bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psicologia jurídica e tomada de decisão em situações envolvendo abuso sexual infantil
Authors: Pelisoli Cátula , Gava Lara Lages , Dell’Aglio Débora Dalbosco
Published: April 2012

Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão teórica sobre a tomada de decisão em situações de alegação de abuso sexual infantil. Profissionais de saúde mental em todo o mundo necessitam tomar decisões acerca da veracidade dessas alegações, sendo muitas julgadas erroneamente. Este artigo apresenta o abuso sexual como um problema mundial, destaca as relações entre a psicologia e a justiça e aborda estudos que demonstram as influências de variáveis como vieses cognitivos, crenças prévias e gênero sobre as decisões tomadas por profissionais que avaliam tais casos. É fundamental que os profissionais reconheçam essas variáveis para que erros sobre esses julgamentos possam ser evitados e para que se aumente a qualidade das avaliações psicológicas forenses. A necessidade de experiência e conhecimento científico é abordada como possível contribuinte para a qualificação dos psicólogos que atuam na área e é sugerida a realização de pesquisas sobre o tema no contexto brasileiro.
Adaptação transcultural de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica: levantamento dos estudos realizados no Brasil de 2000 a 2010
Authors: Manzi-Oliveira Alana Batistuta , Balarini Fernanda Belinassi , Marques Letícia Aparecida da Silva , Pasian Sonia Regina
Published: April 2012

Diante da busca de aprimoramento técnico-científico nos processos de avaliação psicológica, este trabalho apresenta um panorama das investigações científicas brasileiras acerca da adaptação de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica. Com base em levantamento bibliográfico dos estudos publicados no período de 2000 a 2010, foram selecionados 24 estudos que constituíram o corpusanalisado. A maioria dos trabalhos seguiu diretrizes internacionais e nacionais de adaptação de instrumentos, sendo que 24 estudos realizaram processo de tradução, 18 apresentaram análise de fidedignidade e 16, evidências de validade. Pôde-se depreender, dentre os estudos analisados, que há uma variedade de procedimentos empregados para a adaptação de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica no contexto brasileiro. Ainda, puderam ser observadas algumas diferenças quanto à utilização de termos referentes à taxonomia psicométrica. Nesse sentido, pretende-se oferecer elementos para reflexão de pesquisadores e profissionais no que diz respeito à adaptação de instrumentos de avaliação psicológica no Brasil.
Formação em psicologia e educação inclusiva: um estudo transversal
Authors: Barbosa Altemir José Gonçalves , Conti Carolina Ferreira
Published: April 2012

Com o objetivo de efetuar um estudo transversal sobre a formação de psicólogos e a preparação recebida durante a graduação para atuar em escolas inclusivas, 163 estudantes de cinco períodos de dois cursos de Psicologia responderam a um questionário. Predominaram os participantes que não possuíam alguém com necessidade educacional especial na família. A maioria não teve, também, contato próximo com portadores de necessidades especiais. A maioria deles teve atividades e/ou disciplinas sobre inclusão escolar na graduação e estava insatisfeita ou indiferente quanto à preparação recebida para atuar em escolas inclusivas. Prevaleceram discentes que concordavam total ou parcialmente com a educação inclusiva. Constatou-se diferença significante entre os períodos somente no caso da inclusão escolar da necessidade educacional especial - autismo. Há evidências de que a graduação em Psicologia não tem sido capaz de alterar o posicionamento dos estudantes quanto à educação inclusiva e de prepará-los para serem psicólogos escolares em escolas inclusivas.
Erros e equilibração em psicologia genética
Authors: Queiroz Sávio Silveira de , Dias Letícia Pires , Chagas Josana Deriz , Nepomoceno Patrícia dos Santos
Published: April 2012

Os erros presentes nas tarefas de um sujeito construtor de conhecimento são importantes porque, ao se constituírem como observáveis, favorecem os processos de equilibração. Para o pesquisador, clínico ou professor, a observação construtivista dos erros pode garantir uma objetividade mínima nos processos de diagnóstico e intervenção. Nossa intenção neste trabalho de revisão teórica (ilustrado por comentários sobre um estudo de caso) é caracterizar o erro como parte inerente à atividade do sujeito construtor que, quando colocado a solucionar um problema, aproveita-se desse erro para promover a abertura de novos possíveis e, em seguida, dialeticamente, reduzi-los a um único possível, garantindo assim sua condição de necessário. Tentamos atualizar a caracterização dos erros como parte do processo de aprendizagem e reveladores da lógica infantil, criticando posições que os consideram meramente indícios de incapacidades e dificuldades em resolver tarefas.
Trastuzumab for Small HER-2+ Breast Cancer: Small Tumor, Big Decision
Authors: Connolly Roisin M. , Bardia Aditya
Published: April 2012

Presentation of the Case

A 53-year-old postmenopausal woman was found to have a new area of microcalcification at the 10 o'clock position of her right breast during a routine screening mammogram. Ultrasound-guided core biopsy revealed a grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, estrogen receptor (ER)+ (90%), progesterone receptor positive (20%), and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-2+ (3+ by immunohistochemistry). A right breast lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy were performed. The invasive tumor measured 0.7 cm, no lymphovascular space invasion was identified, surgical margins were uninvolved, and the sentinel lymph nodes were negative for tumor. She was evaluated postoperatively in the medical oncology clinic to discuss an adjuvant treatment strategy.

