bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Translating Deleuze: On the Uses of Deleuze in a Non-Western Context
Authors: Lee Yu-lin
Published: July 2013

This paper aims to explore the appropriation of Deleuzian literary theory in the Chinese context and its potential for mapping a new global poetics. The purpose of this treatment is thus twofold: first, it will redefine the East–West literary relationship, and second, it will seek a new ethics of life, as endorsed by Deleuze's philosophy of immanence. One finds an affinity between literature and life in Deleuze's philosophy: in short, literature appears as the passage of life and an enterprise of health and thus seeks new possibilities of life, which consists in the invention of a new language and a new people. But what kind of health may such a view provide for a non-Western individual, people, literature and culture? This investigation further appeals to the medium of translation. This paper argues that the act of translation functions as a means of deterritorialisation that displays continuing variations of a language, and through translation, Deleuze's clinical and critical aspects of literature promote a transversal poetics that transcends the binary, oppositional conception of East–West and an immanent ethics of life that overcomes the sentiment of ressentiment.
Nomadic Ethics
Authors: Braidotti Rosi
Published: July 2013

Deleuze's ethics constitutes the core of his philosophy, which proposes a post-humanistic but robust nomadic vision of the subject that respects the complexity of our times while avoiding the pitfalls of postmodern and other forms of relativism. Deleuze's neo-Spinozist ethics rests on an active relational ontology that looks for the ways in which otherness prompts, mobilises and allows for flows of affirmation of values and forces which are not yet sustained by the current conditions. Insofar as the conditions need to be brought about or actualised by collective efforts to induce qualitative transformations in our interactions, it requires the praxis of affirmative ethics. The process of becoming-minor, which necessarily involves becoming-woman, is central to this pragmatic ethical project that includes human as well as non-human actors. This paper addresses this ethics in terms of ontological relationality, affectivity and endurance.
Characterization of a Dual CDC7/CDK9 Inhibitor in Multiple Myeloma Cellular Models
Authors: Natoni Alessandro , Coyne Mark , Jacobsen Alan , Rainey Michael , O'Brien Gemma , Healy Sandra , Montagnoli Alessia , Moll Jürgen , O'Dwyer Michael , Santocanale Corrado
Published: July 2013

Two key features of myeloma cells are the deregulation of the cell cycle and the dependency on the expression of the BCL2 family of anti-apoptotic proteins. The cell division cycle 7 (CDC7) is an essential S-phase kinase and emerging CDC7 inhibitors are effective in a variety of preclinical cancer models. These compounds also inhibit CDK9 which is relevant for MCL-1 expression. The activity and mechanism of action of the dual CDC7/CDK9 inhibitor PHA-767491 was assessed in a panel of multiple myeloma cell lines, in primary samples from patients, in the presence of stromal cells and in combination with drugs used in current chemotherapeutic regimens. We report that in all conditions myeloma cells undergo cell death upon PHA-767491 treatment and we report an overall additive effect with melphalan, bortezomib and doxorubicin, thus supporting further assessment of targeting CDC7 and CDK9 in multiple myeloma.
EMS-Data-Based Load Modeling to Evaluate the Effect of Conservation Voltage Reduction at a National Level
Authors: Nam Soon-Ryul , Kang Sang-Hee , Lee Joo-Ho , Choi Eun-Jae , Ahn Seon-Ju , Choi Joon-Ho
Published: July 2013

This paper proposes a linearized load model to evaluate the effect of conservation voltage reduction at a national level. In this model, the respective active and reactive linearizing parameters for active and reactive loads in a power system are estimated using energy management system (EMS) data resulting from conservation voltage reductions. To verify the validity of the linearized load model, PSS/E simulations were conducted for a test power system. Given that conservation voltage reductions are usually executed in the range of 2.0%–5.0%, the proposed model was found to be sufficient to accurately evaluate the effect of conservation voltage reduction. Additionally, Korean EMS data were used to estimate the linearizing parameters for aggregated loads in an actual power system.
Workplace Bullying among Healthcare Workers
Authors: Ariza-Montes Antonio , Muniz Noel , Montero-Simó María , Araque-Padilla Rafael
Published: July 2013

This paper aims to assess consistent predictors through the use of a sample that includes different actors from the healthcare work force to identify certain key elements in a set of job-related organizational contexts. The utilized data were obtained from the 5th European Working Conditions Survey, conducted in 2010 by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. In light of these objectives, we collected a subsample of 284 health professionals, some of them from the International Standard Classification of Occupations—subgroup 22—(ISCO-08). The results indicated that the chance of a healthcare worker referring to him/herself as bullied increases among those who work on a shift schedule, perform monotonous and rotating tasks, suffer from work stress, enjoy little satisfaction from their working conditions, and do not perceive opportunities for promotions in their organizations. The present work summarizes an array of outcomes and proposes within the usual course of events that workplace bullying could be reduced if job demands were limited and job resources were increased. The implications of these findings could assist human resource managers in facilitating, to some extent, good social relationships among healthcare workers.
S-Glutathionylation in Monocyte and Macrophage (Dys)Function
Authors: Ullevig Sarah , Kim Hong , Asmis Reto
Published: July 2013

