bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Oxalate and Some Inorganic Anions in Green and Black Tea
Authors: Yusenko Elena , Polyntseva Evgeniya , Lyzhova Anna , Kalyakina Olga
Published: December 2013

Oxalate concentration differs in various daily consumed food products. The role of oxalic acid in the human body is very significant, as its compounds are responsible for the stability of biological membranes. However, insoluble calcium and magnesium oxalates can be accumulated in the body in the form of kidney stones. Oxalate concentration has been measured by high performance liquid, gas after derivatization and ion chromatography (IC). The most effective method for the simultaneous determination of oxalate and inorganic anions is ion chromatography with conductometric detection. Here, we report the results of the measurement of oxalic acid in bleak and green tea samples. Separation was performed by IC on an anion-exchange column Shodex IC SI-90 with surface-layer sorbent and conductimetric detection. The main analytical features of the method were: limit of detection of oxalic acid 0.03 mg/l, linear range 0.1-20 mg/l, correlation 0.9998, relative standard deviation 1%. The method did not need specific sample treatment and was successfully applied to the analysis of black and green tea samples. Oxalic acid was determined in the ranges 16.7-84 mg/l for green tea and 63-116 mg/l for black tea. Green tea contained lower oxalate ions concentration than black tea. The IC method has a lower detection limit for oxalate ions than HPLS and GC, ten and two times less, respectively
Twisted gamma filtration and algebras with orthogonal involution
Authors: Junkins Caroline
Published: December 2013

For the Grothendieck group of a split simple linear algebraic group, the twisted γ-filtration provides a useful tool for constructing torsion elements in -rings of twisted flag varieties. In this paper, we construct a non-trivial torsion element in the γ-ring of a complete flag variety twisted by means of a PGO-torsor. This generalizes the construction in the HSpin case previously obtained by Zainoulline.
A time-trend analysis of intended career choice for family medicine among croatian medical students
Authors: Evic Jelena , Pavlekovic Gordana , Murgic Lucija , Brborovic Hana
Published: December 2013

Aim: To gain insight into the trend of career choice for family medicine in Croatia in recent years.

Methods: Six surveys were performed in the academic years 2006/07-2011/12 at the University of Zagreb, School of Medicine. Altogether, 1140 6th year students participated. They anonymously completed a questionnaire containing questions on desired future specialisation as well as other selected characteristics (e.g. gender, desired area and place of work, motivation to study medicine, etc.). Binary logistic regression was used to determine unadjusted and adjusted trends.

Results: After adjustment for selected factors, the relationship between observed outcome and the year of observation showed an evident decreasing trend. The odds for intention to specialise in family medicine were in the academic year 2006/2007 1.43-times higher than in the year 2007/2008 (p=0.412), 1.85-times higher than in the year 2008/2009 (p=0.168), 2.38-times higher than in the year 2009/2010 (p=0.051), 2.63-times higher than in the year 2010/2011 (p=0.027) and 3.85-times higher than in the year 2011/2012 (p=0.003).

Conclusions: The results of the present study offer evidence that Croatia is experiencing a constantly decreasing trend of career choice for family medicine in recent years. It is obvious that final year medical students are not very much interested in working as family practitioners. At the same time, demand for family practitioners in Croatia is increasing. Both academic and professional societies have a social responsibility to reorient the health care system and medical curricula towards comprehensive primary health care in which family medicine has a key role.
In Mud Forgotten: Old Kingdom Palaeoecological Evidence from Abusir
Authors: Bárta Miroslav
Published: December 2013

The study aims to summarize major evidence on climate development on the pyramid fields based on Abusir data and dating to the Old Kingdom (2700 - 2200 BC). The interpretation of the latest data presented in the article is based on the presence and specific of mollusks, beetles, Lake of Abusir sediments, small vertebrate and archaeological evidence documented during research of several Old Kingdom tomb complexes and the seasonal Lake of Abusir. The study shows that the climate change was of a long-term nature and its origins may be dated at least to the second half of the Fifth Dynasty.
Clinical Profile of Haemophilia In Children in A Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Karim MA , Siddique R , Jamal CY , Islam A
Published: December 2013

