bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linguistic Contact in Ancient South China: The Case of Hainan Chinese, Be, and Vietnamese
Authors: Solnit David B.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1982)
Root and Epistemic Modals: Causality in Two Worlds
Authors: Sweetser Eve E.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1982)
The Role of Multiple Causation in the Genesis of the Spanish Suffix -ido
Authors: Dworkin Steven N.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1982)
The Indo-European Vocabulary of Exchange, Hospitality, and Intimacy (The Origins of Greek ksénos, sún, phílos; Avestan xsnu-, xsanman-, etc.): Contributions to Etymological Methodology
Authors: Schwartz Martin
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1982)
On Drawing the Right Conclusions in Psycholinguistics: Some Critical Areas of Control in Experimental and Analytical Practice
Authors: Derwing Bruce L.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1983), pp. 64-73
The English l/r Distinction for Native Japanese
Authors: Higurashi Yoshiko , McClenon Charles
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1983), pp. 88-95
Vowel Shifts in Common Slavic
Authors: Smith Michael B.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1983), pp. 223-244
On wave particle duality
Authors: Blackman Jerome
Published: July 2015

In a recent paper [J. Blackman and W. T. Hsiang, Phys. Essays 26, 34 (2013)], a mathematical model for quantum measurement was presented. The phenomenon of wave particle duality, which is introduced in every beginning course of quantum theory, can be explained using this model.
Although the transformation of a wave into a particle as the result of a measurement of position is a special case of the general theory of measurement, it has historic interest and involves the use of a continuous spectrum, which was treated only casually in that paper.
Manipulation of electrodynamics
Authors: Lunetta M.
Published: July 2015

In this article, we show how it is possible to manipulate some basic quantities of the electromagnetic field to obtain superluminal velocities. Starting from the inertial force, through the superluminal carrier, we obtain superluminal photon acceleration. As per the luminal case, in
the superluminal one the vector S maintains unchanged its modulus ad infinitum in free space by means of the inertial force action. The key of velocity rank consists of the value α, a constant specified in an open interval of the rational numbers.
The Moodle Platform
Authors: Costa Carolina , Alvelos Helena , Teixeira Leonor
Published: July 2015

This chapter analyzes Learning Management Systems (LMSs) and their main features and compares the most popular LMSs platforms considering their utilization and the services they offer. Additionally, it presents a study carried out at the University of Aveiro (UA) that analyses the functionalities and tools of the Moodle platform and their use by students. The data was collected based on content analysis, one non-structured interview with the responsible of the Moodle from the UA and a questionnaire applied to 278 students. The results show that the most mentioned purposes of the Moodle@UA were ‘Download materials', ‘News' and ‘Deliver assignments' and that the most used information materials are ‘Texts' and ‘Slides', showing that despite Moodle has a great potential, it is mainly used as a repository of materials. The results also highlighted the existence of two groups of students distinguished by the degree of importance given to the Moodle tools.
Cloud Computing Implementation Level in Portuguese Companies
Authors: Ferreira Osvaldo , Moreira Fernando
Published: July 2015

The Information Technology (IT) has suffered many advances in recent years due to the development of new hardware and software solutions. These major changes have been noted in recent times in how we interact with applications and services in IT. Cloud computing provides services and applications over the Internet with the promise of infinite capacity and service models of “pay-as-you-go”. In this chapter we describe the main characteristics of Cloud computing, future expectations and analyzes the state of knowledge and implementation in Portuguese companies.
Open Innovation Practices Applied to Efficient Replenishment
Authors: Heredero Carmen De Pablos , Botella Jose Luis Montes , Santos Ignacio Soret Los
Published: July 2015

To collaborate with customers by making use of innovative strategies is today required. For this it is necessary to adapt the business innovation system to the characteristics of the market demands taking into account the technological and social change. The aim of this book chapter consists of proposing a model that allows the measurement of knowledge and the generation of organizational improvement in the initiatives of customers' co-creation in innovative processes. The model explains how the relational capital in a firm increases as strategic generic actions are promoted in the supplier, in the product, in the customer, in the distribution channel and other general business variables. The model has already been applied to efficient replenishment practices in the Spanish market.
Business Process Management Skills Development
Authors: Draghici Anca , Draghici George
Published: July 2015

The chapter presents a Business Process Management (BPM) training program initiative based on the preliminary training needs identification and by characterizing its market acceptance and impact. The presented approach was built in an international partnership. The experience (wisdom, knowledge) gained by a Slovenian group of trainers in building, disseminating and practically implementing a BPM training program has been transferred (and adapted) to Romania, using the knowledge already existing in the field. The main ideas tackled in the paper are: (1) a brief description of the BPM concept and a short overview of the existing training and certification programs on the market; (2) presentation of the proposed CertiBPM training program structure based on the training needs identification (related to the Romanian market); (3) research results regarding the Romanian market acceptance of the CertiBPM training program based on the participants/trainees feed-back collection and process (marketing survey); (4) Conclusions and lessons learned.
The Influence of Culture on the Adoption of Green IT
Authors: Campbell William M. , Moore Philip , Ratcliffe Martyn , Sharma Mak
Published: July 2015

