bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
China’s Search for Renewable Energy
Authors: Kennedy Andrew B.
Published: October 2013

The enthusiasm of Chinese leaders for renewable energy is infused with a pragmatic variant of techno-nationalist ideology. In keeping with this outlook, Beijing supports Chinese wind and solar firms, but it typically proves flexible when important economic partners challenge such policies.
The YIMBY Phenomenon in Henoko, Okinawa
Authors: Williams Brad
Published: October 2013

This paper examines the reasons behind Henoko’s decision to accept a controversial U.S. military base. It highlights the impact of a path dependency created amid early postwar socioeconomic conditions of deprivation and political compulsion, resulting in the Okinawan village’s structural incorporation into the U.S. base economy.
Dynamics of Adaptive Alleles in Divergently Selected Body Weight Lines of Chickens
Authors: Pettersson Mats E , Johansson Anna M , Siegel Paul B , Carlborg Örjan
Published: October 2013

By studying genomic changes over time in populations subjected to strong artificial directional selection, we can gain insights to the dynamics of beneficial alleles originating from the founder population or emerging as novel mutations undergoing ongoing selection. The Virginia lines are a chicken resource population generated by long-term bi-directional, single-trait selection for juvenile body weight. We studied genome-wide allele frequency changes from generation 40 to 53 using genome-wide genotypes from directional and relaxed selection lines. Overall, there were small changes in allele frequencies at individual loci over the studied time period; but, on average, the changes were greater in lines with larger phenotypic changes. This is consistent with previous findings that much of the response to selection over the first 40 years of selection was attributable to utilization of standing genetic variation at many loci in the genome, indicating a mostly polygenic architecture for body weight. Over the course of the selection experiment, the largest phenotypic response to selection was observed in the high-weight selected line, and in this line we detected a single locus where the allele frequency changed rapidly during a late stage of the experiment. This locus likely contains a novel, beneficial mutation that appeared between generations 40 and 45 and was driven to fixation in 5 to 10 generations. This result illustrates the dependence of continued long-term selection response on standing genetic variation at many loci as well as strong, novel, beneficial mutations.
The Evolution and Consequences of Sex-Specific Reproductive Variance
Authors: Mullon Charles , Reuter Max , Lehmann Laurent
Published: October 2013

Natural selection favors alleles that increase the number of offspring produced by their carriers. But in a world that is inherently uncertain within generations, selection also favors alleles that reduce the variance in the number of offspring produced. If previous studies have established this principle, they have largely ignored fundamental aspects of sexual reproduction and therefore how selection on sex-specific reproductive variance operates. To study the evolution and consequences of sex-specific reproductive variance, we present a population-genetic model of phenotypic evolution in a dioecious population that incorporates previously neglected components of reproductive variance. First, we derive the probability of fixation for mutations that affect male and/or female reproductive phenotypes under sex-specific selection. We find that even in the simplest scenarios, the direction of selection is altered when reproductive variance is taken into account. In particular, previously unaccounted for covariances between the reproductive outputs of different individuals are expected to play a significant role in determining the direction of selection. Then, the probability of fixation is used to develop a stochastic model of joint male and female phenotypic evolution. We find that sex-specific reproductive variance can be responsible for changes in the course of long-term evolution. Finally, the model is applied to an example of parental-care evolution. Overall, our model allows for the evolutionary analysis of social traits in finite and dioecious populations, where interactions can occur within and between sexes under a realistic scenario of reproduction.
Sources and Structures of Mitotic Crossovers That Arise When BLM Helicase Is Absent inDrosophila
Authors: LaFave Matthew C , Andersen Sabrina L , Stoffregen Eric P , Korda Holsclaw Julie , Kohl Kathryn P , Overton Lewis J , Sekelsky Jeff
Published: October 2013

The Bloom syndrome helicase, BLM, has numerous functions that prevent mitotic crossovers. We used unique features of Drosophila melanogaster to investigate origins and properties of mitotic crossovers that occur when BLM is absent. Induction of lesions that block replication forks increased crossover frequencies, consistent with functions for BLM in responding to fork blockage. In contrast, treatment with hydroxyurea, which stalls forks, did not elevate crossovers, even though mutants lacking BLM are sensitive to killing by this agent. To learn about sources of spontaneous recombination, we mapped mitotic crossovers in mutants lacking BLM. In the male germline, irradiation-induced crossovers were distributed randomly across the euchromatin, but spontaneous crossovers were nonrandom. We suggest that regions of the genome with a high frequency of mitotic crossovers may be analogous to common fragile sites in the human genome. Interestingly, in the male germline there is a paucity of crossovers in the interval that spans the pericentric heterochromatin, but in the female germline this interval is more prone to crossing over. Finally, our system allowed us to recover pairs of reciprocal crossover chromosomes. Sequencing of these revealed the existence of gene conversion tracts and did not provide any evidence for mutations associated with crossovers. These findings provide important new insights into sources and structures of mitotic crossovers and functions of BLM helicase.
Adjunctive Orthodontic Applications in Dental Implantology
Authors: Borzabadi-Farahani Ali , Zadeh Homayoun H.
Published: October 2013

