bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An electronic portfolio for quantitative assessment of surgical skills in undergraduate medical education
Authors: Sánchez Gómez Serafín , Ostos Elisa María Cabot , Solano Juan Manuel Maza , Salado Tomás Francisco Herrero
Published: May 2013

Background

We evaluated a newly designed electronic portfolio (e-Portfolio) that provided quantitative evaluation of surgical skills. Medical students at the University of Seville used the e-Portfolio on a voluntary basis for evaluation of their performance in undergraduate surgical subjects.

Methods

Our new web-based e-Portfolio was designed to evaluate surgical practical knowledge and skills targets. Students recorded each activity on a form, attached evidence, and added their reflections. Students self-assessed their practical knowledge using qualitative criteria (yes/no), and graded their skills according to complexity (basic/advanced) and participation (observer/assistant/independent). A numerical value was assigned to each activity, and the values of all activities were summated to obtain the total score. The application automatically displayed quantitative feedback. We performed qualitative evaluation of the perceived usefulness of the e-Portfolio and quantitative evaluation of the targets achieved.

Results

Thirty-seven of 112 students (33%) used the e-Portfolio, of which 87% reported that they understood the methodology of the portfolio. All students reported an improved understanding of their learning objectives resulting from the numerical visualization of progress, all students reported that the quantitative feedback encouraged their learning, and 79% of students felt that their teachers were more available because they were using the e-Portfolio. Only 51.3% of students reported that the reflective aspects of learning were useful. Individual students achieved a maximum of 65% of the total targets and 87% of the skills targets. The mean total score was 345 ± 38 points. For basic skills, 92% of students achieved the maximum score for participation as an independent operator, and all achieved the maximum scores for participation as an observer and assistant. For complex skills, 62% of students achieved the maximum score for participation as an independent operator, and 98% achieved the maximum scores for participation as an observer or assistant.

Conclusions

Medical students reported that use of an electronic portfolio that provided quantitative feedback on their progress was useful when the number and complexity of targets were appropriate, but not when the portfolio offered only formative evaluations based on reflection. Students felt that use of the e-Portfolio guided their learning process by indicating knowledge gaps to themselves and teachers.
The presence of old pulmonary tuberculosis is an independent prognostic factor for squamous cell lung cancer survival
Authors: Zhou Yiming , Cui Zhenling , Zhou Xiao , Chen Chang , Jiang Sen , Hu Zhongyi , Jiang Gening
Published: May 2013

Background

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Our study investigated whether the coexistence of an old pulmonary TB lesion is an independent prognostic factor for lung cancer survival in Chinese non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of 782 non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent surgical resection as their primary treatment in 2006 and were followed for 5 years. The associations between lung cancer survival and the presence of old pulmonary TB lesions were assessed using Cox’s proportional hazard regression analysis adjusted for WHO performance status (PS), age, sex, smoking-status, tumor stage, and surgical approach.

Results

Sixty-four of the patients had old pulmonary TB lesions. The median survival of squamous cell carcinoma patients with TB was significantly shorter than that of patients without TB (1.7 vs. 3.4 years, p < 0.01). The presence of an old pulmonary TB lesion is an independent predictor of poor survival with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.72 (95% CI, 1.12–2.64) in the subgroup of squamous cell carcinoma patients studied.

Conclusion

The presence of an old pulmonary TB lesion may be an important prognostic factor for predicting the survival of squamous cell carcinoma patients.
Multi-parent advanced generation inter-cross (MAGIC) populations in rice: progress and potential for genetics research and breeding
Authors: Bandillo Nonoy , Raghavan Chitra , Muyco Pauline Andrea , Sevilla Ma Anna Lynn , Lobina Irish T , Dilla-Ermita Christine Jade , Tung Chih-Wei , McCouch Susan , Thomson Michael , Mauleon Ramil , Singh Rakesh Kumar , Gregorio Glenn , Redoña Edilberto , Leung Hei
Published: May 2013

Background

This article describes the development of Multi-parent Advanced Generation Inter-Cross populations (MAGIC) in rice and discusses potential applications for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and for rice varietal development. We have developed 4 multi-parent populations: indica MAGIC (8 indica parents); MAGIC plus (8 indica parents with two additional rounds of 8-way F1 inter-crossing); japonica MAGIC (8 japonica parents); and Global MAGIC (16 parents – 8 indica and 8 japonica). The parents used in creating these populations are improved varieties with desirable traits for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, yield, and grain quality. The purpose is to fine map QTLs for multiple traits and to directly and indirectly use the highly recombined lines in breeding programs. These MAGIC populations provide a useful germplasm resource with diverse allelic combinations to be exploited by the rice community.

Results

The indica MAGIC population is the most advanced of the MAGIC populations developed thus far and comprises 1328 lines produced by single seed descent (SSD). At the S4 stage of SSD a subset (200 lines) of this population was genotyped using a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) approach and was phenotyped for multiple traits, including: blast and bacterial blight resistance, salinity and submergence tolerance, and grain quality. Genome-wide association mapping identified several known major genes and QTLs including Sub1 associated with submergence tolerance and Xa4 and xa5 associated with resistance to bacterial blight. Moreover, the genome-wide association study (GWAS) results also identified potentially novel loci associated with essential traits for rice improvement.

