bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finding Common Ground
Authors: Fazio Matthew D.
Published: August 2014

As technology's presence in higher education rises, so does its impact on culture. Scholars with vastly different opinions have written on what they perceive as the place of technology in higher education. This chapter aims at reconciling those differences. Rather than agreeing with one side over the other, this chapter takes its stance using a constructive hermeneutic in a postmodern age: understanding the limited and biased ground of one's own perspective and learning, which is the pragmatic good in a time of difference. Finally, this chapter offers a decision model for educators to evaluate the uses of technology in higher education.
Adopting Digital Technologies in the Administration of Technical and Engineering Education
Authors: Bappah Abubakar Sadiq
Published: August 2014

Available literature on the use and integration of digital technologies in education place too much emphasis on variables at classroom level and neglect other areas of possible application. Traditionally, they are more concerned with the prospects and limitations of digital tools in transforming the present isolated, teacher-centered, and text-bound classrooms into rich and student-focused learning environments using mainly presentational software such as PowerPoint and interactive whiteboard software, revision software, and online content services. However, the level of studies in the area adoption of digital technologies in education administration is still in its infancy, especially that which focuses on administration and management of Technical and Engineering Education. In order to have a fairly distributed literature, this chapter presents an up-to-date technical review on the applicability of digital technologies in school administration. Specifically, it examines the vast opportunities for the adoption of digital technologies in the administration of general education and its implication on Technical and Engineering Education. These emerging technologies provide a diverse set of technological tools and resources for effective and efficient administration of Technical and Engineering Education appropriate to the changing world of work.
Globalization and its Challenges for Teacher Education in Nigeria
Authors: Noah A. O. K. , Oni Adesoji A. , Dosunmu Simeon A.
Published: August 2014

The phenomenon of globalization is defined variously, but in general, it is defined as the establishment of a global market for goods and capital, leading to what could be described as a multiplicity of linkages and interconnections between places, events, ideas, issues, and things, irrespective of whether they are directly related or not. Globalization on the other hand cannot be a reality in any nation if its educational system is not implicitly or explicitly geared towards achieving meaningful and desirable change for that society. However, since education and indeed the (educator) teacher constitute the most viable instruments by which an emerging nation can catch up with the developed countries, globalization will therefore be a mirage if teacher education is not geared towards producing teachers who are globalization friendly, teachers who are not allergic to globalization. In view of the above, this chapter examines the concept of globalization side by side with the current goals of teacher education in Nigeria.
The Annotation of Global Positioning System (GPS) Data with Activity Purposes Using Multiple Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Reumers Sofie , Liu Feng , Janssens Davy , Wets Geert
Published: August 2014

The aim of this chapter is to evaluate whether GPS data can be annotated or semantically enriched with different activity categories, allowing GPS data to be used in the future in simulation systems. The data in the study stems from a paper-and-pencil activity-travel diary survey and a corresponding survey in which GPS-enabled Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) were used. A set of new approaches, which are all independent of additional sensor data and map information, thus significantly reducing additional costs and making the set of techniques relatively easily transferable to other regions, are proposed. Furthermore, this chapter makes a detailed comparison of different machine learning algorithms to semantically enrich GPS data with activity type information.
Using Smartphones to Capture Personal Travel Behavior
Authors: Ferrer Sheila , Ruiz Tomás
Published: August 2014

Embedded with a wide variety of sensors, such as GPSs, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and microphones, smartphones have become a very useful tool in the context of travel surveys. In this chapter, the authors present an innovative tool to estimate individuals' mobility patterns using an application for smartphones that records GPS and accelerometer data from trips annotated by the user. The authors also present a neural network model for the classification of trips into four transportation modes, based on features extracted from the accelerometer signal. A small sample was collected in Valencia (Spain) to train and evaluate the model. The best classification results were achieved for detecting walking trips (98.2%) and bike rides (99.3%).
The Application of Venue-Side Location-Based Social Networking (VS-LBSN) Data in Dynamic Origin-Destination Estimation
Authors: Yang Fan , Jin Peter J. , Cebelak Meredith , Ran Bin , Walton C. Michael
Published: August 2014

Location-Based Social Networking (LBSN) allows users to confirm their current locations and trip purposes by “checking in” with places of interests (“venues”) registered at the LBSN Websites. Such individual activity data provides the potential to collect dynamic travel demand data in a temporal and spatial resolution that cannot be achieved using traditional survey-based methods. In this chapter, the authors investigate and propose LBSN data-based urban travel demand estimation methods—specifically, the dynamic Origin-Destination (OD) demand estimation. This chapter investigates the feasibility of using VS-LBSN data to estimate dynamic Origin-Destination (OD) travel demand for general trips. A combined non-parametric cluster and regression model is used to establish the relationship between VS-LBSN data and the trip production and attraction. A modified gravity model-based trip distribution method with three friction function variations is proposed to estimate the OD matrix. The proposed methods are calibrated and evaluated against the ground truth OD data from CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning). The results demonstrate the promising potential of using VS-LBSN data for dynamic OD estimation.
From Research to Practice
Authors: Mitra Atul , Karsten Rex , Schmidt Dennis
Published: August 2014

