bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eco-Friendly Chitosan Production by Syncephalastrum racemosum and Application to the Removal of Acid Orange 7 (AO7) from Wastewaters
Authors: Batista Anabelle , Silva Marta , Batista Jefferson , Nascimento Aline , Campos-Takaki Galba
Published: July 2013

Due to the existence of new methodologies that have reduced the production costs of microbiological chitosan, this paper puts forward the use of agro-industrial residues in order to produce microbiological chitosan and to apply chitosan as an innovative resource for removing acid orange 7 (AO7) from wastewaters. The best culture conditions were selected by a full 24 factorial design, and the removal of the dye was optimized by a 23 central composite rotational design. The results showed that corn steep liquor (CSL) is an agro-industrial residue that can be advantageously used to produce microbiological chitosan with yields up to 7.8 g/kg of substrate. FT-IR spectra of the product showed typical peak distributions like those of standard chitosan which confirmed the extracted product was chitosan-like. The efficiency of removing low concentrations of AO7 by using microbiological chitosan in distilled water (up to 89.96%) and tap water (up to 80.60%) was significantly higher than the efficiency of the control (chitosan obtained from crustaceans), suggesting that this biopolymer is a better economic alternative for discoloring wastewater where a low concentration of the dye is considered toxic. The high percentage recovery of AO7 from the microbiological chitosan particles used favors this biopolymer as a possible bleaching agent which may be reusable.
Calcidiol Deficiency in End-Stage Organ Failure and after Solid Organ Transplantation: Status quo
Authors: Thiem Ursula , Olbramski Bartosz , Borchhardt Kyra
Published: July 2013

Among patients with organ failure, vitamin D deficiency is extremely common and frequently does not resolve after transplantation. This review crystallizes and summarizes existing data on the status quo of vitamin D deficiency in patients with organ failure and in solid organ transplant recipients. Interventional studies evaluating different treatment strategies, as well as current clinical practice guidelines and recommendations on the management of low vitamin D status in these patients are also discussed.
Effect of Ethyl Pyruvate on Skeletal Muscle Metabolism in Rats Fed on a High Fat Diet
Authors: Olek Robert , Ziolkowski Wieslaw , Wierzba Tomasz , Kaczor Jan
Published: July 2013

Impaired mitochondrial capacity may be implicated in the pathology of chronic metabolic diseases. To elucidate the effect of ethyl pyruvate supplementation on skeletal muscles metabolism we examined changes in activities of mitochondrial and antioxidant enzymes, as well as sulfhydryl groups oxidation (an indirect marker of oxidative stress) during the development of obesity. After 6 weeks feeding of control or high fat diet, Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control diet, control diet and ethyl pyruvate, high fat diet, and high fat diet and ethyl pyruvate. Ethyl pyruvate was administered as 0.3% solution in drinking water, for the following 6 weeks. High fat diet feeding induced the increase of activities 3-hydroxyacylCoA dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, and fumarase. Moreover, higher catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, as well as sulfhydryl groups oxidation, were noted. Ethyl pyruvate supplementation did not affect the mitochondrial enzymes’ activities, but induced superoxide dismutase activity and sulfhydryl groups oxidation. All of the changes were observed in soleus muscle, but not in extensor digitorum longus muscle. Additionally, positive correlations between fasting blood insulin concentration and activities of catalase (p = 0.04), and superoxide dismutase (p = 0.01) in soleus muscle were noticed. Prolonged ethyl pyruvate consumption elevated insulin concentration, which may cause modifications in oxidative type skeletal muscles.
Remote Sensing Based Detection of Crop Phenology for Agricultural Zones in China Using a New Threshold Method
Authors: You Xingzhi , Meng Jihua , Zhang Miao , Dong Taifeng
Published: July 2013

In recent years, the use of high temporal resolution satellite data has been emerging as an important tool to study crop phenology. Most methods to detect phenological events based on satellite data use thresholds to identify key events in the lifecycle of the crop. In this study, a new method was used to define such thresholds for identifying the start and end of the growing season (SOS/EOS) for 43 different agricultural zones in China. The method used 2000–2003 NOAA Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite data with a spatial resolution of eight kilometers and a temporal resolution of 15 days. Following data pre-processing, time series for the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI or N), slope of the NDVI curve (S), and difference (D) between the NDVI value and a base NDVI value for bare land without snow were constructed. For each zone, an optimal set of threshold values for N, D, and S was determined, based on the remote sensing data and observed SOS/EOS data for 2003 at 261 agro-meteorological stations. Results were verified by comparing the accuracy of the new proposed NDS threshold method with the results of three other methods for SOS/EOS detection with remote sensing data. The findings of all four methods were compared to in situ SOS/EOS data from 2000 to 2002 for 110 agro-meteorological stations. Results show that the developed NDS threshold method had a significantly higher accuracy compared with other methods. The method is mainly limited by the observed data and the necessity of reestablishing the thresholds periodically.
Data Communications Using Guided Elastic Waves by Time Reversal Pulse Position Modulation: Experimental Study
Authors: Jin Yuanwei , Ying Yujie , Zhao Deshuang
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we present and demonstrate a low complexity elastic wave signaling and reception method to achieve high data rate communication on dispersive solid elastic media, such as metal pipes, using piezoelectric transducers of PZT (lead zirconate titanate). Data communication is realized using pulse position modulation (PPM) as the signaling method and the elastic medium as the communication channel. The communication system first transmits a small number of training pulses to probe the dispersive medium. The time-reversed probe signals are then utilized as the information carrying waveforms. Rapid timing acquisition of transmitted waveforms for demodulation over elastic medium is made possible by exploring the reciprocity property of guided elastic waves. The experimental tests were conducted using a National Instrument PXI system for waveform excitation and data acquisition. Data telemetry bit rates of 10 kbps, 20 kbps, 50 kbps and 100 kbps with the average bit error rates of 0, 5.75 × 10−4, 1.09 × 10−2 and 5.01 × 10−2, respectively, out of a total of 40, 000 transmitted bits were obtained when transmitting at the center frequency of 250 kHz and a 500 kHz bandwidth on steel pipe specimens. To emphasize the influence of time reversal, no complex processing techniques, such as adaptive channel equalization or error correction coding, were employed.
Hydrogen Sensing with Ni-Doped TiO2 Nanotubes
Authors: Li Zhaohui , Ding Dongyan , Liu Qiang , Ning Congqin
Published: July 2013

