bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MODIS-Derived Spatiotemporal Changes of Major Lake Surface Areas in Arid Xinjiang, China, 2000–2014
Authors: Li Qingting , Lu Linlin , Wang Cuizhen , Li Yingkui , Sui Yue , Guo Huadong
Published: October 2015

Inland water bodies, which are critical freshwater resources for arid and semi-arid areas, are very sensitive to climate change and human disturbance. In this paper, we derived a time series of major lake surface areas across Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), China, based on an eight-day MODIS time series in 500 m resolution from 2000 to 2014. A classification approach based on water index and dynamic threshold selection was first developed to accommodate varied spectral features of water pixels at different temporal steps. The overall classification accuracy for a MODIS-derived water body is 97% compared to a water body derived using Landsat imagery. Then, monthly composites of water bodies were derived for the months of April, July, and September to identify seasonal patterns and inter-annual dynamics of 10 major lakes (>100 km2) in XUAR. Our results indicate that the changing trends of surface area of major lakes varied across the region. The surface areas of the Ebinur and Bosten Lakes showed a significant shrinking trend. The Ulungur-Jili Lake remained relatively stable during the entire period. For mountain lakes, the Barkol Lake showed a decreasing trend in April and July, but the Sayram Lake showed a significant expanding trend in September. The four plateau lakes exhibited significant expanding trends in all three seasons except for Arkatag Lake in July. The shrinking of major lakes reflects severe anthropogenic impacts due to agricultural and industrial needs, in addition to the impact of climate change. The pattern of lake changes across the XUAR can provide insight into the impact of climate change and human activities on regional water resources in this arid and semi-arid region.
Les représentants du Pas-de-Calais à l'Assemblée Nationale (1871-1875). Elections et activités parlementaires
Authors: Guislin Jean-Marc
Published: October 2015

De parlementairen van Nord/Pas-de-Calais in de nationale vergadering (1871-1875). Verkiezingen en parlementaire aktie.

Pas-de-Calais is een rustig département. Alleen de laatste verkiezing, met de strijd tussen drie partijen, is wat meer geanimeerd. Het is een conservatief en Bonapartistisch getint département, maar de conservatieven vallen terug van 80 tot 52% ; zij behouden een soliede inplanting in drie arrondissementen, Montreuil, en Boulogne en Saint-Omer dank zij de rurale kantons, op een totaal van zes. De grotere steden en dorpen, de indus- triecentra, en de mijnstreek zijn republikeinse kernen, al is het populaire bonapartisme niet verdwenen bij de mijnwerkers. Uit het stemgedrag van de parle mentairen, alien notabelen, blijkt dat een enkel vertegenwoordiger links was, 1/5 bestond uit « Chevau- legers » en 1/3 uit Bonapartisten. Hun conservatief stemgedrag ligt boven het nationaal gemiddelde, als het erom gaat tegen de Republiek of voor conservatieve wetten te stem- men. Slechts twee parlementairen op vijftien, de centrumlinkse Martel en de centrum- rechtse Paris, twee merkwaardige persoonlijkheden, alle twee latere ministers, zullen voor de Constitutiewetten stemmen.

Zoals verscheidene kollega's en ongelukkige rivalen, in de periode 1871-1875 hebben zij op parlementair gebied twintig jaar lang (1871-1892) een hoofdrol gespeeld.
Saint-Riquier en 800
Authors: Heitz Carol
Published: October 2015

L'abbaye de Centula/Saint-Riquier, bâtie de 790 à 799, avait des dimensions considérables. Les longaniae — couloirs à arcades mesurant pas moins de 750 mètres — reliaient trois églises : l'abbatiale Saint-Sauveur/Saint-Riquier, la rotonde Sainte-Marie-et-tous- les- Apôtres, enfin l'église Saint-Benoît, réservée exclusivement à la communauté monastique.

L'église principale était un édifice monumental, long de plus de 90 mètres, coiffé de deux grandes tours rondes. La turris occidentale, consacrée au Sauveur, vaste dispositif à transept et tourelles d'escalier, constitue le premier grand «Westwerk» dont nous connaissons à la fois l'agencement architectural et l'utilisation liturgique. La crypta Salvatoris de cette antéglise occidentale inaugure la longue série des cryptes-porches carolingiennes, ottoniennes, romanes.

La liturgie organisée par Angilbert selon la symbolique des nombres — qui, à Centula, accorde la préférence aux chiffres 3 et 7 — emplissait cette église qui était également le théâtre des Laudes regiae, attestées par un texte original datant de l'extrême fin du VIIIe siècle (B.N. Paris, ms. lat. 13159, fol. 163 et 164).

