bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Networks and Internet Communities in the Field of Geographic Information and Their Role in Open Data Government Initiatives
Authors: Díaz Paula , Masó Joan
Published: December 2014

Users are playing an increasingly relevant role in geospatial data production. The traditional procedure for creating cartography, mainly by experts in official mapping agencies, has evolved into a more participative process for generating data: neogeography. Technology and the Internet are now user-friendly for a wide range of people who have become active users of global networks, such as GEOSS, INSPIRE, Eye On Earth, and EarthCube, and official producers need to adapt to the new era of openness, collaboration, and hybrid maps by adopting open standards. Although the creation of geospatial information is notably growing worldwide, and is enhanced by user-generated content, we may wonder whether this is a feasible alternative to official cartography. This chapter reviews the main geospatial networks based on both bottom-up and top-down data creation approaches, as well as the potentialities and limitations of user-generated content in the scientific field and in decision-making organisms.
Open Government Success Factors in Government Websites
Authors: Sandoval-Almazán Rodrigo
Published: December 2014

Open Government Websites are a different perspective for presenting government information. In the Mexican case, it is mandatory by law since 2002 to present some government data through Websites. Despite this strong impulse of transparency, there is not enough measurement for the success or the failure of this novel practice. This chapter analyses data collected from a benchmarking of three year measures of open government portals during 2007, 2009, and 2010. From this data, three success factors are identified: trust, search engine, and legal issues. The success factors for open government portals are a contribution that must be verified by further research. This chapter is organized in seven sections. In the first section is the introduction of open government and the background of the Mexican case; the second section presents a literature review about open government and success factors; the third section describes the methodology of the open government portals measurement during 2008-2010; the fourth section discusses the results of this benchmarking and identifies three success factors: trust, search engine, and legal component; the fifth section describes these three findings and provides some recommendations for practitioners; the sixth section discusses the limitations of success factors and the limitations of this kind of research; a final section of future research presents some research paths, and a final conclusion section closes the chapter with a summary of findings and discussion.
Choosing and Implementing an Open Source ERMS
Authors: Stafford Daniel , Flatley Robert
Published: December 2014

The Rohrbach Library of Kutztown University manages its electronic resources using a disconnected array of resources including spreadsheets, paper files, email files, and a Google Docs account. Clearly, a more streamlined and unified approach would be beneficial. In this case, the authors investigate various Electronic Resource Management System (ERMS) options and whether they are a fit for the library. They then examine the decision to implement an open source option. Finally, the case describes the process of implementing and populating the open source ERMS, in addition to challenges experienced along the way.
Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) and Other Free Software for Accounting and Financial Management of Non-Profit Entities
Authors: Montero-Romero Teresa , Cordobés-Madueño Magdalena
Published: December 2014

The non-profit sector is interested in elaborating reliable and clear financial accounting information to achieve several objectives: to know the real volume of activity in each organization, to use it to make financial and investment decision (financial management), and to contribute to improve the management system. This chapter shows the characteristics to identify the financial management and the management accounting in non-profit organizations. This information is used to define how to build an appropriate information system to provide the decision makers with reliable, transparent, and timely information. Besides the above, it also shows the usefulness of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), focusing on its definition, advantages, and disadvantages, as well as developing explanations of the major free software ERP and open source systems.
Effort, Time, and Staffing in Continually Evolving Open-Source Projects
Authors: Yu Liguo
Published: December 2014

Scheduling and staffing are important management activities in software projects. In closed-source software development, the relationships among development effort, time, and staffing have been well established and validated: the development effort determines the development time and the best number of developers that should be allocated to the project. However, there has been no similar research reported in open-source projects. In this chapter, the authors study the development effort, development time, and staffing in an open-source project, the Linux kernel project. Specifically, they investigate the power law relations among development effort, development time, and the number of active developers in the Linux kernel project. The authors find the power law relations differ from one branch to another branch in the Linux kernel project, which suggests different kinds of management and development styles might exist in different branches of the Linux kernel project. The empirical knowledge of software development effort obtained in this study could help project management and cost control in both open-source communities and closed-source industries.
User-Generated Cinema
Authors: Steffens Theresa , Döbler Thomas
Published: December 2014

The rise of Web 2.0 technologies increasingly promotes a new openness of production and services. In contrast to the former production within closed systems, companies have to open up for new ways of value creation. The openness can be implemented either with regard to interdepartmental cooperation or in terms of collaboration beyond company boundaries – in cooperation with other companies (B2B) or with customers or users (B2C). The latter is also known as consumer co-creation, where users participate voluntarily without compensation or treaty-defined tasks. Core challenges are the successful coordination of all participants as well as the trustworthy producer-consumer relationship, irrespective of whether or not a company initiates such a co-creation actively. The chapter analyses the mechanisms of consumer co-creation and discusses the required confidence and motivation on the basis of a case study to explain opportunities and challenges of a user-generated approach to media production.
Open Source Object Directory Services for Inter-Enterprise Tracking and Tracing Applications
Authors: Mourtzoukos Konstantinos , Kefalakis Nikos , Soldatos John
Published: December 2014