This chapter addresses the impact of organizational culture on the adoption of Green IT initiatives. We begin by exploring organizational culture and consider the nature of culture within the IT sector. An analysis of the effect of culture on sustainable use of IT is presented using Cameron and Quinn's Competing Values Framework as a tool to explore organizational culture. A major theme of this Chapter is the use of choice architectures to ‘nudge' individuals in particular directions with a focus on adopting green IT policies. Other themes explored are the roles social media play in promoting green IT and the impact of culture on the use of tools which deliver green IT incuding cloud computing and context-aware systems. We consider the impact of globalization. Key recommendations for working with culture to support the adoption of green IT are provided.
Improving the Energy Efficiency of Telephone Exchanges (Switching Centers)
Authors: Dickerson Keith , Faulkner David , Kingston Paul
Published: July 2015

This chapter discusses the environmental assessment of telecommunications switching centers (telephone exchanges), based on the experience gained by Climate Associates Limited (CAL) and K8T on contracts in the UK and Ireland over the last few years. CAL has been asked to assess the energy efficiency of telephone exchanges and make recommendation on how their energy efficiency could be improved. Although we are not able to disclose details that may be commercially in confidence, this chapter draws out some general principles on the energy efficiency of telecommunications switching centers, taking into account the electricity demand of the equipment, the energy performance of the buildings housing it, the air conditioning needed to cool it, and the electrical systems used to power it, with a focus on how this could be improved. Reference is made to assessment standards such as ITU-T L.1310 Energy efficiency measurement and metrics for telecommunication network and ITU-T L.1300 Best Practices for Green Data Centers. Dr. Keith Dickerson and Dr. David Faulkner have both been active in the development of standards for environmental assessment in the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) over the past 10 years and hold leadership positions in these bodies. Dr. Paul Kingston has an excellent track record in the modeling and assessment of power consumption to optimize design of the built environment. Acknowledgement is given to BT for permission to publish the results of this study. The results are based primarily on the study of a single telephone exchange and may not be valid for all exchanges of this type in the UK.
Global Medical Tourism
Authors: Banerjee Sukanya , Nath Siddhartha Sankar , Dey Nilanjan , Eto Hajime
Published: July 2015

Medical tourism is related to the travel of patients from one country to another in order to obtain medical treatment in that country. There are several countries worldwide promoting medical tourism and attracting patients. Most of the developing nations attract the patients because of cost benefits whereas the developed nations attract patients who require complex surgeries or any kind of advanced medical treatment. The main aim of this research paper is to focus on the development of medical tourism industry, worldwide. Medical Tourism industry throughout the world is growing at a fast rate. It has huge potential for generating employment and earning large amount of foreign exchange. This will help in the country's overall economic development. Medical tourism incorporates multi-dimensional activity but basically it is a service industry. Hence, medical tourism is a vital revenue earning source especially for the developing nations. Hence, it can be said that it is a win situation for both the patients as well as the destination countries.
Film Induced Tourism
Authors: Dey Nilanjan , Acharjee Suvojit , Chakraborty Sayan
Published: July 2015

Many film locations around the world have become the pull factors for tourists to visit. The American soap opera ‘Sex and the City' is a prime example of that. Hundreds of restaurants, bars, and shops featured in the films and TV series turn out to be must-see destinations for tourists visiting different places. The Indian film named ‘Roza' has attracted a lot of tourist to visit a beautiful place in North India, named Kashmir. Recently, the tourists prefer to visit those destinations which are featured in films or movies and television series. This phenomenon is known as film induced tourism. In this paper, we propose a film induce tourism technique which can be evaluated by the mosaiced image obtained from a movie. The proposed system firstly read all the image sequences from a movie, and stitched them together such a way so that it becomes very much easier for a tourist to choose the best holiday destination from a movie or television series.
Creating Extended-Form Eventgraphs from Social Media Using Publicly Available Software Tools
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: July 2015

