bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative design for extremely large telescopes and options to use the VATT for ELT design demonstration
Authors: Ackermann Mark R. , McGraw John T. , Zimmer Peter C.
Published: September 2013

A variety of optical designs for extremely large telescopes (ELTs) can be found throughout the technical literature. Most feature very fast primary mirrors of either conic or spherical figure. For those designs with conic primary mirrors, many of the optical approaches tend to be derivatives of either the aplanatic Cassegrain or Gregorian systems. The Cassegrain approach is more common as it results in a shorter optical system, but it requires a large convex aspheric secondary mirror, which is extremely difficult and expensive to test. The Gregorian approach is physically longer and suffers from greater field curvature. In some design variations, additional mirrors are added to reimage and possibly flatten a Cassegrain focus. An interesting alternative ELT design uses a small Cassegrain system to image the collimated output of a Gregorian-Mersenne concentrator. Another alternative approach, currently in favor for use on the European ELT, uses three powered mirrors and two flat mirrors to reimage a Cassegrain focus out the side similar to a Nasmyth system. A preliminary examination suggests that a small, fast primary mirror, such as that used on the VATT, might be used for a subscale prototype of current ELT optical design options.
Striking Cobra Spitting Fire
Authors: Szpakowska Kasia
Published: September 2013

In this paper, a working definition and examples of “demonic paraphernalia” are provided, as well as methods of recognition. Besides being of interest in and of themselves, these types of objects provide clues as to the nature of the demons, thus helping us in our quest for a taxonomy and “demonology” of Ancient Egypt. More specifically, this paper focuses on the use of Late Bronze Age clay cobra figurines as a case-study for the broader exploration of Ancient Egyptian “demonic paraphernalia”.
Das Krokodil als göttliche Waffe in einer medico-magischen Bildkomposition aus Deir el Medineh
Authors: Morenz Ludwig D.
Published: September 2013

In diesem Artikel wird eine medico-magische Bildkomposition aus dem ägyptischen Neuen Reich in ihrer Bedeutungsvielfalt diskutiert und kulturell verortet. Dabei zeigt sich ein hohes schöpferisches Potential und zugleich eine tiefe Verwurzelung in den Vortstellungs- und Darstellungsmustern der altägyptischen Kultur.
Amente Demons and Christian Syncretism
Authors: Frankfurter David
Published: September 2013

Drawing on a range of apocalyptic and magical texts from Roman and Byzantine Egypt, this paper argues that the Coptic Christian depiction of vicious underworld demons, so often cited as evidence of “Egyptian survivals,” in fact owes more to Jewish apocalyptic literature than ancient Egyptian mortuary texts - that scribes only recalled Egyptian traditions in the course of reutilization and interpretation of para-biblical apocalyptic traditions. Secondly, the paper attributes the development of this Coptic underworld demonology to the creative agency of scribes in late antique Egyptian Christianity, in whose own subcultures and practices any model of demonological syncretism must be situated.
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide predict mortality in stable coronary artery disease: results from the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study
Authors: Giannitsis Evangelos , Spanuth Eberhard , Horsch Andrea , Kleber Marcus E. , Koch Winfried , Grammer Tanja B. , Koenig Wolfgang , März Winfried
Published: September 2013

Background: The simultaneous assessment of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hscTnT) and NT-proBNP for predicting death in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) has yet not been examined. We investigated the additional contribution of hscTnT to the risk of mortality prediction of NT-proBNP in patients with stable CAD.

Methods: We studied 1469 patients with stable CAD enrolled in the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health Study (LURIC). hscTnT and NT-proBNP were measured in baseline samples using immunoassays (Roche Diagnostics, Germany).

Results: Thirty-five percent (n=525) of the patients died during a median follow-up of 7 and a half years. In total 59.0% of the non-survivors and 25.2% of the survivors exhibited concentrations of hscTnT≥14 ng/L. Logistic regression analysis identified hscTnT and NT-proBNP as independent risk markers for short-term (1-year follow-up) and long-term (9-years follow-up) mortality. ROC curve analysis determined optimal univariate cut-offs at 14 ng/L and 443 µg/L for hscTnT (AUC 0.725, p<0.0001) and NT-proBNP (AUC 0.742, p<0.0001), respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis based on optimized cut-offs for the simultaneous determination of both biomarkers confirmed the usefulness of additive hscTnT especially in prediction of short-term mortality. The prognostic benefit of the combined assessment of hscTnT and NT-proBNP could be confirmed by a significantly increased reclassification index (NRI) of 24.2%.

