bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Issues and Concerns of K-12 Educators on 3-D Multi-User Virtual Environments in Formal Classroom Settings
Authors: Jones Greg , Warren Scott J.
Published: March 2013

This study is a naturalistic inquiry conducted between 2007 and 2009 that presents emergent themes from interviews with fourteen K-12 educators and administrators regarding their issues and concerns about implementing 3-D multi-user virtual environments in formal K-12 classrooms. The major issues and concerns emerging from interviews included instructional effectiveness, security, bandwidth, and technology. The majority of the participants at the end of the study could not overcome one or more of these issues or concerns to use virtual environments in their classrooms.
Negotiating Students’ Conceptions of ‘Cheating’ in Video Games and in School
Authors: Hamlen Karla R. , Gage Holly E.
Published: March 2013

Technology use, and video game play in particular, occupies a large amount of time in a typical teenager’s life. Methods of learning and playing video games differ from that of traditional learning settings in that it is common to collaborate and use alternative methods known as “cheats” in the gaming world, strategies that might be considered unethical in the traditional classroom setting. This study took a phenomenological approach to developing an understanding of student views of cheating in these two different settings, and investigating their motivations for engaging in cheating behaviors. Researchers explore the narratives of three teenage males as they described their experiences in gaming and in school, and their views of ethics, honesty, and acceptable forms of information gathering in the two contexts. Analyses reveal three themes relating to students’ conceptions of cheating. Implications are discussed, particularly as they relate to setting and maintaining ethical standards in the school setting.
Television, Games, and Mathematics
Authors: Crespo Sandra , Melfi Vincent , Fisch Shalom M. , Lesh Richard A. , Motoki Elizabeth
Published: March 2013

Research has shown that educational media, such as television series or interactive games, can promote significant learning. However, it is quite common for producers to create several interconnected media, such as a television show and an associated web site, under the assumption that multiple platforms elicit greater learning than a single medium would. The research reported in this paper uses Cyberchase media as the setting in which to investigate the effectiveness of multiple media as a tool for mathematical learning for elementary school children. The study includes both a naturalistic phase, which mirrors children’s typical use of the media, and an experimental phase, which allows for causal inference to be drawn about their learning outcomes.
Impacts of Forced Serious Game Play on Vulnerable Subgroups
Authors: Heeter Carrie , Lee Yu-Hao , Magerko Brian , Medler Ben
Published: March 2013

Three vulnerable subgroups of players (non-gamers, resistant players, and females) were studied to understand how each approaches and plays serious games. The authors explore forced (required) play using four different online casual games. Their research strongly suggests that the most important threat to a serious game’s impact is when players dislike the game. Serious games are less effective for players who dislike a game and most effective for those who like the game. Non-gamers were at a distinct disadvantage as far as gameplay performance. They experienced a more negative effect in two of the four games. Finally, males tended to seek more difficult challenges in games than females. The optimal amount of challenge may be the most important gender difference to consider when designing serious games.
A Novel Approach for Edge Detection in Images Based on Cellular Learning Automata
Authors: Gharehchopogh Farhad Soleimanian , Ebrahimi Samira
Published: March 2013

Cellular Learning Automata (CLA) has been used in many fields of image processing such as noise elimination, smoothing, retrieval, fractionated and extraction of the content Characteristics of the images. The edge detection in images and methods if edge detection, have a great role in machine vision and cognizance systems. This method uses operands for analyzing images and digital image processing. Many studios here been conducted till now in edge detection algorithms of various conditions. In this study a new method for edge detection in images with the use of CLA is recommended. The proposed method of edge detection in images was tested with different sizes and the results were compared with Sobel edge detector classic method. The result show that the method based on CLA has a desirable performance in edge detection and compares the images with a more uniformity during a minimum period of time.
Cyber Security Awareness as Critical Driver to National Security
Authors: Jansen van Vuuren Joey , Grobler Marthie , Zaaiman Jannie
Published: March 2013

In South Africa, cybersecurity has been identified as a critical component contributing to National Security. More rural communities are becoming integrated into the global village due to increased hardware and software corporate donations, the proliferation of mobile Internet devices and government programmes aimed at bridging the digital divide through major broadband expansion projects. The authors’ research shows that many of the new Internet users are not aptly trained to protect themselves against online threats, leaving them vulnerable to online exploits and inherently exposing the national system to potential international cyber attacks. This article works toward the identification of any correlation between the economic development and mobile use propensity of Internet users with regard to National Security. Internet penetration statistics are used in correlation with the economic development and exposure to technological advances of South Africans to classify participants in the surveys used into three groups: urban netizens, semi-rural netizens and rural netizens. South African citizens from areas within the Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces participated in this study. Separate from these criteria, the availability of and access to the Internet via mobile phones is also taken into consideration. The article uses the results from the surveys to identify direct and indirect links between the factors in question.
Utilizing Volunteered Information for Infectious Disease Surveillance
Authors: Langley Shaun A. , Messina Joseph P. , Grady Sue C.
Published: March 2013

