bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioremoval of textile dyes with different chemical structures by Aspergillus versicolor in molasses medium
Authors: Taştan Burcu Ertit , Karatay Sevgi Ertuğrul , Dönmez Gönül
Published: September 2012

Bioremoval of 17 dyes with different chemical structures by Aspergillus versicolor was detected in this study. Maxilon Red GRL (MR-GRL), Everdirect Fast Black VSF (EFB-VSF) and Brillant Blue R (BB-R) were removed better by fungal mycelia. Optimum pH values were found as 6 for all three dyes. In further experiments in the highest dye concentrations tested in this study, 58.3, 100 and 49% removal yields and 14.8, 12.6, 9.0 qm values were found for MR-GRL, EFB-VSF and BB-R, respectively. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction after seven days of incubation period and role of laccase activity of Aspergillus sp. were also investigated. COD reduction and laccase activities were 55.6% and 2.93 U/mL for MR-GRL, 90.7% and 3.0 U/mL for EFB-VSF and 69.0% and 1.79 U/mL for BB-R, respectively. According to these results A. versicolor deserves notable attention for removal of these dyes in wastewater effluents.
Effect of the addition of fatty by-products from the refining of vegetable oil on methane production in co-digestion
Authors: Torrijos M. , Sousbie P. , Badey L. , Bosque F. , Steyer J. P.
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this work was to investigate the effects of the addition of by-products from the refining of vegetable oil on the behavior of co-digestion reactors treating a mixture of grass, cow dung and fruit and vegetable waste. Three by-products were used: one soapstock, one used winterization earth and one skimming of aeroflotation of the effluents. Three 15 l reactors were run in parallel and fed five times a week. In a first phase of 4 weeks, the three reactors were fed with the co-digestion substrates alone (grass, cow dung and fruit and vegetable waste) at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 1.5 g VS/kg d (VS: volatile solids). Then, a different by-product from the refining of oil was added to the feed of each reactor at an OLR of 0.5 g VS/kg d, generating a 33% increase in the OLR. The results show that the addition of by-products from the refining of oil is an efficient way of increasing the methane production of co-digestion reactors thanks to high methane yield of such by-products (0.69–0.77 l CH4/g VS loaded). In fact, in this work, it was possible to raise the methane production of the reactors by about 60% through a 33% increase in the OLR thanks to the addition of the by-products from the refining of vegetable oil.
The use of a range of ultrasound frequencies to reduce colouration caused by dyes
Authors: Comeskey D. , Larparadsudthi O. A. , Mason T. J. , Paniwnyk L.
Published: September 2012

The formation of hydrogen peroxide and the degree of decolourisation of six different dyes as a result of sonication over several ultrasonic frequencies (20, 40, 380, 512, 850, 1,000 and 1,176 kHz) was investigated and correlated. It was found that the highest levels of hydrogen peroxide and also the greatest amount of decolourisation occurred at 850 kHz. 380 and 512 kHz also resulted in some decolourisation, however higher and lower ultrasonic frequencies were not effective.
Gas pockets in a wastewater rising main: a case study
Authors: Pozos-Estrada Oscar , Fuentes-Mariles Oscar A. , Pozos-Estrada Adrian
Published: September 2012

This paper presents a case study of an existing wastewater rising main (WWRM) in which an extreme transient event produced by simultaneous power failure of the pumps caused the rupture of a 1.2 m (48 in) prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP), causing an important leakage of sewage. The event and the methodology followed in order to validate the diagnostics of the failure are described. The detail study included in situ observation of the system, experimental investigation in a setup, hydraulic analysis, as well as details of the structural strength of the WWRM. After the extensive investigation and several simulations of fluid transients for different scenarios and flow conditions, it was found that stationary small gas pockets accumulated at high points of the WWRM were identified as the principal contributory factor of the failure. This case study serves as clear warning of the consequences of operating a WWRM with gas pockets at its high points.
Socio-Economic Transformation of Akan Funeral Rites in Ghana: The Changing Process
Authors: Boateng Alice , Anngela-Cole Linda
Published: September 2012

Cultural traditions at the end of life solidify societal members. As the world becomes more globalized, socio-economic factors affect how traditional practices are expressed, and the role and toll they make on modern societies. This article examines the contemporary Akan funeral practices in Ghana. Akan lineage members, from birth through puberty, marriage, maturity, old age, go through various rites of passage that bond them culturally and spiritually to others in society. One such ritual is funeral celebration. Funeral celebration, an old practice, has always been at the heart of public social events of Akan people. However, the changes in Ghanaian Akan funerals over the past 4 decades, and their impact on the people, make this an important topic. The article describes the Akan belief of life after death, the respect accorded to the dead, the prestige associated with successful funeral celebrations, and socio-economic factors that continue to shape Akan funeral practices. Socio-economic impact and the resulting challenges are discussed.
Parental Interest in a Bereavement Support Visit When a Child Dies from Cancer
Authors: Welch Jennifer Greene , Mannix Margaret M. , Boergers Julie , Jelalian Elissa , Barbosa Fred , Fujii-Rios Hanae , Forman Edwin N.
Published: September 2012