Point d'aboutissement de l'évolution liturgique gallicane, révélant déjà l'influence de la route récente réforme romaine, la Centula de l'an 800 se situe à un carrefour décisif de l'évolution de l'architecture médiévale et aussi du culte pratiqué dans les monastères bénédictins de l'Occident.
Chelles à l'époque mérovingienne
Authors: Berthelier-Ajot Nadine
Published: October 2015

From the VIth and the VIIIth centuries Chelles has grown inside its three communities : the Villa or palace, the Abbey and the village. The combination of toponymie details, informations delivered by too few written documents : « Histoire des Francs » by Grégoire de Tours, «Vie de Saint Géry», «Vie de Sainte Bathilde», and finally archaeological research now under way, makes it possible to circumscribe the area on which the palace was erected and provides a lakely location for the monasteries which have succeeded each other in this area but unfortunately left no buildings. As for the village, nothing but its necropolis confirms its existence. These three communities have lived in a concomitant manner inside a topography which up to now remains partially unknown to us.
Etude des ossements humains de la crypte de l'église Saint-Géry au Mont des Bœufs à Cambrai
Authors: Blondiaux Joël
Published: October 2015

L'étude de l'ossaire de la crypte Saint-Géry de Cambrai n'apporte guère à la connaissance anthropologique des populations médiévales du nord de la France. Mais la confrontation des données anthropologiques, descriptives et métriques, et paléopathologiques introduit des hypothèses intéressantes sur l'utilisation du site.
Les monnaies émises à Cambrai aux VIe-IXe siècles
Authors: Lafaurie Jean
Published: October 2015

Hoofddoel van dit onderzoek was te komen tot een nieuwe datering van de muntslag van de stad Kamerijk en van deSint-Goriksabdij. Uit enkele vondsten blijkt dat men tussen 580 en 615 misschien wel voortdurend munten in omloop heeft gebracht. Men moet wachten op het derde kart van de 7e eeuw voor een herneming van die activiteit.

De grote hervorming van 675 waarbij de aanmunting met goud vervangen werd door zilver, kent men in Kamerrijk slechts door een enkel stuk, een in Domburg (Zeeland) ont- delte denarius. Na de dynastieke verandering verschijnen munten met de naam van Sint-Goriks. Er worden denarii geslagen met het merkteken van Pepijn de Korte en karel de Grote. Na een nieuwe onderbreking van een 40-tal jaren laten Lodewijk de Vrome en Lotharius I opnieuw munt slaan, voor de abdij, maar ook voor de stad.
Les femmes et l'évangélisation au IXe siècle
Authors: Nelson Janet. L.
Published: October 2015

Le rôle des femmes dans 1'évangélisation au IXe siècle fut important, bien que nos témoins n'en parlent pas beaucoup, et bien que la hiérarchie de l'Eglise carolingienne ait essayé de contrôler la spiritualité féminine et de supprimer la magie employée par les femmes. Dans 1'évangelisation «interne» du monde carolingien, les femmes ont pu jouer un rôle actif : au foyer domestique où elles avaient une responsabilité pastorale envers leur familia, au monastère féminin où elles enseignaient, et dans l'expérience des miracles où elles participaient avec un enthousiasme particulier au culte des saints.
Change Management: Overcoming the Challenges of Introducing Self-Driven Learning
Authors: Berkling Kay , Zundel Armin
Published: October 2015

This paper describes the process of designing a course for Software Engineering that promotes self-driven learning while taking into account student motivation, scaffolding and a constrained ecosystem at the XXX University. The University has certain particularities that distinguish it from other Universities because students alternate quarters between study and work. Thus, students receive a salary during their three years towards earning a Bachelor Degree and attendance is mandatory. In cohorts of around 30 students a class spends an average day with at least 5 hours of mostly frontal lecture in the same classic classroom setup. Software Engineering takes up about 5 hours a week of in-class time in their second year of study and is the first course students have seen with a self-driven, blended learning format. The paper describes the process of designing a course for self-driven learning. It starts with a gamified approach that plunges the student directly into a new world of learning and ends with a scaffolded design that leads the students in a one-year-long process of “unschooling”, leaving students less frustrated and more motivated, while still attaining a high level of achievement.
Design of Virtual Learning Environments: Learning Analytics and Identification of Affordances and Barriers
Authors: Qvist Pekka , Kangasniemi Tuomas , Palomäki Sonja , Seppänen Jenni , Joensuu Pekka , Natri Olli , Närhi Marko , Palomäki Eero , Tiitu Hannu , Nordström Katrina
Published: October 2015

The future of educational technology has been envisioned to have increasing focus on simulations, game based learning, virtual learning environments and virtual worlds. The technologies aim to provide authentic learning and enable deeper, more complex and contextual understanding for students. To study the impact of virtual learning environments for natural sciences and engineering education, we have designed and implemented a virtual laboratory, LabLife3D, in Second Life. To date we have designed six virtual laboratory exercises in the biological sciences and chemistry and additionally created a system to gather behavioristic data during laboratory simulations for the purpose of learning analytics. This paper presents the design process of laboratory exercises and discusses the content-specific learning goals and outcomes. Additionally, this paper discusses the use of heuristic usability review used to improve the virtual learning environment. Lastly, the results from student and teacher interviews are presented, together with results of the learning analytics study. The discussion also includes student identified affordances and barriers for learning. We conclude that authentic and deep learning is possible within virtual worlds. Furthermore, the results of this study are not only limited to virtual worlds, but could also apply to other areas of digital educational technology.
Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Forrest Edward , Hoanca Bogdan
Published: October 2015

