bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA barcoding approaches for fishing authentication of exploited grouper species including the endangered and legally protected goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara
Authors: Torres Rodrigo A. , Feitosa Rafael B. , Carvalho Daniel C. , Freitas Matheus O. , Hostim-Silva Mauricio , Ferreira Beatrice P.
Published: September 2013

Fishing strategies are constantly changing to meet the needs for new or alternative food sources. Consequently, management of fishing activities regarding rates of exploitation is essential, as a number of resources have reached situations of overexploitation. The aim of the present study was to use DNA barcoding from the goliath grouper and other exploited epinephelids in order to provide procedures for DNA authentication to be used as evidence for combating putative illegal fishing. The species studied were Epinephelus adscensionis, Mycteroperca bonaci, Mycteroperca interstitialis, Epinephelus itajara, Mycteroperca venenosa, Epinephelus mystacinus, Dermatolepis inermis, Alphestes afer, Cephalopholis fulva, Mycteroperca acutirostris, Rypticus saponaceus, Mycteroperca marginata and Epinephelus morio. Four of these species are the main epinephelids fished in the Atlantic Ocean. Differential patterns of polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism were obtained from the species and additional single nucleotide polymorphisms were also detected among the four main epinephelids studied. The procedures proved very efficient and we suggest their applicability to the other fish groups as a way to control illegal capture and retail around the world, especially in cases in which filleting and other forms of de-characterization cause a lack of morpho-anatomical key characters.
The artisanal elasmobranch fishery of the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico, management implications
Authors: Ramirez-Amaro Sergio R. , Cartamil Daniel , Galvan-Magaña Felipe , Gonzalez-Barba Gerardo , Graham Jeffrey B. , Carrera-Fernandez Maribel , Escobar-Sanchez Ofelia , Sosa-Nishizaki Oscar , Rochin-Alamillo Anet
Published: September 2013

Artisanal fisheries in Mexico account for approximately 40% of the total national catch. In 2009, Baja California Sur (BCS) had the second largest catch of elasmobranchs on the Mexican Pacific coast. This paper characterizes and describes the artisanal elasmobranch fishery of Pacific coast of BCS from 2000 to 2010. Sixty artisanal camps were documented, of which 45 targeted elasmobranchs, using primarily gillnets and longlines. We identified 52 elasmobranch species. Gillnetting accounted for 73.5% of the fishing effort and most frequently captured Rhinobatos productus, Mustelus henlei and Myliobatis californica. Longline fishing accounted for 26.5% of effort, most frequently capturing Prionace glauca and Isurus oxyrinchus. The prevalence of juveniles of several species (e.g., Cephaloscyllium ventriosum, Galeorhinus galeus, Isurus oxyrinchus, and Myliobatis californica) within landings suggests that fishing effort may be opportunistically directed at breeding or nursery areas. Despite the dominance of species with wide distributions, we observed a significant biogeographic pattern in the abundance of some species relative to Bahia Magdalena. Results of the present study will be useful to detect changes in the structure of commercially exploited elasmobranch populations, and to provide useful indications for management purposes.
Transfer of seston lipids during a flagellate bloom from the surface to the benthic community in the Weddell Sea
Authors: Rossi Sergio , Isla Enrique , Martínez-García Alfredo , Moraleda Núria , Gili Josep María , Rosell-Melé Antoni , Arntz Wolf E. , Gerdes Dieter
Published: September 2013

Total lipid and fatty acid concentrations were studied in a late spring-early summer flagellate-dominated bloom in the Weddell Sea. These indicators were considered a good tool for assessing the quality of organic matter settling from surface to deep-water layers (epibenthic water layers). The results showed different patterns between the early (11-15 December 2003) and the late sampling period (18-27 December 2003) at all studied depths (5 m, 50 m and near-bottom water layers). Low phytoplankton biomass (mainly flagellates) in the first half of the study corresponded to low total lipid and fatty acid concentrations. In the second sampling period a spring bloom (mainly flagellates and diatoms) was detected, increasing the total lipid and fatty acid concentrations in the water column. The amount of settling organic matter from surface waters to the near-bottom water layers was high, especially in the late sampling period. Trophic markers showed evidence of a sink of available organic matter rich in quality and quantity, especially in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acids, for benthic organisms from surface layers to bottom layers in only a few days. The importance of studying short-time cycles in order to detect organic matter availability for benthic biota in view of the pulse-like dynamics of primary production in Antarctic waters is discussed.
Luminous atmospheres
Authors: Bille Mikkel
Published: September 2013

