bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anterior inferior petrosectomy: defining the role of endonasal endoscopic techniques for petrous apex approaches
Authors: Van Gompel Jamie J. , Alikhani Puya , Tabor Mark H. , van Loveren Harry R. , Agazzi Sivero , Froelich Sebastien , Youssef A. Samy
Published: March 2014

Object

Historically, surgery to the petrous apex has been addressed via craniotomy and open microscopic anterior petrosectomy (OAP). However, with the popularization of endoscopic approaches, the petrous apex can further be approached endonasally by way of an endoscopic endonasal anterior petrosectomy (EAP). Endonasal anterior petrosectomy is a relatively new procedure and has not been compared anatomically with OAP. The authors hypothesized that the EAP and OAP techniques approach different portions of the petrous apex and therefore may have different applications.

Methods

Four cadaveric heads were used. An OAP was performed on one side and an EAP was performed on the contralateral side; the limits of bony resection were defined. The extent of bony resection was then evaluated using predissection and postdissection thin-slice CT scans. The comparative resection was then reconstructed using 3D modeling on Brainlab workstations.

Results

The average resection volumes for EAP and OAP were 0.297 cm3 and 0.649 cm3, respectively, representing a comparative percentage of 46% (EAP/OAP). An EAP and OAP achieved resection of 29% and 64% of the total petrous apex volume, respectively. Indeed, EAP addressed the inferior portion of the petrous apex located adjacent to the petroclival suture more completely than OAP, where 45% of the bone overlying the petroclival suture (petroclival angle to the jugular foramen) was resected with the EAP, while 0% was resected with the OAP.

Conclusions

In anatomically normal cadavers, OAP achieved nearly a 50% larger volumetric resection than EAP. Furthermore, while OAP appears to completely address the superior portion of the petrous apex, EAP appears to have a niche in approaches to lesions in the inferior petrous apex. Given these results, the authors propose that OAP be redefined as the “superior anterior petrosectomy,” while EAP be referred to as the “inferior anterior petrosectomy,” which more clearly defines the role of each approach in anterior petrosectomy.
Resolution-dependent performance of grounding line motion in a shallow model compared with a full-Stokes model according to the MISMIP3d intercomparison
Authors: Feldmann J. , Albrecht T. , Khroulev C. , Pattyn F. , Levermann A.
Published: March 2014

Making confident statements about the evolution of an ice-sheet–shelf system with a numerical model requires the capability to reproduce the migration of the grounding line. Here we show that the shallow-ice approximation/shallow-shelf approximation hybrid-type Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM), with its recent improvements, is capable of modeling the grounding line motion in a perturbed ice-sheet–shelf system. The model is set up according to the three-dimensional Marine Ice-Sheet Model Intercomparison Project (MISMIP3d), and simulations are carried out across a broad range of spatial resolutions. Using (1) a linear interpolation of the grounding line with locally interpolated basal friction and (2) an improved driving-stress computation across the grounding line, the reversibility of the grounding line (i.e. its retreat after an advance forced by a local perturbation of basal resistance) is captured by the model even at medium and low resolutions (∆x > 10 km). The transient model response is qualitatively similar to that of higher-order models but reveals a higher initial sensitivity to perturbations on very short timescales. Our findings support the application of PISM to the Antarctic ice sheet from regional up to continental scales and on relatively low spatial resolutions.
The Effect of Mean Daily Temperature and Relative Humidity on Pollen, Fruit Set and Yield of Tomato Grown in Commercial Protected Cultivation
Authors: Harel Danny , Fadida Hadar , Slepoy Alik , Gantz Shelly , Shilo Kobi
Published: March 2014

The research trial was carried out in the Mediterranean region where high summer temperatures have been proved to have a detrimental effect on the delicate tomato fruitset process. The flower to fruit set process was simultaneously monitored in fogged and unfogged shelters during the three-month Mediterranean summer season. Comparisons of pollen quality, fruit set rates and fruit yield revealed that mean daily temperatures of 25–26 °C are the upper limit for proper fruit set and fruit yield for tomatoes grown in protected cultivation during the hot Mediterranean summer period. A moderate reduction of 1–1.5 °C in mean daily temperatures together with the increased RH (relative humidity) from 50% to 70% during day time improved the pollen grain’s viability. Suggestions concerning more efficient controls on the fogging system considering those findings are discussed.
The Superiority of Tsallis Entropy over Traditional Cost Functions for Brain MRI and SPECT Registration
Authors: Amaral-Silva Henrique , Wichert-Ana Lauro , Murta Luiz , Romualdo-Suzuki Larissa , Itikawa Emerson , Bussato Geraldo , Azevedo-Marques Paulo
Published: March 2014