This chapter reviews the many new tools the advent of AI agents has placed into the hands of marketers and consumers alike. AI agents are redefining the roles and rules of the marketing game. While once marketing was the interaction between marketing professionals and customers, AI agents are taking key roles on both sides. The chapter shows how Artificial Intelligence Marketing Agents have begun to proffer the marketer unprecedented marketing research and communication capabilities. However, at the same time AI applications are empowering the consumer to bypass or question the corporate marketing message. Virtual Personal Shopping Assistants (VPSAs) can learn consumers' tastes, predict their needs, and optimize their product purchases. VPSAs are able to instantly match a consumer's need against all accessible products that meet the consumer's expectations and price points. The chapter concludes with recommendations for marketers to recognize the primary role that the consumer's VPSA will play in the marketing game and adjust their marketing efforts accordingly.
The Treacherous Path of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Role of Information Systems in its Implementation
Authors: Ndlovu Tabani , Simba Amon , Mariussen Anastasia
Published: October 2015

Despite alleged widespread adoption of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and responsible business practices by organisations worldwide, questions still remain on the motives for such adoption; effects and/or benefits of CSR adoption as well as how stakeholders can tell genuine responsible businesses from those paying lip service and using the CSR tag as a ‘means-to-an end'. The litany of jargon often used interchangeably including such terms as CSR, sustainability, sustainable marketing, responsible business practice and sustainable development among others further lead to scepticism on organisations' commitments to CSR and the resultant allegations of greenwashing and CSR tokenism. This undermines genuine attempts to be corporately-responsible, fuelling confusion for any new players wishing to adopt responsible business practices. This chapter uses the Information Systems (IS) landscape as a lever to dissect issues in both CSR theory and practice, offering some practical guidelines for implementation and operationalisation, while raising further questions for research.
Social Media as Marketing Information Systems
Authors: Karpasitis Christos , Kaniadakis Antonios
Published: October 2015

The chapter discusses the impact of the advent and dominance of Social Media in e-marketing. Drawing on concepts from the Social Sciences and the Information Systems field, we propose an understanding of Social Media as useful Marketing Information Systems, which increasingly support the e-marketing function. More specifically, we explore the changing role of customers who as they become increasingly engaged in the Social Media Ecosystem and form communities of interest around certain products, they assume a more active role in co-creating and spreading marketing messages. To demonstrate this process we discuss the case of branded videos that are developed as part of viral marketing campaigns. We show that branded videos constitute digital objects that combine certain content characteristics (visuals, sound, plot), which create cultural and emotional references that help engage customers and contribute to the video's virality in Social Media.
Social Media Performance Measurement
Authors: Greve Goetz
Published: October 2015

Today, companies are turning to social media as a source of marketing information. Comments posted on social network sites, tweets, and blogs provide a wealth of data for the improvement of marketing decision making. Thus, marketers are greatly interested in how marketing activities can affect certain social media metrics and to what extent each drives business performance. The purpose of the chapter is to elaborate on the performance outcomes of social media activities and the possibility to use data from these networks for marketing information systems. Thus, the chapter discusses the theoretical foundations of social media and develops dimensions for social media performance measurement. In addition, the integration of social media performance measurement into a marketing information system is discussed and implementation issues are critically evaluated. The chapter closes with an outline of further research directions and a conclusion.
The Role of Online Social Networking in the Recruitment Context
Authors: Ratten Vanessa
Published: October 2015

The usage of online social networking has increased as more people use digital technology to access and store information. In this chapter, the way recruiting services are being used by online social networks is discussed. This chapter utilizes the theoretical framework of social cognitive theory to understand the factors affecting intentions to adopt online social networking recruiting services. The chapter discusses the role of online behavioral advertising, ethical orientation, social influencers and online privacy concerns to see who they affect behavioral intentions. The results of the study reported in the chapter extend current understanding about online recruitment to see how social networks are an important part of the adoption process. The chapter provides practical and managerial insights into the role of online social networking in the recruitment context.
Successful New Product Planning
Authors: Grigoriou Nicholas
Published: October 2015

Successful organizations continually operate in a state of innovation in terms of the offerings they produce, frequently introducing new products or modifying and improving existing products as needed and by the market. The means of conceptualizing, designing, and marketing new products is known as new product development. Successful new product development is a considerable challenge for any market oriented organization. The cost of designing and developing new products is increasing while the rate of success of new products is not. Marketing managers are constantly looking for ways to improve their new product development process. This necessitates, among other things, linking an organization's capabilities and resources with the new product demands of the markets they serve. This chapter considers some of the internal process any market driven organization should focus on to improve the likelihood that their new products will enjoy market success.
Examining the Brand Communication Tools that Impact Brand Preferences of Women Consumer buying intentions-Empirical Investigation of Middle East
Authors: Sakkthivel A. M. , Sriram B.
Published: October 2015

