bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Playing for Better or for Worse?
Authors: Arriaga Patrícia , Esteves Francisco , Fernandes Sara
Published: May 2013

Of the many of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products, electronic games are considered as having great potential for improving health and social outcomes. This chapter considers the factors that may be involved in facilitating health and social outcomes and also those factors that might be considered risk factors by reviewing studies that have shown both positive and detrimental effects on people’s physical and mental health. The authors also debate some research questions that remain unanswered and suggest guidelines for practitioners, researchers, and game designers.
Bundlet Model for Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes, Nanocones and Nanohorns
Authors: Torrens Francisco , Castellano Gloria
Published: May 2013

This paper discusses the existence of single-wall carbon nanocones (SWNCs), especially nanohorns (SWNHs), in organic solvents in the form of clusters. A theory is developed based on a bundlet model describing their distribution function by size. Phenomena have a unified explanation in bundlet model in which free energy of an SWNC, involved in a cluster, is combined from two components: a volume one, proportional to number of molecules n in a cluster, and a surface one proportional to n1/2. Bundlet model enables describing distribution function of SWNC clusters by size. From purely geometrical differences, bundlet (SWNCs) and droplet (fullerene) models predict different behaviours. The SWNCs of various disclinations are investigated via energetic–structural analyses. Several SWNC’s terminations are studied, which are different among one another because of type of closing structure and arrangement. The packing efficiencies and interaction-energy parameters of SWNCs/SWNHs are intermediate between fullerene and single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) clusters; an in-between behaviour is expected. However, the properties of SWNCs, especially SWNHs, are calculated close to SWNTs. The structural asymmetry in the different SWNCs, entirely characterized by their cone angle, distinguishes the properties of some, such as P2.
Key Aspects of Free and Open Source Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
Authors: Atem de Carvalho Rogerio , Johansson Björn
Published: May 2013

This chapter introduces basic differences between Free/Open Source Enterprise Resources Planning systems (FOS-ERP) and Proprietary ERP (P-ERP), revisiting the previous work of Carvalho (2008). Taking into account that some years has passed and the economic downturn came, it updates key aspects of FOS-ERP under both vendor and adopter perspectives. Like its predecessor, this chapter contributes to broaden the discussion around FOS-ERP, showing that its differences from its proprietary counterpart go beyond the cost factor.
Workflow Management Systems in Distributed Environments
Authors: Gogouvitis Spyridon V. , Konstanteli Kleopatra G. , Kyriazis Dimosthenis , Katsaros Gregory , Cucinotta Tommaso , Boniface Michael
Published: May 2013

With the advent of Service Oriented Architectures, more applications are built in a distributed manner based on loose coupled services. In this context, Workflow Management Systems play an important role as they are the means to both define the processes that realize the application goals as well as implement the orchestration of the different services. The purpose of the chapter is to give an overview of various solutions regarding workflow semantics and languages, as well as their enactment within the scope of distributed systems. To this end, major focus is given to solutions that are aimed at Grid environments. Scheduling algorithms and advance reservation techniques are also discussed as these are among the hottest research topics in Workflow Management Systems.
Strategic Ethnography and the Biography of Artefacts
Authors: Pollock Neil , Williams Robin
Published: May 2013

In health research and services, and in many other domains, the authors note the emergence of large-scale information systems intended for long-term use with multiple users and uses. These e-infrastructures are becoming more widespread and pervasive and, by enabling effective sharing of information and coordination of activities between diverse, dispersed groups, are expected to transform knowledge-based work. Social scientists have sought to analyse the significance of these systems and the processes by which they are created. Much current attention has been drawn to the often-problematic experience of those attempting to establish them. By contrast, this chapter is inspired by concerns about the theoretical and methodological weakness of many studies of technology and work organisation—particularly the dominance of relatively short-term, often single site studies of technology implementation. These weaknesses are particularly acute in relation to the analysis of infrastructural technologies. The authors explore the relevance to such analysis of recent developments in what they call the Biography of Artefacts (BoA) perspective—which emphasises the value of strategic ethnography: theoretically-informed, multi-site, and longitudinal studies. They seek to draw insights from a programme of empirical research into the long-term evolution of corporate e-infrastructures (reflected in current Enterprise Resource Planning systems) and review some new conceptual tools arising from recent research into e-Infrastructures (e-Is). These are particularly relevant to understanding the current and ongoing difficulties encountered in attempts to develop large-scale Health Infrastructures.
University of Ottawa Department of Family Medicine Faculty Development Curriculum Framework
Authors: MacDonald Colla J. , McKeen Martha , Leith-Gudbranson Donna , Montpetit Madeleine , Archibald Douglas , Rivet Christine , Hogue Rebecca , Hirsh Mike
Published: May 2013

