bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Analysis of the Flavonoid Glycosides and Terpene Trilactones in the Extract of Ginkgo biloba and Evaluation of Their Inhibitory Activity towards Fibril Formation of β-Amyloid Peptide
Authors: Xie Haiyan , Wang Jing-Rong , Yau Lee-Fong , Liu Yong , Liu Liang , Han Quan-Bin , Zhao Zhongzhen , Jiang Zhi-Hong
Published: April 2014

The standard extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves (EGb761) is used clinically in Europe for the symptomatic treatment of impaired cerebral function in primary degenerative dementia syndromes, and the results of numerous in vivo and in vitro studies have supported such clinical use. The abnormal production and aggregation of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) and the deposition of fibrils in the brain are regarded as key steps in the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and the inhibition of Aβ aggregation and destabilization of the preformed fibrils represent viable approaches for the prevention and treatment of AD. Flavonoid glycosides and terpene trilactones (TTLs) are the two main components of EGb761 which represent 24 and 6% of the overall content, respectively. In our research, seven abundant flavonoid glycosides 1–7 were isolated from the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves and characterized by spectroscopic analysis. Furthermore, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography method was established for the simultaneous quantification of these seven flavonoids. The inhibitory activities of these flavonoids, as well as four TTLs, i.e., ginkgolides A, B, and C and bilobalide (compounds 8–11), were evaluated towards Aβ42 fibril formation using a thioflavin T fluorescence assay. It was found that three flavonoids 1, 3 and 4 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities, whereas the other four flavonoids 2, 5, 6 and 7, as well as the four terpene trilactones, showed poor activity. This is the first report of the inhibition of Aβ fibril formation of two characteristic acylated flavonoid glycosides 6, 7 in Ginkgo leaves, on the basis of which the structure-activity relationship of these flavonoids 1–7 was discussed.
Nutritional Knowledge of UK Coaches
Authors: Cockburn Emma , Fortune Alistair , Briggs Marc , Rumbold Penny
Published: April 2014

Athletes obtain nutritional information from their coaches, yet their competency in this area is lacking. Currently, no research exists in the UK which has a different coach education system to many other countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the sports nutrition knowledge of UK coaching certificate (UKCC) level 2 and 3, hockey and netball qualified coaches. All coaches (n = 163) completed a sports nutrition questionnaire to identify: (a) if they provided nutritional advice; (b) their level of sport nutrition knowledge; and (c) factors that may have contributed to their level of knowledge. Over half the coaches provided advice to their athletes (n = 93, 57.1%), even though they were not competent to do so. Coaches responded correctly to 60.3 ± 10.5% of all knowledge questions with no differences between those providing advice and those who did not (p > 0.05). Those coaches who had undertaken formal nutrition training achieved higher scores than those who had not (p < 0.05). In conclusion, UK sports coaches would benefit from continued professional development in sports nutrition to enhance their coaching practice.
EPCGen2 Pseudorandom Number Generators: Analysis of J3Gen
Authors: Peinado Alberto , Munilla Jorge , Fúster-Sabater Amparo
Published: April 2014

This paper analyzes the cryptographic security of J3Gen, a promising pseudo random number generator for low-cost passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. Although J3Gen has been shown to fulfill the randomness criteria set by the EPCglobal Gen2 standard and is intended for security applications, we describe here two cryptanalytic attacks that question its security claims: (i) a probabilistic attack based on solving linear equation systems; and (ii) a deterministic attack based on the decimation of the output sequence. Numerical results, supported by simulations, show that for the specific recommended values of the configurable parameters, a low number of intercepted output bits are enough to break J3Gen. We then make some recommendations that address these issues.
Optimization of Dengue Immunoassay by Label-Free Interferometric Optical Detection Method
Authors: Laguna María , Holgado Miguel , Sanza Francisco , Lavín Alvaro , López Ana , Casquel Rafael
Published: April 2014

In this communication we report a direct immunoassay for detecting dengue virus by means of a label-free interferometric optical detection method. We also demonstrate how we can optimize this sensing response by adding a blocking step able to significantly enhance the optical sensing response. The blocking reagent used for this optimization is a dry milk diluted in phosphate buffered saline. The recognition curve of dengue virus over the proposed surface sensor demonstrates the capacity of this method to be applied in Point of Care technology.
Cameroon: Perspectives on Food Security and the Emerging Power Footprint
Authors: Sneyd Adam
Published: April 2014