Computer Self-Efficacy (CSE) has been an important construct in information systems research for more than two decades. The authors review a recent study that meta-analyzed 102 empirical CSE studies and quantitatively affirmed significant correlations with 7 variables of frequent research interest, as well as several potential moderators of these CSE-correlate relationships. This chapter discusses the relationship between CSE and the technology acceptance model, and the authors suggest that the CSE construct merits continued research and practitioner attention for a variety of reasons. The findings also yield managerial and organizational implications and suggestions for future CSE research and practice.
Socio-Drama in the Web-Supported Negotiation Game “Surfing Global Change”
Authors: Ahamer Gilbert
Published: August 2014

The negotiation-oriented and partly Web-based game “Surfing Global Change” (SGC, © Gilbert Ahamer) was originally invented and implemented by the author and copyright holder for use in advanced interdisciplinary university courses in the spirit of “blended learning.” Didactics of SGC is grounded in “active, self-organized learning,” training of “competence to act,” and responsibility for both practicable and sustainable solutions for the future society, hence constructionist “creation of meaning.” In section 2, this chapter presents the rules of the game as a case study of a software-based online learning tool, used over three-dozen times at Austrian universities. Sections 3 through 6 contain implementation analyses, especially graphical representations of the socio-drama. The outlay of SGC aims at weighing competition vs. consensus, self-study vs. teamwork, sharpening one's own standpoint vs. readiness to compromise, differentiation into details vs. integration into a whole and seeks to mirror professional realities. In this spirit, the architecture of SGC provides a framework for “game-based learning” along five interactive game levels: (1) learn content and pass quizzes; (2) write and reflect about a personal standpoint; (3) win with a team in a competitive discussion; (4) negotiate a complex consensus between teams; and (5) integrate views when recognizing and analyzing global long-term trends. The set of game rules frames the expected processes of social self-organization. SGC's rules provide useful tension during game play by triggering two distinct processes: social dynamics among peer students in the class and their individual strife for good grades.
The Learning Curve in Emergency Preparedness
Authors: Russo Marianne Robin , Bryan Valerie , Penney Gerri
Published: August 2014

This chapter addresses post-9/11 emergency preparedness, which has been a point of scrutiny regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of response systems, the role of ICT, and how these methods affect first responders and the socially vulnerable, as well as infrastructure concerns stemming from natural and person-caused disasters. The main objective of this chapter is to describe the ongoing solutions that must be incorporated in terms of information and ICT preparation, social media communications, Community Response Grid (CRG), and social networking. The authors propose new programs that must continuously be explored with a variety of partners to assure that programs and policies for the socially marginalized are mitigated. Finally, the authors explore ways to augment the emergency learning curve through using the cooperation of government so funding and policies are in place to prevent infrastructure weakness, pre- and post-disaster, and to protect the lives and well-being of the citizenry.
Investigating Appropriation and Reinvention along a Design Process with Adaptive Structuration Theory
Authors: Federici Tommaso , Braccini Alessio Maria
Published: August 2014

The literature states that when an information system is introduced to support and manage group activities a complex pattern of actions (appropriation and reinvention) can be observed. Such actions might lead to an actual use of the system different from the desired one. The Adaptive Structuration Theory is commonly used to investigate the change in the users' perceptions about an information system and their relationship with it after such a system is implemented. Appropriation and reinvention of information systems might, however, occur during the design process, contributing in this circumstance, if properly managed, to reinforce the quality of the final artefact and the involvement of the users. With this regard, this chapter discusses the case of the design of an information system to manage archaeological finds, applying the adaptive structuration theory, with some adaptations, to the design phase of an information system. The chapter highlights the presence of appropriation and reinvention by users during the design process and suggests that some managerial actions consequent to such events might contribute to successfully design a system that balances conflicting requirements by heterogeneous groups of users, technology experts, and project leaders.
Integrating Technical Advance in Mobile Devices to Enhance the Information Retrieval in Mobile Learning
Authors: Meng Zhaozong , Lu Joan
Published: August 2014

It has been a long time since the wireless technology is used for the interaction between teacher and learners in learning activities. The recent advance of the mobile technologies has created new chances improving the flexibility, efficiency, and functionality of the learning interaction systems. This investigation identifies the weakness of the existing systems, and integrates the emerging mobile technologies to establish an open interaction framework to effectively enhance the interaction using students faced mobile devices and public wireless infrastructure. The main work of this investigation contains: (1) a teacher-learner response model for mobile based interaction is proposed and is described with state machine logic; (2) a presentation-content retrieval mechanism is designed to efficiently utilize the limited resource; (3) the device independent and context-aware techniques are integrated to created cross-platform application with mobile device features; (4) an open media framework is created for flexible learning material distribution and question organization. A lightweight mobile oriented web-based wireless response system (mobile-WRS) is implemented as a case study. In-house testing and classroom application of the mobile-WRS in universities demonstrate that the proposed system outperforms the peer works in usability, interface, operational efficiency, learning material distribution, results presentation and performance assessment, etc.
A Novel Approach to Build a Generic Model of Photovoltaic Solar System Using Sound Biometric Techniques
Authors: Al-Sarayreh Khalid T. , Meridji Kenza , Fayyoumi Ebaa , Idwan Sahar
Published: August 2014

