bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meningitis-Associated
Escherichia coli
Authors: Sik Kim Kwang
Published: May 2014

Escherichia coli
is the most common Gram-negative organism causing neonatal meningitis. Neonatal
E. coli
meningitis continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Our incomplete knowledge of its pathogenesis and pathophysiology contributes to such mortality and morbidity. Recent reports of neonatal meningitis caused by
E. coli
strains producing CTX-M-type or TEM-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases create a challenge.
E. coli
penetration into the brain, the essential step in the development of
E. coli
meningitis, requires a high-degree of bacteremia and penetration of the blood-brain barrier as live bacteria, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Recent functional genomic approaches of meningitis-causing
E. coli
in both in vitro and in vivo models of the blood-brain barrier (e.g., human brain microvascular endothelial cells and animal models of experimental hematogenous
E. coli
meningitis, respectively) have identified several
E. coli
factors contributing to a high-degree of bacteremia, as well as specific microbial factors contributing to
E. coli
invasion of the blood-brain barrier. In addition,
E. coli
penetration of the blood-brain barrier involves specific host factors as well as microbe- and host-specific signaling molecules. Blockade of such microbial and host factors and host cell signaling molecules is efficient in preventing
E. coli
penetration into the brain. Continued investigation of the microbial and host factors contributing to
E. coli
bacteremia andinvasion of the blood-brain barrier is likely to identify new targets for prevention and therapy of
E. coli
meningitis, thereby limiting the exposure to emerging antimicrobial-resistant
E. coli.
SalmonellaEpidemiology and Pathogenesis in Food-Producing Animals
Authors: Wallis Timothy S. , Barrow Paul A.
Published: May 2014

This review reviews the pathogenesis of different phases ofSalmonellainfections. The nature ofSalmonellainfections in several domesticated animal species is described to highlight differences in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of salmonellosis in different hosts. The biology ofSalmonellaserovar host specificity is discussed in the context of our current understanding of the molecular basis of pathogenesis and the potential impact of different virulence determinants onSalmonellanatural history. The ability to colonize the intestine, as evidenced by the shedding of relatively large numbers of bacteria in the feces over a long period, is shared unequally bySalmonellaserovars. Studies probing the molecular basis ofSalmonellaintestinal colonization have been carried out by screening random transposon mutant banks of serovar Typhimurium in a range of avian and mammalian species. It is becoming increasingly clear thatSalmonellapathogenicity island 2 (SPI2) is a major virulence factor during infection of food-producing animals, including cattle and poultry. The prevalence ofSalmonellaserovars in domestic fowl varies in different countries and with time. Although chickens are the natural hosts of serovars Gallinarum and Pullorum, natural outbreaks caused by these serovars in turkeys, guinea fowl, and other avian species have been described. There are two possible explanations to account for the apparent host specificity of certainSalmonellaserovars. Environmental factors may increase exposure of particular animal species to certain serovars. Alternatively, there are genetic differences between these serovars, which allow them to survive and/or grow in specific niches only found within ruminants or pigs.
Invasive Salmonellosis in Humans
Authors: Langridge Gemma C. , Wain John , Nair Satheesh
Published: May 2014

Human salmonellosis is generally associated with
Salmonella enterica
from subspecies
enterica
(subspecies I). Acute infections can present in one of four ways: enteric fever, gastroenteritis, bacteremia, or extraintestinal focal infection. As with other infectious diseases, the course and outcome of the infection depend on a variety of factors, including the infecting organism, the inoculating dose, and the immune status and genetic background of the host. For serovarsTyphi and Paratyphi A there is a clear association between the genetic background of the serovar and systemic infection in humans. For serovars Paratyphi B and Paratyphi C, a good clinical description of the host and detailed population genetics of the pathogen are necessary before more detailed genetic studies of novel virulence factors,or host factors,can be initiated. For the nontyphoidalserovars (NTS) the situation is less clear. Serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis are the most common within the food chain, and so the large number of invasive infections associated with these serovars is most likely due to exposure rather than to increased virulence of the pathogen. In Africa, however, a closely related group of strains of serovar Typhimurium, associated with HIV infection, may have become host adapted tohumans, suggesting that not all isolates called "Typhimurium" should be considered as a single group. Here we review current knowledge of the salmonellae for which invasive disease in humans is an important aspect of their population biology.
Mucosal Immune Responses to
Escherichia coli
and
Salmonella
Infections
Authors: Wijburg Odilia L. C. , Strugnell Richard A.
Published: May 2014