Doping with other elements is one of the efficient ways to modify the physical and chemical properties of TiO2 nanomaterials. In the present work, Ni-doped TiO2 nanotubes were fabricated through anodic oxidation of NiTi alloy and further annealing treatment. The hydrogen sensing properties of the nanotube sensor were investigated. It was found that the Ni-doped TiO2 nanotubes were sensitive to an atmosphere of 1,000 ppm hydrogen, showing a good response at both room temperature and elevated temperatures. A First-Principle simulation revealed that, in comparison with pure anatase TiO2 oxide, Ni doping in the TiO2 oxide could result in a decreased bandgap. When the oxide sensor adsorbed a certain amount of hydrogen the bandgap increased and the acceptor impurity levels was generated, which resulted in a change of the sensor resistance.
Les relations entre l'architecture gothique eu Suisse romande et en Bourgogne
Authors: Gasser Stephan
Published: July 2013

Une recherche sur l'architecture gothique en Suisse romande récemment effectuée par l'auteur du présent article, a montré que l'étroitesse des relations artistiques avec la Bourgogne et la Franche-Comté, souvent évoquée, doit être remise en cause. Dès lors, les parallèles entre les cathédrales de Lausanne et de Genève d'une part, et l'architecture gothique en Bourgogne de l'autre, ne résulteraient pas d'une dépendance directe, mais d'une assimilation parallèle de certaines formes anglo-normandes. Les similitudes entre des édifices de petite ou moyenne dimension se limitent d'ailleurs le plus souvent à 1'adoption, avec quelques variantes, d'un même type de plan à chevet plat, tandis que, dans le détail, l'exécution demeure soumise aux habitudes locales. Il existe néanmoins des relations plus précises entre les cathédrales de Lausanne et de Besançon, ou entre la collégiale de Neuchâtel et quelques édifices comtois et bourguignons. Le gothique de la Suisse romande entretient en revanche des liens étroits avec certains édifices du nord de la Savoie, comme en témoignent les exemples d'Abondance, Evian-les-Bains etc.
Essai de restitution d'une maison patricienne des XIIIe et XIVe siècles à Bourges
Authors: Chazelle Annie , Goldman Philippe
Published: July 2013

Des travaux de restauration entrepris récemment sur une maison en pierre située au cœur de Bourges, à l'angle des rues Edouard-Branly et Michel-Servet, ont mis au jour des vestiges architecturaux révélant 1'existence d'une demeure antérieure à celle communément datée de la fin du XVe siècle. Un autre édifice civil situé à proximité, l'hôtel Colladon, présente de fortes analogies avec la demeure étudiée et conforte les hypothèses de restitution proposée pour cette dernière.

Il s'agit dans les deux cas de maisons patriciennes en pierre, construites dans la seconde moitié du XIIIe siècle, voire au début XIVe siècle ; elles sont à pignon sur rue et s'élèvent sur deux niveaux, facilement identifiables : un cellier excavé voûté d'ogives et une grande salle, probablement sous charpente, attestée par de grandes baies formant claire voie à l'étage, seul témoignage d'un niveau résidentiel dont on ignore encore la distribution.

Il existe encore dans la ville de nombreux vestiges d'édifices civils de cette époque, leurs recensement et étude enrichiraient la connaissance de cet habitat berruyer dont les élévations de l'hôtel Colladon et de la maison de Blet révèlent la richesse et l'intérêt.

