bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Technique for Carving Amalgam and Composite Restorations
Authors: Kilistoff A
Published: July 2011

Both amalgam and composite restorations can quickly and accurately be carved using a systematic technique. By following the outlined steps, anatomically accurate restorations can be easily achieved. Inlay wax is used as a training medium to negate the setting constraints and as a high fidelity simulation.
Output statistics of a line enhancer based on a combination of two adaptive filters
Authors: Tõnu Trump
Published: July 2011

This paper studies output statistics of an adaptive line enhancer that is based on an affine combination of two NLMS adaptive filters. Combination of adaptive filters is a new interesting way of improving the performance of adaptive algorithms. The structure consists of two adaptive filters that adapt on the same input signal, one with a large and the other one with a small step size. Such a combination is capable of achieving fast initial convergence and small steady state error at the same time. In this paper we investigate the second order statistics of the output signal of adaptive line enhancer based on the combination in steady state. The result is given in terms of the parameters of the adaptive combination, input process statistics, and the optimal Wiener filter weights for the problem at hands.
Governance and Sustainability at a Municipal Scale: The Challenge of Water Conservation
Authors: Furlong Kathryn , Bakker Karen
Published: July 2011

Municipal water conservation is increasingly promoted as a key dimension of environmental sustainability at the municipal scale. Progress toward municipal water conservation in Canada has, however, been poor. This paper examines the governance dimension of water conservation, and presents evidence in support of the argument that conservation efforts on the part of water utilities (and sometimes municipalities) are often constrained by factors external to their jurisdiction. To explore these issues, this paper presents a case study of municipal water conservation in Canada. The analysis identifies governance-related barriers to water conservation and explores the relationship between these barriers and broader issues stemming from the multi-scalar, fragmented nature of environmental governance in Canada.
Estimating the Effects of Cigarette Taxes on Birth Outcomes
Authors: Sen Anindya , Piérard Emmanuelle
Published: July 2011

Employing provincial data from 1979 to 2004 allows us to exploit the significant (45 percent to 60 percent) reduction in excise taxes in Eastern Canada enacted in February 1994 to estimate the impacts of cigarette taxes on birth outcomes. Empirical estimates suggest that an increase in cigarette taxes is significantly associated with lower infant mortalities. However, we also find some evidence of a counter-intuitive positive correlation between taxes and fetal deaths. Overall, conditional on methodology, we find increased lagged per capita health expenditures and the number of physicians to be significantly associated with improvements in birth outcomes.
Minstrels in the Classroom: Teaching, Race, and Blackface
Authors: Alvarez Natalie , Johnson Stephen
Published: July 2011

For instructors of theatre and performance history, the traditions of blackface minstrelsy present a pedagogical challenge. How do you foster sensitive and critically productive discussions about “race” and representation in the undergraduate classroom? How do you present the archives, images, and recordings of racist performance events without re-inflicting these destructive representations? Is there a way of helping students interrogate the discourse of the “post-racial” without making them feel that they are complicit in the mechanics of racism that they are being asked to identify? Alvarez and Johnson do not aim to propose solutions to these challenges – indeed, whether or not solutions are possible is questionable – but to approach the topic interrogatively in order to initiate a discussion that, they hope, will make instructors less apprehensive about addressing the subject of “race” in the classroom.
A Pedagogy of Justice
Authors: Keleta-Mae Naila
Published: July 2011

Within the deeply subjective space of post-secondary classrooms where art is both subject and praxis, canon and methodology frequently converge to reproduce asymmetrical systems of power. The disruption of these systems is arduous and rewarding work, work that requires a committed consortium of students, teachers and extended community. My teaching practice is a pedagogy of justice that uses divergent source material to challenge participants to interrogate the historical, political, and cultural components of their frameworks of analysis and those at play in the material at hand. Within the intellectually rigorous learning environment that my pedagogy of justice requires, I aim to teach students to enrich their thinking and communicative skills through critical self-reflexivity. This is risky business. It asks students and teachers to look closely at their moorings and at times to untie systems of meaning-making that have held together their worldviews for a long time.
More malfunctioning Medos Hakim programmable valves: cause for concern?
Authors: Mauer Uwe Max , Kunz Ulrich
Published: July 2011

Object

In recent years, the authors have noticed a growing number of programmable valve defects at their institution. Therefore, they conducted this study to evaluate the increased incidence of malfunctioning valves.

Methods

They investigated all revisions that had been performed at their institution between 1994 and 2010 for dislodgement of the stator of a standard Medos Hakim programmable valve with a prechamber.

Results

Fifteen valves were removed because of dislodged stators. The valves had been implanted between May 16, 1993, and December 27, 2002, and were explanted between February 19, 2006, and January 22, 2010. Thus, the valves had been in place for a mean period of 11 years (median 11 years, range 7–14 years). The percentage of dislodged stators was almost 3% (15 of 546 valves). Particularly noteworthy is that all malfunctioning valves were found in children who had been younger than 1 year of age at the time of implantation.