Introduction : Haemophilias are the most common inherited coagulation disorders transmitted by X- linked recessive fashion affecting the males and females are the carriers of the disease. Haemophilias are distributed worldwide and have heterogeneous presentation depending upon its severity starting from neonatal period. Knowledge of spectrum of presentation of haemophilia helps in early diagnosis and planning of management. Objectives : To observe the clinical presentation of haemophilia in children Methodology : This observational study was carried out in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University for a period of one year from 1st July 2007 to 30th June 2008. Clinical profile of 50 diagnosed cases of haemophilia <15 years of age was analyzed. Result: All the 50 cases of haemophilia were male. Mean age of the patients was 6.62±3.87 years with an age range of 6 months to 14 years. Forty (80%) cases were haemophilia A and 10 (20%) cases were Haemophilia B. Only 40% cases had family history of bleeding. Among the Haemophilia A, 52.5% cases had mild, 47.5% cases had moderate disease and among the Haemophilia B, 40% cases had mild, 50% cases had moderate and 10% cases had severe disease. Heamarthrosis of knee joint was the major presentation followed by oral cavity bleeding, bleeding following tooth extraction and circumcision. Sixty two percent cases had initial bleeding episode before 1 year of age and by 5 years of age 94% of cases had produced symptoms. No patient had history of bleeding during neonatal period. Bruises and hematoma were the most common initial manifestation followed by joint bleeding, cut injury of lips and chin, scalp and facial hematoma. Conclusion: Bruises, hematoma and joint bleeding either spontaneous or after trauma were the main feature at initial presentation of haemophilia in children, so presence of these features in an otherwise normal child should be considered for evaluation of haemophilia. More vigilance is to be needed for detection of haemophilia in newborn. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v37i2.17266 BANGLADESH J CHILD HEALTH 2013; VOL 37 (2) : 90-96
Ubiquitination Regulates the Morphogenesis and Function of Sperm Organelles
Authors: Nakamura Nobuhiro
Published: December 2013

It is now understood that protein ubiquitination has diverse cellular functions in eukaryotes. The molecular mechanism and physiological significance of ubiquitin-mediated processes have been extensively studied in yeast, Drosophila and mammalian somatic cells. Moreover, an increasing number of studies have emphasized the importance of ubiquitination in spermatogenesis and fertilization. The dysfunction of various ubiquitin systems results in impaired sperm development with abnormal organelle morphology and function, which in turn is highly associated with male infertility. This review will focus on the emerging roles of ubiquitination in biogenesis, function and stability of sperm organelles in mammals.
Habitat Re-Creation (Ecological Restoration) as a Strategy for Conserving Insect Communities in Highly Fragmented Landscapes
Authors: Shuey John
Published: December 2013

Because of their vast diversity, measured by both numbers of species as well as life history traits, insects defy comprehensive conservation planning. Thus, almost all insect conservation efforts target individual species. However, serious insect conservation requires goals that are set at the faunal level and conservation success requires strategies that conserve intact communities. This task is complicated in agricultural landscapes by high levels of habitat fragmentation and isolation. In many regions, once widespread insect communities are now functionally trapped on islands of ecosystem remnants and subject to a variety of stressors associated with isolation, small population sizes and artificial population fragmentation. In fragmented landscapes ecological restoration can be an effective strategy for reducing localized insect extinction rates, but insects are seldom included in restoration design criteria. It is possible to incorporate a few simple conservation criteria into restoration designs that enhance impacts to entire insect communities. Restoration can be used as a strategy to address fragmentation threats to isolated insect communities if insect communities are incorporated at the onset of restoration planning. Fully incorporating insect communities into restoration designs may increase the cost of restoration two- to three-fold, but the benefits to biodiversity conservation and the ecological services provided by intact insect communities justify the cost.
Polyamide 6/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Nanocomposites with Modified Morphology and Thermal Properties
Authors: Mahmood Nasir , Islam Mohammad , Hameed Asad , Saeed Shaukat
Published: December 2013

Pure polyamide 6 (PA6) and polyamide 6/carbon nanotube (PA6/CNT) composite samples with 0.5 weight percent loading of pristine or functionalized CNTs were made using a solution mixing technique. Modification of nanotube surface as a result of chemical functionalization was confirmed through the presence of lattice defects as examined under high-resolution transmission electron microscope and absorption bands characteristic of carboxylic, sulfonic and amine chemical groups. Microstructural examination of the cryogenically fractured surfaces revealed qualitative information regarding CNT dispersion within PA6 matrix and interfacial strength. X-ray diffraction studies indicated formation of thermodynamically more stable α-phase crystals. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that CNT incorporation delayed onset of thermal degradation by as much as 70 °C in case of amine-functionalized CNTs, thus increasing thermal stability of the composites. Furthermore, addition of amine-functionalized CNTs caused an increase in crystallization and melting temperatures from the respective values of 177 and 213 °C (for neat PA6) to 211 and 230 °C (for composite), respectively.
Puesta en valor de colecciones paleontológicas: designación de un lectotipo para Conohyus simorrensis (Lartet, 1851), Villefranche d'Astarac (Francia) y descripción de un nuevo género de tetraconodonto
Authors: Pickford M. , Laurent Y.
Published: December 2013