The chapter aims to design a model of constructs of brand communication tools (direct and indirect) and test the impact of the same on brand preferences of women consumer buying intentions from Middle Eastern countries with specific evidences from Sultanate of Oman. The survey was conducted among 200 women consumers with reference to identifying the influence of brand communication tools on their buying intentions. The results revealed that both the communication tools found to have a significant impact. It is found that the direct brand communication tools have a higher impact over women buying intentions.
Building Corporate Culture for Competitiveness in Entrepreneurial Firms
Authors: Singh Balwinder , Sadri Sorab
Published: October 2015

The dichotomy posed by Mandel goes to the root of every corporate plan and every CEO's concern. Professional bodies like the All India Management Association and business collectivities like the various Chambers of Commerce have been grappling with this for decades now, and with very little success too. Given that, the CEO implements the desired organisational change it remains the task of the culture to sustain this change and make the organisation vibrant. Traditionally Indian organisations are hierarchically positivist and therefore the quality of leadership determines the form and content of the internal environment of the organisation. This chapter accordingly will not deal with a treatment of leadership but refer the reader to Geometry of HR (2002) and What Every MBA Should Know about HRM (2005). Instead, it will treat corporate culture building for global competitiveness on the line of Business Ethics and Corporate Governance (2011).
Entrepreneurship Policies for Knowledge Economies
Authors: Deshpande Mukund
Published: October 2015

Excellence in the economy of the firm has, at all times, aroused curiosity and has been a most hunted area of dialogue for entrepreneurs. The diligent fostering of a candid habit of mind even in trifles is a matter of high moment both to character and opinions. This realism speaks of human behaviour that is only accountable for the betterment of the entrepreneurship. Therefore every entrepreneur looks for the available and favourable choices which do not generate adverse effects. Excellence in economy of the enterprise is only attainable in the course of good knowledge management practices. The purpose of this chapter is to understand how the economy of the enterprise could be fruitfully improved through entrepreneurship approach and establish its implementation. The chapter reports that right tools to information gathering, right interpretation to knowledge and appropriate entrepreneurship action are the essential dimensions for building economy of the enterprise.
Service Logic Business Model Canvas for Lean Development of SMEs and Start-Ups
Authors: Ojasalo Jukka , Ojasalo Katri
Published: October 2015

Business models have made a breakthrough both in the academic and in business community in the area business development. Old fashioned business plans are in many cases considered as a waste of time and resources. Particularly start-ups and SMEs have a great potential to take advantage of business model approach which allows lean and agile product and service development. However, the existing widely used business model frameworks are lacking the new service logic orientation. They mostly see the world in terms of goods logic. Since all sizes of businesses in all industries are increasingly adopting the service logic or service-dominant logic, there was a clear need to develop a new service logic based business model framework. Based on an extensive empirical study with both practitioners and academics, a new Service Logic Business Model Canvas was developed to fill this need. This chapter explains the theoretical foundations of this framework in SME and start-up context, as well as the framework itself and its application.
Advocating Entrepreneurship Education and Knowledge Management in Global Business
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: October 2015

This chapter reveals the perspectives of advocating entrepreneurship education and knowledge management (KM) in global business, thus describing the theoretical and practical concepts of network economy, sharing economy, entrepreneurship education, and KM; the empirical studies of entrepreneurship education and KM in the network economy and the sharing economy; the significance of entrepreneurship education in global business; and the significance of KM in global business. The achievement of entrepreneurship education and KM is crucial for modern organizations that seek to serve suppliers and customers, improve business performance, facilitate competitiveness, and obtain routine success. Thus, it is essential for modern organizations to explore their entrepreneurship education and KM applications, develop a strategic plan to investigate their advancements, and respond to entrepreneurship education and KM needs of customers. Applying entrepreneurship education and KM has the potential to enhance organizational performance and achieve strategic goals in the digital age.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Middle East
Authors: Santos Juan Luis , Navarro Tomás Mancha , Kaszowska Jagoda Anna
Published: October 2015

In this chapter it is analyzed the importance of innovation in services and industry in the entrepreneurial and business activity in five countries that represent a 65 percent of the population of the Middle East. The characteristics of the owners of firms in are studied according to the Standard Industrial Classification. The differences between services and industries with respect to innovation are highlighted. Then the determinants of innovation are determined in this set of countries during the period 2001-2008 and the role of individual characteristics such as gender, age, skills and perception of business owners' status are studied. The most important factors for innovation in services sector and the ones of manufacturing are compared.
Strategic Business Plan Based on Total Quality Management for Property-Marketing Small Enterprises in UK
Authors: Abdi M. Reza , Elliot Lee , Edalat Farideh Delavari
Published: October 2015

