bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotion Generation Based on a Mismatch Theory of Emotions for Situated Agents
Authors: Raïevsky Clément , Michaud François
Published: May 2011

Emotion plays several important roles in the cognition of human beings and other life forms, and is therefore a legitimate inspiration for providing situated agents with adaptability and autonomy. However, there is no unified theory of emotion and many discoveries are yet to be made in its applicability to situated agents. One function of emotion commonly identified by psychologists is to signal to other cognitive processes that the current situation requires an adaptation. The main purposes of this chapter are to highlight the usefulness of this signaling function of emotion for situated agents and to present an artificial model of anger and fear based on mismatch theories of emotion, which aims at replicating this function. Collective foraging simulations are used to demonstrate the feasibility of the model and to characterize its influence on a decision-making architecture.
Artificial Surprise
Authors: Macedo Luis , Cardoso Amilcar , Reisenzein Rainer , Lorini Emiliano
Published: May 2011

This chapter reviews research on computational models of surprise. Part 1 begins with a description of the phenomenon of surprise in humans, reviews research on human surprise, and describes a psychological model of surprise (Meyer, Reisenzein, & Schützwohl, 1997). Part 2 is devoted to computational models of surprise, giving special prominence to the models proposed by Macedo and Cardoso (e.g., Macedo & Cardoso, 2001b) and by Lorini and Castelfranchi (e.g., Lorini & Castelfranchi, 2007). Part 3 compares the two models of artificial surprise with each other and with the Meyer et al. model of human surprise, discusses possible targets of future research, and considers possible practical applications.
A Theory of Emotions Based on Natural Language Semantics
Authors: Adi Tom
Published: May 2011

A new theory of emotions is derived from the semantics of the language of emotions. The sound structures of 36 Old Arabic word roots that express specific emotions are converted into abstract models. By substitution from two tables, abstract models are converted into concrete theories about the nature of the specific emotions that are likely to be validated. Theories confirmed by the author’s own emotional experience (self reports), and by previously corroborated theories, are considered corroborated. These theories about specific emotions are woven together into an integrated theory of all emotions. The theory models emotions and emotional mechanisms, dimensions and polarities in ways amenable to affective computing. The findings are supported by clinical psychology. Old Arabic is chosen because its words, sounds and meanings are consistent and have not changed for at least 1,400 years. The theory can be expanded by incorporating additional emotional word roots from Arabic and other alphabetical languages.
Artificial Emotional Intelligence in Virtual Creatures
Authors: Ramos Corchado Félix Francisco , Orozco Aguirre Héctor Rafael , Razo Ruvalcaba Luis Alfonso
Published: May 2011

Emotions play an essential role in the cognitive processes of an avatar and are a crucial element for modeling its perception, learning, decision process, behavior and other cognitive functions. Intense emotions can affect significantly the behavior of an avatar in a virtual environment, for instance, driving its behavior unstable as the consequence of deep emotional influence. The response of an avatar to such influence is the development of the capacity to recognize and manage emotions. In this work we describe a new faculty called Artificial Emotional Intelligence (AEI), and we propose a model based on Emotional Intelligence (EI) to develop a new approach to the problem of mood and emotion control. This approach applies the concept of EI and provides the needed tools to make avatars have AEI. In addition, we use the Emotional Competence Framework (ECF) to define and apply the personal and social competencies of an avatar.
Physics and Cognitive-Emotional-Metacognitive Variables
Authors: Psycharis Sarantos I.
Published: May 2011

In our study we collected data with respect to cognitive variables (learning outcome), metacognitive indicators (knowledge about cognition and regulation of cognition) psychological variables (self-esteem) and emotional variables (motives, anxiety). The teaching sequence was implemented using the CTAT authoring tool and the basic teaching unit was referred to fundamental concepts in Mechanics for 20 4th year undergraduate students enrolled in the course «Ápplied Didactics in Natural Sciences» of the University of the Aegean-Department of Education. Analysis of the results shows that anxiety (a negative emotion) can be reduced using CTAT , there is a transfer from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation while metacognitive indicators as well as learning performance can be improved using CTAT . The interactivity of the learning environment influences also self esteem and the results are presented.
Emotional Memory and Adaptive Personalities
Authors: Francis Jr. Anthony G. , Mehta Manish , Ram Ashwin
Published: May 2011

Believable agents designed for long-term interaction with human users need to adapt to them in a way which appears emotionally plausible while maintaining a consistent personality. For short-term interactions in restricted environments, scripting and state machine techniques can create agents with emotion and personality, but these methods are labor intensive, hard to extend, and brittle in new environments. Fortunately, research in memory, emotion and personality in humans and animals points to a solution to this problem. Emotions focus an animal’s attention on things it needs to care about, and strong emotions trigger enhanced formation of memory, enabling the animal to adapt its emotional response to the objects and situations in its environment. In humans this process becomes reflective: emotional stress or frustration can trigger re-evaluating past behavior with respect to personal standards, which in turn can lead to setting new strategies or goals. To aid the authoring of adaptive agents, we present an artificial intelligence model inspired by these psychological results in which an emotion model triggers case-based emotional preference learning and behavioral adaptation guided by personality models. Our tests of this model on robot pets and embodied characters show that emotional adaptation can extend the range and increase the behavioral sophistication of an agent without the need for authoring additional hand-crafted behaviors.
Emotional Ambient Media
Authors: Lugmayr Artur , Dorsch Tillmann , Humanes Pabo Roman
Published: May 2011

