bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revealing Significant Learning Moments with Interactive Whiteboards in Mathematics
Authors: Bruce Catherine D. , McPherson Richard , Sabeti Farhad Mordy , Flynn Tara
Published: March 2012

The aim of this study was to identify when and how the interactive whiteboard (IWB) functioned as a productive tool that impacted student learning in mathematics. Using video data, field notes, and interview transcripts from 1 school year in two optimal case study classrooms, we were able to examine the unique opportunities afforded by the size of the IWB screen, the manipulation of virtual objects onscreen, and related communication using gestures. We: (i) established criteria for defining “significant learning moments”; (ii) assessed these significant learning moments to determine how the interactive whiteboard was supporting the learning; and (iii) isolated the use of gesture during IWB use to magnify the grain size of our analysis and understanding. The data fell into three types of IWB use: productive (89%), reproductive (2%), and problematic (9%). The study recommends that in order to best support student learning, professional development for teachers should emphasize direct and active student use of the IWB to engage students in inquiry of mathematics.
Grounding in Instant Messaging
Authors: Tree Jean E. Fox , Mayer Sarah A. , Betts Teresa E.
Published: March 2012

In two experiments, we investigated predictions of the collaborative theory of language use (Clark, 1996) as applied to instant messaging (IM). This theory describes how the presence and absence of different grounding constraints causes people to interact differently across different communicative media (Clark & Brennan, 1991). In Study 1, we document how IM changes as users increase in expertise. In Study 2, we compare adaptations across telephoning and IM with a focus on multitasking.
Promoting Gender Equality in Digital Literacy
Authors: Ertl Bernhard , Helling Kathrin
Published: March 2012

This article deals with gender phenomena in the context of digital literacy. Studies show that computer use, computer skills, and computer-related self-concepts are subject to gender differences. These differences may affect classroom interactions as well as learning processes and have therefore to be considered carefully by teachers who apply computer supported learning. This article presents a quantitative study to illustrate particular fields affected from gender differences. Furthermore, a qualitative study reveals students' perceptions of gender differences. The article presents four dimensions that may help teachers to analyze origins of emerging gender inequalities and closes with suggestions for facilitation methods.
Multidisciplinary Approach in the Rehabilitation of Missing Lateral Incisors: A New Trend in Daily Practice
Authors: Closs LQ , Reston EG , Tessarollo F , Freitas MPM , Broliato G
Published: March 2012

This article reports the case of a patient with bilateral hypodontia of the maxillary lateral incisors who was dissatisfied with the outcome of initial orthodontic treatment, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary interaction among Restorative Dentistry, Orthodontics, and Implantology to achieve satisfactory esthetics and functional results.
Realistic model of spine geometry in the human skeleton in the Vicon system
Authors: Długosz Mirosława , Chwała Wiesław , Maciejasz Paweł , Alda Witold
Published: March 2012

The human spine is definitively one of the most important parts of a living body. From biomechanical point of view, this organ is the most complicated structure, and a dynamic analysis of its motion still requires more detailed models be created. The aim of this study is to build an accurate computer model of the geometry of the spine and insert it into available skeleton models, used in Vicon. Up to now such models were simplified and that is why they were not sufficient for research of detailed motion of the spine.
The paper describes the process of creating models of the vertebrae. During research, authors simultaneously used two techniques: 3D scanning of the vertebrae and computed modeling in 3D graphics software. A universal data format: .obj used to keep the information about surface shape of an object, its colour, texture etc. is presented in detail. In a discussion on Vicon data formats and relations between them, several file types are taken under consideration: marker files: .mkr, global model parameters files: .mp, files of the model structure: .mod. But first of all, step-by-step instructions of how to connect the files with geometrical objects for the visualization purposes, are presented.
Research on the changes in voice quality caused by tonsillectomy
Authors: Potępa Łukasz , Tadeusiewicz Ryszard , Szaleniec Joanna
Published: March 2012

The article presents the results of the research on the changes in voice quality caused by tonsillectomy. It was carried out in a group of 20 patients (12 male and 8 female). The voice was recorded on a E-MU 0404 USB sound card with a 24-bit A/C AK5385A convertor. Having analyzed the pronunciation of prolonged Polish vowels: /a/, /e/, /i/ and /u/, the researchers defined a set of parameters which differentiate the pronunciation before and after tonsillectomy. The results show that the differences in pronunciation might be observed due to dynamic properties of the articulatory track. Additional researches emphasize the usefulness of such recordings applying external E-MU 0404 USB sound card in the clinical environment.
Efficient Preconditioners for Large Scale Binary Cahn-Hilliard Models
Authors: Boyanova Petia , Do-Quang Minh , Neytcheva Maya
Published: March 2012

