bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using a Paper-based Digital Pen for Supporting English Courses in Regular Classrooms to Improve Reading Fluency
Authors: Tan Chia-Chen , Chen Chih-Ming , Lee Hahn-Ming
Published: February 2013

Reading fluency is considered critical in skillful reading in that many reading training tools are developed for improving the fluency. Most of the tools are computer-based applications with a screen-based interface to provide multimedia learning environment. However, many students still prefer using paper materials especially for reading activities because of many familiar experiences of learning with a pen and paper. Also, many studies indicate that paper still plays an important role especially in reading activities. For addressing the issue, a paper-based digital pen with digital functions is used in paper materials for assisting in reading, and a novel fluency intervention program is designed in the hope of being easily and fully incorporated into regular classrooms for helping students achieve reading fluency. An actual study incorporating this fluency program was carried out in an English course in a regular EFL classroom in Taiwan. During the course, students were able to use the digital pen to interact paper materials for one-on-one digital support, including playing a model of fluent reading, recording their independent practice and playing back such recordings for confirmation. Thereby, the students required minimum behavior changes during learning and were able to have significant opportunities to practice each major component of fluency program in a comfortable and assisted way and thus to improve their reading fluency. Because of the intervention program being new to the teacher and students, the repertory grid technique was further applied as a tool for eliciting precise understanding of the students’ preferences toward the program. Finally, the teacher was able to give suggestions and advices to the students during the learning activities and thus this approach effectively helped the students make substantial gains in reading fluency.
Mouse Genetic Models Reveal Surprising Functions of IkB Kinase Alpha in Skin Development and Skin Carcinogenesis
Authors: Xia Xiaojun , Park Eunmi , Fischer Susan , Hu Yinling
Published: February 2013

Gene knockout studies unexpectedly reveal a pivotal role for IkB kinase alpha (IKKa) in mouse embryonic skin development. Skin carcinogenesis experiments show that Ikka heterozygous mice are highly susceptible to chemical carcinogen or ultraviolet B light (UVB) induced benign and malignant skin tumors in comparison to wild-type mice. IKKa deletion mediated by keratin 5 (K5).Cre or K15.Cre in keratinocytes induces epidermal hyperplasia and spontaneous skin squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in Ikka floxed mice. On the other hand, transgenic mice overexpressing IKKa in the epidermis, under the control of a truncated loricrin promoter or K5 promoter, develop normal skin and show no defects in the formation of the epidermis and other epithelial organs, and the transgenic IKKa represses chemical carcinogen or UVB induced skin carcinogenesis. Moreover, IKKa deletion mediated by a mutation, which generates a stop codon in the Ikka gene, has been reported in a human autosomal recessive lethal syndrome. Downregulated IKKa and Ikka mutations and deletions are found in human skin SCCs. The collective evidence not only highlights the importance of IKKa in skin development, maintaining skin homeostasis, and preventing skin carcinogenesis, but also demonstrates that mouse models are extremely valuable tools for revealing the mechanisms underlying these biological events, leading our studies from bench side to bedside.
Matricellular Signal Transduction Involving Calmodulin in the Social Amoebozoan Dictyostelium
Authors: O'Day Danton , Huber Robert
Published: February 2013

The social amoebozoan Dictyostelium discoideum undergoes a developmental sequence wherein an extracellular matrix (ECM) sheath surrounds a group of differentiating cells. This sheath is comprised of proteins and carbohydrates, like the ECM of mammalian tissues. One of the characterized ECM proteins is the cysteine-rich, EGF-like (EGFL) repeat-containing, calmodulin (CaM)-binding protein (CaMBP) CyrA. The first EGFL repeat of CyrA increases the rate of random cell motility and cyclic AMP-mediated chemotaxis. Processing of full-length CyrA (~63 kDa) releases two major EGFL repeat-containing fragments (~45 kDa and ~40 kDa) in an event that is developmentally regulated. Evidence for an EGFL repeat receptor also exists and downstream intracellular signaling pathways involving CaM, Ras, protein kinase A and vinculin B phosphorylation have been characterized. In total, these results identify CyrA as a true matricellular protein comparable in function to tenascin C and other matricellular proteins from mammalian cells. Insight into the regulation and processing of CyrA has also been revealed. CyrA is the first identified extracellular CaMBP in this eukaryotic microbe. In keeping with this, extracellular CaM (extCaM) has been shown to be present in the ECM sheath where it binds to CyrA and inhibits its cleavage to release the 45 kDa and 40 kDa EGFL repeat-containing fragments. The presence of extCaM and its role in regulating a matricellular protein during morphogenesis extends our understanding of CaM-mediated signal transduction in eukaryotes.
Absorption and Tensility of Bioactive Sutures Prepared for Cell Transplantation
Authors: Horváthy Dénes , Vácz Gabriella , Szabó Tamás , Renner Károly , Vajda Kinga , Sándor Balázs , Lacza Zsombor
Published: February 2013