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the accumulation of monocytes and macrophages in the vascular wall. Monocytes and macrophages play a central role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesion development. Oxidative stress, which occurs when reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelm cellular antioxidant systems, contributes to the pathophysiology of many chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis. Major targets of ROS are reactive thiols on cysteine residues in proteins, which when oxidized can alter cellular processes, including signaling pathways, metabolic pathways, transcription, and translation. Protein-S-glutathionylation is the process of mixed disulfide formation between glutathione (GSH) and protein thiols. Until recently, protein-S-glutathionylation was associated with increased cellular oxidative stress, but S-glutathionylation of key protein targets has now emerged as a physiologically important redox signaling mechanism, which when dysregulated contributes to a variety of disease processes. In this review, we will explore the role of thiol oxidative stress and protein-S-glutathionylation in monocyte and macrophage dysfunction as a mechanistic link between oxidative stress associated with metabolic disorders and chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis.
Detecting and Comparing Non-Coding RNAs in the High-Throughput Era
Authors: Bussotti Giovanni , Notredame Cedric , Enright Anton
Published: July 2013

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the field of non-coding RNA. This surge is a direct consequence of the discovery of a huge number of new non-coding genes and of the finding that many of these transcripts are involved in key cellular functions. In this context, accurately detecting and comparing RNA sequences has become important. Aligning nucleotide sequences is a key requisite when searching for homologous genes. Accurate alignments reveal evolutionary relationships, conserved regions and more generally any biologically relevant pattern. Comparing RNA molecules is, however, a challenging task. The nucleotide alphabet is simpler and therefore less informative than that of amino-acids. Moreover for many non-coding RNAs, evolution is likely to be mostly constrained at the structural level and not at the sequence level. This results in very poor sequence conservation impeding comparison of these molecules. These difficulties define a context where new methods are urgently needed in order to exploit experimental results to their full potential. This review focuses on the comparative genomics of non-coding RNAs in the context of new sequencing technologies and especially dealing with two extremely important and timely research aspects: the development of new methods to align RNAs and the analysis of high-throughput data.
Apoptosis Signal-Regulating Kinase 1 Is Involved in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)-Enhanced Cell Motility and Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 Expression in Human Chondrosarcoma Cells
Authors: Lin Chih-Yang , Chang Sunny , Fong Yi-Chin , Hsu Chin-Jung , Tang Chih-Hsin
Published: July 2013

Chondrosarcoma is the primary malignancy of bone that is characterized by a potent capacity to invade locally and cause distant metastasis, and is therefore associated with poor prognoses. Chondrosarcoma further shows a predilection for metastasis to the lungs. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a small molecule in the neurotrophin family of growth factors that is associated with the disease status and outcome of cancers. However, the effect of BDNF on cell motility in human chondrosarcoma cells is mostly unknown. Here, we found that human chondrosarcoma cell lines had significantly higher cell motility and BDNF expression compared to normal chondrocytes. We also found that BDNF increased cell motility and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in human chondrosarcoma cells. BDNF-mediated cell motility and MMP-1 up-regulation were attenuated by Trk inhibitor (K252a), ASK1 inhibitor (thioredoxin), JNK inhibitor (SP600125), and p38 inhibitor (SB203580). Furthermore, BDNF also promoted Sp1 activation. Our results indicate that BDNF enhances the migration and invasion activity of chondrosarcoma cells by increasing MMP-1 expression through a signal transduction pathway that involves the TrkB receptor, ASK1, JNK/p38, and Sp1. BDNF thus represents a promising new target for treating chondrosarcoma metastasis.
Integration of Carbon Nanotubes in Microsystems: Local Growth and Electrical Properties of Contacts
Authors: Haugen Tormod , Ta Bao , Halvorsen Einar , Hoivik Nils , Aasmundtveit Knut
Published: July 2013

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been directly grown onto a silicon microsystem by a local synthesis method. This method has potential for wafer-level complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) transistor-compatible integration of CNTs into more complex Si microsystems; enabling, e.g., gas sensors at low cost. In this work, we demonstrate that the characteristics of CNTs grown on specific locations can be changed by tuning the synthesis conditions. We also investigate the role of the contact between CNTs and the Si microsystem; observing a large influence on the electrical characteristics of our devices. Different contact modes can render either an ohmic or Schottky-like rectifying characteristics.
Polyphenolic Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities for Two Romanian Subspecies of Achillea distans Waldst. et Kit. ex Willd.
Authors: Benedec Daniela , Vlase Laurian , Oniga Ilioara , Mot Augustin , Damian Grigore , Hanganu Daniela , Duma Mihaela , Silaghi-Dumitrescu Radu
Published: July 2013