The best-characterized mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), and also the most relevant for this review, is the gastrointestinal-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). The review reviews our understanding of the importance of mucosal immune responses in resisting infections caused by
E. coli
and
Salmonella
spp. It focuses on the major human
E. coli
infections and discusses whether antigen-specific mucosal immune responses are important for resistance against primary infection or reinfection by pathogenic
E. coli
. It analyzes human data on mucosal immunity against
E. coli
, a growing body of data of mucosal responses in food production animals and other natural hosts of
E. coli
, and more recent experimental studies in mice carrying defined deletions in genes encoding specific immunological effectors, to show that there may be considerable conservation of the effective host mucosal immune response against this pathogen. The species
Salmonella enterica
contains a number of serovars that include pathogens of both humans and animals; these bacteria are frequently host specific and may cause different diseases in different hosts. Ingestion of various
Salmonella
serovars, such as Typhimurium, results in localized infections of the small intestine leading to gastroenteritis in humans, whereas ingestion of serovar Typhi results in systemic infection and enteric fever. Serovar Typhi infects only humans, and the review discusses the mucosal immune responses against serovar Typhi, focusing on the responses in humans and in the mouse typhoid fever model.
Complete Genome Sequences of the First Reported California H16 Influenza A Viruses
Authors: Lindsay LeAnn L. , Plancarte Magdalena , Brenn-White Maris , Boyce Walter M.
Published: May 2014

Two reassortant H16 influenza A viruses were isolated from gulls in California. Seven of the eight segments were most closely related to H16 and H13 isolates from eastern North America and Iceland. Of note is a C-terminal truncation of the nonstructural 1 (NS1) protein in one of the isolates that is usually found in swine H1N1 virus.
Draft Genome Sequence of Photorhabdus luminescens Strain BA1, an Entomopathogenic Bacterium Isolated from Nematodes Found in Egypt
Authors: Ghazal Shimaa , Hurst Sheldon G. , Morris Krystalynne , Abebe-Akele Feseha , Thomas W. Kelley , Badr Usama M. , Hussein Mona A. , AbouZaied Mohamed A. , Khalil Kamal M. , Tisa Louis S.
Published: May 2014

Photorhabdus luminescens
strain BA1 is an entomopathogenic bacterium that forms a symbiotic association with
Heterorhabditis
nematodes. We report here a 5.0-Mbp draft genome sequence for
P. luminscens
strain BA1, with a G+C content of 42.46% and 4,250 candidate protein-coding genes.
Complete Genome Sequence of Trueperella pyogenes, an Important Opportunistic Pathogen of Livestock
Authors: Machado Vinicius S. , Bicalho Rodrigo C.
Published: May 2014

Here, we report the complete genome sequence ofTrueperella pyogenesTP6375, a strain isolated from the uterus of a dairy cow affected with metritis. The complete circular genome is 2,338,390 bp and contains several genes needed for pathogenicity.
Draft Genome Sequence of Fusobacterium necrophorum subsp.
funduliforme
Bovine Liver Abscess Isolate B35
Authors: Calcutt Michael J. , Foecking Mark F. , Nagaraja Tiruvoor G. , Stewart George C.
Published: May 2014

Fusobacterium necrophorum
is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that causes foot rot and liver abscesses in cattle.
F. necrophorum
subsp.
necrophorum
and the less virulent organism
F. necrophorum
subsp.
funduliforme
are recognized. We present here a draft genome sequence of the bovine liver abscess isolate
F. necrophorum
subsp.
funduliforme
strain B35, which affords a genomic perspective of virulence and bovine adaptation.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Gluconobacter oxydans Strain DSM 2003, an Important Biocatalyst for Industrial Use
Authors: Sheng Binbin , Ni Jun , Gao Chao , Ma Cuiqing , Xu Ping
Published: May 2014

Gluconobacter oxydans
strain DSM 2003 can efficiently produce some industrially important building blocks, such as (
R
)-lactic acid and (
R
)-2-hydroxybutyric acid. Here, we present a 2.94-Mb assembly of its genome sequence, which might provide further insights into the molecular mechanism of its biocatalysis in order to further improve its biotechnological applications.
Molecular Characterization of the Full Kobuvirus Genome in a Cat
Authors: Cho Yoon-Young , Lim Seong-In , Kim Yong Kwan , Song Jae-Young , Lee Joong-Bok , An Dong-Jun
Published: May 2014

Kobuviruses, which belong to the family
Picornaviridae
, have been detected in fecal samples from infected animals with or without diarrhea. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of a feline kobuvirus (FKoV) strain, FK-13, identified from the feces of a cat with diarrhea in South Korea in 2011.
Giant left paraduodenal hernia
Authors: Cundy Thomas P , Di Marco Aimee N , Hamady Mohamad , Darzi Ara
Published: May 2014