The chapter investigates the property marketing enterprises in northern England, UK, through examination of the Macro/Micro environments and using standard evaluation of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT)factors and the Political, Economic, Social and Technological, Environmental (ecological) and Legal (PESTEL) factors, and five forces analyses in order to explore the enterprise's standing within the market place. The PESTEL analysis provides a ‘Big Picture' of the environments in which the small enterprises operate along with identifying key strategic opportunities and threats. Insights gained here will allow entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities and minimise the threats. The research methodology is examined through a real case study in a small enterprise company called Property-Marketing Company based in the UK. The findings show that the small firm seem to be in a strong sustainable position within the regional property marketing segment, and have the potential to expand. The findings also reveal that the entrepreneur's goals are reasonably well established whereas they currently suffer from the lack of a strategic plan to achieve their goals. The project aims to provide a strategic business plan for the company under study with an effective process flow in order to maximise available time, and a strategic plan of how to grow the business.
Utility Computing and Its Utilization
Authors: Adhikari Mainak , Das Aditi , Mukherjee Akash
Published: October 2015

Utility computing is envisioned to be the next generation of Information Technology (IT) evolution that depicts how computing needs of users can be fulfilled in the future IT industry. Its analogy is derived from the real world where service providers maintain and supply utility services, such as electrical power, gas, and water to consumers. Consumers' providers the services based on their usage. Therefore, the underlying design of utility computing is based on a service provisioning model, where Consumers pay providers for using computing power only when they need to. This chapter first discuss some features, challenges and impacts of utility computing. Finally this chapter point out the important, standards and recommendation of utility computing in cloud platform with a suitable example.
Performance of Enterprise Architecture in Utility Computing
Authors: Bhadoria Robin Singh
Published: October 2015

In traditional computing, hardware and software resources are configured to meet the single user's requirements. Utility computing model assist to maximize utilization of resource, hence, minimize the cost associated with it. This approach allows a utility to gradually modernize computing service by enabling existing legacy applications and adopting standard interfaces. The Enterprise Architecture comprises the resource associated in felicitating services domain for Hardware and Application Monitoring via shared services. This chapter discusses about the several architecture that have been presented by different researchers and experts into field of utility computing.
Green Computing and Its Impact
Authors: Singh Shailendra , Gond Sunita
Published: October 2015

The mission “Saving Earth” has become need of all of us to sustain life on the earth. There are many holistic approaches for Green Computing which impact on stack holders of the computing system including hardware, software and people. There are many reasons to develop green computing like environmental friendly, saving powers, long term profit, reduce pollution, power management and increasing performance etc. Approach to develop green computing can be broadly divided into four parts: hardware device manufacturing, software techniques, people awareness and standard policies.
History and Evolution of GPU Architecture
Authors: Das Prashanta Kumar , Deka Ganesh Chandra
Published: October 2015

The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a specialized and highly parallel microprocessor designed to offload 2D/3D image from the Central Processing Unit (CPU) to expedite image processing. The modern GPU is not only a powerful graphics engine, but also a parallel programmable processor with high precision and powerful features. It is forcasted that by 2020, 48 Core GPU will be available while by 2030 GPU with 3000 core is likely to be available.This chapter describes the chronology of evolution of GPU hardware architecture and the future ahead.
GPU Computation and Platforms
Authors: Bhargavi K. , Babu B. Sathish
Published: October 2015

The GPUs (Graphics Processing Unit) were mainly used to speed up computation intensive high performance computing applications. There are several tools and technologies available to perform general purpose computationally intensive application. This chapter primarily discusses about GPU parallelism, applications, probable challenges and also highlights some of the GPU computing platforms, which includes CUDA, OpenCL (Open Computing Language), OpenMPC (Open MP extended for CUDA), MPI (Message Passing Interface), OpenACC (Open Accelerator), DirectCompute, and C++ AMP (C++ Accelerated Massive Parallelism). Each of these platforms is discussed briefly along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Designing of High Performance Multicore Processor with Improved Cache Configuration and Interconnect
Authors: Mohanty Ram Prasad , Turuk Ashok Kumar , Sahoo Bibhudatta
Published: October 2015

The growing number of cores increases the demand for a powerful memory subsystem which leads to enhancement in the size of caches in multicore processors. Caches are responsible for giving processing elements a faster, higher bandwidth local memory to work with. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to analyze the impact of cache size on performance of Multi-core processors by varying L1 and L2 cache size on the multicore processor with internal network (MPIN) referenced from NIAGRA architecture. As the number of core's increases, traditional on-chip interconnects like bus and crossbar proves to be low in efficiency as well as suffer from poor scalability. In order to overcome the scalability and efficiency issues in these conventional interconnect, ring based design has been proposed. The effect of interconnect on the performance of multicore processors has been analyzed and a novel scalable on-chip interconnection mechanism (INOC) for multicore processors has been proposed. The benchmark results are presented by using a full system simulator. Results show that, using the proposed INoC, compared with the MPIN; the execution time are significantly reduced.
GPU Based Image Quality Assessment using Structural Similarity (SSIM) Index
Authors: Khadtare Mahesh Satish
Published: October 2015

