bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Optimal Water Quality Monitoring Points in Sewer Systems using Entropy Theory
Authors: Lee Jung
Published: August 2013

To monitor water quality continuously over the entire sewer network is important for efficient management of the system. However, it is practically impossible to implement continuous water quality monitoring of all junctions of a sewer system due to budget constraints. Therefore, water quality monitoring locations must be selected as those points which are the most representative of the dataset throughout a system. However, the optimal selection of water quality monitoring locations in urban sewer networks has rarely been studied. This study proposes a method for the optimal selection of water quality monitoring points in sewer systems based on entropy theory. The proposed model searches for a quantitative assessment of data collected from monitoring points. The points that maximize the total information among the collected data at multiple locations are selected using genetic algorithm (GA) for water quality monitoring. The proposed model is demonstrated for a small urban sewer system.
How to Influence Forest-Related Issues in the European Union? Preferred Strategies among Swedish Forest Industry
Authors: Bjärstig Therese , Keskitalo E.
Published: August 2013

Although forestry is not a regulated area in the European Union (EU), numerous decisions in other policy areas are related to forestry. However, its position outside of formal policy-making can result in the fact that actors, such as those within the forest industry, may have a larger role when compared to other policy sectors where the state system has an integrated role. This explorative study reviews the ways in which the forest industry in Sweden, one of the EU states with the most forest land, tries to protect and promote its interests on an EU-level. It concludes that a main way to influence decision-making in the EU is through lobbying, through its own organisations and through the transnational trade association, The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI). The study shows that collectively conducted lobbying is largely preferred which means that internal communication is important since lobbying at the EU-level is potentially limited by the diverging positions of trade association members as well as among the different trade associations themselves.
Evaluating Complex Magma Mixing via Polytopic Vector Analysis (PVA) in the Papagayo Tuff, Northern Costa Rica: Processes that Form Continental Crust
Authors: Szymanski David , Patino Lina , Vogel Thomas , Alvarado Guillermo
Published: August 2013

Over the last forty years, research has revealed the importance of magma mixing as a trigger for volcanic eruptions, as well as its role in creating the diversity of magma compositions in arcs. Sensitive isotopic and microchemical techniques can reveal subtle evidence of magma mixing in igneous rocks, but more robust statistical techniques for bulk chemical data can help evaluate complex mixing relationships. Polytopic vector analysis (PVA) is a multivariate technique that can be used to evaluate suites of samples that are produced by mixing of two or more magma batches. The Papagayo Tuff of the Miocene-Pleistocene Bagaces Formation in northern Costa Rica is associated with a segment of the Central American Volcanic Arc. While this segment of the arc is located on oceanic plateau, recent (<8 Ma) ignimbrites bear the chemical signatures of upper continental crust, marking the transition from oceanic to continental crust. The Papagayo Tuff contains banded pumice fragments consistent with one or more episodes of mixing/mingling to produce a single volcanic deposit. The PVA solution for the sample set is consistent with observations from bulk chemistry, microchemistry and petrographic data from the rocks. However, without PVA, the unequivocal identification of the three end-member solution would not have been possible.
Functional and Molecular Changes of the Bladder in Rats with Crushing Injury of Nerve Bundles from Major Pelvic Ganglion to the Bladder: Role of RhoA/Rho Kinase Pathway
Authors: Kim Su , Lee Dong , Bae Woong , Kim Seol , Hong Sung , Lee Ji , Hwang Tae-Kon , Kim Sae
Published: August 2013

Voiding dysfunction is a common complication after radical pelvic surgery. To reduce this complication, nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery was introduced. However, several patients experienced voiding difficulty despite nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. Thus, we investigated the functional and molecular changes of the bladder in rats, which demonstrated voiding dysfunction induced by nerve damage during nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. Male rats were used and assigned to normal, sham-operated, and bilateral crushing nerve bundles from major pelvic ganglion (MPG) to bladder group. After one, two, and four-week crushing injury, significantly decreased contractile response and increased connective tissue of the detrusor were observed and these results were reliable findings with voiding difficulty following nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. After crushing injury, significantly increased M2 muscarinic receptor expression was observed and this might be regarded as the compensatory response. However, M3 muscarinic receptor expression was not significantly changed. The expression of RhoA, ROCK-α, and ROCK-β was significantly increased after one, two, and four-week crushing injury. From these results, the down-regulation of RhoA/Rho kinase pathway might lead to the decreased bladder contractility after crushing injury of nerve bundles from MPG to the bladder despite of the compensated up-regulation of M2 muscarinic receptor.
Assessment of Blood Flow in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Correlations of Computed Tomography Perfusion Imaging and Circulating Angiogenic Factors
Authors: Chen Ya-Wen , Pan Huay-Ben , Tseng Hui-Hwa , Hung Yu-Ting , Huang Jer-Shyung , Chou Chen-Pin
Published: August 2013

