bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction
Authors: Humphrey Caroline , Skvirskaja Vera
Published: November 2014

The introduction first outlines different perspectives on the Black Sea: in history, as a site of imperial conflicts and a buffer zone; in area studies, as a “region”; and in anthropology, as a sea crisscrossed by migration, cultural influences, alternative visions, and often a mutual turning of backs. We then discuss the Black Sea in the context of maritime ethnography and the study of ports, “hero cities”, pipelines, and political crises. The following sections consider Smith's notion of the “territorialization of memory” in relation to histories of exile and the more recent interactions brought about by migration and trade. In the concluding section we discuss how the Black Sea has appeared as a “horizon” and imaginary of the beyond for the peoples living around its shores.
Northern European space making in the era of neoliberal Europeanization and the emerging solidarity among Baltic Sea workers
Authors: Lindqvist Mats
Published: November 2014

This article will explore the prospects of and obstacles to the development of a transnational workers' solidarity movement in the Baltic Sea region in order to meet the challenges posed by transnational capital. The question is examined through a situational analysis of events taking place during a few hours at the Hotel Hafen in Hamburg on 10 November 2010. The subject of the analysis, which is based on personal observation and sound recordings, is the tripartite Steering Committee meeting of the Baltic Sea Labour Network (BSLN). The meeting's primary task was to formulate a statement about transnational strategies and tactics on which the parties—politicians, representatives of the employers and workers' delegations—could agree. The analysis explores the different parties' power resources in the negotiation process, and especially the workers' delegates' ability to pursue a course based on class solidarity. At each stage, we can observe how statements are formulated in an area of tension characterized by unequal power relationships and conflicting discourses in the form of neocolonial, national, transnational (class/region), and the EU's neoliberal and consensus-governed partnership discourses.
A Semantics-Rich Information Technology Architecture for Smart Buildings
Authors: Bonino Dario , Corno Fulvio , De Russis Luigi
Published: November 2014

The design of smart homes, buildings and environments currently suffers from a low maturity of available methodologies and tools. Technologies, devices and protocols strongly bias the design process towards vertical integration, and more flexible solutions based on separation of design concerns are seldom applied. As a result, the current landscape of smart environments is mostly populated by defectively designed solutions where application requirements (e.g., end-user functionality) are too often mixed and intertwined with technical requirements (e.g., managing the network of devices). A mature and effective design process must, instead, rely on a clear separation between the application layer and the underlying enabling technologies, to enable effective design reuse. The role of smart gateways is to enable this separation of concerns and to provide an abstracted view of available automation technology to higher software layers. This paper presents a blueprint for the information technology (IT) architecture of smart buildings that builds on top of established software engineering practices, such as model-driven development and semantic representation, and that avoids many pitfalls inherent in legacy approaches. The paper will also present a representative use case where the approach has been applied and the corresponding modeling and software tools.
Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein Gene Multilayers Inhibit Osteogenic Differentiation and Promote Chondrogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Guo Peng , Shi Zhong-Li , Liu An , Lin Tiao , Bi Fang-Gang , Shi Ming-Min , Yan Shi-Gui
Published: November 2014

There are still many challenges to acquire the optimal integration of biomedical materials with the surrounding tissues. Gene coatings on the surface of biomaterials may offer an effective approach to solve the problem. In order to investigate the gene multilayers mediated differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), gene functionalized films of hyaluronic acid (HA) and lipid-DNA complex (LDc) encoding cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) were constructed in this study via the layer-by-layer self-assembly technique. Characterizations of the HA/DNA multilayered films indicated the successful build-up process. Cells could be directly transfected by gene films and a higher expression could be obtained with the increasing bilayer number. The multilayered films were stable for a long period and DNA could be easily released in an enzymatic condition. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay presented significantly higher (p < 0.01) COMP expression of MSCs cultured with HA/COMP multilayered films. Compared with control groups, the osteogenic gene expression levels of MSCs with HA/COMP multilayered films were down-regulated while the chondrogenic gene expression levels were up-regulated. Similarly, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and Alizarin red S staining of MSCs with HA/COMP films were weakened while the alcian blue staining was enhanced. These results demonstrated that HA/COMP multilayered films could inhibit osteogenic differentiation and promote chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs, which might provide new insight for physiological ligament-bone healing.
MicroRNAs Associated with the Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Biliary Tract Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Wagner Andrej , Mayr Christian , Bach Doris , Illig Romana , Plaetzer Kristjan , Berr Frieder , Pichler Martin , Neureiter Daniel , Kiesslich Tobias
Published: November 2014

