bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in Region-of-Interest Video and Image Processing
Authors: Grois Dan , Hadar Ofer
Published: December 2012

The advent of cheaper and more powerful devices with the ability to play, create, and transmit video content has led to a dramatic increase in the multimedia content distribution on both wireline and wireless networks. Also, the reduction of cost of digital video cameras along with the development of user-generated video sites (e.g., iTunes™, YouTube™) stimulated a new user-generated video content sector and made unprecedented demands for high-quality and low-delay video communication. The Region-of-Interest (ROI) is a desirable feature in many future scalable video coding applications, such as mobile device applications, which have to be adapted to be displayed on a relatively small screen; thus, a mobile device user may wish to extract and track only a predefined ROI within the displayed video. At the same time, other users having a larger mobile device screen may wish to extract other ROIs to receive higher video stream resolution. Therefore, to fulfill these requirements, it would be beneficial to simultaneously transmit or store a video stream in a variety of ROIs, as well to enable efficiently tracking of the predefined Region-of-Interest. This chapter presents recent advances in Region-of-Interest video and image processing techniques for multimedia applications, while making a special emphasis on a scalable extension of the H.264/AVC standard. The detailed observations and conclusions, which are presented in this chapter, are supported by authors’ personal experience in this field, thereby presenting a variety of experimental results.
Project Commitment in the Context of Information Security
Authors: Koskosas Ioannis , Sariannidis Nikolaos
Published: December 2012

This research investigates the role of project commitment in the context of information systems security. In doing so, the research adopts a psychological point of view by exploring and discussing the concept of project commitment in setting information security goals. Information security can be viewed as the efficient control of uncertainty arising from malicious acts intended to exploit valuable assets, and in the context of information systems the valuable assets under consideration are data. Data were collected by using an interpretive approach through in-depth interviews and observation within a single case study in Greece. The contribution of this research to interpretive information-systems consists of the study of project commitment and goal theory in an information security-management context, and its grounding within an interpretive epistemology. Ultimately, this research promotes an interdisciplinary and interorganizational theory that fosters a dialogue transcending industry-specific contexts and explores different management practices that can improve security project commitment and management in its real life context.
Clustering Algorithms for Tags
Authors: Zong Yu , Xu Guandong
Published: December 2012

With the development and application of social media, more and more user-generated contents are created. Tag data, a kind of typical user generated content, has attracted lots of interests of researchers. In general, tags are the freely chosen textual descriptions by users to label digital data sources in social tagging systems. Poor retrieval performance remains a major problem of most social tagging systems resulting from the severe difficulty of ambiguity, redundancy, and less semantic nature of tags. Clustering method is a useful tool to increase the ability of information retrieval in the aforementioned systems. In this chapter, the authors (1) review the background of state-of-the-art tagging clustering and the tag data description, (2) present five kinds of tag similarity measurements proposed by researchers, and (3) finally propose a new clustering algorithm for tags based on local information that is derived from Kernel function. This chapter aims to benefit both academic and industry communities who are interested in the techniques and applications of tagging clustering.
Tag Cloud Reorganization
Authors: García-Plaza Alberto Pérez , Zubiaga Arkaitz , Fresno Víctor , Martínez Raquel
Published: December 2012

Tag clouds have become an appealing way of navigating through Web pages on social tagging systems. Recent research has focused on finding relations among tags to improve visualization and access to Web documents from tag clouds. Reorganizing tag clouds according to tag relatedness has been suggested as an effective solution to ease navigation. Most of the approaches either rely on co-occurrences or rely on textual content to represent tags. In this chapter, the authors explore tag cloud reorganization based on both of them. They compare these clouds from a qualitative point of view, analyzing pros and cons of each approach. The authors show encouraging results suggesting that co-occurrences produce more compelling reorganization of tag clouds than textual content, being computationally less expensive.
Local Community Extraction in Social Network Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xianchao , Wang Liang , Li Yueting , Liang Wenxin
Published: December 2012

To identify global community structures in networks is a great challenge that requires complete information of graphs, which is infeasible for some large networks, e.g. large social networks. Recently, local algorithms have been proposed to extract communities for social networks in nearly linear time, which only require a small part of the graphs. In local community extraction, the community extracting assignments are only done for a certain subset of vertices, i.e., identifying one community at a time. Typically, local community detecting techniques randomly start from a vertex and gradually merge neighboring vertices one-at-a-time by optimizing a measure metric. In this chapter, plenty of popular methods are presented that are designed to obtain a local community for a given graph.
Learner Engagement in Computer-Mediated Chinese Learning
Authors: Guo Zhiyan , Guo Zhizhuo
Published: December 2012

Learner engagement has been a topical discussion for decades in both face-to-face teaching of the classroom and computer-mediated virtual learning environment. It is becoming increasingly essential in the agenda of British Higher Education institutions, especially with the tripling of the tuition fee. This chapter focuses on how to engage students with various online activities to improve their proficiency in Chinese as a foreign language. The study shows that students enhanced their learning experience by using voice tools to improve their speaking and listening, by sharing their writing within the learning community, and by documenting their own learning journeys with e-portfolio pages. Using the data from various instruments, the authors evaluate the effectiveness of the tools, analyse and discuss the advantages and problems with blended learning in the context of teaching Chinese as a foreign language.
Students in the New Millennium
Authors: Wu Jianxiong
Published: December 2012

