bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redefining the digital divide: Attitudes do matter!
Authors: Partridge Helen
Published: February 2009

For the majority of current day internet researchers they key issue is not “who” is connected to the internet but “what” are people doing when they are connected. In particular there is a growing interest in social computing, and especially technology such as blogs, wikis, myspace, and the like. But have we abandoned the issue of “who” for “what” too soon? This paper will present a research project that explores the psychological barriers that prevent people within community from integrating information and communication technology into their lives. The research will use the Social Cognitive Theory by Bandura to examine the psychology of the digital divide. Participants in the study are members of the San Jose community. Self administered surveys are used for data collection. The research influences our understanding of the digital divide by providing evidence that the characteristics or make up of the digital divide is more complex than the current understanding of the phenomenon. Existing digital divide studies have taken primarily a socio‐economic perspective, and portray the digital divide as a relatively simple premise: the digital divide is a dichotomous concept – you either have access to ICT or you don't. And this access is determined by factors such as income, employment and education. This research illustrates that psychology does matter; and that the digital divide involves both more members of the population and different members of the population then current research has shown to date. As such the current research has brought to light elements of the digital divide which have not being considered in contemporary discourse about the phenomenon.
Decision making framework for thinking about information seeking behavior
Authors: Lopatovska Irene
Published: February 2009

At the time of constantly emerging technologies, information professionals need frameworks for modeling users' preferences as well as understanding adoption and usability issues. One such framework, the decision making Expected Utility theory, is reviewed for its ability to offer the logic of mathematical modeling with graphical aids for analyzing information seeking decisions. Major information seeking decisions, including decisions to seek information, select information sources and search strategies, select relevant information objects, and decisions to stop seeking, are analyzed using the four expected utility components: alternatives, outcomes, likelihoods and values. Application of decision theoretic framework helps to identify under‐studied areas of information seeking research, as well as offers new ways of analyzing information preferences.
The benefits of skimming in data fusion
Authors: Spoerri Anselm
Published: February 2009

Data fusion methods commonly use and compare all the documents returned by multiple retrieval systems to create a new result list. On the one hand, as documents further down in the result lists are considered, a document's probability of being relevant decreases significantly. On the other hand, retrieval systems tend to find similar relevant documents when searching the same database, but they do not find them in the same rank positions. Thus, data fusion methods need to consider all of the documents returned by the retrieval systems. Using TREC 3, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 13 data, this paper examines how “skimming”, where the number of documents examined in the result lists is gradually increased, can help to identify relevant documents. It is shown that “gradual skimming” and what can be learned as the list depth is increased can help to improve the retrieval effectiveness of data fusion methods.
Types of Help‐seeking situations for novice users of digital libraries: A preliminary study
Authors: Xie Hong (Iris) , Cool Colleen
Published: February 2009

The Help‐seeking situation is characterized by a person, who is engaged in the process of information seeking with an IR system in order to achieve his/her tasks/goals, and finds him/herself needing some sort of help in that process. To date, there has been little empirical research investigating the specific types of Help‐seeking situations that lead users to look for help. This paper reports the results of a preliminary study, derived from an ongoing large scale research project focusing on the identification of different types of Help‐seeking situations, along with types of help features used and their related problems. Seventeen subjects representing the general public in Milwaukee and New York City sites were selected for this study. Based on the analysis of pre and post questionnaires, think aloud data and transaction logs, the results present 9 types of Help‐seeking situations related to problems in the area of: domain knowledge, system knowledge, information retrieval knowledge, evaluation of results, and collections of digital libraries. Implications for the design of more effective interactive Help mechanisms are also discussed.
Improving online dating with virtual dates
Authors: Frost Jeana , Norton Michael I. , Ariely Dan
Published: February 2009

Online dating, a practice where singles visit a website to locate other singles, frequently fails to meet users' expectations. We suggest that this disappointment is due in part to online dating websites' failure to simulate face‐to‐face interactions, an essential component of the acquaintanceship process. We document users' general disappointment with online dating (Study 1) and their disappointment with specific dates arranged through an online dating website (Study 2). In Study 3 we introduce the Virtual Date, on which potential dating partners explore a virtual environment in an interaction analogous to a real first date (such as going to a museum), a pre‐meeting intervention that led to greater liking after meetings had occurred (during speed‐dates) than standard online dating.
Information‐seeking behaviors of academic researchers in the internet age: A user study in the United States, China and Greece
Authors: Wang Peiling , Dervos Dimitris A. , Zhang Yan , Wu Lei
Published: February 2009

