bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Appearance of femoropopliteal segment aneurysms in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Maksic Milanko , Davidovic Lazar , Tomic Ivan
Published: April 2012

Background/Aim. To promote better treatment outcome, as well as economic
benefit it is very important to find out patients with simultaneous
occurrence of both aortic and arterial aneurysms. The aim of this prospective
study was to determine the frequency and factors affecting femoropopliteal
(F-P) segment aneurysms appearance in patients with abdominal aortic
aneurysms (AAA). Methods. This study included 70 patients who had underwent
elective or urgent surgery of AAA from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007.
After ultrasonographic examination of F-P segment, all the patients were
divided into two groups - those with adjunctive F-P segment aneurysm (n = 20)
and the group of 50 patients with no adjunctive F-P segment aneurysm. In
both groups demographic characteristics (gender, age), risk factors (diabetes
mellitus, elevated serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, arterial
hypertension, smoking, obesity) and cardiovascular comorbidity
(cerebrovascular desease, ischemic heart desease) were investigated. Results.
Twenty (28.57%) patients who had been operated on because of AAA, had
adjunctive aneurysmal desease of F-P segment. Diabetes was no statistically
significantly more present among the patients who, beside AAA, had adjunctive
aneurismal desease of F-P segment (?2 = 0.04; DF = 1; p > 0.05). Also, in
both groups there was no statistically significant difference in gender
structure (?2 = 2. 05; DF = 2; p > 0.05), age (?2 = 5. 46; DF = 1; p > 0.05),
total cholesterol level (?2 = 0.89; DF = 1; p > 0.05) and triglyceride (?2 =
0.89; DF = 1; p > 0.05) levels, the presence of arterial hypertension (?2 =
1.38; DF = 2; p > 0.05), smoking (?2 = 1.74; DF = 1; p > 0.05), obesity (?2 =
1.76; DF = 1; p > 0.05) and presence of cerebrovascular desease (?2 = 2.34;
DF = 1; p > 0.05). Conversly, ischemic heart desease was statistically
significantly more present among the patients who, beside AAA, had adjunctive
aneurismal desease of F-P segment (?2 = 5.45; DF = 1; p < 0.05). Conclusion.
Twenty patients, beside AAA, had adjunctive F-P segment aneurysm. The results
of this study suggest the necessity of preforming ultrasonographic
examination of F-P segment in all patients with proven AAA.
Genetics of breast cancer: Contribution of BRCA1/2 genes alterations to hereditary predisposition
Authors: Brankovic-Magic Mirjana , Dobricic Jelena , Krivokuca Ana
Published: April 2012

nema
Characteristics of Patients Seeking Outpatient Rehabilitation for Pelvic-Floor Dysfunction
Authors: Wang Ying-Chih , Hart Dennis L. , Mioduski Jerome E.
Published: April 2012

Background

Pelvic-floor dysfunction (PFD) affects a substantial proportion of individuals, especially women.

Objective

The purposes of this study were: (1) to describe the characteristics of individuals with disorders associated with PFD who were seeking outpatient physical therapy services and (2) to identify the prevalence of specific pelvic-floor disorders in the group.

Design

This was a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study of 2,452 patients (mean age=50 years, SD=16, range=18–91) being treated in 109 outpatient physical therapy clinics in 26 states (United States) for their PFD.

Methods

This study examined patient demographic variables and summarized patient self-reported responses to questions related to urinary and bowel functioning at admission prior to receiving the therapy for their PFD disorders.

Results

Patients primarily were female (92%), were under 65 years of age (39%: 18 to <45 years; 39%: 45 to <65 years; 21%: 65 years or older), and had chronic symptoms (74%). Overall, 67% of the patients reported that they had urinary problems, 27% reported bowel problems, and 39% had pelvic pain. Among those who had urinary or bowel disorders, 32% and 54% reported leakage and constipation, respectively, as their only problem. Among patients who had pelvic pain, most (56%) reported that the pain was in the abdominal area. Combinations of urinary, bowel, or pelvic-floor pain disorders occurred in 31% of the patients.

Limitations

Because this study was a secondary analysis of data collected prospectively, the researchers were not in control of the data collection procedure. Missing data were common.

Conclusions

Data suggested most patients with PFD receiving outpatient physical therapy services were female, younger than 65 years, and had disorders lasting for more than 90 days. Combinations of urinary, bowel, or pelvic-floor pain disorders were not uncommon.
Preliminary observations on the vasomotor responses to electrical stimulation of the ventrolateral surface of the human medulla
Authors: Patel Sunil , Krishna Vibhor , Nicholas Joyce , Welzig Charles M. , Vera Cristian
Published: April 2012

Object

Pulsatile arterial compression (AC) of the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) is hypothesized to produce the hypertension in a subset of patients with essential hypertension. In animals, a network of subpial neuronal aggregates in the VLM has been shown to control cardiovascular functions. Although histochemically similar, neurons have been identified in the retro-olivary sulcus (ROS) of the human VLM, but their function is unclear.