Left paraduodenal hernia (LPDH) is a retrocolic internal hernia of congenital origin that develops through the fossa of Landzert, and extends into the descending mesocolon and left portion of the transverse mesocolon. It carries significant overall risk of mortality, yet delay in diagnosis is not unusual due to subtle and elusive features. Familiarisation with the embryological and anatomical features of this rare hernia is essential for surgical management. This is especially important with respect to vascular anatomy as major mesenteric vessels form intimate relationships with the ventral rim and anterior portion of the hernia. As an illustrative case, we describe our experience with a striking example of LPDH, particularly focusing on the inherent diagnostic challenges and associated critical vascular anatomy. We advocate the role of diagnostic laparoscopy; however caution that decision to safely proceed with laparoscopic repair must occur only with confident identification of the vascular anatomy involved.
A Lilliputian army under the floorboards: persistent delirium with complete though prolonged recovery
Authors: Wakefield Dominique , Thompson Louise , Bruce Stuart
Published: May 2014

We report the case of an 83-year-old man who presented with a history of fluctuating delirium of insidious onset, secondary to an amoebic liver abscess more than 30 years after acute exposure. We describe a 2-year clinical journey that started with a fall and was additionally complicated by severe weight loss and acute kidney injury (AKI). The likely prognosis for such a combination of comorbidities in an older person is for lasting morbidity, institutionalisation and significant mortality. However, the case demonstrates that with timely assessment and care complete recovery is possible though it may take many months. It reminds us of the catalytic implications of falls for older persons and to maintain a differential diagnostic approach to delirium of insidious onset avoiding misdiagnosis as dementia with which it may be associated. Our case report includes extracts from the patient's own account providing added insight into such experiences.
Giant radicular cyst of the maxilla
Authors: Deshmukh Jeevanand , Shrivastava Ratika , Bharath Kashetty Panchakshari , Mallikarjuna Rachappa
Published: May 2014

Radicular cysts are inflammatory odontogenic cysts of tooth bearing areas of the jaws. Most of these lesions involve the apex of offending tooth and appear as well-defined radiolucencies. Owing to its clinical characteristics similar to other more commonly occurring lesions in the oral cavity, differential diagnosis should include dentigerous cyst, ameloblastoma, odontogenic keratocyst, periapical cementoma and Pindborg tumour. The present case report documents a massive radicular cyst crossing the midline of the palate. Based on clinical, radiographical and histopathological findings, the present case was diagnosed as an infected radicular cyst. The clinical characteristics of this cyst could be considered as an interesting and unusual due to its giant nature. The lesion was surgically enucleated along with the extraction of the associated tooth; preservation of all other teeth and vital structures, without any postoperative complications and satisfactory healing, was achieved.
Neutropenic enterocolitis affecting the transverse colon: an unusual complication of chemotherapy
Authors: Ramsingh Jason , Bolln Carsten , Hodnett Robert , Al-Ani Ahmed
Published: May 2014

A 66-year-old woman presented with a 1-day history of sudden onset of generalised abdominal pain associated with fever and vomiting. She was previously diagnosed with left breast cancer 2 months ago and completed a course of chemotherapy 1 week prior to presentation. She was clinically unwell with generalised tenderness in her abdomen. Blood investigations showed severe neutropenia. A CT scan was requested which reported a marked oedematous swelling of the transverse colon with features suggestive of a contained perforation. The decision was made to operate. Intraoperatively, the transverse colon was found to be thickened with omentum adherent focally around the distal third. A right hemicolectomy was performed with an end ileostomy and mucus fistula. The patient made a successful recovery and was discharged within 7 days of presenting. Pathology reported typical features of neutropenic enterocolitis affecting the transverse colon with a normal terminal ileum, caecum and ascending colon.
MULTIPLE OSCILLATORY STATES IN MODELS OF COLLECTIVE NEURONAL DYNAMICS
Authors: KALITZIN STILIYAN , KOPPERT MARCUS , PETKOV GEORGE , DA SILVA FERNANDO LOPES
Published: May 2014

In our previous studies, we showed that the both realistic and analytical computational models of neural dynamics can display multiple sustained states (attractors) for the same values of model parameters. Some of these states can represent normal activity while other, of oscillatory nature, may represent epileptic types of activity. We also showed that a simplified, analytical model can mimic this type of behavior and can be used instead of the realistic model for large scale simulations. The primary objective of the present work is to further explore the phenomenon of multiple stable states, co-existing in the same operational model, or phase space, in systems consisting of large number of interconnected basic units. As a second goal, we aim to specify the optimal method for state control of the system based on inducing state transitions using appropriate external stimulus. We use here interconnected model units that represent the behavior of neuronal populations as an effective dynamic system. The model unit is an analytical model (S. Kalitzin et al., Epilepsy Behav. 22 (2011) S102–S109) and does not correspond directly to realistic neuronal processes (excitatory–inhibitory synaptic interactions, action potential generation). For certain parameter choices however it displays bistable dynamics imitating the behavior of realistic neural mass models. To analyze the collective behavior of the system we applied phase synchronization analysis (PSA), principal component analysis (PCA) and stability analysis using Lyapunov exponent (LE) estimation. We obtained a large variety of stable states with different dynamic characteristics, oscillatory modes and phase relations between the units. These states can be initiated by appropriate initial conditions; transitions between them can be induced stochastically by fluctuating variables (noise) or by specific inputs. We propose a method for optimal reactive control, allowing forced transitions from one state (attractor) into another.
SPEAKER IDENTIFICATION BY AGGREGATING GAUSSIAN MIXTURE MODELS (GMMs) BASED ON UNCORRELATED MFCC-DERIVED FEATURES
Authors: PAL AMITA , BOSE SMARAJIT , BASAK GOPAL K. , MUKHOPADHYAY AMITAVA
Published: May 2014