The reality that food security is a contested concept and ultimately a matter of perspective has considerable implications for Cameroon’s partnerships with emerging powers. This article argues that Cameroon could achieve a more sustainable and equitable food system if greater policy attention is directed toward understanding the range of perspectives that contend to influence food security policy, and to engaging with viewpoints that vie to assess the ‘footprint’ of emerging powers in this area. The analysis presented below shows that the principal perspectives that compete to influence Cameroonian policy vary depending on the particular dimension of food security or aspect of emerging power activity under discussion. This finding challenges previous typologies, and encourages more nuanced interpretations of debates on these matters moving forward.
Adult Learners Online
Authors: Morris Adam A. , Miller Michael T.
Published: April 2014

The current chapter describes how adult learners of different cultures experience and respond to online learning, and what different instructional strategies and personnel in higher education can do to develop an appropriately delivered online experience. Adult learners approach formal education differently than younger children (Olsen & Clark, 1977), namely the utilitarian functions of education and the application of learning to personal experiences, and personal needs are paramount to the learning experience (Peters & Associates, 1980). This foundation has a limited element of cultural differentiation and is complicated by using one-size-fits all online courses. Instructors, administrators, and instructional designers must all collaborate to re-think and re-build the effective online course experience: an experience with a hallmark of flexibility and diversified instructional techniques. Effective cultural responsiveness can greatly improve adult learning and potentially respond to a unique group of learner motivations.
Social Justice and Adult Education
Authors: Russo Marianne Robin
Published: April 2014

It should be understood that the importance of adult education is to illuminate the current context in which the adult functions. This adult frames directly linked with the construct of social justice. Adult education is examined under two frames: (a) Merriam and Brockett (1997) who define adult education as “…activities intentionally designed for the purpose of bringing about learning among those whose age, social roles, or self-perception define them as adults” and, (b) Horton's philosophy developed under the Highlander Folk School. Understanding this correlation of adult education within a social-political phenomena, the nature of adult education may belong to a wide-ranging spectrum of teaching and learning in terms of: (a) media messaging and the rhetoric that may be inculcating adults, ultimately swaying public opinion; (b) adult messaging and totalitarian implications; (c) adult education and the state; (d) knowledge of history; (e) the history of adult education and how it has been instrumental in social justice; and (f) what adult education, inclusive of adult educators, must do to mitigate class hegemony.
Open Access Web Resources for Library Continuing Education and Training
Authors: Bolin Mary K.
Published: April 2014

Continuing education and training are essential for a vital and productive organization and for employee adaptability and job satisfaction. Libraries of all types are organizations that value learning. Training and development for library employees is expensive, and can be out of reach for smaller institutions, or libraries that are not well-funded. Regardless of funding, libraries of all types can benefit from the wide variety of training and continuing education opportunities available on the Web as open access resources. These include documentation, journal articles, reports and white papers, online courses, videos, podcasts, and so on, from many different reliable sources. This chapter surveys major sources and types of open access online learning, and evaluates their usefulness for library employees.
Twitter-Based Knowledge Sharing in Professional Networks
Authors: Dennen Vanessa P. , Jiang Wenting
Published: April 2014

Social media provides professional organizations with a new means of distributing information and perhaps even facilitating learning among their members. This study compares Twitter use in two populations, academics and corporate professionals, and in two interaction contexts, conference and non-conference, looking at how knowledge is shared by organizations. Organizations in three fields—nursing, information technology, and educational technology—were included in the study. A content analysis showed that both types of organizations focused more on supplying original content than providing links or retweets. Conferences generated the greatest activity levels and industry organizations were more savvy with Twitter use, although on the whole hashtags were underutilized and much room remains to maximize use of social media. Nonetheless, a wealth of knowledge sharing that can support information learning and professional development is taking place in these online networks.
From Basic Participation to Transformation
Authors: Ayling Diana , Owen Hazel , Flagg Edward
Published: April 2014

In a time of great change and challenge in education, teachers have an “urgency” with regard to their professional development. Many educators are choosing to move away from traditional modes to participation in online communities of practice. The aim of this research was to verify that online communities of practice can support transformative learning and positive professional development experiences for members. Two community platforms were observed and examined in terms of online activity. In addition to the formal research methods, the researchers monitored the activity of a selection of community members, tracking their engagement and participation in the communities. The research demonstrates that rich and transformative learning and professional development can occur in online communities of practice. The authors highlight some of the values and skills required by both the community and active members. They conclude that well designed and deftly supported online communities have a bright future for professional learning and development.
Towards an Adult Learning Architecture of Participation
Authors: Garnett Fred , Ecclesfield Nigel
Published: April 2014