The aim of this work was to study the chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Achillea distans Waldst. et Kit. subsp. distans and Achillea distans Waldst. et Kit. subsp. alpina Rochel, from the Rodna Mountains (Romania). The identification and quantification of major phenolic compounds was performed by a HPLC-MS method. The total polyphenolic and flavonoid content was determined spectrophotometrically. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH bleaching method, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay (TEAC), hemoglobin ascorbate peroxidase activity inhibition (HAPX) assay, and an Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy method. A data indicated that A. distans subsp. alpina extract has more antioxidant activity than A. distans subsp. distans extract. Luteolin, apigenin, quercetin, caffeic and chlorogenic acids were present in the two extracts of A. distans, but in different amounts. Three flavonoids were detected only in A. distans subsp. alpina. The polyphenol-richer A. distans subsp. alpina extract showed a higher antioxidant activity than A. distans subsp. distans extract. A. distans subsp. distans extract showed inhibitory activity for Gram-positive bacteria, as evaluated with four species. The quantitative and qualitative differences between the two subspecies of Achillea distans could be used as a potential taxonomic marker in order to distinguish the species.
Two Anti-inflammatory Steroidal Saponins from Dracaena angustifolia Roxb.
Authors: Huang Hui-Chi , Lin Ming-Kuem , Hwang Syh-Yuan , Hwang Tsong-Long , Kuo Yao-Haur , Chang Chi-I , Ou Chung-Yi , Kuo Yueh-Hsiung
Published: July 2013

Two new steroidal saponins, named drangustosides A–B (1–2), together with eight known compounds 3–10 were isolated and characterized from the MeOH extract of Dracaena angustifolia Roxb. The structures of compounds were assigned based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, including HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY. Compounds 1 and 2 showed anti-inflammatory activity by superoxide generation and elastase release by human neutrophils in response to fMLP/CB.
A Facile Synthesis of α-N-Ribosyl-Asparagine and α-N-Ribosyl-Glutamine Building Blocks
Authors: Speciale Gaetano , Bernardi Anna , Nisic Filippo
Published: July 2013

Adenosine diphosphate ribosylation (ADP-ribosylation) is a widely occurring post-translational modification of proteins at nucleophilic side chain of amino acid residues. Elucidation of ADP-ribosylation events would benefit greatly from the availability of well-defined ADP-ribosylated peptides and analogues thereof. In this paper we present a novel approach to the chemical synthesis of ribosylated amino acid building blocks using traceless Staudinger ligation. We describe an efficient and stereoselective synthesis of α-N-ribosyl-asparagine (α-N-ribosyl-Asn) and α-N-ribosyl-glutamine (α-N-ribosyl-Gln) building blocks starting from 5-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl-β-d-ribofuranosyl azide. The N-glycosyl aminoacids are produced in good yields as pure α-anomers, suitably protected for peptide synthesis.
Isoliquiritigen Enhances the Antitumour Activity and Decreases the Genotoxic Effect of Cyclophosphamide
Authors: Zhao Hong , Yuan Xuan , Li Defang , Chen Hongmei , Jiang Jiangtao , Wang Zhiping , Sun Xiling , Zheng Qiusheng
Published: July 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumour activities and genotoxic effects of isoliquiritigenin (ISL) combined with cyclophosphamide (CP) in vitro and in vivo. U14 cells were treated with either of ISL (5–25 μg/mL) or CP (0.25–1.25 mg/mL) alone or with combination of ISL (5–25 μg/mL) and CP (1.0 mg/mL) for 48 h. The proliferation inhibitory effect in vitro was evaluated by MTT and colony formation assays. KM mice bearing U14 mouse cervical cancer cells were used to estimate the antitumour activity in vivo. The genotoxic activity in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes was assayed by frequency of micronuclei. The DNA damage in peripheral white blood cells was assayed by single cell gel electrophoresis. The results showed that ISL enhanced antitumour activity of CP in vitro and in vivo, and decreased the micronucleus formation in polychromatic erythrocytes and DNA strand breaks in white blood cells in a dose-dependent way.
Curcumin Reduces Amyloid Fibrillation of Prion Protein and Decreases Reactive Oxidative Stress
Authors: Lin Chi-Fen , Yu Kun-Hua , Jheng Cheng-Ping , Chung Raymond , Lee Cheng-I
Published: July 2013

Misfolding and aggregation into amyloids of the prion protein (PrP) is responsible for the development of fatal transmissible neurodegenerative diseases. Various studies on curcumin demonstrate promise for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and inhibition of PrPres accumulation. To evaluate the effect of curcumin on amyloid fibrillation of prion protein, we first investigated the effect of curcumin on mouse prion protein (mPrP) in a cell-free system. Curcumin reduced the prion fibril formation significantly. Furthermore, we monitored the change in apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level upon curcumin treatment in mouse neuroblastoma cells (N2a). Curcumin effectively rescues the cells from apoptosis and decreases the ROS level caused by subsequent co-incubation with prion amyloid fibrils. The assays in cell-free mPrP and in N2a cells of this work verified the promising effect of curcumin on the prevention of transmissible neurodegenerative diseases.
An organocatalytic route to 2-heteroarylmethylene decorated N-arylpyrroles
Authors: Jean Alexandre , Blanchet Jérôme , Rouden Jacques , Maddaluno Jacques , De Paolis Michaël
Published: July 2013