In response to the challenges faced by rapid expansion and curriculum reform, the Department of Family Medicine (DFM) at the University of Ottawa (U of O) developed a Faculty Development Conceptual Framework (FDCF) and companion plan as a first step toward meeting the challenges of providing quality opportunities for the continuing professional development of preceptors in Family Medicine. The FDCF outlines the processes, opportunities and support structures needed to improve preceptors’ teaching skills and effectively deliver a newly revised “Triple C” competency-based curriculum. The FDCF acts as a quality standard to guide the design, delivery, and evaluation of a vibrant Faculty Development (FD) Program. It further provides a structure for implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) web applications to facilitate the flow of information between seven teaching sites, provide consistency among programs, and play a tactical role in the sharing of academic resources. This chapter introduces the DFM’s FDCF so other medical departments may benefit from the authors’ experiences and adapt or adopt the framework applications and methodologies to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of FD products and processes. Modifications to the framework are expected as this program continues to evolve.
Information Security Threats in ERP Enabled E-Governance
Authors: Sahi Geetanjali , Madan Sushila
Published: May 2013

E-governance offers different e-Services to its citizens so that they can interact with the government in a more effective way. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), when implemented in the E-governance domain, combines all the government functions together into one single integrated system with a central database. This system serves the information needs of all the departments across geographies, while allowing them to communicate with each other. For this it is necessary to understand that government has become more dependent on modern technologies that have the potential to create seamless, responsive, and citizen-centric government for the benefit of all. At the same time, it has become increasingly vulnerable to a range of risks, from interruption of operations that are based on computers to loss of confidential data. Government agencies at all levels (national, provincial, and local) must protect the computer systems that they own and operate. Information security requires a combination of business, management, and technical measures in an on-going process. Security is costly, but like privacy, it should be addressed in the design phase and periodically reviewed. This chapter contributes to the ERP enabled E-governance literature for understanding threats and risks, clarification and investigation of the techniques in mitigating these challenges and issues involved in improving E-governance security. The interest generated by the ERP phenomenon in the public sector, and the peculiarities of this sector make specific studies of ERP in government organizations necessary. This is an issue which has not yet been widely addressed in the open literature.
The role of social support in the relationship between mental health and posttraumatic stress disorder amongst orthopaedic patients
Authors: Maselesele Vhuhwavho M. , Idemudia Erhabor S.
Published: May 2013

Background: Some life-event experiences such as injuries in car accidents, gun shots and the like, can be life changing and traumatic. Objectives: The article investigated the relationship between mental health and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after orthopaedic trauma, and attempted to understand whether social support moderates the relationship between mental health and PTSD.Method: A cross-sectional research model was used. Two hundred participants were selected using simple randomisation within a hospital complex in Gauteng, South Africa. The sample consisted of 110 men and 90 women (x̄ = 37.8 years, s.d. = 12.9 years). Data were collected using the Revised Civilian Mississippi Scale for PTSD, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the General Health Questionnaire version 28.Results: The findings of the study indicated that there is a statistically significant relationship between mental health and PTSD after orthopaedic trauma, and a positive correlation between poor mental health and PTSD (r = 0.52, n = 200, p < 0.05). However, perceived social support did not moderate mental health or PTSD, indicating that perceived social support did not significantly influence mental health or PTSD, (MSPSS B = 0.07, p = 0.66). Those with high scores on social support had a lower regression coefficient (B = 0.19) for mental health and PTSD than those who reported low social support (B = 0.26).Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between mental health and PTSD of orthopaedic patients, and social support did not moderate the relationship between mental health and PTSD.
Lived experiences of a community regarding its involvement in a university community-based education programme
Authors: Linda Ntombizodwa S.B. , Mtshali Ntombifikile G. , Engelbrecht Charlotte
Published: May 2013

Background: Community involvement is one of the crucial principles in the implementation of successful community-based education programmes. However, a gap continues to exist between the rhetoric of this principle and the reality of involving or engaging communities in the education of health professionals. Objectives: This study investigated the experiences of a community regarding its involvement in a community-based education programme offered by a university nursing school in Durban, South Africa.Methods: An interpretive existentialist-phenomenological design was employed for its richness in extracting human experiences. Individual interviews were held with school teachers and coordinators from non-government organisations, whilst focus groups were used for school children and community health workers. Although focus group discussions are not well suited for phenomenological studies, they can promote active participation and reduce possible intimidation by providing support through group interaction. Analysis of data was guided by Schweitzer’s model for analysing phenomenological data.Results: Themes that emerged from the data include: (1) Community experience of unmet expectations; (2) Benefits to the community from its involvement in the University Nursing School community-based education programme; (3) Existing partnership between the community and the university; (4) Sharing in the case-based learning activities; (5) Awareness of available services, human rights and self-reliance.Conclusion: The researched community indeed benefited in its participation in the University Nursing School (UNS) CBE programme. However, there is a need to improve the communication between partners to make the partnership more sustainable through close relationships and interaction. There is also a need for further research on related aspects of the community’s involvement.
Caring for the carer in the era of HIV diagnosis
Authors: Sempane Lempye J. , Masango Maake J.
Published: May 2013

