bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facet of Modeling Web Information Systems from a Document-Centric View
Authors: Molnár Bálint , Benczúr András
Published: March 2014

The modeling of Information Systems in general, and Web Information Systems (WIS) especially, is a permanent issue so that there have been already several attempts and proposals for representing various facets of WIS. In our proposed approach, we focus on the organizational and business activity modeling and we concentrate on documents that represent the information of enterprises in the form of unstructured and semi-structured documents. The compilation of documents mirrors implicitly or explicitly the structure of enterprises, the interrelationship of business processes, and activities and tasks within processes. The documents represent, at the same time, the system roles along with tasks and activities. Our modeling approach concentrates on the co-existence and co-operation of documents and activities of business. The Story Algebra, or more generally the process algebra approach provides a formal framework that promises a formal describing method for modeling precisely the event triggered processes coupled with data in document format within an Enterprise Architecture Framework.
Modulation of T Cell and Innate Immune Responses by Retinoic Acid
Authors: Raverdeau Mathilde , Mills Kingston H. G.
Published: March 2014

Retinoic acid (RA) is produced by a number of cell types, including macrophages and dendritic cells, which express retinal dehydrogenases that convert vitamin A to its main biologically active metabolite, all-trans RA. All-trans RA binds to its nuclear retinoic acid receptors that are expressed in lymphoid cells and act as transcription factors to regulate cell homing and differentiation. RA production by CD103+ dendritic cells and alveolar macrophages functions with TGF-β to promote conversion of naive T cells into Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and, thereby, maintain mucosal tolerance. Furthermore, RA inhibits the differentiation of naive T cells into Th17 cells. However, Th1 and Th17 responses are constrained during vitamin A deficiency and in nuclear RA receptor α–defective mice. Furthermore, RA promotes effector T cell responses during infection or autoimmune diseases. Thus, RA plays a role in immune homeostasis in the steady-state but activates pathogenic T cells in conditions of inflammation.
Strategieë om die implementering van die Suid-Afrikaanse professionele leergemeenskapmodel te bevorder
Authors: Van Staden Christina J. , Mentz Elsa
Published: March 2014

The Integrated Strategic Planning Framework for Teacher Training and Development in South Africa 2011–2025 requires that subject-related professional learning communities should be established widely between 2011 and 2017. However, only some of the District Teacher Development Centres that are intended to provide meeting places need to be up and running by 2025. The gap between policy and implementation can impede or even prevent the establishment of professional learning communities. Three implementation problems were identified that could catapult the professional learning community model into the infamous education reform cycle, and strategies are proposed for a smooth implementation. It is proposed that a coordinated strategy be followed to prevent the South African professional learning community model falling prey to the reform cycle.
�Public theology� from within the church? A reflection on aspects of the theology of W.D. Jonker (1929�2006)
Authors: Naud� Piet J.
Published: March 2014

In this essay, aspects of the work of theologian W.D. (Willie) Jonker are reframed to complement current debates about �public theology� in South Africa. The introduction points out that Jonker worked during a crucial period in South Africa�s history and that his theology is intrinsically linked to the church struggle between 1955 and 1994. The second part reframes Jonker�s theology as a public theology from within the church by referring to his understanding of preaching, confessions and public witness. The last part attempts to move beyond Jonker in appropriating some of his ideas for a public theology in South Africa today.
Knowing Where Organic Markets Move Next – An Analysis of Developing Countries in the Pineapple Market
Authors: Kleemann Linda
Published: March 2014