This chapter presents the proposed model of combination between Photovoltaic solar system resources and sound biometric techniques, to generate power energy from the sunlight using the PVS controlled by a sound biometric technique. This work contributes to research knowledge by proposing and validating a sound biometric technique for allowing to reduce the consumption of the generated power energy by turn the lights on for the public roads only when there are vehicles on the way and only for some period of time to make the driving out of harm's way and trouble-free. The proposed and combination models between the PVS and biometric sound chip is used for generating electric power by using solar cells to convert energy from the sun light into a flow of direct current electricity, which can be used to power equipment or to recharge a battery. In addition the Sound biometric techniques can enable PVS to listen and understand their surrounding auditory environment since turning the lights on all the time will get through a lot of energy which it might be used in other significant concerns.
Demand-Driven Algorithm for Sharing and Distribution of Photovoltaic Power in a Small Local Area Grid
Authors: Abu-Arqoub Mohammad , Issa Ghassan F. , Shubita Ahmad F. , Banna Abed Alkarim
Published: August 2014

The objective of installing a residential photovoltaic system is to cut the cost of the monthly electric bill. However, many homeowners, especially those with low-income, finds it difficult to invest in such systems because require substantial upfront investment. This paper presents a project called PSD-LAG(“Sharing and Distribution of Power-Local Area Grid”) which attempts to solve the issue of installation cost relying on the concept of power sharing and distribution. Thus two or more neighboring households can share the cost of installation, and accordingly share the generated electric power. A Demand-Driven algorithm is implemented and is embedded in a micro-processor based control unit, called “Intelligent Power Distribution and Control Unit (IPDC Unit)”, over sees the operation of the PSD-LAG system. It reads the status of generated power, power requirements for each home, power quota for each home, and accordingly controls a set of hardware devices to distribute the power in a most efficient manner based on usage and quota. At the core of the PSD-LAG is an Intelligent Power Distribution and Control Unit (IPDC Unit) that provides instantaneous monitoring, protection and control. It is an embedded Operating System that reads the status of generated power, power requirements for each home, power quota for each home, and accordingly controls a set of hardware devices to distribute the power in a most efficient manner based on usage and quota.
Online Video Summarization Based on Local Features
Authors: Iparraguirre Javier , Delrieux Claudio A.
Published: August 2014

Digital video has become a very popular media in several contexts, with an ever expanding horizon of applications and uses. Thus, the amount of available video information is growing almost limitless. For this reason, video summarization continues to attract the attention of a wide spectrum of research efforts. In this work, the authors present a novel video summarization technique based on tracking local features among consecutive frames. The authors' approach operates on the uncompressed domain, and requires only a small set of consecutive frames to perform. Additionally, the authors' algorithm processes the video stream directly and produces results on the fly. The authors tested their implementation with standard available datasets, and compared the results with the most recently published work in the field. The achieved results are similar or better in quality than the best performing proposals, with the additional advantage of being able to process the stream directly in the uncompressed domain.
Online Evolution of Adaptive Robot Behaviour
Authors: Silva Fernando , Urbano Paulo , Christensen Anders Lyhne
Published: August 2014

The authors propose and evaluate a novel approach to the online synthesis of neural controllers for autonomous robots. The authors combine online evolution of weights and network topology with neuromodulated learning. The authors demonstrate our method through a series of simulation-based experiments in which an e-puck-like robot must perform a dynamic concurrent foraging task. In this task, scattered food items periodically change their nutritive value or become poisonous. The authors demonstrate that the online evolutionary process, both with and without neuromodulation, is capable of generating controllers well adapted to the periodic task changes. The authors show that when neuromodulated learning is combined with evolution, neural controllers are synthesised faster than by evolution alone. An analysis of the evolved solutions reveals that neuromodulation allows for a more effective expression of a given topology's potential due to the active modification of internal dynamics. Neuromodulated networks learn abstractions of the task and different modes of operation that are triggered by external stimulus.
A New Method for Measuring Text Similarity in Learning Management Systems Using WordNet
Authors: Alkhatib Bassel , Alnahhas Ammar , Albadawi Firas
Published: August 2014

As text sources are getting broader, measuring text similarity is becoming more compelling. Automatic text classification, search engines and auto answering systems are samples of applications that rely on text similarity. Learning management systems (LMS) are becoming more important since electronic media is getting more publicly available. As LMS continuously needs content enrichment and the web is getting richer, automatic collection of learning materials becomes an innovative idea. Intelligent agents can be used with a similarity measurement method to implement the automatic collection process. This paper presents a new method for measuring text similarity using the well-known WordNet Ontology. The proposed method assumes that a text is similar to another if it represents a more specific semantic. This is more suitable for LMS content enrichment as learning content can usually be expanded by a more specific one. This paper shows how the hierarchy of WordNet can be taken advantage of to determine the importance of a word. It is also shown how similarity method within an e-learning system is exploited to achieve two goals. The first one is the enrichment of the e-learning content, and the second is the detection of semantically similar questions in e-learning questions banks.
The effects of rehabilitation on intellectually-disabled people – a systematic review
Authors: Sechoaro Ernest J. , Scrooby Belinda , Koen Daleen P.
Published: August 2014

