bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing a Software Transactional Memory for Peer-To-Peer Systems
Authors: Paulovič Aurel , Lacko Peter
Published: June 2013

Transactional memory is a rather novel approach to concurrency control in parallel computing, that has just recently found its way into distributed systems research. However, the research concentrates mainly on single processor solutions or cluster environment. In this paper we argue, that peer-to-peer systems would require a different design of transactional memory because of the increased failure-rate of nodes, slower network and possibility of network splits. We also present a few of our design ideas, namely increased performance and fault tolerance through the use of higher-level conflict detection and resolution via abstract data types and eventually consistency, that as we think could be important to a successful implementation of a scalable and resilient transactional memory.
The economic, financial and legal situation of private estates in Poland during the interwar period
Authors: Zając Stanisław
Published: June 2013

The bad economic situation for agro-forest farms in Poland during the interwar period was caused by war damage, a global economic crisis, crop failure, indebtedness prior to World War I, and by tribute payments towards rebuilding the country. Although the timber harvest was substantial, farm owners were forced to take loans. In 1938, the debt level of agro-forest farms accounted for 18 per cent of their total value. The average debt level for this period oscillated between 9.8 and 126.0 PLN/ha-1. The assistance programme implemented by the government provided for a reduction in the interest rate of loans, particularly for farms with an area up to 300 ha.
Growth of Ulmus glabra Huds. grafts in the clone archive in Bielsk Forest District
Authors: Mioduszewski Sławomir , Korczyk Adolf F.
Published: June 2013

Vegetative progeny were obtained from 46 elms (Ulmus glabra Huds.) by grafting. These grafted trees were planted in 2009 in a clone archive in forest plot 264j in the Bielsk Forest District.

After one year of growth, elm clone survival ranged from 38% to 100% (89% on average). Although all clones were of similar age and were grown under similar conditions, their average height was highly variable and ranged from 99.0 cm (clone no. 9473z) to 186.6 cm (clone no. 9645z), while average root collar diameter ranged from 8.4 mm (clone no. 9473z) to 18.0 mm (clone no. 9645z).

There were large differences crown architectural among the different clones, and variation in average shape of the crown was high (from 2.6 in clone no. 9655 to 3.8 in clone no. 9446z).

Index breeding values determined on the standardized data for height, root collar diameter, crown shape and survival, ranged from -0.71 (clone no. 9473z) to 0.61 (clone no. 9645z). Clones from Czerwony Dwór reached a better breeding value (0.17) than clones from Gołdap (-0.0266), and variation in their average breeding values was high (0.197).
Susceptibility of Polish provenances and families of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) to colonisation by Phytophthora cambivora
Authors: Jankowiak Robert , Banach Jacek , Balonek Angelika
Published: June 2013

Phytophthora cambivora (Straminipila, Oomycota) causes root rot and stem canker on several deciduous tree species in Europe. However, very little is known about the variation in susceptibility to P. cambivora colonisation among provenances and families of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.). We studied variation in susceptibility of one French and 16 Polish provenances, representing 62 families. Samples were taken from three test plots located in the Brzesko Forest District. Oak susceptibility to P. cambivora was assessed by measuring lesion length following inoculation of excised shoots with two isolates of P. cambivora. There was significant variability in susceptibility among the 17 provenances tested. The highest susceptibility to P. cambivora was apparent in several provenances including Tronçais, Zaporowo, Runowo, Opole and Krotoszyn; while the most resistant provenances originated from Chojnów, Siedlce, Płock, Krotoszyn-90 and Wioska. There was also significant within-provenances variation in susceptibility to P. cambivora.
Influence of the exchanged metal ions (Cu, Co, Ni and Mn) on the selective catalytic reduction of NO with hydrocarbons over modified ferrierite
Authors: Ćwikla-Bundyra Wiesława
Published: June 2013

This article presents the research results concerning the possibilities of natural zeolite-ferrierite application for the reduction of nitrogen oxide. H-FER forms were modified by Cu+2, Co+2, Mn+2, Ni+2 using an ion exchange procedure. The effect of metal contents was shown for the ferrierite matrices and related to their catalytic properties. The catalytic properties of Cu-, Co-Ni-, and Mn- were compared for NO reduction with methane. High NO conversion was observed for copper and cobalt-ferrierite catalysts, especially in the temperature range 400 and 500oC. It was found that copper- and cobalt-ferrierite catalysts have higher activity and N2 selectivity than the catalysts composed of nickel and manganese doped on ferrierite. Moreover, the nickel and manganese containing catalysts produced more nitrous oxide than nitrogen. The presence of both copper and cobalt species seems to be an indispensable condition for a large activity and selectivity in the NO reduction.
Osteoblastic bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Salapura Vladka , Zupan Irena , Seruga Bostjan , Gasljevic Gorana , Kavcic Pavel
Published: June 2013

Background. RCC accounts for only 2-3% of all cancers. Due to its’ non-specific symptoms disease is often diagnosed in advanced stage. Disseminated RCC frequently produces bone metastases that are almost always highly destructive, hyper vascularized and purely osteolytic.

