bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical properties of the ice cover on Vendyurskoe lake, Russian Karelia (1995–2012)
Authors: Zdorovennova G. , Zdorovennov R. , Palshin N. , Terzhevik A.
Published: February 2013

Solar radiation penetrating the ice is one of the most important factors that determine the functioning of lake ecosystem in late winter. Parameterization of the attenuation of solar radiation in the snow-ice sheet is an essential tool in the study of the light regime of ice-covered lakes. The optical properties of the snow-ice sheet in Vendyurskoe lake, northwestern Russia, are investigated on the basis of long-term field observations (1995–2012). The four-layer approach (snow, white ice, slush and congelation ice) is used to study the attenuation of the downwelling planar irradiance in the snow-ice sheet. The bulk attenuation coefficients for four layers (18.8 m–1 for snow, 6 m−1 for white ice, 3.5 m−1 for slush and 2.1 m−1 for congelation ice) are calculated by the quasi-Newton method. A comparison of observed and calculated values of the irradiance beneath the ice shows that the determined coefficients adequately describe the attenuation of the downwelling irradiance by snow-ice cover.
Modelling snow and ice thickness in the coastal Kara Sea, Russian Arctic
Authors: Cheng Bin , Mäkynen Marko , Similä Markku , Rontu Laura , Vihma Timo
Published: February 2013

Snow and ice thickness in the coastal Kara Sea, Russian Arctic, were investigated by applying the thermodynamic sea-ice model HIGHTSI. The external forcing was based on two numerical weather prediction (NWP) models: the High Resolution Limited Area Model (HIRLAM) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model. A number of model experiments were carried out applying different snow parameterization schemes. The modelled ice thickness was compared with in situ measurements and the modelled snow thickness was compared with the NASA Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) snow thickness. The HIRLAM and ECMWF model results agreed with each other on air temperature and wind. The NWP model precipitation forecasts caught up the synoptic-scale snowfall events, but the magnitude was liable to errors. The ice growth was modelled reasonably well applying HIGHTSI either with a simple parameterization for snow thickness or with the HIRLAM or ECMWF model precipitation as input. For the latter, however, an adjustment of snow accumulation in early winter was necessary to avoid excessive accumulation and consequent underestimation of ice thickness. Applying effective snow heat conductivity improved the modelled ice thickness. The HIGHTSI-modelled snow thickness had a seasonal evolution similar to that of the AMSR-E snow thickness. New field data are urgently needed to validate NWP and ice models and remote-sensing products for snow and sea ice in the Kara Sea.
Political participation of older adults in Scandinavia - the civic voluntarism model revisited? A multi-level analysis of three types of political participation
Authors: Nygård Mikael , Jakobsson Gunborg
Published: February 2013

This article examines political participation among older adults in österbotten, Finland, and Västerbotten, Sweden. Two specific hypotheses are tested. First, we anticipate that older adults are loyal voters but less avid in engaging in politics between elections. Second, we expect individuallevel resources to explain why older people participate in politics.
The article offers two contributions to the literature on political participation of older adults. First, it corroborates earlier findings by showing that older adults indeed have a higher inclination to vote than to engage in political activities between elections, but it also shows that the latter engagement is more diversified than one could expect. Second, although the findings largely support the resource model, they suggest that we need to consider also other factors such as the overall attitude towards older people.
Dire l'identité des « communautéz de ville »
Authors: Dutour Thierry
Published: February 2013

L’identité des communautés urbaines se manifeste dans les rapports qu’elles entretiennent avec les pouvoirs territoriaux. A partir du moment où se diffuse depuis les années 1230 la langue vulgaire dans les écrits de la pratique, des écrits de plus en plus nombreux témoignent de ces rapports. Leur examen révèle l’expression d’une identité politique dont l’élément principal est l’affirmation du caractère représentatif du pouvoir exercé au nom de la communauté, qui est une association volontaire. Ses membres sont toujours les destinataires ultimes du discours du Prince. Dans l’espace francophone l’identité urbaine est conçue et exprimée, selon les documents de la pratique, avant tout comme celle d’une personne morale représentant, dans certaines limites, les intérêts des personnes physiques. Cette expression de l’identité et cette conception du groupe sont un phénomène général, et une nouveauté.
Arguments politiques et culture urbaine
Authors: Asenjo González María
Published: February 2013

Ce travail analyse deux lettres écrites en réaction au déclassement de la ville de Tolède au profit de Grenade après la conquête de celle-ci en 1492. Elles sont expédiées par la chancellerie des Rois Catholiques. Rédigées par Alphonse Ortiz, chanoine de Tolède, ces deux missives défendent la préséance de la ville de Tolède sur deux plans complémentaires : un plan strictement urbain et un plan religieux (la primatie du siège épiscopal). La perspective envisagée, celle de la rhétorique urbaine, s’avère novatrice pour l’analyse du discours politique urbain en Castille à la fin du Moyen Âge. Cet épisode de la réclamation de la préséance servit à mettre au point tous les ressorts argumentatifs en faveur de la cause de Tolède et en ce sens on peut le considérer comme un paradigme de la rhétorique argumentative de la ville, fondée sur la mémoire et l’histoire pour défendre son identité face à une ville récemment conquise.
Temperature-related Mortality in Belgrade in the Period 1888–2008
Authors: S. Djurdjev Branislav , Arsenović Daniela , Savić Stevan
Published: February 2013