The “medium is the message”: nowadays the medium as such is non-distinguishable from its presentation environment. However, what is the medium in an ambient environment, when the environment is smart, recognizes emotions, and at the same time responsive? Emotions have had an inferior role in philosophy, psychology, art, and nowadays in media technology. In philosophy and psychology many researchers devoted their work to the question what emotions are, and how they can be modelled, ranging from common-sense theories, theories that emotions are simply physiological disturbances, and the many behaviour theories describing emotions providing a much more comprehensive view on emotions (Solomon, 1977). In the age of ambient media, where media technology is embedded seamlessly and hidden into the natural environment of the consumer, the view towards media is changing. The modality how emotions are experienced and the technology to recognize and simulate emotions are changing. To support the theories within the scope of this chapter, a case study – the emotional ambient responsive character – has been performed. The concept was realised as a simple interactive game responding to human emotions. Within this book section, we present a technical oriented view towards recognizing, simulating, and binding emotions in ambient media systems. A case-study for an emotion recognition and response system is presented. The system integrates the content and emotion recognition elements.
Invisibility and Visibility
Authors: Crutzen Cecile K.M. , Hein Hans-Werner
Published: May 2011

A vision of future daily life is explored in Ambient Intelligence (AmI). It follows the assumption that information technology should disappear into our environment to bring humans an easy and entertaining life. The mental, physical, and methodical invisibility of artificial intelligent tools and environments will have an effect on the relation between the activities of both, users and designers. The infiltration of reality with sensing, computing, transmitting and acting hardware will cause the construction of new meanings on interaction in general because the “visible” acting of people will be preceded, accompanied and followed by the invisible and visible acting of artificial intelligent tools and environments and their providers. Sociability in such an interaction world stretches between the feelings of “being in security” and “being in control”. Invisibility management could enable situated veiling and unveiling. Critical Transformative Rooms, where human and artificial actors can negotiate about the change of meanings, are the approach to deal with the users’ emotions of frozenness, despair, fear, doubt and trust.
Games-Based Learning, Destination Feedback and Adaptation
Authors: Burgos Daniel , van Nimwegen Christof
Published: May 2011

Serious games are suitable for learning. They are a good environment for improving the learning experience. As a key part of this setting, feedback becomes a useful support for decision making and can reinforce the learning process in order to achieve certain objectives. Destination feedback allows users to draw on strategies and improve skills. However, too much feedback can make the learner too dependant on external advice when taking the next action, resulting in a weaker strategy and a lower performance. In this chapter the authors introduce a conceptual approach to feedback in E-Learning with serious games; how useful or harmful it can be in a learning process. They describe a case study carried out with a simulation of an educational planning task. The authors studied the performance of 43 learners who had, or did not have, visual destination feedback in a problem solving task. They conclude that in this context, too much assistance can be counterproductive.
Mobile Interactive Learning in Large Classes
Authors: Yow Kin-Choong , Seet Boon-Chong
Published: May 2011

This chapter aims at describing a new platform for mobile and interactive learning targeted as an effective communication medium between the professor and students during lectures. In this system, students and professors will be equipped with a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) capable device (which may be PDAs, Laptops, or Tablet PCs) that is connected on the campus-wide Wireless LAN. During lectures, students can ask questions, response to questions or give immediate feedback on the lecture simply by composing a MMS message and sending it to the professor. The main advantage of this learning system is that MMS messaging is easily extensible to the mobile GSM networks, so students are not restricted to use it only on campus. In addition to enabling better interaction between students and instructor, an approach to facilitate student-to-student interaction during a lecture for peer-to-peer learning is proposed, which can be easily integrated into our existing system.
Developing a Basis for Global Reciprocity
Authors: Crawford Lynn , Pollack Julien
Published: May 2011

Professional standards are a significant issue for professions such as IT and project management, where certification and licensure are either necessary to practice or to demonstrate individual competence and capability. In many professions there is no basis for international reciprocity of professional standards. This paper documents the development of a standard for global reciprocity between already existing professional standards in the field of project management. Data are based on personal involvement by the authors and interviews with participants. This discussion addresses different approaches to standardisation, how common issues in the standardisation process have been addressed, and how the hindering influence of the professional associations’ proprietorial interest was avoided. Significantly different standards of development processes have been used compared to those typical in Project Management standards development, including: an emphasis on negotiation and joint modification rather than market dominance, and an open access approach, rather than one based on exclusion and gate-keeping.
The Performance of Standard Setting Organizations
Authors: Rysman Marc , Simcoe Tim
Published: May 2011