Biodegradable scaffolds are widely used to transplant stem cells into various tissues. Recent studies showed that living stem cells can be attached to the surface of absorbable sutures in vitro. Soaking the absorbable material polyglactin in a cell culture medium and thereby creating a stem cell biofilm on its surface may initiate the absorption process even before implantation; therefore, the physicochemical properties of the suture may be compromised in vivo. We found that pre-incubation of sutures in cell culture media in vitro results in tensile strength reduction and faster suture absorption in a rat model of muscle injury. Shorter incubation times of up to 48 h do not influence absorption or tensility; therefore, it is advisable to limit incubation times to two days for polyglactin-based cell delivery protocols.
La trace. De la mort visible à la mort invisible, de l'inacceptable à l'acceptable... et inversement
Authors: Hardy Laurence
Published: February 2013

Résumé La vie des morts s’est transformée avec le développement de la thanatopraxie qui fait du défunt un « presque vivant » ou un cadavre invisible. Elle est questionnée ensuite par le développement de la crémation suivie de la dispersion des cendres : la trace disparaît tandis que de nouvelles cérémonies, portées par des collectifs, visent à marquer le/un temps et l’espace. Nous retrouvons leur réactivité et créativité afin que des morts inacceptables deviennent acceptables.
Média-activisme revisité
Authors: Berardi Franco , Neyrat Frédéric
Published: February 2013

Résumé Si le média-activisme est parvenu à libérer des espaces d’expression, il n’a pas su empêcher les médias dominants, institutionnels et privés, de se réapproprier cette libération. À travers ses effets de saturation et de fragmentation, le « sémiocapitalisme » nous a fait la peau. Les médias dominants ont détruit les médiations individuelles et collectives par leur envoûtement : leur vol du temps et de la sensibilité. C’est la dimension esthétique que le média-activisme doit aujourd’hui investir, d’abord comme art, c’est-à-dire par une nouvelle production de la sensibilité, ensuite comme thérapeutique, c’est-à-dire comme soin apporté à nos appareils bio-médiatiques amoindris.
Les drones : nouveau médium de guerre ?
Authors: Karatsioli Barbara
Published: February 2013

Résumé Les drones, ces avions sans pilote, miniaturisables à merci, qu’on envoie aujourd’hui espionner ou bombarder des lieux de conflits lointains, ne sont pas tant des « armes » ou des « produits », que des médiums : des matérialisations inquiétantes de médiations incontrôlées et incontrôlables, destinées à venir hanter et menacer ceux qui prétendent s’en servir. Cet article mène l’enquête sur leurs usages et leurs perceptions, offrant un exemple paradigmatique des inquiétants objets rendus possibles par la médiatisation croissante de notre planète et de nos vies.
En marchant avec une multitude de spectres prismatiques
Authors: Bardini Thierry
Published: February 2013

Résumé Une longue histoire relie le développement des technologies médiatiques aux ruminations sur les spectres et les fantômes. Les manifestations de rue du « printemps érable » à Montréal ont permis de revivre cette histoire en condensé : les spectres y sont apparus, dans l’ombre du simulacre de gouvernement avec son attirail de loi spéciale, de propagande mass-médiatique et de répression, dans une expérience glorieuse du temps réel. Cette expérience a surtout permis de faire apparaître d’autres spectres, prismatiques, rigolards et libérateurs, à mi-chemin entre les potentiels inédits des nouveaux médias et la vieille pratique de marcher dans une rue ensemble.
Internet : 1 – ACTA : 0
Authors: Zimmermann Jérémie , Kyrou Ariel , Secretan Victor
Published: February 2013

Résumé L’ACTA (Accord Commercial Anti-Contrefaçon), bombe à retardement contre l’Internet ouvert et libre, a été rejeté à une très large majorité des votes par le Parlement européen le 4 juillet 2012, en particulier grâce à l’action pugnace d’une ribambelle d’associations européennes parmi lesquelles, en France, la Quadrature du Net. L’un des responsables de la Quadrature du Net, Jérémie Zimmermann, nous éclaire dans cette interview sur ACTA et sa logique répressive qui n’en finit pas de renaître dans bien des traités. Mais il revient également sur la façon dont des organisations comme la sienne et beaucoup d’autres ont agi, avec des citoyens de l’Europe entière, pour obtenir le rejet de cet accord si fortement symbolique.
Pour la sécurité alimentaire : restaurer la responsabilité d'État
Authors: Paré Frédéric
Published: February 2013