The paper uses air temperature and crude death rate data from Belgrade in the period from 1888 to 2008, in order to show expected correlation. Basic statistical analysis demonstrates statistically significant correlation values between these parameters. The starting assumption was that people in earlier times were more sensitive to extreme cold temperatures, particularly in the winter season. Statistical results confirm previous mentioned assumptionparticularly in the period before the First World War.Further analysis showed that in the last twenty years, air temperatures and death rates have opposite correlation outcomes. Statistical analysis points out that, in the last twenty years, death rates are increasing more rapidly in the summer season, due to increasing frequencies of extreme air temperature events.
Attractiveness of roads for illegal dumping with regard to regional differences in Slovenia
Authors: Matos Janez , Oštir Krištof , Kranjc Jaka
Published: February 2013

The first countrywide register of illegal dump sites in Slovenia was created in 2010 and 2011. Due to its extensiveness it allows in-depth analyses of factors that affect illegal waste disposal. Prior research has already proven the impact of roads on the incidence of illegal dumps, but in this paper we investigate if regional differences significantly influence its expression. We consider the existing landscape typing, which divides Slovenia into 14 landscape-ecological types. We find significant differences between landscape types in the attractiveness of roads for disposal. They are especially pronounced when comparing the attractiveness of individual road categories.
Age, growth and mortality of Pontinus kuhlii (Bowdich, 1825) (Scorpaeniformes: Scorpaenidae) in the Gorringe, Ampère, Unicorn and Lion seamounts
Authors: Barros Paiva Rafaela , Neves Ana , Sequeira Vera , Vieira Ana Rita , Costa Maria José , Domingos Isabel , Serrano Gordo Leonel
Published: February 2013

Age and growth of Pontinus kuhlii were studied using otoliths of 153 males and 148 females, with males having a greater length (and age) than females. A high level of agreement was achieved among readers. Due to gear selectivity, only ages above 7 years (males) and 8 years (females) were estimated in whole otoliths. To estimate length-at-age in younger specimens, backcalculation was also considered but its use in otoliths with ages greater than 22 years was not possible because the growth rings were too close to each other. Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were estimated by sex using each of these methods and also using an approach that combines mean length-at-age obtained from backcalculation and direct reading on the otoliths. The likelihood ratio test showed significant differences between sexes in the three approaches and Akaike’s information criterion suggests that the backcalculation approach was the best one for describing P. kuhlii growth: TL=38.89[1-e(-0.07(t+1.96))] and TL=56.50[1-e(–0.04(t+1.87))] for females and males, respectively. Natural mortality estimates varied around 0.15 year–1 and 0.07 year–1 for females and males, while the total mortality estimated for 2011 was 0.33 year–1 for females and 0.21 year–1 for males.
An analysis of fishing gear competition. Catalan fisheries as case studies
Authors: Lleonart Jordi , Maynou Francesc , Salat Jordi
Published: February 2013

An asymmetric index was developed to measure the competition relationships among fishing fleets (or gears or métiers) in a multispecies fishery. This index can be used to measure the degree of dominance of each fleet and its level of independence from competition. To illustrate the concepts, the index is applied to two case studies using two datasets, both from Catalonia, NW Mediterranean. The results show that in both case studies the dominance of bottom trawl over most other gears (especially small-scale ones) is evidenced and quantitatively measured. Bottom trawl is also highly independent of the others. Purse seine appears to be quite independent, but not dominant over the other gears. A practical use of these asymmetric indices is to assist fisheries managers in the decision-making process to optimize the allocation of fishing effort, including energy efficiency, and to reduce environmental impact.
Social Media to Foster Self-organized Participatory Learning for Disengaged Learners
Authors: De Vries Pieter
Published: February 2013

The reAct project described in this paper is an innovative learning approach developed and used to re-motivate the disengaged from education and learning to connect to lifelong learning practices. These youngsters constitute a considerable social problem in Europe and the aim of the project is to find ways to recover the intrinsic motivation to learn and thereby improve the opportunities for participation. Key in this innovative strategy is self-organized learning, the learner in control of the learning process. The paper starts with an introduction on the challenge these dropouts pose to the society at large and the learning strategy developed to cope with this matter. The usage of media in the methodology is crucial and links to the concept of a user-configurable Personal Learning Environment (PLE). The main research issues are: can reAct change the attitude, what are the benefits and drawbacks of this self-organized learning approach and do the ICT tools support these processes. This paper covers the first half of the project and reflects on the first rather positive experiences.
E-Learning as an Important Component in "Blended Learning" in School Development Projects in Norway
Authors: Aasen Ann Margareth
Published: February 2013