This chapter deals with performance analysis of CUDA implementation of an image quality assessment tool based on structural similarity index (SSI). Since it had been initial created at the University of Texas in 2002, the Structural SIMilarity (SSIM) image assessment algorithm has become a valuable tool for still image and video processing analysis. SSIM provided a big giant over MSE (Mean Square Error) and PSNR (Peak Signal to Noise Ratio) techniques because it way more closely aligned with the results that would have been obtained with subjective testing. For objective image analysis, this new technique represents as significant advancement over SSIM as the advancement that SSIM provided over PSNR. The method is computationally intensive and this poses issues in places wherever real time quality assessment is desired. We tend to develop a CUDA implementation of this technique that offers a speedup of approximately 30 X on Nvidia GTX275 and 80 X on C2050 over Intel single core processor.
Adaptive Mobile Architecture with Utility Computing
Authors: Bhadoria Robin Singh , Patil Chandrakant
Published: October 2015

In this chapter, we try to elaborate on how we could accommodate such a system using a mobile interface for delivering services for business as well as enterprise applications. Strategically, the problem with today's industry is that there is no established framework about how to adopt changes or to effectively utilize its IT services for any enterprise with mobile computing architecture. This chapter focuses on Mobile Interface Architecture, which can easily demonstrate the ubiquitous nature of today's computing environment.
Beyond Fun
Authors: Martinez-Garza Mario M. , Clark Douglas B. , Killingsworth Stephen S , Adams Deanne M.
Published: October 2015

A central goal of education involves helping students develop deep understandings of complex models at the heart of core learning goals. Interestingly, an analogous goal of commercial recreational digital games involves helping players develop deep understandings of the models at the heart of those games. Given that games can motivate players to engage voluntarily over extended periods of time in developing understandings of complex game models, one may ask whether and how one might foster similar engagement with educational concepts and models. Much fanfare has accompanied claims about games' potential for engagement and motivation, but many of those claims have focused on a shallow idea of “fun”. This chapter takes a deeper view of motivation and learning by employing Pintrich's synthesis of research on motivation to learn as a lens for examining (a) how popular game design conventions currently scaffold motivation to learn and (b) how game design conventions might be augmented to more effectively scaffold motivation to learn in the future.
Design and Implementation of an MMO
Authors: Rosenheck Louisa , Gordon-Messer Susannah , Clarke-Midura Jody , Klopfer Eric
Published: October 2015

Games can be a powerful tool for learning not only content knowledge but also skills and ways of thinking. In a classroom, the instructional design that goes into the implementation of a learning game is as important as the game itself. The Radix Endeavor is a multiplayer online game for inquiry-based STEM learning in which players explore mathematical and biological systems and use their understanding of those systems to solve problems in a virtual world. This chapter will present case studies of teachers implementing Radix in their classroom with a wide variety of formats, approaches, and learning goals. The authors will examine how key elements of an implementation impact student and teacher experiences and support problem-solving and inquiry learning. The chapter will explain the importance of implementation decisions, which will aid teachers and instructional designers integrating game-based learning into their own curriculum.
Playful Transition
Authors: Snyder Anne Elizabeth , Van Voorhis Victoria
Published: October 2015

What is the role of play in middle school education? Typically, play is not integrated into the middle school day to the same degree as in elementary school, yet researchers have found that children in this age group are perfectly primed to learn from the rich experiences offered through play. Serious games, which blend content and skill instruction with entertaining play, provide an ideal mechanism for addressing the unique needs of the middle school student. This chapter provides game designers, instructors, and other stakeholders with an overview of the typical middle school student, as well as the role of serious games in middle school education. Drawing from a case study of an actual game under development, the authors present specific design principles in order to guide stakeholders in the design and use of serious and learning games in the middle school classroom.
The Use of Smart Toys in Learning Games
Authors: Smith Peter A. , Welch Shelly
Published: October 2015

The use of toys and videogames in learning is becoming more and more established as mediums, however, the interaction between smart toys and videogames for learning is a wholly new endeavor. With the advent of new games like Activision's Skylanders, and Disney Infinity, kids are being introduced to a new level of interaction between the real and virtual. The ability to create stories in the virtual and relive them in the real, or vice versa, is changing the way kids are playing. Applying these technologies to learning games is the next logical step in the advancement of learning games for kids. This chapter will explore what smart toys are, how they are being used, and future applications of the technology.
Minecraft Schooling
Authors: Busuttil Leonard , Gruppetta Christina , Camilleri Vanessa
Published: October 2015

Playing digital games is an important leisure activity for a large number of us. Research shows that a large number of children play digital games for leisure purposes. One of the games played is Minecraft. This chapter outlines how Minecraft is being used in junior year settings by referring to academic literature as well as communities of practice available on the internet. The authors outline a set of activities incorporating Minecraft aimed at seven year olds which were designed to introduce a series of curricular topics in a class in a Maltese school. Following qualitative data analysis the chapter outlines a series of outcomes that were extracted from this project
Game-Based Learning with the Leap Motion Controller
Authors: Ebner Martin , Spot Norbert
Published: October 2015