Conclusions

Medos Hakim programmable valve malfunctions are rare events but should receive careful attention. When the pressure setting cannot be adjusted, a malfunction should always be suspected and radiographic imaging should be performed to assess the valve. Stator dislodgement is the most serious form of valve adjustment failure.
Bilateral subfrontal approach for tuberculum sellae meningiomas in long-term postoperative visual outcome
Authors: Chokyu Isao , Goto Takeo , Ishibashi Kenichi , Nagata Takashi , Ohata Kenji
Published: July 2011

Object

Various surgical approaches, such as uni- and bifrontal, frontolateral, and pterional approaches, have been advocated for tuberculum sellae meningiomas. The authors retrospectively reviewed the effectiveness of a bilateral subfrontal approach for tuberculum sellae meningiomas with special attention to ophthalmological outcomes and complications.

Methods

Between 1993 and 2009, 34 patients underwent surgery for removal of tuberculum sellae meningiomas at Osaka City University. Tumor size ranged from 14 to 45 mm. Thirty-two of 34 patients presented with visual disturbances before the surgery. The visual functions in all patients were assessed using a visual impairment score (VIS) before and after surgery. Postoperative visual examination was performed 2 weeks after surgery. Long-term follow-up examinations were conducted 1 year after surgery.

Results

Radical resection (Simpson Grades I and II) was accomplished in 27 patients, and subtotal or partial resection (Simpson Grades III and IV) was achieved in 7. There was no deterioration in postoperative visual outcome. Twenty-nine (90.6%) of 32 patients showed improved VIS compared with preoperative VIS. The average VIS was 38.1 preoperatively, 23.5 in the short-term postoperative period, and 21.8 in the long-term postoperative period. In the short-term postoperative period, the visual function in 6 patients normalized, and visual problems persisted in the remaining 26. Six (23%) of 26 patients showed further improvement in VIS during the long-term follow-up period, and no patient exhibited a worsened VIS during this time. One patient complained of hyposmia after surgery, but there was no indication of related complications such as CSF leakage or frontal brain contusion.

Conclusions

The bilateral subfrontal approach was previously avoided because of the relatively high rate of complications in earlier surgical series of tuberculum sellae meningiomas. However, after developments in microsurgical techniques in recent years, the bilateral subfrontal approach can now provide satisfactory visual outcomes with minimal postoperative complications. Careful preservation of the blood supply to optic apparatus and early unroofing of the optic canal using a bilateral subfrontal approach led to further improvement in long-term postoperative visual outcome.
Nodular enhancement within the internal auditory canal following retrosigmoid vestibular schwannoma resection: a unique radiological pattern
Authors: Carlson Matthew L. , Van Abel Kathryn M. , Schmitt William R. , Driscoll Colin L. W. , Neff Brian A. , Lane John I. , Link Michael J.
Published: July 2011

Object

The authors describe the unique occurrence of nodular enhancement within the fundus of the internal auditory canal (IAC) lateral to the preoperative radiological tumor margin following gross-total vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection.

Methods

The nature of the study was a retrospective chart review of records. The authors reviewed the cases of all patients who underwent microsurgical resection of a VS between January 2000 and January 2010 at a single tertiary referral center. Patients with incomplete resection, neurofibromatosis Type 2, and those with fewer than 2 postoperative MR images available for review were excluded.

Postsurgical patients with IAC enhancement located lateral to the preoperative imaging–delineated tumor margin were identified. Lesion morphology was characterized on serial MR imaging studies. Clinical follow-up and outcomes were recorded.

Results

Over the past decade, 350 patients underwent microsurgical VS resection. Of these, 16 patients met study criteria and were found to have postsurgical enhancement in the distal aspect of the IAC lateral to the imaging limits of the preoperative tumor margin on the first postoperative MR imaging study (37.5% women, median age 45 years). Initial MR imaging was performed at a mean of 3.1 months following surgery, and the mean radiological follow-up duration was 39.8 months (range 16.4–101.9 months). None of the 16 patients developed recurrence during the follow-up course.

Conclusions

In contrast to previous publications that have reported a high rate of recurrence in cases involving nodular enhancement within the original tumor bed, postoperative enhancement in the IAC lateral to the original tumor margin appears to carry much less risk for tumor recurrence. These findings may be helpful when counseling patients on the recommended frequency of postoperative follow-up imaging.
Disc spaces, vertebral dimensions, and angle values at the lumbar region: a radioanatomical perspective in spines with L5–S1 transitions
Authors: Mahato Niladri Kumar
Published: July 2011

Object

Low-back pain (LBP) has been associated with lumbar spines of normal morphology as well as those with L5–S1 “transitional” vertebrae. It is hard to find literature that quantifies the overall morphological changes in lumbar spines as related to transitional states. The object of this study was to investigate lumbar spine changes resulting from the presence of these transitional states.

Methods

The author quantified dimensions and angles and statistically compared the morphology of lumbar spines with or without L5–S1 transitions in the context of LBP. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were obtained from 50 patients suffering from LBP without transitional anomalies at the L5–S1 junction. These radiographs were compared with anteroposterior and lateral radiographs from patients suffering from LBP with L5–S1 transitional states involving accessory L5–S1 articulations, and with anteroposterior and lateral radiographs from patients with L5–S1 unilateral or bilateral fusions. Twelve linear dimensions from the anteroposterior views and 8 angles from the lateral radiographs were measured.

