bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Potential in Simulation and Metamodeling for the Understanding and Development of NDE
Authors: Hammersberg Peter , Persson Gert , Wirdelius Håkan
Published: November 2014

By combining detailed mathematical modeling of the physics involved in NDE with a broader and robust engineering approach based on the sequential steps of screening, modeling and optimization, it is possible to generate metamodels that can support NDE engineering efforts to evaluate the applicability of NDE in a wider context, as a complement to the repeatability, reproducibility and capability studies normally performed. The aim of the initial screening phase is to effectively evaluate and prioritize NDE control parameters from a wider perspective regarding the demands of a specific application and to prioritize parameters of lesser importance for the outcome on the basis of economic and practical considerations. The aim of the second and third steps is to study the influence of the important parameters and to perform sensitivity analyses of reproducibility and repeatability, for example, followed by procedure development, respectively. The methodology is straightforward when it comes to smooth response surfaces of lower order (up to second or third order). Generally, the recommendation for the screening phase is ‘to be bold’ for the definition of the experimental range for each parameter – meaning to make them as wide as possibly relevant for the specific application. For NDE applications not following the Berens assumption for POD studies, e.g., large cracks yield large response signals, such as the varying signal amplitudes from surface breaking notches in ultrasonic testing, the mentioned recommendation of ‘be-bold’ screening phase may lead to incorrect prioritization of parameters. In this publication, this is illustrated by how the width of the experimental range for the control parameters tested during screening actually influences the screening results. Two basic ultrasonic testing set-ups have been compared using the SimSUNDT simulation software package: surface breaking notch (SBN) and side drilled hole (SDH). Even though the results were anticipated, they pointed out the need to further develop the screening methodology supporting NDE engineering, especially when it comes to addressing the issue of applicability. Does the data collected tell us what we actually want to know about the tested application? Or does it only tell us something about the NDE method?
Examination of the Wear Behavior of Cu-Ni/B4Cp Composite by the Taguchi Method
Authors: Yildiz Tülay , Gür Ali Kaya , Aba Süleyman
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of process parameters on adhesive wear resistance by using the Taguchi experimental design method. In this study, Cu-Ni/B4Cp composites were produced by the powder metallurgy method and the effect on the adhesive wear resistance was investigated. Cu-Ni/B4Cp composite materials were made by cold pressing methods and reinforced with 1% Ni as well as with 6, 12 and 18% B4Cp, respectively. The sintering was carried out at 800 and 900°C for 60 minutes. The wear tests were performed by using block on ring test apparatus at loads of 5, 10 and 15 N at a rotation speed of 90 rpm and a wear distance of 250, 500 and 750 m, respectively. The results were evaluated by the calculated wear losses. The wear resistance increased with increasing B4C ratio.
Dry Sliding Wear Mechanism of Spark Plasma Sintered Si3N4/SiC Composites on Steel
Authors: Ozturk Zeynep Taslicukur
Published: November 2014

In the present work, Si3N4-based composites were characterized by a relatively low friction coefficient in unlubricated sliding against a 100Cr6 steel ball. Si3N4-based composites containing different amounts of SiC were produced by spark plasma sintering at 1650 °C for 5 min with a uniaxial pressure of 40 MPa in a nitrogen atmosphere. In the wear test, the load, total distance and rotating speed were selected as 60 N, 120 m and 500 rpm, respectively. The wear tracks were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to estimate the wear mechanism. The results were evaluated using the friction coefficient-distance diagram. Si3N4-based composites showed significant decrement in wear by improving toughness with SiC powder reinforcement.
Improved Stress Shielding of a Coated Cemented Hip Stem by Functionally Graded Materials
Authors: Hedia Hassan S. , Fouda Noha
Published: November 2014

Surfaces are the primary contact zones between a biomaterial and its host organism. Surface treatment or coating provides a means to fulfill demanding structural and mechanical requirements of the prostheses. As well as, a number of studies have been performed on functionally graded materials (FGM) and their suitability for use as the biomaterial of choice in various prostheses. This study investigates the effect of utilizing the two concepts of FGM and coating, in designing new hip stem material. The results of this study concluded that the optimal FGM cemented stem is consisting of titanium at the upper stem layers graded to collagen at lower stem layers. The optimal functionally graded stem coated with collagen reduced the stress shielding by 51% compared to homogenous titanium stem coated with collagen. However, this optimal graded stem coated with hydroxyapatite showed a reduction of stress shielding by 57% compared to homogenous titanium stem coated with hydroxyapatite.
William Dunbar and the courtmen: poetry as a source for the court of James IV
Authors: Hepburn William
Published: November 2014

