bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Society and Daily Life Practices in Qatar Before Oil Industry, A Historic Study in light of Texts and Archaeological Evidence”
Authors: Sadeq Mohammedmoin
Published: November 2013

A series of archaeological sites in Qatar have been attesting multifaceted aspects of the society and daily life practices in the eve of oil industry, particularly in the period from the 17th to the mid-20th century. The archaeological walled town of Al-Zubarah, for instance, has been excavated, first in the early 1980s by a Qatari mission, and since 2010 by the University of Copenhagen, in partnership with Qatar Museum Authority. Due to its outstanding cultural importance to the common heritage of humanity, the town of al-Zubarah (from ca. 17th century to the mid-20th century) has recently been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The geostrategic location of the town on the north western coast alongside with its environmental landscape and physical remains such as the sea port, the fortified canal leading to the former Murayr and the rich archaeological discoveries, are attesting the town's role as a major pearl and trade center in the Gulf region. In addition, the uncovered quarters, palaces, courtyard houses and huts alongside with the town mosque, market and the other domestic architecture, are essential components of a major Islamic trade center, planned and built according to the Islamic law (Shari'a) and local social traditions. In addition to the uncovered architecture, the revealed material culture, particularly the large assemblages of vessels and tools made of different material for different purposes and originated from various regions are cinsidered a primary physical source for reconstructing multifaceted aspects of the social history, society inter-relations, daily life practices and contact with neighboring and far cultures. In light of texts, archaeological record and the field observations of the author, particularly during his excavation at al-Zubarah, this paper endeavors to reconstruct Qatar society and daily life practices in the period from the 17th through the mid-20th century, focusing on the following points: - Society and gender immediate needs in light of the uncovered architecture and in context with the Islamic law (Shari'a) and local traditions. - Communal identity and daily life practices in light of the uncovered material culture such as tools and vessels. - Evidences of contact with the surrounding regions and cultures.
Kinesthetic learning system for Arabic indigenous dances
Authors: Khan Muqeem
Published: November 2013

“This project is a trans-­disciplinary and cross-­organizational analysis between Northwestern University in Qatar and Qatar Museum Authority into the viable and effective use of motion-­sensing technologies in museums and cultural spaces for dissemination of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). We will explore alternative opportunities for knowledge transfer of ICH content that manifest with playfulness in order to elicit a deeper understanding of such intangible cultural artifacts with specific focus on cultural dance. The project will examine motion-­sensing technologies that extend learning experiences beyond those that remain behind the computer or television screen bringing ICH content into an intelligent kinesthetic learning environment. Initial prototypes created, as a product of this work, will capture live performances for training an artificially intelligent dance instructor and playback in the form of an interactive dance based application. It will be evaluated in a supervised museum environment where measures of technology efficacy, engagement and learning outcomes will be evaluated. ”
Architecture, interior design, and neuro-imaging: An evidence-based approach
Authors: Amor Mohamed , O’boyle Michael , Debajyoti Pati
Published: November 2013

Precedents Precedents in the fields of architecture, interior design, and allied disciplines indicate that the built environments that we design and in which we inhabit, work, and entertain have been designed with subjective design orientations with minimal or total negligence of emerging neuroscience contributions. Emerging neuroscience research shows that environmental-related activities such as wayfinding, perception, cognitive mapping and their behavioral consequences—anxiety, stress, happiness, arousal—are both reflected in our brains—neural structures and electro-chemical processes (Zeisel, 2006; Eberhard, 2007; Swanson, 2011; Mallgrave, 2011). These findings proffer solid physiological data (hard science) that pave the way for further research that will decipher the correlation between the design/architecture and the brain/neural activity. Purpose The purpose of this funded research is to explore and compare the behavioral and neural responses of ten adults, when exposed to four classes of images a) positive images, b) negative images, c) neutral images, and d) illuminated luminous ceiling images ) using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging fMRI technology. Methodology To do so, a purposeful sampling was used to generate ten adults living in the northwest of Texas. The purposeful sampling permitted the selection of gender (male and female), age (20-60 years old range), ethnicity (white/Caucasian), right handedness (brain lateralization), and with no prior exposition to an fMRI experiment. The participants undergo 1) an anatomical scan and 2) a functional scan while a random sequence of images (positive, neutral, negative, and sky ceiling images) are projected by a computer controlled visual presentation system. Each participant evaluated 32 images (eight images in each category). This has generated a 40-45 minutes scanner experiment for each participant. Behavioral data were analyzed using grounded theory; while the neural data maps were analyzed using a basic psychometric approach. Findings/Discussion The brain neural mapping as generated by the fMRI constitutes an unparalleled solid scientific biological data, which permitted and facilitated a comparison between behavioral and neurological data. Besides the use behavioral data, the use of fMRI has provided an original opportunity to examine the neurological mechanisms associated with exposure to simulated nature conditions. This has facilitated for the first time in design disciplines cross-check data validity to support or nullify existing behavioral paradigms/theories. Likewise, the preliminary findings of this exploration support precedents that exposure to nature images has beneficial impact on people's psychological, emotional, and behavioral responses. Similarly, in both behavioral and fMRI data, the sky factory images and the presumed positive images were both find to stimulated positive appraisal. More results will be shared with the conference attendees for feedback.
Animal welfare in Qatar
Authors: Botchway Francis
Published: November 2013

