bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suggestion for a Framework for a Sustainable Infrastructure Asset Management Manual in Korea
Authors: Lee Sang-Ho , Park Sanghoon , Kim Jong
Published: November 2015

This study proposes a framework for an infrastructure asset management manual containing infrastructure asset management processes and operation techniques, which can be adjusted by different ordering authorities to develop their own manuals. The following conclusions were drawn in this study. First, the justification for implementation of asset management was examined through analysis of changes and status of asset management in domestic infrastructure, and the current status and insufficiencies in the asset management manuals of the government and ordering authorities were inspected. Second, the current status and systems of infrastructure asset management manuals in developed foreign nations such as Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States were examined, to analyze and compare the characteristics of asset management manuals among different nations. The directivity for composition of an infrastructure asset management manual in Korea was deduced for reference. Third, based on the directivity for composition of a domestic and foreign infrastructure asset management manual, a framework for an infrastructure asset management manual that can be utilized by the ordering authorities was proposed for (1) a general infrastructure asset management manual connected to global asset management manuals; (2) a manual that considers the asset management experience of the ordering authorities; (3) a systematic manual that takes user convenience into account; and (4) a circulatory process, which links infrastructure policy and strategy in the decision-making stage.
In Vitro Evolution of Bovine Foamy Virus Variants with Enhanced Cell-Free Virus Titers and Transmission
Authors: Bao Qiuying , Hipp Michaela , Hugo Annette , Lei Janet , Liu Yang , Kehl Timo , Hechler Torsten , Löchelt Martin
Published: November 2015

Virus transmission is essential for spreading viral infections and is a highly coordinated process which occurs by cell-free transmission or cell–cell contact. The transmission of Bovine Foamy Virus (BFV) is highly cell-associated, with undetectable cell-free transmission. However, BFV particle budding can be induced by overexpression of wild-type (wt) BFV Gag and Env or artificial retargeting of Gag to the plasma membrane via myristoylation membrane targeting signals, closely resembling observations in other foamy viruses. Thus, the particle release machinery of wt BFV appears to be an excellent model system to study viral adaption to cell-free transmission by in vitro selection and evolution. Using selection for BFV variants with high cell-free infectivity in bovine and non-bovine cells, infectivity dramatically increased from almost no infectious units to about 105–106 FFU (fluorescent focus forming units)/mL in both cell types. Importantly, the selected BFV variants with high titer (HT) cell-free infectivity could still transmit via cell-cell contacts and were neutralized by serum from naturally infected cows. These selected HT–BFV variants will shed light into virus transmission and potential routes of intervention in the spread of viral infections. It will also allow the improvement or development of new promising approaches for antiretroviral therapies.
Meningitis Caused by Toscana Virus Is Associated with Strong Antiviral Response in the CNS and Altered Frequency of Blood Antigen-Presenting Cells
Authors: Varani Stefania , Gelsomino Francesco , Bartoletti Michele , Viale Pierluigi , Mastroianni Antonio , Briganti Elisabetta , Ortolani Patrizia , Albertini Francesco , Calzetti Carlo , Prati Francesca , Cenni Patrizia , Castellani Gastone , Morini Silvia , Rossini Giada , Landini Maria , Sambri Vittorio
Published: November 2015

Toscana virus (TOSV) is a Phlebotomus-transmitted RNA virus and a frequent cause of human meningitis and meningoencephalitis in Southern Europe during the summer season. While evidence for TOSV-related central nervous system (CNS) cases is increasing, little is known about the host defenses against TOSV. We evaluated innate immune response to TOSV by analyzing frequency and activation of blood antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and cytokine levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with TOSV neuroinvasive infection and controls. An altered frequency of different blood APC subsets was observed in TOSV-infected patients, with signs of monocytic deactivation. Nevertheless, a proper or even increased responsiveness of toll-like receptor 3 and 7/8 was observed in blood APCs of these patients as compared to healthy controls. Systemic levels of cytokines remained low in TOSV-infected patients, while levels of anti-inflammatory and antiviral mediators were significantly higher in CSF from TOSV-infected patients as compared to patients with other infectious and noninfectious neurological diseases. Thus, the early host response to TOSV appears effective for viral clearance, by proper response to TLR3 and TLR7/8 agonists in peripheral blood and by a strong and selective antiviral and anti-inflammatory response in the CNS.
HIV drug Resistance Mutations among Patients Failing Second-Line Antiretroviral Therapy in Rwanda
Authors: Ndahimana Jean d'Amour , Riedel David J , Muhayimpundu Ribakare , Nsanzimana Sabin , Niyibizi Gad , Mutaganzwa Emmanuel , Mulindabigwi Augustin , Baribwira Cyprien , Kiromera Athanase , Jagodzinski Linda L , Peel Sheila A , Redfield Robert R
Published: November 2015

Background

Studies of patients failing second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings (RLS) are few. Evidence suggests most patients who appear to be virologically failing do so not due to drug resistance but to poor adherence, which, if properly addressed, could allow continued use of less expensive first- and second-line regimens. Drug resistant mutations (DRMs) were characterized among patients virologically failing second-line ART in Rwanda.