Conclusions: The majority of non-survivors exhibited increased hscTnT concentrations above 14 ng/L. The simultaneous determination of NT-proBNP and hscTnT was superior for risk stratification compared to determining either marker alone. Especially the prediction of the clinically important 1-year mortality was significantly improved by addition of hscTnT to NT-proBNP.
A Second Order Approximation for Quasilinear Non-Fickian Diffusion Models
Authors: Ferreira José A. , Gudiño Elias , de Oliveira Paula
Published: October 2013

In this paper initial boundary value problems, defined using quasilinear diffusion equations of Volterra type, are considered. These equations arise for instance to describe diffusion processes in viscoelastic media whose behavior is represented by a Voigt–Kelvin model or a Maxwell model.
A finite difference discretization defined on a general non-uniform grid with second order convergence order in space is proposed. The analysis does not follow the usual splitting of the global error using the solution of an elliptic equation induced by the integro-differential equation. The new approach enables us to reduce the smoothness required to the theoretical solution when the usual split technique is used.
Non-singular and singular kernels are considered.
Numerical simulations which show the effectiveness of the method are included.
Modelling cities and water infrastructure dynamics
Authors: Urich Christian , Bach Peter M. , Sitzenfrei Robert , Kleidorfer Manfred , McCarthy David T. , Deletic Ana , Rauch Wolfgang
Published: September 2013

Urban water systems are under increasing pressure due to the impact of climate change, population growth and urbanisation. In order to make our urban water systems more adaptable to these challenges new water management strategies must be developed. During the last 20 years many new decentralised technologies have emerged and their integration with existing centralised technologies, in particular, creates complex interactions. To deepen our understanding of these interactions at the city scale and to identify possible transition strategies the development of a potential strategic planning tool is thus proposed. This paper focuses on the evolution of the urban environment and water system, in space and time, in the tool. The dynamics of the model is shown for alpine cities. Numerous test cases are stochastically generated by means of the virtual infrastructure benchmarking approach and evolved over time. Different scenarios for the development of the urban environment and water system are statistically evaluated. An increase of rainfall intensities of more than 10% was identified as critical for the performance of the combined sewer systems investigated. By using DAnCE4Water such critical points in the time line of system performance can be identified.
Sensitivity analysis for seismic response of reinforced concrete staggered wall structures
Authors: Kim Jinkoo , Han Seungho
Published: October 2013

This study investigates the sensitivity of design variables such as ultimate strength of concrete, yield stress of reinforcing steel and damping ratio to the seismic response of staggered wall structures. Two different methods for sensitivity analysis, the tornado diagram method and the first-order second-moment method, are applied to two types of model structures. Non-linear dynamic analyses are carried out using the seven maximum considered earthquake level earthquake records, which shows that the inter-storey drift is the most sensitive to the variation of modal damping ratio. It is observed in the incremental dynamic analyses that, when the earthquake intensity is relatively small, the yield stress of rebars and the concrete strength in the link beams are also important factors affecting the sensitivity of seismic response. As the intensity of seismic load increases, the strength of columns becomes another important factor.
Generation of Site‐Appropriate Tissue by a Living Cellular Sheet in the Treatment of Mucogingival Defects
Authors: Scheyer E. Todd , Nevins Marc L. , Neiva Rodrigo , Cochran David L. , Giannobile William V. , Woo Sook‐Bin , King William N. , Spitznagel John K. , Bates Damien , McGuire Michael K.
Published: September 2013

Background: Generation of site‐appropriate tissue in the oral cavity includes the restoration of the correct anatomic type, amount, and distribution of the tissue. This study is a post hoc analysis of data collected during previously published results from two randomized clinical trials of a living cellular sheet (LCS; allogenic cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts in bovine collagen) versus a free gingival graft (FGG), evaluating their ability to augment keratinized tissue or gingiva.

Methods: Post hoc histologic and clinical (photographic) comparisons of the outcomes of treatment were performed on histologic and photographic data gathered in the two randomized clinical trials.

Results: Histologic findings showed that LCS‐treated sites resembled gingiva rather than alveolar mucosa. Photographic analysis indicated that LCS treatment resulted in more site‐appropriate tissue than FGG in terms of tissue color, with adjacent untreated tissue, absence of scar formation or keloid‐like appearance, and mucogingival junction alignment.

Conclusion: Treatment of mucogingival defects with LCS resulted in the generation of tissue that is more site appropriate than tissue transplanted from the palate.
A Full-Newton step infeasible-interior-point algorithm for P*(k)-horizontal linear complementarity problems
Authors: Asadi S. , Mansouri H.
Published: September 2013

In this paper we generalize an infeasible interior-point method for linear
optimization to horizontal linear complementarity problem (HLCP). This
algorithm starts from strictly feasible iterates on the central path of a
perturbed problem that is produced by suitable perturbation in HLCP problem.
Then, we use so-called feasibility steps that serves to generate strictly
feasible iterates for the next perturbed problem. After accomplishing a few
centering steps for the new perturbed problem, we obtain strictly feasible
iterates close enough to the central path of the new perturbed problem. The
complexity of the algorithm coincides with the best known iteration
complexity for infeasible interior-point methods.
Are Seemingly Self-Serving Attributions in Earnings Press Releases Plausible? Empirical Evidence
Authors: Kimbrough Michael D. , Wang Isabel Yanyan
Published: October 2013

Seemingly self-serving attributions either attribute favorable performance to internal causes (enhancing attributions) or poor performance to external causes (defensive attributions). Managers presumably provide such attributions in earnings press releases to heighten (dampen) investors' perceptions of the persistence of good (bad) earnings news, thereby increasing (decreasing) the market reward (penalty) for good (bad) earnings news. Building on attribution theory and prior research on earnings commonality, this study investigates cross-sectional differences in investors' responses to quarterly earnings press releases that contain seemingly self-serving attributions. Using a random sample of press releases from 1999 to 2005, we find that firms that provide defensive attributions to explain earnings disappointments experience less severe market penalties when: (1) more of the their industry peers also release bad news, and (2) their earnings share higher commonality with industry- and market-level earnings. On the other hand, firms that provide enhancing attributions to explain good earnings news reap greater market rewards when: (1) more of their industry peers release bad news, and (2) their earnings share lower commonality with industry- and market-level earnings. Collectively, our results demonstrate that investors neither ignore seemingly self-serving attributions nor accept them at face value, but rely on industry- and firm-specific information to assess their plausibility.