E-learning is an important component in â??blended learningâ? in all of SePU`s projects and is used for additional education and development of competences. Blended learning is defined as learning facilitated by the effective combination of different modes of delivery, models of teaching, styles of learning, and based on transparent communication among all parties involved in development competences. In general, one of the challenges with improving the workplace is linked to employee training and development of competences. Training is often costly in terms of time, finances, and organization. In accordance to these challenges, educational development is not be limited to training carried out at educational institutions on training days but within the limits and resources available at workplaces. All projects are based on an understanding of learning as a process where you learn by collaborating with others. Collaboration is to be distinguished from cooperation. In cooperation, partners split the work, solve sub-tasks individually, and then assemble the partial results into the final output. In collaboration, partners do the work together. E-learning can therefore contribute to improved flexibility in human resource development and lifelong learning.
Exercise24
Authors: Howe Austin W. , Jennex Murray E. , Bressler George H. , Frost Eric
Published: February 2013

Can populations self organize a crisis response? This is a field report on the first two efforts in a continuing series of exercises termed “Exercise24 or x24.” The first Exercise 24 focused on Southern California, while the second (24 Europe) focused on the Balkan area of Eastern Europe. These exercises attempted to demonstrate that self-organizing groups can form and respond to a crisis using low-cost social media and other emerging web technologies. Over 10,000 people participated in X24 while X24 Europe had over 49,000 participants. X24 involved people from 79 nations while X24 Europe officially included participants from at least 92 countries. Exercise24 was organized by a team of workers centered at the SDSU Viz Center including significant support from the US Navy as well as other military and Federal organizations. Dr. George Bressler, Adjunct Faculty member at the Viz Center led both efforts. Major efforts from senior professionals EUCOM and NORTHCOM contributed significantly to the preparation for and success of both X24 and especially X24 Europe. This paper presents lessons learned and other experiences gained through the coordination and performance of Exercise24.
Component Certification Process and Standards
Authors: Kaur Parminder , Singh Hardeep
Published: February 2013

Component-based technology deals with the process of assembling existing software components in an application such that they interact to satisfy a predefined functionality. The success of component-based software depends on system integrator’s ability to select the most suitable software components for their intended application (Leavens and Sitaraman, 2000; Voas and Payne, 2000; Crnkovic et al., 2001). One persistent and largely unaddressed challenge is how the consumers of software components can obtain a meaningful level of trust in the runtime behaviour of software components. The most frequently cited concerns are centered on issues of security and component behaviour (Wallnau, 2004). Certification is a practical, proven means of establishing trust in various sorts of things in other disciplines and is, therefore a natural contender for developing trust in software components. This is only possible if component suppliers have clear and reliable information about their component’s functional and non-functional properties. The component attributes allow system integrator to better classify the components. The reliability of a component-based software system is dependant on the reliability of the components that is made of. Proper search, selection, and evaluation process of components is considered as cornerstone for the development of any effective component-based system (Alexandre, 2010).This chapter defines certain properties of a component, which are helpful during their classification process along with component certification/accreditation process, which further helps component suppliers to issue the guarantee of claimed functional properties and quality attributes. Component certification framework is also discussed to evaluate the quality of software components with the help of component quality model and measurement mechanism.
Resolving Conflict in Code Refactoring
Authors: Kaur Lakhwinder , Kaur Kuljit , Gupta Ashu
Published: February 2013

Refactoring is a process that attempts to enhance software code quality by using small transforming functions and modifying the structure of the program through slightly different algorithm. It is important to analyze the design pattern of the software code as well as the impact and possibility of the application of some conflicting refactorings on it. The objective of this chapter is to present an approach for analyzing software design patterns in order to avoid the conflict in application of available refactoring techniques. This chapter discusses the mechanism to study software code or design patterns to automate the process of applying available refactorings while addressing the problem of conflict in their application.
A Dynamic Neural Field Model of Word Learning
Authors: Samuelson Larissa K. , Spencer John P. , Jenkins Gavin W.
Published: February 2013