This chapter explores the feasibility of exploring surprise and unfolding events through the extraction of strategic data from social media platforms and the Web and Internet to form extended-form eventgraphs. “Extended-form eventgraphs” are conceptualized as those involving multivariate descriptors of events: participants, their respective roles, their interrelationships, their messaging, the timeline, related locations, and other event features and dynamics. What are the current extant methods and tools, then, and how are they applied in sequence, and what is ultimately knowable to sketch out an eventgraph based on social media channels? What sorts of real-world human events, which may not be directly “social” or pre-planned, are observable in online spaces? This chapter offers an initial proof-of-concept of a non-scalable manual-based eventgraphing process with two real-world examples: one of a mainstream tracked event and one of a more silent event. Finally, it offers a simple sense of a possible way forward which may be used in whole or in part. The challenge here involves using publicly available software tools for this information capture (versus self-created programs).
Audio for Multi-Media Presentations in E-Learning
Authors: Wiley Hattie
Published: July 2015

Although many advances have changed the way we are able record, distribute, and consume audio enhanced or audio based learning materials, audio can still be either a critical driver or an impeding detriment to learner comprehension and retention. Consequently, this chapter reviews the instructional design implications of audio prior to exploring the impacts advances in audio technology, software, and equipment have on the creation of audio enhanced or audio based multimedia presentations for learning, training, or education.
Use of Video to Enhance Education
Authors: Anders Brent A.
Published: July 2015

Even with so many different educational tools and evolutions in techniques of instruction (both pedagogical and andrological approaches), the use of video is one of the most effective means of instructing students. This chapter presents multiple evidence detailing why video can greatly enhance instruction in a multiple of ways to include its use in motivation, explanation (via multi-modalities), and feedback. This chapter will also demonstrate the benefits of using a student-centered/learning-centered instructional video capturing system within the classroom to improve learning for both face-to-face and online learning. Resources and specific examples are provided to demonstrate that video is a fundamental tool that should be used to enhance both the educational process and instructional experience. New uses and video technologies are also addressed for future investigation and incorporation.
Conducting Semantic-Based Network Analyses from Social Media Data
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: July 2015

Network analysis is widely used to mine social media. This involves both the study of structural metadata (information about information) and the related contents (the textual messaging, the related imagery, videos, URLs, and others). A semantic-based network analysis relies on the analysis of relationships between words and phrases (as meaningful concepts), and this approach may be applied effectively to social media data to extract insights. To gain a sense of how this might work, a trending topic of the day was chosen (namely, the free-information and data leakage movement) to see what might be illuminated using this semantic-based network analysis, an open-source technology, NodeXL, and access to multiple social media platforms. Three types of networks are extracted: (1) conversations (#hashtag microblogging networks on Twitter; #eventgraphs on Twitter; and keyword searches on Twitter; (2) contents (video networks on YouTube, related tags networks on Flickr, and article networks on Wikipedia; and (3) user accounts on Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, and Wikipedia.
An Interactive Spatial Decision Support System Enabling Co-Located Collaboration using Tangible User Interfaces for the Multiple Capacitated Facility Location Problem
Authors: Ploskas Nikolaos , Athanasiadis Ioannis , Papathanasiou Jason , Samaras Nikolaos
Published: July 2015

The Multiple Capacitated Facility Location Problem (MCFLP) is well-known and studied in the international literature optimization problem. The geographical information data of the enterprises' locations are usually either ignored by the modeler or entered manually in these systems. In this paper, a spatial Decision Support System (DSS) is designed and implemented enabling co-located collaboration using tangible user interfaces through a tabletop. The location of the enterprises and the demand nodes can be added with the use of interactive Google Maps. The DSS extracts the geographical information of the selected locations, find the distances between them and executes a dynamic approximation algorithm for this problem. The interactive spatial DSS has been implemented using Java, TUIO protocol and Google Maps. The tabletop offers a user-friendly interface that can be manipulated with human fingers and fiducials.
Sign Language Recognition for Bengali Characters
Authors: Ayshee Tanzila Ferdous , Raka Sadia Afrin , Hasib Quazi Ridwan , Rahman Rashedur M. , Hossain Md.
Published: July 2015

Sign language is the primary means of communication for people having speaking and hearing impairment. This language uses a system of manual, facial, and other body movements as the means of communication, as opposed to acoustically conveyed sound patterns. This paper uses image processing and fuzzy logic to develop an intelligent system to recognize Bengali Sign Language. The proposed system works in two phases. In the first phase, the fuzzification methods are defined. Then in the next phase, the raw images are processed to identify the fuzzy rules. A detailed implementation procedure of the proposed system is demonstrated by describing the recognition process of four Bengali characters.
An Improved Fuzzy C-Means Algorithm for Cell Formation Problems with Alternative Routes
Authors: Erozan İhsan , Ustun Ozden , Torkul Orhan
Published: July 2015