Parents who have experienced the death of a child from cancer have unique bereavement needs. This study evaluated the possibility of instituting a home-based bereavement visit from the oncology team following a child's death. Parents completed a brief anonymous questionnaire measuring preferences regarding visit logistics and content. The majority (84%) of the 31 participants agreed that a home-based bereavement program is desirable. Qualitative analysis of parental comments revealed common themes including processing grief, practical suggestions for visit, recognition of individual differences, perceived risks and benefits of visit, connections with medical staff, and unmet needs for support. In conclusion, a home visit program may satisfy needs for additional support while alleviating barriers to other types of bereavement care.
Reductions in anesthesia direct costs is not the right way for racionalization of anesthesia costs
Authors: Majstorovic Branislava , Milakovic Branko , Kastratovic Dragana , Milicic Biljana , Vucicevic Vera
Published: September 2012

Introduction. Anesthesia management is characterized by salary limiting and
pressure for decreasing anesthetics and other drug budget. The aim of this
paper is to determine the possibility of reducing the direct costs in
anesthesia. Materials and methods. This paper is a part of a five-year
(2005-2009), academic, pharmaco-economic retrospective- prospective study
(phase IV). The study was done according to European Union Directive for
Clinical Research. We retrospectively calculated and analyzed all anesthesia
direct costs (personnel costs, anesthetics and other drug costs, materials,
laboratory analyses, and machines) at the Institute For Ane- sthesia and
Reanimation, Clinical Center of Serbia in relation to the costs refunded by
National Health Insurance in all patients who underwent anesthesia in 2006.
Results. Out of 70 195 anesthesia services rendered to 32 267 patients in
one-year period, 47% were general anesthesia, 23% were local anesthesia, and
30% were anesthetic procedures. Our results of highly significant association
between personnel costs (r = 0.980, p = 0.000) and consumption of anesthetics
and drugs (r = 0.885, p = 0.000) with the direct costs do not provide an
opportunity for further cost reduction due to disassociation of direct costs
and the ?unit price? of National Health Insurance issued in terms of the
restricted maximum budget for health. Conclusion. There is no space for
direct cost reduction in anesthesia.
Importance of dysphagia examination in patient with dermatomyositis: Case report
Authors: Raskovic Sanvila , Bolpacic Jasna , Tomic-Spiric Vesna , Stefanovic Ljiljana , Bogic Mirjana , Peric-Popadic Aleksandra
Published: September 2012

Introduction. Polymiositis belongs to the group of inflammatory myopathies
which are manifested by muscle weakness of the shoulder blade and pelvic
region. The presence of typical skin manifestations is suggestive of
dermatomyositis. These patients may also develop dysphagia (10-54%) as a
result of involvement of the oropharyngeal and upper oesophageal striated
muscles. Dermatomyositis may also be associated with another systemic disease
or malignancy. Case Report. Hereby is presented the case of a 42-year-old
female patient hospitalized at the Department of Allergy and Immunology,
Clinical Center of Serbia for the shoulder blade and pelvic muscle weakness
and pains in the small and large joints, eyelid edema, facial and neckline
redness, difficult swallowing and loss of body mass. Based on the presence of
proximal muscle weakness, increased enzyme serum levels (lactic acid
dehydrogenase, glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase), positive
electroneuromyography findings, typical skin changes and positive muscle
biopsy, the patient was diagnosed to have dermatomyositis. Both radioscopy
and esophagography revealed some disturbances in all phases of swallowing,
absence of all primary and secondary peristaltic waves accompanied by
contrast medium aspiration. Additionally, esophageal manometry proved the
absence of esophageal peristalsis. Additional examinations ruled out the
presence of any malignancies. The patient underwent glycocorticoid and
azatioprim treatment along with specific dietary regimen, symptomatic and
physical therapy, which led to favorable clinical outcome. Conclusion.
Dermatomyositis-associated dysphagia may lead to severe complications such as
cachexia and aspiration pneumonia. In addition to the management of
underlying disease, the treatment includes special dietary regimen,
rehabilitation and even interventional surgical procedures, if necessary.
Epidural analgesia in labor: specific characteristics, dilemmas and controversies
Authors: Kutlesic Marija , Kutlesic Ranko
Published: September 2012