With the advent of Web 2.0, the public is becoming increasingly interested in spatial data exploration. The potential for Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) to be adopted for passive disease surveillance and mediated through an enhanced relationship between researchers and non-scientists is of special interest to the authors. In particular, mobile devices and wireless communication permit the public to be more involved in research to a greater degree. Furthermore, the accuracy of these devices is rapidly improving, allowing the authors to address questions of uncertainty and error in data collections. Cooperation between researchers and the public integrates themes common to VGI and PGIS (Participatory Geographic Information), to bring about a new paradigm in GIScience. This paper outlines the prototype for a VGI system that incorporates the traditional role of researchers in spatial data analysis and exploration and the willingness of the public, through traditional PGIS, to be engaged in data collection for the purpose of surveillance of tsetse flies, the primary vector of African Trypanosomiasis. This system allows for two-way communication between researchers and the public for data collection, analysis, and the ultimate dissemination of results. Enhancing the role of the public to participate in these types of projects can improve both the efficacy of disease surveillance as well as stimulating greater interest in science.
A Systematic Framework for Sustainable ICTs in Developing Countries
Authors: Thongmak Mathupayas
Published: March 2013

Global warming problem is specified as the most important problem threatening the world in recent years. The primary cause of the problem is claimed to be greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Sustainable ICTs or green ICTs can significantly help to solve the problem in terms of introducing green innovations or applying ICTs to increase energy management efficiency. In addition, they benefit organizations in the aspects of financial, operational, and strategic advantages. Since developing countries are also the members of societies, they should work together with developed countries in problem solving. Nevertheless, these countries face many limitations such as poverty, development, and so on. Therefore, the systematic support from the developed world is crucial to facilitate their contribution. This paper presents a conceptual framework for implementing sustainable ICTs. This framework can be applied to both developed countries and developing countries. However, this work specifies more details for adopting the framework in developing countries since they are constrained by economy and growth more than the developed world. This work also highlights the systematical cooperation among developed countries and all sectors of developing countries. This framework can help in speeding up the success of sustainable ICTs adoption in developed countries or developing countries. In addition, the paper describes some research directions to support effective application of the proposed framework.
Diversifying Search Results through Pattern-Based Subtopic Modeling
Authors: Zheng Wei , Fang Hui , Cheng Hong , Wang Xuanhui
Published: March 2013

Traditional information retrieval models do not necessarily provide users with optimal search experience because the top ranked documents may contain excessively redundant information. Therefore, satisfying search results should be not only relevant to the query but also diversified to cover different subtopics of the query. In this paper, the authors propose a novel pattern-based framework to diversify search results, where each pattern is a set of semantically related terms covering the same subtopic. They first apply a maximal frequent pattern mining algorithm to extract the patterns from retrieval results of the query. The authors then propose to model a subtopic with either a single pattern or a group of similar patterns. A profile-based clustering method is adapted to group similar patterns based on their context information. The search results are then diversified using the extracted subtopics. Experimental results show that the proposed pattern-based methods are effective to diversify the search results.
Professional Social Network Site Participation
Authors: Claybaugh Craig C. , Haried Peter
Published: March 2013

Online professional social networks have become a noteworthy tool to help professionals create, strengthen, and maintain valuable business connections. However, the question remains as to who is actually using online professional social networks and how the diffusion of the social network has occurred. Looking at diffusion and usage through innovation diffusion theory, critical mass and a network effects lens, this paper seeks to examine the diffusion of an online professional social network (LinkedIn) for a specific population of university business schools. Using longitudinal analysis (2008 compared to 2011) our findings advocate network dynamics of homogeneous populations display consistent patterns of participation and non-participation. The authors’ findings suggest LinkedIn diffusion is not consistent across all business schools examined. A greater critical mass and network effect appears to have been achieved across larger research universities when compared to smaller university populations. An analysis of the results and future research directions are presented.
Distinct Binding Affinities of Mac-1 and LFA-1 in Neutrophil Activation
Authors: Li Ning , Mao Debin , Lü Shouqin , Tong Chunfang , Zhang Yan , Long Mian
Published: March 2013