This paper presents preliminary results of an ongoing study of academic researchers' information‐seeking and communication behaviors (IS) in the Internet age. The study used a semi‐structured interview method, and a hybrid quantitative and qualitative approach to observe research use of Internet‐enabled information and communication technologies/resources (IICTs). A research framework is developed to comprise two dimensions: (A) IS behaviors pertaining to long‐term research needs or corresponding to project lifecycle; (B) IICTs providing information or supporting communication. The IS dimension adopts Ellis's behavioral model with revision; the IICT dimension includes commonly used tools and resources such as the Web, email, digital library, online library catalog, e‐journal, etc. This paper reports on part of the preliminary results of three datasets from two disciplines (computer science and engineering) in the U.S. (28 participants), Greece (19 participants), and China (35 participants). Converging and integrating information resources have caused terminological confusions. Overlapping in access to information resources also blurred the boundaries between different types of information systems. The use and non‐use of IICTs depend on many different factors. Our results also show that the major IS activities proposed by Ellis continue to play important roles in research, but these activities are now handled in both traditional and diverse new ways in the Internet environment. Managing information is a big challenge and effective tools are needed. Libraries and librarians are less recognized as information is becoming more accessible via the Internet. There is a need to shift from traditional service and user instruction roles to new roles.
Study on the influence of vocabularies used for image indexing in a multilingual retrieval environment
Authors: Ménard Elaine , Arsenault Clément
Published: February 2009

The Internet constitutes a vast universe of knowledge and human culture, allowing the dissemination of ideas and information without borders. The Web also became an important media for the diffusion of multilingual resources. Linguistic differences still form a major obstacle to scientific, cultural, and educational exchange. With the ever increasing size of the Web and the availability of more and more documents in various languages, this problem becomes all the more pervasive. Besides this linguistic diversity, a multitude of databases and collections now contain documents in various formats, which may also adversely affect the retrieval process. This paper describes a research project aiming to verify the existing relations between two indexing approaches: (1) traditional image indexing recommending the use of controlled vocabularies or (2) free image indexing using uncontrolled vocabulary, and their respective performance for image retrieval, in a multilingual context. This research compares image retrieval within two contexts: a monolingual context where the language of the query is the same as the indexing language; and a multilingual context where the language of the query is different from the indexing language. This research will indicate if one of these indexing approaches surpasses the other, in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction of the image searchers.
Understanding the sharing of rival information: A simulation approach
Authors: Qu Yan , Zhang Jun
Published: February 2009

In this preliminary study, we proposed a mathematical information sharing model for rival information and simulated the information sharing behaviors in systems confronting the social dilemma. The simulations help us understand the factors that influence the performance of information sharing systems and may lead to new approaches that solve the social dilemma.
Information seeking and use by low‐level students
Authors: Chung Jin Soo , Kim Jinmook
Published: February 2009

This paper reports on an exploratory study of information seeking and use in high school students with a low level of information skills and academic competency. Seven students in the 11th grade Remedial Education Program class in American Literature and Composition completed a class project that involved somewhat comprehensive information seeking and use. Data were collected through observation and interview (with students, the teacher, and two library media specialists). All documents each student produced in completing the class project were gathered for data analysis. The preliminary findings of the study indicated that students experienced a great deal of difficulty in the cognitive and affective demands that their tasks required and suggested that technological and instructional mediation would motivate the students' interest in their information seeking and use. The paper concludes with some important implications that can provide a basis for de! signing information literacy instructions for low‐level students.
Browsing with a metadata infrastructure for events, periods, and time
Authors: Larson Ray R. , Buckland Michael K.
Published: February 2009

Browsing using a prototype Time Period Directory relating named periods (e.g. Civil War) to chronological time and geographical location will be demonstrated and explained.
Integrating controlled vocabularies into cultural heritage digital collections: The Portal to Texas History experience
Authors: Alemneh Daniel Gelaw , Phillips Mark Edward , Belden Dreanna
Published: February 2009

The University of North Texas Libraries developed a system for creating and managing a hierarchical controlled vocabulary for use in digital library initiatives. This short paper discusses and provides an overview of the benefits and challenges of integrating controlled vocabularies into cultural heritage digital collections. Specifically, it examines the University of North Texas Libraries' initiatives from a real‐life digital resource management and search implementations viewpoint.
Debating information control in web 2.0: The case of Wikipedia vs. Citizendium
Authors: Sundin Olof , Haider Jutta
Published: February 2009

Wikipedia is continually being scrutinised for the quality of its content. The question addressed in this paper concerns which notions of information, of collaborative knowledge creation, of authority and of the role of the expert are drawn on when information control in WP is discussed. This is done by focusing on the arguments made in the debates surrounding the launch of Citizendium, a proposed new collaborative online encyclopaedia. While Wikipedia claims not to attribute special status to any of its contributors, Citizendium intends to assign a decision‐making role to subject experts. The empirical material for the present study consists of two online threads available from Slashdot. One, “A Look inside Citizendium”, dates from September, the second one “Co‐Founder Forks Wikipedia” from October 2006. The textual analysis of these documents was carried out through close interpretative reading. Five themes, related to different aspects of information control emerged: 1.information types, 2.information responsibility, 3. information perspectives, 4. information organisation, 5. information provenance & creation. Each theme contains a number of different positions. It was found that these positions not necessarily correspond with the different sides of the argument. Instead, at times the fault lines run through the two camps.
Information seeking behavior of Mongolian scholars
Authors: Yadamsuren Borchuluun , Raber Douglas
Published: February 2009