This article uses citations to patents disclosed in the standard setting process to measure the technological significance of voluntary standard setting organizations (SSOs). We find that SSO patents are outliers in several dimensions and importantly, are cited far more frequently than a set of control patents. More surprisingly, we find that SSO patents receive citations for a much longer period of time. Furthermore, we find a significant correlation between citation and the disclosure of a patent to an SSO, which may imply a marginal impact of disclosure. These results provide the first empirical look at patents disclosed to SSO’s, and show that these organizations both select important technologies and play a role in establishing their significance.
IPR Policy of the DVB Project
Authors: Eltzroth Carter
Published: May 2011

The DVB Project is a European-based standards forum that for close to 15 years has been developing specifications for digital video broadcasting, many now implemented worldwide. Its IPR policy has several novel elements. These include “negative disclosure,” the obligation of each member to license IPRs essential to DVB specifications unless it gives notice of the unavailability of the IPR. This approach contrasts with the more common rule (e.g., within ANSI accredited bodies) calling for IPR disclosure and confirmation of availability on FR&ND terms. Other notable features of the IPR policy of DVB are arbitration and fostering of patent pooling. This article provides a commentary on the DVB’s IPR policy and on its application. It also describes the work of the DVB in resolving IPR “gateway” issues when the perceived dominance of technology contributors, notably through control over IPRs, risked, in the view of some members, distorting new digital markets. In two cases, DVB has created a licensing mechanism to dispel these concerns. In addition to the quality of its technical work, DVB’s success lies in its novel IPR policy and its ability to achieve consensus to resolve gateway issues.
Structural Effects of Platform Certification on a Complementary Product Market
Authors: Tarnacha Ankur , Maitland Carleen
Published: May 2011

This article examines the structural effects of platform certification on the supply of complementary products. Drawing on the exploratory case of mobile application markets, the article highlights the broader market effects of competing platforms and their certifications on a platform-based complementary product market. The case suggests that platform certifications influence market intermediation, entry barriers, and deployment fragmentation. We present these market effects in a conceptual model that can be applied to understand similar complementary product markets. As such, the article contributes to the literature on compatibility standards by emphasizing some of the complementary product market effects of employing certification in enhancing compatibility.
Pluralism, Realism, and Truth
Authors: Mingers John
Published: May 2011

The aim of this article is to outline some of the key themes that I believe are important, first, in applying the systems approach to produce high quality IS research in general and, second, to consider more specifically some of the questions and debates that are of interest within the philosophy of IS and of the systems approach. Four themes are identified: being systemic, being critical and realist, being pluralist in approach, and having a concern for truth and knowledge.
Information-As-System in Information Systems
Authors: Nguyen Tuan M. , Vo Huy V.
Published: May 2011

This article investigates the complex nature of information in information systems (IS). Based on the systems thinking framework, this study argues that information in IS is a system in its own right. A conceptual model of information-as-system is built on the systems thinking perspective adopted from Gharajedaghi’s holistic thinking rooted from Ackoff systems approach, which is developed through Peirce’s semiotics with the validity support of Metcalfe and Powell’s perspective of information perception, Mingers and Brocklesby’s schema of situational actions, Toulmin’s theory of argumentation and Ulrich’s theory of systems boundary. The proposed model of information-as-systems is described in terms of triads–on the structure, function, and process, all interdependent–in a context of information-as-system in IS.
Integrating the Fragmented Pieces of IS Research Paradigms and Frameworks
Authors: Mora Manuel , Gelman Ovsei , Forgionne Guisseppi , Petkov Doncho , Cano Jeimy
Published: May 2011

A formal conceptualization of the original concept of system and related concepts—from the original systems approach movement—can facilitate the understanding of information systems (IS). This article develops a critique integrative of the main IS research paradigms and frameworks reported in the IS literature using a systems approach. The effort seeks to reduce or dissolve some current research conflicts on the foci and the underlying paradigms of the IS discipline.
Using a Systems Thinking Perspective to Construct and Apply an Evaluation Approach of Technology-Based Information Systems
Authors: Kefi Hajer
Published: May 2011

In this article, we use soft systems methodology and complexity modeling to build an evaluation approach of a data warehouse implemented in a leading European financial institution. This approach consists in building a theoretical model to be used as a purposeful observation lens, producing a clear picture of the problematic situation under study and aimed at providing knowledge to prescribe corrective actions.
Making the Case for Critical Realism
Authors: Dobson Phillip , Myles John , Jackson Paul
Published: May 2011