Background: Rehabilitation has emerged as a comprehensive approach to addressing intellectually-disabled peoples’ skill deficits, improving competencies and facilitating optimal functioning in order to provide the greatest possible measure of social and economic participation, self-reliance and independence.Objective: To synthesise critically and summarise the best available evidence of the effects of rehabilitation on intellectually-disabled people.Method: Literature searches of different electronic databases and manual searches were conducted using selected keywords. Studies on the effects of rehabilitation on intellectually-disabled people were selected systematically, appraised critically for methodological quality and summarised.Results: Rehabilitation interventions indicated good outcomes with regard to intellectually-disabled people. Findings showed that people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities improved in terms of activities of daily living (ADL) after rehabilitation. Improvement was noted in ADL, self-care skills, communication skills and cognitive achievements.Conclusion: Findings demonstrated positive rehabilitation effects on intellectually-disabled people. This study contributes to the comprehensive nursing care of intellectually-disabled people by endorsement of the effectiveness of rehabilitation in terms of ADL, self-care skills, communication skills and cognitive achievements. The collected evidence of this study may contribute to the education of more effective nurse practitioners involved in the daily care and rehabilitation of intellectually-disabled people.
Understanding of failure and failure of understanding: Aspects of failure in the Old Testament
Authors: Loader James Alfred
Published: August 2014

Taking its cue from Rudolf Bultmann’s famous verdict that the Old Testament is a ‘failure’ (‘Scheitern’), the article reviews three influential negative readings of Israel’s history as told in the Former Prophets. It is then argued that awareness of the theological problem posed by Israel’s history enabled the redactors of both the former and the latter prophetic collections to deal with the element of human failure in a way that facilitated Israel’s retaining of her faith. Next, the sapiential insight in failing human discernment is drawn into the equation. Failure of human action is here interrelated with failure to comprehend God’s order. By virtue of its incorporation into the totality of the Tanak, this insight became a constructive part of Israel’s faith. Therefore the concept of failure comprises more than coming to terms with Israel’s catastrophic history. Since it is encoded in Israel’s Holy Scripture, ‘failure’ is a major concept within the Old Testament internally and is therefore not suitable as a verdict over the Old Testament by an external value judgement. ‘Failure’ thus becomes a key hermeneutical category, not merely so that the Old Testament could become a ‘promise’ for the New Testament to fulfil, but as a manifestation of limits in human religion and thought. Far from undermining self-esteem, constructive use of the concept of her own failure sustained Israel in her catastrophe and should be adopted by Christianity – not least in South Africa, where the biblical message was often misappropriated to bolster apartheid.
Epineurial repair of an iatrogenic facial nerve neurotmesis after total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in a dog with concurrent cranio-mandibular osteopathy
Authors: Calvo Ignacio , Espadas Irene , Hammond Gawain , Pratschke Kathryn
Published: August 2014

A 7-year-old male entire West Highland white terrier was referred to the Small Animal Hospital at the University of Glasgow for bilateral, chronic, medically unresponsive otitis media and externa. A history of cranio-mandibular osteopathy was also reported. Bilateral total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy was performed with the aid of a pneumatic burr. Extensive bone proliferation was present bilaterally originating from the caudal mandibular ramus and tympanic bulla which incorporated the horizontal canal on each side. The right facial nerve was identified leaving the stylomastoid foramen and running in a cranial direction through a 1.5 cm diameter cuff of bone surrounding the horizontal canal and external acoustic meatus. Despite careful dissection, a facial nerve neurotmesis ensued which required microsurgical epineurial repair. Neurologic examination performed 12 h post-operatively revealed abnormalities consistent with right facial nerve paralysis. At 3 months, the facial nerve function was found to have improved significantly and was assessed to be normal four months after surgery. To the authors’ knowledge, this clinical communication described the first reported clinical case where unilateral facial nerve paralysis resulting from iatrogenic facial nerve neurotmesis was successfully treated by microsurgical epineurial repair.
Deformation theory and finite simple quotients of triangle groups I
Authors: Larsen Michael , Lubotzky Alexander , Marion Claude
Published: August 2014

Let

2 \leq a \leq b \leq c \in \mathbb{N}

with

\mu=1/a+1/b+1/c<1

and let

T=T_{a,b,c}=\langle x,y,z: x^a=y^b=z^c=xyz=1\rangle

be the corresponding hyperbolic triangle group. Many papers have been dedicated to the following question: what are the finite (simple) groups which appear as quotients of

T

? (Classically, for

(a,b,c)=(2,3,7)

and more recently also for general

(a,b,c)

.) These papers have used either explicit constructive methods or probabilistic ones. The goal of this paper is to present a new approach based on the theory of representation varieties (via deformation theory). As a corollary we essentially prove a conjecture of Marion [21] showing that various finite simple groups are not quotients of

T

, as well as positive results showing that many finite simple groups are quotients of

T

.
A reduced model for domain walls in soft ferromagnetic films at the cross-over from symmetric to asymmetric wall types
Authors: Döring Lukas , Ignat Radu , Otto Felix
Published: August 2014