The care of terminally ill patients can be physically, emotionally as well as psychologically exhausting. In the era where everyone is busy with his or her hectic daily schedule, caring for someone diagnosed with HIV on her or his deathbed can be a daunting challenge. Caring for someone dying of AIDS does not only challenge the physical being but rather leaves the carer emotionally drained. What was of concern to the author was to see the struggle that the caregiver goes through whilst caring for the sufferer. More often than not, pastoral care and counselling concentrate mainly on the pain and the suffering of the sick person. In the process, pastoral care loses sight of the agony, the emotional strain and, above all, the trauma of the caregivers in their search for answers as they care for the infected. This scenario has prompted the author to look into the theology of caring with an emphasis on pastoral care of the carers with a view of alleviating their emotional burden in caring for the HIV patients.
Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention in the Treatment of Obesity
Authors: Looney Shannon M. , Raynor Hollie A.
Published: May 2013

This article provides an overview of research regarding adult behavioral lifestyle intervention for obesity treatment. We first describe two trials using a behavioral lifestyle intervention to induce weight loss in adults, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial. We then review the three main components of a behavioral lifestyle intervention program: behavior therapy, an energy- and fat-restricted diet, and a moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity prescription. Research regarding the influence of dietary prescriptions focusing on macronutrient composition, meal replacements, and more novel dietary approaches (such as reducing dietary variety and energy density) on weight loss is examined. Methods to assist with meeting physical activity goals, such as shortening exercise bouts, using a pedometer, and having access to exercise equipment within the home, are reviewed. To assist with improving weight loss outcomes, broadening activity goals to include resistance training and a reduction in sedentary behavior are considered. To increase the accessibility of behavioral lifestyle interventions to treat obesity in the broader population, translation of efficacious interventions such as the DPP, must be undertaken. Translational studies have successfully altered the DPP to reduce treatment intensity and/or used alternative modalities to implement the DPP in primary care, worksite, and church settings; several examples are provided. The use of new methodologies or technologies that provide individualized treatment and real-time feedback, and which may further enhance weight loss in behavioral lifestyle interventions, is also discussed.
Suitability of cover crop monocultures for late-season forage in South Dakota
Authors: Hansen Matthew J. , Owens Vance N. , Beck Dwayne , Sexton Peter
Published: May 2013

Hansen, M. J., Owens, V. N., Beck, D. and Sexton, P. 2013. Suitability of cover crop monocultures for late-season forage in South Dakota. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 589–597. Cover crops provide many agronomic benefits and can produce large amounts of forage that is suitable for grazing. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) suitable cover crop forages based on yield and nutrient values; and (2) changes in feed value and yield of these crops through the late fall. Five cover crop monocultures consisting of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), forage radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and a mixture of these crops were planted after winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) harvest in 2010 and 2011 in central and southeastern South Dakota. Forage data were collected on approximately Oct. 01, Nov. 01, and Dec. 01 each year. Yields increased after the first harvest date at both sites, both years. Oats, radish, and the cover crop mixture all yielded >4000 kg of dry matter per hectare on the second harvest date in 2011 in central South Dakota and radish and oats yielded >4000 kg ha−1 in southeastern South Dakota on the second and third harvest dates, respectively. Forage quality tended to decrease after each harvest date. Radish in central South Dakota in 2010 had the highest protein values for the study (194–313 g kg−1) whereas oats in southeastern South Dakota had the lowest protein concentrations (63–108 g kg−1), both years. All cover crops except cowpea were viable forages through the late fall when they had good establishment with the potential need for protein supplementation with oats, foxtail millet, and the cover crop mixture, depending on animal requirements.
Seasonal variations in phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity ofCornus stoloniferaplant material: Applications in agriculture
Authors: Isaak Cara K. , Petkau Jay C. , Karmin O , Ominski Kim , Rodriguez-Lecompte Juan Carlos , Siow Yaw L.
Published: May 2013

Isaak, C. K., Petkau, J. C., O, K., Ominski, K., Rodriguez-Lecompte, J. C, and Siow, Y. L. 2013. Seasonal variations in phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of Cornus stolonifera plant material: Applications in agriculture. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 725–734. The present study was carried out to establish the antioxidant capacity of plant material of Cornus stolonifera (syn. Cornus sericea, Red Osier Dogwood) grown in Manitoba, by measuring total phenolic content and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) over a 3-yr period. The presence and concentrations of flavonoids that might account for antioxidant abilities were investigated using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and a total anthocyanins assay. Both ORAC levels and phenolic content increased during the spring, peaked during the summer months (1631.65±166.30 µmol trolox equivalents g−1DW in July 2011, 220.38±2.29 mg gallic acid equivalents g−1DW in August 2012), and then declined during the fall in all 3 yr. Analysis of individual flavonoids in 2010 samples revealed that high levels of rutin, a glycoside of quercetin, were present ranging from 7.46±0.09 (July 2010) to 18.77±0.23 mg g−1dried sample (October 2010). Anthocyanin content was high in the spring, very low in the summer months, and increased in the fall over all 3 yr. Although polyphenolic and antioxidant content in Cornus spp. plants have been largely attributed to their berries, results from this study demonstrate that other plant material may also be an abundant source of these compounds.
Pharmaceutical product cross-contamination: industrial and clinical pharmacy practice
Authors: Mathia E
Published: May 2013

