bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Broadband Continuous-Wave Multi-Harmonic Optical Comb Based on a Frequency Division-by-Three Optical Parametric Oscillator
Authors: Lin Yen-Yin , Wu Po-Shu , Yang Hsiu-Ru , Shy Jow-Tsong , Kung A.
Published: November 2014

We report a multi-watt broadband continuous-wave multi-harmonic optical comb based on a frequency division-by-three singly-resonant optical parametric oscillator. This cw optical comb is frequency-stabilized with the help of a beat signal derived from the signal and frequency-doubled idler waves. The measured frequency fluctuation in one standard deviation is ~437 kHz. This is comparable to the linewidth of the pump laser which is a master-oscillator seeded Yb:doped fiber amplifier at ~1064 nm. The measured powers of the fundamental wave and the harmonic waves up to the 6th harmonic wave are 1.64 W, 0.77 W, 3.9 W, 0.78 W, 0.17 W, and 0.11 W, respectively. The total spectral width covered by this multi-harmonic comb is ~470 THz. When properly phased, this multi-harmonic optical comb can be expected to produce by Fourier synthesis a light source consisting of periodic optical field waveforms that have an envelope full-width at half-maximum of 1.59 fs in each period.
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and Risk Factors in a Quality Registry: A Basis for More Patient-Centered Diabetes Care in Sweden
Authors: Borg Sixten , Palaszewski Bo , Gerdtham Ulf-G , Fredrik Ödegaard , Roos Pontus , Gudbjörnsdottir Soffia
Published: November 2014

Diabetes is one of the chronic diseases that constitute the greatest disease burden in the world. The Swedish National Diabetes Register is an essential part of the diabetes care system. Currently it mainly records clinical outcomes, but here we describe how it has started to collect patient-reported outcome measures, complementing the standard registry data on clinical outcomes as a basis for evaluating diabetes care. Our aims were to develop a questionnaire to measure patient abilities and judgments of their experience of diabetes care, to describe a Swedish diabetes patient sample in terms of their abilities, judgments, and risk factors, and to characterize groups of patients with a need for improvement. Patient abilities and judgments were estimated using item response theory. Analyzing them together with standard risk factors for diabetes comorbidities showed that the different types of data describe different aspects of a patient’s situation. These aspects occasionally overlap, but not in any particularly useful way. They both provide important information to decision makers, and neither is necessarily more relevant than the other. Both should therefore be considered, to achieve a more complete evaluation of diabetes care and to promote person-centered care.
Developing a Service Platform Definition to Promote Evidence-Based Planning and Funding of the Mental Health Service System
Authors: Lee Yong , Meurk Carla , Harris Meredith , Diminic Sandra , Scheurer Roman , Whiteford Harvey
Published: November 2014

Ensuring that a mental health system provides ‘value for money’ requires policy makers to allocate resources to the most cost-effective interventions. Organizing cost-effective interventions into a service delivery framework will require a concept that can guide the mapping of evidence regarding disorder-level interventions to aggregations of services that are meaningful for policy makers. The ‘service platform’ is an emerging concept that could be used to this end, however no explicit definition currently exists in the literature. The aim of this study was to develop a service platform definition that is consistent with how policy makers conceptualize the major elements of the mental health service system and to test the validity and utility of this definition through consultation with mental health policy makers. We derived a provisional definition informed by existing literature and consultation with experienced mental health researchers. Using a modified Delphi method, we obtained feedback from nine Australian policy makers. Respondents provided written answers to a questionnaire eliciting their views on the acceptability, comprehensibility and usefulness of a service platform definition which was subject to qualitative analysis. Overall, respondents understood the definition and found it both acceptable and useful, subject to certain conditions. They also provided suggestions for its improvement. Our findings suggest that the service platform concept could be a useful way of aggregating mental health services as a means for presenting priority setting evidence to policy makers in mental health. However, further development and testing of the concept is required.
Real-Time qPCR Identifies Suitable Reference Genes for Borna Disease Virus-Infected Rat Cortical Neurons
Authors: Zhang Lujun , Liu Siwen , Zhang Liang , You Hongmin , Huang Rongzhong , Sun Lin , He Peng , Chen Shigang , Zhang Hong , Xie Peng
Published: November 2014

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is the most commonly-used technique to identify gene expression profiles. The selection of stably expressed reference genes is a prerequisite to properly evaluating gene expression. Here, the suitability of commonly-used reference genes in normalizing RT-qPCR assays of mRNA expression in cultured rat cortical neurons infected with Borna disease virus (BDV) was assessed. The expressions of eight commonly-used reference genes were comparatively analyzed in BDV-infected rat cortical neurons and non-infected control neurons mainly across 9 and 12 days post-infection. These reference genes were validated by RT-qPCR and separately ranked by four statistical algorithms: geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and the comparative delta-Ct method. Then, the RankAggreg package was used to construct consensus rankings. ARBP was found to be the most stable internal control gene at Day 9, and ACTB at Day 12. As the assessment of the validity of the selected reference genes confirms the suitability of applying a combination of the two most stable references genes, combining the two most stable genes for normalization of RT-qPCR studies in BDV-infected rat cortical neurons is recommended at each time point. This study can contribute to improving BDV research by providing the means by which to obtain more reliable and accurate gene expression measurements.
Ultra-Low Voltage Sixth-Order Low Pass Filter for Sensing the T-Wave Signal in ECGs
Authors: Bertsias Panagiotis , Psychalinos Costas
Published: November 2014

