bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anterior transpedicular screw fixation of cervical spine: Is it safe? Morphological feasibility, technical properties, and accuracy of manual insertion
Authors: Koktekir Ender , Toktas Zafer Orkun , Seker Askin , Akakin Akin , Konya Deniz , Kilic Turker
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

Due to lack of construct stability of the current anterior cervical approaches, supplemental posterior cervical approaches are frequently employed. The use of an anterior-only approach with anterior transpedicular screws (ATPSs) has been proposed as a means of providing 3-column fixation. This study was designed to investigate the feasibility of anterior transpedicular screw (ATPS) fixation of cervical spine, to obtain the morphological measurements for technical prerequisites, and to evaluate the accuracy of the ATPS using fluoroscopy.

METHODS

The study included both radiological and anatomical investigations. The radiological investigations were based on data from cervical spine CT scans performed in 65 patients. Technical prerequisites of ATPS were calculated using OsiriX for Mac OS. In the anatomical part of the study, 30 pedicles (C3–7) from 6 formalin-preserved cadavers were manually instrumented. Measurements obtained included pedicle width (PW), pedicle height (PH), pedicle transverse angle (PTA), distance of the entry point from the midline (DEPM), and distance of the entry point from the superior endplate (DEPSEP). The authors also analyzed screw position in the manually instrumented vertebrae.

RESULTS

The mean PW and PH values showed a tendency to increase from C-3 to C-7 in both males and females. The means were significantly larger for both PW and PH in males than in females at all levels (p = 0.001). The overall mean PTA value was significantly lower at C-7 (p < 0.0001). The mean value for the distance of entry point from the midline (DEPM) represented a point at the contralateral side of the pedicle for every level except C-7. The mean DEPSEP values showed significant differences between all levels (p < 0.0001). Seven of the 30 screws were identified as breaching the pedicle (23.3%); these screw malplacements were seen at C-3 (3 screws), C-4 (2 screws), and C-5 (2 screws).

CONCLUSIONS

The morphological measurements of this study demonstrated that ATPS fixation is feasible in selected cases. They indicate that ATPS insertion using a fluoroscopy-assisted pedicle axis view is safe at the C-6 and C-7 levels, but the results at the other levels did not prove the safety of this technique.
Yawning as a presenting symptom of Chiari malformation Type I: report of 2 cases
Authors: Zebian Bassel , Hogg Florence Rosie Avila , Fu Richard Zhiming , Sivakumaran Ramanan , Stapleton Simon
Published: March 2015

Yawning is thought to be a behavior regulated by the brainstem. Although excessive yawning has been reported in brainstem strokes, demyelination, and tumors, the cases presented here are the first reports of excessive yawning in patients with Chiari malformation Type I (CM-I). The authors believe that brainstem compression at the craniocervical junction and ensuing edema were implicated in this curious symptomatology. They describe excessive yawning as a presenting feature of CM-I in 2 adolescent females. The presentation was acute in the first case and more chronic in the second. Both patients underwent foramen magnum decompression, which resulted in complete cessation of the excessive yawning.
Extended orbital exenteration for sinonasal malignancy with orbital apex extension: surgical technique and clinical analysis
Authors: Sugawara Takashi , Aoyagi Masaru , Ogishima Takahiro , Kawano Yoshihisa , Tamaki Masashi , Yano Tomoyuki , Tsunoda Atsunobu , Ohno Kikuo , Maehara Taketoshi , Kishimoto Seiji
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

The majority of sinonasal malignancies present with advanced disease, and cure rates are generally poor. Surgical extirpation remains the mainstay of treatment. In cases of sinonasal malignancy with orbital apex extension, gross-total tumor resection requires orbital exenteration and bony skull base resection around the orbital apex to provide sufficient margins. In this retrospective study, the authors describe their surgical strategy in and technique for orbital exenteration with orbital apex resection in patients at Tokyo Medical and Dental University who had sinonasal malignancy with orbital apex extension. They also analyzed the clinical features of and the results in these patients.

METHODS

Between February 2001 and August 2012 at the authors' institution, sinonasal malignancy with orbital apex extension was treated using craniofacial tumor resection with orbital exenteration including skull base bone around the orbital apex. The authors describe this technique and analyze the surgical indications, extent of resection, primary tumor location, outcome, pathological findings, and neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies of the patients who underwent the technique.

RESULTS

The patients consisted of 12 men and 3 women with a mean age of 47.7 years (range 14–79 years). The longest postoperative follow-up was 9.5 years, and the shortest was 0.67 year (mean 3.0 years). Tumor originated at the ethmoid sinus in 6 patients (40%), maxillary sinus in 5 (33%), nasal cavity in 2 (13%), and orbital cavity and maxillary bone in 1 patient each (7%). Histological analysis of tumor specimens revealed squamous cell carcinoma in 9 patients (60%), rhabdomyosarcoma in 2 (13%), and small cell carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and Ewing sarcoma in 1 patient each (7%). Two patients experienced recurrences at 1 and 5 months after treatment; these patients died at 5 and 10 months after surgery, respectively. Estimated 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 86.7%, and estimated 5-year overall survival (OS) was 86.2%; there was no perioperative mortality. None of the patients had new neurological deficits as a result of the surgery, but 5 patients suffered infectious complications from the graft transplanted into the cavity after resection. There were no other perioperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