Por designación original, la especie tipo del género de suidos Conohyus Pilgrim (1925) es Sus simorrensis Lartet (1851), pero como era habitual en el momento de la creación de la especie en 1851, no se designó el holotipo. Lartet (1851) aludió a los caninos superiores e inferiores y algunos molares de dos localidades: Simorre y Villefranche d'Astarac, Francia. Los caninos pertenecen a splendens Listriodon, un suido extremadamente lofodonto, pero los molares se describieron como bunodontos. Hasta ahora no se ha designado el lectotipo, en parte porque se pensaba que las colecciones originales de Lartet (1851) se habían perdido, pero también porque el diagnóstico de los molares como bunodontos era insuficiente para distinguir la especie a partir de una serie de otros suidos. Aunque se propuso nominar una mandíbula de Le Fousseret como lectotipo, nunca se formalizó, y más tarde se propuso que debía seleccionarse un diente bunodonto del Simorre obtenido durante la década de 1960, pero tampoco fue designado.
En este trabajo se reporta el re-descubrimiento de la colección de suidos examinados por Lartet (1851) y se selecciona un lectotipo para la especie Sus simorrensis. Ofrecemos descripciones deta-lladas e ilustraciones de todo el material tetraconodonto de Villefranche d'Astarac, Simorre (Rajegats) y Le Fousseret, y se discuten las relaciones de los fósiles con otras muestras de tetraconodontos de Europa.
Hay dos taxones de tetraconodontos bunodontos en Villefranche d' Astarac y Simorre , uno de los cuales representa un nuevo género, que se define y describe.
El buen pastor en Carlos II: equidad y crítica política
Authors: Sánchez Llanes Iván
Published: December 2013

Una de las metáforas más relevantes en el pensamiento político del barroco español se relaciona con la imagen bíblica del buen pastor. Ésta ayudó a desarrollar en la segunda mitad del siglo XVII imágenes de homogeneidad política a partir del rey. La imagen del buen pastor fue utilizada críticamente en sus propios conflictos como un medio de negociar y definir el rol político de la Monarquía Hispánica en este periodo crítico. Durante este período puede observarse una evolución, motivada por la preocupación por la conservación política de la Monarquía Hispánica y la Guerra de Sucesión.
Cencerradas y matracas en Navarra durante el Antiguo Régimen: funciones y objetivos
Authors: Ruiz Astiz Javier
Published: December 2013

Durante el Antiguo Régimen las cencerradas actuaron en la mayoría de las ocasiones como mecanismos de control y represión de los comportamientos colectivos. En ellas sus causantes se valieron de una serie de instrumentos para realzar sus actuaciones, tratando de esta manera de legitimar sus acciones. El presente artículo tiene como finalidad estudiar estos sucesos prestando una especial atención a sus funciones y objetivos. Sin embargo, la tarea principal consistirá en profundizar en los casos vistos en el reino de Navarra, organizándolos en tres grupos: 1. enlaces matrimoniales; 2. comportamientos inmorales; 3. acciones de gobierno. Todo ello con la intención de comprender de un modo satisfactorio estas prácticas de justicia comunitaria.
Discrepancias en el seno de la burguesía guipuzcoana en torno a la libertad de comercio y el traslado de aduanas durante los siglos XVIII y XIX
Authors: Aragón Álvaro
Published: December 2013

El objetivo del presente artículo es demostrar y analizar las discrepancias que hubo en el seno de la burguesía guipuzcoana durante los siglos XVIII y XIX en torno a la habilitación de los puertos guipuzcoanos para el comercio directo con América y el traslado de aduanas desde el interior a la costa. Para ello, se acude a la extensa historiografía que se ha ocupado del tema y se hace un análisis crítico de cierto número de representaciones enviadas por el grupo de comerciantes disidentes, con el fin de llevar a cabo un recorrido por el debate en torno a ambas cuestiones, que se prolongó desde el advenimiento de la dinastía borbónica hasta los decretos de 1841. A pesar de la visión unívoca que se ha dado del mencionado debate, según la cual participaron dos bloques perfectamente diferenciados, la documentación muestra una mayor heterogeneidad en las posturas, de manera que en el seno de la burguesía comercial se perciben ciertas divisiones y discrepancias. Si bien es cierto que en un principio los bloques parecen tener un discurso claramente beligerante, aunque también existen todavía puntos de coincidencia, a medida que transcurre el tiempo, las posturas se van radicalizando y diversificando, creando una mayor heterogeneidad.
Gobernar la ciudad. El ayuntamiento de Valencia de la dictadura a la democracia. Un estudio de caso (1969-1979)
Authors: Colomer Rubio Juan Carlos
Published: December 2013

Para contribuir al debate sobre el proceso de transición a la democracia, este trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo el análisis del Ayuntamiento de Valencia en el tardofranquismo y su tránsito desde la muerte del dictador Francisco Franco hasta las primeras elecciones democráticas. Los ayuntamientos franquistas, fuertemente marcados por la figura del alcalde, presidente de la corporación y cabeza visible del poder de la dictadura en el municipio, han sido escasamente analizados por la historiografía, en parte debido por el modelo político transicional imperante hasta hace pocos años. Este vacío historiográfico obliga a reconstruir, en primer lugar, un estado de la cuestión que nos indique lo analizado pero también los vacíos existentes. En segundo lugar, se trazará la panorámica general de los dos líderes municipales más importantes y cuyo mandato político tendrá especial trascendencia: Adolfo Rincón de Arellano y Miguel Ramón Izquierdo. El estudio de los mandatos, el perfil político y la evolución de la institución municipal nos permitirá ver las características que pudo tener el propio proceso de transición a la democracia en la esfera local.
La actividad investigadora de la universidad española en la primera década del siglo XXI: la importancia del tamaño de la universidad
Authors: Luque-Martínez Teodoro
Published: December 2013