An ultra-low voltage sixth-order low pass filter topology, suitable for sensing the T-wave signal in an electrocardiogram (ECG), is presented in this paper. This is realized using a cascade connection of second-order building blocks constructed from a sinh-domain two-integrator loop. The performance of the filter has been evaluated using the Cadence Analog Design Environment and the design kit provided by the Austria Mikro Systeme (AMS) 0.35-µm CMOS process. The power consumption of filters was 7.21 nW, while a total harmonic distortion (THD) level of 4% was observed for an input signal of 220 pA. The RMS value of the input referred noise was 0.43 pA, and the simulated value of the dynamic range (DR) was 51.1 dB. A comparison with already published counterparts shows that the proposed topology offers the benefits of 0.5-V supply voltage operation and significantly improved power efficiency.
Resveratrol Trimers from Seed Cake of Paeonia rockii
Authors: Liu Pu , Wang Yiran , Gao Jiayu , Lu Zongyuan , Yin Weiping , Deng Ruixue
Published: November 2014

In the course of screening natural products for antibacterial activities, a total acetone extract of the seed cake of Paeonia rockii showed significant effects against bacterial strains. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of the EtOAc-soluble fraction of the total acetone extract resulted in the isolation and identification of five resveratrol trimers, including rockiiol C (1), gnetin H (2), suffruticosol A (3), suffruticosol B (4) and suffruticosol C (5). The relative configuration of these compounds was elucidated mainly by comprehensive 1D and 2D-NMR experiments. Compound 1 was a new compound. All isolated compounds exhibited strong antibacterial activities against Gram-positive bacteria.
Vitamin D Status in Malaysian Men and Its Associated Factors
Authors: Chin Kok-Yong , Ima-Nirwana Soelaiman , Ibrahim Suraya , Mohamed Isa , Wan Ngah Wan
Published: November 2014

Vitamin D insufficiency is a global health problem. The data on vitamin D status in Malaysian men is insufficient. This study aimed to investigate vitamin D status among Chinese and Malay men in Malaysia and its associating factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 383 men aged 20 years and above, residing in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Their age, ethnicity, body anthropometry and calcaneal speed of sound (SOS) were recorded. Their fasting blood was collected for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), intact parathyroid (PTH), total calcium and inorganic phosphate assays. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25(OH)D level <30 nmol/L and insufficiency as a serum 25(OH)D level between 30 and 50 nmol/L. The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 0.5%, and insufficiency was 22.7%. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were more prevalent in the Malays compared to the Chinese. Being Chinese, older in age, having lower body mass index (BMI) and a high physical activity status were associated significantly with a higher serum 25(OH)D level (p < 0.05). The serum PTH level was inversely associated with the serum 25(OH)D level (p < 0.05). As a conclusion, a significant proportion of Malaysian men have vitamin D insufficiency, although deficiency is uncommon. Steps should be taken to correct the vitamin D status of these men.
Genotypic Analysis of Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus from Patients with Kaposi’s Sarcoma in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Ouyang Xinxing , Zeng Yan , Fu Bishi , Wang Xiaowu , Chen Wei , Fang Yuan , Luo Minhua , Wang Linding
Published: November 2014

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causal agent of all forms of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), including AIDS-KS, endemic KS, classic KS and iatrogenic KS. Based on Open reading frame (ORF) K1 sequence analysis, KSHV has been classified into seven major molecular subtypes (A, B, C, D, E, F and Z). The distribution of KSHV strains varies according to geography and ethnicity. Xinjiang is a unique region where the seroprevalence of KSHV is significantly higher than other parts of China. The genotyping of KSHV strains in this region has not been thoroughly studied. The present study aimed to evaluate the frequency of KSHV genotypes isolated from KS tissues in Classical KS and AIDS KS patients from Xinjiang, China. ORF-K1 of KSHV from tissue samples of 28 KS patients was amplified and sequenced. Two subtypes of KSHV were identified according to K1 genotyping. Twenty-three of them belonged to subtype A, while five of them were subtype C. More genotype A than genotype C strains were found in both Classical KS and AIDS KS. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of different genotype between Classical KS and AIDS KS.
L'aménagement du grand Sfax : enjeux, jeu des acteurs et projet de ville
Authors: Dlala Habib
Published: November 2014