Quelques documents d'archives confirment la présence à Bourges de vastes demeures en pierre de ce type aux XII et XIII siècles et peuvent être confrontés aux vestiges conservés pour amorcer une recherche inédite dans la capitale du Berry.
La sculpture du XVe siècle provenant de l'église du couvent des (Cannes à Nantes)
Authors: Guillouët Jean-Marie
Published: July 2013

A fifteenth-century sculpture front the Carmelite couvent at Nantes, by Jean-Marie Guillouët

The Thomas Dobrée Museum at Nantes has a group of sculptures that were formerly part of the interior decoration of the church of the local Carmelite convent. The statues belong to two decorative campaigns, one around 1420, the other around 1460. They provide knowledge ot the ateliers in Nantes at the end of the Middle Ages and indicate how, under the impetus of ducal patronage, the city became an important artistic centre around the middle of the century, attracting the most talented artisans in the realm.
Le décor baroque des Dominicains de Guebwiller et sa restauration en 1711
Authors: Ponsot Patrick
Published: July 2013

The baroque decoration of the Dominican church at Guebwiller and its restoration in 1711, by Patrick Ponsot

The church of the convent oft he Dominicans at Guebwiller (Haut-Rhin) is one of those buildings where the "potential" decoration is the object of an impassioned quest. The partial nineteenth-century cleaning of the lower parts dreamed of creating a Rhenish Sixtine Chapel of the fourteenth-century, as it was hoped that more than 1500 square metres of painting would appear. A resumption of work showed that the stratigraphy was not as simple as the neophytes had imagined. A fine baroque decoration was found between the outer level and the expected medieval masterpieces. The continuation of work on the inside of the western facade (2003-2004) showed that the situation was even more complicated than the first soundings had led to believe, as a 'restoration' of the baroque decoration had occurred in the early eighteenth century. The questions raised by this restoration, from both the technical and theoretical points of view (what do we discover ? what do we insist on preserving and presenting ?), are the subject of this article.
L'exhaussement du phare de Cordouan. Un chantier des Lumières (1786-1789)
Authors: Castañer Muñoz Esteban
Published: July 2013

Die Erhöhung des Leuchtturmes von Cordouan. Eine Baustelle der Aufklärung (1786-1789), von Esteban Castaner Muñoz

Der Leuchtturm von Cordouan, ein manieristisches Denkmal, das zu Ehren der Legitimität der von Konig Heinrich IV. wiedereingesetzten Monarchie errichtet wurde, wurde von 1584 bis 1611 von Louis de Foix erbaut. Im Jahre 1786 zwang der Verfall der oberen Teile des Turmes die Veranrwortlichen bei der Marine, Maßnahmen zur Restaurierung und sodann zur Erhohung einzuleiten, um die Beleuchtungsbedingungen zu verbessern. Der erhöhte Turm ist das Ergebnis einer Reihe von Planen, die vom Marineingenieur Joseph Teulère und dem Architekten Jean Baptiste Jallier de Savault entworfen wurden. Das Vorgehen des Ingénieurs lässt sich als proto-historistisch bezeichnen, er blieb in seinen verschiedenen Entwürfen der stilistischen Sprache des alten Leuchtturmes treu. Jallier hingegen ubernahm den charakteristischen, nüchternen Stil der Zweckarchitektur seiner Zeit. Der neue Leuchtturm - in seiner doppelten Rolle als Meeresdenkmal und Erinnerungsort fur Heinrich IV. - wurde so zu einem, wenn auch späten, emblematischen Element der Machtsymbolik Ludwigs XVI. 1789, bei Beendigung der Bauarbeiten, begrüßte Teulère, der Bauleiter, mit Enthusiasmus die neuen Werte der Französischen Revolution.
Kelvin probe force microscopy of nanocrystalline TiO2 photoelectrodes
Authors: Henning Alex , Günzburger Gino , Jöhr Res , Rosenwaks Yossi , Bozic-Weber Biljana , Housecroft Catherine E , Constable Edwin C , Meyer Ernst , Glatzel Thilo
Published: July 2013

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) provide a promising third-generation photovoltaic concept based on the spectral sensitization of a wide-bandgap metal oxide. Although the nanocrystalline TiO2 photoelectrode of a DSC consists of sintered nanoparticles, there are few studies on the nanoscale properties. We focus on the microscopic work function and surface photovoltage (SPV) determination of TiO2 photoelectrodes using Kelvin probe force microscopy in combination with a tunable illumination system. A comparison of the surface potentials for TiO2 photoelectrodes sensitized with two different dyes, i.e., the standard dye N719 and a copper(I) bis(imine) complex, reveals an inverse orientation of the surface dipole. A higher surface potential was determined for an N719 photoelectrode. The surface potential increase due to the surface dipole correlates with a higher DSC performance. Concluding from this, microscopic surface potential variations, attributed to the complex nanostructure of the photoelectrode, influence the DSC performance. For both bare and sensitized TiO2 photoelectrodes, the measurements reveal microscopic inhomogeneities of more than 100 mV in the work function and show recombination time differences at different locations. The bandgap of 3.2 eV, determined by SPV spectroscopy, remained constant throughout the TiO2 layer. The effect of the built-in potential on the DSC performance at the TiO2/SnO2:F interface, investigated on a nanometer scale by KPFM measurements under visible light illumination, has not been resolved so far.
Linkage of α-cyclodextrin-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxanes) by inclusion of quasi bifunctional ferrocene
Authors: Ritter Helmut , Knudsen Berit , Durnev Valerij
Published: July 2013