In this work we consider preconditioned iterative solution methods for numerical simulations of
multiphase flow problems, modelled by the Cahn-Hilliard equation. We focus on diphasic flows and
the construction and efficiency of a preconditioner for the algebraic systems arising from finite
element discretizations in space and the θ-method in time. The preconditioner utilises to a
full extent the algebraic structure of the underlying matrices and exhibits optimal convergence and
computational complexity properties. Various numerical experiments, including large scale
examples, are presented as well as
performance comparisons with other solution methods.
A Fault Diagnosis Method for Substation Grounding Grid Based on the Square-Wave Frequency Domain Model
Authors: Zhang Peng-He , He Jun-Jia , Zhang Dan-Dan , Wu Lan-Min
Published: March 2012

A Fault Diagnosis Method for Substation Grounding Grid Based on the Square-Wave Frequency Domain Model

Current methods of fault diagnosis for the grounding grid using DC or AC are limited in accuracy and cannot be used to identify the locations of the faults. In this study, a new method of fault diagnosis for substation grounding grids is proposed using a square-wave. A frequency model of the grounding system is constructed by analyzing the frequency characteristics of the soil and the grounding conductors into which two different frequency square-wave sources are injected. By analyzing and comparing the corresponding information of the surface potentials of the output signals, the faults of the grounding grid can be diagnosed and located. Our method is verified by software simulation, scale model experiments and field experiments.
The Effect of Humidity on the Stability of LTCC Pressure Sensors
Authors: Zarnik Marina , Belavic Darko
Published: March 2012

The Effect of Humidity on the Stability of LTCC Pressure Sensors

LTCC-based pressure sensors are promising candidates for wet-wet applications in which the effect of the surrounding media on the sensor's characteristics is of key importance. The effect of humidity on the sensor's stability can be a problem, particularly in the case of capacitive sensors. A differential mode of operation can be a good solution, but manufacturing the appropriate sensing capacitors remains a major challenge. In the case of piezoresistive sensors the influence of humidity is less critical, but it still should be considered as an important parameter when designing sensors for low-pressure ranges. In this paper we discuss the stability of the sensors' offset characteristics, which was inspected closely using experimental and numerical analyses.
Modeling of Polish Enterprises Insolvency Processes with the Use of Gorbatov Characterization Principle - Research Results
Authors: Prokopowicz Tomasz , Krupa Tadeusz
Published: March 2012

Modeling of Polish Enterprises Insolvency Processes with the Use of Gorbatov Characterization Principle - Research Results

Economical activities of enterprises should be based on such managerial decisions that assure quick and effective adjustment of the company to the changes that appear in the market. Enterprises, which are not able to use their opportunities and avoid threats, are bound to face the thread of insolvency. Effects of the insolvency are felt not only by the enterprise, but also by its creditors. Therefore, it is necessary to elaborate a warning system that will beforehand allow diagnosing the condition of the enterprise and setting necessary directions for the company to avoid insolvency. The article presents research results on the use of characterization theory in the creation of insolvency threat evaluation model based on Polish enterprises.
The Analysis and Synthesis of Strategic Management Research in the Third Sector from Early 2000 Through to Mid-2009
Authors: Domański Jarosław
Published: March 2012

The Analysis and Synthesis of Strategic Management Research in the Third Sector from Early 2000 Through to Mid-2009

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the contemporary literature on strategic management in non-profit organizations. The area at hand is divided into five categories: modern management and strategic management approaches/theories; analysis of the roles of externalities and internalities in the Third Sector; review of how strategic management has been applied for non-profit organizations; review of applications and enhanced identification of one or more strategies utilised by non-profit organizations; application of specific methods and tools in strategic management. Four dilemmas faced by modern management theory serve as a synthetic axis. First, how can the existing commercial management concepts and techniques be best adapted to the realities of the non-profit sector? Secondly, which of the established schools of strategic management is the most relevant one for non-profits? In fact, is it appropriate to look for a brand new school of thought? Thirdly, and this is again related to academic pursuits, what coherent theory can explain the efficiency of non-profit organizations. Fourthly, there is the dilemma what strategy to employ when faced with a choice between the willingness and the need to apply competitive strategies and the co-operative strategy in the third sector.
Directors Remuneration and Companies' Performance the Comparison of Listed Companies in Poland and UK
Authors: Herdan Agnieszka , Szczepańska Katarzyna
Published: March 2012

Directors Remuneration and Companies' Performance the Comparison of Listed Companies in Poland and UK

This paper examines the determinants of CEO compensation. There are many factors that influence CEO compensation. For this research three factors has been selected: companies size, accounting factor and market factor. The study looks at the relationship between each of this factors and directors remuneration. Sample of companies listed on London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) has been investigated over the period of 2007 - 2010. Data has been collected through annual reports content analysis and announcement on websites of LSE and WSE. Linear regression has been run on collected data. Positive correlation has been found between directors' remuneration and companies' size in both British and Polish listed companies. The relationship is also positive between directors pay and companies performance. Companies' performance has been assets by return on equity ratio (ROE) and Tobin's Q. All the findings are consistent with the outcome presented within previous research by variety of scholars.
Heavyweight and Oversized Cargo Transportation Risk Management
Authors: Palšaitis Ramūnas , Petraška Artūras
Published: March 2012