Results

The mean values of linear dimensions differed in 1) disc heights, 2) vertebral heights and widths, 3) pedicles and interpedicular distances, 4) angle values, and 5) overall configuration of the lumbar curvatures.

Conclusions

The L5–S1 accessory articulations led to increased lordotic curves, L-5 vertebral heights, and pedicle and angular dimensions. The L5–S1 fusions were related to smaller disc heights at all spaces, short and wide L-5 pedicles, taller and less wide transverse processes, and overall straighter spines with the least measures for all lumbar angles. Dimensional differences provided in this study may help in placing instrumentation at the lumbar vertebrae and working on intervertebral disc replacements in spines with specific L5–S1 transitional anomalies.
Design and Analysis of Double-Gate MOSFETs for Ultra-Low Power Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): Device and Circuit Co-Design
Authors: Vaddi Ramesh , Agarwal Rajendra P. , Dasgupta Sudeb , Kim Tony T.
Published: July 2011

Recently, double-gate MOSFETs (DGMOSFETs) have been shown to be more optimal for ultra-low power circuit design due to the improved subthreshold slope and the reduced leakage current compared to bulk CMOS. However, DGMOSFETs for subthreshold circuit design have not been much explored in comparison to those for strong inversion-based design. In this paper, various configurations of DGMOSFETs, such as tied/independent gates and symmetric/asymmetric gate oxide thickness are explored for ultra-low power and high efficient radio frequency identification (RFID) design. Comparison of bulk CMOS with DGMOSFETs has been conducted in ultra-low power subthreshold digital logic design and rectifier design, emphasizing the scope of the nano-scale DGMOSFET technology for future ultra-low power systems. The DGMOSFET-based subthreshold logic improves energy efficiency by more than 40% compared to the bulk CMOS-based logic at 32 nm. Among the various DGMOSFET configurations for RFID rectifiers, symmetric tied-gate DGMOSFET has the best power conversion efficiency and the lowest power consumption.
Migration Capacity and Viability of Human Primary Osteoblasts in Synthetic Three-dimensional Bone Scaffolds Made of Tricalciumphosphate
Authors: Jonitz Anika , Wieding Jan , Lochner Katrin , Cornelsen Matthias , Seitz Hermann , Hansmann Doris , Bader Rainer
Published: July 2011

In current therapeutic strategies, bone defects are filled up by bone auto- or allografts. Since they are limited by insufficient availability and donor site morbidity, it is necessary to find an appropriate alternative of synthetic porous bone materials. Because of their osteoconductive characteristics, ceramic materials like tricalciumphosphate (TCP) are suitable to fill up bone defects. Another advantage of TCP implants is the ability of patient-specific engineering. Objective of the present in-vitro study was to analyze the migration capacity and viability of human primary osteoblasts in porous three-dimensional TCP scaffolds in a static cell culture. To obtain data of the cellular supply with nutrients and oxygen, we determined the oxygen concentration and the pH value within the 3D scaffold compared to the surrounding medium using microsensors. After eight days of cultivation we found cells on all four planes. During incubation, the oxygen concentration within the scaffold decreased by approximately 8%. Furthermore, we could not demonstrate an increasing acidification in the core of the TCP scaffold. Our results suggest that osteoblasts could migrate and survive within the macroporous TCP scaffolds. The selected size of the macropores prevents overgrowth of cells, whereby the oxygen and nutrients supply is sufficiently guaranteed.
Study of the Distribution of Radiative Defects and Reabsorption of the UV in ZnO Nanorods-Organic Hybrid White Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
Authors: Hussain Ijaz , Bano Nargis , Hussain Sajjad , Soomro Yousuf , Nur Omer , Willander Magnus
Published: July 2011

In this study, the low temperature aqueous chemical growth (ACG) method was employed to synthesized ZnO nanorods to process-organic hybrid white light emitting diodes (LEDs) on glass substrate. Electroluminescence spectra of the hybrid white LEDs demonstrate the combination of emission bands arising from radiative recombination of the organic and ZnO nanorods (NRs). Depth resolved luminescence was used for probing the nature and spatial distribution of radiative defects, especially to study the re-absorption of ultraviolet (UV) in this hybrid white LEDs structure. At room temperature the cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra intensity of the deep band emission (DBE) is increased with the increase of the electron beam penetration depth due to the increase of defect concentration at the ZnO NRs/Polyfluorene (PFO) interface and probably due to internal absorption of the UV. A strong dependency between the intensity ratio of the UV to the DBE bands and the spatial distribution of the radiative defects in ZnO NRs has been found. The comparison of the CL spectra from the PFO and the ZnO NRs demonstrate that PFO has a very weak violet-blue emission band, which confirms that most of the white emission components originate from the ZnO NRs.
Cavitation During Superplastic Forming
Authors: Campbell John
Published: July 2011