As consumers’ demand for organic products grows, selling organic products potentially opens up profitable market participation options for farmers in developing countries. This paper studies two aspects of profitability for the producers. It uses hedonic demand theory and empirical analysis to examine the relation between conventional and organic markets using the strongly growing pineapple market as an example. The analysis confirms a nonlinear dependence of the organic market on the conventional one and a non-declining premium. The author concludes that there is a larger potential of the organic market and hence the number of farmers in developing countries who can potentially benefit from growing organic products.
Global distributions, time series and error characterization of atmospheric ammonia (NH3) from IASI satellite observations
Authors: Van Damme M. , Clarisse L. , Heald C. L. , Hurtmans D. , Ngadi Y. , Clerbaux C. , Dolman A. J. , Erisman J. W. , Coheur P. F.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Ammonia (NH3) emissions in the atmosphere have increased substantially over the past decades, largely because of intensive livestock production and use of fertilizers. As a short-lived species, NH3 is highly variable in the atmosphere and its concentration is generally small, except near local sources. While ground-based measurements are possible, they are challenging and sparse. Advanced infrared sounders in orbit have recently demonstrated their capability to measure NH3, offering a new tool to refine global and regional budgets. In this paper we describe an improved retrieval scheme of NH3 total columns from the measurements of the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI). It exploits the hyperspectral character of this instrument by using an extended spectral range (800–1200 cm−1) where NH3 is optically active. This scheme consists of the calculation of a dimensionless spectral index from the IASI level1C radiances, which is subsequently converted to a total NH3 column using look-up tables built from forward radiative transfer model simulations. We show how to retrieve the NH3 total columns from IASI quasi-globally and twice daily above both land and sea without large computational resources and with an improved detection limit. The retrieval also includes error characterization of the retrieved columns. Five years of IASI measurements (1 November 2007 to 31 October 2012) have been processed to acquire the first global and multiple-year data set of NH3 total columns, which are evaluated and compared to similar products from other retrieval methods. Spatial distributions from the five years data set are provided and analyzed at global and regional scales. In particular, we show the ability of this method to identify smaller emission sources than those previously reported, as well as transport patterns over the ocean. The five-year time series is further examined in terms of seasonality and interannual variability (in particular as a function of fire activity) separately for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Observations of reactive nitrogen oxide fluxes by eddy covariance above two midlatitude North American mixed hardwood forests
Authors: Geddes J. A. , Murphy J. G.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Significant knowledge gaps persist in the understanding of forest–atmosphere exchange of reactive nitrogen oxides, partly due to a lack of direct observations. Chemical transport models require representations of dry deposition over a variety of land surface types, and the role of canopy exchange of NOx (= NO + NO2) is highly uncertain. Biosphere–atmosphere exchange of NOx and NOy (= NOx + HNO3 + PANs + RONO2 + pNO3− + ...) was measured by eddy covariance above a mixed hardwood forest in central Ontario (Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve, or HFWR), and a mixed hardwood forest in northern lower Michigan (Program for Research on Oxidants: Photochemistry, Emissions and Transport, or PROPHET) during the summers of 2011 and 2012 respectively. NOx and NOy mixing ratios were measured by a custom-built two-channel analyser based on chemiluminescence, with selective NO2 conversion via LED photolysis and NOy conversion via a hot molybdenum converter. Consideration of interferences from water vapour and O3, and random uncertainty of the calculated fluxes are discussed. NOy flux observations were predominantly of deposition at both locations. In general, the magnitude of deposition scaled with NOy mixing ratios. Average midday (12:00–16:00) deposition velocities at HFWR and PROPHET were 0.20 ± 0.25 and 0.67 ± 1.24 cm s−1 respectively. Average nighttime (00:00–04:00) deposition velocities were 0.09 ± 0.25 cm s−1 and 0.08 ± 0.16 cm s−1 respectively. At HFWR, a period of highly polluted conditions (NOy concentrations up to 18 ppb) showed distinctly different flux characteristics than the rest of the campaign. Integrated daily average NOy flux was −0.14 mg (N) m−2 day−1 and −0.34 mg (N) m−2 day−1 (net deposition) at HFWR and PROPHET respectively. Concurrent wet deposition measurements were used to estimate the contributions of dry deposition to total reactive nitrogen oxide inputs, found to be 22 and 40% at HFWR and PROPHET respectively.
Influence of biomass burning plumes on HONO chemistry in eastern China
Authors: Nie W. , Ding A. J. , Xie Y. N. , Xu Z. , Mao H. , Kerminen V. , Zheng L. F. , Qi X. M. , Yang X. Q. , Sun J. N. , Herrmann E. , Petäjä T. , Kulmala M. , Fu C. B.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Nitrous acid (HONO) plays a key role in atmospheric chemistry via influencing the budget of hydroxyl radical (OH). In this study, a two-month measurement period of HONO and related quantities were analyzed during a biomass burning season in 2012 at a suburban site in the western Yangtze River delta, eastern China. An overall high HONO concentration with the mean value of 1.1 ppbv was observed. During biomass burning (BB) periods, both HONO concentration and HONO / NO2 ratio were enhanced significantly compared with non-biomass burning periods. A correlation analysis showed that the HONO concentration was not associated potassium (a tracer of BB) in BB plumes, but showed a high correlation with the NO2 concentration, suggesting a principle role of secondary production rather than direct emissions in elevated HONO concentrations. A further analysis based on comparing the surface area at similar PM levels and HONO / NO2 ratios at similar surface area levels suggested larger specific surface areas and higher NO2 conversion efficiencies of BB aerosols. A mixed plume of BB and anthropogenic fossil fuel (FF) emissions was observed on 10 June with even higher HONO concentrations and HONO / NO2 ratios. The strong HONO production potential (high HONO / NO2 to PM2.5 ratio) was accompanied with a high sulfate concentration in this plume, suggesting a promotion of mixed aerosols to HONO formation. In summary, our study suggests an important role of BB in atmospheric oxidation capacity by affecting the HONO budget. This can be especially important in eastern China, where agricultural burning plumes are inevitably mixed with urban pollutions.
Automatic cloud top height determination using a cost-effective time-lapse camera system
Authors: Schulz H. M. , Chang S.-C. , Thies B. , Bendix J.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. A new method for the determination of cloud top heights from the footage of a time-lapse camera is presented. Contact points between cloud tops and underlying terrain are automatically detected in the camera image based on differences in the brightness, texture and movement of cloudy and non-cloudy areas. The height of the detected cloud top positions is determined by comparison with a digital elevation model projected to the view of the camera. The technique has been validated using data about the cloud immersion of a second camera as well as via visual assessment. The validation shows a high detection quality, especially regarding the requirements for the validation of satellite cloud top retrieval algorithms.
Substrate quality alters microbial mineralization of added substrate and soil organic carbon
Authors: Jagadamma S. , Mayes M. A. , Steinweg J. M. , Schaeffer S. M.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. The rate and extent of decomposition of soil organic carbon (SOC) is dependent on substrate chemistry and microbial dynamics. Our objectives were to understand the influence of substrate chemistry on microbial processing of carbon (C), and to use model fitting to quantify differences in pool sizes and mineralization rates. We conducted an incubation experiment for 270 days using four uniformly-labeled 14C substrates (glucose, starch, cinnamic acid and stearic acid) on four different soils (a temperate Mollisol, a tropical Ultisol, a sub-arctic Andisol, and an arctic Gelisol). The 14C labeling enabled us to separate CO2 respired from added substrates and from native SOC. Microbial gene copy numbers were quantified at days 4, 30 and 270 using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Substrate C respiration was always higher for glucose than other substrates. Soils with cinnamic and stearic acid lost more native SOC than glucose- and starch-amended soils, despite an initial delay in respiration. Cinnamic and stearic acid amendments also exhibited higher fungal gene copy numbers at the end of incubation compared to unamended soils. We found that 270 days was sufficient to model decomposition of simple substrates (glucose and starch) with three pools, but was insufficient for more complex substrates (cinnamic and stearic acid) and native SOC. This study reveals that substrate quality imparts considerable control on microbial decomposition of newly added and native SOC, and demonstrates the need for multi-year incubation experiments to constrain decomposition parameters for the most recalcitrant fractions of SOC and added substrates.
Atmospheric ozone above Troll station, Antarctica observed by a ground based microwave radiometer