Implant placement is often necessitated for replacement of teeth with pathologically damaged alveolar bone due to periodontitis or traumatic injury. Surgical augmentation of resorbed bone has many limitations, including lower efficacy of vertical augmentation than horizontal augmentation, as well as morbidity associated with grafting procedure. Orthodontic therapy has been proposed as a useful method for augmenting the resorbed alveolar bone and reforming aesthetically appealing gingival margin, prior to implant placement. This narrative review summarizes the available evidence for the application of orthodontic strategies that can be used as adjunct in selected cases to augment bone volume for the future implant site and maintain space for the prosthetic parts of the implant. These are (1) orthodontic extrusion of compromised teeth to generate vertical bone volume and enhance gingival architecture, (2) tooth preservation and postponing orthodontic space opening to maintain bone volume in future implant site, (3) orthodontic implant site switching to eliminate the deficient bone volume or risky implant sites, and (4) the provision of a rigid fixed-bonded retainer to maintain the implant site. Although there are no randomized controlled clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of orthodontic therapy for implant site development, clinical case reports and experience document the efficacy of orthodontic therapy for this application.
Aplicabilidade do método de Ball para o cálculo da letalidade de processos de esterilização em autoclaves a vapor desaeradas por água
Authors: Berteli Michele Nehemy , Berto Maria Isabel , Vitali Alfredo de Almeida
Published: October 2013

A letalidade, ou valor F, é uma grandeza utilizada para a representação do efeito do tratamento térmico nos alimentos e indica a intensidade desse tratamento em relação à morte de um micro-organismo alvo. O Método de Ball é muito útil e versátil, e a partir de parâmetros de penetração de calor, j h e f h, específicos para cada produto, permite o cálculo da intensidade de um processo térmico de esterilização em autoclaves. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a aplicabilidade do Método de Ball para o cálculo do valor F0 em produtos esterilizados em uma autoclave a vapor desaerada por água. Essa desaeração é um procedimento alternativo e baseia-se na expulsão do ar através do enchimento do equipamento com água. Os valores de F0 obtidos pelo Método de Ball nos processos com desaeração por água e desaeração convencional foram comparados com os valores de F0 calculados para os processos através do Método Genérico. Os resultados dos valores de F0 calculados pelo método de Ball para os processos utilizando desaeração por água sempre foram inferiores aos obtidos pelo Método Genérico. As diferenças nos valores de F0 entre as duas metodologias de cálculo foram semelhantes quando se compararam os processos de desaeração por água e convencional, confirmando a aplicabilidade do Modelo de Ball em processos de esterilização em autoclave a vapor desaerada por água.
The fractional PID controllers tuned by genetic algorithms for expansion turbine in the cryogenic air separation process
Authors: Bucanovic Ljubisa , Lazarevic Mihailo , Batalov Srecko
Published: October 2013

This paper deals with the design of a new algorithm of PID control based on
fractional calculus (FC) in production of technical gases, i.e. in a
cryogenic air separation process. Production of low pressure liquid air was
first introduced by P. L. Kapica and involved expansion in a gas turbine.
For application in the synthesis of the control law, for the input
temperature and flow of air to the expansion turbine, it is necessary to
determine the appropriate differential equations of the cryogenic process of
mixing of two gaseous airflows at different temperatures before entrance to
the expansion turbine. Thereafter, the model is linearized and decoupled and
consequently classical PID and fractional order controllers are taken to
assess the quality of the proposed technique. A set of optimal parameters of
these controllers are achieved through the genetic algorithm optimization
procedure by minimizing a cost function. Our design method focuses on
minimizing performance criterion which involves IAE, overshoot, as well as
settling time. A time-domain simulation was used to identify the performance
of controller with respect to a traditional optimized PID controller.
Single crystalline thin films as a novel class of electrocatalysts
Authors: Snyder Joshua , Markovic Nenad , Stamenkovic Vojislav
Published: October 2013

The ubiquitous use of single crystal metal electrodes has garnered invaluable
insight into the relationship between surface atomic structure and functional
electrochemical properties. However, the sensitivity of their electrochemical
response to surface orientation and the amount of precious metal required can
limit their use. We present here a generally applicable procedure for
producing thin metal films with a large proportion of atomically flat (111)
terraces without the use of an epitaxial template. Thermal annealing in a
controlled atmosphere induces long-range ordering of magnetron sputtered thin
metal films deposited on an amorphous substrate. The ordering transition in
these thin metal films yields characteristic (111) electrochemical signatures
with minimal amount of material and provides an adequate replacement for
oriented bulk single crystals. This procedure can be generalized towards a
novel class of practical multimetallic thin film based electrocatalysts with
tunable near-surface compositional profile and morphology. Annealing of
atomically corrugated sputtered thin film Pt-alloy catalysts yields an
atomically smooth structure with highly crystalline, (111)-like ordered and
Pt segregated surface that displays superior functional properties, bridging
the gap between extended/bulk surfaces and nanoscale systems.
Closures on partial partitions from closures on sets
Authors: Ronse Christian
Published: October 2013

