bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-focus Image Fusion Using an Effective Discrete Wavelet Transform Based Algorithm
Authors: Yang Yong , Huang Shuying , Gao Junfeng , Qian Zhongsheng
Published: May 2014

In this paper, by considering the main objective of multi-focus image fusion and the physical meaning of wavelet coefficients, a discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based fusion technique with a novel coefficients selection algorithm is presented. After the source images are decomposed by DWT, two different window-based fusion rules are separately employed to combine the low frequency and high frequency coefficients. In the method, the coefficients in the low frequency domain with maximum sharpness focus measure are selected as coefficients of the fused image, and a maximum neighboring energy based fusion scheme is proposed to select high frequency sub-bands coefficients. In order to guarantee the homogeneity of the resultant fused image, a consistency verification procedure is applied to the combined coefficients. The performance assessment of the proposed method was conducted in both synthetic and real multi-focus images. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve better visual quality and objective evaluation indexes than several existing fusion methods, thus being an effective multi-focus image fusion method.
Morphometry and Distribution of Senecio Nemorensis agg. Species (Asteraceae) in Poland
Authors: Rola Kaja
Published: May 2014

A morphometric analysis based on 316 herbarium specimens of Senecio nemorensis agg. indicated the occurrence of the following four species in Poland: S. germanicus Wallr., S. hercynicus Herborg, S. ovatus (G. Gaertn. et al.) Willd. and S. ucranicus Hodálová. Principal component analysis (PCA), analysis of variance (ANOVA)/Kruskal-Wallis test and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) were applied. Quantitative characters such as supplementary bract length, leaf base width, ligule length and the supplementary/involucral bract length ratio clearly discriminated taxa within S. nemorensis agg. Included is a distribution map of the investigated species based on the examined material, with particular emphasis on the course of the northeastern boundary of S. hercynicus and the northwestern boundary of S. ucranicus. Also given is a determination key for species within S. nemorensis agg. in Poland, together with morphological descriptions of particular species
Development of Successive Cambia and Structure of Secondary Xylem of Ipomoea Obscura (Convolvulaceae)
Authors: Rajput Kishore S. , Chaudhary Bharat D. , Patil Vidya S.
Published: May 2014

Stems of Ipomoea obscura Ker Gawl., increase in thickness by forming multiple rings of cambia. Stems 5-6 mm thick produce parenchymatous derivatives which divide repeatedly to form small arcs of cambium. Several such small arcs initiate simultaneously and form a ring of small cambial arcs. After the formation of a few xylem and phloem elements, all these arcs are interconnected by transdifferentiation of parenchyma cells present between the cambial arcs and constitute a complete cambial cylinder. This newly formed cambium is functionally bidirectional: earlier- formed arcs produce xylem centripetally and phloem centrifugally, while later-formed segments exclusively produce thin-walled parenchyma cells on either side. Young stems are circular in cross section but as stem thickness increases they become oval to elliptic or lobed and dumbbell-shaped. Xylem rays are mostly uni- or biseriate and thin-walled, but multiseriate rays characteristic for a climbing habit are observed occasionally. In thick stems, the marginal ray parenchyma in most of the samples becomes meristematic and develops ray cambia which exclusively produce sieve elements. Similarly, parenchyma cells produced from later-formed cambial segments give rise to several irregularly oriented vascular bundles. The secondary xylem is diffuse porous, with indistinct growth rings and is composed of fibriform and wider vessels, fibres, and axial and ray parenchyma cells, while phloem consists of sieve elements, companion cells, and axial and ray parenchyma cells.
Richard Hooker’S Pneumatologia
Authors: Stafford John K.
Published: May 2014

In the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Polity, Richard Hooker defended the Elizabethan Settlement against what he took to be the excesses of Puritan reform. In this paper, it is argued that the theological cohesion of the Lawes took its centre from Hooker’s dynamic and pervasive understanding of God’s providence through both the objective reality of Scripture, sacrament, noetic redemption, church and Holy Spirit. Yet it was also the secret and mystical operations of the Holy Spirit that created and transformed objectivity into lived experience by which divine grace could be understood and received, joining us to Christ, and incorporating believers in mystical union.
The Call Of Nathanael. John 1:49. A Rhetorical-Theological Study
Authors: Stafford John K.
Published: May 2014

Historicist approaches to the reading of sacred texts, rapidly attain a point where further research produces diminishing returns, resulting in more historical speculation rather than less. This is the opposite of the desired result. The cause of this impasse lies in a failure to discern the rhetorical techniques of the author as a basic reading strategy. Similarly, it is necessary to discern that the author has already made key determinations as to historicity. What is now required of the reader is a deepened appreciation of the intentional theological, ontological and existential implications of the narrative. This paper examines how a literary/rhetorical approach may yield positive results in the case of the call of Nathanael, a narrative fragment that poses intriguing critical questions, both theological and Christological. The results suggest a dominical encounter that supplies the reader with pre-emptive eschatological intensity through deliberate juxtaposition of Nathanael’s disbelief and Jesus’ selfawareness held together in a matrix of scriptural fulfilment
Fungus moths (Lepidoptera, Tineidae) of the Białowieża Forest
Authors: Jaworski Tomasz , Hilszczański Jacek , Plewa Radosław , Szczepkowski Andrzej
Published: May 2014