A concise and regioselective preparation of 2-heteroarylmethylene decorated N-arylpyrroles is described through a metal-free Mannich/Wittig/hydroamination sequence followed by isomerization of the N-arylpyrrolidine adducts. Furthermore, the C–H regioselective oxidation of these substrates is demonstrated, extending the molecular diversity and versatility of these scaffolds.
Prediction and Prevention of Prescription Drug Abuse: Role of Preclinical Assessment of Substance Abuse Liability
Authors: Marusich Julie , Lefever Timothy , Novak Scott , Blough Bruce , Wiley Jenny
Published: July 2013

In 2011, the prevalence of prescription drug abuse exceeded that of any other illicit drug except marijuana. Consequently, efforts to curtail abuse of new medications should begin during the drug development process, where abuse liability can be identified and addressed before a candidate medication has widespread use. The first step in this process is scheduling with the Drug Enforcement Agency so that legal access is appropriately restricted, dependent upon levels of abuse risk and medical benefit. To facilitate scheduling, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published guidance for industry that describes assessment of abuse liability. The purpose of this paper is to review methods that may be used to satisfy the FDA's regulatory requirements for animal behavioral and dependence pharmacology. Methods include psychomotor activity, self-administration (an animal model of the rewarding effects of a drug), drug discrimination (an animal model of the subjective effects of a drug), and evaluation of tolerance and dependence. Data from tests with known drugs of abuse illustrate typical results. While the use of preclinical data to predict abuse liability is an imperfect process, these methods have substantial predictive validity. The ultimate goal is to increase consumer safety through appropriate scheduling of new medications.
Le nu féminin en mouvement
Authors: Perrin Julie
Published: July 2013

Le nu sur la scène chorégraphique contemporaine réactive et déplace les questions soulevées par l’engagement du corps dans la performance des années 1960, en particulier au Judson Dance Theater. Notre propos est ici de réfléchir, à partir de performances de Robert Morris, Carolee Schneemann, Vera Mantero et Gaëlle Bourges, à l’ordre esthétique, juridique ou moral que le nu peut venir troubler. La mise en mouvement du nu est au cœur des débats sur l’ordinaire, le féminisme et l’histoire de l’art.
L'impact des partis religieux sur le processus de démocratisation en Turquie
Authors: Karakas Cemal
Published: July 2013

En Turquie, les organisations ou partis dont les objectifs sont basés sur des concepts liés à l’islam sont interdits. Néanmoins, on observe depuis les années 1950 une montée des partis pro-islamiques et leur arrivée progressive au pouvoir. Cet article analyse la montée, les politiques des partis religieux et leur impact sur le processus de démocratisation du pays entre 1950 et 2012. Les conclusions sont doubles : les partis religieux au gouvernement ont, avec une intensité variable, œuvré en faveur de la démocratisation du pays. Dans ce contexte, la rigidité de la « Trinité kémaliste » - républicanisme, nationalisme et laïcité - a volontairement contribué à modérer l’idéologie de l’islam politique sur la durée. En parallèle, les dysfonctionnements du système politique kémaliste ont favorisé les postures de plus en plus autoritaires de ces partis, en particulier pour l’AKP. La transition vers une démocratie turque consolidée s’avère être inconsistante et finalement peu concluante.
Gypsum moulds. Ancillary products and materials
Authors: Lacheny P.
Published: July 2013

Not available
Water-cement radio measurement tests according to Thaulow's procedure
Authors: Blaut H.
Published: July 2013

Not available
40th anniversary: II I.E.T.c.c. General Assembly
Authors: Calleja J.
Published: July 2013

Not available
Concrete impregnation with acrylic resins
Authors: Dutruel F.
Published: July 2013

Not available
Cement mortar resistance to corrosion caused by magnesium salt solutions
Authors: García de Paredes y Gaibrois Pablo
Published: July 2013

Not available
A technique to discriminate quantitatively, in a cement, the carbonates formed by meteorization from those due to additives
Authors: Elices Calafat Manuel
Published: July 2013

Not available
Study of hydrated high alumina cement transformations by X ray diffraction, infra-red spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Influence of carbonic anhydrite, temperature, humidity and addition of powdered lime
Authors: Vázquez T. , Triviño F. , Ruiz de Gauna A.
Published: July 2013

Not available
Study of hydrated high alumina cement transformations by X ray diffraction, infra-red spectroscopy and thermal analysis influence of carbonic anhydrite, temperature, humidity and addition of powdered lime (continuation)
Authors: Vázquez T. , Triviño F. , Ruiz de Gauna A.
Published: July 2013

No available
Genenal remarks on Portland cement concretes and a basis for their design
Authors: Sabesinsky Felperinl M.
Published: July 2013

No available
Cement, concrete, construction and quality discussed by lETCC scientists in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic
Authors: Calleja José
Published: July 2013

Not available
Valoración del falso fraguado del cemento. Alcance de un método
Authors: Del Olmo Rodríguez César
Published: July 2013

Not available
Influencia del CO2 sobre un cemento portland anhidro
Authors: Gaspar-Tebar Demetrio , Del Olmo Rodríguez César , Vázquez Moreno Tomás
Published: July 2013