Cet article traite de l’introduction des ampoules à économie d’énergie au Danemark. La promotion de technologies climatiques de ce type fait partie d’un processus de politisation des « atmosphères » qui conjugue l’impératif environnemental de réduire l’impact que nous avons sur notre planète avec nos expériences quotidiennes de l’espace, par le biais d’une modification de l’expression visuelle. Nous montrerons que la résistance danoise face aux nouvelles technologies d’éclairage est ancrée dans une préférence culturelle pour les espaces « intimes », dits « hyggelig » et nous fournit un moyen de mieux comprendre la vie sociale de la lumière. Partant de la mauvaise qualité des éclairages diffusés par les ampoules économiques, nous montrerons comment les atmosphères sont façonnées par, et parfois, contre les ambitions politiques.
Introduction
Authors: Bonnemaire Joseph , Jest Corneille
Published: September 2013

L’objectif de cette introduction est de présenter et de contextualiser un dossier concerté de treize contributions sur les mutations contemporaines du pastoralisme en Haute-Asie sous la pression des politiques et des mouvements de modernisation qui ont mis à mal la logique nomade qui faisait sa cohérence. Les travaux ont été réalisés sur le Plateau tibétain, en Mongolie et dans la région himalayenne du Bhoutan par des anthropologues, des géographes, des sociologues et des agro-économistes. Nous rappelons les profonds changements intervenus en quelques décennies (1950-2010) sur ces sociétés pluriséculaires d’éleveurs. En même temps, sont donnés à voir les caractéristiques essentielles du pastoralisme de ces régions et les principaux enjeux qui s’y rattachent. Cette ébauche de mise en perspective éclaire les fondements des systèmes d’élevage et fournit un repérage du vaste champ bibliographique concerné. Le contenu et le message des différents articles du dossier sont ensuite explicités. Enfin, face aux tensions de ces situations pastorales aujourd’hui fortement tiraillées entre permanences et ruptures, l’attention est attirée sur quelques urgences qui interpellent tant les responsables que les chercheurs : l’enjeu est de promouvoir des démarches de développement territorial, économique et social qui soient davantage intégrées et plus constructives au regard des capacités et des attentes de ces sociétés d’éleveurs et dans le respect de la durabilité des milieux fragiles et uniques qu’elles habitent.
The yak, an essential element of the high altitude regions of Central Asia
Authors: Wiener Gerald
Published: September 2013

The yak is critical for the life and economic activity of the people on the vast and inhospitable Qinghai-Tibetan plateau and on the surrounding mountainous areas. This article gives an overview of the domestication, the geographical distribution, the herding practices, the production and the products of the yak. Its breeding and hybridization management, as well as its reproduction and its special adaptation attributes are reviewed. Concluding thoughts about the role of the research and the role of social changes - driven from within or imposed from above - on the future of yak production systems are outlined.
Profession : éleveur. L’économie domestique d’une famille mongole aujourd’hui
Authors: Altansan Amarsanaa
Published: September 2013

Dans la Mongolie postcommuniste, être éleveur c’est non seulement posséder du bétail et mettre en œuvre un savoir familial ancestral, mais aussi s’adapter à la nouvelle donne du marché. Aujourd’hui, cette activité exige la mise en place de réseaux d’entraide et de services pour la gestion du budget, la distribution et la vente des produits de l’élevage ; la famille y joue un rôle important. Fondée sur les informations détaillées fournies par une famille d’éleveurs, l’étude tente d’éclairer divers aspects socioéconomiques de l’élevage mongol d’aujourd’hui.
L’élevage des yaks au Bhoutan : I. Diversité des structures d’élevage et des fonctionnements technico-économiques : quels indicateurs systémiques de viabilité ?
Authors: Dervillé Marie
Published: September 2013

Cet article analyse la viabilité des systèmes d’élevage de yaks au Bhoutan au travers d’une approche systémique. La différenciation régionale des pratiques associées à cet élevage semi-nomade a permis l’identification et la caractérisation de quatre systèmes régionaux d’élevage. L’évaluation des performances technico-économiques de l’activité révèle une grande variabilité inter- et intra- système. La taille et le statut du cheptel, ainsi que la vente régulière d’animaux permettent d’accroître les revenus. Toutefois, dans la majorité de cas, l’élevage des yaks ne parvient pas à rémunérer le travail familial au salaire minimum. Le déclin de l’activité observé sur le terrain peut ainsi être expliqué.
Un siècle d’évolution du système pastoral de la steppe désertique de Mongolie : diminution de la mobilité des troupeaux, dérégulation de l’accès aux parcours et crise de surpâturage
Authors: Blanc Morgane , Oriol Christine , Devienne Sophie
Published: September 2013

Cet article présente les résultats de l’analyse-diagnostic du système pastoral conduite sur le terrain, dans une région de steppe désertique de Mongolie. L’approche historique permet de montrer qu’en dépit de fortes transformations économiques et sociales, le système pastoral de la région a connu une régulation de l’accès aux parcours permanente, plus ou moins importante au cours du xxe siècle. Depuis 1990 la régulation des effectifs a disparu, les conditions économiques se sont dégradées, les disparités sociales se sont accrues, et la crise de surpâturage menace désormais le système pastoral. La durabilité du système pastoral n’est possible qu’en alliant gestion concertée des parcours à l’échelle locale et santé économique des unités de production grâce à la revalorisation des produits de l’élevage et à la création de valeur ajoutée.
Task Coordination for Service Robots Based on Multiple Markov Decision Processes
Authors: Corona Elva , Sucar L. Enrique
Published: September 2013

Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) provide a principled framework for planing under uncertainty. However, in general they assume a single action per decision epoch. In service robot applications, multiple tasks are required simultaneously, such as navigation, localization and interaction. We have developed a novel framework based on functional decomposition that divides a complex problem into several sub-problems. Each sub-problem is defined as an MDP and solved independently, and their individual policies are combined to obtain a global policy. In contrast to most previous approaches for hierarchical MDPs, in our approach all the MDPs work in parallel, so we obtain a reactive system based on a decision theoretic framework. We initially solved each MDP independently and combined their policies assuming no conflicts. Then we defined two kinds of conflicts, resource and behavior conflicts, and proposed solutions for both. The first kind of conflict is solved off-line using a two phase process which guarantees a near-optimal global policy. Behavior conflicts are solved on-line based on a set of restrictions specified by the user, and a constraint satisfaction module that selects the action set with higher expected utility. We have used these methods for task coordination in service robots, and present experimental results for a messenger robot.
Task Analysis and Motion Generation for Service Robots
Authors: Dai Jian S.
Published: September 2013

This chapter is to summarise research in the direction of domestic service robots particularly with reference to robotic implementation of ironing process. The chapter presents the garment handling and ironing from a procedural point of view and discusses the devices for handling. The handling is categorised into several steps with common handling operations, resulting in categorisation of gripping and handling devices with potential applications to domestic automation. Based on this, ironing paths are explored with an orientation-position representation. This is followed by the introduction of development of folding and unfolding and by the region segregation based garment folding. This involves path analysis, folding algorithms, and mechanisms review for ironing. The paths produced from the ironing process are presented with mathematical models to be possibly implemented in robotic automation and their orientation is presented, dependent on the regions of garment. The orientation analysis is useful in finding the similarity in motion to determine the effective and efficient way of ironing a garment with orientation region diagrams and workspace presentation.
Applications of DEC-MDPs in Multi-Robot Systems
Authors: Beynier Aurélie , Mouaddib Abdel-Illah
Published: September 2013

Optimizing the operation of cooperative multi-robot systems that can cooperatively act in large and complex environments has become an important focal area of research. This issue is motivated by many applications involving a set of cooperative robots that have to decide in a decentralized way how to execute a large set of tasks in partially observable and uncertain environments. Such decision problems are encountered while developing exploration rovers, teams of patrolling robots, rescue-robot colonies, mine-clearance robots, et cetera. In this chapter, we introduce problematics related to the decentralized control of multi-robot systems. We first describe some applicative domains and review the main characteristics of the decision problems the robots must deal with. Then, we review some existing approaches to solve problems of multiagent decentralized control in stochastic environments. We present the Decentralized Markov Decision Processes and discuss their applicability to real-world multi-robot applications. Then, we introduce OC-DEC-MDPs and 2V-DEC-MDPs which have been developed to increase the applicability of DEC-MDPs.
The Inevitability of Library Automation
Authors: Iglesias Edward
Published: September 2013

Library automation is considered in terms of technological directionality citing sources from various disciplines including the work of various theorists in the field. A brief history of library automation is followed by a look at library organizational structure and how it might be affected by technology in the future just as it has been by technology in the past. Finally, with a strong nod to pioneering economic theorists Brynjolfsson & McAfee there is a discussion on how Artificial Intelligence will affect library jobs and organization in the future. This chapter looks at the history of library automation within the context of technological directionality. Much has been written about the history and evolution of libraries, but less as to the eventual consequences of automation. The author seeks to correct this by looking at how current workflows and departments will be impacted by the use of Artificial Intelligence in automated processes to take over work formerly done by trained library professionals. For the purposes of this chapter, these AIs and automated processes are referred to as robots, that is, automatons which take over work formerly done by humans. Finally, some suggestions will be made as to how a library might be restructured in light of these developments.
Relational Representations and Traces for Efficient Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Morales Eduardo F. , Zaragoza Julio H.
Published: September 2013

This chapter introduces an approach for reinforcement learning based on a relational representation that: (i) can be applied over large search spaces, (ii) can incorporate domain knowledge, and (iii) can use previously learned policies on different, but similar, problems. The underlying idea is to represent states as sets of first order relations, actions in terms of those relations, and to learn policies over such generalized representation. It is shown how this representation can produce powerful abstractions and that policies learned over this generalized representation can be directly applied, without any further learning, to other problems that can be characterized by the same set of relations. To accelerate the learning process, we present an extension where traces of the tasks to be learned are provided by the user. These traces are used to select only a small subset of possible actions increasing the convergence of the learning algorithms. The effectiveness of the approach is tested on a flight simulator and on a mobile robot.
Gesture Learning by Imitation Architecture for a Social Robot
Authors: Bandera J.P. , Rodríguez J.A. , Molina-Tanco L. , Bandera A.
Published: September 2013