Authors: Daae M. , Straub C. , Espy P. J. , Newnham D. A.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. This paper describes the stratospheric and mesospheric ozone profiles retrieved from spectral measurements of the 249.96 GHz O3 line, using the British Antarctic Survey's ground-based Microwave Radiometer at Troll (BAS-MRT), Antarctica (72°01' S, 02°32' E, 62° Mlat). The instrument operated at Troll from February 2008 through January 2010, and hourly averaged spectra were used to retrieve approximately 20 ozone profiles per day. The ozone profiles cover the pressure range from 3 hPa to 0.02 hPa (approximately 38 to 72 km) which includes the topside of the stratospheric ozone layer and the peak of the tertiary maximum. Comparing the retrieved ozone volume mixing ratio (vmr) values to Aura/MLS and SD-WACCM shows no significant bias to within the instrumental uncertainties. The long-term variations (>20 days) between MLS and SD-WACCM agree well with BAS-MRT at all altitudes with significant correlation coefficients of at least 0.9 (0.7 with SD-WACCM) in the upper stratosphere and middle mesosphere. A weaker correlation is found for the long-term variations in summer when most of the vmr values are below the random noise level of Aura/MLS. The correlation of short-term variations (<20 days) between MLS and BAS-MRT agree well at all altitudes with significant correlation coefficients of at least 0.7 in the upper stratosphere and middle mesosphere. The ozone profiles retrieved at Troll, Antarctica extend the sparse data coverage of middle atmospheric ozone above Antarctica, where, due to the dynamic nature of the ozone concentrations, systematic observations with a high temporal resolution are desirable. The O3 profiles presented here are stored at the UK's Polar Data Centre (http://doi.org/nc3) and are available for public scientific use.
Development and exploitation of a controlled vocabulary in support of climate modelling
Authors: Moine M.-P. , Valcke S. , Lawrence B. N. , Pascoe C. , Ford R. W. , Alias A. , Balaji V. , Bentley P. , Devine G. , Callaghan S. A. , Guilyardi E.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. There are three key components for developing a metadata system: a container structure laying out the key semantic issues of interest and their relationships; an extensible controlled vocabulary providing possible content; and tools to create and manipulate that content. While metadata systems must allow users to enter their own information, the use of a controlled vocabulary both imposes consistency of definition and ensures comparability of the objects described. Here we describe the controlled vocabulary (CV) and metadata creation tool built by the METAFOR project for use in the context of describing the climate models, simulations and experiments of the fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). The CV and resulting tool chain introduced here is designed for extensibility and reuse and should find applicability in many more projects.
Measuring and modeling water-related soil–vegetation feedbacks in a fallow plot
Authors: Ursino N. , Cassiani G. , Deiana R. , Vignoli G. , Boaga J.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Land fallowing is one possible response to shortage of water for irrigation. Leaving the soil unseeded implies a change of the soil functioning that has an impact on the water cycle. The development of a soil crust in the open spaces between the patterns of grass weed affects the soil properties and the field-scale water balance. The objectives of this study are to test the potential of integrated non-invasive geophysical methods and ground-image analysis and to quantify the effect of the soil–vegetation interaction on the water balance of fallow land at the local- and plot scale. We measured repeatedly in space and time local soil saturation and vegetation cover over two small plots located in southern Sardinia, Italy, during a controlled irrigation experiment. One plot was left unseeded and the other was cultivated. The comparative analysis of ERT maps of soil moisture evidenced a considerably different hydrologic response to irrigation of the two plots. Local measurements of soil saturation and vegetation cover were repeated in space to evidence a positive feedback between weed growth and infiltration at the fallow plot. A simple bucket model captured the different soil moisture dynamics at the two plots during the infiltration experiment and was used to estimate the impact of the soil vegetation feedback on the yearly water balance at the fallow site.
Vertical hydraulic conductivity of a clayey-silt aquitard: accelerated fluid flow in a centrifuge permeameter compared with in situ conditions
Authors: Timms W. A. , Crane R. , Anderson D. J. , Bouzalakos S. , Whelan M. , McGeeney D. , Rahman P. F. , Guinea A. , Acworth R. I.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Evaluating the possibility of leakage through low permeability geological strata is critically important for sustainable water supplies, extraction of fuels from strata such as coal beds, and confinement of waste within the earth. Characterizing low or negligible flow rates and transport of solutes can require impractically long periods of field or laboratory testing, but is necessary for evaluations over regional areas and over multi-decadal timescales. The current work reports a custom designed centrifuge permeameter (CP) system, which can provide relatively rapid and reliable hydraulic conductivity (K) measurement compared to column permeameter tests at standard gravity (1g). Linear fluid velocity through a low K porous sample is linearly related to g-level during a CP flight unless consolidation or geochemical reactions occur. The CP module is designed to fit within a standard 2 m diameter, geotechnical centrifuge with a capacity for sample dimensions of 30 to 100 mm diameter and 30 to 200 mm in length. At maximum RPM the resultant centrifugal force is equivalent to 550g at base of sample or a total stress of ~2 MPa. K is calculated by measuring influent and effluent volumes. A custom designed mounting system allows minimal disturbance of drill core samples and a centrifugal force that represents realistic in situ stress conditions is applied. Formation fluids were used as influent to limit any shrink-swell phenomena which may alter the resultant K value. Vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) results from CP testing of core from the sites in the same clayey silt formation varied (10−7 to 10−9 m s−1, n = 14) but higher than 1g column permeameter tests of adjacent core using deionized water (10−9 to 10−11 m s−1, n = 7). Results at one site were similar to in situ Kv values (3 × 10−9 m s−1) from pore pressure responses within a 30 m clayey sequence in a homogenous area of the formation. Kv sensitivity to sample heterogeneity was observed, and anomalous flow via preferential pathways could be readily identified. Results demonstrate the utility of centrifuge testing for measuring minimum K values that can contribute to assessments of geological formations at large scale. The importance of using realistic stress conditions and influent geochemistry during hydraulic testing is also demonstrated.
A geohydrologic framework for characterizing summer streamflow sensitivity to climate warming in the Pacific Northwest, USA
Authors: Safeeq M. , Grant G. E. , Lewis S. L. , Kramer M. G. , Staab B.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Summer streamflows in the Pacific Northwest are largely derived from melting snow and groundwater discharge. As the climate warms, diminishing snowpack and earlier snowmelt will cause reductions in summer streamflow. Most assessments of the impacts of a changing climate to streamflow make use of downscaled temperature and precipitation projections from General Circulation Models (GCMs). Projected climate simulations from these GCMs are often too coarse for planning purposes, as they do not capture smaller scale topographic controls and other important watershed processes. This uncertainty is further amplified when downscaled climate predictions are coupled to macroscale hydrologic models that fail to capture streamflow contributions from deep groundwater. Deep aquifers play an important role in mediating streamflow response to climate change, and groundwater needs to be explicitly incorporated into sensitivity assessments. Here we develop and apply an analytical framework for characterizing summer streamflow sensitivity to a change in the timing and magnitude of recharge in a spatially-explicit fashion. Two patterns emerge from this analysis: first, areas with high streamflow sensitivity also have higher summer streamflows as compared to low sensitivity areas. Second, the level of sensitivity and spatial extent of highly sensitive areas diminishes over time as the summer progresses. Results of this analysis point to a robust, practical, and scalable approach that can help assess risk at the landscape scale, complement the downscaling approach, be applied to any climate scenario of interest, and provide a framework to assist land and water managers adapt to an uncertain and potentially challenging future.
Effective coastal boundary conditions for tsunami wave run-up over sloping bathymetry
Authors: Kristina W. , Bokhove O. , van Groesen E.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. An effective boundary condition (EBC) is introduced as a novel technique to predict tsunami wave run-up along the coast and offshore wave reflections. Numerical modeling of tsunami propagation at the coastal zone has been a daunting task since high accuracy is needed to capture aspects of wave propagation in the more shallow areas. For example, there are complicated interactions between incoming and reflected waves due to the bathymetry and intrinsically nonlinear phenomena of wave propagation. If a fixed wall boundary condition is used at a certain shallow depth contour, the reflection properties can be unrealistic. To alleviate this, we explore a so-called effective boundary condition, developed here in one spatial dimension. From the deep ocean to a seaward boundary, i.e., in the simulation area, we model wave propagation numerically over real bathymetry using either the linear dispersive variational Boussinesq or the shallow water equations. We measure the incoming wave at this seaward boundary, and model the wave dynamics towards the shoreline analytically, based on nonlinear shallow water theory over sloping bathymetry. We calculate the run-up heights at the shore and the reflection caused by the slope. The reflected wave is then influxed back into the simulation area using the EBC. The coupling between the numerical and analytic dynamics in the two areas is handled using variational principles, which leads to (approximate) conservation of the overall energy in both areas. We verify our approach in a series of numerical test cases of increasing complexity, including a case akin to tsunami propagation to the coastline at Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia.
Instability and change detection in exponential families and generalized linear models, with a study of Atlantic tropical storms
Authors: Lu Y. , Chatterjee S.
Published: March 2014