The question for our colleagues is: should she be offered adjuvant chemotherapy and trastuzumab prior to adjuvant radiation and 5 years of hormonal therapy?
Towards an Integrative Cognitive-Socio-Technical Approach in Health Informatics: Analyzing Technology-Induced Error Involving Health Information Systems to Improve Patient Safety
Authors: Borycki E.M , Kushniruk A.W
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this paper is to argue for an integration of cognitive and socio-technical approaches to assessing the impact of health information systems. Historically, health informatics research has examined the cognitive and socio-technical aspects of health information systems separately. In this paper we argue that evaluations of health information systems should consider aspects related to cognition as well as socio-technical aspects including impact on workflow (i.e. an integrated view). Using examples from the study of technology-induced error in healthcare, we argue for the use of simulations to evaluate the cognitive-socio-technical impacts of health information technology [36]. Implications of clinical simulations and analysis of cognitive-social-technical impacts are discussed within the context of the system development life cycle to improve health information system design, implementation and evaluation.
The Disparity Information and Communication Technology for Developing Countries has in the Delivery of Healthcare Information
Authors: Chhanabhai Prajesh N , Holt Alec
Published: April 2012

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have merged into the world of healthcare slowly but surely. However, the marriage between the use of technology and its full impact in the health sector has not been fully realised. The focus of this paper is to highlight the impact of ICT on revolutionising access to healthcare information and thus quality of health for populations of the developing world. This paper highlights on the importance of being able to access health information and how traditional media methods have been utilised to allow this within a developing country setting, highlighting the clear digital divide. The paper then addresses the impact of convergent communication technologies and mobile technologies in providing a means of addressing existing healthcare problems within a developing country setting.
CPOE in Non-Surgical Versus Surgical Specialties: A Qualitative Comparison of Clinical Contexts in the Medication Process
Authors: Niazkhani Zahra , Pirnejad Habibollah , Bont Antoinette de , Aarts Jos
Published: April 2012

Background:

Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) systems are implemented in various clinical contexts of a hospital. To identify the role of the clinical context in CPOE use, we compared the impact of a CPOE system on the medication process in both non-surgical and surgical specialties.

Methods:

We conducted a qualitative study of surgical and non-surgical specialties in a 1237-bed, academic hospital in the Netherlands. We interviewed the clinical end users of a computerized medication order entry system in both specialty types and analyzed the interview transcripts to elicit qualitative differences between the clinical contexts, clinicians’ attitudes, and specialty-specific requirements.

Results:

Our study showed that the differences in clinical contexts between non-surgical and surgical specialties resulted in a disparity between clinicians’ requirements when using CPOE. Non-surgical specialties had a greater medication workload, greater and more diverse information needs to be supported in a timely manner by the system, and thus more intensive interaction with the CPOE system. In turn these factors collectively influenced the perceived impact of the CPOE system on the clinicians’ practice. The non-surgical clinicians expressed less positive attitudes compared to the surgical clinicians, who perceived their interaction with the system to be less intensive and less problematic.

Conclusion:

Our study shows that clinicians’ different attitudes towards the system and the perceived impact of the system were largely grounded in the clinical context of the units. The study suggests that not merely the CPOE system, the technology itself, influences the perceptions of its users and workflow-related outcomes. The interplay between technology and clinical context of the implementation environment also matters. System design and redesigning efforts should take account of different units’ specific requirements in their particular clinical contexts.
System-Agnostic Clinical Decision Support Services: Benefits and Challenges for Scalable Decision Support
Authors: Kawamoto Kensaku , Del Fiol Guilherme , Orton Charles , Lobach David F
Published: April 2012

System-agnostic clinical decision support (CDS) services provide patient evaluation capabilities that are independent of specific CDS systems and system implementation contexts. While such system-agnostic CDS services hold great potential for facilitating the widespread implementation of CDS systems, little has been described regarding the benefits and challenges of their use. In this manuscript, the authors address this need by describing potential benefits and challenges of using a system-agnostic CDS service. This analysis is based on the authors’ formal assessments of, and practical experiences with, various approaches to developing, implementing, and maintaining CDS capabilities. In particular, the analysis draws on the authors’ experience developing and leveraging a system-agnostic CDS Web service known as SEBASTIAN. A primary potential benefit of using a system-agnostic CDS service is the relative ease and flexibility with which the service can be leveraged to implement CDS capabilities across applications and care settings. Other important potential benefits include facilitation of centralized knowledge management and knowledge sharing; the potential to support multiple underlying knowledge representations and knowledge resources through a common service interface; improved simplicity and componentization; easier testing and validation; and the enabling of distributed CDS system development. Conversely, important potential challenges include the increased effort required to develop knowledge resources capable of being used in many contexts and the critical need to standardize the service interface. Despite these challenges, our experiences to date indicate that the benefits of using a system-agnostic CDS service generally outweigh the challenges of using this approach to implementing and maintaining CDS systems.
Adjusting Felder-Silverman learning styles model for application in adaptive e-learning
Authors: Mihailovic Djordje , Despotovic-Zrakic Marijana , Bogdanovic Zorica , Barac Dusan , Vujin Vladimir
Published: April 2012