Cavitation is the opening of pores during superplastic forming, typically at grain boundary triple points or on second phase grain boundary particles during slip of grain boundaries. Theories for the initiation of cavitation are reviewed. It seems that cavitation is unlikely to occur by processes intrinsic to metals such as dislocation mechanisms or point defect condensation. It is proposed that cavitation can only occur at non-bonded interfaces such as those introduced extrinsically (i.e., from the outside) during the original casting of the metal. These defects, known as oxide bifilms, are naturally introduced during pouring of the liquid metal, and are frozen into the solid, often pushed by dendritic growth into grain boundaries where they are difficult to detect because of their extreme thinness, often measured in nanometres. Their unbonded central interface acts as a crack and can initiate cavitation. Second phase precipitates probably do not nucleate and grow on grain boundaries but grow on bifilms in the boundaries, explaining the apparent association between boundaries, second phase particles and failure initiation. Improved melting and casting techniques can provide metal with reduced or zero bifilm population for which cavitation would not be possible, promising significant improvements in superplastic behaviour.
Characterization and Determination of the Alkaloid Metabolites of Evodiae fructus in Rat Urine by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Detection
Authors: Yan Rui , Mu Qier , Wang Yin , Liu Youping , Di Xin
Published: July 2011

The lack of authentic standards limits the quantitative analysis of herbal drugs in biological samples. This present work demonstrated a practicable assay of herbs and their metabolites independent of the availability of authentic standards. A liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS) method for the qualitative and quantitative determination of the metabolites after oral administration of Evodiae fructus and Zuojinwan preparation in rat urine has been developed. Urine samples extracted with a protein precipitation procedure were separated on a C18 column using a mixture of water (containing 0.1% formic acid) and acetonitrile (30:70, v/v) as mobile phase. The detection was performed by MS with electrospray ionization interface in positive selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. One urine sample after administration was selected as 'standard'. The method validation was carried out according to a conventional method that was calibrated by authentic standards. The fully validated method was applied to the pharmacokinetic study of the metabolites in rat urine. The results could provide evidence to explain the combination of Coptidis rhizoma and Evodiae fructus in terms of elimination.
Remote Sensing-Based Characterization of Settlement Structures for Assessing Local Potential of District Heat
Authors: Geiß Christian , Taubenböck Hannes , Wurm Michael , Esch Thomas , Nast Michael , Schillings Christoph , Blaschke Thomas
Published: July 2011

In Europe, heating of houses and commercial areas is one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. When considering the drastic impact of an increasing emission of greenhouse gases as well as the finiteness of fossil resources, the usage of efficient and renewable energy generation technologies has to be increased. In this context, small-scale heating networks are an important technical component, which enable the efficient and sustainable usage of various heat generation technologies. This paper investigates how the potential of district heating for different settlement structures can be assessed. In particular, we analyze in which way remote sensing and GIS data can assist the planning of optimized heat allocation systems. In order to identify the best suited locations, a spatial model is defined to assess the potential for small district heating networks. Within the spatial model, the local heat demand and the economic costs of the necessary heat allocation infrastructure are compared. Therefore, a first and major step is the detailed characterization of the settlement structure by means of remote sensing data. The method is developed on the basis of a test area in the town of Oberhaching in the South of Germany. The results are validated through detailed in situ data sets and demonstrate that the model facilitates both the calculation of the required input parameters and an accurate assessment of the district heating potential. The described method can be transferred to other investigation areas with a larger spatial extent. The study underlines the range of applications for remote sensing-based analyses with respect to energy-related planning issues.
Evaluation of a LIDAR Land-Based Mobile Mapping System for Monitoring Sandy Coasts
Authors: Bitenc Maja , Lindenbergh Roderik , Khoshelham Kourosh , Van Waarden A. Pieter
Published: July 2011

The Dutch coast is characterized by sandy beaches flanked by dunes. Understanding the morphology of the coast is essential for defense against flooding of the hinterland. Because most dramatic changes of the beach and the first dune row happen during storms, it is important to assess the state of the coast immediately after a storm. This is expensive and difficult to organize with Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS). Therefore, the performance of a Land-based Mobile Mapping System (LMMS) in mapping a stretch of sandy Dutch coast of 6 km near the municipality of Egmond is evaluated in this research. A test data set was obtained by provider Geomaat using the StreetMapper LMMS system. Both the relative quality of laser point heights and of a derived Digital Terrain model (DTM) are assessed. First, the height precision of laser points is assessed a priori by random error propagation, and a posteriori by calculating the height differences between close-by points. In the a priori case, the result is a theoretical laser point precision of around 5 cm. In the a posteriori approach it is shown that on a flat beach a relative precision of 3 mm is achieved, and that almost no internal biases exist. In the second analysis, a DTM with a grid size of 1 m is obtained using moving least squares. Each grid point height includes a quality description, which incorporates both measurement precision and terrain roughness. Although some problems remain with the scanning height of 2 m, which causes shadow-effect behind low dunes, it is concluded that a laser LMMS enables the acquisition of a high quality DTM product, which is available within two days.
Evaluation of Sentinel-2 Red-Edge Bands for Empirical Estimation of Green LAI and Chlorophyll Content
Authors: Delegido Jesús , Verrelst Jochem , Alonso Luis , Moreno José
Published: July 2011