Conclusion

The MAGIC populations serve a dual purpose: permanent mapping populations for precise QTL mapping and for direct and indirect use in variety development. Unlike a set of naturally diverse germplasm, this population is tailor-made for breeders with a combination of useful traits derived from multiple elite breeding lines. The MAGIC populations also present opportunities for studying the interactions of genome introgressions and chromosomal recombination.
The End(s) of Genre
Authors: Drott Eric
Published: May 2013

This article presents a critique of the commonplace trope that holds genre to have declined in relevance under modernism. Contrary to the widespread notion that composers’ repudiation of received tradition rendered the very idea of genre categories obsolete, this article argues that such categories have never ceased playing a decisive role in the production, circulation, and reception of post-1945 art music. In interrogating the assumptions that underpin the “decline-of-genre” thesis, this article underlines the utility that renewed attention to genre and its framing effects may have for the analysis of this repertoire. To this end, an alternative to standard theories of genre is advanced, one that draws on actor-network theory to destabilize categories too often conceived as fixed, solid, and binding. This revised theory of genre is applied to Gérard Grisey’s six-part cycle, Les espaces acoustiques (1974-85). Habitually regarded as an exemplar of spectral music, Grisey’s cycle may be understood as participating in a number of additional generic contexts at the same time. Taking such generic overdetermination into account not only sheds light on the range of conflicting interpretations that Les espaces acoustiques affords but also suggests how music analysis might better address the heterogeneous contexts and multiple listener competences that this and other musics engage.
Beyond BA Blinders: Lessons from Occupational Colleges and Certificate Programs for Nontraditional Students
Authors: Rosenbaum James E , Rosenbaum Janet
Published: May 2013

Postsecondary education mostly focuses on the four-year BA degree. Community colleges are often promoted as the first step toward the ultimate goal of a four-year degree. However, community colleges have extremely poor degree completion rates. There is evidence suggesting better results for their private, two-year counterparts—particularly for certificate completion. We will focus on occupational colleges—private accredited colleges that offer career preparation in occupational fields like health care, business, information technology, and others. These institutions challenge many of our preconceptions about college. They are less wedded to college traditions, which raises some interesting questions: Do private colleges offering certificates or AA degrees use different procedures? Should community colleges consider some of these procedures to reduce student difficulties and improve their completion rates? For many community college students, earning a more likely, quick sub-BA credential—perhaps followed by a four-year degree in the future—will be preferable to the relatively unlikely pathway from a community college program directly to a four-year BA. In sum, this paper suggests that nontraditional colleges and nontraditional credentials (certificates and AA degrees) deserve much closer attention from researchers, policymakers, and students.
Latin America's Social Policy Challenge: Education, Social Insurance, Redistribution
Authors: Levy Santiago , Schady Norbert
Published: May 2013

Long regarded as a region beset by macroeconomic instability, high inflation, and excessive poverty and inequality, Latin America has undergone a major transformation over the last 20 years. The region has seen improved macroeconomic management and substantial and sustained reductions in poverty and inequality. In this paper, we argue that social policy, including human capital and education, social insurance, and redistribution, need special attention if achievements of the last two decades are to be sustained and amplified. Starting in the mid 1990s, many governments in the region introduced a variety of programs, including noncontributory pensions and health insurance, and cash transfers targeted to the poor. Social spending in Latin America increased sharply. These policies have been widely praised, and we believe they have resulted in substantial improvements in the lives of the poor in the region. However, a more nuanced view shows some worrisome trends. Moving forward, we believe it is necessary to pay much closer attention to the quality of services, particularly in education; to the incentives generated by the interplay of some programs, particularly in the labor market; to a more balanced intertemporal distribution of benefits, particularly between young and old; and to sustainable sources of finance, particularly to the link between contributions and benefits.
An International Look at the Growth of Modern Finance
Authors: Philippon Thomas , Reshef Ariell
Published: May 2013

We study the rise of finance across a set of now-industrial economies. The long-run pattern of the growth of the income share of finance from the nineteenth century to current times in the United States is similar to some economies, but not all economies reach the same size and instead reach a plateau. The relationship between financial output and income is nonhomothetic and changes three times in this sample. Most of the increase in real GDP per capita from 1870 occurred while financial output and the income share of finance were smaller than their size in 1980. After 1980 the elasticity of income with respect to financial output falls significantly. We find considerable heterogeneity in the size of finance in recent times. There is no evidence for an increase in the unit cost of financial intermediation. We find that information technology and financial deregulation can help explain the increase in relative skill intensity and in relative wages in finance, while common trends, which may be related to financial globalization, also play a role.
Asset Management Fees and the Growth of Finance
Authors: Malkiel Burton G
Published: May 2013

