes in the technical conditions of a gas-turbine engine to be received, taking into account errors that occur in the measurement of the gas-dynamic parameters of the air-gas path. The operation of the engine in a wide range of modes should also be taken into account.
The Disconnect Between Better Quality of Glucocorticoid-induced Osteoporosis Preventive Care and Better Outcomes: A Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Majumdar Sumit R. , Lix Lisa M. , Morin Suzanne N. , Yogendran Marina , Metge Colleen J. , Leslie William D.
Published: July 2013

Objective.

The quality of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) care [defined by bone mineral density (BMD) testing or osteoporosis treatment] is suboptimal and has been targeted for improvement. The assumption that improvements in GIOP preventive care will lead to better outcomes has not been tested.

Methods.

We used linked healthcare databases to conduct a population-based study of all adults 20 years of age or older in Manitoba, Canada, who initiated longterm (> 90 days) systemic glucocorticoids (GC) between 1998 and 2008. High-quality GIOP care was defined by BMD testing or prescription osteoporosis treatment within 6 months. Outcomes were adjusted odds of major fractures within 1 year and 3 years.

Results.

We studied 15,285 subjects who had just begun to take GC; 5804 (38%) were 70 years of age or older, 9185 (58%) were women, and 4755 (30%) received 10 mg or more prednisone equivalents daily. Overall, 3898 (25%) subjects received a BMD test or osteoporosis treatment within 6 months. Within 1 year of starting GC, there had been 206 major fractures (1%) and within 3 years, 553 major fractures (4%). High-quality GIOP preventive care was not associated with a reduced risk of major fractures within 1 year (adjusted OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.1) or within 3 years (adjusted OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.6).

Conclusion.

Three-quarters of those initiating GC received suboptimal osteoporosis care. Conventional administrative database analyses could not demonstrate that better GIOP preventive care was associated with reductions in medically attended fractures. Clinically rich databases and different analytic techniques are needed to better evaluate the effectiveness of GIOP preventive care.
El proyecto fracasado del último obispado del norte de la Nueva España. Hacia la creación de la diócesis de Nuevo México
Authors: Paniagua Pérez Jesús
Published: July 2013

Los habitantes de nuevo México tuvieron desde la época de Oñate el deseo de disponer de un obispado, que se acrecentó en la medida que lo hacían los sentimientos autonomistas. Los motivos variaban. Los franciscanos por evitar el control del obispo de Durango. Los habitantes de Nuevo México, porque veían una forma de promoción espiritual y material, así como el desarrollo de centros de formación. El proyecto estuvo a punto de realizarse en las Cortes de Cádiz, tras la intervención del diputado por Nuevo México Pedro Baptista Pino, en colaboración con el periodista Juan López Cancelada. El regreso de Fernando VII daría al traste con aquel proyecto de diócesis, que solo se crearía tras la anexión a los Estados Unidos.
Manipulación política y conflicto interno. La presencia insurgente en la zona Mixe Baja de Oaxaca, México, 1812-1818
Authors: Escalona Lüttig Huemac
Published: July 2013

Este artículo analiza el comportamiento de tres pueblos mixes de las subdelegaciones de Nexapa y de Villa Alta (Mazatlán, Acatlán y Candayoc) ante la ocupación insurgente de la ciudad de Oaxaca a finales de 1812. Dada la carencia de estudios sobre este periodo en la región mixe, este trabajo es una primera aproximación para conocer la respuesta de los pueblos indígenas de esta área de Oaxaca, tanto a nivel local como regional, frente a la coyuntura política que significó el establecimiento de un gobierno insurgente entre 1812 y 1814 en la intendencia de Oaxaca.
Un mercader véneto en la Carrera de Indias: el relato de Alessandro Fontana (1618)
Authors: Maillard Álvarez Natalia
Published: July 2013

El presente artículo busca, en primer lugar, dar a conocer el relato del viaje de ida y vuelta realizado por el vicentino Alessandro Fontana, entre Sevilla y México en los años 1618-1619. Dicho relato se conserva, manuscrito, en la Biblioteca Marciana de Venecia. Pero además, el trabajo en distintos archivos de España y México nos ha permitido conocer mejor a su autor, situándolo en las redes de mercaderes extranjeros que comerciaban en la Carrera de Indias. La documentación manejada, combinada con el relato, nos permite acercarnos a los métodos usados por los extranjeros para participar en la Carrera de Indias y el tipo de tratos que llevaban a cabo. Así mismo, este artículo analiza la circulación de información sobre América en Europa.
Factors Influencing Online Poll Participation
Authors: Zhao Kevin Wenyuan , Leung Louis
Published: July 2013