Heavyweight and Oversized Cargo Transportation Risk Management

The most important factor affecting the quality of transportation heavy goods is safety and security. Risk evaluation and management is one of the key issues during the planning oversized goods safe transportation and investments into transport infrastructure reconstruction. Usually it is international transportation and decision-making requires through analysis of the problem both, on the national and international scale and only then the most rational decision (transportation route) can be made with the view of the effective risk lowering, i.e. seeking the last possible reconstruction costs. The objective of the risk evaluation when investing into infrastructure reconstruction is to safeguard heavyweight or oversized goods transportation. When making the quantitative and economic assessment of the risk the theory of chances and mathematic statistics are most commonly used methods, because they are denoted to describe an event or process in case of ambiguous possibilities.
Effect of laser priming on canola yield and its components under salt stress
Authors: Mohammadi S. , Shekari F. , Fotovat R. , Darudi A.
Published: March 2012

Effect of laser priming on canola yield and its components under salt stress

The effect of laser priming at different irradiation times on canola yield and its components under saline conditions were investigated. The results showed that laser priming had a positive effect on yield and its components and caused yield increase under saline conditions. Increase in salt levels had a negative and significant effect on seed yield, number of seeds per pod, number of pod per plant, pod length and plant height. The results showed that 45-min laser priming had the strongest effect on yield and yield components and reduced significantly the adverse effects of salinity. By contrast, laser radiation applied for 60 and 75 min, resulted in a dramatic decrease in yield and its components. Correlation coefficients between the attributes showed that canola yield had a positive and significant correlation with plant height, number of seeds, pod per main branch and lateral branches, length of pod and number of lateral branches. Effects of laser and salinity were significant on lateral branch pod length but not on main branch pods.
Effect of water regimes on sorptivity and organic matter humic components of soil
Authors: Raut S. , Sahoo N. , Chakraborty H.
Published: March 2012

Effect of water regimes on sorptivity and organic matter humic components of soil

The aim of the study was to find the effect of water regimes on soil sorptivity and humic components of organic matter. Physicochemical parameters were also determined. Steady state cumulative infiltration was the highest (60-100 mm) in non-irrigated upland soil and the lowest (8-10 mm) in waterlogged soil. The highest sorptivity of 4.0-4.5 mm min-1/2was found in non-irrigated upland soil and the lowest in seasonally waterlogged soil (1.0-1.5 mm min-1/2). Organic carbon content of all soils was low (<1%), EC values were also low (< 4 dS m-1). Saturated moisture was high in waterlogged soil. The non-irrigated upland soils had a higher fraction of fulvic acid (0.15-0.2%), due to which they were more capable of infiltration, whereas waterlogged soils had a greater fraction of insoluble humic acid (0.29-0.35%) and exhibited less cumulative infiltration. Sorptivity decreased as the clay content, pH, EC, porosity and humic acid content of the soil increased.
Physical properties of psyllium seed
Authors: Ahmadi R. , Kalbasi-Ashtari A. , Gharibzahedi S.
Published: March 2012

Physical properties of psyllium seed

Physical properties ie dimensions, volume, surface area, sphericity, true density, porosity, angle of repose, terminal velocity, static and dynamic friction coefficients on plywood, stainless steel, glass and galvanized iron sheet, force required for initiating seed rupture in horizontal and vertical orientations of psyllium seed at a moisture content of 7.2% (w.b.)were determined.
Physical properties of wild mango fruit and nut
Authors: Ehiem J. , Simonyan K.
Published: March 2012

Physical properties of wild mango fruit and nut

Physical properties of two wild mango varieties were studied at 81.9 and 24.5% moisture (w.b.) for the fruits and nuts, respectively. The shape and size of the fruit are the same while that of nuts differs atP= 0.05. The mass, density and bulk density of the fruits are statistically different atP= 0.05 but the volume is the same. The shape and size, volume and bulk density of the nuts are statistically the same atP= 0.05. The nuts of both varieties are also the same atP= 0.05 in terms of mass and density. The packing factor for both fruits and nut of the two varieties are the same at 0.95. The relevant data obtained for the two varieties would be useful for design and development of machines and equipment for processing and handling operations.
The Analysis of Likert Scales Using State Multipoles
Authors: Camparo James , Camparo Lorinda B.
Published: March 2012