Data Availability: Data are publicly available from the sources identified in the text.
Sentinel Management Group: A Case Study on Attestation Standards
Authors: Cullinan Charles P. , Rohland Cassandra W.
Published: October 2013

An understanding of the standards for attest engagements is an important component of the body of knowledge that certified public accountants are expected to possess, and attestation standards became a more important portion of the CPA exam in 2011. However, few instructional case studies are available that deal specifically with the attestation function outside of the financial statement audit. This case is based on real events and addresses some of the key aspects of the attestation standards. The CPA firm of Altschuler, Melvoin, and Glasser, LLP provided an attestation report regarding the assertion of Sentinel Management Group (a registered investment adviser) that it had complied with regulations regarding recordkeeping and custody of assets held for its investment clients. The accounting firm failed to follow the applicable attestation standards and, as a result, did not detect material non-compliance with the recordkeeping and custody regulations for investment advisers.
Consolidation and Standardization of Survey Operations at a Decentralized Federal Statistical Agency
Authors: Nealon Jack , Gleaton Elvera
Published: October 2013

With tighter federal budgets on the horizon, the National Agricultural Statistics Service decided in 2009 to pursue three architectural transformations, primarily to provide savings in staff resource costs by enabling the centralization or regionalization of survey operations. The transformational initiatives involved: (1) centralizing and consolidating network services from 48 locations; (2) standardizing survey metadata and integrating survey data into easily accessible databases across all surveys; and (3) consolidating and generalizing survey applications for the agency’s diverse survey program. The three architectural transformations will be described as well as initial efforts to consolidate and standardize survey operations across the agency.
Automation of Roof Area Calculation Process
Authors: Bera Aneta
Published: October 2013

The paper presents approach that allows to automate roof area calculation process as well as other accompanying actions. These actions include: figure recognition, calculation of necessary dimensions, recognition of connections between roof surfaces, visualization of the roof in three-dimensional space and calculation of the roof area based on processed data. The aim of proposed approach is to automate as much actions as it is possible to reduce calculation errors and moreover increase the efficiency of whole process. Presented idea has been implemented and then tested for accuracy of calculations and capabilities. Performed tests showed that presented method is flexible and gives relatively small error during roof area calculation.
Role of Workers in the Process of Innovation Implementation in Polish Wood Industry Companies
Authors: Niziałek Izabela
Published: October 2013

Wood industry enterprises are an important branch of the Polish economy. More and more companies in this sector starts to work on the basis of new technologies, standards and policies, such as the idea of sustainable development. An important factor that may accelerate the implementation of innovative solutions or their employees are slowing. Their commitment and belief in the validity of the changes will depend on whether the innovation desired effect. Article is to show the factors affecting the slow process of innovation in the company with particular emphasis on the role of workers
Response of cathodoluminescence of alkali feldspar to He+ ion implantation and electron irradiation
Authors: Kayama Masahiro , Nishido Hirotsugu , Toyoda Shin , Komuro Kosei , Finch Adrian , Lee Martin , Ninagawa Kiyotaka
Published: September 2013

Cathodoluminescence (CL) of minerals such as quartz and zircon has been extensively studied to be used as an indicator for geodosimetry and geochronometry. There are, however, very few investigations on CL of other rock-forming minerals such as feldspars, regardless of their great scientific interest. This study has sought to clarify the effect of He+ ion implantation and electron irradiation on luminescent emissions by acquiring CL spectra from various types of feldspars including anorthoclase, amazonite and adularia. CL intensities of UV and blue emissions, assigned to Pb2+ and Ti4+ impurity centers respectively, decrease with an increase in radiation dose of He+ ion implantation and electron irradiation time. This may be due to decrease in the luminescence efficiencies by a change of the activation energy or a conversion of the emission center to a non-luminescent center due to an alteration of the energy state. Also, CL spectroscopy of the alkali feldspar revealed an in-crease in the blue and yellow emission intensity assigned to Al-O−-Al/Ti defect and radiation-induced defect centers with the radiation dose and the electron irradiation time. Taken together these results indicate that CL signal should be used for estimation of the α and β radiation doses from natural radionuclides that alkali feldspars have experienced.
Management of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in High Risk Patients: Correlates of Quality of Care
Authors: Petek Davorina , Kersnik Janko
Published: October 2013

Izvleček

Izhodišča: Bolezni srca in ožilja (BSO) predstavljajo vodilni vzrok smrti v večini evropskih držav, njihovo preprečevanje pa predstavlja pomembno nalogo osnovnega zdravstvenega varstva. Ocena dejavnikov tveganja in usmerjene preventivne aktivnosti so posebej pomembne pri visokoogroženih bolnikih. Pomembno je poznati tudi dejavnike, ki vplivajo na uspešnost preventive teh bolezni.