Macrophage-1 Ag (Mac-1) and lymphocyte function-associated Ag-1 (LFA-1), two β2 integrins expressed on neutrophils (PMNs), mediate PMN recruitment cascade by binding to intercellular adhesive molecule 1. Distinct functions of LFA-1–initiating PMN slow rolling and firm adhesion but Mac-1–mediating cell crawling are assumed to be governed by the differences in their binding affinities and kinetic rates. In this study, we applied an adhesion frequency approach to compare their kinetics in the quiescent and activated states using three molecular systems, constitutively expressed receptors on PMNs, wild-type and high-affinity (HA) full-length constructs transfected on 293T cells, and wild-type and HA recombinant extracellular constructs. Data indicate that the difference in binding affinity between Mac-1 and LFA-1 is on-rate dominated with slightly or moderately varied off-rate. This finding was further confirmed when both β2 integrins were activated by chemokines (fMLF or IL-8), divalent cations (Mg2+ or Mn2+), or disulfide bond lockage on an HA state. Structural analyses reveal that such the kinetics difference is likely attributed to the distinct conformations at the interface of Mac-1 or LFA-1 and intercellular adhesive molecule 1. This work furthers the understandings in the kinetic differences between Mac-1 and LFA-1 and in their biological correlations with molecular activation and structural bases.
Multiple Transcription Factor Binding Sites Predict AID Targeting in Non-Ig Genes
Authors: Duke Jamie L. , Liu Man , Yaari Gur , Khalil Ashraf M. , Tomayko Mary M. , Shlomchik Mark J. , Schatz David G. , Kleinstein Steven H.
Published: March 2013

Aberrant targeting of the enzyme activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) results in the accumulation of somatic mutations in ∼25% of expressed genes in germinal center B cells. Observations in Ung−/− Msh2−/− mice suggest that many other genes efficiently repair AID-induced lesions, so that up to 45% of genes may actually be targeted by AID. It is important to understand the mechanisms that recruit AID to certain genes, because this mistargeting represents an important risk for genome instability. We hypothesize that several mechanisms combine to target AID to each locus. To resolve which mechanisms affect AID targeting, we analyzed 7.3 Mb of sequence data, along with the regulatory context, from 83 genes in Ung−/− Msh2−/− mice to identify common properties of AID targets. This analysis identifies three transcription factor binding sites (E-box motifs, along with YY1 and C/EBP-β binding sites) that may work together to recruit AID. Based on previous knowledge and these newly discovered features, a classification tree model was built to predict genome-wide AID targeting. Using this predictive model, we were able to identify a set of 101 high-interest genes that are likely targets of AID.
ST Segment Elevation in aVR: Clinical Significance in Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Kossaify Antoine
Published: March 2013