Despite the proliferation of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) applications, there are still only a limited number of open-loop inter-enterprise applications that address global supply chains. The implementation of such inter-enterprise applications hinges on standards and techniques for discovering and accessing RFID tagged objects across different repositories of RFID information residing across different administrative domains. In this chapter, the authors introduce an open and novel implementation of an ONS (Object Naming Service) solution for inter-enterprise tracking and tracing RFID applications. The solution is part of the open source AspireRFID project and provides a sound basis for integrating tracking (“google-of-things” like) applications for the RFID and the Internet-of-Things (IoT). As part of the presentation of the solution, this chapter illustrates the main challenges associated with the integration of inter-enterprise applications, along with strategies for confronting them.
Rethinking Expertise in the Web 2.0 Era
Authors: Karasavvidis Ilias
Published: December 2014

Social software facilitates the linking of people in unprecedented ways and leads to new knowledge creation and application practices. Even though expertise remains an important constituent of these practices, there is a knowledge gap in the literature regarding its role. This chapter was written with the aim of filling this gap by using Project Durian as a case study. Project Durian presented a unique opportunity to study expertise as mediated by social software because it involved both social software and various layers, forms, and configurations of expertise. In this chapter, data from Project Durian are used to examine the outsourcing of tasks and the role that social software played in that outsourcing. Data analysis indicated that, in the hybrid practice that was established, expertise was spatio-temporally distributed, involved individuals with a broad range of skills, facilitated the crossing of disciplinary boundaries, and was renegotiated. The implications of these findings for expertise in the Web 2.0 era are discussed.
Primary Follicular Lymphoma of the Common Bile Duct Mimicking Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Elbanna Khaled Youssef , Al-Shieban Saeed , Azzumeea Fahad
Published: December 2014

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the common bile duct is extremely rare. We present a case with history of inflammatory bowel disease and clinical manifestations of obstructive jaundice. Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was done and demonstrated tight stricture at the middle part of common bile duct, and radiological findings were supportive of extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Whipple's procedure was performed and the case was histopathologically proven to be non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of follicular subtype involving the common bile duct. Lymphoma of the hepatobiliary system is usually present as secondary manifestation of systemic malignant lymphoma. However, primary malignant lymphomas arising from the hepatobiliary tree are extremely rare. The radiological appearance of common bile duct lymphoma is very similar to cholangiocarcinoma, making preoperative diagnosis very difficult, as in our present case. We also compare the imaging findings of our case to those seen in reported cases of follicular lymphoma of the common bile duct.
Biliary Anastomotic Leakage following Orthotopic Liver Transplant: The Use of Primovist (Gadoxetate Disodium) as an Intravenous MR Cholangiography Contrast Agent for Biliary Leakage
Authors: Blair Peter S , Low Gavin
Published: December 2014

We present a case of postoperative biliary anastomotic leakage demonstrated on intravenous contrast-enhanced MRI performed with Primovist (Gadoxetate Disodium). Primovist has been widely used for its combined extracellular and hepatocyte-specific properties in the characterization of liver lesions. Another recognized, but less widely utilized property of Primovist is its ability to provide morphologic and functional assessment of the biliary system. In our case, Primovist-enhanced MR imaging demonstrated the presence and location of an active biliary leakage which was associated with free spillage into the peritoneum.
Comparative evaluation of sagittal anchorage loss in lingual and labial appliances during space closure: A pilot study
Authors: Venkatesh Shivanand , Rozario Joe , Ganeshkar Sanjay V. , Ajmera Shreya
Published: December 2014

Aim

The purpose of this investigation was to assess and compare the anchorage loss between labial and lingual appliance systems during space closure.

Materials and Methods

Twenty subjects were part of the study among which 10 subjects (mean age 21 ± 3.6 years) were treated using lingual appliance system (0.018” slot-STb™) and 10 subjects (mean age 19 ± 6.1 years) were treated using labial preadjusted edgewise appliance system (0.018” slot-MBT™). First premolar extractions were performed to enable retraction of anterior teeth. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken at two intervals, before starting space closure and after space closure that were connoted as T0 and T1 and were analyzed using the method described by Pancherz to measure anchorage loss. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate intraexaminer reliability of the measurements. Student’s t-test was performed to verify any statistical significant correlation between the labial and lingual appliance systems. Statistical differences were determined at the 95% confidence level (P < 0.05).

Results

The results showed that all ICC for lingual and labial group were ≥0.90 showing good repeatability of the measurements. Mean anchorage loss of 1.238 ± 0.17 mm in lingual appliance system and an anchorage loss of 2.06 ± 0.39 mm occurred with the labial appliance system. On the comparison between the two appliance systems, lingual appliance demonstrated a significantly lesser anchorage loss than did the labial appliance.