These authors are the first to describe a technique for extended orbital exenteration with orbital apex skull base resection. The technique provided sufficient margins for gross-total resection of the sinonasal malignancy with orbital apex extension. The estimated 5-year OS and RFS rates were high, and the perioperative complication rate was acceptably low, demonstrating the safety and efficacy of this technique.
Assessing early unplanned reoperations in neurosurgery: opportunities for quality improvement
Authors: McLaughlin Nancy , Jin Peng , Martin Neil A.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

Review of morbidities and mortality has been the primary method used to assess surgical quality by physicians, hospitals, and oversight agencies. The incidence of reoperation has been proposed as a candidate quality indicator for surgical care. The authors report a comprehensive assessment of reoperations within a neurosurgical department and discuss how such data can be integrated into quality improvement initiatives to optimize value of care delivery.

METHODS

All neurosurgical procedures performed in the main operating room or the outpatient surgery center at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center from July 2008 to December 2012 were considered for this study. Interventional radiology and stereotactic radiosurgery procedures were excluded. Early reoperations within 7 days of the index surgery were reviewed and their preventability status was evaluated.

RESULTS

The incidence of early unplanned reoperation was 2.6% (occurring after 183 of 6912 procedures). More than half of the patients who underwent early unplanned reoperation initially had surgery for shunt-related conditions (34.4%) or intracranial tumor (23.5%). Shunt failure was the most common indication for early unplanned reoperation (34.4%), followed by postoperative bleeding (20.8%) and postoperative elevated intracranial pressure (9.8%). The average time interval (± SD) between the index surgery and reoperation was 3.0 ± 1.9 days. The average length of stay following reoperation was 12.1 ± 14.4 days.

CONCLUSIONS

This study enabled an in-depth assessment of reoperations within an academic neurosurgical practice and identification of strategic opportunities for department-wide quality improvement initiatives. The authors provide a nuanced discussion regarding the use of absolute reoperations as a quality indicator for neurosurgical patient populations.
Plaque morphology (the PLAC Scale) on CT angiography: predicting long-term anatomical success of primary carotid stenting
Authors: Pelz David M. , Lownie Stephen P. , Lee Donald H. , Boulton Melfort R.
Published: March 2015

OBJECT

Carotid angioplasty and stenting has emerged as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy for the treatment of atherosclerotic carotid stenosis. Primary carotid stenting, performed using self-expanding stents alone without deliberate use of embolic protection devices and balloon angioplasty, has been shown to be effective and faster, cheaper, and potentially safer than conventional techniques. However, the long-term morphological results of this technique have not been established. The aim of this study was to determine whether preprocedural carotid plaque imaging at the site of maximal stenosis by using CT angiography (CTA) could predict the long-term morphological outcome of primary carotid stenting.

METHODS

One hundred eighty-one patients were treated over an 11-year period. Preprocedural CTA was performed in 102 of these. A morphological scale (the Predicting Long-term outcome with Angioplasty of the Carotid artery [PLAC] Scale), with grades from 0 to 4 and A or B, was used to evaluate the circumferential degree of plaque calcification, and the presence or absence of soft plaque. All patients were followed using duplex carotid ultrasound and plain radiographs. Satisfactory morphological outcome was defined as a peak systolic velocity < 120 cm/s and internal carotid artery/common carotid artery ratio < 1.4.

RESULTS

The average follow-up duration was 29.7 months (median 24.5 months, range 0.3–87 months). Univariate logistic regression demonstrated that a low calcification grade (p < 0.001), less thick calcification (p < 0.001), and moderate amounts of soft plaque (p < 0.001) are factors that are highly associated with good long-term outcome. Multivariate analyses confirmed that these factors are independent of each other in predicting outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term morphological outcome of primary carotid stenting was predicted with considerable accuracy by using a straightforward CTA carotid plaque grading scale.
Chemical Resolution of Dl-Phenylalanine Methyl Ester Using N-Acetyl-D-Phenylglycine as Resolving Agent
Authors: Wang Shuai-Shuai , Zou Fang , Meng Wen-Qi , Zhang Jing-Zheng , Feng Yan , Zhang Ling , Liu Yi
Published: March 2015

An improved method for chemical resolution of DL-phenylalanine methyl ester using N-acetyl-D-phenylglycine as a resolving agent is described. This new resolving agent is readily available, non-toxic and easily recoverable from the insoluble diasteromeric salt. This method was used to obtain D-phenylalanine methyl ester with high optical purity of 98.1% and a high yield of 81.2%.
Synthesis, Crystal and Biological Activity of 5-Chloro-3-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-N -(3-Methoxyphenyl)-2-Methyl-6-Phenylpyrazolo[1,5-A]Pyrimidin-7-Amine
Authors: Jiu-fu Lu , Hong-guang Ge , Hui Zhang , Jing-jing Guo , Shan-shan Liang , Juan Shi
Published: March 2015

