bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time-correlated single-photon counting range profiling and reflectance tomographic imaging
Authors: Sjöqvist Lars , Henriksson Markus , Jonsson Per , Steinvall Ove
Published: March 2014

Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC) range profiling and imaging provide high resolution laser radar data applicable in several optical remote sensing applications at short and long distances. Excellent range resolution, below centimetres, can be obtained and information about remote objects can be extracted from TCSPC range profiles. The present study describes a TCSPC range profiling system with subcentimetre range resolution applied for remote sensing of objects at short and longer ranges. Experimental results from interrogation of geometrical shapes, reflectance tomographic imaging and range profiling at longer distance in daylight conditions are presented.
Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence managed at 11+6 weeks with radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Kim Gwangjun , Park Min Young , Han Seung Su
Published: March 2014

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has become widely accepted as first-line management for twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence. Most RFA procedures have been performed using RFA needles of 14–17 gauge (G) focusing on an acardiac mass at an average age of 21 weeks of gestation (17–24 weeks). In this case report, we describe treatment of TRAP sequence using RFA with a 20 G needle focusing a feeding artery on the placental surface at gestational age of 11+6.
Chronic Cutaneous Hyalohyphomycosis by Paecilomyces
Authors: Boufflette N. , Arrese J.E. , Leonard P. , Nikkels A.F.
Published: March 2014

Paecilomyces lilacinus is a ubiquitous saprophytic fungus that rarely causes infections in humans, frequently
affecting the eyes and the skin. Cutaneous and subcutaneous infections mainly occur in immunocompromised hosts but
have occasionally been reported in immunocompetent patients. The clinical spectrum is highly heterogeneous and
diagnosis is often delayed.

A 60-year-old woman with idiopathic chronic necrotizing vasculitis treated since 10 years with a series of
immunosuppressive therapies presented since three years various clinical presentations of chronic hyalohyphomycosis
caused by P. lilacinus. Diagnosis was only obtained three years after the first clinical signs, following the histologic
analysis of the surgical excision of a cutaneous abscess. Treatment with oral voriconazole was successful.

This case report illustrates the highly heterogeneous clinical aspects of hyalohyphomycosis by P. lilacinus leading to a
delay in diagnosis and treatment, particularly in the immunosuppressed patient.
Therapeutical Approach of Osteoporosis — a Multidisciplinary Issue
Authors: Camelia Gliga , Simona Marcu , M Gliga
Published: March 2014

Osteoporosis is the most frequent systemic disease of the bone, that affects elderly, mainly women in menopause. It can be defined by lowering of bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of the bone tissue, resulting in an increased bone fragility. Main complications of osteoporosis are fractures of the vertebrae, hips and forearm. In view of its large variety of causes and manifestations, diagnostic and therapeutical approach in osteoporosis represents a multidisciplinary issue. The accurate diagnosis of osteoporosis is based on a method that measures the bone mineral density, expressed by the T-score, using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, so called DXA. Lately, in practice in order for establishing the risk of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture the FRAX tool is increasingly used (The Fracture Risk Assessment). Treatment of osteoporosis is complex involving non-pharmacological and pharmacological measures. Non-pharmacological methods include preventive measures like exercise, external hip protectors, increase of dietary intake of calcium, vitamin D and proteins, especially in elderly, over 65 years. Pharmacological measures are represented by different types of drugs, including biphosphonates, bone formation stimulatory drugs, agents with new mechanisms of action, hormone replacement therapy and they will be indicated only after a detailed clinical and paraclinical examination of the patient. Regardless of the chosen pharmacological measure, periodical follow-up of efficacy, side-effects and complications of antiosteoporotic treatment, by clinical examination and laboratory investigations targeting bone remodelling, is strongly indicated.
High Calcium Score Predicts Severity of the Culprit Lesions in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Beáta Jakó , Theodora Benedek , Zsuzsanna Suciu , I Benedek
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Coronary calcium score, as determined by Angio CT multislice, has been proved to represent a reliable parameter which reflects the global cardiovascular risk. We aimed to study the characteristics of culprit lesions in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients with low versus high calcium score. Material and methods: A total of 45 patients with ACS underwent 64-slice CCTA. Group 1 - 19 patients with Ca score below 400HU, Group 2 - 26 patients with calcium score >400HU. In all patients a complex CT analysis of the culprit plaque was performed. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups at baseline as regard to age, gender, cardiovascular risk factors (p>0.2). In patients with high calcium score, culprit lesions presented a significantly larger amount of plaque burden than in patients with low calcium score (82.8ml versus 131.81ml, p <0.0001). This was also true when assessing in a subanalysis different cut-off points for definition of relatively higher calcium score (89.66ml versus 137.93ml, p <0.0001, for calcium score cut off 600HU, 97.88ml versus 137.57ml, p<0.0001 for calcium score cut-off of 1000HU). Conclusion: Our data shows that patients with high calcium score who develop an acute coronary syndrome present larger atheromatous plaque than those with low calcium scores, and theseverity of the culprit lesions correlates with global cardiovascular risk as expressed by a high calcium score
Anastomotic Leaks after Colorectal Surgery: a Prognostic Score
Authors: Alexandra Caziuc , A Mironiuc
Published: March 2014