Metode: V presečno raziskavo je bilo z naključnim stratificiranim vzorčenjem vključenih 36 slovenskih ambulant. Vsaka ambulanta je iz registra visokoogroženih vključila 30 bolnikov, ki so izpolnili vprašalnik o življenjskem slogu, kakovosti življenja, samooceni zdravja in o uporabi zdravstvenih storitev. Vir podatkov o dejavnikih tveganja BSO so bile kartoteke bolnikov, z vprašalnikom o ambulanti pa so bila pridobljena vprašanja o obremenjenosti, projektih kakovosti, izobraževanju, informacijski tehnologiji, o preventivnih aktivnostih.

Rezultati: Sodelovalo je 871 bolnikov iz 36 ambulant (80,6 % predvidenega vzorca), starih 62,4 leta (SD±8,6). 22,4 % je bilo kadilcev; priporočeno raven aerobne telesne aktivnosti je vzdrževalo 330 (48,8 %) sodelujočih, najmanj urejen dejavnik tveganja pa je bil indeks telesne mase (29,3kg/m2). V multivariatnem modelu so vsi dejavniki (ambulante, bolniki in zdravniki) statistično značilno napovedali urejenost dejavnikov tveganja (p<0,005, F=2,7, R2 =0,087). Neodvisne spremenljivke bolje urejenih dejavnikov tveganja so bile: ženski spol, višja starost in višja izobrazba bolnika, uporaba informacijskega sistema v ambulanti, organizacija srčno-žilne preventive in zdravnikova profesionalna aktivnost v projektih preventive.

Zaključki: Urejenost dejavnikov tveganja je v največji meri odvisna od značilnosti ambulante, predvsem organizacije na področju preventive, ter od strokovne aktivnosti zdravnika. Vplivajo tudi nekatere splošne značilnosti bolnika. Pomembni so še drugi dejavniki, ki niso bili vključeni v model.
A Model for Risk Assessment in Health Care Using a Health Care Failure Method and Effect Analysis
Authors: Prijatelj Vesna , Rajkovič Vladislav , Šušteršič Olga
Published: October 2013

Objective: The purpose of this research is to track and reduce risks so as to prevent errors within the process of health care. The aim is to design an organizational information model using error prevention methods for risk assessment.

Method: In order to assess the risk of errors, the Health Care Failure Mode and Effect Analysis is used. To determine the causes of the errors, the Root Cause Analysis is used.

Results: Results of the process analysis following corrective measures shows that the risk assessment of individual error causes reduced by73.6 percent. Re-evaluation of the risks to the whole process shows that the overall risk score was decreased by 45.5 percent. The proposed model has a significant impact on professional attention, communication and information, critical thinking, experience and knowledge. The average impact of information communication technology on the reduction of medication administration errors is 56 percent. These findings represent an increase in the quality of care.

Conclusions: The results of our research are theoretically and practically useful and verifiable in other environments, if the level of the organizational culture and the culture of recording errors in combination with the precise recording of data to assess the risk of errors in the process. The model provides a standardized data format that can be used for the purpose of defining factors for the occurrence of errors, for developing a base of knowledge for learning from mistakes and for continuous verification and adaptation to changes in the environment in order to prevent errors.
Accessibility and Application of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in Slovenia from 2006 to 2012
Authors: Finderle Sanjo , Finderle Žare
Published: October 2013

Izvleček

Namen: Namen raziskave je bil dobiti vpogled v osnovne značilnosti bolnikov, ki so se v Sloveniji zdravili s hiperbaričnim kisikom (HBO2) od vzpostavitve možnosti tovrstnega zdravljenja pri nas do danes in dostopnosti do njega.

Metode: Pregledali smo dokumentacijo vseh bolnikov, ki so bili s HBO2 zdravljeni v letih 2006-2012, in analizirali naslednje podatke: spol in starost bolnika, napotna ustanova, razlog in mesec napotitve ter končno število terapij. Za primerjave smo uporabili Mann-Whitneyjev U oziroma Pearsonov hi-kvadrat test.

Rezultati: V opazovanem obdobju je bilo zdravljenih 365 bolnikov (259 oziroma 70,9% moških; 106 oziroma 29,1% žensk; mediana (starost): 54 let, razpon 1-90 let. Iz bolnišnic jih je bilo napotenih 300 (82,2%), 65 (17,8%) pa je bilo samoplačnikov. Mediana (število terapij na napotenega bolnika) je bila 29, samoplačnikov pa 14 (p<0,001). Med napotenimi je bilo največ zdravljenih zaradi poobsevalnih poškodb (134 oziroma 36,7%) in problematičnih ran (47 oziroma 12,9%). Pri moških je bila značilno pogostejša diagnoza poobsevalna poškodba (p=0,002), pri ženskah pa problematična rana (p=0,007). Poraba sredstev, na leto odobrenih za tovrstno zdravljenje iz zdravstvenega zavarovanja, je z leti vse zgodnejša. Glede na število prebivalcev je v primerjavi s sosednjimi državami pri nas takšnega zdravljenja deležnih manj bolnikov.