This work sets out to find a theoretical framework for animal welfare that harmonizes Western philosophy and ideas with Islamic philosophy and Arab culture. The objective is to provide an effective platform for the lunching of legal instruments and educational programs for the humane treatment of animals in Qatar and in the GCC. The Western theories evaluated include those of J.S. Mill and Emmanuel Kant, which place animal welfare as an assessory of human life and freedom. These theories underpin the human rights and sustainable development approaches to environmental protection. We argue that both human rights and sustainable development frameworks are too deeply steeped in anthropology and the satisfaction of human needs and desires with limited emphasis on animals and the inanimate ecosystem on their own merits. Islam prohibits cruelty against animals. Both the Quran and Sunnah referred to the humane treatment of the animals. In the Quran, God said in The Bee surah:] (4) “and the grazing livestock He has created for you; in them is warmth and [numerous] benefits, … (6) And they carry your loads to a land you could not have reached except with difficulty to yourselves. Indeed, your Lord is Kind and Merciful. (7) And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment”. We argue that the Western and Islamic principles can be harmonized to serve as the foundation for animal welfare law and education in Qatar. We place the theoretical framework within international law as well as the comparative laws on animal welfare in selected countries. In international law, we look at the sources of international law as outlined in the ICJ Statute, particularly Custom and General Principles of law. A crucial aspect of this work is the mapping of the theoretical principles to the law and then to the practice in Qatar to establish consistency or gaps and suggest ways of improving the welfare of animals in Qatar. Based on our visits, pictures and findings A Summary of our recommendations are; 1- For Zoos; Animals such as lions and tigers are not used to the temperature here, the new zoo need years to finish, so there must be an arrangement to return the animals to their original countries or to other zoos. The new zoo must have a lot of trees to reduce the temperature. 2. For Veterinary Clinics; because the place is hired, it's not ideal for a complete veterinary center. We recommend that they get new premises or improve on the existing ones in order to have bigger capacity for animals. 3. For Animal Shops at Souq Waqif; we recommend shades for animals on display. Where animals are kept indoors, there must be working air-condition facilities. The sale of colored animals must be restricted. 4. For the Animal Welfare Department; We recommend bigger sized room for surgeries and also for animals that are on admission. The cages which are used are rusty and need to be replaced.
Islamic financial options: Design for speculation and risk management
Authors: Hanini Mohammad
Published: November 2013

ملخص تتناول الدراسة طبيعة عقود الخيارات المالية (Options Financial) في الأسواق المالية والتجارية العالمية المنظمة، والطريقة التقليدية التي يتم تداول الأصول المالية والحقيقية بها، كما تتناول آراء الباحثين والإقتصاديين الإسلاميين حولها، وهي آراء تتلخص بعدم موافقة الخيارات في واقعها العملي مع أدبيات الإقتصاد الإسلامي، لكن بالنظر إلى وظائف هذه الخيارات وما تقدمه من منافع للدول ومؤسساتها، مثل: (الإستثمار، والمضاربة، والتحوط)، فليس في هذه الوظائف ما يخالف أدبيات الإقتصاد الإسلامي من حيث المبدأ، بل لا يستطيع النظام المالي التقليدي أو الإسلامي الإستغناء عنها، لذا هدفت الدراسة إلى معرفة مدى إمكانية إعادة هندسة هذه الخيارات وفق أدبيات الإقتصاد الإسلامي والإفادة منها، وسيتم التأكد من إمكانية تحقق ذلك بتحديد عناصر مخالفة الخيارات المالية لأحكام الشريعة الإسلامية، والتي تتمثل في: (إستخدام الخيارات من قبل المستثمرين بغرض المضاربات غير المشروعة، المتمثلة تحديداً في عنصرين، الأول: عدم التسلم والتسليم في موعد تصفية العقد، والإستعاضة عن ذلك بالتسوية النقدية، وهي المقامرة في الفقه الإسلامي، والثاني: التورط في إحدى محددات العرض والطلب المصطنعة). وعند إستثناء هذين العنصرين من عقود الخيارات، والإلتزام بالضوابط الأخرى المبينة في الدراسة، سيتم التوصل إلى تصميم خيارات مالية إسلامية جديدة، يمكن (للأفراد، والشركات، والحكومات) الإفادة منها في أسواق المال المحلية والدولية التقليدية والإسلامية، متميزة بتقديم ذات الوظائف للمستثمرين والمتحوطين المهتمين بالتداول وفق أحكام الشريعة الإسلامية. الكلمات الدالة: الخيارات المالية، الأسواق المالية، الأصول المالية والحقيقية، الإقتصاد الإسلامي، الإستثمار، المضاربة، التحوط، المقامرة، خيار الشراء، خيار البيع.
Designing productive landscapes in an emerging desert metropolis: The Case of Doha
Authors: Grichting Solder Anna
Published: November 2013