This paper presents an approach for adjusting Felder-Silverman learning
styles model for application in development of adaptive e-learning systems.
Main goal of the paper is to improve the existing e-learning courses by
developing a method for adaptation based on learning styles. The proposed
method includes analysis of data related to students characteristics and
applying the concept of personalization in creating e-learning courses. The
research has been conducted at Faculty of organizational sciences, University
of Belgrade, during winter semester of 2009/10, on sample of 318 students.
The students from the experimental group were divided in three clusters,
based on data about their styles identified using adjusted Felder-Silverman
questionnaire. Data about learning styles collected during the research were
used to determine typical groups of students and then to classify students
into these groups. The classification was performed using data mining
techniques. Adaptation of the e-learning courses was implemented according to
results of data analysis. Evaluation showed that there was statistically
significant difference in the results of students who attended the course
adapted by using the described method, in comparison with results of students
who attended course that was not adapted.
Extrusion of AlCuMg Alloys with Simultaneous Solution Heat Treatment
Authors: Leśniak D. , Woźnicki A.
Published: April 2012

Extrusion of AlCuMg Alloys with Simultaneous Solution Heat Treatment

In the work, the experiments on extrusion of high-strength aluminium alloys (2014 and 2024) with solution heat treatment on the press were performed. The experimental study describes extrudates microstructure and mechanical properties in dependence on alloy chemical composition, mode of homogenization treatment and temperature-speed extrusion conditions. The optical microscopy and SEM/EDS characterization were supported by DSC analysis, enabling to determine the solidus temperatures of the alloys. The investigations revealed that minimal contents of the main alloy additions (Cu, Mg), high-temperature homogenization and increased extrusion temperatures contributed to achieving high solutioning ratio of the alloys, guarantying improved mechanical properties of the extrudates. The high-temperature homogenization allowed achieving uniform microstructure of ingots with fine particles of intermetallic phases. The significant increase in solidus temperatures of the homogenized alloys enabled more effective solutioning on the run-out table. The maximal permissible metal exit speed was increased and the extrusion force was reduced in comparison to the conventional extrusion technology. The proposed solutions will allow for industrial producing AlCuMg extrudates of improved mechanical properties in the shortened technological cycle with heat treatment on the press.
The Influence of Soldering Conditions on Conductivity, Structure and Strength of Cu/Sn96Ag4 Solders
Authors: Boczkal G. , Marecki P. , Perek-Nowak M.
Published: April 2012

The Influence of Soldering Conditions on Conductivity, Structure and Strength of Cu/Sn96Ag4 Solders

In the paper the electrical properties of the Cu/Sn96Ag4 solders were studied. The studied solders were produced at 200, 220 and 250°C and within time range 3 to 90 s. Soldering temperatures were chosen to assure the best soldering conditions for the Cu/Sn96Ag4 alloy. The most appropriate temperature of 200°C is the one just above the melting point. The temperature of 250°C is the maximal one recommended by producers, which can be applied for the electronic elements during soldering. The studies have shown that the best electrical properties and tensile strength Rm have samples soldered at times 3 and 30 s, while the highest specific resistance together with the lowest Rm value are observed for samples soldered at the time of 10 s. The soldering temperature have small influence on the strength of the connection/bond however it shows significant affect on the electrical properties.
Influence of Slenderness Ratios of a Multi-Hole Ceramic Filters at the Effectiveness of Process of Filtration of Non-Metallic Inclusions from Liquid Steel
Authors: Janiszewski K.
Published: April 2012

Influence of Slenderness Ratios of a Multi-Hole Ceramic Filters at the Effectiveness of Process of Filtration of Non-Metallic Inclusions from Liquid Steel

The paper presents the results of investigations of the process of filtration of solid non-metallic inclusions from liquid steel with use of multi-hole ceramic filters (filtrating surfaces) characterised by a varying slenderness ratios. In order to eliminate the negative influence of the ambient air atmosphere the investigations have been carried out under a protective argon atmosphere. The experimental results obtained have proved earlier suggestions of papers [9-12] about the negative influence of ambient air atmosphere, as well as the essential influence of slenderness ratio of the used multi-hole ceramic filter at the increase of effectiveness of the liquid steel refining processes carried out through steel filtration.
Secondary Steel Refining for Continuous Sequence Bloom Casting for High Oxide Cleanness Final Products
Authors: Zdonek B. , Szypuła I. , Kozłowski J. , Szczęch S.
Published: April 2012