Abstract. Exponential family statistical distributions, including the well-known Normal, Binomial, Poisson, and exponential distributions, are overwhelmingly used in data analysis. In the presence of covariates, an exponential family distributional assumption for the response random variables results in a generalized linear model. However, it is rarely ensured that the parameters of the assumed distributions are stable through the entire duration of data collection process. A failure of stability leads to nonsmoothness and nonlinearity in the physical processes that drive the data under. In this paper, we propose testing for stability of parameters of exponential family distributions and generalized linear models. A rejection of the hypothesis of stable parameters leads to change detection. We derive the related likelihood ratio test statistic. We compare the performance of this test statistic to the popular Normal distributional assumption dependent cumulative sum (Gaussian-CUSUM) statistic in change detection problems. We study Atlantic tropical storms using the techniques developed here, to understand whether the nature of these tropical storms has remained stable over the last few decades.
Determining the Applicability of DNA Evidence in Rape Trials in India
Authors: Dube Dipa
Published: March 2014

The paper seeks to delve into the efficacy of DNA technology in securing justice in criminal trials pertaining to rape. An analysis of rape cases over the last decade has been done in order to assess the use of DNA in rape trials in India and the reliability placed on such evidence by the courts.
Jane's Brains:
Authors: Nelles William
Published: March 2014