ESA’s upcoming satellite Sentinel-2 will provide Earth images of high spatial, spectral and temporal resolution and aims to ensure continuity for Landsat and SPOT observations. In comparison to the latter sensors, Sentinel-2 incorporates three new spectral bands in the red-edge region, which are centered at 705, 740 and 783 nm. This study addresses the importance of these new bands for the retrieval and monitoring of two important biophysical parameters: green leaf area index (LAI) and chlorophyll content (Ch). With data from several ESA field campaigns over agricultural sites (SPARC, AgriSAR, CEFLES2) we have evaluated the efficacy of two empirical methods that specifically make use of the new Sentinel-2 bands. First, it was shown that LAI can be derived from a generic normalized difference index (NDI) using hyperspectral data, with 674 nm with 712 nm as best performing bands. These bands are positioned closely to the Sentinel-2 B4 (665 nm) and the new red-edge B5 (705 nm) band. The method has been applied to simulated Sentinel-2 data. The resulting green LAI map was validated against field data of various crop types, thereby spanning a LAI between 0 and 6, and yielded a RMSE of 0.6. Second, the recently developed “Normalized Area Over reflectance Curve” (NAOC), an index that derives Ch from hyperspectral data, was studied on its compatibility with simulated Sentinel-2 data. This index integrates the reflectance curve between 643 and 795 nm, thereby including the new Sentinel-2 bands in the red-edge region. We found that these new bands significantly improve the accuracy of Ch estimation. Both methods emphasize the importance of red-edge bands for operational estimation of biophysical parameters from Sentinel-2.
Novel Wireless Sensor System for Dynamic Characterization of Borehole Heat Exchangers
Authors: Martos Julio , Montero Álvaro , Torres José , Soret Jesús , Martínez Guillermo , García-Olcina Raimundo
Published: July 2011

The design and field test of a novel sensor system based in autonomous wireless sensors to measure the temperature of the heat transfer fluid along a borehole heat exchanger (BHE) is presented. The system, by means of two specials valves, inserts and extracts miniaturized wireless sensors inside the pipes of the borehole, which are carried by the thermal fluid. Each sensor is embedded in a small sphere of just 25 mm diameter and 8 gr weight, containing a transceiver, a microcontroller, a temperature sensor and a power supply. A wireless data processing unit transmits to the sensors the acquisition configuration before the measurements, and also downloads the temperature data measured by the sensor along its way through the BHE U-tube. This sensor system is intended to improve the conventional thermal response test (TRT) and it allows the collection of information about the thermal characteristics of the geological structure of subsurface and its influence in borehole thermal behaviour, which in turn, facilitates the implementation of TRTs in a more cost-effective and reliable way.
Proportioning of Steel Fibre Reinforced Concrete Mixes for Pavement Construction and Their Impact on Environment and Cost
Authors: Achilleos Constantia , Hadjimitsis Diofantos , Neocleous Kyriacos , Pilakoutas Kypros , Neophytou Pavlos O. , Kallis Stelios
Published: July 2011

Steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) is a construction material investigated for more than 40 years including for pavement applications. A number of studies have demonstrated the technical merits of SFRC pavements over conventional concrete pavements; however little work has been carried out on the environmental and economical impact of SFRC during the pavement’s life cycle. Therefore, extended research was undertaken within the framework of the EU funded project “EcoLanes” to estimate the environmental and economical loadings of SFRC pavements. The innovative concept of the project is the use of recycled steel tyre-cord wire as concrete fibre reinforcement, which provides additional environmental benefits for tyre recycling over landfilling. Within the project framework a demonstration of a steel-fibre-reinforced roller-compacted concrete (SFR-RCC) pavement was constructed in a rural area in Cyprus. In order to assess the economical and environmental picture of the demonstration pavement, life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) studies were undertaken, which also compared the under study pavement design with four conventional alternatives. The main output of the studies is that SFR-RCC is more environmentally and economically sustainable than others. In addition, various concrete mix designs were investigated by considering parameters such as fibre type and dosage, cement type, and transportation distances to the construction site. Fibre dosage has been highlighted as a crucial factor compared with economical and environmental loadings in SFR-RCC pavement construction.
MAPPING VILNIUS AS CREATIVE CITY / VILNIAUS KAIP KŪRYBINIO MIESTO ŽEMĖLAPIO KONTŪRAI
Authors: Černevičiūtė Jūratė
Published: July 2011