This poster presents the preliminary results of the study on information needs and information seeking behavior of Mongolian scholars, which was conducted in the summer of 2006
Digital information and communication networks and scientific research substance – An investigation of meteorology
Authors: Shen Yi
Published: February 2009

This poster reports the results of a dissertation study investigating research meteorologists' current usage and evaluation of information and communication technologies (ICT) in performing research tasks and the current relationship between meteorologists' ICT use and two content characteristics of their research outputs – data integration and intra/interdiscipliarity. Suggestions are provided on the improvements of technical, social, political, and educational settings to promote large‐scale date integration and intra‐/interdisciplinary research. The theoretical implications and practical implications from these findings are discussed. The limitations of the current research and suggestions for future research are also presented.
What does a newcomer digital librarian need to know? Exploring information seeking behavior of newcomer digital librarians in academic libraries during organizational entry
Authors: Chiu Ming‐Hsin
Published: February 2009

Digital librarianship, as a newly‐created interdisciplinary specialization within librarianship, does not have a strong support for newcomer organizational socialization as the specialization itself is still evolving. This exploratory study, as one part of my dissertation, investigates the organizational socialization processes of newcomer digital librarians in ARL academic libraries. Following the well‐developed procedures of Dervin's Sense‐Making approach, this study focuses on the proactive, user‐centered information seeking practices and processes during organizational entry. Specifically, the study investigates four dimensions of organizational socialization sense‐making, including (1) situation: organizational situations that lead to needs for socialization information seeking; (2) gap: questions and confusions newcomer digital librarians have in situations in which information needs arise; (3) bridge: information seeking tactics that digital librarians use to acquire socialization information; and (4) outcome: positive and negative outcomes of socialization information acquisition.
Usability and effectiveness evaluation of a course‐advising chat bot
Authors: Kim Hyekyung , Ruiz Miguel E , Peterson Lorna
Published: February 2009

This research compares the usability and efficiency of a course‐advising chat bot with menu driven FAQs (frequently asked questions). Based on a survey and user interviews, a text‐based FAQ system was created and compared with a chat bot that was developed to address library and information science (LIS) graduate student course and program related questions. The students conducted tasks with both the chat bot and FAQ systems. The usability and effectiveness of the functionality and user‐interface of both systems is assessed.
What is an event? Domain constraints for temporal analysis of chief complaints and triage notes
Authors: Haas Stephanie W. , Travers Debbie A. , Kramer‐Duffield Jacob
Published: February 2009

In this paper we present preliminary results of a study of events represented in portions of the Emergency Department (ED) patient record. An advantage to working in such a specific domain is that we can use domain knowledge to reveal events that are not explicitly mentioned in the record. In addition, domain assumptions and constraints can be used to identify or clarify temporal characteristics of events, allowing more precise placement on an event timeline.
The geography of virtual questioning: Mapping Florida's Ask‐a‐Librarian service
Authors: Mon Lorri , Bishop Bradley Wade , McClure Charles R. , McGilvray Jessica , Most Linda , Milas Theodore Patrick , Snead John T.
Published: February 2009

This study examined virtual questioning in geographic context by using GIS mapping to explore digital reference question‐asking in the 67 counties and school districts served by Florida's statewide consortial “Ask a Librarian” service. Two levels of geographic analysis were used. Locations of online library portals through which users asked their questions were mapped, as well as the locations where users were situated according to their IP addresses while they asked their questions. The geographic data was analyzed in conjunction with users' demographic data (youth/adult and student/non‐student status of questioners), and data on the types of questions that users asked. Results found that users' IP address locations did not always match the geographic locations of library portals which they used in accessing the service, and that some library entry portals attracted more widely geographically dispersed users with different questioning patterns than other portals. Issues in methodology and implications for further geographic studies in digital reference information‐seeking research are discussed.
Models of information organization: A case study
Authors: Normore Lorraine F. , Garrett Michelle
Published: February 2009

Information representation and organization is a field that presents key foundation elements for the field of information science. This case study explores overlaps in the conceptual organization of the field of information organization among textbook, teacher and learner. It relates the lessons learned to the use of a concept mapping technique as a tool for teaching and learning, for structural analysis, and as a model for textbook design.
Tag decay: A view into aging folksonomies
Authors: Russell Terrell
Published: February 2009

As work continues with folksonomies and databases of tag activity grow large and mature, we will begin to run into the problem of staleness across our tag sets. The problem of agedness and increasing irrelevance can be combated with interesting visualizations and necessary new techniques. From the perspective of each of the other two tenets of folksonomy (objects and people) (Vander Wal, 2007), we can look at how tags are being used over time.
Scientific infrastructure design: Information environments and knowledge provinces
Authors: Baker Karen S. , Millerand Florence
Published: February 2009