Case report. In this article we describe a case of a 71-year old male patient with disseminated osteoblastic bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and present a short review of published literature reporting cases of osteoblastic bone metastases from RCC. Our patient presented with thoracic pain aggravated by movement. He was diagnosed with predominantly osteoblastic bone metastases in the skeleton of thoracic and lumbar vertebra along with metastases in iliac bones, ribs, humerus and clavicles. Initially, origin of bone metastases was unknown, but later a small tumor in patient’s right kidney was identified. Microscopic evaluation of the open bone biopsy showed clear cell RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation.

Conclusions. Although, due to its’ rarity, RCC is not included in the primary differential diagnosis in patients with osteoblastic metastases, such rare cases suggest that RCC may be considered in the diagnosis when there no other primary tumor is found
The role of extracellular vesicles in phenotypic cancer transformation
Authors: Ogorevc Eva , Kralj-Iglic Veronika , Veranic Peter
Published: June 2013

Background.Cancer has traditionally been considered as a disease resulting from gene mutations. New findings in biology are challenging gene-centered explanations of cancer progression and redirecting them to the non-genetic origins of tumorigenicity. It has become clear that intercellular communication plays a crucial role in cancer progression. Among the most intriguing ways of intercellular communication is that via extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are membrane structures released from various types of cells. After separation from the mother membrane, EVs become mobile and may travel from the extracellular space to blood and other body fluids.

Conclusions.Recently it has been shown that tumour cells are particularly prone to vesiculation and that tumour-derived EVs can carry proteins, lipids and nucleic acids causative of cancer progression. The uptake of tumour-derived EVs by noncancerous cells can change their normal phenotype to cancerous. The suppression of vesiculation could slow down tumour growth and the spread of metastases. The purpose of this review is to highlight examples of EVmediated cancer phenotypic transformation in the light of possible therapeutic applications.
Management of intramedullary astrocytomas
Authors: Serban Daniel , Exergian Florin , Gorgan R.M.
Published: June 2013

Primitive IMT represent 8-10% of all primary tumors of the spinal cord. Only 2- 4% of all CNS tumors in adults are IMT. Adult astrocytomas are 25-35% of total IMT (1).

We prospectively analyzed clinical, imaging and pathological data from all consecutive patients operated for intramedullary tumors in our department (Neurosurgery I Clinic, Ward II) between January 2003 and August 2009 (80 months). All surgical interventions were performed by the same surgical team. We emphasized the technical difficulties raised by ablation of IMT depending on the type of the tumor and postoperative neurological outcome.
Climatic signal in tree-ring chronologies of Cedrus deodara from Chitral Hindukush Range of Pakistan
Authors: Khan Nasrullah , Ahmed Moinuddin , Shaukat Syed
Published: June 2013

Tree-rings are an important tool for the investigation of paleoclimatic records for regions or periods of time with no instrumental climatic data. However, the responses of different species and sites to various climatic parameters are unusual. In the present study, we developed tree-ring-width chronologies of Cedrus deodara from three different sites of Chitral Hindukush range of Pakistan. The study was conducted to understand tree-growth climate relationship and its applicability in proxy climate investigations. The chronologies covered the past 469 to 595 years, with a mean segment length (MSL) ranging from 148 to 223 years. Climatic data obtained from the three weather stations showed strong correlation and was found useful for tree-ring climate relationships.

Correlation Function (CF) and Response Function (RF) analysis showed that spring precipitation (March–May) is a critical limiting factor for tree-ring growth, and temperature prior to November may also play a major role in affecting tree ring-growth. The results exposed that the three sites have continuous relationship indicated that only single species from different locations are affected by the same environmental variables and hence can be used in climate reconstruction in combination. The Cedrus deodara chronologies developed at different locations had several corresponding narrow and wide marker rings indicating a large macroclimatic response to regional climatic conditions. The current study suggests that the tree-rings of Cedrus deodara from the Chitral Hindukush range could be used to develop chronologies for the reconstruction of seasonal climatic variables.
Bone Mineral Density in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Hospital Based Study
Authors: Islam Muhammad Fuadul , Islam Mohammad Imnul , Talukdar Manik Kumar , Rahman Shahana A
Published: June 2013

Background: Failure to develop adequate bone mineralization is common in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Osteopenia or osteoporosis occurs in all the JIA subtype but particularly common in systemic onset and polyarticular JIA. There is an association of increased demineralization of bones with duration of joint disease. Objective: To determine the extent of osteoporosis in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Methodology: Cross sectional study conducted from July 2011 to December2011 in Department of Paediatrics and Institute for Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound(INMU), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka. Participants: Total 30 patients were enrolled in this study. Results: Significant osteopenia among 53.33% and 70% JIA patients and osteoporosis among 26.67% and 23.33% JIA patients were found at femur neck and lumber region respectively. In polyarticular cases majority of the cases had osteopenia (81.25% and 75%) and in systemic onset JIA cases majority had osteoporosis (55.56% and 33.37%) at femur neck and lumber region respectively. Longer duration cases at diagnosis had more osteopenia (58.33% and 66.67%) and osteoporosis (41.67% and 33.33%) than the shorter duration cases at femur neck and lumber region respectively. Conclusion: From this small pilot study it may be concluded that JIA Patients are likely to have low BMD. Among them polyarticular and systemic onset JIA patients are even more susceptible to low BMD. There is also positive relationship between the duration of arthritis and low BMD. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v37i1.15347 BANGLADESH J CHILD HEALTH 2013; VOL 37 (1) : 18-21
Relationships of Urinary Beta2- microglobulin in Neonates with Impaired Renal Function in Different Stages of Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Banerjee M , Majumdar SK , Shahidullah Md
Published: June 2013

Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE) is a sequelae of neonates suffering from severe perinatal asphyxia. It may also cause impaired renal function due to acute tubular necrosis followed by elevation of urinary concentration of certain low molecular weight proteins like ?2- microglobulin. This study was designed to evaluate the urinary ?2- microglobulin level in neonates with HIE patients those who have impaired renal function. This prospective case control study was carried out in the Neonatal unit of the department of Pediatrics and in the Labor ward of the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical University, Dhaka during the period of 1st July 2005 to 30th June 2006. This study was designed to estimate urinary ?2- micro globulin level in the asphyxiated newborn as well normal newborns to see any significant changes and to find out its relation with over all outcomes of newborns with perinatal asphyxia. In this study, 42 term newborn babies before 24 hours of age, those who failed to take spontaneous breathing within 5 minutes of the complete delivery were taken as cases and 40 healthy term newborns were taken as control. Asphyxiated newborns were divided into three groups depending on the sarnat and sarnat clinical staging of HIE. Mean±SD value of urinary ?-2- micro globulin in case group 4.1 ± 2.79 mg/l and in the control was 1.35 ± 1.08 mg/l. It shows significant (p<0.01) rise of urinary ?-2 micro globulin levels in case group. The degree of rise of urinary ?-2- micro globulin was related with the severity of HIE but blood urea and serum creatinine levels were not increased significantly in stage I and stage II except in stage III HIE patients. It was concluded from this study that raised urinary â2- microglobulin level may be related with HIE patients irrespective of clinical staging but serum creatinine and blood urea were found to be elevated only in stage III HIE patients. But to draw a conclusive evidence regarding relationship of urinary ?2 microglobulin with advance stages of HIE in neonates with impaired renal function require further large scale study. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v37i1.15348 BANGLADESH J CHILD HEALTH 2013; VOL 37 (1) : 22-26
A Review on Hemophilia in Children
Authors: Karim Md Anwarul , Jamal Chowdhury Yakub
Published: June 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v37i1.15349 BANGLADESH J CHILD HEALTH 2013; VOL 37 (1) : 27-40
Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus is a Rare Complication of Chronic Kidney Disease - A Case Report
Authors: Jesmin Tahmina , Rahman Md Habibur , Muinuddin Goalm , Begum Afroza , Roy Ranjit Ranjan , Hossain M Moazzam
Published: June 2013

Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (NDI) may occur as a complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The incidence of NDI is very rare. So recognition of this potential complication is very important. In our country, this rare complication is not yet reported. So, to make awareness among the paediatricians, we report a case of NDI as a rare complication of CKD. A 4-year old boy was admitted in the Department of Paediatric Nephrology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) with the complaints of failure to thrive, refusal to feed, nausea and vomiting since 18- months of his age. For the last six months, he had also complaints of polyuria and polydipsia. In addition to this, he developed muscle pain, constipation, bowing of leg and occasional unexplained fever. He was moderately pale with deep sighing respiration and his blood pressure was above 95th centile for age and sex. His creatinine level was high with low TCO2 and calcium level. His plasma osmolality was very high while urine osmolality was inappropriately low which did not increase after desmopressin (nasal spray) administration. Initial treatment with Indomethacin was ineffective while the combination of hydrochlorothiazide and Indomethacin was effective and well tolerated. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v37i1.15350 BANGLADESH J CHILD HEALTH 2013; VOL 37 (1) : 41-44
La présidentielle 2012 vue du people: bis repetita ou normalisation?
Authors: Dakhlia Jamil
Published: June 2013

Grâce à une analyse du contenu des magazines Closer et Voici, du 27 janvier au 18 mai 2012, sont ici cernées deux stratégies originales de couverture de l’élection présidentielle par la presse de célébrités française. D'une part – et c'est un changement significatif par rapport à 2007 – les deux magazines accordent une place officielle à la campagne en lui consacrant des rubriques spécifiques, inspirées par le traitement télévisuel de cette actualité politique. D'autre part, dans le reste de leur espace éditorial, Voici et Closer affichent leur fidélité aux grandes caractéristiques d'un discours people avant tout centré sur le féminin et l'apparence. Aussi observe-t-on deux discours parallèles, mais désarticulés: un traitement « chaud » sur le mode de l'infodivertissement en même temps qu'une tentative de rejouer la campagne de 2007, largement décalée par rapport à l'actualité, en réponse à des impératifs mythologiques.
Out-of-touch Television? The Presidential Election and the Persistence of Prime-time Political Debate Programmes in France
Authors: Perry Sheila
Published: June 2013