Methods

The authors recorded cardiovascular responses to electrical stimulation at various locations along the VLM surface, including the ROS, in patients who were undergoing posterior fossa surgery for trigeminal neuralgia. This vasomotor mapping of the medullary surface was performed using a bipolar electrode, with stimulation parameters ranging from 5- to 30-second trains (20–100 Hz), constant current (1.5–5 mA), and 0.1-msec pulse durations. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) were recorded continuously from baseline (10 seconds before the stimulus) up to 1 minute poststimulus. In 6 patients, 17 stimulation responses in BP and HR were recorded.

Results

The frequency threshold for any cardiovascular response was 20 Hz; the stimulation intensity threshold ranged from 1.5 to 3 mA. In the first patient, all stimulation responses were significantly different from sham recordings (which consisted of electrodes placed without stimulations). Repeated stimulations in the lower ROS produced similar responses in 3 other patients. Two additional patients had similar responses to single stimulations in the lower ROS. Olive stimulation produced no response (control). Hypotensive and/or bradycardic responses were consistently followed by a reflex hypertensive response. Slight right/left differences were noted. No patient suffered short- or long-term effects from this stimulation.

Conclusions

This stimulation technique for vasomotor mapping of the human VLM was safe and reproducible. Neuronal aggregates near the surface of the human ROS may be important in cardiovascular regulation. This method of vasomotor mapping with measures of responses in sympathetic tone (microneurography) should yield additional data for understanding the neuronal network that controls cardiovascular functions in the human VLM. Further studies in which a concentric bipolar electrode is used to generate this type of vasomotor map should also increase understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of neurogenically mediated hypertension, and assist in the design of studies to prove the hypothesis that it is caused by pulsatile AC of the VLM.
Three-dimensional measurement of intervertebral range of motion in ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: are there mobile segments in the continuous type?
Authors: Fujimori Takahito , Iwasaki Motoki , Nagamoto Yukitaka , Kashii Masafumi , Ishii Takahiro , Sakaura Hironobu , Sugamoto Kazuomi , Yoshikawa Hideki
Published: April 2012

Object

In this paper, the authors' goals were to determine the extent of the effect of continuous-type ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine on intervertebral range of motion (ROM) and to examine the relationship between the 3D morphology of OPLL and intervertebral ROM.

Methods

The authors evaluated 5 intervertebral segments in each of 20 patients (11 men and 9 women) with continuous-type OPLL, for a total of 100 intervertebral segments, using functional CT in anteroposterior (AP) flexion and right and left axial rotation. Three-dimensional kinematics were evaluated using the voxel-based registration method. Ossification was classified on the basis of 3D kinematics and morphology.

Results

The authors found 49 ossifications that were obviously of the continuous type. They were divided into 2 types: 1) bridging (13 instances), with thick, continuous ossification of the anterior or posterior longitudinal ligament bridging intervertebral segments and with an ROM of 0.3° in AP flexion and 0.2° in rotation; and 2) nonbridging (36 instances), with a minute gap in the ossification itself or between the ossification and vertebra and with an ROM of 4.9° in AP flexion and 4.0° in rotation. There were 8 stalagmite-type ossifications in the nonbridging group that had the unique kinematics of restricted AP flexion and normal axial rotation.

Conclusions

The authors' findings indicate that most continuous-type ossifications that are categorized using the conventional radiographic classification system have mobile segments. The discrimination between bridging and nonbridging on CT scans can be a useful predictive index for dynamic factors.
Extraction and chemical characterization of Norway spruce inner and outer bark
Authors: Krogell Jens , Holmbom Bjarne , Pranovich Andrey , Hemming Jarl , Willför Stefan
Published: April 2012

Possible chemical utilization of bark requires appropriate knowledge of its composition. Extraction of valuable components before burning is an interesting option for utilization of bark. Here, Norway spruce inner and outer bark were extracted separately with a successive series of solvents of increasing polarity and the extracts, as well as the residues, were analyzed to obtain an overall picture of the bark composition. The lipophilic extractives contained the same major components as found in wood. Inner bark contained over 10% of stilbene glucosides with piceatannol (astringenin) as the main stilbene. Tannins of the proanthocyanidin type were extracted with hot water. Further extraction with pressurized hot water at 140°C or 160°C yielded 11-14% of non-cellulosic polysaccharides, on original bark basis, with pectic polysaccharides built up of arabinose, galacturonic acid and rhamnose dominating. Inner bark contained two times more cellulose than outer bark, but the opposite was true for lignin, determined as Klason “lignin”. Among the potentially valuable components, stilbene glucosides could be extracted with water even at low temperatures, while tannins could be extracted with hot water in a second step. The pectic polysaccharides are also of potential interest and should be studied further. The amount and true chemical character of lignin is also not yet fully elucidated.
Improved quality of SC magazine paper through enhanced fibre development using the ATMP process
Authors: Gorski Dmitri , Hill Jan
Published: April 2012