For solving speaker identification problems, the approach proposed by Reynolds [IEEE Signal Process. Lett.2 (1995) 46–48], using Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs) based on Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) as features, is one of the most effective available in the literature. The use of GMMs for modeling speaker identity is motivated by the interpretation that the Gaussian components represent some general speaker-dependent spectral shapes, and also by the capability of Gaussian mixtures to model arbitrary densities. In this work, we have initially illustrated, with the help of a new bilingual speech corpus, how the well-known principal component transformation, in conjunction with the principle of classifier combination can be used to enhance the performance of the MFCC-GMM speaker recognition systems significantly. Subsequently, we have emphatically and rigorously established the same using the benchmark speech corpus NTIMIT. A significant outcome of this work is that the proposed approach has the potential to enhance the performance of any speaker recognition system based on correlated features.
UV surface brightness of galaxies from the local universe to z ~ 5
Authors: Lerner Eric J. , Falomo Renato , Scarpa Riccardo
Published: May 2014

The Tolman test for surface brightness (SB) dimming was originally proposed as a test for the expansion of the universe. The test, which is independent of the details of the assumed cosmology, is based on comparisons of the SB of identical objects at different cosmological distances. Claims have been made that the Tolman test provides compelling evidence against a static model for the universe. In this paper we reconsider this subject by adopting a static Euclidean universe (SEU) with a linear Hubble relation at all z (which is not the standard Einstein–de Sitter model), resulting in a relation between flux and luminosity that is virtually indistinguishable from the one used for ΛCDM models. Based on the analysis of the UV SB of luminous disk galaxies from HUDF and GALEX datasets, reaching from the local universe to z ~ 5, we show that the SB remains constant as expected in a static universe.

A re-analysis of previously published data used for the Tolman test at lower redshift, when treated within the same framework, confirms the results of the present analysis by extending our claim to elliptical galaxies. We conclude that available observations of galactic SB are consistent with a SEU model.

We do not claim that the consistency of the adopted model with SB data is sufficient by itself to confirm what would be a radical transformation in our understanding of the cosmos. However, we believe this result is more than sufficient reason to examine this combination of hypotheses further.
Measurement facility for the evaluation of the backscattering in fiber: Realization of an OTDR operating at single photon level
Authors: Piacentini Fabrizio , Meda Alice , Traina Paolo , Suk Hong Kee , Degiovanni Ivo Pietro , Brida Giorgio , Gramegna Marco , Berchera Ivano Ruo , Genovese Marco , Rastello Maria Luisa
Published: May 2014

This paper presents the INRIM effort related to the implementation of an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) that exploits backscattered light to test an optical fiber operating at single photon level, using two different avalanche photodetectors: a free-running Id220 and a gated Id201. Our tests show that the use of the Id220-based OTDR could be very helpful for QKD application, since it allows testing much longer portions of an optical link. This represents a great advantage for QKD systems, where single components and connections are often embedded in a non-separable optical system.
Can Mathematical Models Predict the Outcomes of Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Intermittent Androgen Deprivation Therapy?
Authors: Everett R. A. , Packer A. M. , Kuang Y.
Published: May 2014

Androgen deprivation therapy is a common treatment for advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. Like the normal prostate, most tumors depend on androgens for proliferation and survival but often develop treatment resistance. Hormonal treatment causes many undesirable side effects which significantly decrease the quality of life for patients. Intermittently applying androgen deprivation in cycles reduces the total duration with these negative effects and may reduce selective pressure for resistance. We extend an existing model which used measurements of patient testosterone levels to accurately fit measured serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. We test the model's predictive accuracy, using only a subset of the data to find parameter values. The results are compared with those of an existing piecewise linear model which does not use testosterone as an input. Since actual treatment protocol is to re-apply therapy when PSA levels recover beyond some threshold value, we develop a second method for predicting the PSA levels. Based on a small set of data from seven patients, our results showed that the piecewise linear model produced slightly more accurate results while the two predictive methods are comparable. This suggests that a simpler model may be more beneficial for a predictive use compared to a more biologically insightful model, although further research is needed in this field prior to implementing mathematical models as a predictive method in a clinical setting. Nevertheless, both models are an important step in this direction.
Photodynamic therapy of oral leukoplakia and oral lichen planus using methylene blue: A pilot study
Authors: Prasanna Savarimuthu Wilfred , Ingle Ekta , Aruna Prakasa Rao , Pravada Chidambaranathan , Koteeswaran Dornadula , Ganesan S.
Published: May 2014

