bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metal Complexes Containing Natural and Artificial Radioactive Elements and Their Applications
Authors: Kharissova Oxana , Méndez-Rojas Miguel , Kharisov Boris , Méndez Ubaldo , Martínez Perla
Published: July 2014

Recent advances (during the 2007–2014 period) in the coordination and organometallic chemistry of compounds containing natural and artificially prepared radionuclides (actinides and technetium), are reviewed. Radioactive isotopes of naturally stable elements are not included for discussion in this work. Actinide and technetium complexes with O-, N-, N,O, N,S-, P-containing ligands, as well π-organometallics are discussed from the view point of their synthesis, properties, and main applications. On the basis of their properties, several mono-, bi-, tri-, tetra- or polydentate ligands have been designed for specific recognition of some particular radionuclides, and can be used in the processes of nuclear waste remediation, i.e., recycling of nuclear fuel and the separation of actinides and fission products from waste solutions or for analytical determination of actinides in solutions; actinide metal complexes are also usefulas catalysts forcoupling gaseous carbon monoxide,as well as antimicrobial and anti-fungi agents due to their biological activity. Radioactive labeling based on the short-lived metastable nuclide technetium-99m (99mTc) for biomedical use as heart, lung, kidney, bone, brain, liver or cancer imaging agents is also discussed. Finally, the promising applications of technetium labeling of nanomaterials, with potential applications as drug transport and delivery vehicles, radiotherapeutic agents or radiotracers for monitoring metabolic pathways, are also described.
Trends in Correlation-Based Pattern Recognition and Tracking in Forward-Looking Infrared Imagery
Authors: Alam Mohammad , Bhuiyan Sharif
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we review the recent trends and advancements on correlation-based pattern recognition and tracking in forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery. In particular, we discuss matched filter-based correlation techniques for target detection and tracking which are widely used for various real time applications. We analyze and present test results involving recently reported matched filters such as the maximum average correlation height (MACH) filter and its variants, and distance classifier correlation filter (DCCF) and its variants. Test results are presented for both single/multiple target detection and tracking using various real-life FLIR image sequences.
Questions of quality in repositories of open educational resources: a literature review
Authors: Atenas Javiera , Havemann Leo
Published: July 2014

Open educational resources (OER) are teaching and learning materials which are freely available and openly licensed. Repositories of OER (ROER) are platforms that host and facilitate access to these resources. ROER should not just be designed to store this content – in keeping with the aims of the OER movement, they should support educators in embracing open educational practices (OEP) such as searching for and retrieving content that they will reuse, adapt or modify as needed, without economic barriers or copyright restrictions. This paper reviews key literature on OER and ROER, in order to understand the roles ROER are said or supposed to fulfil in relation to furthering the aims of the OER movement. Four themes which should shape repository design are identified, and the following 10 quality indicators (QI) for ROER effectiveness are discussed: featured resources; user evaluation tools; peer review; authorship of the resources; keywords of the resources; use of standardised metadata; multilingualism of the repositories; inclusion of social media tools; specification of the creative commons license; availability of the source code or original files. These QI form the basis of a method for the evaluation of ROER initiatives which, in concert with considerations of achievability and long-term sustainability, should assist in enhancement and development.Keywords: open educational resources; open access; open educational practice; repositories; quality assurance(Published: 24 July 2014)Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2014, 22: 20889 -http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v22.20889
Sur l'introduction en France et à l'Ile de France du néflier du Japon
Authors: Rivals Pierre
Published: July 2014

On dit que le Néflier du Japon a été introduit en France depuis Canton en 1789 et l'on sait que sa première floraison se produisit à la fin de 1797. Selon toute vraisemblance, cette introduction ne fut pas directe mais eut lieu depuis le Jardin de Poivre à l'Ile Maurice (futur jardin des Pamplemousses) où l'espèce fleurissait déjà en 1789. Son introduction dans cette île dût avoir lieu en 1768 ou 1769 par un Abbé Galloys, au retour d'une mission à Canton ordonnée par le Roi mais patronnée par Poivre. C'est probablement en 1788 et non en 1784 que le Néflier du Japon dût parvenir au Jardin Royal de Paris qui allait devenir celui du Muséum.
Identification des techniques de récolte des graines alimentaires
Authors: Sigaut François
Published: July 2014

An attempt is made at identifying and classifying the grain harvesting technics in relation with the comparative study of cultivation practices and their history.
Données de médecine populaire à la Guadeloupe
Authors: Bougerol Christiane
Published: July 2014

A description of folk medicine and uses of medicinal plants in a locality of Guadelupe island in the West Indies.
Yamagobo : trois légumes japonais au carrefour de l'ethnobotanique et de l'ethnolinguistique
Authors: Cobbi Jane
Published: July 2014

Dans une localité japonaise, le même nom vernaculaire (yamagobô) désigne trois espèces botaniques différentes, dont chacune a un point de ressemblance avec les autres. Ce cas a permis de voir qu'un problème d'identification ne peut toujours être résolu par la seule référence aux flores régionales ; il fallait tenir compte de la perception qu'ont les usagers de la morphologie de ces plantes, et de l'itinéraire qu'elles ont pu parcourir.
Cyrtosperma chamissonis (Araceae) : Ecology, distribution, and economic importance in the South Pacific
Authors: Thompson Sue
Published: July 2014