A pilot scale refining trial was conducted using the ATMP (Advanced Thermomechanical Pulp) refining concept with White spruce as raw material. Low-intensity TMP and high-intensity TMP with mechanical pretreatment of chips were compared to ATMP (Mg+P), where development of fibres was enhanced using hydrogen peroxide and magnesium hydroxide. The main goal of the trial was to evaluate the potential of using ATMP process for production of SC (supercalendered) magazine paper. SC paper is especially demanding when it comes to the paper surface structure which is strongly influenced by the development of fibre properties. Improvement in individual fibre properties such as flexibility, fibre split index and fibre surface area index achieved using ATMP process was found to translate into decreased surface roughness and air permeability of calendered laboratory sheets. Both the refining process configuration and the addition of process chemicals were found to have significant impacts though the process configuration had major role. The influence of process chemicals on surface roughness was mainly pronounced after second stage refining. The magnitude of surface roughening (fibre rising) was found to be influenced mainly by the process configuration.
Alternative alkalis for peroxide bleaching of chemithermomechanical pulp
Authors: Savoye Liliane , Petit-Conil Michel , Meyer Valérie
Published: April 2012

A total substitution of sodium hydroxide by weak alkali sources, namely Mg(OH)2, MgCO3 and Ca(OH)2, was studied in a two-stage peroxide bleaching of a maple chemithermomechanical pulp. For the same brightness, the optimised bleaching conditions for Mg(OH)2, MgCO3- and Ca(OH)2- based P1-P2 processes enabled to decrease the COD to more than 25%. Moreover, the biodegradability of bleaching effluents was enhanced, as reflected by the reduction of 1/3 of the recalcitrant COD remaining after the secondary wastewater treatment with activated sludge. Additionally, alternative alkali-based bleached pulp presented highest bulk and opacity than the conventional two-stage peroxide bleached pulp. Nevertheless, the use of weak alkali affected the development of strength properties, the tensile and tear indexes decreased by 25% and 16%, respectively, compared to NaOH-based bleached pulp. Eventually, this study demonstrated that the use of alternative alkalis instead of sodium hydroxide had not detrimental impact on the residual peroxide recycling.
Brightness development of a hydrogen peroxide bleached spruce TMP. Comparisons of pre-treatments with DTPA and a separable chelating surfactant
Authors: Högberg Ida , Zasadowski Dariusz , Karlsson Anette , Wikman Bengt , Andersson Fredrik , Hedenström Erik , Edlund Håkan , Norgren Magnus
Published: April 2012

In this investigation a new type of recoverable complexing agent (chelating surfactant) has been compared with a conventional complexing agent; diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), in the metal ion sequestering of thermomechanical pulps (TMP) to be hydrogen peroxide bleached. After different degrees of washing of the pulps, bleaching experiments at different total alkali charges were performed with and without sodium silicate additions, and the ISO brightness of handmade sheets was measured. The residual hydrogen peroxide in the bleaching liquor was also determined. No significant difference in either the brightness development or the residual hydrogen peroxide content could be detected between the pulps treated with equivalent molar ratios of the different complexing agents. Furthermore, the recovery of the chelating surfactant-manganese complexes from laboratory made white water by froth flotation was also studied. Two different foaming agents; sodium dodecyl sulphonate (SDS) and dimethyldodecylamine oxide (DDAO), were tested in the froth generation. After an addition of 160 ppm of DDAO, more than 80% of the manganese chelates could be recovered in the foam, containing 3% of the initial water mass.
Dietary Carotenoids Regulate Astaxanthin Content of Copepods and Modulate Their Susceptibility to UV Light and Copper Toxicity
Authors: Caramujo Maria-José , De Carvalho Carla C. C. R. , Silva Soraya J. , Carman Kevin R.
Published: April 2012

High irradiation and the presence of xenobiotics favor the formation of reactive oxygen species in marine environments. Organisms have developed antioxidant defenses, including the accumulation of carotenoids that must be obtained from the diet. Astaxanthin is the main carotenoid in marine crustaceans where, among other functions, it scavenges free radicals thus protecting cell compounds against oxidation. Four diets with different carotenoid composition were used to culture the meiobenthic copepod Amphiascoides atopus to assess how its astaxanthin content modulates the response to prooxidant stressors. A. atopus had the highest astaxanthin content when the carotenoid was supplied as astaxanthin esters (i.e., Haematococcus meal). Exposure to short wavelength UV light elicited a 77% to 92% decrease of the astaxanthin content of the copepod depending on the culture diet. The LC50 values of A. atopus exposed to copper were directly related to the initial astaxanthin content. The accumulation of carotenoids may ascribe competitive advantages to certain species in areas subjected to pollution events by attenuating the detrimental effects of metals on survival, and possibly development and fecundity. Conversely, the loss of certain dietary items rich in carotenoids may be responsible for the amplification of the effects of metal exposure in consumers.
Dielectric and Radiative Properties of Sea Foam at Microwave Frequencies: Conceptual Understanding of Foam Emissivity
Authors: Anguelova Magdalena D. , Gaiser Peter W.
Published: April 2012