Urban development is increasing the ability to develop a distinct and attractive position in the world. Cities are changing their role as the cultural production sites as well as the life style and creativity become the material for the creative industries development. The creative city is understood as an urban complex, where a variety of cultural activities are an integral part of the urban economy and social life. The concept of creative city has not yet been well established: we can point to even three such concepts, highlighting different agency of the creative city – from the creative city-dwellers to the business enterprises of the creative industries. On the basis of the creative city concept, the article analyses Vilnius city, revealing the most important factors, which promote the creativity of the city: the organizations and activities of Arts category; business enterprises and projects of Media category; active creative and civil communities of the city. The activity of the creative communities takes on an expression in the forms of emerging cultural districts in Užupis, Naujamiestis and Pilaitė. The above-mentioned activities of the categories of creative industries are illustrated on the basis of the data, collected under the development of The Map of Vilnius Creative Industries. The article concludes that the weakest activity in Vilnius city is the economic clustering of the business enterprises of creative industries. Santrauka Miestų raida vis labiau priklauso nuo gebėjimo plėtoti aiškią ir patrauklią laikyseną pasaulyje. Miestai tampa kultūros gamybos centrais, o miestiečių gyvensena ir kūrybiškumas – medžiaga kūrybinių industrijų plėtrai. Kūrybinis miestas suprantamas kaip miesto kompleksas, kuriame įvairios kultūrinės veiklos neatsiejamos nuo miesto ekonomikos ir socialinio gyvenimo. Kūrybinio miesto samprata iki šiol nėra nusistovėjusi: galima išskirti net tris tokias sampratas, išryškinančias skirtingus kūrybinio miesto veiksnius – pradedant kūrybingais miestiečiais, baigiant kūrybinių industrijų verslo įmonėmis. Remiantis kūrybinio miesto samprata, straipsnyje analizuojamas Vilnius, išryškinami svarbiausi miesto kūrybingumą skatinantys veiksniai: menų kategorijos organizacijos ir veiklos; medijų kategorijos verslo įmonės ir renginiai; aktyvios miesto kūrybinės ir pilietinės bendruomenės. Kūrybinių bendruomenių aktyvumas konkrečią išraišką įgauna mieste besiformuojančių kultūros kvartaų pavidalu Užupyje, Naujamiestyje ir Pilaitėje. Minėtų kūrybinių industrijų kategorijų veiklos iliustruojamos duomenimis, kurie buvo surinkti rengiant Vilniaus kūrybinių industrijų žemėlapį. Straipsnyje daroma išvada, kad silpniausiai mieste vyksta ekonominė kūrybinių industrijų įmoni ų klasterizacija.
THE MYTH OF THE WICKED CITY IN THE CULTURAL CRITICISM OF O. SPENGLER / NUODĖMINGO MIESTO MITAS O. SPENGLERIO KULTŪROS KRITIKOJE
Authors: Kovács Gábor
Published: July 2011

O. Spengler was one of the leading protagonists of cultural criticism in the 20th century. His oeuvre had been rooted in the German intellectual climate of the pre-war period and war years. The German tradition based on an ambivalent relation to modernity, after the German defeat suffered at the end of the First World War, emerged as the movement of ‘conservative revolution’. This new kind of conservatism, on the one hand, enthusiastically greeted technological advancement, while, on the other hand, rejected social and political modernization. The opposition of the city and the country-side was a central theme of this way of thought. Spengler in his ‘morphology of world history’ gave an outstanding place to this opposition. Our paper offers a reconstruction, in this respect, of the theory of Spengler.

Santrauka

O. Spengleris buvo vienas iš svarbiausių XX a. kultūros kritikos atstovų. Jo kūryba buvo įšaknyta vokiečių ikikarinio laikotarpio ir karo metų intelektualinėje atmosferoje. Vokiškoji tradicija, pagrįsta ambivalentišku santykiu su modernybe, po skaudaus vokiečių pralaimėjimo Pirmajame pasauliniame kare, iškilo kaip ,,konservatyviosios revoliucijos“ judėjimas. Naujas konservatizmo tipas, viena vertus, entuziastingai sveikino technologinį progresą, kita vertus, atmetė socialinę ir politinę modernizaciją. Priešprieša tarp miesto ir kaimo buvo pagrindinė diskusijų tema. Šiose diskusijose Spengleris su savo „pasaulio istorijos morfologija” užėmė iškilią vietą. Šiame straipsnyje pristatoma Spenglerio teorijos rekonstrukcija.
FROM A ‘BLIND WALKER’ TO AN ‘URBAN CURATOR’: INITIATING ‘EMOTIONALLY MOVING SITUATIONS’ IN PUBLIC SPACES / NUO KASDIENIO MIESTELĖNŲ „AKLUMO” IKI MIESTO AKTYVIZMO: INICIJUOJANT „EMOCIONALIAI PAVEIKIAS SITUACIJAS” VIEŠOSIOSE ERDVĖSE
Authors: Lavrinec Jekaterina
Published: July 2011

Reconstructing the mutation of a ‘blind walker’ into the figure of reflexive urban activist, who proposes creative solutions to the problems of de-activated public spaces, urban art interventions are comprehended as a tool for re-inventing and revitalising urban settings while initiating intensive interaction and cooperation between citizens. The idea to arrange ‘emotionally moving situations’ so as to activate reflexive attitude of the citizens toward everyday urban settings was proposed by situationists. By disturbing usual everyday rhythms and trajectories, urban art interventions, flash mobs and urban games establish a reflexive distance from the usual, routine ‘choreography’ of the place and propose alternative scenarios of behaviour in public space. Therefore urban art interventions can be considered as a tool for creative reconceptualization of spatial structures and social order, embedded in urban space.