Learning by imitation allows people to teach social robots new tasks using natural and intuitive interaction channels. Vision is the main of these channels. This chapter describes a learning-by-imitation architecture that uses stereo vision to perceive, recognize, learn, and imitate social gestures. This description is based on the identification of a set of generic components, which can be found in any learning by imitation architecture. It highlights the main contribution of the proposed architecture: the use of an inner human model to help perceiving, recognizing and learning human gestures. This allows different robots to share the same perceptual and knowledge modules. Experimental results show that the proposed architecture is able to meet the requirements of learning by imitation scenarios. It can also be integrated in complete software structures for social robots, which involve complex attention mechanisms and decision layers.
Reasoning about Space, Actions, and Change
Authors: Bhatt Mehul
Published: September 2013

Qualitative spatial conceptualizations provide a relational abstraction and interface to the metrical realities of the physical world. Humans, robots, and systems that act and interact, are embedded in space. The space itself undergoes change all the time, typically as a result of volitional actions performed by an agent, and events, both deterministic and otherwise, which occur in the environment. Both categories of occurrences are a critical link to the external world, in a predictive as well as an explanatory sense: anticipations of spatial reality conform to commonsense knowledge of the effects of actions and events on material entities. Similarly, explanations of the perceived reality too are established on the basis of such apriori established commonsense notions. The author reasons about space, actions, and change in an integrated manner, either without being able to clearly demarcate the boundaries of each type of reasoning, or because such boundaries do not exist per se. This chapter is an attempt to position such integrated reasoning as a useful paradigm for the utilization of qualitative spatial representation and reasoning techniques in relevant application domains. From a logical perspective, the author notes that formalisms already exist and that effort need only be directed at specific integration tasks at a commonsense conceptual, formal representational, and computational level.
Portable Haptic Arm Exoskeleton
Authors: Letier Pierre , Preumont André
Published: September 2013

This chapter describes a seven degree of freedom force-reflective device able to produce haptic rendering on the human arm, either as master for teleoperation of a slave robot, or in interaction with a virtual reality. This project was conducted on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA) as a prototype of the master device used for teleoperation of future anthropomorphic space robotic arms on the International Space Station (ISS). The motivation is to decrease the number of extravehicular activities of the astronauts, even for complex situations. The structure of portable anthropomorphic exoskeleton of 7 degrees of freedom has been selected by ESA because it allows a more intuitive control of anthropomorphic slave arms; it also allows multiple contact points, offers a larger workspace (comparable to the human arm). Besides, being attached on the astronaut, the system involves only internal forces (it is self-equilibrated) and can be used in zero-gravity.
Safer and Faster Humanitarian Demining with Robots
Authors: Kececi Emin Faruk
Published: September 2013

The need to clean almost 1 million landmines on the Turkish border poses a great challenge to the Turkish military, both as a safety and a feasibility issue. In order to achieve this task, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot has been designed and a prototype has been manufactured. The robot has the capability of working in task space. The uniqueness of this research is that the design criteria and the prototype procedure is explained in detail. After the testing of the prototype, the research results are concluded—which functions the future EOD robots should have and how these functions can improve the performance and ease of use of this type of military robots. Autonomy, use of an advisory system, and automatic camera manipulation can improve the future EOD robots dramatically.
Wearable Power Assist Robot Driven with Pneumatic Rubber Artificial Muscles
Authors: Noritsugu Toshiro
Published: September 2013

A wearable power assist robot to enhance muscular power using actuators is sought after for welfare applications, et cetera. Pneumatic rubber artificial muscles are seen as some of the more useful wearable actuators because of their inherent light weight and softness. In this chapter, the author first outlines the current state of the research and development of this kind of robot before introducing some pneumatic rubber artificial muscles developed in the author’s laboratory. The chapter then moves on to explain about the wearable power assist devices driven with these artificial muscles; both the exoskeleton type and the non-exoskeleton are wearable power assist devices. These power assist wear could be considered ideal as a wearable and comfortable power assist device.
Gait Rhythm of Parkinson’s Disease Patients and an Interpersonal Synchrony Emulation System based on Cooperative Gait
Authors: Uchitomi Hirotaka , Suzuki Kazuki , Nishi Tatsunori , Hove Michael J. , Miyake Yoshihiro , Orimo Satoshi , Wada Yoshiaki
Published: September 2013