The purpose of this study is to examine the degree of participation in online polls and its relationship to the perception of online polls, information literacy, and the political efficacy of Internet users in mainland China. Data was gathered online from a sample of 419 Internet users. Results show that perceptions of both the usefulness and trustworthiness of online polls positively correlated to participation in online polls but not to information literacy or to political efficacy. Contrary to expected results, political efficacy did not relate to online poll participation. However, regression results suggested that Internet users who often participated in online polls were usually males who were literate in publishing and believed that online polls were an effective and trustworthy means to express opinions on public issues. Limitations and implications for future studies are discussed.
Gender Effects on Managerial Communication and Work Performance
Authors: Mano Rita S.
Published: July 2013

This study examines how email affects male and female managers’ work performance and stress. Drawing on theories of gender, technology and communication, and focusing on management positions we examine whether email has similar effects on men and women. It is shown that work performance is equally high among men and women but evokes more stress among women. The authors explain this as being due to women’s preference for face-to-face communication over technology-based media. Their results highlight the costs and benefits of both systems in management positions. These results provide a preliminary assessment of how technology-based communication gives rise to an “undercover” aspect of the gender divide in the workplace.
The Science of Cyber Behavior
Authors: Yan Zheng
Published: July 2013

Is the science of cyber behavior an emerging field or an emerged field? This sounds like a debatable topic. The central argument of this theoretical article, however, is that there exits strong evidence suggesting that the science of cyber behavior is an emerged rather than an emerging field and substantial scientific knowledge of human behavior in the cyber space has been accumulated over the past 30 years. In this article, the author first introduces the concept of cyber behavior, then elaborate the existing evidence for the science of cyber behavior an emerged field of research, present a new important piece of evidence that suggests the science of cyber behavior as an emerged field, and concludes with an outline of future research efforts that will make the science of cyber behavior an established field.
Evaluating the Relationship between Cognitive Style and Pre-Service Teachers’ Preconceived Notions about Adopting Console Video Games for Use in Future Classrooms
Authors: McDaniel Rudy , Kenny Robert
Published: July 2013

This article explores the impact of perceptual cognitive styles on pre-service teachers’ attitudes toward video games. Using a cognitive style continuum measuring field dependence and field independence, the authors conducted an exploratory study to measure the potential impact of cognitive style on pre-service teachers’ dispositions towards the use of games in their future classrooms. Results showed that participants who planned on becoming teachers were generally found to be more field dependent than peers who elected other major fields of study. These participants also demonstrated a general reluctance towards using console games in their future classroom situations. After the brief experience playing the console game, however, these pre-service teachers’ attitudes changed significantly with regards to their game playing attitudes and preferences.
Game Coaching System Design and Development
Authors: Tan Wee Hoe
Published: July 2013

This paper is a retrospective case study of a game-based learning (GBL) researcher who cooperated with a professional gamer and a team of game developers to design and develop a coaching system for First-Person Shooter (FPS) players. The GBL researcher intended to verify the ecological validity of a model of cooperation; the developers wanted to assist FPS players in overcoming a bottleneck that hindered players from becoming professional gamers; while the professional gamer desired to venture into professional game coaching. The synergy generated by these individuals resulted the creation of FPS Trainer. The key challenge encountered in producing the system was to make in-game coaching and learning outcomes explicit while preserving FPS Trainer as a fun game. This paper illustrates how the challenge was overcome and discusses lessons learnt from the case study. The outcomes of the case study would benefit academics or game developers who plan to initiate cross-disciplinary cooperation for making coaching or training games.
An Empirical Comparative Investigation of Operations Management Programmes
Authors: Wang Chengbo , Chen Xuezhong , Edgar David , Zhao Yang
Published: July 2013

In higher education institutes (HEIs), Operations Management programmes (OMPs) are among those programmes attracting a substantial amount of international student enrollment. With the current situation that the government is reducing its funding input, the UK HEIs’ financial balance relies more than before on the international students who pay higher tuition fees; meanwhile, with the increased number of the international students, the whole nation’s economy will be indirectly benefited from the increased consumption capacity associated with them. Thus to have more overseas students is not only educationally meaningful but also economically significant. In order to increase the international student number in HEIs, it becomes more critical to have a thorough understanding of the stakeholders’ demand of operations management professionals and preference on such an education programme’s content and its graduates’ competence. This paper focuses on postgraduate level OMP, through comparing viewpoints obtained from stakeholders (potential employers, academics and students) in UK and China, presents an empirical comparative investigation on the demand trend of the graduates from OMPs, as well as the preferred programme content, necessary student capability/skills and admission criteria for joining the study of such a programme.
Health Learning Practices in Adolescents Using Physical Activity
Authors: O’Hara Kelly , Esteves Dulce , Brás Rui , Rodrigues Marco , Rodrigues Ricardo , Pinheiro Paulo
Published: July 2013