Conceptual models and design processes shape the practice of information infrastructure building in the sciences. We consider two distinct perspectives: (i) a cyber view of disintermediation where information technology enables data flow from the ‘field’ and on to the digital doorstep of the general end‐user, and (ii) an intermediated view with bidirectional communications where local participants act as mediators within an information environment. Drawing from the literatures of information systems and science studies, we argue that differences in conceptual models have critical implications for users and their working environments. While the cyber view is receiving a lot of attention in current scientific efforts, highlighting the multiplicity of knowledge provinces with their respective worldviews opens up understandings of sociotechnical design processes and of knowledge work. The concept of a range of knowledge provinces enables description of dynamic configurations with shifting boundaries and supports planning for a diversity of arrangements across the digital landscape.
A preliminary social network analysis of MPACT
Authors: Kim Yong‐Mi
Published: February 2009

The dissertation author and committee relationships in the MPACT dataset were modeled as social networks. Exploratory network analysis was performed primarily on the network composed of dissertation advisors and advisees to investigate the utility of structural prestige for measuring mentoring impact. Three prestige measures were investigated: 1) outdegree, 2) output domain, and 3) proximity prestige. All three measures were highly correlated when computed across the entire dataset, but correlation was lower for those scoring in the top 25 of any of the three. Correlation with citation ranking was low for this subset.
Adding context to content: The CENS deployment center
Authors: Mayernik Matthew S. , Wallis Jillian C. , Borgman Christine L. , Pepe Alberto
Published: February 2009

Scientists and engineers working with embedded networked sensing systems in the environmental sciences are acquiring data at unprecedented rates. Scientific data do not emerge from a vacuum. There is considerable contextual information that surrounds the process of data acquisition that is critical to interpret and analyze data. Current techniques for data sharing involve considerable manual effort to prepare, describe, and transfer this contextual information along with the data itself. This paper reports on a study of the UCLA‐based Center for Embedded Networked Sensing (CENS), an interdisciplinary NSF research center that supports collaborations to develop and implement innovative wireless sensor networks. We report here on the development of the CENS Deployment Center, a database for CENS deployment information. The goals of the CENSDC are to facilitate better deployment organization, and to provide a central location for key information that describes the context of data capture. We also describe our plans within CENS to use a tri‐partite approach to capture and share sensor data resources using technical recommendations currently being developed within the context of the Open Archive Initiative for Object Reuse and Exchange (OAI‐ORE).
Toward Web 2.0 music information retrieval: Utilizing emotion‐based, user‐assigned descriptors
Authors: Lee Hyuk‐Jin , Neal Diane
Published: February 2009

This exploratory, preliminary study seeks to determine whether the use of emotion‐based, user‐assigned descriptors elicited from music information retrieval (MIR) system users could improve access and retrieval for a browsing‐based MIR system within the Web 2.0 environment. We used the Glass Engine, a Web‐based tool designed for exploring Philip Glass' music, as the basis for conceptualizing this study. The Glass Engine allows users to browse several facets of Glass' music via direct manipulation (sliding bars).
Glutamate receptors localize postsynaptically at neuromuscular junctions in mice
Authors: Mays Tessily A. , Sanford Jamie L. , Hanada Toshihiko , Chishti Athar H. , Rafael‐Fortney Jill A.
Published: February 2009

Dlg (Discs Large) is a multidomain protein that interacts with glutamate receptors and potassium channels at Drosophila neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) and at mammalian central nervous system synapses. Dlg also localizes postsynaptically at cholinergic mammalian NMJs. We show here that α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐proprionate (AMPA) receptor subunits, together with glutamate, are present at the mammalian NMJ. Both AMPA and NMDA (N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate) glutamate receptor subunits display overlapping postsynaptic localization patterns with Dlg at all NMJs examined in normal mice. Kir2 potassium channels also localize with Dlg and glutamate receptors at this synapse. Localization of the components of a glutamatergic system suggests novel mechanisms at mammalian neuromuscular synapses. Muscle Nerve 39: 343–349, 2009
Progressive motor unit loss in the G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is unaffected by gender
Authors: Hegedus J. , Putman C. T. , Gordon T.
Published: February 2009

We examined whether there are gender differences in the progressive loss of functional motor units in SOD1G93A transgenic mice. Isometric muscle and motor unit twitch contractions were recorded in fast‐ and slow‐twitch muscles in response to stimulation of the sciatic nerve. Using a modified motor unit number estimation technique (ITS‐MUNE), we found that motor unit numbers declined rapidly from 40 to 90 days of age during the asymptomatic phase of ALS in fast‐ but not slow‐twitch hindlimb muscles of both male and female mice. There was a corresponding decline in twitch and tetanic contractile forces of the fast‐twitch muscles. Gender did not affect the progressive loss of motor units and associated decline in force production. We conclude that gender does not alter progressive, muscle‐specific motor unit loss in ALS, even though gender does influence disease onset. Muscle Nerve 39: 318–327, 2009
Accessory nerve lesion after cervicofacial lift: Clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluations of two cases
Authors: Seror P.
Published: February 2009