Cell formation is one of the most important problems faced in designing cellular manufacturing systems. Fuzzy c-means (FCM) has been successfully used to solve a variety of the cell formation problems because it allows the representation of uncertain information. Many products or parts to be manufactured in the real world have alternative routes. To ignore the routes is not a realistic approach. However, most FCM approaches used to form a cellular system in the literature have ignored or avoided using the alternative routes because of its complexity. In this paper, an improved FCM algorithm has been proposed to overcome the computational complexity of the alternative routes. The improved algorithm presents an easy and practical way to solve the cell formation problems with alternative routes. An experiment was designed to test and compare the performance of the improved algorithm. The results of the experiment have shown that most of the obtained results are close to the test problems and better than the conventional crisp methods in the literature.
Diffusion of a Professional Social Network
Authors: Claybaugh Craig C. , Haried Peter , Yu Wen-Bin
Published: July 2015

Online professional social networks are becoming an instrumental tool to facilitate relationships between business and technology professionals for career success. Even though tools such as LinkedIn can be used to manage human capital for career success use and adoption still is not universally accepted. This paper seeks to better understand the effect university, gender, and degree type has on the diffusion of an online social network (LinkedIn) across three years (2011 to 2014). The authors' findings show diffusion is not consistent across business school graduates. Their business school findings suggest that university, gender, and degree type have significant associations with LinkedIn participation. This is the case even though the majority of graduates still have yet to join the LinkedIn social network. An analysis of the results and future research directions are presented.
Electronic Payment Adoption in the Banking Sector of Low-Income Countries
Authors: Alemu Teshome , Bandyopadhyay Tridib , Negash Solomon
Published: July 2015

Banks in low-income countries are launching e-banking services such as Internet banking, SMS banking, ATM banking, card banking, point of sales (PoS) and mobile banking. Among these planned services, ATM is the most matured service in many private and state owned banks in Ethiopia. ATM is a recent phenomenon in low-income countries (; ), and is still being introduced in financial sectors in low-income countries (Angeli, 2008; ) making investigation of factors of ICT technology adoption in low income countries timely. The authors test context specific applicability of UTAUT (Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology) model. The authors' analysis of primary data suggests general applicability of the modified UTAUT model in explaining factors and antecedents of technology adoption but also identifies significant differences in the moderating factors of gender and age. Depending on whether they are above or below the age of 30, Ethiopian consumers of banking services exhibit highly differentiated levels of service credibility and technology risk acceptance towards ATM banking. This suggests that banking services sector in low income countries may like to clearly delineate and appropriately differentiate their awareness and reach-out strategies to their customers who belong to one or the other age group. Furthermore, women in this study are found to perceive themselves as more susceptible to fraud and other security risks in ATM banking, suggesting that special design considerations be incorporated in the way locations of ATMs are selected and in the way ATM technology features are accessed to ally such fears. The authors' work also shows research directions where other scholars may investigate an otherwise much diffused technology adoption in the low income countries of the world.
Escalation in Information Technology Projects
Authors: Mobekk Hilde , Fagerstrøm Asle
Published: July 2015

According to the information systems literature, many information technology (IT) projects go wildly over budget, drag on long past their originally scheduled completion date, and do not deliver according to initial specification. Theories that have been used to understand the escalation phenomenon in general are the self-justification theory, the prospect theory, the agency theory, and the approach avoidance theory. These theories have contributed to a considerable insight in the phenomenon of escalation, but divergence among them indicates that there are still some unanswered questions. Discounting describes how the subjective value of an outcome is altered because its outcome is either uncertain and/or delayed. Since a key factor in IT project is the uncertainty and/or delay associated with cost, schedules and functionality of the IT solutions that are made, the authors decided to introduce the concept of discounting to expand understanding of escalation behavior in IT projects.
The Project Management Process of Planning and Budgeting in Public Construction Projects
Authors: Larsen Jesper Kranker , Ussing Lene Faber , Brunoe Thomas Ditlev , Lindhard Søren Munch
Published: July 2015

Budgeting and scheduling are central elements in all projects through diverse estimates that are defining the level of project outcome success. It is therefore relevant to study how large public construction agencies apply cost and time scheduling in their projects. The study objective is firstly, to comprehend the process of cost and time scheduling in the initial phases of a project. Secondly, to discover which factors stimulate budget and deadline increases in publicly funded construction projects. Applied data collection is based on semi-structured interviews with publicly agency employed project and property managers. Findings demonstrate that too early decision making disrupt the deadline and total cost in the client briefing stage. Due to lack of clear defined project scope and user requirements are too optimistic. The subsequent project stages are thus pushed by an earlier decided deadline and budget, where following complications within the project organizations were found to stimulate budget and scheduling increases.
Four Express Service Cooperation Modes for B2C E-Commerce
Authors: Wang Ningning , Cheng Xi , Gou Qinglong
Published: July 2015