Santrauka

Remiantis M. de Certeau pasiūlyta miestelėno „aklumo” metafora, kuri nurodo į nerefleksyvų santykį su kasdiene aplinka, straipsnyje rekonstruojama šios miestelėno figūros transformacija į miesto aktyvistą („miesto kuratorių”), kuris reaguoja į miesto problemas ir ieško kūrybinių šių problemų sprendimų. Aktyvaus santykio su miesto aplinka modelis buvo plėtojamas dar situacionistų (I. Chtcheglovas, G. Debord‘as, A. Kotányi ir kt.), kurie ieškojo kasdienio miesto patyrimo suspendavimo technikų (pavyzdžiui, dreifavimas) ir siūlė reorganizuoti miesto erdves, kad jos imtų produkuoti „emocionaliai paveikias situacijas”. šios paieškos paskatino situacionistus plėtoti „unitarinio urbanizmo” koncepciją. Šiuolaikiniams miestams susiduriant su deaktyvuotų viešųjų erdvių problema, „emocionaliai paveikių situacijų” kūrimo idėja atgimsta nauju pavidalu. Meninės intervencijos į viešąsias erdves, flash-mobai ir miesto žaidimai ardo įprastus elgesio scenarijus, steigia refleksyvųatstumą su rutininiu miesto patyrimu, o taip pat skatina naujųmiesto ritualų atsiradimą bei formuoja emocinį miesto reljefą. Intervencijos į viešąsias erdves gali būti analizuojamos ir kaip refleksijos forma, ir kaip aktualių miesto problemų(viešųjų erdviųdeaktyvavimo) sprendimo būdas.
PHILOSOPHERS IN THE PUBLIC SPHERE OF THE CITIES - THE BIRTH OF THE NATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES FROM THE SPIRIT OF THE EDITORIAL OFFICES AND SALOONS IN THE 19TH CENTURY / FILOSOFAI VIEŠOJOJE MIESTŲ ERDVĖJE: NACIONALINIŲ FILOSOFIJŲ ATSIRADIMAS REDAKTORIŲ BIURŲ IR SALONŲ ATMOSFEROJE XIX AMŽIUJE
Authors: Mester Béla
Published: July 2011

The aim of our paper is to offer an analysis of the phenomenon of the national philosophy of the 19th century. We will analyse this concept as a consequence of the emergence of the public sphere of the city in the function of the cultural capital of a national culture and the centre of the press. Our instance is the development of the philosophical public sphere of the double cities on the opposite banks of the Danube, Buda and Pest (today Budapest). This public sphere was organised in native language by the newly established organisations of the literature, humanities and sciences, such as different societies of writers, with a distinguished role of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (HAS, since 1825). By our hypothesis, it is not an accident phenomenon that the topic of the national philosophy has emerged within the framework of this new public sphere. Expressed more clearly, the concept of the national philosophy depends on a special grade of the development of the public sphere of the centre of the national press – at least in the Hungarian case. Santrauka Straipsnio tikslas – pateikti XIX a. nacionalinės filosofijos fenomeno analizę. Šis konceptas čia analizuojamas kaip viešosios miesto sferos iškilimo rezultatas, neatsiejamas nuo nacionalinės kultūros ir spaudos centro kultūrinio kapitalo. Tiriama dvejopų miestų filosofinės viešosios sferos raida kaip priešprieša Danubės, Budos ir Pešto (šiandien Budapešto) bankams. Ši viešoji sfera buvo organizuojama gimtą ja kalba naujai įsteigtų literatūros, humanitarinų ir kitų mokslų organizacijų, tokių kaip skirtingos rašytojų bendruomenės, ypatingą vaidmenį atliekant Vengrijos mokslų akademijai (nuo 1825 m.). Pagal čia pateikiamą hipotezę neatsitiktinai nacionalinės filosofijos tema iškilo naujoje viešojoje sferoje. Tiksliau tariant, nacionalinės filosofijos konceptas priklauso nuo atitinkamai besiplėtojančios nacionalinės spaudos centro viešosios sferos – bent jau Vengrijos atveju.
RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE OF VILNIUS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL GLANCE / VILNIAUS RELIGINIS PEIZAŽAS: FENOMENOLOGINIS ŽVILGSNIS
Authors: Nikiforova Basia
Published: July 2011

The traditional religious landscape is changing considerably, and the current religious landscape exhibits a remarkable variety. The religious landscape was shifting. Today in Europe there are three general trends – secularization, new spirituality and immigrant religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism additional to Judeo-Christian tradition. Phenomenological approaches are crucial for developing new and deepening existing modes of cooperation between dissimilar cultures and religions. Using phenomenological approach we look on religious landscape of Vilnius as pluralistic from the two general views: old historical, traditional source and nowadays the increasing diversity. The article includes a short discussion about definition of ‘religious landscape’ and the possibilities of its interpretation. Using definition epochē from phenomenological point of view we conclude that religious landscape of Vilnius is pluralistic. Santrauka Tradicinis religinis peizažas kinta labai pastebimai, o dabartinis demonstruoja ypač didelę įvairovę. Nūdien Europoje vyrauja trys bendros tendencijos – sekuliarizacija, naujasis dvasingumas ir imigrantų religijos, tokios kaip islamas, budizmas, iniduizmas greta judaistinės-krikščioniškosios tradicijos. Remdamiesi fenomenologiniu požiūriu, žvelgiame į religinį Vilniaus peizažą kaip į pliuralistinį, atsiveriantį iš dviejų bendrų perspektyvų: senoji istorinė, tradicinė versmė ir nūdien augantis skirtingumas. Straipsnyje imamasi trumpos diskusijos „religinio peizažo” tema ir apie šio apibrėžimo interpretavimo galimybes. Pasitelkiant sąvokąepochē, fenomenologinio mąstymo perspektyvoje prieinama išvada, kad Vilniaus religinis peizažas yra pliuralistinis.
Information Literacy Skills of Undergraduates of University of Moratuwa
Authors: Seneviratne TM , Wickramasinghe VM
Published: July 2011