Two cases of accessory nerve lesion are reported that occurred within 2.5 weeks and 4.5 weeks, respectively, after surgery for cervicofacial lift. The patients were referred for electrodiagnostic examination because of persistent and unexplained unilateral shoulder pain and disability, 6 and 5 months, respectively, after face lift. In both cases clinical examination revealed severe right‐shoulder weakness related to trapezius palsy, without trapezius muscle atrophy in the first case and with trapezius atrophy in the second. Electrodiagnosis revealed bilateral accessory nerve lesions in the first case and a unilateral lesion in the second case. Recovery for both cases was progressive but delayed, and both were evaluated 11 and 10 months, respectively, after the first evaluation. Clinical and especially electrodiagnostic findings suggested that the accessory nerve lesion was related to conduction block in the first case and severe axonal loss in the second case. Muscle Nerve 39: 400–405, 2009
Response to methotrexate in a chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy patient
Authors: Díaz‐Manera Jordi , Rojas‐García Ricard , Gallardo Eduard , Illa Isabel
Published: February 2009

We report a patient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and progressive resistance to standard treatment who showed a striking response to methotrexate, 20 mg/week. The improvement, which started 5 months after initiation of therapy, was consistent and permanent. It allowed the previously wheelchair‐dependent patient to achieve pharmacological remission. The 2‐year follow‐up of this case further illustrates the role that methotrexate may play as a treatment option for CIDP patients. Muscle Nerve 39: 386–388, 2009
A wavelet‐based analysis of surface mechanomyographic signals from the quadriceps femoris
Authors: Beck Travis W. , Housh Terry J. , Fry Andrew C. , Cramer Joel T. , Weir Joseph P. , Schilling Brian K. , Falvo Michael J. , Moore Christopher A.
Published: February 2009

The purpose of this study was to use a wavelet analysis designed specifically for surface mechanomyographic (MMG) signals to examine the MMG responses of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis (VM) muscles. Fifteen healthy men [age (mean ± SD): 26.4 ± 6.1 years] volunteered to perform isometric muscle actions of the dominant leg extensors at 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). During each muscle action, surface MMG signals were detected from the VL, RF, and VM and processed with the MMG wavelet analysis. The results show that, for the VL and VM muscles, there was compression of the total MMG intensity spectra toward low frequencies for most force levels above 20% MVC. For the RF, however, the peak of the total MMG intensity spectrum occurred at approximately 30–40 HZ for all force levels. Because the VL, RF, and VM are all innervated by the femoral nerve, the discrepancies among the three muscles for total MMG intensity in each wavelet band may have been due to differences in architecture, muscle stiffness, and/or intramuscular pressure. Muscle Nerve 39: 355–363, 2009
Idiopathic adult‐onset nemaline myopathy presenting with isolated respiratory failure
Authors: Whitaker John , Love Seth , Williams Adam Paul , Plummeridge Martin
Published: February 2009

Idiopathic adult‐onset nemaline myopathy is a rare condition of unknown etiology that usually presents with proximal weakness. This case study reports a 60‐year‐old woman who presented with isolated type 2 respiratory failure secondary to bilateral hemidiaphragm weakness. A left vastus medialis muscle biopsy examined under light microscopy revealed appearances typical of nemaline myopathy. Electron microscopy confirmed the presence of nemaline rods in most muscle fibers, thus establishing idiopathic adult‐onset nemaline myopathy as the cause of her respiratory failure. Our patient's presentation highlights the importance of considering neuromuscular weakness as a cause of respiratory failure. Unless appropriate tests are performed—including a muscle biopsy, if indicated—specific neuromuscular diseases are easily missed. This can lead to inappropriate counseling and treatment. Muscle Nerve 39: 406–408, 2009
Parameter identification method for determination of elastic modulus of rock based on adjoint equation and blasting wave measurements
Authors: Koizumi Naoto , Kawahara Mutsuto
Published: February 2009