Zaključek: Z raziskavo smo dobili nekaj osnovnih podatkov o zdravljenju s HBO2 v Sloveniji. Pokazalo se je, da je povpraševanje po tovrstnem zdravljenju večje od dostopnosti. Z dodatno raziskavo bi bilo treba oceniti dejanske potrebe po tovrstnem zdravljenju in njegovo stroškovno učinkovitost ter po potrebi nameniti zanj več sredstev.
Whole genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of West Nile virus lineage 1 and lineage 2 from human cases of infection, Italy, August 2013
Authors: Barzon L , Pacenti M , Franchin E , Lavezzo E , Masi G , Squarzon L , Pagni S , Toppo S , Russo F , Cattai M , Cusinato R , Palù G
Published: October 2013

A human outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) infection caused by WNV lineage 2 is ongoing in northern Italy. Analysis of six WNV genome sequences obtained from clinical specimens demonstrated similarities with strains circulating in central Europe and Greece and the presence of unique amino acid changes that identify a new viral strain. In addition, WNV lineage 1 Livenza, responsible for a large outbreak in north-eastern Italy in 2012, was fully sequenced from a blood donor during this 2013 outbreak.
Is Green the New Red?: The Role of Religion in Creating a Sustainable China
Authors: Miller James
Published: September 2013

The Chinese Daoist Association has embarked upon an ambitious agenda to promote Daoism as China's "green religion". This new construction of a "green Daoism" differs, however, from both traditional Chinese and modern Western interpretations of the affinity between Daoism and nature. In promoting Daoism as a green religion, the Chinese Daoist Association is not aiming to restore some mythical utopia of humans living in harmony with nature, but instead to support a nationalist agenda of patriotism and scientific development. At the same time, as I shall argue, this agenda may deliver positive benefits in the form of protecting the local environments around important sacred sites that are located in areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Light Microscopy and PCR Based Detection of the Causal Agent of Leaf Mosaic of Jute
Authors: Dastogeer KMG , Ali MA , Ashrafuzzaman M
Published: September 2013

Leaf mosaic transmitted by whitefly is a devastating disease of jute. It is thought to be caused by a virus belonging to begomovirus genus under geminivirus family. To confirm the identity of the causal agent, infected and healthy leaves were studied using light microscope and by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique of DNA. The inclusion bodies were observed under light microscope as large, blue-violet, prominent inclusion bodies in the nucleus of the infected leaf tissues. In molecular detection technique DNA from infected and healthy plants was extracted and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using degenerate primers PALIv1978/PARIc496. PCR fragment of the expected size 1.2kb for the common region (CR) in the geminivirus were obtained from infected plants. DNA collected from healthy plant did not show any band during electrophoresis. Therefore, it can be concluded that leaf mosaic of jute is cause by a virus.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v22i1-2.16463 Progress. Agric. 22(1 & 2): 19 - 25, 2011
Effect of Heat Stress on Behavior, Physiological and Blood Parameters of Goat
Authors: Alam MM , Hashem MA , Rahman MM , Hossain MM , Haque MR , Sobhan Z , Islam MS
Published: September 2013

The research was conducted to study the effect of heat stress on behavior, some physiological and blood parameters with nine goats of almost similar in age, sex and weight into three groups. Three groups were divided as zero hour (T0), four hours (T4) and eight hours (T8) heat exposure. Temperaturehumidity index (THI) value was calculated as 28.17 which indicate the experimental animals were in extreme severe heat stress. Skin and rectal temperature had no significant differences among the treatment groups but respiration/panting and pulse rate were increased with the increased of heat stress from T0 to T8 group (P<0.01).  Significant difference was found in standing time and lying time (P<0.01) in experimental groups. There were significant changes (P<0.01) in number of urination and defecation per hour but no significant changes was found in duration per urination in heat treated groups. The amount of RBC, PCV%, Hb%, WBC were increased with the increased of heat stress (P<0.01). Neutrophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte and monocyte numbers increased significantly (P<0.01) in heat treated groups.  It can be concluded that heat stress had significant changes on some behavioral, physiological and blood parameters of goat.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v22i1-2.16465 Progress. Agric. 22(1 & 2): 37 - 45, 2011
Social Determinants of Collective Resource Management in Bangladesh
Authors: Haque S , Hossain M , Bauer S , Kuhlmann F
Published: September 2013

This paper examines the factors influencing collective action for common resource management. As information base, data sets of 44 brackish water shrimp farming communities in Bangladesh have been used. The result shows that collective action is associated with resource scarcity, market distance from the resource, group size, heterogeneity in the community, and involvement of other institutions. The results tell that while graduates facilitate, outsiders impede collective action. Unlike the findings from other sources, distance to market place has been found very important for common resource management in Bangladesh. Collective action could be more successful, when water user groups are founded through users self motivation, receiving coordination help and technical support from governmental institutions. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v22i1-2.16477 Progress. Agric. 22(1 & 2): 151-168, 2011
From Local Roots to Global Screens: Shane Meadows’ Positioning in the Ecology of Contemporary British Film
Authors: Scott Jason
Published: October 2013