Methods

A total of 128 adult patients receiving second-line ART for at least 6 months were invited to participate; 74 agreed and had HIV-1 viral load (VL) measured. Resistance genotypes were conducted in patients with virological failure (VF; that is, VL ≥1,000 copies/ml).

Results

In total, 35 patients met the criteria for VF. The median time on lopinavir/ritonavir-based second-line ART was 2.7 years. Of 30 successful resistance genotype analyses, 13 (43%) had ≥1 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) mutation, 18 (60%) had at least 1 non-NRTI mutation and 5 (17%) had at least 1 major protease inhibitor mutation. Eleven (37%) had virus without significant mutations that would be fully sensitive to first-line ART; 12 (40%) had DRM to first-line ART but sensitive to second-line ART. Only 7 patients (23%) demonstrated a DRM profile requiring third-line ART.

Conclusions

Among 30 genotyped samples of patients with VF on second-line ART, more than one-third had no significant DRMs, implicating poor adherence as the primary cause of VF. The majority of patients (77%) would not have required third-line ART. These findings reinforce the need for intensive adherence assessment and counselling for patients who appear to be failing second-line ART in RLS.
Combination Therapies with Daclatasvir and Asunaprevir on NS3-D168 Mutated HCV in Human Hepatocyte Chimeric Mice
Authors: Kan Hiromi , Hiraga Nobuhiko , Imamura Michio , Hayes C Nelson , Uchida Takuro , Miyaki Eisuke , Tsuge Masataka , Abe Hiromi , Aikata Hiroshi , Miki Daiki , Ochi Hidenori , Ishida Yuji , Tateno Chise , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: November 2015

Background

Although the frequency of emergent drug-resistant strains of HCV in patients who failed to respond to simeprevir plus pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) decreased after cessation of the treatment, it is not clear whether or not the NS3-D168 variants affect the outcome of NS5A and NS3 inhibitor combination therapy. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the effect of daclatasvir plus asunaprevir treatment and the frequencies of NS3-D168 variants.

Methods

HCV genotype-1b-infected human hepatocyte chimeric mice with various frequencies of NS3-D168 amino acid substitutions were treated with asunaprevir alone or in combination with daclatasvir for 4 weeks. Frequencies of NS3-D168 substitutions at baseline were analysed by ultra-deep sequencing. Some mice with NS3-D168 substitutions were treated with PEG-IFN or telaprevir for 4 weeks.

Results

Mice with high frequencies of NS3-D168 showed low susceptibility to asunaprevir treatment and failed to respond to daclatasvir plus asunaprevir therapy. In contrast, mice with a low frequency (less than approximately 14%) of NS3-D168 showed a similar susceptibility to wild-type HCV-infected mice and achieved viral eradication with daclatasvir plus asunaprevir therapy. Although treatment with either telaprevir or PEG-IFN resulted in reduction of serum HCV RNA levels, no significant decrease in the frequency of NS3-D168 substitutions was achieved.

Conclusions

Daclatasvir and asunaprevir treatment could eliminate NS3-D168 variant HCV if the frequency was low. It is necessary to confirm that the frequency of NS3-D168 variants has decreased sufficiently before adopting daclatasvir plus asunaprevir therapy in patients with simeprevir plus PEG-IFN/RBV treatment failure.
Значењето на издишаниот азотен моноксид како маркер за инфламација во водење на деца со астма
Authors: Мицевска Весна Симо , Јовковска-Каева Бисерка
Published: November 2015