Word learning is a complex phenomenon because it is tied to many different behaviors that are linked to multiple perceptual and cognitive systems. Further, recent research suggests that the course of word learning builds from effects at the level of individual referent selection or noun generalization decisions that accumulate on a moment-to-moment timescale and structure subsequent word learning behaviors. Thus, what is needed for any unified theory of word learning is 1) an account of how individual decisions are made across different contexts, including the details of how objects are encoded, represented, and selected in the course of a word learning behavior; and 2) a mechanism that builds on these individual, contextually specific decisions. Here, the authors present a Dynamic Neural Field (DNF) Model that captures processes at both the second-to-second and developmental timescales and provides a process-based account of how individual behaviors accumulate to create development. Simulations illustrate how the model captures multiple word learning behaviors such as comprehension, production, novel noun generalization (in yes/no or forced choice tasks), referent selection, and learning of hierarchical nominal categories. They also discuss how the model ties developments in these tasks to developments in object perception, working memory, and the representation and tracking of objects in space. Finally, the authors review empirical work testing novel predictions of the model regarding the roles of competition and selection in forced-choice and yes/no generalization tasks and the role of space in early name-object binding.
Pushing the Envelope of Associative Learning
Authors: McMurray Bob , Zhao Libo , Kucker Sarah C. , Samuelson Larissa K.
Published: February 2013

Work in learning word meanings has argued that associative learning mechanisms are insufficient because word learning is too fast, confronts too much ambiguity, or is based on social principles. This critiques an outdated view of association, focusing on the information being learned, not the mechanism of learning. The authors present a model that embeds association learning in a richer system, which includes both internal representations to and real-time competition that enable it to select the referent of novel and familiar words. A series of simulations validate these theoretical assumptions showing better learning and novel word inference when both factors are present. The authors then use this model to understand the apparent rapidity of word learning and value of high and low informative learning situations. Finally, the authors scale the model up to examine interactions between auditory and visual categorization and account for conflicting results as to whether words help or hinder categorization.
How Experiences with Words Supply All the Tools in the Toddler’s Word-Learning Toolbox
Authors: Houston-Price Carmel , Law Beth
Published: February 2013

This chapter explores the resolution of Quine’s word-learning conundrum: How young children identify the meanings of the words they hear in the utterances of expert language users. Various strategies are available to young word learners for solving this dilemma. The authors consider how the acquisition of each of these strategies might be underpinned by the same domain-general ability to detect and store associations between words and the environment in which they are heard. Drawing on examples of both socio-pragmatic and linguistic cues to words’ meanings, they explore how the young child’s early experiences with words might provide a platform for the discovery of more complex word-learning strategies, facilitating the learning of further new words. The chapter outlines specific predictions of the experience-driven model of the evolution of the toddler’s word-learning toolkit that might be explored through experimental and/or computational investigations.
An Embodied Model of Young Children’s Categorization and Word Learning
Authors: Twomey Katherine E. , Horst Jessica S. , Morse Anthony F.
Published: February 2013

Children learn words with remarkable speed and flexibility. However, the cognitive basis of young children’s word learning is disputed. Further, although research demonstrates that children’s categories and category labels are interdependent, how children learn category labels is also a matter of debate. Recently, biologically plausible, computational simulations of children’s behavior in experimental tasks have investigated the cognitive processes that underlie learning. The ecological validity of such models has been successfully tested by deploying them in robotic systems (Morse, Belpaeme, Cangelosi, & Smith, 2010). The authors present a simulation of children’s behavior in a word learning task (Twomey & Horst, 2011) via an embodied system (iCub; Metta, et al., 2010), which points to associative learning and dynamic systems accounts of children’s categorization. Finally, the authors discuss the benefits of integrating computational and robotic approaches with developmental science for a deeper understanding of cognition.
I Think I Have Heard That One Before
Authors: Sato Yo , Ji Ze , van Dijk Sander
Published: February 2013

In this chapter, the authors present a model for learning Word-Like Units (WLUs) based on acoustic recurrence, as well as the results of an application of the model to simulated child-directed speech in human-robot interaction. It is a purely acoustic single-modality model: the learning does not invoke extralinguistic factors such as possible references of words or linguistic constructs including phonemes. The main target phenomenon is the learner’s perception that a WLU has been repeated. To simulate it, a Dynamic Time Warping (DTW)-based algorithm is introduced to search for recurrent utterances of similar acoustic features. The authors then extend this model to incorporate interaction, corrective feedback in particular, and assess the ameliorating effect of caregiver correction when a WLU, which is close to the real word, is uttered by the learner.
Two Distinct Sequence Learning Mechanisms for Syntax Acquisition and Word Learning
Authors: Walk Anne McClure , Conway Christopher M.
Published: February 2013

The ability to acquire spoken language depends in part on a sensitivity to the sequential regularities contained within linguistic input. In this chapter, the authors propose that language learning operates via two distinct sequence-learning processes: probabilistic sequence learning, which supports the acquisition of syntax and other structured linguistic patterns, and repetition sequence learning, which supports word learning. First, the authors review work from their lab and others illustrating that performance on tasks that require participants to learn non-linguistic sequential patterns is empirically associated with different measures of language processing. Second, they present recent work from their lab specifically highlighting the role played by probabilistic sequence learning for acquiring syntax in a sample of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Finally, the authors demonstrate that the learning of repeating sequences is related to vocabulary development in these children. These findings suggest that there may be at least two relatively distinct domain-general sequential processing skills, with each supporting a different aspect of language acquisition.
Videos with Mobile Technologies
Authors: Maxfield Marian B. , Romano Deanna
Published: February 2013