Therapeutic consultation by patients is made complete by drug management which is expected to solve the patients’ problems. Pharmaceutical product cross-contamination is a serious problem which has been detected as an obstacle towards successful therapeutic goals. In the pharmaceutical care of patients in developed countries, cross-contamination of drugs has been well addressed and controlled unlike in most developing countries including Tanzania. This review intends to provide insight into this problem, aiming at increasing awareness on the health impacts of crosscontamination on patients in order to promote preventive strategies employed in combating cross-contamination in both industrial and clinical pharmacy practice.
Automated thunderstorm tracking: utilization of three-dimensional lightning and radar data
Authors: Meyer V. K. , Höller H. , Betz H. D.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. This paper presents a new hybrid method for automated thunderstorm observation by tracking and monitoring of electrically charged cells (ec-TRAM). The developed algorithm combines information about intense ground precipitation derived from low-level radar-reflectivity scans with three-dimensionally resolved lightning data, which are provided by the European VLF/LF lightning detection network LINET. Based on the already existing automated radar tracker rad-TRAM (Kober and Tafferner, 2009), the new method li-TRAM identifies and tracks electrically active regions in thunderclouds using lightning data only. The algorithm ec-TRAM uses the output of the two autonomously operating routines rad-TRAM and li-TRAM in order to assess, track, and monitor a more comprehensive picture of thunderstorms. The main motivation of this work is to assess the benefit of three-dimensionally resolved total lightning (TL) information for thunderstorm tracking and monitoring. The focus is laid on the temporal development whereby TL is characterized by an effective in-cloud (IC) and cloud-to-ground (CG) event discrimination. It is found that the algorithms li-TRAM and ec-TRAM are both feasible methods for thunderstorm monitoring with potential for nowcasting. The tracking performance of li-TRAM turns out to be comparable to that of rad-TRAM, a result that strongly encourages utilization of lightning data as independent data source for thunderstorm tracking. It is found that lightning data allow an accurate and close monitoring of storm regions with intense internal dynamics as soon as convection induces electrical activity. A case study shows that the current short-term storm dynamics are clearly reflected in the amount of strokes, change of stroke rates and IC/CG ratio. The hybrid method ec-TRAM outperforms rad-TRAM and li-TRAM regarding reliability and continuous assessment of storm tracks especially in more complexly developing storms, where the use of discharge information contributes to more detailed information about storm stage and storm evolution.
Raman Lidar for Meteorological Observations, RALMO – Part 1: Instrument description
Authors: Dinoev T. , Simeonov V. , Arshinov Y. , Bobrovnikov S. , Ristori P. , Calpini B. , Parlange M. , van den Bergh H.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. A new Raman lidar for unattended, round-the-clock measurement of vertical water vapor profiles for operational use by the MeteoSwiss has been developed during the past years by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne. The lidar uses narrow field-of-view, narrowband configuration, a UV laser, and four 30 cm in diameter mirrors, fiber-coupled to a grating polychromator. The optical design allows water vapor retrieval from the incomplete overlap region without instrument-specific range-dependent corrections. The daytime vertical range covers the mid-troposphere, whereas the nighttime range extends to the tropopause. The near range coverage is extended down to 100 m AGL by the use of an additional fiber in one of the telescopes. This paper describes the system layout and technical realization. Day- and nighttime lidar profiles compared to Vaisala RS92 and Snow White® profiles and a six-day continuous observation are presented as an illustration of the lidar measurement capability.
The polar cliff in the morning sector of the ionosphere
Authors: Prölss G. W.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. By "polar cliff" we mean the steep increase in the ionization density observed in the morning sector of the polar ionosphere. Here the properties of this remarkable feature are investigated. The data set consists of electron density and temperature measurements obtained by the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite. Only data recorded in the Northern Hemisphere winter are considered (solar zenith angle ≥ 90°). We find that for moderately disturbed conditions, the foot of the polar cliff is located below 60° invariant latitude. Here, within about 4°, the density increases by a factor of 4, on average. The actual location of the polar cliff depends primarily on the level of geomagnetic activity, its associated density increase on geographic longitude and altitude. As to the longitudinal variations, they are attributed to asymmetries in the background ionization density at middle latitudes. Using a superposed epoch type of averaging procedure, mean latitudinal profiles of the polar cliff and the associated electron temperature changes are derived. Since these differ significantly from those derived for the afternoon/evening sector, we conclude that the subauroral ionospheric trough does not extend into the morning sector. As to the origin of the polar cliff in the morning sector, local auroral particle precipitation should play only a secondary role.