Deuxième ville de Tunisie avec seulement le quart des effectifs de la population de la capitale, Sfax est une agglomération où les différents opérateurs n'ont pas cherché, avant et surtout depuis 1977, à créer les conditions d'un aménagement global adéquat et efficace. Piégée par les spécificités de sa structure, par les restrictions réglementaires inspirées d'un urbanisme un peu trop fonctionnaliste ainsi que par l'importance des enjeux fonciers, économiques et politiques qui animent les différents acteurs dotés de stratégies particulières, l'agglomération sfaxienne s'étale sur un espace beaucoup plus vaste que ne le voudraient son gabarit et le rythme de sa croissance démographique et économique. Cette recherche analyse ces enjeux et le jeu des acteurs et propose, à la lumière d'un diagnostic général et d'une prospective simple, une voie alternative d'aménagement pour le Grand Sfax limitant son étalement dans l'espace.
Figures de pygmées au Kabirion de Thèbes : entre bilan et perspectives
Authors: Mackowiak Karin
Published: November 2014

Kabiric pygmies in Thebes : from previous results to new prospects.

The kabiric vases showing pygmies deserve more credit thanks to new approaches combining the methodologies of iconographie and anthropological analyses. The study of these pictures'morphology and the elaboration of meaningful categories underline their original composition and reveal a vision of life able to cast a new light on the mysterious kabiric beliefs. This vast and difficult subject needs many analyses this article aims to precise, formulating the subsequent questions : what can we say about the manner the painters transmit a message ? What is the nature of this message ? Why does the burlesque take so much space in these pictures ? Can we understand their distinctive features by exploring oriental heritages and the way they arrived in Boeotia ? These questions will help us to get the pygmies out of the historiographical marginality in which they have been held.
La sexualité grecque dans le kaléidoscope animal
Authors: Zucker Arnaud
Published: November 2014

The greek sexuality in the animal kaleidoscop.

This paper focuses on the representations of the animal sexuality in the Greek zoological literature, especially in Aristotle. They reveal the construction of the human eroticism. Marked by a common physiological situation but also by a moral distinction, the human practice differs, on the ideologic level, by the place granted in sexuality to reproduction and pleasure. In the animal mirror appears sharply, as a reflection, the Greek choice of an antinatural erotic.
La castration chez Aristote : une théorie sans complexe
Authors: Zucker Arnaud
Published: November 2014

La castration est considérée comme une inversion sexuelle et, comme seule l'émasculation (animale ou humaine) semble retenir l'attention du philosophe, elle équivaut à une féminisation. L'étude des principes de la différenciation sexuelle dans la théorie d'Aristote aide à comprendre les conséquences multiples de cette mutilation qui, en affectant la semence, influe profondément sur l'identité sexuelle (physique et psychique) et identifie le castrat au mâle mutilé qu'est naturellement la femme.
Les médecins en Gaule et dans les Germanies et les divinités Asclépios/Esculape et Hygie
Authors: Masson Grégoire
Published: November 2014

Doctors in Gaul and in Germany and the divinities Asklepios/Aesculapius and Hygieia.

This article examines the links existing between Asklepios/Aesculapius, Hygieia and practitioners in Gaul and Germania. Taking into account new elements, it is based on the examination of written sources, colyrium seals and decorated medical equipment. It emphasizes the existence, in many cases, of obvious connections between ophtalmology and these divinities. The conclusions offer a less restrictive view of the presence of Asklepios/Aesculapius and Hygieia in that part of the Antique world.
Héritage, dot et prestations matrimoniales en Babylonie ancienne
Authors: Rede Marcelo
Published: November 2014

Selon l’opinion prédominante, la transmission du patrimoine familial en Mésopotamie était patrilinéaire en même temps que le système de filiation y était agnatique. Dans cet article, on reconsidère la littérature spécialisée à la lumière des instruments analytiques de l’anthropologie et on soutient au contraire que les données de l’époque paléo-babylonienne permettent d’y voir un processus d’héritage caractérisé par la dévolution divergente, ainsi qu’un modèle d’organisation familiale fondé sur un double lignage, matrilinéaire et patrilinéaire. Cela permet de classer le cas mésopotamien à l’intérieur de l’aire culturelle eurasienne.
De la fonction régénératrice de la démone ailée : l’imaginaire religieux de la Fresque de la villa des Mystères
Authors: Amiri Bassir
Published: November 2014

The regenerative function of the winged demon : the religious imaginary of the paintings of the Villa of Mysteries.

Since they had been found, many interpretations have been given for the frescoes of the Villa of Mysteries. This paper aims to appraoch the dionysiac fresco as a set of conventional, symbolic and sometimes enigmatic signs, unified by the theme of regeneration. From the figure of the winged demon, its interpretation and the way it turns to be one of the most important élément of the paintings, we choose a thematic approach in order to show how the paintings emphasize the law of universal renewal, so that death is able to mean for initiates hope of rebirth.
Théocraties et rois clients : Antiochos Ier de Commagène et Hérode le Grand
Authors: Schwentzel Christian-Georges
Published: November 2014