We report the noncovalent linkage of terminally substituted oligo(dimethylsiloxanes) bearing α-cyclodextrins (α-CD) as host end groups for the cyclopentadienyl rings of ferrocene. This double complexation of unsubstituted ferrocene leads to a supramolecuar formation of the siloxane strands. Structural characterization was performed by the use of 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy and by mass spectrometry. Electron microscopy studies and dynamic light scattering measurements show a significant decrease of the derivative size after the complexation with ferrocene. In addition, further evidence for the successful complexation of the end groups was verified by the shifts of the protons in the 1H NMR spectra and in the correlation signals of the 2D ROESY NMR spectra.
Landscape Features Impact on Soil Available Water, Corn Biomass, and Gene Expression during the Late Vegetative Stage
Authors: Hansen Stephanie , Clay Sharon A. , Clay David E. , Carlson C. Gregg , Reicks Graig , Jarachi Youssef , Horvath David
Published: July 2013

Crop yields at summit positions of rolling landscapes often are lower than backslope yields. The differences in plant response may be the result of many different factors. We examined corn (Zea mays L.) plant productivity, gene expression, soil water, and nutrient availability in two landscape positions located in historically high (backslope) and moderate (summit and shoulder) yielding zones to gain insight into plant response differences. Growth characteristics, gene expression, and soil parameters (water and N and P content) were determined at the V12 growth stage of corn. At tassel, plant biomass, N content, 13C isotope discrimination (Δ), and soil water was measured. Soil water was 35% lower in the summit and shoulder compared with the lower backslope plots. Plants at the summit had 16% less leaf area, biomass, and N and P uptake at V12 and 30% less biomass at tassel compared with plants from the lower backslope. Transcriptome analysis at V12 indicated that summit and shoulder‐grown plants had 496 downregulated and 341 upregulated genes compared with backslope‐grown plants. Gene set and subnetwork enrichment analyses indicated alterations in growth and circadian response and lowered nutrient uptake, wound recovery, pest resistance, and photosynthetic capacity in summit and shoulder‐grown plants. Reducing plant populations, to lessen demands on available soil water, and applying pesticides, to limit biotic stress, may ameliorate negative water stress responses.
DAMAGE IDENTIFICATION IN A PLATE-LIKE STRUCTURE USING MODAL DATA
Authors: Ručevskis Sandris , Chate Andris
Published: July 2013

In this paper, an on-going research effort aimed at detecting and localising damage in plate-like structures by using mode shape curvature–based damage detection algorithms is described. Two alternative damage indexes are examined. The first one uses exclusively mode shape curvature data from the damaged structure. This method was originally developed for beam-like structures. In this paper, the method is generalised to plate-like structures that are characterised by two-dimensional mode shape curvature. To examine limitations of the method, several sets of simulated data are applied and damage detection results are compared to the damage identification method that requires mode shape information from both the undamaged and the damaged states of the structure. The modal frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes for the first 15 modes of a plate are obtained via finite element models. Simulated test cases include damage of various levels of severity. In order to ascertain the sensitivity of the proposed method to noisy experimental data, numerical mode shapes are corrupted with different levels of random noise.
ESTIMATION AND ANALYSIS OF USER IPP DELAYS USING BILINEAR MODEL FOR SATELLITE-BASED AUGMENTED NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
Authors: Ratnam D. Venkata
Published: July 2013

Several countries are involved in developing satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS) for improving the positional accuracy of GPS. India is also developing one such system, popularly known as GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation (GAGAN), to cater to civil aviation applications. The ionospheric effect is the major source of error in GAGAN. An appropriate efficient and accurate ionospheric time model for GAGAN is necessary. To develop such a model, data from 17 GPS stations of the GAGAN network spread across India are used in modelling. The prominent model, known as bi-linear interpolation technique, is investigated for user IPP (UIPP) delay estimation. User IPP delays for quiet, moderate and disturbed days are estimated. It is evident that measured mean UIPP delays closely follow estimated mean UIPP delays.
AIRPLANE CATASTROPHE AS A RESULT OF OPERATIONAL ERRORS AND VIOLATIONS
Authors: Medvedev Alexander
Published: July 2013

In 2006 an accident occurred when a Cessna 152 training aircraft was carrying out a training flight. After taking off, the aircraft engine started to work sporadically as the aircraft gained altitude, and then it stopped. The aircraft crashed. During the crash, the aircraft was damaged and set on fire. Two people, the pilot-instructor and the trainee-pilot perished in the catastrophe. Aircraft of this type are not equipped with flight data recorders. As a result, it is a problem to objectively get information about the cause of the aircraft accident. With consideration of the available information (the investigation report and aircraft operating manual), the current paper contains the following: the pilot-instructor's possible operational analysis when preparing for the flight, the schemes of possible flight directions and trajectories in the situation, the scenarios of the operations the pilot could have made and the possible motion of the aircraft, the estimates that were conducted, and judgement of the pilot-instructor's operations during the accident according to the requirements of operational standards.
Migración y tributación en los Andes: Chichas y Lípez a fines del siglo XVII
Authors: Gil Montero Raquel
Published: July 2013