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascular tumor through the process of angiogenesis. To evaluate more non-invasive techniques for assessment of blood flow (BF) in HCC, this study examined the relationships between BF of HCC measured by computer tomography (CT) perfusion imaging and four circulating angiogenic factors in HCC patients. Interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in plasma were measured using Bio-Plex multiplex immunoassay in 21 HCC patients and eight healthy controls. Circulating IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF showed higher concentrations in HCC patients than in controls (p < 0.05), and predicted HCC occurrence better than chance (p < 0.01). Twenty-one patients with HCC received 21-phase liver imaging using a 64-slice CT. Total BF, arterial BF, portal BF, arterial fraction (arterial BF/total BF) of the HCC and surrounding liver parenchyma, and HCC-parenchyma ratio were measured using a dual-vessel model. After analyzing the correlations between BF in HCC and four circulating angiogenic factors, we found that the HCC-parenchyma ratio of arterial BF showed a significantly positive correlation with the level of circulating IL-8 (p < 0.05). This circulating biomarker, IL-8, provides a non-invasive tool for assessment of BF in HCC.
Prevention of Carcinogenesis and Development of Gastric and Colon Cancers by 2-Aminophenoxazine-3-one (Phx-3): Direct and Indirect Anti-Cancer Activity of Phx-3
Authors: Tomoda Akio , Miyazawa Keisuke , Tabuchi Takafumi
Published: August 2013

2-Aminophenoxazine-3-one (Phx-3), an oxidative phenoxazine, exerts strong anticancer effects on various cancer cell lines originating from different organs, in vitro. This article reviews new aspects for the prevention of carcinogenesis and development of gastric and colon cancers by Phx-3, based on the strong anticancer effects of Phx-3 on gastric and colon cancer cell lines (direct anticancer effects of Phx-3 for preventing development of cancer), the bacteriocidal effects of Phx-3 against Helicobacter pylori associated with carcinogenesis of gastric cancer (indirect anticancer effects for preventing carcinogenesis of gastric cancer), and the proapoptotic activity of Phx-3 against human neutrophils involved in the incidence of ulcerative colitis associated with a high colon cancer risk (indirect anticancer effects for preventing carcinogenesis of colon cancer).
Small Molecule Inhibitors of AI-2 Signaling in Bacteria: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives for Anti-Quorum Sensing Agents
Authors: Guo Min , Gamby Sonja , Zheng Yue , Sintim Herman
Published: August 2013

Bacteria respond to different small molecules that are produced by other neighboring bacteria. These molecules, called autoinducers, are classified as intraspecies (i.e., molecules produced and perceived by the same bacterial species) or interspecies (molecules that are produced and sensed between different bacterial species). AI-2 has been proposed as an interspecies autoinducer and has been shown to regulate different bacterial physiology as well as affect virulence factor production and biofilm formation in some bacteria, including bacteria of clinical relevance. Several groups have embarked on the development of small molecules that could be used to perturb AI-2 signaling in bacteria, with the ultimate goal that these molecules could be used to inhibit bacterial virulence and biofilm formation. Additionally, these molecules have the potential to be used in synthetic biology applications whereby these small molecules are used as inputs to switch on and off AI-2 receptors. In this review, we highlight the state-of-the-art in the development of small molecules that perturb AI-2 signaling in bacteria and offer our perspective on the future development and applications of these classes of molecules.
Engendering the Evidence Base: A Critical Review of the Conceptual and Empirical Foundations of Gender-Responsive Interventions for Girls’ Delinquency
Authors: Kerig Patricia , Schindler Sheryl
Published: August 2013

A dramatic rise in arrest rates for girls over the past decade has led to an increasing interest in understanding gender differences in the risk factors that are associated with delinquency. Moreover, the call has been made for the implementation of gender-specific or gender-responsive interventions in order to effectively divert girls from an antisocial course. However, questions have been raised about three key assumptions underlying the gender-responsive approach to girls involved in the juvenile justice system: is there unequivocal evidence for gender-specificity in the risk factors that contribute to girls’ delinquency; is there clear evidence that existing non-gender-responsive evidence-based interventions for delinquency are less effective for girls than boys; and is there well-grounded evidence that interventions specifically tailored for girls are differentially effective? This article reviews the available research regarding each of these questions and proposes an agenda for future research into the development of effective interventions for juvenile justice-involved girls.
Improving Pathological Assessment of Breast Cancer by Employing Array-Based Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Mihály Zsuzsanna , Győrffy Balázs
Published: August 2013

