bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate change and water governance: an International Joint Commission case study
Authors: Bleser Claire S. , Nelson Kristen C.
Published: October 2011

Governance has been identified by many scholars as a challenge to managing natural resources in a sustainable way. In addition, climate change is impacting natural resources, and complicating management. In light of these concerns, it is important that key characteristics of sustainable management are not ignored. Scientific legitimacy, an integrative ecosystem approach, long-term monitoring and pro-active governance are all important characteristics of successful sustainable management plans. However, these characteristics have not all been included in the day-to-day functioning of the International Joint Commission. This paper looks specifically at the key characteristics required for sustainable management of transboundary water resources and determines if the International Joint Commission, and particularly the International Rainy Lake Board of Control, are applying them to policies for regulation and management of border waters shared by Ontario (Canada) and Minnesota (USA).
Price discovery and distribution of water rights linking upstream tree plantations to downstream water markets: experimental results
Authors: Nordblom Thomas L. , Reeson Andrew F. , Finlayson John D. , Hume Iain H. , Whitten Stuart M. , Kelly Jason A.
Published: October 2011

This paper reports controlled experiments on markets linking downstream water entitlement holders with upstream landholders wishing to establish large tree plantations. The present study tackles the question of whether it matters who owns the initial water rights. Coase's (1960) theorem suggests initial endowments will not affect final equilibrium outcomes, in terms of water prices and water rights held by the various parties. That theorem is tested through experiments with human subjects who blindly represent different groups of water users. These are land owners in upstream water supply sub-catchments and downstream urban, irrigation and ‘stock & domestic’ water users, each with pre-specified marginal values of water. These values and equilibrium results calculated in an earlier modelling study provide the theoretical base for evaluating the new results. In the experiment the initial endowments of water rights were shifted between the up and downstream participants. Strong ‘endowment effects’ were observed; participants who held the greatest initial endowments often traded away fewer units than predicted by the theoretical model and captured greater shares of the gains of trade. Including new tree plantations in the market for permanent water entitlements can engender positive changes in economic surpluses in all sectors, with greater levels of social equity and protection of downstream wetland assets. This is in sharp contrast with reductions in river volumes reaching downstream parties and environmental assets in the absence of regulations requiring purchase of entitlements to cover extra water use by new plantations.
Simulation of an Industrial Linear Low Density Polyethylene Plant
Authors: Farhangiyan Kashani Ali , Abedini Hossein , Kalaee Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2011

In this paper, an industrial linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) production process including two serried fluidized bed reactors (FBR) and other process equipment was completely simulated in steady state mode. Both of FBRs were considered like two serried continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR). In this simulation, a kinetic model that is based on a multiple active site heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst was used for simulation of reactions in two FBRs. Simulator by using this model is able to predict the important attributes of LLDPE like melt flow index (MFI), density (ρ), polydispersity (PDI), numerical and weight average molecular weight (Mn, Mw) and co-polymer molar fraction (SFRAC). On the other hand, this simulator can be applied in wide range of changing in inlet operating conditions. The results of the simulation are compared with industrial data of LLDPE plant. A good agreement is observed between the simulator predictions and actual plant data. Finally, by using of the simulator, the steady state operating conditions for producing different grades of polyethylene are obtained.
Impact of the modification of carbon-supported, Pt-based catalysts by irreversibly adsorbed Sn, Ru and Rh on ethanol oxidation
Authors: Lovic Jelena , Tripkovic Amalija , Popovic Ksenija
Published: October 2011

The oxidation of ethanol was studied at Snad-, Ruad- and Rhadmodified and
unmodified PtC, Pt3Sn/C and Pt3Ru2/C catalysts. Potentiodynamic,
quasi-steady-state and chronoamperometric measurements were used to
investigate the activity and stability of the catalysts. Irreversible
adsorption of a small amount of each of the adatoms (?10 % surface coverage)
enhanced the activity of the Pt/C and Pt3Sn/C catalysts. The onset potential
was shifted by ?50 mV towards lower values and the current densities over the
whole studied potential region were up to two times higher with respect to
the unmodified catalysts. On the other hand, the addition of Snad or Rhad
slightly increased the activity of Pt3Ru2/C, while the presence of Ruad
decreased its activity for ethanol oxidation. The catalytic action of Snad
and Ruad was associated mostly with their ability to adsorb oxygen-containing
species at lower potentials than Pt, permitting a bifunctional mechanism to
proceed. Rhad also acted on the C-C bond breaking activation as well as
source of oxygen containing species, increasing in this way the activity of
the modified surfaces for ethanol oxidation.
On the Effects of Geometry Control on the Performance of Overtopping Wave Energy Converters
Authors: Victor Lander , Troch Peter , Kofoed Jens Peter
Published: October 2011