Premalignant lesions like oral lichen planus (OLP), oral leukoplakia (OL) has a fair probability of transforming into malignancy and they are perverse toward conventional therapies. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been considered as an alternative/complimentary therapeutic modality for the management of premalignant lesions. In this study, methylene blue-mediated photodynamic therapy (MB-PDT) was used as a possible alternative method for the treatment of OLP and OL. A total of 15 OLP lesions and 13 OL lesions were enrolled in the study. The patients were irradiated using metal halide lamp filtered at 630 ± 10 nm, with a light exposure dose of 120 J/cm2 per sitting. For the OLP lesions, MB-PDT was performed once a week for four weeks and for the OL lesions, MB-PDT was performed twice a week for three weeks. Lesions were evaluated pre- and post- and at follow-up sessions by changes in sign and symptom scores, and size of lesions. We have observed a 53.3% of complete reduction in the treated OLP lesions and their decrease in size, sign and symptom score after treatment and at follow-up session was statistically significant. We have also observed complete response for one OL lesion of the 13 treated lesions. The result indicates that MB-PDT is an effective modality in management of OLP and OL. Among the two types of premalignancies treated with MB-PDT, OLP lesions responded much better than that of OL.
Summary of COOP'04 workshop on interaction and knowledge management
Authors: Lewkowicz Myriam
Published: May 2014

Knowledge management is often studied from the point of view of knowledge as an object which has to be clarified, archived, spread, shared. But there is another point of view in which we want to focus during this workshop, which is knowledge in action, or "knowing", instead of "knowledge", as (Cook, Brown, 1999) or (Pfeffer, Sutton, 1999) make the distinction. We thus fit in a historical current initiated by (Bannon, Kuutti, 1996), who used to distinguish a passive and an active or constructive view of Organizational Memory. We could then say that we adopt a social approach of Knowledge Management (Erickson, Kellogg, 2001; Ackerman et al. 2003), contrary to other works which deal with information problems. In other words we could claim stopping to think in terms of knowledge management, and starting to think in terms of supporting the larger social context in which knowledge management is embedded.
ECSCW 2003 Computer Supported Scientific Collaboration (CSSC) workshop report
Authors: Karasti Helena , Baker Karen S. , Bowker Geoffrey C.
Published: May 2014

The Eighth European Computer Supported Cooperative Work conference (ECSCW 2003) provided a venue to gather researchers interested in the study of scientific collaborations and their technology support. The organizers, Karen S. Baker, Geoffrey C. Bowker and Helena Karasti, started to work together in 2002 on a National Science Foundation funded BioDiversity and EcoInformatics (BDEI) project 'Designing an Infrastructure for Heterogeneity in Ecosystem Data, Collaborators and Organizations' (http://pal.Iternet.edu/projects/02dgo/). Having encountered a multitude of challenging issues in their study with the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER, http://Iternet.edu), the ECSCW workshop offered an opportunity for a community dialogue focusing on Computer Supported Scientific Collaboration (CSSC). The suite of selected position papers at the workshop by Debra Cash & Howard Cash, Jenny Fry, Timothy Koschmann, Flemming Meier, Erja Mustonen-Ollila, Giuseppe Psaila & Davide Brugali, and Sanna Talja ([16], http://pal.Iternet.edu/projects/ecscw03/) represented a wide range of work relating to scientific collaborations.
The active lurker
Authors: Takahashi Masamichi , Fujimoto Masakazu , Yamasaki Nobuhiro
Published: May 2014

In this study, we focus on participants called lurkers, who do not post any messages in an online community such as interactive mailing lists and bulletin board systems. We propose a method of classifying participants including lurkers based on two criteria: what types of actions they take outside the online community, and whether or not the online community affects their thoughts. In addition, based on the results of interviews, we propose hypotheses regarding factors that characterize the categories of lurkers. We conduct a questionnaire survey of all participants in two in-house online communities to verify our method and test the hypotheses. There are a considerable number of lurkers who have a strong and wide influence outside the online community. We conclude that such lurkers cannot be neglected in an evaluation of online communities within a company. We also discuss the possibility of online community management by focusing on not only posters but also lurkers who are indirect contributors to increasing the influence of an online community on its outside environment.
E-community-building in wiInf-central[2] (abstract only)
Authors: Pape Bernd , Reinecke Leonard , Rohde Markus , Strauss Monique
Published: May 2014

Our study examined WiInf-Central, the "virtual homeplace" of a student community at the University of Hamburg, focusing on the processes of social identity and community building. After a detailed description of WiInf-Central we review our theoretical approaches, based on Social Identity Theory and Communities of Practice, and then set out our research questions and design. Finally, we present and discuss our results, followed by some comments on the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.
The evolution of artifacts in cooperative work
Authors: Cluts Marlin M.
Published: May 2014