Foam fraction can be retrieved from space-based microwave radiometric data at frequencies from 1 to 37 GHz. The retrievals require modeling of ocean surface emissivity fully covered with sea foam. To model foam emissivity well, knowledge of foam properties, both mechanical and dielectric, is necessary because these control the radiative processes in foam. We present a physical description of foam dielectric properties obtained from the foam dielectric constant including foam skin depth; foam impedance; wavelength variations in foam thickness, roughness of foam layer interfaces with air and seawater; and foam scattering parameters such as size parameter, and refraction index. Using these, we analyze the scattering, absorption, reflection and transmission in foam and gain insights into why volume scattering in foam is weak; why the main absorption losses are confined to the wet portion of the foam; how the foam impedance matching provides the transmission of electromagnetic radiation in foam and maximizes the absorption; and what is the potential for surface scattering at the foam layers boundaries. We put all these elements together and offer a conceptual understanding for the high, black-body-like emissivity of foam floating on the sea surface. We also consider possible scattering regimes in foam.
Full-Scale Prestress Loss Monitoring of Damaged RC Structures Using Distributed Optical Fiber Sensing Technology
Authors: Lan Chunguang , Zhou Zhi , Ou Jinping
Published: April 2012

For the safety of prestressed structures, prestress loss is a critical issue that will increase with structural damage, so it is necessary to investigate prestress loss of prestressed structures under different damage scenarios. Unfortunately, to date, no qualified techniques are available due to difficulty for sensors to survive in harsh construction environments of long service life and large span. In this paper, a novel smart steel strand based on the Brillouin optical time domain analysis (BOTDA) sensing technique was designed and manufactured, and then series of tests were used to characterize properties of the smart steel strands. Based on prestress loss principle analysis of damaged structures, laboratory tests of two similar beams with different damages were used to verify the concept of full-scale prestress loss monitoring of damaged reinforced concrete (RC) beams by using the smart steel strands. The prestress losses obtained from the Brillouin sensors are compared with that from conventional sensors, which provided the evolution law of prestress losses of damaged RC beams. The monitoring results from the proposed smart strand can reveal both spatial distribution and time history of prestress losses of damaged RC beams.
An Electrochemical DNA Microbiosensor Based on Succinimide-Modified Acrylic Microspheres
Authors: Ulianas Alizar , Heng Lee Yook , Hanifah Sharina Abu , Ling Tan Ling
Published: April 2012

An electrochemical microbiosensor for DNA has been fabricated based on new acrylic microspheres modified with reactive N-acryloxysuccinimide (NAS) functional groups. Hydrophobic poly(n-butylacrylate-N-acryloxysuccinimide) microspheres were synthesized in an emulsion form with a simple one-step photopolymerization technique. Aminated DNA probe was attached to the succinimde functional group of the acrylic microspheres via covalent bonding. The hybridization of the immobilized DNA probe with the complementary DNA was studied by differential pulse voltametry using anthraquninone-2-sulfonic acid monohydrate sodium salt (AQMS) as the electroactive hybridization label. The influences of many factors such as duration of DNA probe immobilization and hybridization, pH, type of ions, buffer concentrations, ionic strength, operational temperature and non-complementary DNA on the biosensor performance were evaluated. Under optimized conditions, the DNA microbiosensor demonstrated a linear response range to target DNA over a wide concentration range of 1.0 × 10−16 and 1.0 ´ 10−8 M with a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 9.46 ´ 10−17 M (R2 = 0.97). This DNA microbiosensor showed good reproducibility with 2.84% RSD (relative standard deviation) (n = 3). Application of the NAS-modified acrylic microspheres in the construction of DNA microbiosensor had improved the overall analytical performance of the resultant DNA microbiosensor when compared with other reported DNA biosensors using other nano-materials for membranes and microspheres as DNA immobilization matrices.
Detection of Prostate Stem Cell Antigen Expression in Human Prostate Cancer Using Quantum-Dot-Based Technology
Authors: Ruan Yuan , Yu Weimin , Cheng Fan , Zhang Xiaobin , Larré Stéphane
Published: April 2012

Quantum dots (QDs) are a new class of fluorescent labeling for biological and biomedical applications. In this study, we detected prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) expression correlated with tumor grade and stage in human prostate cancer by QDs-based immunolabeling and conventional immunohistochemistry (IHC), and evaluated the sensitivity and stability of QDs-based immunolabeling in comparison with IHC. Our data revealed that increasing levels of PSCA expression accompanied advanced tumor grade (QDs labeling, r = 0.732, p < 0.001; IHC, r = 0.683, p < 0.001) and stage (QDs labeling, r = 0.514, p = 0.001; IHC, r = 0.432, p = 0.005), and the similar tendency was detected by the two methods. In addition, by comparison between the two methods, QDs labeling was consistent with IHC in detecting the expression of PSCA in human prostate tissue correlated with different pathological types (K = 0.845, p < 0.001). During the observation time, QDs exhibited superior stability. The intensity of QDs fluorescence remained stable for two weeks (p = 0.083) after conjugation to the PSCA protein, and nearly 93% of positive expression with their fluorescence still could be seen after four weeks.
Localization with a Mobile Beacon in Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks
Authors: Lee Sangho , Kim Kiseon
Published: April 2012