Assessing biogeochemical effects and best management practice for a wheat–maize cropping system using the DNDC model
Authors: Cui F. , Zheng X. H. , Liu C. Y. , Wang K. , Zhou Z. X. , Deng J.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. Contemporary agriculture is shifting from a single-goal to a multi-goal strategy, which in turn requires choosing best management practice (BMP) based on assessment of the biogeochemical effects of management alternatives. The bottleneck is the capacity of predicting the simultaneous effects of different management practice scenarios on multiple goals and choosing BMP among scenarios. The denitrification-decomposition (DNDC) model may provide an opportunity to solve this problem. We validated the DNDC model (version 95) using the observations of soil moisture and temperature, crop yields, aboveground biomass and fluxes of net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide (N2O), nitric oxide (NO) and ammonia (NH3) from a wheat-maize cropping site in northern China. The model performed well for these variables. Then we used this model to simulate the effects of management practices on the goal variables of crop yields, NO emission, nitrate leaching, NH3 volatilization and net emission of greenhouse gases in the ecosystem (NEGE). Results showed that no-till and straw-incorporated practices had beneficial effects on crop yields and NEGE. Use of nitrification inhibitors decreased nitrate leaching and N2O and NO emissions, but they significantly increased NH3 volatilization. Irrigation based on crop demand significantly increased crop yield and decreased nitrate leaching and NH3 volatilization. Crop yields were hardly decreased if nitrogen dose was reduced by 15% or irrigation water amount was reduced by 25%. Two methods were used to identify BMP and resulted in the same BMP, which adopted the current crop cultivar, field operation schedules and full straw incorporation and applied nitrogen and irrigation water at 15% and 25% lower rates, respectively, than the current use. Our study indicates that the DNDC model can be used as a tool to assess biogeochemical effects of management alternatives and identify BMP.
A high-resolution multi-proxy record of late Cenozoic environment change from central Taklimakan Desert, China
Authors: Wang X. , Sun D. H. , Wang F. , Li B. F. , Wu S. , Guo F. , Li Z. J. , Zhang Y. B. , Chen F. H.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. The Taklimakan Desert in the Tarim Basin is the largest desert in Central Asia, and is regarded as one of the main dust sources to the Northern Hemisphere. Late Cenozoic sedimentary sequences with intercalated in-situ aeolian dune sands in this area preserve direct evidence for the Asian desertification. Herein, we report a high-resolution multi-proxy climatic record from the precise magnetostratigraphic dated Hongbaishan section in the central Taklimakan Desert. Our results show that a fundamental climate change, characterized by significant cooling, enhanced aridity, and intensified atmospheric circulation, occurred at 2.8 Ma. Good correlations between climate records in the dust sources and downwind areas suggest a broadly consistent climate evolution of northwestern China during the late Cenozoic, which is probably driven by the uplift of the Tibet Plateau and the Northern Hemisphere glaciation.
Dynamic soil feedbacks on the climate of the mid-Holocene and the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Stärz M. , Lohmann G. , Knorr G.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. State-of-the-art general circulation models (GCMs) are tested and challenged by the ability to reproduce paleoclimate key intervals. In order to account for climate changes associated with soil dynamics we have developed a soil scheme, which is asynchronously coupled to a state-of-the-art atmosphere ocean GCM with dynamic vegetation. We test the scheme for conditions representative of a warmer (mid-Holocene, 6 kyr before present, BP) and colder (Last Glacial Maximum, 21 kyr BP) than pre-industrial climate. The computed change of physical soil properties (i.e. albedo, water storage capacity, and soil texture) for these different climates leads to amplified global climate anomalies. Especially regions like the transition zone of desert/savannah and taiga/tundra, exhibit an increased response as a result of the modified soil treatment. In comparison to earlier studies, the inclusion of the soil feedback pushes our model simulations towards the warmer end in the range of mid-Holocene studies and beyond current estimates of global cooling during the Last Glacial Maximum based on PMIP2 (Paleoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project 2) studies. The main impact of the interactive soil scheme on the climate response is governed by positive feedbacks, including dynamics of vegetation, snow, sea ice, local water recycling, which might amplify forcing factors ranging from orbital to tectonic timescales.
Integrated multi-criteria flood vulnerability approach using fuzzy TOPSIS and Delphi technique
Authors: Lee G. , Jun K.-S. , Chung E.-S.
Published: May 2013