The successful and increasingly widespread development of cognitive-evolutionary concepts, particularly theory of mind and metarepresentation, in academic criticism of Austen's work over the past fifteen years has laid a strong foundation for classroom teachers interested in alternatives to the standard cultural studies approaches. Cognitive theory is especially valuable in providing a close fit between theory and text: Austen's own model of cognition proves exceptionally consistent and congruent with evolutionary theory, so much so that Alan Richardson has argued that Austen's representations of cognition “invite us to consider Austen herself as an early theorist of what is now called Theory of Mind.”
A Scientific Approach to the Teaching of a Flash Fiction
Authors: Aldama Frederick Luis
Published: March 2014

This article offers a template for teachers working at all levels in the university to bring a cognitive and narratological approach to their instruction of fiction. It does so by focusing on the flash fiction format.
Cognitive Phenology:
Authors: Irvine Colin
Published: March 2014

As indicated by its title, this article discusses how the author's research in narrative theory, cognition, and evolution have shaped his pedagogy in general and his course in environmental literature in particular. Built around a semester-long assignment involving several relatively unorthodox assignments—referred to as “challenges”—the environmental literature course at the center of the article invites and enables students from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds to think differently about core subjects and common texts. The article addresses the ways that the course—because of its reliance on methods and readings associated with cognitive studies—provides the students and the teacher with important opportunities to chart as phenologists might the changes in their thinking that result from reading the shared literary texts and engaging the various intellectual and physical challenges.
Partial diaphragmatic eventration and liver herniation
Authors: Morris Emily , Fullerton Duncan G. , Bockeler Gerhard C. , Nazareth Dilip
Published: March 2014

This case reports a 54-year-old lady with a chest X-ray showing a lung mass that was later identified to be eventration or abnormal elevation of a part of the diaphragm. This article discusses eventration of the right diaphragm and liver herniation, that although relatively rare, has characteristic radiological appearances.
Mobile Robot Aided Silhouette Imaging and Robust Body Pose Recognition for Elderly-Fall Detection
Authors: Liu Tong , Liu Jun
Published: March 2014