The crystal structure of 5-chloro-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-methyl-6-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-amine (C26H19Cl3N4O, Mr = 509.80) has been synthesised by chlorination and aminisation from 3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-methyl-6-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-5,7-diol. Its structure was confirmed by element analysis, IR, 1H NMR and X-ray diffraction. The crystal belongs to the triclinic system, space group P-1 with a = 10.979(2) Å, b= 11.339(2) Å, c= 11.646(2) Å, a= 98.58(3) °, β= 110.21(3) °, γ= 111.61 (3) °. In addition, the compound possesses moderate anticancer activity.
Efficient Synthesis of Terpyrrole Derivatives by a Pseudo-Five-Component Reaction between Pyrrole, β-Enaminocarbonyls and Arylglyoxals
Authors: Masoudi Mozhgan , Anary-Abbasinejad Mohammad
Published: March 2015

Pyrrole reacts with arylglyoxal monohydrates and enaminoketones or enaminoesters in alcoholic media in the presence of FeBr3 as a catalyst to produce 2,5-bis(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1H-pyrrole derivatives in high yields as the only product. Reactions are clean and products are isolated by simple filtration.
Synthesis and Characterisation of Phosphazene Derivatives Containing Dioxybiphenyl and 4-Sulfanylquinazoline Groups
Authors: Jiang Xiang , Yu Guo-Wei , Li Zu-Guang , Chu Shi-Peng , Wang Shen-Peng
Published: March 2015

2,2-Dichloro-4,4,6,6-bis[spiro(2′,2″-dioxy-1′,1″-biphenylyl)]cyclotriphosphazene was synthesised from the reaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene with biphenyl-2,2′-diol. 2,2-Bis(4-formylphenoxy)-4,4,6,6-bis[spiro(2′,2″-dioxy-1′,1″-biphenylyl)]cyclotriphosphazene was obtained from the reaction of 2,2-dichloro-4,4,6,6-bis[spiro(2′,2″-dioxy-1′,1″-biphenylyl)] cyclotriphosphazene with 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. 2,2-Bis[4-(4-quinazolinone)phenoxy]-4,4,6,6-bis[spiro(2′,2″-dioxy-1′,1″-biphenylyl)]cyclotriphosphazene was synthesised from the reaction of 2,2-bis(4-formylphenoxy)-4,4,6,6-bis[spiro(2′,2″-dioxy-1′,1″-biphenylyl)]cyclotriphosphazene with anthranilamide in N,N-dimethylformamide. The novel cyclophosphazene derivatives were synthesised under mild conditions from the reaction of 2,2-bis[4-(4-quinazolinone)phenoxy]-4,4,6,6-bis[spiro(2′,2″-dioxy-1′,1″-biphenylyl)]cyclotriphosphazene with 4-chlorobenzenemethanethiol, p-thiocresol, 4-aminothiophenol, and 4-chlorothiophenol in the presence of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride via C-OH bond activation under mild conditions. All products were generally obtained in high yields. Their structures were characterised by HRMS, IR and 1H, 13C spectroscopy.
4-Aryl-Pyrimidin-2-Yl Tosylates as Efficient Reaction Partners: Application to the Synthesis of Pyrimidines Functionalised with Propargyloxy and 1,2,3-Triazolo Groups
Authors: Quan Zheng-Jun , Fang Shao-Wei , Da Yu-Xia , Zhang Zhang , Wang Xi-Cun
Published: March 2015

The 4-arylated pyrimidin-2-yl tosylate derivatives, easily prepared from cheap commercial materials, reacted efficiently with propargyl alcohol/NaOBut to give the corresponding 4-arylated 2-propargyloxy-pyrimidine derivatives which, in a one-pot reaction catalysed by CuSO4·5H2O/sodium ascorbate, reacted with NaN3 and hexyl or benzyl bromide to give a series of 2-(1-hexyl- or 1-benzyl-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methoxy-pyrimidine derivatives in good yields.
An Alternative Approach to the Synthesis of New Pyrimido[5′,4′:5,6][1,4] Thiazino[2,3-B]Quinoxaline Derivatives
Authors: Bakavoli Mehdi , Eshghi Hosein , Azizollahi Hamid , Saberi Sattar , Akbarzadeh Marziyeh
Published: March 2015

An alternative approach to the synthesis of a series of new pyrimido[5′,4′:5,6][1,4]thiazino[2,3-b]quinoxaline derivatives is described. Reaction of 5-bromo-2,4-dichloro-6-methylpyrimidine and 3-aminoquinoxaline-2-thiol leads to the key intermediate 3-[(5-bromo-2-chloro-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)thio]quinoxalin-2-amine. This intermediate can be transformed into the title ring systems by subsequent treatment either with secondary amines followed by intramolecular cyclisation or initial intramolecular cyclisation with subsequent reaction with secondary amines.
Efficient One-Pot Three-Component Reaction for the Synthesis of (5-Aryl-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-Yl)(Pyridin-2-Yl)Methanol Derivatives
Authors: Souldozi Ali
Published: March 2015

(N-Isocyanimino)triphenylphosphorane, 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde and four halogenated aromatic carboxylic acids undergo a 1 : 1 : 1addition reaction under mild conditions in a one-pot reaction to afford four novel (5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)(pyridin-2-yl)methanol derivatives in good yields.
Studies on a Modern Method of Preparing Authentic Mauveine
Authors: Plater M. John , Raab Andrea
Published: March 2015

The compositions of modern mauveines I and II made using tert-butyl-p-toluidine are analysed by HPLC and compared with authentic mauveine and a standard consisting of mauveine A, B2, B and C. The composition of modern mauveine II is similar to that of authentic mauveine.
Synthesis of a New Odourant, 2-Mercapto-4-Heptanol
Authors: Yang Shaoxiang , Gong Wei , Sun Baoguo , Liu Yongguo , Tian Hongyu
Published: March 2015