The edible aroids, Alocasia macrorrhiza, Amorphophallus paeoniifotius, Colocasia esculenta, and Cyrtosperma chamissonis, are important subsistence plants throughout the Pacific. A survey of floras, ethnographies, and other works indicated significant differences in the distributions and importance of these plants in the three cultural regions of the Pacific. Colocasia esculenta is the major aroid in Polynesia and Melanesia while Cy. chamissonis is the major aroid in Micronesia. Alocasia macrorrhiza is important on only a few islands in western Polynesia and Am. paeoniifolius is nowhere the major aroid. Although the distributions of Co. esculenta and Cy. chamissonis correspond to cultural regions, they are probably determined by ecological factors rather than by the cultural preferences of the people cultivating the plants. The importance of Cy. chamissonis on the low islands and atolls of Micronesia is due to its ability to withstand brackish water and outcompete Co. esculenta under such conditions.
Les jardins Anga (Nouvelle-Guinée)
Authors: Lemonnier Pierre
Published: July 2014

L'étude des conditions techniques et sociales de mise en culture des jardins dans 6 tribus anga fait apparaître une diversité de cas que ne laisserait pas supposer l'identité des écosystèmes exploités et des espèces cultivées. Après une rapide description des techniques mises en œuvre, on envisage des corrélations possibles entre procédures techniques et organisation sociale. On n'en constate aucune entre le niveau d'entraide effective et règles d'alliance, pas plus qu'avec la dimension du groupe d'entr'aide mobilisable. Par contre, l'accès à une parcelle défrichée ou aux produits du jardin d'autrui semble bien être la contrepartie de l'aide apportée lors de l'ouverture d'un jardin. Autant que l'étonnante diversité des cas rencontrés, on retiendra que les uns se présentent comme les contre- exemples des autres, ce qui renvoie à une analyse globale du système technique anga.
L'agriculture de subsistance, l'autonomie de la femme et l'autorité des aînés chez les Maka (Cameroun)
Authors: Geschiere Peter
Published: July 2014

La production vivrière des Maka du Cameroun repose sur la culture du manioc et des plantains, complétée par celle des concombres et des arachides. Elle est essentiellement activité féminine. Ni la terre cultivable, ni les outils ni les boutures et graines ne sont rares ; on ne peut donc trouver là une base au développement de l'autorité des aînés, non plus que dans la gestion des stocks agricoles ou dans le statut de la femme qui est caractérisé par l'autonomie. De fait, les aînés n'exercent pas de contrôle direct sur la production agricole. Par contre, le chef peut étendre son pouvoir en « accumulant » les femmes par polygamie, ce qui suggère que l'utilisation des capacités de reproduction biologique du groupe joue le premier rôle dans la stratégie des Maka. Pour mieux asseoir ses conclusions l'auteur esquisse des comparaisons avec d'autres ethnies camerounaises, telles que Beti et Mkao.
Pomme de terre et maïs chez les Aymaras des hauts-plateaux de Bolivie
Authors: Bouysse-Cassagne Therèse
Published: July 2014

Le problème posé dans cet article est celui de l'exploitation préférentielle d'un certain nombre de paliers écologiques par les populations aymaras de l'Altiplano bolivien, d'abord à la période des chefferies, ensuite sous l'état inca. On voit comment l'état inca privilégia les cultures de maïs dans les vallées en y établissant de grandes colonies paysannes (mitimaes). Cette extension des cultures de mais permit la création d'un surplus - inexistant à l'époque précédente - qui garantissait la gestion de nouvelles classes sociales d'une part et qui achevait d'autre part la déstabilisation des chefferies dont les centres de pouvoir étaient situés jusque là à l'étage des tubercules.
Corrélations et contre-exemples à travers le Pacifique
Authors: Panoff Michel
Published: July 2014

Pour tester la problématique présentée dans le « Mémorandum introductif », sont examinées cinq sociétés polynésiennes, choisies de manière à faire jouer le plus grand nombre de paramètres et notamment divers degrés de stratification sociale. Au terme de cette analyse on ne trouve pas de corrélations significatives entre pouvoir politique et production vivrière. De surcroît, ni la construction de vastes réseaux d'irrigation, ni le stockage de nourriture sur une grande échelle ne semblent avoir précédé l'apparition d'une autorité centrale, mais en seraient bien plutôt la conséquence. Par contre, il existe une forte corrélation entre renforcement du pouvoir politique et développement des fonctions religieuses dans les sociétés étudiées.
Les tubercules sont-ils aux céréales comme la sauvagerie est à la civilisation ?
Authors: Testart Alain
Published: July 2014

Les inégalités sociales, les classes et l'Etat se développent beaucoup plus chez les cultivateurs de céréales que chez les cultivateurs de tubercules. Le présent article examine brièvement les raisons possibles de cette différence en testant une hypothèse élaborée à propos des chasseurs-cueilleurs, à savoir que le stockage intensif des aliments peut fournir une des bases du développement des inégalités.
Lathyrus tuberosus L. Biologie et perspectives d'amélioration
Authors: Hossaert-Palauqui M. , Delbos M.
Published: July 2014