Mobile technologies are becoming ubiquitous. They are used in everyday life to gather and analyze data, to synthesize information, and to solve problems. There is a growing need for pre-service teachers to learn how and when to implement mobile technologies so that they can assist 21st Century PK-12 students in meaningful and real world learning. This chapter discusses the increasing use of mobile technology within teacher education programs and the need to use multiple devices in ways that impact the teaching and learning processes in teacher preparation programs. The research study focuses on the use of mobile technologies to video record pre-service teachers’ observations of the first day of school and examines the impact that peer review of videos has on learning new teaching concepts. Future application of these concepts is considered.
Quality Education for Children, Youth, and Adults through Mobile Learning
Authors: Mishra Santosh Kumar
Published: February 2013

Mobile learning or m-learning is viewed as a useful component of the flexible learning model. Learners’ everyday uses of mobile phones and other devices such as games consoles, which can also be used for learning, are now major drivers for the rapid uptake of mobile learning throughout the world. Even so, there are a multitude of challenges faced when introducing and implementing m-learning. This chapter explores ways in which mobile-supported learning can contribute to the global commitment to provide quality education for children, youth, and adults, as expressed in the goals of Education for All (EFA). The chapter concludes that mobile learning is part of a new learning landscape created by the availability of technologies supporting flexible, accessible, and personalized education.
Social Implications of Mobile Learning in Global Learning Environments
Authors: Cochrane Thomas
Published: February 2013

This chapter critiques six example case studies of global mobile learning projects using social networking tools to discuss the social implications of mobile learning in global learning environments. The researcher argues that supporting global mobile learning projects via the establishment of the projects as collaborative communities of practice of lecturers and students provides a rich environment for fostering pedagogical transformation from a focus upon teacher-directed content to student-generated content and student-generated learning contexts. The collaborative and communicative affordances of mobile devices coupled with Web 2.0 social software provide powerful tools for nurturing and sustaining global learning environments across the boundaries of time and geography. Lessons learned from the six projects between 2008 and 2012 illustrate the potentially transformative impact upon pedagogy of mobile learning used within the context of global learning environments.
Feature Selection Based on Minimizing the Area Under the Detection Error Tradeoff Curve
Authors: Fui Liau Heng , Isa Dino
Published: February 2013

Feature selection is crucial to select an “optimized” subset of features from the original feature set based on a certain objective function. In general, feature selection removes redundant or irrelevant data while retaining classification accuracy. This paper proposes a feature selection algorithm that aims to minimize the area under the curve of detection error trade-off (DET) curve. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is employed to search for the optimal feature subset. The proposed method is implemented in face recognition and iris recognition systems. The result shows that the proposed method is able to find an optimal subset of features that sufficiently describes iris and face images by removing unwanted and redundant features and at the same time improving the classification accuracy in terms of total error rate (TER).
The Volatility for Pre and Post Global Financial Crisis
Authors: Wei Shih-Yung , Yang Jack J. W. , Chen Jen-Tseng , Hong Wei-Chiang
Published: February 2013

The asymmetric volatility, temporary volatility, and permanent volatility of financial asset returns have attracted much interest in recent years. However, a consensus has not yet been reached on the causes of them for both the stocks and markets. This paper researched asymmetric volatility and short-run and long-run volatility through global financial crisis for eight Asian markets. EGARCH and CGARCH models are employed to deal with the daily return to examine the degree of asymmetric volatility (temporary volatility and permanent volatility). The authors find that after global financial crisis asymmetric volatility is lower (expect Hong Kong), and the long-run effect is more than the short-run effect. The empirical results for the short-run show that, after global financial crisis, there is significant decreasing in China and Taiwan but not in Japan; the others are significantly increasing. For the long-run, there is significant decreasing (except Thailand and Korea).
GBF Trained Neuro-Fuzzy Equalizer for Time Varying Channels
Authors: Sarangi Archana , Padhy Sasmita Kumari , Panigrahi Siba Prasada , Sarangi Shubhendu Kumar
Published: February 2013

This paper proposes a neuro-fuzzy filter for equalization of time-varying channels. Additionally, it proposes to tune the equalizer with a hybrid algorithm between Genetic Algorithms (GA) and Bacteria Foraging (BFO), termed as GBF. The major advantage of the method developed in this paper is that all parameters of the neuro-fuzzy network, including the rule base, are tuned simultaneously through the proposed hybrid algorithm of genetic Algorithm and bacteria foraging. The performance of the Neuro-Fuzzy equalizer designed using the proposed approach is compared with Genetic algorithm based equalizers. The results confirm that the methodology used in the paper is much better than existing approaches. The proposed hybrid algorithm also eliminates the limitations of GA based equalizer, i.e. the inherent characteristic of GA, i.e. GAs risk finding a sub-optimal solution.
Firm Size Transmission Effect and Price-Volume Relationship Analysis During Financial Tsunami Periods
Authors: Wei Shih-Yung , Hong Wei-Chiang , Wang Kai
Published: February 2013