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a palliative treatment option for unresectable hilar biliary tract cancer (BTC) showing a considerable benefit for survival and quality of life with few side effects. Currently, factors determining the cellular response of BTC cells towards PDT are unknown. Due to their multifaceted nature, microRNAs (miRs) are a promising analyte to investigate the cellular mechanisms following PDT. For two photosensitizers, Photofrin® and Foscan®, the phototoxicity was investigated in eight BTC cell lines. Each cell line (untreated) was profiled for expression of n = 754 miRs using TaqMan® Array Human MicroRNA Cards. Statistical analysis and bioinformatic tools were used to identify miRs associated with PDT efficiency and their putative targets, respectively. Twenty miRs correlated significantly with either high or low PDT efficiency. PDT was particularly effective in cells with high levels of clustered miRs 25-93*-106b and (in case of miR-106b) a phenotype characterized by high expression of the mesenchymal marker vimentin and high proliferation (cyclinD1 and Ki67 expression). Insensitivity towards PDT was associated with high miR-200 family expression and (for miR-cluster 200a/b-429) expression of differentiation markers Ck19 and Ck8/18. Predicted and validated downstream targets indicate plausible involvement of miRs 20a*, 25, 93*, 130a, 141, 200a, 200c and 203 in response mechanisms to PDT, suggesting that targeting these miRs could improve susceptibility to PDT in insensitive cell lines. Taken together, the miRNome pattern may provide a novel tool for predicting the efficiency of PDT and—following appropriate functional verification—may subsequently allow for optimization of the PDT protocol.
Formation and Yield of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized via Chemical Vapour Deposition Routes Using Different Metal-Based Catalysts of FeCoNiAl, CoNiAl and FeNiAl-LDH
Authors: Hussein Mohd , Jaafar Adila , Yahaya Asmah , Masarudin Mas , Zainal Zulkarnain
Published: November 2014

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using a series of different catalysts, derived from FeCoNiAl, CoNiAl and FeNiAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Catalyst-active particles were obtained by calcination of LDHs at 800 °C for 5 h. Nitrogen and hexane were used as the carrier gas and carbon source respectively, for preparation of MWCNTs using CVD methods at 800 °C. MWCNTs were allowed to grow for 30 min on the catalyst spread on an alumina boat in a quartz tube. The materials were subsequently characterized through X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface area analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. It was determined that size and yield of MWCNTs varied depending on the type of LDH catalyst precursor that is used during synthesis. MWCNTs obtained using CoNiAl-LDH as the catalyst precursor showed smaller diameter and higher yield compared to FeCoNiAl and FeNiAl LDHs.
Evaluation of Liquid and Bait Insecticides against the Dark Rover Ant (Brachymyrmex patagonicus)
Authors: Miguelena Javier , Baker Paul
Published: November 2014

Dark rover ants (Brachymyrmex patagonicus, Mayr) are an exotic ant species native to South America that has recently spread through the southern US. We evaluated the residual activity of three liquid insecticides (indoxacarb, fipronil and lambda-cyhalothrin) as potential barrier treatments against these ants. The factors we considered include the use of a porous or non-porous surface, a short or long exposure time and the changes in insecticide activity after treatment during a 90 day period. We also tested the effect of baits containing three different active ingredients (imidacloprid, sodium tetraborate and indoxacarb) on colony fragments of this species for a 15 day period. Both lambda-cyhalothrin® and indoxacarb® resulted in high levels of ant mortality up to 90 days after application. The results of exposure to fipronil® resembled those from the control treatment. Application of insecticides on a porous surface and the shorter exposure time generally resulted in greater ant survival. Of the baits tested, only the imidacloprid based one decreased ant survival significantly during the evaluation period. Within three days, the imidacloprid bait produced over 50% mortality which increased to over 95% by the end of the experiment. Results from the other two bait treatments were not significantly different from the control.
New Strategies for the Treatment of Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Authors: Strisciuglio Pietro , Concolino Daniela
Published: November 2014

Phenylketonuria (PKU) was the first inherited metabolic disease in which dietary treatment was found to prevent the disease’s clinical features. Treatment of phenylketonuria remains difficult due to progressive decrease in adherence to diet and the presence of neurocognitive defects despite therapy. This review aims to summarize the current literature on new treatment strategies. Additions to treatment include new, more palatable foods based on glycomacropeptide that contains very limited amount of aromatic amino acids, the administration of large neutral amino acids to prevent phenylalanine entry into the brain or tetrahydropterina cofactor capable of increasing residual activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase. Moreover, human trials have recently been performed with subcutaneous administration of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and further efforts are underway to develop an oral therapy containing phenylanine ammonia-lyase. Gene therapy also seems to be a promising approach in the near future.
Generation of Nanoliter Droplets on Demand at Hundred-Hz Frequencies
Authors: Jakiela Slawomir , Debski Pawel , Dabrowski Bogdan , Garstecki Piotr
Published: November 2014