Lathyrus tuberosus L. est une Légumineuse vivace dont les tubercules étaient, jusqu'au début du siècle, consommés en Europe et en Asie. Effectivement, l'analyse biochimique montre que ces tubercules peuvent avoir une teneur en protéines équivalente à celle des tubercules des Légumineuses les plus riches. Les premiers travaux réalisés par Mitev sur la modification des techniques culturales et des essais d'hybridation de L. tuberosus laissent supposer de grandes possibilités d'amélioration de l'espèce. Par ailleurs, cette Légumineuse pose des problèmes biologiques fondamentaux de par ses divers modes de propagation, soit par reproduction sexuée, soit par multiplication végétative à l'aide de tubercules ou stolons.
Usages médicaux traditionnels et propriétés pharmacologiques de Lawsonia inermis L. , Lythracées
Authors: Lemordant Denis , Forestier J.P.
Published: July 2014

Les auteurs passent en revue les usages du henné dans les différentes médecines traditionnelles en soulignant ceux qui sont justifiés par des propriétés scientifiques démontrées.
Evolution de l'alimentation aux îles Marquises de la colonisation à nos jours
Authors: Couilliot M.F. , Darlu Pierre , Belaid H.
Published: July 2014

L'évolution de l'alimentation aux îles Marquises depuis leur annexion par la France en 1842 a été étudiée à la lumière de documents d'archives. Une enquête nutritionnelle effectuée en 1979, dans l'une des îles de l'archipel a permis de faire le point sur l'alimentation actuelle. Bien que la consommation de denrées importées (farine, riz, sucre, conserves...), se soit développée rapidement, les aliments locaux, lesquels échappent au circuit monétaire, restent toutefois encore aujourd'hui prépondérants. De plus, de nos jours, entre les 4 villages de l'île, d'importantes différences dans les ressources alimentaires et leur utilisation apparaissent.
Evironmental change and timber selection in huambisa Jivaro house construction
Authors: Pilgram Thomas
Published: July 2014

Les Huambisa Jivaro du centre nord du Pérou sont récemment passés d'un type d'habitation dispersé et non sédentaire à un type d'habitation groupé et sédentaire. La concentration de population a altéré l'écologie locale des villages. En particulier, leur bois préféré, qui sert à la construction des maisons et qui provenait des forêts primaires, a diminué puisque ces forêts sont en voie de remplacement par des forêts secondaires. Bien que pour des occidentaux aucun des bois utilisés ne soit réputé durable, les Huambisa indiquent que le bois qui provient des forêts vierges est le plus durable. Le bois résistant est maintenant réservé aux parties essentielles des structures d'habitation et celui, moins durable, qui provient des forêts secondaires, sert à la construction des éléments de structure plus facilement remplaçables.
Linguistic pit-falls in upper Zairean folk-taxonomy research
Authors: Carrington J.-F.
Published: July 2014

Une partie de la nomenclature botanique locale publiée dans une Flore centre-africaine traitant des plantes du Haut-Zaïre est étudiée afin d'évaluer la valeur linguistique des « noms » suggérés comme équivalents aux taxa linnéens. On constate que le chercheur en ethnobotanique qui n'a pas une connaissance approfondie de la langue locale risque de se tromper à plusieurs niveaux linguistiques.
Systematics and domestication of Panicum sumatrense (Graminae)
Authors: de Wet J.M.J. , Prasada Rao K.E. , Brink D.E.
Published: July 2014

Le Panicum sunwtrense est une céréale très cultivée en Inde, au Népal et en Birmanie occidentale. 11 est spécialement important dans la région des Ghat orientaux, en Inde, où il occupe une place considérable dans l'agriculture tribale. Cette espèce est divisée en deux sous-espèces, le P. sumatrense subsp. sumatrense qui inclut le « sama » cultivé et la sous-espèce P. psilopodium (Trin.) de Wet comb. nov. qui inclut l'ancêtre sauvage du « sama ». Ces deux sous-espèces se croisent quand elles sont sympatriques pour donner des hybrides fertiles dont les dérivés deviennent souvent les mauvaises herbes des champs de « sama ». On reconnait deux races de « sama » cultivées. La race « nana » comprend les plantes à stipes presque couchés qui se dressent lors de la floraison. Les inflorescences sont longues et ouvertes avec les branches supérieures parfois en touffe et recourbées lors de la maturité. La race « robusta » comprend des plantes dressées avec des branches longues et fortes et des inflorescences ouvertes et compactes. Cette race est cultivée dans le nord-ouest de l'Andhra Pradesh et dans l'Orissa, état voisin, où il se croise avec la race « nana ».
Aspects de la médecine traditionnelle et des plantes médicinales des Shipibo-Conibo de l'Ucayali
Authors: Tournon J. , Reategui U.
Published: July 2014

Les auteurs introduisent le concept Shipibo-Conibo de « rao » qui comprend les plantes médicinales et plus généralement toutes les plantes qui ont un pouvoir : hallucinogènes, plantes pour la chasse, pour séduire. Les « rao » de 3 communautés indigènes sont étudiées, leur distribution intra et inter-communale analysée ainsi que certains aspects de leur nomenclature.
De la diversité des plantes alimentaires commercialisées sur les marchés à Quito
Authors: Huttel Charles
Published: July 2014