Interpretation and Conclusion

This prospective study concludes with the fact that lingual appliance provided better anchorage control than labial appliance during space closure. Use of lingual appliance could be considered in critical anchorage cases when compared with labial appliance.
Light wire auxiliaries with pre-adjusted edgewise appliance to control individual incisor torque
Authors: Sabrish Sharanya , Sadashiva Shetty K , Prakash AT
Published: December 2014

Torque control of individual incisors using pre-adjusted edgewise (PAE) appliance is a common clinical challenge. In order to overcome the inherent disadvantages of the PAE appliance in efficiency of torque delivery, the use of light wire auxiliaries for early control of the roots of the instanding tooth in the alignment stage itself has been described using the case report.

A case of an 18-year-old female patient with the chief complaint of irregularly placed upper front teeth has been described. Treatment was carried out by extraction of four premolars and the resolution of crowding and the incorporation of light wire auxiliaries with PAE appliance has been described. For the alignment of 42 which was lingually displaced, and to bring it into the arch by bodily displacement rather than labial tipping, a LIght wire auxiliary (Mollenhauer aligning auxiliary) was used in conjunction with PAE appliance. The biomechanical advantages of the procedure have been highlighted.

The use of light wire auxiliaries have definite advantages and hence should be a part of our armamentarium to handle such cases. Light wire auxiliaries offer us a biomechanically superior and economical alternative to apply torque forces on incisors.
Numerical Simulation of Airfoil Vibrations Induced by Turbulent Flow
Authors: Feistauer Miloslav , Horáček Jaromír , Sváček Petr
Published: December 2014

The subject of the paper is the numerical simulation of the interaction of two-dimensional incompressible viscous flow and a vibrating airfoil with large amplitudes. The airfoil with three degrees of freedom performs rotation around an elastic axis, oscillations in the vertical direction and rotation of a flap. The numerical simulation consists of the finite element solution of the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations combined with Spalart-Allmaras or κ–ω turbulence models, coupled with a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations describing the airfoil motion with consideration of large amplitudes. The time-dependent computational domain and approximation on a moving grid are treated by the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian formulation of the flow equations. Due to large values of the involved Reynolds numbers an application of a suitable stabilization of the finite element discretization is employed. The developed method is used for the computation of flow-induced oscillations of the airfoil near the flutter instability, when the displacements of the airfoil are large, up to ±40 degrees in rotation. The paper contains the comparison of the numerical results obtained by both turbulence models.
Direct Numerical Simulation on Mach Number and Wall Temperature Effects in the Turbulent Flows of Flat-Plate Boundary Layer
Authors: Liang Xian , Li Xinliang
Published: December 2014

In this paper, direct numerical simulation (DNS) is presented for spatially evolving turbulent boundary layer over an isothermal flat-plate atMa∞= 2.25,5,6,8. WhenMa∞= 8, two cases with the ratio of wall-to-reference temperatureTω/T∞= 1.9 and 10.03 are considered respectively. The wall temperature approaches recovery temperatures for other cases. The characteristics of compressible turbulent boundary layer (CTBL) affected by freestream Mach number and wall temperature are investigated. It focuses on assessing compressibility effects and the validity of Morkovin's hypothesis through computing and analyzing the mean velocity profile, turbulent intensity, the strong Reynolds analogy (SRA) and possibility density function of dilatation term. The results show that, when the wall temperature approaches recovery temperature, the effects of Mach number on compressibility is insignificant. As a result, the compressibility effect is very weak and the Morkovin's hypothesis is still valid for Mach number even up to 8. However, when Mach number equal to 8, the wall temperature effect on the compressibility is sensitive. In this case, whenTω/T∞= 1.9, the Morkovin's hypothesis is not fully valid. The validity of classical SRA depends on wall temperature directly. A new modified SRA is proposed to eliminate such negative factor in near wall region. Finally the effects of Mach number and wall temperature on streaks are also studied.
An Efficient Two-Grid Scheme for the Cahn-Hilliard Equation
Authors: Zhou Jie , Chen Long , Huang Yunqing , Wang Wansheng
Published: December 2014

A two-grid method for solving the Cahn-Hilliard equation is proposed in this paper. This two-grid method consists of two steps. First, solve the Cahn-Hilliard equation with an implicit mixed finite element method on a coarse grid. Second, solve two Poisson equations using multigrid methods on a fine grid. This two-grid method can also be combined with local mesh refinement to further improve the efficiency. Numerical results including two and three dimensional cases with linear or quadratic elements show that this two-grid method can speed up the existing mixed finite method while keeping the same convergence rate.
B-Cell Activating Factor Levels in Saliva and Serum before and after Treatment of Oral Infections
Authors: Karacayli Umit , Yilmaz Neslihan , Bicakcigil Muge , Cimilli Hale , Yavuz Sule , Mumcu Gonca
Published: December 2014

Background

B-cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) levels may increase in response to oral infections. The aim of the study was to evaluate saliva and serum BAFF levels in patients with oral infection and to monitor them after dental treatments.

Materials and methods

Fifteen patients with an oral infection foci including pericoronitis (n = 7) and irreversible pulpitis (n = 8) (F/M:10/5 mean age: 39.8 ± 7.2 years) were selected for the study. All patients were examined pretreatment period immediately and a week after endodontic treatment or oral surgical treatment. Unstimulated saliva and serum samples were collected from patients in these periods. Salivary and serum BAFF levels were measured by ELISA method (Bender, Medsystems, Viena, Austria).