Jordens and Sturm investigated the link between closure systems on sets and closure systems on partitions. We extend that study to the wider framework of partial partitions, and highlight better the relation between these two families of closure systems. Then we consider the construction of a closure operator on partial partitions by the iterated application a set operator to the blocks of a partial partition; the resulting closure system fits into our framework.
Čebyšev-Grüss-type inequalities revisited
Authors: Gonska Heiner , Raşa Ioan , Rusu Maria-Daniela
Published: October 2013

We generalize and improve several inequalities of the Čebyšev-Grüss-type using least concave majorants of the moduli of continuity of the functions involved. Our focus is on normalized positive linear functionals. We discuss a problem posed by the two Gavreas and also give the solution of a stronger one. In a section about the non-multiplicativity of positive linear operators it is demonstrated that the previous use of second moments is not quite the right choice. This is documented in the case of the classical Hermite-Fejér and de La Vallée Poussin convolution operators.
On associated and co-recursive d-orthogonal polynomials
Authors: Sadek Saib A. , Zerouki Ebtissem
Published: October 2013

The associated sequence of order r for a given d-OPS (i.e. a sequence of orthogonal polynomials satisfying a (d + 1)-order recurrence relation), is again a d-OPS. In this paper we are interested in the determination of the corresponding dual sequence. The explicit form of the dual sequence of the first associated sequence and the corresponding formal Stieltjes function are given. Indeed, we construct by recurrence the dual sequence of the r-associated sequence and we give some properties of the corresponding Stieltjes function. Second, we give the definition of co-recursive polynomials of dimension d and some relations in the particular cases d = 3 and d = 4. Some properties of the dual sequence as well as of the corresponding Stieltjes functions are given.
A sequential implicit function theorem for the chords iteration
Authors: Nedelcheva Diana
Published: October 2013

In this paper we study the local convergence of the method $$0 \in f\left( {p,x_k } \right) + A\left( {x_{k + 1} - x_k } \right) + F\left( {x_{k + 1} } \right),$$ in order to find the solution of the generalized equation $$find x \in X such that 0 \in f\left( {p,x} \right) + F\left( x \right).$$ We first show that under the strong metric regularity of the linearization of the associated mapping and some additional assumptions regarding dependence on the parameter and the relation between the operator A and the Jacobian $$\nabla _x f\left( {\bar p,\bar x} \right)$$, we prove linear convergence of the method which is uniform in the parameter p. Then we go a step further and obtain a sequential implicit function theorem describing the dependence of the set of sequences of iterates of the parameter.
The sharp threshold for percolation on expander graphs
Authors: Shang Yilun
Published: October 2013

We consider a random subgraph G
n(p) of a finite graph family G
n = (V
n, E
n) formed by retaining each edge of G
n independently with probability p. We show that if G
n is an expander graph with vertices of bounded degree, then for any c
n ∈ (0, 1) satisfying $$c_n \gg {1 \mathord{\left/
{\vphantom {1 {\sqrt {\ln n} }}} \right.
\kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\sqrt {\ln n} }}$$ and $$\mathop {\lim \sup }\limits_{n \to \infty } c_n < 1$$, the property that the random subgraph contains a giant component of order c
n|V
n| has a sharp threshold.
Global smoothness preservation with second order modulus of smoothness
Authors: Tachev Gancho
Published: October 2013

We establish the global smoothness preservation of a function f by the sequence of linear positive operators. Our estimate is in terms of the second order Ditzian-Totik modulus of smoothness. Application is given to the Bernstein operator.
Distribution and utilization of bamboos in the midwestern and the far-western regions of Nepal
Authors: Das AN , Thapa HB
Published: October 2013

The distribution and utilization of bamboo species in the mid-western and the far-western regions were recorded using various methods including Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, field visits and specimen collection. Of the eleven genera of bamboo recorded from the regions, most of the species were found to be of indigenous types. In the mid-western region, 48 bamboo species were recorded: 18 identified at species level and 11 at genera level. However, 19 species could not be identified, although their local names were recorded. Similarly, in the far-western region, 31 species were recorded: 10 were identified at species as well as genera levels. In this region too, 11 species could not be identified, only local names were recorded. Greater diversity of bamboos exists in the hills than in the Terai belt of the regions studied. High Mountain districts such as Jumla, Dolpa, and Darchula contain considerably less quantity of large diameter sized bamboos (bans) than small sized diameter bamboos (nigalo). Although, in these regions, 18 uses of bamboo were noted, many species are mostly used for weaving. The development of bamboo resources in the regions can help reduce poverty, generate employment and sustain rural livelihoods. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/banko.v21i1.9059   Banko Janakari, Vol. 21, No. 1 2011; 13-24
Dependency of Tharu communities on wild plants: A case study of Shankarpur, Kanchanpur district
Authors: Bhattarai S , Pant B , Upadhyaya CP
Published: October 2013