Secondary Steel Refining for Continuous Sequence Bloom Casting for High Oxide Cleanness Final Products

Steelmaking and secondary refining process technology of resulphurized liquid steel with low content of total oxygen, assigned for continuous casting of strands for rolled and forged products for automotive industry was developed. The influence of secondary steel refining parameters on total oxygen content as well as amount and morphology of non-metallic inclusions was examined. It was found, that content of total oxygen and amount of non-metallic inclusions in steel decrease as steel refining time in the ladle becomes longer, and the chemical composition of non-metallic inclusions in steel changes from modified calcium aluminates to spinel inclusion of CaO·Al2O3·MgO type. The total oxygen content in steel from continuous casting in four cast sequence ranged from 6 to 25 ppm, with percentage share of non-metallic inclusions from 0.09 to 0.30 per cent and equivalent diameter 0.78 to 1.59 μm.
Identification of the Boundary Conditions in the Continuous Casting of Steel
Authors: Rywotycki M. , Miłkowska-Piszczek K. , Trębacz L.
Published: April 2012

Identification of the Boundary Conditions in the Continuous Casting of Steel

The results of investigations relating the determination of thermal boundary conditions for continuous casting of steel were presented in the paper. The slab of dimensions 1100 mm x 220 mm was analyzed. In numerical calculations two models were compared. The first was the simple one and it used average heat transfer coefficient in both cooling zones. The second one used complex models in primary and secondary cooling zones. The presented models were verified on basing on an industrial data base. The problem was solved by the finite element method and the commercial numerical packet ProCAST.
Dominant Groups Have Right to Live?
Authors: Bhattachan Krishna Bahadur
Published: April 2012

I have divided this paper into four sections: (1) Bio- and socio-cultural diversity, (2) Definition and identification of “tribals” in Nepal, (3) Tribals and Forests, and (4) Common issues of sustainable livelihood. Tribals and Forests are divided into two sub-sections: (i) Forest dwellers (nomads and settled forest dwellers) and (ii) Tribals who have been dispossessed from their forests and lands and now become forest dependent. I have identified four common issues of sustainable livelihood: (I) land alienation, (ii) displacement and deforestation, (iii) loss or exploitation of indigenous knowledge system, and (iv) lack of resistance, organized movements and insurgency.DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v1i0.275Dauligiri Vol.1 (2005) pp.42-66
Corruption In Nepal: An Anthropological Inquiry
Authors: Subedi Madhusudan Sharma
Published: April 2012

For at least a decade and more obtrusively in recent years, the problem of corruption has been at the center of the political agenda in Nepal. It is recognized as one of the chief causes of Nepal’s underdevelopment. It is very widespread, has different manifestations, and is practiced at all levels of society. The Nepali bureaucracy, politician, and the business sector are most seriously affected by, and inextricably involved in corruption. This is really a great challenge to the campaign of modern Nepal. The businesspersons, the politicians, government officials, so called academicians and even consumers are responsible for this. The intention of this paper is to classify the various forms of corruption in order to operationalize the concept for analytical and practical proposes. First, I will outline the different forms of corruption prevailing in Nepal. Secondly, I will propose some issues to fight against corruption, a broader agenda of democratization.DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v1i0.283Dhaulagiri Vol.1 (2005) pp.110-128
Relative contribution of surface mass-balance and ice-flux changes to the accelerated thinning of Mer de Glace, French Alps, over1979-2008
Authors: Berthier Etienne , Vincent Christian
Published: April 2012

By subtracting surface topographies from 1979, 1994, 2000 and 2008, we measured icethinning rates increasing from 1 ma-1 (1979-94) to >4 ma-1 (2000-08) on the tongue of Mer de Glace, French Alps. The relative contributions of changes in surface mass balance and ice fluxes to this acceleration in the thinning are estimated using field and remote-sensing measurements. Between 1979-94 and 2000-08, surface mass balance diminished by 1.2mw.e.a-1, mainly because of atmospheric warming. Mass-balance changes induced by the growing debris-covered area and the evolving glacier hypsometry compensated each other. Meanwhile, Mer de Glace slowed down and the ice fluxes through two cross sections at 2200 and 2050ma.s.l. decreased by 60%. Between 1979-94 and 2000-08, two-thirds of the increase in the thinning rates was caused by reduced ice fluxes and one- third by rising surface ablation. However, these numbers need to be interpreted cautiously given our inability to respect mass conservation below our upper cross section. An important implication is that large errors would occur if one term of the continuity equation (e.g. surface mass balance) were deduced from the two others (e.g. elevation and ice-flux changes).
Direct Observation of THF Hydrate Formation in Porous Microstructure Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Xue Kaihua , Zhao Jiafei , Song Yongchen , Liu Weiguo , Lam Weihaur , Zhu Yiming , Liu Yu , Cheng Chuanxiao , Liu Di
Published: April 2012