Results

Since BAFF levels were similar in patients with irreversible pulpitis and pericoronitis (p > 0.05), two groups were combined in the study. Pretreatment salivary (median: 7.09 ng/ml) and serum BAFF levels (3.28 ng/ml) were significantly decreased after elimination of infection focus by endodontic or oral surgical treatments (0.37vs0.0) (p = 0.028 and 0.002). Saliva and serum BAFF levels were not correlated in preand post-treatment periods (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Salivary and serum BAFF levels of patients with oral infections could be decreased by endodontic or oral surgical treatments.

How to cite this article

Karacayli U, Yilmaz N, Bicakcigil M, Cimilli H, Yavuz S, Mumcu G. B-Cell Activating Factor Levels in Saliva and Serum before and after Treatment of Oral Infections. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2014;3(2):63-66.
Crestal Bone Regeneration in Defective Bone Implants
Authors: Aljuboori Mohammed Jasim
Published: December 2014

Implant placement in narrow alveolar bone ridges end with buccal bone dehiscence and implant thread exposure. In this conditions, bone graft need to be placed in a addition to the collagen membrane to cover the dehiscence with primary wound closure.

This paper presents an implant case with a medical history of diabetic type II and smoker patient. Implant placed in narrow ridge and three coronal threads of the fixture exposed when the implant torque into the final position.

After 3 months healing period, the implant site exposed with complete bone formation and coverage of the threads.

From this case, one might conclude that: first the type of the implant surface may enhance bone formation, second the periosteum may contribute in the bone regeneration. Third the medical condition of the patient may has no local influence on the implant site.

How to cite this article

Aljuboori MJ, Saini R. Crestal Bone Regeneration in Defective Bone Implants. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2014;3(2):95-97.
Florid Cemento-osseous Dysplasia: Report of Three Unusual Cases
Authors: Bagheri Fatemeh , Taheri Jamileh Bigom , Azimi Somayyeh , Elmi Zahra
Published: December 2014

Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (FLCOD) is a reactive process that involves tooth-bearing areas of the jaws. Reactive or dysplastic changes in periodontal ligament have been suggested as an etiologic factor. It usually affects females and is less frequently seen in Caucasians and Asians groups. Multiple sclerotic masses involving more than one quadrant are it is radiographic appearance. Because of its benign nature periodic recall is all things to do but in symptomatic cases surgical intervention may be required.

How to cite this article

Bagheri F, Taheri JB, Azimi S, Elmi Z. Florid Cemento-osseous Dysplasia: Report of Three Unusual Cases. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2014;3(2):103-105.
Oral Fibrolipoma of Oral Cavity
Authors: Vadvadgi Vinay
Published: December 2014

Fibrolipoma, a benign tumor, is classified as a variant of conventional lipoma. It usually presents as a soft, smoothsurfaced nodular masses that can be sessile or pedunculated. Most of them are less than 3 cm in size, but it can become much larger. The buccal mucosa and buccal vestibule are the most common intraoral sites. Here, we present a new case of this uncommon oral lipofibroma that presented on the maxillary attached gingiva.

How to cite this article

Vadvadgi VH, Saini R. Oral Fibrolipoma of Oral Cavity. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2014;3(2):106-108.
Nonsurgical Management of Endodontic Perforation at Molar Furcation Region
Authors: Warrier Shreehari
Published: December 2014

The periodontal ligament and root canal system have a common developmental, anatomic and functional relationship and theoretically an infection originating in one tissue can affect the other also. The simultaneous existence of endodontic and inflammatory periodontal lesions is a clinician's nightmare as it can complicate the diagnosis and an accurate diagnosis may be particularly difficult when a sinus tract originating from the endodontic lesion drains along the periodontal ligament space, mimicking periodontal disease. Thorough diagnostic testing to confirm pulp necrosis or periodontal disease becomes critical when attempting to diagnose the specific disease entity accurately and then deliver suitable treatment. A blanket diagnosis for any such lesions regardless of primary etiology can prove to be a disaster. A case report of an iatrogenic endodontic perforation of the pulp chamber at the region of molar furcation and managed by nonsurgical therapy is presented in this paper.

How to cite this article

Warrier S. Nonsurgical Management of Endodontic Perforation at Molar Furcation Region. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2014;3(2):117-119.
Acquisition of Visual Perception in Blind Adults Using the BrainPort Artificial Vision Device
Authors: Nau Amy C. , Pintar Christine , Arnoldussen Aimee , Fisher Christopher
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE. We sought to determine whether intensive low vision rehabilitation would confer any functional improvement in a sample of blind adults using the BrainPort artificial vision device.

METHOD. Eighteen adults ages 28–69 yr (n = 10 men and n = 8 women) who had light perception only or worse vision bilaterally spent up to 6 hr per day for 1 wk undergoing structured rehabilitation interventions. The functional outcomes of object identification and word recognition were tested at baseline and after rehabilitation training.