Tharu communities are rich in indigenous knowledge of managing environmental resources and coping with environmental stress. The dependency pattern of these communities on wild plants and their role in conservation of wild plants should be identified and explored. This study was carried out with the purpose of assessing dependency pattern of these communities on wild plants and understanding their attitude as well as role in conservation. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from concerned stakeholders. Primary data were supplemented and verified from key informants, field observation and secondary sources. Among the four categories of dependency, majority of the respondents were found under category dependent followed by most dependent and somewhat dependent, respectively, but minority of them were found under category not dependent. Almost all of the respondents were found to have played some role in wild plant conservation. Their attitude towards forest and resource conservation was positive, yet they were not satisfied with the traditional mechanism of forest conservation. The traditional approach of managing forest should, therefore, be modified and a new community-oriented approach should be promoted. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/banko.v21i1.9062 Banko Janakari, Vol. 21, No. 1 2011; 35-40
Impurity-controlled densification: a new model for stratified polar firn
Authors: Freitag Johannes , Kipfstuhl Sepp , Laepple Thomas , Wilhelms Frank
Published: October 2013

A new densification model, which simulates the effect of impurities on the densification of polar firn, is presented. The classical densification models of Herron and Langway (1980) and Pimienta and Barnola (Barnola and others, 1991) are modified by assuming that the activation energy for deformation is reduced by the impurities. Motivated by recent observations, the impurity effect is formulated on an empirical basis using the seasonally varying Ca2+ ion concentration. Excellent agreement between simulated and measured high-resolution density profiles confirms the new approach. The same parameterization applies for Greenland and Antarctica despite the one order of magnitude difference in impurity concentration. The new models allow us, for the first time, to simulate the density layering in firn down to the firn–ice transition. Our results emphasize the importance of impurities and density layering for the air entrapment and for dating gas records of deep ice cores, in particular for glacial climate conditions where the impurity concentrations are 10–100-fold higher than in modern firn.
Thermoelectric Effects under Adiabatic Conditions
Authors: Levy George
Published: October 2013

This paper investigates not fully explained voltage offsets observed by several researchers during the measurement of the Seebeck coefficient of high Z materials. These offsets, traditionally attributed to faulty laboratory procedures, have proven to have an irreducible component that cannot be fully eliminated in spite of careful laboratory procedures. In fact, these offsets are commonly observed and routinely subtracted out of commercially available Seebeck measurement systems. This paper offers a possible explanation based on the spontaneous formation of an adiabatic temperature gradient in the presence of a force field. The diffusion-diffusion heat transport mechanism is formulated and applied to predict two new thermoelectric effects. The first is the existence of a temperature gradient across a potential barrier in a semiconductor and the second is the Onsager reciprocal of the first, that is, the presence of a measureable voltage that arises across a junction when the temperature gradient is forced to zero by a thermal clamp. Suggested future research includes strategies for utilizing the new thermoelectric effects.
Probabilistic Approach to Optimizing Active and Reactive Power Flow in Wind Farms Considering Wake Effects
Authors: Lyu Jae-Kun , Heo Jae-Haeng , Park Jong-Keun , Kang Yong-Cheol
Published: October 2013

This paper presents a novel probabilistic optimization algorithm for simultaneous active and reactive power dispatch in power systems with significant wind power integration. Two types of load and wind-speed uncertainties have been assumed that follow normal and Weibull distributions, respectively. A PV bus model for wind turbines and the wake effect for correlated wind speed are used to achieve accurate AC power flow analysis. The power dispatch algorithm for a wind-power integrated system is modeled as a probabilistic optimal power flow (P-OPF) problem, which is operated through fixed power factor control to supply reactive power. The proposed P-OPF framework also considers emission information, which clearly reflects the impact of the energy source on the environment. The P-OPF was tested on a modified IEEE 118-bus system with two wind farms. The results show that the proposed technique provides better system operation performance evaluation, which is helpful in making decisions about power system optimal dispatch under conditions of uncertainty.
Maternal Embryonic Leucine Zipper Kinase (MELK): A Novel Regulator in Cell Cycle Control, Embryonic Development, and Cancer
Authors: Jiang Pengfei , Zhang Deli
Published: October 2013

Maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) functions as a modulator of intracellular signaling and affects various cellular and biological processes, including cell cycle, cell proliferation, apoptosis, spliceosome assembly, gene expression, embryonic development, hematopoiesis, and oncogenesis. In these cellular processes, MELK functions by binding to numerous proteins. In general, the effects of multiple protein interactions with MELK are oncogenic in nature, and the overexpression of MELK in kinds of cancer provides some evidence that it may be involved in tumorigenic process. In this review, our current knowledge of MELK function and recent discoveries in MELK signaling pathway were discussed. The regulation of MELK in cancers and its potential as a therapeutic target were also described.
A Novel Insight into the Cardiotoxicity of Antineoplastic Drug Doxorubicin
Authors: Heger Zbynek , Cernei Natalia , Kudr Jiri , Gumulec Jaromir , Blazkova Iva , Zitka Ondrej , Eckschlager Tomas , Stiborova Marie , Adam Vojtech , Kizek Rene
Published: October 2013