This article provides a case study of the ecology of British independent film, as illustrated through the continuing career of Shane Meadows. I focus on the intersection between the practices of economic independence and creative independence, ameliorated by low-budget, local films that exploit festival showcasing and critical buzz to achieve international exhibition in a range of markets. While Meadows’ earlier films exemplify the reliance on television funding that has characterised British and continental European cinema since the 1980s, and the emerging significance of regional and Lottery-based funding in the 1990s, they also correspond to the local/international model of much low-budget European realist art cinema, best identified with the Dogme 95 films or those of the Dardenne brothers. Yet since Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002), Meadows has deviated from the established trajectory of recognised British auteurs, Mike Leigh and Ken Loach, instead utilising co-production funding to reduce his budgets to ensure maintaining artistic control. Akin to post-Dogme rule-based production manifestoes such as ‘Industrial Film DK’, Meadows has developed and revisited his own rules: film what you know – focusing on a particular local community, localised identities, and restricted locations – in addition to improvisational approaches to acting. Consequently Meadows has achieved recognition as a local but global film-maker.
Passive formation in Palestinian and Standard Arabic: Lexical vs. syntactic operations
Authors: Laks Lior
Published: September 2013

This study compares the formation of passive verbs in Modern Standard Arabic and Palestinian Arabic. It examines the morphological differences between the two types of verb formation, arguing that they result from the component of the grammar where passivization takes place, the lexicon and the syntax. It addition, the paper examines gaps in passive formation in Palestinian Arabic showing that these gaps are not always accidental but can be explained by morphological criteria and can be accounted for only in a word based view.
Balancing Acts: Culture as Commodity Among Business Consultants
Authors: Mellander Elias , Fagerström Anna-Mari
Published: September 2013

In this article the authors intend to analyze how the concept of culture is packaged, sold and delivered as a commodity. It is based on an ethnographic study of a Swedish consultancy in the field of cross-cultural communication and the relationship between the company and its clients. The clients were primarily foreign executives working in Sweden or Swedish expatriates, preparing for life abroad. The significance of culture-as-commodity will be explored from the perspective of the company as well as its clients in order to shed light on how the concept of culture can be communicated and what happens to it in the process. The study shows how the company combines theoretical perspectives from anthropology and intercultural communication with the aim to deliver a complex yet accessible understanding of culture to its clients.

The analysis shows that these perspectives both clash and synergize, creating contradictions as well as turning culture into an accessible and useful tool for clients. The authors argue that researchers in the field of applied cultural analysis can learn from the example put forth by the balancing act between these two perspectives on culture performed by the company. The authors conclude that although the commodification process reduces and simplifies the meaning(s) of culture, the company still manages to put culture on the agenda, demonstrating to its clients how, why, and in what ways it matters to them.
Antioxidant Effect of Lippia alba (Miller) N. E. Brown
Authors: Chies Claire , Branco Cátia , Scola Gustavo , Agostini Fabiana , Gower Adriana , Salvador Mirian
Published: September 2013

Lippia alba is a shrub found in all regions of Brazil and other countries in South and Central America. L. alba exhibits variability among its different accessions, showing differences in morphology and in the composition of its essential oil. This study evaluated the phenolic profiles and the antioxidant activities of seven different accessions of L. alba. The seven accessions of L. alba studied exhibited an important phenolic content, and all accessions demonstrated antioxidant activity with different efficacies. The main flavonoids in all accessions were apigenin, luteolin, naringin and rutin. The Santa Vitória do Palmar accession exhibited higher naringin and total phenolic content. This extract was able to reduce hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage in tissue homogenates of cerebellum, cerebral cortex, hippocampus and liver of Wistar rats.
Investigations of the Binding of [Pt2(DTBPA)Cl2](II) and [Pt2(TPXA)Cl2](II) to DNA via Various Cross-Linking Modes
Authors: Yue Hongwei , Yang Bo , Wang Yan , Chen Guangju
Published: September 2013

We have constructed models for a series of platinum-DNA adducts that represent the binding of two agents, [Pt2(DTBPA)Cl2](II) and [Pt2(TPXA)Cl2](II), to DNA via inter- and intra-strand cross-linking, and carried out molecular dynamics simulations and DNA conformational dynamics calculations. The effects of trans- and cis-configurations of the centers of these di-nuclear platinum agents, and of different bridging linkers, have been investigated on the conformational distortions of platinum-DNA adducts formed via inter- and intra-strand cross-links. The results demonstrate that the DNA conformational distortions for the various platinum-DNA adducts with differing cross-linking modes are greatly influenced by the difference between the platinum-platinum distance for the platinum agent and the platinum-bound N7–N7 distance for the DNA molecule, and by the flexibility of the bridging linkers in the platinum agent. However, the effects of trans/cis-configurations of the platinum-centers on the DNA conformational distortions in the platinum-DNA adducts depend on the inter- and intra-strand cross-linking modes. In addition, we discuss the relevance of DNA base motions, including opening, shift and roll, to the changes in the parameters of the DNA major and minor grooves caused by binding of the platinum agent.
A Hybrid Methacrylate-Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Interpolyelectrolyte Complex: Rheometry and in Silico Disposition for Controlled Drug Release
Authors: Ngwuluka Ndidi , Choonara Yahya , Kumar Pradeep , Modi Girish , Toit Lisa , Pillay Viness
Published: September 2013

