bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Improved Fingerprinting Algorithm for Detection of Video Frame Duplication Forgery
Authors: Hu Yongjian , Li Chang-Tsun , Wang Yufei , Liu Bei-bei
Published: March 2013

Frame duplication is a common way of digital video forgeries. State-of-the-art approaches of duplication detection usually suffer from heavy computational load. In this paper, the authors propose a new algorithm to detect duplicated frames based on video sub-sequence fingerprints. The fingerprints employed are extracted from the DCT coefficients of the temporally informative representative images (TIRIs) of the sub-sequences. Compared with other similar algorithms, this study focuses on improving fingerprints representing video sub-sequences and introducing a simple metric for the matching of video sub-sequences. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm overall outperforms three related duplication forgery detection algorithms in terms of computational efficiency, detection accuracy and robustness against common video operations like compression and brightness change.
An Adaptive JPEG Steganographic Scheme Based on the Block Entropy of DCT Coefficients
Authors: Wang Chang , Ni Jiangqun , Wang Chuntao , Zhang Ruiyu
Published: March 2013

Minimizing the embedding impact is a practically feasible philosophy in designing steganographic systems. The development of steganographic systems can be formulated as the construction of distortion profile reflecting the embedding impact and the design of syndrome coding based on a certain code. The authors devise a new distortion profile exploring both the block complexity and the distortion effect due to flipping and rounding errors, and incorporate it in the framework of syndrome trellis coding (STC) to propose a new JPEG steganographic scheme. The STC provides multiple candidate solutions to embed messages to a block of coefficients while the constructed content-adaptive distortion profile guides the determination of the best solution with minimal distortion effect. The total embedding distortion or impact would be significantly reduced and lead to the less detectability of steganalysis. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed JPEG steganographic scheme greatly increases the secure embedding capacity against steganalysis and shows significant superiority over some existing JPEG steganographic approaches.
Business Lessons for Higher Education Marketing
Authors: Cook Ruth Gannon , Ley Kathryn
Published: March 2013

Today, recent business marketing approaches that depend upon market analysis and planning have stimulated the growth of marketing firms that offer sophisticated quantitative market analyses in order to identify an organization’s potential and current customers and their needs. This analysis contrasts educational service provider to enrollment outcomes at two nonprofit higher education institutions. The authors’ data indicates securing educational marketing services may be a costly approach in order to attract and keep customers or students.
Technology in Marketing Education
Authors: Bridges Eileen
Published: March 2013

Company training programs provide insights for university classrooms, particularly those in schools and colleges of business. This research shows an increase in usage of technology based training among successful firms, but it is not growing as quickly as consumer use of self-service technologies because some firm goals require more personal training modes. The present findings regarding business adoption of training technology are consistent with consumer research that suggests satisfaction increases with experience in use. Also, selected technology must be congruent with learning goals–technological tools are more effective when students are learning related material–and results of training suggest increased efficacy when this is true. In this regard, university learning environments focused on business should utilize technology as appropriate to learning goals, but should not gratuitously replace traditional classroom learning activities.
You Name It
Authors: Roszkowski Michael J. , Spreat Scott
Published: March 2013

Current and prospective students (n =133) were surveyed about their preferences for a name for a new online series of courses to be launched by a university. Preferences for each of five names were solicited by means of analytical ratings, holistic ratings, and rankings. All three techniques were employed to assure that the most appropriate name for the program was selected, but this also afforded us the opportunity to study several theoretical issues: (a) Do the different methods lead to discrepant decisions at the aggregate level? (b) Is the holistic rating or the analytical rating approach more closely related to the rankings? (c) To what extent is lack of agreement between ratings and rankings due to lack of differentiation in ratings? The authors find that at the aggregate level all three methods suggest the same name for the program; the holistic rating is slightly more highly correlated with the ranking; and the lack of differentiation in ratings is one reason producing inconsistencies between ratings and rankings.
Playful Learning Experiences
Authors: Mitgutsch Konstantin
Published: March 2013

Players use digital games as playgrounds for their interests, passions, values, and beliefs. Computer games entertain us, please our needs, challenge our abilities, make us engage with other players, and confront us with novel experiences. Today, video games foster learning, but how players connect their learning through playing games to their biographies is a question yet unanswered. This paper outlines basic theoretical assumptions on playful learning experiences and empirical insights into meaningful learning patterns. On this basis it presents the central results of an innovative qualitative study on playful learning biographies undertaken in 2010, and thereby aims to provide a reflected understanding of how today’s generation experiences deep and meaningful learning in their playful biographies. Furthermore, this paper examines the question on how games foster transformative learning and discusses consequences for educational settings and future research.
Behind the MASK
Authors: Ziaeehezarjeribi Yadi , Graves Ingrid
Published: March 2013