El artículo analiza en forma comparativa la visita general del duque de La Palata realizada en dos corregimientos del sur de la actual Bolivia en 1683. El objetivo general es contribuir a la discusión sobre las causas de las migraciones del siglo XVII. El análisis muestra cómo la mita influyó no solamente como una de las causas principales de las huidas de la población tributaria, sino también conformando un colectivo de migrantes relacionados con la actividad minera.
Aucas en la ciudad de Santiago. La rebelión mapuche de 1723 y el miedo al «otro» en Chile central
Authors: Contreras Cruces Hugo
Published: July 2013

En el contexto de la llamada rebelión general indígena de 1723, este artículo reconstituye las acciones llevadas a cabo para reprimir un supuesto ataque rebelde a la ciudad de Santiago en octubre de dicho año, el cual nunca llegó a realizarse, pero que llevó a la cárcel a más de una centena de indios que habitaban en las cercanías de la ciudad, la mayoría de los cuales eran inmigrantes venidos de la frontera del río Biobío o desde el interior de la Araucanía. Dicho proceso se estudia desde la perspectiva del miedo al «otro», en este caso al indígena migrante, portador de un idioma, costumbres y una religiosidad mayormente incomprensibles para los hispanocriollos de Chile central, lo que los convertía inmediatamente en sospechosos y se les calificaba como «aucas» o rebeldes.
Familia, estrategias de reproducción social y comercio de exportación en Tucumán, Argentina, 1780-1820. Una aproximación a partir de la familia Posse
Authors: Bolsi Francisco
Published: July 2013

Con el advenimiento del siglo XXI, los historiadores latinoamericanos debatieron nuevamente acerca de las posturas historiográficas que analizaron la transición del período tardo colonial al proceso de revolución e independencia a principio del siglo XIX, atendiendo al impacto de estos sucesos en las diversas regiones que integraban el espacio colonial hispanoamericano. Estos debates generaron la necesidad de indagar cómo atravesó la ciudad de San Miguel de Tucumán este proceso, a partir del estudio de una familia representativa de la elite local, los Posse, entre 1780 y 1820. Por este motivo, se centro la atención en la organización familiar, las estrategias de reproducción social y las actividades comerciales efectuadas por Manuel Posse, comerciante peninsular, en Tucumán.
Blasones intelectuales, lecturas regionales, derivas nacionales. Aportes santafesinos a la historiografía académica argentina (1893-1938)
Authors: Micheletti María Gabriela
Published: July 2013

En este artículo se pasa revista a los historiadores de la provincia argentina de Santa Fe que fueron miembros de la Junta de Historia y Numismática Americana, institución fundada en 1893 y transformada en Academia Nacional en 1938. En particular, se procura indagar si esa pertenencia significó un aporte a los estudios de historiografía provincial, en el ámbito de una institución interesada en construir una versión liberal y canónica del pasado nacional.
Gamers’ Attitudes towards Victims of Crime
Authors: McLean Lavinia , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: July 2013

Research on video game playing has focused mainly on the effects of such games in relation to aggression and attitudes towards perpetrators and towards crime. The present research was designed to investigate gamers’ attitudes towards victims of crimes and incidents that were designed to mirror those portrayed in violent video games. Vignettes were used during interviews to explore 50 participants’ attitudes towards different types of victims. The results indicate that long-term playing of violent video games appears to be associated with more negative attitudes towards victims of crime. This is the first study to directly explore attitudes towards victims of crime, in relation to violent video game exposure. Compared to nonviolent video game players, the violent video game players in the study reported less positive attitudes towards the victims in the study and attributed more blame to the victims. The implications of this finding in the context of previous research on violent video games, and on attitudes are explored. Directions for future research in the area are also highlighted.
MobileSens
Authors: Li Ang , Li He , Guo Rui , Zhu Tingshao
Published: July 2013

In psychological research, it is difficult to acquire unintrusive, real-time and objective data under real-life non-experimental scenario. This article proposes a system (MobileSens) for automatically recording user behavior on Android mobile device (e.g., turning on device, sending messages, and web surfing), and uploading data to web server through General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) for subsequent analysis. During testing, MobileSens runs smoothly and efficiently on both the smartphone and tablet computer. It indicates that, in the future, this method of data acquisition can improve the performance of conducting psychological research.
A Literature Review on Human Behavioral Pattern through Social Media Use
Authors: Subramanian K. S. , Sinha Vinita , Bhattacharya Sonali , Chaudhary Kaushik , Kulkarni Ravi
Published: July 2013

Behaviour Informatics constitutes behavioral data construction, impact modeling, simulation, presentation, measurement, evaluation and behavior pattern/network analysis. With the incumbent of social media and its growing significance in work and personal life, researches in last few years examined patterns of use of social media and cognitive behavior. The present study is a literature review considering choice of media, intensity of use, perceived richness, as some of the predicting factors of social media use. It also encompasses available literature on interrelationship between patterns of use of social media with cognitive behavioral indicators such as personality, motivation, leadership, and quality of life. This review comprises of 146 research papers sourced from ScienceDirect, JSTOR, Emerald and EBSCO. Through the literature review, a predictive model has been suggested which can be utilized in decision making in employee life cycle right from recruitment, training, performance management, transition to succession planning.
Strategy Instruction and Maintenance of Basic Multiplication Facts through Digital Game Play
Authors: Denham André R.
Published: July 2013