As Qatar is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and submitting a bid for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, the country is pushing forward with large infrastructural developments which include public and private transport, tourism and hospitality venues, as well as a number of cultural spaces and educational institution. While these will respond to the logistical and consumption needs of such Mega Events and the aspirations to develop a diversified economy, another question related to more basic consumption needs is that of Food Production and Food Security. The State of Qatar - similar to its dryland neighbors - faces limited land and water resources, and challenging soil typology restraining its agricultural production. Qatar relies on current levels of domestic agricultural output that satisfy no more than ten percent of total national food consumption needs and 99% of the water supply is provided by desalination. In the light of these extreme conditions, it is important to find new approaches to design strategies that create a symbiosis between buildings and landscape, and to explore the possibilities of creating urban food systems and edible landscapes. As a new paradigm for the Design Disciplines, the question of Food Security prompts a necessity for innovative projects that integrate food production, maximizing productivity and minimizing land use, water and energy resources. A "systems approach" to design that consumes less resources, recycles waste, and educates the consumer to have a more "nimble" footprint on the planet is the objective of new design approaches that are "regenerative" in nature. Productive urban landscapes are implementations of this regenerative approach, which promote circular rather than linear systems, and which seek to generate surplus outputs rather than zero-energy balance. The edible landscapes vary in scale and typology, from the garden lot and pocket community garden or greenhouse, to the large scale landscapes that combine food production and leisure, and vertical farming in dense cityscapes. Rooftops of shopping malls and parking infrastructures and other industrial buildings can accommodate greenhouses and greenroofs, using recycled grey water and organic waste with aquaponic systems to grow food. A series of speculative designs to propose new scenarios for Food Urbanisms in Doha and Qatar developed by students at Qatar University are presented here, and this ongoing research on new productive landscapes for Qatar is expected to contribute to the establishment of new "consumer-productive landscapes" and possibly to the development of a Food Security Master Plan being established by the Qatar National Food Security Program.
Mechanical characterization of visually classified, small-diameter laricio pine round timber
Authors: Fernández-Golfín J.I. , Diez Barra M.R. , Hermoso E. , Mier R.
Published: November 2013

This work reports the mechanical characterization of small-diameter logs (diameter < 23 cm) of laricio pine (Pinus nigra subsp. Saltzmannii) from the forests of Cuenca, Spain. Some 445 machine-rounded small logs with final diameters of 8, 10, 12 and 14 cm were examined in accordance with the standard EN 14251, and the conclusion reached that ungraded material can be assigned a strength class of C14 (according to EN 338), while graded material can be assigned to different combinations of strength classes (C18/C14 or C20/C16) depending on the visual grading standard used. Grading yields were examined using three different standards, DIN 4074, VPS-SRT-2 and prEN 14544, and the results obtained with each compared to those provided by the optimal ranking methodology set out in standard EN 14081-2. VPS-SRT-2 appeared to be the most suitable visual grading standard. There is a need to design mixed grading methods based on the use of non-destructive tests and the visual evaluation of specific wood features.
Diversity of sunflower pollinators and their effect on seed yield in Makueni District, Eastern Kenya
Authors: Nderitu J. , Nyamasyo G. , Kasina M. , Oronje M. L.
Published: November 2013

A field experiment was carried out in 2004 and 2005 to identify the diversity of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) pollinators and their influence on seed yield in Makueni district, a semi-arid area in Eastern Kenya. Insect flower visitors were recorded, pollen counted from their body and pollination efficiency index for each visitor determined. Seed yield from plots where insect visitors had access to and where they were denied access was compared. The proportional difference of yield from this pollination scenario was used to estimate monetary net-gain by farmers that could be attributed to insect pollination. In total, individuals belonging to 14 insect species were observed visiting sunflower floral heads. These included six Lepidopteran species, five Hymenopteran species, two Dipteran species, and one Coleopteran species. Apis mellifera L. was the most frequent visitor and had the highest pollination efficiency index. Plots where insect visitors had access produced on average 53% more seed yield compared with plots where insect visitors were excluded. This translates to a net monetary benefit of 51% of the total annual market value of sunflower, accruing to farmers in Makueni district in 2005 due to insect pollination.
Individual profiles and wine consumption patterns in Tenerife [Canary Islands, Spain]. A multinomial logit model
Authors: Rodríguez Donate M.C. , Cáceres Hernández J.J. , Guirao Pérez G. , Cano Fernández V.J.
Published: November 2013

The aim of this study is to analyze the decisions on the frequency of wine consumption to detect the individual characteristics of the potential consumer that influence the propensity towards each decision. Discrete choice models, and in particular, logit models have been seen as tools which are able to identify the way in which a specific combination of characteristics that define the residents of Tenerife conditions his decision on consumption frequency. In general, a regular consumption is not usual for women, which only do so occasionally. On the other hand, the ratio of occasional consumption probability to high frequency consumption probability falls as the age increases. In this sense, the identification of the combinations of individual characteristics associated with patterns of extreme consumption clearly indicates that women and young people are the two consumer segments which should be objects of specific marketing strategies. Any case, the design of such strategies requires investigating about individual preferences and goes beyond the scope of this paper.
Is there a relation between risk rate and the insurance premium in agricultural insurances?. An application to the citrus sector
Authors: Vidal F. , Parra G. , López D.B.
Published: November 2013