Though ubiquitous, Likert scaling’s traditional mode of analysis is often unable to uncover all of the valid information in a data set. Here, the authors discuss a solution to this problem based on methodology developed by quantum physicists: the state multipole method. The authors demonstrate the relative ease and value of this method by examining college students’ endorsement of one possible cause of prejudice: segregation. Though the mean level of students’ endorsement did not differ among ethnic groups, an examination of state multipoles showed that African Americans had a level of polarization in their endorsement that was not reflected by Hispanics or European Americans. This result could not have been obtained with the traditional approach and demonstrates the new method’s utility for social science research.
Simultaneous Detection of Antigen-Specific IgG- and IgM-Secreting Cells with a B Cell Fluorospot Assay
Authors: Bonsignori Mattia , Moody M. Anthony
Published: March 2012

The traditional enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay is the gold standard for the enumeration of antigen-specific B cells. Since B cell availability from biological samples is often limited, either because of sample size/volume or the need of performing multiple analyses on the same sample, the implementation of ELISpot assay formats that allow the simultaneous detection of multiple antibody types is desirable. While dual-color ELISpot assays have been described, technical complexities have so far prevented their wide utilization as well as further expansion of their multicolor capability. An attractive solution is to replace the chromogenic reaction of the traditional ELISpot assay with a fluorescent detection system (fluorospot assay). Fluorospot assays using fluorophore-conjugated secondary antibodies in conjunction with fluorescence enhancers, FITC/anti-FITC and biotin/avidin amplification systems and dedicated equipment for spot detection have been developed to enumerate T-cells secreting two or three specific cytokines and, more recently, IgG and IgA antibody-secreting cells (ASCs). We hereby report a method for a multiplex B cell fluorospot assay that utilizes quantum-dot nanocrystals as reporters without further amplification systems or need of dedicated equipment. With this method we simultaneously enumerated HIV-1 gp41 envelope glycoprotein-specific IgG and IgM antibody-secreting cells with sensitivity comparable to that of the traditional ELISpot assay.
Patience or Fairness? Analyzing Social Preferences in Repeated Games
Authors: Duffy John , Muñoz-García Félix
Published: March 2012

This paper investigates how the introduction of social preferences affects players’ equilibrium behavior in both the one-shot and the infinitely repeated version of the Prisoner’s Dilemma game. We show that fairness concerns operate as a ”substitute” for time discounting in the infinitely repeated game, as fairness helps sustain cooperation for lower discount factors. In addition, such cooperation can be supported under larger parameter values if players are informed about each others’ social preferences than if they are uninformed. Finally, our results help to identify conditions under which cooperative behavior observed in recent experimental repeated games can be rationalized using time preferences alone (patience) or a combination of time and social preferences (fairness).
Production of Protocatechuic Acid in Bacillus Thuringiensis ATCC33679
Authors: Williams Kimtrele M. , Martin William E. , Smith Justin , Williams Baraka S. , Garner Bianca L.
Published: March 2012

Protocatechuic acid, or 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, is produced by both soil and marine bacteria in the free form and as the iron binding component of the siderophore petrobactin. The soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki ATCC 33679, contains the asb operon, but does not produce petrobactin. Iron restriction resulted in diminished B. thuringiensis kurstaki ATCC 33679 growth and the production of catechol(s). The gene product responsible for protocatechuic acid (asbF) and its receptor (fatB) were expressed during stationary phase growth. Gene expression varied with growth temperature, with optimum levels occurring well below the Bacillus anthracis virulence temperature of 37 °C. Regulation of protocatechuic acid suggests a possible role for this compound during soil growth cycles.
Ophthalmic Drug Delivery in Glaucoma—A Review
Authors: Januleviciene Ingrida , Siaudvytyte Lina , Barsauskaite Ruta
Published: March 2012

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy and medical therapy is the initial option for the treatment of this potentially blinding condition. Topical instillation of eye drops from the bottle is the most common glaucoma drug delivery form. Due to limited permeability of anterior ocular surface, natural clearance and drainage, eye drops contain large amounts of inactive ingredients. Effective penetration enhancers are known as irritants causing ocular discomfort. Although drug efficacy is determined by active ingredients, inactive agents can affect tolerance and can result in conjunctival irritation and hyperemia and influence patients’ adherence and quality of life.
A Vocal-Based Analytical Method for Goose Behaviour Recognition
Authors: Steen Kim Arild , Therkildsen Ole Roland , Karstoft Henrik , Green Ole
Published: March 2012