Formative instruction on multiplication primarily focuses on rote memorization. This leads to factual fluency, but also develops a narrow view of multiplication and hinders the development of conceptual understanding. Theory and research recommend the concurrent development of conceptual understanding and factual fluency during the initial stages of learning about multiplication. Woodward (2006) conducted a field study to investigate this instructional approach and found a significant difference between those who received instruction on multiplicative properties and timed-drills of multiplication facts on a conceptual measure than those who only spent time on timed drills. This study investigated the efficacy of integrating the same approach within a digital game. There was a significant decrease between pre- and post- measures of participants timed retrieval of multiplication facts, but no differences were found between conditions on pre- and post-measures of conceptual understanding. These findings indicate that special attention must be paid to intrinsic integration of instructional content in order to address conceptual understanding through digital game play.
Complex Terminology Extraction Model from Unstructured Web Text Based Linguistic and Statistical Knowledge
Authors: Fkih Fethi , Omri Mohamed Nazih
Published: July 2013

Textual data remain the most interesting source of information in the web. In the authors’ research, they focus on a very specific kind of information namely “complex terms”. Indeed, complex terms are defined as semantic units composed of several lexical units that can describe in a relevant and exhaustive way the text content. In this paper, they present a new model for complex terminology extraction (COTEM), which integrates linguistic and statistical knowledge. Thus, the authors try to focus on three main contributions: firstly, they show the possibility of using a linear Conditional Random Fields (CRF) for complex terminology extraction from a specialized text corpus. Secondly, prove the ability of a Conditional Random Field to model linguistic knowledge by incorporating grammatical observations in the CRF’s features. Finally, the authors present the benefits gained by the integration of statistical knowledge on the quality of the terminology extraction.
Automated Multi-Diode Laser System for WDM Couplers Insertion Loss Measurements
Authors: Alaruri Sami D.
Published: July 2013

Insertion loss is an important parameter used to characterize passive fiber-optic components, such as WDM couplers and variable optical attenuators. This article describes an automated insertion loss measurement system which incorporates 980 nm, 1310 nm, 1529 nm and 1561 nm DFB lasers and two internal fiber optic standards. Insertion loss measurements collected with the system for WDM couplers and internal standards are presented. The system repeatability was validated by measuring the insertion loss for a WDM coupler six times at 980 nm, 1310 nm, 1529 nm and 1561 nm over 3 days period. The standard deviation calculated for the insertion loss measurements is less than 0.11 dB and the %CV is less than 1%.
Need and Difficulties in Uncertainty of Measurement
Authors: Mandavgade N. K. , Jaju S. B. , Lakhe R. R. , Tidke D. J.
Published: July 2013

Uncertainty of measurement has attracted more research in recent past. In this paper, an attempt is made to explain the concept and need of measurment uncertainty. The uncertainty of measurement is related to measurement and calibration process only. The uncertainty of measurement(UOM) is applied in various application such as mechanical, chemical, electrical and civil testing equipments. The paper focus on difficulties in estimation of sources of uncertainty and their estimation. The gaps in the research are identified along with the scope of UOM in various application.The effects of qualitative factors can be possible using data collection through questionnaire.
ICT as a Catalyst in Problem-Based Learning Processes?
Authors: Holmgren Robert
Published: July 2013

This article focuses on the impact on learning processes when digital technologies are integrated into PBL (problem-based learning) oriented distance training. Based on socio-cultural perspectives on learning and a comparative distance-campus as well as a time-perspective, instructor and student roles, and learning activities were explored. Interviews with instructors and students were collected from the two study modes at the beginning and at the end of the training period. The results showed that online PBL, compared to campus-based PBL, evolved towards a more individual, real-life and literacy-oriented problem-solving process with supervising instructors and self-directed learning among students. The follow-up study in the latter part of the training showed that the extended technology integration resulted in both phases of dissemination and normalization. The development in online PBL affected both the course design and educational talks throughout the training. However, the prevailing teaching culture and educational deficiencies of new instructors contributed to a gradual normalization of the online PBL.
Web 2.0 Technologies and the Spirit of Online Learning
Authors: Wang Viktor , Bryan Valerie , Steinke Krista
Published: July 2013

There are many definitions of learning, all reflecting the academic specialties from which the study is conducted: 1. the process of acquiring knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, beliefs, emotions, senses, etc.; 2. the sum total of the process of acquiring knowledge, skills etc, e.g., a learned person; and 3. sometimes, wrongly used as a synonym for education, e.g., adult learning. Significantly, learning is replacing the term education in the educational vocabulary. However, active learning is defined as methods by which learners actively participate in the learning process (e.g., discussion groups, problem-solving, experimentation, and the like). It is differentiated from passive learning in which learners are led by the nose. It is widely believed that active learning may lead to the creation of new knowledge and new skills needed by learners. Because of this belief in active learning, both educators and practitioners have been avidly promoting active learning online since Web 2.0 Technologies were used for online teaching and learning.
Business Intelligence Practices
Authors: Ask Urban
Published: July 2013