Introduction: Anastomotic leaks are one of the most dreaded complications in colorectal surgery. At the ground of this problem remain the nefarious prognostic over the patient’s life, the difficulties in early diagnosis and the optimal choice of therapeutical methods. The goal of our research was to evaluate the significance of possible risk factors in the postoperative evolution of patients following colorectal interventions and to design a prognostic score. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective study on 298 cases of patients with inflammatory, neoplastic or traumatic lesions for which there was chosen a digestive anastomosis including the colon. The presumed risk factors in our analysis were: age, comorbidity evaluated by Charlson Score, etiology, toxics, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory substances or corticoids, parameters such as leucocytes, hemoglobin, urea, total seric bilirubin, glycaemia, albumins, neoadjuvant therapy, type of suture, quantity of fluids received intraoperatory. All data were analyzed using R-Commander. Results: All parameters for which we demonstrated a statistical significance (p <0.05) for an unfavorable evolution were included in a prognostic score, designed in correlation with the statistical relation between the factors. We obtained values that certified a strong association (0.75) between a high prognostic score and an increased number of anastomotic leaks. Conclusions: The practical utility of the score is mainly for the anticipation of postoperative complications. A high level score underlines that prior to surgery it is essential to balance the biochemical abnormalities and to choose properly the moment and type of surgical intervention
Therapeutic Option in Patients over 60 Years with Esophageal and Esocardial Cancer
Authors: C Roșca , C Molnar , D Popa , G Serac , M Gherghinescu , S Voidazan , C Copotoiu
Published: March 2014

Background: Treatment of esophageal and esocardial cancer in patients over 60 years involves a particular management. Considering the comorbidities specific to this category of patients, recent data from the literature indicate an increased incidence of mortality and morbidity following therapy. Material and method: We retrospectively studied a group of 55 patients admitted to the Surgical Clinic I of the County Emergency Clinical Hospital Tîrgu Mureș, in the January 1st, 2007 - December 31st, 2011 period, diagnosed with esophageal and esocardial cancer. Patients were divided into two groups: group I under the age of 60 years, and group II over this age. Inclusion criteria were age, diagnosis (tumor location), and we followed a series of parameters: demographics, type of surgery, the biological profile of patients, immediate postoperative morbidity and mortality. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of demographics: gender (p = 0.78), area of origin (p = 0.69). The number of hospitalization days (p = 0.20) was influenced by the type of surgery, as well as pre- and postoperative comorbidities. Immediate postoperative mortality was 16.56%, the differences between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.58). Parameters with statistical significance were found to be: age (p <0.0001), tumor location, type of surgery (p = 0.0031) and radical versus palliative surgery (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Therapeutic attitude in patients over 60 years should be correlated with specific particularities to this category. Selection of patients for surgery and type of surgery is dictated by the patient's condition and quantified by anesthesia and surgery team
Mechanical and hardware architecture of the semi-exoskeleton arm rehabilitation robot
Authors: Gmerek Artur
Published: March 2014

This paper deals with mechanical and hardware design of a robot, used for the rehabilitation of upper extremities. It has been called ARR-1 (Arm Rehabilitation Robot). The robot has a semi-exoskeleton structure. This means that some parts of the robot fit closely to the human arm (an orthosis), but the weight of the construction does not load patient’s body. The device is used for the whole arm rehabilitation, but active joints are only situated in glenohumeral and elbow joints. The robot is electrically actuated
A case of swine flu superinfected with carbapenem resistant Klebsiella
Authors: Hazra Rajdip , Manjunatha SM , Manuar Md. Babrak , Chakraborty Sisir , Ghosh Kaushik
Published: March 2014

Swine flu is caused by antigenic shift of influenza A virus with clinical features similar to seasonal influenza virus. Majority of the morbidity and mortality due to swine flu are attributable to pneumonia and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Bacterial superinfection can occur, though it is rare in adults. Here we report a case of swine flu superinfected with carbapenem resistant Klebsiella, which is often coined as Klebsiella ‘superbug’. Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(3) 2014: 120-122 http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i3.8589
Distribution of ABO and Rh blood groups in a major ethnic group of the West Iran, the Kurdish population
Authors: Ghobadian Zahra , Sayemiri Kouresh , Zeinali Majid , Sajjadi Seyed Mahdi
Published: March 2014