A two year case study of cooperative work was inspired by the installation of CSCW software in a community bank. The framework for the research was developed by combining activity theory and the principles of communities of practice. This framework provided a useful model and insight into the evolution of artifact meaning, sharing, and credibility. In essence, users needed to experience results within the activity system and social structure of the community to establish meaning and credibility. The study applied the theory and language of activity theory and communities of practice to make sense of case phenomena and provide a richer context for understanding traditional principles.
Information seeking and sharing in design teams[27] (abstract only)
Authors: Poltrock Steven , Grudin Jonathan , Dumais Susan , Fidel Raya , Bruce Harry , Pejtersen Annelise Mark
Published: May 2014

Information retrieval is generally considered an individual activity, and information retrieval research and tools reflect this view. As digitally mediated communication and information sharing increase, collaborative information retrieval merits greater attention and support. We describe field studies of information gathering in two design teams that had very different products, disciplinary backgrounds, and tools. We found striking similarities in the kinds of information they sought and the methods used to get it. For example, each team sought information about design constraints from external sources. A common strategy was to propose ideas and request feedback, rather than to ask directly for recommendations. Some differences in information seeking and sharing reflected differences in work contexts. Our findings suggest some ways that existing team collaboration tools could support collaborative information retrieval more effectively.
Ordering systems
Authors: Schmidt Kjeld
Published: May 2014

In their cooperative effort, architects depend critically on elaborate coordinative practices and artifacts. The paper presents, on the basis of an in-depth study of architectural work, an analysis of these practices and artifacts and shows that they are multilaterally interrelated and form complexes of interrelated practices and artifacts which we have dubbed 'ordering systems'. In doing so, the paper outlines a conceptual framework for investigating and conceiving of such practices.
Using cursor prediction to smooth telepointer jitter[33] (abstract only)
Authors: Gutwin Carl , Dyck Jeff , Burkitt Jennifer
Published: May 2014

Telepointers are an important type of embodiment in real-time distributed groupware. Telepointers can increase the presence of remote participants and can provide considerable awareness information about people's locations and activities. However, the motion of a telepointer is often disrupted by network jitter. Although some strategies exist for dealing with jitter, none of these techniques are able to restore the immediacy and smoothness of a real cursor. In this paper we investigate the use of prediction - commonly used in networked simulations and games - to reduce the effects of jitter on telepointer motion. To determine whether prediction can be effective for improving telepointers, we carried out two experiments that tested the effects of different prediction schemes (some real and some artificial) on people's ability to interpret telepointer gestures. These studies show that although cursor prediction is still a difficult problem. there are both potential performance improvements, and definite preference advantages. Our studies suggest that telepointer prediction should be routinely used to increase the immediacy and naturalness of remote interaction, and suggest that prediction can also improve interpretation in certain situations.
From genre analysis to the design of meetingware[34] (abstract only)
Authors: Antunes Pedro , Costa Carlos J.
Published: May 2014

Genre analysis is an approach to study organizational structures, focusing on communication patterns, which can be applied to the specific context of meetings. This research investigates the impact of genre analysis on the design of meetingware. The paper describes how genre analysis was used to develop meetingware for several organizations and meeting genres. The paper covers the whole design process, from genre elicitation to validation. The obtained results indicate that genre analysis impacts meetingware design in five major dimensions: organizational integration, situated nature, meeting lifecycle view, focus on communication patterns, and preservation of the meeting context.
Group unified histories an instrument for productive unconstrained co-browsing[37] (abstract only)
Authors: Aneiros Maria , Estivill-Castro Vladimir , Sun Chengzheng
Published: May 2014

The most common task being performed on the World Wide Web, namely exploring its contents remains an individual rather than a cooperative, shared or partnered activity. We propose that the existing model of collaborative browsing, namely master/slave, is too restrictive. Instead, we introduce group unified histories to provide unconstrained cooperative browsing. Our approach is founded on a persistent shared history object which is replicated for each user and totally configurable. In order for cooperation to succeed users are updated of changes taking place and shown the history of documents within the context of the group. Replication means that consistency needs to be maintained. We show that unconstrained cooperative browsing is a subset of collaborative editing, and using the consistency model of real-time collaborative editors achieves consistency and provides awareness in group unified histories.
Data at work
Authors: Birnholtz Jeremy P. , Bietz Matthew J.
Published: May 2014

Data are a fundamental component of science and engineering work, and the ability to share data is critical to the validation and progress of science. Data sharing and reuse in some fields, however, has proven to be a difficult problem. This paper argues that the development of effective CSCW systems to support data sharing in work groups requires a better understanding of the use of data in practice. Drawing on our work with three scientific disciplines, we show that data play two general roles in scientific communities: 1) they serve as evidence to support scientific inquiry, and 2) they make a social contribution to the establishment and maintenance of communities of practice. A clearer consideration and understanding of these roles can contribute to the design of more effective data sharing systems. We suggest that this can be achieved through supporting social interaction around data abstractions, reaching beyond current metadata models, and supporting the social roles of data.
Concepts for usable patterns of groupware applications[39] (abstract only)
Authors: Herrmann Thomas , Hoffmann Marcel , Jahnke Isa , Kienle Andrea , Kunau Gabriele , Loser Kai-Uwe , Menold Natalja
Published: May 2014