Résumé Que nous suggère Jean-Jacques Rousseau, né il y a 300 ans, au sujet du rôle de l’État ? « La volonté générale, écrit-il, peut seule diriger les forces de l’État selon la fin de son institution (création), qui est le bien commun ; car, si l’opposition des intérêts particuliers a rendu nécessaire l’établissement des sociétés, c’est l’accord de ces mêmes intérêts qui l’a rendu possible. C’est ce qu’il y a de commun dans ces différents intérêts qui forme le lien social... » Les aliments sont aujourd’hui produits, transformés, emballés, transportés et commercialisés par des entreprises mises en concurrence entre elles à l’échelle planétaire. Mais la sécurité alimentaire nationale, fondée sur des ressources nationales, n’est-elle pas de l’ordre du contrat social ? La souveraineté alimentaire se définit comme le droit des peuples, des États, à gouverner les activités des « opérateurs alimentaires », aux fins de cette sécurité alimentaire, du bien commun.
Fluorescein Angiography Findings in Phacomatosis Pigmentovascularis
Authors: Henry Christopher R. , Hodapp Elizabeth , Hess Ditte J. , Blieden Lauren S. , Berrocal Audina M.
Published: February 2013

The authors report the fluorescein angiography findings in a 3-month-old patient with phacomatosis cesioflammea, which revealed venous-venous anastomoses in addition to previously undescribed features of peripheral retinal vascular nonperfusion. The authors encourage physicians to consider phacomatosis pigmentovascularis in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with facial port-wine stain and to screen these patients for peripheral retinal avascularity in addition to glaucoma and primary uveal melanoma.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2013;44:201–203]
Building Information Modeling
Authors: Kumar Bimal
Published: February 2013

As is common knowledge now, in 2016 it will be mandatory to use BIM on all public sector projects. This has clearly spurned a lot of interest in BIM within the construction industry. However, the industry appears to be struggling to find its feet as to what it needs to have in place before BIM based projects become a reality. Uses of BIM technology and associated processes have been categorized into 3 levels and the 2016 requirement is for Level 2 implementations only. This paper outlines the requirements of level 2 BIM implementation and assesses the status of the industry as a whole as to its readiness. There are various pre-requisites that need to be in place, mostly in relation to process protocols and standards. This paper gives an understanding of the roadmap that needs to be traversed in order to be ready for BIM. This paper presents an outline of the UK Government’s requirements for 2016 before discussing and assessing the UK construction industry’s readiness. Finally, the paper gives an outline of what needs to be in place for the government’s ambitions to be achieved as well as a summary of some of the challenges along the way and possible ways of addressing some of them.
Cloud Computing and E-Governance
Authors: Sasikala P.
Published: February 2013

Cloud computing provides a new service consumption and delivery model inspired by Consumer Internet Services. Cloud computing drives down costs and accelerates cost reduction benefit. Cloud is making rapid inroads in several sectors and e-Governance is the latest in this direction. e-Governance with cloud computing offers integration management with automated problem resolution, manages security end to end, and helps budget based on actual usage of data. At a global level, Cloud architectures can benefit government to reduce duplicate efforts and increase effective utilization of resources, helping the government go green and reducing pollution and effective waste management. In this paper, the authors describe how this newly emerged paradigm of cloud computing can be helpful for e-Governance. It also describes the role of cloud computing standards and architectures in framing a good e-Governance strategy to realize e-Government. Governments have been slower in realizing the potential benefits of the Information Technology to provide e-services. E-services are delivering cost-effective services, which can drive the growth of the economy and government productivity.
Mobile Applications as Tools to Support Embodied Learning
Authors: Denham Andre R. , Gonzalez-Sanchez Javier , Chavez-Echeagaray Maria-Elena , Atkinson Robert K.
Published: February 2013

Mobile learning (mLearning) is a rapidly expanding area of educational research. Theorists, researchers, and instructional designers are excited about the potential contributions of mobile technology to the field of education. Mobile tools such as Apple’s iPad or Galaxy Tab have sparked this interest based on their ability to provide high-powered computing within a small, extremely portable form factor. Learners are no longer constrained by the desktop or the power cord of a laptop. Unfortunately, much of mLearning research has focused on transferring eLearning on to mobile devices, instead of investigating the unique characteristics of mobile tools that can be used to define mLearning as a distinct type of learning. This paper begins the task of situating mLearning as a distinct type of learning by first considering the theoretical and pedagogical affordances unique to it. Then, the authors transition into a discussion of embodied learning and how the literature related to this field supports the use of mobile tools for educational purposes that go well beyond the deliver of eLearning instructional content. From there, the authors move to a discussion of the logistical challenge of melding mobile tools within formal learning environments. Next, the paper reports the results of an investigation into the current state of mLearning applications and how the majority of these applications fail to leverage the hardware features of mobile tools that can potential result in deeper understanding of concepts and skills. Finally, the authors provide implications and future directions for developers and educators.
Generations X and Y’s Adoption of Internet and Internet Banking in Nigeria
Authors: Agwu Edwin
Published: February 2013