Doxorubicin is a commonly used antineoplastic agent in the treatment of many types of cancer. Little is known about the interactions of doxorubicin with cardiac biomolecules. Serious cardiotoxicity including dilated cardiomyopathy often resulting in a fatal congestive heart failure may occur as a consequence of chemotherapy with doxorubicin. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of exposure to doxorubicin on the changes in major amino acids in tissue of cardiac muscle (proline, taurine, glutamic acid, arginine, aspartic acid, leucine, glycine, valine, alanine, isoleucine, threonine, lysine and serine). An in vitro interaction study was performed as a comparison of amino acid profiles in heart tissue before and after application of doxorubicin. We found that doxorubicin directly influences myocardial amino acid representation even at low concentrations. In addition, we performed an interaction study that resulted in the determination of breaking points for each of analyzed amino acids. Lysine, arginine, β-alanine, valine and serine were determined as the most sensitive amino acids. Additionally we compared amino acid profiles of myocardium before and after exposure to doxorubicin. The amount of amino acids after interaction with doxorubicin was significantly reduced (p = 0.05). This fact points at an ability of doxorubicin to induce changes in quantitative composition of amino acids in myocardium. Moreover, this confirms that the interactions between doxorubicin and amino acids may act as another factor most likely responsible for adverse effects of doxorubicin on myocardium.
Laparoscopic Surgery for Ovarian Pregnancy using Diathermy Hook with Conservation of Ovary: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Gebeh Alpha , Amoako Akwasi , Joseph Olakanmi , Banerjee Asok
Published: October 2013

A 31-year-old woman presented with a 7-week history of irregular vaginal bleeding without abdominal pain. She had been using the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) for the last 3 years. A pregnancy test was positive and subsequent serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) was 4992 mIU/mL. A transvaginal ultrasound scan demonstrated an empty uterus with an associated adnexal mass but no free fluid. A right primary ovarian ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed a laparoscopy. This was managed laparoscopically using monopolar diathermy hook with conservation of the ovary and minimal blood loss. Ovarian pregnancy is rare, especially in women without the classical risk factors for tubal pregnancy, and efforts should be made to exclude ectopic pregnancy in the absence of abdominal pain in a woman of reproductive age presenting with prolonged and irregular vaginal bleeding. Methods to conserve the ovary are also encouraged in cases of ovarian pregnancy.
Characterization of Different Capsicum Varieties by Evaluation of Their Capsaicinoids Content by High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Determination of Pungency and Effect of High Temperature
Authors: González-Zamora Alberto , Sierra-Campos Erick , Luna-Ortega J. , Pérez-Morales Rebeca , Ortiz Juan , García-Hernández José
Published: October 2013

The chili pepper is a very important plant used worldwide as a vegetable, as a spice, and as an external medicine. In this work, eight different varieties of Capsicum annuum L. have been characterized by their capsaicinoids content. The chili pepper fruits were cultivated in the Comarca Lagunera region in North of Mexico. The qualitative and quantitative determination of the major and minor capsaicinoids; alkaloids responsible for the pungency level, has been performed by a validated chromatographic procedure (HPLC-DAD) after a preliminary drying step and an opportune extraction procedure. Concentrations of total capsaicinoids varied from a not detectable value for Bell pepper to 31.84 mg g−1 dried weight for Chiltepín. Samples were obtained from plants grown in experimental field and in greenhouse without temperature control, in order to evaluate temperature effect. Analysis of the two principal capsaicinoids in fruits showed that the amount of dihydrocapsaicin was always higher than capsaicin. In addition, our results showed that the content of total capsaicinoids for the varieties Serrano, Puya, Ancho, Guajillo and Bell pepper were increased with high temperature, while the content of total capsaicinoids and Scoville heat units (SHU) for the varieties De árbol and Jalapeño decreased. However, the pungency values found in this study were higher for all varieties analyzed than in other studies.
TiO2 Nanotubes: Recent Advances in Synthesis and Gas Sensing Properties
Authors: Galstyan Vardan , Comini Elisabetta , Faglia Guido , Sberveglieri Giorgio
Published: October 2013

Synthesis—particularly by electrochemical anodization-, growth mechanism and chemical sensing properties of pure, doped and mixed titania tubular arrays are reviewed. The first part deals on how anodization parameters affect the size, shape and morphology of titania nanotubes. In the second part fabrication of sensing devices based on titania nanotubes is presented, together with their most notable gas sensing performances. Doping largely improves conductivity and enhances gas sensing performances of TiO2 nanotubes
Detection of Coronaviruses in Bats of Various Species in Italy
Authors: Lelli Davide , Papetti Alice , Sabelli Cristiano , Rosti Enrica , Moreno Ana , Boniotti Maria
Published: October 2013