Le suivi systématique de divers marchés de Quito et de ses alentours a permis de dresser un inventaire des produits alimentaires d'origine végétale qui y sont commercialisés. La liste complète des plantes consommées est donnée en annexe avec, en plus des noms botaniques, leurs noms locaux en espagnol et des indications sur leur origine, la région climatologique de culture, la fréquence sur les marchés et le mode d'usage. Une attention particulière a été accordée aux autochtones andines pour lesquelles on décrit rapidement la variabilité rencontrée. La documentation utilisée a permis d'analyser les dates et les chemins d'introduction des plantes alimentaires dans le territoire de l'actuel Équateur et de rechercher les raisons de l'absence d'autres espèces.
Catahoula Hot Dog ou Catahoula Cur. Une opinion européenne ou le retour aux origines du chien
Authors: Lutz Georges
Published: July 2014

L'article porte en premier lieu sur une race de chiens de travail — bouviers et porchers — qui sont utilisés dans de nombreux comtés boisés du Sud des Etats-Unis, en Floride et dans l'Est du Texas, principalement et sur le « chien de conduite » en général.
L'extraction du sel en Basse-Casamance (Sénégal) et les effets de cette industrie traditionnelle sur la formation des paysages
Authors: Vanden Berghen C.
Published: July 2014

Description et fonctionnement des ateliers traditionnels d'extraction du sel, en Basse-Casamance, à partir de l'horizon superficiel des sols salés. Evaluation des effets, certainement importants, de cette activité artisanale sur la dénudation des terres salées en lisière de la mangrove.
L'agriculture musulmane aux premiers temps de la conquête : apports et emprunts ; à propos de Agricultural innovation in the early Islamic world de Andrew M. Watson
Authors: Aubaile-Sallenave Françoise
Published: July 2014

La lecture de l'ouvrage de Andrew M. Watson sur le rôle des Musulmans dans l'agriculture au Moyen Age amène à formuler certaines critiques et mises au point au sujet du rôle prépondérant qui leur est accordé : à propos de la diffusion de certaines plantes cultivées, puis dans l'analyse de certains procédés de techniques culturales et de mécanismes sociaux.
Introduction à l'étude des greniers en Asie du Sud-Est
Authors: Clément Sophie
Published: July 2014

En Asie du Sud-Est, le riz, lorsqu'il n'est pas gardé dans la maison, est conservé dans de petits édifices indépendants sur pilotis, qui sont étudiés dans cet article chez les populations thai du Laos et de la Thaïlande du nord. Les conditions climatiques et la production du riz (variétés, taille des parcelles, rendements) sont prises en compte, ainsi que le contexte social : qui construit un grenier, à quel moment de sa vie, qui le partage, que représente le grenier pour les paysans. La construction est étudiée en fonction des contraintes propres aux greniers : résistance au poids du grain, ventilation nécessaire, lutte contre la moisissure, les insectes et les rongeurs. L'aménagement intérieur, les différents contenants dépendent de l'utilisation : engrangement après la moisson, accès réguliers plus ou moins fréquents, consommation domestique.
II — Les oiseaux [Contribution à l'Ethnozoologie des Tamang du Massif du Ganesh Himal (Népal central)]
Authors: Toffin Gérard
Published: July 2014

This paper is based on a corpus of ethnographic and linguistic data which covers 87 species of birds from the Ganesh Himal range (Central Nepal). Its aim is to ascertain the autochtonous knowledge in matters of avifauna and the relationships between humans and birds. Lexically speaking, one notes that the names of birds show great variability from one valley to the next. Except in the case of hunted birds (Gallinaceae in particular), it is remarkable that the most knowledgable people in ornithology are the children ; they spend long periods of time in forest clearings or on the fringe of cultivated lands when they look after domestic animals, and thus have the opportunity to study the avifauna. Later on, this knowledge is progressively forgotten.
Les possibilités de lutte contre les oiseaux d'eau pour protéger les rizières en Afrique de l'Ouest
Authors: Treca Bernard
Published: July 2014

Les différentes méthodes possibles pour lutter contre les oiseaux d'eau qui attaquent les rizières sont examinées. Les premières méthodes cherchent à prévenir la venue des oiseaux d'eau, canards et limicoles, sur les rizières, en favorisant leur installation sur d'autres zones, ou en diminuant l'attractivité des rizières pour ces oiseaux. Les autres méthodes cherchent à repousser les oiseaux de rizières quand les dégâts ont déjà commencé. Les méthodes conseillées pour l'Afrique de l'Ouest sont : création de réserves, bonnes façons culturales, paillage des semis à la volée, emploi de gardiens munis de pistolets lance-fusées et de fusées de différents types, ou d'un fusil et de cartouches à blanc, cordes manipulées par un gardien, fils ou cordes fixes tendus au-dessus des rizières, et aussi l'emploi d'épouvantails couplé avec des canons à carbure ou à gaz.
Chasse coutumière et législation cynégétique : le cas des Sereers du Sénégal
Authors: Singleton M. , Vincke P.P.
Published: July 2014