Introduction. Epidural analgesia has become the most popular method for labor
pain relief. Analgesia in Labor: Yes or No? Labor pain is a complex
phenomenon with sensory, cognitive, motivational, emotional, social, and
cultural variables. Pain and anxiety lead to adrenergic hyperactivity,
hyperventilation, hypocapnia with reduced uteroplacental blood flow and
uncoordinated uterine activity, so pain relief is recommended and even
indicated in cases of maternal comorbidity. Analgesia in Labor: Method of
Choice. The quality of epidural analgesia is better than the one achieved by
parenteral or inhalation agents, with increased uteroplacental blood flow and
improved fetal-maternal oxygenation. Epidural Analgesia in Labor: What is
Specific? The increased weight, lumbar lordosis, soft tissue edema and
engorgement of epidural veins make it more difficult to perform epidural
block in pregnancy. Epidural puncture should be performed by medial approach,
at L2 - 3 or L3 - 4 level by loss of resistance technique between
contractions. Epidural Analgesia in Labor: What With? Local anesthetics,
bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, are used and they can be combined
with small doses of opioids (fentanyl or sufentanyl). Epidural Analgesia in
Labor: How? Available techniques are epidural, spinal and combined spinal -
epidural analgesia. Epidural Analgesia in Labor: Controversies. The most
important controversy is the influence of epidural analgesia on operative or
instrumental delivery rate. Low concentrations of local anesthetic in
combination with small doses of opioids, together with active management of
labor by an obstetrician, would lead to increased spontaneous delivery rate.
Conclusion. Although there still are some difficulties, complications and
controversies, epidural analgesia provides safe and effective labor pain
control.
Effect of degree of lipomobilization on results of glucose test in dairy cows in heat stress
Authors: Cincovic M.R. , Belic Branislava , Stevancevic Milenko , Toholj B. , Lako B. , Potkonjak A.
Published: September 2012

Cows exposed to heat stress exhibit a decreased ability to mobilize lipids
due to increased sensitivity to insulin, which is expressed in a decreased
concentration of NEFA. However, certain cows can preserve the level of lipid
mobilization after adapting to heat stress. We assumed that cows that have a
preserved ability to mobilize lipids are less sensitive to insulin and that
they have a lower tolerance for glucose. The aim of this work was to compare
the results of an intravenous glucose tolerance test in cows that exhibited,
in prolonged heat stress, a decreased (NEFA<0.20 mmol/l) or preserved
(NEFA>0.30 mmol/l) ability for lipid mobilization. Glucose concentration and
NEFA concentration were measured following intravenous application of
glucose. The mean glycaemic index value did not differ statistically
significantly between the two groups of cows at 10, 15 and 20 minutes after
glucose application (p>0.05), but there was a tendency at 10 and 15 minutes
for the glycaemia to be higher in cows with preserved lipomobilization
(p<0.1). At 30, 60 and 90 minutes after glucose application, glycaemia was
statistically significantly higher (p<0.01; p<0.05 and p<0.05) in the group
of cows with preserved lipomobilization. The glycaemic index values (mmol/l)
shown in the same order (30, 60 and 90 minutes) were as follows 9.91?0.21:
9.23?0.41; 5.41?0.5: 4.67?0.33 and 4.31?0.39: 3.47?0.37. The mean value for
NEFA concentration in samples originating from the two experimental groups of
cows did not differ statistically significantly following glucose
application. The NEFA concentration showed a tendency to be higher in cows
with preserved lipid mobilization in comparison with cows with decreased
lipomobilization at 20 and 30 minutes after glucose application (p<0.1).
Following the intravenous glucose tolerance test, NEFA and glucose
concentrations were in a significant negative correlation, and that
correlation was more expressed in cows with decreased lipomobilization. Cows
with preserved lipomobilization have a lower tolerance for glucose than cows
with a decreased lipomobilization during heat stress.
The homotopies of admissible multivalued mappings
Authors: Ślosarski Mirosław
Published: September 2012

Certain properties of homotopies of admissible multivalued mappings shall be presented, along with their applications as the tool for examining the acyclicity of a space.
The Effectiveness of 3D Animations to Enhance Understanding of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture
Authors: Clements Dylan N. , Broadhurst Henry , Clarke Stephen P. , Farrell Michael , Bennett David , Mosley John R. , Mellanby Richard J.
Published: September 2012

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is one of the most important orthopedic diseases taught to veterinary undergraduates. The complexity of the anatomy of the canine stifle joint combined with the plethora of different surgical interventions available for the treatment of the disease means that undergraduate veterinary students often have a poor understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of CCL rupture. We designed, developed, and tested a three dimensional (3D) animation to illustrate the pertinent clinical anatomy of the stifle joint, the effects of CCL rupture, and the mechanisms by which different surgical techniques can stabilize the joint with CCL rupture. When compared with a non-animated 3D presentation, students' short-term retention of functional anatomy improved although they could not impart a better explanation of how different surgical techniques worked. More students found the animation useful than those who viewed a comparable non-animated 3D presentation. Multiple peer-review testing is required to maximize the usefulness of 3D animations during development. Free and open access to such tools should improve student learning and client understanding through wide-spread uptake and use.
Why Buildings Fail: Are We Learning From Our Mistakes?
Authors: Parfitt M. Kevin
Published: September 2012