Localization is one of the most important issues associated with underwater acoustic sensor networks, especially when sensor nodes are randomly deployed. Given that it is difficult to deploy beacon nodes at predetermined locations, localization schemes with a mobile beacon on the sea surface or along the planned path are inherently convenient, accurate, and energy-efficient. In this paper, we propose a new range-free Localization with a Mobile Beacon (LoMoB). The mobile beacon periodically broadcasts a beacon message containing its location. Sensor nodes are individually localized by passively receiving the beacon messages without inter-node communications. For location estimation, a set of potential locations are obtained as candidates for a node’s location and then the node’s location is determined through the weighted mean of all the potential locations with the weights computed based on residuals.
Análisis de las fisuras del Celler Cooperativo de Rocafort de Queralt
Authors: Calderón L. , Maristany J.
Published: April 2012

En el presente trabajo se analizan las patologías existentes en el edificio del “Celler Cooperativo” de Rocafort de Queralt: obra del Arq. César Martinell y catalogado como Patrimonio Nacional de Cataluña.

La finalidad es llegar a determinar los patrones de fisuración de las zonas afectadas. Para ello se presenta una metodología basada en un comportamiento “elástico lineal”. Pero en ningún momento se pretende presentar una herramienta para determinar las características mecánicas de la fábrica.
Veremos como el método propuesto resulta acertado, ya que el patrón de fisuración que se llega a obtener al final del estudio es prácticamente igual a las fisuras reales que presenta la zona analizada.
Social Network
Authors: Muhamad Roby
Published: April 2012

Social network concerns the study of the structure of the patterns of relations among social entities. The study of social networks has a long history starting around 1930s when psychologist Moreno conducted the first known sociometric survey. Since then, the field of social network, first developed in sociology, has grown both empirically and theoretically, especially toward the end of the last century. The advent of powerful computing power and the Internet spurred growth on social network research. This combination of the proliferation of digital traces and increases in computing power provides opportunities to study large scale social networks and relevant dynamics.
NetLab
Authors: Dimitrova Dimitrina , Wellman Barry
Published: April 2012

This chapter discusses NetLab -- an interdisciplinary scholarly network studying the intersection of social networks, communication networks, and computer networks. Although centered at the University of Toronto, NetLab members come from across Canada and the United States as well as from Chile, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. NetLab has developed since 2000 from an informal network of collaborators into a far-flung virtual laboratory. Its research focuses on the interplay between social and technological links, including the understanding of social capital in job searches and business settings, new media and community, Internet and personal relations, social media, households, networked organizations, and knowledge transfer in research networks.
E-Mail and Work Performance
Authors: Mano Rita S. , Mesch Gustavo S.
Published: April 2012

E-mail provides organizations with detailed and timely information that cuts across hierarchical levels and departmental boundaries. The speed, asynchronicity and “one-to-many” aspects of e-mail can lead to efficiencies such as reduced office administration leading to both time saving and management rewards. At the same time, e-mail might create information overload, e.g., when information exceeds the worker’s ability to process it. E-mail effect on work performance is bound to (a) e-mail features –quantity, scope, and intensity; (b) individual level characteristics; and (c) organizational context. Different profiles of these aspects enhance or reduce work effectiveness (positive work performance) while at the same time generate work stress and distress (negative work performance).
Human Behavior on the WWW
Authors: Göritz Anja S. , Singh Ranjit K. , Voggeser Birgit J.
Published: April 2012

This entry summarizes psychological research on human behavior on the World Wide Web, excluding WWW topics addressed in other entries in this encyclopedia (e.g., social networking sites, blogs, and Wikipedia). Four areas are examined: (1) Online research covers the methodology of conducting psychological research online. The focus lies on people’s behavior as participants in Web-based research. (2) Internet addiction is a clinical psychological topic about the phenomenon of excessive Internet use that shares characteristics with compulsive or addicted behavior. (3) Online search behavior and information processing deals with how people search for information online and with the effects of hypertext on learning and cognitive load. (4) Online consumer behavior summarizes research of determinants of whether and how often people buy online.
Human Behaviors with Blogs
Authors: Miura Asako
Published: April 2012