2-Mercapto-4-heptanol is a relatively new flavour compound that was recently approved as an ingredient by the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers’ Association in 2013. Its synthesis, which we have accomplished in four-steps, involved firstly a Grignard reaction of n-butanal with allylmagnesium chloride to prepare 1-hepten-4-ol. This was epoxidised and then converted to 1,2-epithio-4-heptanol, reduction of which with LiAlH4 gave the target compound in an overall yield of about 54%.
Selectfluor-Mediated Synthesis of Isoindoline Fused with Triazoles under Metal-Free Conditions
Authors: Zhang Hong-Ping , Wang Xia
Published: March 2015

An efficient selectfluor-mediated cyclisation of 2-arylethynyl-benzyl azides at 80 °C in MeCN yielded 12 arylated triazolo-isoindoline derivatives (seven of which are novel). Products bearing either electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups on the aromatic ring were formed in comparable yields.
Women Micro-Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh: Socio-Economic Aspects and Factors Affecting Their Development
Authors: Nasima Ms , Alam Naznin
Published: March 2015

This paper is dealing with womens entrepreneurial activities according to socio-economic aspects and the factors affecting their developments. Here, micro-entrepreneurship is focused mainly. Women micro-entrepreneurs are now holding a large number of enterprises creating employment, fastening the speed of economic growth and making social empowerment. In-spite of the significant role-played, their position in many areas of Bangladesh leaves much to be desired. This study aims to provide a micro-level perspective of different challenges faced by women micro-entrepreneurs in the Bangladeshi socioeconomic context and their future prospects. The study adopted a selfadministered questionnaires and interviews with women micro-entrepreneurs engaged in diverse sectors. The findings show that Bangladeshi women microentrepreneurs face an unfavorable business environment that is characterized by various challenges ranging from low technical, administrative and government support, lack of scope of professional development and bad interpersonal relationship. The findings also highlight the socio-economic characteristics such as age, marital status, educational status and starting age of business. We have found that married and above 25 years women are more likely to be micro-entrepreneurs. They do not get proper training but the government is being more positive in this regard, as they can get the loan easily. Hence, with family as well as government support they are becoming empowered day by day DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbt.v9i1.22778 Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.9(1) 2014; 53-70
Transformation of hydrogen titanate nanoribbons to TiO2 nanoribbons and the influence of the transformation strategies on the photocatalytic performance
Authors: Rutar Melita , Rozman Nejc , Pregelj Matej , Bittencourt Carla , Cerc Korošec Romana , Sever Škapin Andrijana , Mrzel Aleš , Škapin Srečo D , Umek Polona
Published: March 2015

The influence of the reaction conditions during the transformation of hydrogen titanate nanoribbons to TiO2 nanoribbons on the phase composition, the morphology, the appearance of the nanoribbon surfaces and their optical properties was investigated. The transformations were performed (i) through a heat treatment in oxidative and reductive atmospheres in the temperature range of 400–650 °C, (ii) through a hydrothermal treatment in neutral and basic environments at 160 °C, and (iii) through a microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment in a neutral environment at 200 °C. Scanning electron microscopy investigations showed that the hydrothermal processing significantly affected the nanoribbon surfaces, which became rougher, while the transformations based on calcination in either oxidative or reductive atmospheres had no effect on the morphology or on the surface appearance of the nanoribbons. The transformations performed in the reductive atmosphere, an NH3(g)/Ar(g) flow, and in the ammonia solution led to nitrogen doping. The nitrogen content increased with an increasing calcination temperature, as was determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. According to electron paramagnetic resonance measurements the calcination in the reductive atmosphere also resulted in a partial reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+. The photocatalytic performance of the derived TiO2 NRs was estimated on the basis of the photocatalytic oxidation of isopropanol. After calcinating in air, the photocatalytic performance of the investigated TiO2 NRs increased with an increased content of anatase. In contrast, the photocatalytic performance of the N-doped TiO2 NRs showed no dependence on the calcination temperature. An additional comparison showed that the N-doping significantly suppressed the photocatalytic performance of the TiO2 NRs, i.e., by 3 to almost 10 times, in comparison with the TiO2 NRs derived by calcination in air. On the other hand, the photocatalytic performance of the hydrothermally derived TiO2 NRs was additionally improved by a subsequent heat treatment in air.
Bis(vinylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene analogues of BEDT-TTF
Authors: Ertas Erdal , Demirtas İlknur , Ozturk Turan
Published: March 2015

This review aims to give an overview of the current status of our research on the synthesis of π-electron donor bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF, ET) analogues prepared from 1,8-diketones via a ring forming reaction. The new synthesized π-electron donors have vinyl moieties producing extended π-electron delocalization over the substituent phenyl rings at the peripheries.
Upregulation of NKG2C+ Natural Killer Cells, TLR-2 Expression on Monocytes and Downregulation of Regulatory T-Cells Influence PEG-IFN Treatment Efficacy in Entecavir-Suppressed Patients with CHB
Authors: Yan Weiming , Wu Di , Wang Xiaojing , Chen Tao , Lai Qintao , Zheng Qi , Jiang Jiaji , Hou Jinlin , Han Meifang , Ning Qin
Published: March 2015

Background

There is increasing evidence that host immune responses influence antiviral efficacy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The aim of this study was to characterize the immunological features responsible for improved treatment responses with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)-α2a in entecavir (ETV)-suppressed patients with CHB.