For some considerable time, prime-time television debate programmes have been under threat from commercialisation of broadcasting, voter apathy, the rise of infotainment, and competition from new media technologies. In spite of this, in 2012 the two main terrestrial channels once again produced new, lengthy, prime-time programmes designed especially for the presidential campaign. The aim of this article is to examine the role played by these programmes in a changed media landscape and to seek to explain the survival of the genre. It is argued that it is their conservative nature, combined with a modicum of ‘modernisation’, which enables them to occupy a strategic position within the spectrum of media outlets. While assessing their impact on the electoral outcome is a precarious business, it is clear that in 2012 they have contributed to a reversal in the fortunes and status of the two main channels, TF1 and F2.
Molecular Features of Wheat Endosperm Arabinoxylan Inclusion in Functional Bread
Authors: Li Weili , Hu Hui , Wang Qi , Brennan Charles
Published: June 2013

Arabinoxylan (AX) is a major dietary fibre component found in a variety of cereals. Numerous health benefits of arabinoxylans have been reported to be associated with their solubility and molecular features. The current study reports the development of a functional bread using a combination of AX-enriched material (AEM) and optimal commercial endoxylanase. The total AX content of bread was increased to 8.2 g per 100 g available carbohydrates. The extractability of AX in breads with and without endoxylanase was determined. The results demonstrate that water-extractable AX (WE-AX) increased progressively through the bread making process. The application of endoxylanase also increased WE-AX content. The presence of 360 ppm of endoxylanase had positive effects on the bread characteristics in terms of bread volume and firmness by converting the water unextractable (WU)-AX to WE-AX. In addition, the molecular weight (Mw) distribution of the WE-AX of bread with and without endoxylanase was characterized by size-exclusion chromatography. The results show that as the portion of WE-AX increased, the amount of high Mw WE-AX (higher than 100 kDa) decreased, whereas the amount of low Mw WE-AX (lower than 100 kDa) increased from 33.2% to 44.2% through the baking process. The low Mw WE-AX further increased to 75.5% with the application of the optimal endoxylanase (360 ppm).
Role of CBFs as Integrators of Chloroplast Redox, Phytochrome and Plant Hormone Signaling during Cold Acclimation
Authors: Kurepin Leonid , Dahal Keshav , Savitch Leonid , Singh Jas , Bode Rainer , Ivanov Alexander , Hurry Vaughan , Hüner Norman
Published: June 2013

Cold acclimation of winter cereals and other winter hardy species is a prerequisite to increase subsequent freezing tolerance. Low temperatures upregulate the expression of C-repeat/dehydration-responsive element binding transcription factors (CBF/DREB1) which in turn induce the expression of COLD-REGULATED (COR) genes. We summarize evidence which indicates that the integration of these interactions is responsible for the dwarf phenotype and enhanced photosynthetic performance associated with cold-acclimated and CBF-overexpressing plants. Plants overexpressing CBFs but grown at warm temperatures mimic the cold-tolerant, dwarf, compact phenotype; increased photosynthetic performance; and biomass accumulation typically associated with cold-acclimated plants. In this review, we propose a model whereby the cold acclimation signal is perceived by plants through an integration of low temperature and changes in light intensity, as well as changes in light quality. Such integration leads to the activation of the CBF-regulon and subsequent upregulation of COR gene and GA 2-oxidase (GA2ox) expression which results in a dwarf phenotype coupled with increased freezing tolerance and enhanced photosynthetic performance. We conclude that, due to their photoautotrophic nature, plants do not rely on a single low temperature sensor, but integrate changes in light intensity, light quality, and membrane viscosity in order to establish the cold-acclimated state. CBFs appear to act as master regulators of these interconnecting sensing/signaling pathways.
Observations on White Grubs Affecting Sugar Cane at the Juba Sugar Project, South-Western Somalia, in the 1980s, and Implications for Their Management
Authors: Cock Matthew , Allard Gillian
Published: June 2013

The authors made two visits to the Juba Sugar Project in south-west Somalia, at the beginning of the minor rains in October 1986, and at the beginning of the main rains in March 1987. Observations were made on morphospecies of scarabaeid white grub larvae, the adults, and the two associated for the key economic species, Cochliotis melolonthoides and Brachylepis werneri. Sampling larvae and adults by digging soil quadrats and adults by light trapping gave useful information on their biology and phenology. Sampling methods were evaluated and economic thresholds were extrapolated based on earlier work. Natural enemies were surveyed, and entomopathogenic nematodes and a cordyceps fungus (Ophiocordyceps barnesii) were considered to have potential to be used as biological control interventions.
Unraveling the Skilled Mobility for Sustainable Development Mantra: An Analysis of China-EU Academic Mobility
Authors: Leung Maggi
Published: June 2013