Vast and fast technological advancements mark the new millennium. New emerging technologies are changing the world and our society at a magnitude and scope never witnessed before. Who are our students in this new millennium? What do they look like? Are they a fundamentally different new generation as some claim, or do they still look similar to us in many ways? A clear understanding of the characteristics of our students is vitally important for our educational practice. The current study was conducted to contribute to this understanding. The findings of the study show that while students nowadays do enjoy a much broader access to new technology than students of the past, they still look similar to us in many ways. As educators, it is important for us to treat our students as individuals instead of just labeling them and placing them in a black and white dichotomy.
Using a Virtual Learning Environment to Promote Autonomous Language Learning for Chinese Students
Authors: Jordan Eoin , Coyle Mark
Published: December 2012

This chapter examines a semester-long Moodle-based programme of monitored quizzes designed to encourage first-year Chinese students at an English medium university in China to engage in English language self-study and autonomous learning. Usage statistics and questionnaire data were collected and analysed in order to investigate overall quiz participation rates, usage patterns across the semester, and the extent to which the programme affected students’ attitudes towards self-study. The results indicated that participation rates in the quizzes were high, although activity on the programme pages did decline as the semester progressed. Students also reported via the questionnaire that the programme had helped them learn how to organise their own self-study. However, statistics from Moodle revealed that many participants were not taking the quizzes on a regular, weekly basis, as had been intended, suggesting that the programme may have only been partially successful in fostering autonomous study skills.
e-Assessment for Learning
Authors: Van Maele Jan , Baten Lut , Beaven Ana , Rajagopal Kamakshi
Published: December 2012

This chapter illustrates how e-assessment of oral proficiency in the foreign language can be designed and conducted in ways that enhance the students’ learning experience. Referring to the authors’ experiences with the WebCEF and CEFcult assessment platforms, the chapter shows how a variety of technical functionalities of these two online tools create a supportive environment for a pedagogical approach known as assessment for learning. The discussion focuses on three key principles of the approach: the structural involvement of learners in the assessment process, the elicitation of effective feedback, and the development of self-assessment skills. While documenting the great potential of online assessment environments for gaining insight in language learning, the chapter also points out some of its current limitations and how ongoing research might help to overcome these.
Managing Quality in Online Education
Authors: Coffman Teresa L. , Klinger Mary Beth
Published: December 2012

Online education is advancing the world over and recent emphasis has focused on the quality of online learning and student outcomes. This chapter focuses on managing quality in online learning design through two different project management approaches at two different institutions of higher education. University X instituted a pilot program of faculty and instructional designers to initiate online course development at this University and to identify and define quality in the online course design process. College Y has had a successful online cadre of courses and programs and recently adopted a for-purchase quality initiative through Quality Matters. Courses are put through the Quality Matters evaluation process to determine strengths and weaknesses. Both institutions will continue to offer online education as an alternative to traditional, classroom courses and both will continue to monitor quality as a key indicator of student learning and online course success.
Diffusion of Renewable Energy Technologies in Rural Communities
Authors: Platonova Inna
Published: December 2012

Worldwide, over 1.3 billion people lack access to energy. Lack of electricity undermines the provision of basic social services, including education and health, and impedes development of income generating opportunities. Renewable energy technologies provide a viable option to rural electrification and are increasingly recognized for their contribution to rural development, energy security, and climate change mitigation. International non-governmental organizations (NGOs), working in partnerships with local actors, play an important role in the diffusion of renewable energy technologies in developing countries. Based on the exploratory case study of the international NGO Practical Action, this chapter explores the nature and effectiveness of development partnerships for the provision of sustainable energy services in remote off-grid rural communities in Cajamarca, Peru. It emphasizes the importance of building effective partnerships with communities and local government; facilitating community participation and ownership; building capacities for sustainable provision of energy services; and providing affordable and appropriate technological solutions that meet people’s needs.
Promoting Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Authors: Peters Everson J.
Published: December 2012

A sustainable development path is critical to most small island developing states, which are often environmentally fragile and have little natural resources. For decades, the small Grenadine islands in the Eastern Caribbean have depended on rainwater harvesting (RWH) for water supply. The RWH systems have improved from the use of household drums and communal cisterns to individual cisterns such that water per capita use at some households is at a similar level to that of developed countries. This improvement was brought about through self-financed projects and the use of local construction know-how. A small project to promote RWH in Green St. Vincent was reviewed to procure an appreciation of the diffusion process. The RWH experiences in these islands as they relate to quality, design, and cost can be relevant to the regional efforts of promoting RWH. The chapter proposes a framework for enhancing the promotion of RWH. The chapter recognizes the importance of RWH in disaster management in the islands.
Bio-Inspired Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms for Biomarker Identification in Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Authors: Yusoff Syarifah Adilah Mohamed , Venkat Ibrahim , Yusof Umi Kalsom , Abdullah Rosni
Published: December 2012