A 59-year-old-male patient with no previous medical history presented with oppressive chest pain; initial electrocardiogram showed ST segment elevation in aVR and V1, with intermittent right bundle branch block. Emergent coronary angiogram showed a proximal sub-occlusive stenosis of the left anterior descending artery, and the patient was hemodynamically unstable during the first 72 hours. Insights into the significance of ST segment elevation in aVR are presented and discussed in light of the current medical data.
Contact freezing: a review
Authors: Ladino L. A. , Stetzer O. , Lohmann U.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. This manuscript compiles both theoretical and experimental information on contact freezing with the aim to better understand this potentially important but still not well quantified heterogeneous freezing mode. There is no complete theory that describes contact freezing and how the energy barrier has to be overcome to nucleate an ice crystal by contact freezing. Experiments on contact freezing indicate that it can initiate ice formation at the highest temperatures. A difference in the freezing temperatures between contact and immersion freezing has been found using different instrumentation and different ice nuclei. There is a lack of data on collision rates in most of the reported data, which inhibits a quantitative calculation of the freezing efficiencies. Thus, new or modified instrumentation to study this heterogeneous freezing mode in the laboratory and in the field are needed. Important questions concerning contact freezing and its potential role for ice cloud formation and climate are also summarized.
Analysis of the substructure within a complex magnetic cloud on 3–4 September 2008
Authors: Andreeova K. , Kilpua E. K. J. , Hietala H. , Koskinen H. E. J. , Isavnin A. , Vainio R.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. In this paper we have analyzed a substructure found within a leading part of a north–south-oriented magnetic cloud (MC) observed on 3–4 September 2008 in the near-Earth solar wind by multiple spacecraft (ACE, Wind, THEMIS B and C). The MC was preceded by a stream interface (SI) and followed by a high-speed stream (HSS). The identified substructure featured a strong depletion of suprathermal halo electrons and showed distinct magnetic field and plasma signatures. It occurred where suprathermal electron flow within a cloud changed from bidirectional to unidirectional, indicating change in the field line connectivity to the Sun. We found that the substructure maintained roughly its integrity from the first Lagrangian point to the vicinity of the Earth's bow shock in the front edge of the MC, but revealed small changes in the structure which could be explained either by temporal evolution or spatial configuration of the spacecraft.
Advances in understanding, models and parameterisations of biosphere-atmosphere ammonia exchange
Authors: Flechard C. R. , Massad R.-S. , Loubet B. , Personne E. , Simpson D. , Bash J. O. , Cooter E. J. , Nemitz E. , Sutton M. A.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Atmospheric ammonia (NH3) dominates global emissions of total reactive nitrogen (Nr), while emissions from agricultural production systems contribute about two thirds of global NH3 emissions; the remaining third emanates from oceans, natural vegetation, humans, wild animals and biomass burning. On land, NH3 emitted from the various sources eventually returns to the biosphere by dry deposition to sink areas, predominantly semi-natural vegetation, and by wet and dry deposition as ammonium (NH4+) to all surfaces. However, the land/atmosphere exchange of gaseous NH3 is in fact bi-directional over unfertilized as well as fertilized ecosystems, with periods and areas of emission and deposition alternating in time (diurnal, seasonal) and space (patchwork landscapes). The exchange is controlled by a range of environmental factors, including meteorology, surface layer turbulence, thermodynamics, air and surface heterogeneous-phase chemistry, canopy geometry, plant development stage, leaf age, organic matter decomposition, soil microbial turnover, and, in agricultural systems, by fertilizer application rate, fertilizer type, soil type, crop type, and agricultural management practices. We review the range of processes controlling NH3 emission and uptake in the different parts of the soil-canopy-atmosphere continuum, with NH3 emission potentials defined at the substrate and leaf levels by different [NH4+] / [H+] ratios (Γ). Surface/atmosphere exchange models for NH3 are necessary to compute the temporal and spatial patterns of emissions and deposition at the soil, plant, field, landscape, regional and global scales, in order to assess the multiple environmental impacts of air-borne and deposited NH3 and NH4+. Models of soil/vegetation/atmosphereem NH3 exchange are reviewed from the substrate and leaf scales to the global scale. They range from simple steady-state, "big leaf" canopy resistance models, to dynamic, multi-layer, multi-process, multi-chemical species schemes. Their level of complexity depends on their purpose, the spatial scale at which they are applied, the current level of parameterisation, and the availability of the input data they require. State-of-the-art solutions for determining the emission/sink Γ potentials through the soil/canopy system include coupled, interactive chemical transport models (CTM) and soil/ecosystem modelling at the regional scale. However, it remains a matter for debate to what extent realistic options for future regional and global models should be based on process-based mechanistic versus empirical and regression-type models. Further discussion is needed on the extent and timescale by which new approaches can be used, such as integration with ecosystem models and satellite observations.
Equatorial Pacific peak in biological production regulated by nutrient and upwelling during the late Pliocene/early Pleistocene cooling
Authors: Etourneau J. , Robinson R. S. , Martinez P. , Schneider R.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. The largest increase in export production in the eastern Pacific of the last 5.3 Myr (million years) occurred between 2.2 and 1.6 Myr, a time of major climatic and oceanographic reorganization in the region. Here, we investigate the causes of this event using reconstructions of export production, nutrient supply and oceanic conditions across the Pliocene-Pleistocene in the eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP) for the last 3.2 Myr. Our results indicate that the export production peak corresponds to a cold interval marked by high nutrient supply relative to consumption, as revealed by the low bulk sedimentary 15N/14N (δ15N) and alkenone-derived sea surface temperature (SST) values. This ~ 0.6 million years long episode of enhanced delivery of nutrients to the surface of the EEP was predominantly initiated through the upwelling of nutrient-enriched water sourced in high latitudes. In addition, this phenomenon was likely promoted by the regional intensification of upwelling in response to the development of intense Walker and Hadley atmospheric circulations. Increased nutrient consumption in the polar oceans and enhanced denitrification in the equatorial regions restrained nutrient supply and availability and terminated the high export production event.