Abstract. This study aims to develop a new procedure that combines multi-criteria spatial vulnerability analysis with the traditional linear probabilistic risk approach. This approach is named integrated fuzzy flood vulnerability assessment because it combines the watershed-based vulnerability framework with stream-based risk analysis. The Delphi technique and pressure-state-impact-response framework are introduced to objectively select evaluation criteria, and the fuzzy TOPSIS technique is proposed to address the uncertainty of weights to all criteria and crisp input data of all spatial units. ArcGIS is used to represent the spatial results to all criteria. This framework is applied to the south Han River basin in South Korea. As a result, the flood vulnerability ranking was derived and vulnerability characteristics of all spatial units were compared. This framework can be used to conduct a prefeasibility study for flood mitigation projects when various stakeholders should be included.
Predictors of Failure of Catheter Salvage in Incident Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Zhou Zhou , Guo Dongyang , Zhang Fan , Wang Tao , Zhang Guangming
Published: May 2013

Purpose

Catheter-related bloodstream infection is a frequent complication for patients who use catheter as dialysis access. This study was performed to identify the risk factors for failed catheter salvage.

Methods

We enrolled patients who received non-tunneled catheters as initial vascular access during a two-year period. Catheter salvage was attempted in all symptomatically mild patients. Patients were prospectively followed for 8 weeks starting from the day of infection. Risk factors for salvage failure were explored.

Results

A total of 77 bacteremia episodes occurred in 69 patient, with an infection rate of 1.61 per 1,000 catheter days. Salvage was successful in 73.4% of all episodes. We found that higher ferritin levels (greater vs. lower than 500 mg/l, (odds ratio (OR) 6.388, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.073, 19.686), higher phosphate levels (greater vs. lower than 5.5 mg/dl, OR 4.084, 95% CI 1.391, 11.978) and shorter time intervals between catheterization and infection (within vs. beyond 3 weeks, OR 4.190, 95% CI 1.279, 13.725) predicted salvage failure.

Conclusions

Catheter salvage can be a reasonable initial strategy for symptomatically mild patients. We propose salvaging aggressively and waiting watchfully; however, clinical judgment is prior to any specific management protocol.
Preserving Petra Sustainably (One Step at a Time): The Temple of the Winged Lions Cultural Resource Management Initiative as a Step Forward
Authors: Tuttle Christopher A.
Published: May 2013

A mystery that still needs to be solved for the World Heritage site of Petra, Jordan is how to sustainably preserve it for the future. This article reviews some of the many complex issues faced in efforts to protect this important cultural heritage resource. It then presents a summary of the excavated Temple of the Winged Lions, a 2,000-year-old Nabataean temple in the ancient city center, which is the focus of a new initiative that is attempting some first steps forward toward helping to solve this mystery. The Temple of the Winged Lions Cultural Resource Management Initiative is introduced and some of the project's subcomponents that are endeavoring to establish a holistic, grassroots approach to cultural resource management in Petra are presented.
Khirbat al-Mafjar and Its Place in the Archaeological Heritage of Palestine
Authors: Whitcomb Donald , Taha Hamdan
Published: May 2013

Khirbat al-Mafjar is a well-known Umayyad palace complex located near Jericho. The monument is one of the most important cultural symbols of early Islamic archaeology in Palestine. This article discusses the site's initial association with the caliphate of Walid ibn Yazid in light of new excavations. Recent discoveries suggest the existence of an early Islamic agricultural estate and the potential for a new understanding of early Islamic qusur or proto-urban settlements.
Análise de eficiência dos gastos públicos com educação no ensino fundamental no estado do Paraná
Authors: Gemelli Savian Mayá Patricia , Bezerra Fernanda Mendes
Published: May 2013

Este artigo tem como objetivo avaliar a eficiência dos gastos públicos com a educação nas séries iniciais do ensino fundamental nos municípios do Estado do Paraná, nos anos de 2005 e 2009, através da aplicação da técnica Análise Envoltória de Dados (DEA). Os municípios foram classificados quanto à eficiência dos gastos em educação fundamental, e foi possível realizar comparações entre os municípios e mesorregiões. Os resultados sugerem que na maioria dos municípios paranaenses os gastos públicos com educação se mostraram ineficientes, o que demonstra a necessidade de revisão, por parte da administração pública, dos meios de alocação dos recursos.
Mixed Convective Magnetohydrodynamic Peristaltic Flow of a Jeffrey Nanofluid with Newtonian Heating
Authors: Akbar Noreen Sher , Nadeem Sohail
Published: May 2013