Since human-wildlife conflicts are increasing, the development of cost-effective methods for reducing damage or conflict levels is important in wildlife management. A wide range of devices to detect and deter animals causing conflict are used for this purpose, although their effectiveness is often highly variable, due to habituation to disruptive or disturbing stimuli. Automated recognition of behaviours could form a critical component of a system capable of altering the disruptive stimuli to avoid this. In this paper we present a novel method to automatically recognise goose behaviour based on vocalisations from flocks of free-living barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis). The geese were observed and recorded in a natural environment, using a shielded shotgun microphone. The classification used Support Vector Machines (SVMs), which had been trained with labeled data. Greenwood Function Cepstral Coefficients (GFCC) were used as features for the pattern recognition algorithm, as they can be adjusted to the hearing capabilities of different species. Three behaviours are classified based in this approach, and the method achieves a good recognition of foraging behaviour (86–97% sensitivity, 89–98% precision) and a reasonable recognition of flushing (79–86%, 66–80%) and landing behaviour(73–91%, 79–92%). The Support Vector Machine has proven to be a robust classifier for this kind of classification, as generality and non-linearcapabilities are important. We conclude that vocalisations can be used to automatically detect behaviour of conflict wildlife species, and as such, may be used as an integrated part of awildlife management system.
Variation among individuals in cone production inPinus palustris(Pinaceae)
Authors: Haymes Kelly L. , Fox Gordon A.
Published: March 2012

•Premise of the study:Reproductive output varies considerably among individuals within plant populations, and this is especially so in cone production of conifers. While this variation can have substantial effects on populations, little is known about its magnitude or causes.

•Methods:We studied variation in cone production for 2 years within a population ofPinus palustrisMill. (longleaf pine; Pinaceae). Using hurdle models, we evaluated the importance of burn treatments, tree size (dbh), canopy status (open, dominant, subordinate), and number of conspecific neighbors within 4 m (N4).

•Key results:Cone production of individuals—even after accounting for other variables—was strongly correlated between years. Trees in plots burned every 1, 2, or 5 years produced more cones than those burned every 7 years, or unburned. Larger trees tend to produce more cones, but the large effects of the other factors studied caused substantial scatter in the dbh‐cone number relationship. Among trees in the open, dbh had little explanatory power. Subordinate trees with three neighbors produced no cones.

•Conclusions:Tree size alone was a weak predictor of cone production. Interactions with neighbors play an important role in generating reproductive heterogeneity, and must be accounted for when relating cone production to size. The strong between‐year correlation, together with the large variance in cone production among trees without neighbors, suggests that still more of the variance may be explainable, but requires factors outside of our study.
Polyploidy associated with altered and broader ecological niches in the Claytonia perfoliata (Portulacaceae) species complex
Authors: McIntyre Patrick J.
Published: March 2012

• Premise of the study: Polyploids are often hypothesized to have distinct and broader niches than their diploid progenitors. Differences in geographic distributions between diploid and polyploids are frequently used to infer niche differentiation and increased breadth, but they are seldom used to test these hypotheses explicitly.

• Methods: Niche overlap and breadth were compared for diploids, tetraploids, and hexaploids of three taxa in the Claytonia perfoliata complex (C. parviflora, C. perfoliata, and C. rubra) with the use of species distribution models. Resampling and randomization approaches were used to test hypotheses of niche differentiation, breadth, and conservatism.

• Key results: Niche differentiation was detected between polyploid and diploid cytotypes assigned to the same taxon (e.g., C. parviflora 2× vs. 4×) but not between hexaploids and tetraploids within a taxon (e.g., C. parviflora 4× vs. 6×). Individual hexaploid cytotypes had broader ecological niches than individual diploid cytotypes. However, as a group the three hexaploid taxa did not exceed the combined niche breadth of the three diploids, suggesting that polyploidy does not result in transgressive niche breadth for this group. Niche overlap was lowest among diploids and was highest among the three hexaploid cytotypes, consistent with introgression associated with polyploidy resulting in greater ecological similarity. Although cytotypes possessed nonidentical niches, after accounting for environmental differences among ranges, cytotypes were more similar than expected, suggesting niche conservatism and similar responses to environmental characteristics.

• Conclusions: These results suggest that polyploids occupy distinct and broader niches relative to diploids but that cytotypes also share fundamentally similar responses to environmental variation across ploidy levels.
Kinetic Characterization of Newly Discovered Inhibitors of Various Constructs of Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus-1 (HTLV-1) Protease and Their Effect on HTLV-1-Infected Cells
Authors: Demir Ahu , Oguariri Raphael M , Magis Andrew , Ostrov David A , Imamichi Tomozumi , Dunn Ben M
Published: March 2012

Background

Human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1) was the first identified human retrovirus and was shown to be associated with diseases such as adult T-cell leukemia lymphoma and tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1 associated myelopathy. Retroviral proteases (PRs) are essential for viral replication by processing viral Gag and Gag-(Pro)-Pol polyproteins during maturation. Full-length HTLV-1 PR is 125 residues long; whether the C-terminal region is required for catalytic activity is still controversial. In this study, we characterized the effect of C-terminal amino acids of HTLV-1 PR for PR activity and examined the binding of compounds identified by in silico screening. One compound showed inhibition against the virus in infected cells.