The poems of William Dunbar, it is argued here, are an indispensable source for the court of James IV. Dunbar's ‘Schir, ye haue mony seruitouris’ illustrates this point. The poem, with its long and varied list of craftsmen and other servants of James IV, has been taken for a shorthand description of the vibrant Renaissance court James is believed to have presided over. Rather than simply reflecting a Renaissance court it focuses on royal servants, including Dunbar, who were more peripheral to the court than formal members of the royal household who served the king daily. Through this poem, however, Dunbar sought to sow the idea that the court should be full of specialist servants like him, a view that modern readers have often accepted uncritically. This poem demonstrates that a more nuanced view of the court can be gained by using both archival and literary sources.
Boys to manly men of God: Scottish seminarian manliness in the nineteenth century
Authors: Saarinen Iida
Published: November 2014

This article examines what it meant to be and to become a man of God in the nineteenth century. It concentrates on the gendered aspects of priesthood, developed and enforced in the seminaries employed by the Scottish Mission to mould its future labourers. The article sets the ideas in the context of nineteenth-century discourse on both clerical and secular manliness and masculinity. It addresses the peculiarities of the Roman Catholic seminary experience and the paradoxes of developing manliness in this environment, combining ideals of moral and religious superiority, fatherhood, camaraderie, chastity and maturity, developing in close contact with other boys and male superiors in the virtual absence of women. The research relies on archival sources on the students of the French colleges associated with the Scottish Mission after the French Revolution, supplemented by material relating to other Scots Colleges on the continent.
Looking for/Longing for/Sick for Home: Marina Tsvetaeva in English Translation
Authors: Bergin Tara , Tsvetkova Marina , Whyte Christopher
Published: November 2014

This contribution consists of a correspondence between a postdoctoral English literature scholar and poet, Tara Bergin, and a Russian and English literature scholar, Marina Tsvetkova, who initially set out to write an essay comparing two translations of Tsvetaeva's poem of May 1934, called ‘Homesickness’ by Elaine Feinstein and ‘Longing for the Motherland’ by David McDuff. Their letters focus on this poem but also venture into Tsvetaeva's biography and some of her other writings. Eventually it seemed to them appropriate to submit for publication the correspondence itself, following which the material was given a detailed reading by a third Tsvetaeva translator, Christopher Whyte. His comments are also published here, with a postscript from the two correspondents.
Heat Transfer Characteristics of a Speaker Using Nano-Sized Ferrofluid
Authors: Lee Moo-Yeon , Kim Hyung-Jin
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this article is to study the heat transfer characteristics of a voice-coil and permanent magnet for a speaker using nano-sized ferrofluid. In order to investigate the temperature characteristics of the speaker, the speaker power ratings, ambient temperatures of the test chamber, chamber sizes and input signals were tested. As a result, the temperatures of the voice-coil and magnet for the speaker increased with time due to the thermal linearity. The temperature of the voice-coil increased with the decrease of the input signals, but with the increase of the nominal power rating. The voice-coil temperature of Speaker 1 using ferrofluid of an amount of 650 μL at an elapsed time of 10,000 s was 24.5% lower than that of general Speaker 1. In addition, the proper size selection of the enclosure is an important design factor to ensure the sound quality and effective heat transfer of the speaker.
Comparative Study of Entropy Sensitivity to Missing Biosignal Data
Authors: Cirugeda-Roldan Eva , Cuesta-Frau David , Miro-Martinez Pau , Oltra-Crespo Sandra
Published: November 2014

Entropy estimation metrics have become a widely used method to identify subtle changes or hidden features in biomedical records. These methods have been more effective than conventional linear techniques in a number of signal classification applications, specially the healthy–pathological segmentation dichotomy. Nevertheless, a thorough characterization of these measures, namely, how to match metric and signal features, is still lacking. This paper studies a specific characterization problem: the influence of missing samples in biomedical records. The assessment is conducted using four of the most popular entropy metrics: Approximate Entropy, Sample Entropy, Fuzzy Entropy, and Detrended Fluctuation Analysis. The rationale of this study is that missing samples are a signal disturbance that can arise in many cases: signal compression, non-uniform sampling, or data transmission stages. It is of great interest to determine if these real situations can impair the capability of segmenting signal classes using such metrics. The experiments employed several biosignals: electroencephalograms, gait records, and RR time series. Samples of these signals were systematically removed, and the entropy computed for each case. The results showed that these metrics are robust against missing samples: With a data loss percentage of 50% or even higher, the methods were still able to distinguish among signal classes.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Effects of Statins in the Central Nervous System
Authors: McFarland Amelia , Anoopkumar-Dukie Shailendra , Arora Devinder , Grant Gary , McDermott Catherine , Perkins Anthony , Davey Andrew
Published: November 2014

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, commonly referred to as statins, are widely used in the treatment of dyslipidaemia, in addition to providing primary and secondary prevention against cardiovascular disease and stroke. Statins’ effects on the central nervous system (CNS), particularly on cognition and neurological disorders such as stroke and multiple sclerosis, have received increasing attention in recent years, both within the scientific community and in the media. Current understanding of statins’ effects is limited by a lack of mechanism-based studies, as well as the assumption that all statins have the same pharmacological effect in the central nervous system. This review aims to provide an updated discussion on the molecular mechanisms contributing to statins’ possible effects on cognitive function, neurodegenerative disease, and various neurological disorders such as stroke, epilepsy, depression and CNS cancers. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic differences between statins and how these may result in statin-specific neurological effects are also discussed.
Development of Self-Healing Coatings Based on Linseed Oil as Autonomous Repairing Agent for Corrosion Resistance
Authors: Thanawala Karan , Mutneja Nisha , Khanna Anand , Raman R.
Published: November 2014