Methods

Peripheral natural killer (NK) cells, Toll-like receptors (TLRs), T-cell subsets, regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and programmed death 1 (PD-1) were evaluated dynamically in 77 patients undergoing a clinical trial (OSST trial, NCT00940485) by flow cytometry. Response was defined as hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and HBsAg seroconversion (either as singular events or in combination at week 48).

Results

Compared with ETV responders or PEG-IFN-α non-responders, PEG-IFN-α responders exhibited a significant decline in HBsAg during treatment ( P=0.033 and P<0.001, respectively) and a significant decline in Treg proportions from week 12 to week 24 ( P=0.036 and P=0.004, respectively). Moreover, PEG-IFN-α responders showed a significantly higher increase in the NKG2C+ NK cell proportions from baseline to week 12 ( P=0.0073) and of TLR2+ monocytes at week 12 than PEG-IFN-α non-responders ( P=0.039).

Conclusions

Successful response to PEG-IFN-α correlates with an early significant restoration of impaired immune responses. Although antiviral treatment response can be achieved by both IFN and ETV, the underlying immunological features vary which may explain the generally observed difference in off-treatment durability of response between the two treatments, as well as effects on HBsAg.
Les équipes soignantes face aux agirs des sujets déments : les actes, les actions, les mots
Authors: Talpin Jean-Marc
Published: March 2015

La rencontre avec les patients malades d’Alzheimer est source de violence pour les équipes soignantes. De plus, ces patients peuvent recourir au passage à l’acte compte tenu de leur pathologie qui atteint les processus de liaison et de symbolisation. Il s’agira ici, d’une part de repérer les défenses des équipes face à ces agirs, et d’autre part de proposer des dispositifs qui soutiennent les professionnels et les aident à élaborer ces situations.
L’incasable et le psychopathe
Authors: Chartier Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2015

La fréquence et la diversité des passages à l’acte à l’adolescence ne peuvent que laisser le praticien désarçonné, en particulier quand ils mettent en péril la vie du sujet ou celle d’autres. Les fugues à répétition des institutions spécialisées seront également prises en compte ; leurs acteurs ont permis d’élaborer une série de critères comportementaux et historiques censés aider à comprendre ceux et celles que l’auteur a dénommés, en reprenant une formulation du professeur Duché, « les incasables ». Il faut refuser les grilles diagnostiques comme les dsm qui enferment, et tenter d’adapter nos outils thérapeutiques aux singularités de ces patients « impossibles », ce qui demande un autre écrit.
Émergence et dynamique institutionnelle multilatérale : le NAMA-11 dans la négociation de l'Organisation mondiale du commerce
Authors: Abbas Mehdi
Published: March 2015

L’article analyse la stratégie de la coalition NAMA-11 dans les négociations sur la libéralisation multilatérale des biens industriels. En mobilisant la théorie des régimes internationaux et les hypothèses du réalisme structurel, il cherche à savoir si les pays émergents contestent ou endossent le régime OMC. Il défend la thèse d’un changement dans le régime et non d’un changement du régime. L’ascendance de puissances non hégémoniques s’accompagne d’un mouvement contradictoire d’endossement des principes et des règles du régime et de contestation des modalités et dispositifs de gouvernance.
L'accès au crédit individuel par les clients des institutions de microfinance du Congo : une analyse des déterminants de l'auto-exclusion et de l'obtention du prêt
Authors: Kertous Mourad , Mayoukou Célestin
Published: March 2015

La montée du crédit individuel se traduit par une sélectivité des clients de la part des institutions de microfinance (IMF). Cet article met ce phénomène en évidence avec les IMF congolaises. Avec un modèle probit, nous montrons que les demandeurs de prêts sont soumis à deux barrières. La première concerne l’auto-exclusion. Conscients du fait qu’ils ne présentent pas assez de garanties pour l’obtention des prêts, les clients renoncent à en solliciter par crainte de voir leur demande rejetée. La deuxième est celle imposée par les institutions de microfinance qui exigent un minimum de garantie pour l’octroi des prêts.
Modélisation en apprentissage des langues médiatisé : quelle utilité ?
Authors: Bertin Jean-Claude
Published: March 2015

L'usage dans la littérature scientifique de termes génériques tels que "technologie", "ordinateur", etc., génère une illusion ontologique : l'unité épistémologique du domaine de la didactique des langues dans son rapport avec la technologie est contredite par la variété des artefacts, des contextes et des usages. Il convient alors de se demander comment aborder le domaine d'une manière à la fois générique et respectueuse des spécificités des contextes particuliers. L'auteur propose la modélisation comme une réponse à ce besoin exprimé tant par le chercheur et par l'enseignant de langue étrangère. Il explique les fondements de cette approche et s'appuie sur deux exemples pour démontrer la valeur heuristique du modèle qu'il utilise.
Bio-Inspired Polarization Vision Techniques for Robotics Applications
Authors: Shabayek Abd El Rahman , Morel Olivier , Fofi David
Published: March 2015