In the name of sustainable development, skilled persons including scholars, researchers and students have become incorporated in the “sustainable development” visions and strategies of institutions, city centers and nation-states near and far from where these potentially mobile brains are. Policies and programs have widely been implemented to foster move-in move-out mobility of these talents sans frontières who should contribute to the competitiveness of their affiliated institutions and structures in the global knowledge economy. This paper unravels this emergent academic mobility for sustainable development mantra. It unpacks the meanings of “sustainable development” and “sustainability” as used in relation to temporary (often circulatory) mobility of students and academics in different contexts. An analysis of European and specifically China-EU academic mobility initiatives illustrates the multi-fold meanings of sustainability in this policy terrain. Zooming into the Chinese-German case, the paper highlights the common dominance of economic and environmental elements in the current “academic mobility for sustainability” construct that sidelines important social components such as equity and diversity. Statistical data and narratives will be provided to illustrate the stark gender and disciplinary bias in the Chinese-German staff academic mobility field. The paper argues for conscious, affirmative efforts by policy-makers and funding agencies to correct existing imbalances.
APPLYING THE CONCEPT OF DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT IN ORGANISATIONS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC – A RESEARCH SURVEY
Authors: Egerova Dana , Jiřincova Milena , Lančarič Drahoslav , Savov Radovan
Published: June 2013

The paper deals with the implementation of diversity management in the Czech and Slovak organizations. The aim of the research was to find out how the concept of diversity management is accepted and applied in the Czech and Slovak companies. The scale questionnaire of the author's own construction was used for data collection. The questionnaire contained apart from the introductory classification items 25 items divided into three thematic areas: the field of inclusion and justice, the field of diversity management implementation and the field of benefits resulting from implementing diversity management. The statistically significant differences and dependencies that emerged among items in the questionnaire were examined by Kruskal-Wallis test and other statistical methods. The research survey revealed that respondents’ answers were significantly affected by factors such as the seat of the company and the working position of the respondent. The respondents from the Slovak Republic generally perceive issue of diversity management more positively compared with respondents from the Czech Republic. Also the managers perceive issue of diversity management more positively compared with employees. The research survey identified partially the existing state of implementing the concept of diversity management in organizations in the Czech and Slovak Republics.
La mort à l'œuvre dans les écrits d'Hervé Guibert
Authors: Brun Anne
Published: June 2013

L’œuvre d’Hervé Guibert (1955-1991) se définit comme une écriture et une mise en image du corps et évolue avec sa maladie du sida vers le spectacle de la dégénérescence de son corps devenu martyr. Une approche psychanalytique de ses derniers livres autobiographiques montre comment les sources du processus créateur consistent pour l’écrivain, confronté à la déchéance de son corps, à l’intrusion des nouvelles technologies médicales de soin et à la certitude de sa fin prochaine, à déployer dans l’écriture des stratégies de survie pour échapper à la mort. Cette écriture d’un corps extrême permet d’aborder les fonctions de la création dans le contexte d’une maladie mortelle. Cette œuvre met en lumière certains processus de survie chez des patients confrontés à des « situations extrêmes » de la subjectivité, dans différents contextes de rencontre clinique.
Concurrent Keratitis and Endophthalmitis Associated With Topical Medications Contaminated by Serratia Marcescens
Authors: Shah Milan , Pathengay Avinash , Gedde Steven J. , Flynn Harry W. , Albini Thomas A.
Published: June 2013

Three years after glaucoma drainage implant surgery, a 90-year-old woman developed concurrent keratitis in the right eye and delayed-onset endophthalmitis in the left eye. The keratitis was treated aggressively with fortified topical antibiotics. Additionally, the patient underwent treatment with pars plana vitrectomy and injection of intravitreal antibiotics in the left eye. Microbiological cultures yielded
Serratia marcescens
from a corneal scraping in the right eye, vitreous aspirate in the left eye, and the patient’s topical medications.
S. marcescens
caused delayed-onset endophthalmitis following glaucoma drainage implant surgery and contralateral keratitis associated with contaminated eye drops. Two months after treatment, the keratitis had resolved, leaving a residual corneal scar; the endophthalmitis was successfully treated, resulting in a clear vitreous cavity; and best corrected visual acuity improved to 20/400 in both eyes.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina.
2013;44:exxx–exxx.]
Folklore between the past and the Future: Partisan Songs and the Canon of Yugoslav Folklore
Authors: Hofman Ana
Published: June 2013