Overtopping wave energy converters (OWECs) are designed to extract energy from ocean waves based on wave overtopping into a reservoir, which is emptied into the ocean through a set of low-head turbines, and typically feature a low crest freeboard and a smooth impermeable steep slope. In the process of optimizing the performance of OWECs, the question arises whether adapting the slope geometry to the variable wave characteristics at the deployment site (i.e., geometry control) can increase the overall hydraulic efficiency and overall hydraulic power compared to a fixed slope geometry. The effect of five different geometry control scenarios on the overall hydraulic efficiency and overall hydraulic power of OWECs has been simulated for three possible deployment sites using empirical prediction formulae. The results show that the effect of an adaptive slope angle is relatively small. On the other hand, adapting the crest freeboard of the OWECs to the wave characteristics increases the overall hydraulic efficiency and power. Based on the simulations, gains in overall hydraulic power of at least 30% are achievable when applying an adaptive crest freeboard compared to a fixed crest freeboard.
Environmental Dependence of Artifact CD Peaks of Chiral Schiff Base 3d-4f Complexes in Soft Mater PMMA Matrix
Authors: Okamoto Yu , Nidaira Keisuke , Akitsu Takashiro
Published: October 2011

Four chiral Schiff base binuclear 3d-4f complexes (NdNi, NdCu, GdNi, and GdCu) have been prepared and characterized by means of electronic and CD spectra, IR spectra, magnetic measurements, and X-ray crystallography (NdNi). A so-called artifact peak of solid state CD spectra, which was characteristic of oriented molecules without free molecular rotation, appeared at about 470 nm. Magnetic data of the complexes in the solid state (powder) and in PMMA cast films or solutions indicated that only GdCu preserved molecular structures in various matrixes of soft maters. For the first time, we have used the changes of intensity of artifact CD peaks to detect properties of environmental (media solid state (KBr pellets), PMMA cast films, concentration dependence of PMMA in acetone solutions, and pure acetone solution) for chiral 3d-4f complexes (GdCu). Rigid matrix keeping anisotropic orientation exhibited a decrease in the intensity of the artifact CD peak toward negative values. The present results suggest that solid state artifact CD peaks can be affected by environmental viscosity of a soft mater matrix.
Protein Misdirection Inside and Outside Motor Neurons in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): A Possible Clue for Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Ido Akemi , Fukuyama Hidenao , Urushitani Makoto
Published: October 2011

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness with no effective cure. Emerging evidence supports the notion that the abnormal conformations of ALS-linked proteins play a central role in triggering the motor neuron degeneration. In particular, mutant types of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and TAR DNA binding protein 43kDa (TDP-43) are key molecules involved in the pathogenesis of familial and sporadic ALS, respectively. The commonalities of the two proteins include a propensity to aggregate and acquire detrimental conformations through oligomerization, fragmentation, or post-translational modification that may drive abnormal subcellular localizations. Although SOD1 is a major cytosolic protein, mutated SOD1 has been localized to mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and even the extracellular space. The nuclear exclusion of TDP-43 is a pathological hallmark for ALS, although the pathogenic priority remains elusive. Nevertheless, these abnormal behaviors based on the protein misfolding are believed to induce diverse intracellular and extracellular events that may be tightly linked to non-cell-autonomous motor neuron death. The generation of mutant- or misfolded protein-specific antibodies would help to uncover the distribution and propagation of the ALS-linked proteins, and to design a therapeutic strategy to clear such species. Herein we review the literature regarding the mislocalization of ALS-linked proteins, especially mutant SOD1 and TDP-43 species, and discuss the rationale of molecular targeting strategies including immunotherapy.
Inducible ASABF-Type Antimicrobial Peptide from the Sponge Suberites domuncula: Microbicidal and Hemolytic Activity in Vitro and Toxic Effect on Molluscs in Vivo
Authors: Wiens Matthias , Schröder Heinz C. , Korzhev Michael , Wang Xiao-Hong , Batel Renato , Müller Werner E. G.
Published: October 2011

Since sponges, as typical filter-feeders, are exposed to a high load of attacking prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, they are armed with a wide arsenal of antimicrobial/cytostatic low-molecular-weight, non-proteinaceous bioactive compounds. Here we present the first sponge agent belonging to the group of ASABF-type antimicrobial peptides. The ASABF gene was identified and cloned from the demospongeSuberites domuncula. The mature peptide, with a length of 64 aa residues has a predicted pI of 9.24, and comprises the characteristic CSαβ structural motif. Consequently, the S. domuncula ASABF shares high similarity with the nematode ASABFs; it is distantly related to the defensins. The recombinant peptide was found to display besides microbicidal activity, anti-fungal activity. In addition, the peptide lyses human erythrocytes. The expression ofASABF is upregulated after exposure to the apoptosis-inducing agent 2,2'-dipyridyl. During the process of apoptosis of surface tissue of S. domuncula, grazing gastropods (Bittium sp.) are attracted by quinolinic acid which is synthesized through the kynurenine pathway by the enzyme 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase (HAD). Finally, the gastropods are repelled from the sponge tissue by the ASABF. It is shown that the effector peptide ASABF is sequentially expressed after the induction of the HAD gene and a caspase, as a central enzyme executing apoptosis.
Pardaxin, an Antimicrobial Peptide, Triggers Caspase-Dependent and ROS-Mediated Apoptosis in HT-1080 Cells
Authors: Huang Tsui-Chin , Lee Jheng-Fong , Chen Jyh-Yih
Published: October 2011