Mass spectrometry is an emerging technique that is continuously gaining momentum among bioinformatics researchers who intend to study biological or chemical properties of complex structures such as protein sequences. This advancement also embarks in the discovery of proteomic biomarkers through accessible body fluids such as serum, saliva, and urine. Recently, literature reveals that sophisticated computational techniques mimetic survival and natural processes adapted from biological life for reasoning voluminous mass spectrometry data yields promising results. Such advanced approaches can provide efficient ways to mine mass spectrometry data in order to extract parsimonious features that represent vital information, specifically in discovering disease-related protein patterns in complex proteins sequences. This article intends to provide a systematic survey on bio-inspired approaches for feature subset selection via mass spectrometry data for biomarker analysis.
Finding the Shortest Non-Delay Schedule for a Resource-Constrained Project
Authors: Cohen Yuval , Sadeh Arik , Zwikael Ofer
Published: December 2012

Non-delay schedules lack non-essential idle time intervals. Many heuristics for solving the resource-constrained project scheduling problem yield non-delay schedules. This paper presents a technique for finding the shortest non-delay schedule, which should be as good as the heuristics for this purpose. The authors combine branch-and-bound and dynamic programming approaches to yield a surprisingly simple algorithm. (The simplicity is reflected in the number of calculations and memory required.) Due to its simplicity, a project manager should be able to trace the algorithm’s stages and results without difficulty. This simplicity is a result of: (1) the number of stages equals the number of activities; (2) each stage uses only information from the previous stage, and the number of different schedules is typically limited; and (3) the proposed method becomes simpler the more it is constrained. A detailed example illustrates the technique, which is validated by comparisons to models from the literature.
The Strategic Use of a Wholesale-Price Contract in a Decentralized Assembly System
Authors: Qin Zhaoqiong
Published: December 2012

Increasing global competition provides the opportunity for companies to pursue cost reduction. Therefore, a decentralized assembly channel structure has been widely adopted by many manufacturing firms. The author studies an assembling system where one party needs to pay the wholesale price to order one component from the other party and assembles the final product. They assume that there is enough capacity for the two parties to provide the components and assemble the final product. Based on each party pursuing its own maximized profit, the author develops a model and analyzes different mechanisms of deciding the wholesale price of the component. The author’s objective is to optimize the whole supply chain for improving the customer service level. Results are derived for the author to recommend the optimal mechanism.
Facebook’s Rise to the Top
Authors: Wikle Thomas A. , Comer Jonathan C.
Published: December 2012

In this article, the authors examine Facebook’s rise as an emerging standard for Internet-based social networking. Within the past four years Facebook has evolved from being the third or fourth most popular social networking site in many counties to the top position in much of the world. An exploration of Facebook registrations by country reveals an expected strong correlation with broadband availability, but also a relationship with Internet-capable mobile telephones in countries with limited broadband access. The analysis also reveals Facebook’s difficulty expanding in some countries including BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) where it faces non-Western cultural mores regarding personal privacy, state challenges to freedom of expression, and competition from well-established international and indigenous sites.
The practical theologian as decentred but influential facilitator
Authors: Pienaar H. Elmo , Müller Julian C.
Published: December 2012

Since the 1970s along with the resurgence in practical philosophy new possibilities opened up in our understanding of the place for and purpose of practical theology. The repositioning of practical theology as a fully worthy discipline was important to find its voice amongst theological peer disciplines. Against this background, it was argued that the full measure of what the discipline can contribute, especially outside of the ministry context, has not yet been fully developed or practiced. Towards this end the presentation’s main contention was put forward, in that it is vital for the practical theologian to take up a role of an inscribed facilitator. It signifies a shift from practical theology to practical theologian and is exemplified by the practice of a facilitative approach in, and to practical theology.
Planning of different types of distributed generation with seasonal mixed load models
Authors: Payasi Rajendra Prasad , Singh Asheesh K. , Singh Devender
Published: December 2012

The comparison of different types of distributed generation (DG) may help for appropriate selection of type of DG for distributed generation planning (DGP) in distribution system for various load scenario. The load on each bus of distribution system may be, in practice, the composition of industrial, residential, and commercial types of load which may also vary with seasonal day, and night. Therefore, in this paper the seasonal mixed load models at each bus are assumed and study is carried out with bus voltage and line power capacity limits for different types of DG using incremental power flow and exhaustive search method as deterministic approach. This analysis shows that mixed load model, types of DG, and power factor of DG have significant impact on size and location of DG.Keywords: Distributed generation, distribution system, distributed generation planning
Health Information Technology Knowledge and Skills Needed by HIT Employers
Authors: Joost E. , Gongora-Ferraez M.J. , Fenton S.H.
Published: December 2012

Objective: To evaluate the health information technology (HIT) workforce knowledge and skills needed by HIT employers.