RESULTS. At baseline, participants were unable to complete the two functional assessments. After participation in the 1-wk training protocol, participants were able to use the BrainPort device to complete the two tasks with moderate success.

CONCLUSION. Without training, participants were not able to perform above chance level using the BrainPort device. As artificial vision technologies become available, occupational therapy practitioners can play a key role in clients’ success or failure in using these devices.
Sensory Integration and Praxis Patterns in Children With Autism
Authors: Roley Susanne Smith , Mailloux Zoe , Parham L. Diane , Schaaf Roseann C. , Lane Christianne Joy , Cermak Sharon
Published: December 2014

OBJECTIVE. We sought to characterize sensory integration (SI) and praxis patterns of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and discern whether these patterns relate to social participation.

METHOD. We extracted Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) and Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) scores from clinical records of children with ASD ages 4–11 yr (N = 89) and used SIPT and SPM standard scores to describe SI and praxis patterns. Correlation coefficients were generated to discern relationships among SI and praxis scores and these scores’ associations with SPM Social Participation scores.

RESULTS. Children with ASD showed relative strengths in visual praxis. Marked difficulties were evident in imitation praxis, vestibular bilateral integration, somatosensory perception, and sensory reactivity. SPM Social Participation scores were inversely associated with areas of deficit on SIPT measures.

CONCLUSION. Children with ASD characteristically display strengths in visuopraxis and difficulties with somatopraxis and vestibular functions, which appear to greatly affect participation.
Factors Predicting Client Satisfaction in Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation
Authors: Custer Melba G. , Huebner Ruth A. , Howell Dana M.
Published: December 2014

Client satisfaction, a widely used outcome indicator of quality in health care, is inherently client centered and important in occupational therapy. We developed an instrument called the Satisfaction With Continuum of Care Revised (SCC–R) and tested a logistic regression model of satisfaction for six predictive research questions. Data collected from 769 clients from a large rehabilitation hospital using the SCC–R were paired with data that included demographics, functional status, and measures of the rehabilitation including occupational therapy. Satisfaction was stratified into two groups, satisfied and dissatisfied. The most robust and consistent predictors of satisfaction were functional status and improvements in functional status, presence of a neurological disorder, total rehabilitation hours, and admission to rehabilitation within 15 days of condition onset. The finding that improvements in functional status, especially self-care, were predictive of satisfaction is particularly relevant for occupational therapy. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Method for the Evidence-Based Reviews on Occupational Therapy and Stroke
Authors: Arbesman Marian , Lieberman Deborah , Berlanstein Debra R.
Published: December 2014

Evidence-based reviews of the literature relevant to adults with stroke are important to the practice of occupational therapy. We describe the four questions that served as the focus for the evidence-based reviews of the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for adults with stroke. The questions include occupation- and activity-based interventions to improve occupational performance and social participation after stroke, as well as interventions for motor, cognitive, and psychological and emotional impairments after stroke. We include the background for the reviews; the process followed for addressing each question, including search terms and search strategy; the databases searched; and the methods used to summarize and critically appraise the literature. The final number of articles included in each evidence-based review; a summary of the themes of the results; the strengths and limitations of the findings; and implications for practice, education, and research are presented.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Epidemiological and Clinical Aspects in Adults
Authors: Siracusano Salvatore , Silvestri Tommaso , Casotto Daniela
Published: December 2014

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the first 10 causes of unpleased diseases in young adult women in the world. The concept of STDs includes a series of syndromes caused by pathogens that can be acquired by sexual intercourse or sexual activity.

Adolescents and young adults are responsible for only 25% of the sexually active population and they represent almost 50% of all newly acquired STDs.

In this way, we evaluated the epidemiological and clinical aspects of most relevant pathogens as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus Ducreyi, Trichomonas vaginalis, herpes simplex virus, human papilloma virus (HPV) with the exception of hepatitis, and HIV infections for which we suggest specific guidelines.

To attain this objective, we analyzed the results of epidemiological and clinical aspects of STDs through a review of the literature using MEDLINE and PubMed database for original articles published using the terms “sexual transmitted disease, epidemiology, diagnosis and therapy” from 2005 to 2014.
From Female Ghosts to Ghostly Womanhood:
Authors: Yang Yoon Sun
Published: December 2014

This article argues that modern Korean fiction arose not simply by mimicking Western literature, but as a response to political and cultural changes that merged Korea into the global capitalist system as a colony. I focus on a turn-of-the-century work of Korean fiction, Mt. Ch'iak (1908–1911), and especially on the female protagonist, whose uncanny character remains an anomaly among modern fiction. While departing from premodern gender norms, advocating the value of “enlightenment and civilization,” and even flirting with a colonialist rhetoric, she does not quest for individuality or complex interiority, which, scholars often believe, marks modern fiction apart from its premodern counterparts. Her novelty instead comes from the fact that she embodies turn-of-the-century Korean male intellectuals’ two incompatible desires toward the modern: to achieve the advanced “civilization” by promoting women's status in the nation on the one hand and to reinstate gender hierarchy between men and women on the other. I will show that Mt. Ch'iak “symbolically resolves” the conflict between the two desires by modifying a premodern female ghost into a ghostly double of the female protagonist.
Creating a Culture of Faculty Participation in Assessment:
Authors: Mccullough Christopher A. , Jones Elizabeth
Published: December 2014