This chapter investigates the question of what needs to be addressed in the major infrastructural, cultural, and organisational issues if integrated formal and informal eLearning environments are going to affect any change in the institutional regime. It argues that two conceptual models can help address these issues. Firstly, a social media participation model, Aggregate then Curate, was developed on a JISC-funded project, MOSI-ALONG, which was based on an integrated model of formal and informal learning called the Emergent Learning Model. Secondly, a development framework for institutional flexibility called an Organisational Architecture of Participation was developed with UK Further Education colleges to better enable eLearning within educational institutions. Based on reflection on the institutional lessons learnt within MOSI-ALONG and through working with local partners, recommendations are made concerning how to address infrastructural, cultural, and organisational issues to better enable adult eLearning. This includes another, broader, proposal concerning the need for individual adult learning institutions to have ongoing support from hubs if they are to evolve a community-responsive institutional life cycle appropriate for adult learning.
An Activity Theoretical Approach to Examining Virtual Professional Development and Informal Learning via Social Networks
Authors: Terantino Joseph M.
Published: April 2014

This chapter discusses the adoption of activity theory (Engeström, 1987, 2001; Leont'ev, 1978, 1981) as a conceptual framework for analyzing learning processes related to professional development and informal learning via social network environments. The discussion includes an overview of professional development and informal learning via social networks, which highlights the need for a related analytical framework. Activity theory is then described and applied to an example of professional development. This operationalization of activity theory demonstrates the ability of the framework to enable viewing and analyzing learning via social networks such as Facebook communities, wiki and blog spaces, listservs, and discussion forums. The chapter ends with several key points related to implementing activity theory as a solution to investigating behaviors in social networks and potential directions for future research.
Digital Literacy in a Lifelong Learning Programme for Adults
Authors: Jimoyiannis Athanassios , Gravani Maria N.
Published: April 2014

The study presented explores aspects of adult learning on digital literacy in the context of a lifelong learning programme for social cohesion in Greece. The article outlines the framework of the digital literacy subject and underlines its associated objectives regarding adults' knowledge and competence in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The exploration draws upon the experiences and perceptions of eight adult ICT educators. The findings reveal that the educators tried to use flexible instructional practices that were adjusted to adult learners' needs and interests. Common effective instructional practices used were: ICT competence sessions, interdisciplinary and multi-literacy lessons, ICT-based projects, individual instruction sessions. Additionally, the article reveals the difficulties that adults faced in the course of developing ICT literacy skills. The paper ends with implications for the design of adult digital literacy courses in lifelong learning programmes, and for the preparation and development of the ICT educators in the years to come.
Shifting to a Needs-Based Continuing Education Model
Authors: Taylor Tom
Published: April 2014

This chapter details how the South Central Kansas Library System (SCKLS) moved from a traditional continuing education model toward a needs-based model. The needs assessment process is detailed, as well as the process for implementing and managing this major change in professional development delivery. Analysis and assessment of the change in model will be presented. Practicalities and future directions will be discussed in order to provide direction to other interested institutions.
Digital Media Literacy Practices for 5th Year Pre-Service Teachers in a PDS Model
Authors: Shambaugh Neal
Published: April 2014

To examine digital media literacy practices in a teacher education program, this chapter first elaborates on a broader definition of literacy than reading and writing, suggesting media literacy as a more relevant teacher education curricular focus than technology integration. A five-year, dual-degree teacher education program, which uses a Professional Development School model, provides the context for digital media literacy practices. Three elective courses demonstrate how digital media can be used by pre-service teachers to engage students and model media practices in their public school placement. The courses, which were offered to pre-service teachers in their fifth year in the teacher education program, included Book Writing and Online Publishing, Project-Based Learning, and Teaching with Visuals. The chapter provides recommendations on implementing digital media practices within teacher education courses for pre-service teachers and professional development for teachers in public schools.
Multi-Modal Professional Development for Faculty
Authors: Anderson Sheri , Oyarzun Beth
Published: April 2014

This chapter describes a multi-modal faculty professional development program designed using the Analyze, Design, Development, Implement, and Evaluation process (ADDIE) and the Community of Learners model. The program includes a general training series, one-on-one trainings, on-demand training, as well as social events. The general training series is offered synchronously via face-to-face and webinar formats simultaneously. This training series is also offered asynchronously via training videos and slides that are published to a website. Additionally, the professional development program encourages faculty to support one another and share their experiences through social events and colloquiums. This multi-modal approach creates an adaptable and flexible environment that allows the professional development program to meet the needs of a diverse group of faculty.
Ernst & Young Leadership and Professional Development Center
Authors: Ellis Jennifer Butler , West Timothy D. , Grimaldi Angela , Root Gerald
Published: April 2014