In recent years corrosion-resistant self-healing coatings have witnessed strong growth and their successful laboratory design and synthesis categorises them in the family of smart/multi-functional materials. Among various approaches for achieving self-healing, microcapsule embedment through the material matrix is the main one for self-healing ability in coatings. The present work focuses on optimizing the process parameters for developing microcapsules by in-situ polymerization of linseed oil as core and urea-formaldehyde as shell material. Characteristics of these microcapsules with respect to change in processing parameters such as stirring rate and reaction time were studied by using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The effectiveness of these microcapsules in coatings was characterized by studying their adhesion, performance, and mechanical properties.
Femtosecond Laser Spectroscopy of the Rhodopsin Photochromic Reaction: A Concept for Ultrafast Optical Molecular Switch Creation (Ultrafast Reversible Photoreaction of Rhodopsin)
Authors: Smitienko Olga , Nadtochenko Victor , Feldman Tatiana , Balatskaya Maria , Shelaev Ivan , Gostev Fedor , Sarkisov Oleg , Ostrovsky Mikhail
Published: November 2014

Ultrafast reverse photoreaction of visual pigment rhodopsin in the femtosecond time range at room temperature is demonstrated. Femtosecond two-pump probe experiments with a time resolution of 25 fs have been performed. The first рump pulse at 500 nm initiated cis-trans photoisomerization of rhodopsin chromophore, 11-cis retinal, which resulted in the formation of the primary ground-state photoproduct within a mere 200 fs. The second pump pulse at 620 nm with a varying delay of 200 to 3750 fs relative to the first рump pulse, initiated the reverse phototransition of the primary photoproduct to rhodopsin. The results of this photoconversion have been observed on the differential spectra obtained after the action of two pump pulses at a time delay of 100 ps. It was found that optical density decreased at 560 nm in the spectral region of bathorhodopsin absorption and increased at 480 nm, where rhodopsin absorbs. Rhodopsin photoswitching efficiency shows oscillations as a function of the time delay between two рump pulses. The quantum yield of reverse photoreaction initiated by the second pump pulse falls within the range 15% ± 1%. The molecular mechanism of the ultrafast reversible photoreaction of visual pigment rhodopsin may be used as a concept for the development of an ultrafast optical molecular switch.
Vitamin A Deficiency and Alterations in the Extracellular Matrix
Authors: Barber Teresa , Esteban-Pretel Guillermo , Marín María , Timoneda Joaquín
Published: November 2014

Vitamin A or retinol which is the natural precursor of several biologically active metabolites can be considered the most multifunctional vitamin in mammals. Its deficiency is currently, along with protein malnutrition, the most serious and common nutritional disorder worldwide. It is necessary for normal embryonic development and postnatal tissue homeostasis, and exerts important effects on cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. These actions are produced mainly by regulating the expression of a variety of proteins through transcriptional and non-transcriptional mechanisms. Extracellular matrix proteins are among those whose synthesis is known to be modulated by vitamin A. Retinoic acid, the main biologically active form of vitamin A, influences the expression of collagens, laminins, entactin, fibronectin, elastin and proteoglycans, which are the major components of the extracellular matrix. Consequently, the structure and macromolecular composition of this extracellular compartment is profoundly altered as a result of vitamin A deficiency. As cell behavior, differentiation and apoptosis, and tissue mechanics are influenced by the extracellular matrix, its modifications potentially compromise organ function and may lead to disease. This review focuses on the effects of lack of vitamin A in the extracellular matrix of several organs and discusses possible molecular mechanisms and pathologic implications.
Interactions between C-Reactive Protein Genotypes with Markers of Nutritional Status in Relation to Inflammation
Authors: Nienaber-Rousseau Cornelie , Swanepoel Bianca , Dolman Robin , Pieters Marlien , Conradie Karin , Towers G.
Published: November 2014

Inflammation, as indicated by C-reactive protein concentrations (CRP), is a risk factor for chronic diseases. Both genetic and environmental factors affect susceptibility to inflammation. As dietary interventions can influence inflammatory status, we hypothesized that dietary effects could be influenced by interactions with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CRP gene. We determined 12 CRP SNPs, as well as various nutrition status markers in 2010 black South Africans and analyzed their effect on CRP. Interactions were observed for several genotypes with obesity in determining CRP. Lipid intake modulated the pro-inflammatory effects of some SNPs, i.e., an increase in both saturated fatty acid and monounsaturated fatty acid intake in those homozygous for the polymorphic allele at rs2808630 was associated with a larger increase in CRP. Those harboring the minor alleles at rs3093058 and rs3093062 presented with significantly higher CRP in the presence of increased triglyceride or cholesterol intake. When harboring the minor allele of these SNPs, a high omega-6 to -3 ratio was, however, found to be anti-inflammatory. Carbohydrate intake also modulated CRP SNPs, as HbA1C and fasting glucose levels interacted with some SNPs to influence the CRP. This investigation highlights the impact that nutritional status can have on reducing the inherent genetic susceptibility to a heightened systemic inflammatory state.
UAV Flight Experiments Applied to the Remote Sensing of Vegetated Areas
Authors: Salamí Esther , Barrado Cristina , Pastor Enric
Published: November 2014