Астмата претставува хронична инфламаторна болест на дишните патишта која се карактеризира со реверзибилна бронхообструкција и појава на симптоми на кашлица, визинг и отежнато дишење. Kласичен облик на инфламацијата кај астмата претставува еозинофилната инфлитрација. Со оглед на тоа, значењето на издишаната фракција на азотен моноксид (FeNO) игра важна улога во мерењето на степенот на инфламација кај пациентите со астма. Азотниот моноксид e биолошки медијатор кој се произведува од Л аргинин со учество на три ензими наречени нитрикоксид синтетази (НОС). NO го произведува NO синтетаза од респираторните епителни клетки кој потоа поминува во луменот на дишните канали. Синтезата на NO е иницирана од дејството на проинфламаторните цитокини како важен дел од инфламаторниот процес. Поради тоа азотниот моноксид е наречен и инфламометар. Овие карактеристики го објаснуваат значењето на вредностите на издишаниот азотен моноксид кај пациентите со астма и одредувањето на степенот на инфламација како значаен маркер во водењето на децата со астма. Со оглед на фактот дека постои покачена вредност на FeNO кај децата со астма, истиот се користи и како еден од маркерите за дијагноза на оваа болест, заедно со постоењето на клиничките параметри, покачената вредност на ИгЕ во крвта и функционалните белодробни тестови. Мерењето на овој параметар се врши со едноставен, неинвазивен метод со одредување на фракцијата на азотен моноксид во издишан (ексхалиран) воздух со помош на апарат (NO analyzer) користејќи реакција на хемилуминисценција. Нормалните вредности на FeNO кај здрави деца (деца без астма) се дефинирани во ниво од 15 до 25 ppb (parts per billion). Дефинирајќи го FeNO како маркер на еозинофилната инфламација, постои голем интерес во неговата примена како маркер за следење на ефектот од терапијата со инхалирачки кортикостероиди кај децата со астма. FeNO има големо значење во откривањето на ризикот за релапс на болеста кај пациенти со намалена или прекината кортикостероидна терапија, во поставување на дијагноза на болеста како и водењето на пациенти со дефинирана дијагноза на астма. Потврдена е и позитивна корелација на вредностите на FeNO со постоењето на атопија кај пациентите со астма како и покачени вредности на FeNO кај пациентите со алергиска конституција и симптоми на друга алергиска (неастматска) болест. FeNO претставува неинвазивен инфламаторен биолошки маркер кој заедно со останатите параметри во алгоритамот на следење, во иднина ќе зазема се поважно место во постигнување на добра контрола на болеста кај децата.
Análisis y restitución infográfica del espacio de la escalera principal del castillo de Vélez Blanco (Almería)
Authors: Motos Díaz Ismael
Published: November 2015

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar y restituir mediante modelos infográficos el espacio de la escalera principal del castillo de Vélez Blanco con el fin de recrear las cualidades espaciales, lumínicas y materiales originales de este ámbito. Si de la estancia primitiva se conserva poco más que el perímetro murario que lo acota, esta investigación identifica y reconstruye virtualmente cada una de las partes y elementos que la conformaban a partir del estudio histórico-documental y el levantamiento tridimensional del estado actual de la sala y de las piezas de la escalera que aún se conservan desmontadas en otras dependencias del castillo.
La huella de Guglielmo Della Porta en obras de marfil en España. Los talleres romano y del Buen Retiro de los Pozzo y un inciso sobre el de Saint Claude en el franco condado
Authors: Estella Margarita M.
Published: November 2015

Se analiza el reflejo de las composiciones de Guglielmo Della Porta en diferentes obras de marfil localizadas en España de distinta cronología y su posible adscripción a sus conocidos discípulos o contemporáneos de este artista que trabajaron el marfil, como Jacob Cornelisz Cobaert, conocido como Cope, o Nicolás Piper de Arras también llamado Pippi. Conocida la difusión de los modelos de Guglielmo en el taller de Giovanni Battista del Pozzo en el siglo XVIII, padre de Andrea del Pozzo el Director del taller español de Marfiles del Buen Retiro, se analizó en este contexto otras obras. Se incluye el estudio de dos pequeños relieves de colección alicantina que pertenecieron a un Via Crucis conservado en Boulogne sur Mer, de sugerida atribución a un taller de Saint Claude, pues por su estilo pueden confundirse con las del Buen Retiro.
La onomástica de la estela de Illescas (HEp 4, n.º 889 = AE 1990, n.º 582)
Authors: Simón Cornago Ignacio
Published: November 2015

El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la onomástica de la estela de Illescas, en la que se documenta una serie de antropónimos y nombres familiares indoeuropeos, pero también un nombre personal —Benilti— que parece ibérico.
Promoting English Language Acquisition in Secondary Mathematics through Dialogic Integration of Instructional Technology
Authors: Reichen Bethany , Oliveira Alandeom W. , Oliver Gretchen , Florencio-Wain Autumn Joy
Published: November 2015

This chapter uses the theoretical perspective of dialogism to examine how two suburban secondary math teachers use technology in the classroom to enhance language and content knowledge development for English learner students. Data for this study includes teacher lesson plans, transcripts of recorded lessons, and teacher reflections and is analyzed using a collective case approach. Results indicate that communicative acts in the classroom fall along a communication spectrum, and uses of specific technologies to increase dialogic interaction among students and between students and teachers are discussed. Thoughtful use of certain technologies may enhance opportunities for English learner students to claim a voice in the classroom and improve their language skills.
Motivating Inquiry-Based Learning Through a Combination of Physical and Virtual Computer-Based Laboratory Experiments in High School Science
Authors: Srisawasdi Niwat
Published: November 2015

This chapter presents research about a combination of physical experimentation (PE) and virtual experimentation (VE) in computer-based inquiry learning as an instructional value to students' affective domain. For this study, the author has developed a science lesson for promoting interactive inquiry learning, and the researcher investigated whether orchestrating PE and VE in sequential learning affect students' learning perception and science motivation. To evaluate the lesson, questionnaires were used to examine how students perceived the lesson and their perceptions about how the lesson promotes science motivation. The results indicated students' positive perceptions that experiencing the lesson supported cognitive performance, emotional practice, and the social inquiry process. In addition, exposure to the lesson improved students' science motivation for both females and males. This highlights that the combination is an effective way to enhance the effectiveness of high school science learning.
The Power of Computational Modeling and Simulation for Learning STEM Content in Middle and High Schools
Authors: Moallem Mahnaz , Morge Shelby P. , Narayan Sridhar , Tagliarini Gene A.
Published: November 2015