Parkinson’s disease (PD) and basal ganglia dysfunction impair movement timing, and this impairment leads to gait instability and falls. Gait disturbances of PD can occur in numerous ways, including festinating (accelerating) gait, slow shuffling gait, or highly variable random stride-timing. The authors’ research group is studying an ambulatory assistive system that is based on the cooperative gait among human beings for locomotion rehabilitation. In this chapter, they introduce gait disturbances of PD, especially festinating gait, and they introduce an Interpersonal synchrony emulation system between a human and a virtual biped robot, which entrains the gait timings of the human and the robot in a cross-feedback manner by presenting auditory stimulation that indicates the timing of the partner’s foot contact with the ground. In a pilot study that evaluated walking with the system, the festinating gaits of the PD patients were improved, and carry-over effects were observed. These results suggested that the interpersonal interaction seems to be effective for the welfare support of locomotive ability.
Interactive Games with Robotic and Augmented Reality Technology in Cognitive and Motor Rehabilitation
Authors: Naranjo-Saucedo Ana Belén , Suárez-Mejías Cristina , Parra-Calderón Carlos L. , González-Aguado Ester , Böckel-Martínez Frida , Yuste-Marco Antoni , Bustos Pablo , Manso Luis , Bachiller Pilar , Plana Sergi , Diaz Jose M , Boniche Ricardo , Marco Adriá
Published: September 2013

Over the years, robotics have become technological service tools in different application domains. This chapter presents a direct application of games and robotics as therapeutic tools in the healthcare of patients. These strategies are used in ACROSS project, involving more than 100 researchers from 13 Spanish entities. The main objective of this project is to modify the current perspective of the therapies, taking advantage of the game properties that will be implemented in social robots, which are blocked in providing predefined services. These new systems are able to self-reconfigure and adapt autonomously. In order to provide an open framework for collaboration between universities, research centres, and the Administration, ACROSS will develop Open Source Services available to everybody. This chapter aims to contribute a new overview of treatment therapies with elderly and paediatric patients that present cognitive and motor impairments as well as present the methodology of evaluation to determine the effect of games and social robots as a means to carry out a therapy.
Visual Detection in Linked Multi-Component Robotic Systems
Authors: Lopez-Guede Jose Manuel , Fernandez-Gauna Borja , Moreno Ramon , Graña Manuel
Published: September 2013

In this chapter, a system to identify the different elements of a Linked Multi-Component Robotic System (L-MCRS) is specified, designed, and implemented. A L-MCRS is composed of several independent robots and a linking element between them which provide a greater complexity to these systems. The identification system is used to model each component of the L-MCRS using very basic information about each of the individual components. So, different state models that have been used in several works of the literature that have been reviewed can be covered. The chapter explains the design of the system and shows its frontend. This work is the first step towards a realistic implementation of L-MCRS.
Real-Time Fuzzy Logic-Based Hybrid Robot Path-Planning Strategies for a Dynamic Environment
Authors: Reyes Napoleon H. , Barczak Andre L.C. , Susnjak Teo , Sinčák Peter , Vaščák Ján
Published: September 2013

This chapter sets out to explore the intricacies behind developing a hybrid system for real-time autonomous robot navigation, with target pursuit and obstacle avoidance behaviour, in a dynamic environment. Three complete systems are described, namely, a cascade of four fuzzy systems, a hybrid fuzzy A* system, and a hybrid fuzzy A* with a Voronoi diagram. A highly reconfigurable integration architecture is presented, allowing for the harmonious interplay between the different component algorithms, with the option of engaging or disengaging from the system. The utilization of both global and local information about the environment is examined, as well as an additional optimal global path-planning layer. Moreover, how a fuzzy system design approach could take advantage of the presence of symmetry in the input space, cutting down the number of rules and membership functions, without sacrificing control precision is illustrated. The efficiency of all the algorithms is demonstrated by employing them in a simulation of a real-world system: the robot soccer game. Results indicate that the hybrid system can generate smooth, near-shortest paths, as well as near-shortest-safest paths, when all component algorithms are activated. A systematic approach to calibrating the system is also provided.
Artificial Intelligence Techniques for Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Belu Radian
Published: September 2013

Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques play an important role in modeling, analysis, and prediction of the performance and control of renewable energy. The algorithms employed to model, control, or to predict performances of the energy systems are complicated involving differential equations, large computer power, and time requirements. Instead of complex rules and mathematical routines, AI techniques are able to learn the key information patterns within a multidimensional information domain. Design, control, and operation of solar energy systems require long-term series of meteorological data such as solar radiation, temperature, or wind data. Such long-term measurements are often non-existent for most of the interest locations or, wherever they are available, they suffer of a number of shortcomings (e.g. poor quality of data, insufficient long series, etc.). To overcome these problems AI techniques appear to be one of the strongest candidates. The chapter provides an overview of commonly used AI methodologies in solar energy, with a special emphasis on neural networks, fuzzy logic, and genetic algorithms. Selected AI applications to solar energy are outlined in this chapter. In particular, methods using the AI approach for the following applications are discussed: prediction and modeling of solar radiation, seizing, performances, and controls of the solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
An Enhanced DV-Hop Localization Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Kumar Shrawan , Lobiyal D. K.
Published: September 2013