Prispevek se osredinja na glasbene prakse NOB po letu 1945, na njihovo vlogo pri ohranjanju spomina na drugo svetovno vojno ter ustvarjanju in utrjevanju partizanskega mita. Z uporabo analitičnega pristopa skuša interpretati korpus glasbenega repertoarja NOB zunaj časa 2. svetovne vojne in pokazati, da je v pomembnem delu nastajal (se oblikoval in kanoniziral) v povojnem času. Glavni namen prispevka je torej predstaviti, kako so uradni diskurzi v povojnem obdobju vplivali na ustvarjanje partizanske folklore kot izjemno pomembnega dela širšega koncepta jugoslovanske folklore, posebej pa disonantno naravo teh diskurzov.
***
The paper is focused on the musical practices of the National-Liberation War (NLW) in Yugoslavia after 1945 and their role in the preserving memory on World War II, and foundation and maintaining of the partisan myth. Employing an analytical approach, it attempts to interpret the musical production of NLW beyond the timeframe of World War II and illustrate how it had been actually shaped and canonized in the after-WWII period. The main aim of the paper is to present the ways official discourses shaped the canon of partisan folklore as the most important part of the broader concept of Yugoslav folklore, with an emphasis on the narratives‘ dissonant nature.
A Trip Down Memory Lane. Revisiting Persians National Identity in the Safavids Folktales
Authors: Hanif Mohammad , Hanif Mohsen
Published: June 2013

The rise of the Safavid dynasty (1501-1736) in Persia has had a profound impact on the lives of Iranians. The Safavids established the first Iranian national government after Islam, a government that ubsequently helped Iranian identity to take new forms. The authors develop a discussion concerning the customs and common interests of Iranians that are central to the construction of national identity as they are portrayed in oral folktales about Shah Abbas (1582-1629). The identity components that are identified and examined by the authors in approximately one hundred and fifty tales persist as fundamental features of Iranian identity, bar a few alterations regarding modern Iranians. Because of their frequency, sustenance and richness in quantity, the Safavid folktales have subconsciously played a significant role in representing a pattern for modern Iranians’ national identity. In sum, this paper seeks to find a link between folktales and the construction of national identity, particularly on the Iranian plateau.
***
Vzpon dinastije Safavidov (1501–1736) v Perziji je globoko vplival na življenje Irancev. Safavidi so ustanovili prvo iransko nacionalno vlado, ki je prispevala, da je iranska identiteta dobila nove oblike. V tem članku so obravnavane navade in skupni interesi Irancev, kakor se kažejo v ustnem izročilu ljudskih pripovedi, povezanih s šahom Avvasom (1582–1629) in so osrednjega pomena v graditvi iranske nacionalne identitete. Sestavine identitete so izluščene in obravnavane iz gradiva 150 pripovedi. Z nekaj spremembami, ki se nanašajo na sodobne Irance, so ostale temljne poteze iranske identitete. Zaradi pogostnosti, vsebine in bogastva so bile safavidske pripovedi nezavedno pomembne za vzorec sodobne identitete Irancev. Prispevek se torej osredinja na vez med ljudskimi pripovedmi in graditvijo nacionalne identitete, zlasti na Iranskem višavju.
Intention to Use E-Government Websites among Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Students
Authors: Boon Ng Yee , Ramayah T. , Ping Teoh Ai , Lo May-Chiun
Published: June 2013

In almost every country, government agencies are making their services available online. The success of e-Government initiatives is contingent upon citizen’s willingness to use these Web-enabled services. This study investigates and examines the intention to use e-Government services among students in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Penang. A research framework based on the PCI (Perceived Characteristics of Innovating) by Moore and Benbasat (1991) to identify factors that would determine and influence the intention to use e-Government websites and services. A survey involving a total of 145 university students was conducted. The results reveal that relative advantage and ease of use are the significant drivers of intention to use e-Government whereas image and compatibility were not important. The implications for research and practice are also explored.
Content Centric Storage and Current Storage Systems
Authors: Jaeger Michael C. , Hohenstein Uwe
Published: June 2013

Content-centric storage represents an approach for handling large amounts of data. It is one of the innovations pursued by the VISION Cloud project. The goal of the VISION Cloud project is the development of an industry grade storage system using cloud technology. The envisaged use of the VISION Cloud involves the storage and management of millions of data items, potentially several hundreds of terabytes in size. On the one hand, the technical foundations must be capable of efficiently storing such an amount of data. On the other hand, the VISION Cloud must provide adequate means of an API for allowing the efficient navigation, search, and access for the right data item in this storage. For the latter purpose, VISION Cloud provides a data access layer, which is called “Content Centric Interface.” Applications can use this data access layer for accessing the VISION Cloud storage from a content-centric point of view, abstracted from actual storage representation. The content centric interface is different from existing cloud storage interfaces and is similar, from an architectural point of view, to object relational mapping frameworks for traditional applications with relational database systems.
Compliance in the Cloud
Authors: Bonelli Lucia , Giudicianni Luisa , Immediata Angelo , Luzzi Antonio
Published: June 2013