We study the Landau-Lifshitz model for the energy of multi-scale transition layers – called "domain walls'' – in soft ferromagnetic films. Domain walls separate domains of constant magnetization vectors

m^\pm_\alpha\in\mathbb{S}^2

that differ by an angle

2\alpha

. Assuming translation invariance tangential to the wall, our main result is the rigorous derivation of a reduced model for the energy of the optimal transition layer, which in a certain parameter regime confirms the experimental, numerical and physical predictions: The minimal energy splits into a contribution from an asymmetric, divergence-free core which performs a partial rotation in

\mathbb{S}^2

by an angle

2\theta

, and a contribution from two symmetric, logarithmically decaying tails, each of which completes the rotation from angle

\theta

to

\alpha

in

\mathbb{S}^1

. The angle

\theta

is chosen such that the total energy is minimal. The contribution from the symmetric tails is known explicitly, while the contribution from the asymmetric core is analyzed in [7].

Our reduced model is the starting point for the analysis of a bifurcation phenomenon from symmetric to asymmetric domain walls. Moreover, it allows for capturing asymmetric domain walls including their extended tails (which were previously inaccessible to brute-force numerical simulation).
Dissipative Euler flows and Onsager's conjecture
Authors: De Lellis Camillo , Székelyhidi Jr. László
Published: August 2014

Building upon the techniques introduced in [15], for any

\theta<\frac{1}{10}

we construct periodic weak solutions of the incompressible Euler equations which dissipate the total kinetic energy and are Hölder-continuous with exponent

\theta

. A famous conjecture of Onsager states the existence of such dissipative solutions with any Hölder exponent

\theta<\frac{1}{3}

. Our theorem is the first result in this direction.
Identifying Operational Requirements to Select Suitable Decision Models for a Public Sector E-Procurement Decision Support System
Authors: Adil Mohamed , Nunes Miguel Baptista , Peng Guo Chao
Published: August 2014

Public sector procurement should be a transparent and fair process. Strict legal requirements are enforced on public sector procurement to make it a standardised process. To make fair decisions on selecting suppliers, a practical method which adheres to legal requirements is important. The research that is the base for this paper aimed at identifying a suitable Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) method for the specific legal and functional needs of the Maldivian Public Sector. To identify such operational requirements, a set of focus group interviews were conducted in the Maldives with public officials responsible for procurement decision making. Based on the operational requirements identified through focus groups, criteria-based evaluation is done on published MCDA methods to identify the suitable methods for e-procurement decision making. This paper describes the identification of the operational requirements and the results of the evaluation to select suitable decision models for the Maldivian context.
The Usefulness of User Testing Methods in Identifying Problems on University Websites
Authors: Hasan Layla
Published: August 2014

This paper aims to investigate the usefulness of three user testing methods (observation, and using both quantitative and qualitative data from a post-test questionnaire) in terms of their ability or inability to find specific usability problems on university websites. The results showed that observation was the best method, compared to the other two, in identifying large numbers of major and minor usability problems on university websites. The results also showed that employing qualitative data from a post-test questionnaire was a useful complementary method since this identified additional usability problems that were not identified by the observation method. However, the results showed that the quantitative data from the post-test questionnaire were inaccurate and ineffective in terms of identifying usability problems on such websites.
Using Analytic Network for Selection of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP) Aligned To Business Strategy
Authors: De Medeiros Jr. Alberto , Perez Gilberto , Lex Sérgio
Published: August 2014

The choice of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) must be made judiciously by the high costs involved in the acquisition of such systems. Managers in areas such as accounting, financial and information technology need support and tools that help in selecting an appropriate ERP for their business. With this article, we present a study aimed at investigating the possibility of a Decision Support System (DSS) to be used for this selection interrelating evaluation criteria, which could allow to contemplate the strategic alignment between Business and Information Technology. From the literature review 28 factors related to the selection of software packages, with special emphasis on ERP were identified. For the research procedures, the qualitative ones were adopted, in that the 18 factors considered relevant to a good selection of ERP were classified with the Delphi technique and used as input in a DSS: Analytical Network Process (ANP), applied as a Case Study in a small business that hired the ERP. The results showed that the ANP was efficient in interrelated criteria and evaluated the strategic alignment between Business and Information Technology.
The Effect of the Internet on the Patient-Doctor Relationship in a Hospital in the City of São Paulo
Authors: Oliveira Jayr Figueiredo de
Published: August 2014

Internet use by patients as a source of information on health and disease is expanding rapidly with obvious effects on the doctor-patient relationship. A self-administered questionnaire was used, about physicians´ perception on the use of the Internet by patients and about whether that use interferes with the doctor–patient relationship. 85.3% of the physicians reported that their patients accessed the Internet and that 92% used that information in a following visit. Overall, 56.9% of the physicians thought that the Internet helped the doctor–patient relationship, 27.6% thought it interfered with the relationship, and 15.5% believed that the Internet had a negative impact on it.
Automated Text Clustering of Newspaper and Scientific Texts in Brazilian Portuguese: Analysis and Comparison of Methods
Authors: Afonso Alexandre Ribeiro , Duque Cláudio Gottschalg
Published: August 2014