The miniaturization of electronics, computers and sensors has created new opportunities for remote sensing applications. Despite the current restrictions on regulation, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with small thermal, laser or spectral sensors has emerged as a promising alternative for assisting modeling, mapping and monitoring applications in rangelands, forests and agricultural environments. This review provides an overview of recent research that has reported UAV flight experiments on the remote sensing of vegetated areas. To provide a differential trend to other reviews, this paper is not limited to crops and precision agriculture applications, but also includes forest and rangeland applications. This work follows a top-down categorization strategy and attempts to fill the gap between application requirements and the characteristics of selected tools, payloads and platforms. Furthermore, correlations between common requirements and the most frequently used solutions are highlighted.
A Life-Size and Near Real-Time Test of Irrigation Scheduling with a Sentinel-2 Like Time Series (SPOT4-Take5) in Morocco
Authors: Le Page Michel , Toumi Jihad , Khabba Saïd , Hagolle Olivier , Tavernier Adrien , Kharrou M. , Er-Raki Salah , Huc Mireille , Kasbani Mohamed , Moutamanni Abdelilah , Yousfi Mohamed , Jarlan Lionel
Published: November 2014

This paper describes the setting and results of a real-time experiment of irrigation scheduling by a time series of optical satellite images under real conditions, which was carried out on durum wheat in the Haouz plain (Marrakech, Morocco), during the 2012/13 agricultural season. For the purpose of this experiment, the irrigation of a reference plot was driven by the farmer according to, mainly empirical, irrigation scheduling while test plot irrigations were being managed following the FAO-56 method, driven by remote sensing. Images were issued from the SPOT4 (Take5) data set, which aimed at delivering image time series at a decametric resolution with less than five-day satellite overpass similar to the time series ESA Sentinel-2 satellites will produce in the coming years. With a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.91mm per day, the comparison between daily actual evapotranspiration measured by eddy-covariance and the simulated one is satisfactory, but even better at a five-day integration (0.59mm per day). Finally, despite a chaotic beginning of the experiment—the experimental plot had not been irrigated to get rid of a slaking crust, which prevented good emergence—our plot caught up and yielded almost the same grain crop with 14% less irrigation water. This experiment opens up interesting opportunities for operational scheduling of flooding irrigation sectors that dominate in the semi-arid Mediterranean area.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus Upregulates the Expression of SOCS3 in Mouse Brain and Raw264.7 Cells
Authors: Li Xiangmin , Zhu Qiaoyan , Cao Qishu , Chen Huanchun , Qian Ping
Published: November 2014

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is one of the pathogens that can invade the central nervous system, causing acute infection and inflammation of brain. SOCS3 protein plays a vital role in immune processes and inflammation of the central nervous system. In this study, Raw264.7 cells and suckling mice were infected with JEV, and SOCS3 expression was analyzed by the gene expression profile, semiquantitative RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. Results indicated that 520 genes were found to be differentially expressed (fold change ≥ 2.0, p < 0.05) in total. The differentially regulated genes were involved in biological processes, such as stimulus response, biological regulation and immune system processes. JEV early infection could induce SOCS3 expression, upregulating both the mRNA and protein levels in Raw264.7 cells in a time-dependent manner. The SOCS3 expression was much lower in Raw264.7 cells infected with inactivated JEV than wild-type JEV. In vivo, SOCS3 protein was also found to upregulate the expression of mRNA and protein in JEV-infected mouse brain. Taken together, our data showed that JEV early infection could induce the upregulation of SOCS3 expression, both in vitro and in vivo, providing the basic theoretical foundation for future research on the invasion mechanism of JEV.
Constructed Wetlands for Treatment of Combined Sewer Overflow in the US: A Review of Design Challenges and Application Status
Authors: Tao Wendong , Bays James , Meyer Daniel , Smardon Richard , Levy Zeno
Published: November 2014

As combined sewer systems and centralized wastewater treatment facilities age, many communities in the world are challenged by management of combined sewer overflow (CSO). Constructed wetlands are considered to be one of the green infrastructure solutions to CSOs in the US. Despite the wide application of constructed wetlands to different types of wastewaters, the stochastic and intermittent nature of CSO presents challenges for design and performance assessment of constructed wetlands. This paper reviews the application status of CSO constructed wetlands in the US, assesses the benefits of CSO constructed wetlands, identifies challenges to designing CSO constructed wetlands, and proposes design considerations. This review finds that constructed wetlands are effective in CSO treatment and relatively less expensive to build than comparable grey infrastructure. Constructed wetlands not only remove pollutants, but also mitigate the event-associated flow regime. The design challenges include incorporating considerations of green infrastructure into permit requirements, determining design capacity for highly variable flows, requiring pretreatment, and needing adaptive design and intensive monitoring. Simultaneous monitoring of flow rate and water quality at both the inflow and outflow of CSO constructed wetlands is required for performance assessment and needed to support design, but is rarely available.
La fiscalité à Byzance sous les Paléologues (13e-15e siècles). Les impôts directs et indirects
Authors: Kontogiannopoulou Anastasia
Published: November 2014