A weblog, also known as a “blog,” is the standard form for any website that is frequently updated on a regular basis and is one of the most popular such online communication media for a person to talk about himself or herself in a space open to other people. The dramatic increase in information transmission through blogs has greatly influenced individuals, interpersonal relationships, and society. A person who writes a blog is called a “blogger,” and an aggregate of communities in which blogs are interactively connected is called a “blogosphere.” In this chapter, a series of research articles on human behaviors with blogs were reviewed from three perspectives (blog content, bloggers, and blogosphere), and their impact on personal and social life is discussed.
Human Behaviors with Podcasts
Authors: Heilesen Simon B.
Published: April 2012

Podcasts, i.e. digital media files (audio and video) distributed over the Internet, have become particularly popular since the introduction of podcasting in 2004. Podcasts are bringing changes to patterns of media production and consumption, and indeed to the way Internet users communicate. Many podcasts repurpose content, in some cases adding a play-on-demand dimension to broadcast media. But most podcast productions introduce original content on a myriad of subjects. The most widespread uses of podcasts, however, are within education, professional communication, and individual self-expression. Podcasts are normally dealt with in the context of established research disciplines such as media studies, social studies, and educational studies. Schools have yet to develop in the research on podcasts. But it is possible to identify a number of directions and issues within the disciplines where podcasts are having notable impacts.
Internet Use among Rural Residents in North America
Authors: Stern Michael J.
Published: April 2012

Despite widespread advances in knowledge about how the Internet and other information and communication technologies are used as well as the barriers to access and proficiency with these technologies, there is surprisingly little knowledge on rural Internet use relative to other places. However, in recent years, scholars across a variety of disciplines have made some inroads in this area of study. In this chapter, the author summarizes the historical developments that provide a framework for studying Internet use in rural areas, discusses the state of our current knowledge, describes numerous important studies, scholars, and specific topics in this research area, and concludes with a discussion about future research.
Fanship and Fandom in Cyber Space
Authors: Reysen Stephen , Lloyd Jason D.
Published: April 2012

Fans of various interests (e.g., music, sport, media, hobbies) construct virtual communities to interact, share fan experiences, and produce fan content (e.g., fanzines). The authors review the meaning of the term “fan,” the distinction between fanship and fandom, and the history of fandom leading to the move to virtual meeting spaces. Past theorizing and research concerning motivations to be a fan, as well as theoretical frameworks used to explore fan behavior and experience (e.g., social identity theory, social presence theory) are reviewed. Throughout this entry, the authors review past research examining fans, and provide future directions for fan research.
Internet Use and Psychological Well-Being
Authors: Huang Chiungjung
Published: April 2012

The direction of the correlation between Internet use and psychological well-being is debatable. The displacement hypothesis indicates the correlation is negative, as Internet use for communication replaces face-to face-interaction. Conversely, the augmentation hypothesis suggests that the correlation is positive because Internet use for communication complements existing social interaction. While previous empirical findings about the relationship between Internet use and psychological well-being have been diverse, two previous meta-analyses and the present meta-analysis about the use of social networking sites and psychological well-being supported neither position, and found no relationship between Internet use and psychological well-being. Investigation of causal predominance between Internet use and psychological well-being, increased attention to measurement problems of social networking site use and older adults, and consideration of effects of indicators and moderators should be addressed in future research.
Internet Use and Cognitive Development
Authors: Jackson Linda A. , Witt Edward A.
Published: April 2012

There are surprisingly few studies of the effects of Internet use on children’s cognitive development. Surveys by the Pew Internet and American Life Project (Pew, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2007) indicate that children and adolescents strongly believe that the Internet has improved their academic performance, primarily by making educational resources readily and conveniently available. The authors’ research has found that Internet use is related to academic performance, specifically, to grade point averages (GPAs) and scores on standardized tests of reading skills, at least for underperforming children. No benefits were observed for mathematics skills, or for average or above average performing children. Though null findings must be interpreted with caution, one potential explanation is that Internet use is more likely to exercise reading skills than mathematics skills, and less likely to improve the reading skills or GPA of students who are already reading well and performing at or above average in school. Implications of the findings for future research and the importance of Internet access for underserved children are discussed.
Prosocial Behaviors in the Cyber Context
Authors: Wright Michelle F. , Li Yan
Published: April 2012

Prosocial behaviors in the cyber context (i.e., the internet, text messages) can be traced back to when the Internet was just a message board, used to share open source software. Following these early investigations of prosocial behaviors, clinicians recognized that the Internet might remove barriers to help seeking. Recent investigations have provided support for the Internet as a place to seek help among various populations. Prosocial behaviors in the cyber context also have benefits for the givers as well, including health benefits, personal satisfaction, and reputational increases. This chapter draws on multidisciplinary research to review prosocial behaviors in the cyber context.
IT Use and Social/Media Time Displacement
Authors: Robinson John P.
Published: April 2012