Le comportement cynégétique coutumier d'un groupe de Sereers est comparé avec le code de la chasse actuellement en vigueur au Sénégal. Non seulement ce code n'est pas respecté, mais il semble de plus inapplicable vu des différences d'interprétations ethnozoologiques de la chasse. Les auteurs attirent l'attention sur l'importance du vécu d'un droit d'usage et ils soulignent la nécessité d'adaptations du code, légalisant de telles pratiques au travers d'une propriétarisation de la faune sauvage.
Appétit pour le sel et goût pour le sucre ; considérations physiologiques
Authors: Bellisle France
Published: July 2014

Sugar and sait are essential to life. They are regulated by physiological mechanisms. Thèse mechanisms activate behavior. While the «taste of» sugar or sait can serve as a guide to consumption behavior, the «taste for» sweet and salty foods contributes to a provisional appetite through which the organism anticipâtes its needs and prevents the appearance of deficiencies.
Perception et conservation du sel dans la société Inuit de la côte orientale du Groenland
Authors: Robbe Bernadette , Hladik Claude Marcel
Published: July 2014

L'acuité gustative exceptionnelle que présente la population Inuit vis-à-vis du chlorure de sodium est expliquée par des hypothèses qui prennent en compte les particularités de l'environnement arctique ainsi que la façon dont le sel est perçu à travers la culture Inuit et les modes de consommation traditionnels.
The consumption of sweets in childhood and adolescence.
Authors: Drewnowski Adam
Published: July 2014

A decline in sensory preferences for sweetness occurs between childhood and adulthood. This is paralleled by an important fall in intake of sugars from the first year of life (8,5 g/kg body weight/day) to about 2g/kg/ day in adolescence, and less in adulthood. Surveys of food habits in childhood and adolescence confirm that many favorite foods are both high in sugar and high in fat. Many contain added sugars. In adolescent Americans sugars contribute about 22/24 % of total energy intake. Consumption of sugars has been incriminated in the development of obesity but consumption of fats, which increases between childhood and adult life, appears a more critical factor.
Du sel dans l'espace
Authors: Guelin Michel
Published: July 2014

We report the fîrst detection of NAcl, A1C1, KC1, and A1F outside the solar system. The abundances derived in IRC + 10216 are in the range 1012-1014 cm"2 and are 106-108 times lower than the abundance of H2. They agree with the chemical equilibrium abundances for a carbon-rich stellar atmosphère with a température 1 200-1 500 K. The lines of NaCl and A1C1, observed with the IRAM 30 m telescope, are strong enough to allow the détection of thèse species' rare 37C1 isotopes. The derived 35C1/37C1 isotopic radio (2.3 ± 0.5) is consistent with the terrestrial elemental isotopic ratio.
Canna mellis : croquis historique et biogéographique de la canne à sucre, Saccharum officinarum L. graminées-andropogonées
Authors: Barrau Jacques
Published: July 2014

L'expansion arabe diffusa sur les pourtours méditerranéens un cultivar de canne à sucre d'origine indienne qui servit d'ailleurs de base aux débuts de la production sucrière du Nouveau Monde. Plus tard, furent découvertes d'autres formes cultivées de la canne à sucre, notamment les cultivars insulindo-océaniens et, finalement, il fut établi que la canne à sucre avait son principal centre d'origine en Nouvelle-Guinée. Dans cette note, sont résumées les connaissances actuelles sur l'origine et la diffusion du cultigène Saccharum officinarum.
Le sucre en Espagne (711-1610)
Authors: Barcelo Carmen , Labarta Ana
Published: July 2014

This paper reviews preserved documents referring to the cultivation of sugar cane (geographical locations) and to the extraction and refining process for cane (pressing, boiling, crystallizing) in Spain (711-1610). An analysis is made of the various kinds of cane sugars and honeys known of, as well as of the connections between the Sicilian and Spanish industries, with a special attention to technical lexicon.
Les images changeantes du sucre : saccharophilie et saccharophobie
Authors: Fischler Claude
Published: July 2014

Attitudes regarding sugar and sweetness have been subject to remarkable shifts in the course of history. From the Middle Ages onwards sugar was considered both a spice and a medicine with bénéficiai effects on human health. In the XVIIth century, a «saccharophobic» trend developed in England. In the last few decades, sugar has been under considerable attack. The concern of the paper is to try and trace such shifts in attitudes and put them into social and historical perspective.
Real-time handheld emission spot allocator (rthESA) for simultaneous fusion imaging with ultrasound
Authors: Winkens T. , Kühnel C. , Freesmeyer M.
Published: July 2014

Objectives: First, to report on initial experiences and technical parameters of a newly developed real-time handheld emission spot allocator (rthESA), and second, to report on the simultaneous acquisition of rthESA and US data as rthESA/US fusion images. Methods: The rthESA consisted of five semiconductor-detectors arranged in alternate position in two rows. This design allowed the examination of focal activities in the same plane as US. The signals were interpreted by an ad hoc software and the real-time allocation of spot radiation sources within air- and water phantoms was investigated for 99mTc, 131I, and 18F. A compact US probe was fixed in plane with the rthESA and connected to a standard US equipment. Experiments with a liver phantom were performed to verify the integration of 99mTc-rthESA data and US images. Results: The allocation proved to be successful for all radionuclides. The system showed a noticeable performance latency, most pronounced for positions far from the detector (1 cm distance: 0.7 ± 0.5 s; 4 cm distance: 6.1 ± 3.2 s). Within the liver phantom, the rthESA enabled the correct allocation of a spot radiation source within a live US image. Conclusions: The rthESA allowed an exact localization of spot radiation sources in single plane, with additional consideration of the distance from the detector, leading to real-time allocation and simultaneous overlay with US images. In spite of clear technical limitations in need of further development, this proof-of-concept study shows that this hybrid detector has the potential to provide integrated simultaneous nuclear medicine and US images.
Concise total synthesis of two marine natural nucleosides: trachycladines A and B
Authors: Ding Haixin , Li Wei , Ruan Zhizhong , Yang Ruchun , Mao Zhijie , Xiao Qiang , Wu Jun
Published: July 2014