From 1980 to 2006, the financial services sector of the US economy grew from 4.9 percent to 8.3 percent of GDP. A substantial share of that increase was comprised of increases in the fees paid for asset management. This paper examines the significant increase in asset management fees charged to both individual and institutional investors. One could argue that the increase in fees charged by actively managed funds could prove to be socially useful if it reflected increasing returns for investors from active management or if it was necessary to improve the efficiency of the market for investors who availed themselves of low-cost passive (index) funds. But neither of these arguments can be supported by the data. Actively managed funds of publicly traded securities have consistently underperformed index funds, and the amount of the underperformance is well approximated by the difference in the fees charged by the two types of funds. Moreover, it appears that there was no change in the efficiency of the market from 1980 to 2011. Thus, the increase in fees is likely to represent a deadweight loss for investors. Indeed, perhaps the greatest inefficiency in the stock market is in “the market” for investment advice.
A Maturidade Inovadora das Empresas da Rede de Pedras Preciosas de Ametista do Sul
Authors: Barbieri da Rosa Luciana Aparecida , Kneipp Jordana Marques , Bichueti Roberto Schoproni , Gomes Clandia Maffini , Cesaro Oracelia Albiero , Ortigara Magda Regina
Published: May 2013

Este trabalho se propõe a analisar a maturidade inovadora de microempresas do setor de mineração de Ametista do Sul. Para tanto, foi utilizada uma metodologia baseada em 12 dimensões da inovação descritas por Mohanbir Sawhney, da Kellongg School of Management (EUA), que permite avaliar o grau de maturidade inovadora das organizações de pequeno porte.. Para a medição objetiva do grau de inovação, foram analisadas escalas clássicas, reduzidas a três situações, para classificar as empresas em “pouco ou nada inovadoras”, “inovadoras ocasionais” e “inovadoras sistêmicas”. Para o desenvolvimento da metodologia foi feita uma pesquisa bibliográfica, cobrindo os conceitos da inovação, do processo de inovação e dos mecanismos em uso para a sua avaliação e abordagem qualitativa. Os resultados evidenciaram que as empresas em relação à oferta de novos produtos, lançaram novos produtos nos últimos três anos. Quanto a sua plataforma por utilizar somente a pedra como matéria-prima os produtos finais tem pouca variação. Nota-se uma pequena mudança dessas empresas trabalharem em redes de cooperação. Concluiu-se através da metodologia proposta, que as empresas pesquisadas podem ser classificadas com “inovativas ocasionais”.
Maximal minors and linear powers
Authors: Bruns Winfried , Conca Aldo , Varbaro Matteo
Published: May 2013

An ideal I in a polynomial ring S has linear powers if all the powers Ik
of I have a linear free resolution.
We show that the ideal of maximal minors of a sufficiently general matrix with linear entries has linear powers.
The required genericity is expressed in terms of the heights of the ideals of lower order minors.
In particular we prove that every rational normal scroll has linear powers.
Tea toxicity and cholinesterase inhibition of Huilliche herbal medicine
Authors: Adsersen Anne , Guzman Alfonso , Mølgaard Per , Simonsen Henrik Toft
Published: May 2013

Eleven species of Huilliche medicinal plants used traditionally against infections and for wound healing were tested for their cholinesterase inhibition activity. Two different teas (a 5–7 min infusion and a 1 h decoction, both in water) were tested for their toxicity against Artemia salina. The results from the present study clearly show that teas boiled for 1 h is much more toxic than teas infused for 5–7 min. These results support the different traditional use of the two teas, where the 1h tea is for external use only. Additionally, significant inhibition of cholinesterase has been observed for MeOH extracts of Acaena argentea, Amomyrtas meli and Pseudopanax laetevirens, with that of A. argentea being the most potent. All findings call for further investigations.
Corporate Agency and Corporate Wrongdoing
Authors: Isaacs Tracy
Published: May 2013

This article presents a philosophical defense of the view that corporations are legitimate responsible agents who may be considered criminally liable under the law. When corporations engage in blameworthy, irresponsible, or criminal actions, corporations are responsible for their actions. Whether this means we should think of them as persons in any robust sense is a separate question and we should be skeptical about conflating responsible agency with personhood. The article concludes with the claim that responsible agency and personhood are conceptually distinct, and that in the end responsible agency is a sufficient basis for criminal liability.
Epilogue on “Corporate Personhood” and Humanity
Authors: Dan-Cohen Meir
Published: May 2013

In discussions of corporate criminal liability, the question of corporations’ moral personhood often plays a central role. These concluding remarks point out some troubling repercussions of the notion of personhood on our conception of human beings and their moral status. Humanity rather than personhood is proposed as a more appropriate category for grounding humans’ dignity and their rights. This way of framing the discussion helps distinguish the proper treatment of humans from that of other subjects, be they corporations or animals.
Hiperidricidade: uma desordem metabólica
Authors: Vasconcelos Andréa Guimarães Vieira de , Tomas Lais Ferreira , Camara Terezinha Rangel , Willadino Lilia
Published: May 2013