This article reports the findings of an empirical study about Automated Text Clustering applied to scientific articles and newspaper texts in Brazilian Portuguese, the objective was to find the most effective computational method able to cluster the input of texts in their original groups. The study covered four experiments, each experiment had four procedures: 1. Corpus Selections (a set of texts is selected for clustering), 2. Word Class Selections (Nouns, Verbs and Adjectives are chosen from each text by using specific algorithms), 3. Filtering Algorithms (a set of terms is selected from the results of the preview stage, a semantic weight is also inserted for each term and an index is generated for each text), 4. Clustering Algorithms (the clustering algorithms Simple K-Means, sIB and EM are applied to the indexes). After those procedures, clustering correctness and clustering time statistical results were collected. The sIB clustering algorithm is the best choice for both scientific and newspaper corpus, under the condition that the sIB clustering algorithm asks for the number of clusters as input before running (for the newspaper corpus, 68.9% correctness in 1 minute and for the scientific corpus, 77.8% correctness in 1 minute). The EM clustering algorithm additionally guesses the number of clusters without user intervention, but its best case is less than 53% correctness. Considering the experiments carried out, the results of human text classification and automated clustering are distant; it was also observed that the clustering correctness results vary according to the number of input texts and their topics.
Continuous Data Auditing as an Automation Tool for Business Control
Authors: Silva Washington Lopes da , Almeida Jr. Jorge Rady de
Published: August 2014

Business activities and business processes in the corporate world are technology-dependent. Such activities and processes drive the development of new audit techniques to investigate possible systemic failures that could affect the internal controls of companies. In this way, the need for automation of auditing tests led to the development of the concept and implementation of projects for continuous data auditing in the enterprise environment. This article evaluates the major critical issues for the construction of continuous data auditing, considering the use of information technology and computer assisted audit techniques. Four basic premises were formulated based on the theoretical foundation. From them eight propositions and eleven critical aspects were derived, which were placed in a proof of concept, through a multiple case study in the Brazilian business scenario. The main findings of this research were the critical aspects for the construction of continuous data auditing, originated in theoretical foundation and corroborated by the results of a multiple case study, which will serve as drivers for the initialization of continuous auditing projects as well as for their restructuring.
Invasive Tall Cell Variant of Papillary Cancer originating from the Pyramidal Lobe of the Thyroid Gland with Extension to the Base of the Tongue
Authors: Wagner Elena M , Ganesan Santhi , McHenry Christopher R
Published: August 2014

A pyramidal lobe of the thyroid gland is a common anatomic variant. However, primary malignancy of the pyramidal lobe is rare with the exception of cancer in a thyroglossal duct cyst. A 61-year-old morbidly obese woman presented with a 30 lb. weight loss and a large asymptomatic submental neck mass that extended to the base of her tongue. The mass was invading the hyoid bone and the sternohyoid muscles. The patient had a short thick neck and “double chin,” which lead to delay in recognition of the neck mass. Further workup and final pathology revealed a locally invasive, tall cell variant of papillary cancer arising from the pyramidal lobe of the thyroid gland with regional and systemic metastases. To our knowledge, this is only the second case of a thyroid cancer arising from a pyramidal lobe reported in the literature. Primary thyroid cancer arising from the pyramidal lobe should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a midline neck mass.

How to cite this article

Wagner EM, Ganesan S, McHenry CR. Invasive Tall Cell Variant of Papillary Cancer originating from the Pyramidal Lobe of the Thyroid Gland with Extension to the Base of the Tongue. World J Endoc Surg 2014;6(1):7-10.
Integration of onshore and offshore seismic arrays to study the seismicity of the Calabrian Region: a two steps automatic procedure for the identification of the best stations geometry
Authors: D'Alessandro A. , Guerra I. , D'Anna G. , Gervasi A. , Harabaglia P. , Luzio D. , Stellato G.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. We plan to deploy in the Taranto Gulf some Ocean Bottom broadband Seismometer with Hydrophones. Our aim is to investigate the offshore seismicity of the Sibari Gulf. The seismographic network optimization consists in the identification of the optimal sites for the installation of the offshore stations, which is a crucial factor for the success of the monitoring campaign. In this paper, we propose a two steps automatic procedure for the identification of the best stations geometry. In the first step, based on the application of a set of a priori criteria, the suitable sites to host the ocean bottom seismic stations are identified. In the second step, the network improvement is evaluated for all the possible stations geometries by means of numerical simulation. The application of this procedure allows us to identify the best stations geometry to be achieved in the monitoring campaign.
Methyl iodide production in the open ocean
Authors: Stemmler I. , Hense I. , Quack B. , Maier-Reimer E.
Published: August 2014