La fiscalité est un pilier important de l’économie d’un État, puisqu’elle constitue sa source principale de revenus et par conséquent influence fortement la vitalité de l’État lui-même. Cette étude présente le système fiscal de Byzance à l’époque des Paléologues (13e-15e siècles). Après une brève revue de l’évolution du système fiscal byzantin sont présentés en détail les divers impôts, directs et indirects, de l’époque des Paléologues, ainsi que l’impact de la politique fiscale des empereurs sur l’économie de cette période.
L’Union de Florence après la chute de Constantinople : la profession de foi de Léon le nomophylax et de Macaire de Nicomédie (1462/1464)
Authors: Blanchet Marie-Hélène
Published: November 2014

L’article propose une nouvelle édition de la profession de foi du nomophylax Léon Atrapès rédigée vers 1462/ 1464, reprise et soussignée par le métropolite Macaire de Nicomédie en février 1464. Les deux ecclésiastiques rejettent le dogme latin et se repentent d’avoir jadis approuvé l’Union des Églises proclamée lors du concile de Florence en 1439. L’existence d’une telle profession de foi montre que les conflits provoqués par l’Union au sein de l’Église grecque n’étaient pas encore apaisés dans les années 1460.
La chute d’Hypatios, archevêque d’Éphèse (519-540/541
Authors: Destephen Sylvain
Published: November 2014

Élevé sur le trône d’Éphèse en 519 dans le contexte de la politique de Justin Ier hostile aux monophysites, Hypatios bénéficie de la faveur de Justinien. Il fait figure de porteparole officiel de l’orthodoxie chalcédonienne, surtout lors du concile réuni en 536 à Constantinople, et se voit confiées plusieurs missions diplomatiques, en particulier auprès de la papauté. Sa brusque déposition en 540 ou 541 paraît à la fois surprenante et problématique, car elle est seulement connue par Michel le Syrien, un auteur jacobite du 11e siècle qui, de surcroît, fait d’Hypatios un manichéen. L’examen des sources religieuses rédigées dans le contexte des controverses dogmatiques des 6e-7e siècles indique l’invraisemblance de ce qualificatif. L’accusation de manichéisme paraît surtout employée contre l’aphthartodocétisme, une doctrine christologique improprement attribuée à l’évêque monophysite Julien d’Halicarnasse, mort vers 528. Le récit polémique de la déposition d’Hypatios et la présentation caricaturale de la pensée religieuse de Julien d’Halicarnasse ne permettent plus de considérer avec certitude Hypatios comme un sectateur de Julien.
The Greek monastery of St Margaret of Agros in Lusignan Cyprus: its relations with the Latin Church and the Papacy
Authors: Coureas Nicholas
Published: November 2014

The Greek monastery of St Margaret of Agros in Cyprus, founded in the 12th century before the Latin conquest of 1191, constantly maintained good relations with the papacy and the Latin Church of Cyprus. These relations enabled the monastery to protect its properties and incomes from encroachment by Latin clergy and secular lords. Following the Council of Florence in 1439, Abbot Jonathan was able to secure freedom from the jurisdiction of the Greek bishop of Solea, thereby placing his monastery under the direct jurisdiction of the Latin archbishop of Nicosia. By the early 16th century, when the Venetians ruled Cyprus, it was the second wealthiest Greek monastery in Cyprus and it continued to prosper under Ottoman rule until its destruction by Greek villagers in the late 19th century.
Synthesis of a resin monomer-soluble polyrotaxane crosslinker containing cleavable end groups
Authors: Seo Ji-Hun , Nakagawa Shino , Hirata Koichiro , Yui Nobuhiko
Published: November 2014

A resin monomer-soluble polyrotaxane (PRX) crosslinker with cleavable end groups was synthesized to develop degradable photosetting composite resins. The PRX containing 50 α-cyclodextrins (α-CDs) with disulfide end groups was initially modified with n-butylamine to obtain a resin monomer-soluble PRX. The PRX containing 13 n-butyl groups per α-CD molecule was completely soluble in conventional resin monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA). The synthesized n-butyl-containing PRX was further modified with 2-aminoethyl methacrylate to provide crosslinkable acrylic groups onto PRX. The prepared resin monomer-soluble PRX crosslinker was successfully polymerized with a mixture of HEMA and UDMA to provide photosetting plastic. It was confirmed that the Vickers hardness of the prepared plastic was greatly decreased after treatment with dithiothreitol. This indicates that the resin monomer-soluble PRX crosslinker can be applied to design degradable photosetting plastics potentially used in the industrial or biomedical field.
Défendre l'enseignement secondaire pour sauver le latin : le pari perdu de la Franco-Ancienne (1946-1978)
Authors: Cardon-Quint Clémence
Published: November 2014