Breast cancer research has paved the way of personalized oncology with the introduction of hormonal therapy and the measurement of estrogen receptor as the first widely accepted clinical biomarker. The expression of another receptor—HER2/ERBB2/neu—was initially a sign of worse prognosis, but targeted therapy has granted improved outcome for these patients so that today HER2 positive patients have better prognosis than HER2 negative patients. Later, the introduction of multigene assays provided the pathologists with an unbiased assessment of the tumors’ molecular fingerprint. The recent FDA approval of complete microarray pipelines has opened new possibilities for the objective classification of breast cancer samples. Here we review the applications of microarrays for determining ER and HER2 status, molecular subtypes as well as predicting prognosis and grade for breast cancer patients. An open question remains the role of single genes within such signatures. Openly available microarray datasets enable the execution of an independent cross-validation of new marker and signature candidates. In summary, we review the current state regarding clinical applications of microarrays in breast cancer molecular pathology.
Three New Phenolics and Other Constituents from the Seeds of Lithocarpus pachylepis
Authors: Xie Yong , Ma Guoxu , Wei Hua , Yuan Jingquan , Wu Haifeng , Zhou Xiaolei , Yang Junshan , Xu Xudong
Published: August 2013

Twelve phenolics, including the three new compounds balanophonin C (1), balanophonin D (2), balanophonin E (3), were isolated from the seeds of Lithocarpus pachylepis. Their structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR). Compounds 1–9 were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 and showed moderate inhibitory activities, with IC50 values ranging from 10.9 to 34.7 μM.
Recent Advances in Target Characterization and Identification by Photoaffinity Probes
Authors: Sumranjit Jitapa , Chung Sang
Published: August 2013

Target identification of biologically active molecules such as natural products, synthetic small molecules, peptides, and oligonucleotides mainly relies on affinity chromatography, activity-based probes, or photoaffinity labeling (PAL). Amongst them, activity-based probes and PAL have offered great advantages in target identification technology due to their ability to form covalent bonds with the corresponding targets. Activity-based probe technology mainly relies on the chemical reactivity of the target proteins, thereby limiting the majority of the biological targets to enzymes or proteins which display reactive residues at the probe-binding site. In general, the probes should bear a reactive moiety such as an epoxide, a Michael acceptor, or a reactive alkyl halide in their structures. On the other hand, photoaffinity probes (PAPs) are composed of a target-specific ligand and a photoactivatable functional group. When bound to the corresponding target proteins and activated with wavelength-specific light, PAPs generate highly reactive chemical species that covalently cross-link proximal amino acid residues. This process is better known as PAL and is widely employed to identify cellular targets of biologically active molecules. This review highlights recent advances in target identification by PAL, with a focus on the structure and chemistry of the photoaffinity probes developed in the recent decade, coupled to the target proteins identified using these probes.
Covariance-Based Direction-of-Arrival Estimation of Wideband Coherent Chirp Signals via Sparse Representation
Authors: Sha Zhichao , Liu Zhengmeng , Huang Zhitao , Zhou Yiyu
Published: August 2013

This paper addresses the problem of direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation of multiple wideband coherent chirp signals, and a new method is proposed. The new method is based on signal component analysis of the array output covariance, instead of the complicated time-frequency analysis used in previous literatures, and thus is more compact and effectively avoids possible signal energy loss during the hyper-processes. Moreover, the a priori information of signal number is no longer a necessity for DOA estimation in the new method. Simulation results demonstrate the performance superiority of the new method over previous ones.
A nano-graphite cold cathode for an energy-efficient cathodoluminescent light source
Authors: Obraztsov Alexander N , Kleshch Victor I , Smolnikova Elena A
Published: August 2013

The development of new types of light sources is necessary in order to meet the growing demands of consumers and to ensure an efficient use of energy. The cathodoluminescence process is still under-exploited for light generation because of the lack of cathodes suitable for the energy-efficient production of electron beams and appropriate phosphor materials. In this paper we propose a nano-graphite film material as a highly efficient cold cathode, which is able to produce high intensity electron beams without energy consumption. The nano-graphite film material was produced by using chemical vapor deposition techniques. Prototypes of cathodoluminescent lamp devices with a construction optimized for the usage of nano-graphite cold cathodes were developed, manufactured and tested. The results indicate prospective advantages of this type of lamp and the possibility to provide advanced power efficiency as well as enhanced spectral and other characteristics.
School Librarians and Music Educators
Authors: Green Lucy Santos , Green Brad
Published: August 2013