This study begins an interdisciplinary dialogue among game developers, researchers and educators to determine and realize the potential of using Avatars in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual world to support experiential learning, role-playing, and problem-based learning. This research further investigates the pedagogical and instructional implications for transitioning teachers and students through alternative realities. This study discusses the psychological and sociocultural need for play, delineating the pros and cons of utilizing video games, virtual 3D worlds for both online and in the classroom followed by two case studies, which demonstrate the power of becoming an avatar within virtual spaces. This qualitative research investigation uses methods employed by collecting data through voluntary participation, students discussion logs, formal and informal interviews, and observation through video recording. These studies identify the significance of psychological activities and cognitive challenges using avatars to motivate learning holds true even when examined through the lens of constructivist, socioculturalist, behaviorists, psychological, developmental, cognitive, and sociolinguistic theories. Additionally this research analyzes several important studies that have shown the potential for the educational impact of, virtual 3D worlds and video games on learning.
Levels of Failure and Learning in Games
Authors: Sharritt Matthew , Suthers Daniel D.
Published: March 2013

A qualitative case study is presented that examines learning through video games, focusing on whether player experiences of failure create opportunities for learning. Examples of collaborative play are presented from three video games, including Civilization IV, RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, and Making History: The Calm & the Storm. An inductive analysis reveals that some experiences of failure frustrate game players, leading to the abandonment of an in-game task, while others lead to increased motivation to try a different strategy. The activity-theoretic level of activity at which failure occurs is used to account for these differences in outcomes of failure.
Ensemble Classification System for Scientific Chart Recognition from PDF Files
Authors: Nagarajan S. , Karthikeyani V.
Published: March 2013

Portable Document Format (PDF) is the most frequently used universal document format on the Internet and E-Publishing. Wide usage of PDF files has increased the need of conversion tools that convert PDF file content to text or HTML formats. A PDF converter can be categorized into two domains, namely, text recognition and graphics recognition. This paper focus on graphic recognition, especially chart type identification, which is concerned with developing algorithms that has the ability to determine the type of a given chart image from a PDF file. In the proposed system, initially an enhanced connected component and statistical feature based method is used to separate the chart region from other regions. The chart region is then analyzed and grouped as either 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional chart. After separating the graphic component from the text components, feature extraction is performed. The features can be grouped as object features, texture features and shape features. The combined feature vector is then classified using ensemble classification system. Experimental results show that the chart separation, feature extraction and ensemble classification models significantly improve the quality of chart identification.
A Vision-Based Approach for Indian Sign Language Recognition
Authors: Dixit Karishma , Jalal Anand Singh
Published: March 2013

The sign language is the essential communication method between the deaf and dumb people. In this paper, the authors present a vision based approach which efficiently recognize the signs of Indian Sign Language (ISL) and translate the accurate meaning of those recognized signs. A new feature vector is computed by fusing Hu invariant moment and structural shape descriptor to recognize sign. A multi-class Support Vector Machine (MSVM) is utilized for training and classifying signs of ISL. The performance of the algorithm is illustrated by simulations carried out on a dataset having 720 images. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach can successfully recognize hand gesture with 96% recognition rate.
Maturity for Sustainability in IT
Authors: Smeitink Martijn , Spruit Marco
Published: March 2013

Large scale IT usage harms the environment during its life-cycle and this results in a threat to sustainability. This research provides an approach to help IT organizations recognize and prioritize appropriate measures. A green ontology consisting of suggestions to improve IT sustainability is introduced based on earlier work. Then, to be able to judge where sustainability impacts the IT of an organization, the dimensions Govern, Source, Make, and Return as derived from the Supply Chain Operations Relationship model are applied within a sustainability context. Furthermore, four maturity levels are defined for IT sustainability based on the available sustainable development literature: Cleaning up the waste, Preventing waste, Product reengineering, and IT as an opportunity. Finally, the resulting Maturity for IT Sustainability (MITS) model is presented which categorizes all ontology measures appropriately within the two MITS dimensions.
Generalize Key Requirements for Designing IT-Based System for Green with Considering Stakeholder Needs
Authors: Chen Yu-Tso
Published: March 2013

Forward-thinking governments and companies are attaching great importance to sustainable development for protecting natural environments and advancing human ecosystems. For this purpose, information technology (IT) based system with applying environmental management theories has become an emerging means of promoting smarter services for Green. However, how to strategically generalize key requirements for designing such IT-based environmental services is crucial but merely discussed. To systematically analyze essential needs of planning services, a Define-Analyze-Sketch-Plan (DASP) framework referring to various concepts including strategy management, technology foresight, contemporary environmental management system models, value engineering, and signpost-based decision making is introduced in this paper. Through performing the DASP, V&T Network, and N&F Matrix are delivered to sketch initiatives for system development and strategic signposts for risk management. In practice, the proposed process-oriented DASP can not only benefit system design for IT-based Green services but also indicate a valuable research direction towards Environmental Management and Engineering.
Learning to Rank Complex Semantic Relationships
Authors: Chen Na , Prasanna Viktor K.
Published: March 2013