Methods

Truncated (116-, 121- and 122-residue) forms of HTLV-1 PR were prepared and proteins from expression of the genes were purified. In silico screening was performed by docking small molecules into the active site of HTLV-1 PR. The kinetic constants k cat, K m, k cat/ K m and inhibition constants K i for inhibitors identified by the computational screening were determined. Western blot and ELISA analyses were used to determine the effect of the most potent PR inhibitors on HTLV-1 protein processing in infected cells.

Results

The constructs showed similar catalytic efficiency constants ( k cat/ K m); thus HTLV-1 PR C-terminal amino acids are not essential for full activity. Computational screening revealed new PR inhibitors and some were shown to be inhibitory in enzyme assays. In HTLV-1-infected cells, one of the small molecules inhibited HTLV-1 gag cleavage and decreased the amount of HTLV-1 p19 produced in the cells.

Conclusions

We have identified an HTLV-1 PR inhibitor that is biologically functional. Inhibitor screening will continue to develop possible drugs for therapy of HTLV-1 infection.
Effect of oral supplementation of the probiotic capsule UB-01BV in the treatment of patients with bacterial vaginosis
Authors: Sudha M. Ratna , Maurya A.K.
Published: March 2012

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition affecting millions of women annually and is characterised by a reduction in native lactobacilli. Antimicrobial therapy used to cure the disease is often found to be ineffective. We postulate that the potential probiotic capsule UB-01BV might be efficient in the treatment of BV. In the present study, 30 Indian women diagnosed with BV presenting symptoms such as white discharge, pH greater than 4.7, increased discharge, odour, colour of discharge and pruritus were included. All subjects were assigned to receive two potential probiotic capsules UB-01BV a day for 7 days. At the end of the treatment all subjects showed significant (P<0.001) positive response as revealed by a reduction in vaginosis symptoms. Therefore, the results of the present study provide the first preliminary evidence that the potential probiotic capsule UB-01BV can exert a significant reduction in vaginal infection.
Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Bhattacharyya Siddhartha , Dutta Paramartha
Published: March 2012

The field of industrial informatics has emerged as one of the key disciplines for the purpose of intelligent management and dissemination of information in today’s world. With the advent of newer technical know-how, the subject of informative intelligence has assumed increasing importance in the industrial arena, thanks to the evolution of data intensive industry. Real world data exhibit varied amount of unquantifiable uncertainty in the information content. Conventional logic is often unable to explain the associated uncertainty and imprecision therein due to the principles of finiteness of observations and quantifying propositions employed. Fuzzy sets and fuzzy logic provide a logical framework for description of the varied amount of ambiguity, uncertainty and imprecision exhibited in real world data under consideration. The resultant fuzzy inference engine and the fuzzy logic control theory supplement the power of the framework in design of robust failsafe real life systems.
Integration of Fuzzy Logic Techniques into DSS for Profitability Quantification in a Manufacturing Environment
Authors: Elamvazuthi Irraivan , Vasant Pandian , Ganesan Timothy
Published: March 2012

Production control, planning, and scheduling are forms of decision making, which play a crucial role in manufacturing industries. In the current competitive environment, effective decision-making has become a necessity for survival in the marketplace. This chapter provides insight into the issues relating to integration of fuzzy logic techniques into decision support systems for profitability quantification in a manufacturing environment. The chapter is divided into five sections with a general introduction of the topic, followed by a thorough literature review on the existing techniques. Thereafter, fuzzy logic algorithms using logistic membership functions and resource variables for decision making aiming at quality improvement are discussed. A case study involving a textile firm is then described with the computational results and findings, and finally, future research directions are presented.
Traffic Control of Two Parallel Stations Using the Optimal Dynamic Assignment Policy
Authors: Kadry Seifedine
Published: March 2012

In this chapter, the authors study some optimal dynamic policies of assignment to control the entrance of a system. This system is formed of two waiting lines (queues) in parallel. Every line is composed of a server and a waiting room (buffer). Upon arrival to this system, the authors suppose the existence of an assignment policy. The role of the policy is to assign dynamically the customers (the customers here may represent a physical customer in the entrance of a cinema or bank, packets in a computer networks, calls in a telephone system…etc.) to the one or to the other of two lines or it may reject (or assigned to other system). This assignment is done according to policies in order to achieve some performance criterion.
A Review of e-Government Initiatives in Tanzania
Authors: Oreku George S. , Mtenzi Fredrick Japhet
Published: March 2012