The National Association for Music Education has recognized the vital role technology plays in the 21st century P-12 music classroom. Its standards for technology integration in the music classroom emphasize that technology integration choices should be made by people who clearly understand the musical needs of the children (NAfME, 2011). School librarians are instructional leaders who specialize in developing 21st century, technology-infused learning opportunities in collaboration with teachers across the academic discipline spectrum. Through the development of an interdisciplinary partnership, librarians can provide the technological expertise and training required for fine-arts educators to effectively integrate technology in the music classroom. In turn, music educators’ focuses of advocacy, marketing, program planning, and creativity are highly-developed skill sets and resources the media specialists can benefit from. This chapter briefly covers research on interdisciplinary partnerships and identifies the strengths each of these professionals offer from their respective disciplines. Instructional and professional partnerships, cross-curricular collaboration, common instructional foci, and shared concerns are discussed.
Increased Engagement
Authors: Kowalski Susan
Published: August 2013

Rich collaboration with students has a powerful impact on a school library program, its students, and the entire school community. Strategies and best practices for the development of these collaborative partnerships are shared in this chapter. Leaders in school library programs should consider the following as they transform their program: Definition of student engagement in terms of collaboration with the library; Impact of high level of engagement on library program; Impact of high level of engagement on student; Strategies for increasing student engagement; and Best Practices that have increased student engagement in the past.
Hybrid Optimization Techniques for Industrial Production Planning
Authors: Vasant P.
Published: August 2013

This chapter provides a review of new hybrid methods that deal with the continuous local and global optimization problems for constrained industrial production planning problems. In this chapter, details about all types of optimization methods and approaches for the local and global optimization are highlighted. Altogether there are eight famous methods in hybrid evolutionary optimization. In this research, the hybridization between evolutionary algorithms and other heuristic approaches such as simulated annealing, line search, pattern search, and mesh adaptive direct search are adopted. A particular evolutionary computation approach of genetic algorithm is used in this hybridization process. An intelligent performance analysis table is suggested in this chapter which is significantly important for decision makers and implementers in the industrial engineering of production planning. A brief summary on the conclusions of the main contributions and achievements in this chapter as well as future research directions are highlighted.
Chaotic Systems and Their Recent Implementations on Improving Intelligent Systems
Authors: Köse Utku , Arslan Ahmet
Published: August 2013

Chaos Theory is a kind of a scientific approach/research effort which is based on examining behaviors of nonlinear dynamical systems which are highly sensitive to their initial conditions. Currently, there are many different scientific studies based on the Chaos Theory and the related solution approaches, methods, or techniques for problems of this theory. Additionally, the theory is used for improving the introduced studies of different fields in order to get more effective, efficient, and accurate results. At this point, this chapter aims to provide a review-based study introducing recent implementations of the Chaos Theory on improving intelligent systems, which can be examined in the context of the Artificial Intelligence field. In this sense, the main research way is directed into the works performed or introduced mostly in years between 2008 and 2013. By providing a review-based study, the readers are enabled to have ideas on Chaos Theory, Artificial Intelligence, and the related works that can be examined within intersection of both fields. At this point, the chapter aims to discuss not only recent works, but also express ideas regarding future directions within the related implementations of chaotic systems to improve intelligent systems. The chapter is generally organized as a reference guide for academics, researchers, and scientists tracking the literature of the related fields: Artificial Intelligence and the Chaos Theory.
Power Management in Microgrids
Authors: Jellad Tarek , Taouil Khaled , Chtourou Zied
Published: August 2013

Conventional power generation stations used to be centralized and located far from customers. The transport and distribution infrastructure incur power losses that are mainly due to cabling resistance. Distributed power generation resources located close to customers are sought as a solution to minimize transport power losses. They are also good alternatives in situations where connection to the grid is not possible due to geographical or economical reasons. Furthermore, the adoption of renewable energies as alternatives for the scarce fossil energy sources paves the way to more distributed energy production. These Distributed energy resources, when located in a limited region, can be interconnected with loads and eventually storages to form a microgrid. A microgrid can operate in off-grid, on-grid, or alternate between these modes while optimizing power quality and cost. Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) and Petri nets could be put into contribution for high level planning of energy exchanges within a microgrid. This strategy has been validated on the basis of a dynamic model for the simulation and optimization of power exchanges between different DERs.
Hybrid Adaptive NeuroFuzzy Bspline Based SSSC Damping Control Paradigm
Authors: Khan Laiq , Badar Rabiah
Published: August 2013