Obtaining precise location of sensor nodes at low energy consumption, less hardware requirement, and little computation is a challenging task. As one of the well-known range-free localization algorithm, DV-Hop can be simply implemented in wireless sensor networks, but it provides poor localization accuracy. Therefore, in this paper, the authors propose an enhanced DV-Hop localization algorithm that provides good localization accuracy without requiring additional hardware and communication messages in the network. The first two steps of proposed algorithm are similar to the respective steps of the DV-Hop algorithm. In the third step, they first separate error terms (correction factors) of the estimated distance between unknown node and anchor node. The authors then minimize these error terms by using linear programming to obtain better location accuracy. Furthermore, they enhance location accuracy of nodes by introducing weight matrix in the objective function of linear programming problem formulation. Simulation results show that the performance of our proposed algorithm is superior to DV-Hop algorithm and DV-Hop–based algorithms in all considered scenarios.
Wiki as a Tool of Choice for Students’ Team Assignments
Authors: Komlenov Živana , Budimac Zoran , Putnik Zoran , Ivanović Mirjana
Published: September 2013

This paper presents the results of the empirical research based on the experiences in using wiki as means of introducing collaborative activities in two different courses at the same time – an introductory eBusiness course for the first-year students, as well as the course in software engineering for students at the last year of Computer Science studies. Comparing and contrasting the results accomplished by these two groups of students offer interesting insights in how wiki as a tool can contribute both to the efficiency of the assignment solving process and the transparency and fairness of teamwork evaluation. Students’ opinions and feelings emerging during the work on wiki assignments and in respect to the evaluation of their joint work were also investigated. Finally, attention was paid also to the effect of the applied team formation mechanisms on the final results of team projects.
Cultural Determinants of Information Processing Shortcuts in Computer Supported Groups
Authors: Furner Christopher P.
Published: September 2013

Organizations are constantly engaged in actions. If an organization does not take actions, it cannot remain solvent, and if the organization consistently exercises poor judgment in the actions that it takes, it is destined to fail. Organizations do not have minds, and they do not make decisions, they are institutions that empower individual agents to make decisions on their behalf, and empower other individuals to carry out the actions associated with these decisions. These decision making agents can be individuals or groups. The complex nature of organizational decisions creates information overload for individual agents, causing them to engage in a number of information processing shortcuts, which threaten the quality of their decisions. While groups can overcome some of the problems associated with information overload, they are prone to their own shortcomings related to communication and coordination. Decision Support Systems (DSS) and Group Support Systems (GSS) respectively have been employed in an attempt to overcome some of these shortcuts and shortcomings and studies have had mixed results but generally indicate that these technologies are effective (Chan & Limsuwan, 2012). However information processing researchers have not explored the potential moderators between a) information overload and information processing shortcuts or b) communication and coordination problems and group shortcomings. The study proposed in this paper is a first attempt at those ends: a) first we build hypotheses linking cultural factors to information processing shortcuts, both individual and group; b) then we outline a study to test these relationships; c) finally, we validate an instrument to test these hypotheses.
Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation
Authors: Dhal Sunita
Published: September 2013

Study of indigenous knowledge has been a challenge, as it demands cross-cultural and inter-disciplinary understanding. Of late, contribution of IK to conservation of resources and solution science has been realised by academia and policy-makers, which is expanding the frontiers of knowledge use for innovation. Interface between science and indigenous knowledge system (IKS) is increasingly observed in the field of agriculture, simultaneously putting emphasis on knowledge transformation at institutional level. With this central argument, the paper discusses essentialities of IK as socio-cultural base of agricultural innovation. Indigenous knowledge’s engagement with innovation reflects the nature of preservation of IK within the discourse of technology transfer. Findings of the study suggest that empowerment of agricultural extension units is essential for preservation of knowledge and to facilitate reproduction of appropriate knowledge.
Collaborative Tagging of Java Learning Resources
Authors: Kotsovoulou Maira
Published: September 2013

With the advent of Web 2.0 technologies, new applications have emerged that provide Internet users with the power to create content. This study focuses on a specific kind of Web 2.0 application, which is social bookmarking and tagging, and evaluates its educational use within the boundaries of a small Java learning community. Using activity theory, the activity system is defined and the interaction between its components is studied. Furthermore, the findings suggest that such a system could be used as a course tool to create a pool of negotiated and accepted keywords supporting appropriate, effective and efficient retrieval of Java resources.
What is Considered ‘Blended Learning’ in Higher Education?
Authors: Stefanou Vassilia
Published: September 2013

This paper attempts to explore and critically compare the various definitions given to blended learning, primarily within the area of Higher Education. It starts with a general description of blended learning and its main characteristics, along with the reasons underlying its popularity and the criticism against it. The concepts of ‘blended learning’ and ‘blended teaching’ are compared and contrasted, while possible synonyms and various definitions are presented and analysed. Moreover, the absence of definitions in various papers is also commented, and, finally, opportunities for further research in the subject are identified.
Job and Ecclesiastes as (postmodern?) wisdom in revolt
Authors: Roper Leon A. , Groenewald Alphonso
Published: September 2013