Investors attend importance to forecast the price of financial assets, thus, the factors affecting the stock price are usually the focus of financial research in the field, in which the most important factors to scholars are firm size transmission effect and price-volume relationship. In this study, the analysis of these two items in the Taiwan stock market is conducted. The results indicate that the firm size transmission effect is almost significant, and the reversal phenomenon also exists. However, before the financial tsunami, the firm size transmission effect does not significantly exist; this result also indirectly proves the directional asymmetry of the market returns, proposed by McQueen, Pinegar, and Thorley (1996). For price and volume relationship, big cap index reveals that volume leads to price before the financial tsunami, and small cap index appears that price leads to volume in 2010.
Usage Profile Generation from Web Usage Data Using Hybrid Biclustering Algorithm
Authors: Rathipriya R. , Thangavel K. , Bagyamani J.
Published: February 2013

Biclustering has the potential to make significant contributions in the fields of information retrieval, web mining, and so forth. In this paper, the authors analyze the complex association between users and pages of a web site by using a biclustering algorithm. This method automatically identifies the groups of users that show similar browsing patterns under a specific subset of the pages. In this paper, mutation operator from Genetic Algorithms is incorporated into the Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) for biclustering of web usage data. This hybridization can increase the diversity of the population and help the particles effectively escape from the local optimum. It detects optimized user profile group according to coherent browsing behavior. Experiments are performed on a benchmark clickstream dataset to test the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. The results show that the proposed algorithm has higher performance than existing PSO methods. The interpretation of this biclustering results are useful for marketing and sales strategies.
An Effective Hybrid Semi-Parametric Regression Strategy for Rainfall Forecasting Combining Linear and Nonlinear Regression
Authors: Wu Jiansheng
Published: February 2013

Rainfall forecasting is an important research topic in disaster prevention and reduction. The characteristic of rainfall involves a rather complex systematic dynamics under the influence of different meteorological factors, including linear and nonlinear pattern. Recently, many approaches to improve forecasting accuracy have been introduced. Artificial neural network (ANN), which performs a nonlinear mapping between inputs and outputs, has played a crucial role in forecasting rainfall data. In this paper, an effective hybrid semi-parametric regression ensemble (SRE) model is presented for rainfall forecasting. In this model, three linear regression models are used to capture rainfall linear characteristics and three nonlinear regression models based on ANN are able to capture rainfall nonlinear characteristics. The semi-parametric regression is used for ensemble model based on the principal component analysis technique. Empirical results reveal that the prediction using the SRE model is generally better than those obtained using other models in terms of the same evaluation measurements. The SRE model proposed in this paper can be used as a promising alternative forecasting tool for rainfall to achieve greater forecasting accuracy and improve prediction quality.
Schmallenberg virus – Is it present in South Africa?
Authors: Leask Rhoda , Botha Albertha M. , Bath Gareth F.
Published: February 2013

In July 2006, a case of two out of three lambs born to one ewe in a flock of 45 had signs that, in retrospect, were possibly consistent with Schmallenberg virus infection. This occurred in the Onderstepoort area (Gauteng Province) but a definitive diagnosis was not made. Then, in May 2008, a farmer in the Delmas area (Mpumalanga Province) reported that deformed lambs had been born to several ewes in the flock. Six of the approximately 50 mated ewes gave birth to lambs showing varying degrees of arthrogryposis, torticollis, kyphosis, mandibular brachygnathia and hydrocephalus. Of these, only two were born alive but they died within a few hours. Blood was collected from the ewes with deformed lambs, a random sample of ewes that had given birth to normal lambs and a lamb that was normal but had a twin that was deformed. The samples were tested for Wesselsbron and Akabane antibodies using a complement fixation test and a haemagglutination/haemagglutination inhibition test that were available at that time. Bluetongue virus antibodies were also tested for using a commercial Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. All samples showed negative results for all diseases tested. At the time Rift Valley fever virus had not been diagnosed in that region for many years and so it was not included in the testing. It is unlikely that this was the cause as no liver pathology was detected on postmortem examination of the lambs and no adult ewes had died. The farmer reported that another farm just a few kilometres away experienced the same deformities in some of their lambs but this farm was not investigated. During investigation it was thought that the cause was possibly a new strain of Akabane virus, although there was no way to confirm it. However, with the recent discovery of the Schmallenberg virus, it is possible that this virus has been present in South Africa for at least the last four years without being identified.
Evaluation of micronutrient status in serum and saliva of oral submucous fibrosis patients: A clinicopathological study
Authors: Shetty Shishir Ram , Babu Subhas , Kumari Suchetha , Shetty Pushparaja , Vijay R , Karikal Arvind
Published: February 2013