The express service quality becomes a dominant factor along with the price of product affecting consumer's purchasing decision. This paper investigates how the express service quality affects the demand of online purchasing, and how to improve the express service quality and supply chain's performance through cooperation. The authors consider an online supply chain and utilize a nonlinear demand model by incorporating the express service quality as a decision variable and propose four express service cooperation modes, i.e. (1) the retailer offering subsidy to the express provider, (2) the integration between the retailer and the express provider, (3) the manufacturer offering subsidy to the express provider and (4) the integration between the manufacturer and the express provider. In each cooperation mode, they derive the equilibrium pricings, service levels, demands and profits. By comparison, the authors explore which one is appropriate for chain members to implement.
A Practitioner Based Evaluation of Project Management Knowledge and Education
Authors: Durrani Ziauddin A. , Baroudi Bassam
Published: July 2015

Many scholars have criticized formal project management education as being based on various Bodies of Knowledge (BOKs), lacking real-world application and representing a narrow view of the profession. Through a survey questionnaire, this research inquiry has examined the alignment of project management professional needs with the aspirations of project management education within Australian universities. The research findings show positive links between project management education, increased employability, better workplace performance and successful professional careers. However, the research has also identified poor alignment of current project management education in Australian universities with project management practice and recommends possible revision of project management education programs to meet the knowledge requirements expressed by project management professionals. The findings of this research contribute to the debate in respect of bringing project management education closer to project management practice.
How to Shape a Business Service to Its Customers' Exact Needs
Authors: Faísca Hugo Miguel de Brito Silva Moreira , Pereira Leandro
Published: July 2015

The present business plan intents to analyze the financial attractiveness of creating a Hostel within Lisbon and targeting a service proportionate to guests' needs. That is, a service design based in the importance customers attribute to each offer. As observed, the market at Lisbon reflects a very competitive field where Hostels provide high quality services for low prices. During the low season (October-April), money is lost due to low occupancy rates. Nevertheless, profit resulting from the high season (May-September) is enough to null the negative results of the low season and still present a positive result at the end of the year. Financially, the evaluation outputs a NPV of 42 726€, IRR of 25.64% and Payback period of three years and four months. With vital indicators pointing towards a profitable business, the conclusion is that, based on the analysis performed, such a Hostel is financially viable.
Proposition for Strategic 6ps and the Service Business Model for Corporate Sustainability
Authors: Sugiyama Daisuke , Shirahada Kunio , Kosaka Michitaka
Published: July 2015

This paper proposes 6Ps elements of service business model. It consists of basic 3Ps (product, people, and physical evidence) and additional 3Ps (perspective, personalization, and program). The authors add Program in this paper which integrates other elements. The authors show the stages of customer status transition from just purchasing functional products to something special for his lifestyle by becoming an adherent. The authors also showed the direction to community. The authors analyze how the 6Ps elements work for the transition based on five case studies of advanced service business. The authors set two axes newly to show the structure and the process of expanding from basic 3Ps to 6Ps as well. This model can be positioned in the value configuration space. The authors try to analyze the mechanism to drive this transition by gift logic which lies behind social system and social capital.
Information Extraction for Call for Paper
Authors: Issertial Laurent , Tsuji Hiroshi
Published: July 2015

This paper proposes a system called CFP Manager specialized on IT field and designed to ease the process of searching conference suitable to one's need. At present, the handling of CFP faces two problems: for emails, the huge quantity of CFP received can be easily skimmed through. For websites, the reviewing of some of the main CFP aggregators available online points out the lack of usable criteria. This system proposes to answer to these problems via its architecture consisting of three components: firstly an Information Extraction module extracting relevant information (as date, location, etc...) from CFP using rule based text mining algorithm. The second component enriches the now extracted data with external one from ontology models. Finally the last one displays the said data and allows the end user to perform complex queries on the CFP dataset and thus allow him to only access to CFP suitable for him. In order to validate the authors' proposal, they eventually process the well-known precision / recall metric on our information extraction component with an average of 0.95 for precision and 0.91 for recall on three different 100 CFP dataset. This paper finally discusses the validity of our approach by confronting our system for different queries with two systems already available online (WikiCFP and IEEE Conference Search) and basic text searching approach standing for searching in an email box. On a 100 CFP dataset with the wide variety of usable data and the possibility to perform complex queries we surpass basic text searching method and WikiCFP by not returning the false positive usually returned by them and find a result close to the IEEE system.
Proposed Optimal Growth Pathfinding Method Based on Growth Trajectories
Authors: Woyuan Niu , Saga Ryosuke , Tsuji Hiroshi , Majima Yukie
Published: July 2015