Over the last few years, Tanzania has witnessed an increased usage and awareness of e-Government services. This is welcome news to all stakeholders in ensuring that services offered by the government and communications between the government and citizens are efficient and effective. Despite the good news, the reality in most cases has been that the e-Government projects are implemented as technical projects (mostly employing techno-centric approaches), ignoring other important considerations, with the implicit assumption that they will be used by the citizens. In this chapter, the authors conducted a study to assess the quality of provision, level of awareness, and degree of usage of e-Government services in Tanzania. Further, the study presents the challenges and opportunities which the Tanzanian Government faces in realizing its e-Government vision. It demonstrates that the e-Government projects are community projects and their design and implementation must take into account contextual, cultural, and environmental factors.
E-Documents and E-Signatures in Tanzania
Authors: John Ubena
Published: March 2012

This chapter analyses the use of e-Documents and e-Signatures in Tanzania with a view of establishing their legal status, applicability, and the future of such technologies in e-Government systems. That is important as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is widely employed in Tanzania. Moreover, the development and application of information systems is influenced by law. Therefore, the problem investigated is twofold: First, legal status, validity, and admissibility of e-Documents and e-Signatures in evidence in Tanzania are questioned. Second, the challenges facing the establishment of e-Government in Tanzania are explored. The chapter is a qualitative study, i.e. library- and desk-based research. Various literatures focusing on e-Documents and e-Signatures are reviewed, analysed, and evaluated so as to draw a conclusion on the relevancy of e-Documents and e-Signatures in the e-Government projects in Tanzania. The literature analysis conducted found that there is a lack of legal framework to recognize e-Documents and e-Signatures compounded with poor ICT infrastructure in Tanzania. This scenario puts e-Government endeavours at risk. It is recommended that the government should enact the laws to recognise e-Documents and e-Signatures to boost e-Commerce as well as e-Government.
Overlooking Organizational Culture
Authors: Wachira David
Published: March 2012

The growth of the information communication technologies (ICTs) has fostered the adoption of e-government across the globe. E-government offers many benefits to developing countries. However, these countries are often plagued with problems that inhibit the implementation of e-government initiatives. As a result, research in e-government has attempted to offer solutions by listing the factors that influence the success and failures of e-government initiatives. The argument is made here, however, that by failing to consider the internal complexities unique to developing countries, these factors only offer palliative solutions to problem. Furthermore, these factors overlook the role that organizational culture plays in influencing the success or failure of e-government initiatives. Following existing literature in e-government, this research will highlight some the major factors listed for e-government successes and failures in developing countries. It will also show how influential organizational culture is in understanding the organizational changes proposed by e-government programs as well as how it has been overlooked in much of the existing literature.
A Methodology to Evaluate ICT Platforms in the Implementation of e-Government
Authors: Solar Mauricio , Valdés Gonzalo , von Brand Horst , Murúa Sergio
Published: March 2012

In this chapter, a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) model is proposed to be used by the agencies of the Chilean public sector when evaluating alternatives for the implementation of e-government. This TCO model is used to compare the pros and cons of solutions that require high levels of investment at start up and low long-term operations expenditures against solutions that require lower start up investments and higher operational costs. It considers all the associated costs and investments of a candidate technological solution, under an integral assessment approach. This work shows how to gather all the information that is required to analyze and determinate the feasibility of a migration project. Since e-government projects are primarily driven by the goal of delivering better services to citizens, it is recommended to deal with these projects case-by-case and to take into account the quality of the resulting service to citizen, before deciding about their viability.
Institutionalisation, Framing, and Diffusion
Authors: Ngwenya Bongani , Lubbe Sam , Klopper Rembrandt
Published: March 2012

In this research, the premise is that sharing data according to the guidelines for publishing open government data ensures greater transparency, delivers more efficient public services, and encourages greater public and commercial use and re-use of government information. This logic, drawn from previous literature and past studies, is extended by examining the interplay between economic benefits of e-Government and social considerations in adoption of e-Government models decisions. Drawing on organizational decision-making research, this research argues that, both early and late adopters respond to framing and interpreting adoption decision situations as opportunities, instead of threats, to enhance transparency and accountability. Following interpretivist research conventions methodology, the sampling plan was purposeful and included a total of 39 interviews. It is found that the social, political, and economic context of developing countries may not readily accommodate current models of openness in e-Government. The conclusion drawn in this research is that motivations for the openness in e-Government to appear legitimate coexist with motivations to realize transparency and accountability. These findings prompt rethinking of the classic institutional, framing, and diffusion model, to suggest openness in e-Government model that developing countries could adopt to suit their social and economic context, as a contribution to the body of knowledge.
Understanding Digital Documents Using Gestalt Properties of Isothetic Components
Authors: Pal Shyamosree , Bhowmick Partha , Biswas Arindam , Bhattacharya Bhargab B.
Published: March 2012