This paper presents a novel ranking method for complex semantic relationship (semantic association) search based on user preferences. The authors’ method employs a learning-to-rank algorithm to capture each user’s preferences. Using this, it automatically constructs a personalized ranking function for the user. The ranking function is then used to sort the results of each subsequent query by the user. Query results that more closely match the user’s preferences gain higher ranks. Their method is evaluated using a real-world RDF knowledge base created from Freebase linked-open-data. The experimental results show that the authors’ method significantly improves the ranking quality in terms of capturing user preferences, compared with the state-of-the-art.
Driving Forces Behind Participation and Satisfaction with Social Networking Sites
Authors: Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia , Miranda F. Javier , Pires Ana R.
Published: March 2013

This study aims to investigate the antecedents of participation in and satisfaction with social networking sites (SNS) based on extension of the Technology Acceptance Model. The model is tested on a group of 336 young adults who use Facebook frequently. The findings reveal that identification with the SNS and the degree of influence are two important drivers of the usefulness of the SNS, and in turn, lead to using it more frequently and encouraging others to join. Interaction preference can influence favourably the belief that the SNS is easy to use, however, ease of use does not seem to contribute significantly to individuals participating actively in SNS.
Effects of bottom‐layer hypoxia on spatial distributions and community structure of mesozooplankton in a sub‐estuary of Puget Sound, Washington, U.S.A
Authors: Keister Julie E. , Tuttle Loren B.
Published: March 2013

We investigated the response of mesozooplankton to low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in Hood Canal, Washington, a seasonally hypoxic sub‐estuary of Puget Sound. Depth‐stratified zooplankton net tows were conducted above and below the oxycline during day and night in midsummer (July), late summer (September), and early winter (December) 2008 using closing nets. Bottom DO concentrations declined slowly through summer. In July, DO at most stations was low but not hypoxic. By late summer, bottom waters throughout the study area were hypoxic (≤ 2 mg L−1) and were severely hypoxic (< 1 mg L−1) at some stations. In winter, water‐column mixing and lower surface primary production resulted in higher DO, although sub‐pycnocline hypoxia persisted through December at some locations. Zooplankton abundance decreased from midsummer to winter. The community was dominated by gelatinous zooplankton and copepods. A shift in community structure towards a higher dominance of polychaetes and the cyclopoid copepod Oithona similis occurred over the season. Temporal and spatial patterns in zooplankton communities were primarily structured by month and bottom depth. DO played a lesser role in structuring the species composition, but vertical distributions of several taxa changed in response to hypoxia, with a greater proportion of their populations found above the oxycline during both day and night where bottom oxygen was low. However, some taxa were abundant below the oxycline, even at oxygen levels < 0.5 mg L−1; these taxa may have a high tolerance to hypoxia, use low‐oxygen regions as a predation refuge, and be useful indicators of poor water‐quality conditions.
New insights on the mineralization of dissolved organic matter in central, intermediate, and deep water masses of the northeast North Atlantic
Authors: Álvarez-Salgado X. A. , Nieto-Cid M. , Álvarez M. , Pérez F. F. , Morin P. , Mercier H.
Published: March 2013

An optimum multiparameter (OMP) analysis was applied to samples collected during a cruise in the northeast North Atlantic with the aim of objectively defining water mass realms and calculating water mass mixing‐weighted average (archetypal) concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM). The profile of archetypal DOC, which retains the basin‐scale variability from the formation area of the water masses to the study area, was modeled with a constant initial concentration of 60 ± 1 mmol kg−1 that decreased linearly with increasing apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) at a rate of −0.20 ± 0.03 mol C per mol of AOU. The archetypal C:N ratio of dissolved organic matter was also modeled with a constant initial molar ratio of 11.5 ± 0.4 that increased at a rate of 0.06 ± 0.01 per μmol kg−1 of AOU. The profile of archetypal FDOM was modeled with a constant initial humic‐like fluorescence of 0.54 ± 0.07 quinine sulfate units that increased at a rate of 0.009 ± 0.001 g equivalent of quinine sulphate per mol of AOU. Only the Denmark Strait Overflow Water departed from this behavior because of the marked terrestrial influence of Arctic rivers during the formation of this water mass. The variability not explained by the archetypal concentrations, which retain the local variability, suggesting that N‐poor DOM was mineralized in the study area, and that the efficiency of the local production of humic‐like substances was directly proportional to the ventilation of the corresponding water mass realms.
A review of ecogeochemistry approaches to estimating movements of marine animals
Authors: McMahon Kelton W. , Hamady Li Ling , Thorrold Simon R.
Published: March 2013