Le but de cet article est de mettre en parallèle les propagandes de deux rois clients qui vécurent à peu près à la même époque dans le Proche-Orient romain : Antiochos Ier Théos, roi de Commagène (69-36 av. n. è.) et Hérode le Grand (40-4 av. n. è.). Tous deux furent des souverains «indigènes». Tous deux développèrent une intense propagande théocratique basée sur des programmes architecturaux de grande ampleur. Malgré l’opposition idéologique entre le monothéisme juif et le polythéisme syncrétique d’Antiochos, il est possible de mettre en évidence de nombreux points communs entre les politiques des deux souverains.
Wide-field Digital Retinal Imaging for Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening in Australasia: A Survey of Practicing Ophthalmologists
Authors: Breidenstein Brenda G. , Dai Shuan
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

To compare retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening experiences using binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy (BIO) and wide-field digital retinal imaging (WFDRI) at centers in Auckland, New Zealand, with those of other centers in Australasia.

Methods:

A web-based survey regarding methods of screening for ROP was distributed to ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand.

Results:

Thirty-five ophthalmologists participated in the survey, of whom 30 participated in ROP screening. Sixteen respondents used BIO exclusively, 2 used WFDRI exclusively, and 12 used both. Of these, 3 respondents used WFDRI for remote screening.

Conclusions:

A significant proportion of ROP screeners have access to and are using WFDRI, but few currently use a telemedicine model for ROP screening.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2014;51(6):375–378.]
The Role and Efficacy of Secondary Intraocular Lenses in the Treatment of Monocular Infantile Cataracts
Authors: Kruger Tiffany L. , Monson Benjamin S. , Baker John D.
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

To determine if and when a secondary intraocular lens (IOL) can be beneficial to the successful treatment of a monocular infantile cataract.

Methods:

This retrospective study reviewed medical records of children undergoing treatment of a monocular congenital cataract from 1996 to 2009 at one pediatric ophthalmology practice. Patients had unilateral cataracts removed by age 8 months and a secondary IOL inserted prior to 6 years of age. At the final visit, the children had to perform linear Snellen visual acuity testing.

Results:

Of 11 identified patients, 8 had treatment onset by age 4 months and 3 between 5 and 7 months of age. These 3 children had final acuities of 20/500 (n = 2) and hand motion (n = 1). Those undergoing treatment prior to age 5 months had Snellen acuities of 20/30 to 20/400. The best results were obtained by patients who were compliant with contact lenses and patching before insertion of a secondary IOL.

Conclusions:

If treatment of a monocular congenital cataract begins by 4 months of age (ie, the critical period for visual development) and patients remain compliant with occlusion therapy and an aphakic contact lens, then they will likely do well after IOL implantation. Furthermore, it appears that insertion of a secondary IOL will maintain vision that was established with a contact lens and patching and perhaps prevent deterioration that might still occur if compliance issues develop. However, secondary IOL placement will not dramatically improve the final visual result from that developed with occlusion and a contact lens.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2014;51(6):370–374.]
Combining Automated Vision Screening With On-site Examinations in 23 Schools: ReFocus on Children Program 2012 to 2013
Authors: Peterseim Mae Millicent , Papa Carrie E. , Parades Courtney , Davidson Jennifer , Sturges Amber , Oslin Carly , Merritt Isla , Morrison Mary
Published: November 2014

Purpose:

The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) began the ReFocus on Children Program to assist school nurses in providing vision screening for at-risk children in the Charleston County School District in South Carolina.

Methods:

In 2012 to 2013, 2,750 low-income school children ages 3 to 5 years were screened using the Plusoptix Vision screener (Atlanta, GA). Further examinations were performed on 419 (56%) children referred and glasses prescribed and provided for 192 children (positive predictive value 46%). In 2013, teacher feedback questionnaires were sent to the 23 schools.

Results:

Teacher feedback questionnaires had a 49% response rate. Of teachers responding to the questionnaire, 70% reported the children liked wearing their glasses. Teachers provided observations of positive impact, including improved academic performance.

Conclusions:

Nurses appreciated that the entire process was efficient and completed in school, simplifying care and follow-up. The authors encourage partnerships between schools, nonprofit agencies, and healthcare providers to improve screening and access to comprehensive vision care for young children.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2015;52(1):20–24.]
Desarrollo profesional e intercambio de conocimiento en los grandes experimentos científicos
Authors: Creus Amalia , Canals Agustí
Published: November 2014

Los nuevos experimentos big science, que implican la colaboración de miles de investigadores procedentes de múltiples instituciones, están introduciendo cambios importantes en la organización de la actividad científica en muchas áreas de conocimiento. Todo ello tiene un impacto significativo en la vida profesional de los científicos, que necesitan adaptarse a nuevas dinámicas de trabajo y de relación entre colegas. Este artículo presenta un estudio de caso realizado en ATLAS, uno de los cuatro experimentos de física de partículas vinculados al Large Hadron Collider (LHC) en el CERN, en Ginebra. Mediante el análisis de micro-casos sobre experiencias individuales de miembros de la colaboración ATLAS, proponemos investigar cómo el aumento de tamaño y de complejidad de las colaboraciones científicas está afectando la carrera y la experiencia personal de los científicos y, consecuentemente, los procesos de producción y transmisión de conocimiento. Como resultado se presenta un conjunto de proposiciones teóricas potencialmente generalizables a otros experimentos de estas características.
Propiedades relacionales de las redes de colaboración y generación de conocimiento científico: ¿Una cuestión de tamaño o equilibrio?
Authors: Villanueva-Felez África , Fernández-Zubieta Ana , Palomares-Montero Davinia
Published: November 2014