The rheological behavioral changes that occurred during the synthesis of an interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) of methacrylate copolymer and sodium carboxymethylcellulose were assessed. These changes were compared with the rheological behavior of the individual polymers employing basic viscosity, yield stress, stress sweep, frequency sweep, temperature ramp as well as creep and recovery testing. The rheological studies demonstrated that the end-product of the complexation of low viscous methacrylate copolymer and entangled solution of sodium carboxymethylcellulose generated a polymer, which exhibited a solid-like behavior with a three-dimensional network. Additionally, the rheological profile of the sodium carboxymethylcellulose and methacrylate copolymer with respect to the effect of various concentrations of acetic acid on the synthesis of the IPEC was elucidated using molecular mechanics energy relationships (MMER) by exploring the spatial disposition of carboxymethylcellulose and methacrylate copolymer with respect to each other and acetic acid. The computational results corroborated well with the experimental in vitro drug release data. Results have shown that the IPEC may be suitable polymeric material for achieving controlled zero-order drug delivery.
Synthesis and Antibacterial Evaluation of Some Novel Imidazole and Benzimidazole Sulfonamides
Authors: Al-Mohammed Nassir , Alias Yatimah , Abdullah Zanariah , Shakir Raied , Taha Ekhlass , Hamid Aidil
Published: September 2013

Several new substituted sulfonamide compounds were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR, and mass spectroscopy. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized compounds were screened against standard strains of six Gram positive and four Gram negative bacteria using the microbroth dilution assay. Most of the compounds studied showed promising activities against both types of bacteria.
Le château de Pierrefonds. Une nouvelle vision du monument
Authors: Mesqui Jean
Published: October 2013

Le château de Pierrefonds a vécu deux périodes qui l’ont transformé de façon définitive : la première est l’époque de Louis d’Orléans, entre 1396 et 1407, avec la construction d’un château neuf aux ambitions palatiales, mais inachevé ; la seconde est l’époque Napoléon III, avec la restauration si souvent décriée due à Viollet-le-Duc, entre 1859 et 1870. Il est possible cependant, grâce à une analyse minutieuse des sources et de l’architecture, de retrouver sur le site les traces du castrum originel construit par Nivelon I de Pierrefonds au XIe siècle, qui comprenait un noyau seigneurial et une basse-cour accueillant les logis de milites castri, une église collégiale et la résidence canoniale. Ce castrum originel a été profondément modifié par Louis d’Orléans ; ici encore, l’analyse critique permet de restituer la structure et le programme de ce château-palais hors du commun, que le duc assassiné en 1407 n’eut pas le loisir d’achever, et de mettre en évidence les courants architecturaux qui ont présidé à sa construction.
Large-scale atomistic and quantum-mechanical simulations of a Nafion membrane: Morphology, proton solvation and charge transport
Authors: Komarov Pavel V , Khalatur Pavel G , Khokhlov Alexei R
Published: September 2013

Atomistic and first-principles molecular dynamics simulations are employed to investigate the structure formation in a hydrated Nafion membrane and the solvation and transport of protons in the water channel of the membrane. For the water/Nafion systems containing more than 4 million atoms, it is found that the observed microphase-segregated morphology can be classified as bicontinuous: both majority (hydrophobic) and minority (hydrophilic) subphases are 3D continuous and organized in an irregular ordered pattern, which is largely similar to that known for a bicontinuous double-diamond structure. The characteristic size of the connected hydrophilic channels is about 25–50 Å, depending on the water content. A thermodynamic decomposition of the potential of mean force and the calculated spectral densities of the hindered translational motions of cations reveal that ion association observed with decreasing temperature is largely an entropic effect related to the loss of low-frequency modes. Based on the results from the atomistic simulation of the morphology of Nafion, we developed a realistic model of ion-conducting hydrophilic channel within the Nafion membrane and studied it with quantum molecular dynamics. The extensive 120 ps-long density functional theory (DFT)-based simulations of charge migration in the 1200-atom model of the nanochannel consisting of Nafion chains and water molecules allowed us to observe the bimodality of the van Hove autocorrelation function, which provides the direct evidence of the Grotthuss bond-exchange (hopping) mechanism as a significant contributor to the proton conductivity.
Synthesis of enones, pyrazolines and pyrrolines with gem-difluoroalkyl side chains
Authors: El Dine Assaad Nasr , Khalaf Ali , Grée Danielle , Tasseau Olivier , Fares Fares , Jaber Nada , Lesot Philippe , Hachem Ali , Grée René
Published: September 2013