This article seeks to address the dearth of practical examples of research in the area by proposing that critical realism be adopted as the underlying research philosophy for enterprise systems evaluation. We address some of the implications of adopting such an approach by discussing the evaluation and implementation of a number of automated performance measurement systems (APMS). Such systems are a recent evolution within the context of enterprise information systems. They collect operational data from integrated systems to generate values for key performance indicators, which are delivered directly to senior management. The creation and delivery of these data are fully automated, precluding manual intervention by middle or line management. Whilst these systems appear to be a logical progression in the exploitation of the available rich, real-time data, the statistics for APMS projects are disappointing. An understanding of the reasons is elusive and little researched. We describe how critical realism can provide a useful “underlabourer” for such research, by “clearing the ground a little ... removing some of the rubbish that lies in the way of knowledge” (Locke, 1894, p. 14). The implications of such an underlabouring role are investigated. Whilst the research is still underway, the article indicates how a critical realist foundation is assisting the research process.
Mobile Ontologies
Authors: Veijalainen Jari
Published: May 2011

The number of mobile subscribers in the world is soon reaching the three billion mark. According to the newest estimates, majority of the subscribers are already in the developing countries, whereas the number of subscribers in the industrialized countries is about to stagnate around one billion. Because especially in the developing countries the only access to Internet are mobile devices, developing high quality services based on them grows in importance. Ontologies are an important ingredient towards more complicated mobile services and wider usage of mobile terminals. In this article, we first discuss ontology and epistemology concepts in general. After that, we review ontologies in the computer science field and introduce mobile ontologies as a special category of them. It seems reasonable to distinguish between two orthogonal categories, mobile domain ontologies and flowing ontologies. The domain of the former one is in some sense related with mobility, whereas the latter ones are able to flow from computer to computer in the network. We then discuss the creation issues, business aspects, and intellectual property rights (IPR), including patentability of mobile ontologies. We also discuss some basic requirements for computer systems architectures that would be needed to support the usage of mobile ontologies.
Semantic-Based Bluetooth-RFID Interaction for Advanced Resource Discovery in Pervasive Contexts
Authors: Di Noia Tommaso , Di Sciascio Eugenio , Francesco Maria Donini , Ruta Michele , Scioscia Floriano , Tinelli Eufemia
Published: May 2011

We propose a novel object discovery framework integrating the application layer of Bluetooth and RFID standards. The approach is motivated and illustrated in an innovative u-commerce setting. Given a request, it allows an advanced discovery process, exploiting semantically annotated descriptions of goods available in the u-marketplace. The RFID data exchange protocol and the Bluetooth service discovery protocol have been modified and enhanced to enable support for such semantic annotation of products. Modifications to the standards have been conceived to be backward compatible, thus allowing the smooth coexistence of the legacy discovery and/or identification features. Also noteworthy is the introduction of a dedicated compression tool to reduce storage/transmission problems due to the verbosity of XML-based semantic languages.
Evolutionary Conceptual Clustering Based on Induced Pseudo-Metrics
Authors: Fanizzi Nicola , d’Amato Claudia , Esposito Floriana
Published: May 2011

We present a method based on clustering techniques to detect possible/probable novel concepts or concept drift in a Description Logics knowledge base. The method exploits a semi-distance measure defined for individuals, that is based on a finite number of dimensions corresponding to a committee of discriminating features (concept descriptions). A maximally discriminating group of features is obtained with a randomized optimization method. In the algorithm, the possible clusterings are represented as medoids (w.r.t. the given metric) of variable length. The number of clusters is not required as a parameter, the method is able to find an optimal choice by means of evolutionary operators and a proper fitness function. An experimentation proves the feasibility of our method and its effectiveness in terms of clustering validity indices. With a supervised learning phase, each cluster can be assigned with a refined or newly constructed intensional definition expressed in the adopted language.
Basic Device and Protocol Security
Authors: Hartpence Bruce
Published: May 2011

Security texts often focus on encryption techniques, firewalls and security for servers. Often missing are the inherent weaknesses in the very building blocks of modern local area networks. This chapter discusses the devices and protocols common to every single production network running today in terms of their basic security vulnerabilities and provides some techniques for reducing security threats. Specifically, this chapter will cover the operation of routers, switches and access points with a brief mention of hubs. Protocols covered will include the spanning tree, internet control message, address resolution, management, and routing protocols. Packet captures and screenshots will be used to illustrate some of the protocols.
Security Issues for Multi-Domain Resource Reservation
Authors: Bouras Christos , Stamos Kostas
Published: May 2011

The chapter is completed with a case study on the authentication and authorization framework designed in the context of a Pan-European network resource reservation service, in the Geant academic and research network.
Healthcare Employees and Passwords
Authors: Medlin B. Dawn , May Douglas , Corley Ken
Published: May 2011

The healthcare industry has benefitted from its employees’ ability to view patient data, but at the same time, this access allows for patient’s healthcare records to be easily captured or stolen. Although access to and transmission of patient data may improve care, increase delivery time of services, and reduce healthcare costs, security of that information may be jeopardized due to the innocent sharing of personal and non-personal data with the wrong person. Through the tactic of social engineering, hackers are able to obtain information from employees that may allow them access into the hospitals networked information system. In this study, we simulated a social engineering attack in hospitals of varying sizes with the goal of obtaining employees passwords. If employees are willing to share their passwords, serious questions and concerns about the state of employee security awareness within the healthcare system must be raised.
Network Manageability Security
Authors: Mandujano Salvador
Published: May 2011