Les associations de spécialistes et les syndicats enseignants font, le plus souvent, l’objet de travaux distincts, ce qui tend à reproduire sans l’interroger la division des rôles mises en avant par ces acteurs collectifs. Le cas de la Franco-Ancienne, de sa reconstitution en 1946 jusqu’à sa transformation en Association des professeurs de lettres en 1978, révèle au contraire une confusion des genres, attestée par le rôle central d’acteurs « multipositionnels » ainsi que par les stratégies argumentatives employées pour défendre les langues anciennes. En adossant la défense des humanités à celle de l’enseignement secondaire, les dirigeants de la Franco-Ancienne ont longtemps su défendre efficacement la cause du latin. Après avoir fait la force de la Franco-Ancienne, cette conjonction la condamna à l’échec lorsque, à la faveur des réformes éducatives et des mutations du corps enseignant, cette conception traditionnelle des finalités de l’enseignement secondaire devint minoritaire.
Serum immunoglobulin concentrations in horses racing a multiday endurance event
Authors: Esser M.M. , McKenzie E.C. , Payton M.E.
Published: November 2014

Chronic exercise can alter immune function. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of training and racing on serum immunoglobulin fractions (sIg) in horses participating in a multiday endurance event. Blood was obtained from 54 horses the day before a multiday race event with distance categories of 40 km (n=10) or 80 km (n=44) per day; from all available horses after completing each day; and once from 15 sedentary control horses. sIgGa, IgGb, sIgG(T), sIgA, and sIgM concentrations were measured via equine-specific ELISA, and data were analysed via repeated measures ANOVA (P<0.05, mean ± standard error). Ten horses completed 40 km once, and 44, 18 and 9 horses completed one, two and three 80 km days, respectively. Distance category and number of days raced had no effect on any immunoglobulin subtype. For horses in the 80 km category, sIgA before racing (1.97±0.14 mg/dl) was similar to controls (1.48±0.19) and after one, two or three days of racing (1.98±0.13, 1.80±0.15 and 1.76±0.26, respectively). Similarly, sIgM before racing (1.02±0.05 mg/dl) was not different to controls (1.08±0.12) and after one, two or three days of racing (1.03±0.06, 0.91±0.08 and 0.89±0.11). Similar findings were observed for sIgG(T) and sIgGa. For horses in the 40 km category, immunoglobulin subtype concentrations did not differ from before to after one day of racing, or from control horses, with the exception that sIgGb before racing (7.00±0.57), similarly to horses racing 80 km days (7.65±0.41), was significantly higher than in sedentary horses (5.71±0.54 mg/dl). This study identified higher sIgGb concentrations in trained endurance horses compared to sedentary horses, perhaps reflecting immune stimulation from disease exposure or more frequent vaccination.
Project-Driven Learning-by-Doing Method for Teaching Software Engineering using Virtualization Technology
Authors: Ma Kun , Teng Hao , Du Lixin , Zhang Kun
Published: November 2014

Many universities are now offering software engineering an undergraduate level emphasizing knowledge point. However, some enterprise managers reflected that education ignore hands-on ability training, and claimed that there is the isolation between teaching and practice. This paper presents the design of a Software Engineering course (sixth semester in network engineering) at University of Jinan for undergraduate Software Engineering students that uses virtualization technology to teach them project-driven learning-by-doing software development process. We present our motivation, challenges encountered, pedagogical goals and approaches, findings (both positive experiences and negative lessons). Our motivation was to teach project-driven Software Engineering using virtualization technology. The course also aims to develop entrepreneurial skills needed for software engineering graduates to better prepare them for the software industry. Billing models of virtualization help pupils and instructors find the cost of the experiment. In pay-as-you-go manner, two labs and three step-by-step projects (single project, pair project, and team project) are designed to help the students to complete the assignment excitedly. We conduct some detailed surveys and present the results of student responses. The assessment process designed for this course is illustrated. The paper also shows that learning-by-doing method correlates with the characteristics of different projects, which has resulted in a successful experience as reported by students in an end of a semester survey.
A Case Study of Primary School Students' Use of a Dynamic Statistics Software Package for Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Authors: Kleanthous Irene , Meletiou-Mavrotheris Maria
Published: November 2014

This chapter explores the potential of dynamic statistics software for supporting the teaching and learning of the Common Core Standards for Mathematics. It shares the experiences from a teaching experiment that implemented a data-driven approach to mathematics instruction using the dynamic data-visualization software InspireData© (Hancock, 2006), an educational package specifically designed to meet the learning needs of students in the middle and high school grades (Grades 4-12). We report on how a group of Grade 4 (about 9-year-old) students used the affordances provided by the dynamic learning environment to gather, analyze, and interpret data, and to draw data-based conclusions and inferences. The role of the technological tool in scaffolding and extending these young students' stochastical and mathematical reasoning is discussed.
Playing with Perpendicular Lines
Authors: Lapp Douglas A. , St. John Dennis
Published: November 2014