Not available
Influencia del medio ambiente en los materiales de construcción II. La Humedad
Authors: Fernández París José Manuel
Published: July 2013

Not available
Estudio sobre los cementos portland fosfáticos
Authors: Gutt W. , Smith M. A.
Published: July 2013

Not available
Carbonatación del hormigón. Simposio internacional RILEM
Authors: Gaspar-Tebar Demetrio
Published: July 2013

Not available
Estudio sobre el contenido óptimo de yeso en los cementos, su influencio en las resistencias iniciales
Authors: Baracaño Coronas Juan R. , Pérez Alonso Julio
Published: July 2013

Not available
Los cementos portland con adiciones y los cementos compuestos
Authors: Virella Bloda Alberto
Published: July 2013

Not available
Quelle « place » pour des pêcheurs urbains ? Le cas de Bamako (Mali)
Authors: Croix Kévin de la , Ferry Luc , Landy Frédéric , Traoré Boureïma , Muther Nadine , Tangara Bekaye , Martin Didier
Published: July 2013

La pêche au Mali a constitué dans les années 1990 un sujet de recherche important dans sa partie deltaïque, mais peu de cas a été fait du Niger supérieur, et moins encore dans le contexte de la capitale. Pourtant le fleuve Niger dans sa traversée de Bamako est le lieu d’une intense activité de pêche, encore méconnue, qui possède ses propres spécificités territoriales, techniques et systèmes de gouvernance. On recense près de 21 campements de pêcheurs installés sur les berges et les îles de la capitale, qui participent à l’économie urbaine. Mais l’expansion spatiale et démographique de la capitale engendre de nombreuses contraintes qui pèsent sur cette communauté de pêcheurs, parmi lesquelles l’accès à la propriété foncière. C’est ainsi qu’un vaste projet d’aménagement des berges du fleuve fait peser une réelle menace sur cette activité. L’activité et l’avenir des pêcheurs fluviaux à Bamako mérite d’être étudiée car les dynamiques et les innovations observées sont instructives, que ce soit pour l’analyse de ce secteur et de son évolution dans l’ensemble du pays que pour les représentations de ce que doit être « l’urbanité ».
Joint Angular and Time Diversity of Multi-Antenna CDMA Systems in Wireless Fading Channels
Authors: She Feng , Chen Hsiao Hwa , Li Hongyang
Published: July 2013

In this paper, a multi-antenna based receiver structure for direct sequence code division multiple access (DS/CDMA) system is proposed. The proposed scheme exploits the excellent time resolution of a CDMA RAKE receiver and uses an antenna array beamforming structure to resolve multipath returns in both angular and time domains. A much higher diversity gain than that based only on the time domain diversity can be achieved. This work suggests a new space-time diversity paradigm, namely angular-time diversity, which differs from traditional Alamouti-type space-time coded schemes. The impairments caused by multipath and multiuser interference are analyzed. The performance of the proposed receiver in multipath fading channel is explicitly evaluated. An expression for uncoded system bit error probability is derived. Simulation results show the performance improvement in terms of BER due to the use of multi-antenna in the receiver, and the results illustrate that the multi-antenna based receiver works effectively in resolving multipaths in both angular and time domains to achieve performance improvement due to angular and time diversity gain provided by the multi-antenna system.
Improving WLAN Performance by Modifying an IEEE 802.11 Protocol
Authors: Sarkar Nurul I.
Published: July 2013

One of the limitations of the IEEE 802.11 distributed coordination function (DCF) protocol is its low bandwidth utilization under medium-to-high traffic loads resulting in low throughput and high packet delay. To overcome performance problems, traditional IEEE 802.11 DCF (“DCF”) protocol is modified to the buffer unit multiple access (BUMA) protocol. The BUMA protocol achieves a better system performance by introducing a temporary buffer unit at the medium access control (MAC) layer to accumulate multiple packets and combine them into a single packet (with a header and a trailer) before transmission. This paper provides an in-depth performance evaluation (by simulation) of BUMA for multiuser ad hoc and infrastructure networks. Results obtained show that the BUMA is more efficient than that of DCF. The BUMA protocol is simple and its algorithm (software) can be upgraded to 802.11 networks requiring no hardware changes. The BUMA protocol is described and simulation results are presented to verify the performance.
Co-Operative Load Balancing in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs)
Authors: Ali G. G. Md. Nawaz , Chan Edward
Published: July 2013

Recently data dissemination using Road Side Units (RSUs) in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) received considerable attention for overcoming the vehicle to vehicle frequent disconnection problem. An RSU becomes overloaded due to its mounting location and/or during rush hour overload. As an RSU has short wireless transmission coverage range and vehicles are mobile, a heavily overloaded RSU may experience high deadline miss rate in effect of serving too many requests beyond its capacity. In this work, the authors propose a co-operative multiple-RSU model, which offers the opportunity to the RSUs with high volume workload to transfer some of its overloaded requests to other RSUs that have light workload and located in the direction in which the vehicle is heading. Moreover, for performing the load balancing, the authors propose three different heuristic load transfer approaches. By a series of simulation experiments, the authors demonstrate the proposed co-operative multiple-RSU based load balancing model significantly outperforms the non-load balancing multiple-RSU based VANETs model against a number of performance metrics.
An Efficient Data Dissemination Scheme for Warning Messages in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Javed Muhammad A. , Khan Jamil Y.
Published: July 2013