Despite the huge economic, handling, and computational benefits of the cloud technology, the multitenant and geographically distributed nature of clouds hides a large crowd of security and regulatory issues to be addressed. The main reason for these problems is the unavoidable loss of physical control that costumers are forced to accept when opting for the cloud model. This aspect, united with the lack of knowledge (i.e. transparency) of the vendor’s infrastructure implementation, represents a nasty question when costumers are asked to respond to audit findings, produce support for forensic investigations, and, more generically, to ensure compliance with information security standards and regulations. Yet, support for security standards compliance is a need for cloud providers to overcome customers hesitancy and meet their expectations. In this context, tracking, auditing, and reporting practices, while transcending the compliance regimes, represent the primary vehicle of assurance for security managers and auditors on the achievement of security and regulatory compliance objectives. The aim of this chapter is to provide a roundup of crucial requirements resulting from common security certification standards and regulation. Then, the chapter reports an overview of approaches and methodologies for addressing compliance coming from the most relevant initiatives on cloud security and a survey of what storage cloud vendors declare to do in terms of compliance. Finally, the SIEM-based approach as a supporting technology for the achievement of security compliance objectives is described and, the architecture of the security compliance component of the VISION Cloud architecture is presented.
Media Convergence and Cloud Technologies
Authors: Lorenz Mirko , Rath-Wiggins Linda , Runde Wilfried , Messina Alberto , Sunna Paola , Dimino Giorgio , Montagnuolo Maurizio , Borgotallo Roberto
Published: June 2013

Why do media organizations look out for cloud storage? In short, the media industry as a whole is facing various challenges. Due to digital convergence there is more material, less time, and multiple channels to fill, while budgets get smaller. TV, video on demand, and mobile content have become big drivers in pushing a search for innovative storage solutions. In addition to that, the opportunity to work with raw data, which can be used for deeper analysis, mapping, visualization, and personalized services is another aspect of why there is a need for novel storage solutions, preferably in the cloud. The media industry could lower production costs and increase speed to market of time critical reporting. This book chapter provides an overview of how far VISION Cloud can provide novel concepts for these demands.
Methods of 3D Object Shape Acquisition
Authors: Zemcik Pavel , Spanel Michal , Krsek Premysl , Richter Miloslav
Published: June 2013

This chapter contains an overview of methods for a 3D object shape from both the surface and the internal structure of the objects. The acquisition methods of interest are optical methods based on objects surface image processing and CT/NMR sensors that explore the object volume structure. The chapter also describes some methods for 3D shape processing. The focus is on 3D surface shape acquisition methods based on multiple views, methods using single view video sequences, and methods that use a single view with a controlled light source. In addition, the volume methods represented by CT/NMR are covered as well. A set of algorithms suitable for the acquired 3D data processing and simplification are shown to demonstrate how the models data can be processed. Finally, the chapter discusses future directions and then draws conclusions.
3D Shape Compression Using Holoimage
Authors: Karpinsky Nikolaus , Zhang Song
Published: June 2013

As 3D becomes more ubiquitous with the advent of 3D scanning and display technology, methods of compressing and transmitting 3D data need to be explored. One method of doing such is depth mapping, in which 3D depth data is compressed into a 2D image, and then 2D image processing techniques may be leveraged. This chapter presents a technique of depth mapping 3D scenes into 2D images, entitled Holoimage. In this technique, digital fringe projection, a special kind of structured light technique from optical metrology, is used to encode and decode 3D scenes pixel-by-pixel. Due to the pixel-by-pixel 3D data processing nature, this technique can be used on parallel hardware to realize real-time speed for high definition 3D video encoding and decoding.
Automated Solar Feature Detection for Space Weather Applications
Authors: Pérez-Suárez David , Higgins Paul A. , Bloomfield D. Shaun , McAteer R.T. James , Krista Larisza D. , Byrne Jason P. , Gallagher Peter. T.
Published: June 2013

The solar surface and atmosphere are highly dynamic plasma environments, which evolve over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. Large-scale eruptions, such as coronal mass ejections, can be accelerated to millions of kilometers per hour in a matter of minutes, making their automated detection and characterisation challenging. Additionally, there are numerous faint solar features, such as coronal holes and coronal dimmings, which are important for space weather monitoring and forecasting, but their low intensity and sometimes transient nature makes them problematic to detect using traditional image processing techniques. These difficulties are compounded by advances in ground- and space- based instrumentation, which have increased the volume of data that solar physicists are confronted with on a minute-by-minute basis; NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory for example is returning many thousands of images per hour (~1.5 TB/day). This chapter reviews recent advances in the application of images processing techniques to the automated detection of active regions, coronal holes, filaments, CMEs, and coronal dimmings for the purposes of space weather monitoring and prediction.
Building a Multiple Object Tracking System with Occlusion Handling in Surveillance Videos
Authors: Almomani Raed , Dong Ming
Published: June 2013

Video tracking systems are increasingly used day in and day out in various applications such as surveillance, security, monitoring, and robotic vision. In this chapter, the authors propose a novel multiple objects tracking system in video sequences that deals with occlusion issues. The proposed system is composed of two components: An improved KLT tracker, and a Kalman filter. The improved KLT tracker uses the basic KLT tracker and an appearance model to track objects from one frame to another and deal with partial occlusion. In partial occlusion, the appearance model (e.g., a RGB color histogram) is used to determine an object’s KLT features, and the authors use these features for accurate and robust tracking. In full occlusion, a Kalman filter is used to predict the object’s new location and connect the trajectory parts. The system is evaluated on different videos and compared with a common tracking system.
The Four Urban Governance Problem Types Suitable for Crowdsourcing Citizen Participation
Authors: Brabham Daren C.
Published: June 2013