Neuroimage registration has an important role in clinical (for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes) and research applications. In this article we describe the applicability of Tsallis Entropy as a new cost function for neuroimage registration through a comparative analysis based on the performance of the traditional approaches (correlation based: Entropy Correlation Coefficient (ECC) and Normalized Cross Correlation (NCC); and Mutual Information (MI) based: Mutual Information using Shannon Entropy (MIS) and Normalized Mutual Information (NMI)) and the proposed one based on MI using Tsallis entropy (MIT). We created phantoms with known geometric transformations using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging from 3 morphologically normal subjects. The simulated volumes were registered to the original ones using both the proposed and traditional approaches. The comparative analysis of the Relative Error (RE) showed that MIT was more accurate in the intra-modality registration, whereas for inter-modality registration, MIT presented the lowest RE for rotational transformations, and the ECC the lowest RE for translational transformations. In conclusion, we have shown that, with certain limitations, Tsallis Entropy has application as a better cost function for reliable neuroimage registration.
The Effects of Different Electron-Phonon Couplings on the Spectral and Transport Properties of Small Molecule Single-Crystal Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Perroni Carmine , Gargiulo Fernando , Nocera Alberto , Ramaglia Vincenzo , Cataudella Vittorio
Published: March 2014

Spectral and transport properties of small molecule single-crystal organic semiconductors have been theoretically analyzed focusing on oligoacenes, in particular on the series from naphthalene to rubrene and pentacene, aiming to show that the inclusion of different electron-phonon couplings is of paramount importance to interpret accurately the properties of prototype organic semiconductors. While in the case of rubrene, the coupling between charge carriers and low frequency inter-molecular modes is sufficient for a satisfactory description of spectral and transport properties, the inclusion of electron coupling to both low-frequency inter-molecular and high-frequency intra-molecular vibrational modes is needed to account for the temperature dependence of transport properties in smaller oligoacenes. For rubrene, a very accurate analysis in the relevant experimental configuration has allowed for the clarification of the origin of the temperature-dependent mobility observed in these organic semiconductors. With increasing temperature, the chemical potential moves into the tail of the density of states corresponding to localized states, but this is not enough to drive the system into an insulating state. The mobility along different crystallographic directions has been calculated, including vertex corrections that give rise to a transport lifetime one order of magnitude smaller than the spectral lifetime of the states involved in the transport mechanism. The mobility always exhibits a power-law behavior as a function of temperature, in agreement with experiments in rubrene. In systems gated with polarizable dielectrics, the electron coupling to interface vibrational modes of the gate has to be included in addition to the intrinsic electron-phonon interaction. While the intrinsic bulk electron-phonon interaction affects the behavior of mobility in the coherent regime below room temperature, the coupling with interface modes is dominant for the activated high temperature contribution of localized polarons. Finally, the effects of a weak disorder largely increase the activation energies of mobility and induce the small polaron formation at lower values of electron-phonon couplings in the experimentally relevant temperature window.
Emerging Transparent Conducting Electrodes for Organic Light Emitting Diodes
Authors: Song Tze-Bin , Li Ning
Published: March 2014

Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) have attracted much attention in recent years as next generation lighting and displays, due to their many advantages, including superb performance, mechanical flexibility, ease of fabrication, chemical versatility, etc. In order to fully realize the highly flexible features, reduce the cost and further improve the performance of OLED devices, replacing the conventional indium tin oxide with better alternative transparent conducting electrodes (TCEs) is a crucial step. In this review, we focus on the emerging alternative TCE materials for OLED applications, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metallic nanowires, conductive polymers and graphene. These materials are selected, because they have been applied as transparent electrodes for OLED devices and achieved reasonably good performance or even higher device performance than that of indium tin oxide (ITO) glass. Various electrode modification techniques and their effects on the device performance are presented. The effects of new TCEs on light extraction, device performance and reliability are discussed. Highly flexible, stretchable and efficient OLED devices are achieved based on these alternative TCEs. These results are summarized for each material. The advantages and current challenges of these TCE materials are also identified.
Exposure to Neighborhood Green Space and Mental Health: Evidence from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin
Authors: Beyer Kirsten , Kaltenbach Andrea , Szabo Aniko , Bogar Sandra , Nieto F. , Malecki Kristen
Published: March 2014

Green space is now widely viewed as a health-promoting characteristic of residential environments, and has been linked to mental health benefits such as recovery from mental fatigue and reduced stress, particularly through experimental work in environmental psychology. Few population level studies have examined the relationships between green space and mental health. Further, few studies have considered the role of green space in non-urban settings. This study contributes a population-level perspective from the United States to examine the relationship between environmental green space and mental health outcomes in a study area that includes a spectrum of urban to rural environments. Multivariate survey regression analyses examine the association between green space and mental health using the unique, population-based Survey of the Health of Wisconsin database. Analyses were adjusted for length of residence in the neighborhood to reduce the impact of neighborhood selection bias. Higher levels of neighborhood green space were associated with significantly lower levels of symptomology for depression, anxiety and stress, after controlling for a wide range of confounding factors. Results suggest that “greening” could be a potential population mental health improvement strategy in the United States.
Checking the Pulse of Vitamin A Metabolism and Signaling during Mammalian Spermatogenesis
Authors: Kent Travis , Griswold Michael
Published: March 2014