Ecogeochemistry—the application of geochemical techniques to fundamental questions in population and community ecology—has been used in animal migration studies in terrestrial environments for several decades; however, the approach has received far less attention in marine systems. This review includes comprehensive meta‐analyses of organic zooplankton δ13C and δ15N values at the base of the food web, dissolved inorganic carbon δ13C values, and seawater δ18O values to create, for the first time, robust isoscapes for the Atlantic Ocean. These isoscapes present far greater geographic variability in multiple geochemical tracers than was previously thought, thus forming the foundation for reconstructions of habitat use and migration patterns of marine organisms. We review several additional tracers, including trace‐element‐to‐calcium ratios and heavy element stable isotopes, to examine anadromous migrations. We highlight the value of the ecogeochemistry approach by examining case studies on three components of connectivity: dispersal and natal homing, functional connectivity, and migratory connectivity. We also discuss recent advances in compound‐specific stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses for tracking animal movement. A better understanding of isotopic routing and fractionation factors, particularly of individual compound classes, is necessary to realize the full potential of ecogeochemistry.
Observations of near‐inertial energy in Lake Superior
Authors: Austin Jay
Published: March 2013

Directly measured velocity data collected in Lake Superior between 2008 and 2011 show that currents in the open waters of the lake are dominated by near‐inertial energy. The near‐inertial signal is composed almost entirely of clockwise rotation, with vertical structure dominated by the first baroclinic mode, where waters above and below the thermocline are roughly 180° out of phase with each other. The strength of the oscillations is strongly related to the strength of the stratification; in periods of the year when the water column is well‐mixed (typically late autumn and late spring) the near‐inertial signal is very weak; when stratification exists, near‐inertial oscillations can occur. Combining the velocity amplitudes with an estimate of the thermocline displacement allows estimation of the dominant direction and horizontal wavelength of the near‐inertial field, showing that horizontal wavelengths are on the order of 50–100 km, and the direction of the waves veers counter‐clockwise over the course of the season with a period of ∼ 1 month. Observations of backscatter suggest that inertial oscillations may be responsible for re‐suspension of bottom sediments, which could have significant ecological consequences.
Arsenic and phosphorus biogeochemistry in the ocean: Arsenic species as proxies for P‐limitation
Authors: Wurl Oliver , Zimmer Louise , Cutter Gregory A.
Published: March 2013

Arsenic and phosphorus are biochemically very similar, and hence arsenate (As5+) is toxic by interfering with the energy metabolism, in particular during P limitation. However, many phytoplankton detoxify As by reducing arsenate to arsenite (As3+), and/or methylating it to mono and dimethyl As. Such As detoxification becomes operative in oligotrophic waters when phosphate concentrations are below those for As; therefore, we evaluated the potential use of these detoxification products as indicators of P limitation by measuring As speciation during the US GEOTRACES North Atlantic transect. The distribution of As3+ concentrations in surface waters is similar to that of N : P ratios and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA), two conventional proxies for P‐limitation. As3+ concentrations have a very similar relationship to phosphate as APA to phosphate, and therefore indicate the potential of As3+ as proxy for P‐limitation. From the relationship to phosphate we derived threshold valuesof As3+ concentration to indicate moderate and extreme P‐limitation. We then applied these threshold values to assess P‐limitation with high horizontal resolution in the North Atlantic, improving on the contradictory assessments using the conventional proxies. Our new evaluation is consistent with the general concept that the North Atlantic is moderately to extremely limited in phosphate.
Threshold‐driven shifts in two copepod species: Testing ecological theory with observational data
Authors: Scharfenberger Ulrike , Mahdy Aldoushy , Adrian Rita
Published: March 2013

We used an observed abrupt shift in the dominance pattern of two coexisting copepod species in Müggelsee, a shallow eutrophic lake in Germany, to investigate mechanisms leading to this shift, by embedding our findings into the framework of intraguild predation theory and theoretical scenarios of threshold‐driven regime shifts. We proposed that the abrupt increase in Cyclops kolensis, changing its status from a rare to the dominant species as available algal prey declined in the lake, was due to its superior exploitative competition for commonly consumed algal prey. However, C. kolensis was only able to thrive in the emerging low food niche when abundances of competing larger Cyclops vicinus, a predator of C. kolensis juveniles, fell below a critical threshold. This is consistent with the “state threshold scenario” of regime shift theory, for which a response variable exhibits an abrupt shift, here C. kolensis, after the driver (C. vicinus) crosses a threshold. We confirmed the nonlinear relationship between the two copepod species by excluding potentially matching abrupt changes in other abiotic and biotic driving variables, and successfully classifying C. kolensis abundance probability on the basis of C. vicinus abundances using logistic generalized linear modeling. C. vicinus decline followed the “driver threshold scenario” of regime shift theory, whereby an abrupt change in a driver (cryptophytes) causes a sudden shift in a response variable (C. vicinus). We illustrated how observational data on plankton communities match predictions derived from ecological theory.
Spring phytoplankton communities shaped by interannual weather variability and dispersal limitation: Mechanisms of climate change effects on key coastal primary producers
Authors: Klais Riina , Tamminen Timo , Kremp Anke , Spilling Kristian , An Byoung Woong , Hajdu Susanna , Olli Kalle
Published: March 2013