The porous microstructure of hydrates governs the mechanical strength of the hydrate-bearing sediment. To investigate the growth law and microstructure of hydrates in porous media, the growth process of tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrate under different concentration of THF solution is directly observed using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The images show that the THF hydrate grows as different models under different concentration of THF solution (19%, 11.4% and 5.7% by weight) at 1 °C. When the concentration is 19% (stoichiometric molar ratio of THF/H2O = 1:17), the THF hydrate grows as cementing model. However, with the decreasing concentration of THF, the growth model transfers from cementing model to floating model. The results show that the growth of the THF hydrate was influenced by the dissolved quantity of THF in the water. The extension of the observed behavior to methane hydrate could have implications in understanding their role in seafloor and permafrost stability.
Evaluation of the Adenocarcinoma-Associated Gene AGR2 and the Intestinal Stem Cell Marker LGR5 as Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Valladares-Ayerbes Manuel , Blanco-Calvo Moisés , Reboredo Margarita , Lorenzo-Patiño María J. , Iglesias-Díaz Pilar , Haz Mar , Díaz-Prado Silvia , Medina Vanessa , Santamarina Isabel , Pértega Sonia , Figueroa Angélica , Antón-Aparicio Luis M.
Published: April 2012

We aim to estimate the diagnostic performances of anterior gradient homolog-2 (AGR2) and Leucine-rich repeat-containing-G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) in peripheral blood (PB) as mRNA biomarkers in colorectal cancer (CRC) and to explore their prognostic significance. Real-time PCR was used to analyze AGR2 and LGR5 in 54 stages I-IV CRC patients and 19 controls. Both mRNAs were significantly increased in PB from CRC patients compared to controls. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curves were 0.722 (p = 0.006), 0.376 (p = 0.123) and 0.767 (p = 0.001) for AGR2, LGR5 and combined AGR2/LGR5, respectively. The AGR2/LGR5 assay resulted in 67.4% sensitivity and 94.7% specificity. AGR2 correlated with pT3–pT4 and high-grade tumors. LGR5 correlated with metastasis, R2 resections and high-grade. The progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with high AGR2 was reduced (p = 0.037; HR, 2.32), also in the stage I-III subgroup (p = 0.046). LGR5 indicated a poor prognosis regarding both PFS (p = 0.007; HR, 1.013) and overall survival (p = 0.045; HR, 1.01). High AGR2/LGR5 was associated with poor PFS (p = 0.014; HR, 2.8) by multivariate analysis. Our findings indicate that the assessment of AGR2 and LGR5 in PB might reflect the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and stem cell like CTC in CRC. Increased AGR2 and LGR5 are associated with poor outcomes.
Ionic Liquid Applications in Peptide Chemistry: Synthesis, Purification and Analytical Characterization Processes
Authors: Tietze Alesia A. , Heimer Pascal , Stark Annegret , Imhof Diana
Published: April 2012

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances made in the field of ionic liquids in peptide chemistry and peptide analytics.
(−)-Kunstleramide, a New Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Dienamide from the Bark of Beilschmiedia kunstleri Gamble
Authors: Mollataghi Abbas , Hadi A. Hamid A. , Cheah Shiau-Chuen
Published: April 2012

A new dienamide, (2E,4E)-7-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-ethyl-6-(R)-hydroxyhepta- 2,4-dienamide, named (-)-kunstleramide (1), were isolated from the bark of Beilschmiedia kunstleri Gamble together with one neolignan: (+)-kunstlerone (2) and seven known alkaloids: (+)-nornuciferine (3), (-)-isocaryachine (4), (+)-cassythicine (5), (+)-laurotetanine (6), (+)-boldine (7), noratherosperminine (8), (+)-N-demethylphyllocaryptine (9). Their structures were established from spectroscopic techniques, most notably 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR, OR, circular dichroism (CD) spectra and LCMS-IT-TOF. (-)-Kunstleramide (1) exhibited very poor dose-dependent inhibition of DPPH activity, with an IC50 value of 179.5 ± 4.4 μg/mL, but showed a moderate cytotoxic effect on MTT assays of A375, A549, HT-29, PC-3 and WRL-68 with EC50 values of 64.65, 44.74, 55.94, 73.87 and 70.95 µg/mL, respectively.
Epigenetic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Kubota Takeo , Takae Hirasawa , Miyake Kunio
Published: April 2012