Using Squeak Etoys to Infuse Information Technology (USeIT) was designed to offer expanded information technology experiences to 155 middle and high school students over a three-year period by exploiting the Squeak Etoys media authoring tool as a simulation and modeling environment. Through problem-solving activities and development of Squeak Etoys modeling projects, USeIT investigated the impact of Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and utilization of Squeak Etoys on student understanding of scientific and mathematical concepts. A design-based research method was used to collect data. The results revealed that when simulation and modeling are used under specific learning conditions, a deeper level of understanding of key science and mathematics concepts is observed. In addition, problem-based simulation tasks cognitively engaged students, particularly those who otherwise did not see the relevancy of STEM content in their lives. Less motivated students developed interests in STEM content and showed confidence in their abilities to learn mathematics and science.
Coupling Geospatial and Computer Modeling Technologies to Engage High School Students in Learning Urban Ecology
Authors: DeBay Dennis J. , Patchen Amie , Vera Cruz Anne C. , Madden Paul E. , Xu Yang , Houle Meredith , Barnett Michael
Published: November 2015

This chapter is a description of the Urban Tree Project where high school students were engaged in the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies to determine the economic and ecological value of trees in their neighborhood. Students collected data on tree locations and conditions and then used CITYgreen to evaluate the economic and ecological value of their trees. Urban high school youth had the opportunity to explore urban ecology in their neighborhoods. Pre–post interview and written assessments were conducted across a wide sample of school contexts. The goal of these assessments was to explore the students' beliefs and understanding regarding the ecosystem services that trees and greenspace provide to a city. The results were mixed as students' understanding measured by the written assessments increased significantly. However, upon further probing, students often showed difficulty in drawing coherent concepts and ideas that depicted a robust understanding of urban ecological principles regarding green space and the services that trees provide.
Supply Chain Management
Authors: Fayezi Sajad , Zomorrodi Maryam
Published: November 2015

This chapter aims to develop a holistic framework of supply chain management (SCM) through extensive review of the pertinent literature. To this end, the chapter offers a detailed account of developments, dynamics and complexities of SCM through describing its history, theories and models. The chapter provides the reader with a navigation pane towards various theoretical and conceptual issues that encapsulate the essence of almost 30 years of research in the subject matter. Important implications for supply chain practitioners have also been explained.
Supply Chain Management Practices in Retail-The Trends and Future Perspective
Authors: Yumurtacı Işık Özge , Oflaç Bengü Sevil
Published: November 2015

Retailing is amongst the leading industries that derive demand in the world. There is severe competition among retailers regarding supply chain management (SCM) practices used in this industry. Hence, this chapter mainly aims to address the supply chain management (SCM) practices (quick response, efficient consumer response, category management, continuous replenishment planning, continuous planning forecasting and replenishment, postponement, vendor managed inventory) and future trends in retailing. Moreover, this chapter provides insight for the retail practices preferred in emerging and developed markets. The chapter presents important implications for scholars, business executives, scholar-practitioners and university students who are interested in any part of retailing and supply chain management.
Implementation of Green Supply Chain Management in a Globalized Economy
Authors: Chandan Harish C.
Published: November 2015

Green supply chain management (GSCM) practices help a firm to become eco-friendly, socially responsible, meet customer expectations, deal with industry peer-pressure and comply with government regulations (Luthra, 2014). GSCM refers to the management of all activities involved in sourcing, purchasing, manufacturing, transportation and distribution of products and services to customers in an eco-friendly way (Sharma, 2013). A conceptual framework of GSCM is presented that consists of eco-friendly organizational culture, collaborative relationships, innovative products and eco-friendly processes (Mutingi, 2013). A SWOT analysis for context specific implementation strategies for global GSCM is presented (Lee and Chen, 2010). The contribution of GSCM practices to a firm's performance is discussed (Laisirihongthong et al., 2013). The critical success factors required to achieve GSCM include top management commitment, government regulations, environment protection literacy and compliance among the supply chain partners, and ISO14001 certification (Jain and Sharma, 2014).
Supply Chain Risk Management
Authors: Zomorrodi Maryam
Published: November 2015

The importance of supply chain management (SCM) has been increasing recently and the concept of supply chain risk management (SCRM) has been gradually expanded. Since the concept of risk and uncertainty permeates all organizational functions, risk management would seem to be a crucial step towards safeguarding a company's competitive advantage. In the case of modern supply chains, which are composed of complex relationships necessitated by competitive pressures such as outsourcing and globalization, understanding and implementing risk management processes and initiatives at various levels of the chain is essential (Peck, 2006). The purpose of this chapter is to conduct an extensive and structured review of the supply chain risk management (SCRM) literature in order to understand the importance of the risk management concept in the context of organizational supply chains, identify gaps, and suggest future research areas in this important and growing field.
The Influence of Supply Chain Sustainability Practices on Suppliers
Authors: Wang Xiaowei , Wood Lincoln C.
Published: November 2015