Each new Information Technology (IT) takes time away from other daily activities. Three highly-publicized early studies of the initial impact of Information Technology indicated it was having negative effects on both social life and mass media use. However, a number of national surveys since then – from the Pew Center, the General Social Survey (GSS), the Survey of Public Participation in the Arts (SPPA), and the American Time Use Survey (ATUS) -- have not replicated these results. Indeed, they find support for Internet and other IT use sometimes being associated with increased social life and media use (especially reading). Moreover, this finding continues to hold after education, income, age and other predictors of social life and mass media use are controlled.
Online Collaboration
Authors: Patrikakis Charalampos Z. , Argyriou Lemonia , Papantoniou Agis
Published: April 2012

In this chapter, the authors present the general framework for assessing collaborative work group behaviour over the Internet and their social or asocial behaviour based on previous studies. Following this approach, the authors first give reference to a related study on social and asocial learning and how they can be distinguished through the analysis of data diffusion curves and other mathematical models. As a next step, a used method on group collaboration over a digital content publication platform is presented. Finally, the authors state a new direction on collaborative work groups, and the idea of Collaborative Innovation Networks is presented. The paper ends with directions for future research on social networking and human-machine collaboration.
Cybercafés and Youth Development
Authors: Cilesiz Sebnem
Published: April 2012

Among various forms of public access to computers and the Internet, cybercafés are a specific phenomenon around the world. Predominantly, they are frequented by young people, thus attracting the attention of educators and policymakers. Despite the worldwide prominence of cybercafés, very little research has examined youth’s activities at cybercafés and the outcomes of their participation. This chapter reviews the literature on cybercafés in general, followed by the status of current knowledge about the role of cybercafés in social interaction, informal learning, and youth development. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future research directions on the relationship between cybercafés and youth development.
Cyber Behavior and Religious Practice on the Internet
Authors: Campbell Heidi , Connelly Louise
Published: April 2012

Cyber behavior and religious practices on the Internet have grown in popularity and acceptability over the past decade. Consequently, a number of religious traditions and individuals frequently use the Internet, while also negotiating between the offline and online world. The study of religious use of the Internet is contextualized within a number of phases and trends, which emerged as early as the 1980s and came to prominence in the 1990s with the study of religious rituals and behaviors online. Over the last fifteen years, the examination of religion online has moved from descriptive analysis toward more in-depth questioning as well as addressing some of the methodological challenges of studying religion online. The future direction and next phase in the study of religious cyber behavior includes targeting a number of areas yet to be analyzed thoroughly and in doing so, providing a more holistic understanding of cyber religious behavior.
Online Assessment
Authors: Mayotte Seth
Published: April 2012

The continuing development of online assessment capitalizes on the advantages of computerized and online technologies to improve the effectiveness and efficiencies of assessing student learning. The online environment allows for the development of complex, interactive communications between the learner and the assessment system. This presents both new opportunities and new challenges in assessment design. A review of traditional issues and best practices is essential in taking advantage of new technologies and incorporating them into new assessment designs. Understanding these factors will help to advance the field and improve future learning and assessment.
Trust in Online Shopping Behavior
Authors: Sun Yongqiang , Wang Nan
Published: April 2012

Trust, which dominates the research on online shopping behavior, is relevant to various consumer behaviors across different online shopping stages. To provide a big picture of the research on trust in the online shopping context, this chapter reviews the literature on this topic and summarizes the major research findings. Specifically, trust-related behaviors are identified according to the three online shopping stages: information adoption and information disclosure behavior at the pre-purchase stage, product purchase behavior at the purchase stage, and relational behavior such as electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and re-purchase at the post-purchase stage. The research topics relevant to these behaviors, including recommendation agent, information credibility, privacy concern, trust building and transfer process, and relationship marketing in the online shopping context are detailed. The future research directions such as location-based services, trust and distrust, and trust repair are also highlighted.
Internet Banking Adaptation Behavior
Authors: Yousafzai Shumaila
Published: April 2012

How and why individuals use Internet banking (IB) has attracted a great deal of academic attention. This chapter reviews the literature on IB behavior through the lenses of nine adoption theories. This review suggests that IB adoption is a complex and multifaceted process; joint consideration of customers’ personal, social, psychological, utilitarian, and behavioral aspects is essential; managers and system developers should undertake a customer-centric approach focusing on managing belief formation rather than directly influencing behavior. However, IB research is in an inconclusive state, and is far from unanimity regarding the approaches and conceptualizations used to understand the beliefs that truly influence IB behavior. There is limited research dealing with the role of interventions that can assist managers in making effective decisions to speed the adoption process. An understanding of customer’s cognitive, emotional, and contextual processes is more important than adoption itself and will ultimately result in the intended behavior.
E-Auction
Authors: Gumussoy Cigdem Altin , Calisir Fethi
Published: April 2012

Customer behavior is a multi-stage decision process in an e-auction in which each step is critical to achieve success in e-auctions. The first step is the potential customer’s decision to adopt and use the e-auction system. It is important to understand the factors that affect the use of e-auction systems. Researchers have identified general reasons for the adoption of online auction such as a large variety of products, great price reductions, and without geographical limitations. The second step is the selection of the most appropriate bidding strategy. Bidders may have to embrace different bidding strategies during and at the end of the e-auction. In this chapter, bidding strategies applied to e-auctions are discussed. This chapter concludes with the possible future research areas related with customer behavior.
The Search and Purchase Process among E-Travel Customers
Authors: Lexhagen Maria
Published: April 2012