The number of children with mild neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, has been recently increasing in advanced countries. This increase is probably caused by environmental factors rather than genetic factors, because it is unlikely that genetic mutation rates suddenly increased within a short period. Epigenetics is a mechanism that regulates gene expression, depending not on the underlying DNA sequence but on the chemical modifications of DNA and histone proteins. Because mental stress can alter the epigenetic status in neuronal cells, environmental factors may alter brain function through epigenetic changes. However, one advantage of epigenetic changes is their reversibility. Therefore, diseases due to abnormal epigenetic regulation are theoretically treatable. In fact, several drugs for treating mental diseases are known to have restoring effects on aberrant epigenetic statuses, and a novel therapeutic strategy targeting gene has been developed. In this review, we discuss epigenetic mechanisms of congenital and acquired neurodevelopmental disorders, drugs with epigenetic effects, novel therapeutic strategies for epigenetic diseases, and future perspectives in epigenetic medicine.
Structural Basis for Differential Neutralization of Ebolaviruses
Authors: Bale Shridhar , Dias Joao M. , Fusco Marnie L. , Hashiguchi Takao , Wong Anthony C. , Liu Tong , Keuhne Ana I. , Li Sheng , Woods Virgil L. , Chandran Kartik , Dye John M. , Saphire Erica Ollmann
Published: April 2012

There are five antigenically distinct ebolaviruses that cause hemorrhagic fever in humans or non-human primates (Ebola virus, Sudan virus, Reston virus, Taï Forest virus, and Bundibugyo virus). The small handful of antibodies known to neutralize the ebolaviruses bind to the surface glycoprotein termed GP1,2. Curiously, some antibodies against them are known to neutralize in vitro but not protect in vivo, whereas other antibodies are known to protect animal models in vivo, but not neutralize in vitro. A detailed understanding of what constitutes a neutralizing and/or protective antibody response is critical for development of novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we show that paradoxically, a lower affinity antibody with restricted access to its epitope confers better neutralization than a higher affinity antibody against a similar epitope, suggesting that either subtle differences in epitope, or different characteristics of the GP1,2 molecules themselves, confer differential neutralization susceptibility. Here, we also report the crystal structure of trimeric, prefusion GP1,2 from the original 1976 Boniface variant of Sudan virus complexed with 16F6, the first antibody known to neutralize Sudan virus, and compare the structure to that of Sudan virus, variant Gulu. We discuss new structural details of the GP1-GP2 clamp, thermal motion of various regions in GP1,2 across the two viruses visualized, details of differential interaction of the crystallized neutralizing antibodies, and their relevance for virus neutralization.
REGIME CHANGES IN MONETARY POLICY AND THE EXPECTATION HYPOTHESIS OF THE TERM STRUCTURE IN TURKEY
Authors: Özdemir K. Azim , Özel Özgür
Published: April 2012

In this study we test the long-run validity of the Expectation Hypothesis of the Term Structure (EHTS) in Turkey by using monthly interest rate series from 2003m1 to 2010m1. The data set is obtained from the bonds and bills market for the government securities in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE). Several results arise from our empirical analysis. First, we find strong evidence that there are stationary combinations of the long and short rates during the sample period. Secondly, when we restrict the cointegrating vectors to be the spread vectors between short and long rates we are not able to reject the restriction if the dynamic specifications of the systems include 2 lags of the interest rates. This result, however, is not robust to the lag length of 4 and 6 if the systems include interest rates with maturities longer than 6 months. Finally, the formal stability test results suggest that the regime change from the implicit to the full-fledged inflation targeting (IT) has no significant effect on the relationship among the interest rates on the short end of the term structure while the structural instability found in the relationship between the short rates and the long rates with maturity longer than 6 months might indicate the effect of the regime shift on this relationship. These results are in line with the conclusions of the literature that argues the EHTS to hold for the short end of the term structure when the focus of the monetary policy is to stabilize the short-term interest rates.
MANAGING MATURITY IN PROCESS-BASED IMPROVEMENT ORGANIZATIONS: A PERSPECTIVE OF THE ROMANIAN COMPANIES
Authors: Păunescu Carmen , Acatrinei Pantea Carmen
Published: April 2012

Building upon various models from the literature which assess the maturity level achieved by an organization at one moment in time, the paper introduces a model which helps organizations, interested in remaining competitive and achieving sustainability, to monitor and evaluate their process performance. Such as, the paper analyzes the relationships that exist among the critical components of an organization's management system at the strategic and operational level so that key drivers will become the heart of sustainable development. In particular, the paper focuses on how the organizational system influences process maturity profile of the Romanian companies. Data were collected in face-to-face structured-questionnaire interviews from 1302 public and private organizations from Romania. The dearth of empirical research examining organization process maturity in emerging countries constitutes a critical gap in the business process management literature that needs much more attention from scholars. For the purpose of this paper, a factor analysis was employed to explain the pattern of correlations within a set of observed variables that determine the process maturity profile of the Romanian companies. The research results show that there are strong positive correlations between the variables examined that account for a higher level of maturity and performance of organization's processes.
Using the Transtheoretical Model for Outcome Evaluation in Continuing Education
Authors: Randhawa Simmy
Published: April 2012

Measuring the outcomes of continuing education programs can be challenging for providers. One method to measure change behavior is to measure learners’ readiness to act using the Transtheoretical Model. Outcomes for this evaluation method can also assist providers in planning future education programs designed to meet learners’ needs in their stage of behavior change.
Launching Care Partners in Medical-Surgical Nursing
Authors: Cusanza Sharon
Published: April 2012