As the number of devices connected to computer networks increases, so does the need for algorithms, protocols, and tools to manage these devices and their communications infrastructure. Manageability solutions allow Information Technology administrators to keep control over such resources in order to identify, configure, and repair network devices remotely in a way that reduces desk visits and maximizes service availability for customers. This chapter studies the security and privacy aspects of different manageability technologies. It describes the protection mechanisms built into standard protocols and highlights some of the basic risks they face when deployed in an enterprise environment. Solutions for desktop, laptop, server, and cell phone platforms are discussed and compared in the context of common threats to managed devices, as well as the control consoles that monitor them. Secure enablement and configuration guidelines are provided for implementers and designers to develop effective threat models when integrating manageability software and hardware inside a computer network. The analysis presented in this chapter will help the reader understand how network manageability solutions work and what their strengths and weaknesses are from the security standpoint.
Security and Attacks in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Al Murat , Yoshigoe Kenji
Published: May 2011

Understanding data security is crucial to the daily operation of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) as well as to the further advancement of security solutions in the research community. Unlike many surveys in literature that handle the topic in close relationship to a particular communication protocol, we provide a general view of vulnerabilities, attacks, and countermeasures in WSNs, enabling a broader audience to benefit from the presented material. We compare salient characteristics and applications of common wireless technologies to those of WSNs. As the main focus of the chapter, we thoroughly describe the characteristics of attacks and their countermeasures in WSNs. In addition, we qualitatively illustrate the multi-dimensional relationship among various properties including the effectiveness of these attacks (i.e., caused damage), the resources needed by adversaries to accomplish their intended attacks (i.e., consumed energy and time), and the resources required to defend against these attacks (i.e., energy overhead).
Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Mishra Sumita
Published: May 2011

Wireless sensor networking technology has been used extensively by both commercial and military applications for sensing and data collection purposes. The self-configuring, self-healing nature and the ease of deployment of these networks make them an attractive option to other centralized approaches. Most of the existing networking solutions for sensor networks focus on the communication aspects and do not address the data security concerns of these networks. Since sensor networks are being deployed for emerging applications involving sensitive data and are envisioned to be integrated with the cyber space, it is essential to address the security needs of wireless sensor networks. Designing security solutions for Wireless Sensor Networks is an extremely challenging task due to the resource constraints of sensor nodes and the distributed nature of network design. This chapter provides an overview of emerging sensor networks involving sensitive data and a discussion of some of the proposed security solutions.
BANBAD
Authors: Agrawal Rajeev , Cai Chaoli , Gupta Ajay , Paul Rajib , Salih Raed
Published: May 2011

Anomaly detection is an important aspect of any security mechanism. We present an efficient anomaly detection algorithm, named BANBAD. Using Belief Networks (BNs), the algorithm identifies abnormal behavior of a feature, like inappropriate energy consumption of a node in a network. By applying structure learning techniques to training dataset, BANBAD establishes a joint probability distribution among relevant features, such as average velocity, displacement, local computation and communication time, energy consumption, and response time of a node of the network. A directed acyclic graph (DAG) is used to represent the features and their dependencies. Using a training process, BANBAD maintains dynamic, updated profiles of network node behaviors and uses specific Bayesian inference algorithm to distinguish abnormal behavior during testing. BANBAD works especially well in ad hoc networks. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that a centralized BANBAD achieves low false alarm rates, below 5%, and high detection rates, greater than 95%. We also show that BANBAD detects anomaly efficiently and accurately in two real datasets. The key for achieving such high performance is bounding the false alarm rate at certain predefined threshold value. By fine-tuning at the threshold, we can achieve high detection rate as well.
EIS for Consumers Classification and Support Decision Making in a Power Utility Database
Authors: Alonso Juan Ignacio Guerrero , León de Mora Carlos , Triviño Félix Biscarri , Goicoechea Iñigo Monedero , Triviño Jesús Biscarri , Millán Rocío
Published: May 2011

The increasing of the storage system capacity and the reduction of the access time have allowed the development of new technologies which have afforded solutions for the automatic treatment of great databases. In this chapter a methodology to create Enterprise Information Systems which are capable of using all information available about customers is proposed. As example of utilization of this methodology, an Enterprise Information System for classification of customer problems is proposed. This EIS implements several technologies. Data Warehousing and Data Mining are two technologies which can analyze automatically corporative databases. Integration of these two technologies is proposed by the present work together with a rule based expert system to classify the utility consumption through the information stored in corporative databases.
Knowledge Management as an Organizational Process
Authors: Neto Rivadávia Correa Drummond de Alvare , Souza Renato Rocha
Published: May 2011