Starting from easily accessible gem-difluoropropargylic derivatives, a DBU-mediated isomerisation affords enones in fair yields with a gem-difluoroalkyl chain. These derivatives were used to prepare pyrazolines and pyrrolines with the desired gem-difluoroalkyl side chain by cyclocondensations in good yields and with excellent stereoselectivity. A one-pot process was also successfully developed for these sequential reactions. By carrying out various types of Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions for compounds with a p-bromophenyl substituent a route to focused chemical libraries was demonstrated.
Leading Global Virtual Teams
Authors: Phebus Alicia M. , Gitlin Beth , Shuffler Marissa L. , Wildman Jessica L.
Published: October 2013

Given the recent focus on team process and outcome improvements, shared leadership is a promising avenue of research for Global Virtual Teams (GVTs) in terms of its potentially mitigating effects on performance decrements often associated with virtual teamwork. However, effective shared team leadership can be difficult to achieve in global and virtual environments because the geographic distribution of members reduces the ability of individuals to exhibit such influence. Therefore, understanding the factors that may improve the likelihood of successful shared team leadership in these environments is critical. Thus, the purpose of this chapter is to discuss how shared leadership in GVTs can improve team performance. In doing so, the authors define GVTs, discuss how shared leadership can be implemented in a GVT setting, address specific challenges GVTs might encounter in the implementation of shared leadership, and present recommendations for practice drawing on team cognition models and trust research.
An Overview of Inclusive Education in the United States
Authors: Hossain Mokter
Published: October 2013

Being a country of diversity, the United States has had a long tradition of research and practices in special education in the form of inclusion. Since passage of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) of 1975, now referred to as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004, a free appropriate public education has been available to all children with disabilities. However, inclusion of students with disabilities into general education classrooms has taken decades to be considered appropriate practice. Controversies, research, and legislation have shaped a collaborative relationship between general and special education. A wide range of political, epistemological, and institutional factors have facilitated a more child-centered public education. This chapter presents an overview of current issues and practices in the inclusion of students with disabilities in the U.S. The topics include: historical background; public laws that led to successful inclusion; categories and prevalence, and identification strategies; and inclusion practices for students with mild-to-moderate and selective significant disabilities for providing them equal and appropriate educational experiences in the mainstream classrooms.
Personalized, Adaptive Digital Educational Games using Narrative Game-Based Learning Objects
Authors: Göbel Stefan , Mehm Florian
Published: October 2013

Storytelling and gaming approaches are used as motivational instruments for suspenseful, engaging learning. This chapter describes the concept of Narrative Game-Based Learning Objects (NGLOB), providing a model of how to combine these different axes (narration, gaming, and learning) and how to apply it within personalized, adaptive Digital Educational Games (DEG). From a research perspective, this results in one of the main technical challenges of Serious Games (SG): personalization and adaptation. Here, the central question might be summarized with “How does one create and control a game during play considering the game context and characteristics of individual users or user groups?” This question and the use of NGLOBs are illustrated through the example of “Save the Earth” for teaching and learning geography.
Assessment in Authentic Environments
Authors: Hammond Thomas C. , Alexander R. Curby , Bodzin Alec M.
Published: October 2013

The TPACK framework provides researchers with a robust framework for conducting research on technology integration in authentic environments, i.e., intact classrooms engaged in standards-aligned instruction. Researchers who wish to identify the value added by a promising technology-supported instructional strategy will need to assess student learning outcomes in these environments; unfortunately, collecting valid and reliable data on student learning in classroom research is extremely difficult. To date, few studies using TPACK in K-12 classrooms have included student learning outcomes in their research questions, and researchers are therefore left without models to guide their development, implementation, and analysis of assessments. This chapter draws upon the literature and our own research and assessment experiences in technology-integrated, standards-aligned classroom instruction to give examples and advice to researchers as they develop, analyze, and write up their observations of student learning outcomes. In particular, we focus on standard items, specifically multiple choice items, as an accepted (if limited) method for assessing student understanding. We seek to fill an existing gap in the literature between assessment advice for educational psychologists (who typically work outside of classroom settings) and advice given to teachers (who have lower thresholds for issues such as validity and reliability). Classroom researchers will benefit from this advice to develop, validate, and apply their own objective assessments. We focus on the content areas of science and social studies, but this advice can be applied to others as well.
Modeling Online Teaching and Learning to Pre- and In-Service Teachers through the use of the Web 2.0 Social Networking Tool NING
Authors: Unger Kelly L. , Tracey Monica W.
Published: October 2013

The rise of the Internet and Web 2.0 tools for “anytime, anywhere” learning is impacting K-12 and teacher education programs. Many teacher education (TED) faculty and professional development (PD) providers are now encouraged or required at a minimum to incorporate an online learning component into courses. Not only are they teaching the required course content to pre- and in-service teachers in an online environment, but are also modeling the use of that environment to teachers who will ultimately be required to design, develop, and provide online instruction to their future students. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss: (1) transitioning instruction from face-to-face to an online learning environment, (2) examples of learning activities to implement with the Web 2.0 social networking tool NING, and (3) implications the NING has for those instructing pre- and in-service teachers.