Researchers have been inspired by nature to build the next generation of smart robots. Based on the mechanisms adopted by the animal kingdom, research teams have developed solutions to common problems that autonomous robots faced while performing basic tasks. Polarization-based behaviour is one of the most distinctive features of some species of the animal kingdom. Light polarization parameters significantly expand visual capabilities of autonomous robots. Polarization vision can be used for most tasks of color vision, like object recognition, contrast enhancement, camouflage breaking, and signal detection and discrimination. In this chapter, the authors briefly cover polarization-based visual behavior in the animal kingdom. Then, they go in depth with bio-inspired applications based on polarization in computer vision and robotics. The aim is to have a comprehensive survey highlighting the key principles of polarization-based techniques and how they are biologically inspired.
Mobile Worm-Like Robots for Pipe Inspection
Authors: Jatsun Sergey Fedorovich , Malchikov Andrei Vasilevich
Published: March 2015

This chapter describes various designs of multilink mobile robots intended to move inside the confined space of pipelines. The mathematical model that describes robot dynamics and controlled motion, which allows simulating different regimes of robot motion and determining design parameters of the device and its control system, is presented. The chapter contains the results of numerical simulations for different types of worm-like mobile robots. The experimental studies of the in-pipe robots prototypes and their analyses are presented in this chapter.
Control of a Biomimetic Robot Hand Finger
Authors: Arslan Yunus Ziya , Hacioglu Yuksel , Taskin Yener , Yagiz Nurkan
Published: March 2015

Due to the dexterous manipulation capability and low metabolic energy consumption property of the human hand, many robotic hands were designed and manufactured that are inspired from the human hand. One of the technical challenges in designing biomimetic robot hands is the control scheme. The control algorithm used in a robot hand is expected to ensure the tracking of reference trajectories of fingertips and joint angles with high accuracy, reliability, and smoothness. In this chapter, trajectory-tracking performances of different types of widely used control strategies (i.e. classical, robust, and intelligent controllers) are comparatively evaluated. To accomplish this evaluation, PID, sliding mode, and fuzzy logic controllers are implemented on a biomimetic robot hand finger model and simulation results are quantitatively analyzed. Pros and cons of the corresponding control algorithms are also discussed.
Design of Hexapod Walking Robots
Authors: Tedeschi Franco , Carbone Giuseppe
Published: March 2015

This chapter deals with hexapod walking robot design and operation. The first section gives a wide overview of the state-of-the-art on hexapod walking robots by referring both to early design solutions and to most recent achievements. Section two identifies the main design challenges that influence the technical feasibility and performance of these systems. In section three, a design procedure is proposed. In particular, the proposed design procedure takes into account mechanical structure, leg configuration, actuating and drive mechanisms, payload, motion conditions, walking gait, and control system. A case of study is carefully described as referring to previous experiences at LARM.
Tracking Control of a Nonholonomic Mobile Robot Using Neural Network
Authors: Yildirim Şahin , Savaş Sertaç
Published: March 2015

The goal of this chapter is to enable a nonholonomic mobile robot to track a specified trajectory with minimum tracking error. Towards that end, an adaptive P controller is designed whose gain parameters are tuned by using two feed-forward neural networks. Back-propagation algorithm is chosen for online learning process and posture-tracking errors are considered as error values for adjusting weights of neural networks. The tracking performance of the controller is illustrated for different trajectories with computer simulation using Matlab/Simulink. In addition, open-loop response of an experimental mobile robot is investigated for these different trajectories. Finally, the performance of the proposed controller is compared to a standard PID controller. The simulation results show that “adaptive P controller using neural networks” has superior tracking performance at adapting large disturbances for the mobile robot.
Distributed Robots Path/Tasks Planning on Fetch Scheduling
Authors: Villanueva-Chacón Nilda G. , Martínez-García Edgar A.
Published: March 2015

A highly concurrent task-planner for distributed multi-robot systems in dynamical industrial feed-lines is presented in this chapter. The system deals with two main issues: a) a path-planning model and b) a robotic-tasks scheduler. A set of kinematic control laws based on directional derivatives model the dynamical robots interaction. Distributed wheeled mobile robots perform the execution of autonomous tasks concurrently and synchronized just in time. A planner model for distributed tasks to autonomously reconfigure and synchronize online change priority missions by the robotic primitives—sense, plan, and act—are proposed. The robotic tasks concern carry-and-fetch to different goals, and dispatching materials. Numerical simulation of mathematical formulation and real experiments illustrate the parallel computing capability and the distributed robot's behavior. Results depict robots dealing with highly concurrent tasks and dynamical events through a parallel scheme.
Mechatronic System Design for a Solar Tracker
Authors: Zhang H. Henry , Tan Li-Zhe , Yu Wangling , Meskouri Simo
Published: March 2015

The performance and cost-effectiveness of photovoltaic cells depends greatly on the intensity of solar radiation to which they are exposed. Integrating a solar tracking system to the photovoltaic cell panel provides a way to improve the efficiencies of the solar energy system. Designing such an interdisciplinary system requires the mechatronic approach, through which the subsystems and their interfacings relating to the electrical, electronic, mechanical, structural, and control are integrated with multiple functionality and intelligent engineering realized in the microprocessor/controller operations and the controlled mechanisms. This chapter presents a case study of mechatronic system design and prototyping of a two-axis solar tracking system ST100 utilizing microcontroller OOPic. Two stepper motors adjusting the solar panel's rotation and tilt about the horizontal axis and the vertical axis give it the ability to track the movement of the sun and align the solar panel to face the sun at all times.
Entrepreneurship in Small-Scale Farms
Authors: Carvalho Luísa Margarida Cagica
Published: March 2015