Introduction: ABO and Rh are the most important blood group systems with various distributions reported for different populations. There are no reports referring to the distribution of the ABO/Rh blood groups in Iranian Kurdish population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of these blood groups among this major Iranian ethnic group from Ilam city. Materials and Methods: 1,534 blood donors attending the blood transfusion service in Ilam, Iran, were randomly selected over a period of six months. The ABO/Rh blood groups were determined by the forward and reverse grouping. Results: The most frequent blood group in men and women was A and O; respectively, followed by B and AB. In the Rh system, 91.1% of the donors were positive and 8.9% were negative. Conclusion: This study provided new insight into distribution of the ABO/Rh blood groups in a major ethnic population of west Iran. Moreover, the presented data may also be useful in health care planning, population genetic studies, genetic counseling and medical diagnosis. Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(3) 2014: 26-29 http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i3.9151
Dyslipidemia associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in Eastern Nepal
Authors: Yadav Rajaram , Rohil Vishwajeet , Nepal Ashwini Kumar , Gelal Basanta , Chaudhari Rajendra Kumar , Jha Punam , Shrestha Shreejana , Lamsal Madhab , Baral Nirmal
Published: March 2014

Objectives: The present study was conducted aiming to investigate lipid profile in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism as compared to age and sex matched controls.Methods: The study population consisted of total 80 subjects; 40 patients (cases) and 40 controls. Serum free tri-iodothyronine (fT3) and free thyroxine (fT4) were estimated by microplate competitive enzyme immunoassay, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) measured by sandwich enzyme immunoassay. Lipid profile tests: Total Cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were estimated by enzymatic methods and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) was calculated by Friedewald’s formula.Results: Significant differences were observed between lipid parameters in case Vs controls: total cholesterol (4.9±1.1 Vs 4.3±1.0 mmol/L, P=0.03), triglycerides (1.9±0.7 Vs 1.6±0.6 mmol/L, P=0.02) and LDL cholesterol levels (3.5±1.1 Vs 2.9±0.9 mmol/L, P=0.02). In case Vs controls no significant differences were observed between HDL Cholesterol (1.1±0.2 Vs 1.1±0.7 mmol/L, P=0.07), VLDL (0.9±0.4 Vs 0.8±0.3 mmol/L, P=0.1) and Cholesterol/HDL ratio (4.48±1.40 Vs 4.06±0.89, P=0.118). Elevated TSH level were found in cases Vs controls (12.42±7.08 Vs 2.69±0.20 mIU/L, P=0.01) which was statistically significant. The subjects on control group were euthyroid, however increased fT3 (3.9±0.8Vs 4.6±0.8 pmol/L, P=<0.01) and fT4 (17.1±3.9Vs 21.2±.3.7 pmol/L, P=<0.01) values were observed in controls than cases, which was statistically significant.Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that cases of subclinical hypothyroidism are at risk of dyslipidemia as compared to controls. Large population based studies are needed to generalize these findings and establish the therapeutic guidelines for implementing lipid lowering agents in subclinical hypothyroidism.Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(3) 2014: 22-25http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i3.9251
Molecular detection of the Hepatitis C virus genotypes circulating among both sexes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Authors: Waqar Muhammad , Rehman Habib Ur , Wasim Muhammad , Khan Asad Ullah , Ahmad Tauseef , Akbar Noor Ul , Zeb Mubarak , Khan Effa , Sheikh Aisha , Noor Agha Asad , Ali Niyaz , Shah Tariq , Faisal Faisal , Niaz Zeeshan , Memon Shaista Bano
Published: March 2014

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is the major cause of viral hepatitis. A few studies revealed that HCV genotypes; 3a, 3b, 1a and 1b are the most common genotypes found in the general population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Aims and Objective: The current is designed to find out the prevalence of HCV genotypes among both sexes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Study Methods: The present study was carried out in various area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the period of July, 2012 to July, 2013. All the HCV positive samples were genotyped. The statistical analysis of the data was done by using Statistix 9.0 software. Result: The results showed that the male, 53.1% (n=340) were more infected as to female, 46.8% (n=300). The overall result shows that in male patients; the high number of cases (216) was reported of 3a whereas the lowest cases (8) were reported of 1b. The mixed genotype is recorded in 8 patients. In female patients; the 3a is detected in 170 patients whereas the lowest cases of genotype (3b) are reported in 5 patients. In female patients; the mixed genotype is reported in 11 patients. Conclusion: From the present study, it was concluded that the male were more infected as compare to female and the genotype 3a was the most common genotype in both sexes. Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(3) 2014: 72-76 http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i3.9449
A study of short term heart rate variability in dipping tobacco users
Authors: Mohesh M.I.Glad , Ratchagan K , Sundaramurthy A
Published: March 2014