Este trabajo analiza la actividad investigadora de las universidades públicas presenciales españolas durante la primera década del siglo XXI, a partir de los datos del Observatorio IUNE que recoge datos de I+D+i de fuentes oficiales. Se analiza si la antigu.edad, el tamaño (medido por número de profesores o por el número de estudiantes) y la ratio estudiantes por profesor de las universidades genera diferencias significativas en los indicadores de la actividad investigadora, diferenciando por reconocimiento (número de sexenios), actividad científica (producción, colaboración, impacto, visibilidad), innovación, competitividad y capacidad formativa.
Se comprueba la importancia del tamaño de la universidad, por número de profesores, que presenta mejores indicadores para las universidades más grandes y que anula en gran medida el efecto de la antigu.edad de la universidad o de la ratio estudiantes por profesor.
COMPARISONS BETWEEN MOTOR AREA EEG AND ALL-CHANNELS EEG FOR TWO ALGORITHMS IN MOTOR IMAGERY TASK CLASSIFICATION
Authors: Siuly  , Li Yan , Wen Peng
Published: December 2013

This article reports on a comparative study to identify electroencephalography (EEG) signals during motor imagery (MI) for motor area EEG and all-channels EEG in the brain–computer interface (BCI) application. In this paper, we present two algorithms: CC-LS-SVM and CC-LR for MI tasks classification. The CC-LS-SVM algorithm combines the cross-correlation (CC) technique and the least square support vector machine (LS-SVM). The CC-LR algorithm assembles the CC technique and binary logistic regression (LR) model. These two algorithms are implemented on the motor area EEG and the all-channels EEG to investigate how well they perform and also to test which area EEG is better for the MI classification. These two algorithms are also compared with some existing methods which reveal their competitive performance during classification. Results on both datasets, IVa and IVb from BCI Competition III, show that the CC-LS-SVM algorithm performs better than the CC-LR algorithm on both the motor area EEG and the all-channels EEG. The results also demonstrate that the CC-LS-SVM algorithm performs much better for the all-channels EEG than for the motor area EEG. Furthermore, the LS-SVM-based approach can correctly identify the discriminative MI tasks, demonstrating the algorithm's superiority in classification performance over some existing methods.
Uberveillance
Authors: Hayes Alexander
Published: December 2013

The intensification and diversification of surveillance in recent decades is now being considered within a contemporary theoretical and academic framework. The ambiguity of the term ‘surveillance’ and the surreptitiousness of its application must now be re-considered amidst the emergent concept of Uberveillance. This chapter presents three cases of organisations that are currently poised or already engaging in projects using location-enabled point-of-view wearable technologies. Reference is made to additional cases, project examples, and testimonials including the Australian Federal Police, Northern Territory Fire Police and Emergency Services, and other projects funded in 2010 and 2011 by the former Australian Flexible Learning Framework (AFLF), now the National VET E-learning Strategy (NVELS). This chapter also examines the use of location-enabled POV (point-of-view) or Body Wearable Video (BWV) camera technologies in a crime, law, and national security context, referencing cross-sectoral and inter-disciplinary opinions as to the perceived benefits and the socio-ethical implications of these pervasive technologies.
Tracking Legislative Developments in Relation to “Do Not Track” Initiatives
Authors: Garbin Brigette , Staunton Kelly , Burdon Mark
Published: December 2013

Online behavioural profiling has now become an industry that is worth billions of dollars throughout the globe. The actual practice of online tracking was once limited to individual Websites and individual cookies. However, the development of new technologies has enabled marketing corporations to track the Web browsing activities of individual users across the Internet. Consequently, it should be no surprise that legislative initiatives are afoot throughout the world including the United States (US), the European Union (EU), and Australia. These different jurisdictions have put forward different methods of regulating online behavioural profiling and Do Not Track initiatives. Accordingly, this chapter overviews legislative developments and puts forward a typology of different legislative initiatives regarding the regulation of online behavioral profiling and Do Not Track issues. Particular focus is given to the Australian situation and whether existing Australian privacy law is sufficient to protect the privacy interests of individuals against the widespread use of online behaviour profiling tools.
Microchip-Induced Tumors in Laboratory Rodents and Dogs
Authors: Albrecht Katherine
Published: December 2013