Patterns, which are based on in-depth practical experience, can be instructing for the design of groupware applications as socio-technical systems. On the basis of a summary of the concept of patterns - as elaborated by the architect Christopher Alexander - its adoptions within computer science are retraced and relationships to the area of groupware are described. General principles for patterns within this domain are formulated and supported by examples from a wide range of experience with knowledge management systems. The analysis reveals that every pattern of a groupware application has to combine the description of social as well as technical structures, and that a single pattern can only be understood in the context of a pattern language. It also shows that such a language has to integrate patterns of socio-technical solutions with measures and procedures for introducing them, and that the language not only has to express one type of directed relationship between the patterns but a variety of different types which have to be deliberately assigned to the patterns.
How people use orientation on tables
Authors: Kruger Russell , Carpendale Sheelagh , Scott Stacey D. , Greenberg Saul
Published: May 2014

In order to support co-located collaboration, many researchers are now investigating how to effectively augment tabletops with electronic displays. As far back as 1988, orientation was recognized as a significant human factor issue that must be addressed by electronic tabletop designers. As with traditional tables, when people stand at different positions around a horizontal display they will be viewing the contents from different angles. One common solution to this problem is to have the software reorient objects so that any given individual can view them 'right way up.' Yet is this the best approach? If not, how do people actually use orientation on tables? To answer these questions, we conducted an observational study of collaborative activity on a traditional table. Our results show that the strategy of reorienting objects to a person's view is overly simplistic: while important, it is an incomplete view of how people exploit their ability to reorient objects. Orientation proves critical in how individuals comprehend information, how collaborators coordinate their actions, and how they mediate communication. The coordinating role of orientation is evident in how people establish personal and group spaces, and how they signal ownership of objects. In terms of communication, orientation is useful in initiating communicative exchanges and in continuing to speak to individuals about particular objects and work patterns as collaboration progresses. The three roles of orientation have significant implications for the design of tabletop software and the assessment of existing tabletop systems.
Mediation of group cognition
Authors: Stahl Gerry
Published: May 2014

The term "community-based learning" can refer to a variety of forms of learning. One can, for instance, insist on an individualistic notion of learning and argue that individual learning can be enhanced by factors that may influence it from a supportive community environment. At the other theoretical extreme, one can propose a social conception of learning and claim that most important knowledge building takes place at the community level, while individual learning is a secondary matter of internalization, acculturation or increased participation in community. Here, we will stake out a middle ground: that community-based learning should be analyzed at the intermediate level of small groups of individuals within the community. We point out that small groups typically mediate the relationship of communities to their members and we propose a consideration of small group cognition as an alternative methodological focus to either cognition in the head of individuals or the cultural knowledge of a whole community. This approach has practical implications for CSCL and CSCW: collaboration is taken to be a potential emergent phenomenon of small group interaction, and the computer support of collaboration is analyzed as an enabling technology whose design and use forms and transforms the nature of the interactions.
Co-reflection in online learning environments
Authors: Yukawa Joyce
Published: May 2014

While peer collaboration is the basis for co-learning in many groups, in the classroom the prevailing assumption is that teachers facilitate student learning, through course structure, setting learning tasks and outcomes, presentation, discussion, facilitating small group learning, coaching, and mentoring, among others. Though instructional design models have recognized that learning builds on interactions between learners and their environments (teachers have moved from "sage on the stage" to "guide on the side"), these models tend to focus on individual student learning rather than group learning.
Come_IN
Authors: Stevens Gunnar , Veith Michael , Wulf Volker
Published: May 2014

Modern western societies are facing the challenges of immigration and integration. The main criterion for social participation and democratic collaboration is the successful integration of immigrants. A lack of social as well as cultural integration, especially among young immigrants, seems to be the consequence of a low level of education and unequal opportunities. Immigrant children who are enrolled at primary schools, for instance, show significant deficits in tests of German language acquisition in comparison to German pupils on the one hand, and even to other immigrant pupils of their parent's generation, on the other.
The Hook-ups initiative
Authors: Millner Amon
Published: May 2014

This paper introduces the Hook-ups initiative. In this initiative, young people learn by designing and constructing "Hook-ups" - physical objects that can control games, animations, and other computer programs which they create. Hook-ups can be inspired by traditional computer interfaces (e.g., joysticks) or are entirely new types of interfaces (e.g., a spaceship steering wheel). In creating Hook-ups, young people work with objects and materials that they have a strong interest in exploring. Youth become designers capable of integrating virtual media with materials from the world around them. By engaging in Hook-ups design processes, learners gain confidence and motivation to explore topics within areas such as interface design, programming, and physics.
Supporting and changing practices of nested and overlapping educational communities
Authors: Suthers Daniel , Harada Violet , Yukawa Joyce , Lid Viil
Published: May 2014