Carbonate mineral saturation states in the East China Sea: present conditions and future scenario
Authors: Chou W.-C. , Gong G.-C. , Hung C.-C. , Wu Y.-H.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. To assess the impact of rising atmospheric CO2 and eutrophication on the carbonate chemistry of the East China Sea shelf waters, saturation states (Ω) for two important biologically-relevant carbonate minerals, calcite (Ωc) and aragonite (Ωa) were calculated throughout the water column from dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (TA) data collected in spring and summer of 2009. Results show that the highest Ωc (~9.0) and Ωa (~ 5.8) values were found in surface water of the Changjiang plume area in summer, whereas the lowest values (Ωc=~2.7 and Ωa=~1.7) were concurrently observed in the bottom water of the same area. This divergent behavior of saturation states in surface and bottom waters was driven by intensive biological production and strong stratification of the water column. The high rate of phytoplankton production, stimulated by the enormous nutrient discharge from the Changjiang, acts to decrease the ratio of DIC to TA, and thereby increases Ω values. In contrast, remineralization of organic matter in the bottom water acts to increase the DIC to TA ratio, and thus decreases Ω values. The projected result shows that continued increases of atmospheric CO2 under the IS92a emission scenario will decrease Ω values by 40–50% by the end of this century, but both the surface and bottom waters will remain supersaturated with respect to calcite and aragonite. Nevertheless, superimposed on such Ω decrease is increasing eutrophication, which would mitigate or enhance the Ω decline caused by anthropogenic CO2 uptake in surface and bottom waters, respectively. Our simulation reveals that under the combined impact of eutrophication and augmentation of atmospheric CO2, the bottom water of the Changjiang plume area will become undersaturated with respect to aragonite (Ωa=~0.8) by the end of this century, which would threaten the health of the benthic ecosystem.
Skill and reliability of climate model ensembles at the Last Glacial Maximum and mid-Holocene
Authors: Hargreaves J. C. , Annan J. D. , Ohgaito R. , Paul A. , Abe-Ouchi A.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Paleoclimate simulations provide us with an opportunity to critically confront and evaluate the performance of climate models in simulating the response of the climate system to changes in radiative forcing and other boundary conditions. Hargreaves et al. (2011) analysed the reliability of the Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project, PMIP2 model ensemble with respect to the MARGO sea surface temperature data synthesis (MARGO Project Members, 2009) for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, 21 ka BP). Here we extend that work to include a new comprehensive collection of land surface data (Bartlein et al., 2011), and introduce a novel analysis of the predictive skill of the models. We include output from the PMIP3 experiments, from the two models for which suitable data are currently available. We also perform the same analyses for the PMIP2 mid-Holocene (6 ka BP) ensembles and available proxy data sets. Our results are predominantly positive for the LGM, suggesting that as well as the global mean change, the models can reproduce the observed pattern of change on the broadest scales, such as the overall land–sea contrast and polar amplification, although the more detailed sub-continental scale patterns of change remains elusive. In contrast, our results for the mid-Holocene are substantially negative, with the models failing to reproduce the observed changes with any degree of skill. One cause of this problem could be that the globally- and annually-averaged forcing anomaly is very weak at the mid-Holocene, and so the results are dominated by the more localised regional patterns in the parts of globe for which data are available. The root cause of the model-data mismatch at these scales is unclear. If the proxy calibration is itself reliable, then representativity error in the data-model comparison, and missing climate feedbacks in the models are other possible sources of error.
Resonance phenomena at the long wave run-up on the coast
Authors: Ezersky A. , Tiguercha D. , Pelinovsky E.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Run-up of long wave on a beach consisting of three pieces of constant but different slopes is studied. Linear shallow-water theory is used for incoming impulse evolution and non-linear corrections are obtained for the run-up stage. It is demonstrated that bottom profile influences the run-up characteristics and can lead to the resonance effects: increasing of wave height, particle velocity, and number of oscillations. Simple parameterization of tsunami source through an earthquake magnitude is used to calculate the run-up height versus earthquake magnitude. It is shown that resonance effects lead to the sufficient increasing of run-up heights for weakest earthquakes and tsunami wave does not break on chosen bottom relief if the earthquake magnitude does not exceed 7.8.
The effect of various vertical discretization schemes and horizontal diffusion parameterization on the performance of a 3-D ocean model: the Black Sea case study
Authors: Shapiro G. , Luneva M. , Pickering J. , Storkey D.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Results of a sensitivity study are presented from various configurations of the NEMO ocean model in the Black Sea. The standard choices of vertical discretization, viz. z levels, s coordinates and enveloped s coordinates, all show their limitations in the areas of complex topography. Two new hybrid vertical coordinate schemes are presented: the "s-on-top-of-z" and its enveloped version. The hybrid grids use s coordinates or enveloped s coordinates in the upper layer, from the sea surface to the depth of the shelf break, and z-coordinates are set below this level. The study is carried out for a number of idealised and real world settings. The hybrid schemes help reduce errors generated by the standard schemes in the areas of steep topography. Results of sensitivity tests with various horizontal diffusion formulations are used to identify the optimum value of Smagorinsky diffusivity coefficient to best represent the mesoscale activity.
Effect of B-Glucosidase Activity on the Vanillin Enzymatic Formation by Using Rumen Liquid for Cell Walls Degradation
Authors: Paramita Vita , Yulianto Mohamad Endy
Published: March 2013