A hiperidricidade, anteriormente chamada vitrificação, é considerada uma desordem fisiológica, bioquímica e morfológica decorrente do acúmulo anormal de água no interior das células e tecidos. As plantas cultivadas in vitro estão, indubitavelmente, sob contínua condição de estresse, os quais resultam em alterações metabólicas características do estresse oxidativo. Anatomicamente, plantas ou brotos afetados frequentemente apresentam-se inchados, com coloração verde claro, folhas translúcidas e com aparência de vidro, baixa relação número de células/área celular e hipolignificação. Alterações fisiológicas que ocorrem nas principais vias metabólicas, incluindo fotossíntese, respiração e transpiração, resultam em redução de eficiência dessas vias metabólicas. Os distúrbios morfológicos, fisiológicos e bioquímicos são desencadeados por fatores físicos, relacionados ao ambiente dos recipientes de cultivo e consistência do meio de cultura ou por fatores químicos como os componentes do meio de cultura, em especial dos reguladores de crescimento em altas concentrações. A hiperidricidade ocorre em vários níveis de severidade, chegando a resultar na perda irreversível da capacidade morfogênica e o estabelecimento de um estado neoplásico das células, no entanto, na maioria dos casos, a hiperidricidade é considerada reversível. Esta revisão foca o conhecimento atual sobre o fenômeno da hiperidricidade abordando aspectos morfológicos, fisiológicos, bioquímicos e a reversibilidade do processo.
Limits to the reproductive success of two insect parasitoid species in the field
Authors: Segoli Michal , Rosenheim Jay A.
Published: May 2013

Debates on the relative importance of different factors in limiting the realized fitness of insect parasitoids and herbivores have continued for decades. One major reason for the duration of these debates is the paucity of empirical evidence regarding the reproductive success of minute insects under field conditions. We used a novel technique to estimate lifetime reproductive success in two Anagrus spp. parasitoids, whose hosts are eggs of leafhoppers that feed on grape leaves. Females were collected soon after they died naturally, and the number of eggs in their ovaries was counted. We used these data to estimate the lifetime oviposition success of individual females. We found that more than 10% of females from the field exhausted their entire supply of eggs before they died. The lifetime reproductive success of females was positively related to their body size and was higher at field sites with more abundant hosts, although we could not rule out a causal role for other site‐specific factors. In addition, we found that females from habitats rich with hosts emerged with more eggs, suggesting that they might be adapted to local conditions. The results are consistent with theoretical predictions from models considering the risk of egg limitation.
On parameter estimation in the bass model by nonlinear least squares fitting the adoption curve
Authors: Marković Darija , Jukić Dragan
Published: May 2013

The Bass model is one of the most well-known and widely used first-purchase diffusion models in marketing research. Estimation of its parameters has been approached in the literature by various techniques. In this paper, we consider the parameter estimation approach for the Bass model based on nonlinear weighted least squares fitting of its derivative known as the adoption curve. We show that it is possible that the least squares estimate does not exist. As a main result, two theorems on the existence of the least squares estimate are obtained, as well as their generalization in the ls norm (1 ≤ s < ∞). One of them gives necessary and sufficient conditions which guarantee the existence of the least squares estimate. Several illustrative numerical examples are given to support the theoretical work.
Smart Grids in the Process of Building a Competitive Economy and Energy Security in Europe
Authors: Ludynia Anna
Published: May 2013

Article aims to present the technological innovation - Smart Grids in the process of maintaining Europ’s energy security, competitiveness of economy and environmental protection. Innovative intelligent networks are the solution to accelerate the liberalization process of the energy sector, and also to grow energy efficiency and savings in the consumption of electricity. Management of energy production and efficient planning of consumption will bring benefits for the economic development. Technology of smart grids will change in the future the structure of the supply of energy towards a decentralization system. This article consist of three main parts, the first concerns the analysis of energy policy in Europe with the most significant factors that shape this policy, the seconde part concerns the presentation of the smart grids solutions essence for electricity and the benefits generated by the process of implementing in the energy system. The third part is devoted to European and Polish projects in the subject of smart meters.
Assessing the Impact of Erp Implementation in the small Enterprises
Authors: Patalas-Maliszewska Justyna
Published: May 2013

For a SME (small and medium-size enterprise) to operate competitively in an international and local market, it is necessary for it to deal with its tasks in an efficient and practical way; this can be achieved by the systematic analysis of the undertaken tasks in relation to the company’s organizational and economical ability for their completion. The author suggests in this paper that the assessment of such an implementation depends on a firm's intention to use the ERP system to achieve strategic goals. The author discusses the issue of the Balance Scorecard method being used to assess the impact of an ERP system implementation on the performance of a small service enterprise. Using a research results, the author illustrates the possibility to assess the implementation of an ERP system in the small enterprises.
Optimization Model for Multimodal Transportation Networks Based on Supply Chain
Authors: Sitek Paweł , Wikarek Jarosław
Published: May 2013