Abstract. Production pathways of the prominent volatile organic halogen compound methyl iodide (CH3I) are not fully understood. Based on observations, production of CH3I via photochemical degradation of organic material or via phytoplankton production has been proposed. Additional insights could not be gained from correlations between observed biological and environmental variables or from biogeochemical modeling to identify unambiguously the source of methyl iodide. In this study, we aim to address this question of source mechanisms with a three-dimensional global ocean general circulation model including biogeochemistry (MPIOM–HAMOCC (MPIOM – Max Planck Institute Ocean Model HAMOCC – HAMburg Ocean Carbon Cycle model)) by carrying out a series of sensitivity experiments. The simulated fields are compared with a newly available global data set. Simulated distribution patterns and emissions of CH3I differ largely for the two different production pathways. The evaluation of our model results with observations shows that, on the global scale, observed surface concentrations of CH3I can be best explained by the photochemical production pathway. Our results further emphasize that correlations between CH3I and abiotic or biotic factors do not necessarily provide meaningful insights concerning the source of origin. Overall, we find a net global annual CH3I air–sea flux that ranges between 70 and 260 Gg yr−1. On the global scale, the ocean acts as a net source of methyl iodide for the atmosphere, though in some regions in boreal winter, fluxes are of the opposite direction (from the atmosphere to the ocean).
SEPARAÇÃO DE FRUTOSE E GLICOSE POR ADSORÇÃO SELETIVA EM LEITO DE RESINA CATIÔNICA TROCADORA DE ÍONS
Authors: DE SOUZA LISANDRO CARMONA
Published: August 2014

Objetiva a revisão bibliográfica dos estudos experimentais sobre a separação de frutose e glicose por adsorção seletiva em leito de resina catiônica trocadora de íons. Descreve o mecanismo básico desta operação e analisa as características e vantagens dos processos industriais de leitos fixo e móvel. Estuda a situação ó­tima de separação para os parâmetros: temperatura, concentração de alimentação, vazões de eluente e de alimentação entre outros.
EFEITO DO TRATAMENTO EM FORNO DE MICROONDAS NA TEXTURA DE HAMBURGUER
Authors: OLIVEIRA STABILE MARICÊ NOGUEIRA DE , BARUFFALDI RENATO , NACCO REYNALDO , BECKERS WALTÊNIO
Published: August 2014

Foram preparadas cinco formulações de hamburguer nas quais as variáveis se deram em função dos componentes: nitrato de sódio, nitrito de sódio e isolado protéico de soja. Foram analisadas também duas formulações adquiridas no mercado. Após tratamento em forno de microondas as amostras foram submetidas a análise do perfil da textura. Qualquer adição à formulação influencia os parâmetros dureza e gomicidade. A elasticidade não é influenciada pela formulação e pelo tratamento em forno de microondas. Adição de soja diminue a gomicidade e a mastigabilidade. Pode-se melhorá-Ia com a adição de nitrito/nitrato.
AVALIAÇÃO DAS CARACTERÍSTICAS MICROBIOLÓGICAS DE AMOSTRAS DE AÇÚCAR REFINADO DE DIFERENTES MASRCAS COMERCIAIS OBTIDAS NA REGIÃO DE SÃO JOSÉ DO RIO PRETO - SP
Authors: HOFFMANN FERNANDO LEITE , GARCIA-CRUZ CRISPIN HUMBERTO , VINTURIM TÂNIA MARIA
Published: August 2014

Realizou-se análises microbiológicas em dez marcas diferentes de açúcar refinado obtidas em bares, supermercados e usinas da região de São José do Rio Preto - SP. Foi pesquisada a presença de bactérias aeróbias mesófiIas, bolores e leveduras, bactérias tipo "flat-sour" e bactérias de deterioração sulfídrica. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que as amostras situavam-se dentro dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira. Com relação à bactérias produtoras de deterioração acidez plana, somente uma amostra (10%) apresentou-se em desacordo com o padrão internacional proposto. Quanto às bactérias de deterioração sulfídrica, todas as amostras analisadas (100%) apresentaram-se fora do padrão internacional estabelecido de 5 esporos/10 g de produto.
INFLUÊNCIA DA ADIÇÃO DE POLIFOSFATO E DE GORDURA EM SISTEMAS CARNE-ÁGUA-GOMA XANTANA
Authors: GARCIA-CRUZ CRISPIN HUMBERTO , SCAMPARINI ADILAM R. P.
Published: August 2014

Foi estudado o efeito da adição de polifosfatos no sistema formado por carne-água-goma xantana e foi observado que esse sistema é tão estável ao cozimento quanto o sistema formado por carne-água-polifosfato. Entretanto o sistema formado pela mistura xantana-PQ lifosfato (0,5% de cada) foi superior ao sistema formado só com a goma xantana ou só com polifosfato (0,5%), pois as quantidades de caldo liberado foram 0,30 ml quando se usou polifosfa·to na concentração de 0,5% e 0,34 mL quando se utilizou goma xantana na concentração de 0,5%, enquanto que o sistema carne- gua-polifosfato (0,5%)-goma xantana (0,5) liberou 0,20 ml de caldo. Foi estudado também o efeito da a­dição de gordura. A gordura foi adicionada nas concentreções de 6,0; 12,5; 25,0 e 30,0% nos sistemas formados por carne-água, carne-água-goma xantana (1,0%), carne-água-goma xantana (0, 5%), carne-água polifosfato (0,5%) e carne-água-goma xantana (0,5%) polifosfato (0,5%). Foi observado que a adição de gordura diminuiu a sinerese em todos os sistemas estudados. Dos sistemas testados, o formado por carne água-goma xantana (0,5%)-polifosfato (0,5%) foi o que mostrou a menor sinerese.
ANÁLISE DE RISCO E PONTOS CRÍTICOS DE CONTROLE (ARPCC) DE UMA PLANTA DE PROCESSAMENTO DE ALIMENTOS (RESTAURANTE UNIVERSITÁRIO) EM OURO PRETO - MG*
Authors: NASCIMENTO DIRCEU DO
Published: August 2014