Pardaxin is an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) that was first isolated from secretions of the Red Sea Moses sole. The role of pardaxin in inducing apoptosis for preventing cancer has not yet been investigated. In the present study, we examined the antitumor activity of pardaxin against human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells; pardaxin inhibited cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis, as demonstrated by an increase in the externalization of plasma membrane phosphatidylserine and the presence of chromatin condensation. Additionally, pardaxin-treated cells showed elevation of caspase-3/7 activities, disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Inhibition of ROS production and caspase-3/7 activities reduced pardaxin-induced effects. Taken together, these findings suggest that pardaxin may be a potential anticancer agent for selectively inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.
Synthesis, Acidity Constants and Tautomeric Structure of the Diazonium Coupling Products of 2-(Benzylsulfanyl)-7H-purin-6-one in Its Ground and Excited States
Authors: Darwish Elham S. , Mosselhi Mosselhi A. , Altalbawy Farag M. , Saad Hosam A.
Published: October 2011

A series of new 8-arylhydrazono-2-(benzylsulfanyl)-7H-purin-6-ones 6 were synthesized, their electronic absorption spectra in different organic solvents of varying polarities were investigated and their acid dissociation constants in both the ground and excited states were determined spectrophotometrically. The tautomeric structures of such products were elucidated by spectral analyses and correlation of their acid dissociation constants with the Hammett equation. The results indicated that the studied compounds 6 exist predominantly in the hydrazone tautomeric form 6A in both the ground and excited states.
Sonic Anemometry to Measure Natural Ventilation in Greenhouses
Authors: López Alejandro , Valera Diego Luis , Molina-Aiz Francisco
Published: October 2011

The present work has developed a methodology for studying natural ventilation in Mediterranean greenhouses by means of sonic anemometry. In addition, specific calculation programmes have been designed to enable processing and analysis of the data recorded during the experiments. Sonic anemometry allows us to study the direction of the airflow at all the greenhouse vents. Knowing through which vents the air enters and leaves the greenhouse enables us to establish the airflow pattern of the greenhouse under natural ventilation conditions. In the greenhouse analysed in this work for Poniente wind (from the southwest), a roof vent designed to open towards the North (leeward) could allow a positive interaction between the wind and stack effects, improving the ventilation capacity of the greenhouse. The cooling effect produced by the mass of turbulent air oscillating between inside and outside the greenhouse at the side vents was limited to 2% (for high wind speed, uo ≥ 4 m s−1) reaching 36.3% when wind speed was lower (uo = 2 m s−1).
Hypervalent iodine(III)-induced methylene acetoxylation of 3-oxo-N-substituted butanamides
Authors: Liu Wei-Bing , Chen Cui , Zhang Qing , Zhu Zhi-Bo
Published: October 2011

1-Carbamoyl-2-oxopropyl acetate derivatives were synthesized through an acetoxylation process to methylene with the aid of (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (DIB) as the oxidant. Not only mild reaction conditions, but also excellent yields and good substrate scope make the present protocol potentially useful in organic synthesis.
Chaque société a la psychopathologie qu'elle mérite
Authors: Gori Roland , Del Volgo Marie-José
Published: October 2011

Résumé L’émergence d’une civilisation numérique qui segmente et analyse toute activité comme une série d’actes commensurables procède de la mise en place de dispositifs d’initiation sociale à une manière de penser le monde, le rapport à soi-même et aux autres. Peu importe la validité de ces procédures et leur adéquation aux objets et aux pratiques qu’elles prennent dans leur dispositif, seule compte la servitude volontaire qu’elle impose aux sujets qui s’y façonnent ou y résistent avec plus ou moins de bonheur. La conception managériale du soin ne constitue qu’une étape supplémentaire de cette longue histoire du rationalisme économique occidental.
Être, penser, créer : quand la guerre attaque le cadre et que le transfert contre-attaque
Authors: Khair Badawi Marie-Thérèse
Published: October 2011

Résumé Quand le traumatisme est dans la réalité de l’analyste et de l’analysant, qu’il attaque le cadre, que devient le rôle de l’analyste ? Comment transformer ? À travers trois situations cliniques, l’auteure essaye de montrer de quelle manière l’articulation transféro-contre-transférentielle – l’interrelation – va organiser la situation, si l’analyste demeure analyste, en arrivant à créer et penser sa clinique face à l’imprédictible d’une situation que la guerre impose. On verra ainsi comment il peut maintenir le travail du négatif à la périphérie de son cadre.
Mort d'âme dans contexte social et/ou professionnel
Authors: Pirlot Gérard
Published: October 2011