Most building professionals have investigated or performed remedial designs for at least one architectural or engineering system failure during their careers. Other practitioners, especially those who work for forensic consultants or firms specializing in disaster response and repair, are more familiar with the variety and extent of building failures as they assist their clients in restoring damaged or deficient buildings. The advent of social medial and twenty-four-hour news channels along with the general ease of finding more examples of failures in the Internet have made us realize that building failures in the broad sense are much more common than we may have realized.Relatively recent events leading to building failures such as the Christchurch, New Zealand earthquakes, the roof/parking deck of the Algo Centre mall in the northern Ontario, Canada city of Elliot Lake and the Indiana State Fairground stage collapse in the US are just a few reminders that much more work needs to be done on a variety of fronts to prevent building failures from a life safety standpoint. The need is compounded by economic concerns from what would be considered more mundane or common failures. Inspections by the author after Hurricane Katrina revealed a huge number of failures associated rain water alone as roofs, windows, flashing, mechanical penetrations etc. failed leading to interior water penetration often resulting in more damage from damp conditions and mold propagation than outright structural collapses. [...]
A Method for Identification of Driving Patterns in Hybrid Electric Vehicles Based on a LVQ Neural Network
Authors: He Hongwen , Sun Chao , Zhang Xiaowei
Published: September 2012

Driving patterns exert an important influence on the fuel economy of vehicles, especially hybrid electric vehicles. This paper aims to build a method to identify driving patterns with enough accuracy and less sampling time compared than other driving pattern recognition algorithms. Firstly a driving pattern identifier based on a Learning Vector Quantization neural network is established to analyze six selected representative standard driving cycles. Micro-trip extraction and Principal Component Analysis methods are applied to ensure the magnitude and diversity of the training samples. Then via Matlab/Simulink, sample training simulation is conducted to determine the minimum neuron number of the Learning Vector Quantization neural network and, as a result, to help simplify the identifier model structure and reduce the data convergence time. Simulation results have proved the feasibility of this method, which decreases the sampling window length from about 250–300 s to 120 s with an acceptable accuracy. The driving pattern identifier is further used in an optimized co-simulation together with a parallel hybrid vehicle model and improves the fuel economy by about 8%.
Air Manganese Levels and Chronic Liver Disease Mortality in North Carolina Counties: An Ecological Study
Authors: Spangler John G.
Published: September 2012

Manganese is an essential trace element which is toxic in high doses. Over the past several decades, manganese has replaced lead as the anti-knock agent in gasoline, raising concern about air and road-side contamination with this element. In addition, manganese is absorbed by the liver, making specific populations (e.g., pregnant women, infants and children, and patients with liver disease) susceptible to its toxic effects. Using data from the US Census Bureau, the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, and the US Environmental Protection Agency, this ecological study evaluated chronic liver disease mortality rates in North Carolina’s 100 counties. It correlated these rates with county-level demographics as well as on-road and non-road air borne manganese concentrations. Median income by county was inversely associated with chronic liver disease mortality, while the logarithmically transformed airborne concentrations of on-road manganese were positively correlated with county-level chronic liver disease mortality. Because environmental manganese near roads is likely to increase over time, these pilot findings potentially have regulatory implications and argue for further research.
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Carnosic Acid and Rosmarinic Acid Using Ionic Liquid Solution from Rosmarinus officinalis
Authors: Zu Ge , Zhang Rongrui , Yang Lei , Ma Chunhui , Zu Yuangang , Wang Wenjie , Zhao Chunjian
Published: September 2012

Ionic liquid based, ultrasound-assisted extraction was successfully applied to the extraction of phenolcarboxylic acids, carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid, from Rosmarinus officinalis. Eight ionic liquids, with different cations and anions, were investigated in this work and [C8mim]Br was selected as the optimal solvent. Ultrasound extraction parameters, including soaking time, solid–liquid ratio, ultrasound power and time, and the number of extraction cycles, were discussed by single factor experiments and the main influence factors were optimized by response surface methodology. The proposed approach was demonstrated as having higher efficiency, shorter extraction time and as a new alternative for the extraction of carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid from R. officinalis compared with traditional reference extraction methods. Ionic liquids are considered to be green solvents, in the ultrasound-assisted extraction of key chemicals from medicinal plants, and show great potential.
An Integrated Laser-Induced Piezoelectric/Differential Confocal Surface Acoustic Wave System for Measurement of Thin Film Young’s Modulus
Authors: Yang Fei , Dorantes-Gonzalez Dante J. , Chen Kun , Lu Zimo , Jin Baoyin , Li Yanning , Chen Zhi , Hu Xiaotang
Published: September 2012

The present paper presents the design and development results of a system setup for measuring Young’s modulus of thin films by laser-induced surface acoustic waves based on the integration of two detection methods, namely, piezoelectric transducer detection and differential confocal detection, which may be used for conducting consecutive or simultaneous measurements. After demonstrating the capabilities of each detection approach, it is shown how, depending on a wider range of applications, sample materials and measurement environments, the developed integrated system inherits and harnesses the main characteristics of its detection channels, resulting in an more practical and flexible equipment for determining Young’s modulus than traditional nanoindentation equipment, and also suitable for cross-validation purposes.
Capability Framework for Sustainable Manufacturing of Sports Apparel and Footwear
Authors: Subic Aleksandar , Shabani Bahman , Hedayati Mehdi , Crossin Enda
Published: September 2012