This article will be concerned with the question whether the books of Job and Ecclesiastes can be viewed as (postmodern) wisdom in revolt or not. Three questions underlie this title: firstly, are the books of Job and Ecclesiastes wisdom books? Secondly, if so, is their wisdom revolutionary in nature? And thirdly, are there any similarities between the thoughts of Job and Ecclesiastes on the one hand and that of postmodern thinkers on the other hand? It will be argued that there are various similarities to be cited between the ideas of the ancient wisdom writers of Job and Ecclesiastes and more recent postmodern thinkers. This does not, however, necessarily justify a postmodern tag for the books of Job and Ecclesiastes, but points to a similarity in thought development between the ancient societies of Job and Ecclesiastes and the present-day societies. Such similarities are viewed as a clear indication of the meaningful role which Old Testament wisdom, or wisdom in revolt for that matter, can play in current intellectual and theological debates.
Geloof en kennis in die Heidelbergse Kategismus
Authors: Van der Walt Sarel P.
Published: September 2013

Die wyse waarop die noue band tussen geloof en kennis verstaan moet word, figureer huidig steeds in teologiese debatte. In hierdie artikel word die verband wat deur vraag en antwoord 21 van die Heidelbergse Kategismus tussen geloof en kennis getrek word, bestudeer. In reaksie op die skolastiek van die laat-Middeleeue toe verintellektualisering van geloof besonder beklemtoon is, het die Reformasie ’n klaarblyklike gebalanseerde nuansering van die verband tussen geloof en kennis tot gevolg gehad. Veral Calvyn het ’n besondere bydrae hiertoe gelewer en het ’n bepaalde invloed gehad op die formulering van geloof se kenniselement. Dit het ruimte gebied waarbinne Ursinus en die res van die betrokke kommissie hierdie unieke verband kon vasvang in die Kategismus as konfessie. Die Skrifgronde hiervoor is Hebreërs 11:1, 3 sowel as Jakobus 2:19. Albei hierdie Skrifdele dien as bewysgronde om die kennisaspek van geloof te begrond. Hierdie artikel dui aan hoe die Kategismus bogenoemde Skrifgronde verreken om geloof as voorwetenskaplike kennis te beskryf. Die kenniselement van geloof is die voorveronderstelling wat die eksegeet by die aanvang van sy wetenskaplike aktiwiteit op die tafel wil plaas. Hierdie voorwetenskaplike kennis dien ter ondersteuning van wetenskaplike teorievorming.The way in which the close relation between faith and knowledge should be understood, is still very prominent in current theological debates. This article studies the connection that is being described between faith and knowledge by question and answer 21 of the Heidelberg Catechism. In response to the scholasticism of the late Middle Ages with its particular emphasis on the knowledge element of faith, the time of the Reformation apparently brought a more balanced view on the relationship between faith and knowledge thanks to specifically Calvin who had a certain influence on the formulation of faith’s knowledge component. This gave to Ursinus and the rest of the commission responsible the breeding ground to capture this unique relationship into the Catechism as confession. Scriptural grounds for this relationship are found in Hebrews 11:1, 3 and James 2:19. Both these passages serve as basis for the knowledge aspect of faith. This article shows how the Catechism discounts these Scriptural passages to describe faith as a pre-scientific element in the scientific process. The knowledge-element of faith is the presupposition which the exegete wants to place on the table. This pre-scientific knowledge serves as support for the formulation of scientific theories.
Occurrence of African horse sickness in a domestic dog without apparent ingestion of horse meat
Authors: Van Sittert Sybrand J. , Drew Tessa M. , Kotze Johannes L. , Strydom Tom , Weyer Camilla T. , Guthrie Alan J.
Published: September 2013

This is the first case of African horse sickness (AHS) in a dog where there was no apparent ingestion of horse meat. Significantly, the dog was part of a colony that resides in a Good Clinical Practice and Good Laboratory Practice accredited facility where complete history, weather and feeding records are maintained. The dog died after a week-long illness despite therapy. The principal post-mortem findings were severe hydrothorax and pulmonary consolidation (red hepatisation of the lungs). Histopathology revealed severe oedema and congestion of the lungs, hyaline degeneration of the myocardium and congestion of the liver sinusoids. Immunohistochemistry detected AHS-positive staining granules in the myocardium, whilst a real-time reverse transcription quantitative Polymerase chain reaction assay of tissue samples was strongly positive for African horse sickness virus nucleic acid. Other dogs on the property showed a 43%seroconversion rate to AHS.
A pilot study to test psychophonetics methodology for self-care and empathy in compassion fatigue, burnout and secondary traumatic stress
Authors: Train Katherine J. , Butler Nadine
Published: September 2013