El artículo analiza la influencia de las redes de los investigadores en la cantidad y calidad de su producción de conocimiento científico, con datos obtenidos de un cuestionario, cumplimentado por 191 investigadores/académicos españoles especializados en nanotecnología. Se consideran las redes que los investigadores establecen con otros individuos y organizaciones y se examina el efecto de las propiedades relacionales de las redes de colaboración (grado de incrustación y heterogeneidad nodal) en la producción científica, teniendo en cuenta el tamaño de la red. Se observa que el equilibrio en las redes personales y organizativas explica más la cantidad y la calidad de la producción científica que el tamaño de las redes. Las redes personales equilibradas en su fuerza y su diversidad geográfica facilitan la producción científica y, en su aspecto geográfico, su calidad. Las redes organizativas equilibradas en su diversidad institucional, al contrario que en su dimensión geográfica, también facilita la cantidad de producción.
Acceso abierto a los datos de investigación, una vía hacia la colaboración científica
Authors: Melero Remedios , Hernández-San-Miguel Javier
Published: November 2014

La transmisión del conocimiento debería verse favorecida por las oportunidades que brindan las TIC como medio de acceso y distribución de objetos digitales. Sin embargo, las barreras que impiden el acceso y reutilización de los trabajos derivados de la actividad científica y académica, ya sean económicas o de derechos de explotación, inhiben compartir un bien común como es el conocimiento. El movimiento por el acceso abierto a la ciencia promueve la eliminación de estas barreras y aboga por una cultura que permita compartir y reutilizar materiales, siempre con el reconocimiento de la autoría y con un uso responsable. Si el artículo científico ha sido históricamente una forma esencial de la comunicación de la ciencia, en la era digital cobran relevancia sus fundamentos, entre ellos los datos observacionales, descriptivos o experimentales que subyacen al artículo. Los datos pueden reutilizarse, transformarse mediante nuevos métodos o agregarse a otras fuentes. Los datos en abierto evitan la duplicidad de ensayos, dan transparencia a su forma de obtención y permiten su validación. En este trabajo se presentan algunas iniciativas y recomendaciones de cómo compartir, gestionar y promocionar el acceso abierto a los datos generados durante la investigación científica, como vía de colaboración entre grupos o personas con afinidad en sus temas de trabajo.
¿Cómo interaccionan los investigadores de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales del CSIC con otros agentes sociales fuera de los cauces institucionales?
Authors: Olmos-Peñuela Julia , Castro-Martínez Elena
Published: November 2014

Este artículo explora la participación de los investigadores de humanidades y ciencias sociales (HHCCSS) en diferentes actividades no institucionales de interacción. Para ello, se utiliza la información sobre la participación de una muestra de investigadores pertenecientes al área de HHCCSS del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) en distintas actividades de interacción con agentes sociales. Además de poner de relieve en qué medida los investigadores de HHCCSS participan en diversas actividades no institucionales de interacción, se analiza cómo varían estas interacciones en función de la categoría científica del investigador y del tipo de agente social. Los resultados obtenidos son de interés para el enfoque futuro de las acciones de fomento de las interacciones ciencia-sociedad en esta área.
An Instrumented Insole System for Gait Monitoring and Analysis
Authors: Anas Mohd Noor
Published: November 2014

Insole pressure during walking or running could be used to analyze abnormality of kinetic measurement for broad applications as such a diabetic foot, knee injuries and neural disorder. Moreover, some application of biometrics and human behavior also had been identified based on gait pattern. This project purposed a prototype for measuring ground reaction force using developed an instrumented insole measurement system based on dual-parameters of gait monitoring and analysis; foot force and plantar flexion. The system comprised hardware such as force and angle sensors, signal conditioning circuit and data acquisition device and software for signal's visualization for user interface and real-time gait analysis. The sensors will be placed on top of the shoe insole for measuring force distribution on foot and foot plantar for measuring flexion angle wired to a data acquisition device. The locations of the sensors have been determined based on the footprint during the gait cycle. This paper also presented details of components involved in the measurement system. It has been demonstrated that the developed system prototype could be used in the clinical gait monitoring and analysis established based on the foot force and plantar angle starting from heals strike till toe-off positions.
Adaptive Device Context Based Mobile Learning Systems
Authors: Pu Haitao , Lin Jinjiao , Song Yanwei , Liu Fasheng
Published: November 2014