Recent surveys show that more than 65% of internet users in Nigeria are between 18 – 46 years old. However, evidence from previous research stressed that as opposed to generation X, generation Y are more likely to adopt new technologies. This paper examined the use of internet and internet banking by two different generations in the Nigeria context. Students and young graduates who occupy these ladders were used as subjects of the research. Two hundred and thirty students (generations X and Y) were sampled. Findings revealed that both generations within the Nigerian context are technologically inclined; however, certain factors serve as barriers to their adoption of internet banking services as opposed to their frequent use of the internet for other purposes. Risks, security and privacy, dearth of telecommunication infrastructures, and poor state of the Nigerian economy were found to be barriers within the data analyzed. This research contends that the Nigerian government and the financial institutions must address the barriers to make for a full adoption of internet banking services and proposes the relationship marketing of these generations, especially generation Y as potential users of the bank and its services.
Dynamic Analysis of the Possible Effects of Leptin in Some Metabolic Disorders in Obesity
Authors: Talaminos Alejandro , Romero Laura M. Roa
Published: February 2013

Obesity and metabolic syndrome represent an increasing epidemiological challenge for society given the associated social and health implications. Obesity is related to different metabolic disorders, like diabetes mellitus type 2, which has been subject to study in the last decades. Nowadays, most of the related research focuses on endocrine aspects, especially related to adipose tissue. This is due to the fact that some adipocytokines are proven to be of great relevance as therapeutic agents both for obesity and mellitus type 2 diabetes. This work integrates some aspects of the knowledge generated under these research studies. In this context, it is proposed the design and development of a computational model that provides a better dynamic view of the existing interactions between endocrine aspects of the adipose tissue and glucose control mechanisms in people with obesity. The model behaves as an observer that estimates the dynamics of internal state variables, not easy to be measured in the clinical practice, and which helps to understand the dynamic behaviour of measurable variables. The work analyses the effects of the external energy intake and exercises over the obesity control and glycemia. The model has been validated by using other authors’ data. Predictions of the influence over the measurable variables of the behaviours considered when the virtual patient follows different diets and physical exercise are shown as results.
Binarization and Validation in Formal Concept Analysis
Authors: Salama Mostafa A. , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: February 2013

Representation and visualization of continuous data using the Formal Concept Analysis (FCA) became an important requirement in real-life fields. Application of formal concept analysis (FCA) model on numerical data, a scaling or Discretization / binarization procedures should be applied as preprocessing stage. The Scaling procedure increases the complexity of computation of the FCA, while the binarization process leads to a distortion in the internal structure of the input data set. The proposed approach uses a binarization procedure prior to applying FCA model, and then applies a validation process to the generated lattice to measure or ensure its degree of accuracy. The introduced approach is based on the evaluation of each attribute according to the objects of its extent set. To prove the validity of the introduced approach, the technique is applied on two data sets in the medical field which are the Indian Diabetes and the Breast Cancer data sets. Both data sets show the generation of a valid lattice.
Statistical Analysis for Radiologists’ Interpretations Variability in Mammograms
Authors: Azar Ahmad Taher
Published: February 2013

Conventional mammography is considered the modality of choice for the detection of breast cancer. The process involves a human radiologist visually diagnosing the mammogram, which causes limitations such as missing a cancer and/or diagnosing a false cancer. Another disadvantage of conventional mammography is the variability among screening radiologists in interpreting mammographic images. The objectives of this study are to verify this variability and to develop an image processing algorithm that can automatically detect benign tumors of the female breast. A sample of ten digital mammograms obtained from the MiniMIAS database was distributed to four different radiologists in order to verify the variability among them. Furthermore, three algorithms were developed in order to automatically detect benign tumors of the female breast. The proposed algorithms were based on combinations of certain statistical features and were tested on the same sample of images. Results showed that the detection mechanism using the proposed algorithms was acceptable despite the fact that they exhibited a few errors. It was concluded that the use of a combination of the mean and median statistical tools is effective in assisting radiologists in interpreting mammographic images containing benign tumors.
Evaluation of Labor Market Programs During Recession in the North Great Plain Region of Hungary
Authors: Szabo Andrea
Published: February 2013

The unemployment rate has set up new records worldwide nowadays, namely the downswing phase of the top index Kondratieff-wave has begun. Schools of economics have various approaches concerning the state’s role in recession, that is to say whether the governments could fight against the negative processes or not. The study focuses on the active labor market policies, whose real objective is to bring back the jobless to the labor market ad interim, but evaluations have proved it‘s ineffective. The author analyzed the “Pathway to work” Hungarian public work program, what kind of endogenous factors were there for successful employment in the framework of the program. In the study it will be proved that management and organization have a crucial role in appropriate workplace selection.
On Being a Patient
Authors: Kalantri S. P.
Published: February 2013