This chapter reviews literature published in oncology and toxicology journals between 1990 and 2006 addressing the effects of implanted radio-frequency (RFID) microchips on laboratory rodents and dogs. Eleven articles were reviewed in all, with eight investigating mice and rats, and three investigating dogs. In all but three of the articles, researchers observed that malignant sarcomas and other cancers formed around or adjacent to the implanted microchips. The tumors developed in both experimental and control animals and in two household pets. In nearly all cases, researchers concluded that the microchips had induced the cancers. Possible explanations for the tumors are explored, and a set of recommendations for policy makers, human patients and their doctors, veterinarians, pet owners, and oncology researchers is presented in light of these findings.
Emerging Pedagogies in the Networked Knowledge Communities
Authors: Gurung Binod
Published: December 2013

This chapter presents the conceptual and theoretical aspects of emerging pedagogies in the Networked Knowledge Communities (NKCs). The author looks into the notions of networked knowledge communities and emerging pedagogies by analyzing their basic concepts, structures, and components. Then, the chapter explores the possibilities of emerging pedagogies as a concept and as a practice in the context of NKCs. Finally, it discusses the pedagogical implications of emerging pedagogies, specifically focusing on teachers’ knowledge bases of emerging pedagogies in the NKCs.
Understanding the Influence of Business Intelligence Systems on Information Quality
Authors: Popovič Aleš , Jaklič Jurij
Published: December 2013

The IS literature has long highlighted the positive impact of information provided by Business Intelligence Systems (BIS) on decision-making, particularly when organizations operate in highly competitive environments. The primary purpose of implementing BIS is to utilize diverse mechanisms to increase the levels of the two Information Quality (IQ) dimensions, namely information access quality and information content quality. While researchers have traditionally focused on assessing IQ criteria, they have largely ignored the mechanisms to boost IQ dimensions. Drawing on extant literature of BIS and IQ, the research sought to understand how, at its present level of development, BIS maturity affects IQ dimensions, as well as the role that business knowledge may exert in mobilizing this link. The authors test the hypotheses across 181 medium and large organizations. Interestingly, the data describe a more complex picture than might have been anticipated.
IT Architecture and Information Quality in Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence Environments
Authors: Schmidt Samuel Otero , Prado Edmir Parada Vasques
Published: December 2013

Organizations are currently investing more in information technology to store and process a vast amount of information. Generally, this information does not comply with any standard, which hinders the decision-making process. The cause of the difficulties can be attributed to Information Quality (IQ), which has technical characteristics related to the architecture used in Data Warehouse (DW) and Business Intelligence (BI) environments. On the basis of the relevant literature in IQ, DW, and BI, a research model was created to identify the relations between components of DW/BI architecture and IQ dimensions. This research model was applied in a real case study (Big Financial Company in Brazil). This case study involved semi-structured interviews with managers and analysts. This chapter attempts to provide a better understanding of the relations between IT architecture and IQ in DW and BI environments. The authors hope to motivate the discussion around the development of IQ-oriented architectures for BI and the relationship between these concepts.
Business Intelligence Architecture in Support of Data Quality
Authors: Breur Tom
Published: December 2013

Business Intelligence (BI) projects that involve substantial data integration have often proven failure-prone and difficult to plan. Data quality issues trigger rework, which makes it difficult to accurately schedule deliverables. Two things can bring improvement. Firstly, one should deliver information products in the smallest possible chunks, but without adding prohibitive overhead for breaking up the work in tiny increments. This will increase the frequency and improve timeliness of feedback on suitability of information products and hence make planning and progress more predictable. Secondly, BI teams need to provide better stewardship when they facilitate discussions between departments whose data cannot easily be integrated. Many so-called data quality errors do not stem from inaccurate source data, but rather from incorrect interpretation of data. This is mostly caused by different interpretation of essentially the same underlying source system facts across departments with misaligned performance objectives. Such problems require prudent stakeholder management and informed negotiations to resolve such differences. In this chapter, the authors suggest an innovation to data warehouse architecture to help accomplish these objectives.
Program Administration and Implementation of an Online Learning Initiative at a Historically Black College University
Authors: Harkness S.Suzan J.
Published: December 2013

In the pages to follow, this case study describes the organization, policy development, strategic initiatives, implementation, and assessment of establishing online learning initiatives at an urban land-grant historically black college university (HBCU). The chapter describes a collaborative effort by university administration and faculty to facilitate a strategically measured approach to online learning. In addition to institutional collaboration, this chapter discusses how an external partnership with Quality Matters provided structure and a best practices model. The chapter lays a blueprint for thought and action for establishing online learning at a small- to medium-size college or university. The case describes a strategic approach that spanned a period of four years (2009-2013), whereby online learning grew incrementally in a measured fashion through a collaborative approach among faculty, administrators, and external partners. The outcome provides a strong foundation upon which online learning may flourish, while at the same time describes complications of sustainability.
Getting Time to Teach
Authors: Reid Scott
Published: December 2013

This case follows the journey of a researcher as he examines the issue of university professors’ time when they teach online courses. It is based on a case study involving semi-structured interviews with 32 university professors who had taught online courses at a Canadian university. The findings indicate that the use of online courses is significantly impacting the amount of time it takes professors to develop courses, teach, and assess students’ learning. The researcher also discovers how teaching online changes the daily routine of professors in a number of ways. Some of the increased demands on professors’ time may be of a transitional nature given the newness of the means of teaching and the still evolving practice in this area.
How to Hollow Out an Education
Authors: Davis John K.
Published: December 2013