We describe a precision micropump for generation of precisely metered micro-aliquots of liquid at high rates. The use of custom designed piezoelectric valves positioned externally to the microfluidic chip allows for on-demand formation of micro-droplets with online control of their individual volumes from nLs to μLs at frequencies up to 400 Hz. The system offers precision of administering volumes of 1% and of time of emission of <0.5 ms. The use of a piezoelectric actuator provides two distinct vistas for controlling the volume of the droplets—either by digital control of the “open” interval or by analogue tuning of the lumen of the valve. Fast and precise generation of droplets make this system a perfect constituent module for microfluidic high-speed combinatorial screening schemes.
A Novel Method HPLC-DAD Analysis of the Contentsof Moutan Cortexand Paeoniae Radix Alba with Similar Constituents-Monoterpene Glycosides in Guizhi Fuling Wan
Authors: Wang Shuyun , Huang Jian , Mao Huijuan , Wang Yuliang , Kasimu Rena , Xiao Wei , Wang Jinhui
Published: November 2014

A variety of traditional Chinese medical formulations contain two or more herbs from the same genus or family. Although these herbs may have a similar appearance and constituents, they usually have different pharmacodynamic actions. A series of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods are developed to determine one or more compounds for quality control of medicine. As far as we know, no method has been found to determine the real ratio of the two herbs along with the prescription. In this study, we used HPLC-DAD as a way to determine the content of Moutan cortex (M) and Paeoniae radix alba (P) in GuizhiFuling Wan (GZFLW). An effective, accurate and reliable HPLC-DAD method was developed for detecting the content of M and P in GZFLW through the analysis of four monoterpeneglycosides, namely, galloylpaeoniflorin (1), paeoniflorin (2), mudanpioside C (3) and benzoylpaeoniflorin (4). Due to the different UV characteristics of the compounds, the detection wavelength was 270 nm for 1 and 2, while 3 and 4 were monitored at 254 nm and 230 nm, respectively. Four equations were put forward to describe the relationship between content of M as well as P and the four monoterpene glycosides in GZFLW. After validation, all the accuracies of the M and P contents in GZFLW were within 10%. The result showed that the method could be successfully applied to analyze the contents of M and P in GZFLW. Moreover, our method may be more widely used to control the quality of proprietary Chinese medicines, especially for those containing the same genus or family herbs, in industrial GMP production.
Rational Design and Synthesis of Altered Peptide Ligands based on Human Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein 35–55 Epitope: Inhibition of Chronic Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice
Authors: Tselios Theodore , Aggelidakis Mihalis , Tapeinou Anthi , Tseveleki Vivian , Kanistras Ioannis , Gatos Dimitrios , Matsoukas John
Published: November 2014

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and is an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although the etiology of MS remains unclear, there is evidence T-cell recognition of immunodominant epitopes of myelin proteins, such as the 35–55 epitope of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), plays a pathogenic role in the induction of chronic EAE. Cyclization of peptides is of great interest since the limited stability of linear peptides restricts their potential use as therapeutic agents. Herein, we have designed and synthesized a number of linear and cyclic peptides by mutating crucial T cell receptor (TCR) contact residues of the human MOG35–55 epitope. In particular, we have designed and synthesized cyclic altered peptide ligands (APLs) by mutating Arg41 with Ala or Arg41 and Arg46 with Ala. The peptides were synthesized in solid phase on 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin (CLTR-Cl) using the Fmoc/t-Bu methodology. The purity of final products was verified by RP-HPLC and their identification was achieved by ESI-MS. It was found that the substitutions of Arg at positions 41 and 46 with Ala results in peptide analogues that reduce the severity of MOG-induced EAE clinical symptoms in C57BL/6 mice when co-administered with mouse MOG35–55 peptide at the time of immunization.
Exogenous Spermidine Improves Seed Germination of White Clover under Water Stress via Involvement in Starch Metabolism, Antioxidant Defenses and Relevant Gene Expression
Authors: Li Zhou , Peng Yan , Zhang Xin-Quan , Ma Xiao , Huang Lin-Kai , Yan Yan-Hong
Published: November 2014

This study was designed to determine the effect of exogenous spermidine (Spd) (30 μM) on white clover seed germination under water stress induced by polyethylene glycol 6000. Use of seed priming with Spd improved seed germination percentage, germination vigor, germination index, root viability and length, and shortened mean germination time under different water stress conditions. Seedling fresh weight and dry weight also increased significantly in Spd-treated seeds compared with control (seeds primed with distilled water). Improved starch metabolism was considered a possible reason for this seed invigoration, since seeds primed with Spd had significantly increased α-amylase/β-amylase activities, reducing sugar, fructose and glucose content and transcript level of β-amylase gene but not transcript level of α-amylase gene. In addition, the physiological effects of exogenous Spd on improving seeds’ tolerance to water deficit during germination were reflected by lower lipid peroxidation levels, better cell membrane stability and significant higher seed vigour index in seedlings. Enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase), ascorbate-glutathione cycle (ASC-GSH cycle) and transcript level of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes induced by exogenous Spd may be one of the critical reasons behind acquired drought tolerance through scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in water-stressed white clover seeds. The results indicate that Spd plays an important function as a stress-protective compound or physiological activator.
Analysis on the Interaction Domain of VirG and Apyrase by Pull-Down Assay
Authors: Wang Yu , Gong Guo-Hua , Zhou Wei , Zhang Bin , Bao Shu-Yin , Wei Cheng-Xi , Yue Jun-Jie , Zhang Yan-Fen
Published: November 2014