When doctors become patients, their hearts run the entire gamut of emotions- from acute denial to acceptance and everything in between. Although they enjoy a privileged status, and receive apt attention from their professional colleagues, they realize that making personal decisions about their own health is not easy- particularly during an emergency. What should a patient expect from a doctor? How should a doctor anticipate what kind of patient he is dealing with? How should we blend evidence with patient preferences, choices, and priorities? How should a doctor assuage unvoiced concerns of visitors? In this essay, the author describes his own experience of acute coronary syndrome that led to an angioplasty and wonders how difficult it is to choose wisely, even for doctors.
Incarcerated Gravid Uterus in an Incisional Hernia
Authors: Modi Jyoti Nath , Bharadwaj Malini , Kalra Ruchi , Mhaske Ashok N.
Published: February 2013

Incisional hernia of the anterior abdominal wall is common but gravid uterus herniating into the sac is rare. Even rarer is the gravid uterus getting incarcerated in the hernia sac. The authors present an interesting obstetric challenge wherein a 30 year old pregnant lady reported to their antenatal clinic with an unusual bulge in the lower abdomen at the 7th month of pregnancy. This was found to be an incarcerated gravid uterus. It was further complicated by the presence of a trophic ulcer on the skin overlying the uterus. Very few such cases have been reported in literature and each one is a study in itself. The authors would like to share their experience in successfully managing the condition with the assistance of information from the internet and colleagues from across the globe. They will also identify the lessons learnt from this experience.
A Conceptual Model for Knowledge Marts for Decision Making Support Systems
Authors: Wimmer Hayden , Forgionne Guisseppi , Rada Roy , Yoon Victoria
Published: February 2013

This paper provides an integrated and comprehensive conceptual framework for knowledge based decision making support systems. Previous research has focused primarily on general decision support systems. The paper extends the previous work by presenting a framework to support specific decisions using knowledge marts that contain decision pertinent knowledge. A proposed methodology to test the effectiveness of this new model is proposed. The model presented provides much more specific knowledge support than previous systems.
A Source Code Change Impact Analysis Algorithm for Iterative Software Development
Authors: Wilkerson Jerod W.
Published: February 2013

CHA-AS is a source code change impact analysis algorithm for Java programs. CHA-AS differs from other algorithms in that it does not require the program versions it compares to be whole programs with a well-defined program entry point. The need for such an algorithm is evident in iterative software development projects and projects involving the development of code libraries and frameworks—all of which may not have a well-defined program entry point at the time when change impact analysis needs to be performed. The CHA-AS algorithm supports the development of Decision Support Systems for software development managers and programmers working on iterative software development projects, or projects to develop source code libraries and frameworks. This paper describes the CHA-AS algorithm and demonstrates it to be efficient and effective in calculating source code change impact.
Exploring Region of Interest (ROI) to Support Quality of Service in Unreliable Wireless Electronic Healthcare Communications
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhao Min , Wang Honggang , Hua Kun
Published: February 2013

In this paper the authors propose a new Region of Interest (ROI) based approach to improve wireless electronic healthcare service quality. The major contribution of this research is the adaptability of the proposed approach with regards to channel information. In the proposed approach, important bit sequence in healthcare data (e.g., Electrocardiagram - ECG) is identified as interested region and extracted for unequal treatment in error-prone wireless communication channels. Specifically, variable bit-plane coding is applied to ECG samples in ROI and non-ROI. The fine-grained bit-plane coding in ROI provides more information precision of healthcare data, while the coarse-grained bit-plane coding in non-ROI saves more communication channel bandwidth. Simulation results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed approach in reducing healthcare data errors with communication bandwidth constraint.
Exploring the Social Dynamics of Implementing Self-Managed Web-Based Wellness Tools
Authors: Naidoo Rennie
Published: February 2013

According to proponents of consumer-driven healthcare, the Web continues to offer huge opportunities to empower consumers to take individual ownership over their healthcare. Consequently many healthcare insurance service providers are integrating elements of Wellness into their product and service design and are making these available through Web-based portals. Based on a longitudinal case study of an e-Wellness implementation at a multinational consumer-driven healthcare insurance firm, key concepts from structuration theory are used to explore and analyse the social dynamics involved in the implementation of these contemporary forms of healthcare service encounters. This case study reports that in this particular context, face-to-face consultations continue to prevail over the use of virtual diagnosis and treatment by a computer-meditated virtual stress therapist and dietician practitioner. The author proposes the use of social frameworks to analyse and better understand the intricacies involved in implementing Wellness innovations.
CliFin
Authors: Tulpan Dan , Mancuso Michelina , Durand Guillaume , Regoui Chaouki , Belliveau Luc
Published: February 2013