This chapter aims to relate a case of rural entrepreneurship developed in Portuguese small-scale farms promoted through the European Project PROVE. The Project PROVE appears in 2007 inside European Program EQUAL; several local partners and development agencies work together with small farms to solve a problem. Parts of these farms do not have enough scale to sell large quantities in markets or to arrange agreement with national and international distributors. However, they have agricultural surplus and difficulties in selling their entire surplus in the local markets. Parts of the first farms are also in urban regions and suffer urban pressures, are familiar explorations, and the number of women is relevant. This entrepreneurial solution was spread to different regions in Portugal and also in other European countries and endures beyond the end of the European project.
Solar Energy Potential as Support for Sustainable Development of Romanian Economy
Authors: Dusmanescu Dorel
Published: March 2015

Energetic resources represent one of the most important factors in the process of consolidation of competitive market economy, having also a very important role in assuring the functionality of the economic system components. The decline of oil and gas production imposes the necessity to identify and implement new energy sources. Another reason to identify new energy sources is the pollution that is generated by the fossil fuel burn. The chapter presents a methodology about the solar energy potential evaluation for Romania. As a result of the tax incentives that are offered to investors in renewable energy, many projects were developed in Romania in the recent years, especially about wind and solar energy. But many projects have been done without a realistic assessment of potential wind or solar energy, as the consulting firms had presented an exaggerated image of the financial potential of these investments.
Lessons from the STEM Sector
Authors: Pugh Vachon M.C.
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this chapter is to examine possible causes such as lack of interest, lack of skill/ability, and anticipated work/family conflict (WFC), in addition to analyzing successful recruitment tactics that have brought more women into various other male dominated fields in an attempt to solve this problem. Results of the literature review show that the main contributing factors for the lack of women within the sector are lack of confidence in skills and abilities, lack of female industry role models, and lack of available mentorship and community outreach programs for interested women. This chapter takes this information into consideration and makes possible suggestions for the industry on how to remedy this problem.
Video Game Framings
Authors: Rockenberger Annika
Published: March 2015

This chapter discusses the applicability of the concept of ‘paratext' (as coined by Gérard Genette) to audio-visual media in general and to video games in particular. In the first section, some potential elements of a video game's ‘paratext' are singled out by means of ‘auto-ethnographic' description of the introductory sequence(s) of the first-person shooter game BioShock Infinite. Several segments of the game's ‘threshold' are differentiated employing a rather tentative ad-hoc terminology. In the second section, Genette's definitional stipulations, posing the point of reference for everyone actually using the term ‘paratext,' are reconstructed, clarified and constructively criticized. Here, the author also discusses potential objections to Genette's definitional criteria and briefly touches upon some media-theoretical constraints of his approach. Ensuing from these meta-terminological considerations, the author turns to the questionable use of ‘paratext' in video game studies. As critical examination reveals, the terminology in this field of research is rather vaguely connected to, and sometimes even completely detached from, Genette's definition. As an objection to such redefinitions of the term, the chapter suggests (1) that its use be restricted to communicative signals meeting the following criteria only: (a) functionally subservient to (which obviously implies specifically referring to) ‘the game proper,' (b) authorized by entitled members of the game's production collective, (c) verbal, (d) (at least partly) extra-diegetic. Additionally, (2) the chapter proposes supplementing ‘paratext' as an analytical tool with the higher-order umbrella term ‘framings' (as coined by Werner Wolf).
Neurofeedback and Serious Games
Authors: Ninaus Manuel , Witte Matthias , Kober Silvia E. , Friedrich Elisabeth V. C. , Kurzmann Jürgen , Hartsuiker Erwin , Neuper Christa , Wood Guilherme
Published: March 2015

Neuroscience as well as computer gaming have rapidly advanced in the last decades. Yet, the combination of both fields is still in its infancy. One example of an emerging alliance is neurofeedback, where participants are required to learn controlling their own brain activity. So far, this kind of training is mostly applied in therapeutic settings, for example improving symptoms in epilepsy, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or autism spectrum disorder. However, there are some promising approaches that used neurofeedback in everyday situations for healthy subjects. This may prove especially valuable for serious games that aim to improve learning capabilities and cognitive aspects of individual users. The following chapter introduces the basic concepts and standards of neurofeedback. The different non-invasive imaging techniques are introduced along with successful applications in neurofeedback. Finally, benefits and pitfalls for future combinations of neurofeedback and games are discussed: while the former may profit from realistic and motivating video scenarios, the latter is expected to be a tool for evaluating and monitoring the direct effects on the user's brain.
The Road to Critical Thinking and Intelligence Analysis
Authors: Rudnianski Michel , Kravcik Milos
Published: March 2015