Given the importance of assessment in higher education, it is critical to understand how to promote faculty engagement in assessment initiatives in institutions of higher education. This qualitative study identified factors that are associated with positive faculty satisfaction with assessment endeavors and those factors that reduce faculty satisfaction with these activities. Data revealed that faculty satisfaction varied across academic programs. Factors that promoted assessment included assessment methodologies, resources, support, participation, and effective leadership. Factors that reduced faculty satisfaction included the lack of comparative data across institutions, increased workload, and the continuous change in assessment plans.
A critical evidence-based summary of the use of beta-blockers in stable coronary artery disease
Authors: Cartwright Andrea Lynn , Wilby Kyle John
Published: December 2014

Current clinical recommendations for patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and those post-acute coronary syndromes (ACS) suggest initiation of patients on dual antiplatelet therapy, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, a beta-blocker and an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor prior to hospital discharge. Commonly, this drug regimen is continued indefinitely. More recently, however, emerging evidence suggests that long-term therapy with beta-blockers may in fact be of no benefit to patients with stable CAD. This evidence-based review will summarize the current practice recommendations, as well as provide a critical analysis of available literature regarding beta-blockers in stable CAD. Both efficacy and safety will be considered and implications for current clinical practice will be discussed.
Cost-effective Method of Analysis for the Determination of Cadmium, Copper, Nickel and Zinc in Cocoa Beans and Chocolates
Authors: Ramtahal Gideon , Chang Yen Ivan , Bekele Isaac , Bekele Frances , Wilson Lawrence , Sukha Balmatee , Maharaj Kamaldeo
Published: December 2014

The determination of heavy metals in cocoa beans and chocolates is of great importance, due to increasingly stringent regulations being implemented by international legislative bodies and chocolate manufacturers, to protect the health of their consumers. While various techniques exist for heavy metal analyses in cocoa, this study developed a cost-effective, accurate and precise method capable of processing up to 120 samples per batch for the determination of cadmium, copper, nickel and zinc. For sample extractions, a normal laboratory hot plate and locally fabricated high-capacity digestion blocks were used, instead of dedicated block digestion or microwave digestion systems. In addition, only concentrated nitric acid was used, instead of mixed reagents used in standardized methods, for metal extractions from samples, with a sample: extractant ratio of 0.5 g : 10 mL, digestion at 130 ºC, followed by filtration and analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The method was validated with Certified Reference Materials, with heavy metal recoveries generally >95%. Additionally, an in-house quality control sample of ground cocoa nib analyzed together with the Certified Reference Materials was used to monitor the consistency of analyses of heavy metals in cocoa bean samples.
Astroecology, cosmo-ecology, and the future of life
Authors: Mautner Michael N.
Published: December 2014

Astroecology concerns the relations between life and space resources, and cosmo-ecology extrapolates these relations to cosmological scales. Experimental astroecology can quantify the amounts of life that can be derived from space resources. For this purpose, soluble carbon and electrolyte nutrients were measured in asteroid/meteorite materials. Microorganisms and plant cultures were observed to grow on these materials, whose fertilities are similar to productive agricultural soils. Based on measured nutrient contents, the 1022 kg carbonaceous asteroids can yield 1018 kg biomass with N and P as limiting nutrients (compared with the estimated 1015 kg biomass on Earth). These data quantify the amounts of life that can be derived from asteroids in terms of time-integrated biomass [BIOTAint = biomass (kg) × lifetime (years)], as 1027 kg-years during the next billion years of the Solar System (a thousand times the 1024 kg-years to date). The 1026 kg cometary materials can yield biota 10 000 times still larger. In the galaxy, potential future life can be estimated based on stellar luminosities. For example, the Sun will develop into a white dwarf star whose 1015 W luminosity can sustain a BIOTAint of 1034 kg-years over 1020 years. The 1012 main sequence and white and red dwarf stars can sustain 1046 kg-years of BIOTAint in the galaxy and 1057 kg-years in the universe. Life has great potentials in space, but the probability of present extraterrestrial life may be incomputable because of biological and ecological complexities. However, we can establish and expand life in space with present technology, by seeding new young solar systems. Microbial representatives of our life-form can be launched by solar sails to new planetary systems, including extremophiles suited to diverse new environments, autotrophs and heterotrophs to continually form and recycle biomolecules, and simple multicellulars to jump-start higher evolution. These programs can be motivated by life-centered biotic ethics that seek to secure and propagate life. In space, life can develop immense populations and diverse new branches. Some may develop into intelligent species that can expand life further in the galaxy, giving our human endeavors a cosmic purpose.
Monophyly of Archaeplastida supergroup and relationships among its lineages in the light of phylogenetic and phylogenomic studies. Are we close to a consensus?
Authors: Mackiewicz Paweł , Gagat Przemysław
Published: December 2014