Background: WHO (2010) reported the rise in the number of smokeless tobacco users in India. Dipping tobacco is a form of smokeless tobacco being used in these region in various trade names. Nicotine in smoking tobacco is found to alter the cardiovascular autonomic functions. As the expected cardiovascular mortality due to tobacco use across the globe is very high, here we studied the effect of dipping tobacco on cardiovascular autonomic function using the short term heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Methods: Five minutes Lead II ECG at rest is aquired from male dipping tobacco moderate users (n=30) and age matched controls (n=30). Frequency and time domain parameters were derived and analysed using the Kubios HRV analysis software. Blood pressure changes were also compared. Unpaired ‘t’ test was done using SPSS 17.0 and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Significant changes in certain parameters indicated that there is a developing set back in the sympathetic control over the heart (LF, 383.8+115.8, 952.8+131.1, p<0.01) and also an established increase in diastolic blood pressure (73.1+2.8, 65.48+1.5, p<0.01). Conclusion: Dipping tobacco a form of smokeless tobacco is equally harmful like any smoked tobacco in altering the cardiovascular autonomic function. Thereby the increase in smokeless tobacco users in India or any country is going to add up more to the mortality rate due to tobacco related diseases in near future as estimated by WHO. An immediate measure to stop the production, sale and use of these smokeless tobacco products could curb this menace. Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(3) 2014: 91-94 http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i3.9588
Development of a Hybrid Nanoprobe for Triple-Modality MR/SPECT/Optical Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Madru Renata , Svenmarker Pontus , Ingvar Christian , Ståhlberg Freddy , Engels Stefan-Andersson , Knutsson Linda , Strand Sven-Erik
Published: March 2014

Hybrid clinical imaging is an emerging technology, which improves disease diagnosis by combining already existing technologies. With the combination of high-resolution morphological imaging, i.e., MRI/CT, and high-sensitive molecular detection offered by SPECT/PET/Optical, physicians can detect disease progression at an early stage and design patient-specific treatments. To fully exploit the possibilities of hybrid imaging a hybrid probe compatible with each imaging technology is required. Here, we present a hybrid nanoprobe for triple modality MR/SPECT/Fluorescence imaging. Our imaging agent is comprised of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), labeled with 99mTc and an Alexa fluorophore (AF), together forming 99mTc-AF-SPIONs. The agent was stable in human serum, and, after subcutaneous injection in the hind paw of Wistar rats, showed to be highly specific by accumulating in the sentinel lymph node. All three modalities clearly visualized the imaging agent. Our results show that a single imaging agent can be used for hybrid imaging. The use of a single hybrid contrast agent permits simultaneous hybrid imaging and, more conventionally, allow for single modality imaging at different time points. For example, a hybrid contrast agent enables pre-operative planning, intra-operative guidance, and post-operative evaluation with the same contrast agent.
Improving Clinical Prediction of Bipolar Spectrum Disorders in Youth
Authors: Frazier Thomas , Youngstrom Eric , Fristad Mary , Demeter Christine , Birmaher Boris , Kowatch Robert , Arnold L. , Axelson David , Gill Mary , Horwitz Sarah , Findling Robert
Published: March 2014

This report evaluates whether classification tree algorithms (CTA) may improve the identification of individuals at risk for bipolar spectrum disorders (BPSD). Analyses used the Longitudinal Assessment of Manic Symptoms (LAMS) cohort (629 youth, 148 with BPSD and 481 without BPSD). Parent ratings of mania symptoms, stressful life events, parenting stress, and parental history of mania were included as risk factors. Comparable overall accuracy was observed for CTA (75.4%) relative to logistic regression (77.6%). However, CTA showed increased sensitivity (0.28 vs. 0.18) at the expense of slightly decreased specificity and positive predictive power. The advantage of CTA algorithms for clinical decision making is demonstrated by the combinations of predictors most useful for altering the probability of BPSD. The 24% sample probability of BPSD was substantially decreased in youth with low screening and baseline parent ratings of mania, negative parental history of mania, and low levels of stressful life events (2%). High screening plus high baseline parent-rated mania nearly doubled the BPSD probability (46%). Future work will benefit from examining additional, powerful predictors, such as alternative data sources (e.g., clinician ratings, neurocognitive test data); these may increase the clinical utility of CTA models further.
Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced by Nano-Particles—A Review
Authors: Casati Riccardo , Vedani Maurizio
Published: March 2014

Metal matrix composites reinforced by nano-particles are very promising materials, suitable for a large number of applications. These composites consist of a metal matrix filled with nano-particles featuring physical and mechanical properties very different from those of the matrix. The nano-particles can improve the base material in terms of wear resistance, damping properties and mechanical strength. Different kinds of metals, predominantly Al, Mg and Cu, have been employed for the production of composites reinforced by nano-ceramic particles such as carbides, nitrides, oxides as well as carbon nanotubes. The main issue of concern for the synthesis of these materials consists in the low wettability of the reinforcement phase by the molten metal, which does not allow the synthesis by conventional casting methods. Several alternative routes have been presented in literature for the production of nano-composites. This work is aimed at reviewing the most important manufacturing techniques used for the synthesis of bulk metal matrix nanocomposites. Moreover, the strengthening mechanisms responsible for the improvement of mechanical properties of nano-reinforced metal matrix composites have been reviewed and the main potential applications of this new class of materials are envisaged.
Percolation Diffusion into Self-Assembled Mesoporous Silica Microfibres
Authors: Canning John , Huyang George , Ma Miles , Beavis Alison , Bishop David , Cook Kevin , McDonagh Andrew , Shi Dongqi , Peng Gang-Ding , Crossley Maxwell
Published: March 2014