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is one of the most commonly occurring potentially malignant disorders in India and south East Asian countries where betel chewing is common practice. Iron and ascorbic acid are important agents for collagen synthesis. Aims: The aims of this study were to estimate the levels of iron and ascorbic acid in serum and saliva in patients with OSMF and to correlate change in levels of iron and ascorbic acid with the histopathological grading of OSMF. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised of 65 clinically diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed cases of OSMF; 21 age- and sex-matched controls were also enrolled in the study. Serum and salivary ascorbic acid were analyzed by the dintrophenyl hydrazine method whereas serum and salivary iron were analyzed by the dipyridyl method. Results: The serum and salivary ascorbic acid levels consistently decreased with the progression of histopathologiocal grading of OSMF. Serum and salivary iron levels were also decreased in OSMF patients, but this was not significant. Conclusion: Ascorbic acid and iron may have been used for the excessive collagen synthesis occurring during progression of OSMF. Hence, serum and salivary monitoring may play a crucial role in the early diagnosis and prognosis of OSMF.
Innovative use of the fiberoptic bronchoscope
Authors: Mehta Kaveri A , Ambulkar Reshma P , Sharma Kailash S , Chaukar Devendra A
Published: February 2013

Tracheostomy can be challenging, especially in the presence of edema or infiltrative malignancy. We present a case in which a fiberoptic bronchoscope that is routinely used for difficult intubation helped to locate the trachea in an emergency situation. A 50 year-old male, a diagnosed case of anaplastic carcinoma of thyroid, presented with respiratory distress and was immediately taken to the operating theater for an emergency tracheostomy. Following an inhalational induction, the patient was intubated with an endotracheal tube. Surgical tracheostomy was extremely difficult as, on neck exploration, there was a plaque of disease infiltrating various tissue planes. When even after considerable dissection the trachea could not be located, we passed a fiberoptic bronchoscope through the endotracheal tube. This helped as it was seen as a trans- illumination and the tracheal position could be confirmed. The rest of the tracheostomy was uneventful.
Sebaceous carcinoma and systemic chemotherapy
Authors: Joshi Poonam , Joshi Amit , Norohna Vanita , Prabhash Kumar , Kane Subhdha , D′cruz Anil
Published: February 2013