VirG is outer membrane protein of Shigella and affects the spread of Shigella. Recently it has been reported that apyrase influences the location of VirG, although the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. The site of interaction between apyrase and VirG is the focus of our research. First we constructed recombinant plasmid pHIS-phoN2 and pS-(v1–1102, v53–758, v759–1102, v53–319, v320–507, v507–758) by denaturation-renaturation, the phoN2:kan mutant of Shigella flexneri 5a M90T by a modified version of the lambda red recombination protocol originally described by Datsenko and Wanner and the complemented strain M90TΔphoN2/pET24a(PhisphoN2). Second, the recombinant plasmid pHIS-phoN2 and the pS-(v1–1102, v53–758, v759–1102, v53–319, v320–507, v507–758) were transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) and induced to express the fusion proteins. Third, the fusion proteins were purified and the interaction of VirG and apyrase was identified by pull-down. Fourth, VirG was divided and the interaction site of apyrase and VirG was determined. Finally, how apyrase affects the function of VirG was analyzed by immunofluorescence. Accordingly, the results provided the data supporting the fact that apyrase combines with the α-domain of VirG to influence the function of VirG.
Absorbability, Mechanism and Structure-Property Relationship of Three Phenolic Acids from the Flowers of Trollius chinensis
Authors: Wu Xiu-Wen , Wang Ru-Feng , Liu Li-Jia , Guo Li-Na , Zhao Can
Published: November 2014

The absorption properties, mechanism of action, and structure-property relationship of three phenolic acids isolated from the flowers of Trollius chinensis Bunge, namely, proglobeflowery acid (PA), globeflowery acid (GA) and trolloside (TS), were investigated using the human Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The results showed that these three phenolic acids were transported across the Caco-2 cell monolayer in a time and concentration dependent manner at the Papp level of 10−5 cm/s, and their extent of absorption correlated with their polarity and molecular weight. In conclusion, all three of these compounds were easily absorbed through passive diffusion, which implied their high bioavailability and significant contribution to the effectiveness of T. chinensis.
Sentinel-1 for Monitoring Reservoirs: A Performance Analysis
Authors: Amitrano Donato , Martino Gerardo , Iodice Antonio , Mitidieri Francesco , Papa Maria , Riccio Daniele , Ruello Giuseppe
Published: November 2014

In this paper we explore the performances and the opportunities provided by the European satellite Sentinel-1 for water resource management applications in low-income countries. The analysis is supported by a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) simulator, which allowed the quantification of the expected characteristics of Sentinel-1 products in three applications: interferometric digital elevation models (DEMs) generation, land cover mapping and estimation of water volumes retained by small reservoirs. The obtained results quantitatively show that Sentinel-1 data characteristics are fully suitable for most of the application already explored in the recent SAR literature.
A Real-Time Localization System for an Endoscopic Capsule Using Magnetic Sensors
Authors: Pham Duc , Aziz Syed Mahfuzul
Published: November 2014

Magnetic sensing technology offers an attractive alternative for in vivo tracking with much better performance than RF and ultrasound technologies. In this paper, an efficient in vivo magnetic tracking system is presented. The proposed system is intended to localize an endoscopic capsule which delivers biomarkers around specific locations of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. For efficiently localizing a magnetic marker inside the capsule, a mathematical model has been developed for the magnetic field around a cylindrical magnet and used with a localization algorithm that provides minimum error and fast computation. The proposed tracking system has much reduced complexity compared to the ones reported in the literature to date. Laboratory tests and in vivo animal trials have demonstrated the suitability of the proposed system for tracking a magnetic marker with expected accuracy.
Electrostatic interplay: The interaction triangle of polyamines, silicic acid, and phosphate studied through turbidity measurements, silicomolybdic acid test, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Jantschke Anne , Spinde Katrin , Brunner Eike
Published: November 2014

The discovery of long-chain polyamines as biomolecules that are tightly associated to biosilica in diatom cell walls has inspired numerous in vitro studies aiming to characterize polyamine–silica interactions. The determination of these interactions at the molecular level is of fundamental interest on one hand for the understanding of cell wall biogenesis in diatoms and on the other hand for designing bioinspired materials synthesis approaches. The present contribution deals with the influence of amines and polyamines upon the initial self-assembly processes taking place during polyamine-mediated silica formation in solution. The influence of phosphate upon these processes is studied. For this purpose, sodium metasilicate solutions containing additives such as polyallylamine, allylamine and others in the presence/absence of phosphate were investigated. The analyses are based mainly on turbidity measurements yielding information about the early aggregation steps which finally give rise to the formation and precipitation of silica.
Development of the Device-Oriented Subjective Outcome (DOSO) Scale
Authors: Cox Robyn M. , Alexander Genevieve C. , Xu Jingjing
Published: November 2014