New records for twenty species of saproxylic tineid moths (Lepidoptera, Tineidae) from the Białowieża Forest (NE Poland) are presented. Most species were recorded on the basis of laboratory breeding of the adult moths from the sporocarps of wood-decaying fungi inhabited by the larvae. Some species were captured using barrier traps or were collected at light. One species, Dryadaula irinae (Savenkov, 1989), is recorded for the first time from Poland and three others, Nemaxera betulinella (Paykull, 1785), Nemapogon fungivorella (Benander, 1939) and Elatobia fuliginosella Lienig & Zeller, 1846, are recognized as new for the fauna of the Białowieża Forest. The current distribution in Poland of each species is briefly discussed, and some remarks on its biology are given
Systematics and Faunistics of Neotropical Eucosmini, 2: Epinotia Hübner, Catastega Clemens, and Crocidosema Zeller (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Razowski Józef , Becker Victor O.
Published: May 2014

Thirty species are discussed; 26 species Epinotia caracae sp. n., Epinotia griseiblema sp. n., Epinotia potosicola sp. n., Epinotia sticta sp. n., Epinotia huatuscana sp. n., Epinotia chalsocia sp. n., Epinotia phorminx sp. n., Epinotia sinuncus sp. n., Crocidosema ochrovirens sp. n., Crocidosema pusula sp. n., Crocidosema semanticana sp. n., Crocidosema marumbiana sp. n., Crocidosema atrovirens sp. n., Crocidosema bidepas sp. n., Crocidosema peroteana sp. n., Crocidosema tainia sp. n., Crocidosema argentonivea sp. n., Crocidosema dematia sp. n., Crocidosema carchinaia sp. n., Crocidosema puertoricana sp. n., Crocidosema cayeaya sp. n., Crocidosema cingularia sp. n., Crocidosema meteora sp. n., Crocidosema obta sp. n., Crocidosema mycteria sp. n., Crocidosema connexa sp. n. are described as new.

New combinations: Epinotia chlorochara Razowski & Wojtusiak, E. guarandae Razowski & Wojtusiak, E. multistrigata Razowski & Wojtusiak, E. runtunica Razowski & Wojtusiak and E. tenebrica Razowski & Wojtusiak are transferred to Crocidosema.
The Use of Soy Flour in Yellow Maize-Amaranth Gluten-free Bread Production
Authors: Vilmane Laila , Straumite Evita
Published: May 2014

Celiac disease is a permanent enteropathy caused by the ingestion of gluten, a protein occurring in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten-free products often have a shorter shelf life, lower quality, and not so pronounced flavour. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new gluten-free products with higher quality and pronounced taste. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of soy flour on the yellow maize-amaranth dough rheological properties and bread quality. To determine the influence of soy flour on gluten-free dough rheological properties and bread quality, soy flour was added at 45%, 50% and 60% to yellow maize flour basis. To study the effect of the amount of water used in the recipe on dough rheological properties and bread quality, each sample (n=7) was prepared in two versions: one with the dough yield 196, and the other with the dough yield 252. The main quality parameters of dough and bread were determined using the following methods: the firmness and resilience of dough, as well as the hardness of bread slice – with a TA.XT.plus Texture Analyser; moisture content of dough – with a thermostat; moisture content of bread crumb – with a Precisa XM 120 at the temperature of 110 °C; and color of bread crumb – in the CIE L*a*b* color system using a ColorTec-PCM/PSM. The best results of dough rheological properties were obtained for samples with dough yield 196, but the best quality of bread – for samples with dough yield 252. It was proved that soy flour improves not only the dough firmness and resilience but also the volume, texture, hardness, moisture content and color of gluten-free bread. No significant differences in the influence of soy flour on dough rheological properties and bread quality were found between the samples with various added amounts of soy flour (45%, 50%, or 60%).
Integrating a Discriminative Classifier into Phrase-based and Hierarchical Decoding
Authors: Tamchyna Aleš , Braune Fabienne , Fraser Alexander , Carpuat Marine , Daumé iii Hal , Quirk Chris
Published: May 2014

Current state-of-the-art statistical machine translation (SMT) relies on simple feature functions which make independence assumptions at the level of phrases or hierarchical rules. However, it is well-known that discriminative models can benefit from rich features extracted from the source sentence context outside of the applied phrase or hierarchical rule, which is available at decoding time. We present a framework for the open-source decoder Moses that allows discriminative models over source context to easily be trained on a large number of examples and then be included as feature functions in decoding.
Czech Machine Translation in the project CzechMate
Authors: Bojar Ondřej , Zeman Daniel
Published: May 2014

We present various achievements in statistical machine translation from English, German, Spanish and French into Czech. We discuss specific properties of the individual source languages and describe techniques that exploit these properties and address language-specific errors. Besides the translation proper, we also present our contribution to error analysis.
Productive verb prefixation patterns
Authors: Hlaváčová Jaroslava , Nedoluzhko Anna
Published: May 2014