Percolation diffusion into long (11.5 cm) self-assembled, ordered mesoporous microfibres is studied using optical transmission and laser ablation inductive coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Optical transmission based diffusion studies reveal rapid penetration (<5 s, D > 80 μm2∙s−1) of Rhodamine B with very little percolation of larger molecules such as zinc tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) observed under similar loading conditions. The failure of ZnTPP to enter the microfibre was confirmed, in higher resolution, using LA-ICP-MS. In the latter case, LA-ICP-MS was used to determine the diffusion of zinc acetate dihydrate, D~3 × 10−4 nm2∙s−1. The large differences between the molecules are accounted for by proposing ordered solvent and structure assisted accelerated diffusion of the Rhodamine B based on its hydrophilicity relative to the zinc compounds. The broader implications and applications for filtration, molecular sieves and a range of devices and uses are described.
Biosensors for the Detection of Circulating Tumour Cells
Authors: Costa Clotilde , Abal Miguel , López-López Rafael , Muinelo-Romay Laura
Published: March 2014

Metastasis is the cause of most cancer deaths. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are cells released from the primary tumour into the bloodstream that are considered the main promoters of metastasis. Therefore, these cells are targets for understanding tumour biology and improving clinical management of the disease. Several techniques have emerged in recent years to isolate, detect, and characterise CTCs. As CTCs are a rare event, their study requires multidisciplinary considerations of both biological and physical properties. In addition, as isolation of viable cells may give further insights into metastatic development, cell recovery must be done with minimal cell damage. The ideal system for CTCs analysis must include maximum efficiency of detection in real time. In this sense, new approaches used to enrich CTCs from clinical samples have provided an important improvement in cell recovery. However, this progress should be accompanied by more efficient strategies of cell quantification. A range of biosensor platforms are being introduced into the technology for CTCs quantification with promising results. This review provides an update on recent progress in CTCs identification using different approaches based on sensor signaling.
Geographical Process Representation
Authors: Campelo Claudio E. C. , Bennett Brandon
Published: March 2014

This chapter discusses the issues and challenges arising when building a general spatio-temporal ontology for representing and reasoning of geographical processes as part of a desired universal semantic reference system of geographic space. It examines the foundations and formalisms upon which the development of such an ontological model of geographical processes can be based. The chapter begins by providing a background of essential concepts related to the representation of geographical processes. Then overviews of several approaches to representing spatio-temporal processes and how to associate them with geographic space are given. Following this, the chapter discusses several open issues on the topic and presents a set of desiderata for representing and reasoning about real-world dynamic geographical phenomena. This discussion covers aspects of space, time, object, event, state, and process as the essential concepts to represent geo-processes. It also covers aspects of spatial-temporal granularity and spatio-temporal aggregation, describing how they relate to geographical processes. Finally, this chapter also explores the phenomenon of vagueness and how it affects the representation and reasoning about geo-processes. The chapter concludes by indicating directions for future research and recapitulating its overall coverage.
Representing Geospatial Concepts
Authors: Sen Sumit
Published: March 2014

Knowledge representation of geospatial entities is dependent on the ability to share their structural properties along with their functional properties, which define their usage for human-society. However, geospatial ontologies have mainly relied on taxonomy-based and mereology-based ontologies. While structural properties of entities such as shape, topography, and orientation are considered important tools for geospatial ontologies, existence of structural properties are not sufficient conditions for the existence of functional properties. Contrastingly, a parallel approach assumes independent existence of function-based concept hierarchies and builds on the premise that human activities associated to any given geospatial entity are essential for specification of the entity concept itself. This chapter compares two diverging approaches based on cases drawn from physical geography, transportation, and hydrology. The differences in core concepts and tools are discussed in relation to universal ontologies of geographic space. It is argued that function representation in geospatial ontologies, in combination with structure-based concepts of geospatial entities, is both necessary and challenging.
Semantically Enriched POI as Ontological Foundation for Web-Based and Mobile Spatial Applications
Authors: Pundt Hardy
Published: March 2014

While developing a Web-based travel planning system, the necessity to implement a mobile component has been identified. Such a conception is aimed at a comprehensive support of a workflow that enables users to plan a trip in advance using the Web-based application, but to modify the original plan wherever and whenever they want while carrying out the journey. Within both components, Point-of-Interest (POI) plays a significant role to determine a tour. It is one claim of this chapter that the relevance of POI is dependent on the perspective of a user. As a consequence, the originally used POI database was replaced by a POI ontology which promised to support the workflow more comprehensively. This conceptual change raised several questions concerning the domain dependence of the POI ontology on the one side and universal aspects of the ontology on the other.
Ontologies for the Design of Ecosystems
Authors: Ceccaroni Luigi , Oliva Luis
Published: March 2014