In the wake of health care reform, a large health system developed a new model of medical-surgical nursing care delivery. To facilitate the subsequent culture change, a non-traditional educational approach was used to provide a dynamic experiential venue that included real-time feedback to facilitate nurses’ behavioral transformation.
Crosslingual Access to Photo Databases
Authors: Fluhr Christian
Published: April 2012

This paper is about search of photos in photo databases of agencies which sell photos over the Internet. The problem is far from the behavior of photo databases managed by librarians and also far from the corpora generally used for research purposes. The descriptions use mainly single words and it is well known that it is not the best way to have a good search. This increases the problem of semantic ambiguity. This problem of semantic ambiguity is crucial for cross-language querying. On the other hand, users are not aware of documentation techniques and use generally very simple queries but want to get precise answers. This paper gives the experience gained in a 3 year use (2006-2008) of a cross-language access to several of the main international commercial photo databases. The languages used were French, English, and German.
Human-Centred Web Search
Authors: Hoeber Orland
Published: April 2012

People commonly experience difficulties when searching the Web, arising from an incomplete knowledge regarding their information needs, an inability to formulate accurate queries, and a low tolerance for considering the relevance of the search results. While simple and easy to use interfaces have made Web search universally accessible, they provide little assistance for people to overcome the difficulties they experience when their information needs are more complex than simple fact-verification. In human-centred Web search, the purpose of the search engine expands from a simple information retrieval engine to a decision support system. People are empowered to take an active role in the search process, with the search engine supporting them in developing a deeper understanding of their information needs, assisting them in crafting and refining their queries, and aiding them in evaluating and exploring the search results. In this chapter, recent research in this domain is outlined and discussed.
Studying Web Search Engines from a User Perspective
Authors: Chaudiron Stéphane , Ihadjadene Madjid
Published: April 2012

This chapter shows that the wider use of Web search engines, reconsidering the theoretical and methodological frameworks to grasp new information practices. Beginning with an overview of the recent challenges implied by the dynamic nature of the Web, this chapter then traces the information behavior related concepts in order to present the different approaches from the user perspective. The authors pay special attention to the concept of “information practice” and other related concepts such as “use”, “activity”, and “behavior” largely used in the literature but not always strictly defined. The authors provide an overview of user-oriented studies that are meaningful to understand the different contexts of use of electronic information access systems, focusing on five approaches: the system-oriented approaches, the theories of information seeking, the cognitive and psychological approaches, the management science approaches, and the marketing approaches. Future directions of work are then shaped, including social searching and the ethical, cultural, and political dimensions of Web search engines. The authors conclude considering the importance of Critical theory to better understand the role of Web Search engines in our modern society.
Regional and Sectoral Disparities in Inflow of FDI in India
Authors: Shahmoradi Behrooz
Published: April 2012

During the last two decades, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has become increasingly important in the developing world, with a growing number of developing countries seeking in attracting substantial and rising amounts of inward FDI. Furthermore, FDI has become the most important source of finance that can contribute to economic development. Recognizing this, all the governments want to attract it. India as a developing country is not an exception in this regard therefore study the different aspects of FDI can be helpful for policy makers in macro as well as micro level. Since 1990, FDI has been considered as the most powerful driver of economic development. While India has seen a steady increase in FDI inflows in the post-reform period, therefore, this study tries to analyze the regional and sectoral disparities in Inflow of FDI in India since 1990. The analysis showed that there is a disparity between states in India and it also indicates a shift from primary and secondary sectors to tertiary sectors and pervasive computing areas.
Quality of Life Modeling at the Regional Level
Authors: Krupka Jirí , Kašparová Miloslava , Jirava Pavel , Mandys Jan
Published: April 2012

The chapter presents the problem of quality of life modeling in the Czech Republic based on classification methods. It concerns a comparison of methodological approaches; in the first case the approach of the Institute of Sociology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic was used, the second case is concerning a project of the civic association Team Initiative for Local Sustainable Development. On the basis of real data sets from the institute and team initiative the authors synthesized and analyzed quality of life classification models. They used decision tree classification algorithms for generating transparent decision rules and compare the classification results of decision tree. The classifier models on the basis of C5.0, CHAID, C&RT and C5.0 boosting algorithms were proposed and analyzed. The designed classification model was created in Clementine.
The Regional Innovation Capacity Model
Authors: Lerro Antonio , Schiuma Giovanni
Published: April 2012

This chapter aims to present a conceptual model aimed to understand the Intellectual Capital-based (IC) characteristics of the regional innovation capacity. The proposed Regional Innovation Capacity Model (RICM) can be used for interpretative and normative purposes to analyse the innovation dynamics taking place at regional and territorial level. From an interpretative point of view, the model identifies the pillars grounding the innovation capacity of a local system. While, from a normative perspective, the model can inspire the definition of guidelines driving the design and the implementation of actions, projects and programmes aimed to stimulate and sustain regional development dynamics. The RICM adopts a knowledge-based perspective assuming that IC, in the forms of regional knowledge assets, and knowledge dynamics, in the form of knowledge transfer and learning processes, are the drivers of innovative processes and outputs. The chapter concludes proposing a future research agenda.
Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development
Authors: Omer Abdeen Mustafa
Published: April 2012