Vitamin A has been shown to be essential for a multitude of biological processes vital for mammalian development and homeostasis. Its active metabolite, retinoic acid (RA), is important for establishing and maintaining proper germ cell development. During spermatogenesis, the germ cells orient themselves in very distinct patterns, which have been organized into stages. There is evidence to show that, in the mouse, RA is needed for many steps during germ cell development. Interestingly, RA has been implicated as playing a role within the same two Stages: VII and VIII, where meiosis is initiated and spermiation occurs. The goal of this review is to outline this evidence, exploring the relevant players in retinoid metabolism, storage, transport, and signaling. Finally, this review will provide a potential model for how RA activity is organized across the murine stages of the spermatogenic cycle.
New and Rare Carotenoids Isolated from Marine Bacteria and Their Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Shindo Kazutoshi , Misawa Norihiko
Published: March 2014

Marine bacteria have not been examined as extensively as land bacteria. We screened carotenoids from orange or red pigments-producing marine bacteria belonging to rare or novel species. The new acyclic carotenoids with a C30 aglycone, diapolycopenedioc acid xylosylesters A–C and methyl 5-glucosyl-5,6-dihydro-apo-4,4′-lycopenoate, were isolated from the novel Gram-negative bacterium Rubritalea squalenifaciens, which belongs to phylum Verrucomicrobia, as well as the low-GC Gram-positive bacterium Planococcus maritimus strain iso-3 belonging to the class Bacilli, phylum Firmicutes, respectively. The rare monocyclic C40 carotenoids, (3R)-saproxanthin and (3R,2′S)-myxol, were isolated from novel species of Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the family Flavobacteriaceae, phylum Bacteroidetes. In this review, we report the structures and antioxidant activities of these carotenoids, and consider relationships between bacterial phyla and carotenoid structures.
Protein-Rich Fraction of Cnidoscolus urens (L.) Arthur Leaves: Enzymatic Characterization and Procoagulant and Fibrinogenolytic Activities
Authors: De Menezes Yamara , Félix-Silva Juliana , Da Silva-Júnior Arnóbio , Rebecchi Ivanise , De Oliveira Adeliana , Uchoa Adriana , Fernandes-Pedrosa Matheus
Published: March 2014

Proteolytic enzymes are important macromolecules in the regulation of biochemical processes in living organisms. Additionally, these versatile biomolecules have numerous applications in the industrial segment. In this study we have characterized a protein-rich fraction of Cnidoscolus urens (L.) Arthur leaves, rich in proteolytic enzymes, and evaluated its effects on the coagulation cascade. Three protein-rich fractions were obtained from the crude extract of C. urens leaves by precipitation with acetone. Fraction F1.0 showed higher proteolytic activity upon azocasein, and thus, was chosen for subsequent tests. The proteolytic activity of F1.0 on fibrinogen was dose-dependent and time-dependent. The extract demonstrated procoagulant activity on citrated plasma and reduced the APTT, not exerting effects on PT. Despite the fibrin(ogen)olytic activity, F1.0 showed no defibrinogenating activity in vivo. The fraction F1.0 did not express hemorrhagic nor hemolytic activities. The proteolytic activity was inhibited by E-64, EDTA and in the presence of metal ions, and increased when pretreated with reducing agents, suggesting that the observed activity was mostly due to cysteine proteases. Several bands with proteolytic activity were detected by zymography with gelatin, albumin and fibrinogen. The optimal enzymatic activity was observed in temperature of 60 °C and pH 5.0, demonstrating the presence of acidic proteases. In conclusion, these results could provide basis for the pharmacological application of C. urens proteases as a new source of bioactive molecules to treat bleeding and thrombotic disorders.
Antimicrobial Activities against Periodontopathic Bacteria of Pittosporum tobira and Its Active Compound
Authors: Oh Jung-Hyun , Jeong Yong , Koo Hyun , Park Dae , Kang Se , Khoa Hoang , Le Le , Cho Joon , Lee Jin-Yong
Published: March 2014

The study of medicinal plants for treatment of periodontitis is of great value to establish their efficacy as sources of new antimicrobial drugs. Five hundred and fifty eight Korean local plant extracts were screened for antibacterial activity against representative periodontopathic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Among the various medicinal plants, the alcohol extract of Pittosporum tobira, which significantly exhibited antibacterial effect for all tested strains, showed the highest activity in the antimicrobial assays. NMR analyses revealed that R1-barrigenol, a triterpene sapogenin, was the most effective compound in P. tobira. These results demonstrated that P. tobira possesses antimicrobial properties and would be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.
Additional New Minor Cucurbitane Glycosides from Siraitia grosvenorii
Authors: Prakash Indra , Chaturvedula Venkata
Published: March 2014