This work explores the potential of Bspline based Adaptive NeuroFuzzy Wavelet control to damp low frequency power system oscillations using Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC). A comparison of direct and indirect adaptive control based on Hybrid Adaptive Bspline Wavelet Control (ABSWC) is presented by introducing the online identification block. ABSWC with Identification (ABSWCI) provides the sensitivity information of the plant to control system. The parameters of the control and identification block are updated online using gradient descent based back propagation algorithm. The robustness of the proposed control algorithm has been evaluated for local and inter-area modes of oscillations using different faults. The nonlinear time domain simulation results have been analyzed on the basis of different performance indices and time-frequency representation showing that ABSWC effectively damps low frequency oscillations and incorporation of online identification optimizes the control system performance in terms of control effort which reduces the switching losses of the converter.
Legal and Ethical Considerations in the Implementation of Electronic Health Records
Authors: Ervin Karen
Published: August 2013

This chapter examines the literature of healthcare in the United States during the transitioning to electronic records. Key government legislation, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), which were part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Affordable Health Care Act, are reviewed. The review concentrates on patient privacy issues, how they have been addressed in these acts, and what recommendations for improvement have been found in the literature. A comparison of the adoption of electronic health records on a nationwide scale in three countries is included. England, Australia, and the United States are all embarking in and are at different stages of implementing nationwide electronic health database systems. The resources used in locating relevant literature were PubMed, Medline, Highwire Press, State Library of Pennsylvania, and Google Scholar databases.
Conceptual Framework of Functional Requirements for the Management of Electronic Court Records in the Superior Court of Malaysia
Authors: Hussin Nurussobah , Johare Rusnah
Published: August 2013

Technological change has always been a challenge to archivists, record practitioners, and IT personnel. The management of physical records fails to be regulated in the electronic environment as information systems fail to capture the necessary information needed and to function for long-term preservation. In the legal environment, the scope of legislation is referred to as its jurisdiction and, if not clear, can create difficulties for record managers and archivists to manage the court records. Regrettably, there are minimal policies or procedures on managing electronic court records in the Superior Court of Malaysia. Therefore, this case has developed the generic functional requirements for evaluating the existing record management systems in one of the courts in the Superior Court of Malaysia and for identifying the missing functional components for purposes of planning, upgrading, or acquiring new systems.
NARA
Authors: Cissne Kristen
Published: August 2013

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is considered the official record keeper of the United States of America. In existence for over 75 years, NARA is responsible for a significant amount of records. With the changing times and technology, NARA has been faced with the challenge of becoming an organization focused on making these records available in a digital format. NARA has risen to the challenge in a multitude of ways. It continues to transform and discover new ways to meet the demands of its customer, the American people. This case study explores the major steps taken towards the digitization effort, and the biggest challenges faced. It covers the successes met thus far and expected plans for growth in the future.
Electronic Records Management at a Federally Funded Research and Development Center
Authors: Hendrickson Susan M. , Young Margo E.
Published: August 2013

This chapter provides an overview of the electronic records management initiatives by the Records and Engineering Document Services Group at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center managed by the California Institute of Technology for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Records and Engineering Document Services Group’s activities included the investigation of add-on records management applications to existing information technology systems, as well as follow-on work using a “Records Management-IT Compliance Checklist” to measure the records management capabilities of IT systems in development.
Factors that Contribute to Students’ Course Satisfaction While Attending Online or Distance Learning Courses
Authors: Esquivel Dinah A.
Published: August 2013

This case analyzed what factors contribute to students’ satisfaction levels in online classes, and how the instructors’ nonverbal immediacy impacts those factors. Surveys were administered to participants that have taken a minimum of one online course. Data was analyzed to identify the specific factors that positively and negatively impact student satisfaction levels.
Towards the Normalization of Web-Based Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in College English Instruction
Authors: Wang Hongmei , Yuan Hui , Zhang Shanshan
Published: August 2013

Since the turn of the 21st century, many Chinese higher institutions followed the trends of Web-based Computer-assisted Language Learning (CALL) in College English instruction. After one decade’s development, the effectiveness of this west-originated approach remains to be investigated. This chapter analyses two cases from two Chinese higher institutions, examining to what extent Web-based computer-assisted language learning is integrated into College English teaching and how the instructors and students adapt to it. The findings in the two cases show that lack of training for both faculty and students, technological defects of online systems, hybrid levels of students’ English proficiency within one class have presented great challenges to the implementation of the new mode of instruction. While defining these obstacles, the second case, in particular, explored ways to address some of these challenges by the innovative use of internet technology.
Use of Facebook by Foreign Language Instructors
Authors: Istıfcı Ilknur
Published: August 2013