In this study, the authors propose an optimal growth pathfinding method to support learners in effectively mastering a set of capabilities. Under the assumption of prerequisite relationships among learning objectives, the main processes of the method are as follows: (1) extracting the capability structure from growth trajectories, (2) remodeling the problem as a traveling salesman problem with restrictions among learning objectives, and (3) generating the cost matrix and obtaining the optimal growth path. In addition, a flexible approach to data standardization as a step of capability structure extraction is discussed. The proposed method is also applied to a software engineer growth dataset with 30 responders.
Understanding Wheel Spinning in the Context of Affective Factors
Authors: Rodrigo Ma. Mercedes T. , Beck Joseph Barbosa
Published: July 2015

The notion of wheel spinning, students getting stuck in the mastery learning cycle of an ITS without mastering the skill, is an emerging issue. Although wheel spinning has been analyzed, there has been little work in understanding what factors underlie it, and whether it occurs in cultural contexts outside that of the United States. This work is an extension of an earlier analysis of 116 students in an urban setting in the Philippines. The authors found that Filipino students using the Scatterplot Tutor exhibited wheel spinning behaviors. The authors explored the impact of an intervention, Scooter the Tutor, on wheel spinning behavior and did not find that it had any effect. They also analyzed data from quantitative field observations, and found that wheel spinning is prevented by engaged concentration, caused by confusion, but not causally related to boredom. This result suggests that the problem of wheel spinning is primarily cognitive in nature, and not related to student motivation. However, wheel spinning was positively correlated with gaming the system, and causal analysis suggests that wheel spinning causes gaming.
Scratch Test and Adhesion Properties of Titanium Coatings Deposited by TIG Welding on Steels
Authors: Dogar Cutean Elena Simona , Mitelea Ion , Şerban Viorel  Aurel , Codrean Cosmin
Published: July 2015

Scratch test is one of widely used, fast, and effective methods to obtain the critical loads that are related to adhesion properties of coatings. The determination of adhesion and the scratch resistance is essential for the mechanical characterization of surface layers for research and industry. To evaluate the performance of coatings the scratch test with a Rockwell-C diamond stylus as indenter is a commonly used test for the characterization of hard coatings on predominant metallic substrates due to its comparatively robust experimental setup, the easy use and the representative results. This is the only technique capable of imaging such interface defects which are due to the stressin duced by the scratch experiment.This paper aims to characterize the adhesion and scratch resistance using Millennium200 - Technical Tribo equipment of Ti layer deposited on steel surfaces by means of TIG/WIG welding technique. Ensuring appropriate functional properties of WIG welding coatings (Ti) requires a good compatibility with the substrate material (S235). For this reason was used to deposit titanium WIG welding an intermediary layer of copper, obtained in the same experimental conditions. The optimal selection of the coating material takes into consideration the metallurgical, mechanical and process technology compatibility. The mechanical properties of coatings must match the substrate. From this point of view, maintaining a high corrosion resistance is mainly conditioned by achieving a good adhesion and a microstructure free of internal cracks or other defects.
Application of Fracture Mechanics to Determine the Remaining Lifetime of the Old Steel Bridges Decks
Authors: Hernea Silvia Mihaela , Boldus Dorel , Feier Anamaria
Published: July 2015

This paper presents a procedure based on fracture mechanics to predict the evolution of cracks detected in a part of steel bridge deck, still in operation, and establishing thus remaining lifetime below a certain range of application from future traffic. It is also described an experimental program conducted on samples from available material, to determine the material factors “C” and “m” involved in Paris formula and their use in a calculation procedure for simulating crack growth detected. Finally is presented a comparison with results obtained from a classical calculation method, the cumulative damage rule of Palmergren-Miner.
About the Influence of Butt Weld Joints Geometry on the Damage Detection Process
Authors: Stanciu Emilian , Frunzaverde Doina , Gillich Gilbert Rainer , Negru Ionica , Tufoi Marius
Published: July 2015

The number and diversity of global nondestructive testing methods applicable to welded structures have rapidly increased in last decades. Vibration-based damage detection methods make possible the evaluation of structures at once; the damage location can be found without having direct access to the structure’s damaged region. Butt welded components often bring complexity in the structures, since the weld introduces cross-section shape changes and alteration of the material’s physical and mechanical characteristics. Moreover, the structure continuity can be interrupted by cracks or cavities. All changes occurring due to the weld induce mutations in the structures dynamical behavior. This paper presents a method to identify structural changes by using information from the modal analysis, actually analyzing the natural frequency shifts. Mathematical relations describing the individual or coupled effect of mass change and geometrical discontinuities are derived and used in the identification process; in fact, finding the mass changes or cracks becomes an inverse problem. The mathematical models are successfully tested on virtual and real structures.
The Influence of Cooling Rate from High Temperature upon the Cavitation Erosion Resistance of the Duplex Stainless Steel X2CrNiMoN22-5-3
Authors: Micu Lavinia Madalina , Mitelea Ion , Bordeasu Ilare , Crăciunescu Corneliu Marius , Popescu Mihaela
Published: July 2015