Background:The empiric basis for this work is derived from previous research completed in our laboratory and published in 2005 and 2007. The previous work suggested that self-report hearing aid outcomes can be viewed as device oriented or wearer oriented. Furthermore, compared
with wearer-oriented outcomes, device-oriented outcomes were more independent of personality variables.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to develop a device-oriented questionnaire to measure self-report hearing aid outcomes.Research Design:Design was a descriptive study in
which 140 potential questionnaire items were evaluated and a questionnaire was devised.Study Sample:A total of 306 adult hearing aid wearers participated: 189 were clinical patients and 117 were participants in hearing aid field trials.Data Collection and Analysis:Some items
and some participants were removed because of insufficient responses. The final dataset included 295 participants and 66 items. Response data were subjected to exploratory principal component analysis with orthogonal rotation. Six components, explaining 64% of the variance, were retained.
Item statistics were examined.Results:Six subscales were identified. Long and short forms of the questionnaire were developed. There are two equivalent versions of the short form.Conclusions:The Device-Oriented Subjective Outcome (DOSO) questionnaire is suitable for quantifying
subjective hearing aid outcomes in both research and clinical settings. The DOSO is especially suited for comparing outcomes with different hearing aids. Future research is needed to cross-validate the results, determine retest consistency, and to explore the extent to which data from the
DOSO is independent of personality.
Transepithelial Iontophoresis Corneal Collagen Cross-linking for Progressive Keratoconus: Initial Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Vinciguerra Paolo , Randleman J. Bradley , Romano Vito , Legrottaglie Emanuela F. , Rosetta Pietro , Camesasca Fabrizio I. , Piscopo Raffaele , Azzolini Claudio , Vinciguerra Riccardo
Published: November 2014

PURPOSE:

To report initial clinical results of transepithelial corneal collagen cross-linking with iontophoresis (I-CXL).

METHODS:

Twenty eyes of 20 patients diagnosed as having progressive keratoconus who underwent I-CXL were included in this prospective non-randomized clinical study. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent and cylinder refraction, various corneal topography and Scheimpflug tomography parameters, aberrometry, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and endothelial cell count were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

RESULTS:

CDVA improved significantly at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (logMAR difference of −0.07 ± 0.01, −0.09 ± 0.03, and −0.12 ± 0.06, respectively;
P
< .05). Aberrometry remained stable during follow-up and a trend toward improvement was noted. All topographic parameters (including maximum keratometry) were stable during the follow-up, but exhibited a positive non-significant trend toward improvement. Minimum corneal thickness values were stable for up to 12 months postoperatively. None of the patients showed a progression of keratoconus. Endothelial cell counts did not change significantly (
P
> .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Preliminary results up to 1 year postoperatively indicate the efficacy of I-CXL in stabilizing the progression of this degenerative disease combined with significant improvement of CDVA. I-CXL, which spares the corneal epithelium, has the potential to become a valid alternative for halting the progression of keratoconus while reducing postoperative patient pain, risk of infection, and treatment time in select patients; however, the relative efficacy of this technique compared to standard epithelium-off techniques remains to be determined.

[
J Refract Surg
. 2014;30(11):746–753.]
STRUCTURAL GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF KARST CAVES AND SHILIN STONE FOREST OF THE LUNAN COUNTY, YUNNAN, CHINA
Authors: Šebela Stanka , Liu Hong
Published: November 2014

Karst areas of Lunan County southeast of Kumning were studied to understand the role of geological structures in the formation of karst features as stone forest and selected caves. Detailed structural geological mapping of fissure orientation of selected caves and of Shilin stone forest was accomplished and presented by rose diagrams. Regional geological structures were compared with statistical evaluation of structural geological elements obtained from field mapping. There is a good correlation between surface and underground fissure orientation and cave passages orientation with regionally important fault zones, with Xiaojiang Fault (N-S direction) and Red River Fault (NW-SE direction). The most frequent cave passages orientation, in a nearly N-S direction, is connected with nearly E-W compression and nearly N-S extension from late Pliocene to mid-Pleistocene. The second tectonic stage from late-Pleistocene to the present, with the tectonic stress field mainly of NNW-SSE compression and NEE-SWW extension is in accordance with the most frequent fissure orientations in Shilin stone forest in the direction N20-30°W (11.4%).
SPECIES DIVERSITY OF BRYOPHYTES AND FERNS OF LAMPENFLORA IN GROTTA GIGANTE (NE ITALY)
Authors: Castello Miris
Published: November 2014