Mobile learning is e-learning delivered through mobile computing devices, which represents the next stage of computer-aided, multi-media based learning. Therefore, mobile learning is transforming the way of traditional education. However, as most current e-learning systems and their contents are not suitable for mobile devices, an approach for mobile devices to adapt to e-learning is presented. To provide device-independence mobile learning services, a context-aware mobile learning approach is proposed. Firstly, the formal definitions of contexts and their influence on mobile learning services, including device contexts NCxt, matrix of information transmission parameters S, the degree of influence of the context NCxt on information transmission parameters Q, and adaptation coefficient E, are given. By using this approach, the mobile learning system is constructed. In an example using this approach, the authors detect the contextual environment of mobile computing and adapt the mobile learning services to the learners’ devices automatically.
Research on Key Technology in Remote Education System of Spirit Diagnosing by Eye in TCM
Authors: Guo Feng , Li Shaozi , Dai Ying , Zhou Changle , Lin Ying
Published: November 2014

Spirit diagnosing is an important theory in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), by which a TCM doctor can diagnose a patient’s body state. But this theory is complicated and difficult to master simply learned from books. To further the theory and skill of spirit diagnosing, in this paper, the authors propose a remote education system that can accept videos from a user and give the user an auto-diagnosed spirit. The key technology in this system is eye feature computation in spirit diagnosing, for which rules describing “the spirit” (spirit in TCM refers to the human’s mental state which reflects the one’s general physical condition) state are mined by the quantitative features regarding the human eyes. With videos capturing eye condition during a short period, a set of eye features are extracted. On this basis, attribute intervals of the eye feature space is generated by CAIM (class-attribute interdependence maximization). Several of the candidate rules are then mined by the association rule based on the cloud model. Finally, three complementary rule-pruning methods are modified and combined to trim the candidate rules. The cross validation test for mined rules has an average accuracy of 93%, which shows the high performance of the proposed method.
A FAQ-Based e-Learning Environment to Support Japanese Language Learning
Authors: Liu Yuqin , Yin Chengjiu , Ogata Hiroaki , Qiao Guojun , Yano Yoneo
Published: November 2014

In traditional classes, having many questions from learners is important because these questions indicate difficult points for learners and for teachers. This paper proposes a FAQ-based e-Learning environment to support Japanese language learning that focuses on learner questions. This knowledge sharing system enables learners to interact and share information and knowledge through FAQ and e-mail. Teachers contribute answers to discussion among learners. The system also allows learners to discuss and collaborate, stimulating their motivation to study Japanese as a foreign language. All questions are stored in a FAQ database, allowing other learners to reuse resources, helping learners learn by themselves and reduce teacher workloads.
Addressing Challenges in Web Accessibility for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Authors: Guercio Angela , Stirbens Kathleen A. , Williams Joseph , Haiber Charles
Published: November 2014

Searching for relevant information on the web is an important aspect of distance learning. This activity is a challenge for visually impaired distance learners. While sighted people have the ability to filter information in a fast and non sequential way, blind persons rely on tools that process the information in a sequential way. Learning is slowed by screen readers which do not interact well with web pages. This paper introduces WAVES, a tool for the fast retrieval of information in a web page for blind and visually impaired people. The paper describes the WAVES prototype, a system that performs a page restructuring of webpages. The system analyzes webpages, identifies elements of interests from a webpage, evaluates their importance by using semantic information and visual cues, sorts them by importance and uses them to restructure the webpage so that data from the original webpage are presented to the reader in a concise format. A preliminary evaluation test of the prototype system has been performed with a sample set of users. The results of the preliminary test show an increase in speed and accuracy when the WAVES system has been used.
Risk Assessment for Cloud-Based IT Systems
Authors: Chou Yuyu , Oetting Jan
Published: November 2014

The use of Cloud Computing services is an attractive option to improve IT systems to achieve rapidly and elastically provisioned capability, and also to offer economic benefits. However, companies see security as a major concern in migrating to the Cloud. To bring clarity in Cloud security, this paper presents a systematic approach to manage the risks and analyzes the full range of risk in Cloud Computing solutions. Furthermore, as a study case, Google App Engine Platform is assessed based on ISO/IEC 27002 and OWASP Top 10 Risk List in this paper. Knowing the risks of Cloud solutions, companies can execute well-informed decisions on going into the Cloud and build their Cloud solutions in a secure way, relying on a robust e-trust relationship.
A Computational Grid Scheduling Model to Maximize Reliability Using Modified GA
Authors: Raza Zahid , Vidyarthi Deo P.
Published: November 2014

This paper presents a grid scheduling model to schedule a job on the grid with the objective of ensuring maximum reliability to the job under the current grid state. The model schedules a modular job to those resources that suit the job requirements in terms of resources while offering the most reliable environment. The reliability estimates depict true grid picture and considers the contribution of the computational resources, network links and the application awaiting allocation. The scheduling executes the interactive jobs while considering the looping structure. As scheduling on the grid is an NP hard problem, soft computing tools are often applied. This paper applies Modified Genetic Algorithm (MGA), which is an elitist selection method based on the two threshold values, to improve the solution. The MGA works on the basis of partitioning the current population in three categories: the fittest chromosomes, average fit chromosomes and the ones with worst fitness. The worst are dropped, while the fittest chromosomes of the current generation are mated with the average fit chromosomes of the previous generation to produce off-spring. The simulation results are compared with other similar grid scheduling models to study the performance of the proposed model under various grid conditions.
ACO Based Dynamic Scheduling Algorithm for Real-Time Multiprocessor Systems
Authors: Shah Apurva , Kotecha Ketan
Published: November 2014

The Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms are computational models inspired by the collective foraging behavior of ants. The ACO algorithms provide inherent parallelism, which is very useful in multiprocessor environments. They provide balance between exploration and exploitation along with robustness and simplicity of individual agent. In this paper, ACO based dynamic scheduling algorithm for homogeneous multiprocessor real-time systems is proposed. The results obtained during simulation are measured in terms of Success Ratio (SR) and Effective CPU Utilization (ECU) and compared with the results of Earliest Deadline First (EDF) algorithm in the same environment. It has been observed that the proposed algorithm is very efficient in underloaded conditions and it performs very well during overloaded conditions also. Moreover, the proposed algorithm can schedule some typical instances successfully which are not possible to schedule using EDF algorithm.
Location Update Improvement Using Fuzzy Logic Optimization in Location Based Routing Protocols in MANET
Authors: Osmani Amjad , Haghighat Abolfazl Toroghi , Khezri Shirin
Published: November 2014

Several position-based routing protocols have been developed for mobile ad hoc networks. Many of these protocols assume that a location service is available which provides location information on the nodes in the network. This paper introduces a new schema in management of mobile nodes location in mobile ad hoc networks. Fuzzy logic optimization is applied to a better management of location update operation in hierarchical location services. Update management overhead is decreased without significant loss of query success probability. One-hop-chain-technique is used for Auto compensation. A new composed method can update mobile nodes location when the nodes cross a grid boundary. The proposed method uses a dynamic grid area that ?solves the ping-pong problem between grids. Simulation results show that these methods are effective. The algorithms are distributed and can keep scalability in the scenario of increasing nodes density?. The described solutions are not limited to a special network grid ordering, and can be used in every hierarchical ordering like GLS if the ordering can be mappable on these methods.
An Intelligent Sensor Placement Method to Reach a High Coverage in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Khezri Shirin , Faez Karim , Osmani Amjad
Published: November 2014

Adequate coverage is one of the main problems for Sensor Networks. The effectiveness of distributed wireless sensor networks highly depends on the sensor deployment scheme. Optimizing the sensor deployment provides sufficient sensor coverage and saves cost of sensors for locating in grid points. This article applies the modified binary particle swarm optimization algorithm for solving the sensor placement in distributed sensor networks. PSO is an inherent continuous algorithm, and the discrete PSO is proposed to be adapted to discrete binary space. In the distributed sensor networks, the sensor placement is an NP-complete problem for arbitrary sensor fields. One of the most important issues in the research fields, the proposed algorithms will solve this problem by considering two factors: the complete coverage and the minimum costs. The proposed method on sensors surrounding is examined in different area. The results not only confirm the successes of using the new method in sensor placement, also they show that the new method is more efficiently compared to other methods like Simulated Annealing(SA), PBIL and LAEDA.
ICT-Supported Education for Sustainable Development of South Korean Rural Communities
Authors: Joo K. P.
Published: November 2014

The rural communities in South Korea have faced serious challenges as the country has gradually opened the agricultural market and extended the conclusion of Free Trade Agreement with more and more countries. Moreover, due to the national socio-economic and political structures, South Korea has been undergoing the technological imbalance between rural and urban areas. In order to cope with these vital social challenges, the South Korean government has exerted considerable investment and effort in establishing ICT knowledge and skills as well as infrastructure in rural areas. Thus, conceptualizing ICT in the context of adult education, this chapter addresses three ICT-supported adult education programs oriented toward developing ICT skills and competencies of people in agricultural areas of South Korea. The South Korean cases of agricultural ICT education represent the vast and concentrated national efforts in integrating ICT across rural areas in this fast changing global situation.
E-Insurance Project
Authors: Järvinen Raija , Salonen Jarno , Ahonen Aki , Kivistö-Rahnasto Jouni
Published: November 2014

This case study covers two R&D projects called eInsurance 1 and eInsurance 2, which are concerned with electronic insurance. This case emphasizes project organization, its activities and roles, together with the results of the projects. In addition, the structure and innovation level of the projects are analyzed and the challenges involved in launching the concepts into insurance markets are presented. The most important outcomes of the projects are novel service concepts, and valuable information of consumer expectations that corporate partners utilized in their R&D activities. For research partners, the projects brought ideas, how to organize future projects in new ways, and how to combine academic and business expertise successfully.
Leveraging Business Model Innovation in the International Space Industry
Authors: Vecchi Alessandra , Brennan Louis
Published: November 2014