This case highlights a unique program for students pursuing a graduate degree in accounting. The program's mission is to prepare students to be effective leaders and communicators in their careers. To accomplish this mission, the program has developed a Leadership and Professional Development Center (LPDC) that uses physical, virtual, and external space to support programmatic goals through cross-disciplinary collaboration. The LPDC houses trained consultants who provide services such as feedback on written documents, mock interviews, presentation assessment, and self-awareness development. The LPDC also hosts workshops on a variety of leadership and professional development topics. Furthermore, consultants partner with faculty and professionals to provide instruction and experiential learning inside and outside the classroom. The goal of this chapter is to highlight how cross-disciplinary partnerships promote learning in physical, virtual, and external spaces. Recommendations for navigating and utilizing cross-disciplinary collaborations are provided as well as suggestions for implementation in various learning spaces.
The Pacific Open Learning Health Net
Authors: Baxendale Steven
Published: April 2014

Online learning offers the opportunity for health workers to improve their knowledge and skills while serving in remote locations. Through online continuing professional development, they are able to stay abreast of the latest developments in medicine. Convenient Internet access also provides the opportunity for health professionals to participate with the global medical community in research and consult with both peers and experts from around the world. This chapter describes the experiences of the Pacific Open Learning Health Net (POLHN) in providing online, face-to-face, and blended professional education to health professionals in 12 developing Pacific island countries. The chapter reviews the establishment of learning centers with Internet access in hospitals, nursing schools, and health centers.
Leveling the Professional Development Playing Field
Authors: Thull James , Hansen Mary Anne
Published: April 2014

Tribal college librarians comprise a unique group of library professionals who typically serve in a dual role as both academic librarians and public librarians. Most tribal college libraries are the only library in their respective tribal community, and thus they serve the information needs of both their academic clientele and those of the general public. Additionally, their location in tribal communities necessitates that these library professionals have a deep cultural understanding and appreciation in order to work effectively with their largely Native clientele, whether they themselves are Native or not. This chapter describes the unique professional development needs of tribal college librarians and successful efforts to meet these needs. Advice on grant writing, tips and information on grant seeking with a look towards future trends is also provided.
Literacy Level and Vocational Training for Substance-Using Hispanic Adults
Authors: Wood Michele M. , Fisher Dennis G. , Reynolds Grace L. , Guzman Yesenia , Pedersen William C.
Published: April 2014

The Hispanic population has become the largest ethnic minority group in the United States. To successfully incorporate this population in adult vocational training, social service, and health programs, it is essential that programs design and implement materials at a reading level appropriate for the population served. This study determines the reading level in a population of Hispanic adult substance users receiving HIV prevention services in Long Beach, California. One hundred seven Spanish speakers were administered the Spanish Reading Comprehension Test. Spanish reading ability was determined to be at the third grade level for this sample. Results suggest that substance-using subpopulations of Spanish speakers in the Southwest United States face considerable language and literacy barriers. Findings have implications for adult vocational training as well as social service and health programs that include Hispanic subpopulations, and highlight the importance of designing materials that do not exceed the reading abilities of target populations.
Facilitating Learning with Adult Students in the Transcultural Classroom
Authors: Thomas Gerald E.
Published: April 2014

This chapter discusses the “new” college classroom, looking at the profile of an adult student, what is meant by transculturalism, and the implications of the combination of the two. A series of guidelines are offered for facilitating learning for this diverse group of students. While offering a review of some previous empirical research on the issues of adult students, multiculturalism, and transculturalism, this chapter primarily reflects the author's experiences in working with this population. Also offered are recommendations for future research.
Implementing the Professional Development Program
Authors: Parker Donna
Published: April 2014

As education is transformed through technology, teachers must be armed with knowledge and the capability of using technological tools to strengthen and enhance learning environments. Technology is the vehicle that assists in delivering meaningful and deeper educational experiences in today's classrooms. However, not all teachers are comfortable or competent in successfully integrating technology into their curricula and classrooms. School's technology plans now have an obligation to include professional development as an integral component that ensures technology integration training for faculty, staff, and administrators at all educational levels. Implementation of effective professional development requires technology leaders to formulate plans employing various methods and incentives to motivate teachers to learn the importance of technology integration while giving them the necessary equipment and support to effectively utilize technology in their content areas.
School Librarians as Significant Other
Authors: Luetkehans Lara M. , Hunt Rebecca D.
Published: April 2014