Agricultural insurance has an essential role as a tool for risk reduction. This is especially important in a changing and uncertain environment as in agriculture. Insurance acts as a compensating mechanism of loss and risk transference between insured and insurer. This paper aims to find if there is a concluding relationship amongst the rates applied by insurance companies; the insurance premium applied to the insured farmers; the real risk level that farms face and the indemnifications that farmers get after a disaster. There were 418 citrus tree farms analysed in Murcia region (Spain) in the period 2002-2006. They were in the line called "Multicultivo de Cítricos y Complementario" (Citrus Multi-crop and Complementary). The correlation coefficients of the different analyses are close to zero (between 0.047 and 0.053). This indicates no relation between the real risk and the rate that insurance companies use. The rate is almost a constant, with no dependence on the risk of suffering damage. The main conclusion is that the present agricultural insurance system is not discriminating enough and the settlement of insurance premiums that insurance companies apply does not maintain any relation to the essential element that should direct an insurance contract: the risk that a disaster has occurred.
Review. Precision viticulture. Research topics, challenges and opportunities in site-specific vineyard management
Authors: Arnó J. , Martínez Casasnovas J.A. , Ribes Dasi M. , Rosell J.R.
Published: November 2013

Precision Viticulture (PV) is a concept that is beginning to have an impact on the wine-growing sector. Its practical implementation is dependant on various technological developments: crop sensors and yield monitors, local and remote sensors, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), VRA (Variable-Rate Application) equipment and machinery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and systems for data analysis and interpretation. This paper reviews a number of research lines related to PV. These areas of research have focused on four very specific fields: 1) quantification and evaluation of within-field variability, 2) delineation of zones of differential treatment at parcel level, based on the analysis and interpretation of this variability, 3) development of Variable-Rate Technologies (VRT) and, finally, 4) evaluation of the opportunities for site-specific vineyard management. Research in these fields should allow winegrowers and enologists to know and understand why yield variability exists within the same parcel, what the causes of this variability are, how the yield and its quality are interrelated and, if spatial variability exists, whether site-specific vineyard management is justifiable on a technical and economic basis.
Genetic variability among local apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) from the Southeast of Spain
Authors: Martínez Mora C. , Rodríguez J. , Cenis J.L. , Ruiz García L.
Published: November 2013

The fast rotation of new cultivars demanded by modern fruit growers implies the loss of many old varieties with valuable characters. Then, the need arises to keep and characterize this germplasm for future breeding projects. The region of Murcia, together with Valencia, in the East and Southeast of Spain respectively, are important and ancient producers of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), and many local cultivars have appeared and diversified in this area. A collection of 28 of these old cultivars, plus eight clonal selections of the cultivar "Búlida", is maintained at the Instituto Murciano de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario y Alimentario (IMIDA, Murcia, Spain). In order to characterize their genetic diversity and to identify the collection with molecular markers, 17 microsatellite primers pairs were used. Thirteen of these primers produced polymorphic repeatable amplification patterns, and 31 genotypes were identified among the 36 apricot accessions. In addition to this, an evaluation of the genetic diversity found in the field within the cultivar "Búlida" was made, the predominant cultivar for the canning industry in the region. For this, 66 field samples were analyzed with seven microsatellite markers. The results suggest that all the samples could derive from four closely-related genotypes, one of them accounting for 89% of the samples.
Screening culture filtrates of fungi for activity against Tylenchulus semipenetrans
Authors: Verdejo Lucas S. , Viera A. , Stchigel A.M. , Sorribas F.J.
Published: November 2013

Culture filtrates of 20 fungi isolated from citrus soils were screened for their activity against Tylenchulus semipenetrans in both in vitro and greenhouse tests. The filtrates of Talaromyces cyanescens (isolates 2-4 and 2-5), Paecilomyces lilacinus, Chaetomium robustum, Acremonium strictum, Engyodontium album, Myrothecium verrucaria, Emericella rugulosa, and Tarracomyces gigaspora consistently inhibited the motility of second-stage juveniles at various concentrations of the filtrate. Dose-response models were used to determine the filtrate concentration required to inhibit the motility of 50% of the juveniles (CI50). The culture filtrate of P. lilacinus showed the highest activity with a CI50 value of 58% that differed from that of C. robustum (CI50 = 68%), and A. strictum CI50 = 82%. The culture filtrates of P. lilacinus, E. album, and T. cyanescens 2-5 maintained their activity when autoclaved at 120 deg C for 20 min. The autoclaved filtrate of T. cyanescens 2-4 was more effective at inhibiting juvenile motility (CI50 = 28%) than that of T. cyanescens 2-5 (CI50 = 80%), C. robustum (CI50 = 72 %) and P. lilacinus (CI50 = 72%). The culture filtrate of T. cyanescens 2-4 also inhibited egg hatching. Nematode reproduction on Cleopatra mandarin and Carrizo citrange were respectively reduced by the culture filtrate of P. lilacinus and the autoclaved filtrate of T. cyanescens 2-4. These results support the hypothesis that soil fungi may contribute to regulate nematode densities by the production of secondary metabolites with nematicidal activity.
A new index to evaluate anomalies of trace elements in soils: the case of SE Spain
Authors: Sierra M. , Díez M. , Martínez F.J. , Fernández J. , Aguilar J.
Published: November 2013