Learning through games is a promising field for the future of education. In this research study the authors describe the development process of an educational application, a game targeting P-12 students. This application is meant to be used with the Leap Motion Controller, a small 3D infrared camera, which while in use, tracks the user's hands and finger movements in the 3D space. The chapter describes the application itself and presents the outcomes of a field study, which was carried out with a small group of students at an elementary school. It can be pointed out that there is a huge potential of using innovative input devices in school education.
Robotic Tools and Techniques for Improving Research in an Underwater Delicate Environment
Authors: Sorbi Laura , Scaradozzi David , Zoppini Francesco , Zingaretti Silvia , Gambogi Pamela
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe use of versatile and multipurpose robotic systems in underwater sites constitutes a high-value technology, useful in the exploration, monitoring, and documentation of important archaeological findings or biological parameters. Intervention must always be nondestructive,
noninvasive, and delicate; for this reason, it is important to develop tools and systems that allow telepresence and improve the pilot's ability to work in conditions and environments that are dangerous and often inaccessible for divers. One of the most important objectives of underwater robotic
research includes developing easy-to-use devices and systems that can safely and efficiently be operated by relatively inexperienced operators. Nowadays, archaeological and marine sanctuaries require a significant budget to be studied and preserved by national and international organizations
because of their large number and the challenges related to conducting surveys with “light” equipment and robots. This paper presents a set of tools and technological solutions developed with the common aim of improving the efficiency of diving operations and commercial low-cost
micro-ROVs (remotely operated vehicles) in surveying and documenting fragile underwater sites. In particular, this paper describes a force feedback joystick for ROV precise guidance and positioning, an innovative 3D live streaming capability for better perception of the work environment, and
an innovative cloud strategy for processing, archiving, and elaborating on underwater data at the time of survey. Results have demonstrated that the developed tools significantly improve the efficiency of survey investigations performed directly by scientists and that they have a variety of
applications and their design prepares them for future integration.
Antagonizing Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor α Activity Selectively Enhances Th1 Immunity in Male Mice
Authors: Zhang Monan Angela , Ahn Jeeyoon Jennifer , Zhao Fei Linda , Selvanantham Thirumahal , Mallevaey Thierry , Stock Nick , Correa Lucia , Clark Ryan , Spaner David , Dunn Shannon E.
Published: October 2015

Females exhibit more robust Th1 responses than males. Our previous work suggested that this sex disparity is a consequence of higher activity of the androgen-induced gene peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPARα) in male CD4+ T cells. The objective of this study was to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanism of how PPARα inhibits Th1 responses in male mice. In this study, we found that PPARα functions within CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and NKT cells to negatively regulate IFN-γ responses in male mice and identified Ifng as the gene target of PPARα repression. Treatment of male CD4+ T cells with the PPARα agonist fenofibrate induced the recruitment of PPARα and the nuclear receptor-interacting protein, nuclear receptor corepressor 1, to specific cis-regulatory elements in the Ifng locus. This recruitment associated with reduced histone acetylation at these sites. Knockdown of nuclear receptor corepressor 1 in primary male T cells abolished the effect of fenofibrate in reducing IFN-γ production. In contrast, treatment of male T cells with IS001, a novel antagonist of PPARα, increased Ifng gene expression and histone acetylation across the Ifng locus. Finally, we investigated the effects of IS001 on IFN-γ responses in mice during infection with the Th1-associated pathogen Listeria monocytogenes and observed that IS001 enhanced IFN-γ production by NKT, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells and improved the survival of male, but not female, mice. Our findings provide a novel mechanism of why IFN-γ responses are more robust in females and introduce a small-molecule IS001 that can be used to enhance Th1 immunity in males.
Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension amongst adults in a rural community of Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Ntuli Samuel T. , Maimela Eric , Alberts Mariannes , Choma Solly , Dikotope Sekgothe
Published: October 2015

Background: Hypertension is problem already faced by urban populations of South Africa, but little is known about its prevalence and risk factors in rural areas.Aim: To assess the prevalence of and risk factors associated with hypertension amongst adults in a rural community in South Africa.Setting: Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, Limpopo Province, South Africa.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was carried out at this site where individuals aged 15 years and older were screened using a locally adapted version of the World Health Organization STEPwise questionnaire. Demographics, anthropometry and three independent blood pressure (BP) readings were taken. The average of the three BP measurements was used in analysis, and hypertension taken as systolic and diastolic BP of ≥ 140 or ≥ 90 mmHg respectively, or at least a two-week history of antihypertensive treatment. Analysis included the Chi-square test and statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.Results: A total of 1407 individuals were interviewed, of whom 1281 had complete BP, weight and height measurements taken. The mean age of participants was 44.2 ± 2 0.9 years (range 15–98 years), 63% were female, 55% were single and 90% were unemployed, whilst 13% were tobacco smokers and 20% reported drinking alcohol. Overall prevalence of hypertension was 41% and this was significantly associated with age and marital status.Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension was found to be high. Prevention strategies are urgently needed to address this life-threatening and important risk factor for cardiovascular disease in rural Limpopo Province.
Therapeutic Apheresis in Dermatological Diseases
Authors: Bambauer Rolf , Burgard Daniel , Schiel Ralf
Published: October 2015