Résumé S’interroger sur les liens entre l’intrapsychique et l’environnement social relève, chez le psychanalyste, de sa sensibilité, de son histoire, de son expérience sociale et professionnelle précédant et accompagnant celle de son exercice analytique. Après avoir rappelé les liens entre l’anthropologie sociale de S. Freud et les descriptions du narcissisme postmoderne actuel, la friabilité de la fonction symbolique et la nébuleuse émotionnelle qui ne sont pas sans envahir le cadre psychanalytique, l’auteur propose une vignette clinique dans laquelle la souffrance au travail de son patient relevait également pour lui de défenses inconscientes. Cette souffrance professionnelle fit peser un sentiment contre-transférentiel durable d’impuissance, ceci jusqu’à un moment mutatif du processus analytique. Celui-ci permit alors de comprendre que, dans le « baquet » analytique, les processus psychiques se découvrent toutefois comme irréductibles aux éléments sociaux et professionnels avec lesquels ils avaient jusque-là été tissés.
Les petits groupes, des lieux pour penser les pratiques psychanalytiques dans la société
Authors: Voizot Bernard
Published: October 2011

Résumé Le développement des connaissances sur le fonctionnement des petits groupes, en particulier les concepts d’enveloppes psychiques et de groupe de travail, enrichissent les démarches scientifiques qui s’appuient sur la dynamique groupale. L’expérience du groupe conduit à une meilleure connaissance des échanges entre la réalité intrapsychique et la réalité intersubjective et les registres sociétaux et culturels. Elle conduit à prendre en compte l’importance des phénomènes identitaires narcissiques dans le fonctionnement des sociétés psychanalytiques. Un petit groupe de psychanalystes au travail a la possibilité d’appréhender les rapports qui s’établissent entre l’évolution des pratiques psychanalytiques et le fonctionnement sociétal.
Pratique analytique d'un psychisme d'équipe pour adolescents
Authors: Kebir Abdel-Karim
Published: October 2011

Résumé Comment qualifier l’action d’un psychanalyste au sein d’un centre médico-psychologique pour adolescents ? Au sein d’une équipe pluridisciplinaire, la confrontation collective au psychisme adolescent pris dans ses turbulences environnementales est mise en jeu groupale de forces psychiques complexes relevant spécifiquement d’un travail analytique, capacité de travail contre-transférentiel étendue au groupe soignant qui peut faire parler d’un psychisme d’équipe. À partir des enjeux d’adolescence, des attentes de société à cet égard et de leurs évolutions, notamment pour les adolescences dites difficiles, cette notion est explorée comme support possible d’une pratique analytique ; une illustration clinique en montre le potentiel thérapeutique.
La tour de Babel. Émergence d'une approche psychanalytique de groupe avec des réfugiés
Authors: Welsh Geneviève
Published: October 2011

Résumé Un groupe de réfugiés du Sud-Est Asiatique suivis en psychiatrie, peu mobilisés par le travail individuel. Au départ groupe à médiation culturelle, il se réanime et évolue d’une position maniaque à une ébauche de partage de deuils, peut-être à la faveur d’un processus de psychanalyse de groupe naissant ?
Epipelagic copepod distributions in the eastern equatorial Pacific during the weak La Niña event of 2001
Authors: Tutasi Pritha , Palma Sergio , Cáceres Mario
Published: October 2011

We determined the distribution and abundance of pelagic copepods in the eastern equatorial Pacific between the coast of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands under oceanographic conditions associated with the weak La Niña event of 2001. In September-October 2001, negative anomalies of sea surface temperature from this event still remained in the eastern equatorial Pacific, mainly between Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. The event allowed the incursion of the Humboldt Current farther north and of the Equatorial Undercurrent into the study area, favouring a strong Equatorial Front and upwelling processes. There was evidence of mesoscale eddies in the study area and of the presence of the South Equatorial Current going westward at about 1°N. We identified 107 copepod species and analyzed the distribution of the 10 most abundant ones: Oncaea venusta, Subeucalanus pileatus, S. crassus, S. subtenuis, Paraeucalanus attenuatus, Pleuromamma borealis, Scolecithrix danae, Clausocalanus farrani, Temora discaudata and Calanus chilensis. Copepod distribution and abundance exhibited marked latitudinal differences related to the oceanographic conditions; abundance was highest to the southeast of the Galapagos Islands. Oncaea venusta, Pleuromamma borealis, Calanus chilensis, and Subeucalanus subtenuis were the species that best defined the Equatorial Front and the upwelling process.
Low Power Strain Gage Measurement with Wireless Network Access
Authors: Turcin Ioan , Pauritsch Manfred , Weber Petra
Published: October 2011

This paper describes a measurement system for industry applications where the weight has to be monitored in a flexible way. The measurement system can be used to build several kinds of weight cell applications in which the low power sensor is battery powered and able to communicate with a master unit through a wireless network. The system requirements are described and all blocks derived from these requirements are presented. The implementation of the wireless network includes a peer-to-peer connection between multiple measurement units with the master unit by using just one communication channel.
Data Handling Techniques in Online Semiconductor Technology CAD Laboratory
Authors: Maiti Ananda , Tripathy Balakrushna
Published: October 2011