The paper discusses a set of verbal prefixes which, when added to a verb together with a reflexive morpheme, change the verb’s meaning always in the same manner. The prefixes form a sequence according to the degree of intensity with which they modify the verbal action. We present the process of verb intensification in three Slavic languages, namely Czech, Slovak and Russian.
Preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer: a comparative study of quality control adherence at two cancer hospitals in Spain and Poland
Authors: Fundowicz Magdalena , Macia Miguel , Marin Susanna , Bogusz-Czerniewicz Marta , Konstanty Ewelina , Modolel Ignaci , Malicki Julian , Guedea Ferran
Published: May 2014

Background. We performed a clinical audit of preoperative rectal cancer treatment at two European radiotherapy centres (Poland and Spain). The aim was to independently verify adherence to a selection of indicators of treatment quality and to identify any notable inter-institutional differences.

Methods. A total of 162 patients, in Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) 68 and in Greater Poland Cancer Centre (GPCC) 94, diagnosed with locally advanced rectal cancer and treated with preoperative radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy were included in retrospective study. A total of 7 quality control measures were evaluated: waiting time, multidisciplinary treatment approach, portal verification, in vivo dosimetry, informed consent, guidelines for diagnostics and therapy, and patient monitoring during treatment.

Results. Several differences were observed. Waiting time from pathomorphological diagnosis to initial consultation was 31 (ICO) vs. 8 (GPCC) days. Waiting time from the first visit to the beginning of the treatment was twice as long at the ICO. At the ICO, 82% of patient experienced treatment interruptions. The protocol for portal verification was the same at both institutions. In vivo dosimetry is not used for this treatment localization at the ICO. The ICO utilizes locally-developed guidelines for diagnostics and therapy, while the GPCC is currently developing its own guidelines.

Conclusions. An independent external clinical audit is an excellent approach to identifying and resolving deficiencies in quality control procedures. We identified several procedures amenable to improvement. Both institutions have since implemented changes to improve quality standards. We believe that all radiotherapy centres should perform a comprehensive clinical audit to identify and rectify deficiencies.
Slovenian experience from diagnostic angiography to interventional radiology
Authors: Pavcnik Dusan
Published: May 2014

Background. The purpose of writing this article is to document the important events and people in the first 50 years of diagnostic angiography and interventional radiology in Slovenia. During this period not only did the name of the institutions and departments change, but also its governance.

Conclusions. This depicted the important roles different people played at various times in the cardiovascular divisions inside and outside of the diagnostic and interventional radiology. Historical data show that Slovenian radiology has relatively immediately introduced the new methods of interventional radiology in clinical practice
The Three Pillars Of Conservative Treatment Of Scoliosis – Case Report
Authors: Rusek Wojciech , Pop Teresa , Glista Joanna , Szczygielska Dorota
Published: May 2014

Streszczenie

Wstęp: S kolioza, p otocznie n azywana b ocznym s krzywieniem k ręgosłupa w rzeczywistości jest zniekształceniem przestrzennym, którego przyczyny nie są dokładnie znane. Wnikliwa diagnostyka stanowi podstawę prawidłowego rozpoznania skolioz i wdrożenia właściwego postępowania usprawniającego. Celem pracy było przedstawienie efektów leczenia zachowawczego pacjenta ze skoliozą, opartego na trzech filarach terapii z uwzględnieniem wczesnej diagnostyki.

Opis przypadku: Pacjent W.P. lat 12, płci męskiej, od 2008 roku był pod opieką lekarską i systematycznie wykonywał ćwiczenia zespołowe, bez efektu korekcyjnego. W lutym 2009r. pacjent po wcześniejszej diagnostyce RTG został przyjęty do leczenia zachowawczego. Wprowadzono ćwiczenia wg indywidualnie przygotowanego programu ćwiczeń korekcyjnych, który początkowo składał się z 3 ćwiczeń na odcinek piersiowy, a następnie po uzupełnieniu diagnostyki, również z 2 ćwiczeń na odcinek lędźwiowy. Każde z ćwiczeń wykonywano 50 razy w ciągu dnia, w 3 seriach. Pacjent zobowiązany był również do noszenia gorsetu korekcyjnego typu Cheneau kilkanaście godzin w ciągu doby.

Wyniki: Wprowadzone ćwiczenia na odcinek piersiowy kręgosłupa spowodowały redukcję kąta skrzywienia z 25 stopni (luty 2009r.) do 14 stopni (październik 2010r.). W odcinku lędźwiowym kręgosłupa terapię rozpoczęto po trzech miesiącach leczenia (brak wcześniejszej diagnostyki tego odcinka kręgosłupa) i uzyskano korekcję skrzywienia o 11 stopni z 23 stopni (maj 2009r.) do 12 stopni (październik 2010r.).