This chapter explores three strands of research: professional learning communities, the significant others in the development of pre-service teachers, and teacher-school librarian collaboration to develop a strategy for using Online Professional Learning Communities (OPLC) as a means for fostering career-long, mutually beneficial collaborations among teachers and school librarians. A previous study of such an OPLC comprised of pre-service and in-service teachers, university faculty, and school librarians is described. The role of the school librarian as a member of the OPLC is examined, particularly as a significant other (Karmos & Jacko, 1977) in the professional development of pre-service teachers. Recommendations include the key elements of creating OPLCs that are inclusive and demonstrate the value school librarians bring to this community.
From Politicized Adult Education to Market Oriented Adult Higher Education
Authors: Wang Victor X. , Mott Vivian W.
Published: April 2014

This study investigated the general instructional modes of adult educators in Southeast China and Northeast China. The study utilized Conti's (1983, 2004) Principles of Adult Learning Scale (PALS) to measure instructional modes of adult educators. Data were collected from 112 randomly selected participants engaged in teaching Chinese adult learners in Southeast China and Northeast China. The results of the study showed that adult educators in Southeast China were andragogical in their instruction while their counterparts in Northeast China were pedagogical although the difference (p>0.05) between the means of adult educators in Southeast China and Northeast China was not statistically significant.
Library Associations, Conferences, and Professional Development
Authors: Hines Samantha Schmehl
Published: April 2014

What role do conferences play in the professional development offerings of associations? This chapter examines the role of library associations generally in librarian professional development, then focuses on the conference as the key outlet of professional development for the library association. Benefits of conference attendance as discussed in the scholarly literature of librarianship are presented. Current leaders of library associations are surveyed to determine the relevance and sustainability of conferences for library associations, and future trends are addressed along with recommendations for associations offering conferences.
An Intramuscular Approach to Teacher Development in International Collaborative Higher Education
Authors: Breen Paul
Published: April 2014

This chapter looks at a practical example of staff development and considers how professional development of teachers should be an essential component of enhancing provision within higher educational institutions not just in terms of pedagogy but also in respect of developing programmes and marketing those programmes. Set within the specific context of English Language teaching for international students, the research is based on a case study of two trainee teachers on a DELTA programme (Diploma in English Language Teaching for Adults). These teachers have been interviewed at two different stages of their development, firstly whilst doing the DELTA course, and then one year later, by which time they have completed the course. Through analysing their responses in a qualitative fashion, the author examines whether teacher development has a positive impact on the higher educational institution as a whole, and whether it leads to an improved student experience or a heightened consciousness of that student experience on the part of teachers. At the heart of this chapter, there is a metaphor taken from Medical Science to define the best approach to teacher education and development, namely, what the author labels an intramuscular approach. The author takes this term from a medical process of giving injections that are placed deep within muscles so that the particular drug or medicine is released slowly over a period of time rather than in a standard one-shot manner. There is no quick fix solution to teacher development, and having a long-term vision contributes far more to organisations in terms of the ultimate student experience.
Online Communities of Practice as Vehicles for Teacher Professional Development
Authors: Meletiou-Mavrotheris Maria
Published: April 2014

The affordances offered by modern Internet technologies provide new opportunities for the pre-service and in-service training of teachers, making it possible to overcome the restrictions of shrinking resources and geographical locations and to offer high quality learning experiences to geographically dispersed teachers. The focus of this chapter is the question of how information and communication tools made available online could be effectively exploited to build and study network-based services with the aim of fostering online communities that promote teacher learning and development. The chapter presents an overview of the main experiences gained from a study which investigated the forms of collaboration and shared knowledge building undertaken by a multinational group of teachers participating in EarlyStatistics, an online professional development in statistics education targeting European elementary and middle school mathematics teachers. Findings from the study provide insights into the factors that may facilitate or hinder the successful implementation of an online community of teaching practitioners.
ABCs and PCs
Authors: Hansen Cory Cooper
Published: April 2014

Effective professional development holds the power to transform teaching practices that invigorate teachers and increase student engagement. Arizona Classrooms of Tomorrow Today (AZCOTT) was one such experience. Eighteen elementary teachers completed a yearlong, rigorous, sixty-hour workshop experience that focused on integrating technology in content area instruction. Participants integrated technology effectively, began to develop leadership skills, and experienced changes in attitude, beliefs, knowledge, and skills as technology influenced existing curricula.
Developing Professional Competencies through International Peer Learning Communities
Authors: Yakavenka Hanna
Published: April 2014