This article introduces a mobile infrared silhouette imaging and sparse representation-based pose recognition for building an elderly-fall detection system. The proposed imaging paradigm exploits the novel use of the pyroelectric infrared (PIR) sensor in pursuit of body silhouette imaging. A mobile robot carrying a vertical column of multi-PIR detectors is organized for the silhouette acquisition. Then we express the fall detection problem in silhouette image-based pose recognition. For the pose recognition, we use a robust sparse representation-based method for fall detection. The normal and fall poses are sparsely represented in the basis space spanned by the combinations of a pose training template and an error template. The ℓ1 norm minimizations with linear programming (LP) and orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) are used for finding the sparsest solution, and the entity with the largest amplitude encodes the class of the testing sample. The application of the proposed sensing paradigm to fall detection is addressed in the context of three scenarios, including: ideal non-obstruction, simulated random pixel obstruction and simulated random block obstruction. Experimental studies are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method for nursing and homeland healthcare.
Fast and Low-Cost Mechatronic Recognition System for Persian Banknotes
Authors: Behjat Majid , Moallem Payman
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we designed a fast and low-cost mechatronic system for recognition of eight current Persian banknotes in circulation. Firstly, we proposed a mechanical solution for avoiding extra processing time caused by detecting the place of banknote and paper angle correction in an input image. We also defined new parameters for feature extraction, including colour features (RGBR values), size features (LWR) and texture features (CRLVR value). Then, we used a Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network in the recognition phase to reduce the necessary processing time. In this research, we collected a perfect database of Persian banknote images (about 4000 double-sided prevalent images). We reached about 99.06% accuracy (average for each side) in final banknote recognition by testing 800 different worn, torn and new banknotes which were not part of the initial learning phase. This accuracy could increase to 99.62% in double-sided decision mode. Finally, we designed an ATmega32 microcontroller-based hardware with 16MHz clock frequency for implementation of our proposed system which can recognize sample banknotes at about 480ms and 560ms for single-sided detection and double-sided detection respectively, after image scanning.
Customer Ranking Model for Project Businesses: A Case Study from the Automotive Industry
Authors: Zunk Bernd Markus , Koch Volker
Published: March 2014

For technology-orientated enterprises that operate project-based businesses, the goal-oriented allocation of scarce marketing resources has great potential to help consolidate their competitive position. An important precondition for goal-oriented management is the identification of the most valuable customers. This enables technology-orientated enterprises to segment markets in order to make tactical marketing decisions. This theory-based paper aims to develop and test a holistic customer ranking model. By deploying the five steps presented in this paper, customer relationship managers are better able to identify and to rank their customers in project-based businesses. A case study provides an example of the application of the method from the automotive industry in Austria. The experiences derived from this case study show that using a customer ranking framework is a crucial factor for enterprises in narrow technology markets to be successful and to achieve their corporate goals.
Kwitara Santayá u’wbohiná-kueshro. Con-jugando patrimonios corporales ancestrales en Bogotá: territorio muisca de Bosa.
Authors: Cifuentes Jairzinho Francisco Panqueba
Published: March 2014

El escrito presenta la sistematización que en el territorio muisca de Bosahemos logrado al seguir cuatro caminos de con-jugaciones de los patrimonios corporalesancestrales. El primer camino es el de las ancestras y los ancestros que nos dejaron elcuerpo como ofrenda portadora de saberes milenarios. El segundo son los con-juegosmulticulturales de las danzas y las músicas. El tercero es el del juego del tejo, hechometodología de investigación desde las interculturalidades de Bogotá. El cuarto es el denuestros resultados, reflejados en la con-jugación de patrimonios corporales ancestralesmuiscas y mayas. Finalmente compartimos los destinos posibles, las con-jugacioneslatentes y otros senderos por andar.
DO SOFRIMENTO REDENTOR AO EXERCÍCIO REDENTOR: UMA BREVE TRAJETÓRIA DO CORPO
Authors: Lourenço Braulio Amaral , Oliveira Altemir de
Published: March 2014

Este texto tem como objetivo articular prática de exercícios físicos, concepçõesde corpo e tecnologias de poder. Para isso, esboçamos uma trajetória do corpo desde associedades de soberania, passando pelas sociedades disciplinares até as sociedades decontrole. Nesta abordagem, o conceito de tecnologia política do corpo é apresentado comoum mecanismo proveniente da interação entre fatores políticos, culturais e religiosos.
A NATAÇÃO EM PISCINAS NOS CLUBES DA CIDADE DE PORTO ALEGRE (DÉCADAS DE 1930 E 1940)
Authors: Assmann Alice Beatriz , Silva Carolina Fernandes da , Mazo Janice Zarpellon
Published: March 2014

Este estudo objetiva descrever como se sucedeu a prática da natação em piscinas nos clubes da cidade de Porto Alegre nas décadas de 1930 e 1940. As fontes consultadas evidenciaram que a natação era praticada primeiramente em rios e lagos. O marco da prática institucionalizada da natação, não apenas em Porto Alegre, mas no Brasil, foi a construção da primeira piscina do país em 1885 no Lago Guaíba, por iniciativa da atual SOGIPA. Somente, na década de 1940 foram construídas piscinas em clubes visando a prática da natação.
Evaluation of In Vitro Capacitation of Buffalo Frozen/Thawed Sperm by Different Techniques
Authors: Elkhawagah A. R. , Longobardi V. , Gasparrini B. , Sosa G. A. , Bifulco G. , Abouelroos M.E. A. , El-ghafar A.E. Abd , Camapnile G.
Published: March 2014