Spring bloom composition in the Baltic Sea, a partially ice‐covered brackish coastal waterbody, is shaped by winter‐spring weather conditions affecting the relative dominance of diatoms and a heterogeneous assemblage of cold‐water dinoflagellates, dominated by the chain‐forming Peridiniella catenata and a complex of at least three medium‐sized, single‐celled species: Biecheleria baltica, Gymnodinium corollarium, and Scrippsiella hangoei. During the last decades, the bloom community has dramatically changed in several basins. We analyze here a 30 yr time series of quantitative phytoplankton data, as predicted by hindcast modeled ice thickness and storminess for three distinct Baltic Sea localities, to verify climate‐driven mechanisms affecting the spring bloom composition. Thick (> 30 cm) and long‐lasting ice cover favored diatom‐dominated spring blooms, and mild winters, with storms and thin ice cover (10 to 20 cm), supported blooms of the B. baltica complex. Dispersal limitation plays an important role in the spatial extent of blooms of the B. baltica complex, caused by intricate interplay of local hydrodynamics and the dinoflagellate life cycle. Proportion peaks of key phytoplankton groups have shifted about 10 d earlier in the northwestern Baltic Sea (P. catenata and diatoms) and in the Gulf of Riga (P. catenata). The significant weather effects imply future shifts in spring bloom composition and consequent biogeochemical cycles, driven by the predicted changes in winter storminess and decrease in ice cover extent and duration in climate change models.
Spatial variability of nutrient concentrations, fluxes, and ecosystem metabolism in Nyanza Gulf and Rusinga Channel, Lake Victoria (East Africa)
Authors: Gikuma-Njuru P. , Hecky R. E. , Guildford S. J. , MacIntyre S.
Published: March 2013

Measurements of nutrient concentrations and physicochemical parameters were carried out monthly between March 2005 and March 2006 along a transect between the Nyanza Gulf and the open waters of Lake Victoria to evaluate spatial and seasonal variations in nutrient fluxes and ecosystem metabolism. Nutrient concentration gradients were observed between the deep and seasonally stratifying main lake basin and the large, shallow river‐influenced Nyanza Gulf, which are connected by the relatively deep and narrow Rusinga Channel. Nutrient gradients were steepest in the Rusinga Channel where there was always a strong gradient in electrical conductivity. A mixing‐box model used to quantify nutrient fluxes and ecosystem metabolism along the gulf and the channel showed that nutrients entering the gulf through river inflows and municipal sources were largely retained in the gulf, with only a small fraction transferred into the main lake. In contrast, the main lake was a net exporter of dissolved inorganic phosphorus to the gulf (110 mg P m−2 yr−1), which is in contrast to the paradigm that the gulf is a major contributor to the increasing nutrient enrichment and, hence, eutrophication of the greater Lake Victoria. The channel had net regeneration of dissolved nutrients indicating net heterotrophy; whereas in the gulf, there was net consumption of dissolved nutrients, resulting in high estimates of net ecosystem production (570 mg C m−2 d−1) and, hence, net autotrophy. Nitrogen balance ranged from +3 to +15 mg N m−2 d−1, indicating dominance of nitrogen fixation over denitrification in both the gulf and the channel, which are both well‐oxygenated.
Model calculated global, regional and megacity premature mortality due to air pollution
Authors: Lelieveld J. , Barlas C. , Giannadaki D. , Pozzer A.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Air pollution by fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) has increased strongly with industrialization and urbanization. We estimated the premature mortality rates and the years of human life lost (YLL) caused by anthropogenic PM2.5 and O3 in 2005 for epidemiological regions defined by the World Health Organization. We carried out high-resolution global model calculations to resolve urban and industrial regions in greater detail compared to previous work. We applied a health impact function to estimate premature mortality for people of 30 yr and older, using parameters derived from epidemiological cohort studies. Our results suggest that especially in large countries with extensive suburban and rural populations, air pollution-induced mortality rates have previously been underestimated. We calculate a global respiratory mortality of about 773 thousand yr−1 (YLL ≈ 5.2 million yr−1), 186 thousand yr−1 by lung cancer (YLL ≈ 1.7 million yr−1) and 2.0 million yr−1 by cardiovascular disease (YLL ≈ 14.3 million yr−1). The global mean per capita mortality caused by air pollution is about 0.1 % yr−1. The highest premature mortality rates are found in the Southeast Asia and Western Pacific regions (about 25% and 46% of the global rate, respectively) where more than a dozen of the most highly polluted megacities are located.
Deep CO2 soil inhalation/exhalation induced by synoptic pressure changes and atmospheric tides in a carbonated semiarid steppe
Authors: Sánchez-Cañete E. P. , Kowalski A. S. , Serrano-Ortiz P. , Pérez-Priego O. , Domingo F.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Knowledge of all the mechanisms and processes involved in soil CO2 emissions is essential to close the global carbon cycle. Apart from molecular diffusion, the main physical component of such CO2 exchange is soil ventilation. Advective CO2 transport, through soil or snow, has been correlated with the wind speed, friction velocity or pressure (p). Here we examine variations in subterranean CO2 molar fractions (χc) over two years within a vertical profile (1.5 m) in a semiarid ecosystem, as influenced by short-timescale p changes. Analyses to determine the factors involved in the variations in subterranean χc were differentiated between the growing period and the dry period. In both periods it was found that variations in deep χc (0.5–1.5 m) were due predominantly to static p variations and not to wind or biological influences. Within a few hours, the deep χc can vary by fourfold showing a pattern with two cycles per day, due to p oscillations caused by atmospheric tides. By contrast, shallow χc (0.15 m) generally has one cycle per day as influenced by biological factors like soil water content and temperature in both periods, while the wind was an important factor in shallow χc variations only during the dry period. Evidence of emissions was registered in the atmospheric boundary layer by eddy covariance during synoptic pressure changes when subterranean CO2 was released; days with rising barometric pressure – when air accumulated belowground, including soil-respired CO2 – showed greater ecosystem uptake than days with falling pressure. Future assessments of the net ecosystem carbon balance should not rely exclusively on Fick's law to calculate soil CO2 effluxes from profile data.
Women Participation in National Development in Nigeria: The Imperative of Education
Authors: Asaju Kayode , Adagba Sunday Onah
Published: March 2013