The article presents the problem of supply chain optimization from the perspective of a multimodal logistics provider and includes a mathematical model of multilevel cost optimization in the form of MILP (Mixed Integer Linear Programming). The costs of production, transport, distribution and environmental protection were adopted as optimization criteria. Timing, volume, capacity and mode of transport were also taken into account. The model was implemented in the LINGO ver.12. The numerical experiments were carried out using sample data to show the possibilities of practical decision support and supply chain optimization.
Holding Groups: a Safe Corporate Structure at the Time of Recession
Authors: Rzeszutek Elżbieta
Published: May 2013

This article makes a case for holding groups as a type of enterprise structure which guarantees capital and structural security at the time of economic and political transition in the 1990s, which in a way prepared them for the global recession in the early 21st century. The case study of PKN Orlen is presented to illustrate the typical economic developments which accompanied privatisation and commercialisation of Polish state-owned enterprises. A major part of the article addresses management mechanisms which make a holding structure immune to strong economic turbulence which would otherwise be destructive to individual daughter companies.
Accepted, desired and ashamed: Images of female alcohol use and drinking-related gender orders described by Finnish women of different ages
Authors: Simonen Jenni
Published: May 2013

Aims

The article deals with how Finnish women of different ages perceive acceptable and desirable images of female alcohol use as well as gender orders associated with drinking. A focus on women and differences between women is motivated by the fact that women's increased drinking is one of the most significant changes in the Finnish alcohol landscape in recent history.

Data and Design

The data consists of group interviews with women aged 50–60, 35–40 and 25. The images of female alcohol use adopted in these groups are analysed by studying what representations of women's alcohol use and what drinking-related gender identities women in different age brackets identify themselves with as they interpret the stimulus images of drinking situations shown in interviews.

Results

The analysis suggests that women in different age groups have different ideas of what kind of images of female alcohol use are considered suitable, acceptable and desirable. The different generations also express and repeat different drinking-related norms and attitudes.

Conclusions

Overall, the analysis shows that women have achieved greater autonomy in their alcohol use and that the construction of women's gender identity in relation to drinking has expanded beyond traditional feminine values and become more varied and layered. Younger generations thus have access to a wider range of feminine imageries, norms and ways of being women.
Spectral Characteristics of Schwa in Czech Accented English
Authors: Volín Jan , Weingartová Lenka , Skarnitzl Radek
Published: May 2013

The English central mid lax vowel (i.e., schwa) often contributes considerably to the sound differences between native and non-native speech. Many foreign speakers of English fail to reduce certain underlying vowels to schwa, which, on the suprasegmental level of description, affects the perceived rhythm of their speech. However, the problem of capturing quantitatively the differences between native and non-native schwa poses difficulties that, to this day, have been tackled only partially. We offer a technique of measurement in the acoustic domain that has not been probed properly as yet: the distribution of acoustic energy in the vowel spectrum. Our results show that spectral slope features measured in weak vowels discriminate between Czech and British speakers of English quite reliably. Moreover, the measurements of formant bandwidths turned out to be useful for the same task, albeit less direct.
On the application of control models technique to investigation of some ecological and economic problems
Authors: Blizorukova Marina , Maksimov Vyacheslav
Published: May 2013

The paper discusses a method of auxiliary controlled models and the application of this method to solving some problems of identification and robust control for differential equations. The objects that the method is suggested to be used are two systems of nonlinear differential equations describing some ecological and economic processes. Two solving algorithms, which are stable with respect to informational noises and computational errors, are presented. The algorithms are tested by model examples.
Simulation-based design of monotonically convergent iterative learning control for nonlinear systems
Authors: Delchev Kamen
Published: May 2013

This paper deals with a simulation-based design of model-based iterative learning control (ILC) for multi-input, multi-output nonlinear time-varying systems. The main problem of the implementation of the nonlinear ILC in practice is possible inadmissible transient growth of the tracking error due to a non-monotonic convergence of the learning process. A model-based nonlinear closed-loop iterative learning control for robot manipulators is synthesized and its tuning depends on only four positive gains of both controllers - the feedback one and the learning one. A simulation-based approach for tuning the learning and feedback controllers is proposed to achieve fast and monotonic convergence of the presented ILC. In the case of excessive growth of transient errors this approach is the only way for learning gains tuning by using classical engineering techniques for practical online tuning of feedback gains
Subjective Oral Health in Dutch Adults
Authors: Verrips Gijsbert , Schuller Annemarie
Published: May 2013

Aim: To determine whether the subjective oral health (SOH) of the Dutch adult population was associated with clinical and demographic variables. Methods: A clinical examination was conducted in a sample of 1,018 people from the Dutch city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. SOH was measured using the Dutch translation of the short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-NL14). Results: The average score on the OHIP-NL14 was 2.8 ± 5.9 and 51% of the respondents had a score of 0. Dental status was the most important predictor of SOH. Conclusions: The SOH in the Dutch adult population was much better than in groups of adults in Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Nevertheless, there were important variations in SOH related to dental and socio-economic status.
A Novel Nonparametric Distance Estimator for Densities with Error Bounds
Authors: Carvalho Alexandre , Tavares João , Principe Jose
Published: May 2013