Crowdsourcing is a method for harnessing the collective intelligence of online communities to solve specific problems or produce goods. Largely known as a business model, crowdsourcing has begun to make inroads as a supplemental public participation tool for governance, as a way to engage citizens in the business of government functions. Validating a new typology of crowdsourcing cases, this chapter outlines the four urban governance problem types that the crowdsourcing model can successfully address. This chapter also discusses the right of free speech in online crowdsourcing communities and its relevance for urban governance crowdsourcing applications in free societies. Concluding the chapter is an examination of crowdsourcing’s place in the policy-advisory spectrum and the risks associated with bringing crowdsourcing applications into public participation programs.
Citizen Science Perspectives on E-Participation in Urban Planning
Authors: Cooper Caren , Balakrishnan Ashwin
Published: June 2013

Citizen science is a method for an interested public to share information in order to co-create scientific knowledge, typically drawing on games and hobbies and employing electronic media such as web-based data-entry forms and online social networks. Citizen science has emerged in many fields of science (e.g., ecology, astronomy, atmospheric studies, anthropology) and advanced to produce important research findings based on high-quality, reliable data collected, and/or processed, by the public. In turn, participants have increased their interest in, and understanding of, topics related to citizen science projects, and experienced greater civic engagement and social capital. Urban planning initiatives seek to engage people in activities from data gathering to community discussions. The authors review the history of urban planning models and highlight how e-participation can overcome some of the limitations in traditional planning. The authors review how information and communication technologies (ICT) for Citizen Science methods can facilitate public participation in data collection and co-creating knowledge useful to planning decisions. The authors suggest that such efforts can ensure a collaborative rather than adversarial type of public participation and have added outcomes of increasing involvement of an informed public in other aspects of the planning process.
On the Performance of Transport Control Protocol in Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Kondareddy Yogesh , Babaei Alireza , Agrawal Prathima
Published: June 2013

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is the most commonly used transport protocol on the Internet. All indications assure that it will be an integral part of the future Internetworks. In this chapter, the authors present how regular TCP, which was designed for wired networks, is not suitable for dynamic spectrum access networks. They develop an analytical model to estimate the TCP throughput of dynamic spectrum access networks. Dynamic spectrum access networks deal with opportunistic spectrum access leading to greater utilization of the spectrum. The extent of utilization depends on the primary user’s traffic and also on the way the spectrum is accessed by the primary and secondary users. The proposed model considers primary and secondary user traffic in estimating the TCP throughput by modeling the spectrum access using continuous-time Markov chains, thus providing more insight on effect of dynamic spectrum access on TCP performance than the existing models.
Modeling for System´s Understanding
Authors: Sánchez Marisa A.
Published: June 2013

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of System Dynamics modeling and to highlight its potential as a tool for system´s understanding. Although the work is not intended to cover all the activities involved in a simulation process, the authors present the steps in the modeling process. The authors first summarize the role of Causal Loop diagrams in the modeling process. The authors then introduce Stock-and-flow diagrams and describe how they can be defined using mathematical functions. Along this chapter the authors claim that System Dynamics is an adequate modeling tool for “partially reducible uncertainty” and “irreducible uncertainty” problems. Finally, the authors discuss that in System Dynamics, validity means adequacy with respect to a purpose, and hence it cannot be made in absolute terms and the authors briefly introduce a set of techniques for testing structure and accuracy.
Are Strong Brands a Source of Competitive Advantage in the Virtual World?
Authors: Sharma Piyush
Published: June 2013

Offshore outsourcing is a fast-growing trend in the world economy today, and it is changing the way business is done across national boundaries. Specifically, customers are increasingly interacting with service employees located in other countries resulting in many instances of customer backlash due to poor perceived service quality and dissatisfaction. Prior research argues that service firms with strong brands may be less vulnerable to such negative reaction from customers. However, recent studies show that consumer ethnocentrism and unfavorable attitudes towards offshore outsourcing may adversely impact perceived service quality, satisfaction, complaint behavior, brand image, brand loyalty, and repeat purchase intentions. This chapter summarizes these diverse findings and highlights the importance of customer education and employee training to prevent the erosion of brand image and loyalty on one hand, and improve perceived service quality and customer satisfaction on the other, for companies using offshore outsourcing of customer services.
Brand Obsessed Society
Authors: Kulshrestha Chinmaya , Kapoor Avinash
Published: June 2013

He is a Yoga Guru, spiritual beacon, Nano-Bio Ayurveda expert, brand ambassador of Indian States, brand ambassador of the UNO mission, political influencer, animation series character, media czar; Baba Ramdev is overall a huge brand! The purpose of this chapter is to explore the value propositions and the sustainable key differentiators to analyze the brand status and brand strategy of spiritual beacon Baba Ramdev. The chapter concludes that there is a strong synergy between image and identity of brand Baba Ramdev resulting in strong personality that offers him a competitive advantage to get across to the consumers.