Lampenflora consists of phototrophic organisms which grow near artificial light. In caves with artificial lighting, a vegetation of aerophytic cyanobacteria and algae, bryophytes and ferns can be found around lamps; these communities represent an alteration of the underground environment and may cause damages both to speleothems and cave fauna. The development of lampenflora is a typical problem for show cave management.A floristic research of bryophytes and ferns (land plants) of lampenflora was carried out in 2012 in Grotta Gigante, a very well-known show cave of the Trieste Karst (NE Italy), in order to compile a species inventory. 26 sites near artificial lights of different kinds were sampled in the dark zone of the show cave. 16 moss species and 2 ferns were found; no liverworts were observed. The most common species are the mosses Eucladium verticillatum, Fissidens bryoides, Oxyrrhynchium schleicheri, Rhynchostegiella tenella and the fern Asplenium trichomanes; 7 moss species were found only in one to two sites. Some moss species belong to the flora of natural cave entrances of the Italian Karst, while other are typical of disturbed, open habitats. Various moss species and A. trichomanes are colonizing areas around LEDs and fluorescent lamps installed in 2009 along the cave’s pathways for safety lighting.Species richness of bryophytes and ferns of lampenflora in Grotta Gigante is the highest compared to other recently investigated show caves in the neighbouring Slovenia. Lampenflora of Grotta Gigante conforms to that found in other Slovenian show caves starting from the ’40. The main ecological factors affecting lampenflora identified in this work are: light intensity, water availability, type of substrate, morphological features of surfaces, presence of clay. Aspects of species ecology and distribution in the cave are discussed.
CAVE INVERTEBRATES IN NORTHWESTERN MINAS GERAIS STATE, BRAZIL: ENDEMISM, THREATS AND CONSERVATION PRIORITIES
Authors: Simões Matheus Henrique , Souza-Silva Marconi , Ferreira Rodrigo Lopes
Published: November 2014

Due to their high economic value, karstic areas and caves have been affected for decades in Brazil. Accordingly, such systems have been receiving the attention of managers, environmental agencies and researchers, especially in recent years. The present study collected information regarding the cave invertebrate fauna of the Northwest region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, such as species richness and endemisms, besides the impacts and threats occurring in these environments, identifying caves and more vulnerable areas and  proposing conservation actions. Three caves were identified as a priority for conservation: Lagoa Rica cave in Paracatu, and Lapa Nova and Lapa da Delza caves in Vazante. Another three areas were considered in need of conservation actions: regions of Arinos, Paracatu and Cabeceira Grande/Unaí. The main threat found in the area was the conversion of forests into pastures for cattle breeding, registered in the surroundings of 85% of the caves. The main recommendations were the recuperation of the surroundings, awareness raising of the population and biospeleological inventories in other caves of the area. The studied caves were very heterogeneous, presenting unique characteristics. Thus, the study of the highest possible number of caves of the region of interest is always recommended, to aid in conservation and action plans for cave fauna.
AN ADVECTION–DILUTION MODEL TO ESTIMATE CONDUIT GEOMETRY AND FLOW
Authors: Li Guangquan , Liu Hong
Published: November 2014

As conduit water carries pollutants introduced from a point recharge downgradient, a contaminant-free seepage from the surrounding limestone is added into the conduit water and actively dilutes the pollutants. In this study, the transport with advection and this active dilution but no dispersion, is solved using the method of characteristics. The complete solution considering initial condition, boundary condition, and production is presented. Scale analysis reveals that the model is applicable when injection of pollutants at sinkholes persists long enough but unsuitable for analysis of dye tracing experiments. An approach combining the model with dye tracing experiment is used to quickly estimate the geometry and flow of a major conduit from Ames Sink to Wakulla Spring, Northwest Florida.
Holocene sedimentary records of the Katarraktes cave system (northern Greece): a stratigraphical and environmental magnetism approach
Authors: Pennos Christos , Aidona Elina , Pechlivanidou Sophia , Vouvalidis Konstantinos
Published: November 2014

The Katarraktes cave system is located in northern Greece and is a complex of a rockshelter and a cave formed on the south river bank of Krousovitis River canyon (Serres, Macedonia region). The archaeological site area is well known as one of the most important archaeological sites in SE Europe since it hosts numerous archaeological findings dating back to the Early Bronze Age. Detailed stratigraphic analysis of three archaeological sections was performed in order to define the depositional conditions of the cave entrance facies sediments. Mineral magnetic properties were performed to enhance the paleoenvironmental interpretations and to detect sediment origins. Magnetic susceptibility (klf) obtained in high and low frequency as well as remanence parameters, such as saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) and S-ratio, were measured in samples collected2from the archaeological sections. Results indicate a significant variability in the magnetic signal stored in the sedimentary record of Kataraktes cave system distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic sequences. The combination of the stratigraphic and magnetic results along with the archaeological data reveals that flood events of Krousovitis River and sediment accumulation from slackwater in the rockshelter area occurred around 3000 yr BC and were possibly the key factor for the abandonment of the prehistoric settlement.
Defining the Undefinable
Authors: Nettleton Kimberely Fletcher
Published: November 2014