This paper introduces how Gestalt properties can be used for identifying various components in a document image. That the human mind makes a holistic approach to vision rather than a disintegrated approach is shown to be useful for document analysis. Since the major constituent components (textual or non-textual) in a document page are arranged in a rectilinear fashion, rectilinear/isothetic decomposition of different components are made on a document page. After representing the page as a feature set of its polygonal covers corresponding to the distinct regions of interest, each polygon is iteratively decomposed into the sub-polygons tightly enclosing the corresponding sub-components to capture the overall information as well as the necessary details to the desired level of precision. Subsequently, these components and sub-components are analyzed using Gestalt laws/properties, which have been explained in detail in the context of this work. Text regions, tabular structures, and various graphic objects readily admit some of the Gestalt properties. We have tested our algorithm on several benchmark datasets, and some relevant results have been produced here to demonstrate the effectiveness and elegance of the proposed method.
Sustainable Cinema
Authors: Hessels Scott
Published: March 2012

While nature has often inspired art, a subset of artists has given the natural world an even more influential role in the outcome of their work. These artists have harnessed the physics, biology, and ecology of the natural environment as artistic tools and have used natural phenomena as a co-creator in the realization of their work. This use of natural force impacting the actual form of an artwork has also been explored in the kinetic and moving image arts. As one of several artists now working in sustainable energy, the author of this chapter has created a series of kinetic public sculptures that use natural power sources to create the moving image. These sculptures will be presented here as a case study for a larger perspective on the continuing relationship between the forces of nature and the materials of the moving image.
From Zero to Infinity
Authors: Spada Clayton S. , Raphael Victor
Published: March 2012

Art, science, and spirituality comprise a triumvirate of conceptual and process-oriented contexts founded on different philosophical tenets, but all serving to help interpret human experience with the universe. This chapter examines the potential value in leveraging a generalist perspective as a counterbalance against deconstruction to perceived elemental units so as to avoid becoming bound by paradigm. Art and science are addressed as related observational methods that engage hand and mind to explore hypotheses about and represent the varied aspects of existence. A practicing artist and a practicing artist/scientist present examples of artworks that evolved from their collaborative project, entitled From Zero to Infinity, to illustrate the commonalities that art and science share with respect to pragmatic and creative processes, while not equating art with science as similar cognitive domains.
Short-stay, specialist beds in a UK teaching hospital as a model to integrate palliative care into the acute hospital culture
Authors: Paterson F , Buchanan D , MacIvor F , Baker L , Levack P
Published: March 2012

Hospital patients should have access to effective palliative care. In our study, three short-stay beds were re-allocated to specialist palliative care as part of a pilot programme. This paper describes the first 100 admissions of patients with inadequately controlled symptoms or distress. Median pain and distress scores were both seven out of a maximum of 10 (interquartile ranges [IQR] 4–10 and 1–10 respectively), reducing to 3.5 (IQR 1–5) and 0 (0–5) after 48 hours. Median length of stay was five days (IQR 3–10); 77% of patients were discharged: 32% to home, 26% to a hospice or community hospital, 19% to their original ward for treatment and 23% died in the unit. A unit education programme introduced as part of the study attracted 600 staff members. Pain and distress were rapidly improved by brief, intense palliative care in a small onsite facility. The pilot programme also influenced the understanding of palliative care in the hospital, demonstrating what it offered patients, family and staff. It demonstrated effective, concurrent working alongside an active disease-management approach, and encouraged collaborative discussions about the goals of care.
Should we be giving high concentration oxygen to all patients treated in an ambulance?
Authors: Lavery GG , Corris PA
Published: March 2012

Oxygen is one of the most widely used drugs. It is important to recognise that oxygen administration carries risks as well as benefits. While adequate oxygen saturation of arterial blood is an important factor in tissue oxygen delivery, oxygen administration to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can lead to decompensated type II respiratory failure. In this debate, Dr Lavery makes the case that high concentration oxygen should be given to all patients treated in an ambulance, while Professor Corris argues against this position.
Fever in the returning traveller
Authors: Bell DJ
Published: March 2012

International travel is increasing and a significant number of travellers will develop a febrile illness during or shortly after their return from the tropics. The differential diagnosis is broad and a systematic approach to the management of these patients is required in order to establish the diagnosis and to initiate prompt and effective treatment. Fever may be due to infectious agents found only in tropical countries, or due to infections unrelated to travel and found worldwide. Important infections that should be considered in all returning travellers include malaria, dengue, enteric fever, rickettsial infections, and HIV seroconversion. Other diagnoses will be considered after a detailed history including countries visited with dates, activities undertaken and symptoms. At a minimum, all travellers from countries where there is malaria transmission should be tested repeatedly for malaria as well as having several sets of blood cultures taken. Many tropical infections are diagnosed serologically at specialist reference laboratories. Specialist advice on the investigation and management of returning travellers should be sought from infectious diseases physicians and microbiologists. Patients with malaria or enteric fever may deteriorate rapidly and travellers should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they become unwell after travel to the tropics. This review will focus on some of the more important imported infections, diagnostic clues from the history, examination and investigations, and important considerations in their management.