Environmental regulations require that land development decisions have to be accompanied by clear, accountable decision-making processes to communicate to the possible public repercussions of development. The suitability mapping approach is widely adopted to fill this need. However, in typical applications of suitability mapping, the dynamics and interrelatedness of ecosystems’ structure and processes are often overlooked. Environmental assessment procedures require scientists and designers to join forces, and the demand for shared concepts and semantic language is growing. Better ways of interpreting and incorporating ecological principles, especially those that emphasize the probabilistic, dynamic nature of nature, into ecosystem design and planning are needed. This chapter presents guidelines and experiences about the modeling and implementation of utility ontologies for the design of ecosystems, together with a case study. Utility ontologies are knowledge representations that include general concepts that most services need to use to represent spatial and temporal data.
Unified Rule Approach and the Semantic Enrichment of Economic Movement Data
Authors: Scheltjens Werner , Dopfer Kurt
Published: March 2014

This chapter suggests a methodology for semantic enrichment of spatial data resulting from economic behavior. The proposed methodology has a universal scope and could be applied to any behavior involving the movement of an entity for economic reasons. The proposed methodology has its foundations in an evolutionary approach and subscribes to the axioms of evolutionary ontology. The proposed methodology is in line with Kuhn’s claim for the design of ontologies with a focus on human activities in geographic space; but rather than applying text analysis and limiting the focus to ontology in information science, the author enriches the semantic reference system of economic movement data with an ontology based on the general analytical framework of economic evolution stated in terms of a unified rule approach. This, the authors argue, results in an analytical ontology of geographic space and an enhanced understanding of economic movement data. The ontological, analytical, and theoretical propositions are applied to a data set of historical ship movements.
An XML-Based Approach to Multimedia Software Engineering for Distance Learning
Authors: Arndt Timothy , Chang Shi-Kuo , Guercio Angela , Maresca Paolo
Published: March 2014

Multimedia Software Engineering (MSE) is a new frontier for both Software Engineering (SE) and Visual Languages (VL). In fact multimedia software engineering can be considered as the discipline for systematic specification, design, substitution and verification of visual patterns. In this paper we concentrate on the first of these possibilities, distance learning. One aim of this paper is to demonstrate how it is possible to design and implement conplex multimedia software systems for distance learning using a Teleaction Object transformer based on XML technology applying a Component-Based Multimedia Software Engineering approach. The paper shows a complete process of dataflow transformation that represents TAO in different ways (text, TAOML, etc.) and at different levels of abstraction. The transformation process is a reversible one. A component-based tool architecture is also discussed.
Predicting Aging-Genes in Drosophila Melanogaster by Integrating Network Topological Features and Functional Categories
Authors: Li Yan-Hui , Li Jian-Hui , Song Xin , Feng Kai , Zhou Yuan-Chun
Published: March 2014

An important task of aging research is to find genes that regulate lifespan. Wet-lab identification of aging genes is tedious and labor-intensive activity. Developing an algorithm to predict aging genes will be greatly helpful. In this paper, we systematically analyzed topological features of proteins encoded by Drosophila melanogaster aging genes versus those encoded by non-aging genes in protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and found that aging genes are characterized by several network topological features such as higher in degrees. And aging genes tend to be enriched in certain functions were also found. Based on these features, an algorithm was developed to detect aging genes genome wide. With a posterior probability score describing possible involvement in aging no less than 1, 1014 novel aging genes were predicted by decision trees. Evidence supporting our prediction can be found.
The Democratizing Potential of an Online Leisure Space
Authors: Spencer Callie , Rose Jeff
Published: March 2014

Critical theorists have long examined cultural processes and their often deleterious effects on social and political movements. Using Kracauer’s mass ornament and Bourdieu’s construct of habitus, this study empirically investigates political participation and e-mobilization of civil society in the United States’ “democratic” regime. Through examining the popular social media application, Facebook, the authors sought to understand political participation and responses to a series of sociopolitical events over one month. Analyses explored the nature of the Facebook posts, evidence for various power inequalities, and the nature of political spaces created by Facebook users. Despite Facebook’s potential to be a social leveler and organizational tool for Hardt and Negri’s multitude, the authors’ analyses left them less than hopeful about the mobilizing potential of Facebook use in the United States. They outline cultural constraints inhibiting such political participation and point toward the possibilities of a more socially and politically active social media landscape.
Collocational Relations in Japanese Language Textbooks and Computer-Assisted Language Learning Resources
Authors: SRDANOVIĆ Irena
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we explore presence of collocational relations in the computer-assisted language learning systems and other language resources for the Japanese language, on one side, and, in the Japanese language learning textbooks and wordlists, on the other side. After introducing how important it is to learn collocational relations in a foreign language, we examine their coverage in the various learners’ resources for the Japanese language. We particularly concentrate on a few collocations at the beginner’s level, where we demonstrate their treatment across various resources. A special attention is paid to what is referred to as unpredictable collocations, which have a bigger foreign language learning-burden than the predictable ones.
The Language Teacher’s Role in the Age of the Internet
Authors: MORITOKI Nagisa
Published: March 2014