Over the past decade, the development of web-based Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for health has grown quite rapidly due to an increased need of data integration and spatial visualization. One GIS growth area in health is the construction of map-based applications that provide information on health care resources. Such applications are typically used as standard tools by public health departments, public health policy and research organizations, hospitals and health insurance organizations to provide public access to health care resources. This paper presents the design and development process of Clinic Finder (CliFin) - an open-access web-based GIS application relying on the Google Maps technology and providing access to a database with point of care facilities across the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. The uniqueness of CliFin consists in the implementation of a time-frame dependent search and results trimming approach, which allows users to identify clinics and hospitals open at any given time. The users are also encouraged to contribute with schedule updates and new point of care information to further develop CliFin’s database and its accuracy. The combination of GIS visualization capabilities, database management, user involvement in database update and the time-frame dependence of search results, confers CliFin increased practicality, especially in situations of crisis such as natural disasters.
Closed User Group Automotive Communication Network Based on Addressing at Physical Layer
Authors: Sanyal Rajarshi , Cianca Ernestina , Prasad Ramjee
Published: February 2013

Intelligent Vehicle communication is the keyword for the emerging vehicular technologies such as group cooperative driving, real time Engine Operating parameters (EOP) monitoring, collision warning, geo location based mobility applications, and classical voice and data conveyance. The technologies require extensive interaction between the peers which mostly use the framework of the state of the art cellular or radio trunking networks. This may vitiate the network performance due to the surge in mobility management messages originated by the devices plugged in the vehicles. The performance may be severely impacted due to the unique characteristics of vehicular networks e.g., high mobility. Due to the high proliferation of these Machine to Machine (M2M) and Machine to Application (M2A) devices in near future, the cell sizes will shrink, resulting in more signalling messages in the network. Considering classical voice communication services for typical car fleet implementations, the radio trunking networks have capacity constrains due to inability of frequency reuse and absence of mobility management techniques. The alternative is to seek out an access technology considering the fact that a more intelligent physical layer can be employed directly for addressing and mobility management. In this paper the authors address a Closed User Group network implementation for Vehicle to Vehicle/central office communication which can actuate voice and data communication without incorporating any application layer.
Dynamic PL&T using Two Reference Nodes Equipped with Steered Directional Antenna for Significant PL&T Accuracy
Authors: Shakhakarmi Niraj , Vaman Dhadesugoor R.
Published: February 2013

Dynamic Position Location and Tracking (PL&T) is proposed deploying the integrated approach of zone finding and triangulation using two friendly nodes equipped with Steered Directional Antenna (DA) in Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANET). This approach allows the system to use only two references instead of a typical 3 references for a straight triangulation. Moreover, the performance of the proposed algorithm with references using directional antennas shows significant improvement over triangulation using references with Omni-directional antennas as the beam power is concentrated. However, dynamic switching of reference nodes is frequently required as the target moves outside the predicted zone. This paper presents a better tracking accuracy in using proposed dynamic PL&T as compared to other PL&T techniques. The multipath fading is also addressed with the use of KV transform coding technique which uses forward error correction and sample interleaving achieves greater than 90% tracking accuracy with BERs of 10-6 or better.
Identifying Overlying Group of People through Clustering
Authors: Manimaran P. , Duraiswamy K.
Published: February 2013

Folksonomies like Delicious and LastFm are modeled as multilateral (user-resource-tag) hypergraphs for studying their network properties. Detecting communities of similar nodes from such networks is a challenging problem. Most existing algorithms for community detection in folksonomies assign unique communities to nodes, whereas in reality, users have multiple relevant interests and same resource is often tagged with semantically different tags. Few attempts to perceive overlapping communities work on forecasts of hypergraph, which results in momentous loss of information contained in original tripartite structure. Propose first algorithm to detect overlapping communities in folksonomies using complete hypergraph structure. The authors’ algorithm converts a hypergraph into its parallel line graph, using measures of hyperedge similarity, whereby any community detection algorithm on unipartite graphs can be used to produce intersecting communities in folksonomy. Through extensive experiments on synthetic as well as real folksonomy data, demonstrate that proposed algorithm can detect better community structures as compared to existing state-of-the-art algorithms for folksonomies.
Can 3D Visualization Assist in Young Children’s Understanding of Sun-Earth-Moon System?
Authors: Isik-Ercan Zeynep , Kim Beomjin , Nowak Jeffrey
Published: February 2013