Background: Home-based care is recognised as being a stressful occupation. Practitioners working with patients experiencing high levels of trauma may be susceptible to compassion fatigue, with the sustained need to remain empathic being a contributing factor.Objectives: The aim of this research was to evaluate psychophonetics methodology for self-care and empathy skills as an intervention for compassion fatigue. Objectives were to measure levels of compassion fatigue pre-intervention, then to apply the intervention and retest levels one month and six months post-intervention.Method: The research applied a pilot test of a developed intervention as a quasi-experiment.The study sample comprised home-based carers working with HIV-positive patients at a hospice in Grabouw, a settlement in the Western Cape facing socioeconomic challenge.Results: The result of the pilot study showed a statistically-significant improvement in secondary traumatic stress, a component of compassion fatigue, measured with the ProQOL v5 instrument post-intervention.Conclusion: The results gave adequate indication for the implementation of a larger study in order to apply and test the intervention. The study highlights a dire need for further research in this field.
Aggressive surgical management of craniopharyngiomas
Authors: Chandra P.S. , Sharma B.S. , Singh Manmohan
Published: September 2013

Surgical treatment of craniopharyngiomas is challenging and despite advancements it continues to pose a challenge. Proponents of subtotal resection in conjunction with radiotherapy argue that this less aggressive approach can yield appropriate results with the lower morbidity. On the contrary, other argument is that gross total resection is superior. Though surgical management of craniopharyngioma is challenging due to its location and important surrounding neurovascular structures, optimal surgical results can be expected following radical surgical excision. Radical excision of craniopharyngiomas is associated with excellent long-term recurrence free survival. Radiation induced long-term complications can be altogether avoided by excising these tumors completely.
Surgery in multisegmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Outcome analysis in a series of 65 patients
Authors: Shankar K.B. , Kale Shashank , Sharma Bhawani , Sinha Sumit
Published: September 2013

Multi-segmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy (MS-CSM) can be dealt with by either anterior or posterior approaches. The aim of study was to analyze the surgical outcomes of MS-CSM treated by either anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and cervical plating (ACDF) or cervical laminoplasty (LP).

Sixty-five patients with MS-CSM (two or more levels) underwent either ACDF (n=13) or LP (n=52). ACDF was performed in patients having these criteria: (i) three or less levels involved, (ii) myeloradiculopathy, (iii) pre-dominant anterior compression radiologically, (iv) <50 years age. LP was chosen in: (i) more than three levels involved (ii) posterior compression radiologically, (iii) >50 years age. Patients were evaluated pre- and post-operatively on the basis of modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scoring and Hirabayashi formula. Thirty-five patients were followed up (8 in ACDF group and 27 in LP group). The mean follow-up period was 37.5 months (12.5-54 months).

The mean pre-operative mJOA score in the ACDF group and the LP group was 11±2.62 and 10.6±2.04, respectively. The mean final post-operative mJOA score in the ACDF group (n=8) in follow-up was 14.12±2.36 (P<0.05) and in the LP group (n=27) was 14.63±1.64 (P<0.05). 86% had good-to-excellent outcome while 8.5% had poor outcome. Overall, the mean recovery was 64.73±18.9%. On analyzing two groups separately, the mean recovery in the ACDF group was 59.62±24.2, while in the LP group was 66.25±17.3 (P<0.05).

The choice of ACDF and LP in MS-CSM depends on pre-operative clinical and radiological parameters. If the surgical approach is chosen correctly, the surgery in MS-CSM can result in significant improvement in the clinical outcome of these patients.
Economic theory and policy: a coherent post-Keynesian approach
Authors: Arestis Philip
Published: September 2013

This contribution focuses on a coherent new way of thinking about the macroeconomy in terms of both economic theory and economic policies. The central bank should focus on financial stability; for fiscal policy in the short term and in the long term to address demand issues is very important. Interest rate policy should be such that the real rate of interest is in line with trend rate of growth in the economy. Fiscal and monetary policies, though, should be coordinated closely. Major central bank cooperation and intervention in the foreign exchange market is necessary to control the exchange rate. Regional and industrial policies to create the required capacity are important, along with incomes policies, to contain inflationary/deflationary pressures. Distribution of income and wealth is another important policy dimension in view of its importance in terms of the great recession.
Post-Keynesian and Kaleckian thoughts on ecological macroeconomics
Authors: Fontana Giuseppe , Sawyer Malcolm
Published: September 2013

This paper outlines an approach to ecological macroeconomics based on post-Keynesian and Kaleckian ideas. It views growth as demand-driven through investment, and focuses on the conflicts between that demand-driven growth rate, the growth of the effective labour force and the ‘nature constrained’ rate of growth. The paper argues that there will not be ‘market forces’ which will address those conflicts, and specifically to bring growth to an environmentally sustainable growth rate. The policy agenda which is suggested is wide ranging and it calls for appropriate fiscal policy and budget deficits.