In this work, an index is established to detect anomalies in trace elements in the soil. This index, which relates the total concentration of each element with the regional geochemical background value of the element considered, was defined by studying the levels of trace elements from different soils located in SE Spain. In the area, a previous screening of trace elements detected seven zones with anomalies and revealed two conflictive areas: Sierra Gador and Cabo de Gata. In each zone, a second sampling was undertaken at two different depths (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm). The results indicate that the main anomalies were due to arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). In Sierra Gador Pb was the element that registered the highest rate of enrichment with respect to the regional geochemical background, reaching values up to 270-fold higher in some samples. In this zone, more than 50% of the samples were anomalous in any of the trace elements studied (higher than regional geochemical background). In Cabo de Gata, As concentration was higher than the geochemical background in more than 40% of the samples; meanwhile Pb concentration was higher in 50% of the samples.
Agricultural and environmental information systems: the integrating role of area samples
Authors: Ambrosio L. , Marín C. , Iglesias L. , Pascual V. , Fuertes A. , Mena M.A.
Published: November 2013

This article aims to be a contribution to the improvement of agricultural and environmental off icial statistics. Methods are applied to integrate information from state agency registers regarding crop area with ground data observed in random area samples. To improve the precision of crop area estimates in small areas (municipalities), methods using ground survey and remote sensing are applied. To improve temporal resolution of crop area estimators, methods based on time series analysis are applied. Agro-meteorological models are applied to improve crop yields statistics. A method is shown whereby crop rotation models may be a useful tool to forecast changes in the dynamics of the use of natural resources (soil, water and air) by agriculture and to foresee their environmental impact. Finally, a method to update and disaggregate information from territorial censuses on land uses is applied. These methods and models are illustrated in the framework of an information system belonging to the Spanish Ministry of the Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs. The relative improvement offered by each method is assessed by evaluating the precision gain of the proposed crop area estimates versus those currently used by the aforementioned information system.
Human resource assessment of academic urology across Canada: What are the future job prospects?
Authors: Bachir Bassel G. , Aprikian Armen G. , Radomski Sidney , Kassouf Wassim
Published: November 2013

Introduction: Our objective was to capture an overview of anticipated staffing needs at Canadian urology academic centres over the next 5 years to help guide and counsel urology residents in their respective programs.Methods: A 30-question survey was sent by email to all chairmen of academic urology divisions/departments during fall 2012. The first part of the survey solicited basic demographic information regarding number of residents, number of fellows and fellowships, and number of attending staff and affiliated hospitals. The second part of the survey included detailed questions on the number and sub-specialty of urologists needed at each respective institution, as well as the appropriate year of recruitment.Results: The response rate was 100%. There are 13 urology training programs across Canada located in 6 out of the 10 provinces. Robotic surgery is available at 9 out of the 13 centres. A total of 68 urologists need to be recruited by academic institutions throughout Canada within the next 5 years. The greatest need is for general urologists, with a total of 13 required. This is followed by 12 urologic oncologists needed, 11 female urology, 7 reconstructive urologists, 6 pediatric urologists, 6 endourologists, 5 transplant surgeons, 4 infertility/andrology, and 4 experts in advanced laparoscopy/robotics. There was no need for any urologic trauma surgeons in any academic institution surveyed.Conclusions: A total of 68 urologists need to be recruited into academic urology across Canada within the next 5 years. This crucial information can be used to help guide urology residents in choosing the most appropriate fellowship, in addition to providing them with an overview of future job prospects at academic institutions throughout the country.
Development and Acquisition of Flavor and Food Preferences in Children: An Update Until 2010
Authors: Dominguez Paloma Rohlfs
Published: November 2013

The purpose of the present research is to identify the experience-related mechanisms which induce the establishment of children’s flavor, food and drink acceptance and preferences. The development of children’s preferences for flavors, foods and drinks is mediated by a variety of mechanisms, such as flavor transmission via amniotic fluid (AF) and neonatal feeding regimen (breastfeeding and formula milk-based feeding), mere repeated exposure, conditioned preferences for or aversions to gustatory stimuli based on subsequent postingestive consequences, parental strategies and food management of school meals. Operation of specific mechanisms is age-dependent, but they may have interacting effects. An essential feature of these mechanisms is exposure to flavors and foods, which requires prior selection of foods by adults and thereby guarantees cultural transmission of gastronomic habits. Promoting healthy patterns of food consumption by children, such as diets rich in vegetables, requires careful manipulation of these experience-related mechanisms. Flavor, food and drink preferences developed by young and older children appear to remain stable in later life stages, probably due to gustatory imprintings originated during prenatal gestation and childhood. However, the specific age ranges during which such gustatory imprinting may occur, remain, in most cases, unknown. In addition to this, there is a need for further research on specific aspects of the above-mentioned mechanisms to elucidate the development of food preferences in children. For example, the impact of breastfeeding history on later food and/or flavor preferences beyond infancy should be ascertained.
A Spatiotemporal Robust Approach for Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Uddin Md. Zia , Kim Tae-Seong , Kim Jeong-Tai
Published: November 2013