The purpose of this paper is to present a parameter identification method to determine the force of a blast and the elastic modulus of the ground using the measurements of a dynamic elastic wave, the adjoint equation method of optimal control theory, and the finite element method. Before the excavation of rocky ground, it is important to estimate the ground properties. In this paper, the elastic modulus is determined as the performance function is minimized using a technique based on the first‐order adjoint method. The performance function is a square sum of the discrepancies between the computed and the observed values of the velocities. After the determination of the magnitude of the blasting force, we can determine the elastic modulus of the rock. As the basic equation to calculate the velocities of dynamic elastic body, elastic equilibrium equations with linear viscosity are employed. The adjoint equation method has been utilized in order to calculate the gradient of the performance function with respect to the parameters. The gradient of the performance function is calculated using the first‐order adjoint equation. The weighted gradient method is applied for minimization. In order to solve the state equations in space and time, the finite element method and the Newmark \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\footskip=0pc\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\frac{1}{4}$\end{document} method are used. In this paper, we tested the practical application of our proposed method for determination of the elastic modulus of rock at the Ikawa tunnel located in the Tokushima prefecture, Japan. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A multigrid‐based shifted Laplacian preconditioner for a fourth‐order Helmholtz discretization
Authors: Umetani N. , MacLachlan S. P. , Oosterlee C. W.
Published: February 2009

In this paper, an iterative solution method for a fourth‐order accurate discretization of the Helmholtz equation is presented. The method is a generalization of that presented in (SIAM J. Sci. Comput. 2006; 27:1471–1492), where multigrid was employed as a preconditioner for a Krylov subspace iterative method. The multigrid preconditioner is based on the solution of a second Helmholtz operator with a complex‐valued shift. In particular, we compare preconditioners based on a point‐wise Jacobi smoother with those using an ILU(0) smoother, we compare using the prolongation operator developed by de Zeeuw in (J. Comput. Appl. Math. 1990; 33:1–27) with interpolation operators based on algebraic multigrid principles, and we compare the performance of the Krylov subspace method Bi‐conjugate gradient stabilized with the recently introduced induced dimension reduction method, IDR(s). These three improvements are combined to yield an efficient solver for heterogeneous problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Otitis externa: features and recommended management
Authors: Shipley Debbie , Jaramillo Mario
Published: February 2009

Otitis externa is a common presentation and is usually treated in general practice. Our review describes the clinical features and current recommended management. Copyright © 2006 Wiley Interface Ltd
Inegy: cholesterol lowering with a dual mode of action
Authors: Weston Clive
Published: February 2009

Inegy is a combination of ezetimibe and simvastatin for use in hypercholesterolaemia. Dr Weston describes the trial results regarding its efficacy and considers the place of combination therapy in the management of hyperlipidaemia. Copyright © 2006 Wiley Interface Ltd
Current management of lower respiratory tract infections
Authors: Meisner Sarah
Published: February 2009

Lower respiratory tract infections are caused by a wide range of pathogens and, where appropriate, antibiotic treatment should be chosen with resistance and side‐effects in mind. Our Drug review discusses recommended management of LRTIs in the community, followed by Resources and the Datafile. Copyright © 2006 Wiley Interface Ltd
A unified and flexible solution for integrating CRL and OCSP into PKI applications
Authors: Berbecaru Diana , Desai Amarkumar , Lioy Antonio
Published: February 2009

Public key certificates (PKCs) are used nowadays in several security protocols and applications, so as to secure data exchange via transport layer security channels, or to protect data at the application level by means of digital signatures. However, many security applications often fail to manage properly the PKCs, in particular when checking their validity status. These failures are partly due to the lack of experience (or training) of the users who configure these applications or protocols, and partly due to the scarce support offered by some common cryptographic libraries to the application developers.

This paper describes the design and implementation of a light middleware dealing with certificate validation in a unified way. Our middleware exploits on one side the libraries that have already been defined or implemented for certificate validation, and it constructs a thin layer, which provides flexibility and security features to the upper layer applications. In our current approach, this layer boasts an integrated approach to support various certificate revocation mechanisms, it protects the applications from some common security attacks, and offers several configuration and performance options to the programmers and to the end users. We describe the architecture of this approach as well as its practical implementation in the form of a library based on the famous OpenSSL security library, and that can be easily integrated with other certificate‐aware security applications. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Government informatization: a case study
Authors: Zhang Li , Wei Yuan , Wang Hong
Published: February 2009

Government informatization, as a new feature of public administration, has gained intense attention in China. After years of development, there have been some achievements but at the same time, it is still rife with problems. This paper gives a comprehensive analysis on the background of government informatization in China, expounds on the trend of the e‐government in China by using the case of Shenzhen, and introduces the development of e‐government in some other cities. On top of that, we predict the trend for government informatization and propose that e‐government will be the future direction for China's public administration. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal cardiac function assessed with four‐dimensional ultrasound imaging using spatiotemporal image correlation
Authors: Uittenbogaard L. B. , Haak M. C. , Spreeuwenberg M. D. , van Vugt J. M. G.
Published: February 2009

Objectives

The goal of this study was to use spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) to provide reference values for left and right ventricle volumes, and indices of fetal cardiac function.

Methods

In this prospective longitudinal study, STIC volumes were acquired periodically from 12 weeks of gestation onwards. The STIC volumes were frozen in end‐systole and end‐diastole, and volumetric data were measured by manual tracing and summation of multiple slices. These ventricle volumes were used to calculate stroke volume, ejection fraction and cardiac output.