To increase health education we applied blended learning concept by combining physical activity and e-learning technology. Investigation aims to create, apply and assess learning tasks. 201 high school students (15-22 years, 17,6±1.4) were divided in control (CG) and practical (PG) group. PG was exposed to several problems solving using physical activity and technology to accomplish the goals. To evaluate student’s knowledge about concepts studied (Caloric Balance-CB; Posture-P, Heart Rate-HR) a specific survey was used. Student’s knowledge perception about each concept and their need for acquiring a better knowledge were also observed. A Pre, Post and Retention assessment were made. A performance improvement was observed for PG on HR (88%) and CB (78%), significantly different from CG (p<.000). In retention test for acquisition of more knowledge on health behaviors, PG results were significantly higher than CG (p<.005). The proposed learning tasks were very useful to motivate and promote students success.
Cube Algebra
Authors: Ciferri Cristina , Ciferri Ricardo , Gómez Leticia , Schneider Markus , Vaisman Alejandro , Zimányi Esteban
Published: July 2013

The lack of an appropriate conceptual model for data warehouses and OLAP systems has led to the tendency to deploy logical models (for example, star, snowflake, and constellation schemas) for them as conceptual models. ER model extensions, UML extensions, special graphical user interfaces, and dashboards have been proposed as conceptual approaches. However, they introduce their own problems, are somehow complex and difficult to understand, and are not always user-friendly. They also require a high learning curve, and most of them address only structural design, not considering associated operations. Therefore, they are not really an improvement and, in the end, only represent a reflection of the logical model. The essential drawback of offering this system-centric view as a user concept is that knowledge workers are confronted with the full and overwhelming complexity of these systems as well as complicated and user-unfriendly query languages such as SQL OLAP and MDX. In this article, the authors propose a user-centric conceptual model for data warehouses and OLAP systems, called the Cube Algebra. It takes the cube metaphor literally and provides the knowledge worker with high-level cube objects and related concepts. A novel query language leverages well known high-level operations such as roll-up, drill-down, slice, and drill-across. As a result, the logical and physical levels are hidden from the unskilled end user.
Assessing the Quality of a Decision Support E-Service
Authors: Springer Mark , Tyran Craig , Ross Steve
Published: July 2013

Electronic service quality, or e-service quality, is the quality experienced by the user of a service delivered over the Web. Over the past several years, researchers have developed many models of e-service quality with the goal of identifying those factors that are most important for customer loyalty. Most of these models focus primarily or exclusively on retail e-commerce Web sites which support the delivery of a physical product to the consumer. Recently, however, “pure” e-service Web sites, namely those that do not involve the sale and delivery of a physical good, have received increasing attention from researchers. This article proposes and validates a quality assessment instrument for a type of pure e-service that has not yet been studied: a Web-based decision support system. Based on a study involving over six hundred subjects, we identify those quality dimensions that affect customer loyalty for a pure e-service of this type.
State e-Government Portals in Malaysia
Authors: Eskandar Aria Asadi , Raman Murali
Published: July 2013

Most of the international e-Government benchmarking studies have focused on national government websites such as portal of ministries at the national level. This paper examines the level of sophistication of e-Government websites for different states in Malaysia, as opposed to a national level assessment, both in terms of the breadth and depth of e-Government service offering. This paper adds to the existing body of knowledge in relation to e-Government web portal assessment in two ways. First, studies pertaining to e-Government in Malaysia focus mainly on implementation issues at the Federal/National level– The authors examined State level implementation of e-Government services. Secondly, they used a predetermined instrument to assess the sophistication level of State government web portals, by consolidating different measurement items from our review of literature over the past ten years. The authors analyzed the website for a total of thirteen states in Malaysia, in relation to six different dimension measures of e-Government service offerings, as prescribed by literature. These six dimension measures are the extent of transparency, interactivity, usability and accessibility of the portal, citizen participation, security and privacy, and maturity level of services. A content analysis of the web portal was done, using a predetermined instrument developed based on our review of literature on this topic, in the past ten years. Their findings suggest that different State Governments in Malaysia demonstrate different levels of maturity in relation to the six dimensions measured.
Designing the Information Architecture of Governmental One-Stop Portals
Authors: Kohlborn Thomas , Poeppelbuss Jens
Published: July 2013