The Internet can have a strong influence on students learning the Japanese language in Slovenia, as well as in other parts of Europe. Almost all freshmen have come into contact with Japanese pop culture via the Internet. The aim of this paper is to discuss the teacher’s role in overcoming certain problems associated with learning the Japanese language in the age of the Internet. First, looking at a general survey of the current situation surrounding teaching Japanese language in Slovenia, we identify the advantages and disadvantages of using the Internet when learning the language. However, the disadvantages of the Internet that lead to learner problems are, in fact, the problems that we also face in daily communication. So, as a teacher, I propose following three strategies to lead the learner: first, let the learner’s interests stimulate him to explore a wider and deeper world; second, lead the learner to reconstruct his world; and third, lead the learner to self expression so that he can be understood by the listener and improve his communication skills. Such are teacher’s strategies for interactive communication based on individual standpoint versus a world view, which has emerged in teaching Japanese language when the learner seeks language skills not solely for practical purposes as in Slovenia. Considering this, I additionally propose for Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) ideology that those strategies aim to achieve “an expertise of the relationship with the Other” (Zarate, Gohard-Radenkovic, Lussier, & Penz. 2004, p. 11).
Su, X. (2011). Reflexivität im Chinesischen: Eine integrative Analyse: Mit zwei Anhängen von Hans-Heinrich Lieb. (XIV + 293 pp.). Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang. Paperback.
Authors: PETROVČIČ Mateja
Published: March 2014

This book was published in the Linguistics Series of European University Studies, and is written in German. As the book's title suggests, this monograph is primarily a comprehensive analysis of reflexivity in spoken Standard Chinese in the framework of Integrational Linguistics. The author demonstrates that Chinese marks reflexivity only phonologically, with the use of reflexive pronoun(s), and argues that ziji (自己) is the only reflexive pronoun in Standard Chinese.

Different languages distinguish between referential and non-referential reflexive pronouns, and the author briefly demonstrates this with German sich. Referential uses denote semantic reflexivity (inhaltliche Reflexivität), whereas non-referential uses represent formal reflexivity (formale Reflexivität). Su asserts that the Chinese reflexive pronoun ziji is always referential and that there is no formal reflexivity in Chinese.

Since the research mainly focuses on the word ziji, not only in its reflexive usage but also in relation to intensifying and contrastive meanings and effects, this monograph could also be considered as a comprehensive research on ziji in Standard Chinese.
PF Merger would Do, too: A Reply to Zhang (1997)
Authors: SHEN David Ta-Chun
Published: March 2014

The analysis for the phenomenon that prepositions may or may not undergo the third tone sandhi in Mandarin in Zhang (1997) is reviewed. She considers that this phenomenon is short of sound coverage and couches her analysis in the framework of Optimality Theory (OT). However, upon scrutiny, Zhang’s analysis invites unnecessary questions. The postulation of two “constituent strength” constraints is with no foundation. It is difficult to grab the idea behind the constituent-strength concept even till now. Related to the concept, the non-specification of a prepositional phrase is not clear. Instead, the syntactic feature manifestation could mark a preposition’s uniqueness. In addition, the misuse of the Generalized Alignment and stipulations toward the evaluations in OT are spotted, too. My synthetic approach, based on the extant and developing knowledge about constituency, PF merger, and Shih’s (1997) foot formation, shows that for this phenomenon, no new device is needed.
A Comparison of Event Framing in Old Japanese and Old Chinese
Authors: LI Wenchao
Published: March 2014

This paper brings data on Old Chinese and Old Japanese together in order to conduct an investigation into event-framing strategies. Old Chinese consists of a monosyllabic root with five constituents that express the path: (a) particle, (b) incorporated noun, (c) preverb, (d) verb root, and (e) complement.Verb framing,satellite framing, andequipollent framingare all found in the data. Crucially, before the birth of disyllabic word roots and verb compounding in the Late Han Dynasty,verb framingseems to have been the main pattern. Throughout the transformation of the Chinese language, the use of incorporated nouns and preverbs denoting the path has declined, with the remaining particles serving motion events. This contributes to the contention that contemporary Chinese is asatellite-framed language. Meanwhile, verb complements emerged and played the main role in non-motion events. In terms of Old Japanese, all three event-framing patterns have been observed. Moreover, the path is denoted via three means: prefix, auxiliary, and verb compounding. Among them, verb compounding appears to play the most significant role. These distinct event-framing patterns both intralinguistic and crosslinguistic are based on the diversity of lexical resources of motion/non-motion event framing and preferences for event-encoding options by selecting different lexical resources.
Acquisition Of Hindi Contrasts By English Speakers: An Optimality Theoretic Account
Authors: AGGARWAL Ashima
Published: March 2014