Women constitute an indispensable force in the quest for national development of any nation. In the developed nations, women have been able to play this important role. However, in Nigeria, women are still relegated to the background as they lack the educational, economic and political power necessary to actualize their innate potentials.  The paper examines the important place of women education in the empowerment of women to enable them contribute their quota to national development. The study relied solely on secondary data and this was analysed using content analysis. The paper shows that women access to education is still low as the gender disparity in the enrolment of women into primary, secondary and tertiary educational institutions is widening over the years. These problems are further compounded by the high rate of girls’ dropout and failure among women that sat for ‘O’ Level examination. The implication is that many of them lacked the required minimum numbers of credits that qualify them to enrol or get admission into the tertiary institutions. The paper postulates that more pro-active actions need to be taken by the government and other stakeholders to ensure gender parity in education through special child girls education, scholarships and effective implementation of policies and programmes geared towards this.
Implementing Public Private Partnerships in Africa:The Case of Urban Water Service Delivery in Ghana
Authors: Abubakari Maliha , Buabeng Thomas , Ahenkan Albert
Published: March 2013

The study sets out to given in-depth analysis of thePublic Private Partnership between the government of Ghana, represented by GWCL and Aqua Vitens Rand Ltd –AVRL from 2005-2011 and to generate an insight on how the implementation process faired from the perspective of implementers in particular, civil society organisations and the public utility workers union. The case study method within the qualitative approach was used for the study. The study also, made use of interview as the research instrument and respondents were purposively selected. The results of the study were subjected to an interpretative analysis combined with secondary data from the literature review. There were several grey areas in the management contract resulting in a number of ambiguities in various parts of the management contract. These ambiguities translated into delays in the implementation process. Also, there appeared to be conflict of interest on the part of GWCL, resulting in weak supervision. Political interference also weakened the structures established for the implementation of the contract. Leadership of GWCL was weakened as result of frequent changes in leadership and the fact that leaders were mostly in acting capacities. Despite the richness of the data, the study encountered a number of difficulties including the unwillingness of some senior level staff to participate in the study limits the diversity of perspectives which otherwise would have broadened the scope of the study. The findings provide deeper understanding to public policy implementation in respect of the management contract between GWCL and AVRL. The paper particularly contributes to the challenges implementers encounter in implementing management contracts from both implementers and non-implementers perspectives. It may also contain lessons for implementers in the private sector.
An Assessment on Provision of Recreational Facilities in Nigerian Universities In the 21st Century
Authors: Iheanacho S. B. C. , Ikpeme E. E. , Saba Idris A.
Published: March 2013