Since the mid-1970s, membrane modules became available and plasma separation techniques have gained importance. Therapeutic apheresis (TA) has been successfully introduced in a variety of autoantibody-mediated diseases. In dermatology, TA is increasingly applied as a support treatment for severe and/or refractory autoimmune bullous diseases. All autoimmune disease are characterized by autoantibodies mediated against structural proteins of the skin and/or mucous membranes. Autoimmune blistering diseases have a high morbidity and mortality. These diseases include pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid among others. Drug-induced pemphigus and other forms, such as dermatitis herpetiformis, herpes gestationis, scleroderma, pyoderma gangrenosum, epidermal necrolysis, Behcet disease, psoriasis vulgaris, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, and porphyria cutanea tarda, are also mentioned. Pathogenetical aspects of autoantibodies in these diseases are clearly demonstrated. TA has been shown to effectively remove the autoantibodies from blood and lead to rapid clinical improvement.
Интегрируемые модели и комбинаторика
Authors: Bogolyubov Nikolai Mikhailovich , Malyshev Cyril Leonidovich
Published: October 2015

Обсуждаются связи между квантовыми интегрируемыми моделями, решаемыми с помощью квантового метода обратной задачи, и некоторыми аспектами перечислительной комбинаторики и теории разбиений. В качестве основного примера рассматривается спиновая $XXZ$-цепочка Гейзенберга в предельных случаях нулевой и бесконечной анизотропии. Вычисляются форм-факторы и некоторые температурные корреляционные функции. Показано, что в специальной $q$-параметризации полученные форм-факторы представляют собой производящие функции плоских разбиений и решеточных самоизбегающих путей. Асимптотическое поведение корреляционных функций исследуется для случая большого числа узлов и умеренно большого числа спиновых возбуждений. При достаточно низкой температуре продемонстрирована связь корреляционных функций с теорией матричных интегралов.
Библиография: 125 названий.
Расширенное энионное фоковское пространство и некоммутативные ортогональные многочлены типа Мейкснера в бесконечномерном случае
Authors: Bozejko Marek , Lytvynov Evgenii Wil'yamovich , Rodionova Irina Viktorovna
Published: October 2015

Пусть $\nu$ - конечная мера на $\mathbb R$, преобразование Лапласа которой является аналитической функцией в окрестности нуля. Энионный белый шум Леви на $(\mathbb R^d,dx)$ - это некоторое семейство некоммутативных операторов $\langle\omega,\varphi\rangle$ на энионном фоковском пространстве над $L^2(\mathbb R^d\times\mathbb R,{dx\otimes\nu})$. Здесь $\varphi=\varphi(x)$ - элемент пространства основных функций на $\mathbb R^d$, а ${\omega=\omega(x)}$ понимается как операторнозначное распределение на $\mathbb R^d$. Пусть $L^2(\tau)$ - некоммутативное $L^2$-пространство, порождаемое алгеброй многочленов от переменных $\langle \omega,\varphi\rangle$, где $\tau$ - вакуумное ожидание. Мы строим некоммутативные ортогональные многочлены в $L^2(\tau)$ вида $\langle P_n(\omega),f^{(n)}\rangle$, где $f^{(n)}$ - основная функция на $(\mathbb R^d)^n$. Используя эти ортогональные многочлены, мы конструируем унитарный изоморфизм $U$ между $L^2(\tau)$ и расширенным энионным фоковским пространством над $L^2(\mathbb R^d,dx)$, которое обозначается $\mathbf F(L^2(\mathbb R^d,dx))$. Обычное энионное фоковское пространство над $L^2(\mathbb R^d,dx)$, обозначаемое $\mathscr F(L^2(\mathbb R^d,dx))$, является подпространством пространства $\mathbf F(L^2(\mathbb R^d,dx))$. Мы показываем, что равенство $\mathbf F(L^2(\mathbb R^d,dx))=\mathscr F(L^2(\mathbb R^d,dx))$ имеет место тогда и только тогда, когда мера $\nu$ сосредоточена в одной точке (т. е. в гауссовском или пуассоновском случае). Пользуясь унитарным изоморфизмом $U$, мы реализуем операторы $\langle \omega,\varphi\rangle$ как (трехдиагональное) поле Якоби в $\mathbf F(L^2(\mathbb R^d,dx))$. Строится класс типа Мейкснера энионного белого шума Леви, для которого соответствующее поле Якоби в $\mathbf F(L^2(\mathbb R^d,dx))$ имеет относительно простую структуру. Именно, каждый энионный белый шум Леви типа Мейкснера характеризуется двумя параметрами: $\lambda\in\mathbb R$ и $\eta\geqslant 0$. В заключение мы получаем представление $\omega(x)=\partial_x^\dagger+\lambda \partial_x^\dagger\partial_x+ \eta\partial_x^\dagger\partial_x\partial_x+\partial_x$, где $\partial_x$ и $\partial_x^\dagger$ - операторы уничтожения и рождения в точке $x$. Библиография: 57 названий.