We present the mixed convective peristaltic motion of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Jeffrey nanofluid in an asymmetric channel with Newtonian heating. In the peristaltic literature, Newtonian heating is used for the first time in the present article. The peristaltic flow of a nanofluid with Newtonian heating is not explored so far. So in the present problem, first we model the mixed convective peristaltic motion of a MHD Jeffrey nanofluid in an asymmetric channel with Newtonian heating. According to the realistic approch, the problem formulation is made under long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximation.We get the four coupled equations. Homotopy perturbation method (HPM) solutions are calculated for nanoparticle fraction and heat transfer phenomena, while exact solutions are evaluated for stream function and pressure gradient. The possessions of different parameters on the flow quantities of observation are analyzed graphically and physically. In the end, the streamlines are plotted and discussed.
Determinantes do Valor e da Satisfação com o Consumo de uma Marca de Moda Jovem
Authors: Frederico Elias , Nagano Bruna Mayumi
Published: May 2013

Investigaram-se os fatores que levam a criao de valor e satisfao com o consumo, para uma marca de moda jovem. Identificaram-se as trs principais dimenses do valor (utilitarismo, hedonismo e escapismo) e os trs blocos conceituais determinantes da criao de valor (aspectos da marca, do produto e da loja). Desenvolveu-se um modelo de equaes estruturais, aplicado em uma amostra de 213 consumidores. Indica-se que h influncia dos aspectos da marca e da loja sobre o valor hednico e os do produto sobre o escapismo. Sugere-se que o hedonismo e o escapismo so mediadores entre os aspectos antecedentes e a satisfao.DOI:10.5585/remark.v12i1.2476
Efeitos do Aroma e da Influência Interpessoal na Confiança do Cliente
Authors: Basso Kenny , Rech Eduardo , Espartel Lélis Balestrin , Reck Danúbia
Published: May 2013

Este estudo investigou o efeito do aroma do ambiente em uma situao de interao entre cliente e vendedor. Para verificar essa interao foram realizados dois estudos experimentais. O primeiro estudo analisou a confiana do cliente no vendedor aps uma situao de influncia interpessoal (lisonja) feita pelo vendedor em um ambiente com aroma; no segundo estudo foi utilizado o mesmo ambiente com o aroma, porm, a influncia interpessoal (lisonja) foi feita por duas pessoas: o vendedor e o gerente da loja. Os resultados da pesquisa revelaram que quando a interao entre o vendedor e o cliente ocorre em um ambiente com o aroma de limpeza, a confiana que o cliente possui no vendedor maior do que quando a interao ocorre em um ambiente sem aroma algum ou at em um ambiente em que o aroma congruente com o tipo de produto comercializado. O estudo tambm identificou que quando a influncia interpessoal realizada por dois atores com os mesmos objetivos (ligados venda), o efeito positivo do aroma de limpeza nas atitudes e julgamentos do cliente diminudo. A confiana atuou como mediadora da relao entre o aroma e a inteno de compra. DOI:10.5585/remark.v12i1.2481
Spatial Programming for Industrial Robots through Task Demonstration
Authors: Lambrecht Jens , Kleinsorge Martin , Rosenstrauch Martin , Krüger Jörg
Published: May 2013

Abstract We present an intuitive system for the programming of industrial robots using markerless gesture recognition and mobile augmented reality in terms of programming by demonstration. The approach covers gesture-based task definition and adaption by human demonstration, as well as task evaluation through augmented reality. A 3D motion tracking system and a handheld device establish the basis for the presented spatial programming system. In this publication, we present a prototype toward the programming of an assembly sequence consisting of several pick-and-place tasks. A scene reconstruction provides pose estimation of known objects with the help of the 2D camera of the handheld. Therefore, the programmer is able to define the program through natural bare-hand manipulation of these objects with the help of direct visual feedback in the augmented reality application. The program can be adapted by gestures and transmitted subsequently to an arbitrary industrial robot controller using a unified interface. Finally, we discuss an application of the presented spatial programming approach toward robot-based welding tasks.
Multi-Focus Image Fusion Using the Local Fractal Dimension
Authors: Li Qingping , Du Junping , Xu Liang
Published: May 2013

Abstract With the development of sensor and image-processing technology, image fusion has become a promising research field. Multi-focus image fusion is an important issue in multi-sensor image fusion. To make full use of the texture features of an image and take into account the inherent advantages of fractal theory in multi-focus image fusion, a new image fusion algorithm using the local fractal dimension (LFD) is proposed. The algorithm first calculates the LFD of each source image pixel-wise by using a blanket method and generates LFD maps of the source images. Then the local energy of each LFD is calculated to generate a decision map, in order to decide pixels of the fused image are from which source image. Finally, the fused image is reconstructed from the source images according to the decision map. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms classic LP-based and DWT-based methods according to both visual and objective evaluations.
Feature-Based Image Fusion with a Uniform Discrete Curvelet Transform
Authors: Xu Liang , Du Junping , Hu Qian , Li Qingping
Published: May 2013