This chapter has been designed to examine both the teaching and learning of algebraic concepts as well as the way in which representations play a role in the development of these concepts. The framework for the discussion of representational use is based on the Kaput, Blanton, and Moreno (2008) model for the development of symbolic meaning. The specifics of this model are elaborated toward the end of the chapter.
Contextualizing Algebraic Word Problems through Story Using Technology
Authors: Kurz Terri L. , Bartholomew Barbara , Sibley Amanda , Fraser Scott
Published: November 2014

Using stories in mathematics helps students situate mathematics within a context. This chapter presents an activity for the integration of stories and word problems into an algebra course designed for pre-service teachers. The pre-service teachers designed and created stories using technology (digital cameras and PowerPoint) to support algebraic explorations at the elementary and secondary levels based on the Common Core Standards. A balance of technology, language arts, and mathematics content is possible with these stories. The activity can be extended beyond the university classroom by guiding secondary students in creating their own algebraic stories in the classroom.
The Synergism of Mathematical Thinking and Computational Thinking
Authors: Rambally Gerard
Published: November 2014

This chapter analyzes the nature of Computational Thinking (CT) and demonstrates the synergistic relationship between CT and Mathematical Thinking (MT). It cites commonly used definitions of CT and MT and discusses shared problem-solving techniques. The chapter discusses the roles mathematics plays in CT, including how specific mathematical topics interact with specific computing topics, and how mathematical reasoning complements computational reasoning. It explores some principles and practices of CT and performs an analysis of these principles and practices couched in their synergistic relationships to MT. The chapter also discusses a theory of learning for both MT and CT, the application of which suggests directions for pedagogy to enhance the learning of MT and CT concepts.
Application of Information and Communication Technology to Create E-Learning Environments for Mathematics Knowledge Learning to Prepare for Engineering Education
Authors: Cai Tianxing
Published: November 2014

The Standards for Mathematical Practice describe varieties of expertise that mathematics educators should develop in their students including NCTM process standards (problem solving, reasoning and proof, communication, representation, and connections), NRC's report Adding It Up (adaptive reasoning, strategic competence, conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and productive disposition), and Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (ICT application) to support mathematics teaching and learning. There is a need to provide effective ways that technology can be integrated into mathematics classrooms. Mathematical methods and techniques are typically used in engineering and industrial fields. It can also become an interdisciplinary subject motivated by engineers' needs. Mathematical problems in engineering result in rigorous engineering application carried out by mathematical tools. Therefore, the solid understanding and command of mathematical knowledge is very necessary. This chapter presents the introduction of currently available ICTs and their application to create e-learning environments to prepare for the students' future engineering education.
The Rise of “Environmental Sustainability Knowledge” in Business Strategy and Entrepreneurship
Authors: Ip-Soo-Ching Jean Marie , Zyngier Suzanne
Published: November 2014

This chapter articulates a conceptual framework to analyse the management of environmental sustainability knowledge in tourism that is underpinned by both the knowledge-based view of the firm (Grant, 1996; Spender, 1996) and the KM Life Cycle (Liebowitz & Beckman, 1998; Salisbury, 2012). This deliberate management of knowledge enables NTOs to build a knowledge-base about the natural environment and to use that knowledge for environmental sustainability, business sustainability, and local community education. Ten NTOs in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam were investigated to analyse their KM of environmental sustainability. In supporting the knowledge-based view and KM of environmental sustainability knowledge, a further conceptual framework is also advanced for the analysis of how Information Technology enables environmental sustainability knowledge to be created, captured, shared, and applied at NTOs among their staff, customers, and communities.
A Modified Fuzzy Hierarchical TOPSIS Model for Hotel Website Evaluation
Authors: Qi Shanshan , Law Rob , Buhalis Dimitrios
Published: November 2014

The performance of commercial websites is a critical issue that has a significant effect on consumers' online decision-making. This study develops and applies a fuzzy model to assess the performance of hotel websites. It presents a fuzzy decision-making approach to the evaluation of tourism website performance that integrates consumer perceptions with a hierarchical model. The model consists of a fuzzy multi-criteria procedure that weighs evaluation criteria in a hierarchy structure and defuzzifies the matrix in a simpler and more accurate way. The study's findings include a new website usefulness evaluation framework and a newly developed fuzzy hierarchical TOPSIS model. The results from applying this model indicate that the functionality and usability dimensions are equally important for hotel websites. The ranking of hotel website performance is listed in terms of usefulness, functionality, and usability.
E-Marketing and the Hotel Industry
Authors: Bansal Roli , Lamba Manisha , Alavi Shirin , Ahuja Vandana
Published: November 2014