This chapter utilizes a peer learning community as an example to explore whether and how information exchange, learning, and knowledge creation occur when students undertake professional internships. Observation and analysis of the learners' views on their interaction are conducted by studying peer-generated blogs to determine if learners working in companies worldwide, but connected via an informal virtual community, can communicate effectively and produce a useful pool of information, thus creating meaningful knowledge and expertise to assist in future career development. The objective is to utilize the lessons learned to incorporate effective elements of the peer learning experience into formal programs of study and so increase the employability focus of business education.
Empirical Investigation of Decision Tree Ensembles for Monitoring Cardiac Complications of Diabetes
Authors: Kelarev Andrei V. , Abawajy Jemal , Stranieri Andrew , Jelinek Herbert F.
Published: April 2014

Cardiac complications of diabetes require continuous monitoring since they may lead to increased morbidity or sudden death of patients. In order to monitor clinical complications of diabetes using wearable sensors, a small set of features have to be identified and effective algorithms for their processing need to be investigated. This article focuses on detecting and monitoring cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in diabetes patients. The authors investigate and compare the effectiveness of classifiers based on the following decision trees: ADTree, J48, NBTree, RandomTree, REPTree, and SimpleCart. The authors perform a thorough study comparing these decision trees as well as several decision tree ensembles created by applying the following ensemble methods: AdaBoost, Bagging, Dagging, Decorate, Grading, MultiBoost, Stacking, and two multi-level combinations of AdaBoost and MultiBoost with Bagging for the processing of data from diabetes patients for pervasive health monitoring of CAN. This paper concentrates on the particular task of applying decision tree ensembles for the detection and monitoring of cardiac autonomic neuropathy using these features. Experimental outcomes presented here show that the authors' application of the decision tree ensembles for the detection and monitoring of CAN in diabetes patients achieved better performance parameters compared with the results obtained previously in the literature.
Towards Big Linked Data
Authors: Hu Bo , Carvalho Nuno , Matsutsuka Takahide
Published: April 2014

In light of the challenges of effectively managing Big Data, the authors are witnessing a gradual shift towards the increasingly popular Linked Open Data (LOD) paradigm. LOD aims to impose a machine-readable semantic layer over structured as well as unstructured data and hence automate some data analysis tasks that are not designed for computers. The convergence of Big Data and LOD is, however, not straightforward: the semantic layer of LOD and the Big Data large scale storage do not get along easily. Meanwhile, the sheer data size envisioned by Big Data denies certain computationally expensive semantic technologies, rendering the latter much less efficient than their performance on relatively small data sets. In this paper, the authors propose a mechanism allowing LOD to take advantage of existing large-scale data stores while sustaining its “semantic” nature. The authors demonstrate how RDF-based semantic models can be distributed across multiple storage servers and the authors examine how a fundamental semantic operation can be tuned to meet the requirements on distributed and parallel data processing. The authors' future work will focus on stress test of the platform in the magnitude of tens of billions of triples, as well as comparative studies in usability and performance against similar offerings.
Anonymous Spatial Query on Non-Uniform Data
Authors: Wang Shyue-Liang , Chen Chung-Yi , Ting I-Hsien , Hong Tzung-Pei
Published: April 2014

Location and local service is one of the hottest bunches of applications in recent years, due to the proliferation of Global Position System (GPS) and mobile web search technology. Spatial queries retrieving neighboring Point-Of-Interests (POI) require actual user locations for services. However, exposing the physical location of querier to service system may pose privacy threat to users, if malicious adversary has access to the system. To hinder the service system from obtaining the “true” location of querier, current obfuscation-based approach requires a trusted third party anonymizer. As for the data-encryption-based and cPIR-based approaches, they incur costly computation overheads. Although the secure hardware-aided PIR-based technique has been shown to be superior to formers, it did not consider the characteristics of data distribution of searching domain. To deal with the problem of non-uniform data distribution and efficient retrieval, we propose four schemes: MSQL, NSQL, MNSQL, MHBL, based on flexible multi-layer grids, non-empty lookup table and Hilbert space-filling curve for efficient storage and retrieval of POI data, so that improved performance of PIR-based techniques could be achieved. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed techniques indeed deliver better efficiency under various criteria.
Towards a Mixed Approach to Extract Biomedical Terms from Text Corpus
Authors: Ventura Juan Antonio Lossio , Jonquet Clement , Roche Mathieu , Teisseire Maguelonne
Published: April 2014

The objective of this paper is to present a methodology to extract and rank automatically biomedical terms from free text. The authors present new extraction methods taking into account linguistic patterns specialized for the biomedical domain, statistic term extraction measures such as C-value and statistic keyword extraction measures such as Okapi BM25, and TFIDF. These measures are combined in order to improve the extraction process and the authors investigate which combinations are the more relevant associated to different contexts. Experimental results show that an appropriate harmonic mean of C-value associated to keyword extraction measures offers better precision, both for single-word and multi-words term extraction. Experiments describe the extraction of English and French biomedical terms from a corpus of laboratory tests available online. The results are validated by using UMLS (in English) and only MeSH (in French) as reference dictionary.
Property and Personality Rights with Regard to Biobanks
Authors: Robienski Jürgen , Simon Jürgen
Published: April 2014