This paper is an assessment of provision recreational sports facilities in Nigerian Universities in the 21st Century. The researcher having seen that adequate sports facility is an essential element in the effective delivery of sports program in Nigerian Universities, assessed some basic facilities in the first generation and some second generation Universities respectively. The data revealed that Nigerian Universities do not have sporting facilities befitting their status especially the second generation Universities. The paper went further to present some basic considerations for the provision of recreational sport facilities in Nigerian Universities. The role of Universities in the provision of recreational facilities was equally discussed in the paper. Finally, the paper recommends among others that Federal Government should declare a state of emergency on sporting facilities in Nigerian Universities because of the commonality in the problem of inadequacy and unavailability of standard recreational sports facilities in virtually all the Universities in Nigeria.
Eradication of Cultism in Nigeria Tertiary Institutions through Active Participation in Sport
Authors: Iheanacho S. B. C. , E. Ikpeme E. , Saba Idris A.
Published: March 2013

This paper focuses on sport as panacea for cultism in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The vices that stigmatized the tertiary institutions today are traceable to the uncontrolled behaviour of students. School authorities and concerned government over the years have applied measures to check the excesses of students in tertiary institutions without noticeable success. Sports stand to provide the needed solution to these linger problems of cultism in tertiary institutions. Sports is perceived as wholesome pursuits for students in tertiary institution which channel their thinking and disposition toward worthwhile goal. Sports provide students the opportunity to cultivate sportsmanship qualities, which is necessary for school discipline. The paper focused on the educational values of sports to include self discipline and control, obedience to and co-operation with constituted authorities among others. Similarly, sports provide students with safety value of letting off excessive energies, which ordinarily could have been mischievously channeled towards acts that are opposed to school discipline. The sports programme organization in schools were highlighted the components of a sound sports programmes in Nigerian te   rtiary institutions from which students can benefit in building up desirable behaviour were also discussed. Finally, recommendations were made on  how participation in sports by students can help solve the problems of cultism activities in tertiary institutions.
Specific or Ad Valorem? A Theory of Casino Taxation
Authors: Philander Kahlil S.
Published: March 2013

This paper explores the effects of excise taxation in markets containing two consumer groups with distinct differences in demand elasticity. A model of second degree price discrimination is employed with an endogenously funded public good to represent a protected casino market with two distinct consumer groups, problem gamblers and recreational gamblers. The paper finds that, when quantity is used as the endogenous product variable, consumers tend to obtain a higher provision of the public good with specific taxes than with ad valorem taxes. The model also provides evidence that the casino gambling industry may not be a good candidate for a Pigovian tax due to the behaviour of a small group that produces negative externalities (problem gamblers) but that also tends to be more price-insensitive than the rest of the population.
Measuring the Impact of a Profit-Oriented Event on Tourism: The Eurochocolate Festival in Perugia, Italy
Authors: Chirieleison Cecilia , Montrone Alessandro , Scrucca Luca
Published: March 2013

This paper contributes to the development of a relatively homogeneous, standardized methodology for the measurement of the impact of festivals and events on tourism. Such a methodology will be of benefit when private and public policy makers carry out comparative analyses to determine whether or not to support an event. The study assesses whether the Eurochocolate festival, held every October in Perugia, Italy, contributes to the development of local tourism, thereby enhancing economic growth in the city. A trend analysis was undertaken, based on data relating to arrivals and presences over a period of several years, the application of a statistical regression model dealing with arrivals, and the results of a visitor survey. The authors conclude that, while the event is privately owned with most profits going to the organizing firm, it also generates considerable benefits for the local economy. It brings almost 8,000 additional national tourist arrivals in the city, as well as 66,000 day-trippers from outside the Umbria region.
The Role of Tourism in Poverty Reduction: An Empirical Assessment
Authors: Croes Robertico
Published: March 2013

This paper assesses how tourism affects absolute poverty beyond its effects on growth in two developing countries. In particular, the author explores whether tourism spending leads to a decline in the proportion of people below the poverty line. An error correction model is applied to estimate the relationship between poverty and tourism spending. The results reveal that tourism does matter for the poor, but that it does not appear to have systematic effects, and that tourism development matters most for the poor at the lower levels of economic development. The findings from the two developing country case studies show differing impacts of tourism development, and thus the policy implications differ for each case.
The Role of Knowledge-Intensive Business Services in Spanish Local Tourist Production Systems
Authors: Álvarez-González José Antonio , González-Morales Mª Olga
Published: March 2013

This paper analyses the evolution of the knowledge base in local tourist production systems (LTPS) in Spain and of knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) and the effects on labour productivity in tourist services. Innovation depends on an enterprise's ability to generate new knowledge and absorb external knowledge, and KIBS are external providers of knowledge. The process ends when the acquired knowledge has an effect on innovation and the impact is reflected in increased productivity. This approach assesses learning through interaction and space. It applies multidimensional scaling to detect associations between variables and LTPS. The results indicate that most changes in productivity are caused by a combination of tacit and codified knowledge, but this differs depending on the LTPS. Labour productivity also increases in the LTPS, which further increases the supply of KIBS.
Exploring Small Area Demand for Grocery Retailers in Tourist Areas
Authors: Newing Andy , Clarke Graham , Clarke Martin
Published: March 2013

This paper uses data from a major loyalty card scheme to draw insights about the characteristics of grocery expenditure by tourists.