We report the first total synthesis of trachycladines A (10 steps, 34.2% overall yield) and B (11 steps, 35.0% overall yield) by using 5-deoxy-1,2,3-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranose as the starting material. The critical step was the SnCl4 assisted regio- and steroselective deprotection of perbenzylated 1-O-methyl-5-deoxyribofuranose. The enzyme adenylate deaminase (EC 3.5.4.6) was successfully applied to the chemoenzymatic synthesis of trachycladines B.
Redefining the Boundaries of Humanity and the Human Body
Authors: Galván José M. , Luppicini Rocci
Published: July 2014

What are the boundaries of humanity and the human body within our evolving technological society? Within the field of technoethics, inquiry into the origins of the species is both a biological and ethical question as scholars attempt to grapple with conflicting views of what it means to be human and what attributes are core to human beings within the era of human enhancement technologies. Based on a historical and conceptual analysis, this chapter uses a technoethical lens to discuss defining characteristics of the human species as homo technicus. Under this framework, both symbolic capacity and technical ability are assumed to be grounded within the free and ethical nature of human beings. Ideas derived from Modernity and Postmodernity are drawn upon to provide a more encompassing view of humans that accommodates both its technical and ethical dimensions as homo technicus.
Artificial Ethics
Authors: Pană Laura
Published: July 2014

A new morality is generated in the present scientific and technical environment, and a new ethics is needed, an ethics which may be found in both individual and social morality, which can guide a moral evolution of different cultural fields and which has the chance to keep alive the moral culture itself. This chapter points out first the scientific, technical, and philosophical premises of artificial ethics. The specific, the status, and the role of artificial ethics is described by selecting ethical procedures, norms, and values that are suitable to be applied both by human and artificial moral agents. Moral intelligence as a kind of practical intelligence is studied and its role in human and artificial moral conduct is evaluated. Common features of human and artificial moral agents are presented. Specific features of artificial moral agents are analyzed. Artificial ethics is presented as part of the multi-set of artificial cognition, discovery, activity, organization, and evolution ways. A meta-ethical survey establishes the place of artificial ethics within the group of new and emergent ethical fields of the computer culture. Natural and artificial evolution are studied from an interdisciplinary and even from an intercultural perspective, and the co-evolution of human and artificial moral agents is sketched by means of technological and social prognosis.
Sacrificing Credibility for Sleaze
Authors: Mackay Jenn Burleson , Bailey Erica
Published: July 2014

This chapter uses an experiment to analyze how mainstream journalists' use of sensationalized or tabloid-style writing techniques affect the credibility of online news. Participants read four news stories and rated their credibility using McCroskey's Source Credibility Scale. Participants found stories written with a tabloid style less credible than more traditional stories. Soft news stories written with a tabloidized style were rated more credible than hard news stories that also had a tabloidized style. Results suggest that online news media may damage their credibility by using tabloidized writing techniques to increase readership. Furthermore, participants were less likely to enjoy stories written in a tabloidized style. The authors conclude by utilizing act utilitarianism to argue that tabloidized writing is an unethical journalistic technique.
Internet Companies and the Great Firewall of China
Authors: Spinello Richard A.
Published: July 2014

This chapter, focusing primarily on the search engine company Google, considers the problems Internet companies have confronted in adapting to the strict censorship regime in China, which is executed with the help of its “great firewall.” Google initially decided to comply with that regime but later changed its mind to the detriment of its whole China strategy. Companies like Yahoo and Microsoft have encountered similar problems in China, while social media firms like Twitter have avoided the Chinese market because of these issues. The moral analysis concludes that a socially responsible company must not cooperate with the implementation of the censorship regimes of these authoritarian sovereignties. This conclusion is based on natural law reasoning and on the moral salience that must be given to the ideal of universal human rights, including the natural right of free expression.
Ethics for eLearning
Authors: Gearhart Deb
Published: July 2014

Among the top concerns an eLearning program administrator faces are ethical concerns for eLearning, which develop both internally and externally. This chapter is a review of some ethical concerns facing eLearning administrators and looks at two sides of the ethical coin. The first side of the coin looks at internal ethical issues, which have brought about quality concerns for eLearning programs and which partially led to five new federal regulations facing Institutions of Higher Education (IHE). The flip side of the coin looks at ethical concerns coming from outside the program by way of unethical behaviors from students and how eLearning program administrators can deal with these unethical practices.
Privacy vs. Security
Authors: Walker Mark
Published: July 2014