The increased availability of reliable and efficient energy services stimulates new development alternatives. This article discusses the potential for such integrated systems in the stationary and portable power market in response to the critical need for a cleaner energy technology. Anticipated patterns of future energy use and consequent environmental impacts (acid precipitation, ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect or global warming) are comprehensively discussed in this chapter. Throughout the theme several issues relating to renewable energies, environment, and sustainable development are examined from both current and future perspectives. It is concluded that green energies like wind, solar, ground-source heat pumps, and biomass must be promoted, implemented, and demonstrated from the economic and/or environmental point view.
The Siyakhula Living Lab
Authors: Khane Caroline Pade , Siebörger Ingrid , Thinyane Hannah , Dalvit Lorenzo
Published: April 2012

Rural development and poverty alleviation are a priority for development in South Africa. Information and knowledge are key strategic resources for social and economic development, as they empower rural communities with the ability to expand their choices through knowing what works best in their communities. Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) act as tools which enable existing rural development activities. The Siyakhula living lab (SLL) aims to develop and field-test a distributed, multifunctional community communication platform, using localization through innovation, to deploy in marginalized communities in South Africa. The project exists as research collaboration between the Telkom Centres of Excellence at the University of Fort Hare and Rhodes University. Its current pilot operates in the Mbashe municipal area, which is a deep rural area located along the wild coast of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The Dwesa-Cweba Nature Reserve acts as a chief asset in the community, which contributes to tourism development. However, the community is currently not actively involved in tourism development; but potential exists in local arts, crafts, and authentic heritage tourism. Therefore, the SLL aspires to empower the community with appropriate communication technology skills to actively support tourism development and other complementary development activities, such as, education. The lessons learned and applied in the project’s current pilot stage identify techniques and approaches that aim to promote the effectiveness and sustainability of the ICT project in a rural context. These approaches and techniques are viewed and described from social-cultural, institutional, economic, and technological perspectives.
Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development of Open and Distance Learning Programs in India
Authors: Tripathi Purnendu , Mukerji Siran
Published: April 2012

The ODL institutions need to have a competitive strategy so as to provide quality education at an affordable cost. This makes India a special case of investigation, wherein a network of over 10 open universities and 104 institutes of open and distance education (IODE) are providing access and equity to education. Challenge and competition in the education sector have presented a new situation where institutions are now viewed as conglomerates and educational programs as educational products. To ascertain sustainable and quality oriented education in open and distance learning mode, the present chapter attempts to make an analysis of IGNOU, the premier national open university of India by Academic Program Life Cycle (APLC) and SWOC, and to suggest strategies for improving the continuance and survival of academic programs and quality assurance in support services.
Communicating Environmental Information on a Company and Inter-Organizational Level
Authors: Perl-Vorbach Elke
Published: April 2012

The collection, managing and communication of environmental information are nowadays seen as an essential prerequisite for sustainable development. However, ways of generating and exchanging environmental information differ within and between companies. Moreover, the use of highly sophisticated environmental information systems can still be seen at in its infancy. The aim of this chapter is thus to assess ways of the application of environmental information systems for sustainable development, both within and between organizations, can be supported. An empirical analysis of those barriers and obstacles, which inhibit the implementation of environmental information systems, is also carried out. Additionally, we also pay attention to forms of industry wide environmental protection, and take existing cooperation and relationships, sustainable supply chains, and recycling networks into account. For this purpose, basic conditions for the inter-organizational exchange of environmental information are investigated. This provides the basis for identifying means to strengthen the position of environmental protection in connection with inter-organizational exchange of environmental information. Improved methods of implementing environmental information systems within and between companies are developed, thus promoting greater cooperation for sustainable development.
A Case on University and Community Collaboration
Authors: Becker S. Ann , Keimer Robert , Muth Tim
Published: April 2012

Small businesses are viewed as the backbone of America and integral in the recovery of any economic downturn. Creative approaches to university and community collaboration are being explored to achieve high rates of success in launching, sustaining, and growing small businesses. One such approach, the Entrepreneurial Training Services (ETS) program, is being studied by Sci-Tech University as a means of technology innovation and regional economic development. The ETS Program has several unique features including: the entrenchment of a large number of adults in the program, an intensive training approach that is implemented in a short time frame, personalized mentoring offered to each entrepreneur in the program, and the leveraging of resources with a large, diverse group of community partners. The case profiles the region using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis, identifies an ETS framework on which the program is based and explains the process of implementation. The case concludes with challenges facing the university and local community in offering the ETS Program to a large and diverse group of entrepreneurs. It also summarizes benefits and successes from initial implementation efforts.