Results

Some 202 STIC volumes of 63 fetuses were included in the analysis. Mean left and right ventricle stroke volume increased from 0.02 mL at 12 weeks to 1.41 mL and 1.46 mL, respectively, at 30 weeks, while the mean right to left stroke volume ratio remained stable at around 1.2. Mean left and right ventricle cardiac output increased from 2.40 mL/min and 2.60 mL/min at 12 weeks to 197.74 mL/min and 204.81 mL/min, respectively, at 30 weeks. Both left and right mean ejection fraction remained constant at around 0.45 with advancing gestational age. Bland–Altman analysis showed a coefficient of variation for measured stroke volume of 13.7%.

Conclusions

This study establishes reference values for fetal cardiac volumes and indices for fetal cardiac function from 12 to 30 weeks of gestation using STIC. STIC seems to overcome many of the pitfalls of conventional ultrasound methods and has the potential to become the method of choice. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Structure of a Hybrid Metal Phthalate Compound and Its Magnetic Property
Authors: Wu Wen , Xie Ji‐Min , Xuan Ya‐Wen
Published: February 2009

The hybrid transition metal – alkali metal compound, [Ni(H2O)6·(μ‐H2O)2·K2(phth)4(H2O)], (phth = phthalate) (1), was synthesized from nickel(II) nitrate, KOH and potassium hydrogen phthalate, and was isolated by crystallization. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed that 1 belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P21/c with a = 10.455(2) Å, b = 6.8670(14) Å, c = 29.704(6) Å, γ = 98.14(3)°, R1 = 0.0585, wR2 = 0.1503. In the title compound, [K2(phth)4]2+ units are bonded to water‐bridged Ni chains forming 2D lamellar‐like compounds.
Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Behavior of Two 4d‐4f Coordination Polymers Based on N and O Donor Ligands
Authors: Lian Qing‐Yang , Huang Chun‐De , Zeng Rong‐Hua , Qiu Yong‐Cai , Mou Ji‐Xia , Deng Hong , Zeller Matthias
Published: February 2009

Two new 4d‐4f coordination polymers, [Ag2Nd(nic)4(H2O)4·(ClO4)·H2O] (1) and [Ag8Yb4(inic)8(ox)6]· [Ag2(inic)2] (2) [nic = nicotinate, inic = isonicotinate and ox = oxalate] have been synthesized and characterized by element analysis, IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis, as well as single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 exhibits a wavelike layer that is assembled from neodymium‐carboxylate subunits, silver centres and perchlorate ions. Complex 2 represents a extended heterometallic sandwich‐like layered network that is constructed from ytterbium‐oxalate layers and Ag(inic) chains.
Thiosemicarbazonates of Ruthenium(II): Crystal Structures of [Bis(triphenylphosphine)][bis(N‐phenyl‐pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde Thiosemicarbazonato)]ruthenium(II) and [Bis(diphenylphosphino)butane][bis(salicylaldehyde Thiosemicarbazonato)]ruthenium(II)
Authors: Lobana Tarlok S. , Bawa Gagandeep , Butcher Ray J. , Liu Chen W.
Published: February 2009

Reaction of RuCl2(PPh3)3 with N‐Phenyl‐pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (C5H4N–C2(H)=N3‐N2H–C1(=S)N1HC6H5, Hpytsc‐NPh) in presence of Et3N base led to loss of ‐N2H‐proton and yielded the complex [Ru(pytsc‐NPh)2(Ph3P)2] (1). Similar reactions of precursor RuCl2[(p‐tolyl)3P]3 with a series of thiosemicarbazone ligands, viz. pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (Hpytsc), salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (H2stsc), and benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (Hbtsc), have yielded the complexes, [Ru(pytsc)2{(p‐tolyl)3P}2] (2), [Ru(Hstsc)2{(p‐tolyl)3P}]2 (3), and [Ru(btsc)2{(p‐tolyl)3P}2] (4), respectively. The reactions of precursor Ru2Cl4(dppb)3 {dppb = Ph2P–(CH2)4–PPh2} with H2stsc, Hbtsc, furan‐2‐carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (Hftsc) and thiophene‐2‐carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (Httsc) have formed complexes of the composition, [Ru(Hstsc)2(dppb)] (5), [Ru(btsc)2(dppb)] (6), [Ru(ftsc)2(dppb)] (7), and [Ru(ttsc)2(dppb)] (8). The complexes have been characterized by analytical data, IR, NMR (1H, 31P) spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography (1 and 5). The proton NMR confirmed loss of –N2H– proton in all the compounds, and 31P NMR spectra reveal the presence of equivalent phosphorus atoms in the complexes. In all the compounds, thiosemicarbazone ligands coordinate to the RuII atom via hydrazinic nitrogen (N2) and sulfur atoms. The arrangement around each metal atom is distorted octahedral with cis:cis:trans P, P:N, N:S, S dispositions of donor atoms.
Reactions of Complex Ligands. Part 107 Densely Substituted Hydroquinoid Phenanthrene and Triphenylene Cr(CO)3 Complexes: Chromium‐Templated Synthesis and Molecular Structure
Authors: Dötz Karl Heinz , Stendel Joachim , Nieger Martin
Published: February 2009