The use of a metric to assess distance between probability densities is an important practical problem. In this work, a particular metric induced by an α-divergence is studied. The Hellinger metric can be interpreted as a particular case within the framework of generalized Tsallis divergences and entropies. The nonparametric Parzen’s density estimator emerges as a natural candidate to estimate the underlying probability density function, since it may account for data from different groups, or experiments with distinct instrumental precisions, i.e., non-independent and identically distributed (non-i.i.d.) data. However, the information theoretic derived metric of the nonparametric Parzen’s density estimator displays infinite variance, limiting the direct use of resampling estimators. Based on measure theory, we present a change of measure to build a finite variance density allowing the use of resampling estimators. In order to counteract the poor scaling with dimension, we propose a new nonparametric two-stage robust resampling estimator of Hellinger’s metric error bounds for heterocedastic data. The approach presents very promising results allowing the use of different covariances for different clusters with impact on the distance evaluation.
Genetic Algorithm-Based Identification of Fractional-Order Systems
Authors: Zhou Shengxi , Cao Junyi , Chen Yangquan
Published: May 2013

Fractional calculus has become an increasingly popular tool for modeling the complex behaviors of physical systems from diverse domains. One of the key issues to apply fractional calculus to engineering problems is to achieve the parameter identification of fractional-order systems. A time-domain identification algorithm based on a genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed in this paper. The multi-variable parameter identification is converted into a parameter optimization by applying GA to the identification of fractional-order systems. To evaluate the identification accuracy and stability, the time-domain output error considering the condition variation is designed as the fitness function for parameter optimization. The identification process is established under various noise levels and excitation levels. The effects of external excitation and the noise level on the identification accuracy are analyzed in detail. The simulation results show that the proposed method could identify the parameters of both commensurate rate and non-commensurate rate fractional-order systems from the data with noise. It is also observed that excitation signal is an important factor influencing the identification accuracy of fractional-order systems.
Evaluation of Factors Influencing the Groundwater Chemistry in a Small Tropical Island of Malaysia
Authors: Kura Nura , Ramli Mohammad , Sulaiman Wan , Ibrahim Shaharin , Aris Ahmad , Mustapha Adamu
Published: May 2013

Groundwater chemistry of small tropical islands is influenced by many factors, such as recharge, weathering and seawater intrusion, among others, which interact with each other in a very complex way. In this work, multivariate statistical analysis was used to evaluate the factors controlling the groundwater chemistry of Kapas Island (Malaysia). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to 17 hydrochemical parameters from 108 groundwater samples obtained from 18 sampling sites. PCA extracted four PCs, namely seawater intrusion, redox reaction, anthropogenic pollution and weather factors, which collectively were responsible for more than 87% of the total variance of the island’s hydrochemistry. The cluster analysis indicated that three factors (weather, redox reaction and seawater intrusion) controlled the hydrochemistry of the area, and the variables were allocated to three groups based on similarity. A Piper diagram classified the island’s water types into Ca-HCO3 water type, Na-HCO3 water type, Na-SO4-Cl water type and Na-Cl water type, indicating recharge, mixed, weathering and leached from sewage and seawater intrusion, respectively. This work will provide policy makers and land managers with knowledge of the precise water quality problems affecting the island and can also serve as a guide for hydrochemistry assessments of other islands that share similar characteristics with the island in question.
Wireless Laser Range Finder System for Vertical Displacement Monitoring of Mega-Trusses during Construction
Authors: Park Hyo , Son Sewook , Choi Se , Kim Yousok
Published: May 2013

As buildings become increasingly complex, construction monitoring using various sensors is urgently needed for both more systematic and accurate safety management and high-quality productivity in construction. In this study, a monitoring system that is composed of a laser displacement sensor (LDS) and a wireless sensor node was proposed and applied to an irregular building under construction. The subject building consists of large cross-sectional members, such as mega-columns, mega-trusses, and edge truss, which secured the large spaces. The mega-trusses and edge truss that support this large space are of the cantilever type. The vertical displacement occurring at the free end of these members was directly measured using an LDS. To validate the accuracy and reliability of the deflection data measured from the LDS, a total station was also employed as a sensor for comparison with the LDS. In addition, the numerical simulation result was compared with the deflection obtained from the LDS and total station. Based on these investigations, the proposed wireless displacement monitoring system was able to improve the construction quality by monitoring the real-time behavior of the structure, and the applicability of the proposed system to buildings under construction for the evaluation of structural safety was confirmed.
A Framework of Adaptive Risk Governance for Urban Planning
Authors: Renn Ortwin , Klinke Andreas
Published: May 2013