Abstract The uniform discrete curvelet transform (UDCT) is a novel tool for multiscale representations with several desirable properties compared to previous representation methods. A novel algorithm based on UDCT is proposed for the fusion of multi-source images. A novel fusion rule for different subband coefficients obtained by UDCT decomposition is discussed in detail. Low-pass subband coefficients are merged to develop a fusion rule based on a feature similarity (FSIM) index. High-pass directional subband coefficients are merged for a fusion rule based on a complex coefficients feature similarity (CCFSIM) index. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm fuses all of the useful information from source images without introducing artefacts. Compared with several state-of-the-art fusion methods, it yields a better performance and achieves higher efficiency.
Repetitive Motion Planning of Free-Floating Space Manipulators
Authors: Chen Gang , Zhang Long , Jia Qingxuan , Chu Ming , Sun Hanxu
Published: May 2013

Abstract In this paper, a repetitive motion-planning scheme of free-floating space manipulators is presented. Repetitive motion means when one task ends, the end-effector pose, the joint angles and the base pose should reset (return to their initial value), which will facilitate the subsequent tasks. First, due to the lack of DOF, an order of priority to the given tasks is introduced. Second, the joint reset optimization operator, the base attitude reset optimization operator and the end-effector attitude reset optimization operator are designed. Then, the repetitive motion scheme is proposed by combining the three optimization operators above in a creative way. Finally, to make the optimization of repetitive motion obvious, the base attitude maintenance is also considered. Simulation results verify the correctness and the validity of the repetitive motion planning method of space manipulator.
Thruster Modelling for Underwater Vehicle Using System Identification Method
Authors: Aras Mohd Shahrieel Mohd , Abdullah Shahrum Shah , Rahman Azhan Ab. , Aziz Muhammad Azhar Abd
Published: May 2013

Abstract This paper describes a study of thruster modelling for a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) by system identification using Microbox 2000/2000C. Microbox 2000/2000C is an XPC target machine device to interface between an ROV thruster with the MATLAB 2009 software. In this project, a model of the thruster will be developed first so that the system identification toolbox in MATLAB can be used. This project also presents a comparison of mathematical and empirical modelling. The experiments were carried out by using a mini compressor as a dummy depth pressure applied to a pressure sensor. The thruster model will thrust and submerge until it reaches a set point and maintain the set point depth. The depth was based on pressure sensor measurement. A conventional proportional controller was used in this project and the results gathered justified its selection.
L’expérience des demandeurs d’asile détenus au Canada
Authors: Cleveland Janet , Dionne-Boivin Véronique , Rousseau Cécile
Published: May 2013

Au Canada, les demandeurs d’asile détenus en vertu des lois sur l’immigration sont enfermés dans des établissements de type carcéral, même si moins de 6 % d’entre eux sont soupçonnés de criminalité ou de dangerosité. Nous présentons un survol de la situation canadienne, incluant des données tirées de notre récente étude sur l’impact de la détention sur la santé mentale des demandeurs d’asile. Cette étude fut menée auprès de 122 demandeurs d’asile adultes détenus dans des centres de surveillance de l’immigration, à Montréal et à Toronto, et d’un groupe témoin de 66 demandeurs d’asile non détenus. Les demandeurs d’asile détenus vivent un sentiment de disempowerment et de perte d’agentivité en raison du régime de surveillance et de règles strictes dans lequel ils sont placés et de la durée indéterminée de leur détention. Après une incarcération moyenne de 31 jours, le niveau de symptômes psychiatriques était nettement plus élevé chez les demandeurs d’asile détenus que chez les non-détenus ayant eu une exposition traumatique prémigratoire équivalente. La Loi visant à protéger le système d’immigration du Canada (projet de loi C-31) prévoit que des demandeurs d’asile désignés par le ministre, incluant des jeunes de 16 ans et plus, seront automatiquement détenus avec une possibilité très limitée de demander la libération. Il faudrait, au contraire, envisager des solutions de rechange moins contraignantes.
La criminalisation du trafic de migrants au Canada
Authors: Jimenez Estibaliz
Published: May 2013

La migration irrégulière est perçue par la communauté internationale comme un enjeu sécuritaire. La criminalisation de l’immigration devient alors un outil de contrôle migratoire et de sécurisation des frontières. Au cours des dernières années, le Canada a adopté une approche punitive et un recours plus important à la criminalisation de l’immigration irrégulière, avec des peines pouvant atteindre l’emprisonnement à vie. Paradoxalement, malgré un renforcement normatif, dont l’adoption de peines minimales obligatoires et l’augmentation des peines maximales, les tribunaux canadiens imposent aux passeurs des peines d’emprisonnement de courte durée et généralement des peines d’emprisonnement avec sursis à purger dans la collectivité. Le présent article présente les résultats des analyses législatives et jurisprudentielles relatives au trafic de migrants au Canada. Les résultats démontrent que les peines octroyées par les tribunaux ne sont pas proportionnelles aux discours politiques et médiatiques alarmistes à l’égard de la menace que représente l’organisation de l’entrée illégale.