Duplex stainless steels are processed by a process of hot or cold plastic deformation and welding operations. Their properties of the use depend on the type of product (deformed, welded) and to the final heat treatment. The proportion of the basic structural constituents (austenite and ferrite) essentially depends on the chemical composition and cooling rate from high temperatures. This paper shows the that slow cooling in the furnace at the high temperature (1060 ° C) lead to a predominantly austenitic microstructure (cca.75%) while that cooling in the water sudden limited the transformation austenite → ferrite, so that the microstructure will be composed of cca.52% F + 48% A.These modifications by structure justify the changes the occurring with respec ultrasonic erosion cavitation behavior.
Life Prediction in Two Types of Cracks at Eye-Bars of the Cantilever Bridges
Authors: Feier Anamaria , Petzek Edward , Hernea Silvia Mihaela
Published: July 2015

A failure of eyes bar or pin leads to the collapse of the whole structure. For this reason, inspection and maintenance are important, but also very difficult. In addition there is also the problem of corrosion. Generation of small cracks shows that during the remaining life for bar eyes is quite low, indicating in terms of the rules that the item has high possibility of failure, and a failure of this element may lead to a collapse of the structure.
Influence of Process Parameters and Geometry of the Spraying Nozzle on the Properties of Titanium Deposits Obtained in Wire Arc Spraying
Authors: Toma Bogdan Florin , Ionita Iulian , Gheorghiu Diana Antonia , Eva Lucian , Bejinariu Costică , Toma Stefan Lucian
Published: July 2015

Influence of the process parameters and geometry of the spraying nozzle on the properties of titanium deposits obtained in wire arc spraying. Wire arc spraying is a process in which through minor modifications of the spray parameters, they can have a major impact on the coatings properties. In this paper there is presented a study on the influence of process parameters and fluid dynamics of the atomization gas on the properties of titanium deposits (14T - 99.9% Ti). For this there were used three different frontal spraying nozzles, having different geometries, and were varied the spraying gas pressure and the electrical current on three levels. There were evaluated the particles velocity, coating density, chemical composition and characteristic interface between deposition and substrate. Obviously, the high speed of the atomization gas determinate the improving of all properties, but in the same time increased the oxide content in the layer. However, the oxidation can be drastically reduced if the melting and atomization of the wire droplets is produced at the point of formation of the electric arc, and the spraying jet is designed to constrain the electric arc. The assessment of deposits adherence allowed the observation of process parameters that contribute to its improvement.
Determining the Properties and Structure of Welded Copper Plates and Establishing their Connection with the Temperature Field Distribution in the Studied Zones
Authors: Yordanov Krastin , Stoyanova Aneliya , Argirov Jaroslav
Published: July 2015

The aim of our study is to determine the properties and structure of the material after welding thin copper plates in a shielding medium of inert gas (argon) with unsmeltable tungstic electrode by determining the temperature fields during welding. This welding method is well-known as tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding.
Structural and Functional Characterization of Ultrasonic Joining for Multiwire Conductors for Automotive Industry
Authors: Oancă Octavian Victor , Sîrbu Nicuşor Alin , Perianu Ion Aurel
Published: July 2015

This paper presents the general aspects concerning the development of innovative ultrasonic welding technologies at ISIM Timisoara and the advantages of using ultrasonic metal joining, compared with conventional joining methods, in the automotive industry for joining multiwire connectors from copper and aluminium. The experimental results through mechanical testing, electrical conductivity, digital imaging microscopy, ultrasonic compacting, realized on Cu-Cu, Al-Al and Al-Cu samples, underscore the potential for using aluminum as a substitute for copper multiwire connectors in automotive industry.
Adenosine Modulates NR4A Orphan Nuclear Receptors To Attenuate Hyperinflammatory Responses in Monocytic Cells
Authors: Crean Daniel , Cummins Eoin P. , Bahar Bojlul , Mohan Helen , McMorrow Jason P. , Murphy Evelyn P.
Published: July 2015