Gifted students come from every socio-economic level and from every background. Identification of gifted students varies widely from school to school, state to state, nation to nation. In the USA, gifted students are identified in the following areas: visual and performing arts, leadership, talent in a specific academic discipline, creativity, and overall high intellect (U.S. Department of Education, 1993). Twice-exceptional students are gifted students with a learning disability or other special need. Defining characteristics, both intellectual and emotional, are integrated into a cohesive picture of a gifted student. Identification of gifted students is the first step towards providing educational services.
Creating Our World
Authors: Petsch Jeanne
Published: November 2014

A partnership between the Morehead State University Art Education Program and the Lake County Alternative School (LCAS) (pseudonyms are used for the school name and county where the school is located) was established in Fall 2011. This ongoing collaboration provides opportunities for Art Education students to teach art and work with at-risk middle and high school students. It also allows LCAS students, who otherwise have no coursework in art, the opportunity to work creatively with visual art media. In addition, Art Education students work toward meeting the Kentucky State Teacher Education field experience hour requirement of 200 contact hours in schools prior to clinical practice. LCAS students apply this art experience toward earning humanities credit.
From Student to Author
Authors: Black Nancye Blair
Published: November 2014

Students develop and compose a long narrative story each November in a challenge called the National Novel Writing Month Young Writers Program (NaNoWriMo YWP). In Fall 2011, 16 gifted fourth and fifth graders participated through their twice-weekly pull-out gifted programming. Through use of a three-phase program implementation, NaNoWriMo YWP resources and online community, dynamic technology tools, and extended blocks of uninterrupted writing time, these students engaged in advanced writing instruction and practices in order to meet/surpass a personal narrative writing goal. Each of the participating gifted students met the school's learning objectives by identifying and applying advanced writing skills and improving knowledge and application of a personal goal-setting process. This chapter outlines the program's alignment with best practices in gifted education, the program implementation's educational goals/objectives, the specific strategies and practices used in implementing the program, the outcomes to student learning, and recommendations for gifted educators.
Culturally Relevant Applications of Digital Audio Workstations in the Heterogeneous GT Classroom
Authors: Deason Chris
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss, explain, and share how the author has used culturally relevant instructional methods (i.e., hip-hop pedagogy) and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) in K-12 classroom environments to impact learning motivation and learner achievement from 2005 to 2012. Emphasis is placed on the elements of hip-hop culture (i.e., rapping, graffiti art, beat making, and break dancing) combined with DAWs to impact learning motivation and learner achievement in the heterogeneous Gifted and Talented (GT) classroom. Recommended hardware and software is discussed. Examples include audio interfaces, cables and microphones required, recommended audio recording software, and classroom environment preparations. Photographs and illustrations are included to make the chapter applicable to practitioners in classroom environments and educational researchers.
The Role of Technology in Providing Effective Gifted Education Services in Clustered Classrooms
Authors: Collins Geri , Hall Jeffrey , Taylor Bridget
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the rationale of clustered classrooms and to explore methods of using technology to enhance the educational outcomes of gifted students in clustered classrooms. The need for this training is great because clustered classrooms can help teachers overcome the problems associated with mixed-ability groupings, tight budgets, and accusations of elitism that often plague gifted education services (Brulles & Winebrenner, 2012). The chapter includes research-based strategies for facilitating clustered classrooms, provides ideas for incorporating technology across multiple content areas, identifies what exemplary student products should look like, and offers a sample lesson plan that can be adapted to cultivate problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and collaboration in a clustered classroom. By highlighting and examining these issues, the authors hope that more teachers will utilize the clustered classroom model, providing outstanding educational opportunities that can benefit all students.
Instructional Technology and the Nature of the Gifted and Talented
Authors: Willis Jana , Steel Douglas J. , Seriki Vanessa Dodo
Published: November 2014

This collective case study explores the use and impact of instructional technology on fourth grade Gifted and Talented (GT) students' engagement and motivation to learn. Through this exploration, the authors were able to modify their use of instructional technology to suit the needs of the heterogeneous group of GT learners. Although the level of use, purpose for use, and how students used the instructional technology varied between the courses, this case reveals that the heterogeneous nature of the GT students necessitated a flexible approach to instruction and use of IT in order to maintain high levels of engagement and motivation. While these findings are not novel, they add to the discourse regarding teachers' perceptions of GT students and how those perceptions inform instructional practices. This chapter intends to stimulate critical self-reflection regarding perceptions of GT students and the impact those perceptions have on instructional practices.
Land Classification Research
Authors: DeMers Michael N.
Published: November 2014