In the field of genetic research and the subsequent rise of biobanks an intensive discussion is taking place on national and international levels about property and personality rights to one's own body and body parts. The authors attempt to develop on the basis of the current controversially discussed law a concept of property, which can solve the legal and bioethical problems of the multiple use of human samples. Therefore, the question will be discussed whether a person is eligible to claim property rights to the tissue, which was separated from him. The authors' opinion is that this person only looses his property rights when all data are completely anonymised. Also the trustee model could be an efficient model, in which the tissue is safeguarded and pseudonymised by a trustee, to preserve the interests of the former owner of the human samples, but concurrently support the interests of the users.
The ArchaeoGRID e-Infrastructure for Research, Management and Exploitation of Archaeological and Historical Heritage
Authors: Pelfer Giuliano
Published: April 2014

The development of archaeological and historical research as a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary activity had as effect the exponential increase of complex set of data and of refined methods of analysis. At the same time the possibility to lost such data permanently, and not only the material remains, for natural catastrophe like floods, fires and earthquakes and for social disasters like economical crises and wars is also increasing around the world. For such it is worthwhile to present and to discuss a proposal of the ArchaeoGRID e-infrastructure that can supply any tool needed for research, management and exploitation of archaeological and historical heritage.
Design, Development and Realisation of an Active Driven Knee-Prosthesis with Bevel Helical Gearbox
Authors: Budaker Bernhard , Verl Alexander
Published: April 2014

This paper presents the development of an active driven prosthesis for transfemoral amputees. At the beginning of the development process gait parameters are analyzed. Defined boundary conditions help to get the right technical parameters for a structured development process. During the following development process, different concepts for active driven knee prostheses are discussed. Essential components for active driven prosthesis systems are presented. The focus during the scientific work is the development of an active drive system for an active driven knee prosthesis. A first prototype of an active driven knee prosthesis is shown.
Development of a Manufacturing Process of Temporal Bone Surgery Models Using Rapid Prototyping
Authors: Karpuschewski Bernhard , Döring Joachim , Scheffler Michael , Dietze Gabriele , Vorwerk Ulrich , Hahne Cornelia , Klink Fabian
Published: April 2014

Cochlear implant surgery on highly hearing impaired and deaf patients presents surgeons with major medical challenges. In advance of the operation, the surgeon must gain the necessary dexterity and topographical knowledge in the field of microsurgery. For these purposes human cadaver specimens are usually used but they are not sufficiently available. Therefore, our group from the University of Magdeburg researches and develops a manufacturing process for producing individual anatomical facsimile models (AFM) of the human ear bone, which originally simulate the cavity structure of the inner ear (cochlea, semicircular canals) by using rapid prototyping methods. For this production a variety of biomechanical data of the human ear bone are needed to recreate the later models with the same biomechanical properties. By using these obtained biomechanical data and the individual patient's CT data, stereolithography models of UV-sensitive epoxy resin can be produced. The models can be emulated to the biomechanical properties of the human bone by varying the curing process of the epoxy resin. Thus, the authentic drilling and milling properties give the surgeon the possibility to develop the skills needed in dealing with microsurgical instruments. At the same time the authenticity of the AFM promotes the study of the anatomical structure and the orientation of anatomical landmarks.
Work Space Surveillance of a Robot Assistance System Using a ToF Camera
Authors: Ramer Christina , Franke Jörg
Published: April 2014

A work space surveillance of a robot assistance system is presented to support people in production environments to prevent health damage, support disabled workers and which can also be used in medicine near areas. The system is based on a ToF camera that delivers the current situation of the observed scene in real time and enables detecting and tracking static and dynamic objects including humans. An automated path planning and a collision avoidance module of the employed robot are using the current information of the monitored work space to enable the utilization of the assistance system by non-experts.
Contribution of Body Lightweight Design to the Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles
Authors: Schuh Günther , Korthals Kai , Arnoscht Jens
Published: April 2014