Continuous phytochemical studies of the crude extract of Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii) furnished three additional new cucurbitane triterpene glycosides, namely 11-deoxymogroside V, 11-deoxyisomogroside V, and 11-deoxymogroside VI. The structures of all the isolated compounds were characterized on the basis of extensive NMR and mass spectral data as well as hydrolysis studies. The complete 1H- and 13C-NMR spectral assignments of the three unknown compounds are reported for the first time based on COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, and HMBC spectroscopic data.
Synthesis of All-Z-1,6,9,12,15-Octadecapenten-3-one, A Vinyl Ketone Polyunsaturated Marine Natural Product Isolated from Callysponga sp.
Authors: Langseter Anne , Stenstrøm Yngve , Skattebøl Lars
Published: March 2014

The synthesis of the marine natural product 1,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z-octadecapentaen-3-one (1) has been achieved by two different routes starting from the ethyl esters of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), respectively. Using EPA ethyl ester as starting material the polyunsaturated vinyl ketone lipid 1 was obtained in 17% overall yield.
Vitamin A/Retinol and Maintenance of Pluripotency of Stem Cells
Authors: Khillan Jaspal
Published: March 2014

Retinol, the alcohol form of vitamin A is a key dietary component that plays a critical role in vertebrate development, cell differentiation, reproduction, vision and immune system. Natural and synthetic analogs of retinol, called retinoids, have generally been associated with the cell differentiation via retinoic acid which is the most potent metabolite of retinol. However, a direct function of retinol has not been fully investigated. New evidence has now emerged that retinol supports the self-renewal of stem cells including embryonic stem cells (ESCs), germ line stem cells (GSCs) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) by activating the endogenous machinery for self-renewal by a retinoic acid independent mechanism. The studies have also revealed that stem cells do not contain enzymes that are responsible for metabolizing retinol into retinoic acid. This new function of retinol may have important implications for stem cell biology which can be exploited for quantitative production of pure population of pluripotent stem cells for regenerative medicine as well as clinical applications for cancer therapeutics.
Metabolic Interactions between Vitamin A and Conjugated Linoleic Acid
Authors: Carta Gianfranca , Murru Elisabetta , Cordeddu Lina , Ortiz Berenice , Giordano Elena , Belury Martha , Quadro Loredana , Banni Sebastiano
Published: March 2014

Lipid-soluble molecules share several aspects of their physiology due to their common adaptations to a hydrophilic environment, and may interact to regulate their action in a tissue-specific manner. Dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a fatty acid with a conjugated diene structure that is found in low concentrations in ruminant products and available as a nutritional supplement. CLA has been shown to increase tissue levels of retinol (vitamin A alcohol) and its sole specific circulating carrier protein retinol-binding protein (RBP or RBP4). However, the precise mechanism of this action has not been elucidated yet. Here, we provide a summary of the current knowledge in this specific area of research and speculate that retinol and CLA may compete for catabolic pathways modulated by the activity of PPAR-α and RXR heterodimer. We also present preliminary data that may position PPAR-α at the crossroads between the metabolism of lipids and vitamin A.
Linking Complexity and Sustainability Theories: Implications for Modeling Sustainability Transitions
Authors: Peter Camaren , Swilling Mark
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we deploy a complexity theory as the foundation for integration of different theoretical approaches to sustainability and develop a rationale for a complexity-based framework for modeling transitions to sustainability. We propose a framework based on a comparison of complex systems’ properties that characterize the different theories that deal with transitions to sustainability. We argue that adopting a complexity theory based approach for modeling transitions requires going beyond deterministic frameworks; by adopting a probabilistic, integrative, inclusive and adaptive approach that can support transitions. We also illustrate how this complexity-based modeling framework can be implemented; i.e., how it can be used to select modeling techniques that address particular properties of complex systems that we need to understand in order to model transitions to sustainability. In doing so, we establish a complexity-based approach towards modeling sustainability transitions that caters for the broad range of complex systems’ properties that are required to model transitions to sustainability.
Gene Therapy Targeting HIV Entry
Authors: Didigu Chuka , Doms Robert
Published: March 2014

Despite the unquestionable success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the treatment of HIV infection, the cost, need for daily adherence, and HIV-associated morbidities that persist despite ART all underscore the need to develop a cure for HIV. The cure achieved following an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) using HIV-resistant cells, and more recently, the report of short-term but sustained, ART-free control of HIV replication following allogeneic HSCT, using HIV susceptible cells, have served to both reignite interest in HIV cure research, and suggest potential mechanisms for a cure. In this review, we highlight some of the obstacles facing HIV cure research today, and explore the roles of gene therapy targeting HIV entry, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation in the development of strategies to cure HIV infection.
The endocytosis gene END3 is essential for the glucose‐induced rapid decline of small vesicles in the extracellular fraction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Giardina Bennett J. , Stein Kathryn , Chiang Hui‐Ling
Published: March 2014

Background

Protein secretion is a fundamental process in all living cells. Gluconeogenic enzymes are secreted when Saccharomyces cerevisiae are grown in media containing low glucose. However, when cells are transferred to media containing high glucose, they are internalized. We investigated whether or not gluconeogenic enzymes were associated with extracellular vesicles in glucose‐starved cells. We also examined the role that the endocytosis gene END3 plays in the internalization of extracellular proteins/vesicles in response to glucose addition.