Bats are natural reservoirs for many mammalian coronaviruses, which have received renewed interest after the discovery of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) CoV in humans. This study describes the identification and molecular characterization of alphacoronaviruses and betacoronaviruses in bats in Italy, from 2010 to 2012. Sixty-nine faecal samples and 126 carcasses were tested using pan-coronavirus RT-PCR. Coronavirus RNAs were detected in seven faecal samples and nine carcasses. A phylogenetic analysis of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequence fragments aided in identifying two alphacoronaviruses from Kuhl’s pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii), three clade 2b betacoronaviruses from lesser horseshoe bats (Rhinolophus hipposideros), and 10 clade 2c betacoronaviruses from Kuhl’s pipistrelle, common noctule (Nyctalus noctula), and Savi’s pipistrelle (Hypsugo savii). This study fills a substantive gap in the knowledge on bat-CoV ecology in Italy, and extends the current knowledge on clade 2c betacoronaviruses with new sequences obtained from bats that have not been previously described as hosts of these viruses.
Peripheral Lymphocyte Response to Mycophenolic acid in Vitro and Incidence of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Renal Transplantation
Authors: Sugiyama Kentaro , Sasahara Hiroyasu , Tsukaguchi Mahoto , Isogai Kazuya , Toyama Akira , Satoh Hiroshi , Saitoh Kazuhide , Nakagawa Yuki , Takahashi Kota , Tanaka Sachiko , Onda Kenji , Hirano Toshihiko
Published: October 2013

The lymphocyte immunosuppressant sensitivity test (LIST) with 3–(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay procedure has been used to predict the pharmacological efficacy of immunosuppressive agents to prevent acute rejection episodes for renal transplant recipients. In this study, mycophenolic acid (MPA) pharmacological efficacies were evaluated by LIST at both prior to and just after renal transplantation. We compared the efficacies to the clinical outcome of these recipients. MPA's pharmacological efficacy was evaluated by LIST not only before the operation but also at 2, 4, and 6 weeks after transplantation in 16 renal transplant recipients. These recipients were divided into high- and low-sensitivity groups according to peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) sensitivity to MPA in vitro. The MPA sensitivities were compared to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and acute rejection episodes in these recipients under MPA immunosuppressive therapy. The rate of CMV infection episodes in the low-MPA pharmacological efficacy group categorized at 2 weeks after renal transplantation was 5/6 (83.3%), which was significantly higher than the rate of 1/10 (10.0%) ( p < 0.01) in the high-MPA sensitivity group. However, the MPA pharmacological efficacy evaluated both before and after transplantation had no relationship with the incidence of rejection episodes. These findings suggest that the MPA pharmacological efficacy evaluated by LIST at 2 weeks after operation is a useful biomarker for predicting the following occurrence of CMV infection episodes in renal transplant recipients.
SAFETY OF TECHNOLOGICAL PROJECTS USING MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION MAKING METHODS / DARBUOTOJŲ SAUGOS STATYBVIETĖSE SPRENDINIŲ DAUGIATIKSLIS VERTINIMAS
Authors: Dėjus Titas
Published: October 2013

The article analyzes a construction technology project as a safety standard document for a construction site and describes the application of mathematical methods at the stages of construction and design. Due to the fact that the construction project consists of (safety point of view) the site plan and technological cards (notably these documents indicate safety design solutions), the indicators making up a comparable set of indicators to evaluate the site plan, technological cards and the entire project may vary and be diverse. Practice shows that the construction technology project or its parts thereof are to be assessed using 5 to 7 parameters, as in case of a larger quantity of indicators, the significance of each indicator becomes relatively lower and has effect on the priorities of line formation. To ensure the safety of workers on construction sites, when preparing construction technology projects, the application of experimental design is proposed, thus starting the evaluation of the quality of technological solutions to construction projects in terms of safety employing multicriteria mathematical methods.

Santrauka

Šiame straipsnyje analizuojamos statybos darbų technologijos projekto, kaip darbuotojų saugos norminio dokumento, rengimo sąlygos ir aplinkybės bei matematinių metodų taikymo galimybės rengiant saugos darbe sprendinius statybos paruošimo ir projektavimo etape.

Kadangi statybos darbų technologijos projektas susideda (saugos darbe požiūriu) iš statybvietės plano ir technologinių kortelių (būtent šiuose dokumentuose užfiksuojami saugos darbe projektiniai sprendiniai), tai ir rodikliai, sudarantys lyginamų rodiklių aibę ir vertinantys statybvietes planą, technologines korteles ir visą projektą, gali būti labai įvairūs ir skirtingi.