Nowadays the widespread use of information and communication technologies in every field, especially in education, brings forward the idea of use of them by teachers and students intensively. Although teachers and students are far from each other physically, they communicate thanks to information and communication technologies, learn new information about their lessons, repeat this information, and reinforce what they learn in class. When taking learning and teaching into consideration, learning and teaching do not happen without communication and interaction. The importance of social media tools in information and communication technologies has been increasing in terms of education. Social media tools are generally called as social networking sites. Facebook is the most used and known tool among them. Facebook is a social network that provides communication and information exchange. People who have Internet connection in every part of the world communicate and interact among themselves via this social tool. In other words, people compose virtual social lives for themselves. People in these virtual lives identify themselves, communicate and get along with people who have the same cultural level via the facilities that the Internet provides. This case tries to find out the use of Facebook by language instructors via a questionnaire which was given to 160 English, French, and German language instructors at the School of Foreign Languages, Basic Languages Department of Anadolu University. Findings emerged related to every aim of the study. Some conclusions were drawn from the findings gained in the study. The results of the study revealed that Facebook has been used widely by instructors. There were some differences in the use of Facebook among English, French and German instructors. It was found that English instructors made extensive use of Facebook. Moreover, some instructors were found to create class pages and have some activities like communication, sharing class events, giving homework and sharing videos. Based on the results, the study was concluded by some implications to use Facebook in foreign language learning.
Location and Provisioning Problems in Cloud Computing Networks
Authors: Larumbe Federico , Sansò Brunilde
Published: August 2013

This chapter addresses a set of optimization problems that arise in cloud computing regarding the location and resource allocation of the cloud computing entities: the data centers, servers, software components, and virtual machines. The first problem is the location of new data centers and the selection of current ones since those decisions have a major impact on the network efficiency, energy consumption, Capital Expenditures (CAPEX), Operational Expenditures (OPEX), and pollution. The chapter also addresses the Virtual Machine Placement Problem: which server should host which virtual machine. The number of servers used, the cost, and energy consumption depend strongly on those decisions. Network traffic between VMs and users, and between VMs themselves, is also an important factor in the Virtual Machine Placement Problem. The third problem presented in this chapter is the dynamic provisioning of VMs to clusters, or auto scaling, to minimize the cost and energy consumption while satisfying the Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This important feature of cloud computing requires predictive models that precisely anticipate workload dimensions. For each problem, the authors describe and analyze models that have been proposed in the literature and in the industry, explain advantages and disadvantages, and present challenging future research directions.
The Cloud Inside the Network
Authors: Soares João , Monteiro Romeu , Melo Márcio , Sargento Susana , Carapinha Jorge
Published: August 2013

The access infrastructure to the cloud is usually a major drawback that limits the uptake of cloud services. Attention has turned to rethinking a new architectural deployment of the overall cloud service delivery. In this chapter, the authors argue that it is not sufficient to integrate the cloud domain with the operator’s network domain based on the current models. They envision a full integration of cloud and network, where cloud resources are no longer confined to a data center but are spread throughout the network and owned by the network operator. In such an environment, challenges arise at different levels, such as in resource management, where both cloud and network resources need to be managed in an integrated approach. The authors particularly address the resource allocation problem through joint virtualization of network and cloud resources by studying and comparing an Integer Linear Programming formulation and a heuristic algorithm.
Accelerating Mobile-Cloud Computing
Authors: Soyata Tolga , Ba He , Heinzelman Wendi , Kwon Minseok , Shi Jiye
Published: August 2013

With the recent advances in cloud computing and the capabilities of mobile devices, the state-of-the-art of mobile computing is at an inflection point, where compute-intensive applications can now run on today’s mobile devices with limited computational capabilities. This is achieved by using the communications capabilities of mobile devices to establish high-speed connections to vast computational resources located in the cloud. While the execution scheme based on this mobile-cloud collaboration opens the door to many applications that can tolerate response times on the order of seconds and minutes, it proves to be an inadequate platform for running applications demanding real-time response within a fraction of a second. In this chapter, the authors describe the state-of-the-art in mobile-cloud computing as well as the challenges faced by traditional approaches in terms of their latency and energy efficiency. They also introduce the use of cloudlets as an approach for extending the utility of mobile-cloud computing by providing compute and storage resources accessible at the edge of the network, both for end processing of applications as well as for managing the distribution of applications to other distributed compute resources.
Green ICT Applications towards the Achievement of Sustainable Development
Authors: Andreopoulou Zacharoula , Stiakakis Emmanouil , Vlachopoulou Maro
Published: August 2013