In today's world, as online consumers become more price sensitive, less brand loyal and more sophisticated, e-Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and e-marketing becomes a strategic necessity for attracting and increasing consumer's patronage. This manuscript traces the evolution of e-marketing and demonstrates the relationship between the Web Presence Index (WPI) of the hospitality sector across a set of hotels. Here WPI of a particular hotel brand is a function of the total web presence across the Website, FaceBook Page, YouTube, Twitter and MakeMyTrip.com. Subsequently, a positive relationship is visible between the Web Presence Index (WPI) for each hotel and further, it's Alexa traffic volume indicates the total online user traffic. This manuscript demonstrates the web presence of hotels through WPI, Alexa, traffic volume, and their weighted calculated score on the basis of the above parameters. The Web Presence Index is indicative of the usability, credibility and persuasiveness of a consumer in the context of hotel websites. It further depicts how hotels can build better relations with customers by recognizing their needs, preferences, complaints and so on.
Hospitality Innovations in the Emerging Experience Economy
Authors: Bharwani Sonia
Published: November 2014

With the emergence of the experience economy, hospitality consumers have become qualitatively more discerning and are increasingly demanding innovative products and services. In order to understand the DNA of successful hospitality innovations, this chapter uses the case study of the Oberoi Group's luxury resorts to examine the innovations in the components of the marketing mix. The chapter then looks at the innovative personalized experience options offered by the resorts to meet the exponentially rising bar of guest expectations. The strategic role that hospitality employees play in contributing to and implementing service innovations, as well as the importance of embedding a culture of excellence and creative thinking in the organisation by recruiting the right employees and by providing training, empowering and engaging them to enable to innovate on a continuous basis, is also highlighted.
Food Tour of India
Authors: Dash Manoj Kumar
Published: November 2014

A food tour of any country is not generated overnight. It is the result of increasing taste of tourists while visiting any destination. No one carries food for the longer tour to any destination. On the spot encounters with foods of the region makes a tourist remember and pass on the information to his acquaintances. Thus, food tourism develops, and the stakeholder becomes proud of their regional foods. It exists in all the places of India, which is varied with vast variety. Culture of a particular region is maintained due to the prevailing food, which reflects in terms of other social activities. This chapter is an attempt to focus food as a destination development in India. Various Indian foods by different communities are an attraction for food lovers and connoisseurs.
Perceived Risk in E-Commerce and the Development of Loyalty
Authors: Alcántara-Pilar Juan Miguel , del Barrio-García Salvador
Published: November 2014

This chapter examines the effect of Website design, the language used on the Website, and the user's flow state while browsing on processing online information in terms of perceived security and loyalty towards the tourism service being promoted. The results underline the importance of Website design and language on perceived risk online, and of user flow state on the development of loyalty towards the tourist destination in question. It was found that user involvement with the site content is a key moderator in reducing perceived risk and increasing loyalty. In light of the findings, firms are recommended to select content for their Websites that reflect the different types of client motivation so as to make browsing more useful and appealing to users.
Pro-Poor Development through Tourism in Economically Backward Tribal Region of Odisha, India
Authors: Biswas Soumendra Nath
Published: November 2014

In India, tourism plays an important role in economic development and creation of jobs. The Approach Paper of the 12th Five Year Plan prepared by the Planning Commission highlights the need to adopt “pro-poor tourism” for increasing net benefits to the poor and ensuring that tourism growth contributes to poverty eradication. Tourism plays a key role in socio-economic progress through creation of jobs, enterprise, infrastructure, and revenue earnings. The Planning Commission has identified tourism as the second largest sector in the country in providing employment opportunities for low-skilled workers. Odisha has a large tribal population: out of India's 427 Scheduled Tribes, Odisha accounts for 62 tribal communities who constitute 27.08 percent of the state's population (2001). Of the 62 Scheduled Tribes, the state has declared 11 tribal communities as Primitive Tribal Groups. Each of these tribal communities is rich in social institutions and poor in economy. Achieving poverty eradication requires actions on a variety of complementary fronts and scales, but a prerequisite of significant progress is pro-poor growth – growth that benefits the poor tribal community. This chapter explores these.
Open, User, and Smart Innovation in Cultural Firms
Authors: Della Corte Valentina
Published: November 2014

The cultural sector is made of a variety of firms (both public and private) whose primary economic value derives from their cultural value (Flin, Mearns, O'Connor, & Bryden, 2000). The focus in this chapter is on the organizations that manage cultural sites, with a specific attention to the interactions between cultural sector and tourism industry. Nowadays, the competitive environment is more and more complex, owing to the globalization as well as to the interactions of this sector with others, so the cultural actors have to enrich their cultural offer in order to meet customers' needs effectively and efficiently. For this reason, innovation is acquiring a crucial role in a marketing approach for cultural firms in order to promote and distribute value through their offers. Managers of cultural firms are generally oriented to the preservation rather then to the promotion and valorization of cultural resources. Innovation, in its different perspectives, can be the key component for the creation of a new approach in the offer of cultural products, aiming at catching external opportunities through a continuous, interactive and innovative relationship with all the actors of the destination in order to gain sustainable competitive advantage.