Wnioski: W analizowanym przypadku zastosowane ćwiczenia i sposób postępowania wpłynęły na zmniejszenie deformacji kręgosłupa. Niepełna wstępna diagnostyka wydłużyła czas leczenia i obciążyła badanego dodatkowymi projekcjami RTG
The specificity of injuries in Paralympics sport
Authors: Molik Bartosz , Marszałek Jolanta
Published: May 2014

Streszczenie

Wstęp: Współczesny ruch paraolimpijski (Paralympics) obejmuje swoim działaniem osoby z dysfunkcjami narządu ruchu, porażeniem mózgowym, niewidome i słabowidzące, a także osoby z niepełnosprawnością intelektualną w stopniu lekkim. Do jednych z zagrożeń sportu paraolimpijskiego można zaliczyć urazy sportowe. Uraz jest nieodłącznym elementem sportu pełno- i niepełnosprawnych. Rolą ekspertów jest eliminowanie każdego ryzyka z nim związanego. Celem pracy była charakterystyka urazów występujących w sporcie paraolimpijskim.

Materiał i metody: Dokonano przeglądu literatury polskiej i zagranicznej poświeconej problematyce urazów sportowych w różnych dyscyplinach paraolimpijskich.

Wyniki: Przegląd badań wskazuje na powszechność występowania zjawiska niemalże we wszystkich dyscyplinach paraolimpijskich. Wyniki potwierdzają, że paraolimpijczycy, podobnie jak olimpijczycy, są narażeni na urazy sportowe, aczkolwiek w większości urazy sportowe nie są związane z długotrwałą rekonwalescencją. W sporcie paraolimpijskim dominują drobne urazy, których konsekwencją jest przerwa w treningach nieprzekraczająca 7 dni. Badania potwierdzają tendencję zmniejszania się liczby urazów w dyscyplinach na wózkach, co związane jest najprawdopodobniej ze zmianą przepisów gry oraz postępem technologicznym.

Wnioski: Krytyczne spojrzenie na problem urazów w sporcie niepełnosprawnych potwierdza brak wprowadzania nowych metod badawczych. Większość badań została przeprowadzona w latach 90. XX wieku, a nieliczne publikacje z ostatniego dziesięciolecia zazwyczaj potwierdzają wcześniejsze doniesienia. Konieczne jest również sprecyzowanie metod prewencji i określenie mechanizmów urazów sportowych.
The Use Of Geoinformation In Land Acquisition For Road Developments
Authors: Kazak Jan , Szewrański Szymon
Published: May 2014

The development of new areas is associated with costs that partly burden public budgets. One example of such costs is the necessity of purchasing land for the construction of public roads. Geoinformation can be used to forecast such costs. In the era of transformation, the land administration system and transition from traditional (raster) data to an electronic (vector) version opens new possibilities for the use of geoinformation. Modern systems must satisfy certain requirements set out by the recipient as well as by legislation, on both the European and national level. They must also be powered by expertise gained in accordance with good practice. In this case, a property appraiser is the source of such information.. The study presents the possibility of using the CommunityViz system for forecasting the financial consequences of adopting the local plan for the area Jagodno II in Wroclaw. The paper also presents the possibility of using the results of the calculations during public consultations.
Simulation Modeling Concept Of Property Market Transactions
Authors: Cellmer Radosław , Szczepankowska Katarzyna
Published: May 2014

The real estate market is a specific and imperfect field of research, and its complex structure and the presence of information gaps necessitate the use of advanced analytical tools. One such tool is simulation modeling, which has a variety of practical applications and can be used to model real-life systems characterized by a high degree of complexity and a high share of random components. In this paper, virtual data was used to simulate transactions on the local real estate market. Simulation tools were applied to generate additional information about transactions, their spatial distribution and transaction prices. The applicability of the iterative Monte Carlo approach with a standard regression model and a spatial regression model was evaluated.
The Geography of Self-Representation: Orientalism in Ernest Hemingway’S the Sun also Rises
Authors: Borcău Mădălina
Published: May 2014

This paper will deal with the problematics of cultural self-representation in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises. I shall approach this theme by applying concepts from Edward Said’s Orientalism and Jean Baudrillard’s America to Hemingway’s novel and discussing the limitations of such theories which - it will be argued - oversimplify the issue by reducing it to an opposition between ‘Self’ and ‘Otherness’.
Issues of media education of the USA and Canada in the information society
Authors: Holovchenko Hlib
Published: May 2014

The experience of different countries concerning the formation of preconditions for the development of the information society has been considered. The consequences of “totalitarian” model during the transition to open democratic civil society and the role of education and educators in this process have been defined on the example of Russia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

The introduction of media education on the example of the U.S. and Canada as development of society and civilized economy has been substantiated. Didactic information space (DIS) - a unique educational technology, which was elaborated by scientists in the Mykolaiv College of Press and Television - has been characterized. It has proven to be the most efficient technology in the former Soviet Union that considers civic, social, educational direction, taking into account the information society. It has been determined that for further research it will be interesting to study interrelation between the need to obtain simultaneously a huge amount of experience - understanding European values, the next stage of human development (transition from industrial to information), the acquisition of democratic thinking, understanding of civil society - and the public acquisition of media literacy skills through the widespread introduction of media education.