In an environment characterized by an ever-increasing flow of data and resulting complexity, the development of intelligence analysis is of core importance. After a brief analysis of three core competences (data processing, empathy, critical thinking), decision making issues are addressed through considering on the one hand cognitive and psychological biases, and on the other hand methodologies based on instrumental rationality. Core factors for the development of critical thinking are then discussed before a specific tool of Game Theory, called Games of Deterrence, is introduced based on bounded rationality. An example of Games of Deterrence's application to critical thinking is given through using these games to model argumentation. Finally, on the basis of the method adopted, a framework is proposed for building a serious game devoted to critical thinking and intelligence analysis.
Ubiquitous Game-Based Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Kasimati Anna , Mysirlaki Sofia , Bouta Hara , Paraskeva Fotini
Published: March 2015

The rise of mobile broadband devices and services has significantly changed the role of mobile devices in people's daily lives by enabling the provision of innovative applications and services anywhere, anytime. Despite the fact that new ideas and innovation mainly occur within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the adoption of mobile and ubiquitous technologies by HEIs is still in its early stages. This chapter attempts to provide a framework to support Higher Education Institutions towards implementing mobile and ubiquitous, game-based learning activities. Aligned with the objective of this book, this chapter presents some examples and best practices of implementing this framework towards achieving the learning goals of future professionals in the fields of electronic and ubiquitous commerce.
Auditory Experiences in Game Transfer Phenomena
Authors: Ortiz de Gortari Angelica B. , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: March 2015

This study investigated gamers' auditory experiences as after effects of playing. This was done by classifying, quantifying, and analysing 192 experiences from 155 gamers collected from online videogame forums. The gamers' experiences were classified as: (i) involuntary auditory imagery (e.g., hearing the music, sounds or voices from the game), (ii) inner speech (e.g., completing phrases in the mind), (iii) auditory misperceptions (e.g., confusing real life sounds with videogame sounds), and (iv) multisensorial auditory experiences (e.g., hearing music while involuntary moving the fingers). Gamers heard auditory cues from the game in their heads, in their ears, but also coming from external sources. Occasionally, the vividness of the sound evoked thoughts and emotions that resulted in behaviours and copying strategies. The psychosocial implications of the gamers' auditory experiences are discussed. This study contributes to the understanding of the effects of auditory features in videogames, and to the phenomenology of non-volitional auditory experiences.
Fifth Graders' Flow Experience in a Digital Game-Based Science Learning Environment
Authors: Zheng Meixun , Spires Hiller A.
Published: March 2015

This mixed methods study examined 73 5th graders' flow experience in a game-based science learning environment using two gameplay approaches (solo and collaborative gameplay). Both survey and focus group interview findings revealed that students had high flow experience; however, there were no flow experience differences that were contingent upon gameplay approaches. Results identified four game design features and student personal factors (reading proficiency) that significantly impacted student game flow experience. Students made significant science content learning gains as a result of gameplay, but game flow experience did not predict learning gains. The study demonstrated that the game was effective in supporting students' flow experience and science content learning. The findings indicated that the adapted game flow experience survey provided a satisfactory measure of students' game flow experience. The results also have implications for educational game design, as game design features that significantly contributed to students' flow experience were identified.
Critical Transport
Authors: Ribeiro Claudia , Antunes Tiago , Pereira João , Monteiro Micaela
Published: March 2015

At present, medical knowledge is experiencing an exponential growth. This results in serious difficulties to healthcare professionals in keeping up to date. At the same time, medical education is mostly taught using traditional learning methodologies, not always the most efficient. Recently however, there has been a significant increase in the use of computer games for both teaching and training as several published studies are showing that serious games can be more efficient when compared to traditional learning methodologies. Although the current number of serious games used in medical education is still very limited, the authors agree that it's application could lead to the improvement of medical knowledge and skills. This paper describes the serious game Critical Transport which is based on the Portuguese Society of Intensive Care's recommendations for the transport of critically ill patients, as well as the results of a pre/post-test study focused in determining the Critical Transport serious game efficiency as a training tool for training medical students.
Students as Customers
Authors: Shi Lei , Cristea Alexandra I. , Stewart Craig
Published: March 2015

The World Wide Web is changing, from the early Web 1.0 to the Social Web 2.0 and beyond to Web 3.0 interfaces, but more importantly, the users of the Web are also changing, and their numbers are increasing rapidly in line with this evolution. In e-Learning, it is essential to be able to keep up with these trends and provide personalized social interaction. Here, our main customers are our students, but these customers do not come unprepared: they already have a great deal of Web experience, especially in the areas of Social Networking Sites (SNS) and online interaction. Thus, it is essential to improve approaches used in the past, where learners were only involved in the receiving part of the delivery process. This chapter therefore proposes and explores applying participatory design methodologies in the early stages of the social adaptive educational hypermedia system design process, showing also its benefits for further design, implementation, and usage.
To Play or to Learn?
Authors: Erickson Joan J.
Published: March 2015

Research evidence of the last two decades indicates positive effects of game-based learning on students' attitude and performance in math education. Game-based Internet math sites are geared to help students stay motivated and master grade-appropriate math concepts. This review presents One) a literature review on game-based learning via instructional design and game design considerations, Two) a tabulated review of 30 Internet math games from a math educator's first-hand experience in playing and critiquing in reference to Grades 6th - 8th players' motivation and cognition. Its educational implications include helping educators (a) select Internet math games with a heightened awareness of Internet games' motivational factors and concept-building potential during gameplay and (b) incorporate game-based technology to foster meaningful immersion when students explore mathematical concepts.