This research-in-progress investigates how the usage of technology, specifically three dimensional (3D) stereoscopic vision, might support astronomy learning in primary grades. 3D stereoscopic vision might be an effective means to observe the relationships among space objects through simulations. In order to explore this presumption, this pilot study examines how 3D stereoscopic vision might enhance urban second graders’ understanding of (a) the shape of Sun, Moon, and Earth, (b) how day and night alternate, and (c) how Moon appears in different shapes. Currently, Indiana state standards for science do not suggest the teaching of these astronomical concepts explicitly before fourth grade. The authors project that students can learn these concepts earlier in their educational lives with the implementation of these new technologies. These technologies might challenge the views of when astronomical concepts could be taught to children and expand the ways the authors think about children’s cognitive capacities in understanding scientific concepts.
My Virtual Audiology Clinical Skills Laboratory
Authors: Benaouda Djamel
Published: February 2013

Most educational institutions have realized the impact of the Internet and the World Wide Web in education of which most have already been using Virtual Learning Environments for their staff, lecturers, and students. In this paper, the author proposes a novel and completely unique concept in Audiology, a web-based virtual clinic laboratory system, my-AudiologyLab, for audiology undergraduate students to practice their decision-making skills. This virtual environment gives students the opportunity to practice the process of conducting different types of appointment and check the development of their clinical reasoning. Opportunities to practice these skills online are important as it not only provides a safe environment in which students can experience a real set of scenarios where patients can be seen at the students’ own individual learning pace but it also prepares students for their final practical competency assessments. This type of environment means that students can work with patients and have the possibility of making incorrect decisions without any health risks. The e-learning system is a three-tier Web-based distributed computing system and has been developed using open source W3C (World-Wide Web Consortium) standards.
Distance Learning Using ExperInn E-Learning System Through Web
Authors: Shetty Chetankumar G.
Published: February 2013

This paper describes how ExperInn e-learning system can be applied to distance learning. The author describes how to use ExperInn e-learning system without any client side/learner side software. The learner does not need to download packages from the ExperInn e-learning service provider’s website. The goal of the proposed distance learning system is to increase Learners Level of Perception (LLP) by providing them with realistic audio-visual content. The proposed distance learning using ExperInn e-learning system consists of uploading scanned images of the textbook in ExperInn e-learning service provider’s website, database creation by experts, putting the images and augmented reality content on the database, and indicating when a particular text book is ready. For interactive learning, the proposed ExperInn e-learning system exploits the color-band markers, which are stuck to the tip of a finger. Here the ExperInn e-learning software will be installed on the cloud so that the learning need not download and install ExperInn e-learning software in his personal computer.
Social Web for Large-Scale Biosensors
Authors: Andrade João , Duarte Andreia , Arsénio Artur
Published: February 2013

Recent technological developments on mobile technologies associated with the growing computational capabilities of sensing enabled devices have given rise to mobile sensing systems that can target community level problems. These systems are capable of inferring intelligence from acquired raw sensed data, through the use of data mining and machine learning techniques. However, due to their recent advent, associated issues remain to be solved in a systematized way. Various areas can benefit from these initiatives, with public health systems having a major application gain. There has been interest in the use of social networks as a mean of epidemic prediction. Still, the integration between large-scale sensor networks and these initiatives, required to achieve seamless epidemic detection and prediction, is yet to be achieved. In this context, it is essential to review systems applied to epidemic prediction. This paper presents an application scenario for such predictions, namely fetus health monitoring in pregnant woman, presenting a new non-invasive portable alternative system that allows long-term pregnancy surveillance.
Molecular Basis of DNA Recognition in the Immune System
Authors: Atianand Maninjay K. , Fitzgerald Katherine A.
Published: February 2013

Recognition of microbial nucleic acids is one strategy by which mammalian hosts respond to infectious agents. Intracellular DNA that is introduced into cells during infection elicits potent inflammatory responses by triggering the induction of antiviral type I IFNs and the maturation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18. In addition, if nucleases, such as DNase II or DNase III (Trex1), fail to clear self-DNA, accumulated DNA gains access to intracellular compartments where it drives inflammatory responses leading to autoimmune disease. In this review, we discuss a rapidly evolving view of how cytosolic DNA-sensing machineries coordinate antimicrobial immunity and, if unchecked, lead to autoimmune disease.
Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with focal findings: caveats to current diagnostic criteria
Authors: Mader Edward C. , El-Abassi Rima , Villemarette-Pittman Nicole R. , Santana-Gould Lenay , Olejniczak Piotr W. , England John D.
Published: February 2013