This study aimed to determine the most reliable method to evaluate capacitation of buffalo frozen/thawed sperm. Frozen/thawed sperm cells were incubated in Tyrode albumin lactate pyruvate medium (TALP) in absence of capacitating agents (control) and in presence of 10 µg/ml heparin for 2 and 4 h. Capacitation was assessed by Trypan blue/Giemsa after lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) exposure, chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescence assay and immune-localization of tyrosine phosphorylated protein. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of heparin on penetration, cleavage rates and kinetics of embryo development after heterologous IVF. The percentage of LPC-induced acrosome reacted (AR)-sperm increased (P<0.05) with heparin compared to the control after 2 h (28.2 vs 24.4%, respectively) and 4 h (35.1 vs 32.0 %, respectively). No differences in CTC pattern B (capacitated sperm) were found between groups and incubation times (on average 63%). On the contrary, heparin decreased (P<0.01) the percentage of tyrosine phosphorylation pattern A after 2 and 4 h (34.3 and 35.3%, respectively) compared to the control (54.5 and 51.8%, respectively) and increased (P<0.01) that of pattern EA after 2 and 4 h (59.2 and 54.2 %, respectively) compared to the control group (44.7 and 45.2 %, respectively). Both cleavage and penetration rates, as well as the percentage of fast developing embryos, were higher (P<0.01) in the heparin-treated group (77.2, 80.4 and 74.0 %, respectively) compared to the control (56.6, 58.0 and 55.2 %, respectively). In conclusion, Trypan blue/Giemsa staining to evaluate LPC-induced AR and tyrosine protein phosphorylation assay can be successfully used to evaluate capacitation of buffalo frozen/thawed semen.
Preliminary Outcomes of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine's 3-Year Primary Care Scholar Pathway in Osteopathic Predoctoral Education
Authors: Raymond Richard M. , Madden Michael M. , Ferretti Silvia M. , Ferretti John M. , Ortoski Richard A.
Published: March 2014

Context: In 2007, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine initiated its Primary Care Scholar Pathway (PCSP), a 3-year osteopathic predoctoral education curriculum.

Objective: To assess preliminary outcomes of the PCSP curriculum.

Methods: Scores for the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) Levels 1 and 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE) and pass rates for Level 2-Performance Evaluation (PE) were obtained for individuals who graduated from the PCSP program in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Scores for Levels 1 and 2-CE were compared with national mean scores. Acceptance rates for residency programs were also recorded.

Results: Nineteen PCSP graduates were included in the study: 3 graduated in 2010, 6 graduated in 2011, and 10 graduated in 2012. Scores for PCSP students were not significantly different than national average scores for COMLEX-USA Levels 1 and 2-CE (P>.05). All 19 PCSP graduates passed the COMLEX-USA Level 2-PE on the first attempt, and all graduates were accepted into primary care residency programs.

Conclusion: The COMLEX-USA scores of PCSP graduates were similar to national mean scores, suggesting that it is possible for osteopathic medical students to attain the same level of education as students of 4-year programs in less time. A 3-year osteopathic predoctoral education curriculum would allow students to complete their education at a reduced cost. This potential reduction in debt burden could encourage more students to pursue a primary care career and thus could help address the shortage of primary care physicians in the United States.
Relationship Between COMLEX-USA Scores and Performance on the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine Part I Certifying Examination
Authors: Li Feiming , Gimpel John R, , Arenson Ethan , Song Hao , Bates Bruce P. , Ludwin Fredric
Published: March 2014

Context: Few studies have investigated how well scores from the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) series predict resident outcomes, such as performance on board certification examinations.

Objectives: To determine how well COMLEX-USA predicts performance on the American Osteopathic Board of Emergency Medicine (AOBEM) Part I certification examination.

Methods: The target study population was first-time examinees who took AOBEM Part I in 2011 and 2012 with matched performances on COMLEX-USA Level 1, Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE), and Level 3. Pearson correlations were computed between AOBEM Part I first-attempt scores and COMLEX-USA performances to measure the association between these examinations. Stepwise linear regression analysis was conducted to predict AOBEM Part I scores by the 3 COMLEX-USA scores. An independent t test was conducted to compare mean COMLEX-USA performances between candidates who passed and who failed AOBEM Part I, and a stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to predict the log-odds of passing AOBEM Part I on the basis of COMLEX-USA scores.

Results: Scores from AOBEM Part I had the highest correlation with COMLEX-USA Level 3 scores (.57) and slightly lower correlation with COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores (.53). The lowest correlation was between AOBEM Part I and COMLEX-USA Level 1 scores (.47). According to the stepwise regression model, COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE scores, which residency programs often use as selection criteria, together explained 30% of variance in AOBEM Part I scores. Adding Level 3 scores explained 37% of variance. The independent t test indicated that the 397 examinees passing AOBEM Part I performed significantly better than the 54 examinees failing AOBEM Part I in all 3 COMLEX-USA levels (P<.001 for all 3 levels). The logistic regression model showed that COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 3 scores predicted the log-odds of passing AOBEM Part I (P=.03 and P<.001, respectively).

Conclusion: The present study empirically supported the predictive and discriminant validities of the COMLEX-USA series in relation to the AOBEM Part I certification examination. Although residency programs may use COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE scores as partial criteria in selecting residents, Level 3 scores, though typically not available at the time of application, are actually the most statistically related to performances on AOBEM Part I.
Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging on Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography
Authors: Zhang Yi-Feng , He Yong , Xu Hui-Xiong , Xu Xiao-Hong , Liu Chang , Guo Le-Hang , Liu Lin-Na , Xu Jun-Mei
Published: March 2014

Objectives

Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography is a newly developed ultrasound elasticity imaging technique that included both Virtual Touch tissue quantification and Virtual Touch tissue imaging (VTI; Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA). This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of VTI in differentiating malignant from benign thyroid nodules.