There exists the need of simultaneous acquisition of knowledge and skills that makes the process complicated. In addition, none of the considered aspects are taught in any school discipline and unfortunately they are submitted only in several universities of Ukraine. But there is a positive experimental experience of Mykolaiv College of Press and Television through the interrelation of classroom and extracurricular activities.
Analysis of national and foreign specialized sport education for senior pupils
Authors: Rebryna Anatoliy
Published: May 2014

There has been theoretically substantiated the topicality of the specialized learning of the senior pupils of secondary educational institutions. There has been revealed the essence of specialized learning as of one of the leading forms of educational process organization in a modern school, which in its goal remains between a secondary and vocational education, providing a functional interrelation and succession between them. There has been presented a substantial analysis of state documents and curricula in physical training for senior pupils of national and foreign sports oriented secondary schools. A retrospective analysis of pedagogical literature and Internet resources in the issues of incepting ideas of pupils’ specialized differentiation of learning has been conducted. It has been found out that personal direction of the sports oriented educational process envisages the wholesome system approach to each pupil’s choice of a sports specialization profile, its content, means and forms of educational and extracurricular physical culture and health-improving activity, taking into account the age and individual peculiarities, locomotive and creative aptitudes to the chosen specialization profile. The work of physical training teachers of sports oriented specialized grades has been analyzed. The importance of taking into account the level of knowledge, pupils’ physical fitness, their interests, aptitudes and skills for defining and studying the components of the elective module has been stressed.

It has been found out that a physical education curriculum for the 10-11th grades’ pupils of sports oriented secondary educational establishments can’t approve a strictly defined number of hours for the determination of these or other constituent modules. Each school in accordance with the chosen learning specialization profile may create its own applied physical training curriculum for senior pupils.
Pprofessional and labor socialization of orphans in China
Authors: Kalashnyk Lyubov
Published: May 2014

It has been defined that the problem of labor socialization of young specialists is a problem of great interest and practical importance for modern pedagogical science. Current issues of professional socialization of young people have been considered. Special attention has been paid to orphans - inmates of institutions of social care in China. It has been determined that labor education throughout the history was considered to play the primary role among all kinds of educational work with young people both in classical and modern China. The experience of China as to the problem mentioned has been characterized. Special attention has been paid to the issues which play a practical role both in motivating orphans to professional and labor search (holding “weeks of professions”, participation in daily work as to maintaining the orphanage, caring for youngsters and olds, work in gardens and workshops located on the territory of orphanage etc.) and the society to taking care of orphans (patronage and guarding from factories and plants, granting jobs’ quotas for orphanages’ graduates, making production areas on the territories of the orphanages etc.). It has been found out that adequate labor and professional socialization of orphans in China is considered to be an important part of public campaigns aimed at making staff reserve for different plants and factories (especially with hard or harmful working conditions), law enforcement agencies and agriculture. It has been defined that appropriate level of labor and professional socialization of orphans in China is seen by the State as an essential condition of their full integration into modern Chinese society.
Sanctioning Large-Scale Domestic Cannabis Production - Potency, Yield, and Professionalism
Authors: Moeller K. , Lindholst C.
Published: May 2014

Domestically cultivated cannabis, referred to as sinsemilla, constitutes a growing share of the illicit drug markets in the Scandinavian countries. In this study we present forensic evidence of THC content in sinsemilla and resin confiscated by the Danish police from 2008 to 2012. The purpose is to establish a mean potency, a yield estimate for professionally grown plants, and an assessment of how „professionalism” applies to domestic cultivation. We find a mean THC content in our sample normally distributed around 12% for sinsemilla (n=35) and 11.7% for resin (n=99). This is markedly higher than the assumption of THC content in sinsemilla between 6-8% as is currently applied in Norway and Sweden. It is also higher than the previous estimate of resin potency. The yield in sinsemilla plants is found to be 46 grams per plant. This is much lower than the estimate applied in criminal cases, which indicates that courts do not apply a yield-percentage estimate. The specificities of domestic cannabis cultivation also relate to the sanction criteria „professionalism”. Firstly, the number of plants found can provide for calculation of an aggregate quantum. Secondly, this can be related to the formal quantum thresholds between the (various) grades of illicit drug crimes in the national legal systems. Finally, we introduce the nationality of the gardener as an indication of professionalism in combination with the equipment found on site. We conclude that proportionality in criminal sanctioning of large-scale cannabis cases would improve by applying a 1:1 potency level between sinsemilla and resin.
From Speech Acts to Semantics
Authors: Mackenzie Jim
Published: May 2014

Frege introduced the notion of pragmatic force as what distinguishes statements from questions. This distinction was elaborated by Wittgenstein in his later works, and systematised as an account of different kinds of speech acts in formal dialogue theory by Hamblin. It lies at the heart of the inferential semantics more recently developed by Brandom. The present paper attempts to sketch some of the relations between these developments.
Supporting Argumentation Schemes in Argumentative Dialogue Games
Authors: Wells Simon
Published: May 2014

This paper reports preliminary work into the exploitation of argumentation schemes within dialogue games. We identify a property of dialogue games that we call “scheme awareness” that captures the relationship between dialogue game systems and argumentation schemes. Scheme awareness is used to examine the ways in which existing dialogue games utilise argumentation schemes and consequently the degree with which a dialogue game can be used to construct argument structures. The aim is to develop a set of guidelines for dialogue game design, which feed into a set of Dialogue Game Description Language (DGDL) extensions in turn enabling dialogue games to better exploit argumentation schemes.
Preface: From Pragmatics and Dialectics to Argument Studies
Authors: Budzynska Katarzyna , Eemeren Frans H. van , Koszowy Marcin
Published: May 2014