This chapter provides insights on the dynamics of the space industry, which, despite its remarkable potential, tends to remain an under-studied sector within the field of business studies. By drawing on our existing work on the space industry, this chapter investigates the leveraging of innovative business models in the industry utilizing three case studies. The findings demonstrate that all three companies (Virgin Galactic, Mars One, and Unilever with the Axe/Lynx Apollo campaign) have extensively relied on business model innovation by leveraging specific design elements: content, structure, and governance. The findings highlight that business model innovation is an imperative to operate successfully in the space industry. Furthermore, a wide variety of private actors appear to be particularly resourceful in adopting novel business models that address the involvement of non-space actors and rely on non-space revenues.
Entrepreneurs' Contributions to Small Business
Authors: Hunter M. Gordon
Published: November 2014

This chapter compares success factors and failure factors of small businesses. In an attempt to determine the relative importance of these factors, the two sets are compared. Thus, each failure factor is related to a corresponding success factor. A discussion of the aspects related to small business success and failure sets the context for the comparison. The relatively more important success factor involves aspects related to administration. Unfortunately, this is the one aspect that most small business owners/managers either lack the skills to perform or the time to allocate to this function. Within the administration, function leadership emerged as a relatively important skill contributing to small business success.
Effect of National Culture on Development of International Business in the Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: November 2014

Today, no business can be local or national due to the effects of globalization. The world of business has become international. However, extant business literature ignores links between national culture and technology development and international business, although in reality all three are interdependent or least they are characterized by a cyclical co-dependence and co-influence. In the modern world, superior technologies enhance economic development, and technology transfer allows many emerging markets to grow significantly as seen in Asia or the Persian Gulf. Simultaneously, different cultures exhibit different levels of technological development in the Arab world commonly referred to as the Gulf. Among the Gulf, the Sultanate of Oman occupies a prime position in terms of the economic, social, and developmental strides made in the last three decades. How the Sultanate's national culture has played a significant role for development of international business is the core of this chapter.
Research of Strategic Global Development Trends and Competitiveness in the World Pharmaceutical Industry
Authors: Kesic Dragan
Published: November 2014

In this chapter, the authors analyze strategic global development trends and competitiveness in the world pharmaceutical industry. They find some most significant characteristics of the world pharmaceutical industry, which greatly influence the global development in this “high-tech” industrial sector. The global pharmaceutical industry has been consolidating over the past 30 years. According to the research, the main strategic reasons for the intensive consolidation processes in the world pharmaceutical industry include the following: lack of new products to drive sales growth, huge investments needed for R&D activities to develop new products, fast globalization processes of the global economy, global marketing and sales activities that need large investments, and changed structure of competitors created by M&A strategies and consolidation processes. The concentration process, which is still going on, has created many new phramaceutical players; however, some previously well-known pharmaceutical firms have disappeared from the global marketplace.
Do Nonperforming Assets Alone Determine Bank Performance?
Authors: Das Rituparna
Published: November 2014

The post-crisis period in India witnessed economic slowdown consequent upon economy wide loan default in the infrastructure, real estate, and construction sectors. The asset quality problem of the Indian commercial banks became so acute that many of the weak banks were to be merged with strong banks in the interest of the depositors in order to arrest any contagion effect. The old generation private sector banks in India do not have government patronage or continuing support of the founder communities. This chapter analyzes the key financial ratios of these banks and tries to find out whether nonperforming assets are the sole determinants of the performances of these banks.
Rethinking End-User Training Strategy
Authors: Sein Maung , Bostrom Robert , Olfman Lorne
Published: November 2014

Training in information technology (IT) tools has traditionally been defined in terms of skills. Consequently, training methods and approaches have focused almost exclusively on ensuring that a trainee acquires the skills required to use an IT tool, and in a specific domain. With the advent and increasing use of enterprise-wide IT architectures, such as client/server, integrated processes such as workflow systems and integrated packages such as SAP, this narrow view of training will prove to be inadequate in preparing the workforce of the future. To train such a workforce, we propose a re-conceptualization of training based on a hierarchy of knowledge levels that a trainee will need. We then use this hierarchy to propose an integrated framework that can be used to develop a comprehensive training strategy. We offer directions for research that are needed to use our model to develop effective training strategies.
The Relevance of Visual Merchandising for Online Retailers
Authors: Bonera Michelle , Corvi Elisabetta
Published: November 2014

In response to consumer needs for online sensory experiences and ease of access to information, developments in online visual merchandising techniques can help to enhance the virtual environment for e-shopping. Online visual merchandising helps to reduce perceived risk for the consumer, so enabling Internet-based shopping to compete with—or to augment—traditional sales channels. The present analysis aims to test a hypothesized relationship between the visual merchandising techniques in use on those Web sites and the commercial success of fashion industry e-commerce sites (as measured by traffic data). The study uses content analysis to assess the visual merchandising techniques of 30 distribution companies in the clothing industry. On the basis of these findings, commercial enterprises of this kind using the online channel should be better able to understand the limitations and/or strengths of their current Web site, and to improve the effectiveness of their virtual environment for e-shopping.