This paper provides an optimality theoretic account of perception of Hindi voicing and aspiration contrasts by English monolinguals. The participants were presented with minimal pairs of stop consonants belonging to three places of articulation, namely, bilabial, alveolar and velar. The minimal pairs varied in (a) voice; (b) aspiration; (c) voice and aspiration. The methodology involved taking a discrimination test wherein the English speakers reported whether the minimal pairs they heard were same or different. The findings were then subjected to quantitative analysis. The results show that aspiration distinction is clearly perceived by English monolinguals but voicing contrast is neutralized in the same position. The study adds to our knowledge of existing phonological theories such as Best’s perceptual Assimilation Model (2001) and p-maps (Steriade, 2001). Based on the phonetic results, an optimality theoretic framework is applied to describe the results. The framework involves the ranking of faithfulness and markedness constraints and presenting an initial stage grammar for the L2 English learner of Hindi. In the end, some predictions are made about the further acquisition of these non-native contrasts by L2 English learners. The study has useful implications for adult second language learners.
Towards the Lexicographic Description of the Grammatical Behaviour of Japanese Loanwords: A Case Study
Authors: MOGI Toshinobu
Published: March 2014

The present papers offers a case study of a Japanese loanword verb, with the aim of contributing to corpus-based research on Japanese loanwords and of providing a foundation for the compilation of a dictionary of grammatical patterns of loanwords for learners of Japanese as a foreign language. The case study presents an analysis of actual usage of loanword suru-verbs in the large-scale Balanced Corpus of Contemporary Written Japanese, which is followed by a detailed analysis of all examples of the polysemous verb katto-suru. It is thereby shown how corpora can help in describing loanwords by matching a word’s meaning with its patterns of usage, and how such a description can be useful to learners of Japanese as a foreign language.
Compilation of Japanese Basic Verb Usage Handbook for JFL Learners: A Project Report
Authors: PARDESHI Prashant
Published: March 2014

In this article we introduce a collaborative research project entitled 'nihongogakushuushayou kihondoushi youhouhandbook no sakusei (Compilation of Japanese Basic Verb Usage Handbook for Japanese as Foreign Language (JFL) Learners)' carried out at the National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics (NINJAL) and report on the progress of its research product, namely, a prototype of a basic verb usage handbook (referred to as 'handbook' below). The handbook differs in many ways from the conventional printed dictionaries or electronic dictionaries available at present. First, the handbook is compiled online and will be made available on internet for free access. Secondly, the handbook is corpus-based: the contents of the entry are written taking into consideration the actual use of the headword using the BCCWJ corpus. Also, it contains illustrative examples of a particular meaning culled from the BCCWJ corpus as well as those coined by the entry-writers. Third, the framework used in the description of semantic issues (polysemy network, cognitive mechanism underlying semantic extensions and semantic relationships among various meanings, etc.) is cognitive grammar, which adopts prototype approach. Fourth, it includes audio-visual contents (such as audio files and animations/video clips etc.) for effective understanding, acquisition and retention of various meanings of a polysemous verb. Fifth, the handbook is bi-lingual (Japanese-Chinese, Japanese-Korean and Japanese-Marathi) and incorporates insights of contrastive studies and second language acquisition. The handbook is an attempt to share cutting edge research insights of various branches of linguistics with Japanese language pedagogy. It is hoped that the handbook will prove to be useful for JFL learners as well as Japanese language teachers across the globe.
JaSlo: Integration of a Japanese-Slovene Bilingual Dictionary with a Corpus Search System
Authors: HMELJAK SANGAWA Kristina , ERJAVEC Tomaž
Published: March 2014

The paper presents a set of integrated on-line language resources targeted at Japanese language learners, primarily those whose mother tongue is Slovene. The resources consist of the on-line Japanese-Slovene learners’ dictionary jaSlo and two corpora, a 1 million word Japanese-Slovene parallel corpus and a 300 million word corpus of web pages, where each word and sentence is marked by its difficulty level; this corpus is furthermore available as a set of five distinct corpora, each one containing sentences of the particular level. The corpora are available for exploration through NoSketch Engine, the open source version of the commercial state-of-the-art corpus analysis software Sketch Engine. The dictionary is available for Web searching, and dictionary entries have direct links to examples from the corpora, thus offering a wider picture of a) possible translations in concrete contextualised examples, and b) monolingual Japanese usage examples of different difficulty levels to support language learning.
Development of a Learners’ Dictionary of Polysemous Japanese Words and Some Proposals for Learners’ Lexicography
Authors: IMAI Shingo
Published: March 2014

The dictionary series Nihongo tagigo gakushū jiten (“A Learner’s Dictionary of Multi-sense Japanese Words”) proposes a new approach to learners’ dictionaries, based on cognitive linguistics theory and on a corpus-based approach. Each entry is presented as a semantic network which follows the patterns of semantic extensions from a word's core meaning to derived meanings. A corpus, Sketch Engine, was consulted in order to select natural and frequently used examples, which were then edited to make them understandable to learners. Illustrations are also provided in an attempt to visualise the common meaning (schema) shared by the various meanings of the word.