The notion “risk governance” refers to an integrated concept on how to deal with public risks in general, and so-called complex, ambiguous and uncertain risks in particular. These ideas have been informed by interdisciplinary research drawing from sociological and psychological research on risk, Science and Technology Studies (STS) and research by policy scientists and legal scholars. The notion of risk governance pertains to the many ways in which many actors, individuals and institutions, public and private, deal with risks. It includes formal institutions and regimes and informal arrangements. The paper will first develop an adaptive and integrative framework of risk governance and applies this model to the risks of urban planning. After a short summary of the roots of risk governance, key concepts, such as simple, uncertain, complex and ambiguous risks, will be discussed. The main emphasis will be on each of the five phases of risk governance: pre-assessment, interdisciplinary assessment, risk evaluation, risk management and risk communication. The paper will explain how these phases of risk governance can be applied to the area of urban planning and improve the dynamic sustainability of cities.
Recombinant outer membrane vesicles carrying Chlamydia muridarum HtrA induce antibodies that neutralize chlamydial infection in vitro
Authors: Bartolini Erika , Ianni Elvira , Frigimelica Elisabetta , Petracca Roberto , Galli Giuliano , Berlanda Scorza Francesco , Norais Nathalie , Laera Donatello , Giusti Fabiola , Pierleoni Andrea , Donati Manuela , Cevenini Roberto , Finco Oretta , Grandi Guido , Grifantini Renata
Published: May 2013

Background

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spheroid particles released by all Gram‐negative bacteria as a result of the budding out of the outer membrane. Since they carry many of the bacterial surface‐associated proteins and feature a potent built‐in adjuvanticity, OMVs are being utilized as vaccines, some of which commercially available. Recently, methods for manipulating the protein content of OMVs have been proposed, thus making OMVs a promising platform for recombinant, multivalent vaccines development.

Methods

Chlamydia muridarum DO serine protease HtrA, an antigen which stimulates strong humoral and cellular responses in mice and humans, was expressed in Escherichia coli fused to the OmpA leader sequence to deliver it to the OMV compartment. Purified OMVs carrying HtrA (CM rHtrA‐OMV) were analyzed for their capacity to induce antibodies capable of neutralizing Chlamydia infection of LLC‐MK2 cells in vitro.

Results

CM rHtrA‐OMV immunization in mice induced antibodies that neutralize Chlamydial invasion as judged by an in vitro infectivity assay. This was remarkably different from what observed with an enzymatically functional recombinant HtrA expressed in, and purified from the E. coli cytoplasm (CM rHtrA). The difference in functionality between anti‐CM rHtrA and anti‐CM rHtrA‐OMV antibodies was associated to a different pattern of protein epitopes recognition. The epitope recognition profile of anti‐CM HtrA‐OMV antibodies was similar to that induced in mice during Chlamydial infection.

Conclusions

When expressed in OMVs HtrA appears to assume a conformation similar to the native one and this results in the elicitation of functional immune responses. These data further support the potentiality of OMVs as vaccine platform.
Synthesis, photophysical and electrochemical characterization of terpyridine-functionalized dendritic oligothiophenes and their Ru(II) complexes
Authors: Mishra Amaresh , Mena-Osteritz Elena , Bäuerle Peter
Published: May 2013

Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions were used to synthesize novel π-conjugated oligothienylene-ethynylene dendrons and their corresponding terpyridine-based ligands. Their complexation with Ru(II) led to interesting novel metallodendrimers with rich spectroscopic properties. All new compounds were fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, as well as MALDI–TOF mass spectra. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed on these complexes gave more insight into the molecular orbital distributions. Photophysical and electrochemical studies were carried out in order to elucidate structure–property relationships and the effect of the dendritic structure on the metal complexes. Photophysical studies of the complexes revealed broad absorption spectra covering from 250 to 600 nm and high molar extinction coefficients. The MLCT emission of these complexes were significantly red-shifted (up to 115 nm) compared to the parent [Ru(tpy)2]2+ complex.
NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE OPERATIONAL QUALITY OF FORWARDING COMPANIES / EKSPEDICINIŲ ĮMONIŲ VEIKLOS KOKYBĖS GERINIMO POREIKIS IR GALIMYBĖS
Authors: Kontautaitė Dovilė , Zinkevičiūtė Virgilija
Published: May 2013

It is essential for forwarding companies to improve their activity by improving their internal and external processes in order to provide for a client an estimated basic and added value and effectively manage the flow of information in the general logistic supply chain. The article analyses the concepts of quality management and activity process, emphasising the main process of a forwarding enterprise and the demand to optimise the activity establishing quality management systems. The scientific literature analysis assists in the provision of quality assessment indicators of forwarding companies and ascertaining quality management systems that are suitable for transport companies. Article in Lithuanian. Santrauka Ekspedicinėms įmonėms svarbu gerinti savo veiklą nuolatos tobulinant vidinius ir išorinius veiklos procesus tam, kad suteiktų klientui laukiamą bazinę ir pridėtinę vertę ir kad efektyviai valdytų informacinį srautą bendroje logistikos tiekimo grandinėje. Straipsnyje analizuojamos kokybės vadybos ir veiklos procesų sampratos, apibrėžiamas pagrindinis ekspedicinės įmonės procesas bei poreikis optimizuoti veiklą diegiant kokybės vadybos sistemas. Mokslinė literatūros analizė padeda atskleisti ekspedicinių įmonių kokybės vertinimo rodiklius ir kokios kokybės vadybos sistemos yra skirtos būtent transporto įmonėms.
INFLUENCE OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS ON BUSINESS PERFORMANCE / INFORMACINIŲ SISTEMŲ ĮTAKA ĮMONĖS VEIKLOS REZULTATAMS
Authors: Lipaj Dmitrij , Davidavičienė Vida
Published: May 2013

Considering increased competition nowadays, businesses strive to gain competitive advantage, increase their economic indicators, work productivity and efficiency, reduce costs and get other benefits through implementation of integrated information systems. By improving internal processes and financial performance of the company, the general business performance could be influenced by the deployment of such information system (IS). In order to identify tangible and intangible benefits of IS implementation, influence on business performance, business processes and areas that are being affected, analysis of scientific literature, research synthesis and generalizations have been made.