“Green ICT” constitutes a new term in Informatics that describes environmentally sustainable ICT and the use of ICTs in the interest of the natural environment aiming to sustainable development. It encompasses innovative ICT tools, e- and m-services, and smart technologies in combination with green practices and green behaviour either for the ICT industrial sector or the ICT user/citizen that contributes not only to the protection and restoration of the environment but also to the enhancement of the quality of human life. Thus, “Green ICT” has become synonymous with eco-friendly technologies and software tools.
A Social Survey on How the Economic Crisis Affects Peoples' Attitudes towards Environmental Subjects
Authors: Kosmopoulos Panos , Kantzioura Athina , Kosmopoulos Ioannis , Kleskas Kostas , Kosmopoulos Andreas-Michail
Published: August 2013

This chapter presents a social survey regarding environmental subjects conducted in Greece. It is a well-known fact that Greece is suffering from an Economic Crisis. This crisis coincides with the time that Greece is supposed to take measures for Environmental Protection. During the last decade, the authors’ laboratory has been conducting social surveys regarding peoples’ attitudes towards the environmental issues and the application of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). The research described aims to represent the way peoples' attitudes and opinions towards environmental subjects and the use of RES are affected by the Economic Crisis and a rather dystopian future. How important are the environmental issues considered to be when people feel their everyday life is threatened? This subject is approached through a survey.
An exploration of the role of records management in corporate governance in South Africa
Authors: Ngoepe Mpho , Ngulube Patrick
Published: August 2013

Background: Corporate governance maybe approached through several functions such as auditing, an internal audit committee, information management, compliance, corporate citizenship and risk management. However, most organisations, including governmental bodies, regularly exclude records management from the criteria for a good corporate-governance infrastructure. Proper records management could be the backbone of establishing good corporate governance.Objectives: Utilising the King report III on corporate governance as a framework, this quantitative study explores the role of records management in corporate governance in governmental bodies of South Africa.Method: Report data were collected through questionnaires directed to records managers and auditors in governmental bodies, as well as interviews with purposively selected auditors from the Auditor-General of South Africa. Data were analysed using various analytical tools and through written descriptions, numerical summarisations and tables.Results: The study revealed that records management is not regarded as an essential component for corporate governance. Records management is only discussed as a footnote; as a result it is a forgotten function with no consequences in government administration in South Africa. The study further revealed that most governmental bodies have established internal audit units and audit committees. However, records-management professionals were excluded from such committees.Conclusion: The study concludes by arguing that if records management is removed as a footnote of the public-sector operations and placed in the centre of operational concern, it will undoubtedly make a meaningful contribution to good corporate governance.
Manager relations, psychological need satisfaction and intention to leave in the agricultural sector
Authors: Rothmann Sebastiaan , Diedericks Elsabé , Swart Johannes P.
Published: August 2013

Orientation: If South African organisations are to retain talented and skilled staff, they need to consider the psychological needs of employees and their predictors.Research purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between manager relations, the satisfaction of the psychological needs of employees and their intentions to leave.Motivation for the study: The effective retention of skilled employees is necessary in organisations in South Africa. However, studies on the psychological processes (and specifically the satisfaction of psychological needs), through which manager relations could promote the retention of staff, are necessary.Research design, approach and method: The authors used a cross-sectional survey design. They drew convenience samples of managers in agricultural organisations (N = 507) in South Africa. They administered the Manager Relations Scale, the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction Scale and the Turnover Intention Scale. Main findings: The results confirmed a model in which manager relations affected the satisfaction of psychological needs and intentions to leave. Autonomy satisfaction mediated the relationship between manager relations and the intentions of employees to leave.Practical/managerial implications: Managers should participate in training on applying self determination theory to support the autonomy and the relatedness satisfaction of employees.Contribution/value add: This study contributes to the literature by exploring the processes through which manager relations influence the intentions of employees to leave.
High Rate of Non-detectable HIV-1 RNA among Antiretroviral Drug Naive HIV Positive Individuals in Nigeria
Authors: Odaibo Georgina N. , Adewole Isaac F. , Olaleye David O.
Published: August 2013