One of the key evolutionary events on the scale of the biosphere was an endosymbiosis between a heterotrophic eukaryote and a cyanobacterium, resulting in a primary plastid. Such an organelle is characteristic of three eukaryotic lineages, glaucophytes, red algae and green plants. The three groups are usually united under the common name Archaeplastida or Plantae in modern taxonomic classifications, which indicates they are considered monophyletic. The methods generally used to verify this monophyly are phylogenetic analyses. In this article we review up-to-date results of such analyses and discussed their inconsistencies. Although phylogenies of plastid genes suggest a single primary endosymbiosis, which is assumed to mean a common origin of the Archaeplastida, different phylogenetic trees based on nuclear markers show monophyly, paraphyly, polyphyly or unresolved topologies of Archaeplastida hosts. The difficulties in reconstructing host cell relationships could result from stochastic and systematic biases in data sets, including different substitution rates and patterns, gene paralogy and horizontal/endosymbiotic gene transfer into eukaryotic lineages, which attract Archaeplastida in phylogenetic trees. Based on results to date, it is neither possible to confirm nor refute alternative evolutionary scenarios to a single primary endosymbiosis. Nevertheless, if trees supporting monophyly are considered, relationships inferred among Archaeplastida lineages can be discussed. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear genes clearly show the earlier divergence of glaucophytes from red algae and green plants. Plastid genes suggest a more complicated history, but at least some studies are congruent with this concept. Additional research involving more representatives of glaucophytes and many understudied lineages of Eukaryota can improve inferring phylogenetic relationships related to the Archaeplastida. In addition, alternative approaches not directly dependent on phylogenetic methods should be developed.
COMPOSIÇÃO NUTRICIONAL DE PROCEDÊNCIAS E PROGÊNIES DE ERVA-MATE (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) CULTIVADAS EM LATOSSOLO VERMELHO DISTRÓFICO
Authors: Oliva Elaine Vivian , Reissmann Carlos Bruno , Gaiad Sergio , Oliveira Edilson Batista de , Sturion José Alfredo
Published: December 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509816577Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil. é uma espécie florestal de grande importância socioeconômica para os estados sulinos do Brasil. Objetivou-se com a presente pesquisa, avaliar o estado nutricional de procedências (Ivaí-PR e Barão de Cotegipe-RS) e suas respectivas progênies em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico, no município de Ivaí – PR. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, tendo como tratamento duas procedências e cinco progênies. Analisaram-se os macronutrientes, micronutrientes, Al e Na. Os teores foliares de N, P, K, Ca e Mg foram considerados satisfatórios, sendo que os nutrientes N, P, Ca e Mg apresentaram diferença significativa para ambas as procedências analisadas. Dentro das procedências, as progênies de Ivaí, destacaram diferença significativa para os nutrientes N, P, K, Ca e Mg. Porém, para as progênies de Barão de Cotegipe, constatou-se diferença significativa apenas para os teores de Ca e Mg. Para as duas procedências, os teores foliares de Fe, Cu e Mn foram considerados satisfatórios. A concentração de Zn foi considerada baixa e a de B elevada. Os teores de Al foram considerados normais para a espécie. Quanto ao Na, não se observou diferença significativa entre procedências. Os teores de Zn, Fe, Cu, bem como de Al e Na, diferiram estatisticamente entre as progênies de Barão de Cotegipe e Ivaí. A procedência de Ivaí apresentou teores mais elevados tanto de macro como de micronutrientes, comparativamente à procedência de Barão de Cotegipe, indicando que um programa de melhoramento genético poderá refletir significativamente na melhoria da qualidade da erva-mate com fins de qualidade nutricional humana. Comparando as médias do peso da massa verde das procedências, há ganho significativo da copa da procedência de Barão de Cotegipe, o que não é acompanhado pelo peso da massa seca de 100 folhas.
CRESCIMENTO DE ESPÉCIES NATIVAS DE CERRADO E DE Vetiveria zizanioides EM PROCESSOS DE REVEGETAÇÃO DE VOÇOROCAS
Authors: Marques Thamy Dias , Baêta Hudson Eustáquio , Leite Mariangela Garcia Praça , Martins Sebastião Venâncio , Kozovits Alexandra Rodrigues