Adenosine receptor–mediated regulation of monocyte/macrophage inflammatory responses is critical in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. In this study, we reveal that adenosine potently modulates the expression of NR4A1, 2, and 3 orphan nuclear receptors in myeloid cells, and this modulation is primarily through the adenosine A2a receptor subtype. We demonstrate that A2a receptor activation of NR4A1-3 receptor synthesis is further enhanced in TLR4-stimulated monocytes. After TLR4 stimulation, NR4A receptor–depleted monocyte/macrophage cells display significantly altered expression of cell-surface markers and produce increased inflammatory cytokine and chemokine secretion rendering the cells an enhanced proinflammatory phenotype. Exposure of TLR4 or TNF-α–stimulated monocytes to adenosine analogs directs changes in the expression of MIP-3α and IL-23p19, with NR4A2 depletion leading to significantly enhanced expression of these factors. Furthermore, we establish that nuclear levels of NF-κB/p65 are increased in TLR/adenosine-stimulated NR4A2-depleted cells. We show that, after TLR/adenosine receptor stimulation, NR4A2 depletion promotes significant binding of NF-κB/p65 to a κB consensus binding motif within the MIP-3α proximal promoter leading to increased protein secretion, confirming a pivotal role for NF-κB activity in controlling cellular responses and gene expression outcomes in response to these mediators. Thus, these data demonstrate that during an inflammatory response, adenosine modulation of NR4A receptor activity acts to limit NF-κB–mediated effects and that loss of NR4A2 expression leads to enhanced NF-κB activity and hyperinflammatory responses in myeloid cells.
The B Cell–Stimulatory Cytokines BLyS and APRIL Are Elevated in Human Periodontitis and Are Required for B Cell–Dependent Bone Loss in Experimental Murine Periodontitis
Authors: Abe Toshiharu , AlSarhan Mohammed , Benakanakere Manjunatha R. , Maekawa Tomoki , Kinane Denis F. , Cancro Michael P. , Korostoff Jonathan M. , Hajishengallis George
Published: July 2015

B-lineage cells (B lymphocytes and plasma cells) predominate in the inflammatory infiltrate of human chronic periodontitis. However, their role in disease pathogenesis and the factors responsible for their persistence in chronic lesions are poorly understood. In this regard, two cytokines of the TNF ligand superfamily, a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), are important for the survival, proliferation, and maturation of B cells. Thus, we hypothesized that APRIL and/or BLyS are upregulated in periodontitis and contribute to induction of periodontal bone loss. This hypothesis was addressed in both human and mouse experimental systems. We show that, relative to healthy controls, the expression of APRIL and BLyS mRNA and protein was upregulated in natural and experimental periodontitis in humans and mice, respectively. The elevated expression of these cytokines correlated with increased numbers of B cells/plasma cells in both species. Moreover, APRIL and BLyS partially colocalized with κ L chain-expressing B-lineage cells at the epithelial–connective tissue interface. Ligature-induced periodontitis resulted in significantly less bone loss in B cell–deficient mice compared with wild-type controls. Ab-mediated neutralization of APRIL or BLyS diminished the number of B cells in the gingival tissue and inhibited bone loss in wild-type, but not in B cell-deficient, mice. In conclusion, B cells and specific cytokines involved in their growth and differentiation contribute to periodontal bone loss. Moreover, APRIL and BLyS have been identified as potential therapeutic targets in periodontitis.
VprBP Is Required for Efficient Editing and Selection of Igκ+ B Cells, but Is Dispensable for Igλ+ and Marginal Zone B Cell Maturation and Selection
Authors: Palmer Victoria L. , Aziz-Seible Razia , Kassmeier Michele D. , Rothermund Mary , Perry Greg A. , Swanson Patrick C.
Published: July 2015

B cell development past the pro-B cell stage in mice requires the Cul4-Roc1-DDB1 E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate recognition subunit VprBP. Enforced Bcl2 expression overcomes defects in distal VH-DJH and secondary Vκ-Jκ rearrangement associated with VprBP insufficiency in B cells and substantially rescues maturation of marginal zone and Igλ+ B cells, but not Igκ+ B cells. In this background, expression of a site-directed Igκ L chain transgene increases Igκ+ B cell frequency, suggesting VprBP does not regulate L chain expression from a productively rearranged Igk allele. In site-directed anti-dsDNA H chain transgenic mice, loss of VprBP function in B cells impairs selection of Igκ editor L chains typically arising through secondary Igk rearrangement, but not selection of Igλ editor L chains. Both H and L chain site-directed transgenic mice show increased B cell anergy when VprBP is inactivated in B cells. Taken together, these data argue that VprBP is required for the efficient receptor editing and selection of Igκ+ B cells, but is largely dispensable for Igλ+ B cell development and selection, and that VprBP is necessary to rescue autoreactive B cells from anergy induction.
A tool to guide the process of integrating health system responses to public health problems
Authors: Haregu Tilahun Nigatu , Setswe Geoffrey , Elliott Jullian , Oldenburg Brian
Published: July 2015

An integrated model of health system responses to public health problems is considered to be the most preferable approach. Accordingly, there are several models that stipulate what an integrated architecture should look like. However, tools that can guide the overall process of integration are lacking. This tool is designed to guide the entire process of integration of health system responses to major public health problems. It is developed by taking into account the contexts of health systems of developing countries and the emergence of double-burden of chronic diseases in these settings. Chronic diseases – HIV/AIDS and NCDs – represented the evidence base for the development of the model. System level horizontal integration of health system responses were considered in the development of this tool.