The latest paradigm shift in government, termed Transformational Government, puts the citizen in the centre of attention. Including citizens in the design of online one-stop portals can help governmental organisations to become more customer focussed. This study describes the initial efforts of an Australian state government to develop an information architecture to structure the content of their future one-stop portal. Hereby, card sorting exercises have been conducted and analysed, utilising contemporary approaches found in academic and non-scientific literature. This paper describes the findings of the card sorting exercises in this particular case and discusses the suitability of the applied approaches in general. These are distinguished into non-statistical, statistical, and hybrid approaches. Thus, on the one hand, this paper contributes to academia by describing the application of different card sorting approaches and discussing their strengths and weaknesses. On the other hand, this paper contributes to practice by explaining the approach that has been taken by the authors’ research partner in order to develop a customer-focussed governmental one-stop portal. Thus, they provide decision support for practitioners with regard to different analysis methods that can be used to complement recent approaches in Transformational Government.
An Interactive Mobile Lecturing Model
Authors: Boyinbode Olutayo , Ng’ambi Dick , Bagula Antoine
Published: July 2013

Although use of podcasts and vodcasts are increasingly becoming popular in higher education, their use is usually unidirectional and therefore replicates the transmission mode of traditional face-to-face lectures. In this paper, the authors propose a tool, MOBILect, a mobile lecturing tool that enables users to comment on lecture vodcasts using mobile devices, and aggregated comments become an educational resource. The vodcasts are generated through Opencast Matterhorn and YouTube. The tool was evaluated at the University of Cape Town with students’ own devices. The paper reports on the architecture of the MOBILect, its framework for student-vodcast interaction, and evaluation results. The paper concludes that the MOBILect has potential for use as a supplement to the traditional face-to-face lectures especially in scenarios of large classes, or where the medium of instruction is not the students’ mother tongue.
Journalism 2.0
Authors: Cochrane Thomas , Sissons Helen , Mulrennan Danni , Pamatatau Richard
Published: July 2013

This paper explores the impact of social media upon journalism education from two perspectives: both from the pedagogical changes Web 2.0 and mobile devices enable, and within the context of the changes in journalism that social media use are driving. A participatory action research approach was adopted, beginning with the establishment of a lecturer community of practice focusing upon exploring pedagogical change enabled by mobile social media while allowing the project to develop within a series of reflective interventions within the course. These interventions included the use of Twitter, blogging, QR Codes, and Facebook as part of authentic scenarios throughout the course. Drawing on this experience, the paper presents an emergent framework for a response to social media within journalism education, illustrating the positive impact of integrating the use of mobile social media on student engagement, collaboration and contextualising theory within authentic learning environments.
Piecewise Linear Virtual Inputs/Outputs in Interval DEA
Authors: Smirlis Yiannis G. , Despotis Dimitris K.
Published: July 2013

A recent development in data envelopment analysis (DEA) concerns the introduction of a piece-wise linear representation of the virtual inputs and/or outputs as a means to model situations where the marginal value of an output (input) is assumed to diminish (increase) as the output (input) increases. Currently, this approach is limited to crisp data sets. In this paper, the authors extend the piece-wise linear approach to interval DEA, i.e. to cases where the input/output data are only known to lie within intervals with given bounds. The authors also define appropriate interval segmentations to implement the piece-wise linear forms in conjunction with the interval bounds of the input/output data and the authors propose a new models, compliant with the interval DEA methodology. They finally illustrate their developments with an artificial data set.
Preventive Maintenance Scheduling
Authors: Oke S.A. , Charles-Owaba O.E. , Oluleye A.E.
Published: July 2013