Nowadays, human activity recognition is considered to be one of the fundamental topics in computer vision research areas, including human-robot interaction. In this work, a novel method is proposed utilizing the depth and optical flow motion information of human silhouettes from video for human activity recognition. The recognition method utilizes enhanced independent component analysis (EICA) on depth silhouettes, optical flow motion features, and hidden Markov models (HMMs) for recognition. The local features are extracted from the collection of the depth silhouettes exhibiting various human activities. Optical flow-based motion features are also extracted from the depth silhouette area and used in an augmented form to form the spatiotemporal features. Next, the augmented features are enhanced by generalized discriminant analysis (GDA) for better activity representation. These features are then fed into HMMs to model human activities and recognize them. The experimental results show the superiority of the proposed approach over the conventional ones.
High Performance Imaging through Occlusion via Energy Minimization-Based Optimal Camera Selection
Authors: Yang Tao , Zhang Yanning , Tong Xiaomin , Ma Wenguang , Yu Rui
Published: November 2013

Seeing an object in a cluttered scene with severe occlusion is a significantly challenging task for many computer vision applications. Although camera array synthetic aperture imaging has proven to be an effective way for occluded object imaging, its imaging quality is often significantly decreased by the shadows of the foreground occluder. To overcome this problem, some recent research has been presented to label the foreground occluder via object segmentation or 3D reconstruction. However, these methods usually fail in the case of complicated occluder or severe occlusion. In this paper, we present a novel optimal camera selection algorithm to handle the problem above. Firstly, in contrast to the traditional synthetic aperture photography methods, we formulate the occluded object imaging as a problem of visible light ray selection from the optimal camera view. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to “mosaic” a high quality occluded object image via selecting multi-view optimal visible light rays from a camera array or a single moving camera. Secondly, a greedy optimization framework is presented to propagate the visibility information among various depth focus planes. Thirdly, a multiple label energy minimization formulation is designed in each plane to select the optimal camera view. The energy is estimated in the 3D synthetic aperture image volume and integrates the multiple view intensity consistency, previous visibility property and camera view smoothness, which is minimized via graph cuts. Finally, we compare this approach with the traditional synthetic aperture imaging algorithms on UCSD light field datasets and our own datasets captured in indoor and outdoor environment, and extensive experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of our approach.
Inguinal porokeratosis in a Japanese man
Authors: Hayashi Yuka , Ozeki Masahiko , Ishizaki Sumiko , Fujibayashi Mariko , Mitsuhashi Yoshihiko , Izumi Miki , Tanaka Masaru
Published: November 2013

Inguinal and genital porokeratosis is rare but seems to be more common in Asians. We report a case of a 69-year-old Japanese man with multiple lesions of porokeratosis in both inguinal regions. The lesions first appeared in the inguinal region and subsequently spread to the trunk. The patient reported that his father had had similar lesions. Dermoscopy demonstrated central brown pigmentation and blue-gray dots surrounded by a single “white track” at the periphery. The exterior border of the white track also showed light brown pigmentation. Genital or inguinal porokeratosis is uncommon and may be misdiagnosed as Bowen’s disease, lichen planus or extramammary Paget’s disease. However, awareness of this entity and the use of dermoscopy are helpful to establish a correct diagnosis.
Second contribution to the knowledge of the Lithosiini of Gabon: the genus Nanna Birket-Smith (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae)
Authors: Durante Antonio , Apinda-Legnouo Emelie Arlette , Romano Chiara
Published: November 2013

The presence of the genus Nanna in Gabon is treated. Four species are recorded, two of which are new to science (N. molouba sp. nov. and N. semigrisea sp. nov.), and the hitherto unknown female of Nanna ceratopygia is described. A checklist and a key to the species of the genus Nanna are provided.
Condições de ocorrência das águas subterrâneas e do potencial produtivo dos sistemas aqüíferos na região Metropolitana de Campinas - SP
Authors: Yoshinaga-Pereira Sueli , Silva Annkarin Aurelia Kimmelmann e
Published: November 2013

O presente trabalho é uma avaliação hidrogeológica executada na Região Metropolitana de Campinas, região centro-este do Estado de São Paulo. Esta área pertence a região de conturbação da Bacia do Piracicaba e Capivari, região de ocorrência dos grandes sistemas aqüíferos Cristalino e Tubarão e, localmente, os diabásios. Nesse estudo, 1711 poços foram cadastrados, onde 1008 apresentaram dados hidrodinâmicos, 1217 possuem perfil geológico e 10 são resultados de testes de bombeamento. Os resultados mostraram a forte influência de estruturas tectônicas, falhas normais e densidades de fraturas para a produtividade de poços no Sistema Aqüífero Cristalino. Os movimentos neotectônicos também podem estar relacionados à produtividade dos poços. A presença do manto de alteração pode caracterizar um aqüífero de porosidade primária cobrindo esse sistema aqüífero regional. A capacidade específica mostrou valor mediano de 0,1 m³/h/m e vazão de 5,2 m³/h. A transmissividade de seis poços foram: 0,32; 0,13; 0,14; 0,18; 6,85; 0,29 e 1,18 m²/dia. Os sedimentos arenosos de subsuperficie e os mais altos valores de espessura de sedimentos foram os parâmetros relacionados a uma melhor produção dos poços no Sistema Aqüífero Tubarão. O valor mediano da capacidade específica e vazão são 0,11 m²/dia e 6,0 m³/h, respectivamente. Os poços em diabásios apresentaram baixos valores de capacidade específica (0,06 m³/h/m) e sua produtividade está relacionada a presença de fraturas. A produtividade de poços que explotam mais do que um aqüífero (poços mistos), pode estar relacionada a espessura saturada e aos limites mais profundos entre unidades aqüíferas. As zonas de produtividade podem estar relacionadas aos blocos estruturais com movimentos neotectônicos, encontrados na área de estudo. O valor mediano de capacidade específica e vazão são 0,07 m³/h/m e 4,8 m³/h,respectivamente. Os poços que explotam o Aqüífero Diabásio e Tubarão mostraram os mais altos valores de produtividade. As transmissividades foram determinadas em três poços, obtendo os seguintes valores: 0,113; 2,77 e 0,71 m²/dia
Mathematical Explorations: Will It Terminate?
Authors: Baronofsky Aliza Libman
Published: November 2013