The management of knowledge is a multifaceted organizational process that involves three parts. They are (i) a strategy, (ii) the creation of an organizational environment or space for knowledge - known as the “enabling context” or “Ba” and (iii) an operational/action toolbox consisting of IT tools and managerial practices to effectively put the strategy into action. The main objective of this paper is to propose a conceptual integrative map for Knowledge Management that was built as the result of a longitudinal programme of research on knowledge management, conducted between the years of 2001 and 2009. As an outcome of this research, knowledge management concepts, motivation, practices, results and implementation processes will be highlighted. The qualitative research strategy used was the study of multiple cases with incorporated units of analysis and three criteria were observed for the judgment of the quality of the research project: validity of the construct, external validity and reliability. Multiple sources of evidence were used and data analysis consisted of three flows of activities: data reduction, data displays and conclusion drawing/verification. The results confirmed the presuppositions and the conclusions suggest that organizational knowledge cannot be managed; it is just promoted or stimulated through the creation of a favorable organizational context, namely “Ba”.
Synchronous Presence of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and Marginal Zone (MALT-Type) B-Cell Lymphoma in the Pharynx
Authors: Koletsa Triantafyllia , Petrakis Georgios , Karayannopoulou Georgia , Pappas Dimitrios , Markou Konstantinos , Karkavelas Georgios , Kostopoulos Ioannis
Published: May 2011

Synchronous malignancy of squamous cell carcinoma and malignant lymphoma in the head and neck region is extremely rare. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a nonlymphomatous, squamous cell carcinoma that occurs in the nasopharyngeal epithelium. Reported herein is a unique case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma occurring simultaneously with MALT-type lymphoma in an 83-year-old woman, who complained of deglutition dysfunction. Endoscopic examination of respective organs revealed a submucosal tumour on the posterior wall of pharynx. Biopsy of the hypopharynx was taken and sent for histological examination, which revealed two different neoplasms. Immunohistochemical and molecular analysis confirmed the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma coexisting with a MALT-type lymphoma.
Cyclic Voltammetric Investigation of Dopamine at Poly-(Gabapentin) Modified Carbon Paste Electrode
Authors: Shreenivas M. T. , Kumara Swamy B. E. , Chandra Umesh , Sherigara B. S.
Published: May 2011

The poly (gabapentin) film was prepared on the surface of carbon paste electrode by electrochemical method using cyclic voltammetric technique. The poly (gabapentin) film-modified carbon paste electrode was calibrated with standard potassium ferrocyanide solution in 1 M KCl as a supporting electrolyte. The prepared poly (gabapentin) film-coated electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the detection of dopamine at physiological pH. The scan rate effect was found to be diffusion-controlled electrode process. The concentration effect of dopamine was studied, and the redox peak potentials of dopamine were dependant on pH.
Endothelin but Not Angiotensin II May Mediate Hypertension-Induced Coronary Vascular Calcification in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Rabkin Simon W.
Published: May 2011

To understand the relationship between putative neurohormonal factors operative in hypertension and coronary artery calcification (CAC), the relevant cellular actions of angiotensin (Ang II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) are reviewed. There is compelling evidence to implicate ET-1 in CAC. ET-1 increases phosphate transport with a 42 to 73% increase inVmax. Increased cellular phosphate may induce CAC through increased Ca x phosphate product, transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells into a bone-producing phenotype or cell apoptosis that releases procalcific substances. ET-1 is increased in several models of vascular calcification. ET-1 inhibits inhibitors of calcification, matrix Gla and osteoprotegerin, while enhancing pro-calcific factors such as BMP-2 and osteopontin. In contrast, Ang II inhibits phosphate transport decreasingVmaxby 38% and increases matrix Gla. Ang II also stimulates bone resorption. Vascular calcification is reduced by ET-1 A receptor antagonists and to a greater extent than angiotensin receptor blockade although both agents reduce blood pressure.
A Case of a Ruptured Sclerosing Liver Hemangioma
Authors: Papafragkakis Haris , Moehlen Martin , Garcia-Buitrago Monica T. , Madrazo Beatrice , Island Eddie , Martin Paul
Published: May 2011

Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors found in the liver, typically asymptomatic, solitary, and incidentally discovered. Although vascular in nature, they rarely bleed. We report a case of a 52-year-old woman with a previously stable hemangioma who presented to our hospital with signs and symptoms indicative of spontaneous rupture. We review the literature, focusing on diagnosis and management of liver hemangiomas.
Teenage cervical screening in a high risk American population
Authors: Zhang Songlin , Thomas Jaiyeola , Thibodeaux Joel , Bhalodia Ami , Abreo Fleurette
Published: May 2011

Background:

The new 2009 ACOG guideline for cervical cytology screening changed the starting age to 21 years regardless of the age of onset of sexual intercourse. However, many recent studies have shown a dramatic increase in the incidence of cervical epithelial abnormalities among adolescents within the past two decades.

Materials and Methods:

For this study, the reports of 156,342 cervical cytology were available of which 12,226 (7.8%) were from teenagers. A total of 192 teenagers with high grade intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) cervical cytology were identified. The ages ranged from 13 to 19 years with a mean of 17.7 years and a median of 18 years. Among them, 31.3% were pregnant, 12.0% were postpartum, and 13.5% were on oral contraceptive. Ninety-eight had prior cervical cytology.