Pragmatics and dialectics are two disciplines which have been amongst the first and most important partners for argument studies in the exploration of the complex realm of communication. Treating argumentation as a construct consisting of premises and conclusion allows for investigating some interesting properties of the phenomenon of reasoning, but does not capture a variety of aspects related to the usage of natural language and dialogical context in which real-life argumentation is typically embedded. This special issue explores some of the fascinating research questions which emerge when we move beyond logic into the territory of the pragmatics and dialectics of argument.
Weight-in-Motion Estimation Based on Reconstruction of Tyre Footprint’s Geometry by Group of Fibre Optic Sensors
Authors: Grakovski Alexander , Pilipovec Alexey , Kabashkin Igor , Petersons Elmars
Published: May 2014

The problem of measuring road vehicle’s weight-in-motion (WIM) is important for overload enforcement, road maintenance planning and cargo fleet managing, control of the legal use of the transport infrastructure, road surface protection from the early destruction and for the safety on the roads. The fibre-optic sensors (FOS) functionality is based on the changes in the parameters of the optical signal due to the deformation of the optical fibre under the weight of the crossing vehicle. A fibre-optic sensor responds to the deformation, therefore for WIM measurements it is necessary to estimate the impact area of a wheel on the working surface of the sensor called tyre footprint. This information is used further for the estimation of the vehicle wheel’s speed, contact width, length, and, finally, axle’s weight while in motion. Recorded signals from a truck passing over a group of FOS with various speeds and known weight are used as an input data. The results of the several laboratory and field experiments with FOS, e.g. load characteristics according to the temperature, contact surface width and loading speed impact, are provided here. The method of initial signal deconvolution on symmetric and asymmetric components provides the chance to approximate geometric size of tyre surface footprint as well as calculate weight on each wheel separately. The examples of the estimation of a truck speed, tyre contact surface footprint parameters using FOS signals are discussed in this article.
Raptors in Bosnia and Herzegovina - their status and perspectives for monitoring development
Authors: Kotrošan Dražen , Hatibović Ena
Published: May 2014

In the last 150 years, 49 raptor species belonging to the families Pandionidae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Tytonidae, Strigidae and Laniidae have been recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, little is known about their populations. In comparison with historical data, their status has changed significantly, while nine species became extinct or probably extinct as breeders. In this paper, data on the present status of raptor populations is presented, as well as problems and the possibilities of developing species monitoring in Bosnia and Herzegovina. So far, no raptor monitoring has been established in the form of a long-term programme. The establishment of such programme is hampered by a number of reasons (lack of observers, lack of financial resources, lack of experience and knowledge, etc.). Monitoring of raptors in Bosnia and Herzegovina is needed to improve knowledge of the local populations as well as to protect these birds and their habitats. Also, this programme would be significant for the studies concerning the construction of various facilities (e.g. wind turbines). One of the important points of the development programme is to mobilize international cooperation and projects to solve current problems
Mesoporous Silica Functionalized by Nickel-Cyclam Molecules: Preparation and Resonance Raman Study
Authors: Laskowska Magdalena , Laskowski Łukasz , Dzilinski Kazimierz
Published: May 2014

Mesoporous silica SBA-15 functionalized by (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) cyclam groups containing nickel ions (Ni-cyclam) was synthesized by two different approaches, and investigated by resonance Raman spectroscopy. Vibrational features of organometallic moleculess are analyzed for (Ni-cyclam) groups grafted in the silica pores. An assignment of bands in resonance Raman spectra was done to monitor the structure and properties of the mesoporous silica material with regard to the methods of synthesis used in this study. It was shown, that Raman scattering can be useful for probing of functionalization's efficiency of mesoporous silica. On the base of the resonance investigation: Raman and EPR spectroscopy, distribution of the functional groups inside pores can be determined. In the present article the Raman spectroscopy is treat as a complementary research to EPR investigation. It was shown that a clustering of the active groups alter significantly the resonance Raman spectra through broadening and shifts of the corresponding bands in comparison with separated molecules. Results obtained from the analysis of the resonance Raman spectra indicate significant differences between the samples prepared by the two procedures. The discussion of the Raman results was referred to EPR results, and on the base of this authors concluded about correct achievement of the functionalization.
A Hybrid method for testing routing protocols in mesh networks
Authors: Kaliszan Adam , Glabowski Mariusz , Hanczewski Sławomir , Gallucci Dario , Vanini Salvatore
Published: May 2014

This article presents a hybrid method for testing routing protocols specifically dedicated to mesh networks. The architecture of software routers is described and a graphic environment that would ensure effective configuration of test networks is proposed. The platform for tests of routing protocols presented in the article combines an implementation of routing protocols (the real control plane) with a router data plane simulator. The proposed solution provides an opportunity to test real implementations of routing protocols for any parameters of data plane, not limited by the physical implementation of a test network. The presented platform is based on an open source code
SIP-based AAA in delay-aware num-oriented wireless mesh networks
Authors: Misiorek Paweł , Walkowiak Przemysław , Karlik Stanisław , Vanini Salvatore
Published: May 2014