Modern semiconductor manufacturing is recognized as a specialized field in electrical engineering curricula. Teaching micro- and nanoelectronics in university environment is a challenging task and a new framework is needed. An integrated measurement-based microelectronics laboratory along with technology computer aided design (TCAD) simulation laboratory has been developed and is in use for imparting hands-on laboratory experience to the students. An internet-based laboratory management system for monitoring and control of a real-time measurement system interfaced via a dedicated local computer is discussed. TCAD process/device simulations generate a vast amount of data and handling of the data is a challenge for web-based applications. A simple architecture for implementation, visualization and analyses of the generated data from process/device simulations is reported.
Work-in-Progress on a Thin IEEE1451.0-Architecture to Implement Reconfigurable Weblab Infrastructures
Authors: Costa Ricardo Jorge Guedes Silva Nunes , Alves Gustavo Ribeiro Costa , Rela Mário Zenha
Published: October 2011

Institutions have been creating their own specific

weblab infrastructures. Usually, they use distinct software and

hardware architectures comprehending instruments and

modules (I&M) able to be parameterized but difficult to be

shared. These aspects are impairing their widespread in

education, since collaboration between institutions, in

developing and sharing resources, is still low. To handle both

aspects, this paper proposes the adoption of the IEEE1451.0 Std.

with FPGA technology for creating reconfigurable weblab

infrastructures. It is suggested the adoption of an IEEE1451.0

infrastructure with compatible instruments, described in

Hardware Description Languages (HDL), to be reconfigured in

FPGA-based boards. Besides an overview of the IEEE1451.0

Std., this paper presents a solution currently under development

which seeks to enable the reconfiguration and the remote control

of weblab infrastructures using a set of IEEE1451.0 HTTP

commands.
Key Intangible Performance Indicators (KIPs) for Organisational Success
Authors: Ng Hee Song , Kee Daisy Mui Hung
Published: October 2011

The paper reviews the concept and trend of Key Intangible Performance indicators (KIPs) for organisational success. Although KPIs are useful for tracking tangible performance drivers, KPIs cannot adequately measure intangible performance drivers. Therefore, organisations need to look for KIPs (which measure intangible drivers) in order to generate a complete picture of overall performance of organisations. Evidently, there is a significant shift of emphasis from measuring tangible to intangible performance measures in order to tap the full potential of intangible resources. It makes logical sense for organisations to unlock the intangible values for achieving and sustaining competitive advantage. In the face of globalisation, organisations need to transform themselves into highly competitive organisations to stay ahead of competition and at the forefront of their industries. The development and application of KIPs will be a strategic move to provide further insights and an impetus for continual improvement. From the literature review conducted, it is found that there are many diverse KIPs drivers which impact organisational success. And the most important drivers identified in this paper are leadership, innovation, company image and reputation, and employee satisfaction.
Creative Collaboration and Online Social Media
Authors: Smith Sophy
Published: October 2011

Web 2.0 online social media tools have made it increasingly easy to communicate, cooperate, and collaborate with others online, and as such offer new frameworks for making creative work. Facebook claims that it helps members connect and share, but what if the people you want to connect and share with are your artistic collaborators? Can Facebook be used creatively, as a collaborative artistic environment? This article draws on a practical research project ‘Feedback’, carried out by the author in early 2010, exploring new methodologies for collaborative creation supported by online social media. The project focused on the creative use of Facebook as a tool for creative collaboration, establishing a possible working model of artistic collaboration using Facebook.
Communities, Cartography and GIS
Authors: Hawthorne Timothy L.
Published: October 2011

This paper discusses an introductory cartography and GIS service learning course. The service learning experience, highlighted by a final mapping project and community presentation, resulted in 3,000 student-designed maps being distributed to community residents, a website of downloadable student maps, multiple student speaking engagements, and a sustained community-university collaboration. The course demonstrates the importance of applied geography in local communities and highlights the benefits of community-university partnerships for addressing social change. Such an applied geography experience offers an important twist on the conventional, introductory cartography course where students engage in pre-packaged lectures and labs, and are then asked to complete a final mapping project. Unlike the conventional approach, this service learning class experience allows students to use their creativity to demonstrate knowledge learned in the course and allows students to apply and present their geographic knowledge in a real-world setting to community members.
Hermite-Hadamard’s Inequality on Time Scales
Authors: Wong Fu-Hsiang , Lian Wei-Cheng , Yeh Cheh-Chih , Liang Ruo-Lan
Published: October 2011

We establish several Hermite-Hadamard’s inequalities on time scales.
Management of Bus Driver Duties Using Data Mining
Authors: Moudani Walid , Mora-Camino Félix
Published: October 2011