Literature shows that focal firms (downstream in supply chain, the customers) which initiate supply chain sustainability (SCSIs) can increase their financial performance; however, the impact of SCSIs on the suppliers (upstream in supply chain, supplying firms) is unclear. This chapter analyzes the costs and benefits from the perspective of suppliers in SCSIs by focal companies. Furthermore, impact of suppliers-specific characteristics (firm size, resources dependence setting and self-sustainability) on SCSIs are investigated. According to the findings, we propose a performance implication-based conceptual model of SCSIs from the perspective of suppliers. We conclude that costs of SCSIs happen immediately to suppliers in implementation, but the benefits are expected in long run. These suppliers-specific characteristics are the decisive factors if suppliers can survive over short-run costs and reach the long-run benefits. This chapter extends the understanding of SCSIs from focal companies to suppliers while providing managerial support on collaboration between supply chain actors.
Evolution of the Role of Measurement Systems in Industrial Decision Support
Authors: Staron Miroslaw , Meding Wilhelm , Niesel Kent , Söder Ola
Published: November 2015

Measurement data can be used for decision support in multiple ways – from one-time, manual data collection/presentation (reporting) through flexible business intelligence solutions to online, automated measurement systems. In centralized organizations, the measurement data is often collected through reporting, but the trends in modern organizations with empowered teams, globalized development, and needs to monitor continuously longer supply chains requires shift in the design and use of measurement systems. In this chapter, we present a study of evolving measurement systems at three companies with global businesses – Ericsson, Volvo Cars, and Axis Communications. The results of the study include the identification of the timeline of the evolution, distinct generations of measurement systems and information needs in the different phases of the evolution. The experiences show how to evolve centralized decision support systems to support global and distributed decision support.
Transparency and Enhanced Efficiency and Accountability Due to Big Data Adoption in Government Agencies and Other Enterprises
Authors: Jain Dhiraj , Sharma Yuvraj
Published: November 2015

Pertinence of big data is necessary especially in the field of corporate governance where large amount of data is collected, stored, retrieved and manages. The major challenge arises for the government organizations therefore are how to use the breadth and depth of the large amount of available data in an appropriate manner. The purpose of the study was to find out the relevance of Big Data in corporate governance and investigates about the role and reasons behind adopting this technique in various government schemes. The data was collected from the 393 respondents of IT companies through a pre-tested and a structured questionnaire. Thematic analysis, descriptive statistics and factor analysis were used to explain the factors needed to identify transparency and enhanced efficiency & accountability by big data adoption. It was found there were an explosion of big data in the corporate governance and various activities of the government which could be highly relevant.
Big Data Paradigm for Healthcare Sector
Authors: Wassan Jyotsna Talreja
Published: November 2015

The digitization of world in various areas including health care domain has brought up remarkable changes. Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have emerged for maintaining and analyzing health care real data online unlike traditional paper based system to accelerate clinical environment for providing better healthcare. These digitized health care records are form of Big Data, not because of the fact they are voluminous but also they are real time, dynamic, sporadic and heterogeneous in nature. It is desirable to extract relevant information from EHRs to facilitate various stakeholders of the clinical environment. The role, scope and impact of Big Data paradigm on health care is discussed in this chapter.
The Mirror Has Two Faces
Authors: Virkar Shefali
Published: November 2015

The Information Revolution has greatly impacted how nation-states and societies relate to one another; particularly wherein new, or hitherto less powerful, actors have emerged to bypass and influence established channels of power, altering the manner in which nation-states define their interests, power bases, security, and increasingly, their innate ability to govern and control flows of information. This book chapter investigates the ‘winner-takes-all' hypothesis relative to how the Internet, its associated platforms, and technologies have been harnessed to enhance the activities of both transnational terrorist networks and the organisations, clusters, and individuals dedicated to researching and combating them. The issues covered by this research raise important questions about the nature and the use of technology by state and non-state actors in an asymmetric ‘information war'; of how ideas of terrorism, surveillance, and censorship are conceptualised, and manner in which the role of the nation-state in countering and pre-empting threats to national security has been redefined.
Insider-Threat Detection in Corporate Espionage and Cyber-Espionage
Authors: Williams Kirk Y
Published: November 2015