Results:

The teenagers had statistically significant higher detection rates of overall abnormal cervical cytology (23.6% vs. 6.6%, P = 0), with 15.4% vs. 3.2% (P = 0) of low grade intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and 1.8% vs. 1.0% (P = 2.56 × 10-13 ) of HSIL compared to women ≥20 years. The teenage group had the highest abnormal cytology among all age groups. The LSIL/HSIL ratio was 8.5:1 for teenagers and 3.1:1 for women ≥20 years. A total of 131 teenagers had cervical biopsies within 12 months of the HSIL cytology, with diagnoses of 39 CIN 3, 1 VAIN 3, 15 CIN 2, 62 CIN 1, and 14 had a negative histology (CIN 0). Only in 19 of these 39 women, the CIN 2/3 lesion proved to be persistent.

Conclusion:

We conclude that cytology screening of high risk teenagers is effective in detecting CIN 2/3 lesions. Moreover, treatment and careful follow-up can be realized.
Long-Term Impacts of Draining a Watershed Wetland on a Downstream Lake, Lake Kinneret, Israel
Authors: Nishri Ami
Published: May 2011

During the 1950s, the shallow Lake Hula and its adjacent marshes, located in the watershed of Lake Kinneret (LK), were drained in order to increase arable land. The drainage resulted in increasing loads of nutrients in the Jordan River and in oxidative degradation of the underlying peat, followed by Aeolian (mostly) and riverine transport to LK. Peat had been accumulating in LK bed sediments since the 1950s, with peak deposits recorded in the mid-1970s. The routine monitoring of Norg and Corg, associated with the peat, in the watershed streams and in LK water (initiated in 1970) also showed the highest levels in the mid-1970s. During the 1980s, a succession of dense natural vegetation inhibited soil surface erosion and a decline in Aeolian transport of peat to LK was recorded. Inversed temporal patterns appear for oxygen and pH, and this is suggested to result from the dependence of these parameters on the magnitude of respiratory process, induced by peat availability. During the 1970s allochthonous peat resources supported about half of the zooplankton activity in LK and therefore the decline in peat availability during the 1980s was accompanied by a two-fold decline in zooplankton biomass. The subsequent lessening of grazing pressure together with the elevated inflows of bio-available P resulted in a significant rise in LK phytoplankton biomass. The 1980s decline in Norg associated with the peat led to lower N/P ratios in the external sources of nutrients to LK. These conditions may have favored the appearance of N2 fixing cyanobacteria noted in the lake since 1994.
Intratumoral Immune Responses Can Distinguish New Primary and True Recurrence Types of Ipsilateral Breast Tumor Recurrences (IBTR)
Authors: West Nathan R. , Panet-Raymond Valerie , Truong Pauline T. , Alexander Cheryl , Babinszky Sindy , Milne Katy , Ross Louetta A. , Loken Steven , Watson Peter H.
Published: May 2011

Ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) is an increasingly common clinical challenge. IBTRs include True Recurrences (TR; persistent disease) and New Primaries (NP; de novo tumors), but discrimination between these is difficult. We assessed tumor infiltrating leukocytes (TIL) as biomarkers for distinguishing these types of IBTR using primary tumors and matched IBTRs from 24 breast cancer patients, half of which were identified as putative TRs and half as NPs using a previously reported clinical algorithm. Intratumoral lymphocyte populations (CD3, CD8, CD4, CD25, FOXP3, TIA1, CD20) and macrophages (CD68) were quantified by immunohistochemistry in each tumor. Compared to matched primaries, TRs showed significant trends towards increased CD3+ and CD8+ TIL, while these populations were often diminished in NPs. Comparison of IBTRs showed that TRs had significantly higher levels of CD3+ ( P = 0.0136), CD8+ ( P = 0.0092), and CD25+ ( P = 0.0159) TIL than NPs. We conclude that TIL may be a novel diagnostic biomarker to distinguish NP from TR IBTRs.
The Current Status of Exenatide Once Weekly
Authors: Kulasa Kristen M.
Published: May 2011

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic, progressive metabolic disorder that is associated with long-term microvascular (retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy) and macrovascular (myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral arterial disease) complications. Both the prevalence of T2DM and the cost of its long-term complications have driven the focus and emphasis on treatments aimed at reducing hyperglycemia and controlling hypertension and dyslipidemia while minimizing hypoglycemia and weight gain. Exenatide twice daily, the first GLP-1R agonist approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMEA), has been shown to reduce hemoglobin A1C, lower fasting and postprandial plasma blood glucose concentrations as well as reduce body weight without causing significant hypoglycemia. However, its current formulation requires twice daily subcutaneous injections and does not provide continuous GLP-1R activation. Therefore, a long-acting release form of exenatide has been developed for use as a once-weekly injection, providing for convenient administration and continuous GLP-1R activation. This review covers the currently published data on this new formulation including mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, efficacy and comparison trials to other commonly used anti-diabetic agents.
Clinicopathological Study of Ameloblastomas: Case Study in Tribal Areas
Authors: Ramachandra Naik Balachandra
Published: May 2011