There is considerate interest in Business Intelligence (BI) from many perspectives, but little research describing design and use of BI in real companies is available (Granlund, 2011; Jourdan, Rainer & Marshall, 2008). The aim of this article is to add empirical evidence to the knowledge of BI practices, addressing calls for research. BI practices are reported from 193 large Nordic organizations with the aim to give a broad perspective. Nordic organizations are seen as early movers in the adoption of technology (Beise, 2004) and receptive to adopt innovations (Waarts & Van Everdingen, 2005). However, the picture this paper arrives at is that Nordic organizations design and use of BI solutions is fairly traditional, with a major focus on reporting and analysis that contain financial information. There are signs of “beyond traditional use” of BI, but more field based research is needed to better understand BI in practice.
An Analysis of the Use of Predictive Modeling with Business Intelligence Systems for Exploration of Precious Metals Using Biogeochemical Data
Authors: Woolman Thomas A. , Yi John C.
Published: July 2013

This study addresses the use of predictive modeling techniques; primarily feed-forward artificial neural networks as a tool for forecasting geological exploration targets for gold prospecting. It also provides evidence of effectiveness of using Business Intelligence systems to model pathfinder variables, anomaly detection, and forecasting to locate potential exploration sites for precious metals. The results indicate that the use of advanced Business Intelligence systems can be of extremely high value to the extractive minerals exploration industry.
Assessing the Effectiveness of an E-Learning Framework
Authors: Pena Nuno , Isaías Pedro
Published: July 2013

Effectiveness, a major concern in corporate e-Learning, is particularly decisive when projects face financial as well as time-to-market constraints. They are also important when projects target a range of attendees that are socio-demographically and geographically dispersed. This paper describes the case study about the assessment of the effectiveness of IPTEACES framework, a new instructional design Framework. This framework designated, as the name says, as IPTEACES, was conceived to facilitate e-Learning by reducing diversity in programmes facing a non-homogeneous audience, and it was applied to the insurance intermediaries’ certification course in Portugal. These intermediaries came from sixteen different corporations related to the insurance and the banking industry.
A B-Learning Methodology Case for Faculty at High Education
Authors: García-Cabrera Lina , Ruano-Ruano Ildefonso , Balsas-Almagro José Ramón
Published: July 2013

The present teaching case was made at the University of Jaén, Spain, and was concerning to the experience of conducting an innovative b-learning course for the faculty, entitled “Advanced ILIAS e-Learning”. The lessons learned by a group of teachers involved in e-learning were allowed for the course design and implementation. Specifically, the course was designed following the good practices that contribute effective e-learning, including a study-guide for virtual courses which assures quality specific criteria. The course combines conventional classroom work, online activities (web-conferences and class-recordings) and e-learning. It was organized into independent modules which were freely chosen by attendees depending on their needs. The course could be repeated by attendees as necessary to achieve modules and to deepen or improve previously acquired knowledge. The outputs of the experience reflected that b-learning modality was the best option for the academic staff, and therefore, this model should be used by institutions.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Management and Operations of Transfusion Medicine
Authors: Sibinga Cees Th. Smit , Oladejo Maruff Akinwale
Published: July 2013

Health care includes supportive services such as laboratory, radiology and blood transfusion. To manage blood supply centres and hospital blood transfusion services, leadership development is paramount. In 2000, a post-academic Master course for Management of Transfusion Medicine (MMTM) was initiated, focused on restricted economy countries. E-learning has become a common approach in teaching and training in many parts of the world. However, there are still limitations of which some are difficult to influence and eliminate, because they are an integral part of less developed societies in different parts of the world. E-learning packages are increasingly being promoted as an effective way of delivering training, but they have still not penetrated the clinical transfusion practice. Most clinicians have little knowledge of the risks and benefits of supportive haemotherapy, illustrating that the importance of adequate knowledge and competence of blood prescribing clinicians is still not well recognized.E-learning has found its way into the field of blood transfusion. However, audits of clinical transfusion practice have consistently demonstrated deficiencies in knowledge and practice that impact on patient safety and in some cases, result in death. This paper focuses on bridging the knowledge gap in management and operations of transfusion medicine from the perspectives of planning, policy and leadership issues.
Fusion Cubes
Authors: Abelló Alberto , Darmont Jérôme , Etcheverry Lorena , Golfarelli Matteo , Mazón Jose-Norberto , Naumann Felix , Pedersen Torben , Rizzi Stefano Bach , Trujillo Juan , Vassiliadis Panos , Vossen Gottfried
Published: July 2013