Published: December 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509816584Taxas de germinação de sementes, sobrevivência e crescimento de plantas, parâmetros estes avaliados no presente estudo, são informações essenciais para a caracterização do potencial biológico de espécies para uso em processos de recuperação de áreas degradadas. A falta de conhecimento sobre tais aspectos em espécies nativas têm justificado o uso de plantas exóticas na revegetação de voçorocas em todo o Brasil. Entretanto, especialmente em locais sujeitos à grande sazonalidade climática e sobre solos oligotróficos, espécies exóticas nem sempre apresentam bom desempenho, levando o empreendimento de revegetação ao insucesso ou elevando consideravelmente a necessidade de aplicação de tratos culturais. Com o objetivo de ampliar os conhecimentos sobre o potencial biológico para revegetação em voçorocas de plantas nativas do cerrado e de uma gramínea exótica, que vem sendo amplamente usada em projetos de contenção de erosão, plântulas e touceiras das espécies nativas Cratylia argentea (Desv.) Kuntze e Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase, e da exótica Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash foram transferidas para o colúvio de uma voçoroca no município de Ouro Preto - MG, onde permaneceram durante a estação seca de 2010 sem aplicação de fertilizantes ou irrigação. Em blocos ao acaso, parcelas de 1 x 1 m receberam aleatoriamente quatro tratamentos de plantio: touceiras de Echinolaena inflexa ou de Vetiveria zizanioides; e touceiras destas gramíneas em consórcio com a leguminosa arbustiva Cratylia argentea. Todas as gramíneas e 73% das plântulas da leguminosa sobreviveram. Como esperado, a cobertura verde de Echinolaena. Inflexa diminuiu ao longo da estação seca, tendo, entretanto, rebrotado após as primeiras chuvas. Vetiveria zizanioides manteve a área foliar ativa e apresentou crescimento significativo no período. Cratylia argentea apresentou altas taxas de germinação de sementes e de crescimento, entretanto, nodulação ocorreu em apenas dois indivíduos. Assim, não houve influência da leguminosa no crescimento das gramíneas. Os resultados indicam que tanto as espécies nativas do cerrado como a gramínea exótica possuem alto potencial para revegetação em colúvio de voçoroca, tendo sobrevivido ao período crítico de seca e sobre substrato oligotrófico sem adição de fertilizantes ou irrigação.
AVALIAÇÃO DE UM MÉTODO DE ANÁLISE SILVIGÊNICA EM UM CERRADÃO
Authors: Botrel Rejane Tavares , Yamamoto Kikyo , Rodrigues Ricardo Ribeiro
Published: December 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509816602O método “inventário de árvores de dossel por interceptação de linhas” foi aplicado para mapear o mosaico silvigênico em uma área de 5,12 ha de cerradão na Estação Ecológica de Assis (SP), e avaliado quanto à sua aplicabilidade para estimar o grau de conservação e para evidenciar os processos de regeneração neste tipo de floresta com dossel aberto. Também foi avaliada a distribuição de espécies tolerantes ou intolerantes à sombra entre as categorias de ecounidades. O mosaico compreendeu cinco clareiras (ecounidades em reorganização) e 1296 indivíduos, sendo 845 em ecounidades em equilíbrio, 241 em desenvolvimento, e 210 em degradação. Coerentemente com o dossel aberto induzindo reiteração precoce, predominaram as ecounidades em equilíbrio 2B (árvores altas com fuste baixo). Vochysia tucanorum Mart., Xylopia aromatica (Lam.) Mart. E Plenckia populnea Reissek, espécies intolerantes à sombra, ocorreram preferencialmente em ecounidades iniciais da silvigênese. Mas, a maioria das espécies, principalmente as tolerantes à sombra, não se associou com quaisquer categorias de ecounidades. O método evidenciou a maturidade e o bom estado de conservação arquitetural do cerradão estudado. O estudo mostrou que pode haver sobreposição de ecounidades em desenvolvimento e em degradação quando estas últimas são delineadas por árvores mortas em pé que permitem o crescimento de indivíduos jovens ao redor delas.
ESTIMATIVAS DO ÍNDICE DE ÁREA FOLIAR UTILIZANDO O LAI-2000 E FOTOGRAFIAS HEMISFÉRICAS EM PLANTIOS DE EUCALIPTO
Authors: Rody Yhasmin Paiva , Ribeiro Aristides , Pezzopane José Eduardo Macedo , Gleriani José Marinaldo , Almeida André Quintão , Leite Fernando Palha
Published: December 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/1980509816604O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar o Índice de Área Foliar (IAF) por métodos indiretos em plantios clonais de eucalipto em dois distintos sítios físico-climáticos, durante as estações seca e chuvosa. O estudo foi feito em quatro talhões, dois jovens e dois adultos, localizado na bacia do Rio Doce, leste de Minas Gerais, situados em áreas de baixas e altas altitudes. Nove parcelas foram alocadas em cada talhão. Dados experimentais foram coletados em períodos secos e chuvosos. As medidas indiretas do IAF foram feitas usando o LAI-2000 e câmeras com lentes hemisféricas. Para verificar a precisão da estimativa foi realizada a análise destrutiva. As medias do LAI-2000 foram aquelas que melhores correlacionaram com os dados de IAF observados (R=0,9), embora as fotos hemisféricas apresentem bom potencial de uso. Foi verificado que os valores de IAF dos talhões de maiores altitudes foram maiores comparados às regiões baixas, o que também foi observado pelos métodos indiretos. A análise destrutiva indica baixos valores de IAF medidos na época seca, embora esta variação seja significativamente somente nos talhões das regiões mais altas. Este comportamento é também observado nas estimativas do LAI-2000, diferente das fotografias hemisféricas que não identificaram a sazonalidade do LAI.