This chapter bridges the dilemma created by intrusive surveillance technologies needed to safeguard people's security and the potential negative consequences such technologies might have on individual privacy. It begins by highlighting recent tensions between concerns for privacy and security. Next, it notes the increasing threat to human life posed by emerging technologies (e.g., genetic engineering and nanotechnology). The chapter then turns to a potential technological means to mitigate some of this threat, namely ubiquitous microscopic sensors. One consequence of the deployment of such technology appears to be an erosion of personal privacy on a scale hitherto unimaginable. It is then argued that many details of an individual's private life are actually irrelevant for security purposes and that it may be possible to develop technology to mask these details in the data gleaned from surveillance devices. Such a development could meet some, perhaps many, of the concerns about privacy. It is also argued that if it is possible to use technology to mask personal information, this may actually promote the goal of security, since it is conjectured that the public is likely to be more willing to accept invasive technology if it is designed to mask such details. Finally, some applications to society's current uses of surveillance technology are drawn. Policy recommendations for surveillance organizations such as the National Security Agency are briefly canvassed.
Dynamic Insertion of Virtual Objects in Photographs
Authors: Nóbrega Rui , Correia Nuno
Published: July 2014

Introducing virtual objects in photographs or video sequences presents several challenges, such as the pose estimation and the visually correct interaction boundaries of such objects. In this article a framework for the introduction of virtual objects in user-captured photos is discussed. Furthermore, the introduced virtual objects should be interactive and respond to real physical environments. The proposed detection system is semi-automatic and thus depends on the user to obtain the elements it needs. This operation should be significantly simple to accommodate the needs of a non-expert user. The system analyses a photo taken by the user and detects high-level features such as vanishing points, floor and scene orientation. Using these features it will be possible to create virtual mixed and augmented reality applications where the user takes one or more photos of a certain place and interactively introduces virtual objects or elements that blend with the picture in real time. This article discusses the techniques required to acquire images and information about the scenario involving the user. To demonstrate the framework, a proof-of-concept implementation is presented. This implementation was used to conduct a user study regarding the evaluation of the reliability of the concept. The presented results show a high reliability in the scene detection and that users are able and motivated to use this type of systems.
An E-Learning Web 2.0 Experience at the University
Authors: Pieri Michelle
Published: July 2014

This contribution focuses on an experience of e-learning Web 2.0 realized at the University of Milano-Bicocca (Milano, Italy) in the 2011-2012 Academic Year. In this experience the authors used Thinktag Smart, a new e-learning Web 2.0 platform, to train 137 students of the University of Milano-Bicocca. All participants had done e-learning before and had an Internet connection in their homes. At the end of the experience the authors evaluated the learning experience and the learning platform using an evaluative questionnaire given to the students who took part in the experience. After an introduction to Web 2.0 and e-learning 2.0, this paper will deal with this learning experience and its results.
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Authors: Aune R. Kelly , Sharritt Matthew , Suthers Daniel D.
Published: July 2014

A qualitative case study of student game play is presented that describes how game player communication becomes increasingly complex, efficient, and impenetrable by those who have not actively played the game. Transcripts of gathered video tape reveal how student ‘gamer talk' became increasingly implicit, using terminology provided by the game and their shared context of playing the game. Over time, communication among game player group members generally became more efficient and less penetrable by members outside the group (such as new players), as players engaged in culture-building activities around their shared context. However, players occasionally became more explicit in their communication when grounding was required to reach shared meaning, such as in instances where players disagreed on the purpose of a particular game feature or strategy. Finally, implications are offered to suggest ways in which gamer cultures can be made more accessible to game designers and those guiding classroom interactions.
An Empirical Investigation of Mobile Banking Adoption in Developing Countries
Authors: Pavithran Raju , Varaprasad G. , Sridharan R. , Unnithan Anandakuttan B.
Published: July 2014

Mobile phone has become an integral part of our lives. The penetration rate of mobile phones in the developing countries has increased abruptly and this is a good sign for the banking sector. Mobile banking is the most recently launched innovative feat in the banking sector. The unique ability of mobile banking to perform banking transactions irrespective of place and time has given a competitive edge over traditional banking. Even though, all circumstances are in favour of mobile banking, it has failed to take off in most of the developing countries. Hence, the main objective of the study is to find out the constructs which affect the adoption of mobile banking in India. A model has been proposed with the factors namely perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, self-efficacy, perceived risk, perceived enjoyment, relative advantage, compatibility, trust, social influence and personal innovativeness. The proposed model has been tested using various statistical analyses and the findings of this study reveal that relative advantage has the strongest relationship with the intention to use mobile banking.
A Critical Study and Consolidated Framework for Enterprise Information Systems Implementation
Authors: Raman Aparna , Goyal D. P.
Published: July 2014