Methods

Transmission electron microscopy was performed to determine the presence of extracellular vesicles in glucose‐starved wild‐type cells and the dynamics of vesicle transport in cells lacking the END3 gene. Proteomics was used to identify extracellular proteins that associated with these vesicles.

Results

Total extracts prepared from glucose‐starved cells consisted of about 95% small vesicles (30–50 nm) and 5% large structures (100–300 nm). The addition of glucose caused a rapid decline in small extracellular vesicles in wild‐type cells. However, most of the extracellular vesicles were still observed in cells lacking the END3 gene following glucose replenishment. Proteomics was used to identify 72 extracellular proteins that may be associated with these vesicles. Gluconeogenic enzymes fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase, malate dehydrogenase, isocitrate lyase, and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, as well as non‐gluconeogenic enzymes glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase and cyclophilin A, were distributed in the vesicle‐enriched fraction in total extracts prepared from cells grown in low glucose. Distribution of these proteins in the vesicle‐enriched fraction required the integrity of the membranes. When glucose was added to glucose‐starved wild‐type cells, levels of extracellular fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase, malate dehydrogenase, isocitrate lyase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, and cyclophilin A were reduced. In contrast, in cells lacking the END3 gene, levels of these proteins in the extracellular fraction remained high.

Conclusion

The END3 gene is required for the rapid decline of extracellular proteins and vesicles in response to glucose addition.
Lysander and the Devil
Authors: Wylie Graham
Published: March 2014

Lysander, though only a moderate general, achieved a short-lived pre-eminence in Sparta and the East, enforcing a tyrannical rule of harmosts and decarchies on other cities by treachery, mass murder, the worship of himself as a god, and notably the corruption of his associates. The moral and military decline in Sparta under his influence, and that of his successor Agesilaus, destroyed the city's reputation, denuded its resources, and ultimately left it isolated from the Greek world.
La peinture des constellations dans la littérature aratéenne latine. Le problème de la droite et de la gauche
Authors: Bakhouche Béatrice
Published: March 2014

Les textes latins qui se rattachent directement ou indirectement à la tradition aratéenne présentent des différences quant à la description des constellations, et ce, en particulier, pour la latéralisation des figures humaines ou animales qui peuplent le ciel. Ce problème a déjà été soulevé à date ancienne (par les scholiastes) ou à date récente (par G. Thiele). Néanmoins les solutions proposées ne prennent pas en compte toutes les particularités textuelles. Il semble en effet que, parallèlement à la transmission des textes, on ait assisté à une transmission des dessins, qui ont évolué sans tenir toujours compte du texte qu'ils étaient censés illustrer.
Epigrams and Consolation Decrees for Deceased Youths
Authors: Strubbe Johan H.M.
Published: March 2014

La première partie de l'étude concerne les épigrammes grecques pour des jeunes gens morts prématurément. La deuxième partie étudie les décrets de consolation émis par les cités grecques pour de jeunes notables décédés. Les idées consolatrices de ces deux genres de documents sont comparées et confrontées aux idées exprimées dans les consolations littéraires de rhéteurs et de philosophes, comme celles de Plutarque. Les décrets officiels n'accordent pas d'intérêt aux aspects personnels de la vie des enfants. Ils expriment des idées consolatrices très générales et n'empruntent que quelques idées, pas très profondes, aux doctrines philosophiques, notamment le stoïcisme.
Lucien et le Cynisme
Authors: Nesselrath Heinz-Günther
Published: March 2014

L'article considère la position adoptée par Lucien envers le Cynisme et les philosophies cyniques en examinant l'œuvre de cet auteur dans son ensemble. Il est démontré, non seulement que Lucien est assez favorable aux idées cyniques, mais qu'aucune autre philosophie n'est appuyée par un aussi grand nombre d' œuvres.
Étude de la composition des peintures de la tombe n°47 de Paestum
Authors: Warland Daisy
Published: March 2014

La répartition des images entre les parois et leur composition créent une dynamique est-ouest et bas-haut, parallèle au mouvement astral, pour accroître l'efficacité symbolique des thèmes illustrés (prothésis, branche fleurie, cortège funèbre sacrificiel, voyage vers l'au-delà, branche fleurie, bona domestica), afin de garantir à la défunte sa renaissance et sa survie bienheureuse dans l'autre monde.
Les trois grandes projections historiques de l'Énéide
Authors: de Callataÿ Godefroid
Published: March 2014

La narration quasi linéaire de l'Énéide de Virgile s'interrompt en trois endroits de l'œuvre (Prophétie de Jupiter à Vénus au chant I ; Revue des Héros au chant VI ; Bouclier d'Énée au chant VIII), qui sont comme autant de ponts jetés par le poète entre l'époque lointaine d'Énée et le siècle d'or augustéen. Le comptage des vers constituant ces épisodes célèbres révèle que les noms de Romulus, de Brutus et d'Auguste, respectivement fondateurs de la Royauté, de la République et de l'Empire, figurent dans cet ordre au centre exact de ces trois développements.
Impact of flexible body surface coil and patient table on PET quantification and image quality in integrated PET/MR
Authors: Souvatzoglou M. , Martinez-Möller A. , Schwaiger M. , Ziegler S. I. , Fürst S. , Nekolla S. G.
Published: March 2014