Applications of information technology to support systemic reform in public school systems have taken several forms. Instructional applications include attempts to more effectively convey information to students, to empower students' own agency in accessing information and constructing knowledge, and to aid teachers' classroom management, lesson preparation, and assessment. Technology has been proffered as a change agent in itself: teachers will need to change their practices in order to use technologies designed for doing authentic inquiry and communicating or collaborating with others [10]. Information technology can also support professional development through access to online courses, and enable participation in distributed communities of practice. The work reported in this paper has taken this latter strategy. Because today's school systems operate in an environment of constant change, professional development requires a paradigm shift from a scripted training approach to a more fluid approach that encourages the incorporation of networks, coalitions, and partnerships. The capacity to network with other professionals is essential to the notion of communities of practice. McLaughlin and Mitra argue that sustaining large-scale theory-based reform efforts "requires a community of practice to provide support, deflect challenges from the broader environment, and furnish the feedback and encouragement essential to going deeper" [7]. Barab defines a community that advances ongoing and open-ended professional development as a "persistent, sustained network of individuals who share and develop an overlapping knowledge base, set of beliefs, values, history and experiences focused on a common practice and/or mutual enterprise" [1]. These communities change the relationships among teachers, breaking the isolation that most teachers have found so confining.
Trends in online learning communities
Authors: Quan-Haase Anabel
Published: May 2014

In the past decade, there has been a trend toward using the Internet to support traditional classroom teaching and to substitute traditional teaching for online learning. In particular, online learning communities play an important role in distant education. This trend raises important questions about the nature of online learning, the types of learning promoted by online learning communities, the challenges inherent in online learning communities, and the ways in which online learning communities can be improved. Moreover, it is important to understand online learning communities in the context of people's everyday lives. This special issue brings together studies that examine how online learning communities have evolved, the types of online learning communities available, and what design features are useful for promoting vibrant online learning communities. These studies show online learning communities as a complex phenomenon and propose new frameworks and research methods. This introduction outlines the important questions asked in these papers about online learning communities as well as results from empirical studies. It concludes with a set of design considerations that emerge from the studies.
Networks, control, and life-forms
Authors: Galloway Alexander , Thacker Eugene
Published: May 2014

In this paper we explore the technological, philosophical and political aspects of networks through a series of condensed, interrelated analyses.
From usenet to Gaydar
Authors: O'Riordan Kate
Published: May 2014

This paper provides a brief overview and introduction to the intersections between queer theory and online community in the UK and USA in the 1990s. Different communities and theoretical paradigms that relate to this are examined.
Hacking human
Authors: Nolan Jason , Levesque Michelle
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we describe the techniques, methods and context for hacking humans using publicly available information found on the Internet.
Design and Evaluation of Technology-Agnostic Heterogeneous Networks-on-Chip
Authors: Chung Haera , Teuscher Christof , Pande Partha
Published: May 2014

Traditional metal-wire-based networks-on-chip (NoC) suffer from high latency and power dissipation as the system size scales up in the number of cores. This limitation stems from the inherent multihop communication nature of larger NoCs. It has previously been shown that the performance of NoCs can be significantly improved by introducing long-range, low power, and high-bandwidth single-hop links between distant cores. While previous work has focused on specific NoC architectures and configurations, it remains an open question whether heterogeneous link types are beneficial in a broad range of NoC architectures. In this article, we show that a generic NoC architecture with heterogeneous link types allows for NoCs with higher bandwidth at a lower cost compared to homogeneous networks. We further show that such NoCs scale up significantly better in terms of performance and cost. We demonstrate these broadly-applicable results by using a technology-agnostic complex network approach that targets NoC architectures with various emerging link types.
Clock-Tree Synthesis with Methodology of Reuse in 3D-IC
Authors: Chen Fu-Wei , Hwang Tingting
Published: May 2014

IP reuse methodology has been used extensively in SoC (system-on-chip) design. In this reuse methodology, while design and implementation costs are saved, manufacturing cost is not. To further reduce the cost, this reuse concept has been proposed at mask and die level in three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D-IC). In order to achieve manufacturing reuse, in this article, we propose a new methodology for designing a global clock tree in 3D-IC. The objective is to extend an existing clock tree in 2D IC to 3D IC, taking into consideration the wirelength, clock skew, and the number of TSVs. Compared with NNG- and 3D-MMM-based methods, our proposed method reduces the wirelength of the new die and the skew of the global 3D clock tree on average, 5.85% and 2.3%, and 76.92% and 48.7%, respectively. In more than two die design, the average improvements of the wirelength and clock skew of our method as compared with the 3D-MMM-based method are 4.23% and 46.84%, respectively.