This case chapter demonstrates how online higher education can best function by keeping student-teacher ratios at levels where intensive instructional interaction remains possible. If economic cost savings are the prime driver in mass online higher education, one-on-one synchronous interaction between teacher and student is minimized. The core problem of mass instruction is that without quality interaction, the educational experience is hollowed out. Essential critical thinking skills cannot be learned without an experienced, engaged partner to provide feedback, qualitative assessment, and guidance. Peer and automated evaluations offer minimal benefit. The costs of online education may be lowered, but only by pushing the student-teacher ratio so high that significant teacher-student interaction becomes impossible. Thus, what makes online education economically attractive threatens to hollow out education by reducing that interaction.
Developing, Implementing, and Experiencing an Online Sociology Degree Completion Program at a Large California Public University
Authors: Emery Alan , Literte Patricia , Chang Echo
Published: December 2013

In this chapter, the authors investigate the creation and operation of a Sociology Online Degree Completion Program at a large California public university. The program emerged over several years, and the authors discuss the rationale for its formation, emergence, and implementation. The authors concentrate their analysis primarily on the work of the Sociology Department’s Online Education Committee, whose activities were instrumental in creating the program. They then examine the student populations served by the program and their experiences. The authors compare the demographics of the students in the Online Degree Completion program with the demographics of transfer students in general, and they highlight pertinent similarities and differences. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the program’s future, including challenges facing the program and how the program relates to the continued movement towards online classes in higher education. The authors thus offer a multidimensional and narrative account of the emergence of this program.
Efficiency and Quality Improvement in Online Course Development
Authors: Hilbert Erick , Mierau Kim
Published: December 2013

This chapter addresses the inefficiencies and quality concerns in online course development at a university and specifically the steps taken by the Instructional Design Team (ID Team) to improve the situation. Initial issues and organizational changes are identified, as well as the effects these had on the ID Team, processes, and overall function. Specifically, this chapter discusses how known issues were attempted to be solved, as well as the incorporation of Quality Matters, the creation of work groups, the standardization of documents and processes, and the promotion and creation of buy-in. Areas of difficulty and setbacks are also discussed. In addition, the chapter provides ideas and insights for organizations that might find themselves in similar situations of needing to improve the quality of online course development from initial offerings while also needing to change systems, procedures, and functionalities to facilitate that improvement.
Comparing “Pracademic” Teaching Techniques and Career Outcomes in Online and Traditional Criminal Justice Educational Environments
Authors: Hanser Robert D. , Kuanliang Attapol , Moran Nathan R.
Published: December 2013

The authors utilize qualitative and quantitative techniques to show how practitioner-oriented approaches to teaching criminal justice coursework in the on-line setting can be just as effective, or even more so, than traditional methods. In addition, new data are provided that give this analysis a quasi-longitudinal approach to observing cohort participants as they progress throughout their future career and educational aspirations. Teaching techniques and additional means of appraising effectiveness in criminal justice education are discussed. Recommendations, resulting from these findings are provided.
Academic Dishonesty in Online Courses
Authors: Nehls Kimberly
Published: December 2013

Cheating and other dishonest behaviors are found at all universities, in both face-to-face and online courses. This chapter highlights an instance of cheating in an online course. The case is from the perspectives of both the student and the professor. The student’s perspective explains how and why she/he cheated on the final paper, and the professor explains how she/he suspected the individual and her/his thoughts on academic integrity in the online format. The student’s reasons for cheating include increasing course demands, pressures from work and family to do well, and lack of time due to full-time employment. The fraud triangle is also introduced in this chapter and questions for consideration are posed at the end. The hope is that this case study will illuminate one of the many challenges of online learning in higher education and how one academic dishonesty case was resolved. Because of the increase in cheating—at all levels, not just online—this discussion is timely and important.
Rehabilitation Gaming
Authors: Nap Henk Herman , Diaz-Orueta Unai
Published: December 2013

A recent innovation in rehabilitation is the use of serious gaming to train motor, cognitive, and social abilities. The main advantages of rehabilitation gaming are related to the motivation to engage in rehabilitation, the objectivity of rehabilitation measurements, and the personalization of the treatment. This chapter focuses on the use and effectiveness of serious gaming in rehabilitation and illustrates the possibilities and strengths in this new and exciting work field. Furthermore, a review of the literature and examples of rehabilitation games are presented. The state-of-the-art technologies and directions for future research are also discussed. Rehabilitation gaming has great potential for today’s and future health care, and despite the research gaps, there is increasing evidence that gaming can positively contribute to the rehabilitation and recovery process.
The Psychology of Trolling and Lurking
Authors: Bishop Jonathan
Published: December 2013