Densely substituted hydroquinoid phenanthrene (10–18), acephenanthrene (19), and triphenylene chromium tricarbonyl complexes (20–22) have been prepared via benzannulation of naphthalenyl (1–7), acenaphthenyl (8) and phenanthrenyl carbene complexes (9), respectively. The naphthalenyl, acenaphthenyl and phenanthrenyl carbene complexes 1–9 were obtained in 52–88 % yield starting from commercially available bromoarenes by dehalolithiation, addition of hexacarbonyl chromium to the lithioarene and O‐alkylation of the resulting acyl chromates with trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate (Fischer route). The benzannulation of the aryl carbene complexes (either with 3‐hexyne / (t‐butyl)dimethylsilyl chloride or with (t‐butyl)dimethylsilylethyne) allowed the regiospecific synthesis of the oligocyclic hydroquinoid arene tricarbonyl chromium complexes 10–22 in 44–94 % yield thus providing a two‐step synthesis with overall yields of 18 ‐ 80 %. Under the kinetic reaction conditions used the metal atom is exclusively coordinated to the persubstituted terminal hydroquinoid ring. The molecular structures of phenanthrene complexes 10, 12–14, and 16, acephenanthrene complex 19, and triphenylene complexes 20 and 21 in the solid state have been determined by X‐ray crystallography. The carbonyl ligands either adopt an eclipsed (10, 12, 14, 16, 19, 20) or staggered (13, 21) exo‐conformation pointing away from the center of the phenanthrene, acephenanthrene and triphenylene ligands, respectively. The coordination of the metal atom to the hydroquinoid ring is unsymmetric with the largest metal‐carbon distances found between the chromium atom and one bridgehead carbon and the ring carbon atom bearing the bulky (t‐butyl)dimethylsilyloxy (TBDMSO) substituent.
The Crystal Structure of Ni21Sn2P6
Authors: Schmetterer Clemens , Wildner Manfred , Giester Gerald , Richter Klaus W. , Ipser Herbert
Published: February 2009

During an investigation of the phase equilibria in the ternary system Ni/P/Sn, the existence of a new phase Ni21Sn2P6 with a composition close to the known Ni10P3Sn phase was found. The crystal structure of the new phase was determined using single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structure was solved employing Patterson and Difference Fourier Analysis. Ni21P6Sn2 (space group $Fm{\bar 3}m$, a = 1112.2 pm) crystallizes in an ordered variant of the C6Cr23 structure common to many carbides, borides and phosphides. The relation between Ni21Sn2P6 and other C6Cr23 type phases and to Ni10P3Sn was established.
Mechanochemical Synthesis of Ternary Potassium Transition Metal Chlorides
Authors: Pawelke Roland H. , Felderhoff Michael , Weidenthaler Claudia , Bogdanovíc Borislav , Schüth Ferdi
Published: February 2009

Ternary halide systems KMIICl3 (MII = Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) have been prepared by mechanochemical synthesis. Furthermore, TiCl2 was converted to Ti7Cl16 by mechanochemical treatment. For most samples, the X‐ray powder diffraction patterns could either be assigned to isotypic structures or were found in accordance with reference data. The monochloride systems of Ti, Co and Zn were extended to their double chloride stoichiometry K2MIICl4.
Tuning the Photophysical Properties and Solid‐State Organization of Perfluorophenyl‐functionalized Dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]phospholes
Authors: Dienes Yvonne , Englert Ulli , Baumgartner Thomas
Published: February 2009

A series of perfluorophenyl‐substituted dithienophosphole derivates has been synthesized. Investigation of their photophysical properties, as well as their organization in the solid state reveals that these properties can be manipulated via introduction of bromine substituents in 2,6‐position of the dithienphosphole scaffold, as well as the complexation of the phosphorus center with an electron rich gold(I) fragment. The strongly electron‐withdrawing character of the perfluorophenyl‐group surmounts the effect of the oxidation of the phosphorus center with respect to photophysics, leading to leading to optoelectronic features similar to those of the trivalent phosphole species. The trivalent phosphole species. The solid‐state organization of the members of this perfluorinated dithienophosphole family, on the other hand, strongly depends on the heteroatoms present within the system, as close intermolecular interactions can be observed between varieties of different atoms (Au‐Au, Br‐Br, Br‐O, Br‐C, F‐C, O‐S), next to regular C‐C π‐stacking interactions.