The surface coils of the Biograph mMR integrated PET/MR system were optimised for PET, but are otherwise unaccounted for. The patient table is still more massive than those of PET/CT devices. The goal was to assess those hardware effects on quantification, count statistics, image quality and scan time both with phantoms and in patients and to investigate their clinical relevance. Patients, material, methods: PET phantom data were acquired with and without the patient table. Image noise was expressed as relative standard deviation and compared to a state-of-the-art PET/CT scanner. Protocols of the phantom/patient study regarding the surface coils were similar. Thoraces/ab- domens of 11 patients were scanned with and without a coil (1 BP, 4 min). Mean uptake and standard deviation in a cubical VOI were derived and expressed as SUV. Results: The patient table reduced the number of true coincidences (trues) by 19% (PET/MR) and by 11% (PET/CT). The scan duration for the mMR had to be increased by approximately 30% to achieve a noise level comparable to that of the PET/CT. Decreased SUVs with coil observed in the phantom were confirmed by the patient study. By removing the coil, the mean liver SUV increased by (6 ± 2)%. With (+3 ± 14)%, the average change was similar in lesions, but exceeded 20% in almost one fifth of them. The number of trues grew by (6 ± 1)% for the patients and by 7% for the phantom. Conclusion: Due to the additional attenuation caused by MR hardware, PET scan durations would have to be increased compared to current PET/CTs to provide similar image noise levels. The effect of the coils is mostly in the order of statistical fluctuations. In tumour lesions, it is more pronounced and shows a larger variability. Therefore, coils should be included in the attenuation correction to ensure accurate quantification and thus comparability across PET/MR and PET/CT scanners and within patient populations.
Control theory for scanning probe microscopy revisited
Authors: Stirling Julian
Published: March 2014

We derive a theoretical model for studying SPM feedback in the context of control theory. Previous models presented in the literature that apply standard models for proportional-integral-derivative controllers predict a highly unstable feedback environment. This model uses features specific to the SPM implementation of the proportional-integral controller to give realistic feedback behaviour. As such the stability of SPM feedback for a wide range of feedback gains can be understood. Further consideration of mechanical responses of the SPM system gives insight into the causes of exciting mechanical resonances of the scanner during feedback operation.
Spud DB: A Resource for Mining Sequences, Genotypes, and Phenotypes to Accelerate Potato Breeding
Authors: Hirsch Cory D. , Hamilton John P. , Childs Kevin L. , Cepela Jason , Crisovan Emily , Vaillancourt Brieanne , Hirsch Candice N. , Habermann Marc , Neal Brayden , Buell C. Robin
Published: March 2014

Potato is the world's third most important crop, and is becoming increasingly important in developing countries. Cultivated potato is a highly heterozygous tetraploid (2n = 4x = 48) and suffers from significant inbreeding depression when selfed. As potato can be vegetatively propagated, breeding has been based primarily on phenotypic selection in F1 populations. However, recent advances in genome sequencing and genotyping methods have resulted in the development of large genomic, genetic, and phenotypic datasets that will enable more efficient and rapid breeding approaches. We have developed Spud DB (http://potato.plantbiology.msu.edu/) for the community to access the potato genome sequence and associated annotation datasets, along with phenotypic and genotypic data from a diversity panel of 250 potato clones. The Breeder's Assistant is a web tool to retrieve pertinent phenotypic and genotypic data in a user‐guided manner, and query polymorphic markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and simple sequence repeats (SSRs) to identify custom sets of markers for a gene or region of interest. To browse and query the potato genome, a genome browser with 94 tracks of genome annotation, sequence variants, and expression abundance has been deployed. Spud DB also provides a comprehensive search page to data mine the potato genome through tools that query sequence identifiers, functional annotation, gene ontology (GO), InterPro domains, and basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) databases. Collectively, this resource links potato genomic data with phenotypic and genotypic data from a large collection of potato lines for use by the potato community, especially breeders and geneticists.
CO-MOVEMENTS OF REIT INDICES WITH STRUCTURAL CHANGES BEFORE AND DURING THE SUBPRIME MORTGAGE CRISIS: EVIDENCE FROM EURO-MED MARKETS
Authors: Mandaci Pinar Evrim , Aktan Bora , Cagli Efe Çaglar
Published: March 2014