This work proposed a study of direct enzymatic of vanillin formation by using rumen fluid which has enzymatic capability for tissue disruption of vanilla green pods to avoid the curing process. Application of enzymes during the formation of vanilla aromas and flavors and its extraction present nice opportunity to improve productivity, as the enzymatic reaction possibly substitute the microbial process in the traditional fermentation. Glucovanillin, the precursor of vanillin, contacted with the B-glucosidase in the green pods by destructing the cell wall. Liquid rument was providing enzyme for cell wall degradation. The contact of glucovanillin and B-glucosidase lead the hydrolysis of glucovanillin into vanillin. The amounts of glucovanillin and vanillin were examined by using HPLC analysis. The identification of vanillin was investigated by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrofotometry. Vanillin content of vanilla green pods was found higher in which by treating the vanilla green pods at 30°C.
Automatic Control of Contextual Interaction Integrated with Affection and Architectural Attentional Control
Authors: Jiang Yanrong , Xiao Nanfeng , Han Jianhua
Published: March 2013

It is still a challenge for robots to interact with complex environments in a smooth and natural manner. The robot should be aware of its surroundings and inner status to make decisions accordingly and appropriately. Contexts benefit the interaction a lot, such as avoiding frequent interruptions (e.g., the explicit inputting requests) and thus are essential for interaction. Other challenges, such as shifting attentional focus to a more important stimulus, etc., are also crucial in interaction control. This paper presents a hybrid automatic control approach for interaction, as well as its integration, with these multiple important factors, aiming at performing natural, human-like interactions in robots. In particular, a novel approach of architectural attentional control, based on affection is presented, which attempts to shift the attentional focus in a natural manner. Context-aware computing is combined with interaction to endow the robot with proactive abilities. The long-term interaction control approaches are described. Emotion and personality are introduced into the interaction and their influence mechanism on interaction is explored. We implemented the proposal in an interactive head robot (IHR) and the experimental results indicate the effectiveness.
Path Planning and Navigation for Mobile Robots in a Hybrid Sensor Network without Prior Location Information
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Li Zhenbo , Zhang Dawei , Chen Jiapin
Published: March 2013

In a hybrid wireless sensor network with mobile and static nodes, which have no prior geographical knowledge, successful navigation for mobile robots is one of the main challenges. In this paper, we propose two novel navigation algorithms for outdoor environments, which permit robots to travel from one static node to another along a planned path in the sensor field, namely the RAC and the IMAP algorithms. Using this, the robot can navigate without the help of a map, GPS or extra sensor modules, only using the received signal strength indication (RSSI) and odometry. Therefore, our algorithms have the advantage of being cost-effective. In addition, a path planning algorithm to schedule mobile robots' travelling paths is presented, which focuses on shorter distances and robust paths for robots by considering the RSSI-Distance characteristics. The simulations and experiments conducted with an autonomous mobile robot show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms in an outdoor environment.
Determination of Active Personal Space Based on Emotion when Interacting with a Service Robot
Authors: Banik Sajal Chandra , Gupta Ashoke Kumar Sen , Habib M. K. , Mousumi R. N.
Published: March 2013

This paper focuses on the determination of active personal space (APS) for a service robot based on emotional status. This is required for human-robot interaction at ease. Here, APS means the active distance (relative distance during interaction and action) between the robot and the human. APS is a function of emotion both in the human and in the robot. The other factors which are considered here are age, height, familiarity with robot, and relative motion between robot and human. According to these factors, the changes in APS are shown with graphs. During the experiments two robot emotions are considered: normal and angry. The causes of variation of APS based on the two modes are also explained.
A Fast Feature Points-Based Object Tracking Method for Robot Grasp
Authors: Yang Yang , Cao Qixin
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we propose a fast feature points-based object tracking method for robot grasp. In the detection phase, we detect the object with SIFT feature points extraction and matching. Then we compute the object's image position with homography constraints and set up an interest window to accommodate the object. In the tracking phase, we only focus on the interest window, detecting feature points from the window and updating the window's position and size. Our method is of special practical meaning in the case of service robot grasp. Because when the robot grasps the object, the object's image size is usually small relative to the whole image, it is unnecessary to detect the whole image. On the other hand, the object is partially occluded by the robot gripper. SIFT is good at dealing with occlusion, but it is time consuming. Hence, by combining SIFT and an interest window, our method gains the ability to deal with occlusion and can satisfy the real-time requirements at the same time. Experiments show that our method exceeds several leading feature points-based object tracking methods in real-time performance.
Knowledge Sharing Barriers of Acquisitioned Growth: A Case Study from a Software Company
Authors: Kukko Marianne
Published: March 2013

Acquisition as a growth strategy is often burdened by subsequent unsatisfactory performance. The literature suggests that a potential cause is mismanagement of knowledge. Such mismanagement may occur if the barriers to knowledge sharing in acquisitioned growth are not adequately understood. Hence, the aim of this study is to improve understanding of the potentially most restrictive knowledge sharing barriers in acquisitioned growth. It does so through a case study in the context of the software business. The findings of the study will help companies with a strategy of growing through acquisitions to better prepare for the challenging task of managing such growth. The paper also contributes to the literature on knowledge management by defining knowledge sharing barriers in the context of acquisitioned growth in the software business. A contribution to growth literature is made by touching on the issue of the management of acquisitions from the perspective of knowledge management, and especially knowledge sharing.
Applying Metaheuristic Algorithms for Output Rate Analysis in Two-Machine Robotic Manufacturing Cells
Authors: Fathian Mohammad , Kamalabadi Isa Nakhai , Heydari Mehdi , Farughi Hiwa , Naseri Foruzan
Published: March 2013