Praktika rodo, kad statybos darbų technologijos projektas ar jo dalys vertintini pagal 5–7 rodiklius, nes, esant didesniam rodiklių skaičiui, kiekvieno rodiklio reikšmingumas santykinai mažėja ir tai turi įtakos prioritetų eilutės formavimui. Siekiant užtikrinti darbuotojų saugą statybvietėse siūloma rengiant statybos darbų technologijos projektus taikyti variantinį projektavimą, pradėti vertinti statybos darbų technologinių projektų sprendinių kokybę saugos darbe požiūriu ir tam taikyti daugiatikslius matematinius metodus.
An Interactive Mobile Lecturing Tool for Empowering Distance Learners
Authors: Boyinbode O. K. , Ng'ambi D.
Published: October 2013

Face-to-face learning is most prominent in higher education in developing countries of Africa, where learning is teacher-centred; this type of learning does not promote deep learning. Vodcasts and podcasts are increasingly becoming popular in higher education as a means of enhancing learning especially for part-time students who are separated by distance from their teacher; this mode of teaching is known to entertain some limitations. In this paper we report on MOBLEC, an interactive Mobile lecturing model that removes the limitations of podcasting or vodcasting model and promote deep learning. This model enables students to comment on lecture vodcasts using mobile devices, and aggregated comments become an educational resource. The model was evaluated at the Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), Zimbabwe. The paper describes an interactive mobile lecturing tool for empowering learners that are separated from their teachers and the evaluation results from BUSE, Zimbabwe.
Using marine resistivity to map geotechnical properties: a case study in support of dredging the Panama Canal
Authors: Rucker Dale F. , E. Noonan Gillian
Published: October 2013

The distribution of subbottom geotechnical strength properties within the Panama Canal are needed to help with the Canal’s expansion. Core data already exist in the Canal, including lithological/stratigraphical descriptions and qualitative measurements of rock hardness. These data have been acquired within the Canal during previous expansion activities conducted over the past 60 years. Alone, the core data can be used to estimate rock hardness at unsampled locations using geostatistical methods. However, to help reduce uncertainty in the interpolation of rock hardness, a spatially continuous electrical resistivity survey was conducted to provide a better means of bridging information between cores. Although no direct causative link between rock hardness and resistivity exists, it was thought that the resistivity would be dependent upon jointly influencing parameters that comprise the geome‐chanical attributes of the rock, in this case porosity. For example, tuff generally had lower hardness and lower resistivity values compared to andesite and differences in porosity of these rock types would help explain the trend. When considering the resistivity in this geologic context, the spatial interpolation of rock hardness showed better agreement with measured data at sampled locations compared to methods that did not consider any geological context (including kriging of core data or a polynomial regression model between resistivity and rock hardness). Additionally, it is believed that full three‐dimensional inverse modelling of the resistivity data helped to correctly resolve the location of low‐resistivity features that could have been detected as off‐line effects in two‐dimensional processing algorithms. With these results, it is anticipated that the costs of dredging could be reduced by the simple fact that necessary resources can be anticipated for some of the harder rock types.
Integrated geophysical survey for 3D modelling of a coastal aquifer polluted by seawater
Authors: Martorana R. , Lombardo L. , Messina N. , Luzio D.
Published: October 2013

Geophysical surveys are carried out in the coastal area of Petrosino (south‐western Sicily) to study the time evolution of seawater contamination of the coastal aquifer, probably increased due to human impact. The overexploitation of the aquifer, due to an intensive agricultural use has affected significantly the natural hydro‐geochemical state of the basin. The study is based on a processing and integrated analysis of hydrogeological, geochemical and geophysical data. In particular in the last two years seasonal time‐lapse electrical resistivity tomographies (ERT), new TDEM soundings and Multi‐Analysis Surface Wave soundings (MASW) have been carried out. The interpretation of the total set of previously existing and new geophysical data made it possible to reconstruct a three‐dimensional model of the electrical resistivity of the aquifer, aimed at defining the extent and geometry of the seawater intrusion. Furthermore, the execution of a series of high‐resolution time‐lapse electrical tomographies and a correlation analysis between geophysical measures and geo‐chemical, geological and hydrogeological data allowed to discriminate the effects of the salt concentration in the groundwater and the porosity and saturation degree of the rock on the time variations of the measured electrical resistivity. Finally, the average porosity of the rocks forming the reservoir was determined.
Electrical resistivity imaging of unknown bridge foundations
Authors: Arjwech R. , Everett M.E. , Briaud J.‐L. , Hurlebaus S. , Medina‐Cetina Z. , Tucker S. , Yousefpour N.
Published: October 2013

Unknown bridge foundations pose a significant safety risk due to stream scour and erosion. Records from older structures may be non‐existent, incomplete or incorrect. We evaluate 2D and 3D electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) as a means to reliably identify the depth of unknown bridge foundations. A survey procedure is described for mixed terrain/water environments in the presence of rough terrain. Some electrodes are installed on the stream banks while others are adapted for underwater use. Tests were conducted at five field sites, including three roadway bridges, a geotechnical test site and a railway bridge, containing drilled shafts and spread footings of both known and unknown depth extent. The 2D data acquisition was carried out in the dipole‐dipole configuration. The 2D ERI method resolved the shape and depth extent of the larger bridge foundations but, with less accuracy, the shape and depth extent of the smaller foundations. The 3D ERI method is time‐consuming and does not add sufficient additional value over 2D ERI to become a practical tool for unknown bridge foundation investigations. The 2D ERI method is a cost‐effective geophysical method that is relatively easy to use by bridge engineers.
Explaining the Global Digital Divide
Authors: Gulati Girish J. , Yates David J. , Tawileh Anas
Published: October 2013