In today's society the continuously increasing consumption of raw materials and the associated impacts on the ecosystem tend to be a frequently discussed topic. Especially automobile companies are faced to develop new driving concepts due to the emerging energy turnaround. Usually the components of the conventional drive are replaced by an electric engine including the required energy storage. Without structural changes regarding the chassis this procedure causes an increase in the vehicle ́s weight (Conversion Design). Therefore a new approach is to integrate the battery as a load-bearing member in the vehicle structure and additionally use a weight-optimized multi-material design of the body (Purpose Design). By savings of 25% of the weight of a compact-class vehicle body, a resource-saving and energy-efficient design of the entire vehicle can be achieved. Certainly the innovative multi-material construction contributes significantly to reduce the total energy consumption of the vehicle during the use phase.
Based on a Lifecycle-Assessment (LCA) the environmental sustainability of the Purpose Design will be evaluated and compared to the approach of the Conversion Design. In addition to the weight savings of the multi-material body secondary weight reductions regarding the energy storage will be taken into account.
The aim is to assess the ecological advantages of the lightweight solution throughout the entire product life cycle comprising the extraction of raw materials, production of the components, use of the product and end of life including the recycling of components. However, these investigations will be carried out for the modified chassis and the lightweight constructed multi-material body. Hence, the processes of the individual life cycle phases will be collected, inventorial analysis carried out and impact assessments performed. According to the LCA it will be tested, if the additional expenses in raw material extraction, production and recycling of the lightweight body justify the expected ecological advantage in the use phase. A final overall analysis will provide information on the actual efficiency and sustainability of the Purpose Design. Due to the parallel creation of the LCA data during the development process the LCA results furthermore serve to detect and monitor significant shortcomings on component and assembly level.
Factory Carbon Footprint Design
Authors: Kampker Achim , Burggräf Peter , Welter Tobias , Kamp Sebastian , Thul Johannes
Published: April 2014

Energy consumption and emissions are the two main sustainability issues of German companies. The main reasons for efficiency increase and emission reduction are not, as often proclaimed, energy costs, but the demands of customers and legislators for low carbon emissions. Particularly at machine level and process chain level various methods for analysis and improvement of the energy efficiency already exist. At factory level there is no systematic approach. The method Factory Carbon Footprint Design is an appropriate tool for that issue. The method is derived from the activity-based costing method and has two main parts: The Activity-based Carbon Footprint Accounting and the Target Carbon Footprint Design. Using the Activity-based Carbon Footprint Accounting, the carbon footprint of all energy consumers can be allocated to the goods produced in the factory. This contains not only the carbon footprint of the manufacturing machines, but also the periphal equipment and the administration and other indirect parts of the factory. The Target Carbon Footprint Design is a systematic approach to reduce the overall carbon footprint of a factory.
Grinding of Riblet Structures on Free Formed Compressor Blades
Authors: Denkena Berend , Köhler Jens , Krawczyk Thomas
Published: April 2014

The effectiveness of gas turbines can be improved significantly by decreasing the friction losses. Compared to smooth surfaces riblet-structures have been proven to reduce skin friction in turbulent flow up to 10 %. For the technical application on compressor blades in turbo machines, micro riblet-structures with a riblet width between 20 μm and 120 μm and a depth of the half width are required. Furthermore, the application on compressor blades needs ideal riblet-geometries with an aspect ratio of 0.5, trapezoid groove geometry and a shape accuracy of the compressor blade about 10 μm. This paper presents the relevant influencing factors on the overall shape accuracy as well as the riblet geometry in five axes grinding of riblet-structures on double curved compressor blades. The results show, that the shape accuracy is affected by the CAD data and the macro-geometry of the grinding wheel. Therefore, specialized requirements on the CAD data were defined in order to increase the shape accuracy. To decrease the influence of the grinding wheel geometry on the overall shape geometry, a method adjusting the grinding wheel geometry on double curved surfaces was developed. Furthermore, the effect of the 5 axes kinematic on the aspect ratio and the profile wear was examined.
Lifecycle Oriented Assessment of Resource Efficiency in the Commercial Vehicle Industry
Authors: Malak René C. , Adam Monique , Waltemode Sebastian , Aurich Jan C.
Published: April 2014

Resource efficiency in the commercial vehicle industry is highly dependent on the application profile of the vehicle. In order to assess the resource efficiency of commercial vehicles, the production, the usage and the product itself have to be taken into account. Therefore, a lifecycle oriented approach is necessary.
This paper presents a lifecycle oriented assessment methodology for resource efficiency, including the three pillars production, usage, and product. First, resources consumed along the lifecycle of a commercial vehicle are identified and classified. In the second step, we show how to gather interdependencies between the pillars production, usage, and product as well as interdependencies within the pillars. The third step provides a decision model to evaluate suitable measures for increasing resource efficiency. The methodology is illustrated by an example from the commercial vehicle industry.