Methods: Statewide face-to-face and online focus groups of identified HIT employer groups in Austin, Brownsville, College Station, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Lubbock, San Antonio, and webinars for rural health and nursing informatics.

Results: HIT employers reported needing an HIT workforce with diverse knowledge and skills ranging from basic to advanced, while covering information technology, privacy and security, clinical practice, needs assessment, contract negotiation, and many other areas. Consistent themes were that employees needed to be able to learn on the job and must possess the ability to think critically and problem solve. Many employers wanted persons with technical skills, yet also the knowledge and understanding of healthcare operations.

Conclusion: The HIT employer focus groups provided valuable insight into employee skills needed in this fast-growing field. Additionally, this information will be utilized to develop a statewide HIT workforce needs assessment survey.

Citation: S.H. Fenton; E. Joost; M.J. Gongora-Ferraez. Health Information Technology knowledge and skills needed by HIT employers. Appl Clin Inf 2012; 3: 448–461

http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2012-09-RA-0035
Impact of anthropogenic emission on air quality over a megacity – revealed from an intensive atmospheric campaign during the Chinese Spring Festival
Authors: Huang K. , Zhuang G. , Lin Y. , Wang Q. , Fu J. S. , Zhang R. , Li J. , Deng C. , Fu Q.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The Chinese Spring Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals in China. The peak transport in the Spring Festival season (spring travel rush) provides a unique opportunity for investigating the impact of human activity on air quality in the Chinese megacities. Emission sources are varied and fluctuate greatly before, during and after the Festival. Increased vehicular emissions during the "spring travel rush" before the 2009 Festival resulted in high level pollutants of NOx (270 μg m−3), CO (2572 μg m−3), black carbon (BC) (8.5 μg m−3) and extremely low single scattering albedo of 0.76 in Shanghai, indicating strong, fresh combustion. Organics contributed most to PM2.5, followed by NO3−, NH4+, and SO42−. During the Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve and Day, widespread usage of fireworks caused heavy pollution of extremely high aerosol concentration, scattering coefficient, SO2, and NOx. Due to the "spring travel rush" after the festival, anthropogenic emissions gradually climbed and mirrored corresponding increases in the aerosol components and gaseous pollutants. Secondary inorganic aerosol (SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+) accounted for a dominant fraction of 74% in PM2.5 due to an increase in human activity. There was a greater demand for energy as vast numbers of people using public transportation or driving their own vehicles returned home after the Festival. Factories and constructions sites were operating again. The potential source contribution function (PSCF) analysis illustrated the possible source areas for air pollutants of Shanghai. The effects of regional and long-range transport were both revealed. Five major sources, i.e. natural sources, vehicular emissions, burning of fireworks, industrial and metallurgical emissions, and coal burning were identified using the principle component analysis. The average visibility during the whole study period was less than 6 km. It had been estimated that 50% of the total light extinction was due to the high water vapor in the atmosphere. This study demonstrates that organic aerosol was the largest contributor to aerosol extinction at 47%, followed by sulfate ammonium, nitrate ammonium, and EC at 22%, 14%, and 12%, respectively. Our results indicated the dominant role of traffic-related aerosol species (i.e. organic aerosol, nitrate and EC) on the formation of air pollution, and suggested the importance of controlling vehicle numbers and emissions in mega-cities of China as its population and economy continue to grow.
Aerobic methanotrophy within the pelagic redox-zone of the Gotland Deep (central Baltic Sea)
Authors: Schmale O. , Blumenberg M. , Kießlich K. , Jakobs G. , Berndmeyer C. , Labrenz M. , Thiel V. , Rehder G.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. Water column samples taken in summer 2008 from the stratified Gotland Deep (central Baltic Sea) showed a strong gradient in dissolved methane concentrations from high values in the saline deep water (max. 504 nM) to low concentrations in the less dense, brackish surface water (about 4 nM). The steep methane-gradient (between 115 and 135 m water depth) within the redox-zone, which separates the anoxic deep part from the oxygenated surface water (oxygen concentration 0–0.8 mL L−1), implies a methane consumption rate of 0.28 nM d−1. The process of microbial methane oxidation within this zone was evident by a shift of the stable carbon isotope ratio of methane between the bottom water (δ13C CH4 = −82.4‰ and the redox-zone (δ13C CH4 = −38.7‰. Water column samples between 80 and 119 m were studied to identify the microorganisms responsible for the methane turnover in that depth interval. Notably, methane monooxygenase gene expression analyses for water depths covering the whole redox-zone demonstrated that accordant methanotrophic activity was probably due to only one phylotype of the aerobic type I methanotrophic bacteria. An imprint of these organisms on the particular organic matter was revealed by distinctive lipid biomarkers showing bacteriohopanepolyols and lipid fatty acids characteristic for aerobic type I methanotrophs (e.g., 35-aminobacteriohopane-30,31,32,33,34-pentol), corroborating their role in aerobic methane oxidation in the redox-zone of the central Baltic Sea.
Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Model of Newly Developed Dexibuprofen Sustained Release Formulations
Authors: Muralidharan Selvadurai
Published: December 2012