National Security will always be threatened by individuals internal to the organization in the form of an insider-threat and external to the organization in the form of corporate espionage or cyber-espionage. Therefore, insider-threat detection methods, security precautions, authentication processes, and standard operating procedures for employees should be in place to try to reduce the instances of an insider-threat and/or an external threat breaching the security of an organization, institution, company, or governmental agency. Espionage and cyber-espionage can and does occur; however, it is not usually made public knowledge and when it does, it can have grave effects on the organization, institution, company, or governmental agency in which it occurred. Within this chapter the author explores how an insider-threat in the form of a Data Scientist, Penetration Tester, or Data Analyst can use their education, access, and background to gain access to systems and information that can be of value to external organizations, institutions, companies, and/or governmental agencies.
Teaching New Dogs Old Tricks
Authors: Duckworth Neal , de Silva Eugenie
Published: November 2015

This chapter discusses how the basics of espionage have remained the same, even in the digital age. The pendulum of espionage--and protection from it--has swung wide over the past century. Different public and private sectors have renewed focus on not only cyber protections, but on increased physical protection of critical assets and ensuring trusted personnel in the workforce. Within this chapter, the authors review the basics of protecting critical assets to ensure that changes in espionage can be mitigated at an early stage. While the techniques of espionage have many variables, especially in a digital age, the authors have established that the use of a risk assessment that focuses on identifying the threats, the specific variables or methods of espionage, and developing and implementing mitigation measures is of the utmost importance.
Understanding Digital Intelligence
Authors: Omand David
Published: November 2015

This chapter examines digital intelligence and international views on its future regulation and reform. The chapter summarizes the lead up to the Snowden revelations in terms of how digital intelligence grew in response to changing demands and was enabled by private sector innovation and mediated through legal, Parliamentary and executive regulation. A common set of ethical principles based on human rights considerations to govern modern intelligence activity (both domestic and external) is proposed in the chapter. A three-layer model of security activity on the Internet is used: securing the use of the Internet for everyday economic and social life and for political and military affairs; the activity of law enforcement attempting to manage criminal threats on the Internet; and the work of secret intelligence and security agencies exploiting the Internet to gain information on their targets, including in support of law enforcement.
The Need for a National Data Breach Notification Law
Authors: Williams Kirk Y
Published: November 2015

Individuals, groups, organizations, companies, and foreign government agencies that threaten the National Security of other countries, not only threaten their National Security but also threaten the security of state agencies, and the security of the individuals, groups, organizations, academic institutions that are consumers of those companies. Therefore, a National Data Breach Notification Law that would inform consumers once unwanted intrusions in the form of a cyber-attack occurs that results in the disclosure of their personal and financial information is needed. In the requests for a National Data Breach Notification Law suggestions have been made on what the law should include, and how the information should be reported to the public and to the individuals affected by the cyber-attack. This chapter explores how a National Data Breach Notification Law should be produced that would require uniformity across all states with guidelines that relate to the compliance of the law as it can affect individuals, organizations, academic institutions, companies, and governmental agencies.
Combating Terrorism through Peace Education
Authors: de Silva Eugenie , de Silva Eugene , Nepomuceno Eriberta B.
Published: November 2015

This chapter focuses on peace education as a vital resource to combat terrorism. It is herein established that an everlasting solution to terrorism could only be reasonably expected if individuals' states of minds are altered. Accordingly, it is further determined that such changes are feasible through peace education, which will ultimately provide a firm basis for fact-based, non-violent, analyses of situations, and resolutions of issues. Furthermore, the authors of this chapter have further incorporated how peace education through online educational classrooms and courses will be extremely useful in the twenty-first century as more activities are conducted through cyber systems.
Innovative Study Abroad Models
Authors: Milby Tammy M. , Rhodes Joan A. , Scott Michael R.
Published: November 2015

This chapter discusses how to integrate international experiences into the curricular development process for educators working in teacher preparation programs. The authors explain the various models which may be used when planning a study abroad experience. The writers then examine study abroad timeframes and the advantages of planning trips of varying lengths. Next, tips for designing curricular experiences which enhance learning are described. Finally, the chapter provides an overview of practical considerations for trip organizers on topics including study abroad administration, recruitment, and funding issues. The chapter concludes with a discussion of planning considerations for keeping students at the center of the study abroad experience.
Preparing Culturally Competent Teachers through Faculty-Led Study Abroad
Authors: Brown R. McKenna , Tignor Stephanie Erin
Published: November 2015

A review of national trends and best practices informs this analysis of key factors for high-impact teacher education programs abroad, particularly short-term faculty-led programs. Challenges faced by such programs, as well as criticisms of short-term study abroad are addressed and strategies proposed for fostering successful faculty-led programs including discussion of concerns regarding sustainability, curriculum integration, partnerships, student engagement, career integration, and safety and security.
Post Study Abroad
Authors: Melideo Shannon L.
Published: November 2015