A growing number of mobile nodes that require Internet access is observed. These nodes may be organized in a wireless mesh network in which some of the nodes may serve the access to the Internet and relay other users’ traffic. Such a vision, however, causes the need for carrier-grade reliable Internet sharing solution. This paper presents a CARMNET-XML protocol, which enables to provide Authentication, Authorisation and Accounting AAA functionalities in wireless mesh networks managed by the Delay-Aware Network Utility Maximization System (DANUMS). The presented solution is a part of a CARMNET system, which integrates the utility-oriented resource allocation provided by DANUMS with the IMS architecture. The system allows users to access Internet with a given quality without the need of extending the operator’s infrastructure. Moreover, we define the scenario of the system application involving the use of the proposed protocol that has been experimentally evaluated in a wireless testbed environment
Multiuser cpm transmission for mimo systems
Authors: Remlein Piotr
Published: May 2014

Frequency-Division Multiplexed Continuous Phase Modulation (FDM-CPM) systems with Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) transmission are investigated. In this paper, a multiuser reception scheme for CPM MIMO transmission is presented. The analyzed system is designed to achieve high spectral efficiency by exploiting the multiplexing gain of MIMO techniques. To take advantage of the multiplexing gain of MIMO systems, a Zero Forcing (ZF) MIMO detector and a low-complexity iterative algorithm for Inter- Carrier Interference (ICI) cancellation are considered. Numerical simulations have been performed to assess the performance improvement achieved with the proposed frequency-division multiplexed CPM multiuser MIMO system
A Third-Order Item Response Theory Model for Modeling the Effects of Domains and Subdomains in Large-Scale Educational Assessment Surveys
Authors: Rijmen Frank , Jeon Minjeong , von Davier Matthias , Rabe-Hesketh Sophia
Published: May 2014

Second-order item response theory models have been used for assessments consisting of several domains, such as content areas. We extend the second-order model to a third-order model for assessments that include subdomains nested in domains. Using a graphical model framework, it is shown how the model does not suffer from the curse of multidimensionality. We apply unidimensional, second-order, and third-order item response models to the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. Our findings suggest that deviations from unidimensionality are more pronounced at the content domain level than at the cognitive domain level and that deviations from unidimensionality at the content domain level become negligible after taking into account topic areas.
English as a Second Dialect Policy and Achievement of Aboriginal Students in British Columbia
Authors: Battisti Michele , Friesen Jane , Krauth Brian
Published: May 2014

Since the 1980s, the BC Ministry of Education has offered funding to support the language development of students who speak non-standard dialects of English. In practice, the students who are supported by this funding are almost exclusively Aboriginal, and English as a Second Dialect (ESD) funding has grown to be an important source of supplemental funding for Aboriginal students in many school districts. We exploit the staggered uptake of ESD funding by school districts to identify its effect on academic achievement. We find a sizable positive effect of ESD on grade seven reading achievement among Aboriginal students.
Fourth World Theory: The Evolution of . . .
Authors: Dotson Olon
Published: May 2014

Fourth World theory is a methodology for examining and developing greater understanding of the extent of the distress and abandonment commonly found in the cores of American cities resulting from de-industrialization, historic segregation and discrimination patterns, suburban sprawl, erosion of a viable tax base, racism, inability to embrace the concept of desegregation and civil rights legislation, fear, despair, crumbling infrastructure systems, disinvestment in urban school systems, and environmental justice issues. This article uses the analytical lens of Fourth World theory to examine how such structural and cultural forces contributed to the severely distressed conditions now found in the city of Gary, Indiana. Tracking its one-hundred-year history, from its founding as an industrial town through its post-industrial decline occurring during the city’s first African-American mayor’s five terms in office, the methodology clearly demonstrates how the social construction of race has systematically undermined every aspect of Gary’s overall quality of life. To illustrate that this city is not an anomaly but rather reflects a typical pattern of disparity and uneven development arising from racist practices, Gary is compared to other cities of similar size and also to the much larger Detroit. The article triangulates academic literature, news media archives, and an oral history provided by the mayor to show how Gary evolved from being a model industrial city to a cauldron of racial disparity. The paper concludes by arguing that continued absence of reflection on the nation’s historical racialization of place threatens not just impoverished communities of color, but also the sustainability of the entire nation.
Randomized Binary Consensus with Faulty Agents
Authors: Gogolev Alexander , Marcenaro Lucio
Published: May 2014

This paper investigates self-organizing binary majority consensus disturbed by faulty nodes with random and persistent failure. We study consensus in ordered and random networks with noise, message loss and delays. Using computer simulations, we show that: (1) explicit randomization by noise, message loss and topology can increase robustness towards faulty nodes; (2) commonly-used faulty nodes with random failure inhibit consensus less than faulty nodes with persistent failure; and (3) in some cases, such randomly failing faulty nodes can even promote agreement.
Redefining Secondary Forests in the Mexican Forest Code: Implications for Management, Restoration, and Conservation
Authors: Román-Dañobeytia Francisco , Levy-Tacher Samuel , Macario-Mendoza Pedro , Zúñiga-Morales José
Published: May 2014