The rise of social networking services have furthered the proliferation of online communities, transferring the power of controlling access to content from often one person who operates a system (sysop), which they would normally rely on, to them personally. With increased participation in social networking and services come new problems and issues, such as trolling, where unconstructive messages are posted to incite a reaction, and lurking, where persons refuse to participate. Methods of dealing with these abuses included defriending, which can include blocking strangers. The Gamified Flow of Persuasion model is proposed, building on work in ecological cognition and the participation continuum, the chapter shows how all of these models can collectively be used with gamification principles to increase participation in online communities through effective management of lurking, trolling, and defriending.
Games and the Development of Students’ Civic Engagement and Ecological Stewardship
Authors: Anderson Janice L.
Published: December 2013

In recent years, researchers and classroom teachers have started to explore purposefully designed computer/video games in supporting student learning. This interest in video and computer games has arisen in part, because preliminary research on educational video and computer games indicates that leveraging this technology has the potential to improve student motivation, interest, and engagement in learning through the use of a familiar medium (Gee, 2005; Mayo, 2009; Squire, 2005; Shaffer, 2006). While most of this early research has focused on the impact of games on academic and social outcomes, relatively few studies have been conducted exploring the influence of games on civic engagement (Lenhart et al, 2008). This chapter will specifically look at how Quest Atlantis, a game designed for learning, can potentially be utilized to facilitate the development of ecological stewardship among its players/students, thereby contributing to a more informed democratic citizenry.
Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease Electroencephalogram Temporal Events
Authors: Rodrigues Pedro Miguel , Freitas Diamantino Rui , Teixeira João Paulo
Published: December 2013

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a chronic progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative brain disorder. The aging population has been increasing significantly in recent decades. Therefore, AD will continue to increase because the disease affects mainly the elderly. Its diagnostic accuracy is relatively low, and there is not a biomarker able to detect AD without invasive tests. The electroencephalogram (EEG) test is a widely available technology in clinical settings. It may help diagnosis of brain disorders, once it can be used in patients who have cognitive impairment involving a general decrease in overall brain function or in patients with a located deficit. This study is a new approach to detect EEG temporal events in order to improve the AD diagnosis. For that, K-means and Self-Organized Maps were used, and the results suggested that there are sequences of EEG energy variation that appear more frequently in AD patients than in healthy subjects.
A Farmland Wireless Sensor Network Optimization Topology Control Algorithm
Authors: Li Fei Fei , Wu Hua Rui , Yuan Ling , Miao Yi Sheng , Zhu Li
Published: December 2013

Different node layout density exist in farmland wireless sensor network monitoring, but the existing wireless sensor network topology control algorithm does not take uneven node distribution into consideration. And the node residual energy issue is not considered in the commonly used LMST topology control algorithm either. This paper presents a wireless sensor network hybrid topology control algorithm which considered both the uneven distribution of network nodes and the residual energy issue. Firstly, this algorithm clustering in the high node density areas based on node degree to reduce overall energy consumption. Secondly this algorithm use nodes residual energy based LMST topology control algorithm to achieve energy balance among network nodes. This improved algorithm ultimately achieved the purpose of prolonging the network lifetime.
A Survey of Cloud Computing Data Virtualization Service
Authors: Xiao Lei , Jiang Wei , Chen Fang Xin , Guo Le Jiang , Hu Ya Hui
Published: December 2013

Cloud computing is becoming a mainstream aspect of information technology. How to efficiently manage the cloud resources across multiple cloud domains is critical for providing continuous cloud services. This paper introduces the principle and review recent research progress on cloud service to support network virtualization. It presents a framework of network-Cloud convergence based on data center network and gives a survey on key technologies for realizing cloud center and service; the reliability of cloud applications can be greatly improved.
Time Triggered and Event Triggered Codesign in CAN Bus Network
Authors: Yang Wei Jun , Guo Xiao Song
Published: December 2013

Network Control System has more aperiodic tasks.If Nodes in the network only using the time triggered task model, the message and task could easily lead to deadline miss or time stamp is too large to produce a long delay. So using the task model of time triggered and event triggered mechanism in this paper is designed, and the embedded operating system be modified to support the mechanism . It has been applied in the simulation environment to prove the effectiveness of the mechanism.
The Design and Implement of Marine MF/HF Radio Simulator
Authors: Wei Wei
Published: December 2013

In the developing of marine MFHF Radio simulator, we put forward the concept and method of “network multimedia programming”, “user interface-model-controller” designning architecture. After requirement analysis, with the method and idea of this paper ,we developed the MFHF Radio simulator have successfully and implements its data, voice communication functions over computer network.
TRIZ Evolution Theory Applied to Man-Made Boards
Authors: Yu Hui Ling , Liang Hao , Fan De Lin
Published: December 2013