An activity explores whether a fraction will terminate or repeat. Activity sheets are included.
Longitudinal Data Analysis of Symptom Score Trajectories Using Linear Mixed Models in a Clinical Trial
Authors: Engel C. , Meisner C. , Wittorf A. , Wölwer W. , Wiedemann G. , Ring C. , Muche R. , Klingberg S.
Published: November 2013

In clinical trials, longitudinal data are often analyzed using T-tests, anovas or ancovas instead of the more powerful linear mixed models. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the more sophisticated linear mixed models according to the approach of Singer and Willett, which allows special insight into the behaviour of the data, can be used in clinical trials. Individual trajectories of PANNS-MNS Scores from a controlled clinical trial were used to demonstrate all the steps needed for an analysis of longitudinal data. The model is built step by step, model assumptions are checked, time-variant and time-invariant factors are included and the results are interpreted. The unique needs of a clinical trial, such as the calculation of effect sizes or of an appropriate sample size, are taken into account. Finally, a flow chart is presented that would serve as an instruction tool for the analysis of longitudinal data in clinical trials.
Facteurs influençant la constitution de liens entre compatriotes immigrants issus de pays ayant connu de violents conflits internes
Authors: Arsenault Stéphanie , Nadeau-Cossette Anaïs
Published: November 2013

Cet article présente un état des lieux des facteurs influençant la formation de liens entre compatriotes immigrants et réfugiés issus de pays en conflits internes. Nous y évoquons les allégeances politiques et idéologiques, les identités claniques, ethniques ou religieuses, le fait même de se trouver en exil, l’existence de préjugés ou de stéréotypes à l’endroit des immigrants, la taille et la concentration territoriale de la population immigrante concernée ainsi que d’autres facteurs d’ordre personnel comme l’âge des immigrants, leur niveau de scolarité, leur origine urbaine ou rurale, leur situation économique et leur classe sociale ainsi que leur statut migratoire. L’influence de plusieurs de ces facteurs interreliés est généralement en cause et la majorité de ceux-ci ont une influence potentiellement multidirectionnelle. Nous avons cependant constaté des résultats de nature contradictoire, ce qui suggère la nécessité de poursuivre et de raffiner l’étude de ces phénomènes.
Between utopia and crisis: the meanderings of urban (in)security in the second half of the 20th century
Authors: Rego Ximene
Published: November 2013

The transformations that marked the western world in the second half of the 20th century were determinant elements in the socio-political and academic discourses about two phenomena — crime and poverty. The two were linked in the collective social imagination, even if the statistics have not confirmed the connection between them. With a worsening of the feeling of insecurity, crime returned to the forefront of people's concerns and the spotlight was once more focused on cities. The author seeks to deconstruct the intuitive idea that poverty was a variable in criminal practice, and proposes a new reading of insecurity which situates it within a broader debate than the one that reduced it to just the relationship between fear and crime. She notes the importance that has increasingly been attached to the awareness of risk, and concludes by suggesting a number of clues that may help understand and analyse contemporary (in)security.
Building bridges across time and space (Richard Lachmann interviewed by Lígia Ferro)
Authors: Lachmann Richard , Ferro Lígia
Published: November 2013

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H3K4 mono- and di-methyltransferase MLL4 is required for enhancer activation during cell differentiation
Authors: Lee Ji-Eun , Wang Chaochen , Xu Shiliyang , Cho Young-Wook , Wang Lifeng , Feng Xuesong , Baldridge Anne , Sartorelli Vittorio , Zhuang Lenan , Peng Weiqun , Ge Kai
Published: November 2013