Santrauka

Atsižvelgdamos į šiais laikais padidėjusią konkurenciją, įmonės siekia įgyti konkurencinį pranašumą, padidinti ekonominius rodiklius, pagerinti darbo produktyvumą ir efektyvumą, sumažinti išlaidas ir gauti kitokią naudą, diegdamos integruotas informacines sistemas (IS). Vidinių procesų efektyvumas ir finansiniai rodikliai, bendras įmonės efektyvumas gali būti pasiekti įdiegus tokias sistemas. Siekiant apibrėžti informacinių sistemų diegimo įtakos verslo veiklos efektyvumo aspektus, buvo atlikta mokslinės literatūros analizė, sintezė ir apibendrinimas.Straipsnis anglų kalba
BEHAVIOURAL FINANCE: THEORY AND SURVEY / FINANSINĖ ELGSENA: TEORIJA IR TYRIMAS
Authors: Jurevičienė Daiva , Ivanova Olga
Published: May 2013

Abstract
The paper analyses the importance of behavioural finance theories in household decision-making process. Behavioural finance theories investigate emotional characteristics to explain subjective factors and irrational anomalies in financial markets. In this regard, behavioural theories and behavioural anomalies in the decision-making process are examined; the application opportunities in the financial market are described. The aim of investigation is to determine the basic features and slopes of behavioural finance in concordance with financial decisions of a household. The survey method was applied to ascertain financial behaviour of literate households.

Santrauka

Straipsnyje nagrinėjama finansinės gyventojų elgsenos teorijų svarba priimant namų ūkių finansinius sprendimus. Finansinės gyventojų elgsenos teorijos tyrinėja rinkos dalyvių emocines charakteristikas, siekiant paaiškinti subjektyvias iracionalias anomalijas finansų rinkose. Straipsnyje išnagrinėtos gyventojų elgsenos teorijos, suklasifikuoti pagrindiniai elgsenos nukrypimai, priimant finansinius sprendimus, ir aprašytos jų pritaikymo finansų rinkoje galimybės. Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti pagrindinius finansinės elgsenos bruožus ir polinkius sąsajoje su namų ūkių finansiniais sprendimais. Siekiant nustatyti namų ūkių finansinę elgseną buvo atlikta finansiškai išprususių individų apklausa. Straipsnis anglų kalba.
Métropole pixada : réenchantement dans les risques vécus par une jeunesse « inutile »
Authors: Coelho Gustavo
Published: May 2013

À partir d’une critique sévère de l’objectivation des sens, de l’interdiction du corps et de la domestication des coutumes, cet article cherche à aborder le phénomène de la piXação (une forme particulière de graffiti au Brésil). Il la comprend comme une source éloquente qui reconstitue des aspects maintes fois supprimés et met en échec notre épistémè accro à surmonter la sensibilité et la passion par la raison et la bonne conscience des choses.
Les zombies de Detroit : l'inquiétante étrangeté des ruines modernes
Authors: Vidal Bertrand
Published: May 2013

Ancienne capitale du rêve de l’industrie automobile, Detroit, aujourd’hui archétype de la ville moderne en ruine, synthétise les rêves et les cauchemars d’une époque. De l’écologie urbaine à l’écologie de la peur, la ville désormais centre attractif culturel, ne cesse d’exprimer les principes de la destruction créatrice telle que l’illustre sa devise : Speramus meliora, resurget cineribus .
Problèmes de traduction posés par la siglaison dans le domaine des nouvelles technologies de l'information et de la communication
Authors: Wolosin Claudia
Published: May 2013

La siglaison est très productive dans le domaine des nouvelles technologies de l’information et de la communication. Ce processus cryptique contribue à l’instabilité terminologique du domaine, et pose de nombreux problèmes d’identification et de traduction aux traducteurs d’ouvrages spécialisés. Cet article examine les différents cas d’espèce, et tente d’établir un certain nombre de critères permettant au traducteur d’adopter une terminologie appropriée par rapport à l’ouvrage à traduire.
Corporate Moral Agency and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Singer Alan E.
Published: May 2013

The debate about the moral status of corporations has been wide-ranging and complex. In this paper a way of structuring the debate is proposed. At the same time, arguments within the “corporate moral agency” debate are considered in relation to the notion of Artificial Moral Agency. The entire exercise points to the importance of philosophical pragmatism and the prospect of ‘artificial ethics’.