This paper presents Bus Driver Allocation Problem (BDAP) which deals with the assignment of the drivers to the scheduled duties so that operations costs are minimized while its solution meets hard constraints resulting from the safety regulations of public transportation authorities as well as from the internal company’s agreements. Another concern in this study is the overall satisfaction of the drivers since it has important consequences on the quality and economic return of the company operations. This study proposes a non-dominated bi-criteria allocation approach of bus drivers to trips while minimizing the operations cost and maximizing the level of satisfaction of drivers. This paper proposes a new mathematical formulation to model the allocation problem. Its complexity has lead to solving the BDAP by using techniques such as: Genetic algorithms in order to assign the drivers with minimal operations cost and Fuzzy Logic and Rough Set techniques in order to fuzzyfied some parameters required for the satisfaction module followed by applying the Rough Set technique to evaluate the degree of satisfaction for the drivers. The application of the proposed approach to a medium size Transport Company Bus Driver Allocation Problem is evaluated.
The Challenge of Service Level Scalability for the Cloud
Authors: Vaquero Luis M. , Cáceres Juan , Morán Daniel
Published: October 2011

This paper presents a brief overview of the available literature on distributed systems scalability that serves as a justification for presenting some of the most prominent challenges that current Cloud systems need to face in order to deliver their pledged easy-to-use scalability. Through illustrative comparisons and examples, this paper aims to make the reader’s acquaintance with this long needed problem in distributed systems: user-oriented service-level scalability. Scalability issues are analyzed from the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and the Platform as a Service (PaaS) point of view, as they deal with different functions and abstraction levels. Next generation Cloud provisioning models rely on advanced monitoring and automatic scaling decision capabilities to ensure quality of service (QoS), security and economic sustainability.
Beyond Hadoop
Authors: Xu Zhiwei , Yan Bo , Zou Yongqiang
Published: October 2011

As a main subfield of cloud computing applications, internet services require large-scale data computing. Their workloads can be divided into two classes: customer-facing query-processing interactive tasks that serve hundreds of millions of users within a short response time and backend data analysis batch tasks that involve petabytes of data. Hadoop, an open source software suite, is used by many Internet services as the main data computing platform. Hadoop is also used by academia as a research platform and an optimization target. This paper presents five research directions for optimizing Hadoop; improving performance, utilization, power efficiency, availability, and different consistency constraints. The survey covers both backend analysis and customer-facing workloads. A total of 15 innovative techniques and systems are analyzed and compared, focusing on main research issues, innovative techniques, and optimized results.
Cloud Computing in Higher Education
Authors: Sasikala P.
Published: October 2011

Cloud Computing promises novel and valuable capabilities for computer users and is explored in all possible areas of information technology dependant fields. However, the literature suffers from hype and divergent definitions and viewpoints. Cloud powered higher education can gain significant flexibility and agility. Higher education policy makers must assume activist roles in the shift towards cloud computing. Classroom experiences show it is a better tool for teaching and collaboration. As it is an emerging service technology, there is a need for standardization of services and customized implementation. Its evolution can change the facets of rural education. It is important as a possible means of driving down the capital and total costs of IT. This paper examines and discusses the concept of Cloud Computing from the perspectives of diverse technologists, cloud standards, services available today, the status of cloud particularly in higher education, and future implications.
Online Interaction Between On-Campus and Distance Students
Authors: Miwa Nobue , Wang Yuping
Published: October 2011

This paper addresses postgraduate students’ perspectives toward online interaction between on-campus and distance students through online collaboration tools such as online discussion boards and Wikis. Data were collected from eight interview participants and 29 written survey respondents. Seven interrelated categories capturing the main features of on-campus students’ perspectives were generated from the data using a sequential mixed method approach, namely, a quantitative survey approach both preceded and followed by qualitative interviews. Among these categories, on-campus students’ “unwillingness” to participate in online interaction with their distance peers emerged as the core phenomenon. Drawing on the analysis of these data, this article identifies the major impediments to active online interaction and collaboration and puts forward three recommendations for promoting more frequent interaction between distance and on-campus students.
Interactive Learning Between Chinese Students Learning English and English Students Leaning Chinese on the Platform of Wiki
Authors: Wang Dongshuo , Zou Bin , Xing Minjie
Published: October 2011

This research investigates the interaction between English students learning Chinese in the UK and Chinese students learning English in China via a wiki platform. Activity theory and legitimate peripheral participation theory were employed as a theoretical framework; wiki was embedded as an interactive learning tool. The findings revealed that Chinese native speakers assisted English students learning Chinese as foreign language (CFL) by means of reorganizing word orders and restructuring sentence patterns. The usages of clarification and elaboration were more frequent than the usages of added and deleted information. Both CFL and English as foreign language (EFL) students interacted with each other in attending to language forms through the essay correction and revision process, and the interaction consequently enhanced their target language learning. The study suggests that wiki provides a dynamic platform, which encourages further integration into the syllabus to support foreign language learning.
Effects of Narcissism, Leisure Boredom, and Gratifications Sought on User-Generated Content Among Net-Generation Users
Authors: Poon Damon Chi Him , Leung Louis
Published: October 2011