Man-made boards often made use of waste wood materials. China is one of the worlds largest manufacturers and consumers of man-made board applications. Application of the law of evolution with a S-shaped curve could contribute essentially to the accuracy of the long-term forecast. This research seeks to determine the current stage and the position on the S-curve of man-made board technology in China on the TRIZ evolution theory and introduce a methodology which combines patent analysis and technology life cycle forecasting to find a niche space of man-made technology development in China.
Integrated TRIZ and MEMS in Eco-Innovative Design
Authors: Yu Hui Ling , Guo Jie , Fan De Lin
Published: December 2013

An eco-innovative product design method integrating the concept of green design, process technology, product structure, material selection and other effects. Eco-innovative design evaluates how a product impacts the environment during its entire life cycle. Each system will thus follow one or more patterns of evolution as given by Altshuller. This paper attempts to indicate how TRIZ tools and MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) can be used in eco-innovative design research activities. An idea generation support method by using TRIZ is proposed.
Profits Distribution Optimizing Model of Multi-Type Generation Resources Joint Scheduling
Authors: Xu Hui , Tan Zhong Fu , Li Huan Huan , Chen Zhi Hong
Published: December 2013

Power generation resource joint scheduling optimizing is of great significance for electric power system run economically and to achieve energy saving targets. To compare multi-types power generation resource scheduling models economic and environment benefits under different scheduling objectives and constraints, this paper took the unit output, generation resources, pollution and other aspects of constraints, respectively, took the lowest coal consumption and the smallest pollutant emissions as the target established the contract power, the energy-saving generation dispatching optimization model. Then introduced Shapley Value method, and based on it, established a generating profit distribution model. The simulation results show that energy-saving generation scheduling model can significantly reduce pollutant emissions, and Shapley Value method is better to take the profits of each generation resources into account.
Application of General Regression Neural Network in Characteristic Curve Fitting of Optical Fiber Micro-Bend Sensor
Authors: Ding Shuo , Chang Xiao Heng , Wu Qing Hui
Published: December 2013

In order to reflect the input and output features of an optical fiber micro-bend sensor, a new method using general regression neural network (GRNN) to fit the characteristic curve is proposed in this paper. First, the measuring principle of optical fiber micro-bend sensor and the principle of GRNN are introduced. Then, to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of this new method, a comparison between two kinds of fitting methods is done. One is based on GRNN, the other is based on Levenberg-Marquart improved BPNN. The results of the simulation experiment show that with the same number of training samples and for small scale to medium scale networks, compared with BPNN, GRNN has smaller error, faster convergence speed and higher fitting accuracy. So the method discussed in this paper provides a reliable basis for the nonlinear compensation problem of optical fiber micro-bend sensor.
Design of the Time Keeping System Based on FPGA and SCM
Authors: Zeng Yi Fan , Wu Si Qi
Published: December 2013

The current situation and the important role in power system of the time keeping system is described. It analyzed some questions which has been met in the development of the time keeping system and designed a time keeping system by GPS or Beidou as time mark.The double constant temperature trough crystal oscillator MV180 was used as the input clock of system, and used SCM control DAC7512 to adjust its frequency. The system carries on the frequency division processing to the adjusted local clock signal, then compares with the standard second signal received by the GPS or Beidou, adjusts the phase of the signal through frequency division by using FPGA and SCM, and finally, outputs the standard second pulse. It also can maintain the signal invariably after GPS or Beidou lock-lose to achieve the time synchronization of power system.
Transmission Characteristic Analysis of PD Signal in Power Cable
Authors: Liang Yong Chun , Ge Zhi Peng , Hu Yan Ting
Published: December 2013

Partial discharge is one of the most common fault of power cable. It is of great significance to detect and analyze the condition of the power cable and locate the fault of the power cable. The model of partial discharge signal is constructed by a double exponential function. The simulation model of power cable with a middle fault is built by MATLAB SIMULINK. The transmission characteristic of partial discharge in different length of power cable and different types of power cable is simulated respectively. The simulation results show that the attenuation is proportional to the length of the same type of cable and the primary parameter of different type of power cables determines the attenuation.
Recognition of the Transformer Sympathetic Inrush Current Based on Hilbert-Huang Transform
Authors: Zhang Bin Qiao , Yao Wei Wei
Published: December 2013

Analyze the characteristic quantity difference between the transformer sympathetic inrush current and the internal fault current inside it depending on the Hilbert-huang transform and extract the new type Hilbert-huang criterion for the recognition of the sympathetic inrush current according to the transformed wave form features. Set up the transformer simulating models through PACAD for the sympathetic inrush current and internal fault current to extract their IMF component; identify the sympathetic inrush current and the internal fault current based on HHT criterion; verify whether HHT criterion can identify the sympathetic inrush current wave form and the transformer internal fault current correctly. The criterion has targeted feature with self-adaption ability.
Parameter Analysis on Exploding Magnetic Generator of Frequency
Authors: Suo Ying , Li Wei
Published: December 2013

Based on analysis of the equivalent circuit mathematics model of helical Exploding Magnetic Generator of Frequency (EMGF), this paper discussed the influence in time and frequency domain on the load current by inductance variation which include number of turns, and expansion velocity.