Empregou-se o sistema The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) em Uma planta de processamento de alimentos (restaurante universitário) em Ouro Preto, MG. Foram feitas 30 coletas no período de 01 de novembro de 1988 a 11 de maio de 1990. 0s pontos objeto desse estudo foram: Piso - das áreas de distribuição, higienização, cocção, pré-preparo de carnes, frutas/hortaliças e cereais/leguminosas; Bancadadas áreas de higienização, Coccão, pré-preparo de carnes, frutas/hortaliças e cereais/leguminosas; Utensílios- copos, bandejas e garfos; Equipamento amaciador de bife, moedor de carne, batedeira elétrica, cortador elétrico, picador manual e descascador de legumes;Água. Propôs-se como pontos críticos de controle: Piso- área de distribuição e área de prépreparo de frutas/hortaliças; Bancada - área de pré­preparo de frutas/hortaliças; Utensílios- copos Equipamento- picador manual e descascador de legumes.
ESTUDO COMPARATIVO DE OBTENÇÃO DA KAPPA-CASEÍNA POR FRACIONAMENTO COM URÉIA E FILTRAÇÃO EM GEL SEPHADEX
Authors: BENEDET HONÓRIO DOMINGOS
Published: August 2014

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo comparar a obtenção de k-caseína em termos de pureza, rendimento e rapidez de obtenção. Concluiu-se que o fracionamento da caseína por uréia separa em alto grau de pureza a K-caseína. Os dois métodos apresentaram resultados eletroforéticos praticamente iguais, sendo que o método da filtração em gel Sephadex oferece algumas vantagens.
TEORES DE MINERAIS DE ALGUNS FRUTOS DO ESTADO DE MATO GROSSO DO SUL
Authors: HIANE PRISCILA AIKO , RAMOS MARIA ISABEL LIMA , RAMOS FILHO MANOEL MENDES , GERHARD GUSTAVO EUGENIO
Published: August 2014

Em prosseguimento ao estudo dos frutos nativos do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, realizado no Departamento de Tecnologia de Alimentos e SaÚde PÚblica-UFMS, foram analisados os teores de minerais, como macro e micronutrientes, da polpa e da amêndoa do piqui (Caryocar brasilienseCambess) e da bocaiúva (Acrocomie mokayáybaBarb. Rodr.) e da polpa do caraguatá (Bromelia sp) , mangaba (Hancornia speciosaGomes), pitanga (Eugenia sp), pitanba'(Eugenia lutescensCambess) e araticum (Anona coriaceae Martius) , A amêndoa do piqui contém um alto potencial de fósforo, podendo-se indicar a mesma para o enriquecimento da dieta regional do Estado. As amêndoas do piqui e da bocaiúva mostraram-se boas fontes de manganês.
ELABORAÇÃO DE PÓS PARA BEBIDA UTILIZANDO MILHO PIPOCA
Authors: FACHIN DIANA THOMÉ , SCHEER AGNES DE PAULA , SAMPAIO EVÍDIA , LULLEZ JOSÉ CARLOS , CARREÑO ROSANA ERNESTINA , RAMIREZ CRISTINA , ROCCO CLÁUDIA SEELY , JOHANN HILMAR ADELBERT
Published: August 2014

Visa a elaboração de pós para bebida a partir de milho pipoca, observando-se aspectos de preparo da rnatéria ­prima e condições operacionais de processamento. Con­clui que as bebidas servidas com açúcar e leite obtive­ram melhor aceitação na análise sensorial.
INFLUÊNCIA DA BENTONITE NA COMPOSIÇÃO QUÍMICA DE VINHOS QUANDO UTILIZADA PARA ESTABILIZAÇÃO
Authors: MANFROI VITOR , SPLENDOR FIRMINO , RIZZON LUIZ A. , MENEGUZZO JÚLIO
Published: August 2014

Avalia o efeito de marcas comerciais de bentonite sobre a composição química de vinhos viníferas. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos, o primeiro testando diferentes doses de uma bentonite, e o segundo testando duas doses de quatro bentonites. As concentrações de bentonite variaram de O a 1,0 g/L e avaliou-se as seguintes variáveis, específicas para cada experimento: densidade, acidez total, pH, extrato seco, cinzas, alcalinidade das cinzas, I 420, I 520, turbidez e N total; K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn, Li e P04. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o aumento da dose das bentonites diminuiu, em geral a turbidez, os indices de cor e o N tota l, sendo que as demais análises clássicas foram pouco afetadas. As variações mais importantes observadas nos minerais foram o aumento dos teores de Na, Fe e Li e a diminuição de Cu e Zn à medida que a dosagem de bentonite foi aumentada.