Self-service business intelligence is about enabling non-expert users to make well-informed decisions by enriching the decision process with situational data, i.e., data that have a narrow focus on a specific business problem and, typically, a short lifespan for a small group of users. Often, these data are not owned and controlled by the decision maker; their search, extraction, integration, and storage for reuse or sharing should be accomplished by decision makers without any intervention by designers or programmers. The goal of this paper is to present the framework we envision to support self-service business intelligence and the related research challenges; the underlying core idea is the notion of fusion cubes, i.e., multidimensional cubes that can be dynamically extended both in their schema and their instances, and in which situational data and metadata are associated with quality and provenance annotations.
An Envisioned Approach for Modeling and Supporting User-Centric Query Activities on Data Warehouses
Authors: Aufaure Marie-Aude , Cuzzocrea Alfredo , Favre Cécile , Marcel Patrick , Missaoui Rokia
Published: July 2013

In this vision paper, the authors discuss models and techniques for integrating, processing and querying data, information and knowledge within data warehouses in a user-centric manner. The user-centric emphasis allows us to achieve a number of clear advantages with respect to classical data warehouse architectures, whose most relevant ones are the following: (i) a unified and meaningful representation of multidimensional data and knowledge patterns throughout the data warehouse layers (i.e., loading, storage, metadata, etc); (ii) advanced query mechanisms and guidance that are capable of extracting targeted information and knowledge by means of innovative information retrieval and data mining techniques. Following this main framework, the authors first outline the importance of knowledge representation and management in data warehouses, where knowledge is expressed by existing ontology or patterns discovered from data. Then, the authors propose a user-centric architecture for OLAP query processing, which is the typical applicative interface to data warehouse systems. Finally, the authors propose insights towards cooperative query answering that make use of knowledge management principles and exploit the peculiarities of data warehouses (e.g., multidimensionality, multi-resolution, and so forth).
E-Commerce Growth and the Changing Structure of the Retail Sales Industry
Authors: Ramcharran Harri
Published: July 2013

Recent studies of the growth in e-commerce retail sales examine mainly supply side factors, such as the application of information technology, low transaction costs etc. The author uses an empirical model that provides evidence of significant demand side factors which also help explain structural changes in the industry. Based on quarterly data from 1999 Q4 to 2010 Q3, the econometric results indicate an e-commerce sales elasticity of 9.36 and a non-e-commerce sales elasticity of (2.63), indicating a more dynamic and competitive internet market. Evidence of more demand stability for e-commerce sales is also provided. The policy implications for growing e-commerce sales necessitate strategic policies for planned expenditures on R&D and investments in information technology as well as the efficient use of store space by traditional retailers. The use of income elasticity differential for analyzing competition between these two sectors provides an alternative method to price differential used in previous studies.
A New Macroeconomic Architecture for the Stock Market A General-System and Cybernetic Approach
Authors: Choudhury Masudul Alam
Published: July 2013

The old idea of segmented macroeconomics of the financial sector competing with the real economy is replaced by a new model, which manifests strong interaction, integration and co-evolution by circular causation relations between the monetary sector and the real economy with the bridging function of finance and financial instruments. The Money, Finance, Spending and Real Economy (MFSRE) model emerges. This model formalizes the new architecture for the macroeconomy, and its relationship to the stock market. In this model relating to a reconstructed state of the economy and the emergent structure of the financial architecture, money and spending are treated as complementary elements of growth and development. The overarching structure in the end is the MFSRE with its extensively complementary inter-variables relationship in a general system and cybernetic form of interrelationships. The economic organization of the MFSRE causes price stabilization and economic growth and development. These are signified in the social wellbeing criterion of the good economy. The stock market, exemplified by the empirical case study of Bangladesh’s state of the economy and the Dhaka Stock Exchange, bring out the true example of the macroeconomic analysis. The new financial architecture with its stabilization, sustainability and growth and wellbeing as basic-needs regime of development is contrasted with old macroeconomic belief and policies based on outmoded macroeconomic beliefs and futures.
Why Do Advertisers Need to Use Lead Generation?
Authors: Hanafizadeh Payam , Behboudi Mehdi , Khah Ateneh Qodsi , Ardalani Marzieh
Published: July 2013

As evidence mounts on the importance of online advertising and the opportunities presented by new-shaped lead generation companies globally, it becomes important to understand the key issues that determine what the lead generation is and how does it works? Therefore, the key contribution of this article to current knowledge is the development of a conceptualization, supported by the literature that will provide an interpretation of what determines advertising successful on the Internet. Critically, this is the first article to explain the important role that how the business and specifically small business are able to advertise for right user at right time.
From Ecological Concerns Toward Solving Societal Problems?
Authors: Ratamäki Outi
Published: July 2013

The wolf is an endangered species. Principles for the conservation of wolves have been agreed upon internationally through, for example, European Union instruments. However, international agreements and goals are often in opposition with needs and opinions at the national and, especially, local level. Differing cultural and practical perceptions have not been taken into account in the formulation of internationalising politics. Results of such ‘top-down’ politics include lack of respect and commitment at the local level. Ultimately, the wolf loses in this game. The article examines how wolf conservation and policy developed in Finland from the 1960s to the early 2000s. It will be shown how ecological concerns have been taken seriously in the design of the wolf policy while societal concerns have not gained similar interest or strategic planning.