The sporting goods sector is characterized by large volumes of production, high levels of consumption and short product life cycles resulting in high disposal rates and waste. Manufacturing of sports products is distributed globally through tier-based supply chains and complex logistics systems. Companies within such supply chains have different levels of capability in sustainable manufacturing, which impacts on the sustainability of the overall business. Reducing environmental impacts is of particular concern for companies at present, due to heightened requirements for the reduction of energy and water consumption, waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This article describes outcomes of a research project conducted in collaboration with a global sporting goods manufacturer that focused on the development of relevant capabilities across their supply chain for sustainable manufacturing of sports apparel and footwear. The article presents the developed sustainable manufacturing framework and capability assessment results obtained for selected companies within the supply chain of this global manufacturer in Asia.
Leveraging Mobile Games for Place-Based Language Learning
Authors: Holden Christopher L. , Sykes Julie M.
Published: September 2012

This paper builds on the emerging body of research aimed at exploring the educational potential of mobile technologies, specifically, how to leverage place-based, augmented reality mobile games for language learning. Mentira is the first place-based, augmented reality mobile game for learning Spanish in a local neighborhood in the Southwestern United States. This paper explores both the complexities and benefits of integrating mobile games in second and foreign language learning contexts. Relevant background issues are discussed and the Mentira project is described, including an exploration of the setting, narrative, gameplay, and curriculum. Initial findings and future goals are explored. Gameplay, the importance of ’place’ for language learning, is discussed and the role of student buy-in. The paper concludes with future considerations for the continued use of mobile games projects for language learning as well as other disciplines.
A New Modeling and Application of Hierarchical Production Planning Approach
Authors: Aminlouei Reza Tanha
Published: September 2012

In real power systems, power plants are not in the equal space from the load center, and their fuel cost is different. With common utilization conditions, production capacity is more than total load demand and losses. Therefore, there are different criteria for active and inactive power planning in each power plant. The best selection is to choose a framework in which the utility cost is minimized. On the other hand, planning in power systems has different time horizons; thus, for effective planning in power systems, it is very important to find a suitable mathematical relationship between them. In this chapter, the authors propose a modeling by selecting a Fuzzy Hierarchical Production Planning (FHPP) technique with zone covering in the mid-term and long-term time horizons electricity supply modeling in the Iran global compact network.
A Conceptual “Cybernetic” Methodology for Organizing and Managing the E-Learning Process through [D-] CIVEs
Authors: Nikolaos Pellas
Published: September 2012

This chapter presents a conceptual-pedagogical “cybernetic” methodology for cyber entities’ (avatars’) spatial awareness, in an innovative way by using Second Life (SL). According to this section, it’s crucial to answer the major question of how teachers can permit effective actions through the organizational complexity of virtual and technical interactions that SL governs, making it more practical for Higher Education. Additionally, the chapter’s objective emphasizes the creation of an organizational-educational (multi-) method, which is essential for effective planning and conducting in distance learning programs. Furthermore, the construction effort is based on Anthony Stafford Beer’s “Viable System Model” (VSM) principal characteristics, in which the chapter contends the pedagogical analysis of teaching and didactic process that should be supported by any “open,” “viable,” and “sustainable” virtual learning environment. The systematic description and classification of groups’ interaction scripts aim is to help facilitating and enhancing teams’ knowledge management by providing reusable patterns that leverage the ample possibilities.
Dynamic Security Properties Monitoring Architecture for Cloud Computing
Authors: Muñoz Antonio , Maña Antonio , González Javier
Published: September 2012

In this chapter, the authors provide an overview of the importance of the monitoring of security properties in cloud computing scenarios. They then present an approach based on monitoring security properties in cloud systems based on a diagnosis framework that supports the specification and monitoring of properties expressed in Event Calculus (EC) as rules as the basis. The provision of diagnosis information is based on the generation of alternative explanations for the events that are involved in the violations of rules. This approach is based on Virtualization Architectures that presents several threats identified in the instrumentation of Virtualized Environments. The monitoring model presented in this chapter focuses on runtime supervision of applications, allowing the detection of problems in the operation of individual instances of applications and supporting the automated reconfiguration of these applications. This infrastructure has been recently designed as part of the PASSIVE project. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is not any other infrastructure providing the same features as the one presented in this chapter. For this reason, not much directly related previous work is found in the literature.
Multiword Expressions in NLP
Authors: Gelbukh Alexander , Kolesnikova Olga
Published: September 2012