The clinical diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is largely based on the 1998 World Health Organization diagnostic criteria. Unfortunately, rigid compliance with these criteria may result in failure to recognize sporadic CJD (sCJD), especially early in its course when focal findings predominate and traditional red flags are not yet present. A 61-year-old man presented with a 3-week history of epilepsia partialis continua (jerking of the left upper extremity) and a 2-week history of forgetfulness and left hemiparesis; left hemisensory neglect was also detected on admission. Repeated brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed areas of restricted diffusion in the cerebral cortex, initially on the right but later spreading to the left. Electroencephalography (EEG) on hospital days 7, 10, and 14 showed right-sided periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges. On day 20, the EEG showed periodic sharp wave complexes leading to a diagnosis of probable sCJD and subsequently to definite sCJD with brain biopsy. Neurological decline was relatively fast with generalized myoclonus and akinetic mutism developing within 7 weeks from the onset of illness. CJD was not immediately recognized because of the patient’s focal/lateralized manifestations. Focal/lateralized clinical, EEG, and MRI findings are not uncommon in sCJD and EEG/MRI results may not be diagnostic in the early stages of sCJD. Familiarity with these caveats and with the most current criteria for diagnosing probable sCJD (University of California San Francisco 2007, MRI-CJD Consortium 2009) will enhance the ability to recognize sCJD and implement early safety measures.
Vermengde leer: Innovering in die onderrig van Praktiese Teologie aan voorgraadse studente
Authors: Nell Ian A.
Published: February 2013

Blended learning: Innovation in the teaching of practical theology to undergraduate students. Blended learning is becoming increasingly prevalent in the academic environment. This approach to learning was developed for various reasons, including the problem of information overloading and the need for integration of theory and praxis. Recent research indicates that changes in the brain necessary for success in the learning process are related to numerous factors like practical exercises, emotions and background factors while learning. The purpose of this research was to evaluate through empirical research the innovative use of blended learning by first-year students in practical theology. The results of two empirical surveys indicate a positive experience of a variety of forms of learning by the students. The results are interpreted with the aid of theoretical insights from the fields of pedagogy and practical theology. Four pedagogical strategies are discussed, all of which individually contribute to the learning process. This includes pedagogies of contextualisation, interpretation, formation and performance. In conclusion, a number of recommendations are made about the use of blended learning in practical-theological teaching. It is done by making use of a case study within a theodramatic approach to practical theology. The use of the film Son of Man is examined as example in the light of the envisaged outcomes for practical-theological teaching.
Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of prostate cancer
Authors: Hedgire Sandeep S , Oei Tamara N , Mcdermott Shaunagh , Cao Kai , M. Zena Patel , Harisinghani Mukesh G
Published: February 2013

In India, prostate cancer has an incidence rate of 3.9 per 100,000 men and is responsible for 9% of cancer-related mortality. It is the only malignancy that is diagnosed with an apparently blind technique, i.e., transrectal sextant biopsy. With increasing numbers of high-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment being installed in India, the radiologist needs to be cognizant about endorectal MRI and multiparametric imaging for prostate cancer. In this review article, we aim to highlight the utility of multiparamteric MRI in prostate cancer. It plays a crucial role, mainly in initial staging, restaging, and post-treatment follow-up.
Atypical femoral fractures related to bisphosphonate therapy
Authors: Jain Tarun Pankaj , Thorn Murray
Published: February 2013

Bisphosphonates (BP) are a commonly prescribed class of drugs for the prevention of osteoporosis-related fractures. Paradoxically, however, they have recently been linked to atypical fractures in the shaft of the femur. Since many physicians including radiologists, are not aware of this entity, the incidence is likely underreported. These fractures usually occur in the sub-trochanteric region of the femur in the setting of low-energy trauma. It starts as a fracture line involving the lateral cortex and then progresses medially to give rise to a complete fracture. The fracture line is usually transverse, and there is a medial spike associated with a complete fracture. These fractures can be bilateral. Awareness of these atypical fractures and their radiological appearance should enable their early and accurate detection and thus lead to specific treatment.
A numerical study of aerosol influence on mixed-phase stratiform clouds through modulation of the liquid phase
Authors: de Boer G. , Hashino T. , Tripoli G. J. , Eloranta E. W.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Numerical simulations were carried out in a high-resolution two-dimensional framework to increase our understanding of aerosol indirect effects in mixed-phase stratiform clouds. Aerosol characteristics explored include insoluble particle type, soluble mass fraction, influence of aerosol-induced freezing point depression and influence of aerosol number concentration. Simulations were analyzed with a focus on the processes related to liquid phase microphysics, and ice formation was limited to droplet freezing. Of the aerosol properties investigated, aerosol insoluble mass type and its associated freezing efficiency was found to be most relevant to cloud lifetime. Secondary effects from aerosol soluble mass fraction and number concentration also alter cloud characteristics and lifetime. These alterations occur via various mechanisms, including changes to the amount of nucleated ice, influence on liquid phase precipitation and ice riming rates, and changes to liquid droplet nucleation and growth rates. Alteration of the aerosol properties in simulations with identical initial and boundary conditions results in large variability in simulated cloud thickness and lifetime, ranging from rapid and complete glaciation of liquid to the production of long-lived, thick stratiform mixed-phase cloud.