Information literacy has been recognized as one of the core literacies of the 21st century. An information literate person is capable of identifying, locating, evaluating, organizing, and effectively using the information to address and help resolve personal, job related, or broader social issues and problems. This research was conducted to investigate the status of information literacy skills of the undergraduates of University of Moratuwa. Surveyed a stratified random sample of 918 undergraduates. The findings and implications of the research have been discussedKeywords: Information Literacy; Information Skills; Library Instruction doi: 10.4038/jula.v14i1.2685Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka. Vol.14 (Issue 1). 2010 15-30
Effects of the Processing Time of Recommended Materials and their Usage on the Relevancy to the Course Curriculum
Authors: Punchihewa CND , Kodikara RC
Published: July 2011

The objective of the present study was to explore the use of materials recommended by the academic members of the University of Moratuwa, identifying the effects of the processing time of the materials on the usage. The circulation statistics of materials ordered during 2007 were analyzed by user categories, year of publication and processing time. Analysis confirmed that frequency of use of materials had no relation with the processing time even though the processing time of the materials was not in a satisfactory level. Zero usage of some materials has created many questions on the recommendations of the academic members. Year of publication of the materials has a direct impact on the usage. The collaboration between the library and the faculties should be further strengthened. Faculties of the University should decide to obtain the assistance of the library academics in designing of courses for different departments of the university. Key Words: Collection Management; Academic Libraries doi: 10.4038/jula.v14i1.2686Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka. Vol.14 (Issue 1). 2010 31-42
Information Literacy Programmes Conducted by the Universities in Sri Lanka
Authors: Ranaweera Prasanna
Published: July 2011

Information literacy has been defined as gaining the necessary skills required to access, process and present information for learning, research, problem solving and career development. The information literacy concept spreads across a vast span from user education programmes to knowledge extension or wisdom achievement. Mainly, information literacy skills are based on library skills and information technology skills. This paper discusses the value of information literacy programmes conducted by the universities in Sri Lanka in order to achieve the higher level of learning in the university sector; with special reference to Sri Lankan universities, with the focus on Outcome Space. The outcome space information literacy framework runs through Information sources, Information Technology, Information Control, Information Processing, Knowledge construction, Knowledge Extension and Wisdom as explained by Christine Bruce. Further the paper elucidates the information literacy initiatives commenced by the libraries of the University of Colombo, University of Kelaniya, University of Moratuwa, University of Sri Jayewardenapura and National Institute of Library and Information Sciences (NILIS). The survey results reveal that the information literacy programmes initiated by the university libraries and the Institute, range from user orientation to the credit based programmes. All the university libraries that were chosen for this study had commenced some sort of information literacy programme. But most of the programmes are at the lower level of the outcome space. Two university libraries and the Institute had made an attempt to initiate outcome space information literacy programmes.Keywords: Information Literacy; Information skills; University Education; University Libraries doi: 10.4038/jula.v14i1.2688Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka. Vol.14 (Issue 1). 2010 61-75
Utilization of Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) on Scholarly Communication Process of Medical Academics in Sri Lanka
Authors: Samaradiwakara GDMN
Published: July 2011

Sri Lankan Universities of this day and age have entered a phase of radical transformation that is characterized by globalizing with Information and Computer Technologies. This has resulted in bringing up new global issues for scholarly communication processes for academics. However, in this cyber age of ICT, the role of academics should revolutionize towards rapid espousal of them. Especially medical academics, who are at the frontiers of so much new medical technologies and information, should be frontward in integrating the best possible utilization of ICT. This study is an attempt made to investigate how far medical academics utilize ICT in terms of specific scholarly activities for scholarly communication process. The study is compiled with data from questionnaires, supplemented by interviews of 125 medical academics in five universities of Sri Lanka. The final results revealed that the World Wide Web, e-mailing, word processing and presentation packages are the mostly used ICT applications by medical academics. ICT has a significant effect on most scholarly activities and many academics have identified it as a smart facilitator of their work. In this study, recommendations are made to improve infrastructure facilities at the university level.Keywords: scholarly communication; ICT; university academics; ICT utilization doi: 10.4038/jula.v14i1.2689Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka. Vol.14 (Issue 1). 2010 77-88
University Library Services in Sri Lanka: a Historical Perspective
Authors: Jayasuriya Sumana
Published: July 2011

Development of libraries is closely linked to and depends on the development of its parent organization, the university. The expansion of university education and the establishment of universities to cater to the needs of those seeking higher education had a tremendous impact on the development and services provided by the libraries. The expansion of libraries under different time periods, Collection development, Staff structure & staff training, Library governance, and Automation of library operations since the inception of the University of Ceylon in 1942 are discussed. Key words: University libraries; Sri Lanka. Libraries; Library services, Library governance DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jula.v15i1.3187 Journal of the University Librarians’ Association of Sri Lanka, Vol.15, Issue 1, June 2011; 1-22