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are expected to be used for the dissemination of emergency warning messages on the roads. The emergency warning messages such as post crash warning notification would require an efficient multi hop broadcast scheme to notify all the vehicles within a particular area about the emergency. Such emergency warning applications have low delay and transmission overhead requirements to effectively transmit the emergency notification. In this paper, an adaptive distance based backoff scheme is presented for efficient dissemination of warning messages on the road. The proposed scheme adaptively selects the furthest vehicle as the next forwarder of the emergency message based on channel conditions. The detailed performance figures of the protocol are presented in the paper using simulations in the OPNET network simulator. The proposed protocol introduces lower packet delay and broadcast overhead as compared to standard packet broadcasting protocols for vehicular networks.
Implementing Common Core State Standards using Digital Curriculum
Authors: Rutherford Michelle
Published: July 2013

Teachers and educators transitioning to the Common Core State Standards face a significant challenge of creating new lessons and resources, as well as formative assessments that match the increased rigor required. Teachers must ensure that each student achieves and demonstrates higher levels of understanding. Many aspects of this transition can be mitigated, supported, and enhanced through blended learning. Blended learning leverages digital curriculum to assist teachers in creating a student-centered learning experience while providing a curriculum that meets the new standards. Students receive individualized instruction at their own pace, achieve mastery, and experience success in high school. They are equipped with a deeper level of understanding and the critical thinking and problem solving skills needed to succeed in college and work.
Supporting Pattern Exploration and Algebraic Reasoning through the Use of Spreadsheets
Authors: Erbas Ayhan Kursat , Ledford Sarah , Orrill Chandra Hawley , Polly Drew
Published: July 2013

As teachers prepare to teach the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM), students’ exploration of patterns and relationships between numbers has gained more importance. Specifically, students’ conceptual understanding of numerical patterns is critical in middle school, as it lays a groundwork for fostering mathematical thinking at all levels. Educational technologies can enhance student’s explorations of patterns by providing opportunities to represent patterns, test conjectures, and make generalizations. In this chapter, the authors illustrate how spreadsheets can support students’ explorations of both arithmetic and geometric patterns in the middle grades.
The Impact of Investigations and the Interactive Whiteboard on Students’ Mathematical Practice in Investigations Classrooms
Authors: Boland Linda
Published: July 2013

This chapter relates the classroom experiences of 44 teachers across the United States, implementing Investigations in Number, Data, and Space, an elementary school mathematics curriculum. These teachers participated in a “tryout” of Investigations for the Interactive Whiteboard with their students. Investigations for the Interactive Whiteboard was developed in collaboration by Pearson, TERC, and SMART Board. The teachers’ reactions showcase how the use of this technology enhanced the teaching and learning of mathematics. These vignettes illuminate the essence of Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice (CCSSI, 2010), which describe how students should engage with the mathematical skills and concepts of the Common Core Content. The use of the interactive whiteboard engaged all students, motivated them to participate beyond their norm, allowed modeling of the mathematics which opened access to all students, and encouraged students to explain, argue, and defend their ideas while listening to and critiquing others, the essences of the Standards for Mathematical Practice.
Inter-Domain Traffic Engineering using the Origin Preference Attribute
Authors: Winter Rolf , van Beijnum Iljitsch
Published: July 2013

Inter-domain Traffic Engineering (TE) is an important aspect of network operation both technically and economically. Outbound Traffic Engineering is less problematic as routers under the control of the network operator are responsible for the way traffic leaves the network. The inbound direction is considerably harder as the way traffic enters a network is based on routing decisions in other networks. There are very few mechanisms available today that facilitate inter-domain inbound traffic engineering, such as prefix deaggregation (i.e., advertise more specific prefixes), AS path prepending and systems based on BGP communities. These mechanisms have severe drawbacks such as exacerbating the increase of the size of global routing table or providing only coarse-grained control. In this chapter, an alternative mechanism is described and evaluated. The proposed solution does not increase the size of the global routing table, is easy to configure through a simple numeric value and provides a finer-grained control compared to currently used mechanisms that also do not add additional prefixes to the global routing table.
A Hierarchical Approach to Reduce Power Consumption in Core and Edge Networks
Authors: Raman Shankar , Venkat Balaji , Raina Gaurav
Published: July 2013

With unicast, the metric is used to determine a low-power path between sources and destinations. The source and destination entities could be attached to Autonomous Systems (ASes) or to routing areas within the Autonomous System. Determining a low-power path within an Autonomous System provides a unique challenge as the topology of the constituent areas may not be known. To that end, we propose the use of a selective leak technique for disclosing low-power paths. Additionally, the proposed method can also be used to determine disjoint or redundant paths for load-balancing or fault tolerance. With multicast, the metric serves the twin purpose of finding low-power multicast paths as well as multicast replication points. Once low-power paths in either the unicast or the multicast cases are identified, then currently available traffic engineering techniques could be used to route the data packets.
The Importance of Visualization and Interaction in the Anomaly Detection Process
Authors: Riveiro Maria
Published: July 2013