Enterprise Information systems implementation is one of the most challenging parts of IT strategy for an organization, since implementation brings in efficiency in the system and justifies the investments made. Therefore, it becomes increasingly important to study the perspectives of implementation to understand the current dynamics. The purpose of this paper is twofold, first is to explore the type of literature that exists in information system implementation and secondly to determine the research methodologies incorporated therein for the information system field's implementation in specific. The basic content analysis is done to review the articles on information system implementation. A total of 47 articles were selected from peer reviewed journals and conferences. The study was conducted to assess the methodology used, the strategies followed along with the issues and challenges faced in the implementation. It presents an arena of the studies done in information system implementation in the past 20 years (typically 1993 to 2013). The IMPLEMENT framework has been proposed to synthesize the literature finding for smooth functioning of IS implementation process. This study would encourage the practitioners in the information systems domain to improve upon their organizational capability and incorporate other best practices.
Exploration of Location-Based Services Adoption
Authors: McKenna Brad , Tuunanen Tuure , Gardner Lesley A.
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this paper is to explore aspects of user perceptions of their use of location-based services. As mobile technologies become more ubiquitous in the general population, it is reasonable to assume that individuals will consume services and software to enhance their aspirations and entertainment desires. This study begins by constructing a location-based service prototype simulation. It then conducts an experiment and analysis based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. A survey was developed to extract usage information from participants, followed by an analysis of the results using PLS. The analysis shows significant indicators that suggest behaviour patterns of early adopters of location-based services are being observed. This paper applies the UTAUT model using a location-based service experiment to understand the underlying perceptions of individuals who may adopt location-based services. The authors study the effects of multiple parameters on the use of a location-based service simulation. Through this simulation and a following survey, current perceptions of LBS are investigated and insights gained.
Pseudo-Dynamic Active Earth Pressure on Battered Face Retaining Wall Supporting c-Φ Backfill Considering Curvilinear Rupture Surface
Authors: Ghosh Sima , Saha Arijit
Published: July 2014

In the present analysis, using the horizontal slice method and D'Alembert's principle, a methodology is suggested to calculate the pseudo-dynamic active earth pressure on battered face retaining wall supporting cohesive-frictional backfill. Results are presented in tabular form. The analysis provides a curvilinear rupture surface depending on the wall-backfill parameters. Effects of a wide range of variation of parameters like wall inclination angle (a), wall friction angle (d), soil friction angle (F), shear wave velocity (Vs), primary wave velocity (Vp), horizontal and vertical seismic accelerations (kh, kv) along with horizontal shear and vertical loads and non-linear wedge angle on the seismic active earth pressure coefficient have been studied.
Impact Analysis of Seismic Source Area Extent on Hazard Estimate for Chennai City
Authors: Ramanna C. K. , Dodagoudar G. R.
Published: July 2014

The present work is intended to study the effect of variation of seismic area source zone on hazard value for Chennai, India. In the conventional Cornell-McGuire approach to probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, the seismic activity rate for an area source is most often determined using the Gutenberg-Richter (G-R) recurrence law. The seismic area is delineated using geology, geography and/or seismotectonic characteristics of the region. However if the area lies in a distributed seismicity region, the delineation into different area zones introduces subjectivity. The impact of the areal extent of seismic area zone on the final hazard value is studied using two approaches - the conventional Cornell-McGuire and zone-free approaches. It is observed that in the conventional Cornell-McGuire approach, the peak ground acceleration decreases when the area source zone is increased while maintaining all other seismicity parameters same. In the kernel method, the PGA remained unchanged though the seismic source area is increased. This is due to the fact that in the kernel method, the seismic activity rate is a spatially varying parameter unlike the seismic activity rate determined from the G-R recurrence law, which assumes a homogeneous distribution of the activity rate for each of the area source zones. The uniform hazard spectra are obtained for various return periods by both the approaches. It is observed that in the Cornell-McGuire approach, the variation in the extent of seismic source area has little effect on longer return periods as compared to the smaller return periods.
CD326loCD103loCD11blo Dermal Dendritic Cells Are Activated by Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin during Contact Sensitization in Mice
Authors: Ochiai Sotaro , Roediger Ben , Abtin Arby , Shklovskaya Elena , Fazekas de St. Groth Barbara , Yamane Hidehiro , Weninger Wolfgang , Le Gros Graham , Ronchese Franca
Published: July 2014

The cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is produced by epithelia exposed to the contact sensitizer dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and it is critical for the induction of Th2 immune responses by DBP-FITC. TSLP is thought to act on dendritic cells (DC), but the precise DC subsets involved in the response to TSLP remain to be fully characterized. In this study we show that a subset of CD326loCD103loCD11blo dermal DC, which we termed “triple-negative (TN) DC,” is highly responsive to TSLP. In DBP-FITC–treated mice, TN DC upregulated expression of CD86 and rapidly migrated to the draining lymph node to become the most abundant skin-derived DC subset at 24 and 48 h after sensitization. None of these responses was observed in TSLPR-deficient mice. In contrast, TN DC numbers were not increased after treatment with the allergen house dust mite or the bacteria Escherichia coli and bacillus Calmette–Guérin, which increased other DC subsets. In vivo, treatment with rTSLP preferentially increased the numbers of TN DC in lymph nodes. In vitro, TN DC responded to rTSLP treatment with a higher level of STAT5 phosphorylation compared with other skin-derived DC subsets. The TN DC subset shared the morphology, phenotype, and developmental requirements of conventional DC, depending on FLT3 expression for their optimal development from bone marrow precursors, and CCR7 for migration to the draining lymph node. Thus, TN DC represent a dermal DC subset that should be considered in future studies of TSLP-dependent contact sensitization and skin immune responses.