In this work, the effectiveness of preventive maintenance scheduling (PMS) decisions was reported based on a techno-economic model that reflects cost objective function for ship maintenance activities. With a potential to impact on both transportation businesses and users of transportation services, the model provides an alternative to the combined classical literature problems of spare-parts inventory management and control, failure prediction and reliability. The PMS model developed incorporates separate and combined functions of indirect, direct and factor maintenance costs. Idleness period for various formulated schedules are evaluated and compared. First, a general form of the preventive maintenance cost function incorporating unit cost of maintaining ships, a set of cost function parameters and variables was developed. The operations research framework for the problem is then applied to obtain test cases in which cost parameter(s) was/were used for scheduling decisions. Monte Carlo simulation is applied to generate additional test problems. Practical data were used to validate the model. For each problem, optimal schedules based on one to four cost parameters were determined. For each schedule, the total maintenance cost, cost of idleness, total ship idle period and total ship operation period were computed under inflation, opportunity and combined opportunity and inflation and compared with the values corresponding to maintenance cost parameter using t-test (p<0.05). Thus, the use of combined data from maintenance, opportunity and inflation for preventive maintenance scheduling of a fleet of ships is more effective than direct maintenance cost approach.
Potential Power and Problems in Sentiment Mining of Social Media
Authors: Wang John , Gu Qiannong , Wang Gang
Published: July 2013

Sentiment mining research has experienced an explosive growth in awareness and demand as Web 2.0 technologies have paved the way for a surge of social media platforms that have significantly and rapidly increased the availability of user generated opinioned text. The power of opinions has long been known and is beginning to be tapped to a fuller potential through sentiment mining research. Social media sites have become a paradise for sentiment providing endless streams of opinioned text encompassing an infinite array of topics. With the potential to predict outcomes with a relative degree of accuracy, sentiment mining has become a hot topic not only to researchers, but to corporations as well. As the social media user base continues to expand and as researchers compete to fulfill the demand for sentiment analytic tools to sift through the endless stream of user generated content, the growth of sentiment mining of social media will continue well into the future with an emphasis on improved reliability, accuracy, and automation.
Ordering Policy in a Two-Warehouse Environment for Deteriorating Items with Shortages under Inflationary Conditions
Authors: Jaggi Chandra K. , Khanna Aditi , Pareek Sarla , Sharma Ritu
Published: July 2013

In this paper, the two-warehouse inventory problem is considered for deteriorating items with constant demand rate and shortages under inflationary conditions. In today’s unstable global economy, the effects of inflation and time value of money cannot be ignored; as it increases the cost of goods. To safeguard from the rising prices, during the inflation regime, the organization prefers to keep a higher inventory, thereby increasing the aggregate demand. This additional inventory needs additional storage space that is facilitated by a rented warehouse. Further ahead, in the real business world, to retain the freshness of the commodity, most of the organizations adopt the first-in-first-out (FIFO) dispatching policy. FIFO policy yields fresh and good conditioned stock thereby resulting in customer satisfaction, especially when items are deteriorating in nature. However, the two warehousing systems usually assume that the holding cost of items is more in RW than the OW due to modern preserving techniques. Therefore, to reduce the inventory costs, it is economical to consume the goods of RW at the earliest. This approach is termed as Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) approach. The objective of the present research is to develop a two warehouse inventory model with FIFO and LIFO dispatching policies under inflationary conditions. Further, comparison between FIFO and LIFO policies has been exhibited with the help of a numerical example. Sensitivity analysis has also been performed to study the impact of various parameters on the optimal solution.
Adaptive Web Services Monitoring in Cloud Environments
Authors: Wei Yi , Blake M. Brian
Published: July 2013

Cloud computing environments provide flexible infrastructures for third-party management of organizations’ information technology (IT) assets. With web services being a standard for realizing web-based business capabilities, the emergence of cloud computing will bring new challenges to different web service activities. In this paper, the authors propose an agent-based framework that employs a team of management and monitoring agents on different scopes to provides effective service management in a cloud environment. To tackle the dynamism in service operations, an adaptive monitoring algorithm is proposed. The algorithm is inspired by the congestion control approach from the TCP protocol and provides efficient, up-to-date information about service status without exhaustive monitoring. Experimental results show that the monitoring algorithm provides significant benefits when compared to the more exhaustive methods. This approach also facilitates other service activities, such as cross cloud service discovery.
Management of Manufacturing Engineering Seminars in the Context of New Educational Trends
Authors: Fernández-Abia A.I. , Martínez-Pellitero S. , Barreiro J. , González-Madruga D.
Published: July 2013

A methodology for seminars developing in manufacturing engineering is presented. Often, when planning similar seminars, it is noted that seminars have a very limited duration. A normal way to overcome this limitation is to prepare the seminar educational documents, at students disposal, before the seminar date. In this point, ICT tools used for virtual teaching, like eXe-Learning, become a significant advancement. However, in this paper is not only considered the elaboration of seminar materials for students, but also a whole educational strategy for seminars developing in manufacturing engineering is stated.