This chapter presents a survey of contemporary NLP research on Multiword Expressions (MWEs). MWEs pose a huge problem to precise language processing due to their idiosyncratic nature and diversity of their semantic, lexical, and syntactical properties. The chapter begins by considering MWEs definitions, describes some MWEs classes, indicates problems MWEs generate in language applications and their possible solutions, presents methods of MWE encoding in dictionaries and their automatic detection in corpora. The chapter goes into more detail on a particular MWE class called Verb-Noun Constructions (VNCs). Due to their frequency in corpus and unique characteristics, VNCs present a research problem in their own right. Having outlined several approaches to VNC representation in lexicons, the chapter explains the formalism of Lexical Function as a possible VNC representation. Such representation may serve as a tool for VNCs automatic detection in a corpus. The latter is illustrated on Spanish material applying some supervised learning methods commonly used for NLP tasks.
Speechreading using Modified Visual Feature Vectors
Authors: Singh Preety , Laxmi Vijay , Gaur M. S.
Published: September 2012

Audio-Visual Speech Recognition (AVSR) is an emerging technology that helps in improved machine perception of speech by taking into account the bimodality of human speech. Automated speech is inspired from the fact that human beings subconsciously use visual cues to interpret speech. This chapter surveys the techniques for audio-visual speech recognition. Through this survey, the authors discuss the steps involved in a robust mechanism for perception of speech for human-computer interaction. The main emphasis is on visual speech recognition taking only the visual cues into account. Previous research has shown that visual-only speech recognition systems pose many challenges. The authors present a speech recognition system where only the visual modality is used for recognition of the spoken word. Significant features are extracted from lip images. These features are used to build n-gram feature vectors. Classification of speech using these modified feature vectors results in improved accuracy of the spoken word.
Online Research and Obtaining Human Subjects/IRB Approvals
Authors: Bates Benjamin J. , Birch Ben
Published: September 2012

The development of digital computing and the growth of the Internet have opened up new opportunities to engage in online research. These online research practices involving human subjects, often involving relatively new technologies, can create tension between the online investigator and the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) who are required to review and approve such research prior to data collection. This chapter aims to reduce this tension by discussing the associated ethics issues and applicable federal regulations, identifying specific concerns from the perspective of IRBs, and offering suggestions as to how best to address these concerns in applications in a way that can hopefully serve both the researcher and the review board.
An Online Measure of Discernment
Authors: Traüffer Hazel C. V. , Bekker Corné L. , Bocarnea Mihai C. , Winston Bruce E.
Published: September 2012

The Discernment Practices Indicator (DPI) reports three-factors: (a) Courage, (b) Intuition, and (c) Faith with Cronbach alpha values of (a) .85, (b) .89, and (c) .85, respectively. The Courage factor addresses the leader’s mental and moral courage; willingness to accept uncertainty; use of common sense; ability to seek new ways to look at old things; see a future full of possibilities, believing in the equality of all people; and to be firm, but loving, in addressing issues. The Intuition factor addresses the leader’s understanding of his or her emotions; willingness to make decisions, based on a hunch; as well as paying attention to body cues or thoughts that may flash across the mind. The Faith factor addresses the leader’s use of quiet time (to include prayer and meditation) to reflect and find meaning; use of principles of faith as guidance; as well as incorporating religious beliefs in professional undertakings.
Requirements Engineering for Cloud Application Development
Authors: Schrödl Holger , Wind Stefan
Published: September 2012

In industrial practice, cloud computing is becoming increasingly established as an option for formulating cost-efficient and needs-oriented information systems. Despite the increasing acceptance of cloud computing within the industry, many fundamental questions remain unanswered, or are answered only partially. Besides issues relating to the best architectures, legal issues, and pricing models, suppliers of cloud-based solutions are faced with the issue of appropriate requirements engineering. This means eliciting optimal understanding of the customer’s requirements and implementing this into appropriate requirements of the solution to be realised. This chapter examines selected, established requirements engineering methods in order to study the extent to which they can be applied to the specific requirements of cloud-based solutions. Furthermore, it develops a comparison framework containing the features of cloud computing. This comparison framework is applied to four established process models for requirements engineering. Recommendations for a requirements engineering process adapted to cloud computing are derived.
A Model of Cultural Competence in Open Source Systems
Authors: Wright Carroll Doris
Published: September 2012

Open source software and the open source movement have changed how users access the Internet and produced equality of access for the global community. Despite the access to free software and code sharing for the public and corporate users, open source users remain unaware of cultural competency standards for all its users and designers. The research on cultural competence is conspicuously absent. This chapter defines open source cultural competence as an ethical and equity imperative for open source systems and the communities served by this free, accessible software. A theoretical framework for integrating cultural competence into open source technology is presented, one that emphasizes cultural competency best practices. Future implications for integrating cultural competence into open source technology are highlighted.
Virtualized Open Source Networking Lab
Authors: Chao Lee
Published: September 2012