Methods

This study included 192 consecutive patients with thyroid nodules (n = 219) who underwent surgery for compressive symptoms or suspicion of malignancy. Tissue stiffness on VTI elastography was scored from 1 (soft) to 6 (hard). The VTI scores between malignant and benign thyroid nodules were compared. The intraobserver and interobserver agreement for VTI elastography was also assessed.

Results

On VTI elastography: score 1 was found in 84 nodules (all benign); score 2 in 37 nodules (3 papillary carcinomas and 34 benign nodules); score 3 in 25 nodules (1 medullary carcinoma, 6 papillary carcinomas, and 18 benign nodules); score 4 in 53 nodules (50 papillary carcinomas and 3 benign nodules); score 5 in 17 nodules (14 papillary carcinomas and 3 benign nodules); and score 6 in 3 nodules (all papillary carcinomas). A VTI elasticity score of 4 or greater was highly predictive of malignancy (P< .01), and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 87.0% (67 of 77), 95.8% (136 of 142), 91.8% (67 of 73), 93.1% (136 of 146), and 92.7% (203 of 219), respectively. The κ values were 0.69 for intraobserver agreement and 0.85 for interobserver agreement.

Conclusions

Virtual Touch tissue elasticity imaging has great potential as an adjunctive tool combined with conventional sonography for differential diagnosis between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
A Novel Approach for Quantification and Analysis of the Color Doppler Twinkling Artifact With Application in Noninvasive Surface Roughness Characterization
Authors: Jamzad Amoon , Setarehdan Seyed Kamaledin
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The twinkling artifact is an undesired phenomenon within color Doppler sonograms that usually appears at the site of internal calcifications. Since the appearance of the twinkling artifact is correlated with the roughness of the calculi, noninvasive roughness estimation of the internal stones may be considered as a potential twinkling artifact application. This article proposes a novel quantitative approach for measurement and analysis of twinkling artifact data for roughness estimation.

Methods

A phantom was developed with 7 quantified levels of roughness. The Doppler system was initially calibrated by the proposed procedure to facilitate the analysis. A total of 1050 twinkling artifact images were acquired from the phantom, and 32 novel numerical measures were introduced and computed for each image. The measures were then ranked on the basis of roughness quantification ability using different methods. The performance of the proposed twinkling artifact–based surface roughness quantification method was finally investigated for different combinations of features and classifiers.

Results

Eleven features were shown to be the most efficient numerical twinkling artifact measures in roughness characterization. The linear classifier outperformed other methods for twinkling artifact classification. The pixel count measures produced better results among the other categories. The sequential selection method showed higher accuracy than other individual rankings. The best roughness recognition average accuracy of 98.33% was obtained by the first 5 principle components and the linear classifier.

Conclusions

The proposed twinkling artifact analysis method could recognize the phantom surface roughness with average accuracy of 98.33%. This method may also be applicable for noninvasive calculi characterization in treatment management.
A Case‐Control Study of High‐Intensity Focused Ultrasound Combined With Sonographically Guided Intratumoral Ethanol Injection in the Treatment of Uterine Fibroids
Authors: Yang Zhiwei , Zhang Yibin , Zhang Rui , Zhang Hongyu , Ma Jijiang , Chen Jinyu , Wang Jinfeng , Jiang Kaihui , Mu Danmei , Yu Yingjiao , Yang Haishan
Published: March 2014

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of high‐intensity focused ultrasound combined with sonographically guided intratumoral ethanol injection in the treatment of uterine fibroids and to compare its therapeutic effects and potential side effects with those of simple high‐intensity focused ultrasound treatment.

Methods

Forty patients with uterine fibroids from the Department of Ultrasonography in our hospital were randomly divided into 2 groups of the same size: group H, which only underwent high‐intensity focused ultrasound treatment; and group H + A, which underwent sonographically guided intratumoral ethanol injection therapy first and then high‐intensity focused ultrasound treatment the following day. The treatment times, treatment doses, pain scores, side effects, and therapeutic effect rates of the groups were then recorded and compared.

Results

Both the treatment time and dose of group H + A were significantly less than those of group H, and the differences were statistically significant (P < .05). A lower pain score and fewer side effects were achieved in group H + A, also with statistically significant differences (P < .05). The therapeutic effect rate of group H + A was also higher than that of group H, and the difference was also statistically significant (P < .05).

Conclusions

In the treatment of uterine fibroids, high‐intensity focused ultrasound combined with sonographically guided intratumoral ethanol injection requires less treatment time and a lower dose than simple high‐intensity focused ultrasound treatment and significantly reduces the pain and side effects commonly experienced by patients. High‐intensity focused ultrasound combined with sonographically guided intratumoral ethanol injection is a feasible, safe, and more effective way to treat patients with uterine fibroids.