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modeling has emerged as a major tool in clinical pharmacology to optimize drug use by designing rational dosage forms and dosage regimes. Quantitative representation of the dose-concentration-response relationship should provide information for the prediction of the level of response to a certain level of drug dose. This paper describes the experimental details of the preformulation study, tablet manufacture, optimization, and bioanalytical methods for the estimation of dexibuprofen in human plasma. The hydrophilic matrix was prepared with xanthen gum with additives Avicel PH 102. The effect of the concentration of the polymer and different filler, on the in vitro drug release, was studied. Various pharmacokinetic parameters including AUC0–t, AUC0–∞, Cmax, Tmax, T1/2, and elimination rate constant (Kel) were determined from the plasma concentration of both formulations of test (dexibuprofen 300 mg) and reference (dexibuprofen 300 mg tablets). The merits of PK-PD in the development of dosage forms and how PK-PD model development necessitates the development of new drugs and bio analytical method development and validation are discussed. The objectives of the present study, namely, to develop and validate the methods to estimate the selected drugs in the biological fluids by HPLC, the development of in vitro dissolution methods, and PK-PD model development have been described.
Comparative Study of Indentation Size Effects in As-Sintered Alumina and Alumina Shock Deformed at 6.5 and 12 GPa
Authors: Chakraborty Riya , Mukhopadhyay Anoop K. , Joshi Keshaw D. , Rav Amit , Mandal Ashok K. , Bysakh Sandip , Biswas Sampad K. , Gupta Satish C.
Published: December 2012

Nanohardness of alumina ceramics determines its performance in all contact-related applications because the issue of structural integrity gets determined at the nanoscale of contact. In spite of the wealth of the literature, however, it is not yet known in significant details how the high-strain rate flyer-plate impact at different pressure affects the nanohardness of dense, coarse grain alumina ceramics. Thus, the load controlled nanoindentation experiments were performed with a Berkovich indenter on an as-received coarse grain (~10 μm), high density (~3.98 gm·cc−1) alumina, and shock recovered tiny fragments of the same alumina obtained from gas gun experiments conducted at 6.5 GPa and 12 GPa shock pressures with stainless steel flyer plates. The nanohardness of the as-received alumina was much higher than that of the 6.5 GPa and 12 GPa shock-recovered alumina. The indentation size effect (ISE) was the strongest in alumina shocked at 12 GPa and strong in alumina shocked at 6.5 GPa, but it was mild in the as-received alumina sample. These results were rationalized by analysis of the experimental load depth data and evidences obtained from field emission scanning electron microscopy. In addition, a rational picture of the nanoindentation responses of the as-received and shocked alumina ceramics was provided by a qualitative model.
Health Is Belonging: Lived Experiences during Recovery after Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Andersson Thomas , Falk Kristin , Bjerså Kristofer , Forsberg Anna
Published: December 2012

The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of the symptoms, health, and illness reported by patients recovering after pancreaticoduodenectomy ad modum Whipple due to pancreatic or periampullary cancer. Thirteen patients with pancreatic or periampullary cancer who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy ad modum Whipple between 2006 and 2008 were interviewed during postoperative recovery. Data were analysed using the phenomenological-hermeneutic method. The structural analysis of patient experiences revealed that recovery after pancreaticoduodenectomy was described as recapturing everyday life, being healthy, and looking to the future. Participants experienced symptoms but did not dwell on them, instead they stated that their general health was good. They strived to regain their former precancer selves and be a part of as well as contribute to the social context. Overall, the participants’ view of the future was positive, and improvement in their health generated further confidence and encouragement. This study suggests that persons recovering from pancreaticoduodenectomy ad modum Whipple due to a pancreatic or periampullary tumour experience health despite postoperative symptoms. They manage their symptoms by means of different strategies and express a positive view of the future. Nurses working with such patients should adopt a person-centred approach focusing on patient perspectives, participation, and possibilities.
Rhinosinusitis in Children
Authors: Shahid Sukhbir K.
Published: December 2012

Rhinosinusitis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes of nose and paranasal sinus(es). 5–13% of upper respiratory tract infections in children complicate into acute rhinosinusitis. Though not life threatening, it profoundly affects child’s school performance and sleep pattern. If untreated, it could progress to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The pathogens involved in perpetuation of CRS consist of multidrug-resistant mixed microflora. CRS is challenging to manage and could further extend to cause eye or intracranial complications. In children, CRS diagnosis is often either missed or incomprehensive. Due to this, morbidity and strain on healthcare budget are tremendous. Flexible fiberoptic endoscopy has revolutionized management of CRS. Its utility in children is being increasingly recognized. Optimal management entails specific appropriate antimicrobials as well as treatment of underlying causes. The aim is to normalize sinus anatomy and physiology and regain normal mucociliary function and clearance.
Short-Term Effects and Early Complications of Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration for Gastric Varices
Authors: Watanabe Manabu , Shiozawa Kazue , Ikehara Takashi , Nakano Shigeru , Kougame Michio , Otsuka Takafumi , Kikuchi Yoshinori , Ishii Koji , Igarashi Yoshinori , Sumino Yasukiyo
Published: December 2012