This article analyses the output rate in two-machine flexible robotic manufacturing cells. The flexible CNC machines in this manufacturing cell can process different operations. The manufactured parts in the cell are identical and it is assumed that different operations are required to manufacture each part. Moreover, loading/unloading time of a part by the robot (ε), robot movement time between the machines and input and output areas (σ), and processing time of the jth part on the machines (tj) are considered to be fixed. The main objective of this article is to minimize cycle time in order to increase the output rate of the manufacturing cell. To achieve this goal, it is important to optimally assign operations required for manufacturing a part to each machine and to determine the optimal robot moves sequence. Accordingly, existing feasible movement policies in the cell and their cycle times have been reviewed, and then these policies have been considered in a new machine layout and their cycle times have been calculated based on the new robot moves sequence. Afterwards, a mathematical model has been presented to select optimal cycle time in the manufacturing cell and this model has been solved by a branch and bound exact algorithm; since the mathematical model is non-linear and the optimal solution cannot be obtained, two metaheuristic algorithms—genetic and simulated annealing algorithms—have also been proposed to solve the model and their results have been compared.
Os tipos de inovações implementadas nos empreendimentos de economia solidária do projeto Esperança/Cooesperança de Santa Maria - RS
Authors: Denardin Élio Sérgio , Murini Lisandra Taschetto , Duarte Tatiane Lopes , Medeiros Flaviani Souto Bolzan , Dill Lourdes Maria Staudt , Denardin Elisandra Freitas
Published: March 2013

At present, marked by new needs and challenges, the pursuit of innovation by organizations set up as an opportunity and a differential to maintain and grow the market. The initial groups of Project Hope / Cooesperança, with the collaboration of the Course Administration of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), fueled the debate on entrepreneurship in academia. After more than twenty years of activity, can now be highlighted innovations that have occurred in these projects. In this sense, the study aims to verify the key innovations implemented in the projects of Solidarity Economy Project Esperança/Cooesperança Santa Maria - RS. The survey classified themselves as quantitative and qualitative, exploratory and descriptive type and a field study. The data collection was conducted through structured interviews with coordinators in fifty enterprises that excel at performance within the project. As the most significant results was observed innovations in products, markets, customer service, and expertise in technology. It was concluded that most groups not yet reached its full autonomy outside the Project Esperança/Cooesperança. However, enterprises are seeking innovative in their designs to complement the other activities they carry out.
Lotto Prize.1//Lotto Prize.2
Authors: Lancaster Ron
Published: March 2013

Students analyze items from the media to answer mathematical questions related to the article. This month features two news clips on a lottery winner; the mathematics involved includes probability and combinatorics and some locus problems.
Building Sinusoids
Authors: Landers Mara G.
Published: March 2013

A measurement-based activity can help students struggling to understand trigonometric functions.
Is That Square Really a Circle?
Authors: Smith Christopher E.
Published: March 2013

Considering circles in taxicab geometry helps students with Euclidean concepts.
Podcasting Potential for High School Mathematics
Authors: Hanson Brandon R.
Published: March 2013

An overview of the advantages of podcasting along with some hints about how to succeed in doing so is presented.
A Closer Look at Function Transformations
Authors: Cappiello Christopher V.
Published: March 2013

A high school student reflects on ways to use function composition to explain some interesting transformations.
Removal of Methylene Blue and Malachite Green Dye Using Different Form of Coconut Fibre as Absorbent
Authors: Y.C. Wong  , M.S.R. Senan  , N.A. Atiqah
Published: March 2013

In this study, coconut fibres are grounded and sieved into the size of 150 ?m granular form and filament form of uniform size 2.0 cm for absorption test of methylene blue and malachite green dye in single dye solution were studied. As a result, granular form of coconuts have higher percentage removal dye of methyelene blue and malachite green blue which is 98.3% and 99.0%. This study shows a major approach of turning the agricultural waste to an added value product which is absorbent for wastewater treatment especially in textile industries sector.
Gas Chromatographic Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Estrus Specific Volatile Compounds in Buffalo Vaginal Mucus after Initial Sexual Foreplay
Authors: Karthikeyan Kandasamy , Archunan Govindaraju
Published: March 2013

Vaginal fluid from buffaloes in estrus, non-estrus condition and saliva from bulls that have licked vaginal mucus were collected. The samples were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in order to evaluate the qualitative differences between the volatile profiles of vaginal mucus and saliva to assess their potential value in buffalo bio-communication. Fifteen different organic compounds were detected. The chemical profiles of estrus vaginal fluid were distinguished significantly by the presence of specific substance, 9-octadecenoic acid (oleic acid) that was not present in non-estrus phase. The results are consistent with the view that the oleic acid acts as chemosignal in a number of mammalian species. Based on the result it is concluded that the volatile substance present in buffalo vaginal fluid may act as a chemical stimulant.
Puerperal Tetanus in Water Buffalo – A Case Report
Authors: Boora A.K. , Yadav S. , Jain V.K. , Rana N. , Singh K.P. , Balhara A.K.
Published: March 2013