The Mexican Forest Code establishes structural reference values to differentiate between secondary and old-growth forests and requires a management plan when secondary forests become old-growth and potentially harvestable forests. The implications of this regulation for forest management, restoration, and conservation were assessed in the context of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, which is located in the Yucatan Peninsula. The basal area and stem density thresholds currently used by the legislation to differentiate old-growth from secondary forests are 4 m2/ha and 15 trees/ha (trees with a diameter at breast height of >25 cm); however, our research indicates that these values should be increased to 20 m2/ha and 100 trees/ha, respectively. Given that a management plan is required when secondary forests become old-growth forests, many landowners avoid forest-stand development by engaging slash-and-burn agriculture or cattle grazing. We present evidence that deforestation and land degradation may prevent the natural regeneration of late-successional tree species of high ecological and economic importance. Moreover, we discuss the results of this study in the light of an ongoing debate in the Yucatan Peninsula between policy makers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), landowners and researchers, regarding the modification of this regulation to redefine the concept of acahual (secondary forest) and to facilitate forest management and restoration with valuable timber tree species.
A pH and Redox Dual Responsive 4-Arm Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(disulfide histamine) Copolymer for Non-Viral Gene Transfection in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: An Kangkang , Zhao Peng , Lin Chao , Liu Hongwei
Published: May 2014

A novel 4-arm poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(disulfide histamine) copolymer was synthesized by Michael addition reaction of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) vinyl sulfone and amine-capped poly(disulfide histamine) oligomer, being denoted as 4-arm PEG-SSPHIS. This copolymer was able to condense DNA into nanoscale polyplexes (<200 nm in average diameter) with almost neutral surface charge (+(5–10) mV). Besides, these polyplexes were colloidal stable within 4 h in HEPES buffer saline at pH 7.4 (physiological environment), but rapidly dissociated to liberate DNA in the presence of 10 mM glutathione (intracellular reducing environment). The polyplexes also revealed pH-responsive surface charges which markedly increased with reducing pH values from 7.4–6.3 (tumor microenvironment). In vitro transfection experiments showed that polyplexes of 4-arm PEG-SSPHIS were capable of exerting enhanced transfection efficacy in MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cells under acidic conditions (pH 6.3–7.0). Moreover, intravenous administration of the polyplexes to nude mice bearing HepG2-tumor yielded high transgene expression largely in tumor rather other normal organs. Importantly, this copolymer and its polyplexes had low cytotoxicity against the cells in vitro and caused no death of the mice. The results of this study indicate that 4-arm PEG-SSPHIS has high potential as a dual responsive gene delivery vector for cancer gene therapy.
Visible-Light Active and Magnetically Recyclable Nanocomposites for the Degradation of Organic Dye
Authors: Niu Helin , Wang Qinmin , Liang Hongxia , Chen Min , Mao Changjie , Song Jiming , Zhang Shengyi , Gao Yuanhao , Chen Changle
Published: May 2014

Recyclable visible-light photocatalyst Fe3O4@TiO2 with core-shell structure was prepared by a simple synthetic strategy using solvothermal crystallization of titanium precursor on preformed Fe3O4 nanopartiles. The photo-degradation reaction of neutral red aqueous solution was tested to evaluate the visible-light photocatalytic activity of the as prepared Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles, which show excellent photocatalytic activity compared with commercial P25 catalyst. Moreover, the Fe3O4@TiO2 nanocomposites can be easily separated from the reaction mixture, and maintain favorable photocatalytic activity after five cycles. The high visible light absorption of the Fe3O4@TiO2 nanocomposites may originate from the absence of electronic heterojunction, excellently dispersity and the high specific surface area of the as-synthesized Fe3O4@TiO2 samples.
Nanosized Thin SnO2 Layers Doped with Te and TeO2 as Room Temperature Humidity Sensors
Authors: Georgieva Biliana , Podolesheva Irena , Spasov Georgy , Pirov Jordan
Published: May 2014

In this paper the humidity sensing properties of layers prepared by a new method for obtaining doped tin oxide are studied. Different techniques—SEM, EDS in SEM, TEM, SAED, AES and electrical measurements—are used for detailed characterization of the thin layers. The as-deposited layers are amorphous with great specific area and low density. They are built up of a fine grained matrix, consisting of Sn- and Te-oxides, and a nanosized dispersed phase of Te, Sn and/or SnTe. The chemical composition of both the matrix and the nanosized particles depends on the ratio RSn/Te and the evaporation conditions. It is shown that as-deposited layers with RSn/Te ranging from 0.4 to 0.9 exhibit excellent characteristics as humidity sensors operating at room temperature—very high sensitivity, good selectivity, fast response and short recovery period. Ageing tests have shown that the layers possess good long-term stability. Results obtained regarding the type of the water adsorption on the layers’ surface help better understand the relation between preparation conditions, structure, composition and humidity sensing properties.
Recent Advances in Pharmacotherapy of Schizophrenia
Authors: Lindenmayer Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2014

Our new knowledge of a variety of neurotransmitter systems will allow for the development of new and more effective antipsychotics with fewer side effects.