Tourism is an intangible product that is simultaneously produced and consumed as well as perishable. Therefore, it is highly dependent on the availability of information. Information Technology, such as the Internet, can support customers’ search and purchase processes and act as a source and facilitator to achieve higher efficiency, less risk, and more satisfied tourists. This chapter reviews the emergence and growth of research on tourists’ online information search and purchase, the need for and use of support in this process, as well as the perception of values. Future developments of mobile technology and social media use are discussed as interesting areas of more research since they have implications for customer behavior, marketing, and management.
Using the Internet to Attract and Evaluate Job Candidates
Authors: Ross William , Slovensky Ross
Published: April 2012

The development of the Internet affords new opportunities for organizations as they add talent to their workforce. Employers are using third-party job placement websites (e.g., Monster.com), virtual job fairs, social networking websites, and even massively multiplayer online games such as Second Life to recruit job candidates. Organizations are also using their own websites to both attract and to evaluate new applicants. Accompanying these trends is the use of Internet-based testing for evaluating job candidates. Such testing varies based on whether it is proctored or unproctored and whether it incorporates dynamic computer adaptive testing. Finally, many firms are using individual candidate’s social networking websites (e.g., Facebook) as a background screening tool for evaluating job candidates. These trends are described and research questions identified.
Cyberloafing in the Workplace
Authors: Henle Christine A. , Kedharnath Uma
Published: April 2012

Cyberloafing is employees’ intentional use of Internet technology during work hours for personal purposes. This can include surfing non-work related Internet sites, sending personal emails, online gaming, or social networking. Given the prevalence of cyberloafing and its negative consequences (e.g., reduced productivity, network clogging, security breaches), organizations have responded by implementing Internet use policies, filtering or monitoring Internet activity, and disciplining policy violators. Recently, attention has shifted away from identifying methods to limit cyberloafing to pinpointing the causes of cyberloafing. This emerging research suggests that employees are more likely to cyberloaf when they are treated unfairly, have certain characteristics like external locus of control or higher work status, have positive attitudes toward cyberloafing, or there are norms supporting it. The authors offer directions for future research that include exploring the possibility that cyberloafing can lead to positive outcomes like increased job performance, reduced stress, and work-life balance.
Product Recommendation Agents for Cyber Shopping Consumers
Authors: Kowatsch Tobias , Maass Wolfgang
Published: April 2012

With cyber shopping, consumers face a massive amount of product information before an educated purchase decision can be made. Identifying relevant products is therefore laborious for consumers, in particular when they look for non-commodity products such as consumer electronics. Product Recommendation Agents (PRAs) help consumers in finding relevant products efficiently. PRAs recommend a set of products either explicitly according to product attributes preferred by the consumer or implicitly based on consumers’ interests and activities. PRAs retrieve hereby product information from various sources such as a retailer’s product database or a third-party’s review database. This entry introduces and discusses PRAs for cyber shopping consumers from five perspectives: (1) Purchase decision-making, (2) natural language interaction, (3) dynamic pricing, (4) product reviews, and finally, (5) product recommendation infrastructures. Future research directions on PRAs for cyber shopping conclude this entry.
Adoption of Social Networking Sites
Authors: Chang Y. P. , Zhu D. H.
Published: April 2012

The adoption of social networking sites has become an international phenomenon. This encyclopedia entry synthesizes the literature concerning adoption of social networking sites. It offers a definition about adoption of social networking sites. It provides an overview on historical development by specifying the pioneering scholars of danah boyd and Nicole Ellison and current knowledge status of the adoption of social networking sites. It introduces the current scientific knowledge by specifying leading scholars’ researches from five representative areas, namely adopters’ characteristics, adopters’ motivation, antecedents of adoption, adopters’ behavior and consequences of adoption. It also concludes the entry and outlines future directions.
Older Adults and Their Internet Behaviors
Authors: Mazur Elizabeth , Signorella Margaret L. , Hough Michelle
Published: April 2012

Early research on older adult computer users focused on the possibility for technology to increase social interaction and alleviate loneliness. Subsequent research has been equivocal on the possible benefits of the Internet for well-being. Nonetheless, in spite of an initial “gray gap,” older adults are increasingly joining younger cohorts in using the Internet. Barriers to older adults’ use of the Internet remain, such as physical and cognitive limitations. Attitudinal barriers may exist, but it is unclear whether these result from lack of experience or differences in income or health status. Business researchers have found that older persons differ from other age groups in their Internet engagement patterns, including online buying. Future research directions include whether computers can improve cognitive functioning and quality of life, how to increase engagement levels, and if there will always be a lag in technology use among older adults.