Sebaceous gland carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor, which arises from the adnexal epithelium of sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands are present all over the body and hence have variable sites of origin, histological growth patterns, and clinical presentations. Here, we report a case of recurrent extraocular sebaceous carcinoma of left occipital region with lung metastases who went into complete remission with chemotherapy for lung metastasis. Role of chemotherapy in the management ofmetastatic sebaceous carcinoma is evolving. Combination chemotherapy can result in long term remission as described in this case report.
The effect of hygroscopicity on eddy covariance estimates of sea-spray aerosol fluxes: a comparison of high-rate and bulk correction methods
Authors: Sproson D. A. J. , Brooks I. M. , Norris S. J.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. The eddy covariance technique is the most direct of the methods that have been used to measure the flux of sea-spray aerosol between the ocean and atmosphere, but has been applied in only a handful of studies. However, unless the aerosol is dried before the eddy covariance measurements are made, the hygroscopic nature of sea-spray may combine with a relative humidity flux to result in a bias in the calculated aerosol flux. "Bulk" methods have been presented to account for this bias, however, they rely on assumptions of the shape of the aerosol spectra which may not be valid for near-surface measurements of sea-spray. Here we describe a method of correcting aerosol spectra for relative humidity induced size variations at the high frequency (10 Hz) measurement timescale, where counting statistics are poor and the spectral shape cannot be well represented by a simple power law. Such a correction allows the effects of hygroscopicity and relative humidity flux on the aerosol flux to be explicitly evaluated and compared to the bulk corrections, both in their original form and once reformulated to better represent the measured mean aerosol spectra. In general, the bulk corrections – particularly when reformulated for the measured mean aerosol spectra – perform relatively well, producing flux corrections of the right sign and approximate magnitude. However, there are times when the bulk methods either significantly over- or underestimate the required flux correction. We conclude that, where possible, relative humidity corrections should be made at the measurement frequency.
Cluster analysis of WIBS single-particle bioaerosol data
Authors: Robinson N. H. , Allan J. D. , Huffman J. A. , Kaye P. H. , Foot V. E. , Gallagher M.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis was performed on single-particle multi-spatial data sets comprising optical diameter, asymmetry and three different fluorescence measurements, gathered using two dual Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensors (WIBSs). The technique is demonstrated on measurements of various fluorescent and non-fluorescent polystyrene latex spheres (PSL) before being applied to two separate contemporaneous ambient WIBS data sets recorded in a forest site in Colorado, USA, as part of the BEACHON-RoMBAS project. Cluster analysis results between both data sets are consistent. Clusters are tentatively interpreted by comparison of concentration time series and cluster average measurement values to the published literature (of which there is a paucity) to represent the following: non-fluorescent accumulation mode aerosol; bacterial agglomerates; and fungal spores. To our knowledge, this is the first time cluster analysis has been applied to long-term online primary biological aerosol particle (PBAP) measurements. The novel application of this clustering technique provides a means for routinely reducing WIBS data to discrete concentration time series which are more easily interpretable, without the need for any a priori assumptions concerning the expected aerosol types. It can reduce the level of subjectivity compared to the more standard analysis approaches, which are typically performed by simple inspection of various ensemble data products. It also has the advantage of potentially resolving less populous or subtly different particle types. This technique is likely to become more robust in the future as fluorescence-based aerosol instrumentation measurement precision, dynamic range and the number of available metrics are improved.
Modelling monthly precipitation with circulation weather types for a dense network of stations over Iberia
Authors: Cortesi N. , Trigo R. M. , Gonzalez-Hidalgo J. C. , Ramos A. M.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Precipitation over the Iberian Peninsula (IP) is highly variable and shows large spatial contrasts between wet mountainous regions to the north, and dry regions in the inland plains and southern areas. In this work, we modelled the relationship between atmospheric circulation weather types (WTs) and monthly precipitation for the wet half of the year (October to May) using a 10 km grid derived from a high-density dataset for the IP (3030 precipitation series, overall mean density one station each 200 km2). We detected two spatial gradients in the relationship between WTs and precipitation. The percentage of monthly precipitation explained by WTs varies from northwest (higher variance explained) to southeast (lower variance explained). Additionally, in the IP the number of WTs that contribute significantly to monthly precipitation increase systematically from east to west. Generally speaking, the model performance is better to the west than to the east where the WTs approach produce the less accurate results. We applied the WTs modelling approach to reconstruct the long-term precipitation time series for three major stations of Iberia (Lisbon, Madrid, Valencia).
Damages to unreinforced masonry buildings by the Van earthquakes of 23 October and 9 November 2011
Authors: Tama Y. S. , Solak A. , Çetinkaya N. , Şen G. , Yılmaz S. , Kaplan H.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Van, a city in Eastern Anatolian Turkey, was hit by two earthquakes with magnitudes of Mw = 7.2 and Mw = 5.6 in October and November 2011. Both earthquakes caused extensive damage to many buildings. Unreinforced masonry buildings, especially in rural areas, suffered from those earthquakes extensively as in many other cases observed in Turkey during other previous earthquakes. This paper presents a site survey of damaged masonry buildings. Reasons for the wide spread damages are discussed in the paper.
A new girl in town: Exploring girlhood identities through Facebook
Authors: Dean Marissa , Laidler Karen
Published: February 2013

Two interrelated yet seemingly contradictory discourses framing girlhood studies depict feminine identities as either restricted by the Ophelia girl in crisis or overwhelmed by the complexity of feminine norms confronting the Girl power girl. Currently missing from this polarized discussion is how online social networks provide a unique venue for creating and expressing the subjectivities of girlhood. In this paper, we study how 25 young women and girls in Hong Kong engage with Facebook and how this online social space is used to push beyond the linear crisis vs. power continuum to claim a more multidimensional understanding of feminine identity. We evaluate the reasons why Facebook is popular among these users and highlight how these young women expand the “rescue versus empowerment” debate by claiming new spaces to create, experiment and express their own unique forms of femininity.
Front-paging online newspapers
Authors: Koutsaftikis Ioannis , Nanas Nikolaos , Vavalis Manolis
Published: February 2013

Online newspapers and magazines still find it difficult to let readers discover and just read news. A plethora of stories on the front (home) page, overuse of complex grids, vast navigation lists and advertising immaturity still prevail. This paper deals with the general methodologies, the specific mechanisms and the enabling technologies associated with the design and the developing of personalized electronic front pages. Three approaches are presented and their particular implementations are discussed and evaluated.
Application of Plackett-Burman Experimental Design for Lipase Production by Aspergillus niger Using Shea Butter Cake
Authors: Salihu Aliyu , Bala Muntari , Bala Shuaibu M.
Published: February 2013

Plackett-Burman design was used to efficiently select important medium components affecting the lipase production by Aspergillus niger using shea butter cake as the main substrate. Out of the eleven medium components screened, six comprising of sucrose, (NH4)2SO4, Na2HPO4, MgSO4, Tween-80, and olive oil were found to contribute positively to the overall lipase production with a maximum production of 3.35 U/g. Influence of tween-80 on lipase production was investigated, and 1.0% (v/w) of tween-80 resulted in maximum lipase production of 6.10 U/g. Thus, the statistical approach employed in this study allows for rapid identification of important medium parameters affecting the lipase production, and further statistical optimization of medium and process parameters can be explored using response surface methodology.