This paper examines the long-run relationships between the REIT indices of the UK, Turkey and Israel in the Euro-Med zone with that of MSCI US REIT Index by using weekly data over the period 2003Q3 through 2009Q3, which includes the latest US subprime mortgage crisis and its effects on global stock markets. Although our EG test results do not indicate a long-run relationship, after taking account of the structural changes by applying the GH test, we find a long-run interaction between the REIT indices of UK and Israel with that of the US. However, our results indicate the lack of co-movement between REIT index of Turkey with the US. In addition, our dynamic OLS test results indicate a perfect relationship between the UK and the US indices. Our findings show that international investors who make long-term investments can only gain from diversifying into the real estate market of Turkey among the involved markets in the Euro-Med zone.
Modelo de predicción de la vida útil de la edificación patrimonial a partir de la lógica difusa
Authors: Macías-Bernal J. M. , Calama-Rodríguez J. M. , Chávez-de Diego M. J.
Published: March 2014

Buscamos un procedimiento que permita determinar y valorar los factores que inciden sobre la vulnerabilidad y riesgos que afectan al edificio y validar un modelo para poder calcular su vida útil. Tendríamos así un método de predicción que resultaría de mucha utilidad en los procesos de mantenimiento y conservación del patrimonio edificado. El problema es que al analizar las diversas metodologías que actualmente se utilizan para la predicción de hechos en el campo de la conservación del patrimonio, nos encontramos con que tales métodos se hallan en el umbral de la incertidumbre. Por esta causa, hemos optado por trabajar con la teoría de conjuntos difusos (Fuzzy set), como herramienta más adecuada. Al modelo de predicción generado con base matemática, lo hemos denominado FBSL (Fuzzy building service life) y ofrece unos resultados satisfactorios, a la hora predecir la vida útil del edificio.
Application of CRM 2.0 in Spanish Public Administration
Authors: Pérez-González Daniel , Solana-González Pedro , Soto-Acosta Pedro , Popa Simona , Trigueros-Preciado Sara
Published: March 2014

Public administrations have a fundamental role in developed societies ensuring the citizens' welfare through the provision of important services. Despite its importance, the effects of using IT in administrations has been less studied by the academy in comparison with using it in businesses, so there is an absence of works focused on analyzing which technologies administrations apply and which results they produce. Accordingly, this chapter aims to analyze the practical results that may be encountered in the application of CRM 2.0 in public administrations. For this, firstly, the CRM concept and its application are analyzed, finding that traditional CRM maintains a unidirectional approach of information, with little room for citizen participation. Secondly, to overcome the one-way approach, concept of Web 2.0, based on the collaborative use of the IT, which extends the possibilities of interaction between administrations and citizens is presented. This integration of traditional CRM with Web 2.0 gives rise to the CRM 2.0; its applications are expected to be the opportunity to modernize services and move closer to citizens. However, the literature has not identified the specific effects of applying CRM 2.0 in public administrations. In this sense, the work identifies some practical results of these implementations through exploratory research by applying a Delphi to senior managers of nine Spanish public administrations; this has allowed the authors to identify as principal results an improved productivity, an increased citizen satisfaction, and a better integration of information. Security and organizational issues are the main difficulties.
The Relationship between Trust and Citizens' Adoption of E-Government
Authors: Alazzam Ameen
Published: March 2014

The rapid growth of e-government in the world has raised the question of how government can increase the citizen's adoption and usage of e-government services. Trusting an e-government Website is a crucial step towards the adoption of such paradigm. Building trust in e-government facilitates and encourages the interaction between government and their customers. This chapter explores the relationship between trust and adoption of e-government and its general concepts including e-government and trust in e-government. It also reviews several models of trust. Conclusions and further future studies are discussed at the end of this chapter.
Toward Quality Measurement Approaches for Improving E-Government Services in Jordan
Authors: Alhyari Salah , Alhyari Mohammad
Published: March 2014

Recent research studies reveal that approaches are required in improving the quality of e-government services for ensuring success and improved performance that would result in user satisfaction. This chapter investigates combining lean six sigma applications and SERVQAUL approaches to improve quality of electronic services (e-services). While six sigma applications in the service sector have many success stories in quality improvement programs, there are a lack of studies conducted on its application in information and communication technologies such as e-services. This chapter addresses this gap in literature and benefits future studies in applying six sigma for quality improvement of various electronic projects that are gaining huge investments from develop countries and organizations. This chapter presents e-service dimensions (reliability, responsiveness, ease of use, personalization, Website design); in addition, it considers security as a very important dimension for e-service quality and identifies level of quality service provided by e-government in a developing country, such as Jordan. The results show that the quality measurement approach used improves e-service quality and increases user satisfaction.
Quality Approaches for Performance Measurement in Jordanian E-Government Services
Authors: Venkatraman Sitalakshmi , Alazab Mamoun
Published: March 2014

Improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of public services has become a growing concern for many governments across the world, and more so with recent popularity of online services, widely referred as e-government services. The application of quality approaches for measuring and improving e-government services has been the subject of much research within the academic world over the last two decades. This chapter discusses the use of key quality approaches to improve services in Jordan's e-government initiatives. As more and more developing countries are adopting e-services as a means of providing quality services to their community and people through the Web, the necessary benchmarking plays an important role. Many traditional quality benchmarking performance measurements have proved futile in improving e-government services due to their quantitative focus. Though qualitative frameworks and measurement approaches such as Six Sigma and Balanced Scorecard have found their success in certain industry sectors, their relevance in the service sector has drawn attention only recently. While some studies have employed such approaches for evaluating projects in information and communication technologies, literature lacks investigations in the e-government sector. To fill this gap, this chapter investigates the application of Six Sigma and Balanced Scorecard approaches to improve quality in Jordanian e-government services.
The Developmental Effect of a New Political Anomaly on the Oldest ICT
Authors: Takavarasha Jr. Sam , Masunungure Eldred V.
Published: March 2014

Economic growth in countries like China, whose democratic credentials and human rights records are unimpressive, compels us to question the democracy-development nexus articulated by eminent writers like Amartya Sen. Against this background, this chapter assesses the impact of pseudo-democratic politics on the use of ICTs for development. It is based on research done in Zimbabwe, an electoral autocracy that recovered from being the world's worst economy in 2008 to impressive economic stability post-2009 (i.e. after the formation of a coalition government that, however, did not usher in substantive improvements in political and civic freedoms and liberties). Sen's (1999) capability approach and Illich's (1973) concept of conviviality are used for analysing the banning of the use of short wave radios in Zimbabwe just before elections that will signal the termination of the coalition government before the end of 2013. The research investigates if and how political and civic freedoms affect development. It shows that in a dual political economy like Zimbabwe, the formal (urban) economy may stabilize without political freedoms yet enclaves of poverty may deepen in the informal and rural economies due to lack of human development. A framework for the effect of politics on the role of analogue radio in development is proposed.
Public Communication in Urban Planning
Authors: Damurski Łukasz
Published: March 2014

In most European countries, urban planning is a domain of public administration and as such should be a subject of transparent, democratic decision-making procedures. It bares the growing need for public communication, especially in the context of the rapid development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The Internet strongly influences public decision-making systems, including urban planning. This chapter looks for particular patterns and standards of public communication in urban planning in Poland and Germany by comparing online participation tools and by analyzing three complimentary aspects of e-participation in planning: “transparency,” “spatiality,” and “interactivity.”
Urban Planning 3.0
Authors: Anttiroiko Ari-Veikko , Caves Roger W.
Published: March 2014

This chapter addresses the challenges that changing technologies pose to urban planning. Urban planning continues to be influenced by an emerging creativity and knowledge-sharing culture that has an inherent connection to digital transformation. Technology certainly plays an important role in the production of content and its distribution. Such a transformation is giving urban planning a new look, which is depicted in the concepts of Urban Planning 2.0 and Urban Planning 3.0. In this chapter, this paradigm shift is explained and illustrated with a special view to identifying the ways these second and third generations of the Web affect urban planning. There is a plethora of pilot projects and new practices in Urban Planning 2.0, even if experiences as a whole are so few and far between, which makes it difficult to assess both the best practices in this field and the long-term impacts of their application. Recent developments associated with the applications of Web 3.0 and related technology trends in urban planning, which are designed to bring intelligence into planning, have hardly seen daylight due to both technological and socio-technical challenges associated with them. In brief, in the case of Web 2.0, we know on the basis of our initial experiences by and large how it may support urban planning; however, in the case of Web 3.0, technological uncertainties and systemic dimension of related applications make the concept more ambiguous and thus more challenging to assess what the true potential of this emerging Web trend is from the point of view of urban planning.
Knowledge in Memetic Algorithms for Stock Classification
Authors: Du Jie , Rada Roy
Published: March 2014

This paper introduces a framework for a knowledge-based memetic algorithm, called KBMA. The problem of stock classification is the test bed for the performance of KBMA. Domain knowledge is incorporated into the initialization and reproduction phases of evolutionary computation. In particular, the structure of financial statements is used to sort the attributes, which contributed to a faster convergence on near optimal solutions. A semantic net is used to measure the distance between parents and offspring. Two case studies were implemented, in which domain knowledge is used to constrain the reproductive operators so that the offspring is semantically dissimilar (or similar) to the parent. The results show that KBMA outperformed the random memetic algorithm in the former case but did not in the latter case. The interpretation of the results is that when the search algorithm is distant from its goal, making large steps as defined by the semantic knowledge is helpful to the search.
Virtual Worlds and Social Media
Authors: Gogolin Greg , Gogolin Erin , Kam Hwee-Joo
Published: March 2014

The use of virtual worlds and social media has grown to the point that more than one-quarter of the world's population utilize it in some manner. Security and privacy concerns regarding the use and capabilities of current and emerging technologies such as gaming, blogging, podcasting, virtual meetings, virtual worlds and Web 3.0 is examined. Security and privacy concerns are investigated in the context of exploits, vulnerabilities, and related security risks; confidential access control; communication trends and patterns in the use of massive communication strategies; intellectual property and product risk management; resource management; financial considerations and accountability; and safety. Several technologies and personal practices are reviewed, as well as ways to mitigate or eliminate their associated risks. The core principles of information security - confidentiality, integrity, and availability - provide an overall framework.