Putative in the fields of psychology, sociology, education, and neuroscience is that some degree of learning takes place in significantly new situations. Ideally, study abroad will provide a multitude of new experiences for teacher candidates to relish, revel in, relate to, and recount. Thus during the study abroad experience, emotional, psychological, and cognitive intelligences of teacher candidates will transform. Prior to departure, a teacher candidate will have intentionally or unintentionally created a version of reality in their lives. Trudging uphill through the mucky streets of a small Ugandan village between tiny homes made of thatch and mire, past this morning's decapitated steer head, and amongst friendly, dirty, children playing with machetes can quickly change a person's version of reality. Practical examples of response and succor for balancing “versions of reality” will be bestowed. Finally, lessons learned to best attempt to prime teacher candidates for potentially perplexing circumstances will be imparted.
Integration of Multiple Web 2.0 Tools and Student Task Completion in Two Educational Technology Classes
Authors: Tankari Moussa
Published: November 2015

This chapter reports on online student task completion activities as they engage in a learning environment that uses multiple Web 2.0 tools in two sections of a graduate level Educational Technology course at an American institution of higher education. Using a web-based Likert-type questionnaire to collect data from twenty-two participants, this chapter sought to investigate the relationship between working with multiple Web 2.0 tools and student task completion activities (following discussion threads, team work, and meeting assignment deadlines) in a network learning environment (NLE), what Web 2.0 tools students prefer the most in online learning environments, whether there is any gender difference in terms of task completion, and which activities presented more challenge to participants. The survey results indicate that no significant correlation exist between the variables. Finally, recommendations for future research are suggested.
Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure and Potential Sustainable Development Impacts
Authors: Mezher Toufic , El Khatib Sameh , Sooriyaarachchi Thilanka Maduwanthi
Published: November 2015

Because of advancement in information and communication technologies, modern infrastructure systems are currently operated, monitored and controlled by automated systems such as distributed process control networks and supervisory control and data acquisition. Such systems will make the critical infrastructures in any country vulnerable to failures caused by either operational failures or to potential cyberattacks similar to Stuxnet and Night Dragon. The objective of this paper is to shed the light on the synergy between cybersecurity and sustainable development in relation to the potential social, economic, and environment consequences of potential cybersecurity attacks on critical infrastructures. Examples of both operational and cybersecurity incidents are shown including their sustainable development implications.
Application of a Medical Information System for Image-Based Second Opinion Consultations
Authors: Kldiashvili Ekaterina
Published: November 2015

This article will present the architecture of the medical information system (MIS) developed in Georgia and its application for image-based second opinion consultations. The primary goal of the MIS is patient management. However, the system can be successfully applied for image based second opinion consultations. Five hundred Georgian language electronic medical records from the cervical screening activity illustrated by images were selected for second opinion consultations. It has been shown, that the MIS is perspective and actual technology solution. It can be successfully and effectively used for image based second opinion consultations. The ideal of healthcare in the information age must be to create a situation where healthcare professionals spend more time creating knowledge from medical information and less time managing this information. The application of available and adaptable technology and improvement of the infrastructure conditions is the basis for eHealth applications.
Administration of Medical Contexts with Denotational Mathematics in Ubiquitous Computing Home Environments
Authors: Sarivougioukas John , Vagelatos Aristides , Lagaris Isaac
Published: November 2015

Home healthcare promises significant advantages over the traditional hospitalization, provided the support of the contemporary scientific and technological achievements. The ubiquitous computing paradigm suits the home healthcare provided that the dispersed computing devices in the home environment can actively participate in the interpretation of the developed, each time, medical context. Large numbers of disseminated sensors and computing devices, wirelessly and ad-hoc connected, present problems related to energy limitations and the patients' mobility introduce systemic complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity. The formal description of such systems requires the inclusion of extensive details becoming tedious, if not impractical. Denotational Mathematics provides an alternative formal methodology framework capable to formally describe the constituting components, the performed operations, and the static and dynamic behaviors of complex system. Employing the expressive power of Denotational Mathematics, it is attempted to design a system that develops medically valid contextual contents adequate to support patients hospitalized at home. The formally described design provides the contents of the medical context enriched by the rules of the current state of medical knowledge. Denotational Mathematics provides the means to formally present the conceptual comparison between technically obtained medical contexts against predetermined medical contexts to obtain valid interpretations. The presented design has the ambition to formally describe the required cooperation of discrete ubiquitous computing applications to achieve the development of a commonly interpreted medical context at home.
Analyze Physical Design Process Using Big Data Tool
Authors: Ahmed Waseem , Fan Lisa
Published: November 2015

Physical Design (PD) Data tool is designed mainly to help ASIC design engineers in achieving chip design process quality, optimization and performance measures. The tool uses data mining techniques to handle the existing unstructured data repository. It extracts the relevant data and loads it into a well-structured database. Data archive mechanism is enabled that initially creates and then keeps updating an archive repository on a daily basis. The logs information provide to PD tool is a completely unstructured format which parse by regular expression (regex) based data extraction methodology. It converts the input data into the structured tables. This undergoes the data cleansing process before being fed into the operational DB. PD tool also ensures data integrity and data validity. It helps the design engineers to compare, correlate and inter-relate the results of their existing work with the ones done in the past which gives them a clear picture of the progress made and deviations that occurred. Data analysis can be done using various features offered by the tool such as graphical and statistical representation.
Synovial Regulatory T Cells Occupy a Discrete TCR Niche in Human Arthritis and Require Local Signals To Stabilize FOXP3 Protein Expression
Authors: Bending David , Giannakopoulou Eirini , Lom Hannah , Wedderburn Lucy R.
Published: November 2015