Plasma HIV-1 RNA concentration, or viral load, is an indication of the magnitude of virus replication and largely correlates with disease progression in an infected person. It is a very useful guide for initiation of therapy and monitoring of response to antiretroviral drugs. Although the majority of patients who are not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) have a high viral load, a small proportion of ART naive patients are known to maintain low levels or even undetectable viral load levels. In this study, we determined the rate of undetectable HIV-1 RNA among ART naive HIV positive patients who presented for treatment at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria from 2005 to 2011. Baseline viral load and CD4 lymphocyte cell counts of 14,662 HIV positive drug naive individuals were determined using the Roche Amplicor version 1.5 and Partec easy count kit, respectively. The detection limits of the viral load assay are 400 copies/mL and 750,000 copies/mL for lower and upper levels, respectively. A total of 1,399 of the 14,662 (9.5%) HIV-1 positive drug naive individuals had undetectable viral load during the study period. In addition, the rate of non-detectable viral load increased over the years. The mean CD4 counts among HIV-1 infected individuals with detectable viral load (266 cells/μL; range = 1 to 2,699 cells/μL) was lower than in patients with undetectable viral load (557 cells/μL; range = 1 to 3,102 cells/μL). About 10% of HIV-1 infected persons in our study population had undetectable viral load using the Roche Amplicor version 1.5.
On 3-manifolds with Torus or Klein Bottle Category Two
Authors: Heil Wolfgang , Wang Dongxu
Published: August 2013

A subset W of a closed manifold M is K-contractible, where K is a torus or Klein bottle if the inclusion W → M factors homotopically through a map to K. The image of π1(W) (for any base point) is a subgroup of π1(M) that is isomorphic to a subgroup of a quotient group of π1(K). Subsets of M with this latter property are called 𝒢K-contractible. We obtain a list of the closed 3-manifolds that can be covered by two open 𝒢K-contractible subsets. This is applied to obtain a list of the possible closed prime 3-manifolds that can be covered by two open K-contractible subsets.
Aerosols and nucleation in Eastern China: first insights from the new SORPES-Station
Authors: Herrmann E. , Ding A. J. , Kerminen V.-M. , Petäjä T. , Yang X. Q. , Sun J. N. , Qi X. M. , Manninen H. , Hakala J. , Nieminen T. , Aalto P. P. , Kulmala M. , Fu C. B.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. Aerosols and new particle formation were studied in the western part of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), at the SORPES station of Nanjing University. Air ions in the diameter range 0.8–42 nm were measured using an air ion spectrometer, and a DMPS provided particle number size distributions between 6 and 800 nm. Additionally, meteorological data, trace gas concentrations, and PM2.5 values were recorded. During the measurement period from 18 November 2011 to 31 March 2012, the mean total particle concentration was found to be 23 000 cm−3. The mean PM2.5 value was 90 μg m−3, well above national limits. During the observations, 26 new particle formation events occurred, producing 6 nm particles at a rate of about 1 cm−3 s−1. Typical particle growth rates were between 6 and 7 nm h−1. Ion measurements showed the typical cluster band below 2 nm, with total ion concentrations roughly between 600 and 1000 cm−3. A peculiar feature of the ion measurements were heightened ion cluster concentrations during the nights before event days. At 2 nm, the formation rate of charged particles was only about 0.2% of the total rate, pointing towards an only marginal role of ion-induced nucleation. Based on observations, a simple empirical criterion was deducted to estimate particle formation probability. Dominated by radiation and relative humidity, the criterion can predict the occurrence of particle formation with a 90% accuracy. In a similar fashion, a reasonably accurate estimate of particle formation rates was derived. Combined, these parameters allow for a description of particle formation based on a few basic measured variables.
The dynamics of the Snowball Earth Hadley circulation for off-equatorial and seasonally-varying insolation
Authors: Voigt A.
Published: August 2013

Abstract. I study the Hadley circulation of a completely ice-covered Snowball Earth through simulations with a comprehensive atmosphere general circulation model. Because the Snowball Earth atmosphere is an example of a dry atmosphere, these simulations allow me to test to what extent dry theories and idealized models capture the dynamics of dry Hadley circulations. Perpetual off-equatorial as well as seasonally-varying insolation is used, extending a previous study for perpetual on-equatorial (equinox) insolation. Vertical diffusion of momentum, representing the momentum transport of dry convection, is fundamental to the momentum budgets of both the winter and summer cells. In the zonal budget, it is the primary process balancing the Coriolis force. In the meridional budget, it mixes meridional momentum between the upper and the lower branch and thereby decelerates the circulation. Because of the latter, the circulation intensifies by a factor of three when vertical diffusion of momentum is suppressed. For seasonally-varying insolation, the circulation undergoes rapid transitions from the weak summer into the strong winter regime. Consistent with previous studies in idealized models, these transitions result from a mean-flow feedback, because of which they are insensitive to the treatment of vertical diffusion of momentum. Overall, the results corroborate previous findings for perpetual on-equatorial insolation. They demonstrate that an appropriate description of dry Hadley circulations, in particular their strength, needs to incorporate the vertical momentum transport by dry convection, a process that is neglected in most dry theories and idealized models. An improved estimate of the strength of the Snowball Earth Hadley circulation will also help to better constrain the climate of a possible Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth and its deglaciation threshold.