Reports of tetanus in buffaloes are scanty in comparison to cattle, horse, sheep and goat. A six years old Murrah buffalo, five days post-partum, was presented for treatment with a history of manual removal of retained placenta. Prolapse of third eyelid, complete locking of jaw, development of curve in spine, erection of ear and typical “pump-handle” position of tail were visible signs. Diagnosis was established on the basis of case history and clinical signs. Treatment was carried out with irrigation of genital tract with 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide and administration of hypertonic saline solution (7.5%), dextrose normal saline (5%), penicillin G procaine in high dose, ketoprofen and chlorpromazine. The animal fell like a stiff, wooden structure on day 11 of the onset of the disease and succumbed to its illness.
Bacterial DNA Induced TNF-alpha Expression in Buffaloes (Murrah) in Comparison to that of Cross Breed Cattle
Authors: Nisha P. , Thanislass J. , Antony P.X. , Mukhopadhyay H.K. , Reddy K.V. Subba
Published: March 2013

Buffaloes are generally considered to be disease resistance. But systematic studies to understand the underlying mechanism of disease resistance in buffaloes in comparison to that of cattle are scanty. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to study the immune response in terms of TNF-α expression in PBMCS isolated from buffaloes in comparison to that of cattle. PBMCs were isolated from blood collected from healthy buffaloes and cross breed cattle and incubated with bacterial (E.coli) DNA at different concentration for a different period of time. Total RNA was isolated and mRNA expression of TLR9 and TNF-α was studied. Expression of actin gen was studied as positive control. Incubation of PBMCs with bacterial DNA resulted in the expression of TLR9 in both, buffaloes and cattle. But, the expression of TNF-α was seen only in the case of buffaloes and the level was found to increase with the increase in bacterial DNA concentration and time. Thus this study reports the inherent difference in the immune response of buffaloes in comparison to that of cattle.
Genetic and Phenotypic Analysis of Meat Quality Traits in Buffalo Beef and Correlations to Carcass Composition
Authors: Sarubbi F. , Palomba R. , Baculo R. , Auriemma G. , Polimeno F. , Maglione G.
Published: March 2013

Abstract: Meat quality traits in buffalo beef were examined and their genetic parameters and genetic correlations to carcass composition were estimated. Dissection was performed on 40 buffalo beef carcasses and all traits recorded for each animal, as well as the weight on muscle lungissimus dorsi (LD). The temperature and pH were recorded at 1 and 48h post-slaughter. Intramuscular fat, protein, dry matter, meat colour (redness, a*, yellowness b* and lightness L*) were recorded. Hereditability estimates ranged from 0.12 and 0.99 for dissection traits and 0.61 and 0.68 for meat quality traits, which was significant for all traits except for ultimate pH and b*. Genetic correlation with L* were negative for a* and high and positive for b*. Intramuscular fat was moderate to highly genetically correlated to the a*, b* and half hot carcass weight. The not significant genetic correlation found between several of the meat quality traits, and between meat quality traits and carcasses composition traits, suggests that the meat quality traits analyzed should be implemented into breeding programme with care since their full effect on the other traits under selection cannot be accurately estimated. For more accurate estimates, further studies that especially include a large number of records for colour meat measures are needed.
My State or Yours? Wari “Labor Camps” and the Inka Cult of Viracocha at Raqchi, Cuzco, Peru
Authors: Sillar Bill , Dean Emily , Trujillo Amelia Pérez
Published: March 2013

The archaeological site at Raqchi is best known for the large Inka building identified by colonial sources as the “temple of Viracocha.” The site also has an enclosure with 152 circular buildings that have previously been interpreted as Inka state storage: collcas. Although Inka pottery was found within some structures, the utilitarian pottery, carbonized plant remains, and hearths found on the floors of the buildings at Raqchi date their construction to the Middle Horizon. These results have caused a significant reinterpretation of the site and highlight a distinction between the political economies of the two largest Andean states. We suggest this sector of the site functioned as a Wari compound for seasonal work groups, similar to those at Pikillacta and Azángaro, suggesting a potential coercive aspect within Wari colonization. This prompts a reevaluation of the Viracocha cult during the Inka period, its reclaiming of Tiwanaku and Wari state sites, and the role of public ceremony within Inka state policy.
Le même et l’autre (bis)
Authors: LeBlanc Charles
Published: March 2013

Dans ce texte, l’auteur poursuit sa critique du concept d’altérité en traduction et l’exploitation de concepts traductologiques à des fins qui dépassent la traduction.
Force et signification à l’épreuve de la traduction : la différance derridienne et son transport à l’étranger
Authors: Lemieux René
Published: March 2013

La différance est probablement le “lemme” le plus fécond de tous les termini technici de la pensée de Jacques Derrida. Pourtant, de tout ce que Derrida a pu en dire, on ne peut déduire ni définition ni même contenu de ce mot ou ce concept, qui n’est “ni un mot, ni un concept”. Comment donc le traduire, avec toute la difficulté qu’il apporte avec lui : usage du “a”, indistinction à l’oral avec l’“autre” différence, travail d’ambiguïté avec les deux verbes “différer” et “différencier”, etc.? Ce texte entend mettre à l’épreuve le geste traductif à partir d’une étude de trois réceptions du terme en portugais, en anglais et en finnois.