The short-term effects of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) to treat gastric varices were evaluated by using computed tomography (CT) and gastroscopy (GF). The subjects were 77 patients who underwent BRTO to treat gastric varices. The short-term effects of BRTO were investigated with regard to ascites, pleural effusion, venous thrombus, and esophageal varices by comparing the findings of CT and GF performed within one month before and after BRTO. The mean duration of followup was 960.1 days. Ascites and pleural effusion were exacerbated after BRTO in 26 (33.8%) and 31 (40.3%), respectively. A significant difference in ascites exacerbation was noted in patients with hypoalbuminemia and a high Child-Pugh score, and a significant difference in exacerbation of pleural effusion was noted in patients with hypoalbuminemia. Venous thrombus was noted in 7 patients (9.1%). Esophageal varices were exacerbated in 14 (21.2%) of the 66 patients. The 2-year survival rate was 720 days, and significant differences were noted in the Child-Pugh classification and the concomitance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on multivariate analysis of prognosis-related factors.Conclusion. The frequencies of exacerbation of ascites, pleural effusion, and esophageal varices after BRTO were high but these may not be related to survival.
Effect of Anderson Localization on Auger Destruction of DNA
Authors: Turaeva N. N. , Schroeder S. , Oksengendler B. L.
Published: December 2012

The effect of Anderson localization in DNA on the Auger destruction by the Coulombic explosion at ionized radiation has been theoretically discussed in the present work. The theory of Auger destruction of DNA has been modified taking into account the localized and delocalized electron states in DNA owing to the correlated disorder in a sequence of nucleotides. According to the modified theoretical model of Auger destruction, the dominant ratio of delocalized states to localized states in exon compared to intron results in stronger radiation resistance of exons to ionized irradiation causing the Auger-cascade process than the radiation resistance of introns.
Induction of Defense-Related Enzymes in Banana Plants: Effect of Live and Dead Pathogenic Strain of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense
Authors: Thakker Janki N. , Patel Samiksha , Dhandhukia Pinakin C.
Published: December 2012

The aim of the present study was to scrutinize the response of banana (Grand Naine variety) plants when interacting with dead or live pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense, a causative agent of Panama disease. Response of plants was evaluated in terms of induction of defense-related marker enzyme activity, namely, peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), -1,3 glucanase, chitinase, and phenolics. Plant's interaction with live pathogen resulted in early induction of defense to restrain penetration as well as antimicrobial productions. However, pathogen overcame the defense of plant and caused disease. Interaction with dead pathogen resulted in escalating defense response in plants. Later on plants inoculated with dead pathogen showed resistance to even forced inoculation of live pathogen. Results obtained in the present study suggest that dead pathogen was able to mount defense response in plants and provide resistance to Panama disease upon subsequent exposure. Therefore, preparation from dead pathogen could be a potential candidate as a biocontrol agent or plant vaccine to combat Panama disease.
Ancora una nota su Eusebio di Vercelli
Authors: Simonetti Manilo ,   Instituto Patristico Augustinianum
Published: December 2012

Responding to a publication on the Latin versions of the corpus Athanasianum, the author of this note returns to the debate concerning the Ps-Athanasian de trinitate and rejects the hypothesis which holds that Eusebius of Vercelli inspired this theological tract in order to make Athanasius appear more credible in the West as a teacher of orthodoxy.
Study of the Tail Dependence Structure in Global Financial Markets Using Extreme Value Theory
Authors: Wu Jian , Zhang Zhengjun , Zhao Yong
Published: December 2012

Abstract: The presence of tail dependencies invalidates the multivariate normality assumptions in portfolio risk management. The identification of tail (in)dependencies has drawn major attention in empirical financial studies. Yet it is still a challenging issue both theoretically and practically. Previous studies based on either a restrictive model or the null hypothesis of tail (perfect) dependence does not well describe or interpret extreme co-movements in financial markets. This paper examines tail dependence structures underlying a broad range of financial asset classes employing the newly developed tail quotient correlation coefficients. In theory, the original tail quotient correlation coefficient proposed in (Zhang 2008) is adapted to incorporate cases with varying data driven random thresholds. Our empirical results demonstrate different tail dependence structures underlying various global financial markets. Either omission or unanimous treatment of the tail dependence structures for different financial markets will lead to erroneous conclusions or suboptimal investment choices. The multivariate extreme value theory framework in this study has the potential to serve as an useful tool in exploiting arbitrage opportunities, optimizing asset allocations, and building robust risk management strategies.
Propagande d’hygiène mentale au Québec dans les années 1930
Authors: Bastien Robert , Perreault Isabelle
Published: December 2012