This research identifies the gratifications sought by the Net-generation when producing user-generated content (UGC) on the internet. Members of the Net-generation want to vent negative feelings, show affection to their friends and relatives, be involved in others’ lives, and fulfill their need to be recognized. These gratifications, to a large degree, were found to be significantly associated with the users’ various levels of participation in UGC (e.g., Facebook, blogs, online forums, etc.). What’s more, narcissism was predictive of content generation in social networking sites, blogs, and personal webpages, while leisure boredom was significantly linked to expressing views in forums, updating personal websites, and participating in consumer reviews. In particular, the results showed that Net-geners who encountered leisure boredom had a higher tendency to seek interaction with friends online. Implications of findings are discussed.
Game Transfer Phenomena in Video Game Playing
Authors: Ortiz de Gortari Angelica B. , Aronsson Karin , Griffiths Mark
Published: October 2011

Video game playing is a popular activity and its enjoyment among frequent players has been associated with absorption and immersion experiences. This paper examines how immersion in the video game environment can influence the player during the game and afterwards (including fantasies, thoughts, and actions). This is what is described as Game Transfer Phenomena (GTP). GTP occurs when video game elements are associated with real life elements triggering subsequent thoughts, sensations and/or player actions. To investigate this further, a total of 42 frequent video game players aged between 15 and 21 years old were interviewed. Thematic analysis showed that many players experienced GTP, where players appeared to integrate elements of video game playing into their real lives. These GTP were then classified as either intentional or automatic experiences. Results also showed that players used video games for interacting with others as a form of amusement, modeling or mimicking video game content, and daydreaming about video games. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate how video games triggered intrusive thoughts, sensations, impulses, reflexes, optical illusions, and dissociations.
Robust Feature Vector Set Using Higher Order Autocorrelation Coefficients
Authors: Bansal Poonam , Dev Amita , Jain Shail
Published: October 2011

In this paper, a feature extraction method that is robust to additive background noise is proposed for automatic speech recognition. Since the background noise corrupts the autocorrelation coefficients of the speech signal mostly at the lower orders, while the higher-order autocorrelation coefficients are least affected, this method discards the lower order autocorrelation coefficients and uses only the higher-order autocorrelation coefficients for spectral estimation. The magnitude spectrum of the windowed higher-order autocorrelation sequence is used here as an estimate of the power spectrum of the speech signal. This power spectral estimate is processed further by the Mel filter bank; a log operation and the discrete cosine transform to get the cepstral coefficients. These cepstral coefficients are referred to as the Differentiated Relative Higher Order Autocorrelation Coefficient Sequence Spectrum (DRHOASS). The authors evaluate the speech recognition performance of the DRHOASS features and show that they perform as well as the MFCC features for clean speech and their recognition performance is better than the MFCC features for noisy speech.
Collaborative e-Learning and ICT Tools to Develop SME Managers
Authors: Giambona Genoveffa Jeni , Birchall David W.
Published: October 2011

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) create a dynamic and successful European economy. Existing skill deficiencies in sales, management and administrative staff are adversely affecting competitiveness in almost a third of those small firms surveyed (Bolden, 2001, 2007). Additionally, attending face-to-face and classroom-based development courses is problematic for time-poor SME managers. Thanks to the development of new technologies online learning is becoming commonplace due to wireless and mobile devices, together with the Internet boom, are providing the infrastructure necessary to support the development of new learning forms. Collaborative learning, especially as represented by an action learning approach, would seem ideal for SME managers. But can collaborative learning be adopted as a blanket approach in the case of SME managers? Or should one first take into account the contextual influences on learning, networking and collaboration?
Research Essay
Authors: Hood Christopher C. , Bougourd Sarah
Published: October 2011

Some online health information and services have the potential to mislead, confuse or create unnecessary anxiety and more should be done to help people find trustworthy health websites and use online health services safely and effectively, says a new report on the ethics of ‘personalised healthcare’ (Nuffield Council on Bioethics, 2010). In September 2008, the UK Nuffield Council on Bioethics established a Working Party to consider the ethical issues raised by developments in medical profiling and online medicine that promise more ‘personalised healthcare’. The resulting report, published in October 2010, makes a number of policy and practice recommendations for providers and users of e-health services. This article highlights the recommendations made in three of the report’s e-health case studies: online health information, online personal health records, and telemedicine.
A Fuzzy Clustering Model for Fuzzy Data with Outliers
Authors: Zarandi M. H. Fazel , Razaee Zahra S.
Published: October 2011

This paper proposes a fuzzy clustering model for fuzzy data with outliers. The model is based on Wasserstein distance between interval valued data, which is generalized to fuzzy data. In addition, Keller’s approach is used to identify outliers and reduce their influences. The authors also define a transformation to change the distance to the Euclidean distance. With the help of this approach, the problem of fuzzy clustering of fuzzy data is reduced to fuzzy clustering of crisp data. In order to show the performance of the proposed clustering algorithm, two simulation experiments are discussed.
Approximated Simplest Fuzzy Logic Controlled Shunt Active Power Filter for Current Harmonic Mitigation
Authors: Singh Rambir , Singh Asheesh K. , Arya Rakesh K.
Published: October 2011