The authors explore the volume, value and composition of store-based visitor expenditure using consumer data from the loyalty card scheme. They focus on grocery spending at selected stores in Cornwall, a popular tourist destination in South West England. The loyalty card data provide a valuable source rarely available for academic investigations. The authors are able to analyse visitor spend by socio-economic and geodemographic characteristics, drawing a range of comparisons with residential demand from within the store catchment areas. They demonstrate that visitor grocery expenditure is complex and varies by store, destination and type of customer. The paper presents evidence to suggest that the current approaches used to estimate sales uplift and local-level economic impact from visitor demand are unable to account for the complexities of this form of expenditure. Based on these insights, the authors recommend that sophisticated modelling is employed to estimate the impact of visitor expenditure.
Differential Inhibition of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) Gut Proteinases by Proteinase Inhibitors of Okra and It's Wild Relatives
Authors: Udamale Shilpa K. , Moharil M. P. , Ugale T. B. , Mankar J. M.
Published: March 2013

The seeds of ten genotypes and twenty-nine wild relatives of okra were analysed for the presence of trypsin, chymotrypsin, and Helicoverpa gut proteinases (HGPs) inhibitors (HGPIs), with the aim to identify potent inhibitors of H. armigera gut proteinases. Proteinase inhibitors (PIs) obtained from wild relatives of okra exhibited stronger inhibition of HGPs than the genotypes of okra. In in vitro inhibitory assay against HGPs, A. tuberculatus 90396 and 90515 showed high tryptic inhibitory (71.8% and 69.2%), chymotryptic inhibitory (68.5% and 66.2%), and Helicoverpa gut proteinase activity (70.2% and 68.2%). In electrophoretic profile showed the same variation in the number of trypsin inhibitors (TIs), chymotrypsin Inhibitors (CIs), and HGPIs
isoforms with different intensities, whereas genotypes of okra mostly showed monomorphic profile. Maximum eight HGPIs isoforms were found in A. tuberculatus (90396 and 90515). In bioassay studies, significant reduction in weight of H. armigera larvae was found, when larvae fed on PIs obtained from A. tuberculatus (90396 and 90515). Thus, the result of the present investigation indicates that further exploration of PIs obtained from A. tuberculatus (90396 and 90515) will be helpful for developing PIs-based insect resistance management strategies.
SPAM for a Manipulator by Best Next Move in Unknown Environments
Authors: Um Dugan , Ryu Dongseok
Published: March 2013

We propose a SPAM (simultaneous planning and mapping) technique for a manipulator-type robot working in an uncertain environment via a novel Best Next Move algorithm. Demands for a smart decision to move a manipulator such as humanoid arms in uncertain or crowded environments call for a simultaneous planning and mapping technique. In the present work, we focus more on rapid map generation rather than global path search to reduce ignorance level of a given environment. The motivation is that the global path quality will be improved as the ignorance level of the unknown environment decreases. The 3D sensor introduced in the previous work has been improved for better mapping capability and the real-time rehearsal idea is used for c-space cloud point generation. Captured cloud points by 3D sensors, then, create an instantaneous c-space map whereby the Best Next Move algorithm directs the local motion of the manipulator. The direction of the Best Next Move utilizes the gradient of the density distribution of the k-nearest-neighborhood sets in c-space. It has a tendency of traveling along the direction by which the point clouds spread in space, thus rendering faster mapping of c-space obstacles possible. The proposed algorithm is compared with a sensor-based algorithm such as sensor-based RRT for performance comparison. Performance measures, such as mapping efficiency, search time, and total number of c-space point clouds, are reported as well. Possible applications include semiautonomous telerobotics planning and humanoid arm path planning.
Branched-Chain Amino Acid Plus Glucose Supplement Reduces Exercise-Induced Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness in College-Age Females
Authors: Leahy Danielle T. , Pintauro Stephen J.
Published: March 2013

Supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) has been used to stimulate muscle protein synthesis following exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine if supplementation with BCAAs in combination with glucose would reduce exercise-induced delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Using a double-blind crossover design, 20 subjects (11 females, 9 males) were randomly assigned to either BCAA () or placebo () groups. Subjects performed a squatting exercise to elicit DOMS and rated their muscle soreness every 24 hours for four days following exercise while continuing to consume the BCAA or placebo. Following a three-week recovery period, subjects returned and received the alternate BCAA or placebo treatment, repeating the same exercise and DOMS rating protocol for the next four days. BCAA supplementation in female subjects resulted in a significant decrease in DOMS versus placebo at 24 hours following exercise (). No significant effect of BCAA supplementation versus placebo was noted in male subjects nor when male and female results were analyzed together. This gender difference may be related to dose per body weight differences between male and female subjects.