L’hygiène mentale est un dispositif qui sert à gérer les populations. Pour y parvenir, on doit mener des enquêtes sur tous les sujets, particulièrement chez les jeunes élèves. C’est là le point d’origine de la discipline qui sépare, traite et, dans la mesure du possible, répare le sujet « défectueux ». Parallèlement, il faut convaincre la nation du bien-fondé de cette discipline et de son oeuvre sociale, scientifique et morale. En 1931 et 1932, on assiste à la première campagne médiatique d’hygiène mentale sur les ondes de CKAC. Ce corpus donne un aperçu de la détermination des hygiénistes mentaux dans leurs menées sociales et sanitaires pour que la société progresse à l’abri du mal et de la dangerosité qui s’incarne dans la folie. Ce détour par le passé ouvre la porte à l’analyse du temps présent.
Lysias
Authors: Bearzot Cinzia
Published: December 2012

Lysias (445–380
BCE
) son of Kephalos was a native of Syracuse and an Attic orator and logographer.
Messenian wars
Authors: Stewart Daniel R.
Published: December 2012

In traditional scholarship, the Messenian wars are conflicts between Sparta and Messenia that occurred during the Archaic period and resulted in the Spartan conquest and control of most of the southwestern Peloponnese. The conventional interpretation suggests that the subjugation of conquered Messenia led directly to the constitutional reforms of Lycurgus, to the creation of helotage, and to the militarization of Spartan society, making the Messenian wars a pivotal moment in Spartan history.
Names, personal, Classical Greece
Authors: Minon Sophie
Published: December 2012

Ancient Greek personal names are connected to those which Indo‐Europeans are thought to have given (Skr.
Su
‐
śravas
“Good‐Glory” = Gr.
Eu‐kléwēs
).
Nikias
Authors: Roisman Joseph
Published: December 2012

Nikias, son of Nikeratos (ca. 470–413bce), was a successful Athenian general during the Peloponnesian War, but ultimately he led his city–state to one of its greatest defeats. Politically he aspired to succeed Perikles as the first man of Athens, but he lacked the charisma, foresight, and leadership qualities of his great predecessor. Because he was well intentioned there is a tragic dimension to his failings, which the historian Thucydides portrayed with sympathy.
Nikias, Peace of
Authors: Roisman Joseph
Published: December 2012

The Peace of Nikias concluded the first ten years of fighting in the Peloponnesian War (431–421
bce
).
Orators, Attic
Authors: Worthington Ian
Published: December 2012

From the late fifth centurybceto almost the end of the fourth, what must have been a large number of orators wrote (either for themselves or for clients), and/or delivered, forensic (lawcourt), symbouleutic (political), and epideictic (show‐piece) speeches in Athens.
PausaniasII, Spartan King
Authors: Stewart Daniel R.
Published: December 2012

Pausanias II (r. 445–426, 408–395bce; d. after 380) was an Agiad king of Sparta and grandson of an earlier Pausanias (seePausanias, Spartan Regent; Spartan Kings).
Peltasts
Authors: Sekunda Nicholas V.
Published: December 2012

The descriptive noun “peltast” is applied to any soldier using the type of shield called Πέλτη.
Perikles
Authors: Sickinger James P.
Published: December 2012

Perikles, son of Xanthippos of the Attic deme Cholargos, was the preeminent statesman and politician of Athens in the fifth centurybce. The chief sources for his life are Thucydides' account of the outbreak of the Peloponnesian war, occasional references to him in the plays of Aristophanes, and a biography by Plutarch, written five hundred years after his death.
Phalanx(hoplite)
Authors: Sekunda Nicholas V.
Published: December 2012

The wordphalanxis first found in Homer (II. 6.6; 11.90; 15.360; 19.158). As hoplite armor developed, it was found that the best way to arrange the warriors was in a linear formation, where the hoplite shield gave defense not only to the individual, but to the line as a whole (Thuc. 5.72.1). In the Classical period, therefore, this formation comes to be used practically exclusively in the body of Hoplites (“armed men,” i.e., infantry), drawn up in the center of the line. The purpose of the lines at the back was not so much to push the men at the front forward or to add “weight” to the line, it was rather to prevent those at the front from turning back and leaving the line. Linear formations all tend to “peel off” from the back. Therefore Xenophon (Mem. 3.1.8;Cyr. 7.5.5) recommends that, in battle, the best men should be put at the front and back, that the phalanx may be led by the van and driven forward by the rear.
Phalaris
Authors: Vido Stefania De
Published: December 2012

Phalaris was the first tyrant of Akragas, the Greek colony on the southern coast of Sicily; he ruled the
Polis
in the first half of the sixth century
bce
(570–555
bce
, according to the traditional chronology).
Politeia
Authors: Brock Roger
Published: December 2012

The word
politeia
covers a range of aspects of political organization and activity relating to both individuals and the
polis
.
Probouloi
Authors: Shear Julia L.
Published: December 2012

In the aftermath of the great defeat in Sicily in 413BCE, the Athenians decided to choose a board of ten elderly men to act asprobouloi(commissioners) and to give advice and guidance on the current situation (Thuc. 8.1.3).
Representation/representative government
Authors: Rhodes P. J.
Published: December 2012