Large volumes of heterogeneous data from multiple sources need to be analyzed during the surveillance of large sea, air, and land areas. Timely detection and identification of anomalous behavior or any threat activity is an important objective for enabling homeland security. While it is worth acknowledging that many existing mining applications support identification of anomalous behavior, autonomous anomaly detection systems for area surveillance are rarely used in the real world since these capabilities and applications present two critical challenges: they need to provide adequate user support and they need to involve the user in the underlying detection process. Visualization and interaction play a crucial role in providing adequate user support and involving the user in the detection process. Therefore, this chapter elaborates on the role of visualization and interaction in the anomaly detection process, using the surveillance of sea areas as a case study. After providing a brief description of how operators identify conflict traffic situations and anomalies, the anomaly detection problem is characterized from a data mining point of view, suggesting how operators may enhance the process through visualization and interaction.
The Quest for Clarity
Authors: Passera Stefania , Haapio Helena
Published: July 2013

In today’s networked economy, contracts are everywhere. Many of them are watertight and legally perfect documents attempting to refer to every conceivable contingency. For people expected to use or comply with them, such contracts are often difficult to read, comprehend, and/or implement. As an alternative to the current predominantly legal and textual approach, the authors propose a user-centered, visualized approach aimed at better usability and easier implementation. Both consumer and commercial contracts should be communicated in simpler and more user-friendly ways, and we believe that visualization can play a fundamental role in achieving this. This chapter introduces the concept of contract visualization and some early examples produced in this novel field. Results obtained in the first year of a five-year research project, carried out in collaboration with a partner company, indicate preliminary confirmation of positive effects in improving contract usability and related user experience through visualization.
From Data-Centered to Activity-Centered Geospatial Visualizations
Authors: Buchel Olga , Sedig Kamran
Published: July 2013

As geospatial visualizations grow in popularity, their role in human activities is also evolving. While maps have been used to support higher-level cognitive activities such as decision-making, sense making, and knowledge discovery, traditionally their use in such activities has been partial. Nowadays they are being used at various stages of such activities. This trend is simultaneously being accompanied with another shift: a movement from the design and use of data-centered geospatial visualizations to activity-centered visualizations. Data-centered visualizations are primarily focused on representation of data from data layers; activity-centered visualizations, not only represent the data layers, but also focus on users’ needs and real-world activities—such as storytelling and comparing data layers with other information. Examples of this shift are being seen in some mashup techniques that deviate from standard data-driven visualization designs. Beyond the discussion of the needed shift, this chapter presents ideas for designing human-activity-centered geospatial visualizations.
Community Management Matters
Authors: McAuley John , O’Connor Alex , Lewis Dave
Published: July 2013

Online communities provide technical support for organisations on a range of products and services. These communities are managed by dedicated online community managers who nurture and help the community grow. While visual analytics are increasingly used to support a range of data-intensive management processes, similar techniques have not been adopted into the community management field. Although relevant tools exist, the majority is developed in the lab, without conducting a domain analysis or eliciting user requirements, or is designed to support more general analytic tasks. In this chapter, the authors describe a case study in which we design, develop, and evaluate a visual analytics application with the help of Symantec’s online community management team. The authors suggest that the approach and the resulting application, called Petri, is an important step to promoting online community management as a strategic and data-driven process.
Incongruent Needs
Authors: Cherian Edward J. , Ryan Tom W.
Published: July 2013

Health Information Technology (HIT) has the potential to redefine the confines of traditional medicine. Yet, in over a decade, little has been shown in improvements from HIT investments. In order to understand the failures of health IT policy, this chapter examines the diverse priorities of stakeholders in the health system. Using kiviat diagrams as adaptations of the traditional iron-triangle of tradeoffs, the priorities of four stakeholder groups (patients, providers, pharmaceuticals, and payers) are mapped against the priorities of government and public health. The chapter finds that the priorities of these stakeholders within the United States healthcare system are incongruent and in conflict. To better understand the HIT needs of the future, policy makers and public health officials must understand these dichotomous priorities and work to bring them in line.
Home Telecare, Medical Implant, and Mobile Technology
Authors: Naidoo Vishaya , Naidoo Yedishtra
Published: July 2013

With a rapidly expanding global aging population, alternatives must be developed to minimize the inevitable increase in acute and long-term care admissions to the health care system. This chapter explores the use of home telecare as an alternative medical approach to managing this growing trend, while also providing superior care to geriatric patients. To address some of the emergent disadvantages of home telecare concerning usability, self-management, and confinement to the home, the use of a cardiac implant in conjunction with a mobile device—to assist in the management of chronic heart failure in seniors—is proposed as a promising technological solution to overcoming these limitations. Ultimately, it seems that the growth of home telecare, as well as the great potential to enhance its services with the use of mobile wireless technology, stands to drastically improve clinical decision-making and management of health services in the future.
E-Book Readers for Everyone
Authors: Keskin Nilgün Özdamar , Sarsar Firat , Gallagher Michael Sean
Published: July 2013