This paper examines the size reduction of the fuzzy rule base without compromising the control characteristics of a fuzzy logic controller (FLC). A 49-rule FLC is approximated by a 4-rule simplest FLC using compensating factors. This approximated 4-rule FLC is implemented to control the shunt active power filter (APF), which is used for harmonic mitigation in source current. The proposed control methodology is less complex and computationally efficient due to significant reduction in the size of rule base. As a result, computational time and memory requirement are also reduced significantly. The control performance and harmonic compensation capability of proposed approximated 4-rule FLC based shunt APF is compared with the conventional PI controller and 49-rule FLC under randomly varying nonlinear loads. The simulation results presented under transient and steady state conditions show that dynamic performance of approximated simplest FLC is better than conventional PI controller and comparable with 49-rule FLC, while maintaining harmonic compensation within limits. Due to its effectiveness and reduced complexity, the proposed approximation methodology emerges out to be a suitable alternative for large rule FLC.
Fear of (Serious) Digital Games and Game-Based Learning?
Authors: Bösche Wolfgang , Kattner Florian
Published: October 2011

Digital games and their power as a tool for acquiring knowledge, training skills and changing behavior are – for some laymen – associated with rather negative concepts, and are thought to pose a general health risk. This paper shortly reviews and evaluates the scientific evidence for both positive and negative outcomes. It describes how particularly the negative effects are portrayed by the mass media and perceived by the general public and educators (especially in Germany). The conclusion is that negative effects such as addiction or personality changes towards aggression have been exaggerated in size, and that the positive effects and outcomes like their use as educational tools are at risk of being widely ignored. Additionally, the paper reports upon observations in a university lecture on the effects of violent digital games in which students could engage in a positive, healthy and enjoyable experience of learning with digital games.
Understanding Computational Thinking before Programming
Authors: Kazimoglu Cagin , Kiernan Mary , Bacon Liz , MacKinnon Lachlan
Published: October 2011

This paper outlines an innovative game-based approach to learning introductory programming that is grounded in the development of computational thinking at an abstract conceptual level, but also provides a direct contextual relationship between game-play and learning traditional introductory programming. The paper proposes a possible model for, and guidelines in support of, this games-based approach contextualized by an analysis of existing research into the issues of learning programming and game based learning approaches. Furthermore, the proposed game-based learning model focuses not only on procedural and applied knowledge and associated skills acquisition in computational thinking, but also provides contextualised theoretical knowledge on Computer Science concepts. By way of illustration, the authors introduce a game prototype currently being developed to combine a puzzle solving game-play that uses Computer Science concepts as the game elements.
Social Interactions in Online Gaming
Authors: Griffiths Mark , Hussain Zaheer , Grüsser Sabine M. , Thalemann Ralf , Cole Helena , Davies Mark N.O. , Chappell Darren
Published: October 2011

This paper briefly overviews five studies examining massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). The first study surveyed 540 gamers and showed that the social aspects of the game were the most important factor for many gamers. The second study explored the social interactions of 912 MMORPG players and showed they created strong friendships and emotional relationships. A third study examined the effect of online socializing in the lives of 119 online gamers. Significantly more male gamers than female gamers said that they found it easier to converse online than offline, and 57% of gamers had engaged in gender swapping. A fourth study surveyed 7,069 gamers and found that 12% of gamers fulfilled at least three diagnostic criteria of addiction. Finally, an interview study of 71 gamers explored attitudes, experiences, and feelings about online gaming. They provided detailed descriptions of personal problems that had arisen due to playing MMORPGs.
The Use of Motion Tracking Technologies in Serious Games to Enhance Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients
Authors: Burton Andrew M. , Liu Hao , Battersby Steven , Brown David , Sherkat Nasser , Standen Penny , Walker Marion
Published: October 2011

Stroke is the main cause of long term disability worldwide. Of those surviving, more than half will fail to regain functional usage of their impaired upper limb. Typically stroke upper limb rehabilitation exercises consist of repeated movements, which when tracked can form the basis of inputs to games. This paper discusses two systems utilizing Wii™ technology, and thermal and visual tracking respectively to capture motions. The captured motions are used as inputs to specially designed games, which encourage the users to perform repeated rehabilitation movements. This paper discusses the implementation of the two systems, the developed games, and their relative advantages and disadvantages. It also describes the upcoming testing phase of the project.
Does Interactivity Serve the Public Interest?
Authors: Garris Kim , Guillory Jamie , Sundar S. Shyam
Published: October 2011

Political blogs are distinguished by their heightened interactivity, allowing users to participate directly in the political process. Does the interactivity afforded by political blogs really serve the public interest by contributing to deliberative democracy? A longitudinal between-subjects experiment was conducted during the week preceding an election to answer this question. Results suggest that there is a trade-off between information provided and interaction offered to blog users, which can impact their engagement in democratic discourse. Registered voters and unregistered users responded in opposite ways, with theoretical implications for the Elaboration Likelihood Model and the psychology of interactivity as well as practical implications for the use of interactivity in promoting deliberative democracy.