Land classification is so central to geography that its use, and the use of its derivative and corresponding products, is seldom even questioned. Since its earliest implementations land classification has adapted to changes in geographic scale and in the nature of the categorical systematics upon which it is based. Land classification has changed in its techniques and in how it adapts to technological changes, particularly those related to remote sensing and geographic information systems. The adaptation of land classification to digital pixel-based classification spawned a wide range of land classification error analysis techniques. These techniques do not easily transfer to non-pixel based classification error analysis as recent research on rapid land assessment methodologies and land change error analysis has shown. This disparity suggests a need to reevaluate the very nature of land classification research. To begin such an evaluation, this lecture provides a retrospective on the roots of land classification research, examines some of the milestones of that research, and describes the divergent paths such research has taken. It examines the importance of land classification in these times of ever decreasing global resources, and reviews its potential legal, social, and economic implications. Based on this retrospective, this paper advances the need for geographic researchers to envision land classification not only as a set of techniques, but more generally to focus on systematic geography in all its facets as a research agenda in its own right.
Efficient and Fine-Grained VMM-Level Packet Filtering for Self-Protection
Authors: Kourai Kenichi , Azumi Takeshi , Chiba Shigeru
Published: November 2014

In Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) clouds, stepping-stone attacks via hosted virtual machines (VMs) are critical for the credibility. This type of attack uses compromised VMs as stepping stones for attacking the outside hosts. For self-protection, IaaS clouds should perform active responses against stepping-stone attacks. However, it is difficult to stop only outgoing attacks at edge firewalls, which can only use packet headers. In this paper, we propose a new self-protection mechanism against stepping-stone attacks, which is called xFilter. xFilter is a packet filter running in the virtual machine monitor (VMM) underlying VMs and achieves pinpoint active responses by using VM introspection. VM introspection enables xFilter to directly obtain information on packet senders inside VMs. On attack detection, xFilter automatically generates filtering rules based on packet senders. To make packet filtering with VM introspection efficient, we introduced several optimization techniques. Our experiments showed that the performance degradation due to xFilter was usually less than 16%.
Collective Creative Problem Solving in Information Technology Distributed Work Teams
Authors: Stubbs Gwendolyn , Baghurst Timothy
Published: November 2014

Today's evolving business environment requires that organizations combine the talents of diverse and dispersed individuals to develop creative solutions to complex problems. One such emerging concept used by successful organizations to leverage the diverse talents of dispersed individuals is collective creative problem solving (CCPS) in distributed work teams. The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of the nature and motivating factors of CCPS in geographically dispersed teams. This goal was accomplished through examining information technology (IT) distributed work teams in a U.S. federal IT organization. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 IT specialists to explore the perceptions and lived experiences regarding CCPS of team leaders and team members in IT distributed work teams. Five core themes emerged: (a) developing a strategy to facilitate CCPS in distributed work teams, (b) using team interaction to stimulate CCPS, (c) motivating team members to engage in CCPS, (d) leading CCPS from a distance, and (e) using technology to achieve CCPS in distributed work teams. Based on the conclusions drawn from the study's findings, recommendations are provided for leaders and practitioners to leverage the full capabilities of CCPS in dispersed work environments.
Factors Affecting RFID Adoption
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Alamgir , Quaddus Mohammed
Published: November 2014

In marketing, a customer purchases a product while a consumer uses the product; which means that an adopter of an innovation behaves like a consumer of a new product. But surprisingly no initiative has been made to relate/integrate an adopter with a consumer. This article has done this. Technological, organizational, environmental factors as well as “expectations” from using the technology are important for the acceptance and continued use of a technological innovation. This paper integrates the effect of innovation characteristics along with the expectation on RFID adoption, in the context of Australian livestock industry. To do this, this study first presents a theoretical analysis then presents the outcomes from eight interviews which were conducted among livestock farms in Australia. Finally, it proposes a research framework while proposing eleven propositions related to RFID adoption. Contribution-wise, policy makers may compare their experience with this study, evaluate the past, and find the future direction.
A Production Approach to Performance of Banks with Microfinance Operations
Authors: Cabanda Emilyn , Domingo Eleanor C.
Published: November 2014

Banking institutions, nowadays, serve as intermediaries of funds to a variety of clients, including the micro enterprisers. This study analyzes and measures the performance of rural and thrift banks with microfinance operations in the Philippines, using combined measures of data envelopment analysis and traditional financial performance indicators. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) method is employed to measure the productive efficiency of these banks under the production approach. The variable returns to scale is also used, with the assumption that not all banks are operating at optimal scale over the long-run period. DEA findings reveal that sample banks performed below the production frontier. The average technical efficiency score of these banks is 66.09% and additional 33.91% is needed to reach the production frontier. Overall, thrift banks are found to be more productively efficient than rural banks as depository banks. The authors have also found a strong relationship between financial performance measures and bank's productive efficiency. For thrift banks, sustainability, ROE and ROA measures showed a statistically significant positive correlation to the banks' productive efficiency while a negative relationship was observed in rural banks. Lastly, the authors can suggest that both DEA's productive efficiency and financial performance measures are consistently and strongly correlated when evaluating the overall performance of banks with microfinance operations.