Mobile Technology (MT) provides many opportunities to individuals, such as talking with people, watching movie clips, and reading books whenever or wherever they want. This also allows individuals to frequently connect for learning. One of the most popular uses of MTs for learning is their use as E-book readers. This chapter consists of four sections about how mobile technologies are being used as E-book readers by learners. Furthermore, this chapter will discuss an ongoing E-book reader project in Turkey called “FATIH”. General information about E-book readers will be provided in the first section of this chapter. The second section gives an overview of various studies on E-book readers. In the third section of the chapter, the authors discuss a recent instructional project in Turkey and its possible international implications. The last section of the chapter offers the summary of presented concepts and their future applications.
New Demands of Reading in the Mobile Internet Age
Authors: Cho Byeong-Young , Woodward Lindsay
Published: July 2013

Changing contexts of literacy in the mobile Internet age demands that readers use higher-order strategies to identify, understand, and evaluate numerous web sources. Sophisticated use of these strategies is a hallmark of competent readers, who are able to make informed decisions about their own reading in the unknown, untested information space on the Internet. The focus of this chapter is on these new demands of reading in Internet settings. The chapter begins by describing changing views of texts and evolving understandings of reading in the digital world. It then describes the core reading strategies that contribute to successful reading in Internet settings, including text location, meaning construction, critical evaluation, and metacognitive monitoring. Conclusions are drawn regarding considerations for designing instruction that fosters students’ higher-order reading strategies in the mobile Internet age.
Developing Electronic Information Resources to Promote Social Inclusion of Vulnerable Communities in Uruguay
Authors: Sabelli Martha , Rasner Jorge , Giffoni María Cristina Pérez , Pedrosian Eduardo Álvarez , González Laura , Ruggia Raúl
Published: July 2013

This chapter focuses on multidisciplinary research about needs and the behavior of real and potential information users. The research is carried out in a university context to address social issues as well as to find solutions appropriate to the Uruguayan context, which is rather different from the one in developed countries. The chapter focuses on the discussion of the research results, on the developed electronic information resources, and on the impact on the target population and social mediators. The chapter also focuses on the multidisciplinary work experience, which carries out the research group through meetings and workshops with social actors and decision makers on social policies. This research constitutes a step forward in the development of information and communication sciences as well as to improve the information domain in Uruguay.
Barriers to Information Access for Specialized Scholars
Authors: Block Lisa
Published: July 2013

Developing countries must overcome the obstacles to information access so that they can join the global networks of the developed world and become part of the “information age.” Studies on the information-seeking behavior and information needs of library users in developing countries are limited. This chapter examines the information-seeking behavior of social science faculty in developing nations in an attempt to explain the barriers to information access for these specialized scholars. Information users in developing countries face different challenges than users in developed nations so it is essential to understand the various obstacles that must be overcome by library and information users in developing nations. Comparisons are made to the information-seeking behaviors and information use of social science faculty in developed nations. Patterns of information-seeking behavior in social science faculty are examined and also compared to existing and proposed models of such behavior.
Ambient Assisted Living for People with Motor Impairments
Authors: Adami Ilia , Antona Margherita , Stephanidis Constantine
Published: July 2013

The field of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) has shown great potential in counteracting some of the effects of the worldwide population ageing phenomenon. Its main goal is to promote a safe, healthy, and functional living environment for the elderly and people with disabilities who wish to live independently in their home. To achieve this goal, AAL environments utilize Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the emerging Ambient Intelligence (AmI) paradigm in order to provide sophisticated solutions that can support the needs of an elderly person or a person with disabilities, at home. This chapter will present examples of AAL environments found in research and academic literature and the solutions they offer to cater for the basic needs of people with motor impairments in order to support their independent living and quality of life. The challenges of using such technologies will also be discussed.
Pelvic floor and sexual male dysfunction
Authors: Pischedda Antonella , Fusco Ferdinando , Curreli Andrea , Grimaldi Giovanni , Pirozzi Farina Furio
Published: July 2013

The pelvic floor is a complex multifunctional structure that corresponds to the genito- urinary-anal area and consists of muscle and connective tissue. It supports the urinary, fecal, sexual and reproductive functions and pelvic statics. The symptoms caused by pelvic floor dysfunction often affect the quality of life of those who are afflicted, worsening significantly more aspects of daily life. In fact, in addition to providing support to the pelvic organs, the deep floor muscles support urinary continence and intestinal emptying whereas the superficial floor muscles are involved in the mechanism of erection and ejaculation. So, conditions of muscle hypotonia or hypertonicity may affect the efficiency of the pelvic floor, altering both the functionality of the deep and superficial floor muscles. In this evolution of knowledge it is possible imagine how the rehabilitation techniques of pelvic floor muscles, if altered and able to support a voiding or evacuative or sexual dysfunction, may have a role in improving the health and the quality of life.