Although there is great interest in harnessing the immunosuppressive potential of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) for treating autoimmunity, a sizeable knowledge gap exists regarding Treg fate in human disease. In juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients, we have previously reported that atypical CD25+FOXP3− Treg-like cells uniquely populate the inflamed site. Intriguingly, their proportions relative to CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs associate with arthritis course, suggesting a role in disease. The ontogeny of these FOXP3− Treg-like cells is, however, unknown. In this study, we interrogated clonal relationships between CD4+ T cell subsets in JIA, using high-throughput TCR repertoire analysis. We reveal that FOXP3+ Tregs possess highly exclusive TCRβ usage from conventional T cells, in blood, and also at the inflamed site, where they are clonally expanded. Intriguingly, the repertoires of FOXP3+ Tregs in synovial fluid are highly overlapping with CD25+FOXP3− Treg-like cells, indicating fluctuations in FOXP3 expression in the inflamed joint. Furthermore, cultured synovial Tregs rapidly downregulated FOXP3 protein (but not mRNA), and this process was prevented by addition of synovial fluid from JIA patients, through an IL-6–independent mechanism. Our findings suggest that most Tregs arise from a separate lineage from conventional T cells, and that this repertoire divergence is largely maintained under chronic inflammatory conditions. We propose that subsequent Treg expansions at the inflamed site creates an environment that leads to competition for limited resources within the synovium, resulting in the destabilization of FOXP3 expression in some Tregs.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Protects Lungs from Cockroach Allergen–Induced Inflammation by Modulating Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Xu Ting , Zhou Yufeng , Qiu Lipeng , Do Danh C. , Zhao Yilin , Cui Zhuang , Wang Heng , Liu Xiaopeng , Saradna Arjun , Cao Xu , Wan Mei , Gao Peisong
Published: November 2015

Exposure to cockroach allergen leads to allergic sensitization and increased risk of developing asthma. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a receptor for many common environmental contaminants, can sense not only environmental pollutants but also microbial insults. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitor cells with the capacity to modulate immune responses. In this study, we investigated whether AhR can sense cockroach allergens and modulate allergen-induced lung inflammation through MSCs. We found that cockroach allergen–treated AhR-deficient (AhR−/−) mice showed exacerbation of lung inflammation when compared with wild-type (WT) mice. In contrast, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), an AhR agonist, significantly suppressed allergen-induced mouse lung inflammation. MSCs were significantly reduced in cockroach allergen–challenged AhR−/− mice as compared with WT mice, but increased in cockroach allergen–challenged WT mice when treated with TCDD. Moreover, MSCs express AhR, and AhR signaling can be activated by cockroach allergen with increased expression of its downstream genes cyp1a1 and cyp1b1. Furthermore, we tracked the migration of i.v.-injected GFP+ MSCs and found that cockroach allergen–challenged AhR−/− mice displayed less migration of MSCs to the lungs compared with WT. The AhR-mediated MSC migration was further verified by an in vitro Transwell migration assay. Epithelial conditioned medium prepared from cockroach extract–challenged epithelial cells significantly induced MSC migration, which was further enhanced by TCDD. The administration of MSCs significantly attenuated cockroach allergen–induced inflammation, which was abolished by TGF-β1–neutralizing Ab. These results suggest that AhR plays an important role in protecting lungs from allergen-induced inflammation by modulating MSC recruitment and their immune-suppressive activity.
FOXO3–NF-κB RelA Protein Complexes Reduce Proinflammatory Cell Signaling and Function
Authors: Thompson Matthew G. , Larson Michelle , Vidrine Amy , Barrios Kelly , Navarro Flor , Meyers Kaitlyn , Simms Patricia , Prajapati Kushal , Chitsike Lennox , Hellman Lance M. , Baker Brian M. , Watkins Stephanie K.
Published: November 2015

Tumor-associated myeloid cells, including dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, are immune suppressive. This study demonstrates a novel mechanism involving FOXO3 and NF-κB RelA that controls myeloid cell signaling and impacts their immune-suppressive nature. We find that FOXO3 binds NF-κB RelA in the cytosol, impacting both proteins by preventing FOXO3 degradation and preventing NF-κB RelA nuclear translocation. The location of protein–protein interaction was determined to be near the FOXO3 transactivation domain. In turn, NF-κB RelA activation was restored upon deletion of the same sequence in FOXO3 containing the DNA binding domain. We have identified for the first time, to our knowledge, a direct protein–protein interaction between FOXO3 and NF-κB RelA in tumor-associated DCs. These detailed biochemical interactions provide the foundation for future studies to use the FOXO3–NF-κB RelA interaction as a target to enhance tumor-associated DC function to support or enhance antitumor immunity.