Enhancers play a central role in cell-type-specific gene expression and are marked by H3K4me1/2. Active enhancers are further marked by H3K27ac. However, the methyltransferases responsible for H3K4me1/2 on enhancers remain elusive. Furthermore, how these enzymes function on enhancers to regulate cell-type-specific gene expression is unclear. In this study, we identify MLL4 (KMT2D) as a major mammalian H3K4 mono- and di-methyltransferase with partial functional redundancy with MLL3 (KMT2C). Using adipogenesis and myogenesis as model systems, we show that MLL4 exhibits cell-type- and differentiation-stage-specific genomic binding and is predominantly localized on enhancers. MLL4 co-localizes with lineage-determining transcription factors (TFs) on active enhancers during differentiation. Deletion of Mll4 markedly decreases H3K4me1/2, H3K27ac, Mediator and Polymerase II levels on enhancers and leads to severe defects in cell-type-specific gene expression and cell differentiation. Together, these findings identify MLL4 as a major mammalian H3K4 mono- and di-methyltransferase essential for enhancer activation during cell differentiation.
Highly Robust Indium‐Free Transparent Conductive Electrodes Based on Composites of Silver Nanowires and Conductive Metal Oxides
Authors: Zilberberg Kirill , Gasse Felix , Pagui Richie , Polywka Andreas , Behrendt Andreas , Trost Sara , Heiderhoff Ralf , Görrn Patrick , Riedl Thomas
Published: November 2013

A hybrid approach for the realization of In‐free transparent conductive layers based on a composite of a mesh of silver nanowires (NWs) and a conductive metal‐oxide is demonstrated. As metal‐oxide room‐temperature‐processed sol–gel SnOx or Al:ZnO prepared by low‐temperature (100 °C) atomic layer deposition is used, respectively. In this concept, the metal‐oxide is intended to fuse the wires together and also to “glue” them to the substrate. As a result, a low sheet resistance down to 5.2 Ω sq‐1 is achieved with a concomitant average transmission of 87%. The adhesion of the NWs to the substrate is significantly improved and the resulting composites withstand adhesion tests without loss in conductivity. Owing to the low processing temperatures, this concept allows highly robust, highly conductive, and transparent coatings even on top of temperature sensitive objects, for example, polymer foils, organic devices. These Indium‐ and PEDOT:PSS‐free hybrid layers are successfully implemented as transparent top‐electrodes in efficient all‐solution‐processed semitransparent organic solar cells. It is obvious that this approach is not limited to organic solar cells but will generally be applicable in devices which require transparent electrodes.
Palladium Nanoparticles Supported on Magnetic Carbon‐Coated Cobalt Nanobeads: Highly Active and Recyclable Catalysts for Alkene Hydrogenation
Authors: Kainz Quirin M. , Linhardt Roland , Grass Robert N. , Vilé Gianvito , Pérez‐Ramírez Javier , Stark Wendelin J. , Reiser Oliver
Published: November 2013

Palladium nanoparticles are deposited on the surface of highly magnetic carbon‐coated cobalt nanoparticles. In contrast to the established synthesis of Pd nanoparticles via reduction of Pd(II) precursors, the microwave decomposition of a Pd(0) source leads to a more efficient Pd deposition, resulting in a material with considerably higher activity in the hydrogenation of alkenes. Systematic variation of the Pd loading on the carbon‐coated cobalt nanoparticle surface reveals a distinct trend to higher activities with decreased loading of Pd. The activity of the catalyst is further improved by the addition of 10 vol% Et2O to iso‐propanol that is found to be the solvent of choice. With respect to activity (turnover frequencies up to 11 095 h−1), handling, recyclability through magnetic decantation, and leaching of Pd (≤6 ppm/cycle), this novel magnetic hybrid material compares favorably to conventional Pd/C or Pd@CNT catalysts.
Expanding the spectrum of phenotypes associated with germline PIGA mutations: A child with developmental delay, accelerated linear growth, facial dysmorphisms, elevated alkaline phosphatase, and progressive CNS abnormalities
Authors: van der Crabben Saskia N. , Harakalova Magdalena , Brilstra Eva H. , van Berkestijn Frédérique M.C. , Hofstede Floris C. , van Vught Adrianus J. , Cuppen Edwin , Kloosterman Wigard , Ploos van Amstel Hans Kristian , van Haaften Gijs , van Haelst Mieke M.
Published: November 2013

Phosphatidyl inositol glycan (PIG) enzyme subclasses are involved in distinct steps of glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol anchor protein biosynthesis. Glycolsyl phosphatidyl inositol‐anchored proteins have heterogeneous functions; they can function as enzymes, adhesion molecules, complement regulators and co‐receptors in signal transduction pathways. Germline mutations in genes encoding different members of the PIG family result in diverse conditions with (severe) developmental delay, (neonatal) seizures, hypotonia, CNS abnormalities, growth abnormalities, and congenital abnormalities as hallmark features. The variability of clinical features resembles the typical diversity of other glycosylation pathway deficiencies such as the congenital disorders of glycosylation. Here, we report the first germline missense mutation in the PIGA gene associated with accelerated linear growth, obesity, central hypotonia, severe refractory epilepsy, cardiac anomalies, mild facial dysmorphic features, mildly elevated alkaline phosphatase levels, and CNS anomalies consisting of progressive cerebral atrophy, insufficient myelinization, and cortical MRI signal abnormalities. X‐exome sequencing in the proband identified a c.278C>T (p.Pro93Leu) mutation in the PIGA gene. The mother and maternal grandmother were unaffected carriers and the mother showed 100% skewing of the X‐chromosome harboring the mutation. These results together with the clinical similarity of the patient reported here and the previously reported patients with a germline nonsense mutation in PIGA support the determination that this mutation caused the phenotype in this family. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.