While in modern states decision‐making is regularly entrusted to representative bodies, in classical Greek states the ultimate decision‐making body was usually an assembly open to all adult males who qualified as full citizens in the state in question.
Siris
Authors: Lombardo Mario
Published: December 2012

Greek
polis
in southeastern Lucania, on the shores of the Gulf of Taranto, founded around the middle of the seventh century
bce
by Ionian colonists, probably Kolophonians, fleeing from Lydian rule (
see
Kolophon).
Sophists,
G
reece
Authors: Wallace Robert W.
Published: December 2012

A term of otherwise broad range (including doctors and athletes),
sophistês
came to designate a series of public intellectuals, teaching and offering wise counsel to Greek communities and their elites ca. 600–400
BCE
. Never ivory‐tower philosophers (a type invented by Plato), the first
sophistai
, later called the “seven
sophistai
,” including Thales and Solon, cultivated practical wisdom, even cunning intelligence (
mêtis
), and moral rectitude, sometimes mediating civil strife between aristocrats and the masses.
Stasis
Authors: Riess Werner
Published: December 2012

Stasis
literally means “standing” or “taking a stand.” In Classical Greek the word denotes disagreement, dispute, internal conflict, civil strife, and even civil war. References to stasis abound in Greek literature, from the Homeric epics through to Hellenistic times.
Sybaris
Authors: Frisone Flavia
Published: December 2012

Sybaris was a Greek Polis in southern Italy, in northeastern Calabria, somewhat inland on the western side of the gulf of Taranto.
Symmachia
Authors: Bolmarcich Sarah
Published: December 2012

Symmachia is an “alliance” or “treaty” in ancient Greek. The standard definition is found inTHUCYDIDES(1.44.1): literally, “to have the same friends and enemies.” Thussymmachiahas often been translated as “a full offensive and defensive alliance” (Adcock and Mosley 1975). Both definitions might be better expressed. Beyond Thucydides, no Archaic or Classicalsymmachia, preserved on stone or in literature, includes the oath “to have the same friends and enemies,” which is rather a hegemonic oath used by various leagues of allies.
Thermopylai
Authors: Welwei Karl‐Wilhelm
Published: December 2012

The Thermopylai (“Hot Gates,” plural), a coastal pass at the northern foot of Mount Kallidromos, were known in antiquity for being the “entrance to Greece” (Hdt. 7.176.2) because they marked the most important but circumventable route from northern to central Greece.
Tyrannicides
Authors: Tuci Paolo A.
Published: December 2012

Tyrannicide – the killing of a tyrant – was considered a legitimate kind of murder in ancient Greece.
Warfare,Greece
Authors: Schwartz Adam
Published: December 2012

Land warfare in Greece, from at least the early Archaic period, was dominated by pitched battles fought between the infantry forces of two or more opposingpoleis.
Wars, sacred
Authors: Mari Manuela
Published: December 2012

In ancient Greek terms a “sacred war” (hieros polemos) was a war fought over the sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi and involving the league of Greek peoples entrusted with the administration of the sanctuary and with the organization of the Pythian Games.
Common Peace (
Koine Eirene
)
Authors: Dreher Martin
Published: December 2012

The
koine eirene
is a phenomenon typical of the fourth century
BCE
.
Artemisia
Authors: Ruzicka Stephen
Published: December 2012

Artemisia was an early fifth century “tyrant” or dynast of Halikarnassos; her dates are unknown.
Alexander of Alexandria
Authors: Brakke David
Published: December 2012

Alexander, bishop of Alexandria (312–328), presided over a church already divided by the Meletian Schism and played an important part in the beginning of the Arian controversy. One of Alexander's predecessors, Peter, had come into conflict with BishopMeletius of Lykopolis when Meletius ordained bishops and priests while Peter was in hiding during persecution. The dispute escalated into a full‐fledged schism, which was exacerbated by differences over the treatment of the lapsed. Thus, as Alexander took office, two churches existed in Egypt, a Petrine one and a Meletian one, each with its own hierarchy and network of churches.
Apostolic Fathers
Authors: Rhodes James N.
Published: December 2012

The “Apostolic Fathers” is an umbrella term that refers to a now traditional collection of some of the earliest proto‐orthodox Christian texts outside of the New Testament. These texts may be distinguished from the writings of the Church Fathers by their relative antiquity, and from other collections of early Christian literature by their perceived importance to the emerging orthodox church.
Apostolic succession
Authors: McGowan Andrew
Published: December 2012

Early Christians shared their Jewish and other contemporaries' concern for continuous tradition from authoritative figures of the past. Although belief in Jesus changed existing traditional claims, Christians quickly sought to establish the authenticity of their beliefs, sacred writings, and especially their structures of leadership, in reference to the first followers of Jesus known as “apostles”. The idea of a succession that stemmed from the apostles came to have particular significance in controversies leading to the emergence of a normative or orthodox Christianity, and subsequently in the claims to particular authority of certain historic churches, not least that of Rome.