The rapid development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has created an environment for citizens to have greater access to their government and to make citizen-to-government contact more inclusive. Previous research does not provide a comprehensive explanation for variation in recent e-government initiatives and, in particular, the impact of national public policy initiatives that seek to expand access to ICTs. This chapter examines the global digital divide by analyzing the impact of national policies on the ITU’s Digital Opportunity Index and the UN’s Web Measure Index in 171 countries. A multivariate regression analysis shows that when controlling for economic, social and political development, there is greater capacity for e-governance in countries that have a regulatory authority for telecommunications, competition in telecommunication industries, and higher financial investment in technological development. The analysis also shows that none of the examined policy initiatives appear to affect the reach of ICTs within countries.
Low Usage of Intelligent Technologies by the Aged
Authors: Heng John , Banerji Subhasis
Published: October 2013

Contrary to expectations, assistive technology (AT) usage by the elderly has not increased in proportion to availability and ease of access. This is despite a belief that technology can contribute significantly towards improving their quality-of-life. Our Rehabilitation Mechatronics research group at NTU Singapore is developing a “unified neuro-physio platform”, taking a cue from Eastern philosophies which emphasize that the “internal environment” of the users strongly affects how they interact with the “external environment.” This chapter highlights the need to bridge these two environments meaningfully through “sensitive” technologies which address the mindsets and learning mechanisms of users. The technology platform we propose helps the elderly to understand and enhance their internal environment in order to interact at various levels with AT in their external environment. It provides a fresh approach to understanding and minimizing the persistent “digital divide” between the elderly and high technology.
Online Literacy among Students and Faculty
Authors: Miltenoff Plamen , Hoover John H. , Tzokov Galin
Published: October 2013

Based on the recent proliferation of online education and the ongoing technological revolution, this research focused on interaction of students and faculty as a main contributor to the success of online education. During 2003, a survey was distributed to convenience samples of faculty members and students from the Midwest of the U.S. and three Eastern European countries. The data reflects students’ and faculty members’ opinions about the state of technology, online communication, and instruction. The results confirm findings from the literature about the existence of a digital divide between developed and emerging nations. Although Eastern European respondents don’t benefit from the technology base of their American correspondents, their satisfaction and comfort with technology remains relatively strong. The digital divide may result from administrative rigidity; Eastern European students enjoy less access to computer labs, due to fewer and less flexible hours. Faculty members and administrators remain entrenched in “old” technologies such as e-mail, whereas Millennials expect newer communication tools and prefer synchronous ones. Considering the available technology, online assessment is employed relatively inconsistently. Libraries as technology providers are perhaps underutilized particularly in Bulgaria, Moldova, and Macedonia.
Creating a Personalized Artificial Intelligence Course
Authors: Popescu Elvira , Badica Costin
Published: October 2013

This paper illustrates the use of WELSA adaptive educational system for the implementation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) course which is individualized to the learning style of each student. Several of the issues addressed throughout this paper are describing similar approaches existing in literature, how the AI course is created, and what kind of personalization is provided in the course including the underlying adaptation mechanism. The authors also focus on whether the course is used effectively by the stakeholders (teachers and students respectively). Results obtained in the paper confirm the practical applicability of WELSA and its potential for meeting the personalization needs and expectations of the digital native students.
Conceptualizing a Contextual Measurement for Digital Divide/s
Authors: Barzilai-Nahon Karine , Gomez Ricardo , Ambikar Rucha
Published: October 2013

Measurements for the digital divide/s have often engaged in simplified, single factor measurements that present partial and static conceptualization and, therefore, measurements of the digital divide/s. The following chapter encourages policy makers to choose appropriate tools and programs to measure digital divide/s according to three dimensions: (1) the purpose of the tool; (2) levels of observation; and (3) methods of approaching the data. Then it describes an integrated contextual iterative (ICI) approach suggested by the authors as an effective way to assess digital divide/s including perspectives of different stakeholders. The approach is illustrated with examples from a research project studying public access venues in 25 countries around the world.
Exclusiveness vs. Inclusiveness in Software Development
Authors: Hanappi-Egger Edeltraud
Published: October 2013

The question of digital divide along gender and culture is still an important one and has to be re-visited after a long period of scientific discourses. Most of the scientific contributions focus on issues of gender-specific use of computer systems or gender-specific segregation of the field of information and communication technologies. Contrary to those approaches, this chapter deals with how exclusion mechanisms are created during the software development process. It is shown that system designers are strongly biased in terms of gender and culture and unconsciously use their own mental models. Selected results of empirical studies demonstrate how these a-priori assumptions can be made visible, and a new approach of system design, based on the triple-loop-learning concept, will be presented.