During the period of 10 years, we have received 19 ameloblastoma specimens for opinion. The purpose of this report is that many studies on ameloblastoma were published from western countries, but not a single study from this region, which is an area of tribal people. Hence, this study is taken up to analyze for various parameters, and to compared with the western countries studies and also to inform the new and rare findings which is not yet published that is, the malignant ameloblastoma metastasis in soft tissue with intercellular bridges. Specimens were processed for macroscopic and microscopic analysis by routine methods. Majority of analysis were similar to the western countries studies. Malignant ameloblastoma metastasis in soft tissue gave us surprise. Ameloblastoma in tribal people did not have differences with western countries, but we got a new thing which enriches the behavior of malignant ameloblastoma.
Choice of the Optimal Volume of Surgery for Patients with Sporadic Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Romanchishen Anatoly F , Lisovsky OV , Vabalayte KV
Published: May 2011

Objectives

Influence of lymphatic metastases at immediate and follow-up results of patients’ surgical treatment is controversial, especially for sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (SMTC).

Methods

A total of 3330 thyroid cancer patients were operated on (1973-2009), among them 226 (6.8%) were medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) patients. In 11 observations, MTC appeared as a part of MEN syndrome. Sporadic character of disease was confirmed in 215 (95.1%) cases. There were 140 (80.8%) females and 33 (19.2%) males (4.2:1.0) with average age 48.6 ± 2.7. Long-term results (1-40 yrs) were investigated in 173 (94.2%) cases. All SMTC patients were divided in to three groups. Group 1 made of 80 (46.2%) T1- 3N0M0, Group 2 of 47 (27.3%) T1-3N1a-bM0, Group 3 of 46 (26.6%) T4N1a-bM0 patients.

Results

Group1: Organ-sparing operations were carried out in 59 (73.7%), thyroidectomies in 21 (26.3%) patients. Multicentric tumor growth (MTG) was observed in 19.1%: in T1 cases - 5.7%, T2 - 20.5%, T3 - 46.7%. All patients underwent ipsilateral prophylactic central neck dissection (CND). Average period of postoperative observation (APPO), 12.0 ± 1.7. 5 years survival rate made 98.4%, 10-91.7%. Local relapse of MTC was found in one patient (in contralateral thyroid lobe).

Group 2: Organ-sparing operations were carried out in 20 (42.6%), thyroidectomies—27 (57.4%) with curative central or central and lateral lymphadenectomy (LAE). MTG took place in 47.2%. Six group metastases only (T1a) were found in 38.9% and CND was performed. In other cases (61.1%), CND, lateral and mediastinal (8.3%) LAE were performed. APPO correspondent to 10.8 + 2.1 years. Repeated LAE because lymphatic metastases were carry out in 15 (31.9%) patients through 7.2 ± 2.4 years in average after initial operations. Tumor relapses were not found in thyroid remnant. Five-year survival rate made 89.2%, 10-67.8%.

Group 3: MTG was observed in 64.3%. Central compartment group lymphatic metastases were revealed in 93.3%, in 2 to 5 groups – 86.7%, in mediastinum – 38.5%, distant metastases – in 22.0%. Combined operations were performed in 58.9%, palliative in 45 (26.6 %) cases. Operations were completed by tracheostomy in 38.4%. Adjuvant therapy (X-ray, chemotherapy) was applied in 28.9%. Postoperative lethality made 6.5%. APPO corresponded to 3.3 ± 0.8 (1-10 yrs). During first year, eight patients have died. Five-year survival rate made 32.4%.

Conclusion

Detection of regional metastases of SMTC during the first patient presentation significantly worsen survival rate. Early diagnosis of SMTC by calcitonin level detection is the best way to improve results of treatment. Organ-sparing thyroidectomies with mandatory ipsilateral prophylactics CND are justified only at T1N0M0 sporadic MTC.
Versatile Grafts and Flaps in Reconstruction of Oral and Maxillofacial Postsurgical Defects
Authors: Singh Madhumati , Shah Anjan , Chowdhury Shouvik
Published: May 2011

Ablative surgery for head and neck tumors is associated with significant disfigurement and loss of function. The main aim of the surgeon is to provide functional ability and esthetics of the patient. Type and extent of tissue loss from surgery relates to loss of soft tissue and bone. Reconstructions of jaw and mouth defects represent a challenge to the surgeon and are most commonly indicated in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.4Primary closure and the restoration of form, cosmetics and function are the goals of reconstructive surgery. Various techniques have been practiced, including grafts, local flaps, regional flaps and free vascularized flaps even with diverse options, each one has its inherent advantages and shortcomings.

This article highlights our experiences with various reconstructive options, best possible reconstructive method to be followed to minimize morbidity of the patient.