This chapter considers a virtualized open source networking lab to support Web based IT education. It discusses the difficulties in teaching networking related IT courses online. The discussion leads to the solution of virtualized open source technology. The chapter also examines some strategies in developing an open source virtual networking lab for hands-on practice in networking related IT courses. It then presents a case study on the use of an open source virtual networking lab in e-learning.
The Web 2.0 Mandate for a Transition from Webmaster to Wiki Master
Authors: McHaney Roger
Published: September 2012

This chapter focuses on the how the advent of Web 2.0 has influenced the role of webmaster and given rise to the wiki master. In section 1, the author provides an overview of the role of webmaster and how a Web 2.0 mindset began to exert an influence on the duties of this individual. The section concludes with the rise of collaborative Web technologies, specifically Wikis. Section 2 describes the evolution of the wiki master and provides a distinction from its predecessor. The specific roles of a wiki master are described in detail here. Section 3 provides a case study-type overview of the wiki master at ELATEwiki.org. Section 4 provides more detail by looking a typical day in the life of the wiki master at ELATEwiki. Conclusive remarks are provided in the final section of this chapter.
Selectively Employing Open-Source Resources for Online Learning
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: September 2012

Those who work in instructional technologies and design have long been turning to the usages of open-source resources (learning / course management systems, software tools and apps, authoring tools, digital learning objects, simulations, games, and virtual spaces) for online learning—for many reasons—their easy availability (through download), the often-free price-tag, the popularity of open-source resources among learners, and the savings in terms of development (not maintenance) costs. This chapter examines the selective adoption of open-source resources for online learning and the practical considerations that inform this decision.
Prevalence and Diversity of Bartonella spp. in Bats in Peru
Authors: Bai Ying , Recuenco Sergio , Gilbert Amy Turmelle , Osikowicz Lynn M. , Gómez Jorge , Rupprecht Charles , Kosoy Michael Y.
Published: September 2012

Bartonella infections were investigated in bats in the Amazon part of Peru. A total of 112 bats belonging to 19 species were surveyed. Bartonella bacteria were cultured from 24.1% of the bats (27/112). Infection rates ranged from 0% to 100% per bat species. Phylogenetic analyses of gltA of the Bartonella isolates revealed 21 genetic variants clustering into 13 divergent phylogroups. Some Bartonella strains were shared by bats of multiple species, and bats of some species were infected with multiple Bartonella strains, showing no evident specific Bartonella sp.–bat relationships. Rarely found in other bat species, the Bartonella strains of phylogroups I and III discovered from the common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) were more specific to the host bat species, suggesting some level of host specificity.
Pharmacogenetics: transforming clinical medicine
Authors: Newman WG
Published: September 2012

Pharmacogenetics, the study of genetic variation relevant to drug metabolism, is a rapidly evolving area of medicine. This brief review will consider some of the recent advances where inherited genetic variants have been associated with either drug efficacy or toxicity. Examples of where pharmacogenetic testing has been adopted into clinical practice will be provided as well as a look at its likely development over the next decade. Finally, the large increase in genetic testing of tumour tissue samples to predict response to molecularly targeted treatments in cancer will be considered.
Sir Charles Locock and potassium bromide
Authors: Eadie MJ
Published: September 2012

On 12 May 1857, Edward Sieveking read a paper on epilepsy to the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society in London. During the discussion that followed Sir Charles Locock, obstetrician to Queen Victoria, was reported to have commented that during the past 14 months he had used potassium bromide to successfully stop epileptic seizures in all but one of 14 or 15 women with ‘hysterical’ or catamenial epilepsy. This report of Locock’s comment has generally given him credit for introducing the first reasonably effective antiepileptic drug into medical practice. However examination of the original reports raises questions as to how soundly based the accounts of Locock’s comments were. Subsequently, others using the drug to treat epilepsy failed to obtain the degree of benefit that the reports of Locock’s comments would have led them to expect. The drug might not have come into more widespread use as a result, had not Samuel Wilks provided good, independent evidence for the drug’s antiepileptic efficacy in 1861.
Arctic climate response to forcing from light-absorbing particles in snow and sea ice in CESM
Authors: Goldenson N. , Doherty S. J. , Bitz C. M. , Holland M. M. , Light B. , Conley A. J.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. The presence of light-absorbing aerosol particles deposited on arctic snow and sea ice influences the surface albedo, causing greater shortwave absorption, warming, and loss of snow and sea ice, lowering the albedo further. The Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1) now includes the radiative effects of light-absorbing particles in snow on land and sea ice and in sea ice itself. We investigate the model response to the deposition of black carbon and dust to both snow and sea ice. For these purposes we employ a slab ocean version of CESM1, using the Community Atmosphere Model version 4 (CAM4), run to equilibrium for year 2000 levels of CO2 and fixed aerosol deposition. We construct experiments with and without aerosol deposition, with dust or black carbon deposition alone, and with varying quantities of black carbon and dust to approximate year 1850 and 2000 deposition fluxes. The year 2000 deposition fluxes of both dust and black carbon cause 1–2 °C of surface warming over large areas of the Arctic Ocean and sub-Arctic seas in autumn and winter and in patches of Northern land in every season. Atmospheric circulation changes are a key component of the surface-warming pattern. Arctic sea ice thins by on average about 30 cm. Simulations with year 1850 aerosol deposition are not substantially different from those with year 2000 deposition, given constant levels of CO2. The climatic impact of particulate impurities deposited over land exceeds that of particles deposited over sea ice. Even the surface warming over the sea ice and sea ice thinning depends more upon light-absorbing particles deposited over land. For CO2 doubled relative to year 2000 levels, the climate impact of particulate impurities in snow and sea ice is substantially lower than for the year 2000 equilibrium simulation.
Oxygen isotope ratios in the shell of Mytilus edulis: archives of glacier meltwater in Greenland?
Authors: Versteegh E. A. A. , Blicher M. E. , Mortensen J. , Rysgaard S. , Als T. D. ,   A. D. Wanamaker Jr.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is accelerating and will contribute significantly to global sea level rise during the 21st century. Instrumental data on GrIS melting only cover the last few decades, and proxy data extending our knowledge into the past are vital for validating models predicting the influence of ongoing climate change. We investigated a potential meltwater proxy in Godthåbsfjord (West Greenland), where glacier meltwater causes seasonal excursions with lower oxygen isotope water (δ18Ow) values and salinity. The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) potentially records these variations, because it precipitates its shell calcite in oxygen isotopic equilibrium with ambient seawater. As M. edulis shells are known to occur in raised shorelines and kitchen middens from previous Holocene warm periods, this species may be ideal in reconstructing past meltwater dynamics. We investigate its potential as a palaeo-meltwater proxy. First, we confirmed that M. edulis shell calcite oxygen isotope (δ18Oc) values are in equilibrium with ambient water and generally reflect meltwater conditions. Subsequently we investigated if this species recorded the full range of δ18Ow values occurring during the years 2007 to 2010. Results show that δ18Ow values were not recorded at very low salinities (< ~19), because the mussels appear to cease growing. This implies that M. edulis δ18Oc values are suitable in reconstructing past meltwater amounts in most cases, but care has to be taken that shells are collected not too close to a glacier, but rather in the mid region or mouth of the fjord. The focus of future research will expand on the geographical and temporal range of the shell measurements by sampling mussels in other fjords in Greenland along a south-north gradient, and by sampling shells from raised shorelines and kitchen middens from prehistoric settlements in Greenland.
Inner structure of the Puy de Dôme volcano: cross-comparison of geophysical models (ERT, Gravimetry, Muonic Imagery)
Authors: Portal A. , Béné S. , Boivin P. , Busato E. , Cârloganu C. , Combaret C. , Dupieux P. , Fehr F. , Gay P. , Labazuy P. , Laktineh I. , Lénat J.-F. , Miallier D. , Mirabito L. , Niess V. , Vulpescu B.
Published: September 2012

Abstract. Muon imagery of volcanoes and geological structures are presently and actively developed by several groups in the world. It has the potential to provide a 2-D or 3-D density distribution with an accuracy of a few percent. However, at this stage of the development of the method, comparisons with the results from established geophysical methods are necessary to validate its results. An experiment is currently carried out at the Puy de Dôme volcano involving the concurrent acquisition of muon imagery, electrical resistivity (2-D tomography) and gravity survey. Here, we present the preliminary results for the last two methods. North-south and east-west resistivity sections have been obtained in June 2011 and May 2012. These electric data allow to model of the distribution of the resistivity values down to the base of the dome. The dome and its surroundings are now mapped with more than 300 gravity stations measured during a detailed gravity survey carried out in March and May 2012. The computed Bouguer anomaly can be interpreted by models of the density distribution within the dome. This will be directly comparable with the results from the muon imagery. Our ultimate goal is to derive a model of the dome using the joint interpretation of all the sets of data.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Urocanic Acid Derivatives in Models Ex Vivo and In Vivo of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Kammeyer Arthur , Peters Charlotte P. , Meijer Sybren L. , te Velde Anje A.
Published: September 2012

Urocanic acid (UCA) derivatives were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in two models: ex vivo and an experimental mouse model. Ex vivo: inflamed colonic tissue was incubated in culture medium with or without the UCA derivatives. Biopsies, incubated with UCA derivatives, produced lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 as compared to control biopsies. The same compounds also showed increased levels of IL-10, providing an additional indication for anti-inflammatory properties. In vivo: a combination of two imidazoles and a combination of two of their ethyl esters were administered to mice while colitis was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Some parameters did not show conclusive effects, but the imidazoles and their ethyl esters reduced the area of inflammation and the number of infiltrating neutrophils. Fibrosis and the sum of all histological aspects were reduced by the imidazoles, whereas the ethyl esters reduced the colon weight to length ratio. These results suggest that the UCA derivatives have anti-inflammatory effect on IBD. In addition, fine tuning of the ex vivo model may provide an elegant way to predict anti-inflammatory effects of potential drugs in humans, which may decrease the need for animal experiments.